Most good things are worth waiting for. If you are to establish a long-term relationship with a stock, it better be a quality stock. Time is a powerful force, with it we can overcome poor choices, poor timing and bad decisions. Without it, we immediately are forced to pay for our indiscretions. When it comes to building retirement income, I look for stocks that have consistently increased their dividends for many consecutive years.

Below are several stocks building future gratification with higher cash dividends:

NiSource Inc. (NYSE:NI), an energy holding company, provides natural gas, electricity, and other products and services in the United States. On May 11 the company increased its quarterly dividend 6.5% to $0.165 per share. The dividend is payable August 19, 2016 to stockholders of record on July 29, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of July 27, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 2.8%.

Service Corporation International (NYSE:SCI) provides deathcare products and services in the United States and Canada. On May 11 the company increased its quarterly dividend 8.3% to $0.13 per share. The dividend is payable June 30, 2016 to stockholders of record on June 15, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of June 13, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 1.9%.

Lennox International Inc. (NYSE:LII) designs, manufactures, and markets a range of products for the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration markets. On May 11 the company increased its quarterly dividend 19% to $0.43 per share. The dividend is payable July 15, 2016 to stockholders of record on June 30, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of June 28, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 1.3%.

Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF), a financial services organization, provides protection and wealth products and services to individuals and corporate customers worldwide. On May 10 the company increased its quarterly dividend 3.8% to C$0.405 per share. The dividend is payable June 30, 2016 to stockholders of record on June 1, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of May 27, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 3.8%.

PetMed Express, Inc. (NASDAQ:PETS) and its subsidiaries, doing business as 1-800-PetMeds, operates as a pet pharmacy in the United States. On May 9 the company increased its quarterly dividend 5.6% to $0.19 per share. The dividend is payable May 27, 2016 to stockholders of record on May 20, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of May 18, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 4.1%.

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS) provides integrated financial information and analytical applications to the investment community in the United States, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. On May 9 the company increased its quarterly dividend 14% to $0.50 per share. The dividend is payable June 21, 2016 to stockholders of record on May 31, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of May 26, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 1.3%.

Pattern Energy Group Inc. (NASDAQ:PEGI) operates as an independent power company that owns and operates power projects in the United States, Canada, and Chile. May 9th the company increased its quarterly dividend 2.4% to $0.39 per share. The dividend is payable July 29, 2016 to stockholders of record on June 30, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of June 28, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 7.7%.

Convergys Corporation (NYSE:CVG) provides customer management services to communications and media, technology, financial services, retail, and healthcare industries in North America and internationally. On May 9 the company increased its quarterly dividend 12% to $0.09 per share. The dividend is payable July 8, 2016 to stockholders of record on June 24, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of June 22, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 1.3%.

Barnes Group Inc. (NYSE:B) operates as an industrial and aerospace manufacturer and service provider, serving a range of end markets and customers worldwide. On May 6 the company increased its quarterly dividend 8.3% to $0.13 per share. The dividend is payable June 10, 2016 to stockholders of record on May 26, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of May 24, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 1.5%.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) operates, franchises, and licenses hotels and timeshare properties worldwide. On May 6 the company increased its quarterly dividend 20% to $0.30 per share. The dividend is payable June 30, 2016 to stockholders of record on May 20, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of May 18, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 1.8%.

Buckeye Partners, L.P. (NYSE:BPL) owns and operates liquid petroleum products pipeline systems in the United States. On May 6 the partnership increased its quarterly distribution 1.1% to $1.20 per unit. The distribution is payable May 23, 2016 to unitholders of record on May 16, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of May 12, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 6.9%.

Selecting stocks with increasing dividends is critical for an income growth strategy. The above list contains stocks that recently raised their dividends; it is not a list of recommend buys. As always, due diligence should be performed before buying or selling any stock. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.