3 Top Dividend ETFs That Are Great for Retirees

January 5, 2026

Retirement Strategies and ETFs to Consider

The iShares 20+ Year Government Bond Buy-Write Strategy ETF (TLTW) currently boasts a yield of 14.8%, primarily through holding long-term government bonds and writing call options.
The VistaShares Target 15 Berkshire Select Income ETF (OMAH) features a portfolio of stocks influenced by Berkshire Hathaway, along with an options strategy, yielding 12.83%.
With a yield of 7.25%, the StrategyShares Gold Hedge Bond ETF (GOLY) has appreciated by 45% over the past year.
For those contemplating retirement—or if you know someone who is—there are a few key questions that might help many realize they could retire sooner than expected.

A significant number of retirees are making the decision to retire daily, especially as more baby boomers reach retirement age. The stock market has been quite favorable, and certain ETFs, like the iShares 20+ Year Government Bond Buy-Lite Strategy ETF (BATS:TLTW), the VistaShares Target 15 Berkshire Select Income ETF (NYSEARCA:OMAH), and the StrategyShares Gold Hedge Bond ETF (BATS:GOLY), remain strong options for them. Last year’s market performance was exceptional, but this trend of people turning 65 is expected to persist until at least 2030.

Relying solely on Social Security may not suffice to manage increasing expenses. The stock market has surged, along with high-yield assets that are generating returns significantly above inflation. For anyone retired or approaching retirement, keeping an eye on these opportunities could be really beneficial.

Adopting a passive approach by allocating a small portion of your portfolio to these high-yield ETFs might be wise. You can either reinvest the gains to enhance your holdings or convert the returns into cash. Either way, this strategy tends to outperform simply holding onto cash.

All three ETFs mentioned offer monthly payouts.

Considering economic downturns while aiming for high yields, TLTW stands out. This ETF invests in the iShares 20+ Years Government Bond ETF (NASDAQ:TLT) and generates additional income through writing call options on those stocks. TLT itself offers a yield over 4.4%, and TLTW’s strategy boosts that to 14.8%, with an expense ratio of only 0.35%, equating to $35 per $10,000.

TLTW’s underlying assets consist of long-term bonds, which tend to be stable. While a decline in bond value could impact TLTW, the theory is that it has reached its low point. With the Federal Reserve reducing interest rates, and with future changes expected at the Fed chair level, there’s potential for TLTW to gain both yield and capital value. If a recession hits, TLTW could actually rise in value since bonds generally perform well during such times.

In somewhat related news, Warren Buffett recently announced a transition in leadership, passing the CEO role to Greg Abel while maintaining his position as board chairman. Despite a massive portfolio valued at over $314 billion, his investment strategy will continue to influence the market long-term. This is precisely where the VistaShares Target 15 Berkshire Select Income ETF seeks to capitalize.

OMAH is designed to generate 15% annual income, alongside long-term growth through a Berkshire Hathaway-focused stock collection and options strategies that provide premiums. It carries a yield of 12.83% and an expense ratio of 0.95%. If you believe in Buffett’s stock selections, buying into them could be beneficial.

Furthermore, gold prices are on the rise due to solid underlying trends, and it’s hard to predict when this trend might level off. Major gold-exporting nations are facing export restrictions, and global central banks are amassing stockpiles. The GOLY ETF offers exposure to gold while generating income, providing a yield of 7.25% with a 0.79% expense ratio.

Remarkably, even without factoring in dividends, GOLY has increased nearly 45% in the last year. For anyone who thinks gold prices will maintain their upward trajectory, this ETF could be an attractive option.

It’s worth noting that effective retirement investing isn’t merely about selecting the top stocks or ETFs. Even strong investments can become burdensome during retirement, largely due to the difference between accumulating wealth and distributing it, which is crucial.

The encouraging part? Many individuals have recently discovered, by pondering three straightforward questions, that they can retire earlier than they had ever anticipated. If you’re considering retirement or know someone in that phase, it could be useful to take a moment to reflect on these insights.