Building an investment portfolio that can fund your retirement requires you to pick assets that can withstand the market’s ups and downs. The idea is to build a portfolio that doesn’t require regular checkups and also generates income for you. Investing in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can be an ideal option if you’re reaching close to retirement. There are a few ETFs you can confidently buy and hold forever. These ETFs can fund your entire retirement and ensure you are financially secure. 

Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF

The Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (NYSEARCA:VTI) is an excellent fund for long-term investors. It tracks the performance of the CRSP US Total Market Index. The passively managed fund offers exposure to the broader stock market and has an expense ratio of 0.03%. VTI has a yield of 1.08%.

It holds over 3,500 stocks and has the highest allocation to the technology sector at 37%. This is followed by consumer discretionary (13.90%) and industrials (12.50%). Since it invests in over 3,000 stocks, the weightage on each stock is limited. 

VTI has the highest allocation in Nvidia at 6.61%, which is followed by Apple at 5.74% and Microsoft at 4.79%. Besides the Magnificent Seven in the top 10 holdings, the fund also holds Broadcom and Eli Lilly. While its yield isn’t one of the best in the industry, it has seen impressive capital appreciation. VTI has gained 18% in the past year and is exchanging hands for $340. 

The fund has generated a cumulative 1-year return of 15.44% and a 3-year return of 73.60%. With VTI, you get to own a piece of the broader U.S. market without having to research individual stocks.

VTI offers broad diversification and exposure to smaller companies. This reduces risk and offers the potential to enjoy higher returns in the long term. 

Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF

When you begin your investing journey, you’re ready to take on risks, but as you age and get closer to retirement, you seek low-volatility investment options. The Invesco S&P 500 High Dividend Low Volatility ETF (NYSEARCA:SPHD) is an ideal ETF for that. The fund generates dividend income while mitigating risks. 

It has an expense ratio of 0.30% and a yield of 4.80%. That said, SPHD pays monthly dividends, generating regular income to cover your expenses. The fund invests in only 51 stocks and isn’t technology focused. It has the highest allocation to the real estate sector at 21.86%, followed by consumer staples at 16.50% and utilities at 14.50%. While the stock holding is less, the fund focuses on consumer defensive sectors to ensure consistent performance.

Its top 10 holdings include dividend payers such as Realty Income, Verizon Communications, Pfizer Inc., Altria Group Inc., Conagra Brands Inc., and Kraft Heinz Co. SPHD increased the annual dividends by 23% in 2025 through rebalancing and higher payouts, attracting retirees to the fund. 

It has already gained 8% in 2026 and is exchanging hands for $52.31. I believe it is a low-cost, low-volatility ETF worth holding for the long term. SPHD offers a juicy yield, exposure to the best dividend stocks in the industry, and tremendous upside potential. 

Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF 

Another fund by Vanguard, the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF (NYSEARCA:VIG) is known for its stability. The fund has a yield of 1.55%, and it tracks the performance of the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index. The passively managed fund invests in about 300 companies with a history of increasing dividends year over year. These are companies with stable fundamentals and a strong cash flow. 

The fund has the highest allocation in the technology sector (25.90%), followed by financial (21.50%) and healthcare (16.30%). It shouldn’t come as a surprise that its top 10 holdings are tech giants such as Apple, Microsoft, and Broadcom. These three companies form 14% of the total portfolio. Other companies in the top 10 holdings include dividend giants such as Exxon Mobil, Walmart, Johnson & Johnson, and Mastercard. Its 1-year cumulative return is 12.69%, and its 3-year cumulative return is 51.47%. 

VIG generated a 5-year return of over 70% and has an expense ratio of 0.05%. The fund has gained 12.8% in the past year and is exchanging hands for $226. VIG is an ideal way to own some of the best dividend stocks for the long term. They are top-quality businesses with a strong history of paying and raising dividends. While the yield isn’t highly significant, it offers top-quality stocks for the long-term investor.