How to generate $50,000 of passive income from ASX shares

Could you really generate $50,000 of passive income from shares?

| More on:
a Christmas present wrapped in one hundred dollar notes and finished with a big red bow

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • The share market is a great place for investors to generate a passive income
  • You can build your portfolio up over time by making regular investments and letting compounding work its magic
  • In time, you will have a portfolio with potential to provide you with huge passive income

If you have a goal of generating a $50,000 passive income with ASX shares, then you will be pleased to know that history shows that it is achievable. It just requires a long-term approach and a disciplined investment strategy. By committing $12,000 annually, you can gradually build a substantial portfolio over time.

To embark on this journey, it is crucial to prioritise building a diversified portfolio of quality ASX shares. By spreading your investments across different companies and sectors, you can reduce risk and increase the potential for consistent returns. You may want to consider allocating your annual investment of $12,000 across a range of reliable dividend paying ASX shares, focusing on established companies with a track record of sustainable payouts.

Why dividend payers?

Dividend reinvestment can be a powerful tool for investors to use to accelerate wealth accumulation. By reinvesting your dividends back into the market, you can take advantage of compounding returns and grow your portfolio at a faster rate. Many ASX shares offer dividend reinvestment plans (DRPs) that allow shareholders to automatically reinvest their dividends in additional shares, often at a discounted price. Exploring these options can be a big boost to your investment strategy.

It is worth noting that as time progresses and your portfolio grows, it is important to regularly review your holdings and rebalance if necessary. This ensures that you don't end up too concentrated in one sector that has been particularly hot. It also means you don't get stuck holding onto duds that hold back your portfolio.

Passive income generation

While generating a $50,000 passive income from ASX shares is certainly an ambitious goal, by maintaining a disciplined investment approach, it can become a reality over time.

Although past performance is no guarantee of future results, we are going to base our projections on historical data. Over the last 30 years, according to Fidelity, the Australian share market has delivered an impressive total return of 9.6% per annum.

If you were to invest $12,000 each year into ASX shares and earned an average return of 9.6% per annum, thanks to the power of compounding, after a touch over 25 years you would have grown your portfolio to $1.25 million.

At that point, if your portfolio is averaging a dividend yield of 4%, which is in line with the traditional market average, you would also be generating $50,000 of passive income. This time, instead of reinvesting it back into the share market, you could start to live your best life from this income.

It is also worth highlighting that this doesn't mean the end of your investment journey. If the returns continue at the same level, your portfolio would still be growing at 5.6% per annum after taking out your dividends.

Starting from $1.2 million and adding no further capital each year, your portfolio would reach almost $1.6 million in five years if it grew 5.6% per annum. Go another five years, and you're looking at a portfolio valued at almost $2.1 million. All thanks to compounding!

Ultimately, this could all be achievable with a combination of patience, diversification, investing in quality, and consistent reinvestment of dividends.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on How to invest

Happy young woman saving money in a piggy bank.
How to invest

$20k invested in these ASX 200 shares 10 years ago is worth…

Let's see how these stocks have performed since back in 2014.

Read more »

A young well-dressed couple at a luxury resort celebrate successful life choices.
How to invest

How to build a million-dollar portfolio with ASX shares

These are the steps to take to build a seven-figure investment portfolio.

Read more »

Hands reaching high for a trophy with a sunset in the background.
How to invest

I'm taking Warren Buffett's advice for when ASX shares are at record highs

Would the Oracle of Omaha continue to buy shares when the market is at a record high?

Read more »

Beautiful young couple enjoying in shopping, symbolising passive income.
How to invest

If an investor puts $500 per month in an ASX shares portfolio, here's what they could have in 10 years

Harnessing the power of compounding can bring you great wealth...

Read more »

Man holding fifty Australian Dollar banknote in his hands, symbolising dividends, symbolising dividends.
How to invest

How much would I need in an ASX share portfolio to earn $500 a month?

Want a monthly income boost? Here's one way you could do it.

Read more »

A person holds their hands over three piggy banks, protecting and shielding their money and investments.
How to invest

I'm preparing for an ASX stock market crash in 2025

Whatever happens next year, my portfolio will be ready...

Read more »

Cheerful boyfriend showing mobile phone to girlfriend in dining room. They are spending leisure time together at home and planning their financial future.
How to invest

My ASX share portfolio is up 40% in 2024! Here's my strategy for 2025

Investing in quality companies paid off in 2024. Here's what I did.

Read more »

Young happy athletic woman listening to music on earphones while jogging in the park, symbolising passive income.
How to invest

Here's my $3 a day ASX passive income plan for 2025

ASX dividend stocks provide a unique path for building a passive income stream.

Read more »