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Dividend investing is ultimately about replacing your working income with a passive income stream for a financially free retirement (or early retirement). The reality of inflation means that your passive income stream can’t just be static. It must be perpetually growing.

When it comes to retirement income stocks, there are no better stocks than the Dividend Kings. The Dividend Kings are the best-of-the-best in dividend longevity, as they have all raised their dividends for at least 50 consecutive years.

The following 3 Dividend Kings have strong yields, dividend growth, and reliable payouts in recessions, making them attractive for retirees.

Coca-Cola Co. (KO)

Coca-Cola is the world’s largest beverage company, as it owns or licenses more than 500 unique non–alcoholic brands. Since the company’s founding in 1886, it has spread to more than 200 countries worldwide.

Coca-Cola now has 30 billion-dollar brands in its portfolio, which each generate at least $1 billion in annual sales.

Coca-Cola posted second quarter earnings on July 22nd, 2025. Adjusted earnings-per-share came to 87 cents, which was three cents ahead of estimates. Revenue was up 0.8% year-over-year to $12.5 billion, missing estimates by $80 million.

Organic revenue was up 5%, including 6% growth in pricing and mix, partially offset by a 1% decline in volumes. The company still expects to deliver 5% to 6% growth in organic revenue this year, unchanged from prior. Net revenue is expected to face a 1% to 2% headwind from currency impacts based on current positioning.

Sparkling soft drinks volume was off 1%, as Coca-Cola fell 1%. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar soared 14% as it grew in all geographic segments. Comparable operating margin expansion during the quarter was up to 37.1% of revenue, driven by organic growth, the timing of marketing investments, and effective cost management.

KO has increased its dividend for 63 consecutive years and currently yields 2.9%.

Genuine Parts Co. (GPC)

Genuine Parts has the world’s largest global auto parts network, with more than 10,800 locations worldwide. As a major distributor of automotive and industrial parts, Genuine Parts generates annual revenue of nearly $24 billion.

It operates two segments, which are automotive (includes the NAPA brand) and the industrial parts group which sells industrial replacement parts to MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) and OEM (original equipment manufacturer) customers.

Genuine Parts posted second quarter earnings on July 22nd, 2025, and results were much better than expected. Adjusted earnings-per-share came to $2.10, which was four cents ahead of estimates. Revenue was $6.2 billion, up 3.3% year-over-year, and beating estimates by $90 million.

The company’s Automotive Parts Group saw sales up 5%, while Industrial Parts rose by 0.7%. Comparable sales in Automotive rose 0.4%, while comparable sales for Industrials was down 0.1%.

Genuine Parts now expects sales growth of 1% to 3% for this year, down from 2% to 4%. In addition, earnings were reduced by 25 cents per share on both ends of the range, which is now $7.50 to $8.00.

GPC has increased its dividend for 69 consecutive years and currently yields 2.9%.

H2O America (HTO)

H2O America, formerly known as SJW Group, is a water utility company that produces, purchases, stores, purifies and distributes water to consumers and businesses in the Silicon Valley area of California, the area north of San Antonio, Texas, Connecticut, and Maine.

It also has a small real estate division that owns and develops properties for residential and warehouse customers in California and Tennessee. The company generates about $670 million in annual revenues.

On July 8th, 2025, H2O America announced that it purchased Quadvest for $540 million. This purchase adds to the company’s position in the Houston area.

Quadvest has 50,500 active connections, almost 91,000 connections under contract and pending development, 50 water treatment plants, 27 wastewater treatment plants, and 89 lift stations and underground assets.

On July 28th, 2025, H2O America announced second quarter results for the period ending June 30th, 2025. For the quarter, revenue grew 12.5% to $198.3 million, which was $10.9 million more than expected.

Earnings-per-share of $0.71 compared favorably to earnings-per-share of $0.66 in the prior year and was $0.01 ahead of estimates.

For the quarter, higher water rates overall added $17.6 million to results and higher customer usage added $4.9 million. Operating production expenses totaled $154.4 million, which was a 14% increase from the prior year.

HTO has increased its dividend for 57 consecutive years and currently yields 3.3%.

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