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        <title>Standard Life (LSE:SDLF) Share Price, History, &amp; News | The Twelfth Magpie</title>
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	<title>Standard Life (LSE:SDLF) Share Price, History, &amp; News | The Twelfth Magpie</title>
	<link>https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-sdlf/</link>
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                                <title>How do these FTSE 100 stocks keep paying brilliant dividends?</title>
                <link>https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/10/how-do-these-ftse-100-stocks-keep-paying-brilliant-dividends/</link>
                                <pubDate>Sun, 10 May 2026 06:01:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Royston Wild]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Dividend Shares]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=1686052</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Looking for the best FTSE 100 stocks to buy? Royston Wild reveals three with excellent dividend records -- and explains what makes them standout shares.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/10/how-do-these-ftse-100-stocks-keep-paying-brilliant-dividends/">How do these FTSE 100 stocks keep paying brilliant dividends?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
]]></description>
                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The <strong>FTSE 100</strong> is home to a huge range of heroic dividend stocks. We&#8217;re talking high-yielders with strong records of delivering large, market-beating payout, and shares with consistent dividend growth that help investors keep up with (or even beat) inflation.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Here I want to talk about three specifically, and what makes them such formidable passive income providers. The names in question are <strong>BAE Systems </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-ba/">LSE:BA.</a>), <strong>Standard Life </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-sdlf/">LSE:SDLF</a>), and <strong>Seven Trent </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-svt/">LSE:SVT</a>).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Let&#8217;s take a look.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dividend-quality">Dividend quality</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Each of these firms enjoys strengths that make them perfect <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/how-shares-are-taxed-2/how-dividends-are-taxed/" id="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/how-shares-are-taxed-2/how-dividends-are-taxed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dividend</a> powerhouses. With BAE Systems, these factors include:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>A focus on defence, where long-term demand remains stable.</li>



<li>Tier 1 supplier status with huge defence spenders (including the US and UK).</li>



<li>Huge barriers to entry, which limits competitive threats.</li>



<li>A diverse product range, protecting profits from slowdown in one or two areas.</li>



<li>Growing geopolitical uncertainty, which is driving global defence budgets.</li>
</ul>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Standard Life has its own distinct set of advantages, such as:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Capital-light operations and a focus on acquiring &#8216;closed&#8217; life insurance and pension policies.</li>



<li>Predicable cash generation from in-force policies and investment returns.</li>



<li>Asset portfolios that are tightly hedged against interest rate moves.</li>



<li>Robust capital reserves (its Solvency II ratio today is 176%)</li>



<li>Strong growth in the retirement and savings markets.</li>
</ul>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-great-records">Great records</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Severn Trent, meanwhile, benefits from:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Operating in an ultra-defensive industry (water supply).</li>



<li>A monopoly in the Midlands region of the UK, eliminating competitive dangers.</li>



<li>Multi-year regulatory periods that provide long-term earnings visibility.</li>



