UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.  )

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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

Check the appropriate box:

¨  Preliminary Proxy Statement

¨ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

¨  Definitive Proxy Statement

x  Definitive Additional Materials

¨  Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

Ares Real Estate Income Trust Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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x  No fee required.

¨  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

¨ Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11

Your Vote Counts! ARES REAL ESTATE INCOME TRUST INC. 2023 Annual Meeting Vote by July 5, 2023 11:59 PM ET You invested in ARES REAL ESTATE INCOME TRUST INC. and it’s time to vote! You have the right to vote on proposals being presented at the Annual Meeting. This is an important notice regarding the availability of proxy material for the stockholder meeting to be held on July 6, 2023. Get informed before you vote View the Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report online OR you can receive a free paper or email copy of the material(s) by requesting prior to June 22, 2023. If you would like to request a copy of the material(s) for this and/or future stockholder meetings, you may (1) visit www.ProxyVote.com, (2) call 1-800-579-1639 or (3) send an email to sendmaterial@proxyvote.com. If sending an email, please include your control number (indicated below) in the subject line. Unless requested, you will not otherwise receive a paper or email copy. Vote in Person at the Meeting* July 6, 2023 11:00 AM MDT The Tabor Center 1200 Seventeenth Street Denver, Colorado 80202 *Please check the meeting materials for any special requirements for meeting attendance. At the meeting, you will need to request a ballot to vote these shares. Smartphone users Point your camera here and vote without entering a control number For complete information and to vote, visit www.ProxyVote.com Control # V10453-P93083-Z84886 ARES REAL ESTATE INCOME TRUST INC. P.O. BOX 219079 KANSAS CITY, MO 64121 V1.2

THIS IS NOT A VOTABLE BALLOT This is an overview of the proposals being presented at the upcoming stockholder meeting. Please follow the instructions on the reverse side to vote these important matters. Vote at www.ProxyVote.com Prefer to receive an email instead? While voting on www.ProxyVote.com, be sure to click “Delivery Settings”. Voting Items Board Recommends V10454-P93083-Z84886 1. Election of Directors Nominees: 1c. Jay W. Glaubach 1a. David A. Roth 1d. Charles B. Duke 1b. Rajat Dhanda 1e. Daniel J. Sullivan 1f. John P. Woodberry 1g. Brian P. Mathis 2. Ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2023. For For For For For For For For