Aflac is a dividend aristocrat as well as a component of the S&P 500 index. It has been increasing its dividends for the past 26 consecutive years. From the end of 1998 up until October 2008 this dividend growth stock has delivered an annual average total return of 8.30 % to its shareholders. This year however the stock is down almost 29%. The company recently announced a 16.7% increase in its dividends in 2009.