# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000356476
**File Stem:** 0001193125-26-196264
**Filing Date:** 2026-4
**Character Count:** 36362
**Document Hash:** a202a42a8909cdb86be49f3ed6a2f36e
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001193125-26-196264.hdr.sgml**: 20260430

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001193125-26-196264

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 497K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 3

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260430

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260430

**EFFECTIVENESS DATE**: 20260430

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** EMPOWER FUNDS, INC.
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000356476

**ORGANIZATION NAME:**
- **EIN:** 840876044
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** MD
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 497K
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 002-75503
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26923171

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 8515 E ORCHARD ROAD
- **CITY:** GREENWOOD VILLAGE
- **STATE:** CO
- **ZIP:** 80111
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 303-737-3000

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 8515 E ORCHARD ROAD
- **CITY:** GREENWOOD VILLAGE
- **STATE:** CO
- **ZIP:** 80111

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** GREAT-WEST FUNDS INC
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20121005

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** MAXIM SERIES FUND INC
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19920703

## Series and Classes Contracts Data

### Empower Lifetime 2025 Fund (Series ID: S000025512)

| Class ID   | Class Name          | Ticker Symbol   |
|:---|:---|:---|
| C000076362 | Service Class       | MXFLX           |
| C000076363 | Investor Class      | MXELX           |
| C000155797 | Institutional Class | MXQBX           |

**<u>EMPOWER FUNDS, INC.</u>** <br>("Empower Funds")

**Empower Lifetime 2025 Fund** <br>**Institutional Class Ticker: MXQBX** <br> **Investor Class Ticker: MXELX** <br> **Service Class Ticker: MXFLX** <br>(the "Fund")

**Summary Prospectus** <br> **April 30, 2026** 

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| |
|:---|
| Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund's Prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its <br> risks. You can find the Fund's Prospectus and other information about the Fund, including the Statement of Additional <br> Information and most recent reports to shareholders, online at www.empower.com/investments/empower-funds/fund-<br> documents. You can also get this information at no cost by calling (866) 831-7129 or by sending an email request to <br> empowerfunds@empower.com. The current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, both dated April 30, 2026, <br> are incorporated by reference as a matter of law into this Summary Prospectus, which means they are legally part of this <br> Summary Prospectus.<br>|
| Fund shares are sold to insurance company separate accounts for certain variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance <br> policies ("variable contracts"), to individual retirement account ("IRA") custodians or trustees, to plan sponsors of qualified <br> retirement plans ("retirement plans"), and to college savings programs (collectively, "Permitted Accounts"). This Summary <br> Prospectus is not intended for use by other investors. This Summary Prospectus should be read together with the prospectus or <br> disclosure document for the Permitted Account.<br>|

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**Investment Objective**

The Fund seeks income and secondarily, capital growth.

**Fees and Expenses of the Fund**

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. This table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If the fees and expenses of a Permitted Account were reflected, the fees and expenses shown below would be higher.

**Annual Fund Operating Expenses** (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Institutional** <br> **Class**<br>| **Investor Class** | **Service Class** |
| Management Fees | 0.12% | 0.12% | 0.12% |
| Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.10% |
| Other Expenses | 0.00% | 0.35% | 0.35% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Shareholder Services Fees | 0.00% | 0.35% | 0.35% |
| Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses<sup>1</sup> <br>| 0.35% | 0.35% | 0.35% |
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses<sup>2</sup> <br>| 0.47% | 0.82% | 0.92% |
| Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement<sup>3</sup> <br>| 0.03% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense <br> Reimbursement<br>| 0.44% | 0.79% | 0.89% |

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<sup>1</sup>

The Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are estimated for the current fiscal year.

<sup>2</sup>

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses may not correlate to the ratio of expenses to average net assets provided in the Fund's Financial Highlights, which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.

<sup>3</sup>

The investment adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its management fee by 0.35% of the amount the Fund allocates to a fixed interest contract issued and guaranteed by Empower Annuity Insurance Company of America. The agreement's current term ends on April 30, 2027, and automatically renews for one-year terms unless it is terminated upon termination of the investment advisory agreement or by Empower Funds or the investment adviser upon written notice within 90 days of the end of the current term.

