# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001317146
**File Stem:** 0001133228-26-007243
**Filing Date:** 2026-4
**Character Count:** 746308
**Document Hash:** 4d7ef4c1b0a7753fba6a7189fbcaf5b4
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001133228-26-007243.hdr.sgml**: 20260429

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001133228-26-007243

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 497

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 1

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260429

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260429

**EFFECTIVENESS DATE**: 20260429

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** MML Series Investment Fund II
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001317146

**ORGANIZATION NAME:**
- **EIN:** 043557005
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** MA

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 497
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 333-122804
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26916941

**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

## Series and Classes Contracts Data

### MML VIP BlackRock® Balanced Fund (Series ID: S000003830)

---

|  |  |
|:---|:---|
| Class Name    | Class ID   |
| Initial Class | C000010686 |
| Service Class | C000067851 |

---

### MML VIP Franklin Templeton Equity Fund (Series ID: S000003832)

---

|  |  |
|:---|:---|
| Class Name    | Class ID   |
| Initial Class | C000010688 |
| Service Class | C000067853 |

---

### MML VIP Barings Inflation-Protected and Income Fund (Series ID: S000003833)

---

|  |  |
|:---|:---|
| Class Name    | Class ID   |
| Initial Class | C000010689 |
| Service Class | C000067854 |

---

### MML VIP Barings Core Bond Fund (Series ID: S000003834)

---

|  |  |
|:---|:---|
| Class Name    | Class ID   |
| Initial Class | C000010690 |
| Service Class | C000067855 |

---

### MML VIP Barings U.S. Government Money Market Fund (Series ID: S000003835)

---

|  |  |
|:---|:---|
| Class Name    | Class ID   |
| Initial Class | C000010691 |

---

### MML VIP Invesco Small Cap Equity Fund (Series ID: S000003836)

---

|  |  |
|:---|:---|
| Class Name    | Class ID   |
| Initial Class | C000010692 |
| Service Class | C000067857 |

---

### MML VIP Barings Short-Duration Bond Fund (Series ID: S000028330)

---

|  |  |
|:---|:---|
| Class Name      | Class ID   |
| Class II        | C000086554 |
| Service Class I | C000086555 |

---

### MML VIP BlackRock iShares® 60/40 Allocation Fund (Series ID: S000071681)

---

|  |  |
|:---|:---|
| Class Name      | Class ID   |
| Service Class I | C000227125 |
| Class II        | C000227126 |

---

### MML VIP BlackRock iShares® 80/20 Allocation Fund (Series ID: S000071682)

---

|  |  |
|:---|:---|
| Class Name      | Class ID   |
| Service Class I | C000227127 |
| Class II        | C000227128 |

---

### MML VIP Invesco Discovery Large Cap Fund (Series ID: S000091876)

---

|  |  |
|:---|:---|
| Class Name      | Class ID   |
| Service Class I | C000259725 |
| Class II        | C000259726 |

---

### MML VIP Invesco Discovery Mid Cap Fund (Series ID: S000091877)

---

|  |  |
|:---|:---|
| Class Name      | Class ID   |
| Service Class I | C000259727 |
| Class II        | C000259728 |

---

## Series and Classes Contracts Data

### MML VIP BlackRock® Balanced Fund (Series ID: S000003830)

| Class ID   | Class Name    | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010686 | Initial Class |  |
| C000067851 | Service Class |  |

### MML VIP Franklin Templeton Equity Fund (Series ID: S000003832)

| Class ID   | Class Name    | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010688 | Initial Class |  |
| C000067853 | Service Class |  |

### MML VIP Barings Inflation-Protected and Income Fund (Series ID: S000003833)

| Class ID   | Class Name    | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010689 | Initial Class |  |
| C000067854 | Service Class |  |

### MML VIP Barings Core Bond Fund (Series ID: S000003834)

| Class ID   | Class Name    | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010690 | Initial Class |  |
| C000067855 | Service Class |  |

### MML VIP Barings U.S. Government Money Market Fund (Series ID: S000003835)

| Class ID   | Class Name    | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010691 | Initial Class |  |

### MML VIP Invesco Small Cap Equity Fund (Series ID: S000003836)

| Class ID   | Class Name    | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000010692 | Initial Class |  |
| C000067857 | Service Class |  |

### MML VIP Barings Short-Duration Bond Fund (Series ID: S000028330)

| Class ID   | Class Name      | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000086554 | Class II        |  |
| C000086555 | Service Class I |  |

### MML VIP BlackRock iShares® 60/40 Allocation Fund (Series ID: S000071681)

| Class ID   | Class Name      | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000227125 | Service Class I |  |
| C000227126 | Class II        |  |

### MML VIP BlackRock iShares® 80/20 Allocation Fund (Series ID: S000071682)

| Class ID   | Class Name      | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000227127 | Service Class I |  |
| C000227128 | Class II        |  |

### MML VIP Invesco Discovery Large Cap Fund (Series ID: S000091876)

| Class ID   | Class Name      | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000259725 | Service Class I |  |
| C000259726 | Class II        |  |

### MML VIP Invesco Discovery Mid Cap Fund (Series ID: S000091877)

| Class ID   | Class Name      | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000259727 | Service Class I |  |
| C000259728 | Class II        |  |

**MML SERIES INVESTMENT FUND II**<br>**1295 STATE STREET**<br>**SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 01111-0001**<br>**STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION**

THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ("SAI") IS NOT A PROSPECTUS. IT SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FUNDS' PROSPECTUS DATED APRIL 24, 2026, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME (THE "PROSPECTUS"). THIS SAI INCORPORATES HEREIN THE FUNDS' AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025 FROM THE FUNDS' FORM N-CSR FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025. THE FUNDS' PROSPECTUS, SHAREHOLDER REPORTS, AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER INFORMATION ARE AVAILABLE WITHOUT CHARGE, UPON REQUEST, BY CALLING 1-888-309-3539, BY SENDING AN EMAIL REQUEST TO FUNDINFO@MASSMUTUAL.COM, OR BY VISITING MASSMUTUAL'S WEBSITE AT HTTPS://WWW.MASSMUTUAL.COM/PRODUCT-PERFORMANCE/VARIABLE-INSURANCE-FUNDS OR THE SEC'S WEBSITE AT HTTPS://WWW.SEC.GOV.

This SAI relates to the following Funds:

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

---

| |
|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; •  MML VIP Barings Core Bond Fund  |
| &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; Initial Class |
| &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; Service Class |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; •  MML VIP Barings Inflation-Protected and Income Fund |
| &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; Initial Class |
| &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; Service Class |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; •  MML VIP Barings Short-Duration Bond Fund |
| &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; Class II |
| &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; Service Class I |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; •  MML VIP Barings U.S. Government Money Market Fund |
| &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; Initial Class |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; •  MML VIP BlackRock<sup>®</sup> Balanced Fund |
| &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; Initial Class |
| &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; Service Class |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; •  MML VIP BlackRock iShares<sup>®</sup> 60/40 Allocation Fund |
| &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; Class II |
| &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; Service Class I  |

---

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

---

| |
|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; •  MML VIP BlackRock iShares<sup>®</sup> 80/20 Allocation Fund |
| &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; Class II |
| &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; Service Class I |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; •  MML VIP Franklin Templeton Equity Fund |
| &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; Initial Class |
| &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; Service Class |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; •  MML VIP Invesco Discovery Large Cap Fund |
| &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; Class II |
| &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; Service Class I |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; •  MML VIP Invesco Discovery Mid Cap Fund |
| &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; Class II |
| &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; Service Class I |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; •  MML VIP Invesco Small Cap Equity Fund |
| &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; Initial Class |
| &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; Service Class |

---

Dated April 24, 2026

------

**TABLE OF CONTENTs**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
|  | **Page** |
| [General Information .........................................................................](#chapter_2_906) | [B-3](#chapter_2_906) |
| [Additional Investment Policies .................................................................](#chapter_3_906) | [B-3](#chapter_3_906) |
| [Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings ...............................................................](#chapter_4_906) | [B-53](#chapter_4_906) |
| [Investment Restrictions of the Funds ...........................................................](#chapter_5_906) | [B-55](#chapter_5_906) |
| [Management of the Trust .....................................................................](#chapter_6_906) | [B-56](#chapter_6_906) |
| [Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities ...............................................](#chapter_7_906) | [B-67](#chapter_7_906) |
| [Investment Advisory and Other Service Agreements ...............................................](#chapter_8_906) | [B-67](#chapter_8_906) |
| [The Distributor .............................................................................](#chapter_9_906) | [B-72](#chapter_9_906) |
| [Distribution and Services Plan .................................................................](#chapter_10_906) | [B-72](#chapter_10_906) |
| [Custodian ..................................................................................](#chapter_11_906) | [B-73](#chapter_11_906) |
| [Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm ..................................................](#chapter_12_906) | [B-74](#chapter_12_906) |
| [Legal Counsel ...............................................................................](#chapter_13_906) | [B-74](#chapter_13_906) |
| [Codes of Ethics .............................................................................](#chapter_14_906) | [B-74](#chapter_14_906) |
| [Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage ...........................................................](#chapter_15_906) | [B-74](#chapter_15_906) |
| [Description of Shares ........................................................................](#chapter_16_906) | [B-77](#chapter_16_906) |
| [Securities Lending ...........................................................................](#chapter_17_906) | [B-79](#chapter_17_906) |
| [Purchase, Redemption, and Pricing of Securities Being Offered ......................................](#chapter_18_906) | [B-80](#chapter_18_906) |
| [Taxation ...................................................................................](#chapter_19_906) | [B-83](#chapter_19_906) |
| [Certain Accounting Information ...............................................................](#chapter_20_906) | [B-87](#chapter_20_906) |
| [Financial Statements .........................................................................](#chapter_21_906) | [B-87](#chapter_21_906) |
| [Appendix A—Description of Securities Ratings ..................................................](#chapter_22_906) | [B-88](#chapter_22_906) |
| [Appendix B—Proxy Voting Policies .............................................................](#chapter_23_906) | [B-92](#chapter_23_906) |
| [Appendix C—Additional Portfolio Manager Information ..........................................](#chapter_24_906) | [B-123](#chapter_24_906) |
| [Appendix D—Description of Underlying ETFs of 60/40 Allocation Fund, 80/20 Allocation Fund, and Balanced Fund .................................................................................](#chapter_25_906) | [B-140](#chapter_25_906) |

---

------

**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 February 8, 2005, which was amended and restated as of February 28, 2005 and December 15, 2011, as it may be further amended from time to time (the "Declaration of Trust"). The Trust makes shares of the Funds available for the investment of assets of various separate investment accounts established by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company ("MassMutual") and by its life insurance company subsidiaries, including MML Bay State Life Insurance Company ("MML Bay State") and C.M. Life Insurance Company ("C.M. Life"). Shares of the Funds are offered solely to separate investment accounts established by MassMutual, its life insurance company subsidiaries, and the MML VIP Allocation Funds, which are "funds of funds" series of MML Series Investment Fund, an open-end management investment company.

MML Investment Advisers, LLC ("MML Advisers") is responsible for providing investment advisory, management, and administrative services for the Funds pursuant to investment management and administrative and shareholder services agreements. MML Advisers has entered into investment subadvisory agreements pursuant to which Barings LLC ("Barings"), an indirect subsidiary of MassMutual, manages the investment of the assets of the Core Bond Fund, Inflation-Protected and Income Fund, Short-Duration Bond Fund, and U.S. Government Money Market Fund; BlackRock Investment Management, LLC ("BlackRock") manages the investment of the assets of the Balanced Fund and has responsibility for placing, and overseeing the execution of, trades on behalf of the 60/40 Allocation Fund and 80/20 Allocation Fund; Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC ("Brandywine Global") manages the investment of the assets of the Equity Fund; Invesco Advisers, Inc. ("Invesco Advisers") manages the investment of the assets of the Discovery Large Cap Fund, Discovery Mid Cap Fund, and Small Cap Equity Fund. In addition, Baring International Investment Limited ("BIIL") serves as a sub-subadviser for the Core Bond Fund, Inflation-Protected and Income Fund, and Short-Duration Bond Fund. MML Advisers, Barings, BIIL, BlackRock, Brandywine Global, and Invesco Advisers 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 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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.

**60/40 Allocation Fund, 80/20 Allocation Fund, and Balanced Fund** 

Each of the 60/40 Allocation Fund, 80/20 Allocation Fund, and Balanced Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by allocating substantially all of its assets among exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") providing exposures to various asset classes. ETFs in which the Funds invest 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 a Fund, one or more underlying ETFs of the 60/40 Allocation Fund, 80/20 Allocation Fund, and Balanced Fund, or both.

***Disclaimer.*** iShares<sup>®</sup> and BlackRock<sup>®</sup> are registered trademarks of BlackRock Finance, Inc. and its affiliates and are used under license.

**Equity Fund**

***Disclaimer.*** Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC doing business as "Franklin Templeton" is part of the Franklin Templeton family of companies.

**U.S. Government Money Market Fund**

For so long as the U.S. Government Money Market Fund values its portfolio instruments on the basis of amortized cost (see "Purchase, Redemption, and Pricing of Securities Being Offered"), its investments are subject to portfolio maturity, portfolio quality, and portfolio diversification requirements imposed by Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The U.S. Government Money Market Fund must maintain a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of 60 days or less, generally must purchase instruments having remaining maturities of thirteen months (generally 397 days) or less, and must invest only in United States dollar-denominated securities determined to be of high quality with minimal credit risks.

The high quality debt instruments in which the U.S. Government Money Market Fund invests may not offer as high a yield as may be achieved from lower quality instruments having less safety. An investment in the U.S. Government Money Market Fund is not without risk. If the U.S. Government Money Market Fund disposes of an obligation prior to maturity, it may realize a loss or gain. An increase in interest rates will generally reduce the value of portfolio investments. In addition, investments are subject to the ability of the issuer to make payment at maturity. The U.S. Government Money Market Fund will reassess whether a particular security presents minimal credit risks in certain circumstances.

Certain money market instruments are available only in relatively large denominations, and others may carry higher yields if purchased in relatively large denominations. Also, the Fund's investment adviser and subadviser believe that an institutional purchaser of money market instruments who can invest relatively large sums on a regular basis may have investment opportunities that are not available to those who invest smaller sums less frequently. Certain of the U.S. Government Money Market Fund's investment restrictions limit the percentage of the Fund's assets that may be invested in certain industries or in securities of any issuer. Accordingly, if the Fund has relatively small net assets and net cash flow from sales and redemptions of shares, the Fund may be unable to invest in money market instruments paying the highest yield available at a particular time.

**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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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 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,

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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.

**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.)

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**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. 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.

***Recent Money Market Regulatory Reforms***. Changes in government regulations may adversely affect the value of a security held by a Fund. The SEC has adopted amendments to money market fund regulation that permit a money market fund to impose discretionary liquidity fees, increase the fund's daily and weekly liquid asset minimum requirements, and eliminate the ability of the fund to temporarily suspend redemptions due to declines in such fund's weekly liquid assets, among other changes. As of the date of this SAI, the Board has elected not to subject any applicable Fund to such discretionary liquidity fees. These changes may result in reduced yields for money market funds, including funds that may invest in other money market funds. The SEC or other regulators may adopt additional money market fund reforms, which may impact the structure and operation or performance of a Fund.

***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. 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

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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 or decline 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, war, trade embargoes, energy conservation, competition from substitute products, transportation bottlenecks or shortages, insufficient storage capacity, 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

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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 mobile devices and web-based or "cloud" applications, and the dependence on the Internet and 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, ransomware attacks, social engineering attempts (such as business email compromise attacks), 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. Any problems relating to the performance and effectiveness of security procedures used by a Fund or its service providers to protect a Fund's assets, such as algorithms, codes, passwords, multiple signature systems, encryption, and telephone call-backs, may have an adverse impact on an investment in a Fund. 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. Cyber security incidents and cyber-attacks have been occurring globally at a more frequent and severe level and will likely continue to increase in frequency in the future. The

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

rapid development and increasingly widespread use of new technologies, including machine learning technology and generative models, could exacerbate these risks. As a Fund's assets grow, it may become a more appealing target for cybersecurity threats such as hackers and malware. Furthermore, geopolitical tensions may have increased the scale and sophistication of deliberate cyber-attacks, particularly those from nation-states or from entities with nation-state backing.

*Artificial Intelligence.* Artificial intelligence refers to computer systems that can perform tasks that would otherwise require human intelligence and encompasses various different forms of artificial intelligence, including machine learning models. Artificial intelligence is typically designed to analyze data, learn from patterns and experiences, make decisions, and solve problems.

The Funds' investment adviser and subadvisers, as well as the Funds and the issuers in which they invest, service providers, and other market participants may use and/or expand use of artificial intelligence in connection with business, operating, and investment activities. Actual usage of such artificial intelligence, and users' policies related thereto (if any), will vary, and there is a risk of misuse of artificial intelligence technologies.

Artificial intelligence is highly reliant on the collection and analysis of large amounts of data and complex algorithms, but it is not possible nor practicable to incorporate all data that would be relevant for a task conducted by artificial intelligence. Therefore, it is possible that the information provided through use of artificial intelligence could be insufficient, incomplete, inaccurate, or biased leading to adverse effects for a Fund, including, potentially, operational errors and investment losses.

Artificial intelligence and its current and potential future applications, including in the investment and financial sectors, as well as the regulatory frameworks within which they operate, continue to rapidly evolve, and it is impossible to predict the full extent of future applications or regulations. Ongoing and future regulatory actions with respect to artificial intelligence generally or artificial intelligence's use in any industry in particular may alter, perhaps to a materially adverse extent, the ability of a Fund's investment adviser and subadviser, as well as the Fund or the issuers in which it invests, service providers, or other market participants to utilize artificial intelligence in the manner used to-date, and may have an adverse impact on the ability of a Fund's investment adviser and subadviser, as well as the Fund or the issuers in which it invests, service providers, or other market participants to continue to operate as intended.

**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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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); which exposes a Fund to increased counterparty credit risk, i.e., the ability and 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 is 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 and the United Kingdom (sometimes referred to as a "bail in").

A Fund may enter into cleared derivatives transactions and/or exchange-traded derivatives contracts. When a Fund enters into a cleared derivative transaction and/or an exchange-traded derivatives 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 increasingly fewer 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 by account class. 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 additional position limits and reporting requirements, daily price fluctuation limits for futures and options transactions, 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 adopted

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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 Rule 18f-4 remains unclear. Rule 18f-4, 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, certain foreign regulators, and many 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, U.S. federal position limits apply to swaps that are economically equivalent to futures contracts on certain agricultural, metals, and energy commodities. 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, unless an exemption applies. Thus, even if a Fund does not intend to exceed applicable position limits, it is possible that positions of 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 or their respective affiliates 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. A Fund may also be affected by other regimes, including those of the European Union and United Kingdom, and trading venues that impose position limits on commodity derivative contracts.

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 contemplate the purchase and sale 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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 sale 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 increased credit risk with respect to its counterparty, relative to foreign currency futures contracts that are traded on regulated exchanges. Because foreign currency forward contracts are private transactions between a Fund and its counterparty, the Fund will depend to a greater extent 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.

*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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

*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, 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 buy or sell a specified quantity of a financial instrument, such as a specific fixed income security, at a specified future time and 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.

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's exposure to futures contracts, options on such futures, commodity options and certain swaps may not exceed specified limits, 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, the investment

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

adviser may be required to register with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator with respect to such Fund and additional requirements, including CFTC and National Futures Association ("NFA")-mandated disclosure, reporting, and recordkeeping obligations, would apply with respect to that Fund. Compliance with such CFTC 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 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.

*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 (or a decrease in market value, in the case of a put option written by the Fund) 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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.

*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 security prices 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 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

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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. 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. 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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.

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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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.

*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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

*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 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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 index falls, the holder of a put warrant will be entitled to receive a cash payment from the issuer upon

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

***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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

***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, and liquidity risk.

*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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

***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.

Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") rules include mandatory margin requirements for the TBA market with limited exceptions. 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. It is not clear the full impact the rules will have on the Funds.

***Derivatives Limitations—***The policies limiting the use of Derivatives are non-fundamental policies established by the Funds' Board. The policies may be changed by the Board without obtaining shareholder approval. The Trust's current non-fundamental policies are the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. a Fund would not enter into a futures contract if, immediately after entering into the futures contract, more than 5% of the Fund's total assets would be committed to initial margin deposits on such contracts; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. a Fund will not purchase a put or call option on securities or investment related instruments if, as a result, more than 5% of its total assets would be attributable to premiums paid for such options.

**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:

• 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.

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

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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

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

• 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 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.

**Environmental, Social, and Governance Considerations**

With respect to certain Funds, certain environmental, social, and governance ("ESG") factors, either quantitative or qualitative, may be considered by a Fund's subadviser(s) in making investment decisions for the Fund as part of the investment process to implement the Fund's investment strategy in pursuit of its investment objective. For these Funds, ESG factors are only one of many considerations that a subadviser may evaluate for any potential issuer or investment. The extent to which any ESG factors will affect a subadviser's decision to invest in an issuer, if at all, will vary and depend on the analysis and judgment of the subadviser. The incorporation of ESG factors may not work as the subadviser intended.

A Fund's portfolio will not be solely based on ESG considerations, and therefore the issuers in which the Fund invests may not be considered ESG-focused companies. The incorporation of ESG factors into a Fund's investment process does not mean that every investment or potential investment undergoes an ESG review, and a Fund's investment adviser or subadviser may not consider or identify every ESG factor for every investment the Fund makes, particularly, for example, in cases where ESG-related data for a potential investment is unavailable.

ESG considerations may affect a Fund's exposure to certain issuers, industries, sectors, and factors that may impact the performance of a Fund. A Fund may forgo some market opportunities available to other funds that do not use these considerations, and an adviser or subadviser's consideration of ESG factors may also impact a Fund's performance relative to similar funds that do not consider ESG factors. A Fund may underperform other funds that do not assess an issuer's ESG factors or that use a different methodology to identify and/or incorporate ESG factors. There is no guarantee that the evaluation of ESG considerations will be additive to a Fund's performance.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

Investors and other funds may differ in their views of what constitutes positive or negative ESG factors. As a result, a Fund may invest in issuers that do not reflect the ESG-related beliefs and values of any particular investor and that would not be deemed to exhibit positive or favorable ESG characteristics if different metrics were used in the evaluation. ESG factors are expected to evolve over time, and one or more factors may not be relevant or material with respect to all issuers that are eligible for investment. In considering ESG factors, an adviser or subadviser may rely on proprietary research as well as third-party research, and such research may be incorrect, based on incomplete or inaccurate information, not sufficiently available, or subjective in nature, and thus could negatively affect the Fund's performance. Complete ESG-related information or data may not be available for many issuers.

**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. Events leading to limited liquidity, defaults, non-performance, or other adverse developments that affect the financial services industry, or concerns or rumors about any events of these kinds, have in the past and may in the future lead to market-wide liquidity problems, may spread to other industries, and could negatively affect the value and liquidity of a Fund's investments. Should such events occur, the U.S. Government may take measures to stabilize the financial system; however, uncertainty and liquidity concerns in the broader financial services industry may remain. Additionally, should there be additional systemic pressure on the financial system and capital markets, there can be no assurances of the response of any government or regulator, and any response may not be as favorable to industry participants as the measures currently being pursued. In addition, highly publicized issues related to the U.S. and global capital markets in the past have led to significant and widespread investor concerns over the integrity of the capital markets. Such events could in the future

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

lead to further rules and regulations for public companies, banks, financial institutions, and other participants in the U.S. and global capital markets, and complying with the requirements of any such rules or regulations may be burdensome. Even if not adopted, evaluating and responding to any such proposed rules or regulations could result in increased costs and require significant attention from a Fund's investment adviser and/or subadviser.

**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. Debt securities are subject to credit/counterparty risk. Credit/counterparty risk relates to the ability of the issuer to make payments of principal and interest and includes the risk of default. Sometimes, an issuer may make these payments from money raised through a variety of sources, including, with respect to issuers of municipal securities, (i) the issuer's general taxing power, (ii) a specific type of tax, such as a property tax, or (iii) a particular facility or project such as a highway. The ability of an issuer to make these payments could be affected by general economic conditions, issues specific to the issuer, litigation, legislation or other political events, the bankruptcy of the issuer, war, natural disasters, terrorism, or other major events. U.S. Government securities are not generally perceived to involve credit/counterparty risks to the same extent as investments in other types of fixed income securities; as a result, the yields available from U.S. Government securities are generally lower than the yields available from corporate and municipal debt 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

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

"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:

(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

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

(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. In addition, legislation passed in the U.S. could cause securities of a foreign issuer, including ADRs, to be delisted from U.S. stock exchanges if the issuer does not allow the U.S. Government to inspect or investigate the auditing of its financial information. Although the requirements of this legislation apply to securities of all foreign issuers, the U.S. Government has thus far limited its enforcement efforts to securities of Chinese companies. If securities are delisted, a Fund's ability to transact in such securities will be impaired, and the liquidity and market price of the securities may decline. The Fund may also need to seek other markets in which to transact in such securities, which could increase the Fund's costs.

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, including the threat of 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

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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. Unanticipated or sudden political or social developments may result in sudden and significant investment losses. For example, certain European countries, as well as China, have developed increasingly strained relationships with the U.S., and if these relations were to worsen, they could adversely affect European and Chinese issuers that rely on the U.S. for trade. Moreover, the national politics of countries in Europe have been unpredictable and subject to influence by disruptive political groups and ideologies, including for example, secessionist movements. The governments of European countries may be subject to change and such countries may experience social and political unrest. 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.

Some countries, including the U.S., have adopted more protectionist trade policies. The U.S. Government recently altered its approach to international trade policy, resulting in significant impacts on international trade relations, certain tax and immigration policies, and other aspects of the national and international political and financial landscape. The rise in protectionist trade policies, slowing economic growth, changes to some major international trade agreements, risks associated with trade agreements between the U.S. and the European Union, and the risks associated with trade negotiations between the U.S. and China, could affect the economies of many nations in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.

Global trade disruption, significant introductions of trade barriers, and bilateral trade frictions, together with any future downturns in the global economy resulting therefrom, could adversely affect the financial performance of a Fund and its investments. Trade policy may be an ongoing source of instability, potentially resulting in significant currency fluctuations and/or having other adverse effects on international markets, international trade agreements, and/or other existing cross-border cooperation arrangements (whether economic, tax, fiscal, legal, regulatory, or otherwise). To the extent trade disputes escalate globally, there could be additional significant impacts on the sectors or industries in which a Fund invests and other adverse impacts on a Fund's overall performance.

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

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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 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

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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. If securities are delisted, a Fund's ability to transact in such securities will be impaired, and the liquidity and market price of the securities may decline. A Fund may also need to seek other markets in which to transact in such securities, which could increase the Fund's costs.

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

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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. 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

***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 at any time and without notice. VIEs are a longstanding industry practice, and Chinese regulators have permitted such arrangements to proliferate. Historically, such arrangements have not been formally recognized under Chinese law and the Chinese government has never approved these structures; however, Chinese regulations regarding the structure are evolving. On February 17, 2023, the China Securities Regulatory Commission ("CRSC") released the "Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies" (the "Trial Measures") which came into effect on March 31, 2023. The Trial Measures will require Chinese companies that pursue listings outside of mainland China, including those that do so using the VIE structure, to make a filing with the CSRC. While the Trial Measures do not prohibit the use of VIE structures, this does not serve as a formal endorsement. It remains unclear whether any additional laws, rules, or regulations relating to VIE structures will be adopted or, if adopted, what impact they would have on the interests of foreign shareholders. However, 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 with little or no recourse available, 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

***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. The Independent Custody Model 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 Independent Custody Model 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 (5% of its total assets in the case of the U.S. Government Money Market Fund) 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

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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. 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 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**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 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

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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 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. Mortgage-backed securities are subject to the risk that underlying borrowers will be unable to meet their obligations and the value of property that secures the mortgage may decline in value and be insufficient, upon foreclosure, to repay the associated loan. There are fewer investors in

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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:

•  ***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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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.

•  ***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.

•  ***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.

•  ***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.

•  ***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 ETFs, traded on one or more national securities exchanges, as well as private investment vehicles. Each of the 60/40 Allocation Fund, 80/20 Allocation Fund, and Balanced Fund is a "funds-of-funds," which may invest within allowable regulatory limits in ETFs sponsored by BlackRock.

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. A Fund will generally purchase and sell shares of ETFs in the secondary market and will be subject to these secondary market trading risks. Unlike shares of a mutual

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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"). In addition, shares of ETFs may be purchased and sold in the secondary market at prevailing market prices. 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. Buying or selling ETF shares on an exchange involves two types of costs that apply to all securities transactions. When buying or selling shares of the ETF through a broker, a Fund will likely incur a brokerage commission and other charges. In addition, a Fund may incur the cost of the "bid-ask spread"; that is, the difference between what investors are willing to pay for ETF shares (the "bid" price) and the price at which they are willing to sell ETF shares (the "ask" price). The bid-ask spread, which varies over time for shares of the ETF based on trading volume and market liquidity, is generally narrower if the ETF has more trading volume and market liquidity and wider if the ETF has less trading volume and market liquidity. In addition, increased market volatility may cause wider bid-ask spreads.

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 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.

