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If you\u2019re a British investor in your 40s or 50s looking for stocks to buy for retirement, 2026 looks bumpy. Trump\u2019s tariffs could slap 10%-25% on UK exports, inflation is stuck above 3%, and Middle East unrest continues to impact energy prices.<\/p>\n
But here\u2019s the good news: analysts love UK stocks right now. Currently, around 63% of FTSE 350 names carry Buy ratings, the highest in 12 years. Smart money\u2019s rotating into defensive, high-yield picks that generate income through thick and thin.<\/p>\n
Tariffs hurt cyclical exporters like miners and manufacturers but barely impact utilities, financials and healthcare. They\u2019re typically domestic-focused with inflation hedges or demographic benefits.<\/p>\n
Further rate cuts could boost margins for insurers, while net-zero spending is fuelling grid upgrades. For retirement portfolios, this means reliable dividends you can reinvest \u2014 rather than chasing speculative growth.<\/p>\n
With that in mind, I\u2019ve identified three tariff-resistant stocks that are worth considering for an ISA: SSE, GSK, and Phoenix Group (LSE: PHNX<\/a>). Offering yields between 4% and 9%, they\u2019re perfect for compounding over 10-20 years without losing sleep.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s take a closer look at why.<\/p>\n Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice. Readers are responsible for carrying out their own due diligence and for obtaining professional advice before making any investment decisions.<\/p>\n Targeting sustainable income<\/p>\n As a utility, SSE benefits from regulated energy prices, giving it both defensive qualities and stable earnings. Although the yield\u2019s lower than average, it\u2019s well-covered by earnings, ensuring payments are reliable.<\/p>\n GSK has a solid drug pipeline that provides earnings visibility and defence against the dreaded patent cliff. Dividends took a mild cut during the 2022 economic downturn, but historically have exhibited decent growth and reliability.<\/p>\n Phoenix Group stands out as a retirement investor\u2019s dream. It offers one of the highest yields on the FTSE 100 at 7.9%, backed by a 10-year history of uninteruptted dividend growth. The divdiend grew 11.6% last year under a progressive policy targeting \u00a310bn+ shareholder distributions through 2027 \u2014 perfect for ISA compounding amid tariffs and volatility<\/a>.<\/p>\n Operational cash generation ensures payments are well-covered, with predictable cash flow from \u2018heritage\u2019 books. These old pension plans require minimal new business risk but help ensure steady revenue. It\u2019s an attractive business model for investors targeting predictable income in retirement.<\/p>\n