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**Example**

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example does not reflect the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account were reflected, the fees and expenses in the Example would be higher.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of each period. The Example also assumes that the fee waiver and expense reimbursement is in place for the first year, that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gains are reinvested, and that the Fund's operating expenses are the amount shown in the fee table and remain the same for the years shown. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Empower Lifetime** <br> **2025 Fund**<br>| **1 Year** | **3 Years** | **5 Years** | **10 Years** |
| **Institutional Class** | $45 | $148 | $260 | $589 |
| **Investor Class** | $81 | $259 | $452 | $1011 |
| **Service Class** | $91 | $290 | $506 | $1129 |

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**Portfolio Turnover**

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate generally indicates higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's turnover rate was 35% of the average value of its portfolio.

**Principal Investment Strategies**

Below is a summary of the principal investment strategies of the Fund.

The Fund is a "fund-of-funds" that seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a professionally selected mix of mutual funds and in a fixed interest contract (the "Contract" or the "Empower of America Contract") issued and guaranteed by Empower Annuity Insurance Company of America ("Empower of America") that is tailored for investors planning to retire or who retired in (or otherwise began using the invested funds on), or close to, 2025 (which is assumed to be at age 65). The mutual funds and the Contract are referred to as the "Underlying Funds." The Fund is designed for investors who plan to withdraw the value of their account in the Fund gradually after retirement. Depending on its risk profile and proximity to 2025, the Fund employs a combination of investments among Underlying Funds in order to emphasize, as appropriate, growth, income and preservation of capital. The Fund currently expects (as of the date of this Prospectus) to invest 40-60% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in equity securities, 40-60% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in fixed income securities, and 0-10% of its net assets in Underlying Funds that invest primarily in real estate-related securities. Over time, the Fund's asset allocation strategy will generally become more conservative, with greater emphasis on investments that provide for income and preservation of capital, and less on those offering the potential for growth.

The following chart illustrates the Fund's target asset allocations among U.S. equity, foreign equity, fixed income, and real estate-related securities. The chart represents the asset allocation path (the "glide path") that the Fund follows to become more conservative over time. The glide path reflects the declining percentage of equities in the Fund as it approaches and passes the target date. The glide path provides for more exposure to equities for investors further from retirement and more exposure to fixed income securities for investors near and through retirement. The glide path continues to adjust the Fund's equity exposure downward after the target date is reached.

The illustration reflects the Fund's neutral allocations without any tactical adjustments by Empower Capital Management, LLC ("ECM"), the Fund's investment adviser. The Fund's actual asset allocations may differ from this illustration to reflect ECM's tactical adjustments to the asset mix based on market outlook or other factors.

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![](g58265lifetime_2025.jpg)

ECM uses asset allocation strategies to allocate the Fund's assets among different broad asset classes and the Underlying Funds. Each Underlying Fund has its own investment objectives and strategies and may hold a wide range of securities and other instruments in its portfolio, including, without limitation, U.S. and foreign equity securities (including those from emerging markets), U.S. and foreign fixed income securities (including those rated below investment grade), real estate investments, short-term investments and derivatives. The following table shows the Fund's target allocation for the various asset classes and the

Underlying Funds in which the Fund expects to invest as of the date of this Prospectus:

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

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Large Cap** | **24.83%** |
| Empower Large Cap Growth Fund Institutional |  |
| Empower Large Cap Value Fund Institutional |  |
| Empower S&P 500<sup>®</sup> Index Fund Institutional |  |
| **Mid Cap** | **5.94%** |
| Empower Mid Cap Value Fund Institutional |  |
| Empower T. Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional |  |
| **Small Cap** | **2.39%** |
| Empower Small Cap Growth Fund Institutional |  |
| Empower Small Cap Value Fund Institutional |  |
| Janus Henderson Triton Fund N |  |
| **International** | **10.50%** |
| Empower International Growth Fund Institutional |  |
| Empower International Index Fund Institutional |  |
| Empower International Value Fund Institutional |  |
| **Emerging Markets** | **2.94%** |
| Empower Emerging Markets Equity Fund Institutional |  |
| Fidelity Emerging Markets Index Fund |  |
| **Bond** | **37.06%** |
| Empower Bond Index Fund Institutional |  |
| Empower Core Bond Fund Institutional |  |
| Empower Global Bond Fund Institutional |  |
| Empower High Yield Bond Fund Institutional |  |
| Empower Inflation-Protected Securities Fund Institutional |  |
| Empower Multi-Sector Bond Fund Institutional |  |
| **Real Estate** | **2.87%** |
| Empower Real Estate Index Fund Institutional |  |
| **Short-Term Bond/Cash** | **13.47%** |
| Empower of America Contract |  |
| Empower Short Duration Bond Fund Institutional |  |