SEC Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act permits an investment company to invest in other investment companies beyond the statutory limits, subject to certain conditions.

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, 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**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.

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. Portfolio turnover rates are shown in the "Fees and Expenses of the Fund" and "Financial Highlights" sections of the Prospectus. See the "Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage" section 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 U.S. residential and commercial real estate markets may, in the future, experience and have, in the past, experienced a decline in value, with certain regions experiencing significant losses in property values. Direct or indirect exposure to such real estate may adversely affect Fund performance. 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.

**Reference Benchmark Related Investments**

The London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") had been used extensively in the U.S. and globally as a "benchmark" or "reference rate" for various commercial and financial contracts, including corporate and municipal bonds, bank loans, asset-backed and mortgage-related securities, interest rate swaps, and other derivatives. Instruments in which a Fund may have historically paid interest at floating rates based on LIBOR or may have been subject to interest caps or floors based on LIBOR. A Fund and issuers of instruments in which the Fund invests may have also historically obtained financing at floating rates based on LIBOR. In connection with the global transition away from LIBOR led by regulators and market participants as a result of benchmark reforms, LIBOR was last published on a representative basis at the end of June 2023. Alternative reference rates to LIBOR have been established in most major currencies and

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

markets, and these alternative rates are continuing to develop (e.g., the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") for USD-LIBOR). While the transition from LIBOR has gone relatively smoothly, residual risks associated with the transition may remain that may impact markets or particular investments and, as such, the full impact of the transition on a Fund or the financial instruments in which the Fund invests cannot yet be fully determined.

SOFR is intended to be a broad measure of the cost of borrowing funds overnight in transactions that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities. SOFR is calculated based on transaction-level repurchase agreement data collected from various sources. For each trading day, SOFR is calculated as a volume-weighted median rate derived from such data. SOFR is calculated and published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York ("FRBNY"). If data from a given source required by the FRBNY to calculate SOFR is unavailable for any day, then the most recently available data for that segment will be used, with certain adjustments. If errors are discovered in the transaction data or the calculations underlying SOFR after its initial publication on a given day, SOFR may be republished at a later time that day. Rate revisions will be effected only on the day of initial publication and will be republished only if the change in the rate exceeds one basis point.

Because SOFR is a financing rate based on overnight secured funding transactions, it differs fundamentally from LIBOR. LIBOR is intended to be an unsecured rate that represents interbank funding costs for different short-term maturities or tenors. It is a forward-looking rate reflecting expectations regarding interest rates for the applicable tenor. Thus, LIBOR is intended to be sensitive, in certain respects, to bank credit risk and to term interest rate risk. In contrast, SOFR is a secured overnight rate reflecting the credit of U.S. Treasury securities as collateral. Thus, it is largely insensitive to credit-risk considerations and to short-term interest rate risks. SOFR is a transaction-based rate, and it has been more volatile than other benchmark or market rates, such as three-month LIBOR, during certain periods. For these reasons, among others, there is no assurance that SOFR, or rates derived from SOFR, will perform in the same or similar way as LIBOR would have performed at any time, and there is no assurance that SOFR-based rates will be a suitable substitute for LIBOR. SOFR has a relatively limited history, having been first published in April 2018. The future performance of SOFR, and SOFR-based reference rates, cannot be predicted based on SOFR's history or otherwise. Levels of SOFR in the future may bear little or no relation to historical levels of SOFR, LIBOR or other rates. There can also be no assurance that SOFR will not be discontinued or fundamentally altered in a manner that is materially adverse to the interests of a Fund.

In addition, interest rates or other types of rates and indexes which are classed as "benchmarks" have been the subject of ongoing national and international regulatory reform, including under the European Union regulation on indexes used as benchmarks in financial instruments and financial contracts (known as the "Benchmarks Regulation"). The Benchmarks Regulation has been enacted into United Kingdom law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (as amended), subject to amendments made by the Benchmarks (Amendment and Transitional Provision) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/657) and other statutory instruments. Following the implementation of these reforms, the manner of administration of benchmarks has changed and may further change in the future, with the result that relevant benchmarks may perform differently than in the past, the use of benchmarks that are not compliant with the new standards by certain supervised entities may be restricted, and certain benchmarks may be eliminated entirely. Such changes could cause increased market volatility and disruptions in liquidity for instruments that rely on or are impacted by such benchmarks. Additionally, there could be other consequences which cannot be predicted.

**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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

The SEC has finalized rules that will require certain transactions involving U.S. Treasuries, including repurchase agreements, to be centrally cleared. Compliance with these rules is expected to be required by the middle of 2027. Although the impact of these rules on the Funds is difficult to predict, they may reduce the availability or increase the costs of such transactions and may adversely affect a Fund's performance.

**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. The SEC has finalized rules that will require certain transactions involving U.S. Treasuries, including reverse repurchase agreements, to be centrally cleared. Compliance with these rules is expected to be required by the middle of 2027. Although the impact of these rules on a Fund is difficult to predict, they may reduce the availability or increase the costs of such transactions and may adversely affect a Fund's performance.

**Securities Lending**

A Fund, with the exception of the U.S. Government Money Market 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 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 requirements, as well as potential additional government regulation and other developments in the market,

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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.

The SEC has finalized a rule that will require reporting and public disclosure of securities loan transaction information (not including party names). Compliance with this rule is expected to be required in September 2026. The rule's requirements impose significant operational and compliance burdens on securities lending market participants and may limit a Fund's ability to execute certain investment strategies and/or have a material adverse effect on the Fund's ability to generate returns.

**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. The SEC has adopted rules requiring managers to file monthly confidential reports with the SEC regarding equity short sales and related activity. Under such rules, the SEC will publicly disclose aggregated short position information on a monthly basis. Compliance with these rules is expected to be required in February 2026. As noted above, the SEC also adopted a rule that will require reporting and public disclosure of securities loan transaction information (not including party names); this may include, but is not limited to, information about securities loans entered into in connection with short sales. In addition, other non-U.S. jurisdictions (such as the European Union and the United Kingdom) where a Fund may trade have reporting requirements. If a Fund's short positions or its strategy become generally known, it could have a significant effect on the investment adviser's or subadviser's ability to implement its investment strategy. In particular, it could make it more likely that other investors could cause a "short squeeze" in the securities held short by a Fund forcing the Fund to cover its positions at a loss. In addition, if other investors engage in copycat behavior by taking positions in the same issuers as a Fund, the cost of borrowing securities to sell short could increase drastically and the availability of such securities to the Fund could materially decrease. Such events could make a Fund unable to execute its investment strategy. In response to market events, the SEC and regulatory authorities in other jurisdictions may adopt (and in certain cases, have adopted) bans or other restrictions on short sales of certain securities or on derivatives and other hedging instruments used to achieve a similar economic effect. Such bans or other restrictions may limit a Fund's ability to execute certain investment strategies and may have a material adverse effect on the Fund's ability to generate returns.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**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 has caused, and may continue to cause, adverse effects 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 or threatened 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. Additionally, Russia has taken retaliatory actions, including preventing repatriation of capital by U.S. and other investors. The ramifications of the ongoing 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), various sectors, industries, and markets for securities and commodities, such as oil and natural gas, and global supply chains, food supplies, inflation, and global growth. 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) in recent years caused volatility, severe market dislocations and liquidity constraints in many markets, and adversely affected the Funds' investments and operations. Public health issues, including infectious illness outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics, have caused, and could in the future cause, 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 have negatively affected, and could in the future negatively affect, the economic environment.

Public health issues, including infectious illness outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics may contribute to market volatility, inflation, and systemic economic weakness, and may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social, economic, market, and financial risks. Such public health issues 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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 (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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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 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

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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.

**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 semi-annual 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 (with the

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

exception of the U.S. Government Money Market Fund) 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 https://www.sec.gov. In addition, each Fund's complete schedule of portfolio holdings is available by request and at https://www.massmutual.com/product-performance/variable-insurance-funds after the end of the applicable quarter. In addition, the U.S. Government Money Market Fund files its portfolio holdings with the SEC for each month on Form N-MFP no later than the fifth business day after the end of the applicable month. The information in Form N-MFP is immediately made publicly available by the SEC after it has been filed.

The Funds' (other than the U.S. Government Money Market Fund) most recent portfolio holdings as of the end of each quarter are available at https://www.massmutual.com/product-performance/variable-insurance-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. As required by Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, the U.S. Government Money Market Fund's monthly portfolio holdings and certain other information about the Fund, including its dollar-weighted average maturity and dollar-weighted average life, are available at https://www.massmutual.com/product-performance/variable-insurance-funds within five business days after the end of each month. Such information will generally be available for viewing for at least six months after the posting.

A Fund's portfolio holdings may also be made available at https://www.massmutual.com/product-performance/variable-insurance-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 (Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc.), 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**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;(1) with the exception of the Discovery Large Cap 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;(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;(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;(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;(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;(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;(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:

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

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

With respect to limitation (1) above, each state and each separate political subdivision, agency, authority, or instrumentality of such state, each multi-state agency or authority, and each guarantor, if any, are treated as separate issues of municipal bonds.

**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;(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;(2) sell securities short, but reserves the right to sell securities short against the box.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities (5% of its total assets in the case of the U.S. Government Money Market Fund). 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;(4) with the exception of the 60/40 Allocation Fund, 80/20 Allocation Fund, and Balanced Fund, to the extent that shares of the Fund are purchased or otherwise acquired by other series of the Trust or other series of registered open-end investment companies in the Trust's "group of investment companies" (as such term is defined in Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act), 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 (5% of its total assets in the case of the U.S. Government Money Market Fund), it would take appropriate orderly steps, as deemed necessary, to protect liquidity.

Notwithstanding the foregoing fundamental or non-fundamental investment restrictions, the underlying ETFs in which the 60/40 Allocation Fund, 80/20 Allocation Fund, or Balanced Fund may invest have adopted certain investment limitations that may be more or less restrictive than those listed above, thereby permitting each Fund to engage indirectly in investment strategies that are prohibited under the investment limitations listed above.

In accordance with each of the 60/40 Allocation Fund's, 80/20 Allocation Fund's, and Balanced Fund's investment program as set forth in the Prospectus, each Fund may invest 25% or more of its assets in any one underlying ETF. While each of the 60/40 Allocation Fund, 80/20 Allocation Fund, and Balanced Fund does not intend to concentrate its investments in a particular industry, each Fund may indirectly concentrate in a particular industry or group of industries through its investments in one or more underlying ETFs.

**MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST**

The Trust has a Board comprised of nine 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 Barings, BIIL, BlackRock, Brandywine Global, and Invesco Advisers 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**Independent Trustees**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Nabil N. El-Hage**<br>1295 State Street<br>Springfield, MA 01111-0001<br>Year of birth: 1958<br>Trustee of the Trust since 2005<br>Trustee of 55 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee of the Trust |

---

Founder and CEO (since 2018), AEE International 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).

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Maria D. Furman**<br>1295 State Street<br>Springfield, MA 01111-0001<br>Year of birth: 1954<br>Trustee of the Trust since 2005<br>Trustee of 55 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).

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **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 55 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee of the Trust |

---

Chairman (2004-2019), Management Committee (1993-2019), Partner (1987-2019), Ropes & Gray LLP (counsel to the Trust and MML Advisers); 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 2005<br>Trustee of 55 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); 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).

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **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 55 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee of the Trust |

---

Retired; 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 55 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee of the Trust |

---

Partner (since 2020), PTI Studio Partners (investment entity); Owner (since 2025), New Haven United FC (amateur soccer team); 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).

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **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 2012<br>Trustee of 57 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**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Clifford M. Noreen<sup>2</sup>**<br>1295 State Street<br>Springfield, MA 01111-0001<br>Year of birth: 1957<br>Trustee of the Trust since 2021<br>Trustee of 57 portfolios in fund complex<sup>3</sup> | Trustee of the Trust |

---

------

1 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.

2 Mr. Noreen is an "Interested Person," as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, as a former employee of MassMutual.

3 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

Retired; Head of Global Investment Strategy (2019-2024), MassMutual; 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).

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Douglas Steele<sup>4</sup>**<br>1295 State Street<br>Springfield, MA 01111-0001<br>Year of birth: 1975<br>Trustee of the Trust since 2026<br>Officer of the Trust since 2016<br>Trustee and Officer of 55 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee and President of the Trust |

---

Director (since 2026), President (since 2024), Head of MassMutual Investments (2024), Vice President (2017-2024), Interim Head of MassMutual Investments (2023-2024), Head of Product Management (2021-2024), Head of Manager Research (2021), Head of Investment Management (2017-2021), MML Advisers; Head of MassMutual Investments (since 2024), Interim Head of MassMutual Investments (2023-2024), Head of Product Management (2021-2024), Head of Manager Research (2021), Head of Investment Management (2017-2021), MassMutual; Trustee (since 2026), President (since 2024), Vice President (2016-2024), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2026), President (since 2024), Vice President (2016-2024), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2026), President (since 2024), Vice President (2021-2024), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2026), President (since 2024),Vice President (2016-2024), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Trustee (since 2026), President (since 2024),Vice President (2016-2024), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

**Principal Officers**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Justin Do Carmo**<br>1295 State Street<br>Springfield, MA 01111-0001<br>Year of birth: 1988<br>Officer of the Trust since 2020<br>Officer of 55 portfolios in fund complex | Assistant Treasurer of the Trust |

---

Fund Operations Director (since 2022), Fund Operations Consultant (2019-2022), MassMutual; Assistant Treasurer (since 2020), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Assistant Treasurer (since 2020), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Assistant Treasurer (since 2021), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Assistant Treasurer (since 2020), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Assistant Treasurer (since 2020), 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 2005<br>Officer of 55 portfolios in fund complex | Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of the Trust |

---

Lead Counsel, Investment Adviser & Mutual Funds (since 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

------

4 Mr. Steele is an "Interested Person," as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, as an employee of MassMutual.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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).

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Renée 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 55 portfolios in fund complex | Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Trust |

---

Head of Mutual Fund Administration (since 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).

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **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 55 portfolios in fund complex | Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Trust |

---

Lead Counsel, Investment Adviser & Mutual Funds (since 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).

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Brian Pelkola**<br>1295 State Street<br>Springfield, MA 01111-0001<br>Year of birth: 1984<br>Officer of the Trust since 2025<br>Officer of 55 portfolios in fund complex | Vice President of the Trust |

---

Vice President and Head of Product Management (since 2025), Director of Product Management (2025), Senior Product Manager (2022-2025), MML Advisers; Head of Product Management (since 2025), Director of Product Management (2025), Senior Product Manager (2022-2025), MassMutual; Senior Fund Administration Supervisor (2020-2022) Massachusetts Financial Services Company; Vice President (since 2025), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2025), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2025), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2025), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2025), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Douglas Steele**<br>1295 State Street<br>Springfield, MA 01111-0001<br>Year of birth: 1975<br>Trustee of the Trust since 2026<br>Officer of the Trust since 2016<br>Trustee and Officer of 55 portfolios in fund complex | Trustee and President of the Trust |

---

For Mr. Steele's biography, please refer to the section above titled "Interested Trustees."

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Meredith Ulrich**<br>1295 State Street<br>Springfield, MA 01111-0001<br>Year of birth: 1986<br>Officer of the Trust since 2021<br>Officer of 55 portfolios in fund complex | Vice President of the Trust |

---

Vice President (since 2024), Product Manager (since 2018), MML Advisers; Product Manager (since 2018), MassMutual; Vice President (since 2024), Assistant Vice President (2021-2024), MassMutual Select Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2024), Assistant Vice President (2021-2024), MassMutual Premier Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2024), Assistant Vice President (2021-2024), MassMutual Advantage Funds (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2024), Assistant Vice President (2021-2024), MML Series Investment Fund (open-end investment company); Vice President (since 2024), Assistant Vice President (2021-2024), MML Series Investment Fund II (open-end investment company).

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **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 55 portfolios in fund complex | Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust |

---

Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer (since 2013), MML Advisers; Head of Mutual Fund & Institutional Advisory Compliance (since 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, with the exception of Mr. Clifford M. Noreen, 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**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.

***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.

***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;***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;***C. Ann Merrifield*** — As a former 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 a former 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.

***Douglas Steele*** — As an executive, director, and consultant for insurance and financial services companies with over 25 years' experience, Mr. Steele has experience with financial, regulatory, and operational issues. Mr. Steele is a CFA charterholder and holds a BA from Bates College. Mr. Steele also has FINRA Series 6, 7, 24, 26, and 63 registrations.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

***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 six times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.

***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. 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 December 31, 2025, 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 December 31, 2025, 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

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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 December 31, 2025, the Contract Committee met three times. 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 overall responsibilities. 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

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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, 2025.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| <u>**Name of Trustee**</u> | **The Dollar Range of Equity**<br>**Securities Beneficially Owned in**<br>**the Trust** | **Aggregate Dollar**<br>**Range of Equity**<br>**Securities in All**<br>**Registered Investment**<br>**Companies Overseen**<br>**by Trustee in Family of**<br>**Investment Companies** |
| **Independent Trustees** |  |  |
| Nabil N. El-Hage ........................ |  |  |
| Maria D. Furman ....................... |  |  |
| R. Bradford Malt ........................ |  |  |
| C. Ann Merrifield ....................... |  |  |
| Cynthia R. Plouché ...................... |  |  |
| Jason J. Price ........................... |  |  |
| Susan B. Sweeney ........................ |  |  |
| **Interested Trustees** |  |  |
| Paul LaPiana<sup>1</sup> .......................... |  |  |
| Clifford M. Noreen ...................... | $10001-$50000<sup>2</sup> | $10001-$50000 |
| Douglas Steele<sup>3</sup> ......................... |  | $10001-$50000 |

---

------

1 Resigned from the Board as of March 1, 2026.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| 2 | Includes the Equity Fund ($10,001-$50,000). |

---

3 Joined the Board as of April 1, 2026.

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, 2025, these amounts were as follows: Mr. El-Hage, over $100,000; Ms. Furman, None; Mr. LaPiana, None; Mr. Malt, None; Ms. Merrifield, None; Mr. Noreen, over $100,000; Ms. Plouché, None; Mr. Price, None; Ms. Sweeney, None; and Douglas Steele, over $100,000.

As of April 1, 2026, the Trustees and officers of the Trust, individually and as a group, beneficially owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of any of the Funds.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

To the knowledge of the Trust, as of December 31, 2025, 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, 2026 the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, pays each of its Trustees who is not an officer or employee of MassMutual a fee of $8,850 per quarter plus a fee of $1,500 per in-person meeting attended plus a fee of $1,500 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, including 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 2025, the Trust, on behalf of each Fund, paid each of its Trustees who was not an officer or employee of MassMutual a fee of $4,720 per quarter plus a fee of $800 per in-person meeting attended plus a fee of $800 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, including 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 2025 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 January 1, 2012, plus interest, to be credited at a rate of interest equal to that of the U.S. Corporate Bond Index as of January 1, 2012, to be reset every two years. Amounts deferred after January 1, 2012, 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.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| <u>**Name of Trustee**</u> | **Aggregate Compensation from**<br>**the Trust** | **Total Compensation from the Trust**<br>**and Fund Complex Paid to Trustees** |
| Nabil N. El-Hage ............................ | $26083<sup>1</sup> | $326040 |
| Maria D. Furman ........................... | $23795 | $297440 |
| Paul LaPiana<sup>2</sup> .............................. | $0 | $0 |
| R. Bradford Malt ............................ | $23795 | $297440 |
| C. Ann Merrifield ........................... | $26083 | $326040 |
| Clifford M. Noreen .......................... | $22880 | $398700 |
| Cynthia R. Plouché .......................... | $25397 | $317460 |
| Jason J. Price ............................... | $23795 | $297440 |
| Douglas Steele<sup>3</sup> ............................. | $0 | $0 |
| Susan B. Sweeney ............................ | $33932 | $525300 |

---

------

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| 1 | The compensation amount shown does not include a gain/loss in the amount of $23,962 attributable to amounts held under a deferred compensation plan. |

---

2 Resigned from the Board as of March 1, 2026. Mr. LaPiana, as an employee of MassMutual, received no compensation for his role as a Trustee to the Trust.

3 Joined the Board as of April 1, 2026. Mr. Steele, as an employee of MassMutual, receives no compensation for his role as a Trustee to the Trust.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES**

MassMutual, MML Bay State, C.M. Life, and the MML VIP Allocation Funds were the record owners of all of the outstanding shares of each series of the Trust as of April 1, 2026 and, therefore, may be deemed to be in control (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) of each series of the Trust. However, certain owners of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts that depend upon the investment performance of the Funds have the right to instruct MassMutual, MML Bay State, and C.M. Life as to how shares of the Trust deemed attributable to their contracts shall be voted. MassMutual, MML Bay State, and C.M. Life generally are required to vote shares attributable to such contracts but for which no instructions were received, in proportion to those votes for which instructions were received. The address of MassMutual, MML Bay State, and C.M. Life is 1295 State Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 01111-0001. The address of the MML VIP Allocation Funds is 1295 State Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 01111-0001.

**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 Diversified Value Fund, MM S&P 500<sup>®</sup> Index Fund, MassMutual Blue Chip Growth Fund, MassMutual Mid Cap Growth Fund, MassMutual Small Cap Growth Equity Fund, and MassMutual Overseas Fund, which are series of MassMutual Select Funds, an open-end management investment company; MML Barings Short-Duration Bond Fund, MML Barings Inflation-Protected and Income Fund, MML Barings Core Bond Fund, MML Barings Diversified Bond Fund, MML Barings High Yield Fund, MassMutual Small Cap Opportunities Fund, and MassMutual Global Fund, which are series of MassMutual Premier Funds, an open-end management investment company; MML Clinton Limited Term Municipal Fund, MML Clinton Municipal Fund, MML Clinton Municipal Credit Opportunities Fund, MML Barings Global Floating Rate Fund, and MML Barings Unconstrained Income Fund, which are series of MassMutual Advantage Funds, an open-end management investment company; MML Focused Equity Fund, MML Foreign Fund, MML Income & Growth Fund, MML Small/Mid Cap Value Fund, MML Sustainable Equity Fund, MML VIP Aggressive Allocation Fund, MML VIP American Century Mid Cap Value Fund, MML VIP American Century Small Company Value Fund, MML VIP American Funds 65/35 Allocation Fund, MML VIP American Funds 80/20 Allocation Fund, MML VIP American Funds Growth Fund, MML VIP Balanced Allocation Fund, MML VIP BlackRock<sup>®</sup> Equity Index Fund, MML VIP Conservative Allocation Fund, MML VIP Fidelity Institutional AM<sup>®</sup> Core Plus Bond Fund, MML VIP Growth Allocation Fund, MML VIP Invesco Global Fund, MML VIP Invesco Main Street Equity Fund, MML VIP JPMorgan U.S. Research Enhanced Equity Fund, MML VIP Loomis Sayles Large Cap Growth Fund, MML VIP MFS<sup>®</sup> International Equity Fund, MML VIP Moderate Allocation Fund, MML VIP T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund, MML VIP T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund, MML VIP T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund, and MML VIP Wellington Small Cap Growth Equity Fund, which are series of MML Series Investment Fund, 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:

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| <u>**Fund**</u> |  |
| 60/40 Allocation Fund ............................................ | 0.30% on the first $2 billion; and<br>0.28% on assets over $2 billion |
| 80/20 Allocation Fund ............................................ | 0.30% on the first $2 billion; and<br>0.28% on assets over $2 billion |
| Balanced Fund .................................................. | 0.50% on the first $100 million;<br>0.45% on the next $200 million;<br>0.40% on the next $200 million; and<br>0.35% on assets over $500 million |
| Core Bond Fund ................................................ | 0.50% on the first $100 million;<br>0.45% on the next $200 million;<br>0.40% on the next $200 million; and<br>0.35% on assets over $500 million |
| Discovery Large Cap Fund ......................................... | 0.55% on the first $1 billion; and<br>0.53% on assets over $1 billion |
| Discovery Mid Cap Fund .......................................... | 0.64% on the first $1 billion; and<br>0.62% on assets over $1 billion |
| Equity Fund .................................................... | 0.50% on the first $100 million;<br>0.45% on the next $200 million;<br>0.40% on the next $200 million; and<br>0.35% on assets over $500 million |
| Inflation-Protected and Income Fund ................................. | 0.60% on the first $100 million;<br>0.55% on the next $200 million;<br>0.50% on the next $200 million; and<br>0.45% on assets over $500 million |
| Short-Duration Bond Fund ........................................ | 0.35% on the first $300 million; and<br>0.30% on assets over $300 million |
| Small Cap Equity Fund ........................................... | 0.65% on the first $100 million;<br>0.60% on the next $100 million;<br>0.55% on the next $300 million; and<br>0.50% on assets over $500 million |
| U.S. Government Money Market Fund ............................... | 0.50% on the first $100 million;<br>0.45% on the next $200 million;<br>0.40% on the next $200 million; and<br>0.35% on assets over $500 million |

---

**Affiliated Subadviser**

***Barings***

MML Advisers has entered into Subadvisory Agreements with Barings pursuant to which Barings serves as a subadviser for the Core Bond Fund, Inflation-Protected and Income Fund, Short-Duration Bond Fund, and U.S. Government Money Market Fund. These agreements provide that Barings manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Funds. Barings is located at 300 South Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202. Barings is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MM Asset Management Holding LLC, itself a wholly-owned subsidiary of MassMutual Holding LLC, a controlled subsidiary of MassMutual. Barings receives a subadvisory fee from MML Advisers, based upon each Fund's average daily net assets, at the following annual rates:

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| <u>**Fund**</u> |  |
| Core Bond Fund ................................................ | 0.10% |
| Inflation-Protected and Income Fund ................................. | 0.08% |
| Short-Duration Bond Fund ........................................ | 0.08% |
| U.S. Government Money Market Fund ............................... | 0.05% |

---

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

Barings also provides subadvisory services for the MML Barings Short-Duration Bond Fund, MML Barings Inflation- Protected and Income Fund, MML Barings Core Bond Fund, MML Barings Diversified Bond Fund, and MML Barings High Yield 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, and the MML Barings Global Floating Rate Fund and MML Barings Unconstrained Income Fund, each of which is a series of MassMutual Advantage Funds, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser.

In addition, BIIL serves as a sub-subadviser for the Core Bond Fund, Inflation-Protected and Income Fund, and Short-Duration Bond Fund. BIIL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Barings. Barings has entered into sub-subadvisory agreements with BIIL under which, subject to the supervision of Barings, BIIL is authorized to conduct securities transactions on behalf of each of the Core Bond Fund, Inflation-Protected and Income Fund, and Short-Duration Bond Fund. BIIL is located at 20 Old Bailey, London, EC4M 7BF, United Kingdom. BIIL does not receive a fee from Barings under these sub-subadvisory agreements. BIIL also provides sub-subadvisory services for the MML Barings Short-Duration Bond Fund, MML Barings Inflation-Protected and Income Fund, MML Barings Core Bond Fund, MML Barings Diversified Bond Fund, and MML Barings High Yield 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, and for the MML Barings Global Floating Rate Fund and MML Barings Unconstrained Income Fund, each of which is a series of MassMutual Advantage Funds, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser.

**Unaffiliated Subadvisers**

***BlackRock***

MML Advisers has entered into a Subadvisory Agreement with BlackRock pursuant to which BlackRock serves as a subadviser for the Balanced Fund. This agreement provides that BlackRock manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund. MML Advisers has also entered into Subadvisory Agreements with BlackRock pursuant to which BlackRock serves as a subadviser for the 60/40 Allocation Fund and 80/20 Allocation Fund. These agreements provide for BlackRock to place, and oversee the execution of, trades on behalf of the Funds. BlackRock is located at 1 University Square, Princeton, New Jersey 08540. BlackRock is an affiliate of BlackRock Advisors, LLC, which is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc.

BlackRock also provides subadvisory services for the MM S&P 500 Index Fund, which is a series of MassMutual Select Funds, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser and for the MML VIP BlackRock 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.

***Brandywine Global***

MML Advisers has entered into a Subadvisory Agreement with Brandywine Global pursuant to which Brandywine Global serves as a subadviser for the Equity Fund. This agreement provides that Brandywine Global manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund. 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 provides subadvisory services for the MassMutual Diversified Value Fund, which is a series of MassMutual Select Funds, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser.

***Invesco Advisers***

MML Advisers has entered into Subadvisory Agreements with Invesco Advisers pursuant to which Invesco Advisers serves as a subadviser for the Discovery Large Cap Fund, Discovery Mid Cap Fund, and Small Cap Equity Fund. These agreements provide that Invesco Advisers manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Funds. Invesco Advisers is located at 1331 Spring Street NW, Suite 2500, 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

Invesco Advisers also provides subadvisory services for the MassMutual Small Cap Growth Equity Fund, which is a series of MassMutual Select Funds, a registered, open-end investment company for which MML Advisers serves as investment adviser, for the MassMutual Small Cap Opportunities Fund and MassMutual Global 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, and for the MML VIP Invesco Global Fund and MML VIP Invesco Main Street 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.

