Almost ready to retire? I'd buy cheap ASX dividend shares for income

Businesses with large dividend yields can offer a cash flow boost for retirement.

Cheap ASX dividend shares are a good source of passive income. People who are about to retire might like a boost to their portfolio's dividend yield.

Ideally, good income ideas should be ones that pay an appealing yield and can deliver growth of the dividend/share price over time to account for inflation and deliver pleasing total returns.

The positive difference a good dividend yield can make may be a huge addition to how much cash flow a retiree receives.

For example, if someone has a $750,000 portfolio that yields 4%, that would generate $30,000 of annual income. If the portfolio had a 6% dividend yield, that would result in $45,000 of annual income.

A mature aged couple dance together in their kitchen while they are preparing food in a joyful scene.

Image source: Getty Images

What ASX dividend shares are cheap?

I wouldn't suggest buying a share just because it has fallen. A share price that falls can be expensive. I'd want to identify businesses that are facing a shorter-term sell-off and could recover, or are trading at a cheap level to their underlying assets/cash flow generation.

In my mind, sometimes we can find whole sectors that are disliked and undervalued. During 2022, I wrote many times about global/ASX tech shares being undervalued.

A lot of the market has rallied strongly over the past few months, making opportunities harder to find.

But, there are still a few cheap ASX dividend shares that look good value to me.

For starters, there are some ASX retail shares that are seeing some challenging conditions now, but earnings could accelerate in FY25 and FY26. According to Commsec, shoe retailer Accent Group Ltd (ASX: AX1) could pay a grossed-up dividend yield of over 10% and youth apparel business Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI) might pay a grossed-up dividend yield of over 8% in FY26.

Higher interest rates are undoubtedly an issue for real estate investment trusts (REIT) because these commercial property businesses tend to have sizeable debt on their balance sheet.

I'm looking at farmland REIT Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF) with a current yield of 5.78% and diversified property owner Charter Hall Long WALE REIT (ASX: CLW) with a yield of 7.89% as opportunities in the property sector. Both of them are seeing solid contracted rental income growth.

Brickworks Limited (ASX: BKW) is another ASX dividend share with a significant asset base, including a large property portfolio, though the grossed-up dividend yield is only 3.5%.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) has returned to giving investors dividend increases after a difficult period due to the NBN transition. The company is benefiting from increasing subscriber numbers. It's trading at close to a 52-week low and currently has an annualised grossed-up dividend yield of 7.2%.

Diversification is important, so I think a portfolio of the above ASX dividend shares could be a solid starting point.

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Accent Group, Brickworks, and Rural Funds Group. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Brickworks. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Brickworks, Rural Funds Group, and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Accent Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Dividend Investing

Dividend yield written on a notebook with a chart, pen, and magnifying glass next to it.
Dividend Investing

2 ASX dividend shares with yields above 8%

These ASX dividend shares pay a great, and reliable, passive income.

Read more »

Woman smiling at a farm.
Dividend Investing

If I invest $15,000 in Rural Funds shares, how much passive income will I get?

Rural Funds is an ASX agricultural REIT that leases land and infrastructure to farmers.

Read more »

Dividends written in yellow on chalkboard, with finance-related diagrams.
Dividend Investing

3 of the best ASX dividend shares for income investors

Income investors might want to check out these buy-rated shares.

Read more »

Male hands holding Australian dollar banknotes, symbolising dividends.
Dividend Investing

2 ASX passive income share ideas I'd use to generate $700 a month in 2027

I’m excited about the dividend potential of these stocks.

Read more »

Happy man holding Australian dollar notes, representing dividends.
Dividend Investing

ASX ETF investors will receive dividends today. Here is how much you'll get

Own Global X ETFs such as A300, ZYAU, BANK, or OZXX? It's payday!

Read more »

Work colleagues discussing finance charts and graphs on a laptop computer and tablet in their office.
Dividend Investing

Insurance Australia Group vs Medibank: Which is the more reliable passive income stock?

I compare IAG and Medibank on dividends, franking, and value to assess which is more likely to appeal to passive…

Read more »

Person holding Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.
Dividend Investing

75% of my dividends come from these 4 ASX shares (and I want to buy more)

I rate these stocks as top options for dividend income.

Read more »

Numerous Australian dollar notes laid out.
Dividend Investing

Aurizon Holdings vs Atlas Arteria: Which ASX 200 high-yield share wins for reliable passive income?

Aurizon and Atlas Arteria both offer yields above 6%, but which is the safer option?

Read more »