3 ETFs to Buy for a Lifetime of Passive Income

Core Insights - The article discusses three ETFs that can help create a balanced passive income portfolio, focusing on two dividend ETFs and one bond ETF [1][2]. Equity ETFs - Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD) tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index, selecting companies that have increased dividends for at least 10 years, excluding REITs [3][4]. - The ETF's composite score considers metrics like cash flow to total debt, return on equity, dividend yield, and five-year dividend growth rate, aiming to identify strong businesses with attractive yields [4]. - The trailing dividend yield for Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF is 3.8%, with a low expense ratio of 0.06% [5]. - Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) tracks the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, focusing on U.S. stocks that have increased dividends for at least 10 years, excluding the highest-yielding 25% [6][7]. - The expense ratio for Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF is 0.05%, with a modest yield of 1.6%, but it has shown strong total returns over time [7]. Bond ETF - Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF (BIV) provides stability to a portfolio by investing in high-quality bonds with maturities between five and ten years, tracking the Bloomberg U.S. 5–10 Year Government/Credit Float Adjusted Index [8][9]. - The expense ratio for Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF is very low at 0.03%, with a yield around 3.9%, offering a balance between risk and reward [9][10]. Portfolio Strategy - Combining Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF, Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF, and Vanguard Intermediate-Term Bond ETF can enhance income, capital appreciation, and diversification, allowing investors to tailor their risk and yield preferences [12].