Securities Act File No. 002-88912

Investment Company Act File No. 811-03942

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-1A

 

  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 S
     
  Pre-Effective Amendment No. £
     
  Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 S

 

and/or

 

  REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 S
     
  Amendment No. 68 S

 

LORD ABBETT MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND, INC .

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302-3973
(Address of Principal Executive Office) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (800) 201-6984

 

Thomas R. Phillips, Esq.

Vice President and Assistant Secretary

90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, New Jersey 07302-3973

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

£ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

 

S on February 1, 2014 pursuant to paragraph (b)

 

£ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

 

£ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) (1)

 

£ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

 

£ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485

 

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

£ this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
 

Lord Abbett
Municipal Income Fund

PROSPECTUS

FEBRUARY 1, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SHORT DURATION
TAX FREE FUND

 

CLASS

 

TICKER

 

CLASS

 

TICKER

 

A

 

LSDAX

 

F

 

LSDFX

 

B

 

N/A

 

I

 

LISDX

 

C

 

LSDCX

 

 

 

 

INTERMEDIATE
TAX FREE FUND

 

CLASS

 

TICKER

 

CLASS

 

TICKER

 

A

 

LISAX

 

F

 

LISFX

 

B

 

LISBX

 

I

 

LAIIX

 

C

 

LISCX

 

P

 

LISPX

AMT FREE
MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

 

CLASS

 

TICKER

 

CLASS

 

TICKER

 

A

 

LATAX

 

F

 

LATFX

 

C

 

LATCX

 

I

 

LMCIX

NATIONAL
TAX FREE FUND

 

CLASS

 

TICKER

 

CLASS

 

TICKER

 

A

 

LANSX

 

F

 

LANFX

 

B

 

LANBX

 

I

 

LTNIX

 

C

 

LTNSX

 

P

 

N/A

HIGH YIELD
MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

 

CLASS

 

TICKER

 

CLASS

 

TICKER

 

A

 

HYMAX

 

F

 

HYMFX

 

B

 

HYMBX

 

I

 

HYMIX

 

C

 

HYMCX

 

P

 

HYMPX

CALIFORNIA
TAX FREE FUND

 

CLASS

 

TICKER

 

CLASS

 

TICKER

 

A

 

LCFIX

 

I

 

CAILX

 

C

 

CALAX

 

P

 

N/A

 

F

 

LCFFX

 

 

 

 

NEW JERSEY
TAX FREE FUND

 

CLASS

 

TICKER

 

CLASS

 

TICKER

 

A

 

LANJX

 

I

 

LINJX

 

F

 

LNJFX

 

P

 

N/A

NEW YORK
TAX FREE FUND

 

CLASS

 

TICKER

 

CLASS

 

TICKER

 

A

 

LANYX

 

I

 

NYLIX

 

C

 

NYLAX

 

P

 

N/A

 

F

 

LNYFX

 

 

 

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved of these securities or determined whether this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

INVESTMENT PRODUCTS: NOT FDIC INSURED–NO BANK GUARANTEE–MAY LOSE VALUE



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT YOU
SHOULD KNOW
ABOUT
THE FUNDS

 

Short Duration Tax Free Fund

 

 

 

3

 
 

Intermediate Tax Free Fund

 

 

 

13

 
 

AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund

 

 

22

 
 

National Tax Free Fund

 

 

31

 
 

High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

 

 

40

 
 

California Tax Free Fund

 

 

50

 
 

New Jersey Tax Free Fund

 

 

59

 
 

New York Tax Free Fund

 

 

68

 

 

 

 

 

 

MORE
INFORMATION
ABOUT
THE FUNDS

 

Investment Objective

 

 

78

 
 

Principal Investment Strategies

 

 

78

 
 

Principal Risks

 

 

86

 
 

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

 

 

92

 
 

Management and Organization of the Funds

 

 

92

 

 

 

 

 

 

INFORMATION
FOR MANAGING
YOUR FUND
ACCOUNT

 

Choosing a Share Class

 

 

94

 
 

Sales Charges

 

 

100

 
 

Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers

 

 

102

 
 

Financial Intermediary Compensation

 

 

106

 
 

Purchases

 

 

110

 
 

Exchanges

 

 

112

 
 

Redemptions

 

 

112

 
 

Account Services and Policies

 

 

114

 
 

Distributions and Taxes

 

 

121

 


 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL
INFORMATION

 

Short Duration Tax Free Fund

 

 

126

 
 

Intermediate Tax Free Fund

 

 

130

 
 

AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund

 

 

136

 
 

National Tax Free Fund

 

 

140

 
 

High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

 

 

145

 
 

California Tax Free Fund

 

 

150

 
 

New Jersey Tax Free Fund

 

 

154

 
 

New York Tax Free Fund

 

 

157

 


 

SHORT DURATION TAX FREE FUND

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek the maximum amount of interest income exempt from federal income tax as is consistent with reasonable risk.

FEES AND EXPENSES

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and certain members of your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers” on page 102 of the prospectus and “Purchases, Redemptions, Pricing, and Payments to Dealers” on page 8-1 of the statement of additional information (“SAI”).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholder Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)

 

Class

 

A

 

B

 

C

 

F and I

 

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price)

 

2.25%

 

None

 

None

 

None

 

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
(as a percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

 

None (1)

 

5.00%

 

1.00% (2)

 

None

PROSPECTUS – SHORT DURATION TAX FREE FUND

3


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Class

 

A

 

B

 

C

 

F

 

I

 

Management Fees

 

0.40%

 

0.40%

 

0.40%

 

0.40%

 

0.40%

 

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

 

0.20%

 

1.00%

 

0.86% (3)

 

0.10%

 

None

 

Other Expenses

 

0.10%

 

0.10%

 

0.10%

 

0.10%

 

0.10%

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

 

0.70%

 

1.50%

 

1.36%

 

0.60%

 

0.50%

 

Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement (4)(5)

 

(0.05%)

 

(0.05%)

 

(0.05%)

 

(0.05%)

 

(0.05%)

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement (4)(5)(6)

 

0.65%

 

1.45%

 

1.31%

 

0.55%

 

0.45%

 

(1)

 

A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on certain Class A shares purchased or acquired without a sales charge if they are redeemed before the first day of the month of the one-year anniversary of the purchase.

(2)

 

A CDSC of 1.00% may be assessed on Class C shares if they are redeemed before the first anniversary of their purchase.

(3)

 

The 12b-1 fee the Fund will pay on Class C shares will be a blended rate calculated based on (i) 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares held for less than one year and (ii) 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares held for one year or more. All Class C shareholders of the Fund will bear 12b-1 fees at the same rate.

(4)

 

This amount has been updated from fiscal year amounts to reflect the current fee waiver and/or expense limitation agreement.

(5)

 

For the period February 1, 2014 through January 31, 2015, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC has contractually agreed to waive its fees and reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to limit total net annual operating expenses for each class, excluding 12b-1 fees and interest related expenses, to an annual rate of 0.45%. Shareholders will incur actual total annual operating expenses less than or equal to 0.45% plus the amount of any applicable 12b-1 fee and interest related expenses. This agreement may be terminated only by the Fund’s Board of Directors.

(6)

 

These amounts include interest and related expenses from inverse floaters of less than 0.01%.

Example

The following 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 assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund at the maximum sales charge, if any, for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that dividends and distributions are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same (except that the example takes into account the expense limitation agreement between the Fund and Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC for the term of the agreement). The first example assumes a deduction of the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) for the one-year, three-year, and five-year periods for Class B shares and for the one-year period for Class C shares. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares after approximately eight years. The expense example for Class B shares for the ten-year period reflects the conversion to Class A shares. The first example assumes that you redeem all of your shares at the end of the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs (including any applicable CDSC) would be as shown below. The second example assumes that you do not redeem and instead keep your shares.

PROSPECTUS – SHORT DURATION TAX FREE FUND

4


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class

 

If Shares Are Redeemed

 

If Shares Are Not Redeemed  

 

 

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

Class A Shares

 

$

 

290

   

$

 

439

   

$

 

601

   

$

 

1,071

   

$

 

290

   

$

 

439

   

$

 

601

   

$

 

1,071

 

 

Class B Shares

 

$

 

648

   

$

 

769

   

$

 

1,014

   

$

 

1,570

   

$

 

148

   

$

 

469

   

$

 

814

   

$

 

1,570

 

 

Class C Shares

 

$

 

233

   

$

 

426

   

$

 

740

   

$

 

1,631

   

$

 

133

   

$

 

426

   

$

 

740

   

$

 

1,631

 

 

Class F Shares

 

$

 

56

   

$

 

187

   

$

 

330

   

$

 

745

   

$

 

56

   

$

 

187

   

$

 

330

   

$

 

745

 

 

Class I Shares

 

$

 

46

   

$

 

155

   

$

 

275

   

$

 

623

   

$

 

46

   

$

 

155

   

$

 

275

   

$

 

623

 

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 may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in the annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 23.80% of the average value of its portfolio.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

For purposes of its investment objective, the Fund uses the volatility of the Barclays 1-5 Year Municipal Bond Index as an approximation of reasonable risk. To pursue its objective, under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest exempt from federal income tax. Under normal conditions, the Fund invests primarily in investment grade municipal bonds. Investment grade municipal bonds are rated BBB/Baa or higher (at the time of purchase) by an independent rating agency or are unrated but deemed by Lord Abbett to be of comparable quality.

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in municipal bonds rated BB/Ba or lower (at the time of purchase) by an independent rating agency or unrated but deemed by Lord Abbett to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “below investment grade,” “high yield,” or “junk” bonds).

The Fund may invest in all types of municipal bonds, including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, municipal leases, and variable rate demand notes. Municipal bond issuers may be U.S. states, territories (such as Puerto Rico), and possessions and their political subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities.

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (“AMT”), including certain private activity bonds (commonly referred to as “AMT paper”). Although the Fund is permitted to invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed income securities that pay interest subject to federal income tax, the Fund presently has no intention of investing in this manner. The Fund will not invest

PROSPECTUS – SHORT DURATION TAX FREE FUND

5


25% or more of its total assets in any industry; however, this limitation does not apply to tax-exempt securities issued by governments or their political subdivisions. The Fund may invest in both insured and uninsured municipal bonds.

The Fund may use inverse floaters, which is a type of derivative investment that provides leveraged exposure to underlying municipal bonds whose interest payments vary inversely with changes in short-term tax-exempt interest rates. These investments are intended to increase the Fund’s income and potential investment return and are speculative. The Fund also may invest in other types of derivatives, such as futures, for speculative, hedging, or duration management purposes.

The Fund may invest in securities of any maturity or duration. The Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity generally is expected to be between one and three years, but will vary with market conditions. Although the Fund may invest significantly in money market securities and their equivalents, it is not a money market fund and is not subject to money market fund requirements.

The Fund’s investment team focuses on credit risk analysis, tax exempt income yield, total return potential, interest rate risk, and call protection in selecting municipal bonds. The Fund generally will sell a security when it believes the security is less likely to benefit from the current market and economic environment, shows signs of deteriorating fundamentals, or has reached its valuation target, among other reasons. The Fund seeks to remain fully invested in accordance with its investment objective; however, in response to adverse market or other unfavorable conditions, the Fund may invest its assets in a temporary defensive manner.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

As with any investment in a mutual fund, investing in the Fund involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment. When you redeem your shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you may lose a portion or all of the money you invested in the Fund.

The following is a summary of certain risks that could adversely affect the Fund’s performance or increase volatility:

 

 

 

 

Portfolio Management Risk – If the strategies used and securities selected by the Fund’s portfolio management fail to produce the intended result, the Fund may suffer losses or underperform other funds with the same investment objective or strategies, even in a rising market.

PROSPECTUS – SHORT DURATION TAX FREE FUND

6


 

 

 

 

Market Risk – The market values of securities will fluctuate, sometimes sharply and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors. Although prices of debt securities tend to rise and fall less dramatically than those of equity securities, they may experience heightened volatility if interest rates rise or the U.S. Federal Reserve continues to curb its bond buying program, for example.

 

 

 

 

Fixed Income Securities Risk – The Fund is subject to the general risks and considerations associated with investing in debt securities, including the risk that issuers will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest. Typically, shorter-term bonds are less volatile than longer-term bonds; however, longer-term bonds typically offer higher yields and more stable interest income than shorter-term bonds. Lower rated municipal bonds in which the Fund may invest may be more volatile and may decline more in price in response to negative issuer developments or general economic news than higher rated securities. In addition, as interest rates rise, the Fund’s investments typically will lose value.

 

 

 

 

Municipal Bond Risk – Municipal bonds are subject to the same risks affecting fixed income securities in general. In addition, the price of municipal bonds may be adversely affected by legislative or political changes, tax rulings, judicial action, changes in market and economic conditions, and the fiscal condition of the municipal issuer. The market for municipal bonds generally is less liquid than other securities markets, which may make it more difficult for the Fund to sell its bonds.

 

 

 

 

Below Investment Grade Municipal Bond Risk – Below investment grade municipal bonds typically pay a higher yield than investment grade municipal bonds, but may have greater price fluctuations and have a higher risk of default than investment grade municipal bonds. The market for below investment grade municipal bonds may be less liquid, which may make such bonds more difficult to sell at an acceptable price, especially during periods of increased market volatility or significant market decline.

 

 

 

 

Call Risk – A substantial portion of municipal bonds are “callable,” meaning they give the issuer the right to call or redeem the bonds before maturity. As interest rates decline, these bond issuers may pay off their loans early by buying back the bonds, thus depriving the Fund of above market interest rates. Moreover, the Fund may have to reinvest the prepayment proceeds in lower yielding securities.

 

 

 

 

Concentration Risk – The Fund may concentrate its investments in issuers within a particular state, territory or possession, which may expose the Fund’s assets to negative economic, business or political developments in such region. This focus may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments more than if such assets were not so concentrated.

PROSPECTUS – SHORT DURATION TAX FREE FUND

7


 

 

 

 

Credit Risk – Municipal bonds are subject to the risk that the issuer of a security may not make interest and principal payments as they become due or may default altogether. In addition, if the market perceives a deterioration in the creditworthiness of an issuer, the value of bonds issued by that issuer tends to decline. Credit risk varies based upon the economic and fiscal conditions of each issuer and the municipalities, agencies, instrumentalities, and other issuers within the state, territory or possession. Insured municipal bonds have the credit risk of the insurer in addition to the credit risk of the underlying investment being insured. A decline in the credit quality of private activity bonds usually is directly related to a decline in the credit standing of the facility.

 

 

 

 

Industry Risk – Nongovernmental users of facilities financed by tax-exempt revenue bonds (e.g. companies in the electric utility and health care industries) may have difficulty making payments on their obligations in the event of an economic downturn. This would negatively affect the valuation of bonds issued by such facilities.

 

 

 

 

Derivatives Risk – Loss may result from the Fund’s investments in futures contracts, inverse floaters and other derivative instruments. These instruments may be leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate and substantial losses to the Fund. They also may increase the Fund’s interest rate risk and may cause the Fund to realize a limited amount of taxable income. Losses also may arise from the failure of a derivative counterparty to meet its contractual obligations.

 

 

 

 

Extension Risk – Rising interest rates may cause payments to occur at a slower-than-expected rate, extending the duration of a bond and typically reducing its value.

 

 

 

 

Governmental Risk – Government actions, including U.S. federal government actions and actions by local, state and regional governments, could have an adverse effect on municipal bond prices. In addition, the Fund’s performance may be affected by local, state, and regional factors depending on the states in which the Fund’s investments are issued.

 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Risk – As interest rates rise, prices of bonds (including tax-exempt bonds) generally fall, causing the Fund’s investments typically to lose value. Interest rate changes typically have a greater effect on the price of longer-term bonds, including inverse floaters, than on shorter-term bonds.

 

 

 

 

Liquidity Risk – It may be difficult for the Fund to sell certain securities, including below investment grade municipal bonds, in a timely manner and at their stated value, which could result in losses to the Fund. In addition, the Fund could experience a loss when selling securities to meet redemption

PROSPECTUS – SHORT DURATION TAX FREE FUND

8


 

 

 

 

requests if the redemption requests are unusually large or frequent or occur in times of overall market turmoil or declining prices for the securities sold, or when the securities the Fund wishes to or is required to sell are illiquid.

 

 

 

 

State and Territory Risks – Although the Fund does not have a specific geographic focus, from time to time, the Fund may be more exposed to risks affecting a particular state, territory (such as Puerto Rico), or region. As a result, adverse economic conditions in that state, territory, or region are likely to affect the Fund’s performance.

 

 

 

 

Taxability Risk – The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has announced that holders of tax-exempt bonds have risks that their tax-exempt income may be reclassified as taxable if the bonds that they own were issued in an abusive transaction. Although the Fund attempts to purchase only bona fide tax-exempt securities (except for its ability to invest up to 20% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest subject to AMT and fixed income securities that pay interest that is subject to regular federal income tax), there is a risk that a bond issued as tax-exempt may be reclassified by the IRS as taxable, creating taxable rather than tax-exempt income.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. For more information on the principal risks of the Fund, please see the “More Information About the Funds – Principal Risks” section in the prospectus.

PERFORMANCE

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by illustrating the variability of the Fund’s returns. Each assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. No performance is shown for Class B shares because the Fund has not issued Class B shares to date.

The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund’s Class A shares from calendar year to calendar year. This chart does not reflect the sales charge applicable to Class A shares. If the sales charge were reflected, returns would be lower. Performance for the Fund’s other share classes will vary due to the different expenses each class bears. Updated performance information is available at www.lordabbett.com or by calling 888-522-2388.

PROSPECTUS – SHORT DURATION TAX FREE FUND

9


Bar Chart (per calendar year) — Class A Shares

 

 

 

Best Quarter 1st Q ‘09 +2.36%

 

Worst Quarter 2nd Q ‘13 -1.01%


The table below shows how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to the returns of securities market indices with investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Fund’s average annual total returns include applicable sales charges. The Fund believes that the Barclays 1-5 Year Municipal Bond Index more closely reflects the Fund’s investment strategies than the Barclays Municipal Bond Index: 1 Year (1-2). Therefore, the Fund will remove the Barclays Municipal Bond Index: 1 Year (1-2) from the performance table in the future.

The after-tax returns of Class A shares included in the table below are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to a tax benefit resulting from realized losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the period that is used to offset other gains. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax- deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns for other share classes are not shown in the table and will vary from those shown for Class A shares.

PROSPECTUS – SHORT DURATION TAX FREE FUND

10


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns
(for the periods ended December 31, 2013)

 

Class

 

1 Year

 

5 Years

 

Life of Class

 

Inception
Date for
Performance

 

Class A Shares

 

12/31/2008

 

Before Taxes

 

-2.26%

 

2.30%

 

2.30%

 

 

 

After Taxes on Distributions

 

-2.28%

 

2.30%

 

2.30%

 

 

 

After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

 

-0.73%

 

2.24%

 

2.24%

 

 

 

Class C Shares

 

-1.63%

 

2.02%

 

2.02%

 

12/31/2008

 

Class F Shares

 

0.11%

 

2.87%

 

2.87%

 

12/31/2008

 

Class I Shares

 

0.21%

 

2.97%

 

2.97%

 

12/31/2008

 

Index

 

 

 

Barclays 1-5 Year Municipal Bond Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

 

1.14%

 

2.73%

 

2.73%

 

12/31/2008

 

Barclays Municipal Bond Index: 1 Year (1-2)
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

 

0.80%

 

1.57%

 

1.57%

 

12/31/2008

MANAGEMENT

Investment Adviser. The Fund’s investment adviser is Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC.

Portfolio Managers.

 

 

 

Portfolio Manager/Title

 

Member of
the Investment
Management
Team Since

 

Daniel S. Solender, Partner and Director

 

2008

 

Daniel T. Vande Velde, Partner and Portfolio Manager

 

2008

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

The minimum initial and additional amounts shown below vary depending on the class of shares you buy and the type of account. Certain financial intermediaries may impose different restrictions than those described below. Class B shares no longer are available for purchase by new or existing investors and only will be issued in connection with (i) an exchange of Class B shares from another Lord Abbett Fund or (ii) a reinvestment of a dividend and/or capital gain distribution. For Class I shares, the minimum investment shown below applies to certain types of institutional investors, but does not apply to registered

PROSPECTUS – SHORT DURATION TAX FREE FUND

11


investment advisers or retirement and benefit plans otherwise eligible to invest in Class I shares. See “Choosing a Share Class – Investment Minimums” in the prospectus for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Minimums — Initial/Additional Investments

 

Class

 

A and C

 

F

 

I

 

General and IRAs without Invest-A-Matic Investments

 

$1,000/No minimum

 

N/A

 

$1 million minimum

 

Invest-A-Matic Accounts

 

$250/$50

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

IRAs, SIMPLE and SEP Accounts with Payroll Deductions

 

No minimum

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Fee-Based Advisory Programs and Retirement and Benefit Plans

 

No minimum

 

No minimum

 

No minimum

You may sell (redeem) shares through your securities broker, financial professional or financial intermediary. If you have direct account access privileges, you may redeem your shares by contacting the Fund in writing at P.O. Box 219336, Kansas City, MO 64121, by calling 888-522-2388 or by accessing your account online at www.lordabbett.com.

TAX INFORMATION

The Fund’s distributions of interest on municipal bonds generally are not subject to federal income tax; however the Fund may distribute taxable dividends, including distributions of short-term and long-term capital gains. In addition, interest on certain bonds may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. To the extent that the Fund’s distributions are derived from interest on bonds that are not exempt from applicable state and local taxes, such distributions will be subject to such state and local taxes.

PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

If you purchase Fund shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and the Fund’s distributor or its affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and your individual financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial professional or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

PROSPECTUS – SHORT DURATION TAX FREE FUND

12


 

INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek the maximum amount of interest income exempt from federal income tax as is consistent with reasonable risk.

FEES AND EXPENSES

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and certain members of your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers” on page 102 of the prospectus and “Purchases, Redemptions, Pricing, and Payments to Dealers” on page 8-1 of the statement of additional information (“SAI”).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholder Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)

 

Class

 

A

 

B

 

C

 

F, I, and P

 

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price)

 

2.25%

 

None

 

None

 

None

 

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
(as a percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

 

None (1)

 

5.00%

 

1.00% (2)

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Class

 

A

 

B

 

C

 

F

 

I

 

P

 

Management Fees

 

0.39%

 

0.39%

 

0.39%

 

0.39%

 

0.39%

 

0.39%

 

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

 

0.20%

 

1.00%

 

0.88% (3)

 

0.10%

 

None

 

0.45%

 

Other Expenses

 

0.11%

 

0.11%

 

0.11%

 

0.11%

 

0.11%

 

0.11%

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (4)

 

0.70%

 

1.50%

 

1.38%

 

0.60%

 

0.50%

 

0.95%

 

(1)

 

A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on certain Class A shares purchased or acquired without a sales charge if they are redeemed before the first day of the month of the one-year anniversary of the purchase.

(2)

 

A CDSC of 1.00% may be assessed on Class C shares if they are redeemed before the first anniversary of their purchase.

(3)

 

The 12b-1 fee the Fund will pay on Class C shares will be a blended rate calculated based on (i) 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares held for less than one year and (ii) 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares held for one year or more. All Class C shareholders of the Fund will bear 12b-1 fees at the same rate.

(4)

 

These amounts include interest and related expenses from inverse floaters of less than 0.01%.

Example

The following 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 assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund at the maximum sales charge, if any, for the

PROSPECTUS – INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

13


time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that dividends and distributions are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The first example assumes a deduction of the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) for the one-year, three-year, and five-year periods for Class B shares and for the one-year period for Class C shares. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares after approximately eight years. The expense example for Class B shares for the ten-year period reflects the conversion to Class A shares. The first example assumes that you redeem all of your shares at the end of the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs (including any applicable CDSC) would be as shown below. The second example assumes that you do not redeem and instead keep your shares.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class

 

If Shares Are Redeemed

 

If Shares Are Not Redeemed  

 

 

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

Class A

 

$

 

295

   

$

 

444

   

$

 

606

   

$

 

1,076

   

$

 

295

   

$

 

444

   

$

 

606

   

$

 

1,076

 

 

Class B

 

$

 

653

   

$

 

774

   

$

 

1,018

   

$

 

1,574

   

$

 

153

   

$

 

474

   

$

 

818

   

$

 

1,574

 

 

Class C

 

$

 

240

   

$

 

437

   

$

 

755

   

$

 

1,657

   

$

 

140

   

$

 

437

   

$

 

755

   

$

 

1,657

 

 

Class F

 

$

 

61

   

$

 

192

   

$

 

335

   

$

 

750

   

$

 

61

   

$

 

192

   

$

 

335

   

$

 

750

 

 

Class I

 

$

 

51

   

$

 

160

   

$

 

280

   

$

 

628

   

$

 

51

   

$

 

160

   

$

 

280

   

$

 

628

 

 

Class P

 

$

 

97

   

$

 

303

   

$

 

525

   

$

 

1,166

   

$

 

97

   

$

 

303

   

$

 

525

   

$

 

1,166

 

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 may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in the annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 30.59% of the average value of its portfolio.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

For purposes of its investment objective, the Fund uses the volatility of the Barclays 1-15 Year Municipal Bond Index as an approximation of reasonable risk. To pursue its objective, under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest exempt from federal income tax. Under normal conditions, the Fund invests primarily in investment grade municipal bonds. Investment grade municipal bonds are rated BBB/Baa or higher (at the time of purchase) by an independent rating agency or are unrated but deemed by Lord Abbett to be of comparable quality.

PROSPECTUS – INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

14


The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in municipal bonds rated BB/Ba or lower (at the time of purchase) by an independent rating agency or unrated but deemed by Lord Abbett to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “below investment grade,” “high yield,” or “junk” bonds).

The Fund may invest in all types of municipal bonds, including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and municipal leases. Municipal bond issuers may be U.S. states, territories (such as Puerto Rico), and possessions and their political subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities.

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (“AMT”), including certain private activity bonds (commonly referred to as “AMT paper”). Although the Fund is permitted to invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed income securities that pay interest subject to federal income tax, the Fund presently has no intention of investing in this manner. The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in any industry; however, this limitation does not apply to tax-exempt securities issued by governments or their political subdivisions. The Fund may invest in both insured and uninsured municipal bonds.

The Fund may use inverse floaters, which is a type of derivative investment that provides leveraged exposure to underlying municipal bonds whose interest payments vary inversely with changes in short-term tax-exempt interest rates. These investments are intended to increase the Fund’s income and potential investment return and are speculative. The Fund also may invest in other types of derivatives, such as futures, for speculative, hedging, or duration management purposes.

The Fund may invest in securities of any maturity or duration. The Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity generally is expected to be between three and ten years, but will vary with market conditions.

The Fund’s investment team focuses on credit risk analysis, tax exempt income yield, total return potential, interest rate risk, and call protection in selecting municipal bonds. The Fund generally will sell a security when it believes the security is less likely to benefit from the current market and economic environment, shows signs of deteriorating fundamentals, or has reached its valuation target, among other reasons. The Fund seeks to remain fully invested in accordance with its investment objective; however, in response to adverse market or other unfavorable conditions, the Fund may invest its assets in a temporary defensive manner.

PROSPECTUS – INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

15


PRINCIPAL RISKS

As with any investment in a mutual fund, investing in the Fund involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment. When you redeem your shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you may lose a portion or all of the money you invested in the Fund.

The following is a summary of certain risks that could adversely affect the Fund’s performance or increase volatility:

 

 

 

 

Portfolio Management Risk – If the strategies used and securities selected by the Fund’s portfolio management fail to produce the intended result, the Fund may suffer losses or underperform other funds with the same investment objective or strategies, even in a rising market.

 

 

 

 

Market Risk – The market values of securities will fluctuate, sometimes sharply and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors. Although prices of debt securities tend to rise and fall less dramatically than those of equity securities, they may experience heightened volatility if interest rates rise or the U.S. Federal Reserve continues to curb its bond buying program, for example.

 

 

 

 

Fixed Income Securities Risk – The Fund is subject to the general risks and considerations associated with investing in debt securities, including the risk that issuers will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest. Typically, shorter-term bonds are less volatile than longer-term bonds; however, longer-term bonds typically offer higher yields and more stable interest income than shorter-term bonds. Lower rated municipal bonds in which the Fund may invest may be more volatile and may decline more in price in response to negative issuer developments or general economic news than higher rated securities. In addition, as interest rates rise, the Fund’s investments typically will lose value.

 

 

 

 

Municipal Bond Risk – Municipal bonds are subject to the same risks affecting fixed income securities in general. In addition, the price of municipal bonds may be adversely affected by legislative or political changes, tax rulings, judicial action, changes in market and economic conditions, and the fiscal condition of the municipal issuer. The market for municipal bonds generally is less liquid than other securities markets, which may make it more difficult for the Fund to sell its bonds.

 

 

 

 

Below Investment Grade Municipal Bond Risk – Below investment grade municipal bonds typically pay a higher yield than investment grade municipal bonds, but may have greater price fluctuations and have a higher risk of default than investment grade municipal bonds. The market for below

PROSPECTUS – INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

16


 

 

 

 

investment grade municipal bonds may be less liquid, which may make such bonds more difficult to sell at an acceptable price, especially during periods of increased market volatility or significant market decline.

 

 

 

 

Call Risk – A substantial portion of municipal bonds are “callable,” meaning they give the issuer the right to call or redeem the bonds before maturity. As interest rates decline, these bond issuers may pay off their loans early by buying back the bonds, thus depriving the Fund of above market interest rates. Moreover, the Fund may have to reinvest the prepayment proceeds in lower yielding securities.

 

 

 

 

Concentration Risk – The Fund may concentrate its investments in issuers within a particular state, territory or possession, which may expose the Fund’s assets to negative economic, business or political developments in such region. This focus may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments more than if such assets were not so concentrated.

 

 

 

 

Credit Risk – Municipal bonds are subject to the risk that the issuer of a security may not make interest and principal payments as they become due or may default altogether. In addition, if the market perceives a deterioration in the creditworthiness of an issuer, the value of bonds issued by that issuer tends to decline. Credit risk varies based upon the economic and fiscal conditions of each issuer and the municipalities, agencies, instrumentalities, and other issuers within the state, territory or possession. Insured municipal bonds have the credit risk of the insurer in addition to the credit risk of the underlying investment being insured. A decline in the credit quality of private activity bonds usually is directly related to a decline in the credit standing of the private user of the facility.

 

 

 

 

Industry Risk – Nongovernmental users of facilities financed by tax-exempt revenue bonds (e.g. companies in the electric utility and health care industries) may have difficulty making payments on their obligations in the event of an economic downturn. This would negatively affect the valuation of bonds issued by such facilities.

 

 

 

 

Derivatives Risk – Loss may result from the Fund’s investments in futures contracts, inverse floaters and other derivative instruments. These instruments may be leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate and substantial losses to the Fund. They also may increase the Fund’s interest rate risk and may cause the Fund to realize a limited amount of taxable income. Losses also may arise from the failure of a derivative counterparty to meet its contractual obligations.

 

 

 

 

Extension Risk – Rising interest rates may cause payments to occur at a slower-than-expected rate, extending the duration of a bond and typically reducing its value.

PROSPECTUS – INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

17


 

 

 

 

Governmental Risk – Government actions, including U.S. federal government actions and actions by local, state and regional governments, could have an adverse effect on municipal bond prices. In addition, the Fund’s performance may be affected by local, state, and regional factors depending on the states in which the Fund’s investments are issued.

 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Risk – As interest rates rise, prices of bonds (including tax-exempt bonds) generally fall, causing the Fund’s investments typically to lose value. Interest rate changes typically have a greater effect on the price of longer-term bonds, including inverse floaters, than on shorter-term bonds.

 

 

 

 

Liquidity Risk – It may be difficult for the Fund to sell certain securities, including below investment grade municipal bonds, in a timely manner and at their stated value, which could result in losses to the Fund. In addition, the Fund could experience a loss when selling securities to meet redemption requests if the redemption requests are unusually large or frequent or occur in times of overall market turmoil or declining prices for the securities sold, or when the securities the Fund wishes to or is required to sell are illiquid.

 

 

 

 

State and Territory Risks – Although the Fund does not have a specific geographic focus, from time to time, the Fund may be more exposed to risks affecting a particular state, territory (such as Puerto Rico), or region. As a result, adverse economic conditions in that state, territory, or region are likely to affect the Fund’s performance.

 

 

 

 

Taxability Risk – The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has announced that holders of tax-exempt bonds have risks that their tax-exempt income may be reclassified as taxable if the bonds that they own were issued in an abusive transaction. Although the Fund attempts to purchase only bona fide tax-exempt securities (except for its ability to invest up to 20% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest subject to AMT and fixed income securities that pay interest that is subject to regular federal income tax), there is a risk that a bond issued as tax-exempt may be reclassified by the IRS as taxable, creating taxable rather than tax-exempt income.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. For more information on the principal risks of the Fund, please see the “More Information About the Funds – Principal Risks” section in the prospectus.

PROSPECTUS – INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

18


PERFORMANCE

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by illustrating the variability of the Fund’s returns. Each assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund’s Class A shares from calendar year to calendar year. This chart does not reflect the sales charge applicable to Class A shares. If the sales charge were reflected, returns would be lower. Performance for the Fund’s other share classes will vary due to the different expenses each class bears. Updated performance information is available at www.lordabbett.com or by calling 888-522-2388.

Bar Chart (per calendar year) — Class A Shares

 

 

 

Best Quarter 3rd Q ’09 +6.55%

 

Worst Quarter 4th Q ’10 -3.48%


The table below shows how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to the returns of securities market indices with investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Fund’s average annual total returns include applicable sales charges. The Fund believes that the Barclays 1-15 Year Municipal Bond Index more closely reflects the Fund’s investment strategies than the Barclays Municipal Bond Index: 7 Year (6-8). Therefore, the Fund will remove the Barclays Municipal Bond Index: 7 Year (6-8) from the performance table in the future.

The after-tax returns of Class A shares included in the table below are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to a tax benefit resulting from realized losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the period that is used to offset other gains. Actual after-tax returns depend on

PROSPECTUS – INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

19


an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns for other share classes are not shown in the table and will vary from those shown for Class A shares.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns
(for the periods ended December 31, 2013)

 

Class

 

1 Year

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

Life of Class

 

Inception
Date for
Performance

 

Class A Shares

 

 

 

Before Taxes

 

-4.98%

 

5.18%

 

3.65%

 

 

 

 

After Taxes on Distributions

 

-5.14%

 

5.15%

 

3.64%

 

 

 

 

After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

 

-1.56%

 

4.84%

 

3.60%

 

 

 

 

Class B Shares

 

-8.30%

 

4.51%

 

3.26%

 

 

 

Class C Shares

 

-4.33%

 

4.95%

 

3.16%

 

 

 

Class F Shares

 

-2.64%

 

5.78%

 

 

4.74%

 

9/28/2007

 

Class I Shares

 

-2.63%

 

 

 

4.91%

 

1/31/2011

 

Class P Shares

 

-3.06%

 

5.43%

 

3.68%

 

 

 

Index

 

 

 

Barclays 1-15 Year Municipal Bond Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

 

-1.05%

 

4.80%

 

4.07%

 

4.51%
4.34%

 

9/28/2007
1/31/2011

 

Barclays Municipal Bond Index: 7 Year (6-8)
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

 

-0.97%

 

5.06%

 

4.37%

 

5.09%
4.64%

 

9/28/2007
1/31/2011

MANAGEMENT

Investment Adviser. The Fund’s investment adviser is Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC.

Portfolio Managers.

 

 

 

Portfolio Manager/Title

 

Member of
the Investment
Management
Team Since

 

Daniel S. Solender, Partner and Director

 

2006

 

Daniel T. Vande Velde, Partner and Portfolio Manager

 

2007

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

The minimum initial and additional amounts shown below vary depending on the class of shares you buy and the type of account. Certain financial intermediaries may impose different restrictions than those described below.

PROSPECTUS – INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

20


Class B shares no longer are available for purchase by new or existing investors and only will be issued in connection with (i) an exchange of Class B shares from another Lord Abbett Fund or (ii) a reinvestment of a dividend and/or capital gain distribution. For Class I shares, the minimum investment shown below applies to certain types of institutional investors, but does not apply to registered investment advisers or retirement and benefit plans otherwise eligible to invest in Class I shares. Class P shares are closed to substantially all new investors. See “Choosing a Share Class – Investment Minimums” in the prospectus for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Minimums — Initial/Additional Investments

 

Class

 

A and C

 

F and P

 

I

 

General and IRAs without Invest-A-Matic Investments

 

$1,000/No minimum

 

N/A

 

$1 million minimum

 

Invest-A-Matic Accounts

 

$250/$50

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

IRAs, SIMPLE and SEP Accounts with Payroll Deductions

 

No minimum

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Fee-Based Advisory Programs and Retirement and Benefit Plans

 

No minimum

 

No minimum

 

No minimum

You may sell (redeem) shares through your securities broker, financial professional or financial intermediary. If you have direct account access privileges, you may redeem your shares by contacting the Fund in writing at P.O. Box 219336, Kansas City, MO 64121, by calling 888-522-2388 or by accessing your account online at www.lordabbett.com.

TAX INFORMATION

The Fund’s distributions of interest on municipal bonds generally are not subject to federal income tax; however the Fund may distribute taxable dividends, including distributions of short-term and long-term capital gains. In addition, interest on certain bonds may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. To the extent that the Fund’s distributions are derived from interest on bonds that are not exempt from applicable state and local taxes, such distributions will be subject to such state and local taxes.

PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

If you purchase Fund shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and the Fund’s distributor or its affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and your individual financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial professional or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

PROSPECTUS – INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

21


 

AMT FREE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek the maximum amount of interest income exempt from federal income tax as is consistent with reasonable risk.

FEES AND EXPENSES

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and certain members of your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers” on page 102 of the prospectus and “Purchases, Redemptions, Pricing, and Payments to Dealers” on page 8-1 of the statement of additional information (“SAI”).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholder Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)

 

Class

 

A

 

C

 

F and I

 

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price)

 

2.25%

 

None

 

None

 

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
(as a percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds,
whichever is lower)

 

None (1)

 

1.00% (2)

 

None

PROSPECTUS – AMT FREE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

22


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Class

 

A

 

C

 

F

 

I

 

Management Fees

 

0.50%

 

0.50%

 

0.50%

 

0.50%

 

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

 

0.20%

 

0.94% (3)

 

0.10%

 

None

 

Other Expenses

 

0.17%

 

0.17%

 

0.17%

 

0.17%

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

 

0.87%

 

1.61%

 

0.77%

 

0.67%

 

Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement (4)

 

(0.27%)

 

(0.27%)

 

(0.27%)

 

(0.27%)

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver
and/or Expense Reimbursement
(4)

 

0.60%

 

1.34%

 

0.50%

 

0.40%

 

(1)

 

A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on certain Class A shares purchased or acquired without a sales charge if they are redeemed before the first day of the month of the one-year anniversary of the purchase.

(2)

 

A CDSC of 1.00% may be assessed on Class C shares if they are redeemed before the first anniversary of their purchase.

(3)

 

The 12b-1 fee the Fund will pay on Class C shares will be a blended rate calculated based on (i) 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares held for less than one year and (ii) 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares held for one year or more. All Class C shareholders of the Fund will bear 12b-1 fees at the same rate.

(4)

 

For the period February 1, 2014 through January 31, 2015, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC has contractually agreed to waive its fees and reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to limit total net annual operating expenses for each class, excluding 12b-1 fees and interest related expenses, to an annual rate of 0.40%. Shareholders will incur actual total annual operating expenses less than or equal to 0.40% plus the amount of any applicable 12b-1 fee and interest related expenses. This agreement may be terminated only by the Fund’s Board of Directors.

Example

The following 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 assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund at the maximum sales charge, if any, for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that dividends and distributions are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same (except that the example takes into account the expense limitation agreement between the Fund and Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC for the term of the agreement). The first example assumes a deduction of the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) for the one-year period for Class C shares. The first example assumes that you redeem all of your shares at the end of the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs (including any applicable CDSC) would be as shown below. The second example assumes that you do not redeem and instead keep your shares.

PROSPECTUS – AMT FREE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

23


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class

 

If Shares Are Redeemed

 

If Shares Are Not Redeemed  

 

 

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

Class A Shares

 

$

 

285

   

$

 

470

   

$

 

670

   

$

 

1,249

   

$

 

285

   

$

 

470

   

$

 

670

   

$

 

1,249

 

 

Class C Shares

 

$

 

236

   

$

 

482

   

$

 

851

   

$

 

1,888

   

$

 

136

   

$

 

482

   

$

 

851

   

$

 

1,888

 

 

Class F Shares

 

$

 

51

   

$

 

219

   

$

 

401

   

$

 

929

   

$

 

51

   

$

 

219

   

$

 

401

   

$

 

929

 

 

Class I Shares

 

$

 

41

   

$

 

187

   

$

 

346

   

$

 

809

   

$

 

41

   

$

 

187

   

$

 

346

   

$

 

809

 

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 may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in the annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 45.96% of the average value of its portfolio.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

For purposes of its investment objective, the Fund uses the volatility of the Barclays Municipal Bond Index as an approximation of reasonable risk. To pursue its objective, under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest exempt from federal income tax. As a non- fundamental policy, the Fund will not invest in municipal bonds that pay interest subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (“AMT”). Under normal conditions, the Fund invests primarily in investment grade municipal bonds. Investment grade municipal bonds are rated BBB/Baa or higher (at the time of purchase) by an independent rating agency or are unrated but deemed by Lord Abbett to be of comparable quality.

The Fund may invest up to 35% of its net assets in municipal bonds rated BB/Ba or lower (at the time of purchase) by an independent rating agency or unrated but deemed by Lord Abbett to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “below investment grade,” “high yield,” or “junk” bonds).

The Fund may invest in all types of municipal bonds, including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and municipal leases. Municipal bond issuers may be U.S. states, territories (such as Puerto Rico), and possessions and their political subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities.

Although the Fund is permitted to invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed income securities that pay interest subject to federal income tax, the Fund presently has no intention of investing in this manner. The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in any industry; however, this limitation does not apply to tax-exempt securities issued by governments or their political subdivisions. The Fund may invest in both insured and uninsured municipal bonds.

PROSPECTUS – AMT FREE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

24


The Fund may use inverse floaters, which is a type of derivative investment that provides leveraged exposure to underlying municipal bonds whose interest payments vary inversely with changes in short-term tax-exempt interest rates. These investments are intended to increase the Fund’s income and potential investment return and are speculative. The Fund also may invest in other types of derivatives, such as futures, for speculative, hedging, or duration management purposes.

The Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity generally is expected to be between ten and twenty-five years, but will vary with market conditions.

The Fund’s investment team focuses on credit risk analysis, tax exempt income yield, total return potential, interest rate risk, and call protection in selecting municipal bonds. The Fund generally will sell a security when it believes the security is less likely to benefit from the current market and economic environment, shows signs of deteriorating fundamentals, or has reached its valuation target, among other reasons. The Fund seeks to remain fully invested in accordance with its investment objective; however, in response to adverse market or other unfavorable conditions, the Fund may invest its assets in a temporary defensive manner.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

As with any investment in a mutual fund, investing in the Fund involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment. When you redeem your shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you may lose a portion or all of the money you invested in the Fund.

The following is a summary of certain risks that could adversely affect the Fund’s performance or increase volatility:

 

 

 

 

Portfolio Management Risk – If the strategies used and securities selected by the Fund’s portfolio management fail to produce the intended result, the Fund may suffer losses or underperform other funds with the same investment objective or strategies, even in a rising market.

 

 

 

 

Market Risk – The market values of securities will fluctuate, sometimes sharply and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors. Although prices of debt securities tend to rise and fall less dramatically than those of equity securities, they may experience heightened volatility if interest rates rise or the U.S. Federal Reserve continues to curb its bond buying program, for example.

 

 

 

 

Fixed Income Securities Risk – The Fund is subject to the general risks and considerations associated with investing in debt securities, including the risk that issuers will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest.

PROSPECTUS – AMT FREE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

25


 

 

 

 

Typically, shorter-term bonds are less volatile than longer-term bonds; however, longer-term bonds typically offer higher yields and more stable interest income than shorter-term bonds. Lower rated municipal bonds in which the Fund may invest may be more volatile and may decline more in price in response to negative issuer developments or general economic news than higher rated securities. In addition, as interest rates rise, the Fund’s investments typically will lose value.

 

 

 

 

Municipal Bond Risk – Municipal bonds are subject to the same risks affecting fixed income securities in general. In addition, the price of municipal bonds may be adversely affected by legislative or political changes, tax rulings, judicial action, changes in market and economic conditions, and the fiscal condition of the municipal issuer. The market for municipal bonds generally is less liquid than other securities markets, which may make it more difficult for the Fund to sell its bonds.

 

 

 

 

Below Investment Grade Municipal Bond Risk – Below investment grade municipal bonds typically pay a higher yield than investment grade municipal bonds, but may have greater price fluctuations and have a higher risk of default than investment grade municipal bonds. The market for below investment grade municipal bonds may be less liquid, which may make such bonds more difficult to sell at an acceptable price, especially during periods of increased market volatility or significant market decline.

 

 

 

 

Call Risk – A substantial portion of municipal bonds are “callable,” meaning they give the issuer the right to call or redeem the bonds before maturity. As interest rates decline, these bond issuers may pay off their loans early by buying back the bonds, thus depriving the Fund of above market interest rates. Moreover, the Fund may have to reinvest the prepayment proceeds in lower yielding securities.

 

 

 

 

Concentration Risk – The Fund may concentrate its investments in issuers within a particular state, territory or possession, which may expose the Fund’s assets to negative economic, business or political developments in such region. This focus may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments more than if such assets were not so concentrated.

 

 

 

 

Credit Risk – Municipal bonds are subject to the risk that the issuer of a security may not make interest and principal payments as they become due or may default altogether. In addition, if the market perceives a deterioration in the creditworthiness of an issuer, the value of bonds issued by that issuer tends to decline. Credit risk varies based upon the economic and fiscal conditions of each issuer and the municipalities, agencies, instrumentalities, and other issuers within the state, territory or possession. Insured municipal bonds have the credit risk of the insurer in addition to the credit risk of the underlying investment being insured.

PROSPECTUS – AMT FREE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

26


 

 

 

 

Industry Risk – Nongovernmental users of facilities financed by tax-exempt revenue bonds (e.g. companies in the electric utility and health care industries) may have difficulty making payments on their obligations in the event of an economic downturn. This would negatively affect the valuation of bonds issued by such facilities.

 

 

 

 

Derivatives Risk – Loss may result from the Fund’s investments in futures contracts, inverse floaters and other derivative instruments. These instruments may be leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate and substantial losses to the Fund. They also may increase the Fund’s interest rate risk and may cause the Fund to realize a limited amount of taxable income. Losses also may arise from the failure of a derivative counterparty to meet its contractual obligations.

 

 

 

 

Extension Risk – Rising interest rates may cause payments to occur at a slower-than-expected rate, extending the duration of a bond and typically reducing its value.

 

 

 

 

Governmental Risk – Government actions, including U.S. federal government actions and actions by local, state and regional governments, could have an adverse effect on municipal bond prices. In addition, the Fund’s performance may be affected by local, state, and regional factors depending on the states in which the Fund’s investments are issued.

 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Risk – As interest rates rise, prices of bonds (including tax-exempt bonds) generally fall, causing the Fund’s investments typically to lose value. Interest rate changes typically have a greater effect on the price of longer-term bonds, including inverse floaters, than on shorter-term bonds.

 

 

 

 

Liquidity Risk – It may be difficult for the Fund to sell certain securities, including below investment grade municipal bonds, in a timely manner and at their stated value, which could result in losses to the Fund. In addition, the Fund could experience a loss when selling securities to meet redemption requests if the redemption requests are unusually large or frequent or occur in times of overall market turmoil or declining prices for the securities sold, or when the securities the Fund wishes to or is required to sell are illiquid.

 

 

 

 

State and Territory Risks – Although the Fund does not have a specific geographic focus, from time to time, the Fund may be more exposed to risks affecting a particular state, territory (such as Puerto Rico), or region. As a result, adverse economic conditions in that state, territory, or region are likely to affect the Fund’s performance.

 

 

 

 

Taxability Risk – The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has announced that holders of tax-exempt bonds have risks that their tax-exempt income may be reclassified as taxable if the bonds that they own were issued in an abusive transaction. Although the Fund attempts to purchase only bona fide tax-

PROSPECTUS – AMT FREE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

27


 

 

 

 

exempt securities (except for its ability to invest up to 20% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest subject to regular federal income tax), there is a risk that a bond issued as tax-exempt may be reclassified by the IRS as taxable, creating taxable rather than tax-exempt income.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. For more information on the principal risks of the Fund, please see the “More Information About the Funds – Principal Risks” section in the prospectus.

PERFORMANCE

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by illustrating the variability of the Fund’s returns. Each assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future.

The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund’s Class A shares from calendar year to calendar year. This chart does not reflect the sales charge applicable to Class A shares. If the sales charge were reflected, the returns would be lower. Performance for the Fund’s other share classes will vary due to the different expenses each class bears. Updated performance information is available at www.lordabbett.com or by calling 888-522-2388.

Bar Chart (per calendar year) — Class A Shares

 

 

 

Best Quarter 2nd Q ’11 +5.67%

 

Worst Quarter 2nd Q ’13 -4.83%


PROSPECTUS – AMT FREE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

28


The table below shows how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to the returns of a securities market index with investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Fund’s average annual total returns include applicable sales charges.

The after-tax returns of Class A shares included in the table below are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to a tax benefit resulting from realized losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the period that is used to offset other gains. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax- deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns for other share classes are not shown in the table and will vary from those shown for Class A shares.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns
(for the periods ended December 31, 2013)

 

Class

 

1 Year

 

Life of Class

 

Inception
Date for
Performance

 

Class A Shares

 

10/29/2010

 

Before Taxes

 

-8.84%

 

3.06%

 

 

 

After Taxes on Distributions

 

-8.85%

 

3.06%

 

 

 

After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

 

-3.51%

 

3.34%

 

 

 

Class C Shares

 

-8.26%

 

3.01%

 

10/29/2010

 

Class F Shares

 

-6.65%

 

3.91%

 

10/29/2010

 

Class I Shares

 

-6.57%

 

4.05%

 

10/29/2010

 

Index

 

 

 

Barclays Municipal Bond Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

 

-2.55%

 

3.25%

 

10/29/2010

MANAGEMENT

Investment Adviser. The Fund’s investment adviser is Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC.

Portfolio Manager.

 

 

 

Portfolio Manager/Title

 

Member of
the Investment
Management
Team Since

 

Daniel S. Solender, Partner and Director

 

2010

PROSPECTUS – AMT FREE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

29


PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

The minimum initial and additional amounts shown below vary depending on the class of shares you buy and the type of account. Certain financial intermediaries may impose different restrictions than those described below. For Class I shares, the minimum investment shown below applies to certain types of institutional investors, but does not apply to registered investment advisers or retirement and benefit plans otherwise eligible to invest in Class I shares. See “Choosing a Share Class – Investment Minimums” in the prospectus for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Minimums — Initial/Additional Investments

 

Class

 

A and C

 

F

 

I

 

General and IRAs without Invest-A-Matic Investments

 

$1,000/No minimum

 

N/A

 

$1 million minimum

 

Invest-A-Matic Accounts

 

$250/$50

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

IRAs, SIMPLE and SEP Accounts with Payroll Deductions

 

No minimum

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Fee-Based Advisory Programs and Retirement and Benefit Plans

 

No minimum

 

No minimum

 

No minimum

You may sell (redeem) shares through your securities broker, financial professional or financial intermediary. If you have direct account access privileges, you may redeem your shares by contacting the Fund in writing at P.O. Box 219336, Kansas City, MO 64121, by calling 888-522-2388 or by accessing your account online at www.lordabbett.com.

TAX INFORMATION

The Fund’s distributions of interest on municipal bonds generally are not subject to regular federal income tax or the federal individual AMT; however the Fund may distribute taxable dividends, as well as taxable distributions of short-term and long-term capital gains. To the extent that the Fund’s distributions are derived from interest on bonds that are not exempt from applicable state and local taxes, such distributions will be subject to such state and local taxes.

PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

If you purchase Fund shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and the Fund’s distributor or its affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and your individual financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial professional or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

PROSPECTUS – AMT FREE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

30


 

NATIONAL TAX FREE FUND

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek the maximum amount of interest income exempt from federal income tax as is consistent with reasonable risk.

FEES AND EXPENSES

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and certain members of your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers” on page 102 of the prospectus and “Purchases, Redemptions, Pricing, and Payments to Dealers” on page 8-1 of the statement of additional information (“SAI”).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholder Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)

 

Class

 

A

 

B

 

C

 

F, I, and P

 

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price)

 

2.25%

 

None

 

None

 

None

 

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
(as a percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

 

None (1)

 

5.00%

 

1.00% (2)

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Class

 

A

 

B

 

C

 

F

 

I

 

P

 

Management Fees

 

0.42%

 

0.42%

 

0.42%

 

0.42%

 

0.42%

 

0.42%

 

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

 

0.20%

 

1.00%

 

0.85% (3)

 

0.10%

 

None

 

0.45%

 

Total Other Expenses

 

0.14%

 

0.14%

 

0.14%

 

0.14%

 

0.14%

 

0.14%

 

Interest and Related Expenses from Inverse Floaters

 

0.02%

 

0.02%

 

0.02%

 

0.02%

 

0.02%

 

0.02%

 

Other Expenses

 

0.12%

 

0.12%

 

0.12%

 

0.12%

 

0.12%

 

0.12%

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

 

0.76%

 

1.56%

 

1.41%

 

0.66%

 

0.56%

 

1.01%

 

(1)

 

A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on certain Class A shares purchased or acquired without a sales charge if they are redeemed before the first day of the month of the one-year anniversary of the purchase.

(2)

 

A CDSC of 1.00% may be assessed on Class C shares if they are redeemed before the first anniversary of their purchase.

(3)

 

The 12b-1 fee the Fund will pay on Class C shares will be a blended rate calculated based on (i) 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares held for less than one year and (ii) 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares held for one year or more. All Class C shareholders of the Fund will bear 12b-1 fees at the same rate.

PROSPECTUS – NATIONAL TAX FREE FUND

31


Example

The following 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 assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund at the maximum sales charge, if any, for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that dividends and distributions are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The first example assumes a deduction of the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) for the one-year, three-year, and five-year periods for Class B shares and for the one-year period for Class C shares. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares after approximately eight years. The expense example for Class B shares for the ten-year period reflects the conversion to Class A shares. The first example assumes that you redeem all of your shares at the end of the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs (including any applicable CDSC) would be as shown below. The second example assumes that you do not redeem and instead keep your shares.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class

 

If Shares Are Redeemed

 

If Shares Are Not Redeemed  

 

 

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

Class A Shares

 

$

 

301

   

$

 

462

   

$

 

638

   

$

 

1,146

   

$

 

301

   

$

 

462

   

$

 

638

   

$

 

1,146

 

 

Class B Shares

 

$

 

659

   

$

 

793

   

$

 

1,050

   

$

 

1,641

   

$

 

159

   

$

 

493

   

$

 

850

   

$

 

1,641

 

 

Class C Shares

 

$

 

244

   

$

 

446

   

$

 

771

   

$

 

1,691

   

$

 

144

   

$

 

446

   

$

 

771

   

$

 

1,691

 

 

Class F Shares

 

$

 

67

   

$

 

211

   

$

 

368

   

$

 

822

   

$

 

67

   

$

 

211

   

$

 

368

   

$

 

822

 

 

Class I Shares

 

$

 

57

   

$

 

179

   

$

 

313

   

$

 

701

   

$

 

57

   

$

 

179

   

$

 

313

   

$

 

701

 

 

Class P Shares

 

$

 

103

   

$

 

322

   

$

 

558

   

$

 

1,236

   

$

 

103

   

$

 

322

   

$

 

558

   

$

 

1,236

 

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 may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in the annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 33.78% of the average value of its portfolio.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

For purposes of its investment objective, the Fund uses the volatility of the Barclays Municipal Bond Index as an approximation of reasonable risk. To pursue its objective, under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest exempt from federal income tax. Under normal conditions, the Fund invests primarily in investment grade

PROSPECTUS – NATIONAL TAX FREE FUND

32


municipal bonds. Investment grade municipal bonds are rated BBB/Baa or higher (at the time of purchase) by an independent rating agency or are unrated but deemed by Lord Abbett to be of comparable quality.

The Fund may invest up to 35% of its net assets in municipal bonds rated BB/Ba or lower (at the time of purchase) by an independent rating agency or unrated but deemed by Lord Abbett to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “below investment grade,” “high yield,” or “junk” bonds).

The Fund may invest in all types of municipal bonds, including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and municipal leases. Municipal bond issuers may be U.S. states, territories (such as Puerto Rico), and possessions and their political subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities.

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (“AMT”), including certain private activity bonds (commonly referred to as “AMT paper”). Although the Fund is permitted to invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed income securities that pay interest subject to federal income tax, the Fund presently has no intention of investing in this manner. The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in any industry; however, this limitation does not apply to tax-exempt securities issued by governments or their political subdivisions. The Fund may invest in both insured and uninsured municipal bonds.

The Fund may use inverse floaters, which is a type of derivative investment that provides leveraged exposure to underlying municipal bonds whose interest payments vary inversely with changes in short-term tax-exempt interest rates. These investments are intended to increase the Fund’s income and potential investment return and are speculative. The Fund also may invest in other types of derivatives, such as futures, for speculative, hedging, or duration management purposes.

The Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity generally is expected to be between ten and twenty-five years, but will vary with market conditions.

The Fund’s investment team focuses on credit risk analysis, tax exempt income yield, total return potential, interest rate risk and call protection in selecting municipal bonds. The Fund generally will sell a security when it believes the security is less likely to benefit from the current market and economic environment, shows signs of deteriorating fundamentals, or has reached its valuation target, among other reasons. The Fund seeks to remain fully invested in accordance with its investment objective; however, in response to adverse market or other unfavorable conditions, the Fund may invest its assets in a temporary defensive manner.

PROSPECTUS – NATIONAL TAX FREE FUND

33


PRINCIPAL RISKS

As with any investment in a mutual fund, investing in the Fund involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment. When you redeem your shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you may lose a portion or all of the money you invested in the Fund.

The following is a summary of certain risks that could adversely affect the Fund’s performance or increase volatility:

 

 

 

 

Portfolio Management Risk – If the strategies used and securities selected by the Fund’s portfolio management fail to produce the intended result, the Fund may suffer losses or underperform other funds with the same investment objective or strategies, even in a rising market.

 

 

 

 

Market Risk – The market values of securities will fluctuate, sometimes sharply and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors. Although prices of debt securities tend to rise and fall less dramatically than those of equity securities, they may experience heightened volatility if interest rates rise or the U.S. Federal Reserve continues to curb its bond buying program, for example.

 

 

 

 

Fixed Income Securities Risk – The Fund is subject to the general risks and considerations associated with investing in debt securities, including the risk that issuers will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest. Typically, shorter-term bonds are less volatile than longer-term bonds; however, longer-term bonds typically offer higher yields and more stable interest income than shorter-term bonds. Lower rated municipal bonds in which the Fund may invest may be more volatile and may decline more in price in response to negative issuer developments or general economic news than higher rated securities. In addition, as interest rates rise, the Fund’s investments typically will lose value.

 

 

 

 

Municipal Bond Risk – Municipal bonds are subject to the same risks affecting fixed income securities in general. In addition, the price of municipal bonds may be adversely affected by legislative or political changes, tax rulings, judicial action, changes in market and economic conditions, and the fiscal condition of the municipal issuer. The market for municipal bonds generally is less liquid than other securities markets, which may make it more difficult for the Fund to sell its bonds.

 

 

 

 

Below Investment Grade Municipal Bond Risk – Below investment grade municipal bonds typically pay a higher yield than investment grade municipal bonds, but may have greater price fluctuations and have a higher risk of default than investment grade municipal bonds. The market for below

PROSPECTUS – NATIONAL TAX FREE FUND

34


 

 

 

 

investment grade municipal bonds may be less liquid, which may make such bonds more difficult to sell at an acceptable price, especially during periods of increased market volatility or significant market decline.

 

 

 

 

Call Risk – A substantial portion of municipal bonds are “callable”, meaning they give the issuer the right to call or redeem the bonds before maturity. As interest rates decline, these bond issuers may pay off their loans early by buying back the bonds, thus depriving the Fund of above market interest rates. Moreover, the Fund may have to reinvest the prepayment proceeds in lower yielding securities.

 

 

 

 

Credit Risk – Municipal bonds are subject to the risk that the issuer of a security may not make interest and principal payments as they become due or may default altogether. In addition, if the market perceives a deterioration in the creditworthiness of an issuer, the value of bonds issued by that issuer tends to decline. Credit risk varies based upon the economic and fiscal conditions of each issuer and the municipalities, agencies, instrumentalities, and other issuers within the state, territory or possession. Insured municipal bonds have the credit risk of the insurer in addition to the credit risk of the underlying investment being insured. A decline in the credit quality of private activity bonds usually is directly related to a decline in the credit standing of the private user of the facility.

 

 

 

 

Industry Risk – Nongovernmental users of facilities financed by tax-exempt revenue bonds (e.g. companies in the electric utility and health care industries) may have difficulty making payments on their obligations in the event of an economic downturn. This would negatively affect the valuation of bonds issued by such facilities.

 

 

 

 

Derivatives Risk – Loss may result from the Fund’s investments in futures contracts, inverse floaters and other derivative instruments. These instruments may be leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate and substantial losses to the Fund. They also may increase the Fund’s interest rate risk and may cause the Fund to realize a limited amount of taxable income. Losses also may arise from the failure of a derivative counterparty to meet its contractual obligations.

 

 

 

 

Extension Risk – Rising interest rates may cause payments to occur at a slower-than-expected rate, extending the duration of a bond and typically reducing its value.

 

 

 

 

Governmental Risk – Government actions, including U.S. federal government actions and actions by local, state and regional governments, could have an adverse effect on municipal bond prices. In addition, the Fund’s performance may be affected by local, state, and regional factors depending on the states in which the Fund’s investments are issued.

PROSPECTUS – NATIONAL TAX FREE FUND

35


 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Risk – As interest rates rise, prices of bonds (including tax-exempt bonds) generally fall, causing the Fund’s investments typically to lose value. Interest rate changes typically have a greater effect on the price of longer-term bonds, including inverse floaters, than on shorter-term bonds.

 

 

 

 

Liquidity Risk – It may be difficult for the Fund to sell certain securities, including below investment grade municipal bonds, in a timely manner and at their stated value, which could result in losses to the Fund. In addition, the Fund could experience a loss when selling securities to meet redemption requests if the redemption requests are unusually large or frequent or occur in times of overall market turmoil or declining prices for the securities sold, or when the securities the Fund wishes to or is required to sell are illiquid.

 

 

 

 

State and Territory Risks – Although the Fund does not have a specific geographic focus, from time to time, the Fund may be more exposed to risks affecting a particular state, territory (such as Puerto Rico), or region. As a result, adverse economic conditions in that state, territory, or region are likely to affect the Fund’s performance.

 

 

 

 

Taxability Risk – The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has announced that holders of tax-exempt bonds have risks that their tax-exempt income may be reclassified as taxable if the bonds that they own were issued in an abusive transaction. Although the Fund attempts to purchase only bona fide tax-exempt securities (except for its ability to invest up to 20% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest subject to AMT and fixed income securities that pay interest subject to regular federal income tax), there is a risk that a bond issued as tax-exempt may be reclassified by the IRS as taxable, creating taxable rather than tax- exempt income.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. For more information on the principal risks of the Fund, please see the “More Information About the Funds – Principal Risks” section in the prospectus.

PERFORMANCE

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by illustrating the variability of the Fund’s returns. Each assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. No performance is shown for Class P shares because the Fund has not issued Class P shares to date.

The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund’s Class A shares from calendar year to calendar year. This chart does not reflect the sales charge applicable to Class A shares. If the sales charge were reflected, returns would be

PROSPECTUS – NATIONAL TAX FREE FUND

36


lower. Performance for the Fund’s other share classes will vary due to the different expenses each class bears. Updated performance information is available at www.lordabbett.com or by calling 888-522-2388.

Bar Chart (per calendar year) — Class A Shares

 

 

 

Best Quarter 3rd Q ‘09 +11.02%

 

Worst Quarter 4th Q ’08 -8.41%


The table below shows how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to the returns of a securities market index with investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Fund’s average annual total returns include applicable sales charges.

The after-tax returns of Class A shares included in the table below are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to a tax benefit resulting from realized losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the period that is used to offset other gains. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax- deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns for other share classes are not shown in the table and will vary from those shown for Class A shares.

PROSPECTUS – NATIONAL TAX FREE FUND

37


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns
(for the periods ended December 31, 2013)

 

Class

 

1 Year

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

Life of Class

 

Inception
Date for
Performance

 

Class A Shares

 

Before Taxes

 

-8.24%

 

8.11%

 

3.34%

 

 

 

 

After Taxes on Distributions

 

-8.26%

 

8.10%

 

3.33%

 

 

 

 

After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

 

-3.08%

 

7.51%

 

3.56%

 

 

 

 

Class B Shares

 

-11.40%

 

7.44%

 

2.97%

 

 

 

 

Class C Shares

 

-7.61%

 

7.89%

 

2.90%

 

 

 

 

Class F Shares

 

-6.03%

 

8.71%

 

 

3.94%

 

9/28/2007

 

Class I Shares

 

–5.93%

 

 

 

4.47%

 

7/26/2010

 

Index

 

Barclays Municipal Bond Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

 

-2.55%

 

5.89%

 

4.29%

 

4.49%
3.59%

 

9/28/2007
7/26/2010

MANAGEMENT

Investment Adviser. The Fund’s investment adviser is Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC.

Portfolio Manager.

 

 

 

Portfolio Manager/Title

 

Member of
the Investment
Management
Team Since

 

Daniel S. Solender, Partner and Director

 

2006

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

The minimum initial and additional amounts shown below vary depending on the class of shares you buy and the type of account. Certain financial intermediaries may impose different restrictions than those described below. Class B shares no longer are available for purchase by new or existing investors and only will be issued in connection with (i) an exchange of Class B shares from another Lord Abbett Fund or (ii) a reinvestment of a dividend and/or capital gain distribution. For Class I shares, the minimum investment shown below applies to certain types of institutional investors, but does not apply to registered investment advisers or retirement and benefit plans otherwise eligible to invest in Class I shares. Class P shares are closed to substantially all new investors. See “Choosing a Share Class – Investment Minimums” in the prospectus for more information.

PROSPECTUS – NATIONAL TAX FREE FUND

38


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Minimums — Initial/Additional Investments

 

Class

 

A and C

 

F and P

 

I

 

General and IRAs without Invest-A-Matic Investments

 

$1,000/No minimum

 

N/A

 

$1 million minimum

 

Invest-A-Matic Accounts

 

$250/$50

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

IRAs, SIMPLE and SEP Accounts with Payroll Deductions

 

No minimum

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Fee-Based Advisory Programs and Retirement and Benefit Plans

 

No minimum

 

No minimum

 

No minimum

You may sell (redeem) shares through your securities broker, financial professional or financial intermediary. If you have direct account access privileges, you may redeem your shares by contacting the Fund in writing at P.O. Box 219336, Kansas City, MO 64121, by calling 888-522-2388 or by accessing your account online at www.lordabbett.com.

TAX INFORMATION

The Fund’s distributions of interest on municipal bonds generally are not subject to federal income tax; however the Fund may distribute taxable dividends, including distributions of short-term and long-term capital gains. In addition, interest on certain bonds may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. To the extent that the Fund’s distributions are derived from interest on bonds that are not exempt from applicable state and local taxes, such distributions will be subject to such state and local taxes.

PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

If you purchase Fund shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and the Fund’s distributor or its affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and your individual financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial professional or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

PROSPECTUS – NATIONAL TAX FREE FUND

39


 

HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek a high level of income exempt from federal income tax.

FEES AND EXPENSES

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and certain members of your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers” on page 102 of the prospectus and “Purchases, Redemptions, Pricing, and Payments to Dealers” on page 8-1 of the statement of additional information (“SAI”).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholder Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)

 

Class

 

A

 

B

 

C

 

F, I, and P

 

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price)

 

2.25%

 

None

 

None

 

None

 

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
(as a percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

 

None (1)

 

5.00%

 

1.00% (2)

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Class

 

A

 

B

 

C

 

F

 

I

 

P

 

 

Management Fees

 

0.47%

 

0.47%

 

0.47%

 

0.47%

 

0.47%

 

0.47%

 

 

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

 

0.20%

 

1.00%

 

0.85% (3)

 

0.10%

 

None

 

0.45%

 

 

Total Other Expenses

 

0.17%

 

0.17%

 

0.17%

 

0.17%

 

0.17%

 

0.17%

 

 

Interest and Related Expenses from Inverse Floaters

 

0.02%

 

0.02%

 

0.02%

 

0.02%

 

0.02%

 

0.02%

 

 

Other Expenses

 

0.15%

 

0.15%

 

0.15%

 

0.15%

 

0.15%

 

0.15%

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

 

0.84%

 

1.64%

 

1.49%

 

0.74%

 

0.64%

 

1.09%

 

 

(1)

 

A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on certain Class A shares purchased or acquired without a sales charge if they are redeemed before the first day of the month of the one-year anniversary of the purchase.

 

(2)

 

A CDSC of 1.00% may be assessed on Class C shares if they are redeemed before the first anniversary of their purchase.

(3)

 

The 12b-1 fee the Fund will pay on Class C shares will be a blended rate calculated based on (i) 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares held for less than one year and (ii) 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares held for one year or more. All Class C shareholders of the Fund will bear 12b-1 fees at the same rate.

PROSPECTUS – HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

40


Example

The following 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 assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund at the maximum sales charge, if any, for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that dividends and distributions are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The first example assumes a deduction of the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) for the one-year, three-year, and five-year periods for Class B shares and for the one-year period for Class C shares. Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares after approximately eight years. The expense example for Class B shares for the ten-year period reflects the conversion to Class A shares. The first example assumes that you redeem all of your shares at the end of the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs (including any applicable CDSC) would be as shown below. The second example assumes that you do not redeem and instead keep your shares.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class

 

If Shares Are Redeemed

 

If Shares Are Not Redeemed  

 

 

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

Class A Shares

 

$

 

309

   

$

 

487

   

$

 

680

   

$

 

1,239

   

$

 

309

   

$

 

487

   

$

 

680

   

$

 

1,239

 

 

Class B Shares

 

$

 

667

   

$

 

817

   

$

 

1,092

   

$

 

1,730

   

$

 

167

   

$

 

517

   

$

 

892

   

$

 

1,730

 

 

Class C Shares

 

$

 

252

   

$

 

471

   

$

 

813

   

$

 

1,779

   

$

 

152

   

$

 

471

   

$

 

813

   

$

 

1,779

 

 

Class F Shares

 

$

 

76

   

$

 

237

   

$

 

411

   

$

 

918

   

$

 

76

   

$

 

237

   

$

 

411

   

$

 

918

 

 

Class I Shares

 

$

 

65

   

$

 

205

   

$

 

357

   

$

 

798

   

$

 

65

   

$

 

205

   

$

 

357

   

$

 

798

 

 

Class P Shares

 

$

 

111

   

$

 

347

   

$

 

601

   

$

 

1,329

   

$

 

111

   

$

 

347

   

$

 

601

   

$

 

1,329

 

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 may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in the annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 24.47% of the average value of its portfolio.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

To pursue its objective, under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest exempt from federal income tax. Under normal conditions, the Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in lower rated municipal bonds (commonly referred to as “below investment grade,” “high yield,” or “junk” bonds). Lower rated municipal bonds are rated BB/Ba or lower (at the time of purchase) by an independent rating agency or are

PROSPECTUS – HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

41


unrated but deemed by Lord Abbett to be of comparable quality. Although the Fund may invest in municipal bonds in any rating category, under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 50% of its net assets in municipal bonds rated BBB/Baa or lower (at the time of purchase) by an independent rating agency or unrated but deemed by Lord Abbett to be of comparable quality. The Fund may invest without limitation in unrated municipal bonds, which may constitute a significant portion of the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund is nondiversified, which means it may invest a greater portion of its assets in a single issuer than a diversified fund.

The Fund may also invest in defaulted securities (i.e., bonds on which the issuer has not paid principal or interest on time) or securities of issuers that are or may become involved in reorganizations, financial restructurings, or bankruptcy (commonly referred to as “distressed debt”). The Fund presently does not intend to invest more than 20% of its net assets (measured at the time of investment) in such defaulted or distressed securities. However, the Fund’s defaulted or distressed debt holdings may exceed this level from time to time if the Fund purchased securities that were not considered in default or distressed at their time of purchase and such securities subsequently become defaulted or distressed. These investment strategies should be considered to entail higher risk relative to strategies employed by funds that invest primarily in investment grade municipal bonds.

The Fund may invest in all types of municipal bonds, including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and municipal leases. Municipal bond issuers may be U.S. states, territories (such as Puerto Rico), and possessions and their political subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities.

The Fund may invest in both insured and uninsured municipal bonds. The Fund may invest up to 100% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (“AMT”), including certain private activity bonds (commonly referred to as “AMT paper”). Although the Fund is permitted to invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed income securities that pay interest subject to federal income tax, the Fund presently has no intention of investing in this manner.

The Fund may use inverse floaters, which is a type of derivative investment that provide leveraged exposure to underlying municipal bonds whose interest payments vary inversely with changes in short-term tax-exempt interest rates. These investments are intended to increase the Fund’s income and potential investment return and are speculative. The Fund may also invest in other types of derivatives, such as futures, for speculative, hedging, or duration management purposes.

The Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity generally is expected to be between ten and twenty-five years, but will vary with market conditions.

PROSPECTUS – HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

42


The Fund’s investment team focuses on credit risk analysis, tax exempt income yield, total return potential, interest rate risk, and call protection to target relative value opportunities in an actively managed portfolio of bonds with a majority of the holdings rated below investment grade or non-rated. The Fund generally will sell a security when it believes the security is less likely to benefit from the current market and economic environment, shows signs of deteriorating fundamentals, or has reached its valuation target, among other reasons. The Fund seeks to remain fully invested in accordance with its investment objective; however, in response to adverse market or other unfavorable conditions, the Fund may invest its assets in a temporary defensive manner.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

As with any investment in a mutual fund, investing in the Fund involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment. When you redeem your shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you may lose a portion or all of the money you invested in the Fund.

The following is a summary of certain risks that could adversely affect the Fund’s performance or increase volatility:

 

 

 

 

Portfolio Management Risk – If the strategies used and securities selected by the Fund’s portfolio management fail to produce the intended result, the Fund may suffer losses or underperform other funds with the same investment objective or strategies, even in a rising market.

 

 

 

 

Market Risk – The market values of securities will fluctuate, sometimes sharply and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors. Although prices of debt securities tend to rise and fall less dramatically than those of equity securities, they may experience heightened volatility if interest rates rise or the U.S. Federal Reserve continues to curb its bond buying program, for example.

 

 

 

 

Fixed Income Securities Risk – The Fund is subject to the general risks and considerations associated with investing in debt securities, including the risk that issuers will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest. Typically, shorter-term bonds are less volatile than longer-term bonds; however, longer-term bonds typically offer higher yields and more stable interest income than shorter-term bonds. The Fund invests substantially in lower rated municipal bonds, which may be more volatile and may decline more in price in response to negative issuer developments or general economic news than higher rated securities. In addition, as interest rates rise, the Fund’s investments typically will lose value.

PROSPECTUS – HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

43


 

 

 

 

Municipal Bond Risk – Municipal bonds are subject to the same risks affecting fixed income securities in general. In addition, the price of municipal bonds may be adversely affected by legislative or political changes, tax rulings, judicial action, changes in market and economic conditions, and the fiscal condition of the municipal issuer. The market for municipal bonds and high yield bonds, in particular, generally is less liquid than other securities markets, which may make it more difficult for the Fund to sell its bonds.

 

 

 

 

Below Investment Grade Municipal Bond Risk – Below investment grade municipal bonds typically pay a higher yield than investment grade municipal bonds, but may have greater price fluctuations and have a higher risk of default than investment grade municipal bonds. Below investment grade municipal bonds may be subject to greater credit and liquidity risks than investment grade municipal bonds, which may make below investment grade bonds more difficult to sell at a reasonable price, especially during periods of increased market volatility or significant market decline. Some issuers of below investment grade municipal bonds may be more likely to default as to principal and interest payments after the Fund purchases their securities. Below investment grade municipal bonds are considered predominantly speculative by traditional investment standards.

 

 

 

 

Nondiversification Risk – Because the Fund is nondiversified, it will be more exposed to risks from a single adverse economic, political, or regulatory event than a diversified fund.

 

 

 

 

Call Risk – A substantial portion of municipal bonds are “callable,” meaning they give the issuer the right to call or redeem the bonds before maturity. As interest rates decline, these bond issuers may pay off their loans early by buying back the bonds, thus depriving the Fund of above market interest rates. Moreover, the Fund may have to reinvest the prepayment proceeds in lower yielding securities.

 

 

 

 

Credit Risk – Municipal bonds are subject to the risk that the issuer of a security may not make interest and principal payments as they become due or may default altogether. In addition, if the market perceives a deterioration in the creditworthiness of an issuer, the value of bonds issued by that issuer tends to decline. Credit risk varies based upon the economic and fiscal conditions of each issuer and the municipalities, agencies, instrumentalities, and other issuers within the state, territory or possession. Insured municipal bonds have the credit risk of the insurer in addition to the credit risk of the underlying investment being insured. A decline in the credit quality of private activity bonds usually is directly related to a decline in the credit standing of the private user of the facility.

PROSPECTUS – HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

44


 

 

 

 

Industry Risk – Nongovernmental users of facilities financed by tax-exempt revenue bonds (e.g. companies in the electric utility and health care industries) may have difficulty making payments on their obligations in the event of an economic downturn. This would negatively affect the valuation of bonds issued by such facilities.

 

 

 

 

Distressed Debt Risk – To the extent that the Fund invests in (or otherwise holds) distressed debt securities, the Fund is subject to an increased risk that it may lose a portion or all of its investment in the distressed debt and may incur higher expenses trying to protect its interests in distressed debt. Moreover, it is unlikely that a liquid market will exist for the Fund to sell its holdings in distressed debt securities.

 

 

 

 

Derivatives Risk – Loss may result from the Fund’s investments in futures contracts, inverse floaters, and other derivative instruments. These instruments may be leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate and substantial losses to the Fund. They also may increase the Fund’s interest rate risk and may cause the Fund to realize a limited amount of taxable income. Losses also may arise from the failure of a derivative counterparty to meet its contractual obligations.

 

 

 

 

Extension Risk – Rising interest rates may cause payments to occur at a slower-than-expected rate, extending the duration of a bond and typically reducing its value.

 

 

 

 

Governmental Risk – Government actions, including U.S. federal government actions and actions by local, state and regional governments, could have an adverse effect on municipal bond prices. In addition, the Fund’s performance may be affected by local, state, and regional factors depending on the states in which the Fund’s investments are issued.

 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Risk – Prices of bonds, including tax-exempt bonds, generally fall during a rising interest rate environment. Interest rate changes typically have a greater effect on the price of longer-term bonds, including inverse floaters, than on shorter-term bonds. Because the Fund tends to invest in longer-term bonds, including inverse floaters, to a greater degree than some municipal bond funds, it is more sensitive to interest rate risk than those funds.

 

 

 

 

Liquidity Risk – It may be difficult for the Fund to sell certain securities, such as below investment grade municipal bonds, in a timely manner and at their stated value, which could result in losses to the Fund. In addition, the Fund could experience a loss when selling securities to meet redemption requests if the redemption requests are unusually large or frequent or occur in times of overall market turmoil or declining prices for the securities sold, or when the securities the Fund wishes to or is required to sell are illiquid.

PROSPECTUS – HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

45


 

 

 

 

State and Territory Risks – Although the Fund does not have a specific geographic focus, from time to time, the Fund may be more exposed to risks affecting a particular state, territory (such as Puerto Rico), or region. As a result, adverse economic conditions in that state, territory, or region are likely to affect the Fund’s performance.

 

 

 

 

Taxability Risk – The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has announced that holders of tax-exempt bonds have risks that their tax-exempt income may be reclassified as taxable if the bonds that they own were issued in an abusive transaction. There is a risk that a bond issued as tax-exempt may be reclassified by the IRS as taxable, creating taxable rather than tax-exempt income. In addition, the Fund may invest up to 100% of its net assets in municipal bonds the interest on which may be subject to AMT and invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed income securities that pay interest that is subject to regular federal income tax. The income from private activity bonds is an item of tax preference for purposes of AMT, which may cause the income to be taxable to you.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. For more information on the principal risks of the Fund, please see the “More Information About the Funds – Principal Risks” section in the prospectus.

PERFORMANCE

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by illustrating the variability of the Fund’s returns. Each assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. No performance is shown for Class B shares because the Fund has no Class B shares outstanding.

The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund’s Class A shares from calendar year to calendar year. This chart does not reflect the sales charge applicable to Class A shares. If the sales charge were reflected, returns would be lower. Performance for the Fund’s other share classes will vary due to the different expenses each class bears. Updated performance information is available at www.lordabbett.com or by calling 888-522-2388.

PROSPECTUS – HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

46


Bar Chart (per calendar year) — Class A Shares

 

 

 

Best Quarter 3rd Q ’09 +14.65%

 

Worst Quarter 4th Q ’08 -23.81%


The table below shows how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to the returns of securities market indices with investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Fund’s average annual total returns include applicable sales charges.

The after-tax returns of Class A shares included in the table below are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to a tax benefit resulting from realized losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the period that is used to offset other gains. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax- deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns for other share classes are not shown in the table and will vary from those shown for Class A shares.

PROSPECTUS – HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

47


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns
(for the periods ended December 31, 2013)

 

Class

 

1 Year

 

5 Years

 

Life of Class

 

Inception
Date for
Performance

 

Class A Shares

 

12/30/2004

 

Before Taxes

 

-9.09%

 

9.59%

 

1.43%

 

 

 

After Taxes on Distributions

 

-9.11%

 

9.57%

 

1.42%

 

 

 

After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

 

-3.17%

 

9.00%

 

2.29%

 

 

 

Class C Shares

 

-8.47%

 

9.36%

 

1.27%

 

12/30/2004

 

Class F Shares

 

-6.90%

 

10.18%

 

0.59%

 

9/28/2007

 

Class I Shares

 

-6.90%

 

 

3.51%

 

7/26/2010

 

Class P Shares

 

-7.17%

 

9.86%

 

1.68%

 

12/30/2004

 

Index

 

Barclays High Yield Municipal Bond Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

 

-5.51%

 

11.78%

 

4.58%
3.45%
5.74%

 

12/30/2004
9/28/2007
7/26/2010

 

Barclays 85% High Yield/15% Municipal Bond Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

 

-4.99%

 

10.91%

 

4.57%
3.64%
5.42%

 

12/30/2004
9/28/2007
7/26/2010

MANAGEMENT

Investment Adviser. The Fund’s investment adviser is Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC.

Portfolio Managers.

 

 

 

Portfolio Manager/Title

 

Member of
the Investment
Management
Team Since

 

Daniel S. Solender, Partner and Director

 

2006

 

Paul A. Langlois, Portfolio Manager

 

2012

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

The minimum initial and additional amounts shown below vary depending on the class of shares you buy and the type of account. Certain financial intermediaries may impose different restrictions than those described below. Class B shares no longer are available for purchase by new or existing investors and only will be issued in connection with (i) an exchange of Class B shares from another Lord Abbett Fund or (ii) a reinvestment of a dividend and/or capital gain distribution. For Class I shares, the minimum investment shown below

PROSPECTUS – HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

48


applies to certain types of institutional investors, but does not apply to registered investment advisers or retirement and benefit plans otherwise eligible to invest in Class I shares. Class P shares are closed to substantially all new investors. See “Choosing a Share Class – Investment Minimums” in the prospectus for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Minimums — Initial/Additional Investments

 

Class

 

A and C

 

F and P

 

I

 

General and IRAs without Invest-A-Matic Investments

 

$1,000/No minimum

 

N/A

 

$1 million minimum

 

Invest-A-Matic Accounts

 

$250/$50

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

IRAs, SIMPLE and SEP Accounts with Payroll Deductions

 

No minimum

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Fee-Based Advisory Programs and Retirement
and Benefit Plans

 

No minimum

 

No minimum

 

No minimum

You may sell (redeem) shares through your securities broker, financial professional or financial intermediary. If you have direct account access privileges, you may redeem your shares by contacting the Fund in writing at P.O. Box 219336, Kansas City, MO 64121, by calling 888-522-2388 or by accessing your account online at www.lordabbett.com.

TAX INFORMATION

The Fund’s distributions of interest on municipal bonds generally are not subject to federal income tax; however the Fund may distribute taxable dividends, including distributions of short-term and long-term capital gains. In addition, interest on certain bonds may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. To the extent that the Fund’s distributions are derived from interest on bonds that are not exempt from applicable state and local taxes, such distributions will be subject to such state and local taxes.

PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

If you purchase Fund shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and the Fund’s distributor or its affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and your individual financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial professional or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

PROSPECTUS – HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

49


 

CALIFORNIA TAX FREE FUND

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek the maximum amount of interest income exempt from federal income tax as is consistent with reasonable risk. The Fund also seeks as high a level of interest income exempt from California personal income tax as is consistent with reasonable risk.

FEES AND EXPENSES

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and certain members of your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers” on page 102 of the prospectus and “Purchases, Redemptions, Pricing, and Payments to Dealers” on page 8-1 of the statement of additional information (“SAI”).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholder Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)

 

Class

 

A

 

C

 

F, I, and P

 

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price)

 

2.25%

 

None

 

None

 

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
(as a percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

 

None (1)

 

1.00% (2)

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Class

 

A

 

C

 

F

 

I

 

P

 

Management Fees

 

0.45%

 

0.45%

 

0.45%

 

0.45%

 

0.45%

 

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

 

0.20%

 

0.86% (3)

 

0.10%

 

None

 

0.45%

 

Other Expenses

 

0.16%

 

0.16%

 

0.16%

 

0.16%

 

0.16%

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (4)

 

0.81%

 

1.47%

 

0.71%

 

0.61%

 

1.06%

 

(1)

 

A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on certain Class A shares purchased or acquired without a sales charge if they are redeemed before the first day of the month of the one-year anniversary of the purchase.

(2)

 

A CDSC of 1.00% may be assessed on Class C shares if they are redeemed before the first anniversary of their purchase.

(3)

 

The 12b-1 fee the Fund will pay on Class C shares will be a blended rate calculated based on (i) 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares held for less than one year and (ii) 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares held for one year or more. All Class C shareholders of the Fund will bear 12b-1 fees at the same rate.

(4)

 

These amounts include interest and related expenses from inverse floaters of less than 0.01%.

PROSPECTUS – CALIFORNIA TAX FREE FUND

50


Example

The following 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 assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund at the maximum sales charge, if any, for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The first example assumes a deduction of the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) for the one-year period for Class C shares. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that dividends and distributions are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The first example assumes that you redeem all of your shares at the end of the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs (including any applicable CDSC) would be as shown below. The second example assumes that you do not redeem and instead keep your shares.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class

 

If Shares Are Redeemed

 

If Shares Are Not Redeemed  

 

 

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

Class A Shares

 

$

 

306

   

$

 

478

   

$

 

665

   

$

 

1,204

   

$

 

306

   

$

 

478

   

$

 

665

   

$

 

1,204

 

 

Class C Shares

 

$

 

250

   

$

 

465

   

$

 

803

   

$

 

1,757

   

$

 

150

   

$

 

465

   

$

 

803

   

$

 

1,757

 

 

Class F Shares

 

$

 

73

   

$

 

227

   

$

 

395

   

$

 

883

   

$

 

73

   

$

 

227

   

$

 

395

   

$

 

883

 

 

Class I Shares

 

$

 

62

   

$

 

195

   

$

 

340

   

$

 

762

   

$

 

62

   

$

 

195

   

$

 

340

   

$

 

762

 

 

Class P Shares

 

$

 

108

   

$

 

337

   

$

 

585

   

$

 

1,294

   

$

 

108

   

$

 

337

   

$

 

585

   

$

 

1,294

 

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 may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in the annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 18.05% of the average value of its portfolio.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

For purposes of its investment objective, the Fund uses the volatility of the Barclays Municipal Bond Index as an approximation of reasonable risk. To pursue its objective, under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest exempt from federal income tax and California personal income tax. If the interest on a municipal bond meets these standards, the Fund will treat the bond as qualifying for purposes of the 80% requirement even if the issuer is located outside of California. Under normal conditions, the Fund invests primarily in investment grade municipal

PROSPECTUS – CALIFORNIA TAX FREE FUND

51


bonds. Investment grade municipal bonds are rated BBB/Baa or higher (at the time of purchase) by an independent rating agency or are unrated but deemed by Lord Abbett to be of comparable quality.

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in municipal bonds rated BB/Ba or lower (at the time of purchase) by an independent rating agency or unrated but deemed by Lord Abbett to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “below investment grade,” “high yield,” or “junk” bonds). The Fund is nondiversified, which means it may invest a greater portion of its assets in a single issuer than a diversified fund.

The Fund may invest in all types of municipal bonds, including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and municipal leases. Municipal bond issuers may be U.S. states, territories (such as Puerto Rico), and possessions and their political subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities.

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (“AMT”), including certain private activity bonds (commonly referred to as “AMT paper”). Although the Fund is permitted to invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed income securities that pay interest subject to federal and California personal income taxes, the Fund presently has no intention of investing in this manner. These bonds may include municipal bonds issued by other states, which may be exempt from federal income tax but not from California income tax. The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in any industry; however, this limitation does not apply to tax-exempt securities issued by governments or their political subdivisions. The Fund may invest in both insured and uninsured municipal bonds.

The Fund may use inverse floaters, which is a type of derivative investment that provides leveraged exposure to underlying municipal bonds whose interest payments vary inversely with changes in short-term tax-exempt interest rates. These investments are intended to increase the Fund’s income and potential investment return and are speculative. The Fund also may invest in other types of derivatives, such as futures, for speculative, hedging, or duration management purposes.

The Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity generally is expected to be between ten and twenty-five years, but will vary with market conditions.

The Fund’s investment team focuses on credit risk analysis, tax exempt income yield, total return potential, interest rate risk, and call protection in selecting municipal bonds. The Fund generally will sell a security when it believes the security is less likely to benefit from the current market and economic environment, shows signs of deteriorating fundamentals, or has reached its valuation target, among other reasons. The Fund seeks to remain fully invested in

PROSPECTUS – CALIFORNIA TAX FREE FUND

52


accordance with its investment objective; however, in response to adverse market or other unfavorable conditions, the Fund may invest its assets in a temporary defensive manner.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

As with any investment in a mutual fund, investing in the Fund involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment. When you redeem your shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you may lose a portion or all of the money you invested in the Fund.

The following is a summary of certain risks that could adversely affect the Fund’s performance or increase volatility:

 

 

 

 

Portfolio Management Risk – If the strategies used and securities selected by the Fund’s portfolio management fail to produce the intended result, the Fund may suffer losses or underperform other funds with the same investment objective or strategies, even in a rising market.

 

 

 

 

Market Risk – The market values of securities will fluctuate, sometimes sharply and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors. Although prices of debt securities tend to rise and fall less dramatically than those of equity securities, they may experience heightened volatility if interest rates rise or the U.S. Federal Reserve continues to curb its bond buying program, for example.

 

 

 

 

Fixed Income Securities Risk – The Fund is subject to the general risks and considerations associated with investing in debt securities, including the risk that issuers will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest. Typically, shorter-term bonds are less volatile than longer-term bonds; however, longer-term bonds typically offer higher yields and more stable interest income than shorter-term bonds. Lower rated municipal bonds in which the Fund may invest may be more volatile and may decline more in price in response to negative issuer developments or general economic news than higher rated securities. In addition, as interest rates rise, the Fund’s investments typically will lose value.

 

 

 

 

Municipal Bond Risk – Municipal bonds are subject to the same risks affecting fixed income securities in general. In addition, the price of municipal bonds may be adversely affected by legislative or political changes, tax rulings, judicial action, changes in market and economic conditions, and the fiscal condition of the municipal issuer. The market for municipal bonds generally is less liquid than other securities markets, which may make it more difficult for the Fund to sell its bonds.

PROSPECTUS – CALIFORNIA TAX FREE FUND

53


 

 

 

 

Below Investment Grade Municipal Bond Risk – Below investment grade municipal bonds typically pay a higher yield than investment grade municipal bonds, but may have greater price fluctuations and have a higher risk of default than investment grade municipal bonds. The market for below investment grade municipal bonds may be less liquid, which may make such bonds more difficult to sell at an acceptable price, especially during periods of increased market volatility or significant market decline.

 

 

 

 

Nondiversification Risk – Because the Fund is nondiversified, it will be more exposed to risks from a single adverse economic, political, or regulatory event than a diversified fund.

 

 

 

 

State Specific Risk – Because of the Fund’s geographic focus, the Fund is more exposed to risks affecting California municipal bond issuers than is a fund that invests more widely. In addition, to the extent that the Fund invests in municipal bonds of issuers located outside California, the Fund may be exposed to risks affecting another state, territory (such as Puerto Rico), or region. As a result, adverse economic conditions in that state, territory, or region are likely to affect the Fund’s performance.

 

 

 

 

Call Risk – A substantial portion of municipal bonds are “callable”, meaning they give the issuer the right to call or redeem the bonds before maturity. As interest rates decline, these bond issuers may pay off their loans early by buying back the bonds, thus depriving the Fund of above market interest rates. Moreover, the Fund may have to reinvest the prepayment proceeds in lower yielding securities.

 

 

 

 

Credit Risk – Municipal bonds are subject to the risk that the issuer of a security may not make interest and principal payments as they become due or may default altogether. In addition, if the market perceives a deterioration in the creditworthiness of an issuer, the value of bonds issued by that issuer tends to decline. Credit risk varies based upon the economic and fiscal conditions of each issuer and the municipalities, agencies, instrumentalities, and other issuers within the state, territory or possession. Insured municipal bonds have the credit risk of the insurer in addition to the credit risk of the underlying investment being insured. A decline in the credit quality of private activity bonds usually is directly related to a decline in the credit standing of the private user of the facility.

 

 

 

 

Industry Risk – Nongovernmental users of facilities financed by tax-exempt revenue bonds (e.g. companies in the electric utility and health care industries) may have difficulty making payments on their obligations in the event of an economic downturn. This would negatively affect the valuation of bonds issued by such facilities.

PROSPECTUS – CALIFORNIA TAX FREE FUND

54


 

 

 

 

Derivatives Risk – Loss may result from the Fund’s investments in futures contracts, inverse floaters and other derivative instruments. These instruments may be leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate and substantial losses to the Fund. They also may increase the Fund’s interest rate risk and may cause the Fund to realize a limited amount of taxable income. Losses also may arise from the failure of a derivative counterparty to meet its contractual obligations.

 

 

 

 

Extension Risk – Rising interest rates may cause payments to occur at a slower-than-expected rate, extending the duration of a bond and typically reducing its value.

