iShares Select Dividend Fund Has A Surprisingly High Yield For Retirees

The iShares Select Dividend ETF (NYSEARCA:DVY) has become a cornerstone holding for income-focused retirees seeking reliable dividend income. With a yield of 3.61%, the fund delivers nearly triple the S&P 500’s yield while maintaining exposure to 100 dividend-paying U.S. equities. The ETF’s appeal extends beyond yield alone: DVY appreciated 13% over the past year, delivering a total return approaching 17% when dividends are included.

How DVY Generates Income

DVY generates income exclusively from dividends paid by its underlying equity holdings. The fund tracks an index of high-dividend-yielding U.S. stocks selected based on dividend sustainability metrics. With over $21 billion in assets and a low 0.38% expense ratio, DVY concentrates heavily in defensive sectors, with Financials and Utilities comprising 53% of the portfolio. This sector allocation prioritizes stable, mature companies with established dividend track records over high-growth businesses.

Evaluating the Top Holdings

The fund’s dividend safety depends on its largest positions. Here’s how the top five holdings stack up:

Ford Motor (NYSE:F | F Price Prediction), the largest holding at 2.75%, offers a 4.57% yield with a conservative 51% payout ratio. However, Ford suspended dividends entirely during 2020-2021, raising concerns about reliability during economic stress. The company has maintained consistent payments since reinstatement in late 2021.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO) at 2.36% represents the fund’s most dependable income generator. With a 7.08% yield and 78% payout ratio, Altria has increased dividends annually for over 15 years without interruption, even through the financial crisis and pandemic. The company’s 44% profit margin provides substantial cushion.

Verizon (NYSE:VZ) contributes 1.81% of assets with a 6.69% yield and 58% payout ratio. The telecom giant’s recurring subscription revenue and 14.4% profit margin support dividend sustainability, while its low 0.32 beta offers stability.

Seagate Technology (NASDAQ:STX) and Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) round out the top five. Seagate’s 37% payout ratio provides significant safety margin, while Pfizer’s 99% payout ratio warrants monitoring despite the company’s strong balance sheet.

The Verdict on Sustainability

DVY’s dividend appears sustainable based on the underlying holdings’ payout ratios and cash flow generation. Most positions maintain payout ratios below 80%, and the fund’s diversification across 100 stocks mitigates individual company risk. The defensive sector concentration provides downside protection, though it may limit growth during bull markets.

Retirees seeking alternatives should consider the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEARCA:SCHD), which applies stricter quality screens focusing on dividend growth rather than just yield. SCHD generates income from equity dividends of companies with 10+ year track records of consecutive increases, currently yielding around 3.5%. The fund’s emphasis on dividend growth over absolute yield has historically produced superior total returns while maintaining comparable income levels.

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