Many Baby Boomers in 2026 need dependable passive income, and one outstanding way to achieve this is to invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Unlike open-end mutual funds, ETFs trade on major exchanges like stocks. They own financial assets, including stocks, bonds, currencies, debt, futures contracts, and commodities such as gold bars.
The more passive income can help cover rising costs, such as mortgages, insurance, taxes, and other expenses, the easier it is for investors to set aside money for future needs as they prepare for or begin retirement. Dependable recurring monthly dividends from quality, high-yield ETFs are a recipe for success. In a world of rising albeit slower prices, they make sense for Baby Boomers looking to supplement their income.
One significant advantage of owning ETFs is that they can be sold at any time when the markets are trading. We screened our 24/7 Wall St. ETF research database and found five top funds that have these qualities:
- High dividend monthly payout
- Trades at a discount to net asset value
- Major Wall Street firms manage them
- Reasonable expense ratio
JPMorgan Equity Premium Income
This massive fund has raised billions since its inception in 2020 and is run by top portfolio managers at JPMorgan. JPMorgan Equity Premium Income (NYSEArca: JEPI) holds about 125 stocks, including major tech names, making it ideal for those seeking higher income with reasonable risk.
The fund seeks to achieve this objective by:
- Creating an actively managed portfolio of equity securities significantly comprised of those included in the fund’s primary benchmark, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Total Return Index (S&P 500 Index).
- Utilizing equity-linked notes (ELNs), selling call options with exposure to the S&P 500 Index.
> Dividend yield: 8.25% paid monthly
> NAV: $58.24
> Expense ratio: 0.35%
> Assets under management: $41.49 billion
> PE ratio: 26.78
JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF
This is another immensely popular JPMorgan fund that offers a higher yield with more exposure to technology. Up almost 15% since its inception and paying a substantial monthly dividend, JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (NYSEArca: JEPQ) is an excellent option for those with a higher risk tolerance. The fund seeks to achieve this objective by:
- Creating an actively managed portfolio of equity securities comprised significantly of those included in the fund’s primary benchmark, the Nasdaq-100 Index.
- Through equity-linked notes (ELNs), selling call options with exposure to the Benchmark. It is non-diversified.
> Dividend yield: 10.54% paid monthly
> NAV: $59.17
> Expense ratio: 0.35%
> Assets under management: $32.49 billion
> PE ratio: 33.58
Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF
With a monthly dividend, Global X NASDAQ 100 Covered Call ETF (NASDAQ: QYLD) aims to deliver investment results that generally correspond to the price and yield performance of the CBOE NASDAQ-100 BuyWrite Index. The fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in common stocks included in the Index. It employs a replication strategy to track the index.
> Dividend yield: 11.55% paid monthly
> NAV: $16.68
> Expense ratio: 0.60%
> Assets under management: $8.23 billion
> PE ratio: 33.67
Global X SuperDividend ETF
Global X SuperDividend ETF (NASDAQ: SDIV) invests at least 80% of its total assets in the securities of the underlying index, as well as in American depositary receipts (ADRs) and global depositary receipts (GDRs) based on these securities. The underlying index tracks the performance of 100 equally weighted companies that rank among the highest-yielding equity securities worldwide, including those from emerging markets.
> Dividend yield: 9.60% paid monthly
> NAV: $24.80
> Expense ratio: 0.58%
> Assets under management: $1.08 billion
> PE ratio: 11.02
iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF
Run by one of the largest companies in the ETF arena, iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (NASDAQ: PFF) is another solid choice for more conservative growth-and-income investors. The fund invests in preferred stocks, which combine bond-like characteristics with equity ownership. With over $14 billion in assets and 450+ holdings, it provides a steady monthly income with moderate risk. Though it’s sensitive to interest rate changes, with rates trending lower, it is a solid investment now.
> Dividend yield: 6.29% paid monthly
> NAV: $31.69
> Expense ratio: 0.45%
> Assets under management: $14.05 billion
> PE ratio: 3.94
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