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For retirees seeking income, dividend investing is less about chasing the highest yield and more about owning stocks that reliably generate cash and consistently increase their payouts. Add in stability, safety, and diversification across industries and you have the hallmarks of an ideal retirement dividend portfolio.

Here's my three-ingredient peace-of-mind dividend-stock recipe:

A long history of increasing the annual dividend is a great hallmark. Some of the best candidates exhibiting dividend strength can be found in the list of Dividend Kings, companies that have raised their dividends for at least 50 years ).

Low beta , i.e., a stock that is less volatile than the broader market, is a good sign.

A modest payout ratio mean

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