Dividend stocks can be a critical part of any retirement plan. Over time, the dividends you accumulate from these types of investments can help build up a significant nest egg, especially from companies that also regularly increase their payouts.

Three stable dividend stocks that can be solid investments to hold on to until you retire are Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), and Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ). Let's learn why.

Healthcare giant Bristol Myers Squibb pays a dividend that yields 3.9% -- that's more than double the S 500 average of 1.6%. What's more, the global pharmaceutical company has a diverse business that it plans to bolster.

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Source Fool.com