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The Fund will rebalance its holdings of the Underlying Funds on a periodic basis to maintain the appropriate asset allocations. ECM reviews asset class allocations, Underlying Fund allocations, and the Underlying Funds on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as deemed necessary. ECM may add or delete asset classes, change target asset class or Underlying Fund allocations, or add or delete Underlying Funds at any time without shareholder notice or approval.

**Principal Investment Risks**

Below is a summary of the principal investment risks of investing in the Fund. These risks are presented in an order that reflects ECM's current assessment of relative importance, but this assessment could change over time as the Fund's portfolio changes or in light of changes in the market or the economic environment. The Fund is not required to and will not update this Prospectus solely because its assessment of the relative importance of the principal risks of investing in the Fund changes. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective.

***Fund-of-Funds Structure Risk*** <br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;•Since the Fund invests directly in the Underlying Funds, all risks associated with the Underlying Funds apply to the Fund. To the extent the Fund invests more of its assets in one Underlying Fund than another, the Fund will have greater exposure to the risks of that Underlying Fund.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;•Since the Fund invests in Underlying Funds, you will bear your proportionate share of expenses of the Fund and indirectly your proportionate share of expenses of the Underlying Funds. Consequently, an investment in the Fund entails more expenses than a direct investment in the Underlying Funds.

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***Target Date Fund Risk -*** The year in the Fund name refers to the approximate year (the target date) when an investor in the Fund is planning to retire (or otherwise begin using the invested funds). The Fund's asset allocation is adjusted to become more conservative based on its target date. If an investor chooses to retire significantly earlier or later than the target date, a different asset allocation may be more appropriate. An investment in a target date fund is not guaranteed at any time, including on or after the target date. Investors should periodically monitor the portfolio to ensure it is in line with their current situation.

***Empower of America Contract Risk*** - The Contract has a stable principal value and pays a minimum fixed interest rate to the Fund. Both the principal and interest rate are guaranteed by Empower of America regardless of market conditions. However, if Empower of America were to become insolvent and unable to meet the guarantee, the Fund may lose money from unpaid principal or unpaid or reduced interest, and the Contract would be settled commensurate with other Empower of America policy holder obligations under applicable law.

***The following are risks associated with Underlying Fund investments that may indirectly result in a loss of your investment in the Fund. There can be no assurance that an Underlying Fund will achieve its investment objective.***

***Equity Securities Risk*** - The value of equity securities held by an Underlying Fund may decline as a result of factors directly related to a company, a particular industry or industries, or general market conditions that are not specifically related to a company or an industry.

***Market Risk*** - The value of an Underlying Fund's investments may decrease, sometimes rapidly or unexpectedly, due to factors affecting (or perceived to affect) specific issuers held by an Underlying Fund, particular industries represented in an Underlying Fund's portfolio, or the overall securities markets. A variety of factors can increase the volatility of an Underlying Fund's holdings and markets generally, including political or regulatory developments, recessions, inflation, deflation, rapid interest rate changes, bank failures, war or acts of terrorism, sanctions, tariffs, natural disasters, outbreaks of infectious illnesses or other widespread public health issues, general outlook for corporate earnings, or adverse investor sentiment generally. Certain events may cause instability across global markets, including reduced liquidity and disruptions in trading markets, while some events may affect certain geographic regions, countries, sectors and industries more significantly than others. These adverse developments may cause broad declines in an issuer's value due to short-term market movements or for significantly longer periods during more prolonged market downturns.

***Fixed Income Securities Risk*** - Investments in fixed income securities are subject to interest rate risk (the chance that bond prices will decline because of rising interest rates), income risk (the chance that an Underlying Fund's income will decline because of falling interest rates), credit risk (the chance that a bond issuer will fail to pay interest and principal in a timely manner, or that market perception of the issuer will cause the price of a bond to decline), and call/prepayment risk (the chance that bond issuers will redeem bonds prior to their maturity dates).

