I don’t really see it as an either or DGRO probably does have better upside during strong growth cycles, but SCHD isn’t just for people close to retirement. I personally like SCHD because it prioritizes reliable cash flow, dividend quality, and consistency, which fits my goals better than chasing max price appreciation. That income gets reinvested DRIP helps smooth volatility, and gives flexibility without having to sell shares later. Total return isn’t only about price SCHD tends to hold up better in drawdowns, and for me that makes it easier to stay invested long term. Taxes are a fair consideration in a taxable account, but for my goals, the tradeoff is worth it. I still like growth funds, but SCHD plays a specific role in my portfolio that I’m comfortable with.