The average 1-year CD yields just 1.73%; but top online banks offer 3-5x that. Still, even the best CD can’t beat inflation long-term. Enter dividend aristocrats like Johnson & Johnson (64 straight years of hikes) and Procter & Gamble (70!). Their dividends grow, often outpacing inflation; but they come with stock market risk. Tax-wise, dividends are often friendlier; taxed at lower capital gains rates, not ordinary income. The real decision? Stability vs. growth. CDs lock in returns. Dividend stocks offer potential for rising income; if you can stomach the market’s ups and downs. For many retirees, the answer isn’t one or the other; it’s both. Balance matters; because peace of mind isn’t just about safety. It’s about income that keeps up with life.