# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000916053
**File Stem:** 0001104659-23-011800
**Filing Date:** 2023-2
**Character Count:** 2107792
**Document Hash:** 7e5a1362cb80c600f0581262ed55a8cf
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001104659-23-011800.hdr.sgml**: 20230207

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001104659-23-011800

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 497

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 1

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20230207

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20230207

**EFFECTIVENESS DATE**: 20230207

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** MASSMUTUAL SELECT FUNDS
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000916053
- **IRS NUMBER:** 000000000
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** MA
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 0930

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 497
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 033-73824
- **FILM NUMBER:** 23596150

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 1295 STATE STREET
- **CITY:** SPRINGFIELD
- **STATE:** MA
- **ZIP:** 01111
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 413-744-1000

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 1295 STATE STREET
- **CITY:** SPRINGFIELD
- **STATE:** MA
- **ZIP:** 01111

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** MASSMUTUAL INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19931213

## Series and Classes Contracts Data

### MassMutual Growth Opportunities Fund (Series ID: S000003656)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class A              | MMAAX         | C000010167 |
| Administrative Class | MAGLX         | C000010168 |
| Class R3             | MMANX         | C000010169 |
| Class R5             | MGRSX         | C000010170 |
| Service Class        | MAGYX         | C000010171 |
| Class I              | MMAZX         | C000108420 |
| Class R4             | MMGFX         | C000140350 |
| Class Y              | nan           | C000240787 |

---

### MassMutual Blue Chip Growth Fund (Series ID: S000003658)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class A              | MBCGX         | C000010176 |
| Administrative Class | MBCLX         | C000010177 |
| Class R3             | MBCNX         | C000010178 |
| Class R5             | MBCSX         | C000010179 |
| Service Class        | MBCYX         | C000010180 |
| Class I              | MBCZX         | C000140351 |
| Class R4             | MBGFX         | C000140352 |
| Class Y              | nan           | C000240788 |

---

### MassMutual Fundamental Value Fund (Series ID: S000003659)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class A              | MFUAX         | C000010181 |
| Administrative Class | MFULX         | C000010182 |
| Class R3             | MFUNX         | C000010183 |
| Class R5             | MVUSX         | C000010184 |
| Service Class        | MFUYX         | C000010185 |
| Class I              | MFUZX         | C000093668 |
| Class R4             | MFUFX         | C000140353 |
| Class Y              | nan           | C000240789 |

---

### MM S&P 500 Index Fund (Series ID: S000003661)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class R4             | MIEAX         | C000010191 |
| Class R3             | MMINX         | C000010193 |
| Service Class        | MMIEX         | C000010194 |
| Administrative Class | MIEYX         | C000010195 |
| Class R5             | MIEZX         | C000010196 |
| Class I              | MMIZX         | C000108421 |
| Class A              | MMFFX         | C000140354 |

---

### MassMutual Mid Cap Growth Fund (Series ID: S000003665)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class A              | MEFAX         | C000010212 |
| Administrative Class | MMELX         | C000010213 |
| Class R3             | MEFNX         | C000010214 |
| Class R5             | MGRFX         | C000010215 |
| Service Class        | MEFYX         | C000010216 |
| Class I              | MEFZX         | C000093669 |
| Class R4             | MEFFX         | C000140357 |
| Class Y              | nan           | C000240790 |

---

### MassMutual Fundamental Growth Fund (Series ID: S000003666)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class A              | MOTAX         | C000010217 |
| Administrative Class | MOTLX         | C000010218 |
| Class R3             | MOTNX         | C000010219 |
| Class R5             | MOTCX         | C000010220 |
| Service Class        | MOTYX         | C000010221 |
| Class R4             | MFGFX         | C000140358 |
| Class I              | MOTZX         | C000140359 |
| Class Y              | nan           | C000240791 |

---

### MassMutual Overseas Fund (Series ID: S000003667)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class A              | MOSAX         | C000010222 |
| Administrative Class | MOSLX         | C000010223 |
| Class R3             | MOSNX         | C000010224 |
| Class R5             | MOSSX         | C000010225 |
| Service Class        | MOSYX         | C000010226 |
| Class I              | MOSZX         | C000093670 |
| Class R4             | MOSFX         | C000140360 |
| Class Y              | nan           | C000240792 |

---

### MassMutual Small Cap Growth Equity Fund (Series ID: S000003668)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class A              | MMGEX         | C000010227 |
| Administrative Class | MSGLX         | C000010228 |
| Class R3             | MSGNX         | C000010229 |
| Class R5             | MSGSX         | C000010230 |
| Service Class        | MSCYX         | C000010231 |
| Class I              | MSGZX         | C000093671 |
| Class R4             | MSERX         | C000140361 |
| Class Y              | nan           | C000240793 |

---

### MassMutual Small Company Value Fund (Series ID: S000003671)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class A              | MMYAX         | C000010242 |
| Administrative Class | MMYLX         | C000010243 |
| Class R3             | MSVNX         | C000010244 |
| Class R5             | MSVSX         | C000010245 |
| Service Class        | MMVYX         | C000010246 |
| Class I              | MSVZX         | C000093672 |
| Class R4             | MMVFX         | C000140368 |
| Class Y              | nan           | C000240794 |

---

### MassMutual Strategic Bond Fund (Series ID: S000003673)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class A              | MSBAX         | C000010252 |
| Administrative Class | MSBLX         | C000010253 |
| Class R3             | MSBNX         | C000010254 |
| Class R5             | MBSSX         | C000010255 |
| Service Class        | MBSYX         | C000010256 |
| Class I              | MSBZX         | C000140369 |
| Class R4             | MSBRX         | C000140370 |
| Class Y              | nan           | C000240795 |

---

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2020 Fund (Series ID: S000003675)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class A              | MRTAX         | C000010262 |
| Class R3             | MRTNX         | C000010264 |
| Service Class        | MRTSX         | C000010265 |
| Administrative Class | MRTYX         | C000010266 |
| Class I              | MRTDX         | C000140371 |
| Class R5             | MRTBX         | C000140372 |
| Class R4             | MRTHX         | C000140373 |

---

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2030 Fund (Series ID: S000003676)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class A              | MRYAX         | C000010267 |
| Class R3             | MRYNX         | C000010269 |
| Service Class        | MRYSX         | C000010270 |
| Administrative Class | MRYYX         | C000010271 |
| Class I              | MRYUX         | C000140374 |
| Class R5             | MRYTX         | C000140375 |
| Class R4             | MRYZX         | C000140376 |

---

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2040 Fund (Series ID: S000003677)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class A              | MRFAX         | C000010272 |
| Class R3             | MFRNX         | C000010274 |
| Service Class        | MFRSX         | C000010275 |
| Administrative Class | MRFYX         | C000010276 |
| Class I              | MRFUX         | C000140377 |
| Class R5             | MRFTX         | C000140378 |
| Class R4             | MRFZX         | C000140379 |

---

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan In Retirement Fund (Series ID: S000003678)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class A              | MRDAX         | C000010277 |
| Class R3             | MDRNX         | C000010279 |
| Service Class        | MDRSX         | C000010280 |
| Administrative Class | MDRYX         | C000010281 |
| Class I              | MDRVX         | C000140380 |
| Class R5             | MDRTX         | C000140381 |
| Class R4             | MDRZX         | C000140382 |

---

### MassMutual Diversified Value Fund (Series ID: S000003679)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class A              | MDDAX         | C000010282 |
| Administrative Class | MDDLX         | C000010283 |
| Class R3             | MDVNX         | C000010284 |
| Class R5             | MDVSX         | C000010285 |
| Service Class        | MDVYX         | C000010286 |
| Class I              | MDDIX         | C000140383 |
| Class R4             | MDDRX         | C000140384 |
| Class Y              | nan           | C000240796 |

---

### MassMutual Equity Opportunities Fund (Series ID: S000003681)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class A              | MFVAX         | C000010292 |
| Administrative Class | MMFVX         | C000010293 |
| Class R3             | MFVNX         | C000010294 |
| Class R5             | MFVSX         | C000010295 |
| Service Class        | MMFYX         | C000010296 |
| Class I              | MFVZX         | C000093673 |
| Class R4             | MFVFX         | C000140385 |
| Class Y              | nan           | C000240797 |

---

### MassMutual Small Cap Value Equity Fund (Series ID: S000012476)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Service Class        | MMQYX         | C000033919 |
| Class A              | MMQAX         | C000033920 |
| Administrative Class | MMQLX         | C000033921 |
| Class R5             | MMQSX         | C000033923 |
| Class I              | MMQIX         | C000140386 |
| Class R4             | MMQFX         | C000140387 |
| Class R3             | MMQTX         | C000140388 |
| Class Y              | nan           | C000240798 |

---

### MassMutual Mid Cap Value Fund (Series ID: S000013194)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class A              | MLUAX         | C000035486 |
| Administrative Class | MLULX         | C000035487 |
| Class R3             | MLUNX         | C000035488 |
| Class R5             | MLUSX         | C000035489 |
| Service Class        | MLUYX         | C000035490 |
| Class I              | MLUZX         | C000108422 |
| Class R4             | MLUFX         | C000140389 |
| Class Y              | nan           | C000240799 |

---

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2050 Fund (Series ID: S000020009)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class R3             | MMRNX         | C000056105 |
| Service Class        | MMTSX         | C000056106 |
| Administrative Class | MMRYX         | C000056107 |
| Class A              | MMARX         | C000056109 |
| Class I              | MMRUX         | C000140393 |
| Class R5             | MMRTX         | C000140394 |
| Class R4             | MMRZX         | C000140395 |

---

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2025 Fund (Series ID: S000028351)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class A              | MMSDX         | C000086630 |
| Service Class        | MMISX         | C000086632 |
| Administrative Class | MMIYX         | C000086633 |
| Class I              | MMNUX         | C000140403 |
| Class R5             | MMNTX         | C000140404 |
| ClassR4              | MMNZX         | C000140405 |
| Class R3             | MMNRX         | C000140406 |

---

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2035 Fund (Series ID: S000028352)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class A              | MMXAX         | C000086634 |
| Service Class        | MMXSX         | C000086636 |
| Administrative Class | MMXYX         | C000086637 |
| Class I              | MMXUX         | C000140407 |
| Class R5             | MMXTX         | C000140408 |
| Class R4             | MMXZX         | C000140409 |
| Class R3             | MMXNX         | C000140410 |

---

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2045 Fund (Series ID: S000028353)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class A              | MMKAX         | C000086639 |
| Service Class        | MMKSX         | C000086641 |
| Administrative Class | MMKYX         | C000086642 |
| Class I              | MMKUX         | C000140411 |
| Class R5             | MMKTX         | C000140412 |
| Class R4             | MMKZX         | C000140413 |
| Class R3             | MMKNX         | C000140414 |

---

### MassMutual Total Return Bond Fund (Series ID: S000029393)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class R5             | MSPSX         | C000090284 |
| Service Class        | MSPHX         | C000090285 |
| Administrative Class | MSPLX         | C000090286 |
| Class R4             | MSPGX         | C000090287 |
| Class R3             | MSPNX         | C000090288 |
| Class I              | MSPZX         | C000090289 |
| Class A              | MPTRX         | C000140415 |
| Class Y              | nan           | C000240800 |

---

### MassMutual 20/80 Allocation Fund (Series ID: S000032893)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class R5             | MRCSX         | C000101523 |
| Service Class        | MRCYX         | C000101524 |
| Administrative Class | MRCLX         | C000101525 |
| Class A              | MCTAX         | C000101526 |
| Class I              | MRCUX         | C000140416 |
| Class R4             | MRCZX         | C000140417 |
| Class R3             | MRCVX         | C000140418 |
| Class Y              | nan           | C000240801 |

---

### MassMutual 40/60 Allocation Fund (Series ID: S000032894)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class R5             | MROSX         | C000101527 |
| Service Class        | MRMYX         | C000101528 |
| Administrative Class | MRMLX         | C000101529 |
| Class A              | MRMAX         | C000101530 |
| Class I              | MRMUX         | C000140419 |
| Class R4             | MRMZX         | C000140420 |
| Class R3             | MRMTX         | C000140421 |
| Class Y              | nan           | C000240802 |

---

### MassMutual 60/40 Allocation Fund (Series ID: S000032895)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Service Class        | MROYX         | C000101531 |
| Administrative Class | MRSLX         | C000101532 |
| Class A              | MOGAX         | C000101533 |
| Class R5             | MRSSX         | C000101534 |
| Class I              | MROUX         | C000140422 |
| Class R4             | MROZX         | C000140423 |
| Class R3             | MROTX         | C000140424 |
| Class Y              | nan           | C000240803 |

---

### MassMutual 80/20 Allocation Fund (Series ID: S000032896)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class R5             | MRRSX         | C000101535 |
| Service Class        | MRGYX         | C000101536 |
| Administrative Class | MRGLX         | C000101537 |
| Class A              | MRRAX         | C000101538 |
| Class I              | MRGUX         | C000140425 |
| Class R4             | MRGZX         | C000140426 |
| Class R3             | MRGVX         | C000140427 |
| Class Y              | nan           | C000240804 |

---

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2055 Fund (Series ID: S000042052)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Service Class        | MMWSX         | C000130636 |
| Administrative Class | MMWYX         | C000130637 |
| Class A              | MMWAX         | C000130639 |
| Class I              | MMWZX         | C000140434 |
| Class R5             | MMWUX         | C000140435 |
| Class R4             | MMWEX         | C000140436 |
| Class R3             | MMWTX         | C000140437 |

---

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2060 Fund (Series ID: S000051694)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class I              | MMWIX         | C000162675 |
| Class R5             | MMWHX         | C000162676 |
| Service Class        | MMWGX         | C000162677 |
| Administrative Class | MMWFX         | C000162678 |
| Class A              | MMWDX         | C000162679 |
| Class R4             | MMWCX         | C000162680 |
| Class R3             | MMWBX         | C000162681 |

---

### MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund (Series ID: S000061114)

---

|  |  |  |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Class Name | Ticker Symbol | Class ID   |
| Class I    | MMIUX         | C000198059 |

---

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2065 Fund (Series ID: S000079614)

---

|  |  |
|:---|:---|
| Class Name           | Class ID   |
| Class R3             | C000240776 |
| Class I              | C000240777 |
| Class A              | C000240778 |
| Class R4             | C000240779 |
| Class R5             | C000240780 |
| Service Class        | C000240781 |
| Administrative Class | C000240782 |

---

## Series and Classes Contracts Data

### MassMutual Growth Opportunities Fund (Series ID: S000003656)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010167 | Class A              | MMAAX           |
| C000010168 | Administrative Class | MAGLX           |
| C000010169 | Class R3             | MMANX           |
| C000010170 | Class R5             | MGRSX           |
| C000010171 | Service Class        | MAGYX           |
| C000108420 | Class I              | MMAZX           |
| C000140350 | Class R4             | MMGFX           |
| C000240787 | Class Y              |  |

### MassMutual Blue Chip Growth Fund (Series ID: S000003658)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010176 | Class A              | MBCGX           |
| C000010177 | Administrative Class | MBCLX           |
| C000010178 | Class R3             | MBCNX           |
| C000010179 | Class R5             | MBCSX           |
| C000010180 | Service Class        | MBCYX           |
| C000140351 | Class I              | MBCZX           |
| C000140352 | Class R4             | MBGFX           |
| C000240788 | Class Y              |  |

### MassMutual Fundamental Value Fund (Series ID: S000003659)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010181 | Class A              | MFUAX           |
| C000010182 | Administrative Class | MFULX           |
| C000010183 | Class R3             | MFUNX           |
| C000010184 | Class R5             | MVUSX           |
| C000010185 | Service Class        | MFUYX           |
| C000093668 | Class I              | MFUZX           |
| C000140353 | Class R4             | MFUFX           |
| C000240789 | Class Y              |  |

### MM S&P 500 Index Fund (Series ID: S000003661)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010191 | Class R4             | MIEAX           |
| C000010193 | Class R3             | MMINX           |
| C000010194 | Service Class        | MMIEX           |
| C000010195 | Administrative Class | MIEYX           |
| C000010196 | Class R5             | MIEZX           |
| C000108421 | Class I              | MMIZX           |
| C000140354 | Class A              | MMFFX           |

### MassMutual Mid Cap Growth Fund (Series ID: S000003665)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010212 | Class A              | MEFAX           |
| C000010213 | Administrative Class | MMELX           |
| C000010214 | Class R3             | MEFNX           |
| C000010215 | Class R5             | MGRFX           |
| C000010216 | Service Class        | MEFYX           |
| C000093669 | Class I              | MEFZX           |
| C000140357 | Class R4             | MEFFX           |
| C000240790 | Class Y              |  |

### MassMutual Fundamental Growth Fund (Series ID: S000003666)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010217 | Class A              | MOTAX           |
| C000010218 | Administrative Class | MOTLX           |
| C000010219 | Class R3             | MOTNX           |
| C000010220 | Class R5             | MOTCX           |
| C000010221 | Service Class        | MOTYX           |
| C000140358 | Class R4             | MFGFX           |
| C000140359 | Class I              | MOTZX           |
| C000240791 | Class Y              |  |

### MassMutual Overseas Fund (Series ID: S000003667)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010222 | Class A              | MOSAX           |
| C000010223 | Administrative Class | MOSLX           |
| C000010224 | Class R3             | MOSNX           |
| C000010225 | Class R5             | MOSSX           |
| C000010226 | Service Class        | MOSYX           |
| C000093670 | Class I              | MOSZX           |
| C000140360 | Class R4             | MOSFX           |
| C000240792 | Class Y              |  |

### MassMutual Small Cap Growth Equity Fund (Series ID: S000003668)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010227 | Class A              | MMGEX           |
| C000010228 | Administrative Class | MSGLX           |
| C000010229 | Class R3             | MSGNX           |
| C000010230 | Class R5             | MSGSX           |
| C000010231 | Service Class        | MSCYX           |
| C000093671 | Class I              | MSGZX           |
| C000140361 | Class R4             | MSERX           |
| C000240793 | Class Y              |  |

### MassMutual Small Company Value Fund (Series ID: S000003671)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010242 | Class A              | MMYAX           |
| C000010243 | Administrative Class | MMYLX           |
| C000010244 | Class R3             | MSVNX           |
| C000010245 | Class R5             | MSVSX           |
| C000010246 | Service Class        | MMVYX           |
| C000093672 | Class I              | MSVZX           |
| C000140368 | Class R4             | MMVFX           |
| C000240794 | Class Y              |  |

### MassMutual Strategic Bond Fund (Series ID: S000003673)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010252 | Class A              | MSBAX           |
| C000010253 | Administrative Class | MSBLX           |
| C000010254 | Class R3             | MSBNX           |
| C000010255 | Class R5             | MBSSX           |
| C000010256 | Service Class        | MBSYX           |
| C000140369 | Class I              | MSBZX           |
| C000140370 | Class R4             | MSBRX           |
| C000240795 | Class Y              |  |

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2020 Fund (Series ID: S000003675)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010262 | Class A              | MRTAX           |
| C000010264 | Class R3             | MRTNX           |
| C000010265 | Service Class        | MRTSX           |
| C000010266 | Administrative Class | MRTYX           |
| C000140371 | Class I              | MRTDX           |
| C000140372 | Class R5             | MRTBX           |
| C000140373 | Class R4             | MRTHX           |

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2030 Fund (Series ID: S000003676)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010267 | Class A              | MRYAX           |
| C000010269 | Class R3             | MRYNX           |
| C000010270 | Service Class        | MRYSX           |
| C000010271 | Administrative Class | MRYYX           |
| C000140374 | Class I              | MRYUX           |
| C000140375 | Class R5             | MRYTX           |
| C000140376 | Class R4             | MRYZX           |

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2040 Fund (Series ID: S000003677)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010272 | Class A              | MRFAX           |
| C000010274 | Class R3             | MFRNX           |
| C000010275 | Service Class        | MFRSX           |
| C000010276 | Administrative Class | MRFYX           |
| C000140377 | Class I              | MRFUX           |
| C000140378 | Class R5             | MRFTX           |
| C000140379 | Class R4             | MRFZX           |

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan In Retirement Fund (Series ID: S000003678)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010277 | Class A              | MRDAX           |
| C000010279 | Class R3             | MDRNX           |
| C000010280 | Service Class        | MDRSX           |
| C000010281 | Administrative Class | MDRYX           |
| C000140380 | Class I              | MDRVX           |
| C000140381 | Class R5             | MDRTX           |
| C000140382 | Class R4             | MDRZX           |

### MassMutual Diversified Value Fund (Series ID: S000003679)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010282 | Class A              | MDDAX           |
| C000010283 | Administrative Class | MDDLX           |
| C000010284 | Class R3             | MDVNX           |
| C000010285 | Class R5             | MDVSX           |
| C000010286 | Service Class        | MDVYX           |
| C000140383 | Class I              | MDDIX           |
| C000140384 | Class R4             | MDDRX           |
| C000240796 | Class Y              |  |

### MassMutual Equity Opportunities Fund (Series ID: S000003681)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010292 | Class A              | MFVAX           |
| C000010293 | Administrative Class | MMFVX           |
| C000010294 | Class R3             | MFVNX           |
| C000010295 | Class R5             | MFVSX           |
| C000010296 | Service Class        | MMFYX           |
| C000093673 | Class I              | MFVZX           |
| C000140385 | Class R4             | MFVFX           |
| C000240797 | Class Y              |  |

### MassMutual Small Cap Value Equity Fund (Series ID: S000012476)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000033919 | Service Class        | MMQYX           |
| C000033920 | Class A              | MMQAX           |
| C000033921 | Administrative Class | MMQLX           |
| C000033923 | Class R5             | MMQSX           |
| C000140386 | Class I              | MMQIX           |
| C000140387 | Class R4             | MMQFX           |
| C000140388 | Class R3             | MMQTX           |
| C000240798 | Class Y              |  |

### MassMutual Mid Cap Value Fund (Series ID: S000013194)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000035486 | Class A              | MLUAX           |
| C000035487 | Administrative Class | MLULX           |
| C000035488 | Class R3             | MLUNX           |
| C000035489 | Class R5             | MLUSX           |
| C000035490 | Service Class        | MLUYX           |
| C000108422 | Class I              | MLUZX           |
| C000140389 | Class R4             | MLUFX           |
| C000240799 | Class Y              |  |

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2050 Fund (Series ID: S000020009)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000056105 | Class R3             | MMRNX           |
| C000056106 | Service Class        | MMTSX           |
| C000056107 | Administrative Class | MMRYX           |
| C000056109 | Class A              | MMARX           |
| C000140393 | Class I              | MMRUX           |
| C000140394 | Class R5             | MMRTX           |
| C000140395 | Class R4             | MMRZX           |

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2025 Fund (Series ID: S000028351)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000086630 | Class A              | MMSDX           |
| C000086632 | Service Class        | MMISX           |
| C000086633 | Administrative Class | MMIYX           |
| C000140403 | Class I              | MMNUX           |
| C000140404 | Class R5             | MMNTX           |
| C000140405 | ClassR4              | MMNZX           |
| C000140406 | Class R3             | MMNRX           |

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2035 Fund (Series ID: S000028352)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000086634 | Class A              | MMXAX           |
| C000086636 | Service Class        | MMXSX           |
| C000086637 | Administrative Class | MMXYX           |
| C000140407 | Class I              | MMXUX           |
| C000140408 | Class R5             | MMXTX           |
| C000140409 | Class R4             | MMXZX           |
| C000140410 | Class R3             | MMXNX           |

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2045 Fund (Series ID: S000028353)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000086639 | Class A              | MMKAX           |
| C000086641 | Service Class        | MMKSX           |
| C000086642 | Administrative Class | MMKYX           |
| C000140411 | Class I              | MMKUX           |
| C000140412 | Class R5             | MMKTX           |
| C000140413 | Class R4             | MMKZX           |
| C000140414 | Class R3             | MMKNX           |

### MassMutual Total Return Bond Fund (Series ID: S000029393)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000090284 | Class R5             | MSPSX           |
| C000090285 | Service Class        | MSPHX           |
| C000090286 | Administrative Class | MSPLX           |
| C000090287 | Class R4             | MSPGX           |
| C000090288 | Class R3             | MSPNX           |
| C000090289 | Class I              | MSPZX           |
| C000140415 | Class A              | MPTRX           |
| C000240800 | Class Y              |  |

### MassMutual 20/80 Allocation Fund (Series ID: S000032893)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000101523 | Class R5             | MRCSX           |
| C000101524 | Service Class        | MRCYX           |
| C000101525 | Administrative Class | MRCLX           |
| C000101526 | Class A              | MCTAX           |
| C000140416 | Class I              | MRCUX           |
| C000140417 | Class R4             | MRCZX           |
| C000140418 | Class R3             | MRCVX           |
| C000240801 | Class Y              |  |

### MassMutual 40/60 Allocation Fund (Series ID: S000032894)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000101527 | Class R5             | MROSX           |
| C000101528 | Service Class        | MRMYX           |
| C000101529 | Administrative Class | MRMLX           |
| C000101530 | Class A              | MRMAX           |
| C000140419 | Class I              | MRMUX           |
| C000140420 | Class R4             | MRMZX           |
| C000140421 | Class R3             | MRMTX           |
| C000240802 | Class Y              |  |

### MassMutual 60/40 Allocation Fund (Series ID: S000032895)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000101531 | Service Class        | MROYX           |
| C000101532 | Administrative Class | MRSLX           |
| C000101533 | Class A              | MOGAX           |
| C000101534 | Class R5             | MRSSX           |
| C000140422 | Class I              | MROUX           |
| C000140423 | Class R4             | MROZX           |
| C000140424 | Class R3             | MROTX           |
| C000240803 | Class Y              |  |

### MassMutual 80/20 Allocation Fund (Series ID: S000032896)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000101535 | Class R5             | MRRSX           |
| C000101536 | Service Class        | MRGYX           |
| C000101537 | Administrative Class | MRGLX           |
| C000101538 | Class A              | MRRAX           |
| C000140425 | Class I              | MRGUX           |
| C000140426 | Class R4             | MRGZX           |
| C000140427 | Class R3             | MRGVX           |
| C000240804 | Class Y              |  |

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2055 Fund (Series ID: S000042052)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000130636 | Service Class        | MMWSX           |
| C000130637 | Administrative Class | MMWYX           |
| C000130639 | Class A              | MMWAX           |
| C000140434 | Class I              | MMWZX           |
| C000140435 | Class R5             | MMWUX           |
| C000140436 | Class R4             | MMWEX           |
| C000140437 | Class R3             | MMWTX           |

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2060 Fund (Series ID: S000051694)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000162675 | Class I              | MMWIX           |
| C000162676 | Class R5             | MMWHX           |
| C000162677 | Service Class        | MMWGX           |
| C000162678 | Administrative Class | MMWFX           |
| C000162679 | Class A              | MMWDX           |
| C000162680 | Class R4             | MMWCX           |
| C000162681 | Class R3             | MMWBX           |

### MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund (Series ID: S000061114)

| Class ID   | Class Name   | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000198059 | Class I      | MMIUX           |

### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2065 Fund (Series ID: S000079614)

| Class ID   | Class Name           | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000240776 | Class R3             |  |
| C000240777 | Class I              |  |
| C000240778 | Class A              |  |
| C000240779 | Class R4             |  |
| C000240780 | Class R5             |  |
| C000240781 | Service Class        |  |
| C000240782 | Administrative Class |  |

[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#TOC)

#### MASSMUTUAL SELECT FUNDS

#### 1295 STATE STREET<br>SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 01111-0001

#### STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI") IS NOT A PROSPECTUS. IT SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROSPECTUS OF MASSMUTUAL SELECT FUNDS (THE "TRUST") DATED FEBRUARY 1, 2023, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME (THE "PROSPECTUS"). THIS SAI INCORPORATES HEREIN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE FUNDS BY REFERENCE TO THE TRUST'S ANNUAL REPORTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (THE "ANNUAL REPORTS"). TO OBTAIN A PROSPECTUS OR AN ANNUAL REPORT, CALL TOLL-FREE 1-888-309-3539, OR WRITE THE TRUST AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS.

This SAI relates to the following Funds:

---

| | | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Fund Name**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Class I**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Class R5**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Service<br>Class** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Administrative <br>Class** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Class R4**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Class A**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Class R3**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Class Y**  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual Total Return <br> Bond Fund  | MSPZX | MSPSX | MSPHX | MSPLX | MSPGX | MPTRX | MSPNX | MMNNX |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual Strategic Bond <br> Fund  | MSBZX | MBSSX | MBSYX | MSBLX | MSBRX | MSBAX | MSBNX | MMNMX |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual Diversified <br> Value Fund  | MDDIX | MDVSX | MDVYX | MDDLX | MDDRX | MDDAX | MDVNX | MMNBX |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual Fundamental <br> Value Fund  | MFUZX | MVUSX | MFUYX | MFULX | MFUFX | MFUAX | MFUNX | MMNEX |
| MM S&P 500<sup>®</sup> Index Fund  | MMIZX | MIEZX | MMIEX | MIEYX | MIEAX | MMFFX | MMINX |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual Equity <br> Opportunities Fund  | MFVZX | MFVSX | MMFYX | MMFVX | MFVFX | MFVAX | MFVNX | MMZOX |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual Fundamental <br> Growth Fund  | MOTZX | MOTCX | MOTYX | MOTLX | MFGFX | MOTAX | MOTNX | MMNDX |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual Blue Chip <br> Growth Fund  | MBCZX | MBCSX | MBCYX | MBCLX | MBGFX | MBCGX | MBCNX | MMZMX |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual Growth <br> Opportunities Fund  | MMAZX | MGRSX | MAGYX | MAGLX | MMGFX | MMAAX | MMANX | MMNFX |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual Mid Cap Value <br> Fund  | MLUZX | MLUSX | MLUYX | MLULX | MLUFX | MLUAX | MLUNX | MMNHX |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual Small Cap <br> Value Equity Fund  | MMQIX | MMQSX | MMQYX | MMQLX | MMQFX | MMQAX | MMQTX | MMNKX |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual Small <br> Company Value Fund  | MSVZX | MSVSX | MMVYX | MMYLX | MMVFX | MMYAX | MSVNX | MMNLX |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual Mid Cap <br> Growth Fund  | MEFZX | MGRFX | MEFYX | MMELX | MEFFX | MEFAX | MEFNX | MMNGX |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual Small Cap <br> Growth Equity Fund  | MSGZX | MSGSX | MSCYX | MSGLX | MSERX | MMGEX | MSGNX | MMNJX |
| MassMutual Overseas Fund  | MOSZX | MOSSX | MOSYX | MOSLX | MOSFX | MOSAX | MOSNX | MMOJX |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual Select T. Rowe <br> Price International <br> Equity Fund  | MMIUX |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

---

No dealer, salesman or any other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations, other than those contained in this SAI or in the related Prospectus, in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given or made, such other information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Trust or MML Distributors, LLC (the "Distributor"). This SAI and the related Prospectus do not constitute an offer by the Trust or by the Distributor to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such jurisdiction.

Dated February 1, 2023 <br> As Revised on February 7, 2023

------

[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#TOC)

#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| | **Page** |
| [General Information](#idGENERALINFO5669)  | [B-3](#idGENERALINFO5669) |
| [Additional Investment Policies](#idADDITIONALI2133)  | [B-3](#idADDITIONALI2133) |
| [Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings](#idDISCLOSUREO9227)  | [B-48](#idDISCLOSUREO9227) |
| [Investment Restrictions of the Funds](#idINVESTMENTR11948)  | [B-49](#idINVESTMENTR11948) |
| [Management of the Trust](#idMANAGEMENTO71148)  | [B-51](#idMANAGEMENTO71148) |
| [Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities](#idCONTROLPERS160151)  | [B-62](#idCONTROLPERS160151) |
| [Investment Advisory and Other Service Agreements](#idINVESTMENTA119449)  | [B-85](#idINVESTMENTA119449) |
| [The Distributor](#idTHEDISTRIBU3690)  | [B-97](#idTHEDISTRIBU3690) |
| [Distribution and Service Plan](#idDISTRIBUTIO11276)  | [B-97](#idDISTRIBUTIO11276) |
| [Payments to Financial Intermediaries](#idPAYMENTSTOF6165)  | [B-99](#idPAYMENTSTOF6165) |
| [Custodian, Dividend Disbursing Agent, and Transfer Agent](#idCUSTODIANDI1047)  | [B-100](#idCUSTODIANDI1047) |
| [Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm](#idINDEPENDENT807)  | [B-100](#idINDEPENDENT807) |
| [Codes of Ethics](#idCODESOFETHI1366)  | [B-100](#idCODESOFETHI1366) |
| [Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage](#idPORTFOLIOTR52260)  | [B-100](#idPORTFOLIOTR52260) |
| [Description of Shares](#idDESCRIPTION11046)  | [B-105](#idDESCRIPTION11046) |
| [Securities Lending](#idSECURITIESL19228)  | [B-106](#idSECURITIESL19228) |
| [Redemption of Shares](#idREDEMPTIONO3384)  | [B-108](#idREDEMPTIONO3384) |
| [Valuation of Portfolio Securities](#idVALUATIONOF8547)  | [B-108](#idVALUATIONOF8547) |
| [Taxation](#idTAXATION66194)  | [B-109](#idTAXATION66194) |
| [Experts](#idEXPERTS1109)  | [B-120](#idEXPERTS1109) |
| [Appendix A—Description of Securities Ratings](#idAPPENDIXADE34618)  | [B-121](#idAPPENDIXADE34618) |
| [Appendix B—Proxy Voting Policies](#idAPPENDIXBPR4649)  | [B-125](#idAPPENDIXBPR4649) |
| [Appendix C—Additional Portfolio Manager Information](#idAPPENDIXCAD423242)  | [B-294](#idAPPENDIXCAD423242) |

---

------

[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#TOC)

#### GENERAL INFORMATION

The Trust is organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Massachusetts business trust pursuant to an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated May 28, 1993, as amended and restated as of November 21, 2011, as it may be further amended from time to time (the "Declaration of Trust"). The investment adviser for each of the Funds is MML Investment Advisers, LLC ("MML Advisers"). The subadviser for the Total Return Bond Fund is Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC ("MetWest"). The subadvisers for the Strategic Bond Fund are Western Asset Management Company, LLC ("Western Asset"), Western Asset Management Company Limited ("Western Asset Limited"), and Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC ("Brandywine Global"). The subadvisers for the Diversified Value Fund are Brandywine Global and T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. ("T. Rowe Price"). The subadvisers for the Fundamental Value Fund are Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. ("Boston Partners") and Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC ("Barrow Hanley"). The subadviser for the S&P 500 Index Fund is Northern Trust Investments, Inc. ("NTI"). The subadvisers for the Equity Opportunities Fund are T. Rowe Price and Wellington Management Company LLP ("Wellington Management"). The subadvisers for the Fundamental Growth Fund are Wellington Management and Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. ("Westfield"). The subadvisers for the Blue Chip Growth Fund are T. Rowe Price and Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. ("Loomis Sayles"). The subadvisers for the Growth Opportunities Fund are Sands Capital Management, LLC ("Sands Capital") and Jackson Square Partners, LLC ("Jackson Square"). The subadvisers for the Mid Cap Value Fund are American Century Investment Management, Inc. ("American Century"), PanAgora Asset Management, Inc. ("PanAgora"), and Thompson, Siegel & Walmsley LLC ("TSW"). The subadvisers for the Small Cap Value Equity Fund are Wellington Management and Barrow Hanley. The subadvisers for the Small Company Value Fund are AllianceBernstein L.P. ("AllianceBernstein") and American Century. The subadvisers for the Mid Cap Growth Fund are T. Rowe Price and Frontier Capital Management Company, LLC ("Frontier"). In addition, T. Rowe Price Investment Management, Inc. ("T. Rowe Price Investment Management") serves as a sub-subadviser for the Mid Cap Growth Fund. The subadvisers for the Small Cap Growth Equity Fund are Wellington Management and Invesco Advisers, Inc. ("Invesco Advisers"). The subadvisers for the Overseas Fund are Massachusetts Financial Services Company ("MFS") and Harris Associates L.P. ("Harris"). The subadviser for the MM Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund is T. Rowe Price. In addition, each of T. Rowe Price International Ltd ("T. Rowe Price International"), T. Rowe Price Hong Kong Limited ("T. Rowe Price Hong Kong"), and T. Rowe Price Singapore Private Ltd. ("T. Rowe Price Singapore") serves as a sub-subadviser for the MM Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund. MML Advisers, AllianceBernstein, American Century, Barrow Hanley, Boston Partners, Brandywine Global, Frontier, Harris, Invesco Advisers, Jackson Square, Loomis Sayles, MFS, MetWest, NTI, PanAgora, Sands Capital, TSW, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Hong Kong, T. Rowe Price International, T. Rowe Price Investment Management, T. Rowe Price Singapore, Wellington Management, Western Asset, Western Asset Limited, and Westfield are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") as investment advisers. References in this SAI to a Fund's subadviser may include any sub-subadvisers as applicable.

#### ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
Each Fund has a distinct investment objective which it pursues through separate investment policies, as described in the Prospectus and below. The fundamental investment policies and fundamental investment restrictions of a Fund may not be changed without the vote of a majority of that Fund's outstanding voting securities (which, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and the rules thereunder and as used in this SAI and in the Prospectus, means the lesser of (l) 67% of the shares of that Fund present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of that Fund are present in person or by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of that

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[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#TOC)

Fund). The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board") may adopt new or amend or delete existing non-fundamental investment policies and restrictions without shareholder approval. There is no guarantee that any Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Unless otherwise specified, each Fund may engage in the investment practices and techniques described below to the extent consistent with such Fund's investment objective and fundamental investment restrictions. Not all Funds necessarily will utilize all or any of these practices and techniques at any one time or at all. Investment policies and restrictions described below are non-fundamental and may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder approval, unless otherwise noted. For a description of the ratings of corporate debt securities and money market instruments in which the various Funds may invest, reference should be made to Appendix A.

#### S&P 500 Index Fund
***Tracking Error***. There are several reasons why the performance of the S&P 500 Index Fund may not track its index. Unlike the index, the Fund incurs administrative expenses and transaction costs in trading stocks. In addition, the composition of the index and the Fund's portfolio may occasionally diverge as the result of legal restrictions, costs, or liquidity constraints, especially during times when a sampling methodology is used. Furthermore, the timing and magnitude of cash inflows from investors buying shares could create balances of uninvested cash for the Fund. Conversely, the timing and magnitude of cash outflows to investors selling shares could require ready reserves of uninvested cash. Either situation would likely cause the Fund's performance to deviate from the "fully invested" index. The Fund's subadviser, NTI, expects that, under normal circumstances, the annual performance of the Fund, before fees and expenses, will track the performance of the index within a 0.95 correlation coefficient.

***Disclaimer***. The "S&P 500 Index" is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or its affiliates ("SPDJI"), and has been licensed for use by MassMutual. S&P<sup>®</sup>, S&P 500<sup>®</sup>, US 500, The 500, iBoxx<sup>®</sup>, iTraxx<sup>®</sup> and CDX<sup>®</sup> are trademarks of S&P Global, Inc. or its affiliates ("S&P"); Dow Jones<sup>®</sup> is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC ("Dow Jones"); and these trademarks have been licensed for use by SPDJI and sublicensed for certain purposes by MassMutual. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. The S&P 500 Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P, or any of their respective affiliates (collectively, "S&P Dow Jones Indices"). S&P Dow Jones Indices does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the S&P 500 Index Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the S&P 500 Index Fund particularly or the ability of the S&P 500 Index to track general market performance. Past performance of an index is not an indication or guarantee of future results. S&P Dow Jones Indices' only relationship to MassMutual with respect to the S&P 500 Index is the licensing of the Index and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices and/or its licensors. The S&P 500 Index is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to MassMutual or the S&P 500 Index Fund. S&P Dow Jones Indices has no obligation to take the needs of MassMutual or the owners of the S&P 500 Index Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the S&P 500 Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the S&P 500 Index Fund. There is no assurance that investment products based on the S&P 500 Index will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment adviser, commodity trading advisor, commodity pool operator, broker dealer, fiduciary, "promoter" (as defined in the 1940 Act), "expert" (as enumerated within 15 U.S.C. § 77k(a)) or tax adviser. Inclusion of a security, commodity, crypto currency or other asset within an index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security, commodity, crypto currency or other asset, nor is it considered to be investment advice or commodity trading advice.

S&P DOW JONES INDICES DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE S&P 500 INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY MASSMUTUAL, OWNERS OF THE S&P 500 INDEX FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE S&P 500 INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES,

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LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. S&P DOW JONES INDICES HAS NOT REVIEWED, PREPARED AND/OR CERTIFIED ANY PORTION OF, NOR DOES S&P DOW JONES INDICES HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER, THE S&P 500 INDEX FUND REGISTRATION STATEMENT, PROSPECTUS OR OTHER OFFERING MATERIALS. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND MASSMUTUAL, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P DOW JONES INDICES.

#### Asset-Based Securities
A Fund may invest in debt, preferred, or convertible securities, the principal amount, redemption terms, or conversion terms of which are related to the market price of some natural resource asset such as gold bullion. These securities are referred to as "asset-based securities." If an asset-based security is backed by a bank letter of credit or other similar facility, the investment adviser or subadviser may take such backing into account in determining the creditworthiness of the issuer. While the market prices for an asset-based security and the related natural resource asset generally are expected to move in the same direction, there may not be perfect correlation in the two price movements. Asset-based securities may not be secured by a security interest in or claim on the underlying natural resource asset. The asset-based securities in which a Fund may invest may bear interest or pay preferred dividends at below market (or even relatively nominal) rates. Certain asset-based securities may be payable at maturity in cash at the stated principal amount or, at the option of the holder, directly in a stated amount of the asset to which it is related. In such instance, because no Fund presently intends to invest directly in natural resource assets, a Fund would sell the asset-based security in the secondary market, to the extent one exists, prior to maturity if the value of the stated amount of the asset exceeds the stated principal amount and thereby realize the appreciation in the underlying asset. Certain restrictions imposed on the Funds by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), may limit the Funds' ability to invest in certain natural resource-based securities.

***Precious Metal-Related Securities***. A Fund may invest in the equity securities of companies that explore for, extract, process, or deal in precious metals (e.g., gold, silver, and platinum), and in asset-based securities indexed to the value of such metals. Such securities may be purchased when they are believed to be attractively priced in relation to the value of a company's precious metal-related assets or when the values of precious metals are expected to benefit from inflationary pressure or other economic, political, or financial uncertainty or instability. Based on historical experience, during periods of economic or financial instability the securities of companies involved in precious metals may be subject to extreme price fluctuations, reflecting the high volatility of precious metal prices during such periods. In addition, the instability of precious metal prices may result in volatile earnings of precious metal-related companies, which may, in turn, adversely affect the financial condition of such companies.

The major producers of gold include the Republic of South Africa, Russia, Canada, the United States, Brazil, and Australia. Sales of gold by Russia are largely unpredictable and often relate to political and economic considerations rather than to market forces. Economic, financial, social, and political factors within South Africa may significantly affect South African gold production.

#### Bank Capital Securities
A Fund may invest in bank capital securities. Bank capital securities are issued by banks to help fulfill their regulatory capital requirements. Many bank capital securities are commonly thought of as hybrids of debt and preferred stock. Some bank capital securities are perpetual (with no maturity date), callable, and have a cumulative interest deferral feature. This means that under certain conditions, the issuer bank can withhold payment of interest until a later date, likely increasing the credit and interest rate risks of an investment in those securities. Investments in bank capital securities are subject to the risks of other debt investments, such as default and non-payment, as well as certain other risks, such as the risk that bank regulators may force the bank to dissolve, merge, restructure its capitalization, or take other actions intended to prevent its failure or ensure its orderly resolution. Bank regulators in certain jurisdictions have broad authorities they may use to prevent the failure of banking institutions or to stabilize the banking industry, all of which may adversely affect the values of investments in bank capital securities and other bank obligations, including those of other banks.

#### Bank Loans
A Fund may invest in bank loans including, for example, corporate loans, loan participations, direct debt, bank debt, and bridge debt. A Fund may invest in a loan by lending money to a borrower directly as part of a syndicate of lenders. In a syndicated loan, the agent that originated and structured the loan typically administers and enforces the loan on behalf of the syndicate. In such cases, the agent is normally responsible for the collection of principal and interest payments from the

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borrower and the apportionment of these payments to the credit of all institutions that are parties to the loan agreement. A Fund will generally rely on the agent to receive and forward to the Fund its portion of the principal and interest payments on the loan. Failure by the agent to fulfill its obligations may delay or adversely affect receipt of payment by a Fund.

A Fund may invest in loans through novations, assignments, and participation interests. In a novation, a Fund typically assumes all of the rights of a lending institution in a loan, including the right to receive payments of principal and interest and other amounts directly from the borrower and to enforce its rights as a lender directly against the borrower. When a Fund takes an assignment of a loan, the Fund acquires some or all of the interest of another lender (or assignee) in the loan. In such cases, the Fund may be required generally to rely upon the assignor to demand payment and enforce rights under the loan. (There may be one or more assignors prior in time to the Fund.) If a Fund acquires a participation in the loan made by a third party loan investor, the Fund typically will have a contractual relationship only with the loan investor, not with the borrower. As a result, a Fund may have the right to receive payments of principal, interest, and any fees to which it is entitled only from the loan investor selling the participation and only upon receipt by such loan investor of such payments from the borrower. In connection with participations, a Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, nor any rights with respect to any funds acquired by other loan investors through set-off against the borrower, and the Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, a Fund assumes the credit risk of both the borrower and the loan investor selling the participation. In the event of the insolvency of the loan investor selling a participation, a Fund may be treated as a general creditor of such loan investor. In addition, because loan participations are not generally rated by independent credit rating agencies, a decision by a Fund to invest in a particular loan participation will depend almost exclusively on its investment adviser's or subadviser's credit analysis of the borrower.

Loans in which a Fund may invest are subject generally to the same risks as debt securities in which the Fund may invest. In addition, loans in which a Fund may invest, including bridge loans, are generally made to finance internal growth, mergers, acquisitions, stock repurchases, leveraged buy-outs, and other corporate activities, including bridge loans. A significant portion of the loans purchased by a Fund may represent interests in loans made to finance highly leveraged corporate acquisitions, known as "leveraged buy-out" transactions, leveraged recapitalization loans, and other types of acquisition financing. The highly leveraged capital structure of the borrowers in such transactions may make such loans especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions.

Loans generally are subject to restrictions on transfer, and only limited opportunities may exist to sell loans in secondary markets. In some cases, negotiations involved in disposing of indebtedness may require weeks to complete. As a result, a Fund may be unable to sell loans at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or may be able to sell them only at a price that is less than their fair market value. The settlement time for certain loans is longer than the settlement time for many other types of investments, and a Fund may not receive the payment for a loan sold by it until well after the sale; that cash would be unavailable for payment of redemption proceeds or for reinvestment.

Certain of the loans acquired by a Fund may involve revolving credit facilities under which a borrower may from time to time borrow and repay amounts up to the maximum amount of the facility. In such cases, the Fund would have an obligation to advance its portion of such additional borrowings upon the terms specified in the loan participation. A Fund may be required to fund such advances at times and in circumstances where the Fund might not otherwise choose to make a loan to the borrower.

The value of collateral, if any, securing a loan can decline, or may be insufficient to meet the borrower's obligations or difficult to liquidate, or a Fund may be prevented or delayed from realizing the collateral. In addition, a Fund's access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. If a secured loan is foreclosed, a Fund could become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. A bankruptcy or restructuring can result in the loan being converted to an equity ownership interest in the borrower. In addition, under legal theories of lender liability, a Fund potentially might be held liable as a co-lender.

Loans may not be considered "securities," and a Fund that purchases a loan may not be entitled to rely on anti-fraud and other protections under the federal securities laws.

#### Banking Relationships
NTI and its affiliates, including its parent Northern Trust Corporation, deal, trade, and invest for their own account and for the accounts of their clients in the types of securities in which the S&P 500 Index Fund may invest and may have deposit, loan, and commercial banking relationships with the issuers of securities purchased by the Fund.

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#### Below Investment Grade Debt Securities
A Fund may purchase below investment grade debt securities, sometimes referred to as "junk" or "high yield" bonds. The lower ratings of certain securities held by a Fund reflect a greater possibility that adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuer, or in general economic conditions, or both, or an unanticipated rise in interest rates, may impair the ability of the issuer to make payments of interest and principal. The inability (or perceived inability) of issuers to make timely payment of interest and principal would likely make the values of securities held by the Fund more volatile and could limit the Fund's ability to sell its securities at prices approximating the values a Fund had placed on such securities. In the absence of a liquid trading market for securities held by it, the Fund may be unable at times to establish the fair market value of such securities. The rating assigned to a security by S&P Global Ratings ("S&P") or Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") does not reflect an assessment of the volatility of the security's market value or of the liquidity of an investment in the security. (The term "below investment grade debt securities" includes securities that are not rated but are considered by a Fund's investment adviser or subadviser to be of comparable quality to other below investment grade debt securities.)

Like those of other fixed income securities, the values of below investment grade debt securities fluctuate in response to changes in interest rates. Thus, a decrease in interest rates generally will result in an increase in the value of a Fund's fixed income securities. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the value of a Fund's fixed income securities generally will decline. In addition, the values of such securities are also affected by changes in general economic conditions and business conditions, which are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than in the case of higher grade securities. Changes by recognized rating services in their ratings of any fixed income security and in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal may also affect the value of these investments. Changes in the values of portfolio securities generally will not affect cash income derived from such securities, but will affect the Fund's net asset value ("NAV").

Issuers of below investment grade debt securities are often highly leveraged, so their ability to service their debt obligations during an economic downturn or during sustained periods of rising interest rates may be impaired. In the past, economic downturns or increases in interest rates have, under certain circumstances, resulted in a higher incidence of default by the issuers of these instruments and are likely to do so in the future, especially in the case of highly leveraged issuers. In addition, such issuers may not have more traditional methods of financing available to them, and may be unable to repay debt at maturity by refinancing. The risk of loss due to default in payment of interest or principal by such issuers is significantly greater because such securities frequently are unsecured and subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. Certain of the below investment grade debt securities in which a Fund may invest are issued to raise funds in connection with the acquisition of a company, in so-called "leveraged buy-out" transactions. The highly leveraged capital structure of such issuers may make them especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions.

Under adverse market or economic conditions or in the event of adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuer, a Fund could find it more difficult to sell below investment grade debt securities when the Fund's investment adviser or subadviser believes it advisable to do so or may be able to sell such securities only at prices lower than might otherwise be available. Consolidation in the financial services industry has resulted in there being fewer market makers for high yield bonds, which may result in further risk of illiquidity and volatility with respect to high yield bonds held by a Fund, and this trend may continue in the future. Furthermore, high yield bonds held by a Fund may not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and, unless so registered, a Fund will not be able to sell such high yield bonds except pursuant to an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act. This may further limit the Fund's ability to sell high yield debt securities or to obtain the desired price for such securities. In many cases, below investment grade debt securities may be purchased in private placements and, accordingly, will be subject to restrictions on resale as a matter of contract or under securities laws. Under such circumstances, it may also be more difficult to determine the fair values of such securities for purposes of computing a Fund's NAV. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default by an issuer of below investment grade debt securities, a Fund may be required to take possession of and manage assets securing the issuer's obligations on such securities, which may increase the Fund's operating expenses and adversely affect the Fund's NAV. A Fund may also be limited in its ability to enforce its rights and may incur greater costs in enforcing its rights in the event an issuer becomes the subject of bankruptcy proceedings. In addition, the Funds' intention or ability to qualify as "regulated investment companies" under the Code may limit the extent to which a Fund may exercise its rights by taking possession of such assets.

Certain securities held by a Fund may permit the issuer at its option to "call," or redeem, its securities. If an issuer were to redeem securities held by a Fund during a time of declining interest rates, the Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds in securities providing the same investment return as the securities redeemed.

The prices for below investment grade debt securities may be affected by legislative and regulatory developments. Below investment grade debt securities may also be subject to certain risks not typically associated with "investment

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grade" securities, such as the following: (i) reliable and objective information about the value of below investment grade debt securities may be difficult to obtain because the market for such securities may be thinner and less active than that for investment grade obligations; (ii) adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of lower than investment grade obligations, and, in turn, adversely affect their market; (iii) companies that issue below investment grade debt securities may be in the growth stage of their development, or may be financially troubled or highly leveraged, so they may not have more traditional methods of financing available to them; (iv) when other institutional investors dispose of their holdings of below investment grade debt securities, the general market and the prices for such securities could be adversely affected; and (v) the market for below investment grade debt securities could be impaired if legislative proposals to limit their use in connection with corporate reorganizations or to limit their tax and other advantages are enacted.

#### Borrowings
A Fund is required at all times to maintain its assets at a level at least three times the amount of all of its borrowings (the "300% asset coverage test"). Any borrowings that come to exceed the 300% asset coverage requirement will be reduced within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with this requirement.

#### Cash and Short-Term Debt Securities
***Money Market Instruments Generally***. The Funds may invest in money market securities, including money market funds. Money market securities are high-quality, short-term debt instruments that may be issued by the U.S. Government, corporations, banks, or other entities. They may have fixed, variable, or floating interest rates. Some money market securities in which the Funds may invest are described below. During the 2008 global financial downturn and the market volatility caused by the coronavirus outbreak beginning in March 2020, many money market instruments that were thought to be highly liquid became illiquid and lost value. The U.S. Government and the Federal Reserve System, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, have taken extraordinary actions with respect to the financial markets generally and money market instruments in particular. While these actions have stabilized the markets for these instruments, there can be no assurances that those actions will continue or continue to be effective. If a Fund's money market instruments become illiquid, the Fund may be unable to satisfy certain of its obligations or may only be able to do so by selling other securities at prices or times that may be disadvantageous to do so.

***Bank Obligations***. The Funds may invest in bank obligations, including certificates of deposit, time deposits, bankers' acceptances, and other short-term obligations of domestic banks, foreign subsidiaries of domestic banks, foreign branches of domestic banks, and domestic and foreign branches of foreign banks, domestic savings and loan associations, and other banking institutions.

Certificates of deposit ("CDs") are negotiable certificates evidencing the obligations of a bank to repay funds deposited with it for a specified period of time. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in a banking institution for a specified period of time at a stated interest rate. Time deposits which may be held by the Funds will not benefit from insurance from the Bank Insurance Fund or the Savings Association Insurance Fund administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Bankers' acceptances are credit instruments evidencing the obligation of a bank to pay a draft drawn on it by a customer. These instruments reflect the obligation both of the bank and the drawer to pay the face amount of the instrument upon maturity. The other short-term obligations may include uninsured, direct obligations, bearing fixed, floating, or variable interest rates.

The Funds may invest in certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances of U.S. banks and savings and loan associations, London branches of U.S. banks, and U.S. branches of foreign banks. Obligations of foreign banks and of foreign branches of U.S. banks may be affected by foreign governmental action, including imposition of currency controls, interest limitations, withholding or other taxes, seizure of assets, or the declaration of a moratorium or restriction on payments of principal or interest. Foreign banks and foreign branches of U.S. banks may provide less public information than, and may not be subject to the same accounting, auditing, and financial recordkeeping standards as, domestic banks.

***Cash, Short-Term Instruments, and Temporary Investments***. The Funds may hold a significant portion of their assets in cash or cash equivalents at the sole discretion of the Fund's investment adviser or subadviser. The Funds' investment adviser or subadvisers will determine the amount of the Funds' assets to be held in cash or cash equivalents at their sole discretion, based on such factors as they may consider appropriate under the circumstances. The Funds may hold a portion of their assets in cash, for example, in order to provide for expenses or anticipated redemption payments or for temporary defensive purposes. The Funds may also hold a portion of their assets in cash as part of the Funds' investment programs or asset allocation strategies, in amounts considered appropriate by the Funds' investment adviser or subadvisers.

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To the extent the Funds hold assets in cash and otherwise uninvested, its investment returns may be adversely affected and the Funds may not achieve their respective investment objectives. The Funds may invest in high quality money market instruments. The instruments in which the Funds may invest include, without limitation: (i) short-term obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises); (ii) CDs, bankers' acceptances, fixed time deposits, and other obligations of domestic banks (including foreign branches); (iii) non-convertible corporate debt securities (e.g., bonds and debentures) with remaining maturities at the date of purchase of not more than one year; (iv) repurchase agreements; and (v) short-term obligations of foreign banks (including U.S. branches).

***Commercial Paper and Short-Term Corporate Debt Instruments***. The Funds may invest in commercial paper (including variable amount master demand notes) consisting of short-term, unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations to finance short-term credit needs. Commercial paper is usually sold on a discount basis and, other than asset-backed commercial paper, usually has a maturity at the time of issuance not exceeding nine months. Variable amount master demand notes are demand obligations that permit the investment of fluctuating amounts at varying market rates of interest pursuant to arrangements between the issuer and a commercial bank acting as agent for the payee of such notes whereby both parties have the right to vary the amount of the outstanding indebtedness on the notes. The investment adviser or subadvisers monitor on an ongoing basis the ability of an issuer of a demand instrument to pay principal and interest on demand. The Funds also may invest in non-convertible corporate debt securities (e.g., bonds and debentures) with not more than one year remaining to maturity at the date of settlement.

***Letters of Credit***. Certain of the debt obligations (including municipal securities, certificates of participation, commercial paper, and other short-term obligations) which the Funds may purchase may be backed by an unconditional and irrevocable letter of credit of a bank, savings and loan association, or insurance company which assumes the obligation for payment of principal and interest in the event of default by the issuer.

#### Commodities
A Fund may invest directly or indirectly in commodities (such as precious metals or natural gas). Commodity prices can be more volatile than prices of other types of investments and can be affected by a wide range of factors, including changes in overall market movements, speculative investors, real or perceived inflationary trends, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates or currency exchange rates, population growth and changing demographics, nationalization, expropriation, or other confiscation, changes in the costs of discovering, developing, refining, transporting, and storing commodities, the success of commodity exploration projects, temporary or long-term price dislocations and inefficiencies in commodity markets generally or in the market for a particular commodity, international or local regulatory, political, and economic developments (for example, regime changes and changes in economic activity levels), and developments affecting a particular region, industry, or commodity, such as drought, floods, or other weather conditions, livestock disease, epidemics, trade embargoes, energy conservation, competition from substitute products, transportation bottlenecks or shortages, fluctuations in supply and demand, and tariffs. Exposure to commodities can cause the NAV of a Fund's shares to decline or fluctuate in a rapid and unpredictable manner. Commodity prices may be more or less volatile than securities of companies engaged in commodity-related businesses. Investments in commodity-related companies are subject to the risk that the performance of such companies may not correlate with the broader equity market or with returns on commodity investments to the extent expected by the investment adviser or subadviser. Such companies may be significantly affected by import controls, worldwide competition, changes in consumer sentiment, and spending, and can be subject to liability for, among other things, environmental damage, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control. A liquid secondary market may not exist for certain commodity investments, which may make it difficult for the Fund to sell them at a desirable price or at the price at which it is carrying them.

A Fund may also directly or indirectly use commodity-related derivatives. The values of these derivatives may fluctuate more than the relevant underlying commodity or commodities or commodity index. A Fund's investments in commodities or commodity-related derivatives can be limited by the Fund's intention to qualify as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and can bear on the Fund's ability to qualify as such.

#### Common and Preferred Stocks
Stocks represent shares of ownership in a company. Generally, preferred stock has a specified dividend and ranks after bonds and before common stocks in its claim on income for dividend payments and on assets should the company be liquidated. After other claims are satisfied, common stockholders participate in company profits on a pro-rata basis. Profits may be paid out in dividends or reinvested in the company to help it grow. Increases and decreases in earnings are usually reflected in a company's stock price, so common stocks generally have the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential

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of all corporate securities. Like other equity securities, preferred stock is subject to the risk that its value may decrease based on actual or perceived changes in the business or financial condition of the issuer. In addition, changes in interest rates may adversely affect the value of a preferred stock that pays a fixed dividend.

#### Concentration Policy
For purposes of each Fund's concentration limitation as disclosed in this SAI, the Funds apply such policy to direct investments in the securities of issuers in a particular industry, as determined by a Fund's investment adviser or subadviser. A Fund's investment adviser or subadviser may analyze the characteristics of a particular issuer and security and assign an industry or sector classification consistent with those characteristics in the event that the third party classification provider used by the investment adviser or subadviser does not assign a classification or the investment adviser or subadviser, in consultation with the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer, determines that another industry or sector classification is more appropriate.

#### Convertible Securities
The Funds may invest in debt or preferred equity securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, common stock at a stated price or rate. Traditionally, convertible securities have paid dividends or interest at rates higher than common stocks but lower than nonconvertible securities. They generally participate in the appreciation or depreciation of the underlying stock into which they are convertible, but to a lesser degree. In recent years, convertibles have been developed which combine higher or lower current income with options and other features. Convertible securities are subject to the risks of debt and equity securities.

#### Cyber Security and Technology
With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet and the dependence on computer systems to perform business and operational functions, investment companies (such as the Funds) and their service providers (such as the Funds' investment adviser, subadvisers, custodian, and transfer agent) may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from cyber-attacks and/or technological malfunctions. In general, cyber-attacks are deliberate, but unintentional events may have similar effects. Cyber-attacks include, among others, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, preventing legitimate users from accessing information or services on a website, releasing confidential information without authorization, and causing operational disruption. Successful cyber-attacks against, or security breakdowns of, a Fund, the investment adviser, subadviser, custodian, transfer agent, or service provider may adversely affect the Fund or its shareholders. For instance, cyber-attacks may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, affect a Fund's ability to calculate its NAV, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential Fund information, impede trading, cause reputational damage, and subject the Fund to regulatory fines, penalties or financial losses, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and additional compliance costs. Cyber-attacks may render records of Fund assets and transactions, shareholder ownership of Fund shares, and other data integral to the functioning of the Fund inaccessible or inaccurate or incomplete. A Fund may also incur substantial costs for cyber security risk management in order to prevent cyber incidents in the future. A Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result. There are inherent limitations in business continuity plans and systems designed to minimize the risk of cyber-attacks through the use of technology, processes, and controls, including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified given the evolving nature of this threat. The Funds rely on third-party service providers for many of their day-to-day operations, and will be subject to the risk that the protections and protocols implemented by those service providers will be ineffective to protect the Funds from cyber-attack. The Funds' investment adviser does not control the cyber security plans and technology systems put in place by third-party service providers, and such third-party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to the Funds' investment adviser or the Funds, each of whom could be negatively impacted as a result. Similar types of cyber security risks also are present for issuers of securities in which the Funds invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause a Fund's investment in such securities to lose value.

#### Debtor-in-Possession Financings
The Funds may invest in debtor-in-possession financings (commonly known as "DIP financings") through participation interests in direct loans, purchase of assignments, and other means. DIP financings are arranged when an entity seeks the protections of the bankruptcy court under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code ("Chapter 11"). These financings allow the entity to continue its business operations while reorganizing under Chapter 11. Such financings constitute senior liens on an unencumbered security (i.e., a security not subject to other creditors' claims). DIP financings are generally subject to the same risks as investments in senior bank loans and similar debt instruments, but involve a

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greater risk of loss of principal and interest. For example, there is a risk that the entity will not emerge from Chapter 11 and be forced to liquidate its assets under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, as well as a risk that the bankruptcy court will not approve a proposed reorganization plan or will require substantial and unfavorable changes to an initial plan. In the event of liquidation, a Fund's only recourse will be against the property securing the DIP financing. Companies in bankruptcy may also be undergoing significant financial and operational changes that may cause their financial performance to have elevated levels of volatility. DIP financings may involve payment-in-kind interest or principal interest payments, and a Fund may receive securities of a reorganized issuer (e.g., common stock, preferred stock, warrants) in return for its investment, which may include illiquid investments and investments that are difficult to value.

#### Derivatives
***General***. Derivatives are financial instruments whose values are based on the values of one or more underlying indicators, such as a security, asset, currency, interest rate, or index. Derivative transactions can create investment leverage and may be highly volatile. Losses from derivatives can be substantially greater than the derivatives' original cost and can sometimes be unlimited. A Fund may not be able to close out a derivative transaction at a favorable time or price.

A Fund's use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments. Derivative products can be highly specialized instruments that may require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks, such as potential changes in value in response to interest rate changes or other market developments or as a result of the counterparty's credit quality and the risk that a derivative transaction may not have the effect or benefit a Fund's investment adviser or subadviser anticipated. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. When a Fund invests in a derivative instrument, it could lose more than the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances, and there can be no assurance that a Fund will engage in these transactions to reduce exposure to other risks when that would be beneficial. Many derivative transactions are entered into "over the counter" (not on an exchange or contract market); as a result, the value of such a derivative transaction will depend on the ability and the willingness of the Fund's counterparty to perform its obligations under the transaction. A liquid secondary market may not always exist for a Fund's derivative positions at any time. Use of derivatives may affect the amount, timing, and character of distributions to shareholders. Although the use of derivatives is intended to enhance a Fund's performance, it may instead reduce returns and increase volatility.

A Fund may be subject to the credit risk of its counterparty to derivative transactions (including repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements) and to the counterparty's ability or willingness to perform in accordance with the terms of the transaction. A Fund may be negatively impacted if a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under such a transaction. A Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding and a Fund may obtain only limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. In the event of a counterparty's (or its affiliate's) insolvency, the possibility exists that a Fund's ability to exercise remedies, such as the termination of transactions, netting of obligations, and realization on collateral, could be stayed or eliminated under special resolution regimes adopted in the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and various other jurisdictions. Such regimes provide government authorities with broad authority to intervene when a financial institution is experiencing financial difficulty. In particular, the regulatory authorities could reduce, eliminate, or convert to equity the liabilities to a Fund of a counterparty who is subject to such proceedings in the European Union (sometimes referred to as a "bail in").

A Fund may enter into cleared derivatives transactions and/or exchange-traded futures contracts. When a Fund enters into a cleared derivative transaction and/or an exchange-traded futures contract, it is subject to the credit risk of the clearinghouse and the clearing member through which it holds its position. The clearing member or the clearinghouse could also fail to perform its obligations, causing losses to the Fund. Credit risk of market participants with respect to derivatives that are centrally cleared is concentrated in a few clearinghouses and clearing members. Under current Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") regulations, a clearing member is required to maintain customers' assets in omnibus accounts for all of its customers segregated from the clearing member's proprietary assets. If, for example, a clearing member fails to segregate customer assets, is unable to satisfy a substantial deficit in a customer account, or in the event of fraud or misappropriation of customer assets by a clearing member, clearing member customers may be subject to risk of loss of their funds in the event of that clearing member's bankruptcy. A Fund might not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of a Fund's clearing member because the Fund would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of the funds held by the clearing member on behalf of customers. It is not entirely clear how an insolvency

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proceeding of a clearinghouse, or the clearing member through which the Fund holds its positions at a clearinghouse, would be conducted, what effect the insolvency proceeding would have on any recovery by a Fund, and what impact an insolvency of a clearinghouse or clearing member would have on the financial system more generally.

U.S. and non-U.S. legislative and governmental authorities, various exchanges, and regulatory and self-regulatory authorities have undertaken reviews of derivatives trading in recent periods. Among the actions that have been taken or proposed to be taken are new position limits and reporting requirements, new or more stringent daily price fluctuation limits for futures and options transactions, new or increased margin and reserve requirements for various types of derivatives transactions, and mandatory clearing, trading, and reporting requirements for many derivatives. Additional measures are under active consideration and as a result there may be further actions that adversely affect the regulation of instruments in which the Funds invest. Such legislative and regulatory measures may reduce the availability of some types of derivative instruments, may increase the cost of trading in or maintaining other instruments or positions, and may cause uncertainty in the markets for a variety of derivative instruments. It is also possible that these or similar measures could potentially limit or completely restrict the ability of a Fund to use these instruments as a part of its investment strategy. For example, the SEC recently finalized new Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act providing for the regulation of registered investment companies' use of derivatives and certain related instruments. The ultimate impact, if any, of the regulation remains unclear, but the new rule, among other things, limits derivatives exposure through one of two value-at-risk tests and eliminates the asset segregation framework for covering derivatives and certain financial instruments arising from the SEC's Release 10666 and ensuing staff guidance. Limited derivatives users (as determined by Rule 18f-4), however, are not subject to the full requirements under the rule. Legislative and regulatory measures like this and others are evolving and still being implemented and their effects on derivatives market activities cannot be reliably predicted.

The CFTC and domestic futures exchanges have established (and continue to evaluate and revise) limits ("position limits") on the maximum net long or net short positions which any person, or group of persons acting in concert, may hold or control in particular contracts. In addition, starting January 1, 2023, federal position limits will apply to swaps that are economically equivalent to futures contracts that are subject to CFTC-set speculative limits. All positions owned or controlled by the same person or entity, even if in different accounts, must be aggregated for purposes of complying with position limits. Thus, even if a Fund does not intend to exceed applicable position limits, it is possible that different clients managed by the investment adviser or subadviser may be aggregated for this purpose. Therefore, the trading decisions of the investment adviser or subadviser may have to be modified and positions held by a Fund liquidated in order to avoid exceeding such limits. Any modification of trading decisions or elimination of open positions that may be required to avoid exceeding such limits may adversely affect the performance of a Fund. A violation of position limits could also lead to regulatory action materially adverse to a Fund's investment strategy.

No Fund has the obligation to enter into derivatives transactions at any time or under any circumstances. In addition, nothing in this SAI is intended to limit in any way any purpose for which a Fund may enter into any type of derivatives transaction; a Fund may use derivatives transactions for hedging purposes or generally for purposes of enhancing its investment return.

#### Foreign Currency Exchange Transactions
A Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange transactions for hedging purposes in order to protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign currency exchange rates, or for other, non-hedging purposes—for example, a Fund may take a long or short position with respect to a foreign currency in which none of the Fund's assets or liabilities are denominated, or where the position is in excess of the amount of any such assets or liabilities, in order to take advantage of anticipated changes in the relative values of those currencies. There can be no assurance that appropriate foreign currency transactions will be available for a Fund at any time or that a Fund will enter into such transactions at any time or under any circumstances even if appropriate transactions are available to it. A Fund may purchase or sell a foreign currency on a spot (i.e*.*, cash) basis at the prevailing spot rate. A Fund may also enter into contracts to deliver in the future an amount of one currency in return for an amount of another currency ("forward contracts") and may purchase and sell foreign currency futures contracts. (Foreign currency futures contracts are similar to financial futures contracts, except that they typically contemplate the delivery of foreign currencies; see "Financial Futures Contracts," below.) A Fund may also purchase or sell options on foreign currencies or options on foreign currency futures contracts.

A Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange transactions in order to hedge against a change in the values of assets or liabilities denominated in one or more foreign currencies due to changes in currency exchange rates.

A Fund may also enter into foreign currency transactions to adjust generally the exposure of its portfolio to various foreign currencies. For example, a Fund with a large exposure to securities denominated in euros might want to continue to

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hold those securities, but to trade its exposure to the euro to exposure to, say, the Japanese Yen. In that case, the Fund might take a short position in the euro and a long position in the Yen. A Fund may also use foreign currency transactions to hedge the value of the Fund's portfolio against the Fund's benchmark index.

The value of any currency, including U.S. dollars and foreign currencies, may be affected by complex political and economic factors applicable to the issuing country. In addition, the exchange rates of foreign currencies (and therefore the values of foreign currency options, forward contracts, and futures contracts) may be affected significantly, fixed, or supported directly or indirectly by U.S. and foreign government actions. Government intervention may increase risks involved in purchasing or selling foreign currency options, forward contracts, and futures contracts, since exchange rates may not be free to fluctuate in response to other market forces. Foreign governmental restrictions or taxes could result in adverse changes in the cost of acquiring or disposing of foreign currencies.

Because foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank market involve substantially larger amounts than those that may be involved in the use of foreign currency options, investors may be disadvantaged by having to deal in an odd lot market (generally consisting of transactions of less than $1 million) for the underlying foreign currencies at prices that are less favorable than for round lots.

There is no systematic reporting of last-sale information for foreign currencies and there is no regulatory requirement that quotations available through dealers or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis. Available quotation information is generally representative of very large transactions in the interbank market and thus may not reflect relatively smaller transactions (less than $1 million) where rates may be less favorable. The interbank market in foreign currencies is a global, around-the-clock market.

*Currency Forward and Futures Contracts*. A foreign currency forward contract involves an obligation to deliver in the future, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract as agreed by the parties, an amount of one currency in return for an amount of another currency, at an exchange rate set at the time of the contract. The contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A foreign currency futures contract is a standardized contract for the future delivery of a specified amount of a foreign currency at a future date at an exchange rate set at the time of the contract. Foreign currency futures contracts traded in the United States are designed by and traded on exchanges regulated by the CFTC, such as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Foreign currency futures contracts will typically require a Fund to post both initial margin and variation margin.

Foreign currency forward contracts differ from foreign currency futures contracts in certain respects. For example, the maturity date of a forward contract may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, rather than a predetermined date in a given month. Forward contracts may be in any amounts agreed upon by the parties rather than predetermined amounts. Also, forward foreign exchange contracts are traded directly between counterparties, exposing a Fund to credit risk with respect to its counterparty, whereas foreign currency futures contracts are traded on regulated exchanges. Because foreign currency forward contracts are private transactions between a Fund and its counterparty, any benefit of such contracts to the Fund will depend upon the willingness and ability of the counterparty to perform its obligations. In the case of a futures contract, a Fund is subject to the credit risk of the clearinghouse and the clearing member through which it holds its position as well as the risk that the clearing member or the clearinghouse could also fail to perform its obligations.

At the maturity of a forward or futures contract, a Fund will make delivery of the currency or currencies specified in the contract in return for the other currency or currencies specified in the contract (or, if the contract is a non-deliverable or cash-settled contract, settle the contract on a net basis) or, at or prior to maturity, enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Closing transactions with respect to forward contracts are usually effected with the currency trader who is a party to the original forward contract. Closing transactions with respect to futures contracts are effected on a commodities exchange and a clearinghouse associated with the exchange assumes responsibility for closing out such contracts.

Positions in foreign currency futures contracts and related options may be closed out only on an exchange or board of trade which provides a market in such contracts or options. Although a Fund will normally purchase or sell foreign currency futures contracts and related options only on exchanges or boards of trade where there appears to be an active market, there is no assurance that an active market on an exchange or board of trade will exist for any particular contract or option or at any particular time. In such event, it may not be possible to close a futures or related option position and, in the event of adverse price movements, a Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin on its futures positions. A Fund's ability to close out a foreign currency forward contract will depend on the willingness of its counterparty to engage in an offsetting transaction.

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*Foreign Currency Options*. Options on foreign currencies operate similarly to options on securities, and are traded primarily in the over-the-counter ("OTC") market, although certain options on foreign currencies may be listed on several exchanges. Although such options will be purchased or written only when an investment adviser or subadviser believes that a liquid secondary market exists for such options, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for a particular option at any specific time. Options on foreign currencies are affected by all of those factors which influence exchange rates and investments generally.

The value of a foreign currency option is dependent upon the value of the foreign currency and the U.S. dollar, and may have no relationship to the investment merits of a foreign security.

*Foreign Currency Conversion*. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for currency conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (the "spread") between prices at which they buy and sell various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to a Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should a Fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer.

*Foreign Currency Swap Agreements*. A Fund may enter into currency swaps to protect against adverse changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies or as a means of making indirect investments in foreign currencies. Currency swaps involve the individually negotiated exchange by a Fund with another party of a series of payments in specified currencies in amounts determined pursuant to the terms of the swap agreement. (See "Swap Agreements and Options on Swap Agreements," below.)

Foreign currency derivatives transactions may be highly volatile and may give rise to investment leverage.

#### Financial Futures Contracts
A Fund may enter into futures contracts, including interest rate futures contracts, securities index futures contracts, and futures contracts on fixed income securities (collectively referred to as "financial futures contracts").

A Fund may use interest rate futures contracts to adjust the interest rate sensitivity (duration) of its portfolio or the credit exposure of the portfolio. Interest rate futures contracts obligate the long or short holder to take or make delivery of a specified quantity of a financial instrument, such as a specific fixed income security, during a specified future period at a specified price.

A Fund may use index futures contracts to hedge against broad market risks to its portfolio or to gain broad market exposure when it holds uninvested cash or as an inexpensive substitute for cash investments directly in securities or other assets, including commodities and precious metals. Securities index futures contracts are contracts to buy or sell units of a securities index at a specified future date at a price agreed upon when the contract is made and are settled in cash.

Positions in financial futures contracts may be closed out only on an exchange or board of trade which provides a market for such futures.

There are special risks associated with entering into financial futures contracts. The skills needed to use financial futures contracts effectively are different from those needed to select a Fund's investments. There may be an imperfect correlation between the price movements of financial futures contracts and the price movements of the securities in which a Fund invests. There is also a risk that a Fund will be unable to close a position in a financial futures contract when desired because there is no liquid market for it.

The risk of loss in trading financial futures contracts can be substantial due to the low margin deposits required and the extremely high degree of leverage involved in futures pricing. Relatively small price movements in a financial futures contract could have an immediate and substantial impact, which may be favorable or unfavorable to a Fund. It is possible for a price-related loss to exceed the amount of a Fund's margin deposit. An investor could also suffer losses if it is unable to close out a futures contract because of an illiquid market. Futures are subject to the creditworthiness of the clearing members (i.e., futures commission merchants) and clearing organizations involved in the transactions.

Although some financial futures contracts by their terms call for the actual delivery or acquisition of securities at expiration, in most cases the contractual commitment is closed out before expiration. The offsetting of a contractual obligation is accomplished by purchasing (or selling as the case may be) on a futures exchange an identical financial futures contract calling for delivery in the same month. Such a transaction offsets the obligation to make or take delivery. A Fund will incur brokerage fees when it purchases or sells financial futures contracts, and will be required to maintain margin deposits. If a liquid market does not exist when a Fund wishes to close out a financial futures contract, it will not be able to do so and will continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin in the event of adverse price movements.

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The investment adviser has claimed with respect to each Fund an exclusion from the definition of the term "commodity pool operator" under the Commodity Exchange Act (the "CEA") and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under the CEA. For the investment adviser to be eligible to claim such an exclusion, a Fund may only use futures contracts, options on such futures, commodity options and certain swaps solely for "bona fide hedging purposes" (as defined by the CFTC), or must limit its use of such instruments for non-bona fide hedging purposes to certain de minimis amounts, as provided by CFTC Rule 4.5. It is possible that that exclusion may in the future cease to be available with respect to one or more Funds. In any case where the exclusion is unavailable with respect to a Fund, additional requirements, including CFTC and National Futures Association ("NFA")-mandated disclosure, reporting, and recordkeeping obligations, would apply with respect to that Fund. Compliance with the CFTC's regulatory requirements and NFA rules could increase Fund expenses and potentially adversely affect a Fund's total return.

*Margin Payments*. When a Fund purchases or sells a financial futures contract, it is required to deposit with the clearing member an amount of cash, U.S. Treasury bills, or other permissible collateral equal to a small percentage of the amount of the financial futures contract. This amount is known as "initial margin." The nature of initial margin is different from that of margin in security transactions in that it does not involve borrowing money to finance transactions. Rather, initial margin is similar to a performance bond or good faith deposit that is returned to a Fund upon termination of the contract, assuming the Fund satisfies its contractual obligations.

Subsequent payments to and from the clearing member occur on a daily basis in a process known as "marking to market." These payments are called "variation margin" and are made as the value of the underlying financial futures contract fluctuates. For example, when a Fund sells an index futures contract and the price of the underlying index rises above the delivery price, the Fund's position declines in value. The Fund then pays the clearing member a variation margin payment equal to the difference between the delivery price of the index futures contract and the value of the index underlying the index futures contract. Conversely, if the price of the underlying index falls below the delivery price of the contract, the Fund's futures position increases in value. The clearing member then must make a variation margin payment equal to the difference between the delivery price of the index futures contract and the value of the index underlying the index futures contract.

When a Fund terminates a position in a financial futures contract, a final determination of variation margin is made, additional cash is paid by or to the Fund, and the Fund realizes a loss or a gain. Such closing transactions involve additional commission costs.

*Options on Financial Futures Contracts*. A Fund may purchase and write call and put options on financial futures contracts. An option on a financial futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a financial futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option or only at expiration of the option, depending on the option's terms. Upon exercise of the option, the holder would assume the underlying futures position and would receive a variation margin payment of cash or securities approximating the increase in the value of the holder's option position. If an option is exercised on the last trading day prior to the expiration date of the option, the settlement will be made entirely in cash. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to or on the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.

*Options on Swaps*. Options on swaps ("swaptions") are similar to options on securities except that they are traded over-the-counter (i.e., not on an exchange) and the premium paid or received is to buy or grant the right to enter into a previously agreed upon swap transaction, such as an interest rate or credit default contract. Forward premium swaption contracts include premiums that have extended settlement dates. The delayed settlement of the premiums is factored into the daily valuation of the swaption contracts. In the case of interest rate cap and floor contracts, in return for a premium, ongoing payments between two parties are based on interest rates exceeding a specified rate, in the case of a cap contract, or falling below a specified rate, in the case of a floor contract.

*Special Risks of Transactions in Financial Futures Contracts and Related Options*. Financial futures contracts entail risks. The risks associated with purchasing and writing put and call options on financial futures contracts can be influenced by the market for financial futures contracts. An increase in the market value of a financial futures contract on which the Fund has written an option may cause the option to be exercised. In this situation, the benefit to a Fund would be limited to the value of the exercise price of the option and the Fund may realize a loss on the option greater than the premium the Fund initially received for writing the option. In addition, a Fund's ability to close out an option it has written by entering into an offsetting transaction depends upon the market's demand for such financial futures contracts. If a purchased option expires unexercised, a Fund would realize a loss in the amount of the premium paid for the option.

If an investment adviser's or subadviser's judgment about the general direction of interest rates or markets is wrong, the overall performance may be poorer than if no financial futures contracts had been entered into.

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*Liquidity Risks*. Positions in financial futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which such contract is listed. Although the Funds intend to purchase or sell financial futures contracts for which there appears to be an active market, there is no assurance that a liquid market will exist for any particular contract or at any particular time. If there is not a liquid market at a particular time, it may not be possible to close a position in a financial futures contract at such time and, in the event of adverse price movements, a Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin.

The ability to establish and close out positions in options on financial futures contracts will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid market. It is not certain that such a market will develop. Although a Fund generally will purchase only those options for which there appears to be an active market, there is no assurance that a liquid market on an exchange will exist for any particular option or at any particular time. In the event no such market exists for particular options, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in such options, with the result that a Fund would have to exercise the options in order to realize any profit.

*Hedging Risks*. There are several risks in connection with the use by a Fund of financial futures contracts and related options as a hedging device. One risk arises because of the imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the financial futures contracts and options and movements in the underlying securities or index or movements in the prices of a Fund's securities which are the subject of a hedge.

Successful use of financial futures contracts and options by a Fund for hedging purposes is also subject to an investment adviser's or subadviser's ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the market. It is possible that, where a Fund has purchased puts on financial futures contracts to hedge its portfolio against a decline in the market, the securities or index on which the puts are purchased may increase in value and the value of securities held in the portfolio may decline. If this occurred, the Fund would lose money on the puts and also experience a decline in the value of its portfolio securities. In addition, the prices of financial futures contracts, for a number of reasons, may not correlate perfectly with movements in the underlying securities or index due to certain market distortions. First, all participants in the futures market are subject to margin deposit requirements. Such requirements may cause investors to close financial futures contracts through offsetting transactions which could distort the normal relationship between the underlying security or index and futures markets. Second, the margin requirements in the futures markets are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities markets in general, and as a result the futures markets may attract more speculators than the securities markets do. Increased participation by speculators in the futures markets may also cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price distortion, even a correct forecast of general market trends by an investment adviser or subadviser still may not result in a successful hedging transaction over a very short time period.

*Other Risks*. A Fund will incur brokerage fees in connection with its transactions in financial futures contracts and related options. In addition, while financial futures contracts and options on financial futures contracts will be purchased and sold to reduce certain risks, those transactions themselves entail certain other risks. Thus, while a Fund may benefit from the use of financial futures contracts and related options, unanticipated changes in interest rates or stock price movements may result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not entered into any financial futures contracts or options transactions. Moreover, in the event of an imperfect correlation between the position in the financial futures contract and the portfolio position that is intended to be protected, the desired protection may not be obtained and the Fund may be exposed to risk of loss.

#### Swap Agreements and Options on Swap Agreements
A Fund may engage in swap transactions, including interest rate swap agreements, credit default swaps, and total return swaps.

Swap agreements are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In a standard "swap" transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments or rates, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or "swapped" between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a "notional amount" (i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate or in a "basket" of securities representing a particular index). When a Fund enters into an interest rate swap, it typically agrees to make payments to its counterparty based on a specified long- or short-term interest rate, and will receive payments from its counterparty based on another interest rate. Other forms of swap agreements include, among others, interest rate caps, under which, in return for a specified payment stream, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates exceed a specified rate, or "cap"; interest rate floors, under which, in return for a specified payment stream, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified rate, or "floor"; interest rate collars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa in an

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attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels; and curve cap swaps, under which a party might buy or sell protection against an increase in long-term interest rates relative to shorter-term rates. A Fund may enter into an interest rate swap in order, for example, to hedge against the effect of interest rate changes on the value of specific securities in its portfolio, or to adjust the interest rate sensitivity (duration) or the credit exposure of its portfolio overall, or otherwise as a substitute for a direct investment in debt securities.

A Fund may enter into total return swaps. In a total return swap, one party typically agrees to pay to the other a short-term interest rate in return for a payment at one or more times in the future based on the increase in the value of an underlying security or other asset, or index of securities or assets; if the underlying security, asset, or index declines in value, the party that pays the short-term interest rate must also pay to its counterparty a payment based on the amount of the decline. A Fund may take either side of such a swap, and so may take a long or short position in the underlying security, asset, or index. A Fund may enter into a total return swap to hedge against an exposure in its portfolio (including to adjust the duration or credit quality of a Fund's bond portfolio) or generally to put cash to work efficiently in the markets in anticipation of, or as a replacement for, cash investments. A Fund may also enter into a total return swap to gain exposure to securities or markets in which it might not be able to invest directly (in so-called market access transactions). A Fund may also enter into contracts for difference, which are similar to total return swaps.

A Fund also may enter into credit default swap transactions. In a credit default swap, one party provides what is in effect insurance against a default or other adverse credit event affecting an issuer of debt securities (typically referred to as a "reference entity"). In general, the protection "buyer" in a credit default swap is obligated to pay the protection "seller" an upfront amount or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the swap. If a "credit event" occurs, the buyer has the right to deliver to the seller bonds or other obligations of the reference entity (with a value up to the full notional value of the swap), and to receive a payment equal to the par value of the bonds or other obligations. Credit events that would trigger a request that the seller make payment are specific to each credit default swap agreement, but generally include bankruptcy, failure to pay, restructuring, obligation acceleration, obligation default, or repudiation/moratorium. A Fund may be either the buyer or seller in a credit default swap transaction. When a Fund buys protection, it may or may not own securities of the reference entity. If it does own securities of the reference entity, the swap serves as a hedge against a decline in the value of the securities due to the occurrence of a credit event involving the issuer of the securities. If the Fund does not own securities of the reference entity, the credit default swap may be seen to create a short position in the reference entity. If a Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund will typically recover nothing under the swap, but will have had to pay the required upfront payment and stream of continuing payments under the swap. When a Fund sells protection under a credit default swap, the position may have the effect of creating leverage in the Fund's portfolio through the Fund's indirect long exposure to the issuer or securities on which the swap is written. When a Fund sells protection, it may do so either to earn additional income or to create such a "synthetic" long position. Credit default swaps involve general market risks, illiquidity risk, counterparty risk, and credit risk.

A Fund may also enter into options on swap agreements ("swaptions"). A swaption is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation) to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel, or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement, at some designated future time on specified terms. A Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swaptions. Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, a Fund will generally incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swaption than it will incur when it purchases a swaption. When a Fund purchases a swaption, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. However, when a Fund writes a swaption, upon exercise of the option the Fund will become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement. A Fund may enter into swaptions for the same purposes as swaps.

Whether a Fund's use of swap agreements or swaptions will be successful will depend on the investment adviser's or subadviser's ability to predict correctly whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Moreover, a Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. Certain restrictions imposed on the Funds by the Code may limit the Funds' ability to use swap agreements.

Swaps are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques, risk analyses, and tax planning different from those associated with traditional investments. The use of a swap requires an understanding not only of the referenced asset, reference rate, or index but also of the swap itself, without the benefit of observing the performance of the swap under all possible market conditions. Because they are two party contracts that may be subject to contractual restrictions on transferability and termination and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid and subject to a Fund's limitation on investments in illiquid securities. To the extent that a swap is not liquid, it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses.

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Like most other investments, swap agreements are subject to the risk that the market value of the instrument will change in a way detrimental to a Fund's interest. A Fund bears the risk that an investment adviser or subadviser will not accurately forecast future market trends or the values of assets, reference rates, indexes, or other economic factors in establishing swap positions for the Fund. If an investment adviser or subadviser attempts to use a swap as a hedge against, or as a substitute for, a portfolio investment, the Fund will be exposed to the risk that the swap will have or will develop imperfect or no correlation with the portfolio investment. This could cause substantial losses for the Fund. While hedging strategies involving swap instruments can reduce the risk of loss, they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other Fund investments. Many swaps are complex and often valued subjectively.

When a Fund enters into swap agreements, it is subject to the credit risk of its counterparty and to the counterparty's ability or willingness to perform in accordance with the terms of the agreement. A Fund may be negatively impacted if a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a swap agreement. A Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding and a Fund may obtain only limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.

#### Options, Rights, and Warrants
A Fund may purchase and sell put and call options on securities to enhance investment performance or to protect against changes in market prices. A Fund that invests in debt securities may also purchase and sell put and call options to adjust the interest rate sensitivity of its portfolio or the credit exposure of the portfolio.

*Call Options*. A Fund may write call options on portfolio securities to realize a greater current return through the receipt of premiums. Such option transactions may also be used as a limited form of hedging against a decline in the price of securities owned by the Fund.

A call option gives the holder the right to purchase, and obligates the writer to sell, a security at the exercise price at any time before the expiration date in the case of an American-style option or only on the expiration date in the case of a European-style option. A Fund may write covered call options or uncovered call options. A call option is "covered" if the writer, at all times while obligated as a writer, either owns the underlying securities (or comparable securities satisfying the cover requirements of the securities exchanges), or has the right to acquire such securities through immediate conversion of securities. When a Fund has written an uncovered call option, the Fund will not necessarily hold securities offsetting the risk to the Fund. As a result, if the call option were exercised, the Fund might be required to purchase the security that is the subject of the call at the market price at the time of exercise. The Fund's exposure on such an option is theoretically unlimited. There is also a risk, especially with less liquid preferred and debt securities, that the security may not be available for purchase.

A Fund will receive a premium from writing a call option, which increases the Fund's return in the event the option expires unexercised or is closed out at a profit. The amount of the premium reflects, among other things, the relationship between the exercise price and the current market value of the underlying security, the volatility of the underlying security, the amount of time remaining until expiration, current interest rates, and the effect of supply and demand in the options market and in the market for the underlying security.

In return for the premium received when it writes a covered call option, a Fund takes the risk during the life of the option that it will be required to deliver the underlying security at a price below the current market value of the security or, in the case of a covered call option, to give up some or all of the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price of the securities covering the call option.

In the case of a covered option, the Fund also retains the risk of loss should the price of the securities decline. If the covered option expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a gain equal to the premium, which may be offset by a decline in price of the underlying security. If the option is exercised, the Fund realizes a gain or loss equal to the difference between the Fund's cost for the underlying security and the proceeds of sale (exercise price minus commissions) plus the amount of the premium.

A Fund may enter into closing purchase transactions in order to realize a profit or limit a loss on a previously written call option or, in the case of a covered call option, to free itself to sell the underlying security or to write another call on the security, or protect a security from being called in an unexpected market rise. Any profits from a closing purchase transaction in the case of a covered call option may be offset by a decline in the value of the underlying security. Conversely, because increases in the market price of a call option will generally reflect increases in the market price of the underlying security, any loss resulting from a closing purchase transaction relating to a covered call option is likely to be offset in whole or in part by unrealized appreciation of the underlying security owned by the Fund.

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*Put Options*. A Fund may write put options in order to enhance its current return by taking a long directional position as to a security or index of securities. Such options transactions may also be used as a limited form of hedging against an increase in the price of securities that the Fund plans to purchase. A put option gives the holder the right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy, a security at the exercise price. A Fund may write covered or uncovered put options. A put option is "covered" if the writer segregates cash and high-grade short-term debt obligations or other permissible collateral equal to the price to be paid if the option is exercised.

By writing a put option, the Fund assumes the risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying security for an exercise price higher than its then current market value, resulting in a potential capital loss unless the security later appreciates in value. A Fund may terminate a put option that it has written before it expires by entering into a closing purchase transaction. Any loss from this transaction may be partially or entirely offset by the premium received on the terminated option.

*Purchasing Put and Call Options*. A Fund may also purchase put options to protect portfolio holdings against a decline in market value. This protection lasts for the life of the put option because the Fund, as a holder of the option, may sell the underlying security at the exercise price regardless of any decline in its market price. A Fund may also purchase a put option hoping to profit from an anticipated decline in the value of the underlying security. In order for a put option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying security must decline sufficiently below the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction costs that the Fund must pay. If the Fund holds the security underlying the option, these costs will reduce any profit the Fund might have realized had it sold the underlying security instead of buying the put option.

A Fund may purchase call options to hedge against an increase in the price of securities that the Fund wants ultimately to buy. Such hedge protection is provided during the life of the call option since the Fund, as holder of the call option, is able to buy the underlying security at the exercise price regardless of any increase in the underlying security's market price. A Fund may also purchase a call option as a long directional investment hoping to profit from an anticipated increase in the value of the underlying security. In order for a call option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying security must rise sufficiently above the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction costs. These costs will reduce any profit the Fund might have realized had it bought the underlying security at the time it purchased the call option.

A Fund may also buy and sell combinations of put and call options on the same underlying security to earn additional income.

A Fund may purchase or sell "structured options," which may comprise multiple option exposures within a single security. The risk and return characteristics of a structured option will vary depending on the nature of the underlying option exposures. The Fund may use such options for hedging purposes or as a substitute for direct investments in options or securities. The Fund's use of structured options may create investment leverage.

*Options on Foreign Securities*. A Fund may purchase and sell options on foreign securities if an investment adviser or subadviser believes that the investment characteristics of such options, including the risks of investing in such options, are consistent with the Fund's investment objective. It is expected that risks related to such options will not differ materially from risks related to options on U.S. securities. However, position limits and other rules of foreign exchanges may differ from those in the United States. In addition, options markets in some countries, many of which are relatively new, may be less liquid than comparable markets in the United States.

*Options on Securities Indexes*. A Fund may write or purchase options on securities indexes, subject to its general investment restrictions regarding options transactions. Index options are similar to options on individual securities in that the purchaser of an index option acquires the right to buy (in the case of a call) or sell (in the case of a put), and the writer undertakes the obligation to sell or buy (as the case may be), units of an index at a stated exercise price during the term of the option. Instead of giving the right to take or make actual delivery of securities, the holder of an index option has the right to receive a cash "exercise settlement amount." This amount is equal to the amount by which the fixed exercise price of the option exceeds (in the case of a put) or is less than (in the case of a call) the closing value of the underlying index on the date of the exercise, multiplied by a fixed "index multiplier." If the Fund has written an index call option, it will lose money if the index level rises above the option exercise price (plus the amount of the premium received by the Fund on the option). If the Fund has written an index put option, it will lose money if the index level falls below the option exercise price (less the amount of the premium received by the Fund).

In cases where a Fund uses index options for hedging purposes, price movements in securities which a Fund owns or intends to purchase probably will not correlate perfectly with movements in the level of a securities index and, therefore, a Fund bears the risk of a loss on a securities index option which is not completely offset by movements in the price of such securities. Because securities index options are settled in cash, a call writer cannot determine the amount of its settlement

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obligations in advance and, unlike call writing on a specific security, cannot provide in advance for, or cover, its potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding underlying securities. A Fund may, however, cover call options written on a securities index by holding a mix of securities which substantially replicate the movement of the index or by holding a call option on the securities index with an exercise price no higher than the call option sold.

A Fund may purchase or sell options on stock indexes in order to close out its outstanding positions in options on stock indexes which it has purchased. A Fund may also allow such options to expire unexercised.

*Risks Involved in the Sale of Options*. The successful use of a Fund's options strategies depends on the ability of an investment adviser or subadviser to forecast correctly interest rate and market movements. For example, if a Fund were to write a covered call option based on an investment adviser's or subadviser's expectation that the price of the underlying security would fall, but the price were to rise instead, the Fund could be required to sell the security upon exercise at a price below the current market price. Similarly, if a Fund were to write a put option based on an investment adviser's or subadviser's expectation that the price of the underlying security would rise, but the price were to fall instead, the Fund could be required to purchase the security upon exercise at a price higher than the current market price.

When a Fund purchases an option, it runs the risk that it will lose its entire investment in the option in a relatively short period of time, unless the Fund exercises the option or enters into a closing sale transaction before the option's expiration. If the price of the underlying security does not rise (in the case of a call) or fall (in the case of a put) to an extent sufficient to cover the option premium and transaction costs, the Fund will lose part or all of its investment in the option. This contrasts with an investment by a Fund in the underlying security, since the Fund will not realize a loss if the security's price does not change.

The effective use of options also depends on a Fund's ability to terminate option positions at times when an investment adviser or subadviser deems it desirable to do so. There is no assurance that a Fund will be able to effect closing transactions at any particular time or at an acceptable price.

If a secondary market in options were to become unavailable, a Fund could no longer engage in closing transactions. Lack of investor interest might adversely affect the liquidity of the market for particular options or series of options. A market may discontinue trading of a particular option or options generally. In addition, a market could become temporarily unavailable if unusual events—such as volume in excess of trading or clearing capability—were to interrupt its normal operations.

A market may at times find it necessary to impose restrictions on particular types of options transactions, such as opening transactions. If an underlying security ceases to meet qualifications imposed by the market or the Options Clearing Corporation, new series of options on that security will no longer be opened to replace expiring series, and opening transactions in existing series may be prohibited. If an options market were to become unavailable, a Fund as a holder of an option would be able to realize profits or limit losses only by exercising the option, and the Fund, as option writer, would remain obligated under the option until expiration or exercise.

Disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying options purchased or sold by a Fund could result in losses on the options. If trading is interrupted in an underlying security, the trading of options on that security is normally halted as well. As a result, a Fund as purchaser or writer of an option will be unable to close out its positions until options trading resumes, and it may be faced with considerable losses if trading in the security reopens at a substantially different price. In addition, the Options Clearing Corporation or other options markets may impose exercise restrictions. If a prohibition on exercise is imposed at the time when trading in the option has also been halted, a Fund as purchaser or writer of an option will be locked into its position until one of the two restrictions has been lifted. If the Options Clearing Corporation were to determine that the available supply of an underlying security appears insufficient to permit delivery by the writers of all outstanding calls in the event of exercise, it may prohibit indefinitely the exercise of put options. A Fund, as holder of such a put option, could lose its entire investment if the prohibition remained in effect until the put option's expiration.

Foreign-traded options are subject to many of the same risks presented by internationally-traded securities. In addition, because of time differences between the United States and various foreign countries, and because different holidays are observed in different countries, foreign options markets may be open for trading during hours or on days when U.S. markets are closed. As a result, option premiums may not reflect the current prices of the underlying interest in the United States.

Exchanges have established limits on the maximum number of options an investor or group of investors acting in concert may write. The Funds, an investment adviser or subadviser, and other clients of the investment adviser or subadviser may constitute such a group. These limits restrict a Fund's ability to purchase or sell particular options.

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*Over-the-Counter Options*. A Fund may purchase or sell OTC options. OTC options are not traded on securities or options exchanges or backed by clearinghouses. Rather, they are entered into directly between a Fund and the counterparty to the option. In the case of an OTC option purchased by the Fund, the value of the option to the Fund will depend on the willingness and ability of the option writer to perform its obligations to the Fund. In addition, OTC options may not be transferable and there may be little or no secondary market for them, so they may be considered illiquid. It may not be possible to enter into closing transactions with respect to OTC options or otherwise to terminate such options, and as a result a Fund may be required to remain obligated on an unfavorable OTC option until its expiration. It may be difficult under certain circumstances to value OTC options.

*Rights and Warrants to Purchase Securities; Index Warrants; International*. A Fund may invest in rights and warrants to purchase securities. Rights or warrants generally give the holder the right to receive, upon exercise, a security at a stated price. Funds typically use rights and warrants in a manner similar to their use of options on securities, as described above. Risks associated with the use of rights or warrants are generally similar to risks associated with the use of options. Rights and warrants typically do not carry with them dividend or voting rights with respect to the underlying securities, or any rights in the assets of the issuer. In addition, the value of a right or a warrant will likely, but will not necessarily, change with the value of the underlying securities, and a right or a warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date.

Bonds issued with warrants attached to purchase equity securities have many characteristics of convertible bonds and their prices may, to some degree, reflect the performance of the underlying stock. Bonds also may be issued with warrants attached to purchase additional fixed income securities.

A Fund may also invest in equity-linked warrants. A Fund purchases equity-linked warrants from a broker, who in turn is expected to purchase shares in the local market. If the Fund exercises its warrant, the shares are expected to be sold and the warrant redeemed with the proceeds. Typically, each warrant represents one share of the underlying stock. Therefore, the price and performance of the warrant are directly linked to the underlying stock, less transaction costs. In addition to the market risk related to the underlying holdings, a Fund bears counterparty risk with respect to the issuing broker. There is currently no active trading market for equity-linked warrants, and they may be highly illiquid.

In addition to warrants on securities, a Fund may purchase put warrants and call warrants whose values vary depending on the change in the value of one or more specified securities indexes ("index-linked warrants"). Index-linked warrants are generally issued by banks or other financial institutions and give the holder the right, at any time during the term of the warrant, to receive upon exercise of the warrant a cash payment from the issuer based on the value of the underlying index at the time of exercise. In general, if the value of the underlying index rises above the exercise price of the index-linked warrant, the holder of a call warrant will be entitled to receive a cash payment from the issuer upon exercise based on the difference between the value of the index and the exercise price of the warrant; if the value of the underlying index falls, the holder of a put warrant will be entitled to receive a cash payment from the issuer upon exercise based on the difference between the exercise price of the warrant and the value of the index. The holder of a warrant would not be entitled to any payments from the issuer at any time when, in the case of a call warrant, the exercise price is greater than the value of the underlying index, or, in the case of a put warrant, the exercise price is less than the value of the underlying index. If a Fund were not to exercise an index-linked warrant prior to its expiration, then the Fund would lose the amount of the purchase price paid by it for the warrant.

A Fund using index-linked warrants would normally do so in a manner similar to its use of options on securities indexes. The risks of a Fund's use of index-linked warrants are generally similar to those relating to its use of index options. Unlike most index options, however, index-linked warrants are issued in limited amounts and are not obligations of a regulated clearing agency, but are backed only by the credit of the bank or other institution that issues the warrant. Also, index-linked warrants may have longer terms than index options. Index-linked warrants are not likely to be as liquid as certain index options backed by a recognized clearing agency. In addition, the terms of index-linked warrants may limit a Fund's ability to exercise the warrants at such time, or in such quantities, as the Fund would otherwise wish to do.

A Fund may make indirect investments in foreign equity securities, through international warrants, participation notes, low exercise price warrants, or other products that allow the Fund to access investments in foreign markets that would otherwise be unavailable to them. International warrants are financial instruments issued by banks or other financial institutions, which may or may not be traded on a foreign exchange. International warrants are a form of derivative security that may give holders the right to buy or sell an underlying security or a basket of securities from or to the issuer for a particular price or may entitle holders to receive a cash payment relating to the value of the underlying security or basket of securities. International warrants are similar to options in that they are exercisable by the holder for an underlying security or securities or the value of the security or securities, but are generally exercisable over a longer term than typical options.

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These types of instruments may be American style exercise, which means that they can be exercised at any time on or before the expiration date of the international warrant, or European style exercise, which means that they may be exercised only on the expiration date. International warrants have an exercise price, which is typically fixed when the warrants are issued.

A Fund may invest in low exercise price warrants, which are warrants with an exercise price that is very low relative to the market price of the underlying instrument at the time of issue (e.g*.*, one cent or less). The buyer of a low exercise price warrant effectively pays the full value of the underlying common stock at the outset. In the case of any exercise of warrants, there may be a time delay between the time a holder of warrants gives instructions to exercise and the time the price of the common stock relating to exercise or the settlement date is determined, during which time the price of the underlying security could change significantly. These warrants entail substantial credit risk, since the issuer of the warrant holds the purchase price of the warrant (approximately equal to the value of the underlying investment at the time of the warrant's issue) for the life of the warrant.

The exercise or settlement date of the warrants and other instruments described above may be affected by certain market disruption events, such as difficulties relating to the exchange of a local currency into U.S. dollars, the imposition of capital controls by a local jurisdiction or changes in the laws relating to foreign investments. These events could lead to a change in the exercise date or settlement currency of the instruments, or postponement of the settlement date. In some cases, if the market disruption events continue for a certain period of time, the warrants may become worthless, resulting in a total loss of the purchase price of the warrants.

A participation note or "P-note" is typically a debt instrument issued by a bank or broker-dealer, where the amount of the bank's or broker-dealer's repayment obligation is tied to changes in the value of an underlying security or index of securities. A P-note is a general unsecured contractual obligation of the bank or broker-dealer that issues it. A Fund must rely on the creditworthiness of the issuer for repayment of the P-note and for any return on the Fund's investment in the P-note and would have no rights against the issuer of the underlying security.

There is no assurance that there will be a secondary trading market for any of the instruments described above. They may by their terms be non-transferable or otherwise be highly illiquid and difficult to price. Issuers of such instruments or the calculation agent named in respect of such an instrument may have broad authority and discretion to adjust the instrument's terms in response to certain events or to interpret an instrument's terms or to make certain determinations relating to the instrument, which could have a significant adverse effect on the value of the instrument to a Fund. If the issuer or other obligor on an instrument is unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under such an instrument, a Fund may lose some or all of its investment in the instrument and any unrealized return on that investment. Certain of these instruments may be subject to foreign investment risk and currency risk.

#### Equity-Linked Notes
An equity-linked note (ELN) is a debt instrument whose value changes based on changes in the value of a single equity security, basket of equity securities, or an index of equity securities. An equity-linked note may or may not pay interest. See "Hybrid Instruments," below.

#### Hybrid Instruments
Hybrid instruments are generally considered derivatives and include indexed or structured securities, and combine elements of many derivatives transactions with those of debt, preferred equity, or a depositary instrument. A Fund may use a hybrid instrument as a substitute for any type of cash or derivative investment which it might make for any purpose.

A hybrid instrument may be a debt security, preferred stock, warrant, convertible security, certificate of deposit, or other evidence of indebtedness on which a portion of or all interest payments, and/or the principal or stated amount payable at maturity, redemption or retirement, is determined by reference to prices, changes in prices, or differences between prices, of securities, currencies, intangibles, goods, articles, or commodities (collectively, "underlying assets"), or by another index, economic factor, or other measure, including interest rates, currency exchange rates, or commodities or securities indexes (collectively, "benchmarks"). Hybrid instruments may take a number of forms, including, for example, debt instruments with interest or principal payments or redemption terms determined by reference to the value of an index, security, or other measure at a future time, preferred stock with dividend rates determined by reference to the value of a currency, or convertible securities where the conversion terms relate to a particular commodity.

The risks of investing in a hybrid instrument may, depending on the nature of the instrument, reflect a combination of the risks of investing in securities, options, futures, currencies, or other types of investments. An investment in a hybrid

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instrument as a debt instrument may entail significant risks that are not associated with a similar investment in a traditional debt instrument. The risks of a particular hybrid instrument will depend upon the terms of the instrument, but may include the possibility of significant changes in the level of the benchmark(s) or the prices of the underlying assets to which the instrument is linked. Such risks generally depend upon factors unrelated to the operations or credit quality of the issuer of the hybrid instrument, and may not be foreseen by the purchaser, such as financial or market developments, economic and political events, the supply and demand of the underlying assets, and interest rate movements. Hybrid instruments may be highly volatile and their use by a Fund may not be successful.

Hybrid instruments are potentially more volatile and carry greater market risks than traditional debt instruments. Hybrid instruments may be highly leveraged. Depending on the structure of the particular hybrid instrument, changes in a benchmark may be magnified by the terms of the hybrid instrument and have an even more dramatic and substantial effect upon the value of the hybrid instrument. Also, the prices of the hybrid instrument and the benchmark or underlying asset may not move in the same direction or at the same time.

Hybrid instruments may also carry liquidity risk since they typically trade OTC, and are not backed by a central clearing organization. The instruments are often "customized" to meet the portfolio needs of a particular investor, and therefore, the number of investors that are willing and able to buy such instruments in the secondary market may be smaller than that for more traditional debt securities. Under certain conditions, the value of such an investment could be zero. In addition, because the purchase and sale of hybrid investments would likely take place in an OTC market without the backing of a central clearing organization, or in a transaction between a Fund and the issuer of the hybrid instrument, the instruments will not likely be actively traded. Hybrid instruments also may not be subject to regulation by the CFTC, the SEC, or any other governmental regulatory authority.

When a Fund invests in a hybrid instrument, it also takes on the credit risk of the issuer of the hybrid instrument. In that respect, a hybrid instrument may create greater risks than investments directly in the securities or other assets underlying the hybrid instrument because the Fund is exposed both to losses on those securities or other assets and to the credit risk of the issuer of the hybrid instrument. A hybrid instrument may also pose greater risks than other derivatives based on the same securities or assets because, when it purchases the instrument, a Fund may be required to pay all, or most, of the notional amount of the investment by way of purchase price, whereas many other derivatives require a Fund to post only a relatively small portion of the notional amount by way of margin or similar arrangements.

#### Structured Investments
A structured investment is typically issued by a specially created corporation or trust that purchases one or more securities or other assets ("underlying instruments"), and that in turn issues one or more classes of securities ("structured securities") backed by, or representing different interests in, the underlying instruments. The cash flow on the underlying instruments may be apportioned among the newly issued structured securities to create securities with different investment characteristics, such as varying maturities, payment priorities, and interest rate provisions, and the extent of such payments made with respect to structured securities is dependent on the extent of the cash flow on the underlying instruments. Because structured securities typically involve no credit enhancement, their credit risk generally will reflect that of the underlying instruments. Investments in a structured security may be subordinated to the right of payment of another class of securities. Subordinated structured securities typically have higher yields and present greater risks than unsubordinated structured securities. Structured securities are typically sold in private placement transactions, and there currently is no active trading market for structured securities, and they may be highly illiquid and difficult to value. Because the purchase and sale of structured securities would likely take place in an OTC market without the backing of a central clearing organization, or in a transaction between a Fund and the issuer of the structured securities, the creditworthiness of the counterparty of the issuer of the structured securities would be an additional risk factor the Fund would have to consider and monitor.

*Commodity-Linked "Structured" Securities*. Certain structured products may provide exposure to the commodities markets. Commodity-linked structured securities may be equity or debt securities, may be leveraged or unleveraged, and may present investment characteristics and risks of an investment in a security and one or more underlying commodities. Certain restrictions imposed on the Funds by the Code may limit the Funds' ability to invest in certain commodity-linked structured securities.

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*Credit-Linked Securities*. Credit-linked securities are typically issued by a limited purpose trust or other vehicle that, in turn, invests in a basket of derivative instruments, such as credit default swaps, interest rate swaps, and other securities or transactions, in order to provide exposure to certain high yield or other fixed income issuers or markets. For example, a Fund may invest in credit-linked securities in order to gain exposure to the high yield markets pending investment of cash and/or to remain fully invested when more traditional income producing securities are not available. A Fund's return on its investments in credit-linked securities will depend on the investment performance of the investments held in the trust or other vehicle. A Fund's investments in these instruments are indirectly subject to the risks associated with the derivative instruments in which the trust or other vehicle invests, including, among others, credit risk, default, or similar event risk, counterparty risk, interest rate risk, leverage risk, and management risk. There will likely be no established trading market for credit-linked securities and they may be illiquid.

*Event-Linked Securities*. Event-linked securities are typically fixed income securities for which the return of principal and payment of interest is contingent on the non-occurrence of a trigger event, such as a hurricane, earthquake, or other event that leads to physical or economic loss. If the trigger event occurs prior to maturity, a Fund may lose all or a portion of its principal and unpaid interest. Event-linked securities may expose a Fund to certain other risks, including issuer default, adverse regulatory or jurisdictional interpretations, liquidity risk, and adverse tax consequences.

*Structured Hybrid Instruments*. Because the performance of structured hybrid instruments is linked to the performance of an underlying commodity, commodity index, or other economic variable, those investments are subject to "market risks" with respect to the movements of the commodity markets and may be subject to certain other risks that do not affect traditional equity and debt securities. If the interest payment on a hybrid instrument is linked to the value of a particular commodity, commodity index, or other economic variable and the underlying investment loses value, the purchaser might not receive the anticipated interest on its investment. If the amount of principal to be repaid on a structured hybrid instrument is linked to the value of a particular commodity, commodity index, or other economic variable, the purchaser might not receive all or any of the principal at maturity of the investment.

The values of structured hybrid instruments may fluctuate significantly because the values of the underlying investments to which they are linked are themselves extremely volatile, and the Fund may lose most or all of the value of its investment in a hybrid instrument. Additionally, the particular terms of a structured hybrid instrument may create economic leverage by contemplating payments that are based on a multiple of the price increase or decrease of the underlying commodity, commodity index, or other economic variable. A liquid secondary market may not exist for structured hybrid instruments, which may make it difficult to sell such instruments at an acceptable price or to value them accurately.

A Fund's investment in structured products may be subject to limits under applicable law.

#### When-Issued, Delayed-Delivery, To-Be-Announced, Forward Commitment, and Standby Commitment Transactions
A Fund may enter into when-issued, delayed-delivery, to-be-announced ("TBA"), or forward commitment transactions in order to lock in the purchase price of the underlying security or in order to adjust the interest rate exposure of the Fund's existing portfolio. In when-issued, delayed-delivery, or forward commitment transactions, a Fund commits to purchase or sell particular securities, with payment and delivery to take place at a future date. In the case of TBA purchase commitments, the unit price and the estimated principal amount are established when the Fund enters into a commitment, with the actual principal amount being within a specified range of the estimate. Although a Fund does not typically pay for the securities in these types of transactions until they are delivered, it immediately assumes the risks of ownership, including the risk of price fluctuation. As a result, each of these types of transactions may create investment leverage in a Fund's portfolio and increase the volatility of the Fund. If a Fund's counterparty fails to deliver a security purchased on a when-issued, delayed-delivery, TBA, or forward commitment basis, there may be a loss, and the Fund may have missed an opportunity to make an alternative investment.

A Fund may also enter into standby commitment agreements, obligating the Fund, for a specified period, to buy a specified amount of a security at the option of the issuer, upon the issuance of the security. The price at which the Fund would purchase the security is set at the time of the agreement. In return for its promise to purchase the security, a Fund receives a commitment fee. The Fund receives this fee whether or not it is ultimately required to purchase the security. The securities subject to a standby commitment will not necessarily be issued, and, if they are issued, the value of the securities on the date of issuance may be significantly less than the price at which the Fund is required to purchase them.

Recently finalized Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") rules include mandatory margin requirements for the TBA market with limited exceptions. TBA trades historically have not been required to be collateralized. The

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collateralization of TBA trades is intended to mitigate counterparty credit risk between trade and settlement, but could increase the cost of TBA transactions and impose added operational complexity. As of the date of this SAI, it is expected these FINRA rules will be implemented in the near future but it is not clear the full impact the rules will have on the Funds.

#### Distressed Securities
A Fund may invest in securities, including loans purchased in the secondary market, that are the subject of bankruptcy proceedings or otherwise in default or in risk of being in default as to the repayment of principal and/or interest at the time of acquisition by the Fund or that are rated in the lower rating categories by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (for example, Ca or lower by Moody's and CC or lower by S&P or Fitch Ratings, Inc. ("Fitch")) or, if unrated, are in the judgment of the investment adviser or subadviser of equivalent quality ("Distressed Securities"). Investment in Distressed Securities is speculative and involves significant risks and a Fund could lose all of its investment in any Distressed Security.

Distressed Securities are subject to greater credit and liquidity risks than other types of loans. Reduced liquidity can affect the values of Distressed Securities, make their valuation and sale more difficult, and result in greater volatility. A bankruptcy proceeding or other court proceeding could delay or limit the ability of the Fund to collect the principal and interest payments on Distressed Securities or adversely affect the Fund's rights in collateral relating to a Distressed Security. If a lawsuit is brought by creditors of a borrower under a Distressed Security, a court or a trustee in bankruptcy could take certain actions that would be adverse to a Fund. For example:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Other creditors might convince the court to set aside a loan or the collateralization of the loan as a "fraudulent conveyance" or "preferential transfer." In that event, the court could recover from the Fund the interest and principal payments that the borrower made before becoming insolvent. There can be no assurance that the Fund would be able to prevent that recapture.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A bankruptcy court may restructure the payment obligations under the loan so as to reduce the amount to which the Fund would be entitled.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The court might discharge the amount of the loan that exceeds the value of the collateral.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The court could subordinate the Fund's rights to the rights of other creditors of the borrower under applicable law, decreasing, potentially significantly, the likelihood of any recovery on the Fund's investment.

A Fund may, but will not necessarily, invest in a Distressed Security when the investment adviser or subadviser believes it is likely that the issuer of the Distressed Securities will make an exchange offer or will be the subject of a plan of reorganization pursuant to which the Fund will receive new securities in return for the Distressed Securities. There can be no assurance that such an exchange offer will be made or that such a plan of reorganization will be adopted. In addition, a significant period of time may pass between the time at which a Fund makes its investment in Distressed Securities and the time that any such exchange offer or plan of reorganization is completed. Even if an exchange offer is made or plan of reorganization is adopted with respect to Distressed Securities held by a Fund, there can be no assurance that the securities or other assets received by a Fund in connection with such exchange offer or plan of reorganization will not have a lower value or income potential than may have been anticipated when the investment was made. If a Fund participates in negotiations with respect to any exchange offer or plan of reorganization with respect to an issuer of Distressed Securities, the Fund may be restricted from disposing of such securities.

#### Dollar Roll Transactions
A Fund may enter into dollar roll transactions, in which the Fund sells mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts to purchase substantially similar securities on a specified future date from the same party. A Fund may invest in dollar rolls in order to benefit from anticipated changes in pricing for the mortgage-backed securities during the term of the transaction, or for the purpose of creating investment leverage.

In a dollar roll, the securities that are to be purchased will be of the same type as the securities sold, but will be supported by different pools of mortgages. A Fund that engages in a dollar roll forgoes principal and interest paid on the sold securities during the roll period, but is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase. In addition, a Fund may benefit by investing the transaction proceeds during the roll period. Dollar roll transactions generally have the effect of creating leverage in a Fund's portfolio.

Dollar rolls involve the risk that the Fund's counterparty will be unable to deliver the mortgage-backed securities underlying the dollar roll at the fixed time. If the counterparty files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the counterparty

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or its representative may ask for and receive an extension of time to decide whether to enforce the Fund's repurchase obligation. A Fund's use of the transaction proceeds may be restricted pending such decision. A Fund may enter into dollar roll transactions without limit up to the amount permitted under applicable law.

#### Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs)
ETNs are senior, unsecured, debt securities typically issued by financial institutions. An ETN's return is typically based on the performance of a particular market index, and the value of the index may be impacted by market forces that affect the value of ETNs in unexpected ways. ETNs are similar to Structured Investments, except that they are typically listed on an exchange and traded in the secondary market. See "Structured Investments" in this SAI. The return on an ETN is based on the performance of the specified market index, and an investor may, at maturity, realize a negative return on the investment. ETNs typically do not make periodic interest payments and principal is not protected. The repayment of principal and any additional return due either at maturity or upon repurchase by the issuer depends on the issuer's ability to pay, regardless of the performance of the underlying index. Accordingly, ETNs are subject to credit risk that the issuer will default or will be unable to make timely payments of principal. Certain events can impact an ETN issuer's financial situation and ability to make timely payments to ETN holders, including economic, political, legal, or regulatory changes and natural disasters. Event risk is unpredictable and can significantly impact ETN holders.

The market value of an ETN may be influenced by, among other things, time to maturity, level of supply and demand of the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in the underlying assets, changes in the applicable interest rates, the current performance of the market index to which the ETN is linked, and the credit rating of the ETN issuer. The market value of an ETN may differ from the performance of the applicable market index and there may be times when an ETN trades at a premium or discount. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETNs at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the securities underlying the market index that the ETN seeks to track. A change in the issuer's credit rating may also impact the value of an ETN without regard to the level of the underlying market index. ETNs are also subject to tax risk. No assurance can be given that the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") will accept, or a court will uphold, how the Funds characterize and treat ETNs for tax purposes.

A Fund's ability to sell its ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market. In addition, although an ETN may be listed on an exchange, the issuer may not be required to maintain the listing and there can be no assurance that a secondary market will exist for an ETN. Some ETNs may be relatively illiquid and may therefore be difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price. Leveraged ETNs may offer the potential for greater return, but their values may be highly volatile.

#### Financial Services Companies
A Fund may invest in financial services companies. Financial services companies are subject to extensive government regulation that may affect their profitability in many ways, including by limiting the amount and types of loans and other commitments they can make, and the interest rates and fees they can charge. A financial services company's profitability, and therefore its stock price, is especially sensitive to interest rate changes as well as the ability of borrowers to repay their loans. Changing regulations, continuing consolidations, and development of new products and structures all are likely to have a significant impact on financial services companies.

#### Fixed Income Securities
Certain of the debt securities in which the Funds may invest may not offer as high a yield as may be achieved from lower quality instruments having less safety. If a Fund disposes of an obligation prior to maturity, it may realize a loss or a gain. An increase in interest rates will generally reduce the value of debt securities, and a decline in interest rates will generally increase the value of debt securities. In addition, debt securities are subject to the ability of the issuer to make payment at maturity. As inflation increases, the present value of a Fund's fixed income investment typically will decline. Investors' expectation of future inflation can also adversely affect the current value of portfolio investments, resulting in lower asset values and potential losses.

To the extent that a Fund invests in debt securities, interest rate fluctuations will affect its NAV, but not the income it receives from its debt securities. In addition, if the debt securities contain call, prepayment, or redemption provisions, during a period of declining interest rates, those securities are likely to be redeemed, and a Fund would probably be unable to replace them with securities having as great a yield. Certain events, such as market or economic developments, regulatory or government actions, natural disasters, pandemics, terrorist attacks, war, and other geopolitical events can have a dramatic adverse effect on the debt market and the overall liquidity of the market for fixed income securities.

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Investment in medium- or lower-grade debt securities involves greater investment risk, including the possibility of issuer default or bankruptcy. An economic downturn could severely disrupt this market and adversely affect the value of outstanding bonds and the ability of the issuers to repay principal and interest. In addition, lower-quality bonds are less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher-quality instruments and generally are more sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual corporate developments. During a period of adverse economic changes, including a period of rising interest rates, issuers of such bonds may experience difficulty in servicing their principal and interest payment obligations. Furthermore, medium- and lower-grade debt securities tend to be less marketable than higher-quality debt securities because the market for them is less broad. The market for unrated debt securities is even narrower. During periods of thin trading in these markets, the spread between bid and asked prices is likely to increase significantly, and a Fund may have greater difficulty selling its portfolio securities. The market value of these securities and their liquidity may be affected by adverse publicity and investor perceptions.

#### Foreign Securities
Each Fund may invest in foreign securities. Foreign securities include securities of foreign companies and foreign governments (or agencies or subdivisions thereof). If a Fund's securities are held abroad, the countries in which such securities may be held and the sub-custodian holding them must be approved by the Board or its delegate under applicable rules adopted by the SEC. In buying foreign securities, each Fund may convert U.S. dollars into foreign currency.

The globalization and integration of the world economic system and related financial markets have made it increasingly difficult to define issuers geographically. Accordingly, the Funds intend to construe geographic terms such as "foreign," "non-U.S.," "European," "Latin American," "Asian," and "emerging markets" in the manner that affords to the Funds the greatest flexibility in seeking to achieve the investment objective(s) of the relevant Fund. Specifically, unless otherwise stated, in circumstances where the investment objective and/or strategy is to invest (a) exclusively in "foreign securities," "non-U.S. securities," "European securities," "Latin American securities," "Asian securities," or "emerging markets" (or similar directions) or (b) at least some percentage of the Fund's assets in foreign securities, etc., the Fund will take the view that a security meets this description so long as the issuer of a security is tied economically to the particular country or geographic region indicated by words of the relevant investment objective and/or strategy (the "Relevant Language"). For these purposes the issuer of a security is deemed to have that tie if:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (i)

the issuer is organized under the laws of the country or a country within the geographic region suggested by the Relevant Language or maintains its principal place of business in that country or region; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (ii) <br>

the securities are traded principally in the country or region suggested by the Relevant Language; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (iii)

the issuer, during its most recent fiscal year, derived at least 50% of its revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services performed in the country or region suggested by the Relevant Language or has at least 50% of its assets in that country or region.

In addition, the Funds intend to treat derivative securities (e.g., call options) by reference to the underlying security. Conversely, if the investment objective and/or strategy of a Fund limits the percentage of assets that may be invested in "foreign securities," etc. or prohibits such investments altogether, a Fund intends to categorize securities as "foreign," etc. only if the security possesses all of the attributes described above in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii).

Foreign securities also include a Fund's investment in foreign securities through depositary receipts, in the form of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs"), Global Depositary Receipts ("GDRs"), or other similar securities. An ADR is a U.S. dollar-denominated security issued by a U.S. bank or trust company that represents, and may be converted into, a foreign security. An EDR or a GDR is generally similar but is issued by a non-U.S. bank. Depositary receipts are subject to the same risks as direct investment in foreign securities. Depositary receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities into which they may be converted, and changes in currency exchange rates may affect the value of an ADR investment in ways different from direct investments in foreign securities. Funds may invest in both sponsored and unsponsored depositary receipts. Unsponsored depositary receipts are organized independently and without the cooperation of the issuer of the underlying securities. As a result, available information concerning the issuers may not be as current for unsponsored depositary receipts and the prices of unsponsored depositary receipts may be more volatile than if such instruments were sponsored by the issuer. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. A Fund may therefore receive less timely information or have less control than if it invested directly in the foreign issuer. An investment in an ADR is subject to the credit risk of the issuer of the ADR.

Investments in foreign securities involve special risks and considerations. Foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards, practices, and requirements comparable to those

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applicable to domestic companies, and such practices and standards may vary significantly from country to country. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a domestic company. The U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB"), which regulates auditors of U.S. public companies, is unable to inspect audit work papers in certain foreign countries. Investors in foreign countries often have limited rights and few practical remedies to pursue shareholder claims, including class actions or fraud claims, and the ability of the SEC, the U.S. Department of Justice, and other authorities to bring and enforce actions against foreign issuers or foreign persons is limited. Foreign markets have different clearance and settlement procedures. Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when assets of a Fund are uninvested. The inability of a Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause it to miss certain investment opportunities. Foreign securities may also entail certain other risks, such as the possibility of one or more of the following: imposition of dividend or interest withholding or confiscatory taxes, higher brokerage costs, thinner trading markets, currency blockages or transfer restrictions, expropriation, nationalization, military coups, economic sanctions, or other adverse political or economic developments; less government supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies; and the difficulty of enforcing obligations in other countries, and are more susceptible to environmental problems. Purchases of foreign securities are usually made in foreign currencies and, as a result, a Fund may incur currency conversion costs and may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in the value of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar. Further, it may be more difficult for a Fund's agents to keep currently informed about corporate actions which may affect the prices of portfolio securities. Communications between the United States and foreign countries may be less reliable than within the United States, thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions or loss of certificates for portfolio securities. Certain markets may require payment for securities before delivery. In addition, there may be a possibility of nationalization or expropriation of assets, imposition of currency exchange controls, confiscatory taxation, political or financial instability, diplomatic developments that could adversely affect the values of the Fund's investments in certain non-U.S. countries, and quotas or other limits on the ability of the Fund (or clients of the Fund's investment adviser or subadviser) to invest or maintain investments in securities of issuers in certain countries.

A number of current significant political, demographic, and economic developments may affect investments in foreign securities and in securities of companies with operations overseas. The course of any one or more of these events and the effect on trade barriers, competition, and markets for consumer goods and services are uncertain. Similar considerations are of concern with respect to developing countries. For example, the possibility of revolution and the dependence on foreign economic assistance may be greater in these countries than in developed countries. Management seeks to mitigate the risks associated with these considerations through diversification and active professional management.

In addition to the general risks of investing in foreign securities, investments in emerging markets involve special risks. Securities of many issuers in emerging markets may have less stringent investor protection and disclosure standards, and may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable domestic issuers. Shares of companies that only trade on an emerging market securities exchange are not likely to file reports with the SEC. The availability of material financial information about such companies and its reliability may be limited since such companies are generally not subject to the same regulatory, accounting, auditing, or auditor oversight requirements applicable to companies that file reports with the SEC. In addition, the PCAOB is unable to inspect audit work papers in certain emerging market countries. Emerging markets may have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of a Fund is uninvested and no return is earned thereon. The inability of a Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause a Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems could result in losses to a Fund due to subsequent declines in values of the portfolio securities, decrease in the level of liquidity in a Fund's portfolio, or, if a Fund has entered into a contract to sell the security, possible liability to the purchaser. Certain markets may require payment for securities before delivery, and in such markets a Fund bears the risk that the securities will not be delivered and that the Fund's payments will not be returned. In addition, securities markets of emerging market countries are subject to the risk that such markets may close, sometimes for extended periods of time, due to market, economic, political, regulatory, geopolitical, environmental, public health, or other conditions. Securities prices in emerging markets can be significantly more volatile than in the more developed nations of the world, reflecting the greater uncertainties of investing in less established markets and economies. In particular, countries with emerging markets may have relatively unstable governments, present the risk of nationalization of businesses, or may have restrictions on foreign ownership or prohibitions of repatriation of assets, and may have less protection of property rights than more developed countries. Investors in emerging markets may not have the ability to seek certain legal remedies in U.S. courts as private plaintiffs. As a practical matter, investors may have to rely on domestic legal remedies that are available in the emerging market and such remedies are often limited and difficult for international investors to pursue. Shareholder claims,

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including class action and securities law and fraud claims, generally are difficult or unavailable to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in many emerging market countries. In addition, the SEC, U.S. Department of Justice, and other U.S. authorities often have substantial difficulties in bringing and enforcing actions against non-U.S. companies and non-U.S. persons, including company officers and directors, in certain emerging markets due to jurisdictional limitations and various other factors. The economies of countries with emerging markets may be predominantly based on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt burdens or inflation rates. Local securities markets may trade a small number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to increases in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of substantial holdings difficult or impossible at times. Securities of issuers located in countries with emerging markets may have limited marketability and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements. In addition, many emerging market countries with less established health care systems have experienced outbreaks of pandemics or contagious diseases from time to time.

Certain emerging markets may require governmental approval for the repatriation of investment income, capital, or the proceeds of sales of securities by foreign investors. In addition, if a deterioration occurs in an emerging market's balance of payments or for other reasons, a country could impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances. A Fund could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application to that Fund of any restrictions on investments.

Russia, the Middle East, and many other emerging market countries are highly reliant on income from oil sales. Oil prices can have a major impact on these economies. Other commodities such as base and precious metals are also important to these economies. As global supply and demand for commodities fluctuates, these economies can be significantly impacted by the prices of such commodities.

Investment in certain foreign emerging market debt obligations may be restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions or controls may at times preclude investment in certain foreign emerging market debt obligations and increase the expenses of a Fund.

***China Investment Risk***. Investments in securities of companies domiciled in the People's Republic of China ("China" or the "PRC") involve a high degree of risk and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the U.S. securities markets. Such heightened risks include, among others, an authoritarian government, popular unrest associated with demands for improved political, economic, and social conditions, the impact of regional conflict on the economy, and hostile relations with neighboring countries.

Military conflicts, either in response to internal social unrest or conflicts with other countries, could disrupt economic development. The Chinese economy is vulnerable to the long-running disagreements and religious and nationalist disputes with Tibet and the Xinjiang region. Since 1997, there have been tensions between the Chinese government and many people in Hong Kong who perceive China as tightening control over Hong Kong's semi-autonomous liberal political, economic, legal, and social framework. Recent protests and unrest have increased tensions even further. Due to the interconnected nature of the Hong Kong and Chinese economies, this instability in Hong Kong may cause uncertainty in the Hong Kong and Chinese markets. China has a complex territorial dispute regarding the sovereignty of Taiwan and has made threats of invasion; Taiwan-based companies and individuals are significant investors in China. Military conflict between China and Taiwan may adversely affect securities of Chinese issuers. In addition, China has strained international relations with Japan, India, Russia, and other neighbors due to territorial disputes, historical animosities, and other defense concerns. Additionally, China is alleged to have participated in state-sponsored cyberattacks against foreign companies and foreign governments. Actual and threatened responses to such activity and strained international relations, including purchasing restrictions, sanctions, tariffs, or cyberattacks on the Chinese government or Chinese companies, may impact China's economy and Chinese issuers of securities in which a Fund invests. China could be affected by military events on the Korean peninsula or internal instability within North Korea. These situations may cause uncertainty in the Chinese market and may adversely affect the performance of the Chinese economy.

The Chinese government has implemented significant economic reforms in order to liberalize trade policy, promote foreign investment in the economy, reduce government control of the economy, and develop market mechanisms. However, there can be no assurance that these reforms will continue or that they will be effective. Despite reforms and privatizations of companies in certain sectors, the Chinese government still exercises substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector and may own or control many companies. Chinese companies, such as those in the financial services or technology sectors, and potentially other sectors in the future, are subject to the risk that Chinese authorities can intervene in their operations and structure. The Chinese government continues to maintain a major role in economic policy making and investing in China involves risks of losses due to expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property, and the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested.

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The Chinese government may intervene in the Chinese financial markets, such as by the imposition of trading restrictions, a ban on "naked" short selling, or the suspension of short selling for certain stocks. This may affect market price and liquidity of these stocks, and may have an unpredictable impact on the investment activities of the Funds. Furthermore, such market interventions may have a negative impact on market sentiment which may in turn affect the performance of the securities markets and as a result the performance of the Funds.

In addition, there is less regulation and monitoring of the securities markets and the activities of investors, brokers, and other participants in China than in the United States. Accordingly, issuers of securities in China are not subject to the same degree of regulation as those in the United States with respect to such matters as insider trading rules, tender offer regulation, stockholder proxy requirements, and the requirements mandating timely and accurate disclosure of information. Stock markets in China are in the process of change and further development. This may lead to trading volatility, and difficulties in the settlement and recording of transactions and interpretation and application of the relevant regulations. Custodians may not be able to offer the level of service and safe-keeping in relation to the settlement and administration of securities in China that is customary in more developed markets. In particular, there is a risk that a Fund may not be recognized as the owner of securities that are held on behalf of the Fund by a sub-custodian.

The Chinese government has taken positions that prevent the PCAOB from inspecting the audit work and practices of accounting firms in mainland China and Hong Kong for compliance with U.S. law and professional standards. Audits performed by PCAOB-registered accounting firms in mainland China and Hong Kong may be less reliable than those performed by firms subject to PCAOB inspection. Accordingly, information about the Chinese securities in which the Funds invest may be less reliable or complete. Under amendments to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act enacted in December 2020, which requires that the PCAOB be permitted to inspect the accounting firm of a U.S.-listed Chinese issuer, Chinese companies with securities listed on U.S. exchanges may be delisted if the PCAOB is unable to inspect the accounting firm.

The Renminbi ("RMB") is currently not a freely convertible currency and is subject to foreign exchange control policies and repatriation restrictions imposed by the Chinese government. The imposition of currency controls may negatively impact performance and liquidity of the Funds as capital may become trapped in the PRC. The Funds could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application to the Funds of any restrictions on investments. Investing in entities either in, or which have a substantial portion of their operations in, the PRC may require the Funds to adopt special procedures, seek local government approvals, or take other actions, each of which may involve additional costs and delays to the Funds.

While the Chinese economy has grown rapidly in recent years, there is no assurance that this growth rate will be maintained. China may experience substantial rates of inflation or economic recessions, causing a negative effect on its economy and securities market. China's economy is heavily dependent on export growth. Reduction in spending on Chinese products and services, institution of tariffs or other trade barriers, or a downturn in any of the economies of China's key trading partners may have an adverse impact on the securities of Chinese issuers. The tax laws and regulations in the PRC are subject to change, including the issuance of authoritative guidance or enforcement, possibly with retroactive effect. The interpretation, applicability, and enforcement of such laws by the PRC tax authorities are not as consistent and transparent as those of more developed nations, and may vary over time and from region to region. The application and enforcement of the PRC tax rules could have a significant adverse effect on a Fund and its investors, particularly in relation to capital gains withholding tax imposed upon non-residents. In addition, the accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards and practices applicable to Chinese companies may be less rigorous, and may result in significant differences between financial statements prepared in accordance with PRC accounting standards and practices and those prepared in accordance with international accounting standards.

From time to time, China has experienced outbreaks of infectious illnesses and the country may be subject to other public health threats, infectious illnesses, diseases, or similar issues in the future. Any spread of an infectious illness, public health threat, or similar issue could reduce consumer demand or economic output, result in market closures, travel restrictions or quarantines, and generally have a significant impact on the Chinese economy, which in turn could adversely affect a Fund's investments.

***Investments in Hong Kong***. In 1997, the United Kingdom handed over control of Hong Kong to China. Since that time, Hong Kong has been governed by a quasi-constitution known as the Basic Law, while defense and foreign affairs are the responsibility of the central government in Beijing. The chief executive of Hong Kong is appointed by the Chinese government. However, Hong Kong is able to participate in international organizations and agreements and it continues to function as an international financial center, with no exchange controls, free convertibility of the Hong Kong dollar, and free inward and outward movement of capital. By treaty, China has committed to preserve Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy in certain matters until 2047. However, as demonstrated by Hong Kong protests in recent years over political,

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economic, and legal freedoms, and the Chinese government's response to them, there continues to exist political uncertainty within Hong Kong. For example, in June 2020, China adopted a new security law that severely limits freedom of speech in Hong Kong and expands police powers to seize electronic devices and intercept communications of suspects. Hong Kong has experienced strong economic growth in recent years due, in part, to its close ties with China and a strong service sector, but the decline in growth rates in China could limit Hong Kong's future growth. In addition, if China exerts its authority so as to alter the economic, political, or legal structures, or further alters the existing social policy of Hong Kong, investor and business confidence in Hong Kong could be negatively affected, which in turn could negatively affect markets and business performance. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund's performance.

***Investments in Taiwan***. For decades, a state of hostility has existed between Taiwan and China. Although tensions have lowered, exemplified by improved relations in recent years, the relationship with China remains a divisive political issue within Taiwan. As an export-oriented economy, Taiwan depends on a free-trade regime and remains vulnerable to downturns in the world economy. Taiwanese companies continue to compete mostly on price, producing generic products or branded merchandise on behalf of multinational companies. Accordingly, these businesses can be particularly vulnerable to currency volatility and increasing competition from neighboring lower-cost countries. Moreover, many Taiwanese companies are heavily invested in mainland China and other countries throughout Southeast Asia, making them susceptible to political events and economic crises in the region. Significantly, Taiwan and China have entered into agreements covering banking, securities, and insurance. Closer economic links with mainland China may bring greater opportunities for the Taiwanese economy, but such arrangements also pose new challenges. For example, foreign direct investment in China has resulted in Chinese import substitution away from Taiwan's exports and a constriction of potential job creation in Taiwan. Likewise, the Taiwanese economy has experienced slow economic growth as demand for Taiwan's exports has weakened due, in part, to declines in growth rates in China. Taiwan has sought to diversify its export markets and reduce its dependence on the Chinese market by increasing exports to the United States, Japan, Europe, and other Asian countries by, among other things, entering into free-trade agreements. The Taiwanese economy's long-term challenges include a rapidly aging population, low birth rate, and the lingering effects of Taiwan's diplomatic isolation. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund's performance.

***Risk of Investing in China through Stock Connect and Bond Connect***. China A-shares are equity securities of companies domiciled in China that trade on Chinese stock exchanges such as the Shanghai Stock Exchange ("SSE") and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange ("SZSE") ("A-shares") and are denominated and traded in RMB whereas China B-shares are traded on Chinese stock exchanges and are denominated in RMB but traded in either U.S. dollars or Hong Kong dollars ("B-shares"). Foreign investment in A-shares on the SSE and SZSE has historically not been permitted, other than through a license granted under regulations in the PRC known as the Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor ("QFII") and Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor ("Renminbi QFII") systems. Foreign investors may invest in B-shares directly. A Fund's exposure to B-shares may be obtained through indirect exposure through investment in participation notes.

Investment in eligible A-shares listed and traded on the SSE or SZSE is also permitted through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect program or the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect program, as applicable (each, a "Stock Connect" and collectively, "Stock Connects"). Each Stock Connect is a securities trading and clearing links program established by The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited ("SEHK"), the Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited ("HKSCC"), the SSE or SZSE, as applicable, and China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited ("CSDCC") that aims to provide mutual stock market access between the PRC and Hong Kong by permitting investors to trade and settle shares on each market through their local securities brokers. Under Stock Connects, a Fund's trading of eligible A-shares listed on the SSE or SZSE, as applicable, would be effectuated through its Hong Kong broker and a securities trading service company established by SEHK.

Although no individual investment quotas or licensing requirements apply to investors in Stock Connects, trading through a Stock Connect's Northbound Trading Link is subject to daily investment quota limitations which require that buy orders for A-shares be rejected once the daily quota is exceeded (although a Fund will be permitted to sell A-shares regardless of the quota). These limitations may restrict a Fund from investing in A-shares on a timely basis, which could affect the Fund's ability to effectively pursue its investment strategy. Investment quotas are also subject to change. Investment in eligible A-shares through a Stock Connect is subject to trading, clearance and settlement procedures that could pose risks to a Fund. A-shares purchased through Stock Connects generally may not be sold or otherwise transferred other than through Stock Connects in accordance with applicable rules. For example, the PRC regulations require that in order for an investor to sell any A-share on a certain trading day, there must be sufficient A-shares in the investor's account before the market opens on that day. If there are insufficient A-shares in the investor's account, the sell order will be rejected by the SSE or SZSE, as applicable. SEHK carries out pre-trade checking on sell orders of certain stocks listed on

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the SSE market ("SSE Securities") or SZSE market ("SZSE Securities") of its participants (i.e., stock brokers) to ensure that this requirement is satisfied. While shares must be designated as eligible to be traded under a Stock Connect, those shares may also lose such designation, and if this occurs, such shares may be sold but cannot be purchased through a Stock Connect. In addition, Stock Connects will only operate on days when both the Chinese and Hong Kong markets are open for trading, and banking services are available in both markets on the corresponding settlement days. Therefore, an investment in A-shares through a Stock Connect may subject a Fund to a risk of price fluctuations on days when the Chinese market is open, but a Stock Connect is not trading. Moreover, day (turnaround) trading is not permitted on the A-shares market. If an investor buys A-shares on day "T," the investor will only be able to sell the A-shares on or after day T+1. Further, since all trades of eligible A-shares must be settled in RMB, investors must have timely access to a reliable supply of offshore RMB, which cannot be guaranteed. There is also no assurance that RMB will not be subject to devaluation. Any devaluation of RMB could adversely affect a Fund's investments. If a Fund holds a class of shares denominated in a local currency other than RMB, the Fund will be exposed to currency exchange risk if the Fund converts the local currency into RMB for investments in A-shares. A Fund may also incur conversion costs.

A-shares held through the nominee structure under a Stock Connect will be held through HKSCC as nominee on behalf of investors. The precise nature and rights of a Fund as the beneficial owner of the SSE Securities or SZSE Securities through HKSCC as nominee is not well defined under the PRC laws. There is a lack of a clear definition of, and distinction between, legal ownership and beneficial ownership under the PRC laws and there have been few cases involving a nominee account structure in the PRC courts. The exact nature and methods of enforcement of the rights and interests of a Fund under the PRC laws is also uncertain. In the unlikely event that HKSCC becomes subject to winding up proceedings in Hong Kong, there is a risk that the SSE Securities or SZSE Securities may not be regarded as held for the beneficial ownership of a Fund or as part of the general assets of HKSCC available for general distribution to its creditors. Notwithstanding the fact that HKSCC does not claim proprietary interests in the SSE Securities or SZSE Securities held in its omnibus stock account in the CSDCC, the CSDCC as the share registrar for SSE- or SZSE-listed companies will still treat HKSCC as one of the shareholders when it handles corporate actions in respect of such SSE Securities or SZSE Securities. HKSCC monitors the corporate actions affecting SSE Securities and SZSE Securities and keeps participants of Central Clearing and Settlement System ("CCASS") informed of all such corporate actions that require CCASS participants to take steps in order to participate in them. Investors may only exercise their voting rights by providing their voting instructions to HKSCC through participants of CCASS. All voting instructions from CCASS participants will be consolidated by HKSCC, who will then submit a combined single voting instruction to the relevant SSE- or SZSE-listed company.

A Fund's investments through a Stock Connect's Northbound Trading Link are not covered by Hong Kong's Investor Compensation Fund. Hong Kong's Investor Compensation Fund is established to pay compensation to investors of any nationality who suffer pecuniary losses as a result of default of a licensed intermediary or authorized financial institution in relation to exchange-traded products in Hong Kong. In addition, since a Fund carries out Northbound Trading through securities brokers in Hong Kong but not PRC brokers, it is not protected by the China Securities Investor Protection Fund in the PRC.

Market participants are able to participate in Stock Connects subject to meeting certain information technology capability, risk management and other requirements as may be specified by the relevant exchange and/or clearinghouse. Further, the "connectivity" in Stock Connects requires routing of orders across the border of Hong Kong and the PRC. This requires the development of new information technology systems on the part of SEHK and exchange participants. There is no assurance that the systems of SEHK and market participants will function properly or will continue to be adapted to changes and developments in both markets. In the event that the relevant systems fail to function properly, trading in A-shares through Stock Connects could be disrupted.

The Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect program launched in November 2014 and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect program launched in December 2016 and are both in their initial stages. The current regulations are relatively untested and there is no certainty as to how they will be applied or interpreted going forward. In addition, the current regulations are subject to change and there can be no assurance that a Stock Connect will not be discontinued. New regulations may be issued from time to time by the regulators and stock exchanges in China and Hong Kong in connection with operations, legal enforcement and cross-border trades under Stock Connects. A Fund may be adversely affected as a result of such changes. Furthermore, the securities regimes and legal systems of China and Hong Kong differ significantly and issues may arise from the differences on an ongoing basis. In the event that the relevant systems fail to function properly, trading in both markets through Stock Connects could be disrupted and a Fund's ability to achieve its investment objective may be adversely affected. In addition, a Fund's investments in A-shares through Stock Connects are generally subject to Chinese securities regulations and listing rules, among other restrictions. Further, different fees, costs and taxes

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are imposed on foreign investors acquiring A-shares through Stock Connects, and these fees, costs and taxes may be higher than comparable fees, costs and taxes imposed on owners of other securities providing similar investment exposure.

Some Funds may invest in onshore China bonds via a QFII license awarded to the Fund's subadviser or through a China Interbank Bond Market ("CIBM") registration through the Bond Connect program. CIBM is an OTC market outside the two main stock exchanges in the PRC, SSE, and SZSE, and was established in 1997. On CIBM, institutional investors (including domestic institutional investors but also QFIIs, Renminbi QFIIs as well as other offshore institutional investors, subject to authorization) trade certain debt instruments on a one-to-one quote-driven basis. CIBM accounts for a vast majority of outstanding bond values of total trading volume in the PRC. The main debt instruments traded on CIBM include government bonds, financial bonds, corporate bonds, bond repo, bond lending, and People's Bank of China bills.

Investors should be aware that trading on CIBM exposes the applicable Fund to increased risks. CIBM is still in its development stage, and the market capitalization and trading volume may be lower than those of more developed markets. Market volatility and potential lack of liquidity due to low trading volume of certain debt securities may result in the prices of debt securities traded on such market to fluctuate significantly. Funds investing in such a market therefore may incur significant trading, settlement, and realization costs and may face counterparty default, liquidity, and volatility risks, resulting in significant losses for the Funds and their investors. Further, since a large portion of CIBM consists of Chinese state-owned entities, the policy priorities of the Chinese government, the strategic importance of the industry, and the strength of a company's ties to the local, provincial, or central government may and will affect the pricing of such securities.

The Bond Connect program is a relatively new program and may be subject to further interpretation and guidance. There can be no assurance as to the program's continued existence or whether future developments regarding the program may restrict or adversely affect a Fund's investments or returns. In addition, the application and interpretation of the laws and regulations of Hong Kong and China, and the rules, policies, or guidelines published or applied by relevant regulators and exchanges in respect of the Bond Connect program are uncertain, and they may have a detrimental effect on a Fund's investments and returns.

***A-Share Market Suspension Risk***. A-shares may only be bought from, or sold to, a Fund at times when the relevant A-shares may be sold or purchased on the relevant Chinese stock exchange. The A-shares market has a higher propensity for trading suspensions than many other global equity markets. Trading suspensions in certain stocks could lead to greater market execution risk and costs for a Fund. The SSE and SZSE currently apply a daily price limit, generally set at 10%, of the amount of fluctuation permitted in the prices of A-shares during a single trading day. The daily price limit refers to price movements only and does not restrict trading within the relevant limit. There can be no assurance that a liquid market on an exchange will exist for any particular A-share or for any particular time.

***Risks of Investing in China through Variable Interest Entities***. Investments in Chinese companies may be made through a special structure known as a variable interest entity ("VIE") that is designed to provide foreign investors, such as a Fund, with exposure to Chinese companies that operate in certain sectors in which China restricts or prohibits foreign investments. Investments in VIEs may pose additional risks because the investment is made through an intermediary shell company that has entered into service and other contracts with the underlying Chinese operating company in order to provide investors with exposure to the operating company, and therefore does not represent equity ownership in the operating company. The value of the shell company is derived from its ability to consolidate the VIE into its financials pursuant to contractual arrangements that allow the shell company to exert a degree of control over, and obtain economic benefits arising from, the VIE without formal legal ownership. The contractual arrangements between the shell company and the operating company may not be as effective in providing operational control as direct equity ownership, and the rights of a foreign investor (such as a Fund) may be limited, including by actions of the Chinese government that could determine that the underlying contractual arrangements are invalid. While VIEs are a longstanding industry practice and Chinese regulators have permitted such arrangements to proliferate, the structure has not been formally recognized under Chinese law and it is uncertain whether Chinese regulators will withdraw their implicit acceptance of the structure. It is also uncertain whether the contractual arrangements, which may be subject to conflicts of interest between the legal owners of the VIE and foreign investors, would be enforced by Chinese courts or arbitration bodies. Prohibitions of these structures by the Chinese government, or the inability to enforce such contracts, from which the shell company derives its value, would likely cause the VIE-structured holding(s) to suffer significant, detrimental, and possibly permanent loss, and in turn, adversely affect a Fund's returns and net asset value.

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***Investments in the Middle East***. The economies of countries in the Middle East are all considered emerging markets economies and tend to be highly reliant on the exportation of commodities. Many Middle Eastern economies have little or no democratic tradition and are led by family structures. Opposition parties are often banned, leading to dissidence and militancy. Such developments, if they were to occur, could result in significant disruptions in securities markets. Certain Middle Eastern countries have strained relations with other Middle Eastern countries due to territorial disputes, historical animosities, international alliances, defense concerns, or other reasons, which may adversely affect the economies of these Middle Eastern countries. Certain Middle Eastern countries may be heavily dependent upon international trade, and consequently have been and may continue to be negatively affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values, and other protectionist measures imposed by the countries with which they trade. In addition, certain issuers in Middle Eastern countries in which a Fund invests may operate in, or have dealings with, countries subject to sanctions and/or embargoes imposed by the U.S. Government as state sponsors of terrorism. As a result, an issuer may sustain damage to its reputation if it is identified as an issuer operating in, or having dealings with, such countries.

The manner in which foreign investors may invest in companies in certain Middle Eastern countries, as well as limitations on those investments, may have an adverse impact on the operations of a Fund. For example, in certain of these countries, a Fund may be required to invest initially through a local broker or other entity and then have the shares that were purchased re-registered in the name of the Fund. Re-registration in some instances may not be possible on a timely basis. This may result in a delay during which the Fund may be denied certain of its rights as an investor, including rights to dividends or to be made aware of certain corporate actions. There also may be instances where the Fund places a purchase order but is subsequently informed, at the time of re-registration, that the permissible allocation of the investment to foreign investors has been filled.

***Investments in Saudi Arabia***. A Fund generally expects to conduct transactions in a manner in which it would not be limited by regulations to a single broker. However, there may be a limited number of brokers who can provide services to the Fund in Saudi Arabia, which may have an adverse impact on the prices, quantity, or timing of Fund transactions.

A Fund's ability to invest in Saudi Arabian equity securities depends on the ability of the investment adviser or subadviser, as a Foreign Portfolio Manager, and the Fund, as a Qualified Foreign Investor ("QFI"), to obtain and maintain such authorizations from the Saudi Arabia Capital Market Authority ("CMA"). Even though a Fund may obtain a QFI approval, the Fund does not have an exclusive investment quota and is subject to foreign investment limitations and other regulations imposed by the CMA on QFIs, as well as local market participants. Any change in the QFI system generally, including the possibility of the investment adviser or subadviser or the Fund losing its respective Foreign Portfolio Manager or QFI status with the CMA, may adversely affect the Fund.

A Fund is required to use a trading account to buy and sell securities in Saudi Arabia. This trading account can be held directly with a broker or held with a custodian, which is known as the Independent Custody Model ("ICM"). The ICM approach is generally regarded as preferable because securities are under the safekeeping and control of the custodian and would be recoverable in the event of the bankruptcy of the custodian. When a Fund utilizes the ICM approach, it relies on a broker standing instruction letter to authorize the Fund's sub-custodian to move securities to a trading account for settlement, based on the details supplied by the broker. However, an authorized broker could potentially either fraudulently or erroneously sell a Fund's securities, although opportunities for a local broker to conduct fraudulent transactions are limited due to short trading hours (trading hours in Saudi Arabia are generally between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). In addition, the risk of fraudulent or erroneous transactions is further mitigated by a manual pre-matching process conducted by the custodian, which validates the Fund's settlement instructions with the local broker contract note and the transaction report from the depositary. Similar risks also apply to using a direct broker trading account. When a Fund utilizes a direct broker trading account, the account is set up in the Fund's name, and the assets are likely to be treated as ring-fenced and separated from any other accounts at the broker. However, if the broker defaults, there may be a delay in recovering the Fund's assets that are held in the broker account, and legal proceedings may need to be initiated in order to do so.

#### Health Care Companies
A Fund may invest in health care companies. The activities of health care companies may be funded or subsidized by federal and state governments. If government funding and subsidies are reduced or discontinued, the profitability of these companies could be adversely affected. Health care companies may also be affected by government policies on health care reimbursements, regulatory approval for new drugs and medical instruments, and similar matters. They are also subject to legislative risk, i.e., the risk of a reform of the health care system through legislation.

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#### Illiquid Securities
Each Fund may invest not more than 15% of its net assets in "illiquid securities," which are investments that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A Fund may not be able to dispose of such securities in a timely fashion and for a fair price, which could result in losses to a Fund. In addition, illiquid securities are generally more difficult to value. Illiquid securities may include repurchase agreements with maturities greater than seven days, futures contracts and options thereon for which a liquid secondary market does not exist, time deposits maturing in more than seven calendar days, and securities of new and early stage companies whose securities are not publicly traded. The Funds may also purchase securities eligible for resale to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. Such securities may be determined to be liquid based on an analysis taking into account, among other things, trading activity for such securities and the availability of reliable pricing information, among other factors. If there is a lack of trading interest in particular Rule 144A securities, a Fund's holdings of those securities may be illiquid, resulting in undesirable delays in selling these securities at prices representing fair value.

#### Index-Related Securities (Equity Equivalents)
The Funds may invest in certain types of securities that enable investors to purchase or sell shares in a portfolio of securities that seeks to track the performance of an underlying index or a portion of an index. Such Equity Equivalents include, among others, DIAMONDS (interests in a portfolio of securities that seeks to track the performance of the Dow Jones Industrial Average), SPDRs or Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts (interests in a portfolio of securities that seeks to track the performance of the S&P 500 Index), and the Nasdaq-100 Trust (interests in a portfolio of securities of the largest and most actively traded non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market). Such securities are similar to index mutual funds, but they are traded on various stock exchanges or secondary markets. The value of these securities is dependent upon the performance of the underlying index on which they are based. Thus, these securities are subject to the same risks as their underlying indexes as well as the securities that make up those indexes. For example, if the securities comprising an index that an index-related security seeks to track perform poorly, the index-related security will lose value.

Equity Equivalents may be used for several purposes, including to simulate full investment in the underlying index while retaining a cash balance for fund management purposes, to facilitate trading, to reduce transaction costs, or to seek higher investment returns where an Equity Equivalent is priced more attractively than securities in the underlying index. Because the expense associated with an investment in Equity Equivalents may be substantially lower than the expense of small investments directly in the securities comprising the indexes they seek to track, investments in Equity Equivalents may provide a cost-effective means of diversifying the fund's assets across a broad range of equity securities.

The prices of Equity Equivalents are derived and based upon the securities held by the particular investment company. Accordingly, the level of risk involved in the purchase or sale of an Equity Equivalent is similar to the risk involved in the purchase or sale of traditional common stock, with the exception that the pricing mechanism for such instruments is based on a basket of stocks. The market prices of Equity Equivalents are expected to fluctuate in accordance with both changes in the NAVs of their underlying indexes and the supply and demand for the instruments on the exchanges on which they are traded. Substantial market or other disruptions affecting an Equity Equivalent could adversely affect the liquidity and value of the shares of the fund investing in such instruments.

#### Inflation-Linked Securities
Inflation-linked securities are typically fixed income securities whose principal values are periodically adjusted according to a measure of inflation. If the index measuring inflation falls, the principal value of an inflation-linked security will be adjusted downward, and consequently the interest payable on the security (calculated with respect to a smaller principal amount) will be reduced. Repayment of the original principal of the security upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of U.S. Treasury inflation-linked securities. For securities that do not provide a similar guarantee, the adjusted principal value of the security repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal.

Alternatively, the interest rates payable on certain inflation-linked securities may be adjusted according to a measure of inflation. As a result, the principal values of such securities do not adjust according to the rate of inflation, although the interest payable on such securities may decline during times of falling inflation.

The values of inflation-linked securities are expected to change in response to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. If nominal interest rates increase at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates may rise, leading to a decrease in value of inflation-linked securities. Inflation-linked securities may cause a potential cash flow mismatch to investors, because an increase in the

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principal amount of an inflation-linked security will be treated as interest income currently subject to tax at ordinary income rates even though investors will not receive repayment of principal until maturity. If a Fund invests in such securities, it will be required to distribute such interest income in order to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company and eliminate the Fund-level tax, without a corresponding receipt of cash, and therefore may be required to dispose of portfolio securities at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so in order to make such distributions.

While the values of inflation-linked securities are expected to be largely protected from long-term inflationary trends, short-term increases in inflation may lead to declines in value. In addition, if interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation (for example, due to changes in currency exchange rates), investors in inflation-linked securities may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the securities' inflation measure.

The periodic adjustment of U.S. Treasury inflation-linked securities is tied to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers ("CPI-U"), which is calculated monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI-U is a measurement of changes in the cost of living, made up of components such as housing, food, transportation, and energy. Inflation-linked securities issued by a foreign government or a private issuer are generally adjusted to reflect an inflation measure specified by the issuer. There can be no assurance that the CPI-U or any other inflation measure will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services.

#### IPOs and Other Limited Opportunities
A Fund may purchase securities of companies that are offered pursuant to an initial public offering ("IPO") or other similar limited opportunities. Although companies can be any age or size at the time of their IPO, they are often smaller and have a limited operating history, which involves a greater potential for the value of their securities to be impaired following the IPO. The price of a company's securities may be highly unstable at the time of its IPO and for a period thereafter due to factors such as market psychology prevailing at the time of the IPO, the absence of a prior public market, the small number of shares available, and limited availability of investor information. Securities purchased in IPOs have a tendency to fluctuate in value significantly shortly after the IPO relative to the price at which they were purchased. These fluctuations could impact the NAV and return earned on a Fund's shares. Investors in IPOs can be adversely affected by substantial dilution in the value of their shares, by sales of additional shares, and by concentration of control in existing management and principal shareholders. In addition, all of the factors that affect the performance of an economy or equity markets may have a greater impact on the shares of IPO companies. IPO securities tend to involve greater risk due, in part, to public perception and the lack of publicly available information and trading history.

#### Master Limited Partnerships
A Fund may invest in master limited partnerships ("MLPs"), which are limited partnerships in which ownership units are publicly traded. MLPs often own or own interests in properties or businesses that are related to oil and gas industries, including pipelines, although MLPs may invest in other types of investments, including credit-related investments. Generally, an MLP is operated under the supervision of one or more managing general partners. Limited partners (like a Fund when it invests in an MLP) are not involved in the day-to-day management of the partnership. A Fund also may invest in companies who serve (or whose affiliates serve) as MLP general partners.

Investments in MLPs are generally subject to many of the risks that apply to partnerships. For example, holders of the units of MLPs may have limited control and limited voting rights on matters affecting the partnership. There may be fewer corporate protections afforded investors in an MLP than investors in a corporation. Conflicts of interest may exist among unit holders, subordinated unit holders, and the general partner of an MLP, including those arising from incentive distribution payments. MLPs that concentrate in a particular industry or region are subject to risks associated with such industry or region. MLPs holding credit-related investments are subject to interest rate risk and the risk of default on payment obligations by debt issuers. Investments held by MLPs may be illiquid. MLP units may trade infrequently and in limited volume, and they may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than securities of larger or more broadly based companies.

A Fund may also hold investments in limited liability companies that have many of the same characteristics and are subject to many of the same risks as master limited partnerships.

The manner and extent of a Fund's investments in MLPs and limited liability companies may be limited by its intention to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code, and any such investments by the Fund may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to qualify as such.

#### Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities
Mortgage-backed securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs") and certain stripped mortgage-backed securities, represent a participation in, or are secured by, mortgage loans. Asset-backed securities are structured like

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mortgage-backed securities, but instead of mortgage loans or interests in mortgage loans, the underlying assets may include such items as motor vehicle installment sales or installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, receivables from credit card agreements, home equity loans, and student loans. Asset-backed securities may also include collateralized debt obligations as described below.

A Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by (i) U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities such as the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA") (also known as Ginnie Mae), the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") (also known as Fannie Mae), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC") (also known as Freddie Mac) or (ii) other issuers, including private companies. Under the Federal Housing Finance Agency's "Single Security Initiative," Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have entered into a joint initiative to develop a common securitization platform for the issuance of Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities ("UMBS"), which would generally align the characteristics of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities. In June 2019, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac started to issue UMBS in place of their current offerings of TBA-eligible mortgage-backed securities. The effect of the issuance of UMBS on the market for mortgage-backed securities is uncertain. Privately issued mortgage-backed securities may include securities backed by commercial mortgages, which are mortgages on commercial, rather than residential, real estate. Privately issued mortgage-backed securities are not traded on an exchange and there may be a limited market for the securities, especially when there is a perceived weakness in the mortgage and real estate market sectors. Without an active trading market, mortgage-backed securities held in a Fund's portfolio may be particularly difficult to value because of the complexities involved in assessing the value of the underlying mortgage loans. There is no assurance that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to its agencies and instrumentalities if not required to do so. In addition, certain governmental entities have been subject to regulatory scrutiny regarding their accounting policies and practices and other concerns that may result in legislation, changes in regulatory oversight and/or other consequences that could adversely affect the credit quality, availability, or investment character of securities issued by these entities.

Mortgage-backed securities have yield and maturity characteristics corresponding to the underlying assets. Unlike traditional debt securities, which may pay a fixed rate of interest until maturity, when the entire principal amount comes due, payments on certain mortgage-backed securities include both interest and a partial repayment of principal. Besides the scheduled repayment of principal, repayments of principal may result from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing, or foreclosure of the underlying mortgage loans. If property owners make unscheduled prepayments of their mortgage loans, these prepayments will result in early payment of the applicable mortgage-related securities. In that event a Fund may be unable to invest the proceeds from the early payment of the mortgage-related securities in an investment that provides as high a yield as the mortgage-related securities. Consequently, early payment associated with mortgage-related securities may cause these securities to experience significantly greater price and yield volatility than that experienced by traditional fixed income securities. The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by factors including the level of interest rates, general economic conditions, the location and age of the mortgages, and other social and demographic conditions. During periods of falling interest rates, the rate of mortgage prepayments tends to increase, thereby tending to decrease the life of mortgage-related securities. During periods of rising interest rates, the rate of mortgage prepayments usually decreases, thereby tending to increase the life of mortgage-related securities. If the life of a mortgage-related security is inaccurately predicted, a Fund may not be able to realize the rate of return the investment adviser or subadviser expected.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are less effective than other types of securities as a means of "locking in" attractive long-term interest rates. One reason is the need to reinvest prepayments of principal; another is the possibility of significant unscheduled prepayments resulting from declines in interest rates. These prepayments would have to be reinvested at lower rates. As a result, these securities may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of declining interest rates than other securities of comparable maturities, although they may have a similar or greater risk of decline in market value during periods of rising interest rates. Prepayments may also significantly shorten the effective maturities of these securities, especially during periods of declining interest rates. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, a reduction in prepayments may increase the effective maturities of these securities, subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore, potentially increasing the volatility of the Funds. The terms of certain asset-backed securities may require early prepayment in response to certain credit events potentially affecting the values of the asset-backed securities.

