06/09/2026
Many people ask about “monthly dividends” when what they are actually looking for is predictable monthly income.
And those are not the same thing.
One of the most common questions I receive is:
“If I have $100,000 invested, how much monthly income can I get?”
And honestly - the answer is usually not what people expect.
Because many people imagine investing like this:
You deposit money.
The original amount never changes.
And every month you simply receive income from it forever.
But that is not really investing.
That is closer to savings earning guaranteed interest.
And in today’s environment, if you want zero volatility and complete safety of principal, you are usually looking at relatively modest income.
So instead of starting with:
“How much can I get?”
I usually ask clients a different question:
“How much do you actually NEED every month?”
Because that changes everything.
For example, and for illustrative purposes only:
- $1,000/month from $100,000 means you need roughly 12% annually
- $500/month means roughly 6%
- $250/month means roughly 3%
Those are very different strategies with very different levels of risk.
And this is where investment planning becomes important.
Someone asking for monthly income often does not want aggressive risk or constant stress. They want stability, predictability, and confidence that the money will last.
So the real conversation is not just about “dividends.”
It is about:
- time horizon
- risk tolerance
- tax efficiency
- flexibility
- whether the money may be needed later
- and how much volatility someone can emotionally handle
Because yes - it may be possible to build a portfolio designed to distribute 5-6% annually over time.
But if the money is needed short term, or if someone cannot emotionally tolerate market fluctuations, the strategy may need to look very different.
This is why financial planning is never just about picking an investment.
It starts with understanding the purpose of the money.
So if you are thinking about creating monthly income from your investments, start with these two questions:
1. How much do you truly need every month?
2. How long do you want the money invested?
Everything else comes after that.
Marina
This information has been prepared by Marina Najian who is a Wealth Advisor for iA Private Wealth Inc. and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of iA Private Wealth. The information contained in this post comes from sources we believe reliable, but we cannot guarantee its accuracy or reliability. The opinions expressed are based on an analysis and interpretation dating from the date of publication and are subject to change without notice. Furthermore, they do not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any of the securities mentioned. The information contained herein may not apply to all types of investors. iA Private Wealth Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization. iA Private Wealth is a trademark and a business name under which iA Private Wealth Inc. operates.
