20 ETFs Perfect For Retirement

Exchange-traded fund (ETF) investing is integral for prospective and existing retirees, since it gets you a bundle of great stocks with the press of a button. The ETF will then take care of the rebalancing, and you can keep the investment on autopilot by reinvesting or cashing the dividends if need be. You can also look into actively-managed ETFs, which means professionals will take care of your money for a fee that is usually less than $100 per $10,000 invested. It’s a terrific deal, all things considered.

That said, not all ETFs are suitable for retirees. Some focus extensively on growth, and while that theme has done well in the last 20 years, no one can guarantee that a 2000-esque bust won’t drag down these tech names to basement levels. At the same time, you can’t afford to miss out on the juicy growth you are getting from these growth names, so investing in several diversified ETFs is a better idea.

You might find your ideal ETFs as you go through this list.

20. Schwab U.S. REIT ETF (SCHH)

This ETF tracks an index composed of U.S. real estate investment trusts classified as equities. Priced at $21.33 per share (as of Jan. 25), SCHH has net assets of $8.75 billion. Its dividend yield is 3.04% and the expense ratio is a low 0.7%.

19. iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF (USRT)

Another ETF tracking real estate investment trusts, this iShares offering costs $58.33. The fund has net assets of $3.3 billion, a dividend yield of 3.07%, and an expense ratio of 0.08%

18. Franklin International Core Dividend Tilt Index ETF (DIVI)

This index fund targets large- and mid-cap stocks outside of the U.S. Currently priced at $40.62, the ETF has net assets of $2.05 billion, a dividend yield of 3.76%, and an expense ratio of 0.09%.

17. State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLRE)

This fund seeks to match the real estate sector of the S&P 500 Index. XLRE costs $41.25 per share. Net assets are $7.38 billion, the dividend yield is 3.45%, and the expense ratio is 0.08%

16. WisdomTree U.S. High Dividend Fund (DHS)

Seeking to track the investment results of high-dividend-yielding companies in the U.S. equity market, this ETF costs $105.77. Net assets are $1.3 billion, the dividend yield is 3.32%, and the expense ratio is 0.38%.

15. Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (SPHD)

This fund ($49.40 per share) is based on the S&P 500 Low Volatility High Dividend Index. It has net assets of $3.06 billion, a dividend yield of 4.02%, and an expense ratio of 0.30%.

14. iShares Select Dividend ETF (DVY)

This iShares ETF gives exposure to broad-cap U.S. companies with a consistent history of dividends. DVY costs $147.89 per share and has net assets of $20.93 billion. Its dividend yield is 3.65% and expense ratio is 0.38%.

13. Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF Shares (VNQ)

Priced at $90.54 per share, this real estate index fund has $64.03 billion in net assets. Its dividend yield is 3.92% and its expense ratio is 0.13%.

12. Schwab International Dividend Equity ETF (SCHY)

This one tracks the Dow Jones International Dividend 100 Index composed of non-U.S., high dividend yielding stocks. Shares are priced at $30.82. The fund has net assets of $1.7 billion, a dividend yield of 3.55%, and a 0.08% expense ratio.

11. WisdomTree International SmallCap Dividend Fund (DLS)

This one ($85.09 per share) offers global small-cap stock exposure. The fund has net assets of just under $1 billion. The expense ratio is 0.58% and dividend yield is 3.87%

10. Xtrackers MSCI EAFE High Dividend Yield Equity ETF (HDEF)

This fund seeks to match the performance of large and mid-cap representation across developed markets around the world, excluding the U.S. and Canada. At $31.34 per share, HDEF offers a yield of 3.87%, with an expense ratio of 0.09%. The ETF has $2.22 billion in assets.

9. Vanguard International High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares (VYMI)

This Vanguard fund ($93.78 per share) gives exposure to international stocks that are forecasted to have above-average dividend yields. It has net assets of $15.53 billion, offers a yield of 3.69%, and has a 0.17% expense ratio.

8. Amplify Blockchain Technology ETF (BLOK)

This actively managed portfolio seeks to capture rapidly evolving opportunities in the blockchain and cryptocurrency industries. It has an expense ratio of 0.73% and reports a yield of 0.72%. The fund manages $1.11 billion in assets. Shares are priced at $63.07.

7. Amplify CWP Enhanced Dividend Income ETF (DIVO)

This actively managed ETF seeks income from dividend paying stocks and by opportunistically writing covered calls on those stocks. Shares are priced at $45.32, with net assets of $5.79 billion. DIVO’s yield is 5.06% and expense ratio is 0.56%.

6. First Trust Morningstar Dividend Leaders Index Fund (FDL)

The fund tracks an index of securities that have historically maintained consistent and sustainable dividend policies. Priced at $46.45, FDL has net assets of $6.12 billion. The dividend yield is 4.04% and the expense ratio is 0.43%.

5. WisdomTree Emerging Markets High Dividend Fund (DEM)

This emerging markets play costs $49.26 per share and has net assets of $3.29 billion. Its dividend yield is 4.87% and expense ratio is 0.63%.

4. Invesco High Yield Equity Dividend Achievers ETF (PEY)

This ETF tracks the NASDAQ US Dividend Achievers 50 Index, which is comprised of 50 stocks selected principally on the basis of dividend yield and consistent growth in dividends. Shares are currently $21.33 and net assets are $1.02 billion. Its yield is 4.85%. The expense ratio is 0.54%.

3. iShares International Select Dividend ETF (IDV)

This is another index offering that targets high-dividend, non-U.S. companies. Shares cost $41.20, the dividend yield is 4.95%, and the expense ratio is 0.50%. IDV has net assets totaling $6.69 billion.

2. Pacer Metaurus US Large Cap Dividend Multiplier 400 ETF (QDPL)

QDPL aims to provide cash distributions equal to 400% of the S&P 500 ordinary yield in exchange for modestly lower exposure to the S&P 500 Index performance. Priced at $43 per share, the ETF has net assets of $1.41 billion, a 4.85% yield and a 0.60% expense ratio.

1. Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD)

This popular ETF has $71.64 in assets under management and costs $29.14 per share. It offers a yield of 3.82% and carries a low expense ratio of 0.06%.

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