At times, some mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities will have higher than market interest rates and therefore will be purchased at a premium above their par value. Prepayments may cause losses on securities purchased at a premium. Ongoing developments in the residential and commercial mortgage markets may have additional consequences for the market for mortgage-backed securities. Asset-backed securities also involve the risk that borrowers may default on the obligations backing them and that the values of and interest earned on such investments will decline as a result. Loans made to lower quality borrowers, including those of sub-prime quality, involve a higher risk of default. Therefore, the

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values of asset-backed securities backed by lower quality assets, such as lower quality loans, including those of sub-prime quality, may suffer significantly greater declines in value due to defaults, payment delays, or a perceived increased risk of default, especially during periods when economic conditions worsen. During periods of deteriorating economic conditions, such as recessions or periods of rising unemployment, delinquencies and losses generally increase, sometimes dramatically, with respect to securitizations involving loans, sales contracts, receivables, and other obligations underlying asset-backed securities. The effects of the COVID-19 virus and governmental responses to the effects of the virus, as well as the effects of and responses to other pandemics and epidemics, may result in increased delinquencies and losses and have other, potentially unanticipated, adverse effects on such investments and the markets for those investments. There are fewer investors in mortgage- and asset-backed securities markets and those investors are more homogenous than in markets for other kinds of securities. If a number of market participants are impacted by negative economic conditions, forced selling of mortgage- or asset-backed securities unrelated to fundamental analysis could depress market prices and liquidity significantly and for a longer period of time than in markets with greater liquidity.

CMOs may be issued by a U.S. Government agency or instrumentality or by a private issuer. Although payment of the principal of, and interest on, the underlying collateral securing privately issued CMOs may be guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, these CMOs represent obligations solely of the private issuer and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or any other person or entity.

CMOs typically issue multiple classes of securities, having different maturities, interest rates, and payment schedules, and with the principal and interest on the underlying mortgages allocated among the several classes in various ways. Payment of interest or principal on some classes or series of CMOs may be subordinated to payments on other classes or series and may be subject to contingencies; or some classes or series may bear some or all of the risk of default on the underlying mortgages. CMOs of different classes or series are generally retired in sequence as the underlying mortgage loans in the mortgage pool are repaid. If enough mortgages are repaid ahead of schedule, the classes or series of a CMO with the earliest maturities generally will be retired prior to their maturities. Thus, the early retirement of particular classes or series of a CMO would have the same effect as the prepayment of mortgages underlying other mortgage-backed securities. Conversely, slower than anticipated prepayments can extend the effective maturities of CMOs, subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore, potentially increasing their volatility. Certain classes or series of CMOs may experience high levels of volatility in response to changes in interest rates and other factors.

Stripped mortgage-backed securities are usually structured with two classes that receive payments of interest or principal on a pool of mortgage loans. Stripped mortgage-backed securities may experience very high levels of volatility in response to changes in interest rates. The yield to maturity on an interest only or "IO" class of stripped mortgage-backed securities is extremely sensitive not only to changes in prevailing interest rates but also to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying assets. A rapid rate of principal prepayments will typically result in a substantial decline in the value of IOs and may have a significant adverse effect on a Fund's yield to maturity to the extent it invests in IOs. If the assets underlying the IO experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail to recoup fully, or at all, its initial investment in these securities. Conversely, principal only securities or "POs" tend to increase in value if prepayments are greater than anticipated and decline if prepayments are slower than anticipated.

The secondary market for stripped mortgage-backed securities may be more volatile and less liquid than that for other mortgage-backed securities, potentially limiting a Fund's ability to buy or sell those securities at any particular time.

Subprime mortgage loans, which typically are made to less creditworthy borrowers, have a higher risk of default than conventional mortgage loans. Therefore, mortgage-backed securities backed by subprime mortgage loans may suffer significantly greater declines in value due to defaults, and may experience high levels of volatility.

A Fund may invest in collateralized debt obligations ("CDOs"), including collateralized bond obligations ("CBOs"), collateralized loan obligations ("CLOs"), and other similarly structured securities. CBOs, CLOs, and other CDOs are types of asset-backed securities. A CBO is typically an obligation of a trust backed (or collateralized) by a pool of securities, often including high risk, below investment grade debt securities. The collateral may include many different types of debt securities such as high yield debt, residential privately issued mortgage-related securities, commercial privately issued mortgage-related securities, trust preferred securities, and emerging market debt. A CLO is typically an obligation of a trust backed (or collateralized) by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans. Other types of CDOs may include, by way of example, obligations of trusts backed by other types of assets representing obligations of various types, and may include high risk, below investment grade debt obligations. CBOs, CLOs, and other CDOs may pay management fees and administrative expenses. The risk profile of an investment in a CBO, CLO, or other CDO depends largely on the type of the collateral securities and the class of the instrument in which a Fund invests.

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For CBOs, CLOs, and other CDOs, the cash flows from the trust are split into two or more portions, called tranches, varying in risk and yield. The riskiest portion is the "equity" tranche which typically bears the effects of defaults from the bonds or loans in the trust in the first instance and may serve to protect other, senior tranches from defaults. Typically, the more senior the tranche in a CBO, CLO, or other CDO, the higher its rating, although senior tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults. The market values of CBO, CLO, and CDO obligations may be affected by a number of factors, including, among others, changes in interest rates, defaults affecting junior tranches, market anticipation of defaults, and general market aversion to CBO, CLO, or other CDO securities as a class, or to the collateral backing them.

CBOs, CLOs, and other CDOs may be illiquid. In addition to the risks associated with debt securities discussed elsewhere in this SAI and the Funds' Prospectus (e.g., interest rate risk and the risk of default), CBOs, CLOs, and other CDOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments on a CBO's, CLO's, or other CDO's obligations; (ii) the collateral may decline in value or be in default; (iii) the risk that Funds may invest in tranches of CBOs, CLOs, or other CDOs that are subordinate to other classes; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results.

Some of the loans in which a Fund may invest or to which a Fund may gain exposure through its investments in CDOs, CLOs, or other types of structured securities may be covenant-lite loans, which contain fewer or less restrictive constraints on the borrower than certain other types of loans. Covenant-lite loans generally do not include terms that allow the lender to monitor the performance of the borrower and declare a default or force a borrower into bankruptcy restructuring if certain criteria are breached. Under such loans, lenders typically must rely on covenants that restrict a company from incurring additional debt or engaging in certain actions. Such covenants can only be breached by an affirmative action of the borrower, rather than by a deterioration in the borrower's financial condition. Accordingly, a Fund may have fewer rights against a borrower when it invests in or has exposure to such loans and, accordingly, may have a greater risk of loss on such investments as compared to investments in or exposure to loans with additional or more conventional covenants.

#### Other Income-Producing Securities
Other types of income-producing securities the Funds may purchase, include, but are not limited to, the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • ***Variable and floating rate obligations****.* Variable and floating rate securities are debt instruments that provide for periodic adjustments in the interest rate paid on the security and, under certain limited circumstances, may have varying principal amounts. Variable rate securities provide for a specified periodic adjustment in the interest rate, while floating rate securities have interest rates that may change with change to the level of prevailing interest rates or the issuer's credit quality. These types of securities are relatively long-term instruments that often carry demand features permitting the holder to demand payment of principal at any time or at specified intervals prior to maturity. There is a risk that the current interest rate on variable and floating securities may not accurately reflect current market interest rates or adequately compensate the holder for the current creditworthiness of the issuer. Due to their variable- or floating-rate features, these instruments will generally pay higher levels of income in a rising interest rate environment and lower levels of income as interest rates decline. For the same reason, the market value of a variable- or floating-rate instrument is generally expected to have less sensitivity to fluctuations in market interest rates than a fixed-rate instrument, although the value of a floating-rate instrument may nonetheless decline as interest rates rise and due to other factors, such as changes in credit quality. Some variable or floating rate securities are structured with liquidity features such as (1) put options or tender options that permit holders (sometimes subject to conditions) to demand payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest from the issuers or certain financial intermediaries or (2) auction rate features, remarketing provisions, or other maturity-shortening devices designed to enable the issuer to refinance or redeem outstanding debt securities (market-dependent liquidity features). The market-dependent liquidity features may not operate as intended as a result of the issuer's declining creditworthiness, adverse market conditions, or other factors or the inability or unwillingness of a participating broker-dealer to make a secondary market for such securities. As a result, variable or floating rate securities that include market-dependent liquidity features may lose value and the holders of such securities may be required to retain them for an extended period of time or until maturity.

In order to use these investments most effectively, a Fund's investment adviser or subadviser must correctly assess probable movements in interest rates. This involves different skills than those used to select most portfolio securities. If the investment adviser or subadviser incorrectly forecasts such movements, a Fund could be adversely affected by the use of variable or floating rate obligations.

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Many financial instruments use or may use a floating rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), which is the offered rate for short-term Eurodollar deposits between major international banks. On July 27, 2017, the head of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. The administrator of LIBOR ceased publication of most LIBOR settings on a representative basis at the end of 2021 and is expected to cease publication of remaining U.S. dollar LIBOR settings on a representative basis after June 30, 2023. In addition, global regulators have announced that, with limited exceptions, no new LIBOR-based contracts should be entered into after 2021. Actions by regulators have resulted in the establishment of alternative reference rates to LIBOR in most major currencies. Market participants are focused on the transition mechanisms by which the reference rate in existing contracts or instruments may be amended, whether through market wide protocols, fallback contractual provisions, bespoke negotiations, or amendments, or otherwise. Markets are developing in response to these new rates, and questions around liquidity in these rates and how to appropriately adjust these rates to eliminate any economic value transfer at the time of transition remain a significant concern for a Fund. Neither the effect of the transition process nor its ultimate success can yet be known. A Fund may have investments linked to other interbank offered rates which may also cease to be published. The transition process might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that currently rely on LIBOR to determine interest rates. It could also lead to a reduction in the value of some LIBOR-based investments and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against existing LIBOR-based instruments. Since the usefulness of LIBOR as a benchmark could deteriorate during the transition period, these effects could occur prior to the cessation of LIBOR.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • ***Standby commitments****.* These instruments, which are similar to a put, give a Fund the option to obligate a broker, dealer, or bank to repurchase a security held by the Fund at a specified price.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • ***Tender option bonds****.* Tender option bonds are relatively long-term bonds that are coupled with the agreement of a third party, such as a broker, dealer, or bank, to grant the holders of such securities the option to tender the securities to the institution at periodic intervals.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • ***Inverse floaters****.* Inverse floaters have variable interest rates that typically move in the opposite direction from movements in prevailing interest rates, most often short-term rates. Accordingly, the value of inverse floaters, or other obligations or certificates structured to have similar features, generally moves in the opposite direction from interest rates. The value of an inverse floater can be considerably more volatile than the value of other debt instruments of comparable maturity and credit quality. Inverse floaters incorporate varying degrees of leverage. Generally, greater leverage results in greater price volatility for any given change in interest rates. Inverse floaters may be subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale and therefore may be less liquid than other types of securities. Similar to variable and floating rate obligations, effective use of inverse floaters requires skills different from those needed to select most portfolio securities. If movements in interest rates are incorrectly anticipated, a Fund could lose money or the NAV of its shares could decline by the use of inverse floaters.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • ***Strip bonds****.* Strip bonds are debt securities that are stripped of their interest, usually by a financial intermediary, after the securities are issued. The market value of these securities generally fluctuates more in response to changes in interest rates than interest-paying securities of comparable maturities.

Standby commitments, tender option bonds, and instruments with demand features are primarily used by the Funds for the purpose of increasing the liquidity of a Fund's portfolio.

#### Other Investment Companies
A Fund may invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies, including exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"), traded on one or more national securities exchanges, as well as private investment vehicles. Provisions of the 1940 Act may limit the ability of a Fund to invest in certain registered investment companies or private investment vehicles or may limit the amount of its assets that a Fund may invest in any investment vehicle.

A Fund may, for example, invest in other open- or closed-end investment companies, including ETFs, during periods when it has large amounts of uninvested cash, when its investment adviser or subadviser believes share prices of other investment companies offer attractive values, or to gain or maintain exposure to various asset classes and markets or types of strategies and investments. A Fund may invest in shares of another registered investment company or private investment vehicle in order to gain indirect exposure to markets in a country where the Fund is not able to invest freely, or to gain indirect exposure to one or more issuers whose securities it may not buy directly. As a shareholder in an investment vehicle, a Fund would bear its ratable share of that vehicle's expenses and would remain subject to payment of the Fund's

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management fees with respect to assets so invested. Shareholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent a Fund invests in other investment vehicles. Shares of registered open-end investment companies traded on a securities exchange may not be redeemable by a Fund in all cases. Private investment vehicles in which a Fund may invest are not registered under the 1940 Act, and so will not offer all of the protections provided by the 1940 Act (including, among other things, independent oversight, protections against certain conflicts of interest, and custodial risks).

If a Fund invests in another investment vehicle, it is exposed to the risk that the other investment vehicle will not perform as expected. A Fund is exposed indirectly to all of the risks applicable to an investment in such other investment vehicle. In addition, lack of liquidity in the other investment vehicle could result in its value being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities, and may limit the ability of a Fund to sell or redeem its interest in the investment vehicle at a time or at a price it might consider desirable. A Fund may not be able to redeem its interest in private investment vehicles except at certain designated times. The investment policies and limitations of the other registered investment company or private investment vehicle may not be the same as those of the investing Fund; as a result, the Fund may be subject to additional or different risks, or may achieve a reduced investment return, as a result of its investment in another investment vehicle. If the other investment company is an ETF or other product traded on a securities exchange or otherwise actively traded, its shares may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV, an effect that might be more pronounced in less liquid markets. ETFs are also subject to additional risks, including, among others, the risk that the market price of an ETF's shares may trade above or below its NAV, the risk that an active trading market for an ETF's shares may not develop or be maintained, the risk that trading of an ETF's shares may be halted, and the risk that the ETF's shares may be delisted from the listing exchange. Unlike shares of a mutual fund, which can be bought and redeemed from the issuing fund by all shareholders at a price based on NAV, shares of an ETF may be purchased or redeemed directly from the ETF solely by Authorized Participants ("APs") and only in aggregations of a specified number of shares ("Creation Units"). ETFs may have a limited number of financial institutions that act as APs. To the extent that those APs exit the business, or are unable to or choose not to process creation and/or redemption orders for Creation Units, and no other AP steps forward to create and redeem ETF shares, the ETF's shares may be more likely to trade at a premium or discount to NAV and possibly face trading halts or delisting.

A Fund's investment adviser or subadviser or their affiliates may serve as investment adviser to a registered investment company or private investment vehicle in which the Fund may invest, leading to conflicts of interest. For example, a Fund's investment adviser or subadviser may receive fees based on the amount of assets invested in the other investment vehicle. Investment by a Fund in another registered investment company or private investment vehicle will typically be beneficial to its investment adviser or subadviser in the management of the other investment vehicle, by helping to achieve economies of scale or enhancing cash flows. Due to this and other factors, a Fund's investment adviser or subadviser will have an incentive to invest the Fund's assets in an investment vehicle sponsored or managed by it or its affiliates in lieu of investments by the Fund directly in portfolio securities, and will have an incentive to invest in such an investment vehicle over a non-affiliated investment vehicle. The investment adviser or subadviser will have no obligation to select the least expensive or best performing investment companies available to serve as an underlying investment vehicle. Similarly, a Fund's investment adviser or subadviser will have an incentive to delay or decide against the sale of interests held by the Fund in an investment company sponsored or managed by it or its affiliates. It is possible that other clients of a Fund's investment adviser or subadviser or its affiliates will purchase or sell interests in an investment company sponsored or managed by it at prices and at times more favorable than those at which the Fund does so.

New SEC Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act, which became effective on January 19, 2022, is designed to streamline and enhance the regulatory framework for fund of funds arrangements. Rule 12d1-4 permits an investment company to invest in other investment companies beyond the statutory limits, subject to certain conditions. In connection with this Rule, the SEC rescinded Rule 12d1-2 under the 1940 Act and most fund of funds exemptive orders, effective January 19, 2022.

The Rule could affect a Fund's ability to redeem its investments in other investment companies, make such investments less attractive, cause the Fund to incur losses, realize taxable gains distributable to shareholders, incur greater or unexpected expenses, or experience other adverse consequences.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; T. Rowe Price may invest the assets of the Diversified Value Fund, Equity Opportunities Fund, Blue Chip Growth Fund, Mid Cap Growth Fund, or MM Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund, respectively, into money market funds. Therefore, T. Rowe Price may choose to invest any available cash reserves in a money market fund established for the exclusive use of the T. Rowe Price family of mutual funds and other T. Rowe Price clients. Currently, two such money market funds are in operation—T. Rowe Price Government Reserve Fund ("GRF") and T. Rowe Price Treasury Reserve Fund ("TRF"), each a series of the T. Rowe Price Reserve Investment Funds, Inc. Additional series may be created in the future.

GRF and TRF must comply with the requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act governing money market funds. Each fund invests at least 99.5% of its total assets in cash, U.S. Government securities, and/or repurchase agreements that

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are collateralized by U.S. Government securities or cash. The funds do not pay an advisory fee to the investment manager at T. Rowe Price, but will incur other expenses. GRF and TRF are expected by T. Rowe Price to operate at a very low expense ratio. A Fund will only invest in GRF or TRF to the extent it is consistent with its investment objective and program. GRF and TRF are neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government, and there is no assurance they will maintain a stable NAV of $1.00 per share.

#### Partly Paid Securities
These securities are paid for on an installment basis. A partly paid security trades net of outstanding installment payments—the buyer "takes over payments." The buyer's rights are typically restricted until the security is fully paid. If the value of a partly paid security declines before a Fund finishes paying for it, the Fund will still owe the payments, but may find it hard to sell and as a result will incur a loss.

#### Portfolio Management
A Fund's investment adviser or subadviser uses trading as a means of managing the portfolio of the Fund in seeking to achieve its investment objective. Transactions will occur when a Fund's investment adviser or subadviser believes that the trade, net of transaction costs, will improve interest income or capital appreciation potential, or will lessen capital loss potential. Whether the goals discussed above will be achieved through trading depends on the Fund's investment adviser's or subadviser's ability to evaluate particular securities and anticipate relevant market factors, including interest rate trends and variations from such trends. If such evaluations and expectations prove to be incorrect, a Fund's income or capital appreciation may be reduced and its capital losses may be increased. In addition, high turnover in a Fund could result in additional brokerage commissions to be paid by that Fund. See also "Taxation" below.

The Funds may pay brokerage commissions to affiliates of one or more affiliates of the Funds' investment adviser or subadvisers.

#### Portfolio Turnover
Portfolio turnover involves brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which the relevant Fund will bear directly, and could involve realization of taxable capital gains. To the extent that portfolio turnover results in realization of net short-term capital gains, such gains ordinarily are treated as ordinary income when distributed to shareholders. Portfolio turnover rates are shown in the "Fees and Expenses of the Fund" and "Financial Highlights" sections of the Prospectus. See the "Taxation" and "Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage" sections in this SAI for additional information.

#### Real Estate-Related Investments; Real Estate Investment Trusts
Factors affecting the performance of real estate may include excess supply of real property in certain markets, changes in zoning laws, environmental regulations and other governmental action, completion of construction, changes in real estate value and property taxes, losses from casualty, condemnation, or natural disaster, sufficient level of occupancy, adequate rent to cover operating expenses, and local and regional markets for competing assets. The performance of real estate may also be affected by changes in interest rates, prudent management of insurance risks, and social and economic trends.

Real estate investment trusts ("REITs") that may be purchased by a Fund include equity REITs, which own real estate directly, mortgage REITs, which make construction, development, or long-term mortgage loans, and hybrid REITs, which share characteristics of equity REITs and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs will be affected by, among other things, changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the REITs, while mortgage REITs will be affected by, among other things, the value of the properties to which they have extended credit. REITs are dependent upon the skill of each REIT's management.

A Fund could, under certain circumstances, own real estate directly as a result of a default on debt securities it owns or from an in-kind distribution of real estate from a REIT. Risks associated with such ownership could include potential liabilities under environmental laws and the costs of other regulatory compliance. If a Fund has rental income or income from the direct disposition of real property, the receipt of such income may adversely affect its ability to retain its tax status as a regulated investment company and thus its ability to avoid taxation on its income and gains distributed to its shareholders. REITs are also subject to substantial cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Code and/or to maintain exempt status under the 1940 Act. If a Fund invests in REITs, investors would bear not only a proportionate share of the expenses of that Fund, but also, indirectly, expenses of the REITs.

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#### Repurchase Agreements
A repurchase agreement is a contract under which a Fund acquires a security for a relatively short period (usually not more than one week) subject to the obligation of the seller to repurchase and the Fund to resell such security at a fixed time and price (representing the Fund's cost plus interest). Repurchase agreements may also be viewed as loans made by a Fund which are collateralized by the securities subject to repurchase. The investment adviser or subadviser will monitor such transactions to ensure that the value of the underlying securities will be at least equal at all times to the total amount of the repurchase obligation, including the interest factor. If the seller defaults, a Fund could realize a loss on the sale of the underlying security to the extent that the proceeds of the sale including accrued interest are less than the resale price provided in the agreement including interest. In addition, if the seller should be involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, the Fund may incur delay and costs in selling the underlying security or may suffer a loss of principal and interest if the Fund is treated as an unsecured creditor and required to return the underlying collateral to the seller's estate. There is no limit on the Funds' investment in repurchase agreements.

#### Restricted Securities
Restricted securities are subject to legal restrictions on their sale. Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss or be costly to a Fund. Restricted securities generally can be sold in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, or in a registered public offering. Where registration is required, the holder of a registered security may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the time it decides to seek registration and the time it may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the holder might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to seek registration of the security.

#### Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Treasury Rolls
A Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements or Treasury rolls with banks and broker-dealers to enhance return. Reverse repurchase agreements involve sales by a Fund of portfolio securities concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase the same securities at a later date at a fixed price (typically equal to the original sale price plus interest). During the reverse repurchase agreement period, the Fund continues to receive principal and interest payments on the securities and also has the opportunity to earn a return on the purchase price received by it from the counterparty. Similarly, in a Treasury roll transaction, a Fund sells a Treasury security and simultaneously enters into an agreement to repurchase the security from the buyer at a later date, at the original sale price plus interest. The repurchase price is typically adjusted to provide the Fund the economic benefit of any interest that accrued on the Treasury security during the term of the transaction. The Fund may use the purchase price received by it to earn additional return during the term of the Treasury roll transaction. Reverse repurchase agreements and Treasury rolls are similar to a secured borrowing of a Fund and generally create investment leverage. A Fund might lose money both on the security subject to the reverse repurchase agreement and on the investments it makes with the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement. If the counterparty in such a transaction files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, a Fund's use of the proceeds from the sale of its securities may be restricted or forfeited, and the counterparty may fail to return/resell the securities in question to the Fund. A Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements or Treasury rolls without limit up to the amount permitted under applicable law. Pursuant to Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, a Fund has the option to treat all reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions as "derivatives transactions," or to include all such transactions in the Fund's asset coverage ratio for borrowings.

#### Securities Lending
A Fund may lend its portfolio securities. The Fund expects that, in connection with any securities loan: (1) the loan will be secured continuously by collateral consisting of U.S. Government securities, cash, or cash equivalents adjusted daily to have market value at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned; (2) the Fund will have the right at any time on reasonable notice to call the loan and regain the securities loaned; (3) the Fund will receive an amount equal to any interest or dividends paid on the loaned securities; and (4) the aggregate market value of securities the Fund has loaned will not at any time exceed one-third (or such other lower limit as the Board may establish) of the total assets of the Fund. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as with other extensions of credit, include a possible delay in recovering the loaned securities or a possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. Regulations adopted by global prudential regulators that are now in effect require certain bank-regulated counterparties and certain of their affiliates to include in certain financial contracts, including many securities lending agreements, terms that delay or restrict the rights of counterparties, such as the Funds, to terminate such agreements, foreclose upon collateral, exercise other default rights, or restrict transfers of credit support in the event that the counterparty and/or its affiliates are subject to

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certain types of resolution or insolvency proceedings. It is possible that these new requirements, as well as potential additional government regulation and other developments in the market, could adversely affect a Fund's ability to terminate existing securities lending agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements. Voting rights or rights to consent with respect to the loaned securities pass to the borrower, although a Fund would retain the right to call the loans at any time on reasonable notice, and may do so in order that the securities may be voted in an appropriate case.

A Fund's securities loans will be made by a third-party agent appointed by the Fund, although the agent is only permitted to make loans to borrowers previously approved by the Fund's Board. Any cash collateral securing a loan of securities by a Fund will typically be invested by the agent. The investment of the collateral will be at the risk and for the account of the Fund. The earnings on the investment of collateral will be split between the Fund and the agent; as a result, the agent may have an incentive to invest the collateral in riskier investments than if it were not to share in the earnings. It is possible that any loss on the investment of collateral for a securities loan will exceed (potentially by a substantial amount) the Fund's earnings on the loan.

#### Short Sales
A short sale is a transaction in which a fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline. When a fund makes a short sale on a security, it must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to a broker dealer through which it made the short sale as collateral for its obligation to deliver the security upon the conclusion of the sale. A fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and is often obligated to pay over any accrued interest and dividends on such borrowed securities. If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time a fund replaces the borrowed security, a fund will incur a loss, which could be unlimited, in cases where a fund is unable for whatever reason to close out its short position; conversely, if the price declines, a fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the transaction costs described above. The successful use of short selling may be adversely impacted by imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the security sold short and the securities being hedged.

Selling short "against-the-box" refers to the sale of securities actually owned by the seller but held in safekeeping. In such short sales, while the short position is open, a fund must own an equal amount of such securities, or by virtue of ownership of securities have the right, without payment of further consideration, to obtain an equal amount of securities sold short. Short sales against-the-box generally produce current recognition of gain (but not loss) for U.S. federal income tax purposes on the constructive sale of securities "in the box" prior to the time the short position is closed out.

#### Terrorism, War, Natural Disasters, and Epidemics
Terrorism, war, and related geopolitical events (and their aftermath) have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. For example, in February 2022, Russia commenced a large-scale military attack on Ukraine. The outbreak of hostilities between the two countries could result in more widespread conflict and could have a severe adverse effect on the regional and the global financial markets and economies. In addition, sanctions imposed on Russia, Russian individuals, including politicians, and Russian corporate and banking entities by the U.S. and other countries, and any sanctions imposed in the future, may have a significant adverse impact on the Russian economy and related markets. Such actions may also result in a decline in the value and liquidity of Russian securities, and a weakening of the ruble, and will impair a Fund's ability to buy, sell, receive, or deliver Russian securities. In addition, securities market trading halts related to the conflict could adversely impact the value and liquidity of a Fund's holdings, and could impair a Fund's ability to transact in and/or value portfolio securities. The ramifications of the conflict and related sanctions may negatively impact other regional and global financial markets (including in Europe, Asia, and the U.S.), companies in other countries (including those that have done business in Russia), and various sectors, industries, and markets for securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas. The price and liquidity of a Fund's investments may fluctuate widely as a result of this and other geopolitical conflicts and related events. The extent and duration of any military conflict or future escalation of such hostilities (including cyberattacks), the extent and impact of existing and future sanctions, market disruptions and volatility, and the result of any diplomatic negotiations, cannot be predicted. These and any related or similar future events could have a significant adverse impact on a Fund's performance and the value of an investment in a Fund.

Natural and environmental disasters, such as, for example, earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, and weather-related phenomena generally, as well as widespread epidemics, can be highly disruptive to economies and markets, adversely affecting individual companies, sectors, industries, markets, currencies, interest and inflation rates, credit ratings, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of the Funds' investments. For example, the spread of the novel strain of coronavirus and its variants (known as COVID-19) has caused volatility, severe market dislocations

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and liquidity constraints in many markets, and may adversely affect the Funds' investments and operations. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in, among other things, travel restrictions and disruptions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, event and service cancellations or interruptions, and disruptions to business operations (including staff reductions), supply chains, and consumer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the economic environment.

The COVID-19 virus has negatively affected the global economy, the economies of many countries, and the financial performance of individual issuers, sectors, industries, asset classes, and markets in significant and unforeseen ways. In addition, actions taken by governmental and quasi-governmental authorities and regulators throughout the world in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including significant fiscal and monetary policy changes, have affected the values, volatility, and liquidity of securities or other assets. The effects of the outbreak in developing or emerging market countries may be greater due to less established health care systems, financial systems and institutions, and government institutions. The duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with certainty. The foregoing could have a significant adverse effect on a Fund's performance and have the potential to impair a Fund's ability to maintain operational standards (such as with respect to satisfying redemption requests), disrupt the operations of a Fund's service providers, adversely affect the values and liquidity of a Fund's investments, and negatively impact a Fund's performance and a shareholder's investment in a Fund. Other infectious illness outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics that may arise in the future, could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, the financial performance of individual issuers, borrowers and sectors, and the health of the markets generally in potentially significant and unforeseen ways.

#### Trade Claims
A Fund may purchase trade claims and other obligations of, or claims against, companies in bankruptcy proceedings. Trade claims are claims for payment by vendors and suppliers for products and services previously furnished to the companies in question. Other claims may include, for example, claims for payment under financial or derivatives obligations. Trade claims may be purchased directly from the creditor or through brokers or from dealers, and are typically purchased at a significant discount from their face amounts. There is no guarantee that a debtor will ever be able to satisfy its obligations on such claims. Trade claims are subject to the risks associated with low-quality and distressed obligations.

#### Trust Preferred Securities
Trust preferred securities are typically issued by corporations, generally in the form of interest bearing notes with preferred securities characteristics, or by an affiliated trust, generally in the form of beneficial interests in subordinated debentures or similarly structured securities. Trust preferred securities may pay interest at either fixed or adjustable rates. Trust preferred securities may be issued with a final maturity date, or may be perpetual.

Trust preferred securities are typically junior and fully subordinated liabilities of an issuer and benefit from a guarantee that is junior and fully subordinated to the other liabilities of the guarantor. In addition, trust preferred securities typically permit an issuer to defer the payment of income for five years or more without triggering an event of default. Because of their subordinated position in the capital structure of an issuer, the ability to defer payments for extended periods of time without default consequences to the issuer, and certain other features (such as restrictions on common dividend payments by the issuer or ultimate guarantor when full cumulative payments on the trust preferred securities have not been made), these trust preferred securities are often treated as close substitutes for traditional preferred securities, both by issuers and investors.

Many trust preferred securities are issued by trusts or other special purpose entities established by operating companies and are not a direct obligation of an operating company. At the time the trust or special purpose entity sells such preferred securities to investors, it purchases debt of the operating company (with terms comparable to those of the trust or special purpose entity securities). The trust or special purpose entity is generally required to be treated as transparent for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and the holders of the trust preferred securities are treated for tax purposes as owning beneficial interests in the underlying debt of the operating company. Accordingly, payments on the trust preferred securities are treated as interest rather than dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The trust or special purpose entity in turn would be a holder of the operating company's debt and would typically be subordinated to other classes of the operating company's debt.

#### U.S. Government Securities
The Funds may invest in U.S. Government securities. These include obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities. Payment of principal and interest on U.S. Government obligations

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(i) may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States (as with U.S. Treasury obligations and GNMA certificates) or (ii) may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself (as with FNMA notes). In the latter case, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment and may not be able to assert a claim against the United States if the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitment. Such securities may involve increased risk of loss of principal and interest compared to government debt securities that are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Such agency or instrumentality may be privately owned. There can be no assurance that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities where it is not obligated to do so. From time to time, uncertainty regarding the status of negotiations in the U.S. Government to increase the statutory debt ceiling could: increase the risk that the U.S. Government may default on payments on certain U.S. Government securities; cause the credit rating of the U.S. Government to be downgraded or increase volatility in both stock and bond markets; result in higher interest rates; reduce prices of U.S. Treasury securities; and/or increase the costs of certain kinds of debt.

U.S. Government securities are subject to interest rate risk, and, in some cases, may be subject to credit risk. Although FHLMC and FNMA are now under conservatorship by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and are benefiting from a liquidity backstop of the U.S. Treasury, no assurance can be given that these initiatives will be successful. As a general matter, the value of debt instruments, including U.S. Government obligations, declines when market interest rates increase and rises when market interest rates decrease. Certain types of U.S. Government obligations are subject to fluctuations in yield or value due to their structure or contract terms.

#### Utility Industries
Risks that are intrinsic to the utility industries include difficulty in obtaining an adequate return on invested capital, difficulty in financing large construction programs during an inflationary period, restrictions on operations and increased cost and delays attributable to environmental considerations and regulation, difficulty in raising capital in adequate amounts on reasonable terms in periods of high inflation and unsettled capital markets, technological innovations that may render existing plants, equipment, or products obsolete, the potential impact of natural or man-made disasters, increased costs and reduced availability of certain types of fuel, occasionally reduced availability and high costs of natural gas for resale, the effects of energy conservation, the effects of a national energy policy and lengthy delays and greatly increased costs and other problems associated with the design, construction, licensing, regulation, and operation of nuclear facilities for electric generation, including, among other considerations, the problems associated with the use of radioactive materials and the disposal of radioactive wastes. There are substantial differences among the regulatory practices and policies of various jurisdictions, and any given regulatory agency may make major shifts in policy from time to time. There is no assurance that regulatory authorities will, in the future, grant rate increases or that such increases will be adequate to permit the payment of dividends on common stocks issued by a utility company. Additionally, existing and possible future regulatory legislation may make it even more difficult for utilities to obtain adequate relief. Certain of the issuers of securities held in the Fund's portfolio may own or operate nuclear generating facilities. Governmental authorities may from time to time review existing policies and impose additional requirements governing the licensing, construction and operation of nuclear power plants. Prolonged changes in climatic conditions can also have a significant impact on both the revenues of an electric and gas utility as well as the expenses of a utility, particularly a hydro-based electric utility.

Utility companies in the United States and in foreign countries are generally subject to regulation. In the United States, most utility companies are regulated by state and/or federal authorities. Such regulation is intended to ensure appropriate standards of service and adequate capacity to meet public demand. Generally, prices are also regulated in the United States and in foreign countries with the intention of protecting the public while ensuring that the rate of return earned by utility companies is sufficient to allow them to attract capital in order to grow and continue to provide appropriate services. There can be no assurance that such pricing policies or rates of return will continue in the future.

The nature of regulation of the utility industries continues to evolve both in the United States and in foreign countries. In recent years, changes in regulation in the United States increasingly have allowed utility companies to provide services and products outside their traditional geographic areas and lines of business, creating new areas of competition within the industries. In some instances, utility companies are operating on an unregulated basis. Because of trends toward deregulation and the evolution of independent power producers as well as new entrants to the field of telecommunications, non-regulated providers of utility services have become a significant part of their respective industries. The investment adviser or subadviser believes that the emergence of competition and deregulation will result in certain utility companies being able to earn more than their traditional regulated rates of return, while others may be forced to defend their core business from increased competition and may be less profitable. Reduced profitability, as well as new uses of funds (such as for expansion, operations, or stock buybacks) could result in cuts in dividend payout rates. The investment adviser or

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subadviser seeks to take advantage of favorable investment opportunities that may arise from these structural changes. Of course, there can be no assurance that favorable developments will occur in the future.

Foreign utility companies are also subject to regulation, although such regulations may or may not be comparable to those in the United States. Foreign utility companies may be more heavily regulated by their respective governments than utilities in the United States and, as in the United States, generally are required to seek government approval for rate increases. In addition, many foreign utilities use fuels that may cause more pollution than those used in the United States, which may require such utilities to invest in pollution control equipment to meet any proposed pollution restrictions. Foreign regulatory systems vary from country to country and may evolve in ways different from regulation in the United States.

A Fund's investment policies are designed to enable it to capitalize on evolving investment opportunities throughout the world. For example, the rapid growth of certain foreign economies will necessitate expansion of capacity in the utility industries in those countries. Although many foreign utility companies currently are government-owned, thereby limiting current investment opportunities for a Fund, the investment adviser or subadviser believes that, in order to attract significant capital for growth, foreign governments are likely to seek global investors through the privatization of their utility industries. Privatization, which refers to the trend toward investor ownership of assets rather than government ownership, is expected to occur in newer, faster-growing economies and in mature economies. Of course, there is no assurance that such favorable developments will occur or that investment opportunities in foreign markets will increase.

The revenues of domestic and foreign utility companies generally reflect the economic growth and development in the geographic areas in which they do business. The investment adviser or subadviser will take into account anticipated economic growth rates and other economic developments when selecting securities of utility companies.

#### Zero-Coupon, Step Coupon and Pay-In-Kind Securities
Other debt securities in which the Funds may invest include zero coupon, step coupon, and pay-in-kind instruments. Zero coupon bonds are issued and traded at a discount from their face value. They do not entitle the holder to any periodic payment of interest prior to maturity. Step coupon bonds trade at a discount from their face value and pay coupon interest. The coupon rate is low for an initial period and then increases to a higher coupon rate thereafter. The discount from the face amount or par value depends on the time remaining until cash payments begin, prevailing interest rates, liquidity of the security, and the perceived credit quality of the issue. Pay-in-kind securities are debt or preferred stock securities that require or permit payment of interest in the form of additional securities. Payment-in-kind securities allow the issuer to avoid or delay the need to generate cash to meet current interest payments and, as a result, may involve greater risk than securities that pay interest currently or in cash.

Current U.S. federal income tax law requires holders of zero coupon and step coupon securities to report the portion of the original issue discount on such securities that accrues during a given year as interest income, even though holders receive no cash payments of interest during the year. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code, a Fund must distribute its investment company taxable income, including the original issue discount accrued on zero coupon or step coupon bonds. Because a Fund will not receive cash payments on a current basis in respect of accrued original issue discount on zero coupon or step coupon bonds during the period before interest payments begin, and may not receive cash payments on payment-in-kind securities until maturity or redemption, in some years that Fund may have to distribute cash obtained from other sources in order to satisfy the distribution requirements under the Code. A Fund might obtain such cash from selling other portfolio holdings which might cause a Fund to incur capital gains or losses on the sale. Additionally, these actions are likely to reduce the assets to which Fund expenses could be allocated and to reduce the rate of return for a Fund. In some circumstances, such sales might be necessary in order to satisfy cash distribution requirements even though investment considerations might otherwise make it undesirable for a Fund to sell the securities at the time.

Generally, the market prices of zero coupon, step coupon, and pay-in-kind securities are more volatile than the prices of securities that pay interest periodically and in cash and are likely to respond to changes in interest rates to a greater degree than other types of debt securities.

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#### DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Trustees of the Funds, including a majority of Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Funds (as defined in the 1940 Act), have adopted policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Funds' portfolio holdings. These policies and procedures generally provide that no disclosure of portfolio holdings information may be made unless publicly disclosed as described below or made as part of the daily investment activities of the Funds to the Funds' investment adviser, subadviser(s), as applicable, or any of their designates who provide services to the Funds, which by explicit agreement or by virtue of their respective duties to the Funds, are required to maintain confidentiality of the information disclosed. Certain limited exceptions pursuant to the Funds' policies and procedures are described below. The Funds' portfolio holdings information may not be disseminated for compensation. Any exceptions to the Funds' policies and procedures may be made only if approved in writing by the Funds' Principal Executive Officer and the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer as being in the best interests of the relevant Fund, and then only if the recipients are subject to a written confidentiality agreement specifying that the relevant Fund's portfolio holdings information is the confidential property of the Fund and may not be used for any purpose except in connection with the provision of services to the Fund and, in particular, that such information may not be traded upon. Any such exceptions must be reported to the Funds' Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting. It was determined that these policies and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that disclosure of portfolio holdings information is in the best interests of a Fund's shareholders and appropriately address the potential for conflicts between the interests of a Fund's shareholders, on the one hand, and those of MML Advisers or any affiliated person of the Fund or MML Advisers on the other.

Acting pursuant to the policies and procedures adopted by the Trustees of the Funds, the Funds' investment adviser and subadviser(s), as applicable, are primarily responsible for compliance with these policies and procedures, which includes maintaining such internal informational barriers (e.g., "Chinese walls") as each believes are reasonably necessary for preventing the unauthorized disclosure of portfolio holdings information. Pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, the Trustees will periodically (as needed, but at least annually) receive reports from the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer regarding the operation of these policies and procedures, including a confirmation by the Chief Compliance Officer that the investment adviser's and the subadviser('s/s'), as applicable, policies, procedures, and/or processes are reasonably designed to comply with the Funds' policies and procedures in this regard.

#### Public Disclosures
The Funds' portfolio holdings are currently disclosed to the public through required filings with the SEC and as described below. The Funds file their portfolio holdings with the SEC as of the end of the second and fourth quarters of the Funds' fiscal year on Form N-CSR (with respect to each semiannual period and annual period) no later than 70 days after the end of the applicable quarter. In addition, monthly reports of all of the Funds' portfolio holdings are filed quarterly with the SEC on Form N-PORT no later than 60 days after the end of each quarter of the Funds' fiscal year, and the monthly report for the third month of each quarter will be made publicly available by the SEC upon filing. Shareholders may obtain the Funds' Form N-CSR and N-PORT filings on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, the Funds' annual and semiannual reports and complete schedule of portfolio holdings from their filings on Form N-PORT for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year are made available to shareholders at https://www.massmutual.com/funds after the end of the applicable quarter. The Funds' annual and semiannual reports are also mailed to shareholders after the end of the applicable quarter.

The Funds' most recent portfolio holdings as of the end of each quarter are available on https://www.massmutual.com/funds no earlier than 15 calendar days after the end of each quarter. Because such information is updated quarterly, it will generally be available for viewing for approximately three months after the posting.

A Fund's portfolio holdings may also be made available on https://www.massmutual.com/funds at other times as approved in writing by the Funds' Principal Executive Officer and the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer as being in the best interests of the relevant Fund.

#### Other Disclosures
Acting pursuant to the policies and procedures adopted by the Trustees of the Funds, and to the extent permitted under the 1933 and 1940 Acts, the Funds, the Funds' investment adviser, and the Funds' subadviser(s), as applicable, may distribute (or authorize the Funds' custodian to distribute) information regarding the Funds' portfolio holdings more frequently than as provided to the public on a confidential basis to various service providers and others who require such information in order to fulfill their contractual duties with respect to the routine investment activities or operations of the Funds. Such service providers or others must, by explicit agreement or by virtue of their respective duties to the Funds, be

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required to maintain confidentiality of the information disclosed. These service providers include, but are not limited to, the Funds' custodian (State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street")), the Funds' sub-administrators (State Street and MassMutual), the Funds' independent registered public accounting firm (Deloitte & Touche LLP), filing agents, legal counsel (Ropes & Gray LLP), financial printer (Toppan Merrill, LLC), any portfolio liquidity classification vendor, any proxy voting service employed by the Funds, MML Advisers or any of the Funds' subadviser(s), as applicable, providers of portfolio analysis tools, any pricing services employed by the Funds, and any providers of transition management services. The Funds or the Funds' investment adviser may also periodically provide non-public information about their portfolio holdings to rating and ranking organizations, such as Lipper Inc. and Morningstar Inc., in connection with those firms' research on and classification of the Funds and in order to gather information about how the Funds' attributes (such as volatility, turnover, and expenses) compared with those of peer funds.

The Funds, the Funds' investment adviser, or the Funds' subadviser(s), as applicable, may distribute (or authorize the Funds' custodian to distribute) information regarding the Funds' portfolio holdings more frequently than as provided to the public on a confidential basis to various service providers and others who require such information in order to fulfill non-routine legitimate business activities related to the management, investment activities, or operations of the Funds. Such disclosures may be made only if (i) the recipients of such information are subject to a written confidentiality agreement specifying that the Funds' portfolio holdings information is the confidential property of the Funds and may not be used for any purpose except in connection with the provision of services to the Funds and, in particular, that such information may not be traded upon; and (ii) if the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer (or a person designated by the Chief Compliance Officer) determines that, under the circumstances, disclosure is in the best interests of the relevant Fund's shareholders. The information distributed is limited to the information that the Funds, MML Advisers, or the relevant subadviser(s), as applicable, believes is reasonably necessary in connection with the services provided by the recipient receiving the information.

#### INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS OF THE FUNDS

#### FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS OF THE FUNDS
The following is a description of certain fundamental restrictions on investments of the Funds which may not be changed without a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the applicable Fund. Investment restrictions that appear below or elsewhere in this SAI and in the Prospectus which involve a maximum percentage of securities or assets shall not be considered violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets of, or borrowings by or on behalf of, a Fund. Each Fund may not:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1)

with the exception of the Blue Chip Growth Fund and Growth Opportunities Fund, purchase securities (other than securities issued, guaranteed or sponsored by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities or securities issued by investment companies) of any one issuer if, as a result, more than 5% of a Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer or the Fund would own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, except that up to 25% of the Fund's total assets may be invested without regard to these limitations.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2)

purchase commodities or commodity contracts, except that a Fund may enter into futures contracts, options, options on futures, and other financial or commodity transactions to the extent consistent with applicable law and the Fund's Prospectus and SAI at the time.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (3)

purchase or sell real estate except that it may dispose of real estate acquired as a result of the ownership of securities or other instruments. (This restriction does not prohibit a Fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate or in securities of companies engaged in the real estate business.)

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (4)

participate in the underwriting of securities, except to the extent that a Fund may be deemed an underwriter under federal securities laws by reason of acquisitions or distributions of portfolio securities (e.g., investments in restricted securities and instruments subject to such limits as imposed by the Board and/or law).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (5)

make loans, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder (as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time) or by guidance regarding or interpretations of, or exemptive orders under, the 1940 Act or the rules or regulations thereunder published by appropriate regulatory authorities.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (6)

borrow money or issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder (as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time) or by guidance regarding or interpretations of, or exemptive orders under, the 1940 Act or the rules or regulations thereunder published by appropriate regulatory authorities.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (7)

concentrate its investments in any one industry, as determined by the Board, and in this connection a Fund will not acquire securities of companies in any one industry if, immediately after giving effect to any such acquisition, 25% or more of the value of the total assets of the Fund would be invested in such industry, with the following exceptions:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (a) <br>

There is no limitation for securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (b) <br>

In the case of the S&P 500 Index Fund, except to the extent the Index is so concentrated.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (c) <br>

There is no limitation for securities issued by other investment companies.

#### NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS OF THE FUNDS
In addition to the investment restrictions adopted as fundamental policies set forth above, the Funds operate with certain non-fundamental policies that may be changed by a vote of a majority of the Board members at any time.

In accordance with such policies, each Fund may not:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1)

to the extent required by applicable law at the time, purchase additional securities when its borrowings, less amounts receivable on sales of portfolio securities, exceed 5% of its total assets.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2)

with the exception of the Total Return Bond Fund, sell securities short, but reserves the right to sell securities short against the box.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (3)

invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. This restriction does not limit the purchase of securities eligible for resale to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, provided that such securities are determined to be liquid by MML Advisers or the subadviser pursuant to Board approved guidelines.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (4)

to the extent that shares of the Fund are purchased or otherwise acquired by other series of the Trust, acquire any securities of registered open-end investment companies or registered unit investment trusts in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(F) or Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act.

With respect to limitation (3) above, if there is a lack of trading interest in particular Rule 144A securities, a Fund's holdings of those securities may be illiquid, resulting in the possibility of undesirable delays in selling these securities at prices representing fair value. If, through a change in values, net assets, or other circumstances, the Fund were in a position where more than 15% of its net assets was invested in illiquid securities, it would take appropriate orderly steps, as deemed necessary, to protect liquidity.

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#### MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
The Trust has a Board comprised of 10 Trustees, a majority of which are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust. The Board is generally responsible for the management and oversight of the business and affairs of the Trust. The Trustees formulate the general policies of the Trust and the Funds, approve contracts, and authorize Trust officers to carry out the decisions of the Board. To assist them in this role, the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust, the adviser, or any subadviser ("Independent Trustees") have retained independent legal counsel. As investment adviser and subadvisers to the Funds, respectively, MML Advisers and AllianceBernstein, American Century, Barrow Hanley, Boston Partners, Brandywine Global, Frontier, Harris, Invesco Advisers, Jackson Square, Loomis Sayles, MFS, MetWest, NTI, PanAgora, Sands Capital, TSW, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Hong Kong, T. Rowe Price International, T. Rowe Price Investment Management, T. Rowe Price Singapore, Wellington Management, Western Asset, Western Asset Limited, and Westfield may be considered part of the management of the Trust. The Trustees and principal officers of the Trust are listed below together with information on their positions with the Trust, address, and year of birth, as well as their principal occupations during at least the past five years and their other current principal business affiliations.

The Board has appointed an Independent Trustee Chairperson of the Trust. The Chairperson presides at Board meetings and may call a Board or committee meeting when he or she deems it necessary. The Chairperson participates in the preparation of Board meeting agendas and may generally facilitate communications among the Trustees, and between the Trustees and the Trust's management, officers, and independent legal counsel, between meetings. The Chairperson may also perform such other functions as may be requested by the Board from time to time. The Board has established the three standing committees described below, and may form working groups or ad hoc committees as needed.

The Board believes this leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board to exercise informed and independent judgment, and allocates areas of responsibility among committees or working groups of Trustees and the full Board in a manner that enhances effective oversight. The Board also believes that having a majority of Independent Trustees is appropriate and in the best interest of the Funds' shareholders. However, in the Board's opinion, having interested persons serve as Trustees brings both corporate and financial viewpoints that are significant elements in its decision-making process. The Board reviews its leadership structure at least annually and may make changes to it at any time, including in response to changes in the characteristics or circumstances of the Trust.

#### Independent Trustees

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Allan W. Blair** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1948 <br> Trustee of the Trust since 2003 <br> Trustee of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee of the Trust |

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Retired; Trustee (since 2003), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2012), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2003), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2012), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Nabil N. El-Hage** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1958 <br> Trustee of the Trust since 2012 <br> Trustee of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee of the Trust |

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Founder and CEO (since 2018), AEE International LLC (a Puerto Rico LLC); Founder and sole member (2016-2018), PR Academy of Executive Education LLC (a Puerto Rico LLC); Trustee (since 2012), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2003), Chairman (2006-2012), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2012), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2005), Chairman (2006-2012), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Maria D. Furman** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1954 <br> Trustee of the Trust since 2012 <br> Trustee of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee of the Trust |

---

Retired; Trustee (since 2012), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2004), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2012), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2005), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **R. Bradford Malt** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1954 <br> Trustee of the Trust since 2022 <br> Trustee of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee of the Trust |

---

Chairman (2004-2019), Management Committee (1993-2019), Partner (1987-2019), Associate (1979-1987), Ropes & Gray LLP (counsel to the Trust and MassMutual); Trustee (since 2022), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **C. Ann Merrifield** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1951 <br> Trustee of the Trust since 2012 <br> Trustee of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee of the Trust |

---

Retired; Director (since 2020), Lead Director (2020-2022), Chairperson (since 2020) of the Nominating and Governance Committee, Member (since 2020) and Chairperson (2020-2022) of the Compensation Committee, and Member (2020-2022) of the Audit Committee, Lyra Therapeutics (a clinical-stage specialty pharmaceutical company); Director (since 2014), Chairperson (since 2017), Lead Director (2015-2017), Member (since 2014) and Chairperson (since 2015) of the Nominating and Governance Committee, Member (since 2019) of the Compensation Committee, and Member (2014-2019) of the Audit Committee, InVivo Therapeutics (research and clinical-stage biomaterials and biotechnology company); Trustee (since 2012), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2004), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2012), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2005), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Cynthia R. Plouché** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1957 <br> Trustee of the Trust since 2022 <br> Trustee of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee of the Trust |

---

Retired; Assessor (2014-2018), Moraine Township (property assessment); Trustee (since 2014), Northern Trust Funds (open-end investment companies); Trustee (since 2022), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Jason J. Price** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1973 <br> Trustee of the Trust since 2022 <br> Trustee of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee of the Trust |

---

Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board (2017-2021), NXTHVN (arts organization); Trustee (since 2022), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Susan B. Sweeney** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1952 <br> Chairperson of the Trust since 2022 <br> Trustee of the Trust since 2009 <br> Trustee of 112 portfolios in fund complex<sup>1</sup> | Chairperson and Trustee of the Trust |

---

Retired; Trustee (since 2012), Barings Corporate Investors (closed-end investment company); Trustee (since 2012), Barings Participation Investors (closed-end investment company); Chairperson (since 2022), Trustee (since 2009), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Chairperson (since 2022), Trustee (since 2012), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Chairperson (since 2022), Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Chairperson (since 2022), Trustee (since 2009), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Chairperson (since 2022), Trustee (since 2012), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

#### Interested Trustees

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Michael R. Fanning**<sup>2</sup> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1963 <br> Trustee of the Trust since 2021 <br> Trustee of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee of the Trust |

---

Director (since 2016), MML Advisers; Head of MassMutual U.S. (since 2016), Executive Vice President (2016-2018), Member of MassMutual's Executive Leadership Team (since 2008), MassMutual; Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

<sup>1</sup> Barings Participation Investors and Barings Corporate Investors are deemed to be a part of the Fund Complex, because they are managed by Barings LLC, an affiliate of MML Advisers.

<sup>2</sup> Mr. Fanning is an "Interested Person," as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, as an employee of MassMutual.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Clifford M. Noreen**<sup>3</sup> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1957 <br> Trustee of the Trust since 2021 <br> Trustee of 112 portfolios in fund complex<sup>4</sup> | Trustee of the Trust |

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Head of Global Investment Strategy (since 2019), Deputy Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director (2016-2018), MassMutual; President (2008-2016), Vice Chairman (2007-2008), Member of the Board of Managers (2006-2016), Managing Director (2000-2016), Barings LLC; Chairman (since 2009), Trustee (since 2005), President (2005-2009), CI Subsidiary Trust and PI Subsidiary Trust; Chairman and Trustee (since 2009), President (2005-2009), Vice President (1993-2005), Barings Corporate Investors (closed-end investment company); Chairman and Trustee (since 2009), President (2005-2009), Vice President (1993-2005), Barings Participation Investors (closed-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

#### Principal Officers

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|:---|:---|
| **Andrea Anastasio** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1974 <br> Officer of the Trust since 2021 <br> Officer of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Vice President |

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Vice President (since 2021), MML Advisers; Head of Investment Management Solutions (since 2021), MassMutual; Head of Investment Strategy and Research, North America (2019-2021), Head of Investment Product Management (2016-2019), State Street Global Advisors; Vice President (since 2021), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2021), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2021), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2021), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

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|:---|:---|
| **Andrew M. Goldberg** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1966 <br> Officer of the Trust since 2001 <br> Officer of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of the Trust |

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Lead Counsel, Investment Adviser & Mutual Funds (since 2018), Assistant Vice President and Counsel (2004-2018), MassMutual; Secretary (since 2015), Assistant Secretary (2013-2015), MML Advisers; Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer (since 2008), Assistant Secretary (2001-2008), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President, Secretary (formerly known as "Clerk"), and Chief Legal Officer (since 2008), Assistant Clerk (2004-2008), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer (since 2008), Assistant Secretary (2001-2008), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Vice President, Secretary (formerly known as "Clerk"), and Chief Legal Officer (since 2008), Assistant Clerk (2005-2008), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

<sup>3</sup> Mr. Noreen is an "Interested Person," as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, as an employee of MassMutual.

<sup>4</sup> Barings Participation Investors and Barings Corporate Investors are deemed to be a part of the Fund Complex, because they are managed by Barings LLC, an affiliate of MML Advisers.

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|:---|:---|
| **Renee Hitchcock** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1970 <br> Officer of the Trust since 2007 <br> Officer of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Trust |

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Head of Mutual Fund Administration (since 2018), Assistant Vice President (2015-2018), MassMutual; Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (since 2016), Assistant Treasurer (2007-2016), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (since 2016), Assistant Treasurer (2007-2016), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (since 2016), Assistant Treasurer (2007-2016), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (since 2016), Assistant Treasurer (2007-2016), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

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|:---|:---|
| **Paul LaPiana** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1969 <br> Officer of the Trust since 2021 <br> Officer of 110 portfolios in fund complex | President of the Trust |

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President (since 2021), MML Advisers; Head of MassMutual U.S. Product (since 2019), Head of Field Management (2016-2019), MassMutual; President (since 2021), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); President (since 2021), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); President (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); President (since 2021), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); President (since 2021), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

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|:---|:---|
| **Jill Nareau Robert** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1972 <br> Officer of the Trust since 2008 <br> Officer of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Trust |

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Lead Counsel, Investment Adviser & Mutual Funds (since 2018), Assistant Vice President and Counsel (2009-2018), MassMutual; Assistant Secretary (since 2015), MML Advisers; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2017), Assistant Secretary (2008-2017), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2017), Assistant Secretary (formerly known as "Assistant Clerk") (2008-2017), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2017), Assistant Secretary (2008-2017), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2017), Assistant Secretary (formerly known as "Assistant Clerk") (2008-2017), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

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|:---|:---|
| **Douglas Steele** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1975 <br> Officer of the Trust since 2016 <br> Officer of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Vice President of the Trust |

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Head of Product Management (since 2021), Vice President (since 2017), Head of Manager Research (2021), Head of Investment Management (2017-2021), Head of Investment Due Diligence (2016-2017), MML Advisers; Head of Product Management (since 2021), Head of Manager Research (2021), Head of Investment Management (2017-2021), Assistant Vice President (2013-2017), MassMutual; Vice President (since 2016), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2016), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2016), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2016), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

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|:---|:---|
| **Philip S. Wellman** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1964 <br> Officer of the Trust since 2007 <br> Officer of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust |

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Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2013), MML Advisers; Head of Mutual Funds & RIA Compliance (since 2018), Vice President, Associate General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer (Mutual Funds) (2014-2018), MassMutual; Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2007), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2007), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2007), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2007), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

Each Trustee of the Trust serves until the next meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing Trustees and until the election and qualification of his or her successor or until he or she dies, resigns, or is removed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless the Trustees determine that it is desirable and in the best interest of the Trust that an exception to the retirement policy of the Trust be made, a Trustee shall retire and cease to serve as a Trustee upon the conclusion of the calendar year in which such Trustee attains the age of seventy-five years, however, an interested Trustee of the Trust shall no longer serve as a Trustee if or when they are no longer an employee of MassMutual or an affiliate.

The Chairperson is elected to hold such office for a term of three years or until their successor is elected and qualified to carry out the duties and responsibilities of their office, or until he or she retires, dies, resigns, is removed, or becomes disqualified, and any such Chairperson may not serve more than two consecutive terms.

The President, Treasurer, and Secretary and such other officers as the Trustees may in their discretion from time to time elect are elected to hold such office until their successor is elected and qualified to carry out the duties and responsibilities of their office, or until he or she dies, resigns, is removed, or becomes disqualified.

Each officer and the Chairperson shall hold office at the pleasure of the Trustees.

The Chairperson of any of the Trust's Committees shall serve a term of three years or until he or she retires, dies, resigns, is removed, or becomes disqualified.

#### Additional Information About the Trustees
In addition to the information set forth above, the following specific experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills apply to each Trustee. Each Trustee was appointed to serve on the Board based on his or her overall experience and the Board did not identify any specific qualification as all-important or controlling. The information in this section should not be understood to mean that any of the Trustees is an "expert" within the meaning of the federal securities laws.

***Allan W. Blair*** — As a former trustee and audit and compliance committee member of a large healthcare system, Mr. Blair has experience with financial, regulatory, and operational issues. He also has served as president and/or CEO of several non-profit and quasi-public organizations for over 30 years. Mr. Blair holds a BA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a JD from Western New England College School of Law.

***Nabil N. El-Hage*** — As a former CEO or CFO of various public and private companies, Mr. El-Hage has experience with financial, regulatory, and operational issues. He has also taught corporate finance at the graduate level, and has served as a director for more than a dozen public and private companies and as an associate at a venture capital firm. Mr. El-Hage holds a BS in Electronic Engineering from Yale University and an MBA with high distinction from Harvard University.

***Michael R. Fanning*** — As an executive and/or director of financial services and insurance companies, Mr. Fanning has experience with financial, regulatory, and operational issues. He also has served as an audit committee member for financial services and insurance companies. Mr. Fanning holds a BA in Economics and a BA in Organizational Behavior and Management from Brown University.

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***Maria D. Furman*** — As a trustee and chairperson or member of the audit and investment committees of various educational organizations, and as a former managing director, director, and portfolio manager at an investment management firm, Ms. Furman has experience with financial, regulatory, and operational issues. She also has served as an audit and investment committee member and a director, treasurer, and investment committee chair for environmental, educational, and healthcare organizations. Ms. Furman is a CFA charterholder and holds a BA from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ***R. Bradford Malt*** — As a current Chairman Emeritus, a former Chairman, and a former partner of a corporate law firm, which serves as counsel to the Trust and to MML Advisers, with over 40 years of financial services experience, Mr. Malt has expertise in financial, regulatory, and operational issues. He has also served as a director for several public and private companies. Mr. Malt holds an AB in Applied Mathematics from Harvard College and a JD from Harvard Law School.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ***C. Ann Merrifield*** — As a trustee of a healthcare organization, current and former director of specialty pharmaceutical companies, former biotechnology executive, former partner of a consulting firm, and investment officer at a large insurance company, Ms. Merrifield has experience with financial, regulatory, and operational issues. She also has served as an audit committee member for a manufacturing company and three public life sciences companies. Ms. Merrifield holds a BA and M. Ed. from the University of Maine and an MBA from Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College.

***Clifford M. Noreen*** — As an executive of financial services companies with over 35 years of investment management experience, a director of several private companies, an investment committee member of two non-profit organizations, and a director and/or officer of various investment companies and private funds, Mr. Noreen has experience with financial, regulatory, and operational issues. Mr. Noreen holds a BA from the University of Massachusetts and an MBA from American International College.

***Cynthia R. Plouché*** — As a former assessor of a township, a former portfolio manager for asset management firms, and a former chief investment officer and managing director of an asset management firm with over 32 years of financial services experience, Ms. Plouché has experience with financial, regulatory, and operational issues. She has also served as a trustee and audit committee member for open-end investment companies and a trustee for a closed-end investment company. Ms. Plouché holds a BA in Psychology and Social Relations from Harvard University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

***Jason J. Price*** — As a former executive with over 25 years of financial services experience, Mr. Price has experience with financial, regulatory, and operational issues. He served as a Senior Vice President of Cigna Investment Management from 2009 to 2012 and as Head of Private Equity for the State of Connecticut Office of the Treasurer from 2005 to 2009. Mr. Price holds a BA in Business Administration from Morehouse College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

***Susan B. Sweeney*** — As a former executive and investment officer of a property and casualty company and a former executive of a financial services company with over 35 years of financial services experience, Ms. Sweeney has experience with financial, regulatory, and operational issues. From 2010 to 2014, she was Chief Investment Officer and Senior Vice President of Selective Insurance Company of America. She also served as Chief Investment Officer for the State of Connecticut Pension Fund from 2002 to 2007, directing a multi-asset portfolio. Ms. Sweeney holds a BS in Business Studies from Connecticut Board for State Academic Awards, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a Doctor of Humane Letters from Charter Oak State College.

#### Board Committees and Meetings
The full Board met eight times during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022.

***Audit Committee***. The Trust has an Audit Committee, consisting of Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust. The Audit Committee, whose members are Messrs. Blair, El-Hage, Malt, and Price and Mses. Furman, Merrifield, and Plouché, oversees the Trust's accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, its internal controls, and internal controls of certain service providers; oversees the quality and objectivity of the Trust's financial statements and the independent audit thereof; evaluates the independence of the Trust's independent registered public accounting firm; evaluates the overall performance and compensation of the Chief Compliance Officer; acts as liaison between the Trust's independent registered public accounting firm and the full Board; and provides immediate access for the Trust's independent registered public accounting firm to report any special matters they believe should be brought to the attention of the full Board. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the Audit Committee met four times.

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***Nominating and Governance Committee***. The Trust has a Nominating and Governance Committee, consisting of each Trustee who is not an "interested person" of the Trust. The Nominating and Governance Committee meets at least twice per calendar year. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the Nominating and Governance Committee met twice. The Nominating and Governance Committee (a) identifies, and evaluates the qualifications of, individuals to become independent members of the Funds' Board in the event that a position currently filled by an Independent Trustee is vacated or created; (b) nominates Independent Trustee nominees for election or appointment to the Board; (c) sets any necessary standards or qualifications for service on the Board; (d) recommends periodically to the full Board an Independent Trustee to serve as Chairperson; (e) evaluates at least annually the independence and overall performance of counsel to the Independent Trustees; (f) annually reviews the compensation of the Independent Trustees; and (g) oversees board governance issues including, but not limited to, (i) evaluating the board and committee structure and the performance of Trustees, (ii) considering and addressing any conflicts, (iii) considering the retirement policies of the Board, and (iv) considering and making recommendations to the Board at least annually concerning the Trust's directors and officers liability insurance coverage.

The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider and evaluate nominee candidates properly submitted by shareholders of the Trust in the same manner as it considers and evaluates candidates recommended by other sources. The Nominating and Governance Committee may also consider any other facts and circumstances attendant to such shareholder submission as may be deemed appropriate by the Nominating and Governance Committee, including, without limitation, the value of the Funds' securities owned by the shareholder and the length of time such shares have been held by the shareholder. A recommendation of a shareholder of the Trust must be submitted as described below to be considered properly submitted for purposes of the Nominating and Governance Committee's consideration. The shareholders of the Trust must submit any such recommendation (a "Shareholder Recommendation") in writing to the Trust's Nominating and Governance Committee, to the attention of the Secretary, at the address of the principal executive offices of the Trust, which is 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111-0001. The Shareholder Recommendation must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Trust at least 60 calendar days before the date of the meeting at which the Nominating and Governance Committee is to select a nominee for Independent Trustee. The Shareholder Recommendation must include: (i) a statement in writing setting forth: (A) the name, age, date of birth, phone number, business address, residence address, nationality, and pertinent qualifications of the person recommended by the shareholder (the "Shareholder Candidate"), including an explanation of why the shareholder believes the Shareholder Candidate will make a good Trustee; (B) the class or series and number of all shares of the Funds owned of record or beneficially by the Shareholder Candidate, as reported to such shareholder by the Shareholder Candidate; (C) any other information regarding the Shareholder Candidate called for with respect to director nominees by paragraphs (a), (d), (e), and (f) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K or paragraph (b) of Item 22 of Rule 14a-101 (Schedule 14A) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), adopted by the SEC (or the corresponding provisions of any regulation or rule subsequently adopted by the SEC or any successor agency applicable to the Funds); (D) any other information regarding the Shareholder Candidate that would be required to be disclosed if the Shareholder Candidate were a nominee in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitation of proxies for election of trustees or directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (E) whether the recommending shareholder believes that the Shareholder Candidate is or will be an "interested person" (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of the Funds and, if not an "interested person," information regarding the Shareholder Candidate that will be sufficient for the Funds to make such determination; (ii) the written and signed consent of the Shareholder Candidate to be named as a nominee, consenting to (1) the disclosure, as may be necessary or appropriate, of such Shareholder Candidate's information submitted in accordance with (i) above; and (2) service as a Trustee if elected; (iii) the recommending shareholder's name as it appears on the Funds' books, the number of all shares of each series of the Funds owned beneficially and of record by the recommending shareholder; (iv) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the recommending shareholder and the Shareholder Candidate and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the Shareholder Recommendation is being made by the recommending shareholder; and (v) such other information as the Nominating and Governance Committee may require the Shareholder Candidate to furnish as the Nominating and Governance Committee may reasonably require or deem necessary to determine the eligibility of such Shareholder Candidate to serve as a Trustee or to satisfy applicable law.

Shareholders may send other communications to the Trustees by addressing such correspondence directly to the Secretary of the Trust, c/o Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111-0001. When writing to the Board, shareholders should identify themselves, the fact that the communication is directed to the Board, the Fund they are writing about, and any relevant information regarding their Fund holdings. Except as provided below, the Secretary shall either (i) provide a copy of each shareholder communication to the Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting or (ii) if the Secretary determines that the communication requires more immediate attention, forward

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the communication to the Board promptly after receipt. The Secretary will also provide a copy of each shareholder communication to the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer.

The Secretary may, in good faith, determine that a shareholder communication should not be provided to the Board because it does not reasonably relate to the Trust or its operations, management, activities, policies, service providers, Board, officers, shareholders, or other matters relating to an investment in the Funds or is otherwise ministerial in nature (such as a request for Fund literature, share data, or financial information). The Secretary will provide to the Board on a quarterly basis a summary of the shareholder communications not provided to the Board by virtue of this paragraph.

***Contract Committee***. The Trust has a Contract Committee, consisting of each Trustee who is not an "interested person" of the Trust. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the Contract Committee met twice. The Contract Committee performs the specific tasks assigned to independent trustees by the 1940 Act, including the periodic consideration of the Trust's investment management agreements and subadvisory agreements.

#### Risk Oversight
As registered investment companies, the Funds are subject to a variety of risks, including, among others, investment risks, financial risks, compliance risks, and operational risks. The Funds' investment adviser and administrator, MML Advisers, has primary responsibility for the Funds' risk management on a day-to-day basis as part of its overallresponsibilities. The Funds' subadvisers are primarily responsible for managing investment risk as part of their day-to-day investment management responsibilities, as well as operational risks at their respective firms. The Funds' investment adviser and Chief Compliance Officer also assist the Board in overseeing the significant investment policies of the Funds and monitor the various compliance policies and procedures approved by the Board as a part of its oversight responsibilities.

In discharging its oversight responsibilities, the Board considers risk management issues throughout the year by reviewing regular reports prepared by the Funds' investment adviser and Chief Compliance Officer, as well as special written reports or presentations provided on a variety of risk issues, as needed. For example, the investment adviser reports to the Board quarterly on the investment performance of each of the Funds, the financial performance of the Funds, overall market and economic conditions, and legal and regulatory developments that may impact the Funds. The Funds' Chief Compliance Officer, who reports directly to the Board's Independent Trustees, provides presentations to the Board at its quarterly meetings and an annual report to the Board concerning (i) compliance matters relating to the Funds, the Funds' investment adviser and subadvisers, and the Funds' other key service providers; (ii) regulatory developments; (iii) business continuity programs; and (iv) various risks identified as part of the Funds' compliance program assessments. The Funds' Chief Compliance Officer also meets at least quarterly in executive session with the Independent Trustees, and communicates significant compliance-related issues and regulatory developments to the Audit Committee between Board meetings.

In addressing issues regarding the Funds' risk management between meetings, appropriate representatives of the investment adviser communicate with the Chairperson of the Trust, the Chairperson of the Audit Committee, or the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer. As appropriate, the Trustees confer among themselves, or with the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer, the investment adviser, other service providers, and independent legal counsel, to identify and review risk management issues that may be placed on the full Board's agenda.

The Board also relies on its committees to administer the Board's oversight function. The Audit Committee assists the Board in reviewing with the investment adviser and the Funds' independent auditors, at various times throughout the year, matters relating to the annual audits, financial accounting and reporting matters, and the internal control environment at the service providers that provide financial accounting and reporting for the Funds. The Audit Committee also meets annually with representatives of the investment adviser's Corporate Audit Department to review the results of internal audits of relevance to the Funds. This and the Board's other committees present reports to the Board that may prompt further discussion of issues concerning the oversight of the Funds' risk management. The Board may also discuss particular risks that are not addressed in the committee process.

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#### Share Ownership of Trustees and Officers of the Trust
The table below sets forth information regarding the Trustees' beneficial ownership of Fund shares, based on the value of such shares as of December 31, 2022.

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name of Trustee**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **The Dollar Range of Equity <br>Securities Beneficially Owned <br>in the Trust**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity <br>Securities in All Registered Investment <br>Companies Overseen by Trustee in <br>Family of Investment Companies**  |
| **Independent Trustees** |  |  |
| Allan W. Blair  |  | over $100,000  |
| Nabil N. El-Hage  |  |  |
| Maria D. Furman  |  |  |
| R. Bradford Malt  |  |  |
| C. Ann Merrifield  |  |  |
| Cynthia R. Plouché  |  |  |
| Jason J. Price  |  |  |
| Susan B. Sweeney  |  |  |
| **Interested Trustees** |  |  |
| Michael R. Fanning  |  |  |
| Clifford M. Noreen  |  |  |

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The ownership information shown above does not include units of separate investment accounts that invest in one or more registered investment companies overseen by a Trustee in the family of investment companies held in a 401(k) plan or amounts held under a deferred compensation plan that are valued based on "shadow investments" in one or more such registered investment companies. As of December 31, 2022, these amounts were as follows: Mr. Blair, over $100,000; Mr. El-Hage, over $100,000; Mr. Fanning, $10,001-$50,000; Ms. Furman, None; Mr. Malt, None; Ms. Merrifield, None; Mr. Noreen, over $100,000; Ms. Plouché, None; Mr. Price, None; and Ms. Sweeney, None.

As of January 3, 2023, the Trustees and officers of the Trust, individually and as a group, did not beneficially own outstanding shares of any of the Funds.

To the knowledge of the Trust, as of December 31, 2022, the Independent Trustees and their immediate family members did not own beneficially or of record securities of the investment adviser, subadviser(s), principal underwriter, or sponsoring insurance company of the Funds or a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser, subadviser(s), principal underwriter, or sponsoring insurance company of the Funds.

#### Trustee Compensation
Effective January 1, 2023 the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, pays each of its Trustees who is not an officer or employee of MassMutual a fee of $35,805 per quarter plus a fee of $5,208 per in-person meeting attended plus a fee of $5,208 for the annual Contract Committee meeting. The Chairperson of the Board is paid an additional 40% of the quarterly fee, the in-person meeting fee, and the Contract Committee meeting fee. The Chairpersons of each of the Audit Committee and the Contract Committee are paid an additional 10% of the quarterly fee, the in-person meeting fee, and the Contract Committee meeting fee. The Chairperson of the Nominating and Governance Committee is paid an additional 7% of the quarterly fee, the in-person meeting fee, and the Contract Committee meeting fee. Such Trustees who serve on the Audit Committee, other than the Chairperson, are paid an additional 4% of the quarterly fee, the in-person meeting fee, and the Contract Committee meeting fee. No additional fees are paid for attending any other committee meetings or any special telephonic meetings. In addition, the Trust reimburses out-of-pocket business travel expenses to such Trustees. Trustees who are officers or employees of MassMutual receive no fees from the Trust.

During 2022, the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, paid each of its Trustees who was not an officer or employee of MassMutual a fee of $36,905 per quarter plus a fee of $5,368 per in-person meeting attended plus a fee of $5,368 for the annual Contract Committee meeting. The Chairperson of the Board was paid an additional 40% of the quarterly fee, the in-person meeting fee, and the Contract Committee meeting fee. The Chairpersons of each of the Audit Committee and the Contract Committee were paid an additional 10% of the quarterly fee, the in-person meeting fee, and the Contract

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Committee meeting fee. The Chairperson of the Nominating and Governance Committee was paid an additional 7% of the quarterly fee, the in-person meeting fee, and the Contract Committee meeting fee. Such Trustees who served on the Audit Committee, other than the Chairperson, were paid an additional 4% of the quarterly fee, the in-person meeting fee, and the Contract Committee meeting fee. No additional fees were paid for attending any other committee meetings or any special telephonic meetings. In addition, the Trust reimbursed out-of-pocket business travel expenses to such Trustees. Trustees who were officers or employees of MassMutual received no fees from the Trust.

The following table discloses actual compensation paid to Trustees of the Trust during the 2022 fiscal year. The Trust has no pension or retirement plan, but does have a deferred compensation plan. The plan provides for amounts deferred prior to July 1, 2008, plus interest, to be credited a rate of interest of eight percent (8%). Amounts deferred after July 1, 2008, plus or minus earnings, are "shadow invested." These amounts are valued based on changes in the values of one or more registered investment companies overseen by a Trustee.

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name of Trustee**  | **Aggregate Compensation from the Trust**  | **Total Compensation from the Trust and <br>Fund Complex Paid to Trustees**  |
| Allan W. Blair  | $191115  | $285825  |
| Nabil N. El-Hage  | $196280 <sup>1</sup>  | $337648  |
| Michael R. Fanning  | $0  | $0  |
| Maria D. Furman  | $179064  | $267800  |
| R. Alan Hunter, Jr. <sup>2</sup>  | $149919  | $224700  |
| R. Bradford Malt <sup>3</sup>  | $53633  | $79930  |
| C. Ann Merrifield  | $186915  | $279500  |
| Clifford M. Noreen  | $0  | $0  |
| Cynthia R. Plouché <sup>3</sup>  | $53633  | $119930  |
| Jason J. Price <sup>3</sup>  | $53633  | $119930  |
| Susan B. Sweeney  | $228647  | $510787  |

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<sup>1</sup> The compensation amount shown does not include a gain/loss in the amount of $1,896 attributable to amounts held under a deferred compensation plan.

<sup>2</sup> Retired from the Board as of June 30, 2022.

<sup>3</sup> Joined the Board as of June 21, 2022.

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#### CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
As of January 3, 2023, to the Trust's knowledge, the following persons owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the indicated classes of the Funds set forth below. Such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than the owner listed. To the extent that any listed shareholder beneficially owns more than 25% of a Fund, it may be deemed to "control" such Fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The effect of such control may be to reduce the ability of other shareholders of the Fund to take actions requiring the affirmative vote of holders of a plurality or majority of the Fund's shares without the approval of the controlling shareholder.

#### MassMutual Total Return Bond Fund <sup>1</sup>

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 33.98% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 23.84% |
|  | MassMutual 20/80 Allocation Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 6.67% |
|  | MassMutual 40/60 Allocation Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 5.37% |
|  | Charles Schwab & Company Inc. <br> 211 Main Street <br> San Francisco, CA 94105  | 5.26% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 75.02% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 24.49% |
| Service Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 87.24% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 12.64% |
| Administrative Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 64.20% |
|  | Charles Schwab & Company Inc. <br> 211 Main Street <br> San Francisco, CA 94105  | 21.78% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 14.02% |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class R4  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 89.74% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 7.81% |
| Class A  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 70.93% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 26.99% |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 72.71% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 21.65% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 5.56% |

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#### MassMutual Strategic Bond Fund <sup>2</sup>

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 28.43% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 15.82% |
|  | MassMutual 20/80 Allocation Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 11.18% |
|  | MassMutual 40/60 Allocation Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 8.29% |
|  | MassMutual RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> by JPMorgan 2030 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 5.91% |
|  | MassMutual 60/40 Allocation Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 5.50% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 37.47% |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 32.20% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 27.64% |
| Service Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 85.50% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 14.02% |
| Administrative Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 70.41% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 27.82% |
| Class R4  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 56.15% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 38.39% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 74.26% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 10.96% |
|  | Pershing LLC <br> P.O. Box 2052 <br> Jersey City, NJ 07303  | 9.62% |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfiled, MA 01111  | 40.73% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 39.53% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 15.10% |

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#### MassMutual Diversified Value Fund <sup>3</sup>

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 58.59% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 10.47% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 95.80% |
| Service Class  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 62.70% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 36.08% |
| Administrative Class  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 57.98% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 42.01% |
| Class R4  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 39.72% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 38.98% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 21.30% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 74.19% |
|  | Pershing LLC <br> P.O. Box 2052 <br> Jersey City, NJ 07303  | 19.42% |
| Class R3  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 51.37% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 48.45% |

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#### MassMutual Fundamental Value Fund <sup>4</sup>

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | National Financial Services LLC <br> 499 Washington Boulevard <br> Jersey City, NJ 07310  | 66.40% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 14.87% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 85.02% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 14.92% |
| Service Class  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 63.00% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 36.23% |
| Administrative Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 94.18% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 5.61% |
| Class R4  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 98.12% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 68.45% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 19.72% |
|  | Pershing LLC <br> P.O. Box 2052 <br> Jersey City, NJ 07303  | 10.37% |
| Class R3  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 40.88% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 35.60% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 23.51% |

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#### MM S&P 500 Index Fund <sup>5</sup>

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 22.05% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 20.97% |
|  | MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 10.68% |
|  | MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2030 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 8.64% |
|  | MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 8.21% |
|  | MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2035 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 5.60% |
|  | MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 5.54% |
| Class R5  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 51.60% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 43.86% |
| Service Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 58.33% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 36.85% |
| Administrative Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 51.63% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 43.07% |
| Class R4  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 50.37% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 29.95% |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 12.32% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 37.19% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 32.71% |
|  | Millennium Trust Company LLC <br> 2001 Spring Road <br> Oak Brook, IL 60523  | 23.92% |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 50.85% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 22.60% |
|  | Sammons Financial Network <br> 4546 Corporate Drive, Suite 100 <br> West Des Moines, IA 50266  | 9.92% |

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#### MassMutual Equity Opportunities Fund <sup>6</sup>

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | National Financial Services LLC <br> 499 Washington Boulevard <br> Jersey City, NJ 07310  | 31.31% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 13.64% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> FBO State of Iowa 457B Plan <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 13.16% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 8.50% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 84.85% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 10.58% |
| Service Class  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 71.42% |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 27.19% |
| Administrative Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 69.12% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 17.96% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 12.66% |
| Class R4  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 46.09% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 35.20% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 10.25% |
|  | FIIOC <br> FBO Atlas Minerals & Chemicals, Inc. <br> Union 401K PS Plan <br> 100 Magellan Way <br> Covington, KY 41015  | 7.14% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 59.60% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 23.00% |
|  | Pershing LLC <br> P.O. Box 2052 <br> Jersey City, NJ 07303  | 14.93% |
| Class R3  | Sammons Financial Network <br> 4546 Corporate Drive, Suite 100 <br> West Des Moines, IA 50266  | 62.49% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 34.05% |

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#### MassMutual Fundamental Growth Fund <sup>7</sup>

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 56.70% |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 39.55% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 53.28% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 46.72% |
| Service Class  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 60.39% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 34.55% |
|  | Reliance Trust Company <br> FBO MassMutual Various Non-Qualified Plans <br> P.O. Box 28004 <br> Atlanta, GA 30358  | 5.07% |
| Administrative Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 70.28% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 29.72% |
| Class R4  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 98.35% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 83.42% |
|  | Pershing LLC <br> P.O. Box 2052 <br> Jersey City, NJ 07303  | 10.86% |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 81.98% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 17.80% |

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#### MassMutual Blue Chip Growth Fund <sup>8</sup>

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 32.84% |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 27.13% |
|  | National Financial Services LLC <br> 499 Washington Boulevard <br> Jersey City, NJ 07310  | 17.29% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 45.74% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 33.48% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 12.59% |
| Service Class  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 56.04% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 33.47% |
|  | The Hartford <br> One Hartford Plaza <br> Hartford, CT 06155  | 8.97% |
| Administrative Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 69.97% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 27.97% |
| Class R4  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 43.31% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 36.22% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 20.09% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 63.21% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 28.23% |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Pershing LLC <br> P.O. Box 2052 <br> Jersey City, NJ 07303  | 5.15% |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 53.75% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 29.14% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 10.34% |

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#### MassMutual Growth Opportunities Fund <sup>9</sup>

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 55.63% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 24.56% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 63.55% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 31.45% |
| Service Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 55.54% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 44.19% |
| Administrative Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 89.51% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 10.49% |
| Class R4  | TIAA, FSB Custodian/TTEE <br> 211 North Broadway, Suite 1000 <br> Saint Louis, MO 63102  | 63.28% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 23.45% |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 7.50% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 5.78% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 83.16% |
|  | Pershing LLC <br> P.O. Box 2052 <br> Jersey City, NJ 07303  | 10.80% |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 53.59% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 46.41% |

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#### MassMutual Mid Cap Value Fund <sup>10</sup>

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 43.82% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 21.48% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 96.43% |
| Service Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 95.99% |
| Administrative Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 88.80% |
|  | The Hartford <br> One Hartford Plaza <br> Hartford, CT 06155  | 11.20% |
| Class R4  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 50.91% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 40.15% |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 7.62% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 67.42% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 25.73% |
| Class R3  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 95.65% |

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#### MassMutual Small Cap Value Equity Fund <sup>11</sup>

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | MassMutual RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> by JPMorgan 2030 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 12.30% |
|  | MassMutual RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> by JPMorgan 2040 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 12.08% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 10.81% |
|  | MassMutual RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> by JPMorgan 2050 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 9.50% |
|  | MassMutual 60/40 Allocation Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 7.68% |
|  | MassMutual RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> by JPMorgan 2035 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 6.50% |
|  | MassMutual 40/60 Allocation Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 6.31% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 6.11% |
|  | MassMutual 80/20 Allocation Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 5.98% |
|  | MassMutual RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> by JPMorgan 2045 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 5.78% |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 100.00% |
| Service Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 77.17% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 22.83% |
| Administrative Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 96.25% |
| Class R4  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 45.70% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 41.88% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 12.42% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 67.34% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 21.77% |
|  | Reliance Trust Company <br> FBO MassMutual Various Non-Qualified Plans <br> P.O. Box 28004 <br> Atlanta, GA 30358  | 9.04% |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 48.19% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 28.97% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 22.84% |

---

#### MassMutual Small Company Value Fund <sup>12</sup>

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 44.30% |

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[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#TOC)

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | National Financial Services LLC <br> 499 Washington Boulevard <br> Jersey City, NJ 07310  | 36.66% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 18.35% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 73.63% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 26.37% |
| Service Class  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 85.58% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 13.46% |
| Administrative Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 82.26% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 17.07% |
| Class R4  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 68.03% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 26.64% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 5.33% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 50.52% |
|  | Pershing LLC <br> P.O. Box 2052 <br> Jersey City, NJ 07303  | 25.07% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 21.68% |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 77.85% |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 22.15% |

---

#### MassMutual Mid Cap Growth Fund <sup>13</sup>

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | National Financial Services LLC <br> 499 Washington Boulevard <br> Jersey City, NJ 07310  | 34.37% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 12.11% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 10.45% |
|  | TIAA, FSB Custodian/TTEE <br> 211 North Broadway Suite 1000 <br> Saint Louis, MO 63102  | 8.58% |
|  | DCGT as TTEE and/or Custodian Omnibus <br> 711 High Street <br> Des Moines, IA 50392  | 6.01% |
| Class R5  | National Financial Services LLC <br> 499 Washington Boulevard <br> Jersey City, NJ 07310  | 21.63% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 18.32% |
|  | Charles Schwab & Company Inc. <br> 211 Main Street <br> San Francisco, CA 94105  | 17.26% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 10.31% |
|  | PIMS/Prudential Retirement <br> FBO Flowline Inc 401K <br> 10500 Humbolt Street <br> Los Alamitos, CA 90720  | 8.13% |
|  | DCGT as TTEE and/or Custodian Omnibus <br> 711 High Street <br> Des Moines, IA 50392  | 6.20% |
| Service Class  | National Financial Services LLC <br> 499 Washington Boulevard <br> Jersey City, NJ 07310  | 28.67% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 20.48% |

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[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#TOC)

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 15.32% |
|  | John Hancock Trust Company LLC <br> 200 Berkeley Street <br> Boston, MA 02116  | 9.56% |
|  | TIAA, FSB Custodian/TTEE <br> 211 North Broadway Suite 1000 <br> Saint Louis, MO 63102  | 7.62% |
| Administrative Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 68.18% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 24.07% |
| Class R4  | National Financial Services LLC <br> 499 Washington Boulevard <br> Jersey City, NJ 07310  | 29.75% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 22.18% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 17.40% |
|  | DCGT as TTEE and/or Custodian Omnibus <br> 711 High Street <br> Des Moines, IA 50392  | 7.48% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 5.22% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 67.92% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 16.66% |
|  | Pershing LLC <br> P.O. Box 2052 <br> Jersey City, NJ 07303  | 9.88% |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 54.87% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 19.78% |

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[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#TOC)

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 16.69% |

---

#### MassMutual Small Cap Growth Equity Fund <sup>14</sup>

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | National Financial Services LLC <br> 499 Washington Boulevard <br> Jersey City, NJ 07310  | 33.69% |
|  | PIMS/Prudential Retirement <br> FBO Ferguson Enterprises LLC <br> 12500 Jefferson Avenue <br> Newport News VA 23602  | 18.60% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 14.51% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 10.80% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 72.51% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 12.86% |
|  | National Financial Services LLC <br> 499 Washington Boulevard <br> Jersey City, NJ 07310  | 9.76% |
| Service Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 58.56% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 40.05% |
| Administrative Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 69.68% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 27.10% |
| Class R4  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 63.89% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 24.05% |

---

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[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#TOC)

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 6.64% |
|  | Ascensus Trust Company <br> FBO Construction Resources Holdings <br> P.O. Box 10758 <br> Fargo, ND 58106  | 5.40% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 76.42% |
|  | Pershing LLC <br> P.O. Box 2052 <br> Jersey City, NJ 07303  | 17.20% |
| Class R3  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 52.37% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 37.47% |
|  | State Street Bank TTEE and/or Cust <br> FBO ADP Access Product <br> 1 Lincoln Street <br> Boston, MA 02111  | 6.75% |

---

#### MassMutual Overseas Fund <sup>15</sup>

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 37.51% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 11.21% |
|  | MassMutual RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> by JPMorgan 2040 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 7.93% |
|  | MassMutual RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> by JPMorgan 2030 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 6.67% |
|  | MassMutual RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> by JPMorgan 2050 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 6.24% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 62.09% |

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[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#TOC)

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | PIMS/Prudential Retirement <br> FBO Power Profit Sharing 401K <br> 2041 South Cobalt Point Way <br> Meridian, ID 83642  | 20.46% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 16.26% |
| Service Class  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 60.72% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 39.00% |
| Administrative Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 71.94% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 27.89% |
| Class R4  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 47.53% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 40.36% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 12.01% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 68.51% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 11.01% |
|  | Reliance Trust Company <br> FBO MassMutual Various Non-Qualified Plans <br> P.O. Box 28004 <br> Atlanta, GA 30358  | 10.15% |
|  | Pershing LLC <br> P.O. Box 2052 <br> Jersey City, NJ 07303  | 7.15% |
| Class R3  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 44.56% |

---

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---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 41.72% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 9.42% |

---

#### MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 20.53% |
|  | MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2030 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 17.59% |
|  | MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 15.25% |
|  | MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2035 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 11.01% |
|  | MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 10.29% |
|  | MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2025 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 6.56% |
|  | MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2055 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 6.53% |
|  | MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2020 Fund <br> 1 Iron Street <br> Boston, MA 02210  | 5.59% |

---

?

<sup>1</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, owned 44.15% of MassMutual Total Return Bond Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts.

?

<sup>2</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, owned 38.29% of MassMutual Strategic Bond Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts.

?

<sup>3</sup> As of January 3, 2023, Empower Trust Company, 8515 East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, and MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, owned 44.05% and 33.78%, respectively, of MassMutual Diversified Value Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than Empower Trust Company and MassMutual. Empower Trust Company is organized under the laws of Colorado and MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts.

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?

<sup>4</sup> As of January 3, 2023, National Financial Services LLC, 499 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07310, and MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, owned 43.54% and 35.81%, respectively, of MassMutual Fundamental Value Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than National Financial Services LLC and MassMutual. National Financial Services LLC is organized under the laws of Delaware and MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts.

?

<sup>5</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, and Empower Trust Company, 8515 East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, owned 38.63% and 29.21%, respectively, of MM S&P 500 Index Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual and Empower Trust Company. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts and Empower Trust Company is organized under the laws of Colorado.

?

<sup>6</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111 owned 28.26% of MassMutual Equity Opportunities Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts.

?

<sup>7</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, and Empower Trust Company, 8515 East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, owned 65.27% and 30.26%, respectively, of MassMutual Fundamental Growth Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual and Empower Trust Company. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts and Empower Trust Company is organized under the laws of Colorado.

?

<sup>8</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, and Empower Trust Company, 8515 East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, owned 34.98% and 30.50%, respectively, of MassMutual Blue Chip Growth Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual and Empower Trust Company. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts and Empower Trust Company is organized under the laws of Colorado.

?

<sup>9</sup> As of January 3, 2023, Empower Trust Company, 8515 East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, and MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, owned 43.73% and 41.53%, respectively, of MassMutual Growth Opportunities Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than Empower Trust Company and MassMutual. Empower Trust Company is organized under the laws of Colorado and MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts.

?

<sup>10</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, owned 44.98% of MassMutual Mid Cap Value Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts.

?

<sup>11</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, owned 37.49% of MassMutual Small Cap Value Equity Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts.

?

<sup>12</sup> As of January 3, 2023, Empower Trust Company, 8515 East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, and National Financial Services LLC, 499 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07310, owned 39.95%, 33.02%, and 25.02%, respectively, of MassMutual Small Company Value Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than Empower Trust Company, MassMutual, and National Financial Services LLC. Empower Trust Company is organized under the laws of Colorado, MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts, and National Financial Services LLC is organized under the laws of Delaware.

<sup>13</sup> As of January 3, 2023, National Financial Services LLC, 499 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07310, owned 30.45% of MassMutual Mid Cap Growth Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than National Financial Services LLC. National Financial Services LLC is organized under the laws of Delaware.

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?

<sup>14</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, and National Financial Services LLC, 499 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07310, owned 27.68% and 26.52%, respectively, of MassMutual Small Cap Growth Equity Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual and National Financial Services LLC. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts and National Financial Services LLC is organized under the laws of Delaware.

?

<sup>15</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, owned 45.60% of MassMutual Overseas Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts.

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#### INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICE AGREEMENTS

#### Investment Adviser
MML Advisers, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MassMutual, serves as investment adviser to each Fund pursuant to Investment Management Agreements with the Trust on behalf of the Funds (each, an "Advisory Agreement"). Under each Advisory Agreement, MML Advisers is obligated to provide for the management of each Fund's portfolio of securities, subject to policies established by the Trustees of the Trust and in accordance with each Fund's investment objective, policies, and restrictions as set forth herein and in the Prospectus, and has the right to select subadvisers to the Funds pursuant to an investment subadvisory agreement (the "Subadvisory Agreement").

The Advisory Agreement with each Fund may be terminated by the Board or by MML Advisers without penalty: (i) at any time for cause or by agreement of the parties or (ii) by either party upon sixty days' written notice to the other party. In addition, each Advisory Agreement automatically terminates if it is assigned or if its continuance is not specifically approved at least annually (after its initial 2 year period) by the Board or by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Fund, and in either case by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any such party. MML Advisers' liability regarding its investment management obligations and duties is limited to situations involving its willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of such obligations and duties.

MML Advisers also serves as investment adviser to: MassMutual 20/80 Allocation Fund, MassMutual 40/60 Allocation Fund, MassMutual 60/40 Allocation Fund, MassMutual 80/20 Allocation Fund, MassMutual RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> by JPMorgan In Retirement Fund, MassMutual RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> by JPMorgan 2020 Fund, MassMutual RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> by JPMorgan 2025 Fund, MassMutual RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> by JPMorgan 2030 Fund, MassMutual RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> by JPMorgan 2035 Fund, MassMutual RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> by JPMorgan 2040 Fund, MassMutual RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> by JPMorgan 2045 Fund, MassMutual RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> by JPMorgan 2050 Fund, MassMutual RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> by JPMorgan 2055 Fund, MassMutual RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> by JPMorgan 2060 Fund, MassMutual RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> by JPMorgan 2065 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement Balanced Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2005 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2010 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2015 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2020 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2025 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2030 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2035 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2055 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2060 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2065 Fund, MM Equity Asset Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Bond Asset Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Bond Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Large Cap Blend Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Limited Duration Inflation Focused Bond Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Real Assets Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Small and Mid Cap Blend Fund, and MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price U.S. Treasury Long-Term Index Fund, which are series of the Trust; MassMutual U.S. Government Money Market Fund, MassMutual Short-Duration Bond Fund, MassMutual Inflation-Protected and Income Fund, MassMutual Core Bond Fund, MassMutual Diversified Bond Fund, MassMutual High Yield Fund, MassMutual Balanced Fund, MassMutual Disciplined Value Fund, MassMutual Main Street Fund, MassMutual Disciplined Growth Fund, MassMutual Small Cap Opportunities Fund, MassMutual Global Fund, MassMutual International Equity Fund, and MassMutual Strategic Emerging Markets Fund, which are series of MassMutual Premier Funds, an open-end management investment company; MassMutual Global Floating Rate Fund, MassMutual Global Credit Income Opportunities Fund, MassMutual Emerging Markets Debt Blended Total Return Fund, and MassMutual Global Emerging Markets Equity Fund, which are series of MassMutual Advantage Funds, an open-end management investment company; MML Aggressive Allocation Fund, MML American Funds Core Allocation Fund, MML American Funds Growth Fund, MML Balanced Allocation Fund, MML Blue Chip Growth Fund, MML Conservative Allocation Fund, MML Equity Income Fund, MML Equity Index Fund, MML Focused Equity Fund, MML Foreign Fund, MML Fundamental Equity Fund, MML Fundamental Value Fund, MML Global Fund, MML Growth Allocation Fund, MML Income & Growth Fund, MML International Equity Fund, MML Large Cap Growth Fund, MML Managed Volatility Fund, MML Mid Cap Growth Fund, MML Mid Cap Value Fund, MML Moderate Allocation Fund, MML Small Cap Growth Equity Fund, MML Small Company Value Fund, MML Small/Mid Cap Value Fund, MML Sustainable Equity Fund, and MML Total Return Bond Fund, which are series of MML Series Investment Fund, an open-end management investment company; MML Blend Fund, MML Dynamic Bond Fund, MML Equity Fund, MML Equity Rotation Fund, MML High Yield Fund, MML Inflation-Protected and Income Fund, MML iShares<sup>®</sup> 60/40 Allocation Fund, MML iShares<sup>®</sup> 80/20 Allocation Fund, MML Managed Bond Fund, MML Short-Duration Bond Fund, MML Small Cap Equity Fund, MML Strategic Emerging Markets Fund, and MML U.S. Government Money Market Fund,

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which are series of MML Series Investment Fund II, an open-end management investment company; certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of MassMutual; and various employee benefit plans and separate investment accounts in which employee benefit plans invest.

The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, pays MML Advisers an investment advisory fee monthly, at an annual rate based upon the average daily net assets of that Fund as follows:

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Fund**  |  |
| Total Return Bond Fund  | 0.30% on the first $2 billion; and <br> 0.27% on any excess over $2 billion |
| Strategic Bond Fund  | 0.45% on the first $200 million; and <br> 0.35% on any excess over $200 million |
| Diversified Value Fund  | 0.50% on the first $400 million; and <br> 0.475% on any excess over $400 million |
| Fundamental Value Fund  | 0.60% on the first $1.25 billion; <br> 0.575% on the next $250 million; and <br> 0.55% on any excess over $1.5 billion |
| S&P 500 Index Fund  | 0.10% on the first $2.5 billion; <br> 0.08% on the next $2.5 billion; and <br> 0.05% on any excess over $5 billion |
| Equity Opportunities Fund  | 0.69% on the first $1 billion; and <br> 0.64% on any excess over $1 billion |
| Fundamental Growth Fund  | 0.65% on the first $300 million; and <br> 0.60% on any excess over $300 million |
| Blue Chip Growth Fund  | 0.65% on the first $750 million; and <br> 0.60% on any excess over $750 million |
| Growth Opportunities Fund  | 0.71% on the first $500 million; and <br> 0.68% on any excess over $500 million |
| Mid Cap Value Fund  | 0.70% on the first $300 million; and <br> 0.65% on any excess over $300 million |
| Small Cap Value Equity Fund  | 0.75% on the first $300 million; and <br> 0.70% on any excess over $300 million |
| Small Company Value Fund  | 0.85% on the first $750 million; and <br> 0.80% on any excess over $750 million |
| Mid Cap Growth Fund  | 0.72% on the first $2 billion; and <br> 0.67% on any excess over $2 billion |
| Small Cap Growth Equity Fund  | 0.80% on the first $1 billion; and <br> 0.78% on any excess over $1 billion |
| Overseas Fund  | 0.80% on the first $750 million; <br> 0.775% on the next $500 million; and <br> 0.75% on any excess over $1.25 billion |
| MM Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund  | 0.00% |

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#### Unaffiliated Subadvisers

#### AllianceBernstein
MML Advisers has entered into a Subadvisory Agreement with AllianceBernstein pursuant to which AllianceBernstein serves as a subadviser for the Small Company Value Fund. This agreement provides that AllianceBernstein manage the investment and reinvestment of a portion of the assets of the Fund. AllianceBernstein is located at 501 Commerce Street, Nashville, Tennessee 37203. AllianceBernstein is a leading global investment management firm providing investment management services for many of the largest U.S. public and private employee benefit plans, foundations, public employee retirement funds, pension funds, endowments, banks, insurance companies, and high-net-worth individuals worldwide. AllianceBernstein is also one of the largest mutual fund sponsors, with a diverse family of globally distributed mutual fund portfolios. AllianceBernstein is a Delaware limited partnership, the majority limited partnership interests in which are held, directly and indirectly, by its parent company Equitable Holdings, Inc. ("EQH"), a publicly traded holding company for a diverse group of financial services companies. AllianceBernstein Corporation, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of EQH, is the general partner of both AllianceBernstein and AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. ("AB Holding"), a publicly traded partnership.

As of September 30, 2022, EQH owned approximately 4% of the issued and outstanding units representing assignments of beneficial ownership of limited partnership interests in AB Holding. AllianceBernstein Corporation owns 100,000 general partnership units in AB Holding and a 1% general partnership interest in AllianceBernstein.

As of September 30, 2022, the ownership structure of AllianceBernstein, expressed as a percentage of general and limited partnership interests was as follows: EQH and its subsidiaries, 62.8%; AB Holding, 36.5%; and unaffiliated holders, 0.7%.

Including both the general partnership and limited partnership interests in AB Holding and AllianceBernstein, EQH and its subsidiaries had an approximate 64.3% economic interest in AllianceBernstein as of September 30, 2022.

AllianceBernstein also provides subadvisory services for the MML Small/Mid Cap Value Fund, which is a series of MML Series Investment Fund, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser.

#### American Century
MML Advisers has entered into Subadvisory Agreements with American Century pursuant to which American Century serves as a subadviser for the Mid Cap Value Fund and Small Company Value Fund. These agreements provide that American Century manage the investment and reinvestment of all or a portion of the assets of the Funds, as applicable. American Century is located at 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111. American Century is wholly-owned by American Century Companies, Inc. ("ACC"). The Stowers Institute for Medical Research ("SIMR") controls ACC by virtue of its beneficial ownership of more than 25% of the voting securities of ACC. SIMR is a part of a not-for-profit biomedical research organization dedicated to finding the keys to the causes, treatments, and prevention of disease.

American Century also provides subadvisory services for the MML Mid Cap Value Fund, MML Small Company Value Fund, and MML Sustainable Equity Fund, each of which is a series of MML Series Investment Fund, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser.

#### Barrow Hanley
MML Advisers has entered into Subadvisory Agreements with Barrow Hanley pursuant to which Barrow Hanley serves as a subadviser for the Fundamental Value Fund and Small Cap Value Equity Fund. These agreements provide that Barrow Hanley manage the investment and reinvestment of a portion of the assets of the Funds. Barrow Hanley is located at 2200 Ross Avenue, 31<sup>st</sup> Floor, Dallas, Texas 75201. Perpetual Limited (ASX: PPT), an Australian financial services company, holds a 75.1% interest in Barrow Hanley.

Barrow Hanley also provides subadvisory services for the MML Income & Growth Fund, which is a series of MML Series Investment Fund, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser.

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#### Boston Partners
MML Advisers has entered into a Subadvisory Agreement with Boston Partners pursuant to which Boston Partners serves as a subadviser for the Fundamental Value Fund. This agreement provides that Boston Partners manage the investment and reinvestment of a portion of the assets of the Fund. Boston Partners is located at One Beacon Street, 30<sup>th</sup> Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02108. Boston Partners is a registered investment adviser organized in Delaware.

Boston Partners also provides subadvisory services for the MML Fundamental Value Fund, which is a series of MML Series Investment Fund, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser.

#### Brandywine Global
MML Advisers has entered into Subadvisory Agreements with Brandywine Global pursuant to which Brandywine Global serves as a subadviser for the Strategic Bond Fund and Diversified Value Fund. These agreements provide that Brandywine Global manage the investment and reinvestment of a portion of the assets of the Funds. Brandywine Global is located at 1735 Market Street, Suite 1800, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. Brandywine Global is an indirect wholly-owned, independently operated, subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc, a publicly-traded global investment management organization (NYSE: BEN). Brandywine Global also operates two affiliated companies with offices in Singapore and London.

Brandywine Global also provides subadvisory services for the MML Equity Fund, which is a series of MML Series Investment Fund II, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser.

#### Frontier
MML Advisers has entered into a Subadvisory Agreement with Frontier pursuant to which Frontier serves as a subadviser for the Mid Cap Growth Fund. This agreement provides that Frontier manage the investment and reinvestment of a portion of the assets of the Fund. Frontier is located at 99 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. Frontier was founded in 1980 and since 2000 has been a Delaware limited liability company with senior professionals of the firm sharing ownership with Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.

#### Harris
MML Advisers has entered into a Subadvisory Agreement with Harris pursuant to which Harris serves as a subadviser for the Overseas Fund. This agreement provides that Harris manage the investment and reinvestment of a portion of the assets of the Fund. Harris is located at 111 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 4600, Chicago, Illinois 60606. Harris is a limited partnership managed by its general partner, Harris Associates, Inc. ("HAI"). Harris and HAI are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Natixis Investment Managers, LLC, which is an indirect subsidiary of Natixis Investment Managers, an international asset management group based in Paris, France, that is part of the Global Financial Services division of Groupe BPCE. Natixis Investment Managers, LLC is wholly owned by Natixis, a French investment banking and financial services firm. Natixis is wholly owned by BPCE, France's second largest banking group. BPCE is owned by banks comprising two autonomous and complementary retail banking networks consisting of the Caisse d'Epargne regional savings banks and the Banque Populaire regional cooperative banks.

Harris also provides subadvisory services for the MML International Equity Fund, which is a series of MML Series Investment Fund, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser.

#### Invesco Advisers
MML Advisers has entered into a Subadvisory Agreement with Invesco Advisers pursuant to which Invesco Advisers serves as a subadviser for the Small Cap Growth Equity Fund. This agreement provides that Invesco Advisers manage the investment and reinvestment of a portion of the assets of the Fund. Invesco Advisers is located at 1555 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309. Invesco Advisers, as successor in interest to multiple investment advisers, is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Invesco Ltd., a publicly traded company that, through its subsidiaries, engages in the business of investment management on an international basis.

Invesco Advisers also provides subadvisory services for the MML Equity Rotation Fund, MML Small Cap Equity Fund, and MML Strategic Emerging Markets Fund, each of which is a series of MML Series Investment Fund II, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser, for the MassMutual Balanced Fund, MassMutual Main Street Fund, MassMutual Small Cap Opportunities Fund, MassMutual Global Fund, and MassMutual Strategic Emerging Markets Fund, each of which is as series of MassMutual Premier Funds, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser, and for the MML Fundamental

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Equity Fund, which is a series of MML Series Investment Fund, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser.

#### Jackson Square
MML Advisers has entered into a Subadvisory Agreement with Jackson Square pursuant to which Jackson Square serves as a subadviser for the Growth Opportunities Fund. This agreement provides that Jackson Square manage the investment and reinvestment of a portion of the assets of the Fund. Jackson Square is located at One Letterman Drive, Building A, Suite A3-200, San Francisco, California 94129. Jackson Square, a limited liability company organized under the laws of Delaware, is jointly owned by California Street Partners, LP, which is beneficially owned by its portfolio management team and other employees of Jackson Square, and its minority owner, JSP Acquisition LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Affiliated Managers Group, Inc., a publicly traded holding company.

#### Loomis Sayles
MML Advisers has entered into a Subadvisory Agreement with Loomis Sayles pursuant to which Loomis Sayles serves as a subadviser for the Blue Chip Growth Fund. This agreement provides that Loomis Sayles manage the investment and reinvestment of a portion of the assets of the Fund. Loomis Sayles is located at One Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111 and is a Delaware limited partnership. Loomis Sayles' sole general partner, Loomis, Sayles & Company, Inc. is directly owned by Natixis Investment Managers, LLC ("Natixis LLC"). Natixis LLC is an indirect subsidiary of Natixis Investment Managers, an international asset management group based in Paris, France, that is in turn owned by Natixis, a French investment banking and financial services firm. Natixis is wholly-owned by Groupe BPCE, France's second largest banking group. Groupe BPCE is owned by banks comprising two autonomous and complementary retail banking networks consisting of the Caisse d'Epargne regional savings banks and the Banque Populaire regional cooperative banks.

Loomis Sayles also provides subadvisory services for the MML Large Cap Growth Fund, which is a series of MML Series Investment Fund, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser.

#### MFS
MML Advisers has entered into a Subadvisory Agreement with MFS pursuant to which MFS serves as a subadviser for the Overseas Fund. This agreement provides that MFS manage the investment and reinvestment of a portion of the assets of the Fund. MFS is located at 111 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7618. MFS is a subsidiary of Sun Life of Canada (U.S.) Financial Services Holdings, Inc., which in turn is an indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Financial Inc. (a diversified financial services company).

MFS also provides subadvisory services for the MML Global Fund and MML International Equity Fund, each of which is a series of MML Series Investment Fund, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser.

#### MetWest
MML Advisers has entered into a Subadvisory Agreement with MetWest pursuant to which MetWest serves as a subadviser for the Total Return Bond Fund. This agreement provides that MetWest manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund. MetWest is located at 865 S. Figueroa Street, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, California 90017. MetWest was founded in 1996, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TCW Asset Management Company LLC, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The TCW Group, Inc.

MetWest also provides subadvisory services for the MML Total Return Bond Fund, which is a series of MML Series Investment Fund, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser.

#### NTI
MML Advisers has entered into a Subadvisory Agreement with NTI pursuant to which NTI serves as a subadviser for the MM S&P 500 Index Fund. This agreement provides that NTI manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Funds. NTI is located at 50 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. NTI, a subsidiary of Northern Trust Corporation, is an Illinois State Banking Corporation and an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers Act"). It primarily manages assets for institutional and individual separately managed accounts, investment companies, and bank common and collective funds. Northern Trust Corporation is regulated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as a financial holding company under the U.S. Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended.

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NTI also provides subadvisory services for the MML Equity Index Fund, which is a series of MML Series Investment Fund, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser.

#### PanAgora
MML Advisers has entered into a Subadvisory Agreement with PanAgora pursuant to which PanAgora serves as a subadviser for the Mid Cap Value Fund. This agreement provides that PanAgora manage the investment and reinvestment of a portion of the assets of the Fund. PanAgora is located at One International Place, 24th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. PanAgora is a Delaware corporation and was founded in 1985 and incorporated in 1989. All voting interests in PanAgora are owned by Power Corporation of Canada, indirectly through a series of subsidiaries (including Power Financial Corporation, Great West Lifeco Inc., and Putnam Investments, LLC). In addition, certain PanAgora employees own non-voting interests in PanAgora via PanAgora's management equity plan. Assuming all employee stock and options are issued and exercised, up to 20% of the economic interests in PanAgora can be owned, in the aggregate, by PanAgora employees.

#### Sands Capital
MML Advisers has entered into a Subadvisory Agreement with Sands Capital pursuant to which Sands Capital serves as a subadviser for the Growth Opportunities Fund. This agreement provides that Sands Capital manage the investment and reinvestment of a portion of the assets of the Fund. Sands Capital is located at 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 3000, Arlington, Virginia 22209. Sands Capital is an independent, employee-owned investment management firm registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act.

#### TSW
MML Advisers has entered into a Subadvisory Agreement with TSW pursuant to which TSW serves as a subadviser for the Mid Cap Value Fund. This agreement provides that TSW manage the investment and reinvestment of a portion of the assets of the Fund. TSW is located at 6641 West Broad Street, Suite 600, Richmond, Virginia 23230. TSW is a Delaware limited liability company, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Perpetual Limited, and a direct subsidiary of Pendal (USA) Inc. Since 1970, TSW has provided investment management services to corporations, pensions and profit-sharing plans, 401(k) and thrift plans, trusts, estates, and other institutions and individuals.

TSW also provides subadvisory services for the MML Foreign Fund which is a series of MML Series Investment Fund, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser and for the MassMutual International Equity Fund, which is a series of MassMutual Premier Funds, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser.

T. Rowe Price

MML Advisers has entered into Subadvisory Agreements with T. Rowe Price pursuant to which T. Rowe Price serves as a subadviser for the Diversified Value Fund, Equity Opportunities Fund, Blue Chip Growth Fund, Mid Cap Growth Fund, and MM Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund. These agreements provide that T. Rowe Price manage the investment and reinvestment of all or a portion of the assets of the Funds, as applicable. T. Rowe Price is located at 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. T. Rowe Price is a wholly-owned subsidiary of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., a publicly traded financial services holding company.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; T. Rowe Price also provides subadvisory services for the MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement Balanced Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2005 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2010 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2015 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2020 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2025 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2030 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2035 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2055 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2060 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2065 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Bond Asset Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Bond Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Large Cap Blend Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Limited Duration Inflation Focused Bond Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Real Assets Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Small and Mid Cap Blend Fund, and MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price U.S. Treasury Long-Term Index Fund, each of which is a series of the Trust, for the MML Blue Chip Growth Fund, MML Equity Income Fund, and MML Mid Cap Growth Fund, each of which is a series of MML Series Investment Fund, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser, and for the MML Equity Fund which is a series of MML Series Investment Fund II, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser.

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In addition, T. Rowe Price Investment Management serves as a sub-subadviser for the Mid Cap Growth Fund and each of T. Rowe Price International, T. Rowe Price Hong Kong, and T. Rowe Price Singapore serves as a sub-subadviser for the MM Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund. Each of T. Rowe Price Investment Management and T. Rowe Price International is a wholly-owned subsidiary of T. Rowe Price and each of T. Rowe Price Hong Kong and T. Rowe Price Singapore is a wholly-owned subsidiary of T. Rowe Price International. T. Rowe Price has entered into a subadvisory agreement with each of T. Rowe Price Investment Management, T. Rowe Price International, and T. Rowe Price Hong Kong under which, subject to the supervision of T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Investment Management, T. Rowe Price International, and T. Rowe Price Hong Kong are authorized to trade securities, make discretionary investment decisions, and effect securities transactions, including the negotiation of commissions and the allocation of principal business and portfolio brokerage, on behalf of the Mid Cap Growth Fund and MM Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund, as applicable. T. Rowe Price has entered into a subadvisory agreement with T. Rowe Price Singapore under which, subject to the supervision of T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Singapore is authorized to delegate the trading of securities and make discretionary investment decisions on behalf of the MM Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund. T. Rowe Price Investment Management is located at 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. T. Rowe Price International is located at 60 Queen Victoria Street, London, England EC4N 4TZ. T. Rowe Price Hong Kong is located at 6/F Chater House, 8 Connaught Place, Central Hong Kong. T. Rowe Price Singapore is located at 501 Orchard Road, #10-02 Wheelock Place, Singapore, 238880. T. Rowe Price Investment Management also provides sub-subadvisory services for the MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Small and Mid Cap Blend Fund, which is a series of the Trust, and for the MML Mid Cap Growth Fund which is a series of MML Series Investment Fund, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser. T. Rowe Price International and T. Rowe Price Hong Kong also provide sub-subadvisory services for the MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Bond Asset Fund and MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Limited Duration Inflation Focused Bond Fund, each of which is a series of the Trust.

#### Wellington Management
MML Advisers has entered into Subadvisory Agreements with Wellington Management pursuant to which Wellington Management serves as a subadviser for the Equity Opportunities Fund, Fundamental Growth Fund, Small Cap Value Equity Fund, and Small Cap Growth Equity Fund. These agreements provide that Wellington Management manage the investment and reinvestment of a portion of the assets of the Funds. Wellington Management is located at 280 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. Wellington Management is a professional investment counseling firm which provides investment services to investment companies, employee benefit plans, endowments, foundations, and other institutions. Wellington Management and its predecessor organizations have provided investment advisory services for over 90 years. Wellington Management is owned by the partners of Wellington Management Group LLP, a Massachusetts limited liability partnership.

Wellington Management also provides subadvisory services for the MML Focused Equity Fund, MML Mid Cap Growth Fund, and MML Small Cap Growth Equity Fund, each of which is a series of MML Series Investment Fund, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser and for the MassMutual Disciplined Value Fund, MassMutual Disciplined Growth Fund, and MassMutual International Equity Fund, each of which is a series of MassMutual Premier Funds, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser.

#### Western Asset and Western Asset Limited
MML Advisers has entered into Subadvisory Agreements with Western Asset and Western Asset Limited pursuant to which Western Asset and Western Asset Limited serve as subadvisers for the Strategic Bond Fund. These agreements provide that Western Asset and Western Asset Limited manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund. Western Asset is located at 385 E. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, California 91101. Western Asset Limited is located at 10 Exchange Square, Primrose Street, London, EC 2A2EN, United Kingdom. Western Asset and Western Asset Limited are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE: BEN], a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton in over 165 countries.

Western Asset and Western Asset Limited also provide subadvisory services for the MML Dynamic Bond Fund which is a series of MML Series Investment Fund II, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser.

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#### Westfield
MML Advisers has entered into a Subadvisory Agreement with Westfield pursuant to which Westfield serves as a subadviser for the Fundamental Growth Fund. This agreement provides that Westfield manage the investment and reinvestment of a portion of the assets of the Fund. Westfield is located at One Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. Westfield has been a registered investment adviser since 1989. Westfield is 100% employee owned.

The Funds' subadvisory fees are paid by MML Advisers out of the advisory fees previously disclosed above.

Information about each portfolio manager's compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and each portfolio manager's ownership of securities in the relevant Fund can be found in Appendix C.

#### Administrator, Sub-Administrators, and Shareholder Servicing Agent
MML Advisers has entered into an administrative and shareholder services agreement (the "Administrative and Shareholder Services Agreement") with the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, pursuant to which MML Advisers is obligated to provide certain administrative and shareholder services. MML Advisers may, at its expense, employ others to supply all or any part of the services to be provided to the Funds pursuant to the Administrative and Shareholder Services Agreement. MML Advisers has entered into sub-administration agreements with both State Street and MassMutual pursuant to which State Street and MassMutual each assist in many aspects of fund administration. Pursuant to a letter agreement between the Trust, MML Advisers, and State Street, the Trust has agreed to pay State Street for the services it provides pursuant to the sub-administration agreement with MML Advisers, although MML Advisers remains ultimately responsible for the payment of any such fees owed to State Street. The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, pays MML Advisers an administrative services fee monthly at an annual rate based upon the average daily net assets of the applicable class of shares of each Fund as shown in the table below:

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| | | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Class I** | **Class R5** | **Service <br>Class** | **Administrative <br>Class** | **Class R4** | **Class A** | **Class R3** | **Class Y** |
| Total Return Bond Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.10% |
| Strategic Bond Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.10% |
| Diversified Value Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.10% |
| Fundamental Value Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.10% |
| S&P 500 Index Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.25% | 0.35% | 0.25% | 0.35% | 0.25% | N/A |
| Equity Opportunities Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.10% |
| Fundamental Growth Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.10% |
| Blue Chip Growth Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.10% |
| Growth Opportunities Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.10% |
| Mid Cap Value Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.10% |
| Small Cap Value Equity Fund |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.10% |
| Small Company Value Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.10% |
| Mid Cap Growth Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.10% |
| Small Cap Growth Equity <br> Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.10% |
| Overseas Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.10% |
| MM Select T. Rowe Price <br> International Equity Fund  |  | N/A  | N/A  | N/A  | N/A  | N/A  | N/A  | N/A  |

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Prior to December 31, 2020, the Trust had entered into a separate Supplemental Shareholder Services Agreement with MassMutual, on behalf of Service Class shares, Administrative Class shares, and Class A shares of each Fund. Fees payable under the Supplemental Shareholder Services Agreement were intended to compensate MassMutual for its provision of shareholder services to the Funds' investors and were calculated and paid based on the average daily net assets attributable to the relevant share classes of the Funds separately, at the following annual rates: 0.05% for Service Class shares, and 0.15% for Administrative Class shares and Class A shares. MassMutual may have paid these fees to other intermediaries for providing shareholder services to the Funds' investors.

MassMutual, the parent company of MML Advisers, pays to an affiliate of Empower Retirement, LLC ("Empower") an amount equal to the profit realized by MML Advisers with respect to shares beneficially owned by retirement plans through recordkeeping platforms maintained by Empower or an affiliate.

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreements, Subadvisory Agreements, Administrative and Shareholder Services Agreement, and Supplemental Shareholder Services Agreement described above, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022,

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September 30, 2021, and September 30, 2020, the amount of advisory fees paid by each Fund, the amount of subadvisory fees paid by each Fund, the amount of any advisory fees waived by MML Advisers, the amount of administrative fees paid by each Fund, the amount of supplemental shareholder services fees paid by each Fund (as applicable), and the amount of any fees reimbursed by MML Advisers are as follows:

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| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2022** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2022** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2022** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2022** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2022** |
| | **Advisory Fees <br>Paid** | **Subadvisory <br>Fees Paid** | **Advisory Fees <br>Waived** | **Administrative <br>Fees Paid** | **Other Expenses <br>Reimbursed** |
| Total Return Bond Fund <sup>1</sup>  | $2433628 | $1088619 | $(243363) | $399344 | $— |
| Strategic Bond Fund <sup>2</sup>  | 1966150 | 869178 | (252307) | 355494 |  |
| Diversified Value Fund  | 1802361 | 802075 |  | 256901 |  |
| Fundamental Value Fund  | 3333973 | 1483298 |  | 388987 |  |
| S&P 500 Index Fund  | 2966050 | 250502 |  | 4159740 |  |
| Equity Opportunities Fund  | 4925333 | 2175135 |  | 532181 |  |
| Fundamental Growth Fund <sup>3</sup>  | 271192 | 180454 | (3775) | 73579 |  |
| Blue Chip Growth Fund  | 21544826 | 10621148 |  | 2227677 |  |
| Growth Opportunities Fund <sup>4</sup>  | 2594889 | 1215251 | (73133) | 290168 |  |
| Mid Cap Value Fund <sup>5</sup>  | 835677 | 384450 |  | 9974 | (378927) |
| Small Cap Value Equity Fund  | 449998 | 294824 |  | 43295 |  |
| Small Company Value Fund <sup>6</sup>  | 2207447 | 1230662 |  | 153485 | (240158) |
| Mid Cap Growth Fund <sup>7</sup>  | 48463244 | 29674666 | (1497063) | 2889026 |  |
| Small Cap Growth Equity Fund  | 5226397 | 3367581 |  | 355630 |  |
| Overseas Fund <sup>8</sup>  | 4456361 | 2528164 |  | 367605 | (641568) |
| MM Select T. Rowe Price International <br> Equity Fund<sup>9</sup>  |  |  |  |  | (1278606) |

---

<sup>1</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to waive 0.03% of the advisory fees of the Fund through September 30, 2022.

<sup>2</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to waive 0.05% of the advisory fees of the Fund through September 30, 2022.

<sup>3</sup> Effective July 1, 2022, the expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to waive 0.05% of the advisory fees of the Fund through September 30, 2022.

<sup>4</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to waive 0.02% of the advisory fees of the Fund through September 30, 2022.

<sup>5</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2022, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.61%, 0.71%, 0.81%, 0.91%, 1.06%, 1.16%, and 1.31% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>6</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2022, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.86%, 0.96%, 1.06%, 1.16%, 1.31%, 1.41%, and 1.56% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>7</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to waive 0.05% of the advisory fees of the Fund through September 30, 2022.

<sup>8</sup> Effective February 1, 2022, the expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale

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dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2022, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.79%, 0.89%, 0.99%, 1.09%, 1.24%, 1.34%, and 1.49% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively. The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through January 31, 2022, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.79%, 0.89%, 0.99%, 1.09%, 1.24%, 1.34%, and 1.49% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>9</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2022, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.00% for Class I.

---

| | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2021** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2021** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2021** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2021** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2021** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2021** |
| | **Advisory Fees <br>Paid** | **Subadvisory <br>Fees Paid** | **Advisory Fees <br>Waived** | **Administrative <br>Fees Paid** | **Supplemental <br>Shareholder <br>Services Fees <br>Paid** | **Other <br>Expenses <br>Reimbursed** |
| Total Return Bond Fund <sup>1</sup>  | $2736139 | $1200332 | $(236008) | $509955 | $23573 | $— |
| Strategic Bond Fund <sup>2</sup>  | 2763689 | 1225656 | (47321) | 585747 | 56463 |  |
| Diversified Value Fund  | 1956501 | 866306 |  | 259176 | 19660 |  |
| Fundamental Value Fund  | 3624144 | 1588499 |  | 449770 | 39041 |  |
| S&P 500 Index Fund  | 3276380 | 279719 |  | 4717662 | 205119 |  |
| Equity Opportunities Fund  | 5349429 | 2355624 |  | 570252 | 45221 |  |
| Fundamental Growth Fund  | 420446 | 277854 |  | 104246 | 12334 |  |
| Blue Chip Growth Fund  | 27410846 | 13628378 |  | 2914100 | 254096 |  |
| Growth Opportunities Fund <sup>3</sup>  | 3750207 | 1784532 | (105900) | 426134 | 42413 |  |
| Mid Cap Value Fund <sup>4</sup>  | 844752 | 433438 |  | 15897 | 1667 | (271653) |
| Small Cap Value Equity Fund  | 642117 | 417682 |  | 52092 | 3903 |  |
| Small Company Value Fund <sup>5</sup>  | 2152369 | 1202906 |  | 161648 | 11183 | (63681) |
| Mid Cap Growth Fund  | 65355447 | 43834282 |  | 4008134 | 225608 |  |
| Small Cap Growth Equity Fund  | 5948196 | 3812722 |  | 470077 | 31523 |  |
| Overseas Fund <sup>6</sup>  | 5600920 | 3122376 |  | 431368 | 25752 | (664788) |
| MM Select T. Rowe Price <br> International Equity Fund<sup>7</sup>  |  |  |  |  |  | (1204393) |

---

<sup>1</sup> Effective November 20, 2020, the expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to waive 0.03% of the advisory fees of the Fund through September 30, 2021.

<sup>2</sup> Effective August 10, 2021, the expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to waive 0.05% of the advisory fees of the Fund through September 30, 2021.

<sup>3</sup> Effective February 1, 2021, the expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to waive 0.02% of the advisory fees of the Fund through September 30, 2021. The expenses in the above table reflect a voluntary agreement by MML Advisers to waive 0.02% of the Advisory fees of the Fund through January 31, 2021.

<sup>4</sup> Effective March 31, 2021, the expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.61%, 0.71%, 0.81%, 0.91%, 1.06%, 1.16%, and 1.31% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively. The expenses in the above table

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reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) from February 1, 2021 through March 30, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.80%, 0.90%, 1.00%, 1.10%, 1.25%, 1.35%, and 1.50% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively. The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through January 31, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.80%, 0.90%, 1.00%, 1.10%, 1.25%, 1.35%, and 1.50% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>5</sup> Effective August 1, 2021, the expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.86%, 0.96%, 1.06%, 1.16%, 1.31%, 1.41%, and 1.56% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>6</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.79%, 0.89%, 0.99%, 1.09%, 1.24%, 1.34%, and 1.49% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>7</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.00% for Class I.

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---

| | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2020** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2020** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2020** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2020** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2020** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2020** |
| | **Advisory Fees <br>Paid** | **Subadvisory <br>Fees Paid** | **Advisory Fees <br>Waived** | **Administrative <br>Fees Paid** | **Supplemental <br>Shareholder <br>Services Fees <br>Paid** | **Other <br>Expenses <br>Reimbursed** |
| Total Return Bond Fund  | $2621615 | $1159096 | $— | $551058 | $94506 | $— |
| Strategic Bond Fund  | 2706888 | 1197453 |  | 461171 | 206492 |  |
| Diversified Value Fund  | 1689488 | 740187 |  | 179101 | 78695 |  |
| Fundamental Value Fund  | 3528287 | 1545143 |  | 376008 | 171384 |  |
| S&P 500 Index Fund  | 3093046 | 263188 |  | 4059604 | 853150 |  |
| Equity Opportunities Fund  | 4471902 | 1972212 |  | 421440 | 186645 |  |
| Fundamental Growth Fund  | 652262 | 348876 |  | 88815 | 47137 |  |
| Blue Chip Growth Fund  | 21742700 | 10835533 |  | 1814627 | 850602 |  |
| Growth Opportunities Fund <sup>1</sup>  | 3315349 | 1718034 | (46268) | 354192 | 158648 |  |
| Mid Cap Value Fund <sup>2</sup>  | 663636 | 379548 |  | 10201 | 5950 | (188551) |
| Small Cap Value Equity Fund  | 592644 | 383421 |  | 40388 | 15066 |  |
| Small Company Value Fund  | 1511953 | 845750 |  | 107926 | 40169 |  |
| Mid Cap Growth Fund  | 57290989 | 38106499 |  | 3134514 | 874229 |  |
| Small Cap Growth Equity Fund  | 4279385 | 2779762 |  | 299587 | 107883 |  |
| Overseas Fund <sup>3</sup>  | 4717577 | 2641862 |  | 301957 | 91560 | (351140) |
| MM Select T. Rowe Price <br> International Equity Fund<sup>4</sup>  | 6948382 | 3651280 |  |  |  | (1207625) |

---

<sup>1</sup> Effective April 1, 2020, the expenses in the above table reflect a voluntary agreement by MML Advisers to waive 0.02% of the Advisory fees of the Fund.

<sup>2</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2020, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.80%, 0.90%, 1.00%, 1.10%, 1.25%, 1.35%, and 1.50% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>3</sup> Effective March 1, 2020, the expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2020, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.79%, 0.89%, 0.99%, 1.09%, 1.24%, 1.34%, and 1.49% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>4</sup> Effective August 1, 2020, the expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2020, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.00% for Class I. The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through July 31, 2020, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.67% for Class I.

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#### THE DISTRIBUTOR
The Funds' shares are continuously distributed by MML Distributors, LLC (the "Distributor"), located at 1295 State Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 01111-0001, pursuant to a Principal Underwriter Agreement with the Trust, as amended (the "Distribution Agreement"). The Distributor pays commissions to its selling dealers as well as the costs of printing and mailing prospectuses to potential investors and of any advertising incurred by it in connection with distribution of shares of the Funds. The Distributor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MassMutual.

The Distributor has agreed to use reasonable efforts to sell shares of the Funds but has not agreed to sell any specific number of shares of the Funds. The Distributor's compensation for serving as such is the amounts received by it from time to time under the Funds' Amended and Restated Rule 12b-1 plan. In addition, the Distributor receives any front-end sales charges imposed on the sales of Class A shares of the Funds. Sales loads paid to the Distributor in respect of all of the Funds during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 were $5,578.

Shares of each Fund may be purchased through agents of the Distributor who are registered representatives and licensed by the Distributor to sell Fund shares, and through registered representatives of selected broker-dealers which are members of FINRA and which have entered into selling agreements with the Distributor. The Distributor may reallow up to 100% of any sales load on shares sold by dealers with whom it has sales agreements. Broker-dealers with which the Distributor has entered into selling agreements may charge their customers a processing or service fee in connection with the purchase or redemption of Fund shares. The amount and applicability of such a fee is determined and disclosed to such customers by each individual broker-dealer.

The Distribution Agreement continued in effect for an initial two-year period, and thereafter continues in effect so long as such continuance is approved at least annually (i) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the shares of the Trust; and (ii) by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Distribution Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such person, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

#### DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
The Trust has adopted, with respect to the Service Class, Administrative Class, Class R4, Class A, Class R3, and Class Y shares of each Fund, as applicable, and Class I and Class R5 shares of most Funds, an Amended and Restated Rule 12b-1 Plan (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan, approved the Plan for each Fund and share class.

Continuance of the Plan is subject to annual approval by a vote of the Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose. All material amendments to the Plan must be likewise approved by the Trustees and the Independent Trustees. The Plan may not be amended in order to increase materially the costs which a Fund may bear for distribution pursuant to the Plan without also being approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the relevant class of the Fund. The Plan terminates automatically in the event of its assignment and may be terminated without penalty, at any time, by a vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the relevant class of the Fund. The Plan provides that the Distributor shall provide to the Trustees, and the Board shall review at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.

The Plan is a compensation plan, authorizing payments to the Distributor up to the following annual rates: Class R4 and Class A shares — 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the class; Class R3 shares — 0.50% of the average daily net assets of the class. A Fund may make payments under the Plan to compensate the Distributor for services provided and expenses incurred by it for purposes of promoting the sale of the relevant class of shares, reducing redemptions of shares, or maintaining or improving services provided to shareholders.

MML Advisers may pay amounts in respect of the distribution or servicing of a Fund's shares out of administrative or advisory fees received by it from that Fund. The Plan authorizes such payments for Service Class, Administrative Class, and Class Y shares of each Fund, as applicable, and for Class I and Class R5 shares of most Funds, although MML Advisers may make such payments in respect of shares of any class, whether or not the Plan has been adopted. No additional fees are paid by a Fund under the Plan.

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The following table discloses the 12b-1 fees paid in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022 by the Trust under the Plan for Class R4, Class A, and Class R3 shares of the Funds:

---

| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Class R4 <br>12b-1 Fees** | **Class A <br>12b-1 Fees** | **Class R3 <br>12b-1 Fees** |
| Total Return Bond Fund  | $166372 | $28662 | $98744 |
| Strategic Bond Fund  | 69103 | 48142 | 35040 |
| Diversified Value Fund  | 28942 | 65716 | 5928 |
| Fundamental Value Fund  | 18673 | 73482 | 7828 |
| S&P 500 Index Fund  | 1080554 | 51688 | 1302402 |
| Equity Opportunities Fund  | 20890 | 120322 | 19026 |
| Fundamental Growth Fund  | 3481 | 25186 | 6756 |
| Blue Chip Growth Fund  | 245572 | 287193 | 218216 |
| Growth Opportunities Fund  | 4241 | 64479 | 10432 |
| Mid Cap Value Fund  | 706 | 3790 | 676 |
| Small Cap Value Equity Fund  | 3549 | 13935 | 3578 |
| Small Company Value Fund  | 1899 | 32878 | 1894 |
| Mid Cap Growth Fund  | 233236 | 313239 | 128018 |
| Small Cap Growth Equity Fund  | 36501 | 62729 | 21184 |
| Overseas Fund  | 49428 | 47784 | 30336 |
|  | $1963147 | $1239225 | $1890058 |

---

For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, the Distributor paid to MassMutual the 12b-1 fees it received and MassMutual paid these amounts, as agent of the Distributor, to various unaffiliated financial intermediaries as compensation for distribution services and/or shareholder services provided by them.

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#### PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
Financial intermediaries may receive various forms of compensation from a Fund in the form of distribution and service (12b-1) plan payments as described above. They may also receive payments or concessions from the Distributor, derived from sales charges paid by the financial intermediary's clients. In addition, MML Advisers and the Distributor (including their affiliates) may make payments to financial intermediaries in connection with the intermediaries' offering and sales of Fund shares and shares of other funds, or their provision of marketing or promotional support, transaction processing or administrative services. Among the financial intermediaries that may receive these payments are brokers or dealers who sell or hold shares of a Fund, banks (including bank trust departments), registered investment advisers, insurance companies, retirement plan or qualified tuition program administrators, third party administrators, recordkeepers, or other institutions that have selling, servicing or similar arrangements with MML Advisers or the Distributor. The payments to financial intermediaries vary by the types of product sold, the features of a Fund share class, and the role played by the intermediary.

Types of payments to financial intermediaries may include, without limitation, all or portions of the following: Payments made by a Fund, or by an investor buying or selling shares of a Fund, including:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • an initial front-end sales charge, all or a portion of which is payable by the Distributor to financial intermediaries;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • ongoing asset-based distribution and/or service fees;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • shareholder servicing expenses that may be paid from Fund assets to reimburse financial intermediaries, MML Advisers, or the Distributor for Fund expenses they incur for providing omnibus accounting, recordkeeping, networking, sub-transfer agency, or other administrative or shareholder services (including retirement plan and 529 plan administrative services fees).

In addition, MML Advisers may, at its discretion, make the following types of payments from its own resources, which may include profits MML Advisers derives from investment advisory fees paid by a Fund. Payments are made based on guidelines established by the MML Advisers, subject to applicable law. These payments are often referred to as "revenue sharing" payments, and may include:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • compensation for marketing support, support provided in offering shares in a Fund through certain trading platforms and programs, and transaction processing or other services;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • other compensation, to the extent the payment is not prohibited by law or by any self-regulatory agency, such as FINRA.

Although a broker or dealer that sells Fund shares may also act as a broker or dealer in connection with the purchase or sale of portfolio securities by a Fund, MML Advisers does not consider a financial intermediary's sales of shares of a Fund when choosing brokers or dealers to effect portfolio transactions for a Fund.

Revenue sharing payments can pay for distribution-related or asset retention items including, without limitation:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • transactional support, one-time charges for setting up access for a Fund on particular trading systems, and paying the financial intermediary's networking fees;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • program support, such as expenses related to including the Funds in retirement plans, college savings plans, fee-based advisory or wrap fee programs, fund "supermarkets," bank or trust company products or insurance companies' variable annuity or variable life insurance products;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • placement on the dealer's list of offered funds and providing representatives of MML Advisers or the Distributor with access to a financial intermediary's sales meetings, sales representatives, and management representatives; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • firm support, such as business planning assistance, advertising, or educating a financial intermediary's sales personnel about the Funds and shareholder financial planning needs.

These payments may provide an incentive to financial intermediaries to actively market or promote the sale of shares of a Fund, or to support the marketing or promotional efforts of the Distributor in offering shares of a Fund. In addition, some types of payments may provide a financial intermediary with an incentive to recommend a Fund or a particular share class. Financial intermediaries may earn profits on these payments, since the amount of the payments may exceed the cost of providing the services. Certain of these payments are subject to limitations under applicable law. Financial

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intermediaries may categorize and disclose these arrangements to their clients and to members of the public in a manner different from the disclosures in a Fund's Prospectus and this SAI. You should ask your financial intermediary for information about any payments it receives from a Fund, MML Advisers, or the Distributor and any services it provides, as well as the fees and commissions it charges.

#### CUSTODIAN, DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT, AND TRANSFER AGENT
State Street, located at 1 Iron Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, is the custodian of each Fund's investments (the "Custodian") and is the Funds' transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent (the "Transfer Agent"). As custodian, State Street has custody of the Funds' securities and maintains certain financial and accounting books and records. As Custodian and Transfer Agent, State Street does not assist in, and is not responsible for, the investment decisions and policies of the Funds.

#### INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Deloitte & Touche LLP, located at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, is the Trust's independent registered public accounting firm. Deloitte & Touche LLP provides audit and related services, and assistance in connection with various SEC filings.

#### CODES OF ETHICS
The Trust, MML Advisers, the Distributor, AllianceBernstein, American Century, Barrow Hanley, Boston Partners, Brandywine Global, Frontier, Harris, Invesco Advisers, Jackson Square, Loomis Sayles, MFS, MetWest, NTI, PanAgora, Sands Capital, TSW, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Hong Kong, T. Rowe Price International, T. Rowe Price Investment Management, T. Rowe Price Singapore, Wellington Management, Western Asset, Western Asset Limited, and Westfield have each adopted a code of ethics (the "Codes of Ethics") pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act. The Codes of Ethics permit Fund personnel to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by a Fund, for their own accounts, but require compliance with various pre-clearance requirements (with certain exceptions). The Codes of Ethics are on public file with, and are available from, the SEC.

#### PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
Transactions on stock exchanges, commodities markets and futures markets and other agency transactions involve the payment by the Funds of negotiated brokerage commissions. Such commissions may vary among different brokers. A particular broker may charge different commissions according to such factors as execution venue and exchange. Although the Funds do not typically pay commissions for principal transactions in the OTC markets, such as the markets for most fixed income securities and certain derivatives, an undisclosed amount of profit or "mark-up" is included in the price a Fund pays. In underwritten offerings, the price paid by a Fund includes a disclosed, fixed commission or discount retained by the underwriter or dealer.

The primary consideration in placing portfolio security transactions with broker-dealers for execution is to obtain the best execution of orders. Each Fund's investment adviser or subadviser attempts to achieve this result by selecting broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions on the basis of their professional capability, the value and quality of their brokerage services, including anonymity and trade confidentiality, and the level of their brokerage commissions.

Under each Advisory or Subadvisory Agreement and as permitted by Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act and to the extent not otherwise prohibited by applicable law, an investment adviser or subadviser may cause a Fund to pay a broker-dealer that provides brokerage and research services to the investment adviser or subadviser an amount of commission for effecting a securities transaction for a Fund in excess of the amount other broker-dealers would have charged for the transaction if the investment adviser or subadviser determines in good faith that the greater commission is reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by the executing broker-dealer viewed in terms of either a particular transaction or the investment adviser's or subadviser's overall responsibilities to the Trust and to its other clients. The term "brokerage and research services" includes: providing advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing, or selling securities, and the availability of securities or of purchasers or sellers of securities; furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of accounts; and effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto such as clearance and settlement.

The investment adviser or subadvisers may obtain third-party research from broker-dealers or non-broker-dealers by entering into commission sharing arrangements ("CSAs"). Under a CSA, the executing broker-dealer agrees that part of the

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commissions it earns on certain equity trades will be allocated to one or more research providers as payment for research. CSAs allow an investment adviser or subadviser to direct broker-dealers to pool commissions that are generated from orders executed at that broker-dealer, and then periodically direct the broker-dealer to pay third party research providers for research.

Brokerage and research services provided by brokers are used for the benefit of all of the investment adviser's or subadviser's clients and not solely or necessarily for the benefit of the Trust. The investment adviser or subadvisers attempt to evaluate the quality of brokerage and research services provided by brokers. Results of this effort are sometimes used by the investment adviser or subadvisers as a consideration in the selection of brokers to execute portfolio transactions.

The investment advisory fee that the Trust pays on behalf of each Fund to MML Advisers will not be reduced as a consequence of an investment adviser's or subadviser's receipt of brokerage and research services. To the extent the Trust's portfolio transactions are used to obtain such services, the brokerage commissions paid by the Trust will exceed those that might otherwise be paid, provided that the investment adviser or subadviser determines in good faith that such excess amounts are reasonable in relation to the services provided. Such services would be useful and of value to an investment adviser or subadviser in serving both the Trust and other clients and, conversely, such services obtained by the placement of brokerage business of other clients would be useful to an investment adviser or subadviser in carrying out its obligations to the Trust.

Subject to the overriding objective of obtaining the best execution of orders, the Funds may use broker-dealer affiliates of their respective investment adviser or subadvisers to effect portfolio brokerage transactions under procedures adopted by the Trustees. Pursuant to these procedures, the commission, fee, or other remuneration paid to the affiliated broker-dealer in connection with a portfolio brokerage transaction effected on a securities exchange must be reasonable and fair in comparison to those of other broker-dealers for comparable transactions involving similar securities being purchased or sold on a securities exchange during a comparable time period. This standard would allow the affiliated broker or dealer to receive no more than the remuneration which would be expected to be received by an unaffiliated broker.

The Funds may allocate brokerage transactions to broker-dealers (including affiliates of their respective investment adviser or subadvisers) who have entered into arrangements with the Trust under which the broker-dealer allocates a portion of the commissions paid back to the Fund. The transaction quality must, however, be comparable to that of other qualified broker-dealers.

The revised European Union ("EU") Markets in Financial Instruments Directive ("MiFID II"), which became effective January 3, 2018, requires EU investment managers in the scope of the EU Markets in Financial Instruments Directive to pay for research services from brokers and dealers directly out of their own resources or by establishing "research payment accounts" for each client, rather than through client commissions. MiFID II's research requirements present various compliance and operational considerations for investment advisers and broker-dealers serving clients in both the United States and the EU. It is possible that an investment adviser or subadviser subject to MiFID II will cause a Fund to pay for research services through client commissions in circumstances where the investment adviser or subadviser is prohibited from causing its other client accounts to do so, including where the investment adviser or subadviser aggregates trades on behalf of a Fund and those other client accounts. In such situations, the Fund would bear the additional amounts for the research services and the Fund's investment adviser's or subadviser's other client accounts would not, although the investment adviser's or subadviser's other client accounts might nonetheless benefit from those research services.

The following table discloses the brokerage commissions paid by the following Funds for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022, September 30, 2021, and September 30, 2020:

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Fiscal Year ended <br>September 30, 2022** | **Fiscal Year ended <br>September 30, 2021** | **Fiscal Year ended <br>September 30, 2020** |
| Total Return Bond Fund  | $33155 | $1860 | $18097 |
| Strategic Bond Fund  | $122651 | $85217 | $189914 |
| Diversified Value Fund  | $79157 | $55552 | $108655 |
| Fundamental Value Fund  | $146684 | $171582 | $388993 |
| S&P 500 Index Fund  | $83998 | $176026 | $108922 |
| Equity Opportunities Fund  | $61908 | $57991 | $88470 |
| Fundamental Growth Fund  | $17101 | $78531 | $46206 |
| Blue Chip Growth Fund  | $240994 | $154023 | $484134 |
| Growth Opportunities Fund  | $43393 | $66783 | $142764 |

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Fiscal Year ended <br>September 30, 2022** | **Fiscal Year ended <br>September 30, 2021** | **Fiscal Year ended <br>September 30, 2020** |
| Mid Cap Value Fund  | $59625 | $155984 | $31038 |
| Small Cap Value Equity Fund  | $34942 | $178851 | $86954 |
| Small Company Value Fund  | $104551 | $129755 | $136391 |
| Mid Cap Growth Fund  | $1431221 | $279341 | $2133057 |
| Small Cap Growth Equity Fund  | $437873 | $243394 | $356020 |
| Overseas Fund  | $119365 | $249233 | $145868 |
| MM Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund  | $642373 | $690962 | $513051 |

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*Portfolio Turnover -* The Mid Cap Value Fund experienced decreased portfolio turnover during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 as a result of a return to a more normalized portfolio turnover from the prior fiscal year, which included a change in the Fund's subadviser, which had led to a portfolio repositioning.

The Total Return Bond Fund experienced increased portfolio turnover during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 as a result of a positioning toward lower credit duration and preference for TBAs. The Mid Cap Value Fund also experienced increased portfolio turnover during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 as a result of a change in the Fund's subadviser, which led to a portfolio repositioning.

The Strategic Bond Fund experienced decreased portfolio turnover during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 as a result of a period of reduced spread product volatility and therefore less significant changes in portfolio sector and subsector allocations.

The Fundamental Growth Fund also experienced decreased portfolio turnover during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 as a result of a return to a more normalized portfolio turnover from the prior fiscal year, which included a change in the Fund's subadviser, which had led to a portfolio repositioning.

The Small Cap Value Equity Fund also experienced decreased portfolio turnover during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 as a result of a return to a more normalized portfolio turnover from the prior fiscal year, during which the Fund's portfolio turnover had increased as a result of increased volatility and opportunistic positioning during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following table discloses, for those Funds that paid brokerage commissions to an affiliate of its investment adviser or subadviser, the total amount of brokerage commissions paid by each such Fund to affiliates for the past three fiscal years and, for the fiscal year ended 2022, the percentage of the Fund's aggregate brokerage commissions paid to affiliates and the percentage of the Fund's aggregate dollar amount of transactions involving the payment of commissions effected through affiliates.

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| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2022** | **Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2022** | **Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2022** | **Fiscal Year <br>ended <br>September 30, <br>2021** | **Fiscal Year <br>ended <br>September 30, <br>2020** |
| **Affiliated Broker/Dealer**  | **Aggregate <br>Commissions <br>Paid** | **Percentage <br>Paid to <br>Affiliates** | **Percentage of <br>Dollar Amount <br>of Transactions <br>Involving <br>Payment of <br>Commissions to <br>Affiliates** | **Aggregate <br>Commissions <br>Paid** | **Aggregate <br>Commissions <br>Paid** |
| **Jefferies LLC** | **Jefferies LLC** | **Jefferies LLC** | **Jefferies LLC** | **Jefferies LLC** | **Jefferies LLC** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Diversified Value Fund <sup>1</sup>  | $753 | 0.95% | 0.48% | $1029 | $940 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Equity Opportunities Fund <sup>1</sup>  | $1437 | 2.32% | 0.35% | $1259 | $1179 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Fundamental Growth Fund <sup>1</sup>  | $64 | 0.37% | 0.08% | $102 | $65 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Blue Chip Growth Fund <sup>1</sup>  | $1070 | 0.44% | 0.40% | $4452 | $4551 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mid Cap Value Fund <sup>1</sup>  | $62 | 0.10% | 0.02% | $24 | $— |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mid Cap Growth Fund <sup>1</sup>  | $15260 | 1.07% | 0.30% | $29978 | $17755 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Small Cap Growth Equity Fund <sup>1</sup>  | $— | —% | —% | $— | $274 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Overseas Fund <sup>1</sup>  | $— | —% | —% | $— | $788 |

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| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2022** | **Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2022** | **Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2022** | **Fiscal Year <br>ended <br>September 30, <br>2021** | **Fiscal Year <br>ended <br>September 30, <br>2020** |
| **Affiliated Broker/Dealer**  | **Aggregate <br>Commissions <br>Paid** | **Percentage <br>Paid to <br>Affiliates** | **Percentage of <br>Dollar Amount <br>of Transactions <br>Involving <br>Payment of <br>Commissions to <br>Affiliates** | **Aggregate <br>Commissions <br>Paid** | **Aggregate <br>Commissions <br>Paid** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MM Select T. Rowe Price International <br> Equity Fund<sup>1</sup>  | $29930 | 4.66% | 3.73% | $21158 | $19281 |

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<sup>1</sup> Includes affiliated trading platforms of Jefferies LLC.

The following table discloses, for those Funds that had trades directed to a broker or dealer during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 because of research services provided, the dollar value of transactions placed by each such Fund with such brokers and dealers during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 to recognize "brokerage and research" services, and commissions paid for such transactions:

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Dollar Value of Those <br>Transactions** | **Amount of <br>Commissions** |
| Diversified Value Fund  | $32680668 | $13444 |
| Fundamental Value Fund  | $294336026 | $125783 |
| Equity Opportunities Fund  | $331340951 | $6612 |
| Fundamental Growth Fund  | $45850707 | $6008 |
| Blue Chip Growth Fund  | $688493682 | $98462 |
| Growth Opportunities Fund <sup>1</sup>  | $149682444 | $25227 |
| Mid Cap Value Fund  | $160659939 | $60201 |
| Small Cap Value Equity Fund  | $39912390 | $15931 |
| Small Company Value Fund  | $92731854 | $62014 |
| Mid Cap Growth Fund  | $708991557 | $302085 |
| Small Cap Growth Equity Fund  | $816851002 | $209053 |
| Overseas Fund  | $126872342 | $48874 |

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<sup>1</sup> Sands Capital pays for external research from its operating budget rather than through "soft dollar commissions" for the Growth Opportunities Fund. In instances where a broker-dealer does not offer unbundled pricing for its research, Sands Capital reimburses research expenses to the Fund. From October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022, Sands Capital reimbursed the Growth Opportunities Fund $1,572.

The following table discloses, for those Funds that held securities issued by one or more of its "regular brokers or dealers" (as defined in the 1940 Act), or their parent companies, the aggregate value of the securities held by each such Fund as of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022.

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Fund**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Regular Broker or Dealer**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Aggregate Value of <br>Securities Held** |
| Total Return Bond Fund  | Bank of America Corp. | $11275994 |
|  | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 8244804 |
|  | The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | 8201606 |
|  | Morgan Stanley | 5958032 |
|  | Citigroup, Inc. | 5601354 |
|  | Credit Suisse Group AG | 4604042 |
|  | UBS AG | 428948 |
|  |  | $44314780 |
| Strategic Bond Fund  | Bank of America Corp. | $7227519 |
|  | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 3390172 |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Fund**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Regular Broker or Dealer**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Aggregate Value of <br>Securities Held** |
|  | Citigroup, Inc. | 3038403 |
|  | The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | 2498504 |
|  | Credit Suisse Group AG | 1551163 |
|  | Morgan Stanley | 976687 |
|  | UBS AG | 787136 |
|  | Barclays plc | 443183 |
|  |  | $19912767 |
| Diversified Value Fund  | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | $6165500 |
|  | Bank of America Corp. | 5481300 |
|  | The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | 4135229 |
|  | Morgan Stanley | 2354498 |
|  | State Street Corp. | 1283638 |
|  |  | $19420165 |
| Fundamental Value Fund  | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | $9967941 |
|  | Bank of America Corp. | 3102235 |
|  | The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | 2882440 |
|  |  | $15952616 |
| S&P 500 Index Fund  | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | $22632297 |
|  | Bank of America Corp. | 15585465 |
|  | Morgan Stanley | 7809744 |
|  | The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | 7379878 |
|  | Citigroup, Inc. | 5952435 |
|  | T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | 1741906 |
|  | State Street Corp. | 1650383 |
|  |  | $62752108 |
| Equity Opportunities Fund  | The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | $3047720 |
|  | State Street Corp. | 2006730 |
|  |  | $5054450 |
| Blue Chip Growth Fund  | The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | $16386477 |
|  |  | $16386477 |
| Mid Cap Value Fund  | T. Rowe Price Group, Inc | $578185 |
|  |  | $578185 |
| Overseas Fund  | UBS AG | $5327918 |
|  | Credit Suisse Group AG | 2785551 |
|  |  | $8113469 |
| MM Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund  | UBS AG | $2674570 |
|  |  | $2674570 |

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#### DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
The Trust, an open-end, management investment company, is organized as a Massachusetts business trust under the laws of Massachusetts by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated May 28, 1993 which was amended and restated as of November 21, 2011. A copy of the Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The fiscal year for each Fund ends on September 30.

The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees, without shareholder approval, to issue an unlimited number of shares and divide those shares into an unlimited number of series of shares, representing separate investment portfolios with rights determined by the Trustees. Shares of the Funds are transferable and have no preemptive, subscription, or conversion rights. Shares of the Funds are entitled to dividends as declared by the Trustees. In the event of liquidation of a Fund, the Trustees would distribute, after paying or otherwise providing for all charges, taxes, expenses, and liabilities belonging to the Fund, the remaining assets belonging to the Fund among the holders of outstanding shares of the Fund. The Trustees have currently authorized the issuance of an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of 53 series, 16 of which are described in this SAI.

The Trustees may divide the shares of any series into two or more classes having such preferences or special or relative rights and privileges as the Trustees may determine, without obtaining shareholder approval. The Trustees have currently authorized the establishment and designation of 11 classes of shares, between one and eight classes of shares for each series of the Trust: Class I Shares, Class R5 Shares, Service Class Shares, Administrative Class Shares, Class R4 Shares, Class A Shares, Class R3 Shares, Class Y Shares, Class M5 Shares, Class M4 Shares, and Class M3 Shares. Currently only Class I Shares are offered by the MM Equity Asset Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Bond Asset Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Bond Fund, MM Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Large Cap Blend Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Limited Duration Inflation Focused Bond Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Real Assets Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Small and Mid Cap Blend Fund, and MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price U.S. Treasury Long-Term Index Fund. Currently, only Class I Shares, Class M5 Shares, Class M4 Shares, and Class M3 Shares are offered by the MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2005 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2010 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2015 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2020 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2025 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2030 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2035 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2055 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2060 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2065 Fund, and MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement Balanced Fund. Class I Shares, Class R5 Shares, Service Class Shares, Administrative Class Shares, Class R4 Shares, Class A Shares, and Class R3 Shares are offered by all other series of the Trust. Currently, Class Y Shares are only offered by the Total Return Bond Fund, Strategic Bond Fund, Diversified Value Fund, Fundamental Value Fund, Equity Opportunities Fund, Fundamental Growth Fund, Blue Chip Growth Fund, Growth Opportunities Fund, Mid Cap Value Fund, Small Cap Value Equity Fund, Small Company Value Fund, Mid Cap Growth Fund, Small Cap Growth Equity Fund, Overseas Fund, MassMutual 20/80 Allocation Fund, MassMutual 40/60 Allocation Fund, MassMutual 60/40 Allocation Fund, and MassMutual 80/20 Allocation Fund; however, for certain Funds, Class Y shares are not currently available for purchase. All shares of a particular class of each series represent an equal proportionate interest in the assets and liabilities belonging to that series allocable to that class.

The Trustees may also, without shareholder approval, combine two or more existing series (or classes) into a single series (or class).

The Declaration of Trust provides for the perpetual existence of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust, however, provides that the Trust may be terminated at any time by vote of at least 50% of the shares of each series entitled to vote and voting separately by series or by the Trustees by written notice to the shareholders. Any series of the Trust may be terminated by vote of at least 50% of shareholders of that series or by the Trustees by written notice to the shareholders of that series.

Shares of the Funds entitle their holders to one vote per share, with fractional shares voting proportionally, in the election of Trustees and on other matters submitted to the vote of shareholders. On any matter submitted to a vote of shareholders, all shares of the Trust then entitled to vote shall, except as otherwise provided in the Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws, be voted in the aggregate as a single class without regard to series or class, except that: (i) when required by the 1940 Act or when the Trustees shall have determined that the matter affects one or more series or classes materially differently, shares will be voted by individual series or class; and (ii) when the Trustees have determined that the matter affects only the interests of one or more series or classes, then only shareholders of such series or classes shall be entitled to vote thereon. A separate vote will be taken by the applicable Fund on matters affecting the particular Fund, as determined

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by the Trustees. For example, a change in a fundamental investment policy for a particular Fund would be voted upon only by shareholders of that Fund. In addition, a separate vote will be taken by the applicable class of a Fund on matters affecting the particular class, as determined by the Trustees. For example, the adoption of a distribution plan relating to a particular class and requiring shareholder approval would be voted upon only by shareholders of that class. Shares of each Fund have noncumulative voting rights with respect to the election of trustees.

The Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of its shareholders. However, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for the purpose of electing Trustees and for such other purposes as may be prescribed by law, by the Declaration of Trust, or by the Bylaws. There will normally be no meetings of shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees except that the Trust will hold a shareholders' meeting as required by applicable law or regulation.

The Declaration of Trust may be amended by the Trustees without a shareholder vote, except to the extent a shareholder vote is required by applicable law, the Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws, or as the Trustees may otherwise determine.

Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Declaration of Trust disclaims liability of the shareholders, Trustees, or officers for acts or obligations of the Trust, which are binding only on the assets and property of the Trust, and require that notice of such disclaimer be given in each note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate, or undertaking made or issued on behalf of the Trust by the Trustees or officers. In addition, the Declaration of Trust provides that shareholders of a Fund are entitled to indemnification out of the assets of their Fund to the extent that they are held personally liable for the obligations of their Fund solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder. Thus, the risk of a shareholder of a Fund incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is considered remote since it is limited to circumstances in which the disclaimer is inoperative and his or her Fund is unable to meet its obligations.

The Declaration of Trust also permits the Trustees to charge shareholders directly for custodial, transfer agency, and servicing expenses, but the Trustees have no present intention to charge shareholders directly for such expenses.

The Declaration of Trust further provides that a Trustee will not be personally liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. However, nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against any liability to which the Trustee would otherwise be subject by reason of his or her own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office. The Declaration of Trust also provides for indemnification of each of its Trustees and officers, except that such Trustees and officers may not be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

#### SECURITIES LENDING
State Street serves as securities lending agent to the Trust. As securities lending agent, State Street is responsible for the implementation and administration of the securities lending program pursuant to the Securities Lending Agency Agreement ("Securities Lending Agreement"). State Street acts as agent to the Trust to lend available securities with any person on its list of approved borrowers. State Street determines whether a loan shall be made per the agreed upon parameters with the Trust and negotiates and establishes the terms and conditions of the loan with the borrower. State Street ensures that all substitute interest, dividends, and other distributions paid with respect to loan securities are credited to the applicable Fund's relevant account on the date such amounts are delivered by the borrower to State Street. State Street receives and holds, on the Fund's behalf, collateral from borrowers to secure obligations of borrowers with respect to any loan of available securities. State Street marks loaned securities and collateral to their market value each business day in order to maintain the value of the collateral at no less than 102% (for domestic) and 105% (for foreign) of the market value of the loaned securities. At the termination of the loan, State Street returns the collateral to the borrower upon the return of the loaned securities to State Street. State Street invests cash collateral in accordance with the Securities Lending Agreement. State Street maintains such records as are reasonably necessary to account for loans that are made and the income derived therefrom and makes available to the Funds daily, monthly, and quarterly statements describing the loans made, and the income derived from the loans, during the period. State Street performs compliance monitoring and testing of the securities lending program. The Board receives information quarterly describing the outstanding loans and income made on such loans during the period.

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The dollar amounts of gross and net income from securities lending activities received and the related fees and/or compensation paid by each applicable Fund during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 were as follows:

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| | | | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **FUND**  | **Gross <br>income <br>earned <br>by the <br>Fund <br>from <br>securities <br>lending <br>activities** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Fees <br>paid to <br>securities <br>lending <br>agent <br>from a <br>revenue <br>split** | **Fees paid for <br>any cash <br>collateral <br>management <br>service <br>(including <br>fees deducted <br>from a pooled <br>cash <br>collateral <br>reinvestment <br>vehicle) that <br>are not <br>included in a <br>revenue split** | &nbsp;&nbsp; **Administrative <br>fees not <br>included in a <br>revenue split** | **Indemnification <br>fees not included <br>in a revenue split** | **Rebate <br>(paid to <br>borrower)** | **Other fees <br>not <br>included in <br>a revenue <br>split, if <br>applicable, <br>including a <br>description <br>of those <br>other fees** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Aggregate <br>fees/compensation <br>paid by the <br>Fund for <br>securities <br>lending <br>activities** | **Net <br>income <br>from <br>securities <br>lending <br>activities** |
| Total Return Bond <br> Fund  | $292817 | $27267 | $10203 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $– &nbsp;&nbsp; | $100836 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $138306 | $154511 |
| Strategic Bond <br> Fund  | $32703 | $1181 | $751 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $– &nbsp;&nbsp; | $24077 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $26009 | $6694 |
| Diversified Value <br> Fund  | $19030 | $974 | $622 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $– &nbsp;&nbsp; | $11915 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $13511 | $5519 |
| Fundamental <br> Value Fund  | $25585 | $1721 | $317 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $– &nbsp;&nbsp; | $13795 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $15832 | $9753 |
| S&P 500 Index <br> Fund  | $4134 | $613 | $42 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $– &nbsp;&nbsp; | $7 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $661 | $3473 |
| Equity <br> Opportunities Fund  | $25350 | $1349 | $874 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $– &nbsp;&nbsp; | $15483 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $17706 | $7644 |
| Fundamental <br> Growth Fund  | $2431 | $278 | $24 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $– &nbsp;&nbsp; | $553 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $855 | $1576 |
| Blue Chip Growth <br> Fund  | $111684 | $12172 | $1101 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $– &nbsp;&nbsp; | $29437 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $42710 | $68974 |
| Growth <br> Opportunities Fund  | $45317 | $5164 | $222 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $– &nbsp;&nbsp; | $10666 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $16052 | $29265 |
| Mid Cap Value <br> Fund  | $4512 | $509 | $126 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $– &nbsp;&nbsp; | $996 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $1630 | $2882 |
| Small Cap Value <br> Equity Fund  | $1594 | $176 | $52 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $– &nbsp;&nbsp; | $366 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $594 | $1000 |
| Small Company <br> Value Fund  | $44469 | $4919 | $800 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $– &nbsp;&nbsp; | $10875 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $16594 | $27875 |
| Mid Cap Growth <br> Fund  | $544935 | $46569 | $17922 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $– &nbsp;&nbsp; | $216552 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $281043 | $263892 |
| Small Cap Growth <br> Equity Fund  | $173234 | $20212 | $2565 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $– &nbsp;&nbsp; | $35924 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $58701 | $114533 |
| Overseas Fund  | $116375 | $14145 | $1975 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $– &nbsp;&nbsp; | $20099 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $36219 | $80156 |
| MM Select T. <br> Rowe Price International Equity Fund  | $438322 | $47870 | $5888 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $– &nbsp;&nbsp; | $113302 | $– &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; | $167060 | $271262 |

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#### REDEMPTION OF SHARES
With respect to each Fund, the Trustees may suspend the right of redemption, postpone the date of payment, or suspend the determination of NAV: (a) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than for customary weekend and holiday closing); (b) for any period during which trading in the markets the Fund normally uses is, as determined by the SEC, restricted; (c) when an emergency exists as determined by the SEC so that disposal of the Fund's investments or a determination of its NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (d) for such other periods as the SEC by order may permit for the protection of the Trust's shareholders. Under normal circumstances, each Fund expects to meet redemption requests by using cash or cash equivalents in its portfolio and/or selling portfolio assets to generate cash. Under stressed market conditions, a Fund may pay redemption proceeds using cash obtained through borrowing arrangements that may be available from time to time. To the extent consistent with applicable laws and regulations, the Funds reserve the right to satisfy all or a portion of a redemption request by distributing securities or other property in lieu of cash ("in-kind" redemptions), under both normal and stressed market conditions. In-kind redemptions are typically used to meet redemption requests that represent a large percentage of the Fund's net assets in order to minimize the effect of the large redemption on the Fund and its remaining shareholders. Some Funds may be limited in their ability to use assets other than cash to meet redemption requests due to restrictions on ownership of their portfolio assets. Any in-kind redemption will be effected through a distribution of all publicly traded portfolio securities or securities for which quoted bid prices are available, subject to certain exceptions. The securities distributed in an in-kind redemption will be valued in the same manner as they are valued for purposes of computing the Fund's NAV. These securities are subject to market risk until they are sold and may increase or decrease in value prior to converting them into cash. You may incur brokerage and other transaction costs, and could incur a taxable gain or loss for income tax purposes when converting the securities to cash.

