Forget SCHD: These Dividend ETFs Are Better for Retirees

Core Insights - The article discusses the importance of generating steady income through investments for retirement, highlighting various ETFs that can provide higher yields and potential upside compared to the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF [1][2]. Group 1: Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF (VIG) - VIG tracks the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, investing in 337 stocks with a history of increasing dividends for at least 10 years, featuring a low expense ratio of 0.05% and a quarterly dividend yield of 1.59% [3][4]. - The fund's largest sector allocation is in information technology (27.30%), followed by financials (22.20%) and healthcare (15.20%), with top holdings including Broadcom, Microsoft, and Apple [4]. - VIG has achieved an average annual return of 12.83% over the past decade, with a cumulative 3-year return of 54.60% and a 5-year return of 89.46%, making it a strong performer in the market [5]. Group 2: Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF (VYM) - VYM focuses on high dividend yield stocks, holding 566 stocks for greater diversification, which may dilute returns but also reduce volatility, making it suitable for retirees [6][7]. - The fund offers a higher yield of 2.47% compared to VIG, with a lower concentration in technology stocks [7]. Group 3: JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (JEPI) - JEPI employs covered call options to generate a dividend yield of 7.24% with monthly distributions, providing an alternative income strategy for retirees [7].