JPMorgan and Vanguard ETFs Worth Holding Through Any Market

The Fear That Drives Retirement Planning

Retirement should bring peace of mind, yet cash flow anxiety continues to grow among American savers. According to the 2025 Annual Retirement Study from the Allianz Center for the Future of Retirement, 64% of Americans worry more about running out of money than dying. That figure has climbed even higher: the 2026 study, released in April, found that 67% now hold this fear, up 10 percentage points from just 2022.

The solution lies in making money work for you through passive income strategies. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) from JPMorgan and Vanguard offer diversification, income generation, and lower risk profiles compared to individual securities. These funds can deliver the monthly or quarterly cash flow retirees need while maintaining exposure to equity growth.

JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF

The JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (NASDAQ:JEPQ) generates income by combining U.S. large-cap growth stock holdings with options premium strategies. The fund sells options on its equity positions and distributes the proceeds as monthly dividends, currently yielding approximately 10.4%. That structure allows JEPQ to deliver consistent income streams while maintaining exposure to technology and growth sectors.

Recent dividend payments illustrate this consistency. In January 2026, the fund paid just over 57 cents per share, followed by a December 2025 payout of just over 55 cents. Capital appreciation has accompanied the dividend stream: shares bottomed around $52 in early 2025 and have since rallied past $60 per share as of June 2026.

The covered-call strategy sacrifices some upside potential during strong rallies, but it smooths returns and produces reliable income. For retirees prioritizing cash flow over maximum capital gains, that trade-off often makes sense.

Vanguard International High Dividend Yield Fund ETF

The Vanguard International High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF (NASDAQ:VYMI) provides exposure to non-U.S. stocks with above-average dividend yields. With an expense ratio of just 0.17% and quarterly payouts, the fund holds positions in established international names including Nestlé, Novartis, Roche Holding, Toyota Motor, and Shell.

Dividend history shows solid income generation. The fund paid just over 93 cents per share in December 2025, roughly 70 cents in September, and just over $1.07 in June. Price appreciation has been steady as well, with shares climbing from around $64 at recent lows to approximately $100 as of May 2026. The international diversification reduces portfolio concentration risk while capturing dividend income from markets outside the United States.

Vanguard Energy Index Fund ETF

Energy sector exposure through the Vanguard Energy Index Fund ETF (NYSEARCA:VDE) offers both income and a hedge against inflation. The fund tracks energy sector stocks with a 0.09% expense ratio and holds approximately 112 companies representing $11.4 billion in assets. Current yield sits around 2.3%.

Top positions include Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Williams Cos., and EOG Resources. Recent quarterly dividends include just over $1.02 paid in December 2025, just over $1 in September, and roughly 93 cents in June. Shares have climbed from around $103 in April 2025 to approximately $159 as of May 2026.

Global energy demand trends support the sector’s long-term fundamentals. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects electricity demand will grow at close to 4% annually through 2027, driven by industrial production, air conditioning needs, transportation electrification, and data center expansion. That surge translates to adding the equivalent of Japan’s total annual electricity consumption to global demand every year through 2027.

Data centers in particular are consuming massive amounts of power as artificial intelligence workloads explode. The IEA notes that the growth in low-emissions sources (renewables and nuclear) will cover much of the new demand, but traditional energy companies remain positioned to benefit from infrastructure needs and backup generation capacity.

Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF

The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (NYSEARCA:VIG) tracks the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, focusing on companies with records of increasing dividends over time. The fund’s 0.05% expense ratio ranks among the lowest in its category, and it manages approximately $108 billion across a diversified portfolio of 342 stocks.

The largest holding is Broadcom at roughly 5.2% of assets. Other significant positions include Apple, Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase, Visa, Eli Lilly, and Exxon Mobil. Current yield sits at approximately 1.6%, lower than the other funds discussed here but paired with stronger capital appreciation potential and a focus on dividend growth rather than high current yield.

Recent quarterly dividends include just over 88 cents per share paid in December 2025, just over 86 cents in October, and roughly 87 cents in July. Share price has risen from around $170 in April 2025 to approximately $234 as of June 2026, reflecting both the quality of the underlying companies and investor demand for dividend growers during periods of market uncertainty.

The fund’s strategy of excluding the highest-yielding stocks ensures financial stability among holdings. Companies must demonstrate at least 10 consecutive years of dividend increases to qualify for inclusion, a screen that naturally favors established, profitable businesses with durable cash flows.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect the 2026 Allianz retirement study showing Americans’ financial fears have climbed to 67%, current dividend yields and asset levels for VIG, VDE, VYMI, and JEPQ as of mid-2026, and recent IEA electricity demand forecasts supporting energy sector fundamentals.