 

 

 

 

Governmental Risk – Government actions, including U.S. federal government actions and actions by local, state and regional governments, could have an adverse effect on municipal bond prices.

 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Risk – As interest rates rise, prices of bonds (including tax-exempt bonds) generally fall, causing the Fund’s investments typically to lose value. Interest rate changes typically have a greater effect on the price of longer-term bonds, including inverse floaters, than on shorter-term bonds.

 

 

 

 

Liquidity Risk – It may be difficult for the Fund to sell certain securities, including below investment grade municipal bonds, in a timely manner and at their stated value, which could result in losses to the Fund. In addition, the Fund could experience a loss when selling securities to meet redemption requests if the redemption requests are unusually large or frequent or occur in times of overall market turmoil or declining prices for the securities sold, or when the securities the Fund wishes to or is required to sell are illiquid.

 

 

 

 

Taxability Risk – The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has announced that holders of tax-exempt bonds have risks that their tax-exempt income may be reclassified as taxable if the bonds that they own were issued in an abusive transaction. Although the Fund attempts to purchase only bona fide tax-exempt securities (except for its ability to invest up to 20% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest subject to AMT and fixed income securities that pay interest that is subject to regular federal and California income taxes), there is a risk that a bond issued as tax-exempt may be reclassified by the IRS as taxable, creating taxable rather than tax-exempt income.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. For more information on the principal risks of the Fund, please see the “More Information About the Funds – Principal Risks” section in the prospectus.

PROSPECTUS – CALIFORNIA TAX FREE FUND

55


PERFORMANCE

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by illustrating the variability of the Fund’s returns. Each assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. No performance is shown for P shares because the Fund has not issued P shares as of the date of this prospectus.

The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund’s Class A shares from calendar year to calendar year. This chart does not reflect the sales charge applicable to Class A shares. If the sales charge were reflected, returns would be lower. Performance for the Fund’s other share classes will vary due to the different expenses each class bears. Updated performance information is available at www.lordabbett.com or by calling 888-522-2388.

Bar Chart (per calendar year) — Class A Shares

 

 

 

Best Quarter 3rd Q ’09 +10.78%

 

Worst Quarter 4th Q ’08 -7.03%


The table below shows how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to the returns of a securities market index with investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Fund’s average annual total returns include applicable sales charges.

The after-tax returns of Class A shares included in the table below are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to a tax benefit resulting from realized losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the period that is used to offset other gains. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through

PROSPECTUS – CALIFORNIA TAX FREE FUND

56


tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns for other share classes are not shown in the table and will vary from those shown for Class A shares.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns
(for the periods ended December 31, 2013)

 

Class

 

1 Year

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

Life of Class

 

Inception
Date for
Performance

 

Class A Shares

 

Before Taxes

 

-6.09%

 

7.21%

 

3.27%

 

 

 

 

After Taxes on Distributions

 

-6.10%

 

7.20%

 

3.26%

 

 

 

 

After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

 

-1.97%

 

6.70%

 

3.46%

 

 

 

 

Class C Shares

 

-5.48%

 

6.98%

 

2.83%

 

 

 

 

Class F Shares

 

-3.83%

 

7.81%

 

 

3.74%

 

9/28/2007

 

Class I Shares

 

-3.63%

 

 

 

7.35%

 

1/31/2011

 

Index

 

 

 

Barclays Municipal Bond Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

 

-2.55%

 

5.89%

 

4.29%

 

4.49%
5.24%

 

9/28/2007
1/31/2011

MANAGEMENT

Investment Adviser. The Fund’s investment adviser is Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC.

Portfolio Managers.

 

 

 

Portfolio Manager/Title

 

Member of
the Investment
Management
Team Since

 

Daniel S. Solender, Partner and Director

 

2006

 

Paul A. Langlois, Portfolio Manager

 

2012

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

The minimum initial and additional amounts shown below vary depending on the class of shares you buy and the type of account. Certain financial intermediaries may impose different restrictions than those described below. For Class I shares, the minimum investment shown below applies to certain types of institutional investors, but does not apply to registered investment advisers or retirement and benefit plans otherwise eligible to invest in Class I shares. Class P shares are closed to substantially all new investors. See “Choosing a Share Class – Investment Minimums” in the prospectus for more information.

PROSPECTUS – CALIFORNIA TAX FREE FUND

57


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Minimums — Initial/Additional Investments

 

Class

 

A and C

 

F and P

 

I

 

General and IRAs without Invest-A-Matic Investments

 

$1,000/No minimum

 

N/A

 

$1 million minimum

 

Invest-A-Matic Accounts

 

$250/$50

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

IRAs, SIMPLE and SEP Accounts with Payroll Deductions

 

No minimum

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Fee-Based Advisory Programs and Retirement and Benefit Plans

 

No minimum

 

No minimum

 

No minimum

You may sell (redeem) shares through your securities broker, financial professional or financial intermediary. If you have direct account access privileges, you may redeem your shares by contacting the Fund in writing at P.O. Box 219336, Kansas City, MO 64121, by calling 888-522-2388 or by accessing your account online at www.lordabbett.com.

TAX INFORMATION

The Fund’s distributions of interest on municipal bonds generally are not subject to federal income tax or California personal income tax; however the Fund may distribute taxable dividends, including distributions of short-term and long-term capital gains. In addition, interest on certain bonds may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. To the extent that the Fund’s distributions are derived from interest on bonds that are not exempt from California personal income tax or local taxes, such distributions will be subject to such state and local taxes.

PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

If you purchase Fund shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and the Fund’s distributor or its affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and your individual financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial professional or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

PROSPECTUS – CALIFORNIA TAX FREE FUND

58


 

NEW JERSEY TAX FREE FUND

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek the maximum amount of interest income exempt from federal income tax as is consistent with reasonable risk. The Fund also seeks as high a level of interest income exempt from New Jersey personal income tax as is consistent with reasonable risk.

FEES AND EXPENSES

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and certain members of your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers” on page 102 of the prospectus and “Purchases, Redemptions, Pricing, and Payments to Dealers” on page 8-1 of the statement of additional information (“SAI”).

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholder Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)

 

Class

 

A

 

F, I, and P

 

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price)

 

2.25%

 

None

 

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
(as a percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower)

 

None (1)

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Class

 

A

 

F

 

I

 

P

 

Management Fees

 

0.45%

 

0.45%

 

0.45%

 

0.45%

 

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

 

0.20%

 

0.10%

 

None

 

0.45%

 

Other Expenses

 

0.17%

 

0.17%

 

0.17%

 

0.17%

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

 

0.82%

 

0.72%

 

0.62%

 

1.07%

 

(1)

 

A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on certain Class A shares purchased or acquired without a sales charge if they are redeemed before the first day of the month of the one-year anniversary of the purchase.

PROSPECTUS – NEW JERSEY TAX FREE FUND

59


Example

The following 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 assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund at the maximum sales charge, if any, for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that dividends and distributions are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The first example assumes that you redeem all of your shares at the end of the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be as shown below. The second example assumes that you do not redeem and instead keep your shares.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class

 

If Shares Are Redeemed

 

If Shares Are Not Redeemed  

 

 

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

Class A Shares

 

$

 

307

   

$

 

481

   

$

 

670

   

$

 

1,216

   

$

 

307

   

$

 

481

   

$

 

670

   

$

 

1,216

 

 

Class F Shares

 

$

 

74

   

$

 

230

   

$

 

401

   

$

 

894

   

$

 

74

   

$

 

230

   

$

 

401

   

$

 

894

 

 

Class I Shares

 

$

 

63

   

$

 

199

   

$

 

346

   

$

 

774

   

$

 

63

   

$

 

199

   

$

 

346

   

$

 

774

 

 

Class P Shares

 

$

 

109

   

$

 

340

   

$

 

590

   

$

 

1,306

   

$

 

109

   

$

 

340

   

$

 

590

   

$

 

1,306

 

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 may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in the annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 18.17% of the average value of its portfolio.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

For purposes of its investment objective, the Fund uses the volatility of the Barclays Municipal Bond Index as an approximation of reasonable risk. To pursue its objective, under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest exempt from federal income tax and New Jersey personal income tax. If the interest on a municipal bond meets these standards, the Fund will treat the bond as qualifying for purposes of the 80% requirement even if the issuer is located outside of New Jersey. Under normal conditions, the Fund invests primarily in investment grade municipal bonds. Investment grade municipal bonds are rated BBB/Baa or higher (at the time of purchase) by an independent rating agency or are unrated but deemed by Lord Abbett to be of comparable quality.

PROSPECTUS – NEW JERSEY TAX FREE FUND

60


The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in municipal bonds rated BB/Ba or lower (at the time of purchase) by an independent rating agency or unrated but deemed by Lord Abbett to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “below investment grade,” “high yield,” or “junk” bonds). The Fund is nondiversified, which means it may invest a greater portion of its assets in a single issuer than a diversified fund.

The Fund may invest in all types of municipal bonds, including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and municipal leases. Municipal bond issuers may be U.S. states, territories (such as Puerto Rico), and possessions and their political subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities.

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (“AMT”), including certain private activity bonds (commonly referred to as “AMT paper”). Although the Fund is permitted to invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed income securities that pay interest subject to federal and New Jersey personal income taxes, the Fund presently has no intention of investing in this manner. These bonds may include municipal bonds issued by other states, which may be exempt from federal income tax but not from New Jersey income tax. The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in any industry; however, this limitation does not apply to tax-exempt securities issued by governments or their political subdivisions. The Fund may invest in both insured and uninsured municipal bonds.

The Fund may use inverse floaters, which is a type of derivative investment that provides leveraged exposure to underlying municipal bonds whose interest payments vary inversely with changes in short-term tax-exempt interest rates. These investments are intended to increase the Fund’s income and potential investment return and are speculative. The Fund also may invest in other types of derivatives, such as futures, for speculative, hedging, or duration management purposes.

The Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity generally is expected to be between ten and twenty-five years, but will vary with market conditions.

The Fund’s investment team focuses on credit risk analysis, tax exempt income yield, total return potential, interest rate risk, and call protection in selecting municipal bonds. The Fund generally will sell a security when it believes the security is less likely to benefit from the current market and economic environment, shows signs of deteriorating fundamentals, or has reached its valuation target, among other reasons. The Fund seeks to remain fully invested in accordance with its investment objective; however, in response to adverse market or other unfavorable conditions, the Fund may invest its assets in a temporary defensive manner.

PROSPECTUS – NEW JERSEY TAX FREE FUND

61


PRINCIPAL RISKS

As with any investment in a mutual fund, investing in the Fund involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment. When you redeem your shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you may lose a portion or all of the money you invested in the Fund.

The following is a summary of certain risks that could adversely affect the Fund’s performance or increase volatility:

 

 

 

 

Portfolio Management Risk – If the strategies used and securities selected by the Fund’s portfolio management fail to produce the intended result, the Fund may suffer losses or underperform other funds with the same investment objective or strategies, even in a rising market.

 

 

 

 

Market Risk – The market values of securities will fluctuate, sometimes sharply and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors. Although prices of debt securities tend to rise and fall less dramatically than those of equity securities, they may experience heightened volatility if interest rates rise or the U.S. Federal Reserve continues to curb its bond buying program, for example.

 

 

 

 

Fixed Income Securities Risk – The Fund is subject to the general risks and considerations associated with investing in debt securities, including the risk that issuers will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest. Typically, shorter-term bonds are less volatile than longer-term bonds; however, longer-term bonds typically offer higher yields and more stable interest income than shorter-term bonds. Lower rated municipal bonds in which the Fund may invest may be more volatile and may decline more in price in response to negative issuer developments or general economic news than higher rated securities. In addition, as interest rates rise, the Fund’s investments typically will lose value.

 

 

 

 

Municipal Bond Risk – Municipal bonds are subject to the same risks affecting fixed income securities in general. In addition, the price of municipal bonds may be adversely affected by legislative or political changes, tax rulings, judicial action, changes in market and economic conditions, and the fiscal condition of the municipal issuer. The market for municipal bonds generally is less liquid than other securities markets, which may make it more difficult for the Fund to sell its bonds.

 

 

 

 

Below Investment Grade Municipal Bond Risk – Below investment grade municipal bonds typically pay a higher yield than investment grade municipal bonds, but may have greater price fluctuations and have a higher risk of default than investment grade municipal bonds. The market for below

PROSPECTUS – NEW JERSEY TAX FREE FUND

62


 

 

 

 

investment grade municipal bonds may be less liquid, which may make such bonds more difficult to sell at an acceptable price, especially during periods of increased market volatility or significant market decline.

 

 

 

 

Nondiversification Risk – Because the Fund is nondiversified, it will be more exposed to risks from a single adverse economic, political, or regulatory event than a diversified fund.

 

 

 

 

State Specific Risk – Because of the Fund’s geographic focus, the Fund is more exposed to risks affecting New Jersey municipal bond issuers than is a fund that invests more widely. In addition, to the extent that the Fund invests in municipal bonds of issuers located outside New Jersey, the Fund may be exposed to risks affecting another state, territory (such as Puerto Rico), or region. As a result, adverse economic conditions in that state, territory, or region are likely to affect the Fund’s performance.

 

 

 

 

Call Risk – A substantial portion of municipal bonds are “callable”, meaning they give the issuer the right to call or redeem the bonds before maturity. As interest rates decline, these bond issuers may pay off their loans early by buying back the bonds, thus depriving the Fund of above market interest rates. Moreover, the Fund may have to reinvest the prepayment proceeds in lower yielding securities.

 

 

 

 

Credit Risk – Municipal bonds are subject to the risk that the issuer of a security may not make interest and principal payments as they become due or may default altogether. In addition, if the market perceives a deterioration in the creditworthiness of an issuer, the value of bonds issued by that issuer tends to decline. Credit risk varies based upon the economic and fiscal conditions of each issuer and the municipalities, agencies, instrumentalities, and other issuers within the state, territory or possession. Insured municipal bonds have the credit risk of the insurer in addition to the credit risk of the underlying investment being insured. A decline in the credit quality of private activity bonds usually is directly related to a decline in the credit standing of the private user of the facility.

 

 

 

 

Industry Risk – Nongovernmental users of facilities financed by tax-exempt revenue bonds (e.g. companies in the electric utility and health care industries) may have difficulty making payments on their obligations in the event of an economic downturn. This would negatively affect the valuation of bonds issued by such facilities.

 

 

 

 

Derivatives Risk – Loss may result from the Fund’s investments in futures contracts, inverse floaters and other derivative instruments. These instruments may be leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate and substantial losses to the Fund. They also may increase

PROSPECTUS – NEW JERSEY TAX FREE FUND

63


 

 

 

 

the Fund’s interest rate risk and may cause the Fund to realize a limited amount of taxable income. Losses also may arise from the failure of a derivative counterparty to meet its contractual obligations.

 

 

 

 

Extension Risk – Rising interest rates may cause payments to occur at a slower-than-expected rate, extending the duration of a bond and typically reducing its value.

 

 

 

 

Governmental Risk – Government actions, including U.S. federal government actions and actions by local, state and regional governments, could have an adverse effect on municipal bond prices.

 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Risk – As interest rates rise, prices of bonds (including tax-exempt bonds) generally fall, causing the Fund’s investments typically to lose value. Interest rate changes typically have a greater effect on the price of longer-term bonds, including inverse floaters, than on shorter-term bonds.

 

 

 

 

Liquidity Risk – It may be difficult for the Fund to sell certain securities, including below investment grade municipal bonds, in a timely manner and at their stated value, which could result in losses to the Fund. In addition, the Fund could experience a loss when selling securities to meet redemption requests if the redemption requests are unusually large or frequent or occur in times of overall market turmoil or declining prices for the securities sold, or when the securities the Fund wishes to or is required to sell are illiquid.

 

 

 

 

Taxability Risk – The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has announced that holders of tax-exempt bonds have risks that their tax-exempt income may be reclassified as taxable if the bonds that they own were issued in an abusive transaction. Although the Fund attempts to purchase only bona fide tax-exempt securities (except for its ability to invest up to 20% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest subject to AMT and fixed income securities that pay interest that is subject to regular federal and New Jersey income taxes), there is a risk that a bond issued as tax-exempt may be reclassified by the IRS as taxable, creating taxable rather than tax-exempt income.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. For more information on the principal risks of the Fund, please see the “More Information About the Funds – Principal Risks” section in the prospectus.

PERFORMANCE

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by illustrating the variability of the Fund’s returns. Each assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance, before

PROSPECTUS – NEW JERSEY TAX FREE FUND

64


and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. No performance is shown for Class P shares because the Fund has not issued Class P shares as of the date of this prospectus.

The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund’s Class A shares from calendar year to calendar year. This chart does not reflect the sales charge applicable to Class A shares. If the sales charge were reflected, returns would be lower. Performance for the Fund’s other share classes will vary due to the different expenses the class bears. Updated performance information is available at www.lordabbett.com or by calling 888-522-2388.

Bar Chart (per calendar year) — Class A Shares

 

 

 

Best Quarter 3rd Q ‘09 +9.08%

 

Worst Quarter 4th Q ’08 -8.57%


The table below shows how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to the returns of a securities market index with investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Fund’s average annual total returns include applicable sales charges.

The after-tax returns of Class A shares included in the table below are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to a tax benefit resulting from realized losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the period that is used to offset other gains. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax- deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns for the other share class are not shown in the table and will vary from those shown for Class A shares.

PROSPECTUS – NEW JERSEY TAX FREE FUND

65


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns
(for the periods ended December 31, 2013)

 

Class

 

1 Year

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

Life of Class

 

Inception
Date for
Performance

 

Class A Shares

 

Before Taxes

 

-8.16%

 

6.78%

 

2.76%

 

 

 

 

After Taxes on Distributions

 

-8.16%

 

6.78%

 

2.76%

 

 

 

 

After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

 

-3.17%

 

6.33%

 

3.05%

 

 

 

 

Class F Shares

 

-5.90%

 

7.36%

 

 

3.09%

 

9/28/2007

 

Class I Shares

 

-5.77%

 

 

 

5.72%

 

1/31/2011

 

Index

 

 

 

Barclays Municipal Bond Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

 

-2.55%

 

5.89%

 

4.29%

 

4.49%
5.24%

 

9/28/2007
1/31/2011

MANAGEMENT

Investment Adviser. The Fund’s investment adviser is Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC.

Portfolio Managers.

 

 

 

Portfolio Manager/Title

 

Member of
the Investment
Management
Team Since

 

Daniel S. Solender, Partner and Director

 

2006

 

Philip B. Herman, Portfolio Manager

 

2010

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

The minimum initial and additional amounts shown below vary depending on the class of shares you buy and the type of account. Certain financial intermediaries may impose different restrictions than those described below. For Class I shares, the minimum investment shown below applies to certain types of institutional investors, but does not apply to registered investment advisers or retirement and benefit plans otherwise eligible to invest in Class I shares. Class P shares are closed to substantially all new investors. See “Choosing a Share Class – Investment Minimums” in the prospectus for more information.

PROSPECTUS – NEW JERSEY TAX FREE FUND

66


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Minimums — Initial/Additional Investments

 

Class

 

A

 

F and P

 

I

 

General and IRAs without Invest-A-Matic Investments

 

$1,000/No minimum

 

N/A

 

$1 million minimum

 

Invest-A-Matic Accounts

 

$250/$50

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

IRAs, SIMPLE and SEP Accounts with Payroll Deductions

 

No minimum

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Fee-Based Advisory Programs and Retirement
and Benefit Plans

 

No minimum

 

No minimum

 

No minimum

You may sell (redeem) shares through your securities broker, financial professional or financial intermediary. If you have direct account access privileges, you may redeem your shares by contacting the Fund in writing at P.O. Box 219336, Kansas City, MO 64121, by calling 888-522-2388 or by accessing your account online at www.lordabbett.com.

TAX INFORMATION

The Fund’s distributions of interest on municipal bonds generally are not subject to federal income tax or New Jersey personal income tax; however the Fund may distribute taxable dividends, including distributions of short-term and long-term capital gains. In addition, interest on certain bonds may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. To the extent that the Fund’s distributions are derived from interest on bonds that are not exempt from New Jersey personal income tax or local taxes, such distributions will be subject to such state and local taxes.

PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

If you purchase Fund shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and the Fund’s distributor or its affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and your individual financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial professional or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

PROSPECTUS – NEW JERSEY TAX FREE FUND

67


 

NEW YORK TAX FREE FUND

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek the maximum amount of interest income exempt from federal income tax as is consistent with reasonable risk. The Fund also seeks as high a level of interest income exempt from the personal income tax of New York State as is consistent with reasonable risk. The Fund also seeks as high a level of interest income exempt from New York City personal income tax as is consistent with reasonable risk.

FEES AND EXPENSES

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and certain members of your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Sales Charge Reductions and Waivers” on page 102 of the prospectus and “Purchases, Redemptions, Pricing, and Payments to Dealers” on page 8-1 of the statement of additional information (“SAI”).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholder Fees (Fees paid directly from your investment)

 

Class

 

A

 

C

 

F, I, and P

 

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases
(as a percentage of offering price)

 

2.25%

 

None

 

None

 

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load)
(as a percentage of offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever
is lower)

 

None (1)

 

1.00% (2)

 

None

PROSPECTUS – NEW YORK TAX FREE FUND

68


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Class

 

A

 

C

 

F

 

I

 

P

 

Management Fees

 

0.45%

 

0.45%

 

0.45%

 

0.45%

 

0.45%

 

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

 

0.20%

 

0.85% (3)

 

0.10%

 

None

 

0.45%

 

Total Other Expenses

 

0.14%

 

0.14%

 

0.14%

 

0.14%

 

0.14%

 

Interest and Related Expenses from Inverse Floaters

 

0.01%

 

0.01%

 

0.01%

 

0.01%

 

0.01%

 

Other Expenses

 

0.13%

 

0.13%

 

0.13%

 

0.13%

 

0.13%

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses

 

0.79%

 

1.44%

 

0.69%

 

0.59%

 

1.04%

 

(1)

 

A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on certain Class A shares purchased or acquired without a sales charge if they are redeemed before the first day of the month of the one-year anniversary of the purchase.

(2)

 

A CDSC of 1.00% may be assessed on Class C shares if they are redeemed before the first anniversary of their purchase.

(3)

 

The 12b-1 fee the Fund will pay on Class C shares will be a blended rate calculated based on (i) 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares held for less than one year and (ii) 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares held for one year or more. All Class C shareholders of the Fund will bear 12b-1 fees at the same rate.

Example

The following 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 assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund at the maximum sales charge, if any, for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The first example assumes a deduction of the applicable contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) for the one-year period for Class C shares. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that dividends and distributions are reinvested, and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The first example assumes that you redeem all of your shares at the end of the periods. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs (including any applicable CDSC) would be as shown below. The second example assumes that you do not redeem and instead keep your shares.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class

 

If Shares Are Redeemed

 

If Shares Are Not Redeemed  

 

 

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

Class A Shares

 

$

 

304

   

$

 

472

   

$

 

654

   

$

 

1,181

   

$

 

304

   

$

 

472

   

$

 

654

   

$

 

1,181

 

 

Class C Shares

 

$

 

247

   

$

 

456

   

$

 

787

   

$

 

1,724

   

$

 

147

   

$

 

456

   

$

 

787

   

$

 

1,724

 

 

Class F Shares

 

$

 

70

   

$

 

221

   

$

 

384

   

$

 

859

   

$

 

70

   

$

 

221

   

$

 

384

   

$

 

859

 

 

Class I Shares

 

$

 

60

   

$

 

189

   

$

 

329

   

$

 

738

   

$

 

60

   

$

 

189

   

$

 

329

   

$

 

738

 

 

Class P Shares

 

$

 

106

   

$

 

331

   

$

 

574

   

$

 

1,271

   

$

 

106

   

$

 

331

   

$

 

574

   

$

 

1,271

 

PROSPECTUS – NEW YORK TAX FREE FUND

69


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 may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in the annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 16.89% of the average value of its portfolio.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

For purposes of its investment objective, the Fund uses the volatility of the Barclays Municipal Bond Index as an approximation of reasonable risk. To pursue its objective, under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest exempt from federal, New York State, and New York City personal income tax. If the interest on a municipal bond meets these standards, the Fund will treat the bond as qualifying for purposes of the 80% requirement even if the issuer is located outside of New York State or New York City. Under normal conditions, the Fund invests primarily in investment grade municipal bonds. Investment grade municipal bonds are rated BBB/Baa or higher (at the time of purchase) by an independent rating agency or are unrated but deemed by Lord Abbett to be of comparable quality.

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in municipal bonds rated BB/Ba or lower (at the time of purchase) by an independent rating agency or unrated but deemed by Lord Abbett to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “below investment grade,” “high yield,” or “junk” bonds). The Fund is nondiversified, which means it may invest a greater portion of its assets in a single issuer than a diversified fund.

The Fund may invest in all types of municipal bonds, including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and municipal leases. Municipal bond issuers may be U.S. states, territories (such as Puerto Rico), and possessions and their political subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities.

The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (“AMT”), including certain private activity bonds (commonly referred to as “AMT paper”). Although the Fund is permitted to invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed income securities that pay interest subject to federal, New York State, and New York City income taxes, the Fund presently has no intention of investing in this manner. These bonds may include municipal bonds issued by other states, which may be exempt from federal income tax but not from New York State and New York City income taxes. The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total assets

PROSPECTUS – NEW YORK TAX FREE FUND

70


in any industry; however, this limitation does not apply to tax-exempt securities issued by governments or their political subdivisions. The Fund may invest in both insured and uninsured municipal bonds.

The Fund may use inverse floaters, which is a type of derivative investment that provides leveraged exposure to underlying municipal bonds whose interest payments vary inversely with changes in short-term tax-exempt interest rates. These investments are intended to increase the Fund’s income and potential investment return and are speculative. The Fund also may invest in other types of derivatives, such as futures, for speculative, hedging, or duration management purposes.

The Fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity generally is expected to be between ten and twenty-five years, but will vary with market conditions.

The Fund’s investment team focuses on credit risk analysis, tax exempt income yield, total return potential, interest rate risk, and call protection in selecting municipal bonds. The Fund generally will sell a security when it believes the security is less likely to benefit from the current market and economic environment, shows signs of deteriorating fundamentals, or has reached its valuation target, among other reasons. The Fund seeks to remain fully invested in accordance with its investment objective; however, in response to adverse market or other unfavorable conditions, the Fund may invest its assets in a temporary defensive manner.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

As with any investment in a mutual fund, investing in the Fund involves risk, including the risk that you may receive little or no return on your investment. When you redeem your shares, they may be worth more or less than what you paid for them, which means that you may lose a portion or all of the money you invested in the Fund.

The following is a summary of certain risks that could adversely affect the Fund’s performance or increase volatility:

 

 

 

 

Portfolio Management Risk – If the strategies used and securities selected by the Fund’s portfolio management fail to produce the intended result, the Fund may suffer losses or underperform other funds with the same investment objective or strategies, even in a rising market.

 

 

 

 

Market Risk – The market values of securities will fluctuate, sometimes sharply and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors. Although prices of debt securities tend to rise and fall less dramatically than those of equity securities, they may experience heightened volatility if interest rates rise or the U.S. Federal Reserve continues to curb its bond buying program, for example.

PROSPECTUS – NEW YORK TAX FREE FUND

71


 

 

 

 

Fixed Income Securities Risk – The Fund is subject to the general risks and considerations associated with investing in debt securities, including the risk that issuers will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest. Typically, shorter-term bonds are less volatile than longer-term bonds; however, longer-term bonds typically offer higher yields and more stable interest income than shorter-term bonds. Lower rated municipal bonds in which the Fund may invest may be more volatile and may decline more in price in response to negative issuer developments or general economic news than higher rated securities. In addition, as interest rates rise, the Fund’s investments typically will lose value.

 

 

 

 

Municipal Bond Risk – Municipal bonds are subject to the same risks affecting fixed income securities in general. In addition, the price of municipal bonds may be adversely affected by legislative or political changes, tax rulings, judicial action, changes in market and economic conditions, and the fiscal condition of the municipal issuer. The market for municipal bonds generally is less liquid than other securities markets, which may make it more difficult for the Fund to sell its bonds.

 

 

 

 

Below Investment Grade Municipal Bond Risk – Below investment grade municipal bonds typically pay a higher yield than investment grade municipal bonds, but may have greater price fluctuations and have a higher risk of default than investment grade municipal bonds. The market for below investment grade municipal bonds may be less liquid, which may make such bonds more difficult to sell at an acceptable price, especially during periods of increased market volatility or significant market decline.

 

 

 

 

Nondiversification Risk – Because the Fund is nondiversified, it will be more exposed to risks from a single adverse economic, political, or regulatory event than a diversified fund.

 

 

 

 

State Specific Risk – Because of the Fund’s geographic focus, the Fund is more exposed to risks affecting New York State and New York City municipal bond issuers than is a fund that invests more widely. In addition, to the extent that the Fund invests in municipal bonds of issuers located outside New York State and New York City, the Fund may be exposed to risks affecting another state, city, territory (such as Puerto Rico), or region. As a result, adverse economic conditions in that state, city, territory, or region are likely to affect the Fund’s performance.

 

 

 

 

Call Risk – A substantial portion of municipal bonds are “callable,” meaning they give the issuer the right to call or redeem the bonds before maturity. As interest rates decline, these bond issuers may pay off their loans early by buying back the bonds, thus depriving the Fund of above market interest rates. Moreover, the Fund may have to reinvest the prepayment proceeds in lower yielding securities.

PROSPECTUS – NEW YORK TAX FREE FUND

72


 

 

 

 

Credit Risk – Municipal bonds are subject to the risk that the issuer of a security may not make interest and principal payments as they become due or may default altogether. In addition, if the market perceives a deterioration in the creditworthiness of an issuer, the value of bonds issued by that issuer tends to decline. Credit risk varies based upon the economic and fiscal conditions of each issuer and the municipalities, agencies, instrumentalities, and other issuers within the state, territory or possession. Insured municipal bonds have the credit risk of the insurer in addition to the credit risk of the underlying investment being insured. A decline in the credit quality of private activity bonds usually is directly related to a decline in the credit standing of the private user of the facility.

 

 

 

 

Industry Risk – Nongovernmental users of facilities financed by tax-exempt revenue bonds (e.g. companies in the electric utility and health care industries) may have difficulty making payments on their obligations in the event of an economic downturn. This would negatively affect the valuation of bonds issued by such facilities.

 

 

 

 

Derivatives Risk – Loss may result from the Fund’s investments in futures contracts, inverse floaters and other derivative instruments. These instruments may be leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate and substantial losses to the Fund. They also may increase the Fund’s interest rate risk and may cause the Fund to realize a limited amount of taxable income. Losses also may arise from the failure of a derivative counterparty to meet its contractual obligations.

 

 

 

 

Extension Risk – Rising interest rates may cause payments to occur at a slower-than-expected rate, extending the duration of a bond and typically reducing its value.

 

 

 

 

Governmental Risk – Government actions, including U.S. federal government actions and actions by local, state and regional governments, could have an adverse effect on municipal bond prices.

 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Risk – As interest rates rise, prices of bonds (including tax-exempt bonds) generally fall, causing the Fund’s investments typically to lose value. Interest rate changes typically have a greater effect on the price of longer-term bonds, including inverse floaters, than on shorter-term bonds.

 

 

 

 

Liquidity Risk – It may be difficult for the Fund to sell certain securities, including below investment grade municipal bonds, in a timely manner and at their stated value, which could result in losses to the Fund. In addition, the Fund could experience a loss when selling securities to meet redemption requests if the redemption requests are unusually large or frequent or occur in times of overall market turmoil or declining prices for the securities sold, or when the securities the Fund wishes to or is required to sell are illiquid.

PROSPECTUS – NEW YORK TAX FREE FUND

73


 

 

 

 

Taxability Risk – The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has announced that holders of tax-exempt bonds have risks that their tax-exempt income may be reclassified as taxable if the bonds that they own were issued in an abusive transaction. Although the Fund attempts to purchase only bona fide tax-exempt securities (except for its ability to invest up to 20% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest subject to AMT and fixed income securities that pay interest that is subject to regular federal income tax, New York State, and New York City personal income taxes), there is a risk that a bond issued as tax-exempt may be reclassified by the IRS as taxable, creating taxable rather than tax-exempt income.

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. For more information on the principal risks of the Fund, please see the “More Information About the Funds – Principal Risks” section in the prospectus.

PERFORMANCE

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by illustrating the variability of the Fund’s returns. Each assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. No performance is shown for Class P shares because the Fund has not issued Class P shares as of the date of this prospectus.

The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund’s Class A shares from calendar year to calendar year. This chart does not reflect the sales charge applicable to Class A shares. If the sales charge were reflected, returns would be lower. Performance for the Fund’s other share classes will vary due to the different expenses each class bears. Updated performance information is available at www.lordabbett.com or by calling 888-522-2388.

PROSPECTUS – NEW YORK TAX FREE FUND

74


Bar Chart (per calendar year) — Class A Shares

 

 

 

Best Quarter 3rd Q ’09 +9.49%

 

Worst Quarter 3rd Q ’08 -6.36%


The table below shows how the Fund’s average annual total returns compare to the returns of a securities market index with investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Fund’s average annual total returns include applicable sales charges.

The after-tax returns of Class A shares included in the table below are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. In some cases, the return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed the return before taxes due to a tax benefit resulting from realized losses on a sale of Fund shares at the end of the period that is used to offset other gains. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax- deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (“IRAs”). After-tax returns for other share classes are not shown in the table and will vary from those shown for Class A shares.

PROSPECTUS – NEW YORK TAX FREE FUND

75


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns
(for the periods ended December 31, 2013)

 

Class

 

1 Year

 

5 Years

 

10 Years

 

Life of Class

 

Inception
Date for
Performance

 

Class A Shares

 

Before Taxes

 

-7.02%

 

6.94%

 

3.20%

 

 

 

 

After Taxes on Distributions

 

-7.02%

 

6.94%

 

3.20%

 

 

 

 

After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

 

-2.57%

 

6.45%

 

3.41%

 

 

 

 

Class C Shares

 

-6.45%

 

6.72%

 

2.75%

 

 

 

 

Class F Shares

 

-4.80%

 

7.56%

 

 

3.72%

 

9/28/2007

 

Class I Shares

 

-4.79%

 

 

 

5.52%

 

1/31/2011

 

Index

 

Barclays Municipal Bond Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes)

 

-2.55%

 

5.89%

 

4.29%

 

4.49%
5.24%

 

9/28/2007
1/31/2011

MANAGEMENT

Investment Adviser. The Fund’s investment adviser is Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC.

Portfolio Managers.

 

 

 

Portfolio Manager/Title

 

Member of
the Investment
Management
Team Since

 

Daniel S. Solender, Partner and Director

 

2006

 

Philip B. Herman, Portfolio Manager

 

2010

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

The minimum initial and additional amounts shown below vary depending on the class of shares you buy and the type of account. Certain financial intermediaries may impose different restrictions than those described below. For Class I shares, the minimum investment shown below applies to certain types of institutional investors, but does not apply to registered investment advisers or retirement and benefit plans otherwise eligible to invest in Class I shares. Class P shares are closed to substantially all new investors. See “Choosing a Share Class – Investment Minimums” in the prospectus for more information.

PROSPECTUS – NEW YORK TAX FREE FUND

76


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Minimums — Initial/Additional Investments

 

Class

 

A and C

 

F and P

 

I

 

General and IRAs without Invest-A-Matic Investments

 

$1,000/No minimum

 

N/A

 

$1 million minimum

 

Invest-A-Matic Accounts

 

$250/$50

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

IRAs, SIMPLE and SEP Accounts with Payroll Deductions

 

No minimum

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Fee-Based Advisory Programs and Retirement and Benefit Plans

 

No minimum

 

No minimum

 

No minimum

You may sell (redeem) shares through your securities broker, financial professional or financial intermediary. If you have direct account access privileges, you may redeem your shares by contacting the Fund in writing at P.O. Box 219336, Kansas City, MO 64121, by calling 888-522-2388 or by accessing your account online at www.lordabbett.com.

TAX INFORMATION

The Fund’s distributions of interest on municipal bonds generally are not subject to federal income tax or New York State or New York City personal income tax; however the Fund may distribute taxable dividends, including distributions of short-term and long-term capital gains. In addition, interest on certain bonds may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. To the extent that the Fund’s distributions are derived from interest on bonds that are not exempt from New York State or New York City personal income tax, such distributions will be subject to such state and local taxes.

PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

If you purchase Fund shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and the Fund’s distributor or its affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and your individual financial professional to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial professional or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

PROSPECTUS – NEW YORK TAX FREE FUND

77


INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

All Funds (except for the High Yield Municipal Bond Fund)

The investment objective of each Fund is to seek the maximum amount of interest income exempt from federal income tax as is consistent with reasonable risk. Each Fund (except for the Short Duration Tax Free Fund, Intermediate Tax Free Fund, AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund, and National Tax Free Fund) also seeks as high a level of interest income exempt from the personal income tax of its corresponding state as is consistent with reasonable risk. The New York Tax Free Fund also seeks as high a level of interest income exempt from New York City personal income tax as is consistent with reasonable risk.

High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Only

The investment objective of the Fund is to seek a high level of income exempt from federal income tax.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

All Funds (except for the High Yield Municipal Bond Fund)

For purposes of pursuing each Fund’s investment objective, each Fund (except for Intermediate Tax Free Fund and Short Duration Tax Free Fund) uses the volatility of the Barclays Municipal Bond Index to approximate reasonable risk. Intermediate Tax Free Fund uses the volatility of the Barclays 1-15 Year Municipal Bond Index as an approximation of reasonable risk and Short Duration Tax Free Fund uses the Barclays 1-5 Year Municipal Bond Index as an approximation of reasonable risk. Volatility measures the level of price fluctuations in a Fund’s holdings.

To pursue its investment objective, under normal conditions, each of Short Duration Tax Free Fund, Intermediate Tax Free Fund, AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund, and National Tax Free Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in municipal bonds that pay interest exempt from federal income tax. To pursue its investment objective, under normal conditions, each of California Tax Free Fund, New Jersey Tax Free Fund, and New York Tax Free Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in municipal bonds that pay interest exempt from federal income tax and the corresponding state’s personal income tax and, in the case of New York Tax Free Fund, New York City personal income tax. This policy may not be changed without shareholder approval. If the interest on a municipal bond meets the applicable standards described above, a Fund will treat the bond as qualifying for purposes of the 80% requirement even if the issuer is located outside of the named state or, in the case of New York Tax Free Fund, city. Each of California

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

78


Tax Free Fund, New Jersey Tax Free Fund, and New York Tax Free Fund is nondiversified, which means it may invest a greater portion of its assets in a single issuer than a diversified fund.

Under normal conditions, each Fund invests primarily in investment grade municipal bonds. Investment grade bonds are rated, at the time of purchase, within the four highest grades assigned by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization such as Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) (Aaa, Aa, A, Baa), Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”), or Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”) (“AAA, AA, A, BBB”) (“Moody’s,” “S&P,” and “Fitch,” respectively; each, an “NRSRO”) or are unrated by NRSROs but deemed by Lord Abbett to be of comparable quality. Each Fund (except for National Tax Free Fund and AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund) may invest up to 20% of its net assets in lower rated municipal bonds. Each of National Tax Free Fund and AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund may invest up to 35% of its net assets in lower rated municipal bonds. Lower rated municipal bonds are rated, at the time of purchase, Ba or lower by Moody’s or BB or lower by S&P or Fitch or are unrated by NRSROs but deemed by Lord Abbett to be of comparable quality (commonly referred to as “below investment grade,” “high yield,” or “junk” bonds).

Each Fund may invest in a variety of municipal bonds, including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and municipal leases. Municipal bonds are debt securities issued by or on behalf of states, territories (such as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam), and possessions of the U.S. (including the District of Columbia) and their political subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities that provide income that generally is exempt from federal, state, and/or local personal income taxes. Municipal bonds generally are divided into two types: (1) general obligation bonds, which are secured by the full faith and credit of the issuer and its taxing authority; and (2) revenue bonds, which are payable only from revenues derived from a particular facility or source, including bridges, tolls, or sewer services. Industrial development bonds and private activity bonds are considered revenue bonds. The interest income from certain private activity bonds is not tax- exempt. Each Fund may invest in insured municipal bonds covered by insurance policies that guarantee timely payment of principal and interest. The insurance policies do not guarantee the value of the bonds themselves or the value of a Fund’s shares.

Each Fund also may invest in variable rate demand notes. Variable rate demand notes are floating rate securities that typically carry an interest rate that resets every one to seven days. Variable rate demand notes combine an interest in a long-term municipal bond with the right to put the security back to a financial intermediary before maturity with as little as one to seven days’ notice (at the time the interest rate is reset).

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

79


Each Fund (except for AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund) may invest up to 20% of its net assets in municipal bonds that pay interest that is subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (“AMT”), including certain private activity bonds (commonly referred to as “AMT paper”). Although each Fund (except for AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund) is permitted to invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed income securities that pay interest that is subject to federal, state, and local income taxes, the Funds presently have no intention of investing in this manner. As a non-fundamental policy (meaning it may be changed by the Board of Directors without shareholder approval), AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund will not invest in municipal bonds that pay interest subject to AMT. Although AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund is permitted to invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed income securities that pay interest that is subject to regular federal income tax, the Fund presently has no intention of investing in this manner.

Each Fund will not invest more than 25% of its total assets in any industry; however, this limitation does not apply to tax-exempt securities issued by governments or their political subdivisions. Certain types of municipal securities (including general obligation, general appropriation, municipal leases, special assessment, and special tax bonds) are not considered a part of any “industry” for purposes of this industry concentration policy. Therefore, the Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in these types of municipal securities.

Each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets (measured at the time of investment) in illiquid securities that cannot be disposed of in seven days in the ordinary course of business at fair value. Illiquid securities include: securities that are not readily marketable; certain municipal leases and participation interests; repurchase agreements and time deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days; certain structured securities; certain distressed or defaulted securities; and certain restricted securities (i.e., securities with terms that limit their resale to other investors or require registration under the federal securities laws before they can be sold publicly) that Lord Abbett determines to be illiquid.

Each Fund may invest in derivatives for speculative purposes in an attempt to increase income, to manage portfolio duration, or to hedge against portfolio risks. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their value from the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or index. Each Fund may invest in the following types of derivatives as part of its principal investment strategies:

 

 

 

 

Futures Contracts. Each Fund may enter into financial futures contracts for hedging purposes (including to hedge against changes in interest rates and security prices) or for non-hedging purposes (including to gain efficient exposure to markets and to minimize transaction costs). These transactions involve the purchase or sale of a contract to buy or sell a specified security or other financial instrument at a specific future date and price on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market. Each Fund currently is not regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a commodity

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

80


 

 

 

 

pool under the Commodity Exchange Act. Each Fund currently intends to limit its investments in derivatives to avoid such regulation, but a Fund may be subject to regulation as a commodity pool in the future.

 

 

 

 

Inverse Floaters. Each Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in inverse floaters. An inverse floater typically is created by depositing municipal bonds into a special purpose trust that issues short-term floating rate securities (“floaters”) to money market funds and other short-term investors and residual long-term floating rate securities known as “inverse floaters” to long-term investors like the Funds. Holders of the floaters receive coupon payments that reflect short-term tax-exempt interest rates. These rates generally are reset on a weekly basis. Within a specific notice period (usually seven days), holders of the floaters have the right to put such securities back to the trust for payment of par plus any accrued interest. The holder of the inverse floater receives a coupon rate equal to the interest accrued on the underlying bonds minus the coupon payable to the floaters and any fees payable to the trust. The interest payable on the inverse floater moves in the opposite direction of the interest rate payable on the floater. Accordingly, as short-term interest rates rise, inverse floaters are expected to produce less (or perhaps no) current income, but as short-term interest rates fall, inverse floaters are expected to produce more current income.

Each Fund may invest in securities of any maturity or duration. Duration is a mathematical concept that measures a portfolio’s exposure to interest rate changes. Under normal conditions, each Fund (except for Intermediate Tax Free Fund and Short Duration Tax Free Fund) is expected to maintain a dollar-weighted average maturity of between ten and twenty-five years. Under normal conditions, each of Intermediate Tax Free Fund and Short Duration Tax Free Fund is expected to maintain a dollar-weighted average maturity of between three and ten years and one and three years, respectively. Each Fund may invest in money market securities and their equivalents, typically for cash management purposes. However, Short Duration Tax Free Fund invests in money market securities for investment purposes as well as for cash management purposes. (Short Duration Tax Free Fund is not a money market fund and is not subject to the regulatory requirements applicable to money market funds.)

Each Fund’s investment team focuses on the following elements in managing its portfolio: credit risk analysis, which is an evaluation of the issuer’s ability to pay principal and interest when due; tax exempt income yield, which is the bond issuer’s ability to pay interest exempt from federal, state, and/or local personal income tax; total return potential, which is the return possibility for an investment over a period of time, including appreciation and interest; interest rate risk, which is the potential price volatility of the portfolio to movements in interest rates; and call protection, which is assurance by an issuer that it will not

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

81


redeem a bond earlier than a date agreed upon in advance. The Fund’s portfolio investment team targets relative value opportunities through a process of market analysis, credit and sector analysis, and security analysis.

Each Fund may sell a security if it no longer meets the Fund’s investment criteria or for a variety of other reasons, including to secure gains, limit losses, maintain its duration, redeploy assets into opportunities believed to be more promising, or satisfy redemption requests, among others. In considering whether to sell a security, each Fund may evaluate factors including the condition of the economy, changes in the issuer’s competitive position or financial condition, changes in the outlook for the issuer’s industry, other buying opportunities in the market, and the impact of the security’s duration on the Fund’s overall duration. None of the Funds will be required to sell a security that has been downgraded after purchase; however, in these cases, each Fund will monitor the situation to determine whether it is advisable for the Fund to continue to hold the security.

Temporary Defensive Strategies. Each Fund seeks to remain fully invested in accordance with its investment objective. However, in an attempt to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, each Fund may take a temporary defensive position by holding some or all of its assets in short-term investments. These investments include cash, commercial paper, money market instruments, repurchase agreements, and U.S. government securities. Taking a temporary defensive position could reduce tax-exempt income and prevent a Fund from achieving its investment objective.

High Yield Municipal Bond Fund Only

To pursue its investment objective, under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in municipal bonds that pay interest exempt from federal income tax. Under normal conditions, the Fund invests a substantial portion of its assets in lower rated municipal bonds (commonly referred to as “below investment grade,” “high yield,” or “junk” bonds). Lower rated municipal bonds are rated Ba or lower at the time of purchase by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization such as Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or BB or lower by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”) (“Moody’s,” “S&P,” and “Fitch,” respectively; each an “NRSRO”) or are unrated by a NRSRO but deemed by Lord Abbett to be of comparable quality. Although the Fund may invest in municipal bonds in any rating category, under normal conditions, the Fund invests at least 50% of its net assets in municipal bonds that, at the time of purchase, are rated BBB/Baa or below by a NRSRO or are unrated by NRSROs but deemed by Lord Abbett to be of comparable quality. The Fund may invest without limitation in unrated municipal bonds,

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

82


which may constitute a significant portion of the Fund’s portfolio. The Fund is nondiversified, which means it may invest a greater portion of its assets in a single issuer than a diversified fund.

The Fund may invest in defaulted securities (i.e., bonds on which the issuer has not paid principal or interest on time) and securities of issuers that are or may become involved in reorganizations, financial restructurings, or bankruptcy (commonly referred to as “distressed debt”). The Fund presently does not intend to invest more than 20% of its net assets (measured at the time of investment) in such defaulted or distressed securities. However, the Fund’s defaulted or distressed debt holdings may exceed this level from time to time if the Fund purchased securities that were not considered in default or distressed at their time of purchase and such securities subsequently become defaulted or distressed. These investment strategies should be considered to entail higher risk relative to strategies employed by funds that invest primarily in investment grade municipal bonds.

The Fund may invest in all types of municipal bonds, including general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, and municipal leases. Municipal bonds are debt securities issued by or on behalf of states, territories (such as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam), and possessions of the U.S. (including the District of Columbia) and their political subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities that provide income that generally is exempt from federal income taxes. Municipal bonds generally are divided into two types: (1) general obligation bonds, which are secured by the full faith and credit of the issuer and its taxing authority; and (2) revenue bonds, which are payable only from revenue derived from a particular facility or source, including bridges, tolls, or sewer services. Industrial development bonds and private activity bonds are considered revenue bonds. Certain private activity bonds are not tax-exempt. The Fund may invest in insured municipal bonds covered by insurance policies that guarantee timely payment of principal and interest. The insurance policies do not guarantee the value of the bonds themselves or the value of the Fund’s shares.

The Fund may invest up to 100% of its net assets in private activity bonds, a type of municipal bond that pays interest subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (“AMT”), including certain private activity bonds (commonly referred to as “AMT paper”). Although the Fund is permitted to invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed income securities that pay interest that is subject to federal income tax, the Fund presently has no intention of investing in this manner.

The Fund will not invest more than 25% of its total assets in any industry; however, this limitation does not apply to tax-exempt securities issued by governments or their political subdivisions. Certain types of municipal securities (including general obligation, general appropriation, municipal leases, special

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

83


assessment, and special tax bonds) are not considered a part of any “industry” for purposes of this industry concentration policy. Therefore, the Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in these types of municipal securities.

The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets (measured at the time of investment) in illiquid securities that cannot be disposed of in seven days in the ordinary course of business at fair value. Illiquid securities include: securities that are not readily marketable; certain municipal leases and participation interests; repurchase agreements and time deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days; certain structured securities; certain distressed or defaulted securities; and certain restricted securities (i.e., securities with terms that limit their resale to other investors or require registration under the federal securities laws before they can be sold publicly) that Lord Abbett determines to be illiquid.

The Fund may invest in derivatives for speculative purposes in an attempt to increase income, to manage portfolio duration, or to hedge against portfolio risks. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their value from the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or index. The Fund may invest in the following types of derivatives as part of its principal investment strategies:

 

 

 

 

Futures Contracts. The Fund may enter into financial futures contracts for hedging purposes (including to hedge against changes in interest rates and security prices) or for non-hedging purposes (including to gain efficient exposure to markets and to minimize transaction costs). These transactions involve the purchase or sale of a contract to buy or sell a specified security or other financial instrument at a specific future date and price on an exchange or in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market. The Fund currently is not regulated as a commodity pool under the Commodity Exchange Act. The Fund currently intends to limit its investments in derivatives to avoid such regulation, but the Fund may be subject to regulation as a commodity pool in the future.

 

 

 

 

Inverse Floaters. The Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in inverse floaters. An inverse floater typically is created by depositing municipal bonds into a special purpose trust that issues short-term floating rate securities (“floaters”) to money market funds and other short-term investors and residual long-term floating rate securities known as “inverse floaters” to long-term investors like the Fund. Holders of the floaters receive coupon payments that reflect short-term tax-exempt interest rates. These rates generally are reset on a weekly basis. Within a specific notice period (usually seven days), holders of the floaters have the right to put such securities back to the trust for payment of par plus any accrued interest. The holder of the inverse floater receives a coupon rate equal to the interest accrued on the underlying bonds minus the coupon payable to the floaters and any fees payable to the trust. The interest payable on the inverse floater moves in the opposite direction of the interest rate payable on the floater. Accordingly, as

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

84


 

 

 

 

short-term interest rates rise, inverse floaters are expected to produce less (or perhaps no) current income, but as short-term interest rates fall, inverse floaters are expected to produce more current income.

The Fund does not limit its investments to securities of a particular maturity. Under normal circumstances, the investment team intends to maintain the dollar-weighted average maturity of the Fund at between ten and twenty-five years.

The Fund’s investment team focuses on the following elements in managing its portfolio: credit risk analysis, which is an evaluation of the issuer’s ability to pay principal and interest when due; tax exempt income yield, which is the bond issuer’s ability to pay interest exempt from federal, state, and/or local personal income tax; total return potential, which is the return possibility for an investment over a period of time, including appreciation and interest; interest rate risk, which is the potential price volatility of the portfolio to movements in interest rates; and call protection, which is assurance by an issuer that it will not redeem a bond earlier than a date agreed upon in advance. The Fund’s portfolio investment team targets relative value opportunities in an actively managed portfolio of bonds with a majority of the holdings rated below investment grade or non-rated. The Fund’s portfolio investment team uses a process of market analysis, credit and sector analysis, and security analysis.

The Fund may sell a security if it no longer meets the Fund’s investment criteria or for a variety of other reasons, including to secure gains, limit losses, maintain its duration, redeploy assets into opportunities believed to be more promising, or satisfy redemption requests, among others. In considering whether to sell a security, the Fund may evaluate factors including the condition of the economy, changes in the issuer’s competitive position or financial condition, changes in the outlook for the issuer’s industry, other buying opportunities in the market, and the impact of the security’s duration on the Fund’s overall duration.

Temporary Defensive Strategies. The Fund seeks to remain fully invested in accordance with its investment objective. However, in an attempt to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions, the Fund may take a temporary defensive position by holding some or all of its assets in short-term investments. These investments include cash, commercial paper, money market instruments, repurchase agreements, and U.S. government securities. Taking a temporary defensive position could reduce tax-exempt income and prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective.

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

85


PRINCIPAL RISKS

All Funds

The following risk factors may be applicable to each Fund to a greater or lesser extent depending on the particular Fund’s investment objectives and strategies. Risks that could adversely affect the Fund’s performance or increase volatility include the following:

 

 

 

 

Portfolio Management Risk – The strategies used and securities selected by a Fund’s portfolio management may fail to produce the intended result and such Fund may not achieve its objective. The securities selected for a Fund may not perform as well as other securities that were not selected for a Fund. As a result, a Fund may suffer losses or underperform other funds with the same investment objective or strategies, and may generate losses even in a rising market.

 

 

 

 

Market Risk – The market values of securities will fluctuate, sometimes sharply and unpredictably, based on overall economic conditions and other factors. Changes in the financial condition of a single issuer can impact a market as a whole. In addition, data imprecision, technology malfunctions, operational errors, and similar factors may adversely affect a single issuer, a group of issuers, or the market as a whole. Although prices of debt securities tend to rise and fall less dramatically than those of equity securities, they may experience heightened volatility if interest rates rise or the U.S. Federal Reserve continues to curb its bond buying program, for example. In addition, the lower-rated and unrated segments of the municipal bond market can experience significant volatility. A slower-growth or recessionary economic environment could have an adverse effect on the prices of the various securities held by the Fund.

 

 

 

 

Fixed Income Securities Risk – Each Fund is subject to the general risks and considerations associated with investing in debt securities, including the risk that issuers will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest or default altogether. Typically, shorter-term bonds are less volatile than longer-term bonds; however, longer-term bonds typically offer higher yields and more stable interest income than shorter-term bonds. Lower rated municipal bonds in which a Fund may invest may be more volatile and may decline more in price in response to negative issuer developments or general economic news than higher rated securities. In addition, as interest rates rise, a Fund’s investments typically will lose value.

 

 

 

 

Municipal Bond Risk – Municipal bonds are subject to the same risks affecting fixed income securities in general. In addition, the price of municipal bonds may be adversely affected by legislative or political changes, tax rulings, judicial action, changes in market and economic conditions, and

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

86


 

 

 

 

the fiscal condition of the municipal issuer. The market for municipal bonds generally is less liquid than other securities markets, which may make it more difficult for the Fund to sell its bonds.

 

 

 

 

Below Investment Grade Municipal Bond Risk – Below investment grade municipal bonds typically pay a higher yield than investment grade municipal bonds, but they have a higher risk of default than investment grade municipal bonds, and their prices are much more volatile. The market for high yield municipal bonds may be less liquid and may be subject to greater credit risk than investment-grade municipal bonds. Below investment grade municipal bonds may be highly speculative and have poor prospects for reaching investment grade standing. Issuers of below investment grade municipal bonds generally are not as strong financially as those issuers with higher credit ratings, and are more likely to encounter financial difficulties, especially during periods of rising interest rates or other unfavorable economic or market conditions. Below investment grade municipal bonds are subject to the increased risk of an issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest obligations and a greater risk of default. These securities may be subject to greater price volatility due to such factors as specific municipal developments, interest rate sensitivity, negative perceptions of the junk bond markets generally and less secondary market liquidity. Some issuers of below investment grade bonds, may be more likely to default as to principal or interest payments after a Fund purchases their securities. A default, or concerns in the market about an increase in risk of default or the deterioration in the creditworthiness of an issuer, may result in losses to a Fund. A Fund may incur higher expenses to protect its interests in such securities and may lose its entire investment in defaulted bonds.

 

 

 

 

 

The secondary market for below investment grade municipal bonds is concentrated in relatively few market makers and is dominated by institutional investors, including mutual funds, insurance companies, and other financial institutions. As a result, the secondary market for such securities is not as liquid as, and is more volatile than, the secondary market for higher rated securities. In addition, market trading volume for lower rated securities is generally lower and the secondary market for such securities could shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse market or economic conditions, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer. Because of the lack of sufficient market liquidity, the Fund may incur losses because it may be required to effect sales at a disadvantageous time and then only at a substantial drop in price. These factors may have an adverse effect on the market price and the Fund’s ability to dispose of particular portfolio investments. A less liquid secondary market also may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain precise valuations of the below investment grade municipal bonds in its portfolio.

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

87


 

 

 

 

 

These risks are greater for High Yield Municipal Bond Fund, which invests substantially in below investment grade bonds.

 

 

 

 

Call Risk – A substantial portion of municipal bonds are “callable,” meaning they give the issuer the right to call or redeem the bonds before maturity. As interest rates decline, these bond issuers may pay off their loans early by buying back the bonds, thus depriving the Fund of above market interest rates. Moreover, the Fund may have to reinvest the prepayment proceeds in lower yielding securities.

 

 

 

 

Credit Risk – Municipal bonds are subject to the risk that the issuer of a security may not make interest and principal payments as they become due. In addition, if the market perceives a deterioration in the creditworthiness of an issuer, the value of bonds issued by that issuer tends to decline. Credit risk varies based on the economic and fiscal conditions of each issuer and the municipalities, agencies, instrumentalities, and other issuers within the state, territory or possession. Insurance or other credit enhancements supporting the Fund’s investment may be provided by either U.S. or foreign entities. These securities have the credit risk of the entity providing the credit support in addition to the credit risk of the underlying investment that is being enhanced. Credit support provided by foreign entities may be less certain because of the possibility of adverse foreign economic, political or legal developments that may affect the ability of the entity to meet its obligations. A change in the credit rating or the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of any of the municipal bond insurers that insure securities in a Fund’s portfolio may affect the value of the securities they insure, a Fund’s share prices, and Fund performance. A downgrading of an insurer’s credit rating or a default by the insurer could reduce the credit rating of an insured bond and, therefore, its value. The Funds also may be adversely affected by the inability of an insurer to meet its insurance obligations. In addition, a decline in the credit quality of a private activity bond usually is directly related to a decline in the credit standing of the private user of the facility.

 

 

 

 

Industry Risk – Nongovernmental users of facilities financed by tax-exempt revenue bonds (e.g. companies in the electric utility and health care industries) may have difficulty making payments on their obligations in the event of an economic downturn. This would negatively affect the valuation of bonds issued by such facilities. In addition, each industry is subject to its own risks: the electric utility industry is subject to rate regulation vagaries, while the health care industry faces two main challenges – affordability and access.

 

 

 

 

Distressed Debt Risk – Each Fund may hold securities of issuers that are, or are about to be, involved in reorganizations, financial restructurings, or bankruptcy (also known as “distressed debt”). To the extent that a Fund

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

88


 

 

 

 

holds distressed debt, that Fund will be subject to the risk that it may lose a portion or all of its investment in the distressed debt and may incur higher expenses trying to protect its interests in distressed debt. In addition, a Fund may invest in additional securities of a defaulted issuer to retain a controlling stake in any bankruptcy proceeding or work-out. A Fund may receive taxable bonds in connection with the terms of a restructuring deal, which could result in taxable income to you. Moreover, it is unlikely that a liquid market will exist for a Fund to sell its holdings in distressed debt securities.

 

 

 

 

Derivatives Risk – Losses may result from a Fund’s investments in futures contracts, inverse floaters and other derivative instruments. To the extent that a Fund uses derivatives, the Fund will be exposed to the risk that the value of a derivative instrument does not move in correlation with the value of the underlying security, market index or interest rate, or moves in an opposite direction than anticipated by the Fund. Investing in derivatives also includes the risk that the derivatives will become illiquid and that the counterparty to the derivative instrument may fail to perform its obligations. Because derivatives may involve a small amount of cash relative to the total amount of the transaction, the magnitude of losses from derivatives may be greater than the amount originally invested by a Fund in the derivative instrument. In addition, the Fund will be required to segregate permissible liquid assets to cover its obligations under these transactions and may have to liquidate positions before it is desirable to do so to fulfill its requirements to segregate. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to employ its derivatives strategy successfully. Whether the Fund’s use of derivatives is successful will depend on, among other things, the Fund’s ability to correctly forecast market movements, company and industry valuation levels and trends, and other factors. If the Fund incorrectly forecasts these and other factors, the Fund’s performance could suffer. Derivatives may be leveraged so that small changes may produce disproportionate and substantial losses to a Fund. They also may increase a Fund’s interest rate risk and may cause a Fund to realize a limited amount of taxable income.

 

 

 

 

Inverse Floater Risk – A Fund’s use of inverse floaters may reduce the Fund’s returns and/or increase the Fund’s volatility. Inverse floaters typically are more volatile than fixed rate municipal bonds. Distributions on inverse floaters are inversely related to short-term municipal bond interest rates. Therefore, distributions paid to a Fund on its inverse floaters will fall when short-term municipal interest rates rise and will rise when short-term municipal interest rates fall. Inverse floaters generally will underperform the market for fixed rate municipal bonds in a rising interest rate environment.

Holders of inverse floaters bear the risk of the fluctuation in value of the issuing trust’s underlying municipal bonds because holders of the floaters have the right to tender their notes to back to the trust for payment at par

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

89


 

 

 

 

plus accrued interest. This creates effective leverage because a Fund’s net cash investment is significantly less than the value of the underlying bonds. The leverage ratio increases as the value of the inverse floaters becomes a greater proportion of the value of the municipal bonds deposited into the trust.

 

 

 

 

Extension Risk – Rising interest rates may cause payments to occur at a slower-than-expected rate, extending the duration of a bond and typically reducing its value.

 

 

 

 

Governmental Risk – Government actions, including U.S. federal government actions and actions by local, state and regional governments, could have an adverse effect on municipal bond prices. In addition, a Fund’s performance may be affected by local, state, and regional factors depending on the states in which the Fund’s investments are issued. These factors may, for example, include economic or political developments, erosion of the tax base, budget deficits and the possibility of credit problems.

 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Risk – Prices of fixed income securities, including tax-exempt securities, generally fall during a rising interest rate environment. Interest rate changes typically have a greater effect on the price of fixed income securities with longer durations. Because all of the Funds (other than the Short Duration Tax Free Fund) tend to invest in longer-term bonds, including inverse floaters, to a greater degree than some municipal bond funds, such Funds normally will be more sensitive to interest rate risk than those other municipal bond funds. Because the Short Duration Tax Free Fund primarily invests in short duration municipal bonds, it is less sensitive to interest rate risk than a fund that invests primarily in longer duration municipal bonds (although the Fund’s investments in inverse floaters increase its interest rate risk).

 

 

 

 

Liquidity Risk – The Fund may need to sell its holdings in order to meet shareholder redemption requests and in doing so could experience a loss if redemption requests are unusually large or frequent. It may be difficult for a Fund to sell certain securities, including below investment grade municipal bonds, illiquid securities, or restricted securities, in a timely manner and at their stated value, which could result in losses to the Fund. The market for below investment grade municipal bonds generally is less liquid than the market for higher rated bonds, subjecting them to greater price fluctuations. The purchase price and subsequent valuation of restricted and illiquid securities normally reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a liquid market exists.

 

 

 

 

Nondiversification Risk – The High Yield Municipal Bond Fund, California Tax Free Fund, New Jersey Tax Free Fund, and New York Tax Free Fund are non-diversified funds. A nondiversified fund may invest a greater portion of its assets in, and own a greater amount of the voting securities of, a single

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

90


 

 

 

 

issuer than a diversified fund. As a result, a nondiversified fund will be more exposed to risks from a single adverse economic, political, or regulatory event, as compared with a diversified fund.

 

 

 

 

State and Territory Risks – From time to time, each Fund may be more exposed to risks affecting a particular state, territory (such as Puerto Rico), or region. As a result, adverse economic conditions in a single state, territory, or region can disproportionately affect a Fund’s performance. Each of California Fund, New Jersey Fund, and New York Fund is exposed to risks affecting its designated state and/or city’s municipal bond issuers, and may be exposed to risks affecting any other state, city, territory, or region in which the Fund invests. The values of municipal bonds fluctuate due to economic or political policy changes, tax base erosion, state constitutional limits on tax increases, budget deficits and other financial difficulties, changes in the credit ratings assigned to the state’s municipal bond issuers, environmental events, and similar conditions and developments impacting the ability of municipal bond issuers to repay their obligations. Such conditions and developments can change rapidly.

 

 

 

 

Taxability Risk – The IRS has announced that holders of tax-exempt bonds have risks that their tax-exempt income may be reclassified as taxable if the bonds that they own were issued in an abusive transaction. There is a risk that a bond purchased by a Fund that was issued as tax-exempt may be reclassified by the IRS as taxable, creating taxable rather than tax-exempt income. Furthermore, future legislative, administrative, or court actions could adversely impact the qualification of income from tax-exempt securities as tax-free. Such reclassifications or actions could (i) subject you to increased tax liability, possibly retroactively, and/or (ii) cause the value of a security, and therefore the value of the Fund’s shares, to decline. In such a case, the Fund might be required to send to you and file with the IRS information returns (Forms 1099-DIV) for the current or prior calendar years classifying (or reclassifying) some of its exempt-interest dividends as taxable dividends. For prior year dividends, you might need to file amended income tax returns and pay additional tax and interest to avoid additional penalties and to limit interest charges on these taxable dividends. For all Funds (other than AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund), income from investments in private activity bonds is an item of tax preference for purposes of AMT, which may cause the income to be taxable to you.

 

 

 

 

Zero Coupon, Deferred Interest, Pay-In-Kind, and Capital Appreciation Bonds Risks – Because these securities bear no interest and compound semiannually at the rate fixed at the time of issuance, their value generally is more volatile than the value of other fixed income securities. Since the bondholders do not receive interest payments, when interest rates rise, these securities fall more dramatically in value than bonds paying interest on a

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

91


 

 

 

 

current basis. When interest rates fall, these securities rise more rapidly in value because the bonds reflect a fixed rate of return. If the issuer defaults, a Fund may not receive any return on its investment.

 

 

 

 

 

An investment in zero coupon and delayed interest securities may cause the Fund to recognize income and make distributions to shareholders before it receives any cash payments on its investment. To generate cash to satisfy distribution requirements, the Fund may have to sell portfolio securities that it otherwise would have continued to hold or to use cash flows from other sources including the sale of Fund shares.

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

A description of the Funds’ policies and procedures regarding the disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio holdings is available in the SAI. Further information is available at www.lordabbett.com.

MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION OF THE FUNDS

Boards of Directors. The Board oversees the management of the business and affairs of the Funds. The Board meets regularly to review the Funds’ portfolio investments, performance, expenses, and operations. The Board appoints officers who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Funds and who execute policies authorized by the Board. At least 75 percent of the Board members are independent of Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”).

Investment Adviser. The Fund’s investment adviser is Lord Abbett, which is located at 90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302-3973. Founded in 1929, Lord Abbett manages one of the nation’s oldest mutual fund complexes and manages approximately $138.5 billion in assets across a full range of mutual funds, institutional accounts and separately managed accounts, including $1.4 billion for which Lord Abbett provides investment models to managed account sponsors as of November 30, 2013.

Portfolio Managers. Each Fund is managed by an experienced portfolio manager or a team of experienced portfolio managers responsible for investment decisions together with a team of investment professionals who provide issuer, industry, sector and macroeconomic research and analysis. The SAI contains additional information about portfolio manager compensation, other accounts managed, and ownership of Fund shares.

Daniel S. Solender, Partner and Director, joined Lord Abbett as a member of the municipal team in 2006. Assisting Mr. Solender are Philip B. Herman, Paul A. Langlois, and Daniel T. Vande Velde. Mr. Herman, Portfolio Manager, joined Lord Abbett in 2007 and became a member of the municipal team in 2010. Mr. Langlois, Portfolio Manager, joined Lord Abbett in 2009 and became a member of the municipal team in 2012. Mr. Langlois was formerly employed at J. & W.

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

92


Seligman & Co. Incorporated where he served as a Senior Vice President and Investment Officer and at Delaware Investments where he served as a Vice President and Analyst. Mr. Vande Velde, Partner and Portfolio Manager, joined Lord Abbett and became a member of the municipal team in 2007.

Mr. Solender is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund and the National Tax Free Fund. Messrs. Solender and Herman are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the New Jersey Tax Free Fund and the New York Tax Free Fund. Messrs. Solender and Langlois are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the California Tax Free Fund and the High Yield Municipal Bond Fund. Messrs. Solender and Vande Velde are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Intermediate Tax Free Fund and the Short Duration Tax Free Fund.

Management Fee. Lord Abbett is entitled to a management fee based on each Fund’s average daily net assets. The management fee is accrued daily and payable monthly.

Lord Abbett is entitled to a management fee for Short Duration Tax Free Fund as calculated at the following annual rate:

0.40% on the first $2 billion of average daily net assets;
0.375% on the next $3 billion of average daily net assets; and
0.35% on the Fund’s average daily net assets over $5 billion.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, the effective annual rate of the fee paid to Lord Abbett, net of any applicable waivers or reimbursements, was 0.32% for Short Duration Tax Free Fund.

Lord Abbett is entitled to a management fee for Intermediate Tax Free Fund as calculated at the following annual rate:

0.40% on the first $2 billion of average daily net assets;
0.375% on the next $3 billion of average daily net assets;
0.35% on the next $5 billion of average daily net assets; and
0.32% on the Fund’s average daily net assets over $10 billion.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, the effective annual rate of the fee paid to Lord Abbett, net of any applicable waivers or reimbursements, was 0.37% for Intermediate Tax Free Fund.

Lord Abbett is entitled to a management fee for each of AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund and High Yield Municipal Bond Fund as calculated at the following annual rate:

0.50% on the first $1 billion of average daily net assets;
0.45% on the next $1 billion of average daily net assets; and
0.40% on each Fund’s average daily net assets over $2 billion.

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

93


For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, the effective annual rate of the fee paid to Lord Abbett, net of any applicable waivers or reimbursements, was 0.21% for AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, the effective annual rate of the fee paid to Lord Abbett was 0.47% for High Yield Municipal Bond Fund.

Lord Abbett is entitled to a management fee for each of the National Tax Free Fund, California Tax Free Fund, New Jersey Tax Free Fund, and New York Tax Free Fund as calculated at the following annual rate:

0.45% on the first $1 billion of average daily net assets;
0.40% on the next $1 billion of average daily net assets; and
0.35% on each Fund’s average daily net assets over $2 billion.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, the effective annual rate of the fee paid to Lord Abbett was 0.42% for National Tax Free Fund, and was 0.45% for each of California Tax Free Fund, New Jersey Tax Free Fund, and New York Tax Free Fund.

In addition, Lord Abbett provides certain administrative services to each Fund pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement in return for a fee at an annual rate of 0.04% of each Fund’s average daily net assets. Each Fund pays all of its expenses not expressly assumed by Lord Abbett.

Each year the Board considers whether to approve the continuation of the existing management and administrative services agreements between the Funds and Lord Abbett. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval generally is available in the Funds’ semiannual report to shareholders for the six-month period ended March 31 st .

As used in the remaining portion of this prospectus, the terms “a Fund,” “each Fund,” and “the Fund” refer to each Fund individually or the Funds collectively, as the context may require, unless reference to a specific Fund is provided.


CHOOSING A SHARE CLASS

Each class of shares represents an investment in the same portfolio of securities, but each has different availability and eligibility criteria, sales charges, expenses, and dividends, allowing you to choose the available class that best meets your needs. You should read this section carefully to determine which class of shares is best for you and discuss your selection with your financial intermediary. Factors you should consider in choosing a class of shares include:

 

 

 

 

the amount you plan to invest;

 

 

 

 

the length of time you expect to hold your investment;

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

94


 

 

 

 

the total costs associated with your investment, including any sales charges that you pay when you buy or sell your Fund shares and expenses that are paid out of Fund assets over time;

 

 

 

 

whether you qualify for any reduction or waiver of sales charges;

 

 

 

 

whether you plan to take any distributions in the near future;

 

 

 

 

the availability of the share class;

 

 

 

 

the services that will be available to you depending on the share class you choose; and

 

 

 

 

the amount of compensation that your financial intermediary will receive depending on the share class you choose.

If you plan to invest a large amount and your investment horizon is five years or more, Class A shares may be more advantageous than Class C shares. The higher ongoing annual expenses of Class C shares may cost you more over the long term than the front-end sales charge you would pay on larger purchases of Class A shares.

Key Features of Share Classes. The following table compares key features of each share class. You should review the fee table and example at the front of this prospectus carefully before choosing your share class. As a general matter, share classes with relatively lower expenses tend to have relatively higher dividends. Your financial intermediary can help you decide which class meets your goals. Not all share classes may be available through your financial intermediary. Your financial intermediary may receive different compensation depending upon which class you choose.

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

95


 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A Shares

 

Availability

 

Available through financial intermediaries to individual investors

 

Front-End Sales Charge

 

Up to 2.25%; reduced or waived for large purchases and certain investors; eliminated for purchases of $500,000 or more

 

CDSC

 

1.00% on redemptions made within one year following purchases of $500,000 or more; waived under certain circumstances

 

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fee (1)

 

0.20% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, comprised of:
Service Fee: 0.15%
Distribution Fee: 0.05%

 

Conversion

 

None

 

Exchange Privilege (2)

 

Class A shares of most Lord Abbett Funds

 

Class B Shares

 

Availability

 

Class B shares no longer are available for purchase by new or existing investors and only will be issued in connection with (i) an exchange of Class B shares from another Lord Abbett Fund or (ii) a reinvestment of a dividend and/or capital gain distribution.

 

Front-End Sales Charge

 

None

 

CDSC

 

Up to 5.00% on redemptions; reduced over time and eliminated after sixth anniversary of purchase; waived under certain circumstances

 

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fee (1)

 

1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, comprised of:
Service Fee: 0.25%
Distribution Fee: 0.75%

 

Conversion

 

Automatic conversion to Class A shares after approximately the eighth anniversary of purchase (3)

 

Exchange Privilege (2)

 

Class B shares of most Lord Abbett Funds

 

Class C Shares

 

Availability

 

Available through financial intermediaries to individual investors; purchases generally must be under $500,000

 

Front-End Sales Charge

 

None

 

CDSC

 

1.00% on redemptions made before the first anniversary of purchase; waived under certain circumstances

 

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fee (1)

 

Each Fund is subject to Class C service and distribution fees at a blended rate calculated based on (i) a service fee of 0.25% and a distribution fee of 0.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares held for less than one year and (ii) a service fee of 0.25% and a distribution fee of 0.55% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares held for one year or more. All Class C shareholders of the Fund will bear service and distribution fees at the same rate.

 

Conversion

 

None

 

Exchange Privilege (2)

 

Class C shares of most Lord Abbett Funds

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

96


 

 

 

 

 

 

Class F Shares

 

Availability

 

Available only to eligible fee-based advisory programs and certain registered investment advisers

 

Front-End Sales Charge

 

None

 

CDSC

 

None

 

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fee (1)

 

0.10% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, comprised of:
Service Fee: None
Distribution Fee: 0.10%

 

Conversion

 

None

 

Exchange Privilege (2)

 

Class F shares of most Lord Abbett Funds

 

Class I Shares

 

Availability

 

Available only to eligible investors

 

Front-End Sales Charge

 

None

 

CDSC

 

None

 

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fee (1)

 

None

 

Conversion

 

None

 

Exchange Privilege (2)

 

Class I shares of most Lord Abbett Funds

 

Class P Shares

 

Availability

 

Available on a limited basis through certain financial intermediaries (4)

 

Front-End Sales Charge

 

None

 

CDSC

 

None

 

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fee (1)

 

0.45% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, comprised of:
Service Fee: 0.25%
Distribution Fee: 0.20%

 

Conversion

 

None

 

Exchange Privilege (2)

 

Class P shares of most Lord Abbett Funds

 

(1)

 

The 12b-1 plan provides that the maximum payments that may be authorized by the Board are: for Class A shares, 0.50%; for Class P shares, 0.75%; and for Class B, C, and F shares, 1.00%. The rates shown in the table above are the 12b-1 rates currently authorized by the Board for each share class and may be changed only upon authorization of the Board. The 12b-1 plan does not permit any payments for Class I shares.

(2)

 

Ask your financial intermediary about the Lord Abbett Funds available for exchange.

(3)

 

Class B shares automatically will convert to Class A shares on the 25th day of the month (or, if the 25th is not a business day, the next business day thereafter) following the eighth anniversary of the day on which the purchase order was accepted.

(4)

 

Class P shares are closed to substantially all new investors.

Investment Minimums.

The minimum initial and additional amounts shown below vary depending on the class of shares you buy and the type of account. Certain financial intermediaries may impose different restrictions than those described below. Consult your financial intermediary for more information. Class B shares no longer are available for purchase by new or existing investors and only will be

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

97


issued in connection with (i) an exchange of Class B shares from another Lord Abbett Fund or (ii) a reinvestment of a dividend and/or capital gain distribution. For Class I shares, the minimum investment shown below applies to certain types of institutional investors. Class P shares are closed to substantially all new investors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment Minimums — Initial/Additional Investments

 

Class

 

A and C

 

F and P

 

I

 

General and IRAs without Invest-A-Matic Investments

 

$1,000/No minimum

 

N/A

 

See below

 

Invest-A-Matic Accounts

 

$250/$50

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

IRAs, SIMPLE and SEP Accounts with Payroll Deductions

 

No minimum

 

N/A

 

N/A

 

Fee-Based Advisory Programs and Retirement and Benefit Plans

 

No minimum

 

No minimum

 

No minimum

Class I Share Minimum Investment. Unless otherwise provided, the minimum amount of an initial investment in Class I shares is $1 million. There is no minimum initial investment for (i) purchases through or by registered investment advisers, bank trust departments, and other financial intermediaries otherwise eligible to purchase Class I shares that charge a fee for services that include investment advisory or management services or (ii) purchases by retirement and benefit plans meeting the Class I eligibility requirements described below. These investment minimums may be suspended, changed, or withdrawn by Lord Abbett Distributor LLC, the Fund’s principal underwriter (“Lord Abbett Distributor”).

Additional Information About the Availability of Share Classes.

Class B Shares. The Fund no longer offers Class B shares for new or additional investments. Existing shareholders of Class B shares may reinvest dividends into Class B shares and exchange their Class B shares for Class B shares of other Lord Abbett Funds as permitted by the current exchange privileges. The 12b-1 fee, CDSC, and conversion features will continue to apply to Class B shares held by shareholders. Any purchase request for Class B shares will be deemed to be a purchase request for Class A shares and will be subject to any applicable sales charge.

Class C Shares. The Fund will not accept purchases of Class C shares of $500,000 or more, or in any amount that, when combined with the value of all shares of Eligible Funds (as defined below) under the terms of rights of accumulation, would result in the investor holding more than $500,000 of shares of Eligible Funds at the time of such purchase, unless an appropriate representative of the investor’s broker-dealer firm (or other financial intermediary, as applicable) provides written authorization for the transaction.

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

98


Please contact Lord Abbett Distributor with any questions regarding eligibility to purchase Class C shares based on the prior written authorization from the investor’s broker-dealer firm or other financial intermediary.

Class F Shares. Class F shares generally are available to investors participating in fee-based advisory programs that have (or whose trading agents have) an agreement with Lord Abbett Distributor and to investors that are clients of certain registered investment advisers that have an agreement with Lord Abbett Distributor, if it so deems appropriate.

Class I Shares. Class I shares are available for purchase by the following entities:

 

 

 

 

Institutional investors, including companies, foundations, endowments, trusts (other than individual or personal trusts established for estate or financial planning purposes), and other entities determined by Lord Abbett Distributor to be institutional investors, making an initial minimum investment of at least $1 million, provided that such purchases are not made by or on behalf of institutional investors that are participants in a fee-based program, as described below.

 

 

 

 

Registered investment advisers investing on behalf of their advisory clients, provided that in any event Class I shares are not available for purchase by or on behalf of:

 

 

 

 

Participants in fee-based investment advisory programs or services (including mutual fund wrap programs) or a bundled suite of services, such as brokerage, investment advice, research, and account management, sponsored by the financial intermediary for which the participant pays a fee based on the total asset value of the participant’s account for all or a specified number of transactions, including mutual fund purchases, in the account during a certain period; or

 

 

 

 

Clients of a registered investment adviser that also is a registered broker-dealer and where the firm has entered into any agreement or arrangement whereby Lord Abbett makes payments to the firm out of its own resources for various services, such as marketing support, training and education activities, and other services for which Lord Abbett may make such revenue sharing payments to the firm.

 

 

 

 

Bank trust departments and trust companies purchasing shares for their clients, provided that the bank or trust company (and its trading agent, if any) has entered into a special arrangement with the Fund and/or Lord Abbett Distributor specifically for such purchases.

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

99


Class I shares also are available for purchase by each registered investment company within the Lord Abbett Family of Funds that operates as a fund of funds and, at the discretion of Lord Abbett Distributor, other registered investment companies that are not affiliated with Lord Abbett and operate as funds of funds.

Shareholders who do not meet the above criteria but currently hold Class I shares may continue to hold, purchase, exchange, and redeem Class I shares, provided that there has been no change in the account since purchasing Class I shares. Financial intermediaries should contact Lord Abbett Distributor to determine whether the financial intermediary may be eligible for such purchases.

Class P Shares. Class P shares are closed to substantially all new investors. Existing shareholders holding Class P shares may continue to hold their Class P shares and make additional purchases, redemptions, and exchanges. Class P shares also are available for orders made by or on behalf of a financial intermediary for clients participating in an IRA rollover program sponsored by the financial intermediary that operates the program in an omnibus recordkeeping environment and has entered into special arrangements with the Fund and/or Lord Abbett Distributor specifically for such orders.

SALES CHARGES

As an investor in the Fund, you may pay one of two types of sales charges: a front-end sales charge that is deducted from your investment when you buy Fund shares or a CDSC that applies when you sell Fund shares.

Class A Share Front-End Sales Charge. Front-end sales charges are applied only to Class A shares. You buy Class A shares at the offering price, which is the net asset value (“NAV”) plus a sales charge. You pay a lower rate as the size of your investment increases to certain levels called breakpoints. You do not pay a sales charge on the Fund’s distributions or dividends you reinvest in additional Class A shares. The table below shows the rate of sales charge you pay (expressed as a percentage of the offering price and the net amount you invest), depending on the amount you purchase.

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

100


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Front-End Sales Charge — Class A Shares

 

Your
Investment

 

Front-End Sales
Charge as a % of
Offering Price

 

Front-End Sales
Charge as a % of Your
Investment

 

To Compute
Offering Price
Divide NAV by

 

Maximum Dealer’s
Concession as a % of
Offering Price

 

Less than $100,000

 

2.25%

 

2.30%

 

.9775

 

2.00%

 

$100,000 to $249,999

 

1.75%

 

1.78%

 

.9825

 

1.50%

 

$250,000 to $499,999

 

1.25%

 

1.26%

 

.9875

 

1.00%

 

$500,000 and over

 

No Sales Charge

 

No Sales Charge

 

1.0000

 

 

 

See “Dealer Concessions on Class A Share Purchases Without a Front-End Sales Charge.”
Note: The above percentages may vary for particular investors due to rounding.

CDSC. Regardless of share class, the CDSC is not charged on shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions and is charged on the original purchase cost or the current market value of the shares at the time they are redeemed, whichever is lower. To minimize the amount of any CDSC, the Fund redeems shares in the following order:

 

1.

 

 

 

shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions (always free of a CDSC);

 

2.

 

 

 

shares held for six years or more (Class B), or one year or more (Class A and Class C); and

 

3.

 

 

 

shares held the longest before the sixth anniversary of their purchase (Class B), or before the first anniversary of their purchase (Class A and Class C).

If you buy Class A shares of the Fund under certain purchases with a front-end sales charge waiver or if you acquire Class A shares of the Fund in exchange for Class A shares of another Lord Abbett Fund subject to a CDSC, and you redeem any of the Class A shares before the first day of the month in which the one- year anniversary of your purchase falls, a CDSC of 1% normally will be collected. Class F, I, and P shares are not subject to a CDSC.

If you acquire Fund shares through an exchange from another Lord Abbett Fund that originally were purchased subject to a CDSC and you redeem before the applicable CDSC period has expired, you will be charged the CDSC (unless a CDSC waiver applies). The CDSC will be remitted to the appropriate party.

Class B Share CDSC. The CDSC for Class B shares normally applies if you redeem your shares before the sixth anniversary of the day on which the purchase order was accepted. The CDSC will be remitted to Lord Abbett Distributor. The CDSC declines the longer you own your shares, according to the following schedule:

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

101


 

 

 

 

 

CDSC — Class B Shares

 

Anniversary of the Day on
Which the Purchase
Order was Accepted
(1)

 

CDSC on Redemptions
(as a % of Amount
Subject to CDSC)

 

Before the 1st

 

5.0%

 

On the 1st, before the 2nd

 

4.0%

 

On the 2nd, before the 3rd

 

3.0%

 

On the 3rd, before the 4th

 

3.0%

 

On the 4th, before the 5th

 

2.0%

 

On the 5th, before the 6th

 

1.0%

 

On or after the 6th anniversary (2)

 

None

 

(1)

 

The anniversary is the same calendar day in each respective year after the date of purchase. For example, the anniversary for shares purchased on May 1 st will be May 1 st of each succeeding year.

(2)

 

Class B shares automatically will convert to Class A shares on the 25 th day of the month (or, if the 25 th is not a business day, the next business day thereafter) following the eighth anniversary of the day on which the purchase order was accepted.

Class C Share CDSC. The 1% CDSC for Class C shares normally applies if you redeem your shares before the first anniversary of your purchase. The CDSC will be remitted to Lord Abbett Distributor.

SALES CHARGE REDUCTIONS AND WAIVERS

Please inform the Fund or your financial intermediary at the time of your purchase of Fund shares if you believe you qualify for a reduced front-end sales charge. More information about sales charge reductions and waivers is available free of charge at www.lordabbett.com/flyers/breakpoints_info.pdf.


Reducing Your Class A Share Front-End Sales Charge. You may purchase Class A shares at a discount if you qualify under the circumstances outlined below. To receive a reduced front-end sales charge, you must let the Fund or your financial intermediary know at the time of your purchase of Fund shares that you believe you qualify for a discount. If you or a related party have holdings of Eligible Funds (as defined below) in other accounts with your financial intermediary or with other financial intermediaries that may be combined with your current purchases in determining the sales charge as described below, you must let the Fund or your financial intermediary know. You may be asked to provide supporting account statements or other information to allow us or your financial intermediary to verify your eligibility for a discount. If you or your financial intermediary do not notify the Fund or provide the requested information, you may not receive the reduced sales charge for which you otherwise qualify. Class A shares may be purchased at a discount if you qualify under any of the following conditions:

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

102


 

 

 

 

Larger Purchases – You may reduce or eliminate your Class A front-end sales charge by purchasing Class A shares in greater quantities. The breakpoint discounts offered by the Fund are indicated in the table under “Sales Charges – Class A Share Front-End Sales Charge.”

 

 

 

 

Rights of Accumulation – A Purchaser (as defined below) may combine the value of Class A, B, C, F, and P shares of any Eligible Fund currently owned with a new purchase of Class A shares of any Eligible Fund in order to reduce the sales charge on the new purchase. Class I share holdings may not be combined for these purposes.

 

 

 

 

 

To the extent that your financial intermediary is able to do so, the value of Class A, B, C, F, and P shares of Eligible Funds determined for the purpose of reducing the sales charge of a new purchase under the Rights of Accumulation will be calculated at the higher of: (1) the aggregate current maximum offering price of your existing Class A, B, C, F, and P shares of Eligible Funds; or (2) the aggregate amount you invested in such shares (including dividend reinvestments but excluding capital appreciation) less any redemptions. You should retain any information and account records necessary to substantiate the historical amounts you and any related Purchasers have invested in Eligible Funds. You must inform the Fund and/or your financial intermediary at the time of purchase if you believe your purchase qualifies for a reduced sales charge and you may be requested to provide documentation of your holdings in order to verify your eligibility. If you do not do so, you may not receive all sales charge reductions for which you are eligible.

 

 

 

 

Letter of Intention – In order to reduce your Class A front-end sales charge, a Purchaser may combine purchases of Class A, C, F, and P shares of any Eligible Fund the Purchaser intends to make over the next 13 months in determining the applicable sales charge. The 13-month Letter of Intention period commences on the day that the Letter of Intention is received by the Fund, and the Purchaser must tell the Fund that later purchases are subject to the Letter of Intention. Purchases submitted prior to the date the Letter of Intention is received by the Fund are not counted toward the sales charge reduction. Current holdings under Rights of Accumulation may be included in a Letter of Intention in order to reduce the sales charge for purchases during the 13-month period covered by the Letter of Intention. Shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends or distributions are not included. Class I share holdings may not be combined for these purposes. Class A shares valued at 5% of the amount of intended purchases are escrowed and may be redeemed to cover the additional sales charges payable if the intended purchases under the Letter of Intention are not completed. The Letter of Intention is neither a binding obligation on you to buy, nor on the Fund to sell, any or all of the intended purchase amount.

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

103


 

 

Purchaser

 

A Purchaser includes: (1) an individual; (2) an individual, his or her spouse, and children under the age of 21; (3) retirement and benefit plans including a 401(k) plan, profit-sharing plan, money purchase plan, defined benefit plan, and 457(b) plan sponsored by a governmental entity, non-profit organization, school district or church to which employer contributions are made, as well as SIMPLE IRA plans and SEP-IRA plans; or (4) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares for a single trust, estate or single fiduciary account. An individual may include under item (1) his or her holdings in Eligible Funds as described above in IRAs, as a sole participant of a retirement and benefit plan sponsored by the individual’s business, and as a participant in a 403(b) plan to which only pre-tax salary deferrals are made. An individual and his or her spouse may include under item (2) their holdings in IRAs, and as the sole participants in retirement and benefit plans sponsored by a business owned by either or both of them. A retirement and benefit plan under item (3) includes all qualified retirement and benefit plans of a single employer and its consolidated subsidiaries, and all qualified retirement and benefit plans of multiple employers registered in the name of a single bank trustee.

 

Eligible Fund

 

An Eligible Fund is any Lord Abbett Fund except for (1) Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.; (2) Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc. (“Money Market Fund”) (except for holdings in Money Market Fund which are attributable to any shares exchanged from the Lord Abbett Funds); and (3) any other fund the shares of which are not available to the investor at the time of the transaction due to a limitation on the offering of the fund’s shares.

Front-End Sales Charge Waivers. Class A shares may be purchased without a front-end sales charge under any of the following conditions:

 

 

 

 

purchases of $500,000 or more (may be subject to a CDSC);

 

 

 

 

purchases made by or on behalf of financial intermediaries for clients that pay the financial intermediaries fees in connection with a fee-based advisory program, provided that the financial intermediaries or their trading agents have entered into special arrangements with the Fund and/or Lord Abbett Distributor specifically for such purchases;

 

 

 

 

purchases by investors maintaining a brokerage account with a registered broker-dealer that has entered into an agreement with Lord Abbett Distributor to offer Class A shares through a load-waived network or platform, which may or may not charge transaction fees;

 

 

 

 

purchases made with dividends and distributions on Class A shares of another Eligible Fund;

 

 

 

 

purchases by employees of any consenting securities dealer having a sales agreement with Lord Abbett Distributor;

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

104


 

 

 

 

purchases involving the concurrent sale of Class B or C shares of the Fund related to the requirements of a settlement agreement that the broker-dealer entered into with a regulatory body relating to share class suitability. These sales transactions will be subject to the assessment of any applicable CDSCs (although the broker-dealer may pay on behalf of the investor or reimburse the investor for any such CDSC), and any investor purchases subsequent to the original concurrent transactions will be at the applicable public offering price, which may include a sales charge; and

 

 

 

 

certain other types of investors may qualify to purchase Class A shares without a front-end sales charge as described in the SAI.

CDSC Waivers. The CDSC generally will not be assessed on Class A, B, or C shares under the circumstances listed in the table below. Certain other types of redemptions may qualify for a CDSC waiver. Documentation may be required and some limitations may apply.

 

 

 

CDSC Waivers

 

Share Class(es)

 

Eligible mandatory distributions under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986

 

A, B, C

 

Death of the shareholder

 

B, C

 

Redemptions under Div-Move and Systematic Withdrawal Plans (up to 12% per year)

 

B, C

Concurrent Sales. A broker-dealer may pay on behalf of an investor or reimburse an investor for a CDSC otherwise applicable in the case of transactions involving purchases through such broker-dealer where the investor concurrently is selling his or her holdings in Class B or C shares of the Fund and buying Class A shares of the Fund, provided that the purchases are related to the requirements of a settlement agreement that the broker-dealer entered into with a regulatory body relating to share class suitability.

Reinvestment Privilege. If you redeem Class A or B shares of the Fund, you may reinvest some or all of the proceeds in the same class of any Eligible Fund on or before the 60th day after the redemption without a sales charge unless the reinvestment would be prohibited by the Fund’s frequent trading policy. Special tax rules may apply. Please see the SAI for more information. If you paid a CDSC when you redeemed your shares, you will be credited with the amount of the CDSC. All accounts involved must have the same registration. This privilege does not apply to purchases made through Invest-A-Matic or other automatic investment services.

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

105


FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARY COMPENSATION

As part of a plan for distributing shares, authorized financial intermediaries that sell the Fund’s shares and service its shareholder accounts receive sales and service compensation. Additionally, authorized financial intermediaries may charge a fee to effect transactions in Fund shares.

Sales compensation originates from sales charges that are paid directly by shareholders and 12b-1 distribution fees that are paid by the Fund out of share class assets. Service compensation originates from 12b-1 service fees. Because 12b-1 fees are paid on an ongoing basis, over time the payment of such fees will increase the cost of an investment in the Fund, which may be more than the cost of other types of sales charges. The Fund accrues 12b-1 fees daily at annual rates shown in the “Fees and Expenses” table above based upon average daily net assets. The portion of the distribution and service (12b-1) fees that Lord Abbett Distributor pays to financial intermediaries for each share class is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class

 

Fee (1)

 

A (2)

 

B (2)

 

C (2)(3)

 

F

 

I

 

P

 

Service

 

0.15%

 

0.25%

 

0.25%

 

 

 

0.25%

 

Distribution

 

 

 

0.50%

 

 

 

0.20%

 

(1)

 

The Fund may designate a portion of the aggregate fee as attributable to service activities for purposes of calculating Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. sales charge limitations.

(2)

 

For purchases of Class A shares without a front-end sales charge and for which Lord Abbett Distributor pays distribution- related compensation, and for all purchases of Class B and Class C shares, the 12b-1 payments shall commence 13 months after purchase.