<li>A strong record of operational efficiency, limiting costs.</li>



<li>A growing asset base that leads to increased dividends.</li>
</ul>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So how have these qualities translated into dividends down the years? Let&#8217;s take a look.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><thead><tr><th><strong>Dividend share</strong></th><th><strong>Years of unbroken dividend growth</strong></th><th><strong>10-year average <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/how-to-value-shares/dividend-yield/" id="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/how-to-value-shares/dividend-yield/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dividend yield</a></strong></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>BAE Systems</td><td>22</td><td>3.7%</td></tr><tr><td>Standard Life</td><td>10</td><td>7.5%</td></tr><tr><td>Severn Trent</td><td>9</td><td>4.2%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Over the past decade, dividend yields have beaten &#8212; or been at the upper end of &#8212; the FTSE 100 average of 3%-4%. Standard Life&#8217;s yield has delivered a yield roughly <span style="text-decoration: underline">double</span> that level.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">These FTSE stocks have also navigated major shocks to keep growing their dividends. During the Covid pandemic, for instance, they continued raising payouts, a period when roughly half of Footsie companies experienced some disruption.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-they-keep-delivering">Can they keep delivering?</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But here&#8217;s the thing. Past dividend performance isn&#8217;t always a reliable guide to future. With BAE Systems, earnings could suffer if defence-related supply chain issues worsen, impacting dividend growth.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Rising competition in pensions and annuities might hit Standard Life&#8217;s future payouts. And as for Severn Trent? The company&#8217;s profits could take a hit if interest rates rise and borrowing costs shoot up.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">However, no share is without risk. And on balance, I fully expect these FTSE 100 stocks to keep offering excellent dividend yields and payout growth. Their resilient business models and strong cash generation make them excellent income shares to consider.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/10/how-do-these-ftse-100-stocks-keep-paying-brilliant-dividends/">How do these FTSE 100 stocks keep paying brilliant dividends?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                <title>What are the FTSE’s most lucrative high-yield shares?</title>
                <link>https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/09/what-are-the-ftses-most-lucrative-high-yield-shares/</link>
                                <pubDate>Sat, 09 May 2026 10:17:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Christopher Ruane]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Dividend Shares]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=1689001</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Our writer zooms in one one of a handful of high-yield FTSE 100 shares to explain why he thinks it could be worth considering for passive income.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/09/what-are-the-ftses-most-lucrative-high-yield-shares/">What are the FTSE’s most lucrative high-yield shares?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
]]></description>
                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I happily own a number of high-yield share, earning passive income in the form of dividends.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But, like any shares, high-yield ones carry some risks. Dividends are never guaranteed, after all, and sometimes a high yield can signal City doubts that the shareholder payout will turn out to be sustainable.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ftse-100-large-companies-but-still-no-guarantees">FTSE 100: large companies, but still no guarantees</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Is there safety in scale?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Some tiny company with a high yield may seem to be risky, but what about a giant like <strong>Shell </strong>or <strong>Vodafone</strong>?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The reality is that although the <strong>FTSE 100</strong> index contains the nation’s largest listed companies by market capitalisation, that is no guarantee that they will do well or maintain their dividend. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Shell and Vodafone are growing their dividends currently, but both have cut them within the past decade – alongside lots of other FTSE 100 firms.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Still, FTSE 100 firms pay out <span style="text-decoration: underline">huge</span> amounts of dividends in total – well over £1bn per week in the first quarter of 2026, in fact. &nbsp;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The index contains some very successful, proven businesses. Not all of them will keep doing well but many will. That could involve them paying out some attractive dividends.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-five-high-yield-ftse-shares">Five high-yield FTSE shares</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">For example, consider the five <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/the-high-yield-portfolio/">highest-yielding shares</a> in the FTSE 100 at the moment.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Legal &amp; General </strong>yields 8.6%, <strong>Standard Life </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-sdlf/">LSE: SDLF</a>) 7.3%, <strong>Land Securities </strong>6.9%, <strong>M&amp;G </strong>6.8%, and <strong>Barratt Redrow </strong>6.7%.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">At a time when the index overall yields 3.1%, that means that those high-yield <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/types-of-stocks/investing-in-high-dividend-stocks-in-the-uk/">shares are all more than twice as lucrative as the FTSE 100</a>.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But will those dividends last? </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Housebuilding is suffering from weakening demand in some parts of the market. Barratt Redrow has cut its dividend already this year – and that could be a sign of worse to come, depending on what happens to the housing market.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-serial-dividend-raiser">A serial dividend-raiser</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Standard Life faces risks of its own. Its large base of assets includes a mortgage book that, if the property market does decline, could need to have its value written down. That is a risk to earnings.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But the company has a lot of strengths too. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Its long-term savings and retirement business counts around one in five UK adults as a customer. Strong, long-established brands combined with deep financial markets expertise help to establish credibility to attract new clients and retain existing ones.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The retirement-focussed financial services space strikes me as an attractive one to be in (Legal &amp; General is squarely focussed on it too). Demand is large and can involve big sums. It is also likely to be resilient over the long run.</p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Standard Life Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:SDLF" data-range="5y" data-start-date="" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Standard Life’s high dividend yield grabs my attention. So too does its goal of raising the dividend per share each year.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It has managed to do that in recent&nbsp; years and, while there are no guarantees, I believe it could potentially keep doing so. I see it as a share worth considering for investors seeking passive income.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/09/what-are-the-ftses-most-lucrative-high-yield-shares/">What are the FTSE’s most lucrative high-yield shares?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                <title>How much do you need in an ISA to aim for a £2,613 monthly second income</title>
                <link>https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/08/how-much-do-you-need-in-an-isa-to-aim-for-a-2613-monthly-second-income/</link>
                                <pubDate>Fri, 08 May 2026 15:02:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Harvey Jones]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Dividend Shares]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=1688956</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Harvey Jones explains how a spread of FTSE 100 shares held in an ISA could generate enough second income to secure a comfortable retirement.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/08/how-much-do-you-need-in-an-isa-to-aim-for-a-2613-monthly-second-income/">How much do you need in an ISA to aim for a £2,613 monthly second income</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
]]></description>
