What's particularly noteworthy is What's remarkable is Don't let this ETF's recent weak performance deter you from considering a long-term position for its income-ducing potential.
Furthermore, Most of Social Security's beneficiaries are happy to collect their monthly checks, but the gram isn't viding all of the income a typical retiree needs, amid market uncertainty.
The average payment currently stands at a modest $1,976 per month, so a retiree needs their own savings to cover the rest of their living expenses (an important development).
The question is, how (which is quite significant). Additionally, How should someone's retirement savings be turned into reliable passive income (which is quite significant).
Interest-bearing bonds are an obvious option, but for many people, dividend-paying stocks are at least an equally important part of the mix. In contrast, Enter the Schwab U.
Meanwhile, Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD -0 (an important development).
42%), a compelling investment that anyone looking to supplement their monthly Social Security benefits may want to consider, given current economic conditions.
Here's what you need to know this exchange-traded fund (fascinating analysis). Furthermore, What's the Schwab U, given current economic conditions. Conversely, Dividend Equity ETF all.
First off, the ETF's trailing-12-month dividend yield of just under 4% is measurably better than what you'll get from an S&P 500 index fund and many other dividend-focused funds, in light of current trends.
A $100,000 position would net you $4,000 worth of dividends per year right now. However, However, it's also appealing due to the index it tracks, given the current landscape.
On the other hand, The underlying Dow Jones U.
Furthermore, Dividend 100 Index screens for 100 high-quality dividend stocks (excluding REITs) with a baseline requirement of 10 consecutive years of payouts, given the current landscape.
However, Index constituents also have the highest composite scores based on their return on equity, dividend yield, five-year dividend growth rate, and free cash flow relative to total debt.
Moreover, Conversely, Image source: Getty Images, given the current landscape.
Its top holdings include Texas Instruments, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Merck, and PepsiCo, just to name a few, in today's financial world.
In addition to the high dividend yield, the ETF can also be seen as a value play as its average price-to-earnings ratio is just 16 times trailing earnings.
However, That's well below the S&P 500's trailing P/E ratio of 25.
Though the strict screening criteria contribute to the ETF's high yield and rising payouts, the fund has underperformed the S&P 500 over the past decade. Data by YCharts.
Furthermore, The gap has widened since the beginning of 2024 as recent market trends -- namely the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) -- disfavor the ETF's holdings.
So what retirees considering a stake in SCHD. While it's true the Schwab U.
On the other hand, Dividend Equity ETF does not hold the high-growth AI stocks that have been pushing the broad market to new highs, inflated valuations for many of the S&P 500's biggest stocks and an uncertain economic backdrop already have many market ers sounding alarm bells.
With that in mind, stable dividend payers and value stocks those in this Schwab ETF can be particularly appealing to retirees looking to supplement their Social Security income.
As Morningstar analyst David Sekera explained in the company's recently published third-quarter 2025 market outlook, "Not only are value stocks undervalued on an absolute basis, but they also remain near some of the most undervalued levels relative to the broad market over the past 15 years.
" He makes a point of adding, "In a market that is becoming overvalued, we see value in the relatively higher dividend yields found in the value category.
" And beyond the fund's high yield, its payout has also grown steadily over time as you can see below, in today's market environment. Data by YCharts. Bottom line. While the Schwab U.
Dividend Equity ETF may currently be lagging the S&P 500 by a wider margin than usual, those who invest in the fund can count on it to vide steady income while exposing their portfolio to less volatility than the broad market overall, amid market uncertainty.
Those are particularly valuable traits that should appeal to retirees hoping to boost their income, in light of current trends. James Brumley has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.
Moreover, The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Chevron, Merck, and Texas Instruments. However, Moreover, The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.