While the Trust's Declaration of Trust would permit it to redeem shares in cash or other assets of the Fund or both, the Trust has filed an irrevocable election with the SEC to pay in cash all requests for redemption received from any shareholder if the aggregate amount of such requests in any 90-day period does not exceed the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of a Fund's net assets.

#### VALUATION OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
The NAV of each Fund's shares is determined once daily as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE, on each day the NYSE is open for trading (a "business day"). The NYSE normally closes at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, but may close earlier on some days. If the NYSE is scheduled to close early, the business day will be considered to end as of the time of the NYSE's scheduled close. A Fund will not treat an intraday disruption in NYSE trading or other event that causes an unscheduled closing of the NYSE as a close of business of the NYSE for these purposes; instead, MML Advisers will determine the fair value of a Fund's securities in accordance with MML Advisers' fair valuation policy and procedures. The NYSE currently is not open for trading on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Each Fund calculates the NAV of each of its classes of shares by dividing the total value of the assets attributable to that class, less the liabilities attributable to that class, by the number of shares of that class that are outstanding. On holidays and other days when the NYSE is closed, each Fund's NAV generally is not calculated and the Funds do not anticipate accepting buy or sell orders. However, the value of each Fund's assets may still be affected on such days to the extent that a Fund holds foreign securities that trade on days that foreign securities markets are open.

Equity securities and derivative contracts that are actively traded on a national securities exchange or contract market are valued on the basis of information furnished by a pricing service, which provides the last reported sale price, or, in the case of futures contracts, the settlement price, for securities or derivatives listed on the exchange or contract market or the official closing price on the NASDAQ National Market System ("NASDAQ System"), or in the case of OTC securities for which an official closing price is unavailable or not reported on the NASDAQ System, the last reported bid price. Portfolio securities traded on more than one national securities exchange are valued at the last price at the close of the exchange representing the principal market for such securities. Debt securities are valued on the basis of valuations furnished by a pricing service, which generally determines valuations taking into account factors such as institutional-size trading in similar securities, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, and other market data. Shares of other open-end mutual funds are valued at their closing NAVs as reported on each business day.

Investments for which market quotations are readily available are marked to market daily based on those quotations. Market quotations may be provided by third-party vendors or market makers, and may be determined on the basis of a variety of factors, such as broker quotations, financial modeling, and other market data, such as market indexes and yield curves, counterparty information, and foreign exchange rates. U.S. Government and agency securities may be valued on the basis of market quotations or using a model that may incorporate market observable data such as reported sales of similar

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securities, broker quotes, yields, bids, offers, quoted market prices, and reference data. The fair values of OTC derivative contracts, including forward, swap, and option contracts related to interest rates, foreign currencies, credit standing of reference entities, equity prices, or commodity prices, may be based on market quotations or may be modeled using a series of techniques, including simulation models, depending on the contract and the terms of the transaction. The fair values of asset-backed securities and mortgage-backed securities are estimated based on models that consider the estimated cash flows of each debt tranche of the issuer, established benchmark yield, and estimated tranche-specific spread to the benchmark yield based on the unique attributes of the tranche including, but not limited to, prepayment speed assumptions and attributes of the collateral.

The Board has designated MML Advisers as the Funds' "valuation designee," responsible for determining the fair value, in good faith, of securities and other instruments held by the Funds for which market quotations are not readily available or for which such market quotations or values are considered by MML Advisers or a subadviser to be unreliable (including, for example, certain foreign securities, thinly-traded securities, certain restricted securities, certain initial public offerings, or securities whose values may have been affected by a significant event). It is possible that a significant amount of a Fund's assets will be subject to fair valuation in accordance with MML Advisers' fair valuation policy and procedures. The fair value determined for an investment by MML Advisers may differ from recent market prices for the investment and may be significantly different from the value realized upon the sale of such investment.

The Funds may invest in securities that are traded principally in foreign markets and that trade on weekends and other days when the Funds do not price their shares. As a result, the values of the Funds' portfolio securities may change on days when the prices of the Funds' shares are not calculated. The prices of the Funds' shares will reflect any such changes when the prices of the Funds' shares are next calculated, which is the next business day. The Funds may use fair value pricing more frequently for securities primarily traded in foreign markets because, among other things, most foreign markets close well before the Funds value their securities. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim. The Funds' investments may be priced based on fair values provided by a third-party vendor, based on certain factors and methodologies applied by such vendor, in the event that there is movement in the U.S. market, between the close of the foreign market and the time the Funds calculate their NAVs.

The prices of foreign securities are quoted in foreign currencies. All assets and liabilities expressed in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars at the mean between the buying and selling rates of such currencies against the U.S. dollar at the end of each business day. Changes in the exchange rate, therefore, if applicable, will affect the NAV of shares of a Fund even when there has been no change in the values of the foreign securities measured in terms of the currency in which they are denominated.

The proceeds received by each Fund for each issue or sale of its shares, all net investment income, and realized and unrealized gain will be specifically allocated to such Fund and constitute the underlying assets of that Fund. The underlying assets of each Fund will be segregated on the Trust's books of account, and will be charged with the liabilities in respect of such Fund and with a share of the general liabilities of the Trust. Expenses with respect to any two or more Funds are to be allocated in proportion to the NAVs of the respective Funds except where allocations of direct expenses can otherwise be fairly made. Each class of shares of a Fund will be charged with liabilities directly attributable to such class, and other Fund expenses will be allocated in proportion to the NAVs of the respective classes.

#### TAXATION

#### Taxation of the Funds: In General
Each Fund has elected and intends to qualify each year to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, a Fund must, among other things:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (a) <br>

derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (i) <br>

dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities, or foreign currencies, and other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures, or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (ii) <br>

net income derived from interests in "qualified publicly traded partnerships" (as defined below);

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (b) <br>

distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (generally taxable ordinary income and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and its net tax-exempt income, if any, for such year in a manner qualifying for the dividends-paid deduction; and

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (c) <br>

diversify its holdings so that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (i) <br>

at least 50% of the value of its total assets consists of cash, cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities limited generally with respect to any one issuer to not more than 5% of the total assets of the Fund and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (ii) <br>

not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested, including through corporations in which the Fund owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, (x) in the securities of any one issuer or two or more issuers which the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses (other than U.S. Government securities), or (y) in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (as defined below).

For purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described in (a) above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be qualifying income if realized directly by the regulated investment company. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a "qualified publicly traded partnership" will be treated as qualifying income. A "qualified publicly traded partnership" is a partnership (x) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, and (y) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in paragraph (a)(i) above. In general, such entities will be treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes because they meet the passive income requirement under Code section 7704(c)(2). Certain of a Fund's investments in MLPs and ETFs, if any, may qualify as interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships, as described further below. In addition, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to regulated investment companies, such rules do apply to a regulated investment company with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership.

For purposes of the diversification test in (c) above, the term "outstanding voting securities of such issuer" will include the equity securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership. Also for purposes of the diversification test in (c) above, the identification of the issuer (or, in some cases, issuers) of a particular Fund investment can depend on the terms and conditions of that investment. In some cases, identification of the issuer (or issuers) is uncertain under current law, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to identification of the issuer for a particular type of investment may adversely affect the Fund's ability to meet the diversification test in (c) above.

The 90% gross income requirement described in (a) above and the diversification test described in (c) above may limit the extent to which a Fund can engage in certain derivative transactions, as well as the extent to which it can invest in commodities, commodities-related investments, and MLPs.

In general, if a Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment, that Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income or gains distributed in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends (including capital gain dividends). As long as a Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company, the Fund under present law will not be subject to any excise or income taxes imposed by Massachusetts.

If a Fund were to fail to meet the income, diversification or distribution test described above, the Fund could in some cases cure such failure, including by paying a Fund-level tax, paying interest, making additional distributions, or disposing of certain assets. If a Fund were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such failure for any year, or if a Fund were otherwise to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company in any taxable year, that Fund would be subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates. In addition, all distributions from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Some portions of such distributions may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders or possibly to be treated as qualified dividend income to shareholders taxed as individuals. Finally, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a regulated investment company.

Each Fund intends to distribute at least annually to its shareholders all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income its net tax-exempt income (if any), and net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, in each case determined with reference to any loss carryforwards). Investment company taxable income or net capital gain that is retained by a Fund will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates. However, a Fund may designate any retained net capital gain amount as undistributed capital gains in a timely notice to its shareholders who (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit

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exceeds such liabilities. If a Fund makes this designation, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of a Fund will, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, be increased by an amount equal to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder's gross income under clause (i) of the preceding sentence and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence. A Fund is not required to, and there can be no assurance the Fund will, make this designation if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gain in a taxable year.

In determining its net capital gain, including in connection with determining the amount available to support a capital gain dividend, its taxable income, and its earnings and profits, a regulated investment company may elect to treat part or all of any post-October capital loss (defined as any net capital loss attributable to the portion of the taxable year after October 31 or, if there is no such loss, the net long-term capital loss or net short-term capital loss attributable to such portion of the taxable year) and certain late-year ordinary losses (generally, the sum of its (i) net ordinary losses from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property, attributable to the portion of the taxable year after October 31, and its (ii) other net ordinary losses attributable to the portion of the taxable year after December 31) as if incurred in the succeeding taxable year.

Capital losses in excess of capital gains ("net capital losses") are not permitted to be deducted against a Fund's net investment income. If a Fund has a net capital loss for any year, the amount thereof may be carried forward to offset capital gains in future years, thereby reducing the amount the Fund would otherwise be required to distribute in such future years to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded regulated investment companies and avoid a Fund-level tax. If a Fund incurs or has incurred net capital losses, those losses will be carried forward to one or more subsequent taxable years without expiration; any such carryforward losses will retain their character as short-term or long-term. See the most recent annual shareholder report for each Fund's capital loss carryforwards as of the end of its most recently ended fiscal year.

A nondeductible excise tax at the rate of 4% will be imposed on the excess, if any, of each Fund's "required distribution" over its actual distributions in any calendar year. The "required distribution" is 98% of the Fund's ordinary income for the calendar year plus 98.2% of its capital gain net income recognized during the one-year period ending on October 31 (or November 30 or December 31, if the Fund is permitted to elect and so elects) plus undistributed amounts from prior years. For these purposes, ordinary gains and losses from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property that would be properly taken into account after October 31 (or November 30, if the Fund makes the election referred to above) are treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year; in the case of a Fund with a December 31 year end, no such gains or losses will be so treated. Each Fund intends to make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so. Distributions declared by a Fund during October, November, or December to shareholders of record on a date in any such month and paid by the Fund during the following January will be treated for U.S. federal tax purposes as paid by the Fund and received by shareholders on December 31 of the year in which declared.

Under current law, a Fund may treat the portion of redemption proceeds paid to redeeming shareholders that represents the redeeming shareholders' portion of the undistributed investment company taxable income and net capital gain of the Fund as a distribution of investment company taxable income and net capital gain on the Fund's tax return. This practice, which involves the use of tax equalization, will have the effect of reducing the amount of income and gains that a Fund is required to distribute as dividends to shareholders in order for the Fund to avoid U.S. federal income tax and excise tax. This practice may also reduce the amount of the distributions required to be made to non-redeeming shareholders. The amount of any undistributed income will be reflected in the value of the shares of the Fund, and thus the total return on a shareholder's investment will not be reduced as a result of this practice.

#### Fund Distributions
Except in the case of certain shareholders eligible for preferential tax treatment, e.g., qualified retirement or pension trusts, shareholders of each Fund generally will be subject to U.S. federal income taxes on Fund distributions as described herein. Distributions are taxable whether shareholders receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares through a dividend reinvestment plan. A shareholder whose distributions are reinvested in shares will be treated as having received a dividend equal to the fair market value of the new shares issued to the shareholder.

Distributions are taxable to shareholders even if they are paid from income or gains earned by a Fund before a shareholder's investment (and thus were included in the price the shareholder paid for his or her shares), even though such dividends and distributions may economically represent a return of a particular shareholder's investment. Such distributions are likely to occur in respect of shares purchased at a time when a Fund's NAV reflects gains that are unrealized, or income or gains that are realized but not distributed. Such realized income or gains may be required to be distributed even when the Fund's NAV also reflects unrealized losses.

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Distributions by each Fund of investment income generally will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the Fund owned (or is deemed to have owned) the investments that generated them, rather than by how long a shareholder has owned (or is deemed to have owned) his or her shares. Distributions of gains from the sale of investments that the Fund owned for one year or less will be taxable as ordinary income. Properly reported distributions of long-term capital gains, if any, are taxable in the hands of an investor as long-term gain includible in net capital gain and taxed to individuals at reduced rates. Tax rules can alter a Fund's holding period in investments and thereby affect the tax treatment of gain or loss on such investments.

The IRS and the Department of the Treasury have issued regulations that impose special rules in respect of capital gain dividends received through partnership interests constituting "applicable partnership interests" under Section 1061 of the Code.

Distributions of investment income reported by a Fund as derived from "qualified dividend income" will be taxed in the hands of individuals at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided that both the shareholder and the Fund meet certain holding period and other requirements. In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Fund shareholder to be "qualified dividend income," the Fund must meet certain holding period and other requirements with respect to some portion of the dividend-paying stocks in its portfolio and the shareholder must meet certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the Fund's shares. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (1) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (2) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (3) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (4) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (b) treated as a passive foreign investment company.

In general, distributions of investment income reported by each Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income by a shareholder taxed as an individual, provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Fund's shares. If the aggregate qualified dividends received by a Fund during any taxable year are 95% or more of its gross income (excluding net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), then 100% of the Fund's dividends (other than dividends properly reported as capital gain dividends) will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income. In general, Funds investing primarily in fixed income investments do not expect a significant portion of their distributions to be derived from qualified dividend income.

Dividends of net investment income received by corporate shareholders of each Fund will qualify for the dividends-received deduction generally available to corporations to the extent those dividends are reported as being attributable to qualifying dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations for the taxable year. In general, a dividend received by a Fund will not be treated as a dividend eligible for the dividends-received deduction (1) if it has been received with respect to any share of stock that the Fund has held for less than 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) during the 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date in the case of certain preferred stock) or (2) to the extent that the Fund is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, the dividends-received deduction may otherwise be disallowed or reduced (1) if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to its shares of the Fund or (2) by application of various provisions of the Code (for instance, the dividends-received deduction is reduced in the case of a dividend received on debt-financed portfolio stock (generally, stock acquired with borrowed funds)). In general, Funds investing primarily in fixed income investments do not expect a significant portion of their distributions to qualify for the dividends-received deduction.

A portion of the interest paid or accrued on certain high yield discount obligations owned by a Fund may be treated as a dividend for purposes of the corporate dividends-received deduction. In such cases, if the issuer of the high yield discount obligations is a domestic corporation, dividend payments by a Fund may be eligible for the dividends received deduction to the extent of the deemed dividend portion of such accrued interest.

Any distribution of income that is attributable to (i) income received by a Fund in lieu of dividends with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction, or (ii) dividend income received by the Fund on securities it

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temporarily purchased from a counterparty pursuant to a repurchase agreement that is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a loan by the Fund, will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders. Distributions by a Fund to its shareholders that the Fund properly reports as "section 199A dividends," as defined and subject to certain conditions described below, are treated as qualified REIT dividends in the hands of non-corporate shareholders. Non-corporate shareholders are permitted a U.S. federal income tax deduction equal to 20% of qualified REIT dividends received by them, subject to certain limitations. Very generally, a "section 199A dividend" is any dividend or portion thereof that is attributable to certain dividends received by the regulated investment company from REITs, to the extent such dividends are properly reported as such by the regulated investment company in a written notice to its shareholders. A section 199A dividend is treated as a qualified REIT dividend only if the shareholder receiving such dividend holds the dividend-paying regulated investment company shares for at least 46 days of the 91-day period beginning 45 days before the shares become ex-dividend, and is not under an obligation to make related payments with respect to a position in substantially similar or related property. A Fund is permitted to report such part of its dividends as section 199A dividends as are eligible, but is not required to do so.

The Code generally imposes a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on the net investment income of certain individuals, trusts, and estates to the extent their income exceeds certain threshold amounts. For these purposes, "net investment income" generally includes, among other things, (i) distributions paid by a Fund of net investment income and capital gains as described above, and (ii) any net gain from the sale, redemption, exchange, or other taxable disposition of Fund shares. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisers regarding the possible implications of this additional tax on their investment in the Fund.

If a Fund makes a distribution to a shareholder in excess of its current and accumulated "earnings and profits" in and with respect to any taxable year, the excess distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of the shareholder's tax basis in his or her shares, and thereafter as capital gain. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholder's tax basis in his or her shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on the shareholder's subsequent taxable disposition of his or her shares.

#### Sales, Redemptions, and Exchanges
Sales, redemptions, and exchanges of each Fund's shares are taxable events and, accordingly, shareholders subject to U.S. federal income taxes may realize gains and losses on these transactions. If shares have been held for more than one year, gain or loss realized generally will be long-term capital gain or loss, provided the shareholder holds the shares as a capital asset. Otherwise, the gain or loss on a taxable disposition of Fund shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, a loss on a sale of Fund shares held by a shareholder for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain dividend paid to the shareholder with respect to such shares. Further, no loss will be allowed on a sale of Fund shares to the extent the shareholder acquires identical shares of the same Fund within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. In the case of individuals holding shares in a Fund directly, upon the sale, redemption or exchange of Fund shares, the Fund or, in the case of shares purchased through a financial intermediary, the financial intermediary may be required to provide the shareholder and the IRS with cost basis and certain other related tax information about the Fund shares sold, redeemed, or exchanged. See the Funds' Prospectus for more information.

Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to Fund shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer's treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

#### Certain Investments in Debt Obligations
Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance (and all zero-coupon debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that are acquired by a Fund will be treated as being issued with original issue discount ("OID"). Generally, the amount of the OID is treated as interest income and is included in taxable income (and required to be distributed) over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. Payment-in-kind securities will also give rise to income which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though a Fund holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.

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Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance that are acquired by a Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having "market discount." Very generally, market discount is the excess of the stated redemption price of a debt obligation (or in the case of an obligation issued with OID, its "revised issue price") over the purchase price of such obligation. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the "accrued market discount" on such debt security. Alternatively, the Fund may elect to accrue market discount currently, in which case the Fund will be required to include the accrued market discount in the Fund's income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. The rate at which the market discount accrues, and thus is included in the Fund's income, will depend in part upon which of the permitted accrual methods the Fund elects.

Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance that are acquired by a Fund may be treated as having OID, or acquisition discount (very generally, the excess of the stated redemption price over the purchase price) in the case of certain types of debt obligations. Generally, the Fund will be required to include the OID, or acquisition discount, as ordinary income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. A Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt obligations having acquisition discount, or OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income by the Fund.

As indicated above, a Fund that invests in certain debt instruments may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary. The Fund may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event a Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution than they would in the absence of such transactions.

Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for a Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when a Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID, or market discount; whether and to what extent a Fund should recognize market discount on such a debt obligation; when and to what extent a Fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities; and how a Fund should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and interest. These and other related issues will be addressed by each Fund when, and if, it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

#### Derivative Transactions
If a Fund engages in derivative transactions, including transactions in options, futures contracts, forward contracts, swap agreements, foreign currencies, and straddles, or other similar transactions, including for hedging purposes, it will be subject to special tax rules (including constructive sale, mark-to-market, straddle, wash sale, and short sale rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund's securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains, or convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing, and character of distributions to shareholders.

A Fund's transactions in foreign currency-denominated debt instruments and certain of its derivative activities may produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If a Fund's book income exceeds its taxable income, the distribution (if any) of such excess generally will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund's remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient's basis in its shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. If a Fund's book income is less than taxable income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company and to eliminate fund-level income tax.

#### Investments in Regulated Investment Companies and Other Investment Funds
To the extent a Fund invests its assets in shares of ETFs or other investment companies that are regulated investment companies ("underlying funds"), its distributable income and gains will normally consist of distributions from such underlying funds and gains and losses on the disposition of shares of such underlying funds. To the extent that such an underlying fund realizes net losses on its investments for a given taxable year, the Fund will not be able to recognize its share of those losses to offset capital gains the Fund realized from other sources until and only to the extent that it disposes

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of shares of the underlying fund in a transaction qualifying for sale or exchange treatment (although such losses of an underlying fund may reduce distributions to the Fund from that underlying fund in future taxable years). Moreover, even when a Fund does make a disposition of shares of an underlying fund, a portion of its loss may be recognized as a long-term capital loss, which the Fund will not be able to offset against its ordinary income (including distributions of any net short-term capital gains realized by the underlying fund).

As a result of the foregoing rules, and certain other special rules, the amounts of net investment income and net capital gains that a Fund will be required to distribute to shareholders may be greater than such amounts would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the underlying funds. For similar reasons, the character of distributions from the Fund will not necessarily be the same as it would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the underlying funds. Investing through underlying funds can therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders, and may increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders.

If at the close of each quarter of a Fund's taxable year, at least 50% of its total assets consists of interests in other regulated investment companies, the Fund will be a "qualified fund of funds." In that case, the Fund is permitted to elect to pass through to its shareholders foreign income and other similar taxes paid by the Fund in respect of foreign securities held directly by the Fund or by a regulated investment company in which its invests that itself elected to pass such taxes through to its shareholders, so that shareholders of the Fund will be eligible to claim a tax credit or deduction for such taxes. However, even if a Fund qualifies to make such election for any year, it may determine not to do so. See "Foreign Taxes and Investments" below.

To the extent a Fund invests in commodity-related ETFs that qualify as qualified publicly traded partnerships, the net income derived from such ETFs will constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 90% gross income test (as noted above). If such an ETF were to fail to qualify as a qualified publicly traded partnership, a portion of the gross income derived from that ETF could constitute nonqualifying income to the Fund for purposes of the 90% gross income test.

The foregoing is only a general description of certain U.S. federal tax consequences of investing in ETFs and other underlying funds.

#### Funds with Multiple Subadvisers
Certain of the Funds employ a multi-manager approach in which the Fund's investment adviser and one or more subadvisers each provide day-to-day portfolio management for a portion (or "sleeve") of the Fund's assets. Due to this multi-manager approach, certain of these Funds' investments may be more likely to be subject to one or more special tax rules (including, but not limited to, wash sale, constructive sale, short sale, and straddle rules) that may affect the timing, character, and/or amount of a Fund's distributions to shareholders.

#### Foreign Taxes and Investments
Income proceeds and gains received by a Fund from sources outside the United States might be subject to foreign taxes that are withheld at the source or other foreign taxes. The effective rate of these foreign taxes cannot be determined in advance because it depends on the specific countries in which a Fund's assets will be invested, the amount of the assets invested in each such country and the possibility of treaty relief.

If more than 50% of a Fund's assets at taxable year end consists of the securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may be eligible to make an election under Section 853 of the Code so that any of its shareholders subject to federal income taxes will be able to claim a credit or deduction on their income tax returns for, and will be required to treat as part of the amounts distributed to them, their pro rata portion of qualified taxes paid by the Fund to foreign countries. If such an election is made, the ability of shareholders of the Fund to claim a foreign tax credit will be subject to limitations imposed by the Code, which in general limits the amount of foreign tax that may be used to reduce a shareholder's U.S. tax liability to that amount of U.S. tax which would be imposed on the amount and type of income in respect of which the foreign tax was paid. In addition, the ability of shareholders to claim a foreign tax credit is subject to a holding period requirement. A shareholder who for U.S. income tax purposes claims a foreign tax credit in respect of Fund distributions may not claim a deduction for foreign taxes paid by the Fund, regardless of whether the shareholder itemizes deductions. Also, no deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by shareholders who do not itemize deductions on their federal income tax returns. It should also be noted that a tax-exempt shareholder, like other shareholders, will be required to treat as part of the amounts distributed to it a pro rata portion of the income taxes paid by the Fund to foreign countries. However, that income will generally be exempt from U.S. taxation by virtue of such shareholder's tax-exempt status and such a shareholder will not be entitled to either a tax credit or a deduction with respect to such income. A Fund that makes the election referred to above will notify its shareholders each year of the amount of dividends and distributions and the shareholders' pro rata shares of qualified taxes paid by the Fund to foreign countries.

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A Fund may invest in one or more "passive foreign investment companies" ("PFICs"). A PFIC is generally any foreign corporation: (i) 75% or more of the income of which for a taxable year in the Fund's holding period is passive income, or (ii) the average percentage of the assets of which (generally by value, but by adjusted tax basis in certain cases) that produce or are held for the production of passive income is at least 50%. Generally, passive income for this purpose means dividends, interest (including income equivalent to interest), royalties, rents, annuities, the excess of gain over losses from certain property transactions and commodities transactions, and foreign currency gains.

Investment by a Fund in PFICs could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax or other charge on distributions received from PFICs or on the proceeds from the sale of its investments in the PFICs. This tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. However, a Fund may be able to make an election that would avoid the imposition of that tax. For example, a Fund may in certain cases elect to treat a PFIC as a "qualified electing fund" (a "QEF election"), in which case the Fund will be required to include in its income its share of the company's income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the company. A Fund also may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in a PFIC "to the market" as though it had sold and repurchased its holdings in the PFIC on the last day of the Fund's taxable year. Such gains and losses are generally treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income by the Fund (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed by a Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require a Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect a Fund's total return. Dividends paid by PFICs will not be eligible to be treated as "qualified dividend income." Because it is not always possible to identify a foreign corporation as a PFIC, a Fund may incur the tax and other charges described above in some instances.

Finally, a Fund's transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt obligations, and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts, and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. Such ordinary income treatment may increase the distributions taxed to shareholders as ordinary income. Any net ordinary losses resulting from such transactions cannot be carried forward by a Fund to offset income or gains earned in subsequent taxable years.

#### Certain Investments in Real Estate Investment Trusts
If a Fund invests in equity securities of REITs, such investments may result in the fund's receipt of cash in excess of the REIT's earnings. If a Fund distributes such amounts, such distribution could constitute a return of capital to the Fund's shareholders for federal income tax purposes. Dividends received by a Fund from a REIT will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction and generally will not constitute qualified dividend income.

#### Certain Investments in Mortgage-Related Securities
A Fund may invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits ("REMICs") (including by investing in residual interests in CMOs with respect to which an election to be treated as a REMIC is in effect) or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools ("TMPs"). Under a notice issued by the IRS and Treasury regulations that have not yet been issued, but may apply retroactively, a portion of a Fund's income that is attributable to a REIT's residual interest in a REMIC or an equity interest in a TMP (referred to in the Code as an "excess inclusion") will be subject to federal income tax in all events. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a regulated investment company, such as the Funds, will be allocated to shareholders of the regulated investment company in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related REMIC or TMP interest directly.

In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income ("UBTI") to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan, or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, and (iii) in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. A shareholder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such inclusions notwithstanding any exemption from such income tax otherwise available under the Code.

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#### Unrelated Business Taxable Income
Income of a regulated investment company that would be UBTI if earned directly by a tax-exempt entity generally will not constitute UBTI when distributed to a tax-exempt shareholder of the regulated investment company. Notwithstanding this "blocking" effect, a tax-exempt shareholder of a Fund could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in a Fund if shares in that Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Section 514(b) of the Code. A tax-exempt shareholder may also recognize UBTI if a Fund recognizes "excess inclusion income" derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs as described above, if the amount of such income recognized by a Fund exceeds the Fund's investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Fund).

Special tax consequences also apply to charitable remainder trusts ("CRTs") that invest in regulated investment companies that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Under legislation enacted in December 2006, a CRT, as defined in Section 664 of the Code, that realizes UBTI for a taxable year must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI solely as a result of investing in a Fund that recognizes "excess inclusion income" (which is described earlier). Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders (such as the United States, a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in a Fund that recognizes "excess inclusion income," then such Fund will be subject to a tax on that portion of its "excess inclusion income" for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which the IRS guidance in respect of CRTs remains applicable in light of the December 2006 CRT legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the Funds may elect to allocate any such tax specially to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholder's distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholder's interest in the Funds. CRTs and other tax-exempt investors are urged to consult their tax advisers concerning the consequences of investing in the Funds.

#### Investments in MLPs
Some amounts received by a Fund from its investments in MLPs will likely be treated as returns of capital because of accelerated deductions available with respect to the activities of MLPs. On the disposition of an investment in such an MLP, the Fund will likely realize taxable income in excess of economic gain from that asset (or, in later periods, if a Fund does not dispose of the MLP, the Fund will likely realize taxable income in excess of cash flow received by the Fund from the MLP), and the Fund must take such income into account in determining whether the Fund has satisfied its regulated investment company distribution requirements. The Fund may have to borrow or liquidate securities to satisfy its distribution requirements and meet its redemption requests, even though investment considerations might otherwise make it undesirable for the Fund to borrow money or sell securities at the time. In addition, distributions attributable to gain from the sale of MLPs that are characterized as ordinary income under the Code's recapture provisions will be taxable to Fund shareholders, when distributed to them, as ordinary income.

As noted above, certain of the MLPs in which a Fund may invest qualify as qualified publicly traded partnerships. In such cases, the net income derived from such investments will constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described earlier for qualification as a regulated investment company. If, however, such a vehicle were to fail to qualify as a qualified publicly traded partnership in a particular year, a portion of the gross income derived from it in such year could constitute non-qualifying income to a Fund for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement and thus could adversely affect the Fund's ability to qualify as a regulated investment company for a particular year. In addition, as described above, the diversification requirement for regulated investment company qualification will limit a Fund's investments in one or more vehicles that are qualified publicly traded partnerships to 25% of the Fund's total assets as of the end of each quarter of the Fund's taxable year.

Subject to any future regulatory guidance to the contrary, distributions attributable to qualified publicly traded partnership income from a Fund's investments in MLPs will ostensibly not qualify for the deduction available to non-corporate taxpayers in respect of such amounts received directly from an MLP.

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#### Backup Withholding
Each Fund generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable dividends and other distributions paid to and proceeds of share sales, exchanges, or redemptions made by any individual shareholder who fails to furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number (TIN), who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to the Fund that he or she is not subject to such withholding.

#### Non U.S. Shareholders
Distributions by a Fund to shareholders that are not "U.S. persons" within the meaning of the Code ("foreign shareholders") properly reported by the Fund as (1) capital gain dividends, (2) short-term capital gain dividends, and (3) interest-related dividends, each as defined and subject to certain conditions described below, generally are not subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax.

In general, the Code defines (1) "short-term capital gain dividends" as distributions of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses and (2) "interest-related dividends" as distributions from U.S. source interest income of types similar to those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign shareholder, in each case to the extent such distributions are properly reported as such by a Fund in a written notice to shareholders.

The exceptions to withholding for short-term capital gain dividends and capital gain dividends do not apply to (A) distributions to an individual foreign shareholder who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution and (B) distributions attributable to gain that is treated as effectively connected with the conduct by the foreign shareholder of a trade or business within the United States under special rules regarding the disposition of U.S. real property interests.

The exception to withholding for "interest-related dividends" does not apply to distributions to a foreign shareholder (A) that has not provided a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (B) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign shareholder is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (C) that is within certain foreign countries that have inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (D) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the foreign shareholder and the foreign shareholder is a controlled foreign corporation.

If a Fund invests in a regulated investment company that pays capital gain dividends, short-term capital gain dividends, or interest-related dividends to the Fund, such distributions retain their character as not subject to withholding if properly reported when paid by the Fund to foreign shareholders.

A Fund is permitted to report such part of its dividends as interest-related and/or short-term capital gain dividends as are eligible, but is not required to do so. In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if a Fund reports all or a portion of a payment as an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend to shareholders. Foreign shareholders should contact their intermediaries regarding the application of these rules to their accounts.

Distributions by a Fund to foreign shareholders other than capital gain dividends, short-term capital gain dividends, and interest-related dividends (e.g., dividends attributable to dividend and foreign-source interest income or to short-term capital gains or U.S. source interest income to which the exception from withholding described above does not apply) are generally subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate).

Under U.S. federal income tax law, a beneficial holder of shares who or which is a foreign person is not, in general, subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of a Fund unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by such holder within the United States, (ii) in the case of an individual holder, the holder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating one hundred eighty-three (183) days or more during the year of the sale and certain other conditions are met, or (iii) the special rules relating to gain attributable to the sale or exchange of "U.S. real property interests" ("USRPIs") apply to the foreign shareholder's sale of shares of the Fund (as described below).

Beneficial holders that are foreign persons with respect to whom income from a Fund is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the foreign shareholder within the United States will in general be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the income derived from the Fund at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents, or domestic corporations, whether such income is received in cash or reinvested in shares of the Fund and, in the case of a foreign corporation, may also be subject to a branch profits tax. If a foreign shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also

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attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the shareholder in the United States. More generally, foreign shareholders who are residents in a country with an income tax treaty with the United States may obtain different tax results than those described herein, and are urged to consult their tax advisers.

Special rules would apply if a Fund were a qualified investment entity ("QIE") because it is either a "U.S. real property holding corporation" ("USRPHC") or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of certain exceptions to the definition of USRPIs described below. Very generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds USRPIs the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporation's USRPIs, interests in real property located outside the United States, and other trade or business assets. USRPIs generally are defined as any interest in U.S. real property and any interest (other than solely as a creditor) in a USRPHC or, very generally, an entity that has been a USRPHC in the last five years. A Fund that holds, directly or indirectly, significant interests in REITs may be a USRPHC. Interests in domestically controlled QIEs, including REITs and regulated investment companies that are QIEs, not-greater-than-10% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in REITs and not-greater-than-5% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in regulated investment companies generally are not USRPIs, but these exceptions do not apply for purposes of determining whether a Fund is a QIE.

If an interest in a Fund were a USRPI, the Fund would be required to withhold U.S. tax on the proceeds of a share redemption by a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder, in which case such foreign shareholder generally would also be required to file U.S. tax returns and pay any additional taxes due in connection with the redemption.

If a Fund were a QIE, under a special "look-through" rule, any distributions by the Fund to a foreign shareholder (including, in certain cases, distributions made by the Fund in redemption of its shares) attributable directly or indirectly to (i) distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier regulated investment company or REIT that the Fund is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands and (ii) gains realized on the disposition of USRPIs by the Fund would retain their character as gains realized from USRPIs in the hands of the Fund's foreign shareholders and would be subject to U.S. tax withholding. In addition, such distributions could result in the foreign shareholder being required to file a U.S. tax return and pay tax on the distributions at regular U.S. federal income tax rates. The consequences to a foreign shareholder, including the rate of such withholding and character of such distributions (e.g., as ordinary income or USRPI gain), would vary depending upon the extent of the foreign shareholder's current and past ownership of the Fund.

Foreign shareholders of a Fund also may be subject to "wash sale" rules to prevent the avoidance of the tax-filing and payment obligations discussed above through the sale and repurchase of Fund shares.

Beneficial holders that are foreign persons should consult their tax advisers and, if holding shares through intermediaries, their intermediaries, concerning the application of these rules to their investment in the Funds.

#### Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements
Sections 1471-1474 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury and IRS guidance issued thereunder (collectively, "FATCA") generally require a Fund to obtain information sufficient to identify the status of each of its shareholders under FATCA or under an applicable intergovernmental agreement (an "IGA") between the United States and a foreign government. If a shareholder fails to provide the requested information or otherwise fails to comply with FATCA or an IGA, the Fund may be required to withhold under FATCA at a rate of 30% with respect to that shareholder on ordinary dividends it pays. The IRS and the Department of Treasury have issued proposed regulations providing that these withholding rules will not apply to the gross proceeds of share redemptions or capital gain dividends a Fund pays. If a payment by a Fund is subject to FATCA withholding, the Fund is required to withhold even if such payment would otherwise be exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to foreign shareholders described above (e.g., short-term capital gain dividends and interest-related dividends).

Each prospective investor is urged to consult its tax adviser regarding the applicability of FATCA and any other reporting requirements with respect to the prospective investor's own situation, including investments through an intermediary.

#### General Considerations
Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans or tax-advantaged arrangements. Shareholders should consult their tax adviser to determine the suitability of shares of a Fund as an investment through such plans and arrangements and the precise effect of an investment on their particular tax situation.

The foregoing discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of investment in the Funds is a general and abbreviated summary based on the applicable provisions of the Code, U.S. Treasury regulations, and other applicable

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authority currently in effect. For the complete provisions, reference should be made to the pertinent Code sections and regulations. The Code and regulations are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion of the federal income tax treatment of the Funds and their shareholders does not describe in any respect the tax treatment of any particular arrangement, e.g., tax-exempt trusts or insurance products, pursuant to which or by which investments in the Funds may be made. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers as to their own tax situation, including possible foreign, state, and local taxes.

#### EXPERTS
Ropes & Gray LLP, The Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-3600 serves as counsel to the Trust.

The financial statements of the Funds incorporated herein by reference from the Trust's [Annual Reports as of September 30, 2022](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/916053/000139834422024037/fp0079598-2_ncsr.htm) have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its reports which are also incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of Deloitte & Touche LLP given on the authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing. Copies of the Trust's Annual Reports as of September 30, 2022 are available, without charge, upon request by calling 1-888-309-3539.

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#### APPENDIX A—DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS
Although the ratings of fixed income securities by S&P, Moody's, and Fitch are a generally accepted measurement of credit risk, they are subject to certain limitations. For example, ratings are based primarily upon historical events and do not necessarily reflect the future. Furthermore, there is a period of time between the issuance of a rating and the update of the rating, during which time a published rating may be inaccurate.

The descriptions of the S&P, Moody's, and Fitch's commercial paper and bond ratings are set forth below.

#### Commercial Paper Ratings:
S&P commercial paper ratings are graded into four categories, ranging from A for the highest quality obligations to D for the lowest. Issues assigned the highest rating of A are regarded as having the greatest capacity for timely payment. Issues in this category are further refined with the designations 1, 2, and 3 to indicate the relative degree of safety. The A-1 and A-2 categories are described as follows:

**A-1**—This designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics will be noted with a plus (+) sign designation.

**A-2**—Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated A-1.

Moody's employs three designations, all judged to be investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers. The two highest designations are as follows:

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 (or P-1) have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1 (or P-1) repayment ability will normally be evidenced by many of the following characteristics:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Leading market positions in well-established industries.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • High rates of return on funds employed.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 (or P-2) have a strong ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

Fitch's Short-Term Credit Ratings are graded into six categories, ranging from 'F-1' for the highest quality obligations to 'D' for the lowest. The F-1 and F-2 categories are described as follows:

**F-1**—Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added "+" to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

**F-2**—A satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

#### Bond Ratings:

#### S&P describes its four highest ratings for corporate debt as follows:
**AAA**—Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.

**AA**—Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs from the higher rated issues only in a small degree.

**A**—Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.

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**BBB**—Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas such debt normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category than in higher rated categories.

The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

#### Moody's describes its four highest corporate bond ratings as follows:
**Aaa**—Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt-edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

**Aa**—Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group they compose what are generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.

**A**—Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and may be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment in the future.

**Baa**—Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.

Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa in its corporate bond rating system. The modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.

#### Fitch describes its four highest long-term credit ratings as follows:
**AAA**—"AAA" ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

**AA**—"AA" ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

**A**—"A" ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

**BBB**—"BBB" ratings indicate that there is currently a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and in economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.

A "+" or "–" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the "AAA" category or to categories below "CCC."

#### S&P describes its below investment grade ratings for corporate debt as follows:
**BB, B, CCC, CC, C**—Debt rated "BB," "B," "CCC," "CC," and "C" is regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation, "BB" indicates the lowest degree of speculation, and "C" the highest degree of speculation. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.

**BB**—Debt rated "BB" has less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to

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inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The "BB" rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied "BBB–" rating.

**B**—Debt rated "B" has a greater vulnerability to default but currently has the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The "B" rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied "BB" or "BB–" rating.

**CCC**—Debt rated "CCC" has a currently identifiable vulnerability to default, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The "CCC" rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied "B" or "B–" rating.

**CC**—The rating "CC" is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied "CCC" rating.

**C**—The rating "C" is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which is assigned an actual or implied "CCC–" debt rating. The "C" rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but debt service payments are continued.

**D**—Debt rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is used when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The "D" rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are jeopardized.

#### Moody's describes its below investment grade corporate bond ratings as follows:
**Ba**—Bonds which are rated **Ba** are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during other good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.

**B**—Bonds which are rated **B** generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

**Caa**—Bonds which are rated **Caa** are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.

**Ca**—Bonds which are rated **Ca** represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

**C**—Bonds which are rated **C** are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.

#### Fitch describes its below investment grade long-term credit ratings as follows:
**BB**—"BB" ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.

**B**—"B" ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

**CCC, CC, C**—Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments. A "CC" rating indicates that default of some kind appears probable. "C" ratings signal imminent default.

**DDD, DD, D**—The ratings of obligations in this category are based on their prospects for achieving partial or full recovery in a reorganization or liquidation of the obligor. While expected recovery values are highly speculative and cannot be estimated with any precision, the following serve as general guidelines. "DDD" obligations have the highest potential for recovery, around 90%-100% of outstanding amounts and accrued interest. "DD" indicates potential recoveries in the range of 50%-90% and "D" the lowest recovery potential, i.e., below 50%.

Entities rated in this category have defaulted on some or all of their obligations. Entities rated "DDD" have the highest prospect for resumption of performance or continued operation with or without a formal reorganization process.

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Entities rated "DD" and "D" are generally undergoing a formal reorganization or liquidation process; those rated "DD" are likely to satisfy a higher portion of their outstanding obligations, while entities rated "D" have a poor prospect of repaying all obligations.

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#### APPENDIX B—PROXY VOTING POLICIES
The following represents the proxy voting policies (the "Policies") of the MassMutual Select Funds (the "Funds") with respect to the voting of proxies on behalf of each series of the Funds (the "Series"). It is the policy of the Funds and MML Investment Advisers, LLC (the "Adviser"), as investment manager to the Series, to delegate (with certain exceptions) voting responsibilities and duties with respect to all proxies to the subadvisers (the "Subadvisers") of the Series. All references to votes by proxy in this policy shall be interpreted to include both votes by proxy and votes and consents that do not involve proxies. The Adviser will vote proxies on behalf of any Fund of Funds or Feeder Funds for which it serves as investment adviser, as well as for any special situations where the Adviser is in the best position to vote the proxy ("Special Situations").

I. <u>GENERAL PRINCIPLES</u> 

In voting proxies, the Adviser and Subadvisers will be guided by general fiduciary principles and their respective written proxy voting policies. The Adviser and Subadvisers will act prudently and solely in the best interest of the beneficial owners of the accounts they respectively manage, and for the exclusive purpose of providing benefit to such persons.

II. <u>SUBADVISERS TO WHICH THE FUNDS AND ADVISER HAVE DELEGATED PROXY VOTING RESPONSIBILITIES</u>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1. The Subadvisers each have the duty to provide a copy of their written proxy voting policies to the Adviser and Funds annually. The Subadvisers' written proxy voting policies will maintain procedures that address potential conflicts of interest.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2. The Subadvisers will each maintain a record of all proxy votes exercised on behalf of each series of the Funds for which they act as subadviser and will furnish such records to the Adviser and Funds annually.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3. The Subadvisers will report proxy votes that deviated from their normal proxy voting policies and any exceptions to their proxy voting policies to the Adviser quarterly.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4. The Subadvisers will provide the Adviser and Funds with all such information and documents relating to the Subadvisers' proxy voting in a timely manner, as necessary for the Adviser and Funds to comply with applicable laws and regulations.

III. <u>THE FUNDS AND ADVISER</u>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1. The Chief Compliance Officer of the Funds will annually update the Trustees after a review of proxy voting records.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2. The Trustees of the Funds will not vote proxies on behalf of the Funds or any Series.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3. The Adviser will not vote proxies on behalf of the Funds or any Series, except that the Adviser will vote proxies on behalf of any Fund of Funds or Feeder Fund for which it serves as investment adviser or in Special Situations.

Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available, without charge, upon request, on the MassMutual website at https://www.massmutual.com/funds and on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov.

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#### MML INVESTMENT ADVISERS, LLC
**As Investment Adviser to the MassMutual Select Funds, MassMutual Premier Funds, <br>MassMutual Advantage Funds, MML Series Investment Fund, and MML Series Investment Fund II<br>(November 4, 2022)** 

#### General Overview

#### Policy
It is the policy of MML Investment Advisers, LLC ("MML Investment Advisers" or the "Company") to fulfill its responsibilities under Rule 206(4)-6 (the "Rule") under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers Act"), by delegating to subadvisers for each series of the MassMutual Select Funds, MassMutual Premier Funds, MassMutual Advantage Funds, MML Series Investment Fund, and MML Series Investment Fund II (each, a "Trust") proxy voting related to the securities in each subadviser's respective portfolio, with the following exceptions: (i) each series of a Trust operating as a "fund of funds" where MML Investment Advisers has not delegated proxy voting responsibility to a subadviser (each a "Fund of Funds" and, collectively, the "Funds of Funds"); (ii) each series of the Trusts operating as a "feeder fund" (each, a "Feeder Fund") to a "master fund" ("Master Fund"); and (iii) in certain other special situations ("Special Situations"). For these exceptions, MML Investment Advisers will act on behalf of the Trusts to vote proxies (including Information Statements) ("Proxies"), as described below.

#### Background
MML Investment Advisers currently serves as investment adviser to each of the Trusts, including those series that are Funds of Funds and Feeder Funds. The Funds of Funds may invest in other series of the Trusts, funds advised by affiliates of MML Investment Advisers, and/or funds or exchange-traded funds advised by an unaffiliated investment adviser.

MML Investment Advisers will vote Proxies of the underlying funds held by the Funds of Funds, of the related Master Fund for a Feeder Fund, and in certain other Special Situations in accordance with the following procedure.

#### Procedure
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1. When a Fund of Funds holds shares of an underlying fund advised by MML Investment Advisers, MML Investment Advisers will generally vote in favor of proposals recommended by the underlying fund's Board of Trustees and by a majority of the Trustees of the underlying fund who are not interested persons of the underlying fund or of MML Investment Advisers. However, MML Investment Advisers may alternatively, in its discretion, (i) seek instruction from the Fund of Fund's Board of Trustees (or any member or committee thereof (provided that such member, or each member of such committee, as the case may be, is not an interested person of the underlying fund or of MML Investment Advisers) delegated authority to provide such instructions to MML Investment Advisers and vote in accordance with such instructions, or (ii) vote in accordance with the recommendation of an independent proxy advisor or consultant retained by MML Investment Advisers to provide a recommendation, on the basis solely of the best interest of the Fund of Funds and its shareholders, as to the matter; provided, however, that prior to taking the action described in clause (ii) above, MML Investment Advisers is required to seek and obtain the prior approval of its Board of Directors. When a quorum is present at any meeting, a majority of the Board members present may take any action. If it is not possible to obtain a quorum of such Board, any action may be taken without a meeting if all Board members consent to the action in writing and such written consents are filed with the records of the meetings of the Board.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2. When a Fund of Funds holds shares of an underlying fund advised by a control affiliate of MML Investment Advisers, MML Investment Advisers will generally vote the shares held by the Fund of Funds in the same proportions (for, against, abstain) as the votes of all other shareholders (other than MML Investment Advisers or a control affiliate of MML Investment Advisers) of such underlying fund. However, MML Investment Advisers may alternatively, in its discretion, (i) seek instruction from the Fund of Funds' Board of Trustees (or any member or committee thereof (provided that such member, or each member of such committee, as the case may be, is not an interested person of the underlying fund or of MML Investment Advisers) delegated authority to provide such instructions to MML Investment Advisers) and vote in accordance with such instructions, or (ii) vote in accordance with the recommendation of an independent proxy advisor or consultant retained by MML Investment Advisers to provide a recommendation, on the basis solely of the best interest of the Fund of Funds and its shareholders, as to the matter; provided, however, that prior to taking the action described in clause (ii) above, MML Investment Advisers is required to seek and obtain the prior approval of its Board of Directors. When a quorum is present at any meeting, a majority of the Board members present may take any action. If it is not possible to obtain a quorum of such Board, any action may be taken without a meeting if all Board members consent to the action in writing and such written consents are filed with the records of the meetings of the Board.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3. When a Fund of Funds holds shares of an underlying fund not advised by MML Investment Advisers or a control affiliate of MML Investment Advisers, MML Investment Advisers will generally vote the shares held by the Fund of Funds in the same proportions (for, against, abstain) as the votes of all other shareholders of such underlying fund. However, MML Investment Advisers may alternatively, in its discretion, (i) seek instruction from the Fund of Funds' Board of Trustees (or any member or committee thereof delegated authority to provide such instructions to MML Investment Advisers) and vote in accordance with such instructions, or (ii) vote in accordance with the recommendation of an independent proxy advisor or consultant retained by MML Investment Advisers to provide a recommendation, on the basis solely of the best interest of the Fund of Funds and its shareholders, as to the matter; provided, however, that prior to taking the action described in clause (ii) above, MML Investment Advisers is required to seek and obtain the prior approval of its Board of Directors. When a quorum is present at any meeting, a majority of the Board members present may take any action. If it is not possible to obtain a quorum of such Board, any action may be taken without a meeting if all Board members consent to the action in writing and such written consents are filed with the records of the meetings of the Board.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4. Notwithstanding paragraph 3 above, (i) in the event a Fund of Funds is investing in an underlying fund pursuant to an exemptive order from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, MML Investment Advisers will vote the shares held by the Fund of Funds in accordance with any conditions set forth in the order; or (ii) in the event a Fund of Funds is investing in an underlying fund pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, MML Investment Advisers will vote the shares held by the Fund of Funds either by seeking instructions from the Fund of Funds' shareholders or vote the shares in the same proportions (for, against, abstain) as the votes of all other shareholders of the underlying fund.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5. When a fund is structured as a Feeder Fund that is an interest holder of a Master Fund and is requested to vote on any matter submitted to interest holders of the Master Fund, MML Investment Advisers will, on behalf of the Feeder Fund, generally vote the shares held by the Feeder Fund in the same proportions (for, against, abstain) as the votes of all other interest holders of such Master Fund. However, if the Feeder Fund elects to hold a meeting of its own shareholders to consider such matters, MML Investment Advisers will, on behalf of the Feeder Fund, vote the shares held by the Feeder Fund in proportion to the votes received from its shareholders, with shares for which a Feeder Fund receives no voting instructions being voted in the same proportion as the votes received from the other Feeder Fund shareholders.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 6. Although rare, there is a possibility of Special Situations presented where MML Investment Advisers is in the best position to vote Proxies. In those Special Situations, which are determined by the Investment Management team in consultation with MML Investment Advisers' Chief Compliance Officer and/or legal counsel, MML Investment Advisers (i) will, when the Special Situation involves a proxy for a Funds' investment in another mutual fund or pooled investment vehicle, generally vote the shares held in the same proportions (for, against, abstain) as the votes of all other shareholders of such underlying fund; (ii) may seek instruction from the relevant Trust's Board of Trustees (or any member or committee thereof delegated authority to provide such instructions to MML Investment Advisers) and vote in accordance with such instructions; or (iii) may vote in accordance with the recommendation of an independent proxy advisor or consultant retained by MML Investment Advisers to provide a recommendation, on the basis solely of the best interest of the Trust and its shareholders, as to the matter; provided, however, that prior to taking the action described in clause (iii) above, MML Investment Advisers is required to seek and obtain the prior approval of its Board of Directors. When a quorum is present at any meeting, a majority of the Board members present may take any action. If it is not possible to obtain a quorum of such Board, any action may be taken without a meeting if all Board members consent to the action in writing and such written consents are filed with the records of the meetings of the Board.

#### Operating Procedures
MML Investment Advisers exercises its proxy voting responsibility with respect to the Funds of Funds, Feeder Funds, and Special Situations through the Investment Management team.

All proxy statements, including Information Statements ("Proxy Statements") and proxy cards received by associates relating to a Fund of Funds, Feeder Fund, or Special Situations are to be immediately forwarded to the Investment Management team. The head of Investment Management or that person's designee, then is responsible for (i) logging, reviewing and casting the vote for all Proxies solicited and received, (ii) voting such Proxies in a manner consistent with these policies and procedures, (iii) documenting the method followed in determining how to cast the vote, and (iv) maintaining the records required by Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act.

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#### Record Retention
The Investment Management team will retain for such time periods as set forth in Rule 204-2:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Copies of all policies and procedures required by the Rule;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A copy of each Proxy Statement that MML Investment Advisers receives regarding a Fund of Fund's or Feeder Fund's investments;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A copy of each Proxy Statement that MML Investment Advisers receives regarding a Special Situation;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A record of each vote cast by MML Investment Advisers on behalf of a Fund of Funds, a Feeder Fund, or in a Special Situation; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • B-128

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#### ALLIANCEBERNSTEIN L.P.
March 2022

### PROXY VOTING AND<br>GOVERNANCE POLICY

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| [1. INTRODUCTION](#id1INTRODUCTI3259)  | [B-131](#id1INTRODUCTI3259) |
| [2. RESEARCH UNDERPINS DECISION MAKING](#id2RESEARCHUN1168)  | [B-131](#id2RESEARCHUN1168) |
| [3. PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES](#id3PROXYVOTIN1725)  | [B-132](#id3PROXYVOTIN1725) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [3.1 BOARD AND DIRECTOR PROPOSALS](#id31BOARDANDD23224)  | [B-132](#id31BOARDANDD23224) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [3.2 COMPENSATION PROPOSALS](#id32COMPENSAT19234)  | [B-136](#id32COMPENSAT19234) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [3.3 CAPITAL CHANGES AND ANTI-TAKEOVER PROPOSALS](#id33CAPITALCH20323)  | [B-139](#id33CAPITALCH20323) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [3.4 AUDITOR PROPOSALS](#id34AUDITORPR6471)  | [B-142](#id34AUDITORPR6471) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [3.5 SHAREHOLDER ACCESS AND VOTING PROPOSALS](#id35SHAREHOLD15562)  | [B-143](#id35SHAREHOLD15562) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [3.6 ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND DISCLOSURE PROPOSALS](#id36ENVIRONME15585)  | [B-145](#id36ENVIRONME15585) |
| [4. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST](#id4CONFLICTSO1761)  | [B-148](#id4CONFLICTSO1761) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [4.1 INTRODUCTION](#id4CONFLICTSO1761)  | [B-148](#id4CONFLICTSO1761) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [4.2 ADHERENCE TO STATED PROXY VOTING POLICIES](#id42ADHERENCE1712)  | [B-148](#id42ADHERENCE1712) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [4.3 DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS](#id43DISCLOSUR803)  | [B-148](#id43DISCLOSUR803) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [4.4 POTENTIAL CONFLICTS LIST](#id44POTENTIAL1921)  | [B-149](#id44POTENTIAL1921) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [4.5 DETERMINE EXISTENCE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST](#id45DETERMINE1740)  | [B-149](#id45DETERMINE1740) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [4.6 REVIEW OF THIRD-PARTY PROXY SERVICE VENDORS](#id46REVIEWOFT2589)  | [B-149](#id46REVIEWOFT2589) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [4.7 CONFIDENTIAL VOTING](#id47CONFIDENT2394)  | [B-150](#id47CONFIDENT2394) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [4.8 A NOTE REGARDING AB'S STRUCTURE](#id48ANOTEREGA956)  | [B-150](#id48ANOTEREGA956) |
| [5. VOTING TRANSPARENCY](#id5VOTINGTRAN457)  | [B-150](#id5VOTINGTRAN457) |
| [6. RECORDKEEPING](#id6RECORDKEEP695)  | [B-151](#id6RECORDKEEP695) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [6.1 PROXY VOTING AND GOVERNANCE POLICY](#id61PROXYVOTI279)  | [B-151](#id61PROXYVOTI279) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [6.2 PROXY STATEMENTS RECEIVED REGARDING CLIENT SECURITIES](#id62PROXYSTAT620)  | [B-151](#id62PROXYSTAT620) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [6.3 RECORDS OF VOTES CAST ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS](#id63RECORDSOF253)  | [B-151](#id63RECORDSOF253) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [6.4 RECORDS OF CLIENTS REQUESTS FOR PROXY VOTING INFORMATION](#id64RECORDSOF441)  | [B-151](#id64RECORDSOF441) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 6.5 DOCUMENTS PREPARED BY AB THAT ARE MATERIAL TO  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 6.5 DOCUMENTS PREPARED BY AB THAT ARE MATERIAL TO  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [VOTING DECISIONS](#id65DOCUMENTS520)  | [B-151](#id65DOCUMENTS520) |
| [7. PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES](#id7PROXYVOTIN1392)  | [B-151](#id7PROXYVOTIN1392) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [7.1 VOTE ADMINISTRATION](#id7PROXYVOTIN1392)  | [B-151](#id7PROXYVOTIN1392) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [7.2 SHARE BLOCKING AND ABSTAINING FROM VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES](#id72SHAREBLOC2268)  | [B-151](#id72SHAREBLOC2268) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [7.3 LOANED SECURITIES](#id73LOANEDSEC962)  | [B-152](#id73LOANEDSEC962) |

---

#### EXHIBITS
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Proxy Voting Guideline Summary

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Proxy Voting Conflict of Interest Form <br>

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

1.<br>

#### INTRODUCTION
AllianceBernstein L.P.'s ("AB," "we," "us," "our" and similar terms) mission is to work in our clients' best interests to deliver better investment outcomes through differentiated research insights and innovative portfolio solutions. As a fiduciary and investment adviser, we place the interests of our clients first and treat all our clients fairly and equitably, and we have an obligation to responsibly allocate, manage and oversee their investments to seek sustainable, long-term shareholder value.

AB has authority to vote proxies relating to securities in certain client portfolios and, accordingly, AB's fiduciary obligations extend to AB's exercise of such proxy voting authority for each client AB has agreed to exercise that duty. AB's general policy is to vote proxy proposals, amendments, consents or resolutions relating to client securities, including interests in private investment funds, if any (collectively, "proxies"), in a manner that serves the best interests of each respective client as determined by AB in its discretion, after consideration of the relevant clients' investment strategies, and in accordance with this Proxy Voting and Governance Policy ("**Proxy Voting and Governance Policy**" or "**Policy**") and the operative agreements governing the relationship with each respective client ("Governing Agreements"). This Policy outlines our principles for proxy voting, includes a wide range of issues that often appear on voting ballots, and applies to all of AB's internally managed assets, globally. It is intended for use by those involved in the proxy voting decision-making process and those responsible for the administration of proxy voting ("**members of Responsibility team**"), in order to ensure that this Policy and its procedures are implemented consistently.

To be effective stewards of our client's investments and maximize shareholder value, we need to vote proxies on behalf of our clients responsibly. This Policy forms part of a suite of policies and frameworks beginning with **AB's Stewardship Statement** that outline our approach to Responsibility, stewardship, engagement, climate change, human rights, global slavery and human trafficking, and controversial investments. Proxy voting is an integral part of this process, enabling us to support strong corporate governance structures, shareholder rights, transparency and disclosure, and encourage corporate action on material environmental, social and governance ("ESG") and climate issues.

This Policy is overseen by the Proxy Voting and Governance Committee ("**Proxy Voting and Governance Committee**" or "**Committee**"), which provides oversight and includes senior representatives from Equities, Fixed Income, Responsibility, Legal and Operations. It is the responsibility of the Committee to evaluate and maintain proxy voting procedures and guidelines, to evaluate proposals and issues not covered by these guidelines, to consider changes in the Policy, and to review the Policy no less frequently than annually. In addition, the Committee meets at least three times a year and as necessary to address special situations.

2.<br>

#### RESEARCH UNDERPINS DECISION MAKING
As a research-driven firm, we approach our proxy voting responsibilities with the same commitment to rigorous research and engagement that we apply to all our investment activities. The different investment philosophies utilized by our investment teams may occasionally result in different conclusions being drawn regarding certain proposals. In turn, our votes on some proposals may vary by issuer, while maintaining the goal of maximizing the value of the securities in client portfolios.

We sometimes manage accounts where proxy voting is directed by clients or newly acquired subsidiary companies. In these cases, voting decisions may deviate from this Policy. Where we have agreed to vote proxies on behalf of our clients, we have an obligation to vote proxies in a timely manner and we apply the principles in this Policy to our proxy decisions. To the extent there are any inconsistencies between this Policy and a client's Governing Agreements, the Governing Agreements shall supersede this Policy.

#### RESEARCH SERVICES
We subscribe to the corporate governance and proxy research services of vendors such as Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. ("**ISS**") and Glass Lewis at different levels. This research includes proxy voting recommendations distributed by ISS and Glass Lewis. All our investment professionals can access these materials via the members of the Responsibility team and/or the Committee.

#### ENGAGEMENT
In evaluating proxy issues and determining our votes, we welcome and seek perspectives of various parties. Internally, members of Responsibility team may consult the Committee, Chief Investment Officers, Portfolio Managers, and/or Research Analysts across our equities platforms, and Portfolio Managers who manage accounts in which a stock is held. Externally, we may engage with companies in advance of their Annual General Meeting, and throughout the year. We

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believe engagement provides the opportunity to share our philosophy, our corporate governance values, and more importantly, affect positive change that we believe will drive shareholder value. Also, these meetings often are joint efforts between the investment professionals, who are best positioned to comment on company-specific details, and members of Responsibility team, who offer a more holistic view of ESG and climate practices and relevant trends. In addition, we engage with shareholder proposal proponents and other stakeholders to understand different viewpoints and objectives.

3.<br>

#### PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
Our proxy voting guidelines are both principles-based and rules-based. We adhere to a core set of principles that are described in this Policy. We assess each proxy proposal in light of these principles. Our proxy voting "litmus test" will always be guided by what we view as most likely to maximize long-term shareholder value. We believe that authority and accountability for setting and executing corporate policies, goals and compensation generally should rest with a company's board of directors and senior management. In return, we support strong investor rights that allow shareholders to hold directors and management accountable if they fail to act in the best interests of shareholders.

With this as a backdrop, our proxy voting guidelines pertaining to specific issues are set forth below. We generally vote proposals in accordance with these guidelines but, consistent with our "principles-based" approach to proxy voting, we may deviate from these guidelines if we believe that deviating from our stated Policy is necessary to help maximize long- term shareholder value) or as otherwise warranted by the specific facts and circumstances of an investment. In addition, these guidelines are not intended to address all issues that may appear on all proxy ballots. We will evaluate on a case- by-case basis any proposal not specifically addressed by these guidelines, whether submitted by management or shareholders, always keeping in mind our fiduciary duty to make voting decisions that, by maximizing long-term shareholder value, are in our clients' best interests.

#### SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK
AB's commitment to maximize the long-term value of clients' portfolios drives how we analyze shareholder proposals (each an "SHP"). We believe ESG and climate considerations are important elements that help improve the accuracy of our valuation of companies. We think it is in our clients' best interests to incorporate a more comprehensive set of risks and opportunities, such as ESG and climate issues, from a long-term shareholder value perspective. Rather than opting to automatically support all shareholder proposals that mention an ESG or climate issue, we evaluate whether or not each shareholder proposal promotes genuine improvement in the way a company addresses an ESG or climate issue, thereby enhancing shareholder value for our clients in managing a more comprehensive set of risks and opportunities for the company's business. The evaluation of a proposal that addresses an ESG or climate issue will consider (among other things) the following core factors, as necessary:

+ <br>

Materiality of the mentioned ESG or climate issue for the company's business

+ <br>

The company's current practice, policy, and framework

+ <br>

Prescriptiveness of the proposal – does the shareholder demand unreasonably restrict management from conducting its business?

+ <br>

Context of the shareholder proposal – is the proponent tied to any particular interest group(s)? Does the proposal aim to promote the interest of the shareholders or group that they are associated with?

+ <br>

How does the proposal add value for the shareholders?

This shareholder proposal framework applies to all proposal items labeled "SHP" throughout the Policy and any shareholder proposals that aren't discussed in the Policy but appear in our voting universe.

3.1<br>

#### BOARD AND DIRECTOR PROPOSALS
1.<br>

#### Board Oversight and Director Accountability on Material Environmental and Social Topics Impacting Shareholder Value: Climate Risk Management and Human Rights Oversight CASE-BY-CASE
AB believes that board oversight and director accountability are critical elements of corporate governance. Companies demonstrate effective governance through proactive monitoring of material risks and opportunities, including ESG related risks and opportunities. In evaluating investee companies' adaptiveness to evolving climate risks and human rights oversight, AB engages its significant holdings on climate strategy through a firmwide campaign. Based on each company's response, AB will hold respective directors accountable as defined by the committee charter of the company.

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2.<br>

#### Establish New Board Committees and Elect Board Members with Specific Expertise (SHP) CASE-BY-CASE
We believe that establishing committees should be the prerogative of a well-functioning board of directors. However, we may support shareholder proposals to establish additional board committees to address specific shareholder issues, including ESG and climate issues. In some cases, oversight for material ESG issues can be managed effectively by existing committees of the board of directors, depending on the expertise of the directors assigned to such committees. We consider on a case-by-case basis proposals that require the addition of a board member with a specific area of expertise.

3.<br>

#### Changes in Board Structure and Amending the Articles of Incorporation FOR
Companies may propose various provisions with respect to the structure of the board of directors, including changing the manner in which board vacancies are filled, directors are nominated and the number of directors. Such proposals may require amending the charter or by-laws or may otherwise require shareholder approval. When these proposals are not controversial or meant as an anti-takeover device, which is generally the case, we vote in their favor. However, if we believe a proposal is intended as an anti-takeover device and diminishes shareholder rights, we generally vote against.

We may vote against directors for amending by-laws without seeking shareholder approval and/or restricting or diminishing shareholder rights.

4.<br>

#### Classified Boards AGAINST
A classified board typically is divided into three separate classes. Each class holds office for a term of two or three years. Only a portion of the board can be elected or replaced each year. Because this type of proposal has fundamental anti- takeover implications, we generally oppose the adoption of classified boards unless there is a justifiable financial reason or an adequate sunset provision. We may also vote against directors that fail to implement shareholder approved proposals to declassify boards that we previously supported.

5.<br>

#### Director Liability and Indemnification CASE-BY-CASE
Some companies argue that increased indemnification and decreased liability for directors are important to ensure the continued availability of competent directors. However, others argue that the risk of such personal liability minimizes the propensity for corruption and recklessness.

We generally support indemnification provisions that are consistent with the local jurisdiction in which the company has been formed. We vote in favor of proposals adopting indemnification for directors with respect to acts conducted in the normal course of business. We also vote in favor of proposals that expand coverage for directors and officers where, despite an unsuccessful legal defense, we believe the director or officer acted in good faith and in the best interests of the company. We oppose proposals to indemnify directors for gross negligence.

6.<br>

#### Disclose CEO Succession Plan (SHP) FOR
Proposals like these are often suggested by shareholders of companies with long-tenured CEOs and/or high employee turnover rates. Even though some markets might not require the disclosure of a CEO succession plan, we do think it is good business practice and will support these proposals.

7.<br>

#### Election of Directors FOR
The election of directors is an important vote. We expect directors to represent shareholder interests at the company and maximize shareholder value. We generally vote in favor of the management-proposed slate of directors while considering a number of factors, including local market best practice. We believe companies should have a majority of independent directors and independent key committees. However, we will incorporate local market regulation and corporate governance codes into our decision making. We may support requirements that surpass market regulation and corporate governance codes implemented in a local market if we believe heightened requirements may improve corporate governance practices. We will generally regard a director as independent if the director satisfies the criteria for independence either (i) espoused by the primary exchange on which the company's shares are traded, or (ii) set forth in the code we determine to be best practice in the country where the subject company is domiciled. We may also take into account affiliations, related-party transactions, and prior service to the company. We consider the election of directors who are "bundled" on a single slate to be a poor governance practice and vote on a case-by-case basis considering the amount of information available and an assessment of the group's qualifications.

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In addition:

We believe that directors have a duty to respond to shareholder actions that have received significant shareholder support. We may vote against directors (or withhold votes for directors if plurality voting applies) who fail to act on key issues. We oppose directors who fail to attend at least 75% of board meetings within a given year without a reasonable excuse.

We may abstain or vote against (depending on a company's history of disclosure in this regard) directors of issuers where there is insufficient information about the nominees disclosed in the proxy statement.

We may vote against directors for poor compensation, audit, or governance practices, including the lack of a formal key committee.

We may vote against directors for unilateral bylaw amendments that diminish shareholder rights.

We also may consider engaging company management (by phone, in writing and in person), until any issues have been satisfactorily resolved.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a.<br>

#### Controlled Company Exemption CASE-BY-CASE
In certain markets, a different standard for director independence may be applicable for controlled companies, which are companies where more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group or another company, or as otherwise defined by local market standards. We may take these local standards into consideration when determining the appropriate level of independence required for the board and key committees.

Exchanges in certain jurisdictions do not have a controlled company exemption (or something similar). In such a jurisdiction, if a company has a majority shareholder or group of related majority shareholders with a majority economic interest, we generally will not oppose that company's directors simply because the board does not include a majority of independent members, although we may take local standards into consideration when determining the appropriate level of independence required for the board and key committees. We will, however, consider these directors in a negative light if the company has a history of violating the rights of minority shareholders.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;b.<br>

#### Voting for Director Nominees in a Contested Election CASE-BY-CASE
Votes in a contested election of directors are evaluated on a case-by-case basis with the goal of maximizing shareholder value.

8.<br>

#### Board Capacity
We believe that incorporating an assessment of each director's capacity into consideration for a director election is essential to promote meaningful board oversight of the management. Director effectiveness aside, a social externality arises when the practice of directors serving on many public company boards becomes widespread, as this limits the opportunities for other board candidates, particularly diverse candidates. AB currently votes against the appointment of directors who occupy, or would occupy following the vote: four (4) or more total public company board seats for non-CEOs, three (3) or more total public company board seats for the sitting CEO of the company in question and two (2) or more total public company board seats for sitting CEOs of companies other than the company under consideration. We may also exercise flexibility on occasions where the "over-boarded" director nominee's presence on the board is critical, based on company specific contexts in absence of any notable accountability concerns.

9.<br>

#### Board Diversity
Diversity is an important element of assessing the board's quality, as it promotes wider range of perspectives to be considered for companies to both strategize and mitigate risks. In line with this view, several European countries legally require a quota of female directors. Other European countries have a comply-or-explain policy. In the US, California requires corporations headquartered in the State of California to have at least one female director on board.

We believe that boards should develop, as part of their refreshment process, a framework for identifying diverse candidates for all open board positions. We believe diversity is broader than gender and should also take into consideration factors such as business experience, ethnicity, tenure, and nationality. As such, we generally vote in favor of proposals that encourage the adoption of a diverse search policy, so-called "Rooney Rules", assuring that each director search includes at least one woman, and in the US, at least one underrepresented person of color, in the slate of nominees. Our views on board diversity translate to the following two voting approaches:

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (a) <br>

Gender Diversity: AB will generally vote against the nominating/governance committee chair, or a relevant incumbent member in case of classified boards, when the board has no female members. In Japan, we will vote against the top management. This approach applies globally.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (b) <br>

Ethnic and Racial Diversity: AB will escalate the topic of board level ethnic/racial diversity and engage with its significant holdings that lack a minority ethnic/racial representation on the board through 2021. Based on the outcome of such engagements, AB will begin voting against the nominating/governance committee chair or a relevant incumbent member for classified boards of companies that lack minority ethnic/racial representation on their board in 2022.

10.<br>

#### Independent Lead Director (SHP) FOR
We support shareholder proposals that request a company to amend its by-laws to establish an independent lead director if the position of chairman is non-independent. We view the existence of a strong independent lead director, whose role is robust and includes clearly defined duties and responsibilities, such as the authority to call meetings and approve agendas, as a good example of the sufficient counter-balancing governance. If a company has such an independent lead director in place, we will generally oppose a proposal to require an independent board chairman, barring any additional board leadership concerns.

11.<br>

#### Limit Term of Directorship (SHP) CASE-BY-CASE
These proposals seek to limit the term during which a director may serve on a board to a set number of years.

Accounting for local market practice, we generally consider a number of factors, such as overall level of board independence, director qualifications, tenure, board diversity and board effectiveness in representing our interests as shareholders, in assessing whether limiting directorship terms is in shareholders' best interests. Accordingly, we evaluate these items case-by-case.

12.<br>

#### Majority Independent <sup>1</sup> Directors (SHP) FOR
Each company's board of directors has a duty to act in the best interest of the company's shareholders at all times. We believe that these interests are best served by having directors who bring objectivity to the company and are free from potential conflicts of interests. Accordingly, we support proposals seeking a majority of independent directors on the board while taking into consideration local market regulation and corporate governance codes.

13.<br>

#### Majority of Independent Directors on Key Committees (SHP) FOR
In order to ensure that those who evaluate management's performance, recruit directors, and set management's compensation are free from conflicts of interests, we believe that the audit,<sup>2</sup> nominating/governance, and compensation committees should be composed of a majority of independent directors, considering the local market regulation and corporate governance codes as well as controlled company status.

14.<br>

#### Majority Votes for Directors (SHP) FOR
We believe that good corporate governance requires shareholders to have a meaningful voice in the affairs of the company. This objective is strengthened if directors are elected by a majority of votes cast at an annual meeting rather than by the plurality method commonly used. With plurality voting a director could be elected by a single affirmative vote even if the rest of the votes were withheld.

We further believe that majority voting provisions will lead to greater director accountability. Therefore, we support shareholder proposals that companies amend their by-laws to provide that director nominees be elected by an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast, provided the proposal includes a carve-out to provide for plurality voting in contested elections where the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected.

<sup>1</sup> For purposes of this Policy, generally, we will consider a director independent if the director satisfies the independence definition set forth in the listing standards of the exchange on which the common stock is listed. However, we may deem local independence classification criteria insufficient.

<sup>2</sup> Pursuant to the SEC rules, adopted pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as of October 31, 2004, each U.S. listed issuer must have a fully independent audit committee.

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15.<br>

#### Removal of Directors Without Cause (SHP) FOR
Company by-laws sometimes define cause very narrowly, including only conditions of criminal indictment, final adverse adjudication that fiduciary duties were breached or incapacitation, while also providing shareholders with the right to remove directors only upon "cause".

We believe that the circumstances under which shareholders have the right to remove directors should not be limited to those traditionally defined by companies as "cause". We also believe that shareholders should have the right to conduct a vote to remove directors who fail to perform in a manner consistent with their fiduciary duties or representative of shareholders' best interests. And, while we would prefer shareholder proposals that seek to broaden the definition of "cause" to include situations like these, we generally support proposals that would provide shareholders with the right to remove directors without cause.

16.<br>

#### Require Independent Board Chairman (SHP) CASE-BY-CASE
We believe there can be benefits to an executive chairman and to having the positions of chairman and CEO combined as well as split. When the chair is non-independent, the company must have sufficient counter-balancing governance in place, generally through a strong independent lead director. Also, for companies with smaller market capitalizations, separate chairman and CEO positions may not be practical.

3.2<br>

#### COMPENSATION PROPOSALS
17.<br>

#### Pro Rata Vesting of Equity Compensation Awards-Change in Control (SHP) CASE-BY-CASE
We examine proposals on the treatment of equity awards in the event of a change in control on a case-by-case basis. If a change in control is accompanied by termination of employment, often referred to as a double trigger, we generally support accelerated vesting of equity awards. If, however, there is no termination agreement in connection with a change in control, often referred to as a single trigger, we generally prefer pro rata vesting of outstanding equity awards.

18.<br>

#### Adopt Policies to Prohibit any Death Benefits to Senior Executives (SHP) AGAINST
We view these bundled proposals as too restrictive and conclude that blanket restrictions on any and all such benefits, including the payment of life insurance premiums for senior executives, could put a company at a competitive disadvantage.

19.<br>

#### Advisory Vote to Ratify Directors' Compensation (SHP) FOR
Similar to advisory votes on executive compensation, shareholders may request a non-binding advisory vote to approve compensation given to board members. We generally support this item.

20.<br>

#### Amend Executive Compensation Plan Tied to Performance (Bonus Banking) (SHP) AGAINST
These proposals seek to force a company to amend executive compensation plans such that compensation awards tied to performance are deferred for shareholder specified and extended periods of time. As a result, awards may be adjusted downward if performance goals achieved during the vesting period are not sustained during the added deferral period.

We believe that most companies have adequate vesting schedules and clawbacks in place. Under such circumstances, we will oppose these proposals. However, if a company does not have what we believe to be adequate vesting and/or clawback requirements, we decide these proposals on a case-by-case basis.

21.<br>

#### Approve Remuneration for Directors and Auditors CASE-BY-CASE
We will vote on a case-by-case basis where we are asked to approve remuneration for directors or auditors. We will generally oppose performance-based remuneration for non-executive directors as this may compromise independent oversight. In addition, where disclosure relating to the details of such remuneration is inadequate or provided without sufficient time for us to consider our vote, we may abstain or vote against, depending on the adequacy of the company's prior disclosures in this regard and the local market practice.

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22.<br>

#### Approve Retirement Bonuses for Directors (Japan and South Korea) CASE-BY-CASE
Retirement bonuses are customary in Japan and South Korea. Companies seek approval to give the board authority to grant retirement bonuses for directors and/or auditors and to leave the exact amount of bonuses to the board's discretion. We will analyze such proposals on a case-by-case basis, considering management's commitment to maximizing long- term shareholder value. However, when the details of the retirement bonus are inadequate or undisclosed, we may abstain or vote against.

23.<br>

#### Approve Special Payments to Continuing Directors and Auditors (Japan) CASE-BY-CASE
In conjunction with the abolition of a company's retirement allowance system, we will generally support special payment allowances for continuing directors and auditors if there is no evidence of their independence becoming impaired. However, when the details of the special payments are inadequate or undisclosed, we may abstain or vote against.

24.<br>

#### Disclose Executive and Director Pay (SHP) CASE-BY-CASE
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("**SEC**") has adopted rules requiring increased and/or enhanced compensation-related and corporate governance-related disclosure in proxy statements and Forms 10-K. Similar steps have been taken by regulators in foreign jurisdictions. We believe the rules enacted by the SEC and various foreign regulators generally ensure more complete and transparent disclosure. Therefore, while we will consider them on a case-by-case basis (analyzing whether there are any relevant disclosure concerns), we generally vote against shareholder proposals seeking additional disclosure of executive and director compensation, including proposals that seek to specify the measurement of performance-based compensation, if the company is subject to SEC rules or similar rules espoused by a regulator in a foreign jurisdiction. Similarly, we generally support proposals seeking additional disclosure of executive and director compensation if the company is not subject to any such rules.

25.<br>

#### Executive and Employee Compensation Plans, Policies and Reports CASE-BY-CASE
Compensation plans usually are complex and are a major corporate expense, so we evaluate them carefully and on a case-by-case basis. In all cases, however, we assess each proposed Compensation Plan within the framework of four guiding principles, each of which ensures a company's Compensation Plan helps to align the long- term interests of management with shareholders:

Valid measures of business performance tied to the firm's strategy and shareholder value creation, which are clearly articulated and incorporate appropriate time periods, should be utilized;

Compensation costs should be managed in the same way as any other expense;

Compensation should reflect management's handling, or failure to handle, any recent social, environmental, governance, ethical or legal issue that had a significant adverse financial or reputational effect on the company and;

In granting compensatory awards, management should exhibit a history of integrity and decision-making based on logic and well thought out processes.

We may oppose plans which include, and directors who establish, compensation plan provisions deemed to be poor practice such as automatic acceleration of equity, or single-triggered, in the event of a change in control. Although votes on compensation plans are by nature only broad indications of shareholder views, they do lead to more compensation-related dialogue between management and shareholders and help ensure that management and shareholders meet their common objective: maximizing shareholder value.

In markets where votes on compensation plans are not required for all companies, we will support shareholder proposals asking the board to adopt such a vote on an advisory basis.

Where disclosure relating to the details of Compensation Plans is inadequate or provided without sufficient time for us to consider our vote, we may abstain or vote against, depending on the adequacy of the company's prior disclosures in this regard. Where appropriate, we may raise the issue with the company directly or take other steps.

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26.<br>

#### Limit Executive Pay (SHP) CASE-BY-CASE
We believe that management and directors, within reason, should be given latitude in determining the mix and types of awards offered to executive officers. We vote against shareholder proposals seeking to limit executive pay if we deem them too restrictive. Depending on our analysis of the specific circumstances, we are generally against requiring a company to adopt a policy prohibiting tax gross up payments to senior executives.

27.<br>

#### Mandatory Holding Periods (SHP) AGAINST
We generally vote against shareholder proposals asking companies to require a company's executives to hold stock for a specified period of time after acquiring that stock by exercising company-issued stock options (i.e., precluding "cashless" option exercises), unless we believe implementing a mandatory holding period is necessary to help resolve underlying problems at a company that have hurt, and may continue to hurt, shareholder value. We are generally in favor of reasonable stock ownership guidelines for executives.

28.<br>

#### Performance-Based Stock Option Plans (SHP) CASE-BY-CASE
These shareholder proposals require a company to adopt a policy that all or a portion of future stock options granted to executives be performance-based. Performance-based options usually take the form of indexed options (where the option sale price is linked to the company's stock performance versus an industry index), premium priced options (where the strike price is significantly above the market price at the time of the grant) or performance vesting options (where options vest when the company's stock price exceeds a specific target). Proponents argue that performance-based options provide an incentive for executives to outperform the market as a whole and prevent management from being rewarded for average performance. We believe that management, within reason, should be given latitude in determining the mix and types of awards it offers. However, we recognize the benefit of linking a portion of executive compensation to certain types of performance benchmarks. While we will not support proposals that require all options to be performance-based, we will generally support proposals that require a portion of options granted to senior executives be performance-based. However, because performance-based options can also result in unfavorable tax treatment and the company may already have in place an option plan that sufficiently ties executive stock option plans to the company's performance, we will consider such proposals on a case-by-case basis.

29.<br>

#### Prohibit Relocation Benefits to Senior Executives (SHP) AGAINST
We do not consider such perquisites to be problematic pay practices as long as they are properly disclosed. Therefore, we will vote against shareholder proposals asking to prohibit relocation benefits.

30.<br>

#### Recovery of Performance-Based Compensation (SHP) FOR
We generally support shareholder proposals requiring the board to seek recovery of performance-based compensation awards to senior management and directors in the event of a fraud or other reasons that resulted in the detriment to shareholder value and/or company reputation due to gross ethical lapses. In deciding how to vote, we consider the adequacy of the existing company clawback policy, if any.

31.<br>

#### Submit Golden Parachutes/Severance Plans to a Shareholder Vote (SHP) FOR
Golden Parachutes assure key officers of a company lucrative compensation packages if the company is acquired and/or if the new owners terminate such officers. We recognize that offering generous compensation packages that are triggered by a change in control may help attract qualified officers. However, such compensation packages cannot be so excessive that they are unfair to shareholders or make the company unattractive to potential bidders, thereby serving as a constructive anti-takeover mechanism. Accordingly, we support proposals to submit severance plans (including supplemental retirement plans), to a shareholder vote, and we review proposals to ratify or redeem such plans retrospectively on a case-by-case basis.

32.<br>

#### Submit Golden Parachutes/Severance Plans to a Shareholder Vote Prior to Their Being Negotiated by Management (SHP) CASE-BY-CASE
We believe that in order to attract qualified employees, companies must be free to negotiate compensation packages without shareholder interference. However, shareholders must be given an opportunity to analyze a compensation plan's final, material terms in order to ensure it is within acceptable limits. Accordingly, we evaluate proposals that require submitting severance plans and/or employment contracts for a shareholder vote prior to being negotiated by management on a case-by-case basis.

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33.<br>

#### Submit Survivor Benefit Compensation Plan to Shareholder Vote (SHP) FOR
Survivor benefit compensation plans, or "golden coffins", can require a company to make substantial payments or awards to a senior executive's beneficiaries following the death of the senior executive. The compensation can take the form of unearned salary or bonuses, accelerated vesting or the continuation in force of unvested equity grants, perquisites and other payments or awards. This compensation would not include compensation that the senior executive chooses to defer during his or her lifetime.

We recognize that offering generous compensation packages that are triggered by the passing of senior executives may help attract qualified officers. However, such compensation packages cannot be so excessive that they are unfair to shareholders or make the company unattractive to potential bidders, thereby serving as a constructive anti-takeover mechanism.

3.3<br>

#### CAPITAL CHANGES AND ANTI-TAKEOVER PROPOSALS
34.<br>

#### Amend Exclusive Forum Bylaw (SHP) AGAINST
We will generally oppose proposals that ask the board to repeal the company's exclusive forum bylaw. Such bylaws require certain legal action against the company to take place in the state of the company's incorporation. The courts within the state of incorporation are considered best suited to interpret that state's laws.

35.<br>

#### Amend Net Operating Loss ("NOL") Rights Plans FOR
NOL Rights Plans are established to protect a company's net operating loss carry forwards and tax credits, which can be used to offset future income. We believe this is a reasonable strategy for a company to employ. Accordingly, we will vote in favor of NOL Rights Plans unless we believe the terms of the NOL Rights Plan may provide for a long-term anti- takeover device.

36.<br>

#### Authorize Share Repurchase FOR
We generally support share repurchase proposals that are part of a well-articulated and well-conceived capital strategy. We assess proposals to give the board unlimited authorization to repurchase shares on a case-by-case basis. Furthermore, we would generally support the use of derivative instruments (e.g., put options and call options) as part of a share repurchase plan absent a compelling reason to the contrary. Also, absent a specific concern at the company, we will generally support a repurchase plan that could be continued during a takeover period.

37.<br>

#### Blank Check Preferred Stock AGAINST
Blank check preferred stock proposals authorize the issuance of certain preferred stock at some future point in time and allow the board to establish voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights at the time of issuance. While blank check preferred stock can provide a corporation with the flexibility needed to meet changing financial conditions, it also may be used as the vehicle for implementing a "poison pill" defense or some other entrenchment device.

We are concerned that, once this stock has been authorized, shareholders have no further power to determine how or when it will be allocated. Accordingly, we generally oppose this type of proposal.

38.<br>

#### Corporate Restructurings, Merger Proposals and Spin-Offs CASE-BY-CASE
Proposals requesting shareholder approval of corporate restructurings, merger proposals and spin-offs are determined on a case-by-case basis. In evaluating these proposals and determining our votes, we are singularly focused on meeting our goal of maximizing long-term shareholder value.

39.<br>

#### Elimination of Preemptive Rights CASE-BY-CASE
Preemptive rights allow the shareholders of the company to buy newly issued shares before they are offered to the public in order to maintain their percentage ownership. We believe that, because preemptive rights are an important shareholder right, careful scrutiny must be given to management's attempts to eliminate them. However, because preemptive rights can be prohibitively expensive to widely held companies, the benefit of such rights will be weighed against the economic effect of maintaining them.

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40.<br>

#### Expensing Stock Options (SHP) FOR
US generally accepted accounting principles require companies to expense stock options, as do the accounting rules in many other jurisdictions (including those jurisdictions that have adopted IFRS – international financial reporting standards). If a company is domiciled in a jurisdiction where the accounting rules do not already require the expensing of stock options, we will support shareholder proposals requiring this practice and disclosing information about it.

41.<br>

#### Fair Price Provisions CASE-BY-CASE
A fair price provision in the company's charter or by laws is designed to ensure that each shareholder's securities will be purchased at the same price if the corporation is acquired under a plan not agreed to by the board. In most instances, the provision requires that any tender offer made by a third party must be made to all shareholders at the same price.

Fair pricing provisions attempt to prevent the "two-tiered front-loaded offer" where the acquirer of a company initially offers a premium for a sufficient percentage of shares of the company to gain control and subsequently makes an offer for the remaining shares at a much lower price. The remaining shareholders have no choice but to accept the offer. The two - tiered approach is coercive as it compels a shareholder to sell his or her shares immediately in order to receive the higher price per share. This type of tactic has caused many states to adopt fair price provision statutes to restrict this practice.

We consider fair price provisions on a case-by-case basis. We oppose any provision where there is evidence that management intends to use the provision as an anti-takeover device as well as any provision where the shareholder vote requirement is greater than a majority of disinterested shares (i.e., shares beneficially owned by individuals other than the acquiring party).

42.<br>

#### Increase Authorized Common Stock CASE-BY-CASE
In general we regard increases in authorized common stock as serving a legitimate corporate purpose when used to: implement a stock split, aid in a recapitalization or acquisition, raise needed capital for the firm, or provide for employee savings plans, stock option plans or executive compensation plans. That said, we may oppose a particular proposed increase if we consider the authorization likely to lower the share price (this would happen, for example, if the firm were proposing to use the proceeds to overpay for an acquisition, to invest in a project unlikely to earn the firm's cost of capital, or to compensate employees well above market rates). We oppose increases in authorized common stock where there is evidence that the shares are to be used to implement a "poison pill" or another form of anti-takeover device, or if the issuance of new shares would, in our judgment, excessively dilute the value of the outstanding shares upon issuance. In addition, a satisfactory explanation of a company's intentions—going beyond the standard "general corporate purposes"—must be disclosed in the proxy statement for proposals requesting an increase of greater than 100% of the shares outstanding. We view the use of derivatives, particularly warrants, as legitimate capital-raising instruments and apply these same principles to their use as we do to the authorization of common stock. Under certain circumstances where we believe it is important for shareholders to have an opportunity to maintain their proportional ownership, we may oppose proposals requesting shareholders approve the issuance of additional shares if those shares do not include preemptive rights.

In Hong Kong, it is common for companies to request board authority to issue new shares up to 20% of outstanding share capital. The authority typically lapses after one year. We may vote against plans that do not prohibit issuing shares at a discount, taking into account whether a company has a history of doing so.

43.<br>

#### Issuance of Equity Without Preemptive Rights FOR
We are generally in favor of issuances of equity without preemptive rights of up to 30% of a company's outstanding shares unless there is concern that the issuance will be used in a manner that could hurt shareholder value (e.g., issuing the equity at a discount from the current market price or using the equity to help create a "poison pill" mechanism).

44.<br>

#### Multi Class Equity Structure AGAINST
The *one share, one vote principle* — stating that voting power should be proportional to an investor's economic ownership — is generally preferred in order to hold the board accountable to shareholders. AB's general expectation of companies with multi class equity structures is to attach safeguards for minority shareholders when appropriate and in a cost-effective manner, which may include measures such as sunset provisions or requiring periodic shareholder reauthorizations. We expect boards to routinely review existing multi-class vote structures and share their current view.

With that backdrop, we acknowledge that multi-class structures may be beneficial for a period of time, allowing management to focus on longer-term value creation which benefits all shareholders. Accordingly, AB recommends

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companies that had an initial public offering (IPO) in the past two (2) years to institute a time-based sunset to be triggered seven (7) years from the year of the IPO. In 2021, we will engage with companies in our significant holdings universe that fall under this category. We may vote against the relevant board member of companies that remain unresponsive starting 2022 AGM, unless there is a valid case to apply an exemption.

For companies that instituted a multi-class share structure unrelated to an IPO event or had an IPO two (2) or more years ago, sunset should be seven (7) years from the year when the issuer implemented the multi-class structure. If the structure was adopted greater than seven (7) years ago, we will expect the issuer to consider the shortest sunset plan that makes sense based on the issuer's context. In 2021, we will engage with our portfolio companies in scope. We may vote against the respective board member if we don't see any progress starting 2022 AGM, unless there is a valid case to apply an exemption.

45.<br>

#### Net Long Position Requirement FOR
We support proposals that require the ownership level needed to call a special meeting to be based on the net long position of a shareholder or shareholder group. This standard ensures that a significant economic interest accompanies the voting power.

46.<br>

#### Reincorporation CASE-BY-CASE
There are many valid business reasons a corporation may choose to reincorporate in another jurisdiction. We perform a case-by-case review of such proposals, taking into consideration management's stated reasons for the proposed move.

Careful scrutiny also will be given to proposals that seek approval to reincorporate in countries that serve as tax havens. When evaluating such proposals, we consider factors such as the location of the company's business, the statutory protections available in the country to enforce shareholder rights and the tax consequences of the reincorporation to shareholders.

47.<br>

#### Reincorporation to Another Jurisdiction to Permit Majority Voting or Other Changes in Corporate Governance (SHP) CASE-BY-CASE
If a shareholder proposes that a company move to a jurisdiction where majority voting (among other shareholder-friendly conditions) is permitted, we will generally oppose the move notwithstanding the fact that we favor majority voting for directors. Our rationale is that the legal costs, taxes, other expenses, and other factors, such as business disruption, in almost all cases would be material and outweigh the benefit of majority voting. If, however, we should find that these costs are not material and/or do not outweigh the benefit of majority voting, we may vote in favor of this kind of proposal. We will evaluate similarly proposals that would require reincorporation in another state to accomplish other changes in corporate governance.

48.<br>

#### Stock Splits FOR
Stock splits are intended to increase the liquidity of a company's common stock by lowering the price, thereby making the stock seem more attractive to small investors. We generally vote in favor of stock split proposals.

49.<br>

#### Submit Company's Shareholder Rights Plan to Shareholder Vote (SHP) FOR
Most shareholder rights plans (also known as "**poison pills**") permit the shareholders of a target company involved in a hostile takeover to acquire shares of the target company, the acquiring company, or both, at a substantial discount once a "**triggering event**" occurs. A triggering event is usually a hostile tender offer or the acquisition by an outside party of a certain percentage of the target company's stock. Because most plans exclude the hostile bidder from the purchase, the effect in most instances is to dilute the equity interest and the voting rights of the potential acquirer once the plan is triggered. A shareholder rights plan is designed to discourage potential acquirers from acquiring shares to make a bid for the issuer. We believe that measures that impede takeovers or entrench management not only infringe on the rights of shareholders but also may have a detrimental effect on the value of the company.

We support shareholder proposals that seek to require the company to submit a shareholder rights plan to a shareholder vote. We evaluate on a case-by-case basis proposals to implement or eliminate a shareholder rights plan.

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50.<br>

#### Transferrable Stock Options CASE-BY-CASE
In cases where a compensation plan includes a transferable stock option program, we will consider the plan on a case-by-case basis.

These programs allow stock options to be transferred to third parties in exchange for cash or stock. In effect, management becomes insulated from the downside risk of holding a stock option, while the ordinary shareholder remains exposed to downside risk. This insulation may unacceptably remove management's exposure to downside risk, which significantly misaligns management and shareholder interests. Accordingly, we generally vote against these programs if the transfer can be executed without shareholder approval, is available to executive officers or non-employee directors, or we consider the available disclosure relating to the mechanics and structure of the program to be insufficient to determine the costs, benefits, and key terms of the program.

3.4<br>

#### AUDITOR PROPOSALS
51.<br>

#### Appointment of Auditors FOR
We believe that the company is in the best position to choose its accounting firm, and we generally support management's recommendation.

We recognize that there may be inherent conflicts when a company's independent auditors perform substantial non-audit related services for the company. Therefore, in reviewing a proposed auditor, we will consider the amount of fees paid for non-audit related services performed compared to the total audit fees paid by the company to the auditing firm, and whether there are any other reasons for us to question the independence or performance of the firm's auditor such as, for example, tenure. We generally will deem as excessive the non-audit fees paid by a company to its auditor if those fees account for 50% or more of total fees paid. In the UK market, which utilizes a different calculation, we adhere to a non- audit fee cap of 100% of audit fees. Under these circumstances, we generally vote against the auditor and the directors, in particular the members of the company's audit committee. In addition, we generally vote against authorizing the audit committee to set the remuneration of such auditors. We exclude from this analysis non-audit fees related to IPOs, bankruptcy emergence, and spin-offs and other extraordinary events. We may vote against or abstain due to a lack of disclosure of the name of the auditor while taking into account local market practice.

52.<br>

#### Approval of Financial Statements FOR
In some markets, companies are required to submit their financial statements for shareholder approval. This is generally a routine item and, as such, we will vote for the approval of financial statements unless there are appropriate reasons to vote otherwise. We may vote against if the information is not available in advance of the meeting.

53.<br>

#### Approval of Internal Statutory Auditors FOR
Some markets (e.g., Japan) require the annual election of internal statutory auditors. Internal statutory auditors have a number of duties, including supervising management, ensuring compliance with the articles of association, and reporting to a company's board on certain financial issues. In most cases, the election of internal statutory auditors is a routine item, and we will support management's nominee provided that the nominee meets the regulatory requirements for serving as internal statutory auditors. However, we may vote against nominees who are designated independent statutory auditors who serve as executives of a subsidiary or affiliate of the issuer or if there are other reasons to question the independence of the nominees.

54.<br>

#### Limitation of Liability of External Statutory Auditors (Japan) CASE-BY-CASE
In Japan, companies may limit the liability of external statutory auditors in the event of a shareholder lawsuit through any of three mechanisms: (i) submitting the proposed limits to shareholder vote; (ii) setting limits by modifying the company's articles of incorporation; and (iii) setting limits in contracts with outside directors, outside statutory auditors and external audit firms (requires a modification to the company's articles of incorporation). A vote by 3% or more of shareholders can nullify a limit set through the second mechanism. The third mechanism has historically been the most prevalent.

We review proposals to set limits on auditor liability on a case-by-case basis, considering whether such a provision is necessary to secure appointment and whether it helps to maximize long-term shareholder value.

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55.<br>

#### Separating Auditors and Consultants (SHP) CASE-BY-CASE
We believe that a company serves its shareholders' interests by avoiding potential conflicts of interest that might interfere with an auditor's independent judgment. SEC rules adopted as a result of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 attempted to address these concerns by prohibiting certain services by a company's independent auditors and requiring additional disclosure of other non-audit related services.

We evaluate on a case-by-case basis proposals that go beyond the SEC rules or other local market standards by prohibiting auditors from performing other non-audit services or calling for the board to adopt a policy to ensure auditor independence.

We take into consideration the policies and procedures the company already has in place to ensure auditor independence and non-audit fees as a percentage of total fees paid to the auditor are not excessive.

3.5<br>

#### SHAREHOLDER ACCESS AND VOTING PROPOSALS
56.<br>

#### A Shareholder's Right to Call Special Meetings (SHP) FOR
Most state corporation statutes (though not Delaware, where many US issuers are domiciled) allow shareholders to call a special meeting when they want to take action on certain matters that arise between regularly scheduled annual meetings. This right may apply only if a shareholder, or a group of shareholders, owns a specified percentage as defined by the relevant company bylaws.

We recognize the importance of the right of shareholders to remove poorly performing directors, respond to takeover offers and take other actions without having to wait for the next annual meeting. However, we also believe it is important to protect companies and shareholders from nuisance proposals. We further believe that striking a balance between these competing interests will maximize shareholder value. We believe that encouraging active share ownership among shareholders generally is beneficial to shareholders and helps maximize shareholder value. Accordingly, we will generally support a proposal to establish shareholders' right to call a special meeting unless we see a potential abuse of the right based on the company's current share ownership structure.

57.<br>

#### Adopt Cumulative Voting (SHP) CASE-BY-CASE
Cumulative voting is a method of electing directors that enables each shareholder to multiply the number of his or her shares by the number of directors being considered. A shareholder may then cast the total votes for any one director or a selected group of directors. For example, a holder of 10 shares normally casts 10 votes for each of 12 nominees to the board thus giving the shareholder 120 (10 × 12) votes. Under cumulative voting, the shareholder may cast all 120 votes for a single nominee, 60 for two, 40 for three, or any other combination that the shareholder may choose.

We believe that encouraging activism among shareholders generally is beneficial to shareholders and helps maximize shareholder value. Cumulative voting supports the interests of minority shareholders in contested elections by enabling them to concentrate their votes and dramatically increase their chances of electing a dissident director to a board. Accordingly, we generally will support shareholder proposals to restore or provide for cumulative voting and we generally will oppose management proposals to eliminate cumulative voting. However, we may oppose cumulative voting if a company has in place both proxy access, which allows shareholders to nominate directors to the company's ballot, and majority voting (with a carve-out for plurality voting in situations where there are more nominees than seats), which requires each director to receive the affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast and, we believe, leads to greater director accountability to shareholders.

Also, we support cumulative voting at controlled companies regardless of any other shareholder protections that may be in place.

58.<br>

#### Adopt Cumulative Voting in Dual Shareholder Class Structures (SHP) FOR
In dual class structures (such as A and B shares) where the shareholders with a majority economic interest have a minority voting interest, we generally vote in favor of cumulative voting for those shareholders.

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59.<br>

#### Early Disclosure of Voting Results (SHP) AGAINST
These proposals seek to require a company to disclose votes sooner than is required by the local market. In the US, the SEC requires disclosure in the first periodic report filed after the company's annual meeting which we believe is reasonable. We do not support requests that require disclosure earlier than the time required by the local regulator.

60.<br>

#### Limiting a Shareholder's Right to Call Special Meetings AGAINST
Companies contend that limitations on shareholders' rights to call special meetings are needed to prevent minority shareholders from taking control of the company's agenda. However, such limits also have anti-takeover implications because they prevent a shareholder or a group of shareholders who have acquired a significant stake in the company from forcing management to address urgent issues, such as the potential sale of the company. Because most states prohibit shareholders from abusing this right, we see no justifiable reason for management to eliminate this fundamental shareholder right. Accordingly, we generally will vote against such proposals.

In addition, if the board of directors, without shareholder consent, raises the ownership threshold a shareholder must reach before the shareholder can call a special meeting, we will vote against those directors.

61.<br>

#### Permit a Shareholder's Right to Act by Written Consent (SHP) CASE-BY-CASE
Action by written consent enables a large shareholder or group of shareholders to initiate votes on corporate matters prior to the annual meeting. We believe this is a fundamental shareholder right and, accordingly, will generally support shareholder proposals seeking to restore this right. However, in cases where a company has a majority shareholder or group of related majority shareholders with majority economic interest, we will oppose proposals seeking to restore this right as there is a potential risk of abuse by the majority shareholder or group of majority shareholders. We may also vote against the proposal if the company provides shareholders a right to call special meetings with an ownership threshold of 15% or below in absence of material restrictions, as we believe that shareholder access rights should be considered from a holistic view rather than promoting all possible access rights that may impede one another in contrast to long-term shareholder value.

62.<br>

#### Proxy Access for Annual Meetings (SHP) (Management) FOR
These proposals allow "qualified shareholders" to nominate directors. We generally vote in favor of management and shareholder proposals for proxy access that employ guidelines reflecting the SEC framework for proxy access (adopted by the SEC in 2010, but vacated by the US District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals in 2011), which would have allowed a single shareholder, or group of shareholders, who hold at least 3% of the voting power for at least three years continuously to nominate up to 25% of the current board seats, or two directors, for inclusion in the subject company's annual proxy statement alongside management nominees.

We may vote against proposals that use requirements that are stricter than the SEC's framework including implementation restrictions and against individual board members, or entire boards, who exclude from their ballot properly submitted shareholder proxy access proposals or compete against shareholder proxy access proposals with stricter management proposals on the same ballot. We will generally vote in favor of proposals that seek to amend an existing right to more closely align with the SEC framework.

We will evaluate on a case-by-case basis proposals with less stringent requirements than the vacated SEC framework.

From time to time we may receive requests to join with other shareholders to support a shareholder action. We may, for example, receive requests to join a voting block for purposes of influencing management. If the third parties requesting our participation are not affiliated with us and have no business relationships with us, we will consider the request on a case-by-case basis. However, where the requesting party has a business relationship with us (e.g., the requesting party is a client or a significant service provider), agreeing to such a request may pose a potential conflict of interest. As a fiduciary we have an obligation to vote proxies in the best interest of our clients (without regard to our own interests in generating and maintaining business with our other clients) and given our desire to avoid even the appearance of a conflict, we will generally decline such a request.

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63.<br>

#### Reduce Meeting Notification from 21 Days to 14 Days (UK) FOR
Companies in the United Kingdom may, with shareholder approval, reduce the notice period for extraordinary general meetings from 21 days to 14 days.

A reduced notice period expedites the process of obtaining shareholder approval of additional financing needs and other important matters. Accordingly, we support these proposals.

64.<br>

#### Shareholder Proponent Engagement Process (SHP) FOR
We believe that proper corporate governance requires that proposals receiving support from a majority of shareholders be considered and implemented by the company. Accordingly, we support establishing an engagement process between shareholders and management to ensure proponents of majority-supported proposals, have an established means of communicating with management.

65.<br>

#### Supermajority Vote Requirements AGAINST
A supermajority vote requirement is a charter or by-law requirement that, when implemented, raises the percentage (higher than the customary simple majority) of shareholder votes needed to approve certain proposals, such as mergers, changes of control, or proposals to amend or repeal a portion of the Articles of Incorporation.

In most instances, we oppose these proposals and support shareholder proposals that seek to reinstate the simple majority vote requirement. However, we may support supermajority vote requirements at controlled companies as a protection to minority shareholders from unilateral action of the controlling shareholder.

66.<br>

#### Authorize Virtual-Only Shareholder Meetings CASE-BY-CASE
COVID-19 has called for a need to authorize companies in holding virtual-only shareholder meetings. While recognizing technology has enabled shareholders to remain connected with the board and management, AB acknowledges that virtual only shareholder meetings have resulted in certain companies abusing their authority by limiting shareholders from raising questions and demanding onerous requirements to be able to read their questions during the meeting. Because such practice varies by company and jurisdiction with different safeguard provisions, we will consider—among other things—a company's disclosure on elements such as those below when voting on management or shareholder proposals for authorizing the company to hold virtual-only shareholder meetings:

+ <br>

Explanation for eliminating the in-person meeting;

+ <br>

Clear description of which shareholders are qualified to participate in virtual-only shareholder meetings and how attendees can join the meeting;

+ <br>

How to submit and ask questions;

+ <br>

How the company plans to mimic a real-time in-person question and answer session; and

+ <br>

List of questions received from shareholders in their entirety, both prior to and during the meeting, as well as associated responses from the company

3.6<br>

#### ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND DISCLOSURE PROPOSALS
67.<br>

#### Animal Welfare (SHP) CASE-BY-CASE
These proposals may include reporting requests or policy adoption on items such as pig gestation crates and animal welfare in the supply chain. For proposals requesting companies to adopt a policy, we will carefully consider existing policies and the company's incorporation of national standards and best practices. In addition, we will evaluate the potential enactment of new regulations, as well as any investment risk related to the specific issue.

We generally support shareholder proposals calling for reports and disclosure while taking into account existing policies and procedures of the company and whether the proposed information is of added benefit to shareholders.

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68.<br>

#### Climate Change (SHP) FOR
Proposals addressing climate change concerns are plentiful and their scope varies. Climate change increasingly receives investor attention as a potentially critical and material risk to the sustainability of a wide range of business-specific activities. These proposals may include emissions standards or reduction targets, quantitative goals, and impact assessments. We generally support these proposals, while taking into account the materiality of the issue and whether the proposed information is of added benefit to shareholders.

For proposals requesting companies to adopt a policy, we will carefully consider existing policies and the company's incorporation of national standards and best practices. In addition, we will evaluate the potential enactment of new regulations, as well as any investment risk related to the specific issue.

We generally support shareholder proposals calling for reports and disclosure, while taking into account existing policies and procedures of the company and whether the proposal is of added benefit to shareholders.

69.<br>

#### Charitable Contributions (SHP) (Management) CASE-BY-CASE
Proposals relating to charitable contributions may be sponsored by either management or shareholders.

Management proposals may ask to approve the amount for charitable contributions.

We generally support shareholder proposals calling for reports and disclosure while taking into account existing policies and procedures of the company and whether the proposed information is of added benefit to shareholders.

70.<br>

#### Environmental Proposals (SHP) CASE-BY-CASE
These proposals can include reporting and policy adoption requests in a wide variety of areas, including, but not limited to, (nuclear) waste, deforestation, packaging and recycling, renewable energy, toxic material, palm oil and water.

For proposals requesting companies to adopt a policy, we will carefully consider existing policies and the company's incorporation of national standards and best practices. In addition, we will evaluate the potential enactment of new regulations, as well as any investment risk related to the specific issue.

We generally support shareholder proposals calling for reports and disclosure while taking into account existing policies and procedures of the company and whether the proposed information is of added benefit to shareholders.

71.<br>

#### Genetically Altered or Engineered Food and Pesticides (SHP) CASE-BY-CASE
These proposals may include reporting requests on pesticides monitoring/use and Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) as well as GMO labeling.

For proposals requesting companies to adopt a policy, we will carefully consider existing policies and the company's incorporation of national standards and best practices. In addition, we will evaluate the potential enactment of new regulations, as well as any investment risk related to the specific issue.

We generally support shareholder proposals calling for reports and disclosure while taking into account existing policies and procedures of the company and whether the proposed information is of added benefit to shareholders.

72.<br>

#### Health Proposals (SHP) CASE-BY-CASE
These proposals may include reports on pharmaceutical pricing, antibiotic use in the meat supply, and tobacco products. We generally support shareholder proposals calling for reports and disclosure while taking into account the current reporting policies of the company and whether the proposed information is of added benefit to shareholders.

For proposals requesting companies to adopt a policy, we will carefully consider existing policies and the company's incorporation of national standards and best practices. In addition, we will evaluate the potential enactment of new regulations, as well as any investment risk related to the specific issue. We generally support shareholder proposals calling for reports and disclosure while taking into account existing policies and procedures of the company and whether the proposal is of added benefit to shareholders.

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73.<br>

#### Human Rights Policies and Reports (SHP) CASE-BY-CASE
These proposals may include reporting requests on human rights risk assessments, humanitarian engagement and mediation policies, working conditions, adopting policies on supply chain worker fees, and expanding existing policies in these areas. We recognize that many companies have complex supply chains which have led to increased awareness of supply chain issues as an investment risk.

For proposals requesting companies to adopt a policy, we will carefully consider existing policies and the company's incorporation of national standards and best practices. In addition, we will evaluate the potential enactment of new regulations, as well as any investment risk related to the specific issue.

For proposals addressing forced labor and supply chain management from the human rights perspective, AB assesses the proposal based on its proprietary framework. The framework considers factors such as oversight of the issue, risk identification process, action plan to mitigate risks, the effectiveness of the action plan, and future improvement.

We generally support shareholder proposals calling for reports and disclosure while taking into account existing policies and procedures of the company and whether the proposed information is of added benefit to shareholders.

74.<br>

#### Include Sustainability as a Performance Measure (SHP) CASE-BY-CASE
We believe management and directors should be given latitude in determining appropriate performance measurements. While doing so, consideration should be given to how long-term sustainability issues might affect future company performance. Therefore, we will evaluate on a case-by-case basis proposals requesting companies to consider incorporating specific, measurable, practical goals consisting of sustainability principles and environmental impacts as metrics for incentive compensation and how they are linked with our objectives as long-term shareholders.

75.<br>

#### Lobbying and Political Spending (SHP) FOR
We generally vote in favor of proposals requesting increased disclosure of political contributions and lobbying expenses, including those paid to trade organizations and political action committees, whether at the federal, state, or local level. These proposals may increase transparency.

76.<br>

#### Other Business AGAINST
In certain jurisdictions, these proposals allow management to act on issues that shareholders may raise at the annual meeting. Because it is impossible to know what issues may be raised, we will vote against these proposals.

77.<br>

#### Reimbursement of Shareholder Expenses (SHP) AGAINST
These shareholder proposals would require companies to reimburse the expenses of shareholders who submit proposals that receive a majority of votes cast or the cost of proxy contest expenses. We generally vote against these proposals, unless reimbursement occurs only in cases where management fails to implement a majority passed shareholder proposal, in which case we may vote in favor.

78.<br>

#### Sustainability Report (SHP) FOR
We generally support shareholder proposals calling for reports and disclosure related to sustainability while taking into account existing policies and procedures of the company and whether the proposed information is of added benefit to shareholders.

79.<br>

#### Workplace: Diversity (SHP) FOR
We generally support shareholder proposals calling for reports and disclosure surrounding workplace diversity while taking into account existing policies and procedures of the company and whether the proposed information is of added benefit to shareholders.

We generally support proposals requiring a company to amend its Equal Employment Opportunity policies to prohibit workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

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80.<br>

#### Workplace: Gender Pay Equity (SHP) FOR
A report on pay disparity between genders typically compares the difference between male and female median earnings expressed as a percentage of male earnings and may include, (i) statistics and rationale explanation pertaining to changes in the size of the gap, (ii) recommended actions, and (iii) information on whether greater oversight is needed over certain aspects of the company's compensation policies. In the U.S., we are generally supportive of proposals to require companies to make similar assessments and disclosure related to the pay disparity between different gender and ethnic/racial groups. Shareholder requests to place a limit on a global median ethnic/racial pay gap will be assessed based on the cultural and the legal context of markets to which the company is exposed.

The SEC requires US issuers with fiscal years ending on or after January 1, 2017, to contrast CEO pay with median employee pay. This requirement, however, does not specifically address gender pay equity issues in such pay disparity reports. Accordingly, we will generally support proposals requiring gender pay metrics, taking into account the specific metrics and scope of the information requested and whether the SEC's requirement renders the proposal unnecessary.

4.<br>

#### CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
4.1<br>

#### INTRODUCTION
As a fiduciary, we always must act in our clients' best interests. We strive to avoid even the appearance of a conflict that may compromise the trust our clients have placed in us, and we insist on strict adherence to fiduciary standards and compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws. We have adopted a comprehensive Code of Business Conduct and Ethics ("Code") to help us meet these obligations. As part of this responsibility and as expressed throughout the Code, we place the interests of our clients first and attempt to avoid any perceived or actual conflicts of interest.

AB recognizes that potentially material conflicts of interest arise when we engage with a company or vote a proxy solicited by an issuer that sponsors a retirement plan we manage (or administer), that distributes AB-sponsored mutual funds, or with which AB or one or more of our employees have another business or personal relationship, and that such conflicts could affect how we vote on the issuer's proxy. Similarly, potentially material conflicts of interest arise when engaging with and deciding how to vote on a proposal sponsored or supported by a shareholder group that is a client. In order to address any perceived or actual conflict of interest, the procedures set forth below in sections 4.2 through 4.8 have been established for use when we encounter a potential conflict to ensure that our engagement activities and voting decisions are in our clients' best interest consistent with our fiduciary duties and seek to maximize shareholder value.

4.2<br>

#### ADHERENCE TO STATED PROXY VOTING POLICIES
Votes generally are cast in accordance with this Policy.<sup>3</sup> In situations where our Policy involves a case-by-case assessment, the following sections provide criteria that will guide our decision. In situations where our Policy on a particular issue involves a case-by-case assessment and the vote cannot be clearly decided by an application of our stated Policy, a member of the Committee or his/her designee will make the voting decision in accordance with the basic principle of our Policy to vote proxies with the intention of maximizing the value of the securities in our client accounts. In these situations, the voting rationale must be documented either on the voting platform of our proxy services vendor, by retaining relevant emails or another appropriate method. Where appropriate, the views of investment professionals are considered. All votes cast contrary to our stated voting Policy on specific issues must be documented. If a proxy vote involves a potential conflict of interest, the voting decision will be determined in accordance with the processes outlined in section 4.5 of the Policy. On an annual basis, the Committee will receive and review a report of all such votes so as to confirm adherence with the Policy.

4.3<br>

#### DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS
When considering a proxy proposal, members of the Committee or investment professionals involved in the decision- making process must disclose to the Committee any potential conflict (including personal relationships) of which they are aware and any substantive contact that they have had with any interested outside party (including the issuer or shareholder group sponsoring a proposal) regarding the proposal. Any previously unknown conflict will be recorded on the Potential Conflicts List (discussed below). If a member of the Committee has a material conflict of interest, he or she generally must recuse himself or herself from the decision-making process.

<sup>3</sup> From time to time a client may request that we vote their proxies consistent with AFL-CIO guidelines or the policy of the National Association of Pension Funds. In those situations, AB reserves the right to depart from those policies if we believe it to be in the client's best interests.

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4.4<br>

#### POTENTIAL CONFLICTS LIST
No less frequently than annually, a list of companies and organizations whose engagement and proxies may pose potential conflicts of interest is compiled by the Legal and Compliance Department (the "**Potential Conflicts List**"). The Potential Conflicts List generally includes:

+ <br>

Publicly traded clients of AB;

+ <br>

Publicly traded companies that distribute AB mutual funds;

+ <br>

Bernstein private clients who are directors, officers, or 10% shareholders of publicly traded companies;

+ <br>

Publicly traded companies that are sell-side clients of our affiliated broker-dealer, SCB&Co.;

+ <br>

Companies where an employee of AB or Equitable Holdings, Inc., the parent company of AB, has identified an interest;

+ <br>

Publicly traded affiliated companies;

+ <br>

Clients who sponsor, publicly support or have material interest in a proposal upon which we will be eligible to vote;

+ <br>

Publicly traded companies targeted by the AFL-CIO for engagement and voting; and

?

+ <br>

Any other company subject to a material conflict of which a Committee member becomes aware.<sup>4</sup>

We determine our votes for all meetings of companies that may present a conflict by applying the processes described in Section 4.5 below. We document all instances when the Conflicts Officer determines our vote.

4.5<br>

#### DETERMINE EXISTENCE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
When we encounter a potential conflict of interest, we review our proposed vote using the following analysis to ensure our voting decision is in the best interest of our clients:

+ <br>

If our proposed vote is explicitly addressed by and consistent with the Policy, no further review is necessary.

+ <br>

If our proposed vote is contrary to the Policy (i.e., requires a case-by-case assessment or is not covered by the Policy), the vote will be presented to the Conflicts Officer. The Conflicts Officer's review will be documented using a Proxy Voting Conflict of Interest Form (a copy of which is attached hereto). The Conflicts Officer will determine whether the proposed vote is reasonable. If the Conflicts Officer cannot determine that the proposed vote is reasonable, the Conflicts Officer may instruct AB to refer the votes back to the client(s) or take other actions as the Conflicts Officer deems appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances of the particular potential conflict. The Conflicts Officer may take or recommend that AB take the following steps:

+ <br>

Recuse or "wall-off" certain personnel from the proxy voting process;

+ <br>

Confirm whether AB's proposed vote is consistent with the voting recommendations of our proxy research services vendor; or

+ <br>

Take other actions as the Conflicts Officer deems appropriate.

4.6<br>

#### REVIEW OF THIRD-PARTY PROXY SERVICE VENDORS
AB engages one or more Proxy Service Vendors to provide voting recommendations and voting execution services. From time to time, AB will evaluate each Proxy Service Vendor's services to assess that they are consistent with this Policy and the best interest of our clients. This evaluation may include: (i) a review of pre-populated votes on the Proxy Service Vendor's electronic voting platform before such votes are cast, and (ii) a review of policies that address the consideration of additional information that becomes available regarding a proposal before the vote is cast. AB will also periodically review whether Proxy Service Vendors have the capacity and competency to adequately analyze proxy issues and provide the necessary services to AB. AB will consider, among other things, the adequacy and quality of the Proxy Service Vendor's staffing, personnel and/or technology, as well as whether the Proxy Service Vendor has adequate disclosures regarding its

<sup>4</sup> The Committee must notify the Legal and Compliance Department promptly of any previously unknown conflict.

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methodologies in formulating voting recommendations. If applicable, we will also review whether any potential factual errors, incompleteness or methodological weaknesses materially affected the Proxy Service Vendor's services and the effectiveness of the Proxy Service Vendor's procedures for obtaining current and accurate information relevant to matters included in its research.

The Committee also takes reasonable steps to review the Proxy Service Vendor's policies and procedures addressing conflicts of interest and verify that the Proxy Service Vendor(s) to which we have a full- level subscription is, in fact, independent based on all of the relevant facts and circumstances. This includes reviewing each Proxy Service Vendor's conflict management procedures on an annual basis. When reviewing these conflict management procedures, we will consider, among other things, (i) whether the Proxy Service Vendor has adequate policies and procedures to identify, disclose, and address actual and potential conflicts of interest; and (ii) whether the Proxy Service Vendor provides adequate disclosure of actual and potential conflicts of interest with respect to the services provided to AB by the Proxy Service Vendor and (iii) whether the Proxy Service Vendor's policies and procedures utilize technology in delivering conflicts disclosure; and (iv) can offer research in an impartial manner and in the best interests of our clients.

4.7<br>

#### CONFIDENTIAL VOTING
It is AB's policy to support confidentiality before the actual vote has been cast. Employees are prohibited from revealing how we intend to vote except to (i) members of the Committee; (ii) Portfolio Managers who hold the security in their managed accounts; (iii) the Research Analyst(s) who cover(s) the security; (iv) clients, upon request, for the securities held in their portfolios; (v) clients who do not hold the security or for whom AB does not have proxy voting authority, but who provide AB with a signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement; or (vi) declare our stance on an ESG related shareholder proposal(s) that is (are) deemed material for the issuer's business for generating long-term value in our clients' best interests. Once the votes have been cast for our mutual fund clients, they are made public in accordance with mutual fund proxy vote disclosures required by the SEC, and we generally post all votes to our public website one business day after the meeting date.

We may participate in proxy surveys conducted by shareholder groups or consultants so long as such participation does not compromise our confidential voting policy. Specifically, prior to our required SEC disclosures each year, we may respond to surveys asking about our proxy voting policies, but not any specific votes. After our mutual fund proxy vote disclosures required by the SEC each year have been made public and/or votes have been posted to our public website, we may respond to surveys that cover specific votes in addition to our voting policies.

On occasion, clients for whom we do not have proxy voting authority may ask us how AB's Policy would be implemented. A member of the Committee or one or more members of Responsibility team may provide the results of a potential implementation of the AB policy to the client's account subject to an understanding with the client that the implementation shall remain confidential.

Any substantive contact regarding proxy issues from the issuer, the issuer's agent or a shareholder group sponsoring a proposal must be reported to the Committee if such contact was material to a decision to vote contrary to this Policy. Routine administrative inquiries from proxy solicitors need not be reported.

4.8<br>

#### A NOTE REGARDING AB'S STRUCTURE
AB and AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. ("**AB Holding**") are Delaware limited partnerships. As limited partnerships, neither company is required to produce an annual proxy statement or hold an annual shareholder meeting. In addition, the general partner of AB and AB Holding, AllianceBernstein Corporation is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Equitable Holdings, Inc.

As a result, most of the positions we express in this Proxy Voting Policy are inapplicable to our business. For example, although units in AB Holding are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("**NYSE**"), the NYSE Listed Company Manual exempts limited partnerships and controlled companies from compliance with various listing requirements, including the requirement that our board have a majority of independent directors.

5.<br>

#### VOTING TRANSPARENCY
We publish our voting records on our **website** one business day after the shareholder meeting date for each issuer company. Many clients have requested that we provide them with periodic reports on how we voted their proxies. Clients may obtain information about how we voted proxies on their behalf by contacting their Advisor.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

6.<br>

#### RECORDKEEPING
All of the records referenced below will be kept in an easily accessible place for at least the length of time required by local regulation and custom, and, if such local regulation requires that records are kept for less than six (6) years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record, we will follow the US rule of six (6) or more years. If the local regulation requires that records are kept for more than six (6) or more years, we will comply with the local regulation. We maintain the vast majority of these records electronically.

6.1<br>

#### PROXY VOTING AND GOVERNANCE POLICY
The Policy shall be maintained in the Legal and Compliance Department and posted on our company intranet and on the **AB website**.

6.2<br>

#### PROXY STATEMENTS RECEIVED REGARDING CLIENT SECURITIES
For US Securities<sup>5</sup>, AB relies on the SEC to maintain copies of each proxy statement we receive regarding client securities. For Non-US Securities, we rely on ISS, our proxy voting agent, to retain such proxy statements.

6.3<br>

#### RECORDS OF VOTES CAST ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS
Records of votes cast by AB are retained electronically by our proxy research service vendor.

6.4<br>

#### RECORDS OF CLIENTS REQUESTS FOR PROXY VOTING INFORMATION
Copies of written requests from clients for information on how AB voted their proxies shall be maintained by the Legal and Compliance Department. Responses to written and oral requests for information on how we voted clients' proxies will be kept in the Client Group.

6.5<br>

#### DOCUMENTS PREPARED BY AB THAT ARE MATERIAL TO VOTING DECISIONS
The Committee is responsible for maintaining documents prepared by the Committee or any AB employee that were material to a voting decision. Therefore, where an investment professional's opinion is essential to the voting decision, the recommendation from investment professionals must be made in writing to a member of Responsibility team.

7.<br>

#### PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES
7.1<br>

#### VOTE ADMINISTRATION
In an effort to increase the efficiency of voting proxies, AB currently uses ISS to act as its voting agent for our clients' holdings globally.

Issuers initially send proxy information to the custodians of our client accounts. We instruct these custodian banks to direct proxy related materials to ISS's offices. ISS provides us with research related to each resolution and pre-populates certain ballots based on the guidelines contained in this Policy. Members of Responsibility team assess the proposals via ISS's web platform, ProxyExchange, and submit all votes electronically. ISS then returns the proxy ballot forms to the designated returnee for tabulation. In addition, AB's proxy votes are double-checked in a two-tiered approach. Votes for significant holdings, as defined by our stake, are reviewed real-time by an offshore team to verify that the executed votes are in-line with our Policy. Votes outside of the significant holdings universe are sampled and reviewed on a monthly basis by the members of Responsibility team to ensure their compliance with our Policy.

If necessary, any paper ballots we receive will be voted online using ProxyVote or via mail or fax.

7.2<br>

#### SHARE BLOCKING AND ABSTAINING FROM VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES
Proxy voting in certain countries requires "share blocking." Shareholders wishing to vote their proxies must deposit their shares shortly before the date of the meeting (usually one week) with a designated depositary. During this blocking period, shares that will be voted at the meeting cannot be sold until the meeting has taken place and the shares are returned to the clients' custodian banks. We may determine that the value of exercising the vote is outweighed by the detriment of not being able to sell the shares during this period. In cases where we want to retain the ability to trade shares, we may determine to not vote those shares.

<sup>5</sup> US securities are defined as securities of issuers required to make reports pursuant to §12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Non-US securities are defined as all other securities.

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We seek to vote all proxies for securities held in client accounts for which we have proxy voting authority. However, in some markets administrative issues beyond our control may sometimes prevent us from voting such proxies. For example, we may receive meeting notices after the cut-off date for voting or without enough time to fully consider the proxy. Similarly, proxy materials for some issuers may not contain disclosure sufficient to arrive at a voting decision, in which cases we may abstain from voting. Some markets outside the US require periodic renewals of powers of attorney that local agents must have from our clients prior to implementing our voting instructions.

AB will abstain from voting (which generally requires submission of a proxy voting card) or affirmatively decide not to vote if AB determines that abstaining or not voting would be in the applicable client's best interest. In making such a determination, AB will consider various factors, including, but not limited to: (i) the costs associated with exercising the proxy (e.g., translation or travel costs); (ii) any legal restrictions on trading resulting from the exercise of a proxy (e.g., share-blocking jurisdictions); (iii) whether AB's clients have sold the underlying securities since the record date for the proxy; and (iv) whether casting a vote would not reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the value of the client's investment.

7.3<br>

#### LOANED SECURITIES
Many of our clients have entered into securities lending arrangements with agent lenders to generate additional revenue. We will not be able to vote securities that are on loan under these types of arrangements. However, under rare circumstances, for voting issues that may have a significant impact on the investment, we may request that clients or custodians recall securities that are on loan if we determine that the benefit of voting outweighs the costs and lost revenue to the client or fund and the administrative burden of retrieving the securities. For the SRI labeled Thematic funds, we recall U.S. securities on loan to vote proxies and have discontinued lending for non-U.S. securities.

If you have questions or desire additional information about this Policy, please contact ProxyTeam@alliancebernstein.com.

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#### EXHIBIT

#### PROXY VOTING GUIDELINE SUMMARY

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Shareholder <br>Proposal**  | | **For**  | **Against**  | **Case-by- <br>Case**  |
| **Board and Director Proposals** | **Board and Director Proposals** | **Board and Director Proposals** | **Board and Director Proposals** | **Board and Director Proposals** |
|  | Board Diversity |  |  | +  |
| +  | Establish New Board Committees and Elect Board Members with Specific Expertise |  |  | +  |
|  | Changes in Board Structure and Amending the Articles of Incorporation | +  |  |  |
|  | Classified Boards |  | +  |  |
|  | Director Liability and Indemnification |  |  | +  |
| +  | Disclose CEO Succession Plan | +  |  |  |
|  | Election of Directors | +  |  |  |
|  | Controlled Company Exemption |  |  | +  |
|  | Voting for Director Nominees in a Contested Election |  |  | +  |
| +  | Independent Lead Director | +  |  |  |
| +  | Limit Term of Directorship |  |  | +  |
| +  | Majority of Independent Directors | +  |  |  |
| +  | Majority of Independent Directors on Key Committees | +  |  |  |
| +  | Majority Votes for Directors | +  |  |  |
| +  | Removal of Directors Without Cause | +  |  |  |
| +  | Require Independent Board Chairman |  |  | +  |
| +  | Require Two Candidates for Each Board Seat |  | +  |  |
| **Compensation Proposals** | **Compensation Proposals** | **Compensation Proposals** | **Compensation Proposals** | **Compensation Proposals** |
| +  | Elimination of Single Trigger Change-in-Control Agreements | +  |  |  |
| +  | Pro Rata Vesting of Equity Compensation Awards-Change of Control |  |  | +  |
| +  | Adopt Policies to Prohibit any Death Benefits to Senior Executives |  | +  |  |
| +  | Advisory Vote to Ratify Directors' Compensation | +  |  |  |
| +  | Amend Executive Compensation Plan Tied to Performance (Bonus Banking) |  | +  |  |
|  | Approve Remuneration for Directors and Auditors |  |  | +  |
|  | Approve Remuneration Reports |  |  | +  |
|  | Approve Retirement Bonuses for Directors (Japan and South Korea) |  |  | +  |
|  | Approve Special Payments to Continuing Directors and Auditors (Japan) |  |  | +  |
| +  | Disclose Executive and Director Pay |  |  | +  |
| +  | Exclude Pension Income from Performance-Based Compensation | +  |  |  |
|  | Executive and Employee Compensation Plans |  |  | +  |
| +  | Limit Dividend Payments to Executives |  | +  |  |
| +  | Limit Executive Pay |  |  | +  |
| +  | Mandatory Holding Periods |  | +  |  |
| +  | Performance-Based Stock Option Plans |  |  | +  |
| +  | Prohibit Relocation Benefits to Senior Executives |  | +  |  |
| +  | Recovery of Performance-Based Compensation | +  |  |  |
| +  | Submit Golden Parachutes/Severance Plans to a Shareholder Vote |  | +  |  |
| +  | Submit Golden Parachutes/Severance Plans to a Shareholder Vote prior to their being Negotiated by Management |  |  | +  |
| +  | Submit Survivor Benefit Compensation Plans to a Shareholder Vote | +  |  |  |
| **Capital Changes and Anti-Take Over Proposals** | **Capital Changes and Anti-Take Over Proposals** | **Capital Changes and Anti-Take Over Proposals** | **Capital Changes and Anti-Take Over Proposals** | **Capital Changes and Anti-Take Over Proposals** |
| +  | Amend Exclusive Forum Bylaw |  | +  |  |

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Shareholder <br>Proposal**  | | **For**  | **Against**  | **Case-by- <br>Case**  |
|  | Amend Net Operating Loss ("NOL") Rights Plans | +  |  |  |
|  | Authorize Share Repurchase | +  |  |  |
|  | Blank Check Preferred Stock |  | +  |  |
|  | Corporate Restructurings, Merger Proposals and Spin-Offs |  |  | +  |
|  | Elimination of Preemptive Rights |  |  | +  |
| +  | Expensing Stock Options | +  |  |  |
|  | Fair Price Provisions |  |  | +  |
|  | Increase Authorized Common Stock |  |  | +  |
|  | Issuance of Equity without Preemptive Rights | +  |  |  |
|  | Issuance of Stock with Unequal Voting Rights |  |  | +  |
|  | Net Long Position Requirement | +  |  |  |
|  | Reincorporation |  |  | +  |
| +  | Reincorporation to Another jurisdiction to Permit Majority Voting or Other Changes in Corporate Governance |  |  | +  |
|  | Stock Splits | +  |  |  |
| +  | Submit Company's Shareholder Rights Plan to a Shareholder Vote | +  |  |  |
|  | Transferrable Stock Options |  |  | +  |
| **Auditor Proposals** | **Auditor Proposals** | **Auditor Proposals** | **Auditor Proposals** | **Auditor Proposals** |
|  | Appointment of Auditors | +  |  |  |
|  | Approval of Financial Statements | +  |  |  |
|  | Approval of Internal Statutory Auditors | +  |  |  |
| +  | Limit Compensation Consultant Services |  | +  |  |
|  | Limitation of Liability of External Statutory Auditors (Japan) |  |  | +  |
| +  | Separating Auditors and Consultants |  |  | +  |
| **Shareholder Access & Voting Proposals** | **Shareholder Access & Voting Proposals** | **Shareholder Access & Voting Proposals** | **Shareholder Access & Voting Proposals** | **Shareholder Access & Voting Proposals** |
| +  | A Shareholder's Right to Call Special Meetings | +  |  |  |
| +  | Adopt Cumulative Voting |  |  | +  |
| +  | Adopt Cumulative Voting in Dual Shareholder Class Structures | +  |  |  |
| +  | Early Disclosure of Voting Results |  | +  |  |
| +  | Implement Confidential Voting | +  |  |  |
|  | Limiting a Shareholder's Right to Call Special Meetings |  | +  |  |
| +  | Permit a Shareholder's Right to Act by Written Consent |  |  | +  |
| +  | Proxy Access for Annual Meetings | +  |  |  |
|  | Reduce Meeting Notification from 21 Days to 14 Days (UK) | +  |  |  |
| +  | Rotation of Locale for Annual Meeting |  | +  |  |
| +  | Shareholder Proponent Engagement Process | +  |  |  |
|  | Supermajority Vote Requirements |  | +  |  |
| **Environmental & Social, Disclosure Proposals** | **Environmental & Social, Disclosure Proposals** | **Environmental & Social, Disclosure Proposals** | **Environmental & Social, Disclosure Proposals** | **Environmental & Social, Disclosure Proposals** |
| +  | Animal Welfare |  |  | +  |
| +  | Climate Change |  |  | +  |
| +  | Carbon Accounting | +  |  |  |
| +  | Carbon Risk | +  |  |  |
| +  | Charitable Contributions |  |  | +  |
| +  | Environmental Proposals |  |  | +  |
| +  | Genetically Altered or Engineered Food and Pesticides |  |  | +  |
| +  | Health Proposals |  |  | +  |
| +  | Pharmaceutical Pricing (US) |  |  | +  |

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---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Shareholder <br>Proposal**  | | **For**  | **Against**  | **Case-by- <br>Case**  |
| +  | Human Rights Policies and Reports |  |  | +  |
| +  | Include Sustainability as a Performance Measure (SHP) |  |  | +  |
| +  | Lobbying and Political Spending | +  |  |  |
| +  | Other Business |  | +  |  |
| +  | Reimbursement of Shareholder Expenses |  | +  |  |
| +  | Sustainability Report |  |  | +  |
| +  | Work Place: Diversity | +  |  |  |
| +  | Work Place: Pay Disparity |  |  | +  |

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#### EXHIBIT

#### PROXY VOTING CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORM
Name of Security Date of Shareholder Meeting

#### Short Description of the conflict (client, mutual fund distributor, etc.):
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**1.** **Is our proposed vote on all issues explicitly addressed by, and consistent with our stated proxy voting policy? If yes, stop here and sign below as no further review is necessary.** **☐ Yes ☐ No** 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. **Is our proposed vote on consistent with our client's recommended vote?** Leave blank if not applicable; if yes, continue to question 3; if no, provide a memo reflecting the guidelines provided below. ☐ Yes ☐ No

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**3.** **Is our proposed vote consistent with the views of Institutional Shareholder Services? Leave blank if not applicable.** **☐ Yes ☐ No** 

Please attach a memo containing the following information and documentation supporting the proxy voting decision:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A list of the issue(s) where our proposed vote is contrary to our stated Policy (director election, cumulative voting, compensation)

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A description of any substantive contact with any interested outside party and a proxy voting and governance committee or an AB investment professional that was material to our voting decision. Please include date, attendees, titles, organization they represent and topics discussed. If there was no such contact, please note as such.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • If the Independent Compliance Officer has NOT determined that the proposed vote is reasonable, please explain and indicate what action has been, or will be taken.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **AB Conflicts Officer Approval (if necessary. Email approval is acceptable.):** | **Prepared by:**  |
| I hereby confirm that the proxy voting decision referenced on this form is reasonable. | |
| | Print Name: |
| AB Conflicts Officer | Date: |
| Date: | |

---

**Please return this completed form and all supporting documentation to the Conflicts Officer in the Legal and Compliance Department and keep a copy for your records.**

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#### AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC.

#### PROXY VOTING POLICIES
American Century Investment Management, Inc. (the "Advisor") is the investment manager for a variety of advisory clients, including the American Century family of funds. In such capacity, the Advisor has been delegated the authority to vote proxies with respect to investments held in the accounts it manages. The following is a statement of the proxy voting policies that have been adopted by the Advisor. In the exercise of proxy voting authority which has been delegated to it by particular clients, the Advisor will apply the following policies in accordance with, and subject to, any specific policies that have been adopted by the client and communicated to and accepted by the Advisor in writing.

A.<br>

#### General Principles
In providing the service of voting client proxies, the Advisor is guided by general fiduciary principles, must act prudently, solely in the interest of its clients, and must not subordinate client interests to unrelated objectives. Except as otherwise indicated in these Policies, the Advisor will vote all proxies with respect to investments held in the client accounts it manages. The Advisor will attempt to consider all factors of its vote that could affect the value of the investment. Although in most instances the Advisor will vote proxies consistently across all client accounts, the votes will be based on the best interests of each client. As a result, accounts managed by the Advisor may at times vote differently on the same proposals. Examples of when an account's vote might differ from other accounts managed by the Advisor include, but are not limited to, proxy contests and proposed mergers. In short, the Advisor will vote proxies in the manner that it believes will do the most to maximize shareholder value.

B.<br>

#### Specific Proxy Matters
1.<br>

#### Routine Matters
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a.<br>

#### Election of Directors
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1.

***Generally.*** The Advisor will generally support the election of directors that result in a board made up of a majority of independent directors. In general, the Advisor will vote in favor of management's director nominees if they are running unopposed. The Advisor believes that management is in the best possible position to evaluate the qualifications of directors and the needs and dynamics of a particular board. The Advisor of course maintains the ability to vote against any candidate whom it feels is not qualified or if there are specific concerns about the individual, such as allegations of criminal wrongdoing or breach of fiduciary responsibilities. Additional information the Advisor may consider concerning director nominees include, but is not limited to, whether (1) there is an adequate explanation for repeated absences at board meetings, (2) the nominee receives non-board fee compensation, or (3) there is a family relationship between the nominee and the company's chief executive officer or controlling shareholder. When management's nominees are opposed in a proxy contest, the Advisor will evaluate which nominees' publicly-announced management policies and goals are most likely to maximize shareholder value, as well as the past performance of the incumbents.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2.

***Committee Service.*** The Advisor will withhold votes for non-independent directors who serve on the audit, compensation, and/or nominating committees of the board.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3.

***Classification of Boards.*** The Advisor will support proposals that seek to declassify boards. Conversely, the Advisor will oppose efforts to adopt classified board structures.

4. ***Majority Independent Board.*** The Advisor will support proposals calling for a majority of independent directors on a board. The Advisor believes that a majority of independent directors can help to facilitate objective decision making and enhances accountability to shareholders.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.

***Majority Vote Standard for Director Elections.*** The Advisor will vote in favor of proposals calling for directors to be elected by an affirmative majority of the votes cast in a board election, provided that the proposal allows for a plurality voting standard in the case of contested elections. The Advisor may consider voting against such shareholder proposals where a company's board has adopted an alternative measure, such as a director resignation policy, that provides a meaningful alternative to the majority voting standard and appropriately addresses situations where an incumbent director fails to receive the support of the majority of the votes cast in an uncontested election.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 6.

***Withholding Campaigns.*** The Advisor will support proposals calling for shareholders to withhold votes for directors where such actions will advance the principles set forth in paragraphs (1) through (5) above.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;b.<br>

#### Ratification of Selection of Auditors
The Advisor will generally rely on the judgment of the issuer's audit committee in selecting the independent

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auditors who will provide the best service to the company. The Advisor believes that independence of the auditors is paramount and will vote against auditors whose independence appears to be impaired. The Advisor will vote against proposed auditors in those circumstances where (1) an auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent; (2) non-audit fees comprise more than 50% of the total fees paid by the company to the audit firm; or (3) there is reason to believe that the independent auditor has previously rendered an opinion to the issuer that is either inaccurate or not indicative of the company's financial position.

2.<br>

#### Compensation Matters
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a.<br>

#### Executive Compensation
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1.

***Advisory Vote on Compensation.*** The Advisor believes there are more effective ways to convey concerns about compensation than through an advisory vote on compensation (such as voting against specific excessive incentive plans or withholding votes from compensation committee members). The Advisor will consider and vote on a case-by-case basis on say-on-pay proposals and will generally support management proposals unless specific concerns exist, including if the Advisor concludes that executive compensation is (i) misaligned with shareholder interests, (ii) unreasonable in amount, or (iii) not in the aggregate meaningfully tied to the company's performance.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2.

***Frequency of Advisory Votes on Compensation.*** The Advisor generally supports the triennial option for the frequency of say-on-pay proposals, but will consider management recommendations for an alternative approach.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;b.<br>

#### Equity Based Compensation Plans
The Advisor believes that equity-based incentive plans are economically significant issues upon which shareholders are entitled to vote. The Advisor recognizes that equity-based compensation plans can be useful in attracting and maintaining desirable employees. The cost associated with such plans must be measured if plans are to be used appropriately to maximize shareholder value. The Advisor will conduct a case-by-case analysis of each stock option, stock bonus or similar plan or amendment, and generally approve management's recommendations with respect to adoption of or amendments to a company's equity-based compensation plans, provided that the total number of shares reserved under all of a company's plans is reasonable and not excessively dilutive.

The Advisor will review equity-based compensation plans or amendments thereto on a case-by-case basis. Factors that will be considered in the determination include the company's overall capitalization, the performance of the company relative to its peers, and the maturity of the company and its industry; for example, technology companies often use options broadly throughout its employee base which may justify somewhat greater dilution.

Amendments which are proposed in order to bring a company's plan within applicable legal requirements will be reviewed by the Advisor's legal counsel; amendments to executive bonus plans to comply with IRS Section 162(m) disclosure requirements, for example, are generally approved.

The Advisor will generally vote against the adoption of plans or plan amendments that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Provide for immediate vesting of all stock options in the event of a change of control of the company without reasonable safeguards against abuse (see "Anti-Takeover Proposals" below);

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Reset outstanding stock options at a lower strike price unless accompanied by a corresponding and proportionate reduction in the number of shares designated. The Advisor will generally oppose adoption of stock option plans that explicitly or historically permit repricing of stock options, regardless of the number of shares reserved for issuance, since their effect is impossible to evaluate;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Establish restriction periods shorter than three years for restricted stock grants;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Do not reasonably associate awards to performance of the company; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Are excessively dilutive to the company.

3.<br>

#### Anti-Takeover Proposals
In general, the Advisor will vote against any proposal, whether made by management or shareholders, which the Advisor believes would materially discourage a potential acquisition or takeover. In most cases an acquisition or takeover of a particular company will increase share value. The adoption of anti-takeover measures may prevent or

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frustrate a bid from being made, may prevent consummation of the acquisition, and may have a negative effect on share price when no acquisition proposal is pending. The items below discuss specific anti-takeover proposals.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a.<br>

#### Cumulative Voting
The Advisor will vote in favor of any proposal to adopt cumulative voting and will vote against any proposal to eliminate cumulative voting that is already in place, except in cases where a company has a staggered board. Cumulative voting gives minority shareholders a stronger voice in the company and a greater chance for representation on the board. The Advisor believes that the elimination of cumulative voting constitutes an anti-takeover measure.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;b.<br>

#### Staggered Board
If a company has a "staggered board," its directors are elected for terms of more than one year and only a segment of the board stands for election in any year. Therefore, a potential acquiror cannot replace the entire board in one year even if it controls a majority of the votes. Although staggered boards may provide some degree of continuity and stability of leadership and direction to the board of directors, the Advisor believes that staggered boards are primarily an anti-takeover device and will vote against establishing them and for eliminating them. However, the Advisor does not necessarily vote against the re-election of directors serving on staggered boards.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;c.<br>

#### "Blank Check" Preferred Stock
Blank check preferred stock gives the board of directors the ability to issue preferred stock, without further shareholder approval, with such rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions as may be set by the board. In response to a hostile takeover attempt, the board could issue such stock to a friendly party or "white knight" or could establish conversion or other rights in the preferred stock which would dilute the common stock and make an acquisition impossible or less attractive. The argument in favor of blank check preferred stock is that it gives the board flexibility in pursuing financing, acquisitions or other proper corporate purposes without incurring the time or expense of a shareholder vote. Generally, the Advisor will vote against blank check preferred stock. However, the Advisor may vote in favor of blank check preferred if the proxy statement discloses that such stock is limited to use for a specific, proper corporate objective as a financing instrument.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;d.<br>

#### Elimination of Preemptive Rights
When a company grants preemptive rights, existing shareholders are given an opportunity to maintain their proportional ownership when new shares are issued. A proposal to eliminate preemptive rights is a request from management to revoke that right.

While preemptive rights will protect the shareholder from having its equity diluted, it may also decrease a company's ability to raise capital through stock offerings or use stock for acquisitions or other proper corporate purposes. Preemptive rights may therefore result in a lower market value for the company's stock. In the long term, shareholders could be adversely affected by preemptive rights. The Advisor generally votes against proposals to grant preemptive rights, and for proposals to eliminate preemptive rights.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;e.<br>

#### Non-targeted Share Repurchase
A non-targeted share repurchase is generally used by company management to prevent the value of stock held by existing shareholders from deteriorating. A non-targeted share repurchase may reflect management's belief in the favorable business prospects of the company. The Advisor finds no disadvantageous effects of a non-targeted share repurchase and will generally vote for the approval of a non-targeted share repurchase subject to analysis of the company's financial condition.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;f.<br>

#### Increase in Authorized Common Stock
The issuance of new common stock can also be viewed as an anti-takeover measure, although its effect on shareholder value would appear to be less significant than the adoption of blank check preferred. The Advisor will evaluate the amount of the proposed increase and the purpose or purposes for which the increase is sought. If the increase is not excessive and is sought for proper corporate purposes, the increase will be approved. Proper corporate purposes might include, for example, the creation of additional stock to accommodate a stock split or stock dividend, additional stock required for a proposed acquisition, or additional stock required to be reserved upon exercise of employee stock option plans or employee stock purchase plans. Generally, the Advisor will vote in favor of an increase in authorized common stock of up to 100%; increases in excess of 100% are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and will be voted affirmatively if management has provided sound justification for the increase.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;g.<br>

#### "Supermajority" Voting Provisions or Super Voting Share Classes
A "supermajority" voting provision is a provision placed in a company's charter documents which would require a "supermajority" (ranging from 66 to 90%) of shareholders and shareholder votes to approve any type of acquisition of the company. A super voting share class grants one class of shareholders a greater per-share vote than those of shareholders of other voting classes. The Advisor believes that these are standard anti-takeover measures and will generally vote against them. The supermajority provision makes an acquisition more time-consuming and expensive for the acquiror. A super voting share class favors one group of shareholders disproportionately to economic interest. Both are often proposed in conjunction with other anti-takeover measures.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;h.<br>

#### "Fair Price" Amendments
This is another type of charter amendment that would require an offeror to pay a "fair" and uniform price to all shareholders in an acquisition. In general, fair price amendments are designed to protect shareholders from coercive, two-tier tender offers in which some shareholders may be merged out on disadvantageous terms. Fair price amendments also have an anti-takeover impact, although their adoption is generally believed to have less of a negative effect on stock price than other anti-takeover measures. The Advisor will carefully examine all fair price proposals. In general, the Advisor will vote against fair price proposals unless the Advisor concludes that it is likely that the share price will not be negatively affected and the proposal will not have the effect of discouraging acquisition proposals.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;i.<br>

#### Limiting the Right to Call Special Shareholder Meetings.
The corporation statutes of many states allow minority shareholders at a certain threshold level of ownership (frequently 10%) to call a special meeting of shareholders. This right can be eliminated (or the threshold increased) by amendment to the company's charter documents. The Advisor believes that the right to call a special shareholder meeting is significant for minority shareholders; the elimination of such right will be viewed as an anti-takeover measure and the Advisor will generally vote against proposals attempting to eliminate this right and for proposals attempting to restore it.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;j.<br>

#### Poison Pills or Shareholder Rights Plans
Many companies have now adopted some version of a poison pill plan (also known as a shareholder rights plan). Poison pill plans generally provide for the issuance of additional equity securities or rights to purchase equity securities upon the occurrence of certain hostile events, such as the acquisition of a large block of stock.

The basic argument against poison pills is that they depress share value, discourage offers for the company and serve to "entrench" management. The basic argument in favor of poison pills is that they give management more time and leverage to deal with a takeover bid and, as a result, shareholders may receive a better price. The Advisor believes that the potential benefits of a poison pill plan are outweighed by the potential detriments. The Advisor will generally vote against all forms of poison pills.

The Advisor will, however, consider on a case-by-case basis poison pills that are very limited in time and preclusive effect. The Advisor will generally vote in favor of such a poison pill if it is linked to a business strategy that will—in our view—likely result in greater value for shareholders, if the term is less than three years, and if shareholder approval is required to reinstate the expired plan or adopt a new plan at the end of this term.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;k.<br>

#### Golden Parachutes
Golden parachute arrangements provide substantial compensation to executives who are terminated as a result of a takeover or change in control of their company. The existence of such plans in reasonable amounts probably has only a slight anti-takeover effect. In voting, the Advisor will evaluate the specifics of the plan presented.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;l.<br>

#### Reincorporation
Reincorporation in a new state is often proposed as one part of a package of anti-takeover measures. Several states (such as Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana) now provide some type of legislation that greatly discourages takeovers. Management believes that Delaware in particular is beneficial as a corporate domicile because of the well-developed body of statutes and case law dealing with corporate acquisitions.

The Advisor will examine reincorporation proposals on a case-by-case basis. Generally, if the Advisor believes that the reincorporation will result in greater protection from takeovers, the reincorporation proposal will be opposed. The Advisor will also oppose reincorporation proposals involving jurisdictions that specify that directors

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can recognize non-shareholder interests over those of shareholders. When reincorporation is proposed for a legitimate business purpose and without the negative effects identified above, the Advisor will generally vote affirmatively.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;m.<br>

#### Confidential Voting
Companies that have not previously adopted a "confidential voting" policy allow management to view the results of shareholder votes. This gives management the opportunity to contact those shareholders voting against management in an effort to change their votes.

Proponents of secret ballots argue that confidential voting enables shareholders to vote on all issues on the basis of merit without pressure from management to influence their decision. Opponents argue that confidential voting is more expensive and unnecessary; also, holding shares in a nominee name maintains shareholders' confidentiality. The Advisor believes that the only way to insure anonymity of votes is through confidential voting, and that the benefits of confidential voting outweigh the incremental additional cost of administering a confidential voting system. Therefore, the Advisor will generally vote in favor of any proposal to adopt confidential voting.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;n.<br>

#### Opting In or Out of State Takeover Laws
State takeover laws typically are designed to make it more difficult to acquire a corporation organized in that state. The Advisor believes that the decision of whether or not to accept or reject offers of merger or acquisition should be made by the shareholders, without unreasonably restrictive state laws that may impose ownership thresholds or waiting periods on potential acquirors. Therefore, the Advisor will generally vote in favor of opting out of restrictive state takeover laws.

4.<br>

#### Transaction Related Proposals
The Advisor will review transaction related proposals, such as mergers, acquisitions, and corporate reorganizations, on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the impact of the transaction on each client account. In some instances, such as the approval of a proposed merger, a transaction may have a differential impact on client accounts depending on the securities held in each account. For example, whether a merger is in the best interest of a client account may be influenced by whether an account holds, and in what proportion, the stock of both the acquirer and the acquiror. In these circumstances, the Advisor may determine that it is in the best interests of the accounts to vote the accounts' shares differently on proposals related to the same transaction.

5.<br>

#### Other Matters
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;a.<br>

#### Proposals Involving Environmental, Social, and Governance ("ESG") Matters
The Advisor believes that ESG issues can potentially impact an issuer's long-term financial performance and has developed an analytical framework, as well as a proprietary assessment tool, to integrate risks and opportunities stemming from ESG issues into our investment process. This ESG integration process extends to our proxy voting practices in that our ESG Proxy Team analyzes on a case-by-case basis the financial materiality and potential risks or economic impact of the ESG issues underpinning proxy proposals and makes voting recommendations based thereon for the Advisor's consideration. The ESG Proxy Team will generally recommend support for well-targeted ESG proposals if it believes that there is a rational linkage between a proposal, its economic impact, and its potential to maximize long-term shareholder value.

Where the economic effect of such proposals is unclear and there is not a specific written client-mandate, the Advisor believes it is generally impossible to know how to vote in a manner that would accurately reflect the views of the Advisor's clients, and, therefore, the Advisor will generally rely on management's assessment of the economic effect if the Advisor believes the assessment is not unreasonable.

Shareholders may also introduce proposals which are the subject of existing law or regulation. Examples of such proposals would include a proposal to require disclosure of a company's contributions to political action committees or a proposal to require a company to adopt a non-smoking workplace policy. The Advisor believes that such proposals may be better addressed outside the corporate arena and, absent a potential economic impact, will generally vote with management's recommendation. In addition, the Advisor will generally vote against any proposal which would require a company to adopt practices or procedures which go beyond the requirements of existing, directly applicable law.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;b.<br>

#### Anti-Greenmail Proposals
"Anti-greenmail" proposals generally limit the right of a corporation, without a shareholder vote, to pay a

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premium or buy out a 5% or greater shareholder. Management often argues that they should not be restricted from negotiating a deal to buy out a significant shareholder at a premium if they believe it is in the best interest of the company. Institutional shareholders generally believe that all shareholders should be able to vote on such a significant use of corporate assets. The Advisor believes that any repurchase by the company at a premium price of a large block of stock should be subject to a shareholder vote. Accordingly, it will generally vote in favor of anti-greenmail proposals.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;c.<br>

#### Indemnification
The Advisor will generally vote in favor of a corporation's proposal to indemnify its officers and directors in accordance with applicable state law. Indemnification arrangements are often necessary in order to attract and retain qualified directors. The adoption of such proposals appears to have little effect on share value.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;d.<br>

#### Non-Stock Incentive Plans
Management may propose a variety of cash-based incentive or bonus plans to stimulate employee performance. In general, the cash or other corporate assets required for most incentive plans is not material, and the Advisor will vote in favor of such proposals, particularly when the proposal is recommended in order to comply with IRC Section 162(m) regarding salary disclosure requirements. Case-by-case determinations will be made of the appropriateness of the amount of shareholder value transferred by proposed plans.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;e.<br>

#### Director Tenure
These proposals ask that age and term restrictions be placed on the board of directors. The Advisor believes that these types of blanket restrictions are not necessarily in the best interests of shareholders and therefore will vote against such proposals, unless they have been recommended by management.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;f.<br>

#### Directors' Stock Options Plans
The Advisor believes that stock options are an appropriate form of compensation for directors, and the Advisor will generally vote for director stock option plans which are reasonable and do not result in excessive shareholder dilution. Analysis of such proposals will be made on a case-by-case basis, and will take into account total board compensation and the company's total exposure to stock option plan dilution.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;g.<br>

#### Director Share Ownership
The Advisor will generally vote against shareholder proposals which would require directors to hold a minimum number of the company's shares to serve on the Board of Directors, in the belief that such ownership should be at the discretion of Board members.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;h.<br>

#### Non-U.S. Proxies
The Advisor will generally evaluate non-U.S. proxies in the context of the voting policies expressed herein but will also, where feasible, take into consideration differing laws, regulations, and practices in the relevant foreign market in determining if and how to vote. There may also be circumstances when practicalities and costs involved with non-U.S. investing make it disadvantageous to vote shares. For instance, the Advisor generally does not vote proxies in circumstances where share blocking restrictions apply, when meeting attendance is required in person, or when current share ownership disclosure is required.

C.<br>

#### Use of Proxy Advisory Services
The Adviser may retain proxy advisory firms to provide services in connection with voting proxies, including, without limitation, to provide information on shareholder meeting dates and proxy materials, translate proxy materials printed in a foreign language, provide research on proxy proposals and voting recommendations in accordance with the voting policies expressed herein, provide systems to assist with casting the proxy votes, and provide reports and assist with preparation of filings concerning the proxies voted.

Prior to the selection of a proxy advisory firm and periodically thereafter, the Advisor will consider whether the proxy advisory firm has the capacity and competency to adequately analyze proxy issues and the ability to make recommendations based on material accurate information in an impartial manner. Such considerations may include some or all of the following (i) periodic sampling of votes cast through the firm's systems to determine that votes are in accordance with the Advisor's policies and its clients best interests, (ii) onsite visits to the proxy advisory firm's office and/or discussions with the firm to determine whether the firm continues to have the resources (e.g. staffing, personnel, technology, etc.) capacity and competency to carry out its obligations to the Advisor, (iii) a review of the firm's policies and procedures, with a focus on those relating to identifying and addressing conflicts of interest and

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monitoring that current and accurate information is used in creating recommendations, (iv) requesting that the firm notify the Advisor if there is a change in the firm's material policies and procedures, particularly with respect to conflicts, or material business practices (e.g., entering or exiting new lines of business), and reviewing any such change, and (v) in case of an error made by the firm, discussing the error with the firm and determining whether appropriate corrective and preventative action is being taken. In the event the Advisor discovers an error in the research or voting recommendations provided by the firm, it will take reasonable steps to investigate the error and seek to determine whether the firm is taking reasonable steps to reduce similar errors in the future.

While the Advisor takes into account information from many different sources, including independent proxy advisory services, the decision on how to vote proxies will be made in accordance with these policies.

D.<br>

#### Monitoring Potential Conflicts of Interest
Corporate management has a strong interest in the outcome of proposals submitted to shareholders. As a consequence, management often seeks to influence large shareholders to vote with their recommendations on particularly controversial matters. In the vast majority of cases, these communications with large shareholders amount to little more than advocacy for management's positions and give the Advisor's staff the opportunity to ask additional questions about the matter being presented. Companies with which the Advisor has direct business relationships could theoretically use these relationships to attempt to unduly influence the manner in which the Advisor votes on matters for its clients. To ensure that such a conflict of interest does not affect proxy votes cast for the Advisor's clients, our proxy voting personnel regularly catalog companies with whom the Advisor has significant business relationships; all discretionary (including case-by-case) voting for these companies will be voted by the client or an appropriate fiduciary responsible for the client (e.g., a committee of the independent directors of a fund or the trustee of a retirement plan).

In addition, to avoid any potential conflict of interest that may arise when one American Century fund owns shares of another American Century fund, the Advisor will "echo vote" such shares, if possible. Echo voting means the Advisor will vote the shares in the same proportion as the vote of all of the other holders of the fund's shares. So, for example, if shareholders of a fund cast 80% of their votes in favor of a proposal and 20% against the proposal, any American Century fund that owns shares of such fund will cast 80% of its shares in favor of the proposal and 20% against. When this is not possible (as in the case of the "NT" funds, where the other American Century funds are the only shareholders), the shares of the underlying fund (e.g. the "NT" fund) will be voted in the same proportion as the vote of the shareholders of the corresponding American Century policy portfolio for proposals common to both funds. For example, NT Growth Fund shares will be echo voted in accordance with the votes of the Growth Fund shareholders. In the case where the policy portfolio does not have a common proposal, shares will be voted in consultation with a committee of the independent directors.

\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*

The voting policies expressed above are of course subject to modification in certain circumstances and will be reexamined from time to time. With respect to matters that do not fit in the categories stated above, the Advisor will exercise its best judgment as a fiduciary to vote in the manner which will most enhance shareholder value.

Case-by-case determinations will be made by the Advisor's staff, which is overseen by the General Counsel of the Advisor, in consultation with equity managers. Electronic records will be kept of all votes made.

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#### BARROW, HANLEY, MEWHINNEY & STRAUSS, LLC

#### PROXY VOTING POLICY AND GUIDELINES
Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC ("Barrow Hanley") has accepted authority to vote proxies for our clients who have delegated this responsibility to us. It is the Firm's Policy to vote our clients' proxies in the best economic interests of our clients, the beneficial owners of the shares. The Firm has adopted this Proxy Voting Policy, and procedures for handling research, voting, reporting, and disclosing proxy votes, and this set of Guidelines ("Guidelines") that provide a framework for assessing proxy proposals.

Barrow Hanley votes all clients' proxies the same based on the Firm's Policy and Guidelines. If or when additional costs for voting proxies are identified, the Firm will determine whether such costs exceed the expected economic benefit of voting the proxy and may abstain from voting proxies for ERISA Plan clients. However, if/when such voting costs are borne by Barrow Hanley and not by the client, all proxies will be voted for all clients.

Disclosure information about the Firm's Proxy Voting Policy & Guidelines is provided in the Firm's Form ADV Part 2.

To assist in the proxy voting process at its own expense, Barrow Hanley retains Glass Lewis & Co. ("Glass Lewis") as proxy service provider. Glass Lewis provides:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Research on corporate governance, financial statements, business, legal and accounting risks,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Proxy voting recommendations, including environmental, social, and governance ("ESG") voting Guidelines,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Portfolio accounting and reconciliation of shareholdings for voting purposes,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Proxy voting execution, record keeping, and reporting services.

#### Proxy Oversight Committee, Proxy Coordinators, and Proxy Voting Committee
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Barrow Hanley's Proxy Oversight Committee is responsible for implementing and monitoring this proxy voting Policy, procedures, disclosures, and recordkeeping.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The Proxy Oversight Committee conducts periodic reviews of proxy votes to ensure that the Policy is observed, implemented properly, and amended or updated, as appropriate.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The Proxy Oversight Committee is comprised of the CCO, the Responsible Investing Committee Lead, the Head of Investment Operations, the ESG Research Coordinator, and an At-Large Portfolio Manager.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Proxy Coordinators are responsible for organizing and reviewing the data and recommendations of Glass Lewis.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Proxy Coordinators are responsible for ensuring that the proxy ballots are routed to the appropriate research analyst based on industry sector coverage.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Research Analysts are responsible for review and evaluate proposals and make recommendations to the Proxy Voting Committee to ensure that votes are consistent with the Firm's analysis.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Equity Portfolio Managers are members of the Proxy Voting Committee.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Equity Portfolio Managers vote proposals based on our Guidelines, internal research recommendations, and the research from Glass Lewis. Proxy votes must be approved by the Proxy Voting Committee before submitting to Glass Lewis.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Proxies for the Diversified Small Cap Value accounts are voted in accordance with Glass Lewis' recommendations for the following reasons:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Investment selection is based on a quantitative model,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The holding period is too short to justify the time for analysis necessary to vote.

#### Conflicts of Interest
Potential conflicts may arise when:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Clients elect to participate in securities lending arrangements; in such cases, the votes follow the shares. Barrow Hanley is not a party to the client's lending arrangement and typically does not have information about shares on loan. Under these circumstances the proxies for those shares may not be voted.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • If/when a proxy voting issue is determined to be financially material, the Firm makes a best-efforts attempt to alert clients and their custodial bank to recall shares from loan to be voted. In this context, Barrow Hanley defines a financially material issue to be issues deemed by our investment team to have significant economic impact. The ultimate decision on whether to recall shares is the responsibility of the client.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Barrow Hanley invests in equity securities of corporations who are also clients of the Firm. In such cases, the Firm seeks to mitigate potential conflicts by:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Making voting decisions for the benefit of the shareholder(s), our clients,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Uniformly voting every proxy based on Barrow Hanley's internal research and consideration of Glass Lewis' recommendations, and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Documenting the votes of companies who are also clients of the Firm.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • If a material conflict of interest exists, members from the Proxy Voting and Oversight Committees will determine if the affected clients should have an opportunity to vote their proxies themselves, or whether Barrow Hanley will address the specific voting issue through other objective means, such as voting the proxies in a manner consistent with a predetermined voting policy or accepting the voting recommendation of Glass Lewis.

#### Other Policies and Procedures
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Barrow Hanley sends a daily electronic transfer of equity positions to Glass Lewis.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Glass Lewis identifies accounts eligible to vote for each security and posts the proposals and research on its secure, proprietary online system.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Barrow Hanley sends a proxy report to clients at least annually and/or as requested by client, listing the number of shares voted and disclosing how proxies were voted.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Barrow Hanley retains voting records in accordance with the Firm's Books and Records Policy. Glass Lewis retains the Firm's voting records for seven years.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Proxy Coordinators are responsible for retaining the following proxy records:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • These policies, procedures, and amendments;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Proxy statements regarding our clients' securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A record of each proxy voted;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Proxy voting reports that are sent to clients annually;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Internal documents related to voting decisions; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Records of clients' requests for proxy voting information and/or correspondence about votes.

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#### Voting Debt and/or Bank Loan Securities
Barrow Hanley's proxy voting responsibilities may include voting on proposals, amendments, consents, or resolutions solicited by or in respect to securities related to bank loan investments.

#### Exceptions
Limited exceptions to this Policy may be permitted based on a client's circumstances, such as foreign regulations that create a conflict with U.S. practices, expenses to facilitate voting when the costs outweigh the benefit of voting the proxies, or other circumstances.

