S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) dividend shares provide a great means to build a reliable passive income stream.
And unlike many global markets, like in the United States, a lot of top ASX 200 dividend shares pay franking credits.
That's something to keep an eye on, as these credits can make a material difference to the amount of passive income you get to hold onto when it comes time to pay the ATO.
We'll look at three high-yielding ASX dividend stocks below, two of which come with 100% franking credits and one which offers partly franked dividends.
Just take note that a properly diversified income portfolio will contain more than just three stocks. While there's no magic number, 10 is a decent ballpark figure to aim for.
Also, remember that the yields you generally see quoted are trailing yields. Future yields could be higher or lower depending on a range of company specific and macroeconomic factors.
With that said, here are three ASX 200 shares at the top of my passive income list.
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Three high-yielding ASX 200 dividend shares
First up, we have lenders mortgage insurance provider Helia Group Ltd (ASX: HLI).
The ASX 200 dividend share paid a fully franked interim dividend of 15 cents per share. Helia then paid a final ordinary dividend of 16 cents per share and a fully franked special dividend of 53 cents per share on 3 April.
That brings Helia's full year passive income payout to 84 cents per share. The Helia share price is up 28% over a year, closing on Friday at $5.25 a share. This sees Helia trading on a fully franked trailing dividend yield of 16.0%.
Next up we have asset manager WAM Capital Limited (ASX: WAM), which manages a diversified portfolio of income stocks.
Over the past 12 months, WAM has paid two dividends franked at 60% and totalling 15.6 cents per share.
The WAM Capital share price is up 6% in a year, closing on Friday at $1.56 per share. That sees this ASX 200 dividend stock trading on a partly franked trailing yield of 10.0%.
And the third company I'd invest in for passive income is coal miner New Hope Corp Ltd (ASX: NHC).
New Hope's two fully franked dividend payouts over the past year total 41 cents a share.
The New Hope share price is down 17% in a year, closing on Friday trading for $3.90. This sees New Hope trading on a fully franked trailing dividend yield of 10.5%.
How much do I need to invest for $20,000 a year in passive income?
So, how much would I need to invest today to secure $20,000 in passive income from these three ASX 200 dividend stocks (based on their trailing yields)?
Assuming I invest an equal amount in each stock, I'd be eyeing a dividend yield of 12.2%.
So, to be able to sit back and watch $20,000 of passive income roll in each year, I'd need to invest $163,934 today.
Now, for most of us, that's a big chunk of money to invest all in one go.
But that's okay.
Investing is a long game.
I can always invest a smaller amount each month, and I'll reach my income goal in good time.
