Investors should be able to count on these stocks to deliver steady and growing income over the long term.

The idea of steady money flowing in, year after year, should appeal to nearly everyone. This isn't an unrealistic dream; investing in stocks that pay reliable dividends can make it a reality.

And some dividend stocks can make the dream come true better than others. Want decades of passive income? Here are three stocks to buy now and hold forever.

1. Abbott Laboratories

Abbott Laboratories ' ( ABT -2.51% ) history dates back to 1888. Today, Abbott ranks among the world's largest healthcare companies. It develops cardiovascular-care devices, diabetes-care solutions, diagnostic systems, neuromodulation devices (altering the activity of the nervous system to treat various con

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