pro Tier Analysis

One Fund FIRE (Part 1)

Can you retire on just SPYI? We stress test the 'All-In' strategy.

DivAgent Research Team
2026-01-03
5 min read

Key Takeaways

  • The Appeal: Eliminate decision fatigue. Automate everything.
  • The Candidate: We test SPYI (NEOS S&P 500 High Income) as the sole retirement vehicle.
  • The Pros: 12% yield covers expenses easily. Tax efficiency. Broad S&P 500 exposure.
  • The Cons: Manager risk (what if NEOS fails?). Strategy risk (what if options stop working?). No asset class diversification.
  • Verdict: Possible for Lean FIRE, but too risky for Fat FIRE.

The SPYI "All-In" Scenario

Let's say you have $500,000. You put 100% into SPYI.

The Result

Monthly Income$5,000
Expense Ratio0.68% ($3,400/yr)
Management Time0 Hours/Year

Why It Is Dangerous

Single Point of Failure: If the fund manager makes a mistake, or if the SEC changes the tax rules on Section 1256, your entire retirement plan breaks.

No Hedge: In 2022, bonds helped (a little). Gold helped. Managed Futures helped. If you are 100% SPYI, you take the full hit of the equity market.

The "Two Fund" Compromise

If you want simplicity, add just one diversifier.
80% SPYI + 20% BDCs (MAIN).
Now you have two asset classes (Equities vs. Credit) and two managers. Much safer, almost as simple.

Read the full story.

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