***Interest Rate Risk*** - The market value of a fixed income security is affected significantly by changes (or the expectation of such changes) in interest rates. A wide variety of market and economic factors can cause interest rates to rise or fall, including central bank monetary policy, rising inflation, disinflation or deflation, and changes in general economic conditions. When interest rates rise, the market value of a fixed income security will generally decline and when interest rates decline, the market values of such securities will generally rise. In general, the longer the maturity or duration of a fixed income security, the greater its sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Changes in interest rates can be difficult to forecast and may have unpredictable effects on the markets and an Underlying Fund's investments, including negatively affecting yield, value or liquidity. Actions taken by the Federal Reserve Board or foreign central banks to stimulate or stabilize economic growth, such as increases or decreases in short-term interest rates, may adversely affect markets and an Underlying Fund's performance.

***Credit Risk*** - An issuer (or guarantor) of a security may default on its obligations to pay principal or interest. A security's value may be affected by changes in its credit quality rating or its issuer's financial conditions.

***Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk*** - Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in pools of commercial or residential mortgages and are subject to the risk that borrowers will prepay the principal on their loans more quickly than expected (prepayment risk) when mortgage rates fall or more slowly than expected (extension risk) when mortgage rates rise, which may affect the yield, average life and price of the securities. Because of prepayment risk and extension risk, mortgage-backed securities react differently to changes in interest rates than other fixed income securities. Small movements in interest rates (both increases and decreases) may quickly and significantly reduce the value of certain mortgage-backed securities.

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***Inflation-Protected Securities Risk*** - The value of inflation-protected securities ("IPS") generally fluctuates in response to changes in real interest rates, which are in turn tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. If inflation was to rise at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might decline, leading to an increase in the value of IPS. In contrast, if nominal interest rates were to increase at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in the value of IPS. The market for IPS may be less developed or less liquid, and more volatile, than certain other securities markets.

***Below Investment Grade Securities Risk*** - Below investment grade securities (commonly known as "high yield securities" or "junk bonds") are speculative, have a higher degree of credit risk and interest rate risk, and may be less liquid and subject to greater volatility in market value than investment grade securities. In addition, high yield securities present a greater risk of loss (which may be substantial or total) of income and principal, than investment grade securities.

***Liquidity Risk*** - An Underlying Fund may not be able to sell a security at or near its perceived value in a timely manner (or at all) because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, little or no active trading market for a specific type of security, legal or contractual restrictions on resale, or a reduced number or capacity of market participants to make a market in such security. Securities acquired in a private placement, such as Rule 144A securities, may involve increased liquidity risk due to restrictions on resale and the potential absence of a liquid secondary market or ready purchasers for such securities. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that an Underlying Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the allowable time period or without significant dilution to the remaining investors' interest due to market conditions or other factors. Extraordinary and sudden changes in interest rates could disrupt the market for fixed income securities and result in fluctuations in an Underlying Fund's net asset value. Increased redemptions due to a rise in interest rates may require an Underlying Fund to liquidate its holdings at an unfavorable time or under adverse or disadvantageous conditions, which may negatively affect the Underlying Fund. Investments in many foreign securities tend to have greater exposure to liquidity risk than domestic securities because secondary trading markets for these securities may be smaller and less well-developed and the securities may trade less frequently.

***Foreign Securities Risk*** - Foreign markets can be more volatile than the U.S. market due to increased risks of adverse issuer, political, geopolitical (including war or armed conflict), regulatory, market, currency valuation, or economic or other developments, and can perform differently than the U.S. market. Current tariffs, sanctions, or the threat of potential tariffs, sanctions or similar measures may also impair the value or liquidity of affected securities and negatively impact an Underlying Fund.

***Asset-Backed Securities Risk*** - Asset-backed securities represent interests in pools of assets, including consumer loans, auto loans, student loans, or receivables held in trust. The value of asset-backed securities may be affected by certain factors such as interest rate risk; the credit performance of the pool of underlying assets; the creditworthiness of the servicing agent or the originator of the underlying assets; the ability of the servicing agent to service the underlying collateral; and the availability of information concerning the pool of underlying assets and its structure. Asset-backed securities are also subject to the risk that borrowers will prepay the principal on their loans more quickly than expected (prepayment risk) in a declining interest rate environment or more slowly than expected (extension risk) in a rising interest rate environment.

***Foreign Government Securities Risk*** - Foreign government securities may involve risks similar to those of foreign securities. They also may present additional risks, such as the ability of a foreign government or government-related issuer to make timely principal and interest payments on its external debt obligations.