(3)

 

Assumes a Class C 12b-1 rate of 1.00%. The 12b-1 fee the Fund will pay on Class C shares will be a blended rate calculated based on (1) 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares held for less than one year and (2) 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares held for one year or more. All Class C shareholders of the Fund will bear 12b-1 fees at the same rate.

Lord Abbett Distributor may pay 12b-1 fees to authorized financial intermediaries or use the fees for other distribution purposes, including revenue sharing. The amounts paid by the Fund need not be directly related to expenses. If Lord Abbett Distributor’s actual expenses exceed the fee paid to it, the Fund will not have to pay more than that fee. Conversely, if Lord Abbett Distributor’s expenses are less than the fee it receives, Lord Abbett Distributor will keep the excess amount of the fee.

Sales Activities. The Fund may use 12b-1 distribution fees to pay authorized financial intermediaries to finance any activity that primarily is intended to result in the sale of shares. Lord Abbett Distributor uses its portion of the distribution fees attributable to the shares of a particular class for activities that primarily are intended to result in the sale of shares of such class. These activities include, but are not limited to, printing of prospectuses and statements of additional information and reports for anyone other than existing shareholders, preparation

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

106


and distribution of advertising and sales material, expenses of organizing and conducting sales seminars, additional payments to authorized financial intermediaries, maintenance of shareholder accounts, the cost necessary to provide distribution-related services or personnel, travel, office expenses, equipment and other allocable overhead.

Service Activities. Lord Abbett Distributor may pay 12b-1 service fees to authorized financial intermediaries for any activity that primarily is intended to result in personal service and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Any portion of the service fees paid to Lord Abbett Distributor will be used to service and maintain shareholder accounts.

Dealer Concessions on Class A Share Purchases With a Front-End Sales Charge. See “Sales Charges – Class A Share Front-End Sales Charge” for more information.

Dealer Concessions on Class A Share Purchases Without a Front-End Sales Charge. Except as otherwise set forth in the following paragraphs, Lord Abbett Distributor may pay Dealers distribution-related compensation (i.e., concessions) in connection with purchases of $500,000 or more.

Dealers receive concessions described below on purchases made within a 12-month period beginning with the first NAV purchase of Class A shares for the account. The concession rate resets on each anniversary date of the initial NAV purchase, provided that the account continues to qualify for treatment at NAV. Current holdings of Class B, C, and P shares of Eligible Funds will be included for purposes of calculating the breakpoints in the schedule below and the amount of the concessions payable with respect to the Class A share investment. Concessions may not be paid with respect to Alliance Arrangements unless Lord Abbett Distributor can monitor the applicability of the CDSC.

Financial intermediaries should contact Lord Abbett Distributor for more complete information on the commission structure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dealer Concession Schedule —
Class A Shares for Certain Purchases Without a Front-End Sales Charge

 

The dealer concession received is based on the amount of the Class A share investment as follows:
     

Class A Investments

 

Front-End Sales Charge*

 

Dealer’s Concession

 

$500,000 to $5 million

 

None

 

1.00%

 

Next $5 million above that

 

None

 

0.55%

 

Next $40 million above that

 

None

 

0.50%

 

Over $50 million

 

None

 

0.25%

 

*

 

Class A shares purchased without a sales charge will be subject to a 1% CDSC if they are redeemed before the first day of the month in which the one-year anniversary of the purchase falls.

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

107


Dealer Concessions on Class B Shares. The Fund no longer offers Class B shares for purchase by new or existing investors (other than through an exchange or reinvestment of a distribution). Accordingly, sales concessions on Class B shares no longer are available.

Dealer Concessions on Class C Shares. Lord Abbett Distributor may pay financial intermediaries selling Class C shares a sales concession of up to 1.00% of the purchase price of the Class C shares and Lord Abbett Distributor will collect and retain any applicable CDSC.

Dealer Concessions on Class F, I and P Shares. Class F, I and P shares are purchased at NAV with no front-end sales charge and no CDSC when redeemed. Accordingly, there are no dealer concessions on these shares.

Revenue Sharing and Other Payments to Dealers and Financial Intermediaries. Lord Abbett (the term “Lord Abbett” in this section also refers to Lord Abbett Distributor unless the context requires otherwise) may make payments to certain financial intermediaries for marketing and distribution support activities. Lord Abbett makes these payments, at its own expense, out of its own resources (including revenues from advisory fees and 12b-1 fees), and without any additional costs to the Fund or the Fund’s shareholders.

These payments, which may include amounts that sometimes are referred to as “revenue sharing” payments, are in addition to the Fund’s fees and expenses described in this prospectus. In general, these payments are intended to compensate or reimburse financial intermediary firms for certain activities, including: promotion of sales of Fund shares, such as placing the Lord Abbett Family of Funds on a preferred list of fund families; making Fund shares available on certain platforms, programs, or trading venues; educating a financial intermediary firm’s sales force about the Lord Abbett Funds; providing services to shareholders; and various other promotional efforts and/or costs. The payments made to financial intermediaries may be used to cover costs and expenses related to these promotional efforts, including travel, lodging, entertainment, and meals, among other things. In addition, Lord Abbett may provide payments to a financial intermediary in connection with Lord Abbett’s participation in or support of conferences and other events sponsored, hosted, or organized by the financial intermediary. The aggregate amount of these payments may be substantial and may exceed the actual costs incurred by the financial intermediary in engaging in these promotional activities or services and the financial intermediary firm may realize a profit in connection with such activities or services.

Lord Abbett may make such payments on a fixed or variable basis based on Fund sales, assets, transactions processed, and/or accounts attributable to a financial intermediary, among other factors. Lord Abbett determines the amount of these payments in its sole discretion. In doing so, Lord Abbett may consider a

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

108


number of factors, including: a financial intermediary’s sales, assets, and redemption rates; the nature and quality of any shareholder services provided by the financial intermediary; the quality and depth of the financial intermediary’s existing business relationships with Lord Abbett; the expected potential to expand such relationships; and the financial intermediary’s anticipated growth prospects. Not all financial intermediaries receive revenue sharing payments and the amount of revenue sharing payments may vary for different financial intermediaries. Lord Abbett may choose not to make payments in relation to certain of the Lord Abbett Funds or certain classes of shares of any particular Fund.

In some circumstances, these payments may create an incentive for a broker-dealer or its investment professionals to recommend or sell Fund shares to you. Lord Abbett may benefit from these payments to the extent the broker-dealers sell more Fund shares or retain more Fund shares in their clients’ accounts because Lord Abbett receives greater management and other fees as Fund assets increase. For more specific information about these payments, including revenue sharing arrangements, made to your broker-dealer or other financial intermediary and the conflicts of interest that may arise from such arrangements, please contact your investment professional. In addition, please see the SAI for more information regarding Lord Abbett’s revenue sharing arrangements with financial intermediaries.

Payments for Recordkeeping, Networking, and Other Services. In addition to the payments from Lord Abbett or Lord Abbett Distributor described above, from time to time, Lord Abbett and Lord Abbett Distributor may have other relationships with financial intermediaries relating to the provision of services to the Fund, such as providing omnibus account services or executing portfolio transactions for the Fund. The Fund generally may pay recordkeeping fees for services provided to plans where the account is a plan-level or fund-level omnibus account and plan participants have the ability to determine their investments in particular mutual funds. If your financial intermediary provides these services, Lord Abbett or the Fund may compensate the financial intermediary for these services. In addition, your financial intermediary may have other relationships with Lord Abbett or Lord Abbett Distributor that are not related to the Fund.

For example, the Lord Abbett Funds may enter into arrangements with and pay fees to financial intermediaries that provide recordkeeping or other subadministrative services to certain groups of investors in the Lord Abbett Funds, including participants in retirement and benefit plans, investors in mutual fund advisory programs, investors in variable insurance products and clients of financial intermediaries that operate in an omnibus environment (collectively, “Investors”). The recordkeeping services typically include: (a) establishing and maintaining Investor accounts and records; (b) recording Investor account

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

109


balances and changes thereto; (c) arranging for the wiring of funds; (d) providing statements to Investors; (e) furnishing proxy materials, periodic Lord Abbett Fund reports, prospectuses and other communications to Investors as required; (f) transmitting Investor transaction information; and (g) providing information in order to assist the Lord Abbett Funds in their compliance with state securities laws. The fees that the Lord Abbett Funds pay are designed to compensate financial intermediaries for such services.

The Lord Abbett Funds also may pay fees to broker-dealers for networking services. Networking services may include but are not limited to:

 

 

 

 

establishing and maintaining individual accounts and records;

 

 

 

 

providing client account statements; and

 

 

 

 

providing 1099 forms and other tax statements.

The networking fees that the Lord Abbett Funds pay to broker-dealers normally result in reduced fees paid by the Fund to the transfer agent, which otherwise would provide these services.

Financial intermediaries may charge additional fees or commissions other than those disclosed in this prospectus, such as a transaction based fee or other fee for its service, and may categorize and disclose these arrangements differently than described in the discussion above and in the SAI. You may ask your financial intermediary about any payments it receives from Lord Abbett or the Fund, as well as about fees and/or commissions it charges.

PURCHASES

Initial Purchases. Lord Abbett Distributor acts as an agent for the Fund to work with financial intermediaries that buy and sell shares of the Fund on behalf of their clients. Generally, Lord Abbett Distributor does not sell Fund shares directly to investors. Initial purchases of Fund shares may be made through any financial intermediary that has a sales agreement with Lord Abbett Distributor. Unless you are investing in the Fund through a fee-based program or other financial intermediary, you and your investment professional may fill out the application and send it to the Fund at the address below. To open an account through a fee based program or other type of financial intermediary, you should contact your financial intermediary for instructions on opening an account.

Name of Fund
P.O. Box 219336
Kansas City, MO 64121

Please do not send account applications, purchase, exchange or redemption orders to Lord Abbett’s offices in Jersey City, NJ.

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

110


Additional Purchases . You may make additional purchases of Fund shares by contacting your investment professional or financial intermediary. If you have direct account privileges with the Fund, you may make additional purchases by:

 

 

 

 

Telephone. If you have established a bank account of record, you may purchase Fund shares by telephone. You or your investment professional should call the Fund at 888-522-2388.

 

 

 

 

Online. If you have established a bank account of record, you may submit a request online to purchase Fund shares by accessing your account online. Please log onto www.lordabbett.com and enter your account information and personal identification data.

 

 

 

 

Mail. You may submit a written request to purchase Fund shares by indicating the name(s) in which the account is registered, the Fund’s name, the class of shares, your account number, and the dollar amount you wish to purchase. Please include a check for the amount of the purchase, which may be subject to a sales charge. If purchasing Fund shares by mail, your purchase order will not be accepted or processed until such orders are received by the Fund at P.O. Box 219336, Kansas City, MO 64121.

 

 

 

 

Wire. You may purchase Fund shares via wire by sending your purchase amount to: UMB, N.A., Kansas City, routing number: 101000695, bank account number: 987800033-3, FBO: (your account name) and (your Lord Abbett account number). Specify the complete name of the Fund and the class of shares you wish to purchase.

Proper Form. An initial purchase order submitted directly to the Fund, or the Fund’s authorized agent (or the agent’s designee), must contain: (1) an application completed in good order with all applicable requested information; and (2) payment by check or instructions to debit your checking account along with a canceled check containing account information. Additional purchase requests must include all required information and proper form of payment.

See “Account Services and Policies – Procedures Required by the USA PATRIOT Act” for more information.

Initial and additional purchases of Fund shares are executed at the NAV next determined after the Fund or the Fund’s authorized agent receives your purchase order in proper form. The Fund reserves the right to modify, restrict or reject any purchase order (including exchanges). All purchase orders are subject to acceptance by the Fund.

Insufficient Funds . If you request a purchase and your bank account does not have sufficient funds to complete the transaction at the time it is presented to your bank, your requested transaction will be reversed and you will be subject to any and all losses, fees and expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

111


processing the insufficient funds transaction. The Fund reserves the right to liquidate all or a portion of your Fund shares to cover such losses, fees and expenses.

EXCHANGES

You or your investment professional may instruct the Fund to exchange shares of any class for shares of the same class of any other Lord Abbett Fund, provided that the fund shares to be acquired in the exchange are available to new investors in such other fund.

If you have direct account privileges with the Fund, you may request an exchange transaction by:

 

 

 

 

Telephone. You or your investment professional should call the Fund at 888-522-2388.

 

 

 

 

Online. You may submit a request online to exchange your Fund shares by accessing your account online. Please log onto www.lordabbett.com and enter your account information and personal identification data.

 

 

 

 

Mail. You may submit a written request to exchange your Fund shares by indicating the name(s) in which the account is registered, the Fund’s name, the class of shares, your account number, the dollar amount or number of shares you wish to exchange, and the name(s) of the Eligible Fund(s) into which you wish to exchange your Fund shares. If submitting a written request to exchange Fund shares, your exchange request will not be processed until the Fund receives the request in good order at P.O. Box 219336, Kansas City, MO 64121.

The Fund may revoke the exchange privilege for all shareholders upon 60 days’ written notice. In addition, there are limitations on exchanging Fund shares for a different class of shares, and moving shares held in certain types of accounts to a different type of account or to a new account maintained by a financial intermediary. Please speak with your financial intermediary if you have any questions.

An exchange of Fund shares for shares of another Lord Abbett Fund will be treated as a sale of Fund shares and any gain on the transaction may be subject to federal income tax. You should read the current prospectus for any Lord Abbett Fund into which you are exchanging.

REDEMPTIONS

You may redeem your Fund shares by contacting your investment professional or financial intermediary. If you have direct account privileges with the Fund, you may redeem your Fund shares by:

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

112


 

 

 

 

Telephone. You may redeem $100,000 or less from your account by telephone. You or your representative should call the Fund at 888-522-2388.

 

 

 

 

Online. You may submit a request online to redeem your Fund shares by accessing your account online. Please log onto www.lordabbett.com and enter your account information and personal identification data.

 

 

 

 

Mail . You may submit a written request to redeem your Fund shares by indicating the name(s) in which the account is registered, the Fund’s name, your account number, and the dollar amount or number of shares you wish to redeem. If submitting a written request to redeem your shares, your redemption will not be processed until the Fund receives the request in good order at P.O. Box 219336, Kansas City, MO 64121.

Insufficient Account Value. If you request a redemption transaction for a specific amount and your account value at the time the transaction is processed is less than the requested redemption amount, the Fund will deem your request as a request to liquidate your entire account.

Redemption Payments . Redemptions of Fund shares are executed at the NAV next determined after the Fund or your financial intermediary receives your order in proper form. Normally, redemption proceeds are paid within three (but no more than seven) days after your redemption request is received in good order. If you redeem shares that were recently purchased, the Fund may delay the payment of the redemption proceeds until your check, bank draft, electronic funds transfer or wire transfer has cleared, which may take several days. This process may take up to 15 calendar days for purchases by check to clear. Under unusual circumstances, the Fund may postpone payment for more than seven days or suspend redemptions, to the extent permitted by law.

If you have direct account access privileges, the redemption proceeds will be paid by electronic transfer via an automated clearing house deposit to your bank account on record with the Fund. If there is no bank account on record, your redemption proceeds normally will be paid by check payable to the registered account owner(s) and mailed to the address to which the account is registered. You may request that your redemption proceeds of at least $1,000 be disbursed by wire to your bank account of record by contacting the Fund and requesting the redemption and wire transfer and providing the proper wiring instructions for your bank account of record.

You may request that redemption proceeds be made payable and disbursed to a person or account other than the shareholder(s) of record, provided that you provide a signature guarantee by an eligible guarantor, including a broker or bank that is a member of the medallion stamp program. Please note that a notary public is not an eligible guarantor.

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

113


A guaranteed signature by an eligible guarantor is designed to protect you from fraud. The Fund will require a guaranteed signature by an eligible guarantor on requests for redemption that:

 

 

 

 

Are signed by you in your legal capacity to sign on behalf of another person or entity (i.e., on behalf of an estate or on behalf of a corporation);

 

 

 

 

Request a redemption check to be payable to anyone other than the shareholder(s) of record;

 

 

 

 

Request a redemption check to be mailed to an address other than the address of record;

 

 

 

 

Request redemption proceeds to be payable to a bank other than the bank account of record; or

 

 

 

 

Total more than $100,000.

Redemptions in Kind. The Fund reserves the right to pay redemption proceeds in whole or in part by distributing liquid securities from the Fund’s portfolio. It is not expected that the Fund would pay redemptions by an in kind distribution except in unusual circumstances. If the Fund pays redemption proceeds by distributing securities in kind, you could incur brokerage or other charges and tax liability, and you will bear market risks until the distributed securities are converted into cash.

You should note that your purchase, exchange, and redemption requests may be subject to review and verification on an ongoing basis.

ACCOUNT SERVICES AND POLICIES

Certain of the services and policies described below may not be available through certain financial intermediaries. Contact your financial intermediary for services and policies applicable to you.

Account Services

Automatic Services for Fund Investors. You may buy or sell shares automatically with the services described below. With each service, you select a schedule and amount, subject to certain restrictions. You may set up most of these services when filling out the application or by calling 888-522-2388.

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

114


 

 

 

 

 

 

For investing

 

Invest-A-Matic*
(Dollar-cost averaging)

 

You can make fixed, periodic investments ($250 initial and $50 subsequent minimum) into your Fund account by means of automatic money transfers from your bank checking account. See the application for instructions.

 

Div-Move*

 

You may automatically reinvest the dividends and distributions from your account into another account in any Eligible Fund ($50 minimum).

 

*

 

In the case of financial intermediaries maintaining accounts in omnibus recordkeeping environments or in nominee name that aggregate the underlying accounts’ purchase orders for Fund shares, the minimum subsequent investment requirements described above will not apply to such underlying accounts.

 

 

 

For selling shares

 

Systematic Withdrawal Plan
(“SWP”)

 

You can make regular withdrawals from most Lord Abbett Funds. Automatic cash withdrawals will be paid to you from your account in fixed or variable amounts. To establish an SWP, the value of your shares for Class A or C must be at least $10,000, and for Class B the value of your shares must be at least $25,000.

 

Class B and C Shares

 

The CDSC will be waived on redemptions of up to 12% of the current value of your account at the time of your SWP request. For SWP redemptions over 12% per year, the CDSC will apply to the entire redemption. Please contact the Fund for assistance in minimizing the CDSC in this situation. Redemption proceeds due to an SWP for Class B and C shares will be redeemed in the order described under “CDSC” under “Sales Charges.”

Telephone and Online Purchases and Redemptions. Submitting transactions by telephone or online may be difficult during times of drastic economic or market changes or during other times when communications may be under unusual stress. When initiating a transaction by telephone or online, shareholders should be aware of the following considerations:

 

 

 

 

Security. The Fund and its service providers employ verification and security measures for your protection. For your security, telephone and online transaction requests are recorded. You should note, however, that any person with access to your account and other personal information (including personal identification number) may be able to submit instructions by telephone or online. The Fund will not be liable for relying on instructions submitted by telephone or online that the Fund reasonably believes to be genuine.

 

 

 

 

Online Confirmation. The Fund is not responsible for online transaction requests that may have been sent but not received in good order. Requested transactions received by the Fund in good order are confirmed at the completion of the order and your requested transaction will not be processed unless you receive the confirmation message.

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

115


 

 

 

 

No Cancellations. You will be asked to verify the requested transaction and may cancel the request before it is submitted to the Fund. The Fund will not cancel a submitted transaction once it has been received (in good order) and is confirmed at the end of the telephonic or online transaction.

Householding. We have adopted a policy that allows us to send only one copy of the prospectus, proxy material, annual report and semiannual report to certain shareholders residing at the same “household.” This reduces Fund expenses, which benefits you and other shareholders. If you need additional copies or do not want your mailings to be “householded,” please call us at 888-522-2388 or send a written request with your name, the name of your fund or funds, and your account number or numbers to Lord Abbett Family of Funds, P.O. Box 219336, Kansas City, MO 64121.

Account Statements. Every investor automatically receives quarterly account statements.

Account Changes. For any changes you need to make to your account, consult your investment professional or call the Fund at 888-522-2388.

Systematic Exchange. You or your investment professional can establish a schedule of exchanges between the same classes of any other Lord Abbett Fund, provided that the fund shares to be acquired in the exchange are available to new investors in such other fund.

ACCOUNT POLICIES

Pricing of Fund Shares. Under normal circumstances, NAV per share is calculated each business day at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. Purchases and sales (including exchanges) of Fund shares are executed at the NAV (subject to any applicable sales charges) next determined after the Fund or the Fund’s authorized agent receives your order in proper form. Purchase and sale orders must be placed by the close of trading on the NYSE in order to receive that day’s NAV; orders placed after the close of trading on the NYSE will receive the next business day’s NAV. Fund shares will not be priced on holidays or other days when the NYSE is closed for trading. In the case of purchase, redemption, or exchange orders placed through your financial intermediary, when acting as the Fund’s authorized agent (or the agent’s designee), the Fund will be deemed to have received the order when the agent or designee receives the order in proper form.

In calculating NAV, securities (other than those with remaining maturities of 60 days or less) are valued at prices supplied by independent pricing services, which prices reflect broker/dealer-supplied valuations and electronic data processing techniques, and reflect the mean between the bid and asked prices. Securities having remaining maturities of 60 days or less are valued at their amortized cost.

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

116


Securities for which prices or market quotations are not readily available, do not accurately reflect fair value in Lord Abbett’s opinion, or have been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the market on which the security is principally traded but before 4:00 p.m. Eastern time are valued by Lord Abbett under fair value procedures approved by and administered under the supervision of the Fund’s Board. These circumstances may arise, for instance, when trading in a security is suspended, the market on which a security is traded closes early, or demand for a security (as reflected by its trading volume) is insufficient and thus calls into question the reliability of the quoted or computed price, or the security is relatively illiquid. The Fund determines fair value in a manner that fairly reflects the market value of the security on the valuation date based on consideration of any information or factors it deems appropriate. These may include recent transactions in comparable securities, information relating to the specific security, developments in the markets and their performance, and current valuations of foreign or U.S. indices. The Fund’s use of fair value pricing may cause the NAV of Fund shares to differ from the NAV that would be calculated using market quotations. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determined for a security may be materially different from the value that could be realized upon the sale of that security.

Excessive Trading and Market Timing. The Fund is designed for long-term investors and is not intended to serve as a vehicle for frequent trading in response to short-term swings in the market. Excessive, short-term or market timing trading practices (“frequent trading”) may disrupt management of the Fund, raise its expenses, and harm long-term shareholders in a variety of ways. For example, volatility resulting from frequent trading may cause the Fund difficulty in implementing long-term investment strategies because it cannot anticipate the amount of cash it will have to invest. The Fund may find it necessary to sell portfolio securities at disadvantageous times to raise cash to meet the redemption demands resulting from such frequent trading. Each of these, in turn, could increase tax, administrative, and other costs, and reduce the Fund’s investment return.

To the extent the Fund invests in securities that are thinly traded or relatively illiquid, the Fund also may be particularly susceptible to frequent trading because the current market price for such securities may not accurately reflect current market values. A shareholder may attempt to engage in frequent trading to take advantage of these pricing differences (known as “price arbitrage”). The Fund has adopted fair value procedures that allow the Fund to use values other than the closing market prices of these types of securities to reflect what the Fund reasonably believes to be their fair value at the time it calculates its NAV per share. The Fund expects that the use of fair value pricing will reduce a shareholder’s ability to engage successfully in time zone arbitrage and price

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

117


arbitrage to the detriment of other Fund shareholders, although there is no assurance that fair value pricing will do so. For more information about these procedures, see “Pricing of Fund Shares” above.

The Fund’s Board has adopted additional policies and procedures that are designed to prevent or stop frequent trading. We recognize, however, that it may not be possible to identify and stop or avoid every instance of frequent trading in Fund shares. For this reason, the Fund’s policies and procedures are intended to identify and stop frequent trading that we believe may be harmful to the Fund. For this purpose, we consider frequent trading to be harmful if, in general, it is likely to cause the Fund to incur additional expenses or to sell portfolio holdings for other than investment-strategy-related reasons. Toward this end, we have procedures in place to monitor the purchase, sale and exchange activity in Fund shares by investors and financial intermediaries that place orders on behalf of their clients, which procedures are described below. The Fund may modify its frequent trading policy and monitoring procedures from time to time without notice as and when deemed appropriate to enhance protection of the Fund and its shareholders.

Frequent Trading Policy and Procedures. Under the frequent trading policy, any Lord Abbett Fund shareholder redeeming shares valued at $5,000 or more from a Lord Abbett Fund will be prohibited from investing in the same Lord Abbett Fund for 30 calendar days after the redemption date (the “Policy”). The Policy applies to all redemptions and purchases for an account that are part of an exchange transaction or transfer of assets, but does not apply to the following types of transactions unless Lord Abbett Distributor determines in its sole discretion that the transaction may be harmful to the Fund: (1) systematic purchases and redemptions, such as purchases made through reinvestment of dividends or other distributions, or certain automatic or systematic investment, exchange or withdrawal plans (such as payroll deduction plans, and the Fund’s Invest-A-Matic and Systematic Withdrawal Plans); (2) retirement and benefit plan payroll and/or employer contributions, loans and distributions; (3) purchases or redemptions by a “fund-of-funds” or similar investment vehicle that Lord Abbett Distributor in its sole discretion has determined is not designed to and/or is not serving as a vehicle for frequent trading; (4) purchases by an account that is part of a fee-based program or mutual fund separate account program; and (5) purchases involving certain transfers of assets, rollovers, Roth IRA conversions and IRA recharacterizations; provided that the financial intermediary maintaining the account is able to identify the transaction in its records as one of these transactions. The Policy does not apply to Money Market Fund, Lord Abbett Floating Rate Fund, Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund, Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free Fund, and Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund, provided that your financial intermediary is able to implement such exclusions.

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

118


In addition to the Policy, we have procedures in place designed to enable us to monitor the purchase, sale and exchange activity in Fund shares by investors and financial intermediaries that place orders on behalf of their clients in order to attempt to identify activity that is inconsistent with the Policy. If, based on these monitoring procedures, we believe that an investor is engaging in, or has engaged in, frequent trading that may be harmful to the Fund, normally, we will notify the investor (and/or the investor’s financial professional) to cease all such activity in the account. If the activity occurs again, we will place a block on all further purchases or exchanges of the Fund’s shares in the investor’s account and inform the investor (and/or the investor’s financial professional) to cease all such activity in the account. The investor then has the option of maintaining any existing investment in the Fund, exchanging Fund shares for shares of Money Market Fund, or redeeming the account. Investors electing to exchange or redeem Fund shares under these circumstances should consider that the transaction may be subject to a CDSC or result in tax consequences. As stated above, although we generally notify the investor (and/or the investor’s financial professional) to cease all activity indicative of frequent trading prior to placing a block on further purchases or exchanges, we reserve the right to immediately place a block on an account or take other action without prior notification when we deem such action appropriate in our sole discretion. While we attempt to apply the Policy and procedures uniformly to detect frequent trading practices, there can be no assurance that we will succeed in identifying all such practices or that some investors will not employ tactics that evade our detection.

We recognize that financial intermediaries that maintain accounts in omnibus recordkeeping environments or in nominee name may not be able reasonably to apply the Policy due to systems limitations or other reasons. In these instances, Lord Abbett Distributor may review the frequent trading policies and procedures that an individual financial intermediary is able to put in place to determine whether its policies and procedures are consistent with the protection of the Fund and its investors, as described above. Lord Abbett Distributor also will seek the financial intermediary’s agreement to cooperate with Lord Abbett Distributor’s efforts to (1) monitor the financial intermediary’s adherence to its policies and procedures and/or receive an amount and level of information regarding trading activity that Lord Abbett Distributor in its sole discretion deems adequate, and (2) stop any trading activity Lord Abbett Distributor identifies as frequent trading. Nevertheless, these circumstances may result in a financial intermediary’s application of policies and procedures that are less effective at detecting and preventing frequent trading than the policies and procedures adopted by Lord Abbett Distributor and by certain other financial intermediaries. If an investor would like more information concerning the policies, procedures and restrictions that may be applicable to his or her account,

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

119


the investor should contact the financial intermediary placing purchase orders on his or her behalf. A substantial portion of the Fund’s shares may be held by financial intermediaries through omnibus accounts or in nominee name.

With respect to monitoring of accounts maintained by a financial intermediary, to our knowledge, in an omnibus environment or in nominee name, Lord Abbett Distributor will seek to receive sufficient information from the financial intermediary to enable it to review the ratio of purchase versus redemption activity of each underlying sub-account or, if such information is not readily obtainable, in the overall omnibus account(s) or nominee name account(s). If we identify activity that we believe may be indicative of frequent trading activity, we normally will notify the financial intermediary and request it to provide Lord Abbett Distributor with additional transaction information so that Lord Abbett Distributor may determine if any investors appear to have engaged in frequent trading activity. Lord Abbett Distributor’s monitoring activity normally is limited to review of historic account activity. This may result in procedures that may be less effective at detecting and preventing frequent trading than the procedures Lord Abbett Distributor uses in connection with accounts not maintained in an omnibus environment or in nominee name.

If an investor related to an account maintained in an omnibus environment or in nominee name is identified as engaging in frequent trading activity, we normally will request that the financial intermediary take appropriate action to curtail the activity and will work with the relevant party to do so. Such action may include actions similar to those that Lord Abbett Distributor would take, such as issuing warnings to cease frequent trading activity, placing blocks on accounts to prohibit future purchases and exchanges of Fund shares, or requiring that the investor place trades through the mail only, in each case either indefinitely or for a period of time. Again, we reserve the right to immediately attempt to place a block on an account or take other action without prior notification when we deem such action appropriate in our sole discretion. If we determine that the financial intermediary has not demonstrated adequately that it has taken appropriate action to curtail the frequent trading, we may consider seeking to prohibit the account or sub-account from investing in the Fund and/or also may terminate our relationship with the financial intermediary. As noted above, these efforts may be less effective at detecting and preventing frequent trading than the policies and procedures Lord Abbett Distributor uses in connection with accounts not maintained in an omnibus environment or in nominee name. The nature of these relationships also may inhibit or prevent Lord Abbett Distributor or the Fund from assuring the uniform assessment of CDSCs on investors, even though financial intermediaries operating in omnibus environments typically have agreed to assess the CDSCs or assist Lord Abbett Distributor or the Fund in assessing them.

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

120


Procedures Required by the USA PATRIOT Act. To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions, including the Fund, to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. What this means for you – when you open an account, we will ask for your name, address, date and place of organization or date of birth, taxpayer identification number or Social Security number, and we may ask for other information that will allow us to identify you. We will ask for this information in the case of persons who will be signing on behalf of certain entities that will own the account. We also may ask for copies of documents. If we are unable to obtain the required information within a short period of time after you try to open an account, we will return your purchase order or account application. Your monies will not be invested until we have all required information. You also should know that we may verify your identity through the use of a database maintained by a third party or through other means. If we are unable to verify your identity, we may liquidate and close the account. This may result in adverse tax consequences. In addition, the Fund reserves the right to reject purchase orders or account applications accompanied by cash, cashier’s checks, money orders, bank drafts, traveler’s checks, and third party or double-endorsed checks, among others.

Small Account Closing Policy. The Fund has established a minimum account balance of $1,000. Subject to the approval of the Fund’s Board of Directors, the Fund may redeem your account (without charging a CDSC) if the NAV of your account falls below $1,000. The Fund will provide you with at least 60 days’ prior written notice before doing so, during which time you may avoid involuntary redemption by making additional investments to satisfy the minimum account balance.

DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

All Funds

Each Fund expects to declare “exempt-interest dividends” from its net investment income daily and pay them monthly. Each Fund expects to distribute any net capital gains annually. All distributions, including exempt-interest dividends, will be reinvested in Fund shares unless you instruct the Fund to pay them to you in cash. Your election to receive distributions in cash and payable by check will apply only to distributions totaling $10.00 or more. Accordingly, any distribution totaling less than $10.00 will be reinvested in Fund shares and will not be paid to you by check. This policy does not apply to you if you have elected to receive distributions that are directly deposited into your bank account. There are no sales charges on reinvestments.

Each Fund seeks to earn income and pay exempt-interest dividends that are exempt from federal income tax. It is anticipated that substantially all of each Fund’s income will be exempt from federal income tax. However, each Fund

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

121


may invest a portion of its assets in securities that pay income that is not exempt from federal income tax. The AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund anticipates that substantially all of its income will be exempt from the federal AMT. For all other Funds, a portion of the exempt-interest dividends you receive may be subject to federal individual AMT. (In the case of High Yield Municipal Bond Fund, all or a portion of the exempt-interest dividends you receive may be subject to federal individual AMT.) Each Fund, other than the AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund, may invest up to 20% (or 100% in the case of High Yield Municipal Bond Fund) of its net assets in private activity bonds (also known as “AMT paper”) that generate income that is an item of tax preference when determining your federal individual or corporate AMT, which may cause the income to be taxable. In addition, exempt-interest dividends received from any of the Funds may result in or increase a corporate shareholder’s liability for the corporate AMT, regardless of whether the dividends are a tax preference item.

Distributions of short-term capital gains and gains characterized as market discount are taxable as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes, while distributions of net long-term capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have owned shares or whether distributions are reinvested or paid in cash. Any sale, redemption or exchange of Fund shares may be taxable.

Exempt-interest dividends are taken into account when determining the taxable portion of your social security or railroad retirement benefits.

If you buy shares when a Fund has realized but not yet either declared or distributed taxable income or capital gains, you will be “buying a dividend” by paying the full price for shares and then receiving a portion of the price back in the form of a taxable dividend.

Changes in federal or state law or adverse determinations by the IRS or a court, as they relate to certain municipal bonds, may make income from such bonds taxable.

You must provide your Social Security number or other taxpayer identification number to a Fund along with certifications required by the IRS when you open an account. If you do not or it is otherwise legally required to do so, the Fund will withhold 28% “backup withholding” tax from your distributions, sale proceeds, and any other payments to you.

Mutual funds are required to report to you and the Internal Revenue Service the “cost basis” of your shares acquired after January 1, 2012 and that are subsequently redeemed. These requirements generally do not apply to investments held in a tax-deferred account or to certain types of entities (such as C corporations).

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

122


If you hold Fund shares through a broker (or another nominee), please contact that broker (nominee) with respect to the reporting of cost basis and available elections for your account. If you are a direct shareholder, you may request that your cost basis reported on Form 1099-B be calculated using any one of the alternative methods offered by the Fund. Please contact the Fund to make, revoke, or change your election. If you do not affirmatively elect a cost basis method, the Fund will use the average cost basis method.

Please note that you will continue to be responsible for calculating and reporting gains and losses on redemptions of shares purchased prior to January 1, 2012. You are encouraged to consult your tax advisor regarding the application of the new cost basis reporting rules and, in particular, which cost basis calculation method you should elect.

Because the Funds invest in tax-exempt securities, the Funds may not be suitable for tax-exempt investors or tax-deferred accounts. Please consult your tax advisor or investment professional regarding investment of the Funds in such accounts.

STATE TAXABILITY OF DISTRIBUTIONS

For All Single-State Funds – With respect to each state Fund described below, generally exempt-interest dividends derived from interest income on obligations of that state or its political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities and on certain obligations of the federal government and other U.S. instrumentalities paid to shareholders who are residents of that state will be exempt from personal income tax in that state, but exempt-interest dividends derived from interest on obligations of other states and local jurisdictions paid to such shareholders will not be exempt from state and local taxes in that state.

Special rules, described below, may also apply. Even if exempt from personal income tax, exempt-interest dividends may be subject to a state’s franchise or other corporate or business taxes if received by a corporation subject to taxes in that state.

Generally, distributions other than exempt-interest dividends, whether received in cash or additional shares, that are federally taxable as ordinary income or capital gains will be includible in income for both state personal income and corporate tax purposes. Furthermore, a portion of a Fund’s distributions, including exempt-interest dividends, may be subject to state personal income or corporate AMT. The income from private activity bonds may be an item of tax preference for state individual or corporate AMT purposes.

The following special rules generally apply only to shareholders who are residents of the corresponding state.

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

123


California Tax Free Fund – The Fund seeks to earn income and pay dividends that will be exempt from California personal income taxes. All exempt-interest dividends from the Fund are included in the income of corporate shareholders that are subject to the California franchise tax.

New Jersey Tax Free Fund – The Fund seeks to earn income and pay dividends that will be exempt from New Jersey personal income taxes. All exempt-interest dividends from the Fund are included in income of corporate shareholders that are subject to the New Jersey corporation business tax.

New York Tax Free Fund – The Fund seeks to earn income and pay dividends that will be exempt from New York State, as well as New York City, personal income taxes. All exempt-interest dividends from the Fund are included in the income of corporate shareholders that are subject to the New York State corporation franchise tax, as well as New York City general corporation tax.

For All Multi-State Funds – Shareholders generally will not be able to exclude exempt-interest dividends paid by the Short Duration Tax Free Fund, Intermediate Tax Free Fund, AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund, National Tax Free Fund and High Yield Municipal Bond Fund from their state taxable income. However, shareholders who are residents of a state that does not impose minimum investment requirements in order for exempt-interest dividends from a Fund to be excludable from state taxable income may be eligible to exclude the percentage of income derived from obligations of that state when determining their state taxable income. The amount excludable from state taxable income generally will be relatively small, however. Information concerning the percentage of income attributable to each state will be provided to you. You should confirm with your tax adviser that income attributable to a state of residence is properly excludable when determining your taxable income.

Generally, distributions other than exempt-interest dividends, whether received in cash or additional shares that are federally taxable as ordinary income or capital gains will be includable in income for both state personal income and corporate tax purposes. In addition, the portion of the Short Duration Tax Free Fund’s, Intermediate Tax Free Fund’s, National Tax Free Fund’s and High Yield Municipal Bond Fund’s dividends attributable to private activity bonds may be a tax preference item for state AMT purposes.

The foregoing is only a summary of important state tax rules. You should consult your tax advisers regarding specific questions as to federal, state, local, and foreign taxes and how these relate to your own tax situation.

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

124


 

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

These tables describe the Funds’ performance for the fiscal periods indicated. “Total Return” shows how much your investment in the Funds would have increased or decreased during each period without considering the effects of sales loads and assuming you had reinvested all dividends and distributions. These Financial Highlights have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm, in conjunction with their annual audits of the Funds’ financial statements. Financial statements and the report of the independent registered public accounting firm thereon appear in the 2013 annual report to shareholders and are incorporated by reference in the SAI, which is available upon request. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share.

PROSPECTUS – THE FUNDS

125


 

SHORT DURATION TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

12/12/2008 (a)
to
9/30/2009

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

 

$15.97

   

 

$15.83

   

 

$15.80

   

 

$15.60

   

 

$15.00

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b)

 

 

.21

   

 

.26

   

 

.33

   

 

.30

   

 

.33

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.25

)

 

 

 

.15

   

 

.03

   

 

.20

   

 

.68

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.04

)

 

 

 

.41

   

 

.36

   

 

.50

   

 

1.01

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.21

)

 

 

 

(.26

)

 

 

 

(.33

)

 

 

 

(.30

)

 

 

 

(.41

)

 

 

Net realized gain

 

 

(.01

)

 

 

 

(.01

)

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

 

 

(.22

)

 

 

 

(.27

)

 

 

 

(.33

)

 

 

 

(.30

)

 

 

 

(.41

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

$15.71

   

 

$15.97

   

 

$15.83

   

 

$15.80

   

 

$15.60

 

 

Total Return (c)

 

 

 

(.28

)%

 

 

 

2.65

%

 

 

 

2.30

%

 

 

 

3.24

%

 

 

 

6.82

% (d)

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.63

%

 

 

 

.61

%

 

 

 

.59

%

 

 

 

.55

%

 

 

 

.44

% (e)

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

 

.62

% (f)

 

 

 

 

.60

% (f)

 

 

 

 

.58

% (f)

 

 

 

 

.55

% (f)

 

 

 

 

.44

% (e)

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.70

%

 

 

 

.70

%

 

 

 

.70

%

 

 

 

.70

%

 

 

 

.75

% (e)

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

1.32

%

 

 

 

1.65

%

 

 

 

2.08

%

 

 

 

1.91

%

 

 

 

2.68

% (e)

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

 

 

$1,476,264

   

 

$1,511,237

   

 

$1,249,341

   

 

$1,326,511

   

 

$609,072

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

23.80

%

 

 

 

18.11

%

 

 

 

52.51

%

 

 

 

36.21

%

 

 

 

64.00

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Commencement of operations was 12/12/2008, SEC effective date was 12/10/2008 and date shares became available to the public was 1/2/2009.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the period.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(d)

 

 

 

Not annualized.

 

(e)

 

 

 

Annualized.

 

(f)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – SHORT DURATION TAX FREE FUND

126


 

SHORT DURATION TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class C Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

12/12/2008 (a)
to
9/30/2009

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

 

$15.97

   

 

$15.83

   

 

$15.80

   

 

$15.60

   

 

$15.00

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b)

 

 

.11

   

 

.16

   

 

.21

   

 

.18

   

 

.23

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.26

)

 

 

 

.15

   

 

.03

   

 

.19

   

 

.68

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.15

)

 

 

 

.31

   

 

.24

   

 

.37

   

 

.91

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.10

)

 

 

 

(.16

)

 

 

 

(.21

)

 

 

 

(.17

)

 

 

 

(.31

)

 

 

Net realized gain

 

 

(.01

)

 

 

 

(.01

)

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

 

 

(.11

)

 

 

 

(.17

)

 

 

 

(.21

)

 

 

 

(.17

)

 

 

 

(.31

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

$15.71

   

 

$15.97

   

 

$15.83

   

 

$15.80

   

 

$15.60

 

 

Total Return (c)

 

 

(.93

)%

 

 

 

1.97

%

 

 

 

1.56

%

 

 

 

2.42

%

 

 

 

6.10

% (d)

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

1.29

%

 

 

 

1.27

%

 

 

 

1.31

%

 

 

 

1.35

%

 

 

 

1.23

% (e)

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

 

1.29

% (f)

 

 

 

 

1.26

% (f)

 

 

 

 

1.31

% (f)

 

 

 

 

1.35

% (f)

 

 

 

 

1.23

% (e)

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

1.36

%

 

 

 

1.36

%

 

 

 

1.41

%

 

 

 

1.50

%

 

 

 

1.51

% (e)

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

.67

%

 

 

 

1.00

%

 

 

 

1.36

%

 

 

 

1.12

%

 

 

 

1.88

% (e)

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

 

 

$285,611

   

 

$298,123

   

 

$244,872

   

 

$251,390

   

 

$128,116

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

23.80

%

 

 

 

18.11

%

 

 

 

52.51

%

 

 

 

36.21

%

 

 

 

64.00

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Commencement of operations was 12/12/2008, SEC effective date was 12/10/2008 and date shares became available to the public was 1/2/2009.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the period.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(d)

 

 

 

Not annualized.

 

(e)

 

 

 

Annualized.

 

(f)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – SHORT DURATION TAX FREE FUND

127


 

SHORT DURATION TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class F Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

12/12/2008 (a)
to
9/30/2009

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

 

$15.97

   

 

$15.83

   

 

$15.80

   

 

$15.60

   

 

$15.00

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b)

 

 

.23

   

 

.27

   

 

.34

   

 

.32

   

 

.36

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.25

)

 

 

 

.16

   

 

.03

   

 

.20

   

 

.66

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.02

)

 

 

 

.43

   

 

.37

   

 

.52

   

 

1.02

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.23

)

 

 

 

(.28

)

 

 

 

(.34

)

 

 

 

(.32

)

 

 

 

(.42

)

 

 

Net realized gain

 

 

(.01

)

 

 

 

(.01

)

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

 

 

(.24

)

 

 

 

(.29

)

 

 

 

(.34

)

 

 

 

(.32

)

 

 

 

(.42

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

$15.71

   

 

$15.97

   

 

$15.83

   

 

$15.80

   

 

$15.60

 

 

Total Return (c)

 

 

(.18

)%

 

 

 

2.75

%

 

 

 

2.40

%

 

 

 

3.34

%

 

 

 

6.90

% (d)

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.53

%

 

 

 

.51

%

 

 

 

.49

%

 

 

 

.45

%

 

 

 

.34

% (e)

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

 

.52

% (f)

 

 

 

 

.50

% (f)

 

 

 

 

.48

% (f)

 

 

 

 

.45

% (f)

 

 

 

 

.34

% (e)

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.60

%

 

 

 

.60

%

 

 

 

.60

%

 

 

 

.61

%

 

 

 

.64

% (e)

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

1.42

%

 

 

 

1.72

%

 

 

 

2.18

%

 

 

 

2.02

%

 

 

 

2.88

% (e)

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

 

 

$757,444

   

 

$704,486

   

 

$365,694

   

 

$284,289

   

 

$100,723

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

23.80

%

 

 

 

18.11

%

 

 

 

52.51

%

 

 

 

36.21

%

 

 

 

64.00

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Commencement of operations was 12/12/2008, SEC effective date was 12/10/2008 and date shares became available to the public was 1/2/2009.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the period.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(d)

 

 

 

Not annualized.

 

(e)

 

 

 

Annualized.

 

(f)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – SHORT DURATION TAX FREE FUND

128


 

SHORT DURATION TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class I Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

12/12/2008 (a)
to
9/30/2009

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

 

$15.97

   

 

$15.83

   

 

$15.80

   

 

$15.60

   

 

$15.00

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b)

 

 

.24

   

 

.28

   

 

.35

   

 

.33

   

 

.34

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.25

)

 

 

 

.16

   

 

.04

   

 

.20

   

 

.70

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.01

)

 

 

 

.44

   

 

.39

   

 

.53

   

 

1.04

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.24

)

 

 

 

(.29

)

 

 

 

(.36

)

 

 

 

(.33

)

 

 

 

(.44

)

 

 

Net realized gain

 

 

(.01

)

 

 

 

(.01

)

 

 

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions

 

 

(.25

)

 

 

 

(.30

)

 

 

 

(.36

)

 

 

 

(.33

)

 

 

 

(.44

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

$15.71

   

 

$15.97

   

 

$15.83

   

 

$15.80

   

 

$15.60

 

 

Total Return (c)

 

 

(.08

)%

 

 

 

2.83

%

 

 

 

2.48

%

 

 

 

3.43

%

 

 

 

7.04

% (d)

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.43

%

 

 

 

.41

%

 

 

 

.39

%

 

 

 

.35

%

 

 

 

.25

% (e)

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

 

.42

% (f)

 

 

 

 

.40

% (f)

 

 

 

 

.39

% (f)

 

 

 

 

.34

% (f)

 

 

 

 

.25

% (e)

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.50

%

 

 

 

.50

%

 

 

 

.49

%

 

 

 

.50

%

 

 

 

.57

% (e)

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

1.50

%

 

 

 

1.77

%

 

 

 

2.22

%

 

 

 

2.11

%

 

 

 

2.71

% (e)

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

 

 

$67,487

   

 

$23,111

   

 

$6,330

   

 

$2,221

   

 

$3,407

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

23.80

%

 

 

 

18.11

%

 

 

 

52.51

%

 

 

 

36.21

%

 

 

 

64.00

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Commencement of operations was 12/12/2008, SEC effective date was 12/10/2008 and date shares became available to the public was 1/2/2009.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the period.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(d)

 

 

 

Not annualized.

 

(e)

 

 

 

Annualized.

 

(f)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – SHORT DURATION TAX FREE FUND

129


 

INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

 

$10.99

   

 

$10.49

   

 

$10.52

   

 

$10.28

   

 

$9.42

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

.29

   

 

.33

   

 

.39

   

 

.39

   

 

.38

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.50

)

 

 

 

.50

   

 

(.03

)

 

 

 

.23

   

 

.86

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.21

)

 

 

 

.83

   

 

.36

   

 

.62

   

 

1.24

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.29

)

 

 

 

(.33

)

 

 

 

(.39

)

 

 

 

(.38

)

 

 

 

(.38

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

 

$10.49

   

 

$10.99

   

 

$10.49

   

 

$10.52

   

 

$10.28

 

 

Total Return (b)

 

 

(1.99

)%

 

 

 

8.04

%

 

 

 

3.55

%

 

 

 

6.22

%

 

 

 

13.50

%

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.69

%

 

 

 

.67

%

 

 

 

.65

%

 

 

 

.63

%

 

 

 

.44

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed (c)

 

 

.68

%

 

 

 

.66

%

 

 

 

.64

%

 

 

 

.63

%

 

 

 

.44

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.70

%

 

 

 

.70

%

 

 

 

.72

%

 

 

 

.71

%

 

 

 

.72

%

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

2.67

%

 

 

 

3.10

%

 

 

 

3.82

%

 

 

 

3.76

%

 

 

 

3.89

%

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

 

 

$1,829,614

   

 

$2,064,377

   

 

$1,385,337

   

 

$1,320,285

   

 

$798,344

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

30.59

%

 

 

 

21.39

%

 

 

 

38.81

%

 

 

 

30.23

%

 

 

 

15.70

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

130


 

INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class B Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

 

$10.98

   

 

$10.48

   

 

$10.51

   

 

$10.27

   

 

$9.41

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

.20

   

 

.25

   

 

.31

   

 

.31

   

 

.30

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.50

)

 

 

 

.50

   

 

(.04

)

 

 

 

.23

   

 

.87

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.30

)

 

 

 

.75

   

 

.27

   

 

.54

   

 

1.17

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.20

)

 

 

 

(.25

)

 

 

 

(.30

)

 

 

 

(.30

)

 

 

 

(.31

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

 

$10.48

   

 

$10.98

   

 

$10.48

   

 

$10.51

   

 

$10.27

 

 

Total Return (b)

 

 

(2.78

)%

 

 

 

7.19

%

 

 

 

2.73

%

 

 

 

5.38

%

 

 

 

12.65

%

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

1.49

%

 

 

 

1.47

%

 

 

 

1.45

%

 

 

 

1.43

%

 

 

 

1.24

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed (c)

 

 

1.48

%

 

 

 

1.46

%

 

 

 

1.44

%

 

 

 

1.43

%

 

 

 

1.23

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

1.50

%

 

 

 

1.50

%

 

 

 

1.52

%

 

 

 

1.51

%

 

 

 

1.52

%

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

1.88

%

 

 

 

2.34

%

 

 

 

3.03

%

 

 

 

2.98

%

 

 

 

3.10

%

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

 

 

$4,587

   

 

$5,933

   

 

$6,526

   

 

$7,725

   

 

$6,315

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

30.59

%

 

 

 

21.39

%

 

 

 

38.81

%

 

 

 

30.23

%

 

 

 

15.70

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

131


 

INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class C Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

 

$10.98

   

 

$10.48

   

 

$10.51

   

 

$10.27

   

 

$9.41

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

.22

   

 

.26

   

 

.32

   

 

.31

   

 

.31

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.51

)

 

 

 

.50

   

 

(.04

)

 

 

 

.24

   

 

.87

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.29

)

 

 

 

.76

   

 

.28

   

 

.55

   

 

1.18

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.21

)

 

 

 

(.26

)

 

 

 

(.31

)

 

 

 

(.31

)

 

 

 

(.32

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

 

$10.48

   

 

$10.98

   

 

$10.48

   

 

$10.51

   

 

$10.27

 

 

Total Return (b)

 

 

(2.66

)%

 

 

 

7.32

%

 

 

 

2.81

%

 

 

 

5.44

%

 

 

 

12.76

%

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

1.36

%

 

 

 

1.34

%

 

 

 

1.37

%

 

 

 

1.37

%

 

 

 

1.10

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed (c)

 

 

1.36

%

 

 

 

1.34

%

 

 

 

1.36

%

 

 

 

1.37

%

 

 

 

1.09

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

1.38

%

 

 

 

1.38

%

 

 

 

1.43

%

 

 

 

1.46

%

 

 

 

1.47

%

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

2.00

%

 

 

 

2.42

%

 

 

 

3.10

%

 

 

 

3.01

%

 

 

 

3.22

%

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

 

 

$634,305

   

 

$699,128

   

 

$453,450

   

 

$391,138

   

 

$180,270

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

30.59

%

 

 

 

21.39

%

 

 

 

38.81

%

 

 

 

30.23

%

 

 

 

15.70

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

132


 

INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class F Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

 

$10.99

   

 

$10.49

   

 

$10.52

   

 

$10.28

   

 

$9.42

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

.30

   

 

.34

   

 

.40

   

 

.40

   

 

.38

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.50

)

 

 

 

.50

   

 

(.03

)

 

 

 

.23

   

 

.87

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.20

)

 

 

 

.84

   

 

.37

   

 

.63

   

 

1.25

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.30

)

 

 

 

(.34

)

 

 

 

(.40

)

 

 

 

(.39

)

 

 

 

(.39

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

 

$10.49

   

 

$10.99

   

 

$10.49

   

 

$10.52

   

 

$10.28

 

 

Total Return (b)

 

 

(1.89

)%

 

 

 

8.15

%

 

 

 

3.66

%

 

 

 

6.33

%

 

 

 

13.61

%

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.59

%

 

 

 

.57

%

 

 

 

.55

%

 

 

 

.53

%

 

 

 

.40

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed (c)

 

 

.58

%

 

 

 

.56

%

 

 

 

.54

%

 

 

 

.53

%

 

 

 

.39

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.60

%

 

 

 

.61

%

 

 

 

.62

%

 

 

 

.61

%

 

 

 

.64

%

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

2.77

%

 

 

 

3.19

%

 

 

 

3.92

%

 

 

 

3.86

%

 

 

 

3.90

%

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

 

 

$899,590

   

 

$1,007,950

   

 

$547,652

   

 

$307,256

   

 

$103,873

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

30.59

%

 

 

 

21.39

%

 

 

 

38.81

%

 

 

 

30.23

%

 

 

 

15.70

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

133


 

INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class I Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

1/31/2011 (a)
to
9/30/2011

 

2013

 

2012

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

$11.00

   

 

$10.50

   

 

$9.96

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(c)

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

(.01

)

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

(.01

)

 

 

Net asset value on SEC Effective Date, 2/1/2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

$9.95

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b)

 

 

.31

   

 

.34

   

 

.27

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.51

)

 

 

 

.51

   

 

.55

(d)

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.20

)

 

 

 

.85

   

 

.82

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.31

)

 

 

 

(.35

)

 

 

 

(.27

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

$10.49

   

 

$11.00

   

 

$10.50

 

 

Total Return (e)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.26

% (f)(g)

 

 

Total Return (e)

 

 

(1.89

)%

 

 

 

8.22

%

 

 

 

 

8.35

% (f)(h)

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.49

%

 

 

 

.47

%

 

 

 

.45

% (i)

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed (j)

 

 

.48

%

 

 

 

.46

%

 

 

 

.44

% (i)

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.50

%

 

 

 

.51

%

 

 

 

.54

% (i)

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

2.87

%

 

 

 

3.17

%

 

 

 

3.81

% (i)

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

 

 

$52,814

   

 

$37,514

   

 

$2,572

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

30.59

%

 

 

 

21.39

%

 

 

 

38.81

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Commencement of operations was 1/31/2011, SEC effective date and date shares first became available to the public was 2/1/2011.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the period.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Amount is less than $.01.

 

(d)

 

 

 

The per share amount does not represent the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) as presented on the Statements of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales of Fund shares and the amount of per share realized and unrealized gains and losses at such time.

 

(e)

 

 

 

Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(f)

 

 

 

Not annualized.

 

(g)

 

 

 

Total return for the period 1/31/2011 through 9/30/2011.

 

(h)

 

 

 

Total return for the period 2/1/2011 through 9/30/2011.

 

(i)

 

 

 

Annualized.

 

(j)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

134


 

INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class P Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

 

$11.00

   

 

$10.50

   

 

$10.52

   

 

$10.28

   

 

$9.42

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

.27

   

 

.31

   

 

.37

   

 

.36

   

 

.36

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.52

)

 

 

 

.50

   

 

(.03

)

 

 

 

.24

   

 

.86

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.25

)

 

 

 

.81

   

 

.34

   

 

.60

   

 

1.22

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.26

)

 

 

 

(.31

)

 

 

 

(.36

)

 

 

 

(.36

)

 

 

 

(.36

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

 

$10.49

   

 

$11.00

   

 

$10.50

   

 

$10.52

   

 

$10.28

 

 

Total Return (b)

 

 

(2.32

)%

 

 

 

7.79

%

 

 

 

3.41

%

 

 

 

5.99

%

 

 

 

13.27

%

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.92

%

 

 

 

.90

%

 

 

 

.89

%

 

 

 

.86

%

 

 

 

.65

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed (c)

 

 

.92

%

 

 

 

.90

%

 

 

 

.88

%

 

 

 

.86

%

 

 

 

.64

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.94

%

 

 

 

.94

%

 

 

 

.96

%

 

 

 

.94

%

 

 

 

.96

%

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

2.44

%

 

 

 

2.90

%

 

 

 

3.60

%

 

 

 

3.56

%

 

 

 

3.73

%

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

 

 

$15

   

 

$15

   

 

$14

   

 

$13

   

 

$13

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

30.59

%

 

 

 

21.39

%

 

 

 

38.81

%

 

 

 

30.23

%

 

 

 

15.70

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND

135


 

AMT FREE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

10/26/2010 (a)
to
9/30/2011

 

2013

 

2012

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

 

$16.38

   

 

$15.08

   

 

$15.00

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b)

 

 

.58

   

 

.65

   

 

.65

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(1.35

)

 

 

 

1.30

   

 

.05

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.77

)

 

 

 

1.95

   

 

.70

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.58

)

 

 

 

(.65

)

 

 

 

(.62

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

$15.03

   

 

$16.38

   

 

$15.08

 

 

Total Return (c)

 

 

 

(4.88

)%

 

 

 

13.16

%

 

 

 

4.90

% (d)

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.58

%

 

 

 

.55

%

 

 

 

.50

% (e)

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.58

%

 

 

 

 

.53

% (f)

 

 

 

.50

% (e)(f)

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.87

%

 

 

 

.91

%

 

 

 

1.13

% (e)

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

3.62

%

 

 

 

4.12

%

 

 

 

4.81

% (e)

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

 

 

$106,852

   

 

$115,862

   

 

$62,280

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

45.96

%

 

 

 

17.32

%

 

 

 

54.63

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Commencement of operations and SEC effective date was 10/26/2010 and date shares first became available to the public was 11/1/2010.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the period.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(d)

 

 

 

Not annualized.

 

(e)

 

 

 

Annualized.

 

(f)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – AMT FREE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

136


 

AMT FREE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class C Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

10/26/2010 (a)
to
9/30/2011

 

2013

 

2012

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

$16.38

   

 

$15.07

   

 

$15.00

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b)

 

 

.46

   

 

.51

   

 

.54

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(1.35

)

 

 

 

1.32

   

 

.04

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.89

)

 

 

 

1.83

   

 

.58

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.46

)

 

 

 

(.52

)

 

 

 

(.51

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

$15.03

   

 

$16.38

   

 

$15.07

 

 

Total Return (c)

 

 

(5.53

)%

 

 

 

12.29

%

 

 

 

4.03

% (d)

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

1.33

%

 

 

 

1.32

%

 

 

 

1.29

% (e)

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

 

1.33

%

 

 

 

 

1.30

% (f)

 

 

 

 

1.29

% (e)(f)

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

1.62

%

 

 

 

1.66

%

 

 

 

1.84

% (e)

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

2.87

%

 

 

 

3.22

%

 

 

 

3.97

% (e)

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

 

 

$19,779

   

 

$18,242

   

 

$2,532

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

45.96

%

 

 

 

17.32

%

 

 

 

54.63

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Commencement of operations and SEC effective date was 10/26/2010 and date shares first became available to the public was 11/1/2010.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the period.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(d)

 

 

 

Not annualized.

 

(e)

 

 

 

Annualized.

 

(f)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – AMT FREE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

137


 

AMT FREE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class F Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

10/26/2010 (a)
to
9/30/2011

 

2013

 

2012

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

$16.38

   

 

$15.09

   

 

$15.00

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b)

 

 

.60

   

 

.65

   

 

.67

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(1.36

)

 

 

 

1.30

   

 

.05

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.76

)

 

 

 

1.95

   

 

.72

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.59

)

 

 

 

(.66

)

 

 

 

(.63

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

$15.03

   

 

$16.38

   

 

$15.09

 

 

Total Return (c)

 

 

(4.78

)%

 

 

 

13.20

%

 

 

 

5.04

% (d)

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.48

%

 

 

 

.45

%

 

 

 

.40

% (e)

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.48

%

 

 

 

 

.44

% (f)

 

 

 

 

.39

% (e)(f)

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.77

%

 

 

 

.80

%

 

 

 

.90

% (e)

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

3.71

%

 

 

 

4.08

%

 

 

 

4.85

% (e)

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

 

 

$18,702

   

 

$32,554

   

 

$3,769

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

45.96

%

 

 

 

17.32

%

 

 

 

54.63

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Commencement of operations and SEC effective date was 10/26/2010 and date shares first became available to the public was 11/1/2010.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the period.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(d)

 

 

 

Not annualized.

 

(e)

 

 

 

Annualized.

 

(f)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – AMT FREE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

138


 

AMT FREE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

Financial Highlights (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class I Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

10/26/2010 (a)
to
9/30/2011

 

2013

 

2012

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

$16.39

   

 

$15.08

   

 

$15.00

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b)

 

 

.63

   

 

.66

   

 

.66

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(1.37

)

 

 

 

1.33

   

 

.07

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.74

)

 

 

 

1.99

   

 

.73

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.61

)

 

 

 

(.68

)

 

 

 

(.65

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

$15.04

   

 

$16.39

   

 

$15.08

 

 

Total Return (c)

 

 

(4.65

)%

 

 

 

13.41

%

 

 

 

5.13

% (d)

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.37

%

 

 

 

.36

%

 

 

 

.29

% (e)

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

 

.37

%

 

 

 

 

.35

% (f)

 

 

 

 

.29

% (e)(f)

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions, management fee waived and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.67

%

 

 

 

.69

%

 

 

 

2.12

% (e)

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

3.80

%

 

 

 

4.10

%

 

 

 

4.91

% (e)

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

 

 

$108

   

 

$8,372

   

 

$11

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

45.96

%

 

 

 

17.32

%

 

 

 

54.63

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Commencement of operations and SEC effective date was 10/26/2010 and date shares first became available to the public was 11/1/2010.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the period.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(d)

 

 

 

Not annualized.

 

(e)

 

 

 

Annualized.

 

(f)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – AMT FREE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

139


 

NATIONAL TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

 

 

$11.52

   

 

$10.53

   

 

$10.84

   

 

$10.62

   

 

$9.71

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

.44

   

 

.50

   

 

.52

   

 

.54

   

 

.52

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.93

)

 

 

 

.98

   

 

(.31

)

 

 

 

.21

   

 

.90

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.49

)

 

 

 

1.48

   

 

.21

   

 

.75

   

 

1.42

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.43

)

 

 

 

(.49

)

 

 

 

(.52

)

 

 

 

(.53

)

 

 

 

(.51

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

 

$10.60

   

 

$11.52

   

 

$10.53

   

 

$10.84

   

 

$10.62

 

 

Total Return (b)

 

 

(4.40

)%

 

 

 

14.37

%

 

 

 

2.15

%

 

 

 

7.34

%

 

 

 

15.40

%

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including expenses reimbursed

 

 

.76

%

 

 

 

.79

%

 

 

 

.83

%

 

 

 

.86

%

 

 

 

.92

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions and expenses reimbursed (c)

 

 

.74

%

 

 

 

.73

%

 

 

 

.76

%

 

 

 

.77

%

 

 

 

.77

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.76

%

 

 

 

.79

%

 

 

 

.83

%

 

 

 

.86

%

 

 

 

.92

%

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

3.87

%

 

 

 

4.52

%

 

 

 

5.12

%

 

 

 

5.12

%

 

 

 

5.49

%

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

 

 

$1,438,697

   

 

$1,694,729

   

 

$1,406,579

   

 

$1,007,123

   

 

$889,665

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

33.78

%

 

 

 

43.81

%

 

 

 

87.43

%

 

 

 

63.31

%

 

 

 

45.22

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – NATIONAL TAX FREE FUND

140


 

NATIONAL TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class B Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

 

$11.58

   

 

$10.58

   

 

$10.90

   

 

$10.68

   

 

$9.75

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

.35

   

 

.42

   

 

.45

   

 

.46

   

 

.45

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.94

)

 

 

 

.99

   

 

(.33

)

 

 

 

.21

   

 

.91

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.59

)

 

 

 

1.41

   

 

.12

   

 

.67

   

 

1.36

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.34

)

 

 

 

(.41

)

 

 

 

(.44

)

 

 

 

(.45

)

 

 

 

(.43

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

 

$10.65

   

 

$11.58

   

 

$10.58

   

 

$10.90

   

 

$10.68

 

 

Total Return (b)

 

 

(5.21

)%

 

 

 

13.52

%

 

 

 

1.26

%

 

 

 

6.48

%

 

 

 

14.48

%

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including expenses reimbursed

 

 

1.57

%

 

 

 

1.60

%

 

 

 

1.64

%

 

 

 

1.66

%

 

 

 

1.72

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions and expenses reimbursed (c)

 

 

1.54

%

 

 

 

1.53

%

 

 

 

1.57

%

 

 

 

1.57

%

 

 

 

1.57

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and expenses reimbursed

 

 

1.57

%

 

 

 

1.60

%

 

 

 

1.64

%

 

 

 

1.66

%

 

 

 

1.72

%

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

3.07

%

 

 

 

3.77

%

 

 

 

4.31

%

 

 

 

4.33

%

 

 

 

4.70

%

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

 

 

$5,443

   

 

$7,762

   

 

$9,190

   

 

$16,143

   

 

$18,540

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

33.78

%

 

 

 

43.81

%

 

 

 

87.43

%

 

 

 

63.31

%

 

 

 

45.22

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – NATIONAL TAX FREE FUND

141


 

NATIONAL TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class C Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

 

$11.53

   

 

$10.54

   

 

$10.86

   

 

$10.63

   

 

$9.73

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

.37

   

 

.43

   

 

.46

   

 

.46

   

 

.46

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.93

)

 

 

 

.98

   

 

(.33

)

 

 

 

.23

   

 

.89

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.56

)

 

 

 

1.41

   

 

.13

   

 

.69

   

 

1.35

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.36

)

 

 

 

(.42

)

 

 

 

(.45

)

 

 

 

(.46

)

 

 

 

(.45

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

 

$10.61

   

 

$11.53

   

 

$10.54

   

 

$10.86

   

 

$10.63

 

 

Total Return (b)

 

 

(5.02

)%

 

 

 

13.64

%

 

 

 

1.38

%

 

 

 

6.69

%

 

 

 

14.58

%

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including expenses reimbursed

 

 

1.42

%

 

 

 

1.43

%

 

 

 

1.50

%

 

 

 

1.56

%

 

 

 

1.59

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions and expenses reimbursed (c)

 

 

1.40

%

 

 

 

1.37

%

 

 

 

1.43

%

 

 

 

1.47

%

 

 

 

1.45

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and expenses reimbursed

 

 

1.42

%

 

 

 

1.43

%

 

 

 

1.50

%

 

 

 

1.56

%

 

 

 

1.59

%

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

3.21

%

 

 

 

3.87

%

 

 

 

4.44

%

 

 

 

4.40

%

 

 

 

4.78

%

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

 

 

$177,169

   

 

$215,692

   

 

$158,714

   

 

$181,209

   

 

$133,922

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

33.78

%

 

 

 

43.81

%

 

 

 

87.43

%

 

 

 

63.31

%

 

 

 

45.22

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – NATIONAL TAX FREE FUND

142


 

NATIONAL TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class F Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

 

$11.51

   

 

$10.52

   

 

$10.83

   

 

$10.61

   

 

$9.71

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

.45

   

 

.51

   

 

.53

   

 

.55

   

 

.53

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.93

)

 

 

 

.98

   

 

(.31

)

 

 

 

.21

   

 

.89

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.48

)

 

 

 

1.49

   

 

.22

   

 

.76

   

 

1.42

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.44

)

 

 

 

(.50

)

 

 

 

(.53

)

 

 

 

(.54

)

 

 

 

(.52

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

 

$10.59

   

 

$11.51

   

 

$10.52

   

 

$10.83

   

 

$10.61

 

 

Total Return (b)

 

 

(4.31

)%

 

 

 

14.48

%

 

 

 

2.24

%

 

 

 

7.43

%

 

 

 

15.44

%

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including expenses reimbursed

 

 

.66

%

 

 

 

.69

%

 

 

 

.73

%

 

 

 

.76

%

 

 

 

.81

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions and expenses reimbursed (c)

 

 

.64

%

 

 

 

.63

%

 

 

 

.66

%

 

 

 

.66

%

 

 

 

.67

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.66

%

 

 

 

.69

%

 

 

 

.73

%

 

 

 

.76

%

 

 

 

.81

%

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

3.95

%

 

 

 

4.58

%

 

 

 

5.21

%

 

 

 

5.18

%

 

 

 

5.45

%

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

 

 

$103,160

   

 

$122,943

   

 

$73,983

   

 

$62,200

   

 

$28,791

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

33.78

%

 

 

 

43.81

%

 

 

 

87.43

%

 

 

 

63.31

%

 

 

 

45.22

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – NATIONAL TAX FREE FUND

143


 

NATIONAL TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class I Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

7/26/2010 (a)
to
9/30/2010

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

$11.52

   

 

$10.53

   

 

$10.84

   

 

$10.59

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b)

 

 

.46

   

 

.51

   

 

.55

   

 

.10

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.93

)

 

 

 

1.00

   

 

(.32

)

 

 

 

.25

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.47

)

 

 

 

1.51

   

 

.23

   

 

.35

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.45

)

 

 

 

(.52

)

 

 

 

(.54

)

 

 

 

(.10

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

$10.60

   

 

$11.52

   

 

$10.53

   

 

$10.84

 

 

Total Return (c)

 

 

(4.23

)%

 

 

 

14.62

%

 

 

 

2.40

%

 

 

 

3.31

% (d)

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense and including expense reductions (e)

 

 

.54

%

 

 

 

.52

%

 

 

 

.54

%

 

 

 

.55

% (f)

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions

 

 

.57

%

 

 

 

.59

%

 

 

 

.61

%

 

 

 

.64

% (f)

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

4.05

%

 

 

 

4.58

%

 

 

 

5.35

%

 

 

 

5.21

% (f)

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

 

 

$719

   

 

$78

   

 

$11

   

 

$10

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

33.78

%

 

 

 

43.81

%

 

 

 

87.43

%

 

 

 

63.31

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Commencement of operations was 7/26/2010 and the SEC effective date was 4/30/2007.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the period.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(d)

 

 

 

Not annualized.

 

(e)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

 

(f)

 

 

 

Annualized.

PROSPECTUS – NATIONAL TAX FREE FUND

144


 

HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

 

$11.93

   

 

$11.06

   

 

$11.81

   

 

$11.49

   

 

$11.89

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

.58

   

 

.63

   

 

.69

   

 

.67

   

 

.72

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(1.04

)

 

 

 

.85

   

 

(.77

)

 

 

 

.31

 

 

 

 

(.37

) (b)

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.46

)

 

 

 

1.48

   

 

(.08

)

 

 

 

.98

   

 

.35

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.56

)

 

 

 

(.61

)

 

 

 

(.67

)

 

 

 

(.66

)

 

 

 

(.75

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

 

$10.91

   

 

$11.93

   

 

$11.06

   

 

$11.81

   

 

$11.49

 

 

Total Return (c)

 

 

(4.11

)%

 

 

 

13.79

%

 

 

 

(.46

)%

 

 

 

8.88

%

 

 

 

4.14

%

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including expenses reimbursed

 

 

.84

%

 

 

 

.86

%

 

 

 

.89

%

 

 

 

.91

%

 

 

 

1.03

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions and expenses reimbursed (d)

 

 

.83

%

 

 

 

.80

%

 

 

 

.82

%

 

 

 

.80

%

 

 

 

.84

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.84

%

 

 

 

.86

%

 

 

 

.89

%

 

 

 

.91

%

 

 

 

1.03

%

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

4.87

%

 

 

 

5.52

%

 

 

 

6.24

%

 

 

 

5.88

%

 

 

 

7.13

%

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

 

 

$1,071,511

   

 

$1,185,644

   

 

$919,758

   

 

$1,236,637

   

 

$976,708

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

24.47

%

 

 

 

27.20

%

 

 

 

40.94

%

 

 

 

37.68

%

 

 

 

32.88

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)

 

 

 

The per share amount does not represent the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) as presented on the Statements of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales of Fund shares and the amount of per share realized and unrealized gains and losses at such time.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(d)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

145


 

HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class C Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

 

$11.93

   

 

$11.06

   

 

$11.81

   

 

$11.50

   

 

$11.89

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

.50

   

 

.56

   

 

.62

   

 

.59

   

 

.66

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(1.03

)

 

 

 

.85

   

 

(.77

)

 

 

 

.30

 

 

 

 

(.37

) (b)

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.53

)

 

 

 

1.41

   

 

(.15

)

 

 

 

.89

   

 

.29

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.48

)

 

 

 

(.54

)

 

 

 

(.60

)

 

 

 

(.58

)

 

 

 

(.68

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

 

$10.92

   

 

$11.93

   

 

$11.06

   

 

$11.81

   

 

$11.50

 

 

Total Return (c)

 

 

(4.64

)%

 

 

 

13.08

%

 

 

 

(1.11

)%

 

 

 

7.99

%

 

 

 

3.57

%

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including expenses reimbursed

 

 

1.49

%

 

 

 

1.49

%

 

 

 

1.56

%

 

 

 

1.65

%

 

 

 

1.66

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions and expenses reimbursed (d)

 

 

1.47

%

 

 

 

1.44

%

 

 

 

1.48

%

 

 

 

1.55

%

 

 

 

1.48

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and expenses reimbursed

 

 

1.49

%

 

 

 

1.49

%

 

 

 

1.56

%

 

 

 

1.65

%

 

 

 

1.67

%

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

4.23

%

 

 

 

4.91

%

 

 

 

5.59

%

 

 

 

5.14

%

 

 

 

6.55

%

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

 

 

$407,217

   

 

$526,880

   

 

$450,802

   

 

$585,366

   

 

$455,042

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

24.47

%

 

 

 

27.20

%

 

 

 

40.94

%

 

 

 

37.68

%

 

 

 

32.88

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)

 

 

 

The per share amount does not represent the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) as presented on the Statements of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales of Fund shares and the amount of per share realized and unrealized gains and losses at such time.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(d)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

146


 

HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class F Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

 

$11.94

   

 

$11.07

   

 

$11.82

   

 

$11.50

   

 

$11.90

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

.59

   

 

.64

   

 

.70

   

 

.69

   

 

.70

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(1.04

)

 

 

 

.85

   

 

(.76

)

 

 

 

.30

 

 

 

 

(.34

) (b)

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.45

)

 

 

 

1.49

   

 

(.06

)

 

 

 

.99

   

 

.36

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.57

)

 

 

 

(.62

)

 

 

 

(.69

)

 

 

 

(.67

)

 

 

 

(.76

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

 

$10.92

   

 

$11.94

   

 

$11.07

   

 

$11.82

   

 

$11.50

 

 

Total Return (c)

 

 

(4.01

)%

 

 

 

13.89

%

 

 

 

(.35

)%

 

 

 

8.98

%

 

 

 

4.25

%

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including expenses reimbursed

 

 

.74

%

 

 

 

.76

%

 

 

 

.79

%

 

 

 

.81

%

 

 

 

.91

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions and expenses reimbursed (d)

 

 

.72

%

 

 

 

.70

%

 

 

 

.72

%

 

 

 

.71

%

 

 

 

.73

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.74

%

 

 

 

.76

%

 

 

 

.79

%

 

 

 

.81

%

 

 

 

.91

%

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

4.94

%

 

 

 

5.60

%

 

 

 

6.35

%

 

 

 

5.97

%

 

 

 

6.83

%

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

 

 

$228,484

   

 

$258,682

   

 

$175,052

   

 

$215,479

   

 

$112,500

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

24.47

%

 

 

 

27.20

%

 

 

 

40.94

%

 

 

 

37.68

%

 

 

 

32.88

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)

 

 

 

The per share amount does not represent the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) as presented on the Statements of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales of Fund shares and the amount of per share realized and unrealized gains and losses at such time.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(d)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

147


 

HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class I Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

7/26/2010 (a)
to
9/30/2010

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

$11.94

   

 

$11.06

   

 

$11.81

   

 

$11.58

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b)

 

 

.60

   

 

.66

   

 

.68

   

 

.12

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(1.04

)

 

 

 

.85

   

 

(.74

)

 

 

 

.23

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.44

)

 

 

 

1.51

   

 

(.06

)

 

 

 

.35

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.58

)

 

 

 

(.63

)

 

 

 

(.69

)

 

 

 

(.12

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

$10.92

   

 

$11.94

   

 

$11.06

   

 

$11.81

 

 

Total Return (c)

 

 

(3.92

)%

 

 

 

14.08

%

 

 

 

(.28

)%

 

 

 

 

3.05

% (d)

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense and including expense reductions (e)

 

 

.62

%

 

 

 

.60

%

 

 

 

.62

%

 

 

 

.62

% (f)

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions

 

 

.64

%

 

 

 

.66

%

 

 

 

.70

%

 

 

 

.72

% (f)

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

5.04

%

 

 

 

5.78

%

 

 

 

6.18

%

 

 

 

5.75

% (f)

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

 

 

$2,255

   

 

$1,629

   

 

$2,258

   

 

$112

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

24.47

%

 

 

 

27.20

%

 

 

 

40.94

%

 

 

 

37.68

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Commencement of operations was 7/26/2010 and the SEC effective date was 4/30/2007.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the period.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(d)

 

 

 

Not annualized.

 

(e)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

 

(f)

 

 

 

Annualized.

PROSPECTUS – HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

148


 

HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

Financial Highlights (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class P Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

 

$11.94

   

 

$11.07

   

 

$11.82

   

 

$11.50

   

 

$11.90

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

.56

   

 

.61

   

 

.67

   

 

.66

   

 

.71

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(1.04

)

 

 

 

.85

   

 

(.77

)

 

 

 

.30

 

 

 

 

(.39

) (b)

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.48

)

 

 

 

1.46

   

 

(.10

)

 

 

 

.96

   

 

.32

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.54

)

 

 

 

(.59

)

 

 

 

(.65

)

 

 

 

(.64

)

 

 

 

(.72

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

 

$10.92

   

 

$11.94

   

 

$11.07

   

 

$11.82

   

 

$11.50

 

 

Total Return (c)

 

 

(4.29

)%

 

 

 

13.56

%

 

 

 

(.65

)%

 

 

 

8.67

%

 

 

 

3.87

%

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including expenses reimbursed

 

 

1.07

%

 

 

 

1.08

%

 

 

 

1.11

%

 

 

 

1.12

%

 

 

 

1.26

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions and expenses reimbursed (d)

 

 

1.05

%

 

 

 

1.02

%

 

 

 

1.04

%

 

 

 

1.02

%

 

 

 

1.08

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and expenses reimbursed

 

 

1.07

%

 

 

 

1.08

%

 

 

 

1.11

%

 

 

 

1.12

%

 

 

 

1.26

%

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

4.69

%

 

 

 

5.36

%

 

 

 

6.07

%

 

 

 

5.71

%

 

 

 

7.04

%

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

 

 

$12

   

 

$12

   

 

$11

   

 

$11

   

 

$10

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

24.47

%

 

 

 

27.20

%

 

 

 

40.94

%

 

 

 

37.68

%

 

 

 

32.88

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)

 

 

 

The per share amount does not represent the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) as presented on the Statements of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales of Fund shares and the amount of per share realized and unrealized gains and losses at such time.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(d)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND

149


 

CALIFORNIA TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

 

$10.73

   

 

$9.90

   

 

$10.24

   

 

$10.17

   

 

$9.38

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

.38

   

 

.43

   

 

.48

   

 

.47

   

 

.45

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.64

)

 

 

 

.83

   

 

(.35

)

 

 

 

.07

   

 

.80

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.26

)

 

 

 

1.26

   

 

.13

   

 

.54

   

 

1.25

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.37

)

 

 

 

(.43

)

 

 

 

(.47

)

 

 

 

(.47

)

 

 

 

(.46

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

 

$10.10

   

 

$10.73

   

 

$9.90

   

 

$10.24

   

 

$10.17

 

 

Total Return (b)

 

 

(2.51

)%

 

 

 

12.94

%

 

 

 

1.56

%

 

 

 

5.52

%

 

 

 

13.92

%

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including expenses reimbursed

 

 

.81

%

 

 

 

.82

%

 

 

 

.85

%

 

 

 

.84

%

 

 

 

.91

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions and expenses reimbursed (c)

 

 

.81

%

 

 

 

.79

%

 

 

 

.79

%

 

 

 

.78

%

 

 

 

.78

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.81

%

 

 

 

.82

%

 

 

 

.85

%

 

 

 

.84

%

 

 

 

.91

%

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

3.54

%

 

 

 

4.16

%

 

 

 

4.96

%

 

 

 

4.74

%

 

 

 

4.87

%

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

 

 

$166,443

   

 

$191,127

   

 

$150,423

   

 

$166,247

   

 

$159,768

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

18.05

%

 

 

 

28.15

%

 

 

 

36.60

%

 

 

 

47.68

%

 

 

 

34.04

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – CALIFORNIA TAX FREE FUND

150


 

CALIFORNIA TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class C Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

 

$10.73

   

 

$9.90

   

 

$10.25

   

 

$10.17

   

 

$9.39

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

.31

   

 

.36

   

 

.42

   

 

.40

   

 

.38

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.64

)

 

 

 

.83

   

 

(.36

)

 

 

 

.08

   

 

.80

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.33

)

 

 

 

1.19

   

 

.06

   

 

.48

   

 

1.18

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.30

)

 

 

 

(.36

)

 

 

 

(.41

)

 

 

 

(.40

)

 

 

 

(.40

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

 

$10.10

   

 

$10.73

   

 

$9.90

   

 

$10.25

   

 

$10.17

 

 

Total Return (b)

 

 

(3.15

)%

 

 

 

12.23

%

 

 

 

.80

%

 

 

 

4.88

%

 

 

 

13.13

%

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including expenses reimbursed

 

 

1.47

%

 

 

 

1.45

%

 

 

 

1.50

%

 

 

 

1.55

%

 

 

 

1.60

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions and expenses reimbursed (c)

 

 

1.47

%

 

 

 

1.42

%

 

 

 

1.44

%

 

 

 

1.49

%

 

 

 

1.48

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and expenses reimbursed

 

 

1.47

%

 

 

 

1.45

%

 

 

 

1.50

%

 

 

 

1.55

%

 

 

 

1.60

%

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

2.88

%

 

 

 

3.51

%

 

 

 

4.32

%

 

 

 

4.02

%

 

 

 

4.14

%

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

 

 

$33,741

   

 

$38,712

   

 

$28,023

   

 

$33,280

   

 

$28,896

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

18.05

%

 

 

 

28.15

%

 

 

 

36.60

%

 

 

 

47.68

%

 

 

 

34.04

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – CALIFORNIA TAX FREE FUND

151


 

CALIFORNIA TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class F Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

 

$10.73

   

 

$9.90

   

 

$10.24

   

 

$10.17

   

 

$9.38

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

.39

   

 

.44

   

 

.49

   

 

.48

   

 

.46

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.64

)

 

 

 

.83

   

 

(.35

)

 

 

 

.07

   

 

.80

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.25

)

 

 

 

1.27

   

 

.14

   

 

.55

   

 

1.26

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.38

)

 

 

 

(.44

)

 

 

 

(.48

)

 

 

 

(.48

)

 

 

 

(.47

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

 

$10.10

   

 

$10.73

   

 

$9.90

   

 

$10.24

   

 

$10.17

 

 

Total Return (b)

 

 

(2.42

)%

 

 

 

13.04

%

 

 

 

1.65

%

 

 

 

5.62

%

 

 

 

14.06

%

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including expenses reimbursed

 

 

.71

%

 

 

 

.72

%

 

 

 

.75

%

 

 

 

.74

%

 

 

 

.79

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions and expenses reimbursed (c)

 

 

.71

%

 

 

 

.69

%

 

 

 

.69

%

 

 

 

.68

%

 

 

 

.67

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.71

%

 

 

 

.72

%

 

 

 

.75

%

 

 

 

.74

%

 

 

 

.79

%

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

3.63

%

 

 

 

4.23

%

 

 

 

5.06

%

 

 

 

4.81

%

 

 

 

4.84

%

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

 

 

$21,549

   

 

$22,344

   

 

$14,605

   

 

$12,683

   

 

$6,578

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

18.05

%

 

 

 

28.15

%

 

 

 

36.60

%

 

 

 

47.68

%

 

 

 

34.04

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – CALIFORNIA TAX FREE FUND

152


 

CALIFORNIA TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class I Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

1/31/2011 (a)
to
9/30/2011

 

2013

 

2012

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

$10.73

   

 

$9.90

   

 

$9.24

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(c)

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

(.01

)

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

(.01

)

 

 

Net asset value on SEC Effective Date, 2/1/2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

$9.23

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b)

 

 

.40

   

 

.45

   

 

.33

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.65

)

 

 

 

.83

   

 

.67

(d)

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.25

)

 

 

 

1.28

   

 

1.00

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.39

)

 

 

 

(.45

)

 

 

 

(.33

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

$10.09

   

 

$10.73

   

 

$9.90

 

 

Total Return (e)

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.89

% (f)(g)

 

 

Total Return (e)

 

 

(2.40

)%

 

 

 

13.17

%

 

 

 

10.99

% (f)(h)

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense and including expense reductions (i)

 

 

.61

%

 

 

 

.59

%

 

 

 

.60

% (j)

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions

 

 

.62

%

 

 

 

.62

%

 

 

 

.69

% (j)

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

3.77

%

 

 

 

4.39

%

 

 

 

5.24

% (j)

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

 

 

$12

   

 

$13

   

 

$11

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

18.05

%

 

 

 

28.15

%

 

 

 

36.60

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Commencement of operations was 1/31/2011, SEC effective date and date shares first became available to the public was 2/1/2011.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the period.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Amount is less than $.01.

 

(d)

 

 

 

The per share amount does not represent the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) as presented on the Statements of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales of Fund shares and the amount of per share realized and unrealized gains and losses at such time.

 

(e)

 

 

 

Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(f)

 

 

 

Not annualized.

 

(g)

 

 

 

Total return for the period 1/31/2011 through 9/30/2011.

 

(h)

 

 

 

Total return for the period 2/1/2011 through 9/30/2011.

 

(i)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

 

(j)

 

 

 

Annualized.

PROSPECTUS – CALIFORNIA TAX FREE FUND

153


 

NEW JERSEY TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

 

$5.07

   

 

$4.69

   

 

$4.85

   

 

$4.78

   

 

$4.43

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

.17

   

 

.19

   

 

.21

   

 

.21

   

 

.21

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.41

)

 

 

 

.38

   

 

(.16

)

 

 

 

.07

   

 

.35

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.24

)

 

 

 

.57

   

 

.05

   

 

.28

   

 

.56

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.17

)

 

 

 

(.19

)

 

 

 

(.21

)

 

 

 

(.21

)

 

 

 

(.21

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

 

$4.66

   

 

$5.07

   

 

$4.69

   

 

$4.85

   

 

$4.78

 

 

Total Return (b)

 

 

(4.85

)%

 

 

 

12.41

%

 

 

 

1.23

%

 

 

 

6.13

%

 

 

 

13.13

%

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including expenses reimbursed

 

 

.82

%

 

 

 

.83

%

 

 

 

.85

%

 

 

 

.83

%

 

 

 

.81

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.82

%

 

 

 

 

.82

% (c)

 

 

 

 

.82

% (c)

 

 

 

 

.80

% (c)

 

 

 

.81

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.82

%

 

 

 

.83

%

 

 

 

.85

%

 

 

 

.83

%

 

 

 

.81

%

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

3.47

%

 

 

 

3.96

%

 

 

 

4.62

%

 

 

 

4.53

%

 

 

 

4.78

%

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

 

 

$121,722

   

 

$136,085

   

 

$113,783

   

 

$125,722

   

 

$128,778

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

18.17

%

 

 

 

31.06

%

 

 

 

23.14

%

 

 

 

32.22

%

 

 

 

20.68

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – NEW JERSEY TAX FREE FUND

154


 

NEW JERSEY TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class F Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

 

$5.07

   

 

$4.69

   

 

$4.85

   

 

$4.78

   

 

$4.43

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

.18

   

 

.20

   

 

.22

   

 

.22

   

 

.21

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.41

)

 

 

 

.38

   

 

(.17

)

 

 

 

.07

   

 

.35

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.23

)

 

 

 

.58

   

 

.05

   

 

.29

   

 

.56

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.18

)

 

 

 

(.20

)

 

 

 

(.21

)

 

 

 

(.22

)

 

 

 

(.21

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

 

$4.66

   

 

$5.07

   

 

$4.69

   

 

$4.85

   

 

$4.78

 

 

Total Return (b)

 

 

(4.76

)%

 

 

 

12.51

%

 

 

 

1.33

%

 

 

 

6.23

%

 

 

 

13.26

%

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including expenses reimbursed

 

 

.72

%

 

 

 

.73

%

 

 

 

.75

%

 

 

 

.72

%

 

 

 

.70

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.72

%

 

 

 

 

.72

% (c)

 

 

 

 

.72

% (c)

 

 

 

 

.70

% (c)

 

 

 

.70

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.72

%

 

 

 

.73

%

 

 

 

.75

%

 

 

 

.72

%

 

 

 

.70

%

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

3.55

%

 

 

 

3.98

%

 

 

 

4.70

%

 

 

 

4.61

%

 

 

 

4.73

%

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

 

 

$4,782

   

 

$7,400

   

 

$3,949

   

 

$2,775

   

 

$969

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

18.17

%

 

 

 

31.06

%

 

 

 

23.14

%

 

 

 

32.22

%

 

 

 

20.68

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – NEW JERSEY TAX FREE FUND

155


 

NEW JERSEY TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class I Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

1/31/2011 (a)
to
9/30/2011

 

2013

 

2012

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

$5.07

   

 

$4.69

   

 

$4.42

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(c)

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

(.01

)

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

(.01

)

 

 

Net asset value on SEC Effective Date, 2/1/2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

$4.41

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b)

 

 

.18

   

 

.21

   

 

.15

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.41

)

 

 

 

.37

   

 

.28

(d)

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.23

)

 

 

 

.58

   

 

.43

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.18

)

 

 

 

(.20

)

 

 

 

(.15

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

$4.66

   

 

$5.07

   

 

$4.69

 

 

Total Return (e)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.79

% (f)(g)

 

 

Total Return (e)

 

 

(4.63

)%

 

 

 

12.43

%

 

 

 

 

10.02

% (f)(h)

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense and including expense reductions

 

 

.61

%

 

 

 

 

.60

% (i)

 

 

 

 

.59

% (i)(j)

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions

 

 

.61

%

 

 

 

.61

%

 

 

 

.64

% (j)

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

3.70

%

 

 

 

4.18

%

 

 

 

4.85

% (j)

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

 

 

$12

   

 

$12

   

 

$11

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

18.17

%

 

 

 

31.06

%

 

 

 

23.14

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Commencement of operations was 1/31/2011, SEC effective date and date shares first became available to the public was 2/1/2011.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the period.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Amount is less than $.01.

 

(d)

 

 

 

The per share amount does not represent the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) as presented on the Statements of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales of Fund shares and the amount of per share realized and unrealized gains and losses at such time.

 

(e)

 

 

 

Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(f)

 

 

 

Not annualized.

 

(g)

 

 

 

Total return for the period 1/31/2011 through 9/30/2011.

 

(h)

 

 

 

Total return for the period 2/1/2011 through 9/30/2011.

 

(i)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

 

(j)

 

 

 

Annualized.

PROSPECTUS – NEW JERSEY TAX FREE FUND

156


 

NEW YORK TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

 

$11.38

   

 

$10.66

   

 

$10.96

   

 

$10.78

   

 

$9.71

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

.37

   

 

.43

   

 

.48

   

 

.49

   

 

.48

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.79

)

 

 

 

.73

   

 

(.30

)

 

 

 

.17

   

 

1.06

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.42

)

 

 

 

1.16

   

 

.18

   

 

.66

   

 

1.54

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.37

)

 

 

 

(.44

)

 

 

 

(.48

)

 

 

 

(.48

)

 

 

 

(.47

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

 

$10.59

   

 

$11.38

   

 

$10.66

   

 

$10.96

   

 

$10.78

 

 

Total Return (b)

 

 

(3.80

)%

 

 

 

11.05

%

 

 

 

1.85

%

 

 

 

6.37

%

 

 

 

16.49

%

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and
including expenses reimbursed

 

 

.78

%

 

 

 

.84

%

 

 

 

.85

%

 

 

 

.85

%

 

 

 

.87

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions and expenses reimbursed (c)

 

 

.78

%

 

 

 

.78

%

 

 

 

.78

%

 

 

 

.77

%

 

 

 

.78

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.78

%

 

 

 

.84

%

 

 

 

.85

%

 

 

 

.85

%

 

 

 

.87

%

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

3.33

%

 

 

 

3.95

%

 

 

 

4.64

%

 

 

 

4.55

%

 

 

 

4.90

%

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

 

 

$262,089

   

 

$285,447

   

 

$216,126

   

 

$238,259

   

 

$231,452

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

16.89

%

 

 

 

18.34

%

 

 

 

47.37

%

 

 

 

30.34

%

 

 

 

22.34

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – NEW YORK TAX FREE FUND

157


 

NEW YORK TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class C Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

 

$11.37

   

 

$10.65

   

 

$10.95

   

 

$10.76

   

 

$9.70

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

.30

   

 

.36

   

 

.42

   

 

.41

   

 

.41

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.79

)

 

 

 

.72

   

 

(.31

)

 

 

 

.19

   

 

1.06

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.49

)

 

 

 

1.08

   

 

.11

   

 

.60

   

 

1.47

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.30

)

 

 

 

(.36

)

 

 

 

(.41

)

 

 

 

(.41

)

 

 

 

(.41

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

 

$10.58

   

 

$11.37

   

 

$10.65

   

 

$10.95

   

 

$10.76

 

 

Total Return (b)

 

 

(4.43

)%

 

 

 

10.36

%

 

 

 

1.19

%

 

 

 

5.74

%

 

 

 

15.69

%

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including expenses reimbursed

 

 

1.44

%

 

 

 

1.47

%

 

 

 

1.50

%

 

 

 

1.54

%

 

 

 

1.55

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions and expenses reimbursed (c)

 

 

1.43

%

 

 

 

1.42

%

 

 

 

1.43

%

 

 

 

1.46

%

 

 

 

1.46

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and expenses reimbursed

 

 

1.44

%

 

 

 

1.47

%

 

 

 

1.50

%

 

 

 

1.54

%

 

 

 

1.55

%

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

2.67

%

 

 

 

3.31

%

 

 

 

3.99

%

 

 

 

3.85

%

 

 

 

4.21

%

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

 

 

$45,152

   

 

$50,407

   

 

$38,627

   

 

$42,397

   

 

$37,554

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

16.89

%

 

 

 

18.34

%

 

 

 

47.37

%

 

 

 

30.34

%

 

 

 

22.34

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – NEW YORK TAX FREE FUND

158


 

NEW YORK TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class F Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

 

$11.39

   

 

$10.67

   

 

$10.97

   

 

$10.78

   

 

$9.72

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (a)

 

 

.38

   

 

.44

   

 

.49

   

 

.50

   

 

.48

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.79

)

 

 

 

.73

   

 

(.30

)

 

 

 

.18

   

 

1.06

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.41

)

 

 

 

1.17

   

 

.19

   

 

.68

   

 

1.54

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.38

)

 

 

 

(.45

)

 

 

 

(.49

)

 

 

 

(.49

)

 

 

 

(.48

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

 

$10.60

   

 

$11.39

   

 

$10.67

   

 

$10.97

   

 

$10.78

 

 

Total Return (b)

 

 

(3.70

)%

 

 

 

11.15

%

 

 

 

1.95

%

 

 

 

6.57

%

 

 

 

16.51

%

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and including expenses reimbursed

 

 

.68

%

 

 

 

.74

%

 

 

 

.75

%

 

 

 

.75

%

 

 

 

.77

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense, including expense reductions and expenses reimbursed (c)

 

 

.68

%

 

 

 

.68

%

 

 

 

.68

%

 

 

 

.67

%

 

 

 

.68

%

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions and expenses reimbursed

 

 

.68

%

 

 

 

.74

%

 

 

 

.75

%

 

 

 

.75

%

 

 

 

.77

%

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

3.42

%

 

 

 

3.99

%

 

 

 

4.73

%

 

 

 

4.64

%

 

 

 

4.81

%

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of year (000)

 

 

$16,844

   

 

$16,491

   

 

$7,907

   

 

$7,631

   

 

$3,143

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

16.89

%

 

 

 

18.34

%

 

 

 

47.37

%

 

 

 

30.34

%

 

 

 

22.34

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the year.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

PROSPECTUS – NEW YORK TAX FREE FUND

159


 

NEW YORK TAX FREE FUND

Financial Highlights (concluded)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class I Shares

 

   

Year Ended 9/30

 

1/31/2011 (a)
to
9/30/2011

 

2013

 

2012

 

Per Share Operating Performance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

 

$11.39

   

 

$10.67

   

 

$10.10

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(c)

 

 

Net realized and unrealized loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

(.01

)

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

(.01

)

 

 

Net asset value on SEC Effective Date, 2/1/2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

$10.09

 

 

Investment operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (b)

 

 

.39

   

 

.41

   

 

.34

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

 

 

(.79

)

 

 

 

.77

   

 

.58

(d)

 

 

Total from investment operations

 

 

(.40

)

 

 

 

1.18

   

 

.92

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

(.39

)

 

 

 

(.46

)

 

 

 

(.34

)

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

 

$10.60

   

 

$11.39

   

 

$10.67

 

 

Total Return (e)

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.12

% (f)(g)

 

 

Total Return (e)

 

 

(3.60

)%

 

 

 

11.30

%

 

 

 

9.21

% (f)(h)

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses, excluding interest expense and including expense reductions (i)

 

 

.58

%

 

 

 

.58

%

 

 

 

.57

% (j)

 

 

Expenses, excluding expense reductions

 

 

.59

%

 

 

 

.64

%

 

 

 

.67

% (j)

 

 

Net investment income

 

 

3.54

%

 

 

 

3.68

%

 

 

 

4.91

% (j)

 

 

Supplemental Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets, end of period (000)

 

 

$587

   

 

$265

   

 

$11

 

 

Portfolio turnover rate

 

 

16.89

%

 

 

 

18.34

%

 

 

 

47.37

%

 

 

 

(a)

 

 

 

Commencement of operations was 1/31/2011, SEC effective date and date shares first became available to the public was 2/1/2011.

