There has been no shortage of companies cutting dividends in the past year. That's just one way management teams have been scaling back their spending amid the current economic turbulence. But it can be particularly unsettling for income investors to wonder if the stocks they are counting on for steady payouts will be the next ones to have their dividends trimmed.

If you're looking for some safety on the dividend front, consider Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY), Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), and Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO). These investments have the potential to pay you dividends forever.

Healthcare behemoths such as Bristol Myers Squibb can offer a fair amount of security to investors. Last year, the company reported a profit of $6.3 billion on revenue totaling $46.2 billion, giving it a strong profit margin of around 14%. It also brings in a boatload of free cash flow -- just under $12 billion last year alone. That was more than enough to cover its dividend payments of about $4.6 billion annually.

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Source Fool.com