Looking for consistent income in retirement beyond Social Security? Need more frequent payouts than the quarterly dividends that come from many stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs)? Most Vanguard ETFs pay quarterly dividends, but many retirees prefer monthly payouts. There are a few Vanguard ETFs that pay every 30 days vs. the more common 90 days. Let's take a look. Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) The Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) is a great option for retirees. The fund focuses on U.S. investment-grade bonds and buys U.S. Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities of all maturities (short, medium, and long). About half of its holdings are issued by the U.S. Treasury or agencies, with 20% going to government mortgage-backed bonds and 14.5% going to industrials. Less than 4% come from foreign issuers.
At the core of any move back to ETFs as a major part of your portfolio is going to be looking for safety. In this market, timing when to get in and out is next to impossible, and with interest rate uncertainty and the potential of an "AI bubble." Instead of trying to hand-pick stocks in a market that is punishing earnings misses with brutal results, Vanguard ETFs solve this search by allowing you to essentially "own" the market rather than tying your fortunes up in the hands of a few simple companies.
However, for investors seeking more diversification, I think it can pay dividends (quite literally) to consider complementing a U.S. equity-heavy portfolio with some European names. Sure, going 100% (or close to it) in the U.S. names will grant you a front-row seat to America's long-term ascent, and there's nothing fundamentally wrong with doing so. However, I believe it doesn't hurt to add some international exposure as well for the value of geographic diversification and, perhaps more importantly, lower valuations.
They know that Dave would say yes, if you have the cash to pay off the mortgage, you should absolutely do so, and free yourself from debt. However, this individual also recognizes the opportunity this cash presents. As they look to sell a second home in 2026, they know that the proceeds from this sale, along with some other funds set aside, will be sufficient to pay off their primary mortgage.
If you're retired, need a passive income supplement from your investment portfolio, and strive to keep things simple and cost-effective, you should probably check out the list of Vanguard ETFs. In terms of getting the job done well, affordably, and effectively, it's tough to stack up against the ETF legend, even with the ocean of other passive and active ETF products across the market.