Forget the 2.8% Social Security Increase. These Aristocrats Pay You 4% to 7% More Annually

Core Insights - The Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026, following a 2.5% increase in 2025, impacting 71 million Americans [1][2] - Dividend growth stocks have historically provided higher annual increases compared to Social Security adjustments, with several blue-chip companies consistently outperforming these adjustments [1][2] Dividend Growth Companies - Caterpillar: Achieved a 10-year compound annual dividend growth rate of 7.2%, with a quarterly dividend increase of 7.1% to $1.51 in December 2025, marking 32 consecutive years of increases [3][4] - Coca-Cola: Raised its dividend for 62 consecutive years, with a 10-year compound annual growth rate of 4.5% and a quarterly dividend increase of 5.2% to $0.51 in 2025 [6][8] - Johnson & Johnson: Also increased its dividend for 62 consecutive years, with a 10-year compound annual growth rate of approximately 6.5% and a quarterly dividend increase of 4.8% to $1.30 in 2025 [9][10] - PepsiCo: Maintained a 52-year dividend increase streak, with a 10-year compound annual growth rate of 7.1% and a quarterly dividend increase to $1.4225 in 2025 [12][14] - Procter & Gamble: Holds the longest streak with 68 consecutive years of dividend increases, averaging annual growth of 5-7% [15][17] Financial Performance - Caterpillar: Projected annual dividend increase from $1.84 in 2012 to $6.04 in 2026, a 228% increase over 14 years, with Q3 2025 operating cash flow of $3.7 billion [4][5] - Coca-Cola: Quarterly dividend increased from $0.16 in 1999 to $0.51 in 2025, a 219% increase, with Q3 2025 dividends totaling $2.108 billion [7][8] - Johnson & Johnson: Quarterly dividend increased from $0.25 in 1999 to $1.30 in 2025, a 420% increase, with Q3 2025 dividends of $3.132 billion [10][11] - PepsiCo: Annual dividend growth from $2.15 in 2012 to $5.55 in 2025, a 158% increase, with Q3 2025 dividends of $1.949 billion [13][14] - Procter & Gamble: Paid $2.549 billion in dividends in Q1 2026, with a current dividend yield of 2.93% and a 60% payout ratio [16][17]