There’s a special kind of magic in knowing that you don’t have to work forever. That one day, your money will work for you. No more daily grind. No more 9-to-5. Just peace, security, and a nice stream of passive income. And if you're looking to retire on dividends, you’ve probably stumbled across the name “Realty Income” more than once—and for good reason.
Realty Income (NYSE: O) is a legendary REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) known for its rock-solid monthly dividend payouts and its self-anointed title as “The Monthly Dividend Company.” And yes, that title is actually trademarked. Cheesy? Maybe. But effective? Absolutely.
So, let’s talk about why Realty Income isn’t just a good REIT. It’s the REIT for income investors who want to retire comfortably—and stay retired. Buckle up, because this isn’t your average investment pitch. This is a blueprint for dividend-funded freedom.
Chapter 1: What Is Realty Income?
Realty Income is a REIT that owns over 13,000 commercial properties spread across the United States and Europe. Its business model is blissfully simple: it buys properties and leases them out to long-term tenants under triple net leases—a landlord’s dream where the tenant pays for insurance, taxes, and maintenance.
You know what that means? Realty Income sits back, collects the rent, and sends you a dividend check every single month.
Its tenants include big, boring, recession-proof names like Walgreens, Dollar General, FedEx, 7-Eleven, and even government agencies. Realty Income’s real genius is not trying to reinvent the wheel—it’s buying the wheel, leasing it out, and spinning that cash flow back to shareholders.
Chapter 2: Show Me the Money — Monthly Dividends!
If you’re planning to retire on dividends, consistency is king. Dividends that show up monthly are like getting a paycheck without having to work. It’s psychologically reassuring and practically helpful when paying monthly bills.
Realty Income pays a monthly dividend and has for decades. And not only does it pay monthly, it raises that dividend regularly—over 122 increases since 1994, to be exact.
As of July 2025, the dividend yield hovers around 5.5%, depending on the stock price. That means for every $100,000 invested, you’re getting about $458 per month in income—without selling a single share.
But wait—it gets better.
Chapter 3: The Power of Dividend Growth
Here’s where Realty Income really shines. Anyone can throw out a fat dividend. But what happens when inflation kicks in? Suddenly, that high yield you were bragging about at the golf course isn’t covering your Costco runs.
Realty Income has grown its dividend at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of ~4.5% over the past 25 years. That’s enough to outpace inflation and maintain your purchasing power over time.
And let’s not forget: dividend growth is the secret sauce to compounding. Reinvesting those monthly dividends—especially when they’re rising—is like putting your income on autopilot with a turbo boost.
Chapter 4: How Safe Is That Dividend?
Let’s not kid ourselves: retirees can’t afford to chase yield without understanding risk. A high dividend is worthless if it gets cut during a downturn. So, is Realty Income’s payout actually safe?
Short answer: yes.
Realty Income’s Adjusted Funds from Operations (AFFO) payout ratio typically ranges between 75–85%, which is healthy for a REIT. It means the company is paying out a good chunk of earnings to shareholders, but still retaining enough to reinvest in growth and new acquisitions.
Even during crises—COVID, inflation spikes, interest rate hikes—Realty Income kept chugging along, collecting rent and paying dividends. Why? Because its tenants are locked into long-term leases and are largely essential businesses.
No bars, no speculative tech startups. Just boring, beautiful, rent-paying tenants.
Chapter 5: Recession? Bring It On
REITs are often viewed as vulnerable during economic downturns. But Realty Income is a different animal.
When recessions hit, businesses cut back. But people still need medicine, food, fuel, and packages. That’s why Realty Income focuses on tenants in sectors like:
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Pharmacies (Walgreens, CVS)
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Convenience Stores (7-Eleven)
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Dollar Stores (Dollar Tree, Dollar General)
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Logistics (FedEx, Amazon distribution centers)
These businesses thrive when the economy doesn’t. And Realty Income reaps the benefits—while you collect your monthly check, recession or not.
Chapter 6: The Inflation Hedge
Let’s talk inflation—the bogeyman of retirement plans.
While most people panic about rising prices, Realty Income investors can rest easy. That’s because many of Realty Income’s leases contain built-in rent escalators, often pegged to inflation.
Translation? As inflation rises, so do the rents Realty Income charges. And as those rents go up, so does the cash available for—you guessed it—dividends.
Unlike bonds or fixed-income products that get crushed by inflation, Realty Income’s dividend has a built-in shield. That’s a massive advantage for retirees who want to maintain their lifestyle.
Chapter 7: International Expansion = Long-Term Growth
“But wait,” you ask, “how does Realty Income keep growing when it already owns thousands of properties?”
Two words: Global domination.
Okay, maybe that’s dramatic. But Realty Income has been expanding into Europe, picking up high-quality properties in countries like the UK and Spain. The playbook is the same: buy good properties, lease them to essential businesses, collect rent.
