If retirement is on your horizon in the next decade then I feel now would be as great a time as ever to prepare your portfolio for it.
With interest rates at record lows and potentially going lower, I would suggest investors look for shares that provide growing and reliable dividends as a source income.
Five shares at the top of my list would be as follows:
Altium Limited (ASX: ALU)
Over the next decade I expect software company Altium to grow at a strong rate thanks to the rise of the Internet of Things market. As more every-day electronic devices become connected to the internet, the demand for its popular printed circuit board software is likely to increase. In FY 2017 Altium's shares are expected to provide a 4.2% dividend according to CommSec.
Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd (ASX: CCL)
Although sugary drink sales may be on a downward trend as consumers become more health-conscious, I feel Coca-Cola Amatil has a wide ranging product assortment that will allow it to respond to ever-changing consumer tastes. As well as this the company's Indonesian business is finally starting to show signs of promise. Earnings in the region grew 65% in the first-half of FY 2016 year on year.
Retail Food Group Limited (ASX: RFG)
The company behind the Gloria Jean's brand has been one of the best dividend shares in the last decade and I expect this to be the case over the next decade. As the company expands internationally and revitalises many of its domestic brands, I feel Retail Food Group is positioned to continue to grow its dividend.
Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC)
This private hospital operator may only be expected to provide a fully franked 2% dividend in FY 2017, but I believe its explosive growth means that the company will grow it substantially over the next decade. After all, the company has a long history of dividend increases. In the last 10 years Ramsay has grown its dividend by an average of 17% per annum.
SEEK Limited (ASX: SEK)
SEEK is forecast to pay a fully franked 2.9% dividend in the next 12 months. Much like Ramsay this isn't the most generous yield out there, but I believe patient buy and hold investors will be rewarded handsomely in the future. Although its domestic business may be slowing a touch, I believe there's a great deal of growth ahead internationally for SEEK.