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 and Sub-Administrators**

Except for the Advisory Agreements with respect to the 60/40 Allocation Fund, 80/20 Allocation Fund, Discovery Large Cap Fund, Discovery Mid Cap Fund, and Short-Duration Bond Fund, the Advisory Agreements provide that MML Advisers will perform administrative functions relating to the Funds. With respect to each of the Funds, each of the Trust and MML Advisers agrees to bear its own expenses, except as otherwise agreed by the parties. MML Advisers provides administrative and shareholder services to the 60/40 Allocation Fund, 80/20 Allocation Fund, Discovery Large Cap Fund, Discovery Mid Cap Fund, and Short-Duration Bond Fund under an Amended and Restated Administrative and Shareholder Services Agreement pursuant to which MML Advisers is obligated to provide administrative and shareholder services and bear some Fund-specific administrative expenses. 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 Amended and Restated 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 and are compensated by MML Advisers for providing administrative services to all of the Funds.

In addition to the services described above, MML Advisers has contracted with MassMutual to perform the function of transfer agent for the Funds.

The Trust, on behalf of the following Funds, pays MML Advisers an administrative and shareholder 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:

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **<u>Fund</u>** | **Class II** | **Service**<br>**Class I** |
| 60/40 Allocation Fund ........................................................ | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| 80/20 Allocation Fund ........................................................ | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| Discovery Large Cap Fund .................................................... | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| Discovery Mid Cap Fund ..................................................... | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| Short-Duration Bond Fund .................................................... | 0.15% | 0.15% |

---

Pursuant to the Advisory Agreements, Subadvisory Agreements, and Administrative and Shareholder Services Agreement described above, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025, December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, 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 and shareholder services fees paid by the applicable Funds, and the amount of any fees reimbursed by MML Advisers are as follows:

---

| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025** | **Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025** | **Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025** | **Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025** | **Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025** |
| **<u>Fund</u>** | **Advisory Fees**<br>**Paid** | **Subadvisory**<br>**Fees Paid** | **Advisory Fees**<br>**Waived** | **Administrative**<br>**Fees Paid** | **Other Expenses** **Reimbursed** |
| 60/40 Allocation Fund<sup>1</sup> ................. | $185557 | $— | $— | $92778 | $(52582) |
| 80/20 Allocation Fund<sup>1</sup> ................. | $356746 | $— | $— | $178373 | $(67084) |
| Balanced Fund ....................... | $2831091 | $— | $— | $— | $— |
| Core Bond Fund ...................... | $2854520 | $685439 | $— | $— | $— |
| Discovery Large Cap Fund<sup>2</sup> ............. | $229320 | $121686 | $— | $62542 | $— |
| Discovery Mid Cap Fund<sup>3</sup> ............... | $207376 | $111431 | $— | $48604 | $(12230) |
| Equity Fund ......................... | $3463819 | $1679384 | $— | $— | $— |

---

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

---

| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025** | **Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025** | **Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025** | **Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025** | **Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025** |
| **<u>Fund</u>** | **Advisory Fees**<br>**Paid** | **Subadvisory**<br>**Fees Paid** | **Advisory Fees**<br>**Waived** | **Administrative**<br>**Fees Paid** | **Other Expenses** **Reimbursed** |
| Inflation-Protected and Income Fund<sup>4</sup> ..... | $957744 | $130689 | $— | $— | $(35102) |
| Short-Duration Bond Fund .............. | $388447 | $87549 | $— | $166477 | $— |
| Small Cap Equity Fund ................. | $798229 | $311758 | $— | $— | $— |
| U.S. Government Money Market Fund ..... | $922687 | $96747 | $— | $— | $— |

---

------

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| 1 | 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, 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 December 31, 2025, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.50% and 0.75% for Class II and Service Class I shares, respectively. |

---

2 Commenced operations on November 14, 2025.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| 3 | Commenced operations on November 14, 2025. 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, 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 December 31, 2025, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.85% and 1.10% for Class II and Service Class I shares, respectively. |

---

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| 4 | Effective April 25, 2025, 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 December 31, 2025, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.64% and 0.89% for Initial Class and Service Class shares, respectively. For the relevant period prior to April 25, 2025, 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 April 24, 2025, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.61% and 0.86% for Initial Class and Service Class shares, respectively. |

---

---

| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024** | **Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024** | **Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024** | **Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024** | **Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2024** |
| **<u>Fund</u>** | **Advisory Fees**<br>**Paid** | **Subadvisory**<br>**Fees Paid** | **Advisory Fees**<br>**Waived** | **Administrative**<br>**Fees Paid** | **Other Expenses** **Reimbursed** |
| 60/40 Allocation Fund<sup>1</sup> ................. | $134533 | $— | $— | $67267 | $(66906) |
| 80/20 Allocation Fund<sup>1</sup> ................. | $233243 | $— | $— | $116622 | $(68073) |
| Balanced Fund ....................... | $2875045 | $— | $— | $— | $— |
| Core Bond Fund ...................... | $2664795 | $630469 | $— | $— | $— |
| Equity Fund ......................... | $3434484 | $1764305 | $— | $— | $— |
| Inflation-Protected and Income Fund<sup>2</sup> ..... | $1041033 | $142448 | $— | $— | $(79264) |
| Short-Duration Bond Fund .............. | $418387 | $93920 | $— | $179309 | $— |
| Small Cap Equity Fund ................. | $812770 | $317849 | $— | $— | $— |
| U.S. Government Money Market Fund ..... | $1002904 | $105527 | $— | $— | $— |

---

------

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| 1 | 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, 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 December 31, 2024, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.50% and 0.75% for Class II and Service Class I shares, respectively. |

---

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| 2 | Effective May 1, 2024, 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 December 31, 2024, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.61% and 0.86% for Initial Class and Service Class shares, respectively. For the relevant period prior to May 1, 2024, 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 April 30, 2024, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.60% and 0.85% for Initial Class and Service Class shares, respectively. |

---

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

---

| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2023** | **Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2023** | **Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2023** | **Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2023** | **Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2023** |
| **<u>Fund</u>** | **Advisory Fees**<br>**Paid** | **Subadvisory**<br>**Fees Paid** | **Advisory Fees**<br>**Waived** | **Administrative**<br>**Fees Paid** | **Other Expenses** **Reimbursed** |
| 60/40 Allocation Fund<sup>1</sup> ................. | $95989 | $— | $— | $47995 | $(70680) |
| 80/20 Allocation Fund<sup>1</sup> ................. | $153605 | $— | $— | $76802 | $(73772) |
| Balanced Fund ....................... | $2744809 | $— | $— | $— | $— |
| Core Bond Fund ...................... | $2879654 | $692148 | $— | $— | $— |
| Equity Fund ......................... | $3193954 | $1818450 | $— | $— | $— |
| Inflation-Protected and Income Fund<sup>2</sup> ..... | $1135363 | $155802 | $— | $— | $(112112) |
| Short-Duration Bond Fund .............. | $437970 | $98246 | $— | $187701 | $— |
| Small Cap Equity Fund ................. | $748812 | $291258 | $— | $— | $— |
| U.S. Government Money Market Fund ..... | $1055453 | $111501 | $— | $— | $— |

---

------

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| 1 | 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, 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 December 31, 2023, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.50% and 0.75% for Class II and Service Class I shares, respectively. |

---

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| 2 | Effective May 1, 2023, 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 December 31, 2023, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.60% and 0.85% for Initial Class and Service Class shares, respectively. For the relevant period prior to May 1, 2023, 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, 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 April 30, 2023, to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses after Expense Reimbursement would otherwise exceed 0.60% and 0.85% for Initial Class and Service Class shares, 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 Distribution Agreement with the Trust (the "Distribution Agreement"). 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' Distribution and Services Plan.

MML Advisers or an affiliate may make payments, out of its own assets, to securities dealers and other firms that enter into agreements providing the Distributor with access to representatives of those firms for the sale of shares of the Funds or with other marketing or administrative services with respect to the Funds. These payments may be a specific dollar amount, may be based on the number of customer accounts maintained by a firm, or may be based on a percentage of the value of shares of the Funds sold to, or held by, customers of the firm.

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 SERVICES PLAN**

The Trust has adopted, with respect to the Service Class and Service Class I shares of each Fund, a Distribution and Services 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 the Service Class and Service Class I shares of the Funds.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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 Service Class and Service Class I shareholders may bear for distribution pursuant to the Plan without also being approved by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of Service Class and Service Class I shares of the Fund, respectively. 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 Service Class and Service Class I shares of the Fund, respectively. The Plan provides that any person authorized to direct the disposition of amounts paid or payable by a Fund pursuant to the Plan or any related agreement 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 0.35% of the average daily net assets attributable to its Service Class or Service Class I shares. However, each Fund currently makes payments at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to its Service Class or Service Class I shares. The Distributor may use all or a portion of the distribution and service fee to pay investment professionals or financial intermediaries (and to reimburse them for related expenses) for personal service provided to shareholders of shares of Service Class and Service Class I, for services in respect of the promotion of the shares of Service Class and Service Class I, and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts, or for other services for which payments may lawfully be made in accordance with applicable rules and regulations. The Distributor may retain all or any portion of the distribution and service fee in respect of Service Class and Service Class I shares as compensation for its services. All payments under the Plan are made by the Funds to the Distributor, which, in turn, pays out all of the amounts it receives. The Distributor pays a portion of the amounts it receives to MassMutual, which is used to pay for continuing compensation for services provided by MassMutual agents and third party firms. The remaining portion is paid to MassMutual as compensation for its promotional services in respect of the Funds, and to help reimburse MassMutual expenses incurred in connection with promoting the Funds.

The following tables disclose the 12b-1 fees paid in the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 by the Trust under the Plan for Service Class and Service Class I shares of the Funds:

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| <u>**Fund**</u> | **Service Class**<br>**12b-1 Fees** |
| Balanced Fund ...................................................................... | $470302 |
| Core Bond Fund ..................................................................... | $464611 |
| Equity Fund ........................................................................ | $176412 |
| Inflation-Protected and Income Fund ..................................................... | $102868 |
| Small Cap Equity Fund ............................................................... | $60893 |

---

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| <u>**Fund**</u> | **Service Class I**<br>**12b-1 Fees** |
| 60/40 Allocation Fund ................................................................ | $79609 |
| 80/20 Allocation Fund ................................................................ | $216785 |
| Discovery Large Cap Fund<sup>1</sup> ............................................................ | $2429 |
| Discovery Mid Cap Fund<sup>1</sup> ............................................................. | $8595 |
| Short-Duration Bond Fund ............................................................ | $80052 |

---

------

1 Commenced operations on November 14, 2025.

**CUSTODIAN**

State Street, located at One Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, is the custodian of each Fund's investments (the "Custodian"). As Custodian, State Street has custody of the Funds' securities and maintains certain financial and accounting books and records. As Custodian, State Street does not assist in, and is not responsible for, the investment decisions and policies of the Funds.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM**

Deloitte & Touche LLP, located at 115 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, is the Trust's independent registered public accounting firm. Deloitte & Touche LLP provides audit services and assistance in connection with various SEC filings.

**LEGAL COUNSEL**

Ropes & Gray LLP, located at The Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02199, serves as counsel to the Trust.

**CODES OF ETHICS**

The Trust, MML Advisers, the Distributor, Barings, BIIL, BlackRock, Brandywine Global, and Invesco Advisers 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**

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 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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 Funds for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025, December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023:

---

| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| <u><br>**Fund**</u> | **Fiscal Year ended**<br>**December 31, 2025** | **Fiscal Year ended**<br>**December 31, 2024** | **Fiscal Year ended**<br>**December 31, 2023** |
| 60/40 Allocation Fund .................................. | $1975 | $— | $— |
| 80/20 Allocation Fund .................................. | $5397 | $— | $— |
| Balanced Fund ....................................... | $17427 | $— | $— |
| Core Bond Fund ...................................... | $26661 | $31875 | $39396 |
| Discovery Large Cap Fund<sup>1</sup> ............................. | $20278 | $— | $— |
| Discovery Mid Cap Fund<sup>1</sup> .............................. | $25834 | $— | $— |
| Equity Fund ......................................... | $232325 | $164553 | $196279 |
| Inflation-Protected and Income Fund ...................... | $9763 | $8253 | $8230 |
| Short-Duration Bond Fund .............................. | $16339 | $15973 | $16149 |
| Small Cap Equity Fund ................................. | $88272 | $76682 | $77227 |
| U.S. Government Money Market Fund ..................... | $— | $— | $— |

---

------

1 Commenced operations on November 14, 2025.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

*Portfolio Turnover* - The Core Bond Fund experienced decreased portfolio turnover during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 as a result of a return to a more normalized portfolio turnover from the prior fiscal year, which included liquidity positioning in response to client inflows and outflows.

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 2025, 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.

---

| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2025** | **Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2025** | **Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2025** | **Fiscal Year ended**<br>**December 31,** **2024** | **Fiscal Year ended** **December 31,** **2023** |
| **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; **Jefferies LLC**<br>Equity Fund<sup>1</sup> ................... | $— | — % | — % | $— | $2215 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Small Cap Equity Fund<sup>1</sup> ........... | $2224 | 2.52% | 2.77% | $1059 | $193 |

---

------

1 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 December 31, 2025 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 December 31, 2025 to recognize "brokerage and research" services, and commissions paid for such transactions:

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| <u>**Fund**</u> | **Dollar Value of Those**<br>**Transactions** | **Amount of**<br>**Commissions** |
| Equity Fund .................................................... | $115273342 | $32711 |
| Small Cap Equity Fund ............................................ | $92576883 | $69636 |

---

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 December 31, 2025.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| <u>**Fund**</u> | **Regular Broker or Dealer** | **Aggregate Value of**<br>**Securities Held** |
| Core Bond Fund ................................... | Bank of America Corp. | $5555238 |
|  | Morgan Stanley | 4004220 |
|  | Barclays | 3238354 |
|  | HSBC Securities, Inc. | 2718257 |
|  | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 1798702 |
|  | The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | 1531794 |
|  | Wells Fargo Bank | 1268647 |
|  |  | $20115212 |
| Discovery Large Cap Fund ........................... | The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | $5863809 |
|  |  | $5863809 |

---

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| <u>**Fund**</u> | **Regular Broker or Dealer** | **Aggregate Value of**<br>**Securities Held** |
| Equity Fund ...................................... | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | $49654102 |
|  | Bank of America Corp. | 26295500 |
|  | Wells Fargo Bank | 21268240 |
|  | Morgan Stanley | 21356859 |
|  | The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | 20594970 |
|  | Bank of New York Mellon Corp. | 6373341 |
|  | State Street Corp. | 2967230 |
|  |  | $148510242 |
| Short-Duration Bond Fund ........................... | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | $436879 |
|  | Wells Fargo Bank | 321122 |
|  | Barclays | 306315 |
|  | HSBC Securities, Inc. | 294233 |
|  | Morgan Stanley | 283835 |
|  |  | $1642384 |
| U.S. Government Money Market Fund .................. | HSBC Securities, Inc. | $25000000 |
|  |  | $25000000 |

---

**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 February 8, 2005, which was amended and restated as of February 28, 2005, which was further amended and restated as of December 15, 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 December 31.

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 11 series, each of which is 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. Each series of the Trust, except the U.S. Government Money Market Fund, is currently divided into two classes of shares. The U.S. Government Money Market Fund currently has one class of shares. 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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 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 separate investment accounts of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts offered by companies such as MassMutual are the legal owners of each Fund's shares. However, when a Fund solicits proxies in conjunction with a vote of shareholders, it is required to obtain from the variable life insurance and variable annuity contract owners, instructions as to how to vote those shares. There is no minimum requirement for how many instructions must be received. When the separate investment accounts receive those instructions, they will vote all of the shares, for which they have not received voting instructions, in proportion to those instructions. This will also include any shares that the separate accounts own on their own behalf. This may result in a small number of contract owners controlling the outcome of the vote. Shareholder inquiries should be made by contacting the Secretary, MML Series Investment Fund II, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111-0001.

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.

The assets of certain variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts for which MassMutual or an affiliate is the depositor are invested in shares of the Funds. Because these separate accounts are invested in the same underlying Funds it is possible that material conflicts could arise between owners of the variable life insurance policies and owners of the variable annuity contracts. Possible conflicts could arise if (i) state insurance regulators should disapprove or require changes in investment policies, investment advisers, subadvisers, or principal underwriters or if the

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

depositor should be permitted to act contrary to actions approved by holders of the variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts under rules of the SEC, (ii) adverse tax treatment of the variable life insurance policies or variable annuity contracts would result from utilizing the same underlying Funds, (iii) different investment strategies would be more suitable for the variable annuity contracts than the variable life insurance policies, or (iv) state insurance laws or regulations or other applicable laws would prohibit the funding of both variable life insurance and variable annuity separate accounts by the same Funds.

The Board follows monitoring procedures which have been developed to determine whether material conflicts have arisen and what action, if any, should be taken in the event of such conflicts. If a material irreconcilable conflict should arise between owners of the variable life insurance policies and owners of the variable annuity contracts, one or the other group of owners may have to terminate its participation in the Funds. More information regarding possible conflicts between variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts is contained in the prospectuses for those policies and contracts.

**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") with respect to each Fund except the U.S. Government Money Market Fund. 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.

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 December 31, 2025 were as follows:

---

| | | | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **<u>Fund</u>** | **Gross**<br>**income**<br>**earned**<br>**by the**<br>**Fund**<br>**from**<br>**securities**<br>**lending**<br>**activities** | **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** | **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** | **Aggregate fees/**<br>**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** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 60/40 Allocation <br>Fund ...... | $98995 | $1239 | $752 | $— | $— | $89984 | $— | $91975 | $7020 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 80/20 Allocation <br>Fund ...... | $200865 | $2742 | $1542 | $— | $— | $181041 | $— | $185326 | $15539 |
| Balanced Fund . | $739268 | $23487 | $5562 | $— | $— | $577124 | $— | $606174 | $133094 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Core Bond <br>Fund ...... | $330070 | $10192 | $2313 | $— | $— | $259809 | $— | $272314 | $57756 |

---

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

---

| | | | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **<u>Fund</u>** | **Gross**<br>**income**<br>**earned**<br>**by the**<br>**Fund**<br>**from**<br>**securities**<br>**lending**<br>**activities** | **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** | **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** | **Aggregate fees/**<br>**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** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Discovery Large <br>Cap Fund<sup>1</sup> .. | $— | $— | $— | $— | $— | $— | $— | $— | $— |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Discovery Mid <br>Cap Fund<sup>1</sup> .. | $— | $— | $— | $— | $— | $— | $— | $— | $— |
| Equity Fund ... | $42520 | $3642 | $159 | $— | $— | $18078 | $— | $21880 | $20640 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Inflation-Protected <br>and Income Fund ...... | $672 | $20 | $5 | $— | $— | $531 | $— | $557 | $115 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Short-Duration <br>Bond Fund .. | $56126 | $2079 | $407 | $— | $— | $41858 | $— | $44344 | $11782 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Small Cap <br>Equity Fund . | $62134 | $3652 | $314 | $— | $— | $37473 | $— | $41439 | $20695 |

---

------

1 Commenced operations on November 14, 2025.

**PURCHASE, REDEMPTION, AND PRICING OF SECURITIES BEING OFFERED**

Shares of each Fund are sold at their NAV as next computed after receipt of the purchase order, without the addition of any selling commission or "sales load." Each Fund redeems its shares at their NAV as next computed after receipt of the request for redemption. 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 when converting the securities to cash. No fee is charged on redemption. The redemption price may be more or less than the shareholder's cost. Redemption payments will be paid within seven days after receipt of the written request therefor by the Fund, except that the right of redemption may be suspended or payments postponed when permitted by applicable law and regulations.

The NAV of each Fund's shares is determined once daily as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("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

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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. It is the intention of the U.S. Government Money Market Fund to maintain a stable NAV per share of $1.00, although this cannot be assured.

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 (with the exception of debt securities held by the U.S. Government Money Market Fund) 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 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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.

**U.S. Government Money Market Fund**

The U.S. Government Money Market Fund's debt securities are typically valued at amortized cost, but may be valued using a vendor quote if MML Advisers determines it more closely approximates current market value, in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act pursuant to which the U.S. Government Money Market Fund must adhere to certain conditions. Amortized cost involves initially valuing an instrument at its cost and thereafter making a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premium, regardless of the impact of changes in market interest rates on the market value of the instrument. While this method provides certainty of valuation, it may result in periods in which the value, as determined by amortized cost, is higher or lower than the price the U.S. Government Money Market Fund would receive if it sold the instrument. During periods of declining interest rates, the daily yield on shares of the U.S. Government Money Market Fund computed as described below may tend to be higher than a like computation made by a fund with identical investments utilizing a method of valuation based upon market prices and estimates of market prices for its portfolio instruments. Thus, if the use of amortized cost by the U.S. Government Money Market Fund resulted in a lower aggregate portfolio value on a particular day, a prospective investor in the U.S. Government Money Market Fund would be able to obtain a somewhat higher yield than would result from investment in a fund utilizing market values, and existing investors in the U.S. Government Money Market Fund would receive less investment income. The converse would apply in a period of rising interest rates.

The valuation of the U.S. Government Money Market Fund's portfolio instruments based upon their amortized cost and the concomitant maintenance of a stable NAV per share of $1.00 is permitted in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act.

The Board has established procedures designed to stabilize, to the extent reasonably possible, the U.S. Government Money Market Fund's NAV per share as computed for the purpose of sales and redemptions at $1.00. Such procedures include periodic review of the U.S. Government Money Market Fund's portfolio holdings to determine the extent of any deviation between the NAV of the U.S. Government Money Market Fund calculated by using available market quotations and its NAV calculated using amortized cost, and whether such deviation may result in material dilution or is otherwise unfair to investors or existing shareholders. In the event the Board determines that such a deviation exists, it may take such corrective action as it regards as necessary and appropriate, including: the sale of portfolio instruments prior to maturity in order to realize capital gains or losses or to shorten average portfolio maturity; withholding dividends; redemptions of shares in kind; or establishing a NAV per share by using available market quotations (which would likely differ from the Fund's NAV calculated using amortized cost); or suspending redemptions and liquidating the Fund.

Since the net income of the U.S. Government Money Market Fund is declared as a dividend each time it is determined, the NAV per share of the U.S. Government Money Market Fund typically remains the same immediately after each determination and dividend declaration as before. Any increase in the value of a shareholder's investment in the U.S. Government Money Market Fund representing the reinvestment of dividend income is reflected by an increase in the number of shares of the U.S. Government Money Market Fund in the shareholder's account, which increase is recorded promptly after the end of each calendar month.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

For this purpose, the net income of the U.S. Government Money Market Fund (from the time of the immediately preceding determination thereof) consists of all interest income accrued on its portfolio, plus realized gains or minus realized losses, and less all expenses and liabilities chargeable against income. Interest income includes discount earned (including both original issue and market discount) on paper purchased at a discount, less amortization of premium, accrued ratably to the date of maturity. Expenses, including the compensation payable to MML Advisers, are accrued each day.

Should the U.S. Government Money Market Fund incur or anticipate any unusual expense, or loss or depreciation which would adversely affect its NAV per share or income for a particular period, the Board would at that time consider whether to adhere to the present dividend policy described above or to revise it in light of the then prevailing circumstances. For example, if the U.S. Government Money Market Fund's NAV per share were reduced, or were anticipated to be reduced, below its otherwise stable NAV of $1.00 per share, the Board might suspend further dividend payments until the NAV returned to $1.00. Thus, such expenses or losses or depreciation might result in an investor receiving no dividends for the period during which he held his shares and in his receiving upon redemption a price per share lower than what he paid.

In addition, the U.S. Government Money Market Fund may, to the extent permitted by SEC rule, suspend redemptions prior to the liquidation of the Fund, if the Trustees determine that the deviation between the Fund's amortized cost price per share and its current market-based NAV value per share may result in material dilution or other unfair results to investors or existing shareholders.

**TAXATION**

The following discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to an investment in the Funds is based on the Code, U.S. Treasury regulations, and other applicable authority, all as of the date of this SAI. These authorities are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion does not purport to be complete or to deal with all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation relevant to an investment in the Funds.

Shares of the Funds are offered only to the separate accounts of the participating insurance companies that fund variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts. See the applicable contract prospectus for a discussion of the special tax treatment of those companies with respect to the accounts and their contract holders. The discussion below is generally based on the assumption that the shares of each Fund will be respected as owned by the insurance company separate accounts. If this is not the case, the person or persons determined to own the Fund shares will be currently taxed on Fund distributions, and on the proceeds of any redemption of Fund shares, pursuant to the generally applicable rules of the Code. Because separate accounts of participating insurance companies will be the only shareholders of the Funds, no attempt is made here to describe the tax aspects of an investment in the Funds to such shareholders.

**Taxation of the Funds: In General**

Each Fund has elected (or intends to elect) and intends to qualify each year to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded regulated investment companies, each Fund must, among other things:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1. derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or 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 (ii) net income derived from interests in "qualified publicly traded partnerships" ("QPTPs") (as defined below);

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;2. diversify its holdings so that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the value of its total assets consists of cash, cash items (including receivables), U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities limited generally with respect to any one issuer to a value not greater than 5% of the total assets of the Fund and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested, including through corporations in which the Fund owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, in (a) 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 (b) in the securities of one or more QPTPs (as defined below); and

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3. distribute in or 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 for such year in a manner qualifying for the dividends-paid deduction.

For purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described in (1) 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 that would be qualifying income if realized by the regulated investment company. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a QPTP will be treated as qualifying income. A QPTP 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 (1)(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). 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 QPTP.

For purposes of the diversification requirements described in (2) above, outstanding voting securities of an issuer will include the equity securities of a QPTP. Also for purposes of the diversification requirements in (2) above, identification of the issuer (or, in some cases, issuers) of certain of a Fund's investments can depend on the terms and conditions of the 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 the identity of the issuer for a particular type of investment may adversely affect a Fund's ability to meet the diversification requirements.

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 and gains that are paid to its shareholders in the form of dividends (including capital gain dividends) in accordance with the timing requirements of the Code. 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 gross income, diversification, or distribution tests 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, (1) that Fund would be subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates and would not be able to deduct the distributions it makes to shareholders and (2) each insurance company separate account invested in the Fund would fail to satisfy the separate diversification requirements, described below, that are applicable to such accounts, with the result that contracts supported by that account would no longer be eligible for tax deferral. In addition, 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 dividend income. The Fund could also be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a regulated investment company.

In general, amounts not distributed on a timely basis by regulated investment companies in accordance with a calendar-year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax at the Fund level. The 4% excise tax does not apply to any regulated investment company whose sole shareholders are separate accounts of life insurance companies funding variable contracts, tax-exempt pension funds, certain other permitted tax-exempt investors, or other regulated investment companies that are also exempt from the excise tax.

**Variable Contract Diversification Requirements**

Each Fund intends to comply with the separate diversification requirements for variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts under Code Section 817(h) and the regulations thereunder, which are in addition to the diversification requirements imposed on the Fund by the 1940 Act and Subchapter M of the Code. A variable contract based upon a separate account will not receive favorable tax treatment as an annuity or life insurance contract unless the separate account investments are adequately diversified. In determining whether a separate account is adequately diversified, in certain circumstances the separate account can look through to the assets of the regulated investment company in which it has invested.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

The regulations generally require a separate account's assets to be diversified so that, as of the end of each calendar quarter or within 30 days thereafter, no single investment represents more than 55% of the value of the separate account's total assets, no two investments represent more than 70% of the separate account's total assets, no three investments represent more than 80% of the separate account's total assets, and no four investments represent more than 90% of the separate account's total assets. For this purpose, the regulations treat all securities of the same issuer as a single investment, and in the case of "government securities," each government agency or instrumentality is treated as a separate issuer. A "safe harbor" is available to a separate account if it meets the diversification tests applicable to regulated investment companies and not more than 55% of its assets constitute cash, cash items (including receivables), U.S. Government securities, and securities of other regulated investment companies.

It is expected that the separate accounts investing in a Fund will be able to look through to the assets of the Fund for purposes of meeting these diversification requirements. Each Fund therefore intends to comply with these requirements as though its assets were held directly by a separate account. If a Fund were to fail to comply with these requirements, contracts that invest in the Fund through the participating insurance companies' separate accounts would not be treated as annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts under the Code and the contract holders generally would be subject to tax on all taxable distributions from a Fund, and on all income and gain accrued under the contracts from sales, exchanges, or redemptions of shares in the Fund for the current and all prior taxable years. Under certain circumstances described in the applicable Treasury regulations, an inadvertent failure to satisfy the applicable diversification requirements may be corrected, but such a correction could require a payment to the IRS based on the tax contract holders would have incurred if they were treated as receiving the income on the contract for the period during which the diversification requirements were not satisfied.

**Investor Control**

The IRS has indicated that a degree of investor control over the investment options underlying variable contracts may interfere with the tax-deferred treatment of those contracts. The IRS has issued rulings addressing the circumstances in which a variable contract owner's control of the investments of the separate account may cause the contract owner, rather than the insurance company, to be treated as the owner of the assets held by the separate account, and it may issue additional rulings in the future. If the contract owner is considered the owner of the securities underlying the separate account, income and gains produced by those securities would be included currently in the contract owner's gross income.

In determining whether an impermissible level of investor control is present, one factor the IRS considers is whether a regulated investment company's investment strategies are sufficiently broad to prevent a contract holder from being deemed to be making particular investment decisions through its investment in a separate account. Current IRS guidance indicates that typical regulated investment company investment strategies, even those with a specific sector or geographical focus, are generally considered sufficiently broad for this purpose.

