3 Vanguard ETFs That Can Provide a Lifetime of Passive Income

Core Insights - Investing in ETFs, particularly those from Vanguard, is highlighted as a simple method for generating lasting passive income [1] Group 1: Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF - The Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) tracks a diversified index of high-yielding dividend stocks, currently offering a dividend yield of 2.5%, which is more than double that of the S&P 500 at 1.2% [2] - The ETF holds over 560 stocks, including top dividend-paying companies like ExxonMobil, which has a yield of 3.5% and has increased its dividend for 42 consecutive years [3] - The focus on higher-yielding dividend stocks positions this fund to provide above-average and steadily rising dividend income in the future [4] Group 2: Vanguard Real Estate ETF - The Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) invests in REITs and other real estate companies, currently yielding over 3.5% [5] - It holds over 150 REITs, with Prologis as a top holding, yielding 3.3% and increasing its payout by 13% annually over the past five years, outpacing the S&P 500's 5% growth rate [6] - Investing in REITs through this fund offers a straightforward way to generate passive income from real estate [7] Group 3: Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF - The Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) provides broad exposure to the U.S. dollar-denominated bond market, with a current yield of 4.1% [8][10] - The fund holds over 11,400 investment-grade bonds, with more than 69% backed by the U.S. government, which helps lower the risk profile [9] - The income yield from this fund will fluctuate with interest rate changes, but it is expected to provide a steady stream of interest income over the long term [10] Group 4: Overall Investment Strategy - The combination of VYM, VNQ, and BND offers a diversified approach to generating passive income, with each fund contributing from different asset classes [11]