 

(b)

 

 

 

Calculated using average shares outstanding during the period.

 

(c)

 

 

 

Amount is less than $.01.

 

(d)

 

 

 

The per share amount does not represent the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) as presented on the Statements of Operations for the period due to the timing of sales of Fund shares and the amount of per share realized and unrealized gains and losses at such time.

 

(e)

 

 

 

Total return assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.

 

(f)

 

 

 

Not annualized.

 

(g)

 

 

 

Total return for the period 1/31/2011 through 9/30/2011.

 

(h)

 

 

 

Total return for the period 2/1/2011 through 9/30/2011.

 

(i)

 

 

 

Interest expense relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with tender option bond trusts.

 

(j)

 

 

 

Annualized.

PROSPECTUS – NEW YORK TAX FREE FUND

160


 

 

 

To Obtain Information:
 

By telephone.
For shareholder account inquiries and for literature requests call the Funds at: 888-522-2388.
 

By mail.
Write to the Funds at:
The Lord Abbett Family of Funds
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302-3973
 

Via the Internet.
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC www.lordabbett.com
 
Text only versions of Fund documents can be viewed online or downloaded from the SEC: http://www.sec.gov.
 
You can also obtain copies by visiting the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (phone 202-551-8090) or by sending your request and a duplicating fee to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-1520 or by sending your request electronically to publicinfo@sec.gov.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
More information on each Fund is available free upon request, including the following:
 
ANNUAL/SEMIANNUAL REPORTS
 
The Funds’ annual and semiannual reports contain more information about each Fund’s investments and performance. The annual report also includes details about the market conditions and investment strategies that had a significant effect on each Fund’s performance during the last fiscal year. The reports are available free of charge at www.lordabbett.com, and through other means, as indicated on the left.
 
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (“SAI”)
 
The SAI provides more details about the Funds and their policies. A current SAI is on file with the SEC and is incorporated by reference (is legally considered part of this prospectus). The SAI is available free of charge at www.lordabbett.com, and through other means, as indicated on the left.

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
 
Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund
  Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free Fund
  Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund
  Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund
  Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund
  Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund
  Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund
  Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Mutual Fund shares are distributed by: LORD ABBETT DISTRIBUTOR LLC

 

LATFI-1
(2/14)

 

 

Investment Company Act File Number: 811-03942

 
LORD ABBETT  
   
 
Statement of Additional Information February 1, 2014
 

 

LORD ABBETT

MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND

 

SHORT DURATION TAX FREE FUND   HIGH YIELD MUNICIPAL BOND FUND
                 
CLASS TICKER CLASS TICKER   CLASS TICKER CLASS TICKER
A LSDAX F LSDFX   A HYMAX F HYMFX
B N/A I LISDX   B HYMBX I HYMIX
C LSDCX       C HYMCX P HYMPX
                 
INTERMEDIATE TAX FREE FUND   CALIFORNIA TAX FREE FUND
                 
CLASS TICKER CLASS TICKER   CLASS TICKER CLASS TICKER
A LISAX F LISFX   A LCFIX I CAILX
B LISBX I LAIIX   C CALAX P N/A
C LISCX P LISPX   F LCFFX    
                 
AMT FREE MUNICIPAL BOND FUND   NEW JERSEY TAX FREE FUND
                 
CLASS TICKER CLASS TICKER   CLASS TICKER CLASS TICKER
A LATAX F LATFX   A LANJX I LINJX
C LATCX I LMCIX   F LNJFX P N/A
                 
NATIONAL TAX FREE FUND   NEW YORK TAX FREE FUND
                 
CLASS TICKER CLASS TICKER   CLASS TICKER CLASS TICKER
A LANSX F LANFX   A LANYX I NYLIX
B LANBX I LTNIX   C NYLAX P N/A
C LTNSX P N/A   F LNYFX    

 

This statement of additional information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. A prospectus may be obtained from your financial intermediary or from Lord Abbett Distributor LLC (“Lord Abbett Distributor”) at 90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302-3973. This SAI relates to, and should be read in conjunction with, the prospectus for Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) dated February 1, 2014. Certain capitalized terms used throughout this SAI are defined in the prospectus.

 

Shareholder account inquiries should be made by directly contacting the Funds or by calling 888-522-2388. The Funds’ audited financial statements are incorporated into this SAI by reference to the Funds’ 2013 annual report. The Funds’ annual and semiannual reports to shareholders are available without charge, upon request by calling 888-522-2388. In addition, you can make inquiries through your financial intermediary.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1. Fund History 1-1
2. Investment Policies 2-1
3. Management of the Funds 3-1
4. Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities 4-1
5. Investment Advisory and Other Services 5-1
6. Brokerage Allocations and Other Practices 6-1
7. Classes of Shares 7-1
8. Purchases, Redemptions, Pricing, and Payments to Dealers 8-1
9. Taxation of the Funds 9-1
10. Underwriter 10-1
11. Financial Statements 11-1
Appendix A.   Municipal Bond Ratings A-1
Appendix B. State and Territory Risk Factors B-1
Appendix C. Fund Portfolio Information Recipients C-1
Appendix D. Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures D-1

 

1.

Fund History

 

The Company was organized as a Maryland corporation on December 27, 1983. The Company has 4,165,001,000 shares of authorized capital stock, $0.001 par value, consisting of the following eight series or portfolios: Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund (“Short Duration Tax Free Fund”) offers five classes of shares (A, B, C, F, and I); Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free Fund (“Intermediate Fund”), Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund (“High Yield Municipal Bond Fund”), and Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund (“National Fund”) offer six classes of shares (A, B, C, F, I, and P); Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund (“AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund”) offers four classes of shares (A, C, F, and I); Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund (“New Jersey Fund”) offers four classes of shares (A, F, I, and P); and Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund (“California Fund”) and Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund (“New York Fund”) offer five classes of shares (A, C, F, I and P) (each individually a “Fund” or, collectively, the “Funds.”)

 

 

High Yield Municipal Bond Fund, California Fund, New Jersey Fund, and New York Fund are non-diversified, open-end management investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”). Short Duration Tax Free Fund, Intermediate Fund, AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund and National Fund, are diversified, open-end management investment companies registered under the Act.

 

As of November 19, 2010, Short Duration Tax Free Fund, Intermediate Fund and High Yield Municipal Bond Fund were reorganized from the Lord Abbett Municipal Income Trust, a Delaware statutory trust, into the Company.

1- 1

2.

Investment Policies

 

Fundamental Investment Restrictions . Each Fund’s investment objective cannot be changed without the approval of a “majority of the Fund’s outstanding shares.” 1 Each Fund also is subject to the following fundamental investment restrictions that cannot be changed without the approval of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding shares.

 

Each Fund may not:

 

(1) borrow money (except that (i) each Fund may borrow from banks (as defined by the Act) 2 in amounts up to 33 ⅓% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed), (ii) each Fund may borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes, (iii) each Fund may obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities, (iv) each Fund may purchase securities on margin to the extent permitted by applicable law; 3 and (v) the Short Duration Tax Free Fund and AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund may borrow money from other Lord Abbett Funds to the extent permitted by applicable law and any exemptive relief obtained by the Fund;

 

(2) pledge its assets (other than to secure such borrowings or to the extent permitted by each Fund’s investment policies as permitted by applicable law); 4

 

(3) engage in the underwriting of securities except pursuant to a merger or acquisition or to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of its portfolio securities, it may be deemed to be an underwriter under federal securities laws;

 

(4) make loans to other persons, except that (i) the acquisition of bonds, debentures or other corporate debt securities and investments in government obligations, commercial paper, pass-through instruments, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances, repurchase agreements or any similar instruments shall not be subject to this limitation, (ii) each Fund may lend its portfolio securities, provided that the lending of portfolio securities may be made only in accordance with applicable law, and (iii) the Short Duration Tax Free Fund and AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund may lend money to other Lord Abbett Funds to the extent permitted by applicable law and any exemptive relief obtained by the Fund;

 

(5) buy or sell real estate (except that each Fund may invest in securities directly or indirectly secured by real estate or interests therein or issued by companies that invest in real estate or interests therein), or commodities or commodity contracts (except to the extent each Fund may do so in accordance with applicable law and without registering as a commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act as, for example, with futures contracts);

 

(6) with respect to 75% of the gross assets of the National Fund, Intermediate Fund, Short Duration Tax Free Fund, and AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund buy securities of one issuer representing more than (i) 5% of the Fund’s gross assets, except securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities or (ii) 10% of the voting securities of such issuer;

 

(7) invest more than 25% of its assets, taken at market value, in the securities of issuers in any particular industry (excluding tax-exempt securities such as tax-exempt securities financing facilities in the same industry or issued by nongovernmental users and securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities); or

 

 

1 A “majority of a Fund’s outstanding shares” means the vote of the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a shareholder meeting, provided that more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present at the meeting or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund regardless of whether such shareholders are present at the meeting (or represented by proxy).

 

2  The term “bank” is defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the Act.

 

3   U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) staff guidance currently prohibits a Fund from purchasing any security on margin, except such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions.

 

4  Current federal securities laws prohibit the Fund from pledging more than one-third of its total assets (taken at current value) to secure borrowings made in accordance with the investment restrictions above. For the purpose of this restriction the deposit of assets in a segregated account with the Fund’s custodian in connection with any of the Fund’s investment transactions is not considered to be a pledge of the Fund’s assets.

2- 1

(8) issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate applicable law. 5

 

Compliance with these fundamental investment restrictions will be determined at the time of the purchase or sale of the security, except in the case of the first fundamental investment restriction, with which the Funds must comply on a continuous basis.

 

Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions . In addition to each Fund’s investment objective, 80% investment policy in the prospectus, and the fundamental investment restrictions above that cannot be changed without shareholder approval, each Fund also is subject to the following non-fundamental investment restrictions that may be changed by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) without shareholder approval.

 

Each Fund may not:

 

(1) make short sales of securities or maintain a short position except to the extent permitted by applicable law;

 

(2) invest knowingly more than 15% of its net assets (at the time of investment) in illiquid securities, except for securities qualifying for resale under Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Rule 144A”), determined by Lord Abbett to be liquid, subject to the oversight of the Board;

 

(3) invest in securities issued by other investment companies, except to the extent permitted by applicable law;

 

(4) invest in warrants if, at the time of the acquisition, its investment in warrants, valued at the lower of cost or market, would exceed 5% of each Fund’s total assets (included within such limitation, but not to exceed 2% of the Fund’s total assets, are warrants that are not listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) or American Stock Exchange or a major foreign exchange);

 

(5) invest in real estate limited partnership interests or interests in oil, gas or other mineral leases, or exploration or development programs, except that each Fund may invest in securities issued by companies that engage in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development activities;

 

(6) write, purchase or sell puts, calls, straddles, spreads or combinations thereof, except to the extent permitted in the Fund’s prospectus and SAI, as they may be amended from time to time; or

 

(7) buy from or sell to any of the Company’s officers, directors, employees, or each Fund’s investment adviser or any of the adviser’s officers, partners or employees, any securities other than shares of each Fund. Section 18(f) of the Act prohibits a Fund from issuing senior securities (which generally are defined as securities representing indebtedness), except that a Fund may borrow money from banks in amounts of up to 33⅓% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed).

 

Compliance with these non-fundamental investment restrictions will be determined at the time of the purchase or sale of the security, except in the case of the second and fourth non-fundamental investment restrictions, with which each Fund must comply at the time of purchase. No Fund will be required to sell illiquid securities if it exceeds the 15% limit due to market activity or the sale of liquid securities, however, in these situations the Fund will take appropriate measures to reduce the percentage of its assets invested in illiquid securities in an orderly fashion.

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate. For each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the portfolio turnover rates for the Funds were as follows:

 

Fund   2013   2012
Short Duration Tax Free Fund     23.80 %     18.11 %
Intermediate Fund     30.59 %     21.39 %
AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund     45.96 %     17.32 %
National Fund     33.78 %     43.81 %
High Yield Municipal Bond Fund     24.47 %     27.20 %
California Fund     18.05 %     28.15 %
New Jersey Fund     18.17 %     31.06 %
New York Fund     16.89 %     18.34 %

 

 

5  Current federal securities laws prohibit the Fund from issuing senior securities (which generally are defined as securities representing indebtedness), except that the Fund may borrow money from banks in amounts of up to 33 ⅓% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed).

2- 2

Additional Information on Portfolio Risks, Investments, and Techniques. This section provides further information on certain types of investments and investment techniques that each Fund may use and some of the risks associated with some investments and techniques. The composition of a Fund’s portfolio and the investments and techniques that a Fund uses in seeking its investment objective and employing its investment strategies will vary over time. A Fund may use each of the investments and techniques described below at all times, at some times, or not at all.

 

Average Duration. The Short Duration Tax Free Fund maintains a dollar-weighted average effective portfolio duration between one and three years. Some securities may have periodic interest rate adjustments based upon an index such as the 90-day Treasury Bill rate. This periodic interest rate adjustment tends to lessen the volatility of the security’s price. With respect to securities with an interest rate adjustment period of one year or less, the Fund will, when determining average-weighted duration, treat such a security’s maturity as the amount of time remaining until the next interest rate adjustment.

 

Borrowing Money. Each Fund may borrow money for certain purposes as described above under “Fundamental Investment Restrictions.” If a Fund borrows money and experiences a decline in its net asset value (“NAV”), the borrowing will increase its losses. A Fund will not purchase additional securities while outstanding borrowings exceed 5% of its total assets.

 

Futures Contracts. Futures contracts are standardized contracts that provide for the sale or purchase of a specified financial instrument at a future time at a specified price. In addition to incurring fees in connection with futures, an investor is required to maintain margin deposits. At the time of entering into a futures transaction, the Fund is required to deposit a specified amount of cash or eligible securities called “initial margin.” Subsequent payments, called “variation margin,” are made on a daily basis as the market price of the futures contract fluctuates.

 

Each Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts for hedging purposes (including to hedge against changes in interest rates and securities prices) or for speculative purposes (including to gain efficient exposure to markets and to minimize transaction costs). Each Fund also may enter into closing purchase and sale transactions with respect to such contracts.

 

Futures contracts present substantial risks, including the following:

 

· While a Fund may benefit from the use of futures, unanticipated market events may result in poorer overall performance than if the Fund had not entered into any futures transactions.

 

· Because perfect correlation between a futures position and a portfolio position that a Fund intends to hedge is impossible to achieve, a hedge may not work as intended, and the Fund thus may be exposed to additional risk of loss.

 

· While interest rates on taxable securities generally move in the same direction as the interest rates on municipal bonds, frequently there are differences in the rate of such movements and temporary dislocations. Accordingly, the use of a financial futures contract on a taxable security or a taxable securities index may involve a greater risk of an imperfect correlation between the price movements of the futures contract and of the municipal bond being hedged than when using a financial futures contract on a municipal bond or a municipal bond index.

 

· The loss that a Fund may incur in entering into futures contracts is potentially unlimited and may exceed the amount of the premium received.

 

· Futures markets are highly volatile, and the use of futures may increase the volatility of a Fund’s NAV.

 

· As a result of the low margin deposits normally required in futures trading, a relatively small price movement in a contract may result in substantial losses to a Fund.

 

· Futures contracts may be illiquid, and exchanges may limit fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day.

 

High-Yield, Non-Investment Grade or Lower-Rated Municipal Bonds and Other Debt Securities. Each Fund (other than High Yield Municipal Bond Fund, AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund and National Fund) may invest up to 20% of its assets in high-yield debt securities. High Yield Municipal Bond Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in high-yield debt securities. Each of AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund and National Fund may invest up to 35% of its assets in high-yield debt securities. High-yield debt securities (also referred to as “non-investment grade securities”, “lower-rated debt securities” or “junk bonds”) are rated by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (“NRSRO”) BB/Ba or lower (or unrated by NRSROs but determined by Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”), each Fund’s investment adviser, to be of comparable quality) and may pay a higher yield, but entail greater risks, than investment grade debt securities. When compared to investment grade debt securities, high-yield debt securities:

2- 3
· have a higher risk of default and their prices can be much more volatile due to lower liquidity;

· tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes;

· are susceptible to negative perceptions of the junk markets generally; and

· pose a greater risk that exercise of any of their redemption or call provisions in a declining market may result in their replacement by lower-yielding bonds.

 

Since the risk of default is higher among high-yield debt securities, Lord Abbett’s research and analysis are important factors in the selection of such securities. Through portfolio diversification, good credit analysis and attention to current developments and trends in interest rates and economic conditions, each Fund seeks to reduce this risk. There can be no assurance, however, that this risk will in fact be reduced and that losses will not occur.

 

The secondary market for non-investment grade securities is concentrated in relatively few market makers and is dominated by institutional investors, including mutual funds, insurance companies and other financial institutions. As a result, the secondary market for such securities is not as liquid as, and is more volatile than, the secondary market for higher rated securities. In addition, market trading volume for lower rated securities is generally lower and the secondary market for such securities could shrink or disappear suddenly and without warning as a result of adverse market or economic conditions, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer. Because of the lack of sufficient market liquidity, a Fund may incur losses because it may be required to effect sales at a disadvantageous time and then only at a substantial drop in price. These factors may have an adverse effect on the market price and a Fund’s ability to dispose of particular portfolio investments. A less liquid secondary market also may make it more difficult for a Fund to obtain precise valuations of lower rated securities in its portfolio.

 

Illiquid Securities. Each Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities that cannot be disposed of in seven days in the ordinary course of business at fair value. Illiquid securities include:

 

· securities that are not readily marketable;

 

· certain municipal leases and participation interests;

 

· repurchase agreements and time deposits with a notice or demand period of more than seven days;

 

· certain structured securities and certain defaulted securities; and

 

· certain restricted securities, unless Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”), determines, subject to the oversight of the Board, based upon a review of the trading markets for a specific restricted security, that such restricted security is eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A (“144A Securities”) and is liquid.

 

144A Securities may be resold to a qualified institutional buyer (“QIB”) without registration and without regard to whether the seller originally purchased the security for investment. Investing in 144A Securities may decrease the liquidity of each Fund’s portfolio to the extent that QIBs become for a time uninterested in purchasing these securities. The purchase price and subsequent valuation of restricted and illiquid securities normally reflect a discount, which may be significant, from the market price of comparable securities for which a liquid market exists.

 

Investment Companies. Each Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies subject to limitations prescribed by the Act. These limitations include a prohibition on a Fund acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any other investment company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of any Fund’s total assets in securities of any one investment company or more than 10% of its total assets in securities of all investment companies. Each Fund indirectly will bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by the investment companies in which it invests. Such investment companies generally will be money market funds or have investment objectives, policies and restrictions substantially similar to those of the investing Fund and will be subject to substantially the same risks.

 

Municipal Bonds. In general, municipal bonds are debt obligations issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the U.S., the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities. Municipal bonds are issued to obtain funds for various public purposes, including the construction of bridges, highways, housing, hospitals, mass transportation, schools, streets and water and sewer works. They may be used to refund outstanding obligations, to obtain funds for general operating expenses, or to obtain funds to lend to other public institutions and facilities and in anticipation of the receipt of revenue or the issuance of other obligations. In addition, the term “municipal bonds” may include certain types of “private activity” bonds including industrial development bonds issued by public authorities to obtain funds to provide privately-operated housing facilities, sports facilities, convention or trade show facilities, airport, mass transit, port or parking facilities, air or water pollution control facilities and certain facilities for water supply, gas, electricity, or sewerage or solid waste disposal. Under the Tax Reform Act of 1986, as amended, substantial limitations were imposed on new issues of municipal bonds to finance privately-operated facilities.

2- 4

The interest on municipal bonds generally is excludable from most investors’ gross income for federal income tax purposes.

 

The two principal classifications of municipal bonds are “general obligation” and limited obligation or “revenue bonds.” General obligation bonds are secured by the pledge of the faith, credit and taxing authority of the municipality for the payment of principal and interest. The taxes or special assessments that can be levied for the payment of debt service may be limited or unlimited as to rate or amount. Revenue bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source. “Private activity” bonds are, in most cases, revenue bonds and generally do not constitute the pledge of the faith, credit or taxing authority of the municipality. The credit quality of such municipal bonds usually is directly related to the credit standing of the user of the facilities. There are variations in the security of municipal bonds, both within a particular classification and between classifications, depending on numerous factors.

 

In addition, municipal bonds include municipal leases, certificates of participation and “moral obligation” bonds. A municipal lease is an obligation issued by a state or local government to acquire equipment or facilities. Certificates of participation represent interests in municipal leases or other instruments, such as installment purchase agreements. Moral obligation bonds are supported by a moral commitment but not a legal obligation of a state or local government. Municipal leases, certificates of participation and moral obligation bonds frequently involve special risks not normally associated with general obligation or revenue bonds. In particular, these instruments permit governmental issuers to acquire property and equipment without meeting constitutional and statutory requirements for the issuance of debt. If, however, the governmental issuer does not periodically appropriate money to enable it to meet its payment obligations under these instruments, it cannot be legally compelled to do so. If a default occurs, the collateral securing the lease obligation may be difficult to dispose of and the Fund may suffer significant losses. Some municipal leases, certificates of participation and moral obligation bonds may be illiquid.

 

Municipal bonds may also be in the form of a tender option bond, which is a municipal bond (generally held pursuant to a custodial agreement) having a relatively long maturity and bearing interest at a fixed rate substantially higher than prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rates. The bond is typically issued with the agreement of a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution, which grants the security holders the option, at periodic intervals, to tender their securities to the institution. After payment of a fee to the financial institution that provides this option, the security holder effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing short-term, tax-exempt rate. An institution may not be obligated to accept tendered bonds in the event of certain defaults or a significant downgrading in the credit rating assigned to the issuer of the bond. The tender option will be taken into account in determining the maturity of the tender option bonds and the applicable Fund’s duration. There is a risk that the Funds will not be considered the owner of a tender option bond for federal income tax purposes, and thus will not be entitled to treat such interest as exempt from federal income tax. Certain tender option bonds may be illiquid.

 

Each Fund may purchase floating and variable rate obligations, including variable rate demand notes. The value of these obligations is generally more stable than that of a fixed rate obligation in response to changes in interest rate levels. The issuers or financial intermediaries providing demand features may support their ability to purchase the obligations by obtaining credit with liquidity supports. These may include lines of credit, which are conditional commitments to lend, and letters of credit, which will ordinarily be irrevocable both of which may be issued by domestic banks or foreign banks.

 

The yields on municipal bonds depend on a variety of factors, including general market conditions, supply and demand, general conditions of the municipal bond market, size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. The ratings of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (“Standard & Poor’s”) and Fitch Ratings (“Fitch”) represent their opinions as to the quality of the municipal bonds which they undertake to rate. It should be emphasized, however, that such ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, municipal bonds with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields when purchased in the open market, while municipal bonds of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield. Credit ratings issued by credit rating agencies are designed to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments of rated securities. They do not evaluate the market value risk of non-investment grade securities and, therefore, may not fully reflect the true risks of an investment. In addition, credit rating agencies may or may not make timely changes in a rating to reflect changes in the economy or in the conditions of the issuer that affect the market value of the security. Consequently, credit ratings are used only as a preliminary indicator of investment quality.

 

Some municipal bonds feature credit enhancements, such as lines of credit, municipal bond insurance and standby bond purchase agreements (SBPAs). There is no assurance that any of the municipal bonds purchased by the Funds are subject to these types of guarantees. SBPAs include lines of credit that are issued by a third party, usually a bank, to enhance liquidity and ensure repayment of principal and any accrued interest if the underlying municipal bond should default. Municipal bond insurance, which is usually purchased by the bond issuer from a private, nongovernmental insurance company, provides an unconditional and irrevocable guarantee that the insured bond’s principal and interest will be paid

2- 5

when due. Insurance does not guarantee the price of the bond or the share price of any fund. The credit rating of an insured bond reflects the credit rating of the insurer, based on its claims-paying ability. The obligation of a municipal bond insurance company to pay a claim extends over the life of each insured bond. Although defaults on insured municipal bonds have been historically low and municipal bond insurers historically have met their claims, there is no assurance this will continue. A higher-than-expected default rate could strain the insurer’s loss reserves and adversely affect its ability to pay claims to bondholders. The number of municipal bond insurers is relatively small, and not all of them have the highest credit rating. An SBPA can include a liquidity facility that is provided to pay the purchase price of any bonds that cannot be remarketed. The obligation of the liquidity provider (usually a bank) is only to advance funds to purchase tendered bonds that cannot be remarketed and does not cover principal or interest under any other circumstances. The liquidity provider’s obligations under the SBPA are usually subject to numerous conditions, including the continued creditworthiness of the underlying borrower, bond issuer, or bond insurer.

 

Appendix A hereto contains a description of certain municipal bond ratings.

 

Securities as a Result of Exchanges or Workouts. Each Fund may hold various instruments received in an exchange or workout of a distressed security (i.e., a low-rated debt security that is in default or at risk of becoming in default). Such instruments may include, but are not limited to, equity securities, warrants, rights, participation interests in sales of assets and contingent-interest obligations.

 

Short Sales. Each Fund may make short sales of securities or maintain a short position, if at all times when a short position is open the Fund owns an equal amount of such securities (or securities convertible into or exchangeable into an equal amount of such securities), without payment of any further consideration. This is commonly referred to as a “short sale against the box.” Each Fund does not intend to have more than 5% of its net assets (determined at the time of the short sale) subject to short sales. This limit does not apply to a Fund’s use of short positions in U.S. Treasury note futures, or in other security futures, for bona fide hedging purposes or to pursue risk management strategies.

 

Structured Securities. Each Fund may invest in structured securities. Structured securities are a type of derivative security whose value is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific underlying securities, interest rates, commodities, indices, credit default swaps, or other financial indicators (the “Reference”), or to relative changes in two or more References. The interest rate or principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the applicable Reference or certain specified events. Structured securities may be positively or negatively indexed with the result that the appreciation of the Reference may produce an increase or decrease in the interest rate or the value of the security at maturity. The Funds typically may use these securities as a substitute for taking a position in the underlying asset and/or as part of a strategy designed to reduce exposure to other risks, such as interest rate risk. These securities may present a greater degree of market risk than other types of fixed income securities and may be more volatile, less liquid and more difficult to price accurately than less complex securities. Changes in the value of structured securities may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index. A Fund could lose more than the principal amount invested.

 

Swaps. The Funds may enter into one or more of the following: interest rate swaps; municipal default swaps; total return swaps; and interest rate caps, floors, and collars. A Fund may enter into these transactions for hedging purposes or for speculative purposes in an attempt to obtain a particular return when it is considered desirable to do so. A swap transaction involves an agreement between two parties to exchange different types of cash flows based on a specified or “notional” amount. The cash flows exchanged in a specific transaction may be, among other things, payments that are the equivalent of interest on a principal amount, payments that would compensate the purchaser for losses on a defaulted security or basket of securities, or payments reflecting the performance of one or more specified securities or indices. A Fund may enter into swap transactions with various counterparties, including banks, securities dealers, or their respective affiliates.

 

In an interest rate swap, a Fund agrees to either make or receive payments that are equivalent to a fixed rate of interest on the specified notional amount in exchange for payments that are equivalent to a variable rate of interest (based on a specified index) on the same notional amount. Interest rate swaps may enable a Fund to either increase or reduce its interest rate risk or to adjust the duration of its bond portfolio.

 

In a municipal default swap, a Fund agrees to make one or more premium payments in exchange for the agreement of its counterparty to pay an amount equal to the decrease in value of a specified bond or a basket of debt securities upon the occurrence of a default or other “credit event” relating to the issuers of the debt. In such transactions, a Fund effectively acquires protection from the municipal default swap counterparty from decreases in the creditworthiness of the debt issuers. In addition to investing in municipal default swaps, each Fund also may invest in an index the underlying (or reference) assets of which are municipal default swaps.

2- 6

In a total return swap, a Fund agrees to pay the counterparty the “total return” of a defined underlying asset during a specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate or the total return from other underlying assets. If the value of the asset underlying a total return swap declines over the term of the swap, a Fund also may be required to pay an amount equal to that decline in value to its counterparty. A Fund also may be the seller of a total return swap, in which case it would receive premium payments in an amount equal to any decline in value of the underlying asset over the term of the swap, but it would be obligated to pay its counterparty an amount equal to any appreciation.

 

The Funds may purchase or sell interest rate caps, floors, and collars. The purchaser of an interest rate cap is entitled to receive payments only to the extent that a specified index exceeds a predetermined interest rate. The purchaser of an interest floor is entitled to receive payments only to the extent that a specified index is below a predetermined interest rate. A collar effectively combines a cap and a floor so that the purchaser receives payments only when market interest rates are within a specified range of interest rates.

 

The use of these transactions is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks that are different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If Lord Abbett is incorrect in its forecasts of interest rates or market values or in its assessments of the credit risks relevant to the transactions it enters, the investment performance of a Fund may be less favorable than it would have been if the Fund had not entered into these transactions. Because these arrangements are bilateral agreements between a Fund and its counterparty, each party is exposed to the risk of default by the other. In addition, these transactions may involve a small investment of cash by a Fund compared to the risk assumed with the result that small changes may produce disproportionate and substantial gains or losses to the Fund. A Fund’s obligations under swap agreements generally are collateralized by cash or government securities based on the amount by which the value of the payments that a Fund is required to make exceed the value of the payments that its counterparty is required to make. Each Fund segregates liquid assets equal to any difference between that excess and the amount of collateral that it is required to provide. Conversely, a Fund generally requires its counterparties to provide collateral on a comparable basis except in those instances in which Lord Abbett is satisfied with the claims paying ability of the counterparty without such collateral.

 

When-Issued Municipal Bonds. Each Fund may purchase new issues of municipal bonds, which are generally offered on a when-issued basis, with delivery and payment (“settlement”) normally taking place approximately one month after the purchase date. However, the payment obligation and the interest rate to be received by a Fund are each fixed on the purchase date. During the period between purchase and settlement, each Fund’s assets consisting of cash and/or high-grade marketable debt securities, marked to market daily, in an amount sufficient to make payment at settlement will be segregated at the Fund’s custodian. There is a risk that market yields available at settlement may be higher than yields obtained on the purchase date, which could result in depreciation of value. While the investment team may sell when-issued securities prior to settlement, the investment team intends to actually acquire such securities unless a sale appears desirable for investment reasons.

 

Yield Curve Options. Each Fund may enter into options on the yield “spread” or differential between two securities. Such transactions are referred to as “yield curve” options. In contrast to other types of options, a yield curve option is based on the difference between the yields of designated securities, rather than the prices of the individual securities, and is settled through cash payments. Accordingly, a yield curve option is profitable to the holder if this differential widens (in the case of a call) or narrows (in the case of a put), regardless of whether the yields of the underlying securities increase or decrease.

 

The trading of yield curve options is subject to all of the risks associated with the trading of other types of options. In addition, such options present a risk of loss even if the yield of one of the underlying securities remain constant, or if the spread moves in a direction or to an extent which was not anticipated.

 

Zero Coupon, Deferred Interest, Pay-In-Kind and Capital Appreciation Bonds. Each Fund may invest in zero coupon bonds, deferred interest, pay-in-kind and capital appreciation bonds. These bonds are issued at a discount from their face value because interest payments are typically postponed until maturity. Pay-in-kind securities are securities that have interest payable by the delivery of additional securities.

 

As the buyer of these types of securities, a Fund will recognize a rate of return determined by the gradual appreciation of the security, which is redeemed at face value on a specified maturity date. The discount varies depending on the time remaining until maturity, as well as market interest rates, liquidity of the security, and the issuer’s perceived credit quality. The discount in the absence of financial difficulties of the issuer, typically decreases as the final maturity date approaches. If the issuer defaults, the Fund involved may not receive any return on its investment.

 

Because these securities bear no interest and compound semiannually at the rate fixed at the time of issuance, their value generally is more volatile than the value of other fixed income securities. Since the bondholders do not receive interest payments, when interest rates rise, these securities fall more dramatically in value than bonds paying interest on a current

2- 7

basis. When interest rates fall, these securities rise more rapidly in value because the bonds reflect a fixed rate of return.

 

Investments in these securities may cause a Fund to recognize income and make distributions to shareholders before it receives any cash payments on the investment. To generate cash to satisfy those distribution requirements, a Fund may have to sell portfolio securities that it otherwise might have continued to hold or to use cash flows from other sources such as the sale of Fund shares.

 

Temporary Defensive Investments. As described in the prospectus, each Fund is authorized to temporarily invest a substantial amount, or even all, of its assets in various short-term fixed-income securities to take a defensive position. Temporary defensive securities include:

 

· Short-Term Taxable Securities. Each Fund may invest in bonds, the interest on which is subject to federal income tax and each Fund may be exempt from its state’s (if applicable) and, in the case of New York Fund, New York City, personal income tax.

 

· Obligations of the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities. U.S. Government obligations are debt securities issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the U.S. Treasury. These securities include Treasury bills, notes and bonds.

 

· Commercial paper. Commercial paper consists of unsecured promissory notes issued by corporations to finance short-term credit needs. Commercial paper is issued in bearer form with maturities generally not exceeding nine months. Commercial paper obligations may include variable amount master demand notes.

 

· Bank certificates of deposit and time deposits. Certificates of deposit are certificates issued against funds deposited in a bank or a savings and loan. They are issued for a definite period of time and earn a specified rate of return.

 

· Registered money market funds.

 

Policies and Procedures Governing Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings. Lord Abbett regularly makes information about the Funds’ portfolio holdings available to the general public at www.lordabbett.com. Generally, Lord Abbett makes a list of the Funds’ top ten holdings publicly available monthly with a 15-day delay (lag) and aggregate holdings information publicly available monthly with a 30-day delay (lag). Lord Abbett generally makes holdings information for each fund-of-funds publicly available without any delay and for the money market fund one day after the reporting date or period. In addition, consistent with its fiduciary duty and applicable legal requirements, Lord Abbett may release nonpublic portfolio holdings information to selected third parties to assist with a variety of investment, distribution, and operational processes. For example, Lord Abbett may disclose information about the Funds’ portfolio holdings to a pricing vendor for use in valuing a security. More specifically, Lord Abbett may provide portfolio holdings information to the following categories of third parties before making it available to the public, with a frequency and lag deemed appropriate under the circumstances:

 

· Service providers that render accounting, custody, legal, pricing, proxy voting, trading, and other services to the Funds;

 

· Financial intermediaries that sell Fund shares;

 

· Portfolio evaluators such as Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. and Morningstar, Inc.;

 

· Data aggregators such as Bloomberg;

 

· Other advisory clients of Lord Abbett that may be managed in a style substantially similar to that of the Funds, including institutional clients and their consultants, managed account program sponsors, and unaffiliated mutual funds; and

 

· Other third parties that may receive portfolio holdings information from Lord Abbett on a case-by-case basis with the authorization of the Funds’ officers.

 

The Board has adopted policies and procedures that are designed to manage conflicts of interest that may arise from Lord Abbett’s selective disclosure of portfolio holdings information and prevent potential misuses of such information. Lord Abbett’s Chief Compliance Officer administers these policies and procedures and reports to the Board at least annually about the operation of the policies and procedures as part of the Board’s oversight of the Funds’ compliance program.

2- 8

Under the policies and procedures, Lord Abbett may selectively disclose portfolio holdings information only when it has a legitimate business purpose for doing so and the recipient is obligated to keep the information confidential and not trade based on it (typically by a confidentiality agreement). The sole exception relates to SG Constellation, LLC (“SGC”), which provides financing for the distribution of the Funds’ Class B shares. The fees payable to SGC are based in part on the value of the Funds’ portfolio securities. To reduce the exposure of such fees to market volatility, SGC aggregates the portfolio holdings information provided by all of the mutual funds that participate in its Class B share financing program (including the Lord Abbett Funds) and may engage in certain hedging transactions based on this information. However, SGC will not engage in transactions based solely on the Funds’ portfolio holdings.

 

Neither the Fund nor Lord Abbett or any of their respective affiliates receives any compensation for disclosing information about the Funds’ portfolio holdings. For this purpose, compensation does not include ordinary investment management or service provider fees.

 

The portfolio holdings of Lord Abbett’s similarly managed advisory clients may closely mirror the Funds’ portfolio holdings. These clients are not subject to the same portfolio holdings disclosure policies and procedures as the Funds and therefore may disclose information about their own portfolio holdings information more frequently than the Funds disclose information about their portfolio holdings. To mitigate the risk that a recipient of such information could trade ahead of or against the Funds, Lord Abbett seeks assurances that clients will protect the confidentiality of portfolio holdings information by not disclosing it until Lord Abbett makes the Funds’ portfolio holdings publicly available. Lord Abbett also may monitor its clients’ trading activity, particularly in cases in which clients recently received sensitive portfolio holdings information.

 

The Board also reviews the Funds’ policies and procedures governing these arrangements on an annual basis. These policies and procedures may be modified at any time with the approval of the Board.

 

Fund Portfolio Information Recipients . Attached as Appendix A is a list of the third parties that are eligible to receive portfolio holdings information pursuant to ongoing arrangements under the circumstances described above.

2- 9

3.
Management of the Funds

 

The Board is responsible for the management of the business and affairs of the Company in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland.  The Board elects officers who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of each Fund and who execute policies authorized by the Board.  As generally discussed in the Funds’ semiannual report to shareholders, the Board also approves an investment adviser to each Fund and continues to monitor the cost and quality of the services the investment adviser provides, and annually considers whether to renew the contract with the adviser. Generally, each Director holds office until his/her successor is elected and qualified or until his/her earlier resignation or removal, as provided in the Company’s organizational documents.

 

Lord Abbett, a Delaware limited liability company, is each Fund’s investment adviser. Designated Lord Abbett personnel are responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund.

 

Board Leadership Structure

 

The Board currently has eight Directors, seven of whom are persons who are not “interested persons” of the Fund, sometimes referred to as independent directors/trustees or “Independent Directors.” E. Thayer Bigelow, an Independent Director, serves as the Chairman of the Board. The Board has determined that its leadership structure is appropriate in light of the composition of the Board and its committees and Mr. Bigelow’s long tenure with the Board. The Board believes that its leadership structure enhances the effectiveness of the Board’s oversight role.

 

The Board generally meets eight times a year, and may hold additional special meetings to address specific matters that arise between regularly scheduled meetings. The Independent Directors also meet regularly without the presence of management and are advised by independent legal counsel.

 

As discussed more fully below, the Board has delegated certain aspects of its oversight function to committees comprised solely of Independent Directors. The committee structure facilitates the Board’s timely and efficient consideration of matters pertinent to the Funds’ business and affairs and their associated risks.

 

For simplicity, the following sections use the term “directors/trustees” to refer to Directors of the Fund and the directors/trustees of all other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds.

 

Interested Director

 

Ms. Foster is affiliated with Lord Abbett and is an “interested person” of the Company as defined in the Act. Ms. Foster is a director/trustee and officer of each of the 12 Lord Abbett-sponsored funds, which consist of 55 portfolios or series.

 

Name, Address and
Year of Birth
  Current Position and
Length of Service
with the Company
  Principal Occupation and Other Directorships During the Past
Five Years
Daria L. Foster
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1954)
  Director and President since 2006; Chief Executive Officer since 2012  

Principal Occupation: Managing Partner of Lord Abbett (since 2007), and was formerly Director of Marketing and Client Service, joined Lord Abbett in 1990.

 

Other Directorships: None.

3- 1

Independent Directors

 

The following Independent Directors also are directors/trustees of each of the 12 Lord Abbett-sponsored funds, which consist of 55 portfolios or series.

 

Name, Address and
Year of Birth
  Current Position and
Length of Service
with the Company
  Principal Occupation and Other Directorships During the Past
Five Years
         

       
E. Thayer Bigelow
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.   
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1941)
  Director since 1994; Chairman since 2013  

Principal Occupation: Managing General Partner, Bigelow Media, LLC (since 2000); Senior Adviser, Time Warner Inc. (1998–2000).

 

Other Directorships: Currently serves as director of Crane Co. (since 1984) and Huttig Building Products Inc. (since 1998). Previously served as a director of R.H. Donnelley Inc. (2009–2010).

       
         
Robert B. Calhoun, Jr.
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.   
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1942)
  Director since 1998  

Principal Occupation: Senior Advisor of Monitor Clipper Partners, a private equity investment fund (since 1997); President of Clipper Asset Management Corp. (1991–2009).

 

Other Directorships: Previously served as a director of Interstate Bakeries Corp. (1991–2008).

         
Evelyn E. Guernsey
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.   
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1955)
  Director since 2011  

Principal Occupation: CEO, Americas of J.P. Morgan Asset Management (2004 - 2010).

 

Other Directorships: None.

         

       
Julie A. Hill
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.   
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1946)
  Director since 2004    

Principal Occupation: Owner and CEO of The Hill Company, a business consulting firm (since 1998).

 

Other Directorships: Currently serves as director of WellPoint, Inc., a health benefits company (since 1994). Previously served as a director of Lend Lease Corporation Limited, an international retail and residential property group (2006–2012).

         
Franklin W. Hobbs
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.   
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1947)
  Director since 2000  

Principal Occupation: Advisor of One Equity Partners, a private equity firm (since 2004).

 

Other Directorships: Currently serves as director and Chairman of the Board of Ally Financial Inc., a financial services firm (since 2009), and as director of Molson Coors Brewing Company (since 2002).

       
         
James M. McTaggart
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.   
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1947)
  Director since 2012  

Principal Occupation: Independent management advisor and consultant (since 2012); Vice President, CRA International, Inc. (doing business as Charles River Associates), a global management consulting firm (2009-2012); Founder and Chairman of Marakon Associates, Inc., a strategy consulting firm (1978–2009); and Officer and Director of Trinsum Group, a holding company (2007-2009).

 

Other Directorships: Currently serves as director of Blyth, Inc., a home products company (since 2004).

3- 2

Name, Address and
Year of Birth
  Current Position and
Length of Service
with the Company
  Principal Occupation and Other Directorships During the Past
Five Years
         

       
James L.L. Tullis
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
c/o Legal Dept.
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
(1947)
 

Director since 2006

 

 

Principal Occupation: CEO of Tullis-Dickerson and Co. Inc., a venture capital management firm (since 1990); CEO of Tullis Health Investors Inc. (since 2012).

 

Other Directorships: Currently serves as director of Crane Co. (since 1998). Previously served as a director of Synageva BioPharma Corp., a biopharmaceutical company (2009–2011).

       

 

Officers
None of the officers listed below have received compensation from the Company. All of the officers of the Company also may be officers of the other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds and maintain offices at 90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302. Unless otherwise indicated, the position(s) and title(s) listed under the “Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years” column indicate each officer’s position(s) and title(s) with Lord Abbett.

 

Name and
Year of Birth
  Current Position
with the Company
  Length of Service
of Current Position
  Principal Occupation
During the Past Five Years
Daria L. Foster
(1954)
  President and Chief Executive Officer   Elected as President in 2006 and Chief Executive Officer in 2012.   Managing Partner of Lord Abbett (since 2007), and was formerly Director of Marketing and Client Service, joined Lord Abbett in 1990.
             
Robert I. Gerber
(1954)
  Executive Vice President   Elected in 2006   Partner and Chief Investment Officer (since 2007), joined Lord Abbett in 1997 as Director of Taxable Fixed Income Management.
             
Daniel S. Solender
(1965)
  Executive Vice President   Elected in 2006   Partner and Director, joined Lord Abbett in 2006.
             

           
             

           
Joan A. Binstock
(1954)
  Chief Financial Officer and Vice President   Elected in 1999   Partner and Chief Financial and Operations Officer, joined Lord Abbett in 1999.
             

  John K. Forst
(1960)

  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Elected in 2005   Partner and Deputy General Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2004.
           
           
Philip B. Herman
(1977)
  Vice President   Elected in 2010   Portfolio Manager, joined Lord Abbett in 2007.
           
           
Lawrence H. Kaplan
(1957)
  Chief Compliance Officer, Vice President and Secretary   Elected as Vice President in 1997 and Chief Compliance Officer in 2013   Partner, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, joined Lord Abbett in 1997.

           
3- 3

Name and
Year of Birth
  Current Position
with the Company
  Length of Service
of Current Position
  Principal Occupation
During the Past Five Years
Paul A. Langlois
(1968)
  Vice President   Elected in 2012  

Portfolio Manager, joined Lord Abbett in 2009 and was formerly a Senior Vice President and Investment Officer at J. & W. Seligman & Co. Incorporated and a Vice President and Analyst at Delaware Investments. 

             

  A. Edward Oberhaus, III
(1959)

 

 

Vice President   Elected in 1996   Partner and Director, joined Lord Abbett in 1983.
             
Thomas R. Phillips
(1960)
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Elected in 2008   Partner and Deputy General Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2006.
             
Lawrence B. Stoller
(1963)
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Elected in 2007  

Partner and Senior Deputy General Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2007.

 

             
Daniel T. Vande Velde
(1967)
  Vice President   Elected in 2008   Partner and Portfolio Manager, joined Lord Abbett in 2007.
             
Scott S. Wallner
(1955)
  AML Compliance Officer   Elected in 2011   Assistant General Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2004.
             
Bernard J. Grzelak
(1971)
  Treasurer   Elected in 2003   Partner and Director of Fund Administration, joined Lord Abbett in 2003.

 

Qualifications of Directors/Trustees

The individual qualifications for each of the directors/trustees and related biographical information are noted below. These qualifications led to the conclusion that each should serve as a director/trustee for the Fund, in light of the Fund’s business and structure. In addition to individual qualifications, the following characteristics are among those qualifications applicable to each of the existing directors/trustees and are among the qualifications that the Nominating and Governance Committee will consider for any future nominees:

 

  · Irreproachable reputation for integrity, honesty and the highest ethical standards;
     
  · Outstanding skills in disciplines deemed by the Nominating and Governance Committee to be particularly relevant to the role of Independent Director, including business acumen, experience relevant to the financial services industry generally and the investment industry particularly, and ability to exercise sound judgment in matters relating to the current and long-term objectives of the Funds;
     
  · Understanding and appreciation of the important role occupied by an Independent Director in the regulatory structure governing registered investment companies;
     
  · Willingness and ability to contribute positively to the decision making process for the Funds, including appropriate interpersonal skills to work effectively with other Independent Directors;
     
  · Desire and availability to serve as an Independent Director for a substantial period of time;
     
  · Absence of conflicts that would interfere with qualifying as an Independent Director; and
     
  · Diversity of background.

 

3- 4

Interested Director/Trustee:

 

  · Daria L. Foster.   Board tenure with the Lord Abbett Family of Funds (since 2006), financial services industry experience, chief executive officer experience, corporate governance experience, and civic/community involvement.  

 

Independent Directors/Trustees:

 

  · E. Thayer Bigelow.   Board tenure with the Lord Abbett Family of Funds (since 1994), media investment and consulting experience, chief executive officer experience, entrepreneurial background, corporate governance experience, financial expertise, service in academia, and civic/community involvement.  
     
  · Robert B. Calhoun, Jr.   Board tenure with the Lord Abbett Family of Funds (since 1998), financial services industry experience, leadership experience, corporate governance experience, financial expertise, service in academia, and civic/community involvement.
     
  · Evelyn E. Guernsey.   Board tenure with the Lord Abbett Family of Funds (since 2011), financial services industry experience, chief executive officer experience, marketing experience, corporate governance experience, and civic/community involvement.
     
  · Julie A. Hill.   Board tenure with the Lord Abbett Family of Funds (since 2004), business management and marketing experience, chief executive officer experience, entrepreneurial background, corporate governance experience, service in academia, and civic/community involvement.
     
  · Franklin W. Hobbs.   Board tenure with the Lord Abbett Family of Funds (since 2000), financial services industry experience, chief executive officer experience, corporate governance experience, financial expertise, service in academia, and civic/community involvement.
     
  · James M. McTaggart.   Board tenure with the Lord Abbett Family of Funds (since 2012), financial services industry experience, chief executive officer experience, entrepreneurial background, corporate governance experience, financial expertise, marketing experience, and civic/community involvement.
     
  · James L.L. Tullis.   Board tenure with the Lord Abbett Family of Funds (since 2006), financial services industry experience, chief executive officer experience, corporate governance experience, financial expertise, and civic/community involvement.

 

3- 5

Committees

 

The standing committees of the Board are the Audit Committee, the Proxy Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee, and the Contract Committee. The table below provides information about each such committee’s composition, functions, and responsibilities.

 

Committee   Committee Members   Number of
Meetings Held
During the 2013
Fiscal Year
  Description
Audit Committee   E. Thayer Bigelow
Robert B. Calhoun, Jr.
Evelyn E. Guernsey
James M. McTaggart
  4   The Audit Committee is comprised solely of directors/trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Funds.  The Audit Committee provides assistance to the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities relating to accounting matters, the reporting practices of the Funds, and the quality and integrity of the Funds’ financial reports.  Among other things, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and evaluating the performance and independence of the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm and considering violations of the Funds’ Code of Ethics to determine what action should be taken.  The Audit Committee meets at least quarterly.
             
Proxy Committee   Julie A. Hill
Franklin W. Hobbs
James L.L. Tullis
  3   The Proxy Committee is comprised of at least two directors/trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Funds, and also may include one or more directors/trustees who are partners or employees of Lord Abbett.  Currently, the Proxy Committee comprises solely Independent Directors.  The Proxy Committee shall (i) monitor the actions of Lord Abbett in voting securities owned by the Funds; (ii) evaluate the policies of Lord Abbett in voting securities; and (iii) meet with Lord Abbett to review the policies in voting securities, the sources of information used in determining how to vote on particular matters, and the procedures used to determine the votes in any situation where there may be a conflict of interest.
             
Nominating and Governance Committee   E. Thayer Bigelow
Robert B. Calhoun, Jr.
Evelyn E. Guernsey
Julie A. Hill
Franklin W. Hobbs
James M. McTaggart
James L.L. Tullis
  6   The Nominating and Governance Committee is comprised of all directors/trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Funds.  Among other things, the Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for (i) evaluating and nominating individuals to serve as Independent Directors and as committee members; and (ii) periodically reviewing director/trustee compensation.  The Nominating and Governance Committee has adopted policies for its consideration of any individual recommended by the Funds’ shareholders to serve as an Independent Director.  A shareholder who would like to recommend a candidate may write to the Funds.
             
Contract Committee   E. Thayer Bigelow
Robert B. Calhoun, Jr.
Evelyn E. Guernsey
Julie A. Hill
Franklin W. Hobbs
James M. McTaggart
James L.L. Tullis
  5   The Contract Committee is comprised of all directors/trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Funds.  The Contract Committee conducts much of the factual inquiry undertaken by the directors/trustees in connection with the Board’s annual consideration of whether to renew the management and other contracts with Lord Abbett and Lord Abbett Distributor.  During the year, the Committee meets with Lord Abbett management and portfolio management to monitor ongoing developments involving Lord Abbett and the Funds’ portfolio.

 

3- 6

Board Oversight of Risk Management

Managing the investment portfolios and the operations of the Funds, like all mutual funds, involves certain risks. Lord Abbett (and other Fund service providers, subject to oversight by Lord Abbett) is responsible for day-to-day risk management for the Funds. The Board oversees the Funds’ risk management as part of its general management oversight function. The Board, either directly or through committees, regularly receives and reviews reports from Lord Abbett about the elements of risk that affect or may affect the Funds, including investment risk, operational risk, compliance risk, and legal risk, among other elements of risk related to the operations of the Funds and Lord Abbett, and the steps Lord Abbett takes to mitigate those risks. The Board has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer, who oversees the implementation and testing of the Funds’ compliance program and reports to the Board at least quarterly regarding compliance matters for the Funds, Lord Abbett, and the Funds’ service providers. The Board also has appointed a Chief Legal Officer, who is responsible for overseeing internal reporting requirements imposed under rules adopted by the SEC pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which are designed to ensure that credible indications of material violations of federal securities laws or breaches of fiduciary duty are investigated and are adequately and appropriately resolved.

 

In addition to the Board’s direct oversight, the Audit Committee and the Contract Committee play important roles in overseeing risk management on behalf of the Funds. The Audit Committee oversees the risk management efforts for financial reporting, pricing and valuation, and liquidity risk and meets regularly with the Funds’ Chief Financial Officer and independent auditors, as well as with members of management, to discuss financial reporting and audit issues, including risks related to financial controls. The Contract Committee regularly meets with the Funds’ portfolio managers and Lord Abbett’s Chief Investment Officer to discuss investment performance achieved by the Funds and the investment risks assumed by the Funds to achieve that performance.

 

While Lord Abbett (and the Funds’ service providers) has implemented a number of measures intended to mitigate risk effectively to the extent practicable, it is not possible to eliminate all of the risks that are inherent in the operations of the Funds. Some risks are beyond the control of Lord Abbett and not all risks that may affect the Funds can be identified before the risk arises or before Lord Abbett develops processes and controls to eliminate the occurrence or mitigate the effects of such risks.

 

Compensation Disclosure
The following table summarizes the compensation paid to each of the independent directors/trustees.

 

The second column of the following table sets forth the compensation accrued by the Company for independent directors/trustees. The third column sets forth the total compensation paid by all Lord Abbett-sponsored funds to the independent directors/trustees, and amounts payable but deferred at the option of each director/trustee. No interested director/trustee of the Lord Abbett-sponsored funds and no officer of the funds, received any compensation from the funds for acting as a director/trustee or officer.

 

Name of
Director/Trustee
  For the Fiscal Year Ended
September 30, 2013 Aggregate
Compensation Accrued by the
Company 1
  For the Year Ended December 31, 2013 Total
Compensation Paid by the Company and
Twelve Other
Lord Abbett-Sponsored Funds 2
E. Thayer Bigelow   $41,989   $377,000
Robert B. Calhoun, Jr.   $33,029   $277,000
Evelyn E. Guernsey   $34,438   $302,000
Julie A. Hill   $31,758   $273,000
Franklin W. Hobbs   $31,515   $271,000
James M. McTaggart 3   $28,049   $277,000
James L.L. Tullis   $31,987   $273,000

 

 

1 Independent directors’/trustees’ fees, including attendance fees for board and committee meetings, are allocated among all Lord Abbett-sponsored funds based on the net assets of each fund. A portion of the fees payable by each fund to its independent directors/trustees may be deferred at the option of a director/trustee under an equity-based plan (the “equity-based plan”) that deems the deferred amounts to be invested in shares of a fund for later distribution to the directors/trustees. In addition, $25,000 of each director’s/trustee’s retainer must be deferred and is deemed invested in shares of a Fund and other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds under the equity-based plan. Of the amounts shown in the second column, the total deferred amounts for Mr. Bigelow, Mr. Calhoun, Ms. Guernsey, Ms. Hill, Mr. Hobbs, Mr. McTaggart, and Mr. Tullis are $2,948, $33,029, $2,948, $8,577, $31,515, $2,555, and $31,987, respectively.

3- 7

2 The third column shows aggregate compensation, including the types of compensation described in the second column, accrued by all Lord Abbett-sponsored funds during the year ended December 31, 2013, including fees independent directors/trustees have chosen to defer.

 

 

3 Mr. McTaggart was elected to the Board and the board of directors/trustees of each of the other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds, effective December 1, 2012.

 

The following chart provides certain information about the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each director/trustee in the Company and the other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds as of December 31, 2013. The amounts shown include deferred compensation (including interest) to the directors/trustees deemed invested in fund shares. The amounts ultimately received by the directors/trustees under the deferred compensation plan will be directly linked to the investment performance of the Funds.

 

    Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Funds
Name of
Directors/Trustees
  Short Duration
Tax Free Fund
  Intermediate Fund   AMT Free
Municipal Bond Fund
  National Fund   High Yield
Municipal Bond
Fund
Interested Director/Trustee:                    
Daria L. Foster   Over $100,000   Over $100,000   Over $100,000   Over $100,000   Over $100,00
Independent Directors/Trustees:                    
E. Thayer Bigelow   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000
Robert B. Calhoun, Jr.   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $10,001-$50,000   $1-$10,000
Evelyn E. Guernsey   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000
Julie A. Hill   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $10,001-$50,000   $10,001-$50,000
Franklin W. Hobbs   $10,001-$50,000   $10,001-$50,000   $1-$10,000   Over $100,000   $10,001-$50,000
James M. McTaggart   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000
James L.L. Tullis   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000

 

    Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Funds
Name of
Directors/Trustees
  California Fund   New Jersey Fund   New York Fund   Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in Lord
Abbett-Sponsored Funds
Interested Director/Trustee:                
Daria L. Foster   None   None   Over $100,000   Over $100,000
Independent Directors/Trustees:                
E. Thayer Bigelow   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   Over $100,000
Robert B. Calhoun, Jr.   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   Over $100,000
Evelyn E. Guernsey   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $50,001 -$100,000
Julie A. Hill   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   Over $100,000
Franklin W. Hobbs   $10,001-$50,000   $1-$10,000   $10,001-$50,000   $10,001-$50,000
James M. McTaggart   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000
James L.L. Tullis   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   $1-$10,000   Over $100,000

 

Code of Ethics

The directors, trustees and officers of the Lord Abbett-sponsored funds, together with the partners and employees of Lord Abbett, are permitted to purchase and sell securities for their personal investment accounts. In engaging in personal securities transactions, however, such persons are subject to requirements and restrictions contained in the Company’s, Lord Abbett’s, and Lord Abbett Distributor’s Code of Ethics which complies, in substance, with Rule 17j-1 under the Act and each of the recommendations of the Investment Company Institute’s Advisory Group on Personal Investing (the “Advisory Group”). Among other things, the Code of Ethics requires, with limited exceptions, that Lord Abbett partners and employees obtain advance approval before buying or selling securities, submit confirmations and quarterly transaction reports, and obtain approval before becoming a director of any company; and it prohibits such persons from (1) investing in a security seven days before or after any Lord Abbett-sponsored fund or Lord Abbett-managed account considers a trade or trades in such security, (2) transacting in a security that the person covers as an analyst or with respect to which the person has participated in a non-public investor meeting with company management within the six months preceding the requested

3- 8

transaction, (3) profiting on trades of the same security within 60 days, (4) trading on material and non-public information, and (5) engaging in market timing activities with respect to the Lord Abbett-sponsored funds. The Code of Ethics imposes certain similar requirements and restrictions on the independent directors/trustees of each Lord Abbett-sponsored fund to the extent contemplated by the Act and recommendations of the Advisory Group.

 

Proxy Voting

The Funds have delegated proxy voting responsibilities to the Funds’ investment adviser, Lord Abbett, subject to the Proxy Committee’s general oversight. Lord Abbett has adopted its own proxy voting policies and procedures for this purpose. A copy of Lord Abbett’s proxy voting policies and procedures is attached as Appendix D.

 

In addition, the Funds are required to file Form N-PX, with their complete proxy voting records for the twelve months ended June 30 th , no later than August 31 st of each year. The Funds’ Form N-PX filing is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov . The Funds also have made this information available, without charge, on Lord Abbett’s website at www.lordabbett.com.

3- 9

4.

Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities

 

Shareholders beneficially owning 25% or more of outstanding shares may be in control and may be able to affect the outcome of certain matters presented for a vote of shareholders. As of January 2, 2014 to the best of our knowledge, the following entities held 25% or more of each Fund’s outstanding shares:

 

Short Duration Tax Free Fund
MLPF&S
for the Sole Benefit of its Customers
4800 Deer Lake Dr. E. Fl. 3
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
40.76%
   
Intermediate Tax Free Fund
MLPF&S
for the Sole Benefit of its Customers
4800 Deer Lake Dr. E. Fl. 3
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
29.59%
   
National Tax Free Fund
Edward Jones & Co.
12555 Manchester Rd.
Saint Louis, MO 63131-3729
36.15%

 

As of January 2, 2014, to the best of our knowledge, the only persons or entities that owned of record or were known by a Fund to own beneficially 5% or more of the specified class of such Fund’s outstanding shares were as follows:

 

Short Duration Tax Free Fund    
Edward Jones & Co.
12555 Manchester Rd.
Saint Louis, MO 63131-3729
Class A:
Class C:
10.58%
11.02%
     
MLPF&S
for the Sole Benefit of its Customers
4800 Deer Lake Dr. E. Fl. 3
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
Class A:
Class C:
Class F:
31.24%
37.97%
63.75%
     
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Harborside Financial Center,
Plaza II,  3 rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311-3907
Class A:
Class C:
Class F:
13.79%
11.25%
13.38%
     

 

UBS Financial Services Inc.
FBO UBS WM USA
OMNI A/C/ M/F
499 Washington Boulevard, FL 9
Jersey City, NJ 07310-2055

Class A:
Class C:
9.16%
5.11%
     
Pershing LLC
1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0002
Class A:
Class I:
10.40%
51.43%
     
Wells Fargo Class A: 10.39%

4- 1

Special Custody Acct. for the Exclusive Benefit of Customer
2801 Market Street
Saint Louis, MO 63103-2523
Class C:
Class F:
17.38%
7.16%
     
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.
Special Custody Acct for the Benefit of Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
Class I: 8.15%
     
Intermediate Tax Free Fund    
     
Edward Jones & Co.
12555 Manchester Rd.
Saint Louis, MO 63131-3729
Class A:
Class B:
Class C:
17.74%
12.89%
6.24%
     
MLPF&S
for the Sole Benefit of its Customers
4800 Deer Lake Dr. E. Fl. 3
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
Class A:
Class B:
Class C:
Class F:
17.91%
33.25%
33.17%
52.76%
     
UBS Financial Services, Inc. FBO
UBS WM USA
OMNI A/C M/F
499 Washington Boulevard Floor 9 Jersey City, NJ 07310-2055
Class A:
Class C:
15.42%
7.35%
     
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Harborside Financial Center,
Plaza II,  3 rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311-3907
Class A:
Class C:
Class F:
7.04%
11.82%
11.64%
     
National Financial Services
Febo Customers
200 Liberty Street, #1 WFC
New York, NY 10281-1003
Class A: 6.23%
     
Pershing LLC
1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0002
Class A: 8.71%
     
Wells Fargo
Special Custody Acct. for the Exclusive Benefit of Customer
2801 Market Street
Saint Louis, MO 63103-2523
Class A:
Class B:
Class C:
Class F:
11.14%
37.06%
18.62%
16.60%
     
SEI Private Trust Co.
C/O Union Bank ID 797
1 Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
Class I: 31.38%
     
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Special Custody Account for the
Class I: 24.60%

4- 2

   
Benefit of Customers
211 Main Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905
   
     
DBTCO
PO Box 747
Dubuque, IA 52004-0747
Class I: 20.93%
     
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
90 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ 07302-3900
Class P: 99.59%
     
AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund    
     
Edward Jones & Co.
12555 Manchester Rd.
Saint Louis, MO 63131-3729
Class A:
Class C:
24.73%
7.17%
     
MLPF&S
for the Sole Benefit of its Customers
4800 Deer Lake Dr. E. Fl. 3
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
Class A:
Class C:
Class F:
12.74%
32.01%
45.70%
     
UBS Financial Services Inc.
FBO UBS WM USA
OMNI A/C M/F
499 Washington Boulevard Floor 9
Jersey City, NJ 07310-2055
Class A: 18.20%
     
Pershing LLC
1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0002
Class A:
Class C:
Class F:
8.50%
7.46%
13.69%
     
Wells Fargo
Special Custody Acct. for the Exclusive Benefit of Customer
2801 Market Street
Saint Louis, MO 63103-2523
Class A:
Class C:
12.88%
15.70%
     
Raymond James
Omnibus for Mutual Funds House Account
880 Carillon Pkwy
St. Petersburg, FL 33716-1100
Class C:
Class F:
15.11%
7.61%
     
LPL Financial
Omnibus Customer Account
House Account Firm
9785 Towne Centre Dr.
San Diego, CA 92121-1968
Class F: 11.35%
     
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Harborside Financial Center,
Plaza II,  3 rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311-3907
Class F: 6.18%
     
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302-3900
Class I: 10.57%

4- 3

NFS LLC FEBO
William C. and Leslie W. Main
34 Ethel Avenue
Allendale, NJ 07401-1024
Class I: 71.47%
     
NFS LLC FEBO
David R. and Marilyn Slade
53 Miramichie Hill Road
Alton, NH 03809-5308
Class I: 17.90%
     
High Yield Municipal Bond Fund    
     
Edward Jones & Co.
12555 Manchester Rd.
Saint Louis, MO 63131-3729
Class A:
Class C:
33.14%
9.46%
     
MLPF&S
for the Sole Benefit of its Customers
4800 Deer Lake Dr. E. Fl. 3
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
Class A:
Class C:
Class F:
7.46%
24.75%
39.70%
     
UBS Financial Services Inc.
FBO UBS WM USA
OMNI A/C M/F
499 Washington Boulevard Floor 9
Jersey City, NJ 07310-2055
Class A:
Class C:
17.78%
9.76%
     
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Harborside Financial Center,
Plaza II,  3 rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311-3907
Class A:
Class C:
Class F:
7.01%  
14.34%
13.33%
     
Wells Fargo
Special Custody Acct. for the Exclusive Benefit of Customer
2801 Market Street
Saint Louis, MO 63103-2523
Class A:
Class C:
Class F:
8.16%
17.23%
16.34%
     
Raymond James
Omnibus for Mutual Funds House Account
880 Carillon Pkwy
St. Petersburg, FL 33716-1100
Class C:
Class F:
6.03%
9.40%
     
LPL Financial
Dan Spillance
9785 Towne Center Drive
San Diego, CA 92121-1968
Class F: 7.28%
     
Pershing LLC
1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0002
Class C: 5.86%
     
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302-3900
Class P: 99.63%
   
   

4- 4

California Tax Free Fund    
Edward Jones & Co.
12555 Manchester Rd.
Saint Louis, MO 63131-3729
Class A: 18.24%
     
MLPF&S
for the Sole Benefit of its Customers
4800 Deer Lake Dr. E. Fl. 3
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
Class A:
Class C:
Class F:
9.53%
27.05%
41.00%
     
UBS Financial Services Inc.
FBO UBS WM USA
OMNI A/C M/F
499 Washington Boulevard Floor 9
Jersey City, NJ 07310-2055
Class A:
Class C:
7.80%
7.97%
     
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Harborside Financial Center,
Plaza II,  3 rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311-3907
Class A:
Class C:
Class F:
14.03%
14.87%
7.58%
     
Wells Fargo
Special Custody Acct. for the Exclusive Benefit of Customer
2801 Market Street
Saint Louis, MO 63103-2523
Class A:
Class C:
Class F:
15.95%
30.48%
35.03%
     
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302-3900
Class I: 99.59%
     
LPL Financial  
Dan Spillance
9785 Towne Centre Dr.
San Diego, CA 92121-1968
Class F: 8.65%
     
National Tax Free Fund    
     
Edward Jones & Co.
12555 Manchester Rd.
Saint Louis, MO 63131-3729
Class A:
Class B:
Class C:
41.58%
29.67%
11.32%
     
MLPF&S
for the Sole Benefit of its Customers
4800 Deer Lake Dr. E. Fl. 3
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
Class A:
Class B:
Class C:
Class F:
7.02%
22.80%
32.80%
35.82%
     
UBS Financial Services Inc.
FBO UBS WM USA
OMNI A/C M/F
499 Washington Boulevard Floor 9 Jersey City, NJ 07310-2055
Class A:
Class C:
5.77%
7.74%
     
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Harborside Financial Center
Plaza II, 3 rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311
Class A:
Class C:
Class F:
6.72%
8.38%
17.63%
     
Wells Fargo
Special Custody Acct. for the
Class A:
Class B:
7.77%
24.62%

4- 5

Exclusive Benefit of Customer
2801 Market Street
Saint Louis, MO 63103-2523
Class C:
Class F:
15.18%
14.93%
LPL Financial
Dan Spillance
9785 Towne Centre Dr.
San Diego, CA 92121-1968
Class F: 7.06%
     
Raymond James
Omnibus for Mutual Funds House Account
880 Carillon Pkwy
St. Petersburg, FL 33716-1100
Class F: 12.72%
     
NFS LLC FEBO
Caroline Awapara
888 Brickell Key Dr. APT# 2808
Miami, FL 33131-2672
Class I: 9.17%
     
NFS LLC FEBO
Johannes B. Larcher
Johannes B & Emily Larcher TR
118 Escavera
Lakeway, TX 78738
Class I: 10.01%
     
NFS LLC FEBO
William D. Wood
Yong C. Wood
12631 Lakebrook Dr.
Orlando, FL 32828-8715
Class I: 19.63%
     
NFS LLC FEBO
Pedro Arevalo
Marla Arevalo
2207 Oakley Green Dr.
Sun City Center, FL 33573-7175
Class I : 8.81%
     
NFS LLC FEBO
Amy B. Mohberg
1279 Norway Pt.  Apt. 3
Eagan, MN 55123-2302
Class I: 11.82%
     
NFS LLC FEBO
Leah M. Weber Trust
9217 Tibet Pointe Circle
Windermere, FL 34786-5632
Class I: 24.25%
     
New Jersey Tax Free Fund    
     
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Harborside Financial Center,
Plaza II,  3 rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311-3907
Class A:
Class F:
18.20%
23.50%
     
MLPF&S
for the Sole Benefit of its Customers
Class A:
Class F:
5.03%
26.70%

4- 6

   
4800 Deer Lake Dr. E. Fl. 3
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
   
     
UBS Financial Services Inc.
FBO UBS WM USA
OMNI A/C M/F
499 Washington Boulevard Floor 9
Jersey City, NJ 07310-2055
Class A:  9.12%
     
Pershing LLC
1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0002
Class A:
Class F:
6.88%
8.71%
     
Wells Fargo
Special Custody Acct. for the Exclusive Benefit of Customer
2801 Market Street
Saint Louis, MO 63103-2523
Class A:
Class F:
10.37%
29.89%
     
Robin D. Varallo
115 N. Coolidge Avenue
Margate City, NJ 08402-1013
Class F: 5.14%
     
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
90 Hudson Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302-3900
Class I: 99.57%
     
New York Tax Free Fund    
     
MLPF&S
for the Sole Benefit of its Customers
4800 Deer Lake Dr. E. Fl. 3
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484
Class A:
Class C:
Class F:
11.04%
34.41%
32.78%
     
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney
Harborside Financial Center,
Plaza II,  3 rd Floor
Jersey City, NJ 07311-3907
Class A:
Class C:
Class F:
8.51%
12.53%
21.31%
     
Pershing LLC
1 Pershing Plaza
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0002
Class A:
Class C:
Class F:
20.88%
21.16%
19.85%
     
Wells Fargo
Special Custody Acct. for the Exclusive Benefit of Customer
2801 Market Street
Saint Louis, MO 63103-2523
Class A:
Class C:
Class F:
12.44%
8.00%
15.94%
     
National Financial  Services LLC
For the Benefit of its Customers
200 Liberty Street #1WFC
New York, NY 10281-1003
Class A: 5.66%
     
UBS Financial Services Inc.
FBO UBS WM USA
OMNI A/C M/F
499 Washington Boulevard Floor 9
Class C: 8.43%

4- 7

Jersey City, NJ 07310-2055    
     
SEI Private Trust Co.
1 Freedom Valley Dr.
Oaks, PA 19456-9989
Class I: 98.00%

 

As of January 2, 2014, the Funds’ officers and directors, as a group, owned less than 1% of each class of the Funds’ outstanding shares, except for those Funds’ share classes stated below.

 

As of January 2, 2014, the Funds’ officers and directors, as a group, owned approximately: 1.60% of AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund’s Class A shares; and 2.14% of New Jersey Tax Free Fund’s Class A shares.

4- 8

5.

Investment Advisory and Other Services

 

Investment Adviser

As described under “Management and Organization of the Funds” in the prospectus, Lord Abbett is the Company’s investment adviser. Lord Abbett is a privately held investment manager. The address of Lord Abbett is 90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302-3973.

 

Under the Management Agreement between Lord Abbett and the Company, on behalf of each Fund, Lord Abbett is entitled to an annual management fee based on each Fund’s average daily net assets. The management fee is allocated to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of each Fund’s net assets represented by that class. The management fee is accrued daily and payable monthly.

 

The management fee for Short Duration Tax Free Fund is calculated at the following annual rates:

 

0.40% on the first $2 billion of average daily net assets;

0.375% on the next $3 billion of average daily net assets; and

0.35% on the Fund’s average daily net assets over $5 billion.

 

The management fee for Intermediate Tax Free Fund is calculated at the following annual rates:

 

0.40% on the first $2 billion of average daily net assets;

0.375% on the next $3 billion of average daily net assets;

0.35% on the next $5 billion of average daily net assets; and

0.32% on the Fund’s average daily net assets over $10 billion.

 

The management fee for AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund and High Yield Municipal Bond Fund is calculated at the following annual rates:

 

0.50% on the first $1 billion of average daily net assets;

0.45% on the next $1 billion of average daily net assets; and

0.40% on each Fund’s average daily net assets over $2 billion.

 

The management fee for National Fund, California Fund, New Jersey Fund and New York Fund is calculated at the following annual rates:

 

0.45% on the first $1 billion of average daily net assets;

0.40% on the next $1 billion of average daily net assets; and

0.35% on each Fund’s average daily net assets over $2 billion.

5- 1

Each Fund’s net expense ratio, after taking into account the management fee waiver and deduction for the Interest and Related Expenses, if applicable*, is as follows:

 

                       
Fund   Class A   Class B   Class C   Class F   Class I   Class P
Short Duration Tax Free Fund   0.65%   1.45%   1.31%   0.55%   0.45%   N/A
Intermediate Fund   0.70%   1.50%   1.38%   0.60%   0.50%   0.95%
AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund   0.60%   N/A   1.34%   0.50%   0.40%   N/A
National Fund   0.74%   1.54%   1.39%   0.64%   0.54%   0.99%
High Yield Municipal Bond   0.82%   1.62%   1.47%   0.72%   0.62%   1.07%
California Fund   0.81%   N/A   1.47%   0.71%   0.61%   1.06%
New Jersey Fund   0.82%   N/A   N/A   0.72%   0.62%   1.07%
New York Fund   0.78%   N/A   1.43%   0.68%   0.58%   1.03%

 

 
* Interest and Related Expenses (“interest expense”) from Inverse Floaters include certain expenses and fees related to the Fund’s investments in inverse floaters (also known as “residual interest bonds”). Under accounting rules, some of those expenses are liabilities with respect to interest paid on short-term floating rate notes issued by the trusts whose inverse floater certificates are held by the Fund. Accounting rules also require the Fund to recognize additional income in an amount that directly corresponds to these expenses. Therefore, the NAVs per share and total returns have not been affected by these additional expenses. These expenses affect the amount of the Fund’s Total Other Expenses and Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses, in the table and the Example in each Fund’s prospectus.

5- 2

The management fees paid to Lord Abbett by the Funds (taking into account management fee waivers, if any) for the last three fiscal years ended September 30 th were as follows:

 

    Year Ended September 30, 2013  
Fund   Gross Management
Fees
    Management Fees
Waived
    Net Management
Fees
 
Short Duration Tax Free Fund   $ 10,318,451     ($ 1,914,730 )   $ 8,403,721  
Intermediate Fund *   $ 15,728,953     ($ 713,976 )   $ 15,014,977  
AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund   $ 929,858     ($ 539,285 )   $ 390,573  
National Fund   $ 8,695,468     $     $ 8,695,468  
High Yield Municipal Bond Fund   $ 9,716,194     $     $ 9,716,194  
California Fund   $ 1,162,585     $     $ 1,162,585  
New Jersey Fund   $ 662,961     $     $ 662,961  
New York Fund   $ 1,678,222     $     $ 1,678,222  

 

    Year Ended September 30, 2012  
Fund   Gross Management
Fees
    Management Fees
Waived
    Net Management
Fees
 
Short Duration Tax Free Fund   $ 8,616,227     ($ 1,970,751 )   $ 6,645,476  
Intermediate Fund *   $ 12,084,399     ($ 1,176,356 )   $ 10,908,043  
AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund   $ 580,452     ($ 415,918 )   $ 164,534  
National Fund   $ 7,742,548     $     $ 7,742,548  
High Yield Municipal Bond Fund   $ 8,035,042     $     $ 8,035,042  
California Fund   $ 979,788     $     $ 979,788  
New Jersey Fund   $ 590,519     $     $ 590,519  
New York Fund   $ 1,328,761     $     $ 1,328,761  

 

    Year Ended September 30, 2011  
Fund   Gross Management
Fees
    Management Fees
Waived
    Net Management
Fees
 
Short Duration Tax Free Fund   $ 7,247,394     ($ 1,946,198 )   $ 5,301,196  
Intermediate Fund *   $ 8,299,632     ($ 1,461,583 )   $ 6,838,049  
AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund   $ 159,220     ($ 159,220 )   $  
National Fund   $ 6,809,689     $     $ 6,809,689  
High Yield Municipal Bond Fund   $ 7,907,579     $     $ 7,907,579  
California Fund   $ 851,098     $     $ 851,098  
New Jersey Fund   $ 527,489     $     $ 527,489  
New York Fund   $ 1,183,890     $     $ 1,183,890  

 

 

 

* Prior to February 1, 2013, the management fee was calculated at the following annual rate:

0.40% on the first $2 billion of average daily net assets;

0.375% on the next $3 billion of average daily net assets; and

0.35% on average daily net assets over $5 billion.

5- 3

With respect to Short Duration Tax Free Fund for the period February 1, 2014 through January 31, 2015, Lord Abbett has contractually agreed to waive its fees and reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to limit total net annual operating expenses for each class, excluding 12b-1 fees and interest related expenses, to an annual rate of 0.45%. This agreement may be terminated only by the Board.

 

 

With respect to AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund for the period February 1, 2014 through January 31, 2015, Lord Abbett has contractually agreed to waive its fees and reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to limit total net annual operating expenses for each class, excluding 12b-1 fees and interest related expenses, to an annual rate of 0.40%. This agreement may be terminated only by the Board.

 

Each Fund pays all expenses attributable to its operations not expressly assumed by Lord Abbett, including, without limitation, 12b-1 expenses, independent directors’/trustees’ fees and expenses, association membership dues, legal and auditing fees, taxes, transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees, shareholder servicing costs, expenses relating to shareholder meetings, expenses of registering its shares under federal and state securities laws, expenses of preparing, printing and mailing prospectuses and shareholder reports to existing shareholders, insurance premiums, and other expenses connected with executing portfolio transactions.

 

Administrative Services

Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement with the Funds, Lord Abbett provides certain administrative services not involving the provision of investment advice to each Fund. Under the Agreement, each Fund pays Lord Abbett a monthly fee, based on average daily net assets for each month, at an annual rate of 0.04%. The administrative services fee is allocated to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of the Fund’s net assets represented by that class.

 

The administrative services fees paid to Lord Abbett by each Fund for the last three fiscal years ended September 30 th were as follows:

 

Fund   2013     2012     2011  
Short Duration Tax Free Fund   $ 1,047,301     $ 866,283     $ 724,739  
Intermediate Fund   $ 1,624,422     $ 1,235,669     $ 832,293  
AMT Free Municipal Income Fund   $ 74,389     $ 46,436     $ 12,738  
National Fund   $ 825,165     $ 724,304     $ 630,969  
High Yield Municipal Bond Fund   $ 824,765     $ 669,781     $ 658,772  
California Fund   $ 103,341     $ 87,092     $ 75,653  
New Jersey Fund   $ 58,930     $ 52,941     $ 46,888  
New York Fund   $ 149,175     $ 118,112     $ 105,235  

 

 

Portfolio Managers

As stated in the prospectus, each Fund is managed by an experienced portfolio manager or a team of experienced portfolio managers responsible for investment decisions together with a team of investment professionals who provide issuer, industry, sector and macroeconomic research and analysis.

 

Daniel S. Solender heads the investment management team of the Funds. Mr. Solender is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund and National Tax Free Fund. Mr. Solender and Philip B. Herman are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of New Jersey Tax Free Fund and New York Tax Free Fund. Mr. Solender and Paul A. Langlois are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of California Tax Free Fund and High Yield Municipal Bond Fund. Mr. Solender and Daniel T. Vande Velde are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of Short Duration Tax Free Fund and Intermediate Tax Free Fund.

 

The following table indicates for each Fund as of September 30, 2013 (or another date, if indicated): (1) the number of other accounts managed by each portfolio manager who is identified in the prospectus within certain categories of investment vehicles; and (2) the total net assets in such accounts managed within each category. For each of the categories a footnote to the table also provides the number of accounts and the total net assets in the accounts with respect to which the management fee is based on the performance of the account. Included in the Registered Investment Companies category are those U.S. registered funds managed or sub-advised by Lord Abbett, including funds underlying variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered through insurance companies. The Other Pooled Investment Vehicles category includes collective investment funds, offshore funds and similar non-registered investment vehicles. Lord Abbett does not manage any hedge funds. The Other Accounts category encompasses retirement and benefit plans (including both defined contribution and defined benefit plans) sponsored by various corporations and other entities,

5- 4

individually managed institutional accounts of various corporations, other entities and individuals, and separately managed accounts in so-called wrap fee programs sponsored by financial intermediaries unaffiliated with Lord Abbett. (The data shown below are approximate.)

 

        Other Accounts Managed (#Total Net Assets + )
Fund   Name   Registered
Investment
Companies
  Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
  Other Accounts
Short Duration Tax Free Fund   Daniel S. Solender   7 / $7,669   0 / $0   7,932 / $6,132
  Daniel T. Vande Velde   1 / $3,420   0 / $0   10 / $13
Intermediate Fund   Daniel S. Solender   7 / $6,841   0 / $0   7,932 / $6,132
    Daniel T. Vande Velde   1/ $2,592   0 / $0   10 / $13
AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund   Daniel S. Solender   7 / $10,116   0 / $0   7,932 / $6,132
National Fund   Daniel S. Solender   7 / $8,537   0 / $0   7,932 / $6,132
High Yield Municipal Bond Fund   Daniel S. Solender   7 / $8,553   0 / $0   7,932 / $6,132
  Paul A. Langlois   1 / $222   0 / $0   0 / $0
California Fund   Daniel S. Solender   7 / $10,039   0 / $0   7,932 / $6,132
    Paul A. Langlois   1 / $1,708   0 / $0   0 / $0
New Jersey Fund   Daniel S. Solender   7 / $10,134   0 / $0   7,932 / $6,132
    Philip B. Herman   1 / $324   0 / $0   0 / $0
New York Fund   Daniel S. Solender   7 / $9,936   0 / $0   7,932 / $6,132
    Philip B. Herman   1 / $126   0 / $0   0 / $0

 

+ Total net assets are in millions.

 

 

Conflicts of Interest

Conflicts of interest may arise in connection with the portfolio managers’ management of the investments of the Funds and the investments of the other accounts included in the table above. Such conflicts may arise with respect to the allocation of investment opportunities among the Funds and other accounts with similar investment objectives and policies. A portfolio manager potentially could use information concerning a Fund’s transactions to the advantage of other accounts and to the detriment of the Funds. To address these potential conflicts of interest, Lord Abbett has adopted and implemented a number of policies and procedures. Lord Abbett has adopted Policies and Procedures Relating to Client Brokerage and Soft Dollars, as well as Evaluation of Proprietary Research Policy and Procedures. The objective of these policies and procedures is to ensure the fair and equitable treatment of transactions and allocation of investment opportunities on behalf of all accounts managed by Lord Abbett. In addition, Lord Abbett’s Code of Ethics sets forth general principles for the conduct of employee personal securities transactions in a manner that avoids any actual or potential conflicts of interest with the interests of Lord Abbett’s clients including the Funds. Moreover, Lord Abbett’s Insider Trading and Receipt of Material Non-Public Information Policy and Procedure sets forth procedures for personnel to follow when they have inside information. Lord Abbett is not affiliated with a full service broker-dealer and therefore does not execute any portfolio transactions through such an entity, a structure that could give rise to additional conflicts. Lord Abbett does not conduct any investment bank functions and does not manage any hedge funds. Lord Abbett does not believe that any material conflicts of interest exist in connection with the portfolio managers’ management of the investments of the Funds and the investments of the other accounts referenced in the table above.

 

Compensation of Portfolio Managers

When used in this section, the term “fund” refers to the Funds, as well as any other registered investment companies, pooled investment vehicles and accounts managed by a portfolio manager. Each portfolio manager receives compensation from Lord Abbett consisting of salary, bonus and profit sharing plan contributions. The level of base compensation takes into account the portfolio manager’s experience, reputation and competitive market rates.

 

Fiscal year-end bonuses, which can be a substantial percentage of overall compensation, are determined after an evaluation of various factors. These factors include the portfolio manager’s investment results and style consistency, the dispersion

5- 5

among funds with similar objectives, the risk taken to achieve the fund returns and similar factors. In considering the portfolio manager’s investment results, Lord Abbett’s senior management may evaluate the Fund’s performance against one or more benchmarks from among the Fund’s primary benchmark and any supplemental benchmarks as disclosed in the prospectus, indexes disclosed as performance benchmarks by the portfolio manager’s other accounts, and other indexes within one or more of the Fund’s peer groups maintained by rating agencies, as well as the Fund’s peer group. In particular, investment results are evaluated based on an assessment of the portfolio manager’s one-, three-, and five-year investment returns on a pre-tax basis versus both the benchmark and the peer groups. Finally, there is a component of the bonus that reflects leadership and management of the investment team. The evaluation does not follow a formulaic approach, but rather is reached following a review of these factors. No part of the bonus payment is based on the portfolio manager’s assets under management, the revenues generated by those assets, or the profitability of the portfolio manager’s team. Lord Abbett does not manage hedge funds. In addition, Lord Abbett may designate a bonus payment of a manager for participation in the firm’s senior incentive compensation plan, which provides for a deferred payout over a five-year period. The plan’s earnings are based on the overall asset growth of the firm as a whole. Lord Abbett believes this incentive focuses portfolio managers on the impact their fund’s performance has on the overall reputation of the firm as a whole and encourages exchanges of investment ideas among investment professionals managing different mandates.

 

Lord Abbett provides a 401(k) profit-sharing plan for all eligible employees. Contributions to a portfolio manager’s profit sharing account are based on a percentage of the portfolio manager’s total base and bonus paid during the fiscal year, subject to a specified maximum amount. The assets of this profit-sharing plan are entirely invested in Lord Abbett-sponsored funds.

 

Holdings of Portfolio Managers

The following table indicates for each Fund the dollar range of shares beneficially owned by each portfolio manager, who is identified in the prospectus, as of September 30, 2013 (or another date, if indicated).

 

This table includes the value of shares beneficially owned by such portfolio managers through 401(k) plans and certain other plans or accounts, if any.

 

Fund   Name   Dollar Range of Shares in the Funds
    None   $1- $10,000   $10,001- $50,000   $50,001- $100,000   $100,001- $500,000   $500,001- $1,000,000   Over $1,000,000
Short Duration Tax
Free Fund
  Daniel S. Solender           X                
  Daniel T. Vande Velde           X                
Intermediate Fund   Daniel S. Solender           X                
    Daniel T. Vande Velde       X                    
AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund   Daniel S. Solender           X                
National Fund   Daniel S. Solender           X                
High Yield Municipal Bond Fund   Daniel S. Solender                   X        
  Paul A. Langlois   X                        
California Fund   Daniel S. Solender   X                        
    Paul A. Langlois   X                        
New Jersey Fund   Daniel S. Solender       X                    
    Philip B. Herman       X                    
New York Fund   Daniel S. Solender   X                        
  Philip B. Herman   X                        

 

 

Principal Underwriter

Lord Abbett Distributor, a New York limited liability company and a subsidiary of Lord Abbett, 90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302-3973, serves as the principal underwriter for each Fund.

5- 6

Custodian and Accounting Agent

State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900, is each Fund’s custodian. The custodian pays for and collects proceeds of securities bought and sold by the Funds and attends to the collection of principal and income. In addition, State Street Bank and Trust Company performs certain accounting and recordkeeping functions relating to portfolio transactions and calculates each Fund’s NAV.

 

Transfer Agent

DST Systems, Inc., 210 West 10 th St., Kansas City, MO 64105, serves as the Funds’ transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112, is the independent registered public accounting firm of the Funds and must be approved at least annually by the Board to continue in such capacity. Deloitte & Touche LLP performs audit services for the Funds, including the examination of financial statements included in the Funds’ annual report to shareholders.

5- 7

6.

Brokerage Allocations and Other Practices

 

Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Allocations

 

Investment and Brokerage Discretion . Each Fund’s Management Agreement authorizes Lord Abbett to place orders for the purchase and sale of portfolio securities. In doing so, Lord Abbett seeks to obtain “best execution” on all portfolio transactions. This means that Lord Abbett seeks to have purchases and sales of portfolio securities executed at the most favorable prices, considering all costs of the transaction, including brokerage commissions, and taking into account the full range and quality of the broker-dealers’ services. To the extent consistent with obtaining best execution, a Fund may pay a higher commission than some broker-dealers might charge on the same transaction. Lord Abbett is not obligated to obtain the lowest commission rate available for a portfolio transaction exclusive of price, service and qualitative considerations.

 

Selection of Brokers and Dealers. The policy on best execution governs the selection of broker-dealers and selection of the market and/or trading venue in which to execute the transaction. Normally, traders who are employees of Lord Abbett make the selection of broker-dealers. These traders are responsible for seeking best execution. They also conduct trading for the accounts of other Lord Abbett investment management clients, including investment companies, institutions and individuals. To the extent permitted by law, a Fund, if Lord Abbett considers it advantageous, may make a purchase from or sale to another Lord Abbett-sponsored fund or client without the intervention of any broker-dealer.

 

Fixed Income Securities. To the extent a Fund purchases or sells fixed-income securities, the Fund generally will deal directly with the issuer or through a primary market-maker acting as principal on a net basis. When dealing with a broker-dealer serving as a primary market-maker, a Fund pays no brokerage commission but the price, which reflects the spread between the bid and ask prices of the security, usually includes undisclosed compensation and may involve the designation of selling concessions. A Fund also may purchase fixed-income securities from underwriters at prices that include underwriting fees.

 

Equity Securities. Transactions on stock exchanges involve the payment of brokerage commissions. In transactions on stock exchanges in the U.S., these commissions are negotiated. Traditionally, commission rates have not been negotiated on stock markets outside the U.S. While an increasing number of overseas stock markets have adopted a system of negotiated rates or ranges of rates, however, a small number of markets continue to be subject to a non-negotiable schedule of minimum commission rates. To the extent a Fund invests in equity securities, it ordinarily will purchase such securities in its primary trading markets, whether such securities are traded OTC or listed on a stock exchange, and purchase listed securities in the OTC market if such market is deemed the primary market. A Fund may purchase newly issued securities from underwriters, and the price of such transaction usually will include a concession paid to the underwriter by the issuer. When purchasing from dealers serving as market makers, the purchase price paid by a Fund may include the spread between the bid and ask prices of the security.

 

Evaluating the Reasonableness of Brokerage Commissions Paid. Each Fund pays a commission rate that Lord Abbett believes is appropriate under the circumstances. While Lord Abbett seeks to pay competitive commission rates, a Fund will not necessarily be paying the lowest possible commissions on particular trades if Lord Abbett believes that the Fund has obtained best execution and the commission rates paid by the Fund are reasonable in relation to the value of the services received. Such services include, but are not limited to, showing the Fund trading opportunities, a willingness and ability to take principal positions in securities, knowledge of a particular security or market-proven ability to handle a particular type of trade, providing and/or facilitating Lord Abbett’s use of proprietary and third party research, confidential treatment, promptness and reliability. Lord Abbett may view the value of these services in terms of either a particular transaction or multiple transactions on behalf of one or more accounts that it manages.

 

On a continuing basis, Lord Abbett seeks to determine what levels of commission rates are reasonable in the marketplace for transactions executed on behalf of a Fund and its other clients. In evaluating the reasonableness of commission rates, Lord Abbett may consider any or all of the following: (a) rates quoted by broker-dealers; (b) the size of a particular transaction, in terms of the number of shares, dollar amount, and number of clients involved; (c) the complexity of a particular transaction in terms of both execution and settlement; (d) the level and type of business done with a particular firm over a period of time; (e) the extent to which the broker-dealer has capital at risk in the transaction; (f) historical commission rates; (g) the value of any research products and services that may be made available to Lord Abbett based on its placement of transactions with the broker-dealer; and (h) rates paid by other institutional investors based on available public information.

