JOHN HANCOCK PREMIUM DIVIDEND FUND NOTICE TO SHAREHOLDERS - SOURCES OF DISTRIBUTION UNDER SECTION 19(a)

Rhea-AI Summary

John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) declared its monthly distribution of $0.0825 per share payable March 31, 2026 to shareholders of record March 12, 2026 under its managed distribution plan.

The Fund estimates the March distribution was funded 96% by net investment income, 1% by long-term capital gains and 3% by return of capital. Fiscal year-to-date distributions total $0.4125 per share. Annualized distribution rate was 6.55% of NAV as of Feb 28, 2026.

Positive

• Monthly distribution of $0.0825 per share
• 96% of current distribution from net investment income
• Fiscal YTD distributions total $0.4125 per share
• Annualized distribution rate 6.55% of NAV

Negative

• Portion of March distribution (3%) characterized as return of capital
• Fund estimates it distributed more than its income and realized gains

BOSTON, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC and subadvised by Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, announced today sources of its monthly distribution of $0.0825 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of March 12, 2026, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.     

Notification of Sources of Distribution

This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) with important information concerning the distribution declared on March 2, 2026, and payable on March 31, 2026. No action is required on your part.

Distribution Period:	March 2026
Distribution Amount Per Common Share:	$0.0825

The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable March 31, 2026, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.

		For the period 03/01/2026-03/31/2026				For the fiscal year-to-date period 11/01/2025-03/31/2026 1
Source		Current Distribution ($)		% Breakdown of the Current Distribution		Total Cumulative Distributions ($)		% Breakdown of the Total Cumulative Distributions
Net Investment Income		0.0789		96 %		0.3199		78 %
Net Realized Short- Term Capital Gains		0.0000		0 %		0.0140		3 %
Net Realized Long- Term Capital Gains		0.0011		1 %		0.0786		19 %
Return of Capital or Other Capital Source		0.0025		3 %		0.0000		0 %
Total per common share		0.0825		100 %		0.4125		100 %
___________________________
1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on November 1, 2025 and will end on October 31, 2026.
Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on February 28, 2026								11.55 %
Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of February 28, 2026								6.55 %
Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through February 28, 2026								10.75 %
Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of February 28, 2026								2.73 %

You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan.

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital.  A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you.  A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes.  The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations.  The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund has declared the March 2026 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan").  Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.0825 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the Manulife John Hancock Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing.

About Manulife John Hancock Investments

We serve investors through a unique multimanager approach, complementing our extensive in-house capabilities with an unrivaled network of specialized asset managers, backed by some of the most rigorous investment oversight in the industry. The result is a diverse lineup of time-tested investments from a premier asset manager with a heritage of financial stewardship.

About Manulife Wealth & Asset Management

As part of Manulife Financial Corporation, Manulife Wealth & Asset Management provides global investment, financial advice, and retirement plan services to 19 million individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. Our mission is to make decisions easier and lives better by empowering people today to invest for a better tomorrow. As a committed partner to our clients and as a responsible steward of investor capital, we offer a heritage of risk management, deep expertise across public and private markets, and comprehensive retirement plan services. We seek to provide better investment and impact outcomes and to help people confidently save and invest for a more secure financial future. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

Media Contact:	Gordon Haight (617) 572-0034
Investor Contact:	(800) 843-0090

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SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management

FAQ

What distribution did John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (PDT) declare for March 2026?

The Fund declared a monthly distribution of $0.0825 per share, payable March 31, 2026. According to the Fund, shareholders of record on March 12, 2026 were eligible under its managed distribution plan.

How much of PDT's March 2026 distribution was return of capital?

The Fund estimates 3% of the March 2026 distribution was return of capital. According to the Fund, this reflects estimated sources and does not necessarily indicate tax characterization until year-end reporting.

What were the primary sources of PDT's March 2026 distribution?

Approximately 96% from net investment income, 1% from long-term capital gains, and 3% return of capital. According to the Fund, amounts are estimates and may change for tax reporting.

What is PDT's fiscal year-to-date distribution per share through March 31, 2026?

Fiscal year-to-date distributions equal $0.4125 per share through March 31, 2026. According to the Fund, that total represents cumulative distributions since the fiscal year began November 1, 2025.

What is PDT's annualized distribution rate as of February 28, 2026?

The Fund's annualized current distribution rate was 6.55% of NAV as of February 28, 2026. According to the Fund, this expresses the distribution rate relative to NAV at that date.

Will PDT provide tax reporting for the March 2026 distribution (PDT)?

Yes. The Fund will send a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year indicating tax treatment of distributions. According to the Fund, the listed source estimates are not final tax determinations.