The Funds have objectives and strategies that are not materially narrower than the investment strategies described in such IRS guidance, in which strategies such as investing in large company stocks, international stocks, small company stocks, mortgage-backed securities, telecommunications stocks, and financial services stocks were held not to constitute sufficient control over individual investment decisions so as to cause ownership of such investments to be attributable to contract owners.

The above discussion addresses only one of several factors that the IRS considers in determining whether a contract holder has an impermissible level of investor control over a separate account. Contract holders should consult with their insurance companies and tax advisers, and should refer to the prospectus for the applicable contract, for more information concerning this investor control issue.

The IRS and the Treasury Department may in the future provide further guidance as to what they deem to constitute an impermissible level of "investor control" over a separate account's investments in funds such as the Funds, and such guidance could affect the tax treatment of the Funds, including retroactively. In the event that additional rules or regulations are adopted, there can be no assurance that the Funds will be able to operate as currently described, or that the Funds will not have to change their investment objectives or investment policies. Each Fund's investment objective and investment policies may be modified as necessary to prevent any such prospective rules and regulations from causing variable contract owners to be considered the owners of the shares of the Fund.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**Certain Investments of the Funds**

A Fund's transactions in options, futures contracts, forward contracts, swap agreements, ETNs, other derivatives, and foreign currencies, as well as any of its hedging, short sale, securities loan, or similar transactions, may be subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale, and short sale rules) the application of which may in certain cases be uncertain. An adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect a Fund's ability to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, thus potentially resulting in a Fund-level tax and implicating the variable contract's qualification for favorable tax treatment.

An investment by a Fund in zero coupon bonds, deferred interest bonds, payment-in-kind bonds, inflation-indexed bonds, and certain stripped securities will, and certain securities purchased at a market discount may, cause the Fund to recognize income prior to the receipt of cash payments with respect to those securities. To distribute this income and avoid a tax on the Fund, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio investments that it might otherwise have continued to hold, potentially resulting in additional taxable gain or loss to the Fund that would need to be distributed to avoid a Fund-level tax.

A Fund's investments in REIT equity securities, if any, may result in the Fund's receipt of cash in excess of the REIT's earnings. If the Fund distributes such amounts, such distribution could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Investments in REIT equity securities also may require a Fund to accrue and distribute income not yet received. To generate sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions, a Fund may be required to sell securities in its portfolio (including when it is not advantageous to do so) that it otherwise would have continued to hold.

Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for the Funds. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as whether or to what extent a Fund should recognize market discount on such a debt obligation, when a Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, 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 income. These and other related issues will be addressed by a Fund when, as 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.

A Fund's investments in commodities or commodity-linked instruments can be limited by the Fund's intention to qualify as a regulated investment company, and can limit the Fund's ability to so qualify. Income and gains from commodities and certain commodity-linked instruments does not constitute qualifying income to a regulated investment company for purposes of the 90% gross income test described above. The tax treatment of certain other commodity-linked instruments in which a 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 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 nonqualifying income, were to cause the Fund's nonqualifying income to exceed 10% of its gross income in any taxable year, the Fund would fail to qualify as a regulated investment company unless it was eligible to and did pay a tax at the Fund level.

MLPs, if any, in which a Fund invests may qualify as QPTPs. In such cases, the net income derived from such investments will constitute qualifying income for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described above for regulated investment company qualification. If, however, such a vehicle were to fail to qualify as a QPTP in a particular year, a portion of the gross income derived from it in such year could constitute non-qualifying income to the Fund for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement and thus could bear on the Fund's ability to qualify as a regulated investment company for a particular year. In addition, the diversification requirement described above for regulated investment company qualification limits a Fund's investments in one or more vehicles that are QPTPs to 25% of the Fund's total assets as of the close of each quarter of the Fund's taxable year. To the extent an MLP is a regular (non-QPTP) partnership, the MLP's income and gains allocated to a Fund will constitute qualifying income to the Fund for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement only to the extent such items of income and gain would be qualifying income if earned directly by the Fund. Thus, all or a portion of any income and gains from a Fund's investment in an MLP that is a regular (non-QPTP) partnership could constitute non-qualifying income to the Fund for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement. In such cases, a Fund's investments in such entities could be limited by its intention to qualify as a regulated investment company, and could bear on its ability to qualify as such.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**Foreign Investments and Taxes**

Investment income and gains received by a Fund from foreign securities may be subject to foreign income or other taxes, which will reduce the Fund's yield on such securities and which may be imposed on a retroactive basis. The United States has entered into tax treaties with some foreign countries that may entitle a Fund to a reduced rate of tax or an exemption from tax on such income. Each Fund intends to qualify for treaty reduced rates where available. It is not possible to determine a Fund's effective rate of foreign tax in advance.

Special U.S. tax considerations may also apply with respect to foreign investments by a Fund. Investments by a Fund in certain "passive foreign investment companies" ("PFICs") could result in a tax (including interest) on the Fund that cannot be avoided by making distributions to Fund shareholders. To avoid the potential for such a tax to apply, a Fund may elect to mark to market its investments in a PFIC on the last day of each year. A Fund may alternatively elect in certain cases to treat a PFIC as a qualified electing fund, in which case the Fund will be required to include annually its share of the income and net capital gains from the PFIC, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the PFIC. The market-to-market and qualified electing fund elections may cause a Fund to recognize income prior to the receipt of cash payments with respect to its PFIC investments. In order to distribute this income and avoid a tax on the Fund, the Fund may be required to sell portfolio investments that it might otherwise have continued to hold, potentially resulting in additional taxable gain or loss to the Fund. Because it is not always possible to identify a foreign corporation as a PFIC, a Fund may incur the tax and interest charges described above in some instances.

**General Considerations**

The rules regarding the taxation of the separate accounts of participating insurance companies that utilize the Funds as investment vehicles for variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts are complex. The foregoing is only a summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences affecting the Funds. Participating insurance companies and owners of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Funds.

**CERTAIN ACCOUNTING INFORMATION**

When a Fund writes a call option, an amount equal to the premium received by it is included in its balance sheet as an asset and as an equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option written. The current market value of a written option is the last sale price on the principal exchange on which such option is traded or, in the absence of a sale, the mean between the last bid and offering prices. If an option which a Fund has written on an equity security expires on its stipulated expiration date, or if the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, it realizes a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase transaction exceeds the premium received when the option was sold) without regard to any unrealized gain or loss on the underlying security, and the liability related to such option is extinguished.

**FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**

The financial statements of the Funds for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, incorporated herein by reference from the Funds' [Form N-CSR](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1317146/000113322826003101/msifii-efp21118_ncsr.htm) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report which is also incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of Deloitte & Touche LLP given on the authority of that firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The Funds' shareholder reports and financial statements and other information are available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-309-3539, by sending an email request to fundinfo@massmutual.com, or by visiting MassMutual's website at https://www.massmutual.com/product-performance/variable-insurance-funds or the SEC's website at https://www.sec.gov.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**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:

• Leading
 market positions in well-established industries.

• High
 rates of return on funds employed.

• Conservative
 capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection.

• Broad
 margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash generation.

• 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**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 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**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%.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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.<br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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.<br>

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**APPENDIX B—PROXY VOTING POLICIES**

The following represents the proxy voting policies (the "Policies") of MML Series Investment Fund II (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</u>** **<u>RESPONSIBILITIES</u>**

&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;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;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;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;1. The Chief Compliance Officer of the Funds will annually update the Trustees after a review of proxy voting records.

&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;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, by calling 1-888-309-3539 or by sending an email request to fundinfo@massmutual.com, on the MassMutual website at https://www.massmutual.com/product-performance/variable-insurance-funds, and on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at https://www.sec.gov.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**MML INVESTMENT ADVISERS, LLC**<br>**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>**(October 25, 2023)**

**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 (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 or an investment adviser affiliated with the Fund of Funds' subadviser.

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;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;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

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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;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;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; (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, 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; or (iii) in the event a Fund of Funds is investing in an underlying fund pursuant to Rule 12d1-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, MML Investment Advisers will vote the shares held by the Fund of Funds in accordance with any conditions set forth in that rule.

&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;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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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.

**Record Retention**

The Investment Management team will retain for such time periods as set forth in Rule 204-2:

• Copies
 of all policies and procedures required by the Rule;

• A
 copy of each Proxy Statement that  MML Investment Advisers receives regarding a Fund of Fund's or Feeder Fund's
 investments;

• A
 copy of each Proxy Statement that MML Investment Advisers receives regarding a Special Situation;

• 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

• A

 Proxies on behalf of a Fund of Funds, a Feeder Fund, or in a Special Situation or that otherwise memorializes
 the basis for that decision.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**BARINGS LLC**<br>**GLOBAL PROXY VOTING POLICY**

**Key Points**

• Barings
 LLC ("Barings") has established a Proxy Voting Policy to establish the manner in which Barings fulfills its
 proxy voting responsibilities and complies with applicable regulations.

• Any
 proxies received by  Barings should be forwarded as soon as possible to the Proxy Voting Team for timely processing
 and voting.

• Barings
 has a responsibility to oversee any service providers it may engage to facilitate proxy voting on behalf of
 its clients.

**Introduction/Policy Statement**

As an investment adviser or manager, Barings has a fiduciary duty to vote proxies on behalf of its clients ("Clients"). Regulations that apply to Barings, including Rule 206(4)-6 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 applicable to US regulated investment advisers, requires that Barings adopt and implement written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of its Clients. The policies and procedures must:

• Describe
 how  Barings addresses material conflicts that may arise between Barings' interests and those of its Clients;

• Disclose
 to Clients how they may obtain information regarding how  Barings voted with respect to their securities;
 and

• Describe
 to Clients Barings' proxy voting policies and procedures and, upon request, furnish a copy of the policies
 and procedures.

The purpose of this Global Proxy Voting Policy ("Policy") is to establish the manner in which Barings will fulfill its proxy voting responsibilities and comply with applicable regulatory requirements. Barings understands that voting proxies is part of its investment advisory and management responsibilities and believes that as a general principle, proxies should be acted upon (voted or abstained) solely in the best interests of its Clients (i.e., in a manner that is most likely to enhance the economic value of the underlying securities held in Client accounts).

No Barings associate ("Associate"), officer, board of managers/directors of Barings or its affiliates (other than those assigned such responsibilities under the Policy) can influence how Barings votes proxies, unless such person has been requested to provide assistance from an authorized investment person or designee ("Proxy Analyst") or from a member of the Governance and Conflicts Committee ("GCC") and has disclosed any known Material Conflict, as discussed in the Procedures section below.

It should be noted that exercising rights related to preferred and private equity, equity related to distressed issuers or where Barings is involved in restructuring or refinancing efforts with an issuer are not covered by this Policy. Exercising rights for these types of securities and in these situations is handled by the relevant investment team, as it is Barings belief that they are in the best position to exercise these rights given their access to confidential or material non-public information. Such rights may also be subject to certain contractual or legal obligations that apply to Barings and its Clients.

**Requirements**

**Standard Proxy Procedures**

Barings engages a proxy voting service provider ("Service Provider") responsible for processing and maintaining records of proxy votes. In addition, the Service Provider, a recognized authority on proxy voting and corporate governance, provides research and recommendations (including environmental, social and governance topics) on proxies to Barings as its research provider ("Research Provider"). Barings' policy is to generally vote all Client proxies for which it has proxy voting discretion in accordance with the recommendations of the Research Provider or with the Research Provider's proxy voting guidelines ("Guidelines"), in the absence of a recommendation. In circumstances where the Research Provider has not provided a recommendation, the proxy will be analyzed on a case-by-case basis.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

Barings recognizes that there may be times when it is in the best interests of Clients to vote proxies: (i) against the Research Provider's recommendations; or (ii) in instances where the Research Provider has not provided a recommendation, against the Guidelines. Barings can vote, in whole or part, against the Research Provider's recommendations or Guidelines as it deems appropriate. Procedures are designed to ensure that votes against the Research Provider's recommendations or Guidelines are made in the best interests of Clients and are not the result of any material conflict of interest ("Material Conflict"). For purposes of this Policy, a Material Conflict is defined as any position, relationship or interest, financial or otherwise, of Barings or Associate that could reasonably be expected to affect the independence or judgment concerning proxy voting.

**Review of Service Provider/Research Provider**

In determining whether to retain, or continue the retention of, the Service Provider and/or Research Provider Barings should consider, among other things:

• if
 the Service Provider and/or Research Provider have the capacity and competency to adequately analyze the matters
 for which  Barings is responsible for voting by, for example, reviewing the adequacy and quality of the Service
 Provider's and/or Research Provider's staffing, personnel, and/or technology;

• if
 the Research Provider has an effective process for seeking timely input from issuers and Research Provider clients
 with respect to such matters as its proxy voting policies, methodologies, and if applicable, its peer group constructions.
 If peer group comparisons are a component of the Research Provider's substantive evaluation,
  Barings should consider how the Research Provider incorporates appropriate input in formulating its methodologies
 and construction of issuer peer groups, and how, in constructing peer groups, the Research Provider
 takes into account the unique characteristics regarding the issuer, to the extent available, such as the issuer's
 size; its governance structure; its industry and any particular practices unique to that industry; and its history;

• whether
 the Research Provider has adequately disclosed to  Barings its methodologies in formulating voting recommendations,
 such that Barings can understand the factors underlying the Research Provider's voting recommendations.
 In addition, Barings should consider the nature of any third-party information sources that the
 Research Provider uses as a basis for its voting recommendations;

• whether
 the Research Provider has adequate policies and procedures to identify, disclose, and address actual and potential
 conflicts of interest, including (1) conflicts relating to the provision of proxy voting recommendations and
 proxy voting services generally, (2) conflicts relating to activities other than providing proxy voting recommendations
 and proxy voting services, and (3) conflicts presented by certain affiliations;

• the
 effectiveness of the Research Provider's firm's policies and procedures for obtaining current and accurate information
 relevant to matters included in its research and on which it makes voting recommendations. In assessing
 such matters,  Barings should consider: the Research Provider'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; and

• Barings
 should consider requiring the Research Provider to update Barings regarding business changes Barings considers
 relevant (i.e., with respect to the Research Provider's capacity and competency to provide independent proxy
 voting advice or carry out voting instructions), and should consider whether the Research Provider appropriately
 updates its methodologies, guidelines, and voting recommendations on an ongoing basis, including
 in response to feedback from issuers and their shareholders.

**Other Considerations**

There could be circumstances where Barings is unable or determines not to vote a proxy on behalf of its Clients. The following is a non-inclusive list of examples whereby Barings may decide not to vote proxies on behalf of its Clients:

• The
 cost of voting a proxy for a foreign security outweighs the expected benefit to the Client, so long as refraining
 from voting does not materially harm the Client;

• Barings
 is not given enough time to process the vote (i.e., receives a meeting notice and proxy from the issuer too
 late to permit voting);

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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

• Barings
 may hold shares on a company's record date, but sells them prior to the company's meeting date;

• Barings
 has outstanding sell orders on a particular security and the decision to refrain from voting may be made in
 order to facilitate such sale;

• The
 underlying securities have been lent out pursuant to a security lending program; or

• The
 company has participated in share blocking, which would prohibit  Barings ability to trade or loan shares for a
 period of time.

**Administration of Proxy Voting**

Barings has designated the Proxy Voting Team to ensure the responsibilities set forth in this Policy are satisfied.

**Handling of Proxies**

Proxy statements and ballots are typically routed directly to Barings' proxy voting Service Provider. In the event that an Associate receives a proxy statement or ballot, the Associate should immediately forward the statement or ballot to the Proxy Voting Team who will record receipt of the proxy, route the materials for review, maintain a record of all action taken and process votes.

**Voting of Proxies**

Typically, Barings will vote all Client proxies for which it has proxy voting discretion, where no Material Conflict exists, in accordance with the Research Provider's recommendation or Guidelines, unless (i) Barings is unable or determines not to vote a proxy in accordance with the Policy; or (ii) a Proxy Analyst determines that it is in the Clients' best interests to vote against the Research Provider's recommendation or Guidelines. In the event a Proxy Analyst believes a proxy should be voted against the Research Provider's recommendations or Guidelines, the Proxy Voting Team will vote the proxy in accordance with the Proxy Analyst's recommendation so long as (i) no other Proxy Analyst disagrees with such recommendation; and (ii) no known Material Conflict is identified by the Proxy Analyst(s) or the Proxy Voting Team. If a Material Conflict is identified by a Proxy Analyst or the Proxy Voting Team, the proxy will be submitted to the GCC to determine how the proxy is to be voted in order to achieve the Clients' best interests.

Pre-vote communications with proxy-solicitors are prohibited. In the event that a pre-vote communication occurs, it should be reported to the GCC, the relevant Head of Compliance and/or General Counsel prior to voting. Any questions or concerns regarding proxy-solicitor arrangements should be addressed to the relevant Head of Compliance and/or General Counsel, or the respective designees.

**Oversight**

Compliance will review the Policy at least annually and recommend any necessary changes to Barings' GCC. Compliance or the GCC will be responsible for (i) approving proxy voting forms as needed; and (ii) reviewing and approving any proposed changes to disclosures. In addition to the above, the Proxy Voting Team will provide materials to the relevant Barings' governance committees or Compliance on the following matters:

• The
 extent to which potential credible factual errors, potential incompleteness, or potential methodological weaknesses
 in the Service Provider and or Research Provider (that  Barings becomes aware of and deems relevant)
 are materially affecting the research or recommendations that Barings used or is using in voting;

• Confirm
 to Compliance that it believes that  Barings is casting votes on behalf of its clients consistently with the Policy.
 This confirmation will be based on the Proxy Voting Team, at least annually, sampling the proxy votes cast
 on behalf of its clients. The review will consist of sampling of proxy votes that relate to proposals that may require
 more issuer-specific analysis (e.g., mergers and acquisition transactions, dissolutions, conversions, or consolidations)
 and providing the results of this testing to Compliance. Any identified issues will be escalated as necessary
 to the relevant governance committee;

• Periodically
 reviewing the Service Provider's guidelines used in the voting of proxies and notify the  GCC of any material
 changes;

• Confirm
 that  Barings is casting votes when a conflict of interest exists in compliance with the Policy;

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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

• Escalating
 any issues relating to proxy voting identified during internal or external audits or assessments or reviews
 to Compliance and or the relevant governance committee; and

• In
 circumstances where either the  Proxy Voting Team has not provided a recommendation or has not contemplated
 an issue within its Guidelines and the proxy is analyzed on a case-by-case basis, or the matter subject
 to the proxy was contested or highly controversial, considering whether a higher degree of analysis was necessary
 to assess whether any votes cast on behalf of Barings' clients were cast in the clients' best interest will
 be presented to the GCC.

**New Account Procedures**

Investment management agreements generally delegate the authority to Barings to vote proxies in accordance with its Policy. In the event that an investment management agreement is silent on proxy voting, Barings should obtain written instructions from the Client as to their voting preference. However, except for those jurisdictions where written explicit delegation is required such as Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea, when the Client does not provide written instructions as to their voting preference, Barings will assume proxy voting responsibilities. In the event that a Client makes a written request regarding proxy voting, Barings will vote as instructed.

**Required Disclosures and Client Request for Information**

Barings will include a summary of this Policy in the Form ADV Part 2A for its US registered investment advisers, as well as provide instructions as to how a Client may request a copy of this Policy and/or a record of how Barings voted the Client's proxies. Requests will be directed to the Proxy Voting Team, who will provide the information to the appropriate client service representative in order to respond to the Client in a timely manner.

**Conflict Resolution and Escalation Process**

Associates should immediately report any issues they believe are a potential or actual breach of this Policy to their relevant business unit management and to the relevant Chief Compliance Officer (or relevant designee). The relevant Chief Compliance Officer (or relevant designee) will review the matter and determine whether the issue is an actual breach and whether to grant an exception, and/or the appropriate course of action. When making such determination, the relevant Chief Compliance Officer (or relevant designee) may, as part of his/her review, discuss the matter with relevant business unit management, members of the Senior Leadership Team, governance committees or other parties (i.e. legal counsel, auditor, etc.).

The relevant Compliance Department can grant exceptions to any provision of this Policy so long as such exceptions are consistent with the purpose of the Policy and applicable law, are documented and such documentation is retained for the required retention period. Any questions regarding the applicability of this Policy should be directed to the appropriate Compliance Department or the relevant Chief Compliance Officer (or relevant designee).

**Books and Records Retained**

The table below identifies each record that is required to be retained under this Policy, unless a different retention period is required by local regulations in the relevant jurisdiction. Records may be unique to a jurisdiction or consolidated with those maintained by Barings. Any required record that is required to be retained under applicable Barings Policies, including those produced and/or created in whole or in part by using Generative AI will be retained based on the nature of the data and will be treated like human-created records under the relevant Barings Policy. To ensure proper retention of these records, all business should be conducted by Barings' Associates using a Barings' approved corporate device and/or an approved and supported Barings platform (e.g. mail system, social media account, recording technology, storage medium, trading platform, Barings' supported application, etc.):

---

| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Description/Requirement** | **Barings Record** | **Creator** | **Owner** | **Retention** **Period** | **Source** |
| The Compliance review and any approvals needed by GCC of Policy, proxy activity, and approval of Proxy Voting Forms | Compliance and GCC meeting materials | Proxy Voting Team and Compliance | GCC Representative | 7 Years | Barings Policy Requirement and Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Rule 206(4)-6 Barings Policy requirement for Barings US regulated Advisers |

---

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

---

| | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Description/Requirement** | **Barings Record** | **Creator** | **Owner** | **Retention** **Period** | **Source** |
| Proxy statements, research, recommendations, and records of votes cast | Proxy Records | Service Provider or Proxy Voting Team | Service Provider or Proxy Voting Team | 7 Years | Barings Policy Requirement and Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Rule 206(4)-6 Barings Policy requirement for Barings US regulated Advisers |
| Proxy Voting Forms (including supporting documentation used in deciding how to vote) | Proxy Voting Forms | Proxy Voting Team and/or Proxy Analyst | Proxy Voting Team | 7 Years | Barings Policy Requirement and Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Rule 206(4)-6 Barings Policy requirement for Barings US regulated Advisers |
| Client written requests for proxy voting information and responses thereto | Client Proxy Requests | Proxy Voting Team | Proxy Voting Team | 7 Years | Barings Policy Requirement and Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Rule 206(4)-6 Barings Policy requirement for Barings US regulated Advisers |
| Form N-PX, for proxies voted on behalf of an investment company for which Barings serves as investment adviser and is responsible for making such filing on behalf of its Clients | Form N-PX | Proxy Voting Team | Legal Department | 7 Years | Barings Policy requirement and<br>Investment Advisers Act of 1940,<br>Rule 206(4)-6 for Barings US<br>regulated Advisers Rule 30b1-4 |
| The Proxy Voting Policy, associated procedures and any amendments thereto | Proxy Voting Policy | Compliance Department | Compliance Department | 7 Years | Barings Policy requirement |
| A copy of the Research Provider's proxy voting guidelines | Research Provider's Proxy Voting Guidelines | Research Provider | Proxy Voting Team | 7 Years | Barings Policy requirement |

---

Original Date of Policy:<br>October 2004 (Barings)

Last Review Date:<br>July 2025

Last Revision Date:<br>August 2023

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**BRANDYWINE GLOBAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC**<br>**Proxy Voting**

**Responsibility to Vote Proxies**

As an investment adviser, Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC ("Brandywine Global") owes its clients a duty of care and loyalty with respect to services undertaken on their behalf, including proxy voting. Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 requires an investment adviser who exercises voting authority with respect to client securities to adopt and implement written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that the investment adviser votes proxies in the best interest of its clients.

**Client Accounts for which Brandywine Global Votes Proxies**

Brandywine Global votes proxies for each client account for which the client has specifically delegated to Brandywine Global the power to vote proxies in the applicable investment management agreement or other written document, or in instances where the client has assigned Brandywine Global investment discretion over their account. Brandywine Global also votes proxies for any employee benefit plan client subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), unless the applicable investment management agreement specifically reserves the responsibility for voting proxies to the plan trustees or other named fiduciary.

At or prior to the inception of each client account, Brandywine Global will determine whether it has proxy voting authority over such account. In instances where the client has retained proxy voting responsibility, Brandywine Global will have no involvement in the proxy voting process for that client.

**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. 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 value and to protect shareholder interests.

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 a client's investment. As part of its fiduciary duty, Brandywine Global does consider environmental, social, and governance issues that may impact the value of an investment, through introducing opportunity or by creating risk, or both.

**How Brandywine Global Votes Proxies**

Appendix A sets forth general guidelines considered by Brandywine Global 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 no stated position set forth in Appendix A, Brandywine Global votes on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the General Principles.

The general guidelines set forth in Appendix A are not binding on Brandywine Global, but rather are intended to provide an analytical framework for the review and assessment of common proxy issues. Such guidelines can always be superseded based on an assessment of the proxy issue and determination that a vote that is contrary to such general guidelines is in the best economic interests of client accounts. Different portfolio management teams within Brandywine Global 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**Use of an Independent Proxy Service Firm**

Brandywine Global may contract with an independent proxy service firm to provide Brandywine Global with certain services, including but not limited to, information or recommendations with regard to proxy votes or other administrative support. Brandywine Global is not required to follow any recommendation furnished by such service provider. The use of an independent proxy service firm to provide proxy voting information 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 or recommendations with regard to proxy votes, Brandywine Global will periodically review and assess such firm's policies, procedures and practices including those with respect to the disclosure and handling of conflicts of interest.

**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 as a result of the firm's business or as a result of an employee's personal relationships or circumstances.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**A.** **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.

1. 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.

2. Brandywine
 Global treats client 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.

3. 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.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**B.** **Procedures for Assessing Materiality of Conflicts of Interest** 

1. All
 potential conflicts of interest identified must be brought to the attention of the Investment Committee for resolution.

2. The
 Investment Committee determines whether a conflict of interest is material. A conflict of interest will 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 will be maintained.

3. 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**C.** **Procedures for Addressing Material Conflicts of Interest** 

1. With
 the exception of those material conflicts identified in A.2. which will be voted in accordance with paragraph
  C.1.b. below, if it is determined by the Investment Committee that a conflict of interest is material, the
 Investment Committee will 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
 will 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:

(a) confirming
 that the proxy will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of an independent proxy service
 firm retained by  Brandywine Global;

(b) 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; or

(c) such
 other method as is deemed appropriate given the particular facts and circumstances.

2. A
 written record of the method used to resolve a material conflict of interest will be maintained .

**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.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**A.** **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 may 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.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**B.** **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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**Proxy Voting-Related Disclosures**

**A. 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 will 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 may not disclose to any person outside of Brandywine Global, including without limitation another investment management firm (affiliated or unaffiliated) how Brandywine Global intends to vote a proxy without prior approval from Brandywine Global's Chief Compliance Officer. Prior approval is not required in instances where Brandywine Global discloses directly to representatives of an issuer how Brandywine Global intends to vote a proxy so long as the disclosure is made solely to representatives of the issuer and Brandywine Global believes that the disclosure is in the best interests of its clients.

If a Brandywine Global employee receives a request to disclose Brandywine Global's proxy voting intentions to 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.

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. 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 will promptly provide the client with such requested information in writing.

Brandywine Global will 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. Delegation of Duties**

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.

**Proxy Engagement and Certain Non-Proxy Voting Matters**

Brandywine Global may determine that it is appropriate and beneficial to engage in a dialogue or written communication with a company or other shareholders regarding certain matters on a company's proxy statement from time to time, if and to the extent that Brandywine Global determines that doing so is consistent with law and applicable general fiduciary principles. A company or shareholder may also seek to engage with Brandywine Global in advance of the company's formal proxy solicitation to review issues more generally or gauge support for certain proposals.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

Absent a specific contrary written agreement with a client or other legal obligation, 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 accounts, 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.

**Recordkeeping**

In addition to all other records required by this Policy and Procedures, Brandywine Global will maintain the following records relating to proxy voting:

A. a
 copy of this Policy and Procedures, including any and all amendments that may be adopted;

B. a
 copy of each proxy statement that  Brandywine Global receives regarding client securities;

C. a
 record of each vote cast by  Brandywine Global on behalf of a client;

D. documentation
 relating to the identification and resolution of conflicts of interest;

E. any

 the basis for that decision;

F. 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

G. records
 showing whether or not  Brandywine Global has proxy voting authority for each client account.

All required records will 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 will 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 will 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**Appendix A**<br>**Proxy Voting Guidelines**

Below are proxy voting guidelines that Brandywine Global generally follows when voting proxies for securities held in client accounts. One or more portfolio management teams may decide to deviate from these guidelines with respect to any one or more particular proxy votes, subject in all cases to the duty to act solely in the best interest of client accounts holding the applicable security.

**I. Compensation**

A. We
 vote for non-employee director stock options, unless we consider the number of shares available for issue
 excessive.

B. We
 vote for employee stock purchase programs.

C. We
 vote for compensation plans that are tied to the company achieving set profitability hurdles.

D. 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.

E. We
 vote against attempts to increase incentive stock options available if they are excessive, either in total or
 for one individual.