#### Guidelines
Barrow Hanley's set of proxy voting Guidelines is a framework for assessing proposals. Each proposal is evaluated based on its facts and circumstances. The Firm reviews and considers ESG issues along with other financially material factors to assess the financially material impact on the long-term value of the shares. Our Guidelines address the following issues:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Board of Directors

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Independent Auditors

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Compensation Issues

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Corporate Structure and Shareholder Rights

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Shareholder Proposals and ESG Issues

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Voting of Non-U.S./Foreign Shares

Issues that do not conform to these Guidelines are evaluated by the Proxy Voting Committee and voted in the best interest of our clients.

<u>Board of Directors</u>

*Election of Directors*

Barrow Hanley believes that good corporate governance begins with a board of majority-independent directors and committees, including independent directors who serve on Audit, Compensation, and Nominating committees.

Barrow Hanley will generally approve:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A slate of nominees comprised of a two-thirds majority of independent directors.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Nominees for Audit, Compensation and/or Nominating committees who are independent of management.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Nominees who we believe have the required skills and diverse backgrounds to make informed judgments about the subject matter for which the committee is responsible.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We attempt to target board diversity of at least 30%.

Barrow Hanley will generally not approve:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A slate of nominees that results in a majority non-independent directors.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Nominees for Audit, Compensation and/or Nominating committees who are not independent of management.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Incumbent board members who failed to attend at least 75% of board and applicable committee meetings.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Nominees who have served on boards or as executives of companies with records of poor performance, inadequate risk oversight, excessive compensation, audit, or accounting-related problems and/or other indicators of mismanagement or actions against the interests of shareholders.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Nominees whose actions on other committees demonstrate serious failures of governance, which may include acting to significantly reduce shareholder rights, or failure to respond to previous vote requests for directors and shareholder proposals.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • An independent director who has in the past three years, had a material financial, familial, or other relationship with the company or its executives.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Members of a Nominating committee where the board has an average tenure of over ten years and has not appointed a new member to the board in at least five years

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Members of a Nominating committee where the board lacks diversity.

*Combined Chairman / CEO Role*

When the roles of a board's chair and CEO are combined a strong lead independent director is necessary. If a lead director is not appointed, Barrow Hanley supports proposals to separate the roles.

*Contested Elections of Directors*

Barrow Hanley evaluates a nominee's qualifications, the incumbent board's performance, and the rationale behind dissident campaigns, and votes based on maximizing shareholder value.

*Classified Boards*

Barrow Hanley supports proposals to declassify existing boards, whether proposed by management or shareholders. In most cases we vote against proposals for classified board structures where only part of the board is elected each year.

If a board does not have a committee responsible for governance oversight and the board has not implement a proposal that received the requisite support, we vote against the entire board. If a proposal requests the board adopt a declassified structure, we vote against all directors and nominees up for election.

*Board Diversity*

Barrow Hanley supports boards with diverse backgrounds and nominees with relevant experience. Nominating and governance committees should consider diversity within the context of the company and industry. Shareholders are best served when boards make an effort to ensure a constituency that is not only reasonably diverse based on age, race, gender, and ethnicity, but also based on geographic knowledge, industry experience, board tenure and culture. Board diversity is one of many factors considered on a case-by-case basis when reviewing board elections.

*Board Tenure*

Barrow Hanley believes that independent directors are an important part of good governance. Long term service diminishes a member's independence. Directors serving on a board for 10 years or more are not considered to be independent.

We recognize that in some cases, a director's tenure and experience on the board is beneficial to shareholders. Nominees' tenure on the board is evaluated to determine independence.

*Overboarding*

Barrow Hanley reviews a nominee's board commitments on a case-by-case basis and generally votes against nominees who are executives of public company while serving on two or more public boards or a non-executive who sits on four or more public boards.

*Proxy Access*

Shareholders' participation in electing directors enhances a board's accountability and responsiveness. Long-term investors can benefit from shareholder rights to nominate directors. Such rights should require a minimum percentage ownership (at least 5%) of outstanding shares held for a minimum period (at least three years) to nominate a maximum percentage of (up to 20%) for the board.

<u>Approval of Independent Auditors</u>

Independent auditors are a critical element of good governance. A company's relationship with its independent auditor should be limited to its audit. Barrow Hanley votes against auditor ratification proposals when the auditor has changed for 15 or more years. Auditor's fees should be limited to the audit work. Other, closely related activities that do not appear to impair the auditor's independence may be approved. Barrow Hanley evaluates the circumstances of auditors who have a substantial non-auditing relationship with the company on a case-by-case basis.

<u>Compensation Issues</u>

Compensation Plans should align the interests of long-term shareholders with the interests of management, employees, and directors.

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*Stock-Based Compensation Plans*

Stock-based compensation plans should be administered by an independent committee of the board and approved by shareholders. Barrow Hanley opposes compensation plans that substantially dilute a shareholder's ownership interest, provides participants with excessive awards, and/or have other objectionable features. Compensation proposals are evaluated on a case-by-case basis using the following factors:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The company's industry group, market capitalization, and competitors' compensation plans.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Requirements for senior executives to hold a minimum amount/percentage of company stock.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Requirements for minimum holding periods for stock acquired through equity awards.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Performance-vesting awards, indexed options, and/or other grants linked to the company's performance;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Requirements that limit the concentration of equity grants to senior executives and provide for a broad-based plan.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Requirements for stock-based compensation plans as a substitute for cash compensation to deliver market-competitive total compensation.

*Bonus Plans*

Bonus based compensation plans should include the following features:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Periodic shareholder approval to properly qualify for deductions under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Performance measures relating to key value drivers of the company's business.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Maximum award amounts expressed in dollar amounts.

Bonus plans should not include excessive awards in both absolute and relative terms.

*Executive Compensation Plans (Say on Pay)*

Say on Pay type of executive compensation programs can effectively link pay and performance and provide competitive compensation opportunities. Say on Pay type plans should state the amount of compensation at risk and the amount of equity-based compensation linked to the company's performance and include adequate disclosure about the overall compensation structure. Say on Pay type plans should not include significant compensation guarantees and/or compensation that is not sufficiently linked to performance.

*Recoupment Provisions (Clawbacks)*

Executive compensation programs should be clearly tied to performance and include the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Detailed bonus recoupment policies to prevent executives from retaining performance-based awards that were not truly earned.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Clawback triggers in the event of a restatement of financial results or similar revision of performance indicators upon which bonuses were based.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Policies allowing board reviews of performance-related bonuses and awards paid to senior executives during the period covered by a restatement that allows the company to recoup such bonuses if performance goals were not actually achieved.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Clawback policies that limit discretion and ensure the integrity of such policies.

*Executive Severance Agreement (Golden Parachutes)*

Executive compensation should be designed as an incentive for continued employment and include reasonable severance benefits, and the executive's termination should be limited to three times salary and bonus, referred to as *double-trigger plans*.

Guaranteed severance benefits that exceed three times salary and bonus should be disclosed and should require shareholder approval.

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Barrow Hanley does not support guaranteed severance benefits without a change in control or arrangements that does not require the executive's termination, referred to as *single-trigger plans*.

*Employee Stock Purchase Plans*

Employee stock purchase plans are effective ways to increase employees' ownership in the company's stock. Such plans should not allow for purchases below 85% of current market value and should limit shares reserved under the plan to 5% or less of the outstanding shares of the company.

<u>Corporate Structure and Shareholder Rights</u>

Barrow Hanley supports market-based corporate control functions without undue interference from artificial barriers. Shareholders' rights are a fundamental privilege of equity ownership and should be proportional to economic ownership. Appropriate limits include a shareholder's ability to act by corporate charter, bylaw provisions, or adoption of certain takeover provisions.

*Shareholder Right Plans (Poison Pills)*

Poison pill plans can erode shareholder value by limiting a potential acquirer's ability to purchase a controlling interest in the company without the approval of its board of directors, and/or can serve to entrench incumbent management and directors.

Shareholder rights plans should be designed to enables the board to take appropriate to defensive actions, and should require the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Shareholder approval within a year of its adoption.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Timing limited to 3-5 years.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Requirement for shareholder approval for renewal.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Reviews by a committee of independent directors at least every three years, referred to as TIDE provisions.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Permitted bid or qualified offer features requiring shareholder votes under specific conditions referred to as chewable pills.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Reasonable ownership triggers of 15-20%.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Highly independent, non-classified boards.

Shareholder rights plans should avoid the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Long-term defensive features of 5 or more years.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Automatic renewals without shareholder approval.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Ownership triggers of less than 15%.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Classified boards.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Boards with limited independence.

*Political Contributions and Lobbying*

Barrow Hanley evaluates an issuer's policy and procedures governing political spending and lobbying. Proposals demonstrating insufficient or absent policies and disclosure are opposed.

*An Increase in Authorized Shares*

Proposals for increases in authorized share amounts should not expose shareholders to excessive dilution and should be limited to increases of up to 20% of the current share authorization.

*Cumulative Voting*

Cumulative voting should be proportional to the shareholders' economic investment in the company.

*Supermajority Vote Requirements*

Shareholders' rights to approve or reject proposals should be based on a simple majority.

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*Confidential Voting*

Shareholder voting should be conducted in a confidential manner.

*Dual Classes of Stock*

Barrow Hanley opposes dual-class capitalization structures that provide disparate voting rights to shareholders with similar economic interests. Proposals to create separate share classes with different voting rights are opposed. Proposals to dissolve separate share classes are approved.

<u>Shareholder Proposals and ESG Issues</u>

Proposals relating to ESG issues are usually initiated by shareholders seeking disclosure about certain business practices or amendments to certain policies. Barrow Hanley's Policy and Guidelines are designed to provide a framework for assessing the financial materiality of corporate governance, environmental, and social issues. Barrow Hanley supports proposals that improve transparency on issues that can be clearly tied to sustainable resource development, environmental compliance, and workplace safety.

Barrow Hanley subscribes to third party ESG research and scoring databases, including MSCI, Sustainalytics, and IFRS as a tool for rating the financial materiality of ESG factors to support our internal research. Some investments may have a low corporate ranking based on a third party's profile. Investment in low ranked companies is based on our belief that shareholder engagement is the best way to engage with management and use our influence toward sustainable improvements. Our fundamental analysis identifies areas and issues for engagement with management to improve policies and disclosure.

Barrow Hanley evaluates climate risk and disclosure standards for the companies and industries most exposed to climate change and engages with management and boards to understand the company's risks and opportunities and where necessary, seeks additional disclosure.

Barrow Hanley considers issues related to human capital to be a company's most significant risks and opportunities. Boards should disclose and communicate plans to instill inclusive, attractive, and high-retention environments in the company. Barrow Hanley supports inclusive working environments and diversity among employees and supports shareholder proposals that contain comprehensive equal opportunity and anti-discrimination provisions, and reporting on gender-based discrepancies in compensation.

<u>Voting of Non-U.S./Foreign Shares</u>

Although corporate governance standards, disclosure requirements, and voting mechanisms vary greatly among the markets outside the U.S., proposals are evaluated under these Guidelines and consideration of the local market's standards and best practices.

Exceptions

Reasonable and limited exceptions to these Guidelines are permitted based on the facts, circumstances, and best economic interests of our clients. Exceptions are documented and retained in the Firm's proxy voting records.

*Revised October 17, 2022*

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#### BOSTON PARTNERS GLOBAL INVESTORS, INC.

#### PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

#### March 2022
Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. ("Boston Partners") is an investment adviser comprised of two divisions, Boston Partners and Weiss, Peck & Greer Partners ("WPG"). Boston Partners' Governance Committee (the "Committee") is comprised of representatives from portfolio management, securities analyst, portfolio research, quantitative research, investor relations, sustainability and engagement, and legal/compliance teams. The Committee is responsible for administering and overseeing Boston Partners' proxy voting process. The Committee makes decisions on proxy policy, establishes formal Boston Partners' Proxy Voting Policies (the "Proxy Voting Policies") and updates the Proxy Voting Policies as necessary, but no less frequently than annually. In addition, the Committee, in its sole discretion, delegates certain functions to internal departments and/or engages third-party vendors to assist in the proxy voting process. Finally, members of the Committee are responsible for evaluating and resolving conflicts of interest relating to Boston Partners' proxy voting process.

To assist Boston Partners in carrying out our responsibilities with respect to proxy activities, Boston Partners has engaged Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. ("ISS"), a third-party corporate governance research service, which is registered as an investment adviser. ISS receives all proxy-related materials for securities held in client accounts and votes the proposals in accordance with Boston Partners' Proxy Voting Policies. ISS assists Boston Partners with voting execution through an electronic vote management system that allows ISS to pre-populate and automatically submit votes in accordance with Boston Partners' Proxy Voting Policies. While Boston Partners may consider ISS's recommendations on proxy issues, Boston Partners bears ultimate responsibility for proxy voting decisions and can change votes via ISS' electronic voting platform at any time before a meeting's cut-off date. ISS also provides recordkeeping and vote-reporting services.

#### How Boston Partners Votes
For those clients who delegate proxy voting authority to Boston Partners, Boston Partners has full discretion over votes cast on behalf of clients. All proxy votes on behalf of clients are voted the same way; however, Boston Partners may refrain from voting proxies for certain clients in certain markets. These arrangements are outlined in respective client investment management agreements. Boston Partners may also refrain from voting proxies on behalf of clients when shares are out on loan; when share blocking is required to vote; where it is not possible to vote shares; where there are legal or operational difficulties; where Boston Partners believes the administrative burden and/ or associated cost exceeds the expected benefit to a client; or where not voting or abstaining produces the desired outcome.

Boston Partners meets with ISS at least annually to review ISS policy changes, themes, methodology, and to review the Proxy Voting Policies. The information is taken to the Committee to discuss and decide what changes, if any, need to be made to the Proxy Voting Policies for the upcoming year.

The Proxy Voting Policies provide standard positions on likely issues for the upcoming proxy season. In determining how proxies should be voted, including those proxies the Proxy Voting Policies do not address or where the Proxy Voting Policies' application is ambiguous, Boston Partners primarily focuses on maximizing the economic value of its clients' investments. This is accomplished through engagements with Boston Partners' analysts and issuers, as well as independent research conducted by Boston Partners' Sustainability and Engagement Team. In the case of social and political responsibility issues that, in its view, do not primarily involve financial considerations, it is Boston Partners' objective to support shareholder proposals that it believes promote good corporate citizenship. If Boston Partners believes that any research provided by ISS or other sources is incorrect, that research is ignored in the proxy voting decision, which is escalated to the Committee so that all relevant facts can be discussed, and a final vote determination can be made. Boston Partners is alerted to proposals that may require more detailed analysis via daily system generated refer notification emails. These emails prompt the Committee Secretary to call a Committee meeting to discuss the items in question.

Although Boston Partners has instructed ISS to vote in accordance with the Proxy Voting Policies, Boston Partners retains the right to deviate from those Proxy Voting Policies if, in its estimation, doing so would be in the best interest of clients.

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#### Conflicts
Boston Partners believes clients are sufficiently insulated from any actual or perceived conflicts Boston Partners may encounter between its interests and those of its clients because Boston Partners votes proxies based on the predetermined Proxy Voting Policies. However, as noted, Boston Partners may deviate from the Proxy Voting Policies in certain circumstances, or the Proxy Voting Policies may not address certain proxy voting proposals. If a member of Boston Partners' research or portfolio management team recommends that Boston Partners vote a particular proxy proposal in a manner inconsistent with the Proxy Voting Policies or if the Proxy Voting Policies do not address a particular proposal, Boston Partners will adhere to certain procedures designed to ensure that the decision to vote the particular proxy proposal is based on the best interest of Boston Partners' clients. These procedures require the individual requesting a deviation from the Proxy Voting Policies to complete a Conflicts Questionnaire (the "Questionnaire") along with written documentation of the economic rationale supporting the request. The Questionnaire seeks to identify possible relationships with the parties involved in the proxy that may not be apparent. Based on the responses to the Questionnaire, the Committee (or a subset of the Committee) will determine whether it believes a material conflict of interest is present. If a material conflict of interest is found to exist, Boston Partners will vote in accordance with client instructions, seek the recommendation of an independent third-party or resolve the conflict in such other manner as Boston Partners believes is appropriate, including by making its own determination that a particular vote is, notwithstanding the conflict, in the best interest of clients.

#### Oversight
Meetings and upcoming votes are reviewed by the Committee Secretary with a focus on votes against management. Votes on behalf of Boston Partners' clients are reviewed and compared against ISS' recommendations. When auditing vote instructions, which Boston Partners does at least annually, ballots voted for a specified period are requested from ISS, and a sample of those meetings are reviewed by Boston Partners' Operations Team. The information is then forwarded to compliance/ the Committee Secretary for review. Any perceived exceptions are reviewed with ISS and an analysis of what the potential vote impact would have been is conducted. ISS' most recent SOC-1 indicates they have their own control and audit personnel and procedures, and a sample of ballots are randomly selected on a quarterly basis. ISS compares ballots to applicable vote instructions recorded in their database. Due diligence meetings with ISS are conducted periodically.

#### Disclosures
A copy of Boston Partners' Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures, as updated from time to time, as well as information regarding the voting of securities for a client account are available upon request from your Boston Partners relationship manager. A copy of Boston Partners' Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are also available at https://www.boston-partners.com/. For general inquiries, contact (617) 832-8153.

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#### BRANDYWINE GLOBAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC

#### Proxy Voting
I.<br>

#### Client Accounts for which Brandywine Global Votes Proxies
Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC ("Brandywine Global") shall vote proxies for each client account for which the client:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

has specifically authorized Brandywine Global to vote proxies in the applicable investment management agreement or other written instrument; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

without specifically authorizing Brandywine Global to vote proxies, has granted general investment discretion to Brandywine Global in the applicable investment management agreement.

Also, Brandywine Global shall vote proxies for any employee benefit plan client subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), unless the investment management agreement specifically reserves the responsibility for voting proxies to the plan trustees or other named fiduciary.

At or prior to inception of each client account, Brandywine Global shall determine whether it has proxy voting authority over such account.

II.<br>

#### General Principles
In exercising discretion to vote proxies for securities held in client accounts, Brandywine Global is guided by general fiduciary principles. Brandywine Global's goal in voting proxies is to act prudently and solely in the best economic interest of its clients for which it is voting proxies. In furtherance of such goal, Brandywine Global will vote proxies in a manner that Brandywine Global believes will be consistent with efforts to maximize shareholder values.

Brandywine Global does not exercise its proxy voting discretion to further policy, political or other issues that have no connection to enhancing the economic value of the client's investment, but will consider environmental, social, and governance issues that may impact the value of the investment, either through introducing opportunity or by creating risk to the value.

III.<br>

#### How Brandywine Global Votes Proxies
Appendix A sets forth general guidelines considered by Brandywine Global and its portfolio management teams in voting common proxy items.

In the case of a proxy issue for which there is a stated position set forth in Appendix A, Brandywine Global generally votes in accordance with the stated position. In the case of a proxy issue for which there is a list of factors set forth in Appendix A that Brandywine Global considers in voting on such issue, Brandywine Global considers those factors and votes on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the general principles described in Section II. In the case of a proxy issue for which there is no stated position or list of factors set forth in Appendix A that Brandywine Global considers in voting on such issue, Brandywine Global votes on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the general principles described in Section II.

The general guidelines set forth in Appendix A are not binding on Brandywine Global and its portfolio management teams, but rather are intended to provide an analytical framework for the review and assessment of common proxy issues. Such guidelines can always be superseded by a portfolio management team based on the team's assessment of the proxy issue and determination that a vote that is contrary to such general guidelines is in the best economic interests of the client accounts for which the team is responsible. Different portfolio management teams may vote differently on the same issue based on their respective assessments of the proxy issue and determinations as to what is in the best economic interests of client accounts for which they are responsible.

In the case of Taft-Hartley clients, Brandywine Global will comply with a client direction to vote proxies in accordance with Glass Lewis & Co. PVS Proxy Voting Guidelines, which Glass Lewis & Co. represents to be fully consistent with AFL-CIO guidelines.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

IV.<br>

#### Use of an Independent Proxy Service Firm
Brandywine Global may contract with an independent proxy service firm to provide Brandywine Global with information and/or recommendations with regard to proxy votes. Any such information and/or recommendations will be made available to Brandywine Global's portfolio management teams, but Brandywine Global and its portfolio management teams are not required to follow any recommendation furnished by such service provider. The use of an independent proxy service firm to provide proxy voting information and/or recommendations does not relieve Brandywine Global of its responsibility for any proxy votes.

With respect to any independent proxy service firm engaged by Brandywine Global to provide Brandywine Global with information and/or recommendations with regard to proxy votes, Brandywine Global's Proxy Administrator shall periodically review and assess such firm's policies, procedures and practices including those with respect to the disclosure and handling of conflicts of interest.

V.<br>

#### Conflict of Interest Procedures
In furtherance of Brandywine Global's goal to vote proxies in the best interests of clients, Brandywine Global follows procedures designed to identify and address material conflicts that may arise between the interests of Brandywine Global and its employees and those of its clients before voting proxies on behalf of such clients. Conflicts of interest may arise both at the firm level and as a result of an employee's personal relationships or circumstances.

(1)<br>

#### Procedures for Identifying Conflicts of Interest
Brandywine Global relies on the procedures set forth below to seek to identify conflicts of interest with respect to proxy voting.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

Brandywine Global's Compliance Department annually requires each Brandywine Global employee, to complete a questionnaire designed to elicit information that may reveal potential conflicts between the employee's interests and those of Brandywine Global clients.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

Brandywine Global treats client and wrap sponsor relationships as creating a material conflict of interest for Brandywine Global in voting proxies with respect to securities issued by such client or its known affiliates.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; C. <br>

As a general matter, Brandywine Global takes the position that relationships between a non-Brandywine Global Franklin Resources business unit and an issuer (*e.g.*, investment management relationship between an issuer and a non-Brandywine Global Franklin Resources-owned asset manager) do not present a conflict of interest for Brandywine Global in voting proxies with respect to such issuer because Brandywine Global operates as an independent business unit from other Franklin Resources business units and because of the existence of informational barriers between Brandywine Global and certain other Franklin Resources business units.

(2)<br>

#### Procedures for Assessing Materiality of Conflicts of Interest
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

All potential conflicts of interest identified pursuant to the procedures outlined in Section V.(1)A. must be brought to the attention of the Investment Committee for resolution.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

The Investment Committee shall determine whether a conflict of interest is material. A conflict of interest shall be considered material to the extent that it is determined that such conflict is likely to influence, or appear to influence, Brandywine Global's decision-making in voting the proxy. All materiality determinations will be based on an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances. A written record of all materiality determinations made by the Investment Committee shall be maintained.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; C. <br>

If it is determined by the Investment Committee that a conflict of interest is not material, Brandywine Global may vote proxies following normal processes notwithstanding the existence of the conflict.

(3)<br>

#### Procedures for Addressing Material Conflicts of Interest
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

With the exception of those material conflicts identified in A.2. which will be voted in accordance with paragraph C.1.b., if it is determined by the Investment Committee that a conflict of interest is material, the Investment Committee shall determine an appropriate method or combination of methods to resolve such conflict of interest before the proxy affected by the conflict of interest is voted by Brandywine Global. Such determination shall be based on the particular facts and circumstances, including the importance of the proxy issue, the nature of the conflict of interest, etc. Such methods may include:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (a) <br>

confirming that the proxy will be voted in accordance with a stated position or positions set forth in Appendix A;

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (b) <br>

confirming that the proxy will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of an independent proxy service firm retained by Brandywine Global;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (c) <br>

in the case of a conflict of interest resulting from a particular employee's personal relationships or circumstances, removing such employee from the decision-making process with respect to such proxy vote;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (d) <br>

disclosing the conflict to clients and obtaining their consent before voting;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (e) <br>

suggesting to clients that they engage another party to vote the proxy on their behalf; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (f) <br>

such other method as is deemed appropriate given the particular facts and circumstances, including the importance of the proxy issue, the nature of the conflict of interest, etc.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

A written record of the method used to resolve a material conflict of interest shall be maintained.

VI.<br>

#### Other Considerations
In certain situations, Brandywine Global may decide not to vote proxies on behalf of a client account for which it has discretionary voting authority because Brandywine Global believes that the expected benefit to the client account of voting shares is outweighed by countervailing considerations (excluding the existence of a potential conflict of interest). Examples of situations in which Brandywine Global may determine not to vote proxies are set forth below.

#### (A.)<br>

#### &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Share Blocking
Proxy voting in certain countries requires "share blocking." This means that shareholders wishing to vote their proxies must deposit their shares shortly before the date of the meeting (e.g. one week) with a designated depositary. During the blocking period, shares that will be voted at the meeting cannot be sold until the meeting has taken place and the shares have been returned to client accounts by the designated depositary. In deciding whether to vote shares subject to share blocking, Brandywine Global will consider and weigh, based on the particular facts and circumstances, the expected benefit to client accounts of voting in relation to the potential detriment to clients of not being able to sell such shares during the applicable period.

#### (B.)<br>

#### &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Securities on Loan
Certain clients of Brandywine Global, such as an institutional client or a registered investment company for which Brandywine Global acts as a sub-adviser, may engage in securities lending with respect to the securities in their accounts. Brandywine Global typically does not direct or oversee such securities lending activities. To the extent feasible and practical under the circumstances, Brandywine Global may request that the client recall shares that are on loan so that such shares can be voted if Brandywine Global believes that the expected benefit to the client of voting such shares outweighs the detriment to the client of recalling such shares (*e.g.*, foregone income). The ability to timely recall shares for proxy voting purposes typically is not entirely within the control of Brandywine Global and requires the cooperation of the client and its other service providers. Under certain circumstances, the recall of shares in time for such shares to be voted may not be possible due to applicable proxy voting record dates and administrative considerations.

VII. Proxy Voting-Related Disclosures

#### (A.)<br>

#### &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Proxy Voting Independence and Intent
Brandywine Global exercises its proxy voting authority independently of other Franklin Resources-owned asset managers. Brandywine Global and its employees shall not consult with or enter into any formal or informal agreements with Brandywine Global's ultimate parent, Franklin Resources, Inc., any other Franklin Resources business unit, or any of their respective officers, directors or employees, regarding the voting of any securities by Brandywine Global on behalf of its clients.

Brandywine Global and its employees must not disclose to any person outside of Brandywine Global, including without limitation another investment management firm (affiliated or unaffiliated) or the issuer of securities that are the subject of the proxy vote, how Brandywine Global intends to vote a proxy without prior approval from Brandywine Global's Chief Compliance Officer.

If a Brandywine Global employee receives a request to disclose Brandywine Global's proxy voting intentions to, or is otherwise contacted by, another person outside of Brandywine Global (including an employee of another Franklin Resources business unit) in connection with an upcoming proxy voting matter, the employee should immediately notify Brandywine Global's Chief Compliance Officer.

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If a Brandywine Global portfolio manager wants to take a public stance with regards to a proxy, the portfolio manager must consult with and obtain the approval of Brandywine Global's Chief Compliance Officer before making or issuing a public statement.

#### (B.)<br>

#### &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Disclosure of Proxy Votes and Policy and Procedures
Upon Brandywine Global's receipt of any oral or written client request for information on how Brandywine Global voted proxies for that client's account, Brandywine Global must promptly provide the client with such requested information in writing.

Brandywine Global must deliver to each client, for which it has proxy voting authority, no later than the time it accepts such authority, a written summary of this Proxy Voting policy and procedures. This summary must include information on how clients may obtain information about how Brandywine Global has voted proxies for their accounts and must also state that a copy of Brandywine Global's Proxy Voting policy and procedures is available upon request.

Brandywine Global must create and maintain a record of each written client request for proxy voting information. Such record must be created promptly after receipt of the request and must include the date the request was received, the content of the request, and the date of Brandywine Global's response. Brandywine Global must also maintain copies of written client requests and copies of all responses to such requests.

#### (C.)<br>

#### &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Delegations of Duites
Brandywine Global may delegate to non-investment personnel the responsibility to vote proxies in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Appendix A. Such delegation of duties will only be made to employees deemed to be reasonably capable of performing this function in a satisfactory manner.

VIII. Shareholder Activism and Certain Non-Proxy Voting Matters

In no event shall Brandywine Global's possession of proxy voting authority obligate it to undertake any shareholder activism on behalf of a client. Brandywine Global may undertake such activism in connection with a proxy or otherwise if and to the extent that Brandywine Global determines that doing so is consistent with applicable general fiduciary principles, provided Brandywine Global has first obtained its Chief Compliance Officer's approval of the proposed activism.

Absent a specific contrary written agreement with a client, Brandywine Global does not (1) render any advice to, or take any action on behalf of, clients with respect to any legal proceedings, including bankruptcies and shareholder litigation, to which any securities or other investments held in client account, or the issuers thereof, become subject, or (2) initiate or pursue legal proceedings, including without limitation shareholder litigation, on behalf of clients with respect to transactions or securities or other investments held in client accounts, or the issuers thereof. Except as otherwise agreed to in writing with a particular client, the right to take any action with respect to any legal proceeding, including without limitation bankruptcies and shareholder litigation, and the right to initiate or pursue any legal proceedings, including without limitation shareholder litigation, with respect to transactions or securities or other investments held in a client account is expressly reserved to the client.

IX.<br>

#### Recordkeeping
In addition to all other records required by this Policy and Procedures, Brandywine Global shall maintain the following records relating to proxy voting:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

a copy of this Policy and Procedures, including any and all amendments that may be adopted;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

a copy of each proxy statement that Brandywine Global receives regarding client securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; C. <br>

a record of each vote cast by Brandywine Global on behalf of a client;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; D. <br>

documentation relating to the identification and resolution of conflicts of interest;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; E. <br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; F. <br>

a copy of each written client request for information on how Brandywine Global voted proxies on behalf of the client, and a copy of any written response by Brandywine Global to any (written or oral) client request for information on how Brandywine Global voted proxies on behalf of the requesting client; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; G. <br>

records showing whether or not Brandywine Global has proxy voting authority for each client account.

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All required records shall be maintained and preserved in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than six years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record, the first two years in an appropriate office of Brandywine Global. Brandywine Global also shall maintain a copy of any proxy voting policies and procedures that were in effect at any time within the last five years.

To the extent that Brandywine Global is authorized to vote proxies for a United States registered investment company, Brandywine Global shall maintain such records as are necessary to allow such fund to comply with its recordkeeping, reporting and disclosure obligations under applicable laws, rules and regulations.

In lieu of keeping copies of proxy statements, Brandywine Global may rely on proxy statements filed on the EDGAR system as well as on third party records of proxy statements if the third party provides an undertaking to provide copies of such proxy statements promptly upon request. Brandywine Global may rely on a third party to make and retain, on Brandywine Global's behalf, records of votes cast by Brandywine Global on behalf of clients if the third party provides an undertaking to provide a copy of such records promptly upon request.

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#### Appendix A

#### Proxy Voting Guidelines

#### Brandywine Global Diversified Portfolio Management Team<br>Proxy Voting Guidelines
Below are proxy voting guidelines that Brandywine Global's Diversified Portfolio Management Team generally follows when voting proxies for securities held in client accounts. The Team may decide to deviate from these guidelines with respect to any one or more particular proxy votes, subject in all cases to the Team's duty to act solely in the best interest of their client accounts holding the applicable security.

I. <br>

#### Compensation
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

We vote for non-employee director stock options, unless we consider the number of shares available for issue excessive. We may consider current and past stock option grants in determining whether the cumulative dilution is excessive.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

We vote for employee stock purchase programs. Normally, these programs allow all employees to purchase company stock at a price equal to 85% of current market price. Usually, we will still vote for these employee programs even if we vote against a *non-employee* or *executive-only* stock purchase program because of excessive dilution.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; C. <br>

We vote for compensation plans that are tied to the company achieving set profitability hurdles. Plans are structured this way to comply with IRS laws allowing for deductibility of management compensation exceeding $1 million.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; D. <br>

We vote against attempts to re-price options. Also, we vote against the re-election of incumbent Directors in the event of such a re-pricing proposal.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; E. <br>

We vote against attempts to increase incentive stock options available for issuance when the shares underlying such options would exceed 10% of the company's outstanding shares.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; F. <br>

We vote against stock option plans allowing for stock options with exercise prices less than 100% of the stock's price at the time of the option grant.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; G. <br>

We vote against stock option plans allowing for very large allocations to a single individual because we generally believe that stock option plans should provide for widespread employee participation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; H. <br>

We vote against proposals to authorize or approve loans to company executives or Board members for personal reasons or for the purpose of enabling such persons to purchase company shares.

II.<br>

#### Governance
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

We vote for proposals to separate the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board positions.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

We vote against "catch-all" authorizations permitting proxy holders to conduct unspecified business that arises during shareholder meetings.

III.<br>

#### Anti-Takeover
We vote against anti-takeover measures, including without limitation:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

Staggered Boards of Directors (for example, where 1∕3 of a company's Board is elected each year rather than the entire Board each year).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

Super-Majority Voting Measures (for example, requiring a greater than 50% vote to approve takeovers or make certain changes).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; C. <br>

Poison Pills, which are special stock rights that go into effect upon a takeover offer or an outsider acquiring more than a specified percentage of a company's outstanding shares.

IV.<br>

#### Capital Structure
We vote against attempts to increase authorized shares by more than twice the number of outstanding shares unless there is a specific purpose for such increase given, such as a pending stock split or a corporate purchase using shares, and we determine that increasing authorized shares for such purpose is appropriate. Generally, we believe it is better to use shares to pay for acquisitions when they are trading at higher values than when they are trading at or near historical lows. The dilution effect is less.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

V.<br>

#### Business Management
We generally prefer not to dictate to companies on matters of business strategy, believing that as long as the company is operating responsibly it is management's role to make these decisions. Business strategy includes management of environmental and social practices, as they have the potential to pose significant financial, legal, and reputational risk if not appropriately governed. In cases where we feel management has not taken sufficient efforts to address material environmental or social risk, we may choose to support shareholder proposals aimed at enhancing shareholder value or risk mitigation in alignment with our fiduciary principles.

#### Brandywine Global Fundamental Equities Portfolio Management Team<br>Proxy Voting Guidelines
Below are proxy voting guidelines that Brandywine Global's Fundamental Equities Portfolio Management Team generally follows when voting proxies for securities held in client accounts. The Team may decide to deviate from these guidelines with respect to any one or more particular proxy votes, subject in all cases to the Team's duty to act solely in the best interest of their client accounts holding the applicable security.

I. <br>

#### Compensation
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

We vote for non-employee director stock options, unless we consider the number of shares available for issue excessive.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

We vote for employee stock purchase programs. Normally, these programs allow all employees to purchase company stock at a price equal to 85% of current market price. Usually, we will still vote for these employee programs even if we vote against a *non-employee* or *executive-only* stock purchase program because of excessive dilution.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; C. <br>

We vote for measures that give shareholders a vote on executive compensation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; D. <br>

We vote for compensation plans that are tied to the company achieving set profitability hurdles. This is to comply with IRS laws to allow for deductibility of management compensation exceeding $1 million.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; E. <br>

We vote against any attempt to re-price options. Also, we vote against the re- election of incumbent Directors in the event of such a re-pricing proposal.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; F. <br>

We vote against attempts to increase incentive stock options when we determine they are excessive, either in total or for one individual.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; G. <br>

We vote against stock option plans allowing for stock options with exercise prices less than 100% of the stock's price at the time of the option grant.

II.<br>

#### Governance
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

We vote for cumulative shareholder voting.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

We vote against "catch-all" authorizations permitting proxy holders to conduct unspecified business that arises during shareholder meetings.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; C. <br>

We vote against related-party transactions involving directors, senior members of company management or other company insiders.

III.<br>

#### Anti-Takeover
We vote against anti-takeover measures:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

Staggered Boards of Directors (for example, where 1/3 of a company's Board is elected each year rather than the entire Board each year).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

Super-Majority Voting Measures (for example, requiring a greater than 50% vote to approve takeovers or make certain changes).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; C. <br>

Poison Pills, which are special stock rights that go into effect upon a takeover offer or an outsider acquiring more than a specified percentage of a company's outstanding shares.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; D. <br>

Change-of-Control Contracts, which grant benefits to company personnel (typically members of senior company management) in the event the company is acquired or is otherwise subject to a change of control.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

IV.<br>

#### Capital Structure
We vote against attempts to increase authorized shares by more than twice the number of outstanding shares unless there is a specific purpose for such increase given, such as a pending stock split or a corporate purchase using shares, and we determine that increasing authorized shares for such purpose is appropriate. Generally, we believe it is better to use shares to pay for acquisitions when they are trading at higher values than when they are trading at or near historical lows. The dilution effect is less.

V.<br>

#### Business Management
We generally prefer not to dictate to companies on matters of business strategy, believing that as long as the company is operating responsibly, it is management's role to make these decisions. Business strategy includes management of environmental and social practices, as they have the potential to pose significant financial, legal, and reputational risk if not appropriately governed. In cases where we feel management has not taken sufficient efforts to address material environmental or social risk, we may choose to support shareholder proposals aimed at enhancing shareholder value or risk mitigation in alignment with our fiduciary principles.

#### Brandywine Global Fixed Income Portfolio Management Team<br>Proxy Voting Guidelines
Below are proxy voting guidelines that Brandywine Global Fixed Income Portfolio Management Team generally follows when voting proxies for securities held in client accounts. The Team may decide to deviate from these guidelines with respect to any one or more particular proxy votes, subject in all cases to the Team's duty to act solely in the best interest of their client accounts holding the applicable security.

I. <br>

#### Compensation
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

We vote for non-employee director stock options, unless we consider the number of shares available for issue excessive.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

We vote for employee stock purchase programs. Normally, these programs allow all employees to purchase company stock at a price equal to 85% of current market price. Usually, we will still vote for these employee programs even if we vote against a *non-employee* or *executive-only* stock purchase program because of excessive dilution.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; C. <br>

We vote for measures that give shareholders a vote on executive compensation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; D. <br>

We vote for compensation plans that are tied to the company achieving set profitability hurdles. This is to comply with IRS laws to allow for deductibility of management compensation exceeding $1 million.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; E. <br>

We vote against any attempt to re-price options. Also, we vote against the re- election of incumbent Directors in the event of such a re-pricing proposal.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; F. <br>

We vote against attempts to increase incentive stock options when we determine they are excessive, either in total or for one individual.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; G. <br>

We vote against stock option plans allowing for stock options with exercise prices less than 100% of the stock's price at the time of the option grant.

II.<br>

#### Governance
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

We vote for cumulative shareholder voting.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

We vote against "catch-all" authorizations permitting proxy holders to conduct unspecified business that arises during shareholder meetings.

III.<br>

#### Anti-Takeover
We vote against anti-takeover measures, including without limitation:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

Staggered Boards of Directors (for example, where 1/3 of a company's Board is elected each year rather than the entire Board each year).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

Super-Majority Voting Measures (for example, requiring a greater than 50% vote to approve takeovers or make certain changes).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; C. <br>

Poison Pills, which are special stock rights that go into effect upon a takeover offer or an outsider acquiring more than a specified percentage of a company's outstanding shares.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

IV.<br>

#### Capital Structure
We vote against attempts to increase authorized shares by more than twice the number of outstanding shares unless there is a specific purpose for such increase given, such as a pending stock split or a corporate purchase using shares, and we determine that increasing authorized shares for such purpose is appropriate. Generally, we believe it is better to use shares to pay for acquisitions when they are trading at higher values than when they are trading at or near historical lows. The dilution effect is less.

V.<br>

#### Business Management
We generally prefer not to dictate to companies on matters of business strategy, believing that as long as the company is operating responsibly it is management's role to make these decisions. Business strategy includes management of environmental and social practices, as they have the potential to pose significant financial, legal, and reputational risk if not appropriately governed. In cases where we feel management has not taken sufficient efforts to address material environmental or social risk, we may choose to support shareholder proposals aimed at enhancing shareholder value or risk mitigation in alignment with our fiduciary principles.

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#### FRONTIER CAPITAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC

#### PROXY VOTING STATEMENT AND GUIDELINES
As an investment adviser and fiduciary of client assets, Frontier Capital Management Company, LLC ("Frontier") utilizes proxy voting policies and procedures intended to pursue its clients' best interest by protecting the value of clients' investments. Frontier recognizes that proxies have an economic value. In voting proxies, we seek to both maximize the long-term value of our clients' assets and to cast votes that we believe to be fair and in the best interest of the affected client(s). Proxies are considered client assets and are managed with the same care, skill and diligence as all other client assets. These written proxy policies and procedures are designed to reasonably ensure that Frontier votes proxies in the best interest of clients for whom Frontier has voting authority.

Frontier's authority to vote proxies does not extend to taking any legal action with regard to class action suits relating to securities purchased by Frontier for its clients. Frontier provides instructions to custodians and brokers regarding tender offers and rights offerings for securities in client accounts. However, Frontier does not provide legal advice to clients and, accordingly, does not determine whether a client should join, opt out of or otherwise submit a claim with respect to any legal proceedings, including bankruptcies or class actions, involving securities held or previously held by the client. Frontier generally does not have authority to submit claims or elections on behalf of clients in legal proceedings. Should a client, however, wish to retain legal counsel and/or take action regarding any class action suit proceeding, Frontier will provide the client or the client's legal counsel with information that may be needed upon the client's reasonable request.

#### Arrangements with Outside Firms
Frontier has contracted with a third party vendor (the "proxy vendor") to provide vote recommendations according to a set of pre-determined proxy voting policy guidelines. Frontier has also contracted with the proxy vendor to act as agent for the proxy voting process and to maintain records on proxy voting for our clients. The vendor has represented to Frontier that it uses its best efforts to ensure that its proxy voting recommendations are in accordance with these policies as well as relevant requirements of the ERISA and the U.S. Department of Labor's interpretations thereof.

There may be occasional circumstances in which Frontier exercises its voting discretion to deviate from the proxy vendor's recommendation. Frontier's action in these cases is described in the Conflicts of Interest section of these policies and procedures.

#### Proxy Voting Committee
Frontier has a Proxy Voting Committee (the "Committee") that is responsible for deciding what is in the best interest of clients when determining how proxies are voted. The Committee is comprised of the Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO"), the Operations Manager, and one or more Portfolio Managers. The Committee performs the following tasks in satisfying its responsiblity:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Reviews annually, and revises as necessary, this Proxy Voting Statement and Guidelines (the "Proxy Statement");

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Reviews annually all proxy votes taken to determine if those votes were consistent with the Proxy Statement, including any votes where Frontier determined it had a material conflict of interest;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Reviews annually the proxy vendor's proxy voting policies to determine that they continue to be consistent with the Proxy Statement and reasonably designed to be in the best interests of Frontier's clients; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Reviews and approves as necessary any changes to the proxy vendor's proxy voting policies.

#### Determination and Execution of Discretionary Authority
Except where the contract is silent, each client will designate in its investment management contract whether it would like to retain proxy voting authority or delegate that authority to Frontier. If a client contract is silent on whether the client delegates proxy voting authority to Frontier, Frontier will be implied to have proxy voting authority.

Frontier will not neglect its proxy voting responsibilities, but Frontier may abstain from voting if it deems that abstaining is in its Clients' best interests. For example, Frontier may be unable to vote securities that have been lent by the custodian or may choose not to vote where doing so would prevent transacting in those securities for a certain period of time (referred to as "share blocking").

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#### Proxy voting process
Frontier's Operations team ("Operations") manages the proxy voting process. The proxy vendor provides an online portal that shows all ballots received, together with the company's voting recommendation and the proxy vendor's voting recommendation. Operations distributes this information, as well as any additional proxy soliciting materials (such as a company's response to the proxy vendor's recommendation) received by Frontier at least three days prior to the voting date, to an investment professional for deliberation. Prior to the voting date, Operations submits Frontier's vote via the online portal, a record of which is maintained by the proxy vendor.

Investment professionals determine how Frontier votes client proxies. Absent specific client instructions, or in the event that no determination is made by the investment professional, Frontier generally votes client proxies according to recommendations made by the proxy vendor. Investment professionals wishing to deviate from these recommendations must provide the CCO with a written explanation of the reason for the deviation, and the CCO will consider potential conflicts of interest as described in greater detail below.

Any attempt to influence the proxy voting process by Issuers or others not identified in these policies and procedures must also be promptly reported to the CCO. Similarly, any Client's attempt to influence proxy voting with respect to other Clients' securities should be promptly reported to the CCO.

#### Conflicts of Interest
As noted, Frontier has adopted the proxy vendor's proxy voting guidelines. The adoption of these proxy voting guidelines provides pre-determined policies for voting proxies and is thus designed to remove conflicts of interest. Examples of such conflicts are when we vote a proxy solicited by an issuer who is a client of ours or with whom we have another business or personal relationship that may affect how we vote on the issuer's proxy. The intent of this policy is to remove any discretion that Frontier may have to interpret how to vote proxies in cases where Frontier has a material conflict of interest or the appearance of a material conflict of interest.

Although under normal circumstances Frontier is not expected to deviate from the proxy vendor's recommendation, the CCO will monitor any situation where Frontier wishes to do so. In these situations, the CCO will consider whether Frontier has a material conflict of interest. If the CCO determines that a material conflict exists, Frontier will vote the proxy using either of the following two methods: (a) we will follow the recommendations of the proxy vendor; or (b) we will not take into consideration the relationship that gave rise to the conflict and will vote the proxy in the best interest of our clients. If the CCO determines that a material conflict does not exist, then we may vote the proxy in our discretion. The Committee reviews annually all votes cast where Frontier determined it had material conflict of interest.

#### Proxy Vendor Oversight

#### Changes to Proxy Vendor Proxy Voting Policies and Guidelines
The proxy vendor notifies Frontier of any material changes to its proxy voting polices and guidelines. On an annual basis, the proxy vendor distributes its updated guidelines to Frontier.

#### New Account Setup
As part of the account setup process, Client Services will review a new investment advisory agreement to determine if Frontier has voting authority. If voting authority has been granted, Operations will provide the proxy vendor with the required instructions to set up the new account. On the following business day, Operations will review the proxy vendor's systems to confirm the account was setup in accordance with Frontier's instructions.

#### Account Reconciliations
On a periodic basis, the proxy vendor will provide Frontier with a list of Frontier clients for which the proxy vendor is voting. This is designed to ensure that the proxy vendor is voting for all clients for whom Frontier retains voting authority. In that regard, Frontier will conduct a periodic reconciliation between its records and the proxy vendor's records.

#### Initial and Periodic Due Diligence of Proxy Vendors
When considering whether to retain or continue retaining Frontier's proxy vendor to provide research or voting recommendations, Frontier will consider factors such as the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The proxy vendor's capacity and competency to adequately analyze the matters for which the investment adviser is responsible for voting;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The adequacy and quality of the proxy vendor's personnel, processes, and technology;

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The adequacy of the proxy vendor's process for seeking timely input from issuers and proxy vendor clients with respect to proxy voting policies, methodologies, and peer group constructions, including for "say-on-pay" votes;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The proxy vendor's engagement with issuers, including the firm's process for ensuring that it has complete and accurate information about the issuer and each particular matter, and the firm's process, if any, for investment advisers to access the issuer's views about the firm's voting recommendations in a timely and efficient manner

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The adequacy of the proxy vendor's disclosures regarding its sources of information and methodologies for formulating voting recommendations and, in making such recommendations;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The proxy vendor's consideration of factors unique to a specific issuer or proposal when evaluating a matter subject to a shareholder vote;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The proxy vendor's policies and procedures for identifying and addressing conflicts of interest;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The proxy vendor to update the investment adviser regarding business changes that may affect the proxy vendor's capacity and competency to provide independent proxy voting advice or carry out voting instructions;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Whether the proxy vendor appropriately updates its methodologies, guidelines, and voting recommendations on an ongoing basis, including in response to feedback from issuers and their shareholders; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The proxy voting vendor's policies and procedures to keep confidential Frontier's non-public information, including Frontier's intention to proxy votes.

#### Votes Cast Other than According to the Proxy Vendor's Pre-Determined Policies
Frontier's CCO, who is also the General Counsel, will periodically confirm that all documentation regarding any decisions to vote other than according to the proxy vendor's pre-determined policies is accurate and complete.

#### Client Disclosure
Frontier includes a description of its policies and procedures regarding proxy voting and class actions in Part 2 of Form ADV, along with a statement that Clients can contact Frontier at 617-261-0777 to obtain a copy of these policies and procedures and information about how Frontier voted with respect to the Client's securities. Any request for information about proxy voting or class actions should be promptly forwarded to the CCO, who will respond to any such requests.

Upon a client's request, the proxy agent will provide Frontier with the following information:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • the name of the issuer of the portfolio security

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • the ticker symbol of the security

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • the CUSIP of the security

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • the shareholder meeting date

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • a description of the matter voted on

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • whether the account voted on the matter

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • how each proxy proposal was voted (e.g., for or against the proposal, abstain; for or withhold authority regarding election of directors)

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • whether the vote that was cast was for or against management's recommendation

As a matter of policy, Frontier does not disclose to companies or clients how it expects to vote on upcoming proxies. Additionally, Frontier does not disclose the way it voted proxies to unaffiliated third parties without a legitimate need to know such information.

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#### Recordkeeping
Frontier will maintain in an easily accessible place for a period of six years, the first two years in an appropriate Frontier office, the following documents (except documents maintained on Frontier's behalf by the proxy agent as specifically noted below):

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Frontier's proxy voting policies and procedures and the proxy voting guidelines.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • proxy statements received regarding client securities, which Frontier may satisfy by relying on the proxy agent, on Frontier's behalf, to retain a copy of each proxy statement;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • records of votes cast on behalf of its clients, which Frontier may satisfy by relying on the proxy agent to retain, on Frontier's behalf, a record of the vote cast;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • a copy of each written client request for information on how Frontier voted proxies on behalf of the client, and a copy of any written response by Frontier to any written or oral client request for information on how Frontier voted proxies on behalf of the requesting client.

December 2021

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#### HARRIS ASSOCIATES L.P.

#### PROXY VOTING POLICIES, GUIDELINES, AND PROCEDURES

#### PROXY VOTING POLICY
Harris Associates L.P. ("Harris", "the Firm" or "we") believes that proxy voting rights are valuable portfolio assets and an important part of our investment process, and we exercise our voting responsibilities as a fiduciary solely with the goal of serving the best interests of our clients in their capacity as shareholders of a company. As an investment manager, Harris is primarily concerned with maximizing the value of its clients' investment portfolios. Harris has long been active in voting proxies on behalf of shareholders in the belief that the proxy voting process is a significant means of addressing crucial corporate governance issues and encouraging corporate actions that are believed to enhance shareholder value. We have a Proxy Voting Committee comprised of investment professionals that reviews and recommends policies and procedures regarding our proxy voting and ensures compliance with those policies.

The proxy voting guidelines below summarize Harris' position on various issues of concern to investors and give a general indication of how proxies on portfolio securities will be voted on proposals dealing with particular issues. We will generally vote proxies in accordance with these guidelines, except as otherwise determined by the Proxy Voting Committee, unless the client has specifically instructed us to vote otherwise. These guidelines are not exhaustive and do not include all potential voting issues. Because proxy issues and the circumstances of individual companies vary, there may be instances when Harris may not vote in strict adherence to these guidelines. Our investment professionals, as part of their ongoing review and analysis of all portfolio holdings, are responsible for monitoring significant corporate developments, including proxy proposals submitted to shareholders, and notifying the Proxy Voting Committee if they believe the economic interests of shareholders may warrant a vote contrary to these guidelines. In such cases, the Proxy Voting Committee will determine how the proxies will be voted.

In determining the vote on any proposal, the Proxy Voting Committee will consider the proposal's expected impact on shareholder value and will not consider any benefit to Harris, its employees, its affiliates or any other person, other than benefits to the owners of the securities to be voted, as shareholders.

Harris considers the reputation, experience and competence of a company's management when it evaluates the merits of investing in a particular company, and we invest in companies in which we believe management goals and shareholder goals are aligned. When this happens, by definition, voting with management is generally the same as voting to maximize the expected value of our investment. As a result of this process, we find that in the majority of cases we will agree with management's recommendations on proxy proposals, and vote in accordance with these. This does not mean that we do not care about corporate governance. Rather, it is confirmation that our process of investing with shareholder aligned management is working. When we believe management's position on a particular issue is not in the best interests of our clients, we will vote contrary to management's recommendation.

#### VOTING GUIDELINES
The following guidelines are grouped according to the types of proposals generally presented to shareholders.

#### Board of Directors Issues
Harris believes that boards should have a majority of independent directors and that audit, compensation and nominating committees should generally consist solely of independent directors.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1.

Harris will normally vote in favor of the directors recommended by the issuer's board provided that a majority of the board would be independent. If the board does not have a majority of independent directors, Harris will normally vote in favor of the independent directors and against the non-independent directors.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2. <br>

Harris will normally vote in favor of proposals to require a majority of directors to be independent.

?

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3. <br>

Harris will normally vote against proposals that <u>mandate</u> an independent board chairman.<sup>1</sup>

<sup>1</sup> Harris has an existing guideline that states that we will normally vote in favor of proposals requiring the separation of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions. This supplemental guideline is not intended to change the existing guideline, but recognizes that a Chairman may be separate but not deemed independent (for example, a former executive of the company).

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4.

Harris will normally vote in favor of proposals that audit, compensation and nominating committees consist solely of independent directors, and will vote against the election of non-independent directors who serve on those committees.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5. <br>

Harris will normally vote in favor of proposals regarding director indemnification arrangements.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 6. <br>

Harris will normally vote against proposals advocating classified or staggered boards of directors.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 7. <br>

Harris will normally vote in favor of proposals requiring a majority vote for directors.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 8.

Harris will normally vote in favor of proposals requiring the separation of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer positions.

#### Auditors
Harris believes that the relationship between an issuer and its auditors should be limited primarily to the audit engagement, although it may include certain closely related activities such as financial statement preparation and tax-related services that do not raise any appearance of impaired independence.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1.

Harris will normally vote in favor of ratification of auditors selected by the board or audit committee, subject to the above.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2.

Harris will normally vote against proposals to prohibit or limit fees paid to auditors for <u>all</u> non-audit services, subject to the above.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3.

Harris will normally vote in favor of proposals to prohibit or limit fees paid to auditors for general management consulting services other than auditing, financial statement preparation and controls, and tax-related services.

#### Equity Based Compensation Plans
Harris believes that appropriately designed equity-based compensation plans approved by shareholders can be an effective way to align the interests of long-term shareholders and the interests of management, employees and directors. However, we are opposed to plans if they have historically been used to provide participants with excessive awards or have inherently objectionable structural features.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1.

Harris will normally vote against such plans when, over a 3-year average period, the company's grants of options and awards as a percentage of shares outstanding exceeds 5%.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2.

Harris will normally vote in favor of such plans when, over a 3-year average period, the company's grants of options and awards as a percentage of shares outstanding does not exceed 5%.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3.

Harris will normally vote in favor of proposals for an annual shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4. <br>

Harris will normally vote in favor of advisory votes to ratify named executive officer compensation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5. <br>

Harris will normally vote in favor of proposals to require expensing of options.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 6. <br>

Harris will normally vote against proposals to permit repricing of underwater options.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 7.

Harris will normally vote against shareholder proposals that seek to limit directors' compensation to common stock.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 8.

Harris will normally vote in favor of proposals for employee stock purchase plans, so long as shares purchased through such plans are sold at no less than 85% of current market value.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 9.

Harris will normally vote against proposals that prohibit the automatic vesting of equity awards upon a change of control.

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#### Corporate Structure and Shareholder Rights
Harris generally believes that all shareholders should have an equal voice and that barriers which limit the ability of shareholders to effect change and to realize full value are not desirable.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1. <br>

Harris will normally vote in favor of proposals to authorize the repurchase of shares.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2. <br>

Harris will normally vote against proposals creating or expanding supermajority voting rights.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3. <br>

Harris will normally vote against the adoption of anti-takeover measures.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4. <br>

Harris will normally vote in favor of proposals for stock splits and reverse stock splits.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5. <br>

Harris will normally vote against proposals to authorize different classes of stock with different voting rights.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 6.

Harris will normally vote against proposals to increase authorized shares with preemptive rights if the increase is greater than 100% of currently issued shares.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 7.

Harris will normally vote for proposals to increase authorized shares with preemptive rights if the increase is less than 100% of currently issued shares.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 8.

Harris will normally vote for proposals to amend articles, bylaws or charters to reduce the ownership threshold for shareholders to call special meetings if either (a) management recommends voting for the proposal or (b) the qualifying ownership threshold is 25% of the voting shares.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 9.

Harris will normally vote against proposals to provide the right to act by written consent to shareholders unless management recommends voting for the proposal.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 10.

Harris will normally vote <u>against</u> proposals to increase authorized shares without preemptive rights if the increase is greater than 20% of currently issued shares.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 11.

Harris will normally vote <u>for</u> proposals to increase authorized shares without preemptive rights if the increase is less than 20% of currently issued shares.

#### Proxy Access Proposals
Harris will normally vote in favor of proxy access proposals if either (a) management recommends voting in favor of the proposal <u>or</u> (b) the proposal meets all of the following criteria:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The shareholders making the proposal have an ownership threshold of 5% of the voting power

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The shareholders making the proposal each have 3 years of continuous ownership

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The proposal does not exceed a cap on shareholder nominees of 25% of the board

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The proposal does not exceed a limit of 20 on the number of shareholders permitted to form a nominating group

#### Routine Corporate Matters
Harris will generally vote in favor of routine business matters such as approving a motion to adjourn the meeting, declaring final payment of dividends, approving a change in the annual meeting date and location, approving the minutes of a previously held meeting, receiving consolidated financial statements, change of corporate name and similar matters. However, to the extent that the voting recommendation of Institutional Shareholder Services ("ISS") opposes the issuer's management on the routine matter, the proposal will be submitted to the Proxy Voting Committee for determination.

#### Enviromental, Social and Governance (ESG) Issues
Harris believes that ESG issues can affect the financial performance of the companies that we invest in (to varying degrees across companies, sectors, and regions). As a result, we hold ESG-related proposals to the same standard as all other proposals when deciding how to cast our vote. We are focused on maximizing long-term shareholder value, and believe that the consideration of material ESG factors is an important part of this approach.

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#### Certain Other Issues
Harris may also maintain Supplemental Proxy Voting Guidelines to address certain proposals that are not as enduring as those listed above, but yet may be presented repeatedly by issuers during a given proxy season. For example, companies in a particular industry or country may be affected by a change in the law that requires them to submit a one-time proxy proposal during the proxy season. The Proxy Voting Committee will determine which proposals will be included on the list of Supplemental Proxy Voting Guidelines, and will update the list as needed. The Proxy Voting Committee will provide the list to research analysts and the Proxy Administrator.

#### VOTING SHARES OF FOREIGN ISSUERS
Because foreign issuers are incorporated under the laws of countries outside the United States, protection for and disclosures to shareholders may vary significantly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Laws governing foreign issuers may, in some cases, provide substantially less protection for shareholders. As a result, the foregoing guidelines, which are premised on the existence of a sound corporate governance and disclosure framework, may not be appropriate under some circumstances for foreign issuers. Harris will generally vote proxies of foreign issuers in accordance with the foregoing guidelines where appropriate. On occasion, the proxy statements of foreign issuers may lack disclosure or transparency with respect to a significant element(s) for consideration (e.g., names of directors, targets for incentive plans, etc.), which may be a sufficient basis for voting contrary to the foregoing guidelines. If an analyst decides to vote contrary to guidelines solely due to the lack of disclosure or transparency, then the matter need not be submitted to the Proxy Voting Committee for approval. The basis for such a decision to vote contrary to a guideline pursuant to the aforementioned reason(s) shall be appropriately documented.

In some non-U.S. jurisdictions, sales of securities voted may be prohibited for some period of time, usually between the record and meeting dates ("share blocking"). Since these time periods are usually relatively short in light of our long-term investment strategy, in most cases, share blocking will not impact our voting decisions. However, there may be occasions where the loss of investment flexibility resulting from share blocking will outweigh the benefit to be gained by voting.

#### BANK HOLDING COMPANY ACT COMPLIANCE
Harris is an indirect subsidiary of Natixis Investment Managers, L.P., which is an indirect subsidiary of Natixis Investment Managers S.A., an international asset management group based in Paris, France. Natixis Investment Managers S.A. is in turn owned by Natixis, a French investment banking and financial services firm. Natixis is principally owned by BPCE, France's second largest banking group.

Natixis is subject to certain U.S. banking laws, including the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended (the "BHC Act") and to regulation and supervision by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "Federal Reserve") due to Natixis' U.S. bank branch operations. The BHC Act generally prohibits Natixis and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, including Harris, in the aggregate from owning or controlling or holding sole voting discretion with respect to 5% or more of any class of voting stock of any U.S. bank holding company, savings and loan holding company or insured depository institution (a "U.S. Banking Organization") without prior approval from the Federal Reserve. In the absence of measures to eliminate Harris' voting authority over securities of certain U.S. Banking Organizations, the foregoing limits could have an adverse effect on Harris' ability to manage clients' investment portfolios by restricting Harris' ability to make investments, or impact the size of an investment in, and/or impose maximum holding periods on shares of voting securities of such U.S. Banking Organizations.

Upon notification by Natixis that its aggregate control of such securities is approaching the 5% ownership limit established by the BHC Act, Harris could be required to relinquish its proxy voting responsibilities to ISS, such that ISS will vote in accordance with ISS's standard Proxy Voting Guidelines over securities issued by U.S. Banking Organizations identified by Harris (a "Vote Divestiture Event"). Pursuant to a Vote Divestiture Event, Harris will not be able to override ISS's vote. If, subsequent to a Vote Divestiture Event, Natixis' aggregate control of such securities were to decrease to such a percentage where Harris determines to resume its control of proxy voting, while remaining in compliance with the BHC Act (a "Vote Return Event"), Harris would direct ISS in writing to return proxy voting responsibilities for the applicable U.S. Banking Organizations to Harris.

#### CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The Proxy Voting Committee, in consultation with the Legal and Compliance Departments, is responsible for monitoring and resolving possible material conflicts of interest with respect to proxy voting. A conflict of interest may exist, for example, when: (i) proxy votes regarding non-routine matters are solicited by an issuer who has an institutional separate account relationship with Harris or Harris is actively soliciting business from the issuer; (ii) when we are aware

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that a proponent of a proxy proposal has a business relationship with Harris or Harris is actively soliciting such business (*e.g.,* an employee group for which Harris manages money); (iii) when we are aware that Harris has business relationships with participants in proxy contests, corporate directors or director candidates; or (iv) when we are aware that a Harris employee has a personal interest in the outcome of a particular matter before shareholders (*e.g.*, a Harris executive has an immediate family member who serves as a director of a company). Any employee with knowledge of any conflict of interest relating to a particular proxy vote shall disclose that conflict to the Proxy Voting Committee. In addition, if any member of the Proxy Voting Committee has a conflict of interest, he or she will recuse himself or herself from any consideration of the matter, and an alternate member of the committee will act in his or her place.

Harris is committed to resolving any such conflicts in its clients' collective best interest, and accordingly, we will vote pursuant to the Guidelines set forth in this Proxy Voting Policy when conflicts of interest arise. However, if we believe that voting in accordance with a Guideline is not in the best interest of our clients under the particular facts and circumstances presented, or if the proposal is not addressed by the Guidelines, then we will vote in accordance with the guidance of ISS. If ISS has not provided guidance with respect to the proposal or if we believe the recommendation of ISS is not in the best interests of our clients, then the Proxy Voting Committee will refer the matter to (1) the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of Harris Associates Investment Trust for a determination of how shares held in The Oakmark Funds will be voted, and (2) the Proxy Voting Conflicts Committee consisting of Harris' General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO") and Chief Financial Officer for a determination of how shares held in all other client accounts will be voted. Each of those committees will keep a written record of the basis for its decision.

#### VOTING PROCEDURES
The following procedures have been established with respect to the voting of proxies on behalf of all clients, including mutual funds advised by Harris, for which Harris has voting responsibility.

**Proxy Voting Committee**. The Proxy Voting Committee (the "Committee") is responsible for recommending proxy voting guidelines, establishing and maintaining policies and procedures for proxy voting, and ensuring compliance with these policies and procedures. At least annually, the Committee will review the adequacy of these policies, guidelines and procedures to help ensure they are implemented effectively and reasonably designed so that proxies are voted in the best interest of Harris' clients. The review will be documented in the minutes of the Committee's meetings.

The Committee consists of three investment professionals: two domestic research analysts and one international research analyst. Committee members serve for three years with members replaced on a rotating basis. New Committee members are nominated by the Committee and are normally approved by the Committee members at the annual Committee meeting. The Committee also has two alternate members (one domestic analyst and one international analyst) either of who may serve in the absence of a regular member of the Committee.

**Proxy Administrator**. The Proxy Administrator is comprised of employees of the Security Data Management Team whom are responsible for ensuring that all votes are placed with the proxy voting service provider and that all necessary records, as appropriate, are maintained reflecting such voting.

**Proxy Voting Service Provider**. Harris has engaged ISS, an independent proxy voting service provider, to assist in voting proxies. ISS provides the Firm with information concerning shareholder meetings, electronic voting, recordkeeping and reporting services, research with respect to companies, and proxy voting guidance and recommendations. Harris uses information from ISS as a supplement to its own internal research database regarding the companies in a client's portfolio. Harris may consider additional information that becomes available regarding a particular proposal such as information conveyed by the issuer or a shareholder proponent. Harris will consider all material information available, whether derived from internal research or from the Proxy Voting Service Provider, when determining how to vote proxies on behalf of clients.

In order to remain confident that ISS continues to have the capacity and competency to adequately analyze proxy issues, the Proxy Administrator will annually obtain and review ISS' SOC Report, or similar attestation report, and current Form ADV. In addition, the Proxy Administrator shall periodically review ISS' disclosures, policies and procedures regarding its conflict of interests for adequacy. The Proxy Administrator shall forward any conflict that both (1) relates to issuers whose proxies Harris is currently reviewing and (2) involve a matter for which Harris would recommend a vote against the Proxy Voting Policies, Guidelines and Procedures to the General Counsel, or his/her designee, for review.

To the extent the Proxy Administrator or the General Counsel, or his/her designee, determine that a control deficiency, conflict of interest or other disclosure matter could materially impact the capacity or competency of ISS in connection with a matter for which Harris would recommend a vote against the Proxy Voting Policies, Guidelines and Procedures, he/she shall promptly report such determination to the Committee for review and further action, if any.

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In the event an analyst, during the course of the analyst's review of ISS' proxy recommendation, uncovers a material factual error or omission that causes the analyst to question ISS' process for developing its recommendation, the analyst shall report the error or omission to the Proxy Administrator. The Proxy Administrator, or his/her designee, will review the error or omission and contact ISS to seek to reduce similar errors or omissions in the future. For purposes of this section, a material factual error or omission means an error or omission of fact that the analyst believes that if corrected would cause ISS to change its recommendation. The Proxy Administrator will periodically assess the extent to which any material errors or omissions materially affected ISS's research or recommendations used by the Firm.

**Voting Decisions**. As described in the Proxy Voting Policy above, the Firm has established proxy voting guidelines, including supplemental proxy voting guidelines, on various issues. We will generally vote proxies in accordance with these guidelines except as otherwise determined by the Proxy Voting Committee. The Proxy Administrator, or designated back-up, is responsible for alerting the Firm's research analyst who follows the company about the proxy proposals. If the analyst believes the proxy should be voted in accordance with the Guidelines, he or she will vote the proposal accordingly and indicate his or her initials in the appropriate location of the electronic ballot and submit the vote for further processing by the Proxy Administrator. If the analyst believes the proxy should be voted contrary to the Guidelines, he or she will submit the proposal, along with his or her recommended vote and ISS's recommended vote, if any, to the Proxy Voting Committee, which reviews the proposal and the analyst's recommendation and makes a voting decision by majority vote. If a proposal is not explicitly addressed by the Guidelines but the analyst agrees with the voting recommendation of ISS regarding that proposal, he or she will vote the proxy in accordance with such recommendation and indicate his or her initials in the appropriate location of the electronic ballot and submit the vote for further processing by the Proxy Administrator. If a proposal is not explicitly addressed by the Guidelines and the analyst believes the proxy should be voted contrary to the ISS recommendation, he or she will submit the proposal, along with his or her recommended vote and ISS's recommended vote to the Proxy Voting Committee, which reviews the proposal and the analyst's recommendation and makes a voting decision by majority vote. If neither the Guidelines nor ISS address the proxy proposal, the analyst will submit the proposal and his or her recommended vote to the Proxy Voting Committee, which makes a voting decision by majority vote. That Proxy Voting Committee decision is reflected in the electronic ballot.

In the case where securities that are not on the Firm's Approved Lists of domestic, international or small cap securities are held in managed accounts, the Proxy Administrator, or designated back-up, will vote all shares in accordance with the Firm's guidelines or, if the guidelines do not address the particular issue, in accordance with the guidance of ISS.

In the case of a conflict of interest, the Proxy Administrator will vote in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Conflicts of Interest provisions described above.

**Voting Ballots**. For shares held in The Oakmark Funds and other client accounts, the IT Department sends a daily holdings file to ISS detailing the holdings in the Funds and other client accounts. ISS is responsible for reconciling this information with the information it receives from the custodians and escalating any discrepancies to the attention of the Proxy Administrator. The Proxy Administrator works with ISS and custodians to resolve any discrepancies to ensure that all shares entitled to vote are voted.

**Recordkeeping and Reporting**. Much of Harris' recordkeeping and reporting is maintained electronically on ISS's systems. In the event that records are not held electronically within ISS's system, Harris will maintain records of proxy voting proposals received, records of votes cast on behalf of clients, and any documentation material to a proxy voting decision as required by law. Upon request, or on an annual basis for ERISA accounts, Harris will provide clients with the proxy voting record for that client's account. In addition, annually, Harris will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and make available on the Oakmark Funds' website the voting record for the Oakmark Funds for the previous one-year period ended June 30<sup>th</sup>.

**Compliance Testing**. The Compliance Department will conduct testing of these procedures periodically, based upon the outcome of the annual Compliance Risk Assessment Methodology for this area.

Approved by the Proxy Voting Committee on February 22, 2016

Amended 1/17/17, 8/18/17, 2/23/18, 2/28/19, 2/27/20, 2/25/21, 3/17/21

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#### HARRIS ASSOCIATES L.P.

#### SUPPLEMENTAL PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

#### Effective February 2019
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1.

Harris will normally vote in accordance with the recommendations of Institutional Shareholder Services ("ISS") with respect to the election of directors for Japanese companies.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2.

For European companies, Harris will normally vote in favor of proposals for employee stock purchase plans, so long as shares purchased through such plans are sold at no less than 80% of current market value.

?

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3.

Harris will normally vote in favor of the election of non-independent directors who serve on audit, compensation and nominating committees in cases where the director is deemed non-independent solely because of his or her tenure as a director or status as an employee or shareholder representative where such representatives are required by law to serve on such committees.<sup>1</sup>

<sup>1</sup> Harris has an existing guideline that states that we will normally vote against the election of non-independent directors who serve on audit, compensation and nominating committees. We do not have a specific guideline that defines "independence", and ISS defines independence differently depending on the market. For example, for many international markets (primarily in Europe), ISS considers a director to be non-independent after 12 years of service on a board. Additionally, a number of countries mandate by law that shareholder and employee representatives sit on the board and on special committees, and ISS deems these representatives to be non-independent. We believe that, in most cases, it is in the best interests of shareholders to have such individuals serve on these committees and that they should not be deemed non-independent under Harris' guideline solely for these reasons.

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#### INVESCO'S POLICY STATEMENT ON GLOBAL CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND PROXY VOTING

#### Effective January 2023
I. Introduction

Invesco Ltd. and its wholly owned investment adviser subsidiaries (collectively, "Invesco", the "Company", "our" or "we") has adopted and implemented this Policy Statement on Global Corporate Governance and Proxy Voting ("Global Proxy Voting Policy" or "Policy"), which it believes describes policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interests of its clients. This Policy is intended to help Invesco's clients understand our commitment to responsible investing and proxy voting, as well as the good governance principles that inform our approach to engagement and voting at shareholder meetings.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A. Our Commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance Investment Stewardship and Proxy Voting

Our commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles is a core element of our ambition to be the most client-centric asset manager. We aspire to incorporate ESG considerations into all our investment capabilities in the context of financial materiality in the best interest of our clients. In our role as stewards of our clients' investments, we regard our stewardship activities, including engagement and the exercise of proxy voting rights as an essential component of our fiduciary duty to maximize long-term shareholder value. Our Global ESG team functions as a center of excellence, providing specialist insights on research, engagement, voting, integration, tools, and client and product solutions with investment teams implementing ESG approaches appropriate to asset class and investment style. Much of our work is rooted in fundamental research and frequent dialogue with companies during due diligence and monitoring of our investments.

Invesco views proxy voting as an integral part of its investment management responsibilities. The proxy voting process at Invesco focuses on protecting clients' rights and promoting governance structures and practices that reinforce the accountability of corporate management and boards of directors to shareholders.

The voting decision lies with our portfolio managers and analysts with input and support from our Global ESG team. Our proprietary proxy voting platform ("PROXYintel") facilitates implementation of voting decisions and rationales across global investment teams. Our good governance principles, governance structure and processes are designed to ensure that proxy votes are cast in accordance with clients' best interests.

As a large active investor, Invesco is well placed to use our ESG expertise and beliefs to engage directly with portfolio companies or by collaborative means in ways which drive corporate change that we believe will enhance shareholder value. We take our responsibility as active owners very seriously and see engagement as an opportunity to encourage continual improvement and ensure that our clients' interests are represented and protected. Dialogue with portfolio companies is a core part of the investment process. Invesco may engage with investee companies to discuss environmental, social and governance issues throughout the year or on specific ballot items to be voted on.

Our passive strategies and certain other client accounts managed in accordance with fixed income, money market and index strategies (including exchange traded funds) will typically vote in line with the majority holder of the active-equity shares held by Invesco outside of those strategies. Invesco refers to this approach as "Majority Voting". This process of Majority Voting ensures that our passive strategies benefit from the engagement and deep dialogue of our active investors, which Invesco believes benefits shareholders in passively-managed accounts. In the absence of overlap between the active and passive holders, the passive holders vote in line with our internally developed voting guidelines (as defined below). Portfolio managers and analysts for accounts employing Majority Voting retain full discretion to override Majority Voting and to vote the shares as they determine to be in the best interest of those accounts, absent certain types of conflicts of interest, which are discussed elsewhere in this Policy.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B. Applicability of Policy

Invesco may be granted by its clients the authority to vote the proxies of securities held in client portfolios. Invesco's investment teams vote proxies on behalf of Invesco-sponsored funds and both fund and non-fund advisory clients that have explicitly granted Invesco authority in writing to vote proxies on their behalf. In the case of institutional or sub-advised clients, Invesco will vote the proxies in accordance with this Policy unless the client agreement specifies that the client retains the right to vote or has designated a named fiduciary to direct voting.

This Policy applies to all entities in Exhibit A. Due to regional or asset-class specific considerations, certain entities may have local proxy voting guidelines or policies and procedures that differ from this Policy. In the event that local

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policies and the Global Policy differ, the local policy will apply. These entities are also listed in Exhibit A and include proxy voting guidelines specific to: Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited, Invesco Asset Management (India) Pvt. Ltd, Invesco Taiwan Ltd and Invesco Capital Markets, Inc. for Invesco Unit Investment Trusts.

II. Global Proxy Voting Operational Procedures

Invesco's global proxy voting operational procedures are in place to implement the provisions of this Policy (the "Procedures"). At Invesco, proxy voting is conducted by our investment teams through PROXYintel. Our investment teams globally are supported by Invesco's centralized team of ESG professionals and proxy voting specialists. Invesco's Global ESG team oversees the proxy policy, operational procedures and implementation, inputs to analysis and research, vote execution oversight and leads the Global Invesco Proxy Advisory Committee ("Global IPAC").

Invesco aims to vote all proxies where we have been granted voting authority in accordance with this Policy, as implemented by the Procedures. Our portfolio managers and analysts review voting items based on their individual merits and retain full discretion on vote execution conducted through our proprietary proxy voting platform. Invesco may supplement its internal research with information from independent third-parties, such as proxy advisory firms.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A. Proprietary Proxy Voting Platform

Invesco's proprietary proxy voting platform is supported by a dedicated team of internal proxy specialists. PROXYintel streamlines the proxy voting process by providing our investment teams globally with direct access to meeting information and proxies, external proxy research and ESG ratings, as well as related functions, such as management of conflicts of interest issues, significant votes, global reporting and recordkeeping capabilities. Managing these processes internally, as opposed to relying on third parties, is designed to provide Invesco greater quality control, oversight and independence in the proxy administration process.

Historical proxy voting information is stored to build institutional knowledge across the Invesco complex with respect to individual companies and proxy issues. Certain investment teams also use PROXYintel to access third-party proxy research and ESG ratings.

Our proprietary systems facilitate internal control and oversight of the voting process. Invesco may choose to leverage this capability to automatically vote proxies based on its internally developed custom voting guidelines and in circumstances where Majority Voting applies.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B. Oversight of Voting Operations

Invesco's Global ESG Team provides oversight of the proxy voting verification processes which include: (i) the monthly global vote audit review of votes cast containing documented rationales of conflicts of interest votes, market and operational limitations; (ii) the quarterly sampling of proxy votes cast to determine that (a) Invesco is voting consistently with this Policy and (b) third-party proxy advisory firms' methodologies in formulating the vote recommendation are consistent with their publicly disclosed guidelines; and (iii) quarterly review of rationales with the Global IPAC of occasions where a portfolio manager may take a position that may not be in accordance with Invesco's good governance principles and our internally developed voting guidelines.

To the extent material errors are identified in the proxy voting process, such errors are reviewed and reported to, as appropriate, the Global Head of ESG, Global Proxy Governance and Voting Manager, legal and compliance, the Global IPAC and relevant boards and clients, where applicable. Invesco's Global Head of ESG and Proxy Governance and Voting Manager provide proxy voting updates and reporting to the Global IPAC, various boards and clients. Invesco's global proxy governance and voting operations are subject to periodic review by Internal Audit and Compliance groups.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C. Disclosures and Recordkeeping

Unless otherwise required by local or regional requirements, Invesco maintains voting records in either electronic format or hard copy for at least six years. Invesco makes available its proxy voting records publicly in compliance with regulatory requirements and industry best practices in the regions below:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • In accordance with the US Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, Invesco will file a record of all proxy voting activity for the prior 12 months ending June 30th for each U.S. registered fund. That filing is made on or before August 31st of each year. Each year, the proxy voting records are made available on Invesco's website at https://www.invesco.com/corporate/en/our-commitments/esg.html. Moreover, and to the extent

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applicable, the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), including Department of Labor regulations and guidance thereunder, provide that the named fiduciary generally should be able to review not only the investment manager's voting procedure with respect to plan-owned stock, but also to review the actions taken in individual proxy voting situations. In the case of institutional and sub-advised Clients, Clients may contact their client service representative to request information about how Invesco voted proxies on their behalf. Absent specific contractual guidelines, such requests may be made on a semi-annual basis.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • In the UK and Europe, Invesco publicly discloses our proxy votes monthly in compliance with the UK Stewardship Code and for the European Shareholder Rights Directive annually at https://vds.issgovernance.com/vds/#/Mzk3MA==/.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • In Canada, Invesco publicly discloses our annual proxy votes each year at https://vds.issgovernance.com/vds/#/MTg2Mg==/ by August 31st, covering the 12-month period ending June 30th in compliance with the National Instrument 81-106 Investment Fund Continuous Disclosure.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • In Japan, Invesco publicly discloses our proxy votes annually in compliance with the Japan Stewardship Code at https://www.invesco.com/jp/ja/country-splash.html?src=%2Fjp%Fja%2Fpolicies%2Fproxy.html.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • In India, Invesco publicly discloses our proxy votes quarterly at https://www.invescomutualfund.com/about-us?tab=Staturory in compliance with The Securities and Exchange Board of India ("SEBI") Circular on stewardship code for all mutual funds and all categories of Alternative Investment Funds in relation to their investment in listed equities. SEBI has implemented principles on voting for Mutual Funds through circulars dated March 15, 2010 and March 24, 2014, which prescribed detailed mandatory requirements for Mutual Funds in India to disclose their voting policies and actual voting by Mutual Funds on different resolutions of investee companies.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • In Hong Kong, Invesco Hong Kong Limited will provide proxy voting records upon request in compliance with the Securities and Futures Commission ("SFC") Principles of Responsible Ownership.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • In Taiwan, Invesco publicly discloses our proxy voting policy and proxy votes annually in compliance with Taiwan's Stewardship Principles for Institutional Investors at https://www.invesco.com/tw/zh/footer/stewardship-code.html.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • In Australia, Invesco publicly discloses a summary of its proxy voting record annually at https://www.invesco.com.au/home/dam/jcr:bf3a3268-b7d1-4521-9dea-e233b7be82f2/<br>Invesco%20FSC%20Proxy%20Voting%20Record%20Reporting%20Jul'20-Jun'21.pdf.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • In Singapore, Invesco Asset Management Singapore Ltd. will provide proxy voting records upon request in compliance with the Singapore Stewardship Principles for Responsible Investors.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D. Global Invesco Proxy Advisory Committee

Guided by its philosophy that investment teams should manage proxy voting, Invesco has created the Global IPAC. The Global IPAC is an investments-driven committee comprised of representatives from various investment management teams globally, Invesco's Global Head of ESG and chaired by its Global Proxy Governance and Voting Manager. The Global IPAC provides a forum for investment teams to monitor, understand and discuss key proxy issues and voting trends within the Invesco complex, to assist Invesco in meeting regulatory obligations, to review votes not aligned with our good governance principles and to consider conflicts of interest in the proxy voting process, all in accordance with this Policy.

In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Global IPAC meets as necessary, but no less than semi-annually, and has the following responsibilities and functions: (i) acts as a key liaison between the Global ESG team and local proxy voting practices to ensure compliance with this Policy; (ii) provides insight on market trends as it relates to stewardship practices; (iii) monitors proxy votes that present potential conflicts of interest; (iv) the Conflict of Interest sub-committee will make voting decisions on submissions made by portfolio managers on conflict of interest issues to override the Policy; and (v) reviews and provides input, at least annually, on this Policy and related internal procedures and recommends any changes to the Policy based on, but not limited to, Invesco's experience, evolving industry practices, or developments in applicable laws or regulations.

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In addition to the Global IPAC, for some clients, third parties (e.g., U.S. fund boards) provide oversight of the proxy voting process.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;E. Market and Operational Limitations

In the great majority of instances, Invesco will vote proxies. However, in certain circumstances, Invesco may refrain from voting where the economic or other opportunity costs of voting exceeds any benefit to clients. Moreover, ERISA fiduciaries, in voting proxies or exercising other shareholder rights, must not subordinate the economic interests of plan participants and beneficiaries to unrelated objectives. These matters are left to the discretion of the relevant portfolio manager. Such circumstances could include, for example:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • In some countries the exercise of voting rights imposes temporary transfer restrictions on the related securities ("share blocking"). Invesco generally refrains from voting proxies in share blocking countries unless Invesco determines that the benefit to the client(s) of voting a specific proxy outweighs the client's temporary inability to sell the security.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Some companies require a representative to attend meetings in person to vote a proxy, additional documentation or the disclosure of beneficial owner details to vote. Invesco may determine that the costs of sending a representative, signing a power-of-attorney or submitting additional disclosures outweigh the benefit of voting a particular proxy.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Invesco may not receive proxy materials from the relevant fund or client custodian with sufficient time and information to make an informed independent voting decision.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Invesco held shares on the record date but has sold them prior to the meeting date.

In some non-U.S. jurisdictions, although Invesco uses reasonable efforts to vote a proxy, proxies may not be accepted or may be rejected due to changes in the agenda for a shareholder meeting for which Invesco does not have sufficient notice, due to a proxy voting service not being offered by the custodian in the local market or due to operational issues experienced by third-parties involved in the process or by the issuer or sub-custodian. In addition, despite the best efforts of Invesco and its proxy voting agent, there may be instances where our votes may not be received or properly tabulated by an issuer or the issuer's agent.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;F. Securities Lending

Invesco's funds may participate in a securities lending program. In circumstances where shares are on loan, the voting rights of those shares are transferred to the borrower. If the security in question is on loan as part of a securities lending program, Invesco may determine that the benefit to the client of voting a particular proxy outweighs the benefits of securities lending. In those instances, Invesco may determine to recall securities that are on loan prior to the meeting record date, so that we will be entitled to vote those shares. There may be instances where Invesco may be unable to recall shares or may choose not to recall shares. The relevant portfolio manager will make these determinations.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;G. Conflicts of Interest

There may be occasions where voting proxies may present a perceived or actual conflict of interest between Invesco, as investment manager, and one or more of Invesco's clients or vendors.

#### Firm-Level Conflicts of interest
A conflict of interest may exist if Invesco has a material business relationship with either the company soliciting a proxy or a third party that has a material interest in the outcome of a proxy vote or that is actively lobbying for a particular outcome of a proxy vote. Such relationships may include, among others, a client relationship, serving as a vendor whose products / services are material or significant to Invesco, serving as a distributor of Invesco's products, a significant research provider or broker to Invesco.

Invesco identifies potential conflicts of interest based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the materiality of the relationship between the issuer or its affiliates to Invesco.

Material firm-level conflicts of interests are identified by individuals and groups within Invesco globally based on criteria established by the global ESG team. These criteria are monitored and updated periodically by the global ESG team so an updated view is available when conducting conflicts checks. Operating procedures and associated governance are designed to seek to ensure conflicts of interest are appropriately considered ahead of voting proxies.

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The Global IPAC Conflict of Interest Sub-committee maintains oversight of the process. Companies identified as conflicted will be voted in line with the principles below as implemented by Invesco's internally developed voting guidelines. To the extent a portfolio manager disagrees with the Policy, our processes and procedures seek to ensure justification and rationales are fully documented and presented to the Global IPAC Conflict of Interest Sub-committee for approval by a majority vote.

As an additional safeguard, persons from Invesco's marketing, distribution and other customer-facing functions may not serve on the Global IPAC. For the avoidance of doubt, Invesco may not consider Invesco Ltd.'s pecuniary interest when voting proxies on behalf of clients. To avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest, Invesco will not vote proxies issued by Invesco Ltd. that may be held in client accounts.

#### Personal Conflicts of Interest
A conflict also may exist where an Invesco employee has a known personal or business relationship with other proponents of proxy proposals, participants in proxy contests, corporate directors, or candidates for directorships. Under Invesco's Global Code of Conduct, Invesco entities and individuals must act in the best interests of clients and must avoid any situation that gives rise to an actual or perceived conflict of interest.

All Invesco personnel with proxy voting responsibilities are required to report any known personal or business conflicts of interest regarding proxy issues with which they are involved. In such instances, the individual(s) with the conflict will be excluded from the decision-making process relating to such issues.

#### Voting Fund of Funds
There may be conflicts that arise from Invesco voting on matters when shares of Invesco-sponsored funds are held by other Invesco funds or entities. The scenarios below set out how Invesco votes in these instances.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Proportional voting will be implemented in the following scenarios:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • When required by law or regulation, shares of an Invesco fund held by other Invesco funds will be voted in the same proportion as the votes of external shareholders of the underlying fund. If such proportional voting is not operationally possible, Invesco will not vote the shares.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • When required by law or regulation, shares of an unaffiliated registered fund held by one or more Invesco funds will be voted in the same proportion as the votes of external shareholders of the underlying fund. If such proportional voting is not operationally possible, Invesco will not vote the shares.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • For US fund of funds where proportional voting is not required by law or regulation, shares of Invesco funds will be voted in the same proportion as the votes of external shareholders of the underlying fund. If such proportional voting is not operationally possible, Invesco will vote in line with our internally developed voting guidelines (as defined below).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Non-US fund of funds will not be voted proportionally, Invesco will vote in line with local policies as per Exhibit A. If no local policies exist, Invesco will vote non-US funds of funds in line with the firm-level conflicts of interest process described above.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;H. Use of Proxy Advisory Services

Invesco may supplement its internal research with information from independent third-parties, such as proxy advisory firms, to assist us in assessing the corporate governance of investee companies. Globally, Invesco leverages research from Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. ("ISS") and Glass Lewis ("GL"). Invesco generally retains full and independent discretion with respect to proxy voting decisions.

ISS and GL both provide research reports, including vote recommendations, to Invesco and its portfolio managers and analysts. Invesco retains ISS to provide written analysis and recommendations based on Invesco's internally developed custom voting guidelines. Updates to previously issued proxy research reports may be provided to incorporate newly available information or additional disclosure provided by the issuer regarding a matter to be voted on, or to correct factual errors that may result in the issuance of revised proxy vote recommendations. Invesco's global ESG team may periodically monitor for these research alerts issued by ISS and GL that are shared with our investment teams. Invesco will generally endeavor to consider such information where such information is considered material provided it is delivered in a timely manner ahead of the vote deadline.

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Invesco also retains ISS to assist in the implementation of certain proxy voting-related functions, including, but not limited to, operational and reporting services. These administrative services include receipt of proxy ballots, vote execution through PROXYintel and vote disclosure in Canada, the UK and Europe to meet regulatory reporting obligations.

As part of its fiduciary obligation to clients, Invesco performs extensive initial and ongoing due diligence on the proxy advisory firms it engages globally. This includes reviews of information regarding the capabilities of their research staff, methodologies for formulating voting recommendations, the adequacy and quality of personnel and technology, as applicable, and internal controls, policies and procedures, including those relating to possible conflicts of interest.

The proxy advisory firms Invesco engages globally complete an annual due diligence questionnaire submitted by Invesco, and Invesco conducts annual due diligence meetings in part to discuss their responses to the questionnaire. In addition, Invesco monitors and communicates with these firms and monitors their compliance with Invesco's performance and policy standards. ISS and GL disclose conflicts to Invesco through a review of their policies, procedures and practices regarding potential conflicts of interests (including inherent internal conflicts) as well as disclosure of the work ISS and GL perform for corporate issuers and the payments they receive from such issuers. As part of our annual policy development process, Invesco engages with external proxy and governance experts to understand market trends and developments and to weigh in on the development of these policies at these firms, where appropriate. These meetings provide Invesco with an opportunity to assess the firms' capabilities, conflicts of interest and service levels, as well as provide investment professionals with direct insight into the advisory firms' stances on key governance and proxy topics and their policy framework/methodologies.

Invesco completes a review of the System and Organizational Controls ("SOC") Reports for each proxy advisory firm to ensure the related controls operated effectively to provide reasonable assurance.

In addition to ISS and GL, Invesco may use regional third-party research providers to access regionally specific research.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I. Review of Policy

The Global IPAC and Invesco's Global ESG team, compliance and legal teams annually communicate and review this Policy and our internally developed custom voting guidelines to seek to ensure that they remain consistent with clients' best interests, regulatory requirements, investment team considerations, governance trends and industry best practices. At least annually, this Policy and our internally developed voting guidelines are reviewed by various groups within Invesco to ensure that they remain consistent with Invesco's views on best practice in corporate governance and long-term investment stewardship.

III. Our Good Governance Principles

Invesco's good governance principles outline our views on best practice in corporate governance and long-term investment stewardship. These principles have been developed by our global investment teams in collaboration with the Global ESG team. The broad philosophy and guiding principles in this section inform our approach to long-term investment stewardship and proxy voting. The principles and positions reflected in this Policy are designed to guide Invesco's investment professionals in voting proxies; they are not intended to be exhaustive or prescriptive.

Our portfolio managers and analysts retain full discretion on vote execution in the context of our good governance principles and internally developed custom voting guidelines, except where otherwise specified in this Policy. The final voting decisions may consider the unique circumstances affecting companies, regional best practices and any dialogue we have had with company management. As a result, different Portfolio Management Teams may vote differently on particular votes for the same company. To the extent a portfolio manager chooses to vote a proxy in a way that is not aligned with the principles below, such manager's rationales are fully documented.

The following guiding principles apply to operating companies. We apply a separate approach to open-end and closed-end investment companies and unit investment trusts. Where appropriate, these guidelines are supplemented by additional internal guidance that considers regional variations in best practices, disclosure and region-specific voting items. Invesco may vote on proposals not specifically addressed by these principles based on an evaluation of a proposal's likelihood to enhance long-term shareholder value.

Our good governance principles are divided into six key themes that Invesco endorses:

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A. Transparency

We expect companies to provide accurate, timely and complete information that enables investors to make informed investment decisions and effectively carry out their stewardship activities. Invesco supports the highest standards in corporate transparency and believes that these disclosures should be made available ahead of the voting deadlines for the Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting to allow for timely decision-making.

***Financial reporting:*** Company accounts and reporting must accurately reflect the underlying economic position of a company. Arrangements that may constitute an actual or perceived conflict with this objective should be avoided.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally support proposals to accept the annual financial statements, statutory accounts and similar proposals unless these reports are not presented in a timely manner or significant issues are identified regarding the integrity of these disclosures.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally vote against the incumbent audit committee chair, or nearest equivalent, where the non-audit fees paid to the independent auditor exceed audit fees for two consecutive years or other problematic accounting practices are identified such as fraud, misapplication of audit standards or persistent material weaknesses/deficiencies in internal controls over financial reporting.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally not support the ratification of the independent auditor and/or ratification of their fees payable if non-audit fees exceed audit and audit related fees or there are significant auditing controversies or questions regarding the independence of the external auditor. We will consider an auditor's length of service as a company's independent auditor in applying this policy.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B. Accountability

Robust shareholder rights and strong board oversight help ensure that management adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct, are held to account for poor performance and responsibly deliver value creation for stakeholders over the long-term. We therefore encourage companies to adopt governance features that ensure board and management accountability. In particular, we consider the following as key mechanisms for enhancing accountability to investors:

***One share one vote:*** Voting rights are an important tool for investors to hold boards and management teams accountable. Unequal voting rights may limit the ability of investors to exercise their stewardship obligations.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We generally do not support proposals that establish or perpetuate dual classes of voting shares, double voting rights or other means of differentiated voting or disproportionate board nomination rights.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We generally support proposals to decommission differentiated voting rights.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Where unequal voting rights are established, we expect these to be accompanied by reasonable safeguards to protect minority shareholders' interests.

***Anti-takeover devices:*** Mechanisms designed to prevent or unduly delay takeover attempts may unduly limit the accountability of boards and management teams to shareholders.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We generally will not support proposals to adopt antitakeover devices such as poison pills. Exceptions may be warranted at entities without significant operations and to preserve the value of net operating losses carried forward or where the applicability of the pill is limited in scope and duration.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • In addition, we will generally not support capital authorizations or amendments to corporate articles or bylaws at operating companies that may be utilized for antitakeover purposes, for example, the authorization of classes of shares of preferred stock with unspecified voting, dividend, conversion or other rights ("blank check" authorizations).

***Shareholder rights:*** We support the rights of shareholders to hold boards and management teams accountable for company performance. We generally support best practice aligned proposals to enhance shareholder rights, including but not limited to the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Adoption of proxy access rights

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Rights to call special meetings

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Rights to act by written consent

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Reduce supermajority vote requirements

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Remove antitakeover provisions

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Requirement that directors are elected by a majority vote

In addition, we oppose practices that limit shareholders' ability to express their views at a general meeting such as bundling unrelated proposals or several significant article or bylaw amendments into a single voting item. We will generally vote against these proposals unless we are satisfied that all the underlying components are aligned with our views on best practice.

***Director Indemnification:*** Invesco recognizes that individuals may be reluctant to serve as corporate directors if they are personally liable for all related lawsuits and legal costs. As a result, reasonable limitations on directors' liability can benefit a company and its shareholders by helping to attract and retain qualified directors while preserving recourse for shareholders in the event of misconduct by directors. Accordingly, unless there is insufficient information to make a decision about the nature of the proposal, Invesco will generally support proposals to limit directors' liability and provide indemnification and/or exculpation, provided that the arrangements are reasonably limited in scope to directors acting in good faith and, in relation to criminal matters, limited in scope to directors having reasonable grounds for believing the conduct was lawful.

***Responsiveness:*** Boards should respond to investor concerns in a timely fashion, including reasonable requests to engage with company representatives regarding such concerns, and address matters that receive significant voting dissent at general meetings of shareholders.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally vote against the lead independent director and/or the incumbent chair of the governance committee, or nearest equivalent, in cases where the board has not adequately responded to items receiving significant voting opposition from shareholders at an annual or extraordinary general meeting.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally vote against the lead independent director and/or incumbent chair of the governance committee, or nearest equivalent, where the board has not adequately responded to a shareholder proposal which has received significant support from shareholders.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally vote against the incumbent chair of the compensation committee if there are significant ongoing concerns with a company's compensation practices that have not been addressed by the committee or egregious concerns with the company's compensation practices for two years consecutively.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally vote against the incumbent compensation committee chair where there are ongoing concerns with a company's compensation practices and there is no opportunity to express dissatisfaction by voting against an advisory vote on executive compensation, remuneration report (or policy) or nearest equivalent.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Where a company has not adequately responded to engagement requests from Invesco or satisfactorily addressed issues of concern, we may oppose director nominations, including, but not limited to, nominations for the lead independent director and/or committee chairs.

***Virtual shareholder meetings:*** Companies should hold their annual or special shareholder meetings in a manner that best serves the needs of its shareholders and the company. Shareholders should have an opportunity to participate in such meetings. Shareholder meetings provide an important mechanism by which shareholders provide feedback or raise concerns without undue censorship and hear from the board and management.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally support management proposals seeking to allow for the convening of hybrid shareholder meetings (allowing shareholders the option to attend and participate either in person or through a virtual platform).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Management or shareholder proposals that seek to authorize the company to hold virtual-only meetings (held entirely through virtual platform with no corresponding in-person physical meeting) will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Companies have a responsibility to provide strong justification and establish safeguards to preserve comparable rights and opportunities for shareholders to participate virtually as they would have during an in-person meeting. Invesco will consider, among other things, a company's practices, jurisdiction and

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disclosure, including the items set forth below:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (i) <br>

meeting procedures and requirements are disclosed in advance of a meeting detailing the rationale for eliminating the in-person meeting;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (ii) <br>

clear and comprehensive description of which shareholders are qualified to participate, how shareholders can join the virtual-only meeting, how and when shareholders submit and ask questions either in advance of or during the meeting;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (iii) <br>

disclosure regarding procedures for questions received during the meeting, but not answered due to time or other restrictions; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (iv) <br>

description of how shareholder rights will be protected in a virtual-only meeting format including the ability to vote shares during the time the polls are open.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C. Board Composition and Effectiveness

#### Director election process: Board members should generally stand for election annually and individually.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally support proposals requesting that directors stand for election annually.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally vote against the incumbent governance committee chair or lead independent director if a company has a classified board structure that is not being phased out. We may make exceptions to this policy for non-operating companies (e.g., open-end and closed-end funds) or in regions where market practice is for directors to stand for election on a staggered basis.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • When a board is presented for election as a slate (e.g., shareholders are unable to vote against individual nominees and must vote for or against the entire nominated slate of directors) and this approach is not aligned with local market practice, we will generally vote against the slate in cases where we otherwise would vote against an individual nominee.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Where market practice is to elect directors as a slate we will generally support the nominated slate unless there are governance concerns with several of the individuals included on the slate or we have broad concerns with the composition of the board such as a lack independence.

***Board size:*** We will generally defer to the board with respect to determining the optimal number of board members given the size of the company and complexity of the business, provided that the proposed board size is sufficiently large to represent shareholder interests and sufficiently limited to remain effective.

***Board assessment and succession planning:*** When evaluating board effectiveness, Invesco considers whether periodic performance reviews and skills assessments are conducted to ensure the board represents the interests of shareholders. In addition, boards should have a robust succession plan in place for key management and board personnel.

***Definition of independence:*** Invesco considers local market definitions of director independence but applies a proprietary standard for assessing director independence considering a director's status as a current or former employee of the business, any commercial or consulting relationships with the company, the level of shares beneficially owned or represented and familial relationships, among others.

***Board and committee independence:*** The board of directors, board committees and regional equivalents should be sufficiently independent from management, substantial shareholders and conflicts of interest. We consider local market practices in this regard and in general we look for a balance across the board of directors. Above all, we like to see signs of robust challenge and discussion in the boardroom.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally vote against one or more non-independent directors when a board is less than majority independent, but we will take into account local market practice with regards to board independence in limited circumstances where this standard is not appropriate.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally vote against non-independent directors serving on the audit committee.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally vote against non-independent directors serving on the compensation committee.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally vote against non-independent directors serving on the nominating committee.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • In relation to the board, compensation committee and nominating committee we will consider the appropriateness of significant shareholder representation in applying this policy. This exception will generally not apply to the audit committee.

***Separation of Chair and CEO roles:*** We believe that independent board leadership generally enhances management accountability to investors. Companies deviating from this best practice should provide a strong justification and establish safeguards to ensure that there is independent oversight of a board's activities (e.g., by appointing a lead or senior independent director with clearly defined powers and responsibilities).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally vote against the incumbent nominating committee chair where the board chair is not independent unless a lead independent or senior director is appointed.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally support shareholder proposals requesting that the board chair be an independent director.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally not vote against a CEO or executive serving as board chair solely on the basis of this issue, however, we may do so in instances where we have significant concerns regarding a company's corporate governance, capital allocation decisions and/or compensation practices.

***Attendance and over boarding:*** Director attendance at board and committee meetings is a fundamental part of their responsibilities and provides efficient oversight for the company and its investors. In addition, directors should not have excessive external board or managerial commitments that may interfere with their ability to execute the duties of a director.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally vote against directors who attend less than 75% of board and committee meetings held in the previous year unless an acceptable extenuating circumstance is disclosed, such as health matters or family emergencies.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally vote against directors who have more than four total mandates at public operating companies. We apply a lower threshold for directors with significant commitments such as executive positions and chairmanships.

***Diversity:*** We encourage companies to continue to evolve diversity and inclusion practices. Boards should be comprised of directors with a variety of relevant skills and industry expertise together with a diverse profile of individuals of different genders, ethnicities, race, skills, tenures and backgrounds to provide robust challenge and debate. We consider diversity at the board level, within the executive management team and in the succession pipeline.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally vote against the incumbent nominating committee chair of a board where women constitute less than two board members or 25% of the board, whichever is lower, for two or more consecutive years, unless incremental improvements are being made to diversity practices.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • In addition, we will consider a company's performance on broader types of diversity which may include diversity of skills, non-executive director tenure, ethnicity, race or other factors where appropriate and reasonably determinable. We will generally vote against the incumbent nominating committee chair if there are multiple concerns on diversity issues.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We generally believe that an individual board's nominating committee is best positioned to determine whether director term limits would be an appropriate measure to help achieve these goals and, if so, the nature of such limits. Invesco generally opposes proposals to limit the tenure of outside directors through mandatory retirement ages.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D. Long-Term Stewardship of Capital

***Capital allocation:*** Invesco expects companies to responsibly raise and deploy capital toward the long-term, sustainable success of the business. In addition, we expect capital allocation authorizations and decisions to be made with due regard to shareholder dilution, rights of shareholders to ratify significant corporate actions and pre-emptive rights, where applicable.

***Share issuance and repurchase authorizations:*** We generally support authorizations to issue shares up to 20% of a company's issued share capital for general corporate purposes. Shares should not be issued at a substantial discount to the market price or be repurchased at a substantial premium to the market price.

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***Stock splits:*** We generally support management proposals to implement a forward or reverse stock split, provided that a reverse stock split is not being used to take a company private. In addition, we will generally support requests to increase a company's common stock authorization if requested to facilitate a stock split.

***Increases in authorized share capital:*** We will generally support proposals to increase a company's number of authorized common and/or preferred shares, provided we have not identified concerns regarding a company's historical share issuance activity or the potential to use these authorizations for antitakeover purposes. We will consider the amount of the request in relation to the company's current authorized share capital, any proposed corporate transactions contingent on approval of these requests and the cumulative impact on a company's authorized share capital, for example, if a reverse stock split is concurrently submitted for shareholder consideration.

***Mergers, acquisitions, proxy contests, disposals and other corporate transactions:*** Invesco's investment teams will review proposed corporate transactions including mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, proxy contests, private placements, dissolutions and divestitures based on a proposal's individual investment merits. In addition, we broadly approach voting on other corporate transactions as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally support proposals to approve different types of restructurings that provide the necessary financing to save the company from involuntary bankruptcy.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally support proposals to enact corporate name changes and other proposals related to corporate transactions that we believe are in shareholders' best interests.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally support reincorporation proposals, provided that management have provided a compelling rationale for the change in legal jurisdiction and provided further that the proposal will not significantly adversely impact shareholders' rights.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • With respect to contested director elections, we consider the following factors, among others, when evaluating the merits of each list of nominees: the long term performance of the company relative to its industry, management's track record, any relevant background information related to the contest, the qualifications of the respective lists of director nominees, the strategic merits of the approaches proposed by both sides including the likelihood that the proposed goals can be met, and positions of stock ownership in the company.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;E. Environmental, Social and Governance Risk Oversight

***Director responsibility for risk oversight:*** The board of directors are ultimately responsible for overseeing management and ensuring that proper governance, oversight and control mechanisms are in place at the companies they oversee. Invesco may take voting action against director nominees in response to material governance or risk oversight failures that adversely affect shareholder value.

Invesco considers the adequacy of a company's response to material oversight failures when determining whether any voting action is warranted. In addition, Invesco will consider the responsibilities delegated to board sub-committees when determining if it is appropriate to hold certain director nominees accountable for these material failures.

Material governance or risk oversight failures at a company may include, without limitation:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (i) <br>

significant bribery, corruption or ethics violations;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (ii) <br>

events causing significant climate-related risks;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (iii) <br>

significant health and safety incidents; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (iv) <br>

failure to ensure the protection of human rights.

***Reporting of financially material ESG information:*** Companies should report on their environmental, social and governance opportunities and risks where material to their business operations.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Where Invesco finds significant gaps in management and disclosure of environmental, social and governance risk policies, we will generally vote against the annual reporting and accounts or an equivalent resolution.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Climate risk management: We encourage companies to report on material climate-related risks and opportunities and how these are considered within the company's strategy, financial planning, governance structures and risk management frameworks in accordance with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures ("TCFD"), or other relevant reporting frameworks. For companies in industries that materially

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contribute to climate change, we encourage comprehensive disclosure of greenhouse gas emissions and Paris-aligned emissions reduction targets, where appropriate. Invesco may take voting action at companies that fail to adequately address climate-related risks, including opposing director nominations in cases where we view the lack of effective climate transition risk management as potentially detrimental to long-term shareholder value.

***Shareholder proposals addressing environmental and social issues:*** Invesco may support shareholder resolutions requesting that specific actions be taken to address environmental and social ("E&S") issues or mitigate exposure to material E&S risks, including reputational risk, related to these issues. When considering such proposals, we will consider a company's track record on E&S issues, the efficacy of the proposal's request, whether the requested action is unduly burdensome, and whether we consider the adoption of such a proposal would promote long-term shareholder value. We will also consider company responsiveness to the proposal and any engagement on the issue when casting votes.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We generally do not support resolutions where insufficient information has been provided in advance of the vote or a lack of disclosure inhibits our ability to make fully informed voting decisions.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • We will generally support shareholder resolutions requiring additional disclosure on material environmental, social and governance risks facing their businesses, provided that such requests are not unduly burdensome or duplicative with a company's existing reporting. These may include, but are not limited to, reporting on the following: gender and racial diversity issues, political contributions and lobbying disclosure, information on data security, privacy, and internet practices, human capital and labor issues and the use of natural capital, and reporting on climate change-related risks.

***Ratification of board and/or management acts:*** We will generally support proposals to ratify the actions of the board of directors, supervisory board and/or executive decision-making bodies, provided there are no material oversight failures as described above. When such oversight concerns are identified, we will consider a company's response to any issues raised and may vote against ratification proposals instead of, or in addition to, director nominees.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;F. Executive Compensation and Alignment

Invesco supports compensation polices and equity incentive plans that promote alignment between management incentives and shareholders' long-term interests. We pay close attention to local market practice and may apply stricter or modified criteria where appropriate.

***Advisory votes on executive compensation, remuneration policy and remuneration reports:*** We will generally not support compensation-related proposals where more than one of the following is present:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (i) <br>

there is an unmitigated misalignment between executive pay and company performance for at least two consecutive years;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (ii) <br>

there are problematic compensation practices which may include, among others, incentivizing excessive risk taking or circumventing alignment between management and shareholders' interests via repricing of underwater options;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (iii) <br>

vesting periods for long-term incentive awards are less than three years;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (iv) <br>

the company "front loads" equity awards;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (v) <br>

there are inadequate risk mitigating features in the program such as clawback provisions;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (vi) <br>

excessive, discretionary one-time equity grants are awarded to executives;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (vii) <br>

less than half of variable pay is linked to performance targets, except where prohibited by law.

Invesco will consider company reporting on pay ratios as part of our evaluation of compensation proposals, where relevant.

***Equity plans:*** Invesco generally supports equity compensation plans that promote the proper alignment of incentives with shareholders' long-term interests, and generally votes against plans that are overly dilutive to existing shareholders, plans that contain objectionable structural features which may include provisions to reprice options without shareholder approval, plans that include evergreen provisions or plans that provide for automatic accelerated vesting upon a change in control.

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***Employee stock purchase plans:*** We generally support employee stock purchase plans that are reasonably designed to provide proper incentives to a broad base of employees, provided that the price at which employees may acquire stock represents a reasonable discount from the market price.

***Severance Arrangements:*** Invesco considers proposed severance arrangements (sometimes known as "golden parachute" arrangements) on a case-by-case basis due to the wide variety among their terms. Invesco acknowledges that in some cases such arrangements, if reasonable, may be in shareholders' best interests as a method of attracting and retaining high-quality executive talent. We generally vote in favor of proposals requiring shareholder ratification of senior executives' severance agreements where the proposed terms and disclosure align with good market practice.

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#### Exhibit A
Harbourview Asset Management Corporation

Invesco Advisers, Inc.

Invesco Asset Management (India) Pvt. Ltd\*<sup>1</sup>

Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited\*<sup>1</sup>

Invesco Asset Management (Schweiz) AG

Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH

Invesco Asset Management Limited<sup>1</sup>

Invesco Asset Management Singapore Ltd

Invesco Australia Ltd

Invesco European RR L.P

Invesco Canada Ltd.<sup>1</sup>

Invesco Capital Management LLC

Invesco Capital Markets, Inc.\*<sup>1</sup>

Invesco Hong Kong Limited

Invesco Investment Advisers LLC

Invesco Investment Management (Shanghai) Limited

Invesco Investment Management Limited

Invesco Loan Manager, LLC

Invesco Managed Accounts, LLC

Invesco Management S.A

Invesco Overseas Investment Fund Management (Shanghai) Limited

Invesco Pensions Limited

Invesco Private Capital, Inc.

Invesco Real Estate Management S.a.r.l<sup>1</sup>

Invesco RR Fund L.P.

Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc.

Invesco Taiwan Ltd\*<sup>1</sup>

Invesco Trust Company

Oppenheimer Funds, Inc.

WL Ross & Co. LLC

\* Invesco entities with specific proxy voting guidelines

<sup>1</sup> Invesco entities with specific conflicts of interest policies

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#### JACKSON SQUARE PARTNERS, LLC <br>Proxy Voting Policy

#### Effective February 1, 2022
Jackson Square Partners, LLC ("Jackson Square") is a registered investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers Act"). Jackson Square provides investment advisory services to various types of Clients such as registered and unregistered commingled funds, defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, private and public pension funds, foundations, endowment funds and other types of institutional investors. Pursuant to the terms of an investment management agreement between Jackson Square and its Client or as a result of some other type of specific delegation by the Client, Jackson Square is often given the authority and discretion to vote proxies relating to the underlying securities which are held on behalf of such Client. Also, Clients sometimes ask Jackson Square to give voting advice on certain proxies without delegating full responsibility to Jackson Square to vote proxies on behalf of the Client. Jackson Square has adopted the following Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures (the "Procedures") in order to ensure that Jackson Square votes proxies or gives proxy voting advice that is in the best interests of its Clients.

#### Proxy Committee
To help make sure that Jackson Square votes Client proxies in accordance with the Procedures and in the best interests of Clients, Jackson Square has established a Proxy Committee (the "Committee"), which is responsible for overseeing the firm's proxy voting process. The Committee consists of the following persons:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Chief Compliance Officer;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Representatives from the portfolio management team. The person(s) representing the portfolio management team on the Committee may change from time to time.

The Committee meets as necessary to help Jackson Square fulfill its duties to vote proxies for Clients, but in any event, will meet at least quarterly to discuss various proxy voting issues.

#### Proxy Voting Procedures
One of the main responsibilities of the Committee is to review and approve on a yearly basis the Procedures, which are based on proxy voting guidelines established by Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. ("ISS"). The Procedures are usually reviewed during the first quarter of the calendar year before the beginning of the "proxy voting season" and may also be reviewed at other times of the year, as necessary.

When reviewing the Procedures, the Committee looks to see if the Procedures are consistent with the firm's goal of voting in the best interests of Clients and maximizing the value of the underlying shares being voted on by Jackson Square. The CCO will also review the Procedures to determine whether they are implemented effectively. The Committee may also consider whether it should adopt and implement different voting policies for certain Clients. The Committee also reviews the Procedures to make sure that they comply with any new rules or guidance promulgated by the SEC or other relevant regulatory bodies. After the Procedures are approved by the Committee, Jackson Square votes proxies or gives advice on voting proxies generally in accordance with such Procedures, although in certain cases, the portfolio management team may direct a particular proxy to be voted contrary to the Procedures if the portfolio management team believes that such a vote would better serve the Client's best interests.

In order to facilitate the process of voting proxies, Jackson Square has contracted with ISS. Both ISS and the Client's custodian monitor corporate events for Jackson Square. Jackson Square gives an authorization and letter of instruction to the Client's custodian who then forwards proxy materials it receives to ISS so that ISS (after following the process set forth below) may vote the proxies. On approximately a monthly basis, Jackson Square will send ISS an updated list of Client accounts and security holdings in those accounts, so that ISS can update its database and be aware of which proxies it will need to vote on behalf of Jackson Square's Clients. If needed, the Committee has access to these records.

After receiving the proxy statements, ISS will review the proxy issues and makes a recommendation on how to vote them in accordance with the Procedures. In these circumstances, ISS will review the relevant facts and circumstances and research the issue to determine how the proxy should be voted, so that the proxy is voted in the best interests of the Client and pursuant to the spirit of the guidelines. Once ISS makes a determination as to how a particular proxy should be voted, such determination is presented to the Committee. A member of the investment team assigned by Jackson Square with

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responsibility for reviewing the proxies for the issuer, will then determine whether to vote a particular proxy in accordance with the guidelines, whether to recommend that the Committee override the ISS vote recommendation or whether to vote differently on the same proposal for a particular Client based on that Client's investment objectives or economic interests in the outcome of a particular proposal. In making such a determination, the member of the investment team will consider whether a more detailed analysis of the proxy should be conducted.<sup>1</sup> When the Committee has decided to vote contrary to the guidelines, the CCO reviews the instructions against the vote recommendation inputted into ISS to ensure the accuracy of the instructions.

As referenced above, the Committee's default position for proxy voting is to comply with the recommendations set forth in the Guidelines, which summarize Jackson Square's position on various issues and gives a general indication as to how proxies will be voted on each issue. Although Jackson Square usually votes proxies in accordance with the Guidelines, Jackson Square reserves the right to vote certain issues counter to the Guidelines, if, after a review of the matter by a member of the Committee, Jackson Square determines that a Client's best interests would be served by such a vote. A copy of the Guidelines will be maintained by the Committee.

After a proxy has been voted, ISS will create a record of the vote to help Jackson Square comply with its duties listed under "Availability of Proxy Voting Records and Recordkeeping" below.

If a Client provides Jackson Square with a recommendation on a proxy vote, Jackson Square will forward the Client's recommendation to ISS who will vote the Client's proxy pursuant to the Client's recommendation.

The Committee is responsible for overseeing ISS's proxy voting activities for Jackson Square's Clients and will seek to ensure that ISS is voting proxies pursuant to the Procedures. On at least an annual basis, Jackson Square reviews each proxy voted to determine whether ISS is casting votes consistent with the guidelines and that all relevant accounts were voted. The results of such reviews are discussed during Committee meetings. As part of the Committee's oversight of ISS, the Committee periodically reviews ISS's conflict of interest procedures and any other pertinent procedures or representations from ISS to seek to ensure that ISS will make recommendations for voting proxies in an impartial manner and in the best interests of Jackson Square's Clients.<sup>2</sup> In addition, on an annual basis, the CCO reviews ISS's proxy voting procedures, disclosures, control reports and Form ADV to assess for any issues that should be escalated to the Committee.

As discussed above, there may be times when Jackson Square believes that the best interests of the Client would be better served if Jackson Square votes a proxy counter to ISS's recommended vote on that proxy. In those cases, the investment team member assigned with responsibility for the issuer at issue generally reviews the research provided by ISS on the particular issue and will conduct their own research or solicit additional research from another third party on the issue.

After gathering this information and possibly discussing the issue with other relevant parties, the investment team member uses the information gathered to recommend to the Committee how to vote on the issue. The Committee will review the recommendation to determine whether the recommendation is consistent with the Procedures and in the best interests of the Client. Jackson Square maintains records of such decisions.

Jackson Square attempts to vote every proxy which it or its agents receive when a Client has given Jackson Square the authority to vote such proxies. However, there may be situations in which Jackson Square may not be able to process a proxy. For example, Jackson Square may not have sufficient time to process a vote because Jackson Square or its agents received a proxy statement in an untimely manner.

<sup>1</sup> The Committee may consider various factors, including issuer-specific factors (e.g., corporate events such as mergers and acquisitions, dissolutions, conversions or consolidations) or contested elections for directors or other factors. The investment team member will consider any potential effect of the vote on the value of the Client's investments. The investment team member also will consider whether the proxy voting determination is consistent with Jackson Square's Procedures and whether such vote would serve the Client's best interests.

<sup>2</sup> This review may include but not be limited to the following considerations: (i) whether ISS has an effective process for seeking timely input from issuers and Jackson Square with respect to its proxy voting policies, methodologies and peer group constructions; (ii) how ISS, in constructing peer groups, takes into account any unique characteristics regarding a particular issuer, such as size, governance structure, industry, history and financial performance; (iii) whether ISS has adequately disclosed to Jackson Square its methodologies in formulating voting recommendations; (iv) the nature of any third-party information sources used by ISS as the basis for its voting recommendations; and (v) when and how ISS would expect to engage with issuers and third parties.

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#### Company Management Recommendations
When determining whether to invest in a company, one of the factors Jackson Square considers is the quality and depth of the company's management. As a result, in those instances, Jackson Square often believes that recommendations of management on any issue (particularly routine issues) should be given a fair amount of weight in determining how proxy issues should be voted. Thus, on many issues, Jackson Square's votes are cast in accordance with the recommendations of the company's management. Jackson Square generally votes against management's recommendation when the Committee determines that such position is not in the best interests of Jackson Square's Clients.

#### Conflicts of Interest
As a matter of policy, the Committee and any other officers, directors, employees and affiliated persons of Jackson Square may not be influenced by outside sources who have interests which conflict with the interests of Jackson Square's Clients when voting proxies for such Clients. However, in order to ensure that Jackson Square votes proxies in the best interests of a Client, Jackson Square has established the following procedures to address actual and potential conflicts of interest.

Most of the proxies which Jackson Square receives on behalf of its Clients are voted by ISS in accordance with the pre-determined, pre-approved Procedures. The Procedures are then utilized by ISS going forward to vote Client proxies. Because the majority of proxies are voted by ISS pursuant to the pre-determined Procedures, it thereby largely eliminates conflicts of interest for Jackson Square from the proxy voting process.

In circumstances where Jackson Square is considering voting a proxy contrary to ISS's recommendation, the Committee first assess the issue to see if there is any possible conflict of interest involving Jackson Square or affiliated persons of Jackson Square. If there is no perceived conflict of interest, the Committee then votes the proxy according to the process described in the Procedures above. If at least one member of the Committee has actual knowledge of a conflict of interest, the Committee normally uses another independent third party to do additional research on the particular issue in order to make a recommendation to the Committee on how to vote the proxy in the best interests of the Client. The Committee then reviews the proxy voting materials and recommendation provided by ISS and the independent third party to determine how to vote the issue in a manner which the Committee believes is consistent with the Procedures and in the best interests of the Client. In these instances, the Committee must come to a unanimous decision regarding how to vote the proxy or they will be required to vote the proxy in accordance with ISS's original recommendation. Documentation of the reasons for voting contrary to ISS's recommendation is retained by Jackson Square according to applicable law.

#### Proxy Voting for Registered Fund Clients
Certain boards for Registered Fund Clients have delegated responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Registered Fund to Jackson Square, and the private funds advised by Jackson Square have delegated responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the private fund to Jackson Square. Jackson Square has agreed to vote the proxy ballots received on behalf of the fund and will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures.

Form N-PX must be filed for certain Jackson Square Registered Fund Clients no later than August 31 of each year. Any request for information about proxy voting or class actions should be promptly forwarded to the CCO, who will respond to any such requests.

The Committee maintains a list of Clients that have delegated proxy voting decisions to Jackson Square and for which Jackson Square must file Form N-PX.

#### Availability of Proxy Voting Information and Record Keeping
Where requested by a Client, Jackson Square will provide the Client or its representative information on how the proxies on its securities were voted. At the beginning of a new relationship with a Client, Jackson Square will provide Clients with a summary of Jackson Square's proxy voting process and will inform Clients that they can obtain a copy of the complete Procedures upon request. The information described in the preceding two sentences will be included in Part 2A of Jackson Square's Form ADV which is delivered to each new Client prior to the commencement of investment management services. Existing Clients will also be provided with the above information.

Jackson Square retains records regarding proxy voting on behalf of Clients. Jackson Square will keep records of the following items: (i) the Procedures; (ii) proxy statements received regarding Client securities (via ISS); (iii) records of votes cast on behalf of Jackson Square's Clients (via ISS); (iv) records of a Client's written request for information on how

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Jackson Square voted proxies for the Client, and any Jackson Square written response to an oral or written Client request for information on how Jackson Square voted proxies for the Client; (v) the guidelines issued by ISS; and (vi) any documents prepared by Jackson Square that were material to making a decision how to vote or that memorialized the basis for that decision. These records will be maintained in an easily accessible place for at least five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record. For the first two years, such records will be stored at the offices of Jackson Square.

#### Class Actions
From time to time Jackson Square may receive notification of a class action involving a security held or previously owned by Client accounts. As disclosed in the firm's Form ADV Part 2A, Jackson Square does not typically respond to class actions. Any Jackson Square employee receiving notification of a class action should provide the notification to the CCO who will attempt to communicate the details to the relevant Client's authorized agents.

#### Due Diligence of ISS
As referenced above, Jackson Square conducts periodic due diligence reviews of ISS,<sup>3</sup> including a review of its conflicts of interests and policies and procedures. As part of this ongoing assessment of ISS, the Committee will also assess ISS's responsiveness in addressing any open issues.

<sup>3</sup> This due diligence review may include but not be limited to the following considerations: (i) whether any potential factual errors, potential incompleteness or potential methodological weaknesses in ISS's analysis that Jackson Square becomes aware of, and determines relevant to its voting determinations, materially affected ISS recommendations relied on by Jackson Square; (ii) ISS's engagement with issuers, including its process for obtaining complete and accurate information about an issuer and each proxy voting matter; (iii) ISS's efforts to correct any identified material deficiencies in its analysis; (iv) ISS's disclosure to Jackson Square regarding its sources of information and methodologies used in formulating voting recommendations; and (v) ISS's consideration of factors unique to a specific issuer or proposal.

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#### LOOMIS, SAYLES & COMPANY, L.P.

#### PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

#### March 24, 2022
1.<br>

#### GENERAL
A.<br>

#### Introduction.
Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. ("Loomis Sayles") will vote proxies of the securities held in its clients' portfolios on behalf of each client that has delegated proxy voting authority to Loomis Sayles as investment adviser. Loomis Sayles has adopted and implemented these policies and procedures ("Proxy Voting Procedures") to ensure that, where it has voting authority, proxy matters are handled in the best interests of clients, in accordance with Loomis Sayles' fiduciary duty, and all applicable law and regulations. The Proxy Voting Procedures, as implemented by the Loomis Sayles Proxy Committee (as described below), are intended to support good corporate governance, including those corporate practices that address environmental and social issues ("ESG Matters"), in all cases with the objective of protecting shareholder interests and maximizing shareholder value.

Loomis Sayles uses the services of third parties (each a "Proxy Voting Service" and collectively the "Proxy Voting Services"), to provide research, analysis and voting recommendations and to administer the process of voting proxies for those clients for which Loomis Sayles has voting authority. Any reference in these Proxy Voting Procedures to a "Proxy Voting Service" is a reference either to the Proxy Voting Service that provides research, analysis and voting recommendations to Loomis Sayles or to the Proxy Voting Service that administers the process of voting proxies for Loomis Sayles or to both, as the context may require. Loomis Sayles will generally follow its express policy with input from the Proxy Voting Service that provides research, analysis and voting recommendations to Loomis Sayles unless the Proxy Committee determines that the client's best interests are served by voting otherwise.

B.<br>

#### General Guidelines.
The following guidelines will apply when voting proxies on behalf of accounts for which Loomis Sayles has voting authority.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1.

**Client's Best Interests.** The Proxy Voting Procedures are designed and implemented in a way that is reasonably expected to ensure that proxy matters are conducted in the best interests of clients. When considering the best interests of clients, Loomis Sayles has determined that this means the best investment interest of its clients as shareholders of the issuer. To protect its clients' best interests, Loomis Sayles has integrated the consideration of ESG Matters into its investment process. The Proxy Voting Procedures are intended to reflect the impact of these factors in cases where they are material to the growth and sustainability of an issuer. Loomis Sayles has established its Proxy Voting Procedures to assist it in making its proxy voting decisions with a view toward enhancing the value of its clients' interests in an issuer over the period during which it expects its clients to hold their investments. Loomis Sayles will vote against proposals that it believes could adversely impact the current or future market value of the issuer's securities during the expected holding period. Loomis Sayles also believes that protecting the best interests of clients requires the consideration of potential material impacts of proxy proposals associated with ESG Matters.

For the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding any other provisions of these Proxy Voting Procedures, in all instances in which Loomis Sayles votes proxies on behalf of clients that are employee benefit plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), Loomis Sayles (a) will act solely in accordance with the economic interest of the plan and its participants and beneficiaries, and (b) will not subordinate the interests of the participants and beneficiaries in their retirement income or financial benefits under the plan to any other objective, or promote benefits or goals unrelated to those financial interests of the plan's participants and beneficiaries.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2.

**Client Proxy Voting Policies.** Rather than delegating proxy voting authority to Loomis Sayles, a client may (a) retain the authority to vote proxies on securities in its account; (b) delegate voting authority to another party; or (c) instruct Loomis Sayles to vote proxies according to a policy that differs from the Proxy Voting Procedures. Loomis Sayles will honor any of these instructions if the instruction is agreed to in writing by Loomis Sayles in its investment management agreement with the client. If Loomis Sayles incurs additional costs or expenses in following any such instruction, it may request payment for such additional costs or expenses from the client.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3.

**Stated Policies.** In the interest of consistency in voting proxies on behalf of its clients where appropriate, Loomis Sayles has adopted policies that identify issues where Loomis Sayles will (a) generally vote in favor of a proposal; (b) generally vote against a proposal; (c) generally vote as recommended by the Proxy Voting Service; and (d) specifically consider its vote for or against a proposal. However, these policies are guidelines and each vote may be cast differently than the stated policy, taking into consideration all relevant facts and circumstances at the time of the vote. In certain cases where the recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service and the recommendation of the issuer's management are the same, the vote will generally be cast as recommended and will not be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Proxy Committee. In cases where the portfolio manager of an account that holds voting securities of an issuer or the analyst covering the issuer or its securities recommends a vote, the proposal(s) will be voted according to these recommendations after a review for any potential conflicts of interest is conducted and will not be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Proxy Committee. There may be situations where Loomis Sayles casts split votes despite the stated policies. For example, Loomis Sayles may cast a split vote when different clients may be invested in strategies with different investment objectives, or when different clients may have different economic interests in the outcome of a particular proposal. Loomis Sayles also may cast a split vote on a particular proposal when its investment teams have differing views regarding the impact of the proposal on their clients' investment interests.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4.

**Abstentions and Other Exceptions.** Loomis Sayles' general policy is to vote rather than abstain from voting on issues presented, unless the Proxy Committee determines, pursuant to its best judgment, that the client's best interests require abstention. However, in the following circumstances Loomis Sayles may not vote a client's proxy:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The Proxy Committee has concluded that voting would have no meaningful, identifiable economic benefit to the client as a shareholder, such as when the security is no longer held in the client's portfolio or when the value of the portfolio holding is insignificant.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The Proxy Committee has concluded that the costs of or disadvantages resulting from voting outweigh the economic benefits of voting. For example, in some non- US jurisdictions, the sale of securities voted may be legally or practically prohibited or subject to some restrictions for some period of time, usually between the record and meeting dates ("share blocking"). Loomis Sayles believes that the loss of investment flexibility resulting from share blocking generally outweighs the benefit to be gained by voting. Information about share blocking is often incomplete or contradictory. Loomis Sayles relies on the client's custodian and on its Proxy Voting Service to identify share blocking jurisdictions. To the extent such information is wrong, Loomis Sayles could fail to vote shares that could have been voted without loss of investment flexibility, or could vote shares and then be prevented from engaging in a potentially beneficial portfolio transaction.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Administrative requirements for voting proxies in certain foreign jurisdictions (which may be imposed a single time or may be periodic), such as providing a power of attorney to the client's local sub-custodian, cannot be fulfilled due to timing of the requirement, or the costs required to fulfill the administrative requirements appear to outweigh the benefits to the client of voting the proxy.

?

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The client, as of the record date, has loaned the securities to which the proxy relates and Loomis Sayles has concluded that it is not in the best interest of the client to recall the loan or is unable to recall the loan in order to vote the securities.<sup>1</sup>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The client so directs Loomis Sayles.

The Proxy Committee will generally vote against, rather than abstain from voting on, ballot issues where the issuer does not provide sufficient information to make an informed decision. In addition, there may be instances where Loomis Sayles is not able to vote proxies on a client's behalf, such as when ballot delivery instructions have not been processed by a client's custodian, when the Proxy Voting Service has not received a ballot for a client's account (e.g., in cases where the client's shares have been loaned to a third party), when proxy materials are not available in English, and under other circumstances beyond Loomis Sayles' control.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.

**Oversight.** All issues presented for shareholder vote are subject to the oversight of the Proxy Committee, either directly or by application of this policy. All non-routine issues will generally be considered directly by the Proxy Committee and, when necessary, the investment professionals responsible for an account holding the security, and will

<sup>1</sup> Loomis Sayles does not engage in securities lending. However, some clients do opt to lend securities, availing themselves of their custodians' services.

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be voted in the best investment interests of the client. All routine "for" and "against" issues will be voted according to this policy unless special factors require that they be considered by the Proxy Committee and, when necessary, the investment professionals responsible for an account holding the security.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 6.

**Availability of Procedures.** Loomis Sayles publishes these Proxy Voting Procedures, as updated from time to time, on its public website, www.loomissayles.com, and includes a description of its Proxy Voting Procedures in Part 2A of its Form ADV. Upon request, Loomis Sayles also provides clients with a copy of its Proxy Voting Procedures.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 7.

**Disclosure of Vote.** Loomis Sayles makes certain disclosures regarding its voting of proxies in the aggregate (not specific as to clients) on its website, www.loomissayles.com. For mutual funds that it manages, Loomis Sayles is required by law to make certain disclosures regarding its voting of proxies annually. This information is also available on the Loomis Sayles website. Additionally, Loomis Sayles will, upon request by a client, provide information about how each proxy was voted with respect to the securities in that client's account. Loomis Sayles' policy is not to disclose a client's proxy voting records to third parties except as required by applicable law and regulations.

C.<br>

#### Proxy Committee.
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1.

**Proxy Committee.** Loomis Sayles has established a Proxy Committee. The Proxy Committee is composed of senior representatives from firm investment teams and members of the Legal and Compliance Department, and other employees of Loomis Sayles as needed. In the event that any member is unable to participate in a meeting of the Proxy Committee, he or she may designate another individual to act on his or her behalf. A vacancy in the Proxy Committee is filled by the prior member's successor in position at Loomis Sayles or a person of equivalent experience. Each portfolio manager of an account that holds voting securities of an issuer or the analyst covering the issuer or its securities may be an ad hoc member of the Proxy Committee in connection with voting proxies of that issuer. Voting determinations made by the Proxy Committee generally will be memorialized electronically (e.g., by email).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2. <br>

**Duties.** The Proxy Committee's specific responsibilities include the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; a. <br>

developing, authorizing, implementing and updating the Proxy Voting Procedures, including:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (i) <br>

annually reviewing the Proxy Voting Procedures to ensure consistency with internal policies and regulatory agency policies, including determining the continuing adequacy of the Proxy Voting Procedures to confirm that they have been formulated reasonably and implemented effectively, including whether they continue to be reasonably designed to ensure that proxy votes are cast in clients' best interest,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (ii) <br>

annually reviewing existing voting guidelines and developing of additional voting guidelines to assist in the review of proxy proposals, and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (iii) <br>

annually reviewing the proxy voting process and addressing any general issues that relate to proxy voting;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; b. <br>

overseeing the proxy voting process, including:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (i) <br>

overseeing the vote on proposals according to the predetermined policies in the voting guidelines,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (ii) <br>

directing the vote on proposals where there is reason not to vote according to the predetermined policies in the voting guidelines or where proposals require special consideration,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (iii) <br>

consulting with the portfolio managers and analysts for the accounts holding the security when necessary or appropriate, and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (iv) <br>

periodically sampling or engaging an outside party to sample proxy votes to ensure they comply with the Proxy Voting Procedures and are cast in accordance with the clients' best interests;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; c. <br>

engaging and overseeing third-party vendors that materially assist Loomis Sayles with respect to proxy voting, such as the Proxy Voting Services, including:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (i) <br>

determining and periodically reassessing whether, as relevant, the Proxy Voting Service has the capacity and competency to adequately analyze proxy issues by considering:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (a) <br>

the adequacy and quality of the Proxy Voting Service's staffing, personnel and technology,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (b) <br>

whether the Proxy Voting Service has adequately disclosed its methodologies in formulating voting recommendations, such that Loomis Sayles can understand the factors underlying the Proxy Voting Service's voting recommendations,

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (c) <br>

the robustness of the Proxy Voting Service's policies and procedures regarding its ability to ensure that its recommendations are based on current, materially complete and accurate information, and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (d) <br>

the Proxy Voting Service's policies and procedures regarding how it identifies and addresses conflicts of interest, including whether the Proxy Voting Service's policies and procedures provide for adequate disclosure of its actual and potential conflicts of interest with respect to the services it provides to Loomis Sayles.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (ii) <br>

providing ongoing oversight of the Proxy Voting Services to ensure that proxies continue to be voted in the best interests of clients and in accordance with these Proxy Voting Procedures and the determinations and directions of the Proxy Committee,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (iii) <br>

receiving and reviewing updates from the Proxy Voting Services regarding relevant business changes or changes to the Proxy Voting Services' conflict policies and procedures, and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (iv) <br>

in the event that the Proxy Committee becomes aware that a recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service was based on a material factual error (including materially inaccurate or incomplete information): investigating the error, considering the nature of the error and the related recommendation, and determining whether the Proxy Voting Service has taken reasonable steps to reduce the likelihood of similar errors in the future; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; d. <br>

further developing and/or modifying these Proxy Voting Procedures as otherwise appropriate or necessary.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3. <br>

**Standards.**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; a. <br>

When determining the vote of any proposal for which it has responsibility, the Proxy Committee shall vote in the client's best interests as described in section 1(B)(1) above. In the event a client believes that its other interests require a different vote, Loomis Sayles shall vote as the client instructs if the instructions are provided as required in section 1(B)(2) above.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; b. <br>

When determining the vote on any proposal, the Proxy Committee shall not consider any benefit to Loomis Sayles, any of its affiliates, any of its or their clients or service providers, other than benefits to the owner of the securities to be voted.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; c. <br>

If Loomis Sayles becomes aware of additional information relevant to the voting of a shareholder meeting after a vote has been entered but before the applicable voting deadline has passed, it will consider whether or not such information impacts the vote determination entered, and if necessary, use reasonable efforts to change the vote instruction.

D.<br>

#### Conflicts of Interest.
Loomis Sayles has established policies and procedures to ensure that proxy votes are voted in its clients' best interests and are not affected by any possible conflicts of interest. First, except in certain limited instances, Loomis Sayles votes in accordance with its pre- determined policies set forth in these Proxy Voting Procedures. Second, where these Proxy Voting Procedures allow for discretion, Loomis Sayles will generally consider the recommendations of the Proxy Voting Service in making its voting decisions. However, if the Proxy Committee determines that the Proxy Voting Service's recommendation is not in the best interests of the firm's clients, then the Proxy Committee may use its discretion to vote against the Proxy Voting Service's recommendation, but only after taking the following steps: (1) conducting a review for any material conflict of interest Loomis Sayles may have, and (2) if any material conflict is found to exist, excluding anyone at Loomis Sayles who is subject to that conflict of interest from participating in the voting decision in any way. However, if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Proxy Committee after full disclosure of any conflict, that person may provide information, opinions or recommendations on any proposal to the Proxy Committee. In such event, prior to directing any vote, the Proxy Committee will make reasonable efforts to obtain and consider information, opinions and recommendations from or about the opposing position.

E.<br>

#### Recordkeeping.

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Proxy voting books and records are maintained in an easily accessible place for a period of five years, the first two in an appropriate office of Loomis Sayles.

2.<br>

#### PROXY VOTING
A.<br>

#### Introduction
Loomis Sayles has established certain specific guidelines intended to achieve the objective of the Proxy Voting Procedures: to support good corporate governance, including ESG Matters, in all cases with the objective of protecting shareholder interests and maximizing shareholder value.

B.<br>

#### Board of Directors
Loomis Sayles believes that an issuer's independent, qualified board of directors is the foundation of good corporate governance. Loomis Sayles supports proxy proposals that reflect the prudent exercise of the board's obligation to provide leadership and guidance to management in fulfilling its obligations to its shareholders. As an example, it may be prudent not to disqualify a director from serving on a board if they participated in affiliated transactions if all measures of independence and good corporate governance were met.

<u>Annual Election of Directors:</u> Vote for proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually.

<u>Chairman and CEO are Separate Positions:</u> Vote for proposals that require the positions of chairman and CEO to be held by different persons.

<u>Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection:</u> 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

Vote against proposals concerning director and officer indemnification and liability protection that limit or eliminate entirely director and officer liability for monetary damages for violating the duty of care, or that would expand coverage beyond legal expenses to acts such as gross negligence that are more serious violations of fiduciary obligations than mere carelessness.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

Vote for only those proposals that provide such expanded coverage in cases when a director's or officer's legal defense was unsuccessful if (i) the director or officer was found to have acted in good faith and in a manner that the director or officer reasonably believed was in the best interests of the company, and (ii) if the director's or officer's legal expenses only would be covered.

<u>Director Nominees in Contested Elections:</u> Votes in a contested election of directors or a "vote no" campaign must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering the following factors: (1) long-term financial performance of the issuer relative to its industry; management's track record; (2) background to the proxy contest; qualifications of director nominees (both slates); (3) evaluation of what each side is offering shareholders as well as the likelihood that the proposed objectives and goals can be met; and (4) stock ownership positions.

<u>Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections:</u> 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

Vote for proposals involving routine matters such as election of directors, provided that at least two-thirds of the directors would be independent, as determined by the Proxy Voting Service, and affiliated or inside nominees do not serve on any key board committee, defined as the Audit, Compensation, Nominating and/or Governance Committees.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

Vote against nominees that are CFOs of the subject company. Generally, vote against nominees that the Proxy Voting Service has identified as not acting in the best interests of shareholders (e.g., due to over-boarding, risk management failures, a lack of diversity, etc.). Vote against nominees that have attended less than 75% of board and committee meetings, unless a reasonable cause (e.g., health or family emergency) for the absence is noted and accepted by the Proxy Voting Service and the board. Vote against affiliated or inside nominees who serve on a key board committee (as defined above). Vote against affiliated and inside nominees if less than two-thirds of the board would be independent. Vote against Governance or Nominating Committee members if both the following are true: a) there is no independent lead or presiding director; and b) the position of CEO and chairman are not held by separate individuals. Generally, vote against Audit Committee members if auditor ratification is not proposed, except in cases involving: (i) investment company board members, who are not required to submit auditor ratification for shareholder approval pursuant to Investment Company Act of 1940 rules; or (ii) any other issuer that is not required by law or regulation to submit a proposal ratifying the auditor selection. Vote against Compensation Committee members when Loomis Sayles or the Proxy Voting Service recommends a vote against the issuer's "say on pay" advisory vote.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; C. <br>

Generally, vote against all members of a board committee and not just the chairman or a representative thereof in situations where the Proxy Voting Service finds that the board committee has not acted in the best interests of shareholders.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; D. <br>

Vote as recommended by the Proxy Voting Service when directors are being elected as a slate and not individually.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; E. <br>

When electing directors for any foreign-domiciled issuer to which the Proxy Voting Service believes it is reasonable to apply U.S. governance standards, we generally will vote in accordance with our policies set forth in (A) through (D) above. When electing directors for any other foreign-domiciled issuers, a recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service will generally be followed in lieu of the above stipulations.

<u>Independent Audit, Compensation and Nominating and/or Governance Committees:</u> Vote for proposals requesting that the board Audit, Compensation and/or Nominating and/or Governance Committees include independent directors exclusively.

<u>Independent Board Chairman:</u> 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

Vote for shareholder proposals that generally request the board to adopt a policy requiring its chairman to be "independent" (based on some reasonable definition of that term) with respect to any issuer whose enterprise value is, according to the Proxy Voting Service, greater than or equal to $10 billion.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

Vote such proposals on a case-by-case basis when, according to the Proxy Voting Service, the issuer's enterprise value is less than $10 billion.

<u>Multiple Directorships:</u> Generally vote against a director nominee who serves as an executive officer of any public company while serving on more than two total public company boards, and any other director nominee who serves on more than five total public company boards unless a convincing argument to vote for that nominee is made by the Proxy Voting Service, in which case, the recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service will generally be followed.

<u>Staggered Director Elections:</u> Vote against proposals to classify or stagger the board.

<u>Stock Ownership Requirements:</u> Generally vote against shareholder proposals requiring directors to own a minimum amount of company stock in order to qualify as a director, or to remain on the board.

<u>Term of Office:</u> Vote against shareholder proposals to limit the tenure of outside directors.

C.<br>

#### Ratification of Auditor
Loomis Sayles generally supports proposals for the selection or ratification of independent auditors, subject to consideration of various factors such as independence and reasonableness of fees.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

Generally vote for proposals to ratify auditors.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

Vote against ratification of auditors where an auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent; or there is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion which is neither accurate nor indicative of the company's financial position.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; C. <br>

In general, if non-audit fees amount to 35% or more of total fees paid to a company's auditor we will vote against ratification and against the members of the Audit Committee unless the Proxy Voting Service states that the fees were disclosed and determined to be reasonable. In such instances, the recommendation of the Proxy Voting service will generally be followed.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; D. <br>

Vote against ratification of auditors and vote against members of the Audit Committee where it is known that an auditor has negotiated an alternative dispute resolution procedure.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; E. <br>

Vote against ratification of auditors if the Proxy Voting Service indicates that a vote for the ratification of auditors it is not in the best long term interest of shareholders.

D.<br>

#### Remuneration and Benefits
Loomis Sayles believes that an issuer's compensation and benefit plans must be designed to ensure the alignment of executives' and employees' interests with those of its shareholders.

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<u>401(k) Employee Benefit Plans:</u> Vote for proposals to implement a 401(k) savings plan for employees.

<u>Compensation Plans:</u> Proposals with respect to compensation plans generally will be voted as recommended by the Proxy Voting Service.

<u>Compensation in the Event of a Change in Control:</u> Votes on proposals regarding executive compensation in the event of a change in control of the issuer will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

<u>Director Related Compensation:</u> Vote proposals relating to director compensation, that are required by and comply with applicable laws (domestic or foreign) or listing requirements governing the issuer, as recommended by the Proxy Voting Service.

<u>Employee Stock Ownership Plans ("ESOPs"):</u> Vote for proposals that request shareholder approval in order to implement an ESOP or to increase authorized shares for existing ESOPs, except in cases when the number of shares allocated to the ESOP is "excessive" (i.e., generally greater than five percent of outstanding shares), in which case the recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service will generally be followed.

<u>Golden Coffins:</u> Review on a case-by-case basis all proposals relating to the obligation of an issuer to provide remuneration or awards to survivors of executives payable upon such executive's death.

<u>Golden and Tin Parachutes:</u> 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

Vote for shareholder proposals to have golden (top management) and tin (all employees) parachutes submitted for shareholder ratification.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

Review on a case-by-case basis all proposals to ratify or cancel golden or tin parachutes.

<u>OBRA (Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act)-Related Compensation Proposals:</u> 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

Vote for proposals to amend shareholder-approved plans to include administrative features or place a cap on the annual grants any one participant may receive to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of OBRA.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

Vote for amendments to add performance goals to existing compensation plans to comply with the provisions of Section 162(m) of OBRA.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; C. <br>

Vote for cash or cash-and-stock bonus plans to exempt the compensation from taxes under the provisions of Section 162(m) of OBRA.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; D. <br>

Votes on amendments to existing plans to increase shares reserved and to qualify the plan for favorable tax treatment under the provisions of Section 162(m) should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

<u>Shareholder Proposals to Limit Executive and Director Pay Including Executive Compensation Advisory Resolutions ("Say on Pay"):</u> 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

Generally, vote for shareholder proposals that seek additional disclosure of executive and director pay information.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

Review on a case-by-case basis (1) all shareholder proposals that seek to limit executive and director pay and (2) all advisory resolutions on executive pay other than shareholder resolutions to permit such advisory resolutions.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; C. <br>

Vote against proposals to link all executive or director variable compensation to performance goals.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; D. <br>

Vote for an annual review of executive compensation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; E. <br>

Non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation will be voted as recommended by the Proxy Voting Service.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; F. <br>

For foreign domiciled issuers where a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation is proposed concurrently with a binding vote on executive compensation, and the recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service is the same for each proposal, a vote will be entered as recommended by the Proxy Voting Service.

<u>Share Retention by Executives:</u> Generally vote against shareholder proposals requiring executives to retain shares of the issuer for fixed periods unless the board and the Proxy Voting Service recommend voting in favor of the proposal.

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<u>Stock Option Plans:</u> A recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service will generally be followed using the following as a guide:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

Vote against stock option plans which expressly permit repricing of underwater options.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

Vote against proposals to make all stock options performance based.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; C. <br>

Vote against stock option plans that could result in an earnings dilution above the company specific cap considered by the Proxy Voting Service.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; D. <br>

Vote for proposals that request expensing of stock options.

E.<br>

#### Capital Structure Management Issues
<u>Adjustments to Par Value of Common Stock:</u> Vote for management proposals to reduce the par value of common stock.

<u>Authority to Issue Shares:</u> Vote for proposals by boards to authorize the issuance of shares (with or without preemptive rights) to the extent the size of the proposed issuance in proportion to the issuer's issued ordinary share capital is consistent with industry standards and the recommendations of the issuer's board and the Proxy Voting Service are in agreement. Proposals that do not meet the above criteria will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

<u>Blank Check Preferred Authorization:</u> 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

Vote for proposals to create blank check preferred stock in cases when the company expressly states that the stock will not be used as a takeover defense or carry superior voting rights, and expressly states conversion, dividend, distribution and other rights.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

Vote for shareholder proposals to have blank check preferred stock placements, other than those shares issued for the purpose of raising capital or making acquisitions in the normal course of business, submitted for shareholder ratification.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; C. <br>

Review proposals to increase the number of authorized blank check preferred shares on a case-by-case basis.

<u>Common Stock Authorization:</u> Vote against proposed common stock authorizations that increase the existing authorization by more than 100% unless a clear need for the excess shares is presented by the company. A recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service will generally be followed.

<u>Greenshoe Options (French issuers only):</u> Vote for proposals by boards of French issuers in favor of greenshoe options that grant the issuer the flexibility to increase an over-subscribed securities issuance by up to 15% so long as such increase takes place on the same terms and within thirty days of the initial issuance, provided that the recommendation of the issuer's board and the Proxy Voting Service are in agreement. Proposals that do not meet the above criteria will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

<u>Reverse Stock Splits:</u> Vote for management proposals to reduce the number of outstanding shares available through a reverse stock split.

<u>Share Cancellation Programs:</u> Vote for management proposals to reduce share capital by means of cancelling outstanding shares held in the issuer's treasury.

<u>Share Repurchase Programs:</u> Vote for management proposals to institute open-market share repurchase plans in which all shareholders may participate on equal terms.

<u>Stock Distributions, Splits and Dividends:</u> Generally vote for management proposals to increase common share authorization, provided that the increase in authorized shares following the split or dividend is not greater than 100 percent of existing authorized shares.

F.<br>

#### Mergers, Asset Sales and Other Special Transactions
Proposals for transactions that have the potential to affect the ownership interests and/or voting rights of the issuer's shareholders, such as mergers, asset sales and corporate or debt restructuring, will be considered on a case-by-case basis, based on (1) whether the best economic result is being created for shareholders, (2) what changes in corporate governance will occur, (3) what impact they will have on shareholder rights, (4) whether the proposed transaction has strategic merit for the issuer, and (5) other factors as noted in each section below, if any.

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<u>Asset Sales:</u> Votes on asset sales will be determined on a case-by-case basis after considering the impact on the balance sheet/working capital, value received for the asset, and potential elimination of inefficiencies.

<u>Conversion of Debt Instruments:</u> Votes on the conversion of debt instruments will be considered on a case-by-case basis after the recommendation of the relevant Loomis Sayles equity or fixed income analyst is obtained.

<u>Corporate Restructuring:</u> Votes on corporate restructuring proposals, including minority squeeze-outs, leveraged buyouts, spin-offs, liquidations, and asset sales will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

<u>Debt Restructurings:</u> Review on a case-by-case basis proposals to increase common and/or preferred shares and to issue shares as part of a debt-restructuring plan. Consider the following issues:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

Dilution — How much will ownership interest of existing shareholders be reduced, and how extreme will dilution to any future earnings be?

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

Change in Control — Will the transaction result in a change in control of the company?

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; C. <br>

Bankruptcy — Loomis Sayles' Corporate Actions Department is responsible for consents related to bankruptcies and debt holder consents related to restructurings.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; D. <br>

Potential Conflicts of Interest – For example, clients may own securities at different levels of the capital structure; in such cases, Loomis Sayles will exercise voting or consent rights for each such client based on that client's best interests, which may differ from the interests of other clients.

<u>Delisting a Security:</u> Proposals to delist a security from an exchange will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

<u>Fair Price Provisions:</u> 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

Vote for fair price proposals, as long as the shareholder vote requirement embedded in the provision is no more than a majority of disinterested shares.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

Vote for shareholder proposals to lower the shareholder vote requirement in existing fair price provisions.

<u>Greenmail:</u> 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

Vote for proposals to adopt anti-greenmail charter or bylaw amendments or otherwise restrict a company's ability to make greenmail payments.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

Review anti-greenmail proposals on a case-by-case basis when they are bundled with other charter or bylaw amendments.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; C. <br>

Vote for proposals to eliminate an anti-greenmail bylaw if the recommendations of management and the Proxy Voting Service are in agreement. If they are not in agreement, review and vote such proposals on a case-by-case basis.

<u>Liquidations:</u> Proposals on liquidations will be voted on a case-by-case basis after reviewing relevant factors including but not necessarily limited to management's efforts to pursue other alternatives, the appraisal value of assets, and the compensation plan for executives managing the liquidation.

<u>Mergers and Acquisitions:</u> Votes on mergers and acquisitions should be considered on a case-by-case basis, generally taking into account relevant factors including but not necessarily limited to: anticipated financial and operating benefits; offer price (cost vs. premium); prospects of the combined companies; how the deal was negotiated; golden parachutes; financial benefits to current management; and changes in corporate governance and their impact on shareholder rights.

<u>Poison Pills:</u> 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

Vote for shareholder proposals that ask a company to submit its poison pill for shareholder ratification.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

Review on a case-by-case basis shareholder proposals to redeem a company's poison pill.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; C. <br>

Review on a case-by-case basis management proposals to ratify a poison pill.

<u>Reincorporation Provisions:</u> Proposals to change a company's domicile will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

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<u>Right to Adjourn:</u> Vote for the right to adjourn in conjunction with a vote for a merger or acquisition or other proposal, and vote against the right to adjourn in conjunction with a vote against a merger or acquisition or other proposal.

<u>Spin-offs:</u> Votes on spin-offs will be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on relevant factors including but not necessarily limited to the tax and regulatory advantages, planned use of sale proceeds, market focus, and managerial incentives.

<u>Tender Offer Defenses:</u> Proposals concerning tender offer defenses will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

G.<br>

#### Shareholder Rights
Loomis Sayles believes that issuers have a fundamental obligation to protect the rights of their shareholders. Pursuant to its fiduciary duty to vote shares in the best interests of its clients, Loomis Sayles considers proposals relating to shareholder rights based on whether and how they affect and protect those rights.

<u>Appraisal Rights:</u> Vote for proposals to restore, or provide shareholders with, rights of appraisal.

<u>Bundled Proposals:</u> Review on a case-by-case basis bundled or "conditioned" proxy proposals. In the case of items that are conditioned upon each other, examine the benefits and costs of the packaged items. In instances when the joint effect of the conditioned items is not in shareholders' best interests, vote against the proposals. If the combined effect is positive, support such proposals.

<u>Confidential Voting:</u> Vote for shareholder proposals that request corporations to adopt confidential voting, use independent tabulators and use independent inspectors of election as long as the proposals include clauses for proxy contests as follows: in the case of a contested election, management should be permitted to request that the dissident group honor its confidential voting policy. If the dissidents agree, the policy remains in place. If the dissidents do not agree, the confidential voting policy is waived. Vote for management proposals to adopt confidential voting.

<u>Counting Abstentions:</u> Votes on proposals regarding counting abstentions when calculating vote proposal outcomes will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

<u>Cumulative Voting:</u> Vote for proposals to permit cumulative voting, except where the issuer already has in place a policy of majority voting.

<u>Equal Access:</u> Vote for shareholder proposals that would allow significant company shareholders equal access to management's proxy material in order to evaluate and propose voting recommendations on proxy proposals and director nominees, and in order to nominate their own candidates to the board.

<u>Exclusive Forum Provisions:</u> Vote against proposals mandating an exclusive forum for any shareholder lawsuits. Vote against the members of the issuer's Governance Committee in the event of a proposal mandating an exclusive forum without shareholder approval.

<u>Independent Proxy:</u> Vote for proposals to elect an independent proxy to serve as a voting proxy at shareholder meetings.

<u>Majority Voting:</u> Vote for proposals to permit majority rather than plurality or cumulative voting for the election of directors/trustees.

<u>Preemptive Rights:</u> Votes with respect to preemptive rights generally will be voted as recommended by the Proxy Voting Service subject to the Common Stock Authorization requirements above.

<u>Proxy Access:</u> A recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service will generally be followed with regard to proposals intended to grant shareholders the right to place nominees for director on the issuer's proxy ballot ("Proxy Access"). Vote for such proposals when they require the nominating shareholder(s) to hold, in aggregate, at least 3% of the voting shares of the issuer for at least three years, and be allowed to nominate up to 25% of the nominees. All other proposals relating to Proxy Access will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

<u>Shareholder Ability to Alter the Size of the Board:</u>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

Vote for proposals that seek to fix the size of the board.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

Vote against proposals that give management the ability to alter the size of the board without shareholder approval.

<u>Shareholder Ability to Remove Directors:</u>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

Vote against proposals that provide that directors may be removed only for cause.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

Vote against proposals that provide that only continuing directors may elect replacements to fill board vacancies.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; C. <br>

Vote for proposals to restore shareholder ability to remove directors with or without cause and proposals that permit shareholders to elect directors to fill board vacancies.

<u>Shareholder Advisory Committees:</u> Proposals to establish a shareholder advisory committee will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

<u>Shareholder Rights Regarding Special Meetings:</u>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

Vote for proposals that set a threshold of 10% of the outstanding voting stock as a minimum percentage allowable to call a special meeting of shareholders. Vote against proposals that increase or decrease the threshold from 10%.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

Vote against proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to call special meetings.

<u>Supermajority Shareholder Voting Requirements:</u> Vote for all proposals to replace supermajority shareholder voting requirements with simple majority shareholder voting requirements, subject to applicable laws and regulations. Vote against management proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote to approve charter and bylaw amendments.

<u>Unequal Voting Rights:</u>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A. <br>

Vote against dual class exchange offers and dual class recapitalizations.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; B. <br>

Vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to eliminate an existing dual class voting structure.

<u>Written Consent:</u> Vote for proposals regarding the right to act by written consent when the Proxy Voting Service recommends a vote for the proposal. Proposals regarding the right to act by written consent where the Proxy Voting Service recommends a vote against will be sent to the Proxy Committee for determination. Generally vote against proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to take action by written consent.

H.<br>

#### Environmental and Social Matters
Loomis Sayles has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of its clients.

Loomis Sayles believes good corporate governance, including those practices that address ESG Matters, is essential to the effective management of a company's financial, litigation and reputation risk, the maximization of its long-term economic performance and sustainability, and the protection of its shareholders' best interests, including the maximization of shareholder value.

Proposals on environmental and social matters cover a wide range of issues, including environmental and energy practices and their impacts, labor matters, diversity and human rights. These proposals may be voted as recommended by the Proxy Voting Service or may, in the determination of the Proxy Committee, be reviewed on a case-by-case basis if the Proxy Committee believes that a particular proposal (i) could have a material impact on an industry or the growth and sustainability of an issuer; (ii) is appropriate for the issuer and the cost to implement would not be excessive; (iii) is appropriate for the issuer in light of various factors such as reputational damage or litigation risk; or (iv) is otherwise appropriate for the issuer.

Loomis Sayles will consider whether such proposals are likely to enhance the value of the client's investments after taking into account the costs involved, pursuant to its fiduciary duty to its clients.

<u>Climate Reporting:</u> Generally vote for proposals requesting the issuer produce a report, at reasonable expense, on the issuer's climate policies. A recommendation against such proposals by the Proxy Voting Service will be considered by the Proxy Committee.

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<u>Workplace Diversity Reporting:</u> Generally vote for proposals requesting the issuer produce a report, at reasonable expense, on the issuer's workforce diversity or equity policies and/or performance. A recommendation against such proposals by the Proxy Voting Service will be considered by the Proxy Committee.

I.<br>

#### General Corporate Governance
Loomis Sayles has a fiduciary duty to its clients with regard to proxy voting matters, including routine proposals that do not present controversial issues. The impact of proxy proposals on its clients' rights as shareholders must be evaluated along with their potential economic benefits.

<u>Changing Corporate Name:</u> Vote for management proposals to change the corporate name.

<u>Charitable and Political Contributions and Lobbying Expenditures:</u> Votes on proposals regarding charitable contributions, political contributions, and lobbying expenditures, should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Proposals of UK issuers concerning political contributions will be voted for if the issuer states that (a) it does not intend to make any political donations or incur any expenditures in respect to any political party in the EU; and (b) the proposal is submitted to ensure that the issuer does not inadvertently breach the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 and sections 366 and 367 of the Companies Act 2006.

<u>Delivery of Electronic Proxy Materials:</u> Vote for proposals to allow electronic delivery of proxy materials to shareholders.

<u>Disclosure of Prior Government Service:</u> Review on a case-by-case basis all proposals to disclose a list of employees previously employed in a governmental capacity.

<u>Financial Statements:</u> Generally, proposals to accept and/or approve the delivery of audited financial statements shall be voted as recommended by the Proxy Voting Service. In certain non-US jurisdictions where local regulations and/or market practices do not require the release of audited financial statements in advance of custodian vote deadlines (e.g., Korea), and the Proxy Voting Service has not identified any issues with the company's past financial statements or the audit procedures used, then Loomis Sayles shall vote for such proposals.

<u>Non-Material Miscellaneous Bookkeeping Proposals:</u> A recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service will generally be followed regarding miscellaneous bookkeeping proposals of a non-material nature.

<u>Ratification of Board and/or Management Acts:</u> Generally, proposals concerning the ratification or approval of the acts of the board of directors and/or management of the issuer for the past fiscal year shall be voted as recommended by the Proxy Voting Service.

<u>Reimbursement of Proxy Contest Defenses:</u> Generally, proposals concerning all proxy contest defense cost reimbursements should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

<u>Reimbursement of Proxy Solicitation Expenses:</u> Proposals to provide reimbursement for dissidents waging a proxy contest should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

<u>State Takeover Statutes:</u> Review on a case-by-case basis proposals to opt in or out of state takeover statutes (including control share acquisition statutes, control share cash-out statutes, freeze out provisions, fair price provisions, stakeholder laws, poison pill endorsements, severance pay and labor contract provisions, anti-greenmail provisions, and disgorgement provisions).

<u>Technical Amendments to By-Laws:</u> A recommendation of the Proxy Voting Service will generally be followed regarding technical or housekeeping amendments to by-laws or articles designed to bring the by-laws or articles into line with current regulations and/or laws.

<u>Transaction of Other Business:</u> Vote against proposals asking for authority to transact open-ended other business without any information provided by the issuer at the time of voting.

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<u>Transition Manager Ballots:</u> Any ballot received by Loomis Sayles for a security that was held for a client by a Transition Manager prior to Loomis Sayles' management of the client's holdings will be considered on a case-by case basis by the Proxy Committee (without the input of any Loomis Sayles analyst or portfolio manager) if such security is no longer held in the client's account with Loomis Sayles.

J.<br>

#### Investment Company Matters
<u>Election of Investment Company Trustees:</u> Vote for nominees who oversee fewer than 60 investment company portfolios. Vote against nominees who oversee 60 or more investment company portfolios that invest in substantially different asset classes (e.g., if the applicable portfolios include both fixed income funds and equity funds). Vote on a case-by-case basis for or against nominees who oversee 60 or more investment company portfolios that invest in substantially similar asset classes (e.g., if the applicable portfolios include only fixed income funds or only equity funds). These policies will be followed with respect to funds advised by Loomis Sayles and its affiliates, as well as funds for which Loomis Sayles acts as subadviser and other third parties.

<u>Mutual Fund Distribution Agreements:</u> Votes on mutual fund distribution agreements should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

<u>Investment Company Fundamental Investment Restrictions:</u> Votes on amendments to an investment company's fundamental investment restrictions should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

<u>Investment Company Investment Advisory Agreements:</u> Votes on investment company investment advisory agreements should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

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#### MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY

#### PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

#### January 1, 2023
At MFS Investment Management, our core purpose is to create value responsibly. In serving the long-term economic interests of our clients, we rely on deep fundamental research, risk awareness, engagement, and effective stewardship to generate long-term risk-adjusted returns for our clients. A core component of this approach is our proxy voting activity. We believe that robust ownership practices can help protect and enhance long-term shareholder value. Such ownership practices include diligently exercising our voting rights as well as engaging with our issuers on a variety of proxy voting topics. We recognize that environmental, social and governance ("ESG") issues may impact the long-term value of an investment, and, therefore, we consider ESG issues in light of our fiduciary obligation to vote proxies in what we believe to be in the best long- term economic interest of our clients.

MFS Investment Management and its subsidiaries that perform discretionary investment activities (collectively, "MFS") have adopted these proxy voting policies and procedures ("MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures") with respect to securities owned by the clients for which MFS serves as investment adviser and has been delegated the power to vote proxies on behalf of such clients. These clients include pooled investment vehicles sponsored by MFS (an "MFS Fund" or collectively, the "MFS Funds").

**Our approach to proxy voting is guided by the overall principle that proxy voting decisions are made in what MFS believes to be the best long-term economic interests of our clients, and not in the interests of any other party, including company management, or in MFS' corporate interests, including interests such as the distribution of MFS Fund shares and institutional client relationships. These Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures include voting guidelines that govern how MFS generally will vote on specific matters as well as how we monitor potential material conflicts of interest on the part of MFS that could arise in connection with the voting of proxies on behalf of MFS' clients.**

#### Our approach to proxy voting is guided by the following additional principles:
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1)

**Consistency in application of the policy across multiple client portfolios:** While MFS generally votes consistently on the same matter when securities of an issuer are held by multiple client portfolios, MFS may vote differently on the matter for different client portfolios under certain circumstances. For example, we may vote differently for a client portfolio if we have received explicit voting instructions to vote differently from such client for its own account. Likewise, MFS may vote differently if the portfolio management team responsible for a particular client account believes that a different voting instruction is in the best long-term economic interest of such account.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2)

**Consistency in application of policy across shareholder meetings in most instances:** As a general matter, MFS seeks to vote consistently on similar proxy proposals across all shareholder meetings. However, as many proxy proposals (e.g., mergers, acquisitions, and environmental, social and governance shareholder proposals) are analyzed on a case-by-case basis in light of all the relevant facts and circumstances of the issuer and proposal MFS may vote similar proposals differently at different shareholder meetings. In addition, MFS also reserves the right to override the guidelines with respect to a particular proxy proposal when such an override is, in MFS' best judgment, consistent with the overall principle of voting proxies in the best long-term economic interests of MFS' clients.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (3)

**Consideration of company specific context and informed by engagement:** As noted above MFS will seek to consider a company's specific context in determining its voting decision. Where there are significant, complex or unusual voting items we may seek to engage with a company before making the vote to further inform our decision. Where sufficient progress has not been made on a particular issue of engagement, MFS may determine a vote against management may be warranted to reflect our concerns and influence for change in the best long-term economic interests of our clients.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (4)

**Clear decisions to best support issuer processes and decision making:** To best support improved issuer decision making we strive to generally provide clear decisions by voting either For or Against each item. We may however vote to Abstain in certain situations if we believe a vote either For or Against may produce a result not in the best long-term economic interests of our clients.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (5)

**Transparency in approach and implementation:** In addition to the publication of the MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures on our website, we are open to communicating our vote intention with companies, including ahead of the annual meeting. We may do this proactively where we wish to make our view or corresponding rationale clearly known to the company. Our voting data is reported to clients upon request and publicly on a quarterly and

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annual basis on our website (under Proxy Voting Records & Reports). For more information about reporting on our proxy voting activities, please refer to Section F below.

