Monthly Dividend Income Calculator
Enter your target monthly income and expected dividend yield to find out exactly how much capital you need — with projections across three growth scenarios.
How the calculator works
The core formula is straightforward: Capital needed = (Annual target income) ÷ Dividend yield. The projection table then shows how your income grows year-over-year if you invest that capital and the companies consistently raise their dividend at your chosen growth rate. Results assume a constant yield on cost and do not account for taxes or inflation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much do I need to invest to get €1,000 per month in dividends?
- At a 4% dividend yield you would need €300,000 invested. At 3% yield you would need €400,000. The calculator above computes this instantly — just enter your target and yield to see the exact number.
- What dividend yield is realistic for a passive income portfolio?
- A diversified dividend portfolio typically yields 3–5%. Yields above 6–7% can signal elevated dividend-cut risk. Balancing yield with safety is more important than chasing the highest number.
- Does dividend growth reduce the capital needed over time?
- Yes. If your companies grow their dividend at 7% per year, income doubles roughly every 10 years without adding fresh capital. This is why dividend growth investors often need less capital than pure high-yield investors.
- Should I prioritise high yield or high dividend growth?
- It depends on your time horizon. High growth (5–10% per year) with a moderate starting yield (2–3%) beats high yield with zero growth after roughly 12–15 years. Use the calculator's growth rate input to compare both scenarios.
- How does inflation affect dividend income over 20 years?
- At 2.5% inflation, your purchasing power halves in roughly 28 years. Dividend growth stocks that raise payouts 5–8% annually can outpace inflation significantly, preserving real income.
- What is the difference between living off dividends and the 4% withdrawal rule?
- The 4% rule withdraws both capital and returns. Living off dividends leaves the principal intact and relies only on dividend cashflow — generally more conservative and sustainable over very long horizons.