F. 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.

G. We
 vote for measures that give shareholders a vote on executive compensation.

**II. Governance**

A. We
 vote for proposals to separate the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board positions.

B. We
 vote against "catch-all" authorizations permitting proxy holders to conduct unspecified business that arises during
 shareholder meetings.

**III. Anti-Takeover**

We vote against anti-takeover measures, including without limitation:

A. 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).

B. Super-Majority
 Voting Measures (for example, requiring a greater than 50% vote to approve takeovers or make certain
 changes).

C. 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. 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**INVESCO'S POLICY STATEMENT ON GLOBAL CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND PROXY VOTING**<br>**Effective March 2026**

**I. Introduction**

------

Invesco Ltd. and its wholly owned investment adviser subsidiaries (collectively, "Invesco," the "Company," "our" or "we") have adopted and implemented this Policy Statement on Global Corporate Governance and Proxy Voting (this "Global Proxy Voting Policy" or "Policy"), which we believe describes policies and procedures reasonably designed to assure proxy voting matters are conducted in the best interests of our clients. The policy generally applies where Invesco invests and manages investments on behalf of its clients and has been delegated proxy voting authority.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;***A. Our Approach to Proxy Voting***

Proxy voting is an integral aspect of the investment management services Invesco provides to clients. As an investment adviser, Invesco has a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of our clients. Where Invesco has been delegated the authority to vote proxies with respect to securities held in client portfolios, we exercise such authority in the manner we believe best serves the interests of such clients and their investment objectives. We recognize that proxy voting is an important tool that enables us to drive long-term shareholder value.

A summary of our global operational procedures and governance structure is included in Part II of this Policy. Invesco's good governance principles, which are included in Part III of this Policy, and our internal proxy voting guidelines are both principles and rules, and cover topics that typically appear on voting ballots. Invesco's investment teams retain ultimate authority to vote proxies. Given the complexity of proxy issues across our clients' holdings globally, our investment teams consider many factors when determining how to cast votes. We seek to evaluate and make voting decisions that favor proxy proposals and governance practices that, in our view, promote long-term shareholder value.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;***B. Scope of Policy***

Invesco's investment teams vote proxies on behalf of Invesco 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 is implemented by all entities listed in Exhibit A, except as noted below. 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 local policies and this Policy differ, the local policy will apply. These entities subject to local policies are listed in Exhibit A. Additionally, eligible exchange-traded funds may participate in Invesco's Proxy Voting Choice Program Pilot. Eligible funds are listed in Exhibit B.

**II. Global Proxy Voting Operational Procedures**

------

Invesco's global proxy voting operational procedures (the "Procedures") are in place to implement the provisions of this Policy. Invesco aims to vote all proxies for which it has voting authority in accordance with this Policy, as implemented by the Procedures outlined in this Section II. It is the responsibility of Invesco's Global Corporate Governance & Advisory team to maintain and facilitate the review of the Procedures annually.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;***A. Oversight and Governance***

The Global Corporate Governance & Advisory team and the Global Invesco Proxy Advisory Committee ("Global IPAC") provides oversight of the proxy voting process. For some clients, third parties (e.g., U.S. fund boards) and internal sub-committees also provide oversight of the proxy voting process.

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 comprising representatives from various investment management teams. Representatives from Invesco's Legal, Compliance, Risk, Investment Stewardship and Government Affairs departments may also participate in Global IPAC meetings. The Global Head of Corporate Governance & Advisory chairs the committee. The Global IPAC provides a forum for investment teams to:

• monitor,
 understand and discuss key proxy issues and voting trends within the Invesco complex;

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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

• assist
 Invesco in meeting regulatory obligations;

• review
 votes not aligned with our good governance principles; and

• consider
 conflicts of interest in the proxy voting process.

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 Corporate Governance & Advisory team and investment teams to assure 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; and (iv) reviews and provides input, at least annually, on this Policy and related internal procedures and recommends any changes to this Policy based on, but not limited to, Invesco's experience, evolving industry practices, or developments in applicable laws or regulations. In addition, when necessary, the Global IPAC Conflict of Interest Sub-committee makes voting decisions on proxies that require an override of this Policy due to an actual or perceived conflict of interest. The Global IPAC reviews Global IPAC Conflict of Interest Sub-committee voting decisions.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;***B. The Proxy Voting Process***

When making voting decisions, Invesco's investment teams may take a wide array of factors into consideration and may utilize information from various sources, including, but not limited to, company filings, company site visits, management engagements, industry trade groups, third-party research, internal proprietary research and Invesco's internal Good Governance Principles set out in Section III of this policy.

Our Global Voting Policy and Good Governance Principles apply to all relevant asset classes, however, there may be different approaches to voting for certain asset classes. For example, voting decisions with respect to investments in fixed income securities and privately held securities will generally be made by the relevant investment teams based on their evaluation of the specific transactions or matters under consideration. In the event this Policy or Invesco's Good Governance Principles do not provide a vote recommendation, and an investment team does not make a voting decision, Invesco will vote the proxy item consistent with the recommendation of the issuer.

Invesco's investment teams are supported by a centralized investment stewardship function, including the Global Corporate Governance & Advisory team which evaluates proxy proposals. For certain investment teams of actively-managed products, the Global Corporate Governance & Advisory team evaluates proxy ballot items, analyzes proxy proposals to facilitate decision-making by the investment teams, and casts votes in accordance with the investment team's instructions. For certain passively-managed investment strategies that seek to track an index, the Global Corporate Governance & Advisory team may evaluate and execute votes on proposals that meet pre-defined criteria, including materiality thresholds. This team may utilize information from various sources, including but not limited to company filings, management engagements, industry trade groups, third-party research, internal proprietary research and the Good Governance Principles in Section III of this Policy. Investment teams retain discretion to vote proxies independently of, or consistent with, this Policy, the Good Governance Principles and any recommendations from the Global Corporate Governance & Advisory team. There may also be instances where different investment teams reach different positions on voting issues for the same proxy.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;***C. Proxy Voting Administration***

At Invesco, investment teams execute voting decisions through our proprietary voting platform and are supported by the Global Corporate Governance & Advisory team and a dedicated technology team. Invesco's proprietary voting platform streamlines the proxy voting process by providing our investment teams with direct access to proxy meeting materials, including ballots, Invesco's internal proxy voting guidelines and recommendations, as well as proxy research and vote recommendations issued by Proxy Service Providers (as such term is defined in Part C below). Votes executed on Invesco's proprietary voting platform are transmitted to our proxy voting agent electronically and are then delivered to the respective designee for tabulation.

Invesco's Global Corporate Governance & Advisory team monitors whether we have received proxy ballots for shareholder meetings in which we are entitled to vote. This involves coordination among various parties in the proxy voting ecosystem, including, but not limited to, our proxy voting agent, custodians and ballot distributors. If necessary, we may choose to escalate a matter in accordance with our internal procedures to facilitate our ability to exercise our right to vote.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

Our proprietary systems are designed to facilitate internal control and oversight of the voting process. To facilitate the casting of votes in an efficient manner, Invesco may choose to pre-populate and leverage the capabilities of these proprietary systems to automatically submit votes based on internal proxy voting guidelines. To efficiently execute proxy voting for clients' holdings, votes may be cast by Invesco or via the Proxy Service Providers Web platform at our direction.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;***D. Retention and Oversight of Proxy Service Providers***

Invesco has retained two independent third-party proxy voting service providers to provide proxy support globally: Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. ("ISS") and Glass Lewis ("GL"). In addition to ISS and GL, Invesco may retain certain local proxy service providers to access regionally specific research (such local proxy service providers, collectively with ISS and GL, "Proxy Service Providers"). The services may include one or more of the following: providing a comprehensive analysis of each voting item and interpretations of each voting item based on Invesco's internal proxy voting guidelines; and providing assistance with the administration of the proxy process and certain proxy voting-related functions, including, but not limited to, operational, reporting and recordkeeping services. To the extent Proxy Service Providers consider non-financial factors in their proxy research and recommendations, Invesco may take that into account when evaluating their proxy research and recommendations.

While Invesco may take into consideration the information and recommendations provided by the Proxy Service Providers, including recommendations based upon Invesco's internal proxy voting guidelines and recommendations provided to such Proxy Service Providers, Invesco's investment teams retain full and independent discretion with respect to proxy voting decisions.

Updates to previously issued proxy research reports and recommendations may be provided to investment teams to incorporate newly available information or additional disclosure provided by an 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 Corporate Governance & Advisory team periodically monitors for these research alerts issued by Proxy Service Providers with our investment teams.

Invesco performs extensive initial and ongoing due diligence on the Proxy Service Providers it engages globally. Invesco conducts annual due diligence meetings as part of its ongoing due diligence. The topics included in these annual due diligence meetings include material changes in service levels, leadership and control, conflicts of interest, methodologies for formulating vote recommendations, operations, and research personnel, among other topics. In addition, Invesco monitors and communicates with the Proxy Service Providers throughout the year and monitors their compliance with Invesco's performance and policy standards.

As part of our annual policy development process, Invesco may engage with other external proxy and governance experts to understand market trends and developments. These meetings provide Invesco with an opportunity to assess the Proxy Service Providers' capabilities, conflicts of interest and service levels, as well as provide investment professionals with direct insight into the Proxy Service Providers' stances on key corporate governance and proxy topics and their policy framework/methodologies.

Invesco reviews the System and Organizational Controls ("SOC") Reports for Proxy Service Providers to confirm that their related controls were in place and to provide reasonable assurance that the related controls operated effectively.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;***E. Disclosures and Recordkeeping***

This Policy is maintained by the Global Corporate Governance and Advisory team and accessible on the Invesco website. Records of votes cast by Invesco on behalf of clients are retained electronically for at least seven (7) years unless otherwise required by local or regional requirements by Invesco's Technology Department and by our Proxy Service Provider. Invesco makes its proxy voting records publicly available in compliance with regulatory requirements and industry best practices in the regions below:

• In
 accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") regulations, Invesco will file a record
 of all proxy voting activity for the prior 12 months ending June 30 for each U.S. registered fund. In addition,
 Invesco, as an institutional investment manager that is required to file Form 13F, will file a record of its
 votes on certain executive compensation ("say on pay") matters. The proxy voting filings will generally be made
 on or before August 31 of each year and are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov .
 In addition, each
 year, the Form N-PX proxy voting records for Invesco mutual funds' and closed-end funds', and Invesco ETF's
 are made available on Invesco's website https://vds.issgovernance.com/vds/#/MTAzOTcw .

• To
 the extent 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 adviser's voting procedure with respect to plan-owned stock, but
 also 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.

• In
 the UK and Europe, Invesco publicly discloses our proxy votes monthly in compliance with the UK Stewardship
 Code, found here: https://vds.issgovernance.com/vds/#/Mzk3MA==/. Additionally, in accordance with
 the European Shareholder Rights Directive and the UK Financial Conduct Authority's Conduct of Business Sourcebook
 ("UK COBS"), Invesco publishes an annual report on implementation of our engagement policies, including
 a general description of voting behavior, an explanation of the most significant votes and the use of proxy
 voting advisors.

• In
 Canada, Invesco publicly discloses a record of all proxy voting activity for the prior 12 months ending June 30 <sup>th</sup> for each Invesco Canada registered mutual fund and ETF. In compliance with the National Instrument 81-106
 Investment Fund Continuous Disclosure, the proxy voting records will generally be made available on or before
 August 31 <sup>st</sup> of each year, found here: https://vds.issgovernance.com/vds/#/MTg2Mg==/.

• In
 Japan, Invesco publicly discloses our proxy votes annually in compliance with the Japan Stewardship Code, found
 here: https://www.invesco.com/jp/ja/policies/proxy.html .

• In
 India, Invesco publicly discloses our proxy votes quarterly, found here: https://www.invescomutualfund.com/ about-us?tab=Statutory ,
 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 the SEBI Master
 Circular for Mutual Funds dated June 27, 2024 (as amended from time to time), 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.

• In
 Hong Kong, Invesco Hong Kong Limited will provide proxy voting records upon request in compliance with the
 Securities and Futures Commission Principles of Responsible Ownership.

• In
 Taiwan, Invesco publicly discloses our proxy voting policy and proxy votes annually in compliance with Taiwan's
 Stewardship Principles for Institutional Investors, found here: https://www.invesco.com/tw/zh/footer/ stewardship-code.html .

• In
 Australia, Invesco publicly discloses a summary of its proxy voting record annually, found here: https://www. invesco.com/au/en/Important-information-and-policies.html.

• In
 Singapore, Invesco Asset Management Singapore Ltd. will provide proxy voting records upon request in compliance
 with the Singapore Stewardship Principles for Responsible Investors.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

Invesco may engage Proxy Service Providers to make available or maintain certain required proxy voting records in accordance with the above stated applicable regulations. Separately managed account clients that have authorized Invesco to vote proxies on their behalf will receive proxy voting information with respect to those accounts upon request. Certain other clients may obtain information about how we voted proxies on their behalf by contacting their client service representative or advisor. Invesco does not publicly disclose voting intentions in advance of shareholder meetings.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;***F. 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 exceed any benefit to clients. Moreover, ERISA fiduciaries must not subordinate the economic interests of plan participants and beneficiaries to unrelated objectives when voting proxies or exercising other shareholder rights. These matters are left to the discretion of the relevant investment team. Such circumstances could include, for example:

• Certain
 countries impose temporary trading restrictions, a practice known as "share blocking." This means that once
 the shares have been voted, the shareholder does not have the ability to sell the shares for a certain period of
 time, usually until the day after the conclusion of the shareholder meeting. Unless a client directs otherwise, Invesco
 generally refrains from voting proxies at companies or in markets where share blocking applies. In some
 instances, Invesco may determine that the benefit to the client(s) of voting a specific proxy outweighs the client's
 temporary inability to sell the shares.

• Some
 companies require a representative to attend shareholder meetings in person to vote a proxy, or issuer-specific
 additional documentation, certification or the disclosure of beneficial owner details to vote. Invesco
 may determine that the costs of sending a representative or submitting additional documentation, including
 power of attorney documentation, or disclosures outweigh the benefit of voting a particular proxy.

• Invesco
 may not receive proxy materials from the relevant fund or custodian used by our clients with sufficient time
 and information to make an informed independent voting decision.

• Invesco
 held shares on the record date but sold them prior to the meeting date.

• Although
 Invesco uses reasonable efforts to vote a proxy, proxies may not be accepted or may be rejected for various
 reasons, including due to changes in the agenda for a shareholder meeting for which Invesco does not have
 sufficient notice, when certain custodians used by our clients do not offer a proxy voting in a jurisdiction, or
 due to operational issues experienced by third parties involved in the process or by an issuer or sub-custodian.

• Additionally,
 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 an issuer's agent. Invesco will generally endeavor
 to vote and maintain any paper ballots received provided they are delivered in a timely manner ahead of
 the vote deadline.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;***G. Securities Lending***

Invesco's funds may participate in a securities lending program. In circumstances where Invesco fund 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 vote is material to the investment, and therefore, the benefit to the client of voting a particular proxy outweighs the economic benefits of securities lending. In those instances, Invesco may determine to recall securities that are on loan prior to the meeting record date, so we will be entitled to vote those shares. For example, for certain actively managed funds, the lending agent has standing instructions to recall all securities on loan systematically in a timely manner on a best efforts basis for Invesco to vote the proxies on those previously loaned shares. There may be instances where Invesco may be unable to recall shares or may choose not to recall shares. Such circumstances may include instances when Invesco does not receive timely notice of the meeting, or when Invesco deems the opportunity for a fund to generate securities lending revenue outweighs the benefits of voting at a specific meeting. The relevant investment team will make these determinations.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;***H. Conflicts of Interest***

There may be occasions where voting proxies may present a perceived or actual conflict of interest between Invesco, as investment adviser, 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, or serving as 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 using criteria established by the Global Corporate Governance & Advisory team. These criteria are monitored and updated periodically by the Global Corporate Governance & Advisory team so up-to-date information is available when conducting conflicts checks. Operating procedures and associated governance are designed to assure conflicts of interest are appropriately considered ahead of voting proxies. 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 internal proxy voting guidelines. To the extent an investment team disagrees with the Policy, our processes and procedures seek to assure that justifications and rationales are fully documented and presented to the Global IPAC Conflict of Interest Sub-committee for approval by a majority vote of the Sub-committee.

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 instruct "abstain" on proxies issued by Invesco Ltd. that are held in client accounts. If an "abstain" vote is not operationally possible, Invesco will not vote the shares.

**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.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;***I. Voting of Affiliated Holdings and Funds of Funds***

Funds of funds holdings can create various special situations for proxy voting, including operational challenges in certain markets. The scenarios below set out examples of how Invesco votes funds of funds:

• When
 required by law or regulation, securities issued by an Invesco fund held by other Invesco funds will be voted
 in the same proportion as the votes of external holders of the underlying fund. If such proportional voting is
 not operationally possible, Invesco will not vote the securities.

• When
 required by law or regulation, securities issued by an unaffiliated registered fund held by one or more Invesco
 funds will be voted in the same proportion as the votes of external holders of the underlying fund. If such
 proportional voting is not operationally possible, Invesco will not vote the securities.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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

• For
 U.S. funds of funds where proportional voting is not required by law or regulation, securities issued by Invesco
 funds held by other Invesco funds generally will be voted in the same proportion as the votes of external holders
 of the underlying fund. If such proportional voting is not operationally possible, Invesco will vote in line with
 internal proxy voting guidelines. Investment teams retain full discretion over proxy voting decisions for funds
 of funds where proportional voting is not required by law or regulation and may choose to vote differently.

• For
 U.S. funds of funds where proportional voting is not required by law or regulation, securities issued by unaffiliated
 registered funds held by one or more Invesco funds generally will be voted in the same proportion as
 the votes of external holders of the underlying fund. If such proportional voting is not operationally possible, Invesco
 will vote in line with internal proxy voting guidelines. Investment teams retain full discretion over proxy
 voting decisions for funds of funds where proportional voting is not required by law or regulation and may
 choose to vote differently.

• Securities
 issued by non-U.S. funds of funds will not be voted proportionally due to operational limitations. The applicable
 Invesco entity will vote in line with its local policies, as indicated in Exhibit A. If no local policies exist,
 Invesco will vote in line with the firm level conflicts of interest process described above.

• Where
 client accounts are invested directly in securities issued by Invesco affiliates and Invesco has proxy voting
 authority, securities will be voted in the same proportion as the votes of external shareholders of the underlying
 securities. If proportional voting is not possible, the securities will be voted in line with a Proxy Service
 Provider's recommendation.

• Where
 Invesco invests in its own products (either as seed capital or otherwise), securities will be voted in line with
 recommendations of the issuer's management or board.

• Unless
 it decides to solicit investor instructions, Invesco shall not vote the securities of an Invesco fund held by a
 fund, client or proprietary account managed by Invesco Canada Ltd.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;***J. Review of Policy***

It is the responsibility of the Global IPAC to review this Policy and the internal proxy voting guidelines annually to consider whether any changes are warranted. This annual review seeks to assure that this Policy and the internal proxy voting guidelines remain consistent with clients' best interests, regulatory requirements, local market standards and best practices. Further, this Policy and our internal proxy voting guidelines are reviewed at least annually by various departments within Invesco to seek 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 Corporate Governance & Advisory team and various departments internally. 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 investment teams retain full discretion on vote execution in the context of our good governance principles and internal proxy voting guidelines, except where otherwise specified in this Policy. The final voting decisions may consider the unique facts and circumstances applicable to each company, issue, and individual ballot item. These include relevant market laws and regulations, country-specific best practices or corporate governance codes, the issuer's public disclosures, internal research, input from external research providers, and any dialogue we have had with company management. As a result, investment teams may reach different conclusions on portfolio companies and may cast different votes at the same shareholder meeting. When investment teams choose to vote a proxy that is contrary to the principles below or internal proxy voting guidelines, they are required to document their rationales.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

The following guiding principles apply to proxy voting with respect to operating companies. We apply a separate approach to open-end and closed-end investment companies and unit investment trusts. Where appropriate, these guidelines may be supplemented by additional internal guidance that considers regional variations in best practices, company disclosure and region-specific voting items. Invesco may vote on proposals not specifically addressed by these principles or guidelines based on an evaluation of a proposal's likelihood to enhance long-term shareholder value.

Our good governance principles are organized around six broad pillars:

&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 an annual general meeting or special meeting to allow for timely review and 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.

• We
 will generally support proposals to accept the annual financial statements, statutory accounts and similar proposals.
 However, if these reports are not presented in a timely manner or significant issues are identified regarding
 their integrity (e.g., the external auditor's opinion is absent or qualified), we will generally review the matter
 on a case-by-case basis.

***External auditor ratification and audit fees:***

• 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 if 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.

• 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.

***Other business:*** Generally, we vote against proposals to transact other business matters where disclosure is insufficient and we are not given the opportunity to review and understand what issues may be raised.

***Related-party transactions:*** Invesco will generally consider the following factors when evaluating related party transactions, among others:

• disclosure
 of the transaction details must be full and transparent (such as details of the related parties and of the transaction
 subject, timeframe, pricing, potential conflicts of interest, and other terms and conditions);

• the
 transaction must be fair and appropriate, with a sound strategic rationale;

• the
 company should provide an independent opinion either from the supervisory board or an external financial adviser;

• minority
 shareholders' interests should be protected; and

• the
 transactions should be on an arm's length basis.

***Routine business items and formalities:*** Invesco generally votes non-contentious routine business items and formalities as recommended by the issuer's management and board of directors. Routine business items and formalities generally include proposals to:

• accept
 or approve a variety of routine reports; and

• approve
 provisionary financial budgets and strategy for the current year.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

&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 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.

• 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.

• We
 generally support proposals to decommission differentiated voting rights.

• 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 delay takeover attempts may unduly limit the accountability of boards and management teams to shareholders.

• We
 generally will not support proposals to adopt anti-takeover 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.

• In
 addition, we will generally not support capital authorizations or amendments to corporate articles or bylaws at
 operating companies that may be utilized for anti-takeover purposes, for example, the authorization of classes of
 shares of preferred stock with unspecified voting, dividend, conversion or other rights ("blank check" authorizations).

• We
 generally support proposals for the removal of anti-takeover provisions.

***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.

***Proxy access:*** Within the US market, we generally vote for management and shareholder proposals for proxy access that employ guidelines reflecting the SEC framework for proxy access with the following provisions:

• Ownership
 threshold: at least three percent (3%) of the voting power;

• Ownership
 duration: at least three (3) years of continuous ownership for each member of the nominating group;

• Aggregation:
 minimal or no limits on the number of shareholders permitted to form a nominating group; and

• Cap:
 cap on nominees of one (1) director or twenty-five percent (25%) of the board, whichever is higher.

***Shareholder ability to call special meetings:*** Generally, we vote for management and shareholder proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to call special meetings with a minimum threshold of 10% but not greater than 25%. We generally will not support proposals to prohibit shareholders' right to call special meetings.

***Shareholder ability to act by written consent:*** Generally, we assess shareholder proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to act by written consent case-by-case taking into account the following factors, among other things:

• Shareholders'
 current right to call special meetings; and

• Investor
 ownership structure.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

***Supermajority vote requirements:*** Generally, we vote against proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote. We will vote for management and shareholder proposals to reduce supermajority vote requirements, in favor of a simple majority threshold. Lowering this requirement can democratize corporate governance and facilitate a more fair and dynamic decision-making that empowers and represents a wider shareholder base, especially for key corporate actions such as mergers, changes in control, or proposals to amend or repeal a portion of a company's articles of incorporation.

***Bundling of proposals:*** It is our view that the bundling of multiple proposals or articles amendments in one single voting item restricts shareholders' ability to express their views, with an all-or-nothing vote. We generally oppose such proposals unless all bundled resolutions are deemed acceptable and conducive of long-term shareholder value.

***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 and hear from the board and management.

• 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).

• We
 may support 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), if companies
 fulfill their 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. In particular, Invesco will consider, among other things, a company's practices, jurisdiction and
 disclosure, including the items set forth below:

(i) meeting
 procedures and requirements are disclosed in advance of a meeting detailing the rationale for eliminating
 the in-person meeting;

(ii) 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;

(iii) disclosure
 regarding procedures for questions received during the meeting, but not answered due to time or other
 restrictions; and

(iv) 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;***C. Board Composition and Effectiveness***

***Voting on director nominees in uncontested elections***

***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 should be free from 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.

• 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.

• We
 will generally vote against non-independent directors serving on the audit committee.

• We
 will generally vote against non-independent directors serving on the compensation committee.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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

• We
 will generally vote against non-independent directors serving on the nominating committee.

• 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.

***Independent Board Chair:*** It is our view 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).

• We
 will generally vote against the incumbent nominating committee chair, or nearest equivalent, where the board
 chair is not independent unless a lead independent or senior director is appointed.

• We
 will review shareholder proposals requesting that the board chair be an independent director on a case-by-case
 basis, taking into account several factors, including, but not limited to, the presence of a lead independent
 director and a sufficiently independent board, a sound governance structure with no record of recent
 material governance failures or controversies, and sound financial performance.  Invesco will also positively
 consider less disruptive proposals that will enter into force at the subsequent leadership transition.

• 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.

• We
 will generally vote against or withhold votes from directors who attend less than 75% of board and committee
 meetings for two consecutive years. We expect companies to disclose any extenuating circumstances, such
 as health matters or family emergencies, that would justify a director's low attendance, in line with good practices.

• We
 will generally vote against directors who have more than four total mandates at public operating companies, if
 their attendance is not disclosed or below 75% of all board and committee meetings in the year under review, or
 if material governance failures have been identified. We apply a lower threshold for directors with significant commitments
 such as executive positions and chairmanships.

***Other Board Qualifications:*** In our view, an effective board should be comprised of qualified and engaged directors with a mix of skills, experience, perspectives and characteristics. We recognize that the presence of a variety of these factors in the boardroom may contribute to robust challenge, debate, and innovation, and allows the board to make informed judgements. We expect companies to comply with their local market legal requirements or listing standards for board diversity and to the extent that a company fails to comply with such requirements, Invesco will generally vote against the nominating committee chair, or nearest equivalent. Invesco will also consider the professional experience of the individuals on the board and how they underpin the company's performance and long-term shareholder value, among other factors.

***Director term limits and retirement age:*** It is important for a board of directors to examine its membership regularly with a view to ensuring that the board is effective, and the company continues to benefit from a variety of director viewpoints and experience. It is our view that an individual board's nominating committee is best positioned to determine whether director term limits or establishing a mandatory retirement age would be an appropriate measure to help achieve these goals and, if so, the nature of such limits. Therefore, Invesco generally opposes shareholder proposals to limit the tenure of board directors or to impose a mandatory retirement age.

***Governance failures:*** A board of directors is ultimately responsible for overseeing management and ensuring that proper governance, oversight and control mechanisms are in place at the company it oversees. Invesco considers the adequacy of a company's response to material oversight failures when determining whether any voting action is warranted. Invesco may take voting action against director nominees in response to material failures of governance, risk oversight or fiduciary responsibilities at the company that adversely affect

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

shareholder value. This may include, bribery, fines or sanctions from regulatory bodies, demonstrably poor risk oversight, or adverse legal judgments, among other things. In addition, Invesco will consider the responsibilities delegated to board sub-committees when determining if it is appropriate to hold the incumbent chair of the relevant committee, or nearest equivalent, accountable for these material failures.

***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. Invesco will evaluate shareholder proposals to amend directors' indemnification and exculpation provisions on a case-by-case basis.

***Discharge of*** ***directors:*** 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 and legal controversies, or other wrongdoings in the relevant fiscal year – committed or yet to be confirmed. 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.

***Director election process:*** Board members should generally stand for election annually and individually.

• We
 will generally support proposals requesting that directors stand for election annually.

• We
 will generally vote against the incumbent governance committee chair or nearest equivalent, if a company has
 a classified board structure that is not being phased out. We may make exceptions to this guideline in regions
 where market practice is for directors to stand for election on a staggered basis.

• We
 will generally support shareholder proposals to repeal a classified board and elect all directors annually.

• 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.

• 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 of independence.

***Majority vote standard:*** Invesco generally votes in favor of proposals to elect directors by a majority vote, except in cases where a company has adopted formal governance principles that present a meaningful alternative to the majority voting standard.

***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:*** Invesco will consider and vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals to adopt a policy on 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.

***Voting on director nominees in contested elections***

***Proxy contests:*** We will review case-by-case dissident shareholder proposals based on their individual merits. 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;***D. Capitalization***

***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:*** We generally support authorizations to issue shares without preemptive rights up to 20% of a company's issued share capital for general corporate purposes. However, for issuance requests with preemptive rights, we support authorizations up to a threshold of 50%. Shares should not be issued at a substantial discount to the market price. The same requirements are expected for convertible and non-convertible debt instruments.

***Share repurchase programs:*** We generally support share repurchase plans in which all shareholders may participate on equal terms. However, it is our view that such plans should be executed transparently and in alignment with long-term shareholder interests. Therefore, we will not support such plans when there is clear evidence of abuse or no safeguards against selective buybacks, or the terms do not align with market best practices.

***Stock splits:*** We will generally evaluate proposals for forward and reverse stock splits on a case-by-case basis. Each proposal will be evaluated based on its potential impact on shareholder value, local market best practices, and alignment with the company's long-term strategic goals.

