If you’re a baby boomer, then supplementing your retirement earnings with rising dividend income is likely at the top of your wish list.

A great way to accomplish this is by owning stocks that pay above-average dividends for their sector. With the exception of a few brief periods, above-average yielders have consistently outperformed the S&P 500 since 1990, returning on average 10% annually, versus 8.6% annual returns for the benchmark index. It may not sound like much, but an extra 1.4% a year can make a big difference in the current low interest rate environment where 10-Year Treasury bonds yield less than 2%.

Of course, an above-average yield doesn’t necessarily mean we have a high-quality stock, so it’s important to choose carefully. My colleague Carla Pasternak, director of income research of High-Yield Investing, uses these guidelines to select what she calls the best “Retirement Savings Stocks:”

1. Long track record of paying consistent and rising dividends.
2. Matching history of improving earnings.
3. Strong cash flow sufficient to pay dividends and then some.
4. High projected growth that can lead to dividend increases.
5. Zero or little debt, because debt-free companies have more cash to distribute.
6. Noncyclical business models that can profit in all markets any time.

A reliable income investment that meets all of the above parameters is Senior Housing Properties Trust (NYSE: SNH).

#-ad_banner-#Senior Housing is the nation’s fourth-largest health care real estate investment trust (REIT). The company owns $5.3 billion of assets, consisting mainly of senior living properties and medical office buildings. Senior Housing derives most of its rent from triple-net leases, which require the tenant to pay the property’s operating expenses and insurance, making it less risky for the REIT.

Among the health care REITs, Senior Housing has the highest percentage of private-pay renters at 94% of the portfolio. That’s by design. The REIT doesn’t purchase nursing homes or other facilities that depend on Medicare/Medicaid income and has been steadily divesting these for a decade. A portfolio of private payers helps Senior Housing lock in higher profits and minimize exposure to looming cuts in government spending.

What I find most appealing about this REIT is its growing portfolio of medical office buildings, most of which are located on hospital campuses.

Occupancy rates are 93% for the medical office building portfolio. These properties will benefit not only from aging baby boomers using more health care services than younger Americans, but also from a growing trend favoring outpatient medical procedures. Not long ago, even simple surgeries required a hospital stay, but that is changing as new minimally invasive procedures cut the number of hospitalizations. 

Physicians often spend their careers in the same location, so medical office buildings generally enjoy stable occupancy rates and predictable annual 2-3% rent bumps. At present, medical office buildings account for roughly one-third of the portfolio, but Senior Housing wants to increase this percentage to more than 40%.

Senior Housing grows funds from operations (FFO) by investing in properties offering attractive return on investments, while maintaining a prudent payout ratio and balance sheet. Year-over-year FFO grew 15% in 2012 to $296 million, and analysts expect the REIT to deliver 7% growth in 2014 and 5% annual growth thereafter. In addition, Senior Housing has a solid balance sheet with debt at 43% of book capital and no near-term debt maturities.

The company spent $350 million in 2012 on acquisitions and is expected to earn 8% annual returns on these investments. The REIT anticipates at least $300 million to $400 million of acquisitions this year and isn’t ruling out a larger transaction.

Senior Housing has raised its dividend each year since 2001 and grown payments 3% each of the past five years. Payout from FFO is modest by REIT standards in a mid-80% range. The last dividend increase was 1.3% in October 2012 to a $1.56 annualized rate yielding 6.1%.

A little-known pure play worth considering
For a pure play in the medical office building space, Healthcare Trust of America (NYSE: HTA) is a newcomer well worth considering. This REIT was formed in 2006, but only went public in 2012, so it’s still under the radar for many investors.

Healthcare Trust owns medical office buildings on the campuses of major hospital groups in 27 states. The REIT acquired most of its portfolio during the recession at very reasonable prices. The portfolio has a $2.4 billion value and an occupancy rate exceeding 91%.

The REIT spent $295 million in medical office building acquisitions last year. These newly acquired properties are 99% occupied. In addition, the REIT transitioned 4.9 million square feet of leasing space to in-house management, raising the internally managed portion of the portfolio to 70%. This move improves efficiency and reduces costs.

The REIT has an exceptional balance sheet with debt at only 33% of capitalization and $503 million available on its $575 million bank line of credit. FFO has grown five-fold in the past five years from $21.6 million to $135.3 million, while FFO per share rose 17.3% in 2012 to 61 cents. Analysts predict another 7% growth this year. FFO readily covers the annual dividend of 58 cents per share, which yields close to 5%. Since going public last year, Healthcare Trust shares have gained 18.6%.

Risks to Consider: Senior Housing is highly dependent on Five Star Quality Care (NYSE: FVE) for 44% of its portfolio income. However, this is down from 72% of income a few years ago and the percentage continues to decline. Healthcare Trust is a newly listed REIT, so it lacks a record of dividend growth.

Action to Take –> If your goal for your retirement portfolio is safety, stability and a rising dividend, either of these two REITs are hard to beat. Senior Housing is the safer choice due to its steadily rising dividend, but newcomer Healthcare Trust will likely be the faster grower as it builds from a smaller asset base.

P.S. — If you’re looking for a smarter, safer, and more profitable approach to income investing than you may be following now, then you need to know about Retirement Savings Stocks. Simply put, if you’re looking for a second income stream for your retirement, then it’s the only way to go. Find out more in this special presentation.