                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Building a second income stream for retirement is a common investment goal and investing in a Stocks and Shares ISA is a great way to do it. But how much do people need to tuck away?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To achieve a comfortable retirement a single person needs £43,900 a year (see table), according to the Retirement Living Standards survey. Let&#8217;s assume they get the full new State Pension, currently worth £12,547 a year. They&#8217;ll still need to generate another £31,353, under their own steam. It&#8217;s made a bit easier by the fact that in an ISA that money will be tax-free.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Lifestyle target</strong></td><td><strong>Single person</strong></td><td><strong>Couple</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Minimum</td><td>£&nbsp;13,400</td><td>£&nbsp;21,500</td></tr><tr><td>Moderate</td><td>£&nbsp;31,700</td><td>£&nbsp;43,900</td></tr><tr><td>Comfortable</td><td>£&nbsp;43,900</td><td>£&nbsp;60,600</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice. Readers are responsible for carrying out their own due diligence and for obtaining professional advice before making any investment decisions.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-much-do-you-need-to-retire-in-comfort">How much do you need to retire in comfort?</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A popular way of building wealth is to invest in a spread of<strong>&nbsp;FTSE 100</strong> shares offering both growth and dividend income. So what do you need to earn £31,353, which works out as £2,613 a month?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The answer depends on your portfolio&#8217;s yield. It&#8217;s possible to generate an average income of 5% a year from a spread of UK blue-chips. At that rate, the investor would need a <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/personal-finance/share-dealing/stocks-and-shares-isa/">Stocks and Shares ISA</a> worth £627,060. If they target higher-income shares and get a 6% yield, the target falls to £522,550.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Those are daunting numbers. But by investing regularly in a spread of shares, and reinvesting all dividends while still working, it&#8217;s possible to build up some pretty meaty sums.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One FTSE 100 stock investors could consider is pensions and insurance specialist <strong>Standard Life </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-sdlf/">LSE: SDLF</a>) &#8212; until recently known as Phoenix Life. Today, it offers a stunning trailing yield of 7.25%. Not only that, but the shares have climbed 25% over the last year. That’s a total return of 32.25%. It means a £10,000 investment just one year ago would be worth £13,225 today.</p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Standard Life Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:SDLF" data-range="5y" data-start-date="" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I wouldn’t expect gains like that every year. But a chunky dividend combined with bursts of share price growth could still deliver attractive <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/getting-started-in-investing/foolish-investing-taking-the-long-term-approach/">long-term returns</a>.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Standard Life needs to keep generating new sources of cash to fund its dividends. It recently made another step in that direction by purchasing Aegon UK’s pension business. The deal expands its customer base to roughly 16m people. The group now has £480bn worth of assets under administration.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-the-shares-decent-value">Are the shares decent value?</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">That should give Standard Life more scale, while adding new customers to offset the gradual decline in its older legacy accounts. No business is perfect though. Competition across pensions and savings remains fierce. Standard Life&#8217;s shares aren’t super-cheap either. After the recent rally, the forward price-to-earnings ratio now sits at 17.5. That&#8217;s slightly over the index average.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The dividend looks solid, as the board has increased it every year since 2016. It&#8217;s aiming to lift it by a modest 2% annually in future. Remember, no dividend is guaranteed.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Millions of Britons need pensions, savings products and retirement advice, so there&#8217;s a big opportunity here. I hold Standard Life in my own SIPP and think it’s well worth considering for investors keen to fund a comfortable retirement and cut their tax bills too.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/08/how-much-do-you-need-in-an-isa-to-aim-for-a-2613-monthly-second-income/">How much do you need in an ISA to aim for a £2,613 monthly second income</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                <title>Here’s how investors could make £1,654 a month in retirement from just £20,000 in Standard Life shares</title>
                <link>https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/07/heres-how-investors-could-make-1654-a-month-in-retirement-from-just-20000-in-standard-life-shares/</link>
                                <pubDate>Thu, 07 May 2026 07:43:03 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Simon Watkins]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Dividend Shares]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=1688186</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Passive income seekers might overlook Standard Life shares, whose dividend machine is accelerating fast. The long-term payout maths is startling.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/07/heres-how-investors-could-make-1654-a-month-in-retirement-from-just-20000-in-standard-life-shares/">Here’s how investors could make £1,654 a month in retirement from just £20,000 in Standard Life shares</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
]]></description>
                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Standard Life</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-sdlf/">LSE: SDLF</a>) is a <strong>FTSE 100</strong> name whose shares seem purpose-built for generating huge passive income over time.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It is the kind of business whose model naturally converts long‑term customer commitments into reliable shareholder returns via dividends. And, with the right starting sum and returns reinvested, that income can grow into massive monthly payouts in retirement.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So what sort of figures are we looking at?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-dividends-forecast-to-keep-rising"><strong>Are dividends forecast to keep rising?</strong></h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Standard Life &#8212; under its previous incarnation of Phoenix Group Holdings &#8212; has long been a leader in FTSE dividends. Part of its core guiding principles is its progressive dividend policy. This involves management increasing the dividend alongside earnings per share, but not cutting it if earnings fall.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Over recent years, the UK’s largest long-term savings and retirement company raised its dividend from 47.5p in 2020 to 55.4p in 2025. These generated respective average annual dividend yields of 6.8%, 7.5%, 8.3%, 9.8%, 10.6%, and 6%.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The varying return rates, despite rising dividends, underline that these <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/how-to-value-shares/dividend-yield/">payouts can alter</a> with share prices.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Nevertheless, analysts forecast the dividends &#8212; and yields &#8212; will keep rising. Specifically, the projections are for dividend yields of 7.7% this year, 8% next year, and 8.3% in 2028.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">By contrast, the average FTSE 100 dividend yield is just 3.1%.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-this-mean-for-annual-income"><strong>What does this mean for annual income?</strong></h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A £20,000 holding (the same as I have) in Standard Life would make £25,736 in dividends after 10 years and £219,167 after 30 years.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The numbers assume the forecast 8.3% as an average and the dividends being reinvested into the stock. This harnesses the extraordinary turbocharging effect of ‘<a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/the-miracle-of-compound-returns/">dividend compounding</a>’.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">After 30 years on this basis, the holding’s total value would be £239,167 (including the initial £20,000).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And that would pay a monthly income of £1,654!</p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Standard Life Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:SDLF" data-range="5y" data-start-date="2021-05-07" data-end-date="2026-05-07" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-strong-does-the-business-look"><strong>How strong does the business look?</strong></h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As Standard Life’s rising dividends are directly linked to rising earnings, the outlook for these is crucial. A risk is tougher market conditions that could reduce fees on the assets it manages. Another is any regulatory change in the insurance sector that could squeeze its margins.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">However, analysts forecast its earnings will soar by an average of 47.6% a year over the medium term.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Its full-year 2025 results showed IFRS adjusted operating profit rose 15% year on year to £945m. This reflected stronger contributions from both the Pensions &amp; Savings and Retirement Solutions divisions. Meanwhile, contractual service margin grew 17% to £3.81bn, highlighting the huge store of future value that should continue driving earnings growth.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Management added that the firm should deliver another £500m of excess cash this year. And it reiterated it is on target to hit an adjusted operating profit of £1.1bn.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-my-investment-view"><strong>My investment view</strong></h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">With a long record of dependable dividends and a business model built on recurring cash flows, Standard Life looks well placed to keep rewarding long-term investors.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The latest results show a company generating strong profits and building a sizeable store of future value.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">For those focused on long‑term income, that combination remains hard to ignore. And I will certainly be adding to my holding in the firm, as well as looking at similar opportunities in other sectors that have caught my eye recently.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/07/heres-how-investors-could-make-1654-a-month-in-retirement-from-just-20000-in-standard-life-shares/">Here’s how investors could make £1,654 a month in retirement from just £20,000 in Standard Life shares</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                <title>How much is needed in a Stocks and Shares ISA to aim for an income of £9,874 a year?</title>
                <link>https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/02/how-much-is-needed-in-a-stocks-and-shares-isa-to-aim-for-an-income-of-9874-a-year/</link>
