Biggest Dividend Yields of the S&P 500

Especially in volatile times, dividends can be a way for investors to more effectively safeguard returns.  Many publicly held corporations pay out a portion of their  earnings to shareholders, giving investors a payback whether the stock price goes up or down.  Cramer's Rule Number Four in his "15 Rules for Playing Defense" calls these "buffers."Calculated as a percentage of share price, dividends have the potential to be cut or changed and yields vary as share prices fluctuate. For the purposes of this report, dividend yield calculations are based on trailing dividends, so dividend cuts yet to occur have not been taken into account. In fact, the #1 company on this list announced a cut in its dividend earlier this year, from $1 to $0.75, but in all likelihood it would remain in the top spot, given its current share price.  Be sure to check whether a dividend is set to change or if new announcements come out regarding changes before you buy, as they occur at a company's discretion. Often, a dividend yield that is too high may be more of a warning sign than an opportunity.So, what are the biggest dividend yields on the S&P 500? Click ahead to find out!By Ariel Nelson and Paul ToscanoPosted 13 Oct 2009

Dividend Yield: 6.23%Closing Price (10/13): 43.6752 Week High: 49.0752 Week Low: 25.86Get HCN Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 6.28%Closing Price (10/13): 29.31 52 Week High: 35.1452 Week Low: 14.26Get HCP Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 6.32%Closing Price (10/13): 33.2552 Week High: 35.1352 Week Low: 22.32Get PNW Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 6.33%Closing Price (10/13): 25.952 Week High: 30.6552 Week Low: 21.44Get T Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 6.55%Closing Price (10/13): 29.0252 Week High: 34.952 Week Low: 24.26Get VZ Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 6.59%Closing Price (10/13): 13.97 52 Week High: 14.14 52 Week Low: 7.79Get NI Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 6.6%Closing Price (10/13): 37.5952 Week High: 41.3252 Week Low: 31.35Get PGN Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 7.24%Closing Price (10/13): 14.9152 Week High: 22.4852 Week Low: 10.07Get POM Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 7.51%Closing Price (10/13): 18.0652 Week High: 20.7452 Week Low: 13.34Get MO Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 7.68%Closing Price (10/13): 46.8652 Week High: 5052 Week Low: 31.55Get RAI Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 7.69%Closing Price (10/13): 35.3852 Week High: 50.2852 Week Low: 19.44Get TEG Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 8.4%Closing Price (10/13): 3.8152 Week High: 4.8752 Week Low: 2.10Get Q Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 8.4%Closing Price (10/13): 33.3452 Week High: 4052 Week Low: 20.45Get CTL Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 9.99%Closing Price (10/13): 10.0152 Week High: 10.3952 Week Low: 6.28Get WIN Real Time Quote

Dividend Yield: 13.37%Closing Price (10/13): 7.4852 Week High: 9.9552 Week Low: 5.32Get FTR Real Time Quote

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