***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 anti-takeover 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, disposals and other corporate transactions:*** Invesco's investment teams will review proposed corporate transactions including mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, proxy contests, dissolutions and divestitures based on a proposal's individual investment merits. In addition, we broadly approach voting on other corporate transactions as follows:

• We
 will generally support proposals to approve different types of restructurings that provide the necessary financing
 to save the company from involuntary bankruptcy.

• 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.

• We
 will generally support reincorporation proposals, provided that management has 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;***E. Environmental and Social Issues***

***Shareholder proposals addressing environmental and social issues:*** We recognize environmental and social shareholder proposals are nuanced and require company specific analysis, and therefore, Invesco will analyze such proposals on a case-by-case basis. When analyzing such proposals, we will consider the following factors, among others:

• whether
 we consider the adoption of such proposal would promote long-term shareholder value;

• the
 materiality of the issue(s) being raised;

• whether
 there are fines or litigation, significant controversies including  reputational risks associated with the
 company's practices or policies related to the issue(s) raised in the proposal;

• the
 board's written response to the proposal in the proxy and whether the company has already responded or
 taken action to appropriately address the issue(s) raised in the proposal;

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

Additionally, Invesco may consider the company's existing level of disclosure and track record on environmental and social issues or if the company already complies with relevant local laws and regulations as it relates to the issue(s) raised in the proposal; the intentions of the proponent(s) and how they impact the company's long-term economic success; if the proposal requests greater transparency or disclosure to make an informed assessment; and whether the proposal's requested action is unduly burdensome (scope or timeframe) or overly prescriptive.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;***F. Executive Compensation and Performance Alignment***

Invesco supports compensation policies 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:

(i) there
 is an unmitigated misalignment between executive pay and company performance for at least two consecutive
 years;

(ii) 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;

(iii) vesting
 periods for long-term incentive awards are less than three years;

(iv) the
 company "front loads" equity awards;

(v) there
 are inadequate risk mitigating features in the program such as clawback provisions;

(vi) excessive,
 discretionary one-time equity grants are awarded to executives; and/or

(vii) 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.

***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 and that the total shareholder dilution resulting from the plan is not excessive (e.g., more than 10% of outstanding shares).

***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, and aligned with local market best practices, may be in shareholders' best interests as a method of attracting and retaining high-quality executive talent.

***Frequency of Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (Say-on-Pay, MSOP) Management Proposals:*** It is our view that shareholders should be given the opportunity to vote on executive compensation and adequately express their potential concerns. Invesco will generally vote in favor of a one-year frequency, in order to foster greater accountability, as well as to grant shareholders a timely intervention on pay practices.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**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 Limited<sup>1</sup>

Invesco Asset Management Singapore Ltd

Invesco Australia Ltd

Invesco Canada Ltd.<sup>1</sup>

Invesco Capital Management LLC

Invesco Capital Markets, Inc.\*<sup>1</sup>

Invesco European RR L.P

Invesco Fund Managers Limited

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 Private Capital, Inc.

Invesco Real Estate Management S.à r.l.<sup>1</sup>

Invesco RR Fund L.P.

Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc.

Invesco Taiwan Ltd\*<sup>1</sup>

Invesco Trust Company

OppenheimerFunds, Inc.

WL Ross & Co. LLC

------

\* Invesco entities with specific proxy voting guidelines

1 Invesco entities with specific conflicts of interest policies

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**Exhibit B**

The Invesco Proxy Voting Choice Program (the "Proxy Voting Choice") is available to certain eligible clients and shareholders and provides the ability to choose from a menu of distinct voting policy options that support different voting objectives. As implemented through Invesco's internal Proxy Voting Choice procedures, clients or shareholders that participate in Proxy Voting Choice have the option of selecting a voting policy option which directs how their proportionate shares of the eligible product are voted at corporate shareholder meetings. Invesco Proxy Voting Choice aims to facilitate greater alignment of proxy voting with eligible client/shareholder interests with respect to the products specified below.

The Proxy Voting Choice pilot program is available to shareholders of the following products:

• Invesco
 S&P 100 Equal Weight ETF

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**APPENDIX C—ADDITIONAL PORTFOLIO MANAGER INFORMATION**

**Barings LLC**<br>**Baring International Investment Limited**

The portfolio managers of the Core Bond Fund are Stephen Ehrenberg, Rishi Kapur, and Charles Sanford.

**<u>Other Accounts Managed:</u>**

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Number of** **Accounts** **Managed** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** | **Number of**<br>**Accounts**<br>**Managed for**<br>**which Advisory**<br>**Fee is**<br>**Performance-**<br>**Based** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** |
| **Stephen Ehrenberg** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 5 | $1,236 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 3 | $412 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 31 | $56,112 million | 0 | $0 |
| **Rishi Kapur** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 8 | $1,588 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 1 | $0.39 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 31 | $21,425 million | 0 | $0 |
| **Charles Sanford** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 4 | $1,137 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 20 | $79,694 million | 0 | $0 |

---

------

\* The information provided is as of December 31, 2025.

\*\* Does not include the Core Bond Fund.

**<u>Ownership of Securities:</u>**

As of December 31, 2025, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Core Bond Fund.

The portfolio managers of the Inflation-Protected and Income Fund are Tom Duski and Rishi Kapur.

**<u>Other Accounts Managed:</u>**

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Number of** **Accounts** **Managed** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** | **Number of**<br>**Accounts**<br>**Managed for**<br>**which Advisory**<br>**Fee is**<br>**Performance-**<br>**Based** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** |
| **Tom Duski** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 1 | $202 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 10 | $6,049 million | 0 | $0 |
| **Rishi Kapur** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 8 | $2,256 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 1 | $0.39 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 31 | $21,425 million | 0 | $0 |

---

------

\* The information provided is as of December 31, 2025.

\*\* Does not include the Inflation-Protected and Income Fund.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**<u>Ownership of Securities:</u>**

As of December 31, 2025, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Inflation-Protected and Income Fund.

The portfolio managers of the Short-Duration Bond Fund are Stephen Ehrenberg, Rishi Kapur, and Charles Sanford.

**<u>Other Accounts Managed:</u>**

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Number of** **Accounts** **Managed** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** | **Number of**<br>**Accounts**<br>**Managed for**<br>**which Advisory**<br>**Fee is**<br>**Performance-**<br>**Based** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** |
| **Stephen Ehrenberg** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 5 | $1,841 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 3 | $412 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 31 | $56,112 million | 0 | $0 |
| **Rishi Kapur** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 8 | $2,193 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 1 | $0.39 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 31 | $21,425 million | 0 | $0 |
| **Charles Sanford** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 4 | $1,741 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 20 | $79,694 million | 0 | $0 |

---

------

\* The information provided is as of December 31, 2025.

\*\* Does not include the Short-Duration Bond Fund.

**<u>Ownership of Securities:</u>**

As of December 31, 2025, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Short-Duration Bond Fund.

The portfolio managers of the U.S. Government Money Market Fund are Adam Cash and Scott Simler.

**<u>Other Accounts Managed:</u>**

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Number of** **Accounts** **Managed** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** | **Number of**<br>**Accounts**<br>**Managed for**<br>**which Advisory**<br>**Fee is**<br>**Performance-**<br>**Based** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** |
| **Adam Cash** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 1 | $1,284 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 9 | $12,366 million | 0 | $0 |
| **Scott Simler** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 1 | $1,284 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 9 | $18,442 million | 0 | $0 |

---

------

\* The information provided is as of December 31, 2025.

\*\* Does not include the U.S. Government Money Market Fund.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**<u>Ownership of Securities:</u>**

As of December 31, 2025, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the U.S. Government Money Market Fund.

**<u>Conflicts of Interest:</u>**

The potential for material conflicts of interest may exist as the members of the portfolio management team have responsibilities for the day-to-day management of multiple advisory accounts. These conflicts may be heightened to the extent the individual, Barings, and/or an affiliate have an investment in one or more of such accounts. Barings has identified (and summarized below) areas where material conflicts of interest are most likely to arise, and has adopted policies and procedures that it believes are reasonable to address such conflicts.

*Transactions with Affiliates*. From time to time, Barings or its affiliates, including MassMutual and its affiliates, act as principal by buying securities or other investments for itself or selling securities or other investments it owns to its advisory clients. Likewise, Barings can either directly, or on behalf of MassMutual, purchase and/or hold securities or other investments that are subsequently sold or transferred to advisory clients. Barings has a conflict of interest in connection with a transaction where it or an affiliate is acting as principal since it has an incentive to favor itself or its affiliates over its advisory clients in connection with the transaction. To address the conflicts of interest, Barings has adopted a Global Principal Transactions, Cross Trades and Other Affiliated Transactions Policy, which ensures any such transaction is consistent with Barings' fiduciary obligations to act in the best interests of its clients, including its ability to obtain best execution in connection with the transaction, and is in compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

*Cross Trades*. Barings can effect cross-trades on behalf of its advisory clients whereby one advisory client buys securities or other investments from, or sells securities or other investments to, another advisory client. Barings can also effect cross-trades involving advisory accounts or funds in which it or its affiliates, including MassMutual, and their respective employees, have an ownership interest or for which Barings is entitled to earn a performance fee. As a result, Barings has a conflict of interest in connection with the cross-trade since it has an incentive to favor the advisory client or fund in which it or its affiliate has an ownership interest and/or is entitled to a performance fee. To address this conflict of interest, Barings has adopted a Global Principal Transactions, Cross Trades and Other Affiliated Transactions Policy, which ensures any such cross-trade is consistent with Barings' fiduciary obligations to act in the best interests of each of its advisory clients, including its ability to obtain best execution for each advisory client in connection with the cross-trade transactions, and is in compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements. Barings will not receive a commission or any other remuneration (other than its advisory fee) for effecting cross-trades between advisory clients.

*Loan Origination Transactions*. Other than transactions related to Barings' Global Private Finance Group, Barings or its affiliates generally do not act as an underwriter or member of a syndicate in connection with a securities offering, however, Barings or its affiliates (or an unaffiliated entity in which Barings or its affiliates have an ownership interest) can act as an underwriter, originator, agent, or member of a syndicate in connection with the origination of senior secured loans or other lending arrangements with borrowers, where such loans are purchased by Barings advisory clients during or after the original syndication. Barings advisory clients purchase such loans directly from Barings or its affiliates (or an unaffiliated entity in which Barings or its affiliates have an ownership interest) or from other members of the lending syndicate. In connection with such loan originations, Barings or its affiliates, either directly or indirectly, receive underwriting, origination, or agent fees. As a result, Barings has a conflict of interest in connection with such loan origination transactions since it has an incentive to base its investment recommendation to its advisory clients on the amount of compensation, underwriting, origination, or agent fees it would receive rather than on its advisory clients' best interests. To address the conflict of interest, Barings has adopted a Global Principal Transactions, Cross Trades and Other Affiliated Transactions Policy, which ensures any such transaction is consistent with Barings' fiduciary obligations to act in the best interests of its clients, including its ability to obtain best execution in connection with the transaction, and is in compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

*Investments by Advisory Clients*. Barings has the ability to invest client assets in securities or other investments that are also held by (i) Barings or its affiliates, including MassMutual, (ii) other Barings advisory accounts, (iii) funds or accounts in which Barings or its affiliates or their respective employees have an ownership or economic interest, or (iv) employees of Barings or its affiliates. Barings also has the ability, on behalf of its advisory clients, to invest in the same or different securities or instruments of issuers in which (a) Barings or its affiliates, including MassMutual, (b) other Barings advisory accounts, (c) funds or accounts in which Barings, its affiliates, or their respective employees have an ownership or economic interest, or (d) employees of Barings or its affiliates have an ownership interest as a holder of the

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

debt, equity, or other instruments of the issuer. This includes, but is not limited to, the ability of Barings to invest client assets in debt instruments or equity instruments for issuers where (a) Barings or its affiliates, including MassMutual, (b) other Barings advisory accounts, (c) funds or accounts in which Barings, its affiliates, or their respective employees have an ownership or economic interest, or (d) employees of Barings or its affiliates have a different equity interest and/or a different debt instrument in the issuer or an affiliate thereof. Barings has a conflict of interest in connection with any such transaction since investments by its advisory clients can directly or indirectly benefit Barings and/or its affiliates and employees by potentially increasing the value of the securities or instruments it holds in the issuer. Any investment by Barings on behalf of its advisory clients will be consistent with its fiduciary obligations to act in the best interests of its advisory clients, and otherwise be consistent with such clients' investment objectives and restrictions.

Barings or its affiliates can recommend that clients invest in registered or unregistered investment companies, including private investment funds such as hedge funds, private equity funds, or structured funds (i) advised by Barings or an affiliate, (ii) in which Barings, an affiliate, or their respective employees has an ownership or economic interest, or (iii) with respect to which Barings or an affiliate has an interest in the entity entitled to receive the fees paid by such funds. Barings has a conflict of interest in connection with any such recommendation since it has an incentive to base its recommendation to invest in such investment companies or private funds on the fees that Barings or its affiliates would earn as a result of the investment by its advisory clients in the investment companies or private funds. Any recommendation to invest in a Barings advised fund or other investment company will be consistent with Barings' fiduciary obligations to act in the best interests of its advisory clients, consistent with such clients' investment objectives and restrictions. In certain limited circumstances, Barings offers to clients that invest in private investment funds that it advises an equity interest in entities that receive advisory fees and carried profits interest from such funds.

*Employee Co-Investment*. Barings permits certain of its portfolio managers and other eligible employees to invest in certain private investment funds advised by Barings or its affiliates and/or share in the performance fees received by Barings from such funds. If the portfolio manager or other eligible employee was responsible for both the portfolio management of the private fund and other Barings advisory accounts, such person would have a conflict of interest in connection with investment decisions since the person has an incentive to direct the best investment ideas, or to allocate trades, in favor of the fund in which he or she is invested or otherwise entitled to share in the performance fees received from such fund. To address the conflicts of interest, Barings has adopted a Global Side by Side Management and Other Conflicts Policy which requires, among other things, that Barings treat each of its advisory clients in a manner consistent with its fiduciary obligations and prohibits Barings from favoring any particular advisory account as a result of the ownership or economic interests of Barings, its affiliates, or employees in such advisory account. Any investment by a Barings employee in one of its private funds is also governed by Barings' Global Employee Co-Investment Policy, which ensures that any co-investment by a Barings employee is consistent with Barings' Global Code of Ethics Policy.

*Management of Multiple Accounts*. As noted above, Barings' portfolio managers are often responsible for the day-to-day management of multiple accounts, including, among others, separate accounts for institutional clients, closed-end and open-end registered investment companies, and/or private investment funds (such as hedge funds, private equity funds, and structured funds), as well as for proprietary accounts of Barings and its affiliates, including MassMutual and its affiliates. The potential for material conflicts of interest exists whenever a portfolio manager has responsibility for the day-to-day management of multiple advisory accounts. These conflicts are heightened to the extent a portfolio manager is responsible for managing a proprietary account for Barings or its affiliates or where the portfolio manager, Barings, and/or an affiliate has an investment in one or more of such accounts or an interest in the performance of one or more of such accounts (e.g., through the receipt of a performance fee).

*Investment Allocation*. Such potential conflicts include those relating to allocation of investment opportunities. For example, it is possible that an investment opportunity is suitable for more than one account managed by Barings, but is not available in sufficient quantities for all accounts to participate fully. Similarly, there can be limited opportunity to sell an investment held by multiple accounts. A conflict arises where the portfolio manager has an incentive to treat an account preferentially because the account pays Barings or its affiliates a performance-based fee or the portfolio manager, Barings, or an affiliate has an ownership or other economic interest in the account. As noted above, Barings also acts as an investment manager for certain of its affiliates, including MassMutual. These affiliate accounts sometimes co-invest jointly and concurrently with Barings' other advisory clients and therefore share in the allocation of such investment opportunities. To address the conflicts of interest associated with the allocation of trading and investment opportunities, Barings has adopted a Global Investment Allocation Policy and trade allocation procedures that govern the allocation of portfolio transactions and investment opportunities across multiple advisory accounts, including affiliated accounts. In addition, as noted above, to address the conflicts, Barings has adopted a Global Side by Side Management

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

and Other Conflicts Policy, which requires, among other things, that Barings treat each of its advisory clients in a manner consistent with its fiduciary obligations and prohibits Barings from favoring any particular advisory account as a result of the ownership or economic interests of Barings, its affiliates, or employees in such advisory accounts. Any investment by a Barings employee in one of its private funds is also governed by Barings' Global Employee Co-Investment Policy, which ensures that any co-investment by a Barings employee is consistent with Barings' Global Code of Ethics Policy.

*Personal Securities Transactions; Short Sales*. Potential material conflicts of interest also arise related to the knowledge and timing of an account's trades, investment opportunities, and broker or dealer selection. Barings and its portfolio managers have information about the size, timing, and possible market impact of the trades of each account they manage. It is possible that portfolio managers could use this information for their personal advantage and/or to the advantage or disadvantage of various accounts which they manage. For example, a portfolio manager could cause a favored account to "front run" an account's trade or sell short a security for an account immediately prior to another account's sale of that security. To address these conflicts, Barings has adopted policies and procedures, including a Global Short Sale and Other Similar Transaction Policy, which ensures that the use of short sales by Barings is consistent with Barings' fiduciary obligations to its clients, a Global Side by Side Management and Other Conflicts Policy, which requires, among other things, that Barings treat each of its advisory clients in a manner consistent with its fiduciary obligations and prohibits Barings from favoring any particular account as a result of the ownership or economic interest of Barings, its affiliates, or employees, and a Global Code of Ethics Policy.

*Trade Errors*. Potential material conflicts of interest also arise if a trade error occurs in a client account. A trade error is deemed to occur if there is a deviation by Barings from the applicable standard of care in connection with the placement, execution, or settlement of a trade for an advisory account that results in (1) Barings purchasing assets not permitted or authorized by a client's investment advisory agreement or otherwise failing to follow a client's specific investment directives; (2) Barings purchasing or selling the wrong security or the wrong amount of securities on behalf of a client's account; or (3) Barings purchasing or selling assets for, or allocating assets to, the wrong client account. When correcting these errors, conflicts of interest between Barings and its advisory accounts arise as decisions are made on whether to cancel, reverse, or reallocate the erroneous trades. In order to address the conflicts, Barings has adopted a Global Client Account Errors Policy governing the resolution of trading errors, and will follow the Global Client Account Errors Policy in order to ensure that trade errors are handled promptly and appropriately and that any action taken to remedy an error places the interest of a client ahead of Barings' interest.

*Best Execution; Directed or Restricted Brokerage*. With respect to securities and other transactions (including, but not limited to, derivatives transactions) for most of the accounts it manages, Barings determines which broker, dealer, or other counterparty to use to execute each order, consistent with its fiduciary duty to seek best execution of the transaction. Barings manages certain accounts, however, for clients who limit its discretion with respect to the selection of counterparties or direct it to execute such client's transactions through a particular counterparty. In these cases, trades for such an account in a particular security or other transaction can be placed separately from, rather than aggregated with, those in the same security or transaction for other accounts. Placing separate transaction orders for a security or transaction can temporarily affect the market price of the security or transaction or otherwise affect the execution of the transaction to the possible detriment of one or more of the other account(s) involved. Barings has adopted a Global Best Execution Policy and a Global Directed or Restricted Brokerage Policy.

As discussed above, Barings employees have the ability to trade in securities that are purchased, held, and sold by or on behalf of Barings' advisory clients, subject to a number of limitations. See above for a discussion of restrictions on employee personal securities transactions contained in Barings' Global Code of Ethics.

Barings and its portfolio managers or employees have other actual or potential conflicts of interest in managing an advisory account, and the list above is not a complete description of every conflict of interest that could be deemed to exist.

**<u>Compensation:</u>**

The discussion below describes the portfolio managers' compensation as of December 31, 2025.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

Compensation packages at Barings and BIIL are structured such that key professionals have a vested interest in the continuing success of each firm. Portfolio managers' compensation is comprised of a base salary and a discretionarily allocated incentive bonus, which includes a performance-driven annual bonus, and may include a deferred long-term incentive bonus and may also contain a performance fee award. As part of each firm's continuing effort to monitor retention, Barings and BIIL participate in annual compensation surveys of investment management firms to ensure that Barings' and BIIL's compensation are competitive with industry norms.

*<u>Base Salary</u>*

The base salary component is generally positioned at mid-market. Increases are tied to market, individual performance evaluations, and budget constraints.

*<u>Annual Bonus – Short Term Incentive ("STI")</u>*

The annual bonus pool applies to all associates in the firm. Factors impacting the potential bonuses include but are not limited to: (i) investment performance of funds/accounts managed by a portfolio manager, (ii) financial performance of Barings and BIIL, (iii) client satisfaction, and (iv) living the firm's values. STI is typically paid in February/March following the performance year for which the award is based.

*<u>Long-Term Incentives ("LTI")</u>*

Long-term incentives are designed to share the long-term success of the firm and take the form of deferred cash awards, which may include an award that resembles phantom restricted stock; linking the value of the award to a formula including Barings' and BIIL's overall earnings. A voluntary separation of service will generally result in a forfeiture of unvested LTI awards.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**BlackRock Investment Management, LLC**

The portfolio managers of the 60/40 Allocation Fund are Suzanne Ly and Peter Tsang.

**<u>Other Accounts Managed:</u>**

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Number of** **Accounts** **Managed** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** | **Number of**<br>**Accounts**<br>**Managed for**<br>**which Advisory**<br>**Fee is**<br>**Performance-**<br>**Based** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** |
| **Suzanne Ly** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 22 | $12.32 billion | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 12 | $7.80 billion | 1 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
| **Peter Tsang** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 35 | $98.54 billion | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 101 | $15.80 billion | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 33 | $9.61 billion | 0 | $0 |

---

------

\* The information provided is as of December 31, 2025.

\*\* Does not include the 60/40 Allocation Fund.

**<u>Ownership of Securities:</u>**

As of December 31, 2025, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the 60/40 Allocation Fund.

The portfolio managers of the 80/20 Allocation Fund are Suzanne Ly and Peter Tsang.

**<u>Other Accounts Managed:</u>**

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Number of** **Accounts** **Managed** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** | **Number of**<br>**Accounts**<br>**Managed for**<br>**which Advisory**<br>**Fee is**<br>**Performance-**<br>**Based** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** |
| **Suzanne Ly** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 22 | $12.23 billion | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 12 | $7.80 billion | 1 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
| **Peter Tsang** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 35 | $98.45 billion | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 101 | $15.80 billion | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 33 | $9.61 billion | 0 | $0 |

---

------

\* The information provided is as of December 31, 2025.

\*\* Does not include the 80/20 Allocation Fund.

**<u>Ownership of Securities:</u>**

As of December 31, 2025, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the 80/20 Allocation Fund.

The portfolio managers of the Balanced Fund are Suzanne Ly and Peter Tsang.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**<u>Other Accounts Managed:</u>**

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Number of** **Accounts** **Managed** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** | **Number of**<br>**Accounts**<br>**Managed for**<br>**which Advisory**<br>**Fee is**<br>**Performance-**<br>**Based** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** |
| **Suzanne Ly** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 22 | $11.71 billion | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 12 | $7.80 billion | 1 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
| **Peter Tsang** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 35 | $97.92 billion | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 101 | $15.80 billion | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 33 | $9.61 billion | 0 | $0 |

---

------

\* The information provided is as of December 31, 2025.

\*\* Does not include the Balanced Fund.

**<u>Ownership of Securities:</u>**

As of December 31, 2025, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Balanced Fund.

**<u>Conflicts of Interest:</u>**

BlackRock has built a professional working environment, firm-wide compliance culture and compliance procedures and systems designed to protect against potential incentives that may favor one account over another. BlackRock has adopted policies and procedures that address the allocation of investment opportunities, execution of portfolio transactions, personal trading by employees and other potential conflicts of interest that are designed to ensure that all client accounts are treated equitably over time. Nevertheless, BlackRock furnishes investment management and advisory services to numerous clients in addition to the Funds, and BlackRock may, consistent with applicable law, make investment recommendations to other clients or accounts (including accounts which are hedge funds or have performance or higher fees paid to BlackRock, or in which portfolio managers have a personal interest in the receipt of such fees), which may be the same as or different from those made to the Funds. In addition, BlackRock, its affiliates and significant shareholders and any officer, director, shareholder or employee may or may not have an interest in the securities whose purchase and sale BlackRock recommends to the Funds. BlackRock, or any of its affiliates or significant shareholders, or any officer, director, shareholder, employee or any member of their families may take different actions than those recommended to the Funds by BlackRock with respect to the same securities. Moreover, BlackRock may refrain from rendering any advice or services concerning securities of companies of which any of BlackRock's (or its affiliates' or significant shareholders') officers, directors or employees are directors or officers, or companies as to which BlackRock or any of its affiliates or significant shareholders or the officers, directors and employees of any of them has any substantial economic interest or possesses material non-public information. Certain portfolio managers also may manage accounts whose investment strategies may at times be opposed to the strategy utilized for a fund. It should also be noted that a portfolio manager may be managing hedge fund and/or long only accounts, or may be part of a team managing hedge fund and/or long only accounts, subject to incentive fees. Such portfolio managers may therefore be entitled to receive a portion of any incentive fees earned on such accounts. Currently, the portfolio managers of these Funds are not entitled to receive a portion of incentive fees of other accounts.

As a fiduciary, BlackRock owes a duty of loyalty to its clients and must treat each client fairly. When BlackRock purchases or sells securities for more than one account, the trades must be allocated in a manner consistent with its fiduciary duties. BlackRock attempts to allocate investments in a fair and equitable manner among client accounts, with no account receiving preferential treatment. To this end, BlackRock has adopted policies that are intended to ensure reasonable efficiency in client transactions and provide BlackRock with sufficient flexibility to allocate investments in a manner that is consistent with the particular investment discipline and client base, as appropriate.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**<u>Compensation:</u>**

The discussion below describes the portfolio managers' compensation as of December 31, 2025.

BlackRock's financial arrangements with its portfolio managers, its competitive compensation and its career path emphasis at all levels reflect the value senior management places on key resources. Compensation may include a variety of components and may vary from year to year based on a number of factors. The principal components of compensation include a base salary, a performance-based discretionary bonus, participation in various benefits programs and one or more of the incentive compensation programs established by BlackRock.

**<u>Base Compensation</u>**

Generally, portfolio managers receive base compensation based on their position with the firm.

**<u>Discretionary Incentive Compensation – Ms. Ly</u>**

Discretionary incentive compensation is a function of several components: the performance of BlackRock, Inc., the performance of the portfolio manager's group within BlackRock, the investment performance, including risk-adjusted returns, of the firm's assets under management or supervision by that portfolio manager relative to predetermined benchmarks, and the individual's performance and contribution to the overall performance of these portfolios and BlackRock. Among other things, BlackRock's Chief Investment Officers make a subjective determination with respect to each portfolio manager's compensation based on the performance of the funds and other accounts managed by each portfolio manager relative to the various benchmarks. Performance is generally assessed over trailing 1-, 3-, and 5-year periods relative to applicable benchmarks. The relative benchmark for Ms. Ly is a combination of market-based indexes (MSCI Developed, MSCI World, Russell 1000<sup>®</sup>, Bloomberg U.S. Universal), certain customized indexes, and certain fund industry peer groups.

**<u>Discretionary Incentive Compensation – Mr. Tsang</u>**

Discretionary incentive compensation is a function of several components: the performance of BlackRock, Inc., the performance of the portfolio manager's group within BlackRock, the investment performance, including risk-adjusted returns, of the firm's assets under management or supervision by that portfolio manager relative to predetermined benchmarks, and the individual's performance and contribution to the overall performance of these portfolios and BlackRock. In most cases, these benchmarks are the same as the benchmark or benchmarks against which the performance of the funds or other accounts managed by the portfolio managers are measured. Among other things, BlackRock's Chief Investment Officers make a subjective determination with respect to each portfolio manager's compensation based on the performance of the funds and other accounts managed by each portfolio manager relative to the various benchmarks. Performance of fixed income and multi-asset class funds is measured on a pre-tax and/or after-tax basis over various time periods including 1-, 3- and 5- year periods, as applicable. Performance of index funds is based on the performance of such funds relative to pre-determined tolerance bands around a benchmark, as applicable. The performance of Mr. Tsang is not measured against a specific benchmark.

**<u>Distribution of Discretionary Incentive Compensation</u>**

Discretionary incentive compensation is distributed to portfolio managers in a combination of cash, deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards, and/or deferred cash awards that notionally track the return of certain BlackRock investment products.

Portfolio managers receive their annual discretionary incentive compensation in the form of cash. Portfolio managers whose total compensation is above a specified threshold also receive deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards annually as part of their discretionary incentive compensation. Paying a portion of discretionary incentive compensation in the form of deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock puts compensation earned by a portfolio manager for a given year "at risk" based on BlackRock's ability to sustain and improve its performance over future periods. In some cases, additional deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock may be granted to certain key employees as part of a long-term incentive award to aid in retention, align interests with long-term shareholders and motivate performance. Deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards are generally granted in the form of BlackRock, Inc. restricted stock units that vest pursuant to the terms of the applicable plan and, once vested, settle in BlackRock, Inc. common stock. The portfolio managers of these Funds have deferred BlackRock, Inc. stock awards.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

For certain portfolio managers, a portion of the discretionary incentive compensation is also distributed in the form of deferred cash awards that notionally track the returns of select BlackRock investment products they manage, which provides direct alignment of portfolio manager discretionary incentive compensation with investment product results. Deferred cash awards vest ratably over a number of years and, once vested, settle in the form of cash. Only portfolio managers who manage specified products and whose total compensation is above a specified threshold are eligible to participate in the deferred cash award program.