                                <pubDate>Sat, 02 May 2026 06:30:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[James Beard]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Dividend Shares]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=1682840</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Figures suggest that the average Civil Service pension is around £10,000. James Beard explains how a Stocks and Shares ISA could achieve something similar.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/02/how-much-is-needed-in-a-stocks-and-shares-isa-to-aim-for-an-income-of-9874-a-year/">How much is needed in a Stocks and Shares ISA to aim for an income of £9,874 a year?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
]]></description>
                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Although a Stocks and Shares ISA isn’t a pension scheme, it can help provide an income later in life. And one of the attractions of this particular investment product is that dividends can be earned tax-free. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">For those without an occupational pension – it’s estimated that around a quarter of private sector employees aren’t members of a workplace scheme &#8212; this could be one way of helping ease the financial pressure of retirement.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Historically, an advantage of working for the government has been the attractive pension on offer. Indeed, figures reveal that the typical Civil Service retiree is able to give up work three years earlier than their private sector counterpart. At this point, they will receive £9,874 a year.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But how much would be needed in an ISA to beat this figure? Let’s see.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice. Readers are responsible for carrying out their own due diligence and for obtaining professional advice before making any investment decisions</em>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-the-numbers-stack-up">How do the numbers stack up?</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The table below shows how a monthly investment of £200 would grow over 25 years depending on the annual return achieved.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table has-p-small-font-size"><table><thead><tr><th><strong>Annual return</strong></th><th><strong>ISA value</strong> (£)</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>5%</strong></td><td>117,624</td></tr><tr><td><strong>6%</strong></td><td>135,916</td></tr><tr><td><strong>7%</strong></td><td>157,493</td></tr><tr><td><strong>8%</strong></td><td>182,967</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><sup>Source: Hargreaves Lansdown&#8217;s investment calculator</sup></figcaption></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As an example, a portfolio of <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/how-to-value-shares/dividend-yield/">dividend shares paying 6.5% a year</a>, would produce an annual income of £10,237 on an ISA worth £157,493. This is more than the average Civil Service pension.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But is it really possible to find income stocks offering a return like this?</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Do you know the only thing that gives me pleasure? It&#8217;s to see my dividends coming in.</em></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">John D Rockefeller</p>
</blockquote>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-this-a-realistic-ambition">Is this a realistic ambition?</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The yield on <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/personal-finance/share-dealing/guides/what-is-the-ftse-100/">the <strong>FTSE 100</strong> </a>is currently (2 May) 3.1%. Delve deeper, and it’s possible to find 40 on the index paying more than this. In fact, seven are presently offering a return of 6% or more.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One of these is <strong>Standard Life</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-sdlf/">LSE:SDLF</a>). Until recently, it was known as Phoenix Group. Now, the company carries the name of its most famous brand. And it&#8217;s one of many offering Stocks and Shares ISAs.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Based on amounts declared over the past 12 months, the retirement specialist is yielding 7.2%. With this return, a £157,493 ISA would produce an annual income of £11,339.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Of course, dividends can never be guaranteed. They&#8217;re a distribution of profit and can therefore fluctuate in line with earnings.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Specifically, Standard Life’s payout could come under threat if its huge investment portfolio suffered losses due to global market uncertainty. It could also fall victim to increased competition in an industry that’s seeing a number of challenger brands looking to take market share.</p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Standard Life Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:SDLF" data-range="5y" data-start-date="2021-05-02" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">However, if history is anything to go by, Standard Life’s one of the most reliable dividend payers around.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Its payout’s been increased every year since 2016, following three years of it being maintained at 40.8p. For 2025, it paid 55.4p, 32% higher than 10 years earlier.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-right-place-right-time">Right place, right time</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Personally, I think it’s well placed to continue growing. The value of the UK retirement savings and income market is expected to increase from an estimated £3.6trn in 2024, to £6.1trn by 2034.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Standard Life also has a strong balance sheet, comfortably meeting all regulatory requirements. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Positively, investors appear to have bought into the investment case. Since recording a five-year low in October 2023, the group’s share price has risen over 70%.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Alongside its huge dividend yield, this makes me believe it’s a UK share to consider.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/02/how-much-is-needed-in-a-stocks-and-shares-isa-to-aim-for-an-income-of-9874-a-year/">How much is needed in a Stocks and Shares ISA to aim for an income of £9,874 a year?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                <title>How these 2 dividend shares could help an ISA investor target a £1,639 income in 2026</title>
                <link>https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/01/how-these-2-dividend-shares-could-help-an-isa-investor-target-a-1639-income-in-2026/</link>
                                <pubDate>Fri, 01 May 2026 12:21:41 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Harvey Jones]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Dividend Shares]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=1685650</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Harvey Jones picks out two FTSE 100 dividend shares with stunning yields, and examines whether their shareholder payouts are sustainable.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/01/how-these-2-dividend-shares-could-help-an-isa-investor-target-a-1639-income-in-2026/">How these 2 dividend shares could help an ISA investor target a £1,639 income in 2026</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
]]></description>
                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The <strong>FTSE 100</strong> boasts some of the most exciting dividend shares in the world. Today, it’s possible to get yields of 6%, 7%, even 8% from UK blue-chips, smashing the return on cash. So what&#8217;s out there?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Let&#8217;s start right at the top. The two highest yielders are both insurance companies. Their names? <strong>Legal &amp; General Group</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-lgen/">LSE: LGEN</a>) and <strong>Standard Life </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-sdlf/">LSE: SDLF</a>), which recently rebranded from Phoenix Group. Today, they yield 8.66% and 7.33%, respectively.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-so-how-much-income-would-an-investor-get">So how much income would an investor get?</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Now let&#8217;s say an investor split their entire £20,000 <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/personal-finance/share-dealing/stocks-and-shares-isa/">Stocks and Shares ISA</a> contribution equally between these two high-yield heroes. They&#8217;re forecast to yield 8.83% and 7.56% across 2026, respectively. The combined average yield is just under 8.2%. Based on that, somebody who invested a £20k ISA would potentially deliver a beefy income of £1,639 in the year ahead.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I think that&#8217;s a terrific return, and any share price growth is on top (the shares could fall, of course). The yield is likely to climb after that as both companies plan to increase shareholder payouts by around 2% a year. Also, if an investor reinvests their dividends they&#8217;ll accumulate even more shares, and get more income. That&#8217;s the beauty of long-term investing, as the total return <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/the-miracle-of-compound-returns/">compounds over time</a>.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">My simple table shows how their yields are expected to build, based on today’s share prices. Not guaranteed, of course.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Stock</strong></td><td><strong>2025 trailing yield</strong></td><td><strong>2026 forecast yield</strong></td><td><strong>2027 forecast yield</strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Legal &amp; General</strong></td><td>8.66%</td><td>8.83%</td><td>9.05%</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Standard Life</strong></td><td>7.33%</td><td>7.56%</td><td>7.83%</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So why are their yields so high? Both stocks have a good track record of increasing shareholder payouts, with only a handful of hiccups. Their shares have been less consistent.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Legal &amp; General share price is up just 4% over the last year, and down around 10% over five. The Standard Life share price has climbed 26% in the last year, but that follows a bumpy 2023 and 2024. Over five years its shares are up just 5%. Investors will still be comfortably ahead with dividends reinvested. They&#8217;ve yielded 10% at times.</p>


