Year to date, the S&P 500 is flat amid geopolitical uncertainty, tariffs, and a potential recession. If you’re an investor in the growth phase, I wouldn’t blame you if the current market conditions kept you up at night.

For many investors, dividends can become a realistic source of income after retirement. For example, if you owned $1 million worth of Realty Income ( O 0.48%) at its current yield of 5.7%, you would generate $4,750 per month or $57,000 in cash every year without having to work. That's significantly more than the U.S. median income of $42,220.

Discover the top 10 high-yield stocks for June 2025! Learn how to boost income with dividend growth, strong financials, and smart