That's exactly why I believe Australian investors should focus on a strategy that blends growth, resilience, and rising income.

For retirees who own their home, the latest ASFA Retirement Standard suggests a couple needs around $77,000 a year for a comfortable lifestyle, while singles need roughly $55,000.

That makes the final 10 years before retirement the ideal time to shape a portfolio designed to support that level of spending.

Local and global reach through ETFs

My preferred approach starts with broad ASX and global share ETFs as the portfolio's growth engine. A core holding in the Vanguard Australian Shares ETF (ASX: VAS) gives investors exposure to many of the market's best dividend-paying companies.

Adding an international ETF such as BetaShares Global Shares ETF (ASX: BGBL) helps diversify beyond the banks and miners that dominate the local market.

Together, these ETFs can still deliver the capital growth needed to keep pace with inflation over what could be a 25-year retirement.

Increase income, limit risk

But this is also the decade when income starts to matter more. That's why I like gradually introducing a high-yield ETF such as SPDR MSCI Australia Select High Dividend Yield Fund (ASX: SYI). The higher dividend stream, supported by franking credits, can help lift the portfolio's cash generation without relying entirely on selling units.

At the same time, reducing risk becomes critical. A major market sell-off just before retirement can permanently damage a drawdown plan, which is why I would steadily increase exposure to bond ETFs such as the Vanguard Australian Fixed Interest ETF (ASX: VAF).

Bonds may not deliver eye-catching returns, but they can provide stability and act as a valuable shock absorber when share markets turn volatile.

Blue chips for growth

I'd also reserve a smaller slice of the portfolio for a handful of elite ASX blue-chip shares. Names such as Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) can add a blend of dependable dividends and long-term earnings growth. These businesses have the scale and quality to remain core holdings well into retirement.

The real secret, though, is the glide path. Ten years out, I'd still lean heavily into shares. Five years from retirement, I'd be lifting bond and cash exposure. By retirement day, I'd want at least two years of living expenses sitting in cash or term deposits, ready to fund spending needs without touching shares in a downturn.

That combination of ASX ETFs, quality blue chips, bonds, and a cash buffer creates exactly what pre-retirees need most: a portfolio built not just to grow wealth, but to defend it when it matters most.

The post 10 years to retirement? Here's how to build a solid income appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Rising oil and gas prices rattled investors, raising concerns about the impact on the businesses they were invested in.

We are starting to see that impact, with Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) doubling its jet fuel cost estimates for 2H FY26 today.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) chair Dr Andrew Forrest has also revealed they paid up to double for emergency fuel supplies last month.

With all this in mind, it's interesting to look at how Aussie investors repositioned their ASX ETF portfolios as the conflict unfolded.

Aussies have $329 billion invested in ASX ETFs, and last month they ploughed an additional $5.6 billion into their favoured funds.

That makes March the third-highest month for net inflows ever. It seems the volatility caused by the war did not dampen their interest.

A new report from Betashares, which shows the top 10 ASX ETFs for inflows and outflows last month, reveals some interesting trends.

Let's take a look.

Top 10 ASX ETFs for inflows last month

Top 10 ETFs for outflows

How ASX ETFs investors repositioned last month

The VAS ETF is the most popular Australian shares ETF on the market, so it's no surprise to see it take out the top spot.

VGS is the most popular international shares ETF, so it's routine to see it close to the top as well.

The presence of IHVV in the top inflows list, and its unhedged counterpart IVV ETF in the top outflows, shows investors are mindful of currency changes over the past 12 months.

The Australian dollar has risen from just over 60 US cents 12 months ago to a three-year high of 70.8 US cents today.

As James Gruber, Equity Market Strategist at CommSec, points out:

When the Australian dollar strengthens, your international ETF returns shrink, and if the Australian dollar weakens, your returns improve.

Outflows from QAU ETF reflect profit-taking amid a 21% decline in the gold price over the first three weeks of March.

Sprott Managing Partner, Paul Wong, said investors need not be worried though.

Wong added:

Gold's March drop reflects a liquidity crunch, not a breakdown in its long-term role. 

As financial stress builds, gold is likely to reassert itself as a key monetary anchor.

Another interesting trend is the inflows into non-US international ETFs, reflecting the poorer performance of US markets this year.

In the year to date, the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) has lifted just 0.6% compared to a 3% bump for the ASX 200.

The post How ASX ETF investors repositioned as the Iran war shook markets appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Building a globally diversified portfolio doesn't require dozens of holdings or a constant stream of trading decisions. This structure with 5 diversified ETFs is simple, transparent, and built for the long haul.

Global X Australia 300 ETF (ASX: A300) 

The foundation starts at home. This ASX ETF provides exposure to the 300 largest companies on the ASX. That means ownership across the full spectrum of Australia's corporate heavyweights.

It includes banks like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), miners such as BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), as well as to healthcare leader CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) and retail giant Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES).

A300 is broad, diversified and low cost, making it well suited to anchor roughly 30% of a portfolio in domestic equities.

iShares S&P/ASX 200 ETF (ASX: IOZ) 

This ASX ETF offers a slightly tighter focus on the 200 largest Australian companies. While there is overlap with A300, IOZ remains one of the lowest-cost ways to gain exposure to the core of the Australian market.

Together, these funds ensure investors capture dividends, franking credits and the performance of Australia's biggest listed businesses.

Betashares Global Shares ETF (ASX: BGBL) 

Global diversification is where long-term growth often accelerates. This Betashares ETF delivers exposure to around 1,500 companies across developed markets.

Investors gain access to global leaders such as Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN), alongside major European and Japanese corporations.

It spreads risk across sectors including technology, healthcare, financials and consumer goods, reducing reliance on any single economy.

Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF – Currency Hedged (ASX: HQLT) 

For a sharper tilt toward financially strong businesses, this ASX ETF narrows the field to approximately 150 high-quality global companies selected for strong profitability, stable earnings and solid balance sheets.

The currency hedging back to Australian dollars reduces exchange rate volatility, which can smooth returns over time. This ETF adds a disciplined growth overlay to the global allocation.

SPDR Bloomberg AusBond ETF (ASX: BOND)

No portfolio is complete without a defensive component. BOND ETF invests in a diversified basket of Australian government and investment-grade corporate bonds.

Bonds typically move differently to shares, helping cushion portfolios when equity markets fall. They also provide income, adding stability to overall returns.

Foolish Takeaway

An allocation could look like this: around 30% in Australian equities through A300 and IOZ, approximately 35% in global shares via BGBL and HQLT, with the remaining portion in BOND to provide defensive ballast.

The result is a diversified, low-cost portfolio spanning thousands of companies worldwide, supported by high-quality bonds.

There is no need to predict which individual stock will outperform next year. Instead, investors gain broad exposure to the engines of global growth while maintaining stability through disciplined asset allocation. It's a structure designed to endure market cycles rather than chase them.

The post 5 low-cost ASX ETFs for a global diversified portfolio appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.