Rachel Christian, writer and researcher for RetireGuide
  • Written by
    Rachel Christian

    Rachel Christian

    Financial Writer and Certified Educator in Personal Finance

    Rachel Christian is a writer and researcher for RetireGuide. She covers annuities, Medicare, life insurance and other important retirement topics. Rachel is a member of the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education.

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  • Edited By
    Lee Williams
    Lee Williams, senior editor for RetireGuide.com

    Lee Williams

    Senior Financial Editor

    Lee Williams is a professional writer, editor and content strategist with 10 years of professional experience working for global and nationally recognized brands. He has contributed to Forbes, The Huffington Post, SUCCESS Magazine, AskMen.com, Electric Literature and The Wall Street Journal. His career also includes ghostwriting for Fortune 500 CEOs and published authors.

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  • Financially Reviewed By
    Ebony J. Howard, CPA
    Ebony J. Howard, CPA

    Ebony J. Howard, CPA

    Credentialed Tax Expert at Intuit

    Ebony J. Howard is a certified public accountant and freelance consultant with a background in accounting, personal finance, and income tax planning and preparation.  She specializes in analyzing financial information in the health care, banking and real estate sectors.

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  • Published: July 14, 2021
  • Updated: July 10, 2023
  • 5 min read time
  • This page features 3 Cited Research Articles
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A qualified expert reviewed the content on this page to ensure it is factually accurate, meets current industry standards and helps readers achieve a better understanding of retirement topics.

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How to Cite RetireGuide.com's Article

APA Christian, R. (2023, July 10). Passive Income for Retirement. RetireGuide.com. Retrieved March 18, 2024, from https://www.retireguide.com/retirement-planning/investing/passive-income/

MLA Christian, Rachel. "Passive Income for Retirement." RetireGuide.com, 10 Jul 2023, https://www.retireguide.com/retirement-planning/investing/passive-income/.

Chicago Christian, Rachel. "Passive Income for Retirement." RetireGuide.com. Last modified July 10, 2023. https://www.retireguide.com/retirement-planning/investing/passive-income/.

What Is Passive Income?

Passive income – also known as residual income – can mean many things to different people. Generally, it is a way to earn money with minimal daily effort and is not attached to an hourly wage or annual salary.

Many people consider passive income during retirement planning because it helps supplement other income, such as Social Security and pensions.

Having multiple sources of income, including those that require minimal effort over time, can provide financial freedom and security as you grow older.

Passive income does require some work in the beginning. A substantial upfront financial investment is usually required as well.

Like planting a seed or growing a garden, passive income often means reaping the rewards of your previous efforts and hard work.

What is capital preservation?

How To Make Passive Income During Retirement

Passive income comes in many forms such as real estate, businesses, dividends and annuities.

Before you get started, it’s important to identify your current financial situation and goals. How much money can you afford to invest, and what are your expected average returns? Sometimes the safest and easiest passive income streams don’t generate much money.

Things to Consider Before Picking a Passive Income Stream
  • How much money do you want to earn and for how long?
  • How much time and effort is typically required to generate your desired income?
  • Is an initial upfront investment required?
  • What is your risk tolerance?
  • Do other people make money doing this?
  • Does this idea show a positive long-term track record?

Keeping track of multiple sources of income can be challenging. Pay attention to how much money you spend to maintain your passive income stream.

For example, consider the property upkeep costs and repairs needed to maintain a rental property.

It’s also important to note that the IRS has a more specific definition of passive income.

According to the IRS, passive income is:
  • Trade or business activities in which you don’t materially participate during the year.
  • Rental activities — unless you’re a real estate professional.

While financial experts may consider certain types of investment income passive, the IRS considers it to be portfolio income subject to capital gains tax.

If you’re exploring passive income streams in retirement, speak with a financial planner or accountant to learn more about tax treatment.

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Types of Passive Income That Works for Retirees

After assessing your financial situation and goals, you can explore different types of passive income that work for you.

Below is a brief list of options. You may discover others by conducting your own research.

Types of Passive Income Streams
Rental Income
Renting out a second property is a popular retirement investment strategy. Keep in mind that being a landlord can be challenging and time-consuming. Experts recommend buying property somewhere nearby that’s convenient for you to visit and check on.

Hiring a property management company is another option.
Annuities
An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company. These financial products offer a guaranteed income stream and are primarily used by retirees. You can purchase an annuity with either a lump sum of cash or a series of payments.

Annuities can be highly customized to meet your specific income needs. Make sure you read and understand your annuity contract before signing.
Dividend Income
Dividend stocks distribute part of the company’s earnings to shareholders quarterly. Some companies increase their dividend payout over time. Dividend stocks are generally less volatile than growth stocks. You can also choose to reinvest dividends to increase long-term cash flow.
Interest Income
Interest from high-yield savings accounts and certificates of deposit (CDs) generate interest you can use as supplemental income in retirement.

High-yield accounts earn a higher interest rate than the average savings account — roughly 0.4 annual percentage yield compared to 0.06 APY for typical savings accounts. The average CD yield varies by bank and term, with 5-year CDs offering higher rates than 1-year CDs.
Royalty Income
Royalty income is generated when you own the rights to an asset, such as a piece of art, music or literature. You can also earn royalty income from the extraction of oil, gas or minerals that is licensed for other people to use.
Renting Out a Room or Vehicle
If you’re not ready to invest in a second property, you can still earn passive income by renting out a spare room in your home. Having a roommate or an occasional Airbnb guest is one way to add extra money to your budget — if you don’t mind sharing your home with others.

Another option is renting out an RV or trailer, if you own one, by using websites like Outdoorsy or RVShare.
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Passive Income Benefits and Risks

Passive income can be a great way to supplement your retirement — but it’s important to consider the downsides, too.

For example, revenue from different types of passive income — such as rental income, investment income and royalties — receives different tax treatment from the IRS.

You need to keep good records, and you’ll probably want a tax expert to help you navigate the process.

Benefits of Passive Income
  • More free time
  • Location flexibility
  • Financial independence and security
  • Diversification
Risks of Passive Income Streams
  • Potential tax consequences
  • Time and effort required
  • Financial investment
  • Returns may be different than what you anticipated

Make sure to consider both the pros and cons of potential passive income streams before getting started.

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Last Modified: July 10, 2023
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3 Cited Research Articles

  1. Internal Revenue Service. (2021, March 11). Publication 925: Passive Activity and At-Risk Rules. Retrieved from https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p925.pdf
  2. Francis, S. (2019, January 4). What to know before building a passive income stream. Retrieved from https://www.marketwatch.com/story/what-to-know-before-building-a-passive-income-stream-2019-01-04
  3. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. (n.d.). What are annuities? Retrieved from https://www.investor.gov/introduction-investing/investing-basics/investment-products/insurance-products/annuities