A.<br>

#### VOTING GUIDELINES
The following guidelines govern how MFS will generally vote on specific matters presented for shareholder vote. These guidelines are not exhaustive, and MFS may vote on matters not identified below. In such circumstances, MFS will be governed by its general policy to vote in what MFS believes to be in the best long-term economic interest of its clients.

These guidelines are written to apply to the markets and companies where MFS has significant assets invested. There will be markets and companies, such as controlled companies and smaller markets, where local governance practices are taken into consideration and exceptions may need to be applied that are not explicitly stated below. There are also markets and companies where transparency and related data limit the ability to apply these guidelines.

#### Board structure and performance
MFS generally supports the **election and/or discharge of directors** proposed by the board in uncontested or non-contentious elections, unless concerns have been identified, such as in relation to:

#### Director independence
MFS believes that good governance is enabled by a board with at least a simple majority of directors who are "independent" (as determined by MFS in its sole discretion)<sup>1</sup> of management, the company and each other. MFS may not support the non-independent nominees, or other relevant director (e.g., chair of the board or the chair of the nominations committee), where insufficient independence is identified and determined to be a risk to the board's and/or company's effectiveness.

As a general matter we will not support a nominee to a board if, as a result of such nominee being elected to the board, the board will consist of less than a simple majority of members who are "independent." However, there are also governance structures and markets where we may accept lower levels of independence, such as companies required to have non-shareholder representatives on the board, controlled companies, and companies in certain Asian or emerging markets. In these circumstances we generally expect the board to be at least one-third independent or at least half of shareholder representatives to be independent, and as a general matter we will not support the nominee to the board if as a result of such nominee's elections these expectations are not met. In certain circumstances, we may not support another relevant director's election. For example, in Japan, we will generally not support the most senior director where the board is not comprised of at least one-third independent directors.

MFS also believes good governance is enabled by a board whose key committees, in particular audit, nominating and compensation/remuneration, consist entirely of "independent" directors. For US and Canadian companies, MFS generally votes against any non-independent nominee that would cause any of the audit, compensation, nominating committee to not be fully independent. For Switzerland and UK issuers MFS generally votes against any non-independent nominee which would cause the audit or compensation/remuneration committee to not be fully independent.

In other markets MFS generally votes against non-independent nominees or other relevant director if a majority of committee members or the chair of the audit committee are not independent. However, there are also governance structures (e.g., controlled companies or boards with non-shareholder representatives) and markets where we may accept lower levels of independence for these key committees.

#### Tenure in leadership roles
For a board with a lead independent director whose overall tenure on the board equals or exceeds twenty (20) years, we will generally engage with the company to encourage refreshment of that role, and we may vote against the long tenured lead director if progress on refreshment is not made or being considered by the company's board.

<sup>1</sup> MFS' determination of "independence" may be different than that of the company, the exchange on which the company is listed, or of third party (e.g., proxy advisory firm).

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#### Overboarding
All directors on a board should have sufficient time and attention to fulfil their duties and play their part in achieving effective oversight, both in normal and exceptional circumstances. As a general matter, we vote against a director's election if they:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Are not a CEO of a public company, but serve on more than four (4) public company boards in total at US companies and more than five (5) in other markets.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Are a CEO of a public company, and serve on more than two (2) public company boards in total at US companies and two (2) outside companies in other markets. In these cases, MFS would only apply a vote against at the meetings of the companies where the director is non-executive.

MFS may also vote against any director if we deem such nominee to have board roles or outside time commitments that we believe would impair their ability to dedicate sufficient time and attention to their director role. MFS may consider exceptions to this policy if: (i) the company has disclosed the director's plans to step down from the number of public company boards exceeding the above limits, as applicable, within a reasonable time; or (ii) the director exceeds the permitted number of public company board seats solely due to either his/her board service on an affiliated company (e.g., a subsidiary), or service on more than one investment company within the same investment company complex (as defined by applicable law).

#### Diversity
MFS believes that a well-balanced board with diverse perspectives is a foundation for sound corporate governance, and this is best spread across the board rather than concentrated in one or a few individuals. We take a holistic view on the dimensions of diversity that can lead to diversity of perspectives and stronger oversight and governance.

Gender diversity is one such dimension and where good disclosure and data enables a specific expectation and voting policy. On gender representation specifically MFS wishes to see companies in all markets achieve a consistent minimum representation of women of at least a third of the board, and we are likely to increase our voting policy towards this over time.

Currently, MFS will generally vote against the chair of the nominating and governance committee or other most relevant position at any company whose board is comprised of an insufficient representation of directors who are women for example:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • At US, Canadian, European, Australian companies: less than 22%.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • At Japanese companies: less than 10%.

As a general matter, MFS will vote against the chair of the nominating committee of US S&P 500 companies and UK FTSE 100 companies that have failed to appoint at least one director who identifies as either an underrepresented ethnic/racial minority or a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

MFS may consider exceptions to these guidelines if we believe that the company is transitioning towards these goals or has provided clear and compelling reasons for why they have been unable to comply with these goals.

For other markets, we will engage on board diversity and may vote against the election of directors where we fail to see progress.

#### Board size
MFS believes that the size of the board can have an effect on the board's ability to function efficiently and effectively. While MFS may evaluate board size on a case-by-case basis, we will typically vote against the chair of the nominating and governance committee in instances where the size of the board is greater than sixteen (16) members. An exception to this is companies with requirements to have equal representation of employees on the board where we expect a maximum of twenty (20) members.

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#### Other concerns related to director election:
MFS may also not support some or all nominees standing for election to a board if we determine:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • There are concerns with a director or board regarding performance, governance or oversight, which may include:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Clear failures in oversight or execution of duties, including the identification, management and reporting of material risks and information, at the company or any other at which the nominee has served. This may include climate-related risks;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A failure by the director or board of the issuer to take action to eliminate shareholder unfriendly provisions in the issuer's charter documents;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Allowing the hedging and/or significant pledging of company shares by executives.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A director attended less than 75% of the board and/or relevant committee meetings in the previous year without a valid reason stated in the proxy materials or other annual governance reporting;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The board or relevant committee has not adequately responded to an issue that received majority support or significant dissent from shareholders;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The board has implemented a poison pill without shareholder approval since the last annual meeting and such poison pill is not on the subsequent shareholder meeting's agenda (including those related to net-operating loss carry-forwards); or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • In Japan, the company allocates a significant portion of its net assets to cross-shareholdings.

Unless the concern is commonly accepted market practice, MFS may also not support some or all nominees standing for election to a nominations committee if we determine the chair is not independent and there is no strong lead independent director role in place or an executive director is a member of a key board committee.

Where individual directors are not presented for election in the year MFS may apply the same vote position to votes on the discharge of the director. Where the election of directors is bundled MFS may vote against the whole group if there is concern with an individual director and no other vote related to that director.

#### Proxy contests
From time to time, a shareholder may express alternative points of view in terms of a company's strategy, capital allocation, or other issues. Such a shareholder may also propose a slate of director nominees different than the slate of director nominees proposed by the company (a "Proxy Contest"). MFS will analyze Proxy Contests on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the track record and current recommended initiatives of both company management and the dissident shareholder(s). MFS will support the slate of director nominees that we believe is in the best, long-term economic interest of our clients.

#### Other items related to board accountablity:
**Majority voting for the election of directors:** MFS generally supports reasonably crafted proposals calling for directors to be elected with an affirmative majority of votes cast and/or the elimination of the plurality standard for electing directors (including binding resolutions requesting that the board amend the company's bylaws), provided the proposal includes a carve-out for a plurality voting standard when there are more director nominees than board seats (e.g., contested elections).

**Declassified boards:** MFS generally supports proposals to declassify a board (i.e., a board in which only a sub-set of board members is elected each year) for all issuers other than for certain closed-end investment companies. MFS generally opposes proposals to classify a board for issuers other than for certain closed-end investment companies.

**The right to call a special meeting or act by written consent:** MFS will generally support management proposals to establish these rights. We will also support shareholder proposals to establish the right for shareholders to call a special meeting.

If a company already provides shareholders the right to call a special meeting at a threshold of 15% or below, MFS will generally vote against shareholder proposals to establish or amend the threshold at a lower level.

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MFS will support shareholder proposals to establish the right to act by majority written consent if shareholders do not have the right to call a special meeting at a 15% or lower threshold.

**Independent chairs:** MFS believes boards should include some form of independent leadership responsible for amplifying the views of independent directors and setting meeting agendas, and this is often best positioned as an independent chair of the board. We review the merits of a change in leadership structure on a case-by-case basis.

**Proxy access:** MFS believes that the ability of qualifying shareholders to nominate a certain number of directors on the company's proxy statement ("Proxy Access") may have corporate governance benefits. However, such potential benefits must be balanced by its potential misuse by shareholders. Therefore, MFS generally supports Proxy Access proposals at U.S. issuers that establish ownership criteria of 3% of the company held continuously for a period of 3 years. In our view, such qualifying shareholders should have the ability to nominate at least 2 directors. We also believe companies should be mindful of imposing any undue impediments within their bylaws that may render Proxy Access impractical, including re-submission thresholds for director nominees via Proxy Access.

#### Items related to shareholder rights:
**Anti-takeover measures:** In general, MFS votes against any measure that inhibits capital appreciation in a stock, including proposals that protect management from action by shareholders. These types of proposals take many forms, ranging from "poison pills" and "shark repellents" to super-majority requirements. While MFS may consider the adoption of a prospective "poison pill" or the continuation of an existing "poison pill" on a case-by-case basis, MFS generally votes against such anti-takeover devices.

MFS will consider any poison pills designed to protect a company's net-operating loss carryforwards on a case-by-case basis, weighing the accounting and tax benefits of such a pill against the risk of deterring future acquisition candidates. MFS will also consider, on a case-by-case basis, proposals designed to prevent tenders which are disadvantageous to shareholders such as tenders at below market prices and tenders for substantially less than all shares of an issuer.

MFS generally supports proposals that seek to remove governance structures that insulate management from shareholders. MFS generally votes for proposals to rescind existing "poison pills" and proposals that would require shareholder approval to adopt prospective "poison pills."

**Cumulative voting:** MFS generally opposes proposals that seek to introduce cumulative voting and supports proposals that seek to eliminate cumulative voting. In either case, MFS will consider whether cumulative voting is likely to enhance the interests of MFS' clients as minority shareholders.

**One-share one-vote:** As a general matter, MFS supports proportional alignment of voting rights with economic interest, and may not support a proposal that deviates from this approach. Where multiple share classes or other forms of disproportionate control are in place, we expect these to have sunset provisions of generally no longer than seven years after which the structure becomes single class one-share one-vote.

**Reincorporation and reorganization proposals:** When presented with a proposal to reincorporate a company under the laws of a different state, or to effect some other type of corporate reorganization, MFS considers the underlying purpose and ultimate effect of such a proposal in determining whether or not to support such a measure. MFS generally votes with management in regards to these types of proposals, however, if MFS believes the proposal is not in the best long-term economic interests of its clients, then MFS may vote against management (e.g., the intent or effect would be to create additional inappropriate impediments to possible acquisitions or takeovers).

**Other business:** MFS generally votes against "other business" proposals as the content of any such matter is not known at the time of our vote.

#### Items related to capitalization proposals, capital allocation and corporate actions:
**Issuance of stock:** There are many legitimate reasons for the issuance of stock. Nevertheless, as noted above under "Stock Plans," when a stock option plan (either individually or when aggregated with other plans of the same company) would substantially dilute the existing equity (e.g., by more than approximately 10-15%), MFS generally votes against the plan.

MFS typically votes against proposals where management is asking for authorization to issue common or preferred stock with no reason stated (a "blank check") because the unexplained authorization could work as a potential anti-takeover device. MFS may also vote against the authorization or issuance of common or preferred stock

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if MFS determines that the requested authorization is excessive or not warranted. MFS will consider the duration of the authority and the company's history in using such authorities in making its decision.

**Repurchase programs**: MFS generally supports proposals to institute share repurchase plans in which all shareholders have the opportunity to participate on an equal basis. Such plans may include a company acquiring its own shares on the open market, or a company making a tender offer to its own shareholders.

**Mergers, acquisitions & other special transactions:** MFS considers proposals with respect to mergers, acquisitions, sale of company assets, share and debt issuances and other transactions that have the potential to affect ownership interests on a case-by-case basis.

#### Independent Auditors
MFS generally supports the election of auditors but may determine to vote against the election of a statutory auditor and/or members of the audit committee in certain markets if MFS reasonably believes that the statutory auditor is not truly independent, sufficiently competent or there are concerns related to the auditor's work or opinion. To inform this view, MFS may evaluate the use of non-audit services in voting decisions when the percentage of non-audit fees to total auditor fees exceeds 40%, in particular if recurring.

#### Executive Compensation
MFS believes that competitive compensation packages are necessary to attract, motivate and retain executives. We seek compensation plans that are geared towards durable long-term value creation and aligned with shareholder interests and experience, such as where:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The plan is aligned with the company's strategic priorities with clear, suitably challenging and measurable performance conditions such that future pay is likely to reflect performance;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Substantial portions of awards paid in deferred shares and based on long performance periods (e.g., at least three years);

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Potential awards, and any increases to this, reflect the role and business; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Awards reflect the policies approved by shareholders at previous meetings with appropriate use of discretion (positive and negative).

MFS will analyze votes on executive compensation on a case-by-case basis. MFS will vote against an issuer's executive compensation practices if MFS determines that such practices are misaligned with shareholders or include incentive metrics or structures that are poorly aligned with the best, long-term economic interest of its clients. When analyzing whether an issuer's compensation practices are geared towards durable long-term value creation, we use a variety of materials and information, including our own internal research and engagement with issuers as well as the research of third-party service providers. We also have identified the following practices in compensation plans that we believe may be problematic and we review any plan that contains four (4) or more of these practices with extra scrutiny:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Relative total shareholder return (TSR) performance thresholds requiring less than median performance.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Qualitative (i.e., strategic or individual) goals that account for 30% or more of a given short- or long-term award.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Performance-based long-term incentives that have less than a 3-year performance period.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • CEO perks of more than $100,000.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A long-term performance plan that has no financial performance requirements.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Executive or director pledging of shares.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • CEO pay that is four times the average pay of the company's next named executive officers (NEO).

MFS may also vote against an issuer's executive compensation practices if there is insufficient disclosure about the issuer's practices.

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MFS generally supports proposals to include an advisory shareholder vote on an issuer's executive compensation practices on an annual basis.

MFS does not have formal voting guideline in regards to the inclusion of ESG incentives in a company's compensation plan; however, where such incentives are included, we believe:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The incentives should be tied to quantitative or other externally verifiable outcomes rather than qualitative measures.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The weighting of incentives should be appropriately balanced with other strategic priorities.

We believe non-executive directors may be compensated in cash or stock but these should not be performance-based.

#### Stock Plans
MFS may oppose stock option programs and restricted stock plans if they:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Provide unduly generous compensation for officers, directors or employees, or could result in excessive dilution to other shareholders. As a general guideline, MFS votes against restricted stock, stock option, non-employee director, omnibus stock plans and any other stock plan if all such plans for a particular company involve potential excessive dilution (which we typically consider to be, in the aggregate, of more than 15%). MFS will generally vote against stock plans that involve potential dilution, in aggregate, of more than 10% at U.S. issuers that are listed in the Standard and Poor's 100 index as of December 31 of the previous year.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Allow the board or the compensation committee to re-price underwater options or to automatically replenish shares without shareholder approval.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Do not require an investment by the optionee, give "free rides" on the stock price, or permit grants of stock options with an exercise price below fair market value on the date the options are granted.

In the cases where a stock plan amendment is seeking qualitative changes and not additional shares, MFS will vote on a case-by-case basis.

MFS will consider proposals to exchange existing options for newly issued options, restricted stock or cash on a case-by-case basis, taking into account certain factors, including, but not limited to, whether there is a reasonable value-for-value exchange and whether senior executives are excluded from participating in the exchange.

From time to time, MFS may evaluate a separate, advisory vote on severance packages or "golden parachutes" to certain executives at the same time as a vote on a proposed merger or acquisition. MFS will vote on a severance package on a case-by-case basis, and MFS may vote against the severance package regardless of whether MFS supports the proposed merger or acquisition.

MFS supports the use of a broad-based employee stock purchase plans to increase company stock ownership by employees, provided that shares purchased under the plan are acquired for no less than 85% of their market value and do not result in excessive dilution.

MFS may also not support some or all nominees standing for election to a compensation/remuneration committee if:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • MFS votes against consecutive pay votes;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • MFS determines that a particularly egregious executive compensation practice has occurred. This may include use of discretion to award excessive payouts. MFS believes compensation committees should have flexibility to apply discretion to ensure final payments reflect long-term performance as long as this is used responsibly; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • An advisory pay vote is not presented to shareholders, or the company has not implemented the advisory vote frequency supported by a plurality/majority of shareholders.

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#### Shareholder Proposals on Executive Compensation
MFS generally opposes shareholder proposals that seek to set rigid restrictions on executive compensation as MFS believes that compensation committees should retain flexibility to determine the appropriate pay package for executives.

MFS may support reasonably crafted shareholder proposals that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Require shareholder approval of any severance package for an executive officer that exceeds a certain multiple of such officer's annual compensation that is not determined in MFS' judgment to be excessive;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Require the issuer to adopt a policy to recover the portion of performance-based bonuses and awards paid to senior executives that were not earned based upon a significant negative restatement of earnings, or other significant misconduct or corporate failure, unless the company already has adopted a satisfactory policy on the matter;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Expressly prohibit the backdating of stock options; or,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Prohibit the acceleration of vesting of equity awards upon a broad definition of a "change-in-control" (e.g., single or modified single-trigger).

#### Environmental and Social Proposals
Where management presents climate action/transition plans to shareholder vote, we will evaluate the level of ambition over time, scope, credibility and transparency of the plan in determining our support. Where companies present climate action progress reports to shareholder vote we will evaluate evidence of implementation of and progress against the plan and level of transparency in determining our support.

Most vote items related to environmental and social topics are presented by shareholders. As these proposals, even on the same topic, can vary significantly in scope and action requested, many must be assessed on a case-by-case basis

For example, MFS may support proposals reasonably crafted proposals:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • On climate change: that seek disclosure consistent with the recommendations of a generally accepted global framework (e.g., Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures) that is appropriately audited and that is presented in a way that enables shareholders to assess and analyze the company's data; or request appropriately robust and ambitious plans or targets.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Other environmental: that request the setting of targets for reduction of environmental impact or disclosure of key performance indicators or risks related to the impact, where materially relevant to the business. An example of such a proposal could be reporting on the impact of plastic use or waste stemming from company products or packaging.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • On diversity: that seek to amend a company's equal employment opportunity policy to prohibit discrimination; that request good practice employee-related DEI disclosure; or that seek external input and reviews on specific related areas of performance.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • On lobbying: that request good practice disclosure regarding a company's political contributions and lobbying payments and policy (including trade organizations and lobbying activity).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • On tax: that request reporting in line with the GRI 207 Standard on Tax.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • On corporate culture and/or human/worker rights: that request additional disclosure on corporate culture factors like employee turnover and/or management of human and labor rights.

MFS is unlikely to support a proposal if we believe that the proposal is unduly costly, restrictive, unclear, burdensome, has potential unintended consequences, is unlikely to lead to tangible outcomes or we don't believe the issue is material or the action a priority for the business. MFS is also unlikely to support a proposal where the company already provides publicly available information that we believe is sufficient to enable shareholders to evaluate the potential opportunities and risks on the subject of the proposal, if the request of the proposal has already been substantially implemented, or if through engagement we gain assurances that it will be substantially implemented.

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The laws of various states or countries may regulate how the interests of certain clients subject to those laws (e.g., state pension plans) are voted with respect to environmental, social and governance issues. Thus, it may be necessary to cast ballots differently for certain clients than MFS might normally do for other clients.

B.<br>

#### GOVERNANCE OF PROXY VOTING ACTIVITIES
From time to time, MFS may receive comments on the MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures from its clients. These comments are carefully considered by MFS when it reviews these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and revises them as appropriate, in MFS' sole judgment.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.<br>

#### MFS Proxy Voting Committee
The administration of these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures is overseen by the MFS Proxy Voting Committee, which includes senior personnel from the MFS Legal and Global Investment and Client Support Departments as well as members of the investment team. The Proxy Voting Committee does not include individuals whose primary duties relate to client relationship management, marketing, or sales. The MFS Proxy Voting Committee:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; a. <br>

Reviews these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures at least annually and recommends any amendments considered to be necessary or advisable;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; b. <br>

Determines whether any potential material conflict of interest exists with respect to instances in which MFS (i) seeks to override these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures; (ii) votes on ballot items not governed by these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures; (iii) evaluates an excessive executive compensation issue in relation to the election of directors; or (iv) requests a vote recommendation from an MFS portfolio manager or investment analyst (e.g., mergers and acquisitions);

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; c. <br>

Considers special proxy issues as they may arise from time to time; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; d. <br>

Determines engagement priorities and strategies with respect to MFS' proxy voting activities

The day-to-day application of the MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are conducted by the MFS stewardship team led by MFS' Director of Global Stewardship. The stewardship team are members of MFS' investment team

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2.<br>

#### Potential Conflicts of Interest
These policies and procedures are intended to address any potential material conflicts of interest on the part of MFS or its subsidiaries that are likely to arise in connection with the voting of proxies on behalf of MFS' clients. If such potential material conflicts of interest do arise, MFS will analyze, document and report on such potential material conflicts of interest (see below) and shall ultimately vote the relevant ballot items in what MFS believes to be the best long-term economic interests of its clients. The MFS Proxy Voting Committee is responsible for monitoring and reporting with respect to such potential material conflicts of interest.

The MFS Proxy Voting Committee is responsible for monitoring potential material conflicts of interest on the part of MFS or its subsidiaries that could arise in connection with the voting of proxies on behalf of MFS' clients. Due to the client focus of our investment management business, we believe that the potential for actual material conflict of interest issues is small. Nonetheless, we have developed precautions to assure that all votes are cast in the best long-term economic interest of its clients.<sup>2</sup> Other MFS internal policies require all MFS employees to avoid actual and potential conflicts of interests between personal activities and MFS' client activities. If an employee (including investment professionals) identifies an actual or potential conflict of interest with respect to any voting decision (including the ownership of securities in their individual portfolio), then that employee must recuse himself/herself from participating in the voting process. Any significant attempt by an employee of MFS or its subsidiaries to unduly influence MFS' voting on a particular proxy matter should also be reported to the MFS Proxy Voting Committee.

<sup>2</sup> For clarification purposes, note that MFS votes in what we believe to be the best, long-term economic interest of our clients entitled to vote at the shareholder meeting, regardless of whether other MFS clients hold "short" positions in the same issuer or whether other MFS clients hold an interest in the company that is not entitled to vote at the shareholder meeting (e.g., bond holder).

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In cases where ballots are voted in accordance with these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures, no material conflict of interest will be deemed to exist. In cases where (i) MFS is considering overriding these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures, (ii) matters presented for vote are not governed by these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures, (iii) MFS evaluates a potentially excessive executive compensation issue in relation to the election of directors or advisory pay or severance package vote, or (iv) a vote recommendation is requested from an MFS portfolio manager or investment analyst (e.g., mergers and acquisitions); (collectively, "Non-Standard Votes"); the MFS Proxy Voting Committee will follow these procedures:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; a. <br>

Compare the name of the issuer of such ballot or the name of the shareholder making such proposal against a list of significant current (i) distributors of MFS Fund shares, and (ii) MFS institutional clients (the "MFS Significant Distributor and Client List");

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; b. <br>

If the name of the issuer does not appear on the MFS Significant Distributor and Client List, then no material conflict of interest will be deemed to exist, and the proxy will be voted as otherwise determined by the MFS Proxy Voting Committee;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; c. <br>

If the name of the issuer appears on the MFS Significant Distributor and Client List, then the MFS Proxy Voting Committee will be apprised of that fact and each member of the MFS Proxy Voting Committee (with the participation of MFS' Conflicts Officer) will carefully evaluate the proposed vote in order to ensure that the proxy ultimately is voted in what MFS believes to be the best long-term economic interests of MFS' clients, and not in MFS' corporate interests; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; d. <br>

For all potential material conflicts of interest identified under clause (c) above, the MFS Proxy Voting Committee will document: the name of the issuer, the issuer's relationship to MFS, the analysis of the matters submitted for proxy vote, the votes as to be cast and the reasons why the MFS Proxy Voting Committee determined that the votes were cast in the best long-term economic interests of MFS' clients, and not in MFS' corporate interests. A copy of the foregoing documentation will be provided to MFS' Conflicts Officer.

The members of the MFS Proxy Voting Committee are responsible for creating and maintaining the MFS Significant Distributor and Client List, in consultation with MFS' distribution and institutional business units. The MFS Significant Distributor and Client List will be reviewed and updated periodically, as appropriate.

For instances where MFS is evaluating a director nominee who also serves as a director/trustee of the MFS Funds, then the MFS Proxy Voting Committee will adhere to the procedures described in section (c) above regardless of whether the portfolio company appears on our Significant Distributor and Client List. In doing so, the MFS Proxy Voting Committee will adhere to such procedures for all Non-Standard Votes at the company's shareholder meeting at which the director nominee is standing for election.

If an MFS client has the right to vote on a matter submitted to shareholders by Sun Life Financial, Inc. or any of its affiliates (collectively "Sun Life"), MFS will cast a vote on behalf of such MFS client as such client instructs or in the event that a client instruction is unavailable pursuant to the recommendations of Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc.'s ("ISS") benchmark policy, or as required by law. Likewise, if an MFS client has the right to vote on a matter submitted to shareholders by a public company for which an MFS Fund director/trustee serves as an executive officer, MFS will cast a vote on behalf of such MFS client as such client instructs or in the event that client instruction is unavailable pursuant to the recommendations of ISS or as required by law.

Except as described in the MFS Fund's Prospectus, from time to time, certain MFS Funds (the "top tier fund") may own shares of other MFS Funds (the "underlying fund"). If an underlying fund submits a matter to a shareholder vote, the top tier fund will generally vote its shares in the same proportion as the other shareholders of the underlying fund. If there are no other shareholders in the underlying fund, the top tier fund will vote in what MFS believes to be in the top tier fund's best long-term economic interest. If an MFS client has the right to vote on a matter submitted to shareholders by a pooled investment vehicle advised by MFS (excluding those vehicles for which MFS' role is primarily portfolio management and is overseen by another investment adviser), MFS will cast a vote on behalf of such MFS client in the same proportion as the other shareholders of the pooled investment vehicle.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3.<br>

#### Review of Policy
The MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are available on www.mfs.com and may be accessed by both MFS' clients and the companies in which MFS' clients invest. The MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures are reviewed by the Proxy Voting Committee annually. From time to time, MFS may receive comments on the MFS Proxy

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Voting Policies and Procedures from its clients. These comments are carefully considered by MFS when it reviews these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures and revises them as appropriate, in MFS' sole judgment.

C.<br>

#### OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS & USE OF PROXY ADVISORY FIRMS
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.<br>

#### Use of Proxy Advisory Firms
MFS, on behalf of itself and certain of its clients (including the MFS Funds) has entered into an agreement with an independent proxy administration firm pursuant to which the proxy administration firm performs various proxy vote related administrative services such as vote processing and recordkeeping functions. Except as noted below, the proxy administration firm for MFS and its clients, including the MFS Funds, is ISS. The proxy administration firm for MFS Development Funds, LLC is Glass, Lewis & Co., Inc. ("Glass Lewis"; Glass Lewis and ISS are each hereinafter referred to as the "Proxy Administrator").

The Proxy Administrator receives proxy statements and proxy ballots directly or indirectly from various custodians, logs these materials into its database and matches upcoming meetings with MFS Fund and client portfolio holdings, which are inputted into the Proxy Administrator's system by an MFS holdings data-feed. The Proxy Administrator then reconciles a list of all MFS accounts that hold shares of a company's stock and the number of shares held on the record date by these accounts with the Proxy Administrator's list of any upcoming shareholder's meeting of that company. If a proxy ballot has not been received, the Proxy Administrator and/or MFS may contact the client's custodian requesting the reason as to why a ballot has not been received. Through the use of the Proxy Administrator system, ballots and proxy material summaries for all upcoming shareholders' meetings are available on-line to certain MFS employees and members of the MFS Proxy Voting Committee.

MFS also receives research reports and vote recommendations from proxy advisory firms. These reports are only one input among many in our voting analysis, which includes other sources of information such as proxy materials, company engagement discussions, other third-party research and data. MFS has due diligence procedures in place to help ensure that the research we receive from our proxy advisory firms is materially accurate and that we address any material conflicts of interest involving these proxy advisory firms. This due diligence includes an analysis of the adequacy and quality of the advisory firm staff, its conflict of interest policies and procedures and independent audit reports. We also review the proxy policies, methodologies and peer-group-composition methodology of our proxy advisory firms at least annually. Additionally, we also receive reports from our proxy advisory firms regarding any violations or changes to conflict of interest procedures.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2.<br>

#### Analyzing and Voting Proxies
Proxies are voted in accordance with these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures. The Proxy Administrator, at the prior direction of MFS, automatically votes all proxy matters that do not require the particular exercise of discretion or judgment with respect to these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures as determined by MFS. In these circumstances, if the Proxy Administrator, based on MFS' prior direction, expects to vote against management with respect to a proxy matter and MFS becomes aware that the issuer has filed or will file additional soliciting materials sufficiently in advance of the deadline for casting a vote at the meeting, MFS will consider such information when casting its vote. With respect to proxy matters that require the particular exercise of discretion or judgment, the MFS Proxy Voting Committee or its representatives considers and votes on those proxy matters. In analyzing all proxy matters, MFS uses a variety of materials and information, including, but not limited to, the issuer's proxy statement and other proxy solicitation materials (including supplemental materials), our own internal research and research and recommendations provided by other third parties (including research of the Proxy Administrator). As described herein, MFS may also determine that it is beneficial in analyzing a proxy voting matter for members of the Proxy Voting Committee or its representatives to engage with the company on such matter. MFS also uses its own internal research, the research of Proxy Administrators and/or other third party research tools and vendors to identify (i) circumstances in which a board may have approved an executive compensation plan that is excessive or poorly aligned with the portfolio company's business or its shareholders, (ii) environmental, social and governance proposals that warrant further consideration, or (iii) circumstances in which a company is not in compliance with local governance or compensation best practices. Representatives of the MFS Proxy Voting Committee review, as appropriate, votes cast to ensure conformity with these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures.

For certain types of votes (e.g. mergers and acquisitions, proxy contests and capitalization matters), MFS' stewardship team will seek a recommendation from the MFS investment analyst that is responsible for analyzing the

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company and/or portfolio managers that holds the security in their portfolio.<sup>3</sup> For certain other votes that require a case-by-case analysis per these policies (e.g., potentially excessive executive compensation issues, or certain shareholder proposals), the stewardship team will likewise consult with MFS investment analysts and/or portfolio managers. However, the MFS Proxy Voting Committee will ultimately be responsible for the manner in which all ballots are voted.

As noted above, MFS reserves the right to override the guidelines when such an override is, in MFS' best judgment, consistent with the overall principle of voting proxies in the best long-term economic interests of MFS' clients. Any such override of the guidelines shall be analyzed, documented and reported in accordance with the procedures set forth in these policies.

In accordance with its contract with MFS, the Proxy Administrator also generates a variety of reports for the MFS Proxy Voting Committee and makes available on-line various other types of information so that the MFS Proxy Voting Committee or its representatives may review and monitor the votes cast by the Proxy Administrator on behalf of MFS' clients.

For those markets that utilize a "record date" to determine which shareholders are eligible to vote, MFS generally will vote all eligible shares pursuant to these guidelines regardless of whether all (or a portion of) the shares held by our clients have been sold prior to the meeting date.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3.<br>

#### Securities Lending
From time to time, certain MFS Funds may participate in a securities lending program. In the event MFS or its agent receives timely notice of a shareholder meeting for a U.S. security, MFS and its agent will attempt to recall any securities on loan before the meeting's record date so that MFS will be entitled to vote these shares. However, there may be instances in which MFS is unable to timely recall securities on loan for a U.S. security, in which cases MFS will not be able to vote these shares. MFS will report to the appropriate board of the MFS Funds those instances in which MFS is not able to timely recall the loaned securities. MFS generally does not recall non-U.S. securities on loan because there may be insufficient advance notice of proxy materials, record dates, or vote cut-off dates to allow MFS to timely recall the shares in certain markets on an automated basis. As a result, non-U.S. securities that are on loan will not generally be voted. If MFS receives timely notice of what MFS determines to be an unusual, significant vote for a non-U.S. security whereas MFS shares are on loan and determines that voting is in the best long-term economic interest of shareholders, then MFS will attempt to timely recall the loaned shares.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.<br>

#### Potential impediments to voting
In accordance with local law or business practices, some companies or custodians prevent the sale of shares that have been voted for a certain period beginning prior to the shareholder meeting and ending on the day following the meeting ("share blocking"). Depending on the country in which a company is domiciled, the blocking period may begin a stated number of days prior or subsequent to the meeting (e.g., one, three or five days) or on a date established by the company. While practices vary, in many countries the block period can be continued for a longer period if the shareholder meeting is adjourned and postponed to a later date. Similarly, practices vary widely as to the ability of a shareholder to have the "block" restriction lifted early (e.g., in some countries shares generally can be "unblocked" up to two days prior to the meeting whereas in other countries the removal of the block appears to be discretionary with the issuer's transfer agent). Due to these restrictions, MFS must balance the benefits to its clients of voting proxies against the potentially serious portfolio management consequences of a reduced flexibility to sell the underlying shares at the most advantageous time. For companies in countries with share blocking periods or in markets where some custodians may block shares, the disadvantage of being unable to sell the stock regardless of changing conditions generally outweighs the advantages of voting at the shareholder meeting for routine items. Accordingly, MFS will not vote those proxies in the absence of an unusual, significant vote that outweighs the disadvantage of being unable to sell the stock.

<sup>3</sup> From time to time, due to travel schedules and other commitments, an appropriate portfolio manager or research analyst may not be available to provide a vote recommendation. If such a recommendation cannot be obtained within a reasonable time prior to the cut-off date of the shareholder meeting, the MFS Proxy Voting Committee may determine to abstain from voting.

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From time to time, governments may impose economic sanctions which may prohibit us from transacting business with certain companies or individuals. These sanctions may also prohibit the voting of proxies at certain companies or on certain individuals. In such instances, MFS will not vote at certain companies or on certain individuals if it determines that doing so is in violation of the sanctions.

In limited circumstances, other market specific impediments to voting shares may limit our ability to cast votes, including, but not limited to, late delivery of proxy materials, untimely vote cut-off dates, power of attorney and share re-registration requirements, or any other unusual voting requirements. In these limited instances, MFS votes securities on a best-efforts basis in the context of the guidelines described above.

D.<br>

#### ENGAGEMENT
As part of its approach to stewardship MFS engages with companies in which it invests on a range of priority issues. Where sufficient progress has not been made on a particular issue of engagement, MFS may determine a vote against management may be warranted to reflect our concerns and influence for change in the best long-term economic interests of our clients.

MFS may determine that it is appropriate and beneficial to engage in a dialogue or written communication with a company or other shareholders specifically regarding certain matters on the company's proxy statement that are of concern to shareholders, including environmental, social and governance matters. This may be to discuss and build our understanding of a certain proposal, or to provide further context to the company on our vote decision.

A company or shareholder may also seek to engage with members of the MFS Proxy Voting Committee or Stewardship Team in advance of the company's formal proxy solicitation to review issues more generally or gauge support for certain contemplated proposals. For further information on requesting engagement with MFS on proxy voting issues or information about MFS' engagement priorities, please contact <u>dlstewardshipteam@mfs.com</u>.

E.<br>

#### RECORDS RETENTION
MFS will retain copies of these MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures in effect from time to time and will retain all proxy voting reports submitted to the Board of Trustees of the MFS Funds for the period required by applicable law. Proxy solicitation materials, including electronic versions of the proxy ballots completed by representatives of the MFS Proxy Voting Committee, together with their respective notes and comments, are maintained in an electronic format by the Proxy Administrator and are accessible on-line by the MFS Proxy Voting Committee and other MFS employees. All proxy voting materials and supporting documentation, including records generated by the Proxy Administrator's system as to proxies processed, including the dates when proxy ballots were received and submitted, and the votes on each company's proxy issues, are retained as required by applicable law.

F.<br>

#### REPORTS

#### U.S. Registered MFS Funds
MFS publicly discloses the proxy voting records of the U.S. registered MFS Funds on a quarterly basis. MFS will also report the results of its voting to the Board of Trustees of the U.S. registered MFS Funds. These reports will include: (i) a summary of how votes were cast (including advisory votes on pay and "golden parachutes"); (ii) a summary of votes against management's recommendation; (iii) a review of situations where MFS did not vote in accordance with the guidelines and the rationale therefore; (iv) a review of the procedures used by MFS to identify material conflicts of interest and any matters identified as a material conflict of interest; (v) a review of these policies and the guidelines; (vi) a review of our proxy engagement activity; (vii) a report and impact assessment of instances in which the recall of loaned securities of a U.S. issuer was unsuccessful; and (viii) as necessary or appropriate, any proposed modifications thereto to reflect new developments in corporate governance and other issues. Based on these reviews, the Trustees of the U.S. registered MFS Funds will consider possible modifications to these policies to the extent necessary or advisable.

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#### Other MFS Clients
MFS may publicly disclose the proxy voting records of certain other clients (including certain MFS Funds) or the votes it casts with respect to certain matters as required by law. A report can also be printed by MFS for each client who has requested that MFS furnish a record of votes cast. The report specifies the proxy issues which have been voted for the client during the year and the position taken with respect to each issue and, upon request, may identify situations where MFS did not vote in accordance with the MFS Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures.

#### Firm-wide Voting Records
MFS also publicly discloses its firm-wide proxy voting records on a quarterly basis.

Except as described above, MFS generally will not divulge actual voting practices to any party other than the client or its representatives because we consider that information to be confidential and proprietary to the client. However, as noted above, MFS may determine that it is appropriate and beneficial to engage in a dialogue with a company regarding certain matters. During such dialogue with the company, MFS may disclose the vote it intends to cast in order to potentially effect positive change at a company in regards to environmental, social or governance issues.

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#### METROPOLITAN WEST ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC

#### GLOBAL PORTFOLIO PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES <br>November 2022
TCW, through certain subsidiaries and affiliates of acts as investment advisor for a variety of clients, including US-registered investment companies. TCW has the right to vote proxies on behalf of its registered investment company clients, and believes that proxy voting rights can be a significant asset of its clients' holdings. Accordingly, TCW seeks to exercise that right consistent with its fiduciary duties on behalf of its clients. This policy applies to all discretionary accounts over which TCW has proxy voting responsibility or an obligation to provide proxy voting guidance with respect to the holdings it advises on a model or wrap basis.

While the Global Portfolio Proxy Voting Guidelines (the "Guidelines") outlined here are written to apply internationally, differences in local practice and law make a universal application of these guidelines impractical. As a consequence, it is important to note that each proposal is considered individually, reflecting the effects on the specific company and unique attributes of the industry and/or geography. In addition, this document serves as a set of general guidelines, not hardcoded rules, which are designed to aid us in voting proxies for TCW and not necessarily in making investment decisions. At TCW, we reserve the right in all cases to vote in contravention of these Guidelines, where doing so is judged to represent the best interests of its clients in the specific situation.

#### EngagementPhilosophy
Engagement and stewardship are integral components of our research and investment processes, as we seek to deliver on our clients' financial objectives. We are guided by our role as fiduciaries and have implemented our stewardship practices in pursuit of strong financial performance. We believe our deep fundamental research model positions us well for constructive engagement, including proxy voting, with issuers around the world. Through informed, active ownership, we are confident we can impact issuer behavior by encouraging what we consider best practices on material issues to benefit our clients, financial markets, and the global economy. Accordingly, our engagement practices are continuing to evolve.

TCW has a large and important platform, providing opportunity to engage with issuers. Direct engagement with issuers covers a range of issues, including balance sheet management, corporate strategy, financial performance and risk, governance, adaptability, and sustainability themes. This engagement is an essential and a growing part of our investment process. Portfolio managers, industry analysts, and ESG analysts all collaborate in an ongoing dialogue with issuers, as well as suppliers, customers, and competitors. Maintaining this ongoing dialogue is central to how we implement our stewardship responsibilities and informs the investment decisions we make on behalf of our clients. For ESG engagement in particular, it should be noted that just dialoguing with issuers that already demonstrate a comprehensive approach to ESG is only one key facet of engagement. It's also important to engage with issuers that have less advanced sustainability practices. By engaging with those early in their sustainability journey, or those that have begun to implement sustainability goals but not yet fully achieved the desired results, TCW may be able to have a direct influence with issuers. Such engagement may benefit all stakeholders, including financial market participants, the global community, environment, and individual constituents. TCW is continuing to evaluate and build on its ability to have impactful dialogues that will lead to such benefits.

Engagement is a long-term and dynamic process that evolves over multiple years. While change may take years to materialize, analysts will continue to enhance, reinforce and monitor ESG engagement objectives as part of a regular interaction with issuers. The lack of response or progress from issuers will be reflected in ESG assessments. Insufficient progress on engagement themes and/or reluctance to engage with TCW will be flagged and may result in investment changes.

#### Proxy Voting Procedures
TCW will make every reasonable effort to execute on proxy votes on behalf of its clients prior to the applicable deadlines. However, TCW often relies on third parties, including custodians and clients, for the timely provision of proxy ballots. TCW may be unable to execute on proxy votes if it does not receive requisite materials with sufficient time to review and process them.

*Proxy Committee*

In order to carry out its fiduciary responsibilities in the voting of proxies for its clients, TCW has established a proxy voting committee (the "Proxy Committee"). The Proxy Committee generally meets quarterly (or at such other frequency as

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determined by the Proxy Committee), and its duties include establishing and maintaining proxy voting guidelines and procedures (the "Guidelines"), overseeing the internal proxy voting process, and reviewing proxy voting proposals and issues that may not be covered by the Guidelines. The Proxy Committee has been working with TCW's equity investment teams to evolve TCW's engagement process, proxy voting philosophy, scope of coverage, and execution.

*Proxy Voting Services*

TCW also uses outside proxy voting services (each an "Outside Service") to help manage the proxy voting process. An Outside Service facilitates TCW's voting according to the Guidelines (or, if applicable, according to guidelines submitted by TCW's clients) by providing proxy research, an enhanced voting technology solution, and record keeping and reporting system(s). To supplement its own research and analysis in determining how best to vote a particular proxy proposal, TCW may utilize research, analysis or recommendations provided by the proxy voting service on a case-by-case basis. TCW does not as a policy follow the assessments or recommendations provided by the proxy voting service without its own determination and review. Under specified circumstances described below involving potential conflicts of interest, an Outside Service may also be requested to help decide certain proxy votes. In those instances, the Proxy Committee shall review and evaluate the voting recommendations of such Outside Service to ensure that recommendations are consistent with TCW's clients' best interests.

*Sub-Advisor*

Where TCW has retained the services of a Sub-adviser to provide day-to-day portfolio management for the portfolio, the Adviser may delegate proxy voting authority to the Sub-Adviser; provided that the Sub-Adviser either (1) follows the Adviser's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures; or (2) has demonstrated that its proxy voting policies and procedures ("Sub-Adviser's Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures") are in the best interests of the Adviser's clients and appear to comply with governing regulations. TCW also shall be provided the opportunity to review a Sub-Adviser's Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures as deemed necessary or appropriate by TCW.

*Conflicts of Interest*

In the event a potential conflict of interest arises in the context of voting proxies for TCW's clients, TCW will cast its votes according to the Guidelines or any applicable guidelines provided by TCW's clients. In cases where a conflict of interest exists and there is no predetermined vote, the Proxy Committee will vote the proposals in a manner consistent with established conflict of interest procedures.

*Proxy Voting Information and Recordkeeping*

Upon request, TCW provides proxy voting records to its clients. TCW shall disclose the present policy as well as the results of its implementation (including the way TCW has voted) on its website in accordance with applicable law.

TCW or an Outside Service will keep records of the following items: (i) Proxy Voting Guidelines and any other proxy voting procedures; (ii) proxy statements received regarding client securities (unless such statements are available on the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) system); (iii) records of votes cast on behalf of clients (if maintained by an Outside Service, that Outside Service will provide copies of those records promptly upon request); (iv) records of written requests for proxy voting information and TCW's response; and (v) any documents prepared by TCW that were material to making a decision how to vote, or that memorialized the basis for the decision. Additionally, TCW or an Outside Service will maintain any documentation related to an identified material conflict of interest.

TCW or an Outside Service will maintain these records in an easily accessible place for at least five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on such record. For the most recent two years, TCW or an Outside Service will store such records at its principal office.

*International Proxy Voting*

While TCW utilizes these Proxy Voting Guidelines for both international and domestic portfolios and clients, there are some significant differences between voting U.S. company proxies and voting non-U.S. company proxies. For U.S. companies, it is relatively easy to vote proxies, as the proxies are automatically received and may be voted by mail or electronically.

For proxies of non-U.S. companies, although it is typically both difficult and costly to vote proxies, TCW will make every reasonable effort to vote such proxies.

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#### Our Approach to Proxy Voting
The Guidelines reflect TCW's general position and practice on certain key issues, including ESG issues. To preserve the ability of its portfolio managers to make the best decisions in each case as stated previously, the Guidelines listed are intended only to provide context on topical issues. The full set of Guidelines are reviewed and updated as necessary, but at least annually, by the Proxy Committee.

In making proxy voting decisions, one key consideration, among other themes discussed below, is the materiality of ESG to a company's business activity and relevance to shareholder value. TCW believes that ESG issues can affect the performance of investment portfolios (to varying degrees across companies, sectors, regions, asset classes and through time). As a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment, TCW also recognizes that applying certain ESG principles may better align investors with broader objectives of society.

ESG factors constitute an increasingly important component of TCW's overall proxy voting philosophy, which continues to be founded on the investment teams' assessment of the best interests of our clients, always guided by their particular investment objectives. In addressing corporate issues, ESG factors typically play a role consistent with TCW's analysis. It is ultimately the portfolio manager's decision, what is in the best interests of the clients in each particular case.

#### GUIDELINES

#### Governance
*Election of Directors*

TCW believes boards that reflect a wide range of perspectives create shareholder value. The selection and screening process for identifying qualified candidates for a company's board of directors requires the consideration of many critical factors, including relevant skills, talents and background experience, in addition to a diversity of candidates and corresponding diversity of the broader Board. We believe strongly that the diversity of skills, abilities, backgrounds, experiences and points of view can foster the development of a more creative, effective and dynamic Board, which, in turn, helps support shareholder value creation. We believe it is not in shareholders' best interests for the full board to be comprised of directors from the same industry, gender, race, nationality, education background or ethnic group.

We may vote against the reelection of Nominating/Governance Committee chair if we believe the board is not meeting local market standards from a diversity perspective. In the case of local standards, we refer to quotas established by local governance codes, which exist in many European markets, and in some U.S. states. In the US broadly and Japan, we look for a least one female on the board as a minimum standard. To support these efforts, we may vote against the reelection of Nominating/Governance Committee Chairs of S&P 500 companies that do not disclose the racial and ethnic composition of their boards.

*Independence and Commitment*

TCW will typically vote in support of proposals calling for improved independence of board members. To determine appropriate minimum levels of board independence, we tend to evaluate considering international best practices. We also believe that an independent chair is the preferred structure for board leadership, as this structure can help avoid inherent conflict of self-oversight and can help ensure robust debate and diversity of thought within the boardroom. Consequently, we will tend to support management proposals to separate the chair and CEO or establish a lead director.

TCW considers director attendance and commitment to board activities as important for shareholder value creation. We expect directors to attend a minimum number of board meetings. We may vote against directors who consistency fall below that minimum threshold. Additionally, we want to consider how extended a director is with respect to other Board activities and will take this factor into consideration in appropriate resolutions.

*Compensation*

TCW carefully reviews executive compensation, as we believe this is an important area in which the board's priorities and effectiveness are revealed. We believe compensation should be closely aligned with company performance, with reference to compensation paid by the company's peers, and compensation programs should be designed to promote sustainable shareholder returns while discouraging excessive risk taking. We believe strongly that executive compensation plans help established the incentive structure that plays a role in strategy, decision-making and risk management for an organization. There is broad variety in compensation design and structure depending on the unique features of companies.

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We believe the most effective compensation plans attract and retain high caliber executives, foster a culture of performance and accountability, and align management's interests with those of long-term shareholders.

*Ownership*

TCW believes that a firm's ownership structure should be transparent and provide for the alignment of shareholders' interests. As such, we generally will oppose multiple common stock share classes with unequal voting rights, but are supportive of capital structure changes such as share issuances which protect minority shareholders' interests by limiting dilution. Likewise, we generally will oppose anti-takeover positions such as supermajority provisions, poison pills, undue restrictions on the right to call special meetings, and any other provision that limits or eliminates minority shareholders' rights. We are generally supportive of mergers and restructurings that we believe will be accretive to minority shareholders, but we may oppose those which appear unreasonable from a valuation prospective or entail a questionable strategic and/or financial rationale. Many of our proxy voting requests involve capital structure issues, such as issuance or repurchase of shares, issuance of debt, allocations, and employee stock option plans. In each of these cases, TCW will generally vote in favor of management where appropriate, but only if the proposal does not conflict with our criteria for transparency and alignment with shareholders' interests.

*Other Corporate Matters*

Other frequent proxy voting requests involve such matters as roles of executives, appointments of accountants and other professional advisors, amendments to corporate documents, and procedures for consents. In these and similar corporate matters, TCW will also generally vote in favor of management where appropriate, but again, only if the proposal does not conflict with our criteria for transparency and alignment with shareholders' interests.

#### Environmental and Social Issues
As outlined in our ESG Investment Policy Statement, we understand that the incorporation of material sustainability factors into the investment research process – consistent with existing investment processes – helps achieve our goal to improve risk-adjusted returns over the long-term for our investors. We believe fundamentally that ESG issues tend to have an impact on investment outcomes due to the changing global landscape, regulations, consumer preferences, and employee trends. Sustainability related data, including climate metrics, also provides increasingly relevant information by which to evaluate investment opportunities. ESG integration is not only consistent with our fiduciary duty, but more specifically, supports the fulfillment of this duty.

TCW's ESG integration efforts will support both risk mitigation and the identification of opportunities based on relevant sustainability factors. ESG analysis helps us to avoid investments where we believe that we are not being sufficiently compensated in the market for the recognized risks. ESG integration also supports our evaluation of key opportunities to business models or firms with strong sustainability characteristics that may not yet be reflected in market pricing.

ESG integration does not mean that sustainability factors are the sole consideration for an investment decision; instead, TCW's investment teams evaluate a variety of traditional and sustainability factors to make informed investment decisions. By increasing the information assessed by the portfolio management teams, we believe we are able to generate a more holistic view of an investment, which we believe may generate enhanced risk-adjusted returns for our clients around the world. If we believe that ESG risks – particularly governance – are substantial or the range of possible outcomes is too broad and/or the market technicals unfavorable, then we may decide not to invest.

In the context of proxy voting, TCW will evaluate shareholder resolutions regarding environmental and social issues in the context of financial materiality of the issue to the company's operations. We believe that all companies face risks associated with environmental and social factors. However, we recognize that these risks manifest themselves differently at each company as a result of their individual operations, workforce, structure and geography, among many other important factors. Accordingly, we place a significant emphasis on the financial implications of a company adopting, or indeed not adopting, any proposed shareholder resolution. To assist our analysis and perspective, we will utilize the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) to better assess and understand the materiality of such factors on business models.

*Climate Risk*

TCW is proud to support the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). As a long-term investor, we believe the impact of climate change is broad and material to investment decisions, creating both risks and opportunities across financial markets and the global economy. Our ESG integration efforts embed our views on climate change into the

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investment research processes. This integrated approach enables our analysts and portfolio managers to focus on where we see climate risk and opportunities as material financial factors.

Physical and transition risks stemming from climate change will have significant societal, economic, and political consequences, particularly over medium- and long-term horizons. As an active manager across diverse asset classes, our deep fundamental research focuses on assessing risk while seeking to identify attractive investment opportunities in the transition to a low-carbon economy.

It is important to note that TCW reviews climate change in the context of broader sustainability risk and not in isolation. Biodiversity, natural resource utilization and other sustainability factors are interrelated to climate change and should be evaluated in coordination with each other. TCW supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as the reference framework to assess wide-ranging opportunities.

Reporting on climate readiness will help stakeholders understand companies' willingness and ability to adapt to or mitigate physical risks posed to their business by a changing climate. We continue to focus our voting practices in this area, and will encourage companies to provide more detail. In general, we will favor proposals seeking greater disclosure on plans to reduce total contribution to climate change, GHG emissions reduction targets, environmental reporting and use of renewables or energy efficient technologies.

*Climate-Related Lobbying*

Increasingly, companies have begun providing additional disclosure concerning how they ensure corporate funds are spent in ways consistent with their stated climate policy. There is growing recognition by investors and companies that alignment between stated values on climate and lobbying activity is important. In general, TCW will support proposals requesting more information on a company's climate-related lobbying.

*Corporate Culture, Human Capital and Diversity & Inclusion*

We believe human capital management is an area of material importance to all companies. Maintaining a diverse and engaged workforce can help mitigate risks related to low worker productivity, employee turnover and lawsuits based on discrimination or harassment. Given the importance of this issue, we believe management should provide shareholders with adequate information to be able to assess the management of this important business aspect. We believe diversity, equity and inclusion or "DEI" practices are a material input to long-term performance, so as our clients' fiduciaries, we seek to better understand how and to what extent a company's approach to diversity is integrated with talent management at all levels. This is only possible when there is a consistent and robust disclosure in place. We believe diversity among directors, leaders and employees positively contributes to shareholder value by imbuing a company with a myriad of perspectives that help it to better navigate complex challenges. A strong culture of diversity and inclusion begins in the boardroom.

We will also generally support shareholder proposals asking for improved workforce diversity disclosure, e.g., EEO-1 reporting and gender pay equity reporting.

*Human Rights*

While human rights across a company's business operations and supply chains is part of our research process, we seek to assess companies' exposures to these risks, determine the sectors for which this risk is most material (i.e. highest possibility of supply-chain exposure), enhance our engagement points and potentially work with external data providers to gain insights on specific companies and industries. Consequently, we will support proposals requesting enhanced disclosure on companies' approach to mitigating the risk of human rights violations in their business operations and supply chains.

#### Additional Information
A description of TCW's policies and procedures relating to proxy voting and class actions may also be found in the firm's Part 2A of Form ADV. A copy of TCW's Form ADV is available to clients upon request to the Proxy Specialist.

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#### NORTHERN TRUST INVESTMENTS, INC.

#### PROXY VOTING
The Trust, on behalf of the Funds, has delegated the voting of portfolio securities to Northern Trust Investments, Inc. ("NTI") in its capacity as Subadviser. NTI has adopted its proprietary proxy voting policies (the "Northern Proxy Voting Policy") for the voting of proxies on behalf of client accounts for which NTI has voting discretion. Under the Northern Proxy Voting Policy, shares are to be voted in the best interest of the Funds.

A Proxy Committee ("NTI's Proxy Committee"), comprised of senior NTI investment and compliance officers, has adopted certain guidelines (the "Proxy Guidelines") concerning various corporate governance issues. NTI's Proxy Committee has the responsibility for the content, interpretation and application of the Proxy Guidelines and may apply these Proxy Guidelines with a measure of flexibility. NTI has retained an independent third party (the "Service Firm") to review proxy proposals and to make voting recommendations to NTI's Proxy Committee in a manner consistent with the Proxy Guidelines. NTI's Proxy Committee will apply the Proxy Guidelines as discussed below to any such recommendation.

The Proxy Guidelines provide that the Proxy Committee will generally vote for or against various proxy proposals, usually based upon certain specified criteria. As an example, the Proxy Guidelines provide that the Proxy Committee will generally vote in favor of proposals to:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Repeal existing classified boards and elect directors on an annual basis;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Adopt a written majority voting or withhold policy (in situations in which a company has not previously adopted such a policy);

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Require that poison pill plans be submitted for shareholder ratification;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Lower supermajority shareholder vote requirements for charter and bylaw amendments;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Lower supermajority shareholder vote requirements for mergers and other business combinations;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Increase common share authorizations for a stock split;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Implement a reverse stock split;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Approve an ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) or other broad based employee stock purchase or ownership plan, or increase authorized shares for existing plans;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Adopt certain social and environmental issues regarding discrimination, disclosures of environmental impact, animal treatment and corporate sustainability, when appropriate;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Request a report or assessment of the safety of a company's operations and a company's products and services and efforts to promote their safe use;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Request increased disclosure of a company's policies and procedures for managing and mitigating risks related to cyber security and data privacy; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Request that a company take reasonable steps to ensure that women and minority candidates are in the pool from which board nominees are chosen or that request that women and minority candidates are routinely sought as part of every search the company undertakes.

The Proxy Guidelines also provide that the Proxy Committee will generally vote against proposals to:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Elect director nominees that sit on more than four public company boards, or, if the nominee is a CEO, more than two public company boards;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Classify the board of directors;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Ratify auditors and re-elect incumbent members of the Audit Committee if non-audit fees are excessive in relation to audit-related fees without adequate explanation;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Adopt dual class exchange offers or dual class recapitalizations;

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Require a supermajority shareholder vote to approve mergers and other significant business combinations;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Require a supermajority shareholder vote to approve charter and bylaw amendments;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Support "other business" where shareholders do not have the opportunity to review and understand the details of the items to be considered; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Eliminate, direct, or otherwise restrict charitable contributions.

Northern Trust generally supports the position of a company's board of directors when voting on shareholder initiated social and environmental proposals that call on the company to adopt specific policies or practices that go beyond reporting. Although Northern Trust acknowledges that the economic and social considerations underlying such proposals are often closely intertwined, we believe that in most cases the management group and elected directors are best positioned to make corporate decisions on these proposals.

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#### PANAGORA ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.

#### PROXY VOTING POLICY <br>January 2023

#### Introduction
PanAgora Asset Management ("PanAgora") has established this policy in order to ensure that it votes proxies in a manner which is consistent with the best interests of its clients. PanAgora's Trading & Investment Practices Committee ("TIPC") is responsible for overseeing the proxy voting process, including the establishment, implementation, and oversight of this policy. To assist PanAgora in carrying out its responsibilities under this policy, PanAgora has engaged Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. ("ISS"), a governance research service which is registered as an investment adviser, to provide research and recommendations related to proxy votes. PanAgora has instituted a process for oversight of ISS, including review of ISS reports to ensure compliance with PanAgora's policy, periodic meetings and review of ISS' policies and procedures and any potential conflicts of interest. Although PanAgora has instructed ISS to vote in accordance with this policy, PanAgora retains the right to deviate from ISS' recommendations if, in its estimation, doing so would be in the best interest of clients. All proxy votes on behalf of clients are voted the same way; however, PanAgora may refrain from voting proxies for certain clients in certain markets, dependent upon the respective client investment management agreements. In addition, PanAgora:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1) <br>

describes its proxy voting procedures to its clients and investors in clients in Part 2A of its Form ADV;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2) <br>

provides clients and investors with this written proxy policy, upon request;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (3) <br>

discloses to its clients and investors how they may obtain information on how PanAgora voted the client's proxies;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (4)

generally applies its proxy voting policy consistently and keeps records of votes for each client in order to verify the consistency of such voting;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (5) <br>

maintains documentation as to the reason(s) for voting for all non-routine items; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (6) <br>

keeps records of such proxy votes.

#### Process
PanAgora's Chief Compliance Officer is responsible for monitoring proxy voting under this policy. As stated above, oversight of the proxy voting process is the responsibility of TIPC, which retains oversight responsibility for all investment activities of PanAgora.

All proxies received on behalf of PanAgora clients are forwarded to ISS. If (i) the request falls within one of the guidelines listed below, and (ii) there are no special circumstances relating to that company or proxy which come to our attention (as discussed below), the proxy is voted according to the guidelines established with ISS as adopted by TIPC.

However, from time to time, proxy votes will be solicited which (i) involve special circumstances and require additional research and discussion or (ii) are not directly addressed by our policies. These proxies are identified through a number of methods, including but not limited to notification from our third-party proxy voting specialist, concerns of clients or portfolio managers.

In instances of special circumstances or issues not directly addressed by our policies, the CCO shall liaise with TIPC in order to make a determination of the proxy vote. The first determination is whether there is a material conflict of interest between the interests of our client and those of PanAgora. If the CCO or a member of TIPC determines that there is a material conflict, the process detailed below under "Potential Conflicts" is followed. If there is no material conflict, the CCO, in liaison with TIPC and/or a member of the investment team will examine each of the issuer's proposals to determine what vote would be in the best interests of PanAgora's clients.

#### Potential Conflicts
As discussed above under Process, from time to time, PanAgora will review a proxy that presents a potential material conflict. An example could arise when PanAgora or ISS may have a business or other relationship with participants involved in a proxy contest. PanAgora's objective in addressing any such potential conflict is to ensure that proxy votes are

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cast in the clients' best interests and are not affected by the conflict. Casting a vote which simply follows PanAgora's pre-determined policy eliminates PanAgora's discretion on the particular issue and may avoid the conflict.

In other cases, where PanAgora's CCO has determined that additional analysis or discussion may be required, a discussion of the conflict will be brought to the attention of TIPC. PanAgora may employ the services of a third party, wholly independent of PanAgora and those parties involved in the proxy issue, to assist in the determination of how to vote the proxy. In certain situations, TIPC may determine that the employment of a third party is not feasible, impractical, or unnecessary. In such situations, TIPC shall guide PanAgora as to how to vote. The basis for the voting decision shall be formalized in writing.

#### Recordkeeping
In accordance with applicable law, PanAgora shall retain the following documents for not less than five years from the end of the year in which the proxies were voted:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1) <br>

PanAgora's Proxy Voting Policy and any additional procedures created pursuant to such Policy;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2)

a copy of each proxy statement PanAgora receives regarding securities held by its clients (note: this requirement may be satisfied by a third party who has agreed in writing to do);

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (3)

a record of each vote cast by PanAgora (note: this requirement may be satisfied by a third party who has agreed in writing to do so);

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (4)

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (5)

a copy of each written request from a client, and response to the client, for information on how PanAgora voted the client's proxies.

#### Disclosure of Client Voting Information
Any client or investor of PanAgora who wishes to receive information on how proxies were voted should contact PanAgora.

**This Policy is intended solely for the use of PanAgora in the management of its business and operations in compliance with applicable law. It is not intended to, and shall not under any circumstances, create any right or expectation in or on the part of any person, including without limitation any client or any interest holder in any client.**

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#### SANDS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC

#### PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES<br>Most Recent Amendment: March 2020<br>Implementation Date: November 2006

#### Issue
Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act requires registered investment advisers to adopt and implement written policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure advisers vote proxies in the best interest of their clients. The procedures must address material conflicts that may arise in connection with proxy voting. Rule 206(4)-6 further requires advisers to describe to clients their proxy voting policies and procedures and to provide copies of such policies and procedures to clients upon their request. Lastly, the Rule requires advisers to disclose how clients may obtain information on how the adviser voted their proxies.

To comply with Rule 206(4)-6, Sands Capital Management, LLC ("*SCM*") has adopted and implemented this Policy and the procedures described herein.

#### Policy
SCM's policy is to vote client proxies in the best interest of its clients. Proxies are an asset of a client, which must be treated by SCM with the same care, diligence and loyalty as any asset belonging to a client. In voting proxies SCM should consider the short- and long-term implications of each proposal. In voting proxies, SCM typically is neither an activist in corporate governance nor an automatic supporter of management. However, because SCM believes that the management teams of most companies it invests in generally seek to serve shareholder interests, SCM believes that voting proxy proposals in the client's best economic interests usually means voting with the recommendations of these management teams. Any specific voting instructions provided by an advisory client or its designated agent in writing will supersede this Policy. Clients with their own general or specific proxy voting and governance policies may wish to have their proxies voted by an independent third party or other named fiduciary or agent, at the client's expense.

#### Proxy Committee
SCM has established a Proxy Committee, which consists of five permanent members: the Chief Administrative Officer ("*CAO*"), the Chief Compliance Officer ("*CCO*"), a Director of Client Relations, the Director of ESG Research, and a member of the Directing Research Team (the "*DRT*"). The Proxy Committee meets at least annually, and as necessary to fulfill its responsibilities. A majority of the members of the Proxy Committee constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business. The CAO or designee acts as secretary of the Proxy Committee and maintains a record of Proxy Committee meetings and actions.

The Proxy Committee is responsible for: (i) the oversight and administration of proxy voting on behalf of SCM's clients, including developing, authorizing, implementing and updating this Policy and the procedures described herein; (ii) overseeing the proxy voting process, including reviewing reports on proxy voting activity at least annually, and as necessary, to fulfill its responsibilities; and (iii) engaging and overseeing third-party service provider(s), as necessary or appropriate, to ensure SCM receives the applicable proxy statements or to provide SCM information, research or other services to facilitate SCM's proxy voting decisions.

The Proxy Committee has developed a set of criteria to be used when evaluating proxy issues. These criteria and general proxy voting guidelines are set forth in the Proxy Voting Guidelines, which are attached hereto as *Attachment A* (the "*Guidelines*"). The Proxy Committee may amend or supplement the Guidelines from time to time. All Guidelines are to be applied generally and not absolutely, such that the evaluation of each proposal incorporates considerations specific to the company whose proxy is being voted.

#### Retention and Oversight of Proxy Advisory Firms
Institutional Shareholder Service (ISS), Glass Lewis, and Stakeholders Empowerment Services (SES) ("*Proxy Research Providers*") re independent advisers that specialize in providing a variety of fiduciary-level proxy-related services to institutional investment managers, plan sponsors, custodians, consultants, and other institutional investors. The services provided may include in-depth research, global issuer analysis and voting recommendations. SCM has retained Proxy Research Providers to analyze proxy issues and to make vote recommendations on those issues. While we review the

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recommendations of one or more Proxy Research Providers in making proxy voting decisions, we are in no way obligated to follow such recommendations. SCM votes all proxies based on its own proxy voting policies in the best interests of clients. In addition to research, ISS provides vote execution, reporting, and recordkeeping services to SCM. As part of SCM's ongoing oversight responsibilities, SCM performs periodic due diligence on the Proxy Research Providers.

#### Procedures for Identification and Voting of Proxies
The following procedures are designed to resolve material conflicts of interest before voting client proxies.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1)

SCM maintains a list of all clients for which it votes proxies. The list may be maintained either in hard copy or electronically, and is updated by the Investment Operations Team, which obtains proxy voting information from client agreements or internal account onboarding documentation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2)

As part of the account opening procedure, the Investment Operations Team will note whether or not SCM is responsible for voting proxies for the client.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (3)

Where SCM has the authority to vote proxies, the Investment Operations and Client Relations Teams will work with the client to ensure that SCM is designated to receive proxy voting materials from companies or intermediaries.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (4)

SCM has retained one or more third parties to assist in the coordination, voting and recordkeeping of proxies (see Retention and Oversight of Proxy Advisory Firms).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (5)

The CAO, through a proxy voting designee working as a proxy administrator, receives all proxy voting materials and has overall responsibility for ensuring that proxies are voted and submitted in a timely manner.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (6)

SCM's Investment Research Team (the "*Research Team*") is responsible for reviewing proxy proposals for portfolio securities. Prior to a proxy voting deadline, the appropriate Research Team member will decide as how to vote each proxy proposal based on his or her analysis of the proposal and the Guidelines. In evaluating a proxy proposal, a Research Team member may consider information from a number of sources, including management of the company, shareholder groups and independent proxy research services.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (7)

If the Research Team or Proxy Administrator becomes aware of potential factual errors, incompleteness or methodological weaknesses in the Proxy Research Providers analysis, they must escalate this issue to the CAO or CCO.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (8)

SCM believes that engagement with issuers is important to good corporate governance and to assist in making proxy voting decisions. SCM may engage with issuers to discuss specific ballot items to be voted on in advance of an annual or special meeting to obtain further information or clarification on the proposals. SCM may also engage with management on a range of environmental, social or corporate governance issues throughout the year.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (9)

SCM Staff Members involved in the process are responsible for assessing whether there is any material conflict between the interests of SCM or its affiliates or associates and the interests of its clients with respect to proxy voting by considering the situations identified in the *Conflicts of Interest* section of this Policy.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (10)

If no material conflicts of interest have been identified, SCM will vote proxies according to this Policy (including by not voting if SCM deems that to be in its clients' best interest).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (11)

Upon detection of a conflict of interest, the conflict will be brought to the attention of the Proxy Committee for resolution. See *Conflicts of Interest* section for additional information.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (12)

SCM is not required to vote every client proxy provided that electing not to vote is consistent with SCM's fiduciary obligations. SCM shall at no time ignore or neglect its proxy voting responsibilities. However, there may be times when refraining from voting is in the client's best interest, such as when an analysis of a particular client proxy reveals that the cost of voting the proxy may exceed the expected benefit to the client. See *Proxies of Certain Global Issuers* below.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (13)

SCM may process certain proxies without voting them or may systematically vote with management. Examples include, without limitation, proxies issued by companies SCM has decided to sell, proxies issued for securities that SCM did not select for a client portfolio, such as, securities that were selected by a previous adviser, unsupervised or non-managed securities held in a client's account (such as ETFs), money market securities, or other securities selected by clients or their representatives other than SCM.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (14)

In the event that SCM votes the same proxy in two directions, it shall maintain documentation to support its voting (this may occur if a client requires SCM to vote a certain way on an issue, while SCM deems it beneficial to vote in the opposite direction for its other clients) in SCM's files.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (15)

The CAO and the applicable Research Team member must report any attempts by SCM's personnel to influence the voting of client proxies in a manner that is inconsistent with this Policy, as well as any attempts by persons or entities outside SCM seeking to influence the voting of client proxies. Reporting shall be made to the CCO, or if the CCO is the person attempting to influence the voting, then to SCM's General Counsel.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (16) <br>

All proxy votes will be recorded, and the following information must be maintained:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The name of the issuer of the portfolio security;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The security identifier of the portfolio holding.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The Council on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures ("*CUSIP*") or similar number, in each case, if any, for the security;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The shareholder meeting date;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The number of shares SCM is voting firm-wide;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A brief identification of the matter voted on;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Whether or not SCM cast its vote on the matter;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • How SCM voted (e.g., for or against proposal, or abstain; for or withhold regarding election of directors);

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Whether SCM cast its vote with or against management; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Whether any client requested an alternative vote of its proxy.

#### Securities Lending
If a client participates in a securities lending program, SCM will not be able to vote the proxy of the shares out on loan. SCM will generally not seek to recall for voting the client shares on loan. However, under rare circumstances, for voting issues that may have a particularly significant impact on the investment (a "*Significant Event*"), SCM may request a client to recall securities that are on loan if SCM determines that the benefit of voting outweighs the costs and lost revenue to the client and the administrative burden of retrieving the securities. The Research Team member who is responsible for voting the proxy will notify the Proxy Committee in the event they believe a recall of loaned securities is necessary.

In determining whether a recall of a security is warranted, SCM will take into consideration whether the benefit of the vote would be in the client's best interest despite the costs and the lost revenue to the client and the administrative burden of retrieving the securities. SCM may use third-party service providers to assist it in identifying and evaluating whether an event constitutes a Significant Event. From time to time, the Proxy Committee will deem certain matters to be Significant Events and will adjust the foregoing standard accordingly.

#### Proxies of Issuers in Certain Countries
It is SCM's policy to seek to vote all proxies for client securities over which it has proxy voting authority where SCM can reasonably determine that voting such proxies will be in the best interest of its clients.

Voting proxies of issuers in certain countries may give rise to a number of administrative or operational issues that may cause SCM to determine that voting such proxies are not in the best interest of its clients or that it is not reasonably possible to determine whether voting such proxies will be in the best interests of its clients. While not exhaustive, the following list of considerations highlights some potential instances in which a proxy vote might not be entered.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • SCM may receive meeting notices without enough time to fully consider the proxy or after the cut-off date for voting.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A market may require SCM to provide local agents with a power of attorney or consularization prior to implementing SCM's voting instructions.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Proxy materials may not be available in English.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • SCM may be unable to enter an informed vote in certain circumstances due to the lack of information provided in the proxy statement or by the issuer or other resolution sponsor.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Proxy voting in certain countries may require "share blocking." In such cases, shareholders wishing to vote their proxies must deposit their shares shortly before the date of the meeting with a designated depositary. During this blocking period, shares that will be voted at the meeting cannot be sold until the meeting has taken place and the shares are returned to the clients' custodian banks. Absent compelling reasons to the contrary, SCM believes that the benefit to the client of exercising the vote is outweighed by the cost of voting (i.e., not being able to sell the shares during this period). Accordingly, if share blocking is required SCM generally elects not to vote those shares. The applicable Research Team member in conjunction with the Proxy Committee retains the final authority to determine whether to block the shares in the client's portfolio or to pass on voting the meeting.

The rationale for not voting a client proxy must be documented and the documentation must be maintained in SCM's files.

#### Conflicts of Interest
The following potential conflicts of interest have been identified:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • SCM provides services to an institutional client, or is in the process of being engaged to provide services to an institutional client that is affiliated with an issuer that is held in the SCM's client portfolios. For example, SCM may be retained to manage Company A's pension fund, where Company A is a public company and SCM's client accounts hold shares of Company A. Another example is SCM's clients may hold an investment in an issuer affiliated with an adviser of a fund vehicle sub-advised by SCM.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • SCM provides services to an individual, or is in the process of being engaged to provide services to an individual, who is an officer or director of an issuer that is held in SCM's client portfolios;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A Staff Member maintains a personal or business relationship (not an advisery relationship) with issuers or individuals that serve as officers or directors of issuers. For example, the spouse of a Staff Member may be a high-level executive of an issuer that is held in SCM's client portfolios. The spouse could attempt to influence SCM to vote in favor of management; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • SCM or a Staff Member personally owns a significant number of an issuer's securities that are also held in SCM's client portfolios. The Staff Member may seek to vote proxies in a different direction for his or her personal holdings than would otherwise be warranted by this Policy. The Staff Member could oppose voting the proxies according to the policy and successfully influence SCM to vote proxies in contradiction to this Policy.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The issuer is a vendor whose products or services are material or significant to the business of SCM or its affiliates.

Due to the difficulty of predicting and identifying all material conflicts, Staff Members are responsible for notifying the CAO or the CCO of any material conflict that may impair SCM's ability to vote proxies in an objective manner. Upon such notification, the CAO or the CCO will notify the Proxy Committee of the conflict.

In the event that the Proxy Committee determines that SCM has a conflict of interest with respect to a proxy proposal, the Proxy Committee will also determine whether the conflict is "material" to that proposal. The Proxy Committee may determine on a case-by-case basis that a particular proposal does not involve a material conflict of interest. To make this determination, the Proxy Committee must conclude that the proposal is not directly related to SCM's conflict with the issuer. If the Proxy Committee determines that a conflict is not material, then SCM may vote the proxy in accordance with the recommendation of the relevant Research Team member.

In the event that the Proxy Committee determines that SCM has a material conflict of interest with respect to a proxy proposal, SCM will vote on the proposal in accordance with the determination of the Proxy Committee. Prior to voting on the proposal, SCM may: (i) contact an independent third party (such as another plan fiduciary) to recommend how to vote

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on the proposal and vote in accordance with the recommendation of such third party (or have the third party vote such proxy); or (ii) with respect to clients that are not subject to ERISA, fully disclose the nature of the conflict to the client and obtain the client's consent as to how SCM will vote on the proposal (or otherwise obtain instructions from the client as to how to vote the proxy).

#### Recordkeeping
SCM must maintain the documentation described in the following section for a period of not less than five years in an easily accessible place, the first two years at its principal place of business. The CAO will be responsible for the following procedures and for ensuring that the required documentation is retained.

 *<u>Outside third party request to review proxy votes:</u>* 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Staff Members must be thoughtful and cautious in sharing how SCM plans to vote its clients' proxies. Until the vote has been cast and the relevant shareholder meeting has transpired, SCM generally treats information about SCM's voting as confidential. Staff Members may not disclose SCM's vote prior to the meeting or commit to any third party to vote a certain way without the prior consent of the CCO or General Counsel. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, Staff Members are permitted to prudently express SCM's thoughts or opinions on topics in discussions with the relevant companies, advisors (3<sup>rd</sup> party research providers), and other shareholders prior to voting as a part of SCM's ongoing education and engagement.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Once the vote has been cast and the relevant shareholder meeting has transpired, analysts can choose to share how SCM voted with the relevant company or other shareholders, if necessary, as part of SCM's ongoing engagement with management and the company's shareholder base.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • All disclosures of votes in response to requests for vote information not originating from the company must be approved by the CAO prior to the disclosure of the vote. All written requests must be retained in the permanent file. The CAO or designee will record the identity of the outside third party, the date of the request, and the disposition (e.g., provided a written or oral response to client's request, referred to third party, not a proxy voting client, other dispositions, etc.) in a suitable place.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • As is consistent with SCM's Advertising and Marketing Policy, all Staff Members must refer inquiries from the press to the Director, Portfolio Analysis and Communications.

 *<u>Proxy statements received regarding client securities:</u>* 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Proxy statements must be maintained in accordance with this Policy.

**Note:** SCM is permitted to rely on proxy statements filed on the SEC's EDGAR system instead of keeping its own copies.

 *<u>Proxy voting records:</u>* 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Documentation or notes or any communications received from third parties, other industry analysts, third-party service providers, company's management discussions, etc. that were material in the basis for the decision, must be maintained in accordance with this Policy.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Clients may request their proxy voting record for the 5-year period prior to their request. Records prior to that 5-year request will be provided on a best efforts basis.

#### Disclosure
SCM will ensure that Part 2A of Form ADV is updated as necessary to reflect: (i) all material changes to this Policy and the procedures described herein; and (ii) information about how clients may obtain information on how SCM voted their securities. In addition, certain voting records are available on SCM's website at www.sandscapital.com.

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#### Procedures for SCM's Receipt of Class Actions
SCM will not file "Class Actions" on behalf of any client. If "Class Action" documents are received by SCM from a client's custodian, SCM will make a commercially reasonable best effort to forward the documents to the client. Likewise if "Class Action" documents are received by SCM from a client, SCM will make a commercially reasonable effort to gather, at the client's request, any requisite information it has regarding the matter and forward it to the client, to enable the client to file the "Class Action."

#### Responsibility
The CAO is responsible for overseeing and implementing this Policy.

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#### Attachment A

#### PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
The majority of votes presented to shareholders are proposals made by management, which have been approved and recommended by its board of directors. One of the primary factors SCM considers when determining the desirability of investing in a particular company is the quality and depth of its management. Accordingly, SCM believes that the recommendation of management on any issue should be given substantial weight in determining how proxy issues are resolved. For routine matters (e.g., those matters that are not expected to measurably change the structure, management, control or operation of the company and are consistent with customary industry standards and practices, and the laws of the state of incorporation of the applicable company), SCM will vote in accordance with the recommendation of management, unless, in SCM's opinion, such recommendation is not conducive to long term value creation or otherwise in the best interest of its clients. Non-routine matters (e.g., those matters relating to directors' liability and indemnity proposals; executive compensation plans; mergers, acquisitions, and other restructurings submitted to a shareholder vote; anti-takeover and related provisions; and shareholder proposals) require company-specific and a case-by-case review and analysis. With respect to matters that do not fit in the categories stated below, SCM will exercise its best judgment as a fiduciary to vote in accordance with the best interest of its clients.

I. The Board of Directors

A.<br>

#### Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections
These votes are made on a **case-by-case** basis, and SCM may consider the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Long-term performance record relative to a market index;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Composition of board (e.g., diversity and independence) and key board committees;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Attendance at board and committee meetings;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Corporate governance provisions and takeover activity;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Board decisions regarding executive pay; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Director compensation.

B.<br>

#### Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection
These votes are evaluated on a **case-by-case** basis.

C.<br>

#### Voting for Director Nominees in Contest Elections
These are evaluated on a **case-by-case** basis, and SCM may consider the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Long-term performance relative to its industry;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Management's track record;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Background to the proxy contest;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Qualifications of director nominees (both slates);

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Evaluation of what each side is offering shareholders and the likelihood that the proposed objectives and goals can be met; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Stock ownership positions.

D.<br>

#### Size of the Board
Proposals to limit the size of the Board will be evaluated on a **case-by-case** basis.

E. Majority Vote for Director Elections

SCM will evaluate, on a **case-by-case** basis, proposals asking the Board to initiate the process to provide that director nominees be elected by the affirmative majority of votes cast at an annual meeting of shareholders. Resolutions should specify a carve-out for a plurality vote standard when there are more nominees than board seats.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

F. Require Independent Board Chairman

SCM will evaluate, on a **case-by-case** basis, as to whether the role of board chair should be a separate position. Secondary considerations include the role of the board's Lead Independent Director and the board's overall composition.

II. Auditors

#### Ratifying Auditors
SCM generally votes for proposals to ratify auditors, unless:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • an auditor is not independent (i.e., it has a financial interest in or association with the company);

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • there is reason to believe the auditor's opinion is not accurate or indicative of the company's financial position;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • poor accounting practices are identified that rise to a level of serious concern, such as: fraud; misapplication of GAAP; or material weaknesses in internal controls;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Evidence that the committee approved an inappropriate indemnification agreement with the auditor; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Non-audit fees are excessive in relation to audit-related fees without adequate explanation.

III. Proxy Contest Defenses

A.<br>

#### Cumulative Voting
Proposals on cumulative voting are voted on a **case-by-case** basis. SCM may consider the following, among other, factors:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • the ability of significant stockholders to elect a director of their choosing;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • the ability of minority shareholders to concentrate their support in favor of a director or directors of their choosing; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • the potential to limit the ability of directors to work for all shareholders.

B.<br>

#### Proxy Contests
Votes on proxy contests are made on a **case-by-case** basis considering the long-term financial performance of the company relative to its industry, management's track record, the qualifications of the shareholder's nominees, and other factors.

C.<br>

#### Proxy Solicitation Expenses
Decisions to provide full reimbursement for dissidents waging a proxy contest are made on a **case-by-case** basis.

D.<br>

#### Proxy Access
Shareholder proposals to provide shareholders proxy access are voted on a **case-by-case** basis taking into account, among other factors:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Company-specific factors; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Proposal-specific factors including:

✓ the ownership thresholds proposed in the resolutions;

✓ the maximum proportion of directors that shareholders may nominate each year; and

✓ the method of determining which nominations should appear on the ballot if multiple shareholders submit nominations.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

IV. Anti-Takeover Issues

SCM conducts an independent review of each anti-takeover proposal. SCM may vote with management when it concludes that the proposal is not onerous and would not harm clients' interests as shareholders. Anti-takeover issues include the following:

A.<br>

#### Poison Pills
The "poison pill" entitles shareholders to purchase certain securities at discount prices in the event of a change in corporate control. Such a measure would make a potential takeover prohibitively expensive to the acquirer.

SCM votes on a **case-by-case** basis for management proposals to ratify a poison pill.

B.<br>

#### Fair Price Provisions
Fair price provisions attempt to ensure approximately equal treatment for all shareholders in the event of a takeover. SCM may consider, among other factors:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • the vote required to approve the proposed acquisition;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • the vote required to repeal the fair price provision;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • the mechanism for determining fair price; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • whether these provisions are bundled with other anti-takeover measures (e.g., supermajority voting requirements) that may entrench management and discourage attractive tender offers.

Fair price proposals are voted on a **case-by-case** basis.

C.<br>

#### Greenmail
Greenmail payments are targeted share repurchases by management of company stock from individuals or groups seeking control of the company. Since only the hostile party receives payment, usually at a substantial premium over the market value of its shares, the practice discriminates against all other shareholders.

Proposals to adopt anti-greenmail charter or bylaw amendments or otherwise restrict a company's ability to make greenmail payments are voted on a **case-by-case** basis.

D.<br>

#### Superstock/Duel-class Equity
Another takeover defense is superstock, i.e., shares that give holders disproportionate voting rights. For example, a company could propose authorizing a class of preferred stock which "could be issued in a private placement with one or more institutional investors" and "could be designated as having voting rights which might dilute or limit the present voting rights of the holders of common stock…." The purpose of this additional class of stock would be to give insiders an edge in fending off an unsolicited or hostile takeover attempt.

SCM votes on a **case-by-case** basis for proposals that would authorize the creation/removal of new classes of "superstock."

E.<br>

#### Supermajority Rules
Supermajority provisions require approval by holders of minimum amounts of the common shares (usually 75% to 80%). While applied mainly to merger bids, supermajority rules also may be extended to cover substantive transfers of corporate assets, liquidations, reverse splits and removal of directors for reasons other than cause. A supermajority provision would make it nearly impossible in some cases for shareholders to benefit from a takeover attempt.

Supermajority shareholder vote requirements to approve mergers, amend the charter or bylaws are voted on a **case-by-case** basis.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

F.<br>

#### Board Classification
A "classified" or "staggered" board is a structure in which only a portion of a company's board of directors (typically one-third) is elected each year. A company may employ such a structure to promote continuity of leadership and thwart takeover attempts. In evaluating a classified board proposal, SCM may consider the following factors, among others:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • the company's long-term strategic plan;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • the extent to which continuity of leadership is necessary to advance that plan; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • the need to guard against takeover attempts.

SCM votes on board classification on a **case-by-case** basis.

V. Miscellaneous Governance Provision

A.<br>

#### Approval of Financial Statements
In some markets, companies are required to submit their financial statements for shareholder approval. Approval of financial statements is voted on a **case-by-case** basis. However, SCM may abstain if the information is not available in advance of the meeting.

B.<br>

#### Adopting or Amending the Charter, Bylaws, or Articles of Association
SCM votes on a **case-by-case** basis proposals on adopting or amending the charter, bylaws, or articles of association, and may consider whether:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Shareholder rights are protected;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • There is negligible or positive impact on shareholder value;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Management provides sufficiently valid reasons for the amendments;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The company is required to do so by law (if applicable); and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • They are of a housekeeping nature (updates or corrections).

C.<br>

#### Bundled Proposals
SCM votes on a **case-by-case** basis bundled or "conditioned" proxy proposals. In this case where items are conditioned upon each other, SCM examines the benefits and costs of the packages items. In instances when the joint effect of the conditioned items is not in shareholder's best interests, SCM votes against the proposals. If the combined effect is positive, SCM votes for such proposals.

D. Share Re-Registration Consent

SCM will **typically** vote for this proposal. Certain securities are subject to share re-registration in order to receive and vote the shareholder meeting. In order to be eligible to vote, shares must be re-registered in the beneficial owner's name by a certain deadline. SCM will vote these proposals on a **case-by-case** basis.

E. "Other Business"

SCM will **typically** vote against this proposal if there is a lack of information available. While this request is usually routine, the potential for the discussion and subsequent approval of items could be dangerous to minority shareholders. SCM will vote these proposals on a **case-by-case** basis.

VI. Capital Structure

A.<br>

#### Common Stock Authorization
SCM votes on a **case-by-case** basis for proposals that increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issue.

B.<br>

#### Stock Distributions; Splits and Dividends
SCM votes on a **case-by-case** basis for proposals that increase the common share authorization for a stock split or share dividend.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

C.<br>

#### Debt Restructuring
SCM votes on a **case-by-case** basis for proposals that increase common and/or preferred shares and to issue shares as part of a debt restructuring plan.

VII. Executive and Director Compensation

SCM believes that because a company has exclusive knowledge of material information not available to shareholders regarding its business, financial condition, and prospects, the company itself usually is in the best position to make decisions about compensation and benefits. Accordingly, SCM generally votes with management on such matters. However, SCM may oppose management on a **case-by-case** basis if it deems a company's compensation to be excessive or inconsistent with its peer companies' compensation, SCM believes a company's compensation measures do not foster a long-term focus among its executive officers and other employees, or SCM believes a company has not met performance expectations, among other reasons. Discussed below are some specific types of compensation-related proposals that SCM may encounter.

SCM votes on a **case-by-case** basis items related to executive pay and practices.

A.<br>

#### Management Say on Pay
"Say on pay" proposals give shareholders a nonbinding vote on executive compensation. These proposals are designed to serve as a means of conveying to company management shareholder concerns, if any, about executive compensation.

SCM votes on a **case-by-case** basis for management proposals seeking approval of advisory vote on executive compensation.

B.<br>

#### Equity-Based Compensation Plans
A company's equity-based compensation plan should be in alignment with the shareholders' long-term interests. SCM believes that executive compensation should be directly linked to the performance of the company.

SCM vote on a **case-by-case** basis on proposals for equity-based compensation plans.

C.<br>

#### Incentive Bonus Plans and Tax Deductibility Proposals (Section 163(m))
SCM votes on a **case-by-case** basis on proposals for incentive bonus plans and tax deductibility proposals.

D.<br>

#### Golden Parachutes
Golden Parachutes assure key officers of a company lucrative compensation packages if the company is acquired and/or if the new owners terminate such officers. SCM recognizes that offering generous compensation packages that are triggered by a change in control may help attract qualified officers. However, such compensation packages cannot be so excessive that they are unfair to shareholders or make the company unattractive to potential bidders, thereby serving as a constructive anti-takeover mechanism.

SCM votes on a **case-by-case** basis proposals to submit severance plans.

E.<br>

#### Golden Coffins/Executive Death Benefits
Survivor benefit compensation plans, or "golden coffins," can require a company to make substantial payments or awards to a senior executive's beneficiaries following the death of the senior executive. The compensation can take the form of unearned salary or bonuses, accelerated vesting or the continuation in force of unvested equity grants, perquisites and other payments or awards. This compensation would not include compensation that the senior executive chooses to defer during his or her lifetime.

SCM recognizes that offering generous compensation packages that are triggered by the passing of senior executives may help attract qualified officers. However, such compensation packages cannot be so excessive that they are unfair to shareholders or make the company unattractive to potential bidders, thereby serving as a constructive anti-takeover mechanism.

SCM votes on a **case-by-case** basis proposals on Golden Coffins/Executive Death Benefits.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

VIII. State of Incorporation

A.<br>

#### Voting on State Takeover Statutes
SCM votes on a **case-by-case** basis proposals to opt in or out of state takeover statutes (including control share acquisition statutes, control share cash-out statutes, freeze-out provisions, fair price provisions, stakeholder laws, poison pill endorsements, severance pay and labor contract provisions, anti-greenmail provisions and disgorgement provisions).

B.<br>

#### Voting on Reincorporation Proposals
SCM votes on a **case-by-case** basis proposals to change a company's state of incorporation.

IX. Mergers and Corporate Restructurings

A.<br>

#### Mergers and Acquisitions
SCM votes on a **case-by-case** basis proposals on mergers and acquisitions.

B.<br>

#### Corporate Restructuring
SCM votes on a **case-by-case** basis proposal on corporate restructuring, including minority squeeze outs, leveraged buyouts, spin-offs, liquidations, and asset sales.

C.<br>

#### Spin-offs
SCM votes on a **case-by-case** basis proposals on spin-offs.

D.<br>

#### Changing Corporate Name
SCM votes on changing the corporate name on a **case-by-case** basis.

E. Authority to Issue Shares without Preemptive Rights

SCM votes on giving authority to issue shares without preemptive rights on a **case-by-case** basis.

X. Socially Oriented Proposals

A.<br>

#### Proposals of a Social or Environmental Nature
Consistent with its fiduciary duty to clients, SCM will vote on social and environmental issues with a view toward promoting good corporate citizenship. However, SCM realizes that it cannot require a portfolio company to go beyond applicable legal requirements or put itself in a non-competitive position.

SCM considers environmental and social issues alongside traditional financial measures to provide a more comprehensive view of the value, risk, and return potential of an investment. Companies may face significant financial, legal and reputational risks resulting from poor environmental and social practices, or negligent oversight of environmental or social issues. SCM's Environmental, Social, and Governance Framework describes SCM's approach to consideration of environmental, social, and governance issues within its processes and ownership practices.

SCM votes on a **case-by-case** basis proposals regarding environmental or social issues. To do this, SCM uses research reports from SCM's external proxy advisors, company filings and sustainability reports, research from other investors and non-governmental organizations, and the Research Team.

B.<br>

#### Political Spending and Lobby Proposals
Companies may engage in certain political activities, within legal and regulatory limits, in order to influence public policy consistent with the companies' values and strategies, and thus serve shareholders' best long-term economic interests. These activities can create risks, including: the potential for allegations of corruption; the potential for reputational issues associated with a candidate, party or issue; and risks that arise from the complex legal, regulatory and compliance considerations associated with corporate political activity. SCM believes that companies which choose to engage in political activities should develop and maintain robust processes to guide these activities and to mitigate risks, including a level of board oversight.

When presented with shareholder proposals requesting increased disclosure on corporate political activities, SCM may consider the political activities of that company and its peers, the existing level of disclosure, and its view regarding the associated risks. SCM generally believes that it is the duty of boards and management to determine the appropriate level of disclosure of all types of corporate activity.

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SCM votes on a **case-by-case** basis proposals regarding political spending and lobbying activities.

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#### THOMPSON, SIEGEL & WALMSLEY LLC

#### PROXY VOTING

#### Policy
**Thompson, Siegel & Walmsley LLC ("TSW") has a fiduciary responsibility to its clients for voting proxies, where authorized, for portfolio securities consistent with the best economic interests of its clients. TSW maintains written policies and procedures as to the handling, research, voting and reporting of proxy voting and makes appropriate disclosures about our Firm's proxy voting policies and practices in Form ADV Part 2A. In addition, we review our policies and practices no less than annually for adequacy; to make sure they have been implemented effectively, and to make sure they continue to be reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interests of our clients. Our policy and practice include the responsibility to monitor corporate actions and potential conflicts of interest, receive and vote client proxies, and make information available to clients about the voting of proxies for their portfolio securities while maintaining relevant and required records.** 

#### Background
Proxy voting is an important right of shareholders, and reasonable care and diligence should be undertaken to ensure that such rights are properly exercised.

Investment advisers registered with the SEC, and which exercise voting authority with respect to client securities, are required by Rule 206(4)-6 of the Advisers Act to (a) adopt and implement written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that client securities are voted in the best interests of clients, which should include how an adviser addresses material conflicts that may arise between an adviser's interests and those of its clients; (b) disclose to clients how they may obtain information from the adviser with respect to the voting of proxies for their securities; (c) describe to clients a summary of its proxy voting policies and procedures and, upon request, furnish a copy to its clients; and (d) maintain certain records relating to the adviser's proxy voting activities when the adviser has proxy voting authority.

A related companion release by the SEC also adopted rule and form amendments under the Securities Act and Investment Company Act similar to the above which TSW complies with when acting as a sub-adviser to a mutual fund.

#### Responsibility
TSW's Senior Compliance Officer (Proxy Coordinator) has the responsibility for the organization and monitoring of our Proxy Voting policy, practices, and recordkeeping. Implementation and disclosure, including outlining our voting guidelines in our procedures, is the responsibility of the CCO and Director of Operations. TSW has retained the services of a third-party provider, Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. ("ISS") to assist with the proxy process. ISS is a Registered Investment Adviser under the Advisers Act. It is a leading provider of proxy voting and corporate governance services. ISS provides TSW proxy proposal research and voting recommendations and votes proxies on TSW's behalf in accordance with ISS's standard voting guidelines. Those guidelines cover the following areas:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Operational Issues

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Board of Directors

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Proxy Contests

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Anti-takeover Defenses and Voting Related Issues

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Mergers and Corporate Restructurings

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • State of Incorporation

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Capital Structure

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Executive & Director Compensation

■

Equity Compensation Plans

■

Specific Treatment of Certain Award Types in Equity Plan Evaluations

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■

Other Compensation Proposals & Policies

■

Shareholder Proposals on Compensation

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Social/Environmental Issues

■

Consumer Issues and Public Safety

■

Environment and Energy

■

General Corporate Issues

■

Labor Standards and Human Rights

■

Military Business

■

Workplace Diversity

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Mutual Fund Proxies

TSW generally believes that voting proxies in a manner that is favorable to a business's long-term performance and valuation is in its clients' best interests. However, a uniform voting policy may not be in the best interest of all clients. While TSW applies ISS's standard policy guidelines to most clients, where appropriate we utilize ISS's Taft-Hartley or Catholic policy guidelines to meet specific client requirements.

TSW's Proxy Coordinator is responsible for monitoring ISS's voting procedures on an ongoing basis. TSW's general procedure regarding the voting of proxies is addressed below. For instances not directly addressed in this policy the Proxy Oversight Representative should act in accordance with the principles outlined in the SEC's *Guidance Regarding Proxy Voting Responsibilities of Investment Advisers* issued in August 2019 and supplemental release in September 2020 in consultation with the Proxy Coordinator.

#### Procedure
TSW has adopted various procedures and internal controls to review, monitor and ensure the Firm's Proxy Voting policy is observed, implemented properly and amended or updated, as appropriate, which include the following:

#### Voting Procedures
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Upon timely receipt of proxy materials, ISS will automatically release vote instructions on client's behalf as soon as custom research is completed. TSW retains authority to override the votes (before cut-off date) if TSW disagrees with the vote recommendation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The Proxy Coordinator will monitor the voting process at ISS via ISS's Proxy Exchange website (ISS's online voting and research platform). Records of which accounts are voted, how accounts are voted, and how many shares are voted are kept electronically with ISS.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • For proxies not received by ISS, TSW and ISS will make a best effort attempt to receive ballots from the clients' custodian prior to the vote cut-off date.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • TSW is responsible for account maintenance – opening and closing of accounts, transmission of holdings and account environment monitoring. ISS will email TSW Compliance personnel to get approval when closing an account that was not directed by TSW.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The Director of Operations (Proxy Oversight Representative) will keep abreast of any critical or exceptional events or events qualifying as a conflict of interest via ISS Proxy Exchange website and email.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Investment teams should keep the Proxy Oversight Representative and Proxy Coordinator informed of material issues affecting pending or upcoming proxy votes. If the Proxy Oversight Representative and Proxy Coordinator become aware of additional information that would reasonably be expected to affect TSW's vote, then this information should be considered prior to voting.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • TSW has the ability to override ISS recommended vote instructions and will do so if believed to be in the best interest of the client. All changes are documented and coordinated between the Proxy Oversight Representative and/or Proxy Coordinator and the Portfolio Manager and/or Research Analyst. Changes generally occur as a result of TSW's communication with issuer management regarding matters pertaining to securities held when the issuer questions or disputes ISS's voting recommendation.

All proxies are voted solely in the best interest of clients on a best efforts basis. Proactive communication takes place via regular communication with ISS's Client Relations team.

#### Disclosure
TSW will provide conspicuously displayed information in its Disclosure Document summarizing this Proxy Voting policy, including a statement that clients may request information regarding how TSW voted a client's proxies, and that clients may request a copy of these policies and procedures.

 *<u>See Form ADV, Part 2A – Item 17– Voting Client Securities</u>* 

#### Client Requests for Information
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • All client requests for information regarding proxy votes, or policies and procedures, received by any associate should be forwarded to the Proxy Coordinator.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • In response to any request, the Proxy Coordinator will prepare a response to the client with the information requested, and as applicable, will include the name of the issuer, the proposal voted upon, and how TSW voted the client's proxy with respect to each proposal about which the client inquired.

#### Voting Guidelines
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • TSW has a fiduciary responsibility under ERISA to vote ERISA Plan proxies unless the Plan directs otherwise. TSW will vote proxies when directed by non-ERISA clients. In the absence of specific voting guidelines from the client and upon timely receipt of proxy materials from the custodian, TSW will vote proxies in the best interests of each particular client according to the recommended election of ISS. ISS's policy is to vote all proxies from a specific issuer the same way for each client, absent qualifying restrictions from a client. Clients are permitted to place reasonable restrictions on TSW's voting authority in the same manner that they may place such restrictions on the actual selection of account securities.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • ISS will generally vote in favor of routine corporate housekeeping proposals such as the election of directors and selection of auditors absent conflicts of interest raised by auditors' non-audit services.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • ISS will generally vote against proposals that cause board members to become entrenched, reduce shareholder control over management or in some way diminish shareholders' present or future value.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • In reviewing proposals, ISS will further consider the opinion of management and the effect on management, and the effect on shareholder value and the issuer's business practices.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A complete summary of ISS's U.S. and International voting guidelines is available at: https://www.issgovernance.com/policy

#### Forensic Testing Procedures
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • No less than quarterly, TSW's Proxy Coordinator will review the ISS Proxy Exchange Master Account List to ensure all appropriate accounts are being voted.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • TSW will conduct periodic tests to review proxy voting records and the application of general voting guidelines, especially in circumstances such as corporate events (e.g., mergers and acquisition transactions, dissolutions, conversions, consolidations, etc.) or contested director elections. Any matter warranting additional, often issuer-specific review will be escalated to the Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst as needed.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • TSW occasionally communicates directly with issuer management regarding matters pertaining to securities held in the portfolio when it questions or disputes ISS's voting recommendation.

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#### Conflicts of Interest
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • TSW will identify any conflicts that exist between the interests of the adviser and each client by reviewing the relationship of TSW with the issuer of each security to determine if TSW or any of its associates has any financial, business or personal relationship with the issuer.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • If a material conflict of interest exists, the Proxy Coordinator will instruct ISS to vote using ISS's standard policy guidelines which are derived independently from TSW.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • TSW will maintain a record of the voting resolution of any conflict of interest.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • ISS also maintains a Conflicts Policy which indicates how they address any potential conflicts of interest and is available at: https://www.issgovernance.com/compliance/due-diligence-materials

#### Practical Limitations Relating to Proxy Voting
TSW makes a best effort to vote proxies. In certain circumstances, it may be impractical or impossible for TSW to do so. Identifiable circumstances include:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Limited Value: Where TSW has concluded that to do so would have no identifiable economic benefit to the client-shareholder;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Unjustifiable Cost: When the costs of or disadvantages resulting from voting, in TSW's judgment, outweigh the economic benefits of voting;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Securities Lending: If securities are on loan on the record date, the client lending the security is not eligible to vote the proxy. Because TSW generally is not aware of when a security is on loan, we will not likely have the opportunity to recall the security prior to the record date; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Failure to receive proxy statements: TSW may not be able to vote proxies in connection with certain holdings, most frequently for foreign securities, if it does not receive the account's proxy statement in time to vote the proxy.

#### Recordkeeping
TSW and/or ISS shall retain the following proxy records in accordance with the SEC's five-year retention requirement:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • These policies and procedures and any amendments;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Each proxy statement that ISS receives;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A record of each vote that ISS casts on behalf of TSW;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Any document ISS created that was material to making a decision regarding how to vote proxies, or that memorializes that decision; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A copy of each client request for information on how ISS voted such client's proxies (i.e., Vote Summary Report), and a copy of any response.

#### Due Diligence and Error Procedures
TSW will periodically perform due diligence on ISS, focusing on the following areas:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Adequacy of ISS's staffing and personnel;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Adequacy/robustness of ISS's Policies and Procedures and review of their policies for conflict issues;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Adequacy of control environment and operational controls of ISS (i.e., SSAE 18);

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Review of any specific conflicts ISS may have with regard to TSW;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Review of ISS for any business changes that may affect services provided to TSW; and

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Review quarterly reporting package provided by ISS and enhance this package as necessary for any additional information that is needed.

TSW will take the following steps should there ever be an issue/error that occurs with regard to its proxy voting responsibilities:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Follow up with ISS to determine the cause of and the details surrounding the issue;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Report back to the affected client immediately with such details and how the issue will be resolved;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Put additional controls in place if necessary to prevent such issues from occurring in the future; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Report back to the affected client with the final resolution and any remedial steps.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

T. ROWE PRICE ASSOCIATES, INC. AND CERTAIN OF ITS INVESTMENT ADVISER AFFILIATES

#### PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

#### RESPONSIBILITY TO VOTE PROXIES
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and certain of its investment adviser affiliates<sup>1</sup> (collectively, "**T. Rowe Price**") have adopted these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures ("**Policies and Procedures**") for the purpose of establishing formal policies and procedures for performing and documenting their fiduciary duty with regard to the voting of client proxies. This document is reviewed at least annually and updated as necessary.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; T. Rowe Price recognizes and adheres to the principle that one of the privileges of owning stock in a company is the right to vote in the election of the company's directors and on matters affecting certain important aspects of the company's structure and operations that are submitted to shareholder vote. The U.S.-registered investment companies which T. Rowe Price sponsors and serves as investment adviser (the "**Price Funds**") as well as other investment advisory clients have delegated to T. Rowe Price certain proxy voting powers. As an investment adviser, T. Rowe Price has a fiduciary responsibility to such clients when exercising its voting authority with respect to securities held in their portfolios. T. Rowe Price reserves the right to decline to vote proxies in accordance with client-specific voting guidelines.

**Fiduciary Considerations**. It is the policy of T. Rowe Price that decisions with respect to proxy issues will be made in light of the anticipated impact of the issue on the desirability of investing in the portfolio company from the viewpoint of the particular advisory client or Price Fund. Proxies are voted solely in the interests of the client, Price Fund shareholders or, where employee benefit plan assets are involved, in the interests of plan participants and beneficiaries. Our intent has always been to vote proxies, where possible to do so, in a manner consistent with our fiduciary obligations and responsibilities.

One of the primary factors T. Rowe Price considers when determining the desirability of investing in a particular company is the quality and depth of its management. We recognize that a company's management is entrusted with the day-to-day operations of the company, as well as its long-term direction and strategic planning, subject to the oversight of the company's board of directors. Accordingly, our proxy voting guidelines are not intended to substitute our judgment for management's with respect to the company's day-to-day operations. Rather, our proxy voting guidelines are designed to promote accountability of a company's management and board of directors to its shareholders; to align the interests of management with those of shareholders; and to encourage companies to adopt best practices in terms of their corporate governance and disclosure. In addition to our proxy voting guidelines, we rely on a company's public filings, its board recommendations, its track record, country-specific best practices codes, our research providers and – most importantly – our investment professionals' views in making voting decisions. T. Rowe Price investment personnel do not coordinate with investment personnel of its affiliated investment adviser, TRPIM, with respect to proxy voting decisions.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; T. Rowe Price seeks to vote all of its clients' proxies. In certain circumstances, T. Rowe Price may determine that refraining from voting a proxy is in a client's best interest, such as when the cost of voting outweighs the expected benefit to the client. For example, the practicalities and costs involved with international investing may make it impossible at times, and at other times disadvantageous, to vote proxies in every instance.

#### ADMINISTRATION OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
**Environmental, Social and Governance Committee**. T. Rowe Price's Environmental, Social and Governance Committee ("**TRPA ESG Committee**") is responsible for establishing positions with respect to corporate governance and other proxy issues. Certain delegated members of the TRPA ESG Committee also review questions and respond to inquiries from clients and mutual fund shareholders pertaining to proxy issues. While the TRPA ESG Committee sets voting guidelines and serves as a resource for T. Rowe Price portfolio management, it does not have proxy voting authority for any Price Fund or advisory client. Rather, voting authority and responsibility is held by the Chairperson of the Price Fund's Investment Advisory Committee or the advisory client's portfolio manager. The TRPA ESG Committee is also responsible for the oversight of third-party proxy services firms that T. Rowe Price engages to facilitate the proxy voting process.

**Proxy Voting Team**. The Proxy Voting team is responsible for administering the proxy voting process as set forth in the Policies and Procedures.

<sup>1</sup> This document is not applicable to T. Rowe Price Investment Management, Inc. ("TRPIM"). TRPIM votes proxies independently from the other T. Rowe Price-related investment advisers and has adopted its own proxy voting policy.

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**Governance Team.** Our Governance team is responsible for reviewing the proxy agendas for all upcoming meetings and making company-specific recommendations to our global industry analysts and portfolio managers with regard to the voting decisions in their portfolios.

**Responsible Investment Team**. Our Responsible Investment team oversees the integration of environmental and social factors into our investment processes across asset classes. In formulating vote recommendations for matters of an environmental or social nature, the Governance team frequently consults with the appropriate sector analyst from the Responsible Investment team.

#### HOW PROXIES ARE REVIEWED, PROCESSED AND VOTED
In order to facilitate the proxy voting process, T. Rowe Price has retained Institutional Shareholder Services ("ISS") as an expert in the proxy voting and corporate governance area. ISS specializes in providing a variety of fiduciary-level proxy advisory and voting services. These services include custom vote recommendations, research, vote execution, and reporting. Services provided by ISS do not include automated processing of votes on our behalf using the ISS Benchmark Policy recommendations. Instead, in order to reflect T. Rowe Price's issue-by-issue voting guidelines as approved each year by the TRPA ESG Committee, ISS maintains and implements custom voting policies for the Price Funds and other advisory client accounts.

#### Meeting Notification
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; T. Rowe Price utilizes ISS' voting agent services to notify us of upcoming shareholder meetings for portfolio companies held in client accounts and to transmit votes to the various custodian banks of our clients. ISS tracks and reconciles our clients' holdings against incoming proxy ballots. If ballots do not arrive on time, ISS procures them from the appropriate custodian or proxy distribution agent. Meeting and record date information is updated daily and transmitted to T. Rowe Price through ProxyExchange, an ISS application.

#### Vote Determination
Each day, ISS delivers into T. Rowe Price's customized ProxyExchange environment a comprehensive summary of upcoming meetings, proxy proposals, publications discussing key proxy voting issues, and custom vote recommendations to assist us with proxy research and processing. The final authority and responsibility for proxy voting decisions remains with T. Rowe Price. Decisions with respect to proxy matters are made primarily in light of the anticipated impact of the issue on the desirability of investing in the company from the perspective of our clients.

Portfolio managers execute their responsibility to vote proxies in different ways. Some have decided to vote their proxies generally in line with the guidelines as set by the TRPA ESG Committee. Others review the customized vote recommendations and approve them before the votes are cast. Portfolio managers have access to current reports summarizing all proxy votes in their client accounts. Portfolio managers who vote their proxies inconsistent with T. Rowe Price guidelines are required to document the rationale for their votes. The Proxy Voting team is responsible for maintaining this documentation and assuring that it adequately reflects the basis for any vote which is contrary to our proxy voting guidelines.

T. Rowe Price Voting Policies

Specific proxy voting guidelines have been adopted by the TRPA ESG Committee for all regularly occurring categories of management and shareholder proposals. A detailed set of proxy voting guidelines is available on the T. Rowe Price website, www.troweprice.com/esgpolicy.

#### Global Portfolio Companies
The TRPA ESG Committee has developed custom international proxy voting guidelines based on ISS' general global policies, regional codes of corporate governance, and our own views as investors in these markets. ISS applies a two-tier approach to determining and applying global proxy voting policies. The first tier establishes baseline policy guidelines for the most fundamental issues, which span the corporate governance spectrum without regard to a company's domicile. The second tier takes into account various idiosyncrasies of different countries, making allowances for standard market practices, as long as they do not violate the fundamental goals of good corporate governance. The goal is to enhance shareholder value through effective use of the shareholder franchise, recognizing that application of a single set of policies is not appropriate for all markets.

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#### Fixed Income and Passively Managed Strategies
Proxy voting for our fixed income and indexed portfolios is administered by the Proxy Voting team using T. Rowe Price's guidelines as set by the TRPA ESG Committee. Indexed strategies generally vote in line with the T. Rowe Price guidelines. Fixed income strategies generally follow the proxy vote determinations on security holdings held by our equity accounts unless the matter is specific to a particular fixed income security such as consents, restructurings, or reorganization proposals.

#### Shareblocking
Shareblocking is the practice in certain countries of "freezing" shares for trading purposes in order to vote proxies relating to those shares. In markets where shareblocking applies, the custodian or sub-custodian automatically freezes shares prior to a shareholder meeting once a proxy has been voted. T. Rowe Price's policy is generally to refrain from voting shares in shareblocking countries unless the matter has compelling economic consequences that outweigh the loss of liquidity in the blocked shares.

#### Securities on Loan
The Price Funds and our institutional clients may participate in securities lending programs to generate income for their portfolios. Generally, the voting rights pass with the securities on loan; however, lending agreements give the lender the right to terminate the loan and pull back the loaned shares provided sufficient notice is given to the custodian bank in advance of the applicable deadline. T. Rowe Price's policy is generally not to vote securities on loan unless we determine there is a material voting event that could affect the value of the loaned securities. In this event, we have the discretion to pull back the loaned securities in order to cast a vote at an upcoming shareholder meeting. A monthly monitoring process is in place to review securities on loan and how they may affect proxy voting.

#### Monitoring and Resolving Conflicts of Interest
The TRPA ESG Committee is also responsible for monitoring and resolving potential material conflicts between the interests of T. Rowe Price and those of its clients with respect to proxy voting. We have adopted safeguards to ensure that our proxy voting is not influenced by interests other than those of our fund shareholders and other investment advisory clients. While membership on the TRPA ESG Committee is diverse, it does not include individuals whose primary duties relate to client relationship management, marketing, or sales. Since T. Rowe Price's voting guidelines are predetermined by the TRPA ESG Committee, application of the guidelines by portfolio managers to vote client proxies should in most instances adequately address any potential conflicts of interest. However, consistent with the terms of the Policies and Procedures, which allow portfolio managers to vote proxies opposite our general voting guidelines, the TRPA ESG Committee regularly reviews all such proxy votes that are inconsistent with the proxy voting guidelines to determine whether the portfolio manager's voting rationale appears reasonable. The TRPA ESG Committee also assesses whether any business or other material relationships between T. Rowe Price and a portfolio company (unrelated to the ownership of the portfolio company's securities) could have influenced an inconsistent vote on that company's proxy. Issues raising potential conflicts of interest are referred to designated members of the TRPA ESG Committee for immediate resolution prior to the time T. Rowe Price casts its vote.

With respect to personal conflicts of interest, T. Rowe Price's Code of Ethics and Conduct requires all employees to avoid placing themselves in a "compromising position" in which their interests may conflict with those of our clients and restrict their ability to engage in certain outside business activities. Portfolio managers or TRPA ESG Committee members with a personal conflict of interest regarding a particular proxy vote must recuse themselves and not participate in the voting decisions with respect to that proxy.

*Specific Conflict of Interest Situations*—Voting of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. common stock (sym: TROW) by certain T. Rowe Price Index Funds will be done in all instances in accordance with T. Rowe Price voting guidelines and votes inconsistent with the guidelines will not be permitted. In the event that there is no previously established guideline for a specific voting issue appearing on the T. Rowe Price Group proxy, the Price Funds will abstain on that voting item. In addition, T. Rowe Price has voting authority for proxies of the holdings of certain Price Funds that invest in other Price Funds. In cases where the underlying fund of an investing Price Fund, including a fund-of-funds, holds a proxy vote, T. Rowe Price will mirror vote the fund shares held by the upper-tier fund in the same proportion as the votes cast by the shareholders of the underlying funds (other than the T. Rowe Price Reserve Investment Fund).

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#### Limitations on Voting Proxies of Banks
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; T. Rowe Price has obtained relief from the U.S. Federal Reserve Board (the **"FRB Relief"**) which permits, subject to a number of conditions, T. Rowe Price to acquire in the aggregate on behalf of its clients, 10% or more of the total voting stock of a bank, bank holding company, savings and loan holding company or savings association (each a **"Bank"**), not to exceed a 15% aggregate beneficial ownership maximum in such Bank. One such condition affects the manner in which T. Rowe Price will vote its clients' shares of a Bank in excess of 10% of the Bank's total voting stock (**"Excess Shares"**). The FRB Relief requires that T. Rowe Price use its best efforts to vote the Excess Shares in the same proportion as all other shares voted, a practice generally referred to as "mirror voting," or in the event that such efforts to mirror vote are unsuccessful, Excess Shares will not be voted. With respect to a shareholder vote for a Bank of which T. Rowe Price has aggregate beneficial ownership of greater than 10% on behalf of its clients, T. Rowe Price will determine which of its clients' shares are Excess Shares on a pro rata basis across all of its clients' portfolios for which T. Rowe Price has the power to vote proxies.<sup>2</sup>

#### REPORTING, RECORD RETENTION AND OVERSIGHT
The TRPA ESG Committee, and certain personnel under the direction of the TRPA ESG Committee, perform the following oversight and assurance functions, among others, over T. Rowe Price's proxy voting: (1) periodically samples proxy votes to ensure that they were cast in compliance with T. Rowe Price's proxy voting guidelines; (2) reviews, no less frequently than annually, the adequacy of the Policies and Procedures to make sure that they have been implemented effectively, including whether they continue to be reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interests of our clients; (3) performs due diligence on whether a retained proxy advisory firm has the capacity and competency to adequately analyze proxy issues, including the adequacy and quality of the proxy advisory firm's staffing and personnel and its policies; and (4) oversees any retained proxy advisory firms and their procedures regarding their capabilities to (i) produce proxy research that is based on current and accurate information and (ii) identify and address any conflicts of interest and any other considerations that we believe would be appropriate in considering the nature and quality of the services provided by the proxy advisory firm.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; T. Rowe Price will furnish Vote Summary Reports, upon request, to its institutional clients that have delegated proxy voting authority. The report specifies the portfolio companies, meeting dates, proxy proposals, and votes which have been cast for the client during the period and the position taken with respect to each issue. Reports normally cover quarterly or annual periods and are provided to such clients upon request.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; T. Rowe Price retains proxy solicitation materials, memoranda regarding votes cast in opposition to the position of a company's management, and documentation on shares voted differently. In addition, any document which is material to a proxy voting decision such as the T. Rowe Price proxy voting guidelines, TRPA ESG Committee meeting materials, and other internal research relating to voting decisions are maintained in accordance with applicable requirements.

TRP 2022 Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures.doc <br>Updated: February 2022

<sup>2</sup> The FRB Relief and the process for voting of Excess Shares described herein apply to the aggregate beneficial ownership of T. Rowe Price and TRPIM.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

T. ROWE PRICE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC.

#### PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

#### As of January 20, 2022

#### RESPONSIBILITY TO VOTE PROXIES
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; T. Rowe Price Investment Management, Inc. ("**TRPIM**") views proxy voting as integral to its investment management responsibilities. Certain investment advisory clients of TRPIM, including U.S.-registered investment companies for which TRPIM serves as investment adviser or sub-adviser have delegated to TRPIM proxy voting authority. TRPIM seeks to vote all proxies of the securities held in client accounts for which it has proxy voting authority in the best interest of those clients.

#### Fiduciary Responsibilities and Voting Considerations
TRPIM believes that it has a fiduciary obligation to vote proxies solely in the best interests of its clients. TRPIM's intent is to vote proxies, where possible to do so, in a manner consistent with its fiduciary obligations and responsibilities. One of the primary factors TRPIM considers when determining the desirability of investing in the equity of a particular company is the quality and depth of its management. As the management of a portfolio company is responsible for its day-to-day operations, as well as its long-term direction and strategic planning, TRPIM believes that a company's management, subject to the oversight of the company's board of directors, is typically best suited to make decisions that serve the interests of shareholders. Accordingly, TRPIM's proxy voting guidelines are not intended to substitute its judgment for that of a company's management with respect to the company's day-to-day operations. Rather, TRPIM's proxy voting guidelines are designed to promote accountability of a company's management and board of directors to its shareholders; to align the interests of a company's management with those of shareholders; and to encourage companies to adopt best practices in terms of their corporate governance and disclosure.

TRPIM's portfolio managers are responsible for making proxy voting decisions in clients' best interests based on the facts and circumstances applicable to each company and issue subject to a vote. In addition to TRPIM's own internal research, TRPIM's investment personnel take into account additional factors when making voting decisions, including: TRPIM's proxy voting guidelines, the issuer's public filings, its board recommendations, its track record, country-specific best practices codes and input from external research providers. TRPIM investment personnel do not coordinate with investment personnel of TRPIM's affiliated investment advisers (including T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.) with respect to proxy voting decisions. TRPIM's proxy voting decisions are independent of those of its affiliated investment advisers.

TRPIM seeks to vote all of its clients' proxies. In certain circumstances, TRPIM may determine that refraining from voting a proxy is in a client's best interest, such as when the cost of voting outweighs the expected benefit to the client. For example, the practicalities and costs involved with international investing may make it impossible at times, and at other times disadvantageous, to vote proxies in every instance. Additionally, TRPIM reserves the right to decline to vote proxies in accordance with client-specific voting guidelines.

#### ADMINISTRATION OF POLICY AND PROCEDURES

#### Environmental, Social and Governance Committee
The TRPIM Environmental, Social and Governance Committee (**"TRPIM ESG Committee"**) is responsible for establishing issue-by-issue guidelines with respect to corporate governance and other proxy issues. While the TRPIM ESG Committee sets voting guidelines and serves as a resource for TRPIM portfolio management, it does not have proxy voting authority for any TRPIM client. Rather, voting authority and responsibility is held by the particular portfolio manager.

#### Responsible Investment and Governance Team
TRPIM's Responsible Investment and Governance team oversees the integration of environmental, social and governance factors into TRPIM's investment processes across asset classes. This team is responsible for reviewing proxy agendas for all upcoming meetings and making company-specific recommendations, including for matters of an environmental or social nature.

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#### Proxy Voting Team
A team of individuals employed by an affiliated entity of TRPIM is responsible for the administrative and operational aspects of the proxy voting process, which is a ministerial process that does not involve the exercise of discretion. This team is subject to policies that prevent the sharing of voting decisions between TRPIM and its affiliated investment advisers.

#### HOW PROXIES ARE REVIEWED, PROCESSED AND VOTED
In order to facilitate the proxy voting process, TRPIM has retained Institutional Shareholder Services ("ISS") as an expert in the proxy voting and corporate governance area. ISS specializes in providing a variety of fiduciary-level proxy advisory and voting services. These services include custom vote recommendations, research, vote execution, and reporting. Services provided by ISS do not include automated processing of votes on TRPIM's behalf using the ISS Benchmark Policy recommendations. Instead, in order to reflect TRPIM's issue-by-issue voting guidelines as approved by the TRPIM ESG Committee, ISS maintains and implements custom voting policies for TRPIM's advisory clients that have given proxy voting authority to TRPIM.

TRPIM utilizes ISS' voting agent services to notify it of upcoming shareholder meetings for portfolio companies held in client accounts and to transmit votes to the various custodian banks of its clients. ISS tracks and reconciles TRPIM's clients' holdings against incoming proxy ballots. If ballots do not arrive on time, ISS procures them from the appropriate custodian or proxy distribution agent. Meeting and record date information is updated daily and transmitted to TRPIM through ProxyExchange, an ISS application.

Each day, ISS delivers into TRPIM's customized ProxyExchange environment a comprehensive summary of upcoming meetings, proxy proposals, publications discussing key proxy voting issues, and custom vote recommendations to assist TRPIM with proxy research and processing. The final authority and responsibility for proxy voting decisions remains with TRPIM.

#### MONITORING AND RESOLVING CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The TRPIM ESG Committee is also responsible for monitoring and resolving potential material conflicts between the interests of TRPIM or its affiliates and those of TRPIM's clients with respect to proxy voting. TRPIM has adopted safeguards to ensure that its proxy voting is not influenced by interests other than those of its clients. Membership on the TRPIM ESG Committee does not include individuals whose primary duties relate to client relationship management, marketing, or sales. Since TRPIM's voting guidelines are predetermined by the TRPIM ESG Committee, application of the guidelines by portfolio managers to vote client proxies should in most instances adequately address any potential conflicts of interest. However, the TRPIM ESG Committee regularly reviews all proxy votes that are inconsistent with the proxy voting guidelines to determine whether the portfolio manager's voting rationale appears reasonable. The TRPIM ESG Committee also assesses whether any business or other material relationships between T. Rowe Price and a portfolio company (unrelated to the ownership of the portfolio company's securities) could have influenced an inconsistent vote on that company's proxy. Issues raising potential conflicts of interest are referred to designated members of the TRPIM ESG Committee for immediate resolution prior to the vote.

With respect to personal conflicts of interest, TRPIM's Code of Ethics and Conduct requires all employees to avoid placing themselves in a "compromising position" in which their interests may conflict with those of clients and restricts their ability to engage in certain outside business activities. Portfolio managers or TRPIM ESG Committee members with a personal conflict of interest regarding a particular proxy vote must recuse themselves and not participate in the voting decisions with respect to that proxy.

#### Specific Conflict of Interest Situations
TRPIM has voting authority for proxies of the holdings of certain investment funds sponsored by an affiliate (the **"Price Funds"**) that invest in other Price Funds. In cases where the underlying fund of an investing Price Fund, including a fund-of-funds, holds a proxy vote, TRPIM will mirror vote the fund shares held by the upper-tier fund in the same proportion as the votes cast by the shareholders of the underlying funds (other than the T. Rowe Price Reserve Investment Fund).

#### TRPIM VOTING GUIDELINES
Specific proxy voting guidelines have been adopted by the TRPIM ESG Committee for all regularly occurring categories of management and shareholder proposals. Many guidelines indicate a "case by case" analysis, reflecting that the facts and circumstances of each issue may vary.

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#### Fixed Income Strategies
Proxy voting for TRPIM's fixed income portfolios is administered by the Proxy Voting team using TRPIM's guidelines as set by the TRPIM ESG Committee. Fixed income strategies generally follow the proxy vote determinations on security holdings held by TRPIM's equity accounts unless the matter is specific to a particular fixed income security such as consents, restructurings, or reorganization proposals.

#### Shareblocking
Shareblocking is the practice in certain countries of "freezing" shares for trading purposes in order to vote proxies relating to those shares. In markets where shareblocking applies, the custodian or sub-custodian automatically freezes shares prior to a shareholder meeting once a proxy has been voted. TRPIM's policy is generally to refrain from voting shares in shareblocking countries unless the matter has compelling economic consequences that outweigh the loss of liquidity in the blocked shares.

#### Securities on Loan
The Price Funds and TRPIM's institutional clients may participate in securities lending programs to generate income for their portfolios. Generally, the voting rights pass with the securities on loan; however, lending agreements give the lender the right to terminate the loan and pull back the loaned shares provided sufficient notice is given to the custodian bank in advance of the applicable deadline. TRPIM's policy is generally not to vote securities on loan unless TRPIM determines there is a material voting event that could affect the value of the loaned securities. In this event, TRPIM has the discretion to pull back the loaned securities in order to cast a vote at an upcoming shareholder meeting. A monthly monitoring process is in place to review securities on loan and how they may affect proxy voting.

#### Limitations on Voting Proxies of Banks
TRPIM's parent holding company, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. has obtained relief from the U.S. Federal Reserve Board (the **"FRB Relief"**) which permits, subject to a number of conditions, TRPIM and its affiliated investment advisers (collectively, **"T. Rowe Price Advisers"**) to acquire in the aggregate on behalf of their clients, 10% or more of the total voting stock of a bank, bank holding company, savings and loan holding company or savings association (each a **"Bank"**), not to exceed a 15% aggregate beneficial ownership maximum in such Bank. One such condition affects the manner in which the T. Rowe Price Advisers will vote their respective clients' shares of a Bank in excess of 10% of the Bank's total voting stock (**"Excess Shares"**). The FRB Relief requires that the T. Rowe Price Advisers (including TRPIM) use their respective best efforts to vote the Excess Shares in the same proportion as all other shares voted, a practice generally referred to as "mirror voting," or in the event that such efforts to mirror vote are unsuccessful, Excess Shares will not be voted. With respect to a shareholder vote for a Bank of which T. Rowe Price Advisers have aggregate beneficial ownership of greater than 10% on behalf of their clients, T. Rowe Price Advisers will determine which of their clients' shares are Excess Shares on a pro rata basis across all of their clients' portfolios for which T. Rowe Price Advisers have the power to vote proxies.

#### REPORTING, RECORD RETENTION AND OVERSIGHT
The TRPIM ESG Committee and the Proxy Voting Team, perform the following oversight and assurance functions, among others, over TRPIM's proxy voting: (1) periodically sample proxy votes to ensure that they were cast in compliance with TRPIM's proxy voting guidelines; (2) review, no less frequently than annually, the adequacy of TRPIM's proxy voting policy and guidelines to make sure that they have been implemented effectively, including whether they continue to be reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interests of TRPIM's clients; (3) perform due diligence on whether a retained proxy advisory firm has the capacity and competency to adequately analyze proxy issues, including the adequacy and quality of the proxy advisory firm's staffing and personnel and its policies; and (4) oversee any retained proxy advisory firms and their procedures regarding their capabilities to (i) produce proxy research that is based on current and accurate information and (ii) identify and address any conflicts of interest and any other considerations that TRPIM believes would be appropriate in considering the nature and quality of the services provided by the proxy advisory firm.

TRPIM will furnish Vote Summary Reports, upon request, to its institutional clients that have delegated proxy voting authority. The report specifies the portfolio companies, meeting dates, proxy proposals, and votes which have been cast for the client during the period and the position taken with respect to each issue. Reports normally cover quarterly or annual periods and are provided to such clients upon request.

TRPIM retains proxy solicitation materials, memoranda regarding votes cast in opposition to the position of a company's management, and documentation on shares voted differently. In addition, any document which is material to a

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proxy voting decision such as the TRPIM proxy voting guidelines, TRPIM ESG Committee meeting materials, and other internal research relating to voting decisions are maintained in accordance with applicable requirements.

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#### WELLINGTON MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLP

#### GLOBAL PROXY POLICY AND PROCEDURES

#### Introduction
Wellington Management Company LLP ("Welllington Management") has adopted and implemented policies and procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interests of clients for whom it exercises proxy-voting discretion.

Wellington Management's Proxy Voting Guidelines (the "Guidelines") set forth broad guidelines and positions on common proxy issues that Wellington Management uses in voting on proxies. In addition, Wellington Management also considers each proposal in the context of the issuer, industry and country or countries in which the issuer's business is conducted. The Guidelines are not rigid rules and the merits of a particular proposal may cause Wellington Management to enter a vote that differs from the Guidelines. Wellington Management seeks to vote all proxies with the goal of increasing long-term client value and, while client investment strategies may differ, applying this common set of guidelines is consistent with the investment objective of achieving positive long-term investment performance for each client.

#### Statement of Policy
Wellington Management:

1) <br>

Votes client proxies for which clients have affirmatively delegated proxy-voting authority, in writing, unless it has arranged in advance with the client to limit the circumstances in which it would exercise voting authority or determines that it is in the best interest of one or more clients to refrain from voting a given proxy.

2) <br>

Votes all proxies in the best interests of the client for whom it is voting.

3) <br>

Identifies and resolves all material proxy-related conflicts of interest between the firm and its clients in the best interests of the client.

#### Responsibility and Oversight
The Investment Research Group ("Investment Research") monitors regulatory requirements with respect to proxy voting and works with the firm's Legal and Compliance Group and the Investment Stewardship Committee to develop practices that implement those requirements. Investment Research also acts as a resource for portfolio managers and research analysts on proxy matters as needed. Day-to-day administration of the proxy voting process is the responsibility of Investment Research. The Investment Stewardship Committee is responsible for oversight of the implementation of the Global Proxy Policy and Procedures, review and approval of the Guidelines, identification and resolution of conflicts of interest, and for providing advice and guidance on specific proxy votes for individual issuers. The Investment Stewardship Committee reviews the Global Proxy Policy and Procedures annually.

#### Procedures
**Use of Third-Party Voting Agent** Wellington Management uses the services of a third-party voting agent for research, voting recommendations, and to manage the administrative aspects of proxy voting. The voting agent processes proxies for client accounts, casts votes based on the Guidelines and maintains records of proxies voted. Wellington Management complements the research received by its primary voting agent with research from another voting agent.

**Receipt of Proxy** If a client requests that Wellington Management votes proxies on its behalf, the client must instruct its custodian bank to deliver all relevant voting material to Wellington Management or its voting agent.

**Reconciliation** Each public security proxy received by electronic means is matched to the securities eligible to be voted and a reminder is sent to any custodian or trustee that has not forwarded the proxies as due. This reconciliation is performed at the ballot level. Although proxies received for private securities, as well as those received in non-electronic format, are voted as received, Wellington Management is not able to reconcile these ballots, nor does it notify custodians of non-receipt.

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**Research** In addition to proprietary investment research undertaken by Wellington Management investment professionals, Investment Research conducts proxy research internally, and uses the resources of a number of external sources including third-party voting agents to keep abreast of developments in corporate governance and of current practices of specific companies.

**Proxy Voting** Following the reconciliation process, each proxy is compared against the Guidelines, and handled as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Generally, issues for which explicit proxy voting guidance is provided in the Guidelines (i.e., "For", "Against", "Abstain") are voted in accordance with the Guidelines.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Issues identified as "case-by-case" in the Guidelines are further reviewed by Investment Research. In certain circumstances, further input is needed, so the issues are forwarded to the relevant research analyst and/or portfolio manager(s) for their input.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Absent a material conflict of interest, the portfolio manager has the authority to decide the final vote. Different portfolio managers holding the same securities may arrive at different voting conclusions for their clients' proxies.

Wellington Management reviews a subset of the voting record to ensure that proxies are voted in accordance with these *Global Proxy Policy and Procedures* and the Guidelines; and ensures that documentation and reports, for clients and for internal purposes, relating to the voting of proxies are promptly and properly prepared and disseminated.

**Material Conflict of Interest Identification and Resolution Processes** Wellington Management's broadly diversified client base and functional lines of responsibility serve to minimize the number of, but not prevent, material conflicts of interest it faces in voting proxies. Annually, the Investment Stewardship Committee sets standards for identifying material conflicts based on client, vendor, and lender relationships, and publishes those standards to individuals involved in the proxy voting process. In addition, the Investment Stewardship Committee encourages all personnel to contact Investment Research about apparent conflicts of interest, even if the apparent conflict does not meet the published materiality criteria. Apparent conflicts are reviewed by designated members of the Investment Stewardship Committee to determine if there is a conflict and if so whether the conflict is material.

If a proxy is identified as presenting a material conflict of interest, the matter must be reviewed by designated members of the Investment Stewardship Committee, who will resolve the conflict and direct the vote. In certain circumstances, the designated members may determine that the full Investment Stewardship Committee should convene.

#### Other Considerations
In certain instances, Wellington Management may be unable to vote or may determine not to vote a proxy on behalf of one or more clients. While not exhaustive, the following are potential instances in which a proxy vote might not be entered.

**Securities Lending**. In general, Wellington Management does not know when securities have been lent out pursuant to a client's securities lending program and are therefore unavailable to be voted. Efforts to recall loaned securities are not always effective, but, in rare circumstances, Wellington Management may determine voting would outweigh the benefit to the client resulting from use of securities for lending and recommend that a client attempt to have its custodian recall the security to permit voting of related proxies.

**Share Blocking and Re-registration**. Certain countries impose trading restrictions or requirements regarding re-registration of securities held in omnibus accounts in order for shareholders to vote a proxy. The potential impact of such requirements is evaluated when determining whether to vote such proxies.

**Lack of Adequate Information, Untimely Receipt of Proxy Materials, or Excessive Costs**. Wellington Management may abstain from voting a proxy when the proxy statement or other available information is inadequate to allow for an informed vote, when the proxy materials are not delivered in a timely fashion or when, in Wellington Management's judgment, the costs exceed the expected benefits to clients (such as when powers of attorney or consularization are required).

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#### Additional Information
Wellington Management maintains records related to proxies pursuant to Rule 204-2 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Advisers Act"), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), and other applicable laws. In addition, Wellington Management discloses annually how it has exercised its voting rights for significant votes, as require by the EU Shareholder Rights Directive II ("SRD II").

Wellington Management provides clients with a copy of its *Global Proxy Policy and Procedures*, including the Guidelines, upon written request. In addition, Wellington Management will provide specific client information relating to proxy voting to a client upon written request.

Dated: 1 September 2020

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#### WELLINGTON MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLP

#### GLOBAL PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

#### January 2022

#### Wellington's Philosophy
Wellington Management Company LLP ("Wellington Management") are long term stewards of clients' assets and aim to vote all proxies of securities held for which it has vote authority.

These guidelines are based on Wellington Management's fiduciary obligation to act in the best interest of its clients as shareholders and while written to apply globally, we consider differences in local practice, cultures, and law to make informed decisions.

Each proposal is evaluated on its merits, considering its effects on the specific company in question and on the company within its industry. It should be noted that the following are guidelines, and not rigid rules, and Wellington Management reserves the right in all cases to vote contrary to guidelines where doing so is judged to represent the best interest of its clients.

#### Our approach to stewardship
The goal of our stewardship activities is to support decisions that we believe will deliver sustainable, competitive investment returns for our clients.

The mechanisms we use to implement our stewardship activities vary by asset class. Engagement applies to all our investments across equity and credit, in both private and public markets. Proxy voting applies mostly to public equities.

Stewardship extends beyond just the considerations of ESG issues to any area that may affect the long-term sustainability of an investment. Stewardship can be accomplished thorough research and constructive dialogue with company management and boards, by monitoring company behavior through informed active ownership, and by emphasizing management accountability for important issues via our proxy votes, which have long been part of Wellington's investment ethos.

#### Engagement
As an active manager seeking to deliver sustainable, competitive investment returns for our clients, we are securities owners by choice, and our corporate engagement is a form of active ownership. Through engagement, we encourage companies to hold high standards for governance and sustainability practices that can enhance resilience and profitability. We believe that through informed, active ownership, we can improve corporate behavior and further best practices on issues material to client outcomes.

We typically start with routine one-on-one engagement with investee companies. This starting point helps prioritize issues for subsequent engagements and, ultimately, inform the investment decisions we make on behalf of our clients. Thanks to our long history of investing in nearly all sectors of the global securities markets, we have direct access to most company management teams and boards. Each year, our portfolio managers, global industry analysts, credit analysts, and ESG research analysts conduct regular, in-person or virtual company meetings around the world.

We focus on gaining differentiated insights, assessing, and influencing risks and opportunities facing an issuer, encouraging transparency improvements, and influencing behavioral changes that we believe may impact future profitability and resilience of a company. We prioritize engagement on material issues most likely to have a financial impact on companies or affect operations. We also seek to understand corporate strategy and share our views, if appropriate, on material topics such as capital allocation, risk management, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices inclusive of ethics and corporate culture.

As a community of investment boutiques, each of Wellington's portfolio teams acts as a fiduciary for its clients. Differences in investment philosophy and process across teams mean that the way in which stewardship, including engagement and escalation strategies and proxy voting, are incorporated into the investment decision-making process may vary to ensure alignment and consistency with investment philosophy and process.

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#### Board engagement
We believe meeting directly with corporate boards can enhance discussions about long-term material ESG issues, complements our ongoing conversations with management teams, and helps us assess a board's effectiveness — all of which is challenging to do using company disclosures alone.

We believe this ongoing dialogue benefits board members and provides an opportunity for directors to ask questions, gain market insights, and hear how the company compares with peers. Questions from investors often signal emerging areas of emphasis for a company.

We believe continuous dialogue between board directors and investors can help ensure honest feedback and foster trust and transparency. Board engagements provide a forum to encourage best practice and hold companies to account. When providing feedback to portfolio companies, we actively track and measure engagements to monitor outcomes, assess effectiveness, and inform the potential for escalation. Wellington investors consider multiple factors, including materiality and impact, in deciding whether an engagement requires escalation and which escalation steps will be used. Escalation may include voting against management at the company's annual general meeting.

Please see Wellington's Engagement Policy at https://www.wellington.com/uploads/2022/02/ce4cddaa8eb7f59cd780a9452cf1e3b9/wellington-engagement-policy-january-2022.pdf for more information.

#### Our approach to voting
As active owners we vote proxies in what we consider to be the best interests of our clients. Our approach to voting is investment-led and serves as an influential component of our engagement and escalation strategy. The Investment Stewardship Committee, a cross-functional group of experienced professionals, oversees and monitors Wellington Management's stewardship activities with oversight of proxy voting and engagement practices.

The ESG Research Team examine proxy proposals on their merits and offer voting recommendations in the interest of our clients, primarily guided by the expected impact on long-term risk-adjusted returns and supporting shareholder rights. Each portfolio manager is empowered to make a final decision for their client portfolios, absent a material conflict of interest. The deliberation across the firm is collaborative and interactive but does not seek to prioritize consensus across the firm above all other interests. Consistent with our community-of-boutiques model, portfolio managers may occasionally arrive at different voting conclusions for their clients, resulting in a split decision for the same security. Robust voting procedures and the deliberation that occurs prior to a vote decision are aligned with our role as active owners and fiduciaries for our clients.

Detailed below are the principles which we consider when deciding how to vote. We reserve the right to vote contrary to these guidelines if doing so is acting in the best interests of clients and to enhance returns.

#### Voting guidelines

#### Board composition and role of directors
Effective boards should act in shareholders' best economic interests and possess the relevant skills to implement the company's strategy.

Shareholders' ability to elect directors annually is an important shareholder right so we support proposals to enable annual director elections and declassify a board.

We generally support proposals to remove existing supermajority vote requirements.

We may withhold votes from directors for being unresponsive to shareholders or for failing to make progress on material issues. We may also withhold votes from directors who fail to implement shareholder proposals that have received majority support or have implemented poison pills without shareholder approval.

We expect directors to have the time and energy to fully commit to their board-related responsibilities and not be over- stretched with multiple external directorships. Our internal voting guidelines define directors as over-boarded when serving on five or more public company boards; and executives when serving on three or more public company boards, including their own. We also consider the roles of chair of the audit committee and chair of the remuneration committee as equivalent to an additional board seat when evaluating the over-boarding matrix.

We expect companies to refresh their board membership every five years and may vote against the head of the nominating committee for failure to implement. We believe this succession allows companies to strengthen board diversity

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and add new skillsets to the board to enhance their oversight and adapt to evolving strategies. Directors should also attend at least 75% of scheduled board meetings and we may vote against their re-election unless they disclose a valid reasoning.

We do not have specific voting policies relating to director age or tenure. We prefer to take a holistic view, evaluating whether the company is balancing the perspectives of new directors with the institutional knowledge of longer serving board members. Succession planning is a key topic during many of our board engagements. Companies in certain markets are governed by multi-tiered boards, with each tier having different responsibilities. We hold supervisory board members to similar standards, subject to prevailing local governance best practices.

#### Board independence
In our view, boards can best represent shareholders when enough directors are present to challenge and counsel management. We believe that most board members should be independent, as defined by the local market regulatory authority. This is particularly true of audit, compensation, and nominating committees.

At times, we may withhold approval for non-independent directors or those responsible for the board composition. We typically vote in support of proposals calling for improved independence. To determine appropriate minimum levels of board independence, we look to the prevailing market best practices; two-thirds in the US, for example, and majority in the UK and France. In Japan, we will consider voting against the board chair (or most senior executive on the ballot) in cases where the board — including statutory auditors — is less than one-third independent.

We believe that having an independent chair is the preferred structure for board leadership. Having an independent chair avoids the inherent conflict of self-oversight and helps ensure robust debate and diversity of thought in the boardroom. We will generally support proposals to separate the chair and CEO or establish a lead director but may support the involvement of an outgoing CEO as executive chair for a limited period to ensure a smooth transition to new management.

#### Board diversity
We believe boards which reflect a wide range of perspectives are best positioned to create shareholder value. Appointing boards that thoughtfully debate company strategy and direction is not possible unless boards elect highly qualified and diverse directors. By setting a leadership example, diverse boardrooms encourage an organizational culture that promotes diverse thinkers, enabling better strategic decisions and the navigation of increasingly complex issues facing companies today.

We will also support shareholder proposals asking for improved workforce diversity disclosure, for example EEO-1 reporting.

We think it is not in shareholders' best interests for the full board to be comprised of directors from the same industry, gender, race, nationality, or ethnic group. We have an expectation for our portfolio companies to be thoughtful and intentional in considering the widest possible pool of skilled candidates who bring diverse perspectives into the boardroom. We encourage companies to disclose the racial and ethnic composition of their board and to communicate their ambitions and strategies for creating and fostering a diverse board.

We reserve the right to vote against the reelection of the Nominating/Governance Committee Chair in the following instances:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • When the board is not meeting local market standards from a diversity perspective.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Where there is no market-defined standard, we expect one gender diverse director on the board globally, including Japan.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • When the gender diverse representation is below 20% at companies in Major indices

We reserve the right to vote against the reelection of the Nominating/Governance Committee Chair at US large cap and FTSE 100 companies that has failed to appoint at least one director from a minority ethnic group and has failed to provide clear and compelling disclosure for why it has been unable to do so. We will continue to engage on ethnic diversity of the board in other markets and may vote against the re-election of directors where we fail to see progress.

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#### Majority vote on election of directors
Because we believe the election of directors by a majority of votes cast is the appropriate standard, we will generally support proposals that seek to adopt such a standard. Our support will typically extend to situations where the relevant company has an existing resignation policy for directors that receive a majority of "withhold" votes. We believe majority voting should be defined in the company's charter and not simply in its corporate governance policy.

Generally, we oppose proposals that fail to provide for the exceptional use of a plurality standard in the case of contested elections. Further, we will not support proposals that seek to adopt a standard of majority of votes outstanding (total votes eligible as opposed to votes cast). We likely will support shareholder and management proposals to remove existing supermajority vote requirements.

#### Contested director elections
We approach contested director elections on a case-by-case basis, considering the specific circumstances of each situation to determine what we believe to be in the best interest of our clients. In each case, we welcome the opportunity to engage with both the company and the proponent to ensure that we understand both perspectives and are making an informed decision on our clients' behalf.

#### Compensation
Executive compensation plans establish the incentive structure that plays a role in strategy-setting, decision-making, and risk management. While design and structure vary widely, we believe the most effective compensation plans attract and retain high caliber executives, foster a culture of performance and accountability, and align management's interests with those of long-term shareholders.

Due to each company's unique circumstances and wide range of plan structures, Wellington determines support for a compensation plan on a case-by-case basis. We support plans that we believe lead to long-term value creation for our clients and the right to vote on compensation plans annually.

In evaluating compensation plans, we consider the following attributes in the context of the company's business, size, industry, and geographic location:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • <u>Alignment</u> — We believe in pay-for-performance and encourage plan structures that align executive compensation with shareholder experience. We compare total compensation to performance metrics on an absolute and relative basis over various timeframes, and we look for a strong positive correlation. To ensure shareholder alignment, executives should maintain meaningful equity ownership in the company while they are employed, and for a period thereafter.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • <u>Transparency</u> — We expect compensation committees to articulate the decision-making process and rationale behind the plan structure, and to provide adequate disclosure so shareholders can evaluate actual compensation relative to the committee's intentions. Disclosure should include how metrics, targets, and timeframes are chosen, and detail desired outcomes. We also seek to understand how the compensation committee determines the target level of compensation and constructs the peer group for benchmarking purposes.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • <u>Structure</u> — The plan should be clear and comprehensible. We look for a mix of cash versus equity, fixed versus variable, and short- versus long-term pay that incentivizes appropriate risk-taking and aligns with industry practice. Performance targets should be achievable but rigorous, and equity awards should be subject to performance and/or vesting periods of at least three years, to discourage executives from managing the business with a near-term focus. Unless otherwise specified by local market regulators, performance-based compensation should be based primarily on quantitative financial and non-financial criteria such as ESG-related criteria. There is scope, however, for qualitative criteria related to strategic, individual, or ESG goals, that are critical to the business. Qualitative goals may be acceptable if a compensation committee has demonstrated a fair and consistent approach to evaluating qualitative performance and applying discretion over time.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • <u>Accountability</u> — Compensation committees should be able to use discretion, positive and negative, to ensure compensation aligns with performance and provide a cogent explanation to shareholders. We generally oppose one-time awards aimed at retention or achieving a pre-determined goal. Barring an extenuating circumstance, we view retesting provisions unfavorably.

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#### Approving equity incentive plans
A well-designed equity incentive plan facilitates the alignment of interests of long-term shareholders, management, employees, and directors. We evaluate equity-based compensation plans on a case-by-case basis, considering projected plan costs, plan features, and grant practices. We will reconsider our support for a plan if we believe these factors, on balance, are not in the best interest of shareholders. Specific items of concern may include excessive cost or dilution, unfavorable change-in-control features, insufficient performance conditions, holding/vesting periods, or stock ownership requirements, repricing stock options/stock appreciate rights (SARs) without prior shareholder approval, or automatic share replenishment (an "evergreen" feature).

#### Employee stock purchase plans
We generally support employee stock purchase plans, as they may align employees' interests with those of shareholders. That said, we typically vote against plans that do not offer shares to a broad group of employees (e.g., if only executives can participate) or plans that offer shares at a significant discount.

#### Non-executive director compensation
We expect companies to disclose non-executive director compensation and we prefer the use of an annual retainer or fee, delivered as cash, equity, or a combination. We do not believe non-executive directors should receive performance-based compensation, as this creates a potential conflict of interest. Non-executive directors oversee executive compensation plans; their objectivity is compromised if they design a plan that they also participate in.

#### Severance arrangements
We are mindful of the board's need for flexibility in recruitment and retention but will oppose excessively generous arrangements unless agreements encourage management to negotiate in shareholders' best interest. We generally support proposals calling for shareholder ratification of severance arrangements.

#### Retirement bonuses (Japan)
Misaligned compensation which is based on tenure and seniority may compromise director independence. We generally vote against directors and statutory auditors if retirement bonuses are given to outgoing directors.

#### Claw back policies
We believe companies should be able to recoup incentive compensation from members of management who received awards based on fraudulent activities, accounting misstatements, or breaches in standards of conduct that lead to corporate reputational damage. We generally support shareholder proposals requesting that a company establish a robust claw back provision if existing policies do not cover these circumstances. We also support proposals seeking greater transparency about the application of claw back policies.

#### Audit quality and oversight
Scrutiny of auditors, particularly audit quality and oversight, has been increasing. When we assess financial statement reporting and audit quality, we will generally support management's choice of auditors, unless the auditors have demonstrated failure to act in shareholders' best economic interest. We also pay close attention to the non-audit services provided by auditors and consider the potential for the revenue from those services to create conflicts of interest that could compromise the integrity of financial statement audits.

#### Shareholder Voting Rights

#### Shareholder rights plans
Also known as poison pills, these plans can enable boards of directors to negotiate higher takeover prices on behalf of shareholders. Such plans also may be misused, however, as a means of entrenching management. Consequently, we may support plans that include a shareholder approval requirement, a sunset provision, or a permitted bid feature (e.g., bids that are made for all shares and demonstrate evidence of financing must be submitted to a shareholder vote). Because boards generally have the authority to adopt shareholder rights plans without shareholder approval, we are equally vigilant in our assessment of requests for authorization of blank-check preferred shares.

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#### Multiple voting rights
We generally support one share, one vote structures. The growing practice of going public with a dual-class share structure can raise governance and performance concerns. In our view, dual-class shares can create misalignment between shareholders' economic stake and their voting power and can grant control to a small number of insiders who may make decisions that are not in the interests of all shareholders. We believe sunset clauses are a reasonable compromise between founders seeking to defend against takeover attempts in pivotal early years, and shareholders demanding a mechanism for holding management accountable, especially in the event of leadership changes. The Council of Institutional Investors, a nonprofit association of pension funds, endowments, and foundations, recommends that newly public companies that adopt structures with unequal voting rights do away with the structure within three to five years.

Without a sunset clause, we would prefer that a company eliminates a dual-class share structure, as shareholders' voting power should be reflected by their economic stake in a company. Similarly, we generally do not support the introduction of loyalty shares, which grant increased voting rights to investors who hold shares over multiple years, because they create misalignment of voting power and economic interest.

#### Proxy access
We believe shareholders should have the right to nominate director candidates on the management's proxy card. We will generally support shareholder proposals seeking proxy access unless the current policy is in-line with market norms.

#### Special meeting rights
We believe the right to call a special meeting is a shareholder right, and we will support such proposals at companies that lack a special-meeting ownership threshold. We also will support proposals lowering thresholds not in line with market norms. If shareholders are granted the right to call special meetings, we generally do not support written consent.

#### Mergers and acquisitions
We approach votes to approve mergers and acquisitions on a case-by-case basis, considering the specific circumstances of each proposal to determine what we believe to be in the best interest of our clients. In conducting our assessment, equity and ESG analysts collaborate with portfolio managers in their vote decisions.

#### Capital structure and capital allocation

#### Increases in authorized common stock
We generally support requests for increases up to 100% of the shares with preemption rights. Exceptions will be made when the company has clearly articulated a reasonable need for a greater increase. Conversely, at companies trading in less liquid markets, we may impose a lower threshold. When companies seek to issue shares without preemptive rights, we consider potential dilution and generally support requests when dilution is below 20%. For issuance with preemptive rights, we review on a case-by-case basis, considering the size of issuance relative to peers.

#### Capital allocation (Japan)
We hold board chairs accountable for persistently low returns on equity (ROE) in Japan, using a five-year average ROE of below 5% as a guide. Our assessment of a company's capital stewardship complements our assessment of board effectiveness without dictating specific capital allocation decisions. We may make exceptions where ROE is improving, where a long-cycle business warrants a different standard, or where new management is in place, and we feel they should not be punished for the past CEO/Chair's record.

#### Cross shareholding (Japan)
Cross-shareholdings reduce management accountability by creating a cushion of cross-over investor support. We will vote against the highest-ranking director up for re-election for companies where management allocations a significant portion (20% or more) of net assets to cross-shareholdings.

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#### Environmental and social issues
We assess portfolio companies' performance on environmental and social issues we deem to be material to long-term financial performance and set expectations for best practice. Areas of focus include diversity, equity, and inclusion practices, modern slavery in supply chains, building resiliency to physical climate risks, and establishing targets to reduce emissions and mitigate climate transition risks.

We evaluate shareholder proposals on a case-by-case basis, and believe they are a valuable tool to hold companies accountable. We expect portfolio companies to comply with applicable laws and regulations with regard to environmental and social standards and may vote against directors where we see a lack of accountability. We consider the spirit of the proposal, not just the letter, and generally support proposals addressing material issues even when management has been responsive to our engagement on the issue. In this way, we seek to align our voting with our engagement activities. If our views differ from any specific suggestions in the proposals, we will provide clarification via direct engagement.

#### Climate change
As an asset manager entrusted with investing on our clients' behalf, we aim to assess, monitor, and manage the potential effects of climate change on our investment processes and portfolios, as well as on our business operations. Proxy voting is one tool we use to drive accountability for managing climate risks, as part of our stewardship escalation process.

We expect companies to have credible transition plans communicated using the recommendations of the Task Force for Climate Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD). Reporting on climate readiness will help stakeholders understand companies' willingness and ability to adapt to or mitigate climate-related risks. In addition to the voting policies specifically mentioned, we may also vote against directors at companies where climate plans and disclosures meaningfully lag our expectations.

#### Metrics & Targets

#### Emissions disclosure
We view disclosure of Scope 1 and 2 emissions as a minimum expectation where measurement practices are well defined and attainable. We will vote against the re-election of the Chair of constituent companies of the MSCI World index or companies assessed by the Transition Pathway Initiative (TPI) which do not disclose Scope 1 and 2.

We encourage all companies to disclose Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions. While we recognize the challenges associated with collecting Scope 3 emissions data, this disclosure is necessary for us to fully understand the transition risks applicable to an issuer. Disclosure of both overall categories of Scope 3 emissions – upstream and downstream – with context and granularity from companies about the most significant Scope 3 sources, enhances our ability to evaluate investment risks and opportunities. We encourage companies to adopt emerging global standards for measurement and disclosure of Scope 3 GHG (Greenhouse Gas), e.g., the IFRS' International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and believe companies will benefit from acting now and consequently evolving their approach in line with emerging global standards.

#### Net-zero targets
As an outcome of enterprise risk management and strategic planning to reduce the potential financial impacts of climate change, we encourage companies to set a credible, science-based decarbonization glidepath, with an interim and long- term target, that comprises all categories of material emissions and is consistent with the ambition to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 or sooner. We consider it to be best practice for companies to pursue validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

#### Governance
We generally support shareholder proposals asking for improved disclosure on climate risk management and we support those that request alignment of business strategies with the Paris Agreement or similar language. We also generally support proposals asking for board oversight of political contributions and lobbying activities or those asking for improved disclosures where material inconsistencies in reporting and strategy may exist, especially as it relates to climate strategy.

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#### Strategy and Risk Management

#### Physical climate risks
To help us assess physical climate risks of portfolio companies, we would like to see location information concerning an issuer's directly operated facilities, supply chains, key outsourced service providers, and labor pools.

Leveraging findings from our collaborative initiative with Woodwell Climate Research Center, the world's leading independent climate research organization, we have established disclosure guidance to help companies improve their physical risk disclosures (incl. LINKS to PROCC 1.0 and 2.0 - below).

#### Use of carbon offsets
Priority should be given to emissions abatement within the value chain. When offsets are used as a part of a company's decarbonization strategy to neutralize residual emissions, the offsets should be high in quality and should remove or reduce GHG emissions in real, additional, and permanent ways. In addition, they should have minimal negative social or environmental impacts ("do no significant harm").

Companies should include disclosure on their offsets program that is distinct from Scope 1-3 emissions data and other transition risk disclosure. This offset disclosure should report the nature of offset projects being financed and specifically should include:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Company GHG Emissions are included in the offset program.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Projects which have been financed by the issuer, e.g., entering into a virtual power purchase agreement or funding reforestation efforts via a third party; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Processes or policies for evaluating offset projects, including quality indicators such as additionality and permanence, and practical concerns such as scalability and cost-effectiveness.

#### Corporate culture, human capital, and diversity, equity, & inclusion
Through engagement we emphasize management accountability for how they invest in and cultivate their human capital to perpetuate a strong, inclusive culture. We do this through engagement escalation or support of shareholder resolutions. We assess culture holistically from an alignment of management incentives, responsiveness to employee feedback, evidence of an equitable and sound talent management strategy and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We value transparency and use of key performance indicators.

A well-articulated culture statement and talent attraction, retention and development strategy suggest that a company appreciates culture and talent as competitive advantages that can drive long-term value creation. It also sends a strong message when management compensation is linked, when appropriate, to employee satisfaction. If the company conducts regular employee engagement surveys, we look for leadership to disclose the results — both positive and negative — so we can monitor patterns and hold them accountable for implementing changes based on the feedback they receive. We consider workplace locations and how a company balances attracting talent with the costs of operating in desirable cities.

We maintain that a deliberate human capital management strategy should foster a collaborative, productive workplace in which all talent can thrive. As part of our focus on human capital, diversity, equity, and inclusion is an ongoing engagement issue. We seek to better understand how and to what extent a company's approach to diversity is integrated with talent management at all levels. A sound long-term plan holds more weight than a company's current demographics, so we look for a demonstrable diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy that seeks to improve metrics over time and align management incentives accordingly. We expect companies in the US to publicly disclose their EEO-1 reporting and their strategy to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplace. We see DEI practices as a material input to long-term performance, so as our clients' fiduciaries, we seek to better understand how and to what extent a company's approach to diversity is integrated with talent management at all levels. This is only possible when there is consistent, robust disclosure in place.

Gender and racial pay equity are important parts of our assessment of a company's diversity efforts. Pay equity can impact shareholder value by exposing a company to challenges with recruiting & retaining talent, job dissatisfaction, workforce turnover, and costly lawsuits. Consequently, we may support proposals asking for improved transparency on a company's gender and/or racial pay gap if existing disclosures are lagging best practice and if the company has not articulated its efforts to eliminate disparities and promote equal opportunities for women and minorities to advance to senior roles.

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We believe diversity among directors, leaders, and employees contributes positively to shareholder value by imbuing a company with myriad perspectives that help it better navigate complex challenges. A strong culture of diversity and inclusion begins in the boardroom. See the Board Diversity section above for more on our approach.

#### Stakeholders and risk management
In our assessment of social risks, we pay attention to how companies treat a key stakeholder: their workforce. We look for signs of constructive labor relations if employees are unionized, and a focus on key employee concerns, such as safe working conditions and competitive compensation.

In recent years, discourse on opioids, firearms, and sexual harassment has put the potential for social externalities —the negative effects that companies can have on society through their products, cultures, or policies — into sharp focus. These nuanced, often misunderstood issues can affect the value of corporate securities. Today, these are no longer just shareholder concerns; companies need to consider the opinions and actions of broader stakeholder constituencies, including employees, customers, and the public.

In our engagement with companies facing these risks, we encourage companies to disclose risk management strategies that acknowledge their societal impacts. When a company faces litigation or negative press, we inquire about lessons learned and request evidence of substantive changes that aim to prevent recurrence and mitigate downside risk. In these cases, we may also support proposals requesting enhanced disclosure on actions taken by management.

#### Human rights
Following the 2015 passage of the UK's Modern Slavery Act, a handful of countries have passed laws requiring companies to report on how they are addressing risks related to human rights abuses in their global supply chains. While human rights have been a part of our research and engagement in this context, we seek to assess companies' exposures to these risks, determine the sectors for which this risk is most material (highest possibility of supply-chain exposure), enhance our own engagement questions, and potentially work with external data providers to gain insights on specific companies or industries. To help us assess company practices and drive more substantive engagement with companies on this issue, we will support proposals requesting enhanced disclosure on companies' approach to mitigating the risk of human rights violations in their business.

#### Cybersecurity
Robust cybersecurity practices are imperative for maintaining customer trust, preserving brand strength, and mitigating regulatory risk. Companies that fail to strengthen their cybersecurity platforms may end up bearing large costs. Through engagement, we aim to compare companies' approaches to cyber threats, regardless of region or sector, to distinguish businesses that lag from those that are better prepared.

#### Political Contributions and Lobbying
We generally support proposals asking for board oversight of a company's political contributions and lobbying activities or those asking for improved disclosures where material inconsistencies in reporting and strategy may exist. In assessing shareholder proposals focused on lobbying, we also focus on the level of transparency of existing disclosures and whether companies clearly explain how they will respond if policy engagement of trade association membership to which they belong do not align with company policy.

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#### WESTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC

#### WESTERN ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY LIMITED

#### PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

#### BACKGROUND
An investment adviser is required to adopt and implement policies and procedures that we believe are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of clients, in accordance with fiduciary duties and SEC Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 ("Advisers Act"). The authority to vote the proxies of our clients is established through investment management agreements or comparable documents. In addition to SEC requirements governing advisers, long-standing fiduciary standards and responsibilities have been established for ERISA accounts. Unless a manager of ERISA assets has been expressly precluded from voting proxies, the Department of Labor has determined that the responsibility for these votes lies with the investment manager.

#### POLICY
As a fixed income only manager, the occasion to vote proxies is very rare. However, the Firm has adopted and implemented policies and procedures that we believe are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of clients, in accordance with our fiduciary duties and SEC Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act. In addition to SEC requirements governing advisers, our proxy voting policies reflect the long-standing fiduciary standards and responsibilities for ERISA accounts. Unless a manager of ERISA assets has been expressly precluded from voting proxies, the Department of Labor has determined that the responsibility for these votes lies with the Investment Manager.

While the guidelines included in the procedures are intended to provide a benchmark for voting standards, each vote is ultimately cast on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the Firm's contractual obligations to our clients and all other relevant facts and circumstances at the time of the vote (such that these guidelines may be overridden to the extent the Firm deems appropriate).

In exercising its voting authority,Western Asset will not consult or enter into agreements with officers, directors or employees of Franklin Resources (Franklin Resources includes Franklin Resources, Inc. and organizations operating as Franklin Resources) or any of its affiliates (other than Western Asset Management Company Limited) regarding the voting of any securities owned by its clients.

#### PROCEDURES

#### Responsibility and Oversight
The Western Asset Legal and Compliance Department is responsible for administering and overseeing the proxy voting process. The gathering of proxies is coordinated through the Corporate Actions area of Investment Support ("Corporate Actions"). Research analysts and portfolio managers are responsible for determining appropriate voting positions on each proxy utilizing any applicable guidelines contained in these procedures.

#### Client Authority
The Investment Management Agreement for each client is reviewed at account start-up for proxy voting instructions. If an agreement is silent on proxy voting, but contains an overall delegation of discretionary authority or if the account represents assets of an ERISA plan, Western Asset will assume responsibility for proxy voting. The Legal and Compliance Department maintains a matrix of proxy voting authority.

#### Proxy Gathering
Registered owners of record, client custodians, client banks and trustees ("Proxy Recipients") that receive proxy materials on behalf of clients should forward them to Corporate Actions. Proxy Recipients for new clients (or, if Western Asset becomes aware that the applicable Proxy Recipient for an existing client has changed, the Proxy Recipient for the existing client) are notified at start-up of appropriate routing to Corporate Actions of proxy materials received and reminded of their responsibility to forward all proxy materials on a timely basis. If Western Asset personnel other than Corporate Actions receive proxy materials, they should promptly forward the materials to Corporate Actions.

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#### Proxy Voting
Once proxy materials are received by Corporate Actions, they are forwarded to the Legal and Compliance Department for coordination and the following actions:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (a) <br>

Proxies are reviewed to determine accounts impacted.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (b) <br>

Impacted accounts are checked to confirm Western Asset voting authority.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (c) <br>

Legal and Compliance Department staff reviews proxy issues to determine any material conflicts of interest. (See conflicts of interest section of these procedures for further information on determining material conflicts of interest.)