<div class="tmf-chart-multipleseries" data-title="Standard Life Plc + Legal &amp; General Group plc Price" data-tickers="LSE:SDLF LSE:LGEN" data-range="5y" data-start-date="" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So are those yields sustainable? One way of measuring this is to look at the company’s Solvency II ratio. At Legal &amp; General, it’s a solid 220%. That dipped slightly in 2025, but mostly because it launched a £1.2bn <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/understanding-the-market/share-buybacks/">share buyback</a>, the biggest in its history.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-these-income-heroes-worth-buying">Are these income heroes worth buying?</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Standard Life’s Solvency II ratio was 176% in 2025. That’s nicely within its target range of 140%–180%, supported by strong operating <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/understanding-company-accounts/the-cash-flow-statement/">cash generation</a>. I think the income should hold, but dividends are never guaranteed.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Every stock has risks. Today&#8217;s wider uncertainty could rattle the shares, and hit the value of assets under management. They also need to pioneer new areas of business to keep the cash flowing, in a competitive market. Legal &amp; General looks good value with a modest forward price-to-earnings ratio of 8.7. Standard Life is pricier at around 17, which reflects the recent share price spike. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I hold both stocks myself, and I think they&#8217;re a terrific way to generate long-term dividend income, and with luck, share price growth too. I think they&#8217;re well worth considering today, to build long-term wealth for retirement.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/05/01/how-these-2-dividend-shares-could-help-an-isa-investor-target-a-1639-income-in-2026/">How these 2 dividend shares could help an ISA investor target a £1,639 income in 2026</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                <title>How big a Stocks and Shares ISA is needed to target a £2,932 monthly passive income?</title>
                <link>https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/30/how-much-is-needed-in-a-stocks-and-shares-isa-to-target-a-2932-monthly-passive-income/</link>
                                <pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:41:57 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Christopher Ruane]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Dividend Shares]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=1684839</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Christopher Ruane explains more than one approach someone could use as they try and turn a Stocks and Shares ISA into a serious passive income machine.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/30/how-much-is-needed-in-a-stocks-and-shares-isa-to-target-a-2932-monthly-passive-income/">How big a Stocks and Shares ISA is needed to target a £2,932 monthly passive income?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
]]></description>
                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Can you realistically target a passive income totalling thousands of pounds a month simply from the dividends paid by a Stocks and Shares ISA? The short answer is <span style="text-decoration: underline">yes</span>.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Here, for example, are a couple of different ways to target a monthly passive income of £2,932 from a Stocks and Shares ISA.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-explaining-some-basic-assumptions">Explaining some basic assumptions</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In both examples I presume either a compound annual growth rate of 7% or a dividend yield of 7%.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/investment-glossary/">compound annual growth rate</a> consists of any dividends paid plus share price growth, though share price declines could eat into it. Is a 7% goal realistic when the current <strong>FTSE 100 </strong>dividend yield is hovering close to 3%?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I think so, whether for compound annual growth or dividend yield, if someone carefully chooses the right blue-chip shares. Of course, dealing costs, fees and charges could eat into returns, so it is important to select a well-chosen <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/personal-finance/share-dealing/stocks-and-shares-isa/">Stocks and Shares ISA</a> too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-starting-with-a-lump-sum">Starting with a lump sum</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Generating £2,932 of dividends a month on average at a 7% yield would need an ISA worth close to £503k. If someone had an ISA that big – and some actually do – they could get going immediately.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taking-the-slow-and-steady-approach">Taking the slow and steady approach</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">For those who do not have such a large ISA already – or perhaps none at all – there is fortunately a different approach. Putting £20k a year into the ISA and <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/the-miracle-of-compound-returns/">compounding</a> it at 7% annually, after 15 years it should be big enough that a 7% dividend yield would mean the investor could then hit the passive income target I mentioned.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Yes, this is a <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/getting-started-in-investing/foolish-investing-taking-the-long-term-approach/">long-term approach to investing</a>. But I do not think waiting 15 years is unreasonable to go from a standing start to hopefully earning thousands of pounds each month.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-bother-with-an-isa">Why bother with an ISA?</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The above approach could work with a standard share-dealing account, incidentally. So why have I focused on the ISA opportunity?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The ISA allows capital gains or dividends inside the ISA to compound tax-free. That’s why!</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>Please note that tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in future. The content in this article is provided for information purposes only. It is not intended to be, neither does it constitute, any form of tax advice. Readers are responsible for carrying out their own due diligence and for obtaining professional advice before making any investment decisions.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-7-4-yielding-share-to-consider">A 7.4%-yielding share to consider</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One share I think investors ought to consider at the moment is <strong>FTSE 100</strong> financial services company <strong>Standard Life </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-sdlf/">LSE: SDLF</a>).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It has what is known as a progressive dividend policy, meaning it aims to grow its payout per share each year. It has done just that in recent years and so the current dividend yield is 7.4%.</p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Standard Life Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:SDLF" data-range="5y" data-start-date="" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There is no guarantee that dividends will last at any company though. Standard Life faces multiple risks. It manages hundreds of billions of pounds in assets and when those change in value it can sometimes force the firm to write their value down, hurting earnings.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">For example, the company’s mortgage book valuation could potentially need to be written down in value if the property market slumps.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Still, with multiple long-established brands, deep financial markets expertise and a customer base that equates to one in five British adults, I see a lot to like here.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/30/how-much-is-needed-in-a-stocks-and-shares-isa-to-target-a-2932-monthly-passive-income/">How big a Stocks and Shares ISA is needed to target a £2,932 monthly passive income?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                <title>How many Standard Life shares must an investor buy to give up work and live off the income?</title>
                <link>https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/28/how-many-standard-life-shares-must-an-investor-buy-to-give-up-work-and-live-off-the-income/</link>
                                <pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:54:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Simon Watkins]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Dividend Shares]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=1683324</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Standard Life shares could be hiding one of the market’s most powerful long-term income engines — and the latest numbers hint there may be far more to come.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/28/how-many-standard-life-shares-must-an-investor-buy-to-give-up-work-and-live-off-the-income/">How many Standard Life shares must an investor buy to give up work and live off the income?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
