Want $1 Million in Retirement? 3 Index Funds to Start Buying in April.

By David Dierking – Apr 24, 2026 at 1:47PM ESTKey PointsEven modest monthly investments made consistently over time can eventually turn into $1 million or more.A retirement portfolio should be built around ultra-low-cost, broadly diversified index funds.These three ETFs -- one for U.S. stocks, one for international stocks, and one for dividend stocks -- can be used individually or collectively to get you to the $1 million mark.While $1 million doesn't buy what it used to, it's still considered the gold standard for wealth creation. And for most people, it's surprisingly achievable. It just takes consistency and discipline. If you're willing to invest regularly on a monthly basis, stick with your plan in the face of market volatility, and avoid the desire to spend that money before you hit the retirement finish line, a million-dollar (or multimillion-dollar) portfolio could very much be in your future. The right mix of investments also helps. Many people would start with a core fund, such as the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF or the Invesco QQQ ETF. Some would stop right there. Others may add in some ancillary satellite positions around one of those. The key, I've always believed, is diversification. It's easy to pick the most recent winners. But building a portfolio of investments that work well together and can play off each other's strengths is the best path to long-term wealth creation. Whether you're new to retirement saving or already on the journey, these three ETFs can make you retirement-ready in the years ahead. Image source: Getty Images. 1.

Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF I mentioned the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF earlier. I know a lot of people use that fund, and there's certainly nothing wrong with that choice. Personally, I prefer the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI +0.60%). It includes the entire investable U.S. equity market, 3,500 stocks in all, and doesn't focus entirely on large caps. Quite simply, it does a better job of diversifying beyond just a handful of big megacap tech companies. Granted, the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF is market cap-weighted, so you still get significant exposure to the "Magnificent Seven" stocks. But roughly 25% of the portfolio is invested in mid- and small-cap names. As we've seen in 2026, that allocation can make a difference when the direction of the economy turns and investors think twice about paying premium valuations for tech stocks. When investing for retirement, I want the whole U.S. stock market, not just a piece. ExpandNYSEMKT: VTIVanguard Total Stock Market ETFToday's Change(0.60%) $2.09Current Price$351.89Key Data PointsDay's Range$349.68 - $352.3752wk Range$266.25 - $352.37Volume61K 2. Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD 0.76%) is perhaps the perfect complement to any core stock fund position. Its strategy targets companies with financially healthy balance sheets, long histories of paying dividends to shareholders, and high yields. Dividend income can be an important component of an investment's total return. This fund's 3.4% yield offers plenty of that. ExpandNYSEMKT: SCHDSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETFToday's Change(-0.76%) $-0.24Current Price$31.18Key Data PointsDay's Range$31.15 - $31.5552wk Range$25.41 - $31.95Volume518K Plus, its high-quality portfolio is ideal for long-term retirement investing. Its components have demonstrated an ability to weather different economic cycles, which can mitigate downside risk in challenging environments. 3.

Vanguard Total International Stock ETF Investing in international stocks might not automatically come to mind when saving for retirement. But the last couple of years have demonstrated what it can do to enhance returns. In the same way that the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF covers the U.S. market, the Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (VXUS +0.84%) invests in non-U.S. developed and emerging markets. ExpandNASDAQ: VXUSVanguard Total International Stock ETFToday's Change(0.84%) $0.69Current Price$82.41Key Data PointsDay's Range$81.96 - $82.6152wk Range$62.97 - $84.48Volume97K Adding international diversification is important because many of these economies look different from the United States. Financials, energy, manufacturing, and commodities are often bigger economic drivers and are influenced by different factors. Since they usually move in different cycles, they can offer significant risk-reducing diversification benefits. Plus, they often come with more attractive valuations. Fund comparison ETFTickerExpense RatioYieldAUMKey StrengthVanguard Total Stock Market ETFVTI0.03%1.2%$615BBroad U.S. market coreSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETFSCHD0.06%3.4%$88BDividend income + qualityVanguard Total International Stock ETFVXUS0.05%2.7%$146BGlobal diversification Data sources: Vanguard, Schwab. If you were to build an equity portfolio out of just these three ETFs, it could probably give you almost everything you need: total U.S. markets, total international markets, and quality dividend equities to round it out. Whether you choose to buy them individually or collectively, all three ETFs will get you well on your way to a $1 million net worth.Read NextApr 24, 2026 •By Josh Kohn-LindquistWhich Dividend ETF Is Best for the Long Term: Fidelity's FDVV or Schwab's SCHD?Apr 24, 2026 •By Neil PatelThe Smartest Dividend ETF to Buy With $2,000 in April 2026Apr 23, 2026 •By Matt DiLalloWhy I Just Backed Up the Truck and Loaded Up on This Top ETFApr 22, 2026 •By David Dierking3 Reasons Why This Dividend ETF Keeps Attracting Smart MoneyApr 22, 2026 •By Robert IzquierdoBetter Dividend ETF: Schwab's SCHD vs. Vanguard's VIGApr 22, 2026 •By David DierkingRetirees: Here's Why I'd Own SCHD Over Bonds in a Volatile MarketStocks MentionedSchwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETFNYSEMKT: SCHD$31.18(-0.76%)-$0.24Vanguard Total Stock Market ETFNYSEMKT: VTI$351.93(+0.61%)+$2.13Vanguard Total International Stock ETFNASDAQ: VXUS$82.41(+0.84%)+$0.69*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.