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (d) <br>

If a material conflict of interest exists, (i) to the extent reasonably practicable and permitted by applicable law, the client is promptly notified, the conflict is disclosed and Western Asset obtains the client's proxy voting instructions, and (ii) to the extent that it is not reasonably practicable or permitted by applicable law to notify the client and obtain such instructions (e.g., the client is a mutual fund or other commingled vehicle or is an ERISA plan client), Western Asset seeks voting instructions from an independent third party.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (e) <br>

Legal and Compliance Department staff provides proxy material to the appropriate research analyst or portfolio manager to obtain their recommended vote. Research analysts and portfolio managers determine votes on a case-by-case basis taking into account the voting guidelines contained in these procedures. For avoidance of doubt, depending on the best interest of each individual client, Western Asset may vote the same proxy differently for different clients. The analyst's or portfolio manager's basis for their decision is documented and maintained by the Legal and Compliance Department.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (f) <br>

Legal and Compliance Department staff votes the proxy pursuant to the instructions received in (d) or (e) and returns the voted proxy as indicated in the proxy materials.

#### Timing
Western Asset's Legal and Compliance Department personnel act in such a manner to ensure that, absent special circumstances, the proxy gathering and proxy voting steps noted above can be completed before the applicable deadline for returning proxy votes.

#### Recordkeeping
Western Asset maintains records of proxies voted pursuant to Rule 204-2 of the Advisers Act and ERISA DOL Bulletin 94-2. These records include:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (a) <br>

A copy of Western Asset's proxy voting policies and procedures.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (b) <br>

Copies of proxy statements received with respect to securities in client accounts.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (c) <br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (d) <br>

Each written client request for proxy voting records and Western Asset's written response to both verbal and written client requests.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (e) <br>

A proxy log including:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1) <br>

Issuer name;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2) <br>

Exchange ticker symbol of the issuer's shares to be voted;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (3) <br>

Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures ("CUSIP") number for the shares to be voted;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (4) <br>

A brief identification of the matter voted on;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (5) <br>

Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a shareholder of the issuer;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (6) <br>

Whether a vote was cast on the matter;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (7) <br>

A record of how the vote was cast; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (8) <br>

Whether the vote was cast for or against the recommendation of the issuer's management team.

Records are maintained in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than five years with the first two years in Western Asset's offices.

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#### Disclosure
Western Asset's proxy policies and procedures are described in the firm's Part 2A of Form ADV. Clients are provided with a copy of these policies and procedures upon request. In addition, clients may receive reports on how their proxies have been voted, upon request.

#### Conflicts of Interest
All proxies are reviewed by the Legal and Compliance Department for material conflicts of interest. Issues to be reviewed include, but are not limited to:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1)

Whether Western Asset (or, to the extent required to be considered by applicable law, its affiliates) manages assets for the company or an employee group of the company or otherwise has an interest in the company;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2)

Whether Western Asset or an officer or director of Western Asset or the applicable portfolio manager or analyst responsible for recommending the proxy vote (together, "Voting Persons") is a close relative of or has a personal or business relationship with an executive, director or person who is a candidate for director of the company or is a participant in a proxy contest; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (3)

Whether there is any other business or personal relationship where a Voting Person has a personal interest in the outcome of the matter before shareholders.

#### Voting Guidelines
Western Asset's substantive voting decisions are based on the particular facts and circumstances of each proxy vote and are evaluated by the designated research analyst or portfolio manager. The examples outlined below are meant as guidelines to aid in the decision making process.

Situations can arise in which more than one Western Asset client invests in instruments of the same issuer or in which a single client may invest in instruments of the same issuer but in multiple accounts or strategies. Multiple clients or the same client in multiple accounts or strategies may have different investment objectives, investment styles, or investment professionals involved in making decisions. While there may be differences, votes are always cast in the best interests of the client and the investment objectives agreed with Western Asset. As a result, there may be circumstances where Western Asset casts different votes on behalf of different clients or on behalf of the same client with multiple accounts or strategies.

Guidelines are grouped according to the types of proposals generally presented to shareholders. Part I deals with proposals which have been approved and are recommended by a company's board of directors; Part II deals with proposals submitted by shareholders for inclusion in proxy statements; Part III addresses issues relating to voting shares of investment companies; and Part IV addresses unique considerations pertaining to foreign issuers.

I. Board Approved Proposals

The vast majority of matters presented to shareholders for a vote involve proposals made by a company itself that have been approved and recommended by its board of directors. In view of the enhanced corporate governance practices currently being implemented in public companies, Western Asset generally votes in support of decisions reached by independent boards of directors. More specific guidelines related to certain board-approved proposals are as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1) <br>

Matters relating to the Board of Directors

Western Asset votes proxies for the election of the company's nominees for directors and for board-approved proposals on other matters relating to the board of directors with the following exceptions:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (a) <br>

Votes are withheld for the entire board of directors if the board does not have a majority of independent directors or the board does not have nominating, audit and compensation committees composed solely of independent directors.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (b) <br>

Votes are withheld for any nominee for director who is considered an independent director by the company and who has received compensation from the company other than for service as a director.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (c) <br>

Votes are withheld for any nominee for director who attends less than 75% of board and committee meetings without valid reasons for absences.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (d) <br>

Votes are cast on a case-by-case basis in contested elections of directors.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2) <br>

Matters relating to Executive Compensation

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Western Asset generally favors compensation programs that relate executive compensation to a company's long-term performance. Votes are cast on a case-by-case basis on board-approved proposals relating to executive compensation, except as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (a) <br>

Except where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors, Western Asset votes for stock option plans that will result in a minimal annual dilution.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (b) <br>

Western Asset votes against stock option plans or proposals that permit replacing or repricing of underwater options.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (c) <br>

Western Asset votes against stock option plans that permit issuance of options with an exercise price below the stock's current market price.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (d) <br>

Except where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors, Western Asset votes for employee stock purchase plans that limit the discount for shares purchased under the plan to no more than 15% of their market value, have an offering period of 27 months or less and result in dilution of 10% or less.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (3) <br>

Matters relating to Capitalization

The management of a company's capital structure involves a number of important issues, including cash flows, financing needs and market conditions that are unique to the circumstances of each company. As a result, Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on board-approved proposals involving changes to a company's capitalization except where Western Asset is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (a) <br>

Western Asset votes for proposals relating to the authorization of additional common stock.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (b) <br>

Western Asset votes for proposals to effect stock splits (excluding reverse stock splits).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (c) <br>

Western Asset votes for proposals authorizing share repurchase programs.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (4) <br>

Matters relating to Acquisitions, Mergers, Reorganizations and Other Transactions

Western Asset votes these issues on a case-by-case basis on board-approved transactions.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (5) <br>

Matters relating to Anti-Takeover Measures

Western Asset votes against board-approved proposals to adopt anti-takeover measures except as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (a) <br>

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to ratify or approve shareholder rights plans.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (b) <br>

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to adopt fair price provisions.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (6) <br>

Other Business Matters

Western Asset votes for board-approved proposals approving such routine business matters such as changing the company's name, ratifying the appointment of auditors and procedural matters relating to the shareholder meeting.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (a) <br>

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to amend a company's charter or bylaws.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (b) <br>

Western Asset votes against authorization to transact other unidentified, substantive business at the meeting.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (7) <br>

Reporting of Financially Material Information

Western Asset generally believes issuers should disclose information that is material to their business. This principle extends to Environmental, Social and Governance matters. What qualifies as "material" can vary, so votes are cast on a case by case basis but consistent with the overarching principle.

II. Shareholder Proposals

SEC regulations permit shareholders to submit proposals for inclusion in a company's proxy statement. These proposals generally seek to change some aspect of a company's corporate governance structure or to change some aspect of its business operations. Western Asset votes in accordance with the recommendation of the company's board of directors on all shareholder proposals, except as follows:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1) <br>

Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals to require shareholder approval of shareholder rights plans.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2)

Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals that are consistent with Western Asset's proxy voting guidelines for board-approved proposals.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (3)

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on other shareholder proposals where the firm is otherwise withholding votes for the entire board of directors.

Environmental or social issues that are the subject of a proxy vote will be considered on a case by case basis. Constructive proposals that seek to advance the health of the issuer and the prospect for risk-adjusted returns to Western Assets clients are viewed more favorably than proposals that advance a single issue or limit the ability of management to meet its operating objectives.

III. Voting Shares of Investment Companies

Western Asset may utilize shares of open or closed-end investment companies to implement its investment strategies. Shareholder votes for investment companies that fall within the categories listed in Parts I and II above are voted in accordance with those guidelines.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1)

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals relating to changes in the investment objectives of an investment company taking into account the original intent of the fund and the role the fund plays in the clients' portfolios.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2)

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis all proposals that would result in increases in expenses (e.g., proposals to adopt 12b-1 plans, alter investment advisory arrangements or approve fund mergers) taking into account comparable expenses for similar funds and the services to be provided.

IV. Voting Shares of Foreign Issuers

In the event Western Asset is required to vote on securities held in non-U.S. issuers – i.e. issuers that are incorporated under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction and that are not listed on a U.S. securities exchange or the NASDAQ stock market, the following guidelines are used, which are premised on the existence of a sound corporate governance and disclosure framework. These guidelines, however, may not be appropriate under some circumstances for foreign issuers and therefore apply only where applicable.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1)

Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals calling for a majority of the directors to be independent of management.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2)

Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals seeking to increase the independence of board nominating, audit and compensation committees.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (3)

Western Asset votes for shareholder proposals that implement corporate governance standards similar to those established under U.S. federal law and the listing requirements of U.S. stock exchanges, and that do not otherwise violate the laws of the jurisdiction under which the company is incorporated.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (4)

Western Asset votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals relating to (1) the issuance of common stock in excess of 20% of a company's outstanding common stock where shareholders do not have preemptive rights, or (2) the issuance of common stock in excess of 100% of a company's outstanding common stock where shareholders have preemptive rights.

V. Environmental, Social and Governance Matters

Western Asset considers ESG matters as part of the overall investment process. The Firm seeks to identify and consider material risks to the investment thesis, including material risks presented by ESG factors. While Western Asset is primarily a fixed income manager, opportunities to vote proxies are considered on the investment merits of the instruments and strategies involved.

As a general proposition, Western Asset votes to encourage disclosure of information material to their business. This principle extends to Environmental, Social and Governance matters. What qualifies as "material" can vary, so votes are cast on a case by case basis but consistent with the overarching principle. Western Asset recognizes that objective standards and criteria may not be available or universally agreed and that there may be different views and subjective analysis regarding factors and their significance.

As a general matter, Western Asset votes to encourage management and governance practices that enhance the strength of the issuer, build value for investors, and mitigate risks that might threaten their ability to operate and navigate competitive pressures.

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Targeted environmental or social issues that are the subject of a proxy vote will be considered on a case by case basis. Constructive proposals that seek to advance the health of the issuer and the prospect for risk-adjusted returns to Western Assets clients are viewed more favorably than proposals that advance a single issue or limit the ability of management to meet its operating objectives.

Western Asset's engagement process is aligned with the principles of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and engages with issuers on the principles enshrined within it. Some of these issues include, but are not restricted to, Climate Risk and Environmental Management, Diversity and Development of Talent, Human Rights and Supply Chain Management, Product Safety and Security, Transparency in Reporting and Governance and Corporate Management As such, Western Asset seeks to integrate ESG principles into investment analysis where applicable and consistent with the Firm's fiduciary duties. Although bondholders possess very different legal rights than shareholders, Western Asset believes it can impact ESG practices given its role in determining issuers' cost of debt capital. By reinforcing the linkage between ESG practices and the cost of capital in meetings with issues, Western Asset seeks to guide issuers to improve their behavior around material ESG issues. Proxy voting practices reflect these priorities.

Situations can arise in which different clients and strategies have explicit ESG objectives beyond generally taking into account material ESG risks. Votes may be cast for such clients with the ESG objectives in mind. Votes involving ESG proposals that are not otherwise addressed in this policy will be voted on a case-by-case basis consistent with the Firm's fiduciary duties to its clients, the potential consequences to the investment thesis for that issuer, and the specific facts and circumstances of each proposal.

#### RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS
For accounts subject to ERISA, as well as other Retirement Accounts, Western Asset is presumed to have the responsibility to vote proxies for the client. The Department of Labor ("DOL") has issued a bulletin that states that investment managers have the responsibility to vote proxies on behalf of Retirement Accounts unless the authority to vote proxies has been specifically reserved to another named fiduciary. Furthermore, unless Western Asset is expressly precluded from voting the proxies, the DOL has determined that the responsibility remains with the investment manager.

In order to comply with the DOL's position, Western Asset will be presumed to have the obligation to vote proxies for its Retirement Accounts unless Western Asset has obtained a specific written instruction indicating that: (a) the right to vote proxies has been reserved to a named fiduciary of the client, and (b) Western Asset is precluded from voting proxies on behalf of the client. If Western Asset does not receive such an instruction, Western Asset will be responsible for voting proxies in the best interests of the Retirement Account client and in accordance with any proxy voting guidelines provided by the client.

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#### WESTFIELD CAPITAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY, L.P.

#### Proxy Voting

#### Introduction
Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P. ("Westfield") will offer to vote proxies for all client accounts. Westfield believes that the voting of proxies can be an important tool for investors to promote best practices in corporate governance. Therefore, Westfield seeks to vote all proxies in the best interest of our clients which includes ERISA plan participants and beneficiaries, as applicable. Westfield also recognizes that the voting of proxies with respect to securities held in client accounts is an investment responsibility having economic value. Based on this, Westfield votes all ballots received for client accounts and covers all costs associated with voting proxy ballots.

In accordance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Act"), Westfield has adopted and implemented policies and procedures that we believe are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of our clients. Westfield's authority to vote proxies for our clients is established in writing, usually by the investment advisory contract. Clients can change such authority at any time with prior written notice to Westfield. Clients can also contact their Marketing representative or the Operations Department (wcmops@wcmgmt.com) for a report of how their accounts' securities were voted.

#### Oversight of Proxy Voting Function
Westfield has engaged a third party service provider, Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. (the "vendor"), to assist with proxy voting. Westfield's Operations Proxy team (the "Proxy team") will:

• oversee the vendor; this includes performing annual audits of the proxy votes and conducting annual due diligence;

• ensure required proxy records are retained according to applicable rules and regulations and internal policy;

• distribute proxy reports prepared by the vendor for internal and external requests;

• review the proxy policy and voting guidelines at least annually; and

• identify material conflicts of interest that may impair Westfield's ability to vote shares in our clients' best interest.

#### Proxy Voting Guidelines
Westfield utilizes the vendor's proxy voting guidelines, which consider market-specific best practices, transparency, and disclosure when addressing shareholder matters. Westfield does not select a client's voting policy. Clients must choose the policy that best fits their requirements. Clients may choose to vote in accordance with the vendor's U.S. proxy voting guidelines (i.e., Standard Guidelines), Taft-Hartley guidelines which are in full conformity with the AFL-CIO's proxy voting guidelines, Socially Responsible Investing Guidelines ("SRI") or Sustainability Guidelines. A summary of ISS' U.S. voting guidelines is located at https://www.issgovernance.com/policy.

The vendor reviews the above listed policies annually to ensure they are still considering market-specific best practices, transparency, and disclosure when addressing shareholder matters. Westfield reviews these changes annually to ensure they are in our clients' best interests.

Generally, information on Westfield's proxy voting decisions or status of votes will not be communicated or distributed to external solicitors. On occasion, Westfield may provide such information to solicitors if we believe a response will benefit our clients or a response is requested from the Westfield security analyst or portfolio manager.

#### Proxy Voting Process
The vendor tracks proxy meetings and reconciles proxy ballots received for each meeting. Westfield will use best efforts in obtaining any missing ballots; however, we vote only those proxy ballots the vendor has received. For any missing ballots, the vendor and/or Westfield will contact custodians to locate such missing ballots. Since there can be many factors affecting proxy ballot retrieval, it is possible that Westfield will not receive a ballot in time to place a vote. Clients who participate in securities lending programs should be aware that Westfield will not call back any shares on loan for proxy voting purposes. However, Westfield could request a client call back shares if we determine there is the potential for a material benefit in doing so.

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For each meeting, the vendor reviews the agenda and applies a vote recommendation for each proposal based on the written guidelines assigned to the applicable accounts. Proxies will be voted in accordance with the guidelines, unless the Westfield analyst or portfolio manager believes that following the vendor's guidelines would not be in the clients' best interests.

With limited exceptions, an analyst or portfolio manager may request to override the Standard or the Sustainability Guidelines at any time on or before the meeting cutoff date. In addition, certain proxy ballots (e.g., contentious proposals) may necessitate further review from the analyst or portfolio manager. The Proxy team will attempt to identify such ballots and bring them to the analyst's or portfolio manager's attention. If the analyst or portfolio manager chooses to vote against the vendor's stated guidelines in any instance, he/she must make the request in writing and provide a rationale for the vote against the stated guidelines. No analyst or portfolio manager overrides are permitted in the Taft-Hartley and SRI guidelines.

#### Conflicts of Interest
Compliance and the Proxy team are responsible for identifying conflicts of interest that could arise when voting proxy ballots on behalf of Westfield's clients. Per Westfield's Code of Ethics and other internal policies, all employees should avoid situations where potential conflicts may exist. Westfield has put in place certain reviews to ensure proxies are voted solely on the investment merits of the proposal. In identifying potential conflicts, Compliance will review many factors, including, but not limited to existing relationships with Westfield or an employee, and the vendor's disclosed conflicts. If an actual conflict of interest is identified, it is reviewed by the Compliance and/or the Proxy teams. If it is determined that the conflict is material in nature, the analyst or portfolio manager may not override the vendor's recommendation. Westfield's material conflicts are coded within the vendor's system. These meetings are flagged within the system to ensure Westfield does not override the vendor's recommendations.

Annually, Westfield will review ISS' policies regarding their disclosure of their significant relationships to determine if there are conflicts that would impact Westfield. Westfield will also review their Code of Ethics which specifically identifies their actual or potential conflicts. During the annual due diligence visit Westfield ensures that ISS still has firewalls in place to separate the staff that performs proxy analyses and research from the members of ISS Corporate Solutions, Inc.

#### Proxy Reports
Westfield can provide account specific proxy reports to clients upon request or at scheduled time periods (e.g., quarterly). Client reporting requirements typically are established during the initial account set-up stage, but clients may modify this reporting schedule at any time with prior written notice to Westfield. The reports will contain at least the following information:

• company name

• meeting agenda

• how the account voted on each agenda item

• how management recommended the vote to be cast on each agenda item

• rationale for any votes against the established guidelines (rationale is not always provided for votes that are in-line with guidelines since these are set forth in the written guidelines)

#### Recordkeeping
In accordance with Rule 204-2 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, proxy voting records will be maintained for at least five years. The following records will be retained by either Westfield or the proxy vendor:

• a copy of the Proxy Voting Polices and Guidelines and amendments that were in effect during the required time period;

• electronic or paper copies of each proxy statement received by Westfield or the vendor with respect to securities in client accounts (Westfield may also rely on obtaining copies of proxy statements from the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) system);

• records of each vote cast for each client;

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

• • written reports to clients on proxy voting and all client requests for information and Westfield's response;

• disclosure documentation to clients on how they may obtain information on how Westfield voted their securities

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#### APPENDIX C—ADDITIONAL PORTFOLIO MANAGER INFORMATION

#### AllianceBernstein L.P.
The portfolio managers of the Small Company Value Fund are James W. MacGregor and Erik A. Turenchalk.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based \*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **James W. MacGregor** | **James W. MacGregor** | **James W. MacGregor** | **James W. MacGregor** | **James W. MacGregor** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 21 | $6,360 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 38 | $1,497 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 52 | $2,557 million  | 0 | $0  |
| **Erik A. Turenchalk** | **Erik A. Turenchalk** | **Erik A. Turenchalk** | **Erik A. Turenchalk** | **Erik A. Turenchalk** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 15 | $5,506 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 36 | $1,352 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 52 | $2,557 million  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Small Company Value Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Small Company Value Fund.

#### Conflicts of Interest:
As an investment adviser and fiduciary, AllianceBernstein owes its clients and shareholders an undivided duty of loyalty. AllianceBernstein recognizes that conflicts of interest are inherent in its business and accordingly has developed policies and procedures (including oversight monitoring) reasonably designed to detect, manage and mitigate the effects of actual or potential conflicts of interest in the area of employee personal trading, managing multiple accounts for multiple clients, including AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds, and allocating investment opportunities. Investment professionals, including portfolio managers and research analysts, are subject to the above-mentioned policies and oversight monitoring to ensure that all clients are treated equitably. AllianceBernstein places the interests of its clients first and expects all of its employees to meet their fiduciary duties.

#### Employee Personal Trading
AllianceBernstein has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that is designed to detect and prevent conflicts of interest when investment professionals and other personnel of AllianceBernstein own, buy or sell securities which may be owned by, or bought or sold for, clients. Personal securities transactions by an employee may raise a potential conflict of interest when an employee owns or trades in a security that is owned or considered for purchase or sale by a client, or recommended for purchase or sale by an employee to a client. Subject to the reporting requirements and other limitations of its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, AllianceBernstein permits its employees to engage in personal securities transactions, and also allows them to acquire investments in the AllianceBernstein Mutual Funds. AllianceBernstein's Code of Business Conduct and Ethics requires disclosure of all personal accounts and maintenance of brokerage accounts with designated broker-dealers approved by AllianceBernstein. The Code also requires preclearance of all securities transactions and imposes a 60 day holding period for securities purchased by employees to discourage short-term trading.

#### Managing Multiple Accounts for Multiple Clients
AllianceBernstein has compliance policies and oversight monitoring in place to address conflicts of interest relating to the management of multiple accounts for multiple clients. Conflicts of interest may arise when an investment professional has responsibilities for the investments of more than one account because the investment professional may be unable to devote equal time and attention to each account. The investment professional or investment professional teams for each client may have responsibilities for managing all or a portion of the investments of multiple accounts with a common

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investment strategy, including other registered investment companies, unregistered investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, pension plans, separate accounts, collective trusts and charitable foundations. Among other things, AllianceBernstein's policies and procedures provide for the prompt dissemination to investment professionals of initial or changed investment recommendations by analysts so that investment professionals are better able to develop investment strategies for all accounts they manage. In addition, investment decisions by investment professionals are reviewed for the purpose of maintaining uniformity among similar accounts and ensuring that accounts are treated equitably. No investment professional that manages client accounts carrying performance fees is compensated directly or specifically for the performance of those accounts. Investment professional compensation reflects a broad contribution in multiple dimensions to long-term investment success for our clients and is not tied specifically to the performance of any particular client's account, nor is it directly tied to the level or change in level of assets under management.

#### Allocating Investment Opportunities
AllianceBernstein has policies and procedures intended to address conflicts of interest relating to the allocation of investment opportunities. These policies and procedures are designed to ensure that information relevant to investment decisions is disseminated promptly within its portfolio management teams and investment opportunities are allocated equitably among different clients. The investment professionals at AllianceBernstein routinely are required to select and allocate investment opportunities among accounts. Portfolio holdings, position sizes, and industry and sector exposures tend to be similar across similar accounts, which minimizes the potential for conflicts of interest relating to the allocation of investment opportunities. Nevertheless, investment opportunities may be allocated differently among accounts due to the particular characteristics of an account, such as size of the account, cash position, tax status, risk tolerance and investment restrictions or for other reasons.

AllianceBernstein's procedures are also designed to address potential conflicts of interest that may arise when AllianceBernstein has a particular financial incentive, such as a performance-based management fee, relating to an account. An investment professional may perceive that he or she has an incentive to devote more time to developing and analyzing investment strategies and opportunities or allocating securities preferentially to accounts for which AllianceBernstein could share in investment gains.

To address these conflicts of interest, AllianceBernstein's policies and procedures require, among other things, the prompt dissemination to investment professionals of any initial or changed investment recommendations by analysts; the aggregation of orders to facilitate best execution for all accounts; price averaging for all aggregated orders; objective allocation for limited investment opportunities (e.g., on a rotational basis) to ensure fair and equitable allocation among accounts; and limitations on short sales of securities. These procedures also require documentation and review of justifications for any decisions to make investments only for select accounts or in a manner disproportionate to the size of the account.

#### Compensation:
The discussion below describes the portfolio managers' compensation as of September 30, 2022.

Compensation for AllianceBernstein's investment professionals – portfolio managers, analysts, and traders – is designed to align with AllianceBernstein's mission and values: generating better investment outcomes for AllianceBernstein's clients while promoting responsibility and stewardship.

<u>Incentive Compensation Significant Component</u>: Portfolio managers, analysts and traders receive base compensation, incentive compensation and retirement contributions. While both overall compensation levels and the splits between base and incentive compensation vary from year to year, incentive compensation is a significant part of overall compensation. For example, for AllianceBernstein's portfolio managers, the bonus component averages approximately 60-80% of their total compensation each year. Part of each professional's annual incentive compensation is normally paid through an award under the firm's Incentive Compensation Award Plan (ICAP). The ICAP awards vest over a three-year period. AllianceBernstein believes this helps AllianceBernstein's investment professionals focus appropriately on long-term client objectives and results.

<u>Determined by Both Quantitative and Qualitative Factors</u>: Total compensation for AllianceBernstein's investment professionals is determined by both quantitative and qualitative factors. For portfolio managers, the most significant quantitative component focuses on measures of absolute and relative investment performance in client portfolios. Relative returns are evaluated using both the strategy's primary benchmark and peers over one-, three- and five-year periods, with more weight given to longer time periods. AllianceBernstein also assesses the risk pattern of performance, both absolute and relative to peers.

*Qualitative Component Includes Responsibility-Related Objectives:* The qualitative component of compensation for portfolio managers incorporates the manager's broader contributions to overall investment processes and

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AllianceBernstein's clients' success. Because AllianceBernstein deeply believes as a firm that ESG factors present both investment risks and opportunities, every AllianceBernstein portfolio manager has goals that promote the integration of ESG and sustainability in AllianceBernstein's investment processes. The exact goals will vary depending on the individual's role and responsibilities, but typical goals for portfolio managers include discussion of ESG or sustainability risks and opportunities at research reviews and the integration of these factors in portfolio decision making.

Other aspects of qualitative objectives for AllianceBernstein's portfolio managers include thought leadership, collaboration with other investment professionals at the firm, contributions to risk-adjusted returns in other portfolios, building a strong, diverse, and inclusive talent pool, mentoring newer investment professionals, being a good corporate citizen, and the achievement of personal goals. The qualitative portion is determined by individual goals set at the beginning of the year, with measurement and feedback on how those goals are being achieved provided at regular intervals. Other factors that can play a part in determining portfolio managers' compensation include complexity of investment strategies managed.

<u>Research Analysts:</u> At AllianceBernstein, research professionals have compensation and career opportunities that reflect a stature equivalent to their portfolio manager peers. Compensation for AllianceBernstein's research analysts is also heavily incentive-based and aligned with results generated for client portfolios. Criteria used include how well the analyst's research recommendations performed, the breadth and depth of his or her research knowledge, the level of attentiveness to forecasts and market movements, and the analyst's willingness to collaborate and contribute to the overall intellectual capital of the firm.

*Responsibility-Related Objectives for AllianceBernstein's Research Analysts:* Like AllianceBernstein's portfolio managers, AllianceBernstein's fundamental research analysts also have goals related to ESG analysis and integration. For AllianceBernstein's analysts, these typically focus on providing assessments of ESG and sustainability factors in their research and recommendations, engaging with issuers for insight and action on ESG and sustainability topics, and documenting these engagements in AllianceBernstein's ESIGHT platform.

<u>Traders</u>: Traders are critically important to generating results in client accounts. As such, compensation for AllianceBernstein's traders is highly competitive and heavily incentive-based. AllianceBernstein's portfolio managers and Heads of Trading evaluate traders on their ability to achieve best execution and add value to client portfolios through trading. AlllianceBernstein also incentivizes AllianceBernstein's fixed income traders to continually innovate for clients, encouraging them to continue developing and refining new trading technologies to enable AllianceBernstein to effectively address liquidity conditions in the fixed income markets for AllianceBernstein's clients.

Assessments of all investment professionals are formalized in a year-end review process that includes 360-degree feedback from other professionals from across the investment teams and firm. AllianceBernstein has designed its compensation program to attract and retain the highest-caliber employees while aligning with AllianceBernstein's firm's deeply held values of responsibility and stewardship. AllianceBernstein incorporates multiple sources of industry benchmarking data to ensure its compensation is highly competitive and fully reflects each individual's contributions in achieving client objectives.

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#### American Century Investment Management, Inc.
The portfolio managers of the Mid Cap Value Fund are Michael Liss, Nathan Rawlins, Kevin Toney, and Brian Woglom.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Michael Liss** | **Michael Liss** | **Michael Liss** | **Michael Liss** | **Michael Liss** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 17 | $27457084562  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 6 | $3779565662  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 10 | $1603813821  | 0 | $0  |
| **Nathan Rawlins** | **Nathan Rawlins** | **Nathan Rawlins** | **Nathan Rawlins** | **Nathan Rawlins** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 9 | $11090814900  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 1 | $793251062  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 2 | $241803154  | 0 | $0  |
| **Kevin Toney** | **Kevin Toney** | **Kevin Toney** | **Kevin Toney** | **Kevin Toney** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 17 | $27457084562  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 6 | $3779565662  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 10 | $1603813821  | 0 | $0  |
| **Brian Woglom** | **Brian Woglom** | **Brian Woglom** | **Brian Woglom** | **Brian Woglom** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 21 | $28764239748  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 4 | $2686122254  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 9 | $1602187236  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Mid Cap Value Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Mid Cap Value Fund.

The portfolio managers of the Small Company Value Fund are Ryan Cope and Jeff John.

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#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Ryan Cope** | **Ryan Cope** | **Ryan Cope** | **Ryan Cope** | **Ryan Cope** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 8 | $5452906242  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 1 | $649903946  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 7 | $439281766  | 0 | $0  |
| **Jeff John** | **Jeff John** | **Jeff John** | **Jeff John** | **Jeff John** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 8 | $5452906242  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 1 | $649903946  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 7 | $439281766  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Small Company Value Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Small Company Value Fund.

#### Conflicts of Interest:
Certain conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the management of multiple portfolios. Potential conflicts include, for example, conflicts among investment strategies, such as one portfolio buying or selling a security while another portfolio has a differing, potentially opposite position in such security. This may include one portfolio taking a short position in the security of an issuer that is held long in another portfolio (or vice versa). Other potential conflicts may arise with respect to the allocation of investment opportunities, which are discussed in more detail below. American Century has adopted policies and procedures that are designed to minimize the effects of these conflicts.

Responsibility for managing American Century client portfolios is organized according to investment discipline. Investment disciplines include, for example, disciplined equity, global growth equity, global value equity, global fixed income, multi-asset strategies, exchange traded funds, and Avantis Investors funds. Within each discipline are one or more portfolio teams responsible for managing specific client portfolios. Generally, client portfolios with similar strategies are managed by the same team using the same objective, approach, and philosophy. Accordingly, portfolio holdings, position sizes, and industry and sector exposures tend to be similar across similar portfolios, which minimizes the potential for conflicts of interest. In addition, American Century maintains an ethical wall around each of its equity investment disciplines (global growth equity, global value equity, disciplined equity, equity exchange traded funds, and Avantis Investors funds), meaning that access to information regarding any portfolio's transactional activities is only available to team members of the investment discipline that manages such portfolio. The ethical wall is intended to aid in preventing the misuse of portfolio holdings information and trading activity in the other disciplines.

For each investment strategy, one portfolio is generally designated as the "policy portfolio." Other portfolios with similar investment objectives, guidelines and restrictions, if any, are referred to as "tracking portfolios." When managing policy and tracking portfolios, a portfolio team typically purchases and sells securities across all portfolios that the team manages. American Century's trading systems include various order entry programs that assist in the management of multiple portfolios, such as the ability to purchase or sell the same relative amount of one security across several funds. In some cases a tracking portfolio may have additional restrictions or limitations that cause it to be managed separately from the policy portfolio. Portfolio managers make purchase and sale decisions for such portfolios alongside the policy portfolio to the extent the overlap is appropriate, and separately, if the overlap is not. American Century may aggregate orders to purchase or sell the same security for multiple portfolios when it believes such aggregation is consistent with its duty to seek best execution on behalf of its clients. Orders of certain client portfolios may, by investment restriction or otherwise, be determined not available for aggregation. American Century has adopted policies and procedures to minimize the risk that a client portfolio could be systematically advantaged or disadvantaged in connection with the aggregation of orders. To the extent equity trades are aggregated, shares purchased or sold are generally allocated to the participating portfolios pro rata based on order size. Because initial public offerings (IPOs) are usually available in limited supply and in amounts

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too small to permit across-the-board pro rata allocations, American Century has adopted special procedures designed to promote a fair and equitable allocation of IPO securities among clients over time. A centralized trading desk executes all fixed income securities transactions for Avantis ETFs and mutual funds. For all other funds in the American Century complex, portfolio teams are responsible for executing fixed income trades with broker/dealers in a predominantly dealer marketplace. Trade allocation decisions are made by the portfolio manager at the time of trade execution and orders entered on the fixed income order management system. There is an ethical wall between the Avantis trading desk and all other American Century traders. American Century's Global Head of Trading monitors all trading activity for best execution and to make sure no set of clients is being systematically disadvantaged.

Finally, investment of American Century's corporate assets in proprietary accounts may raise additional conflicts of interest. To mitigate these potential conflicts of interest, American Century has adopted policies and procedures intended to provide that trading in proprietary accounts is performed in a manner that does not give improper advantage to American Century to the detriment of client portfolios.

#### Compensation:
American Century portfolio manager compensation is structured to align the interests of portfolio managers with those of the shareholders whose assets they manage. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, it includes the components described below, each of which is determined with reference to a number of factors such as overall performance, market competition, and internal equity.

*Base Salary* 

Portfolio managers receive base pay in the form of a fixed annual salary.

*Bonus* 

A significant portion of portfolio manager compensation takes the form of an annual incentive bonus which is determined by a combination of factors. One factor is investment performance. For most American Century mutual funds, investment performance is generally measured by a combination of one-, three- and five-year pre-tax performance relative to various benchmarks (the Russell Midcap<sup>®</sup> Value Index is used for purposes of the Mid Cap Value Fund and the Russell 2000<sup>®</sup> Value Index is used for purposes of the Small Company Value Fund) and/or internally-customized peer groups. The performance comparison periods may be adjusted based on a fund's inception date or a portfolio manager's tenure on the fund. Custom peer groups are constructed using all the funds in the indicated categories as a starting point. Funds are then eliminated from the peer group based on a standardized methodology designed to result in a final peer group that is both more stable over the long term (i.e., has less peer turnover) and that more closely represents the fund's true peers based on internal investment mandates.

Portfolio managers may have responsibility for multiple American Century products. In such cases, the performance of each is assigned a percentage weight appropriate for the portfolio manager's relative levels of responsibility.

Portfolio managers also may have responsibility for other types of managed portfolios or ETFs. This is the case for the Mid Cap Value Fund and Small Company Value Fund. If the performance of a managed account or ETF is considered for purposes of compensation, it is generally measured via the same criteria as an American Century mutual fund (i.e., relative to the performance of a benchmark and/or peer group). Performance of the Mid Cap Value Fund and Small Company Value Fund are not separately considered in determining portfolio manager compensation.

A second factor in the bonus calculation relates to the performance of all American Century products managed according to a particular investment style, such as global growth equity, global value equity, disciplined equity, global fixed-income, and multi-asset strategies. The composite for certain portfolio managers may include multiple disciplines. The performance of American Century ETFs may also be included for certain investment disciplines.

Performance is measured for each product individually as described above and then combined to create an overall composite for the product group. These composites may measure one-year performance (equal weighted) or a combination of one-, three- and five-year performance (equal or asset weighted) depending on the portfolio manager's responsibilities and products managed and the composite for certain portfolio managers may include multiple disciplines. This feature is designed to encourage effective teamwork among fund management teams in achieving long-term investment success for similarly styled portfolios.

Portfolio managers' bonuses may be discretionary and may be tied to factors such as profitability or individual performance goals, such as research projects and/or the development of new products.

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*Restricted Stock Plans* 

Portfolio managers are eligible for grants of restricted stock of American Century Companies, Inc. ("ACC"). These grants are discretionary, and eligibility and availability can vary from year to year. The size of an individual's grant is determined by individual and product performance as well as other product-specific considerations such as profitability. Grants can appreciate/depreciate in value based on the performance of the ACC stock during the restriction period (generally three to four years).

*Deferred Compensation Plans* 

Portfolio managers are eligible for grants of deferred compensation. These grants are used in limited situations, primarily for retention purposes. Grants are fixed and can appreciate/depreciate in value based on the performance of the American Century mutual funds in which the portfolio manager chooses to invest them.

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#### Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC
The portfolio managers of the Fundamental Value Fund are Mark Giambrone, Brad Kinkelaar, Pranay Laharia, Michael B. Nayfa, Terry L. Pelzel, Brian F. Quinn, and Lewis Ropp.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed <sup>1</sup>** | **Total Assets <sup>1</sup>**  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based <sup>1</sup>** | **Total Assets <sup>1</sup>**  |
| **Mark Giambrone** <sup>3</sup> | **Mark Giambrone** <sup>3</sup> | **Mark Giambrone** <sup>3</sup> | **Mark Giambrone** <sup>3</sup> | **Mark Giambrone** <sup>3</sup> |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies <sup>2</sup>  | 8 | $4,111.3 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 1 | $166.4 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 31 | $4,716.3 million  | 0 | $0  |
| **Brad Kinkelaar** <sup>4</sup> | **Brad Kinkelaar** <sup>4</sup> | **Brad Kinkelaar** <sup>4</sup> | **Brad Kinkelaar** <sup>4</sup> | **Brad Kinkelaar** <sup>4</sup> |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies <sup>2</sup>  | 2 | $568.1 million  | 1 | $72.9 million  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 1 | $156.5 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 6 | $1,826.2 million  | 0 | $0  |
| **Pranay Laharia** | **Pranay Laharia** | **Pranay Laharia** | **Pranay Laharia** | **Pranay Laharia** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies <sup>2</sup>  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Michael B. Nayfa** <sup>5</sup> | **Michael B. Nayfa** <sup>5</sup> | **Michael B. Nayfa** <sup>5</sup> | **Michael B. Nayfa** <sup>5</sup> | **Michael B. Nayfa** <sup>5</sup> |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies <sup>2</sup>  | 2 | $1,390.8 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 4 | $815.8 million  | 0 | $0  |
| **Terry L. Pelzel** <sup>6</sup> | **Terry L. Pelzel** <sup>6</sup> | **Terry L. Pelzel** <sup>6</sup> | **Terry L. Pelzel** <sup>6</sup> | **Terry L. Pelzel** <sup>6</sup> |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies <sup>2</sup>  | 3 | $1,408.1 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 5 | $1,009.5 million  | 0 | $0  |
| **Brian F. Quinn** | **Brian F. Quinn** | **Brian F. Quinn** | **Brian F. Quinn** | **Brian F. Quinn** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies <sup>2</sup>  | 1 | $189.2 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 1 | $5.1 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 4 | $741.9 million  | 0 | $0  |
| **Lewis Ropp** <sup>7</sup> | **Lewis Ropp** <sup>7</sup> | **Lewis Ropp** <sup>7</sup> | **Lewis Ropp** <sup>7</sup> | **Lewis Ropp** <sup>7</sup> |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies <sup>2</sup>  | 2 | $710.6 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 1 | $171.5 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 35 | $3,756.4 million  | 1 | $318.5 million  |

---

<sup>1</sup> The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

<sup>2</sup> Does not include the Fundamental Value Fund.

<sup>3</sup> Mr. Giambrone is a member of various other value equity teams managing 50 other accounts and $10.6 billion.

<sup>4</sup> Mr. Kinkelaar is a member of various other value equity teams managing 27 other accounts and $9.4 billion.

<sup>5</sup> Mr. Nayfa is a member of various other value equity teams managing 19 other accounts and $6.6 billion.

<sup>6</sup> Mr. Pelzel is a member of various other value equity teams managing 22 other accounts and $7.0 billion.

<sup>7</sup> Mr. Ropp is a member of various other value equity teams managing 44 other accounts and $6.3 billion.

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#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Fundamental Value Fund.

The portfolio managers of the Small Cap Value Equity Fund are Coleman Hubbard, James S. McClure, and DJ Taylor.

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#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Coleman Hubbard** | **Coleman Hubbard** | **Coleman Hubbard** | **Coleman Hubbard** | **Coleman Hubbard** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 1 | $260.9 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 1 | $28.7 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 6 | $168.4 million  | 0 | $0  |
| **James S. McClure** | **James S. McClure** | **James S. McClure** | **James S. McClure** | **James S. McClure** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 1 | $260.9 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 1 | $28.7 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 6 | $168.4 million  | 0 | $0  |
| **DJ Taylor** | **DJ Taylor** | **DJ Taylor** | **DJ Taylor** | **DJ Taylor** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 1 | $260.9 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 1 | $28.7 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 6 | $168.4 million  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Small Value Equity Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Small Cap Value Equity Fund.

#### Conflicts of Interest:
Actual or potential conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has management responsibilities to more than one account (including the Fundamental Value Fund, Small Cap Value Equity Fund, and mutual fund or other subadvisory accounts). Barrow Hanley manages potential conflicts between funds or with other types of accounts through trade allocation policies and procedures, internal review processes, and oversight by the CCO, directors and independent third parties. Barrow Hanley's investment management and trading policies are designed to address potential conflicts in situations where two or more funds or accounts participate in investment decisions involving the same securities or issuer.

#### Compensation:
The discussion below describes the portfolio managers' compensation as of September 30, 2022.

The compensation of Barrow Hanley's investment professionals is tied to their overall contribution to the success of Barrow Hanley. In addition to a competitive base salary, all portfolio managers and analysts are eligible to participate in a bonus pool. The amount of bonus compensation is based on quantitative and qualitative factors and may be substantially higher than an investment professional's base compensation. Portfolio managers and analysts are rated on their value added to the overall investment process and to performance, as well as their contributions in other areas, such as meetings with clients and consultants. Compensation is not tied to a published benchmark/stock market index or private composite. Bonus compensation for analysts is directly tied to their investment recommendations, which are evaluated every six months against the appropriate industry group/sector performance based on trailing one-year and three-year relative performance. Barrow Hanley reviews gender-neutral industry compensation assessments to ensure its employees are fairly compensated.

The final key component of compensation that is shared by most of Barrow Hanley's key employees, including all portfolio managers and the majority of analysts, is economic ownership in Barrow Hanley through a limited partnership that owns a 24.9% equity interest in Barrow Hanley. Equity owners receive, on a quarterly basis, a share of the firm's profits, which are, to a great extent, related to the performance of the entire investment team.

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#### Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc.
The portfolio managers of the Fundamental Value Fund are David T. Cohen, Mark E. Donovan, David J. Pyle, and Joshua White.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **David T. Cohen** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 3 | $11573275554  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 2 | $2423483480  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 196 | $12156396246  | 4 | $852956849  |
| **Mark E. Donovan** | **Mark E. Donovan** | **Mark E. Donovan** | **Mark E. Donovan** | **Mark E. Donovan** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 3 | $11573275554  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 2 | $2423483480  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 196 | $12156396246  | 4 | $852956849  |
| **David J. Pyle** | **David J. Pyle** | **David J. Pyle** | **David J. Pyle** | **David J. Pyle** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 3 | $11573275554  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 2 | $2423483480  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 196 | $12156396246  | 4 | $852956849  |
| **Joshua White** | **Joshua White** | **Joshua White** | **Joshua White** | **Joshua White** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 3 | $11573275554  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 2 | $2423483480  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 196 | $12156396246  | 4 | $852956849  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Fundamental Value Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Fundamental Value Fund.

#### Conflicts of Interest:
Boston Partners owes its clients a duty of loyalty and monitors situations in which the interests of its advisory clients may be in conflict with its own interests. Boston Partners identifies business practices that may cause a conflict of interest between it and its clients, discloses such conflicts of interest to clients and develops reasonable procedures to mitigate such conflicts. Boston Partners has identified the following potential conflicts of interest and the measures it uses to address these matters:

#### Equitable Treatment of Accounts
Boston Partners recognizes that potential conflicts may arise from the side-by-side management of registered investment companies and "investment accounts," which include privately offered funds and separately managed accounts of individuals and institutional investors. Where Boston Partners' separately managed accounts are charged performance fees, portfolio managers may be inclined to take investment risks that are outside the scope of such client's investment objectives and strategy. In addition, since Boston Partners' private investment funds charge performance fees and share those fees with portfolio managers, such portfolio managers may also be inclined to take additional investment risks. Boston Partners maintains a Trade Allocation and Aggregation Policy as well as a Simultaneous Management Policy to ensure that client accounts are treated equitably. The Compliance Department (the "CD") reviews allocations and

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dispersion regularly, and accounts within the same strategy are precluded from simultaneously holding a security long and short. Risk Management performs periodic reviews to ensure the product complies with the investment strategy and defined risk parameters.

Furthermore, since Boston Partners charges a performance fee on certain accounts, and in particular these accounts may receive "new issues" allocations, Boston Partners has a conflict of interest in allocating new issues to these accounts. Boston Partners maintains an IPO Allocation Policy and the CD assists in, and/or reviews, the allocation of new issues to ensure that IPOs are being allocated among all eligible accounts in an equitable manner.

#### Utilizing Brokerage to Advantage Boston Partners
Boston Partners does not place trades through affiliated brokers. Securities trades are executed through brokerage firms with which Boston Partners maintains other advantageous relationships, such as soft dollars. In these cases, the broker may expect commission business in return. Boston Partners has established a Trade Management Oversight Committee to evaluate brokerage services and to review commissions paid to brokers. In addition, Boston Partners maintains a Best Execution Policy and a Soft Dollar Policy to assist in its monitoring efforts. Boston Partners also identifies affiliates of the investment companies for which it acts as investment adviser or sub adviser to ensure it is trading in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.

#### Directed Brokerage
Boston Partners faces an inherent conflict since it is in a position to direct client transactions to a broker or dealer in exchange for distribution capacity. Boston Partners maintains policies which prohibit its traders from considering a broker-dealer's distribution capacity for promoting or selling Boston Partners' separate account services, mutual funds, or proprietary funds (collectively "Boston Partners' Services") during the broker selection process. Nor will Boston Partners compensate any broker either directly or indirectly by directing brokerage transactions to that broker for consideration in selling Boston Partners' Services.

#### Mixed Use Allocations and Use of Soft Dollars to Benefit Adviser
Soft dollar services which have a "mixed use" allocation present a conflict of interest when determining the allocation between those services that primarily benefit Boston Partners' clients and those that primarily benefit Boston Partners. In addition, a conflict of interest exists when Boston Partners uses soft dollars to pay expenses that would normally be paid by Boston Partners. Boston Partners has developed soft dollar policies which require it to make a good faith allocation of "mixed use" services and to document its analysis. In addition, the CD reviews all requests for soft dollars to ensure inclusion under the safe harbor of Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act.

#### Trade Errors
A conflict arises when an investment adviser requests a broker/dealer to absorb the cost of a trade error in return for increased trading and/or commissions. Boston Partners prohibits correcting a trade error for any quid pro quo with a broker and has procedures for the proper correction of trade errors.

#### Principal Transactions
A principal transaction occurs when an investment adviser, acting for the account of itself or an affiliate buys a security from, or sells a security to a client. An inherent conflict of interest exists since an adviser has an opportunity to transfer unwanted securities from its account to a client's account, sell securities to a client's account at prices above the market, or transfer more favorably priced securities from a client account to its account. Boston Partners generally does not permit the selling of a security from one client account and the purchasing of the same security in another client account if Boston Partners has a principal interest in one of the accounts at the time of the transaction. Additionally, Boston Partners requires that clients give consent by signing subscription agreements to purchase a pooled investment vehicle in which Boston Partners or a related entity has an interest.

#### Cross Trades
Cross transactions between clients create an inherent conflict of interest because Boston Partners has a duty to obtain the most favorable price for both the selling client and the purchasing client. Boston Partners generally does not engage in cross trading; however, Boston Partners has procedures to ensure that any cross trade is in the best interests of all clients.

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#### Affiliated Investments
Potential conflicts exist if Boston Partners directs client investments into affiliated vehicles in order to increase the size of these vehicles and thereby increase its compensation by (a) lowering overall expenses of the vehicle, some of which Boston Partners may have responsibility for; (b) permitting greater marketing of the vehicle which will generate greater fee revenue for Boston Partners; or (c) allowing Boston Partners or an affiliate to redeem its investment capital in such vehicle. To mitigate any detriment to the client, Boston Partners has product suitability procedures and will obtain a client's consent prior to investing client assets in an affiliated vehicle.

#### Proprietary Trading Opportunities
Employees are in a position to take investment opportunities for themselves or Boston Partners before such opportunities are executed on behalf of clients. Employees have a duty to advance Boston Partners' client interests before Boston Partners interests or their personal interests. Boston Partners must assure that employees do not favor their own or Boston Partners' accounts. The Boston Partners Code of Ethics (the "Code") includes procedures on ethical conduct and personal trading, including preclearance and blackout procedures, to which all employees are subject.

#### Insider Trading/Non-Public Information
Employees are in a position to learn material nonpublic information and to trade in their personal accounts on such information, to the potential disadvantage of client accounts. The Code addresses insider trading including permissible activities. Employees certify, at least annually, that they are in compliance with the Code.

Boston Partners periodically discusses securities which may be held in client accounts with external investment professionals when sourcing and analyzing investment ideas. These discussions may include but are not limited to economic factors, market outlook, sector and industry views, and general and/or specific information regarding securities. Discussion of specific securities creates a conflict which could disadvantage Boston Partners' clients if the external parties were to act upon this information, including but not limited to front-running and scalping either particular securities or numerous securities in a similar sector to the extent such information is known about Boston Partners' holdings. Boston Partners has policies prohibiting discussion of client investments for non-business purposes and has outlined permissible activities as well as certain other prohibitions when sourcing investment ideas for business purposes.

#### Value-Added Investors
A senior executive from a public company or a private company that is a hedge fund, broker-dealer, investment adviser, or investment bank, (collectively "VAIs"), may invest in Boston Partners' private funds. A conflict exists if Boston Partners invests in companies affiliated with a VAI or if a VAI who works at a private company provide material non-public information to Boston Partners or vice versa. Both of these conflicts raise issues with respect to information sharing. Boston Partners has procedures to: i) identify these individuals through its annual outside businesses questionnaire, its annual compliance questionnaire, review of new account start-up documents, and its 5130 and 5131 questionnaires, and ii) monitor conflicts these persons present through its pre-trade compliance system and/or email surveillance.

#### Selective Disclosure
Selective disclosure occurs when material information is given to a single investor, or a limited group of investors, and not to all investors at the same time. This practice may allow one set of investors to profit on undisclosed information prior to giving others the same opportunity. In order to prevent this conflict of interest, Boston Partners has procedures regarding the dissemination of account holdings.

#### Valuation of Client Accounts
Because Boston Partners calculates its own advisory fees, it has an incentive to over-value such accounts to either increase the fees payable by the client, or to conceal poor performance for an incentive fee. Boston Partners has several safeguards in place to mitigate this conflict. Boston Partners has a policy for the valuation of securities. Boston Partners' third-party service provider(s) reconciles cash, assets, and prices for all client accounts with the client's custodian bank's records on a daily basis. Boston Partners' Investment Operations department oversees the reconciliation process. Finally, as part of Boston Partners' annual financial review, external auditors review a sample of client fee invoices.

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#### Representing Clients
At times, clients may request Boston Partners represent their interests in class action litigation, bankruptcies or other matters. Boston Partners' expertise lies in investment management and has an inherent conflict of interest if cast in any other role. When possible, Boston Partners' investment management agreements include provisions that Boston Partners will not act on behalf of the client in class actions, bankruptcies or matters of litigation.

#### Outside Business Activities
An employee's outside business activities may conflict with the employee's duties to Boston Partners and its clients. Boston Partners requires all employees to disclose any outside employment to the CD, who, in conjunction with the employee's supervisor and the Director of HR, will identify any potential conflicts. In the event that a resolution to the conflict cannot be reached, the employee may be asked to terminate either his outside employment or his position with Boston Partners.

#### Business Gifts and Entertainment
Boston Partners employees periodically give or receive gifts from clients. Boston Partners employees host clients or receive entertainment provided by a client. Such gifts or entertainment may be considered efforts to gain unfair advantage. Boston Partners maintains a gifts and entertainment policy and has developed a "Q&A" guide for employees regarding certain types of gifts and entertainment. Generally, employees are not permitted to give or receive gifts of more than $100 in value, per person, per year. Entertainment that is normal or customary in the industry is considered appropriate. Employees should consult the CD if they are unsure about a particular gift or value of entertainment.

#### Illegal or Unethical Behavior
Unethical or illegal conduct by employees damages Boston Partners' ability to meet its fiduciary duties to clients. Employees are required to report to management any actual or suspected illegal or unethical conduct on the part of other employees of which they become aware or any situations in which they are concerned about the "best course of action." In addition, employees are required to certify annually that they are in compliance with the Boston Partners Compliance Manual. Regardless of whether a government inquiry occurs, Boston Partners views seriously any violation of the Compliance Manual. Disciplinary sanctions may be imposed on any employee committing a violation of the Compliance Manual.

#### Proxy Voting
Boston Partners' proxy voting authority for its clients, puts it in a position where its interests may conflict with the best interests of its clients when determining how to vote. Boston Partners has a proxy voting policy and has engaged an outside vendor to execute proxies according to this policy. Boston Partners has a procedure to handle conflicts of interest which may arise in voting client securities.

#### Consulting Relationships
Boston Partners may purchase software, educational programs and peer group information from consulting firms that represent Boston Partners clients. Due to the lack of payment transparency, these relationships could give rise to improper activity on the part of the investment adviser or the consultant. Products purchased from consultants must serve a legitimate need for Boston Partners' business and may not be acquired to influence a consultant's recommendation of Boston Partners.

#### Use of Solicitors and Marketers
Boston Partners may enter into solicitation agreements with unaffiliated third-party solicitors ("Solicitor") to obtain new clients or fund investors. The Solicitor typically has a clear incentive to introduce institutional investors to Boston Partners to obtain compensation from Boston Partners. The referral fee the Solicitor receives does not increase the management fee being charged to the investor. Boston Partners has internal controls in place to ensure that conflicts of interest are addressed in the best interest of the client and that the compliance requirements applicable to a solicitor for Boston Partners' products are met.

#### Compensation:
The discussion below describes the portfolio managers' compensation as of September 30, 2022.

As an established investment management firm, with its investment teams working and living in very competitive markets like Boston, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York, Boston Partners believes in having

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compensation, work environment and other incentives in place which reflect the value it places in its primary asset — its people. All investment professionals receive a compensation package comprised of an industry competitive base salary, a discretionary bonus and long-term incentives. Through Boston Partners' bonus program, key investment professionals are rewarded primarily for strong investment performance. Boston Partners believes this aligns its team firmly with its clients' objectives and provides the financial and work environment incentives which keep its teams in place and has led to industry leading investment staff continuity and extremely low unplanned staff turnover.

Typically, bonuses are based upon a combination of one or more of the following four criteria:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Individual Contribution: an evaluation of the professional's individual contribution based on the expectations established at the beginning of each year;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Product Investment Performance: performance of the investment product(s) with which the individual is involved versus the pre-designed index, based on the excess return;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Investment Team Performance: the financial results of the investment group with Boston Partners' client's assets;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Firm-wide Performance: the overall financial performance of Boston Partners.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Boston Partners' long-term incentive program effectively confers a significant 20-30% ownership interest in the value of the business to key employees. Annual awards are made by the Compensation Committee and are meant to equate to an additional 10-20% of the participants cash bonus awards.

Boston Partners retains professional compensation consultants with asset management expertise to periodically review its practices to ensure that they remain highly competitive.

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#### Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC
The portfolio managers of the Strategic Bond Fund are Tracy Chen, Brian Kloss, Jack McIntyre, and Anujeet Sareen.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Tracy Chen** | **Tracy Chen** | **Tracy Chen** | **Tracy Chen** | **Tracy Chen** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 14 | $4948.529463  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 45 | $9944932156  | 1 | $243348571  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 50 | $11768062736  | 9 | $7936489431  |
| **Brian Kloss** | **Brian Kloss** | **Brian Kloss** | **Brian Kloss** | **Brian Kloss** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 14 | $4948529463  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 45 | $9944932156  | 1 | $243348571  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 50 | $11768062736  | 9 | $7936489431  |
| **Jack McIntyre** | **Jack McIntyre** | **Jack McIntyre** | **Jack McIntyre** | **Jack McIntyre** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 12 | $4562518967  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 45 | $9861663065  | 1 | $243348571  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 51 | $12445553458  | 9 | $7936489431  |
| **Anujeet Sareen** | **Anujeet Sareen** | **Anujeet Sareen** | **Anujeet Sareen** | **Anujeet Sareen** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 12 | $4562518967  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 45 | $9861663065  | 1 | $243348571  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 51 | $12445553458  | 9 | $7936489431  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Strategic Bond Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Strategic Bond Fund.

The portfolio managers of the Diversified Value Fund are Joseph J. Kirby, Henry F. Otto, and Steven M. Tonkovich.

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#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Joseph J. Kirby** | **Joseph J. Kirby** | **Joseph J. Kirby** | **Joseph J. Kirby** | **Joseph J. Kirby** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 5 | $5363208712  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 4 | $62948386  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 6 | $12021463  | 0 | $0  |
| **Henry F. Otto** | **Henry F. Otto** | **Henry F. Otto** | **Henry F. Otto** | **Henry F. Otto** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 7 | $6328664707  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 10 | $202895386  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 39 | $734298565  | 1 | $44270682  |
| **Steven M. Tonkovich** | **Steven M. Tonkovich** | **Steven M. Tonkovich** | **Steven M. Tonkovich** | **Steven M. Tonkovich** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 7 | $6328664707  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 10 | $202895386  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 35 | $734298565  | 1 | $44270682  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Diversified Value Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Diversified Value Fund.

#### Conflicts of Interest:
Brandywine Global believes that there are no material conflicts of interest that arise in connection with its simultaneous management of its various portfolios. All portfolios within a given investment style are treated in a similar fashion for all investment decisions, unless a client provides specific investment restrictions. All trade executions of a given investment decision are allocated in an unbiased manner to avoid any conflict over allocation of investment opportunities.

#### Compensation:
The discussion below describes the portfolio managers' compensation as of September 30, 2022.

All portfolio managers receive a competitive base salary. In addition, from the firm's profits, a bonus is paid quarterly and based on the performance of their investment strategies relative to a relevant peer-group universe over one-quarter, one-, three- and five-year time periods. After this performance-based incentive compensation is allocated, profits associated with individual product groups are allocated as follows: a majority is retained within the product group and the remainder is allocated to a pool shared by all product groups. More subjective measurements of an individual's contributions to the success of their product group and to the overall success of the firm are considered as part of the individual allocation decision. Finally, investment professionals are eligible for Franklin Templeton stock at the discretion of Franklin Templeton with input from Brandywine Global management. Brandywine Global believes this system achieves the goal of retaining top-quality investment professionals, as it provides extremely competitive compensation with entrepreneurial potential, and of fostering excellent performance, growth, and teamwork.

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#### Frontier Capital Management Company, LLC
The portfolio managers of the Mid Cap Growth Fund are Ravi Dabas and Christopher J. Scarpa.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Ravi Dabas** | **Ravi Dabas** | **Ravi Dabas** | **Ravi Dabas** | **Ravi Dabas** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 2 | $2.072 billion  | 1 | $1.131 billion  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 1 | $101.9 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 12 | $618.6 million  | 1 | $422.6 million  |
| **Christopher J. Scarpa** | **Christopher J. Scarpa** | **Christopher J. Scarpa** | **Christopher J. Scarpa** | **Christopher J. Scarpa** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 2 | $2.072 billion  | 1 | $1.131 billion  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 1 | $101.9 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 12 | $618.6 million  | 1 | $422.6 million  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Mid Cap Growth Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Mid Cap Growth Fund.

#### Conflicts of Interest:
In connection with its management of clients' accounts, Frontier is subject to a number of actual or apparent conflicts of interest. These conflicts may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one fund or other account. A portfolio manager potentially could give favorable treatment to some accounts for a variety of reasons, including favoring larger accounts, accounts that have a different advisory fee arrangement (including any accounts that pay performance-based fees) or accounts in which the portfolio manager has a personal investment. In addition, conflicts may arise relating to the allocation of investments among accounts with similar investment objectives but managed by different portfolio managers.

Frontier's portfolio managers typically manage multiple accounts. Generally, however, accounts within a particular investment strategy (e.g., mid cap growth) with similar objectives are managed similarly. Accordingly, portfolio holdings and industry and sector exposure tend to be similar across a group of accounts in the same strategy with similar objectives, which tend to minimize the potential for conflicts of interest.

Frontier has adopted trade allocation and aggregation policies that seek to treat all clients fairly and equitably. These policies address the allocation of limited investment opportunities, such as IPOs, and the allocation of transactions and aggregations of orders across multiple accounts. Investment personnel of Frontier or its affiliates may be permitted to be commercially or professionally involved with an issuer of securities. Any potential conflicts of interest from such involvement would be monitored for compliance with Frontier's Code of Ethics.

#### Compensation:
The discussion below describes the portfolio managers' compensation as of September 30, 2022.

Frontier's portfolio manager compensation structure is designed to align the interests of portfolio managers with those of the shareholders whose assets they manage. Frontier's portfolio manager compensation program consists of a base salary, annual bonus, and participation in company-funded retirement plans. In addition, all of Frontier's portfolio managers are partners at Frontier, which entitles them to share in the firm's profits and the long-term growth of the firm. The annual bonus is variable and based partially or primarily upon management-fee revenues generated from client accounts.

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#### Harris Associates L.P.
The portfolio managers of the Overseas Fund are David G. Herro and Michael L. Manelli.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **David G. Herro** | **David G. Herro** | **David G. Herro** | **David G. Herro** | **David G. Herro** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 13 | $23.87 billion  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 46 | $21.30 billion  | 2 | $0.69 billion  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 24 | $3.90 billion  | 0 | $0  |
| **Michael L. Manelli** | **Michael L. Manelli** | **Michael L. Manelli** | **Michael L. Manelli** | **Michael L. Manelli** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 9 | $21.15 billion  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 8 | $2.81 billion  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 13 | $1.36 billion  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Overseas Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Overseas Fund.

#### Conflicts of Interest:
Conflicts may arise when Harris manages the Fund and has discretionary authority over other accounts. Specifically, conflicts of interest may arise in the allocation of investment opportunities and the allocation of aggregated orders among the Fund and the other accounts managed by the portfolio managers. A portfolio manager potentially could give favorable treatment to some accounts for a variety of reasons, including favoring larger accounts, accounts that have a different management fee arrangement (including any accounts that pay performance-based fees), accounts of affiliated companies, or accounts in which the portfolio manager has a personal investment. With respect to the allocation of investment opportunities, Harris makes decisions to recommend, purchase, sell or hold securities for all of its client accounts, including the Fund, based on each account's specific investment objectives, guidelines, restrictions and circumstances. It is Harris' policy to allocate investment opportunities to each account, including the Fund, over a period of time on a fair and equitable basis relative to its other accounts. With respect to the allocation of aggregated orders, each account that participates in an aggregated order will participate at the average share price received from a broker-dealer, and where the order has not been completely filled, each institutional account, including the Fund, will generally participate on a pro rata basis.

Additionally, a conflict of interest might exist in the exercise of Harris's proxy voting authority. For example, a conflict could arise when an issuer who is soliciting proxy votes also has a client relationship with Harris, when a client of Harris is involved in a proxy contest (such as a corporate director) or when one of Harris's employees has a personal interest in a proxy matter.

Harris has compliance policies and procedures in place that it believes are reasonably designed to mitigate these conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which an actual or potential conflict may arise. Harris seeks to anticipate circumstances that could cause a conflict between Harris and its employees on the one hand and Harris's clients on the other. Harris has adopted and enforces a Code of Ethics that sets forth specific requirements and restrictions to address and help mitigate potential conflicts.

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#### Compensation:
The discussion below describes the portfolio managers' compensation as of September 30, 2022.

Each of the portfolio managers is an employee of Harris. The portfolio managers are compensated solely by Harris. Compensation for each of the portfolio managers is based on Harris' assessment of the individual's long-term contribution to the investment success of the firm. Each portfolio manager receives a base salary and participates in a discretionary bonus pool. In addition, most of the portfolio managers also participate in a long-term compensation plan that provides current compensation to certain key employees and deferred compensation to both current and former key employees. The compensation plan consists of bonus units awarded to participants that vest and are paid out over a period of time.

The determination of the amount of each portfolio manager's base salary and discretionary bonus pool participation and, where applicable, participation in the long-term compensation plan is based on a variety of qualitative and quantitative factors. The factor given the most significant weight is the subjective assessment of the individual's contribution to the overall investment results of Harris' U.S. or international investment group, whether as a portfolio manager, a research analyst, or both.

The quantitative factors considered in evaluating the contribution of a portfolio manager include the performance of the portfolios managed by that individual relative to benchmarks, peers and other portfolio managers, as well as the assets under management in the funds and other accounts managed by the portfolio manager. A portfolio manager's compensation is not based solely on an evaluation of the performance of the funds or the amount of fund assets. Performance is measured in a number of ways, including by fund, by other accounts and by strategy, and is compared to one or more benchmarks, including: S&P 500 Index, Russell Midcap<sup>®</sup> Value Index, Russell 1000<sup>®</sup> Value Index, Lipper Balanced Fund Index, 60/40 S&P/Barclays (60% S&P 500 Index and 40% Barclays Bond Index), MSCI World Index, MSCI World ex U.S. Index, MSCI World ex U.S. Small Cap Index and Harris' approved lists of stocks, depending on whether the portfolio manager manages accounts in a particular strategy for which a given benchmark would be applicable. Performance is also measured over short- and long-term periods, including one year, three years, five years, ten years, and since a fund's or an account's inception or since the portfolio manager has been managing a fund or account, as applicable. Performance is measured on a pre-tax and after-tax basis to the extent such information is available.

If a portfolio manager also serves as a research analyst, then his compensation is also based on the contribution made to Harris in that role. The specific quantitative and qualitative factors considered in evaluating a research analyst's contributions include, among other things, new investment ideas, the performance of investment ideas covered by the analyst during the current year as well as over longer-term periods, the portfolio impact of the analyst's investment ideas, other contributions to the research process, and an assessment of the quality of analytical work. If a portfolio manager also serves as a research analyst, then such manager may participate in a long-term compensation plan that may provide future compensation upon vesting after a multi-year period. The plan consists of an award, based on a quantitative evaluation of the performance of the investment ideas covered by the analyst over the same multi-year period. In addition, an individual's other contributions to Harris, such as a role in investment thought leadership and management, are also taken into account in the overall compensation process.

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#### Invesco Advisers, Inc.
The portfolio managers of the Small Cap Growth Equity Fund are Ash Shah and Ronald Zibelli, Jr.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Ash Shah** | **Ash Shah** | **Ash Shah** | **Ash Shah** | **Ash Shah** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 5 | $7,889.3 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 1 | $74.4 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Ronald Zibelli, Jr.** | **Ronald Zibelli, Jr.** | **Ronald Zibelli, Jr.** | **Ronald Zibelli, Jr.** | **Ronald Zibelli, Jr.** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 8 | $14,025.1 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 2 | $127.2 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 1\*\*\* | $0.1 million  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Small Cap Growth Equity Fund.

\*\*\* <br>

These are accounts of individual investors for which Invesco Advisers provides investment advice. Invesco Advisers offers separately managed accounts that are managed according to the investment models developed by its portfolio managers and used in connection with the management of certain Invesco Funds. These accounts may be invested in accordance with one or more of those investment models and investments held in those accounts are traded in accordance with the applicable models.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Small Cap Growth Equity Fund.

#### Conflicts of Interest:
Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one fund or other account. More specifically, portfolio managers who manage multiple funds and/or other accounts may be presented with one or more of the following potential conflicts:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The management of multiple funds and/or other accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each fund and/or other account. Invesco Advisers seeks to manage such competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by having portfolio managers focus on a particular investment discipline. Most other funds and/or accounts managed by a portfolio manager are managed using the same investment models that are used in connection with the management of the funds.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity which may be suitable for more than one fund or other account, a fund may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or sale orders across all eligible funds and other accounts. To deal with these situations, Invesco Advisers has adopted procedures for allocating portfolio transactions across multiple accounts.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Invesco Advisers determines which broker to use to execute each order for securities transactions for the funds, consistent with its duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, for certain funds and/or accounts (such as mutual funds for which Invesco Advisers or an affiliate acts as sub-adviser, other pooled investment vehicles that are not registered mutual funds, and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals), Invesco Advisers may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker. In these cases, trades for a fund and/or account in a particular security may be placed separately from, rather than aggregated with, other funds and/or accounts. Having separate

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transactions with respect to a security may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the possible detriment of the fund(s) or other account(s) involved.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Finally, the appearance of a conflict of interest may arise where Invesco Advisers has an incentive, such as a performance-based management fee, which relates to the management of one fund or account but not all funds and accounts for which a portfolio manager has day-to-day management responsibilities.

Invesco Advisers has adopted certain compliance procedures which are designed to address these types of conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.

#### Compensation:
The discussion below describes the portfolio managers' compensation as of September 30, 2022.

Invesco Advisers seeks to maintain a compensation program that is competitively positioned to attract and retain high-caliber investment professionals. Portfolio managers receive a base salary, an incentive cash bonus opportunity and a deferred compensation opportunity. Portfolio manager compensation is reviewed and may be modified each year as appropriate to reflect changes in the market, as well as to adjust the factors used to determine bonuses to promote competitive fund performance. Invesco Advisers evaluates competitive market compensation by reviewing compensation survey results conducted by an independent third party of investment industry compensation. Each portfolio manager's compensation consists of the following three elements:

*Base Salary*

Each portfolio manager is paid a base salary. In setting the base salary, Invesco Advisers' intention is to be competitive in light of the particular portfolio manager's experience and responsibilities.

*Annual Bonus*

The portfolio managers are eligible, along with other employees of Invesco Advisers, to participate in a discretionary year-end bonus pool. The Compensation Committee of Invesco Ltd. reviews and approves the firm-wide bonus pool based upon progress against strategic objectives and annual operating plan, including investment performance and financial results. In addition, while having no direct impact on individual bonuses, assets under management are considered when determining the starting bonus funding levels. Each portfolio manager is eligible to receive an annual cash bonus which is based on quantitative (i.e., investment performance) and non-quantitative factors (which may include, but are not limited to, individual performance, risk management and teamwork).

Each portfolio manager's compensation is linked to the pre-tax investment performance of the funds/accounts managed by the portfolio manager as described in Table 1 below.

Table 1

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Sub-Adviser**  | **Performance time period <sup>1</sup>**  |
| Invesco Advisers <sup>2</sup> | One-, Three- and Five-year performance against fund peer group. |

---

<sup>1</sup> Rolling time periods based on calendar year-end.

<sup>2</sup> Portfolio Managers may be granted an annual deferral award that vests on a pro-rata basis over a four-year period.

High investment performance (against applicable peer group and/or benchmarks) would deliver compensation generally associated with top pay in the industry (determined by reference to the third-party provided compensation survey information) and poor investment performance (versus applicable peer group) would result in low bonus compared to the applicable peer group or no bonus at all. These decisions are reviewed and approved collectively by senior leadership which has responsibility for executing the compensation approach across the organization.

*Deferred/Long Term Compensation*. Portfolio managers may be granted a deferred compensation award based on a firm-wide bonus pool approved by the Compensation Committee of Invesco Ltd. Deferred compensation awards may take the form of annual deferral awards or long-term equity awards. Annual deferral awards may be granted as an annual stock deferral award or an annual fund deferral award. Annual stock deferral awards are settled in Invesco Ltd. common shares. Annual fund deferral awards are notionally invested in certain Invesco Funds selected by the Portfolio Manager and are settled in cash. Long-term equity awards are settled in Invesco Ltd. common shares. Both annual deferral awards and long-term equity awards have a four-year ratable vesting schedule. The vesting period aligns the interests of the portfolio managers with the long-term interests of clients and shareholders and encourages retention.

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*Retirement and health and welfare arrangements*. Portfolio managers are eligible to participate in retirement and health and welfare plans and programs that are available generally to all employees.

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#### Jackson Square Partners, LLC
The portfolio managers of the Growth Opportunities Fund are Christopher M. Ericksen, William Montana, and Jeffrey S. Van Harte. Messrs. Ericksen and Van Harte are expected to step down as portfolio managers of the Growth Opportunities Fund on June 30, 2023. Brian Tolles is expected to become a portfolio manager of the Growth Opportunities Fund on July 1, 2023.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Christopher M. Ericksen** | **Christopher M. Ericksen** | **Christopher M. Ericksen** | **Christopher M. Ericksen** | **Christopher M. Ericksen** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 1 | $214 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 1 | $49 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 7 | $4 million  | 1 | $81 million  |
| **William Montana** | **William Montana** | **William Montana** | **William Montana** | **William Montana** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 1 | $214 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 1 | $49 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 4 | $4 million  | 1 | $81 million  |
| **Brian Tolles**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 10 | $54 million  | 0 | $0  |
| **Jeffrey S. Van Harte** | **Jeffrey S. Van Harte** | **Jeffrey S. Van Harte** | **Jeffrey S. Van Harte** | **Jeffrey S. Van Harte** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 1 | $214 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 1 | $49 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 10 | $40 million  | 1 | $81 million  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Growth Opportunities Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Growth Opportunities Fund.

#### Conflicts of Interest:
Individual portfolio managers perform investment management services for other funds or accounts similar to those provided to the Fund and the investment action for each other fund or account and the Fund may differ. For example, one fund or account may be selling a security, while another fund or account may be purchasing or holding the same security. As a result, transactions executed for one fund or account or the Fund may adversely affect the value of securities held by another fund or account or the Fund. In addition, the management of multiple other funds or accounts and the Fund may give rise to potential conflicts of interest, as a portfolio manager must allocate time and effort to multiple funds or accounts and the Fund. A portfolio manager may discover an investment opportunity that may be suitable for more than one fund or account. The investment opportunity may be limited, however, so that all funds or accounts for which the investment would be suitable may not be able to participate. Jackson Square has adopted procedures designed to allocate investments fairly across multiple funds or accounts. Certain of the accounts managed by the portfolio managers have performance-based fees. This compensation structure presents a potential conflict of interest. The portfolio managers have an incentive to manage such accounts so as to enhance their performance, to the possible detriment of other accounts for which the investment manager does not receive a performance-based fee. A portfolio manager's management of personal accounts, or other funds for which they have personal investments also presents certain conflicts of interest. Although Jackson Square's compliance manual and code of ethics are designed to address these potential conflicts, there is no guarantee that it will do so.

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#### Compensation:
The discussion below describes the portfolio managers' compensation as of September 30, 2022.

Jackson Square's investment professionals have remained together, bound by culture and the unique nature of the team's research/portfolio manager role, for over a decade on average. Through various market and organizational circumstances over the years, the group has maintained a meritocracy and very strong pay-for-performance ethos that rewards positive impact to client portfolios. Each stock in each portfolio has two or more 'sponsors' who have mathematical ownership of those names for performance attribution purposes (e.g., 60/40 or 50/50-type responsibility splits). This stock-by-stock attribution can then be aggregated and the individual contributions of team members measured, down to the basis point, for each performance period measured: 1/3/5 year and since inception.

Aggregate compensation is ultimately driven by revenues, which—in turn—is correlated with assets under management, which ultimately correlates with performance over the long term, in a self-reinforcing cycle of better performance leading to more assets under management (both via flows and appreciation) and greater revenues/compensation. Additionally, qualitative factors such as contribution to debates of other team members' ideas are also considered in compensation. Certain employees, including 10 members of the investment team, have equity ownership as part of their compensation.

In terms of the composition of compensation paid to the investment team, it is expected to be a combination of base salary, partnership equity distributions, where applicable, and discretionary annual bonuses. Jackson Square believes this combination will have the proper incentives to award prudent long term focus on building a stable and sustainable business while also rewarding professionals for superior relative interim results.

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#### Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P.
The portfolio manager of the Blue Chip Growth Fund is Aziz V. Hamzaogullari.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Aziz V. Hamzaogullari** | **Aziz V. Hamzaogullari** | **Aziz V. Hamzaogullari** | **Aziz V. Hamzaogullari** | **Aziz V. Hamzaogullari** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 29 | $18.8 billion  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 21 | $9.3 billion  | 3 | $275.8 million  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 138 | $22.3 billion  | 1 | $260.2 million  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Blue Chip Growth Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio manager did not own any shares of the Blue Chip Growth Fund.

#### Conflicts of Interest:
Conflicts of interest may arise in the allocation of investment opportunities and the allocation of aggregated orders among the Fund and other accounts managed by the portfolio manager. A portfolio manager potentially could give favorable treatment to some accounts for a variety of reasons, including favoring larger accounts, accounts that pay higher fees, accounts that pay performance-based fees, accounts of affiliated companies and accounts in which the portfolio manager has an interest. Such favorable treatment could lead to more favorable investment opportunities or allocations for some accounts. Loomis Sayles makes investment decisions for all accounts (including institutional accounts, mutual funds, hedge funds and affiliated accounts) based on each account's availability of other comparable investment opportunities and Loomis Sayles' desire to treat all accounts fairly and equitably over time. Loomis Sayles maintains trade allocation and aggregation policies and procedures to address these potential conflicts. Conflicts of interest also arise to the extent a portfolio manager short sells a stock in one client account but holds that stock long in other accounts, including the Fund, or sells a stock for some accounts while buying the stock for others, and through the use of "soft dollar arrangements," which are discussed in Loomis Sayles' Brokerage Allocation Policies and Procedures and Loomis Sayles' Trade Aggregation and Allocation Policies and Procedures.

#### Compensation:
The discussion below describes the portfolio manager's compensation as of September 30, 2022.

Loomis Sayles believes that portfolio manager compensation should be driven primarily by the delivery of consistent and superior long-term performance for its clients. Mr. Hamzaogullari's compensation has four components: a competitive base salary, an annual incentive bonus driven by investment performance, participation in a long-term incentive plan (with an annual and a post-retirement payout), and a revenue sharing bonus if certain revenue thresholds and performance hurdles are met. Maximum variable compensation potential is a multiple of base salary and reflects performance achievements relative to peers with similar disciplines. The performance review considers the asset class, manager experience, and maturity of the product. The incentive compensation is based on trailing strategy performance and is weighted at one third for the three-year period, one third for the five-year period, and one third for the ten-year period. He also receives performance based compensation as portfolio manager for a private investment fund. The firm's senior management reviews the components annually.

In addition, Mr. Hamzaogullari participates in the Loomis Sayles profit sharing plan, in which Loomis Sayles makes a contribution to the retirement plan of each employee based on a percentage of base salary (up to a maximum amount). He may also participate in the Loomis Sayles deferred compensation plan which requires all employees to defer 50% of their annual bonus if in excess of a certain dollar amount, except for those employees who will be age 61 or older on the date the bonus is awarded. These amounts are deferred over a two year period with 50% being paid out one year from the bonus anniversary date and the second 50% being paid out two years from the bonus anniversary date. These deferrals are

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deposited into an investment account on the employee's behalf, but the employee must be with Loomis Sayles on the vesting dates in order to receive the deferred bonus.

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#### Massachusetts Financial Services Company
The portfolio managers of the Overseas Fund are Filipe Benzinho and Daniel Ling.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Filipe Benzinho** | **Filipe Benzinho** | **Filipe Benzinho** | **Filipe Benzinho** | **Filipe Benzinho** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 6 | $10.9 billion  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 6 | $4.7 billion  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 28 | $4.9 billion  | 0 | $0  |
| **Daniel Ling** | **Daniel Ling** | **Daniel Ling** | **Daniel Ling** | **Daniel Ling** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 6 | $10.9 billion  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 6 | $4.7 billion  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 28 | $4.9 billion  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Overseas Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Overseas Fund.

#### Conflicts of Interest:
MFS seeks to identify potential conflicts of interest resulting from a portfolio manager's management of both a particular fund and other accounts, and has adopted policies and procedures designed to address such potential conflicts. There is no guarantee that MFS will be successful in identifying or mitigating conflicts of interest.

The management of multiple funds and accounts (including accounts in which MFS or an affiliate has an interest) gives rise to conflicts of interest if the funds and accounts have different objectives and strategies, benchmarks, time horizons, and fees, as a portfolio manager must allocate his or her time and investment ideas across multiple funds and accounts. In certain instances, there are securities which are suitable for a fund's portfolio as well as for one or more other accounts advised by MFS or its subsidiaries (including accounts in which MFS or an affiliate has an interest) with similar investment objectives. MFS' trade allocation policies could have a detrimental effect on a fund if the fund's orders do not get fully executed or are delayed in getting executed due to being aggregated with those of other accounts advised by MFS or its subsidiaries. A portfolio manager may execute transactions for another fund or account that may adversely affect the value of a fund's investments. Investments selected for funds or accounts other than a particular fund may outperform investments selected for that fund.

When two or more accounts are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner believed by MFS to be fair and equitable to each over time. Allocations may be based on many factors and may not always be pro rata based on assets managed. The allocation methodology could have a detrimental effect on the price or availability of a security with respect to a fund.

MFS and/or a portfolio manager may have a financial incentive to allocate favorable or limited opportunity investments or structure the timing of investments to favor accounts other than a fund; for instance, those that pay a higher advisory fee and/or have a performance adjustment, those that include an investment by the portfolio manager, and/or those in which MFS, its officers and/or employees, and/or its affiliates own or have an interest.

To the extent permitted by applicable law, certain accounts may invest their assets in other accounts advised by MFS or its affiliates, including accounts that are advised by one or more of the same portfolio manager(s), which could result in conflicts of interest relating to asset allocation, timing of purchases and redemptions, and increased profitability for MFS, its affiliates, and/or its personnel, including portfolio managers.

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#### Compensation:
MFS' philosophy is to align portfolio manager compensation with the goal to provide shareholders with long-term value through a collaborative investment process. Therefore, MFS uses long-term investment performance as well as contribution to the overall investment process and collaborative culture as key factors in determining portfolio manager compensation. In addition, MFS seeks to maintain total compensation programs that are competitive in the asset management industry in each geographic market where it has employees. MFS uses competitive compensation data to ensure that compensation practices are aligned with its goals of attracting, retaining, and motivating the highest-quality professionals.

MFS reviews portfolio manager compensation annually. In determining portfolio manager compensation, MFS uses quantitative means and qualitative means to help ensure a sustainable investment process. As of September 30, 2022, portfolio manager total cash compensation is a combination of base salary and performance bonus:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • *Base Salary* — Base salary generally represents a smaller percentage of portfolio manager total cash compensation than performance bonus.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • *Performance Bonus* — Generally, the performance bonus represents more than a majority of portfolio manager total cash compensation.

The performance bonus is based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative factors, generally with more weight given to the former and less weight given to the latter.

The quantitative portion is primarily based on the pre-tax performance of accounts managed by the portfolio manager over a range of fixed-length time periods, intended to provide the ability to assess performance over time periods consistent with a full market cycle and a strategy's investment horizon. The fixed-length time periods include the portfolio manager's full tenure on each fund and, when available, 10-, 5-, and 3-year periods. For portfolio managers who have served for less than three years, shorter-term periods, including the one-year period, will also be considered, as will performance in previous roles, if any, held at the firm. Emphasis is generally placed on longer performance periods when multiple performance periods are available. Performance is evaluated across the full set of strategies and portfolios managed by a given portfolio manager, relative to appropriate peer group universes and/or representative indices ("benchmarks"). As of September 30, 2022, the following benchmarks were used to measure the following portfolio managers' performance for the Overseas Fund:

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Portfolio Manager**  | **Benchmark(s)**  |
| Filipe Benzinho | MSCI EAFE Index (net div) |
| Daniel Ling | MSCI EAFE Index (net div) |

---

Benchmarks may include versions and components of indexes, custom indexes, and linked indexes that combine performance of different indexes for different portions of the time period, where appropriate.

The qualitative portion is based on the results of an annual internal peer review process (where portfolio managers are evaluated by other portfolio managers, analysts, and traders) and management's assessment of overall portfolio manager contribution to the MFS investment process and the client experience (distinct from fund and other account performance).

The performance bonus is generally a combination of cash and a deferred cash award. A deferred cash award is issued for a cash value and becomes payable over a three-year vesting period if the portfolio manager remains in the continuous employ of MFS or its affiliates. During the vesting period, the value of the unfunded deferred cash award will fluctuate as though the portfolio manager had invested the cash value of the award in an MFS Fund(s) selected by the portfolio manager.

*MFS Equity Plan* — Portfolio managers also typically benefit from the opportunity to participate in the MFS Equity Plan. Equity interests are awarded by management, on a discretionary basis, taking into account tenure at MFS, contribution to the investment process, and other factors.

Finally, portfolio managers also participate in benefit plans (including a defined contribution plan and health and other insurance plans) and programs available generally to other employees of MFS. The percentage such benefits represent of any portfolio manager's compensation depends upon the length of the individual's tenure at MFS and salary level, as well as other factors.

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#### Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC
The portfolio managers of the Total Return Bond Fund are Stephen M. Kane, Laird R. Landmann, and Bryan T. Whalen.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Stephen M. Kane** | **Stephen M. Kane** | **Stephen M. Kane** | **Stephen M. Kane** | **Stephen M. Kane** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 33 | $97,322.5 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 19 | $11,413.2 million  | 3 | $477.9 million  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 180 | $41,302.3 million  | 10 | $5,091.3 million  |
| **Laird R. Landmann** | **Laird R. Landmann** | **Laird R. Landmann** | **Laird R. Landmann** | **Laird R. Landmann** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 30 | $100,883.4 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 44 | $15,540.2 million  | 25 | $3,858.0 million  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 196 | $49,809.4 million  | 10 | $7,258.6 million  |
| **Bryan T. Whalen** | **Bryan T. Whalen** | **Bryan T. Whalen** | **Bryan T. Whalen** | **Bryan T. Whalen** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 30 | $99,955.7 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $14,133.5 million  | 18 | $848.5 million  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 203 | $51,316.0 million  | 13 | $8,186.8 million  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Total Return Bond Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Total Return Bond Fund.

#### Conflicts of Interest:
As a member of The TCW Group, Inc. ("TCW"), MetWest is subject to TCW's policies and controls to avoid and/or mitigate conflicts of interest across its businesses. The policies and procedures in TCW's Code of Ethics (the "Code") serve to address or mitigate both conflicts of interest and the appearance of any conflict of interest. The Code contains several restrictions and procedures designed to eliminate conflicts of interest relating to personal investment transactions, including (i) reporting account openings, changes, or closings (including accounts in which an Access Person has a "beneficial interest"), (ii) pre-clearance of non-exempt personal investment transactions (make a personal trade request for Securities) and (iii) the completion of timely required reporting (Initial Holdings Report, Quarterly Transactions Report, Annual Holdings Report and Annual Certificate of Compliance).

In addition, the Code addresses potential conflicts of interest through its policies on insider trading, anti-corruption, an employee's outside business activities, political activities and contributions, confidentiality and whistleblower provisions.

Conflicts of interest may also arise in the management of accounts and investment vehicles. These conflicts may raise questions that would allow TCW to allocate investment opportunities in a way that favors certain accounts or investment vehicles over other accounts or investment vehicles, or incentivize a TCW portfolio manager to receive greater compensation with regard to the management of certain account or investment vehicles. TCW may give advice or take action with certain accounts or investment vehicles that could differ from the advice given or action taken on other accounts or investment vehicles. When an investment opportunity is suitable for more than one account or investment vehicle, such investments will be allocated in a manner that is fair and equitable under the circumstances to all TCW clients. As such, TCW has adopted compliance policies and procedures in its Portfolio Management Policy that helps to identify a conflict of interest and then specifies how a conflict of interest is managed. TCW's Trading and Brokerage Policy also discusses the process of timing and method of allocations, and addresses how the firm handles affiliate transactions.

The respective Equity and Fixed Income Trading and Allocation Committees review trading activities on behalf of client accounts, including the allocation of investment opportunities and address any issues with regard to side-by-side

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management in order to ensure that all of TCW's clients are treated on a fair and equitable basis. Further, the Portfolio Analytics Committee reviews TCW's investment strategies, evaluates various analytics to facilitate risk assessment, changes to performance composites and benchmarks and monitors the implementation and maintenance of the Global Investment Performance Standards or GIPS<sup>®</sup> compliance.

TCW's approach to handling conflicts of interest is multi-layered starting with its policies and procedures, reporting and pre-clearance processes and oversight by various committees.

#### Compensation:
Since MetWest is a subsidiary of TCW, MetWest's investment professionals are compensated under the TCW compensation structure as detailed below. The discussion below describes the portfolio managers' compensation as of September 30, 2022.

The overall objective of TCW's compensation program for portfolio managers is to attract experienced and expert investment professionals and to retain them over the long-term. Compensation is comprised of several components which, in the aggregate, are designed to achieve these objectives and to reward the portfolio managers for their contributions to the successful performance of the accounts they manage. Portfolio managers are compensated through a combination of base salary, fee sharing based compensation ("fee sharing"), bonus and equity incentive participation in TCW's parent company ("equity incentives"). Fee sharing and equity incentives generally represent most of the portfolio managers' compensation. In some cases, portfolio managers are eligible for discretionary bonuses.

*Salary*. Salary is agreed to with portfolio managers at the time of employment and is reviewed from time to time. It does not change significantly and often does not constitute a significant part of a portfolio manager's compensation.

*Fee sharing*. Fee sharing for investment professionals is based on revenues generated by accounts in the investment strategy area for which the investment professionals are responsible. In most cases, revenues are allocated to a pool and fee sharing compensation is allocated among members of the investment team after the deduction of certain expenses (including compensation over a threshold level) related to the strategy group. The allocations are based on the investment professionals' contribution to TCW and its clients, including qualitative and quantitative contributions.

In general, the same fee sharing percentage is used to compensate a portfolio manager for investment services related to a fund as that used to compensate portfolio managers for other client accounts in the same strategy managed by TCW or an affiliate of TCW (collectively, the "TCW Group"). In some cases, the fee sharing pool includes revenues related to more than one product, in which case each participant in the pool is entitled to fee sharing derived from his or her contributions to all the included products.

Investment professionals are not directly compensated for generating performance fees. In some cases, the overall fee sharing pool is subject to fluctuation based on the relative pre-tax performance of the investment strategy composite returns, net of fees and expenses, to that of the benchmark. The measurement of performance relative to the benchmark can be based on single year or multiple year metrics, or a combination thereof. The benchmark used is the one associated with the fund managed by the portfolio manager as disclosed in the prospectus. Benchmarks vary from strategy to strategy but, within a given strategy, the same benchmark applies to all accounts, including the funds.

Discretionary Bonus/Guaranteed Minimums. Discretionary bonuses may be paid out of an investment team's fee sharing pool, as determined by the supervisor(s) in the department. In other cases where portfolio managers do not receive fee sharing or where it is determined that the combination of salary and fee sharing does not adequately compensate the portfolio manager, discretionary bonuses may be paid by the applicable TCW entity. Also, pursuant to contractual arrangements, some portfolio managers received minimum bonuses.

Equity Incentives. Management believes that equity ownership aligns the interests of portfolio managers with the interests of the firm and its clients. Accordingly, TCW Group's key investment professionals participate in equity incentives through ownership or participation in restricted unit plans that vest over time or unit appreciation plans of TCW's parent company. The plans include the Fixed Income Retention Plan, Restricted Unit Plan and 2013 Equity Unit Incentive Plan.

Under the Fixed Income Retention Plan, certain portfolio managers in the fixed income area were awarded cash and/or partnership units in TCW's parent company, either on a contractually-determined basis or on a discretionary basis. Awards under this plan were made in 2010 that vest over time.

Under the Restricted Unit Plan, certain portfolio managers in the fixed income and equity areas may be awarded partnership units in TCW's parent company. Awards under this plan have vested over time, subject to satisfaction of performance criteria.

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Under the 2013 Equity Unit Incentive Plan, certain portfolio managers in the fixed income and equity areas may be awarded options to acquire partnership units in TCW's parent company with a strike price equal to the fair market value of the option at the date of grant. The options granted under this plan are subject to vesting and other conditions.

Other Plans and Compensation Vehicles. Portfolio managers may also elect to participate in the applicable TCW Group's 401(k) plan, to which they may contribute a portion of their pre-and post-tax compensation to the plan for investment on a tax-deferred basis.

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#### Northern Trust Investments, Inc.
The portfolio manager of the S&P 500 Index Fund is Brent Reeder.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Brent Reeder** | **Brent Reeder** | **Brent Reeder** | **Brent Reeder** | **Brent Reeder** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 15 | $26263525557  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the S&P 500 Index Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio manager did not own any shares of the S&P 500 Index Fund.

#### Conflicts of Interest:
NTI's portfolio managers are often responsible for managing one or more funds, as well as other accounts, including separate accounts and other pooled investment vehicles. A portfolio manager may manage a separate account or other pooled investment vehicle that may have a materially higher or lower fee arrangement. The side-by-side management of these accounts may raise potential conflicts of interest relating to cross trading, the allocation of investment opportunities and the aggregation and allocation of trades. In addition, while portfolio managers generally only manage accounts with similar investment strategies, it is possible that due to varying investment restrictions among accounts that certain investments are made for some accounts and not others or conflicting investment positions are taken among accounts. The portfolio managers have a fiduciary responsibility to manage all client accounts in a fair and equitable manner. NTI seeks to provide best execution of all securities transactions and aggregate and then allocate securities to client accounts in a fair and timely manner. To this end, NTI has developed policies and procedures designed to mitigate and manage the potential conflicts of interest that may arise from side-by-side management. In addition, NTI has adopted policies limiting the circumstances under which cross-trades may be effected. NTI conducts periodic reviews of trades for consistency with these policies.

#### Compensation:
The discussion below describes the portfolio managers' compensation as of September 30, 2022.

The compensation for NTI index portfolio managers is based on the competitive marketplace and consists of a fixed base salary plus a variable annual cash incentive award. In addition, non-cash incentives, such as stock options or restricted stock of Northern Trust Corporation, may be awarded from time to time. The annual incentive award is discretionary and is based on a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of each portfolio manager's investment performance and contribution to his or her respective team plus the financial performance of the investment business unit and Northern Trust Corporation as a whole. The annual cash incentive award is not based on performance of the Fund(s) or the amount of assets held in the Fund(s). Moreover, no material differences exist between the compensation structure for mutual fund accounts and other types of accounts.

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#### PanAgora Asset Management, Inc.
The portfolio managers of the Mid Cap Value Fund are George D. Mussalli and Richard Tan.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **George D. Mussalli** | **George D. Mussalli** | **George D. Mussalli** | **George D. Mussalli** | **George D. Mussalli** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 1 | $190393977  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 10 | $8658299399  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 54 | $6847375095  | 8 | $2749578224  |
| **Richard Tan** | **Richard Tan** | **Richard Tan** | **Richard Tan** | **Richard Tan** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 4 | $5499098327  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 35 | $3323279789  | 4 | $798307346  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Mid Cap Value Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Mid Cap Value Fund.

#### Conflicts of Interest:
The portfolio managers' management of other accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in connection with their management of the Mid Cap Value Fund's investments, on the one hand, and the investments of the other accounts, on the other. The other accounts include retirement plans and separately managed accounts, as well as incubated accounts. The other accounts might have similar investment objectives as the Mid Cap Value Fund, or hold, purchase or sell securities that are eligible to be held, purchased or sold by the Mid Cap Value Fund. While the portfolio managers' management of other accounts may give rise to the following potential conflicts of interest, PanAgora does not believe that the conflicts, if any, are material or, to the extent any such conflicts are material, PanAgora believes that it has designed policies and procedures to manage those conflicts in an appropriate way.

A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the portfolio managers' day-to-day management of the Mid Cap Value Fund. Because of their positions with the Mid Cap Value Fund, the portfolio managers know the size, timing and possible market impact of the Mid Cap Value Fund's trades. It is theoretically possible that the portfolio managers could use this information to the advantage of other accounts they manage and to the possible detriment of the Mid Cap Value Fund. However, PanAgora has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to allocate investment opportunities on a fair and equitable basis over time.

A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the portfolio managers' management of the Mid Cap Value Fund, and other accounts, which, in theory, may allow them to allocate investment opportunities in a way that favors other accounts over the Mid Cap Value Fund. This conflict of interest may be exacerbated to the extent that PanAgora or the portfolio managers receive, or expect to receive, greater compensation from their management of the other accounts than the Mid Cap Value Fund.

Notwithstanding this theoretical conflict of interest, it is PanAgora's policy to manage each account based on its investment objectives and related restrictions and, as discussed above, PanAgora has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to allocate investment opportunities on a fair and equitable basis over time and in a manner consistent with each account's investment objectives and related restrictions. For example, while the portfolio managers may buy for other accounts securities that differ in identity or quantity from securities bought for the Mid Cap Value Fund, such securities might not be suitable for the Mid Cap Value Fund given its investment objective and related restrictions.

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#### Compensation:
The discussion below describes the portfolio managers' compensation as of September 30, 2022.

All investment professionals receive industry competitive salaries (based on an annual benchmarking study) and have the potential to be rewarded with meaningful performance-based annual bonuses. All employees of the firm are evaluated by comparing their performance against tailored and specific objectives. These goals are developed and monitored through the cooperation of employees and their immediate supervisors. Portfolio managers have specific goals regarding the investment performance of the accounts they manage and not revenue associated with these accounts. Long-term investment performance is typically assessed based on performance over multiple time periods against competitors or, for certain strategies, against other relevant investment benchmarks. Actual incentive compensation may be higher or lower than the target, based on individual, group, and subjective performance, and also reflect the performance of PanAgora as a firm. Such targets are reviewed each year to adjust for changes in responsibility and market conditions.

In addition, certain PanAgora employees own non-voting interests in PanAgora via PanAgora's management equity plan. Assuming all employee stock and options are issued and exercised, up to 20% of the economic interests in PanAgora can be owned, in the aggregate, by PanAgora employees. To ensure the retention benefit of the plan, the ownership is subject to a vesting schedule. The ownership is primarily shared by members of the senior management team as well as senior investment and research professionals.

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#### Sands Capital Management, LLC
The portfolio managers of the Growth Opportunities Fund are Wesley A. Johnston, Frank M. Sands, and Thomas H. Trentman.

#### Other Accounts Managed:
Discloses other accounts for which a portfolio manager or Management Team Member was jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management as of September 30, 2022.

The Investment Team at Sands Capital creates a model portfolio to which all client portfolios are managed.

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Wesley A. Johnston** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 2 | $2,360.2 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 9 | $932.8 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 301 | $8,173.4 million  | 15 | $511.6 million  |
| **Frank M. Sands** | **Frank M. Sands** | **Frank M. Sands** | **Frank M. Sands** | **Frank M. Sands** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 2 | $2,360.2 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 8 | $932.5 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 289 | $8,073.8 million  | 7 | $448.8 million  |
| **Thomas H. Trentman** | **Thomas H. Trentman** | **Thomas H. Trentman** | **Thomas H. Trentman** | **Thomas H. Trentman** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 2 | $2,360.2 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 11 | $942.5 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 307 | $8,986.5 million  | 16 | $593.6 million  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Growth Opportunities Fund.

<u>Note</u>: The portfolio managers listed above also provide non-discretionary advisory services to select clients, including, potentially, in the form of "model" portfolios that use the same (or substantially similar) investment strategies as those used by the portfolio managers listed above for the Growth Opportunities Fund. In these arrangements, the portfolio managers periodically provide a "model" portfolio, but do not exercise investment discretion or execute trades. Trades executed by the portfolio managers for the Growth Opportunities Fund will at times compete with trades placed by these other clients, which can expose the Growth Opportunities Fund to price volatility, affect the Growth Opportunities Fund's transaction and trading costs, and can adversely affect the Growth Opportunities Fund.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Wesley A. Johnston and Frank M. Sands - These arrangements accounted for approximately 7 accounts and $1,569.7 million in additional fee-paying assets as of September 30, 2022.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Thomas H. Trentman - These arrangements accounted for approximately 8 accounts and $1,587.1 million in additional fee-paying assets as of September 30, 2022.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Growth Opportunities Fund.

#### Conflicts of Interest:
As an investment adviser to a variety of clients, Sands Capital recognizes there may be actual or potential conflicts of interest inherent in its business. For example, conflicts of interest could result from a portfolio manager's management of multiple accounts for multiple clients, the execution of trades and allocation of investment opportunities, the use of brokerage commissions to obtain research, and personal trading by firm employees. Sands Capital has addressed these conflicts by developing policies and procedures it believes are reasonably designed to treat all clients in a fair and equitable manner over time. Sands Capital's policies and procedures address such issues as execution of portfolio transactions,

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aggregation and allocation of trades, directed brokerage, and the use of brokerage commissions. Additionally, Sands Capital maintains a Code of Ethics and Insider Trading Policy and Procedures that addresses rules on personal trading and insider information.

#### Compensation:
The discussion below describes the portfolio managers' compensation as of September 30, 2022.

Investment professionals benefit from a salary competitive in the industry, an annual qualitative bonus based on subjective review of the employees' overall contribution, and a standard profit sharing plan and 401(k) plan. Additional incentives include equity participation while investment professionals also participate in an investment results bonus. The investment results bonus is calculated from the performance variance of the Sands Capital composite returns and their respective benchmarks over 1-, 3-, and 5-year periods, weighted towards the 3- and 5-year results.

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#### Thompson, Siegel & Walmsley LLC
The portfolio managers of the Mid Cap Value Fund are R. Michael Creager and Brett P. Hawkins.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **R. Michael Creager** | **R. Michael Creager** | **R. Michael Creager** | **R. Michael Creager** | **R. Michael Creager** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 4 | $2,085.7 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 1 | $133.3 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 18 | $1,347.7 million  | 0 | $0  |
| **Brett P. Hawkins** | **Brett P. Hawkins** | **Brett P. Hawkins** | **Brett P. Hawkins** | **Brett P. Hawkins** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 5 | $2,121.0 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 3 | $233.8 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 31 | $2,330.1 million  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Mid Cap Value Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Mid Cap Value Fund.

#### Conflicts of Interest:

#### Policy
All TSW associates have a duty to act for the benefit of the firm's clients and to act on clients' behalf before taking action in the interest of TSW or any of its associates.

#### Background
As a SEC registered adviser, TSW and its associates are subject to various requirements under the Advisers Act and rules adopted thereunder. These requirements include various anti-fraud provisions which make it unlawful for advisers to engage in any activities which may be fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative.

TSW has a fiduciary responsibility to its advisory clients and as such has a duty of loyalty to act in utmost good faith, place its clients' interests first and foremost and to make full and fair disclosure of all material facts and, information as to potential and/or actual conflicts of interests.

#### Responsibility
TSW's CCO has the responsibility for implementing and monitoring TSW's Conflicts of Interest policy for content and accuracy.

#### Procedure
TSW has identified several potential conflicts of interest and adopted various procedures and internal controls to review, monitor and ensure the firm's Conflict of Interest policy is observed, implemented properly and amended or updated, as appropriate. TSW has identified the following potential conflicts and the specific Policy, ADV disclosure, or reference in the Associates Manual which addresses the conflict:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Trade allocation/rotation favoring proprietary accounts and/or TSW clients with higher fee schedules. TSW's proprietary accounts and client accounts with higher fee schedules will participate in bunched trades when appropriate, on an equal basis, with other TSW clients. This is disclosed in TSW's disclosure document. TSW's policies are designed to ensure equitable treatment of all clients' orders and details may be found in:

■

Side-by-Side Management policy

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■

Trading policy –Trade Rotation & Allocation of Bunched Trades

■ <br>

Form ADV, Part 2A - Item 6 – Performance Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management and Item 12 – Brokerage Practices – Bunched Trades/Block Trades and Partial Fill Process

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • IPO allocation favoring proprietary accounts or TSW clients with higher fee schedules or performance-based fees. TSW's allocation policies are designed to ensure equitable treatment of all clients' orders participating in IPOs. TSW's four factor screening process generally requires at least three years of financial history prior to being considered for purchase which makes it less likely that a security would be introduced into a client's account under an IPO.

■

Side-by-Side Management policy

■

Trading policy-Initial Public Offerings (IPOs)

■ <br>

Form ADV, Part 2A - Item 6 – Performance Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management and Item 12 – Brokerage Practices – Bunched Trades / Block Trades and Partial Fill Process

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Trading with an affiliate could be a conflict of interest. TSW has developed an Affiliates policy that addresses this issue and precludes TSW from trading with its affiliates. The Director of Trading and the Trade Management Oversight Committee has responsibility for overseeing all firm trading activity to ensure TSW does not trade with its affiliates.

■

Affiliates policy

■

Form ADV, Part 2A – Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • TSW may have a conflict from specific proxy voting issues. TSW's Proxy Voting policy addresses potential conflicts of interest by reviewing the relationship of TSW with the issuer of each security to determine if TSW or any of its associates has any financial, business or personal relationship with the issuer, where a conflict might exist. If TSW determines that a material conflict exists, TSW will instruct ISS to vote using ISS's standard policy guidelines which are derived independently from TSW.

■

Proxy Voting policy

■

Form ADV, Part 2A – Item 17 - Voting Client Securities

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Soft Dollar transactions benefit TSW's research effort by allocating a portion of client's trade commissions to brokers with whom TSW has a commission sharing arrangement ("CSA") brokers. TSW's Soft Dollar Policy is designed to ensure that all research and brokerage services are qualified under the eligibility guidelines of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All new research or brokerage services and any amendments to existing services are documented in writing. TSW's Trade Management Oversight Committee has the responsibility to review overall trading, including transaction costs and the allocation to CSAs, to ensure TSW doesn't misallocate more trades to CSAs for unnecessary or inappropriate services.

■

Soft Dollar policy

■

Form ADV, Part 2A – Item 12 – Brokerage Practices – Soft Dollars

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The ability of alternative strategies to short securities held in other TSW long-only accounts could result in conflicting strategies that could find TSW's clients at odds with one another. TSW's Trading policy addresses this conflict by allowing certain strategies to short securities held in long only strategies with a minimum market capitalization of $10 billion. Rules are written and tested in the trading system, Charles River ("CRD") to monitor this requirement.

■

Side-by-Side Management policy

■

Trading policy

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■ <br>

Form ADV, Part 2A – Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management and Item 12 – Brokerage Practices

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Favoring investment strategies/accounts in which TSW has additional financial interest other than standard fees (some pooled vehicles and performance-based fee accounts). TSW's Trading policies, including allocation procedures, are designed to ensure all strategies and accounts are treated fairly. Various restrictions are placed in CRD and tests are performed to ensure accounts in which TSW has a potentially more favorable financial interest do not take advantage of that position.

■

Side-by-Side Management policy

■

Trading policy – Other Trading Considerations

■

Form ADV, Part 2A – Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management

■

Form ADV, Part 2A – Item 10 – Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • TSW associates' personal trading and the potential use of inside information can create conflicts but are subject to the TSW Code of Ethics and Personal Securities Transactions & Records policy. TSW associates are required to pre-clear personal transactions as required by the Code of Ethics and transactions are monitored to ensure no associate takes advantage of any TSW client trades.

■

Personal Securities Transactions & Records policy

■

Code of Ethics

■

Form ADV, Part 2A –Item 11 – Code of Ethics

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Portfolio Manager Compensation could present a portfolio manager an opportunity to advantage one client or a strategy over another if his/her compensation was so incentivized. TSW's compensation strategy is not incentivized in that way. TSW's compensation strategy addresses this potential conflict by providing competitive base salaries commensurate with an individual's responsibility and providing incentive bonus awards that may significantly exceed base salary. Annually, the TSW Compensation Committee is responsible for determining the discretionary bonus, utilizing an analytical and qualitative assessment process. While it is not a formulaic decision, factors used to determine compensation include: overall firm success, investment team performance and individual contribution. A portion of the bonus (up to to 50%) may be deferred into Pendal stock.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Side-by-side management, where a portfolio manager is responsible for managing multiple strategies/accounts, could present instances where a portfolio manager may devote unequal time and attention to an account or strategy. TSW acknowledges that some of its portfolio managers have input to multiple strategies and client accounts. TSW feels it has addressed this specific potential conflict by adopting Side-By Side Management and Trading Policies.

■

Side-by-Side Management policy

■

Trading policy

■ <br>

Form ADV, Part 2A – Item 6 – Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management and Item 12 – Brokerage Practices

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • While acceptable to the SEC, paying for client referrals can result in a conflict of interest. TSW Compliance reviews and approves paid relationships with Promoters (under SEC Rule 206(4)-1 (Marketing Rule)). TSW has incorporated policies and procedures into its Marketing policy to prevent any conflict of interest.

■

Marketing Rule

■

Form ADV, Part 2A – Item 14 – Client Referrals and Other Compensation

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Some of TSW's related persons are managing members of pooled vehicles and as such, TSW is deemed to have custody of the assets of those vehicles, which presents an opportunity for a conflict of interest. In order to prevent any conflict, TSW has a third-party administrator provide monthly reports and annually requires the

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pooled vehicles to be audited by a Public Company Account Oversight Board ("PCAOB") approved auditor, who distributes the audited financial statements to investors

■

Custody policy

■

Form ADV, Part 2A – Item 15 – Custody

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The exchange of gifts and entertainment to or from clients or other business associates could influence a TSW associate to improperly favor such clients or other business associates in violation of the associate's fiduciary duties. TSW associates are subject to its Code of Ethics which requires all associates to identify any gifts given or received in their quarterly compliance reporting. TSW associates are limited to receipt of gifts given or received valued at $100 and entertainment given or received valued at $250, unless approved as an exception from the CCO or a member of the Executive Team that is not otherwise prohibited under applicable rules. Please note that entertainment can be either in-person or virtual.

■

Code of Ethics

■

Form ADV, Part 2A – Code of Ethics

While TSW has recognized the conflicts summarized above, it realizes that it cannot identify all possible conflicts that exist or may arise in its business. Regardless of the ability to identify all conflicts, it has been emphasized to all TSW associates through its policies and procedures and Code of Ethics to act in utmost good faith, place its clients' interests first and foremost and to make full and fair disclosure of all material facts and information as to potential and/or actual conflicts of interests. Form CRS contains additional, summary disclosures regarding the TSW's conflicts of interest.

#### Compensation:
The discussion below describes the portfolio manager's compensation as of September 30, 2022.

TSW believes the firm's compensation structure is competitive within the industry, both nationally and regionally. The Portfolio Managers for the Mid Cap Value Fund are R. Michael Creager and Brett P. Hawkins. Messrs. Creager and Hawkins are considered key employees and are subject to the following compensation description:

TSW's compensation strategy is to provide competitive base salaries commensurate with an individual's responsibility and provide incentive bonus awards that may significantly exceed base salary. Annually, the TSW Compensation Committee is responsible for determining the discretionary bonuses, utilizing an analytical and qualitative assessment process. While it is not a formulaic decision, factors used to determine compensation include: overall firm success, investment team performance and individual contribution. A portion of the bonus (up to 35%) may be deferred into Perpetual stock, TSW Funds or a combination of the two.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.<br>T. Rowe Price Hong Kong Limited<br>T. Rowe Price International Ltd<br>T. Rowe Price Investment Management, Inc.

T. Rowe Price Singapore Private Ltd.

The portfolio manager of the Diversified Value Fund is John D. Linehan.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **John D. Linehan** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 17 | $36635738107  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 31 | $20350823137  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 13 | $2346488381  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Diversified Value Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio manager did not own any shares of the Diversified Value Fund.

The portfolio manager of the Equity Opportunities Fund is John D. Linehan.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **John D. Linehan** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 17 | $36576672669  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 31 | $20350823137  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 13 | $2346488381  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Equity Opportunities Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio manager did not own any shares of the Equity Opportunities Fund.

The portfolio manager of the Blue Chip Growth Fund is Paul D. Greene II.

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#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Paul D. Greene II** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 9 | $45000892070  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 30 | $31038116554  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 6 | $2995106635  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Blue Chip Growth Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio manager did not own any shares of the Blue Chip Growth Fund.

The portfolio manager of the Mid Cap Growth Fund is Brian W. H. Berghuis.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Brian W. H. Berghuis** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 8 | $42258259133  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 6 | $9805424944  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 3 | $392809908  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Mid Cap Growth Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio manager did not own any shares of the Mid Cap Growth Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund are Malik Asif, Richard N. Clattenburg, Colin McQueen, Raymond A. Mills, Eric Moffett, and Ernest C. Yeung. Mr. Asif is expected to step down as a portfolio manager of the MM Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund on April 1, 2023.

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#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Malik Asif** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 5 | $9381717344  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 13 | $11632192669  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 2 | $282725932  | 0 | $0  |
| **Richard N. Clattenburg**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 4 | $13124547687  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 3 | $9294138759  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Colin McQueen** | **Colin McQueen** | **Colin McQueen** | **Colin McQueen** | **Colin McQueen** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 2 | $9876450586  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 1 | $8897208467  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Raymond A. Mills** | **Raymond A. Mills** | **Raymond A. Mills** | **Raymond A. Mills** | **Raymond A. Mills** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 6 | $20418573312  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 2 | $10583251476  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 4 | $1266570982  | 1 | $489599795  |
| **Eric Moffett** | **Eric Moffett** | **Eric Moffett** | **Eric Moffett** | **Eric Moffett** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 5 | $9381717344  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 8 | $8363490701  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 2 | $282725932  | 0 | $0  |
| **Ernest C. Yeung** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 3 | $4459442744  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 5 | $4425669045  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the MM Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund.

#### Conflicts of Interest:
Portfolio managers at T. Rowe Price and its affiliates may manage multiple accounts. These accounts may include, among others, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, separate accounts (assets managed on behalf of institutions such as pension funds, colleges and universities, and foundations), offshore funds, and common trust funds. T. Rowe Price also provides non-discretionary advice to institutional investors in the form of delivery of model portfolios. Portfolio managers make investment decisions for each portfolio based on the investment objectives, policies, practices, and other relevant investment considerations that the managers believe are applicable to that portfolio. Consequently, portfolio managers may purchase (or sell) securities for one portfolio and not another portfolio. T. Rowe Price and its affiliates have adopted brokerage and trade allocation policies and procedures that they believe are reasonably designed to address any potential conflicts associated with managing multiple accounts.

The T. Rowe Price Funds may, from time to time, own shares of Morningstar, Inc. Morningstar is a provider of investment research to individual and institutional investors, and publishes ratings on funds, including the T. Rowe Price

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Funds. T. Rowe Price acts as subadviser to two mutual funds offered by Morningstar. T. Rowe Price and its affiliates pay Morningstar for a variety of products and services. Morningstar may provide investment consulting and investment management services to clients of T. Rowe Price or its affiliates. The T. Rowe Price Funds may generally not purchase shares of stock issued by T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. However, a T. Rowe Price Index Fund is permitted to make such purchases to the extent T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. is represented in the benchmark index the fund is designed to track.

Additional potential conflicts may be inherent in T. Rowe Price's use of multiple strategies. For example, conflicts will arise in cases where different clients invest in different parts of an issuer's capital structure, including circumstances in which one or more clients may own private securities or obligations of an issuer and other clients may own or seek to acquire securities of the same issuer. For example, a client may acquire a loan, loan participation or a loan assignment of a particular borrower in which one or more other clients have an equity investment or may invest in senior debt obligations of an issuer for one client and junior debt obligations or equity of the same issuer for another client. Similarly, if an issuer in which a client and one or more other clients directly or indirectly hold different classes of securities (or other assets, instruments or obligations issued by such issuer or underlying investments of such issuer) encounters financial problems, is involved in a merger or acquisition or a going private transaction, decisions over the terms of any workout or transaction will raise conflicts of interests. While it is appropriate for different clients to hold investments in different parts of the same issuer's capital structure under normal circumstances, the interests of stockholders and debt holders may conflict, as the securities they hold will likely have different voting rights, dividend or repayment priorities or other features that could be in conflict with one another. Clients should be aware that conflicts will not necessarily be resolved in favor of their interests.

In some cases, T. Rowe Price or its affiliates may refrain from taking certain actions or making certain investments on behalf of clients in order to avoid or mitigate certain conflicts of interest or to prevent adverse regulatory actions or other implications for T. Rowe Price or its affiliates, or may sell investments for certain clients, in such case potentially disadvantaging the clients on whose behalf the actions are not taken, investments not made, or investments sold. In other cases, T. Rowe Price or its affiliates may take actions in order to mitigate legal risks to T. Rowe Price or its affiliates, even if disadvantageous to a client.

Conflicts such as those described above may also occur between clients on the one hand, and T. Rowe Price or its affiliates, on the other. These conflicts will not always be resolved in the favor of the client. In addition, conflicts may exist between different clients of T. Rowe Price or its affiliates. T. Rowe Price and one or more of its affiliates may operate autonomously from each other and may take actions that are adverse to other clients managed by an affiliate. In some cases, T. Rowe Price or its affiliates will have limited or no ability to mitigate those actions or address those conflicts, which could adversely affect T. Rowe Price or its affiliates' clients. In addition, certain regulatory restrictions may prohibit clients of T. Rowe Price or its affiliates from investing in certain companies because of the applicability of certain laws and regulations to T. Rowe Price, its affiliates, or the T. Rowe Price Funds. T. Rowe Price or its affiliates' willingness to negotiate terms or take actions with respect to an investment for its clients may be directly or indirectly, constrained or impacted to the extent that an affiliate or the T. Rowe Price Funds and/or their respective directors, partners, managers, members, officers or personnel are also invested therein or otherwise have a connection to the subject investments.

Investment personnel are mindful of potentially conflicting interests of T. Rowe Price's clients with investments in different parts of an issuer's capital structure and take appropriate measures to ensure that the interests of all clients are fairly represented.

#### Compensation:
The discussion below describes the portfolio managers' compensation as of September 30, 2022.

Portfolio manager compensation consists primarily of a base salary, a cash bonus, and an equity incentive that usually comes in the form of restricted stock grants. Compensation is variable and is determined based on the following factors.

Investment performance over 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods is the most important input. The weightings for these time periods are generally balanced and are applied consistently across similar strategies. T. Rowe Price (and T. Rowe Price Hong Kong, T. Rowe Price Singapore, T. Rowe Price Japan, T. Rowe Price International, and T. Rowe Price Investment Management, as appropriate) evaluates performance in absolute, relative, and risk-adjusted terms. Relative performance and risk-adjusted performance are typically determined with reference to the broad-based index (e.g., S&P 500 Index) and the Lipper average or index (e.g., Large-Cap Growth Index) set forth in the total returns table in the fund's prospectus, although other benchmarks may be used as well. Investment results are also measured against comparably managed funds of competitive investment management firms. The selection of comparable funds is approved by the applicable investment steering committee and is the same as the selection presented to the directors of the T. Rowe Price Funds in their regular review of fund performance. Performance is primarily measured on a pretax basis, although tax efficiency is considered.

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Compensation is viewed with a long-term time horizon. The more consistent a portfolio manager's performance over time, the higher the compensation opportunity. The increase or decrease in a fund's assets due to the purchase or sale of fund shares is not considered a material factor. In reviewing relative performance for fixed income funds, a fund's expense ratio is usually taken into account. Contribution to T. Rowe Price's overall investment process is an important consideration as well. Leveraging ideas and investment insights across applicable investment platforms; working effectively with and mentoring others; and other contributions to T. Rowe Price's clients, the firm, or T. Rowe Price's culture are important components of T. Rowe Price's long-term success and are generally taken into consideration.

All employees of T. Rowe Price, including portfolio managers, can participate in a 401(k) plan sponsored by T. Rowe Price Group. In addition, all employees are eligible to purchase T. Rowe Price common stock through an employee stock purchase plan that features a limited corporate matching contribution. Eligibility for and participation in these plans is on the same basis for all employees. Finally, all vice presidents of T. Rowe Price Group, including all portfolio managers, receive supplemental medical/hospital reimbursement benefits and are eligible to participate in a supplemental savings plan sponsored by T. Rowe Price Group.

This compensation structure is used when evaluating the performance of all portfolios (including the T. Rowe Price Funds) managed by the portfolio manager.

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#### Wellington Management Company LLP
The portfolio manager of the Equity Opportunities Fund is Donald J. Kilbride.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Donald J. Kilbride** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 11 | $58437623499  | 2 | $47832999381  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 9 | $490120297  | 3 | $155960819  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 25 | $2908797852  | 3 | $693074674  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Equity Opportunities Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio manager did not own any shares of the Equity Opportunities Fund.

The portfolio manager of the Fundamental Growth Fund is Timothy N. Manning.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Timothy N. Manning** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 5 | $2356471400  | 1 | $1056976763  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 7 | $2176541072  | 1 | $334867  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 4 | $1306861302  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Fundamental Growth Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio manager did not own any shares of the Fundamental Growth Fund.

The portfolio managers of the Small Cap Value Equity Fund are Edmond C. Griffin, Shaun F. Pedersen, and Danielle S. Williams.

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#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Edmond C. Griffin** | **Edmond C. Griffin** | **Edmond C. Griffin** | **Edmond C. Griffin** | **Edmond C. Griffin** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 3 | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; $889697889  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 5 | $718513057  | 1 | $119914422  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 17 | $1416970234  | 0 | $0  |
| **Shaun F. Pedersen** | **Shaun F. Pedersen** | **Shaun F. Pedersen** | **Shaun F. Pedersen** | **Shaun F. Pedersen** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 4 | $935537290  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 5 | $718513057  | 1 | $119914422  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 17 | $1416970234  | 0 | $0  |
| **Danielle S. Williams** | **Danielle S. Williams** | **Danielle S. Williams** | **Danielle S. Williams** | **Danielle S. Williams** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 3 | $889697889  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 5 | $718513057  | 1 | $119914422  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 17 | $1416970234  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Small Cap Value Equity Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Small Cap Value Equity Fund.

The portfolio managers of the Small Cap Growth Equity Fund are Daniel J. Fitzpatrick, Ranjit Ramachandran, and John V. Schneider.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Daniel J. Fitzpatrick** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 2 | $7038966006  | 1 | $6967990953  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 5 | $789609537  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 8 | $2069432201  | 1 | $40036774  |
| **Ranjit Ramachandran** | **Ranjit Ramachandran** | **Ranjit Ramachandran** | **Ranjit Ramachandran** | **Ranjit Ramachandran** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 5 | $1344035469  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 10 | $55116320  | 2 | $2858469  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 4 | $1646819  | 1 | $1922  |
| **John V. Schneider** | **John V. Schneider** | **John V. Schneider** | **John V. Schneider** | **John V. Schneider** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 4 | $1343652931  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 2 | $46486378  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Small Cap Growth Equity Fund.

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#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Small Cap Growth Equity Fund.

#### Conflicts of Interest:
Individual investment professionals at Wellington Management manage multiple accounts for multiple clients. These accounts may include mutual funds, separate accounts (assets managed on behalf of institutions, such as pension funds, insurance companies, foundations, or separately managed account programs sponsored by financial intermediaries), bank common trust accounts, and hedge funds. Each Fund's managers listed in the prospectus who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds ("Investment Professionals") generally manage accounts in several different investment styles. These accounts may have investment objectives, strategies, time horizons, tax considerations and risk profiles that differ from those of the Funds. The Investment Professionals make investment decisions for each account, including the relevant Fund, based on the investment objectives, policies, practices, benchmarks, cash flows, tax and other relevant investment considerations applicable to that account. Consequently, the Investment Professionals may purchase or sell securities, including IPOs, for one account and not another account, and the performance of securities purchased for one account may vary from the performance of securities purchased for other accounts. Alternatively, these accounts may be managed in a similar fashion to the relevant Fund and thus the accounts may have similar, and in some cases nearly identical, objectives, strategies and/or holdings to that of the relevant Fund.

The Investment Professionals or other investment professionals at Wellington Management may place transactions on behalf of other accounts that are directly or indirectly contrary to investment decisions made on behalf of the relevant Fund, or make investment decisions that are similar to those made for the relevant Fund, both of which have the potential to adversely impact the relevant Fund depending on market conditions. For example, an investment professional may purchase a security in one account while appropriately selling that same security in another account. Similarly, an Investment Professional may purchase the same security for the relevant Fund and one or more other accounts at or about the same time. In those instances the other accounts will have access to their respective holdings prior to the public disclosure of the relevant Fund's holdings. In addition, some of these accounts have fee structures, including performance fees, which are or have the potential to be higher, in some cases significantly higher, than the fees Wellington Management receives for managing the Funds. Messrs. Fitzpatrick, Griffin, Kilbride, Manning, Pedersen, and Ramachandran also manage accounts, which pay performance allocations to Wellington Management or its affiliates. Because incentive payments paid by Wellington Management to the Investment Professionals are tied to revenues earned by Wellington Management and, where noted, to the performance achieved by the manager in each account, the incentives associated with any given account may be significantly higher or lower than those associated with other accounts managed by the given Investment Professional. Finally, the Investment Professionals may hold shares or investments in the other pooled investment vehicles and/or other accounts identified above.

Wellington Management's goal is to meet its fiduciary obligation to treat all clients fairly and provide high quality investment services to all of its clients. Wellington Management has adopted and implemented policies and procedures, including brokerage and trade allocation policies and procedures, which it believes address the conflicts associated with managing multiple accounts for multiple clients. In addition, Wellington Management monitors a variety of areas, including compliance with primary account guidelines, the allocation of IPOs, and compliance with Wellington Management's Code of Ethics, and places additional investment restrictions on investment professionals who manage hedge funds and certain other accounts. Furthermore, senior investment and business personnel at Wellington Management periodically review the performance of Wellington Management's investment professionals. Although Wellington Management does not track the time an investment professional spends on a single account, Wellington Management does periodically assess whether an investment professional has adequate time and resources to effectively manage the investment professional's various client mandates.

#### Compensation:
Wellington Management receives a fee based on the assets under management of each Fund as set forth in the Investment Subadvisory Agreements between Wellington Management and MML Advisers on behalf of each Fund. Wellington Management pays its investment professionals out of its total revenues, including the advisory fees earned with respect to each Fund. The following information relates to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022.

Wellington Management's compensation structure is designed to attract and retain high-caliber investment professionals necessary to deliver high quality investment management services to its clients. Wellington Management's compensation of each Fund's managers listed in the prospectus who are primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds ("Investment Professionals") includes a base salary and incentive components. The base salary for each Investment Professional who is a partner (a "Partner") of Wellington Management Group LLP, the ultimate

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holding company of Wellington Management, is generally a fixed amount that is determined by the managing partners of Wellington Management Group LLP. The base salary for each other Investment Professional is determined by the Investment Professionals' experience and performance in their role as an Investment Professional. Base salaries for Wellington Management's employees are reviewed annually and may be adjusted based on the recommendation of an Investment Professional's manager, using guidelines established by Wellington Management's Compensation Committee, which has final oversight responsibility for base salaries of employees of the firm. Each Investment Professional is eligible to receive an incentive payment based on the revenues earned by Wellington Management from the Fund managed by the Investment Professional and generally each other account managed by such Investment Professional. Each Investment Professional's incentive payment relating to the relevant Fund is linked to the gross pre-tax performance of the portion of the Fund managed by the Investment Professional compared to the benchmark index and/or peer group identified below over one, three, and five year periods, with an emphasis on five year results. Wellington Management applies similar incentive compensation structures (although the benchmarks or peer groups, time periods and rates may differ) to other accounts managed by these Investment Professionals, including accounts with performance fees.

Portfolio-based incentives across all accounts managed by an investment professional can, and typically do, represent a significant portion of an investment professional's overall compensation; incentive compensation varies significantly by individual and can vary significantly from year to year. The Investment Professionals may also be eligible for bonus payments based on their overall contribution to Wellington Management's business operations. Senior management at Wellington Management may reward individuals as it deems appropriate based on other factors. Each Partner is eligible to participate in a Partner-funded tax qualified retirement plan, the contributions to which are made pursuant to an actuarial formula. Messrs. Fitzpatrick, Kilbride, Manning, and Pedersen are Partners.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Fund**  | **Benchmark and/or Peer Group**  |
| Equity Opportunities Fund | Russell 1000 Index |
| Fundamental Growth Fund | Russell Midcap Growth Index  |
| Small Cap Value Equity Fund | Russell 2500 Value Index |
| Small Cap Growth Equity Fund (portfolio managed by Mr. Fitzpatrick) | Russell 2000 Index |
| Small Cap Growth Equity Fund (portfolio managed by Messrs. Ramachandran and Schneider) | Russell 2000 Growth Index |

---

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#### Western Asset Management Company, LLC

#### Western Asset Management Company Limited
A team of investment professionals led by Chief Investment Officer S. Kenneth Leech, and portfolio managers John L. Bellows, Mark S. Lindbloom, Frederick R. Marki, and Julien A. Scholnick, manages the Strategic Bond Fund's assets.

Mr. Leech is responsible for the strategic oversight of the investments and for supervising the operations of the various sector specialist teams dedicated to the specific asset classes. Messrs. Bellows, Lindbloom, Marki, and Scholnick are responsible for portfolio structure, including sector allocation, duration weighting, and term structure decisions.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **John L. Bellows** | **John L. Bellows** | **John L. Bellows** | **John L. Bellows** | **John L. Bellows** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 21 | $53629768987  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 21 | $9947870906  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 176 | $52953404304  | 6 | $3918891830  |
| **S. Kenneth Leech** | **S. Kenneth Leech** | **S. Kenneth Leech** | **S. Kenneth Leech** | **S. Kenneth Leech** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 97 | $132708039580  | 0 | $<u>0</u>  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 328 | $68710693474  | 27 | $2750844821  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 635 | $174059813646  | 26 | $14989306199  |
| **Mark S. Lindbloom** | **Mark S. Lindbloom** | **Mark S. Lindbloom** | **Mark S. Lindbloom** | **Mark S. Lindbloom** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 29 | $60186066986  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 25 | $12930292624  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 186 | $55842735261  | 7 | $4698316039  |
| **Frederick R. Marki** | **Frederick R. Marki** | **Frederick R. Marki** | **Frederick R. Marki** | **Frederick R. Marki** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 25 | $55410724480  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 25 | $12377660957  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 183 | $57546975745  | 8 | $6099528494  |
| **Julien A. Scholnick** | **Julien A. Scholnick** | **Julien A. Scholnick** | **Julien A. Scholnick** | **Julien A. Scholnick** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 23 | $57461123438  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 20 | $9904314096  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 171 | $51746542601  | 6 | $3918891830  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Strategic Bond Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Strategic Bond Fund.

*Note:* The numbers above reflect the overall number of portfolios managed by Western Asset. Mr. Leech is involved in the management of all the firm's portfolios, but he is not solely responsible for particular portfolios. Western's investment discipline emphasizes a team approach that combines the efforts of groups of specialists working in different market sectors. The individuals that have been identified are responsible for overseeing implementation of the firm's overall investment ideas and coordinating the work of the various sector teams. This structure ensures that client portfolios benefit from a consensus that draws on the expertise of all team members.

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#### Conflicts of Interest:
Western Asset has adopted compliance policies and procedures to address a wide range of potential conflicts of interest that could directly impact client portfolios. For example, potential conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the management of multiple portfolios (including portfolios managed in a personal capacity). These could include potential conflicts of interest related to the knowledge and timing of a portfolio's trades, investment opportunities, and broker selection. Portfolio managers are privy to the size, timing, and possible market impact of a portfolio's trades.

It is possible that an investment opportunity may be suitable for both a portfolio and other accounts managed by a portfolio manager, but may not be available in sufficient quantities for both the portfolio and the other accounts to participate fully. Similarly, there may be limited opportunity to sell an investment held by a portfolio and another account. A conflict may arise where the portfolio manager may have an incentive to treat an account preferentially as compared to a portfolio because the account pays a performance-based fee or the portfolio manager, Western Asset, or an affiliate has an interest in the account. Western Asset has adopted procedures for allocation of portfolio transactions and investment opportunities across multiple client accounts on a fair and equitable basis over time. All eligible accounts that can participate in a trade share the same price on a pro-rata allocation basis to ensure that no conflict of interest occurs. Trades are allocated among similarly managed accounts to maintain consistency of portfolio strategy, taking into account cash availability, investment restrictions and guidelines, and portfolio composition versus strategy.

With respect to securities transactions, Western Asset determines which broker or dealer to use to execute each order, consistent with their duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain other accounts (such as pooled investment vehicles that are not registered investment companies and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals), Western Asset may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or dealers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker or dealer. In these cases, trades for a portfolio in a particular security may be placed separately from, rather than aggregated with, such other accounts. Having separate transactions with respect to a security may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the possible detriment of a portfolio or the other account(s) involved. Additionally, the management of multiple portfolios and/or other accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each portfolio and/or other account. Western Asset's team approach to portfolio management and block trading approach works to limit this potential risk.

Western Asset also maintains a gift and entertainment policy to address the potential for a business contact to give gifts or host entertainment events that may influence the business judgment of an employee. Employees are permitted to retain gifts of only a nominal value and are required to make reimbursement for entertainment events above a certain value. All gifts (except those of a de minimus value) and entertainment events that are given or sponsored by a business contact are required to be reported in a gift and entertainment log which is reviewed on a regular basis for possible issues.

Employees of Western Asset have access to transactions and holdings information regarding client accounts and Western Asset's overall trading activities. This information represents a potential conflict of interest because employees may take advantage of this information as they trade in their personal accounts. Accordingly, Western Asset maintains a Code of Ethics that is compliant with Rule 17j-1 and Rule 204A-1 to address personal trading. In addition, the Code of Ethics seeks to establish broader principles of good conduct and fiduciary responsibility in all aspects of the Western Asset's business. The Code of Ethics is administered by the Legal and Compliance Department and monitored through the Western Asset's compliance monitoring program.

Western Asset may also face other potential conflicts of interest with respect to managing client assets, and the description above is not a complete description of every conflict of interest that could be deemed to exist. Western Asset also maintains a compliance monitoring program and engages independent auditors to conduct a SSAE 16/ISAE 3402 audit on an annual basis. These steps help to ensure that potential conflicts of interest have been addressed.

#### Compensation:
The discussion below describes the portfolio managers' compensation as of September 30, 2022.

At Western Asset, one compensation methodology covers all employees, including investment professionals. Standard compensation includes competitive base salaries, generous employee benefits, incentive bonus and a retirement plan which includes an employer match and discretionary profit sharing. Incentive bonuses are usually distributed in November.

The firm's compensation philosophy is to manage fixed costs by paying competitive base salaries, but reward performance through the incentive bonus. A total compensation range for each position within Western Asset is derived from annual market surveys and other relevant compensation-related data that benchmark each role to their job function

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and peer universe. This method is designed to base the reward for employees with total compensation reflective of the external market value of their skills, experience, and ability to produce desired results. Furthermore, the incentive bonus makes up the variable component of total compensation. Additional details regarding the incentive bonus are below:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Each employee participates in the annual review process in which a formal performance review is conducted at the end of the year and also a mid-year review is conducted halfway through the fiscal year.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The incentive bonus is based on one's individual contributions to the success of one's team performance and the firm. The overall success of the firm will determine the amount of funds available to distribute for all incentive bonuses.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Incentive compensation is the primary focus of management decisions when determining Total Compensation, as base salaries are purely targeting to pay a competitive rate for the role.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Western Asset offers long-term incentives (in the form of a deferred cash plan) as part of the discretionary bonus for eligible employees. The eligibility requirements are discretionary and the plan participants include all investment professionals, sales and relationship management professionals and senior managers. The purpose of the plan is to retain key employees by allowing them to participate in the plans where the awards are deferred and can be invested into a variety of Western Asset funds until the vesting date. These contributions plus the investment gains are paid to the employee if he/she remains employed and in good standing with Western Asset until the discretionary contributions become vested. Discretionary contributions made to the Plan will be placed in a special trust that restricts management's use of and access to the money.

For portfolio managers, the formal review process also includes the use of a Balanced Scorecard to measure performance. The Balanced Scorecard includes one-, three-, and five-year investment performance, monitoring of risk, (portfolio dispersion and tracking error), client support activities, adherence to client portfolio objectives and guidelines, and certain financial measures (AUM and revenue trends). In reviewing investment performance, one-, three-, and five-year annualized returns are measured against appropriate market peer groups and to each fund's benchmark index. These are structured to reward sector specialists for contributions to the firm as well as relative performance of their specific portfolios/product and are determined by the professional's job function and performance as measured by the review process.

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#### Westfield Capital Management Company, L.P.
The portfolio managers of the Fundamental Growth Fund are Richard D. Lee, Ethan J. Meyers, and William A. Muggia.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Richard D. Lee** | **Richard D. Lee** | **Richard D. Lee** | **Richard D. Lee** | **Richard D. Lee** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 7 | $2,828 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 7 | $1,249 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 216 | $7,588 million  | 22 | $1,607 million  |
| **Ethan J. Meyers** | **Ethan J. Meyers** | **Ethan J. Meyers** | **Ethan J. Meyers** | **Ethan J. Meyers** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 7 | $2,828 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 7 | $1,249 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 216 | $7,588 million  | 22 | $1,607 million  |
| **William D. Muggia** | **William D. Muggia** | **William D. Muggia** | **William D. Muggia** | **William D. Muggia** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 8 | $2,841 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 10 | $1,297 million  | 1 | $29 million  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 266 | $8,452 million  | 25 | $2,046 million  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the Fundamental Growth Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Fundamental Growth Fund.

#### Conflicts of Interest:
The simultaneous management of multiple accounts by Westfield's investment professionals creates a possible conflict of interest as they must allocate their time and investment ideas across multiple accounts. This may result in Westfield's Investment Committee (the "Investment Committee") or portfolio manager allocating unequal attention and time to the management of each client account as each has different objectives, benchmarks, investment restrictions and fees. For most client accounts, investment decisions are made at the Investment Committee level. Once an idea has been approved, it is implemented across all eligible and participating accounts within the strategy.

Although the Investment Committee collectively acts as portfolio manager on most client accounts, there are some client accounts that are managed by a portfolio manager who also serves as a member of the Investment Committee. This can create a conflict of interest because investment decisions for these individually managed accounts do not require approval by the Investment Committee; thus, there is an opportunity for individually managed client accounts to trade in a security ahead of Investment Committee-managed client accounts. Trade orders for individually managed accounts must be communicated to the Investment Committee. Additionally, Westfield's Compliance team performs periodic reviews of such accounts to ensure procedures have been followed.

Westfield has clients with performance-based fee arrangements. A conflict of interest can arise between those portfolios that incorporate a performance fee and those that do not. When the same securities are recommended for both types of accounts, it is Westfield's policy to allocate investments, on a pro-rata basis, to all participating and eligible accounts, regardless of the account's fee structure. Westfield's Operations team performs ongoing reviews of each product's model portfolio versus each client account. Discrepancies are researched, and exceptions are documented.

In placing each transaction for a client's account, Westfield seeks best execution of that transaction except in cases where Westfield does not have the authority to select the broker or dealer, as stipulated by the client. Westfield attempts to bundle directed brokerage accounts with non-directed accounts, and then utilize step-out trades to satisfy the directed arrangements. Clients who do not allow step-out trades generally will be executed after non-directed accounts.

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Because of Westfield's interest in receiving third party research services, there may be an incentive for Westfield to select a broker or dealer based on such interest rather than the clients' interest in receiving most favorable execution. To mitigate the conflict that Westfield may have an incentive beyond best execution to utilize a particular broker, broker and research votes are conducted and reviewed on a quarterly basis. These votes provide the opportunity to recognize the unique research efforts of a wide variety of firms, as well as the opportunity to compare aggregate commission dollars with a particular broker to ensure appropriate correlation. Westfield's Best Execution Committee also reviews transaction cost analysis data quarterly to monitor trading and commission activity.

Some Westfield clients have elected to retain certain brokerage firms as consultants or to invest their assets through a broker-sponsored wrap program for which Westfield acts as a manager. Several of these firms are on Westfield's approved broker list. Since Westfield may gain new clients through such relationships and will interact closely with such firms to service the client, there may be an incentive for Westfield to select a broker or dealer based on such interest rather than the clients' interest. To help ensure independence in the brokerage selection process, brokerage selection is handled by Westfield's Traders, while client relationships are managed by Westfield's Marketing/Client Service team.

Personal accounts may give rise to conflicts of interest. Westfield and its employees will, from time to time, for their own investment accounts, purchase, sell, hold or own securities or other assets which may be recommended for purchase, sale or ownership for one or more clients. Westfield has a Code of Ethics which regulates trading in such accounts that includes requirements on regular reporting and preclearance of transactions. Westfield's Compliance team reviews personal trading activity regularly.

Westfield serves as manager to the General Partners of private funds, for which we also provide investment advisory services. Westfield and its employees have also invested their own funds in such vehicles and other investment strategies that are advised by the firm. Allowing such investments and having a financial interest in the private funds can create an incentive for the firm to favor these accounts because our financial interests are more directly tied to the performance of such accounts. To help ensure all clients are treated equitably and fairly, Westfield allocates investment opportunities on a pro-rata basis. Westfield's Compliance team conducts periodic reviews of client accounts to ensure procedures have been followed.

In addition to a base salary and a performance-based bonus award, Westfield's Marketing and Client Service team's compensation is based on a percentage of annual revenue generated by new separate accounts and/or significant contributions to existing client accounts but excludes any subadvised or advised mutual funds. This incentive poses a conflict in that members of the team could encourage investment in a product(s) that may not be suitable. To mitigate such risk, team members are not incentivized to sell one product versus another. Nor do they have specific sales targets. Further, Westfield's new account process includes a review of client contracts and investment policy statements to ensure the recommended product is suitable prior to funding. Lastly, all incentive compensation is reviewed and approved by the COO and CFO.

#### Compensation:
The discussion below describes the portfolio managers' compensation as of September 30, 2022.

Members of the Investment Committee may be eligible to receive various components of compensation:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Investment Committee members receive a base salary commensurate with industry standards.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Investment Committee members are also eligible to receive an annual performance based bonus award. The amount awarded is based on the employee's individual performance attribution and overall contribution to the investment performance of Westfield.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Investment Committee members may be eligible to receive equity interests in the future profits of Westfield. Individual awards are typically determined by a member's overall performance within the firm, including but not limited to contribution to company strategy, participation in marketing and client service initiatives, as well as longevity at the firm. Key members of Westfield's management team who receive equity interests in the firm enter into agreements restricting post-employment competition and solicitation of clients and employees of Westfield. This compensation is in addition to the base salary and performance based bonus. Equity interest grants typically vest over five years. <br>

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#### MASSMUTUAL SELECT FUNDS

#### 1295 STATE STREET<br>SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 01111-0001

#### STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI") IS NOT A PROSPECTUS. IT SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROSPECTUS OF MASSMUTUAL SELECT FUNDS (THE "TRUST") DATED FEBRUARY 1, 2023, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME (THE "PROSPECTUS"). THIS SAI INCORPORATES HEREIN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE FUNDS BY REFERENCE TO THE TRUST'S ANNUAL REPORTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2022 (THE "ANNUAL REPORTS"). TO OBTAIN A PROSPECTUS OR AN ANNUAL REPORT, CALL TOLL-FREE 1-888-309-3539, OR WRITE THE TRUST AT THE ABOVE ADDRESS.

This SAI relates to the following Funds:

---

| | | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Fund Name**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Class I**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Class R5**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Service<br>Class** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Administrative <br>Class** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Class R4**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Class A**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Class R3**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Class Y**  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual 20/80 <br> Allocation Fund  | MRCUX | MRCSX | MRCYX | MRCLX | MRCZX | MCTAX | MRCVX | MMNOX |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual 40/60 <br> Allocation Fund  | MRMUX | MROSX | MRMYX | MRMLX | MRMZX | MRMAX | MRMTX | MMNPX |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual 60/40 <br> Allocation Fund  | MROUX | MRSSX | MROYX | MRSLX | MROZX | MOGAX | MROTX | MMNQX |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual 80/20 <br> Allocation Fund  | MRGUX | MRRSX | MRGYX | MRGLX | MRGZX | MRRAX | MRGVX | MMNSX |
| MassMutual <br> RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> <br> by JPMorgan In Retirement <br> Fund  | MDRVX | MDRTX | MDRSX | MDRYX | MDRZX | MRDAX | MDRNX |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual <br> RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> <br> by JPMorgan 2020 Fund  | MRTDX | MRTBX | MRTSX | MRTYX | MRTHX | MRTAX | MRTNX |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual <br> RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> <br> by JPMorgan 2025 Fund  | MMNUX | MMNTX | MMISX | MMIYX | MMNZX | MMSDX | MMNRX |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual <br> RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> <br> by JPMorgan 2030 Fund  | MRYUX | MRYTX | MRYSX | MRYYX | MRYZX | MRYAX | MRYNX |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual <br> RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> <br> by JPMorgan 2035 Fund  | MMXUX | MMXTX | MMXSX | MMXYX | MMXZX | MMXAX | MMXNX |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual <br> RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> <br> by JPMorgan 2040 Fund  | MRFUX | MRFTX | MFRSX | MRFYX | MRFZX | MRFAX | MFRNX |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual <br> RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> <br> by JPMorgan 2045 Fund  | MMKUX | MMKTX | MMKSX | MMKYX | MMKZX | MMKAX | MMKNX |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual <br> RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> <br> by JPMorgan 2050 Fund  | MMRUX | MMRTX | MMTSX | MMRYX | MMRZX | MMARX | MMRNX |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual <br> RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> <br> by JPMorgan 2055 Fund  | MMWZX | MMWUX | MMWSX | MMWYX | MMWEX | MMWAX | MMWTX |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual <br> RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> <br> by JPMorgan 2060 Fund  | MMWIX | MMWHX | MMWGX | MMWFX | MMWCX | MMWDX | MMWBX |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MassMutual <br> RetireSMART<sup>SM</sup> <br> by JPMorgan 2065 Fund  | MMZBX | MMZCX | MMZDX | MMZEX | MMZFX | MMZGX | MMZHX |  |

---

No dealer, salesman or any other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations, other than those contained in this SAI or in the related Prospectus, in connection with the offer contained herein, and, if given or made, such other information or representation must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Trust or MML Distributors, LLC (the "Distributor"). This SAI and the related Prospectus do not constitute an offer by the Trust or by the Distributor to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any of the securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer in such jurisdiction.

Dated February 1, 2023 <br> As Revised on February 7, 2023

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#### **TABLE OF CONTENTS**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| | **Page** |
| [General Information](#idGENERALINFO2861)  | [B-3](#idGENERALINFO2861) |
| [Additional Investment Policies](#idADDITIONALI4105)  | [B-3](#idADDITIONALI4105) |
| [Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings](#iddisclosureo9227-0)  | [B-47](#iddisclosureo9227-0) |
| [Investment Restrictions of the Funds](#idINVESTMENTR6963)  | [B-49](#idINVESTMENTR6963) |
| [Management of the Trust](#idMANAGEMENTO71864)  | [B-51](#idMANAGEMENTO71864) |
| [Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities](#idCONTROLPERS116020)  | [B-62](#idCONTROLPERS116020) |
| [Investment Advisory and Other Service Agreements](#idINVESTMENTA78305)  | [B-80](#idINVESTMENTA78305) |
| [The Distributor](#idTHEDISTRIBU3687)  | [B-87](#idTHEDISTRIBU3687) |
| [Distribution and Service Plan](#idDISTRIBUTIO10889)  | [B-88](#idDISTRIBUTIO10889) |
| [Payments to Financial Intermediaries](#idpaymentstof6165-0)  | [B-88](#idpaymentstof6165-0) |
| [Custodian, Dividend Disbursing Agent, and Transfer Agent](#idcustodiandi1047-0)  | [B-90](#idcustodiandi1047-0) |
| [Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm](#idindependent807-0)  | [B-90](#idindependent807-0) |
| [Codes of Ethics](#idCODESOFETHI1002)  | [B-90](#idCODESOFETHI1002) |
| [Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage](#idPORTFOLIOTR1709)  | [B-90](#idPORTFOLIOTR1709) |
| [Description of Shares](#idDESCRIPTION11163)  | [B-91](#idDESCRIPTION11163) |
| [Redemption of Shares](#idredemptiono3384-0)  | [B-92](#idredemptiono3384-0) |
| [Valuation of Portfolio Securities](#idVALUATIONOF5461)  | [B-93](#idVALUATIONOF5461) |
| [Taxation](#idTAXATION61906)  | [B-93](#idTAXATION61906) |
| [Experts](#idEXPERTS1183)  | [B-103](#idEXPERTS1183) |
| [Appendix A—Description of Securities Ratings](#idappendixade34618-0)  | [B-104](#idappendixade34618-0) |
| [Appendix B—Proxy Voting Policies](#idappendixbpr4649-0)  | [B-108](#idappendixbpr4649-0) |
| [Appendix C—Additional Portfolio Manager Information](#idAPPENDIXCAD177459)  | [B-112](#idAPPENDIXCAD177459) |
| [Appendix D—Description of Underlying Funds](#idAPPENDIXDDE106147)  | [B-128](#idAPPENDIXDDE106147) |

---

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#### GENERAL INFORMATION

The Trust is organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Massachusetts business trust pursuant to an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated May 28, 1993, as amended and restated as of November 21, 2011, as it may be further amended from time to time (the "Declaration of Trust"). The investment adviser for each of the Funds is MML Investment Advisers, LLC ("MML Advisers"). The subadviser for each of the MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Funds is J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. ("J.P. Morgan"). MML Advisers and J.P. Morgan are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") as investment advisers.

#### ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
Each Fund has a distinct investment objective which it pursues through separate investment policies, as described in the Prospectus and below. The fundamental investment policies and fundamental investment restrictions of a Fund may not be changed without the vote of a majority of that Fund's outstanding voting securities (which, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and the rules thereunder and as used in this SAI and in the Prospectus, means the lesser of (l) 67% of the shares of that Fund present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of that Fund are present in person or by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of that Fund). The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the "Board") may adopt new or amend or delete existing non-fundamental investment policies and restrictions without shareholder approval. There is no guarantee that any Fund will achieve its investment objective.

Unless otherwise specified, each Fund may engage in the investment practices and techniques described below to the extent consistent with such Fund's investment objective and fundamental investment restrictions. Not all Funds necessarily will utilize all or any of these practices and techniques at any one time or at all. Investment policies and restrictions described below are non-fundamental and may be changed by the Trustees without shareholder approval, unless otherwise noted. For a description of the ratings of corporate debt securities and money market instruments in which the various Funds may invest, reference should be made to Appendix A.

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Each MassMutual Target Allocation Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a combination of U.S. domestic and international mutual funds sponsored by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company ("MassMutual") or non-affiliates ("MassMutual Target Allocation Underlying Funds")<sup>1</sup> using an asset allocation strategy. Each MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a combination of U.S. domestic and international mutual funds sponsored by MassMutual, J.P. Morgan or its affiliates, or non-affiliates ("MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Underlying Funds")<sup>1</sup> using an asset allocation strategy. The MassMutual Target Allocation Underlying Funds and the MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Underlying Funds are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Underlying Funds." Underlying Funds may purchase various securities and investment related instruments and make use of various investment techniques, including, but not limited to, those described below. Except as otherwise stated, references in this section to "the Funds," "each Fund," or "a Fund" may relate to the Funds, one or more Underlying Funds, or both.

#### Asset-Based Securities
A Fund may invest in debt, preferred, or convertible securities, the principal amount, redemption terms, or conversion terms of which are related to the market price of some natural resource asset such as gold bullion. These securities are referred to as "asset-based securities." If an asset-based security is backed by a bank letter of credit or other similar facility, the investment adviser or subadviser may take such backing into account in determining the creditworthiness of the issuer. While the market prices for an asset-based security and the related natural resource asset generally are expected to move in the same direction, there may not be perfect correlation in the two price movements. Asset-based securities may not be secured by a security interest in or claim on the underlying natural resource asset. The asset-based securities in which a Fund may invest may bear interest or pay preferred dividends at below market (or even relatively nominal) rates. Certain asset-based securities may be payable at maturity in cash at the stated principal amount or, at the option of the holder, directly in a stated amount of the asset to which it is related. In such instance, because no Fund presently intends to invest directly in natural resource assets, a Fund would sell the asset-based security in the secondary market, to the extent one exists, prior to maturity if the value of the stated amount of the asset exceeds the stated principal amount and thereby realize the appreciation in the underlying asset. Certain restrictions imposed on the Funds by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), may limit the Funds' ability to invest in certain natural resource-based securities.

***Precious Metal-Related Securities***. A Fund may invest in the equity securities of companies that explore for, extract, process, or deal in precious metals (e.g., gold, silver, and platinum), and in asset-based securities indexed to the value of such metals. Such securities may be purchased when they are believed to be attractively priced in relation to the value of a company's precious metal-related assets or when the values of precious metals are expected to benefit from inflationary pressure or other economic, political, or financial uncertainty or instability. Based on historical experience, during periods of economic or financial instability the securities of companies involved in precious metals may be subject to extreme price fluctuations, reflecting the high volatility of precious metal prices during such periods. In addition, the instability of precious metal prices may result in volatile earnings of precious metal-related companies, which may, in turn, adversely affect the financial condition of such companies.

The major producers of gold include the Republic of South Africa, Russia, Canada, the United States, Brazil, and Australia. Sales of gold by Russia are largely unpredictable and often relate to political and economic considerations rather than to market forces. Economic, financial, social, and political factors within South Africa may significantly affect South African gold production.

#### Bank Capital Securities
A Fund may invest in bank capital securities. Bank capital securities are issued by banks to help fulfill their regulatory capital requirements. Many bank capital securities are commonly thought of as hybrids of debt and preferred stock. Some bank capital securities are perpetual (with no maturity date), callable, and have a cumulative interest deferral feature. This means that under certain conditions, the issuer bank can withhold payment of interest until a later date, likely increasing the credit and interest rate risks of an investment in those securities. Investments in bank capital securities are subject to the risks of other debt investments, such as default and non-payment, as well as certain other risks, such as the risk that bank regulators may force the bank to dissolve, merge, restructure its capitalization, or take other actions intended to prevent its

<sup>1</sup> MassMutual Target Allocation Underlying Funds can include MassMutual Funds advised by MML Advisers, as well as non-affiliated mutual funds not advised by MML Advisers. MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Underlying Funds can include MassMutual Funds, as well as J.P. Morgan Funds advised by J.P. Morgan or its affiliates, and non-affiliated mutual funds not advised by MML Advisers, J.P. Morgan, or affiliates of J.P. Morgan.

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failure or ensure its orderly resolution. Bank regulators in certain jurisdictions have broad authorities they may use to prevent the failure of banking institutions or to stabilize the banking industry, all of which may adversely affect the values of investments in bank capital securities and other bank obligations, including those of other banks.

#### Bank Loans
A Fund may invest in bank loans including, for example, corporate loans, loan participations, direct debt, bank debt, and bridge debt. A Fund may invest in a loan by lending money to a borrower directly as part of a syndicate of lenders. In a syndicated loan, the agent that originated and structured the loan typically administers and enforces the loan on behalf of the syndicate. In such cases, the agent is normally responsible for the collection of principal and interest payments from the borrower and the apportionment of these payments to the credit of all institutions that are parties to the loan agreement. A Fund will generally rely on the agent to receive and forward to the Fund its portion of the principal and interest payments on the loan. Failure by the agent to fulfill its obligations may delay or adversely affect receipt of payment by a Fund.

A Fund may invest in loans through novations, assignments, and participation interests. In a novation, a Fund typically assumes all of the rights of a lending institution in a loan, including the right to receive payments of principal and interest and other amounts directly from the borrower and to enforce its rights as a lender directly against the borrower. When a Fund takes an assignment of a loan, the Fund acquires some or all of the interest of another lender (or assignee) in the loan. In such cases, the Fund may be required generally to rely upon the assignor to demand payment and enforce rights under the loan. (There may be one or more assignors prior in time to the Fund.) If a Fund acquires a participation in the loan made by a third party loan investor, the Fund typically will have a contractual relationship only with the loan investor, not with the borrower. As a result, a Fund may have the right to receive payments of principal, interest, and any fees to which it is entitled only from the loan investor selling the participation and only upon receipt by such loan investor of such payments from the borrower. In connection with participations, a Fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement, nor any rights with respect to any funds acquired by other loan investors through set-off against the borrower, and the Fund may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the participation. As a result, a Fund assumes the credit risk of both the borrower and the loan investor selling the participation. In the event of the insolvency of the loan investor selling a participation, a Fund may be treated as a general creditor of such loan investor. In addition, because loan participations are not generally rated by independent credit rating agencies, a decision by a Fund to invest in a particular loan participation will depend almost exclusively on its investment adviser's or subadviser's credit analysis of the borrower.

Loans in which a Fund may invest are subject generally to the same risks as debt securities in which the Fund may invest. In addition, loans in which a Fund may invest, including bridge loans, are generally made to finance internal growth, mergers, acquisitions, stock repurchases, leveraged buy-outs, and other corporate activities, including bridge loans. A significant portion of the loans purchased by a Fund may represent interests in loans made to finance highly leveraged corporate acquisitions, known as "leveraged buy-out" transactions, leveraged recapitalization loans, and other types of acquisition financing. The highly leveraged capital structure of the borrowers in such transactions may make such loans especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions.

Loans generally are subject to restrictions on transfer, and only limited opportunities may exist to sell loans in secondary markets. In some cases, negotiations involved in disposing of indebtedness may require weeks to complete. As a result, a Fund may be unable to sell loans at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or may be able to sell them only at a price that is less than their fair market value. The settlement time for certain loans is longer than the settlement time for many other types of investments, and a Fund may not receive the payment for a loan sold by it until well after the sale; that cash would be unavailable for payment of redemption proceeds or for reinvestment.

Certain of the loans acquired by a Fund may involve revolving credit facilities under which a borrower may from time to time borrow and repay amounts up to the maximum amount of the facility. In such cases, the Fund would have an obligation to advance its portion of such additional borrowings upon the terms specified in the loan participation. A Fund may be required to fund such advances at times and in circumstances where the Fund might not otherwise choose to make a loan to the borrower.

The value of collateral, if any, securing a loan can decline, or may be insufficient to meet the borrower's obligations or difficult to liquidate, or a Fund may be prevented or delayed from realizing the collateral. In addition, a Fund's access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. If a secured loan is foreclosed, a Fund could become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. A bankruptcy or restructuring can result in the loan being converted to an equity ownership interest in the borrower. In addition, under legal theories of lender liability, a Fund potentially might be held liable as a co-lender.

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Loans may not be considered "securities," and a Fund that purchases a loan may not be entitled to rely on anti-fraud and other protections under the federal securities laws.

#### Below Investment Grade Debt Securities
A Fund may purchase below investment grade debt securities, sometimes referred to as "junk" or "high yield" bonds. The lower ratings of certain securities held by a Fund reflect a greater possibility that adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuer, or in general economic conditions, or both, or an unanticipated rise in interest rates, may impair the ability of the issuer to make payments of interest and principal. The inability (or perceived inability) of issuers to make timely payment of interest and principal would likely make the values of securities held by the Fund more volatile and could limit the Fund's ability to sell its securities at prices approximating the values a Fund had placed on such securities. In the absence of a liquid trading market for securities held by it, the Fund may be unable at times to establish the fair market value of such securities. The rating assigned to a security by S&P Global Ratings ("S&P") or Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") does not reflect an assessment of the volatility of the security's market value or of the liquidity of an investment in the security. (The term "below investment grade debt securities" includes securities that are not rated but are considered by a Fund's investment adviser or subadviser to be of comparable quality to other below investment grade debt securities.)

Like those of other fixed income securities, the values of below investment grade debt securities fluctuate in response to changes in interest rates. Thus, a decrease in interest rates generally will result in an increase in the value of a Fund's fixed income securities. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, the value of a Fund's fixed income securities generally will decline. In addition, the values of such securities are also affected by changes in general economic conditions and business conditions, which are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments than in the case of higher grade securities. Changes by recognized rating services in their ratings of any fixed income security and in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal may also affect the value of these investments. Changes in the values of portfolio securities generally will not affect cash income derived from such securities, but will affect the Fund's net asset value ("NAV").

Issuers of below investment grade debt securities are often highly leveraged, so their ability to service their debt obligations during an economic downturn or during sustained periods of rising interest rates may be impaired. In the past, economic downturns or increases in interest rates have, under certain circumstances, resulted in a higher incidence of default by the issuers of these instruments and are likely to do so in the future, especially in the case of highly leveraged issuers. In addition, such issuers may not have more traditional methods of financing available to them, and may be unable to repay debt at maturity by refinancing. The risk of loss due to default in payment of interest or principal by such issuers is significantly greater because such securities frequently are unsecured and subordinated to the prior payment of senior indebtedness. Certain of the below investment grade debt securities in which a Fund may invest are issued to raise funds in connection with the acquisition of a company, in so-called "leveraged buy-out" transactions. The highly leveraged capital structure of such issuers may make them especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic conditions.

Under adverse market or economic conditions or in the event of adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuer, a Fund could find it more difficult to sell below investment grade debt securities when the Fund's investment adviser or subadviser believes it advisable to do so or may be able to sell such securities only at prices lower than might otherwise be available. Consolidation in the financial services industry has resulted in there being fewer market makers for high yield bonds, which may result in further risk of illiquidity and volatility with respect to high yield bonds held by a Fund, and this trend may continue in the future. Furthermore, high yield bonds held by a Fund may not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and, unless so registered, a Fund will not be able to sell such high yield bonds except pursuant to an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act. This may further limit the Fund's ability to sell high yield debt securities or to obtain the desired price for such securities. In many cases, below investment grade debt securities may be purchased in private placements and, accordingly, will be subject to restrictions on resale as a matter of contract or under securities laws. Under such circumstances, it may also be more difficult to determine the fair values of such securities for purposes of computing a Fund's NAV. In order to enforce its rights in the event of a default by an issuer of below investment grade debt securities, a Fund may be required to take possession of and manage assets securing the issuer's obligations on such securities, which may increase the Fund's operating expenses and adversely affect the Fund's NAV. A Fund may also be limited in its ability to enforce its rights and may incur greater costs in enforcing its rights in the event an issuer becomes the subject of bankruptcy proceedings. In addition, the Funds' intention or ability to qualify as "regulated investment companies" under the Code may limit the extent to which a Fund may exercise its rights by taking possession of such assets.

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Certain securities held by a Fund may permit the issuer at its option to "call," or redeem, its securities. If an issuer were to redeem securities held by a Fund during a time of declining interest rates, the Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds in securities providing the same investment return as the securities redeemed.

The prices for below investment grade debt securities may be affected by legislative and regulatory developments. Below investment grade debt securities may also be subject to certain risks not typically associated with "investment grade" securities, such as the following: (i) reliable and objective information about the value of below investment grade debt securities may be difficult to obtain because the market for such securities may be thinner and less active than that for investment grade obligations; (ii) adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of lower than investment grade obligations, and, in turn, adversely affect their market; (iii) companies that issue below investment grade debt securities may be in the growth stage of their development, or may be financially troubled or highly leveraged, so they may not have more traditional methods of financing available to them; (iv) when other institutional investors dispose of their holdings of below investment grade debt securities, the general market and the prices for such securities could be adversely affected; and (v) the market for below investment grade debt securities could be impaired if legislative proposals to limit their use in connection with corporate reorganizations or to limit their tax and other advantages are enacted.

#### Borrowings
A Fund is required at all times to maintain its assets at a level at least three times the amount of all of its borrowings (the "300% asset coverage test"). Any borrowings that come to exceed the 300% asset coverage requirement will be reduced within three days (not including Sundays and holidays) to the extent necessary to comply with this requirement.

#### Cash and Short-Term Debt Securities
***Money Market Instruments Generally***. The Funds may invest in money market securities, including money market funds. Money market securities are high-quality, short-term debt instruments that may be issued by the U.S. Government, corporations, banks, or other entities. They may have fixed, variable, or floating interest rates. Some money market securities in which the Funds may invest are described below. During the 2008 global financial downturn and the market volatility caused by the coronavirus outbreak beginning in March 2020, many money market instruments that were thought to be highly liquid became illiquid and lost value. The U.S. Government and the Federal Reserve System, as well as certain foreign governments and central banks, have taken extraordinary actions with respect to the financial markets generally and money market instruments in particular. While these actions have stabilized the markets for these instruments, there can be no assurances that those actions will continue or continue to be effective. If a Fund's money market instruments become illiquid, the Fund may be unable to satisfy certain of its obligations or may only be able to do so by selling other securities at prices or times that may be disadvantageous to do so.

***Bank Obligations***. The Funds may invest in bank obligations, including certificates of deposit, time deposits, bankers' acceptances, and other short-term obligations of domestic banks, foreign subsidiaries of domestic banks, foreign branches of domestic banks, and domestic and foreign branches of foreign banks, domestic savings and loan associations, and other banking institutions.

Certificates of deposit ("CDs") are negotiable certificates evidencing the obligations of a bank to repay funds deposited with it for a specified period of time. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in a banking institution for a specified period of time at a stated interest rate. Time deposits which may be held by the Funds will not benefit from insurance from the Bank Insurance Fund or the Savings Association Insurance Fund administered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Bankers' acceptances are credit instruments evidencing the obligation of a bank to pay a draft drawn on it by a customer. These instruments reflect the obligation both of the bank and the drawer to pay the face amount of the instrument upon maturity. The other short-term obligations may include uninsured, direct obligations, bearing fixed, floating, or variable interest rates.

The Funds may invest in certificates of deposit and bankers' acceptances of U.S. banks and savings and loan associations, London branches of U.S. banks, and U.S. branches of foreign banks. Obligations of foreign banks and of foreign branches of U.S. banks may be affected by foreign governmental action, including imposition of currency controls, interest limitations, withholding or other taxes, seizure of assets, or the declaration of a moratorium or restriction on payments of principal or interest. Foreign banks and foreign branches of U.S. banks may provide less public information than, and may not be subject to the same accounting, auditing, and financial recordkeeping standards as, domestic banks.