***Index Risk*** - Because an index fund is designed to track the performance of a benchmark index, investors should generally expect the value of the index fund to decline when the performance of its benchmark index declines. As a result, it is possible an index fund could have poor investment results even if it closely tracks the return of its benchmark index, because the adverse performance of a particular security normally will not result in eliminating the security from the fund. It is possible the benchmark index may perform unfavorably and underperform the market as a whole. An index fund is not actively managed and portfolio managers do not attempt to take defensive positions in declining markets. Maintaining investments in securities regardless of market conditions or the performance of individual securities could cause an index fund's return to be lower than if the index fund employed an active strategy.

***Large-Size Company Risk*** - Large-size companies are generally more mature and may be unable to respond as quickly as smaller companies to new competitive challenges, such as changes in technology and consumer tastes, and may not be able to attain the high growth rate of successful smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion.

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***Small- and Medium-Size Company Risk*** - The stocks of small- and medium-size companies often trade in lower volumes, may be less liquid, and are subject to greater or more unpredictable price changes than stocks of larger companies. Such companies may also have limited markets, financial resources or product lines, may lack management depth, and may be more vulnerable to adverse business or market developments. Accordingly, stocks of small- and medium-size companies tend to be more sensitive to changing economic, market, and industry conditions, tend to be more volatile and less liquid than stocks of larger companies, especially over the short term, and are less likely to survive or accomplish their goals, with the result that the value of their stock could decline significantly. In addition, there may be less publicly available information concerning small- and medium-size companies upon which to base an investment decision.

***Value Stock Risk*** - A value style of investing is subject to the risk that returns on value stocks are less than returns on other styles of investing or the overall stock market. Value stocks tend to trade at lower price-to-book and price-to-earnings ratios, which suggest the market as a whole views their potential future earnings as limited.

***Growth Stock Risk*** - A growth style of investing is subject to the risk that returns on growth stocks are less than returns on other styles of investing or the overall stock market. Growth stocks can be volatile for several reasons. Since they usually reinvest a high proportion of earnings in their own business, they may not pay the dividends usually associated with value stocks that can cushion their decline in a falling market. Also, since investors buy these stocks because of the expected superior earnings growth, earnings disappointments may result in sharp price declines.

***Emerging Markets Risk*** - Emerging market countries generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. The economies of countries with emerging markets may be based predominantly on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions, and may suffer from limited reliable access to capital, extreme debt burdens, less established financial market operations or volatile inflation rates. The securities markets of emerging market countries may be subject to manipulation and have historically been extremely volatile and less liquid than more developed markets. These market conditions may continue or worsen. Investments in these countries may be subject to heightened political, geopolitical (including war or armed conflict), economic, legal, market, currency and tariff risks, as well as other adverse local or regional developments, including heightened risk of war and ethnic, religious and racial conflicts. The imposition of sanctions, exchange controls (including repatriation restrictions), confiscations, trade restrictions (including tariffs), and other government restrictions by the U.S. and other governments, as well as problems in share registration, settlement or custody, may also result in losses. Differences in regulatory, accounting, auditing, and financial reporting and recordkeeping standards could impede the availability of reliable information to evaluate and monitor local companies and impact an Underlying Fund's performance. There is also the risk of adverse foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, which may cause the value of securities denominated in such foreign currency (or other instruments through which an Underlying Fund has exposure to foreign currencies) to decline in value. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time.

***Currency Risk*** - Adverse fluctuations in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies may cause an Underlying Fund to lose money on investments denominated in foreign currencies.

***Geographic Concentration Risk*** - Events negatively affecting the fiscal stability of a particular country or region in which an Underlying Fund focuses its investments may cause the value of its shares to decrease, perhaps significantly.

***Real Estate Investment Trust/Real Estate Risk*** - Investments in real estate-related instruments may be affected by similar risks as direct investment in real estate and the real estate market generally, including economic, legal, cultural, governmental, environmental or technological factors that affect property values, rents or occupancies of real estate. Historically, the real estate industry has been cyclical and particularly sensitive to economic downturns and other events that limit demand for real estate, which would adversely impact the value of real estate investments. Real estate companies, including real estate investment trusts ("REITs") or similar structures, tend to be small and mid cap companies, which means their shares may be more volatile and less liquid. REITs and real estate-related companies may not be diversified due to ownership of a limited number of properties or concentration in a particular geographic region or property type. REITs are also subject to risks associated with changes in interest rates.

