$500/month · VYM (high-yield index)
How much VYM for $500/month?
At VYM's current 2.21% yield, you'd need about $271,493 invested to generate $500/month ($6,000/year) in pre-tax dividends.
About the VYM (high-yield index) strategy
Vanguard's high dividend yield ETF — 400+ stocks, market-cap-weighted, low expense ratio. Higher yield than SCHD with less screening.
Tax treatment: Mostly qualified dividends.
Best account: Either
Same income from a different strategy
Different amount, same strategy
Frequently asked
How much do I need in VYM for $500/month?
At VYM's current 2.21% yield, you'd need approximately $271,493 invested to generate $500/month ($6,000/year) in pre-tax dividends.
What about taxes?
Mostly qualified dividends. At an estimated 15% effective rate, that's about $425/month after federal tax — though your actual bracket may differ.
Is VYM a safe dividend payer?
Our 0-10 dividend safety scale rates VYM at 7.9/10 (Solid). See the full breakdown on the VYM safety page.
Should I diversify across multiple strategies?
Almost always yes. Concentrating $$271,493 in a single ticker — even one as established as VYM — concentrates dividend-cut risk. A 3-5 strategy mix smooths income across rate, credit, and equity cycles.
How much of that $500/month do YOU already generate?
Connect your brokerage in 60 seconds. Infnits projects monthly income from your actual holdings — at your tax bracket, in your accounts — and shows the gap to your target.