Your breakdown of the math behind earning 'passive' income through dividends sheds light on the often overlooked complexities of this investment strategy. It's not as straightforward as it seems.
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If I were to go after dividends, I'd invest in an ETF and re-invest the dividends without creating a tax event. Sadly, the European brokers I know don't offer this option.
There are usually ETFs available that are accumulating, meaning that they are automatically reinvesting dividends without any taxable payout. You just don‘t see the payout event.
If you compare the accumulating version of the ETF to the distributing version, you always see a better performance, due to auto-reinvests.
If you receive that dividend, it is subject to tax. People would need to be careful here. Most good broad market ETFs are going to make the payout directly, just like stocks.
Yes exactly, if you receive the dividend, it‘s subject to tax. That‘s why it might be advisable to invest in a ETF that is not paying it out, but reinvesting the dividend directly.
One example: Vanguard ESG Global All Cap UCITS ETF
there are two versions, first is WKN: A2QL8V which is distributing - it payed 0.05$ in 2021, 0.07$ in 2022 and 0.08$ in 2023.
Second is WKN: A2QL8U which is accumulating (reinvesting) and not paying out.
If you compare the performance you can see that the accumulating version performed better. Since emission in 2021, it went from 5$ to 5.63$, where as the distributing ETF went from 5$ to 5.40$.
In case you reinvested the dividends, both would be on par. It heavily depends on your personal tax duties which one to prefer.
Exactly. My only caution is not to pick an ETF on the basis of how they do this alone. You might be better off with SCHD or something, regardless of the tax hit. Here again, you can just use an IRA.
Yeah, sure this is only one aspect. Over here in good old Europe tax law regarding pensions funds and etfs are different, so it will always be necessary to look at the individual situation.
Generally speaking I agree that you should never buy something solely because its tax efficient.
Rocco, your math is clear - dividend investing is probably less passive and lucrative than most people think. So how can retirees supplement their income/adopt other strategies for passive income?
That is a great article you linked to in there ;). Thank you, sir!
No problem. You did a solid job!
Cool to see that you sometimes have guest posts. Did you see my email and Substack DM about my idea for one? Thanks.
Hi Ryan - I did not see an email. I haven't used the DM feature yet, so I have not seen that either.
Hi Rocco! Sorry for the confusion. I was able to reach Ben.
I finally understood something.. not all of it, but at least something. I will get there, hopefully sooner than later.
Your breakdown of the math behind earning 'passive' income through dividends sheds light on the often overlooked complexities of this investment strategy. It's not as straightforward as it seems.
Explore captivating Contemporary, Romance, Thriller & Suspense, Science Fiction, Horror, and more stories on my Substack for FREE at https://jonahtown.substack.com
If I were to go after dividends, I'd invest in an ETF and re-invest the dividends without creating a tax event. Sadly, the European brokers I know don't offer this option.
Unless you're in a tax-deferred account, you will pay taxes on reinvested dividends. At least in the United States.
There are usually ETFs available that are accumulating, meaning that they are automatically reinvesting dividends without any taxable payout. You just don‘t see the payout event.
If you compare the accumulating version of the ETF to the distributing version, you always see a better performance, due to auto-reinvests.
If you receive that dividend, it is subject to tax. People would need to be careful here. Most good broad market ETFs are going to make the payout directly, just like stocks.
Yes exactly, if you receive the dividend, it‘s subject to tax. That‘s why it might be advisable to invest in a ETF that is not paying it out, but reinvesting the dividend directly.
One example: Vanguard ESG Global All Cap UCITS ETF
there are two versions, first is WKN: A2QL8V which is distributing - it payed 0.05$ in 2021, 0.07$ in 2022 and 0.08$ in 2023.
Second is WKN: A2QL8U which is accumulating (reinvesting) and not paying out.
If you compare the performance you can see that the accumulating version performed better. Since emission in 2021, it went from 5$ to 5.63$, where as the distributing ETF went from 5$ to 5.40$.
In case you reinvested the dividends, both would be on par. It heavily depends on your personal tax duties which one to prefer.
Exactly. My only caution is not to pick an ETF on the basis of how they do this alone. You might be better off with SCHD or something, regardless of the tax hit. Here again, you can just use an IRA.
Yeah, sure this is only one aspect. Over here in good old Europe tax law regarding pensions funds and etfs are different, so it will always be necessary to look at the individual situation.
Generally speaking I agree that you should never buy something solely because its tax efficient.
Rocco, your math is clear - dividend investing is probably less passive and lucrative than most people think. So how can retirees supplement their income/adopt other strategies for passive income?