Here Are The 20 Best Income Portfolios Built with ETFs for 2023
If you're looking for income then you should look at this list of the 20 best income portfolios.
What are Rick Ferri’s core four portfolios?
The Rick Ferri portfolio is built with four ETFs. The portfolios are exposed to 40% bonds and 60% equities can be built with 4 ETFs..
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How do you build The Rick Ferri Core Four Portfolio with ETF?
Here is how you build Rick Ferri Core Four Portfolio with ETF.
- 36.00% US Total Stock Market (VTI)
- 6.00% REITs (VNQ)
- 18.00% International All-World ex-US (VEU)
- 40.00% Total US Bond Market (BND)
The letters in brackets denote the stock symbol for the recommended ETF. You can look up the symbols at your stockbroker. You can see a listing of all the ETFs we recommend on this page.
The above portfolio is the 60/40 ETF allocation for Rick Ferri’s Core Four. Rick Ferri has constructed many more portfolios. Below you will find 32 in all.
What is the historical return for Rick Ferri’s Core Four portfolios?
Below you can see the returns for Rick Ferri’s Core Four portfolios.
Portfolio data was last updated on 11th of August 2023, 08:35 ET
| Name | Year to date | Return in 2022 | 10 year return | CAGR since 1989 (%) | Draw Down | Expense ratio | Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rick Ferri Core 4 fund Portfolio (60/40) | 7.17 | -16.65 | 6.1 | 7.63 | -21.41 | 0.05% | 2.36 |
| Rick Ferri Early Saver Moderate Basic Portfolio | 8.14 | -17.48 | 6.83 | 7.99 | -25.77 | 0.05% | 2.38 |
| Rick Ferri Early Saver Moderate Multi Asset Portfolio | 6.46 | -16.38 | 6.64 | 8.53 | -26.97 | 0.14% | 2.83 |
| Rick Ferri Midlife Moderate Basic Portfolio | 6.93 | -16.82 | 6.08 | 7.68 | -21.34 | 0.05% | 2.39 |
| Rick Ferri Midlifer Moderate Multi Asset Portfolio | 5.51 | -15.09 | 6.04 | 8.23 | -24.26 | 0.16% | 3.19 |
| Rick Ferri Transitional Moderate Basic Portfolio | 5.83 | -15.77 | 5.28 | 7.25 | -17.05 | 0.05% | 2.38 |
| Rick Ferri Transitional Moderate Multi Asset Portfolio | 4.73 | -14.1 | 5.43 | 7.85 | -20.61 | 0.16% | 3.31 |
| Rick Ferri Mature Retired Saver Moderate Basic Portfolio | 4.59 | -13.66 | 4.51 | 6.75 | -13.66 | 0.05% | 2.18 |
| Rick Ferri Mature Retired Saver Moderate Multi Asset Portfolio | 4.37 | -12.29 | 4.48 | 6.98 | -12.56 | 0.06% | 2.62 |
| Rick Ferri Core 4 fund Portfolio (80/20) | 9.91 | -17.83 | 7.7 | 8.21 | -30.27 | 0.05% | 2.3 |
| Rick Ferri Core 4 fund Portfolio (40/60) | 4.43 | -15.47 | 4.45 | 6.93 | -15.47 | 0.05% | 2.43 |
| Rick Ferri Core 4 fund Portfolio (20/80) | 1.7 | -14.29 | 2.74 | 6.12 | -14.29 | 0.04% | 2.49 |
| Rick Ferri Total Economy Core-4 Portfolio Low-Risk | 1.36 | -13.99 | 2.59 | 6.06 | -13.99 | 0.05% | 2.48 |