6- 1

Policies on Broker-Dealer Brokerage and Research Services and Soft Dollars. Lord Abbett may select broker-dealers that furnish Lord Abbett with proprietary and third party brokerage and research services in connection with commissions paid on transactions it places for client accounts to the extent that Lord Abbett believes that the commissions paid are reasonable in relation to the value of the services received. “Commissions,” as defined through applicable guidance issued by the SEC, include fees paid to brokers for trades conducted on an agency basis, and certain mark-ups, markdowns, commission equivalents and other fees received by dealers in riskless principal transactions. The brokerage and research services Lord Abbett receives are within the eligibility requirements of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Section 28(e)”), and, in particular, provide Lord Abbett with lawful and appropriate assistance in the provision of investment advice to client accounts. Brokerage and research services (collectively referred to herein as “Research Services”) include (1) furnishing advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; (2) furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy, and the performance of accounts; and (3) effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental to securities transactions (such as clearance, settlement, and custody).

 

Lord Abbett generally allocates securities purchased or sold in a batched transaction among participating client accounts in proportion to the size of the order placed for each account (i.e., pro-rata). In certain strategies, however, a pro-rata allocation of the securities or proceeds may not be possible or desirable. In these cases, Lord Abbett will decide how to allocate the securities or proceeds according to each account’s particular circumstances and needs and in a manner that Lord Abbett believes is fair and equitable to clients over time in light of factors relevant to managing an account. Relevant factors may include, without limitation, client guidelines, an account’s ability to purchase a tradable lot size, cash available for investment, the risk exposure or the risk associated with the particular security, the type of investment, the size of the account, and other holdings in the account. Accordingly, Lord Abbett may increase or decrease the amount of securities allocated to one or more accounts if necessary, under certain circumstances, including (i) to avoid holding odd-lots or small numbers of shares in a client account; (ii) to facilitate the rebalancing of a client account; or (iii) to maintain certain investment guidelines or fixed income portfolio characteristics. Lord Abbett also may deviate from a pro-rata allocation approach when making initial investments for newly established accounts for the purpose of seeking to fully invest such accounts as promptly as possible. In addition, if Lord Abbett is unable to execute fully a batched transaction and determines that it would be impractical to allocate a small number of securities on a pro-rata basis among the participating accounts, Lord Abbett allocates the securities in a manner it determines to be fair to all accounts over time. Thus, in some cases it is possible that the application of the factors described herein may result in allocations in which certain client accounts participating in a batched transaction may receive an allocation when other accounts do not. Non-proportional allocations may occur frequently in the fixed income portfolio management area, in many instances because multiple appropriate or substantially similar investments are available in fixed income strategies, as well as due to other reasons. But non-proportional allocations also could occur in other investment strategies.

 

At times, Lord Abbett is not able to batch purchases and sales for all accounts or products it is managing, such as when an individually-managed account client directs it to use a particular broker for a trade (sometimes referred to herein as “directed accounts”) or when a client restricts Lord Abbett from selecting certain brokers to execute trades for such account (sometimes referred to herein as “restricted accounts”). When it does not batch purchases and sales among products, Lord Abbett usually uses a rotation process for placing equity transactions on behalf of the different groups of accounts or products with respect to which equity transactions are communicated to the trading desk at or about the same time.

 

When transactions for all products using a particular investment strategy are communicated to the trading desk at or about the same time, Lord Abbett generally will place trades first for transactions on behalf of the Lord Abbett funds and non-directed, unrestricted individually managed institutional accounts; second for restricted accounts; third for managed account (“MA”), dual contract managed account (“Dual Contract”), and certain model portfolio managed account (“Model-Based”) programs (collectively, MA, Dual Contract, Model-Based and similarly named programs are referred to herein as a “Program” or “Programs”) by Program; and finally for directed accounts. However, Lord Abbett may determine in its sole discretion to place transactions for one group of accounts (e.g., directed accounts, restricted accounts or MA Programs, Dual Contract Programs or Model Based Programs) before or after the remaining accounts based on a variety of factors, including size of overall trade, the broker-dealer’s commitment of capital, liquidity or other conditions of the market, or confidentiality. Most often, however, transactions are communicated to the trading desk first for the Lord Abbett funds and institutional accounts and then for relevant Programs. In those instances, Lord Abbett normally will place transactions first, for the Lord Abbett funds and non-directed, unrestricted institutional accounts, next for restricted accounts, third for MA Programs, Dual Contract Programs and certain Model-Based Programs by Program and then for directed accounts.

6- 2

If Lord Abbett has received trade instructions from multiple institutional clients, Lord Abbett will rotate the order in which it places equity transactions among the accounts or groups of accounts. Lord Abbett normally will use a rotation methodology designed to treat similarly situated groups of accounts equitably over time. In instances in which the same equity securities are used in more than one investment strategy, Lord Abbett normally will place transactions and, if applicable, use its rotation policies, first on behalf of the strategy that it views as the primary strategy. For example, Lord Abbett typically will place transactions/use its rotation for large capitalization equity accounts before those for balanced strategy accounts that use large capitalization securities.

 

In some cases, Lord Abbett’s batching, allocation and rotation procedures may have an adverse effect on the size of the position purchased or sold by a particular account or the price paid or received by certain accounts. From time to time, these policies may adversely affect the performance of accounts subject to the rotation process. Lord Abbett’s trading practices are intended to avoid systematically favoring one product or group of accounts over another and to provide fair and equitable treatment over time for all products and clients.

 

Lord Abbett has entered into Client Commission Arrangements with a number of broker-dealers that are involved from time to time in executing, clearing or settling securities transactions on behalf of clients (“Executing Brokers”). Such Client Commission Arrangements provide for the Executing Brokers to pay a portion of the commissions paid by eligible client accounts for securities transactions to providers of Research Services (“Research Providers”). Such Research Providers shall produce and/or provide Research Services for the benefit of Lord Abbett. If a Research Provider plays no role in executing client securities transactions, any Research Services prepared by such Research Provider may constitute third party research. Research Services that are proprietary to the Executing Broker or are otherwise produced by the Executing Broker or its affiliates are referred to herein as proprietary Research Services. Lord Abbett may initiate a significant percentage, including perhaps all, of a client’s equity transactions with Executing Brokers pursuant to Client Commission Arrangements.

 

Executing Brokers may provide Research Services to Lord Abbett in written form or through direct contact with individuals, including telephone contacts and meetings with securities analysts and/or management representatives from portfolio companies, and may include information as to particular companies and securities as well as market, economic, or other information that assists in the evaluation of investments. Examples of Research Services that Executing Brokers may provide to Lord Abbett include research reports and other information on the economy, industries, groups of securities, individual companies, statistical information, political developments, technical market action, pricing and appraisal services, credit analysis, risk measurement analysis, performance and other analysis. Broker-dealers typically make proprietary research available to investment managers on the basis of their placement of transactions with the broker-dealer. Some broker-dealers will not sell their proprietary research to investment managers on a “hard-dollar” (or “unbundled”) basis. Executing Brokers may provide Lord Abbett with proprietary Research Services, at least some of which are useful to Lord Abbett in its overall responsibilities with respect to client accounts Lord Abbett manages. In addition, Lord Abbett may purchase third party research with its own resources.

 

Lord Abbett believes that access to independent investment research is beneficial to its investment decision-making processes and, therefore, to its clients. Receipt of independent investment research allows Lord Abbett to supplement its own internal research and analysis and makes available the views of, and information from, individuals and the research staffs of other firms. Lord Abbett considers all outside research material and information received in the context of its own internal analysis before incorporating such content into its investment process. As a practical matter, Lord Abbett considers independent investment Research Services to be supplemental to its own research efforts. The receipt of Research Services from broker-dealers therefore does not tend to reduce the need for Lord Abbett to maintain its own research personnel. Any investment advisory or other fees paid by clients to Lord Abbett are not reduced as a result of Lord Abbett’s receipt of Research Services. It is unlikely that Lord Abbett would attempt to generate all of the information presently provided by broker-dealers and third party Research Services in part because Lord Abbett values the receipt of an independent, supplemental viewpoint. Also, the expenses of Lord Abbett would be increased substantially if it attempted to generate such additional information through its own staff or if it paid for these products or services itself. To the extent that Research Services of value are provided by or through such broker-dealers, Lord Abbett will not have to pay for such services itself. These circumstances give rise to potential conflicts of interest which Lord Abbett manages by following internal procedures designed to ensure that the value, type and quality of any products or services it receives from broker-dealers are permissible under Section 28(e) and the regulatory interpretations thereof.

6- 3

Lord Abbett does not attempt to allocate to any particular client account the relative costs or benefits of Research Services received from a broker-dealer. Rather, Lord Abbett believes that any Research Services received from a broker-dealer are, in the aggregate, of assistance to Lord Abbett in fulfilling its overall responsibilities to its clients. Accordingly, Research Services received for a particular client’s brokerage commissions may be useful to Lord Abbett in the management of that client’s account, but also may be useful in Lord Abbett’s management of other clients’ accounts; similarly, the research received for the commissions of other client accounts may be useful in Lord Abbett’s management of that client account. Thus, Lord Abbett may use Research Services received from broker-dealers in servicing any or all of its accounts, and not all of such services will necessarily be used by Lord Abbett in connection with its management of every client account. Such products and services may disproportionately benefit certain clients relative to others based on the amount of brokerage commissions paid by the client account. For example, Lord Abbett may use Research Services obtained through soft dollar arrangements, including Client Commission Arrangements, in its management of certain directed accounts and Programs (as defined below) of clients who may have restricted Lord Abbett’s use of soft dollars regardless of the fact that brokerage commissions paid by such accounts are not used to obtain Research Services.

 

In some cases, Lord Abbett may receive a product or service from a broker-dealer that has both a “research” and a “non-research” use. When this occurs, Lord Abbett makes a good faith allocation between the research and non-research uses of the product or service. The percentage of the product or service Lord Abbett uses for research purposes may be paid for with client commissions, while Lord Abbett will use its own funds to pay for the percentage of the product or service that it uses for non-research purposes. In making this good faith allocation, Lord Abbett faces a potential conflict of interest, but Lord Abbett believes that its allocation procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that it appropriately allocates the anticipated use of such products or services to their research and non-research uses.

 

Lord Abbett periodically assesses the contributions of the equity brokerage and Research Services provided by broker-dealers and creates a ranking of broker-dealers reflecting these assessments. Investment managers and research analysts each evaluate the proprietary Research Services they receive from broker-dealers and make judgments as to the value and quality of such services. These assessments may affect the extent to which Lord Abbett trades with a broker-dealer, although the actual amount of transactions placed with a particular broker-dealer may not directly reflect its ranking in the voting process. Assuming identical execution quality, however, there should be a correlation between the level of trading activity with a broker-dealer and the ranking of that broker-dealer’s brokerage and proprietary Research Services. All portfolio transactions placed with such broker-dealers will be effected in accordance with Lord Abbett’s obligation to seek best execution for its client accounts. Lord Abbett periodically monitors the allocation of equity trading among broker-dealers.

 

From time to time, Lord Abbett prepares a list of Research Providers that it considers to provide valuable Research Services (“Research Firms’’) as determined by Lord Abbett’s investment staff (“Research Evaluation”). Lord Abbett uses the Research Evaluation as a guide for allocating payments for Research Services to Research Firms, including Executing Brokers that may provide proprietary Research Services to Lord Abbett. Lord Abbett may make payments for proprietary Research Services provided by an Executing Broker through the use of commissions paid on trades executed by such Executing Broker pursuant to a Client Commission Arrangement (“Research Commissions”). Lord Abbett also uses the Research Evaluation as a guide for allocating Research Commissions and cash payments from its own resources to Research Firms that are not Executing Brokers. From time to time, Lord Abbett may allocate Research Commissions to pay for a significant portion of the Research Services that it receives. Lord Abbett also reserves the right to pay cash to a Research Firm from its own resources in an amount it determines in its discretion.

 

Lord Abbett’s arrangements for Research Services do not involve any commitment by Lord Abbett or a Fund regarding the allocation of brokerage business to or among any particular broker-dealer. Rather, Lord Abbett executes portfolio transactions only when they are dictated by investment decisions to purchase or sell portfolio securities. A Fund is prohibited from compensating a broker-dealer for promoting or selling Fund shares by directing a Fund’s portfolio transactions to the broker-dealer or directing any other remuneration to the broker-dealer, including commissions, mark-ups, mark downs or other fees, resulting from a Fund’s portfolio transactions executed by a different broker-dealer. A Fund is permitted to effect portfolio transactions through broker-dealers that also sell shares of the Lord Abbett funds, provided that Lord Abbett does not consider sales of shares of the Lord Abbett funds as a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions. Thus, whether a particular broker-dealer sells shares of the Lord Abbett funds is not a factor considered by Lord Abbett when selecting broker-dealers for portfolio transactions and any such sales neither qualifies nor disqualifies the broker-dealer from executing portfolio transactions for a Fund.

 

Lord Abbett may select broker-dealers that provide Research Services in order to ensure the continued receipt of such Research Services which Lord Abbett believes are useful in its investment decision-making process. Further, Lord Abbett may have an incentive to execute trades through certain of such broker-dealers with which it has negotiated more favorable arrangements for Lord Abbett to receive Research Services. To the extent that Lord Abbett uses brokerage commissions paid in connection with client portfolio transactions to obtain Research Services, the brokerage commissions paid by such clients might exceed those that might otherwise be paid for execution only. In order to manage these conflicts of interest,

6- 4

Lord Abbett has adopted internal procedures that are designed to ensure that its primary objective in the selection of a broker-dealer is to seek best execution for the portfolio transaction.

 

Lord Abbett normally seeks to combine or “batch” purchases or sales of a particular security placed at or about the same time for similarly situated accounts, including a Fund, to facilitate “best execution” and to reduce other transaction costs, if relevant. All accounts included in a batched transaction through a broker-dealer that provides Lord Abbett with research or other services pay the same commission rate, regardless of whether one or more accounts has prohibited Lord Abbett from receiving any credit toward such services from its commissions. Each account that participates in a particular batched order, including a Fund, will do so at the average share price for all transactions related to that order.

 

Brokerage Commissions Paid to Independent Broker-Dealer Firms. Each Fund paid total brokerage commissions on transactions of securities to independent broker-dealer firms as follows for the last three fiscal years ended September 30 th :

 

    Fiscal Year Ended September 30,  
Fund   2013     2012     2011  
Short Duration Tax Free Fund     N/A       N/A       N/A  
Intermediate Fund   $ 15,711     $ 14,960     $ 7,369  
AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund   $ 1,115     $ 1,398     $ 245  
National Fund   $ 11,192     $ 19,245     $ 24,400  
High Yield Municipal Bond Fund   $ 11,809     $ 17,114     $ 39,147  
California Fund   $ 1,498     $ 2,255     $ 3,609  
New Jersey Fund   $ 829     $ 1,099     $ 1,906  
New York Fund   $ 1,781     $ 3,033     $ 5,116  

 

 

In addition to the purchase of Research Services through Commission Sharing Arrangements, Lord Abbett purchased third party Research Services with its own resources during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2013, 2012, and 2011.

 

The Funds did not pay any portion of the amounts shown above to firms as a result of directed brokerage transactions to brokers for Research Services provided.

 

All such portfolio transactions were conducted on a “best execution” basis, as discussed above. The provision of Research Services was not necessarily a factor in the placement of all such transactions.

 

Regular Broker Dealers. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 the Funds did not acquire securities of a regular broker or dealer (as defined in Rule 10b-1 under the Act) that derived, or has a parent that derived, more than 15% of its gross revenues from the business of a broker, a dealer, an underwriter, or an investment adviser.

6- 5

7.

Classes of Shares

 

Each Fund offers investors different classes of shares. The different classes of shares represent investments in the same portfolio of securities but are subject to different expenses and will likely have different share prices. Investors should read this section carefully together with the corresponding section in the Funds’ prospectus to determine which class represents the best investment option for their particular situation.

 

All classes of shares have equal noncumulative voting rights and equal rights with respect to dividends, assets and liquidation, except for certain class-specific expenses. They are fully paid and nonassessable when issued and have no preemptive or conversion rights. Additional classes, series, or funds may be added in the future. The Act requires that where more than one class, series, or fund exists, each class, series, or fund must be preferred over all other classes, series, or funds in respect of assets specifically allocated to such class, series, or fund.

 

Rule 18f-2 under the Act provides that any matter required to be submitted, by the provisions of the Act or applicable state law, or otherwise, to the holders of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class affected by such matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a class shall be deemed to be affected by a matter, unless the interests of each class, series, or fund in the matter are substantially identical or the matter does not affect any interest of such class, series, or fund. However, Rule 18f-2 exempts the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm, the approval of a contract with a principal underwriter and the election of directors/trustees from the separate voting requirements.

 

The Company’s By-Laws provide that a Fund shall not hold an annual meeting of its shareholders in any year unless the election of directors is required to be acted on by shareholders under the Act, or unless called by a majority of the Board or by shareholders holding at least one quarter of the outstanding shares of the Funds and entitled to vote at the meeting. A special meeting may be held if called by the Chairman, the President, a Vice President, the Secretary or any director at the request in writing of a majority of the Board or of the shareholders holding at least one quarter of the outstanding shares of the Funds and entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

Class A Shares. If you buy Class A shares, you pay an initial sales charge on investments of less than $500,000 or on investments that do not qualify under the other categories listed under “NAV Purchases of Class A Shares” discussed below. If you purchase Class A shares as part of an investment of $500,000 or more in shares of one or more Lord Abbett-sponsored funds, you will not pay an initial sales charge, but, subject to certain exceptions, if you redeem any of those shares before the first day of the month in which the one-year anniversary of your purchase falls, you may pay a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1% as a percentage of the offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower. Class A shares are subject to service and distribution fees at an annual rate of 0.20% of the average daily NAV of the Class A shares. Other potential fees and expenses related to Class A shares are described in the prospectus and below.

 

Class B Shares. If you buy Class B shares, you pay no sales charge at the time of purchase, but if you redeem your shares before the sixth anniversary of buying them, you normally will pay a CDSC to Lord Abbett Distributor. That CDSC varies depending on how long you own shares. Class B shares are subject to service and distribution fees at an annual rate of 1% of the average daily NAV of the Class B shares. Other potential fees and expenses related to Class B shares are described in the prospectus and below.

 

Conversions of Class B Shares. The conversion of Class B shares after approximately the eighth anniversary of their purchase is subject to the continuing availability of a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), or an opinion of counsel or tax advisor, to the effect that the conversion of Class B shares does not constitute a taxable event for the holder under federal income tax law. If such a revenue ruling or opinion is no longer available, the automatic conversion feature may be suspended, in which event no further conversions of Class B shares would occur while such suspension remained in effect. Although Class B shares could then be exchanged for Class A shares on the basis of relative NAV of the two classes, without the imposition of a sales charge or fee, such exchange could constitute a taxable event for the holder.

 

Class C Shares. If you buy Class C shares, you pay no sales charge at the time of purchase, but if you redeem your shares before the first anniversary of buying them, you normally will pay a CDSC of 1% as a percentage of the offering price or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower, to Lord Abbett Distributor. Class C shares are subject to service and distribution fees at a blended annual rate calculated based on (1) a service fee of 0.25% and a distribution fee of 0.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares held for less than one year and (2) a service fee of 0.05% and a distribution fee of 0.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to shares held for one year or more. All Class C

7- 1

shareholders of the Fund will bear service and distribution fees at the same rate. Other potential fees and expenses related to Class C shares are described in the prospectus and below.

 

Class F Shares. If you buy Class F shares, you pay no sales charge at the time of purchase, and if you redeem your shares you pay no CDSC. Class F shares are subject to service and distribution fees at an annual rate of 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the Class F shares. Class F shares generally are available to investors participating in fee-based programs that have (or whose trading agents have) an agreement with Lord Abbett Distributor and to certain investors that are clients of certain registered investment advisors that have an agreement with Lord Abbett Distributor, if it so deems appropriate. Other potential fees and expenses related to Class F shares are described in the prospectus and below.

 

Class I Shares. If you buy Class I shares, you pay no sales charges or 12b-1 service or distribution fees.

 

Class P Shares. If you buy Class P shares, you pay no sales charge at the time of purchase, and if you redeem your shares you pay no CDSC. Class P shares are subject to service and distribution fees at an annual rate of 0.45% of the average daily NAV of the Class P shares. Class P shares are offered only on a limited basis through certain financial intermediaries . Class P shares are closed to substantially all new investors. However, shareholders that held Class P shares as of October 1, 2007 may continue to hold their Class P shares and may make additional purchases. Class P shares may be redeemed at NAV by existing shareholders, or may be exchanged for shares of another class provided applicable eligibility requirements and sales charges for the other share class are satisfied. Class P shares also are available for orders made by or on behalf of a financial intermediary for clients participating in an IRA rollover program sponsored by the financial intermediary that operates the program in an omnibus recordkeeping environment and has entered into special arrangements with the Fund and/or Lord Abbett Distributor specifically for such orders.

 

Rule 12b–1 Plan. Each Fund has adopted an Amended and Restated Joint Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act for all of the Funds’ share classes except Class I shares (the “Plan”). The principal features of the Plan are described in the prospectus; however, this SAI contains additional information that may be of interest to investors. The Plan is a compensation plan, allowing each applicable class to pay a fixed fee to Lord Abbett Distributor that may be more or less than the expenses Lord Abbett Distributor actually incurs for using reasonable efforts to secure purchasers of Fund shares. These efforts may include, but neither are required to include nor are limited to, the following: (a) making payments to authorized institutions in connection with sales of shares and/or servicing of accounts of shareholders holding shares; (b) providing continuing information and investment services to shareholder accounts not serviced by authorized institutions receiving a service fee from Lord Abbett Distributor hereunder and otherwise to encourage shareholder accounts to remain invested in the shares; and (c) otherwise rendering service to a Fund, including paying and financing the payment of sales commissions, service fees and other costs of distributing and selling shares. In adopting the Plan and in approving its continuance, the Board has concluded that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit each applicable class and its shareholders. The expected benefits include greater sales and lower redemptions of class shares, which should allow each class to maintain a consistent cash flow, and a higher quality of service to shareholders by authorized institutions than would otherwise be the case. Under the Plan, each applicable class compensates Lord Abbett Distributor for financing activities primarily intended to sell shares of the applicable Fund. These activities include, but are not limited to, the preparation and distribution of advertising material and sales literature and other marketing activities. Lord Abbett Distributor also uses amounts received under the Plan, as described in the prospectus, for payments to dealers and other agents for (i) providing continuous services to shareholders, such as answering shareholder inquiries, maintaining records, and assisting shareholders in making redemptions, transfers, additional purchases and exchanges and (ii) their assistance in distributing shares of the Fund.

 

The Plan provides that the maximum payments that may be authorized by the Board for Class A shares are 0.50%; for Class P shares, 0.75%; and Class B, Class C, and Class F shares, 1.00%; however, the Board has approved payments of 0.20% for Class A shares, 1.00% for Class B shares, a blended rate of 1.00% on shares held for less than one year and 0.80% on shares held for one year or more for Class C shares, 0.10% for Class F shares, and 0.45% for Class P shares. All Class C shareholders of the Fund will bear 12b-1 fees at the same blended rate, regardless of how long they hold their particular shares. The Funds may not pay compensation where tracking data is not available for certain accounts or where the authorized institution waives part of the compensation. In such cases, the Funds will not require payment of any otherwise applicable CDSC.

7- 2

The amounts paid by each applicable class of each Fund to Lord Abbett Distributor pursuant to the Plan for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 were as follows:

 

Fund   Class A     Class B     Class C     Class F     Class P  
Short Duration Tax Free Fund   $ 3,107,235       N/A     $ 2,587,850     $ 734,720       N/A  
Intermediate Fund   $ 4,298,153     $ 54,090     $ 6,412,159     $ 1,130,375     $ 68  
AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund   $ 253,911       N/A     $ 217,759     $ 32,595       N/A  
National Fund   $ 3,393,516     $ 69,713     $ 1,869,729     $ 136,618       N/A  
High Yield Municipal Bond Fund   $ 2,465,177            N/A     $ 4,356,910     $ 310,858     $ 57  
California Fund   $ 387,236       N/A     $ 338,618     $ 25,139       N/A  
New Jersey Fund   $ 279,395       N/A       N/A     $ 7,578       N/A  
New York Fund   $ 601,817       N/A     $ 443,066     $ 19,254       N/A  

 

The Plan requires the Board to review, on a quarterly basis, written reports of all amounts expended pursuant to the Plan for each class, the purposes for which such expenditures were made, and any other information the Board reasonably requests to enable it to make an informed determination of whether the Plan should be continued. The Plan shall continue in effect only if its continuance is specifically approved at least annually by vote of the directors/trustees, including a majority of the directors/trustees who are not interested persons of the Company and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in any agreements related to the Plan cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan. The Plan may not be amended to increase materially above the limits set forth therein the amount spent for distribution expenses thereunder for each class without approval by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable class and the approval of a majority of the directors/trustees, including a majority of the directors/trustees who are not interested persons of the Company and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in any agreements related to the Plan. As long as the Plan is in effect, the selection or nomination of Independent Directors/Trustees is committed to the discretion of the Independent Directors/Trustees.

 

One Independent Director, Evelyn E. Guernsey, may be deemed to have an indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan. Ms. Guernsey, an Independent Director/Trustee of the Funds, owns outstanding shares of and was affiliated with J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., which (or subsidiaries of which) may receive 12b-1 fees from the Funds and/or other Lord Abbett Funds.

 

Ms. Foster, is the Managing Member of Lord Abbett, which is the sole member of Lord Abbett Distributor, and as such is deemed to have a financial interest in the Plan.

 

Payments made pursuant to the Plan are subject to any applicable limitations imposed by rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. The Plan terminates automatically if it is assigned. In addition, the Plan may be terminated with respect to a class at any time by vote of a majority of the Independent Directors/Trustees (excluding any Independent Director/Trustee who has a direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in any agreements related to the Plan) or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable class.

 

CDSC. A CDSC applies upon early redemption of shares for certain classes, and (i) will be assessed on the lesser of the NAV of the shares at the time of the redemption or the NAV when the shares originally were purchased and (ii) will not be imposed on the amount of your account value represented by the increase in NAV over the initial purchase price (including increases due to the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions) and upon early redemption of shares. In the case of Class A shares, this increase is represented by shares having an aggregate dollar value in your account. In the case of Class B and C shares, this increase is represented by that percentage of each share redeemed where the NAV exceeded the initial purchase price.

 

Class A Shares. As stated in the prospectus, subject to certain exceptions, if you buy Class A shares of a Fund under certain purchases with a front-end sales charge waiver or if you acquire Class A shares of a Fund in exchange for Class A shares of another Lord Abbett sponsored fund subject to a CDSC, and you redeem any of the Class A shares before the first day of the month in which the one-year anniversary of your purchase falls, a CDSC of 1% normally will be collected.

 

Class B Shares (Intermediate Fund, National Fund, and High Yield Municipal Bond Fund only). As stated in the prospectus, subject to certain exceptions, if Class B shares of the Intermediate Fund, National Fund, or High Yield

7- 3

Municipal Bond Fund (or Class B shares of another Lord Abbett-sponsored fund or series acquired through exchange of such shares) are redeemed out of the Lord Abbett-sponsored funds for cash before the sixth anniversary of their purchase, a CDSC will be deducted from the redemption proceeds. The Class B CDSC is paid to Lord Abbett Distributor to reimburse its expenses, in whole or in part, for providing distribution-related services to each Fund in connection with the sale of Class B shares.

 

To minimize the effects of the CDSC or to determine whether the CDSC applies to a redemption, each Fund redeems Class B shares in the following order: (1) shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, (2) shares held on or after the sixth anniversary of their purchase, and (3) shares held the longest before such sixth anniversary.

 

The amount of the CDSC will depend on the number of years since you invested and the dollar amount being redeemed, according to the following schedule:

 

Anniversary of the Day on
Which the Purchase Order was Accepted
  CDSC on Redemptions
(As a % of Amount Subject to Charge)
     
Before the 1st   5.0%
On the 1st, before the 2nd   4.0%
On the 2nd, before the 3rd   3.0%
On the 3rd, before the 4th   3.0%
On the 4th, before the 5th   2.0%
On the 5th, before the 6th   1.0%
On or after the 6th anniversary   None

 

In the table, an “anniversary” is the same calendar day in each respective year after the date of purchase. All purchases are considered to have been made on the business day on which the purchase order was accepted. Class B shares automatically will convert to Class A shares on the 25th day of the month (or, if the 25th is not a business day, the next business day thereafter) following the eighth anniversary of the day on which the purchase order was accepted.

 

Class C Shares (All Funds except New Jersey Fund). As stated in the prospectus, subject to certain exceptions, if Class C shares are redeemed before the first anniversary of their purchase, the redeeming shareholder normally will be required to pay to Lord Abbett Distributor a CDSC of 1% of the offering price at the time of purchase or redemption proceeds, whichever is lower. If such shares are exchanged into the same class of another Lord Abbett-sponsored fund and subsequently redeemed before the first anniversary of their original purchase, the charge also will be collected by Lord Abbett Distributor.

 

Eligible Mandatory Distributions. If Class A, B, or C shares represent a part of an individual’s total IRA investment, the CDSC for the applicable share class will be waived only for that part of a mandatory distribution that bears the same relation to the entire mandatory distribution as the investment in that class bears to the total investment.

 

General. The percentage used to calculate CDSCs described above for Class A, B, and C shares (1% in the case of Class A and C shares, and 5% through 1% in the case of Class B shares) is sometimes hereinafter referred to as the “Applicable Percentage.”

 

There is no CDSC charged on Class F, I, or P shares; however, financial intermediaries may charge additional fees or commissions other than those disclosed in the prospectus and SAI, such as a transaction based fee or other fee for its service, and may categorize and disclose these arrangements differently than the discussion here or in the prospectus. You may ask your financial intermediary about any payments it receives from Lord Abbett or the Funds, as well as about fees and/or commissions it charges.

 

With respect to Class A shares, a CDSC will not be assessed at the time of certain transactions including required minimum distributions from an IRA. With respect to Class B shares, no CDSC is payable for redemptions (i) in connection with Systematic Withdrawal Plan and Div-Move services as described below under those headings, (ii) in connection with a mandatory distribution under 403(b) plans and IRAs and (iii) in connection with the death of the shareholder. In the case of Class A shares, the CDSC is received by Lord Abbett Distributor and is intended to reimburse all or a portion of the amount paid by Lord Abbett Distributor if the shares are redeemed before a Fund has had an opportunity to realize the anticipated benefits of having a long-term shareholder account in the Fund. In the case of Class B and C shares, the CDSC is received by Lord Abbett Distributor and is intended to reimburse its expenses of providing distribution-related services to the Fund (including recoupment of the commission payments made) in connection with the sale of Class B and C shares before Lord Abbett Distributor has had an opportunity to realize its anticipated reimbursement by having such a long-term shareholder account subject to the Class B or C shares distribution fee.

7- 4

In no event will the amount of the CDSC exceed the Applicable Percentage of the lesser of (i) the NAV of the shares redeemed or (ii) the original cost of such shares (or of the exchanged shares for which such shares were acquired). No CDSC will be imposed when the investor redeems (i) shares representing an aggregate dollar amount of his or her account, in the case of Class A shares, (ii) that percentage of each share redeemed, in the case of Class B and C shares, derived from increases in the value of the shares above the total cost of shares being redeemed due to increases in NAV, (iii) shares with respect to which no Lord Abbett-sponsored fund paid a 12b-1 fee and, in the case of Class B shares, Lord Abbett Distributor paid no sales charge or service fee (including shares acquired through reinvestment of dividend income and capital gains distributions), or (iv) shares that, together with exchanged shares, have been held continuously (a) until the first day of the month in which the one-year anniversary of the original purchase falls (in the case of Class A shares), (b) for six years or more (in the case of Class B shares), and (c) for one year or more (in the case of Class C shares). In determining whether a CDSC is payable, (i) shares not subject to the CDSC will be redeemed before shares subject to the CDSC and (ii) of the shares subject to a CDSC, those held the longest will be the first to be redeemed.

 

Which Class of Shares Should You Choose? Once you decide that a Fund is an appropriate investment for you, the decision as to which class of shares is better suited to your needs depends on a number of factors that you should discuss with your financial advisor. A Fund’s class-specific expenses and the effect of the different types of sales charges on your investment will affect your investment results over time. The most important factors are how much you plan to invest and how long you plan to hold your investment. If your goals and objectives change over time and you plan to purchase additional shares, you should re-evaluate those factors to see if you should consider another class of shares.

 

In the following discussion, to help provide you and your financial advisor with a framework in which to choose a class, we have made some assumptions using a hypothetical investment in a Fund. We used the sales charge rates that generally apply to Class A, B, and C, and considered the effect of the higher distribution fees on Class B and C expenses (which will affect your investment return). Of course, the actual performance of your investment cannot be predicted and will vary based on that Fund’s actual investment returns, the operating expenses borne by each class of shares, and the class of shares you purchase. The factors briefly discussed below are not intended to be investment advice, guidelines or recommendations, because each investor’s financial considerations are different. The discussion below of the factors to consider in purchasing a particular class of shares assumes that you will purchase only one class of shares and not a combination of shares of different classes. If you are considering an investment through a fee-based program (available through certain financial intermediaries as Class A, F, I, or P share investments), you should discuss with your financial intermediary which class of shares is available to you and makes the most sense as an appropriate investment.

 

How Long Do You Expect to Hold Your Investment? While future financial needs cannot be predicted with certainty, knowing how long you expect to hold your investment will assist you in selecting the appropriate class of shares. For example, over time, the reduced sales charges available for larger purchases of Class A shares may offset the effect of paying an initial sales charge on your investment, compared to the effect over time of higher class-specific expenses on Class C shares for which no initial sales charge is paid. Because of the effect of class-based expenses, your choice also should depend on how much you plan to invest.

 

Investing for the Short Term. Class C shares might be the appropriate choice (especially for investments of less than $100,000), because there is no initial sales charge on Class C shares, and the CDSC does not apply to shares you redeem after holding them for at least one year.

 

However, if you plan to invest more than $100,000 for the short term, then the more you invest and the more your investment horizon increases toward six years, the more attractive the Class A share option may become. This is because the annual 12b-1 fee on Class C shares will have a greater impact on your account over the longer term than the reduced front-end sales charge available for larger purchases of Class A shares.

 

Investing for the Longer Term. If you plan to invest more than $100,000 over the long term, Class A shares will likely be more advantageous than Class C shares, as discussed above, because of the effect of the expected lower expenses for Class A shares and the reduced initial sales charges available for larger investments in Class A shares under each Fund’s Rights of Accumulation.

 

Of course, these examples are based on approximations of the effect of current sales charges and expenses on a hypothetical investment over time, and should not be relied on as rigid guidelines.

 

Are There Differences in Account Features That Matter to You? Some account features may be available in whole or in part to Class A, B, and C shareholders, but not to Class F, I, or P shareholders. Other features (such as Systematic Withdrawal Plans) might not be advisable for Class B shareholders (because of the effect of the CDSC on the entire amount of a withdrawal if it exceeds 12% annually) and in any account for Class C shareholders during the first year of share

7- 5

ownership (due to the CDSC on redemptions during that year). See “Systematic Withdrawal Plan” under “Account Services and Policies” in the prospectus for more information about the 12% annual waiver of the CDSC for Class B and C shares. You should carefully review how you plan to use your investment account before deciding which class of shares you buy. For example, the dividends payable to Class B and C shareholders will be reduced by the expenses borne solely by each of these classes, such as the higher distribution fee to which Class B and C shares are subject.

 

How Do Payments Affect My Broker? A salesperson, such as a broker, or any other person who is entitled to receive compensation for selling Fund shares may receive different compensation for selling one class than for selling another class. As discussed in more detail below, such compensation is primarily paid at the time of sale in the case of Class A and B shares and is paid over time, so long as shares remain outstanding, in the case of Class C shares. It is important that investors understand that the primary purpose of the CDSC for Class B shares and the distribution fee for Class B and C shares is the same as the purpose of the front-end sales charge on sales of Class A shares: to compensate brokers and other persons selling such shares. The CDSC, if payable, supplements the Class B distribution fee and reduces the Class C distribution fee expenses for a Fund and Class C shareholders. See “Financial Intermediary Compensation” in the prospectus.

 

What About Shares Offered Through Fee-Based Programs? The Fund may be offered as an investment option in fee-based programs. Financial intermediaries may provide some of the shareholder servicing and account maintenance services with respect to these accounts and their participants, including transfers of registration, dividend payee changes, and generation of confirmation statements, and may arrange for third parties to provide other investment or administrative services. Fee-based program participants generally pay an overall fee that, among other things, covers the cost of these services. These fees and expenses are in addition to those paid by the Fund, and could reduce your ultimate investment return in Fund shares. For questions about such accounts, contact your sponsor or other appropriate organization.

7- 6

8.
Purchases, Redemptions, Pricing, and Payments to Dealers

 

Pricing of Fund Shares. Information concerning how we value Fund shares is contained in the prospectus under “Account Services and Policies – Pricing of Fund Shares.”

 

Under normal circumstances, we calculate the NAV per share for each class of the Funds as of the close of the NYSE on each day that the NYSE is open for trading by dividing the total net assets of the class by the number of shares of the class outstanding at the time of calculation. The NYSE is closed on Saturdays and Sundays and on days when it observes the following holidays -- New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The NYSE may change its holiday schedule or hours of operation at any time.

 

Portfolio securities are valued at market value as of the close of the NYSE. Market value will be determined as follows: securities listed or admitted to trading privileges on any national or foreign securities exchange, or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last sale price, or if there is no sale on that day, at the last bid, or, in the case of bonds, in the OTC market if that market more accurately reflects the market value of the bonds. Unlisted equity securities are valued at the last transaction price, or if there were no transactions that day, at the mean between the last bid and asked prices. OTC fixed income securities are valued at prices supplied by independent pricing services, which reflect broker-dealer-supplied valuations and electronic data processing techniques reflecting the mean between the bid and asked prices. The principal markets for non-U.S. securities and U.S. fixed income securities also generally close prior to the close of the NYSE. Consequently, values of non-U.S. investments and U.S. fixed income securities will be determined as of the earlier closing of such exchanges and markets unless the Fund prices such a security at its fair value. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair market value under procedures approved by the Board, as described in the prospectus.

 

NAV Purchases of Class A Shares. Our Class A shares may be purchased at NAV under the following circumstances:

 

(a) purchases of $500,000 or more;
   
(b) purchases made with dividends and distributions on Class A shares of another Eligible Fund (as defined in the prospectus);
   
(c) purchases by employees of any consenting securities dealer having a sales agreement with Lord Abbett Distributor;
   
(d) purchases made by or on behalf of financial intermediaries for clients that pay the financial intermediaries fees in connection with fee-based programs provided that the financial intermediaries or their trading agents have entered into special arrangements with a Fund and/or Lord Abbett Distributor specifically for such purchases;
 
(e) purchases by investors maintaining a brokerage account with a registered broker-dealer that has entered into an agreement with Lord Abbett Distributor to offer Class A shares through a load-waived network or platform, which may or may not charge transaction fees;
   
(f) purchases by each Lord Abbett-sponsored fund’s directors/trustees, officers of each Lord Abbett-sponsored fund, employees and partners of Lord Abbett (including retired persons who formerly held such positions and family members of such purchasers); or
   
(g) purchases involving the concurrent sale of Class B or C shares of a Fund related to the requirements of a settlement agreement that the broker-dealer entered into with a regulatory body relating to share class suitability. These sales transactions will be subject to the assessment of any applicable CDSCs (although the broker-dealer may pay on behalf of the investor or reimburse the investor for any such CDSC), and any investor purchases subsequent to the original concurrent transactions will be at the applicable public offering price, which may include a sales charge.
 

 

Class A shares also may be purchased at NAV (i) by employees, partners and owners of unaffiliated consultants and advisors to Lord Abbett, Lord Abbett Distributor, or Lord Abbett-sponsored funds who consent to such purchase if such persons provide service to Lord Abbett, Lord Abbett Distributor, or such funds on a continuing basis and are familiar with such funds, (ii) in connection with a merger, acquisition or other reorganization, (iii) by employees of our shareholder servicing agent, or (iv) by the trustees or custodians under any pension or profit-sharing plan or payroll deduction IRA established for the benefit of the directors/trustees, employees of Lord Abbett, or employees of our shareholder service agents. Shares are offered at NAV to these investors for the purpose of promoting goodwill with employees and others with whom Lord Abbett Distributor and/or the Funds have a business relationship.

 

In addition, Class A shares may be acquired without a front-end sales charge in certain exchange transactions. Please see “Exchanges” below.

8- 1

Exchanges. To the extent offers and sales may be made in your state, you may exchange some or all of your shares of any class of a Fund for: (i) Lord Abbett-sponsored funds currently offered to the public with a sales charge (front-end, back-end or level); or (ii) Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc. (“Money Market Fund”). The exchange privilege will not be available with respect to any fund, the shares of which at the time are not available to new investors of the type requesting the exchange. Shareholders in other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds generally have the same right to exchange their shares for the corresponding class of a Fund’s shares.

 

 

Each Fund is designed for long-term investors and is not designed to serve as a vehicle for frequent trading in response to short-term swings in the market. Each Fund reserves the right to modify, restrict, or reject any purchase order or exchange request if the Fund or Lord Abbett Distributor determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders. In addition, each Fund may revoke or modify the privilege for all shareholders upon 60 days’ written notice.

 

You should read the prospectus of the other fund before exchanging. In establishing a new account by exchange, shares of the fund being exchanged must have a value equal to at least the minimum initial investment required for the other fund into which the exchange is made.

 

An exchange transaction is based on the relative NAV of the shares being exchanged. The NAV, which normally is calculated each business day at the close of regular trading on the NYSE (typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern time each business day), will be determined after a Fund or its authorized agent receives your exchange order in proper form. Exchanges of Fund shares for shares of another fund generally will be treated as a sale of Fund shares and any gain on the transaction may be subject to federal income tax. In the case of an exchange of shares that have been held for 90 days or less where no sales charge is payable on the exchange, the original sales charge incurred with respect to the exchanged shares will be taken into account in determining gain or loss on the exchange only to the extent such charge exceeds the sales charge that would have been payable on the acquired shares had they been acquired for cash rather than by exchange. The portion of the original sales charge not so taken into account will increase the basis of the acquired shares.

 

No sales charges are imposed on exchanges, except in the case of exchanges out of Money Market Fund. Exchanges of Money Market Fund shares for shares of any Lord Abbett-sponsored fund (not including shares described under “Div-Move” below) are subject to a sales charge in accordance with the prospectus of that fund unless a sales charge (front-end, back-end or level) was paid on the initial investment in shares of a Lord Abbett-sponsored fund and those shares subsequently were exchanged for shares of Money Market Fund that are currently being exchanged. No CDSC will be charged on an exchange of shares of the same class between Lord Abbett-sponsored funds. Upon redemption of shares out of the Lord Abbett-sponsored funds, the applicable CDSC will be charged. Thus, if shares of a Lord Abbett-sponsored fund are tendered in exchange (“Exchanged Shares”) for shares of the same class of another fund and the Exchanged Shares are subject to a CDSC, the CDSC will carry over to the shares being acquired (including shares of Money Market Fund) (“Acquired Shares”). Any CDSC that is carried over to Acquired Shares is calculated as if the holder of the Acquired Shares had held those shares from the date on which he or she became the holder of the Exchanged Shares. Acquired Shares held in Money Market Fund that are subject to a CDSC will be credited with the time such shares are held in Money Market Fund.

 

Conversions. At the request of a financial intermediary, shares of any class of an Eligible Fund may be converted into a different class of shares of the same Eligible Fund without any sales charge (or CDSC), provided that (i) such shares are not subject to a CDSC and (ii) such conversion is necessary to facilitate the shareholder’s participation in a fee-based program sponsored by the financial intermediary that is the broker of record on the shareholder’s account that holds the shares to be relinquished as part of the conversion. Likewise, shareholders who participate in a fee-based program sponsored by a financial intermediary and own (directly or beneficially) Class A shares that were purchased with or without a sales charge, Class F shares, or Class P shares may convert such shares acquired through the shareholder’s participation in such fee-based program into Class A shares of the same Eligible Fund without incurring a sales charge (or a CDSC), provided that (i) such shares are not subject to a CDSC and (ii) the financial intermediary sponsoring the fee-based program is the broker of record on the shareholder’s account that will hold the Class A shares of the Eligible Fund received as a result of the conversion.

 

Rights of Accumulation. As stated in the prospectus, Purchasers (as defined in the prospectus) may aggregate their investments in Class A, B, C, F, and P shares of any Eligible Fund so that the Purchaser’s current investment in such shares, plus the Purchaser’s new purchase of Class A shares of any Eligible Fund, may reach a level eligible for a discounted sales charge for such shares. Class I shares are not eligible to be combined with other share classes for purposes of calculating the applicable sales charge on Class A share purchases.

 

To the extent your financial intermediary is able to do so, the value of Class A, B, C, F, and P shares of Eligible Funds determined for the purpose of reducing the sales charge of a new purchase under the Rights of Accumulation will be

8- 2

calculated at the higher of: (1) the aggregate current maximum offering price of your existing Class A, B, C, F, and P shares of Eligible Funds (“Market Value”) determined as of the time your new purchase order is processed; or (2) the aggregate amount you invested in such shares (including reinvestments of dividend and capital gain distributions but excluding capital appreciation) less any redemptions (“Investment Value”). Depending on the way in which the registration information is recorded for the account in which your shares are held, the value of your holdings in that account may not be eligible for calculation at the Investment Value. For example, shares held in accounts maintained by financial intermediaries in nominee or street name may not be eligible for calculation at Investment Value. In such circumstances, the value of the shares may be calculated at Market Value for purposes of Rights of Accumulation.

 

You should retain any information and account records necessary to substantiate the historical amounts you and any related Purchasers have invested in Eligible Funds. In certain circumstances, unless you provide documentation (or your financial intermediary maintains records) that substantiates a different Investment Value, your shares will be assigned an initial Investment Value for purposes of Rights of Accumulation. Specifically, Class A, B, C, F, and P shares of Eligible Funds acquired in calendar year 2007 or earlier will be assigned an initial Investment Value equal to the Market Value of those holdings as of the last business day of December 31, 2007. Similarly, Class A, B, C, F, and P shares of Eligible Funds transferred to an account with another financial intermediary will be assigned an initial Investment Value equal to the Market Value of such shares on the transfer date. Thereafter, the Investment Value of such shares will increase or decrease according to your actual investments, reinvestments, and redemptions. You must contact your financial intermediary or the Fund if you have additional information that is relevant to the calculation of the Investment Value of your holdings for purposes of reducing sales charges pursuant to the Rights of Accumulation.

 

Redemptions. A redemption order is in proper form when it contains all of the information and documentation required by the order form or otherwise by Lord Abbett Distributor or a Fund to carry out the order. If you have direct account privileges with the Fund, the Fund will require a guaranteed signature by an eligible guarantor on requests for redemption that exceed $100,000 (formerly $50,000). Accordingly, redemption requests may be submitted by telephone or online without signature guarantee for redemptions up to and including $100,000.

 

Redemptions may be suspended or payment postponed during any period in which any of the following conditions exist: the NYSE is closed or trading on the NYSE is restricted; an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by a Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for a Fund to fairly determine the value of the net assets of its portfolio; or the SEC, by order, so permits. Redemptions, even when followed by repurchases, are taxable transactions for shareholders that are subject to U.S. federal income tax.

 

Div-Move. Under the Div-Move service described in the prospectus, you can invest the dividends paid on your account of any class into an existing account of the same class in any other Eligible Fund. The account must either be your account, a joint account for you and your spouse, a single account for your spouse, or a custodial account for your minor child under the age of 21. You should read the prospectus of the other fund before investing.

 

Invest-A-Matic. The Invest-A-Matic method of investing in the Funds and/or any other Eligible Fund is described in the prospectus. To avail yourself of this method you must complete the application form, selecting the time and amount of your bank checking account withdrawals and the funds for investment, include a voided, unsigned check and complete the bank authorization.

 

Systematic Withdrawal Plan (“SWP”). The SWP also is described in the prospectus. You may establish an SWP if you own or purchase uncertificated shares having a current offering price value of at least $10,000 in the case of Class A or C shares and $25,000 in the case of Class B shares. With respect to Class B and C shares, the CDSC will be waived on redemptions of up to 12% per year of the current value of your account at the time the SWP is established. For Class B share redemptions over 12% per year, the CDSC will apply to the entire redemption. Therefore, please contact the Funds for assistance in minimizing the CDSC in this situation. With respect to Class C shares, the CDSC will be waived on and after the first anniversary of their purchase. The SWP involves the planned redemption of shares on a periodic basis by receiving either fixed or variable amounts at periodic intervals. Because the value of shares redeemed may be more or less than their cost, gain or loss may be recognized for income tax purposes on each periodic payment. Normally, you may not make regular investments at the same time you are receiving systematic withdrawal payments because it is not in your interest to pay a sales charge on new investments when, in effect, a portion of that new investment is soon withdrawn. The minimum investment accepted while a withdrawal plan is in effect is $1,000. The SWP may be terminated by you or by us at any time by written notice.

 

Purchases through Financial Intermediaries. The Funds and/or Lord Abbett Distributor have authorized one or more agents to receive on its behalf purchase and redemption orders. Such agents are authorized to designate other

8- 3

intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on behalf of the Funds or Lord Abbett Distributor. A Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized agent or, if applicable, an agent’s authorized designee, receives the order. The order will be priced at the Fund’s NAV next computed after it is received by the Fund’s authorized agent, or if applicable, the agent’s authorized designee. A financial intermediary may charge transaction fees on the purchase and/or sale of Fund shares.

 

Revenue Sharing and Other Payments to Dealers and Financial Intermediaries. As described in the prospectus, Lord Abbett or Lord Abbett Distributor, in its sole discretion, at its own expense and without cost to the Fund or shareholders, also may make payments to dealers and other firms authorized to accept orders for Fund shares (collectively, “Dealers”) in connection with marketing and/or distribution support for Dealers, shareholder servicing, entertainment, training and education activities for the Dealers, their investment professionals and/or their clients or potential clients, and/or the purchase of products or services from such Dealers. Some of these payments may be referred to as revenue sharing payments. As of the date of this SAI, the Dealers to whom Lord Abbett or Lord Abbett Distributor has agreed to make revenue sharing payments (not including payments for entertainment, and training and education activities for the Dealers, their investment professionals and/or their clients or potential clients) with respect to the Funds and/or other Lord Abbett Funds were as follows:

 

AIG Advisor Group, Inc.   Lincoln National Life Insurance Company
Allstate Life Insurance Company   Linsco/Private Ledger Corp.
Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York   MassMutual Life Investors Services, Inc.
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.   Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company/ML Life
Ascensus, Inc.   Insurance Company of New York (n/k/a Transamerica
AXA Advisors, LLC   Advisors)
AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company   Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
B.C. Ziegler and Company   (and/or certain of its affiliates)
Banc of America   MetLife Securities, Inc.
Business Men’s Assurance Company of America/   Morgan, Keegan & Company, Inc.
RBC Insurance   Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, LLC
Bodell Overcash Anderson & Co., Inc.   Multi-Financial Securities Corporation (Cetera)
Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc.   Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.
Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.   National Planning Holdings, Inc.
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.   Nationwide Investment Services Corporation
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.   NFP Securities, Inc.
Commonwealth Financial Network   Pacific Life & Annuity Company
CRI Securities, LLC   Pacific Life Insurance Company
Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P.   Pershing, LLC
Envestnet Asset Management, Inc.   PHL Variable Insurance Company
Family Investors Company   Phoenix Life and Annuity Company
Fidelity Brokerage Services, LLC   Phoenix Life Insurance Company
Financial Network Investment Corporation (Cetera)   Primevest Financial Services, Inc. (Cetera)
First Security Benefit Life Insurance and Annuity   Principal Life Insurance Company
Company   Protective Life Insurance Company
First SunAmerica Life Insurance Company   RBC Capital Markets Corporation (formerly RBC
First Allied  Securities, Inc.   Dain Rauscher)
Forethought Life Insurance Company   RBC Capital Markets, LLC
Genworth Life & Annuity Insurance Company   RBC Insurance d/b/a Liberty Life Insurance
Genworth Life Insurance Company of New York   Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
Genworth Financial Investment Services Inc. (Cetera)   Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.
Hartford Life and Annuity Insurance Company   Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated
Hartford Life Insurance Company   Santander Securities Corporation
HighTower Holding LLC   Securian Financial Services, Inc.
Investacorp, Inc.   Securities America, Inc.
James I. Black & Co.   Security Benefit Life Insurance Company
Janney Montgomery Scott LLC   SunAmerica Annuity Life Assurance Company
Legg Mason Walker Wood Incorporated   Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada
Lincoln Financial Network (Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.   Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York
& Lincoln Financial Securities Corp.)   TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, LLC
Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York   TFS Securities, Inc.

8- 4

Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company   U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.
Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company of New York   Wells Fargo Advisors
Triad Advisors, Inc.   Wells Fargo Investments LLC
UBS Financial Services Inc.   Woodbury Financial Services, Inc.

 

For more specific information about any revenue sharing payments made to your Dealer, you should contact your investment professional. See “Financial Intermediary Compensation” in the prospectus for further information.

 

Evelyn E. Guernsey, an Independent Director/Trustee of the Funds, owns outstanding shares of and was affiliated with J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., which (or subsidiaries of which) may receive recordkeeping payments from the Funds and/or other Lord Abbett Funds.

 

Redemptions in Kind. Under circumstances in which it is deemed detrimental to the best interests of each Fund’s shareholders to make redemption payments wholly in cash, each Fund may pay any portion of a redemption in excess of the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of a Fund’s net assets by a distribution in kind of readily marketable securities in lieu of cash.

8- 5

9.
Taxation of the Funds

 

Each Fund has elected, has qualified, and intends to continue to qualify for the special tax treatment afforded regulated investment companies under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Because each Fund is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes, the status of each Fund as a regulated investment company is determined separately by the IRS. If a Fund continues to qualify for such tax treatment afforded to a regulated investment company, the Fund will not be liable for U.S. federal income taxes on income and capital gains that the Fund timely distributes to its shareholders. If in any taxable year a Fund fails to so qualify, but is eligible for statutory relief, the Fund may be required to pay penalty taxes and/or dispose of certain assets in order to continue to qualify for such tax treatment. If the Fund is not eligible or if the Fund does not choose to avail itself of such relief, all of the Fund’s taxable income will be taxed to the Fund at regular corporate rates and when such income is distributed, such distributions will be further taxed at the shareholder level. Assuming a Fund continues to qualify for the favorable tax treatment afforded to a regulated investment company, it will be subject to a 4% non-deductible excise tax on certain amounts that are not distributed or treated as having been distributed on a timely basis each calendar year. Each Fund intends to distribute to its shareholders each year an amount adequate to avoid the imposition of this excise tax.

 

Assuming that each Fund qualifies for the special tax treatment afforded to a regulated investment company, if at the close of each quarter of a taxable year of the Fund at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets consists of certain obligations the interest on which is excludible from gross income under Section 103(a) of the Code (“tax-exempt securities”), the Fund will qualify to pay “exempt-interest” dividends to its shareholders. Those dividends constitute the portion of aggregate dividends (excluding capital gains) as reported to you by each Fund, equal to the excess of the Fund’s excludible interest over certain amounts disallowed as deductions. Exempt-interest dividends paid by each Fund are generally exempt from regular federal income tax; however, the amount of such dividends must be reported on the recipient’s federal income tax return.

 

While each Fund endeavors to purchase only bona fide tax-exempt securities, there are risks that: (1) a security issued as tax-exempt may be reclassified by the IRS, or a state tax authority, as taxable and/or (ii) future legislative, administrative, or court actions could adversely impact the qualification of income from a tax-exempt security as tax-free. Such reclassifications or actions could cause interest from a security to become taxable, possible retroactively, subjecting you to increased to liability. In addition, such reclassifications or actions could cause the value of a security, and therefore the value of a Fund to decline.

 

Each Fund (other than High Yield Municipal Bond Fund and AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund ) may invest up to 20% of its net assets in certain “private activity bonds” that generate interest that constitute items of tax preference that are subject to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax for individuals or entities that are subject to such tax. High Yield Municipal Bond Fund may invest up to 100% of its net assets in these private activity bonds. AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund anticipates that substantially all of its income will be exempt from the federal AMT and does not expect to invest in such private activity bonds. Exempt-interest dividends paid by each Fund may result in or increase a corporate shareholder’s liability for the federal alternative minimum tax, regardless of whether the dividends are a tax preference item.

 

All dividends, other than exempt-interest dividends, are taxable whether a shareholder takes them in cash or reinvests them in additional shares of a Fund. Each Fund may invest a portion of its portfolio in short-term taxable obligations and may engage in transactions generating gains or income which is not tax exempt, such as selling or lending portfolio securities, purchasing non-municipal securities, acquiring debt obligations at a market discount, or entering into options and futures transactions. Dividends paid by a Fund from such taxable net investment income or net realized short-term capital gains are taxable to you as ordinary income. Since none of the Fund’s income is derived primarily from sources that pay “qualified dividend income”, distributions from each Fund’s taxable net investment income generally will not qualify for taxation at the reduced tax rates available to individuals on qualified dividend income. In addition, the Funds generally do not expect that any of the Fund’s dividends will qualify for a dividend-received deduction that might otherwise be available to corporate shareholders.

 

Distributions paid by a Fund from its net realized long-term capital gains that are reported to you by the Fund as “capital gain dividends” are taxable to you as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of time you have owned Fund shares. The maximum federal income tax rates applicable to net capital gains recognized by individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers are currently (i) the same as ordinary income tax rates for capital assets held for one year or less, and (ii) are taxed at capital gain rates for capital assets held for more than one year. Commencing in 2013, the applicable capital gain rate varies depending on the taxable income and status of the shareholder, but generally is 20% for individual shareholders with taxable income in excess of $400,000 ($450,000 if married and file jointly/$225,000 if married and file separately) and 15% for individual shareholders with taxable income less than such amounts (unless such shareholders are in the 10% or 15% income tax brackets and meet certain other conditions, in which case the applicable rate is 0%). You should also be

9- 1

aware that the benefits of the long-term capital gains rates may be reduced if you are subject to the alternative minimum tax.

 

While a Fund’s net capital losses for any year cannot be passed through to you, any such losses incurred by a Fund in a taxable year of the Fund commencing prior to December 23, 2010 can be carried forward for a period of up to eight years to offset the Fund’s capital gains in those years and any such losses incurred by a Fund in taxable years commencing on or after such date may be carried forward indefinitely to offset future capital gains of the Fund. Pursuant to a new ordering rule, however, net capital losses incurred in taxable years of a Fund beginning before December 23, 2010 may not be used to offset the Fund’s future capital gains until all net capital losses incurred in taxable years of the Fund beginning after December 22, 2010 have been utilized. To the extent capital gains are offset by such losses, they do not result in tax liability to a Fund and are not expected to be distributed to you as capital gain dividends.

 

Distributions paid by a Fund that do not constitute dividends because they exceed the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital and reduce the tax basis of your Fund shares. To the extent that such distributions exceed the tax basis of your Fund shares, the excess amounts will be treated as gain from the sale of the shares.

 

A new 3.8% Medicare tax is now imposed on the net investment income of certain U.S. individuals, estates and trusts whose income exceeds certain thresholds for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012. For this purpose, “net investment income” does not include exempt-interest dividends, but generally does include taxable dividends (including capital gain dividends) and capital gains recognized from redemptions or exchanges of shares of mutual funds, such as the Funds. For U.S. individuals, this threshold generally will be exceeded if an individual has adjusted gross income that exceeds $200,000 ($250,000 if the individual is married and files jointly/$125,000 if married and file separately). This 3.8% Medicare tax is in addition to the income taxes that are otherwise imposed on ordinary income and capital gains.

 

Ordinarily, you are required to take distributions by each Fund into account in the year in which they are made. However, a distribution declared as of a record date in October, November, or December of any year and paid during the following January is treated as received by shareholders on December 31 of the year in which it is declared. Each Fund will send you annual information concerning the tax treatment of dividends and other distributions paid to you by the Fund.

 

Redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares for shares of another fund generally are taxable events for shareholders that are subject to tax. In general, if Fund shares are sold, you will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale and your adjusted basis in the shares. Such gain or loss generally will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares were held for more than one year and otherwise generally will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, if your holding period in your Fund shares is six months or less, any capital loss realized from a sale, exchange, or redemption of such shares may be disallowed to the extent of the amount of any exempt-interest dividends received. However, this disallowance rule will not apply as long as each Fund continues to declare daily, and distribute monthly, exempt-interest dividends in an amount equal to 90% or more of its net tax-exempt interest. If your holding period is six months or less, any capital loss realized from the sale, exchange, or redemption of such shares, to the extent not previously disallowed, must be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received with respect to such shares. Capital gains recognized from redemptions of Fund shares generally will be included in the calculation of “net investment income” for purposes of the 3.8% Medicare tax applicable to certain U.S. individuals, estates and trusts as discussed above.

 

Losses on the sale of Fund shares also may be disallowed to the extent that within a period beginning 30 days before the date of the sale and ending 30 days after the date of the sale, you acquire other shares in the same Fund (including pursuant to reinvestment of dividends and/or capital gain distributions). In addition, if shares in a Fund that have been held for less than 91 days are redeemed and the proceeds are reinvested on or before January 31 of the calendar year following the year of the redemption in shares of the same Fund or another fund pursuant to the Reinvestment Privilege, or if shares in a Fund that have been held for less than 91 days are exchanged for the same class of shares in another fund at NAV pursuant to the exchange privilege, all or a portion of any sales charge paid on the shares that are redeemed or exchanged will not be included in the tax basis of such shares under the Code to the extent that a sales charge that would otherwise apply to the shares received is reduced.

 

Interest on indebtedness incurred by a shareholder to purchase or carry shares of a Fund may not be deductible, in whole or in part, for federal purposes. Pursuant to published guidelines, the Internal Revenue Service may deem indebtedness to have been incurred for the purpose of acquiring or carrying shares of a Fund even though the borrowed funds may not be directly traceable to the purchase of shares.

 

Fund shares may not be an appropriate investment for “substantial users” of facilities financed by industrial development bonds, or persons related to such “substantial users.” Such persons should consult their tax advisors before investing in Fund shares.

9- 2

Exempt-interest dividends are taken into account when determining the taxable portion of your social security or railroad retirement benefits.

 

Futures contracts entered into by a Fund on certain securities, may cause the Fund to recognize gains or losses from marking-to-market even though such futures contracts may not have been performed or closed out. The tax rules applicable to these contracts may affect the characterization of some capital gains and losses realized by the Fund as long-term or short-term. Additionally, the Fund may be required to recognize gain if a futures contract, short sale or other transaction that is not subject to the mark-to-market rules is treated as a “constructive sale” of an “appreciated financial position” held by the Fund under Section 1259 of the Code.

 

Any net mark-to-market gains and/or gains from constructive sales also may have to be distributed to satisfy the distribution requirements for the Fund’s tax status even though the Fund may receive no corresponding cash amounts, possibly requiring the disposition of portfolio securities or borrowing to obtain the necessary cash. Losses on certain futures contracts and/or offsetting positions (portfolio securities or other positions with respect to which the Fund’s risk of loss is substantially diminished by one or more futures contracts) may also be deferred under the tax straddle rules of the Code, which may also affect the characterization of capital gains or losses from straddle positions and certain successor positions as long-term or short-term. Certain tax elections may be available that would enable the Fund to ameliorate some adverse effects of the tax rules described in this paragraph. The tax rules applicable to futures contracts and straddles may affect the amount, timing and character of the Fund’s income and gains or losses and hence of its distributions to you.

 

Certain investment practices that the Funds may utilize, such as investing in options, futures, interest rate swaps, credit swaps, total return swaps, and options on swaps and interest rate caps, floors and collars, may affect the amount, character and timing of the recognition of gains and losses by the Funds. Such transactions may in turn affect the amount and character of Fund distributions and may result in the distribution of taxable income to you.

 

The AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund and National Fund may invest up to 35%, High Yield Municipal Bond Fund may invest up to 100%, and each of the other Funds may invest up to 20%, of its net assets in debt obligations that are in the lowest rating categories or are unrated, including debt obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or who are in default. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for a Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by each Fund, in the event 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.

 

If a Fund invests in certain pay-in-kind securities, zero coupon securities, deferred interest securities or, in general, any other securities with original issue discount (or with market discount if the Fund elects to include market discount in income currently), the Fund generally must accrue income on such investments for each taxable year, which generally will be prior to the receipt of the corresponding cash payments. However, each Fund must distribute, at least annually, all or substantially all of its taxable and tax-exempt income, including such accrued income, to shareholders to qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code and avoid U.S. federal income and excise taxes. Therefore, each Fund may have to dispose of its portfolio securities under disadvantageous circumstances to generate cash, or may have to borrow the cash, to satisfy distribution requirements.

 

Under Treasury regulations, if you are an individual and recognize a loss with respect to Fund shares of $2 million or more (if you are a corporation, $10 million or more) in any single taxable year (or greater amounts over a combination of years), you may be required to file a disclosure statement with the Internal Revenue Service. A shareholder who fails to make the required disclosure may be subject to substantial penalties.

 

You may be subject to a 28% withholding tax on reportable dividends, capital gain distributions, and redemption payments and exchanges (“backup withholding”). Generally, you will be subject to backup withholding if a Fund does not have your Social Security number or other certified taxpayer identification number on file, or, to the Fund’s knowledge, the number that you have provided is incorrect or backup withholding is applicable as a result of your previous underreporting of interest or dividend income. When establishing an account, you must certify under penalties of perjury that your Social Security number or other taxpayer identification number is correct and that you are not otherwise subject to backup withholding.

 

The foregoing discussion addresses only the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to shareholders who are subject to U.S. federal income tax, hold their shares as capital assets and are U.S. persons (generally, U.S. citizens or residents (including certain former citizens and former long-term residents), domestic corporations or domestic entities taxed as corporations for U.S. tax purposes, estates the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, and trusts if a court within the U.S. is able to exercise primary supervision over their administration and at least one U.S. person has the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trusts). The treatment of the owner

9- 3

of an interest in an entity that is a pass-through entity for U.S. tax purposes (e.g., partnerships and disregarded entities) and that owns Fund shares generally will depend upon the status of the owner and the activities of the pass-through entity. Except as otherwise provided, this description does not address the special tax rules that may be applicable to particular types of investors, such as financial institutions, insurance companies, securities dealers, or tax-exempt or tax-deferred plans, accounts or entities. If you are not a U.S. person or are the owner of an interest in a pass-through entity that owns Fund shares, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the U.S. and foreign tax consequences of the ownership of Fund shares, including the applicable rate of U.S. withholding tax on amounts treated as ordinary dividends from a Fund (other than certain dividends derived from short-term capital gains and qualified interest income of the Fund for taxable years of the Fund commencing prior to January 1, 2014, provided that the Fund chooses to report such dividends in a manner qualifying for such tax treatment), and the applicability of U.S. gift and estate taxes.

 

Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), a Fund may be required to withhold 30% from payments of dividends and gross redemption proceeds by the Fund to (i) certain foreign financial institutions unless they agree to collect and disclose to the IRS (or in certain cases to their country of residence) information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. account holders, and (ii) certain other foreign entities unless they certify certain information about their direct and indirect U.S. owners. This withholding tax is scheduled to be phased in commencing on July 1, 2014 for payments of income dividends and January 1, 2017 for payments of capital gain dividends and gross redemption proceeds.

 

In order to avoid this withholding, non-exempt foreign financial institutions will have to enter into an agreement with the IRS (unless they are resident in a country that has entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement with the U.S. that provides for an alternative regime) stipulating that they will (1) provide the IRS with certain information about direct and indirect U.S. account holders (such as the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the holders), (2) will comply with verification and due diligence procedures with respect to the identification of U.S. accounts, (3) report to the IRS certain additional information with respect to U.S. accounts maintained by them, and (4) agree to withhold tax on certain payments made to non-compliant foreign financial institutions or to account holders who fail to provide the required information. Certain other foreign entities will need to provide the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of each substantial (i.e. more than 10%) U.S. owner or a certification of no substantial U.S. ownership, unless certain exceptions apply. A foreign shareholder resident in an country that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. with respect to FATCA will be exempt from FATCA withholding provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of the agreement. A foreign shareholder that invests in a Fund will need to provide the Fund with documentation properly certifying the shareholder’s status under FATCA (currently proposed as Form W-8BEN-E for entities) to avoid the FATCA withholding. The scope of these requirements is potentially subject to material change and shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisers regarding the potential applicability of FATCA to their own situation.

 

The tax rules of the various states of the U.S. and their local jurisdictions with respect to distributions from the Funds can differ from the U.S. federal income tax rules described above. Although interest from tax-exempt bonds is generally not excludible from income for state and local income tax purposes, many states allow you to exclude the percentage of dividends derived from interest income on obligations of the state or its political subdivisions and instrumentalities if you are a resident of that state. Many states also allow you to exclude from income interest on obligations of the federal government and certain other governmental authorities, including U.S. territories and possessions. However, as noted below, certain states may require that a specific percentage of a Fund’s income be derived from state and/or federal obligations before such dividends may be excluded from state taxable income. The Funds intend to provide to you on an annual basis information to permit you to determine whether Fund dividends derived from interest on state and/or federal obligations may be excluded from state taxable income.

 

Because everyone’s tax situation is unique, you should consult your tax advisor regarding the treatment of distributions under the federal, state, local, and foreign tax rules that apply to you, as well as the tax consequences of gains or losses from the sale, exchange, or redemption of your Fund shares.

 

California Fund – For the Fund to qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends for purposes of California personal income tax, at the close of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets must consist of California state or local obligations and/or federal obligations the interest from which is exempt from California personal income taxation. If the Fund qualifies to pay exempt-interest dividends and reports them as such to shareholders, all distributions of the Fund attributable to interest income earned on such California state or local obligations or federal obligations for the taxable year of the Fund will be exempt from California personal income tax.

 

New Jersey Fund – For the Fund to qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends for purposes of New Jersey personal income tax (i) the Fund must have no investments other than interest-bearing obligations, obligations issued at a discount, cash and cash items, including receivables, and financial options, futures, forward contracts or other similar

9- 4

financial instruments related to interest-bearing obligations, obligations issued at a discount or bond indexes related thereto for the taxable year; and (ii) at the close of each quarter of its tax year, at least 80% of the aggregate principal amount of all the Fund’s investments must be in obligations issued by or on behalf of the State of New Jersey or any county, municipality, school or other district, agency, authority, commission, instrumentality, public corporation, body corporate and politic or political subdivision of the State of New Jersey or in other obligations that are statutorily free from state and local taxation under any other act of New Jersey or under the laws of the U.S. (the “80% Test”). For purposes of calculating whether the 80% Test is satisfied, financial options, futures, forward contracts or other similar financial instruments related to interest-bearing obligations, obligations issued at a discount or bond indexes related thereto, and cash and cash items (including receivables) are excluded from the aggregate principal amount of the Fund’s investments. If the Fund qualifies to pay exempt-interest dividends, all distributions attributable to interest or gain on the obligations included in the 80% Test will be exempt from New Jersey personal income tax. All distributions attributable to interest earned on federal obligations will be exempt from New Jersey personal income tax, regardless of whether the Fund meets the 80% Test.

 

New York Fund – Shareholders of the Fund will not be required to include in their gross income for New York State and New York City personal income tax purposes any portion of distributions that are attributable to interest earned by the Fund on (1) tax-exempt obligations issued by New York State or any political subdivision thereof (including New York City); (2) obligations of the U.S. and its possessions, but only if, at the close of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets consists of obligations of the U.S. and its possessions and the Fund properly designates the income from such obligations; or (3) obligations of any authority, commission, or instrumentality of the U.S. to the extent federal law exempts such interest from state income taxation.

9- 5

10.

Underwriter

 

Lord Abbett Distributor, a New York limited liability company and subsidiary of Lord Abbett, 90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302-3973, serves as the principal underwriter for the Funds. The Company has entered into a distribution agreement with Lord Abbett Distributor, under which Lord Abbett Distributor is obligated to use its best efforts to find purchasers for the shares of each Fund, and to make reasonable efforts to sell Fund shares on a continuous basis, so long as, in Lord Abbett Distributor’s judgment, a substantial distribution can be obtained by reasonable efforts.

 

For the last three fiscal years, Lord Abbett Distributor, as the Funds’ principal underwriter, received net commissions after allowance of a portion of the sales charge to independent dealers with respect to Class A shares of the Funds as follows:

 

    Fiscal Year Ended September 30,  
    2013     2012     2011  
Gross sales charge     6,738,919       8,818,687       5,005,076  
Amount allowed to dealers     5,782,267       7,604,627       4,308,145  
Net commission received by Lord Abbett Distributor     956,652       1,214,060       696,931  

 

In addition, Lord Abbett Distributor, as the Funds’ principal underwriter, received the following compensation for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013:

 

                       
    Compensation
on Redemption and
Repurchase
    Brokerage Commissions in
Connection
with Fund Transactions
    Other Compensation*  
Class A   $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 9,352,187.31 **
Class B   $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 6.81  
Class C   $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 5,743.52 **
Class F   $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 2,397,136.21  
Class P   $ 0.00     $ 0.00     $ 122.88  

 

* Other compensation includes fees paid to Lord Abbett Distributor for services rendered in connection with activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Fund shares.

 

** Excludes 12b-1 payments and CDSC fees received during the first year of the associated investment as repayment of fees advanced by Lord Abbett Distributor to broker/dealers at the time of sale.

10- 1

11.

Financial Statements

 

The financial statements incorporated herein by reference from the Funds’ 2013 annual report to shareholders have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

11- 1

APPENDIX A

 

Municipal Bond Ratings

 

Moody’s Investors Service (Long-Term Obligation Ratings)

 

Investment Grade

 

Aaa: Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.

 

Aa: Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

 

A: Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

 

Baa: Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

 

Below Investment Grade

 

Ba: Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.

 

B: Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

 

Caa: Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative, of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

 

Ca: Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

 

C: Obligations rated C are the lowest rated class and are typically in default, with little prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

 

Note : Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a “(hyb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms. By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with the security.

 

Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) (Long-Term Issue Credit Ratings)

 

Investment Grade

 

AAA: An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

 

AA: An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

 

A: An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in the higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment is still strong.

 

BBB: An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

A- 1

Below Investment Grade

 

BB, B, CCC, CC, C: Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

 

BB: An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

B: An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

CCC: An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

CC: An obligation that is rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The CC rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but S&P expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

 

C: An obligation rated C is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared to obligations that are rated higher.

 

D: An obligation rated D is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to D if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.

 

NR: This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

 

Note: 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.

 

Fitch Ratings (Public Finance Obligations -- Long-Term Rating Scales)

 

Investment Grade

 

AAA: Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be affected by foreseeable events.

 

AA: Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

 

A: High credit quality. A ratings denote a expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

 

BBB: Good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

A- 2

Below Investment Grade

 

BB: Speculative. BB ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time.

 

B: Highly speculative. B ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

 

CCC: Substantial credit risk. Default is a real possibility.

 

CC: Very high levels of credit risk. Default of some kind appears probable.

 

C: Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. Default appears imminent or inevitable.

 

D: Default. D ratings indicate a default. Default is generally defined as one of the following:

  · Failure to make payment of principal and/or interest under the contractual terms of the rated obligation;
  · The bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other winding-up or cessation of the business of an issuer/obligor; or
   
 
  · The distressed exchange of an obligation where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation to avoid a probable payment default.

 

 

Notes : In the case of structured and project finance, while the ratings do not address the loss severity given default of the rated liability, loss severity assumptions on the underlying assets are nonetheless typically included as part of the analysis. Loss severity assumptions are used to derive pool cash flows available to service the rated liability. The suffix “sf” denotes an issue that is a structured finance transaction. For an explanation of how Fitch determines structured finance ratings, please see the criteria available at www.Fitchratings.com . In the case of public finance, the ratings do not address the loss given default of the rated liability, focusing instead on the vulnerability to default of the rated liability. The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the ‘AAA’ Long-Term Rating category, or categories below B.

 

Municipal Short-Term Debt Obligation Ratings

 

Moody’s Investors Service

 

Investment Grade

 

MIG 1: This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-based access to the market for refinancing.

 

MIG 2: This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.

 

MIG 3: This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well established.

 

Below Investment Grade

 

SG: This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins of protection.

 

Standard & Poor’s

 

SP-1: Strong capacity to pay principal and interest An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt service is given a “plus” (+) designation.

A- 3

SP-2: Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interested, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.

 

SP-3: Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.

 

Short-Term Debt Ratings

 

Moody’s Investors Service

 

P-1 (Prime-1): Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

P-2 (Prime-2): Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

P-3 (Prime-3): Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

 

NP (Not Prime): Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

 

Standard & Poor’s

 

A-1: A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

 

A-2: A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is satisfactory.

 

A-3: A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

 

B: A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

 

C: A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent on favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

 

D: A short-term obligation rated D is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the due date, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to D if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.

 

Fitch Ratings

 

F-1: Highest short term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

A- 4

F-2: Good short-term credit quality. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

 

F-3: Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

 

B: Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

 

C: High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.

 

RD: Restricted default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only.

 

D: Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.

A- 5

APPENDIX B

 

RISK FACTORS REGARDING INVESTMENTS IN PUERTO RICO, CALIFORNIA, NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK MUNICIPAL BONDS

 

The following information is a summary of certain special risks that may affect the states and territory indicated, which could affect the value of the bonds held by the corresponding Fund. This information may not be complete or current and is compiled based upon information and judgments in publicly available documents, including news reports, state budgetary and financial analyses, and credit analyses prepared by bond rating agencies. The Funds have not verified any of this information.

 

PUERTO RICO BONDS

 

As of January 9, 2014, Standard & Poor’s rating on the Commonwealth’s general obligation debt was “BBB-”, and Moody’s Investor Service (“Moody’s”) rated the general obligation bonds “Baa3”. Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s each designate a negative outlook for the Commonwealth’s general obligations.

 

While Puerto Rico has taken significant steps toward fiscal stabilization, the Commonwealth continues to face serious fiscal challenges, including a multi-year trend of chronic budget deficits, high debt levels, a protracted recession, continuing high unemployment, and low workforce participation. Although in 2013 the legislature passed reforms to one of the two major state funded pension plans, the Commonwealth continues to suffer from a seriously under-funded overall pension system relative to revenues. Additionally, according to the ratings agencies, the Commonwealth’s track record of high unemployment, low workforce participation, and high poverty levels compared to the U.S. average present ongoing challenges. Puerto Rico has implemented significant measures to deal with the Commonwealth’s budgetary gaps and economic challenges, including significant expenditure controls and revenue enhancement measures, but the Commonwealth’s ratings reflect an economy in recession for more than seven years, limited economic activity, lower-than-estimated revenue collections, lackluster revenue growth, high government debt levels relative to the size of the economy, structural budget gaps, high spending and other potential fiscal challenges. Significant job losses, a declining population, potential expenses and delays in implementing budget solutions arising from the litigation and determination of various ongoing cases, hampered economic growth in the U.S. economy, the loss or reduction in the flow of federal funds, contraction in the manufacturing and construction sectors, and continued reliance on capital markets for refinancing of a heavy debt burden could further heighten the risks associated with the Commonwealth’s economy. A new gubernatorial administration, which assumed office in January 2013, has passed several revenue initiatives aimed at stabilizing finances, but the large package of new taxes has the potential to further weaken the economy.

 

The Constitution of Puerto Rico limits the direct obligations of the Commonwealth evidenced by full faith and credit bonds or notes but establishes a first priority lien on revenues for general obligations and Commonwealth-guaranteed debt.

 

CALIFORNIA BONDS

 

As of January 9, 2014, California’s general obligation debt was assigned a rating of A1 by Moody’s and A by Standard & Poor’s. Both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s assign an outlook of stable to the state’s debt.

 

California continues to face moderate, albeit improving, long-term economic prospects with highly volatile revenue streams, particularly from sales and income taxes, and an unemployment rate that is above the national rate. California’s recent fiscal challenges include high debt levels, heavy reliance on borrowing and non-recurring measures that are not available for future fiscal years to fund the state’s deficits, and moderately high retiree benefit and pension obligations. The state continues to rely heavily on personal income and sales tax revenue after the passage of Proposition 30 (November 2012), but the FY 2014 budget projects a 4.8% dip in personal income tax collection and a total revenue decline of 1.1%. The state will need to address the prospect of weak long-term revenue streams before Proposition 30’s tax provisions begin to expire following FY 2016. The state has operated under budget deficits during recent years, and structural deficits may continue depending on revenue collection and the scope of proposed spending initiatives. Recent budgetary actions to address the deficit have involved significant expenditure reductions, increased borrowing from state and local governments, and one-time measures that are not available for future fiscal years and may weaken cash flows.

B- 1

The state has a highly progressive personal income tax structure and taxes capital gains at the same rate as other income. As a result, a large portion of the taxes received are paid by a small portion of high-income taxpayers, which leads to a higher level of economic and revenue volatility relative to other states. Additionally, local governments derive revenue from real-estate-based sources, including property taxes and recording taxes and fees when properties transfer. Although California’s liquidity position has strengthened in the last three years after weakness in fiscal 2009 and 2010, the state’s structural imbalance remains very large, and in recent years the state has only managed to solve budget gaps by deferring certain mandatory payments, such as education funding. California also suffers from a lack of reserves to fund finances in the event of future downturns.

 

Constitutional and political constraints on the state’s budgetary and financial flexibility and ability to deal with financial crisis, including a two-thirds legislative vote required to pass the state budget (which must be in balance) and to raise revenues, and voter approval required for issuing general obligation and deficit bonds, often delay the budget and mid-year budget amendments. Proposition 1A (approved in November 2004) limits the state’s ability to borrow local governments’ property tax revenues and requires repayment by June 30, 2013, and Proposition 98 imposes funding requirements for schools and results in additional funding burdens on the state if local property taxes decline. Proposition 26 (approved in November 2010) expanded the definition of a tax to include certain fees and charges, broadening the scope of revenue generating tools that require a two-thirds legislative vote. These propositions impose important liabilities on the state and may further hamper the state’s ability to enact a realistic and timely budget. Additionally, Constitutional provisions establish priority payments for education and limit the state’s ability to spend proceeds from certain tax revenues and fees. Various constitutional and statutory provisions also may result in limits to and decreases in state and local revenues, and thus affect the ability of California municipal bond issuers to meet their financial obligations. Future amendments to the California Constitution or statutory changes also may affect the ability of the state or local issuers to repay their obligations.

 

NEW JERSEY BONDS

 

As of January 9, 2014, Moody’s gives New Jersey a general obligation bond rating of Aa3, and Standard & Poor’s provides a rating of AA-. Moody’s downgraded its outlook on the state’s general obligation debt from stable to negative in December 2013, citing continued revenue collections below projections, structural budget imbalance exacerbated by statutorily imposed pension contribution increases, high debt service costs, and weak liquidity. Standard & Poor’s affirmed its negative outlook, citing New Jersey’s continued reliance on one-time revenues, debt restructuring, and payment shifts to offset revenue shortfalls; significant underfunded pension; other post-employment benefit liabilities and growing fixed costs; and an above average debt burden.

 

In recent years, New Jersey’s debt levels have increased and are above historical levels. According to Moody’s, New Jersey has the fourth highest net debt per capita in the nation, and above average pension and retiree health benefit liabilities.

 

The state continues to face significant budget shortfalls due in part to lower-than-expected state revenue collections, an increase in demand for state services, and significant pension funding obligations. The 2014 budget remains structurally unbalanced, and continues to rely on nonrecurring revenues, debt restructuring, and optimistic revenue assumptions. Analysts also indicate that the state’s creditworthiness is subject to the following weaknesses: a large unfunded pension liability; significant other post-employment benefit obligations; and an above-average debt burden. The budget shortfalls are driven by statutory requirements to phase in full contribution of the annual required pension contributions by 2018. In addition, the budget relies on revenue sources that are uncertain, are untested, or may be subject to litigation.

 

New Jersey has depleted the funds it had reserved for budgetary shortfalls and continues to rely on non-recurring revenues, leaving the state with a sizable structural imbalance. New Jersey’s budget also relies on income and sales taxes, which are sensitive to economic conditions, including the rising unemployment and compensation cutbacks. Job losses in the state’s biggest sectors, including the financial services, professional and business services, construction, manufacturing, trade, transportation and utilities industries, are constraining employment growth. Further downturns in these sectors could adversely affect the state’s economy, and Moody’s has projected that New Jersey’s job growth will rank 36 th in the country through 2016. According to Moody’s credit analysts, these circumstances have caused the state to suffer a “sluggish” recovery from the national recession.

B- 2

State law and the New Jersey Constitution restrict appropriations. Statutory or legislative restrictions may adversely affect a municipality’s or any other bond-issuing authority’s ability to repay its obligations. The New Jersey Supreme Court rejected a legal challenge to the constitutionality of the practice of issuing certain contract bonds without voter approval. Contract bonds, a significant portion of the state’s outstanding debt obligations, differ from general obligation bonds in that contract bonds are not backed by the full faith and credit of the state, but by annual appropriations. In November 2008, New Jersey voters approved an amendment to the Constitution, which provides that the state may not issue bonds that are not backed by a dedicated revenue source without voter approval.

 

The New Jersey Constitution provides, in part, that no money shall be drawn from the state treasury except for appropriations made by law and that no law appropriating money for any state purpose shall be enacted if the appropriations contained therein, together with all prior appropriations made for the same fiscal period, shall exceed the total amount of the revenue on hand an anticipated to be available to meet such appropriations during such fiscal period, as certified by the Governor.

 

New Jersey’s local budget law imposes specific budgetary procedures upon counties and municipalities (“local units”). Every local unit must adopt an operating budget that is balanced on a cash basis, and the Director of the Division of Local Government Services must examine items of revenue and appropriation. State law also regulates local units’ issuance of debt by limiting the amount of tax anticipation notes that they may issue and requiring their repayment within 120 days of the end of the fiscal year (not later than June 30 in the case of the counties) in which issued. With certain exceptions, no local unit is permitted to issue bonds for the payment of current expenses or to pay outstanding bonds, except with the approval of the Local Finance Board. Local units may issue bond anticipation notes for temporary periods not exceeding in the aggregate approximately ten years from the date of first issue. The debt that any local unit may authorize is limited by statute. State law restricts total appropriations increases for such entities, with certain exceptions.

 

NEW YORK BONDS

 

As of January 9, 2014, Moody’s general obligation bond rating for New York is Aa2 and Standard & Poor’s provides a rating of AA. Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s give the state’s credit a positive outlook, citing restraint in school aid and Medicaid growth and moderate projected future year general fund budget gaps. Nonetheless, due to New York’s heavy reliance on volatile income tax payments and its high exposure to the securities industry employment, the state’s economy remains vulnerable to adverse investment market conditions. In addition, as of December 2013, there is a pending federal audit of potential Medicaid overbilling that could result in significant additional reimbursement obligations, putting additional pressure on the state budget and available resources. The state also remains susceptible to reductions in overall federal aid due to federal sequestration cuts.

 

Credit rating agency analysts have indicated that the state’s economy also has inherent vulnerability based on the significant geographic disparities between the upstate and downstate areas’ economic performance, and the heavy reliance on the finance and insurance industries in New York City, which are at risk of slowing recovery and potential disruptions related to the Eurozone debt crisis. Unfunded post-employment benefit obligations are estimated to be at least $54.3 billion for state employees, along with $12.2 billion for the state university which will be a source of budget pressure in the future. The level of these unfunded liabilities may have increased since the last valuation date, and because the state funds its post-employment benefits on a pay-as-you-go basis, unfunded liabilities are projected to grow higher.

 

Tax-supported debt has increased in the last several years. According to Moody’s, New York is the fifth highest in the nation on a per capita basis. The state has authorized short term borrowing, although Standard & Poor’s suggests that the state’s cash flow management has continued to improve over the past year. Additionally, New York relies heavily on economic growth downstate, as well as personal income taxes, tourism, and the housing market, which are sensitive to economic conditions and may be slower to recover than the nation as a whole.

 

The state’s authorities (i.e., government agencies) generally are responsible for financing, constructing and operating revenue-producing public facilities. While payments on authority obligations normally are paid from revenues generated by projects of the authorities, in the past the state has had to appropriate large amounts to enable certain authorities to meet their financial obligations. Further assistance to authorities may be required in the future. The amount of debt issued by the authorities is substantial. Although the state has legal flexibility to cut costs, analysts have suggested that political difficulty could hinder budget enactment or midyear gap closing when cuts in politically favored programs are proposed.

B- 3

APPENDIX C

 

FUND PORTFOLIO INFORMATION RECIPIENTS

 

The following is a list of the third parties that are eligible to receive portfolio holdings or related information pursuant to ongoing arrangements under the circumstances described above under Investment Policies – Policies and Procedures Governing Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings:

 

  Portfolio Holdings*
Abel/Noser Corp. Monthly
Base-Two Investment Systems, Inc. Daily
Becker, Burke Associates Monthly
Berthel Schutter Monthly
Bloomberg L.P. Daily
Callan Associates Inc. Monthly
Cambridge Associates LLC Monthly
Citigroup/The Yield Book, Inc. Daily
CJS Securities, Inc. Daily
CL King & Associates Monthly
Concord Advisory Group Ltd. Monthly
CTVglobemedia f/k/a Bell GlobeMedia Publishing Co. Monthly
Curcio Webb Monthly
Deloitte & Touche LLP As Requested
Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. Monthly
Evaluation Associates, LLC Monthly
FactSet Research Systems, Inc. Daily
Financial Model Co. (FMC) Daily
Hartland & Co. Monthly
Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. (ISS) Daily
Investment Technology Group (ITG) Daily
Jeffrey Slocum & Associates, Inc. Monthly
JP Morgan Securities, Inc. Monthly
Lipper Inc., a Reuters Company Monthly
Longbow Research Monthly
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Incorporated Monthly
Morningstar Associates, Inc., Morningstar, Inc. Daily
MSCI Barra Daily
Muzea Insider Consulting Services Weekly
Nock, Inc. Daily
Pierce Park Group Monthly
Reuters America LLC Daily
Rocaton Investment Advisors, LLC Monthly
Rogerscasey Monthly
SG Constellation LLC Daily
State Street Corporation Daily
Sungard Expert Solutions, Inc. Daily
The Marco Consulting Group Monthly
Towers Watson Investment Services, Inc. f/k/a Watson Wyatt Worldwide Monthly
Wall Street Source Daily
C- 1
  Portfolio Holdings*
Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP As Requested

 

 

 

* Each Fund may provide its portfolio holdings to (a) third parties that render services to the Fund relating to such holdings (i.e., pricing vendors, ratings organizations, custodians, external administrators, independent registered public accounting firms, counsel, etc.) as appropriate to the service being provided to the Fund, on a daily, monthly, calendar quarterly or annual basis, and (b) third party consultants on a daily, monthly or calendar quarterly basis for the purpose of performing their own analyses with respect to the Fund within one day following each calendar period end.

C- 2

APPENDIX D

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

Introduction

 

Under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett” or “we”) acts as a fiduciary that owes each of its clients duties of care and loyalty with respect to all services undertaken on the client’s behalf, including proxy voting. This means that Lord Abbett is required to vote proxies in the manner we believe is in the best interests of each client, including the Lord Abbett Funds (the “Funds”) and their shareholders. We take a long-term perspective in investing our clients’ assets and employ the same perspective in voting proxies on their behalf. Accordingly, we tend to support proxy proposals that we believe are likely to maximize shareholder value over time, whether such proposals were initiated by a company or its shareholders.

 

Proxy Voting Process Overview

 

Lord Abbett has a Proxy Group within its Operations Department (the “Proxy Group”) that oversees proxy voting mechanics on a day-to-day basis and provides Lord Abbett’s Proxy Policy Committee (the “Proxy Policy Committee”) and Investment Department personnel with information regarding proxy voting. The Proxy Policy Committee consists of Lord Abbett’s Chief Investment Officer, Director of Domestic Equity Portfolio Management, Director of International Equity, Director of Domestic Equity Research, Chief Administrative Officer for the Investment Department, and General Counsel. Voting decisions are made by the Investment Department in accordance with these policies and procedures and are carried out by the Proxy Group.

 

Lord Abbett has retained an independent third party service provider (the “Proxy Advisor”) to analyze proxy issues and recommend how to vote on those issues, and to provide assistance in the administration of the proxy process, including maintaining complete proxy voting records. 1 While Lord Abbett takes into consideration the information and recommendations of the Proxy Advisor, Lord Abbett votes all proxies based on its own proxy voting policies, including Lord Abbett’s conclusions regarding the best interests of the Funds, their shareholders, and other advisory clients, rather than basing decisions solely on the Proxy Advisor’s recommendations.

 

Lord Abbett has implemented the following three-pronged approach to the proxy voting process:

 

  · In cases where we deem any client’s position in a company to be material, 2 the relevant investment team is responsible for determining how to vote the security. Once a voting

 

 

 

1 Lord Abbett currently retains Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. as the Proxy Advisor.
2 We presently consider a position in a particular company to be material if: (1) it represents more than 1% of any client’s portfolio holdings and all clients’ positions in the company together represent more than 1% of the company’s outstanding shares; or (2) all clients positions in the company together represent more than 5% of the company’s outstanding shares. For purposes of determining materiality, we exclude shares held by clients with respect to which Lord Abbett does not have authority to vote proxies. We also exclude shares with respect to which Lord Abbett’s vote is restricted or limited due to super-voting share structures (where one class of shares has super-voting
D- 1
    decision has been made, the investment team provides instructions to the Proxy Group, which is responsible for submitting Lord Abbett’s vote.
     
  · In cases where we deem all clients’ positions in a company to be non-material, the Chief Administrative Officer for the Investment Department is responsible for determining how to vote the security. The Chief Administrative Officer may seek guidance from the relevant investment team, the Proxy Policy Committee or any of its members, the Proxy Advisor, or other sources to determine how to vote. Once a voting decision has been made, the Chief Administrative Officer provides instructions to the Proxy Group, which is responsible for submitting Lord Abbett’s vote.
     
  · Lord Abbett has identified certain types of proxy proposals that it considers purely administrative in nature and as to which it always will vote in the same manner. The Proxy Group is authorized to vote on such proposals without receiving instructions from the Investment Department, regardless of the materiality of any client’s position. Lord Abbett presently considers the following specific types of proposals to fall within this category: (1) proposals to change a company’s name, as to which Lord Abbett always votes in favor; (2) proposals regarding formalities of shareholder meetings (namely, changes to a meeting’s date, time, or location), as to which Lord Abbett always votes in favor; and (3) proposals to allow shareholders to transact other business at a meeting, as to which Lord Abbett always votes against.

 

When multiple investment teams manage one or more portfolios that hold the same voting security, the investment team that manages the largest number of shares of the security will be considered to have the dominant position and Lord Abbett will vote all shares on behalf of all clients that hold the security in accordance with the vote determined by the investment team with the dominant position.

