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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 FsrcWH/WOk3jzkvd4EPYgZNjiUyLkqlxC19osjQTy/pfKQ+U4T0yRC4M8KiK2+fs
 NhFV+4hkdCla5ofP0OKsMw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127563-06-000004.txt : 20060315
<SEC-HEADER>0001127563-06-000004.hdr.sgml : 20060315
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20060315143123
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127563-06-000004
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20060131
FILED AS OF DATE:		20060315
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20060315

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AEW REAL ESTATE INCOME FUND
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001191256
		IRS NUMBER:				000000000

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		399 BOYLSTON ST
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02116
		BUSINESS PHONE:		800-399-7788

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		399 BOYLSTON ST
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02116

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GIFFORD ROBERT GARY
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001265465

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-21206
		FILM NUMBER:		06687774

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		TWO SEAPORT LANE
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02110
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-01-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001191256</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AEW REAL ESTATE INCOME FUND</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>RIF</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001265465</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GIFFORD ROBERT GARY</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>TWO SEAPORT LANE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02110</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Dir. of Affiliate of Adviser</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Robert Gifford</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-03-14</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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