| Rick Ferri Total Economy Core-4 Portfolio Conservative | 3.76 | -14.87 | 4.15 | 6.81 | -14.87 | 0.06% | 2.41 |
| Rick Ferri Total Economy Core-4 Portfolio Moderate | 6.15 | -15.75 | 5.65 | 7.45 | -21.79 | 0.07% | 2.33 |
| Rick Ferri Total Economy Core-4 Portfolio Agressive | 8.55 | -16.63 | 7.1 | 7.97 | -30.77 | 0.09% | 2.26 |
| Rick Ferri Global Markets Core-4 Low-Risk | 2.56 | -14.07 | 3.04 | 6.06 | -14.07 | 0.05% | 2.23 |
| Rick Ferri Global Markets Core-4 Conservative | 5.57 | -15.12 | 4.86 | 6.88 | -15.12 | 0.04% | 2.16 |
| Rick Ferri Global Markets Core-4 Moderate | 8.57 | -16.17 | 6.62 | 7.58 | -20.86 | 0.04% | 2.09 |
| Rick Ferri Global Markets Core-4 Aggressive | 11.58 | -17.22 | 8.32 | 8.16 | -29.57 | 0.04% | 2.02 |
| Rick Ferri Inflation Fighter Core-4 Portfolio Low-Risk | 2.66 | -12.12 | 3.0 | 6.52 | -12.27 | 0.09% | 4.54 |
| Rick Ferri Inflation Fighter Core-4 Portfolio Conservative | 5.02 | -13.8 | 4.35 | 6.95 | -19.65 | 0.09% | 3.97 |
| Rick Ferri Inflation Fighter Core-4 Portfolio Moderate | 7.39 | -15.48 | 5.65 | 7.28 | -27.04 | 0.09% | 3.41 |
| Rick Ferri Inflation Fighter Core-4 Portfolio Aggressive | 9.75 | -17.16 | 6.89 | 7.49 | -34.42 | 0.09% | 2.84 |
| Rick Ferri Income Seeker Core-4 Portfolio Low-Risk | -0.14 | -14.77 | 3.59 | 6.78 | -16.15 | 0.21% | 3.86 |
| Rick Ferri Income Seeker Core-4 Portfolio Conservative | 0.27 | -11.55 | 5.07 | 7.33 | -21.07 | 0.20% | 3.72 |
| Rick Ferri Income Seeker Core-4 Portfolio Moderate | 0.69 | -8.32 | 6.49 | 7.81 | -26.0 | 0.18% | 3.58 |
| Rick Ferri Income Seeker Core-4 Portfolio Aggressive | 1.11 | -5.1 | 7.85 | 8.23 | -30.92 | 0.17% | 3.45 |
| Rick Ferri Socially Conscious ESG Core-4 Portfolio Low-Risk | 2.27 | -15.04 | 3.08 | 6.51 | -15.04 | 0.08% | 2.48 |
| Rick Ferri Socially Conscious ESG Core-4 Portfolio Conservative | 5.35 | -15.84 | 4.88 | 7.22 | -15.84 | 0.07% | 2.35 |
| Rick Ferri Socially Conscious ESG Core-4 Portfolio Moderate | 8.43 | -16.65 | 6.63 | 7.81 | -21.43 | 0.06% | 2.21 |
| Rick Ferri Socially Conscious ESG Core-4 Portfolio Aggressive | 9.53 | -17.91 | 6.81 | 7.47 | -32.68 | 0.09% | 2.34 |
Here is what the table is showing you
Year to date: This shows what the portfolio has returned this year starting from the first trading day of the year.
10 Year return: This shows the compounded annualized growth rate over a ten-year period. The current year is excluded from calculations.
CAGR since 1989: This shows the compounded annualized growth rate since 1989. The current year is excluded from calculations.
Expense ratio: This shows the cost of holding the portfolio if you were to construct the portfolio using the proposed ETFs.
Yield: This is the expected dividend yield of the portfolio.
Please note that past performance is not a guarantee of future returns.
How do the Rick Ferri’s portfolios compare to the best portfolios?
