Dollar-Cost Averaging for segregated fund contracts

An easier way to navigate volatile markets

Reap the benefits of the Manulife Dollar-Cost Averaging Program

No one likes to miss out on market gains, but it’s understandable to be concerned about market volatility and investment timing. Dollar-cost averaging can give investors a systematic approach to investing in the markets over time.

If you’re concerned about the current state of the financial markets and wondering about the right time to invest, Manulife Investment Management offers a dollar-cost averaging solution for investors looking to spread out their purchases in segregated funds and take advantage of market fluctuations.

Please check the fund profiles at the time of initial and any subsequent deposits for current rates*.


* Interest rates are subject to change daily and without notice.

How it works?

Initial deposits can be made to the Manulife Dollar-Cost Averaging Program with instructions to process systematic switches over a maximum of 12 months. Each switch will be a fixed amount funded by the original investment in the fund.


Manulife Dollar-Cost Averaging Program — At a glance

 

Dollar-Cost Averaging Program

Investment objective

The fund seeks to provide investors with interest income by generally holding all of its portfolio assets on deposit in a demand deposit (cashable) account with an administered interest rate at its affiliate, Manulife Bank of Canada.

Target investor

The Manulife Dollar-Cost Averaging Program is intended to help take advantage of fluctuating prices by systematically investing in the market without the challenge of trying to determine the best times to invest. Over time, dollar-cost averaging can help to lower the average price per unit purchased and provide the potential for higher capital appreciation.

Products

Deposit minimums

  • $2,000 in all products except MPIP Segregated Pools
  • $5,000 in MPIP Segregated Pools

MER

Currently, the MER is 0%. As noted in the Fund Facts, Manulife is presently waiving the management fee of this fund. We reserve the right to charge up to 1%.

Timing

Up to 12 months allowed for scheduled switches to destination fund(s) with at least two scheduled switches. Funds must be switched out within 12 months of deposit.

Frequency of switches

Options include weekly, bi-weekly or monthly switches. A date within the range of the 1ˢᵗ - 28ᵗʰ of the month can be chosen for the recurring monthly switch option.

Interest rate*

Please check the fund profiles at the time of initial and any subsequent deposits for current rates*.
 

 

*The current rate can be found on the fund profiles.

Switches-in

Switches into the Manulife Dollar-Cost Averaging Program and Pre-Authorized Chequing (PAC) deposits are not permitted; the fund is only available to new deposits. However, a transfer of funds from another contract can be deposited to the Manulife Dollar-Cost Averaging Program.

Switches-out

Switches out of the Manulife Dollar-Cost Averaging Program are permitted to all asset-type funds or pools within the same sales charge, excluding the Manulife High Interest Savings Fund.

Manulife Dollar-Cost Averaging Program — Frequently asked questions for advisors

1. In which segregated fund contracts can the Manulife Dollar-Cost Averaging Program be purchased? 

The Manulife Dollar-Cost Averaging Program is available for new deposits within the following segregated fund contracts:

2. How can I submit Manulife Dollar-Cost Averaging Program instructions?

You can submit Manulife Dollar-Cost Averaging Program instructions electronically using Online Transactions. If you’re submitting paperwork manually to Head Office for processing, you must complete the Manulife Dollar-Cost Averaging Program form (MK1412).

3. What happens if switch instructions are not given following the deposit?

Within a few days following the deposit into the Manulife Dollar-Cost Averaging Program, a communication is sent to the advisor confirming the deposit was made, and switch instructions are needed with the Manulife Dollar-Cost Averaging Program form. A reminder request for switch instructions is sent 30 days after the deposit. A final request for switch instructions will be sent 90 days after the initial deposit.

4. What happens if Manulife does not receive switch instructions?

If Manulife doesn’t receive the paperwork within 90 days, the investment will be moved to the Manulife High Interest Savings Fund, and advisor commissions will be charged back.

5. Is the Manulife Dollar-Cost Averaging Program rate different for mutual funds and segregated funds?

The funds are not the same. The rate credited and the timing of rate changes may be different.

6. Can I switch money that’s already invested in a segregated fund contract into the Manulife Dollar-Cost Averaging Program?

No, the Manulife Dollar-Cost Averaging Program is only available for new deposits. If you want to dollar-cost average using existing funds, systematic switches can be set up using the Fund Switches and Transitions form (NN0827). A transfer from another contract is considered a sell/buy and therefore can be deposited to the Manulife Dollar-Cost Averaging Program.  


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1 The Manulife Dollar-Cost Averaging Fund will provide a 2.75% rate of return (annualized), effective as of February 6, 2023.

2 The Manager pays all of the operating expenses for the Manulife Dollar-Cost Averaging Fund, other than commissions and brokerage fees.

3 MPIP-eligible Money Market series have been capped for new purchases (including PACs and switches-in from non-MPIP funds). Only switches-in from MPIP pools and trusts are allowed.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the fund facts as well as the prospectus before investing. Mutual fund securities are not covered by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or by any other government deposit insurer. There can be no assurances that the fund will be able to maintain its net asset value per security at a constant amount or that the full amount of your investment in the fund will be returned to you. Past performance may not be repeated.

Any amount that is allocated to a segregated fund is invested at the risk of the contractholder and may increase or decrease in value.