Unum Group Raises Quarterly Dividend 9.78%

Unum Group (NYSE: UNM) increased its quarterly dividend to $0.505 per share from $0.46, a 9.78% rise. The shares traded ex-dividend on July 24, 2026.

The new rate equates to an annual dividend of $2.02 per share. Based on a share price of $87.77, the forward annual yield is 2.3%. Unum’s board authorized the increase as part of the company’s continuing capital-return program, according to its dividend announcement.

The increase extends Unum’s record of annual dividend growth to 17 consecutive years. The company previously cut its dividend in 2003. Its current dividend safety score is 93 out of 100, corresponding to an A grade.

Business and financial context

Unum is a financial-services company focused on workplace benefits. Its products include disability, life, accident, critical-illness, dental and vision coverage, with operations in the United States, the United Kingdom and Poland. The company reports through core businesses including Unum US, Unum International and Colonial Life, alongside its Closed Block and corporate operations, according to its annual filing.

Recent operating results provide context for the board’s decision. In its second-quarter update, Unum reported continued premium growth, healthy margins in its core operations and a balance sheet that management characterized as strong. Chief Executive Richard McKenney said the company’s cash-flow profile had supported substantial capital returns while its diversified employee-benefits model and capital position allowed management to remain focused on long-term shareholder value. Unum’s second-quarter results also highlighted continued work to reduce risk in the Closed Block through a long-term-care reinsurance transaction.

What it means for income investors

The higher payout raises the annualized income generated by each share while preserving Unum’s quarterly distribution schedule. The 17-year growth record and A safety grade indicate a historically consistent and currently well-covered dividend profile, though the 2.3% forward yield remains dependent on the stated share price and will move as the stock price changes.