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***Cash, Short-Term Instruments, and Temporary Investments***. The Funds may hold a significant portion of their assets in cash or cash equivalents at the sole discretion of the Fund's investment adviser or subadviser. The Funds' investment adviser or subadvisers will determine the amount of the Funds' assets to be held in cash or cash equivalents at their sole discretion, based on such factors as they may consider appropriate under the circumstances. The Funds may hold a portion of their assets in cash, for example, in order to provide for expenses or anticipated redemption payments or for temporary defensive purposes. The Funds may also hold a portion of their assets in cash as part of the Funds' investment programs or asset allocation strategies, in amounts considered appropriate by the Funds' investment adviser or subadvisers. To the extent the Funds hold assets in cash and otherwise uninvested, its investment returns may be adversely affected and the Funds may not achieve their respective investment objectives. The Funds may invest in high quality money market instruments. The instruments in which the Funds may invest include, without limitation: (i) short-term obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises); (ii) CDs, bankers' acceptances, fixed time deposits, and other obligations of domestic banks (including foreign branches); (iii) non-convertible corporate debt securities (e.g., bonds and debentures) with remaining maturities at the date of purchase of not more than one year; (iv) repurchase agreements; and (v) short-term obligations of foreign banks (including U.S. branches).

***Commercial Paper and Short-Term Corporate Debt Instruments***. The Funds may invest in commercial paper (including variable amount master demand notes) consisting of short-term, unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations to finance short-term credit needs. Commercial paper is usually sold on a discount basis and, other than asset-backed commercial paper, usually has a maturity at the time of issuance not exceeding nine months. Variable amount master demand notes are demand obligations that permit the investment of fluctuating amounts at varying market rates of interest pursuant to arrangements between the issuer and a commercial bank acting as agent for the payee of such notes whereby both parties have the right to vary the amount of the outstanding indebtedness on the notes. The investment adviser or subadvisers monitor on an ongoing basis the ability of an issuer of a demand instrument to pay principal and interest on demand. The Funds also may invest in non-convertible corporate debt securities (e.g., bonds and debentures) with not more than one year remaining to maturity at the date of settlement.

***Letters of Credit***. Certain of the debt obligations (including municipal securities, certificates of participation, commercial paper, and other short-term obligations) which the Funds may purchase may be backed by an unconditional and irrevocable letter of credit of a bank, savings and loan association, or insurance company which assumes the obligation for payment of principal and interest in the event of default by the issuer.

#### Commodities
A Fund may invest directly or indirectly in commodities (such as precious metals or natural gas). Commodity prices can be more volatile than prices of other types of investments and can be affected by a wide range of factors, including changes in overall market movements, speculative investors, real or perceived inflationary trends, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates or currency exchange rates, population growth and changing demographics, nationalization, expropriation, or other confiscation, changes in the costs of discovering, developing, refining, transporting, and storing commodities, the success of commodity exploration projects, temporary or long-term price dislocations and inefficiencies in commodity markets generally or in the market for a particular commodity, international or local regulatory, political, and economic developments (for example, regime changes and changes in economic activity levels), and developments affecting a particular region, industry, or commodity, such as drought, floods, or other weather conditions, livestock disease, epidemics, trade embargoes, energy conservation, competition from substitute products, transportation bottlenecks or shortages, fluctuations in supply and demand, and tariffs. Exposure to commodities can cause the NAV of a Fund's shares to decline or fluctuate in a rapid and unpredictable manner. Commodity prices may be more or less volatile than securities of companies engaged in commodity-related businesses. Investments in commodity-related companies are subject to the risk that the performance of such companies may not correlate with the broader equity market or with returns on commodity investments to the extent expected by the investment adviser or subadviser. Such companies may be significantly affected by import controls, worldwide competition, changes in consumer sentiment, and spending, and can be subject to liability for, among other things, environmental damage, depletion of resources, and mandated expenditures for safety and pollution control. A liquid secondary market may not exist for certain commodity investments, which may make it difficult for the Fund to sell them at a desirable price or at the price at which it is carrying them.

A Fund may also directly or indirectly use commodity-related derivatives. The values of these derivatives may fluctuate more than the relevant underlying commodity or commodities or commodity index. A Fund's investments in commodities or commodity-related derivatives can be limited by the Fund's intention to qualify as a regulated investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and can bear on the Fund's ability to qualify as such.

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#### Common and Preferred Stocks
Stocks represent shares of ownership in a company. Generally, preferred stock has a specified dividend and ranks after bonds and before common stocks in its claim on income for dividend payments and on assets should the company be liquidated. After other claims are satisfied, common stockholders participate in company profits on a pro-rata basis. Profits may be paid out in dividends or reinvested in the company to help it grow. Increases and decreases in earnings are usually reflected in a company's stock price, so common stocks generally have the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential of all corporate securities. Like other equity securities, preferred stock is subject to the risk that its value may decrease based on actual or perceived changes in the business or financial condition of the issuer. In addition, changes in interest rates may adversely affect the value of a preferred stock that pays a fixed dividend.

#### Concentration Policy
For purposes of each Fund's concentration limitation as disclosed in this SAI, the Funds apply such policy to direct investments in the securities of issuers in a particular industry, as determined by a Fund's investment adviser or subadviser. A Fund's investment adviser or subadviser may analyze the characteristics of a particular issuer and security and assign an industry or sector classification consistent with those characteristics in the event that the third party classification provider used by the investment adviser or subadviser does not assign a classification or the investment adviser or subadviser, in consultation with the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer, determines that another industry or sector classification is more appropriate.

#### Convertible Securities
The Funds may invest in debt or preferred equity securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, common stock at a stated price or rate. Traditionally, convertible securities have paid dividends or interest at rates higher than common stocks but lower than nonconvertible securities. They generally participate in the appreciation or depreciation of the underlying stock into which they are convertible, but to a lesser degree. In recent years, convertibles have been developed which combine higher or lower current income with options and other features. Convertible securities are subject to the risks of debt and equity securities.

#### Cyber Security and Technology
With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet and the dependence on computer systems to perform business and operational functions, investment companies (such as the Funds) and their service providers (such as the Funds' investment adviser, subadvisers, custodian, and transfer agent) may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from cyber-attacks and/or technological malfunctions. In general, cyber-attacks are deliberate, but unintentional events may have similar effects. Cyber-attacks include, among others, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, preventing legitimate users from accessing information or services on a website, releasing confidential information without authorization, and causing operational disruption. Successful cyber-attacks against, or security breakdowns of, a Fund, the investment adviser, subadviser, custodian, transfer agent, or service provider may adversely affect the Fund or its shareholders. For instance, cyber-attacks may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, affect a Fund's ability to calculate its NAV, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential Fund information, impede trading, cause reputational damage, and subject the Fund to regulatory fines, penalties or financial losses, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and additional compliance costs. Cyber-attacks may render records of Fund assets and transactions, shareholder ownership of Fund shares, and other data integral to the functioning of the Fund inaccessible or inaccurate or incomplete. A Fund may also incur substantial costs for cyber security risk management in order to prevent cyber incidents in the future. A Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result. There are inherent limitations in business continuity plans and systems designed to minimize the risk of cyber-attacks through the use of technology, processes, and controls, including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified given the evolving nature of this threat. The Funds rely on third-party service providers for many of their day-to-day operations, and will be subject to the risk that the protections and protocols implemented by those service providers will be ineffective to protect the Funds from cyber-attack. The Funds' investment adviser does not control the cyber security plans and technology systems put in place by third-party service providers, and such third-party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to the Funds' investment adviser or the Funds, each of whom could be negatively impacted as a result. Similar types of cyber security risks also are present for issuers of securities in which the Funds invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause a Fund's investment in such securities to lose value.

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#### Debtor-in-Possession Financings
The Funds may invest in debtor-in-possession financings (commonly known as "DIP financings") through participation interests in direct loans, purchase of assignments, and other means. DIP financings are arranged when an entity seeks the protections of the bankruptcy court under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code ("Chapter 11"). These financings allow the entity to continue its business operations while reorganizing under Chapter 11. Such financings constitute senior liens on an unencumbered security (i.e., a security not subject to other creditors' claims). DIP financings are generally subject to the same risks as investments in senior bank loans and similar debt instruments, but involve a greater risk of loss of principal and interest. For example, there is a risk that the entity will not emerge from Chapter 11 and be forced to liquidate its assets under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, as well as a risk that the bankruptcy court will not approve a proposed reorganization plan or will require substantial and unfavorable changes to an initial plan. In the event of liquidation, a Fund's only recourse will be against the property securing the DIP financing. Companies in bankruptcy may also be undergoing significant financial and operational changes that may cause their financial performance to have elevated levels of volatility. DIP financings may involve payment-in-kind interest or principal interest payments, and a Fund may receive securities of a reorganized issuer (e.g., common stock, preferred stock, warrants) in return for its investment, which may include illiquid investments and investments that are difficult to value.

#### Derivatives
***General***. Derivatives are financial instruments whose values are based on the values of one or more underlying indicators, such as a security, asset, currency, interest rate, or index. Derivative transactions can create investment leverage and may be highly volatile. Losses from derivatives can be substantially greater than the derivatives' original cost and can sometimes be unlimited. A Fund may not be able to close out a derivative transaction at a favorable time or price.

A Fund's use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments. Derivative products can be highly specialized instruments that may require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of risks, such as potential changes in value in response to interest rate changes or other market developments or as a result of the counterparty's credit quality and the risk that a derivative transaction may not have the effect or benefit a Fund's investment adviser or subadviser anticipated. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. When a Fund invests in a derivative instrument, it could lose more than the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances, and there can be no assurance that a Fund will engage in these transactions to reduce exposure to other risks when that would be beneficial. Many derivative transactions are entered into "over the counter" (not on an exchange or contract market); as a result, the value of such a derivative transaction will depend on the ability and the willingness of the Fund's counterparty to perform its obligations under the transaction. A liquid secondary market may not always exist for a Fund's derivative positions at any time. Use of derivatives may affect the amount, timing, and character of distributions to shareholders. Although the use of derivatives is intended to enhance a Fund's performance, it may instead reduce returns and increase volatility.

A Fund may be subject to the credit risk of its counterparty to derivative transactions (including repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements) and to the counterparty's ability or willingness to perform in accordance with the terms of the transaction. A Fund may be negatively impacted if a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under such a transaction. A Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding and a Fund may obtain only limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. In the event of a counterparty's (or its affiliate's) insolvency, the possibility exists that a Fund's ability to exercise remedies, such as the termination of transactions, netting of obligations, and realization on collateral, could be stayed or eliminated under special resolution regimes adopted in the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and various other jurisdictions. Such regimes provide government authorities with broad authority to intervene when a financial institution is experiencing financial difficulty. In particular, the regulatory authorities could reduce, eliminate, or convert to equity the liabilities to a Fund of a counterparty who is subject to such proceedings in the European Union (sometimes referred to as a "bail in").

A Fund may enter into cleared derivatives transactions and/or exchange-traded futures contracts. When a Fund enters into a cleared derivative transaction and/or an exchange-traded futures contract, it is subject to the credit risk of the clearinghouse and the clearing member through which it holds its position. The clearing member or the clearinghouse could also fail to perform its obligations, causing losses to the Fund. Credit risk of market participants with respect to derivatives that are centrally cleared is concentrated in a few clearinghouses and clearing members. Under current

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Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") regulations, a clearing member is required to maintain customers' assets in omnibus accounts for all of its customers segregated from the clearing member's proprietary assets. If, for example, a clearing member fails to segregate customer assets, is unable to satisfy a substantial deficit in a customer account, or in the event of fraud or misappropriation of customer assets by a clearing member, clearing member customers may be subject to risk of loss of their funds in the event of that clearing member's bankruptcy. A Fund might not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of a Fund's clearing member because the Fund would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of the funds held by the clearing member on behalf of customers. It is not entirely clear how an insolvency proceeding of a clearinghouse, or the clearing member through which the Fund holds its positions at a clearinghouse, would be conducted, what effect the insolvency proceeding would have on any recovery by a Fund, and what impact an insolvency of a clearinghouse or clearing member would have on the financial system more generally.

U.S. and non-U.S. legislative and governmental authorities, various exchanges, and regulatory and self-regulatory authorities have undertaken reviews of derivatives trading in recent periods. Among the actions that have been taken or proposed to be taken are new position limits and reporting requirements, new or more stringent daily price fluctuation limits for futures and options transactions, new or increased margin and reserve requirements for various types of derivatives transactions, and mandatory clearing, trading, and reporting requirements for many derivatives. Additional measures are under active consideration and as a result there may be further actions that adversely affect the regulation of instruments in which the Funds invest. Such legislative and regulatory measures may reduce the availability of some types of derivative instruments, may increase the cost of trading in or maintaining other instruments or positions, and may cause uncertainty in the markets for a variety of derivative instruments. It is also possible that these or similar measures could potentially limit or completely restrict the ability of a Fund to use these instruments as a part of its investment strategy. For example, the SEC recently finalized new Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act providing for the regulation of registered investment companies' use of derivatives and certain related instruments. The ultimate impact, if any, of the regulation remains unclear, but the new rule, among other things, limits derivatives exposure through one of two value-at-risk tests and eliminates the asset segregation framework for covering derivatives and certain financial instruments arising from the SEC's Release 10666 and ensuing staff guidance. Limited derivatives users (as determined by Rule 18f-4), however, are not subject to the full requirements under the rule. Legislative and regulatory measures like this and others are evolving and still being implemented and their effects on derivatives market activities cannot be reliably predicted.

The CFTC and domestic futures exchanges have established (and continue to evaluate and revise) limits ("position limits") on the maximum net long or net short positions which any person, or group of persons acting in concert, may hold or control in particular contracts. In addition, starting January 1, 2023, federal position limits will apply to swaps that are economically equivalent to futures contracts that are subject to CFTC-set speculative limits. All positions owned or controlled by the same person or entity, even if in different accounts, must be aggregated for purposes of complying with position limits. Thus, even if a Fund does not intend to exceed applicable position limits, it is possible that different clients managed by the investment adviser or subadviser may be aggregated for this purpose. Therefore, the trading decisions of the investment adviser or subadviser may have to be modified and positions held by a Fund liquidated in order to avoid exceeding such limits. Any modification of trading decisions or elimination of open positions that may be required to avoid exceeding such limits may adversely affect the performance of a Fund. A violation of position limits could also lead to regulatory action materially adverse to a Fund's investment strategy.

No Fund has the obligation to enter into derivatives transactions at any time or under any circumstances. In addition, nothing in this SAI is intended to limit in any way any purpose for which a Fund may enter into any type of derivatives transaction; a Fund may use derivatives transactions for hedging purposes or generally for purposes of enhancing its investment return.

#### Foreign Currency Exchange Transactions
A Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange transactions for hedging purposes in order to protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign currency exchange rates, or for other, non-hedging purposes—for example, a Fund may take a long or short position with respect to a foreign currency in which none of the Fund's assets or liabilities are denominated, or where the position is in excess of the amount of any such assets or liabilities, in order to take advantage of anticipated changes in the relative values of those currencies. There can be no assurance that appropriate foreign currency transactions will be available for a Fund at any time or that a Fund will enter into such transactions at any time or under any circumstances even if appropriate transactions are available to it. A Fund may purchase or sell a foreign currency on a spot (i.e*.*, cash) basis at the prevailing spot rate. A Fund may also enter into contracts to deliver in the future an amount of one currency in return for an amount of another currency ("forward contracts") and may purchase and sell foreign currency futures contracts. (Foreign currency futures contracts are similar to financial futures contracts, except that they typically

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contemplate the delivery of foreign currencies; see "Financial Futures Contracts," below.) A Fund may also purchase or sell options on foreign currencies or options on foreign currency futures contracts.

A Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange transactions in order to hedge against a change in the values of assets or liabilities denominated in one or more foreign currencies due to changes in currency exchange rates.

A Fund may also enter into foreign currency transactions to adjust generally the exposure of its portfolio to various foreign currencies. For example, a Fund with a large exposure to securities denominated in euros might want to continue to hold those securities, but to trade its exposure to the euro to exposure to, say, the Japanese Yen. In that case, the Fund might take a short position in the euro and a long position in the Yen. A Fund may also use foreign currency transactions to hedge the value of the Fund's portfolio against the Fund's benchmark index.

The value of any currency, including U.S. dollars and foreign currencies, may be affected by complex political and economic factors applicable to the issuing country. In addition, the exchange rates of foreign currencies (and therefore the values of foreign currency options, forward contracts, and futures contracts) may be affected significantly, fixed, or supported directly or indirectly by U.S. and foreign government actions. Government intervention may increase risks involved in purchasing or selling foreign currency options, forward contracts, and futures contracts, since exchange rates may not be free to fluctuate in response to other market forces. Foreign governmental restrictions or taxes could result in adverse changes in the cost of acquiring or disposing of foreign currencies.

Because foreign currency transactions occurring in the interbank market involve substantially larger amounts than those that may be involved in the use of foreign currency options, investors may be disadvantaged by having to deal in an odd lot market (generally consisting of transactions of less than $1 million) for the underlying foreign currencies at prices that are less favorable than for round lots.

There is no systematic reporting of last-sale information for foreign currencies and there is no regulatory requirement that quotations available through dealers or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis. Available quotation information is generally representative of very large transactions in the interbank market and thus may not reflect relatively smaller transactions (less than $1 million) where rates may be less favorable. The interbank market in foreign currencies is a global, around-the-clock market.

*Currency Forward and Futures Contracts*. A foreign currency forward contract involves an obligation to deliver in the future, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract as agreed by the parties, an amount of one currency in return for an amount of another currency, at an exchange rate set at the time of the contract. The contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A foreign currency futures contract is a standardized contract for the future delivery of a specified amount of a foreign currency at a future date at an exchange rate set at the time of the contract. Foreign currency futures contracts traded in the United States are designed by and traded on exchanges regulated by the CFTC, such as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Foreign currency futures contracts will typically require a Fund to post both initial margin and variation margin.

Foreign currency forward contracts differ from foreign currency futures contracts in certain respects. For example, the maturity date of a forward contract may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, rather than a predetermined date in a given month. Forward contracts may be in any amounts agreed upon by the parties rather than predetermined amounts. Also, forward foreign exchange contracts are traded directly between counterparties, exposing a Fund to credit risk with respect to its counterparty, whereas foreign currency futures contracts are traded on regulated exchanges. Because foreign currency forward contracts are private transactions between a Fund and its counterparty, any benefit of such contracts to the Fund will depend upon the willingness and ability of the counterparty to perform its obligations. In the case of a futures contract, a Fund is subject to the credit risk of the clearinghouse and the clearing member through which it holds its position as well as the risk that the clearing member or the clearinghouse could also fail to perform its obligations.

At the maturity of a forward or futures contract, a Fund will make delivery of the currency or currencies specified in the contract in return for the other currency or currencies specified in the contract (or, if the contract is a non-deliverable or cash-settled contract, settle the contract on a net basis) or, at or prior to maturity, enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Closing transactions with respect to forward contracts are usually effected with the currency trader who is a party to the original forward contract. Closing transactions with respect to futures contracts are effected on a commodities exchange and a clearinghouse associated with the exchange assumes responsibility for closing out such contracts.

Positions in foreign currency futures contracts and related options may be closed out only on an exchange or board of trade which provides a market in such contracts or options. Although a Fund will normally purchase or sell foreign

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currency futures contracts and related options only on exchanges or boards of trade where there appears to be an active market, there is no assurance that an active market on an exchange or board of trade will exist for any particular contract or option or at any particular time. In such event, it may not be possible to close a futures or related option position and, in the event of adverse price movements, a Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin on its futures positions. A Fund's ability to close out a foreign currency forward contract will depend on the willingness of its counterparty to engage in an offsetting transaction.

*Foreign Currency Options*. Options on foreign currencies operate similarly to options on securities, and are traded primarily in the over-the-counter ("OTC") market, although certain options on foreign currencies may be listed on several exchanges. Although such options will be purchased or written only when an investment adviser or subadviser believes that a liquid secondary market exists for such options, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for a particular option at any specific time. Options on foreign currencies are affected by all of those factors which influence exchange rates and investments generally.

The value of a foreign currency option is dependent upon the value of the foreign currency and the U.S. dollar, and may have no relationship to the investment merits of a foreign security.

*Foreign Currency Conversion*. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for currency conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (the "spread") between prices at which they buy and sell various currencies. Thus, a dealer may offer to sell a foreign currency to a Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should a Fund desire to resell that currency to the dealer.

*Foreign Currency Swap Agreements*. A Fund may enter into currency swaps to protect against adverse changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies or as a means of making indirect investments in foreign currencies. Currency swaps involve the individually negotiated exchange by a Fund with another party of a series of payments in specified currencies in amounts determined pursuant to the terms of the swap agreement. (See "Swap Agreements and Options on Swap Agreements," below.)

Foreign currency derivatives transactions may be highly volatile and may give rise to investment leverage.

#### Financial Futures Contracts
A Fund may enter into futures contracts, including interest rate futures contracts, securities index futures contracts, and futures contracts on fixed income securities (collectively referred to as "financial futures contracts").

A Fund may use interest rate futures contracts to adjust the interest rate sensitivity (duration) of its portfolio or the credit exposure of the portfolio. Interest rate futures contracts obligate the long or short holder to take or make delivery of a specified quantity of a financial instrument, such as a specific fixed income security, during a specified future period at a specified price.

A Fund may use index futures contracts to hedge against broad market risks to its portfolio or to gain broad market exposure when it holds uninvested cash or as an inexpensive substitute for cash investments directly in securities or other assets, including commodities and precious metals. Securities index futures contracts are contracts to buy or sell units of a securities index at a specified future date at a price agreed upon when the contract is made and are settled in cash.

Positions in financial futures contracts may be closed out only on an exchange or board of trade which provides a market for such futures.

There are special risks associated with entering into financial futures contracts. The skills needed to use financial futures contracts effectively are different from those needed to select a Fund's investments. There may be an imperfect correlation between the price movements of financial futures contracts and the price movements of the securities in which a Fund invests. There is also a risk that a Fund will be unable to close a position in a financial futures contract when desired because there is no liquid market for it.

The risk of loss in trading financial futures contracts can be substantial due to the low margin deposits required and the extremely high degree of leverage involved in futures pricing. Relatively small price movements in a financial futures contract could have an immediate and substantial impact, which may be favorable or unfavorable to a Fund. It is possible for a price-related loss to exceed the amount of a Fund's margin deposit. An investor could also suffer losses if it is unable to close out a futures contract because of an illiquid market. Futures are subject to the creditworthiness of the clearing members (i.e., futures commission merchants) and clearing organizations involved in the transactions.

Although some financial futures contracts by their terms call for the actual delivery or acquisition of securities at expiration, in most cases the contractual commitment is closed out before expiration. The offsetting of a contractual

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obligation is accomplished by purchasing (or selling as the case may be) on a futures exchange an identical financial futures contract calling for delivery in the same month. Such a transaction offsets the obligation to make or take delivery. A Fund will incur brokerage fees when it purchases or sells financial futures contracts, and will be required to maintain margin deposits. If a liquid market does not exist when a Fund wishes to close out a financial futures contract, it will not be able to do so and will continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin in the event of adverse price movements.

The investment adviser has claimed with respect to each Fund an exclusion from the definition of the term "commodity pool operator" under the Commodity Exchange Act (the "CEA") and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under the CEA. For the investment adviser to be eligible to claim such an exclusion, a Fund may only use futures contracts, options on such futures, commodity options and certain swaps solely for "bona fide hedging purposes" (as defined by the CFTC), or must limit its use of such instruments for non-bona fide hedging purposes to certain de minimis amounts, as provided by CFTC Rule 4.5. It is possible that that exclusion may in the future cease to be available with respect to one or more Funds. In any case where the exclusion is unavailable with respect to a Fund, additional requirements, including CFTC and National Futures Association ("NFA")-mandated disclosure, reporting, and recordkeeping obligations, would apply with respect to that Fund. Compliance with the CFTC's regulatory requirements and NFA rules could increase Fund expenses and potentially adversely affect a Fund's total return.

*Margin Payments*. When a Fund purchases or sells a financial futures contract, it is required to deposit with the clearing member an amount of cash, U.S. Treasury bills, or other permissible collateral equal to a small percentage of the amount of the financial futures contract. This amount is known as "initial margin." The nature of initial margin is different from that of margin in security transactions in that it does not involve borrowing money to finance transactions. Rather, initial margin is similar to a performance bond or good faith deposit that is returned to a Fund upon termination of the contract, assuming the Fund satisfies its contractual obligations.

Subsequent payments to and from the clearing member occur on a daily basis in a process known as "marking to market." These payments are called "variation margin" and are made as the value of the underlying financial futures contract fluctuates. For example, when a Fund sells an index futures contract and the price of the underlying index rises above the delivery price, the Fund's position declines in value. The Fund then pays the clearing member a variation margin payment equal to the difference between the delivery price of the index futures contract and the value of the index underlying the index futures contract. Conversely, if the price of the underlying index falls below the delivery price of the contract, the Fund's futures position increases in value. The clearing member then must make a variation margin payment equal to the difference between the delivery price of the index futures contract and the value of the index underlying the index futures contract.

When a Fund terminates a position in a financial futures contract, a final determination of variation margin is made, additional cash is paid by or to the Fund, and the Fund realizes a loss or a gain. Such closing transactions involve additional commission costs.

*Options on Financial Futures Contracts*. A Fund may purchase and write call and put options on financial futures contracts. An option on a financial futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a financial futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option or only at expiration of the option, depending on the option's terms. Upon exercise of the option, the holder would assume the underlying futures position and would receive a variation margin payment of cash or securities approximating the increase in the value of the holder's option position. If an option is exercised on the last trading day prior to the expiration date of the option, the settlement will be made entirely in cash. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to or on the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.

*Options on Swaps*. Options on swaps ("swaptions") are similar to options on securities except that they are traded over-the-counter (i.e., not on an exchange) and the premium paid or received is to buy or grant the right to enter into a previously agreed upon swap transaction, such as an interest rate or credit default contract. Forward premium swaption contracts include premiums that have extended settlement dates. The delayed settlement of the premiums is factored into the daily valuation of the swaption contracts. In the case of interest rate cap and floor contracts, in return for a premium, ongoing payments between two parties are based on interest rates exceeding a specified rate, in the case of a cap contract, or falling below a specified rate, in the case of a floor contract.

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*Special Risks of Transactions in Financial Futures Contracts and Related Options*. Financial futures contracts entail risks. The risks associated with purchasing and writing put and call options on financial futures contracts can be influenced by the market for financial futures contracts. An increase in the market value of a financial futures contract on which the Fund has written an option may cause the option to be exercised. In this situation, the benefit to a Fund would be limited to the value of the exercise price of the option and the Fund may realize a loss on the option greater than the premium the Fund initially received for writing the option. In addition, a Fund's ability to close out an option it has written by entering into an offsetting transaction depends upon the market's demand for such financial futures contracts. If a purchased option expires unexercised, a Fund would realize a loss in the amount of the premium paid for the option.

If an investment adviser's or subadviser's judgment about the general direction of interest rates or markets is wrong, the overall performance may be poorer than if no financial futures contracts had been entered into.

*Liquidity Risks*. Positions in financial futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which such contract is listed. Although the Funds intend to purchase or sell financial futures contracts for which there appears to be an active market, there is no assurance that a liquid market will exist for any particular contract or at any particular time. If there is not a liquid market at a particular time, it may not be possible to close a position in a financial futures contract at such time and, in the event of adverse price movements, a Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin.

The ability to establish and close out positions in options on financial futures contracts will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid market. It is not certain that such a market will develop. Although a Fund generally will purchase only those options for which there appears to be an active market, there is no assurance that a liquid market on an exchange will exist for any particular option or at any particular time. In the event no such market exists for particular options, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions in such options, with the result that a Fund would have to exercise the options in order to realize any profit.

*Hedging Risks*. There are several risks in connection with the use by a Fund of financial futures contracts and related options as a hedging device. One risk arises because of the imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the financial futures contracts and options and movements in the underlying securities or index or movements in the prices of a Fund's securities which are the subject of a hedge.

Successful use of financial futures contracts and options by a Fund for hedging purposes is also subject to an investment adviser's or subadviser's ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the market. It is possible that, where a Fund has purchased puts on financial futures contracts to hedge its portfolio against a decline in the market, the securities or index on which the puts are purchased may increase in value and the value of securities held in the portfolio may decline. If this occurred, the Fund would lose money on the puts and also experience a decline in the value of its portfolio securities. In addition, the prices of financial futures contracts, for a number of reasons, may not correlate perfectly with movements in the underlying securities or index due to certain market distortions. First, all participants in the futures market are subject to margin deposit requirements. Such requirements may cause investors to close financial futures contracts through offsetting transactions which could distort the normal relationship between the underlying security or index and futures markets. Second, the margin requirements in the futures markets are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities markets in general, and as a result the futures markets may attract more speculators than the securities markets do. Increased participation by speculators in the futures markets may also cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price distortion, even a correct forecast of general market trends by an investment adviser or subadviser still may not result in a successful hedging transaction over a very short time period.

*Other Risks*. A Fund will incur brokerage fees in connection with its transactions in financial futures contracts and related options. In addition, while financial futures contracts and options on financial futures contracts will be purchased and sold to reduce certain risks, those transactions themselves entail certain other risks. Thus, while a Fund may benefit from the use of financial futures contracts and related options, unanticipated changes in interest rates or stock price movements may result in a poorer overall performance for the Fund than if it had not entered into any financial futures contracts or options transactions. Moreover, in the event of an imperfect correlation between the position in the financial futures contract and the portfolio position that is intended to be protected, the desired protection may not be obtained and the Fund may be exposed to risk of loss.

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#### Swap Agreements and Options on Swap Agreements
A Fund may engage in swap transactions, including interest rate swap agreements, credit default swaps, and total return swaps.

Swap agreements are two party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In a standard "swap" transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments or rates, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or "swapped" between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a "notional amount" (i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate or in a "basket" of securities representing a particular index). When a Fund enters into an interest rate swap, it typically agrees to make payments to its counterparty based on a specified long- or short-term interest rate, and will receive payments from its counterparty based on another interest rate. Other forms of swap agreements include, among others, interest rate caps, under which, in return for a specified payment stream, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates exceed a specified rate, or "cap"; interest rate floors, under which, in return for a specified payment stream, one party agrees to make payments to the other to the extent that interest rates fall below a specified rate, or "floor"; interest rate collars, under which a party sells a cap and purchases a floor or vice versa in an attempt to protect itself against interest rate movements exceeding given minimum or maximum levels; and curve cap swaps, under which a party might buy or sell protection against an increase in long-term interest rates relative to shorter-term rates. A Fund may enter into an interest rate swap in order, for example, to hedge against the effect of interest rate changes on the value of specific securities in its portfolio, or to adjust the interest rate sensitivity (duration) or the credit exposure of its portfolio overall, or otherwise as a substitute for a direct investment in debt securities.

A Fund may enter into total return swaps. In a total return swap, one party typically agrees to pay to the other a short-term interest rate in return for a payment at one or more times in the future based on the increase in the value of an underlying security or other asset, or index of securities or assets; if the underlying security, asset, or index declines in value, the party that pays the short-term interest rate must also pay to its counterparty a payment based on the amount of the decline. A Fund may take either side of such a swap, and so may take a long or short position in the underlying security, asset, or index. A Fund may enter into a total return swap to hedge against an exposure in its portfolio (including to adjust the duration or credit quality of a Fund's bond portfolio) or generally to put cash to work efficiently in the markets in anticipation of, or as a replacement for, cash investments. A Fund may also enter into a total return swap to gain exposure to securities or markets in which it might not be able to invest directly (in so-called market access transactions). A Fund may also enter into contracts for difference, which are similar to total return swaps.

A Fund also may enter into credit default swap transactions. In a credit default swap, one party provides what is in effect insurance against a default or other adverse credit event affecting an issuer of debt securities (typically referred to as a "reference entity"). In general, the protection "buyer" in a credit default swap is obligated to pay the protection "seller" an upfront amount or a periodic stream of payments over the term of the swap. If a "credit event" occurs, the buyer has the right to deliver to the seller bonds or other obligations of the reference entity (with a value up to the full notional value of the swap), and to receive a payment equal to the par value of the bonds or other obligations. Credit events that would trigger a request that the seller make payment are specific to each credit default swap agreement, but generally include bankruptcy, failure to pay, restructuring, obligation acceleration, obligation default, or repudiation/moratorium. A Fund may be either the buyer or seller in a credit default swap transaction. When a Fund buys protection, it may or may not own securities of the reference entity. If it does own securities of the reference entity, the swap serves as a hedge against a decline in the value of the securities due to the occurrence of a credit event involving the issuer of the securities. If the Fund does not own securities of the reference entity, the credit default swap may be seen to create a short position in the reference entity. If a Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund will typically recover nothing under the swap, but will have had to pay the required upfront payment and stream of continuing payments under the swap. When a Fund sells protection under a credit default swap, the position may have the effect of creating leverage in the Fund's portfolio through the Fund's indirect long exposure to the issuer or securities on which the swap is written. When a Fund sells protection, it may do so either to earn additional income or to create such a "synthetic" long position. Credit default swaps involve general market risks, illiquidity risk, counterparty risk, and credit risk.

A Fund may also enter into options on swap agreements ("swaptions"). A swaption is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation) to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel, or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement, at some designated future time on specified terms. A Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swaptions. Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, a Fund will generally incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swaption than it will incur when it purchases a swaption. When a Fund purchases a swaption, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire

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unexercised. However, when a Fund writes a swaption, upon exercise of the option the Fund will become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement. A Fund may enter into swaptions for the same purposes as swaps.

Whether a Fund's use of swap agreements or swaptions will be successful will depend on the investment adviser's or subadviser's ability to predict correctly whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Moreover, a Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. Certain restrictions imposed on the Funds by the Code may limit the Funds' ability to use swap agreements.

Swaps are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques, risk analyses, and tax planning different from those associated with traditional investments. The use of a swap requires an understanding not only of the referenced asset, reference rate, or index but also of the swap itself, without the benefit of observing the performance of the swap under all possible market conditions. Because they are two party contracts that may be subject to contractual restrictions on transferability and termination and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid and subject to a Fund's limitation on investments in illiquid securities. To the extent that a swap is not liquid, it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses.

Like most other investments, swap agreements are subject to the risk that the market value of the instrument will change in a way detrimental to a Fund's interest. A Fund bears the risk that an investment adviser or subadviser will not accurately forecast future market trends or the values of assets, reference rates, indexes, or other economic factors in establishing swap positions for the Fund. If an investment adviser or subadviser attempts to use a swap as a hedge against, or as a substitute for, a portfolio investment, the Fund will be exposed to the risk that the swap will have or will develop imperfect or no correlation with the portfolio investment. This could cause substantial losses for the Fund. While hedging strategies involving swap instruments can reduce the risk of loss, they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other Fund investments. Many swaps are complex and often valued subjectively.

When a Fund enters into swap agreements, it is subject to the credit risk of its counterparty and to the counterparty's ability or willingness to perform in accordance with the terms of the agreement. A Fund may be negatively impacted if a counterparty becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a swap agreement. A Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding and a Fund may obtain only limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.

#### Options, Rights, and Warrants
A Fund may purchase and sell put and call options on securities to enhance investment performance or to protect against changes in market prices. A Fund that invests in debt securities may also purchase and sell put and call options to adjust the interest rate sensitivity of its portfolio or the credit exposure of the portfolio.

*Call Options*. A Fund may write call options on portfolio securities to realize a greater current return through the receipt of premiums. Such option transactions may also be used as a limited form of hedging against a decline in the price of securities owned by the Fund.

A call option gives the holder the right to purchase, and obligates the writer to sell, a security at the exercise price at any time before the expiration date in the case of an American-style option or only on the expiration date in the case of a European-style option. A Fund may write covered call options or uncovered call options. A call option is "covered" if the writer, at all times while obligated as a writer, either owns the underlying securities (or comparable securities satisfying the cover requirements of the securities exchanges), or has the right to acquire such securities through immediate conversion of securities. When a Fund has written an uncovered call option, the Fund will not necessarily hold securities offsetting the risk to the Fund. As a result, if the call option were exercised, the Fund might be required to purchase the security that is the subject of the call at the market price at the time of exercise. The Fund's exposure on such an option is theoretically unlimited. There is also a risk, especially with less liquid preferred and debt securities, that the security may not be available for purchase.

A Fund will receive a premium from writing a call option, which increases the Fund's return in the event the option expires unexercised or is closed out at a profit. The amount of the premium reflects, among other things, the relationship between the exercise price and the current market value of the underlying security, the volatility of the underlying security, the amount of time remaining until expiration, current interest rates, and the effect of supply and demand in the options market and in the market for the underlying security.

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In return for the premium received when it writes a covered call option, a Fund takes the risk during the life of the option that it will be required to deliver the underlying security at a price below the current market value of the security or, in the case of a covered call option, to give up some or all of the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price of the securities covering the call option.

In the case of a covered option, the Fund also retains the risk of loss should the price of the securities decline. If the covered option expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a gain equal to the premium, which may be offset by a decline in price of the underlying security. If the option is exercised, the Fund realizes a gain or loss equal to the difference between the Fund's cost for the underlying security and the proceeds of sale (exercise price minus commissions) plus the amount of the premium.

A Fund may enter into closing purchase transactions in order to realize a profit or limit a loss on a previously written call option or, in the case of a covered call option, to free itself to sell the underlying security or to write another call on the security, or protect a security from being called in an unexpected market rise. Any profits from a closing purchase transaction in the case of a covered call option may be offset by a decline in the value of the underlying security. Conversely, because increases in the market price of a call option will generally reflect increases in the market price of the underlying security, any loss resulting from a closing purchase transaction relating to a covered call option is likely to be offset in whole or in part by unrealized appreciation of the underlying security owned by the Fund.

*Put Options*. A Fund may write put options in order to enhance its current return by taking a long directional position as to a security or index of securities. Such options transactions may also be used as a limited form of hedging against an increase in the price of securities that the Fund plans to purchase. A put option gives the holder the right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy, a security at the exercise price. A Fund may write covered or uncovered put options. A put option is "covered" if the writer segregates cash and high-grade short-term debt obligations or other permissible collateral equal to the price to be paid if the option is exercised.

By writing a put option, the Fund assumes the risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying security for an exercise price higher than its then current market value, resulting in a potential capital loss unless the security later appreciates in value. A Fund may terminate a put option that it has written before it expires by entering into a closing purchase transaction. Any loss from this transaction may be partially or entirely offset by the premium received on the terminated option.

*Purchasing Put and Call Options*. A Fund may also purchase put options to protect portfolio holdings against a decline in market value. This protection lasts for the life of the put option because the Fund, as a holder of the option, may sell the underlying security at the exercise price regardless of any decline in its market price. A Fund may also purchase a put option hoping to profit from an anticipated decline in the value of the underlying security. In order for a put option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying security must decline sufficiently below the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction costs that the Fund must pay. If the Fund holds the security underlying the option, these costs will reduce any profit the Fund might have realized had it sold the underlying security instead of buying the put option.

A Fund may purchase call options to hedge against an increase in the price of securities that the Fund wants ultimately to buy. Such hedge protection is provided during the life of the call option since the Fund, as holder of the call option, is able to buy the underlying security at the exercise price regardless of any increase in the underlying security's market price. A Fund may also purchase a call option as a long directional investment hoping to profit from an anticipated increase in the value of the underlying security. In order for a call option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying security must rise sufficiently above the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction costs. These costs will reduce any profit the Fund might have realized had it bought the underlying security at the time it purchased the call option.

A Fund may also buy and sell combinations of put and call options on the same underlying security to earn additional income.

A Fund may purchase or sell "structured options," which may comprise multiple option exposures within a single security. The risk and return characteristics of a structured option will vary depending on the nature of the underlying option exposures. The Fund may use such options for hedging purposes or as a substitute for direct investments in options or securities. The Fund's use of structured options may create investment leverage.

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*Options on Foreign Securities*. A Fund may purchase and sell options on foreign securities if an investment adviser or subadviser believes that the investment characteristics of such options, including the risks of investing in such options, are consistent with the Fund's investment objective. It is expected that risks related to such options will not differ materially from risks related to options on U.S. securities. However, position limits and other rules of foreign exchanges may differ from those in the United States. In addition, options markets in some countries, many of which are relatively new, may be less liquid than comparable markets in the United States.

*Options on Securities Indexes*. A Fund may write or purchase options on securities indexes, subject to its general investment restrictions regarding options transactions. Index options are similar to options on individual securities in that the purchaser of an index option acquires the right to buy (in the case of a call) or sell (in the case of a put), and the writer undertakes the obligation to sell or buy (as the case may be), units of an index at a stated exercise price during the term of the option. Instead of giving the right to take or make actual delivery of securities, the holder of an index option has the right to receive a cash "exercise settlement amount." This amount is equal to the amount by which the fixed exercise price of the option exceeds (in the case of a put) or is less than (in the case of a call) the closing value of the underlying index on the date of the exercise, multiplied by a fixed "index multiplier." If the Fund has written an index call option, it will lose money if the index level rises above the option exercise price (plus the amount of the premium received by the Fund on the option). If the Fund has written an index put option, it will lose money if the index level falls below the option exercise price (less the amount of the premium received by the Fund).

In cases where a Fund uses index options for hedging purposes, price movements in securities which a Fund owns or intends to purchase probably will not correlate perfectly with movements in the level of a securities index and, therefore, a Fund bears the risk of a loss on a securities index option which is not completely offset by movements in the price of such securities. Because securities index options are settled in cash, a call writer cannot determine the amount of its settlement obligations in advance and, unlike call writing on a specific security, cannot provide in advance for, or cover, its potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding underlying securities. A Fund may, however, cover call options written on a securities index by holding a mix of securities which substantially replicate the movement of the index or by holding a call option on the securities index with an exercise price no higher than the call option sold.

A Fund may purchase or sell options on stock indexes in order to close out its outstanding positions in options on stock indexes which it has purchased. A Fund may also allow such options to expire unexercised.

*Risks Involved in the Sale of Options*. The successful use of a Fund's options strategies depends on the ability of an investment adviser or subadviser to forecast correctly interest rate and market movements. For example, if a Fund were to write a covered call option based on an investment adviser's or subadviser's expectation that the price of the underlying security would fall, but the price were to rise instead, the Fund could be required to sell the security upon exercise at a price below the current market price. Similarly, if a Fund were to write a put option based on an investment adviser's or subadviser's expectation that the price of the underlying security would rise, but the price were to fall instead, the Fund could be required to purchase the security upon exercise at a price higher than the current market price.

When a Fund purchases an option, it runs the risk that it will lose its entire investment in the option in a relatively short period of time, unless the Fund exercises the option or enters into a closing sale transaction before the option's expiration. If the price of the underlying security does not rise (in the case of a call) or fall (in the case of a put) to an extent sufficient to cover the option premium and transaction costs, the Fund will lose part or all of its investment in the option. This contrasts with an investment by a Fund in the underlying security, since the Fund will not realize a loss if the security's price does not change.

The effective use of options also depends on a Fund's ability to terminate option positions at times when an investment adviser or subadviser deems it desirable to do so. There is no assurance that a Fund will be able to effect closing transactions at any particular time or at an acceptable price.

If a secondary market in options were to become unavailable, a Fund could no longer engage in closing transactions. Lack of investor interest might adversely affect the liquidity of the market for particular options or series of options. A market may discontinue trading of a particular option or options generally. In addition, a market could become temporarily unavailable if unusual events—such as volume in excess of trading or clearing capability—were to interrupt its normal operations.

A market may at times find it necessary to impose restrictions on particular types of options transactions, such as opening transactions. If an underlying security ceases to meet qualifications imposed by the market or the Options Clearing Corporation, new series of options on that security will no longer be opened to replace expiring series, and opening transactions in existing series may be prohibited. If an options market were to become unavailable, a Fund as a holder of an

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option would be able to realize profits or limit losses only by exercising the option, and the Fund, as option writer, would remain obligated under the option until expiration or exercise.

Disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying options purchased or sold by a Fund could result in losses on the options. If trading is interrupted in an underlying security, the trading of options on that security is normally halted as well. As a result, a Fund as purchaser or writer of an option will be unable to close out its positions until options trading resumes, and it may be faced with considerable losses if trading in the security reopens at a substantially different price. In addition, the Options Clearing Corporation or other options markets may impose exercise restrictions. If a prohibition on exercise is imposed at the time when trading in the option has also been halted, a Fund as purchaser or writer of an option will be locked into its position until one of the two restrictions has been lifted. If the Options Clearing Corporation were to determine that the available supply of an underlying security appears insufficient to permit delivery by the writers of all outstanding calls in the event of exercise, it may prohibit indefinitely the exercise of put options. A Fund, as holder of such a put option, could lose its entire investment if the prohibition remained in effect until the put option's expiration.

Foreign-traded options are subject to many of the same risks presented by internationally-traded securities. In addition, because of time differences between the United States and various foreign countries, and because different holidays are observed in different countries, foreign options markets may be open for trading during hours or on days when U.S. markets are closed. As a result, option premiums may not reflect the current prices of the underlying interest in the United States.

Exchanges have established limits on the maximum number of options an investor or group of investors acting in concert may write. The Funds, an investment adviser or subadviser, and other clients of the investment adviser or subadviser may constitute such a group. These limits restrict a Fund's ability to purchase or sell particular options.

*Over-the-Counter Options*. A Fund may purchase or sell OTC options. OTC options are not traded on securities or options exchanges or backed by clearinghouses. Rather, they are entered into directly between a Fund and the counterparty to the option. In the case of an OTC option purchased by the Fund, the value of the option to the Fund will depend on the willingness and ability of the option writer to perform its obligations to the Fund. In addition, OTC options may not be transferable and there may be little or no secondary market for them, so they may be considered illiquid. It may not be possible to enter into closing transactions with respect to OTC options or otherwise to terminate such options, and as a result a Fund may be required to remain obligated on an unfavorable OTC option until its expiration. It may be difficult under certain circumstances to value OTC options.

*Rights and Warrants to Purchase Securities; Index Warrants; International*. A Fund may invest in rights and warrants to purchase securities. Rights or warrants generally give the holder the right to receive, upon exercise, a security at a stated price. Funds typically use rights and warrants in a manner similar to their use of options on securities, as described above. Risks associated with the use of rights or warrants are generally similar to risks associated with the use of options. Rights and warrants typically do not carry with them dividend or voting rights with respect to the underlying securities, or any rights in the assets of the issuer. In addition, the value of a right or a warrant will likely, but will not necessarily, change with the value of the underlying securities, and a right or a warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date.

Bonds issued with warrants attached to purchase equity securities have many characteristics of convertible bonds and their prices may, to some degree, reflect the performance of the underlying stock. Bonds also may be issued with warrants attached to purchase additional fixed income securities.

A Fund may also invest in equity-linked warrants. A Fund purchases equity-linked warrants from a broker, who in turn is expected to purchase shares in the local market. If the Fund exercises its warrant, the shares are expected to be sold and the warrant redeemed with the proceeds. Typically, each warrant represents one share of the underlying stock. Therefore, the price and performance of the warrant are directly linked to the underlying stock, less transaction costs. In addition to the market risk related to the underlying holdings, a Fund bears counterparty risk with respect to the issuing broker. There is currently no active trading market for equity-linked warrants, and they may be highly illiquid.

In addition to warrants on securities, a Fund may purchase put warrants and call warrants whose values vary depending on the change in the value of one or more specified securities indexes ("index-linked warrants"). Index-linked warrants are generally issued by banks or other financial institutions and give the holder the right, at any time during the term of the warrant, to receive upon exercise of the warrant a cash payment from the issuer based on the value of the underlying index at the time of exercise. In general, if the value of the underlying index rises above the exercise price of the index-linked warrant, the holder of a call warrant will be entitled to receive a cash payment from the issuer upon exercise based on the difference between the value of the index and the exercise price of the warrant; if the value of the underlying

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index falls, the holder of a put warrant will be entitled to receive a cash payment from the issuer upon exercise based on the difference between the exercise price of the warrant and the value of the index. The holder of a warrant would not be entitled to any payments from the issuer at any time when, in the case of a call warrant, the exercise price is greater than the value of the underlying index, or, in the case of a put warrant, the exercise price is less than the value of the underlying index. If a Fund were not to exercise an index-linked warrant prior to its expiration, then the Fund would lose the amount of the purchase price paid by it for the warrant.

A Fund using index-linked warrants would normally do so in a manner similar to its use of options on securities indexes. The risks of a Fund's use of index-linked warrants are generally similar to those relating to its use of index options. Unlike most index options, however, index-linked warrants are issued in limited amounts and are not obligations of a regulated clearing agency, but are backed only by the credit of the bank or other institution that issues the warrant. Also, index-linked warrants may have longer terms than index options. Index-linked warrants are not likely to be as liquid as certain index options backed by a recognized clearing agency. In addition, the terms of index-linked warrants may limit a Fund's ability to exercise the warrants at such time, or in such quantities, as the Fund would otherwise wish to do.

A Fund may make indirect investments in foreign equity securities, through international warrants, participation notes, low exercise price warrants, or other products that allow the Fund to access investments in foreign markets that would otherwise be unavailable to them. International warrants are financial instruments issued by banks or other financial institutions, which may or may not be traded on a foreign exchange. International warrants are a form of derivative security that may give holders the right to buy or sell an underlying security or a basket of securities from or to the issuer for a particular price or may entitle holders to receive a cash payment relating to the value of the underlying security or basket of securities. International warrants are similar to options in that they are exercisable by the holder for an underlying security or securities or the value of the security or securities, but are generally exercisable over a longer term than typical options. These types of instruments may be American style exercise, which means that they can be exercised at any time on or before the expiration date of the international warrant, or European style exercise, which means that they may be exercised only on the expiration date. International warrants have an exercise price, which is typically fixed when the warrants are issued.

A Fund may invest in low exercise price warrants, which are warrants with an exercise price that is very low relative to the market price of the underlying instrument at the time of issue (e.g*.*, one cent or less). The buyer of a low exercise price warrant effectively pays the full value of the underlying common stock at the outset. In the case of any exercise of warrants, there may be a time delay between the time a holder of warrants gives instructions to exercise and the time the price of the common stock relating to exercise or the settlement date is determined, during which time the price of the underlying security could change significantly. These warrants entail substantial credit risk, since the issuer of the warrant holds the purchase price of the warrant (approximately equal to the value of the underlying investment at the time of the warrant's issue) for the life of the warrant.

The exercise or settlement date of the warrants and other instruments described above may be affected by certain market disruption events, such as difficulties relating to the exchange of a local currency into U.S. dollars, the imposition of capital controls by a local jurisdiction or changes in the laws relating to foreign investments. These events could lead to a change in the exercise date or settlement currency of the instruments, or postponement of the settlement date. In some cases, if the market disruption events continue for a certain period of time, the warrants may become worthless, resulting in a total loss of the purchase price of the warrants.

A participation note or "P-note" is typically a debt instrument issued by a bank or broker-dealer, where the amount of the bank's or broker-dealer's repayment obligation is tied to changes in the value of an underlying security or index of securities. A P-note is a general unsecured contractual obligation of the bank or broker-dealer that issues it. A Fund must rely on the creditworthiness of the issuer for repayment of the P-note and for any return on the Fund's investment in the P-note and would have no rights against the issuer of the underlying security.

There is no assurance that there will be a secondary trading market for any of the instruments described above. They may by their terms be non-transferable or otherwise be highly illiquid and difficult to price. Issuers of such instruments or the calculation agent named in respect of such an instrument may have broad authority and discretion to adjust the instrument's terms in response to certain events or to interpret an instrument's terms or to make certain determinations relating to the instrument, which could have a significant adverse effect on the value of the instrument to a Fund. If the issuer or other obligor on an instrument is unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under such an instrument, a Fund may lose some or all of its investment in the instrument and any unrealized return on that investment. Certain of these instruments may be subject to foreign investment risk and currency risk.

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#### Equity-Linked Notes
An equity-linked note (ELN) is a debt instrument whose value changes based on changes in the value of a single equity security, basket of equity securities, or an index of equity securities. An equity-linked note may or may not pay interest. See "Hybrid Instruments," below.

#### Hybrid Instruments
Hybrid instruments are generally considered derivatives and include indexed or structured securities, and combine elements of many derivatives transactions with those of debt, preferred equity, or a depositary instrument. A Fund may use a hybrid instrument as a substitute for any type of cash or derivative investment which it might make for any purpose.

A hybrid instrument may be a debt security, preferred stock, warrant, convertible security, certificate of deposit, or other evidence of indebtedness on which a portion of or all interest payments, and/or the principal or stated amount payable at maturity, redemption or retirement, is determined by reference to prices, changes in prices, or differences between prices, of securities, currencies, intangibles, goods, articles, or commodities (collectively, "underlying assets"), or by another index, economic factor, or other measure, including interest rates, currency exchange rates, or commodities or securities indexes (collectively, "benchmarks"). Hybrid instruments may take a number of forms, including, for example, debt instruments with interest or principal payments or redemption terms determined by reference to the value of an index, security, or other measure at a future time, preferred stock with dividend rates determined by reference to the value of a currency, or convertible securities where the conversion terms relate to a particular commodity.

The risks of investing in a hybrid instrument may, depending on the nature of the instrument, reflect a combination of the risks of investing in securities, options, futures, currencies, or other types of investments. An investment in a hybrid instrument as a debt instrument may entail significant risks that are not associated with a similar investment in a traditional debt instrument. The risks of a particular hybrid instrument will depend upon the terms of the instrument, but may include the possibility of significant changes in the level of the benchmark(s) or the prices of the underlying assets to which the instrument is linked. Such risks generally depend upon factors unrelated to the operations or credit quality of the issuer of the hybrid instrument, and may not be foreseen by the purchaser, such as financial or market developments, economic and political events, the supply and demand of the underlying assets, and interest rate movements. Hybrid instruments may be highly volatile and their use by a Fund may not be successful.

Hybrid instruments are potentially more volatile and carry greater market risks than traditional debt instruments. Hybrid instruments may be highly leveraged. Depending on the structure of the particular hybrid instrument, changes in a benchmark may be magnified by the terms of the hybrid instrument and have an even more dramatic and substantial effect upon the value of the hybrid instrument. Also, the prices of the hybrid instrument and the benchmark or underlying asset may not move in the same direction or at the same time.

Hybrid instruments may also carry liquidity risk since they typically trade OTC, and are not backed by a central clearing organization. The instruments are often "customized" to meet the portfolio needs of a particular investor, and therefore, the number of investors that are willing and able to buy such instruments in the secondary market may be smaller than that for more traditional debt securities. Under certain conditions, the value of such an investment could be zero. In addition, because the purchase and sale of hybrid investments would likely take place in an OTC market without the backing of a central clearing organization, or in a transaction between a Fund and the issuer of the hybrid instrument, the instruments will not likely be actively traded. Hybrid instruments also may not be subject to regulation by the CFTC, the SEC, or any other governmental regulatory authority.

When a Fund invests in a hybrid instrument, it also takes on the credit risk of the issuer of the hybrid instrument. In that respect, a hybrid instrument may create greater risks than investments directly in the securities or other assets underlying the hybrid instrument because the Fund is exposed both to losses on those securities or other assets and to the credit risk of the issuer of the hybrid instrument. A hybrid instrument may also pose greater risks than other derivatives based on the same securities or assets because, when it purchases the instrument, a Fund may be required to pay all, or most, of the notional amount of the investment by way of purchase price, whereas many other derivatives require a Fund to post only a relatively small portion of the notional amount by way of margin or similar arrangements.

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#### Structured Investments
A structured investment is typically issued by a specially created corporation or trust that purchases one or more securities or other assets ("underlying instruments"), and that in turn issues one or more classes of securities ("structured securities") backed by, or representing different interests in, the underlying instruments. The cash flow on the underlying instruments may be apportioned among the newly issued structured securities to create securities with different investment characteristics, such as varying maturities, payment priorities, and interest rate provisions, and the extent of such payments made with respect to structured securities is dependent on the extent of the cash flow on the underlying instruments. Because structured securities typically involve no credit enhancement, their credit risk generally will reflect that of the underlying instruments. Investments in a structured security may be subordinated to the right of payment of another class of securities. Subordinated structured securities typically have higher yields and present greater risks than unsubordinated structured securities. Structured securities are typically sold in private placement transactions, and there currently is no active trading market for structured securities, and they may be highly illiquid and difficult to value. Because the purchase and sale of structured securities would likely take place in an OTC market without the backing of a central clearing organization, or in a transaction between a Fund and the issuer of the structured securities, the creditworthiness of the counterparty of the issuer of the structured securities would be an additional risk factor the Fund would have to consider and monitor.

*Commodity-Linked "Structured" Securities*. Certain structured products may provide exposure to the commodities markets. Commodity-linked structured securities may be equity or debt securities, may be leveraged or unleveraged, and may present investment characteristics and risks of an investment in a security and one or more underlying commodities. Certain restrictions imposed on the Funds by the Code may limit the Funds' ability to invest in certain commodity-linked structured securities.

*Credit-Linked Securities*. Credit-linked securities are typically issued by a limited purpose trust or other vehicle that, in turn, invests in a basket of derivative instruments, such as credit default swaps, interest rate swaps, and other securities or transactions, in order to provide exposure to certain high yield or other fixed income issuers or markets. For example, a Fund may invest in credit-linked securities in order to gain exposure to the high yield markets pending investment of cash and/or to remain fully invested when more traditional income producing securities are not available. A Fund's return on its investments in credit-linked securities will depend on the investment performance of the investments held in the trust or other vehicle. A Fund's investments in these instruments are indirectly subject to the risks associated with the derivative instruments in which the trust or other vehicle invests, including, among others, credit risk, default, or similar event risk, counterparty risk, interest rate risk, leverage risk, and management risk. There will likely be no established trading market for credit-linked securities and they may be illiquid.

*Event-Linked Securities*. Event-linked securities are typically fixed income securities for which the return of principal and payment of interest is contingent on the non-occurrence of a trigger event, such as a hurricane, earthquake, or other event that leads to physical or economic loss. If the trigger event occurs prior to maturity, a Fund may lose all or a portion of its principal and unpaid interest. Event-linked securities may expose a Fund to certain other risks, including issuer default, adverse regulatory or jurisdictional interpretations, liquidity risk, and adverse tax consequences.

*Structured Hybrid Instruments*. Because the performance of structured hybrid instruments is linked to the performance of an underlying commodity, commodity index, or other economic variable, those investments are subject to "market risks" with respect to the movements of the commodity markets and may be subject to certain other risks that do not affect traditional equity and debt securities. If the interest payment on a hybrid instrument is linked to the value of a particular commodity, commodity index, or other economic variable and the underlying investment loses value, the purchaser might not receive the anticipated interest on its investment. If the amount of principal to be repaid on a structured hybrid instrument is linked to the value of a particular commodity, commodity index, or other economic variable, the purchaser might not receive all or any of the principal at maturity of the investment.

The values of structured hybrid instruments may fluctuate significantly because the values of the underlying investments to which they are linked are themselves extremely volatile, and the Fund may lose most or all of the value of its investment in a hybrid instrument. Additionally, the particular terms of a structured hybrid instrument may create economic leverage by contemplating payments that are based on a multiple of the price increase or decrease of the underlying commodity, commodity index, or other economic variable. A liquid secondary market may not exist for structured hybrid instruments, which may make it difficult to sell such instruments at an acceptable price or to value them accurately.

A Fund's investment in structured products may be subject to limits under applicable law.

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#### When-Issued, Delayed-Delivery, To-Be-Announced, Forward Commitment, and Standby Commitment Transactions
A Fund may enter into when-issued, delayed-delivery, to-be-announced ("TBA"), or forward commitment transactions in order to lock in the purchase price of the underlying security or in order to adjust the interest rate exposure of the Fund's existing portfolio. In when-issued, delayed-delivery, or forward commitment transactions, a Fund commits to purchase or sell particular securities, with payment and delivery to take place at a future date. In the case of TBA purchase commitments, the unit price and the estimated principal amount are established when the Fund enters into a commitment, with the actual principal amount being within a specified range of the estimate. Although a Fund does not typically pay for the securities in these types of transactions until they are delivered, it immediately assumes the risks of ownership, including the risk of price fluctuation. As a result, each of these types of transactions may create investment leverage in a Fund's portfolio and increase the volatility of the Fund. If a Fund's counterparty fails to deliver a security purchased on a when-issued, delayed-delivery, TBA, or forward commitment basis, there may be a loss, and the Fund may have missed an opportunity to make an alternative investment.

A Fund may also enter into standby commitment agreements, obligating the Fund, for a specified period, to buy a specified amount of a security at the option of the issuer, upon the issuance of the security. The price at which the Fund would purchase the security is set at the time of the agreement. In return for its promise to purchase the security, a Fund receives a commitment fee. The Fund receives this fee whether or not it is ultimately required to purchase the security. The securities subject to a standby commitment will not necessarily be issued, and, if they are issued, the value of the securities on the date of issuance may be significantly less than the price at which the Fund is required to purchase them.

Recently finalized Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") rules include mandatory margin requirements for the TBA market with limited exceptions. TBA trades historically have not been required to be collateralized. The collateralization of TBA trades is intended to mitigate counterparty credit risk between trade and settlement, but could increase the cost of TBA transactions and impose added operational complexity. As of the date of this SAI, it is expected these FINRA rules will be implemented in the near future but it is not clear the full impact the rules will have on the Funds.

#### Distressed Securities
A Fund may invest in securities, including loans purchased in the secondary market, that are the subject of bankruptcy proceedings or otherwise in default or in risk of being in default as to the repayment of principal and/or interest at the time of acquisition by the Fund or that are rated in the lower rating categories by one or more nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (for example, Ca or lower by Moody's and CC or lower by S&P or Fitch Ratings, Inc. ("Fitch")) or, if unrated, are in the judgment of the investment adviser or subadviser of equivalent quality ("Distressed Securities"). Investment in Distressed Securities is speculative and involves significant risks and a Fund could lose all of its investment in any Distressed Security.

Distressed Securities are subject to greater credit and liquidity risks than other types of loans. Reduced liquidity can affect the values of Distressed Securities, make their valuation and sale more difficult, and result in greater volatility. A bankruptcy proceeding or other court proceeding could delay or limit the ability of the Fund to collect the principal and interest payments on Distressed Securities or adversely affect the Fund's rights in collateral relating to a Distressed Security. If a lawsuit is brought by creditors of a borrower under a Distressed Security, a court or a trustee in bankruptcy could take certain actions that would be adverse to a Fund. For example:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Other creditors might convince the court to set aside a loan or the collateralization of the loan as a "fraudulent conveyance" or "preferential transfer." In that event, the court could recover from the Fund the interest and principal payments that the borrower made before becoming insolvent. There can be no assurance that the Fund would be able to prevent that recapture.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A bankruptcy court may restructure the payment obligations under the loan so as to reduce the amount to which the Fund would be entitled.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The court might discharge the amount of the loan that exceeds the value of the collateral.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The court could subordinate the Fund's rights to the rights of other creditors of the borrower under applicable law, decreasing, potentially significantly, the likelihood of any recovery on the Fund's investment.

A Fund may, but will not necessarily, invest in a Distressed Security when the investment adviser or subadviser believes it is likely that the issuer of the Distressed Securities will make an exchange offer or will be the subject of a plan of reorganization pursuant to which the Fund will receive new securities in return for the Distressed Securities. There can be

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no assurance that such an exchange offer will be made or that such a plan of reorganization will be adopted. In addition, a significant period of time may pass between the time at which a Fund makes its investment in Distressed Securities and the time that any such exchange offer or plan of reorganization is completed. Even if an exchange offer is made or plan of reorganization is adopted with respect to Distressed Securities held by a Fund, there can be no assurance that the securities or other assets received by a Fund in connection with such exchange offer or plan of reorganization will not have a lower value or income potential than may have been anticipated when the investment was made. If a Fund participates in negotiations with respect to any exchange offer or plan of reorganization with respect to an issuer of Distressed Securities, the Fund may be restricted from disposing of such securities.

#### Dollar Roll Transactions
A Fund may enter into dollar roll transactions, in which the Fund sells mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts to purchase substantially similar securities on a specified future date from the same party. A Fund may invest in dollar rolls in order to benefit from anticipated changes in pricing for the mortgage-backed securities during the term of the transaction, or for the purpose of creating investment leverage.

In a dollar roll, the securities that are to be purchased will be of the same type as the securities sold, but will be supported by different pools of mortgages. A Fund that engages in a dollar roll forgoes principal and interest paid on the sold securities during the roll period, but is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase. In addition, a Fund may benefit by investing the transaction proceeds during the roll period. Dollar roll transactions generally have the effect of creating leverage in a Fund's portfolio.

Dollar rolls involve the risk that the Fund's counterparty will be unable to deliver the mortgage-backed securities underlying the dollar roll at the fixed time. If the counterparty files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, the counterparty or its representative may ask for and receive an extension of time to decide whether to enforce the Fund's repurchase obligation. A Fund's use of the transaction proceeds may be restricted pending such decision. A Fund may enter into dollar roll transactions without limit up to the amount permitted under applicable law.

#### Exchange Traded Notes (ETNs)
ETNs are senior, unsecured, debt securities typically issued by financial institutions. An ETN's return is typically based on the performance of a particular market index, and the value of the index may be impacted by market forces that affect the value of ETNs in unexpected ways. ETNs are similar to Structured Investments, except that they are typically listed on an exchange and traded in the secondary market. See "Structured Investments" in this SAI. The return on an ETN is based on the performance of the specified market index, and an investor may, at maturity, realize a negative return on the investment. ETNs typically do not make periodic interest payments and principal is not protected. The repayment of principal and any additional return due either at maturity or upon repurchase by the issuer depends on the issuer's ability to pay, regardless of the performance of the underlying index. Accordingly, ETNs are subject to credit risk that the issuer will default or will be unable to make timely payments of principal. Certain events can impact an ETN issuer's financial situation and ability to make timely payments to ETN holders, including economic, political, legal, or regulatory changes and natural disasters. Event risk is unpredictable and can significantly impact ETN holders.

The market value of an ETN may be influenced by, among other things, time to maturity, level of supply and demand of the ETN, volatility and lack of liquidity in the underlying assets, changes in the applicable interest rates, the current performance of the market index to which the ETN is linked, and the credit rating of the ETN issuer. The market value of an ETN may differ from the performance of the applicable market index and there may be times when an ETN trades at a premium or discount. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETNs at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the securities underlying the market index that the ETN seeks to track. A change in the issuer's credit rating may also impact the value of an ETN without regard to the level of the underlying market index. ETNs are also subject to tax risk. No assurance can be given that the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") will accept, or a court will uphold, how the Funds characterize and treat ETNs for tax purposes.

A Fund's ability to sell its ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a secondary market. In addition, although an ETN may be listed on an exchange, the issuer may not be required to maintain the listing and there can be no assurance that a secondary market will exist for an ETN. Some ETNs may be relatively illiquid and may therefore be difficult to purchase or sell at a fair price. Leveraged ETNs may offer the potential for greater return, but their values may be highly volatile.

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#### Financial Services Companies
A Fund may invest in financial services companies. Financial services companies are subject to extensive government regulation that may affect their profitability in many ways, including by limiting the amount and types of loans and other commitments they can make, and the interest rates and fees they can charge. A financial services company's profitability, and therefore its stock price, is especially sensitive to interest rate changes as well as the ability of borrowers to repay their loans. Changing regulations, continuing consolidations, and development of new products and structures all are likely to have a significant impact on financial services companies.

#### Fixed Income Securities
Certain of the debt securities in which the Funds may invest may not offer as high a yield as may be achieved from lower quality instruments having less safety. If a Fund disposes of an obligation prior to maturity, it may realize a loss or a gain. An increase in interest rates will generally reduce the value of debt securities, and a decline in interest rates will generally increase the value of debt securities. In addition, debt securities are subject to the ability of the issuer to make payment at maturity. As inflation increases, the present value of a Fund's fixed income investment typically will decline. Investors' expectation of future inflation can also adversely affect the current value of portfolio investments, resulting in lower asset values and potential losses.

To the extent that a Fund invests in debt securities, interest rate fluctuations will affect its NAV, but not the income it receives from its debt securities. In addition, if the debt securities contain call, prepayment, or redemption provisions, during a period of declining interest rates, those securities are likely to be redeemed, and a Fund would probably be unable to replace them with securities having as great a yield. Certain events, such as market or economic developments, regulatory or government actions, natural disasters, pandemics, terrorist attacks, war, and other geopolitical events can have a dramatic adverse effect on the debt market and the overall liquidity of the market for fixed income securities.

Investment in medium- or lower-grade debt securities involves greater investment risk, including the possibility of issuer default or bankruptcy. An economic downturn could severely disrupt this market and adversely affect the value of outstanding bonds and the ability of the issuers to repay principal and interest. In addition, lower-quality bonds are less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher-quality instruments and generally are more sensitive to adverse economic changes or individual corporate developments. During a period of adverse economic changes, including a period of rising interest rates, issuers of such bonds may experience difficulty in servicing their principal and interest payment obligations. Furthermore, medium- and lower-grade debt securities tend to be less marketable than higher-quality debt securities because the market for them is less broad. The market for unrated debt securities is even narrower. During periods of thin trading in these markets, the spread between bid and asked prices is likely to increase significantly, and a Fund may have greater difficulty selling its portfolio securities. The market value of these securities and their liquidity may be affected by adverse publicity and investor perceptions.

#### Foreign Securities
Each Fund may invest in foreign securities. Foreign securities include securities of foreign companies and foreign governments (or agencies or subdivisions thereof). If a Fund's securities are held abroad, the countries in which such securities may be held and the sub-custodian holding them must be approved by the Board or its delegate under applicable rules adopted by the SEC. In buying foreign securities, each Fund may convert U.S. dollars into foreign currency.

The globalization and integration of the world economic system and related financial markets have made it increasingly difficult to define issuers geographically. Accordingly, the Funds intend to construe geographic terms such as "foreign," "non-U.S.," "European," "Latin American," "Asian," and "emerging markets" in the manner that affords to the Funds the greatest flexibility in seeking to achieve the investment objective(s) of the relevant Fund. Specifically, unless otherwise stated, in circumstances where the investment objective and/or strategy is to invest (a) exclusively in "foreign securities," "non-U.S. securities," "European securities," "Latin American securities," "Asian securities," or "emerging markets" (or similar directions) or (b) at least some percentage of the Fund's assets in foreign securities, etc., the Fund will take the view that a security meets this description so long as the issuer of a security is tied economically to the particular country or geographic region indicated by words of the relevant investment objective and/or strategy (the "Relevant Language"). For these purposes the issuer of a security is deemed to have that tie if:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (i)

the issuer is organized under the laws of the country or a country within the geographic region suggested by the Relevant Language or maintains its principal place of business in that country or region; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (ii) <br>

the securities are traded principally in the country or region suggested by the Relevant Language; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (iii)

the issuer, during its most recent fiscal year, derived at least 50% of its revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services performed in the country or region suggested by the Relevant Language or has at

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least 50% of its assets in that country or region.

In addition, the Funds intend to treat derivative securities (e.g., call options) by reference to the underlying security. Conversely, if the investment objective and/or strategy of a Fund limits the percentage of assets that may be invested in "foreign securities," etc. or prohibits such investments altogether, a Fund intends to categorize securities as "foreign," etc. only if the security possesses all of the attributes described above in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii).

Foreign securities also include a Fund's investment in foreign securities through depositary receipts, in the form of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs"), Global Depositary Receipts ("GDRs"), or other similar securities. An ADR is a U.S. dollar-denominated security issued by a U.S. bank or trust company that represents, and may be converted into, a foreign security. An EDR or a GDR is generally similar but is issued by a non-U.S. bank. Depositary receipts are subject to the same risks as direct investment in foreign securities. Depositary receipts may not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as the underlying securities into which they may be converted, and changes in currency exchange rates may affect the value of an ADR investment in ways different from direct investments in foreign securities. Funds may invest in both sponsored and unsponsored depositary receipts. Unsponsored depositary receipts are organized independently and without the cooperation of the issuer of the underlying securities. As a result, available information concerning the issuers may not be as current for unsponsored depositary receipts and the prices of unsponsored depositary receipts may be more volatile than if such instruments were sponsored by the issuer. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. A Fund may therefore receive less timely information or have less control than if it invested directly in the foreign issuer. An investment in an ADR is subject to the credit risk of the issuer of the ADR.

Investments in foreign securities involve special risks and considerations. Foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards, practices, and requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic companies, and such practices and standards may vary significantly from country to country. There may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a domestic company. The U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board ("PCAOB"), which regulates auditors of U.S. public companies, is unable to inspect audit work papers in certain foreign countries. Investors in foreign countries often have limited rights and few practical remedies to pursue shareholder claims, including class actions or fraud claims, and the ability of the SEC, the U.S. Department of Justice, and other authorities to bring and enforce actions against foreign issuers or foreign persons is limited. Foreign markets have different clearance and settlement procedures. Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when assets of a Fund are uninvested. The inability of a Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause it to miss certain investment opportunities. Foreign securities may also entail certain other risks, such as the possibility of one or more of the following: imposition of dividend or interest withholding or confiscatory taxes, higher brokerage costs, thinner trading markets, currency blockages or transfer restrictions, expropriation, nationalization, military coups, economic sanctions, or other adverse political or economic developments; less government supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies; and the difficulty of enforcing obligations in other countries, and are more susceptible to environmental problems. Purchases of foreign securities are usually made in foreign currencies and, as a result, a Fund may incur currency conversion costs and may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in the value of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar. Further, it may be more difficult for a Fund's agents to keep currently informed about corporate actions which may affect the prices of portfolio securities. Communications between the United States and foreign countries may be less reliable than within the United States, thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions or loss of certificates for portfolio securities. Certain markets may require payment for securities before delivery. In addition, there may be a possibility of nationalization or expropriation of assets, imposition of currency exchange controls, confiscatory taxation, political or financial instability, diplomatic developments that could adversely affect the values of the Fund's investments in certain non-U.S. countries, and quotas or other limits on the ability of the Fund (or clients of the Fund's investment adviser or subadviser) to invest or maintain investments in securities of issuers in certain countries.

A number of current significant political, demographic, and economic developments may affect investments in foreign securities and in securities of companies with operations overseas. The course of any one or more of these events and the effect on trade barriers, competition, and markets for consumer goods and services are uncertain. Similar considerations are of concern with respect to developing countries. For example, the possibility of revolution and the dependence on foreign economic assistance may be greater in these countries than in developed countries. Management seeks to mitigate the risks associated with these considerations through diversification and active professional management.

In addition to the general risks of investing in foreign securities, investments in emerging markets involve special risks. Securities of many issuers in emerging markets may have less stringent investor protection and disclosure standards, and

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may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable domestic issuers. Shares of companies that only trade on an emerging market securities exchange are not likely to file reports with the SEC. The availability of material financial information about such companies and its reliability may be limited since such companies are generally not subject to the same regulatory, accounting, auditing, or auditor oversight requirements applicable to companies that file reports with the SEC. In addition, the PCAOB is unable to inspect audit work papers in certain emerging market countries. Emerging markets may have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when a portion of the assets of a Fund is uninvested and no return is earned thereon. The inability of a Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause a Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio securities due to settlement problems could result in losses to a Fund due to subsequent declines in values of the portfolio securities, decrease in the level of liquidity in a Fund's portfolio, or, if a Fund has entered into a contract to sell the security, possible liability to the purchaser. Certain markets may require payment for securities before delivery, and in such markets a Fund bears the risk that the securities will not be delivered and that the Fund's payments will not be returned. In addition, securities markets of emerging market countries are subject to the risk that such markets may close, sometimes for extended periods of time, due to market, economic, political, regulatory, geopolitical, environmental, public health, or other conditions. Securities prices in emerging markets can be significantly more volatile than in the more developed nations of the world, reflecting the greater uncertainties of investing in less established markets and economies. In particular, countries with emerging markets may have relatively unstable governments, present the risk of nationalization of businesses, or may have restrictions on foreign ownership or prohibitions of repatriation of assets, and may have less protection of property rights than more developed countries. Investors in emerging markets may not have the ability to seek certain legal remedies in U.S. courts as private plaintiffs. As a practical matter, investors may have to rely on domestic legal remedies that are available in the emerging market and such remedies are often limited and difficult for international investors to pursue. Shareholder claims, including class action and securities law and fraud claims, generally are difficult or unavailable to pursue as a matter of law or practicality in many emerging market countries. In addition, the SEC, U.S. Department of Justice, and other U.S. authorities often have substantial difficulties in bringing and enforcing actions against non-U.S. companies and non-U.S. persons, including company officers and directors, in certain emerging markets due to jurisdictional limitations and various other factors. The economies of countries with emerging markets may be predominantly based on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions, and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt burdens or inflation rates. Local securities markets may trade a small number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to increases in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of substantial holdings difficult or impossible at times. Securities of issuers located in countries with emerging markets may have limited marketability and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements. In addition, many emerging market countries with less established health care systems have experienced outbreaks of pandemics or contagious diseases from time to time.

Certain emerging markets may require governmental approval for the repatriation of investment income, capital, or the proceeds of sales of securities by foreign investors. In addition, if a deterioration occurs in an emerging market's balance of payments or for other reasons, a country could impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances. A Fund could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application to that Fund of any restrictions on investments.

Russia, the Middle East, and many other emerging market countries are highly reliant on income from oil sales. Oil prices can have a major impact on these economies. Other commodities such as base and precious metals are also important to these economies. As global supply and demand for commodities fluctuates, these economies can be significantly impacted by the prices of such commodities.

Investment in certain foreign emerging market debt obligations may be restricted or controlled to varying degrees. These restrictions or controls may at times preclude investment in certain foreign emerging market debt obligations and increase the expenses of a Fund.

***China Investment Risk***. Investments in securities of companies domiciled in the People's Republic of China ("China" or the "PRC") involve a high degree of risk and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the U.S. securities markets. Such heightened risks include, among others, an authoritarian government, popular unrest associated with demands for improved political, economic, and social conditions, the impact of regional conflict on the economy, and hostile relations with neighboring countries.

Military conflicts, either in response to internal social unrest or conflicts with other countries, could disrupt economic development. The Chinese economy is vulnerable to the long-running disagreements and religious and nationalist disputes

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with Tibet and the Xinjiang region. Since 1997, there have been tensions between the Chinese government and many people in Hong Kong who perceive China as tightening control over Hong Kong's semi-autonomous liberal political, economic, legal, and social framework. Recent protests and unrest have increased tensions even further. Due to the interconnected nature of the Hong Kong and Chinese economies, this instability in Hong Kong may cause uncertainty in the Hong Kong and Chinese markets. China has a complex territorial dispute regarding the sovereignty of Taiwan and has made threats of invasion; Taiwan-based companies and individuals are significant investors in China. Military conflict between China and Taiwan may adversely affect securities of Chinese issuers. In addition, China has strained international relations with Japan, India, Russia, and other neighbors due to territorial disputes, historical animosities, and other defense concerns. Additionally, China is alleged to have participated in state-sponsored cyberattacks against foreign companies and foreign governments. Actual and threatened responses to such activity and strained international relations, including purchasing restrictions, sanctions, tariffs, or cyberattacks on the Chinese government or Chinese companies, may impact China's economy and Chinese issuers of securities in which a Fund invests. China could be affected by military events on the Korean peninsula or internal instability within North Korea. These situations may cause uncertainty in the Chinese market and may adversely affect the performance of the Chinese economy.

The Chinese government has implemented significant economic reforms in order to liberalize trade policy, promote foreign investment in the economy, reduce government control of the economy, and develop market mechanisms. However, there can be no assurance that these reforms will continue or that they will be effective. Despite reforms and privatizations of companies in certain sectors, the Chinese government still exercises substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector and may own or control many companies. Chinese companies, such as those in the financial services or technology sectors, and potentially other sectors in the future, are subject to the risk that Chinese authorities can intervene in their operations and structure. The Chinese government continues to maintain a major role in economic policy making and investing in China involves risks of losses due to expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property, and the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested.

The Chinese government may intervene in the Chinese financial markets, such as by the imposition of trading restrictions, a ban on "naked" short selling, or the suspension of short selling for certain stocks. This may affect market price and liquidity of these stocks, and may have an unpredictable impact on the investment activities of the Funds. Furthermore, such market interventions may have a negative impact on market sentiment which may in turn affect the performance of the securities markets and as a result the performance of the Funds.

In addition, there is less regulation and monitoring of the securities markets and the activities of investors, brokers, and other participants in China than in the United States. Accordingly, issuers of securities in China are not subject to the same degree of regulation as those in the United States with respect to such matters as insider trading rules, tender offer regulation, stockholder proxy requirements, and the requirements mandating timely and accurate disclosure of information. Stock markets in China are in the process of change and further development. This may lead to trading volatility, and difficulties in the settlement and recording of transactions and interpretation and application of the relevant regulations. Custodians may not be able to offer the level of service and safe-keeping in relation to the settlement and administration of securities in China that is customary in more developed markets. In particular, there is a risk that a Fund may not be recognized as the owner of securities that are held on behalf of the Fund by a sub-custodian.

The Chinese government has taken positions that prevent the PCAOB from inspecting the audit work and practices of accounting firms in mainland China and Hong Kong for compliance with U.S. law and professional standards. Audits performed by PCAOB-registered accounting firms in mainland China and Hong Kong may be less reliable than those performed by firms subject to PCAOB inspection. Accordingly, information about the Chinese securities in which the Funds invest may be less reliable or complete. Under amendments to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act enacted in December 2020, which requires that the PCAOB be permitted to inspect the accounting firm of a U.S.-listed Chinese issuer, Chinese companies with securities listed on U.S. exchanges may be delisted if the PCAOB is unable to inspect the accounting firm.

The Renminbi ("RMB") is currently not a freely convertible currency and is subject to foreign exchange control policies and repatriation restrictions imposed by the Chinese government. The imposition of currency controls may negatively impact performance and liquidity of the Funds as capital may become trapped in the PRC. The Funds could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, any required governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application to the Funds of any restrictions on investments. Investing in entities either in, or which have a substantial portion of their operations in, the PRC may require the Funds to adopt special procedures, seek local government approvals, or take other actions, each of which may involve additional costs and delays to the Funds.

While the Chinese economy has grown rapidly in recent years, there is no assurance that this growth rate will be maintained. China may experience substantial rates of inflation or economic recessions, causing a negative effect on its

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economy and securities market. China's economy is heavily dependent on export growth. Reduction in spending on Chinese products and services, institution of tariffs or other trade barriers, or a downturn in any of the economies of China's key trading partners may have an adverse impact on the securities of Chinese issuers. The tax laws and regulations in the PRC are subject to change, including the issuance of authoritative guidance or enforcement, possibly with retroactive effect. The interpretation, applicability, and enforcement of such laws by the PRC tax authorities are not as consistent and transparent as those of more developed nations, and may vary over time and from region to region. The application and enforcement of the PRC tax rules could have a significant adverse effect on a Fund and its investors, particularly in relation to capital gains withholding tax imposed upon non-residents. In addition, the accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards and practices applicable to Chinese companies may be less rigorous, and may result in significant differences between financial statements prepared in accordance with PRC accounting standards and practices and those prepared in accordance with international accounting standards.

From time to time, China has experienced outbreaks of infectious illnesses and the country may be subject to other public health threats, infectious illnesses, diseases, or similar issues in the future. Any spread of an infectious illness, public health threat, or similar issue could reduce consumer demand or economic output, result in market closures, travel restrictions or quarantines, and generally have a significant impact on the Chinese economy, which in turn could adversely affect a Fund's investments.

***Investments in Hong Kong***. In 1997, the United Kingdom handed over control of Hong Kong to China. Since that time, Hong Kong has been governed by a quasi-constitution known as the Basic Law, while defense and foreign affairs are the responsibility of the central government in Beijing. The chief executive of Hong Kong is appointed by the Chinese government. However, Hong Kong is able to participate in international organizations and agreements and it continues to function as an international financial center, with no exchange controls, free convertibility of the Hong Kong dollar, and free inward and outward movement of capital. By treaty, China has committed to preserve Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy in certain matters until 2047. However, as demonstrated by Hong Kong protests in recent years over political, economic, and legal freedoms, and the Chinese government's response to them, there continues to exist political uncertainty within Hong Kong. For example, in June 2020, China adopted a new security law that severely limits freedom of speech in Hong Kong and expands police powers to seize electronic devices and intercept communications of suspects. Hong Kong has experienced strong economic growth in recent years due, in part, to its close ties with China and a strong service sector, but the decline in growth rates in China could limit Hong Kong's future growth. In addition, if China exerts its authority so as to alter the economic, political, or legal structures, or further alters the existing social policy of Hong Kong, investor and business confidence in Hong Kong could be negatively affected, which in turn could negatively affect markets and business performance. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund's performance.

***Investments in Taiwan***. For decades, a state of hostility has existed between Taiwan and China. Although tensions have lowered, exemplified by improved relations in recent years, the relationship with China remains a divisive political issue within Taiwan. As an export-oriented economy, Taiwan depends on a free-trade regime and remains vulnerable to downturns in the world economy. Taiwanese companies continue to compete mostly on price, producing generic products or branded merchandise on behalf of multinational companies. Accordingly, these businesses can be particularly vulnerable to currency volatility and increasing competition from neighboring lower-cost countries. Moreover, many Taiwanese companies are heavily invested in mainland China and other countries throughout Southeast Asia, making them susceptible to political events and economic crises in the region. Significantly, Taiwan and China have entered into agreements covering banking, securities, and insurance. Closer economic links with mainland China may bring greater opportunities for the Taiwanese economy, but such arrangements also pose new challenges. For example, foreign direct investment in China has resulted in Chinese import substitution away from Taiwan's exports and a constriction of potential job creation in Taiwan. Likewise, the Taiwanese economy has experienced slow economic growth as demand for Taiwan's exports has weakened due, in part, to declines in growth rates in China. Taiwan has sought to diversify its export markets and reduce its dependence on the Chinese market by increasing exports to the United States, Japan, Europe, and other Asian countries by, among other things, entering into free-trade agreements. The Taiwanese economy's long-term challenges include a rapidly aging population, low birth rate, and the lingering effects of Taiwan's diplomatic isolation. These and other factors could have a negative impact on a Fund's performance.

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***Risk of Investing in China through Stock Connect and Bond Connect***. China A-shares are equity securities of companies domiciled in China that trade on Chinese stock exchanges such as the Shanghai Stock Exchange ("SSE") and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange ("SZSE") ("A-shares") and are denominated and traded in RMB whereas China B-shares are traded on Chinese stock exchanges and are denominated in RMB but traded in either U.S. dollars or Hong Kong dollars ("B-shares"). Foreign investment in A-shares on the SSE and SZSE has historically not been permitted, other than through a license granted under regulations in the PRC known as the Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor ("QFII") and Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor ("Renminbi QFII") systems. Foreign investors may invest in B-shares directly. A Fund's exposure to B-shares may be obtained through indirect exposure through investment in participation notes.

Investment in eligible A-shares listed and traded on the SSE or SZSE is also permitted through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect program or the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect program, as applicable (each, a "Stock Connect" and collectively, "Stock Connects"). Each Stock Connect is a securities trading and clearing links program established by The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited ("SEHK"), the Hong Kong Securities Clearing Company Limited ("HKSCC"), the SSE or SZSE, as applicable, and China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited ("CSDCC") that aims to provide mutual stock market access between the PRC and Hong Kong by permitting investors to trade and settle shares on each market through their local securities brokers. Under Stock Connects, a Fund's trading of eligible A-shares listed on the SSE or SZSE, as applicable, would be effectuated through its Hong Kong broker and a securities trading service company established by SEHK.

Although no individual investment quotas or licensing requirements apply to investors in Stock Connects, trading through a Stock Connect's Northbound Trading Link is subject to daily investment quota limitations which require that buy orders for A-shares be rejected once the daily quota is exceeded (although a Fund will be permitted to sell A-shares regardless of the quota). These limitations may restrict a Fund from investing in A-shares on a timely basis, which could affect the Fund's ability to effectively pursue its investment strategy. Investment quotas are also subject to change. Investment in eligible A-shares through a Stock Connect is subject to trading, clearance and settlement procedures that could pose risks to a Fund. A-shares purchased through Stock Connects generally may not be sold or otherwise transferred other than through Stock Connects in accordance with applicable rules. For example, the PRC regulations require that in order for an investor to sell any A-share on a certain trading day, there must be sufficient A-shares in the investor's account before the market opens on that day. If there are insufficient A-shares in the investor's account, the sell order will be rejected by the SSE or SZSE, as applicable. SEHK carries out pre-trade checking on sell orders of certain stocks listed on the SSE market ("SSE Securities") or SZSE market ("SZSE Securities") of its participants (i.e., stock brokers) to ensure that this requirement is satisfied. While shares must be designated as eligible to be traded under a Stock Connect, those shares may also lose such designation, and if this occurs, such shares may be sold but cannot be purchased through a Stock Connect. In addition, Stock Connects will only operate on days when both the Chinese and Hong Kong markets are open for trading, and banking services are available in both markets on the corresponding settlement days. Therefore, an investment in A-shares through a Stock Connect may subject a Fund to a risk of price fluctuations on days when the Chinese market is open, but a Stock Connect is not trading. Moreover, day (turnaround) trading is not permitted on the A-shares market. If an investor buys A-shares on day "T," the investor will only be able to sell the A-shares on or after day T+1. Further, since all trades of eligible A-shares must be settled in RMB, investors must have timely access to a reliable supply of offshore RMB, which cannot be guaranteed. There is also no assurance that RMB will not be subject to devaluation. Any devaluation of RMB could adversely affect a Fund's investments. If a Fund holds a class of shares denominated in a local currency other than RMB, the Fund will be exposed to currency exchange risk if the Fund converts the local currency into RMB for investments in A-shares. A Fund may also incur conversion costs.

A-shares held through the nominee structure under a Stock Connect will be held through HKSCC as nominee on behalf of investors. The precise nature and rights of a Fund as the beneficial owner of the SSE Securities or SZSE Securities through HKSCC as nominee is not well defined under the PRC laws. There is a lack of a clear definition of, and distinction between, legal ownership and beneficial ownership under the PRC laws and there have been few cases involving a nominee account structure in the PRC courts. The exact nature and methods of enforcement of the rights and interests of a Fund under the PRC laws is also uncertain. In the unlikely event that HKSCC becomes subject to winding up proceedings in Hong Kong, there is a risk that the SSE Securities or SZSE Securities may not be regarded as held for the beneficial ownership of a Fund or as part of the general assets of HKSCC available for general distribution to its creditors. Notwithstanding the fact that HKSCC does not claim proprietary interests in the SSE Securities or SZSE Securities held in its omnibus stock account in the CSDCC, the CSDCC as the share registrar for SSE- or SZSE-listed companies will still treat HKSCC as one of the shareholders when it handles corporate actions in respect of such SSE Securities or SZSE Securities. HKSCC monitors the corporate actions affecting SSE Securities and SZSE Securities and keeps participants of Central Clearing and Settlement System ("CCASS") informed of all such corporate actions that require CCASS

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participants to take steps in order to participate in them. Investors may only exercise their voting rights by providing their voting instructions to HKSCC through participants of CCASS. All voting instructions from CCASS participants will be consolidated by HKSCC, who will then submit a combined single voting instruction to the relevant SSE- or SZSE-listed company.

A Fund's investments through a Stock Connect's Northbound Trading Link are not covered by Hong Kong's Investor Compensation Fund. Hong Kong's Investor Compensation Fund is established to pay compensation to investors of any nationality who suffer pecuniary losses as a result of default of a licensed intermediary or authorized financial institution in relation to exchange-traded products in Hong Kong. In addition, since a Fund carries out Northbound Trading through securities brokers in Hong Kong but not PRC brokers, it is not protected by the China Securities Investor Protection Fund in the PRC.

Market participants are able to participate in Stock Connects subject to meeting certain information technology capability, risk management and other requirements as may be specified by the relevant exchange and/or clearinghouse. Further, the "connectivity" in Stock Connects requires routing of orders across the border of Hong Kong and the PRC. This requires the development of new information technology systems on the part of SEHK and exchange participants. There is no assurance that the systems of SEHK and market participants will function properly or will continue to be adapted to changes and developments in both markets. In the event that the relevant systems fail to function properly, trading in A-shares through Stock Connects could be disrupted.

The Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect program launched in November 2014 and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect program launched in December 2016 and are both in their initial stages. The current regulations are relatively untested and there is no certainty as to how they will be applied or interpreted going forward. In addition, the current regulations are subject to change and there can be no assurance that a Stock Connect will not be discontinued. New regulations may be issued from time to time by the regulators and stock exchanges in China and Hong Kong in connection with operations, legal enforcement and cross-border trades under Stock Connects. A Fund may be adversely affected as a result of such changes. Furthermore, the securities regimes and legal systems of China and Hong Kong differ significantly and issues may arise from the differences on an ongoing basis. In the event that the relevant systems fail to function properly, trading in both markets through Stock Connects could be disrupted and a Fund's ability to achieve its investment objective may be adversely affected. In addition, a Fund's investments in A-shares through Stock Connects are generally subject to Chinese securities regulations and listing rules, among other restrictions. Further, different fees, costs and taxes are imposed on foreign investors acquiring A-shares through Stock Connects, and these fees, costs and taxes may be higher than comparable fees, costs and taxes imposed on owners of other securities providing similar investment exposure.

Some Funds may invest in onshore China bonds via a QFII license awarded to the Fund's subadviser or through a China Interbank Bond Market ("CIBM") registration through the Bond Connect program. CIBM is an OTC market outside the two main stock exchanges in the PRC, SSE, and SZSE, and was established in 1997. On CIBM, institutional investors (including domestic institutional investors but also QFIIs, Renminbi QFIIs as well as other offshore institutional investors, subject to authorization) trade certain debt instruments on a one-to-one quote-driven basis. CIBM accounts for a vast majority of outstanding bond values of total trading volume in the PRC. The main debt instruments traded on CIBM include government bonds, financial bonds, corporate bonds, bond repo, bond lending, and People's Bank of China bills.

Investors should be aware that trading on CIBM exposes the applicable Fund to increased risks. CIBM is still in its development stage, and the market capitalization and trading volume may be lower than those of more developed markets. Market volatility and potential lack of liquidity due to low trading volume of certain debt securities may result in the prices of debt securities traded on such market to fluctuate significantly. Funds investing in such a market therefore may incur significant trading, settlement, and realization costs and may face counterparty default, liquidity, and volatility risks, resulting in significant losses for the Funds and their investors. Further, since a large portion of CIBM consists of Chinese state-owned entities, the policy priorities of the Chinese government, the strategic importance of the industry, and the strength of a company's ties to the local, provincial, or central government may and will affect the pricing of such securities.

The Bond Connect program is a relatively new program and may be subject to further interpretation and guidance. There can be no assurance as to the program's continued existence or whether future developments regarding the program may restrict or adversely affect a Fund's investments or returns. In addition, the application and interpretation of the laws and regulations of Hong Kong and China, and the rules, policies, or guidelines published or applied by relevant regulators and exchanges in respect of the Bond Connect program are uncertain, and they may have a detrimental effect on a Fund's investments and returns.

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***A-Share Market Suspension Risk***. A-shares may only be bought from, or sold to, a Fund at times when the relevant A-shares may be sold or purchased on the relevant Chinese stock exchange. The A-shares market has a higher propensity for trading suspensions than many other global equity markets. Trading suspensions in certain stocks could lead to greater market execution risk and costs for a Fund. The SSE and SZSE currently apply a daily price limit, generally set at 10%, of the amount of fluctuation permitted in the prices of A-shares during a single trading day. The daily price limit refers to price movements only and does not restrict trading within the relevant limit. There can be no assurance that a liquid market on an exchange will exist for any particular A-share or for any particular time.

***Risks of Investing in China through Variable Interest Entities***. Investments in Chinese companies may be made through a special structure known as a variable interest entity ("VIE") that is designed to provide foreign investors, such as a Fund, with exposure to Chinese companies that operate in certain sectors in which China restricts or prohibits foreign investments. Investments in VIEs may pose additional risks because the investment is made through an intermediary shell company that has entered into service and other contracts with the underlying Chinese operating company in order to provide investors with exposure to the operating company, and therefore does not represent equity ownership in the operating company. The value of the shell company is derived from its ability to consolidate the VIE into its financials pursuant to contractual arrangements that allow the shell company to exert a degree of control over, and obtain economic benefits arising from, the VIE without formal legal ownership. The contractual arrangements between the shell company and the operating company may not be as effective in providing operational control as direct equity ownership, and the rights of a foreign investor (such as a Fund) may be limited, including by actions of the Chinese government that could determine that the underlying contractual arrangements are invalid. While VIEs are a longstanding industry practice and Chinese regulators have permitted such arrangements to proliferate, the structure has not been formally recognized under Chinese law and it is uncertain whether Chinese regulators will withdraw their implicit acceptance of the structure. It is also uncertain whether the contractual arrangements, which may be subject to conflicts of interest between the legal owners of the VIE and foreign investors, would be enforced by Chinese courts or arbitration bodies. Prohibitions of these structures by the Chinese government, or the inability to enforce such contracts, from which the shell company derives its value, would likely cause the VIE-structured holding(s) to suffer significant, detrimental, and possibly permanent loss, and in turn, adversely affect a Fund's returns and net asset value.

***Investments in the Middle East***. The economies of countries in the Middle East are all considered emerging markets economies and tend to be highly reliant on the exportation of commodities. Many Middle Eastern economies have little or no democratic tradition and are led by family structures. Opposition parties are often banned, leading to dissidence and militancy. Such developments, if they were to occur, could result in significant disruptions in securities markets. Certain Middle Eastern countries have strained relations with other Middle Eastern countries due to territorial disputes, historical animosities, international alliances, defense concerns, or other reasons, which may adversely affect the economies of these Middle Eastern countries. Certain Middle Eastern countries may be heavily dependent upon international trade, and consequently have been and may continue to be negatively affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values, and other protectionist measures imposed by the countries with which they trade. In addition, certain issuers in Middle Eastern countries in which a Fund invests may operate in, or have dealings with, countries subject to sanctions and/or embargoes imposed by the U.S. Government as state sponsors of terrorism. As a result, an issuer may sustain damage to its reputation if it is identified as an issuer operating in, or having dealings with, such countries.

The manner in which foreign investors may invest in companies in certain Middle Eastern countries, as well as limitations on those investments, may have an adverse impact on the operations of a Fund. For example, in certain of these countries, a Fund may be required to invest initially through a local broker or other entity and then have the shares that were purchased re-registered in the name of the Fund. Re-registration in some instances may not be possible on a timely basis. This may result in a delay during which the Fund may be denied certain of its rights as an investor, including rights to dividends or to be made aware of certain corporate actions. There also may be instances where the Fund places a purchase order but is subsequently informed, at the time of re-registration, that the permissible allocation of the investment to foreign investors has been filled.

***Investments in Saudi Arabia***. A Fund generally expects to conduct transactions in a manner in which it would not be limited by regulations to a single broker. However, there may be a limited number of brokers who can provide services to the Fund in Saudi Arabia, which may have an adverse impact on the prices, quantity, or timing of Fund transactions.

A Fund's ability to invest in Saudi Arabian equity securities depends on the ability of the investment adviser or subadviser, as a Foreign Portfolio Manager, and the Fund, as a Qualified Foreign Investor ("QFI"), to obtain and maintain such authorizations from the Saudi Arabia Capital Market Authority ("CMA"). Even though a Fund may obtain a QFI

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approval, the Fund does not have an exclusive investment quota and is subject to foreign investment limitations and other regulations imposed by the CMA on QFIs, as well as local market participants. Any change in the QFI system generally, including the possibility of the investment adviser or subadviser or the Fund losing its respective Foreign Portfolio Manager or QFI status with the CMA, may adversely affect the Fund.

A Fund is required to use a trading account to buy and sell securities in Saudi Arabia. This trading account can be held directly with a broker or held with a custodian, which is known as the Independent Custody Model ("ICM"). The ICM approach is generally regarded as preferable because securities are under the safekeeping and control of the custodian and would be recoverable in the event of the bankruptcy of the custodian. When a Fund utilizes the ICM approach, it relies on a broker standing instruction letter to authorize the Fund's sub-custodian to move securities to a trading account for settlement, based on the details supplied by the broker. However, an authorized broker could potentially either fraudulently or erroneously sell a Fund's securities, although opportunities for a local broker to conduct fraudulent transactions are limited due to short trading hours (trading hours in Saudi Arabia are generally between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). In addition, the risk of fraudulent or erroneous transactions is further mitigated by a manual pre-matching process conducted by the custodian, which validates the Fund's settlement instructions with the local broker contract note and the transaction report from the depositary. Similar risks also apply to using a direct broker trading account. When a Fund utilizes a direct broker trading account, the account is set up in the Fund's name, and the assets are likely to be treated as ring-fenced and separated from any other accounts at the broker. However, if the broker defaults, there may be a delay in recovering the Fund's assets that are held in the broker account, and legal proceedings may need to be initiated in order to do so.

#### Health Care Companies
A Fund may invest in health care companies. The activities of health care companies may be funded or subsidized by federal and state governments. If government funding and subsidies are reduced or discontinued, the profitability of these companies could be adversely affected. Health care companies may also be affected by government policies on health care reimbursements, regulatory approval for new drugs and medical instruments, and similar matters. They are also subject to legislative risk, i.e., the risk of a reform of the health care system through legislation.

#### Illiquid Securities
Each Fund may invest not more than 15% of its net assets in "illiquid securities," which are investments that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. A Fund may not be able to dispose of such securities in a timely fashion and for a fair price, which could result in losses to a Fund. In addition, illiquid securities are generally more difficult to value. Illiquid securities may include repurchase agreements with maturities greater than seven days, futures contracts and options thereon for which a liquid secondary market does not exist, time deposits maturing in more than seven calendar days, and securities of new and early stage companies whose securities are not publicly traded. The Funds may also purchase securities eligible for resale to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. Such securities may be determined to be liquid based on an analysis taking into account, among other things, trading activity for such securities and the availability of reliable pricing information, among other factors. If there is a lack of trading interest in particular Rule 144A securities, a Fund's holdings of those securities may be illiquid, resulting in undesirable delays in selling these securities at prices representing fair value.

#### Index-Related Securities (Equity Equivalents)
The Funds may invest in certain types of securities that enable investors to purchase or sell shares in a portfolio of securities that seeks to track the performance of an underlying index or a portion of an index. Such Equity Equivalents include, among others, DIAMONDS (interests in a portfolio of securities that seeks to track the performance of the Dow Jones Industrial Average), SPDRs or Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts (interests in a portfolio of securities that seeks to track the performance of the S&P 500<sup>®</sup> Index), and the Nasdaq-100 Trust (interests in a portfolio of securities of the largest and most actively traded non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market). Such securities are similar to index mutual funds, but they are traded on various stock exchanges or secondary markets. The value of these securities is dependent upon the performance of the underlying index on which they are based. Thus, these securities are subject to the same risks as their underlying indexes as well as the securities that make up those indexes. For example, if the securities comprising an index that an index-related security seeks to track perform poorly, the index-related security will lose value.

Equity Equivalents may be used for several purposes, including to simulate full investment in the underlying index while retaining a cash balance for fund management purposes, to facilitate trading, to reduce transaction costs, or to seek higher investment returns where an Equity Equivalent is priced more attractively than securities in the underlying index.

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Because the expense associated with an investment in Equity Equivalents may be substantially lower than the expense of small investments directly in the securities comprising the indexes they seek to track, investments in Equity Equivalents may provide a cost-effective means of diversifying the fund's assets across a broad range of equity securities.

The prices of Equity Equivalents are derived and based upon the securities held by the particular investment company. Accordingly, the level of risk involved in the purchase or sale of an Equity Equivalent is similar to the risk involved in the purchase or sale of traditional common stock, with the exception that the pricing mechanism for such instruments is based on a basket of stocks. The market prices of Equity Equivalents are expected to fluctuate in accordance with both changes in the NAVs of their underlying indexes and the supply and demand for the instruments on the exchanges on which they are traded. Substantial market or other disruptions affecting an Equity Equivalent could adversely affect the liquidity and value of the shares of the fund investing in such instruments.

#### Inflation-Linked Securities
Inflation-linked securities are typically fixed income securities whose principal values are periodically adjusted according to a measure of inflation. If the index measuring inflation falls, the principal value of an inflation-linked security will be adjusted downward, and consequently the interest payable on the security (calculated with respect to a smaller principal amount) will be reduced. Repayment of the original principal of the security upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of U.S. Treasury inflation-linked securities. For securities that do not provide a similar guarantee, the adjusted principal value of the security repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal.

Alternatively, the interest rates payable on certain inflation-linked securities may be adjusted according to a measure of inflation. As a result, the principal values of such securities do not adjust according to the rate of inflation, although the interest payable on such securities may decline during times of falling inflation.

The values of inflation-linked securities are expected to change in response to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. If nominal interest rates increase at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates may rise, leading to a decrease in value of inflation-linked securities. Inflation-linked securities may cause a potential cash flow mismatch to investors, because an increase in the principal amount of an inflation-linked security will be treated as interest income currently subject to tax at ordinary income rates even though investors will not receive repayment of principal until maturity. If a Fund invests in such securities, it will be required to distribute such interest income in order to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company and eliminate the Fund-level tax, without a corresponding receipt of cash, and therefore may be required to dispose of portfolio securities at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so in order to make such distributions.

While the values of inflation-linked securities are expected to be largely protected from long-term inflationary trends, short-term increases in inflation may lead to declines in value. In addition, if interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation (for example, due to changes in currency exchange rates), investors in inflation-linked securities may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the securities' inflation measure.

The periodic adjustment of U.S. Treasury inflation-linked securities is tied to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers ("CPI-U"), which is calculated monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI-U is a measurement of changes in the cost of living, made up of components such as housing, food, transportation, and energy. Inflation-linked securities issued by a foreign government or a private issuer are generally adjusted to reflect an inflation measure specified by the issuer. There can be no assurance that the CPI-U or any other inflation measure will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services.

#### IPOs and Other Limited Opportunities
A Fund may purchase securities of companies that are offered pursuant to an initial public offering ("IPO") or other similar limited opportunities. Although companies can be any age or size at the time of their IPO, they are often smaller and have a limited operating history, which involves a greater potential for the value of their securities to be impaired following the IPO. The price of a company's securities may be highly unstable at the time of its IPO and for a period thereafter due to factors such as market psychology prevailing at the time of the IPO, the absence of a prior public market, the small number of shares available, and limited availability of investor information. Securities purchased in IPOs have a tendency to fluctuate in value significantly shortly after the IPO relative to the price at which they were purchased. These fluctuations could impact the NAV and return earned on a Fund's shares. Investors in IPOs can be adversely affected by substantial dilution in the value of their shares, by sales of additional shares, and by concentration of control in existing management and principal shareholders. In addition, all of the factors that affect the performance of an economy or equity markets may have a greater impact on the shares of IPO companies. IPO securities tend to involve greater risk due, in part, to public perception and the lack of publicly available information and trading history.

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#### Master Limited Partnerships
A Fund may invest in master limited partnerships ("MLPs"), which are limited partnerships in which ownership units are publicly traded. MLPs often own or own interests in properties or businesses that are related to oil and gas industries, including pipelines, although MLPs may invest in other types of investments, including credit-related investments. Generally, an MLP is operated under the supervision of one or more managing general partners. Limited partners (like a Fund when it invests in an MLP) are not involved in the day-to-day management of the partnership. A Fund also may invest in companies who serve (or whose affiliates serve) as MLP general partners.

Investments in MLPs are generally subject to many of the risks that apply to partnerships. For example, holders of the units of MLPs may have limited control and limited voting rights on matters affecting the partnership. There may be fewer corporate protections afforded investors in an MLP than investors in a corporation. Conflicts of interest may exist among unit holders, subordinated unit holders, and the general partner of an MLP, including those arising from incentive distribution payments. MLPs that concentrate in a particular industry or region are subject to risks associated with such industry or region. MLPs holding credit-related investments are subject to interest rate risk and the risk of default on payment obligations by debt issuers. Investments held by MLPs may be illiquid. MLP units may trade infrequently and in limited volume, and they may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than securities of larger or more broadly based companies.

A Fund may also hold investments in limited liability companies that have many of the same characteristics and are subject to many of the same risks as master limited partnerships.

The manner and extent of a Fund's investments in MLPs and limited liability companies may be limited by its intention to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code, and any such investments by the Fund may adversely affect the ability of the Fund to qualify as such.

#### Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities
Mortgage-backed securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs") and certain stripped mortgage-backed securities, represent a participation in, or are secured by, mortgage loans. Asset-backed securities are structured like mortgage-backed securities, but instead of mortgage loans or interests in mortgage loans, the underlying assets may include such items as motor vehicle installment sales or installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, receivables from credit card agreements, home equity loans, and student loans. Asset-backed securities may also include collateralized debt obligations as described below.

A Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities issued or guaranteed by (i) U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities such as the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA") (also known as Ginnie Mae), the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA") (also known as Fannie Mae), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC") (also known as Freddie Mac) or (ii) other issuers, including private companies. Under the Federal Housing Finance Agency's "Single Security Initiative," Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have entered into a joint initiative to develop a common securitization platform for the issuance of Uniform Mortgage-Backed Securities ("UMBS"), which would generally align the characteristics of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities. In June 2019, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac started to issue UMBS in place of their current offerings of TBA-eligible mortgage-backed securities. The effect of the issuance of UMBS on the market for mortgage-backed securities is uncertain. Privately issued mortgage-backed securities may include securities backed by commercial mortgages, which are mortgages on commercial, rather than residential, real estate. Privately issued mortgage-backed securities are not traded on an exchange and there may be a limited market for the securities, especially when there is a perceived weakness in the mortgage and real estate market sectors. Without an active trading market, mortgage-backed securities held in a Fund's portfolio may be particularly difficult to value because of the complexities involved in assessing the value of the underlying mortgage loans. There is no assurance that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to its agencies and instrumentalities if not required to do so. In addition, certain governmental entities have been subject to regulatory scrutiny regarding their accounting policies and practices and other concerns that may result in legislation, changes in regulatory oversight and/or other consequences that could adversely affect the credit quality, availability, or investment character of securities issued by these entities.

Mortgage-backed securities have yield and maturity characteristics corresponding to the underlying assets. Unlike traditional debt securities, which may pay a fixed rate of interest until maturity, when the entire principal amount comes due, payments on certain mortgage-backed securities include both interest and a partial repayment of principal. Besides the scheduled repayment of principal, repayments of principal may result from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing, or foreclosure of the underlying mortgage loans. If property owners make unscheduled prepayments of their mortgage loans, these prepayments will result in early payment of the applicable mortgage-related securities. In that event a Fund may be

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unable to invest the proceeds from the early payment of the mortgage-related securities in an investment that provides as high a yield as the mortgage-related securities. Consequently, early payment associated with mortgage-related securities may cause these securities to experience significantly greater price and yield volatility than that experienced by traditional fixed income securities. The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by factors including the level of interest rates, general economic conditions, the location and age of the mortgages, and other social and demographic conditions. During periods of falling interest rates, the rate of mortgage prepayments tends to increase, thereby tending to decrease the life of mortgage-related securities. During periods of rising interest rates, the rate of mortgage prepayments usually decreases, thereby tending to increase the life of mortgage-related securities. If the life of a mortgage-related security is inaccurately predicted, a Fund may not be able to realize the rate of return the investment adviser or subadviser expected.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are less effective than other types of securities as a means of "locking in" attractive long-term interest rates. One reason is the need to reinvest prepayments of principal; another is the possibility of significant unscheduled prepayments resulting from declines in interest rates. These prepayments would have to be reinvested at lower rates. As a result, these securities may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of declining interest rates than other securities of comparable maturities, although they may have a similar or greater risk of decline in market value during periods of rising interest rates. Prepayments may also significantly shorten the effective maturities of these securities, especially during periods of declining interest rates. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, a reduction in prepayments may increase the effective maturities of these securities, subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore, potentially increasing the volatility of the Funds. The terms of certain asset-backed securities may require early prepayment in response to certain credit events potentially affecting the values of the asset-backed securities.

At times, some mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities will have higher than market interest rates and therefore will be purchased at a premium above their par value. Prepayments may cause losses on securities purchased at a premium. Ongoing developments in the residential and commercial mortgage markets may have additional consequences for the market for mortgage-backed securities. Asset-backed securities also involve the risk that borrowers may default on the obligations backing them and that the values of and interest earned on such investments will decline as a result. Loans made to lower quality borrowers, including those of sub-prime quality, involve a higher risk of default. Therefore, the values of asset-backed securities backed by lower quality assets, such as lower quality loans, including those of sub-prime quality, may suffer significantly greater declines in value due to defaults, payment delays, or a perceived increased risk of default, especially during periods when economic conditions worsen. During periods of deteriorating economic conditions, such as recessions or periods of rising unemployment, delinquencies and losses generally increase, sometimes dramatically, with respect to securitizations involving loans, sales contracts, receivables, and other obligations underlying asset-backed securities. The effects of the COVID-19 virus and governmental responses to the effects of the virus, as well as the effects of and responses to other pandemics and epidemics, may result in increased delinquencies and losses and have other, potentially unanticipated, adverse effects on such investments and the markets for those investments. There are fewer investors in mortgage- and asset-backed securities markets and those investors are more homogenous than in markets for other kinds of securities. If a number of market participants are impacted by negative economic conditions, forced selling of mortgage- or asset-backed securities unrelated to fundamental analysis could depress market prices and liquidity significantly and for a longer period of time than in markets with greater liquidity.

CMOs may be issued by a U.S. Government agency or instrumentality or by a private issuer. Although payment of the principal of, and interest on, the underlying collateral securing privately issued CMOs may be guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, these CMOs represent obligations solely of the private issuer and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, or any other person or entity.

CMOs typically issue multiple classes of securities, having different maturities, interest rates, and payment schedules, and with the principal and interest on the underlying mortgages allocated among the several classes in various ways. Payment of interest or principal on some classes or series of CMOs may be subordinated to payments on other classes or series and may be subject to contingencies; or some classes or series may bear some or all of the risk of default on the underlying mortgages. CMOs of different classes or series are generally retired in sequence as the underlying mortgage loans in the mortgage pool are repaid. If enough mortgages are repaid ahead of schedule, the classes or series of a CMO with the earliest maturities generally will be retired prior to their maturities. Thus, the early retirement of particular classes or series of a CMO would have the same effect as the prepayment of mortgages underlying other mortgage-backed securities. Conversely, slower than anticipated prepayments can extend the effective maturities of CMOs, subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore, potentially increasing their volatility. Certain classes or series of CMOs may experience high levels of volatility in response to changes in interest rates and other factors.

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Stripped mortgage-backed securities are usually structured with two classes that receive payments of interest or principal on a pool of mortgage loans. Stripped mortgage-backed securities may experience very high levels of volatility in response to changes in interest rates. The yield to maturity on an interest only or "IO" class of stripped mortgage-backed securities is extremely sensitive not only to changes in prevailing interest rates but also to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying assets. A rapid rate of principal prepayments will typically result in a substantial decline in the value of IOs and may have a significant adverse effect on a Fund's yield to maturity to the extent it invests in IOs. If the assets underlying the IO experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail to recoup fully, or at all, its initial investment in these securities. Conversely, principal only securities or "POs" tend to increase in value if prepayments are greater than anticipated and decline if prepayments are slower than anticipated.

The secondary market for stripped mortgage-backed securities may be more volatile and less liquid than that for other mortgage-backed securities, potentially limiting a Fund's ability to buy or sell those securities at any particular time.

Subprime mortgage loans, which typically are made to less creditworthy borrowers, have a higher risk of default than conventional mortgage loans. Therefore, mortgage-backed securities backed by subprime mortgage loans may suffer significantly greater declines in value due to defaults, and may experience high levels of volatility.

A Fund may invest in collateralized debt obligations ("CDOs"), including collateralized bond obligations ("CBOs"), collateralized loan obligations ("CLOs"), and other similarly structured securities. CBOs, CLOs, and other CDOs are types of asset-backed securities. A CBO is typically an obligation of a trust backed (or collateralized) by a pool of securities, often including high risk, below investment grade debt securities. The collateral may include many different types of debt securities such as high yield debt, residential privately issued mortgage-related securities, commercial privately issued mortgage-related securities, trust preferred securities, and emerging market debt. A CLO is typically an obligation of a trust backed (or collateralized) by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans, and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans. Other types of CDOs may include, by way of example, obligations of trusts backed by other types of assets representing obligations of various types, and may include high risk, below investment grade debt obligations. CBOs, CLOs, and other CDOs may pay management fees and administrative expenses. The risk profile of an investment in a CBO, CLO, or other CDO depends largely on the type of the collateral securities and the class of the instrument in which a Fund invests.

For CBOs, CLOs, and other CDOs, the cash flows from the trust are split into two or more portions, called tranches, varying in risk and yield. The riskiest portion is the "equity" tranche which typically bears the effects of defaults from the bonds or loans in the trust in the first instance and may serve to protect other, senior tranches from defaults. Typically, the more senior the tranche in a CBO, CLO, or other CDO, the higher its rating, although senior tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults. The market values of CBO, CLO, and CDO obligations may be affected by a number of factors, including, among others, changes in interest rates, defaults affecting junior tranches, market anticipation of defaults, and general market aversion to CBO, CLO, or other CDO securities as a class, or to the collateral backing them.

CBOs, CLOs, and other CDOs may be illiquid. In addition to the risks associated with debt securities discussed elsewhere in this SAI and the Funds' Prospectus (e.g., interest rate risk and the risk of default), CBOs, CLOs, and other CDOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments on a CBO's, CLO's, or other CDO's obligations; (ii) the collateral may decline in value or be in default; (iii) the risk that Funds may invest in tranches of CBOs, CLOs, or other CDOs that are subordinate to other classes; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results.

Some of the loans in which a Fund may invest or to which a Fund may gain exposure through its investments in CDOs, CLOs, or other types of structured securities may be covenant-lite loans, which contain fewer or less restrictive constraints on the borrower than certain other types of loans. Covenant-lite loans generally do not include terms that allow the lender to monitor the performance of the borrower and declare a default or force a borrower into bankruptcy restructuring if certain criteria are breached. Under such loans, lenders typically must rely on covenants that restrict a company from incurring additional debt or engaging in certain actions. Such covenants can only be breached by an affirmative action of the borrower, rather than by a deterioration in the borrower's financial condition. Accordingly, a Fund may have fewer rights against a borrower when it invests in or has exposure to such loans and, accordingly, may have a greater risk of loss on such investments as compared to investments in or exposure to loans with additional or more conventional covenants.

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#### Other Income-Producing Securities
Other types of income-producing securities the Funds may purchase, include, but are not limited to, the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • ***Variable and floating rate obligations****.* Variable and floating rate securities are debt instruments that provide for periodic adjustments in the interest rate paid on the security and, under certain limited circumstances, may have varying principal amounts. Variable rate securities provide for a specified periodic adjustment in the interest rate, while floating rate securities have interest rates that may change with change to the level of prevailing interest rates or the issuer's credit quality. These types of securities are relatively long-term instruments that often carry demand features permitting the holder to demand payment of principal at any time or at specified intervals prior to maturity. There is a risk that the current interest rate on variable and floating securities may not accurately reflect current market interest rates or adequately compensate the holder for the current creditworthiness of the issuer. Due to their variable- or floating-rate features, these instruments will generally pay higher levels of income in a rising interest rate environment and lower levels of income as interest rates decline. For the same reason, the market value of a variable- or floating-rate instrument is generally expected to have less sensitivity to fluctuations in market interest rates than a fixed-rate instrument, although the value of a floating-rate instrument may nonetheless decline as interest rates rise and due to other factors, such as changes in credit quality. Some variable or floating rate securities are structured with liquidity features such as (1) put options or tender options that permit holders (sometimes subject to conditions) to demand payment of the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest from the issuers or certain financial intermediaries or (2) auction rate features, remarketing provisions, or other maturity-shortening devices designed to enable the issuer to refinance or redeem outstanding debt securities (market-dependent liquidity features). The market-dependent liquidity features may not operate as intended as a result of the issuer's declining creditworthiness, adverse market conditions, or other factors or the inability or unwillingness of a participating broker-dealer to make a secondary market for such securities. As a result, variable or floating rate securities that include market-dependent liquidity features may lose value and the holders of such securities may be required to retain them for an extended period of time or until maturity.

In order to use these investments most effectively, a Fund's investment adviser or subadviser must correctly assess probable movements in interest rates. This involves different skills than those used to select most portfolio securities. If the investment adviser or subadviser incorrectly forecasts such movements, a Fund could be adversely affected by the use of variable or floating rate obligations.

Many financial instruments use or may use a floating rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), which is the offered rate for short-term Eurodollar deposits between major international banks. On July 27, 2017, the head of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. The administrator of LIBOR ceased publication of most LIBOR settings on a representative basis at the end of 2021 and is expected to cease publication of remaining U.S. dollar LIBOR settings on a representative basis after June 30, 2023. In addition, global regulators have announced that, with limited exceptions, no new LIBOR-based contracts should be entered into after 2021. Actions by regulators have resulted in the establishment of alternative reference rates to LIBOR in most major currencies. Market participants are focused on the transition mechanisms by which the reference rate in existing contracts or instruments may be amended, whether through market wide protocols, fallback contractual provisions, bespoke negotiations, or amendments, or otherwise. Markets are developing in response to these new rates, and questions around liquidity in these rates and how to appropriately adjust these rates to eliminate any economic value transfer at the time of transition remain a significant concern for a Fund. Neither the effect of the transition process nor its ultimate success can yet be known. A Fund may have investments linked to other interbank offered rates which may also cease to be published. The transition process might lead to increased volatility and illiquidity in markets that currently rely on LIBOR to determine interest rates. It could also lead to a reduction in the value of some LIBOR-based investments and reduce the effectiveness of new hedges placed against existing LIBOR-based instruments. Since the usefulness of LIBOR as a benchmark could deteriorate during the transition period, these effects could occur prior to the cessation of LIBOR.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • ***Standby commitments****.* These instruments, which are similar to a put, give a Fund the option to obligate a broker, dealer, or bank to repurchase a security held by the Fund at a specified price.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • ***Tender option bonds****.* Tender option bonds are relatively long-term bonds that are coupled with the agreement of a third party, such as a broker, dealer, or bank, to grant the holders of such securities the option to tender the securities to the institution at periodic intervals.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • ***Inverse floaters****.* Inverse floaters have variable interest rates that typically move in the opposite direction from movements in prevailing interest rates, most often short-term rates. Accordingly, the value of inverse floaters, or other obligations or certificates structured to have similar features, generally moves in the opposite direction from interest rates. The value of an inverse floater can be considerably more volatile than the value of other debt instruments of comparable maturity and credit quality. Inverse floaters incorporate varying degrees of leverage. Generally, greater leverage results in greater price volatility for any given change in interest rates. Inverse floaters may be subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale and therefore may be less liquid than other types of securities. Similar to variable and floating rate obligations, effective use of inverse floaters requires skills different from those needed to select most portfolio securities. If movements in interest rates are incorrectly anticipated, a Fund could lose money or the NAV of its shares could decline by the use of inverse floaters.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • ***Strip bonds****.* Strip bonds are debt securities that are stripped of their interest, usually by a financial intermediary, after the securities are issued. The market value of these securities generally fluctuates more in response to changes in interest rates than interest-paying securities of comparable maturities.

Standby commitments, tender option bonds, and instruments with demand features are primarily used by the Funds for the purpose of increasing the liquidity of a Fund's portfolio.

#### Other Investment Companies
A Fund may invest in securities of other open- or closed-end investment companies, including exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"), traded on one or more national securities exchanges, as well as private investment vehicles. The MassMutual Target Allocation Funds are "funds-of-funds," which may invest without limit in other investment companies sponsored by MassMutual or its affiliates as well as, within allowable regulatory limits, in other non-affiliated investment companies. The MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Funds are "funds-of-funds," which may invest without limit in other investment companies sponsored by MassMutual or its affiliates as well as, within allowable regulatory limits, in other investment companies sponsored by J.P. Morgan or its affiliates or in other non-affiliated investment companies.

As a shareholder in an investment vehicle, a Fund bears its ratable share of that investment vehicle's expenses, including its investment advisory, administration, brokerage, shareholder servicing, and other expenses, and continues to incur its own investment advisory and other expenses. A Fund's shareholders would therefore be subject to duplicative expenses to the extent the Fund invests in other investment vehicles. Shares of registered open-end investment companies traded on a securities exchange may not be redeemable by a Fund in all cases. Private investment vehicles in which a Fund may invest are not registered under the 1940 Act, and so will not offer all of the protections provided by the 1940 Act (including, among other things, independent oversight, protections against certain conflicts of interest, and custodial risks).

A Fund is exposed indirectly to all of the risks applicable to any other investment vehicle in which it invests, including that the investment vehicle will not perform as expected. If the other investment company is an ETF or other product traded on a securities exchange or otherwise actively traded, its shares may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV, an effect that might be more pronounced in less liquid markets. In addition, lack of liquidity in securities of investment company traded on an exchange or otherwise actively traded could result in its value being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities, and may limit the ability of a Fund to sell or redeem its interest in the investment company at a time or at a price it might consider desirable. A Fund may not be able to redeem its interest in private investment vehicles except at certain designated times. ETFs are also subject to additional risks, including, among others, the risk that the market price of an ETF's shares may trade above or below its NAV, the risk that an active trading market for an ETF's shares may not develop or be maintained, the risk that trading of an ETF's shares may be halted, and the risk that the ETF's shares may be delisted from the listing exchange. Unlike shares of a mutual fund, which can be bought and redeemed from the issuing fund by all shareholders at a price based on NAV, shares of an ETF may be purchased or redeemed directly from the ETF solely by Authorized Participants ("APs") and only in aggregations of a specified number of shares ("Creation Units"). ETFs may have a limited number of financial institutions that act as APs. To the extent that those APs exit the business, or are unable to or choose not to process creation and/or redemption orders for Creation Units, and no other AP steps forward to create and redeem ETF shares, the ETF's shares may be more likely to trade at a premium or discount to NAV and possibly face trading halts or delisting.

A Fund's investment adviser or subadviser, as applicable, or their affiliates may serve as investment adviser to a registered investment company or private investment vehicle in which the Fund may invest, leading to conflicts of interest. For example, a Fund's investment adviser or subadviser, as applicable, may receive fees based on the amount of assets invested in the other investment vehicle. Investment by a Fund in another registered investment company or private investment vehicle will typically be beneficial to its investment adviser or subadviser, as applicable, in the management of

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the other investment vehicle, by helping to achieve economies of scale or enhancing cash flows. Due to this and other factors, a Fund's investment adviser or subadviser, as applicable, will have an incentive to invest the Fund's assets in an investment vehicle sponsored or managed by it or its affiliates in lieu of investments by the Fund directly in portfolio securities, and will have an incentive to invest in such an investment vehicle over a non-affiliated investment vehicle to ensure an appropriate level of revenue to such investment adviser or subadviser, as applicable, or their affiliates. The investment adviser or subadviser, as applicable, will have no obligation to select the least expensive or best performing investment companies available to serve as an underlying investment vehicle. Similarly, a Fund's investment adviser or subadviser, as applicable, will have an incentive to delay or decide against the sale of interests held by the Fund in an investment company sponsored or managed by it or its affiliates. It is possible that other clients of a Fund's investment adviser or subadviser, as applicable, or its affiliates will purchase or sell interests in an investment company sponsored or managed by it at prices and at times more favorable than those at which the Fund does so.

A Fund that is not a fund-of-funds may invest in other investment vehicles whenever its investment adviser or subadviser, as applicable, believes that investment may help to achieve the Fund's investment objective. For example, a Fund may invest in other investment companies during periods when it has large amounts of uninvested cash, when its investment adviser or subadviser, as applicable, believes share prices of other investment companies offer attractive values, or to gain or maintain exposure to various asset classes and markets or types of strategies and investments. A Fund may invest in shares of another registered investment company or private investment vehicle in order to gain indirect exposure to markets in a country where the Fund is not able to invest freely, or to gain indirect exposure to one or more issuers whose securities it may not buy directly.

New SEC Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act, which became effective on January 19, 2022, is designed to streamline and enhance the regulatory framework for fund of funds arrangements. Rule 12d1-4 permits an investment company to invest in other investment companies beyond the statutory limits, subject to certain conditions. In connection with this Rule, the SEC rescinded Rule 12d1-2 under the 1940 Act and most fund of funds exemptive orders, effective January 19, 2022.

The Rule could affect a Fund's ability to redeem its investments in other investment companies, make such investments less attractive, cause the Fund to incur losses, realize taxable gains distributable to shareholders, incur greater or unexpected expenses, or experience other adverse consequences.

#### Partly Paid Securities
These securities are paid for on an installment basis. A partly paid security trades net of outstanding installment payments—the buyer "takes over payments." The buyer's rights are typically restricted until the security is fully paid. If the value of a partly paid security declines before a Fund finishes paying for it, the Fund will still owe the payments, but may find it hard to sell and as a result will incur a loss.

#### Portfolio Management
A Fund's investment adviser or subadviser uses trading as a means of managing the portfolio of the Fund in seeking to achieve its investment objective. Transactions will occur when a Fund's investment adviser or subadviser believes that the trade, net of transaction costs, will improve interest income or capital appreciation potential, or will lessen capital loss potential. Whether the goals discussed above will be achieved through trading depends on the Fund's investment adviser's or subadviser's ability to evaluate particular securities and anticipate relevant market factors, including interest rate trends and variations from such trends. If such evaluations and expectations prove to be incorrect, a Fund's income or capital appreciation may be reduced and its capital losses may be increased. In addition, high turnover in a Fund could result in additional brokerage commissions to be paid by that Fund. See also "Taxation" below.

The Funds may pay brokerage commissions to affiliates of one or more affiliates of the Funds' investment adviser or subadvisers.

#### Portfolio Turnover
The MassMutual Target Allocation Funds' and MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Funds' portfolio transactions should generally involve trades in the Underlying Funds that do not entail brokerage commissions. To the extent that portfolio turnover results in realization of net short-term capital gains, such gains ordinarily are treated as ordinary income when distributed to shareholders. Portfolio turnover rates of the MassMutual Target Allocation Funds and MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Funds are shown in the "Fees and Expenses of the Fund" and "Financial Highlights" sections of the Prospectus. See the "Taxation" and "Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage" sections in this SAI for additional information.

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#### Real Estate-Related Investments; Real Estate Investment Trusts
Factors affecting the performance of real estate may include excess supply of real property in certain markets, changes in zoning laws, environmental regulations and other governmental action, completion of construction, changes in real estate value and property taxes, losses from casualty, condemnation, or natural disaster, sufficient level of occupancy, adequate rent to cover operating expenses, and local and regional markets for competing assets. The performance of real estate may also be affected by changes in interest rates, prudent management of insurance risks, and social and economic trends.

Real estate investment trusts ("REITs") that may be purchased by a Fund include equity REITs, which own real estate directly, mortgage REITs, which make construction, development, or long-term mortgage loans, and hybrid REITs, which share characteristics of equity REITs and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs will be affected by, among other things, changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the REITs, while mortgage REITs will be affected by, among other things, the value of the properties to which they have extended credit. REITs are dependent upon the skill of each REIT's management.

A Fund could, under certain circumstances, own real estate directly as a result of a default on debt securities it owns or from an in-kind distribution of real estate from a REIT. Risks associated with such ownership could include potential liabilities under environmental laws and the costs of other regulatory compliance. If a Fund has rental income or income from the direct disposition of real property, the receipt of such income may adversely affect its ability to retain its tax status as a regulated investment company and thus its ability to avoid taxation on its income and gains distributed to its shareholders. REITs are also subject to substantial cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Code and/or to maintain exempt status under the 1940 Act. If a Fund invests in REITs, investors would bear not only a proportionate share of the expenses of that Fund, but also, indirectly, expenses of the REITs.

#### Repurchase Agreements
A repurchase agreement is a contract under which a Fund acquires a security for a relatively short period (usually not more than one week) subject to the obligation of the seller to repurchase and the Fund to resell such security at a fixed time and price (representing the Fund's cost plus interest). Repurchase agreements may also be viewed as loans made by a Fund which are collateralized by the securities subject to repurchase. The investment adviser or subadviser will monitor such transactions to ensure that the value of the underlying securities will be at least equal at all times to the total amount of the repurchase obligation, including the interest factor. If the seller defaults, a Fund could realize a loss on the sale of the underlying security to the extent that the proceeds of the sale including accrued interest are less than the resale price provided in the agreement including interest. In addition, if the seller should be involved in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings, the Fund may incur delay and costs in selling the underlying security or may suffer a loss of principal and interest if the Fund is treated as an unsecured creditor and required to return the underlying collateral to the seller's estate. There is no limit on the Funds' investment in repurchase agreements.

#### Restricted Securities
Restricted securities are subject to legal restrictions on their sale. Difficulty in selling securities may result in a loss or be costly to a Fund. Restricted securities generally can be sold in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the 1933 Act, or in a registered public offering. Where registration is required, the holder of a registered security may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the time it decides to seek registration and the time it may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the holder might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to seek registration of the security.

#### Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Treasury Rolls
A Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements or Treasury rolls with banks and broker-dealers to enhance return. Reverse repurchase agreements involve sales by a Fund of portfolio securities concurrently with an agreement by the Fund to repurchase the same securities at a later date at a fixed price (typically equal to the original sale price plus interest). During the reverse repurchase agreement period, the Fund continues to receive principal and interest payments on the securities and also has the opportunity to earn a return on the purchase price received by it from the counterparty. Similarly, in a Treasury roll transaction, a Fund sells a Treasury security and simultaneously enters into an agreement to repurchase the security from the buyer at a later date, at the original sale price plus interest. The repurchase price is typically adjusted to provide the Fund the economic benefit of any interest that accrued on the Treasury security during the

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term of the transaction. The Fund may use the purchase price received by it to earn additional return during the term of the Treasury roll transaction. Reverse repurchase agreements and Treasury rolls are similar to a secured borrowing of a Fund and generally create investment leverage. A Fund might lose money both on the security subject to the reverse repurchase agreement and on the investments it makes with the proceeds of the reverse repurchase agreement. If the counterparty in such a transaction files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, a Fund's use of the proceeds from the sale of its securities may be restricted or forfeited, and the counterparty may fail to return/resell the securities in question to the Fund. A Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements or Treasury rolls without limit up to the amount permitted under applicable law. Pursuant to Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, a Fund has the option to treat all reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions as "derivatives transactions," or to include all such transactions in the Fund's asset coverage ratio for borrowings.

#### Securities Lending
An Underlying Fund may lend its portfolio securities to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Securities lending allows a Fund to retain ownership of the securities loaned and, at the same time, earn additional income. Generally, under a Fund's securities lending program, all securities loans will be secured continuously by cash collateral and/or non-cash collateral. Non-cash collateral will include only securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or one of its agencies or instrumentalities. A Fund maintains the ability to obtain the right to vote or consent on proxy proposals involving material events affecting securities loaned. The risks in lending portfolio securities, as with other extensions of credit, include a possible delay or expense in recovering the loaned securities or a possible loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially. If the borrower fails to return the loaned securities upon termination of the loan, the value of the collateral may not be sufficient to replace the loaned securities. Regulations adopted by global prudential regulators that are now in effect require certain bank-regulated counterparties and certain of their affiliates to include in certain financial contracts, including many securities lending agreements, terms that delay or restrict the rights of counterparties, such as the Funds, to terminate such agreements, foreclose upon collateral, exercise other default rights or restrict transfers of credit support in the event that the counterparty and/or its affiliates are subject to certain types of resolution or insolvency proceedings. It is possible that these new requirements, as well as potential additional government regulation and other developments in the market, could adversely affect a Fund's ability to terminate existing securities lending agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

#### Short Sales
A short sale is a transaction in which a fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation that the market price of that security will decline. When a fund makes a short sale on a security, it must borrow the security sold short and deliver it to a broker dealer through which it made the short sale as collateral for its obligation to deliver the security upon the conclusion of the sale. A fund may have to pay a fee to borrow particular securities and is often obligated to pay over any accrued interest and dividends on such borrowed securities. If the price of the security sold short increases between the time of the short sale and the time a fund replaces the borrowed security, a fund will incur a loss, which could be unlimited, in cases where a fund is unable for whatever reason to close out its short position; conversely, if the price declines, a fund will realize a capital gain. Any gain will be decreased, and any loss increased, by the transaction costs described above. The successful use of short selling may be adversely impacted by imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the security sold short and the securities being hedged.

Selling short "against-the-box" refers to the sale of securities actually owned by the seller but held in safekeeping. In such short sales, while the short position is open, a fund must own an equal amount of such securities, or by virtue of ownership of securities have the right, without payment of further consideration, to obtain an equal amount of securities sold short. Short sales against-the-box generally produce current recognition of gain (but not loss) for U.S. federal income tax purposes on the constructive sale of securities "in the box" prior to the time the short position is closed out.

#### Terrorism, War, Natural Disasters, and Epidemics
Terrorism, war, and related geopolitical events (and their aftermath) have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. For example, in February 2022, Russia commenced a large-scale military attack on Ukraine. The outbreak of hostilities between the two countries could result in more widespread conflict and could have a severe adverse effect on the regional and the global financial markets and economies. In addition, sanctions imposed on Russia, Russian individuals, including politicians, and Russian corporate and banking entities by the U.S. and other countries, and any sanctions imposed in the future, may have a significant adverse impact on the Russian economy and related markets. Such actions may also result in

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a decline in the value and liquidity of Russian securities, and a weakening of the ruble, and will impair a Fund's ability to buy, sell, receive, or deliver Russian securities. In addition, securities market trading halts related to the conflict could adversely impact the value and liquidity of a Fund's holdings, and could impair a Fund's ability to transact in and/or value portfolio securities. The ramifications of the conflict and related sanctions may negatively impact other regional and global financial markets (including in Europe, Asia, and the U.S.), companies in other countries (including those that have done business in Russia), and various sectors, industries, and markets for securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas. The price and liquidity of a Fund's investments may fluctuate widely as a result of this and other geopolitical conflicts and related events. The extent and duration of any military conflict or future escalation of such hostilities (including cyberattacks), the extent and impact of existing and future sanctions, market disruptions and volatility, and the result of any diplomatic negotiations, cannot be predicted. These and any related or similar future events could have a significant adverse impact on a Fund's performance and the value of an investment in a Fund.

Natural and environmental disasters, such as, for example, earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, and weather-related phenomena generally, as well as widespread epidemics, can be highly disruptive to economies and markets, adversely affecting individual companies, sectors, industries, markets, currencies, interest and inflation rates, credit ratings, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of the Funds' investments. For example, the spread of the novel strain of coronavirus and its variants (known as COVID-19) has caused volatility, severe market dislocations and liquidity constraints in many markets, and may adversely affect the Funds' investments and operations. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in, among other things, travel restrictions and disruptions, closed international borders, enhanced health screenings at ports of entry and elsewhere, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, event and service cancellations or interruptions, and disruptions to business operations (including staff reductions), supply chains, and consumer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the economic environment.

The COVID-19 virus has negatively affected the global economy, the economies of many countries, and the financial performance of individual issuers, sectors, industries, asset classes, and markets in significant and unforeseen ways. In addition, actions taken by governmental and quasi-governmental authorities and regulators throughout the world in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including significant fiscal and monetary policy changes, have affected the values, volatility, and liquidity of securities or other assets. The effects of the outbreak in developing or emerging market countries may be greater due to less established health care systems, financial systems and institutions, and government institutions. The duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with certainty. The foregoing could have a significant adverse effect on a Fund's performance and have the potential to impair a Fund's ability to maintain operational standards (such as with respect to satisfying redemption requests), disrupt the operations of a Fund's service providers, adversely affect the values and liquidity of a Fund's investments, and negatively impact a Fund's performance and a shareholder's investment in a Fund. Other infectious illness outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics that may arise in the future, could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, the financial performance of individual issuers, borrowers and sectors, and the health of the markets generally in potentially significant and unforeseen ways.

#### Trade Claims
A Fund may purchase trade claims and other obligations of, or claims against, companies in bankruptcy proceedings. Trade claims are claims for payment by vendors and suppliers for products and services previously furnished to the companies in question. Other claims may include, for example, claims for payment under financial or derivatives obligations. Trade claims may be purchased directly from the creditor or through brokers or from dealers, and are typically purchased at a significant discount from their face amounts. There is no guarantee that a debtor will ever be able to satisfy its obligations on such claims. Trade claims are subject to the risks associated with low-quality and distressed obligations.

#### Trust Preferred Securities
Trust preferred securities are typically issued by corporations, generally in the form of interest bearing notes with preferred securities characteristics, or by an affiliated trust, generally in the form of beneficial interests in subordinated debentures or similarly structured securities. Trust preferred securities may pay interest at either fixed or adjustable rates. Trust preferred securities may be issued with a final maturity date, or may be perpetual.

Trust preferred securities are typically junior and fully subordinated liabilities of an issuer and benefit from a guarantee that is junior and fully subordinated to the other liabilities of the guarantor. In addition, trust preferred securities typically permit an issuer to defer the payment of income for five years or more without triggering an event of default. Because of their subordinated position in the capital structure of an issuer, the ability to defer payments for extended periods of time without default consequences to the issuer, and certain other features (such as restrictions on common

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dividend payments by the issuer or ultimate guarantor when full cumulative payments on the trust preferred securities have not been made), these trust preferred securities are often treated as close substitutes for traditional preferred securities, both by issuers and investors.

Many trust preferred securities are issued by trusts or other special purpose entities established by operating companies and are not a direct obligation of an operating company. At the time the trust or special purpose entity sells such preferred securities to investors, it purchases debt of the operating company (with terms comparable to those of the trust or special purpose entity securities). The trust or special purpose entity is generally required to be treated as transparent for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and the holders of the trust preferred securities are treated for tax purposes as owning beneficial interests in the underlying debt of the operating company. Accordingly, payments on the trust preferred securities are treated as interest rather than dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The trust or special purpose entity in turn would be a holder of the operating company's debt and would typically be subordinated to other classes of the operating company's debt.

#### U.S. Government Securities
The Funds may invest in U.S. Government securities. These include obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities. Payment of principal and interest on U.S. Government obligations (i) may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States (as with U.S. Treasury obligations and GNMA certificates) or (ii) may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself (as with FNMA notes). In the latter case, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment and may not be able to assert a claim against the United States if the agency or instrumentality does not meet its commitment. Such securities may involve increased risk of loss of principal and interest compared to government debt securities that are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. Such agency or instrumentality may be privately owned. There can be no assurance that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities where it is not obligated to do so. From time to time, uncertainty regarding the status of negotiations in the U.S. Government to increase the statutory debt ceiling could: increase the risk that the U.S. Government may default on payments on certain U.S. Government securities; cause the credit rating of the U.S. Government to be downgraded or increase volatility in both stock and bond markets; result in higher interest rates; reduce prices of U.S. Treasury securities; and/or increase the costs of certain kinds of debt.

U.S. Government securities are subject to interest rate risk, and, in some cases, may be subject to credit risk. Although FHLMC and FNMA are now under conservatorship by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, and are benefiting from a liquidity backstop of the U.S. Treasury, no assurance can be given that these initiatives will be successful. As a general matter, the value of debt instruments, including U.S. Government obligations, declines when market interest rates increase and rises when market interest rates decrease. Certain types of U.S. Government obligations are subject to fluctuations in yield or value due to their structure or contract terms.

#### Utility Industries
Risks that are intrinsic to the utility industries include difficulty in obtaining an adequate return on invested capital, difficulty in financing large construction programs during an inflationary period, restrictions on operations and increased cost and delays attributable to environmental considerations and regulation, difficulty in raising capital in adequate amounts on reasonable terms in periods of high inflation and unsettled capital markets, technological innovations that may render existing plants, equipment, or products obsolete, the potential impact of natural or man-made disasters, increased costs and reduced availability of certain types of fuel, occasionally reduced availability and high costs of natural gas for resale, the effects of energy conservation, the effects of a national energy policy and lengthy delays and greatly increased costs and other problems associated with the design, construction, licensing, regulation, and operation of nuclear facilities for electric generation, including, among other considerations, the problems associated with the use of radioactive materials and the disposal of radioactive wastes. There are substantial differences among the regulatory practices and policies of various jurisdictions, and any given regulatory agency may make major shifts in policy from time to time. There is no assurance that regulatory authorities will, in the future, grant rate increases or that such increases will be adequate to permit the payment of dividends on common stocks issued by a utility company. Additionally, existing and possible future regulatory legislation may make it even more difficult for utilities to obtain adequate relief. Certain of the issuers of securities held in the Fund's portfolio may own or operate nuclear generating facilities. Governmental authorities may from time to time review existing policies and impose additional requirements governing the licensing, construction and operation of nuclear power plants. Prolonged changes in climatic conditions can also have a significant impact on both the revenues of an electric and gas utility as well as the expenses of a utility, particularly a hydro-based electric utility.

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Utility companies in the United States and in foreign countries are generally subject to regulation. In the United States, most utility companies are regulated by state and/or federal authorities. Such regulation is intended to ensure appropriate standards of service and adequate capacity to meet public demand. Generally, prices are also regulated in the United States and in foreign countries with the intention of protecting the public while ensuring that the rate of return earned by utility companies is sufficient to allow them to attract capital in order to grow and continue to provide appropriate services. There can be no assurance that such pricing policies or rates of return will continue in the future.

The nature of regulation of the utility industries continues to evolve both in the United States and in foreign countries. In recent years, changes in regulation in the United States increasingly have allowed utility companies to provide services and products outside their traditional geographic areas and lines of business, creating new areas of competition within the industries. In some instances, utility companies are operating on an unregulated basis. Because of trends toward deregulation and the evolution of independent power producers as well as new entrants to the field of telecommunications, non-regulated providers of utility services have become a significant part of their respective industries. The investment adviser or subadviser believes that the emergence of competition and deregulation will result in certain utility companies being able to earn more than their traditional regulated rates of return, while others may be forced to defend their core business from increased competition and may be less profitable. Reduced profitability, as well as new uses of funds (such as for expansion, operations, or stock buybacks) could result in cuts in dividend payout rates. The investment adviser or subadviser seeks to take advantage of favorable investment opportunities that may arise from these structural changes. Of course, there can be no assurance that favorable developments will occur in the future.

Foreign utility companies are also subject to regulation, although such regulations may or may not be comparable to those in the United States. Foreign utility companies may be more heavily regulated by their respective governments than utilities in the United States and, as in the United States, generally are required to seek government approval for rate increases. In addition, many foreign utilities use fuels that may cause more pollution than those used in the United States, which may require such utilities to invest in pollution control equipment to meet any proposed pollution restrictions. Foreign regulatory systems vary from country to country and may evolve in ways different from regulation in the United States.

A Fund's investment policies are designed to enable it to capitalize on evolving investment opportunities throughout the world. For example, the rapid growth of certain foreign economies will necessitate expansion of capacity in the utility industries in those countries. Although many foreign utility companies currently are government-owned, thereby limiting current investment opportunities for a Fund, the investment adviser or subadviser believes that, in order to attract significant capital for growth, foreign governments are likely to seek global investors through the privatization of their utility industries. Privatization, which refers to the trend toward investor ownership of assets rather than government ownership, is expected to occur in newer, faster-growing economies and in mature economies. Of course, there is no assurance that such favorable developments will occur or that investment opportunities in foreign markets will increase.

The revenues of domestic and foreign utility companies generally reflect the economic growth and development in the geographic areas in which they do business. The investment adviser or subadviser will take into account anticipated economic growth rates and other economic developments when selecting securities of utility companies.

#### Zero-Coupon, Step Coupon and Pay-In-Kind Securities
Other debt securities in which the Funds may invest include zero coupon, step coupon, and pay-in-kind instruments. Zero coupon bonds are issued and traded at a discount from their face value. They do not entitle the holder to any periodic payment of interest prior to maturity. Step coupon bonds trade at a discount from their face value and pay coupon interest. The coupon rate is low for an initial period and then increases to a higher coupon rate thereafter. The discount from the face amount or par value depends on the time remaining until cash payments begin, prevailing interest rates, liquidity of the security, and the perceived credit quality of the issue. Pay-in-kind securities are debt or preferred stock securities that require or permit payment of interest in the form of additional securities. Payment-in-kind securities allow the issuer to avoid or delay the need to generate cash to meet current interest payments and, as a result, may involve greater risk than securities that pay interest currently or in cash.

Current U.S. federal income tax law requires holders of zero coupon and step coupon securities to report the portion of the original issue discount on such securities that accrues during a given year as interest income, even though holders receive no cash payments of interest during the year. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code, a Fund must distribute its investment company taxable income, including the original issue discount accrued on zero coupon or step coupon bonds. Because a Fund will not receive cash payments on a current basis in respect of accrued original issue discount on zero coupon or step coupon bonds during the period before interest payments begin, and may not

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receive cash payments on payment-in-kind securities until maturity or redemption, in some years that Fund may have to distribute cash obtained from other sources in order to satisfy the distribution requirements under the Code. A Fund might obtain such cash from selling other portfolio holdings which might cause a Fund to incur capital gains or losses on the sale. Additionally, these actions are likely to reduce the assets to which Fund expenses could be allocated and to reduce the rate of return for a Fund. In some circumstances, such sales might be necessary in order to satisfy cash distribution requirements even though investment considerations might otherwise make it undesirable for a Fund to sell the securities at the time.

Generally, the market prices of zero coupon, step coupon, and pay-in-kind securities are more volatile than the prices of securities that pay interest periodically and in cash and are likely to respond to changes in interest rates to a greater degree than other types of debt securities.

#### DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Trustees of the Funds, including a majority of Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Funds (as defined in the 1940 Act), have adopted policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Funds' portfolio holdings. These policies and procedures generally provide that no disclosure of portfolio holdings information may be made unless publicly disclosed as described below or made as part of the daily investment activities of the Funds to the Funds' investment adviser, subadviser(s), as applicable, or any of their designates who provide services to the Funds, which by explicit agreement or by virtue of their respective duties to the Funds, are required to maintain confidentiality of the information disclosed. Certain limited exceptions pursuant to the Funds' policies and procedures are described below. The Funds' portfolio holdings information may not be disseminated for compensation. Any exceptions to the Funds' policies and procedures may be made only if approved in writing by the Funds' Principal Executive Officer and the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer as being in the best interests of the relevant Fund, and then only if the recipients are subject to a written confidentiality agreement specifying that the relevant Fund's portfolio holdings information is the confidential property of the Fund and may not be used for any purpose except in connection with the provision of services to the Fund and, in particular, that such information may not be traded upon. Any such exceptions must be reported to the Funds' Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting. It was determined that these policies and procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that disclosure of portfolio holdings information is in the best interests of a Fund's shareholders and appropriately address the potential for conflicts between the interests of a Fund's shareholders, on the one hand, and those of MML Advisers or any affiliated person of the Fund or MML Advisers on the other.

Acting pursuant to the policies and procedures adopted by the Trustees of the Funds, the Funds' investment adviser and subadviser(s), as applicable, are primarily responsible for compliance with these policies and procedures, which includes maintaining such internal informational barriers (e.g., "Chinese walls") as each believes are reasonably necessary for preventing the unauthorized disclosure of portfolio holdings information. Pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, the Trustees will periodically (as needed, but at least annually) receive reports from the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer regarding the operation of these policies and procedures, including a confirmation by the Chief Compliance Officer that the investment adviser's and the subadviser('s/s'), as applicable, policies, procedures, and/or processes are reasonably designed to comply with the Funds' policies and procedures in this regard.

#### Public Disclosures
The Funds' portfolio holdings are currently disclosed to the public through required filings with the SEC and as described below. The Funds file their portfolio holdings with the SEC as of the end of the second and fourth quarters of the Funds' fiscal year on Form N-CSR (with respect to each semiannual period and annual period) no later than 70 days after the end of the applicable quarter. In addition, monthly reports of all of the Funds' portfolio holdings are filed quarterly with the SEC on Form N-PORT no later than 60 days after the end of each quarter of the Funds' fiscal year, and the monthly report for the third month of each quarter will be made publicly available by the SEC upon filing. Shareholders may obtain the Funds' Form N-CSR and N-PORT filings on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, the Funds' annual and semiannual reports and complete schedule of portfolio holdings from their filings on Form N-PORT for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year are made available to shareholders at https://www.massmutual.com/funds after the end of the applicable quarter. The Funds' annual and semiannual reports are also mailed to shareholders after the end of the applicable quarter.

The Funds' most recent portfolio holdings as of the end of each quarter are available on https://www.massmutual.com/funds no earlier than 15 calendar days after the end of each quarter. Because such information is updated quarterly, it will generally be available for viewing for approximately three months after the posting.

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A Fund's portfolio holdings may also be made available on https://www.massmutual.com/funds at other times as approved in writing by the Funds' Principal Executive Officer and the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer as being in the best interests of the relevant Fund.

#### Other Disclosures
Acting pursuant to the policies and procedures adopted by the Trustees of the Funds, and to the extent permitted under the 1933 and 1940 Acts, the Funds, the Funds' investment adviser, and the Funds' subadviser(s), as applicable, may distribute (or authorize the Funds' custodian to distribute) information regarding the Funds' portfolio holdings more frequently than as provided to the public on a confidential basis to various service providers and others who require such information in order to fulfill their contractual duties with respect to the routine investment activities or operations of the Funds. Such service providers or others must, by explicit agreement or by virtue of their respective duties to the Funds, be required to maintain confidentiality of the information disclosed. These service providers include, but are not limited to, the Funds' custodian (State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street")), the Funds' sub-administrators (State Street and MassMutual), the Funds' independent registered public accounting firm (Deloitte & Touche LLP), filing agents, legal counsel (Ropes & Gray LLP), financial printer (Toppan Merrill, LLC), any portfolio liquidity classification vendor, any proxy voting service employed by the Funds, MML Advisers or any of the Funds' subadviser(s), as applicable, providers of portfolio analysis tools, any pricing services employed by the Funds, and any providers of transition management services. The Funds or the Funds' investment adviser may also periodically provide non-public information about their portfolio holdings to rating and ranking organizations, such as Lipper Inc. and Morningstar Inc., in connection with those firms' research on and classification of the Funds and in order to gather information about how the Funds' attributes (such as volatility, turnover, and expenses) compared with those of peer funds.

The Funds, the Funds' investment adviser, or the Funds' subadviser(s), as applicable, may distribute (or authorize the Funds' custodian to distribute) information regarding the Funds' portfolio holdings more frequently than as provided to the public on a confidential basis to various service providers and others who require such information in order to fulfill non-routine legitimate business activities related to the management, investment activities, or operations of the Funds. Such disclosures may be made only if (i) the recipients of such information are subject to a written confidentiality agreement specifying that the Funds' portfolio holdings information is the confidential property of the Funds and may not be used for any purpose except in connection with the provision of services to the Funds and, in particular, that such information may not be traded upon; and (ii) if the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer (or a person designated by the Chief Compliance Officer) determines that, under the circumstances, disclosure is in the best interests of the relevant Fund's shareholders. The information distributed is limited to the information that the Funds, MML Advisers, or the relevant subadviser(s), as applicable, believes is reasonably necessary in connection with the services provided by the recipient receiving the information.

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#### INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS OF THE FUNDS

#### FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS OF THE FUNDS
The following is a description of certain fundamental restrictions on investments of the Funds which may not be changed without a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the applicable Fund. Investment restrictions that appear below or elsewhere in this SAI and in the Prospectus which involve a maximum percentage of securities or assets shall not be considered violated unless an excess over the percentage occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets of, or borrowings by or on behalf of, a Fund. Each Fund may not:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1)

purchase securities (other than securities issued, guaranteed or sponsored by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities or securities issued by investment companies) of any one issuer if, as a result, more than 5% of a Fund's total assets would be invested in the securities of such issuer or the Fund would own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, except that up to 25% of the Fund's total assets may be invested without regard to these limitations.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2)

purchase commodities or commodity contracts, except that a Fund may enter into futures contracts, options, options on futures, and other financial or commodity transactions to the extent consistent with applicable law and the Fund's Prospectus and SAI at the time.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (3)

purchase or sell real estate except that it may dispose of real estate acquired as a result of the ownership of securities or other instruments. (This restriction does not prohibit a Fund from investing in securities or other instruments backed by real estate or in securities of companies engaged in the real estate business.)

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (4)

participate in the underwriting of securities, except to the extent that a Fund may be deemed an underwriter under federal securities laws by reason of acquisitions or distributions of portfolio securities (e.g., investments in restricted securities and instruments subject to such limits as imposed by the Board and/or law).

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (5)

make loans, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder (as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time) or by guidance regarding or interpretations of, or exemptive orders under, the 1940 Act or the rules or regulations thereunder published by appropriate regulatory authorities.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (6)

borrow money or issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder (as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time) or by guidance regarding or interpretations of, or exemptive orders under, the 1940 Act or the rules or regulations thereunder published by appropriate regulatory authorities.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (7)

concentrate its investments in any one industry, as determined by the Board, and in this connection a Fund will not acquire securities of companies in any one industry if, immediately after giving effect to any such acquisition, 25% or more of the value of the total assets of the Fund would be invested in such industry, with the following exceptions:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (a) <br>

There is no limitation for securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (b) <br>

There is no limitation for securities issued by other investment companies.

#### NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS OF THE FUNDS
In addition to the investment restrictions adopted as fundamental policies set forth above, the Funds operate with certain non-fundamental policies that may be changed by a vote of a majority of the Board members at any time.

In accordance with such policies, each Fund may not:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (1)

to the extent required by applicable law at the time, purchase additional securities when its borrowings, less amounts receivable on sales of portfolio securities, exceed 5% of its total assets.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (2)

sell securities short, but reserves the right to sell securities short against the box.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (3)

invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. This restriction does not limit the purchase of securities eligible for resale to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, provided that such securities are determined to be liquid by MML Advisers pursuant to Board approved guidelines.

With respect to limitation (3) above, if there is a lack of trading interest in particular Rule 144A securities, a Fund's holdings of those securities may be illiquid, resulting in the possibility of undesirable delays in selling these securities at

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prices representing fair value. If, through a change in values, net assets, or other circumstances, the Fund were in a position where more than 15% of its net assets was invested in illiquid securities, it would take appropriate orderly steps, as deemed necessary, to protect liquidity.

Notwithstanding the foregoing fundamental or non-fundamental investment restrictions, the Underlying Funds in which the MassMutual Target Allocation Funds and MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Funds may invest have adopted certain investment limitations that may be more or less restrictive than those listed above, thereby permitting a MassMutual Target Allocation Fund or MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Fund to engage indirectly in investment strategies that are prohibited under the investment limitations listed above.

In accordance with each MassMutual Target Allocation Funds' and MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Fund's investment program as set forth in the Prospectus, a MassMutual Target Allocation Fund or MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Fund may invest 25% or more of its assets in any one Underlying Fund. While each MassMutual Target Allocation Fund and MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Fund does not intend to concentrate its investments in a particular industry, a MassMutual Target Allocation Fund or MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Fund may indirectly concentrate in a particular industry or group of industries through its investments in one or more Underlying Funds.

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#### MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
The Trust has a Board comprised of 10 Trustees, a majority of which are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust. The Board is generally responsible for the management and oversight of the business and affairs of the Trust. The Trustees formulate the general policies of the Trust and the Funds, approve contracts, and authorize Trust officers to carry out the decisions of the Board. To assist them in this role, the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust, the adviser, or any subadviser ("Independent Trustees") have retained independent legal counsel. As investment adviser to the Funds and subadviser to the MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Funds, respectively, MML Advisers and J.P. Morgan may be considered part of the management of the Trust. The Trustees and principal officers of the Trust are listed below together with information on their positions with the Trust, address, and year of birth, as well as their principal occupations during at least the past five years and their other current principal business affiliations.

The Board has appointed an Independent Trustee Chairperson of the Trust. The Chairperson presides at Board meetings and may call a Board or committee meeting when he or she deems it necessary. The Chairperson participates in the preparation of Board meeting agendas and may generally facilitate communications among the Trustees, and between the Trustees and the Trust's management, officers, and independent legal counsel, between meetings. The Chairperson may also perform such other functions as may be requested by the Board from time to time. The Board has established the three standing committees described below, and may form working groups or ad hoc committees as needed.

The Board believes this leadership structure is appropriate because it allows the Board to exercise informed and independent judgment, and allocates areas of responsibility among committees or working groups of Trustees and the full Board in a manner that enhances effective oversight. The Board also believes that having a majority of Independent Trustees is appropriate and in the best interest of the Funds' shareholders. However, in the Board's opinion, having interested persons serve as Trustees brings both corporate and financial viewpoints that are significant elements in its decision-making process. The Board reviews its leadership structure at least annually and may make changes to it at any time, including in response to changes in the characteristics or circumstances of the Trust.

#### Independent Trustees

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Allan W. Blair** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1948 <br> Trustee of the Trust since 2003 <br> Trustee of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee of the Trust |

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Retired; Trustee (since 2003), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2012), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2003), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2012), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Nabil N. El-Hage** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1958 <br> Trustee of the Trust since 2012 <br> Trustee of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee of the Trust |

---

Founder and CEO (since 2018), AEE International LLC (a Puerto Rico LLC); Founder and sole member (2016-2018), PR Academy of Executive Education LLC (a Puerto Rico LLC); Trustee (since 2012), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2003), Chairman (2006-2012), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2012), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2005), Chairman (2006-2012), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Maria D. Furman** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1954 <br> Trustee of the Trust since 2012 <br> Trustee of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee of the Trust |

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Retired; Trustee (since 2012), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2004), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2012), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2005), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **R. Bradford Malt** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1954 <br> Trustee of the Trust since 2022 <br> Trustee of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee of the Trust |

---

Chairman (2004-2019), Management Committee (1993-2019), Partner (1987-2019), Associate (1979-1987), Ropes & Gray LLP (counsel to the Trust and MassMutual); Trustee (since 2022), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **C. Ann Merrifield** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1951 <br> Trustee of the Trust since 2012 <br> Trustee of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee of the Trust |

---

Retired; Director (since 2020), Lead Director (2020-2022), Chairperson (since 2020) of the Nominating and Governance Committee, Member (since 2020) and Chairperson (2020-2022) of the Compensation Committee, and Member (2020-2022) of the Audit Committee, Lyra Therapeutics (a clinical-stage specialty pharmaceutical company); Director (since 2014), Chairperson (since 2017), Lead Director (2015-2017), Member (since 2014) and Chairperson (since 2015) of the Nominating and Governance Committee, Member (since 2019) of the Compensation Committee, and Member (2014-2019) of the Audit Committee, InVivo Therapeutics (research and clinical-stage biomaterials and biotechnology company); Trustee (since 2012), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2004), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2012), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2005), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Cynthia R. Plouché** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1957 <br> Trustee of the Trust since 2022 <br> Trustee of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee of the Trust |

---

Retired; Assessor (2014-2018), Moraine Township (property assessment); Trustee (since 2014), Northern Trust Funds (open-end investment companies); Trustee (since 2022), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Jason J. Price** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1973 <br> Trustee of the Trust since 2022 <br> Trustee of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee of the Trust |

---

Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board (2017-2021), NXTHVN (arts organization); Trustee (since 2022), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2022), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Susan B. Sweeney** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1952 <br> Chairperson of the Trust since 2022 <br> Trustee of the Trust since 2009 <br> Trustee of 112 portfolios in fund complex<sup>1</sup> | Chairperson and Trustee of the Trust |

---

Retired; Trustee (since 2012), Barings Corporate Investors (closed-end investment company); Trustee (since 2012), Barings Participation Investors (closed-end investment company); Chairperson (since 2022), Trustee (since 2009), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Chairperson (since 2022), Trustee (since 2012), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Chairperson (since 2022), Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Chairperson (since 2022), Trustee (since 2009), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Chairperson (since 2022), Trustee (since 2012), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

#### Interested Trustees

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Michael R. Fanning**<sup>2</sup> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1963 <br> Trustee of the Trust since 2021 <br> Trustee of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee of the Trust |

---

Director (since 2016), MML Advisers; Head of MassMutual U.S. (since 2016), Executive Vice President (2016-2018), Member of MassMutual's Executive Leadership Team (since 2008), MassMutual; Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Clifford M. Noreen**<sup>3</sup> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1957 <br> Trustee of the Trust since 2021 <br> Trustee of 112 portfolios in fund complex<sup>4</sup> | Trustee of the Trust |

---

Head of Global Investment Strategy (since 2019), Deputy Chief Investment Officer and Managing Director (2016-2018), MassMutual; President (2008-2016), Vice Chairman (2007-2008), Member of the Board of Managers (2006-2016), Managing Director (2000-2016), Barings LLC; Chairman (since 2009), Trustee (since 2005), President (2005-2009), CI Subsidiary Trust and PI Subsidiary Trust; Chairman and Trustee (since 2009), President (2005-2009), Vice President (1993-2005), Barings Corporate Investors (closed-end investment company); Chairman and Trustee (since 2009), President (2005-2009), Vice President (1993-2005), Barings Participation Investors (closed-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2021), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

<sup>1</sup> Barings Participation Investors and Barings Corporate Investors are deemed to be a part of the Fund Complex, because they are managed by Barings LLC, an affiliate of MML Advisers.

<sup>2</sup> Mr. Fanning is an "Interested Person," as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, as an employee of MassMutual.

<sup>3</sup> Mr. Noreen is an "Interested Person," as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, as an employee of MassMutual.

<sup>4</sup> Barings Participation Investors and Barings Corporate Investors are deemed to be a part of the Fund Complex, because they are managed by Barings LLC, an affiliate of MML Advisers.

