In this article, we will take a look at some of the best dividend stocks for the best retirement portfolio.
As a growing number of Americans approach retirement, many still have not fully considered how inflation and Social Security benefits could affect their long-term finances.
A recent global survey by Prudential revealed that 89% of affluent US adults feel confident about meeting essential expenses in retirement. However, rising costs for housing, food, and health care continue to erode savings, and only 55% of respondents said they have accounted for inflation in their retirement planning.
Research from Goldman Sachs Asset Management indicates that retirees’ spending has risen faster than inflation in recent years. Prudential’s survey also showed that 63% of Americans worry about whether government programs like Social Security will be able to provide benefits when they retire.
Many retirees continue to favor dividend-paying stocks, which have long been valued for their reliability and steady returns. Given this, we will take a look at some of the best dividend stocks for a retirement portfolio.
Our Methodology
For this article, we searched the internet for widely recommended retirement stocks and selected those with strong dividend histories and sound financials. The stocks are ranked according to their dividend yields as of October 27.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 427.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 264 percentage points (see more details here).
12. Roper Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROP)
Dividend Yield as of October 27: 0.71%
Roper Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROP) operates as a collection of technology-driven businesses with leading positions in various niche markets. Its diverse portfolio includes application and network software, along with technology-based products that provide essential solutions deeply embedded in clients’ daily operations.
On October 27, RBC Capital downgraded Roper Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROP) from Outperform to Sector Perform and lowered its price target from $644 to $539. The firm cited limited upside potential, noting that investors currently favor higher-risk assets. RBC also pointed to uncertainties surrounding how artificial intelligence may affect Roper’s broad-based application software model.
While acknowledging Roper Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ROP) reputation as a “high-quality compounder” with strong free cash flow, recurring revenues, and disciplined capital allocation, RBC Capital said that market sentiment has shifted toward more cyclical, high-beta names.
RBC also highlighted a few short-term headwinds for the company, such as dilution from recent acquisitions, weaker government spending affecting its Deltek division, and copper tariffs weighing on its Neptune business.
Although the stock is now trading below its three-year relative P/E support level, RBC concluded that Roper’s risk-reward outlook appears balanced, warranting the downgrade. Still, the company maintains a strong track record as a dividend payer, having raised its dividend for 33 consecutive years. The stock supports a dividend yield of 0.71%, as of October 27.
11. Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)
Dividend Yield as of October 27: 0.90%
Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is an American multinational retail corporation that runs a vast network of hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery outlets.
On October 23, UBS increased its price target for Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) from $110 to $122 while reaffirming a Buy rating on the stock. The upgrade reflects UBS’s confidence in the company’s expanding data strategy, especially through its Walmart Data Ventures division, established in 2021 to leverage insights from roughly 270 million customers and members across 10,500 stores and online platforms in 19 countries.
UBS described Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)’s data infrastructure as a key driver of both its daily operations and long-term vision, noting that it influences nearly every part of the business. The firm added that Walmart Data Ventures offers high-quality, actionable first-party data to brands, suppliers, and merchants, enhancing efficiency and value throughout Walmart’s ecosystem.
The report further highlighted that these data assets fuel Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)’s retail media operations and support better inventory management, calling them “a rare competitive advantage that would be difficult for rivals to duplicate.”
Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)’s consistent dividend payouts also keep the stock firmly in investors’ sight. The company has been rewarding shareholders with growing dividends for the past 52 years, which makes it an attractive option for the best retirement portfolio. As of October 27, the stock has a dividend yield of 0.90%.
10. Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB)
Dividend Yield as of October 27: 1.38%
Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB) is a global insurance provider offering a broad portfolio of products, including property and casualty coverage, personal accident, supplemental health, and life insurance.
On October 27, Cantor Fitzgerald lifted its price target on Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB) from $290 to $300 while maintaining a Neutral rating on the stock. The firm’s analysts anticipate stronger premium growth ahead and expect the company to boost its share repurchases in 2026.
Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB) consistent dividend policy continues to make it a favorite among income-focused investors. The company has maintained a solid cash position over the years, generating $3.64 billion in operating cash flow during the most recent quarter. It also returned $385 million to shareholders through dividends during the same period. Notably, Chubb has raised its dividend payouts for 32 consecutive years, underscoring its long-standing commitment to shareholder returns. The company currently offers a quarterly dividend of $0.97 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.38%, as of October 27.
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