Dividend - frequently asked questions

A dividend is an amount based on a company’s profits paid out to shareholders for each share they hold.

Ordinary dividends are usually paid in May and September each year. Up until 2018, Interim dividends were paid in November each year.

Aviva will only pay cash dividends directly into a nominated bank account. This provides shareholders with the following benefits:

• Fast, secure and reduced environmental impact of paying dividends – in the past we sent out over 200,000 cheques each dividend.
• No more fees for the replacement of lost cheques.

 For information on setting up your payment instruction, please visit Shareholder contacts.

The Company offers a Dividend Reinvestment Plan. The plan provides an option for eligible shareholders to purchase additional ordinary shares in the Company using their cash dividends. You can either join online or by completing a form that you can obtain from the Company's Registrar, Computershare. 

Full details can be found in the Plan explanatory booklet and terms and conditions.

Please note, this service is not appropriate for shareholders living in certain jurisdictions, for example North America. Please see clause 2.1 of the terms and conditions for more information.

For each tax year, shareholders are entitled to an individual annual tax free allowance of a certain amount across all dividend income. Any tax liability for dividend income above a certain amount (except for dividends on shares held in an ISA), must be accounted for by the shareholder in their income tax return. For further information, please visit www.gov.uk/tax-on-dividends. For queries about your own tax position, please speak to an independent tax advisor.

Shareholders will receive one annual dividend confirmation giving details of their total dividends for the previous tax year. This is usually sent with the AGM mailing in March/April each year.

Providing one annual dividend confirmation ensures that you receive a complete record of the dividends you have received on your shares in time for completing your tax return.

Shareholders can elect to receive their dividends in Euros directly into a nominated Eurozone bank account.

Shareholders living outside of the UK and the Single Euro Payments Area can elect to receive their dividends or interest payments in a choice of over 125 international currencies via our Registrar, Computershare Investor Services PLC (Computershare).

Aviva generally pays any dividend twice a year following the announcement of the Company’s full year and half year results. Deutsche Bank will provide further information as it is made available to ADR holders on their website here.

Aviva plc ADR dividends are automatically paid in US dollars four US business days after the ordinary share dividend payment date to accommodate the payment process established by the company and the depositary bank.  There is no US withholding tax for ADRs relating to UK companies. You should always consult with your tax advisor regarding tax treatment and tax reporting. Please note that your tax identification number at Equiniti US must be tax certified. This can be done by completing and submitting a W-9 form to Equiniti US (please contact them if you need a form).

Yes. ADR holders could be charged up to $0.10 per ADR per year (deducted from dividends) although currently $0.08 per ADR per year is deducted. The fees are stipulated in the Deposit Agreement between the depositary bank and the company based upon industry standards. The Deposit Agreement is filed with the SEC and is readily accessible by the public.

It is common for such fees to be collected from ADS holders.  The fees are charged to cover costs associated with the ADR program.

An ADR statement detailing your total ADR holding will be sent to you as and when activity occurs.  Examples of activity to your account will include share purchases or sales.  Please note dividend payments do not generate account statements.

For information on the latest dividends paid by Aviva, please refer to the Dividends page. Alternatively, visit adr.db.com for information relevant to Aviva plc ADRs. You can also contact Equiniti US.

You can request a replacement for a lost cheque by contacting Equiniti US. Upon your authorisation, a stop payment order will be placed against the original cheque and a replacement cheque will be issued to you.  We recommend you register your bank details with Equiniti US so future dividends can be paid securely via direct deposit

You can find information on managing your ADR holding here.