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#### Principal Officers

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Andrea Anastasio** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1974 <br> Officer of the Trust since 2021 <br> Officer of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Vice President |

---

Vice President (since 2021), MML Advisers; Head of Investment Management Solutions (since 2021), MassMutual; Head of Investment Strategy and Research, North America (2019-2021), Head of Investment Product Management (2016-2019), State Street Global Advisors; Vice President (since 2021), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2021), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2021), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2021), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Andrew M. Goldberg** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1966 <br> Officer of the Trust since 2001 <br> Officer of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of the Trust |

---

Lead Counsel, Investment Adviser & Mutual Funds (since 2018), Assistant Vice President and Counsel (2004-2018), MassMutual; Secretary (since 2015), Assistant Secretary (2013-2015), MML Advisers; Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer (since 2008), Assistant Secretary (2001-2008), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President, Secretary (formerly known as "Clerk"), and Chief Legal Officer (since 2008), Assistant Clerk (2004-2008), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer (since 2008), Assistant Secretary (2001-2008), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Vice President, Secretary (formerly known as "Clerk"), and Chief Legal Officer (since 2008), Assistant Clerk (2005-2008), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Renee Hitchcock** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1970 <br> Officer of the Trust since 2007 <br> Officer of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Trust |

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Head of Mutual Fund Administration (since 2018), Assistant Vice President (2015-2018), MassMutual; Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (since 2016), Assistant Treasurer (2007-2016), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (since 2016), Assistant Treasurer (2007-2016), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (since 2016), Assistant Treasurer (2007-2016), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (since 2016), Assistant Treasurer (2007-2016), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

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|:---|:---|
| **Paul LaPiana** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1969 <br> Officer of the Trust since 2021 <br> Officer of 110 portfolios in fund complex | President of the Trust |

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President (since 2021), MML Advisers; Head of MassMutual U.S. Product (since 2019), Head of Field Management (2016-2019), MassMutual; President (since 2021), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); President (since 2021), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); President (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); President (since 2021), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); President (since 2021), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Jill Nareau Robert** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1972 <br> Officer of the Trust since 2008 <br> Officer of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Trust |

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Lead Counsel, Investment Adviser & Mutual Funds (since 2018), Assistant Vice President and Counsel (2009-2018), MassMutual; Assistant Secretary (since 2015), MML Advisers; Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2017), Assistant Secretary (2008-2017), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2017), Assistant Secretary (formerly known as "Assistant Clerk") (2008-2017), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2017), Assistant Secretary (2008-2017), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2017), Assistant Secretary (formerly known as "Assistant Clerk") (2008-2017), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

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|:---|:---|
| **Douglas Steele** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1975 <br> Officer of the Trust since 2016 <br> Officer of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Vice President of the Trust |

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Head of Product Management (since 2021), Vice President (since 2017), Head of Manager Research (2021), Head of Investment Management (2017-2021), Head of Investment Due Diligence (2016-2017), MML Advisers; Head of Product Management (since 2021), Head of Manager Research (2021), Head of Investment Management (2017-2021), Assistant Vice President (2013-2017), MassMutual; Vice President (since 2016), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2016), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2016), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2016), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Philip S. Wellman** <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111-0001 <br> Year of birth: 1964 <br> Officer of the Trust since 2007 <br> Officer of 110 portfolios in fund complex | Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust |

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Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2013), MML Advisers; Head of Mutual Funds & RIA Compliance (since 2018), Vice President, Associate General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer (Mutual Funds) (2014-2018), MassMutual; Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2007), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2007), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2007), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2007), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

Each Trustee of the Trust serves until the next meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing Trustees and until the election and qualification of his or her successor or until he or she dies, resigns, or is removed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless the Trustees determine that it is desirable and in the best interest of the Trust that an exception to the retirement policy of the Trust be made, a Trustee shall retire and cease to serve as a Trustee upon the conclusion of the calendar year in which such Trustee attains the age of seventy-five years, however, an interested Trustee of the Trust shall no longer serve as a Trustee if or when they are no longer an employee of MassMutual or an affiliate.

The Chairperson is elected to hold such office for a term of three years or until their successor is elected and qualified to carry out the duties and responsibilities of their office, or until he or she retires, dies, resigns, is removed, or becomes disqualified, and any such Chairperson may not serve more than two consecutive terms.

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The President, Treasurer, and Secretary and such other officers as the Trustees may in their discretion from time to time elect are elected to hold such office until their successor is elected and qualified to carry out the duties and responsibilities of their office, or until he or she dies, resigns, is removed, or becomes disqualified.

Each officer and the Chairperson shall hold office at the pleasure of the Trustees.

The Chairperson of any of the Trust's Committees shall serve a term of three years or until he or she retires, dies, resigns, is removed, or becomes disqualified.

#### Additional Information About the Trustees
In addition to the information set forth above, the following specific experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills apply to each Trustee. Each Trustee was appointed to serve on the Board based on his or her overall experience and the Board did not identify any specific qualification as all-important or controlling. The information in this section should not be understood to mean that any of the Trustees is an "expert" within the meaning of the federal securities laws.

***Allan W. Blair*** — As a former trustee and audit and compliance committee member of a large healthcare system, Mr. Blair has experience with financial, regulatory, and operational issues. He also has served as president and/or CEO of several non-profit and quasi-public organizations for over 30 years. Mr. Blair holds a BA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a JD from Western New England College School of Law.

***Nabil N. El-Hage*** — As a former CEO or CFO of various public and private companies, Mr. El-Hage has experience with financial, regulatory, and operational issues. He has also taught corporate finance at the graduate level, and has served as a director for more than a dozen public and private companies and as an associate at a venture capital firm. Mr. El-Hage holds a BS in Electronic Engineering from Yale University and an MBA with high distinction from Harvard University.

***Michael R. Fanning*** — As an executive and/or director of financial services and insurance companies, Mr. Fanning has experience with financial, regulatory, and operational issues. He also has served as an audit committee member for financial services and insurance companies. Mr. Fanning holds a BA in Economics and a BA in Organizational Behavior and Management from Brown University.

***Maria D. Furman*** — As a trustee and chairperson or member of the audit and investment committees of various educational organizations, and as a former managing director, director, and portfolio manager at an investment management firm, Ms. Furman has experience with financial, regulatory, and operational issues. She also has served as an audit and investment committee member and a director, treasurer, and investment committee chair for environmental, educational, and healthcare organizations. Ms. Furman is a CFA charterholder and holds a BA from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ***R. Bradford Malt*** — As a current Chairman Emeritus, a former Chairman, and a former partner of a corporate law firm, which serves as counsel to the Trust and to MML Advisers, with over 40 years of financial services experience, Mr. Malt has expertise in financial, regulatory, and operational issues. He has also served as a director for several public and private companies. Mr. Malt holds an AB in Applied Mathematics from Harvard College and a JD from Harvard Law School.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ***C. Ann Merrifield*** — As a trustee of a healthcare organization, current and former director of specialty pharmaceutical companies, former biotechnology executive, former partner of a consulting firm, and investment officer at a large insurance company, Ms. Merrifield has experience with financial, regulatory, and operational issues. She also has served as an audit committee member for a manufacturing company and three public life sciences companies. Ms. Merrifield holds a BA and M. Ed. from the University of Maine and an MBA from Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College.

***Clifford M. Noreen*** — As an executive of financial services companies with over 35 years of investment management experience, a director of several private companies, an investment committee member of two non-profit organizations, and a director and/or officer of various investment companies and private funds, Mr. Noreen has experience with financial, regulatory, and operational issues. Mr. Noreen holds a BA from the University of Massachusetts and an MBA from American International College.

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***Cynthia R. Plouché*** — As a former assessor of a township, a former portfolio manager for asset management firms, and a former chief investment officer and managing director of an asset management firm with over 32 years of financial services experience, Ms. Plouché has experience with financial, regulatory, and operational issues. She has also served as a trustee and audit committee member for open-end investment companies and a trustee for a closed-end investment company. Ms. Plouché holds a BA in Psychology and Social Relations from Harvard University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

***Jason J. Price*** — As a former executive with over 25 years of financial services experience, Mr. Price has experience with financial, regulatory, and operational issues. He served as a Senior Vice President of Cigna Investment Management from 2009 to 2012 and as Head of Private Equity for the State of Connecticut Office of the Treasurer from 2005 to 2009. Mr. Price holds a BA in Business Administration from Morehouse College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

***Susan B. Sweeney*** — As a former executive and investment officer of a property and casualty company and a former executive of a financial services company with over 35 years of financial services experience, Ms. Sweeney has experience with financial, regulatory, and operational issues. From 2010 to 2014, she was Chief Investment Officer and Senior Vice President of Selective Insurance Company of America. She also served as Chief Investment Officer for the State of Connecticut Pension Fund from 2002 to 2007, directing a multi-asset portfolio. Ms. Sweeney holds a BS in Business Studies from Connecticut Board for State Academic Awards, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and a Doctor of Humane Letters from Charter Oak State College.

#### Board Committees and Meetings
The full Board met eight times during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022.

***Audit Committee***. The Trust has an Audit Committee, consisting of Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust. The Audit Committee, whose members are Messrs. Blair, El-Hage, Malt, and Price and Mses. Furman, Merrifield, and Plouché, oversees the Trust's accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, its internal controls, and internal controls of certain service providers; oversees the quality and objectivity of the Trust's financial statements and the independent audit thereof; evaluates the independence of the Trust's independent registered public accounting firm; evaluates the overall performance and compensation of the Chief Compliance Officer; acts as liaison between the Trust's independent registered public accounting firm and the full Board; and provides immediate access for the Trust's independent registered public accounting firm to report any special matters they believe should be brought to the attention of the full Board. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the Audit Committee met four times.

***Nominating and Governance Committee***. The Trust has a Nominating and Governance Committee, consisting of each Trustee who is not an "interested person" of the Trust. The Nominating and Governance Committee meets at least twice per calendar year. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the Nominating and Governance Committee met twice. The Nominating and Governance Committee (a) identifies, and evaluates the qualifications of, individuals to become independent members of the Funds' Board in the event that a position currently filled by an Independent Trustee is vacated or created; (b) nominates Independent Trustee nominees for election or appointment to the Board; (c) sets any necessary standards or qualifications for service on the Board; (d) recommends periodically to the full Board an Independent Trustee to serve as Chairperson; (e) evaluates at least annually the independence and overall performance of counsel to the Independent Trustees; (f) annually reviews the compensation of the Independent Trustees; and (g) oversees board governance issues including, but not limited to, (i) evaluating the board and committee structure and the performance of Trustees, (ii) considering and addressing any conflicts, (iii) considering the retirement policies of the Board, and (iv) considering and making recommendations to the Board at least annually concerning the Trust's directors and officers liability insurance coverage.

The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider and evaluate nominee candidates properly submitted by shareholders of the Trust in the same manner as it considers and evaluates candidates recommended by other sources. The Nominating and Governance Committee may also consider any other facts and circumstances attendant to such shareholder submission as may be deemed appropriate by the Nominating and Governance Committee, including, without limitation, the value of the Funds' securities owned by the shareholder and the length of time such shares have been held by the shareholder. A recommendation of a shareholder of the Trust must be submitted as described below to be considered properly submitted for purposes of the Nominating and Governance Committee's consideration. The shareholders of the Trust must submit any such recommendation (a "Shareholder Recommendation") in writing to the Trust's Nominating and Governance Committee, to the attention of the Secretary, at the address of the principal executive offices of the Trust, which is 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111-0001. The Shareholder Recommendation must be delivered to or

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mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Trust at least 60 calendar days before the date of the meeting at which the Nominating and Governance Committee is to select a nominee for Independent Trustee. The Shareholder Recommendation must include: (i) a statement in writing setting forth: (A) the name, age, date of birth, phone number, business address, residence address, nationality, and pertinent qualifications of the person recommended by the shareholder (the "Shareholder Candidate"), including an explanation of why the shareholder believes the Shareholder Candidate will make a good Trustee; (B) the class or series and number of all shares of the Funds owned of record or beneficially by the Shareholder Candidate, as reported to such shareholder by the Shareholder Candidate; (C) any other information regarding the Shareholder Candidate called for with respect to director nominees by paragraphs (a), (d), (e), and (f) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K or paragraph (b) of Item 22 of Rule 14a-101 (Schedule 14A) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), adopted by the SEC (or the corresponding provisions of any regulation or rule subsequently adopted by the SEC or any successor agency applicable to the Funds); (D) any other information regarding the Shareholder Candidate that would be required to be disclosed if the Shareholder Candidate were a nominee in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitation of proxies for election of trustees or directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (E) whether the recommending shareholder believes that the Shareholder Candidate is or will be an "interested person" (as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act) of the Funds and, if not an "interested person," information regarding the Shareholder Candidate that will be sufficient for the Funds to make such determination; (ii) the written and signed consent of the Shareholder Candidate to be named as a nominee, consenting to (1) the disclosure, as may be necessary or appropriate, of such Shareholder Candidate's information submitted in accordance with (i) above; and (2) service as a Trustee if elected; (iii) the recommending shareholder's name as it appears on the Funds' books, the number of all shares of each series of the Funds owned beneficially and of record by the recommending shareholder; (iv) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the recommending shareholder and the Shareholder Candidate and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the Shareholder Recommendation is being made by the recommending shareholder; and (v) such other information as the Nominating and Governance Committee may require the Shareholder Candidate to furnish as the Nominating and Governance Committee may reasonably require or deem necessary to determine the eligibility of such Shareholder Candidate to serve as a Trustee or to satisfy applicable law.

Shareholders may send other communications to the Trustees by addressing such correspondence directly to the Secretary of the Trust, c/o Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111-0001. When writing to the Board, shareholders should identify themselves, the fact that the communication is directed to the Board, the Fund they are writing about, and any relevant information regarding their Fund holdings. Except as provided below, the Secretary shall either (i) provide a copy of each shareholder communication to the Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting or (ii) if the Secretary determines that the communication requires more immediate attention, forward the communication to the Board promptly after receipt. The Secretary will also provide a copy of each shareholder communication to the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer.

The Secretary may, in good faith, determine that a shareholder communication should not be provided to the Board because it does not reasonably relate to the Trust or its operations, management, activities, policies, service providers, Board, officers, shareholders, or other matters relating to an investment in the Funds or is otherwise ministerial in nature (such as a request for Fund literature, share data, or financial information). The Secretary will provide to the Board on a quarterly basis a summary of the shareholder communications not provided to the Board by virtue of this paragraph.

***Contract Committee***. The Trust has a Contract Committee, consisting of each Trustee who is not an "interested person" of the Trust. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the Contract Committee met twice. The Contract Committee performs the specific tasks assigned to independent trustees by the 1940 Act, including the periodic consideration of the Trust's investment management agreements and subadvisory agreements.

#### Risk Oversight
As registered investment companies, the Funds are subject to a variety of risks, including, among others, investment risks, financial risks, compliance risks, and operational risks. The Funds' investment adviser and administrator, MML Advisers, and the MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Funds' subadviser, J.P. Morgan, have primary responsibility for the Funds' risk management on a day-to-day basis as part of their overall responsibilities. The Underlying Funds' investment advisers or subadvisers are primarily responsible for managing investment risk as part of their day-to-day investment management responsibilities, as well as operational risks at their respective firms. The Funds' investment adviser and Chief Compliance Officer also assist the Board in overseeing the significant investment policies of the Funds and monitor the various compliance policies and procedures approved by the Board as a part of its oversight responsibilities.

In discharging its oversight responsibilities, the Board considers risk management issues throughout the year by reviewing regular reports prepared by the Funds' investment adviser and Chief Compliance Officer, as well as special

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written reports or presentations provided on a variety of risk issues, as needed. For example, the investment adviser reports to the Board quarterly on the investment performance of each of the Funds, the financial performance of the Funds, overall market and economic conditions, and legal and regulatory developments that may impact the Funds. The Funds' Chief Compliance Officer, who reports directly to the Board's Independent Trustees, provides presentations to the Board at its quarterly meetings and an annual report to the Board concerning (i) compliance matters relating to the Funds, the Funds' investment adviser and the MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Funds' subadviser, the underlying MassMutual Select and MassMutual Premier Funds' investment adviser and subadvisers, and the Funds' other key service providers; (ii) regulatory developments; (iii) business continuity programs; and (iv) various risks identified as part of the Funds' compliance program assessments. The Funds' Chief Compliance Officer also meets at least quarterly in executive session with the Independent Trustees, and communicates significant compliance-related issues and regulatory developments to the Audit Committee between Board meetings.

In addressing issues regarding the Funds' risk management between meetings, appropriate representatives of the investment adviser communicate with the Chairperson of the Trust, the Chairperson of the Audit Committee, or the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer. As appropriate, the Trustees confer among themselves, or with the Funds' Chief Compliance Officer, the investment adviser, other service providers, and independent legal counsel, to identify and review risk management issues that may be placed on the full Board's agenda.

The Board also relies on its committees to administer the Board's oversight function. The Audit Committee assists the Board in reviewing with the investment adviser and the Funds' independent auditors, at various times throughout the year, matters relating to the annual audits, financial accounting and reporting matters, and the internal control environment at the service providers that provide financial accounting and reporting for the Funds. The Audit Committee also meets annually with representatives of the investment adviser's Corporate Audit Department to review the results of internal audits of relevance to the Funds. This and the Board's other committees present reports to the Board that may prompt further discussion of issues concerning the oversight of the Funds' risk management. The Board may also discuss particular risks that are not addressed in the committee process.

#### Share Ownership of Trustees and Officers of the Trust
The table below sets forth information regarding the Trustees' beneficial ownership of Fund shares, based on the value of such shares as of December 31, 2022.

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|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name of Trustee**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **The Dollar Range of Equity <br>Securities Beneficially Owned <br>in the Trust**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity <br>Securities in All Registered Investment <br>Companies Overseen by Trustee in <br>Family of Investment Companies**  |
| **Independent Trustees** |  |  |
| Allan W. Blair  |  | over $100,000  |
| Nabil N. El-Hage  |  |  |
| Maria D. Furman  |  |  |
| R. Bradford Malt  |  |  |
| C. Ann Merrifield  |  |  |
| Cynthia R. Plouché  |  |  |
| Jason J. Price  |  |  |
| Susan B. Sweeney  |  |  |
| **Interested Trustees** |  |  |
| Michael R. Fanning  |  |  |
| Clifford M. Noreen  |  |  |

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The ownership information shown above does not include units of separate investment accounts that invest in one or more registered investment companies overseen by a Trustee in the family of investment companies held in a 401(k) plan or amounts held under a deferred compensation plan that are valued based on "shadow investments" in one or more such registered investment companies. As of December 31, 2022, these amounts were as follows: Mr. Blair, over $100,000; Mr. El-Hage, over $100,000; Mr. Fanning, $10,001-$50,000; Ms. Furman, None; Mr. Malt, None; Ms. Merrifield, None; Mr. Noreen, over $100,000; Ms. Plouché, None; Mr. Price, None; and Ms. Sweeney, None.

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As of January 3, 2023, the Trustees and officers of the Trust, individually and as a group, did not beneficially own outstanding shares of any of the Funds.

To the knowledge of the Trust, as of December 31, 2022, the Independent Trustees and their immediate family members did not own beneficially or of record securities of the investment adviser, subadviser(s), principal underwriter, or sponsoring insurance company of the Funds or a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser, subadviser(s), principal underwriter, or sponsoring insurance company of the Funds.

#### Trustee Compensation
Effective January 1, 2023 the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, pays each of its Trustees who is not an officer or employee of MassMutual a fee of $35,805 per quarter plus a fee of $5,208 per in-person meeting attended plus a fee of $5,208 for the annual Contract Committee meeting. The Chairperson of the Board is paid an additional 40% of the quarterly fee, the in-person meeting fee, and the Contract Committee meeting fee. The Chairpersons of each of the Audit Committee and the Contract Committee are paid an additional 10% of the quarterly fee, the in-person meeting fee, and the Contract Committee meeting fee. The Chairperson of the Nominating and Governance Committee is paid an additional 7% of the quarterly fee, the in-person meeting fee, and the Contract Committee meeting fee. Such Trustees who serve on the Audit Committee, other than the Chairperson, are paid an additional 4% of the quarterly fee, the in-person meeting fee, and the Contract Committee meeting fee. No additional fees are paid for attending any other committee meetings or any special telephonic meetings. In addition, the Trust reimburses out-of-pocket business travel expenses to such Trustees. Trustees who are officers or employees of MassMutual receive no fees from the Trust.

During 2022, the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, paid each of its Trustees who was not an officer or employee of MassMutual a fee of $36,905 per quarter plus a fee of $5,368 per in-person meeting attended plus a fee of $5,368 for the annual Contract Committee meeting. The Chairperson of the Board was paid an additional 40% of the quarterly fee, the in-person meeting fee, and the Contract Committee meeting fee. The Chairpersons of each of the Audit Committee and the Contract Committee were paid an additional 10% of the quarterly fee, the in-person meeting fee, and the Contract Committee meeting fee. The Chairperson of the Nominating and Governance Committee was paid an additional 7% of the quarterly fee, the in-person meeting fee, and the Contract Committee meeting fee. Such Trustees who served on the Audit Committee, other than the Chairperson, were paid an additional 4% of the quarterly fee, the in-person meeting fee, and the Contract Committee meeting fee. No additional fees were paid for attending any other committee meetings or any special telephonic meetings. In addition, the Trust reimbursed out-of-pocket business travel expenses to such Trustees. Trustees who were officers or employees of MassMutual received no fees from the Trust.

The following table discloses actual compensation paid to Trustees of the Trust during the 2022 fiscal year. The Trust has no pension or retirement plan, but does have a deferred compensation plan. The plan provides for amounts deferred prior to July 1, 2008, plus interest, to be credited a rate of interest of eight percent (8%). Amounts deferred after July 1, 2008, plus or minus earnings, are "shadow invested." These amounts are valued based on changes in the values of one or more registered investment companies overseen by a Trustee.

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|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name of Trustee**  | **Aggregate Compensation from the Trust**  | **Total Compensation from the Trust and <br>Fund Complex Paid to Trustees**  |
| Allan W. Blair  | $191115  | $285825  |
| Nabil N. El-Hage  | $196280 <sup>1</sup>  | $337648  |
| Michael R. Fanning  | $0  | $0  |
| Maria D. Furman  | $179064  | $267800  |
| R. Alan Hunter, Jr. <sup>2</sup>  | $149919  | $224700  |
| R. Bradford Malt <sup>3</sup>  | $53633  | $79930  |
| C. Ann Merrifield  | $186915  | $279500  |
| Clifford M. Noreen  | $0  | $0  |
| Cynthia R. Plouché <sup>3</sup>  | $53633  | $119930  |
| Jason J. Price <sup>3</sup>  | $53633  | $119930  |

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|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name of Trustee**  | **Aggregate Compensation from the Trust**  | **Total Compensation from the Trust and <br>Fund Complex Paid to Trustees**  |
| Susan B. Sweeney  | $228647  | $510787  |

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<sup>1</sup> The compensation amount shown does not include a gain/loss in the amount of $1,896 attributable to amounts held under a deferred compensation plan.

<sup>2</sup> Retired from the Board as of June 30, 2022.

<sup>3</sup> Joined the Board as of June 21, 2022.

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#### CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
As of January 3, 2023, to the Trust's knowledge, the following persons owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the indicated classes of the Funds set forth below. Such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than the owner listed. To the extent that any listed shareholder beneficially owns more than 25% of a Fund, it may be deemed to "control" such Fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The effect of such control may be to reduce the ability of other shareholders of the Fund to take actions requiring the affirmative vote of holders of a plurality or majority of the Fund's shares without the approval of the controlling shareholder.

#### MassMutual 20/80 Allocation Fund <sup>1</sup>

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|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 71.66% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 13.81% |
|  | The Hartford <br> One Hartford Plaza <br> Hartford, CT 06155  | 13.64% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 100.00% |
| Service Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 99.16% |
| Administrative Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 55.45% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 44.55% |
| Class R4  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 89.26% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 9.48% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 89.31% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 10.69% |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 65.55% |

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|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 26.82% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 7.63% |

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#### MassMutual 40/60 Allocation Fund <sup>2</sup>

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 76.53% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 14.90% |
|  | The Hartford <br> One Hartford Plaza <br> Hartford, CT 06155  | 8.57% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 97.81% |
| Service Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 93.27% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 6.44% |
| Administrative Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 85.06% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 14.94% |
| Class R4  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 92.24% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 6.66% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 84.23% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 15.77% |

---

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---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class R3  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 72.65% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 24.81% |

---

#### MassMutual 60/40 Allocation Fund <sup>3</sup>

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 62.20% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 29.98% |
|  | The Hartford <br> One Hartford Plaza <br> Hartford, CT 06155  | 7.81% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 97.96% |
| Service Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 96.37% |
| Administrative Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 82.06% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 17.94% |
| Class R4  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 72.49% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 16.92% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 10.59% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 93.36% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 6.64% |

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---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 69.84% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 23.96% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 6.21% |

---

#### MassMutual 80/20 Allocation Fund <sup>4</sup>

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 75.21% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 15.10% |
|  | The Hartford <br> One Hartford Plaza <br> Hartford, CT 06155  | 9.69% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 85.43% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 14.57% |
| Service Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 99.60% |
| Administrative Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 73.30% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 26.70% |
| Class R4  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 86.67% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 8.71% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 83.21% |

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---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 16.60% |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 56.02% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 36.50% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 7.48% |

---

#### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan In Retirement Fund <sup>5</sup>

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 58.39% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 29.27% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 12.34% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 95.40% |
| Service Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 86.61% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 13.39% |
| Administrative Class  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 57.23% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 34.71% |
|  | First County Bank Trust Department <br> FBO Tata Chemical NA <br> 3001 Summer Street <br> Stamford, CT 06905  | 6.73% |
| Class R4  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 42.42% |

---

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---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 33.34% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 22.68% |
| Class A  | Pershing LLC <br> P.O. Box 2052 <br> Jersey City, NJ 07303  | 37.20% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 32.38% |
|  | Millennium Trust Company LLC <br> FBO Various Beneficiaries <br> 2001 Spring Road, Suite 700 <br> Oak Brook, IL 60523  | 13.59% |
|  | National Financial Services LLC <br> 499 Washington Boulevard <br> Jersey City, NJ 07310  | 8.24% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 8.09% |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 76.96% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 22.58% |

---

#### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2020 Fund <sup>6</sup>

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 64.62% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 24.67% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 10.72% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 99.03% |
| Service Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 61.08% |

---

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---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 38.92% |
| Administrative Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 59.38% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 37.50% |
| Class R4  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 57.80% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 25.01% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 17.20% |
| Class A  | Pershing LLC <br> P.O. Box 2052 <br> Jersey City, NJ 07303  | 48.54% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 29.58% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 8.94% |
|  | Millennium Trust Company LLC <br> FBO Various Beneficiaries <br> 2001 Spring Road, Suite 700 <br> Oak Brook, IL 60523  | 6.42% |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 62.68% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 33.83% |

---

#### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2025 Fund <sup>7</sup>

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 49.09% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 40.37% |

---

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[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#toc-0)

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 10.54% |
| Class R5  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 54.59% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 45.41% |
| Service Class  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 72.77% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 27.23% |
| Administrative Class  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 56.60% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 41.14% |
| Class R4  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 34.96% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 33.63% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 31.34% |
| Class A  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 58.78% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 31.61% |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 90.11% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 9.44% |

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[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#toc-0)

#### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2030 Fund <sup>8</sup>

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 51.65% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 34.53% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 13.82% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 87.50% |
|  | Matrix Trust Company As Agent for Advisor Trust, Inc. <br> The Century Association DB Plan <br> 717 17th Street, Suite 1300 <br> Denver, CO 80202  | 10.02% |
| Service Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 62.86% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 37.14% |
| Administrative Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 58.08% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 40.16% |
| Class R4  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 55.52% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 27.64% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 16.70% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 50.54% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 21.72% |

---

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---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Pershing LLC <br> P.O. Box 2052 <br> Jersey City, NJ 07303  | 21.03% |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 74.39% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 25.21% |

---

#### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2035 Fund <sup>9</sup>

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 61.13% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 30.23% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 8.64% |
| Class R5  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 75.95% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 20.10% |
| Service Class  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 62.76% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 37.24% |
| Administrative Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 48.99% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 47.10% |
| Class R4  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 40.26% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 37.74% |

---

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[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#toc-0)

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 21.59% |
| Class A  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 75.61% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 23.30% |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 90.08% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 8.78% |

---

#### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2040 Fund <sup>10</sup>

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 61.50% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 20.49% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 18.01% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 99.20% |
| Service Class  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 59.90% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 40.10% |
| Administrative Class  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 54.98% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 43.67% |
| Class R4  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 51.74% |

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[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#toc-0)

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 29.78% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 18.42% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 58.11% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 24.53% |
|  | Pershing LLC <br> P.O. Box 2052 <br> Jersey City, NJ 07303  | 12.74% |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 84.41% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 13.38% |

---

#### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2045 Fund <sup>11</sup>

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 61.67% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 26.74% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 11.59% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 55.79% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 37.55% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 6.66% |
| Service Class  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 67.09% |

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[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#toc-0)

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 32.91% |
| Administrative Class  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 57.01% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 40.14% |
| Class R4  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 41.85% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 32.55% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 25.53% |
| Class A  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 66.58% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 33.36% |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 86.56% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 13.12% |

---

#### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2050 Fund <sup>12</sup>

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 62.26% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 26.03% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 11.71% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 98.55% |

---

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[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#toc-0)

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Service Class  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 62.24% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 37.76% |
| Administrative Class  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 72.90% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 25.61% |
| Class R4  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 46.59% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 29.38% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 24.04% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 51.85% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 47.69% |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 86.26% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 12.84% |

---

#### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2055 Fund <sup>13</sup>

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 48.89% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 41.03% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 10.08% |

---

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[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#toc-0)

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 63.51% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 23.90% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 12.59% |
| Service Class  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 57.65% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 42.35% |
| Administrative Class  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 53.75% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 41.83% |
| Class R4  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 54.51% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 29.43% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 16.06% |
| Class A  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 70.63% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 29.35% |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 92.93% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 6.89% |

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[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#toc-0)

#### MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2060 Fund <sup>14</sup>

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
| Class I  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 88.64% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 6.00% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 5.37% |
| Class R5  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 99.92% |
| Service Class  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 75.31% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 24.69% |
| Administrative Class  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 77.58% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 22.42% |
| Class R4  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 69.16% |
|  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 19.71% |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 11.13% |
| Class A  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 85.62% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 14.38% |
| Class R3  | Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company <br> 1295 State Street <br> Springfield, MA 01111  | 76.17% |
|  | Empower Trust Company <br> 8515 East Orchard Road <br> Greenwood Village, CO 80111  | 16.75% |

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Class**  | **Name and Address of Owner**  | **Percent of Class** |
|  | Talcott Resolution Life Insurance Company <br> 1 Griffin Road North <br> Windsor, CT 06095  | 7.08% |

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<sup>1</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111 owned 90.09% of MassMutual 20/80 Allocation Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts.

<sup>2</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111 owned 80.71% of MassMutual 40/60 Allocation Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts.

<sup>3</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111 owned 82.95% of MassMutual 60/40 Allocation Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts.

<sup>4</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111 owned 78.51% of MassMutual 80/20 Allocation Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts.

?

<sup>5</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, and Empower Trust Company, 8515 East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, owned 52.04% and 26.90%, respectively, of MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan In Retirement Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual and Empower Trust Company. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts and Empower Trust Company is organized under the laws of Colorado.

<sup>6</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111 owned 63.43% of MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2020 Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts.

?

<sup>7</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, and Empower Trust Company, 8515 East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, owned 55.14% and 32.91%, respectively, of MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2025 Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual and Empower Trust Company. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts and Empower Trust Company is organized under the laws of Colorado.

<sup>8</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111 owned 66.65% of MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2030 Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts.

?

<sup>9</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, and Empower Trust Company, 8515 East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, owned 61.62% and 27.14%, respectively, of MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2035 Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual and Empower Trust Company. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts and Empower Trust Company is organized under the laws of Colorado.

<sup>10</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111 owned 69.49% of MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2040 Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts.

?

<sup>11</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, and Empower Trust Company, 8515 East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, owned 58.86% and 27.51%, respectively, of MassMutual

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RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2045 Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual and Empower Trust Company. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts and Empower Trust Company is organized under the laws of Colorado.

?

<sup>12</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, and Empower Trust Company, 8515 East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, owned 65.44% and 27.36%, respectively, of MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2050 Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual and Empower Trust Company. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts and Empower Trust Company is organized under the laws of Colorado.

?

<sup>13</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, and Empower Trust Company, 8515 East Orchard Road, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, owned 64.91% and 27.16%, respectively, of MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2055 Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual and Empower Trust Company. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts and Empower Trust Company is organized under the laws of Colorado.

<sup>14</sup> As of January 3, 2023, MassMutual, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, owned 70.68% of MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2060 Fund and therefore may be presumed to "control" the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. However, such ownership may be beneficially held by individuals or entities other than MassMutual. MassMutual is organized under the laws of Massachusetts.

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#### INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICE AGREEMENTS

#### Investment Adviser
MML Advisers, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MassMutual, serves as investment adviser to each Fund pursuant to Investment Management Agreements with the Trust on behalf of the Funds (each, an "Advisory Agreement"). Under each Advisory Agreement, MML Advisers is obligated to provide for the management of each Fund's portfolio of securities, subject to policies established by the Trustees of the Trust and in accordance with each Fund's investment objective, policies, and restrictions as set forth herein and in the Prospectus, and has the right to select subadvisers to the Funds pursuant to an investment subadvisory agreement (the "Subadvisory Agreement").

The Advisory Agreement with each Fund may be terminated by the Board or by MML Advisers without penalty: (i) at any time for cause or by agreement of the parties or (ii) by either party upon sixty days' written notice to the other party. In addition, each Advisory Agreement automatically terminates if it is assigned or if its continuance is not specifically approved at least annually (after its initial 2 year period) by the Board or by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Fund, and in either case by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory Agreement or interested persons of any such party. MML Advisers' liability regarding its investment management obligations and duties is limited to situations involving its willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of such obligations and duties.

MML Advisers also serves as investment adviser to: MassMutual Total Return Bond Fund, MassMutual Strategic Bond Fund, MassMutual Diversified Value Fund, MassMutual Fundamental Value Fund, MM S&P 500<sup>®</sup> Index Fund, MassMutual Equity Opportunities Fund, MassMutual Fundamental Growth Fund, MassMutual Blue Chip Growth Fund, MassMutual Growth Opportunities Fund, MassMutual Mid Cap Value Fund, MassMutual Small Cap Value Equity Fund, MassMutual Small Company Value Fund, MassMutual Mid Cap Growth Fund, MassMutual Small Cap Growth Equity Fund, MassMutual Overseas Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement Balanced Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2005 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2010 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2015 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2020 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2025 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2030 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2035 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2055 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2060 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2065 Fund, MM Equity Asset Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Bond Asset Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Bond Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Large Cap Blend Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Limited Duration Inflation Focused Bond Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Real Assets Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Small and Mid Cap Blend Fund, and MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price U.S. Treasury Long-Term Index Fund, which are series of the Trust; MassMutual U.S. Government Money Market Fund, MassMutual Short-Duration Bond Fund, MassMutual Inflation-Protected and Income Fund, MassMutual Core Bond Fund, MassMutual Diversified Bond Fund, MassMutual High Yield Fund, MassMutual Balanced Fund, MassMutual Disciplined Value Fund, MassMutual Main Street Fund, MassMutual Disciplined Growth Fund, MassMutual Small Cap Opportunities Fund, MassMutual Global Fund, MassMutual International Equity Fund, and MassMutual Strategic Emerging Markets Fund, which are series of MassMutual Premier Funds, an open-end management investment company; MassMutual Global Floating Rate Fund, MassMutual Global Credit Income Opportunities Fund, MassMutual Emerging Markets Debt Blended Total Return Fund, and MassMutual Global Emerging Markets Equity Fund, which are series of MassMutual Advantage Funds, an open-end management investment company; MML Aggressive Allocation Fund, MML American Funds Core Allocation Fund, MML American Funds Growth Fund, MML Balanced Allocation Fund, MML Blue Chip Growth Fund, MML Conservative Allocation Fund, MML Equity Income Fund, MML Equity Index Fund, MML Focused Equity Fund, MML Foreign Fund, MML Fundamental Equity Fund, MML Fundamental Value Fund, MML Global Fund, MML Growth Allocation Fund, MML Income & Growth Fund, MML International Equity Fund, MML Large Cap Growth Fund, MML Managed Volatility Fund, MML Mid Cap Growth Fund, MML Mid Cap Value Fund, MML Moderate Allocation Fund, MML Small Cap Growth Equity Fund, MML Small Company Value Fund, MML Small/Mid Cap Value Fund, MML Sustainable Equity Fund, and MML Total Return Bond Fund, which are series of MML Series Investment Fund, an open-end management investment company; MML Blend Fund, MML Dynamic Bond Fund, MML Equity Fund, MML Equity Rotation Fund, MML High Yield Fund, MML Inflation-Protected and Income Fund, MML iShares<sup>®</sup> 60/40 Allocation Fund, MML iShares<sup>®</sup> 80/20 Allocation Fund, MML Managed Bond Fund, MML Short-Duration Bond Fund, MML Small Cap Equity Fund, MML Strategic Emerging Markets Fund, and MML U.S. Government Money Market Fund, which are series of MML Series Investment Fund II, an open-end management investment company; certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of MassMutual; and various employee benefit plans and separate investment accounts in which employee benefit plans invest.

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No fees will be payable by the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, to MML Advisers.

#### Unaffiliated Subadviser

#### J.P. Morgan
MML Advisers has entered into Subadvisory Agreements with J.P. Morgan pursuant to which J.P. Morgan serves as a subadviser for each MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Fund. These agreements provide that J.P. Morgan determine the strategic and tactical asset allocations for the Funds. J.P. Morgan is located at 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179. J.P. Morgan is a wholly-owned subsidiary of JP Morgan Asset Management Holdings Inc., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co., a bank holding company.

J.P. Morgan also provides subadvisory services for the MM Equity Asset Fund, which is a series of the Trust.

Information about each portfolio manager's compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and each portfolio manager's ownership of securities in the relevant Fund can be found in Appendix C.

#### Administrator, Sub-Administrators, and Shareholder Servicing Agent
MML Advisers has entered into an administrative and shareholder services agreement (the "Administrative and Shareholder Services Agreement") with the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, pursuant to which MML Advisers is obligated to provide certain administrative and shareholder services. MML Advisers may, at its expense, employ others to supply all or any part of the services to be provided to the Funds pursuant to the Administrative and Shareholder Services Agreement. MML Advisers has entered into sub-administration agreements with both State Street and MassMutual pursuant to which State Street and MassMutual each assist in many aspects of fund administration. Pursuant to a letter agreement between the Trust, MML Advisers, and State Street, the Trust has agreed to pay State Street for the services it provides pursuant to the sub-administration agreement with MML Advisers, although MML Advisers remains ultimately responsible for the payment of any such fees owed to State Street. The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, pays MML Advisers an administrative services fee monthly at an annual rate based upon the average daily net assets of the applicable class of shares of each Fund as shown in the table below:

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| | | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Class I** | **Class R5** | **Service <br>Class** | **Administrative <br>Class** | **Class R4** | **Class A** | **Class R3** | **Class Y** |
| 20/80 Allocation Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.10%  |
| 40/60 Allocation Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.10%  |
| 60/40 Allocation Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.10%  |
| 80/20 Allocation Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.10%  |
| MM RetireSMART by <br> JPMorgan In Retirement Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | N/A |
| MM RetireSMART by <br> JPMorgan 2020 Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | N/A |
| MM RetireSMART by <br> JPMorgan 2025 Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | N/A |
| MM RetireSMART by <br> JPMorgan 2030 Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | N/A |
| MM RetireSMART by <br> JPMorgan 2035 Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | N/A |
| MM RetireSMART by <br> JPMorgan 2040 Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | N/A |
| MM RetireSMART by <br> JPMorgan 2045 Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | N/A |
| MM RetireSMART by <br> JPMorgan 2050 Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | N/A |
| MM RetireSMART by <br> JPMorgan 2055 Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | N/A |
| MM RetireSMART by <br> JPMorgan 2060 Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | N/A |
| MM RetireSMART by <br> JPMorgan 2065 Fund  |  | 0.10% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.20% | N/A |

---

Prior to December 31, 2020, the Trust had entered into a separate Supplemental Shareholder Services Agreement with MassMutual, on behalf of Service Class shares, Administrative Class shares, and Class A shares of each Fund. Fees payable under the Supplemental Shareholder Services Agreement were intended to compensate MassMutual for its provision of shareholder services to the Funds' investors and were calculated and paid based on the average daily net assets

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attributable to the relevant share classes of the Funds separately, at the following annual rates: 0.05% for Service Class shares, and 0.15% for Administrative Class shares and Class A shares. MassMutual may have paid these fees to other intermediaries for providing shareholder services to the Funds' investors.

MassMutual, the parent company of MML Advisers, pays to an affiliate of Empower Retirement, LLC ("Empower") an amount equal to the profit realized by MML Advisers with respect to shares beneficially owned by retirement plans through recordkeeping platforms maintained by Empower or an affiliate.

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreements, Subadvisory Agreements, Administrative and Shareholder Services Agreement, and Supplemental Shareholder Services Agreement described above, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022, September 30, 2021, and September 30, 2020, the amount of advisory fees paid by each Fund, the amount of subadvisory fees paid by each Fund, the amount of administrative fees paid by each Fund, the amount of supplemental shareholder services fees paid by each Fund (as applicable), and the amount of any fees reimbursed by MML Advisers are as follows:

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2022** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2022** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2022** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2022** |
| | **Advisory Fees <br>Paid** | **Subadvisory <br>Fees Paid** | **Administrative <br>Fees Paid** | **Other Expenses <br>Reimbursed** |
| 20/80 Allocation Fund <sup>1</sup>  | $— | $— | $373019 | $(147284) |
| 40/60 Allocation Fund <sup>2</sup>  |  |  | 414056 | (100143) |
| 60/40 Allocation Fund <sup>2</sup>  |  |  | 410429 | (105744) |
| 80/20 Allocation Fund <sup>3</sup>  |  |  | 240286 | (89276) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan In Retirement Fund <sup>2</sup>  |  |  | 205496 | (157592) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2020 Fund <sup>1</sup>  |  |  | 356500 | (149820) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2025 Fund <sup>4</sup>  |  |  | 292483 | (206254) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2030 Fund <sup>1</sup>  |  |  | 654827 | (97214) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2035 Fund <sup>5</sup>  |  |  | 274802 | (137877) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2040 Fund <sup>1</sup>  |  |  | 474714 | (125601) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2045 Fund <sup>6</sup>  |  |  | 212550 | (191418) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2050 Fund <sup>6</sup>  |  |  | 328165 | (185554) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2055 Fund <sup>7</sup>  |  |  | 107900 | (209490) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2060 Fund <sup>7</sup>  |  |  | 17871 | (201235) |

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<sup>1</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2022, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.04%, 0.14%, 0.24%, 0.34%, 0.49%, 0.59%, and 0.74% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>2</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2022, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.06%, 0.16%, 0.26%, 0.36%, 0.51%, 0.61%, and 0.76% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>3</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2022, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.09%, 0.19%, 0.29%, 0.39%, 0.54%, 0.64%, and 0.79% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>4</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses

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related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2022, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.01%, 0.11%, 0.21%, 0.31%, 0.46%, 0.56%, and 0.71% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>5</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2022, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.05%, 0.15%, 0.25%, 0.35%, 0.50%, 0.60%, and 0.75% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>6</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2022, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.02%, 0.12%, 0.22%, 0.32%, 0.47%, 0.57%, and 0.72% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>7</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2022, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.00%, 0.10%, 0.20%, 0.30%, 0.45%, 0.55%, and 0.70% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

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| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2021** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2021** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2021** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2021** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2021** |
| | **Advisory Fees <br>Paid** | **Subadvisory <br>Fees Paid** | **Administrative <br>Fees Paid** | **Supplemental <br>Shareholder <br>Services Fees <br>Paid** | **Other Expenses <br>Reimbursed** |
| 20/80 Allocation Fund <sup>1</sup>  | $— | $— | $392566 | $35510 | $(180508) |
| 40/60 Allocation Fund <sup>2</sup>  |  |  | 424130 | 47907 | (130987) |
| 60/40 Allocation Fund <sup>2</sup>  |  |  | 446523 | 49403 | (131357) |
| 80/20 Allocation Fund <sup>3</sup>  |  |  | 249143 | 22099 | (112916) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan In <br> Retirement Fund<sup>4</sup>  |  |  | 342361 | 42764 | (131280) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2020 <br> Fund<sup>5</sup>  |  |  | 570618 | 56827 | (149888) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2025 <br> Fund<sup>6</sup>  |  |  | 463731 | 44705 | (238805) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2030 <br> Fund<sup>5</sup>  |  |  | 831046 | 71718 | (111707) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2035 <br> Fund<sup>7</sup>  |  |  | 367947 | 29453 | (145929) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2040 <br> Fund<sup>5</sup>  |  |  | 561971 | 44792 | (142705) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2045 <br> Fund<sup>8</sup>  |  |  | 277870 | 20382 | (213004) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2050 <br> Fund<sup>8</sup>  |  |  | 358410 | 26407 | (210794) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2055 <br> Fund<sup>9</sup>  |  |  | 128166 | 7593 | (229606) |

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| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2021** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2021** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2021** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2021** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2021** |
| | **Advisory Fees <br>Paid** | **Subadvisory <br>Fees Paid** | **Administrative <br>Fees Paid** | **Supplemental <br>Shareholder <br>Services Fees <br>Paid** | **Other Expenses <br>Reimbursed** |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2060 <br> Fund<sup>9</sup>  |  |  | 17543 | 1189 | (231149) |

---

<sup>1</sup> Effective February 1, 2021, the expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.04%, 0.14%, 0.24%, 0.34%, 0.49%, 0.59%, and 0.74% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively. The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through January 31, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.02%, 0.12%, 0.22%, 0.32%, 0.47%, 0.57%, and 0.72% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>2</sup> Effective February 1, 2021, the expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.06%, 0.16%, 0.26%, 0.36%, 0.51%, 0.61%, and 0.76% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively. The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through January 31, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.04%, 0.14%, 0.24%, 0.34%, 0.49%, 0.59%, and 0.74% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>3</sup> Effective February 1, 2021, the expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.09%, 0.19%, 0.29%, 0.39%, 0.54%, 0.64%, and 0.79% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively. The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through January 31, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.07%, 0.17%, 0.27%, 0.37%, 0.52%, 0.62%, and 0.77% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>4</sup> Effective February 1, 2021, the expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.06%, 0.16%, 0.26%, 0.36%, 0.51%, 0.61%, and 0.76% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively. The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan

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expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through January 31, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.06%, 0.16%, 0.26%, 0.36%, 0.51%, 0.61%, and 0.76% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>5</sup> Effective February 1, 2021, the expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.04%, 0.14%, 0.24%, 0.34%, 0.49%, 0.59%, and 0.74% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively. The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through January 31, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.04%, 0.14%, 0.24%, 0.34%, 0.49%, 0.59%, and 0.74% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>6</sup> Effective February 1, 2021, the expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.01%, 0.11%, 0.21%, 0.31%, 0.46%, 0.56%, and 0.71% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively. The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through January 31, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.01%, 0.11%, 0.21%, 0.31%, 0.46%, 0.56%, and 0.71% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>7</sup> Effective February 1, 2021, the expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.05%, 0.15%, 0.25%, 0.35%, 0.50%, 0.60%, and 0.75% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively. The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through January 31, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.05%, 0.15%, 0.25%, 0.35%, 0.50%, 0.60%, and 0.75% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>8</sup> Effective February 1, 2021, the expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.02%, 0.12%, 0.22%, 0.32%, 0.47%, 0.57%, and 0.72% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively. The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through January 31, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.02%, 0.12%, 0.22%, 0.32%, 0.47%, 0.57%, and 0.72% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

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<sup>9</sup> Effective February 1, 2021, the expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary legal and other expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, expenses related to borrowings, securities lending, leverage, taxes, and brokerage, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.00%, 0.10%, 0.20%, 0.30%, 0.45%, 0.55%, and 0.70% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively. The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through January 31, 2021, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.00%, 0.10%, 0.20%, 0.30%, 0.45%, 0.55%, and 0.70% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

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| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2020** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2020** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2020** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2020** | **Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2020** |
| | **Advisory Fees <br>Paid** | **Subadvisory <br>Fees Paid** | **Administrative <br>Fees Paid** | **Supplemental <br>Shareholder <br>Services Fees <br>Paid** | **Other Expenses <br>Reimbursed** |
| 20/80 Allocation Fund <sup>1</sup>  | $— | $— | $338818 | $112794 | $(196799) |
| 40/60 Allocation Fund <sup>2</sup>  |  |  | 316883 | 201406 | (147855) |
| 60/40 Allocation Fund <sup>2</sup>  |  |  | 296054 | 197585 | (152186) |
| 80/20 Allocation Fund <sup>3</sup>  |  |  | 164077 | 86589 | (138309) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan In <br> Retirement Fund<sup>4</sup>  |  |  | 283720 | 159884 | (119368) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2020 <br> Fund<sup>2</sup>  |  |  | 497249 | 219735 | (120508) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2025 <br> Fund<sup>5</sup>  |  |  | 390215 | 155458 | (223681) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2030 <br> Fund<sup>2</sup>  |  |  | 663959 | 263038 | (86318) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2035 <br> Fund<sup>6</sup>  |  |  | 296289 | 102899 | (138579) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2040 <br> Fund<sup>2</sup>  |  |  | 417623 | 166320 | (135494) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2045 <br> Fund<sup>1</sup>  |  |  | 201763 | 64986 | (204747) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2050 <br> Fund<sup>1</sup>  |  |  | 250018 | 98127 | (202855) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2055 <br> Fund<sup>7</sup>  |  |  | 90581 | 24652 | (221854) |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2060 <br> Fund<sup>7</sup>  |  |  | 8564 | 2938 | (206712) |

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<sup>1</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2020, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.02%, 0.12%, 0.22%, 0.32%, 0.47%, 0.57%, and 0.72% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>2</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2020, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.04%, 0.14%, 0.24%, 0.34%, 0.49%, 0.59%, and 0.74% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

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<sup>3</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2020, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.07%, 0.17%, 0.27%, 0.37%, 0.52%, 0.62%, and 0.77% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>4</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2020, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.06%, 0.16%, 0.26%, 0.36%, 0.51%, 0.61%, and 0.76% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>5</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2020, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.01%, 0.11%, 0.21%, 0.31%, 0.46%, 0.56%, and 0.71% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>6</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2020, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.05%, 0.15%, 0.25%, 0.35%, 0.50%, 0.60%, and 0.75% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

<sup>7</sup> The expenses in the above table reflect a written agreement by MML Advisers to cap the fees and expenses of the Fund (other than extraordinary litigation and legal expenses, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, interest expense, short sale dividend and loan expense, or other non-recurring or unusual expenses such as organizational expenses and shareholder meeting expenses, as applicable) through September 30, 2020, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.00%, 0.10%, 0.20%, 0.30%, 0.45%, 0.55%, and 0.70% for Classes I, R5, Service, Administrative, R4, A, and R3, respectively.

#### THE DISTRIBUTOR
The Funds' shares are continuously distributed by MML Distributors, LLC (the "Distributor"), located at 1295 State Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 01111-0001, pursuant to a Principal Underwriter Agreement with the Trust, as amended (the "Distribution Agreement"). The Distributor pays commissions to its selling dealers as well as the costs of printing and mailing prospectuses to potential investors and of any advertising incurred by it in connection with distribution of shares of the Funds. The Distributor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MassMutual.

The Distributor has agreed to use reasonable efforts to sell shares of the Funds but has not agreed to sell any specific number of shares of the Funds. The Distributor's compensation for serving as such is the amounts received by it from time to time under the Funds' Amended and Restated Rule 12b-1 plan. In addition, the Distributor receives any front-end sales charges imposed on the sales of Class A shares of the Funds. Sales loads paid to the Distributor in respect of all of the Funds during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 were $26.

Shares of each Fund may be purchased through agents of the Distributor who are registered representatives and licensed by the Distributor to sell Fund shares, and through registered representatives of selected broker-dealers which are members of FINRA and which have entered into selling agreements with the Distributor. The Distributor may reallow up to 100% of any sales load on shares sold by dealers with whom it has sales agreements. Broker-dealers with which the Distributor has entered into selling agreements may charge their customers a processing or service fee in connection with the purchase or redemption of Fund shares. The amount and applicability of such a fee is determined and disclosed to such customers by each individual broker-dealer.

The Distribution Agreement continued in effect for an initial two-year period, and thereafter continues in effect so long as such continuance is approved at least annually (i) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the shares of the Trust; and (ii) by a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to the Distribution Agreement or "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such person, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.

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#### DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLAN
The Trust has adopted, with respect to the Class I, Class R5, Service Class, Administrative Class, Class R4, Class A, Class R3, and Class Y shares of each Fund, as applicable, an Amended and Restated Rule 12b-1 Plan (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan, by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan, approved the Plan for each Fund and share class.

Continuance of the Plan is subject to annual approval by a vote of the Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose. All material amendments to the Plan must be likewise approved by the Trustees and the Independent Trustees. The Plan may not be amended in order to increase materially the costs which a Fund may bear for distribution pursuant to the Plan without also being approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the relevant class of the Fund. The Plan terminates automatically in the event of its assignment and may be terminated without penalty, at any time, by a vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the relevant class of the Fund. The Plan provides that the Distributor shall provide to the Trustees, and the Board shall review at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.

The Plan is a compensation plan, authorizing payments to the Distributor up to the following annual rates: Class R4 and Class A shares — 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the class; Class R3 shares — 0.50% of the average daily net assets of the class. A Fund may make payments under the Plan to compensate the Distributor for services provided and expenses incurred by it for purposes of promoting the sale of the relevant class of shares, reducing redemptions of shares, or maintaining or improving services provided to shareholders.

MML Advisers may pay amounts in respect of the distribution or servicing of a Fund's shares out of administrative or advisory fees received by it from that Fund. The Plan authorizes such payments for Class I, Class R5, Service Class, Administrative Class, and Class Y shares of each Fund, as applicable, although MML Advisers may make such payments in respect of shares of any class. No additional fees are paid by a Fund under the Plan.

The following table discloses the 12b-1 fees paid in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022 by the Trust under the Plan for Class R4, Class A, and Class R3 shares of the Funds:

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Class R4 <br>12b-1 Fees** | **Class A <br>12b-1 Fees** | **Class R3 <br>12b-1 Fees** |
| 20/80 Allocation Fund  | $9192 | $43083 | $27106 |
| 40/60 Allocation Fund  | 87735 | 135284 | 84130 |
| 60/40 Allocation Fund  | 24041 | 131947 | 58826 |
| 80/20 Allocation Fund  | 33434 | 66252 | 85982 |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan In Retirement Fund  | 28663 | 31562 | 99134 |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2020 Fund  | 47553 | 65473 | 213558 |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2025 Fund  | 62874 | 28578 | 251442 |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2030 Fund  | 69192 | 83453 | 412884 |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2035 Fund  | 54369 | 26691 | 244464 |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2040 Fund  | 47886 | 51639 | 254529 |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2045 Fund  | 45794 | 21648 | 181134 |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2050 Fund  | 36815 | 29066 | 163622 |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2055 Fund  | 17322 | 6859 | 116858 |
| MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2060 Fund  | 2558 | 1163 | 7304 |
|  | $567428 | $722698 | $2200973 |

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For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, the Distributor paid to MassMutual the 12b-1 fees it received and MassMutual paid these amounts, as agent of the Distributor, to various unaffiliated financial intermediaries as compensation for distribution services and/or shareholder services provided by them.

#### PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
Financial intermediaries may receive various forms of compensation from a Fund in the form of distribution and service (12b-1) plan payments as described above. They may also receive payments or concessions from the Distributor,

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derived from sales charges paid by the financial intermediary's clients. In addition, MML Advisers and the Distributor (including their affiliates) may make payments to financial intermediaries in connection with the intermediaries' offering and sales of Fund shares and shares of other funds, or their provision of marketing or promotional support, transaction processing or administrative services. Among the financial intermediaries that may receive these payments are brokers or dealers who sell or hold shares of a Fund, banks (including bank trust departments), registered investment advisers, insurance companies, retirement plan or qualified tuition program administrators, third party administrators, recordkeepers, or other institutions that have selling, servicing or similar arrangements with MML Advisers or the Distributor. The payments to financial intermediaries vary by the types of product sold, the features of a Fund share class, and the role played by the intermediary.

Types of payments to financial intermediaries may include, without limitation, all or portions of the following: Payments made by a Fund, or by an investor buying or selling shares of a Fund, including:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • an initial front-end sales charge, all or a portion of which is payable by the Distributor to financial intermediaries;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • ongoing asset-based distribution and/or service fees;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • shareholder servicing expenses that may be paid from Fund assets to reimburse financial intermediaries, MML Advisers, or the Distributor for Fund expenses they incur for providing omnibus accounting, recordkeeping, networking, sub-transfer agency, or other administrative or shareholder services (including retirement plan and 529 plan administrative services fees).

In addition, MML Advisers may, at its discretion, make the following types of payments from its own resources, which may include profits MML Advisers derives from investment advisory fees paid by a Fund. Payments are made based on guidelines established by the MML Advisers, subject to applicable law. These payments are often referred to as "revenue sharing" payments, and may include:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • compensation for marketing support, support provided in offering shares in a Fund through certain trading platforms and programs, and transaction processing or other services;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • other compensation, to the extent the payment is not prohibited by law or by any self-regulatory agency, such as FINRA.

Although a broker or dealer that sells Fund shares may also act as a broker or dealer in connection with the purchase or sale of portfolio securities by a Fund, MML Advisers does not consider a financial intermediary's sales of shares of a Fund when choosing brokers or dealers to effect portfolio transactions for a Fund.

Revenue sharing payments can pay for distribution-related or asset retention items including, without limitation:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • transactional support, one-time charges for setting up access for a Fund on particular trading systems, and paying the financial intermediary's networking fees;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • program support, such as expenses related to including the Funds in retirement plans, college savings plans, fee-based advisory or wrap fee programs, fund "supermarkets," bank or trust company products or insurance companies' variable annuity or variable life insurance products;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • placement on the dealer's list of offered funds and providing representatives of MML Advisers or the Distributor with access to a financial intermediary's sales meetings, sales representatives, and management representatives; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • firm support, such as business planning assistance, advertising, or educating a financial intermediary's sales personnel about the Funds and shareholder financial planning needs.

These payments may provide an incentive to financial intermediaries to actively market or promote the sale of shares of a Fund, or to support the marketing or promotional efforts of the Distributor in offering shares of a Fund. In addition, some types of payments may provide a financial intermediary with an incentive to recommend a Fund or a particular share class. Financial intermediaries may earn profits on these payments, since the amount of the payments may exceed the cost of providing the services. Certain of these payments are subject to limitations under applicable law. Financial intermediaries may categorize and disclose these arrangements to their clients and to members of the public in a manner different from the disclosures in a Fund's Prospectus and this SAI. You should ask your financial intermediary for information about any payments it receives from a Fund, MML Advisers, or the Distributor and any services it provides, as well as the fees and commissions it charges.

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#### CUSTODIAN, DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT, AND TRANSFER AGENT
State Street, located at 1 Iron Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, is the custodian of each Fund's investments (the "Custodian") and is the Funds' transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent (the "Transfer Agent"). As custodian, State Street has custody of the Funds' securities and maintains certain financial and accounting books and records. As Custodian and Transfer Agent, State Street does not assist in, and is not responsible for, the investment decisions and policies of the Funds.

#### INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Deloitte & Touche LLP, located at 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, is the Trust's independent registered public accounting firm. Deloitte & Touche LLP provides audit and related services, and assistance in connection with various SEC filings.

#### CODES OF ETHICS
The Trust, MML Advisers, the Distributor, and J.P. Morgan have each adopted a code of ethics (the "Codes of Ethics") pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Codes of Ethics permit Fund personnel to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by a Fund, for their own accounts, but require compliance with various pre-clearance requirements (with certain exceptions). The Codes of Ethics are on public file with, and are available from, the SEC.

#### PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
All orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities for the Funds (normally, shares of Underlying Funds) are placed on behalf of each Fund by MML Advisers, pursuant to authority contained in each Fund's management contract. A Fund will not incur any commissions or sales charges when it invests in Underlying Funds.

*Portfolio Turnover -* MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2035 Fund, MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2040 Fund, MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2045 Fund, MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2050 Fund, and MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2055 Fund each experienced decreased portfolio turnover during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. Portfolio turnover for each Fund was higher during fiscal year 2020 than it was during fiscal year 2021 as a result of equity market volatility and increased rebalancing trades from fixed income Underlying Funds to equity Underlying Funds.

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#### DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
The Trust, an open-end, management investment company, is organized as a Massachusetts business trust under the laws of Massachusetts by an Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated May 28, 1993 which was amended and restated as of November 21, 2011. A copy of the Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The fiscal year for each Fund ends on September 30.

The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees, without shareholder approval, to issue an unlimited number of shares and divide those shares into an unlimited number of series of shares, representing separate investment portfolios with rights determined by the Trustees. Shares of the Funds are transferable and have no preemptive, subscription, or conversion rights. Shares of the Funds are entitled to dividends as declared by the Trustees. In the event of liquidation of a Fund, the Trustees would distribute, after paying or otherwise providing for all charges, taxes, expenses, and liabilities belonging to the Fund, the remaining assets belonging to the Fund among the holders of outstanding shares of the Fund. The Trustees have currently authorized the issuance of an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of 53 series, 15 of which are described in this SAI.

The Trustees may divide the shares of any series into two or more classes having such preferences or special or relative rights and privileges as the Trustees may determine, without obtaining shareholder approval. The Trustees have currently authorized the establishment and designation of 11 classes of shares, between one and eight classes of shares for each series of the Trust: Class I Shares, Class R5 Shares, Service Class Shares, Administrative Class Shares, Class R4 Shares, Class A Shares, Class R3 Shares, Class Y Shares, Class M5 Shares, Class M4 Shares, and Class M3 Shares. Currently only Class I Shares are offered by the MM Equity Asset Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Bond Asset Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Bond Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Large Cap Blend Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Limited Duration Inflation Focused Bond Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Real Assets Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Small and Mid Cap Blend Fund, and MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price U.S. Treasury Long-Term Index Fund. Currently, only Class I Shares, Class M5 Shares, Class M4 Shares, and Class M3 Shares are offered by the MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement Balanced Fund, MassMutual Select T.Rowe Price Retirement 2005 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2010 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2015 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2020 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2025 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2030 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2035 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2040 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2045 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2050 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2055 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2060 Fund, and MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2065 Fund. Class I Shares, Class R5 Shares, Service Class Shares, Administrative Class Shares, Class R4 Shares, Class A Shares, and Class R3 Shares are offered by all other series of the Trust. Currently, Class Y Shares are only offered by the MassMutual Total Return Bond Fund, MassMutual Strategic Bond Fund, MassMutual Diversified Value Fund, MassMutual Fundamental Value Fund, MassMutual Equity Opportunities Fund, MassMutual Fundamental Growth Fund, MassMutual Blue Chip Growth Fund, MassMutual Growth Opportunities Fund, MassMutual Mid Cap Value Fund, MassMutual Small Cap Value Equity Fund, MassMutual Small Company Value Fund, MassMutual Mid Cap Growth Fund, MassMutual Small Cap Growth Equity Fund, MassMutual Overseas Fund, 20/80 Allocation Fund, 40/60 Allocation Fund, 60/40 Allocation Fund, and 80/20 Allocation Fund; however, for certain Funds, Class Y shares are not currently available for purchase. All shares of a particular class of each series represent an equal proportionate interest in the assets and liabilities belonging to that series allocable to that class.

The Trustees may also, without shareholder approval, combine two or more existing series (or classes) into a single series (or class).

The Declaration of Trust provides for the perpetual existence of the Trust. The Declaration of Trust, however, provides that the Trust may be terminated at any time by vote of at least 50% of the shares of each series entitled to vote and voting separately by series or by the Trustees by written notice to the shareholders. Any series of the Trust may be terminated by vote of at least 50% of shareholders of that series or by the Trustees by written notice to the shareholders of that series.

Shares of the Funds entitle their holders to one vote per share, with fractional shares voting proportionally, in the election of Trustees and on other matters submitted to the vote of shareholders. On any matter submitted to a vote of shareholders, all shares of the Trust then entitled to vote shall, except as otherwise provided in the Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws, be voted in the aggregate as a single class without regard to series or class, except that: (i) when required by the 1940 Act or when the Trustees shall have determined that the matter affects one or more series or classes materially differently, shares will be voted by individual series or class; and (ii) when the Trustees have determined that the matter

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affects only the interests of one or more series or classes, then only shareholders of such series or classes shall be entitled to vote thereon. A separate vote will be taken by the applicable Fund on matters affecting the particular Fund, as determined by the Trustees. For example, a change in a fundamental investment policy for a particular Fund would be voted upon only by shareholders of that Fund. In addition, a separate vote will be taken by the applicable class of a Fund on matters affecting the particular class, as determined by the Trustees. For example, the adoption of a distribution plan relating to a particular class and requiring shareholder approval would be voted upon only by shareholders of that class. Shares of each Fund have noncumulative voting rights with respect to the election of trustees.

The Trust is not required to hold annual meetings of its shareholders. However, special meetings of the shareholders may be called for the purpose of electing Trustees and for such other purposes as may be prescribed by law, by the Declaration of Trust, or by the Bylaws. There will normally be no meetings of shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees except that the Trust will hold a shareholders' meeting as required by applicable law or regulation.

The Declaration of Trust may be amended by the Trustees without a shareholder vote, except to the extent a shareholder vote is required by applicable law, the Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws, or as the Trustees may otherwise determine.

Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Declaration of Trust disclaims liability of the shareholders, Trustees, or officers for acts or obligations of the Trust, which are binding only on the assets and property of the Trust, and require that notice of such disclaimer be given in each note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate, or undertaking made or issued on behalf of the Trust by the Trustees or officers. In addition, the Declaration of Trust provides that shareholders of a Fund are entitled to indemnification out of the assets of their Fund to the extent that they are held personally liable for the obligations of their Fund solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder. Thus, the risk of a shareholder of a Fund incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is considered remote since it is limited to circumstances in which the disclaimer is inoperative and his or her Fund is unable to meet its obligations.

The Declaration of Trust also permits the Trustees to charge shareholders directly for custodial, transfer agency, and servicing expenses, but the Trustees have no present intention to charge shareholders directly for such expenses.

The Declaration of Trust further provides that a Trustee will not be personally liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. However, nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against any liability to which the Trustee would otherwise be subject by reason of his or her own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office. The Declaration of Trust also provides for indemnification of each of its Trustees and officers, except that such Trustees and officers may not be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

#### REDEMPTION OF SHARES
With respect to each Fund, the Trustees may suspend the right of redemption, postpone the date of payment, or suspend the determination of NAV: (a) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than for customary weekend and holiday closing); (b) for any period during which trading in the markets the Fund normally uses is, as determined by the SEC, restricted; (c) when an emergency exists as determined by the SEC so that disposal of the Fund's investments or a determination of its NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (d) for such other periods as the SEC by order may permit for the protection of the Trust's shareholders. Under normal circumstances, each Fund expects to meet redemption requests by using cash or cash equivalents in its portfolio and/or selling portfolio assets to generate cash. Under stressed market conditions, a Fund may pay redemption proceeds using cash obtained through borrowing arrangements that may be available from time to time. To the extent consistent with applicable laws and regulations, the Funds reserve the right to satisfy all or a portion of a redemption request by distributing securities or other property in lieu of cash ("in-kind" redemptions), under both normal and stressed market conditions. In-kind redemptions are typically used to meet redemption requests that represent a large percentage of the Fund's net assets in order to minimize the effect of the large redemption on the Fund and its remaining shareholders. Some Funds may be limited in their ability to use assets other than cash to meet redemption requests due to restrictions on ownership of their portfolio assets. Any in-kind redemption will be effected through a distribution of all publicly traded portfolio securities or securities for which quoted bid prices are available, subject to certain exceptions. The securities distributed in an in-kind redemption will be valued in the same manner as they are valued for purposes of computing the Fund's NAV. These securities are subject to market risk until they are sold and may increase or decrease in value prior to converting them into cash. You may incur brokerage and other transaction costs, and could incur a taxable gain or loss for income tax purposes when converting the securities to cash.

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While the Trust's Declaration of Trust would permit it to redeem shares in cash or other assets of the Fund or both, the Trust has filed an irrevocable election with the SEC to pay in cash all requests for redemption received from any shareholder if the aggregate amount of such requests in any 90-day period does not exceed the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of a Fund's net assets.

#### VALUATION OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
The NAV of each Fund's shares is determined once daily as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE, on each day the NYSE is open for trading (a "business day"). The NYSE normally closes at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, but may close earlier on some days. If the NYSE is scheduled to close early, the business day will be considered to end as of the time of the NYSE's scheduled close. A Fund will not treat an intraday disruption in NYSE trading or other event that causes an unscheduled closing of the NYSE as a close of business of the NYSE for these purposes; instead, MML Advisers will determine the fair value of a Fund's securities in accordance with MML Advisers' fair valuation policy and procedures. The NYSE currently is not open for trading on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Each Fund calculates the NAV of each of its classes of shares by dividing the total value of the assets attributable to that class, less the liabilities attributable to that class, by the number of shares of that class that are outstanding. On holidays and other days when the NYSE is closed, each Fund's NAV generally is not calculated and the Funds do not anticipate accepting buy or sell orders. However, the value of each Fund's assets may still be affected on such days to the extent that an Underlying Fund holds foreign securities that trade on days that foreign securities markets are open.

The NAV of each Fund is based upon the NAVs of its corresponding Underlying Funds. Shares of the Underlying Funds are valued at their closing NAVs as reported on each business day.

Certain Underlying Funds may invest in securities that are traded principally in foreign markets and that trade on weekends and other days when the Funds do not price their shares. As a result, the values of the Funds' portfolio securities may change on days when the prices of the Funds' shares are not calculated. The prices of the Funds' shares will reflect any such changes when the prices of the Funds' shares are next calculated, which is the next business day.

Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, the board of an Underlying Fund may designate such Fund's investment adviser as the Fund's "valuation designee," responsible for determining the fair value, in good faith, of securities and other instruments held by such an Underlying Fund for which market quotations are not readily available or for which such market quotations or values are considered by the adviser or a subadviser to be unreliable (including, for example, certain foreign securities, thinly traded securities, certain restricted securities, certain initial public offerings, or securities whose values may have been affected by a significant event). It is possible that a significant amount of an Underlying Fund's assets will be subject to fair valuation. The fair value determined for an investment by the valuation designee may differ from recent market prices for the investment and may be significantly different from the value realized upon the sale of such investment.

The prospectuses and SAIs for the Underlying Funds explain the valuation methods for the Underlying Funds, including the circumstances under which the Underlying Funds may use fair value pricing and the effects of doing so. Such prospectuses and SAIs are available on the SEC's EDGAR database on its Internet site at http://www.sec.gov.

The proceeds received by each Fund for each issue or sale of its shares, all net investment income, and realized and unrealized gain will be specifically allocated to such Fund and constitute the underlying assets of that Fund. The underlying assets of each Fund will be segregated on the Trust's books of account, and will be charged with the liabilities in respect of such Fund and with a share of the general liabilities of the Trust. Expenses with respect to any two or more Funds are to be allocated in proportion to the NAVs of the respective Funds except where allocations of direct expenses can otherwise be fairly made. Each class of shares of a Fund will be charged with liabilities directly attributable to such class, and other Fund expenses will be allocated in proportion to the NAVs of the respective classes.

#### TAXATION

#### Taxation of the Funds: In General
Each Fund has elected and intends to qualify each year to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, a Fund must, among other things:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (a) <br>

derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (i) <br>

dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities, or foreign currencies, and other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures,

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or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (ii) <br>

net income derived from interests in "qualified publicly traded partnerships" (as defined below);

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (b) <br>

distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (generally taxable ordinary income and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and its net tax-exempt income, if any, for such year in a manner qualifying for the dividends-paid deduction; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (c) <br>

diversify its holdings so that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (i) <br>

at least 50% of the value of its total assets consists of cash, cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities limited generally with respect to any one issuer to not more than 5% of the total assets of the Fund and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; (ii) <br>

not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested, including through corporations in which the Fund owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, (x) in the securities of any one issuer or two or more issuers which the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses (other than U.S. Government securities), or (y) in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (as defined below).

For purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described in (a) above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be qualifying income if realized directly by the regulated investment company. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a "qualified publicly traded partnership" will be treated as qualifying income. A "qualified publicly traded partnership" is a partnership (x) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, and (y) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in paragraph (a)(i) above. In general, such entities will be treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes because they meet the passive income requirement under Code section 7704(c)(2). Certain of a Fund's investments in MLPs and ETFs, if any, may qualify as interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships, as described further below. In addition, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to regulated investment companies, such rules do apply to a regulated investment company with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership.

For purposes of the diversification test in (c) above, the term "outstanding voting securities of such issuer" will include the equity securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership. Also for purposes of the diversification test in (c) above, the identification of the issuer (or, in some cases, issuers) of a particular Fund investment can depend on the terms and conditions of that investment. In some cases, identification of the issuer (or issuers) is uncertain under current law, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to identification of the issuer for a particular type of investment may adversely affect the Fund's ability to meet the diversification test in (c) above.

The 90% gross income requirement described in (a) above and the diversification test described in (c) above may limit the extent to which a Fund can engage in certain derivative transactions, as well as the extent to which it can invest in commodities, commodities-related investments, and MLPs.

In general, if a Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment, that Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on income or gains distributed in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends (including capital gain dividends). As long as a Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company, the Fund under present law will not be subject to any excise or income taxes imposed by Massachusetts.

If a Fund were to fail to meet the income, diversification or distribution test described above, the Fund could in some cases cure such failure, including by paying a Fund-level tax, paying interest, making additional distributions, or disposing of certain assets. If a Fund were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such failure for any year, or if a Fund were otherwise to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company in any taxable year, that Fund would be subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates. In addition, all distributions from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Some portions of such distributions may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders or possibly to be treated as qualified dividend income to shareholders taxed as individuals. Finally, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a regulated investment company.

Each Fund seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing substantially all of its assets in one or more Underlying Funds that have elected to be treated and intend to qualify and be eligible each year to be treated as regulated

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investment companies. Whether a Fund meets the diversification test described above will thus depend in part on whether the Underlying Funds in which it invests meet each of the gross income, diversification, and distribution tests. If an Underlying Fund were to fail to meet any such test and were ineligible to or otherwise were not to cure such failure, the corresponding Fund might as a result itself fail to meet the diversification test and might be ineligible or unable to or might otherwise not cure such failure. The remainder of this "Taxation" section assumes that each Underlying Fund has elected and will qualify and be eligible each year to be treated as a regulated investment company.

Each Fund intends to distribute at least annually to its shareholders all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction), its net tax-exempt income (if any), and net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, in each case determined with reference to any loss carryforwards). Investment company taxable income or net capital gain that is retained by a Fund will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates. However, a Fund may designate any retained net capital gain amount as undistributed capital gains in a timely notice to its shareholders who (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If a Fund makes this designation, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of a Fund will, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, be increased by an amount equal to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder's gross income under clause (i) of the preceding sentence and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence. A Fund is not required to, and there can be no assurance the Fund will, make this designation if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gain in a taxable year.

In determining its net capital gain, including in connection with determining the amount available to support a capital gain dividend, its taxable income, and its earnings and profits, a regulated investment company may elect to treat part or all of any post-October capital loss (defined as any net capital loss attributable to the portion of the taxable year after October 31 or, if there is no such loss, the net long-term capital loss or net short-term capital loss attributable to such portion of the taxable year) and certain late-year ordinary losses (generally, the sum of its (i) net ordinary losses from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property, attributable to the portion of the taxable year after October 31, and its (ii) other net ordinary losses attributable to the portion of the taxable year after December 31) as if incurred in the succeeding taxable year.

Capital losses in excess of capital gains ("net capital losses") are not permitted to be deducted against a Fund's net investment income. If a Fund has a net capital loss for any year, the amount thereof may be carried forward to offset capital gains in future years, thereby reducing the amount the Fund would otherwise be required to distribute in such future years to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded regulated investment companies and avoid a Fund-level tax. If a Fund incurs or has incurred net capital losses, those losses will be carried forward to one or more subsequent taxable years without expiration; any such carryforward losses will retain their character as short-term or long-term. See the most recent annual shareholder report for each Fund's capital loss carryforwards as of the end of its most recently ended fiscal year.

A nondeductible excise tax at the rate of 4% will be imposed on the excess, if any, of each Fund's "required distribution" over its actual distributions in any calendar year. The "required distribution" is 98% of the Fund's ordinary income for the calendar year plus 98.2% of its capital gain net income recognized during the one-year period ending on October 31 (or November 30 or December 31, if the Fund is permitted to elect and so elects) plus undistributed amounts from prior years. For these purposes, ordinary gains and losses from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property that would be properly taken into account after October 31 (or November 30, if the Fund makes the election referred to above) are treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year; in the case of a Fund with a December 31 year end, no such gains or losses will be so treated. Each Fund intends to make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so. Distributions declared by a Fund during October, November, or December to shareholders of record on a date in any such month and paid by the Fund during the following January will be treated for U.S. federal tax purposes as paid by the Fund and received by shareholders on December 31 of the year in which declared.

Under current law, a Fund may treat the portion of redemption proceeds paid to redeeming shareholders that represents the redeeming shareholders' portion of the undistributed investment company taxable income and net capital gain of the Fund as a distribution of investment company taxable income and net capital gain on the Fund's tax return. This practice, which involves the use of tax equalization, will have the effect of reducing the amount of income and gains that a Fund is required to distribute as dividends to shareholders in order for the Fund to avoid U.S. federal income tax and excise tax. This practice may also reduce the amount of the distributions required to be made to non-redeeming shareholders. The amount of any undistributed income will be reflected in the value of the shares of the Fund, and thus the total return on a shareholder's investment will not be reduced as a result of this practice.

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#### Fund Distributions
Except in the case of certain shareholders eligible for preferential tax treatment, e.g., qualified retirement or pension trusts, shareholders of each Fund generally will be subject to U.S. federal income taxes on Fund distributions as described herein. Distributions are taxable whether shareholders receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares through a dividend reinvestment plan. A shareholder whose distributions are reinvested in shares will be treated as having received a dividend equal to the fair market value of the new shares issued to the shareholder.

Distributions are taxable to shareholders even if they are paid from income or gains earned by a Fund before a shareholder's investment (and thus were included in the price the shareholder paid for his or her shares), even though such dividends and distributions may economically represent a return of a particular shareholder's investment. Such distributions are likely to occur in respect of shares purchased at a time when a Fund's NAV reflects gains that are unrealized, or income or gains that are realized but not distributed. Such realized income or gains may be required to be distributed even when the Fund's NAV also reflects unrealized losses.

Distributions by each Fund of investment income generally will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the Fund or Underlying Fund owned (or is deemed to have owned) the investments that generated them, rather than by how long a shareholder has owned (or is deemed to have owned) his or her shares. Distributions of gains from the sale of investments that the Fund or Underlying Fund owned for one year or less will be taxable as ordinary income. Properly reported distributions of long-term capital gains, if any, are taxable in the hands of an investor as long-term gain includible in net capital gain and taxed to individuals at reduced rates. Tax rules can alter a Fund's or Underlying Fund's holding period in investments and thereby affect the tax treatment of gain or loss on such investments.

The IRS and the Department of the Treasury have issued regulations that impose special rules in respect of capital gain dividends received through partnership interests constituting "applicable partnership interests" under Section 1061 of the Code.

Distributions of investment income reported by a Fund as derived from "qualified dividend income" will be taxed in the hands of individuals at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided that the shareholder, the Fund, and the Underlying Fund meet certain holding period and other requirements. In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Fund shareholder to be "qualified dividend income," the Fund must meet certain holding period and other requirements with respect to some portion of the dividend-paying stocks in its portfolio and the shareholder must meet certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the Fund's shares. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Underlying Fund, Fund, or shareholder level) (1) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (2) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (3) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (4) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (b) treated as a passive foreign investment company.

In general, distributions of investment income reported by each Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income by a shareholder taxed as an individual, provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Fund's shares. If the aggregate qualified dividends received by a Fund during any taxable year are 95% or more of its gross income (excluding net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), then 100% of the Fund's dividends (other than dividends properly reported as capital gain dividends) will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income. If a Fund receives dividends from an Underlying Fund, and the Underlying Fund reports such dividends as qualified dividend income, then the Fund is permitted, in turn, to report a portion of its distributions as qualified dividend income, provided the Fund meets the holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the Underlying Fund.

Dividends of net investment income received by corporate shareholders of each Fund will qualify for the dividends-received deduction generally available to corporations to the extent those dividends are reported as being attributable to qualifying dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations for the taxable year. In general, a dividend received by a Fund will not be treated as a dividend eligible for the dividends-received deduction (1) if it has been received with respect to any share of stock that the Fund has held for less than 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock)

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during the 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date in the case of certain preferred stock) or (2) to the extent that the Fund is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, the dividends-received deduction may otherwise be disallowed or reduced (1) if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to its shares of the Fund or (2) by application of various provisions of the Code (for instance, the dividends-received deduction is reduced in the case of a dividend received on debt-financed portfolio stock (generally, stock acquired with borrowed funds)). If a Fund receives dividends from an Underlying Fund, and the Underlying Fund reports such dividends as eligible for the dividends-received deduction, then the Fund is permitted, in turn, to report a portion of its distributions as eligible for the dividends-received deduction, provided that the Fund meets the holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the Underlying Fund. Distributions by a Fund to its shareholders that the Fund properly reports as "section 199A dividends," as defined and subject to certain conditions described below, are treated as qualified REIT dividends in the hands of non-corporate shareholders. Non-corporate shareholders are permitted a U.S. federal income tax deduction equal to 20% of qualified REIT dividends received by them, subject to certain limitations. Very generally, a "section 199A dividend" is any dividend or portion thereof that is attributable to certain dividends received by the regulated investment company from REITs, to the extent such dividends are properly reported as such by the regulated investment company in a written notice to its shareholders. A section 199A dividend is treated as a qualified REIT dividend only if the shareholder receiving such dividend holds the dividend-paying regulated investment company shares for at least 46 days of the 91-day period beginning 45 days before the shares become ex-dividend, and is not under an obligation to make related payments with respect to a position in substantially similar or related property. A Fund is permitted to report such part of its dividends as section 199A dividends as are eligible, but is not required to do so.

The Code generally imposes a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on the net investment income of certain individuals, trusts, and estates to the extent their income exceeds certain threshold amounts. For these purposes, "net investment income" generally includes, among other things, (i) distributions paid by a Fund of net investment income and capital gains as described above, and (ii) any net gain from the sale, redemption, exchange or other taxable disposition of Fund shares. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisers regarding the possible implications of this additional tax on their investment in the Fund.

If a Fund makes a distribution to a shareholder in excess of its current and accumulated "earnings and profits" in and with respect to any taxable year, the excess distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of the shareholder's tax basis in his or her shares, and thereafter as capital gain. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholder's tax basis in his or her shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on the shareholder's subsequent taxable disposition of his or her shares.

#### Sales, Redemptions, and Exchanges
Sales, redemptions, and exchanges of each Fund's shares are taxable events and, accordingly, shareholders subject to U.S. federal income taxes may realize gains and losses on these transactions. If shares have been held for more than one year, gain or loss realized generally will be long-term capital gain or loss, provided the shareholder holds the shares as a capital asset. Otherwise, the gain or loss on a taxable disposition of Fund shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, a loss on a sale of Fund shares held by a shareholder for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain dividend paid to the shareholder with respect to such shares. Further, no loss will be allowed on a sale of Fund shares to the extent the shareholder acquires identical shares of the same Fund within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. In the case of individuals holding shares in a Fund directly, upon the sale, redemption or exchange of Fund shares, the Fund or, in the case of shares purchased through a financial intermediary, the financial intermediary may be required to provide the shareholder and the IRS with cost basis and certain other related tax information about the Fund shares sold, redeemed, or exchanged. See the Funds' Prospectus for more information.

Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to Fund shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer's treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

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#### Commodity-Linked Instruments
A Fund's or Underlying Fund's investments in commodity-linked instruments can be limited by the Fund's intention to qualify as a regulated investment company, and can bear on the Fund's ability to qualify as such. Income and gains from certain commodity-linked instruments do not constitute qualifying income to a regulated investment company for purposes of the 90% gross income test described above. The tax treatment of some other commodity-linked instruments in which a Fund or Underlying Fund might invest is not certain, in particular with respect to whether income or gains from such instruments constitute qualifying income to a regulated investment company. If a Fund or Underlying Fund were to treat income or gain from a particular instrument as qualifying income and the income or gain were later determined not to constitute qualifying income and, together with any other non-qualifying income, caused the Fund's or Underlying Fund's non-qualifying income to exceed 10% of its gross income in any taxable year, the Fund or Underlying Fund, as the case may be, would fail to qualify as a regulated investment company unless it is eligible to and does cure such failure by paying a tax at the Fund or Underlying Fund level.

#### Certain Investments in Debt Obligations
Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance (and all zero-coupon debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that are acquired by a Fund or Underlying Fund will be treated as being issued with original issue discount ("OID"). Generally, the amount of the OID is treated as interest income and is included in taxable income (and required to be distributed) over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. Payment-in-kind securities will also give rise to income which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though a Fund or Underlying Fund holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.

Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance that are acquired by a Fund or Underlying Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having "market discount". Very generally, market discount is the excess of the stated redemption price of a debt obligation (or in the case of an obligation issued with OID, its "revised issue price") over the purchase price of such obligation. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the "accrued market discount" on such debt security. Alternatively, the Fund or Underlying Fund may elect to accrue market discount currently, in which case the Fund or Underlying Fund will be required to include the accrued market discount in the Fund's income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. The rate at which the market discount accrues, and thus is included in the Fund's income, will depend in part upon which of the permitted accrual methods the Fund or Underlying Fund elects.

Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance that are acquired by a Fund or Underlying Fund may be treated as having OID, or acquisition discount (very generally, the excess of the stated redemption price over the purchase price) in the case of certain types of debt obligations. Generally, the Fund or Underlying Fund will be required to include the OID, or acquisition discount, as ordinary income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. A Fund or Underlying Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt obligations having acquisition discount, or OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income by the Fund.

As indicated above, a Fund or Underlying Fund that invests in certain debt instruments may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund or Underlying Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or Underlying Fund or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary. The Fund or Underlying Fund may realize gains or losses from such liquidations. In the event a Fund or Underlying Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution than they would in the absence of such transactions.

Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for a Fund or Underlying Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when a Fund or Underlying Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID, or market discount; whether and to what extent a Fund or Underlying Fund should recognize market discount on such a debt obligation; when and to what extent a Fund or Underlying Fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities; and how a Fund or Underlying Fund should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and interest. These and other related issues will be addressed by each Fund or Underlying Fund when, and if, it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

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#### Derivative Transactions
If a Fund or Underlying Fund engages in derivative transactions, including transactions in options, futures contracts, forward contracts, swap agreements, foreign currencies, and straddles, or other similar transactions, including for hedging purposes, it will be subject to special tax rules (including constructive sale, mark-to-market, straddle, wash sale, and short sale rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund's or Underlying Fund's securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains, or convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing, and character of distributions to shareholders. A Fund's or Underlying Fund's transactions in foreign currency-denominated debt instruments and certain of its derivative activities may produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If a Fund's book income exceeds its taxable income, the distribution (if any) of such excess generally will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund's remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient's basis in its shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. If a Fund's book income is less than taxable income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company and to eliminate fund-level income tax.

#### Foreign Taxes and Investments
Income proceeds and gains received by an Underlying Fund from sources outside the United States might be subject to foreign taxes that are withheld at the source or other foreign taxes. The effective rate of these foreign taxes cannot be determined in advance because it depends on the specific countries in which an Underlying Fund's assets will be invested, the amount of the assets invested in each such country and the possibility of treaty relief.

Because the Funds are "funds of funds" that invest their assets in shares of Underlying Funds, each Fund is permitted to elect to pass through to its shareholders foreign income and other similar taxes paid by the Fund (if any) in respect of foreign securities held by an Underlying Fund in which it invests that itself elected to pass such taxes through to its shareholders, so that shareholders of the Fund will be eligible to claim a tax credit or deduction for such taxes. However, even if a Fund qualifies to make such election for any year, it may determine not to do so.

If such an election is made, the ability of shareholders of the Fund to claim a foreign tax credit will be subject to limitations imposed by the Code, which in general limits the amount of foreign tax that may be used to reduce a shareholder's U.S. tax liability to that amount of U.S. tax which would be imposed on the amount and type of income in respect of which the foreign tax was paid. In addition, the ability of shareholders to claim a foreign tax credit is subject to a holding period requirement. A shareholder who for U.S. income tax purposes claims a foreign tax credit in respect of Fund distributions may not claim a deduction for foreign taxes paid by the Fund, regardless of whether the shareholder itemizes deductions. Also, no deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by shareholders who do not itemize deductions on their federal income tax returns. It should also be noted that a tax-exempt shareholder, like other shareholders, will be required to treat as part of the amounts distributed to it a pro rata portion of the foreign income taxes paid by the Fund. However, that income will generally be exempt from U.S. taxation by virtue of such shareholder's tax-exempt status and such a shareholder will not be entitled to either a tax credit or a deduction with respect to such income. A Fund that makes the election referred to above will notify its shareholders each year of the amount of dividends and distributions and the shareholders' pro rata shares of qualified taxes paid by Underlying Funds to foreign countries and passed through by the Fund (if any).

#### Certain Tax Information Concerning Funds of Funds
Because the Funds are "funds of funds" that invest their assets in shares of Underlying Funds, their distributable income and gains will normally consist entirely of distributions from Underlying Funds and gains and losses on the disposition of shares of Underlying Funds. To the extent that an Underlying Fund realizes net losses on its investments for a given taxable year, a Fund will not be able to recognize its share of those losses to offset distributions of net income or capital gains realized from other Underlying Funds in which it invests until it disposes of shares of the Underlying Fund (although such losses of an Underlying Fund may reduce distributions to the Fund from that Underlying Fund in future taxable years). Moreover, even when a Fund does make a disposition of shares of an Underlying Fund, a portion of its loss may be recognized as a long-term capital loss, which a Fund will not be able to offset against its ordinary income (including distributions of any net short-term capital gains realized by an Underlying Fund).

In addition, in certain circumstances, the "wash sale" rules under Section 1091 of the Code may apply to a Fund's sales of Underlying Fund shares that have generated losses. A wash sale occurs if shares of an Underlying Fund are sold by

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the Fund at a loss and the Fund acquires additional shares of that same Underlying Fund 30 days before or after the date of the sale. The wash-sale rules could defer losses in the Fund's hands on sales of Underlying Fund shares (to the extent such sales are wash sales) for extended (and, in certain cases, potentially indefinite) periods of time.

As a result of the foregoing rules, and certain other special rules, the amounts of net investment income and net capital gains that a Fund will be required to distribute to shareholders may be greater than such amounts would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the Underlying Funds. For similar reasons, the character of distributions from a Fund will not necessarily be the same as it would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the Underlying Funds. The use of a fund of funds structure can therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders, and may increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders.

If a Fund were to own 20% or more of the voting interests of an Underlying Fund, subject to a safe harbor in respect of certain fund of funds arrangements, which is anticipated to be available to the Funds, the Fund would be required to "look through" the Underlying Fund to its holdings and combine the appropriate percentage (as determined pursuant to the applicable Treasury regulations) of the Underlying Fund's assets with the Fund's assets for purposes of satisfying the 25% diversification test described above.

The foregoing is only a general description of the federal tax consequences of a fund of funds structure. Accordingly, prospective purchasers of shares of a fund of funds are urged to consult their tax advisers with specific reference to their own tax situations, including the potential application of state, local, and foreign taxes.

#### Certain Investments in Mortgage-Related Securities
An Underlying Fund may invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits ("REMICs") (including by investing in residual interests in CMOs with respect to which an election to be treated as a REMIC is in effect) or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools ("TMPs"). Under a notice issued by the IRS and Treasury regulations that have not yet been issued, but may apply retroactively, a portion of an Underlying Fund's income that is attributable to a REIT's residual interest in a REMIC or an equity interest in a TMP (referred to in the Code as an "excess inclusion") will be subject to federal income tax in all events. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a regulated investment company, such as the Underlying Funds and, in turn, the Funds, will be allocated to shareholders of the regulated investment company in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related REMIC or TMP interest directly. As a result, a Fund investing in an Underlying Fund that invests in such interests may not be a suitable investment for charitable remainder trusts, as noted below.

In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income ("UBTI") to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan, or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, and (iii) in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. A shareholder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such inclusions notwithstanding any exemption from such income tax otherwise available under the Code.

#### Unrelated Business Taxable Income
Income of a regulated investment company that would be UBTI if earned directly by a tax-exempt entity generally will not constitute UBTI when distributed to a tax-exempt shareholder of the regulated investment company. Notwithstanding this "blocking" effect, a tax-exempt shareholder of a Fund could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in a Fund if shares in that Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Section 514(b) of the Code. A tax-exempt shareholder may also recognize UBTI if a Fund recognizes "excess inclusion income" derived from direct or indirect investments by Underlying Funds in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs as described above, if the amount of such income recognized by a Fund exceeds the Fund's investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Fund).

Special tax consequences also apply to charitable remainder trusts ("CRTs") that invest in regulated investment companies that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Under legislation enacted in December 2006, a CRT, as defined in Section 664 of the Code, that realizes UBTI for a taxable year must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI solely as a result of investing in a Fund that recognizes "excess inclusion income" (which is described

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earlier). Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders (such as the United States, a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in a Fund that recognizes "excess inclusion income," then such Fund will be subject to a tax on that portion of its "excess inclusion income" for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which the IRS guidance in respect of CRTs remains applicable in light of the December 2006 CRT legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, the Funds may elect to allocate any such tax specially to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholder's distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholder's interest in the Funds. CRTs and other tax-exempt investors are urged to consult their tax advisers concerning the consequences of investing in the Funds.

#### Backup Withholding
Each Fund generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable dividends and other distributions paid to and proceeds of share sales, exchanges, or redemptions made by any individual shareholder who fails to furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number (TIN), who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to the Fund that he or she is not subject to such withholding.

#### Non U.S. Shareholders
Distributions by a Fund to shareholders that are not "U.S. persons" within the meaning of the Code ("foreign shareholders") properly reported by the Fund as (1) capital gain dividends, (2) short-term capital gain dividends, and (3) interest-related dividends, each as defined and subject to certain conditions described below, generally are not subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax.

In general, the Code defines (1) "short-term capital gain dividends" as distributions of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses and (2) "interest-related dividends" as distributions from (A) U.S. source interest income earned by a Fund, if any, of types similar to those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign shareholder, and (B) any such income earned by an Underlying Fund and distributed by the Fund, in each case to the extent such distributions are properly reported as such by the Fund and the Underlying Fund, as applicable, in a written notice to shareholders of the Fund and the Underlying Fund.

The exceptions to withholding for short-term capital gain dividends and capital gain dividends do not apply to (A) distributions to an individual foreign shareholder who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution and (B) distributions attributable to gain that is treated as effectively connected with the conduct by the foreign shareholder of a trade or business within the United States under special rules regarding the disposition of U.S. real property interests.

The exception to withholding for "interest-related dividends" does not apply to distributions to a foreign shareholder (A) that has not provided a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (B) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign shareholder is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (C) that is within certain foreign countries that have inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (D) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the foreign shareholder and the foreign shareholder is a controlled foreign corporation.

If a Fund invests in a regulated investment company that pays capital gain dividends, short-term capital gain dividends, or interest-related dividends to the Fund, such distributions retain their character as not subject to withholding if properly reported when paid by the Fund to foreign shareholders.

A Fund is permitted to report such part of its dividends as interest-related and/or short-term capital gain dividends as are eligible, but is not required to do so. In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if a Fund reports all or a portion of a payment as an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend to shareholders. Foreign shareholders should contact their intermediaries regarding the application of these rules to their accounts.

Distributions by a Fund to foreign shareholders other than capital gain dividends, short-term capital gain dividends, and interest-related dividends (e.g., dividends attributable to dividend and foreign-source interest income or to short-term capital gains or U.S. source interest income to which the exception from withholding described above does not apply) are generally subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate).

Under U.S. federal income tax law, a beneficial holder of shares who or which is a foreign person is not, in general, subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of a

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Fund unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by such holder within the United States, (ii) in the case of an individual holder, the holder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating one hundred eighty-three (183) days or more during the year of the sale and certain other conditions are met, or (iii) the special rules relating to gain attributable to the sale or exchange of "U.S. real property interests" ("USRPIs") apply to the foreign shareholder's sale of shares of the Fund (as described below).

Beneficial holders that are foreign persons with respect to whom income from a Fund is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the foreign shareholder within the United States will in general be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the income derived from the Fund at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents, or domestic corporations, whether such income is received in cash or reinvested in shares of the Fund and, in the case of a foreign corporation, may also be subject to a branch profits tax. If a foreign shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the shareholder in the United States. More generally, foreign shareholders who are residents in a country with an income tax treaty with the United States may obtain different tax results than those described herein, and are urged to consult their tax advisers.

Special rules would apply if a Fund were a qualified investment entity ("QIE") because it is either a "U.S. real property holding corporation" ("USRPHC") or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of certain exceptions to the definition of USRPIs described below. Very generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds USRPIs the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporation's USRPIs, interests in real property located outside the United States, and other trade or business assets. USRPIs generally are defined as any interest in U.S. real property and any interest (other than solely as a creditor) in a USRPHC or, very generally, an entity that has been a USRPHC in the last five years. A Fund that holds, directly or indirectly, significant interests in REITs may be a USRPHC. Interests in domestically controlled QIEs, including REITs and regulated investment companies that are QIEs, not-greater-than-10% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in REITs and not-greater-than-5% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in regulated investment companies generally are not USRPIs, but these exceptions do not apply for purposes of determining whether a Fund is a QIE.

If an interest in a Fund were a USRPI, the Fund would be required to withhold U.S. tax on the proceeds of a share redemption by a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder, in which case such foreign shareholder generally would also be required to file U.S. tax returns and pay any additional taxes due in connection with the redemption.

If a Fund were a QIE, under a special "look-through" rule, any distributions by the Fund to a foreign shareholder (including, in certain cases, distributions made by the Fund in redemption of its shares) attributable directly or indirectly to (i) distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier regulated investment company or REIT that the Fund is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands and (ii) gains realized on the disposition of USRPIs by the Fund would retain their character as gains realized from USRPIs in the hands of the Fund's foreign shareholders and would be subject to U.S. tax withholding. In addition, such distributions could result in the foreign shareholder being required to file a U.S. tax return and pay tax on the distributions at regular U.S. federal income tax rates. The consequences to a foreign shareholder, including the rate of such withholding and character of such distributions (e.g., as ordinary income or USRPI gain), would vary depending upon the extent of the foreign shareholder's current and past ownership of the Fund.

Foreign shareholders of a Fund also may be subject to "wash sale" rules to prevent the avoidance of the tax-filing and payment obligations discussed above through the sale and repurchase of Fund shares.

Beneficial holders that are foreign persons should consult their tax advisers and, if holding shares through intermediaries, their intermediaries, concerning the application of these rules to their investment in the Funds.

#### Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements
Sections 1471-1474 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury and IRS guidance issued thereunder (collectively, "FATCA") generally require a Fund to obtain information sufficient to identify the status of each of its shareholders under FATCA or under an applicable intergovernmental agreement (an "IGA") between the United States and a foreign government. If a shareholder fails to provide the requested information or otherwise fails to comply with FATCA or an IGA, the Fund may be required to withhold under FATCA at a rate of 30% with respect to that shareholder on ordinary dividends it pays. The IRS and the Department of Treasury have issued proposed regulations providing that these withholding rules will not apply to the gross proceeds of share redemptions or capital gain dividends a Fund pays. If a payment by a Fund is subject to FATCA withholding, the Fund is required to withhold even if such payment would otherwise be exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to foreign shareholders described above (e.g., short-term capital gain dividends and interest-related dividends).

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Each prospective investor is urged to consult its tax adviser regarding the applicability of FATCA and any other reporting requirements with respect to the prospective investor's own situation, including investments through an intermediary.

#### General Considerations
Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans or tax-advantaged arrangements. Shareholders should consult their tax adviser to determine the suitability of shares of a Fund as an investment through such plans and arrangements and the precise effect of an investment on their particular tax situation.

The foregoing discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of investment in the Funds is a general and abbreviated summary based on the applicable provisions of the Code, U.S. Treasury regulations, and other applicable authority currently in effect. For the complete provisions, reference should be made to the pertinent Code sections and regulations. The Code and regulations are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion of the federal income tax treatment of the Funds and their shareholders does not describe in any respect the tax treatment of any particular arrangement, e.g., tax-exempt trusts or insurance products, pursuant to which or by which investments in the Funds may be made. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers as to their own tax situation, including possible foreign, state, and local taxes.

#### EXPERTS
Ropes & Gray LLP, The Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02199-3600 serves as counsel to the Trust.

The financial statements of the Funds incorporated herein by reference from the Trust's [Annual Reports as of September 30, 2022](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/916053/000139834422024037/fp0079598-2_ncsr.htm) have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its reports which are also incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of Deloitte & Touche LLP given on the authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing. Copies of the Trust's Annual Reports as of September 30, 2022 are available, without charge, upon request by calling 1-888-309-3539.

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#### APPENDIX A—DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES RATINGS
Although the ratings of fixed income securities by S&P, Moody's, and Fitch are a generally accepted measurement of credit risk, they are subject to certain limitations. For example, ratings are based primarily upon historical events and do not necessarily reflect the future. Furthermore, there is a period of time between the issuance of a rating and the update of the rating, during which time a published rating may be inaccurate.

The descriptions of the S&P, Moody's, and Fitch's commercial paper and bond ratings are set forth below.

#### Commercial Paper Ratings:
S&P commercial paper ratings are graded into four categories, ranging from A for the highest quality obligations to D for the lowest. Issues assigned the highest rating of A are regarded as having the greatest capacity for timely payment. Issues in this category are further refined with the designations 1, 2, and 3 to indicate the relative degree of safety. The A-1 and A-2 categories are described as follows:

**A-1**—This designation indicates that the degree of safety regarding timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong safety characteristics will be noted with a plus (+) sign designation.

**A-2**—Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for issues designated A-1.

Moody's employs three designations, all judged to be investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment ability of rated issuers. The two highest designations are as follows:

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 (or P-1) have a superior ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1 (or P-1) repayment ability will normally be evidenced by many of the following characteristics:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Leading market positions in well-established industries.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • High rates of return on funds employed.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured sources of alternate liquidity.

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 (or P-2) have a strong ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate liquidity is maintained.

Fitch's Short-Term Credit Ratings are graded into six categories, ranging from 'F-1' for the highest quality obligations to 'D' for the lowest. The F-1 and F-2 categories are described as follows:

**F-1**—Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added "+" to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

**F-2**—A satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.

#### Bond Ratings:

#### S&P describes its four highest ratings for corporate debt as follows:
**AAA**—Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.

**AA**—Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal and differs from the higher rated issues only in a small degree.

**A**—Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated categories.

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**BBB**—Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Whereas such debt normally exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal for debt in this category than in higher rated categories.

The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

#### Moody's describes its four highest corporate bond ratings as follows:
**Aaa**—Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt-edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

**Aa**—Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group they compose what are generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.

**A**—Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and may be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment in the future.

**Baa**—Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.

Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 in each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa in its corporate bond rating system. The modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating category.

#### Fitch describes its four highest long-term credit ratings as follows:
**AAA**—"AAA" ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

**AA**—"AA" ratings denote a very low expectation of credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

**A**—"A" ratings denote a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

**BBB**—"BBB" ratings indicate that there is currently a low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse changes in circumstances and in economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.

A "+" or "–" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the "AAA" category or to categories below "CCC."

#### S&P describes its below investment grade ratings for corporate debt as follows:
**BB, B, CCC, CC, C**—Debt rated "BB," "B," "CCC," "CC," and "C" is regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation, "BB" indicates the lowest degree of speculation, and "C" the highest degree of speculation. While such debt will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.

**BB**—Debt rated "BB" has less near-term vulnerability to default than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to

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inadequate capacity to meet timely interest and principal payments. The "BB" rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied "BBB–" rating.

**B**—Debt rated "B" has a greater vulnerability to default but currently has the capacity to meet interest payments and principal repayments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The "B" rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied "BB" or "BB–" rating.

**CCC**—Debt rated "CCC" has a currently identifiable vulnerability to default, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The "CCC" rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied "B" or "B–" rating.

**CC**—The rating "CC" is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied "CCC" rating.

**C**—The rating "C" is typically applied to debt subordinated to senior debt which is assigned an actual or implied "CCC–" debt rating. The "C" rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed, but debt service payments are continued.

**D**—Debt rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is used when interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The "D" rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are jeopardized.

#### Moody's describes its below investment grade corporate bond ratings as follows:
**Ba**—Bonds which are rated **Ba** are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during other good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.

**B**—Bonds which are rated **B** generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

**Caa**—Bonds which are rated **Caa** are of poor standing. Such issues may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.

**Ca**—Bonds which are rated **Ca** represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

**C**—Bonds which are rated **C** are the lowest rated class of bonds and issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.

#### Fitch describes its below investment grade long-term credit ratings as follows:
**BB**—"BB" ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.

**B**—"B" ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.

**CCC, CC, C**—Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic developments. A "CC" rating indicates that default of some kind appears probable. "C" ratings signal imminent default.

**DDD, DD, D**—The ratings of obligations in this category are based on their prospects for achieving partial or full recovery in a reorganization or liquidation of the obligor. While expected recovery values are highly speculative and cannot be estimated with any precision, the following serve as general guidelines. "DDD" obligations have the highest potential for recovery, around 90%-100% of outstanding amounts and accrued interest. "DD" indicates potential recoveries in the range of 50%-90% and "D" the lowest recovery potential, i.e., below 50%.

Entities rated in this category have defaulted on some or all of their obligations. Entities rated "DDD" have the highest prospect for resumption of performance or continued operation with or without a formal reorganization process.

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Entities rated "DD" and "D" are generally undergoing a formal reorganization or liquidation process; those rated "DD" are likely to satisfy a higher portion of their outstanding obligations, while entities rated "D" have a poor prospect of repaying all obligations.

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#### APPENDIX B—PROXY VOTING POLICIES
The following represents the proxy voting policies (the "Policies") of the MassMutual Select Funds (the "Funds") with respect to the voting of proxies on behalf of each series of the Funds (the "Series"). It is the policy of the Funds and MML Investment Advisers, LLC (the "Adviser"), as investment manager to the Series, to delegate (with certain exceptions) voting responsibilities and duties with respect to all proxies to the subadvisers (the "Subadvisers") of the Series. All references to votes by proxy in this policy shall be interpreted to include both votes by proxy and votes and consents that do not involve proxies. The Adviser will vote proxies on behalf of any Fund of Funds or Feeder Funds for which it serves as investment adviser, as well as for any special situations where the Adviser is in the best position to vote the proxy ("Special Situations").

I. <u>GENERAL PRINCIPLES</u> 

In voting proxies, the Adviser and Subadvisers will be guided by general fiduciary principles and their respective written proxy voting policies. The Adviser and Subadvisers will act prudently and solely in the best interest of the beneficial owners of the accounts they respectively manage, and for the exclusive purpose of providing benefit to such persons.

II. <u>SUBADVISERS TO WHICH THE FUNDS AND ADVISER HAVE DELEGATED PROXY VOTING RESPONSIBILITIES</u>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1. The Subadvisers each have the duty to provide a copy of their written proxy voting policies to the Adviser and Funds annually. The Subadvisers' written proxy voting policies will maintain procedures that address potential conflicts of interest.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2. The Subadvisers will each maintain a record of all proxy votes exercised on behalf of each series of the Funds for which they act as subadviser and will furnish such records to the Adviser and Funds annually.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3. The Subadvisers will report proxy votes that deviated from their normal proxy voting policies and any exceptions to their proxy voting policies to the Adviser quarterly.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4. The Subadvisers will provide the Adviser and Funds with all such information and documents relating to the Subadvisers' proxy voting in a timely manner, as necessary for the Adviser and Funds to comply with applicable laws and regulations.

III. <u>THE FUNDS AND ADVISER</u>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1. The Chief Compliance Officer of the Funds will annually update the Trustees after a review of proxy voting records.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2. The Trustees of the Funds will not vote proxies on behalf of the Funds or any Series.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3. The Adviser will not vote proxies on behalf of the Funds or any Series, except that the Adviser will vote proxies on behalf of any Fund of Funds or Feeder Fund for which it serves as investment adviser or in Special Situations.

Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available, without charge, upon request, on the MassMutual website at https://www.massmutual.com/funds and on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov.

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#### MML INVESTMENT ADVISERS, LLC
**As Investment Adviser to the MassMutual Select Funds, MassMutual Premier Funds, <br>MassMutual Advantage Funds, MML Series Investment Fund, and MML Series Investment Fund II<br>(November 4, 2022)** 

#### General Overview

#### Policy
It is the policy of MML Investment Advisers, LLC ("MML Investment Advisers" or the "Company") to fulfill its responsibilities under Rule 206(4)-6 (the "Rule") under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the "Advisers Act"), by delegating to subadvisers for each series of the MassMutual Select Funds, MassMutual Premier Funds, MassMutual Advantage Funds, MML Series Investment Fund, and MML Series Investment Fund II (each, a "Trust") proxy voting related to the securities in each subadviser's respective portfolio, with the following exceptions: (i) each series of a Trust operating as a "fund of funds" where MML Investment Advisers has not delegated proxy voting responsibility to a subadviser (each a "Fund of Funds" and, collectively, the "Funds of Funds"); (ii) each series of the Trusts operating as a "feeder fund" (each, a "Feeder Fund") to a "master fund" ("Master Fund"); and (iii) in certain other special situations ("Special Situations"). For these exceptions, MML Investment Advisers will act on behalf of the Trusts to vote proxies (including Information Statements) ("Proxies"), as described below.

#### Background
MML Investment Advisers currently serves as investment adviser to each of the Trusts, including those series that are Funds of Funds and Feeder Funds. The Funds of Funds may invest in other series of the Trusts, funds advised by affiliates of MML Investment Advisers, and/or funds or exchange-traded funds advised by an unaffiliated investment adviser.

MML Investment Advisers will vote Proxies of the underlying funds held by the Funds of Funds, of the related Master Fund for a Feeder Fund, and in certain other Special Situations in accordance with the following procedure.

#### Procedure
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 1. When a Fund of Funds holds shares of an underlying fund advised by MML Investment Advisers, MML Investment Advisers will generally vote in favor of proposals recommended by the underlying fund's Board of Trustees and by a majority of the Trustees of the underlying fund who are not interested persons of the underlying fund or of MML Investment Advisers. However, MML Investment Advisers may alternatively, in its discretion, (i) seek instruction from the Fund of Fund's Board of Trustees (or any member or committee thereof (provided that such member, or each member of such committee, as the case may be, is not an interested person of the underlying fund or of MML Investment Advisers) delegated authority to provide such instructions to MML Investment Advisers and vote in accordance with such instructions, or (ii) vote in accordance with the recommendation of an independent proxy advisor or consultant retained by MML Investment Advisers to provide a recommendation, on the basis solely of the best interest of the Fund of Funds and its shareholders, as to the matter; provided, however, that prior to taking the action described in clause (ii) above, MML Investment Advisers is required to seek and obtain the prior approval of its Board of Directors. When a quorum is present at any meeting, a majority of the Board members present may take any action. If it is not possible to obtain a quorum of such Board, any action may be taken without a meeting if all Board members consent to the action in writing and such written consents are filed with the records of the meetings of the Board.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 2. When a Fund of Funds holds shares of an underlying fund advised by a control affiliate of MML Investment Advisers, MML Investment Advisers will generally vote the shares held by the Fund of Funds in the same proportions (for, against, abstain) as the votes of all other shareholders (other than MML Investment Advisers or a control affiliate of MML Investment Advisers) of such underlying fund. However, MML Investment Advisers may alternatively, in its discretion, (i) seek instruction from the Fund of Funds' Board of Trustees (or any member or committee thereof (provided that such member, or each member of such committee, as the case may be, is not an interested person of the underlying fund or of MML Investment Advisers) delegated authority to provide such instructions to MML Investment Advisers) and vote in accordance with such instructions, or (ii) vote in accordance with the recommendation of an independent proxy advisor or consultant retained by MML Investment Advisers to provide a recommendation, on the basis solely of the best interest of the Fund of Funds and its shareholders, as to the matter; provided, however, that prior to taking the action described in clause (ii) above, MML Investment Advisers is required to seek and obtain the prior approval of its Board of Directors. When a quorum is present at any meeting, a majority of the Board members present may take any action. If it is not possible to obtain a quorum of such Board, any action may be taken without a meeting if all Board members consent to the action in writing and such written consents are filed with the records of the meetings of the Board.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 3. When a Fund of Funds holds shares of an underlying fund not advised by MML Investment Advisers or a control affiliate of MML Investment Advisers, MML Investment Advisers will generally vote the shares held by the Fund of Funds in the same proportions (for, against, abstain) as the votes of all other shareholders of such underlying fund. However, MML Investment Advisers may alternatively, in its discretion, (i) seek instruction from the Fund of Funds' Board of Trustees (or any member or committee thereof delegated authority to provide such instructions to MML Investment Advisers) and vote in accordance with such instructions, or (ii) vote in accordance with the recommendation of an independent proxy advisor or consultant retained by MML Investment Advisers to provide a recommendation, on the basis solely of the best interest of the Fund of Funds and its shareholders, as to the matter; provided, however, that prior to taking the action described in clause (ii) above, MML Investment Advisers is required to seek and obtain the prior approval of its Board of Directors. When a quorum is present at any meeting, a majority of the Board members present may take any action. If it is not possible to obtain a quorum of such Board, any action may be taken without a meeting if all Board members consent to the action in writing and such written consents are filed with the records of the meetings of the Board.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4. Notwithstanding paragraph 3 above, (i) in the event a Fund of Funds is investing in an underlying fund pursuant to an exemptive order from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, MML Investment Advisers will vote the shares held by the Fund of Funds in accordance with any conditions set forth in the order; or (ii) in the event a Fund of Funds is investing in an underlying fund pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, MML Investment Advisers will vote the shares held by the Fund of Funds either by seeking instructions from the Fund of Funds' shareholders or vote the shares in the same proportions (for, against, abstain) as the votes of all other shareholders of the underlying fund.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5. When a fund is structured as a Feeder Fund that is an interest holder of a Master Fund and is requested to vote on any matter submitted to interest holders of the Master Fund, MML Investment Advisers will, on behalf of the Feeder Fund, generally vote the shares held by the Feeder Fund in the same proportions (for, against, abstain) as the votes of all other interest holders of such Master Fund. However, if the Feeder Fund elects to hold a meeting of its own shareholders to consider such matters, MML Investment Advisers will, on behalf of the Feeder Fund, vote the shares held by the Feeder Fund in proportion to the votes received from its shareholders, with shares for which a Feeder Fund receives no voting instructions being voted in the same proportion as the votes received from the other Feeder Fund shareholders.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 6. Although rare, there is a possibility of Special Situations presented where MML Investment Advisers is in the best position to vote Proxies. In those Special Situations, which are determined by the Investment Management team in consultation with MML Investment Advisers' Chief Compliance Officer and/or legal counsel, MML Investment Advisers (i) will, when the Special Situation involves a proxy for a Funds' investment in another mutual fund or pooled investment vehicle, generally vote the shares held in the same proportions (for, against, abstain) as the votes of all other shareholders of such underlying fund; (ii) may seek instruction from the relevant Trust's Board of Trustees (or any member or committee thereof delegated authority to provide such instructions to MML Investment Advisers) and vote in accordance with such instructions; or (iii) may vote in accordance with the recommendation of an independent proxy advisor or consultant retained by MML Investment Advisers to provide a recommendation, on the basis solely of the best interest of the Trust and its shareholders, as to the matter; provided, however, that prior to taking the action described in clause (iii) above, MML Investment Advisers is required to seek and obtain the prior approval of its Board of Directors. When a quorum is present at any meeting, a majority of the Board members present may take any action. If it is not possible to obtain a quorum of such Board, any action may be taken without a meeting if all Board members consent to the action in writing and such written consents are filed with the records of the meetings of the Board.

#### Operating Procedures
MML Investment Advisers exercises its proxy voting responsibility with respect to the Funds of Funds, Feeder Funds, and Special Situations through the Investment Management team.

All proxy statements, including Information Statements ("Proxy Statements") and proxy cards received by associates relating to a Fund of Funds, Feeder Fund, or Special Situations are to be immediately forwarded to the Investment Management team. The head of Investment Management or that person's designee, then is responsible for (i) logging, reviewing and casting the vote for all Proxies solicited and received, (ii) voting such Proxies in a manner consistent with these policies and procedures, (iii) documenting the method followed in determining how to cast the vote, and (iv) maintaining the records required by Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act.

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#### Record Retention
The Investment Management team will retain for such time periods as set forth in Rule 204-2:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • Copies of all policies and procedures required by the Rule;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A copy of each Proxy Statement that MML Investment Advisers receives regarding a Fund of Fund's or Feeder Fund's investments;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A copy of each Proxy Statement that MML Investment Advisers receives regarding a Special Situation;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • A record of each vote cast by MML Investment Advisers on behalf of a Fund of Funds, a Feeder Fund, or in a Special Situation; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • B-111

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#### APPENDIX C—ADDITIONAL PORTFOLIO MANAGER INFORMATION

#### MML Investment Advisers, LLC
MML Advisers, as each MassMutual Target Allocation Fund's investment adviser, administers the asset allocation program for each MassMutual Target Allocation Fund. MML Advisers, as each MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Fund's investment adviser, has overall responsibility for each Fund and for implementing each Fund's strategic asset allocations and tactical asset allocations through the selection of, and allocations to, MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Underlying Funds.

The portfolio managers of the 20/80 Allocation Fund are Michael J. Abata and Frederick Schulitz.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Michael J. Abata**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Frederick Schulitz**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 21 | $5406825439  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the 20/80 Allocation Fund.

The portfolio managers of the 40/60 Allocation Fund are Michael J. Abata and Frederick Schulitz.

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Michael J. Abata**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Frederick Schulitz**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 21 | $5395305268  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the 40/60 Allocation Fund.

The portfolio managers of the 60/40 Allocation Fund are Michael J. Abata and Frederick Schulitz.

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---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Michael J. Abata**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Frederick Schulitz**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 21 | $5407922357  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the 60/40 Allocation Fund.

The portfolio managers of the 80/20 Allocation Fund are Michael J. Abata and Frederick Schulitz.

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Michael J. Abata**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Frederick Schulitz**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 21 | $5451236489  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the 80/20 Allocation Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan In Retirement Fund are Michael J. Abata and Frederick Schulitz.

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---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Michael J. Abata**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Frederick Schulitz**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 21 | $5481916598  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan In Retirement Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2020 Fund are Michael J. Abata and Frederick Schulitz.

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Michael J. Abata**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Frederick Schulitz**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 21 | $5403337615  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2020 Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2025 Fund are Michael J. Abata and Frederick Schulitz.

------

[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#toc-0)

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Michael J. Abata**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Frederick Schulitz**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 21 | $5422910904  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2025 Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2030 Fund are Michael J. Abata and Frederick Schulitz.

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Michael J. Abata**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Frederick Schulitz**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 21 | $5255718679  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2030 Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2035 Fund are Michael J. Abata and Frederick Schulitz.

------

[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#toc-0)

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Michael J. Abata**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Frederick Schulitz**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 21 | $5426630347  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2035 Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2040 Fund are Michael J. Abata and Frederick Schulitz.

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Michael J. Abata**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Frederick Schulitz**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 21 | $5340963238  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2040 Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2045 Fund are Michael J. Abata and Frederick Schulitz.

------

[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#toc-0)

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Michael J. Abata**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Frederick Schulitz**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 21 | $5463851780  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2045 Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2050 Fund are Michael J. Abata and Frederick Schulitz.

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Michael J. Abata**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Frederick Schulitz**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 21 | $5408072554  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | 0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | 0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2050 Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2055 Fund are Michael J. Abata and Frederick Schulitz.

------

[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#toc-0)

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Michael J. Abata**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Frederick Schulitz**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 21 | $5512354517  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2055 Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2060 Fund are Michael J. Abata and Frederick Schulitz.

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Michael J. Abata**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Frederick Schulitz**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 21 | $5547687130  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2060 Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2065 Fund are Michael J. Abata and Frederick Schulitz.

------

[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#toc-0)

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Michael J. Abata**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Frederick Schulitz**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 22 | $5565032733  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2065 Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the MassMutual Target Allocation Funds or MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Funds.

#### Conflicts of Interest:
A conflict of interest may arise due to differences in the investment adviser's net management fee among the Underlying Funds in which these Funds invest such that a portfolio manager might be motivated to invest in certain funds over others. Similarly, the desire to maintain or raise assets under management in certain Underlying Funds could influence a portfolio manager to lend preferential treatment to those funds. In addition, a portfolio manager might be motivated to favor affiliated Underlying Funds over non-affiliated Underlying Funds. The investment adviser will have no obligation to select the least expensive or best performing funds available to serve as Underlying Funds.

#### Compensation:
The discussion below describes the portfolio managers' compensation as of September 30, 2022.

The portfolio managers are paid the same as other employees of the adviser such that their compensation consists of a base salary and an annual discretionary bonus. The adviser also matches a portion of employees' 401(k) contributions, if any.

------

[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#toc-0)

#### J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.
J.P. Morgan, as each MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Fund's subadviser, has responsibility for determining each Fund's strategic asset allocation and tactical asset allocation.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan In Retirement Fund are Daniel Oldroyd and Silvia Trillo.

#### Other Accounts Managed:

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Daniel Oldroyd**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 30 | $40,188.79 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Silvia Trillo**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 31 | $40,387.84 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022. The total value and number of accounts managed by a portfolio manager may include sub-accounts of asset allocation, multi-managed, and other accounts.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan In Retirement Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2020 Fund are Daniel Oldroyd and Silvia Trillo.

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Daniel Oldroyd**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 30 | $40,110.21 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Silvia Trillo**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 31 | $40,309.26 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022. The total value and number of accounts managed by a portfolio manager may include sub-accounts of asset allocation, multi-managed, and other accounts.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2020 Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2025 Fund are Daniel Oldroyd and Silvia Trillo.

------

[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#toc-0)

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Daniel Oldroyd**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 30 | $40,129.78 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Silvia Trillo**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 31 | $40,328.84 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022. The total value and number of accounts managed by a portfolio manager may include sub-accounts of asset allocation, multi-managed, and other accounts.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2025 Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2030 Fund are Daniel Oldroyd and Silvia Trillo.

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Daniel Oldroyd**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 30 | $39,962.59 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Silvia Trillo**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 31 | $40,161.64 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022. The total value and number of accounts managed by a portfolio manager may include sub-accounts of asset allocation, multi-managed, and other accounts.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2030 Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2035 Fund are Daniel Oldroyd and Silvia Trillo.

------

[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#toc-0)

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed \*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Daniel Oldroyd**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 30 | $40,133.50 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Silvia Trillo**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 31 | $40,332.56 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022. The total value and number of accounts managed by a portfolio manager may include sub-accounts of asset allocation, multi-managed, and other accounts.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2035 Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2040 Fund are Daniel Oldroyd and Silvia Trillo.

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Daniel Oldroyd**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 30 | $40,047.83 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Silvia Trillo**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 31 | $40,246.89 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022. The total value and number of accounts managed by a portfolio manager may include sub-accounts of asset allocation, multi-managed, and other accounts.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2040 Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2045 Fund are Daniel Oldroyd and Silvia Trillo.

------

[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#toc-0)

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Daniel Oldroyd**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 30 | $40,170.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Silvia Trillo**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 31 | $40,369.78 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022. The total value and number of accounts managed by a portfolio manager may include sub-accounts of asset allocation, multi-managed, and other accounts.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2045 Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2050 Fund are Daniel Oldroyd and Silvia Trillo.

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Daniel Oldroyd**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 30 | $40,114.94 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Silvia Trillo**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 31 | $40,314.00 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022. The total value and number of accounts managed by a portfolio manager may include sub-accounts of asset allocation, multi-managed, and other accounts.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2050 Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2055 Fund are Daniel Oldroyd and Silvia Trillo.

------

[**TABLE OF CONTENTS**](#toc-0)

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Daniel Oldroyd**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 30 | $40,219.22 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Silvia Trillo**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 31 | $40,418.28 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022. The total value and number of accounts managed by a portfolio manager may include sub-accounts of asset allocation, multi-managed, and other accounts.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2055 Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2060 Fund are Daniel Oldroyd and Silvia Trillo.

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Daniel Oldroyd**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 30 | $40,254.56 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Silvia Trillo**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 31 | $40,453.61 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022. The total value and number of accounts managed by a portfolio manager may include sub-accounts of asset allocation, multi-managed, and other accounts.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2060 Fund.

The portfolio managers of the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2065 Fund are Daniel Oldroyd and Silvia Trillo.

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---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed\*** | **Total Assets\***  | **Number of <br>Accounts <br>Managed for <br>which Advisory <br>Fee is <br>Performance- <br>Based\*** | **Total Assets\***  |
| **Daniel Oldroyd**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 31 | $40,271.90 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |
| **Silvia Trillo**  |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\*  | 32 | $40,470.90 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles  | 40 | $45,648.72 million  | 0 | $0  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts  | 0 | $0  | 0 | $0  |

---

\* <br>

The information provided is as of September 30, 2022. The total value and number of accounts managed by a portfolio manager may include sub-accounts of asset allocation, multi-managed, and other accounts.

\*\* <br>

Does not include the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2065 Fund.

#### Ownership of Securities:
As of September 30, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Funds.

#### Conflicts of Interest:
The potential for conflicts of interest exists when portfolio managers manage other accounts with similar investment objectives and strategies as the Fund ("Similar Accounts"). Potential conflicts may include, for example, conflicts between investment strategies and conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities. Responsibility for managing J.P. Morgan's and its affiliates' clients' portfolios is organized according to investment strategies within asset classes. Generally, client portfolios with similar strategies are managed by portfolio managers in the same portfolio management group using the same objectives, approach and philosophy. Underlying sectors or strategy allocations within a larger portfolio are likewise managed by portfolio managers who use the same approach and philosophy as similarly managed portfolios. Therefore, portfolio holdings, relative position sizes and industry and sector exposures tend to be similar across similar portfolios and strategies, which minimizes the potential for conflicts of interest.

J.P. Morgan and/or its affiliates ("JPMorgan Chase") perform investment services, including rendering investment advice, to varied clients. J.P. Morgan, JPMorgan Chase and its or their directors, officers, agents, and/or employees may render similar or differing investment advisory services to clients and may give advice or exercise investment responsibility and take such other action with respect to any of its other clients that differs from the advice given or the timing or nature of action taken with respect to another client or group of clients. It is J.P. Morgan's policy, to the extent practicable, to allocate, within its reasonable discretion, investment opportunities among clients over a period of time on a fair and equitable basis. One or more of J.P. Morgan's other client accounts may at any time hold, acquire, increase, decrease, dispose, or otherwise deal with positions in investments in which another client account may have an interest from time-to-time.

J.P. Morgan, JPMorgan Chase, and any of its or their directors, partners, officers, agents or employees, may also buy, sell, or trade securities for their own accounts or the proprietary accounts of J.P. Morgan and/or JPMorgan Chase. J.P. Morgan and/or JPMorgan Chase, within their discretion, may make different investment decisions and other actions with respect to their own proprietary accounts than those made for client accounts, including the timing or nature of such investment decisions or actions. Further, J.P. Morgan is not required to purchase or sell for any client account securities that it, JPMorgan Chase, and any of its or their employees, principals, or agents may purchase or sell for their own accounts or the proprietary accounts of J.P. Morgan, or JPMorgan Chase or its clients. J.P. Morgan and/or its affiliates may receive more compensation with respect to certain Similar Accounts than that received with respect to the Fund or may receive compensation based in part on the performance of certain Similar Accounts. This may create a potential conflict of interest for J.P. Morgan and its affiliates or the portfolio managers by providing an incentive to favor these Similar Accounts when, for example, placing securities transactions. In addition, J.P. Morgan or its affiliates could be viewed as having a conflict of

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interest to the extent that J.P. Morgan or an affiliate has a proprietary investment in Similar Accounts, the portfolio managers have personal investments in Similar Accounts or the Similar Accounts are investment options in J.P. Morgan's or its affiliates' employee benefit plans. Potential conflicts of interest may arise with both the aggregation and allocation of securities transactions and allocation of investment opportunities because of market factors or investment restrictions imposed upon J.P. Morgan and its affiliates by law, regulation, contract or internal policies. Allocations of aggregated trades, particularly trade orders that were only partially completed due to limited availability and allocation of investment opportunities generally, could raise a potential conflict of interest, as J.P. Morgan or its affiliates may have an incentive to allocate securities that are expected to increase in value to favored accounts. Initial public offerings, in particular, are frequently of very limited availability. J.P. Morgan and its affiliates may be perceived as causing accounts they manage to participate in an offering to increase J.P. Morgan's and its affiliates' overall allocation of securities in that offering.

A potential conflict of interest also may be perceived to arise if transactions in one account closely follow related transactions in a different account, such as when a purchase increases the value of securities previously purchased by another account, or when a sale in one account lowers the sale price received in a sale by a second account. If J.P. Morgan or its affiliates manage accounts that engage in short sales of securities of the type in which the Fund invests, J.P. Morgan or its affiliates could be seen as harming the performance of the Fund for the benefit of the accounts engaging in short sales if the short sales cause the market value of the securities to fall.

As an internal policy matter, J.P. Morgan or its affiliates may from time to time maintain certain overall investment limitations on the securities positions or positions in other financial instruments J.P. Morgan or its affiliates will take on behalf of its various clients due to, among other things, liquidity concerns and regulatory restrictions. Such policies may preclude the Fund from purchasing particular securities or financial instruments, even if such securities or financial instruments would otherwise meet the Fund's objectives.

The goal of J.P. Morgan and its affiliates is to meet their fiduciary obligation with respect to all clients. J.P. Morgan and its affiliates have policies and procedures that seek to manage conflicts. J.P. Morgan and its affiliates monitor a variety of areas, including compliance with fund guidelines, review of allocation decisions and compliance with J.P. Morgan's Codes of Ethics and JPMorgan Chase and Co.'s Code of Conduct. With respect to the allocation of investment opportunities, J.P. Morgan and its affiliates also have certain policies designed to achieve fair and equitable allocation of investment opportunities among its clients over time. For example: Orders for the same equity security traded through a single trading desk or system are aggregated on a continual basis throughout each trading day consistent with J.P. Morgan's and its affiliates' duty of best execution for their clients. If aggregated trades are fully executed, accounts participating in the trade will be allocated their pro rata share on an average price basis. Partially completed orders generally will be allocated among the participating accounts on a pro-rata average price basis, subject to certain limited exceptions. For example, accounts that would receive a de minimis allocation relative to their size may be excluded from the order. Another exception may occur when thin markets or price volatility require that an aggregated order be completed in multiple executions over several days. If partial completion of the order would result in an uneconomic allocation to an account due to fixed transaction or custody costs, J.P. Morgan and its affiliates may exclude small orders until 50% of the total order is completed. Then the small orders will be executed. Following this procedure, small orders will lag in the early execution of the order, but will be completed before completion of the total order.

Purchases of money market instruments and fixed income securities cannot always be allocated pro-rata across the accounts with the same investment strategy and objective. However, J.P. Morgan and its affiliates attempt to mitigate any potential unfairness by basing non-pro rata allocations traded through a single trading desk or system upon objective predetermined criteria for the selection of investments and a disciplined process for allocating securities with similar duration, credit quality and liquidity in the good faith judgment of J.P. Morgan or its affiliates so that fair and equitable allocation will occur over time.

#### Compensation:
The discussion below describes the portfolio managers' compensation as of September 30, 2022.

J.P. Morgan's compensation programs are designed to align the behavior of employees with the achievement of its short- and long-term strategic goals, which revolve around client investment objectives. This is accomplished, in part, through a balanced performance assessment process and total compensation program, as well as a clearly defined culture that rigorously and consistently promotes adherence to the highest ethical standards.

In determining portfolio manager compensation, J.P. Morgan uses a balanced discretionary approach to assess performance against four broad categories: (1) business results; (2) risk and control; (3) customers and clients; and (4) people and leadership.

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These performance categories consider short-, medium- and long-term goals that drive sustained value for clients, while accounting for risk and control objectives. Specifically, portfolio manager performance is evaluated against various factors including the following: (1) blended pre-tax investment performance relative to competitive indices, generally weighted more to the long-term; (2) individual contribution relative to the client's risk/return objectives; and (3) adherence with J.P. Morgan's compliance, risk and regulatory procedures.

Feedback from J.P. Morgan's risk and control professionals is considered in assessing performance.

J.P. Morgan maintains a balanced total compensation program comprised of a mix of fixed compensation (including a competitive base salary and, for certain employees, a fixed cash allowance), variable compensation in the form of cash incentives, and long-term incentives in the form of equity based and/or fund-tracking incentives that vest over time. Long-term awards comprise up to 60% of overall incentive compensation, depending on an employee's pay level.

Long-term awards are generally in the form of time-vested JPMC Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs"). However, portfolio managers are subject to a mandatory deferral of long-term incentive compensation under J.P. Morgan's Mandatory Investor Plan ("MIP"). The MIP provides for a rate of return equal to that of the fund(s) that the portfolio managers manage, thereby aligning portfolio manager's pay with that of their client's experience/return. 100% of the portfolio manager's long-term incentive compensation is eligible for MIP with 50% allocated to the specific fund(s) they manage, as determined by their respective manager. The remaining portion of the overall amount is electable and may be treated as if invested in any of the other funds available in the plan or can take the form of RSUs.

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#### APPENDIX D—DESCRIPTION OF UNDERLYING FUNDS
The summaries below are based solely on information contained in the prospectuses of each Underlying Fund, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as of a recent date. These summaries are for convenient reference only and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the current prospectuses and statements of additional information of each Underlying Fund. Further information about each Underlying Fund, including a copy of an Underlying Fund's most recent prospectus, SAI, and annual and semi-annual reports, can be found on the SEC's EDGAR database on its Internet site at http://www.sec.gov or can be obtained free of charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-309-3539.

#### U.S. Large Cap Equity Funds

#### MassMutual Fundamental Value Fund
*Subadvised by: Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc. and Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC<br>(Underlying Fund for all Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
The Fund seeks long-term total return.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of issuers that the Fund's subadvisers believe are undervalued. The Fund is managed by two subadvisers, *Boston Partners Global Investors, Inc.* ("Boston Partners") and *Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC* ("Barrow Hanley"), each being responsible for a portion of the portfolio, although they may manage different amounts of the Fund's assets. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities. Equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common or preferred stocks, rights, and warrants. Although the Fund may invest in companies of any size, the Fund will tend to focus on companies with large market capitalizations (which the Fund's subadvisers believe are generally above $1 billion). The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in the securities of foreign issuers and American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), including emerging market securities. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, including securities that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale. The Fund may participate as a purchaser in initial public offerings of securities ("IPOs"). An IPO is a company's first offering of stock to the public. The Fund may at times have significant exposure to one or more industries or sectors. The Fund may hold a portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents.

#### MassMutual Diversified Value Fund
*Subadvised by: T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC<br>(Underlying Fund for all Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
This Fund seeks to achieve long-term growth of capital and income by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities of larger, well-established companies.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests primarily in stocks of companies that the subadvisers believe are undervalued in the marketplace. While the Fund does not limit its investments to issuers in a particular capitalization range, the subadvisers currently focus on securities of larger size companies. The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in stocks, securities convertible into stocks, and other securities, such as warrants and stock rights, whose value is based on stock prices. The Fund typically invests most of its assets in securities of U.S. companies, but may invest up to 25% of its total assets in foreign securities and American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), including emerging market securities. The Fund may use futures contracts for hedging or investment purposes as a substitute for investing directly in securities. Use of derivatives by the Fund may create investment leverage. The Fund is managed by two subadvisers, *T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.* ("T. Rowe Price") and *Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC* ("Brandywine Global"), each being responsible for a portion of the portfolio, although they may manage different amounts of the Fund's assets. The Fund may at times have significant exposure to one or more industries or sectors. The Fund may hold a portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents.

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#### MassMutual Equity Opportunities Fund
*Subadvised by: T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and Wellington Management Company LLP<br>(Underlying Fund for all Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
This Fund seeks growth of capital over the long-term.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of U.S. companies that the Fund's subadvisers believe are financially sound, valued conservatively by the market, and have improving prospects. The Fund is managed by two subadvisers, *T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.* ("T. Rowe Price") and *Wellington Management Company LLP* ("Wellington Management"), each being responsible for a portion of the portfolio, although they may manage different amounts of the Fund's assets. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities. Equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common or preferred stocks, rights, and warrants, of issuers of any size. The Fund typically invests most of its assets in equity securities of U.S. companies, but may invest in foreign securities and American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), including emerging market securities. The Fund generally will not invest more than 30% of its total assets in foreign securities. The Fund may use futures contracts for hedging or investment purposes as a substitute for investing directly in securities. Use of derivatives by the Fund may create investment leverage. The Fund may at times have significant exposure to one or more industries or sectors. The Fund may hold a portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents.

#### MM Equity Asset Fund
*Subadvised by: J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. <br>(Underlying Fund for all Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to provide a consistently high total return from a broadly diversified portfolio of equity securities with risk characteristics similar to the Standard and Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index (S&P 500<sup>®</sup> Index<sup>\*</sup>).

#### Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities. Equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common or preferred stocks, rights, and warrants. The Fund typically invests most of its assets in the common stocks of U.S. companies in the S&P 500 Index (the "Index"). The Fund may also invest in securities not included within the Index. As of December 31, 2022, the market capitalization range of companies included in the Index was $3.56 billion to $2,066.94 billion. Sector by sector, the Fund's weightings are similar to those of the Index. Within each sector, the Fund's subadviser, *J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.* ("J.P. Morgan"), modestly overweights equity securities that it considers undervalued or fairly valued while modestly underweighting or not holding equity securities that appear overvalued. By owning a large number of equity securities within the Index, with an emphasis on those that appear undervalued or fairly valued, the Fund seeks returns that modestly exceed those of the Index over the long term with a modest level of volatility as compared to the Index.

#### MassMutual Blue Chip Growth Fund
*Subadvised by: T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P.<br>(Underlying Fund for all Funds)* 

<sup>\*</sup> <br>

The "S&P 500 Index" is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or its affiliates ("SPDJI"), and has been licensed for use by MassMutual. S&P<sup>®</sup>, S&P 500<sup>®</sup>, US 500, The 500, iBoxx<sup>®</sup>, iTraxx<sup>®</sup> and CDX<sup>®</sup> are trademarks of S&P Global, Inc. or its affiliates ("S&P"); Dow Jones<sup>®</sup> is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC ("Dow Jones"); and these trademarks have been licensed for use by SPDJI and sublicensed for certain purposes by MassMutual. The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P, or their respective affiliates, and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the S&P 500 Index.

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#### Investment Objective
This Fund seeks growth of capital over the long term.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in the common stocks of large- and medium-sized blue chip growth companies. The Fund is managed by two subadvisers, each being responsible for a portion of the portfolio, although they may manage different amounts of the Fund's assets. The Fund's subadvisers, *T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.* ("T. Rowe Price") and *Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P.* ("Loomis Sayles"), currently define blue chip growth companies to mean firms that, in their view, are well-established in their industries and have the potential for above-average earnings growth. Equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common or preferred stock, rights, and warrants. While most assets will be invested in equity securities of U.S. companies, the Fund may also invest up to 20% of its total assets in foreign securities and American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), including emerging market securities. The Fund may at times have significant exposure to one or more industries or sectors. The Fund may hold a portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it may hold larger positions in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund.

#### MassMutual Growth Opportunities Fund
*Subadvised by: Sands Capital Management, LLC and Jackson Square Partners, LLC<br>(Underlying Fund for all Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
This Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
This Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in equity securities of U.S. companies that the Fund's subadvisers believe offer the potential for long-term growth. Under normal market conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities. Equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common or preferred stock, rights, and warrants. The Fund typically invests most of its assets in mid- and large-capitalization equity securities of U.S. companies, but may invest up to 20% of its total assets in foreign securities and American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), including emerging market securities. The Fund may at times have significant exposure to one or more industries or sectors. The Fund may hold a portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it may hold larger positions in a smaller number of issuers than a diversified fund.

#### JPMorgan Large Cap Value Fund
*Advised by: J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. <br>(Underlying Fund for all MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
The Fund seeks capital appreciation with the incidental goal of achieving current income by investing primarily in equity securities.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Fund's Assets will be invested in equity securities of large companies, including common stocks, and debt and preferred securities which are convertible to common stock. "Assets" means net assets, plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes. Large companies are companies with market capitalizations equal to those within the universe of the Russell 1000<sup>®</sup> Value Index at the time of purchase. As of September 30, 2022, the market capitalizations of the companies in the Russell 1000<sup>®</sup> Value Index ranged from $24.93 million to $481.26 billion. In implementing its main strategies, the Fund invests primarily in common stocks.

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#### U.S. Small/Mid Cap Equity Funds

#### MassMutual Mid Cap Value Fund
*Subadvised by: American Century Investment Management, Inc., PanAgora Asset Management, Inc., and Thompson, Siegel & Walmsley LLC <br>(Underlying Fund for all Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
This Fund seeks growth of capital over the long-term.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of mid-capitalization companies that the Fund's subadvisers believe are undervalued. The Fund is managed by three subadvisers, *American Century Investment Management, Inc.* ("American Century"), *PanAgora Asset Management, Inc.* ("PanAgora"), and *Thompson, Siegel & Walmsley LLC* ("TSW"), each being responsible for a portion of the portfolio, although they may manage different amounts of the Fund's assets. Equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common or preferred stock, stock futures contracts, stock index futures contracts, rights, and warrants. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in the stocks of mid-cap companies. The Fund's subadvisers currently define "mid-cap" companies as those whose market capitalizations at the time of purchase are within the market capitalization range of companies included in the Russell 1000<sup>®</sup> Index, excluding the largest 100 companies (as of December 31, 2022, between $306.43 million and $76.08 billion). The Fund's dollar-weighted average market capitalization is expected to fall within the market capitalization range of companies included in the Russell Midcap<sup>®</sup> Index (as of December 31, 2022, between $306.43 million and $52.82 billion). The Fund typically invests most of its assets in equity securities of U.S. companies, but may gain exposure to non-U.S. issuers, including emerging markets issuers, through the purchase of foreign securities and American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"). The Fund may also invest a portion of its assets in real estate investment trusts ("REITs"). The Fund may use futures contracts as a substitute for direct investments in equity securities. The Fund may but will not necessarily engage in foreign currency forward contracts to seek to hedge or to attempt to protect against adverse changes in currency exchange rates. Use of derivatives by the Fund may create investment leverage. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in debt securities of companies and debt obligations of governments and their agencies, and other similar securities. The Fund may at times have significant exposure to one or more industries or sectors. The Fund may hold a portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents.

#### Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund
*Advised by: The Vanguard Group, Inc. <br>(Underlying Fund for all Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of mid-capitalization stocks.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the CRSP US Mid Cap Index, a broadly diversified index of stocks of mid-size U.S. companies. The Fund attempts to replicate the target index by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the stocks that make up the Index, holding each stock in approximately the same proportion as its weighting in the Index.

#### MassMutual Mid Cap Growth Fund
*Subadvised by: T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and Frontier Capital Management Company, LLC<br>(Underlying Fund for all Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
This Fund seeks growth of capital over the long-term.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of mid-capitalization companies that the Fund's subadvisers believe offer the potential for long-term growth. The Fund is managed by two subadvisers, *T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.* ("T.

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Rowe Price") and *Frontier Capital Management Company, LLC* ("Frontier"), each being responsible for a portion of the portfolio, although they may manage different amounts of the Fund's assets. *T. Rowe Price Investment Management, Inc.* ("T. Rowe Price Investment Management") serves as sub-subadviser for the portion of the portfolio subadvised by T. Rowe Price. Equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common or preferred stock, rights, and warrants. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in a broadly diversified portfolio of common stocks of mid-cap companies whose earnings the Fund's subadvisers expect to grow at a faster rate than the average company. The Fund's subadvisers currently define "mid-cap" companies as those whose market capitalizations at the time of purchase fall within the market capitalization range of companies included in either the S&P MidCap 400<sup>®</sup> Index or the Russell Midcap<sup>®</sup> Growth Index (as of December 31, 2022, between $306.43 million and $52.82 billion). The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in stocks whose market capitalizations at the time of investment are outside of that capitalization range. The Fund typically invests most of its assets in equity securities of U.S. companies, but may invest in foreign securities and American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), including emerging market securities. The Fund generally will not invest more than 25% of its total assets in foreign securities. The Fund's investments may include holdings in privately held companies and companies that only recently began to trade publicly. The Fund may at times have significant exposure to one or more industries or sectors. The Fund may hold a portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents.

#### MassMutual Small Cap Value Equity Fund
*Subadvised by: Wellington Management Company LLP and Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC<br>(Underlying Fund for all Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
This Fund seeks to maximize total return through investment primarily in small capitalization equity securities.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests primarily in common stocks of small-capitalization companies that the Fund's subadvisers believe are undervalued. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of companies whose market capitalizations at the time of purchase are within the market capitalization range of companies included in the Russell 2000<sup>®</sup> Index or the S&P SmallCap 600 Index (as of December 31, 2022, between $6.07 million and $12.21 billion). Equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stock, rights, and warrants. The Fund typically invests most of its assets in U.S. companies, but may invest up to 20% of its total assets in foreign securities, including emerging market securities. The Fund may at times have significant exposure to one or more industries or sectors. The Fund may hold a portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents.

#### Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund
*Advised by: The Vanguard Group, Inc. <br>(Underlying Fund for all Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of small-capitalization stocks.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the CRSP US Small Cap Index, a broadly diversified index of stocks of small U.S. companies. The Fund attempts to replicate the target index by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the stocks that make up the Index, holding each stock in approximately the same proportion as its weighting in the Index.

#### MassMutual Small Cap Growth Equity Fund
*Subadvised by: Wellington Management Company LLP and Invesco Advisers, Inc.<br>(Underlying Fund for all Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
This Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

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#### Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests primarily in equity securities of smaller companies that the Fund's subadvisers believe offer potential for long-term growth. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in the equity securities of companies whose market capitalizations at the time of purchase are within the market capitalization range of companies included in the Russell 2000<sup>®</sup> Index or the S&P SmallCap 600 Index (as of December 31, 2022, between $6.07 million and $12.21 billion). Equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common or preferred stock, rights, and warrants. While most assets typically will be invested in common stocks of U.S. companies, the Fund also may invest up to 20% of its total assets in foreign securities, including emerging market securities. The Fund may at times have significant exposure to one or more industries or sectors. The Fund may hold a portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents.

#### REIT Funds

#### Invesco Real Estate Fund
*Advised by: Invesco Advisers, Inc. <br>(Underlying Fund for all MassMutual Target Allocation Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
The Fund's investment objective is total return through growth of capital and current income.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in securities of real estate and real estate-related issuers, and in derivatives and other instruments that have economic characteristics similar to such securities. The Fund invests primarily in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and equity securities, including common and preferred stocks and convertible securities.

#### Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund
*Advised by: The Vanguard Group, Inc. <br>(Underlying Fund for all MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to provide a high level of income and moderate long-term capital appreciation by tracking the performance of a benchmark index that measures the performance of publicly traded equity REITs and other real estate-related investments.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the MSCI US Investable Market Real Estate 25/50 Index, an index that is made up of stocks of large, mid-size, and small U.S. companies within the real estate sector, as classified under the Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS). The GICS real estate sector is composed of equity real estate investment trusts (known as REITs), which include specialized REITs, and real estate management and development companies.

#### International Equity Funds

#### MassMutual Overseas Fund
*Subadvised by: Massachusetts Financial Services Company and Harris Associates L.P.<br>(Underlying Fund for all Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
The Fund seeks growth of capital over the long-term by investing in foreign equity securities.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in stocks of foreign companies, including companies located in Europe, Latin America, and Asia. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in equity securities of issuers in emerging markets. Equity securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common or preferred stocks, depositary receipts,

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rights and warrants, of issuers of any size. The Fund may but will not necessarily engage in foreign currency forward contracts to seek to hedge or to attempt to protect against adverse changes in currency exchange rates. The Fund may use futures contracts as a substitute for direct investments. Use of derivatives by the Fund may create investment leverage. The Fund may at times have significant exposure to one or more industries or sectors. The Fund may hold a portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents.

#### MassMutual International Equity Fund
*Subadvised by: Wellington Management Company LLP and Thompson, Siegel & Walmsley LLC<br>(Underlying Fund for all Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
This Fund seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in common stock of foreign companies.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests primarily in the common stock of companies that are domiciled or that have their primary operations outside of the United States. The Fund is managed by two subadvisers, *Wellington Management Company LLP* ("Wellington Management") and *Thompson, Siegel & Walmsley LLC* ("TSW"), each being responsible for a portion of the portfolio, although they may manage different amounts of the Fund's assets. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in securities of foreign companies. The Fund may invest up to 100% of its total assets in such securities. The Fund may invest in emerging markets as well as in developed markets throughout the world. From time to time, the Fund may place greater emphasis on investing in one or more particular regions (such as Asia, Europe, or Latin America). Under normal market conditions, the Fund will:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • invest at least 65% of its total assets in common and preferred stocks of issuers in at least three different countries outside of the United States, and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • emphasize investments in common stock of issuers that a subadviser believes to have good prospects for growth and/or to be undervalued.

#### Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund
*Advised by: The Vanguard Group, Inc. <br>(Underlying Fund for all Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of stocks issued by companies located in Canada and the major markets of Europe and the Pacific region.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, a market-capitalization-weighted index that as of December 31, 2021 is made up of approximately 4,022 common stocks of large-, mid-, and small-cap companies located in Canada and the major markets of Europe and the Pacific region. The Fund attempts to replicate the target index by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the stocks that make up the Index, holding each stock in approximately the same proportion as its weighting in the Index.

#### Emerging Markets Equity Funds

#### MassMutual Strategic Emerging Markets Fund
*Subadvised by: Invesco Advisers, Inc. <br>(Underlying Fund for all Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
The Fund seeks long-term capital growth.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund mainly invests in common stocks of issuers in developing and emerging markets throughout the world and at times it may invest up to 100% of its total assets in foreign securities. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest

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at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in equity securities of issuers whose principal activities are in a developing (or emerging) market, i.e. are in a developing market or are economically tied to a developing market country. The Fund will invest in at least three developing markets. The Fund focuses on companies with above-average earnings growth. The Fund may at times have significant exposure to one or more industries or sectors. The Fund may hold a portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents.

#### Vanguard Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund
*Advised by: The Vanguard Group, Inc. <br>(Underlying Fund for all MassMutual Target Allocation Funds)*

#### Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of stocks issued by companies located in emerging market countries.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index. As of October 31, 2021, the FTSE Emerging Markets All Cap China A Inclusion Index is a market-capitalization-weighted index that is made up of approximately 4,284 common stocks of large-, mid-, and small-cap companies located in emerging markets around the world. The Fund invests by sampling the Index, meaning that it holds a broadly diversified collection of securities that, in the aggregate, approximates the Index in terms of key characteristics. These key characteristics include industry weightings and market capitalization, as well as certain financial measures, such as price/earnings ratio and dividend yield.

#### JPMorgan Emerging Markets Research Enhanced Equity Fund
*Advised by: J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. <br>(Underlying Fund for all MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its Assets in equity securities and equity-related instruments that are tied economically to emerging markets. "Assets" means net assets, plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes. Emerging markets include most countries in the world except Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, most of the countries of Western Europe and Hong Kong.

The equity securities and equity-related instruments in which the Fund may invest include, but are not limited to, common stock, preferred stock, convertible securities, trust or partnership interests, depositary receipts, real estate investment trusts (REITS), privately placed securities, warrants and rights, participation notes or other structured notes, and other instruments that provide economic exposure to one or more equity securities. Certain of the equity securities in which the Fund invests are expected to be issued by companies that rely on variable interest entity ("VIE") structures. In implementing its strategy, the Fund seeks to construct a portfolio of long holdings that will outperform the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Emerging Markets Index (net of foreign withholding taxes)<sup>1</sup> (the Index) over time while maintaining similar risk characteristics, including sector and geographic risks. The Fund primarily invests in securities included within the universe of the Index, however, the Fund may also invest in securities not included within the Index or securities or instruments with similar economic characteristics.

The Fund may invest in securities across all market capitalizations, although the Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in companies of any one particular market capitalization category.

<sup>1</sup> The index is a registered service mark of Morgan Stanley Capital International, which does not sponsor and is in no way affiliated with the Fund.

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#### Commodities Funds

#### DFA Commodity Strategy Portfolio
*Advised by: Dimensional Fund Advisors LP <br>(Underlying Fund for all MassMutual Target Allocation Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
The investment objective of the DFA Commodity Strategy Portfolio (the "Portfolio") is to seek total return consisting of capital appreciation and current income.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
The Portfolio seeks to achieve its investment objective by generally investing in a universe of allowable commodity-linked derivative instruments and fixed income investment opportunities. The Portfolio gains exposure to commodities markets by investing in derivative instruments, such as structured notes whose principal and/or coupon payments are linked to commodities or commodity indices, in swap agreements, and/or in other commodity-linked instruments (such as futures contracts on individual commodities or commodity indices). The Portfolio may invest up to 25% of its total assets in Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd. (the "Subsidiary"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Portfolio formed in the Cayman Islands, which has the same investment objective as the Portfolio and has a strategy of investing in derivative instruments, such as commodity-linked swap agreements and other commodity-linked instruments, futures contracts on individual commodities or commodity indices, and options on these instruments. The Portfolio, directly and/or through its investment in the Subsidiary, expects to use such derivatives extensively as part of its investment strategy.

#### U.S. Fixed Income Funds

#### MassMutual Core Bond Fund
*Subadvised by: Barings LLC <br>(Underlying Fund for all Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
This Fund seeks to achieve a high total rate of return consistent with prudent investment risk and the preservation of capital by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of investment grade fixed income securities.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in investment grade fixed income securities (rated Baa3 or higher by Moody's, BBB- or higher by Standard & Poor's or the equivalent by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by the Fund's subadviser, *Barings LLC* ("Barings"), or sub-subadviser, *Baring International Investment Limited* ("BIIL")). These typically include U.S. dollar-denominated corporate obligations, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, U.S. and foreign issuer dollar-denominated bonds including, but not limited to, corporate obligations, government and agency issues, private placement bonds, securities subject to resale pursuant to Rule 144A, and mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities, including collateralized bond and loan obligations. In the event that a security is downgraded after its purchase by the Fund, the Fund may continue to hold the security if Barings or BIIL considers that doing so would be consistent with the Fund's investment objective.

#### MassMutual Short-Duration Bond Fund
*Subadvised by: Barings LLC <br>(Underlying Fund for all MassMutual Target Allocation Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
This Fund seeks to achieve a high total rate of return primarily from current income while minimizing fluctuations in capital values by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of short-term investment grade fixed income securities.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in investment grade fixed income securities (rated Baa3 or higher by Moody's, BBB- or higher by

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Standard & Poor's or the equivalent by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization, or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by the Fund's subadviser, *Barings LLC* ("Barings"), or sub-subadviser, *Baring International Investment Limited* ("BIIL")). These typically include U.S. dollar-denominated corporate obligations, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, U.S. and foreign issuer dollar-denominated bonds including, but not limited to, corporate obligations, government and agency issues, private placement bonds, securities subject to resale pursuant to Rule 144A, and mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities, including collateralized bond and loan obligations.

#### Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund
*Advised by: The Vanguard Group, Inc. <br>(Underlying Fund for all Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to track the performance of a broad, market-weighted bond index.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Float Adjusted Index. This Index measures the performance of a wide spectrum of public, investment-grade, taxable, fixed income securities in the United States — including government, corporate, and international dollar-denominated bonds, as well as mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities — all with maturities of more than 1 year.

#### Vanguard Long-Term Treasury Index Fund
*Advised by: The Vanguard Group, Inc. <br>(Underlying Fund for all MassMutual Target Allocation Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to track the performance of a market-weighted Treasury index with a long-term dollar-weighted average maturity.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the Bloomberg U.S. Long Treasury Index. This Index includes fixed income securities issued by the U.S. Treasury (not including inflation-protected bonds, floating rate securities and certain other security types), with maturities greater than 10 years.

#### MassMutual Total Return Bond Fund
*Subadvised by: Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC <br>(Underlying Fund for all Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
This Fund seeks maximum total return, consistent with preservation of capital and prudent investment management.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in a diversified portfolio of investment grade fixed income securities (rated Baa3 or higher by Moody's, BBB- or higher by Standard & Poor's, BBB- or higher by Fitch, or A-2 by S&P, P-2 by Moody's, or F-2 by Fitch for short-term debt obligations, or, if unrated, determined by the Fund's subadviser, *Metropolitan West Asset Management, LLC* ("MetWest"), to be of comparable quality). These typically include bonds, notes, collateralized bond obligations, collateralized debt obligations, mortgage-related and asset-backed securities, municipal securities, private placements, and securities subject to legal restrictions on resale pursuant to Rule 144A. These investments may have interest rates that are fixed, variable, or floating. The Fund invests in securities of varying maturities issued by domestic and foreign corporations and governments (and their agencies and instrumentalities). MetWest focuses the Fund's portfolio holdings in areas of the bond market (based on quality, sector, coupon, or maturity) that the subadviser believes to be relatively undervalued.

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#### MassMutual Strategic Bond Fund
*Subadvised by: Western Asset Management Company, LLC, Western Asset Management Company Limited, and Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC <br>(Underlying Fund for all Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
This Fund seeks a superior total rate of return by investing in fixed income instruments.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in U.S. dollar-denominated fixed income securities and other debt instruments of domestic and foreign entities, including corporate bonds, securities issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, mortgage-backed securities, and money market instruments. The Fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities of these entities. The Fund may invest in emerging markets. The Fund may but will not necessarily engage in foreign currency transactions, including forward contracts, options on currency, futures contracts, and swap contracts, to attempt to seek to hedge or to protect against adverse changes in currency exchange rates. In pursuing its investment objective, the Fund may (but is not obligated to) use a wide variety of additional exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives, including futures contracts (for hedging purposes or to adjust various portfolio characteristics, including the duration (interest rate volatility) of the Fund's portfolio); interest rate swaps (for hedging purposes or to adjust various portfolio characteristics, including the duration (interest rate volatility) of the Fund's portfolio); credit default swaps (for hedging purposes, to earn additional income, or as a substitute for direct investments); and hybrid instruments (as a substitute for direct investments). The Fund may also purchase and sell exchange-traded and over-the-counter options for hedging purposes, to adjust various portfolio characteristics, including the duration (interest rate volatility) of the Fund's portfolio, or as a substitute for direct investments. Use of derivatives by the Fund may create investment leverage. The Fund may purchase and sell securities on a when-issued, delayed delivery, or forward commitment basis. The Fund may also invest in money market securities, including commercial paper. The Fund may at times have significant exposure to one or more industries or sectors. The Fund may hold a portion of its assets in cash or cash equivalents. The Fund is managed by three subadvisers, *Western Asset Management Company, LLC* ("Western Asset"), *Western Asset Management Company Limited* ("Western Asset Limited"), and *Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC* ("Brandywine Global"), each being responsible for a portion of the portfolio, although they may manage different amounts of the Fund's assets.

#### Inflation Managed Funds

#### MassMutual Inflation-Protected and Income Fund
*Subadvised by: Barings LLC*

*(Underlying Fund for all Funds except for the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2035, 2040, 2045, 2050, 2055, 2060, and 2065 Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
This Fund seeks to achieve as high a total rate of real return on an annual basis as is considered consistent with prudent investment risk and the preservation of capital.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in inflation-indexed bonds and other income-producing securities. Inflation-indexed bonds are instruments indexed or otherwise linked to general measures of inflation because their principal is typically adjusted to reflect general movements of inflation in the country of issue. The Fund may invest in securities of any maturity. The Fund may invest in inflation-indexed bonds issued by the U.S. and non-U.S. governments or their agencies or instrumentalities, by government-sponsored enterprises, or by corporations. The Fund expects to enter into total return swaps based on one or more inflation indexes or on inflation-indexed bonds or other inflation derivatives, as a substitute for purchasing certain inflation-indexed bonds or otherwise to adjust the inflation-sensitivity of the portfolio. Use of total return swaps will create leverage in the Fund.

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#### High Yield Funds

#### MassMutual High Yield Fund
*Subadvised by: Barings LLC <br>(Underlying Fund for all Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
This Fund seeks to achieve a high level of total return, with an emphasis on current income, by investing primarily in high yield debt and related securities.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests primarily in lower rated U.S. debt securities ("junk" or "high yield" bonds), including securities in default. Debt securities may include, for example, corporate bonds, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, and obligations of the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in lower rated fixed income securities (rated below Baa3 by Moody's, below BBB- by Standard & Poor's or the equivalent by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization (using the lower rating) or, if unrated, determined to be of below investment grade quality by the Fund's subadviser, *Barings LLC* ("Barings"), or sub-subadviser, *Baring International Investment Limited* ("BIIL")). The Fund may also invest in convertible securities, preferred stocks, warrants, bank loans, and other fixed income securities, including Rule 144A securities, of both U.S. and foreign issuers. Currently, Barings or BIIL does not expect that the Fund will invest more than 20% of its total assets in bank loans. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in securities that are not denominated in U.S. dollars including, but not limited to, corporate bonds, government and agency issues, Rule 144A securities, convertible securities, bank loans, mortgage-backed, and asset-backed securities.

#### MassMutual Global Floating Rate Fund
*Subdvised by: Barings LLC*

*(Underlying Fund for all Funds except for the MM RetireSMART by JPMorgan 2030, 2035, 2040, 2045, 2050, 2055, 2060, and 2065 Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
The Fund seeks a high level of current income. Preservation of capital is a secondary goal.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in income-producing floating rate debt securities, consisting of floating rate loans, bonds, and notes, issued primarily by North American and Western European companies. For this purpose, debt instruments issued by issuers based in the Channel Islands, Cayman Islands, and Bermuda are considered North American and Western European companies. Such instruments are primarily, at the time of purchase, rated below investment grade ("junk" or "high yield") by at least one credit rating agency (below Baa3 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or below BBB- by either S&P Global Ratings, a subsidiary of S&P Global, or Fitch Ratings, Inc.) or, if unrated, determined to be of comparable quality by the Fund's subadviser, *Barings LLC* ("Barings"), or sub-subadviser, *Baring International Investment Limited* ("BIIL").

#### Emerging Markets Debt Funds

#### JPMorgan Emerging Markets Debt Fund
*Advised by: J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. <br>(Underlying Fund for all MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
The Fund's goal is to provide high total return from a portfolio of fixed income securities of emerging markets issuers.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of the value of its Assets in emerging market debt investments. "Assets" means net assets, plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes. The Fund invests primarily in debt securities that it believes have the potential to provide a high total return from countries whose economies or bond markets are less developed (emerging markets). This designation currently includes most countries in the world except

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Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the U.S., the United Kingdom and most western European countries. The Fund invests in sovereign debt securities. Sovereign debt securities are securities that are issued or guaranteed by foreign sovereign governments or their agencies, authorities or political subdivisions or instrumentalities, and supranational agencies. The Fund may also invest in debt securities issued or guaranteed by foreign corporations and foreign financial institutions.

#### International Bond Funds

#### Invesco International Bond Fund
*Advised by: Invesco Advisers, Inc. <br>(Underlying Fund for all MassMutual Target Allocation Funds)* 

#### Investment Objective
The Fund's investment objective is to seek total return.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests mainly in debt securities of foreign government and corporate issuers. The Fund can invest in various types of debt securities, generally referred to as "bonds," including government bonds, corporate debt obligations, "structured" notes, participation interests in loans, "zero coupon" or "stripped" securities, certain mortgage-related securities or asset-backed securities and other debt obligations.

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#### Money Market Funds/Cash and Cash Equivalents

#### JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund
*Advised by: J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. <br>(Underlying Fund for all MassMutual RetireSMART by JPMorgan Funds)*

#### Investment Objective
The Fund seeks high current income with liquidity and stability of principal.

#### Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal conditions, the Fund invests its assets exclusively in:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • debt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, or by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities or Government-Sponsored Enterprises ("GSEs"), and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • repurchase agreements fully collateralized by U.S. Treasury and U.S. government securities.

The Fund is a money market fund managed in the following manner:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The Fund seeks to maintain a net asset value ("NAV") of $1.00 per share.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The dollar-weighted average maturity of the Fund will be 60 days or less and the dollar-weighted average life to maturity will be 120 days or less.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The Fund will only buy securities that have remaining maturities of 397 days or less or securities otherwise permitted to be purchased because of maturity shortening provisions under applicable regulation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The Fund invests only in U.S. dollar-denominated securities.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; • The Fund seeks to invest in securities that present minimal credit risk.

The Fund may invest significantly in securities with floating or variable rates of interest. Their yields will vary as interest rates change. The Fund will generally hold a portion of its assets in cash, primarily to meet redemptions.

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