43 Ways to Earn More Interest and Dividends
From safe, high-paying bank accounts to risky mortgage securities, we offer ideas for boosting your income.
![One hundred dollar bills](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/srghRzqtp2qrrZmQTLQi9a-415-80.jpg)
It used to be easy to earn generous income safely from your investments: Buy Treasury bonds or certificates of deposit and watch the cash roll in. But with yields on low-risk investments scraping rock-bottom and higher interest rates nowhere in sight, retirees and other income-oriented investors must grapple with an unsettling question: Should you play it safe and accept microscopic yields or take calculated risks to get more? “In this environment you have to take on more risk to get any given amount of yield,” says Jay Wong, comanager of Payden Equity Income Fund.
SEE ALSO: 12 Stocks to Get Dividends Every Month
In other words, land mines abound. If rates start to rise quickly, some income investments will get pummeled. If they don’t rise at all—possibly a sign of a weak economy—other investments could suffer. Plus, little is cheap today. Says Andy McCormick, head of T. Rowe Price’s taxable U.S. bond team: “You go through cycles when it’s appropriate to play offense. Other times, you play defense. This is a moment when you have to play both sides of the ball.”
This treacherous environment demands that you understand your alternatives and know what could go wrong. Here are some of the best options for income seekers, listed roughly in order of yield and risk. Prices and yields are as of March 31.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-200-80.png](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-320-80.png)
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
- 2-3% Municipal bonds
- 2-3% Investment-grade corporate bonds
- 3-4% Floating-rate loans
- 2-5% Bank accounts
- 5-7% Preferred Stocks
- 2-8% Dividend stars
- 4-8% Energy MLPs
- 7-12% Closed-end funds
- 7-14% Mortgage REITs
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
-
Hotels That Give You the Best Value for Your Money, According to Guests
New research reveals the best hotels in the U.S. for value for money according to hotel guests — and why they’re demanding more from their stay.
By Charlotte Gorbold Published
-
Want to Earn $1 Million More Over Your Lifetime? Do This
It's simple: Go to college or a trade school. It's an investment that will pay huge dividends for the rest of your life. And the benefits go far beyond money.
By Brian Evans, CPA, PFS Published
-
Medicare Basics: 11 Things You Need to Know
Medicare There's Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans and so on. We sort out the confusion about signing up for Medicare — and much more.
By Catherine Siskos Last updated
-
Six of the Worst Assets to Inherit
inheritance Leaving these assets to your loved ones may be more trouble than it’s worth. Here's how to avoid adding to their grief after you're gone.
By David Rodeck Published
-
403(b) Contribution Limits for 2024: Good News for Teachers
retirement plans Teachers and nonprofit workers can contribute more to a 403(b) retirement plan in 2024 than they could in 2023.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
-
SEP IRA Contribution Limits for 2024
SEP IRA A good option for small business owners, SEP IRAs allow individual annual contributions of as much as $69,000 a year.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2024
Roth IRAs Roth IRA contribution limits have gone up for 2024. Here's what you need to know.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
-
SIMPLE IRA Contribution Limits for 2024
simple IRA The SIMPLE IRA contribution limit increased by $500 for 2024 and workers at small businesses can contribute up to $16,000 or $19,500 if 50 or over.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
-
457 Contribution Limits for 2024
retirement plans State and local government workers can contribute more to their 457 plans in 2024 than in 2023.
By Jackie Stewart Published
-
Roth 401(k) Contribution Limits for 2024
retirement plans The Roth 401(k) contribution limit for 2024 is increasing, and workers who are 50 and older can save even more.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated