Nearing Retirement? These Stocks Are as Safe as They Come

The words "risk" and "inflation" are two words no retiree (or almost-retiree) wants to hear. Retirement is all about preserving what you've spent your working years building, and you want to feel confident that your money will be there for you until you no longer need it. Blue-chip dividend stocks can be great investments -- these companies have demonstrated decades of operating excellence, and pay dividends that give you income to live off.