$60,000 per year in passive income from ASX dividend shares sits comfortably above ASFA’s modest retirement standard and within reach of the comfortable retirement benchmark for a single person.
The maths is straightforward.
To generate $60,000 per year in dividend income at an average yield of 5%, you need approximately $1.2 million invested.
At a 6% yield, you need $1 million.
Three ASX dividend shares offer different but complementary ways to build toward that target.
Telstra: the defensive anchor
Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) is the natural starting point for any ASX passive income portfolio.
Not because it offers the highest yield, but because it offers reliability.
Telstra has not cut its dividend since 2019 and has increased its annual payout every year since 2022.
CommSec consensus estimates point to a fully franked dividend of 21 cents per share in FY26, rising to 21.5 cents in FY27.
At $4.92 per share, that implies a forward yield of approximately 4.3%, or a grossed-up yield of approximately 6.1% including franking credits.
That franked income is particularly powerful inside superannuation, where franking credits arrive as cash rather than being absorbed by tax.
A $400,000 investment in Telstra at a 5.86% grossed-up yield generates approximately $23,440 per year.
Suncorp: the recovery play with a growing payout
Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN) had a difficult FY26.
Catastrophe costs ran to approximately $580 million above budget and weighing on near-term dividends.
Despite this, UBS forecasts a fully franked annual dividend of 66 cents per share for FY2026.
This would imply a grossed-up yield of approximately 5.0% at the current share price of $18.94.
The more compelling part for this ASX dividend share is the trajectory.
UBS projects Suncorp’s dividend climbing toward $1.09 per share by FY2030, implying a forward grossed-up yield of approximately 8.2% at today’s price.
That reflects a scenario where FY26’s elevated catastrophe costs are unlikely to repeat at the same scale, and where improving margins support a multi-year dividend recovery.
A $350,000 investment in Suncorp at a 5.0% grossed-up yield generates approximately $17,500 per year today. This should grow materially as the dividend recovers.
Amcor: the quarterly payer
Amcor Plc (ASX: AMC) brings something Telstra and Suncorp do not: quarterly dividends.
Most ASX companies pay twice yearly. Amcor pays four times per year, giving income investors a more frequent and consistent cash flow.
Amcor’s most recently declared quarterly dividend was 91 cents per share in AUD terms. This translates to an annualised payout of approximately A$3.64 per share.
At $63.92 per share, that implies a trailing yield of approximately 5.7%.
Unfortunately, that yield is unfranked, reflecting Amcor’s UK domicile and predominantly offshore earnings.
However, the yield more than compensates for the lack of franking at an absolute level.
The business is delivering too. In Q3 FY26, Amcor delivered net sales of US$5.91 billion, up 77% year-on-year, as Berry Global synergies continued to flow through.
A $320,000 investment in Amcor at 5.7% generates approximately $18,240 per year.
The portfolio maths for these ASX dividend shares
$400,000 in Telstra at 6.1% generates approximately $24,400 per year.
$350,000 in Suncorp at 5.0% generates approximately $17,500 per year.
$320,000 in Amcor at 5.7% generates approximately $18,240 per year.
Combined, a $1,070,000 portfolio across these three stocks generates approximately $60,140 per year, essentially hitting the $60,000 target.
Foolish takeaway
$60,000 in annual passive income from ASX dividend shares is achievable with approximately $1 million to $1.2 million invested across reliable, income-producing businesses.
Telstra provides the defensive anchor with franked income.
Suncorp provides the income growth trajectory.
Amcor provides the quarterly cash flow and global defensive exposure.
Income investors looking for high yield at a reasonable price don’t need to look much further than these three.
The post How to build $60,000 in annual passive income from ASX dividend shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
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More reading
- These ASX shares could generate $10,000 per year in passive income
- Are Telstra shares a buy for passive income?
- How much do I need in my superannuation to get $6,000 per month in passive income?
- How much is needed in superannuation to target a $70,000 annual passive income?
- 5 of the best investments on the ASX right now to complement your superannuation
Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven 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 positions in and has recommended Amcor Plc and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.