**<u>Other Compensation Benefits</u>**

In addition to base salary and discretionary incentive compensation, portfolio managers may be eligible to receive or participate in one or more of the following:

*Incentive Savings Plans* — BlackRock, Inc. has created a variety of incentive savings plans in which BlackRock employees are eligible to participate, including a 401(k) plan, the BlackRock Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), and the BlackRock Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP). The employer contribution components of the RSP include a company match equal to 50% of the first 8% of eligible pay contributed to the plan capped at $5,000 per year, and a company retirement contribution equal to 3 – 5% of eligible compensation up to the IRS limit ($350,000 for 2025). The RSP offers a range of investment options, including registered investment companies and collective investment funds managed by the firm. BlackRock contributions follow the investment direction set by participants for their own contributions or, absent participant investment direction, are invested into a target date fund that corresponds to, or is closest to, the year in which the participant attains age 65. The ESPP allows for investment in BlackRock common stock at a 5% discount on the fair market value of the stock on the purchase date. Annual participation in the ESPP is limited to the purchase of 1,000 shares of common stock or a dollar value of $25,000 based on its fair market value on the purchase date. All of the eligible portfolio managers are eligible to participate in these plans.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**Brandywine Global Investment Management, LLC**

The portfolio managers of the Equity Fund are Joseph J. Kirby, Henry F. Otto, and Steven M. Tonkovich.

**<u>Other Accounts Managed:</u>**

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Number of** **Accounts** **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** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 6 | $5,492 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 3 | $68 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 1 | $7 million | 0 | $0 |
| **Henry F. Otto** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 8 | $6,315 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 7 | $311 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 29 | $940 million | 2 | $1,594 million |
| **Steven M. Tonkovich** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 8 | $6,315 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 7 | $311 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 29 | $940 million | 2 | $1,594 million |

---

------

\* The information provided is as of December 31, 2025.

\*\* Does not include the Equity Fund.

**<u>Ownership of Securities:</u>**

As of December 31, 2025, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Equity Fund.

**<u>Conflicts of Interest:</u>**

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.

**<u>Compensation:</u>**

The discussion below describes the portfolio managers' compensation as of December 31, 2025.

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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**Invesco Advisers, Inc.**

The portfolio managers of the Discovery Large Cap Fund are Ido Cohen, Ash Shah, and Ronald Zibelli, Jr.

**<u>Other Accounts Managed:</u>**

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Number of** **Accounts** **Managed** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** | **Number of**<br>**Accounts**<br>**Managed for**<br>**which Advisory**<br>**Fee is**<br>**Performance-**<br>**Based** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** |
| **Ido Cohen** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 3 | $21,962.7 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 4 | $2,997.2 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
| **Ash Shah** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 8 | $15,322.6 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 1 | $101.3 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
| **Ronald Zibelli, Jr.** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 13 | $44,103.8 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 6 | $1,196.5 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 40\*\*\* | $4.1 million | 0 | $0 |

---

------

\* The information provided is as of December 31, 2025.

\*\* Does not include the Discovery Large Cap Fund.

\*\*\* 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.

**<u>Ownership of Securities:</u>**

As of December 31, 2025, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Discovery Large Cap Fund.

The portfolio managers of the Discovery Mid Cap Fund are Justin Livengood and Ronald Zibelli, Jr.

**<u>Other Accounts Managed:</u>**

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Number of** **Accounts** **Managed** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** | **Number of**<br>**Accounts**<br>**Managed for**<br>**which Advisory**<br>**Fee is**<br>**Performance-**<br>**Based** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** |
| **Justin Livengood** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 6 | $10,577.0 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 3 | $391.3 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 39\*\*\* | $4.1 million | 0 | $0 |

---

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Number of** **Accounts** **Managed** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** | **Number of**<br>**Accounts**<br>**Managed for**<br>**which Advisory**<br>**Fee is**<br>**Performance-**<br>**Based** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** |
| **Ronald Zibelli, Jr.** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 13 | $44,103.8 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 6 | $1,196.5 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 40\*\*\* | $4.1 million | 0 | $0 |

---

------

\* The information provided is as of December 31, 2025.

\*\* Does not include the Discovery Mid Cap Fund.

\*\*\* 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.

**<u>Ownership of Securities:</u>**

As of December 31, 2025, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Discovery Mid Cap Fund.

The portfolio managers of the Small Cap Equity Fund are Joy Budzinski, Magnus Krantz, Raman Vardharaj, Adam Weiner, and Matthew P. Ziehl.

**<u>Other Accounts Managed:</u>**

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Number of** **Accounts** **Managed** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** | **Number of**<br>**Accounts**<br>**Managed for**<br>**which Advisory**<br>**Fee is**<br>**Performance-**<br>**Based** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** |
| **Joy Budzinski** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 6 | $8,403.8 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 1 | $85.3 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 93\*\*\* | $12.9 million | 0 | $0 |
| **Magnus Krantz** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 8 | $12,870.1 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 1 | $85.3 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 93\*\*\* | $12.9 million | 0 | $0 |
| **Raman Vardharaj** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 6 | $10,115.6 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 1 | $85.3 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 93\*\*\* | $12.9 million | 0 | $0 |
| **Adam Weiner** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 5 | $6,712.0 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 1 | $85.3 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 764\*\*\* | $390.2 million | 0 | $0 |

---

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Number of** **Accounts** **Managed** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** | **Number of**<br>**Accounts**<br>**Managed for**<br>**which Advisory**<br>**Fee is**<br>**Performance-**<br>**Based** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** |
| **Matthew P. Ziehl** |  |  |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Registered investment companies\*\* ........ | 5 | $6,712.0 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 1 | $85.3 million | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 764\*\*\* | $390.2 million | 0 | $0 |

---

------

\* The information provided is as of December 31, 2025.

\*\* Does not include the Small Cap Equity Fund.

\*\*\* 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.

**<u>Ownership of Securities:</u>**

As of December 31, 2025, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Small Cap Equity Fund.

**<u>Conflicts of Interest:</u>**

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:

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 subadviser, 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 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.

• 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.

• In
 the case of a fund-of-funds arrangement, including where a portfolio manager manages both the investing fund
 and an affiliated underlying fund in which the investing fund invests or may invest, a conflict of interest may
 arise if the portfolio manager of the investing fund receives material nonpublic information about the underlying
 fund. For example, such a conflict may restrict the ability of the portfolio manager to buy or sell securities
 of the underlying fund, potentially for a prolonged period of time, which may adversely affect the investing
 fund.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

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.

**<u>Compensation:</u>**

The discussion below describes the portfolio managers' compensation as of December 31, 2025.

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, revenues, enterprise expectations, 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 revenues) and non-quantitative factors (which may include, but are not limited to, enterprise expectations, 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

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| <u>**Subadviser**</u> | **Performance time period<sup>1</sup>** |
| Invesco Advisers<sup>2</sup> ................................................ | One-, Three-, and Five-year performance against fund peer group or Market Index. |

---

------

1 Rolling time periods are measured from October 1st to September 30th.

2 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 largely take the form of long-term awards (LTA) which consist of fund deferral (LTF) and equity (LTE). Fund deferrals are notionally invested in certain Invesco funds selected by the portfolio manager and are settled in cash. Equity awards are settled in Invesco Ltd. common shares. Deferred compensation 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.

*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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**MML Investment Advisers, LLC**

MML Advisers, as investment adviser to the 60/40 Allocation Fund and 80/20 Allocation Fund, administers the asset allocation program for each Fund.

The portfolio manager of the 60/40 Allocation Fund is Michael J. Abata.

**<u>Other Accounts Managed:</u>**

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Number of** **Accounts** **Managed** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** | **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\*\* ........ | 7 | $3109746137 | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |

---

------

\* The information provided is as of December 31, 2025.

\*\* Does not include the 60/40 Allocation Fund.

The portfolio manager of the 80/20 Allocation Fund is Michael J. Abata.

**<u>Other Accounts Managed:</u>**

---

| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Number of** **Accounts** **Managed** **\*** | **Total Assets** **\*** | **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\*\* ........ | 7 | $3022043101 | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other pooled investment vehicles .......... | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Other accounts ........................ | 0 | $0 | 0 | $0 |

---

------

\* The information provided is as of December 31, 2025.

\*\* Does not include the 80/20 Allocation Fund.

**<u>Ownership of Securities:</u>**

As of December 31, 2025, the portfolio manager did not own any shares of the 60/40 Allocation or 80/20 Allocation Fund.

**<u>Conflicts of Interest:</u>**

A conflict of interest may arise because the Funds invest substantially all of their assets in ETFs advised by an affiliate of the Funds' subadviser, BlackRock, and will not invest in ETFs advised or sponsored by others, even if they are less expensive or have better historical performance records. BlackRock does not receive a subadvisory fee from MML Advisers for its services; it does, however, receive fees from the ETFs in which the Funds invest. MML Advisers might be seen to be subject to a conflict of interest, having an interest in selecting ETFs to provide an appropriate level of revenue or other benefits to BlackRock. MML Advisers has advised the Funds that, as a fiduciary to the Funds, MML Advisers has a duty to put the best interests of the Funds ahead of its own interest and that, consequently, it will make investment decisions for the Funds in the best interest of the Funds to achieve the Funds' investment objectives and not for the benefit of MML Advisers, without regard to any benefit to BlackRock from the selection of different ETFs.

**<u>Compensation:</u>**

The discussion below describes the portfolio manager's compensation as of December 31, 2025.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

The portfolio manager is 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.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**APPENDIX D—DESCRIPTION OF UNDERLYING ETFS OF 60/40 ALLOCATION FUND, 80/20** **ALLOCATION FUND, AND BALANCED FUND**

The summaries below are based solely on information contained in the prospectuses of each underlying ETF, as filed with the SEC, 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 ETF. MML Advisers or BlackRock, as applicable, in its absolute discretion may modify the asset allocation strategy or the selection of underlying ETFs at any time and from time to time, and may invest the 60/40 Allocation Fund's, 80/20 Allocation Fund's, and Balanced Fund's assets in additional or different underlying ETFs, including ETFs that may be created in the future. Further information about each underlying ETF, including a copy of an underlying ETF's most recent prospectus, SAI, annual and semi-annual reports, and financial statements, can be found on the SEC's EDGAR database on its Internet site at https://www.sec.gov or can be obtained free of charge, upon request, by calling 1-888-309-3539.

***Equity ETFs***

**iShares<sup>®</sup>** **Core Dividend Growth ETF**

*Advised by : BlackRock Fund Advisors*

*(Underlying ETF for : 60/40 Allocation Fund and 80/20 Allocation Fund)*

**Investment Objective**

The iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF (the "Fund") seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. equities with a history of consistently growing dividends.

**Principal Investment Strategies**

The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Morningstar<sup>®</sup> US Dividend Growth Index<sup>SM</sup> (the "Underlying Index"), which is a dividend dollar-weighted index that seeks to measure the performance of U.S. companies selected based on a consistent history of growing dividends. The Underlying Index is a subset of the Morningstar<sup>®</sup> US Market Index<sup>SM</sup>, which is a broad market index that represents approximately 97% of the market capitalization of publicly traded U.S. stocks. Eligible companies must pay a qualified dividend, must have at least five years of uninterrupted annual dividend growth and their earnings payout ratio must be less than 75%. Companies that are in the top decile based on dividend yield are excluded from the Underlying Index prior to the dividend growth and payout ratio screens. The Underlying Index is weighted by dividend dollars (total value of dividends expected to be paid out over the next 12 months) and constrained by capping each company at 3%. The Underlying Index may include large-, mid- and small-capitalization companies and may change over time. As of April 30, 2025, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financial services, healthcare and technology industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.

BFA uses an indexing approach to try to achieve the Fund's investment objective. The Fund does not try to "beat" the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.

Indexing may eliminate the chance that the Fund will substantially outperform the Underlying Index but also may reduce some of the risks of active management, such as poor security selection. Indexing seeks to achieve lower costs and better after-tax performance by aiming to keep portfolio turnover low in comparison to actively managed investment companies.

BFA uses a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the Fund. "Representative sampling" is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities that collectively has an investment profile similar to that of an applicable underlying index. The securities selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment characteristics (based on factors such as market capitalization and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of an applicable underlying index. The Fund may or may not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

The Fund generally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of its Underlying Index and may invest up to 20% of its assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents, including shares of money market funds advised by BFA or its affiliates, as well as in securities not included in the Underlying Index, but which BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. Cash and cash equivalent investments associated with a derivative position will be treated as part of that position for the purposes of calculating the percentage of investments included in the Underlying Index. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Underlying Index before fees and expenses of the Fund.

The Fund may lend securities representing up to one-third of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the value of any collateral received).

The Underlying Index is sponsored by Morningstar Inc. ("Morningstar" or the "Index Provider"), which is independent of the Fund and BFA. The Index Provider determines the composition and relative weightings of the securities in the Underlying Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index.

**Industry Concentration Policy.** The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent that the Underlying Index is concentrated. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities) and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities are not considered to be issued by members of any industry.

**iShares<sup>®</sup>** **Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF**

*Advised by : BlackRock Fund Advisors*

*(Underlying ETF for : 60/40 Allocation Fund and 80/20 Allocation Fund)*

**Investment Objective**

The iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (the "Fund") seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large-, mid- and small-capitalization emerging market equities.

**Principal Investment Strategies**

The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI Emerging Markets Investable Market Index (IMI) (the "Underlying Index"), which is designed to measure large-, mid- and small-capitalization equity market performance in the global emerging markets. As of August 31, 2025, the Underlying Index consisted of securities from the following 24 emerging market countries or regions: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. As of August 31, 2025, the Underlying Index was composed of 3,129 constituents. As of August 31, 2025, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the consumer goods and services, financials and technology industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.

BFA uses an indexing approach to try to achieve the Fund's investment objective. The Fund does not try to "beat" the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.

Indexing may eliminate the chance that the Fund will substantially outperform the Underlying Index but also may reduce some of the risks of active management, such as poor security selection. Indexing seeks to achieve lower costs and better after-tax performance by aiming to keep portfolio turnover low in comparison to actively managed investment companies.

BFA uses a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the Fund. "Representative sampling" is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities or other instruments that collectively has an investment profile similar to that of an applicable underlying index. The instruments selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment characteristics (based on factors such as market capitalization and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of an applicable underlying index. The Fund may or may not hold all of the components of the Underlying Index.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

The Fund generally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of its Underlying Index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the component securities of its Underlying Index (i.e., depositary receipts representing securities of the Underlying Index) and may invest up to 20% of its assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents, including shares of money market funds advised by BFA or its affiliates, as well as in securities not included in the Underlying Index, but which BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. Cash and cash equivalent investments associated with a derivative position will be treated as part of that position for the purposes of calculating the percentage of investments included in the Underlying Index. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Underlying Index before fees and expenses of the Fund.

The Fund may lend securities representing up to one-third of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the value of any collateral received).

The Underlying Index is sponsored by MSCI Inc. (the "Index Provider" or "MSCI"), which is independent of the Fund and BFA. The Index Provider determines the composition and relative weightings of the securities in the Underlying Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index.

**Industry Concentration Policy.** The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent that the Underlying Index is concentrated. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities) and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities are not considered to be issued by members of any industry.

**Diversification Policy.** The Fund intends to be diversified in approximately the same proportion as the Underlying Index is diversified. The Fund may become "non-diversified," as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), solely as a result of a change in relative market capitalization or index weighting of one or more constituents of the Underlying Index. Shareholder approval will not be sought if the Fund becomes "non-diversified" due solely to a change in the relative market capitalization or index weighting of one or more constituents of the Underlying Index. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings and weightings at www.iShares.com.

**iShares<sup>®</sup>** **Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF**

*Advised by : BlackRock Fund Advisors*

*(Underlying ETF for : 60/40 Allocation Fund and 80/20 Allocation Fund)*

**Investment Objective**

The iShares Core MSCI International Developed Markets ETF (the "Fund") seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large-, mid- and small-capitalization developed market equities, excluding the United States.

**Principal Investment Strategies**

The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the MSCI World ex USA Investable Market Index (the "Underlying Index"), which has been developed by MSCI Inc. (the "Index Provider" or "MSCI") as an equity benchmark for international stock performance in non-U.S. developed markets. The Underlying Index is free float-adjusted, market cap-weighted and is designed to measure large-, mid- and small-capitalization equity market performance. It includes stocks from North America, Europe, Australasia and the Far East. As of July 31, 2025, the Underlying Index consisted of securities from the following 22 developed market countries or regions: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (the "U.K."). As of July 31, 2025, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the consumer goods and services, financials and industrials industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.

BFA uses an indexing approach to try to achieve the Fund's investment objective. The Fund does not try to "beat" the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.

Indexing may eliminate the chance that the Fund will substantially outperform the Underlying Index but also may reduce some of the risks of active management, such as poor security selection. Indexing seeks to achieve lower costs and better after-tax performance by aiming to keep portfolio turnover low in comparison to actively managed investment companies.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

BFA uses a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the Fund. "Representative sampling" is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities or other instruments that collectively has an investment profile similar to that of an applicable underlying index. The instruments selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment characteristics (based on factors such as market capitalization and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of an applicable underlying index. The Fund may or may not hold all of the components of the Underlying Index.

The Fund generally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of its Underlying Index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the component securities of its Underlying Index (i.e., depositary receipts representing securities of the Underlying Index) and may invest up to 20% of its assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents, including shares of money market funds advised by BFA or its affiliates, as well as in securities not included in the Underlying Index, but which BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. Cash and cash equivalent investments associated with a derivative position will be treated as part of that position for the purposes of calculating the percentage of investments included in the Underlying Index. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Underlying Index before fees and expenses of the Fund.

The Fund may lend securities representing up to one-third of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the value of any collateral received).

The Underlying Index is sponsored by MSCI, which is independent of the Fund and BFA. The Index Provider determines the composition and relative weightings of the securities in the Underlying Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index.

**Industry Concentration Policy.** The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent that the Underlying Index is concentrated. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities) and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities are not considered to be issued by members of any industry.

**iShares<sup>®</sup>** **Core S&P 500 ETF**

*Advised by: BlackRock Fund Advisors*

*(Underlying ETF for : 60/40 Allocation Fund, 80/20 Allocation Fund, and Balanced Fund)*

**Investment Objective**

The iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the "Fund") seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large-capitalization U.S. equities.

**Principal Investment Strategies**

The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P 500 (the "Underlying Index"), which measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market, as determined by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the "Index Provider" or "SPDJI"). As of March 31, 2025, the Underlying Index included approximately 87.86% of the market capitalization of all publicly traded U.S. equity securities. The securities in the Underlying Index are weighted based on the float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares. The Underlying Index consists of securities from a broad range of industries. As of March 31, 2025, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the technology industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.

BFA uses an indexing approach to try to achieve the Fund's investment objective. The Fund does not try to "beat" the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.

Indexing may eliminate the chance that the Fund will substantially outperform the Underlying Index but also may reduce some of the risks of active management, such as poor security selection. Indexing seeks to achieve lower costs and better after-tax performance by aiming to keep portfolio turnover low in comparison to actively managed investment companies.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

BFA uses a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the Fund. "Representative sampling" is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities that collectively has an investment profile similar to that of an applicable underlying index. The securities selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment characteristics (based on factors such as market capitalization and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of an applicable underlying index. The Fund may or may not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index.

The Fund generally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of its Underlying Index and may invest up to 20% of its assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents, including shares of money market funds advised by BFA or its affiliates, as well as in securities not included in the Underlying Index, but which BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. Cash and cash equivalent investments associated with a derivative position will be treated as part of that position for the purposes of calculating the percentage of investments included in the Underlying Index. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Underlying Index before fees and expenses of the Fund.

The Fund may lend securities representing up to one-third of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the value of any collateral received).

The Underlying Index is a product of SPDJI, which is independent of the Fund and BFA. The Index Provider determines the composition and relative weightings of the securities in the Underlying Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index.

**Industry Concentration Policy.** The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent that the Underlying Index is concentrated. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities) and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities are not considered to be issued by members of any industry.

**Diversification Policy.** The Fund intends to be diversified in approximately the same proportion as the Underlying Index is diversified. The Fund may become "non-diversified," as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), solely as a result of a change in relative market capitalization or index weighting of one or more constituents of the Underlying Index. Shareholder approval will not be sought if the Fund becomes "non-diversified" due solely to a change in the relative market capitalization or index weighting of one or more constituents of the Underlying Index. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings and weightings at www.iShares.com.

**iShares<sup>®</sup>** **Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF**

*Advised by: BlackRock Fund Advisors*

*(Underlying ETF for : 60/40 Allocation Fund, 80/20 Allocation Fund, and Balanced Fund)*

**Investment Objective**

The iShares Core S&P Total U.S. Stock Market ETF (the "Fund") seeks to track the investment results of a broad-based index composed of U.S. equities.

**Principal Investment Strategies**

The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P Total Market Index™ (TMI) (the "Underlying Index"), which is comprised of the common equities included in the S&P 500<sup>®</sup> and the S&P Completion Index™. The Underlying Index consists of all U.S. common equities listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (including NYSE Arca, Inc. ("NYSE Arca") and NYSE American), the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Capital Market, Cboe BZX, Cboe BYX, Cboe EDGA and Cboe EDGX, Inc. The securities in the Underlying Index are weighted based on the float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares. Securities with higher float-adjusted market value have a larger representation in the Underlying Index. The S&P 500 measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market. The S&P Completion Index measures the performance of the U.S. mid-, small- and micro-capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market excluding S&P 500 constituents. As of March 31, 2025, the S&P 500 and the S&P Completion Index included approximately 87.86% and

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

12.14%, respectively, of the market capitalization of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index includes large-, mid- and small-capitalization companies and may change over time. As of March 31, 2025, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials and technology industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.

BFA uses an indexing approach to try to achieve the Fund's investment objective. The Fund does not try to "beat" the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.

Indexing may eliminate the chance that the Fund will substantially outperform the Underlying Index but also may reduce some of the risks of active management, such as poor security selection. Indexing seeks to achieve lower costs and better after-tax performance by aiming to keep portfolio turnover low in comparison to actively managed investment companies.

BFA uses a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the Fund. "Representative sampling" is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities that collectively has an investment profile similar to that of an applicable underlying index. The securities selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment characteristics (based on factors such as market capitalization and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of an applicable underlying index. The Fund may or may not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index.

The Fund generally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of its Underlying Index and may invest up to 20% of its assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents, including shares of money market funds advised by BFA or its affiliates, as well as in securities not included in the Underlying Index, but which BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. Cash and cash equivalent investments associated with a derivative position will be treated as part of that position for the purposes of calculating the percentage of investments included in the Underlying Index. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Underlying Index before fees and expenses of the Fund.

The Fund may lend securities representing up to one-third of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the value of any collateral received).

The Underlying Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the "Index Provider" or "SPDJI"), which is independent of the Fund and BFA. The Index Provider determines the composition and relative weightings of the securities in the Underlying Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index.

**Industry Concentration Policy.** The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent that the Underlying Index is concentrated. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities) and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities are not considered to be issued by members of any industry.

**Diversification Policy.** The Fund intends to be diversified in approximately the same proportion as the Underlying Index is diversified. The Fund may become "non-diversified," as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), solely as a result of a change in relative market capitalization or index weighting of one or more constituents of the Underlying Index. Shareholder approval will not be sought if the Fund becomes "non-diversified" due solely to a change in the relative market capitalization or index weighting of one or more constituents of the Underlying Index. The Fund discloses its portfolio holdings and weightings at www.iShares.com.

**iShares<sup>®</sup>** **Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF**

*Advised by: BlackRock Fund Advisors*

*(Underlying ETF for : 60/40 Allocation Fund, 80/20 Allocation Fund, and Balanced Fund)*

**Investment Objective**

The iShares Core S&P Mid-Cap ETF (the "Fund") seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of mid-capitalization U.S. equities.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**Principal Investment Strategies**

The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P MidCap 400 (the "Underlying Index"), which measures the performance of the mid-capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market, as determined by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the "Index Provider" or "SPDJI"). As of March 31, 2025, the Underlying Index included approximately 5.04% of the market capitalization of all publicly traded U.S. equity securities. The securities in the Underlying Index are weighted based on the float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares, and have, as of March 31, 2025, a market capitalization between $7.4 billion and $20.5 billion at the time of inclusion in the Underlying Index, which may fluctuate depending on the overall level of the equity markets. The securities are selected by SPDJI based on certain factors including the Index Provider's liquidity measures. The Underlying Index consists of securities from a broad range of industries. As of March 31, 2025, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials and industrials industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.

BFA uses an indexing approach to try to achieve the Fund's investment objective. The Fund does not try to "beat" the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.

Indexing may eliminate the chance that the Fund will substantially outperform the Underlying Index but also may reduce some of the risks of active management, such as poor security selection. Indexing seeks to achieve lower costs and better after-tax performance by aiming to keep portfolio turnover low in comparison to actively managed investment companies.

BFA uses a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the Fund. "Representative sampling" is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities that collectively has an investment profile similar to that of an applicable underlying index. The securities selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment characteristics (based on factors such as market capitalization and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of an applicable underlying index. The Fund may or may not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index.

The Fund generally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of its Underlying Index and may invest up to 20% of its assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents, including shares of money market funds advised by BFA or its affiliates, as well as in securities not included in the Underlying Index, but which BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. Cash and cash equivalent investments associated with a derivative position will be treated as part of that position for the purposes of calculating the percentage of investments included in the Underlying Index. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Underlying Index before fees and expenses of the Fund.

The Fund may lend securities representing up to one-third of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the value of any collateral received).

The Underlying Index is a product of SPDJI, which is independent of the Fund and BFA. The Index Provider determines the composition and relative weightings of the securities in the Underlying Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index.

**Industry Concentration Policy.** The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent that the Underlying Index is concentrated. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities) and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities are not considered to be issued by members of any industry.

**iShares<sup>®</sup>** **Core S&P Small-Cap ETF**

*Advised by: BlackRock Fund Advisors*

*(Underlying ETF for : Balanced Fund)*

**Investment Objective**

The iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (the "Fund") seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of small-capitalization U.S. equities.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**Principal Investment Strategies**

The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the S&P SmallCap 600 (the "Underlying Index"), which measures the performance of the small-capitalization sector of the U.S. equity market, as determined by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (the "Index Provider" or "SPDJI"). As of March 31, 2025, the Underlying Index included approximately 2.33% of the market capitalization of all publicly traded U.S. equity securities. The securities in the Underlying Index are weighted based on the float-adjusted market value of their outstanding shares, and have, as of March 31, 2025, a market capitalization between $901.1 million and $7.4 billion at the time of inclusion in the Underlying Index, which may fluctuate depending on the overall level of the equity markets. The securities are selected by SPDJI based on certain factors including the Index Provider's liquidity measures. The Underlying Index consists of securities from a broad range of industries. As of March 31, 2025, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financial and industrials industries or sectors. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.

BFA uses an indexing approach to try to achieve the Fund's investment objective. The Fund does not try to "beat" the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.

Indexing may eliminate the chance that the Fund will substantially outperform the Underlying Index but also may reduce some of the risks of active management, such as poor security selection. Indexing seeks to achieve lower costs and better after-tax performance by aiming to keep portfolio turnover low in comparison to actively managed investment companies.

BFA uses a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the Fund. "Representative sampling" is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities that collectively has an investment profile similar to that of an applicable underlying index. The securities selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment characteristics (based on factors such as market capitalization and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of an applicable underlying index. The Fund may or may not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index.

The Fund generally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of its Underlying Index and may invest up to 20% of its assets in certain futures, options and swap contracts, cash and cash equivalents, including shares of money market funds advised by BFA or its affiliates, as well as in securities not included in the Underlying Index, but which BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. Cash and cash equivalent investments associated with a derivative position will be treated as part of that position for the purposes of calculating the percentage of investments included in the Underlying Index. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Underlying Index before fees and expenses of the Fund.

The Fund may lend securities representing up to one-third of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the value of any collateral received).

The Underlying Index is a product of SPDJI, which is independent of the Fund and BFA. The Index Provider determines the composition and relative weightings of the securities in the Underlying Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index.

**Industry Concentration Policy.** The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent that the Underlying Index is concentrated. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities) and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities are not considered to be issued by members of any industry.

***Fixed Income ETFs***

**iShares<sup>®</sup>** **20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF**

*Advised by : BlackRock Fund Advisors*

*(Underlying ETF for : 60/40 Allocation Fund and 80/20 Allocation Fund)*

**Investment Objective**

The iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (the "Fund") seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. Treasury bonds with remaining maturities greater than twenty years.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**Principal Investment Strategies**

The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the ICE<sup>®</sup> U.S. Treasury 20+ Year Bond Index (the "Underlying Index"), which measures the performance of public obligations of the U.S. Treasury that have a remaining maturity greater than or equal to twenty years. As of February 28, 2025, there were 40 issues in the Underlying Index.