]]></description>
                                                                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Standard Life</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-sdlf/">LSE: SDLF</a>) shares remain a core part of my portfolio designed to maximise dividend income in retirement.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The UK’s largest long-term savings and retirement company &#8212; until very recently better known as Phoenix Group Holdings &#8212; currently yields 7.2%. But analysts forecast that it will rise to 7.4% this year, 7.6% next year, and 7.9% in 2028.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I am not entirely sure when I want to retire yet, as I enjoy what I do. But what if some decided to do so this year? How many Standard Life shares would they need to generate an income that matches the £45,000 mean average UK salary?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-the-numbers-stack-up"><strong>How do the numbers stack up?</strong></h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Assuming this year’s forecast 7.4% dividend yield, they would need a capital pot of £608,108 to hit a £45,000 annual income. This equates to 79,491 shares in Standard Life at the current price of £7.65.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">By comparison, the current average dividend yield of the <strong>FTSE 100</strong> is just 3.1%. So, they would need more than double the capital pot &#8212; £1,451,613 to be precise &#8212; in an index tracker to generate the same £45,000 annual income.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">That said, these are not the sort of sums to be found down the side of a sofa all of a sudden. But sizeable retirement pots can be generated from relatively small, monthly investments over time, especially if the turbocharging power of ‘<a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/the-miracle-of-compound-returns/">dividend compounding</a>’ is used.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But does the business look a solid investment over the long term?</p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Standard Life Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:SDLF" data-range="5y" data-start-date="2021-04-28" data-end-date="2026-04-28" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-does-the-core-business-look-from-here"><strong>How does the core business look from here?</strong></h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Earnings growth is the key driver for rising dividends over time. Analysts forecast that Standard Life’s will soar by a whopping average of 48.9% every year over the medium term, at minimum.&nbsp;</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A risk to this growth is the high level of competition in the sector that could squeeze the firm’s margins. Another is any further rise in the cost of living, which could prompt clients to cancel their policies.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Nevertheless, its recently released 2025 results saw adjusted <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/understanding-company-accounts/the-profit-and-loss-account/">operating profit</a> surge 15% to £945m and total cash generation at £1.7bn. Both were ahead of analysts’ respective expectations of £937m and £1.66bn.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Management said it remains on course to deliver another £500m of excess cash this year. And it added that the firm is on track to achieve its target of £1.1bn of adjusted operating profit this year.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Taken together, Standard Life is throwing off the kind of dependable financial firepower that underpins rising dividends, in my view. And management’s confident guidance only strengthens the case for it as a long‑term income powerhouse, I feel.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-my-investment-view"><strong>My investment view</strong></h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Standard Life has its risks, like all firms, but its latest results show a business generating rising profits and surplus cash with real consistency. That strong financial momentum gives me confidence it can support dependable, growing dividends for many years to come.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">With management guiding firmly towards higher operating profits and continued excess cash, I see it as a financially robust income compounder. And that combination makes it perfectly placed to anchor my retirement portfolio.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I may not choose to retire any time soon, but when I do, I expect this star holding to deliver serious dividend income and believe it is worth other investors&#8217; research time.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I also have my eye on other high-yielding stocks that could strengthen my retirement portfolio further.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/28/how-many-standard-life-shares-must-an-investor-buy-to-give-up-work-and-live-off-the-income/">How many Standard Life shares must an investor buy to give up work and live off the income?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                <title>Here are the secrets behind the FTSE 100&#8217;s success!</title>
                <link>https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/23/here-are-the-secrets-behind-the-ftse-100s-success/</link>
                                <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 05:30:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Cliff D'Arcy]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Dividend Shares]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=1680396</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>The FTSE 100 was overlooked, undervalued, and unloved for too many years. But it's made a comeback since 2021. Here's how investors have made big profits.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/23/here-are-the-secrets-behind-the-ftse-100s-success/">Here are the secrets behind the FTSE 100&#8217;s success!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The <strong>FTSE 100</strong> is London&#8217;s leading stock market index. It includes 100 of the largest UK-listed companies, with this list rebalancing every quarter. Many of these companies are household names with markets spanning the globe. Together, these Footsie firms are worth over £2.4trn, with their individual market values ranging from £3.2bn to £232.8bn.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Read on to learn two hidden secrets behind the FTSE 100&#8217;s triumph!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fabulous-ftse">Fabulous FTSE</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The FTSE 100 (FTSE is short for Financial Times Stock Exchange) &#8212; launched in January 1984, priced at 1,000 points. It began actively trading in April 1984, shortly after my 16th birthday. I remember the fanfare at the time as TV stations and newspapers celebrated this financial leap forward.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As I write, the index stands at 10,497.30 points &#8212; around 10.5 times its starting level in 42 years. That works out to a compound growth rate of nearly 5.8% a year. To me, this hardly seems a decent return for the risks of investing in volatile shares. However, there&#8217;s something important missing from this analysis.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-delicious-dividends">Delicious dividends</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/how-shares-are-taxed-2/how-dividends-are-taxed/">Dividends</a> are cash payments &#8212; usually regular, but sometimes one-offs &#8212; paid by companies to their shareholder owners. While most listed businesses don&#8217;t pay dividends, almost all FTSE 100 firms do. However, future dividends are not guaranteed, so they can be cut or cancelled. This happened often during the Covid-19 crisis of 2020/21 (the pandemic now seems like a fever dream to me!).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This year, <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/personal-finance/share-dealing/guides/what-is-the-ftse-100/">Footsie</a> companies are expected to pay out £88bn in dividends. I&#8217;m a huge fan of this &#8216;free money&#8217;, so my family portfolio owns at least 25 FTSE 100 and <strong>FTSE 250</strong> shares.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">During times of crisis and major stock market crashes, the Footsie&#8217;s dividend yield has surged as high as 8% a year. Currently, after strong gains for the index, this cash yield is around 3% a year. As an added bonus, many companies keep raising their dividends year after year.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-buyback-boost">Buyback boost</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Another boost for FTSE 100 investors comes from share buybacks, when companies use their cash reserves to purchase (and usually cancel) their own shares. This reduces their share bases, lifting future returns for patient shareholders.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-dividend-dynamo">A dividend dynamo</h2>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Standard Life Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:SDLF" data-range="5y" data-start-date="" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>




