Retiring With Higher Yields

This research report was produced by The REIT Forum with assistance from Big Dog Investments.
Whether you recently entered retirement or are planning to do so, you may be hunting for solid dividend stocks.

That hunt will most likely lead you to REITs. REITs are a great investment. They benefit from having no corporate taxes.
Yes, the dividends are taxed at higher rates, but the benefit of no corporate taxes is more important.
The REIT dividends also received a potential tax break in the recent tax reform. The basics of it is they reduced taxes on the dividend.
Consequently, REITs remain a very attractive investment for both retirees and those planning to retire at some point.
Picking the right REITs Many investors focus only on the dividend yield when evaluating REITs. Some, go a step further and look at FFO or AFFO. That is a step in the right direction.

Ideally, investors should also be looking at the level of operating expenses and the leverage of the REIT.
Where the dividend counts The dividend yield is one important metric, but it should not be the only metric investors are looking at. The dividend often falls after the other fundamentals fall apart. Because management can sustain the dividend temporarily, even as the company fails, it is unwise to buy the yield without researching the stock.
The most important historical data about the dividend is the growth history. A dividend that is growing even slightly is a much better sign... Read more