Savings & Retirement

Where to Find Investment Income Now That Bank Dividends Are Drying Up

As payouts are slashed, retirees are taking bigger risks in the search for better returns.

Photographer: PM Images/Digital Vision
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The worst year for stock dividends in over a decade is upending formerly rock-solid retirement plans all across Asia.

Nearly a third (28%) of Asia Pacific companies — including marquee names like HSBC Holdings Plc, Westpac Banking Corp. and Nissan Motor Co. — have scrapped or reduced dividends this year as the coronavirus pandemic forced them to conserve cash. That’s considerably greater than the 13% in the U.S. though still behind the 50% in Europe, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.