<p class="wp-block-paragraph">For example, my family owns shares in <strong>Standard Life</strong> (<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-sdlf/">LSE: SDLF</a>) &#8212; formerly Phoenix Group Holdings &#8212; largely for their juicy dividend yield. Standard Life is Britain&#8217;s leading provider of long-term savings and investment plans. It also buys and then runs off investment and pension funds from other firms.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The UK pension-transfer market is booming, boosting Standard Life&#8217;s share price close to all-time highs. As I write, it stands at 776.2p, valuing this retirement specialist at £7.8bn. The shares are up 33.5% over one year, but only 7.4% over five years (excluding dividends).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">My family paid 544.4p a share for our stake in August 2023, so we are sitting on a paper profit of 42.6%. However, by reinvesting all our dividends to date, our achieved return is considerably higher.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Finally, Standard Life just agreed to buy rival Aegon UK for £2bn in cash and shares, gaining 3.7m customers. If this deal goes bad, then it could harm the group&#8217;s future revenues, earnings, and cash flows. Even so, I hope to keep banking these delightful dividends!</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/23/here-are-the-secrets-behind-the-ftse-100s-success/">Here are the secrets behind the FTSE 100&#8217;s success!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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                                <title>How much could spending just £5 a day on UK shares earn in passive income?</title>
                <link>https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/22/how-much-could-spending-just-5-a-day-on-uk-shares-earn-in-passive-income/</link>
                                <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:20:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator><![CDATA[Christopher Ruane]]></dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Dividend Shares]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Investing Articles]]></category>

