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Dividends

Dividends: Find dividend dates, as well as related information including direct deposit options and tax receipts

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A Message from Manulife Financial President and CEO Donald Guloien on Manulife’s Second Quarter Results and Decision to Retain More of our Earnings. More

Dividend History

2009 Dividend Reinvestment Plan Changes

We have recently made important changes to our dividend reinvestment and share purchase plans available to MFC common shareholders in Canada and the United States (the “Plans” and the “Canadian Plan” and the “U.S. Plan”). Click here for the most recent Press release on this topic.

The Plans allow participants to increase their holdings of MFC common shares (the “Shares”) by automatically reinvesting all or part of any cash dividends paid on those Shares in additional MFC Shares. These Plans are convenient and easy to use. Participants can change or terminate their participation in the Plans at anytime.

By enrolling in the Canadian or US Plan (as applicable) you will be able to:

• Have your MFC common share dividend automatically reinvested without paying certain fees or brokerage commissions;
• Purchase additional Shares on the dates on which we pay cash dividends on our Shares, also without paying certain fees or brokerage commissions;
• Sell the Shares you hold through the Plan, subject to certain fees and brokerage commissions, and
• Have easy access to your account through 24/7 online access

For a copy of the Canadian Plan offering circular, including a complete description of the Canadian Plan, its terms and features, click here. To enroll or request a printed copy of the offering circular, please call the Canadian Plan administrator (CIBC Mellon) directly at 1-800-783-9495. For additional contact information for CIBC Mellon click here.

For a copy of the U.S. Plan prospectus, including a complete description of the U.S. Plan, its terms and features, click here. To enroll or request a printed copy of the prospectus, please contact the U.S. Plan administrator, Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon), directly at 1-800-249-7702, or by mail at BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, P.O. 358013, Pittsburgh, PA 15252-8013. For additional contact information for BNY Mellon click here.


How do I know if a dividend has been declared?
Dividends are declared and a press release issued at the same time as the quarterly financial results are announced. See the most recent news release on this topic.

Can I have my dividends deposited directly into my bank account? In Canada, the United States and Hong Kong direct deposit of MFC dividends can be arranged through our local stock transfer agents.
Canada  United States  Hong Kong

When are tax receipts for dividends sent out?
Tax receipts for residents of the United States are sent out within 30 days after the start of the next calendar year. Tax receipts for those U.S. holders who receive their dividends in check form are attached to the last dividend payment of the year. Tax receipts are sent out within 60 days after the start of the next calendar year to holders resident in Canada and all other countries.

If you have questions about your dividend payments…
If you bought your shares through your stock broker please contact them directly, otherwise contact our local stock transfer agents.
Canada  United States  Hong Kong  Philippines

Do you have a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP)?
Manulife offers Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plans to Canadian and U.S. resident holders.

For more details about the Plans, information about enrolment or to obtain the plan documents including the offering circular (Canada) or prospectus (U.S.) please contact our Canadian or US plan administrators directly.

In Canada, our plan administrator is CIBC Mellon Trust Company. They may be contacted by phone at 1-800-783-9495, by mail at P.O. Box 7010, Adelaide Street Postal Station, Toronto, ON M5C 2W9, by email to inquiries@cibcmellon.com or online at www.cibcmellon.com

In the US, our plan administrator is Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon). They may be contacted by phone at 1-800-249-7702, by mail at BNY Mellon Shareowner Services, P.O. 358013, Pittsburgh, PA 15252-8013, by e-mail at shrrelations@bnymellon.com, or on-line at www.bnymellon.com/shareowner/isd

Canadian shareholders:

Changes to Dividend Tax Crediting Rates for eligible Share Dividends

Note: this change affects only those shareholders who pay tax on their dividend income in Canada.

For MFC Common and Preferred share dividends and MLI Preferred share dividends paid in 2006 and subsequent years:

In 2006 federal legislation was introduced which enhanced the Gross Up (from 25% to 45%) and Dividend Tax Credit (from 13.3333% to 18.9655%) on eligible dividends paid by Canadian corporations after 2005.

Manulife has reviewed the requirements and has determined that the dividends paid on the Common and Preferred shares of Manulife Financial Corporation ("MFC") and on the Preferred shares of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company ("MLI") are eligible dividends as defined by the legislation.

These changes are reflected in Boxes 24, 25 and 26 of the T5 (for dividend income) you received beginning in 2006. The tax forms distributed by the Canadian Customs and Revenue Agency reflect this change and will refer to these boxes on your T5.

For MFC and MLI share dividends paid prior to 2006:
The old gross-up and tax credit rates apply to share dividends paid by Manulife Financial Corporation or The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company prior to 2006.

An example is shown below of the effect of this change:

New rates - Applicable to Eligible Share Dividends paid after 2005 (shown in Boxes 24, 25 and 26 of T5)

Box 24 Dividend Paid = $100
Box 25 Grossed Up Amount (45%) = $145
Box 26 Dividend Tax Credit (18.9655% of Grossed Up Amount) = $27.50

Old rates - Applicable to Share Dividends paid prior to 2006 (shown in Boxes 10, 11 and 12 of T5)

Box 10 Dividend Paid = $100
Box 11 Grossed Up Amount (25%) = $125
Box 12 Dividend Tax Credit (13.3333% of Grossed Up Amount) = $16.67

If you have questions regarding the information on the tax forms you receive relating to your MFC common and preferred share dividend income or MLI preferred share dividend income, please contact our stock transfer agent CIBC Mellon at 1-800-783-9495.