A good stock is an even better buy when it's on sale.

The past several months have been bullish ones for the market. But not for every stock. Even some of the S&P 500 's ( ^GSPC 0.32% ) seemingly safe dividend stocks have been upended, even if only because so many investors would rather own far more exciting growth stocks at this time.

Veteran investors know the time to step into quality names is when they're down. Time will take care of the rest.

With that as the backdrop, here's a rundown of three solid dividend-paying S&P 500 stocks that income-minded investors might want to buy while they're still on sale and hold forever.

1. Merck

There's no denying Merck ( MRK 3.00% ) has become a bit too dependent on its cancer-fighting wonder drug Keytruda. The immunotherapy no

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