Frequently asked questions

Find out what to do if your address, email or bank details have changed. Or read about the different options for your dividend payments - like the dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) or straight into your bank account.

Need to update your details?

  • Q - I've moved home - how do I update my address details?

    A - It's easy and quick to update your address details online through the Standard Life share portal.
    If you are already a member of the share portal then all you need to do is:

    • Go to www.standardlifeshareportal.com/login
    • Enter your username
    • Enter your password, then select 'Next'
    • Enter 3 characters from your memorable word as instructed, then select 'Login'
    • Click on the 'Update your address details' link and follow the on screen instructions

    If you haven't used the share portal before, you will need to register for an account before you can update your details. Just go to 'Register now'.

    Or contact Shareholder Services and ask them to send you a change of address form. You will need to let them know:

    • Details of your old and new address
    • Your shareholder reference number, which you can find at the top of your letters
    • Your full name

    If you are also a Standard Life policy holder it is important to let our customer services teams know any changes too, as the Shareholder Services teams managed by Capita or one of its agencies and our Customer Services teams do not share personal detail changes for data protection reasons.

    Find out how to get in touch with Standard Life in contact details.

  • Q - My email address has changed - what do I do?

    A - You can update your email address by visiting the Standard Life share portal.
    If you are already a member of the share portal then all you need to do is:

    • Go to www.standardlifeshareportal.com/login
    • Enter your username
    • Enter your password, then select 'Next'
    • Enter 3 characters from your memorable word as instructed, then select 'Login'
    • Click on the 'Change your email address' link and follow the on screen instructions

    If you haven't used the share portal before, you will need to register for an account before you can update your details. Just go to 'Register now'.

  • Q - I've changed my bank account - how can I update these details?

    A - We know sometimes it can take time to get around to making changes - so we want to make it easy. Choose the way that suits you and we will update your details for you.

    1. Download a dividend form PDF (161Kb). Complete parts 2 and 3 and send it back to us.
    2. Call us on 0845 113 0045 or +44 (0)20 3367 8224. Our lines are open 8.30am - 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.
    3. Login to your share portal account at www.standardlifeshareportal.com and give us your details online.

    If you haven't used the share portal before, you will need to set up an account first. You can find out more information about this by visiting the Standard Life share portal page.

Managing your shareholding?

  • Q - How do I find out how many shares I have?

    A - The easiest way to find out how many shares you have is through the Standard Life share portal.

    If you are already a member of the share portal then all you need to do is:

    • Go to www.standardlifeshareportal.com
    • Click on 'Log in to view your account'
    • Enter your username
    • Enter your password, then select 'Next'
    • Enter 3 characters from your memorable word as instructed, then select 'Login'
    • Click on the 'Your shareholding' link to view detailed information about your shares

    If you haven't used the share portal before, you will need to register for an account before you can view this information. Just go to 'Register now'.

    For security reasons, this information cannot be given over the phone, but you can arrange for it to be sent to your home address. Just call your local Shareholder Services team for more information. You will need a note of your shareholder reference number, which you can find at the top of your letters or emails from us.

  • Q - How do I sign up to get my shareholder information by email?

    Sign up for ecommunications

    A - If you want to help us save paper and get your shareholder information quickly and securely, why not sign up to receive your communications by email?

    All you need to do is register your email address with your local Shareholder Services team.  Then, whenever there's something you need to know, we'll send you emails with links to the latest information online.

    You can update your email address by visiting the Standard Life share portal.

    It only takes a few minutes to sign up. All you need to do is:

    • Go to www.standardlifeshareportal.com
    • Click on 'Log in to view your account'
    • Enter your username
    • Enter your password, then select 'Next'
    • Enter 3 characters from your memorable word as instructed, then select 'Login'
    • Click on the 'Your shareholding' link to view detailed information about your shares
    • Select 'Sign up for Ecommunications'

    If you haven't used the share portal before, you will need to register for an account before you can update your details. Just go to 'Register now'.

  • Q - How do I see my shareholder documents online?

    A - You can access your important shareholder documents - like your share account statement, tax voucher, Scrip share summary or information on the dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) - from the Standard Life share portal.

    Find out more about viewing your Shareholder Documents online

  • Q - I've lost my share certificate, how do I get a replacement?

    A - If you are a certificated shareholder and require a replacement share certificate you will need to get in touch with your local Shareholder Services team.

    There is currently an administration charge for this. You will also be sent a legally binding letter. You must sign this to confirm your loss and agree to make good any liability suffered by Standard Life plc or Capita Registrars as a result of your loss. You may be required to take out insurance at your own expense to cover this liability.

    If your shares are in the Standard Life Share Account you do not need a share certificate. You will receive a Standard Life Share Account statement each year.

  • Q - What is the share portal and how do I register?

    A - The Standard Life share portal is a fast and easy way to see up-to-date information about your shareholding. From here you can manage your shares online - helping us to reduce the amount of paper we send you and the amount you have to then recycle!

    Depending on the type of shareholding you have, you can

    • see how many shares you have and what they are worth
    • see details of any payments made and any dividend payments due
    • update your new address, if you have moved home
    • let us know about changes to your bank details
    • download a range of documents, from terms and conditions to our latest shareholder communications
  • Q - When and how will I get my share account statement?

    A - If you're a member of the Standard Life Share Account and received an email from us, your latest statement is ready to view online now. Historical statements are also available on line and will give you the details of any transactions made on your share account since May 2008.

