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Supercharge Your Retirement With Income Machines Paying Fat Dividends


Retirement planning can be a daunting task, but building a portfolio filled with reliable, high-yielding dividend stocks and funds can make it significantly easier. Instead of relying on the traditional 4% rule, where you gradually sell assets to fund your retirement, you can live off dividends indefinitely, preserving your principal while enjoying a steady income stream.

By focusing on investments with strong, durable business models, robust balance sheets, and dividend growth that outpaces inflation, retirees can achieve financial security and even benefit from market downturns by reinvesting excess cash flow. In this article, we’ll explore six income-generating investments—three funds and three individual stocks—that can help supercharge your retirement.

Fund #1: Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD)

SCHD is a go-to dividend growth ETF with a well-balanced portfolio of 101 high-quality companies. While its 3.6% dividend yield may be on the lower end for some retirees, its consistent dividend growth makes it an excellent core holding.

  • Expense Ratio: 0.06% (extremely low)

  • Dividend Growth Streak: 13 years

  • 10-Year Dividend CAGR: 11.04%

  • 5-Year Dividend CAGR: 11.59%

  • Diversification: Covers multiple sectors

SCHD is ideal for retirees looking for inflation-beating dividend growth combined with financial stability. It can serve as a foundational piece of a dividend-focused retirement portfolio.

Fund #2: NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF (SPYI)

SPYI is a great complement to SCHD, adding exposure to mega-cap tech stocks while employing a covered call strategy that enhances income.

  • Target Distribution: 1% monthly (~12% annual yield)

  • Tax Advantages: ~60% of distributions are taxed at long-term capital gains rates

  • Exposure: Broad S&P 500 coverage

SPYI offers retirees a high-yielding, tax-efficient income stream, making it an attractive choice for taxable accounts.

Fund #3: Virtus InfraCap U.S. Preferred Stock ETF (PFFA)

PFFA provides exposure to preferred stocks, primarily from real asset businesses, offering a blend of high income and stability.

  • Expense Ratio: 2.52% (includes leverage costs)

  • Forward Dividend Yield: 9.41%

  • Holdings: Diversified portfolio of preferred stocks

  • Performance: Consistently outperforms the broader preferred stock sector (PFF)

PFFA’s high yield and monthly payouts make it an excellent addition to a retirement income portfolio, especially for investors seeking fixed-income alternatives with higher returns.

Stock #1: Realty Income (O)

Realty Income is a top-tier Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) with a reputation for stability and consistent dividend payments.

  • Credit Rating: A-

  • Dividend Yield: 5.7%

  • Dividend Growth Forecast: 4.2% CAGR through 2029

  • Portfolio: 15,000+ properties with triple-net leases

As a Dividend Aristocrat, O provides retirees with reliable and inflation-beating income, making it a solid addition to any income-focused portfolio.

Stock #2: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD)

EPD is a blue-chip midstream infrastructure company that provides steady cash flows from energy transportation and storage.

  • Credit Rating: A-

  • Distribution Yield: 6.5%

  • Coverage Ratio: 1.7x distributable cash flow

  • Dividend Growth Forecast: 5.1% CAGR through 2029

EPD’s strong financials, long history of dividend increases, and essential infrastructure assets make it a reliable income machine for retirees. Note: EPD issues a K-1 form, so it may not be suitable for retirement accounts.

Stock #3: Main Street Capital (MAIN)

MAIN is a top-tier Business Development Company (BDC) that provides income-focused investors with exposure to private market lending.

  • Dividend Yield: 6.5% (including expected supplemental dividends)

  • Balance Sheet: Investment-grade credit rating

  • Dividend Growth Rate: 1.6% CAGR through 2027

Although MAIN’s growth rate is slower than some other options, its high yield and strong management make it a reliable source of retirement income.

Investor Takeaway

Retiring on dividends is not just a possibility—it can be a highly effective strategy for generating sustainable retirement income. By carefully selecting a mix of blue-chip dividend stocks and high-yield funds, retirees can enjoy financial security while keeping their principal intact.

A portfolio featuring SCHD, SPYI, PFFA, O, EPD, and MAIN provides an excellent balance of:

  • High Yield: Up to 12%

  • Dividend Growth: Beating inflation over time

  • Diversification: Across sectors and asset classes

For investors looking to retire comfortably with reliable income, this dividend-focused approach offers a compelling alternative to the traditional 4% rule. By reinvesting excess dividends and taking advantage of market downturns, you can maximize your income and secure a financially independent retirement.

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