Below you can see the returns of the best portfolios that we have benchmarked.
| Name | See Portfolio | Year to date | Return in 2022 | 10 year return | CAGR since 1989 (%) | Draw Down |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Stein Retirement | Coming soon! | 4.05 | -18.03 | 9.46 | 10.8 | -35.42 |
| Paul Merriman 4-Fund-Portfolio | Coming soon! | 9.22 | -11.98 | 11.25 | 10.38 | -35.26 |
| S&P 500 | Coming soon! | 17.09 | -18.19 | 12.52 | 10.28 | -37.63 |
| Paul Merriman Target Date Portfolio (25 year old) | Coming soon! | 6.63 | -13.08 | 8.28 | 10.2 | -36.46 |
| Scott Adams Dilbert Portfolio | Coming soon! | 10.87 | -18.75 | 7.0 | 10.19 | -44.88 |
| JL Collins, Simple Path To Wealth, Wealth Building Portfolio | Coming soon! | 16.6 | -19.51 | 12.08 | 10.19 | -37.0 |
| American Institute of Individual Investors (AAII) Portfolio | Coming soon! | 3.74 | -13.91 | 9.7 | 10.16 | -40.85 |
| Paul Merriman Target Date Portfolio (35 year old) | Coming soon! | 6.57 | -13.22 | 8.31 | 10.08 | -36.35 |
| Assetbuilder.com Portfolio 14 | Coming soon! | 6.95 | -16.94 | 7.59 | 9.99 | -37.91 |
| Balanced Portfolio 90/10 | Coming soon! | 14.83 | -18.87 | 11.03 | 9.84 | -32.78 |
Who is Rick Ferri?
Rick Ferri is a former Marine pilot. Rick Ferri, who is theauthor of six books (all exceptionally well written and very educational). He is the founder of Ferri Investment Solutions offering hourly-fee advice to mainly do-it-yourself (DIY) investors.
Rick Ferri has also contributed to The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and the Journal of Financial Planning.
His book The Power of Passive Investing: More Wealth with Less Work is an absolute masterpiece. It is a compelling argument about why you should use passive index funds instead of active funds. I like it, especially for the extreme amount of research that has gone into the book and the effort that has gone into documenting and supportinghis claims with evidence.
Rick Ferri hosts the Bogleheads On Investing Podcast
If you read just one book of his, it should be Power of Passive Investing.
Rick Ferri is one of the good guys
Rick Ferris one of the 3 good guys of investing.
Rick Ferri promotes:
- Using low-cost index funds
- Sticking with a well-defined strategy.
- That you keep a keen eye on the cost of your investments.
He (Ferri) doesn’t want to hear from advisors who posit that their services are worth the “value added. Don’t tell me you’re better than the next guy because that’s not true.”
You can read more about the 3 good guys of investing in our article,Who Are The 3 Good Guys In Investing?
We have expanded this page to cover ALL of Rick Ferri’s many portfolios. We are tracking 32 portfolios right now.
Rick Ferri discusses the power of passive investingIn 2019 Rick Ferri founded Rick Ferri Solutions. It is his new investment advisor firm. He charges per hour instead of on the basis of how much money you have invested.
Pie chart for for the Rick Ferri Portfolio
We track 32 portfolios constructed by Rick Ferri. The asset allocation below is for Rick Ferri’s Core 4 fund Portfolio (60/40).
This is an excellent interview with Rick Ferri with the always-on target Barry Ritholtz
A client with $2 million paying 0.9% of AUM annually is told that half the fee is for planning and half is for investment management, but continues to pay $9,000 every single year for a financial plan that’s already done, explains Ferri. “You’re supposed to be a fiduciary”
What is the asset allocation forRick Ferri’s portfolios?
Below you can see how to build all of Rick Ferri’s excellent portfolios.
