Passive income is a key component of any retirement strategy. Fortunately, the stock market is brimming with passive-income vehicles. Several exchange-traded funds (ETFs), in fact, offer monthly dividend checks. Two of the better-performing monthly dividend check payers in recent history are the JPMorgan Nasdaq Equity Premium Income ETF (NASDAQ: JEPQ) and the JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF (NYSEMKT: JEPI).

Both of these funds use a strategy called covered call writing, which involves selling call options on the underlying stocks in exchange for a premium. This premium is then distributed to the shareholders as dividends. The advantage of this strategy is that it can generate income regardless of the market's direction, as long as the underlying stocks don't rise above the strike price of the options.

Image source: Getty Images.

Continue reading

Source Fool.com