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3 Top-Ranked Dividend Stocks: A Smarter Way to Boost Your Retirement Income

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Here's a revealing data point: older Americans are scared more of outliving wealth than of death itself.

And older Americans have legitimate reasons for this worry, even if they have dutifully saved for their golden years. That's because the traditional ways people manage retirement may no longer provide enough income to meet expenses - and with people generally living longer, the principal retirement savings is exhausted far too early in the retirement period.

Retirement investing approaches of the past don't work today.

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.

The effect of this drop in rates is substantial: over 20 years, the change in yield for a $1 million investment in 10-year Treasuries is over $1 million.

Today's retirees are getting hit hard by reduced bond yields - and the Social Security picture isn't too rosy either. Right now and for the near future, Social Security benefits are still being paid, but it has been estimated that the Social Security funds will be depleted as soon as 2035.

So what can retirees do? You could dramatically reduce your expenses, and go out on a limb hoping your Social Security benefits don't diminish. On the other hand, you could opt for an alternative investment that gives a steady, higher-rate income stream to supplant lessening bond yields.

Invest in Dividend Stocks

We feel that these dividend-paying equities - as long as they are from high-quality, low-risk issuers - can give retirement investors a smart option to replace low-yielding Treasury bonds (or other bonds).

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

A rule of thumb for finding solid income-producing stocks is to seek those that average 3% dividend yield, and positive yearly dividend growth. These stocks can help combat inflation by boosting dividends over time.

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

Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (ARLP - Free Report) is currently shelling out a dividend of $0.7 per share, with a dividend yield of 8.87%. This compares to the Coal industry's yield of 0.32% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.63%. The company's annualized dividend growth in the past year was 150%. Check Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (ARLP - Free Report) dividend history here>>>

Sierra Bancorp (BSRR - Free Report) is paying out a dividend of $0.23 per share at the moment, with a dividend yield of 4.32% compared to the Banks - West industry's yield of 2.29% and the S&P 500's yield. The annualized dividend growth of the company was 4.55% over the past year. Check Sierra Bancorp (BSRR - Free Report) dividend history here>>>

Currently paying a dividend of $0.38 per share, NRG Energy (NRG - Free Report) has a dividend yield of 4.17%. This is compared to the Utility - Electric Power industry's yield of 3.06% and the S&P 500's current yield. Annualized dividend growth for the company in the past year was 7.69%. Check NRG Energy (NRG - Free Report) dividend history here>>>

But aren't stocks generally more risky than bonds?

Yes, that's true. As a broad category, bonds carry less risk than stocks. However, the stocks we are talking about - dividend -paying stocks from high-quality companies - can generate income over time and also mitigate the overall volatility of your portfolio compared to the stock market as a whole.

An upside to adding dividend stocks to your retirement portfolio: they can help lessen the effects of inflation, since many dividend-paying companies (especially blue chip stocks) generally increase their dividends over time.

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

If you're thinking, "I want to invest in a dividend-focused ETF or mutual fund," make sure to do your homework. It's important to know that some mutual funds and specialized ETFs charge high fees, which may diminish your dividend gains or income and thwart the overall objective of this investment strategy. If you do want to invest in fund, research well to identify the best-quality dividend funds with the least charges.

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:


NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) - free report >>

Alliance Resource Partners, L.P. (ARLP) - free report >>

Sierra Bancorp (BSRR) - free report >>

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