 

Conflicts of Interest

 

Lord Abbett is an independent, privately held firm with a singular focus on the management of money. Although Lord Abbett does not face the conflicts of interest inherent in being part of a larger financial institution, conflicts of interest nevertheless may arise in the proxy voting process. Such a conflict may exist, for example, when a client’s account holds shares of a company that also is a client of Lord Abbett. We have adopted safeguards designed to ensure that conflicts of interests are identified and resolved in our clients’ best interests rather than our own. These safeguards include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

  · Lord Abbett has implemented special voting measures with respect to companies for which one of the Funds’ independent directors/trustees also serves on the board of directors or is a nominee for election to the board of directors. If a Fund owns stock in such a company, Lord Abbett will notify the Funds’ Proxy Committees 3 and seek voting instructions from the Committees only in those situations where Lord Abbett proposes not to follow the

 

 

 

  rights that effectively disenfranchise other classes of shares), vote limitation policies, and other similar measures. This definition of materiality is subject to change at our discretion.
3 The Boards of Directors and Trustees of the Funds have delegated oversight of proxy voting to separate Proxy Committees comprised solely of independent directors and/or trustees, as the case may be. Each Proxy Committee is responsible for, among other things: (1) monitoring Lord Abbett’s actions in voting securities owned by the related Fund; (2) evaluating Lord Abbett’s policies in voting securities; and (3) meeting with Lord Abbett to review the policies in voting securities, the sources of information used in determining how to vote on particular matters, and the procedures used to determine the votes in any situation where there may be a conflict of interest.
D- 2
    Proxy Advisor’s recommendations. In these instances, if applicable, the independent director/trustee will abstain from any discussions by the Funds’ Proxy Committees regarding the company.
     
  · Lord Abbett also has implemented special voting measures with respect to companies that have a significant business relationship with Lord Abbett (including any subsidiaries of such companies). For this purpose, a “significant business relationship” means: (1) a broker dealer firm that is responsible for one percent or more of the Funds’ total dollar amount of shares sold for the last 12 months; (2) a firm that is a sponsor firm with respect to Lord Abbett’s separately managed account business; (3) an institutional account client that has an investment management agreement with Lord Abbett; (4) an institutional investor that, to Lord Abbett’s knowledge, holds at least $5 million in shares of the Funds; and (5) a retirement plan client that, to Lord Abbett’s knowledge, has at least $5 million invested in the Funds. If a Fund owns stock in such a company, Lord Abbett will notify the Funds’ Proxy Committees and seek voting instructions from the Committees only in those situations where Lord Abbett proposes not to follow the Proxy Advisor’s recommendations.

 

Proxy Voting Guidelines

 

A general summary of the guidelines that we normally follow in voting proxies appears below. These voting guidelines reflect our general views. We reserve the flexibility to vote in a manner contrary to our general views on particular issues if we believe doing so is in the best interests of our clients, including the Funds and their shareholders. Many different specific types of proposals may arise under the broad categories discussed below, and it is not possible to contemplate every issue on which we may be asked to vote. Accordingly, we will vote on proposals concerning issues not expressly covered by these guidelines based on the specific factors that we believe are relevant.

 

A.   Auditors – Auditors are responsible for examining, correcting, and verifying the accuracy of a company’s financial statements. Lord Abbett believes that companies normally are in the best position to select their auditors and, therefore, we generally support management’s recommendations concerning the ratification of the selection of auditors. However, we may evaluate such proposals on a case-by-case basis due to concerns about impaired independence, accounting irregularities, or failure of the auditors to act in shareholders’ best economic interests, among other factors we may deem relevant.
     
B.   Directors
     
  1. Election of directors – The board of directors of a company oversees all aspects of the company’s business. Companies and, under certain circumstances, their shareholders, may nominate directors for election by shareholders. Lord Abbett believes that the independent directors currently serving on a company’s board of directors (or a nominating committee comprised of such independent directors) generally are in the best position to identify qualified director nominees. Accordingly, we normally vote in accordance with management’s recommendations on the election of directors. In evaluating a director nominee’s candidacy, however, Lord Abbett may consider the following factors, among others: (1) the nominee’s experience, qualifications, attributes, and skills, as disclosed in the company’s proxy statement; (2) the composition of the board and its committees; (3) whether the nominee is independent of company management; (4) the nominee’s board meeting attendance; (5) the nominee’s history of representing shareholder interests on the company’s board or other boards; (6) the nominee’s investment in the company; (7) the
D- 3
    company’s long-term performance relative to a market index; and (8) takeover activity. In evaluating a compensation committee nominee’s candidacy, Lord Abbett may consider additional factors including the nominee’s record on various compensation issues such as tax gross-ups, severance payments, options repricing, and pay for performance, although the nominee’s record as to any single compensation issue alone will not necessarily be determinative. Lord Abbett may withhold votes for some or all of a company’s director nominees on a case-by-case basis.
     
  2. Majority voting – Under a majority voting standard, director nominees must be elected by an affirmative majority of the votes cast at a meeting. Majority voting establishes a higher threshold for director election than plurality voting, in which nominees who receive the most votes are elected, regardless of how small the number of votes received is relative to the total number of shares voted. Lord Abbett generally supports proposals that seek to adopt a majority voting standard.
     
  3. Board classification – A “classified” or “staggered” board is a structure in which only a portion of a company’s board of directors (typically one-third) is elected each year. A company may employ such a structure to promote continuity of leadership and thwart takeover attempts. Lord Abbett generally votes against proposals to classify a board, absent special circumstances indicating that shareholder interests would be better served by such a structure. In evaluating a classified board proposal, Lord Abbett may consider the following factors, among others: (1) the company’s long-term strategic plan; (2) the extent to which continuity of leadership is necessary to advance that plan; and (3) the need to guard against takeover attempts.
     
  4. Independent board and committee members – An independent director is one who serves on a company’s board but is not employed by the company or affiliated with it in any other capacity. While company boards may apply different standards in assessing director independence, including any applicable standards prescribed by stock exchanges and the federal securities laws, a director generally is determined to qualify as independent if the director does not have any material relationship with the company (either directly or indirectly) based on all relevant facts and circumstances. Material relationships can include employment, business, and familial relationships, among others. Lord Abbett believes that independent board and committee membership often helps to mitigate the inherent conflicts of interest that arise when a company’s executive officers also serve on its board and committees. Therefore, we generally support the election of board or committee nominees if such election would cause a majority of a company’s board or committee members to be independent. However, a nominee’s effect on the independent composition of the board or any committee is one of many factors Lord Abbett considers in voting on the nominee and will not necessarily be dispositive.
     
  5. Independent board chairman – Proponents of proposals to require independent board chairmen (formerly often referred to as “separation of chairman and chief executive officer” proposals) seek to enhance board accountability and mitigate a company’s risk-taking behavior by requiring that the role of the chairman of the company’s board of directors be filled by an independent director. We generally vote with management on proposals that call for independent board chairmen. We may vote in favor of such proposals on a case-by-case basis, despite management opposition, if we believe that a company’s governance structure does not promote independent oversight through other means, such as a lead director, a board composed of a majority of independent directors, and/or independent board committees. In evaluating independent chairman proposals, we will focus in
D- 4
    particular on the presence of a lead director, which is an independent director designated by a board with a non-independent chairman to serve as the primary liaison between company management and the independent directors and act as the independent directors’ spokesperson.
     
C.   Compensation and Benefits
     
  1. General – In the wake of recent corporate scandals and market volatility, shareholders increasingly have scrutinized the nature and amount of compensation paid by a company to its executive officers and other employees. Lord Abbett believes that because a company has exclusive knowledge of material information not available to shareholders regarding its business, financial condition, and prospects, the company itself usually is in the best position to make decisions about compensation and benefits. Accordingly, we generally vote with management on such matters. However, we may oppose management on a case-by-case basis if we deem a company’s compensation to be excessive or inconsistent with its peer companies’ compensation, we believe a company’s compensation measures do not foster a long-term focus among its executive officers and other employees, or we believe a company has not met performance expectations, among other reasons. Discussed below are some specific types of compensation-related proposals that we may encounter.
     
  2. Incentive compensation plans – An incentive compensation plan rewards an executive’s performance through a combination of cash compensation and stock awards. Incentive compensation plans are designed to align an executive’s compensation with a company’s long-term performance. As noted above, Lord Abbett believes that management generally is in the best position to assess executive compensation levels and, therefore, generally votes with management on proposals relating to incentive compensation plans. In evaluating such a proposal, however, Lord Abbett may consider the following factors, among others: (1) the executive’s expertise and the value he or she brings to the company; (2) the company’s performance, particularly during the executive’s tenure; (3) the percentage of overall compensation that consists of stock; (4) whether and/or to what extent the incentive compensation plan has any potential to dilute the voting power or economic interests of other shareholders; (5) the features of the plan and costs associated with it; (6) whether the plan provides for repricing or replacement of underwater stock options; and (7) quantitative data from the Proxy Advisor regarding compensation ranges by industry and company size. We also scrutinize very closely the proposed repricing or replacement of underwater stock options, taking into consideration the stock’s volatility, management’s rationale for the repricing or replacement, the new exercise price, and any other factors we deem relevant.
     
  3. Say on pay – “Say on pay” proposals give shareholders a nonbinding vote on executive compensation. These proposals are designed to serve as a means of conveying to company management shareholder concerns, if any, about executive compensation. Lord Abbett believes that management generally is in the best position to assess executive compensation. Thus, we generally vote with management on say on pay proposals unless we believe that compensation has been excessive or direct feedback to management about compensation has not resulted in any changes. We also generally vote with management on proposals regarding the frequency of say on pay votes. However, any particular vote will be based on the specific facts and circumstances we deem relevant.
     
  4. Pay for performance – “Pay for performance” proposals are shareholder proposals that seek to achieve greater alignment between executive compensation and company
D- 5
    performance. Shareholders initiating these proposals tend to focus on board compensation committees’ accountability, the use of independent compensation consultants, enhanced disclosure of compensation packages, and perquisites given to executives. Because Lord Abbett believes that management generally is in the best position to assess executive compensation, we generally follow management’s voting recommendations regarding pay for performance proposals. However, we may evaluate such proposals on a case-by-case basis if we believe a company’s long-term interests and its executives’ financial incentives are not properly aligned or if we question the methodology a company followed in setting executive compensation, among other reasons.
     
  5. Clawback provisions – A clawback provision allows a company to recoup or “claw back” incentive compensation paid to an executive if the company later determines that the executive did not actually meet applicable performance goals. For example, such provisions might be used when a company calculated an executive’s compensation based on materially inaccurate or fraudulent financial statements. Some clawback provisions are triggered only if the misalignment between compensation and performance is attributable to improper conduct on the part of the executive. Shareholder proponents of clawback proposals believe that they encourage executive accountability and mitigate a company’s risk-taking behavior. Because Lord Abbett believes that management generally is in the best position to assess executive compensation, we generally vote with management on clawback proposals. We may, however, evaluate such a proposal on a case-by-case basis due to concerns about the amount of compensation paid to the executive, the executive’s or the company’s performance, or accounting irregularities, among other factors we may deem relevant.
     
  6. Anti-gross-up policies – Tax “gross-ups” are payments by a company to an executive intended to reimburse some or all of the executive’s tax liability with respect to compensation, perquisites, and other benefits. Because the gross-up payment also is taxable, it typically is inflated to cover the amount of the tax liability and the gross-up payment itself. Critics of such payments argue that they often are not transparent to shareholders and can substantially enhance an executive’s overall compensation. Thus, shareholders increasingly are urging companies to establish policies prohibiting tax gross-ups. Lord Abbett generally favors adoption of anti-tax gross-up policies themselves, but will not automatically vote against a compensation committee nominee solely because the nominee approved a gross-up.
     
  7. Severance agreements and executive death benefits – Severance or so-called “golden parachute” payments sometimes are made to departing executives after termination or upon a company’s change in control. Similarly, companies sometimes make executive death benefit or so-called “golden coffin” payments to an executive’s estate. Both practices increasingly are coming under shareholder scrutiny. While we generally vote with management on compensation matters and acknowledge that companies may have contractual obligations to pay severance or executive death benefits, we scrutinize cases in which such benefits are especially lucrative or are granted despite the executive’s or the company’s poor performance, and may vote against management on a case-by-case basis as we deem appropriate. We also generally support proposals to require that companies submit severance agreements and executive death benefits for shareholder ratification.
     
  8. Executive pay limits – Lord Abbett believes that a company’s flexibility with regard to its compensation practices is critical to its ability to recruit, retain, and motivate key talent.
D- 6
    Accordingly, we generally vote with management on shareholder proposals that seek to impose limits on executive compensation.
     
  9. Employee stock purchase plans – Employee stock purchase plans permit employees to purchase company stock at discounted prices and, under certain circumstances, receive favorable tax treatment when they sell the stock. Lord Abbett generally follows management’s voting recommendation concerning employee stock purchase plans, although we generally do not support plans that are dilutive.
     
D.   Corporate Matters
     
  1. Charter amendments – A company’s charter documents, which may consist of articles of incorporation or a declaration of trust and bylaws, govern the company’s organizational matters and affairs. Lord Abbett believes that management normally is in the best position to determine appropriate amendments to a company’s governing documents. Some charter amendment proposals involve routine matters, such as changing a company’s name or procedures relating to the conduct of shareholder meetings. Lord Abbett believes that such routine matters do not materially affect shareholder interests and, therefore, we vote with management with respect to them in all cases. Other types of charter amendments, however, are more substantive in nature and may impact shareholder interests. We consider such proposals on a case-by-case basis to the extent they are not explicitly covered by these guidelines.
     
  2. Changes to capital structure – A company may propose amendments to its charter documents to change the number of authorized shares or create new classes of stock. We generally support proposals to increase a company’s number of authorized shares when the company has articulated a clear and reasonable purpose for the increase (for example, to facilitate a stock split, merger, acquisition, or restructuring). However, we generally oppose share capital increases that would have a dilutive effect. We also generally oppose proposals to create a new class of stock with superior voting rights.
     
  3. Reincorporation – We generally follow management’s recommendation regarding proposals to change a company’s state of incorporation, although we consider the rationale for the reincorporation and the financial, legal, and corporate governance implications of the reincorporation. We will vote against reincorporation proposals that we believe contravene shareholders’ interests.
     
  4. Mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings – A merger or acquisition involves combining two distinct companies into a single corporate entity. A restructuring involves a significant change in a company’s legal, operational, or structural features. After these kinds of transactions are completed, shareholders typically will own stock in a company that differs from the company whose shares they initially purchased. Thus, Lord Abbett views the decision to approve or reject a potential merger, acquisition, or restructuring as being equivalent to an investment decision. In evaluating such a proposal, Lord Abbett may consider the following factors, among others: (1) the anticipated financial and operating benefits; (2) the offer price; (3) the prospects of the resulting company; and (4) any expected changes in corporate governance and their impact on shareholder rights. We generally vote against management proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote to approve mergers or other significant business combinations. We generally vote for shareholder proposals to lower supermajority vote requirements for mergers and acquisitions. We also
D- 7
    generally vote against charter amendments that attempt to eliminate shareholder approval for acquisitions involving the issuance of more than 10% of a company’s voting stock.
     
E.   Anti-Takeover Issues and Shareholder Rights
     
  1. Proxy access – Proxy access proposals advocate permitting shareholders to have their nominees for election to a company’s board of directors included in the company’s proxy statement in opposition to the company’s own nominees. Proxy access initiatives enable shareholders to nominate their own directors without incurring the often substantial cost of preparing and mailing a proxy statement, making it less expensive and easier for shareholders to challenge incumbent directors. Lord Abbett generally votes with management on proposals that seek to allow proxy access.
     
  2. Shareholder rights plans – Shareholder rights plans or “poison pills” are a mechanism of defending a company against takeover efforts. Poison pills allow current shareholders to purchase stock at discounted prices or redeem shares at a premium after a takeover, effectively making the company more expensive and less attractive to potential acquirers. Companies may employ other defensive tactics in combination with poison pills, such as golden parachutes that take effect upon a company’s change in control and therefore increase the cost of a takeover. Because poison pills can serve to entrench management and discourage takeover offers that may be attractive to shareholders, we generally vote in favor of proposals to eliminate poison pills and proposals to require that companies submit poison pills for shareholder ratification. In evaluating a poison pill proposal, however, Lord Abbett may consider the following factors, among others: (1) the duration of the poison pill; (2) whether we believe the poison pill facilitates a legitimate business strategy that is likely to enhance shareholder value; (3) our level of confidence in management; (4) whether we believe the poison pill will be used to force potential acquirers to negotiate with management and assure a degree of stability that will support good long-range corporate goals; and (5) the need to guard against takeover attempts.
     
  3. Chewable pill provisions – A “chewable pill” is a variant of the poison pill that mandates a shareholder vote in certain situations, preventing management from automatically discouraging takeover offers that may be attractive to shareholders. We generally support chewable pill provisions that balance management’s and shareholders’ interests by including: (1) a redemption clause allowing the board to rescind a pill after a potential acquirer’s holdings exceed the applicable ownership threshold; (2) no dead-hand or no-hand pills, which would allow the incumbent board and their approved successors to control the pill even after they have been voted out of office; (3) sunset provisions that allow shareholders to review and reaffirm or redeem a pill after a predetermined time frame; and (4) a qualifying offer clause, which gives shareholders the ability to redeem a poison pill when faced with a bona fide takeover offer.
     
  4. Anti-greenmail provisions – An anti-greenmail provision is a special charter provision that prohibits a company’s management from buying back shares at above market prices from potential acquirers without shareholder approval. We generally support such provisions, provided that they are not bundled with other measures that serve to entrench management or discourage attractive takeover offers.
     
  5. Fair price provisions – A fair price provision is a special charter provision that requires that all selling shareholders receive the same price from a buyer. Fair price provisions are designed to protect shareholders from inequitable two-tier stock acquisition offers in which
D- 8
    some shareholders may be bought out on disadvantageous terms. We generally support such provisions, provided that they are not bundled with other measures that serve to entrench management or discourage attractive takeover offers.
     
  6. Rights to call special shareholder meetings – Proposals regarding rights to call special shareholder meetings normally seek approval of amendments to a company’s charter documents. Lord Abbett generally votes with management on proposals concerning rights to call special shareholder meetings. In evaluating such a proposal, Lord Abbett may consider the following factors, among others: (1) the stock ownership threshold required to call a special meeting; (2) the purposes for which shareholders may call a special meeting; (3) whether the company’s annual meetings offer an adequate forum in which shareholders may raise their concerns; and (4) the anticipated economic impact on the company of having to hold additional shareholder meetings.
     
  7. Supermajority vote requirements – A proposal that is subject to a supermajority vote must receive the support of more than a simple majority in order to pass. Supermajority vote requirements can have the effect of entrenching management by making it more difficult to effect change regarding a company and its corporate governance practices. Lord Abbett normally supports shareholders’ ability to approve or reject proposals based on a simple majority vote. Thus, we generally vote for proposals to remove supermajority vote requirements and against proposals to add them.
     
  8. Cumulative voting – Under cumulative or proportional voting, each shareholder is allotted a number of votes equal to the number of shares owned multiplied by the number of directors to be elected. This voting regime strengthens the voting power of minority shareholders because it enables shareholders to cast multiple votes for a single nominee. Lord Abbett believes that a shareholder or group of shareholders using this technique to elect a director may seek to have the director represent a narrow special interest rather than the interests of the broader shareholder population. Accordingly, we generally vote against cumulative voting proposals.
     
  9. Confidential voting – In a confidential voting system, all proxies, ballots, and voting tabulations that identify individual shareholders are kept confidential. An open voting system, by contrast, gives management the ability to identify shareholders who oppose its proposals. Lord Abbett believes that confidential voting allows shareholders to vote without fear of retribution or coercion based on their views. Thus, we generally support proposals that seek to preserve shareholders’ anonymity.
     
  10. Reimbursing proxy solicitation expenses - Lord Abbett generally votes with management on shareholder proposals to require a company to reimburse reasonable expenses incurred by one or more shareholders in a successful proxy contest, and may consider factors including whether the board has a plurality or majority vote standard for the election of directors, the percentage of directors to be elected in the contest, and shareholders’ ability to cumulate their votes for the directors.
     
  11. Transacting other business – Lord Abbett believes that proposals to allow shareholders to transact other business at a meeting deprive other shareholders of sufficient time and information to carefully evaluate the relevant business issues and determine how to vote with respect to them. Therefore, Lord Abbett always votes against such proposals.
D- 9
F. Social, Political, and Environmental Issues – Proposals relating to social, political, or environmental issues typically are initiated by shareholders and urge a company to disclose certain information or change certain business practices. Lord Abbett evaluates such proposals based on their effect on shareholder value rather than on their ideological merits. We generally follow management’s recommendation on social, political, and environmental proposals and tend to vote against proposals that are unduly burdensome or impose substantial costs on a company with no countervailing economic benefits to the company’s shareholders. Nonetheless, we pay particular attention to highly controversial issues, as well as instances where management has failed repeatedly to take corrective actions with respect to an issue.
   
G. Share Blocking – Certain foreign countries impose share blocking restrictions that would prohibit Lord Abbett from trading a company’s stock during a specified period before the company’s shareholder meeting. Lord Abbett believes that in these situations, the benefit of maintaining liquidity during the share blocking period outweighs the benefit of exercising our right to vote. Therefore, it is Lord Abbett’s general policy to not vote securities in cases where share blocking restrictions apply.

 

Amended: September 13, 2012

 

LAMI-14

2/14

D- 10

LORD ABBETT MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND, INC.

PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 28 . Exhibits.
   
  (a) Articles of Incorporation .
     
    (i) Articles of Restatement . Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on December 2, 1998.
       
    (ii) Articles of Amendment dated February 2, 1999. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 28, 2002.
       
    (iii) Articles Supplementary dated February 2, 1999. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 28, 2002.
       
    (iv) Articles of Amendment effective January 28, 2005. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 28, 2005.
       
    (v) Articles of Supplementary dated April 23, 2007. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 27, 2007.
       
    (vi) Articles Supplementary to Articles of Incorporation dated July 31, 2007. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on September 14, 2007.
       
    (vii) Articles of Amendment dated August 30, 2007. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on September 14, 2007.
       
    (viii) Articles Supplementary to Articles of Incorporation dated January 18, 2008. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 44 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 28, 2008.
       
    (ix) Articles Supplementary to Articles of Incorporation dated July 21, 2010. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on July 26, 2010.
       
    (x) Articles Supplementary to Articles of Incorporation dated November 17, 2010. Incorporated by reference to Post Effective Amendment No. 59 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November 19, 2010.
       
    (xi) Articles Supplementary to Articles of Incorporation dated October 24, 2013. Filed herein.
       
  (b) By-laws . Amended and Restated By-Laws dated January 1, 2013. Filed herein.
     
  (c) Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders . Not applicable.
     
  (d) Investment Advisory Contracts .
     
    (i) Management Agreement . Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 28, 2002.
       
    (ii) Addendum to Management Agreement dated October 1, 2004. Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 38 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 30, 2006.
       
    (iii) Addendum to Management Agreement dated October 26, 2010 (Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund). Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 57 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on October 26, 2010.
       
    (iv) Addendum to Management Agreement dated as of November 19, 2010 (Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund, Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free Fund, and Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund ) . Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 60 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on November 26, 2010.
 
    (v) Addendum to Management Agreement dated as of February 1, 2013 (Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free Fund). Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on January 25, 2013.
       
    (vi) Expense Limitation Agreement effective February 1, 2014 (Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund and Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund). Filed herein.
       
  (e) Underwriting Contracts . Distribution Agreement incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Registration Statement  on Form N-1A filed on January 28, 2002.
     
  (f) Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts . None.
     
  (g) Custodian Agreement . Custodian Agreement dated November 1, 2001 (including updated Exhibit A dated as of December 1, 2013). Filed herein.
     
  (h) Other Material Contracts .
     
    (i) Agency Agreement dated April 30, 2010, including amended Schedule A dated as of December 1, 2013. Filed herein.
       
    (ii) Amendment to the Agency Agreement dated April 30, 2010 (amended March 15, 2011). Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed January 27, 2012.
       
    (iii) Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002 (including amendments #1-21). Filed herein.
       
  (i) Legal Opinion . Opinion of Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP. Filed herein.
     
  (j) Other Opinion . Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP. Filed herein.
     
  (k) Omitted Financial Statements . Not applicable.
     
  (l) Initial Capital Agreements . Not applicable.
     
  (m) Rule 12b-1 Plan . Amended and Restated Joint Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan and Agreement for Lord Abbett Family of Funds dated August 10, 2007 with updated Schedule A dated December 1, 2013 and B dated as of November 28, 2012. Filed herein.
     
  (n) Rule 18f-3 Plan . Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan as of June 6, 2013 pursuant to Rule 18f-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 with updated Schedule A dated as of December 1, 2013. Filed herein.
     
  (o) Reserved .
     
  (p) Code of Ethics dated as of October 2013. Filed herein.
       
Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Registrant .
   
    None.  
       
Item 30. Indemnification .
       
    The Registrant is incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland and is subject to Section 2-418 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of the State of Maryland controlling the indemnification of directors and officers. Since the Registrant has its executive offices in the State of New York, and is qualified as a foreign corporation doing business in such State, the persons covered by the foregoing statute may also be entitled to and subject to the limitations of the indemnification provisions of Section 721-726 of the New York Business Corporation Law.
     
    The general effect of these statutes is to protect officers, directors and employees of the Registrant against legal liability and expenses incurred by reason of their positions with the Registrant. The statutes provide for indemnification for liability for proceedings not brought on behalf of the corporation and for those brought on
 
    behalf of the corporation, and in each case place conditions under which indemnification will be permitted, including requirements that the officer, director or employee acted in good faith. Under certain conditions, payment of expenses in advance of final disposition may be permitted. The By-laws of the Registrant, without limiting the authority of the Registrant to indemnify any of its officers, employees or agents to the extent consistent with applicable law, make the indemnification of its directors mandatory subject only to the conditions and limitations imposed by the above- mentioned Section 2-418 of Maryland law and by the provisions of Section 17(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 as interpreted and required to be implemented by SEC Release No. IC-11330 of September 4, 1980.
     
    In referring in its By-laws to, and making indemnification of directors subject to the conditions and limitations of, both Section 2-418 of the Maryland law and Section 17(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant intends that conditions and limitations on the extent of the indemnification of directors imposed by the provisions of either Section 2-418 or Section 17(h) shall apply and that any inconsistency between the two will be resolved by applying the provisions of said Section 17(h) if the condition or limitation imposed by Section 17(h) is the more stringent. In referring in its By-laws to SEC Release No. IC-11330 as the source for interpretation and implementation of said Section 17(h), the Registrant understands that it would be required under its By-laws to use reasonable and fair means in determining whether indemnification of a director should be made and undertakes to use either (1) a final decision on the merits by a court or other body before whom the proceeding was brought that the person to be indemnified  (“indemnitee”) was not liable to the Registrant or to its security holders by reason of willful malfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office (“disabling conduct”) or (2) in the absence of such a decision, a reasonable determination, based upon a review of the facts, that the indemnitee was not liable by reason of such disabling conduct, by (a) the vote of a majority of a quorum of directors who are neither “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Registrant nor parties to the proceeding, or (b) an independent legal counsel in a written opinion. Also, the Registrant will make advances of attorneys’ fees or other expenses incurred by a director in his defense only if (in addition to his undertaking to repay the advance if he is not ultimately entitled to indemnification) (1) the indemnitee provides a security for his undertaking, (2) the Registrant shall be insured against losses arising by reason of any lawful advances, or (3) a majority of a quorum of the non-interested, non-party directors of the Registrant, or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall determine, based on a review of readily available facts, that there is reason to believe that the indemnitee ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
     
    Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expense incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
     
    In addition, the Registrant maintains a directors’ and officers’ errors and omissions liability insurance policy protecting directors and officers against liability for breach of duty, negligent act, error or omission committed in their capacity as directors or officers. The policy contains certain exclusions, among which is exclusion from coverage for active or deliberate dishonest or fraudulent acts and exclusion for fines or penalties imposed by law or other matters deemed uninsurable.
       
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser .
   
  (a) Adviser – Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
     
    Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC is the investment adviser of the Registrant and provides investment management services to the Lord Abbett Family of Funds and to various pension plans, institutions and individuals.
     
  (b) Set forth below is information relating to the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial
 
    nature that each partner of the adviser, is or has been engaged in within the last two fiscal years for his/her own account in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee of Lord Abbett. The principal business address of each partner is c/o Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC, 90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302-3973.
     
    None.  
       
Item 32. Principal Underwriters .
   
  (a) Lord Abbett Distributor LLC serves as principal underwriter for the Registrant. Lord Abbett Distributor LLC also serves as principal underwriter for the registered opened investment companies sponsored by Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC.
     
  Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.
  Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.
  Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.
  Lord Abbett Equity Trust
  Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.
  Lord Abbett Investment Trust
  Lord Abbett Mid Cap Stock Fund, Inc.
  Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.
  Lord Abbett Securities Trust
  Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.
  Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.
   
  (b) Lord Abbett Distributor LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC. The principal officers of Lord, Abbett Distributor LLC are:
     
Name and Principal
Business Address*
  Positions and/or Offices with
Lord Abbett Distributor LLC
  Positions and Offices
with the Registrant
Daria L. Foster Chief Executive Officer   President and Chief Executive Officer
         
Lawrence H. Kaplan   Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel   Chief Compliance Officer, Vice President, and Secretary
         
Joan A. Binstock   Chief Financial and Operations Officer   Chief Financial Officer and Vice President
 
  * Each Officer has a principal business address of:  90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302.
 
  (c) Not applicable.
       
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records .
   
    Registrant maintains the records required by Rules 31a-1(a) and (b) and 31a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) at its main office.
     
    Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC maintains the records required by Rules 31a-1(f) and 31a-2(e) under the 1940 Act at its main office.
     
    Certain records such as cancelled stock certificates and correspondence may be physically maintained at the main office of Registrant’s Transfer Agent, Custodian, or Shareholder Servicing Agent within the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act.
 
Item 34. Management Services .
   
    None.  
       
Item 35. Undertakings .
   
    None.  
 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Jersey City, and State of New Jersey on the 27 th day of January, 2014.

 

  LORD ABBETT MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND, INC.  
     
    BY:  /s/ Thomas R. Phillips  
      Thomas R. Phillips  
      Vice President and Assistant Secretary  
         
    BY: /s/ Joan A. Binstock  
      Joan A. Binstock  
      Chief Financial Officer and Vice President  

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures   Title   Date
         
/s/ E. Thayer Bigelow*   Chairman and Director     January 27, 2014
E. Thayer Bigelow        
         
/s/ Daria L. Foster*   President, CEO, and Director   January 27, 2014
Daria L. Foster        
         
/s/ Robert B. Calhoun, Jr.*   Director   January 27, 2014
Robert B. Calhoun, Jr.        
         
/s/ Evelyn E. Guernsey*   Director   January 27, 2014
Evelyn E. Guernsey        
         
/s/ Julie A. Hill*   Director   January 27, 2014
Julie A. Hill        
         
/s/ Franklin W. Hobbs*   Director   January 27, 2014
Franklin W. Hobbs        
         
/s/ James M. McTaggart*   Director   January 27, 2014
James M. McTaggart        
         
/s/ James L.L. Tullis*   Director   January 27, 2014
James L.L. Tullis        

 

*BY:  /s/ Thomas R. Phillips  
  Thomas R. Phillips  
  Attorney-in-Fact*  
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

Each person whose signature appears below on this Registration Statement hereby constitutes and appoints Lawrence H. Kaplan, Lawrence B. Stoller, Thomas R. Phillips, and Brooke A. Fapohunda, each of them, with full power to act without the other, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities (until revoked in writing) to sign any and all Registration Statements of each Fund enumerated on Exhibit A hereto for which such person serves as a Director/Trustee (including Registration Statements on Forms N-1A and N-14 and any amendments thereto), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures   Title   Date
         
/s/ E. Thayer Bigelow   Chairman and Director/Trustee     January 1, 2013
E. Thayer Bigelow        
         
/s/ Daria L. Foster   President, CEO, and Director/Trustee   January 1, 2013
Daria L. Foster        
         
/s/ Robert B. Calhoun, Jr.   Director/Trustee   January 1, 2013
Robert B. Calhoun, Jr.        
         
/s/ Evelyn E. Guernsey   Director/Trustee   January 1, 2013
Evelyn E. Guernsey        
         
/s/ Julie A. Hill   Director/Trustee   January 1, 2013
Julie A. Hill        
         
/s/ Franklin W. Hobbs   Director/Trustee   January 1, 2013
Franklin W. Hobbs        
         
/s/ James M. McTaggart   Director/Trustee   January 1, 2013
James M. McTaggart        
         
/s/ James L.L. Tullis   Director/Trustee   January 1, 2013
James L.L. Tullis        
 

EXHIBIT A

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Equity Trust

 

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

Lord Abbett Mid Cap Stock Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Stock Appreciation Fund

 

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.

 

ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY

 

TO

 

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

 

OF

 

LORD ABBETT MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND, INC.

 

LORD ABBETT MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND, INC. (hereinafter called the “Corporation”), a Maryland corporation having its principal office c/o The Prentice-Hall Corporation System, 7 St. Paul Street, Suite 1660, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland, that:

 

FIRST : The Corporation filed its original Articles of Incorporation with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland on December 27, 1983. The Corporation filed Restated Articles of Incorporation with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland on December 1, 1998 (hereinafter, the “Articles”).

 

SECOND : The Corporation presently has authority to issue 4,400,001,000 shares of capital stock, of the par value $.001 each, having an aggregate par value of $4,400,001. The Board of Directors has previously classified and designated the Corporation’s shares as follows:

 

Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund

Class A - 60,000,000 shares

Class C - 20,000,000 shares

Class F - 30,000,000 shares

Class I - 30,000,000 shares

 

Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

Class A - 60,000,000 shares

Class C - 20,000,000 shares

Class F - 30,000,000 shares

Class I - 100,000,000 shares

Class P- 30,000,000 shares

 

Lord Abbett Connecticut Tax-Free Income Fund

Class A - 40,000,000 shares

Class F - 30,000,000 shares

Class P - 30,000,000 shares

 

Lord Abbett Hawaii Tax-Free Income Fund

Class A - 40,000,000 shares

Class F - 30,000,000 shares

Class P - 30,000,000 shares

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Class A- 400,000,000 shares

Class B - 15,000,000 shares

Class C - 200,000,000 shares

Class F- 200,000,000 shares

Class I- 100,000,000 shares

Class P - 10,000,000 shares

 

Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free Fund

Class A - 400,000,000 shares

Class B - 20,000,000 shares

Class C - 200,000,000 shares

Class F- 200,000,000 shares

Class 1- 100,000,000 shares

Class P - 10,000,000 shares

 

Lord Abbett Missouri Tax-Free Income Fund

Class A- 60,000,000 shares

Class F - 30,000,000 shares

Class P - 30,000,000 shares

 

Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

Class A - 300,000,000 shares

Class B - 20,000,000 shares

Class C - 50,000,000 shares

Class F - 50,000,000 shares

Class I - 15,000,000 shares

Class P - 30,000,000 shares

 

Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

Class A - 80,000,000 shares

Class F - 30,000,000 shares

Class I - 100,000,000 shares

Class P- 30,000,000 shares

2

Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

Class A - 60,000,000 shares

Class C- 20,000,000 shares

Class F - 30,000,000 shares

Class I - 100,000,000 shares

Class P - 30,000,000 shares

 

Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund

Class A - 400,000,000 shares

Class B - 1,000 shares

Class C - 200,000,000 shares

Class F- 200,000,000 shares

Class I - 100,000,000 shares

 

THIRD : Pursuant to the authority of the Board of Directors to classify and reclassify unissued shares of stock of the Corporation, to classify a series into one or more classes of such series, and to decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock of any class, the Board of Directors hereby: (i) reclassifies 30 million Class A shares of the Connecticut Tax-Free Income Fund, 30 million Class A shares of the Hawaii Tax-Free Income Fund, and 25 million Class A shares of the Missouri Tax-Free Income Fund as Class I shares of the National Tax-Free Income Fund; (ii) decreases the number of shares authorized for issuance by retiring all of the remaining Class A, Class F, and Class P shares of the Connecticut Tax-Free Income Fund, the Hawaii Tax-Free Income Fund, and the Missouri Tax-Free Income Fund; and, concurrently therewith, (iii) removes from the Articles the following series, which will have no capital stock allocated to them immediately upon the decrease of authorized shares described in (ii): the Connecticut Tax-Free Income Fund, the Hawaii Tax-Free Income Fund, and the Missouri Tax-Free Income Fund. Accordingly, the number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is hereby decreased to 4,165,001,000, of the par value $.001 each, having an aggregate par value of $4,165,001. Following such reclassification, decrease, and removal the shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be classified as follows:

3

Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund

Class A - 60,000,000 shares

Class C - 20,000,000 shares

Class F - 30,000,000 shares

Class I - 30,000,000 shares

 

Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

Class A - 60,000,000 shares

Class C - 20,000,000 shares

Class F - 30,000,000 shares

Class I - 100,000,000 shares

Class P- 30,000,000 shares

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Class A- 400,000,000 shares

Class B - 15,000,000 shares

Class C - 200,000,000 shares

Class F- 200,000,000 shares

Class I- 100,000,000 shares

Class P - 10,000,000 shares

 

Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free Fund

Class A - 400,000,000 shares

Class B - 20,000,000 shares

Class C - 200,000,000 shares

Class F- 200,000,000 shares

Class 1- 100,000,000 shares

Class P - 10,000,000 shares

 

Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

Class A - 300,000,000 shares

Class B - 20,000,000 shares

Class C - 50,000,000 shares

Class F - 50,000,000 shares

Class I - 100,000,000 shares

Class P - 30,000,000 shares

 

Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

Class A - 80,000,000 shares

Class F - 30,000,000 shares

Class I - 100,000,000 shares

Class P- 30,000,000 shares

4

Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

Class A - 60,000,000 shares

Class C- 20,000,000 shares

Class F - 30,000,000 shares

Class I - 100,000,000 shares

Class P - 30,000,000 shares

 

Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund

Class A - 400,000,000 shares

Class B - 1,000 shares

Class C - 200,000,000 shares

Class F- 200,000,000 shares

Class I - 100,000,000 shares

 

FOURTH : Subject to the power of the Board of Directors to classify and reclassify unissued shares, all shares of the Corporation hereby classified or reclassified as specified in Article Third above shall have the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption set forth in Article V of the Articles and shall be subject to all other provisions of the Articles relating to stock of the Corporation generally.

 

FIFTH : The Corporation is registered as an open-end company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The total number of shares of capital stock that the Corporation has authority to issue has been decreased by the Board of Directors in accordance with § 2-105(c) of the Maryland General Corporation Law. The shares of stock of the Corporation hereby classified or reclassified as specified in Article Third above have been duly classified by the Board of Directors under the authority contained in the Articles.

 

SIXTH : Pursuant to § 2-208.1(d)(2) of the Maryland General Corporation Law, the articles supplementary to the Articles set forth herein shall become effective on October 25, 2013.

5

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these presents to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Vice President and Secretary and witnessed by its Vice President and Assistant Secretary on October 24, 2013.

 

  LORD ABBETT MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND, INC.
       
  By:  /s/ Lawrence H. Kaplan  
    Lawrence H. Kaplan  
    Vice President and Secretary  

 

WITNESS:

 

/s/ Thomas R. Phillips  
Thomas R. Phillips  
Vice President and Assistant Secretary  
6

THE UNDERSIGNED, Vice President and Secretary of LORD ABBETT MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND, INC., who executed on behalf of said Corporation the foregoing Articles Supplementary, of which this Certificate is made a part, hereby acknowledges, in the name and on behalf of said Corporation, the foregoing Articles Supplementary to be the corporate act of said Corporation and further certifies that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, the matters and facts set forth therein with respect to the authorization and approval thereof are true in all material respects under the penalties of perjury.

 

  /s/ Lawrence H. Kaplan  
  Lawrence H. Kaplan  
  Vice President and Secretary  
7

BY-LAWS

 

OF

 

LORD ABBETT MUNICIPAL INCOME FUND, INC.

 

(a Maryland Corporation)

 

adopted December 23, 1983

 

as amended and restated January 1, 2013

 

Table of Contents

 

  Page
   
ARTICLE I – Offices 1
   
Section 1 – Principal Office 1
Section 2 – Other Offices 1
   
ARTICLE II – Stockholders Meetings 1
   
Section 1 – Annual Meetings 1
Section 2 – Special Meetings 3
Section 3 – Notice of Meetings 4
Section 4 – Quorum 4
Section 5 – Voting 5
   
ARTICLE III – Board of Directors 6
   
Section 1 – General Powers 6
Section 2 – Number, Class, Quorum, Election, Term of Office and Qualifications 7
Section 3 – Vacancies 8
Section 4 – Regular Meetings 8
Section 5 – Special Meetings 8
Section 6 – Telephone Conference Meetings 9
Section 7 – Fees and Expenses 9
Section 8 – Transactions with Directors 9
Section 9 – Committees 10
Section 10 – Written Consents 11
Section 11 – Waiver of Notice 11
   
ARTICLE IV – Chairman of the Board; Officers 12
   
Section 1 – Number and Designation 12
Section 2 – Term of Office 12
Section 3 – Duties 13
   
ARTICLE V – Certificate of Stock 13
   
Section 1 – Form and Issuance 13
Section 2 – Transfer of Stock 13
Section 3 – Lost, Stolen, Destroyed and Mutilated Certificates 14
Section 4 – Record Date 14
 
ARTICLE VI – Corporate Books 16
   
ARTICLE VII – Signatures 16
   
ARTICLE VIII – Fiscal Year 17
   
ARTICLE IX – Corporate Seal 17
   
ARTICLE X – Indemnification 17
   
ARTICLE XI – Amendments 18
   
ARTICLE XII – Compliance with Investment Company Act of 1940 19
 

ARTICLE I

 

OFFICES

 

Section 1. Principal Office . The principal office of the Corporation in Maryland shall be in the City of Baltimore, and the name of the resident agent in charge thereof is CSC-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company.

 

Section 2. Other Offices . The Corporation may also have an office in such other places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

 

ARTICLE II

 

STOCKHOLDERS MEETINGS

 

Section 1. Annual Meetings . The Corporation shall not hold an annual meeting of its stockholders in any fiscal year of the Corporation unless required in accordance with the following sentence. The Chairman of the Board or the President shall call an annual meeting of the stockholders when the election of directors is required to be acted on by stockholders under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Chairman of the Board, the President, a Vice President, the Secretary or any director shall call an annual meeting of stockholders at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors or of stockholders holding at least one-quarter of the stock of the Corporation outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting. Any annual meeting of the stockholders held pursuant to the foregoing sentence shall be held at such time and at such place, within the City of New York or elsewhere, as may be fixed by the

1

Chairman of the Board or the President or the Board of Directors or by the stockholders holding at least one-quarter of the stock of the Corporation outstanding and entitled to vote, as the case may be, and as may be stated in the notice setting forth such call, provided that any stockholders requesting such meeting shall have paid to the Corporation the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing the notice thereof, which the Secretary shall determine and specify to such stockholders. Any meeting of stockholders held in accordance with this Section 1 shall for all purposes constitute the annual meeting of stockholders for the fiscal year of the Corporation in which the meeting is held and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall be held for the purposes of ( a ) acting on any such matter or matters so required to be acted on by stockholders under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and ( b ) electing directors to hold the offices of any directors who have held office for more than one year or who have been elected by the Board of Directors to fill vacancies which result from any cause and for transacting such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting. Only such business, in addition to that prescribed by law, by the Articles of Incorporation and by these By-laws, may be brought before such meeting as may be specified by resolution of the Board of Directors or by writing filed with the Secretary of the Corporation and signed by the Chairman of the Board or by the President or by a majority of the directors or by stockholders holding at least one-quarter of the stock of the Corporation outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting.

2

Section 2. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be held upon call of the Chairman of the Board or the President or by a majority of the Board of Directors, and shall be called by the Chairman of the Board, the President, a Vice President, the Secretary or any director at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors or of stockholders holding at least one-quarter of the stock of the Corporation outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting, at such time and at such place where an annual meeting of stockholders could be held, as may be fixed by the Chairman of the Board or the President or the Board of Directors or by the stockholders holding at least one-quarter of the stock of the Corporation outstanding and so entitled to vote, as the case may be, and as may be stated in the notice setting forth such call, provided that any stockholders requesting such meeting shall have paid to the Corporation the reasonably estimated cost of preparing and mailing the notice thereof, which the Secretary shall determine and specify to such stockholders. Such request shall state the purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting, and only such purpose or purposes so specified may properly be brought before such meeting. No special meeting need be called upon the request of the holders of less than a majority of the stock of the Corporation outstanding and so entitled to vote to consider any matter which is substantially the same as a matter voted upon at any special meeting of the stockholders held during the preceding 12 months.

3

Section 3. Notice of Meetings . Written or printed notice of every annual or special meeting of stockholders, stating the time and place thereof and the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted at any such meeting, shall be delivered personally or mailed not less than 10 or more than 90 days previous thereto to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting or entitled to notice of the meeting at his address as the same appears on the books of the Corporation. Meetings may be held without notice if all of the stockholders entitled to vote are present or represented at the meeting or if notice is waived in writing, either before or after the meeting, by those not present or represented at the meeting. No notice of an adjourned meeting of the stockholders other than an announcement of the time and place thereof at the preceding meeting shall be required.

 

Section 4. Quorum . The presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a third of the Shares of all Classes issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business at all meetings of the shareholders except as otherwise provided by law or in the Articles of Incorporation and except that where the holders of the Shares of any Class are entitled to a separate vote as a Class (a “Separate Class”) or where the holders of Shares of two or more (but not all) Classes are required to vote as a single Class (a “Combined Class”), the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the Shares of that Separate Class or Combined Class, as the case may be, issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat shall constitute a quorum for such vote. If, however, a quorum with respect to all

4

Classes, a Separate Class or a Combined Class, as the case may be, issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat shall constitute a quorum for such vote. If, however, a quorum with respect to all Classes, a Separate Class or a Combined Class, as the case may be, shall not be present or represented at any meeting of the shareholders, the holder of a majority of the Shares of all Classes, such Separate Class of such Combined Class, as the case may be, present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time as to all Classes, such Separate Class or such Combined Class, as the case may be, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until the requisite number of Shares entitled to vote at such meeting shall be present. At such adjourned meeting at which the requisite number of Shares entitled to vote thereat shall be represented any business may be transacted at the meeting as originally notified. The absence from any meeting of stockholders of the number of Shares in excess of a majority of the Shares of all Classes or of the affected Class or Classes, as the case may be, which may be required by laws of the State of Maryland, the Investment Company Act of 1940 or any other applicable law or the Articles of Incorporation, for action upon any given matter shall not prevent action of such meeting upon any other matter or matters which may properly come before the meeting, if there shall be present thereat, in person or by proxy, holders of the number of Shares required for action in respect of such matter or matters.

 

Section 5. Voting . All elections shall be had and all questions decided by a majority of the votes cast, without regard to Class, at a duly constituted meeting, except

5

as otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Incorporation or by these By-laws and except that with respect to a question as to which the holders of Shares of any Class or Classes are entitled or required to vote as a Separate Class or a Combined Class, as the case may be, such question shall be decided as to such Separate Class or such Combined Class, as the case may be, by a majority of the votes cast by Shares of such Separate Class or such Combined Class, as the case may be.

 

With respect to all Shares having voting rights (a) a stockholder may vote the shares owned of record by him either in person or by proxy executed in writing by the stockholder of by his duly authorized attorney-in-fact, provided that no proxy shall be valid after eleven months from its date unless otherwise provided in the proxy and (b) in all elections for directors every stockholder shall have the right to vote, in person or by proxy, the Shares owned of record by him, for as many persons as there are directors to be elected and for whose elections he has a right to vote. Any stockholder may give authorization by telephone, facsimile, or the Internet for another person to execute his or her proxy. Unless otherwise specifically limited by their terms, proxies shall entitle the holder thereof to vote at any adjournment of a meeting.

 

ARTICLE III

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 1. General Powers . The property, affairs and business of the Corporation shall be managed by the Board of Directors, provided, however, that the

6

Board of Directors may authorize the Corporation to enter into an agreement or agreements with any person, corporation, association, partnership or other organization, subject to the Board’s supervision and control for the purpose of providing managerial, investment advisory and related services to the Corporation which may include management or supervision of the investment portfolio of the Corporation.

 

Section 2. Number, Class, Quorum, Election, Term of Office and Qualifications . The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall consist of not less than three or more than fifteen persons, none of whom need be stockholders of the Corporation. The number of directors (within the above limits) shall be determined by the Board of Directors from time to time, as it sees fit, by vote of a majority of the whole Board. The directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders and, whether or not elected for a specific term, shall hold office, unless sooner removed, until their respective successors are elected and qualify. One-third of the whole Board, but in no event less than two, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but if at any meeting of the Board there shall be less than a quorum present, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum shall have been obtained, when any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally convened. No notice of an adjourned meeting of the directors other than an announcement of the time and place thereof at the preceding meeting shall be required. The acts of the majority of the directors present at any meeting at which

7

there is a quorum shall be the acts of the Board, except as otherwise provided by law, by the Articles of Incorporation or by these By-laws.

 

Section 3. Vacancies . The Board of Directors, by vote of a majority of the whole Board, may elect directors to fill vacancies in the Board resulting from an increase in the number of directors or from any other cause. Directors so chosen shall hold office until their respective successors are elected and qualify, unless sooner displaced pursuant to law or by these By-laws. The stockholders, at any meeting called for the purpose, may, with or without cause, remove any director by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast, and at any meeting called for the purpose may fill the vacancy in the Board thus caused.

 

Section 4. Regular Meetings . Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such time and place, within or without the State of Maryland, as may from time to time be fixed by Resolution of the Board or as may be specified in the notice of any meeting. No notice of regular meetings of the Board shall be required except as required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

Section 5. Special Meetings . Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called from time to time by the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President or any two directors. Each special meeting of the Board shall be held at such place, either within or outside the State of Maryland, as shall be designated in the notice of such meeting. Notice of each such meeting shall be mailed to each director, at his residence or usual place of business, at least two days before the day of the meeting,

8

or shall be directed to him at such place by telegraph or cable, or be delivered to him personally not later than the day before the day of the meeting. Every such notice shall state the time and place of the meeting but need not state the purposes thereof, except as otherwise expressly provided in these By-laws or by statute.

 

Section 6. Telephone Conference Meetings . Any meeting of the Board or any committee thereof may be held by conference telephone, regardless where each director may be located at the time, by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in such meeting in such manner shall constitute presence in person at such meeting except where the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, specifically requires that the vote of such director be cast in person.

 

Section 7. Fees and Expenses . The directors shall receive such fees and expenses for services to the Corporation as may be fixed by the Board of Directors, subject however, to such limitations as may be provided in the Articles of Incorporation. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity as Chairman of the Board, an officer, agent or otherwise and receiving compensation therefor.

 

Section 8. Transactions with Directors . Except as otherwise provided by law or in the Articles of Incorporation, a director of the Corporation shall not in the absence of fraud be disqualified from office by dealing or contracting with the Corporation either as a vendor, purchaser or otherwise, nor in the absence of fraud shall any transaction or contract of the Corporation be void or voidable or affected by reason

9

of the fact that any director, or any firm of which any director is a member, or any corporation of which any director is an officer, director or stockholder, is in any way interested in such transaction or contract, provided that at the meeting of the Board of Directors, at which said contract or transaction is authorized or confirmed, the existence of an interest of such director, firm or corporation is disclosed or made known and there shall be present a quorum of the Board of Directors a majority of which, consisting of directors not so interested, shall approve such contract or transaction. Nor shall any director be liable to account to the Corporation for any profit realized by him from or through any such transaction or contract of the Corporation ratified or approved as aforesaid, by reason of the fact that he or any firm of which he is a member, or any corporation of which he is an officer, director, or stockholder, was interested in such transaction or contract. Directors so interested may be counted when present at meetings of the Board of Directors for the purpose of determining the existence of a quorum. Any contract, transaction or act of the Corporation or of the Board of Directors (whether or not approved or ratified as hereinabove provided) which shall be ratified by a majority of the votes cast at any annual or special meeting at which a quorum is present called for such purpose, or approved in writing by a majority in interest of the stockholders having voting power without a meeting, shall except as otherwise provided by law, be valid and as binding as though ratified by every stockholder of the Corporation.

 

Section 9. Committees . The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees, each such

10

committee to consist of one or more directors of the Corporation, which, to the extent permitted by law and provided in said resolution, shall have and may exercise the powers of the Board over the business and affairs of the Corporation, and may have power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it. Such committee or committees shall have such name or names as may be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by the Board of Directors. A majority of the Members of any such committee may determine its action and fix the time and place of its meetings, unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide. The Board of Directors shall have power at any time to change the Membership of, to fill vacancies in, or to dissolve any such committee.

 

Section 10. Written Consents . Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or by any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if a written consent thereto is signed by all members of the Board or of such committee, as the case may be, and such written consent is filed with the minutes or proceedings of the Board or committee.

 

Section 11. Waiver of Notice . Whenever under the provisions of these By-laws, or of the Articles of Incorporation, or of any of the laws of the State of Maryland, or other applicable statute, the Board of Directors is authorized to hold any meeting or take any action after notice or after the lapse of any prescribed period of time, a waiver thereof, in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice or lapse of time, whether before or after the time of meeting or action stated herein, shall be

11

deemed equivalent thereto. The presence at any meeting of a person or persons entitled to notice thereof shall be deemed a waiver of such notice as to such person or persons.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD; OFFICERS

 

Section 1. Number and Designation . The Board of Directors shall each year appoint from among their members a Chairman. The position of Chairman of the Board shall not be that of an officer of the Trust. The Board of Directors also shall each year appoint from among their members a President of the Corporation, and shall appoint one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer and, from time to time, any other officers and agents as it may deem proper. Any two such offices, except those of the President and a Vice President, may be held by the same person, but no officer shall execute, acknowledge or verify any instrument in more than one capacity if such instrument be required by law or by these By-laws to be executed, acknowledged or verified by any two or more officers.

 

Section 2. Term of Office . The term of office of the Chairman of the Board and all officers shall be one year or until their respective successors are chosen; but any Chairman, officer or agent chosen or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed, with or without cause, at any time, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Board then in office.

12

Section 3. Duties . Subject to such limitations as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe, the Chairman of the Board and officers of the Corporation shall each have such powers and duties as generally appertain to their respective positions as well as such powers and duties as from time to time may be conferred by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE V

 

CERTIFICATE OF STOCK

 

Section 1. Form and Issuance . Each stockholder of the Corporation shall be entitled upon request, to a certificate or certificates, in such form as the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe, which shall represent and certify the number of shares of stock of the Corporation owned by such stockholder. The certificates for shares of stock of the Corporation shall bear the signature, either manual or facsimile, of the Chairman of the Board or the President or a Vice President and the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, and shall be sealed with the seal of the Corporation or bear a facsimile of such seal. The validity of any stock certificate shall not be affected if any officer whose signature appears thereon ceases to be an officer of the Corporation before such certificate is issued.

 

Section 2. Transfer of Stock . The shares of stock of the Corporation shall be transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holder thereof in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender for cancellation of a certificate or certificates

13

for a like number of shares, with a duly executed assignment and power of transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto, or, if no certificate has been issued to the holder in respect of shares of stock of the Corporation, upon receipt of written instructions, signed by such holder, to transfer such shares from the account maintained in the name of such holder by the Corporation or its agent. Such proof of the authenticity of the signatures as the Corporation or its agent may reasonably require shall be provided.

 

Section 3. Lost, Stolen, Destroyed and Mutilated Certificates . The holder of any stock of the Corporation shall immediately notify the Corporation of any loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any certificate therefor, and the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, cause to be issued to him a new certificate or certificates of stock, upon the surrender of the mutilated certificate or in the case of loss, theft or destruction of the certificate upon satisfactory proof of such loss, theft, or destruction; and the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal representatives, to give to the Corporation and to such registrar or transfer agent as may be authorized or required to countersign such new certificate or certificates a bond, in such sum as they may direct, and with such surety or sureties, as they may direct, as indemnity against any claim that may be made against them or any of them on account of or in connection with the alleged loss, theft, or destruction of any such certificate.

 

Section 4. Record Date . The Board of Directors may fix in advance, a date as the record date for the purpose of determining stockholders, of any Class, entitled

14

to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of stockholders, of any Class, or stockholders of any Class entitled to receive payment of any dividend or the allotment of any rights to that Class, or in order to make a determination of stockholders of any Class for any other proper purpose. Such date, in any case, shall be not more than 90 days, and in case of a meeting of stockholders, not less than 10 days, prior to the date on which the particular action requiring such determination of stockholders is to be taken. In lieu of fixing a record date, the Board of Directors may provide that the stock transfer books shall be closed for a stated period but not to exceed, in any case, 20 days prior to the date of any meeting of stockholders or the date for payment of any dividend or the allotment of rights. If the stock transfer books are closed for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders, such books shall be closed for at least 10 days immediately preceding such meeting. If no record date is fixed and the stock transfer books are not closed for determination of stockholders, the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day on which notice of the meeting is mailed or the day 30 days before the meeting, whichever is the closer date to the meeting, and the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive payment of a dividend or an allotment of any rights shall be at the close of business on the day on which the resolution of the Board of Directors declaring the dividend or allotment of rights is adopted, provided that the payment or allotment date shall not be more than 90 days after the date of the adoption of such resolution.

15

ARTICLE VI

 

CORPORATE BOOKS

 

The books of the Corporation may be kept outside the State of Maryland at such place or places as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. The original or duplicate stock ledger shall be maintained at the office of the Corporation’s transfer agent.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

SIGNATURES

 

Except as otherwise provided in these By-laws or as the Board of Directors may generally or in particular cases authorize the execution thereof in some other manner, all deeds, leases, transfers, contracts, bonds, notes, checks, drafts and other obligations made, accepted or endorsed by the Corporation and all endorsements, assignments, transfers, stock powers or other instruments of transfer of securities owned by or standing in the name of the Corporation shall be signed or executed by two persons, who shall be the Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President and a Vice President, the Secretary or the Treasurer.

16

ARTICLE VIII

 

FISCAL YEAR

 

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be established by resolution of the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

CORPORATE SEAL

 

The corporate seal of the Corporation shall consist of a flat faced circular die with the word “Maryland” together with the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization, and such other appropriate legend as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine, cut or engrave thereon. In lieu of the corporate seal, when so authorized by the Board of Directors or a duly empowered committee thereof, a facsimile thereof may be impressed or affixed or reproduced.

 

ARTICLE X

 

INDEMNIFICATION

 

As part of the consideration for agreeing to serve and serving as a director of the Corporation, each director of the Corporation shall be indemnified by the Corporation against every judgment, penalty, fine, settlement, and reasonable expense (including attorneys’ fees) actually incurred by the director in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,

17

administrative or investigative, in which the director was, is, or is threatened to be made a named defendant or respondent (or otherwise becomes a party) by reason of such director’s service in that capacity or status as such, and the amount of every such judgment, penalty, fine, settlement and reasonable expense so incurred by the director shall be paid by the Corporation or, if paid by the director, reimbursed to the director by the Corporation, subject only to the conditions and limitations imposed by the applicable provisions of Section 2-418 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of the State of Maryland and by the provisions of Section 17(h) of the United States Investment Company Act of 1940 as interpreted and as required to be implemented by Securities and Exchange Commission Release No. IC-11330 of September 4, 1980. The foregoing shall not limit the authority of the Corporation to indemnify any of its Chairman of the Board, officers, employees or agents to the extent consistent with applicable law.

 

ARTICLE XI

 

AMENDMENTS

 

All By-laws of the Corporation shall be subject to alteration, amendment, or repeal, and new By-laws not inconsistent with any provision of the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation may be made, either by the affirmative vote of the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in respect thereof, given at an annual meeting or at any special meeting, provided notice

18

of the proposed alteration, amendment, or repeal of the proposed new By-laws is included in or accompanies the notice of such meeting, or by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole Board of Directors given at a regular special meeting of the Board of Directors, provided that the notice of any such special meeting indicates that the By-laws are to be altered, amended, repealed, or that new By-laws are to be adopted.

 

ARTICLE XII

 

COMPLIANCE WITH INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

 

Investment Company Act of 1940 . No provision of the By-Laws of the Corporation shall be given effect to the extent inconsistent with the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

19

Expense Limitation Agreement

 

This Expense Limitation Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into this 1st day of February, 2014 between Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”) and Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (the “Company”) with respect to Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund (“Short Duration Tax Free Fund”) and Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund (“AMT Free Fund”).

 

In consideration of good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, it is agreed as follows:

 

1. With respect to Short Duration Tax Free Fund, Lord Abbett agrees for the time period set forth in paragraph 3 below to waive all or a portion of its management fee, waive all or a portion of its administrative services fee, and reimburse the Fund’s other expenses to the extent necessary so that total net annual operating expenses for each class, excluding 12b-1 fees and interest related expenses, if any, do not exceed an annual rate of 0.45%.

 

2. With respect to AMT Free Fund, Lord Abbett agrees for the time period set forth in paragraph 3 below to waive all or a portion of its management fee, waive all or a portion of its administrative services fee, and reimburse the Fund’s other expenses to the extent necessary so that total net annual operating expenses for each class, excluding 12b-1 fees and interest related expenses, if any, do not exceed an annual rate of 0.40%.

 

3. This Agreement will be effective from February 1, 2014 through January 31, 2015. This Agreement may be terminated only by the Board of Directors of the Company upon written notice to Lord Abbett.

 

[ Signatures follow on next page]

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Lord Abbett and the Company have caused this Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized member and officer, respectively, to become effective as of the day and year first above written.

 

  Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
       
  By: /s/ Thomas R. Phillips  
    Thomas R. Phillips  
    Vice President and Assistant Secretary
       
  Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC
       
  By: /s/ Lawrence H. Kaplan  
    Lawrence H. Kaplan  
    Member and General Counsel
- 2 -

 

Custodian and Investment Accounting Agreement

 

This Agreement between Each Legal Entity Listed on Exhibit A Hereto, each a business trust or corporation organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction indicated on Exhibit A (each a “ Fund ”), and State Street Bank and Trust Company , a Massachusetts trust company (“ State Street ”),

 

W itnesseth:

 

Whereas , each Fund is authorized to issue shares in separate series, with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets; and

 

Whereas , each Fund intends that this Agreement be applicable to each of its series existing on the date hereof (such series together with all other series subsequently established by the Fund and made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 17, be referred to herein as the “ Portfolio(s) ”);

 

Now Therefore , in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

Section    1. Appointment of State Street as Custodian and Recordkeeper. Each Fund hereby appoints State Street as the custodian of the assets of the Portfolios of the Fund, including securities which the Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, desires to be held in places within the United States (“ domestic securities ”) and securities it desires to be held outside the United States (“ foreign securities ”). The Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio(s), agrees to deliver to State Street all securities and cash of the Portfolios, and all payments of income, payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to all securities owned by the Portfolio(s) from time to time, and the cash consideration received by it for such new or treasury shares of beneficial interest of the Fund representing interests in the Portfolios (“ Shares ”) as may be issued or sold from time to time. State Street shall not be responsible for any property of a Portfolio held or received by the Portfolio and not delivered to State Street.

 

Upon receipt of “ Proper Instructions ” (as such term is defined in Section 6 hereof), State Street shall on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) from time to time appoint one or more sub-custodians located in the United States, but only in accordance with an applicable vote by the Board of Trustees or Directors of the Fund (the “ Board ”) on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s). State Street may appoint as sub-custodian for the Fund’s foreign securities on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s) the foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories designated in Schedules A and B hereto, but only in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 3 and 4 of this Agreement. State Street shall use all reasonable efforts to include in each agreement whereby State Street appoints any such sub-custodian a provision to the effect that the sub-custodian will be liable to State Street for losses and liabilities caused by the negligence, misfeasance, or willful misconduct of the sub-custodian. State Street shall have no more or less responsibility or liability to the Fund on account of any actions or omissions of any sub-custodian so appointed than any such sub-custodian has to State Street.

 

The Fund hereby constitutes and appoints State Street to perform certain accounting and recordkeeping functions relating to portfolio transactions required of a duly registered investment company under Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and to calculate the net asset value of the Portfolios.

 
Section 2. Duties of State Street with Respect to Property of Each Fund Held By State Street in the United States

 

Section 2.1 Holding Securities . State Street shall hold and physically segregate for the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property, to be held by it in the United States, including all domestic securities owned by such Portfolio other than securities which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.8 in a clearing agency registered with the SEC and which acts as a securities depository or in a book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (each, a “ U.S. Securities System ”).

 

Section 2.2 Delivery of Securities . State Street shall release and deliver domestic securities owned by a Portfolio held by State Street or in a U.S. Securities System account of State Street only upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:

 

  1) Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio and receipt of payment therefor;
     
  2) Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase agreement related to such securities entered into by the Portfolio;
     
  3) In the case of a sale effected through a U.S. Securities System, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8 hereof;
     
  4) To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for securities of the Portfolio;
     
  5) To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided that, in any such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to State Street;
     
  6) To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the Portfolio or into the name of any nominee or nominees of State Street or into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.7 or into the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 1; or for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units; provided that, in any such case, the new securities are to be delivered to State Street;
     
  7) Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio, to the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for examination in accordance with “street delivery” custom; provided that in any such case, State Street shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment for such securities except as may arise from State Street’s own negligence or willful misconduct;
     
  8) For exchange or conversion pursuant to any corporate action, including without limitation, any calls for redemption, tender or exchange offers, declarations, record and payment dates and amounts of any dividends or income, plan of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization, readjustment, split-up of shares, changes of par value, or conversion (“ Corporate Action ”) of the securities of the
A- 2
    issuer of such securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement; provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to State Street;
     
  9) In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities; provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to State Street;
     
  10) For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by the Portfolio, but only against receipt of adequate collateral as agreed upon from time to time by State Street and the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, which may be in the form of cash or obligations issued by the United States government, its agencies or instrumentalities, except that in connection with any loans for which collateral is to be credited to State Street’s account in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, State Street will not be held liable or responsible for the delivery of securities owned by the Portfolio prior to the receipt of such collateral except as may arise from State Street’s own negligence or willful misconduct;
     
  11) For delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, but only against receipt of amounts borrowed;
     
  12) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, State Street and a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “ Exchange Act ”) and a member of The National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“ NASD ”), relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange, or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Portfolio of the Fund;
     
  13) For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, State Street, and a futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“ CFTC ”) and/or any contract market, or any similar organization or organizations, regarding account deposits in connection with transactions by the Portfolio of the Fund;
     
  14) Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent for the Fund (the “ Transfer Agent ”) for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to the holders of Shares in connection with distributions in kind, as may be described from time to time in the currently effective prospectus and statement of additional information of the Fund related to the Portfolio (the “ Prospectus ”), in satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or redemption; and
     
  15) For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio specifying the securities of the Portfolio to be delivered and naming the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.
A- 3

Section 2.3 Registration of Securities . Domestic securities held by State Street (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of a Portfolio or in the name of any nominee of a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio or of any nominee of State Street which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Portfolio, unless the applicable Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in common with other registered investment companies having the same investment advisor as the Portfolio, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.7 or in the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 1. All securities accepted by State Street on behalf of a Portfolio under the terms of this Agreement shall be in “street name” or other good delivery form. If, however, a Fund directs State Street to maintain securities in “street name”, State Street shall utilize all reasonable efforts to timely collect income due the Fund on such securities and to notify the Fund using all reasonable efforts of relevant information regarding securities such as maturities and pendency of calls and Corporate Actions.

 

Section 2.4 Bank Accounts . State Street shall open and maintain a separate bank account or accounts in the United States in the name of each Portfolio of each Fund, subject only to draft or order by State Street acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall hold in such account or accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for the account of the Portfolio, other than cash maintained by the Portfolio in a bank account established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the 1940 Act. Funds held by State Street for a Portfolio may be deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in the banking department of State Street or in such other banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem necessary or desirable; provided , however, that every such bank or trust company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the 1940 Act and that each such bank or trust company and the funds to be deposited with each such bank or trust company shall on behalf of each applicable Portfolio be approved by vote of a majority of the Board. Such funds shall be deposited by State Street in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by State Street only in that capacity.

 

Section 2.5 Collection of Income . Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, State Street shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to registered domestic securities held hereunder to which each Portfolio shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to bearer domestic securities if, on the date of payment by the issuer, such securities are held by State Street or its agent thereof and shall credit such income, as collected, to such Portfolio’s custodian account. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, State Street shall detach and present for payment all coupons and other income items requiring presentation as and when they become due and shall collect interest when due on securities held hereunder. Income due each Portfolio on securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility of the Fund. State Street will have no duty or responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide the Fund with such information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to State Street of the income to which the Portfolio is properly entitled.

 

Section 2.6 Payment of Fund Monies . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, State Street shall pay out monies of a Portfolio in the following cases only:

 

  1) Upon the purchase of domestic securities, options, futures contracts or options on futures contracts for the account of the Portfolio but only (a) against the delivery of such securities or evidence of title to such options, futures contracts or options on futures contracts to State Street (or any bank, banking firm or trust company doing business in the United States or abroad which is qualified under the 1940 Act to act as a custodian and has been designated by State Street as its agent for this purpose)
A- 4

    registered in the name of the Portfolio or in the name of a nominee of State Street referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer; (b) in the case of a purchase effected through a U.S. Securities System, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.8 hereof; (c) in the case of repurchase agreements entered into between the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio and State Street, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which is a member of NASD, (i) against delivery of the securities either in certificate form or through an entry crediting State Street’s account at the Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii) against delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the Portfolio of securities owned by State Street along with written evidence of the agreement by State Street to repurchase such securities from the Portfolio; or (d) for transfer to a time deposit account of the Fund in any bank, whether domestic or foreign; such transfer may be effected prior to receipt of a confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable bank pursuant to Proper Instructions from the Fund as defined herein;
     
  2) In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities owned by the Portfolio as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
     
  3) For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued as set forth in Section 5 hereof;
     
  4) For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Portfolio, including but not limited to the following payments for the account of the Portfolio:  interest, taxes, management, accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and operating expenses of the Fund whether or not such expenses are to be in whole or part capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;
     
  5) For the payment of any dividends on Shares declared pursuant to the governing documents of the Fund;
     
  6) For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of securities sold short; and
     
  7) For any proper corporate other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio specifying the amount of such payment and naming the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.

 

Section 2.7 Appointment of Agents . State Street may at any time or times in its discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or trust company which is itself qualified under the 1940 Act to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry out such of the provisions of this Section 2 as State Street may from time to time direct; provided , however, that State Street shall notify the applicable Fund of the appointment of any agent and that such appointment shall not relieve State Street of its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder.

 

Section 2.8 Deposit of Fund Assets in U.S. Securities Systems . State Street may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in a U.S. Securities System subject to the following provisions:

 

  1) State Street may keep securities of the Portfolio in a U.S. Securities System provided that such securities are represented in an account of State Street in the U.S. Securities System (the “ U.S. Securities System Account ”) which account shall not include any
A- 5
    assets of State Street other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;
     
  2) The records of State Street with respect to securities of the Portfolio which are maintained in a U.S. Securities System shall identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Portfolio;
     
  3) State Street shall pay for securities purchased for the account of the Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the U.S. Securities System that such securities have been transferred to the U.S. Securities System Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of State Street to reflect such payment and transfer for the account of the Portfolio.  State Street shall transfer securities sold for the account of the Portfolio upon (i) receipt of advice from the U.S. Securities System that payment for such securities has been transferred to the U.S. Securities System Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on the records of State Street to reflect such transfer and payment for the account of the Portfolio.  Copies of all advices from the U.S. Securities System of transfers of securities for the account of the Portfolio shall identify the Portfolio, be maintained for the Portfolio by State Street and be provided to the Fund at its request.  Upon request, State Street shall furnish the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio confirmation of each transfer to or from the account of the Portfolio in the form of a written advice or notice and shall furnish to the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day’s transactions in the U.S. Securities System for the account of the Portfolio;
     
  4) State Street shall provide the Fund with any report obtained by State Street on the U.S. Securities System’s accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities deposited in the U.S. Securities System;
     
  5) Anything to the contrary in this Agreement notwithstanding, State Street shall be liable to the Fund for the benefit of the Portfolio for any loss or damage to the Portfolio resulting from use of the U.S. Securities System by reason of any negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of State Street or any of its agents or of any of its or their employees or from failure of State Street or any such agent to enforce effectively such rights as it may have against the U.S. Securities System; at the election of the Fund, it shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of State Street with respect to any claim against the U.S. Securities System or any other person which State Street may have as a consequence of any such loss or damage if and to the extent that the Portfolio has not been made whole for any such loss or damage.

 

Section 2.9 Segregated Account . State Street shall upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of each applicable Portfolio establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of each such Portfolio, into which account or accounts may be transferred cash and/or securities, including securities maintained in an account by State Street pursuant to Section 2.8 hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, State Street and a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a member of the NASD (or any futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act), relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or the CFTC or any registered contract market), or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Portfolio, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash or government securities in connection with options purchased, sold or written by the Portfolio or commodity futures contracts or

A- 6

options thereon purchased or sold by the Portfolio, (iii) for the purposes of compliance by the Portfolio with the procedures required by Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “ SEC ”), or interpretative opinion of the staff of the SEC, relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered investment companies, and (iv) for any other proper corporate purpose upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio.

 

Section 2.10 Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes . State Street shall execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with respect to domestic securities of each Portfolio held by it and in connection with transfers of securities.

 

Section 2.11 Proxies . State Street shall, with respect to the domestic securities held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder of such securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in the name of the Portfolio or a nominee of the Portfolio, all proxies, without indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and shall promptly deliver to the Portfolio such proxies, all proxy soliciting materials and all notices relating to such securities.

 

Section 2.12 Communications Relating to Portfolio Securities . Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, State Street shall transmit promptly to each Fund for each Portfolio all written information received by State Street from issuers of securities being held for the Portfolio with respect to Corporate Actions, notices of exercise of call and put options written by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio and the maturity of futures contracts purchased or sold by the Portfolio. With respect to tender or exchange offers, State Street shall transmit promptly to the Portfolio all written information received by State Street from issuers of the securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer. If the Portfolio desires to take action with respect to any Corporate Action, the Portfolio shall notify State Street at least three business days prior to the date on which State Street is to take such action.

 

Section 3.            Provisions Relating to Rules 17f-5 and 17f-7

 

Section 3.1. Definitions . As used throughout this Agreement, the capitalized terms set forth below shall have the indicated meanings:

 

“Country Risk” means all factors reasonably related to the systemic risk of holding Foreign Assets in a particular country including, but not limited to, such country’s political environment, economic and financial infrastructure (including any Eligible Securities Depository operating in the country), prevailing or developing custody and settlement practices, and laws and regulations applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Foreign Assets held in custody in that country; however, “Country Risk” does not include the custody or settlement practices and procedures of an Eligible Foreign Custodian appointed by the Foreign Custody Manager.

 

“Eligible Foreign Custodian” has the meaning set forth in section (a)(1) of Rule 17f-5, including a majority-owned or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. Bank (as defined in Rule 17f-5), a bank holding company meeting the requirements of an Eligible Foreign Custodian (as set forth in Rule 17f-5 or by other appropriate action of the SEC, or a foreign branch of a Bank (as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act) meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act; the term does not include any Eligible Securities Depository.

 

“Eligible Securities Depository” has the meaning set forth in section (b)(1) of Rule 17f-7.

A- 7

“Foreign Assets” means any of the Portfolios’ investments (including foreign currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States and such cash and cash equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Portfolios’ transactions in such investments.

 

“Foreign Custody Manager” has the meaning set forth in section (a)(3) of Rule 17f-5.

 

“Rule 17f-5” means Rule 17f-5 promulgated under the 1940 Act.

 

“Rule 17f-7” means Rule 17f-7 promulgated under the 1940 Act.

 

Section 3.2. State Street as Foreign Custody Manager .

 

3.2.1 Delegation to State Street as Foreign Custody Manager . Each Fund, by resolution adopted by its Board, hereby delegates to State Street, subject to Section (b) of Rule 17f-5, the responsibilities set forth in this Section 3.2 with respect to Foreign Assets of the Portfolios held outside the United States, and State Street hereby accepts such delegation as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to the Portfolios.

 

3.2.2 Countries Covered . The Foreign Custody Manager shall be responsible for performing the delegated responsibilities defined below only with respect to the countries and custody arrangements for each such country listed on Schedule A to this Agreement, which list of countries may be amended from time to time by a Fund with the agreement of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager shall list on Schedule A the Eligible Foreign Custodians selected by the Foreign Custody Manager to maintain the assets of the Portfolios, which list of Eligible Foreign Custodians may be amended from time to time in the sole discretion of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager will provide amended versions of Schedule A in accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereof.

 

Upon the receipt by the Foreign Custody Manager of Proper Instructions to open an account or to place or maintain Foreign Assets in a country listed on Schedule A, and the fulfillment by the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolios, of the applicable account opening requirements for such country, the Foreign Custody Manager shall be deemed to have been delegated by the Board on behalf of the Portfolios responsibility as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to that country and to have accepted such delegation. Execution of this Agreement by the Fund shall be deemed to be a Proper Instruction to open an account, or to place or maintain Foreign Assets, in each country listed on Schedule A in which State Street has previously placed or currently maintains Foreign Assets pursuant to the terms of the contract governing the custody arrangement. Following the receipt of Proper Instructions directing the Foreign Custody Manager to close the account of a Portfolio with the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in a designated country, the delegation by the Board on behalf of the Portfolios to State Street as Foreign Custody Manager for that country shall be deemed to have been withdrawn and State Street shall immediately cease to be the Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios with respect to that country.

 

The Foreign Custody Manager may withdraw its acceptance of delegated responsibilities with respect to a designated country upon written notice to the Fund. Thirty days (or such longer period to which the parties agree in writing) after receipt of any such notice by the Fund, State Street shall have no further responsibility in its capacity as Foreign Custody Manager to the Fund with respect to the country as to which State Street’s acceptance of delegation is withdrawn.

A- 8

3.2.3 Scope of Delegated Responsibilities :

 

(a) Selection of Eligible Foreign Custodians . Subject to the provisions of this Section 3.2, the Foreign Custody Manager may place and maintain the Foreign Assets in the care of the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in each country listed on Schedule A, as amended from time to time. In performing its delegated responsibilities as Foreign Custody Manager to place or maintain Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian, the Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the Foreign Assets will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation the factors specified in Rule 17f-5(c)(1).

 

(b) Contracts With Eligible Foreign Custodians . The Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the contract governing the foreign custody arrangements with each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager will satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(2).

 

(c) Monitoring . In each case in which the Foreign Custody Manager maintains Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager, the Foreign Custody Manager shall establish a system to monitor (i) the appropriateness of maintaining the Foreign Assets with such Eligible Foreign Custodian and (ii) the contract governing the custody arrangements established by the Foreign Custody Manager with the Eligible Foreign Custodian. In the event the Foreign Custody Manager determines that the custody arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian it has selected are no longer appropriate or no longer meet the requirements of Rule 17f-5, the Foreign Custody Manager shall promptly notify the Board in accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereunder.

 

3.2.4 Guidelines for the Exercise of Delegated Authority . For purposes of this Section 3.2, the Board of the applicable Fund, or the Fund’s investment adviser, shall be deemed to have considered and determined to accept such Country Risk as is incurred by placing and maintaining the Foreign Assets in each country for which State Street is serving as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios.

 

3.2.5 Reporting Requirements . The Foreign Custody Manager shall report the withdrawal of the Foreign Assets from an Eligible Foreign Custodian and the placement of such Foreign Assets with another Eligible Foreign Custodian by providing to the Board an amended Schedule A at the end of the calendar quarter in which an amendment to such Schedule has occurred. The Foreign Custody Manager shall make written reports notifying the Board of any other material change in the foreign custody arrangements of the Portfolios described in this Section 3.2 after the occurrence of the material change.

 

3.2.6 Standard of Care as Foreign Custody Manager of a Portfolio . In performing the responsibilities delegated to it, the Foreign Custody Manager agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of assets of management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act would exercise.

 

3.2.7 Representations with Respect to Rule 17f-5 . The Foreign Custody Manager represents that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in section (a)(7) of Rule 17f-5. Each Fund represents to State Street that its Board has determined that it is reasonable for the Board to rely on State Street to perform the responsibilities delegated pursuant to this Agreement to State Street as the Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios.

A- 9

3.2.8 Effective Date and Termination of State Street as Foreign Custody Manager . The Board’s delegation to State Street as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall remain in effect until terminated at any time, without penalty, by written notice from the terminating party to the non-terminating party. Termination will become effective thirty (30) days after receipt by the non-terminating party of such notice. The provisions of Section 3.2.2 hereof shall govern the delegation to and termination of State Street as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios with respect to designated countries.

 

Section 3.3 Eligible Securities Depositories .

 

3.3.1 Analysis and Monitoring . State Street shall (a) provide each Fund (or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment advisor) with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Eligible Securities Depositories set forth on Schedule B hereto in accordance with section (a)(1)(i)(A) of Rule 17f-7, and (b) monitor such risks on a continuing basis, and promptly notify a Fund (or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment advisor) of any material change in such risks, in accordance with section (a)(1)(i)(B) of Rule 17f-7.

 

3.3.2 Standard of Care . State Street agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing the duties set forth in Section 3.3.1.

 

Section 4. Duties of State Street with Respect to Property of the Portfolios Held Outside the United States

 

Section 4.1 Definitions . As used throughout this Agreement, the capitalized terms set forth below shall have the indicated meanings:

 

“Foreign Securities System” means an Eligible Securities Depository listed on Schedule B hereto.

 

“Foreign Sub-Custodian” means a foreign banking institution serving as an Eligible Foreign Custodian.

 

Section 4.2. Holding Securities . State Street shall identify on its books as belonging to the Portfolios the foreign securities held by each Foreign Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities System. State Street may hold foreign securities for all of its customers, including the Portfolios, with any Foreign Sub-Custodian in an account that is identified as belonging to State Street for the benefit of its customers, provided however, that (i) the records of State Street with respect to foreign securities of the Portfolios which are maintained in such account shall identify those securities as belonging to the Portfolios and (ii), to the extent permitted and customary in the market in which the account is maintained, State Street shall require that securities so held by the Foreign Sub-Custodian be held separately from any assets of such Foreign Sub-Custodian or of other customers of such Foreign Sub-Custodian.

 

Section 4.3. Foreign Securities Systems . Foreign securities shall be maintained in a Foreign Securities System in a designated country through arrangements implemented by State Street or a Foreign Sub-Custodian, as applicable, in such country.

 

Section 4.4. Transactions in Foreign Custody Account .

 

4.4.1. Delivery of Foreign Assets . State Street or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall release and deliver foreign securities of the Portfolios held by State Street or such Foreign Sub-Custodian, or in a Foreign Securities System account, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which

A- 10

may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:

 

  (i) upon the sale of such foreign securities for the Portfolio in accordance with commercially reasonable market practice in the country where such foreign securities are held or traded, including, without limitation: (A) delivery against expectation of receiving later payment; or (B) in the case of a sale effected through a Foreign Securities System, in accordance with the rules governing the operation of the Foreign Securities System;
     
  (ii) in connection with any repurchase agreement related to foreign securities;
     
  (iii) to the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for foreign securities of the Portfolios;
     
  (iv) to the issuer thereof or its agent when such foreign securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable;
     
  (v) to the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of State Street (or the name of the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian or of any nominee of State Street or such Foreign Sub-Custodian) or for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units;
     
(vi) to brokers, clearing banks or other clearing agents for examination or trade execution in accordance with market custom; provided that in any such case the Foreign Sub-Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment for such securities except as may arise from the Foreign Sub-Custodian’s own negligence or willful misconduct;
     
  (vii) for exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement;
     
  (viii) in the case of warrants, rights or similar foreign securities, the surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities;
     
  (ix) for delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by the Portfolios requiring a pledge of assets by the Portfolios;
     
  (x) in connection with trading in options and futures contracts, including delivery as original margin and variation margin;
     
  (xi) in connection with the lending of foreign securities; and
     
  (xii) for any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying the foreign securities to be delivered and naming the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.
A- 11

4.4.2. Payment of Portfolio Monies . Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, State Street shall pay out, or direct the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian or the respective Foreign Securities System to pay out, monies of a Portfolio in the following cases only:

 

  (i) upon the purchase of foreign securities for the Portfolio, unless otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, by (A) delivering money to the seller thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such seller or dealer) against expectation of receiving later delivery of such foreign securities; or (B) in the case of a purchase effected through a Foreign Securities System, in accordance with the rules governing the operation of such Foreign Securities System;
     
  (ii) in connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender of foreign securities of the Portfolio;
     
  (iii) for the payment of any expense or liability of the Portfolio, including but not limited to the following payments:  interest, taxes, investment advisory fees, transfer agency fees, fees under this Agreement, legal fees, accounting fees, and other operating expenses;
     
  (iv) for the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign exchange contracts for the Portfolio, including transactions executed with or through State Street or its Foreign Sub-Custodians;
     
  (v) in connection with trading in options and futures contracts, including delivery as original margin and variation margin;
     
  (vi) for payment of part or all of the dividends received in respect of securities sold short;
     
  (vii) in connection with the borrowing or lending of foreign securities; and
     
  (viii) for any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying the amount of such payment and naming the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.

 

4.4.3. Market Conditions . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, settlement and payment for Foreign Assets received for the account of the Portfolios and delivery of Foreign Assets maintained for the account of the Portfolios may be effected in accordance with the customary established securities trading or processing practices and procedures in the country or market in which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivering Foreign Assets to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer) with the expectation of receiving later payment for such Foreign Assets from such purchaser or dealer.

 

State Street shall provide to the Board the information with respect to custody and settlement practices in countries in which State Street appoints a Foreign Sub-Custodian described on Schedule C hereto at the time or times set forth on such Schedule. State Street may revise Schedule C from time to time, provided that no such revision shall result in the Board being provided with substantively less information than had been previously provided hereunder.

A- 12

Section 4.5. Registration of Foreign Securities . The foreign securities maintained in the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the applicable Portfolio or in the name of State Street or in the name of any Foreign Sub-Custodian or in the name of any nominee of the foregoing, and the applicable Fund on behalf of such Portfolio agrees to hold any such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such foreign securities. State Street or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall not be obligated to accept securities on behalf of a Portfolio under the terms of this Agreement unless the form of such securities and the manner in which they are delivered are in accordance with reasonable market practice.

 

Section 4.6 Bank Accounts . State Street shall identify on its books as belonging to each Fund cash (including cash denominated in foreign currencies) deposited with State Street. Where State Street is unable to maintain, or market practice does not facilitate the maintenance of, cash on the books of State Street, a bank account or bank accounts shall be opened and maintained outside the United States on behalf of a Portfolio with a Foreign Sub-Custodian. All accounts referred to in this Section shall be subject only to draft or order by State Street (or, if applicable, such Foreign Sub-Custodian) acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to hold cash received by or from or for the account of the Portfolio. Cash maintained on the books of State Street (including its branches, subsidiaries and affiliates), regardless of currency denomination, is maintained in bank accounts established under, and subject to the laws of, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 

Section 4.7. Collection of Income . State Street shall use reasonable commercial efforts to collect all income and other payments with respect to the Foreign Assets held hereunder to which the Portfolios shall be entitled and shall credit such income, as collected, to the applicable Portfolio. In the event that extraordinary measures are required to collect such income, the Fund and State Street shall consult as to such measures and as to the compensation and expenses of State Street relating to such measures.

 

Section 4.8 Shareholder Rights . With respect to the foreign securities held pursuant to this Section 4, State Street will use reasonable commercial efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and other shareholder rights, subject always to the laws, regulations and practical constraints that may exist in the country where such securities are issued. The Fund acknowledges that local conditions, including lack of regulation, onerous procedural obligations, lack of notice and other factors may have the effect of severely limiting the ability of the Fund to exercise shareholder rights.

 

Section 4.9. Communications Relating to Foreign Securities . State Street shall transmit promptly to each Fund written information with respect to Corporate Actions received by State Street via the Foreign Sub-Custodians from issuers of the foreign securities being held for the account of the Portfolios. With respect to tender or exchange offers, State Street shall transmit promptly to a Fund written information with respect to materials so received by State Street from issuers of the foreign securities whose tender or exchange is sought or from the party (or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer. Absent State Street’s negligence, misfeasance, or misconduct, State Street shall not be liable for any untimely exercise of any action, right or power in connection with a Corporate Action unless (i) State Street or the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian is in actual possession of such foreign securities or property and (ii) State Street receives Proper Instructions with regard to the Corporate Action, and both (i) and (ii) occur at least three business days prior to the date on which State Street is to take action to exercise such right or power.

 

Section 4.10. Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians . Each agreement pursuant to which State Street appoints a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall, to the extent possible, require the Foreign Sub-Custodian to exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties, and to indemnify, and hold harmless, State Street from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out

A- 13

of or in connection with the Foreign Sub-Custodian’s performance of such obligations. At the Fund’s election, the Portfolios shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of State Street with respect to any claims against a Foreign Sub-Custodian as a consequence of any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and to the extent that the Portfolios have not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim.

 

Section 4.11 Tax Law . State Street shall have no responsibility or liability for any obligations now or hereafter imposed on a Fund, the Portfolios or State Street as custodian of the Portfolios by the tax law of the United States or of any state or political subdivision thereof. It shall be the responsibility of each Fund to notify State Street of the obligations imposed on the Fund with respect to the Portfolios or State Street as custodian of the Portfolios by the tax law of countries other than those mentioned in the above sentence, including responsibility for withholding and other taxes, assessments or other governmental charges, certifications and governmental reporting. The sole responsibility of State Street with regard to such tax law shall be to use reasonable efforts to assist a Fund with respect to any claim for exemption or refund under the tax law of countries for which the Fund has provided such information.

 

Section 4.12. Liability of Custodian . State Street shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a Foreign Sub-Custodian to the same extent as set forth with respect to sub-custodians generally in this Agreement and, regardless of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian or a Foreign Securities System, State Street shall not be liable for any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim resulting from nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of war or terrorism, or any other loss where the Sub-Custodian has otherwise acted with reasonable care.

 

Section 5. Payments for Sales or Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares . State Street shall receive from the distributor for the Shares or from the Transfer Agent and deposit into the account of the appropriate Portfolio such payments as are received for Shares thereof issued or sold from time to time by the Fund. State Street will provide timely notification to the Fund on behalf of each such Portfolio and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of such Portfolio.

 

From such funds as may be available for the purpose, State Street shall, upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for payment to holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares, State Street is authorized upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial bank designated by the redeeming shareholders. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares, State Street shall honor checks drawn on State Street by a holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished by the Fund to the holder of Shares, when presented to State Street in accordance with such procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from time to time between the Fund and State Street.

 

Section 6. Proper Instructions . Proper Instructions as used throughout this Agreement means a writing signed or initialed by one or more person or persons as the Board shall have from time to time authorized. Each such writing shall set forth the specific transaction or type of transaction involved, including a specific statement of the purpose for which such action is requested. Each Fund shall provide State Street with a list of persons authorized to give oral instructions. Oral instructions will be considered Proper Instructions if State Street reasonably believes them to have been given by a person authorized to give such instructions with respect to the transaction involved. State Street shall give a Fund prompt notice of the receipt of an oral instruction and the Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be confirmed in writing. Proper Instructions may include

A- 14

communications effected directly between electro-mechanical or electronic devices provided that each Fund and State Street agree to security procedures, including but not limited to, the security procedures selected by a Fund in the Funds Transfer Addendum attached hereto. For purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall include instructions received by State Street pursuant to any three-party agreement which requires a segregated asset account in accordance with Section 2.10.

 

Section 7. Actions Permitted without Express Authority. State Street may in its discretion, without express authority from a Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio: 1) make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of handling securities or other similar items relating to its duties under this Agreement, provided that all such payments shall be accounted for to a Fund on behalf of the Portfolio; 2) surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive form; 3) endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, checks, drafts and other negotiable instruments; and 4) in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with the securities and property of the Portfolio except as otherwise directed by the Board.

 

Section 8. Evidence of Authority State Street shall be protected in acting upon any instructions, notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of a Fund. State Street may receive and accept a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of a Fund (“ Certified Resolution ”) as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person to act in accordance with such resolution or (b) of any determination or of any action by the Board as described in such resolution, and such resolution may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt by State Street of written notice to the contrary.

 

Section 9. Duties of State Street with Respect to the Books of Account and Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income

 

Section 9.1 Delivery of Accounts and Records . Fund will turn over or cause to be turned over to State Street all accounts and records needed by State Street to perform its duties and responsibilities hereunder fully and properly. State Street may rely conclusively on the completeness and correctness of such accounts and records.

 

Section 9.2 Accounts and Records . State Street will prepare and maintain, under the direction of and as interpreted by each Fund, each Fund’s or Portfolio’s accountants and/or other advisors, in complete, accurate and current form such accounts and records: (1) required to be maintained by a Fund with respect to portfolio transactions under Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations from time to time adopted thereunder; (2) required as a basis for calculation of each Portfolio’s net asset value; and (3) as otherwise agreed upon by the parties. Fund will advise State Street in writing of all applicable record retention requirements, other than those set forth in the 1940 Act. State Street will preserve such accounts and records in the manner and for the periods prescribed in the 1940 Act or for such longer period as is agreed upon by the parties. Each Fund will furnish, in writing or its electronic or digital equivalent, accurate and timely information needed by State Street to complete such accounts and records when such information is not readily available from generally accepted securities industry services or publications. Upon notification from State Street, a Fund will prepare and maintain the books and records as set forth above on a “back-up” basis from the date hereof until completion of the conversion period in the event that State Street is unable to do so as a result of events or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of State Street, including, without limitation, power or other mechanical or technological failures or interruptions, computer viruses or communications disruptions, work stoppages, natural disasters, or other similar events or acts.

A- 15

Section 9.3 Accounts and Records Property of Each Fund . State Street acknowledges that all of the accounts and records maintained by State Street pursuant hereto are the property of a Fund, and will be made available to that Fund for inspection or reproduction within a reasonable period of time, upon demand. State Street will assist a Fund’s independent auditors, or upon the prior written approval of a Fund, or upon demand, any regulatory body, in any requested review of that Fund’s accounts and records but the Fund will reimburse State Street for all expenses and employee time invested in any such review outside of routine and normal periodic reviews. Upon receipt from a Fund of the necessary information or instructions, State Street will supply information from the books and records it maintains for the Fund that the Fund may reasonably request for tax returns, questionnaires, periodic reports to shareholders and such other reports and information requests as the Fund and State Street may agree upon from time to time.

 

Section 9.4 Adoption of Procedures . State Street and each Fund may from time to time adopt such procedures as they agree upon, and State Street may conclusively assume that no procedure approved or directed by a Fund, a Fund’s or Portfolio’s accountants or other advisors conflicts with or violates any requirements of the prospectus, articles of incorporation, bylaws, declaration of trust, any applicable law, rule or regulation, or any order, decree or agreement by which the Fund may be bound. Each Fund will be responsible for notifying State Street of any changes in statutes, regulations, rules, requirements or policies which may impact State Street responsibilities or procedures under this Agreement.

 

Section 9.5 Valuation of Assets . State Street will value the assets of each Portfolio in accordance with a Fund’s Instructions utilizing the pricing sources designated by that Fund (“Pricing Sources”) on the Price Source and Methodology Authorization Matrix, incorporated herein by this reference.

 

Section 10. Records State Street shall with respect to each Portfolio create and maintain all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Agreement in such manner as will meet the obligations of a Fund under the 1940 Act, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder. All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at all times during the regular business hours of State Street be open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and employees and agents of the SEC. State Street shall, at a Fund’s request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by each Portfolio and held by State Street and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and State Street, include certificate numbers in such tabulations.

