It boasts a solid 3.5% dividend yield and a meager expense ratio of 0.18%. Finally, risks for this fund include its heavy focus on international stocks, combined with a below-average performance history.

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are great options for those seeking to generate passive income. You can just sit back and watch the income flow into your brokerage account. The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (NYSEMKT: SCHD),

Its smart to seek income from your investments -- whether it's because you need that income to support yourself in retirement, or whether you want to use it to invest in more stocks. It's also a fine idea to seek that passive income from exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that are focused on dividend-paying shares.