3 Safe High-Yield Dividend Stocks to Buy and Hold Forever

Your income need not be crushed if you have safe, high-dividend stocks in your portfolio. When you buy shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD), Telus Corporation (TSX:T)(NYSE:TU), and Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU)(NYSE:SU), you’ll receive lifetime income.

| More on:

Everyone fears a recession. But for retirees who are about to get hit, the situation is very alarming. But why despair when you can receive income forever from safe, high-dividend stocks?

By investing in Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSX:TD)(NYSE:TD), Telus (TSX:T)(NYSE:TU), Suncor (TSX:SU)(NYSE:SU), there’s no way you would outlive your money.

Premiere bank stock

Ask any retiree who has investments in TD, and they will tell you how reliable the bank is in delivering passive income. I would suppose other long-term investors of TD have been able to retire wealthy.

TD could be the anchor stock in your portfolio. This $132.3 billion banking giant can provide the income stream, so you can cover your expenses and other needs during retirement. With over 137 years of corporate existence, you know that TD can help you achieve your long-term financial goals.

Up to this day, U.S. banks are unable to deliver double returns on equity the way TD has been generating them for over a decade. That is why both Canadian and American investors choose TD over any other banks.

In the last recession, TD saw the need to refocus and concentrate on the retail business. Since then, the bank has been producing incredible returns. More so, the strength of its retail banking segment allows TD to continue distributing dividends and raise them 17 times. The stock’s yield today is a relatively high 4%.

Well-loved telecom

Another wealth builder is industry stalwart Telus. A good number of retirees invest in this $29.4 billion telecom company to earn income for many years. The current dividend yield of 4.7% is not the highest in the market. However, it’s safe and sufficient to be a retiree’s active income.

The best part is that the stock is recession proof. As the second-largest telecom provider in Canada, Telus will continue to operate in an industry with minimal competition. Telus and two others have the monopoly of the sector.

Telus has been winning the hearts of customers and gaining a big slice of the market because of its extensive broadband network. The company also rates high in terms of customer service.

Telus has been experiencing robust subscriber growth and would grow it further with the coming 5G network. Moving forward, Telus could capitalize on several opportunities to boost its already active revenue-generating segments.

Value stock

In the energy sector, Suncor is the top-of-mind choice of retirees and dividend investors. You’ll also be in the company of billionaire Warren Buffett. Suncor is one of two energy stocks where the value investor’s conglomerate has equity holdings.

If you go by Buffett’s approach to investing, Suncor is not only a dependable dividend stock but a value stock as well. Investing in Canada’s leading integrated energy company will shield your money from an economic downturn. Even if the industry is showing some weakness today, the 4% dividend is safe.

Suncor keeps growing its energy portfolio, specifically on the renewable energy side. Combined with other assets, Suncor expects to grow 9.5% annually the next five years.

Analysts see a potential capital gain in the coming months. When taken together with the dividends, your overall returns will be higher than the market average.

Secret weapons

When the recession indicator is flashing red, it’s time for you to buy safe, high-yield dividend stocks. TD, Telus, and Suncor are the secret weapons against recession.

Should you invest $1,000 in Coeur Mining, Inc. right now?

Before you buy stock in Coeur Mining, Inc., 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 Coeur Mining, Inc. 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 $21,345.77!*

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 24 percentage points since 2013*.

See the Top Stocks * Returns as of 4/21/25

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 Christopher Liew has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.

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

dividends can compound over time
Dividend Stocks

Is Fiera Stock a Buy for its Dividend Yield?

Fiera stock has one amazing dividend yield right now, but what else should investors consider?

Read more »

The sun sets behind a power source
Dividend Stocks

This Dividend Champion Has Paid Dividends for 51 Straight Years

All hail this dividend king for its proven potential to provide stable, reliable, and growing income.

Read more »

Person holding a smartphone with a stock chart on screen
Dividend Stocks

The Smartest Telecom Stock to Buy With $3,500 Right Now

Smart TFSA move? Telus stock shines for income & growth, outpacing rivals with a 7.7% dividend yield, two decades of…

Read more »

hand stacks coins
Dividend Stocks

I’d Put $7,000 in These Legendary Dividend Growers to Earn for the Next Decade

If you've got some cash for your TFSA, here are two stocks that should give you growing dividend income and…

Read more »

Blocks conceptualizing Canada's Tax Free Savings Account
Dividend Stocks

Here’s How to Catch up to the Average Canadian TFSA at Age 45

The TFSA can create immense passive income, and this dividend stock is an excellent choice.

Read more »

edit Safe pig, protect money
Dividend Stocks

How I’d Secure My Retirement With a $7,000 Investment Today

If you have the discipline to invest with a long-term strategy, here’s how you can use $7,000 in a TFSA…

Read more »

Canadian flag
Dividend Stocks

TFSA: 3 Canadian Stocks to Buy and Hold for Life

The TFSA is the perfect place to create income for years, and these three are the best Canadian stocks to…

Read more »

dividends grow over time
Dividend Stocks

Where to Invest $9,000 in the TSX Today

These stocks pay attractive dividends that should continue to grow.

Read more »