5 Top Passive-Income Stocks for Pensioners

Power Financial Corp. (TSX:PWF) and another four top income stocks deserve to be on your radar today.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s premium investing services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Retirees are on the hunt for income stocks to add to their TFSA portfolios.

When the investments are held inside a TFSA, the distributions from REITs and dividend stocks can go straight into your pocket without having to set some aside for the taxman.

Let’s take a look at five income stocks that might be interesting picks right now for your passive-income buy list.

RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust

RioCan (TSX:REI.UN) is working through a transition that will see the company sell up to $2 billion in non-core buildings in secondary markets, so it can fund its mixed-used developments in major cities. The strategy of combining residential units and retail space in desirable urban locations makes sense, as the rise in housing costs puts homeownership out of reach for more young professionals.

RioCan has a strong balance sheet and pays out a reliable distribution each month. Investors who buy today can pick up a yield of 5.4%.

Power Financial

Power Financial (TSX:PWF) is a holding company with interests or majority positions in a number of Canada’s highly recognized insurance and wealth management firms including Investors Group and Great-West Life.

The subsidiaries are performing well and Power Financial recently raised its dividend by 5%. The company also announced a significant share buyback.

The dividend provides a yield of 6%.

BCE

BCE (TSX:BCE)(NYSE:BCE) is a giant in the Canadian communications sector. The combination of the wireless and wireline infrastructure with the media division gives BCE the opportunity to interact with most Canadians on a daily basis. Free cash flow is expected to rise by 7-12% in 2019, and investors should see steady annual dividend growth continue around 5% per year.

The payout is about as safe at it gets in the Canadian market and offers a 5.25% yield.

Canadian Natural Resources

Canadian Natural Resources (TSX:CNQ)(NYSE:CNQ) is a major natural gas and oil producer with arguably the best resource portfolio in the country. The company has a very strong balance sheet and is good at allocating capital to the best opportunities as market prices shift.

CNRL raised the dividend by 12.5% this year and is buying back shares while also reducing debt with excess free cash flow. The stock appears oversold right now and offers a solid 4.3% yield.

TC Energy

TC Energy (TSX:TRP)(NYSE:TRP) is the new name for TransCanada. The energy infrastructure giant has more than $30 billion in development opportunities that should support steady dividend growth in the coming years. The stock has enjoyed a nice rally in 2019, and more gains should be on the way. The current dividend provides a yield of 4.5%.

The bottom line

All five companies should be attractive picks for an income-focused TFSA portfolio today. An equal investment in the companies would provide balanced exposure to a variety of sectors and generate above-average yield.

Should you invest $1,000 in BCE right now?

Before you buy stock in BCE, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor Canada analyst team just identified what they believe are the Top Stocks for 2025 and Beyond for investors to buy now… and BCE wasn’t one of them. The Top Stocks that made the cut could potentially produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider MercadoLibre, which we first recommended on January 8, 2014 ... if you invested $1,000 in the “eBay of Latin America” at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $20,697.16!*

Stock Advisor Canada provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month – one from Canada and one from the U.S. The Stock Advisor Canada service has outperformed the return of S&P/TSX Composite Index by 29 percentage points since 2013*.

See the Top Stocks * Returns as of 3/20/25

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Andrew Walke owns shares of BCE.

Confidently Navigate Market Volatility: Claim Your Free Report!

Feeling uneasy about the ups and downs of the stock market lately? You’re not alone. At The Motley Fool Canada, we get it — and we’re here to help. We’ve crafted an essential guide designed to help you through these uncertain times: "5-Step Checklist: How to Prepare Your Portfolio for Volatility."

Don't miss out on this opportunity for peace of mind. Just click below to learn how to receive your complimentary report today!

Get Our Free Report Today

More on Dividend Stocks

Canadian dollars are printed
Dividend Stocks

Transform Your TFSA Into a Cash-Gushing Machine With Just $20,000

Holding undervalued dividend stocks in a TFSA should help you deliver outsized capital gains and a steady stream of passive…

Read more »

investor looks at volatility chart
Dividend Stocks

Top Canadian Consumer Staples Stocks for Uncertain Times

There are certain things in life that Canadians just need no matter what. Make these consumer stocks winners.

Read more »

money goes up and down in balance
Dividend Stocks

Telus: Buy, Sell, or Hold in 2025?

With Telus trading just off its 52-week low and offering a dividend yield of more than 8%, is it a…

Read more »

shoppers in an indoor mall
Dividend Stocks

Here’s How Many Shares of CT REIT You Should Own to Get $151 in Monthly Dividends

Accumulating dividend stocks over time can help you build a sizeable passive income. Here’s how CT REIT can generate monthly…

Read more »

a person watches a downward arrow crash through the floor
Dividend Stocks

BCE and Telus: How Canadian Telecom Giants Provide Stability in Volatile Markets 

BCE and Telus share prices nosedived in the second half of March. Are the Canadian telecom giants a buy at…

Read more »

dividends grow over time
Dividend Stocks

3 Undervalued Canadian Dividend Stocks Paying a Remarkable 6%+

These three dividend stocks are trading at attractive valuations and offer an over 6% dividend yield, making them excellent buys.

Read more »

hand stacks coins
Dividend Stocks

Invest $7,000 in This Dividend Stock for $2,010 in Yearly Passive Income

Here is a good opportunity to pump up your passive income portfolio with a one-time investment of $7,000 in this…

Read more »

woman looks at iPhone
Dividend Stocks

Prediction: These Could Be the Best-Performing Value Stocks Through 2030

The recent decline in these top value stocks makes them even more attractive to buy for the long term.

Read more »