International growth offers diversification, new tenants, and currency-hedged income streams. It gives Realty Income room to grow its AFFO and dividends without needing to rely solely on the U.S. market.
More opportunities = more income = more money in your mailbox.
Chapter 8: But What About Interest Rates?
The biggest knock on Realty Income in recent years has been its sensitivity to interest rates. As rates rise, bond yields rise—and suddenly REITs like Realty Income have to compete with “risk-free” Treasuries.
But here’s the thing: Realty Income isn’t a short-term play. It’s a long-term cash flow machine.
Sure, its stock price might wobble when the Fed talks tough. But unless you plan to sell tomorrow, who cares? What matters is that the dividend keeps coming, and keeps growing. And that’s exactly what Realty Income has delivered through rate cycles before—and likely will again.
If you’re a retiree living off dividends, you don’t need price appreciation to sleep at night. You need cash. And Realty Income delivers.
Chapter 9: Portfolio Role — How Much Should You Own?
So how much Realty Income should a retiree hold?
That depends on your risk tolerance, but many income investors treat Realty Income as a core income holding—something you build around, not trade in and out of.
Because of its diversification and stability, it’s not unusual for retirees to allocate 5–15% of their portfolio to Realty Income or similar REITs. It’s an anchor stock. A dividend generator. And a ballast against volatility.
Of course, you’ll want to diversify beyond REITs. But Realty Income deserves a seat at the grown-up table of your retirement plan.
Chapter 10: Hypothetical Retirement Income Scenarios
Let’s play with some numbers.
Scenario 1: $100,000 invested in Realty Income
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Dividend Yield: 5.5%
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Monthly Income: ~$458
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Annual Income: ~$5,500
Scenario 2: $250,000 invested
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Monthly Income: ~$1,145
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Annual Income: ~$13,750
Scenario 3: $500,000 invested
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Monthly Income: ~$2,291
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Annual Income: ~$27,500
Now imagine reinvesting those dividends during your working years. Compounding adds rocket fuel. A $500K investment today, with dividend reinvestment and modest dividend growth, could easily throw off $35K+ annually in 10 years.
And the best part? You’re not spending principal. You’re living off yield.
Chapter 11: The Psychological Benefit of Monthly Dividends
Retirement isn't just a financial transition—it's a psychological one.
Getting paid monthly by Realty Income feels like getting a regular paycheck. That’s comforting. That’s familiar. And in a world where most stocks pay quarterly, Realty Income’s monthly cadence feels downright luxurious.
It’s easier to plan your budget. It’s easier to manage cash flow. And yes, it’s easier to smile when you check your brokerage account every 30 days.
Chapter 12: Risks to Watch
No investment is perfect. Here are a few things to watch:
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Interest Rate Sensitivity – Rising rates can temporarily hurt the stock price.
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Tenant Concentration – A few tenants (like Walgreens) make up a significant portion of revenue.
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Acquisition Dependence – Growth depends on acquiring new properties, which gets harder if capital is expensive.
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Market Volatility – While income is stable, the share price can fluctuate.
That said, Realty Income has proven it can navigate all of the above. Its long-term track record is your best reassurance.
Chapter 13: Realty Income vs. Other Dividend Stocks
Let’s stack up Realty Income against other common dividend favorites:
| Stock | Yield | Frequency | Dividend Growth | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Realty Income | ~5.5% | Monthly | Moderate | Low |
| Coca-Cola | ~3.0% | Quarterly | Slow | Low |
| Verizon | ~6.5% | Quarterly | Flat | Medium |
| AT&T | ~6.0% | Quarterly | Unreliable | High |
| Johnson & Johnson | ~2.8% | Quarterly | Reliable | Low |
Realty Income offers a sweet spot: high yield, monthly payments, and a long history of performance without the drama.
Chapter 14: How to Buy and Hold
You don’t need to overthink this.
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Buy shares of O in a brokerage or retirement account (IRAs work great).
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Set up dividend reinvestment (DRIP) if you’re still accumulating.
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Sit back and collect monthly checks when you retire.
And if you want diversification, Realty Income is part of many REIT ETFs and dividend-focused funds.
Chapter 15: Final Verdict — Yes, You Can Retire on Dividends
Realty Income isn’t sexy. It’s not a moonshot. But you know what it is?
Reliable. Predictable. Durable.
In a world of market mania and get-rich-quick hype, Realty Income stands tall as a monument to patient, consistent income investing.
If your retirement plan is built on dividend cash flow—not speculation—Realty Income belongs in your arsenal. You’ll sleep better at night, and you’ll smile when your “paycheck” hits every single month.
Because yes, you can retire on dividends. And with Realty Income, you’ll actually enjoy doing it.
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