iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF

PFF

Market cap $14.1B

PFFA is rated 'Buy' for 2026, leveraging active management and 20–30% leverage to deliver superior income and capital preservation. PFFA's 5-year total return of 53.31% far outpaces PFF at 13.31%. PFFA's portfolio is concentrated in REITs, energy, and infrastructure, positioning it to benefit from anticipated Fed rate cuts.

One 7% yielding monthly-paying investment is trading at one of its widest discounts in years. The other quietly yields over 9% and has been growing its payout for five years in a row. While I like both, they also come with risks to keep in mind.

Many retirees invest in high-yielding funds where the income looks irresistible, but the risk is hiding in plain sight. One overlooked factor can quietly destroy long-term retirement income. There is a far more reliable way most retirees completely ignore.

A sudden market downturn can deliver a serious blow to your portfolio. It could be devastating to see your assets diminish.

Most investors think they must choose between dividend growth and mega-cap tech, but this setup breaks that rule. One overlooked ETF combination quietly solves a major retirement problem. The balance hiding here could change how you think about income investing.

It seems that the tide has finally turned in a direction that favors income investors. The reliance on asset prices, earnings growth and valuation multiples going up has become questionable, to say the least. So, the question now is how to avoid the spillover of these risks (e.g., return unpredictability) into the income investing strategy.

If you worked for decades, there's a good chance you'll be eligible for Social Security benefits once you retire.

When you look into high-yield dividend ETFs, iShares Preferred and Income Securities ETF (NASDAQ:PFF ) , SonicShares Global Shipping ETF (NYSEARCA:BOAT ) , and ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF (NYSEARCA:RDOG ) likely aren't the first ones on your mind.

The Income Quintet - BDCs, Midstream Energy, REITs, Preferred Stocks, and Covered Call ETFs - offers a balanced approach to maximizing yield and income safety. I prioritize quality over raw yield, focusing on internally managed BDCs, disciplined midstream operators, select REITs, and actively managed preferred ETFs for sustainable income. BDCs with internal management, like MAIN, command significant NAV premiums, reflecting superior alignment and lower capital costs compared to externally managed peers.

Many Baby Boomers in 2026 need dependable passive income, and one outstanding way to achieve this is to invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs).