A vision is taking the time to contemplate and anticipate, in detail, what the future will bring. A financial vision needs to consider future earnings, savings and economic issues such as inflation. Then based on your vision, you formulate an action plan to ensure the best possible outcome given your unique circumstances. You can't have a retirement plan until you have a retirement vision. It would seem to me that there are a lot or retirement plans out there but very few retirement visions.

A significant portion of my retirement planning includes dividend growth stocks. Here are a few select companies that have recently followed through on their vision of providing increased cash dividends to their shareholders:

Genesis Energy, L.P. (NYSE:GEL) operates in the midstream segment of the oil and gas industry in the Gulf Coast region of the United States. January 7th the partnership increased its quarterly distribution 2.3% to $0.655 per unit. The distribution is payable February 12, 2016 to unitholders of record on January 29, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of January 27, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 7.5%.

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE:SKT) is a real estate investment trust focused on developing, acquiring, owning, operating, and managing outlet shopping centers. January 7th the company increased its quarterly dividend 36% to $0.285 per share. The dividend is payable February 15, 2016 to stockholders of record on January 29, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of January 27, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 3.5%.

Spectra Energy Corp (NYSE:SE) owns and operates a portfolio of natural gas-related energy assets in North America. January 5th the company increased its quarterly dividend 9.5% to $0.405 per share. The dividend is payable March 8, 2016 to stockholders of record on February 12, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of February 10, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 6.6%.

Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:EPD) provides midstream energy services to producers and consumers of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, petrochemicals, and refined products in the United States and internationally. January 4th the partnership increased its quarterly distribution 1.3% to $0.39 per unit. The distribution is payable February 5, 2016 to unitholders of record on January 29, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of January 27, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 6.1%.

Bank of the Ozarks, Inc. (NASDAQ:OZRK) operates as the bank holding company for Bank of the Ozarks that provides a range of retail and commercial banking services. January 4th the company increased its quarterly dividend 3.4% to $0.15 per share. The dividend is payable January 22, 2016 to stockholders of record on January 15, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of January 13, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 1.2%.

DDR Corp. (NYSE:DDR) is an equity real estate investment trust. It invests in the real estate markets of the United States and Puerto Rico. January 4th the company increased its quarterly dividend 10% to $0.19 per share. The dividend is payable April 5, 2016 to stockholders of record on March 10, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of March 8, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 4.6%.

Tallgrass Energy Partners, LP (NYSE:TEP) acquires, owns, develops, and operates various midstream energy assets in North America. January 4th the partnership increased its quarterly distribution 6.7% to $0.64 per unit. The distribution is payable February 12, 2016 to unitholders of record on January 29, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of January 27, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 6.2%.

Watsco, Inc. (NYSE:WSO) distributes air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration equipment; and related parts and supplies in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. January 4th the company increased its quarterly dividend 21% to $0.85 per share. The dividend is payable January 29, 2016 to stockholders of record on January 15, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of January 13, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 2.9%.

8point3 Energy Partners LP (NASDAQ:CAFD) owns, operates, and acquires solar energy generation projects. December 22nd the partnership increased its quarterly distribution 3.5% to $0.217 per unit. The distribution is payable January 14, 2016 to unitholders of record on January 4, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of December 31, 2015. The yield based on the new payout is 5.5%.

Urstadt Biddle Properties Inc. (NYSE:UBA) is a real estate investment trust engaged in the ownership, operation, and redevelopment of high quality retail shopping centers predominantly located in the suburban, high demographic, high barrier to entry communities surrounding New York City. December 21st the company increased its quarterly dividend 2% to $0.26 per share. The dividend is payable January 15, 2016 to stockholders of record on January 5, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of December 31, 2015. The yield based on the new payout is 5.4%.

FelCor Lodging Trust Incorporated (NYSE:FCH) is a publicly owned real estate investment trust engaged in investment and management of properties in the hospitality industry. December 21st the company increased its quarterly dividend 50% to $0.06 per share. The dividend is payable January 29, 2016 to stockholders of record on January 15, 2016, with an ex-dividend date of January 13, 2016. The yield based on the new payout is 3.4%.

Selecting stocks with increasing dividends is critical for an income growth strategy. The above list contains stocks that recently raised their dividends; it is not a list of recommend buys. As always, due diligence should be performed before buying or selling any stock. For a list of stocks with a long string of consecutive cash dividend increases, see this list.