    View your statement

    If you are already a member of the share portal then all you need to do is:

    • Go to www.standardlifeshareportal.com/login
    • Enter your username
    • Enter your password, then select 'Login'
    • Enter 3 characters from your memorable word as instructed, then select 'Login'
    • Click on the 'Your documents' link and follow the on screen instructions

    Not registered for the Standard Life share portal yet?

    If you haven't used the share portal before, you will need to register for an account before you can view this information. Just go to 'Register now'.

Dividends

  • Q - When will my dividends be paid?

    A - We currently pay our interim dividends in November and our final dividends in May each year.

  • Q - How will my dividends be paid?

    A - You have three dividend options:

    1. Reinvest your dividends in Standard Life plc shares
      Standard Life plc is offering its shareholders living in the EEA (European Economic Area) the chance to join a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP.) This includes all EU member countries plus Iceland, Norway and Liechenstein. This means those shareholders can reinvest their cash dividend payments to buy more shares in Standard Life plc through a special dealing arrangement. Sorry, but we can't currently offer DRIP in Canada and other non-EEA countries.If this changes in future we will let you know.

    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.
  • Q - Why are you paying a special dividend?

    A - Thanks to our strong capital position and robust management of assets and capital, we're paying our shareholders a special dividend of 12.8p per share. The special dividend and final dividend are due to be paid together as one payment of 22.6p per share on 21 May 2013. The special dividend is based on shares held at the record date, which was 5 April 2013.

  • Q - I've lost my cheque, how do I get a replacement?

    A - If you have misplaced your dividend cheque and need a replacement you will need to get in touch with your local Shareholder Services team. There may be an administration charge for this.

  • Q - How do I arrange for my dividends to be paid straight into my bank account?

    A - You can do this online. You need to have a Standard Life share portal account. If you have one already, all you need to do is:

    • Go to www.standardlifeshareportal.com/login
    • Enter your username
    • Enter your password, then select 'Login'
    • Enter 3 characters from your memorable word as instructed, then select 'Login'
    • Click on the 'Update your bank details' link and follow the on screen instructions

    If you do not have an account, register now at www.standardlifeshareportal.com, alternatively contact us.

  • Q - Why did you close Scrip and replace this with a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP) instead?

    A - Our overall financial performance means we can close our Scrip dividend scheme. With the Scrip dividend scheme new shares were issued, while the new DRIP will buy existing shares for you on the market through a special dealing arrangement.

  • Q - How do I register for the dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP)?

    A - If you want to sign up for DRIP you need to let us know. You can do this either online at www.standardlifeshareportal.com. Our fast track sign up means you don't have to log in or even be registered for the shareportal to join DRIP.

    or

    Download a dividend form PDF (161Kb). Complete parts 2 and 3 and send it back to us. Or contact Shareholder Services.

    Login to your share portal account at www.standardlifeshareportal.com and give us your details online.

Unclaimed shares and cash

  • Q - What is demutualisation entitlement?

    We allocated shares, or a cash equivalent, to our members depending on the policy they held with The Standard Life Assurance Company. The number of shares awarded depended on the policy held with The Standard Life Assurance Company. Eligible members were allocated a minimum of 185 shares plus a variable number of shares related to the size of their with profits investment and how long they had held the policy.

  • Q - Am I eligible for demutualisation shares?

    To decide eligibility, we need to look at each person's case individually.

    Generally speaking, you were an Eligible Member if you were the member for a policy which started on or before 30 March 2004 and which was continuously invested in with profits with Standard Life Assurance Company (SLAC) from 30 March 2004 up to 31 May 2006 - the date of the Special General Meeting (both dates inclusive).

    30 March 2004 is an important date for eligibility because it was the last day before the SLAC board announced it was satisfied that, in principle, proceeding towards demutualisation was in the best interests of the company and its policyholders.

    As part of this announcement, SLAC also stated its policy that anyone making a with profits investment on or after 31 March 2004 would not be eligible to receive any benefits relating to demutualisation of SLAC for a three year period from the date the application relating to that investment was received by the company. This was to preserve and maximise the value of the company for people who were Members for policies invested in with profits before the decision in principle to proceed towards demutualisation and flotation was announced.

    The reason that having a with profits investment is so important is that only Members for a policy invested in with profits generally had a right to vote at general meetings and had the potential to share in any surplus on a winding-up of the company.

  • Q - How do I find out if I'm entitled to demutualisation shares?

    If you believe you may be entitled to unclaimed shares and cash, please contact our Shareholder Services team who will be able to assist you further.

    United Kingdom

    Mail: questions@standardlifeshares.com
    Phone: 0845 113 0045 or +44 (0) 20 3367 8224

    Republic of Ireland

    Mail: questions@standardlifeshares.com
    Phone: (01) 431 9829

    Germany

    Mail: fragen@standardlifeshares.de
    Phone: +49 (0) 6196 7693130

    Austria

    Mail: fragen@standardlifeshares.de
    Phone: +49 (0) 6196 7693130

    Canada

    Mail: questions@standardlifeshares.ca
    Phone: 1-866-982-9939

AGM and voting

  • Q - When is the AGM?

    The 2013 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Standard Life plc was held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, The Exchange, Morrison Street, Edinburgh EH3 8EE, Scotland on Tuesday 14 May 2013.

    View the voting results.

  • Q - How do I vote?

    You can submit a voting form online, by post or in person at our AGM.

    View the results of our 2013 AGM on 14 May .

  • Q - How can I see the most up-to-date Annual Report and Accounts?

Related websites

Share price

Manage your shares online with a share portal account

Get fast, easy access to your shareholding at a time that suits you

Shareholder documents

Access your share account statement, tax voucher and scrip share summary on Shareportal.