 

Section 11. Opinion of Fund’s Independent Accountant State Street shall take all reasonable action, as a Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio may from time to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund’s independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in connection with the preparation of the Fund’s Form N-1A, and Form N-SAR or other annual reports to the SEC and with respect to any other requirements thereof.

 

Section 12. Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants State Street shall provide each Fund, on behalf of each of the applicable Portfolios at such times as the Fund may reasonably require, with reports by independent public accountants on the accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including securities deposited and/or maintained in a U.S. Securities System or a Foreign Securities System, relating to the services provided by State Street under this Agreement; such reports, shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably be required by a

A- 16

Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would be disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the reports shall so state.

 

Section 13. Compensation of State Street State Street shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services and expenses as custodian and recordkeeper, as agreed upon from time to time between each Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and State Street. The initial Fee Schedule is attached hereto as Exhibit B.

 

Section 14. Responsibility of Custodian So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable care, State Street shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement and shall be held harmless in acting upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties, including any futures commission merchant acting pursuant to the terms of a three-party futures or options agreement. State Street shall be held to the exercise of reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this Agreement, but shall be kept indemnified by and shall be without liability to a Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith without negligence, including, without limitation, acting in accordance with any Proper Instruction. It shall be entitled to rely on and may act upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant to such advice. State Street shall be without liability to a Fund and the applicable Portfolios for any loss, liability, claim or expense resulting from or caused by anything which is part of Country Risk (as defined in Section 3 hereof), including without limitation nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, or acts of war, revolution, riots or terrorism.

 

Except as may arise from State Street’s own negligence or willful misconduct or the negligence or willful misconduct of a sub-custodian or agent, State Street shall be without liability to a Fund for any loss, liability, claim or expense resulting from or caused by; (i) events or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of State Street or any sub-custodian or Securities System or any agent or nominee of any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, the interruption, suspension or restriction of trading on or the closure of any securities market, power or other mechanical or technological failures or interruptions, computer viruses or communications disruptions, work stoppages, natural disasters, or other similar events or acts; (ii) errors by the Fund or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment advisor in their instructions to State Street provided such instructions have been in accordance with this Agreement; (iii) the insolvency of or acts or omissions by a Securities System; (iv) any delay or failure of any broker, agent or intermediary, central bank or other commercially prevalent payment or clearing system to deliver to State Street’s sub-custodian or agent securities purchased or in the remittance or payment made in connection with securities sold; (v) any delay or failure of any company, corporation, or other body in charge of registering or transferring securities in the name of State Street, the Fund, State Street’s sub-custodians, nominees or agents or any consequential losses arising out of such delay or failure to transfer such securities including non-receipt of bonus, dividends and rights and other accretions or benefits; (vi) delays or inability to perform its duties due to any disorder in market infrastructure with respect to any particular security or Securities System; and (vii) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or order of the United States of America, or any state thereof, or any other country, or political subdivision thereof or of any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

State Street shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a Foreign Sub-Custodian (as defined in Section 4 hereof) to the same extent as set forth with respect to sub-custodians generally in this Agreement.

A- 17

If a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requires State Street to take any action with respect to securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in the opinion of State Street, result in State Street or its nominee assigned to the Fund or the Portfolio being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of some other form, the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, as a prerequisite to requiring State Street to take such action, shall provide indemnity to State Street in an amount and form satisfactory to it.

 

If a Fund requires State Street, its affiliates, subsidiaries or agents, to advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not limited to securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement) or in the event that State Street or its nominee shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the performance of this Agreement, except such as may arise from its or its nominee’s own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, any property at any time held for the account of the applicable Portfolio shall be security therefor and should the Fund fail to repay State Street promptly, State Street shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to dispose of such Portfolio’s assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.

 

State Street is not responsible or liable for, and each Fund will indemnify and hold State Street harmless from and against, any and all costs, expenses, losses, damages, charges, counsel fees (including, without limitation, disbursements and the allocable cost of in-house counsel), payments and liabilities which may be asserted against or incurred by State Street or for which State Street may be held to be liable, arising out of or attributable to any error, omission, inaccuracy or other deficiency in any Portfolio’s accounts and records or other information provided to State Street by or on behalf of a Portfolio, including the accuracy of the prices quoted by the Pricing Sources or for the information supplied by that Fund to value the assets, or the failure of that Fund to provide, or provide in a timely manner, any accounts, records, or information needed by State Street to perform its duties hereunder.

 

State Street shall only be liable for direct damages that are the result of State Street’s action or failure to act.

 

State Street agrees to maintain commercially reasonable back-up and disaster recovery procedures and plans designed to minimize any loss of data or service interruption. Such procedures and plans include each Fund’s provision of certain services as set forth more specifically in Section 9.2 above.

 

Section 15. Effective Period, Termination and Amendment This Agreement shall become effective as of its execution, shall continue in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be terminated by either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed, postage prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner than sixty (60) days after the date of such delivery or mailing; provided , however, that the Fund shall not amend or terminate this Agreement in contravention of any applicable federal or state regulations, or any provision of the Fund’s Declaration of Trust, Articles of Incorporation, or other governing documents, and further provided, that a Fund on behalf of one or more of the Portfolios may at any time by action of its Board (i) substitute another bank or trust company for State Street by giving notice as described above to State Street, or (ii) immediately terminate this Agreement in the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for State Street by the Comptroller of the Currency or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction. Upon termination of the Agreement:

A- 18
  1) each Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio shall (a)  pay to State Street such compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall likewise reimburse State Street for its reasonable costs, expenses and disbursements, (b)  designate a successor recordkeeper (which may be the Fund) by Proper Instructions; and (c)  designate a successor custodian by Proper Instruction.
     
  2) Upon payment of all sums due to it from a Fund, State Street shall (a) deliver all accounts and records to the successor recordkeeper (or, if none, to that Fund) at the office of State Street, and (b) deliver to such successor custodian at the office of State Street, duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all securities of each applicable Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account of the successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in a Securities System.

 

If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, State Street shall, in like manner, upon receipt of a Certified Resolution, deliver at the office of State Street and transfer such securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such resolution.

 

In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian or Certified Resolution shall have been delivered to State Street on or before the date when such termination shall become effective, then State Street shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a “bank” as defined in the 1940 Act, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, or New York, New York, of its own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other properties held by State Street on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and all instruments held by State Street relative thereto and all other property held by it under this Agreement on behalf of each applicable Portfolio, and to transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in any Securities System. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of State Street under this Agreement.

 

In the event that accounts, records, securities, funds and other properties remain in the possession of State Street after the date of termination hereof owing to failure of a Fund to procure the Certified Resolution to appoint a successor custodian, State Street shall be entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as State Street retains possession of such accounts, records, securities, funds and other properties and the provisions of this Agreement relating to the duties and obligations of State Street shall remain in full force and effect.

 

Section 16. Interpretive and Additional Provisions. In connection with the operation of this Agreement, State Street and each Fund, on behalf of each of the applicable Portfolios, may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement. Any such interpretive or additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by both parties and shall be annexed hereto, provided that no such interpretive or additional provisions shall contravene any applicable federal or state regulations or any provision of the Fund’s Declaration of Trust, Articles of Incorporation, or other governing documents. No interpretive or additional provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an amendment of this Agreement.

 

Section 17. Additional Funds. In the event that a Fund establishes one or more series with respect to which it desires to have State Street render services as custodian and recordkeeper under the terms hereof, it shall so notify State Street in writing, and if State Street agrees in writing to provide such services, such series of Shares shall become a Portfolio hereunder.

A- 19

Section 18. Massachusetts Law to Apply. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

 

Section 19. Prior Agreements. This Agreement supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all prior Agreements between each Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios and State Street relating to the custody or recordkeeper of a Fund’s assets.

 

Section 20. Notices . Any notice, instruction or other instrument required to be given hereunder may be delivered in person to the offices of the parties as set forth herein during normal business hours or delivered prepaid registered mail or by telex, cable or telecopy to the parties at the following addresses or such other addresses as may be notified by any party from time to time.

 

To a Fund:   Fund Name
    90 Hudson Street
    Jersey City, NY  07302-3972
    Attention: Tracie Richter
    Telephone: 201 395-2118
    Telecopy:  201-395-3118
     
To State Street:   State Street Bank and Trust Company
    801 Pennsylvania Avenue
    Kansas City, MO  64105
    Attention:  Vice President, Custody
Telephone: 816-871-9478
    Telecopy: 816-871-9648

 

Such notice, instruction or other instrument shall be deemed to have been served in the case of a registered letter at the expiration of five business days after posting, in the case of cable twenty-four hours after dispatch and, in the case of telex, immediately on dispatch and if delivered outside normal business hours it shall be deemed to have been received at the next time after delivery when normal business hours commence and in the case of cable, telex or telecopy on the business day after the receipt thereof. Evidence that the notice was properly addressed, stamped and put into the post shall be conclusive evidence of posting.

 

Section 21. Reproduction of Documents. This Agreement and all schedules, addenda, exhibits, attachments and amendments hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. The parties hereto all/each agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.

 

Section 22. Remote Access Services Addendum. State Street and each Fund agree to be bound by the terms of the Remote Access Services Letter, incorporated herein by this reference.

 

Section 23 . No Assignment . Neither a Fund nor State Street shall assign any rights or obligations under this Agreement to any other party without the written consent to such assignment signed by both the Fund and State Street. State Street further agrees that its Kansas City location will

A- 20

be primarily responsible for the performance of the services rendered hereunder unless the Fund agrees otherwise.

 

Section 24. Trust Notice . If a Fund is a Trust, notice is hereby given that this Agreement has been executed on behalf of Fund by the undersigned duly authorized representative of Fund in his/her capacity as such and not individually; and that the obligations of this Agreement are binding only upon the assets and property of Fund and not upon any trustee, officer of shareholder of Fund individually, and, if the Fund is a Massachusetts business trust, that a copy of Fund’s Trust Agreement and all amendments thereto is on file with the Secretary of State of Massachusetts.

 

Section 25. Shareholder Communications Election. SEC Rule 14b-2 requires banks which hold securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to comply with the rule, State Street needs the Fund to indicate whether it authorizes State Street to provide the Fund’s name, address, and share position to requesting companies whose securities the Fund owns. If a Fund tells State Street “no”, State Street will not provide this information to requesting companies. If a Fund tells State Street “yes” or does not check either “yes” or “no” below, State Street is required by the rule to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure of this information for all securities owned by the Fund or any funds or accounts established by the Fund. For each Fund’s protection, the Rule prohibits the requesting company from using the Fund’s name and address for any purpose other than corporate communications. Please indicate below whether each Fund consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives below.

 

YES £ State Street is authorized to release the Fund’s name, address, and share positions.

 

NO S State Street is not authorized to release the Fund’s name, address, and share positions.

 

Section 26. Liability of Portfolios Several and not Joint. The obligations of a Portfolio under this Agreement are enforceable solely against that Portfolio and its assets

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative and its seal to be hereunder affixed as of November 1, 2001.

 

On behalf of each of the Legal Entities    
listed on Exhibit A, attached hereto signature attested to By:

 

By: /s/ Joan A. Binstock   By: /s/ Tracie E. Richter
         
Name:  Joan A. Binstock     Name:  Tracie E. Richter
         
Title: Vice President     Title: Vice President
         
State Street Bank and Trust Company Signature attested to By:
         
By: /s/ W. Andrew Fry     By: /s/ Stephen Hilliard
         
Name: W. Andrew Fry     Name: Stephen Hilliard
         
Title: Senior Vice President     Title: Senior Vice President
A- 21

SCHEDULE A

 

STATE STREET

GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK

SUBCUSTODIANS AND NON-MANDATORY DEPOSITORIES

 

Country Subcustodian Non-Mandatory Depositories
Argentina Citibank, N.A.
     
Australia Westpac Banking Corporation
     
Austria Erste Bank der Öesterreichischen
  Sparkassen AG  
     
Bahrain British Bank of the Middle East
  (as delegate of The Hongkong and  
  Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)  
     
Bangladesh Standard Chartered Bank
     
Belgium Générale de Banque
     
Bermuda The Bank of Bermuda Limited
     
Bolivia Banco Boliviano Americano S.A.
     
Botswana Barclays Bank of Botswana Limited
     
Brazil Citibank, N.A.
     
Bulgaria ING Bank N.V.
     
Canada State Street Trust Company Canada
     
Chile Citibank, N.A. Depósito Central de Valores S.A.
     
People’s Republic The Hongkong and Shanghai
of China Banking Corporation Limited,  
  Shanghai and Shenzhen branches  
     
Colombia Cititrust Colombia S.A.
  Sociedad Fiduciaria  
 
Costa Rica Banco BCT S.A.
     
Croatia Privredna Banka Zagreb d.d
     
Cyprus The Cyprus Popular Bank Ltd.
     
Czech Republic Ceskoslovenská Obchodni
  Banka, A.S.  
     
Denmark Den Danske Bank
     
Ecuador Citibank, N.A.
     
Egypt National Bank of Egypt
     
Estonia Hansabank
     
Finland Merita Bank Limited
     
France Banque Paribas
     
Germany Dresdner Bank AG
     
Ghana Barclays Bank of Ghana Limited
     
Greece National Bank of Greece S.A. The Bank of Greece,
    System for Monitoring Transactions in
    Securities in Book-Entry Form
     
Hong Kong Standard Chartered Bank
     
     
Hungary Citibank Budapest Rt.
 
Iceland Icebank Ltd.  
     
India Deutsche Bank AG
     
  The Hongkong and Shanghai  
  Banking Corporation Limited  
     
Indonesia Standard Chartered Bank
     
Ireland Bank of Ireland
     
Israel Bank Hapoalim B.M.
     
Italy Banque Paribas
     
Ivory Coast Société Générale de Banques
  en Côte d’Ivoire  
     
Jamaica Scotiabank Jamaica Trust and Merchant
  Bank Ltd.  
     
Japan The Fuji Bank, Limited Japan Securities Depository
    Center
  Sumitomo Bank, Ltd.  
     
Jordan British Bank of the Middle East
  (as delegate of The Hongkong and  
  Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)  
     
Kenya Barclays Bank of Kenya Limited
     
Republic of Korea The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking  
  Corporation Limited  
     
Latvia JSC Hansabank-Latvija
 
Lebanon British Bank of the Middle East  
  (as delegate of The Hongkong and  
  Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)  
     
Lithuania Vilniaus Bankas AB
     
Malaysia Standard Chartered Bank
  Malaysia Berhad  
     
Mauritius The Hongkong and Shanghai
  Banking Corporation Limited  
     
Mexico Citibank Mexico, S.A.
     
Morocco Banque Commerciale du Maroc
     
Namibia (via) Standard Bank of South Africa
     
The Netherlands MeesPierson N.V.
     
New Zealand ANZ Banking Group
  (New Zealand) Limited  
     
Norway Christiania Bank og
  Kreditkasse  
     
Oman British Bank of the Middle East
  (as delegate of The Hongkong and  
  Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited)  
     
Pakistan Deutsche Bank AG
     
Peru Citibank, N.A.
     
Philippines Standard Chartered Bank
     
Poland Citibank (Poland) S.A.
  Bank Polska Kasa Opieki S.A.    
     
Portugal Banco Comercial Português
     
Romania ING Bank N.V.
 
Russia Credit Suisse First Boston AO, Moscow
  (as delegate of Credit Suisse  
  First Boston, Zurich)  
     
Singapore The Development Bank
  of Singapore Limited  
     
Slovak Republic Ceskoslovenská Obchodní Banka, A.S.
     
Slovenia Bank Austria d.d. Ljubljana
     
South Africa Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
     
Spain Banco Santander, S.A.
     
Sri Lanka The Hongkong and Shanghai
  Banking Corporation Limited  
     
Swaziland Standard Bank Swaziland Limited
     
Sweden Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken
     
Switzerland UBS AG
     
Taiwan - R.O.C. Central Trust of China
     
Thailand Standard Chartered Bank
 
Trinidad & Tobago Republic Bank Limited
     
Tunisia Banque Internationale Arabe de Tunisie
     
Turkey Citibank, N.A.
  Ottoman Bank  
     
Ukraine ING Bank, Ukraine
     
United Kingdom State Street Bank and Trust Company,
  London Branch  
     
Uruguay Citibank, N.A.
     
Venezuela Citibank, N.A.
     
Zambia Barclays Bank of Zambia Limited
     
Zimbabwe Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe Limited

 

Euroclear (The Euroclear System)/State Street London Limited

 

Cedel, S.A. (Cedel Bank, société anonyme)/State Street London Limited

 

INTERSETTLE (for EASDAQ Securities)

 

SCHEDULE B

 

STATE STREET

GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK

MANDATORY* DEPOSITORIES

 

 

  Country Mandatory Depositories
  Argentina Caja de Valores S.A.
     
  Australia Austraclear Limited
     
    Reserve Bank Information and
    Transfer System
     
  Austria Öesterreichische Kontrollbank AG
    (Wertpapiersammelbank Division)
     
  Belgium Caisse Interprofessionnelle de Dépôt et
    de Virement de Titres S.A.
     
    Banque Nationale de Belgique
     
  Brazil Companhia Brasileira de Liquidaçao e
    Custodia (CBLC)
     
    Bolsa de Valores de Rio de Janeiro
    All SSB clients presently use CBLC
     
    Central de Custodia e de Liquidação Financeira
    de Titulos  
     
  Bulgaria Central Depository AD
     
    Bulgarian National Bank
     
  Canada The Canadian Depository
    for Securities Limited
     
  People’s Republic Shanghai Securities Central Clearing and
  of China Registration Corporation
     
    Shenzhen Securities Central Clearing Co., Ltd.
     
  Costa Rica Central de Valores S.A. (CEVAL)
     
  Croatia Ministry of Finance
     
    National Bank of Croatia
 
  Czech Republic Stredisko cenných papír ů
     
    Czech National Bank
     
  Denmark Værdipapircentralen  (the Danish
    Securities Center)
     
  Egypt Misr Company for Clearing, Settlement,
    and Central Depository
     
  Estonia Eesti Väärtpaberite Keskdepositoorium
     
  Finland The Finnish Central Securities
    Depository
     
  France Société Interprofessionnelle
    pour la Compensation des
    Valeurs Mobilières (SICOVAM)
     
  Germany Deutsche Börse Clearing  AG
     
  Greece The Central Securities Depository
    (Apothetirion Titlon AE)
     
  Hong Kong The Central Clearing and
    Settlement System
     
    Central Money Markets Unit
     
  Hungary The Central Depository and Clearing
    House (Budapest) Ltd. (KELER)
    [Mandatory for Gov’t Bonds only;
    SSB does not use for other securities]
     
  India The National Securities Depository Limited
     
  Indonesia Bank  Indonesia
     
  Ireland Central Bank of Ireland
    Securities Settlement Office
     
  Israel The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Clearing
    House Ltd.
     
    Bank of Israel
 
  Italy Monte Titoli S.p.A.
     
    Banca d’Italia
     
  Ivory Coast Depositaire Central – Banque de Règlement
     
  Jamaica The Jamaican Central Securities Depository
     
  Japan Bank of Japan Net System
     
  Kenya Central Bank of Kenya
     
  Republic of Korea Korea Securities Depository Corporation
     
  Latvia The Latvian Central Depository
     
  Lebanon The Custodian and Clearing Center of
    Financial Instruments for Lebanon
    and the Middle East (MIDCLEAR) S.A.L.
     
    The Central Bank of Lebanon
     
  Lithuania The Central Securities Depository of Lithuania
     
  Malaysia The Malaysian Central Depository Sdn. Bhd.
     
    Bank Negara Malaysia,
    Scripless Securities Trading and Safekeeping System
     
  Mauritius The Central Depository & Settlement
    Co. Ltd.
     
  Mexico S.D. INDEVAL, S.A. de C.V.
    (Instituto para el Depósito de
    Valores)
     
  Morocco Maroclear
     
  The Netherlands Nederlands Centraal Instituut voor
    Giraal Effectenverkeer B.V. (NECIGEF)
     
    De Nederlandsche Bank N.V.
 
  New Zealand New Zealand Central Securities
    Depository Limited
     
  Norway Verdipapirsentralen  (the Norwegian
    Registry of Securities)
     
  Oman Muscat Securities Market
     
  Pakistan Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited
     
  Peru Caja de Valores y Liquidaciones S.A.
    (CAVALI)
     
  Philippines The Philippines Central Depository, Inc.
     
    The Registry of Scripless Securities
    (ROSS) of the Bureau of the Treasury
     
  Poland The National Depository of Securities
    (Krajowy Depozyt Papierów Warto ś ciowych)
     
    Central Treasury Bills Registrar
     
  Portugal Central de Valores Mobiliários (Central)
     
  Romania National Securities Clearing, Settlement and
    Depository Co.
     
    Bucharest Stock Exchange Registry Division
     
  Singapore The Central Depository (Pte)
    Limited
     
    Monetary Authority of Singapore
     
  Slovak Republic Stredisko Cenných Papierov
     
    National Bank of Slovakia
     
  Slovenia Klirinsko Depotna Druzba d.d.
     
  South Africa The Central Depository Limited
     
  Spain Servicio de Compensación y
    Liquidación de Valores, S.A.
     
    Banco de España,
    Central de Anotaciones en Cuenta
 
  Sri Lanka Central Depository System
    (Pvt) Limited
     
  Sweden Värdepapperscentralen AB
    (the Swedish Central Securities Depository)
     
  Switzerland Schweizerische Effekten - Giro AG
     
  Taiwan - R.O.C. The Taiwan Securities Central
    Depository Co., Ltd.
     
     
  Thailand Thailand Securities Depository
    Company Limited
     
  Tunisia Société Tunisienne Interprofessionelle de
    Compensation et de Dépôt de
    Valeurs Mobilières
     
    Central Bank of Tunisia
     
    Tunisian Treasury
     
  Turkey Takas ve Saklama Bankasi A.S.
    (TAKASBANK)
     
    Central Bank of Turkey
     
  Ukraine The National Bank of Ukraine
     
  United Kingdom The Bank of England,
    The Central Gilts Office and
    The Central Moneymarkets Office
     
  Uruguay Central Bank of Uruguay
     
  Venezuela Central Bank of Venezuela
     
  Zambia Lusaka Central Depository Limited
     
    Bank of Zambia
 

SCHEDULE C

 

MARKET INFORMATION

 

Publication/Type of Information   Brief Description
(Frequency)    
     
The Guide to Custody in World Markets
(annually)
  An overview of safekeeping and settlement practices and procedures in each market in which State Street Bank and Trust Company offers custodial services.
     
Global Custody Network Review
(annually)
  Information relating to the operating history and structure of depositories and subcustodians located in the markets in which State Street Bank and Trust Company offers custodial services, including transnational depositories.
     
Global Legal Survey
(annually)
  With respect to each market in which State Street Bank and Trust Company offers custodial services, opinions relating to whether local law restricts (i) access of a fund’s independent public accountants to books and records of a Foreign Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities System, (ii) the Fund’s ability to recover in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of a Foreign Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities System, (iii) the Fund’s ability to recover in the event of a loss by a Foreign Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities System, and (iv) the ability of a foreign investor to convert cash and cash equivalents to U.S. dollars.
     
Subcustodian Agreements
(annually)
  Copies of the subcustodian contracts State Street Bank and Trust Company has entered into with each subcustodian in the markets in which State Street Bank and Trust Company offers subcustody services to its US mutual fund clients.
     
Network Bulletins (weekly):   Developments of interest to investors in the markets in which State Street Bank and Trust Company offers custodial services.
     
Foreign Custody Advisories (as    
necessary):   With respect to markets in which State Street Bank and Trust Company offers custodial services which exhibit special custody risks, developments which may impact State Street’s ability to deliver expected levels of service.
 

EXHIBIT A

 

Amended as of December 1, 2013 1

 

ENTITY AND SERIES   TYPE OF
ENTITY
  JURISDICTION
         
Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.   Corporation   Maryland
         
Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.   Corporation   Maryland
         
Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.   Corporation   Maryland
         
Lord Abbett Equity Trust   Statutory Trust   Delaware
Lord Abbett Calibrated Large Cap Value Fund        
Lord Abbett Calibrated Mid Cap Fund Value Fund        
         
Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.   Corporation   Maryland
Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Corporate Debt Fund        
Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Currency Fund        
Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund        
Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Global Opportunity Fund        
         
Lord Abbett Investment Trust   Statutory Trust   Delaware
Lord Abbett Convertible Fund        
Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund        
Lord Abbett Diversified Equity Strategy Fund        
Lord Abbett Floating Rate Fund        
Lord Abbett High Yield Fund        
Lord Abbett Income Fund        
Lord Abbett Inflation Focused Fund        
Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Balanced Opportunity Fund        
Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Growth Fund        
Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Income Fund        
Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund        
Lord Abbett Total Return Fund        
         
Lord Abbett Mid Cap Stock Fund, Inc.   Corporation   Maryland
         
Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.   Corporation   Maryland
Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund        
Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund        
Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund        
Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax-Free Fund        
Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund        
Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund        
Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund        
Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund        
         
Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.   Corporation   Maryland
Lord Abbett Calibrated Dividend Growth Fund        
Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund        
Small-Cap Value Series        
         
Lord Abbett Securities Trust   Statutory Trust   Delaware
Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund        
Lord Abbett Fundamental Equity Fund        
Lord Abbett Growth Leaders Fund        
Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund        

 

 

 

1 As amended to reflect: (1) effective November 22, 2013, the Reorganization of Lord Abbett Classic Stock Fund into Lord Abbett Calibrated Dividend Growth Fund, each a series of Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.; (2) effective November 29, 2013 the name change of Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Global Opportunity Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett Global Allocation Fund); and (3) effective December 1, 2013, Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Balanced Opportunity Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett Balanced Strategy Fund), Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Growth Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett Growth & Income Strategy Fund); and Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Income Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett Diversified Income Strategy Fund).

 
Lord Abbett International Dividend Income Fund        
Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund        
Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund        
Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund        
         
Lord Abbett Value Opportunities Fund        
Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.   Corporation   Maryland
Bond-Debenture Portfolio        
Calibrated Dividend Growth Portfolio        
Classic Stock Portfolio        
Developing Growth Portfolio        
Fundamental Equity Portfolio        
Growth and Income Portfolio        
Growth Opportunities Portfolio        
International Core Equity Portfolio        
International Opportunities Portfolio        
Mid Cap Stock Portfolio        
Total Return Portfolio        
Value Opportunities Portfolio        
         
Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.   Corporation   Maryland
 

 

AGENCY AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT made the 30 th day of April, 2010 (the “Effective Date”), by and among each of the funds within the Lord Abbett Family of Funds, each of such funds to be listed on Schedule A hereto as amended from time to time upon the mutual agreement of the parties, (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), and DST SYSTEMS, INC. , a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, having its principal place of business at 333 West 11th Street, 5th Floor, Kansas City, Missouri 64105 (“DST”):

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS , DST has provided to the Funds certain services pursuant to that certain Agency Agreement mutually executed by the Funds and DST on July 1, 2004, as amended and supplemented from time to time (the “Prior Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS , the Funds and DST mutually desire to execute this Agreement to set forth the terms pursuant to which each Fund appoints DST to be the Fund’s transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and agent for certain related services (the “Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent”) and to perform the services as defined on Schedule B hereto (collectively, the “Services”); and

 

WHEREAS , the parties intend that this Agreement shall supersede the Prior Agreement and, upon execution hereto, the Prior Agreement shall be deemed by the Funds and DST as terminated and of no further force and effect, and the rights and obligations of the Funds and DST with respect to the Services and related matters shall be as set forth under this Agreement, as may be amended by the parties from time to time; and

 

WHEREAS , the Funds desires to appoint DST as Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent, and DST desires to accept such appointment;

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1. Documents to be Filed with Appointment .

 

In connection with the appointment of DST as Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent for the Funds, the Funds shall provide DST with the following documents:
 
  A. A certified copy of the resolutions of the Board of Directors/Trustees, as appropriate, of the Funds appointing DST as Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent, approving the form of this Agreement, and designating certain persons to sign stock certificates, if any, and give written instructions and requests on behalf of the Funds;

 

  B. DST acknowledges that in connection with the Prior Agreement, each Fund has previously filed with DST on or prior to the Effective Date the following documentation and each Fund hereby represents and warrants that each and all such documentation previously filed and any additional documentation provided by the Funds to DST contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement remains true, accurate, complete and in full force and effect:

 

(1) A certified copy of the Articles of Incorporation or Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as the case may be, of the Fund and all amendments thereto (the “Charter Documents”);

 

(2) A certified copy of the Bylaws of the Fund;

 

(3) Copies of registration statements on Form N-1A and amendments thereto (“Registration Statements”), filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”);

 

(4) Specimens of all forms of outstanding stock certificates, if any, in the forms approved by the Board of Directors or Board of Trustees, as the case may be (each, a “Board of Directors”), of the Fund, with a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, evidencing such approval;

 

(5) Specimens of the signatures of the officers of the Fund and individuals authorized to sign written instructions and requests; and

 

(6) An opinion of counsel for the Fund with respect to:

 

  (i) The Fund’s organization and existence under the laws of its state of organization;
2
  (ii) The status under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the “1933 Act”) and any other applicable federal or state statute of all shares of the Funds covered by the appointment of DST; and

 

  (iii) That all issued shares are, and all unissued shares will be, when issued, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

  C. The Funds will promptly file with DST copies of all material amendments to the Charter Documents and Bylaws made after the date of this Agreement.

 

  D. The required copies of the Charter Documents of the Funds and copies of all amendments thereto will be certified by the applicable Secretary of State (or other appropriate official), and if such Charter Documents and amendments are required by law to be also filed with a county, city or other officer of official body, a certificate of such filing will appear on the certified copy submitted to DST. A copy of the order or consent of each governmental or regulatory authority required by law to the issuance of the stock will be certified by the Secretary or Clerk of such governmental or regulatory authority, under proper seal of such authority. The certified copy of the Bylaws and copies of all amendments thereto, and copies of resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Fund, will be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Fund.

 

2. Certain Representations and Warranties of DST .

 

DST represents and warrants to the Fund that:

 

  A. It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of Delaware;

 

  B. It is duly qualified to carry on its business in the State of Missouri;

 

  C. It is empowered under Applicable Laws and by its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws to enter into and perform the Services contemplated in this Agreement;

 

  D. It is registered as a transfer agent to the extent required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”) such registration has not been revoked, suspended or otherwise the subject of any proceeding before the SEC, and DST shall continue to maintain such registration as a transfer agent during the Term. DST will
3
promptly notify the Funds in writing in the event of any material change in DST’s status as a registered transfer agent. Should DST fail to be registered with the appropriate federal agency as a transfer agent at any time during the Term of this Agreement, the Funds may, on written notice to DST, immediately terminate this Agreement;

 

  E. All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement;

 

  F. It has and will continue to have and maintain any systems, operations, facilities and equipment, and sufficient and valid license (or other legally enforceable rights) in all software, necessary to perform its duties and obligations under this Agreement; and

 

  G. It has, and will continue to have and maintain, the necessary personnel to perform the Services contemplated under this Agreement, and such personnel shall have and maintain in good standing during the term of this Agreement all required certificates, licenses or registrations related to their responsibilities in performing the Services; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement is intended to, nor shall it, require DST to register its personnel with any self-regulatory organizations, unless such registration becomes required under law directly applicable to DST as a result of its registration as a transfer agent under the federal securities laws.

 

3. Certain Representations and Warranties of the Funds .

 

Each Fund represents and warrants to DST that:

 

  A. It is a Maryland corporation or Delaware statutory trust duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland or Delaware, as the case may be;

 

  B. It is an open-end diversified management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);

 

  C. A registration statement under the 1933 Act has been filed and will be effective with respect to all shares of the Fund being offered for sale;
4
D. All requisite steps have been and will continue to be taken to register the Fund’s shares for sale in all applicable states and such registration will be effective at all times shares are offered for sale in such state; and

 

E. Each Fund is empowered under laws applicable to it and by its Charter Documents and/or its Bylaws to enter into and perform this Agreement;

 

4. Certain Covenants of DST and the Funds .

 

A. All requisite steps will be taken by the Funds from time to time when and as necessary to register the Fund’s shares for sale in all states in which the Fund’s shares shall at the time be offered for sale and require registration. If at any time the Fund receives a notice or becomes aware of any stop order or other proceeding in any such state affecting the registration or the sale of the Fund’s shares, or any stop order or other proceeding under the federal securities laws affecting the sale of the Fund’s shares issues, the Fund will give prompt notice thereof to DST.

 

B. Any new series of the Funds, and any registrant that is registered as an open-end investment management company under the 1940 Act for which Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC, the Funds’ investment manager (the “Investment Manager”) (including any subsidiary, parent, affiliate or successor entity of the Investment Manager), serves as the sponsor and investment manager or investment adviser, shall be added to this Agreement by executing and delivering to DST a document accepting this Agreement (including giving effect to all Amendments that have become effective after the Execution Date), together with such documentation as is described by Section 1.B and any other appropriate documentation. The appointment of DST on behalf of any new fund or any new series of a Fund shall become effective and such new fund or series shall be added to the TA2000 System upon at least ten (10) business days’ prior written notice to DST after DST’s receipt of such counterpart executed by such new fund or new series of a Fund together with such documentation as is described by Section 1.B and any other appropriate documentation, provided (i) that the requirements of the new series generally are consistent with the Services then being provided by DST under this Agreement, or,(ii) if not so consistent provided that TA2000 as then constituted can properly provide all the Services required by such new fund or series. If neither of the foregoing is correct, then such new fund or series shall be added to the TA2000 System
5

ten (10) business days after any necessary new functionality is developed and becomes operational. For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 4.B shall not include any investment company for which the Investment Manager serves solely in the capacity of sub-adviser.

 

C. DST hereby agrees to perform (1) such transfer agency functions as are set forth in Section 6 and to perform such Services in accordance with Applicable Law, including, without limitation, Section 17A of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and (2) such other Services in accordance with the terms and conditions as set forth under this Agreement.

 

D. DST hereby agrees to establish and maintain facilities and procedures reasonably acceptable to the Fund for safekeeping of check forms and facsimile signature imprinting devices, if any; and for the preparation or use, and for keeping account of, such forms and devices.

 

E. In connection with the performance of the Services under this Agreement, DST agrees that it shall be responsible for such items as:

 

(1) That entries in DST’s records, and in the Fund’s records on the TA2000 System created by DST, reflect the orders, instructions, and other information received by DST from the Fund, the Fund’s Investment Manager, the Fund’s principal underwriter and distributor (the “Principal Underwriter”) the Fund’s custodian, or the Fund’s administrator (including any sub-administrator) (each an “Authorized Person”), broker-dealers or securityholders or their agents, representatives or fiduciaries;

 

(2) That securityholder lists, securityholder account verifications, confirmations and other securityholder account information to be produced from the Fund’s records or data maintained on the TA2000 System be available on a reasonable basis and accurately reflect the data in the Fund’s records on the TA2000 System;

 

(3) The accurate and timely issuance of dividend and distribution checks in accordance with instructions received from the Fund and the data in the Fund’s records on the TA2000 System;
6
(4) That redemption transactions and payments be effected timely, under normal circumstances on the day of receipt, and accurately in accordance with redemption instructions received by DST from Authorized Persons, broker-dealers or securityholders or their agents, representatives or fiduciaries and the data in the Fund’s records on the TA2000 System;

 

(5) The deposit daily in the Fund’s appropriate special bank account of all checks and payments received by DST from NSCC, broker-dealers or securityholders for investment in shares;

 

(6) That DST personnel require the forms of instructions, signatures and signature guarantees and any necessary documents supporting the opening of securityholder accounts, transfers, redemptions and other securityholder account transactions required under DST’s present procedures as set forth in its Legal Manual, Third Party Check Procedures, Checkwriting Draft Procedures, Signature Guarantee Procedures, Paperless Legal Program (as defined by the Securities Transfer Association, Inc., and which relies on Medallion Guarantee stamps from the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program and the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program), and Compliance Programs (as that term is defined herein) (collectively the “Safeguard Procedures”) with such changes or deviations therefrom as may be from time to time required or approved by the Fund, the Investment Manager or the Principal Underwriter, or its or DST’s counsel and the rejection of orders or instructions not in good order in accordance with the applicable prospectus or the Safeguard Procedures;

 

(7) The maintenance of customary records in connection with its agency, and particularly those records required to be maintained pursuant to subparagraph (2)(iv) of paragraph (b) of Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, if any; and

 

(8) The maintenance of a current, duplicate set of the Fund’s essential records at a secure separate location, in a form available and usable forthwith in the event of any breakdown or disaster disrupting its main operation.
7
F. During the Term and for a period of three (3) years immediately following thereafter, each of the parties shall maintain in full force and effect the insurance coverage set forth in on Schedule C. Each party shall be entitled to substitute different insurance carriers at its convenience and without notice to the other party, provided such substitution shall not cause any reduction in coverage or material increase in the deductible amount. The party obtaining such insurance coverage shall pay all premiums that become due and payable in a timely manner and shall notify the other party in the event such party receives any notice or other communication from the issuer of any of the insurance policies that the coverage provided thereby may be subject to termination, suspension or expiration.

 

G. To the extent required by Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, DST agrees that all records maintained by DST relating to the Securityholders and their transactions in shares of and business with the Funds are the property of the Fund and will be preserved in accordance with this Agreement and will be surrendered promptly to the Fund on request. Such records do not include the formats in which any such records are maintained or any records that are required to be made and maintained by DST, but not the Funds, under Applicable Laws pertaining to DST’s actions and status (or if required to be maintained by both DST and the Funds, DST shall be entitled to retain a copy thereof).

 

H. DST agrees to furnish the Fund with (1) annual reports of its financial condition, consisting of a balance sheet, earnings statement and any other financial information as is made public by DST in connection with the foregoing (which requirement may be satisfied by the posting of such reports on DST’s website) and (2) semi-annually with a copy of a SAS 70 Report issued by DST’s certified public accountants pursuant to Rule 17Ad-13 under the 1934 Act as filed with SEC. The annual financial statements will be certified by DST’s certified public accountants.

 

I. DST represents and agrees that it will use its reasonable efforts to keep current on the trends of the investment company industry relating to securityholder services and will use its reasonable efforts to continue to modernize and improve the Services provided under this Agreement.

 

J. Inspections and Audits by the Funds .
8
(1) Upon reasonable notice and at the sole expense of the Funds, DST will permit, so long as the frequency of such inspections is not disruptive to DST’s daily operating the Funds and their authorized representatives (subject to execution of DST’s standard confidentiality and non-use agreement) to make periodic inspections of its facilities and operations as such involves or is utilized by DST to provide the Services to the Funds. Such inspections shall be at reasonable times during normal business hours and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

 

(2) In conjunction with the foregoing, and subject to the terms and conditions under this Agreement and subject to the terms set forth under DST’s 3rd Party Assessment Policy, a current copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 5 (which DST may revise in its sole discretion), the Funds shall have the right to conduct inspections and audits of DST’s Information Security Program. Any such audit may include, without limitation, review of information security policies and procedures, configurations, audit trails, and maintenance of systems and software used by DST, solely as they pertain to DST’s provision of Services to the Funds under this Agreement. All such inspections and audits shall be coordinated through DST’s Internal Audit Office, and DST shall be entitled to observe all audit activity. The Funds agree that they will not perform any action during an audit that may interfere with the uptime, stability or smooth and efficient operation of any DST facility or operations or attempt access any DST facility or operations then being used for the benefit of or otherwise engaged in the business of, or any data and information belonging to, another DST client. DST agrees it shall not make any claim under any computer crime or other applicable statutes as a result of such audit activity, provided that the activity complies with the terms and conditions set forth herein and the Funds otherwise comply with relevant laws and are responsible for any violations thereof.

 

(3) For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Agreement, including the foregoing, is intended to, nor does it, require DST to make available for inspection by the Funds or their authorized representatives in connection with any inspection or audit by the Funds or their authorized representatives (not including any
9

government examiners) any of DST’s operations, data, or records to the extent pertaining to, used in connection with DST’s provision of services to, or otherwise belonging or relating to other DST clients (including information regarding DST’s fees and charges for DST’s services on behalf of such other clients), and the Funds and their authorized representatives agree not to knowingly seek to access or obtain such information and to immediately cease any activities upon seeing any other DST Client’s name on any material, media or screens they might access and to return any data unread except as necessary to determine it related to someone other than the Funds, their Affiliates, agents, business partners or the securityholders of the Funds.

 

K. Inspections by Government Examiners .

 

(1) DST will permit the staff of the SEC and any other duly authorized federal examiners (including, for this purpose, examiners from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) to have access to and make periodic inspections of its operations to the extent necessary to obtain information and records relating to DST’s performance of Services on behalf of the Funds. For the avoidance of doubt, DST will permit such inspections in order to allow such federal examiners to inspect and obtain, inter alia , information and records relating to DST’s performance of its obligations under the Compliance Programs implemented on behalf of the Funds.

 

(2) DST will permit the Internal Revenue Service and any other tax authority to inspect its operations in connection with examinations by any such authority of DST’s or other taxpayer’s compliance with the tax laws.

 

(3) The costs of each such inspection and examination shall be paid by the Funds, provided that the examination relates solely to DST’s performance of Services on behalf of the Funds under this Agreement.

 

5. Scope of Appointment .

 

A. Subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Fund hereby appoints DST as Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent.
10
B. DST hereby accepts such appointment and agrees that it will act as the Fund’s Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent. DST agrees that it will also act as agent in connection with the Fund’s periodic withdrawal payment accounts and other open accounts or similar plans for securityholders, if any.

 

C. Unless otherwise expressly limited by the resolution of appointment or by subsequent action by the Fund, the appointment of DST as Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent will be construed to cover the full amount of authorized stock of the class or classes for which DST is appointed as the same will, from time to time, be constituted, and any subsequent increases in such authorized amount.

 

D. DST acknowledges the receipt from each Fund the Account Records previously utilized by DST, and that the Account Records are generally adequate to continue to perform the Services.

 

6. Transfer Agent and Dividend Distribution Agent and Other Services .

 

A. DST, as Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent for the Fund, and as agent of the Fund for securityholder accounts thereof, will perform the Services, as set forth on Schedule B, utilizing TA2000 TM , DST’s computerized data processing system for securityholder accounting (the “TA2000 System”), and/or such other DST systems as then constituted and configured, in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. DST shall be obligated and liable to perform on those Services set forth in this Agreement and its attached Schedules and Exhibits, as they may be amended or added in a written document executed by an authorized officer of each party.

 

B. Among the Services to be performed by DST pursuant to this Agreement, DST shall be responsible for the withholding, as required by federal law, taxes on securityholder accounts, preparing, filing and mailing Internal Revenue Service Forms 1099, 1042, and 1042S and performing and paying backup withholding as required for all securityholders.

 

C. The provisions of this Section 6.C that follow this sentence shall take precedence over and shall govern in the event of any inconsistency between such provisions and any other provisions of this Agency Agreement or any provisions of any exhibit or other attachment to this Agency Agreement (or any provisions of any attachment to any such
11

exhibit or attachment). The parties agree that – to the extent that DST provides any services under this Agency Agreement that relate to compliance by the Fund with the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any other tax law, including without limitation the services described in Section 6.B – it is the parties’ mutual intent that DST will provide only printing, reproducing, and other mechanical assistance to the Fund and that DST will not make any judgments or exercise any discretion of any kind, and particularly that DST will not make any judgments or exercise any discretion in: (1) determining generally the actions that are required in connection with such compliance or determining generally when such compliance has been achieved; (2) determining the amounts of taxes that should be withheld on securityholder accounts (except to the extent of making mathematical calculations of such amounts based on express instructions provided by the Fund); (3) determining the amounts that should be reported in or on any specific box or line of any tax form (except to the extent of making mathematical calculations of such amounts based on express instructions provided by the Fund which among other things identify the specific boxes and lines into which amounts calculated by DST are to be placed); (4) classifying the status of securityholders and securityholder accounts under applicable tax law (except to the extent of following express instructions regarding such classification provided by the Fund); and (5) paying withholding and other taxes, except pursuant to the express instructions of the Fund. The Fund agrees that it will provide express and comprehensive instructions to DST in connection with all of the services that are to be provided by DST under this Agency Agreement that relate to compliance by the Fund with the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any other tax law (including without limitation the services described in Section 6.B, including promptly providing responses to requests for direction that may be made from time to time by DST of the Fund in this regard.

 

D. In accordance with the provisions of Section 11 of this Agreement, DST shall use reasonable efforts to provide, reasonably promptly under the circumstances, the same Services with respect to any new, additional functions or features or any modifications, enhancements, improvements or changes to existing functions or features. If any addition to, improvement of, or change in the features and functions currently provided by the TA2000 System or the operations as requested by the Fund requires an enhancement or modification to the TA2000 System or to DST’s internal operations as
12

presently conducted by DST, DST shall not be liable therefore until such modification or enhancement is installed on the TA2000 System or new mode of operation is instituted.

 

E. Shares of stock will be transferred or accepted for redemption and funds remitted therefore upon surrender of the shares, and if such shares were issued in certificated form, the surrender of old certificates, in form or receipt by DST of instructions deemed by DST properly endorsed for transfer or redemption accompanied by such documents as DST may deem necessary to evidence the authority of the person making the transfer or redemption. DST reserves the right to refuse to transfer or redeem shares, whether in certificated or book entry form, until it is satisfied that the endorsement or signature on the certificate, instruction or any other similar document is valid and genuine, and for that purpose it may require a guaranty of signature in accordance with the Safeguard Procedures. DST also reserves the right to refuse to transfer or redeem shares until it is satisfied that the requested transfer or redemption is legally authorized, and it will incur no liability for the refusal in good faith to make transfers or redemptions which, in its judgment, are improper or unauthorized. In cases in which DST is not directed or otherwise required to maintain the consolidated records of securityholders’ accounts, DST will not be liable for any loss which may arise by reason of not having such records.

 

F. In case of any request or demand for the inspection of the stock books of the Fund or any other books in the possession of DST, DST will endeavor to notify the Fund and to secure instructions as to permitting or refusing such inspection. DST reserves the right, however, to exhibit the stock books or other books to any person in case it is advised by its counsel that it may be held responsible for the failure to exhibit the stock books or other books to such person.

 

G. Pursuant to the authority previously granted to DST by the Funds, DST has agreed to and has established and shall continue to maintain on behalf of and in the name of the Funds banking relationships with UMB Bank, n.a. for the conduct of the business of the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Funds may, in their sole discretion, select a bank other than UMB Bank, n.a. for the conduct of the business of the Fund, at which time the Funds shall provide DST with the requisite authority to establish and maintain the required banking relationships with the new bank. Under the aforementioned
13

agreement with UMB, or any other agreement entered into in the future with a new bank in lieu of UMB, DST is authorized (1) to agree to the Banks documents necessary to and to establish in the name of, and to maintain on behalf of, the Fund, on the usual terms and conditions prevalent in the industry, including limits or caps based on fees paid over some period of time on the maximum liability of such Banks, as hereinafter defined, one or more deposit accounts at a nationally or regionally known banking institution (the “Bank”) into which DST shall deposit the funds DST receives for payment of dividends, distributions, purchases of Fund shares, redemptions of Fund shares, commissions, corporate re-organizations (including recapitalizations or liquidations) or any other disbursements made by DST on behalf of the Fund provided for in this Agreement, (2) to draw checks upon such accounts, to issue orders or instructions to the Bank for the payment out of such accounts as necessary or appropriate to accomplish the purposes for which such funds were provided to DST, and (3) to establish, to implement and to transact Fund business through Automated Clearinghouse (“ACH”), Draft Processing, Wire Transfer and any other banking relationships, arrangements and agreements with such Bank as are necessary or appropriate to fulfill DST’s obligations under this Agreement. DST, acting as agent for the Fund, is also hereby authorized to execute on behalf and in the name of the Fund, on the usual terms and conditions prevalent in the industry, including limits or caps based on fees paid over some period of time on the maximum liability of such Banks, agreements with banks for ACH, wire transfer, draft processing services, as well as any other services which are necessary or appropriate for DST to utilize to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement. In each of the foregoing situations, the Fund shall be liable on such agreements with the Bank as if it itself had executed the agreement. DST shall not be liable for any losses arising out of or resulting from actions, errors or omissions of the Bank; provided, however, that DST shall have acted in good faith, with due diligence and without negligence.

 

7. Stock Certificates; Increase in Authorized Shares;

 

A. The Funds agree to solicit shareholders and their intermediaries, where known, to surrender all shares issued in certificated form in exchange for shares issued in book entry form and DST agrees to provide reasonable assistance to the Funds in effectuating such solicitations and transactions, the costs of which will be borne solely by the Funds. Such solicitation shall commence as soon as reasonably practicable following the
14

Effective Date, provided that the Funds have adequate information and preparation to commence such solicitation.

 

B. In the event that a Fund that is a Maryland corporation increases its shares, the Fund shall provide to DST:

 

(1) A certified copy of the articles supplementary to the Charter Document of such Fund authorizing the increase of shares, the necessary payment of any taxes due or a certification executed by an Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Fund that no taxes are due, and deliver an appropriate instruction; and

 

(2) Upon the request of DST, an opinion of counsel for the Fund stating:

 

(a) The status of the additional shares of stock of the Fund under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other applicable federal or state statute; and

 

(b) That the additional shares are, or when issued will be, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

8. Instructions, Opinion of Counsel and Signatures .

 

At any time DST may apply to any person authorized by the Fund to give instructions to DST, and may with the approval of a Fund officer consult with legal counsel for the Fund, or DST’s outside legal counsel at the expense of the Fund, with respect to any matter arising in connection with the agency and it will not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith in reliance upon such instructions or upon the opinion of such counsel. In connection with services provided by DST under this Agency Agreement that relate to compliance by the Fund with the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any other tax law, including without limitation the services described in Section 6.B, DST shall have no obligation to continue to provide such services after it has asked the Fund to give it instructions which it believes are needed by it to so continue to provide such services and before it receives the needed instructions from the Fund, and DST shall have no liability for any damages (including without limitation penalties imposed by any tax authority) caused by or that result from its failure to provide services as contemplated by this sentence. DST will be protected in acting upon any paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person or persons and will not be held to
15
have notice of any change of authority of any person, until receipt of written notice thereof from the Fund. It will also be protected in recognizing stock certificates which it reasonably believes to bear the proper manual or facsimile signatures of the officers of the Fund, and the proper countersignature of any former transfer agent or registrar, or of a co-transfer agent or co-registrar.

 

9. Provisions Relating to DST Compliance Programs, Policies and Procedures .

 

A. DST Compliance + Program . DST shall assist the Funds to fulfill the Funds’ responsibilities under certain provisions of USA PATRIOT Act, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, Title V of Gramm Leach Bliley Act, the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and the 1940 Act, including, inter alia , Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act, by implementing on behalf of the Funds DST’s Compliance +™ program (the “Compliance + Program”), a compliance program that focuses on certain business processes that represent key activities of the transfer agent/service provider function, including anti-money laundering, certificate processing, correspondence processing, fingerprinting, lost securityholder processing, reconciliation and control, transaction processing, customer identification, transfer agent administration and safeguarding fund assets and securities.

 

B. DST Compliance Programs . A current copy of the Compliance + Program is attached hereto as Exhibit 1. The Compliance + Program, including the anti-money laundering functions and Services provided thereunder, the DST Identity Theft Prevention Program and the DST Information Security Program (each, as defined below) are collectively referred to as the “Compliance Programs.”

 

C. Compliance Obligations of the Funds . Notwithstanding the foregoing, DST’s obligations shall be solely as are set forth in this Agreement and in the Compliance Programs, as attached hereto and as amended from time to time in accordance herewith. The Funds acknowledge that any of obligations under any law or regulation that are applicable to the Funds and that DST has not agreed to perform on the Fund’s behalf under this Agreement, including any schedules or exhibits thereto, remain the Funds’ sole obligation.

 

D. Anti-Money Laundering and Customer Identification Program . In connection with (1) the regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and/or SEC
16

implementing certain sections of Title III of the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, as may be amended from time to time, and (2) the various rules and regulations promulgated by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, as such regulations are applicable to the Funds (collectively, the “AML Regulations”), DST has implemented and shall provide on behalf of the Funds certain anti-money laundering functions as set forth in the Compliance + Program. The Funds hereby are contractually delegating to DST, and DST hereby accepts such contractual delegation, to implement the AML portions of the Compliance + Program on behalf of the Funds in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

E. Identity Theft Prevention Program . In connection with the regulations promulgated jointly by the Federal Trade Commission and several other federal agencies implementing Sections 114 and 315 of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, as may be amended from time to time (the “Identity Theft Regulations”), DST has implemented an identity theft prevention program, a current copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2 and incorporated herein (the “Identity Theft Prevention Program”).

 

F. Information Protection Program . DST has implemented and throughout the Term, shall, in connection with its performance of Services, comply with the DST Information Protection Program; a current copy of the “Identification of Securities Policies” and the “Identification of the Control Standards Applicable to DST’s Securities Policies” from DST’s Information Protection Program is attached hereto as Exhibits 3 and 4 and each are incorporated herein. The policies and procedures referred to in Exhibits 3 and 4 are subject to change at any time in DST’s sole discretion, provided that the protections afforded thereby will not be diminished in comparison with those provided by DST to Client prior to the execution of this Agreement. DST will be reasonably available to meet with and provide reasonable assurances to Client concerning its data security procedures. Upon reasonable request of the Funds, DST agrees to provide the Funds with a completed information security questionnaire in a form that is mutually agreeable to DST and the Funds.

 

G. Changes or Modifications to the Compliance Programs or Safeguard Procedures . The Funds acknowledge that DST reserves and retains the right to modify the Compliance Programs and Safeguard Procedures in DST’s sole but reasonable discretion and without
17

prior notice to the Funds, provided that: (a) DST reasonably believes that the modification will not cause the Compliance Programs or the Safeguard Procedures to become non-compliant with Applicable Laws or regulations; and (b) any of the anticipated protections afforded to the Funds and the Services provided under the Compliance Programs or Safeguard Procedures will not be adversely impacted or lessened.

 

H. Certain Covenants of DST Regarding its Compliance Programs .

 

(1) DST shall implement the policies and perform the procedures set forth in the Compliance Programs and shall implement and maintain internal controls and procedures reasonably necessary to insure that DST’s employees, including any sub-contractors selected by DST, act in accordance with the Compliance Programs.

 

(2) Neither the SEC, nor any of federal and state bank regulatory agency examiners nor any other government agency examiners (collectively, “Government Examiners”) have cited any material deficiencies in the Compliance Programs, each as currently constituted, and DST’s testing and maintenance thereof.

 

(3) If, in the future, any report issued by a Government Examiner(s) in connection with an examination of DST’s Compliance Program(s) cites any material deficiencies in any of the Compliance Programs or the testing and maintenance thereof pertaining to any Services provided under this Agreement or DST Facility utilized in the provision of such Services regardless of whether or not such deficiency specifically relates to DST’s provision of Services to the Funds, DST shall, unless otherwise specifically prohibited by law, rule or regulation or the instruction of a Government Examiner: (a) promptly notify the Chief Compliance Officer of the Funds (and, if the deficiency relates to the AML Program, also provide notification to the Funds’ anti-money laundering officer); (b) correct any such material deficiencies as soon as is reasonably practicable; and (c) provide the Chief Compliance Officer of the Funds a written summary of such corrective measures.
18
(4) DST shall use reasonable efforts to ensure that the Safeguard Procedures continue to comport materially with Applicable Law to the extent applicable to DST’s performance of the Services (including any implementing regulations thereunder) promulgated subsequent to the Effective Date.

 

(5) In connection with the Funds oversight of DST’s implementation of the Compliance Programs on behalf of the Funds, and in addition to the reporting obligation set forth under Section 9.H.(3), DST shall use its best efforts to notify the Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer (and, where required, the Fund’s anti-money laundering officer and privacy officer) reasonably promptly under the circumstances but in no event more than ten (10) business days.

 

(6) DST shall provide the Funds annually with an attestation (the “Attestation”) from an independent public accountant reporting the results of such accountant’s annual examination as to whether DST’s controls, as described by DST, “were suitably designed as of [the date of the Attestation] to provide reasonable assurance that the specified compliance control objectives” as established and described by DST would be achieved under stated circumstances and were “operating with sufficient effectiveness to provide reasonable assurance that the specified compliance control objectives were achieved” during the period covered by the Attestation as required of the Funds under Section 38a-1 of the 1940 Act, except as the representations in such Attestation require qualification as to specific instances. A sample copy of a Prior Attestation is attached hereto as Exhibit 6 solely as a sample thereof. As the controls can change regularly and the form of the Attestation is solely within the control of the accountant, the Funds acknowledge that DST cannot provide any warranties or covenants as to the form of the Attestation and the specific language used by the accountant from year to year.

 

(7) DST agrees to provide reports and information as may be reasonably necessary for the Funds to fulfill their obligations under Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act in connection with the Services DST performs under this Agreement. DST shall provide such reports and information at no additional charge or cost to the Funds, provided that such reports are readily available under the DST systems.
19

Any other reports and information will be provided upon request on a reasonable efforts basis.

 

(8) DST shall not make any changes or modifications to the Safeguard Procedures or the Compliance Programs except as provided under Section 9.G of this Agreement.

 

10. Books and Records .

 

DST will maintain customary records (i) received in Inbound Communications, Instructions and Orders or (ii) updates to the Fund files made by DST during processing of the foregoing or transmitted in Outbound Communications, both in connection with its agency and with the Services provided under this Agreement, including the records required to be maintained under the 1940 Act and listed on the record retention schedule (all of the foregoing collectively being the “Records” as that term is used in this Section 10), which is attached hereto as Schedule E (the “Record Retention Schedule”). The Records to be maintained and preserved by DST on the TA2000 System, AWD Imaging and Workflow System or any other information processing system used by DST, or any DST storage facility used to maintain Records in paper format, shall be maintained and preserved in accordance with the following:

 

(1) Records received (a) in hard copy originals or electronic transmissions of hard copy originals ( i.e. , faxes in electronic format) shall be promptly scanned into AWD and (b) in system to system transmissions shall be promptly applied to the appropriate DST system, and thereafter each such Records shall be maintained and preserved in electronic format for the period set forth on the Record Retention Schedule. Any hard copy originals shall be boxed and may thereafter be destroyed in DST’s sole discretion at any time thirty (30) days after receipt thereof by DST.

 

(2) Electronic Records shall be maintained and preserved in an easily accessible place for a period of not less than the period set forth on the Record Retention Schedule.

 

(3) The Records shall be arranged and indexed in such a manner that permits a particular record to be located, accessed and retrieved within a 72-hour period following the request by the Fund, Authorized Person or Government Examiner.
20
(4) Any reproduction of an original Record produced by DST in response to an appropriate request for such Record shall be a complete, true and legible copy whether such copy is in paper format or on electronic storage media.

 

(5) DST agrees to maintain but store separately a duplicate copy of each Record and shall maintain such duplicate copy for the time period required for the original record.

 

(6) DST agrees to maintain and preserve the Records and provide reasonable measures to safeguard the Records against loss, alternation or unauthorized destruction, including limiting access to the Records to only those persons who are properly authorized to have such access.

 

(7) Upon proper authorization from the Funds, DST shall destroy Records identified for destruction as follows:

 

(a) At least once per year, DST will identify any Records that are eligible for destruction and forward the list of such Records to the Funds and will thereafter not destroy any Records for at least sixty (60) after notification to the Funds.

 

(b) The Funds will review the list and within 60 days after receipt of such list will identify (i) the Records that are approved for destruction and (ii) the Records that, regardless of the applicable retention period, are being placed on hold until further notice from the Funds. Any such Records placed on hold shall be maintained in accordance with the terms set forth in this Section 10.

 

(c) DST shall destroy any and all Records that are authorized by the Funds for destruction, including any copies of such Records. Any Records containing nonpublic personally identifiable information or other “Fund Confidential Information” (as defined below under Section 21), shall be destroyed in accordance with the requirements set forth under Rule 30 of Regulation S-P (or any successor rule or regulation thereto) and shall provide written confirmation that the Records have been destroyed in
21

accordance with the terms and conditions set forth under this Section 10.

 

(8) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, including without limitation this Section 10, including without limitation, subsections (1), (2) and (3) above, shall not apply to any Records created prior to the Effective Date of this Agreement (“Pre-Agreement Records”) not in electronic format on the Effective Date, but will, on and after the Effective Date, apply to Pre-Agreement Records preserved in electronic format on the Effective Date.

 

11. Changes and Modifications to DST System and Procedures .

 

A. During the term of this Agreement DST will use on behalf of the Fund, unless otherwise ordered by the Funds, all modifications, enhancements, improvements or changes in existing functions and features (collectively “Improvements”), and additions of new functions and features (“New Developments”), which DST may make to the TA2000 System in the normal course of its business that are applicable to Services provided by DST to the Funds at the Effective Date or thereafter added to such Services with the mutual agreement of the parties. These Improvements or New Developments shall be provided regardless of whether such Improvements or New Developments are occasioned by (i) maintenance or improved efficiencies in existing systems applications, (ii) new laws, rules or regulations or changes in existing laws, rules or regulations, (iii) the addition of new functions and features, or (iv) mutually agreed to Fund requested changes (either by means of a change in a Fund prospectus or by direct request). The Funds shall not be responsible for costs associated with any Improvements or New Developments to existing functions or features that are necessary or advisable in order maintain the level of Services at the level performed by DST on the Effective Date, except to the extent otherwise provided in the Fee Schedule set forth as Schedule F.

 

B. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth under Section 9.G (regarding changes or modifications to Safeguard Procedures or Compliance Programs), DST shall have the right, at any time and from time to time, to alter and modify any systems, programs, procedures or facilities used or employed in performing its duties and obligations hereunder; provided that: (1) the Fund will be notified as promptly as possible prior to implementation of such alterations and modifications, but in no event less than five (5)
22

business days prior to such alteration or modification; and (2) no such alteration or modification or deletion shall materially adversely change or affect the operations and procedures of the Fund in using or employing the TA2000 System or other DST systems hereunder or the reports to be generated by such system and facilities hereunder, unless the Fund is given at least sixty (60) days prior notice to allow the Fund to change its procedures and, where appropriate, DST provides the Fund with revised operating procedures and, to the extent appropriate, controls.

 

C. DST acknowledges and agrees that the Funds may require a period of at least thirty (30) days after receipt of notification of an alteration or modification, as contemplated under this Section 11, for the purpose of conducting testing related to the proposed alteration or modification.

 

D. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary under this Section 11, DST shall not make any changes or modifications to Safeguard Procedures or Compliance Programs unless such alterations or changes conform to the terms and conditions set forth under Section 9.G.

 

E. The Funds acknowledge and agree that they obtain no rights in or to the TA2000 System, including any of the software, screen and file formats, hardware, processes, trade secrets, proprietary information, or distribution and communication networks of DST, and any Confidential Information of DST, enhancements, improvements, changes, modifications or new features added to the TA2000 System, and that the TA2000 shall remain, the confidential and exclusive property of, and proprietary to, DST; provided, however, that the Funds shall be entitled to receive the benefit of DST’s use of the modified TA2000 System in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and any schedules thereto.

 

12. Assumption of Duties By the Fund or Agents Designated By the Fund .

 

A. The Fund or its designated agents other than DST may assume certain duties and responsibilities of DST or those services of Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent as those terms are referred to in Section 6. of this Agreement including but not limited to answering and responding to telephone inquiries from securityholders and brokers, accepting securityholder (including securityholder agents, representatives and fiduciaries) and broker instructions (either or both oral and written) and transmitting
23

orders based on such instructions to DST, preparing and mailing confirmations, obtaining certified TIN numbers, classifying the status of securityholders and securityholder accounts under applicable tax law, establishing securityholder accounts on the TA2000 System and assigning social codes and Taxpayer Identification Number codes thereof, and disbursing monies of the Fund, said assumption to be embodied in writing to be signed by both parties.

 

B. To the extent the Fund or its agent or affiliate assumes such duties and responsibilities, DST shall be relieved from all responsibility and liability therefor and is hereby indemnified and held harmless against any liability therefrom and in the same manner and degree as provided for in Section 17 hereof.

 

13. Subcontractors .

 

DST shall not engage any subcontractor to perform all or any part of the Services on DST’s behalf (other than a DST affiliate legally authorized to provide such Services) without the Funds’ prior written consent. In the event that the Funds consent to DST’s engagement of a Subcontractor to perform any portion of the Services and DST so engages the Subcontractor, DST shall be responsible for, and shall (a) comply with Applicable Laws relating to the use of any Subcontractors, including, without limitation, Regulation S-P and Rule 17Ad-7(g) under the 1934 Act and (b) meet all of DST’s obligations and warranties with respect to the Services, DST Facilities and DST’s Premises as to work conducted by the Subcontractor. DST shall guarantee, and be fully liable for, all actions and omissions of the Subcontractors under any such agreements, and to the extent provided for under this Agreement: (y) DST shall indemnify the Funds for any Losses (as defined under Section 17) resulting from the Subcontractors actions or omissions to the same extent DST would be liable to indemnify the Funds if DST’s own actions or omissions gave rise to the Losses, and (z) the Funds shall indemnify such Subcontractors for any Losses resulting from the Subcontractors actions or omissions to the same extent the Funds
24

would be liable to indemnify DST if DST had performed the actions or made the omissions that gave rise to the Losses. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, DST may employ its Affiliates as subcontractors hereunder provided that the requirements of clauses (a) and (b) above are met and that DST guarantees and remains fully liable for all actions of such Affiliates.

 

14. Third Party Vendors.

 

Nothing herein shall impose any duty upon DST in connection with or make DST liable for the actions or omissions to act of the following types of unaffiliated third parties: (a) courier and mail services including but not limited to Airborne Services, Federal Express, UPS and the U.S. Mails, (b) telecommunications companies including but not limited to AT&T, Sprint, MCI and other delivery, telecommunications and other such companies not under the party’s reasonable control, and (c) third parties not under the party’s reasonable control or subcontract relationship providing services to the financial industry generally, such as, by way of example and not limitation, the National Securities Clearing Corporation (processing and settlement services), Fund custodian banks (custody and fund accounting services) and administrators (blue sky and Fund administration services), and national database providers such as Choice Point, Acxiom, TransUnion or Lexis/Nexis and any replacements thereof or similar entities, provided, if DST selected such company, DST shall have exercised due care in selecting the same. Such third party vendors shall not be deemed, and are not, subcontractors for purposes of this Agreement.

 

15. Business Contingency Plan and Force Majeure .

 

A. Business Contingency Plan.

 

(1) DST shall maintain during the Term, and shall perform the Services consistent with, a disaster recovery and business contingency plan to address the continuity of DST’s performance of those of the Services to be recovered under the Plan in the event of a contingency that renders unavailable any or all of DST Facilities necessary for supporting DST’s performance of those Services under this Agreement (the “Business Contingency Plan”). DST shall cause the Business Contingency Plan to describe in reasonable detail the back-up operations and activities to be performed under the Business Contingency Plan.

 

(2) DST has delivered to the Funds a copy of the executive summary of the current Business Contingency Plan as currently in effect. In the event of an emergency
25

requiring activation of the Business Contingency Plan, DST will use its best efforts within commercially reasonable limits to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement through such Business Contingency Plan. The Business Contingency Plan, shall consist of the components set forth on the Components of the Business Contingency Plan, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 7.

 

(3) DST shall update the Business Contingency Plan, and all related Services, when required by Applicable Law and shall provide updated copies of the executive summary of such Business Contingency Plan promptly to the Funds upon request, explaining the changes.

 

(4) DST shall promptly address, and as soon as is reasonably practicable correct, any material deficiencies in such Business Contingency Plan and its testing and maintenance, which may be cited in the future by any Government Examiners that periodically examine DST’s operations in the report of examination issued by them.

 

(5) DST shall not be entitled to any additional Fees (as defined under Section 16) in connection with any back-up or disaster recovery Services except as and to the extent provided on the Fee Schedule (as defined under Section 16).

 

B. Force Majeure.

 

(1) Nothing in this Agreement is intended to, nor does it, constitute an agreement that the provision of Services will not be degraded in the event of an emergency requiring activation of the Business Contingency Plan. The parties shall not be responsible or liable for their failure or delay in performance of their obligations under this Agreement arising out of or caused by circumstances beyond their reasonable control, including, without limitation, earthquakes, floods, fires, tornadoes, or similar acts of God, any interruption, loss or malfunction or any utility, transportation, communication service, delay in mails, functions or malfunctions of the Internet, changes in governmental or exchange action, statute, ordinance, rulings, regulation or direction, war, strike, riot, emergency, civil disturbance, terrorism, vandalism or explosions; provided, however, that in order to be so excused from such failure or delay to perform, the party so
26

affected must (a) give notice of the cause of such failure or delay to the other party as promptly as practicable, (b) act diligently to remedy the cause of such failure or delay, and (c) execute all reasonable actions as may be appropriate to continue performance under this Agreement.

 

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 15, DST shall not be excused for its failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement to the extent that the cause of such failure or delay is an event that the contingencies implemented in connection with the Business Contingency Plan (including, without limitation, contingencies arranged with the Disaster Recovery Provider and the Crisis Management Center) are intended to mitigate, unless such failure or delay also impairs the contingency contemplated by the Business Contingency Plan to mitigate such cause. This section shall not apply to and shall not excuse failures to perform to the extent such failures would not have occurred had DST (1) provided reasonable maintenance of equipment and installed and maintained an uninterrupted power supply facility (UPS) unless such UPS facility fails, is insufficient or is damaged through no fault of DST or (2) made and implemented modifications as contemplated in this Agreement.

 

16. Compensation and Expenses .

 

A. In consideration for DST’s proper performance of the Services, the Funds shall pay to DST the fees set forth on Schedule F (the “Fee Schedule”), which is attached hereto and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this Agreement. The Fee Schedule sets forth, inter alia , all the fees currently to be paid to DST by the Funds in consideration for all the Services currently to be provided by DST to the Funds pursuant to this Agreement, and the parameters pursuant to which such fees may be adjusted during the Term of this Agreement (the “Fees”).

 

B. The Funds agree to reimburse DST for all reasonable out-of-pocket direct expenses or disbursements incurred by DST in connection with the performance of the Services set forth on the Fee Schedule and for any other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses or disbursements incurred by DST in connection with the performance of the Services approved in advance by an Authorized Person listed on Schedule G (the “Expenses”).
27
C. DST shall cause any invoice for Fees delivered pursuant to Section 16.D below to itemize any Expenses eligible to be reimbursed pursuant to this Section 16, in such detail as the Funds have advised DST in advance that they reasonably require and to include such additional and available documentation supporting such reimbursements as the Funds may reasonably require. The Funds shall have the option of deferring reimbursement of any portion of Expenses for which DST fails to provide adequate detail or documentation in accordance with the Funds’ prior instructions (without incurring any obligation for overdue payments under Section 16.E) until such detail or documentation is provided. For purposes of this Section 16, “adequate detail or documentation” shall mean such detail or documentation that an objective reasonable observer would agree reasonably supports the charges. Expenses disputed in good faith shall be paid on the Due Date (as defined below) applicable to the original but defective invoice or within ten (10) days of receipt of adequate detail or documentation by the Funds, which ever such date is later (such date constituting the Due Date as to Expenses previously disputed in good faith).

 

D. DST shall prepare and deliver to the Funds an invoice, no later than the 25th day of each calendar month, for the payment of all Fees, and the reimbursement of all Expenses, properly due and payable for the preceding calendar month. Upon the Funds’ request, DST shall meet with the Funds and review any reasonable questions or concerns regarding any invoice. The Funds shall promptly notify DST (in no event later than fourteen (14) days after receipt of the invoice) in the event that any amount set forth on any invoice for Fees or Expenses is in dispute. The Funds and DST shall cooperate in good faith to investigate any such dispute and endeavor to resolve amicably the circumstances surrounding such dispute, which resolution shall be deemed to occur, in the event the dispute arises due to insufficient detail or documentation, upon the presentation by DST of adequate detail or documentation, and establish a suitable amount to be paid; otherwise, if the parties are unable to resolve any such dispute, it shall be subject to the dispute resolution procedures set forth in Section 22 of this Agreement.

 

E. Except to the extent of any disputes pending pursuant to Section 16.D above, the Funds shall pay to DST all Fees, and reimburse all Expenses, properly due and payable within thirty (30) days from the date the Funds receive an invoice from DST, properly
28

    supported, for such Fees and Expenses (the “Due Date”). Where an invoice contains disputed and undisputed amounts, the Funds shall pay the undisputed amounts by the Due Date. In the event that any undisputed amounts due hereunder are not received by DST by the Due Date, the Funds shall pay to DST a late charge equal to the lesser of the maximum amount permitted by applicable law or the product one and one-half percent (1.5%) per month times the amount overdue times the number of whole or partial (pro-rated) months from the Due Date up to and including the day on which payment is received by DST. The parties hereby agree that such late charge represents a fair and reasonable computation of the costs incurred by reason of late payment and is not a penalty. Acceptance of such late charge shall not prevent DST from exercising any other rights and remedies available to it arising out of such late payment.

 

F. The existence of any overdue payment obligation with respect to Expenses shall not constitute a basis on which DST may suspend, alter or otherwise disrupt DST’s timely and consistent performance of the Services under this Agreement, unless such payment (excluding disputed amounts) are overdue by more than sixty (60) days. No overdue payment obligation shall constitute a basis for the termination, or attempted termination, of this Agreement by DST unless such payment obligation remains overdue for thirty (30) days after the Funds have received written notice from DST that such payment obligation is overdue; provided, however, if the Funds are disputing, in good faith, any payment obligation, such overdue payment obligation shall not constitute grounds for suspension of performance or termination of this Agreement, and such disputed overdue payment obligation shall be subject to the provisions of Section 16.D and the dispute resolution provisions of Section 22 of this Agreement. In the event that Expenses not being disputed in good faith remain unpaid in excess of ninety (90) days, DST may require the Funds to pay all further Expenses in advance.

 

G. The Funds shall be responsible for the payment of all taxes, including any sales or use taxes and taxes on the original issuance of shares, due and payable in connection with DST’s performance under this Agreement, except for any tax based on DST’s net income.

 

17. Standard of Care; Indemnification .
29
A. DST shall at all times use reasonable care, due diligence and act in good faith in performing the Services under this Agreement and, wherever applicable, shall provide the Services in accordance with Section 17A of the 1934 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder. In the absence of bad faith, willful misconduct, knowing violations of Applicable Law pertaining to the manner in which Services are to be performed by DST (excluding any violations arising directly or indirectly out of the actions or omissions to act of third parties unaffiliated with DST or instructions given DST by an Authorized Person), reckless disregard of the performance of its duties, or negligence on its part, DST shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered, or omitted by it or for any error of judgment made by it in the performance of its duties under this Agreement. For those activities or actions delineated in the Safeguard Procedures, DST shall be presumed to have used reasonable care, due diligence and acted in good faith if it has acted in accordance with the Safeguard Procedures, including any deviation therefrom that have been approved by the Funds in advance in writing (email or facsimile permitted).

 

B. The Funds shall indemnify and hold DST, together with its directors, officers, employees, representatives, affiliates, and agents, harmless from and against, any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability that may be asserted against DST or for which DST may be held liable, including without limitation costs and counsel fees incurred in enforcing this indemnification, (each, a “Loss” and collectively “Losses”), arising out of or attributable to:

 

(1) All actions or omissions of DST required to be taken or omitted by DST pursuant to this Agreement, provided that DST has fulfilled all material obligations under this Agreement with respect to the matter for which DST is seeking indemnification, including by way of example and not limitation, the standard of care set forth herein under Section 17.A.;

 

(2) The Funds’ refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, the Funds’ negligence or willful misconduct, or the material breach of any representation or warranty of the Fund hereunder;

 

(3) The good faith reliance on, or the carrying out of, any written or oral instructions or requests of persons designated by the Fund in writing, as set
30

forth on Schedule G and which may be amended from time to time, as authorized to give instructions on its behalf or representatives of an Authorized Person or DST’s good faith reliance on, or use of, information, data, Records, transmissions and documents received from, or which have been prepared and/or maintained by the Fund, its investment advisor, its sponsor, its Distributor or any other person or entity from whom the Fund instructs DST to accept and utilize information, data, Records, transmissions and documents; provided in any such event that DST has complied with the related Safeguard Procedures in all material respects with regard to such instructions;

 

(4) Defaults by dealers or shareowners with respect to payment for share orders previously entered;

 

(5) The offer or sale of the Fund’s shares in violation of any requirement under federal securities laws or regulations or the securities laws or regulations of any state or in violation of any stop order or other determination or ruling by any federal agency or state with respect to the offer or sale of such shares in such state (unless such violation results from DST’s failure to comply with written instructions of the Fund or of any officer of the Fund that no offers or sales be permitted to remain in the Fund’s securityholder Records in or to residents of such state);

 

(6) The Funds’ errors and mistakes in the use of the TA2000 System, the data center, computer and related equipment used to access the TA2000 System, and control procedures relating thereto in the verification of output and in the remote input of data;

 

(7) Errors, inaccuracies, and omissions in, or errors, inaccuracies or omissions of DST arising out of or resulting from such errors, inaccuracies and omissions in, the Funds’ Records, securityholder and other Records, delivered to DST hereunder by the Funds or their prior agent(s); and

 

(8) Actions or omissions to act by the Funds or agents designated by the Funds with respect to duties assumed thereby as provided for in Section 12 hereof; and
31
(9) DST’s performance of Exception Services except where DST acted or omitted to act in bad faith, with reckless disregard of its obligations or in an intentionally malicious manner. 1

 

C. Except where (i) DST is entitled to indemnification under Section 17.B. hereof, or (ii) with respect to the treatment of as ofs as provided in Exhibit 8, and subject to the limitations on liability set forth herein under Section 20, DST shall indemnify and hold the Funds, together with their respective directors, officers, employees, representatives, partners and agents, harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses and liability that may be asserted against the Funds or for which the Funds may be held liable, without limitation including costs and counsel fees incurred in enforcing this indemnification (each, a “Loss” and collectively “Losses”) arising out of or attributable to (a) DST’s refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, (b) DST’s negligence or willful misconduct hereunder, or (c) the breach of any representation or warranty of DST hereunder.

 

18. Limitations on Liability .

 

A. Each Fund shall be regarded for all purposes under this Agreement as a separate party, independent of each other Fund. If any Fund is comprised of more than one series, each series shall be regarded for all purposes under this Agreement as a separate party, independent of each other Fund and series. Unless the context otherwise requires, with respect to every transaction covered by this Agreement, every reference in this Agreement to the Funds shall be deemed to relate solely to the particular Fund or series to which such transaction relates. Under no circumstances shall the rights, obligations or remedies with respect to a particular Fund or series constitute a right, obligation or remedy applicable to any other Fund or series as the case may be. The use of this single document to memorialize the separate agreement of each Fund and series is understood to be for convenience only and shall not constitute any basis for joining the
 

1 “Intentionally malicious” as used in this Section 17.A.(9) shall mean act or omission committed or omitted: (1) with the actual knowledge that the action or omission at issue is a breach of the Party’s obligations under this Agreement and (2) with the intention of causing harm to the other party or its customers or shareholders.

32

Funds or series for any reason or establishing any liability of any Fund or series for the obligations of the other Funds or Series.

 

B. Notice is hereby given to DST that a copy of each Fund’s Charter Documents is on file with the Secretary of State of the state of its organization; that this Agreement has been executed on behalf of the Fund by the undersigned duly authorized representative of the Fund in that Person’s capacity as such and not individually; and that the obligations of this Agreement shall only be binding upon the assets and property of the applicable Fund or series and shall not be binding upon any director, trustee, officer or Shareholder of that Fund or series, or any other Fund or series, individually.

 

C. The cumulative aggregate liability of DST under this Agreement (whether to any Fund or Series, or all the Funds and Series in the aggregate), on the one hand, and of any Fund or Series, or all the Funds and Series in the aggregate to DST, on the other hand, with respect to, arising from or arising in connection with this Agreement, the Services provided or omitted to be provided under this Agreement, whether in contract, or in tort, or otherwise, is limited to, and shall not exceed, the amounts paid in the aggregate hereunder by all the Funds and all the Series to DST as Fees, but not including Expenses (as defined in this Agreement), during the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the event giving rise to the liability. The preceding limitations do not apply with respect to: (a) any liability of DST or the Funds with respect to, arising from or arising in connection with the intentional breach by DST or the Funds, as the case may be, of the requirements set forth in Section 21 hereof and committed with the actual knowledge that the action or omission at issue is a material breach of the Party’s obligations under this Agreement for the purpose of harming the other party or its customers or shareholders; or (b) any liability of a Fund or Series with respect to (i) the payment of Fees or Expenses, or both, (ii) the funding or payment of any amounts due in the ordinary course of the business of such Fund or Series, such as, by way of example and not limitation, the provision of sufficient funds to pay all outstanding debts, wire transfers, ACH transactions, drafts, checks or any other obligations of such of such Fund or Series incurred by DST on behalf of such Fund or Series in the course of providing Services to such Fund or Series, or (iii) for Losses for which DST (including any related party identified under Section 17.B) is held liable or for which DST must pay to a third party, including but not limited to a shareholder of any Fund.
33
D. Without limiting anything else in this Agreement, gains and losses resulting from “as of” adjustments shall be treated in accordance with, and governed by, the As Of Trade Policy attached as Exhibit 8 hereto (as amended from time to time by mutual agreement of DST and the Funds), which is incorporated into this Agreement. DST shall be liable for any Losses resulting from “as of” adjustments only to the extent provided for in the As Of Trade Policy.

 

E. IN NO EVENT AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL EITHER PARTY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT BE LIABLE TO ANY PERSON, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE OTHER PARTY, FOR PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, OR OTHER SPECIAL DAMAGES UNDER ANY PROVISION OF OR ON CONNECTION WITH SUCH PARTY’S PERFORMANCE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR FOR ANY ACT OR FAILURE TO ACT HEREUNDER, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF.

 

19. Indemnification Procedure .

 

A. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified person of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified person will, if a claim in respect thereto is to be made against an indemnifying party hereunder, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party will not relieve an indemnifying party from any liability that it may have to any indemnified person for contribution or otherwise under the indemnity agreement contained herein except to the extent it is prejudiced as a proximate result of such failure to timely notify. In case any such action is brought against any indemnified person and such indemnified person seeks or intends to seek indemnity from an indemnifying party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to assume the defense thereof (in its own name or in the name and on behalf of any indemnified party or both with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified person); provided, however, if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified person and an indemnifying party and the indemnified person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict between the positions of the indemnified person and an indemnifying party in conducting the defense of any such action or that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified persons which are inconsistent with those available to an indemnifying party, the indemnified person or indemnified persons shall have the right
34

to select one separate counsel (in addition to local counsel, both such separate counsel and such local counsel to be reasonably satisfactory to the indemnifying party’s counsel) to assume such legal defense and to otherwise participate in the defense of such action on behalf of such indemnified person or indemnified persons at such indemnified party’s sole expense.

 

B. Upon receipt of notice from an indemnifying party to such indemnified person of its election so to assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified person of counsel, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld (and any disapproval shall be accompanied by a written statement of the reasons therefor), the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified person hereunder for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified person in connection with the defense thereof. An indemnifying party will not settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified persons are actual or potential parties to such claim, action, suit or proceeding) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified person from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding. An indemnified party will not, without the prior written consent of the indemnifying party settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder. If it does so, it waives its right to indemnification therefor.

 

C. The obligation to indemnify a party’s directors, officers, employees, representatives, partners, affiliates and agents, as appropriate, in accordance with Section 17.B. and 17.C., as applicable, may be enforced exclusively by that party, and nothing herein shall be construed to grant such officers, directors, employees, representatives, partners, affiliates and agents any individual rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities with respect to the parties to this Agreement. The parties to this Agreement may amend or modify this Agreement in any respect without the consent of such officers, directors, employees, representatives, partners, affiliates and agents.

 

20. Termination of Agreement .
35

A. This Agreement shall be in effect for an initial period of five (5) years (the “Initial Term”) from the Effective Date and thereafter may be terminated by either party as of the last day of the then current term by the giving to the other party of at least one (1) year’s prior written notice, provided, however, that the effective date of any termination shall not occur during the period from December 15 through March 30 of any year to avoid adversely impacting year end. If such notice is not given by either party to the other at least one (1) year prior to the end of the then current term, this Agreement shall automatically extend for a new term equivalent to the same number of years as the Initial Term unless a different period is contained in any new Fee Schedule as the period during which such Fee Schedule shall be effective (in which latter event the period for which the Fee Schedule applies shall be the length of the new term), each such successive term or period, as applicable, being a new term of this Agreement, upon the expiration of any term hereof unless terminated as hereinafter provided in Section 12. B.

 

B. All of the Funds together and DST, in addition to any other rights and remedies, shall have the right to terminate this Agreement upon any material failure by the other party to perform its covenants, obligations or duties in accordance with this Agreement, including the failure of the warranties of any party to remain true and correct in all material respects, and which failure continues for ninety (90) days after receipt of written notice from the party not in breach, which notice shall specify in reasonable detail the existence of such material breach. For any event under this Section 20.B for which all of the Funds or DST may terminate this Agreement, such termination and deconversion shall be effective as of close of business on the first Friday after the expiration of the 90-day period (the “Termination for Cause Effective Date”) and upon notice by the Party not in breach to the other Party, provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the effective date of any termination under this Section 20.B shall not occur during the period from December 15 through March 30 of any year to avoid adversely impacting year end. Should a Termination for Cause Effective Date accrue on a date between December 15 of one year and March 30 of the immediately following year, the termination of this Agreement and deconversion of the data and Records of the Funds shall be deferred until, and shall occur as of, close of business on the first Friday on or after March 31 of such immediately following year.
36

C. In addition to any right to terminate this Agreement under the provisions of this Section 20, either Party shall have the further right to terminate this Agreement, subject to the provisions of the last sentence of Section 20.B above, upon delivery of written notice to the other Party, upon the occurrence of any of the following:

 

(1) the other party (including, with respect to the Funds, the Investment Manager) ceases to do business in the ordinary course, becomes or is declared insolvent or bankrupt, is the subject of any proceedings relating to its liquidation, insolvency or for the appointment of a receiver or similar officer for it (whether voluntary or involuntary), makes an assignment for the benefit of all or substantially all of its creditors, or enters into an agreement for the composition, extension or readjustment of all or substantially all of its obligations;

 

(2) DST, in the case of the Funds, or the Investment Manager of the Funds, in the case of DST, experiences any transfer of ownership of a controlling interest in such party by or to any person, other than a person who was an affiliate of that party immediately before any such transfer. For purposes of this subsection, a controlling interest shall be deemed to be more than fifty percent of the equity interest in a person; or

 

(3) the other party (including, with respect to the Funds, the Investment Manager) is the subject of any administrative or court order issued based on a final adjudication of matters with regard to a material violation of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act or other applicable law relating to its business.

 

D. Upon any liquidation or other dissolution of any Fund, series of a Fund, or upon any Fund ceasing to be a registered investment company under the 1940 Act, this Agreement shall, in the sole discretion of DST, immediately expire with respect to each such Fund or series of a Fund, upon delivery of written notice to the Fund or Funds. Upon any liquidation or other dissolution of the Investment Manager, or upon the Investment Manager ceasing to be a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, this Agreement shall, in the sole discretion of DST, immediately expire with respect to the Funds upon delivery of written notice to the Funds.
37

E. Contemporaneously with the expiration, or any termination of this Agreement as to any or all Funds:

 

(1) DST shall reasonably promptly following DST’s receipt of instructions and receipt of payment of all outstanding amounts not being disputed in good faith by the Funds due to DST from the Funds under this Agreement, transfer all data and Records to the successor transfer agent(s) designated by the Funds or otherwise as directed by the Funds and, if the Funds so elect, DST shall not retain a copy of any data and Records in its possession (except as required by Applicable Law or where the Funds’ data is or Records are electronically stored on shared media); and

 

(2) Subject to Section 20.E.(4), DST shall provide (subject to the recompense of DST for such assistance at DST’s standard rates and fees then in effect) all reasonably necessary and prudent assistance to the Funds and the successor transfer agent(s) designated by the Funds to ensure an orderly deconversion and transition of Services from DST to the successor transfer agent(s).

 

(3) In the event that, prior to any such termination or expiration and the transfer of the Funds’ data and Records from TA2000, there are any disputed outstanding amounts in connection with or arising out of the deconversion (all Fees for the usual provision of Services to be paid contemporaneously with or before the deconversion) due to DST from the Funds under this Agreement, the Funds shall promptly deposit an amount equal to two (2) months average Fees under this Agreement into an escrow account with an escrow agent pursuant to the terms and conditions of the escrow agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 9, pending resolution of such disputed amounts pursuant to binding arbitration as set forth in Section 23 of this Agreement, it being understood that such escrowed funds are (i) intended solely to insure full and complete payment by the Funds to DST for (A) deconversion and transition assistance as required by this Section 20.E; and (B) out-of-pocket or reimbursable expenses that are incurred by DST on behalf of the Funds but, as to which, reasonable evidence thereof is not yet available to be produced as of the last invoice rendered before the deconversion occurs, and (ii) not intended to apply to amounts due for DST’s
38

performance of Services not directly related to the provision of deconversion assistance under this Agreement. Accordingly, Fees and Expenses for which adequate documentation is available prior to the deconversion for the last month shall be paid separately from and without regard to the escrowed funds contemporaneously with DST’s delivery of the deconversion tapes. In order to assure payment in full Section 16 of this Agreement (as modified only with respect to the payment of the last month’s Fees and Expenses) shall survive the termination of this Agreement until all sums due from the Funds under this Agreement are paid in full. The only claims that may be asserted to withhold payment of the escrowed funds are claims arising from DST’s rendering or failure to render deconversion and transition assistance as required under the terms of this Agreement. Claims for service breaches unrelated to the provision by DST of required deconversion and transition assistance must be asserted in accordance with the terms set forth in Sections 17 and 22 of this Agreement, which sections shall survive the termination of this Agreement until the statute of limitations upon the assertion of claims arising under this Agreement has expired.

 

(4) For purposes of this Section 20.E., including without limitation Section 20.E.(2), the terms “assistance” or “deconversion and transition assistance” shall not include (i) assisting the successor transfer agent to modify, alter, enhance, or improve the system of the successor transfer agent, (ii) making modifications or changes to DST’s then current system or (iii) requiring DST to disclose any Confidential Information of DST (other than with respect to the format in which any Record is maintained on any DST System solely to the extent necessary to effect the deconversion and transition of Services from DST to the successor transfer agent as provided for under this Section 20.E and, even then, subject to such successor executing a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit 10).

 

(5) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Funds terminate this Agreement due to the breach of DST as provided in Section 20.B, DST hereby waives, and the Funds shall not be liable for, any Expenses or other amounts

39

which DST may otherwise charge or assess in connection with the deconversion and transfer of the operations of the Funds to any successor transfer agent(s).

 

21. Confidentiality .

 

A. For the purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” shall mean and include any and all proprietary and confidential information obtained, provided, produced or disclosed by or on behalf of the one party (the “Disclosing Party”) to the other party (the “Receiving Party”) in written, electronic, oral or other form, whether tangible or intangible including, without limitation, the terms of this Agreement.

 

(1) In the case of the Funds as the Disclosing Party, Confidential Information includes, without limitation, all data, including, without limitation, nonpublic personally identifiable information (“Personal Information”), and Records, and any and all nonpublic information related to the operations, activities, resources or trade secrets of the Funds, the Investment Manager or the Distributor or their business affairs provided by such persons to DST, but not including the format in which any record or data is maintained on any TA2000 or such other DST system.

 

(2) In the case of DST as the Disclosing Party, Confidential Information includes, without limitation, all of DST’s financial statements and other financial records provided to the Funds by DST, all accountant’s reports relating to DST, and all manuals, systems and other technical information and data (other than data, Records or Confidential Information of the Funds) relating to DST’s operations, DST facilities and the resources of DST and other programs provided by DST to the Funds (including, without limitation, all intellectual property belonging to DST and DST’s operating procedures including, but not limited to, the following, in or on whatever form or media: the nonpublic portions of the Safeguard Procedures (those derived or developed by DST) and the discoveries, ideas, concepts, software in various stages of development, processes, procedures, “know-how,” organizational structure, marketing techniques and materials, marketing and development plans, customer names and other information related to customers, price lists, pricing policies, financial information and designs, drawings, specifications, techniques, models, data, source code, object

40

code, documentation, diagrams, flow charts, algorithms, research, development employed in or used in connection with data processing software and systems).

 

B. “Confidential Information” shall not include any information that the Receiving Party is able to demonstrate is: (a) publicly available or later becomes publicly available other than through a breach of this Agreement; (b) known to the Receiving Party or its employees, agents or representatives prior to disclosure by the other party; (c) subsequently lawfully obtained by the Receiving Party or its employees, agents or representatives from a third party that is not under any obligations of confidentiality; (d) independently developed by the Receiving Party or its employees, agents or representatives, without use of the Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party as evidenced by contemporaneous documentation in the Receiving Party’s possession; or (e) legally required to be disclosed by the Receiving Party. As to any disclosures that are legally required, the Receiving Party shall provide the Disclosing Party, its third party contractors and any other affected parties with reasonable notice prior to such disclosure, to the extent permissible under the order requiring disclosure, and cooperate with the Receiving Party to establish suitable arrangements to minimize the extent and scope of any required disclosure. In the event a party seeks to assert one or more of the foregoing exceptions (a)-(e), such party shall bear the burden of proof of the applicability thereof.

 

C. During the Term and indefinitely thereafter, the Receiving Party shall undertake all necessary and appropriate steps to ensure that the confidentiality of the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information is maintained and that such Confidential Information is protected from unauthorized disclosure, including the continued use of appropriate Safeguard Procedures to protect such Confidential Information. The Receiving Party shall not disclose any Confidential Information of the Disclosing Party except as permitted under this Agreement, and the Receiving Party shall exercise at least the same degree of care, but no less than a reasonable degree of care, with respect to maintaining the confidentiality of the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information that it exercises to maintain the confidentiality of its own confidential and proprietary information of like importance. The Receiving Party shall use the Disclosing Party’s Confidential Information only and exclusively in connection with its performance under
41

this Agreement or as legally required and shall not otherwise use any such Confidential Information.

 

D. The parties acknowledge that any unauthorized use or disclosure of Confidential Information by the Receiving Party may cause the Disclosing Party irreparable damage that cannot be remedied in monetary damages in an action at law. Notwithstanding Section 22 (Dispute Resolution), in the event of any such unauthorized use or disclosure, the Disclosing Party shall be entitled, without the requirement to post bond, to an immediate injunction, in addition to any other legal or equitable remedies.

 

22. License.

 

A. During the Term, the Funds grant to DST a non-exclusive, non-sublicensable, non-transferable, non-assignable, revocable, royalty-free license to reproduce, display, distribute, perform and publicly and digitally use the content developed by the Fund and the Fund Marks, as set forth and defined on Schedule H attached hereto, which have been provided by the Funds (collectively, the “Fund Content”) to be used exclusively in providing the Services. Subject to the license granted in this Section 22, the Funds retain all rights, title and interest in the Fund Content and the Fund Marks. Except as expressly set forth in this Section 22, DST shall obtain the prior written approval of the Funds for any other uses of the Fund Content (or any part thereof) or any Fund Mark, or for any modification of any aspect of the Fund Content or the Fund Marks, including in each case, without limitation, any and all Intellectual Property contained therein.

