Dividend policy

Dividend latest  Dividend history

Dividend Policy

Under Dutch law and Aegon's articles of association, holders of Aegon's common shares are entitled to dividends paid out of the profits remaining, if any, after the creation of a reserve account. Aegon's Executive Board may determine the dividend payment date and the dividend record date for the common shares, which may vary for the various kinds of registered shares. Aegon's Executive Board, with the approval of Aegon's Supervisory Board, may also determine the currency or currencies in which the dividends will be paid. Aegon may make one or more interim distributions to the holders of common shares.

Aegon aims to pay out a sustainable dividend to allow equity investors to share in Aegon's performance, which can grow over time if Aegon's performance so allows. Aegon's plans for returning capital to shareholders are based on the actual and expected capital position of its operating units, the expected levels of capital generation and free cash flow and the expected allocation of capital to invest in Aegon's strategy and in the quality of its balance sheet. After investment 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 in addition to adhering to local regulatory and statutory requirements and restrictions.

Aegon uses cash flows from its operating subsidiaries to pay unallocated 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’s capital and liquidity in line with its capital management and liquidity risk policies. Aegon's Executive Board takes into account the actual and expected capital position of its operating units, Cash Capital at Holding balances, leverage ratios and strategic considerations when declaring or proposing dividends on common shares. Depending on circumstances, future prospects and other considerations, Aegon's Executive Board has discretion to deviate from the aforementioned capital and liquidity measures.

Under normal circumstances, Aegon would expect to declare an interim dividend when announcing Aegon's 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.

When determining whether to declare or propose a dividend, Aegon's Executive Board balances prudence versus offering an attractive return to shareholders. This is particularly important during adverse economic and/or financial market conditions. Furthermore, Aegon's operating subsidiaries are subject to local insurance regulations that could restrict dividends to be paid to the Company. There is no requirement or assurance that Aegon will declare and pay any dividends.

Holders of common shares historically have been permitted to elect to receive dividends, if any, in cash or in common shares. For dividends, which holders may elect to receive in either cash or common shares, the value of the stock alternative may differ slightly from the value of the cash option. Aegon pays cash dividends on shares of New York registry in US dollars through Citibank, N.A., Aegon's NYSE paying agent, based on the foreign exchange reference rate (WM/Reuters closing spot exchange rate fixed at 5.00 pm Central European Summer Time ('CEST')) on the business day before the US-ex dividend day.