Dividends

Part of being a shareholder is sharing in the Company’s profits when a dividend is declared. This section tells you about dividends and how and when you could receive them.

• What is a dividend?
• When will dividends be paid?
• How will dividends be paid?
• What if I buy or sell shares around the time of dividend payments?
• How do I change my account or address details?

What is a dividend?

If Standard Life makes a profit, our shareholders may receive a share of this as a dividend payment. If Standard Life does not perform well, this may lead to its dividends being reduced or no dividend being paid at all.

When will dividends be paid?

We currently intend to pay our interim dividends in November and our final dividends in May each year.

How will dividends be paid?

You can choose to receive your dividends in one of three ways:

1. Receive your dividends in Standard Life plc shares
   
   Standard Life plc has a Scrip dividend scheme. This gives shareholders the opportunity to receive their dividends in the form of more Standard Life shares so they receive extra shares instead of cash.
   
   If you choose this option, we will send you a statement at the time of each dividend payment.
   
   
2. Receive a cash dividend payment in your bank or building society account
   
   You can have your dividend paid directly into the bank or building society account of your choice – this means the money is usually available to use more quickly than if you receive your dividends by cheque. The money is normally transferred straight into your bank account on the day the dividend is paid.
   
   
3. Receive a cash dividend payment by cheque
   
   If you don’t choose to reinvest your dividends, or have them paid directly into your bank account, you will be sent a cheque for the relevant amount. You may be charged a fee to present this cheque, particularly if you live outside of the UK.
   
   Some companies have already stopped using cheques to pay dividends. If you get your dividend paid by cheque, why not get it paid directly into your bank account?

To find out more or change your dividend payment option - log in to your Standard Life share portal account and select 'your dividend options' or contact us and we can update your details.

What if I buy or sell shares around the time of dividend payments?

Dividends are paid to all shareholders who are on Standard Life plc's share register at the close of business on the record date. This can be up to three months before the dividend payment date. If you buy or sell shares shortly before the record date you may not receive the next dividend payment. For more information contact your local Shareholder Services team – you can find the number in contact details – or your broker.

How do I change my account or address details?

So there's no delay in receiving your dividend payments, please tell your local Shareholder Services team if your bank or building society account or address details change in the future.

You can do this online – all you need to do is register with the Standard Life share portal. To find out how visit managing your shareholding. Or you can find the number in Contact details.