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How to Maximize Your Retirement Portfolio with These Top-Ranked Dividend Stocks

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

And unfortunately, even retirees who have built a nest egg have good reason to be concerned - with the traditional approaches to retirement planning, income may no longer cover expenses. That means retirees are dipping into principal to make ends meet, setting up a race against time between dwindling investment balances and longer lifespans.

Your parents' retirement investing plan won't cut it today.

In the past, investors going into retirement could invest in bonds and count on attractive yields to produce steady, reliable income streams to fund a predictable retirement. 10-year Treasury bond rates in the late 1990s hovered around 6.50%, whereas the current rate is much lower.

The impact of this rate decline is sizable: over 20 years, the difference in yield for a $1 million investment in 10-year Treasuries is more than $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.

Unfortunately, it looks like the two traditional sources of retirement income - bonds and Social Security - may not be able to adequately meet the needs of present and future retirees. But what if there was another option that could provide a steady, reliable source of income in retirement?

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.

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.

Kontoor Brands (KTB - Free Report)

is currently shelling out a dividend of $0.52 per share, with a dividend yield of 3.04%. This compares to the Textile - Apparel industry's yield of 0% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.54%. The company's annualized dividend growth in the past year was 4%. Check Kontoor Brands dividend history here>>>

SL Green (SLG - Free Report)

is paying out a dividend of $0.26 per share at the moment, with a dividend yield of 4.76% compared to the REIT and Equity Trust - Other industry's yield of 4.57% and the S&P 500's yield. The annualized dividend growth of the company was 3% over the past year. Check SL Green dividend history here>>>

Currently paying a dividend of $0.65 per share,

Sempra (SRE - Free Report)

has a dividend yield of 3.4%. This is compared to the Utility - Gas Distribution industry's yield of 3.33% and the S&P 500's current yield. Annualized dividend growth for the company in the past year was 4.2%. Check Sempra 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'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

Whether you select high-quality, low-fee funds or stocks, seeking the steady income of dividend-paying equities can potentially offer you a path to a better and more stress-free retirement.


See More Zacks Research for These Tickers


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


Sempra Energy (SRE) - free report >>

SL Green Realty Corporation (SLG) - free report >>

Kontoor Brands, Inc. (KTB) - free report >>

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