April 28, 2026, 5:49 AM EDT. Standard Life (LSE: SDLF) offers a 7.4% forecast dividend yield this year, rising to 7.9% by 2028, making it a compelling income stock. To generate £45,000 annually-matching the UK average salary-an investor would need 79,491 shares, costing around £608,108 at £7.65 each. Comparatively, a FTSE 100 index tracker at 3.1% yield requires more than double the capital to produce the same income. Standard Life's earnings are forecast to grow nearly 49% annually, supported by strong 2025 results with operating profit rising 15% to £945 million. The firm is on track for £1.1 billion adjusted operating profit this year and steady cash flow, underpinning rising dividends. While risks like sector competition and inflation remain, Standard Life's financial strength and management guidance position it as a durable long-term income investment.