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3 Top Dividend Stocks to Maximize Your Retirement Income

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Believe it or not, seniors fear running out of cash more than they fear dying.

Also, retirees who have constructed a nest egg have valid justifications to be concerned, since the traditional ways to plan for retirement may mean income can no longer cover expenses. Some retirees are now tapping their principal to make a decent living, pressed for time between decreasing investment balances and longer life expectancies.

In today's economic environment, traditional income investments are not working.

For example, 10-year Treasury bonds in the late 1990s offered a yield of around 6.50%, which translated to an income source you could count on. However, today's yield is much lower and probably not a viable return option to fund typical retirements.

That means if you had $1 million in 10-year Treasuries, the difference in yield between 1999 and today is more than $1 million.

In addition to the considerable drop in bond yields, today's retirees are nervous about their future Social Security benefits. Because of certain demographic factors, it's been estimated that the funds that pay the Social Security benefits will run out of money in 2035.

How can you avoid dipping into your principal when the investments you counted on in retirement aren't producing income? You can only cut your expenses so far, and the only other option is to find a different investment vehicle to generate income.

Invest in Dividend Stocks

Dividend-paying stocks from low-risk, high-quality companies are a smart way to generate steady and reliable attractive income streams to replace low risk, low yielding Treasury and bond options.

Look for stocks that have paid steady, increasing dividends for years (or decades), and have not cut their dividends even during recessions.

One way to identify suitable candidates is to look for stocks with an average dividend yield of 3%, and positive average annual dividend growth. Many stocks increase dividends over time, helping to offset the effects of inflation.

Here are three dividend-paying stocks retirees should consider for their nest egg portfolio.

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ - Free Report)

is currently shelling out a dividend of $1.3 per share, with a dividend yield of 3.16%. This compares to the Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry's yield of 2.44% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.54%. The company's annualized dividend growth in the past year was 4.84%. Check Johnson & Johnson dividend history here>>>

The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc (PNC - Free Report)

is paying out a dividend of $1.7 per share at the moment, with a dividend yield of 3.51% compared to the Financial - Investment Bank industry's yield of 0.54% and the S&P 500's yield. The annualized dividend growth of the company was 3.23% over the past year. Check The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc dividend history here>>>

Currently paying a dividend of $0.09 per share,

TIM S.A. Sponsored ADR (TIMB - Free Report)

has a dividend yield of 4.12%. This is compared to the Wireless Non-US industry's yield of 1.85% and the S&P 500's current yield. Annualized dividend growth for the company in the past year was 125.63%. Check TIM S.A. Sponsored ADR dividend history here>>>

But aren't stocks generally more risky than bonds?

It is true that stocks, as an asset class, carry more risk than bonds, but high-quality dividend stocks not only have the ability to produce income growth over time but more importantly, can also reduce your overall portfolio volatility relative to the broader stock market.

A silver lining to owning dividend stocks for your retirement portfolio is that many companies, especially blue chip stocks, increase their dividends over time, helping offset the effects of inflation on your potential retirement income.

Thinking about dividend-focused mutual funds or ETFs? Watch out for fees.

If you prefer investing in funds or ETFs compared to individual stocks, you can still pursue a dividend income strategy. However, it's important to know the fees charged by each fund or ETF, which can ultimately reduce your dividend income, working against your strategy. Do your homework and make sure you know the fees charged by any fund before you invest.

Bottom Line

Pursuing a dividend investing strategy can help protect your retirement portfolio. Whether you choose to invest in stocks or through low-fee mutual funds or ETFs, this approach can potentially help you achieve a more secure and enjoyable retirement.


See More Zacks Research for These Tickers


Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:


The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc (PNC) - free report >>

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) - free report >>

TIM S.A. Sponsored ADR (TIMB) - free report >>

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