Rick Ferri Early Saver Moderate Basic Portfolio
- 40.00% US Total Stock Market (VTI)
- 10.00% REITs (VNQ)
- 20.00% International All-World ex-US (VEU)
- 30.00% Total US Bond Market (BND)
Rick Ferri Early Saver Moderate Multi-Asset Portfolio
- 25.00% US Total Stock Market (VTI)
- 10.00% US Small Cap Value (VIOV)
- 5.00% US Micro-Cap (IWC)
- 10.00% REITs (VNQ)
- 5.00% Emerging Markets (VWO)
- 5.00% Pacific Stocks (VPL)
- 5.00% European Stocks (VGK)
- 20.00% Total US Bond Market (BND)
- 5.00% High Yield Corporate Bonds (HYG / JNK)
- 5.00% TIPS (VTIP)
- 5.00% International Small Cap Value (DLS)
Rick Ferri Mature Retired Saver Moderate Basic Portfolio
- 25.00% US Total Stock Market (VTI)
- 5.00% REITs (VNQ)
- 10.00% International All-World ex-US (VEU)
- 18.00% Short-Term Treasuries (VGSH)
- 40.00% Total US Bond Market (BND)
- 2.00% Cash (money market fund)(BIL)
Rick Ferri Mature Retired Saver Moderate Multi-Asset Portfolio
- 20.00% US Total Stock Market (VTI)
- 5.00% US Small Cap Value (VIOV)
- 5.00% REITs (VNQ)
- 2.00% Emerging Markets (VWO)
- 4.00% Pacific Stocks (VPL)
- 4.00% European Stocks (VGK)
- 18.00% Short-Term Treasuries (VGSH)
- 30.00% Total US Bond Market (BND)
- 2.00% Cash (money market fund) (BIL)
- 10.00% TIPS (VTIP)
Rick Ferri Midlife Moderate Basic Portfolio
- 35.00% US Total Stock Market (VTI)
- 8.00% REITs (VNQ)
- 17.00% International All-World ex-US (VEU)
- 40.00% Total US Bond Market (BND)
Rick Ferri Midlifer Moderate Multi-Asset Portfolio
- 20.00% US Total Stock Market (VTI)
- 10.00% US Small Cap Value (VIOV)
- 5.00% US Micro-Cap (IWC)
- 8.00% REITs (VNQ)
- 4.00% Emerging Markets (VWO)
- 4.00% Pacific Stocks (VPL)
- 4.00% European Stocks (VGK)
- 20.00% Total US Bond Market (BND)
- 10.00% High Yield Corporate Bonds (HYG / JNK)
- 10.00% TIPS (VTIP)
- 5.00% International Small Cap Value (DLS)
Rick Ferri Transitional Moderate Basic Portfolio
- 30.00% US Total Stock Market (VTI)
- 5.00% REITs (VNQ)
- 15.00% International All-World ex-US (VEU)
- 48.00% Total US Bond Market (BND)
- 2.00% Cash (money market fund) (BIL)
Rick Ferri Transitional Moderate Multi-Asset Portfolio
- 18.00% US Total Stock Market (VTI)
- 8.00% US Small Cap Value (VIOV)
- 4.00% US Micro-Cap (IWC)
- 7.00% REITs (VNQ)
- 3.00% Emerging Markets (VWO)
- 3.00% Pacific Stocks (VPL)
- 3.00% European Stocks (VGK)
- 24.00% Total US Bond Market (BND)
- 2.00% Cash (money market fund) (BIL)
- 12.00% High Yield Corporate Bonds (HYG / JNK)
- 12.00% TIPS (VTIP)
- 4.00% International Small Cap Value (DLS)
Rick Ferri’s Core 4 fund Portfolio (20/80)
- 12.00% US Total Stock Market (VTI)
- 2.00% REITs (VNQ)
- 6.00% International All-World ex-US (VEU)
- 80.00% Total US Bond Market (BND)
Rick Ferri’s Core 4 fund Portfolio (40/60)
- 24.00% US Total Stock Market (VTI)
- 4.00% REITs (VNQ)
- 12.00% International All-World ex-US (VEU)
- 60.00% Total US Bond Market (BND)
Rick Ferri’s Core 4 fund Portfolio (60/40)
- 36.00% US Total Stock Market (VTI)
- 6.00% REITs (VNQ)
- 18.00% International All-World ex-US (VEU)
- 40.00% Total US Bond Market (BND)
