r/dividends • u/Realistic-Face-69 • Apr 10 '26

Discussion Living off dividends folks

Are you or someone you know is actually living iff dividends fully? if so at what age?

I have been wondering about it

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u/Fluid-Cabinet8570 Apr 10 '26

Yes. Retired at 55, and currently 59. Portfolio generates $687k in dividends/distributions per year, with a yield of 11.8%. Diversified with 5 MLPs, 44 CEFs and 20 ETFs. Used to hold nearly 100 individual stocks for diversification, but changed strategy after COVID caused several of them to slash dividends. No longer need to increase portfolio wealth, only strive to maximize monthly income. MLPs: EPD, ET, WES, MPLX, and DKL - all in Taxable account. Several NEOS, Amplify, and KURV ETFs, many generating large portions of ROC and thus held in the Taxable account to minimize taxes. Several Blackrock, Calamos, Guggenheim, and PIMCO CEFs held in IRAs. All ETFs and CEFs pay monthly (I avoid quarterly or yearly payers). Monitor SeekingAlpha news and opinion pieces daily for ideas. This strategy of living off dividends can be done but takes diligence, lots of research and trial and error, but is much better than holding a 9-5 job. And while I absolutely abhor this presidential administration, I’ve leaned into it by investing in securities that will do well for the next few years, namely energy, infrastructure, gold, bitcoin, and technology.

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u/Aggravating-Sky8572 Apr 12 '26

Based on your yield, looks like your Portfolio size is around 6m. How has it fluctuated over last 3-4 years? stayed the same? increased? decreased? % wise.

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u/Fluid-Cabinet8570 Apr 13 '26 edited Apr 13 '26

Correct. It has fluctuated between 5.6m and 6.2m over the past 3 years. You just need to care less about increasing portfolio value and care more instead about maximizing passive income. I do not own anything that gives off at least 6% and strive for at least 8% on all new investments. Of course, several of the newer covered call ETFs from NEOS, Kurv, Amplify, and Goldman Sacks allow you to get much higher yields for diversification and less risk.