AEGON aims to pay out a sustainable dividend to allow equity investors to share in the performance of the company, which can grow over time if performance of the company so allows.
After investments in new business to generate organic growth, capital generation in AEGON’s operating subsidiaries is available for distribution to the holding company, while maintaining a capital and liquidity position in the operating subsidiaries in line with AEGON’s capital management and liquidity risk policies.
AEGON uses cash flows from the operating subsidiaries to pay for holding expenses, including funding costs. The remaining cash flow is available to execute AEGON’s strategy and to fund dividends on its shares, subject to maintaining the holding company targeted excess capital. Depending on circumstances, future prospects and other considerations, AEGON may deviate from this target. AEGON will also take capital position, financial flexibility, leverage ratios and strategic considerations into account when declaring or proposing dividends on its common shares.
Under normal circumstances, AEGON would expect to declare an interim dividend when announcing its second quarter results and to propose a final dividend at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders for approval. Dividends would normally be paid in cash or stock at the election of the shareholder. The relative value of cash and stock dividends may vary. Stock dividends paid may, subject to capital management and other considerations, be repurchased in order to limit dilution.
AEGON intends to resume dividend payments on its common shares. This is possible because in June 2011, the company completed its final repurchase of the core capital securities issued to the Dutch State in 2008. Absent unforeseen circumstances, AEGON intends to propose a final EUR 0.10 dividend per common share at the annual General Meeting of Shareholders in 2012 covering the second half of 2011.
When determining whether to declare or propose a dividend, AEGON has to balance prudence versus offering an attractive return to shareholders, for example in adverse economic and/or financial market conditions. Also, AEGON’s operating subsidiaries are subject to (local) insurance regulations which could restrict dividends to be paid to the holding company. There is no requirement or assurance that AEGON will declare and pay any dividends.