What term describes retained earnings after dividends have been paid?

The term that describes retained earnings after dividends have been paid is "earned surplus." This reflects the cumulative amount of profits that a company has retained for reinvestment in the business, rather than distributing it to shareholders as dividends. Retained earnings, also known as earned surplus, represent the portion of net income not paid out as dividends but reinvested in the company or kept as a reserve for contingencies. This retained amount is an essential component of shareholder equity and signifies the company's ability to fund growth, operations, and projects without needing external financing.

Operating income refers to the profit a company makes from its operational activities, not accounting for dividends. Distributable surplus generally pertains to a company's available profits that can be distributed to its shareholders but doesn't specifically denote the retained earnings after dividends. Cash reserves refer to liquid assets available to a company for immediate use, which are not necessarily tied to retained earnings. Thus, the most accurate term illustrating retained earnings post-dividend distributions is earned surplus.