Rick Ferri’s Core 4 fund Portfolio (80/20)
- 48.00% US Total Stock Market (VTI)
- 8.00% REITs (VNQ)
- 24.00% International All-World ex-US (VEU)
- 20.00% Total US Bond Market (BND)
Please also make sure you visit Rick Ferri’s Core 4 Website at https://core-4.com/
Rick Ferri Total Economy Core-4 Portfolio Low-Risk
- 4.00% US Small Cap Value (VIOV)
- 2.00% REITs (Real Estate) (VNQ)
- 80.00% Total US Bond Market (BND)
- 14.00% Total World Stock (VT)
Rick Ferri Total Economy Core-4 Portfolio Conservative
- 8.00% US Small Cap Value (VIOV)
- 4.00% REITs (Real Estate) (VNQ)
- 60.00% Total US Bond Market (BND)
- 28.00% Total World Stock (VT)
Rick Ferri Total Economy Core-4 Portfolio Moderate
- 12.00% US Small Cap Value (VIOV)
- 6.00% REITs (Real Estate) (VNQ)
- 40.00% Total US Bond Market (BND)
- 42.00% Total World Stock (VT)
Rick Ferri Total Economy Core-4 Portfolio Aggressive
- 16.00% US Small Cap Value (VIOV)
- 8.00% REITs (Real Estate) (VNQ)
- 20.00% Total US Bond Market (BND)
- 56.00% Total World Stock (VT)
Rick Ferri Global Markets Core-4 Low-Risk
- 14.00% US Total Stock Market (VTI)
- 6.00% International Developed Blend (VEA)
- 60.00% Total US Bond Market (BND)
- 20.00% Non-US Bonds (BNDX)
Rick Ferri Global Markets Core-4 Conservative
- 28.00% US Total Stock Market (VTI)
- 12.00% International Developed Blend (VEA)
- 45.00% Total US Bond Market (BND)
- 15.00% Non-US Bonds (BNDX)
Rick Ferri Global Markets Core-4 Moderate
- 42.00% US Total Stock Market (VTI)
- 18.00% International Developed Blend (VEA)
- 30.00% Total US Bond Market (BND)
- 10.00% Non-US Bonds (BNDX)
Rick Ferri Global Markets Core-4 Aggressive
- 56.00% US Total Stock Market (VTI)
- 24.00% International Developed Blend (VEA)
- 15.00% Total US Bond Market (BND)
- 5.00% Non-US Bonds (BNDX)
Rick Ferri Inflation Fighter Core-4 Portfolio Low-Risk
- 2.00% REITs (Real Estate) (VNQ)
- 40.00% Corporate Bonds (LQD)
- 40.00% TIPS (VTIP)
- 18.00% Total World Stock (VT)
Rick Ferri Inflation Fighter Core-4 Portfolio Conservative
- 4.00% REITs (Real Estate) (VNQ)
- 30.00% Corporate Bonds (LQD)
- 30.00% TIPS (VTIP)
- 36.00% Total World Stock (VT)
Rick Ferri Inflation Fighter Core-4 Portfolio Moderate
- 6.00% REITs (Real Estate) (VNQ)
- 20.00% Corporate Bonds (LQD)
- 20.00% TIPS (VTIP)
- 54.00% Total World Stock (VT)
Rick Ferri Inflation Fighter Core-4 Portfolio Aggressive
- 8.00% REITs (Real Estate) (VNQ)
- 10.00% Corporate Bonds (LQD)
- 10.00% TIPS (VTIP)
- 72.00% Total World Stock (VT)
Rick Ferri Income Seeker Core-4 Portfolio Low-Risk
- 20.00% US Preferred Stocks (PFF)
- 6.00% High Dividend Yield International
- 60.00% Corporate Bonds (LQD)
- 14.00% High Dividend Yield (VYM)
Rick Ferri Income Seeker Core-4 Portfolio Conservative
- 15.00% US Preferred Stocks (PFF)
- 12.00% High Dividend Yield International
- 45.00% Corporate Bonds (LQD)
- 28.00% High Dividend Yield (VYM)
Rick Ferri Income Seeker Core-4 Portfolio Moderate
- 10.00% US Preferred Stocks (PFF)
- 18.00% High Dividend Yield International
- 30.00% Corporate Bonds (LQD)
- 42.00% High Dividend Yield (VYM)