***Derivatives Risk*** - The use of derivatives, including but not limited to futures contracts, forward contracts, options and swaps, may expose an Underlying Fund to additional risks that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities underlying those derivatives. These risks include imperfect correlations with underlying investments or an Underlying Fund's other portfolio holdings, magnified losses resulting from leverage, counterparty risk, high price volatility, liquidity risk, segregation risk, valuation risk and legal restrictions.

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***Management Risk*** - A strategy, investment decision, technique, analysis, or model used by the portfolio managers may fail to produce the intended results, or imperfections, errors or limitations in the tools and data used by the portfolio managers may cause unintended results. Therefore, an Underlying Fund could underperform in comparison to other funds with similar objectives and investment strategies and may generate losses even in a favorable market.

An investment in the Fund or Underlying Funds is not a deposit with a bank, is not insured, endorsed or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any government agency, and is subject to the possible loss of your original investment.

**Performance**

The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risk of investment in the Fund by showing changes in the performance of the Fund's Investor Class shares for the last ten calendar years and by comparing the Fund's average annual total returns to the performance of a broad-based securities market index and an additional index with investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The returns shown below are historical and are not an indication of future performance. Total return figures assume reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions and include the effect of the Fund's recurring expenses, but do not include the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account. If the fees and expenses of any Permitted Account were reflected, the performance shown would be lower.

Updated performance information may be obtained at www.empower.com/investments/empower-funds/fund-documents (the website does not form a part of this Prospectus).

**Calendar Year Total Returns**![](g58265lt2025f3.jpg)

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **Quarter Ended** | **Total Return** |
| **Best Quarter** | June 30, 2020 | 13.14% |
| **Worst Quarter** | March 31, 2020 | -13.55% |

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**Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2025** 

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
|  | **One**<br> **Year**<br>| **Five**<br> **Years**<br>| **Ten**<br> **Years**<br>|
| Empower Lifetime 2025 Fund Institutional Class | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 12.06% | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5.34% | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 7.35% |
| Empower Lifetime 2025 Fund Investor Class | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 11.70% | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4.96% | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 6.98% |
| Empower Lifetime 2025 Fund Service Class | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 11.57% | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 4.87% | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 6.88% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; MSCI ACWI Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 22.34% | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 11.19% | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 11.72% |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; S&P Target Date 2025 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 13.98% | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 6.07% | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 7.57% |

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**Investment Adviser**

ECM

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**Portfolio Managers** 

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Name** | **Title** | **Portfolio Manager of the** <br> **Fund Since**<br>|
| Andrew Corwin, CFA | Portfolio Manager & Head of Portfolio Construction and <br> Research<br>| 2014 |
| Maria Mendelsberg, CFA | Portfolio Manager | 2018 |

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**Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares**

The Fund is not sold directly to the general public, but instead may be offered as an underlying investment for Permitted Accounts. Permitted Accounts may place orders on any business day to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund based on instructions received from owners of variable contracts or IRAs, or from participants of retirement plans or college savings programs. Please contact your registered representative, IRA custodian or trustee, retirement plan sponsor or administrator, or college savings program for information concerning the procedures for purchasing and redeeming shares of the Fund.

The Fund does not have any initial or subsequent investment minimums. However, Permitted Accounts may impose investment minimums.

**Tax Information**

Currently, Permitted Accounts generally are not subject to federal income tax on any Fund distributions. Owners of variable contracts, retirement plan participants, and IRA owners are also generally not subject to federal income tax on Fund distributions until such amounts are withdrawn from the variable contract, retirement plan, or IRA. Distributions from a college savings program generally are not taxed provided that they are used to pay for qualified higher education expenses. More information regarding federal taxation of Permitted Account owners may be found in the applicable prospectus and/or disclosure documents for that Permitted Account.

**Payments to Insurers, Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries**

Companies related to the Fund may make payments to insurance companies, broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries for the sale of Fund shares and/or other services. These payments may be a factor that an insurance company, broker-dealer or other financial intermediary considers when including the Fund as an investment option in a Permitted Account. These payments also may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson, visit your financial intermediary's website, or consult the variable contract prospectus for more information.

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