The Underlying Index consists of publicly-issued U.S. Treasury securities that have a remaining maturity greater than or equal to twenty years and have $300 million or more of outstanding face value, excluding amounts held by the Federal Reserve System (the "Fed"). In addition, the securities in the Underlying Index must be fixed-rate and denominated in U.S. dollars. Excluded from the Underlying Index are inflation-linked securities, Treasury bills, cash management bills, any government agency debt issued with or without a government guarantee and zero-coupon issues that have been stripped from coupon-paying bonds. The Underlying Index is market value weighted, and the securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last calendar day of each month.

BFA uses an indexing approach to try to achieve the Fund's investment objective. The Fund does not try to "beat" the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.

Indexing may eliminate the chance that the Fund will substantially outperform the Underlying Index but also may reduce some of the risks of active management, such as poor security selection. Indexing seeks to achieve lower costs and better after-tax performance by aiming to keep portfolio turnover low in comparison to actively managed investment companies.

BFA uses a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the Fund. "Representative sampling" is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities that collectively has an investment profile similar to that of an applicable underlying index. The securities selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment characteristics (based on factors such as market value and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability, duration (i.e., a security's price sensitivity to a change in interest rates), maturity or credit ratings and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of an applicable underlying index. The Fund may or may not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index.

The Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of the Underlying Index, and the Fund will invest at least 90% of its assets in U.S. Treasury securities that BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. The Fund will invest no more than 10% of its assets in futures, options and swaps contracts that BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. Cash and cash equivalent investments associated with a derivative position will be treated as part of that position for the purposes of calculating the percentage of investments included in the Underlying Index. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Underlying Index before fees and expenses of the Fund.

The Fund may lend securities representing up to one-third of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the value of any collateral received).

The Underlying Index is sponsored by ICE Data Indices, LLC (the "Index Provider" or "IDI"), which is independent of the Fund and BFA. The Index Provider determines the composition and relative weightings of the securities in the Underlying Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index.

**iShares<sup>®</sup>** **Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF**

*Advised by : BlackRock Fund Advisors*

*(Underlying ETF for : 60/40 Allocation Fund and 80/20 Allocation Fund)*

**Investment Objective**

The iShares Broad USD High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (the "Fund") seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated, high yield corporate bonds.

**Principal Investment Strategies**

The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the ICE BofA US High Yield Constrained Index (the "Underlying Index"), which is a rules-based index consisting of U.S. dollar-denominated, high yield (as determined by ICE Data Indices, LLC ("Index Provider" or "IDI")) corporate bonds publicly issued and settled in the U.S. The Underlying Index is designed to provide a broad representation of the U.S. dollar-denominated high yield corporate bond market. The

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

Underlying Index is a modified market value-weighted index with a cap on each issuer of 2%. There is no limit to the number of issues in the Underlying Index, but as of October 31, 2025, the Underlying Index included approximately 1,918 constituents and the issuers in the Underlying Index are principally located in the U.S. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.

As of the date of this prospectus (the "Prospectus"), the bonds eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index include U.S. dollar-denominated high yield corporate bonds that: (i) are issued by companies having "risk exposure" to countries (i.e., issuers that are subject to the risks of one or more of these countries as a result of the principal country of domicile of the issuers (as determined by the Index Provider)) that are members of the FX-G10, which include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S. and their respective territories; (ii) have an average rating of below investment grade (ratings from Fitch Ratings, Inc. ("Fitch"), Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or S&P Global Ratings are considered; if more than one agency provides a rating, the average rating is attached to the bond); (iii) are registered with the SEC, exempt from registration at issuance, or offered pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), with or without registration rights; (iv) have at least $250 million of outstanding face value; (v) have an original maturity date of at least 18 months; and (vi) have at least one year to maturity. Excluded from the Underlying Index are certain hybrid capital securities, securities issued or marketed primarily to retail investors, equity-linked securities, securities in legal default, hybrid securitized corporates, eurodollar bonds, taxable and tax-exempt US municipal securities and $1000 par preferred and dividends received deduction-eligible securities. As of October 31, 2025, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by bonds of companies in the industrials industry or sector.

BFA uses an indexing approach to try to achieve the Fund's investment objective. The Fund does not try to "beat" the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.

Indexing may eliminate the chance that the Fund will substantially outperform the Underlying Index but also may reduce some of the risks of active management, such as poor security selection. Indexing seeks to achieve lower costs and better after-tax performance by aiming to keep portfolio turnover low in comparison to actively managed investment companies.

BFA uses a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the Fund. "Representative sampling" is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities or other instruments that collectively has an investment profile similar to that of an applicable underlying index. The instruments selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment characteristics (based on factors such as market value and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability, duration (i.e., an instrument's price sensitivity to a change in interest rates), maturity or credit ratings and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of an applicable underlying index. The Fund may or may not hold all of the components of the Underlying Index.

The Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of the Underlying Index, and the Fund will invest at least 90% of its assets in fixed income securities of the types included in the Underlying Index that BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. The Fund will invest no more than 10% of its assets in futures, options and swaps contracts that BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index as well as in fixed income securities other than the types included in the Underlying Index, but which BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. Cash and cash equivalent investments associated with a derivative position will be treated as part of that position for the purposes of calculating the percentage of investments included in the Underlying Index. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Underlying Index before fees and expenses of the Fund.

The Fund may lend securities representing up to one-third of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the value of any collateral received).

The Underlying Index is owned, maintained and administered by the Index Provider, which is independent of the Fund and BFA. The Index Provider determines the composition and relative weightings of the components of the Underlying Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**Industry Concentration Policy.** The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent that the Underlying Index is concentrated. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities), repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities, and securities of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions are not considered to be issued by members of any industry.

**iShares<sup>®</sup>** **Core International Aggregate Bond ETF**

*Advised by : BlackRock Fund Advisors*

*(Underlying ETF for : 60/40 Allocation Fund and 80/20 Allocation Fund)*

**Investment Objective**

The iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (the "Fund") seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of global non-U.S. dollar-denominated investment-grade bonds that mitigates exposure to fluctuations between the value of the component currencies and the U.S. dollar.

**Principal Investment Strategies**

The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Bloomberg Global Aggregate ex USD 10% Issuer Capped (Hedged) Index (the "Underlying Index"), which measures the performance of the global investment-grade (as determined by Bloomberg Index Services Limited (the "Index Provider" or "Bloomberg")) bond market. As of October 31, 2025, there were 14,015 issues in the Underlying Index.

The Underlying Index includes investment-grade fixed-rate sovereign and government-related debt, corporate and securitized bonds from both developed and emerging market issuers. Securities included in the Underlying Index are issued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, must have maturities of at least one year and are required to meet minimum outstanding issue size criteria. The Underlying Index is market capitalization-weighted with a cap on each issuer of 10%. Debt that is publicly issued in the global and regional markets is included in the Underlying Index. Certain types of securities, such as USD-denominated bonds, contingent capital securities, inflation-linked bonds, floating-rate issues, fixed-rate perpetuals, retail bonds, structured notes, pass-through certificates, private placements (other than those offered pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act")) and securities where reliable pricing is unavailable are excluded from the Underlying Index. The securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last business day of each month, and the currency risk of the securities in the Underlying Index is hedged to the U.S. dollar on a monthly basis. As of October 31, 2025, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by non-U.S. government-related bonds and Treasury securities. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.

The Underlying Index was composed of securities issued by governments in 61 countries or regions as well as securities issued or guaranteed by supranational entities as of October 31, 2025.

Components of the Underlying Index include fixed-income securities and foreign currency forward contracts (both deliverable and non-deliverable) designed to hedge non-U.S. currency fluctuations against the U.S. dollar. The notional exposure to foreign currency forward contracts (both deliverable and non-deliverable) generally will be a short position that hedges the currency risk of the fixed-income portfolio.

The Underlying Index sells forward the total value of the underlying non-U.S. dollar currencies at a one-month forward rate to hedge against fluctuations in the relative value of the non-U.S. dollar component currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar. The hedge is reset on a monthly basis. The Underlying Index is designed to have higher returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the non-U.S. dollar component currencies are weakening relative to the U.S. dollar and appreciation in some of the non-U.S. dollar component currencies does not exceed the aggregate depreciation of the others. Conversely, the Underlying Index is designed to have lower returns than an equivalent unhedged investment when the non-U.S. dollar component currencies, on a net basis, are rising relative to the U.S. dollar.

In order to track the "hedging" component of the Underlying Index, the Fund enters into foreign currency forward contracts designed to offset the Fund's exposure to the non-U.S. dollar component currencies. A foreign currency forward contract is a contract between two parties to buy or sell a specified amount of a specific currency in the future at an agreed-upon exchange rate. The Fund's exposure to foreign currency forward contracts is based on the aggregate

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

exposure of the Fund to the non-U.S. dollar component currencies. While this approach is designed to minimize the impact of currency fluctuations on Fund returns, it does not necessarily eliminate the Fund's exposure to the non- U.S. dollar component currencies. The return of the foreign currency forward contracts may not perfectly offset the actual fluctuations in value between the non-U.S. dollar component currencies and the U.S. dollar.

The Fund may also use non-deliverable forward ("NDF") contracts to execute its hedging transactions. An NDF contract is a contract where there is no physical settlement of two currencies at maturity. Rather, based on the movement of the currencies and the contractually agreed upon exchange rate, a net cash settlement will be made by one party to the other in U.S. dollars.

The CFTC has adopted certain requirements that subject registered investment companies and their advisers to regulation by the CFTC if a registered investment company invests more than a prescribed level of its net asset value in CFTC-regulated futures, options and swaps, or if a registered investment company markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. Due to the Fund's potential use of CFTC-regulated futures, options and swaps above the prescribed levels, it is considered a "commodity pool" and BFA is considered a "commodity pool operator" with respect to the Fund under the Commodity Exchange Act ("CEA"). BFA is subject to regulation by the CFTC and the National Futures Association ("NFA").

BFA uses an indexing approach to try to achieve the Fund's investment objective. The Fund does not try to "beat" the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.

Indexing may eliminate the chance that the Fund will substantially outperform the Underlying Index but also may reduce some of the risks of active management, such as poor security selection. Indexing seeks to achieve lower costs and better after-tax performance by aiming to keep portfolio turnover low in comparison to actively managed investment companies.

BFA uses a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the Fund. "Representative sampling" is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities or other instruments that collectively has an investment profile similar to that of an applicable underlying index. The instruments selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment characteristics (based on factors such as market value and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability, duration (i.e., an instrument's price sensitivity to a change in interest rates), maturity or credit ratings and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of an applicable underlying index. The Fund may or may not hold all of the components of the Underlying Index.

The Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of the Underlying Index, and the Fund will invest at least 90% of its assets in fixed income securities of the types included in the Underlying Index that BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. The Fund will invest no more than 10% of its assets in futures, options and swaps contracts that BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index as well as in fixed income securities other than the types included in the Underlying Index, but which BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. Cash and cash equivalent investments associated with a derivative position will be treated as part of that position for the purposes of calculating the percentage of investments included in the Underlying Index. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Underlying Index before fees and expenses of the Fund.

The Underlying Index is sponsored by Bloomberg, which is independent of the Fund and BFA. The Index Provider determines the composition and relative weightings of the components of the Underlying Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index.

**Industry Concentration Policy.** The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent that the Underlying Index is concentrated. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities), repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities, and securities of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions are not considered to be issued by members of any industry.

**iShares<sup>®</sup>** **Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF**

*Advised by: BlackRock Fund Advisors*

*(Underlying ETF for : 60/40 Allocation Fund, 80/20 Allocation Fund, and Balanced Fund)*

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**Investment Objective**

The iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (the "Fund") seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of the total U.S. investment-grade bond market.

**Principal Investment Strategies**

The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the "Underlying Index"), which measures the performance of the total U.S. investment-grade (as determined by Bloomberg Index Services Limited (the "Index Provider" or "Bloomberg")) bond market. As of February 28, 2025, there were 13,723 issues in the Underlying Index.

The Underlying Index includes investment-grade U.S. Treasury bonds, government-related bonds, corporate bonds, mortgage-backed pass-through securities ("MBS"), commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS") and asset-backed securities ("ABS") that are publicly offered for sale in the U.S. As of February 28, 2025, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by MBS and U.S. Treasury securities. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.

The securities in the Underlying Index must have $300 million or more of outstanding face value and must have at least one year remaining to maturity, with the exception of amortizing securities such as ABS and MBS, which have lower minimum thresholds as defined by Bloomberg. In addition, the securities in the Underlying Index must be denominated in U.S. dollars and must be fixed-rate, non-convertible and taxable. Certain types of securities, such as state and local government series bonds, structured notes with embedded swaps or other special features, private placements, floating-rate securities and bonds that have been issued in one country's currency but are traded outside of that country in a different monetary and regulatory system (e.g., Eurobonds), are excluded from the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index is market capitalization-weighted, and the securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last business day of each month.

As of February 28, 2025, approximately 25.0% of the bonds represented in the Underlying Index were U.S. fixed-rate agency MBS. Such securities are issued by entities such as the Government National Mortgage Association ("Ginnie Mae"), the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae"), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac") and are backed by pools of mortgages. Most transactions in fixed-rate MBS occur through standardized contracts for future delivery in which the exact mortgage pools to be delivered are not specified until a few days prior to settlement (to-be-announced ("TBA") transactions). The Fund may enter into such contracts on a regular basis. The Fund, pending settlement of such contracts, will invest its assets in high-quality, liquid short-term instruments, including shares of money market funds advised by BFA or its affiliates. The Fund will assume its pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any money market fund that it may invest in, in addition to the Fund's own fees and expenses. The Fund may also acquire interests in mortgage pools through means other than such standardized contracts for future delivery.

BFA uses an indexing approach to try to achieve the Fund's investment objective. The Fund does not try to "beat" the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.

Indexing may eliminate the chance that the Fund will substantially outperform the Underlying Index but also may reduce some of the risks of active management, such as poor security selection. Indexing seeks to achieve lower costs and better after-tax performance by aiming to keep portfolio turnover low in comparison to actively managed investment companies.

BFA uses a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the Fund. "Representative sampling" is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities that collectively has an investment profile similar to that of an applicable underlying index. The securities selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment characteristics (based on factors such as market value and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability, duration (i.e., a security's price sensitivity to a change in interest rates), maturity or credit ratings and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of an applicable underlying index. The Fund may or may not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index.

The Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of the Underlying Index and TBAs that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the component securities of the Underlying Index, and the Fund will invest at least 90% of its assets in fixed income securities of the types included in the Underlying Index that BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. The Fund will invest

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

no more than 10% of its assets in futures, options and swaps contracts that BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index as well as in fixed income securities other than the types included in the Underlying Index, but which BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. Cash and cash equivalent investments associated with a TBA position will be treated as part of that position for purposes of calculating the percentage of investments in the component securities of the Underlying Index. Cash and cash equivalent investments associated with a derivative position will be treated as part of that position for the purposes of calculating the percentage of investments included in the Underlying Index. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Underlying Index before fees and expenses of the Fund.

The Fund may lend securities representing up to one-third of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the value of any collateral received).

The Underlying Index is sponsored by Bloomberg, which is independent of the Fund and BFA. The Index Provider determines the composition and relative weightings of the securities in the Underlying Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index.

**Industry Concentration Policy.** The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent that the Underlying Index is concentrated. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities), repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities, and securities of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions are not considered to be issued by members of any industry.

**iShares<sup>®</sup>** **Core Universal USD Bond ETF**

*Advised by: BlackRock Fund Advisors*

*(Underlying ETF for : Balanced Fund)*

**Investment Objective**

The iShares Core Universal USD Bond ETF (the "Fund") seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated bonds that are rated either investment-grade or high yield.

**Principal Investment Strategies**

The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Bloomberg U.S. Universal Index (the "Underlying Index"), which measures the performance of U.S. dollar-denominated taxable bonds that are rated either investment-grade or high yield (as determined by Bloomberg Index Services Limited (the "Index Provider" or "Bloomberg")). The Underlying Index includes U.S. Treasury bonds, government-related bonds (i.e., U.S. and non-U.S. agencies, sovereign, quasi-sovereign, supranational and local authority debt), investment-grade and high yield U.S. corporate bonds, mortgage-backed pass-through securities ("MBS"), commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, Eurodollar bonds, bonds registered with the SEC or exempt from registration at the time of issuance or offered pursuant to Rule 144A with or without registration rights and U.S. dollar-denominated emerging market bonds.

The securities in the Underlying Index must be denominated in U.S. dollars. The Underlying Index consisted of securities from 109 countries or regions as of October 31, 2025. As of October 31, 2025, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by U.S. agency mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Treasury bonds. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.

BFA uses an indexing approach to try to achieve the Fund's investment objective. The Fund does not try to "beat" the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.

Indexing may eliminate the chance that the Fund will substantially outperform the Underlying Index but also may reduce some of the risks of active management, such as poor security selection. Indexing seeks to achieve lower costs and better after-tax performance by aiming to keep portfolio turnover low in comparison to actively managed investment companies.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

BFA uses a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the Fund. "Representative sampling" is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities or other instruments that collectively has an investment profile similar to that of an applicable underlying index. The instruments selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment characteristics (based on factors such as market value and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability, duration (i.e., an instrument's price sensitivity to a change in interest rates), maturity or credit ratings and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of an applicable underlying index. The Fund may or may not hold all of the components of in the Underlying Index.

The Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of the Underlying Index and to-be-announced transactions ("TBAs") that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the component securities of the Underlying Index, and the Fund will invest at least 90% of its assets in fixed income securities of the types included in the Underlying Index that BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. The Fund will invest no more than 10% of its assets in futures, options and swaps contracts that BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index as well as in fixed income securities other than the types included in the Underlying Index, but which BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. Cash and cash equivalent investments associated with a TBA position will be treated as part of that position for purposes of calculating investments in the component securities of the Underlying Index. Cash and cash equivalent investments associated with a derivative position will be treated as part of that position for the purposes of calculating the percentage of investments included in the Underlying Index. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Underlying Index before fees and expenses of the Fund.

The Fund may lend securities representing up to one-third of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the value of any collateral received).

The Underlying Index is sponsored by Bloomberg, which is independent of the Fund and BFA. The Index Provider determines the composition and relative weightings of the components of the Underlying Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index.

**Industry Concentration Policy.** The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent that the Underlying Index is concentrated. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities), repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities, and securities of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions are not considered to be issued by members of any industry.

**iShares<sup>®</sup>** **1-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF**

*Advised by : BlackRock Fund Advisors*

*(Underlying ETF for : 60/40 Allocation Fund and 80/20 Allocation Fund)*

**Investment Objective**

The iShares 1-5 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (the "Fund") seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated, investment-grade corporate bonds with remaining maturities between one and five years.

**Principal Investment Strategies**

The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the ICE<sup>®</sup> BofA<sup>®</sup> 1-5 Year US Corporate Index (the "Underlying Index"), which measures the performance of investment-grade corporate bonds of both U.S. and non-U.S. issuers that are U.S. dollar-denominated and publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market and have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one year and less than five years. As of February 28, 2025, there were 4,075 issues in the Underlying Index. As of February 28, 2025, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.

The Underlying Index consists of investment-grade corporate bonds of both U.S. and non-U.S. issuers that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to one year and less than five years, have been publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market, and have $250 million or more of outstanding face value. The Index Provider deems securities as "investment grade" based on the average rating of Fitch Ratings, Inc. (BBB or better), Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (Baa or better) and/or Standard & Poor's<sup>®</sup> Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of S&P Global (BBB or better). In

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

addition, the securities in the Underlying Index must be denominated in U.S. dollars and must be fixed-rate. Excluded from the Underlying Index are equity-linked securities, securities in legal default, hybrid securitized corporate bonds, Eurodollar bonds (U.S. dollar-denominated securities not issued in the U.S. domestic market), taxable and tax-exempt U.S. municipal securities and dividends-received-deduction-eligible securities. The Underlying Index is market capitalization-weighted, and the securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last calendar day of each month. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will seek to maintain a weighted average maturity that is less than or equal to three years. Weighted average maturity is a U.S. dollar-weighted average of the remaining term to maturity of the underlying securities in the Fund's portfolio.

BFA uses an indexing approach to try to achieve the Fund's investment objective. The Fund does not try to "beat" the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.

Indexing may eliminate the chance that the Fund will substantially outperform the Underlying Index but also may reduce some of the risks of active management, such as poor security selection. Indexing seeks to achieve lower costs and better after-tax performance by aiming to keep portfolio turnover low in comparison to actively managed investment companies.

BFA uses a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the Fund. "Representative sampling" is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities that collectively has an investment profile similar to that of an applicable underlying index. The securities selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment characteristics (based on factors such as market value and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability, duration (i.e., a security's price sensitivity to a change in interest rates), maturity or credit ratings and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of an applicable underlying index. The Fund may or may not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index.

The Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of the Underlying Index, and the Fund will invest at least 90% of its assets in fixed income securities of the types included in the Underlying Index that BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. The Fund will invest no more than 10% of its assets in futures, options and swaps contracts that BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index as well as in fixed income securities other than the types included in the Underlying Index, but which BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. Cash and cash equivalent investments associated with a derivative position will be treated as part of that position for the purposes of calculating the percentage of investments included in the Underlying Index. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Underlying Index before fees and expenses of the Fund.

The Fund may lend securities representing up to one-third of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the value of any collateral received).

The Underlying Index is sponsored by ICE Data Indices, LLC (the "Index Provider" or "IDI"), which is independent of the Fund and BFA. The Index Provider determines the composition and relative weightings of the securities in the Underlying Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index.

**Industry Concentration Policy.** The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent that the Underlying Index is concentrated. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities), repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities, and securities of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions are not considered to be issued by members of any industry.

**iShares<sup>®</sup>** **5-10 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF**

*Advised by: BlackRock Fund Advisors*

*(Underlying ETF for : Balanced Fund)*

**Investment Objective**

The iShares 5-10 Year Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (the "Fund") seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated investment-grade corporate bonds with remaining maturities between five and ten years.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**Principal Investment Strategies**

The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the ICE<sup>®</sup> BofA<sup>®</sup> 5-10 Year US Corporate Index (the "Underlying Index"), which measures the performance of investment-grade corporate bonds of both U.S. and non-U.S. issuers that are U.S. dollar-denominated and publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market and have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to five years and less than ten years. As of February 28, 2025, there were 2,885 issues in the Underlying Index. As of February 28, 2025, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the financials industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.

The Underlying Index consists of investment-grade corporate bonds of both U.S. and non-U.S. issuers that have a remaining maturity of greater than or equal to five years and less than ten years, have been publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market, and have $250 million or more of outstanding face value. The Index Provider deems securities as "investment grade" based on the average rating of Fitch Ratings, Inc. (BBB or better), Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (Baa or better) and/or Standard & Poor's<sup>®</sup> Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of S&P Global (BBB or better). In addition, the securities in the Underlying Index must be denominated in U.S. dollars and must be fixed-rate. Excluded from the Underlying Index are equity-linked securities, securities in legal default, hybrid securitized corporate bonds, Eurodollar bonds (U.S. dollar-denominated securities not issued in the U.S. domestic market), taxable and tax-exempt U.S. municipal securities and dividends-received-deduction-eligible securities. The Underlying Index is market capitalization-weighted, and the securities in the Underlying Index are updated on the last calendar day of each month. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will seek to maintain a weighted average maturity that is greater than three years and lower than 10 years. Weighted average maturity is a U.S. dollar-weighted average of the remaining term to maturity of the underlying securities in the Fund's portfolio.

BFA uses an indexing approach to try to achieve the Fund's investment objective. The Fund does not try to "beat" the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.

Indexing may eliminate the chance that the Fund will substantially outperform the Underlying Index but also may reduce some of the risks of active management, such as poor security selection. Indexing seeks to achieve lower costs and better after-tax performance by aiming to keep portfolio turnover low in comparison to actively managed investment companies.

BFA uses a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the Fund. "Representative sampling" is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities that collectively has an investment profile similar to that of an applicable underlying index. The securities selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment characteristics (based on factors such as market value and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability, duration (i.e., a security's price sensitivity to a change in interest rates), maturity or credit ratings and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of an applicable underlying index. The Fund may or may not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index.

The Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of the Underlying Index, and the Fund will invest at least 90% of its assets in fixed income securities of the types included in the Underlying Index that BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. The Fund will invest no more than 10% of its assets in futures, options and swaps contracts that BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index as well as in fixed income securities other than the types included in the Underlying Index, but which BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. Cash and cash equivalent investments associated with a derivative position will be treated as part of that position for the purposes of calculating the percentage of investments included in the Underlying Index. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Underlying Index before fees and expenses of the Fund.

The Fund may lend securities representing up to one-third of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the value of any collateral received).

The Underlying Index is sponsored by ICE Data Indices, LLC (the "Index Provider" or "IDI"), which is independent of the Fund and BFA. The Index Provider determines the composition and relative weightings of the securities in the Underlying Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index.

**Industry Concentration Policy.** The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent that the Underlying Index is concentrated. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities), repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities, and securities of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions are not considered to be issued by members of any industry.

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

**iShares<sup>®</sup>** **iBoxx<sup>®</sup>** **$ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF**

*Advised by: BlackRock Fund Advisors*

*(Underlying ETF for : Balanced Fund)*

**Investment Objective**

The iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (the "Fund") seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of U.S. dollar-denominated, high yield corporate bonds.

**Principal Investment Strategies**

The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Markit iBoxx<sup>®</sup> USD Liquid High Yield Index (the "Underlying Index"), which is a rules-based index consisting of U.S. dollar-denominated, high yield (as determined by Markit Indices Limited (the "Index Provider" or "Markit")) corporate bonds for sale in the U.S. The Underlying Index is designed to provide a broad representation of the U.S. dollar-denominated liquid high yield corporate bond market. The Underlying Index is a modified market-value weighted index with a cap on each issuer of 3%. There is no limit to the number of issues in the Underlying Index. As of February 28, 2025, the Underlying Index included approximately 1,226 constituents. As of February 28, 2025, a significant portion of the Underlying Index is represented by securities of companies in the consumer goods and services industry or sector. The components of the Underlying Index are likely to change over time.

Bonds in the Underlying Index are selected from the universe of eligible bonds in the Markit iBoxx USD Corporate Bond Index using defined rules. As of the date of this prospectus (the "Prospectus"), the bonds eligible for inclusion in the Underlying Index include U.S. dollar-denominated high yield corporate bonds that: (i) are issued by companies domiciled in countries classified as developed markets by Markit; (ii) have an average rating of sub-investment grade (ratings from Fitch Ratings, Inc. ("Fitch"), Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or Standard & Poor's<sup>®</sup> Global Ratings, a subsidiary of S&P Global ("S&P Global Ratings") are considered; if more than one agency provides a rating, the average rating is attached to the bond); (iii) are from issuers with at least $1 billion outstanding face value; (iv) have at least $400 million of outstanding face value; (v) have an original maturity date of less than 15 years; (vi) have at least one year to maturity; and (vii) have at least one year and 6 months to maturity for new index insertions.

BFA uses an indexing approach to try to achieve the Fund's investment objective. The Fund does not try to "beat" the index it tracks and does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.

Indexing may eliminate the chance that the Fund will substantially outperform the Underlying Index but also may reduce some of the risks of active management, such as poor security selection. Indexing seeks to achieve lower costs and better after-tax performance by aiming to keep portfolio turnover low in comparison to actively managed investment companies.

BFA uses a representative sampling indexing strategy to manage the Fund. "Representative sampling" is an indexing strategy that involves investing in a representative sample of securities that collectively has an investment profile similar to that of an applicable underlying index. The securities selected are expected to have, in the aggregate, investment characteristics (based on factors such as market value and industry weightings), fundamental characteristics (such as return variability, duration (i.e., a security's price sensitivity to a change in interest rates), maturity or credit ratings and yield) and liquidity measures similar to those of an applicable underlying index. The Fund may or may not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index.

The Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in the component securities of the Underlying Index, and the Fund will invest at least 90% of its assets in fixed income securities of the types included in the Underlying Index that BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. The Fund will invest no more than 10% of its assets in futures, options and swaps contracts that BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index as well as in fixed income securities other than the types included in the Underlying Index, but which BFA believes will help the Fund track the Underlying Index. Cash and cash equivalent investments associated with a derivative position will be treated as part of that position for the purposes of calculating the percentage of investments included in the Underlying Index. The Fund seeks to track the investment results of the Underlying Index before fees and expenses of the Fund.

The Fund may lend securities representing up to one-third of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the value of any collateral received).

------

[Back to **Table of Contents**](#TOC_906)

The Underlying Index is sponsored by Markit, which is independent of the Fund and BFA. The Index Provider determines the composition and relative weightings of the securities in the Underlying Index and publishes information regarding the market value of the Underlying Index.

**Industry Concentration Policy.** The Fund will concentrate its investments (i.e., hold 25% or more of its total assets) in a particular industry or group of industries to approximately the same extent that the Underlying Index is concentrated. For purposes of this limitation, securities of the U.S. government (including its agencies and instrumentalities), repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities, and securities of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions are not considered to be issued by members of any industry.

MMLIISAI-26-00