Dividend information

Read frequently asked questions about common share dividends, preferred shares, and tax information, see our dividend history and use our dividend calculator.

Dividend history

See our most recent dividend payments, as well as dividend payments from previous years.

Go to dividend history

Dividend calculator

Calculate the total value of your dividends from Sun Life Financial Inc. shares.

Use this dividend calculator

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to frequently asked questions about common share dividends, preferred shares and taxes.

Common share dividends:

On February 7, 2024, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of CAD $0.78 per common share. This dividend is payable on March 28, 2024 to shareholders of record on February 28, 2024.

View our dividend payment chart.

Shareholder dividends represent a portion of a company's earnings or profits that are distributed to shareholders. Dividends are paid on a per-share basis.

The Board of Directors considers various factors in determining if it is appropriate to declare a dividend, including the company's earnings, financial condition and capital requirements.

Subject to approval of the Board of Directors, quarterly dividends on our common shares are paid at the end of March, June, September and December.

For residents of Canada and the U.S., it is possible to receive your dividend payment via electronic deposit. An electronic dividend payment form is available from  TSX Trust Company.

Preferred shares:

View information about  Sun Life Financial Inc. Preferred Shares.

The prospectuses for Sun Life Financial preferred shares are available on the SEDAR website.

Tax information:

Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions we receive about tax, and other tax information.

Sun Life Financial or its transfer agents do not provide advice on tax-related matters. The following information is for general guidance only. You should consult a tax advisor or the appropriate government agency for advice on your specific situation.

Canadian residents - No withholding tax is deducted.

Non-Canadian residents - It is a requirement of the Government of Canada to deduct a non-resident withholding tax from dividends paid to shareholders who reside outside of Canada. This tax is deducted from the gross amount of your dividend payment. You can receive the minimum tax withholding if you are a resident of a country that is part of a Tax Treaty and you complete a Declaration of Eligibility for Benefits under a Tax Treaty for a Non-Resident Taxpayer, NR301 Form. You can be subject to the following withholding tax rates:

  • United States, United Kingdom, Philippines and Hong Kong residents: 25%. If our transfer agent has your NR301 form 15% (expires every 3 years)
  • Bermuda and residents of other countries: 25% unless this amount is reduced by a tax treaty between Canada and the country where you reside

If you are a resident of the United States and our transfer agent does not have your Tax Identification Number (TIN) on file you are subject to 28% tax withholding in addition to the non-resident withholding tax indicated above.

Download and complete a copy of the W9 TIN form. Submit the form to our transfer agent in your country of residence so your future dividends will not be subject to this withholding tax.

Sun Life Financial Inc. is a "qualified foreign corporation" under the Jobs for Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 by virtue of the fact that its common shares are "readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States."

Therefore, 100% of the dividends paid to U.S. individuals should be eligible for Box 1b on IRS form 1099-DIV.

Canada:
Canada Revenue Agency
www.cra-arc.gc.ca

United States:
Internal Revenue Service
www.irs.gov

United Kingdom:
Inland Revenue
www.hmrc.gov.uk

Hong Kong:
Inland Revenue Department
www.gov.hk

Philippines:
Bureau of Internal Revenue
www.bir.gov.ph

Contact us

Access contact information for transfer agents worldwide or see frequently asked questions about your shareholder account.

View shareholder contacts