There are no guarantees in the stock market. But there is history on your side.

Over the past 50 years, the S&P 500, an index of 500 large companies publicly traded in the United States, has provided an average total return of 10% per year.

When you invest in one of these companies, or an index fund that tracks all or part of it, you're also most likely going to get some income, too, since about 85% of the S&P 500 companies pay dividends.

While a handful pay monthly, the great majority pay quarterly dividends, and they're a great way to add a stream of passive income whether you're still working or enjoying retirement. Plus, the best of them have long records of share growth, too, adding to that total return if you decide to sell.

Here are three quarterly-dividend blue chips to consider. Each is paying a higher yield right now than the S&P 500's current rate of 1.69% or its historic average of 1.85%. Two of them are among the exclusive club of the S&P 500's Dividend Aristocrats: companies that have raised their dividend at least once a year for at least 25 consecutive years. And the other is a Dividend King with 54 straight years of payout increases.

1. Consolidated Edison

Consolidated Edison (ED -0.03%) is the prototype of venerability and stability in this genre. Con Ed is the longest continuously listed company on the big board, going back to 1824 as the New York Gas Light Company.

The company has a protected monopoly providing electricity, gas, and steam to about 3.5 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, New York. Its stock, meanwhile, is yielding about 3.3% after 48 straight years of dividend increases that have helped warm the pockets of its millions of shareholders.

2. Essex Property Trust

Essex Property Trust (ESS -1.14%) doesn't have a monopoly, as Con Ed has, but it does have market forces on its side. This real estate investment trust (REIT) rents out about 62,000 apartments in eight major markets in California and Seattle.

These are in some of the wealthiest metro areas, and demand for its upscale apartments has allowed Essex to post rent growth by 18% to 20% while boosting its core funds from operations (FFO) by 21% year over year. Continued job growth and demand in these hot markets should help build on its record of 29 straight years of dividend increases that now have its stock yielding about 3.2%.

3. Federal Realty Investment Trust

Federal Realty Investment Trust (FRT -1.21%) is a retail REIT that is not just a Dividend Aristocrat, it's a Dividend King with more than 50 consecutive years of annual dividend increases (54 to be exact). That's been funded by revenue from a collection of 104 properties in urban mixed-use properties concentrated in upscale areas in California, Maryland, and Massachusetts, among other states.

Federal Realty last raised its dividend by a penny in the third quarter of 2021 and is now yielding about 4.1%. With high leasing rates, diversification into office space and multifamily housing, and a strong redevelopment pipeline, more dividend boosts can be expected. After all, who wants to be the CEO and board that end that streak?

There are higher yields available, but these are safe options

There certainly are gaudier yields available in the market from very stable companies with equally strong prospects. But if you want history on your side, it's hard to argue against adding some shares of this trio of dividend stalwarts. I don't own any now but plan to soon.