Often The Best Dividend Stock isn't a "Dividend Stock." Retirees are usually better off with a portfolio of ordinary growth stocks or, for small investors, a cheap ETF of blue chips. Anyone who survived The Great Recession with his wealth intact understands that.
Perfect example of that is the BRK I bought about 8 weeks ago at $190. BRK just broke thru its all-time high at $218. That's up 15%!