Baby Boomers: This ETF Is Your 1-Stop DYI Pension Solution

Worried about generating consistent income in retirement? BMO Canadian Dividend ETF (TSX:ZDV) is your answer.

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s premium investing services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Who doesn’t want a secure pension? I know I’d sure like one.

Unfortunately, I, like millions of other Canadians, am not enrolled in a corporate pension plan. But that’s okay; I’ve used my knowledge about the stock market to build a portfolio that churns out plenty of predictable monthly income. This portfolio should compound nicely over the next few decades, putting me in a good position once it’s time to retire.

I can understand how people reading this worry about retirement. Building a portfolio that delivers hundreds of dollars per month in passive income is no easy feat. You’ll likely need at least six figures to pull that off. And then there’s the task of choosing stocks for a portfolio. You’ll want to maximize your yield, all without falling into the trap of picking likely dividend cutters.

It’s easy to see how someone can get overwhelmed.

Fortunately, there’s an easy solution. Investors today can buy one product that delivers predictable monthly income from a collection of Canada’s best stocks. This option comes with instant diversification, a very reasonable management fee, and a payout that should slowly increase over time.

In other words, it’s a perfect solution for folks looking to build their own pensions.

If that sounds good, you’re going to want to keep reading. This could change your whole retirement.

Enter the best ETF

Mutual funds offering predictable monthly income have been popular products for decades now. There’s just one problem: these funds often come with huge management fees, enough to take a serious bite out of future returns.

For instance, a fund that earns 7% consistently would earn 8.5% if it wasn’t for the pesky 1.5% management fee. That can really make a big difference, especially when viewed over the long term.

One of the big advantages of the BMO Canadian Dividend ETF (TSX:ZDV) is the fund’s low management fee. The management expense ratio is a mere 0.35%, which is approximately 75% less than comparable mutual funds. That already is a big plus for this fund.

But wait. There’s more. This ETF offers instant diversification across all major sectors. It has 51 different holdings, including most of Canada’s top dividend stocks. Bank stocks are well represented, as well as pipelines, insurance companies, and even a few energy producers. The only major Canadian sector missing from this ETF is gold mining.

This diversification doesn’t just help protect your capital. It also makes dividends more secure. If you have a portfolio of 10 names and one cuts its dividend, it’s a pretty big deal. But this ETF has 51 names, and the top position is just over 3% of assets. You’ll easily survive if an underlying stock or two slashes its dividend.

Thanks to consistent dividend growth from the underlying components of the ETF, investors can count on their income slowly going up over time. All of the fund’s top 10 holdings increased their dividends over the last year. The fund itself paid $0.06 per unit each month back in 2017. The payout is currently $0.065 per unit each month. That works out to a dividend yield of 4.8%.

The bottom line

The BMO Canadian Dividend ETF is a great choice for your retirement portfolio. The fund is stuffed with high-quality Canadian stocks, which pay generous dividends. This will provide steady income for years to come.

It’s the perfect solution for Canadian investors who crave the dependable income of a pension but just don’t know where to start.

Should you invest $1,000 in Enbridge right now?

Before you buy stock in Enbridge, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor Canada analyst team just identified what they believe are the Top Stocks for 2025 and Beyond for investors to buy now… and Enbridge wasn’t one of them. The Top Stocks that made the cut could potentially produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider MercadoLibre, which we first recommended on January 8, 2014 ... if you invested $1,000 in the “eBay of Latin America” at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $21,345.77!*

Stock Advisor Canada provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month – one from Canada and one from the U.S. The Stock Advisor Canada service has outperformed the return of S&P/TSX Composite Index by 24 percentage points since 2013*.

See the Top Stocks * Returns as of 4/21/25

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Nelson Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

Confidently Navigate Market Volatility: Claim Your Free Report!

Feeling uneasy about the ups and downs of the stock market lately? You’re not alone. At The Motley Fool Canada, we get it — and we’re here to help. We’ve crafted an essential guide designed to help you through these uncertain times: "5-Step Checklist: How to Prepare Your Portfolio for Volatility."

Don't miss out on this opportunity for peace of mind. Just click below to learn how to receive your complimentary report today!

Get Our Free Report Today

More on Dividend Stocks

Blocks conceptualizing the Registered Retirement Savings Plan
Dividend Stocks

RRSP Investors: 3 Canadian Dividend Stocks to Buy on Dips

These stocks have strong track records of dividend growth and now trade at discounted prices.

Read more »

concept of real estate evaluation
Dividend Stocks

Beyond Real Estate: These TSX Income Generators Could Deliver Superior Passive Income for Canadians

These two TSX dividend stocks could offer Canadian investors a reliable income stream and strong long-term upside, without relying on…

Read more »

Confused person shrugging
Dividend Stocks

Better TSX Dividend Stock to Own: Manulife or Sun Life?

While Sun Life stock has outpaced Manulife in the last two decades, which dividend-paying insurance giant is a good buy…

Read more »

coins jump into piggy bank
Dividend Stocks

How to Use Your TFSA to Earn $1,057/Year in Tax-Free Income

Investing $5,000 in each of these high-yield dividend stocks can help you earn over $1,057 per year in tax-free income.

Read more »

Man in fedora smiles into camera
Dividend Stocks

How I’d Build a $20,000 Retirement Portfolio With These 3 TSX Dividend All-Stars

If you're worried about returns and want to focus on dividends, these dividend stocks are the first to consider.

Read more »

View of high rise corporate buildings in the financial district of Toronto, Canada
Dividend Stocks

If I Could Only Buy and Hold a Single Canadian Stock, This Would Be It

Here's why this high-quality defensive growth stock is one of the best Canadian companies to buy now and hold for…

Read more »

Concept of multiple streams of income
Dividend Stocks

3 Safe Dividend Stocks for Retirees

These three Canadian stocks are ideal for retirees due to their solid cash flows, consistent dividend growth, and healthy growth…

Read more »

dividends can compound over time
Dividend Stocks

3 Canadian Market Leaders Where I’d Invest $10,000 for Sustained Performance

Market leaders like Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc (TSX:ATD) are worth an investment.

Read more »