Fully Paid Lending and Retirement Income

BY ROBERT AKESON, CFTe

As clients approach retirement, advisors are under increasing pressure to balance capital preservation with sustainable income generation—often in an environment where traditional tools fall short. With longer lifespans and muted yield expectations, extending portfolio productivity has become just as important as managing risk. One lesser-known strategy gaining attention is securities lending, particularly through fully paid lending of ETFs. By quietly generating incremental income without disrupting core allocations, ETF lending offers advisors a compelling way to help portfolios work harder as clients transition toward retirement.