Rick Ferri Income Seeker Core-4 Portfolio Aggressive
5.00% US Preferred Stocks (PFF)
24.00% High Dividend Yield International
15.00% Corporate Bonds (LQD)
56.00% High Dividend Yield (VYM)
14.00% US Total Stock Market (VTI)
6.00% International Developed Blend (VEA)
40.00% Intermediate-Term Treasury (VGIT)
40.00% Corporate Bonds (LQD)
28.00% US Total Stock Market (VTI)
12.00% International Developed Blend (VEA)
30.00% Intermediate-Term Treasury (VGIT)
30.00% Corporate Bonds (LQD)
42.00% US Total Stock Market (VTI)
18.00% International Developed Blend (VEA)
20.00% Intermediate-Term Treasury (VGIT)
20.00% Corporate Bonds (LQD)
8.00% REITs (Real Estate) (VNQ)
10.00% Intermediate-Term Treasury (VGIT)
10.00% Corporate Bonds (LQD)
72.00% Total World Stock (VT)
Variations on Rick Ferri Core Four portfolio
Rick Ferri has launched the website Core-Four to draw attention to his approach and to educate and proliferate the use of his core four strategies. Also, he has trademarked the name core-4.
In addition to this, he has expanded his core four portfolios to include portfolios that cover different investment objectives:
Classic Core-4: Capital appreciation with income using stocks, bonds, and real estate
Total Economy Core-4: Includes quasi-private equity exposure using small value stocks
Global Markets Core-4: Provides exposure to all global stock and bond markets
Inflation Fighter Core-4: Includes funds that provide a hedge against inflation
Income Seeker Core-4: Incorporates funds that have higher than average income
Socially Conscious Core-4: Excludes individual companies and industries using ESG* standards
Ferri believes in simple, low-cost portfolios, which he says many people can manage on their own. “They don’t really need an advisor. You can design something very simple that investors can check up on when they want.”
Where can I learn more about Rick Ferri?
Rick Ferri hosts the Bogleheads On Investing Podcast
Here is an excellent article on Rick Ferri’s new investment advisory.
Rick Ferri’s new website, Ferri Investment Solutions.
This is a fantastic book on all the moving parts of a portfolio.
Rick Ferri’s BEST book:
This book is an excellent introduction and even advanced knowledge about what index funds are and how they are expressed through mutual funds and ETFs.
Suggestions for your next steps
If you have already committed to a portfolio then maybe you need help maintaining the portfolio. In this case you will find our rebalance worksheet useful.
Rebalancing your portfolio lowers your risk and may provide higher returns in the long run. It is completely FREE.
You can find the rebalance worksheet in our article Here Is The Most Easy To Use Portfolio Rebalance Tool.
Related questions
What is Rick Ferri’s asset allocation?
Rick Ferri believes in passive indexing and has built many portfolios with just 4 ETFs. He calls them Core-4 portfolios.
What is the Rick Ferri podcast?
Rick Ferri hosts the bogleheads.org podcast. He talks about investing and interviews interesting and relevant guests.