                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/?p=1680564</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<p>Sticking to UK shares in well-known companies, our writer shows how £5 a day could be used to target over £25 per week of passive income within a decade.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/22/how-much-could-spending-just-5-a-day-on-uk-shares-earn-in-passive-income/">How much could spending just £5 a day on UK shares earn in passive income?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Lots of UK shares pay dividends. Basically that is a way for companies that generate more cash than they need to run their business to reward their investors.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">That helps explain why dividends are never guaranteed. Companies might not generate enough spare cash, or may have other uses for it.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But lots of UK shares do pay dividends. In fact, just the 100 biggest companies listed on the London market (the <strong>FTSE 100</strong>) pay out well over £1bn per week on average in dividends.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">That can be a lucrative source of passive income. So, what does someone have to do to get their hands on some of it?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-matching-the-method-to-your-means">Matching the method to your means</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This, I think, is where things get interesting!</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Beyond owning the shares, someone does not need to do anything to get dividends they pay. So, they can put money into the share, sit back, and then let the dividends flow (depending on whether that company pays them).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This, then, is truly what I would call a <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/getting-started-in-investing/passive-income-ideas/">passive income</a> source.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Not only that, but the amount invested can vary depending to someone’s means. They can put in as little or as much as they choose.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-fiver-a-day-can-go-a-long-way">A fiver a day can go a long way!</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Say, for example, that someone wants to invest £5 per day in UK dividend shares. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">They could do that through an investing platform such as a <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/personal-finance/share-dealing/buy-shares/">share-dealing account</a> or <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/personal-finance/share-dealing/stocks-and-shares-isa/">Stocks and Shares ISA</a>.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As dividends are never guaranteed – and shares also carry the risk of capital loss – a smart investor will spread that amount over different shares.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Imagine they keep up this fiver a day investment habit, <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/investing-basics/the-miracle-of-compound-returns/">compounding</a> (reinvesting) dividends at 6% annually. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Doing that for a decade, the portfolio should be worth around £24k. At a 6% yield, that would equate to an annual passive income of roughly £1,443, or nearly £28 per week.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-on-the-hunt-for-income-shares-to-buy">On the hunt for income shares to buy</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As well as diversifying, it matters what shares an investor buys – and what they pay for them.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One UK income share I think merits consideration is <strong>FTSE 100</strong> financial services firm <strong>Standard Life </strong>(<a class="tickerized-link" href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/tickers/lse-sdlf/">LSE: SDLF</a>), recently renamed from Phoenix Group.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The company’s business model is both simple and complex.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It is simple because it basically consists of managing retirement and pension accounts for millions of people – roughly one in five British adults, in fact.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">That is also complex, though, as managing hundreds of billions of pounds in assets involves risk. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">For example, Standard Life has a large mortgage book. So, if the property market suddenly weakens, it could need to write down some of its valuations, eating into earnings.</p>


<div class="tmf-chart-singleseries" data-title="Standard Life Plc Price" data-ticker="LSE:SDLF" data-range="5y" data-start-date="" data-end-date="" data-comparison-value=""></div>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Still, Standard Life is a sophisticated organisation with deep experience of the financial markets. That has helped it grow its dividend per share annually in recent years, something it aims to keep doing.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Its large customer base and powerful brands could help it as it aims to achieve that goal. Even at today’s level, the dividend yield is a juicy 7.1%.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com/2026/04/22/how-much-could-spending-just-5-a-day-on-uk-shares-earn-in-passive-income/">How much could spending just £5 a day on UK shares earn in passive income?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://stage2026.twelfthmagpie.com">The Twelfth Magpie</a>.</p>
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