 

B. As between the Funds and DST, (i) the Funds own all right, title and interest to all data (not including the format of the record in which such data is stored, which format belongs to DST), all Personal Information, all records pertaining to, or containing information about, shareholders, the Fund Marks and the Funds Content, and (ii) DST owns all right, title and interest to, or has the right to use, all of the DST facilities used to perform the Services, including, without limitation, all source and object code (including any code used for web sites that are utilized in performing the Services other than any code relating to the Fund Marks or Fund Content), intellectual property and records pertaining to DST’s operations and operational results but not containing information about or pertaining to the Funds or shareholders. The Funds hereby grant DST a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-free, right and license to:
42

(1) Use the Funds’ Records and data, but solely on DST Facilities, as necessary or appropriate to perform the Services under this Agreement or as required by Applicable Law or government or self-regulatory authorities; and

 

(2) Use aggregated data solely for the purpose of producing reports on the use of the Services (and similar services performed for other clients of DST) and use usage data solely for the purpose of producing reports on the use and operation of the web-based Services, for, in each case, disclosure to DST, the Funds, regulators, publications and other clients; provided, however, that (i) any such reports are made available on a confidential basis and no further disclosure, publication or distribution of the reports, in whole or in part, shall be permitted, (ii) no such reports shall identify the Funds or any person, or otherwise contain or disclose any Personal Information, other than reports provided exclusively to the Funds for administrative purposes under this Agreement, and (iii) DST shall deliver to the Funds a copy of any such report at no additional cost.

 

C. Except as provided in this Section 22, DST shall make no other uses of any of the data or Records of the Funds without the express prior written consent of the applicable Fund(s).

 

23. Dispute Resolution .

 

A. The parties shall negotiate in good faith to resolve any dispute, controversy or claim (a “Dispute”) between the parties expeditiously and to the mutual benefit of the continuity of relationship. In the event any such Dispute continues unresolved for fifteen (15) days after a senior executive from each party have met with each other (either in person or telephonically) in an attempt to resolve such Dispute, the parties shall thereafter immediately submit the Dispute to mediation in accordance with the then-current Commercial Mediation Rules of the Center for Public Resources (“CPR”) Mediation Procedure and shall bear equally the costs of the mediation. The parties will act in good faith to jointly appoint a mutually acceptable mediator, seeking assistance in such regard from the CPR within fifteen (15) days of the submission of the Dispute to Mediation. Unless otherwise agreed, the parties will select a mediator from the CPR Panels of Distinguished Neutrals. The parties agree to participate in good faith in the mediation and negotiations related thereto for a period of thirty (30) days commencing
43

with the selection of the mediator and any extension of such period as mutually agreed to by the parties. If the Dispute is not resolved within thirty (30) days after the beginning of the mediation and any extension of such periods as mutually agreed to by the parties, any party to the Dispute may submit the Dispute to, to be finally determined by, binding arbitration in accordance with the following provisions of this Section 23, regardless of the amount in controversy or whether such Dispute would otherwise be considered justifiable or ripe for resolution by a court or arbitration panel.

 

B. Any such arbitration shall be conducted by the CPR in accordance with the then-current CPR Rules for Non-Administered Arbitration (the “CPR Rules”), except to the extent that the CPR Rules conflict with the provisions of this Section 23, in which event the provisions of this Section 23 shall control.
     
C. The arbitration panel (the “Panel”) shall consist of three neutral arbitrators (“Arbitrators”), each of whom shall be an attorney having five or more years experience in the primary area of law as to which the Dispute relates, and shall be appointed in accordance with the CPR Rules (the “Basic Qualifications”). No more than one Arbitrator shall be from the New York metropolitan area and no more than one Arbitrator shall be from the Kansas City metropolitan area.

 

D. Should an Arbitrator refuse or be unable to proceed with arbitration proceedings as called for by this Section 23, a substitute Arbitrator possessing the Basic Qualifications shall be appointed by the CPR. If an Arbitrator is replaced after the arbitration hearing has commenced, then a rehearing shall take place in accordance with the provisions of this Section 23 and the CPR Rules.

 

E. The arbitration shall be conducted in the location most convenient to the majority of witnesses as to issues in dispute regarding the breach(es) of obligations; provided that the Panel may from time to time convene, carry on hearings, inspect property or documents and take evidence at any location which the Panel deems appropriate.

 

F. The Panel may in its discretion order a pre-exchange of information including production of documents, exchange of summaries of testimony or exchange of statements of position and shall schedule promptly all discovery and other procedural
44

steps and otherwise assume case management initiative and control to effect an efficient and expeditious resolution of the Dispute.

 

G. At any oral hearing of evidence in connection with any arbitration conducted pursuant to this Section 23, each party and its legal counsel shall have the right to examine its witnesses and to cross-examine the witnesses of the other party. No testimony of any witness shall be presented in written form unless the opposing parties shall have the opportunity to cross-examine such witness, except as the parties otherwise agree in writing and except under extraordinary circumstances where, in the opinion of the Panel, the interests of justice require a different procedure.

 

H. Within fifteen (15) days after the closing of the arbitration hearing, the Panel shall prepare and distribute to the parties a written award. The Panel shall have the authority to award any remedy or relief that a court of competent jurisdiction could order or grant, and shall award interest on any monetary award from the date that the loss or expense was incurred by the successful party; provided, however, that the Panel shall have no power to award damages expressly excluded by this Agreement and all parties to this Agreement waive any rights or claims to such damages against all other parties hereto. In addition, the Panel shall have the authority to decide issues relating to the interpretation, meaning or performance of this Agreement, any agreement, certificate or other document referred to herein or delivered in connection herewith, or the relationships of the parties hereunder or thereunder, even if such decision would constitute an advisory opinion in a court proceeding or if the issues would otherwise not be ripe for resolution in a court proceeding, and any such decision shall bind the parties in their performance of this Agreement and such other documents.

 

I. Except as necessary in court proceedings to enforce this arbitration provision or an award rendered hereunder, to obtain interim relief, or as otherwise required by law, no party nor any arbitrator shall disclose the existence, content or results of any arbitration conducted hereunder without the prior written consent of the other parties. To the extent that the relief or remedy granted in an award rendered by the Panel is relief or a remedy on which a court could enter judgment, a judgment upon the award rendered by the Panel may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Otherwise, the award shall be binding on the parties in connection with their obligations under this
45

Agreement and in any subsequent arbitration or judicial proceedings among any of the parties.

 

J. The parties agree to share equally the cost of any arbitration, including the administrative fee, the compensation of the arbitrators and the costs of any neutral witnesses or proof produced at the direct request of the Panel.

 

K. Notwithstanding the choice of law provision set forth in Section 24.B, The Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§1 to 14, except as modified hereby, shall govern the enforcement of this Section 23.

 

L. Notwithstanding the Dispute resolution procedures contained in this Section 23, any party may apply to any court having jurisdiction (i) to enforce this Agreement to arbitrate, (ii) to seek injunctive relief so as to maintain the status quo until the arbitration award is rendered or the Dispute is otherwise resolved, (iii) to avoid the expiration of any applicable limitation period, (iv) to preserve a superior position with respect to other creditors, or (v) to challenge or vacate any final judgment, award or decision of the Panel.

 

M. If any action, suit, or proceeding is commenced to establish, maintain, or enforce any right or remedy under this Agreement, the party not prevailing therein shall pay, in addition to any damages or other award, all reasonable attorneys’ fees and litigation expenses incurred therein by the prevailing party.

 

N. Unless otherwise agreed to by the parties, during the performance of the Services and for a period of one (1) year after the expiration or termination of this Agreement, neither DST nor the Funds, including any affiliated parties of any of the foregoing, shall hire or attempt to hire any individual person who (a) has been directly involved in the development or performance of the Services, and (b) is then, or who had been at any time during the year prior to the hiring or attempted hiring, an employee of the other party; provided, however, that the preceding restrictions shall not be binding with respect to (y) any such person who initiates discussions regarding their employment or (z) any general public advertising conducted by either party regarding employment opportunities excluding an advertisement in the local media in the area in which the principal office of the other party is located.
46

O. THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY PROCEEDING OF ANY NATURE ARISING UNDER THE AGREEMENT, OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT IN ANY WAY, OR ANY AMENDMENT OR SUPPLEMENT HERETO. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE FOREGOING WAIVER IS KNOWING AND VOLUNTARY.

 

P. The parties agree that this Section 23 applies solely and exclusively to arbitrations solely between DST and the Funds, and DST does not, in or under any provision of this Agreement, consent, and shall not be deemed to have consented, to participate in or be a party to any arbitration before a panel of a self-regulatory organization, as defined in the 1934 Act, or to any other arbitration in which a Shareholder or any other Person other than the Funds is a party without the written consent of the DST.

 

24. Miscellaneous .

 

A. This Agreement, together with the attached Schedules and Exhibits, which are attached hereto and incorporated herein as if fully set forth in this Agreement, constitute the entire agreement between the parties hereto and supersedes the Prior Agreement and any other prior agreements, draft or agreement or proposal with respect to the subject matter hereof, whether oral or written.

 

B. This Agreement shall be construed according to, and the rights and liabilities of the parties hereto shall be governed by, the laws of the State of New York, excluding that body of law applicable to choice of law.

 

C. All terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

D. No provisions of this Agreement may be amended or modified in any manner except by a written agreement properly authorized and executed by each party hereto.

 

E. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only, and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
47

F. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

G. Each of the parties agrees that it shall, at any time prior to, at or after the Effective Date, take or cause to be taken such further actions, and execute, deliver and file or cause to be executed, delivered and filed such documentation as may be reasonably necessary to fully effectuate the purposes of the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

H. If any part, term or provision of this Agreement is by the courts held to be illegal, in conflict with any law or otherwise invalid, the remaining portion or portions shall be considered severable and not be affected, and the rights and obligations of the parties shall be construed and enforced as if the Agreement did not contain the particular part, term or provision held to be illegal or invalid.

 

I. This Agreement may not be assigned by the Funds or DST without the prior written consent of the other.

 

J. Neither the execution nor performance of this Agreement shall be deemed to create a partnership or joint venture by and between the Funds and DST. It is understood and agreed that all Services performed hereunder by DST shall be as an independent contractor and not as an employee of the Funds. This Agreement is between DST and each of the Funds and neither this Agreement nor the performance of Services under it shall create any rights in any third parties. There are no third party beneficiaries hereto.

 

K. Except as specifically provided herein, this Agreement does not in any way affect any other agreements entered into among the parties hereto and any actions taken or omitted by any party hereunder shall not affect any rights or obligations of any other party hereunder except that, upon the Effective Date of this Agreement, the Prior Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force and effect save as to those provisions that survive the termination thereof according to the terms of the Prior Agreement.

 

L. The failure of either party to insist upon the performance of any terms or conditions of this Agreement or to enforce any rights resulting from any breach of any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement, including the payment of damages, shall not be construed
48

as a continuing or permanent waiver of any such terms, conditions, rights or privileges, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect as if no such forbearance or waiver had occurred.

 

M. All notices to be given hereunder shall be deemed properly given if delivered in person or if sent by U.S. mail, first class, postage prepaid, or if sent by facsimile and thereafter confirmed by mail as follows:

 

If to DST :

DST Systems, Inc.

1055 Broadway, 7 th Floor

Kansas City, Missouri 64105

Attn: Group Vice President-Full Service

Facsimile No.: 816-435-3455

 

With a copy of non-operational notices to:

DST Systems, Inc.

333 West 11 th Street, 5 th Floor

Kansas City, Missouri 64105

Attn: Legal Department

Facsimile No.: 816-435-8630

 

If to the Funds :

Lord Abbett Family of Funds

49

c/o Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC

90 Hudson Street

Jersey City, New Jersey 07302

Attn: Chief Operations Officer

Facsimile No.: 201-827-3154

Electronic Mail: jbinstock@lordabbett.com

 

With a copy of non-operational notices to:

Lord Abbett Family of Funds

c/o Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC

90 Hudson Street

Jersey City, New Jersey 07302

Attn: General Counsel

Facsimile No.: 201-827-3269

Electronic Mail: lkaplan@lordabbett.com

 

or to such other address as shall have been specified in writing by the party to whom such notice is to be given.

 

N. DST and the Funds (including the Funds’ Investment Manager and Principal Underwriter) agree that, during any term of this Agreement and for twelve (12) months after its termination, neither party will solicit for employment or offer employment to any employees of the other.

 

[SIGNATURES FOLLOW ON NEXT PAGE]

50

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective duly authorized officers, to be effective as of the day and year first above written.

 

DST SYSTEMS, INC.   ON BEHALF OF EACH OF THE LORD ABBETT FUNDS LISTED ON SCHEDULE A
         
By: /s/ Thomas J. Schmidt   By: /s/ Daria L. Foster
         
Name:  Thomas J. Schmidt   Name:  Daria L. Foster
         
Title: Vice President   Title: President
51

SCHEDULE A (amended as of December 1, 2013) 2

 

List of Funds

 

This Schedule A, as may be amended from time to time, is incorporated into that certain Agency Agreement dated April 30, 2010 (as amended March 15, 2011) by and between DST Systems, Inc. and the Lord Abbett Family of Funds, as amended. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined in this Schedule A have the meanings given to such terms in the Agreement.

 

The following table is the list of the Funds within the Lord Abbett Family of Funds. Registrants are listed in bold font and each Registrant’s Series, if any, are listed in italics immediately below the Registrant.

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.
 
Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.
 
Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.
 
Lord Abbett Equity Trust
 
  Lord Abbett Calibrated Large Cap Value
   
  Lord Abbett Calibrated Mid Cap Value Fund
   
Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc .
 
  Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Corporate Debt Fund
   
  Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Currency Fund
   
  Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund
   
  Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Global Opportunity Fund
   
Lord Abbett Investment Trust
 
  Lord Abbett Convertible Fund
 

2 As amended to reflect: (1) effective November 22, 2013, the Reorganization of Lord Abbett Classic Stock Fund into Lord Abbett Calibrated Dividend Growth Fund, each a series of Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.; (2) effective November 29, 2013, the name change of Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Global Opportunity Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett Global Allocation Fund); and (3) effective December 1, 2013, Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Balanced Opportunity Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett Balanced Strategy Fund), Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Growth Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett Growth & Income Strategy Fund), and Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Income Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett Diversified Income Strategy Fund).

52

  Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund
   
  Lord Abbett Diversified Equity Strategy Fund
   
  Lord Abbett Floating Rate Fund
   
  Lord Abbett High Yield Fund
   
  Lord Abbett Income Fund
   
  Lord Abbett Inflation Focused Fund
   
  Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Balanced Opportunity Fund
   
  Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Growth Fund
   
  Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Income Fund
   
  Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund
   
  Lord Abbett Total Return Fund
   

Lord Abbett Mid Cap Stock Fund, Inc.  
   
Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.
   
  Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund
   
  Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund
   
  Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund
   
  Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free Fund
   
  Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund
   
  Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund
   
  Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund
   
  Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund
   
Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.
 
  Lord Abbett Calibrated Dividend Growth Fund
   
  Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund
   
 

Small-Cap Value Series

53
Lord Abbett Securities Trust
 
  Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund
   
  Lord Abbett Fundamental Equity Fund
   
  Lord Abbett Growth Leaders Fund
   
  Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund
   
  Lord Abbett International Dividend Income Fund
   
  Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund
   
  Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund
   
  Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund
   
  Lord Abbett Value Opportunities Fund
   
Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.
 
  Bond-Debenture Portfolio
   
  Calibrated Dividend Growth Portfolio
   
  Classic Stock Portfolio
   
  Developing Growth Portfolio
   
  Fundamental Equity Portfolio
   
  Growth and Income Portfolio
   
  Growth Opportunities Portfolio
   
  International Core Equity Portfolio
   
  International Opportunities Portfolio
   
  Mid Cap Stock Portfolio
   
  Total Return Portfolio
   
  Value Opportunities Portfolio
   
Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.
54

 

Administrative Services Agreement - Amendment # 1-21

 

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

          This Administrative Services Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of December 12, 2002 by and among each of the investment companies in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds, as set forth on Exhibit 1 hereto, and each new Lord Abbett Fund added as a party to this Agreement pursuant to section 9, (each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) and Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Lord Abbett”).

RECITALS

          A. WHEREAS, Lord Abbett has entered into a Management Agreement with each Fund whereby Lord Abbett provides investment management services to each Fund.

          B. WHEREAS, each Fund desires to retain Lord Abbett to provide certain administrative services and Lord Abbett is willing to provide, or arrange to have provided, such services upon the terms and conditions as hereinafter provided.

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, it is agreed as follows:

          1. Agreement to Perform Administrative Services. Each Fund hereby employs Lord Abbett under the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and Lord Abbett hereby accepts such employment and agrees to perform the administrative services described below. It is understood that the persons employed by Lord Abbett to assist in the performance of its duties hereunder will not devote their full time to such services, and may in fact devote a substantial portion of their time to the performance of duties relating to Lord Abbett’s provision of services to other clients, and nothing herein shall be deemed to limit or restrict the right of Lord Abbett, its affiliates, and their respective employees, to engage in and devote time and attention to other business or to render services of whatever kind or nature to Lord Abbett’s other clients.

          2. Lord Abbett Services and Duties. Lord Abbett will provide, or arrange to have provided in accordance with section 3 below, for each Fund those facilities, equipment, and personnel to carry out the administrative services which are described in Exhibit 2 hereto (“Administrative Services”). Lord Abbett represents that it has sufficient personnel and experience to perform the Administrative Services, and agrees to perform such Administrative Services in accordance with industry standards for mutual fund administrators.


          In performing its duties under this Agreement, Lord Abbett agrees that it shall observe and be bound by all of the provisions of (1) each Fund’s Articles of Incorporation/Declaration and Agreement of Trust and By-laws (including any amendments thereto) which in any way limit or restrict or prohibit or otherwise regulate any action by Lord Abbett, (2) each Fund’s registration statement, and (3) the instructions and directions of the Boards of Directors/Trustees of each Fund. In addition, Lord Abbett agrees and warrants that it will use its best efforts to conform to and comply with the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”) and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations.

          3. Lord Abbett Subcontractors . It is understood that Lord Abbett may from time to time employ or associate with such person or persons (“Subcontractors”) as Lord Abbett may believe to be particularly fitted to assist in its performance of this Agreement; provided, however, that the compensation of such Subcontractors shall be paid by Lord Abbett and that Lord Abbett shall be as fully responsible to each Fund for the acts and omissions of any Subcontractor as it is for its own acts and omissions. Lord Abbett shall use its best efforts to ensure that any Subcontractor complies with the provisions of section 2 above.

          4. Expenses Assumed . Except as otherwise set forth in this section 4 or as otherwise approved by the Funds’ Boards of Directors/Trustees, Lord Abbett shall pay all expenses incurred by it in performing the Administrative Services, including the cost of providing office facilities, equipment and personnel related to such services. Each Fund will pay its own fees, costs, expenses or charges relating to its assets and operations, including without limitation: fees and expenses under the Management Agreement; fees and expenses of Directors/Trustees not affiliated with Lord Abbett; governmental fees; interest charges; taxes; association membership dues; fees and charges for legal and auditing services; fees and expenses of any custodians or trustees with respect to custody of its assets; fees, charges and expenses of dividend disbursing agents, registrars and transfer agents (including the cost of keeping all necessary shareholder records and accounts, and of handling any problems relating thereto and the expense of furnishing to all shareholders statements of their accounts after every transaction, including the expense of mailing); costs and expenses of repurchase and redemption of its shares; costs and expenses of preparing, printing and mailing to shareholders ownership certificates, proxy statements and materials, prospectuses, reports and notices; costs of preparing reports to governmental agencies; brokerage fees and commissions of every kind and expenses in connection with the execution of portfolio security transactions (including the cost of any service or agency designed to facilitate the purchase and sale of portfolio securities); and all postage, insurance premiums, and any other fee, cost, expense or charge of any kind incurred by and on behalf of the Trust and not expressly assumed by Lord Abbett under this Agreement or the Management Agreement.


          5. Compensation . For the services rendered, facilities furnished and expenses assumed by Lord Abbett under this Agreement, each Fund will pay to Lord Abbett an annual administrative services fee, computed and payable monthly, at the annual rate of .04% of the value of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Such value shall be calculated in the same manner as provided in each Fund’s Management Agreement. It is specifically understood and agreed that any fees for fund accounting services payable by the Funds to State Street Bank and Trust Company pursuant to that separate Custodian and Investment Accounting Agreement dated November 1, 2001 shall be paid directly by Lord Abbett on behalf of the Funds. It is further understood and agreed that should the Funds’ regulatory environment change so that the costs to Lord Abbett of providing Administrative Services increase or decrease significantly, then Lord Abbett and the Funds’ Boards of Directors/Trustees will consider whether it would be appropriate to adjust the compensation under this Agreement.

          6. Standard of Care . Other than to abide by the provisions hereof and render the services called for hereunder in good faith, Lord Abbett assumes no responsibility under this Agreement and, having so acted, Lord Abbett shall not be held liable or accountable for any mistakes of law or fact, or for any error or omission of its officers, directors, members or employees, or for any loss or damage arising or resulting therefrom suffered by a Fund or any of its shareholders, creditors, Directors/Trustees or officers; provided however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect Lord Abbett against any liability to the Fund or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties hereunder, or by reason of the reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder.

          7. Conflicts of Interest . Neither this Agreement nor any other transaction between the parties hereto pursuant to this Agreement shall be invalidated or in any way affected by the fact that any of the Directors/Trustees, officers, shareholders, or other representatives of a Fund are or may be an interested person of Lord Abbett, or any successor or assignee thereof, or that any or all of the officers, members, or other representatives of Lord Abbett are or may be an interested person of the Fund, except as otherwise may be provided in the 1940 Act. Lord Abbett in acting hereunder shall be an independent contractor and not an agent of the Funds.

          8. Effective Date and Termination . This Agreement shall become effective with respect to a Fund on January 1, 2003, or at such other date as may be set by the Fund’s Board of Directors/Trustees by resolution, and shall continue in force for two years from the date hereof, and is renewable annually thereafter by specific approval of the Directors/Trustees of the Fund or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund; any such renewal shall be approved by the vote of a majority of the Directors/Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of Lord Abbett or of the Fund, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such renewal.


          This Agreement may be terminated without penalty at any time by the Directors/Trustees of a Fund or by Lord Abbett on 60 days’ written notice. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. The terms “interested persons,” “assignment” and “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall have the same meaning as those terms are defined in the 1940 Act.

          9. Addition of New Funds to Agreement . In the event that a new fund is created in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds and such fund wishes to engage Lord Abbett to perform Administrative Services under this Ageement, such fund shall be entitled to do so by executing and delivering to Lord Abbett a document accepting this Agreement. The employment of Lord Abbett on behalf of any new fund shall become effective upon Lord Abbett’s receipt of such counterpart executed by such new fund.

          10. Individual Liability. The obligations of each Company/Trust, including those imposed hereby, are not personally binding upon, nor shall resort be had to the private property of, any of the Directors/Trustees, shareholders, officers, employees or agents of the Company/Trust individually, but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Company/Trust. Any and all personal liability, either at common law or in equity, or by statute or constitution, of every such Director/Trustee, shareholder, officer, employee or agent for any breach by the Company/Trust of any agreement, representation or warranty hereunder is hereby expressly waived as a condition of and in consideration for the execution of this Agreement by the Company/Trust.

          11. Liability of Funds Several and not Joint . The obligations of a Fund under this Agreement are enforceable solely against that Fund and its assets.

          12. Delaware Law . This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.


          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds listed on
Exhibit 1 Attached hereto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Christina T. Simmons

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christina T. Simmons

 

 

 

 

 

Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Robert S. Dow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert S. Dow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Paul A. Hilstad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul A. Hilstad

 

 

 

 

 

Member, General Counsel

 

 

 

 



EXHIBIT 1
TO
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Blend Trust

 

          Lord Abbett Small-Cap Blend Fund

 

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

 

          Equity Series

 

          Income Series

 

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

          Balanced Series

 

          Core Fixed Income Fund

 

          Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

 

          Limited Duration U.S. Government Securities Series

 

          Lord Abbett Total Return Fund

 

          U.S. Government Securities Series

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Growth Fund

 

Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

 

          Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

 

          Large-Cap Series

 

          Small-Cap Value Series

 

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

          Alpha Series

 

          Lord Abbett All Value Fund

 

          International Series

 

          Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

 

          Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

 

          Bond-Debenture Portfolio

 

          Growth and Income Portfolio

 

          International Portfolio

 

          Mid-Cap Value Portfolio

 

Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Trust

 

Lord Abbett U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund, Inc.



EXHIBIT 2
TO
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

          In accordance with section 2 of the Agreement, Lord Abbett will provide, or arrange to have provided, the following Administrative Services for each Fund:

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Fund Accounting, Financial Reporting, Shareholder Servicing and Technology

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Perform Fund accounting services which include, but are not limited to, daily NAV calculation and dissemination, and maintenance of books and records as required by Rule 31 (a) of the1940 Act.

 

 

 

(2)

Perform the functions of a mutual fund’s chief financial officer and treasurer.

 

 

 

(3)

Perform Fund budgeting and accounts payable functions.

 

 

 

(4)

Perform Financial Reporting, including reports to the Board of Directors/Trustees, and preparation of financial statements, NSARs and registration statements.

 

 

 

(5)

Coordinate regulatory examinations.

 

 

 

(6)

Calculate and facilitate payment of dividends.

 

 

 

(7)

Oversee the preparation and ensure the filing of all Federal/State Tax Returns.

 

 

 

(8)

Monitor the Fund’s compliance with IRS regulations.

 

 

 

(9)

Monitor compliance with Fund policies on valuing (pricing) all Fund assets.

 

 

 

(10)

Monitor Transfer Agent to ensure shareholder accounts are being processed in compliance with the appropriate regulations and are reflected appropriately in the Fund’s records. Ensure 12b-1 payments being paid by the Fund are accurate and in accordance with the 12b-1 plans.

 

 

 

(11)

Maintain the technology platforms and market data feeds necessary for the daily accounting and reporting functions set forth in this Agreement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b)

Legal, Compliance and Blue Sky Functions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Prepare and maintain files of all Board and shareholder meeting materials, including minutes.

 

 

 

(2)

Monitor compliance by each Fund with various conditions imposed by exemptive orders and/or regulatory requirements relating to multiple classes of shares, and fund of funds.




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

Prepare and review periodic Prospectus/Statement of Additional Information compliance reports.

 

 

 

(4)

Prepare, update and file with the SEC the Funds’ registration statements, including pre-effective and post-effective amendments, Prospectuses, SAIs, and supplements.

 

 

 

(5)

Prepare and/or review and file proxy materials with the SEC.

 

 

 

(6)

Review annual and semi-annual reports of the Funds.

 

 

 

(7)

Negotiate D&O/E&O insurance matters and annual renewals on behalf of the Funds.

 

 

 

(8)

Monitor fidelity bond coverage for the Funds.

 

 

 

(9)

Review Rule 24f-2 notices relating to registration fees and file with the SEC.

 

 

 

(10)

Coordinate regulatory examinations of the Funds.

 

 

 

(11)

Assist in preparation of Board members’ questionnaires.

 

 

 

(12)

Register Fund shares with appropriate state blue sky authorities.

 

 

 

(13)

Obtain and renew all sales permits required by relevant state authorities in order to permit the sale of shares in the state.

 

 

 

(14)

Monitor the sale of shares in individual states.

 

 

 

(15)

Respond to all blue sky audit and examination issues.




 

 

 

 

 

Administrative Services Agreement - Amendment #1

AMENDMENT 1
to the
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
among
The Investment Companies comprising the Lord Abbett Family of Funds
(each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) as set forth on Exhibit 1
and
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”)

          WHEREAS, the Investment Companies named on Exhibit 1 and Lord Abbett entered into an Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002, as may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, Section 9 of the Agreement provides for the addition to the Agreement of new funds created in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds where such funds wish to engage Lord Abbett to perform Administrative Services under the Agreement;

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to include additional funds;

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respects:

          1. The Agreement is hereby amended to add the following funds to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement:

 

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

All Value Portfolio

 

 

America’s Value Portfolio

 

 

Growth Opportunities Portfolio

          2. The Agreement shall remain the same in all other respects.

          3. The Amendment is effective as of the 30 th day of April, 2003.


          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds listed on Exhibit 1 Attached hereto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Christina T. Simmons

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Christina T. Simmons

 

 

 

 

 

Vice President & Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Robert S. Dow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert S. Dow

 

 

 

 

 

Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Paul A. Hilstad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul A. Hilstad

 

 

 

 

 

Member, General Counsel

 

 

 

 



EXHIBIT 1 (AMENDED AS OF APRIL 30, 2003)
TO
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Blend Trust

          Lord Abbett Small-Cap Blend Fund

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

          Equity Series

          Income Series

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

          Balanced Series

          Core Fixed Income Fund

          Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

          Limited Duration U.S. Government Securities Series

          Lord Abbett Total Return Fund

          U.S. Government Securities Series

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Growth Fund

Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

          Lord Abbett America’s Value Fund

          Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

          Large-Cap Series

          Small-Cap Value Series

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

          Alpha Series

          Lord Abbett All Value Fund

          International Series

          Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

          Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

          All Value Portfolio

          America’s Value Portfolio

          Bond-Debenture Portfolio

          Growth and Income Portfolio

          Growth Opportunities Portfolio

          International Portfolio

          Mid-Cap Value Portfolio




 

Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc.

          Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

          Lord Abbett Connecticut Tax-Free Income Fund

          Lord Abbett Hawaii Tax-Free Income Fund

          Lord Abbett Minnesota Tax-Free Income Fund

          Lord Abbett Missouri Tax-Free Income Fund

          Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

          Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

          Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

          Lord Abbett Texas Tax-Free Income Fund

          Lord Abbett Washington Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Trust

          Florida Series

          Georgia Series

          Michigan Series

          Pennsylvania Series

Lord Abbett U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund, Inc.




 

 

 

 

 

Administrative Services Agreement - Amendment #2

AMENDMENT 2
to the
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
among
The Investment Companies comprising the Lord Abbett Family of Funds
(each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) as set forth on Exhibit 1
and
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”)

          WHEREAS, the Investment Companies named on Exhibit 1 and Lord Abbett entered into an Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002, as may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, Section 9 of the Agreement provides for the addition to the Agreement of new funds created in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds where such funds wish to engage Lord Abbett to perform Administrative Services under the Agreement;

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to include additional funds;

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respects:

          1. The Agreement is hereby amended to add the following funds to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement:

 

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

          Lord Abbett Convertible Fund

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

          Lord Abbett Large-Cap Value Fund

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Trust

 

          Lord Abbett Insured Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

          2. The Agreement shall remain the same in all other respects.

          3. The Amendment is effective as of the 30 th day of June, 2003.


          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds listed on Exhibit 1 Attached hereto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Christina T. Simmons

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Christina T. Simmons

 

 

 

 

 

Vice President & Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Robert S. Dow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert S. Dow

 

 

 

 

 

Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Paul A. Hilstad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul A. Hilstad

 

 

 

 

 

Member, General Counsel

 

 

 

 



EXHIBIT 1 (AMENDED AS OF JUNE 30, 2003)
TO
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Blend Trust

 

          Lord Abbett Small-Cap Blend Fund

 

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

 

          Equity Series

 

          Income Series

 

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

          Balanced Series

 

          Core Fixed Income Fund

 

          Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

 

          Limited Duration U.S. Government Securities Series

 

          Lord Abbett Total Return Fund

 

          U.S. Government Securities Series

 

          Lord Abbett Convertible Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Growth Fund

 

Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

 

          Lord Abbett America’s Value Fund

 

          Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

 

          Large-Cap Series

 

          Small-Cap Value Series

 

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

          Alpha Series

 

          Lord Abbett All Value Fund

 

          International Series

 

          Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

 

          Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

 

          Lord Abbett Large-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

 

          All Value Portfolio

 

          America’s Value Portfolio

 

          Bond-Debenture Portfolio

 

          Growth and Income Portfolio

 

          Growth Opportunities Portfolio

 

          International Portfolio

 

          Mid-Cap Value Portfolio




 

 

 

Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc.

 

          Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

 

          Lord Abbett Connecticut Tax-Free Income Fund

 

          Lord Abbett Hawaii Tax-Free Income Fund

 

          Lord Abbett Minnesota Tax-Free Income Fund

 

          Lord Abbett Missouri Tax-Free Income Fund

 

          Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

 

          Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

 

          Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

 

          Lord Abbett Texas Tax-Free Income Fund

 

          Lord Abbett Washington Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Trust

 

          Florida Series

 

          Georgia Series

 

          Michigan Series

 

          Pennsylvania Series

 

          Lord Abbett Insured Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

Lord Abbett U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund, Inc.




 

 

 

 

 

Administrative Services Agreement - Amendment #3


 

AMENDMENT 3

to the

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

among
The Investment Companies comprising the Lord Abbett Family of Funds
(each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) as set forth on Exhibit 1
and
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”)

          WHEREAS, the Investment Companies named on Exhibit 1 and Lord Abbett entered into an Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002, as may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, Section 9 of the Agreement provides for the addition to the Agreement of new funds created in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds where such funds wish to engage Lord Abbett to perform Administrative Services under the Agreement;

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to include additional funds;

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respects:

          1. The Agreement is hereby amended to add the following fund to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement:

          Lord Abbett Securities Trust
                    Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund

          2. The Agreement shall remain the same in all other respects.

          3. The Amendment is effective as of the 15 th day of December, 2003.


          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

 

 

 

 

On behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds
listed on Exhibit 1 Attached hereto

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 


 

 

 

Joan A. Binstock
Chief Financial Officer

 


 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

/s/ Christina T. Simmons

 


 

Christina T. Simmons
Vice President & Assistant Secretary


 

 

 

 

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert S. Dow

 

 

 


 

 

 

Robert S. Dow
Managing Member

 


 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

/s/ Paul A. Hilstad

 


 

Paul A. Hilstad
Member, General Counsel




 

EXHIBIT 1 (AMENDED AS OF DECEMBER 15, 2003)

TO

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT


 

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Blend Trust

Lord Abbett Small-Cap Blend Fund

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

Equity Series

Income Series

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

Balanced Series

Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund

Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

Lord Abbett Limited Duration U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Fund

Lord Abbett Total Return Fund

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Fund

Lord Abbett Convertible Fund

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Growth Fund

Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett America’s Value Fund

Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

Large-Cap Series

Small-Cap Value Series

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

Alpha Series

Lord Abbett All Value Fund

Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Value Fund

Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

All Value Portfolio

America’s Value Portfolio

Bond-Debenture Portfolio

Growth and Income Portfolio

Growth Opportunities Portfolio

International Portfolio

Mid-Cap Value Portfolio




 

Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Connecticut Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Hawaii Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Minnesota Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Missouri Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Texas Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Washington Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Trust

Florida Series

Georgia Series

Michigan Series

Pennsylvania Series

Lord Abbett Insured Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.




 

 

 

 

 

Administrative Services Agreement - Amendment #4


 

AMENDMENT 4

to the

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

among

The Investment Companies comprising the Lord Abbett Family of Funds
(each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) as set forth on Exhibit 1
and
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”)

          WHEREAS, the Investment Companies named on Exhibit 1 and Lord Abbett entered into an Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002, as may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to amend Section 5. Compensation;

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respects:

 

 

 

 

1.

The first sentence of Section 5 is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

For the services rendered, facilities furnished and expenses assumed by Lord Abbett under this Agreement, each Fund (other than Lord Abbett Securities Trust – Alpha Series and Lord Abbett Investment Trust – Balanced Series) will pay to Lord Abbett an annual administrative services fee, computed and payable monthly, at the annual rate of .04% of the value of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

 

 

 

2.

The Agreement shall remain the same in all other respects.

 

 

 

 

3.

The Amendment is effective with respect to the change in compensation relating to Lord Abbett Securities Trust – Alpha Series as of March 1, 2004 and relating to Lord Abbett Investment Trust – Balanced Series as of April 1, 2004.



          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

 

 

 

 

On behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds
listed on Exhibit 1 Attached hereto

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 


 

 

 

Joan A. Binstock
Chief Financial Officer

 


 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

/s/Christina T. Simmons

 


 

Christina T. Simmons
Vice President & Assistant Secretary


 

 

 

 

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Robert S. Dow

 

 

 


 

 

 

Robert S. Dow
Managing Member

 


 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

/s/Paul A. Hilstad

 


 

Paul A. Hilstad
Member, General Counsel




 

EXHIBIT 1 (AMENDED AS OF DECEMBER 15, 2003)

TO

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT


 

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Blend Trust

Lord Abbett Small-Cap Blend Fund

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

Equity Series

Income Series

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

Balanced Series

Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund

Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

Lord Abbett Limited Duration U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Fund

Lord Abbett Total Return Fund

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Fund

Lord Abbett Convertible Fund

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Growth Fund

Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett America’s Value Fund

Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

Large-Cap Series

Small-Cap Value Series

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

Alpha Series

Lord Abbett All Value Fund

Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Value Fund

Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

All Value Portfolio

America’s Value Portfolio

Bond-Debenture Portfolio

Growth and Income Portfolio

Growth Opportunities Portfolio

International Portfolio

Mid-Cap Value Portfolio




 

Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Connecticut Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Hawaii Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Minnesota Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Missouri Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Texas Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Washington Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Trust

Florida Series

Georgia Series

Michigan Series

Pennsylvania Series

Lord Abbett Insured Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.




 

 

 

 

 

Administrative Services Agreement - Amendment #5

AMENDMENT 5
to the
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
among
The Investment Companies comprising the Lord Abbett Family of Funds
(each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) as set forth on Exhibit 1
and
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”)

          WHEREAS, the Investment Companies named on Exhibit 1 and Lord Abbett entered into an Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002, as may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to amend Exhibit 2;

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respects:

 

 

 

 

1.

The first part of the first sentence of Exhibit 2 is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

In accordance with section 2 of the Agreement, Lord Abbett will provide, or arrange to have provided, to each Fund all Administrative Services (to the extent that such services do not constitute advisory services provided to the Fund under the Investment Management Agreement) including the following Administrative Services for each Fund:

 

 

 

 

2.

The Agreement shall remain the same in all other respects.

 

 

 

 

3.

The Amendment is effective as of December 9, 2004.



          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds
listed on Exhibit 1 Attached hereto

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 


 

 

 

Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer


 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

/s/Christina T. Simmons


 

Christina T. Simmons

 

Vice President & Assistant Secretary


 

 

 

 

 

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Paul A. Hilstad

 

 

 


 

 

 

Paul A. Hilstad

 

 

 

Member, General Counsel


 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

/s/Christina T. Simmons

 


 

Christina T. Simmons

 

Vice President & Assistant Secretary



EXHIBIT 1 (AMENDED AS OF DECEMBER 15, 2003)
TO
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Blend Trust

 

Lord Abbett Small-Cap Blend Fund

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

 

Equity Series

 

Income Series

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

Balanced Series

 

Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

 

Lord Abbett Limited Duration U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Fund

 

Lord Abbett Total Return Fund

 

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Fund

 

Lord Abbett Convertible Fund

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Growth Fund

Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett America’s Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

 

Large-Cap Series

 

Small-Cap Value Series

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

Alpha Series

 

Lord Abbett All Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

 

All Value Portfolio

 

America’s Value Portfolio

 

Bond-Debenture Portfolio

 

Growth and Income Portfolio

 

Growth Opportunities Portfolio

 

International Portfolio

 

Mid-Cap Value Portfolio




 

 

Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Connecticut Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Hawaii Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Minnesota Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Missouri Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Texas Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Washington Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Trust

 

Florida Series

 

Georgia Series

 

Michigan Series

 

Pennsylvania Series

 

Lord Abbett Insured Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.




 

 

 

 

 

Administrative Services Agreement - Amendment #6

AMENDMENT 6
to the
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
among
The Investment Companies comprising the Lord Abbett Family of Funds
(each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) as set forth on Exhibit 1
and
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”)

          WHEREAS, the Investment Companies named on Exhibit 1 and Lord Abbett entered into an Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002, as may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, Section 9 of the Agreement provides for the addition to the Agreement of new funds created in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds where such funds wish to engage Lord Abbett to perform Administrative Services under the Agreement;

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to include additional funds;

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respects:

 

 

 

 

1.

The Agreement is hereby amended to add the following fund to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement:


 

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Trust

 

(formerly Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Trust)

 

 

-Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund


 

 

 

 

2.

The Agreement shall remain the same in all other respects.

 

 

 

 

3.

The Amendment is effective as of the 30 th day of December, 2004.



          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds
listed on Exhibit 1 Attached hereto

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Joan A. Binstock

 

 


 

 

 

Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer


 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

/s/Christina T. Simmons


 

Christina T. Simmons

 

Vice President & Assistant Secretary


 

 

 

 

 

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Robert S. Dow

 

 

 


 

 

 

Robert S. Dow

 

 

 

Managing Member


 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

/s/Paul A. Hilstad

 


 

Paul A. Hilstad

 

Member, General Counsel



EXHIBIT 1 (AMENDED AS OF DECEMBER 30, 2004)
TO
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

 

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Blend Trust

 

Lord Abbett Small-Cap Blend Fund

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

 

Equity Series

 

Income Series

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

Balanced Series

 

Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

 

Lord Abbett Limited Duration U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Fund

 

Lord Abbett Total Return Fund

 

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Fund

 

Lord Abbett Convertible Fund

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Growth Fund

Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett America’s Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Core Fund

 

Small-Cap Value Series

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

Alpha Series

 

Lord Abbett All Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

 

All Value Portfolio

 

America’s Value Portfolio

 

Bond-Debenture Portfolio

 

Growth and Income Portfolio

 

Growth Opportunities Portfolio

 

International Portfolio

 

Mid-Cap Value Portfolio




 

 

Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Connecticut Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Hawaii Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Minnesota Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Missouri Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Texas Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Washington Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Trust

 

Florida Series

 

Georgia Series

 

Michigan Series

 

Pennsylvania Series

 

Lord Abbett Insured Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.




 

 

 

 

 

Administrative Services Agreement - Amendment #7

AMENDMENT 7
to the
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
among
The Investment Companies comprising the Lord Abbett Family of Funds
(each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) as set forth on Exhibit 1
and
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”)

          WHEREAS, the Investment Companies named on Exhibit 1 and Lord Abbett entered into an Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002, as may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, Section 9 of the Agreement provides for the addition to the Agreement of new funds created in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds where such funds wish to engage Lord Abbett to perform Administrative Services under the Agreement;

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to include additional funds;

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respects:

          1.       The Agreement is hereby amended to add the following fund to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement:

          Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.
                       -Lord Abbett Large-Cap Core Portfolio

          2.       The Agreement shall remain the same in all other respects.

          3.       The Amendment is effective as of the 13 th day of April, 2005.


          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds
listed on Exhibit 1 Attached hereto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Christina T. Simmons

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Christina T. Simmons

 

 

 

 

Vice President & Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Robert S. Dow

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Robert S. Dow

 

 

 

 

Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Lawrence H. Kaplan

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Lawrence H. Kaplan

 

 

 

 

Member, Assistant General Counsel

 

 

 



EXHIBIT 1 (AMENDED AS OF APRIL 13, 2005)
TO
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

 

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Blend Trust

 

Lord Abbett Small-Cap Blend Fund

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

 

Equity Series

 

Income Series

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

Balanced Series

 

Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

 

Lord Abbett Limited Duration U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Fund

 

Lord Abbett Total Return Fund

 

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Fund

 

Lord Abbett Convertible Fund

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Growth Fund

Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett America’s Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Core Fund

 

Small-Cap Value Series

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

Alpha Series

 

Lord Abbett All Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

 

All Value Portfolio

 

America’s Value Portfolio

 

Bond-Debenture Portfolio

 

Growth and Income Portfolio

 

Growth Opportunities Portfolio

 

International Portfolio

 

Mid-Cap Value Portfolio




 

 

 

Large-Cap Core Portfolio

 

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Connecticut Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Hawaii Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Minnesota Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Missouri Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Texas Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Washington Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Trust

 

Florida Series

 

Georgia Series

 

Michigan Series

 

Pennsylvania Series

 

Lord Abbett Insured Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.




 

 

 

 

 

Administrative Services Agreement - Amendment #8

AMENDMENT 8
to the
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
among
The Investment Companies comprising the Lord Abbett Family of Funds
(each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) as set forth on Exhibit 1
and
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”)

          WHEREAS, the Investment Companies named on Exhibit 1 and Lord Abbett entered into an Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002, as may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, Section 9 of the Agreement provides for the addition to the Agreement of new funds created in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds where such funds wish to engage Lord Abbett to perform Administrative Services under the Agreement;

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to include additional funds;

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respects:

          1.       The Agreement is hereby amended to add the following fund to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement:

          Lord Abbett Investment Trust
                        -Lord Abbett Income Strategy Fund
                        -Lord Abbett World Growth & Income Strategy Fund

          2.       The first sentence of Section 5 is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

 

 

For the services rendered, facilities furnished and expenses assumed by Lord Abbett under this Agreement, each Fund (other than Lord Abbett Securities Trust – Alpha Series and Lord Abbett Investment Trust – Balanced Series, Lord Abbett Income Strategy Fund and Lord Abbett World Growth & Income Strategy Fund) will pay to Lord Abbett an annual administrative services fee, computed and payable monthly, at the annual rate of .04% of the value of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

          3.       The Agreement shall remain the same in all other respects.

          4.       The Amendment is effective as of the 29 th day of June, 2005.


          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds
listed on Exhibit 1 Attached hereto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Christina T. Simmons

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Christina T. Simmons

 

 

 

 

Vice President & Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Robert S. Dow

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Robert S. Dow

 

 

 

 

Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Paul A. Hilstad

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Paul A. Hilstad

 

 

 

 

Member, General Counsel

 

 

 



EXHIBIT 1 (AMENDED AS OF JUNE 29, 2005)
TO
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

 

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Blend Trust

 

Lord Abbett Small-Cap Blend Fund

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

 

Equity Series

 

Income Series

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

Balanced Series

 

Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

 

Lord Abbett Limited Duration U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Fund

 

Lord Abbett Total Return Fund

 

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Fund

 

Lord Abbett Convertible Fund

 

Lord Abbett Income Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett World Growth & Income Strategy Fund

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Growth Fund

Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett America’s Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Core Fund

 

Small-Cap Value Series

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

Alpha Series

 

Lord Abbett All Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

 

All Value Portfolio

 

America’s Value Portfolio

 

Bond-Debenture Portfolio

 

Growth and Income Portfolio

 

Growth Opportunities Portfolio

 

International Portfolio




 

 

 

Mid-Cap Value Portfolio

 

Large-Cap Core Portfolio

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Connecticut Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Hawaii Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Minnesota Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Missouri Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Texas Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Washington Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Trust

 

Florida Series

 

Georgia Series

 

Michigan Series

 

Pennsylvania Series

 

Lord Abbett Insured Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.




 

 

 

 

 

Administrative Services Agreement - Amendment #9


 

AMENDMENT 9

to the

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

among

The Investment Companies comprising the Lord Abbett Family of Funds
(each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) as set forth on Exhibit 1
and
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”)

          WHEREAS, the Investment Companies named on Exhibit 1 and Lord Abbett entered into an Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002, as may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, Section 9 of the Agreement provides for the addition to the Agreement of new funds created in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds where such funds wish to engage Lord Abbett to perform Administrative Services under the Agreement;

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to include an additional fund;

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respects:

 

 

 

 

 

1.

The Agreement is hereby amended to add the following fund to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement:

 

 

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

 

 

-Lord Abbett Value Opportunities Fund

 

 

 

 

2.

The Agreement shall remain the same in all other respects.

 

 

 

 

3.

The Amendment is effective as of the 20 th day of December, 2005.



          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

 

 

 

 

On behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds
listed on Exhibit 1 Attached hereto

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joan A. Binstock

 

 


 

 

 

Joan A. Binstock

 

 

Chief Financial Officer


 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

/s/ Christina T. Simmons

 


 

 

Christina T. Simmons

 

Vice President & Assistant Secretary

 


 

 

 

 

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert S. Dow

 

 


 

 

 

Robert S. Dow

 

 

Managing Member


 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

/s/ Lawrence H. Kaplan

 


 

 

Lawrence H. Kaplan

 

Member, General Counsel

 



EXHIBIT 1 (AMENDED AS OF DECEMBER 20, 2005)
TO
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

 

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Blend Trust

 

Lord Abbett Small-Cap Blend Fund

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

 

Equity Series

 

Income Series

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

Balanced Series

 

Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

 

Lord Abbett Limited Duration U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Fund

 

Lord Abbett Total Return Fund

 

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Fund

 

Lord Abbett Convertible Fund

 

Lord Abbett Income Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett World Growth & Income Strategy Fund

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Growth Fund

Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett America’s Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Core Fund

 

Small-Cap Value Series

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

Alpha Series

 

Lord Abbett All Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund

 

Lord Abbett Value Opportunities Fund

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

 

All Value Portfolio

 

America’s Value Portfolio

 

Bond-Debenture Portfolio

 

Growth and Income Portfolio




 

 

 

Growth Opportunities Portfolio

 

International Portfolio

 

Mid-Cap Value Portfolio

 

Large-Cap Core Portfolio

 

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Connecticut Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Hawaii Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Minnesota Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Missouri Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Texas Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Washington Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Trust

 

Florida Series

 

Georgia Series

 

Michigan Series

 

Pennsylvania Series

 

Lord Abbett Insured Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.




 

 

 

 

 

Administrative Services Agreement - Amendment #10


 

AMENDMENT 10

to the

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

among

The Investment Companies comprising the Lord Abbett Family of Funds
(each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) as set forth on Exhibit 1
and
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”)


          WHEREAS, the Investment Companies named on Exhibit 1 and Lord Abbett entered into an Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002, as may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, Section 9 of the Agreement provides for the addition to the Agreement of new funds created in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds where such funds wish to engage Lord Abbett to perform Administrative Services under the Agreement;

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to include an additional fund;

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respects:

 

 

 

 

 

1.

The Agreement is hereby amended to add the following fund to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement:

 

 

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

 

 

-Lord Abbett Diversified Equity Strategy Fund

 

 

 

 

2.

The Agreement shall remain the same in all other respects.

 

 

 

 

3.

The Amendment is effective as of the 29 th day of June, 2006.



          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

 

 

 

 

On behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds
listed on Exhibit 1 Attached hereto

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joan A. Binstock

 

 


 

 

 

Joan A. Binstock

 

 

Chief Financial Officer


 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

/s/ Christina T. Simmons

 


 

 

Christina T. Simmons

 

Vice President & Assistant Secretary

 


 

 

 

 

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert S. Dow

 

 


 

 

 

Robert S. Dow

 

 

Managing Member


 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

 

/s/ Lawrence H. Kaplan

 


 

 

Lawrence H. Kaplan

 

Member, General Counsel

 



EXHIBIT 1 (AMENDED AS OF June 29, 2006)
TO
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

 

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Blend Trust

 

Lord Abbett Small-Cap Blend Fund

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

 

Equity Series

 

Income Series

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

Lord Abbett Balanced Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Convertible Fund

 

Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Diversified Equity Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

 

Lord Abbett Income Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Limited Duration U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Fund

 

Lord Abbett Total Return Fund

 

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Fund

 

Lord Abbett World Growth & Income Strategy Fund

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Growth Fund

Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Connecticut Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Hawaii Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Minnesota Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Missouri Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Texas Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Washington Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Trust

 

Florida Series

 

Georgia Series

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

 

Lord Abbett Insured Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

Michigan Series

 

Pennsylvania Series




 

 

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett America’s Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Core Fund

 

Small-Cap Value Series

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

Lord Abbett All Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Value Opportunities Fund

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

 

All Value Portfolio

 

America’s Value Portfolio

 

Bond-Debenture Portfolio

 

Growth and Income Portfolio

 

Growth Opportunities Portfolio

 

International Portfolio

 

Large-Cap Core Portfolio

 

Mid-Cap Value Portfolio

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.




 

 

 

 

 

Administrative Services Agreement - Amendment #11


 

AMENDMENT 11

to the

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

among

The Investment Companies comprising the Lord Abbett Family of Funds
(each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) as set forth on Exhibit 1
and
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”)


          WHEREAS, the Investment Companies named on Exhibit 1 and Lord Abbett entered into an Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002, as may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, Section 9 of the Agreement provides for the addition to the Agreement of new funds created in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds where such funds wish to engage Lord Abbett to perform Administrative Services under the Agreement; and

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to include an additional fund;

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respects:

 

 

 

 

 

1.

The Agreement is hereby amended to add the following fund to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

 

 

-Lord Abbett Floating Rate Fund

 

 

 

 

 

2.

The Agreement shall remain the same in all other respects.

 

 

 

 

3.

The Amendment is effective as of the 14th day of December, 2007.



          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds
listed on Exhibit 1 Attached hereto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Joan A. Binstock
Chief Financial Officer

 


 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

/s/ Lawrence B. Stoller

 


 

Lawrence B. Stoller
Vice President & Assistant Secretary


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert S. Dow

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Robert S. Dow
Managing Member

 


 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

/s/ Lawrence H. Kaplan

 


 

Lawrence H. Kaplan
Member, General Counsel




 

EXHIBIT 1 (AMENDED AS OF December 14, 2007)

TO

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT


 

 

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Blend Trust

 

Lord Abbett Small-Cap Blend Fund

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

 

Equity Series

 

Lord Abbett Developing Local Markets Fund 1

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

Lord Abbett Balanced Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Convertible Fund

 

Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Diversified Equity Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Diversified Income Strategy Fund 2

 

Lord Abbett Floating Rate Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth & Income Strategy Fund 3

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

 

Lord Abbett Income Fund 4

 

Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund 5

 

Lord Abbett Total Return Fund

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Growth Fund

Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Connecticut Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Hawaii Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Minnesota Tax-Free Income Fund 6


 


1 The Income Series has been renamed the Lord Abbett Developing Local Markets Fund.

 

2 The Lord Abbett Income Strategy Fund has been renamed the Lord Abbett Diversified Income Strategy Fund.

 

3 The Lord Abbett World Growth & Income Strategy Fund has been renamed the Lord Abbett Growth & Income Strategy Fund.

 

4 Effective December 14, 2007, the U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Fund will be renamed the Lord Abbett Income Fund.

 

5 Effective December 14, 2007, the Lord Abbett Limited Duration U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Fund will be renamed the Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund.




 

 

 

Lord Abbett Missouri Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Texas Tax-Free Income Fund 6

 

Lord Abbett Washington Tax-Free Income Fund 6

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Trust

 

Florida Series 6

 

Georgia Series

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

 

Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax-Free Fund 7

 

Michigan Series 6

 

Pennsylvania Series

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett America’s Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Core Fund

 

Small-Cap Value Series

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

Lord Abbett All Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Value Opportunities Fund

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

 

All Value Portfolio

 

America’s Value Portfolio

 

Bond-Debenture Portfolio

 

Growth and Income Portfolio

 

Growth Opportunities Portfolio

 

International Portfolio

 

Large-Cap Core Portfolio

 

Mid-Cap Value Portfolio

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.


 


6 At a meeting held on December 7, 2007, shareholders of the Lord Abbett Minnesota Tax-Free Income Fund, Lord Abbett Texas Tax-Free Income Fund, Lord Abbett Washington Tax-Free Income Fund, Florida Series, and Michigan Series approved the reorganization of each Fund into Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund. The reorganizations are expected to be completed on December 14, 2007.

 

7 The Lord Abbett Insured Intermediate Tax-Free Fund was renamed the Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax-Free Fund.




 

 

 

 

 

Administrative Services Agreement - Amendment #12


 

AMENDMENT 12

to the

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

among

The Investment Companies comprising the Lord Abbett Family of Funds
(each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) as set forth on Exhibit 1
and
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”)

          WHEREAS, the Investment Companies named on Exhibit 1 and Lord Abbett entered into an Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002, as may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, Section 9 of the Agreement provides for the addition to the Agreement of new funds created in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds where such funds wish to engage Lord Abbett to perform Administrative Services under the Agreement; and

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to include an additional fund;

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respects:

 

 

 

 

 

1.

The Agreement is hereby amended to add the following fund to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement:

 

 

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

 

 

-Lord Abbett International Dividend Income Fund

 

 

 

 

 

2.

The Agreement shall remain the same in all other respects.

 

 

 

 

 

3.

The Amendment is effective as of the 20th day of June, 2008.



          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds
listed on Exhibit 1 Attached hereto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Joan A. Binstock
Chief Financial Officer


 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

/s/Thomas R. Phillips


 

Thomas R. Phillips
Vice President & Assistant Secretary


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Robert S. Dow

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Robert S. Dow
Managing Member

 

 

 

 


 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

/s/Lawrence H. Kaplan

 


 

Lawrence H. Kaplan
Member, General Counsel




 

EXHIBIT 1 (AMENDED AS OF JUNE 20, 2008) 1

TO

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT


 

 

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Blend Trust

 

Lord Abbett Small-Cap Blend Fund

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

 

Equity Series

 

Lord Abbett Developing Local Markets Fund

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

Lord Abbett Balanced Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Convertible Fund

 

Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Diversified Equity Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Diversified Income Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Floating Rate Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth & Income Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

 

Lord Abbett Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Total Return Fund

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Growth Fund

Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Connecticut Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Hawaii Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Missouri Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Trust

 

Georgia Series

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

 

Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

Pennsylvania Series


 


1 As amended on June 20, 2008 to reflect the addition of the Lord Abbett International Dividend Income Fund, a series of Lord Abbett Securities Trust.




 

 

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett America’s Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Core Fund

 

Small-Cap Value Series

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

Lord Abbett All Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Dividend Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Value Opportunities Fund

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

 

All Value Portfolio

 

America’s Value Portfolio

 

Bond-Debenture Portfolio

 

Growth and Income Portfolio

 

Growth Opportunities Portfolio

 

International Portfolio

 

Large-Cap Core Portfolio

 

Mid-Cap Value Portfolio

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.




 

 

 

 

 

Administrative Services Agreement- Amendment #13

AMENDMENT 13
to the
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
among
The Investment Companies comprising the Lord Abbett Family of Funds
(each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) as set forth on Exhibit 1
and
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”)

          WHEREAS, the Investment Companies named on Exhibit 1 and Lord Abbett entered into an Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002, as may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, Section 9 of the Agreement provides for the addition to the Agreement of new funds created in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds where such funds wish to engage Lord Abbett to perform Administrative Services under the Agreement; and

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to include an additional fund;

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respects:

 

 

 

 

 

1.

The Agreement is hereby amended to add the following fund to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement:

 

 

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Trust

 

 

 

-Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund

 

 

 

 

2.

The Agreement shall remain the same in all other respects.

 

 

 

 

3.

The Amendment is effective as of the 10th day of December, 2008.



          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

 

 

 

 

On behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds
listed on Exhibit 1 Attached hereto

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 


 

 

 

Joan A. Binstock

 

 

Chief Financial Officer


 

 

Attested:

 

 

/s/ Thomas R. Phillips

 


 

Thomas R. Phillips

Vice President & Assistant Secretary


 

 

 

 

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert S. Dow

 

 

 


 

 

 

Robert S. Dow

 

 

Managing Member


 

 

Attested:

 

/s/ Lawrence H. Kaplan

 


 

Lawrence H. Kaplan

Member, General Counsel



EXHIBIT 1 (AMENDED AS OF DECEMBER 10, 2008) 1
TO
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Blend Trust

 

Lord Abbett Small-Cap Blend Fund

 

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Global Allocation Fund

 

Lord Abbett Developing Local Markets Fund

 

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

Lord Abbett Balanced Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Convertible Fund

 

Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Diversified Equity Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Diversified Income Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Floating Rate Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth & Income Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

 

Lord Abbett Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Total Return Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Growth Fund

 

Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Connecticut Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Hawaii Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Missouri Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Trust

 

Georgia Series

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

 

Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund

 

Pennsylvania Series


 

 

 


 

1 As amended on December 10, 2008 to reflect the addition of the Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund, a series of Lord Abbett Municipal Income Trust.




 

 

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett America’s Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Core Fund

 

Small-Cap Value Series

 

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

Lord Abbett All Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Dividend Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Value Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

 

All Value Portfolio

 

America’s Value Portfolio

 

Bond-Debenture Portfolio

 

Growth and Income Portfolio

 

Growth Opportunities Portfolio

 

International Portfolio

 

Large-Cap Core Portfolio

 

Mid-Cap Value Portfolio

 

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.




 

 

 

 

 

Amendment #14 to the Administrative Services Agreement

AMENDMENT 14
to the
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
among
The Investment Companies comprising the Lord Abbett Family of Funds
(each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) as set forth on Exhibit 1
and
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”)

          WHEREAS, the Investment Companies named on Exhibit 1 and Lord Abbett entered into an Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002, as may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, Section 9 of the Agreement provides for the addition to the Agreement of new funds created in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds where such funds wish to engage Lord Abbett to perform Administrative Services under the Agreement; and

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to include additional funds;

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respects:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.

The Agreement is hereby amended to add the following funds to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement:

 

 

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

-Developing Growth Portfolio;

 

 

 

-International Core Equity Portfolio;

 

 

 

-Total Return Portfolio;

 

 

 

-Value Opportunities Portfolio.

 

 

 

 

 

2.

The Agreement shall remain the same in all other respects.

 

 

 

 

3.

The Amendment is effective as of the 1st day of May, 2010.



          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

 

 

 

 

On behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds listed
on Exhibit 1 Attached hereto

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 


 

 

 

Joan A. Binstock

 

 

Chief Financial Officer


 

 

Attested:

 

 

/s/ Thomas R. Phillips

 


 

Thomas R. Phillips

Vice President & Assistant Secretary


 

 

 

 

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert S. Dow

 

 

 


 

 

 

Robert S. Dow

 

 

Managing Member


 

 

Attested:

 

 

/s/ Lawrence H. Kaplan

 


 

Lawrence H. Kaplan

Member, General Counsel



EXHIBIT 1 (AMENDED AS OF MAY 1, 2010) 1
TO
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Blend Trust

 

Lord Abbett Small-Cap Blend Fund

 

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Global Allocation Fund

 

Lord Abbett Developing Local Markets Fund

 

 

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

Lord Abbett Balanced Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Convertible Fund

 

Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Diversified Equity Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Diversified Income Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Floating Rate Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth & Income Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

 

Lord Abbett Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Total Return Fund

 

Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Connecticut Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Hawaii Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Missouri Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund


 

 


 

1 As amended on May 1, 2010 to reflect (1) the addition of Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc. – Developing Growth Portfolio, International Core Equity Portfolio, Total Return Portfolio and Value Opportunities Portfolio; (2) the name changes of Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc. – Capital Structure Portfolio (formerly, America’s Value Portfolio), Classic Stock Portfolio (formerly, Large-Cap Core Portfolio), Fundamental Equity Portfolio (formerly, All Value Portfolio), and International Opportunities Portfolio (formerly, International Portfolio); and (3) the name changes of Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc. – Lord Abbett Capital Structure Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett America’s Value Fund), Lord Abbett Classic Stock Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett Large-Cap Core Fund), and Lord Abbett Securities Trust – Lord Abbett Fundamental Equity Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett All Value Fund), and Lord Abbett Stock Appreciation Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett Large-Cap Growth Fund).




 

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Trust

 

Georgia Series

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

 

Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund

 

Pennsylvania Series

 

 

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Capital Structure Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett America’s Value Fund)

 

Lord Abbett Classic Stock Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett Large-Cap Core Fund)

 

Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

 

Small-Cap Value Series

 

 

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Fundamental Equity Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett All Value Fund)

 

Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Dividend Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Value Opportunities Fund

 

 

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

 

Bond-Debenture Portfolio

 

Capital Structure Portfolio (formerly, America’s Value Portfolio)

 

Classic Stock Portfolio (formerly, Large-Cap Core Portfolio)

 

Developing Growth Portfolio

 

Fundamental Equity Portfolio (formerly, All Value Portfolio)

 

Growth and Income Portfolio

 

Growth Opportunities Portfolio

 

International Core Portfolio

 

International Opportunities Portfolio (formerly, International Portfolio)

 

Mid-Cap Value Portfolio

 

Total Return Portfolio

 

Value Opportunities Portfolio

 

 

Lord Abbett Stock Appreciation Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett Large-Cap Growth Fund)

 

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.




 

 

 

 

 

Amendment #15 to the Administrative Services Agreement

AMENDMENT 15
to the
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
among
The Investment Companies comprising the Lord Abbett Family of Funds
(each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) as set forth on Exhibit 1
and
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”)

          WHEREAS, the Investment Companies named on Exhibit 1 and Lord Abbett entered into an Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002, as may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, Section 9 of the Agreement provides for the addition to the Agreement of new funds created in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds where such funds wish to engage Lord Abbett to perform Administrative Services under the Agreement; and

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to include additional funds;

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respects:

 

 

 

 

 

1.

The Agreement is hereby amended to add the following funds to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement:

 

 

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

-Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund

 

 

 

 

 

2.

The Agreement shall remain the same in all other respects.

 

 

 

 

3.

The Amendment is effective as of the 26th day of October, 2010.



          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

 

 

 

 

On behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds listed on Exhibit 1 Attached hereto

 

 

By:

/s/Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 


 

 

 

Joan A. Binstock

 

 

Chief Financial Officer


 

 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

/s/Thomas R. Phillips

 

 


 

 

Thomas R. Phillips

 

Vice President & Assistant Secretary


 

 

 

 

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

 

By:

/s/Robert S. Dow

 

 

 


 

 

 

Robert S. Dow

 

 

Managing Member


 

 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

/s/Lawrence H. Kaplan

 

 


 

 

Lawrence H. Kaplan

 

Member, General Counsel



EXHIBIT 1 (AMENDED AS OF OCTOBER 26, 2010) 1
TO
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Blend Trust

 

Lord Abbett Small-Cap Blend Fund

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Global Allocation Fund

 

Lord Abbett Developing Local Markets Fund

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

Lord Abbett Balanced Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Convertible Fund

 

Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Diversified Equity Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Diversified Income Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Floating Rate Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth & Income Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

 

Lord Abbett Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Total Return Fund

Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund

 

Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Connecticut Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Hawaii Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Missouri Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund


 

 


 

1  As amended on October 26, 2010 to reflect the addition of Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc. – Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund.




 

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Trust

 

Georgia Series

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

 

Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund

 

Pennsylvania Series

 

 

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Capital Structure Fund

 

Lord Abbett Classic Stock Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

 

Small-Cap Value Series

 

 

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Fundamental Equity Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Dividend Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Value Opportunities Fund

 

 

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

 

Bond-Debenture Portfolio

 

Capital Structure Portfolio

 

Classic Stock Portfolio

 

Developing Growth Portfolio

 

Fundamental Equity Portfolio

 

Growth and Income Portfolio

 

Growth Opportunities Portfolio

 

International Core Equity Portfolio

 

International Opportunities Portfolio

 

Mid-Cap Value Portfolio

 

Total Return Portfolio

 

Value Opportunities Portfolio

 

Lord Abbett Stock Appreciation Fund

 

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.




 

 

 

 

 

Amendment #16 to Administrative Services Agreement

AMENDMENT 16
to the
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
among
The Investment Companies comprising the Lord Abbett Family of Funds
(each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) as set forth on Exhibit 1
and
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”)

          WHEREAS, the Investment Companies named on Exhibit 1 and Lord Abbett entered into an Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002, as may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, Section 9 of the Agreement provides for the addition to the Agreement of new funds created in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds where such funds wish to engage Lord Abbett to perform Administrative Services under the Agreement;

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to remove funds; and

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to include additional funds;

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respects:

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.

The Agreement is hereby amended to remove the following funds from Exhibit 1 of the Agreement

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

-

Lord Abbett Connecticut Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 

 

-

Lord Abbett Hawaii Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 

 

-

Lord Abbett Missouri Tax-Free Income Fund

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Trust

 

 

 

-

Georgia Series

 

 

 

-

Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

 

 

 

-

Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax-Free Fund

 

 

 

-

Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund

 

 

 

-

Pennsylvania Series

 

 

2.

The Agreement is hereby amended to add the following funds to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement:

 

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

-

Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

 

 

 

-

Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free Fund

 

 

 

-

Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund




 

 

 

 

 

 

3.

The Agreement shall remain the same in all other respects.

 

 

4.

The Amendment is effective as of the 19 th day of November, 2010.


          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

 

 

 

 

On behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds listed
on Exhibit 1 Attached hereto

 

 

By:

/s/Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 


 

 

 

Joan A. Binstock

 

 

Chief Financial Officer


 

 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

/s/Thomas R. Phillips

 

 


 

 

Thomas R. Phillips

 

Vice President & Assistant Secretary


 

 

 

 

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

 

By:

/s/Robert S. Dow

 

 

 


 

 

 

Robert S. Dow

 

 

Managing Member


 

 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

/s/Lawrence H. Kaplan

 

 


 

 

Lawrence H. Kaplan

 

Member, General Counsel



EXHIBIT 1 (AMENDED AS OF NOVEMBER 19, 2010) 1
TO
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Blend Trust

 

Lord Abbett Small-Cap Blend Fund

 

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Global Allocation Fund

 

Lord Abbett Developing Local Markets Fund

 

 

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

Lord Abbett Balanced Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Convertible Fund

 

Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Diversified Equity Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Diversified Income Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Floating Rate Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth & Income Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

 

Lord Abbett Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Total Return Fund

 

Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund

 

Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

 

Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free Fund

 

Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund


 

 


 

1  As amended on November 19, 2010 to reflect (1) the Reorganization of each of Lord Abbett Connecticut Tax-Free Income Fund, Georgia Series, Lord Abbett Hawaii Tax-Free Income Fund, Lord Abbett Missouri Tax-Free Income Fund, and Pennsylvania Series into Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund; and (2) the Redomestication of each of Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund, Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax-Free Fund, and Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund, as a series of Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.




 

 

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Capital Structure Fund

 

Lord Abbett Classic Stock Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

 

Small-Cap Value Series

 

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

 

Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Fundamental Equity Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Dividend Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Value Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

 

 

Bond-Debenture Portfolio

 

Capital Structure Portfolio

 

Classic Stock Portfolio

 

Developing Growth Portfolio

 

Fundamental Equity Portfolio

 

Growth and Income Portfolio

 

Growth Opportunities Portfolio

 

International Core Equity Portfolio

 

International Opportunities Portfolio

 

Mid-Cap Value Portfolio

 

Total Return Portfolio

 

Value Opportunities Portfolio

 

Lord Abbett Stock Appreciation Fund

 

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.




 

 

 

 

Administrative Services Agreement - Amendment #20

AMENDMENT 17
to the
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
among
The Investment Companies comprising the Lord Abbett Family of Funds
(each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) as set forth on Exhibit 1
and
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”)

          WHEREAS, the Investment Companies named on Exhibit 1 and Lord Abbett entered into an Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002, as may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, Section 9 of the Agreement provides for the addition to the Agreement of new funds created in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds where such funds wish to engage Lord Abbett to perform Administrative Services under the Agreement; and

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to include additional funds;

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respects:

 

 

 

 

 

1.

The Agreement is hereby amended to add the following funds to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

 

 

-Lord Abbett Inflation Focused Fund

 

 

 

 

2.

The Agreement shall remain the same in all other respects.

 

 

 

 

3.

The Amendment is effective as of the 20th day of April, 2011.



          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds listed on Exhibit 1 Attached hereto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Thomas R. Phillips

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Thomas R. Phillips

 

 

 

 

Vice President & Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Robert S. Dow

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Robert S. Dow

 

 

 

 

Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Lawrence H. Kaplan

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Lawrence H. Kaplan

 

 

 

 

Member, General Counsel

 

 

 



EXHIBIT 1 (AMENDED AS OF APRIL 20, 2011) 1
TO
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Blend Trust

 

Lord Abbett Small-Cap Blend Fund

 

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Currency Fund

 

Lord Abbett Global Allocation Fund

 

 

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

Lord Abbett Balanced Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Convertible Fund

 

Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Diversified Equity Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Diversified Income Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Floating Rate Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth & Income Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

 

Lord Abbett Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Inflation Focused Fund

 

Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Total Return Fund

 

Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund

 

Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

 

Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free Fund

 

Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund


 

 


 

 

1  As amended on April 20, 2011 to reflect (1) the addition of Lord Abbett Investment Trust, Inc. – Lord Abbett Inflation Focused Fund; and (2) the name change of Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc. – Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Currency Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett Developing Local Markets Fund).




 

 

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Capital Structure Fund

 

Lord Abbett Classic Stock Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

 

Small-Cap Value Series

 

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Fundamental Equity Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Dividend Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Value Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

 

Bond-Debenture Portfolio

 

Capital Structure Portfolio

 

Classic Stock Portfolio

 

Developing Growth Portfolio

 

Fundamental Equity Portfolio

 

Growth and Income Portfolio

 

Growth Opportunities Portfolio

 

International Core Equity Portfolio

 

International Opportunities Portfolio

 

Mid-Cap Value Portfolio

 

Total Return Portfolio

 

Value Opportunities Portfolio

 

Lord Abbett Stock Appreciation Fund

 

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.




 

 

 

 

Administrative Services Agreement - Amendment #18

AMENDMENT 18
to the
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
among
The Investment Companies comprising the Lord Abbett Family of Funds
(each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) as set forth on Exhibit 1
and
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”)

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett entered into an Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002, as may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, Section 9 of the Agreement provides for the addition to the Agreement of new funds created in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds where such funds wish to engage Lord Abbett to perform Administrative Services under the Agreement; and

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to include such additional funds;

          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respects:

 

 

 

 

 

1.

The Agreement is hereby amended to add the following fund to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

 

 

-Lord Abbett Growth Leaders Fund

 

 

 

 

 

2.

The Agreement shall remain the same in all other respects.

 

 

 

 

 

3.

The Amendment is effective as of the 15th day of June 2011.



          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds listed on Exhibit 1 Attached hereto

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Thomas R. Phillips

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas R. Phillips

 

 

 

 

 

Vice President & Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert S. Dow

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

Robert S. Dow

 

 

 

 

 

Managing Member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Lawrence H. Kaplan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lawrence H. Kaplan

 

 

 

 

 

Member, General Counsel

 

 

 

 



EXHIBIT 1 (AMENDED AS OF JUNE 15, 2011) 1
TO
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Blend Trust

 

Lord Abbett Small-Cap Blend Fund

 

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Currency Fund

 

Lord Abbett Global Allocation Fund

 

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

Lord Abbett Balanced Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Convertible Fund

 

Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Diversified Equity Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Diversified Income Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Floating Rate Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth & Income Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

 

Lord Abbett Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Inflation Focused Fund

 

Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Total Return Fund

 

Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund

 

Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

 

Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free Fund

 

Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund


 

 


 

 

1  As amended on June 15, 2011 to reflect the addition of Lord Abbett Securities Trust – Lord Abbett Growth Leaders Fund.




 

 

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Capital Structure Fund

 

Lord Abbett Classic Stock Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

 

Small-Cap Value Series

 

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Fundamental Equity Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth Leaders Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Dividend Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Value Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

 

Bond-Debenture Portfolio

 

Capital Structure Portfolio

 

Classic Stock Portfolio

 

Developing Growth Portfolio

 

Fundamental Equity Portfolio

 

Growth and Income Portfolio

 

Growth Opportunities Portfolio

 

International Core Equity Portfolio

 

International Opportunities Portfolio

 

Mid-Cap Value Portfolio

 

Total Return Portfolio

 

Value Opportunities Portfolio

 

Lord Abbett Stock Appreciation Fund

 

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.




 

 

 

 

 

Administrative Services Agreement - Amendment #19


 

AMENDMENT 19

to the

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

among

The Investment Companies comprising the Lord Abbett Family of Funds

(each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) as set forth on Exhibit 1

and

Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”)

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett entered into an Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002, as may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, Section 9 of the Agreement provides for the addition to the Agreement of new funds created in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds where such funds wish to engage Lord Abbett to perform Administrative Services under the Agreement; and

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to include such additional funds;

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respects:

 

 

 

 

 

1.

The Agreement is hereby amended to add the following funds to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Equity Trust 1

 

 

 

-Lord Abbett Calibrated Large Cap Value Fund

 

 

 

-Lord Abbett Calibrated Mid Cap Value Fund

 

 

 

 

 

2.

The Agreement shall remain the same in all other respects.

 

 

 

 

3.

The Amendment is effective as of the 15th day of December 2011.


 

 


1 Effective August 1, 2011, Lord Abbett Blend Trust changed its name to Lord Abbett Equity Trust.



          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

 

 

 

On behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds listed on Exhibit 1 Attached hereto

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Joan A. Binstock

 

 


 

 

Joan A. Binstock

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Thomas R. Phillips

 

 


 

 

Thomas R. Phillips

 

 

Vice President & Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Robert S. Dow

 

 


 

 

Robert S. Dow

 

 

Managing Member

 

 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Lawrence H. Kaplan

 

 


 

 

Lawrence H. Kaplan

 

 

Member, General Counsel

 

 



EXHIBIT 1 (AMENDED AS OF December 15, 2011) 2
TO
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.


Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.


Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.


Lord Abbett Equity Trust

Lord Abbett Calibrated Large Cap Value Fund

Lord Abbett Calibrated Mid Cap Value Fund

Lord Abbett Small-Cap Blend Fund


Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Currency Fund


Lord Abbett Global Allocation Fund


Lord Abbett Investment Trust

Lord Abbett Balanced Strategy Fund

Lord Abbett Convertible Fund

Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund

Lord Abbett Diversified Equity Strategy Fund

Lord Abbett Diversified Income Strategy Fund

Lord Abbett Floating Rate Fund

Lord Abbett Growth & Income Strategy Fund

Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

Lord Abbett Income Fund

Lord Abbett Inflation Focused Fund

Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund

Lord Abbett Total Return Fund


Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund, Inc.


Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund

Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free Fund

Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund


 


2  As amended to reflect: (1) effective August 1, 2011, Lord Abbett Blend Trust changed its name to Lord Abbett Equity Trust; and (2) the addition of Lord Abbett Calibrated Large Cap Value Fund and Lord Abbett Calibrated Mid Cap Value Fund, each a series of Lord Abbett Equity Trust, as of December 15, 2011.




 

Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund


Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Capital Structure Fund

Lord Abbett Classic Stock Fund

Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

Small-Cap Value Series


Lord Abbett Securities Trust

Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund

Lord Abbett Fundamental Equity Fund

Lord Abbett Growth Leaders Fund

Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund

Lord Abbett International Dividend Income Fund

Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund

Lord Abbett Large-Cap Value Fund

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

Lord Abbett Value Opportunities Fund


Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

Bond-Debenture Portfolio

Capital Structure Portfolio

Classic Stock Portfolio

Developing Growth Portfolio

Fundamental Equity Portfolio

Growth and Income Portfolio

Growth Opportunities Portfolio

International Core Equity Portfolio

International Opportunities Portfolio

Mid-Cap Value Portfolio

Total Return Portfolio

Value Opportunities Portfolio


Lord Abbett Stock Appreciation Fund


Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.




 Administrative Services Agreement - Amendment #20

 

AMENDMENT 20
to the
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
among
The Investment Companies comprising the Lord Abbett Family of Funds
(each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) as set forth on Exhibit 1
and
Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”)

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett entered into an Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002, as may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”);

          WHEREAS, Section 9 of the Agreement provides for the addition to the Agreement of new funds created in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds where such funds wish to engage Lord Abbett to perform Administrative Services under the Agreement; and

          WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to include such additional funds;

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respects:

 

 

 

 

 

1.

The Agreement is hereby amended to add the following fund to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement:

 

 

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

-Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund

 

 

 

 

2.

The Agreement shall remain the same in all other respects.

 

 

 

 

3.

The Amendment is effective as of the 1 st day of May 2013.



          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

 

 

 

 

On behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds listed on Exhibit 1 Attached hereto

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Joan A. Binstock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joan A. Binstock

 

 

Chief Financial Officer


 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

/s/ Thomas R. Phillips

 

 

 

Thomas R. Phillips

Vice President & Assistant Secretary


 

 

 

 

 

LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Daria L. Foster

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daria L. Foster

 

 

Managing Member


 

 

Attested:

 

 

 

/s/ Lawrence H. Kaplan

 

 

 

Lawrence H. Kaplan

Member, General Counsel



EXHIBIT 1 (AMENDED AS OF MAY 1, 2013) 1
TO
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

 

 

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

 

 

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

 

 

Lord Abbett Equity Trust

 

Lord Abbett Calibrated Large Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Calibrated Mid Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Small-Cap Blend Fund

 

 

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Currency Fund

 

Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund

 

Lord Abbett Global Allocation Fund

 

 

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

 

Lord Abbett Balanced Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Convertible Fund

 

Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Diversified Equity Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Diversified Income Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Floating Rate Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth & Income Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

 

Lord Abbett Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Inflation Focused Fund

 

Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Total Return Fund

 

 

Lord Abbett Mid Cap Stock Fund, Inc.

 

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund

 

Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

 

Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free Fund

 

Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund


 

 

 

 

1           As amended to reflect: (1) effective March 31, 2012, Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Fund changed its name to Lord Abbett Mid Cap Stock Fund; (2) effective May 1, 2012, Lord Abbett Mid-Cap Value Portfolio changed its name to Lord Abbett Mid Cap Stock Portfolio; (3) effective September 27, 2012, Lord Abbett Capital Structure Fund changed its name to Lord Abbett Calibrated Dividend Growth Fund, a series of Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.; (4) effective September 27, 2012, Capital Structure Portfolio changed its name to Calibrated Dividend Growth Portfolio, a series of Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.; (5) effective June 15, 2012, the Reorganization of Lord Abbett Large-Cap Value Fund into Lord Abbett Fundamental Equity Fund, each a series of Securities Trust; (6) effective March 22, 2013, the Reorganization of Lord Abbett Stock Appreciation Fund into Lord Abbett Growth Leaders Fund, a series of Lord Abbett Securities Trust; and (7) effective May 1, 2013, the addition of Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund as a series of Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.



 

 

 

Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund

 

 

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Calibrated Dividend Growth Fund

 

Lord Abbett Classic Stock Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

 

Small-Cap Value Series

 

 

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

 

Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund

 

Lord Abbett Fundamental Equity Fund

 

Lord Abbett Growth Leaders Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Dividend Income Fund

 

Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

 

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

 

Lord Abbett Value Opportunities Fund

 

 

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

 

Bond-Debenture Portfolio

 

Calibrated Dividend Growth Portfolio

 

Classic Stock Portfolio

 

Developing Growth Portfolio

 

Fundamental Equity Portfolio

 

Growth and Income Portfolio

 

Growth Opportunities Portfolio

 

International Core Equity Portfolio

 

International Opportunities Portfolio

 

Mid Cap Stock Portfolio

 

Total Return Portfolio

 

Value Opportunities Portfolio

 

 

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.




 Administrative Services Agreement - Amendment #21

 

AMENDMENT 21

to the

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

among

The Investment Companies comprising the Lord Abbett Family of Funds

(each, a “Fund” or collectively, the “Funds”) as set forth on Exhibit 1

and

Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”)

 

WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett entered into an Administrative Services Agreement dated December 12, 2002, as may be amended from time to time (the “Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, Section 9 of the Agreement provides for the addition to the Agreement of new funds created in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds where such funds wish to engage Lord Abbett to perform Administrative Services under the Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Funds and Lord Abbett desire to further amend the Agreement to include such additional funds;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respects:

 

  1. The Agreement is hereby amended to add the following Fund to Exhibit 1 of the Agreement:
     
    Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.
    -Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Corporate Debt Fund
     
  2. The Agreement shall remain the same in all other respects.
     
  3. The Amendment is effective as of the 28 th day of October 2013.
 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Amendment to the Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.

 

  On behalf of each of the Lord Abbett Funds listed on Exhibit 1 Attached hereto
       
  By: /s/ Joan A. Binstock  
    Joan A. Binstock  
    Chief Financial Officer  

 

  Attested:  
     
  /s/ Thomas R. Phillips  
Thomas R. Phillips  
  Vice President & Assistant Secretary

 

  LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC
       
  By: /s/ Daria L. Foster  
  Daria L. Foster  
    Managing Member  

 

  Attested:  
     
  /s/ Lawrence H. Kaplan  
  Lawrence H. Kaplan  
  Member, General Counsel
 

EXHIBIT 1 (AMENDED AS OF OCTOBER 28, 2013) 1

TO

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

The following funds comprise the Lord Abbett Family of Funds:

 

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Equity Trust

Lord Abbett Calibrated Large Cap Value Fund

Lord Abbett Calibrated Mid Cap Value Fund

Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Corporate Debt Fund

Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Currency Fund

Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund

Lord Abbett Global Allocation Fund

Lord Abbett Investment Trust

Lord Abbett Balanced Strategy Fund

Lord Abbett Convertible Fund

Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund

Lord Abbett Diversified Equity Strategy Fund

Lord Abbett Diversified Income Strategy Fund

Lord Abbett Floating Rate Fund

Lord Abbett Growth & Income Strategy Fund

Lord Abbett High Yield Fund

Lord Abbett Income Fund

Lord Abbett Inflation Focused Fund

Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund

Lord Abbett Total Return Fund

Lord Abbett Mid Cap Stock Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund

Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund

Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free Fund

Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund

 

 

 

1 As amended to reflect: (1) effective July 19, 2013, the Reorganization of Lord Abbett Small Cap Blend Fund, a series of Lord Abbett Equity Trust, into Lord Abbett Value Opportunities Fund, a series of Lord Abbett Securities Trust; and (2) effective October 28, 2013, the addition of Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Corporate Debt Fund as a series of Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.

 

Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.

Lord Abbett Calibrated Dividend Growth Fund

Lord Abbett Classic Stock Fund

Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund

Small-Cap Value Series

Lord Abbett Securities Trust

Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund

Lord Abbett Fundamental Equity Fund

Lord Abbett Growth Leaders Fund

Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund

Lord Abbett International Dividend Income Fund

Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund

Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund

Lord Abbett Value Opportunities Fund

Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.

Bond-Debenture Portfolio

Calibrated Dividend Growth Portfolio

Classic Stock Portfolio

Developing Growth Portfolio

Fundamental Equity Portfolio

Growth and Income Portfolio

Growth Opportunities Portfolio

International Core Equity Portfolio

International Opportunities Portfolio

Mid Cap Stock Portfolio

Total Return Portfolio

Value Opportunities Portfolio

Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.



   
   
 

Matthew A. Chambers

 

+1 202 663 6591 (t)
+1 202 663 6363 (f)

matthew.chambers@wilmerhale.com

 

January 22, 2014

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

90 Hudson Street

Jersey City, NJ 07302-3972

 

Dear Sirs:

 

You have requested our opinion in connection with your filing of Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (the “Amendment”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Amendment No. 68 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended), of Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Company”), and in connection therewith your registration of shares of capital stock, with a par value of $.001 each, of Classes A, B, C, F, and I of Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund; Classes A, B, C, F, I, and P of Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free Fund; Classes A, C, F, and I of Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund; Classes A, B, C, F, I, and P of Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Fund; Classes A, B, C, F, I, and P of Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund; Classes A, C, F, I, and P of Lord Abbett California Tax Free Fund; and Classes A, F, I, and P of Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax Free Fund, and Classes A, C, F, I, and P of Lord Abbett New York Tax Free Fund (collectively, the “Shares”).

 

We have examined the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Company, each as amended and restated to date, and originals, or copies certified to our satisfaction, of all pertinent records of the meetings of the directors and stockholders of the Company, the Post-Effective Amendment, the Registration Statement and such other documents relating to the Company as we have deemed material for the purposes of this opinion.

 

In our examination of the foregoing documents, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, photostatic or other copies, the authenticity of the originals of any such documents and the legal competence of all signatories to such documents. We have also assumed that the number of shares issued does not exceed the number authorized.

 

We are of the opinion that the Shares issued in the continuous offering have been duly authorized and, when issued and paid for in cash at net asset value in accordance with the terms as set forth in the Amendment, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

 

Wilmer Culter Pickering Hale and Dorr llp , 1875 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20006

Beijing     Berlin     Boston     Brussels     London      Los Angeles     New York     Oxford     Palo Alto     Waltham     Washington

 

 

 

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.

January 22, 2014

Page 2

 

We express no opinion as to matters governed by any laws other than Title 2 of the Maryland Code, Corporations and Associations. We consent to the filing of this opinion solely in connection with the Amendment. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

 

  Very truly yours,  
       
  WILMER CUTLER PICKERING  
  HALE AND DORR LLP  
       
  By: /s/ Matthew A. Chambers  
    Matthew A. Chambers, a partner
 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 67 to Registration Statement No. 002-88912 on Form N-1A of our report dated November 26, 2013, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc., including Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund, Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free Fund, Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund, Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund, Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund, Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund, Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund, and Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund, appearing in the Annual Report on Form N-CSR of Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc. for the year ended September 30, 2013.

 

We also consent to the references to us under the headings “Financial Highlights” in the Prospectus and “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and “Financial Statements” in the Statement of Additional Information, which are part of such Registration Statement.

 

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

New York, New York

January 22, 2014

 

 

Amended and Restated Joint Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan and Agreement dated August 10, 2007

with updated Schedule A dated December 1, 2013 and updated Schedule B dated November 28, 2012

 

The Lord Abbett Family of Funds
Amended and Restated Joint Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan and Agreement

as of August 10, 2007

 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED RULE 12b-1 DISTRIBUTION PLAN AND AGREEMENT dated as of August 10, 2007 by and between each of the registered, open-end management investment companies acting individually in respect of their constituent series listed on Schedule A hereto (each a “Fund”) and Lord Abbett Distributor LLC, a New York limited liability company (the “Distributor”). This Amended and Restated Joint Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan and Agreement dated as of August 10, 2007 supersedes the Amended and Restated Joint Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan and Agreement dated as of March 23, 2006.

 

WHEREAS, each Fund is an open-end management investment company or a series thereof registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), and the Distributor is the exclusive selling agent of the Fund’s shares of beneficial interest or common stock, as the case may be (“Shares”), pursuant to the Distribution Agreement between the Fund and the Distributor.

 

WHEREAS, each Fund desires to amend and restate its Distribution Plan and Agreement by adopting and entering into this instrument on a several but not joint basis with each other Fund (as amended and restated, the “Plan”) with the Distributor, as permitted by Rule 12b-1 under the Act, pursuant to which the Fund may make certain payments to the Distributor to be used by the Distributor or paid to institutions and persons permitted by applicable law and/or rules to receive such payments (“Authorized Institutions”) in connection with sales of Shares and/or servicing of accounts of shareholders holding Shares, with which the Distributor has entered into a dealer or similar agreement (the “Agreements”).

 

WHEREAS, the Fund’s Board of Directors or Trustees, as the case may be (“Board”), has determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit the Fund and the holders of the Shares.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and of other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, it is agreed as follows:

 

1. The Fund has entered into a Distribution Agreement with the Distributor, under which the Distributor uses reasonable efforts, consistent with its other business, to secure purchasers of the Fund’s Shares. These efforts may include, but neither are required to include nor are limited to, the following: (a) making payments to Authorized Institutions in connection with sales of Shares and/or servicing of accounts of shareholders holding Shares; (b) providing continuing information and investment services to shareholder accounts not serviced by Authorized Institutions receiving a service fee from the Distributor hereunder and otherwise to encourage shareholder accounts to remain invested in the Shares; and (c) otherwise rendering service to the Fund, including paying and financing the payment of sales commissions, service fees and other costs of distributing and selling Shares as provided in paragraph 2 of this Plan.

 

2. (a) Class A Fees .

 

(i) In consideration for the services provided and the expenses incurred by the Distributor pursuant to the Distribution Agreement and paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall pay to the Distributor an aggregate fee at the annual rate of 0.50% of the average daily net asset value of Class A Shares outstanding, subject to paragraph 3 hereof and any reduction specified on Schedule B hereto. Payments by holders of Class A Shares of contingent deferred reimbursement charges relating to distribution fees paid by the Fund hereunder shall reduce the amount of distribution fees for purposes of the annual 0.50% limit in those instances where the Fund is entitled to retain these charges. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund shall pay to the Distributor an aggregate fee at the annual rate of 0.15% of the average daily net asset value of Class A Shares outstanding, subject to paragraph 3 hereof. The Distributor may use all or any portion of the distribution fee received pursuant to this paragraph to compensate Authorized Institutions that have engaged in the sale of Class A Shares or in service activities with respect to Class A Shares pursuant to the Agreements, or to pay any of the expenses associated with other activities authorized under paragraph 1 hereof.

 

(ii) Subject to the aggregate fee amounts set forth in paragraph 2(a)(i) hereof, the Fund may attribute a portion of the distribution fee to service activities, which portion shall not exceed 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of Class A Shares outstanding, subject to any reduction specified on Schedule B hereto. The Distributor may use all or a portion of these service fees to compensate Authorized Institutions for service activities as defined in paragraph 5 below.

 

(b) Class B Fees .

 

(i) In consideration for the services provided and the expenses incurred by the Distributor pursuant to the Distribution Agreement and paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall pay to the Distributor an aggregate fee at the annual rate of 1.00% of the average daily net asset value of Class B Shares outstanding, subject to paragraph 3 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund shall pay to the Distributor an aggregate fee at the annual rate of .75% of the average daily net asset value of Class B Shares outstanding, subject to paragraph 3 hereof. The Distributor may use all or any portion of the distribution fee received pursuant to this paragraph to compensate Authorized Institutions that have engaged in the sale of Class B Shares or in service activities with respect to the Class B Shares pursuant to the Agreements, or to pay any of the expenses associated with other activities authorized under paragraph 1 hereof.

 

(ii) Subject to the aggregate fee amounts set forth in paragraph 2(b)(i) hereof, the Fund may attribute a portion of the distribution fee to service activities, which portion shall not exceed .25% of the average daily net asset value of Class B Shares outstanding. The Distributor may use all or a portion of these service fees to compensate Authorized Institutions for service activities as defined in paragraph 5 below.

2

(c) Class C Fees .

 

(i) In consideration for the services provided and the expenses incurred by the Distributor pursuant to the Distribution Agreement and paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall pay to the Distributor an aggregate fee at the annual rate of 1.00% of the average daily net asset value of Class C Shares outstanding, subject to paragraph 3 hereof. The Distributor may use all or any portion of the distribution fee received pursuant to this paragraph to compensate Authorized Institutions that have engaged in the sale of Class C Shares or in service activities with respect to the Class C Shares pursuant to the Agreements, or to pay any of the expenses associated with other activities authorized under paragraph 1 hereof.

 

(ii) Subject to the aggregate fee amounts set forth in paragraph 2(c)(i) hereof, the Fund may attribute a portion of the distribution fee to service activities, which portion shall not exceed .25% of the average daily net asset value of Class C Shares outstanding. The Distributor may use all or a portion of these service fees to compensate Authorized Institutions for service activities as defined in paragraph 5 below.

 

(d) Class F Fees .

 

(i) In consideration for the services provided and the expenses incurred by the Distributor pursuant to the Distribution Agreement and paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall pay to the Distributor an aggregate fee at the annual rate of 1.00% of the average daily net asset value of Class F Shares outstanding, subject to paragraph 3 hereof. The Distributor may use all or any portion of the distribution fee received pursuant to this paragraph to compensate Authorized Institutions that have engaged in the sale of Class F Shares or in service activities with respect to Class F Shares pursuant to the Agreements, or to pay any of the expenses associated with other activities authorized under paragraph 1 hereof.

 

(ii) Subject to the aggregate fee amounts set forth in paragraph 2(d)(i) hereof, the Fund may attribute a portion of the distribution fee to service activities, which portion shall not exceed .25% of the average daily net asset value of Class F Shares outstanding. The Distributor may use all or a portion of these service fees to compensate Authorized Institutions for service activities as defined in paragraph 5 below.

 

(e) Class P Fees .

 

(i) In consideration for the services provided and the expenses incurred by the Distributor pursuant to the Distribution Agreement and paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall pay to the Distributor an aggregate fee at the annual rate of .75% of the average daily net asset value of Class P Shares outstanding, subject to paragraph 3 hereof. The Distributor may use all or any portion of the distribution fee received pursuant to this paragraph to compensate Authorized Institutions that have engaged in the sale of Class P Shares or in service activities with respect to Class P Shares pursuant to the Agreements, or to pay any of the expenses associated with other activities authorized under paragraph 1 hereof.

 

(ii) Subject to the aggregate fee amounts set forth in paragraph 2(e)(i) hereof, the

3

Fund may attribute a portion of the distribution fee to service activities, which portion shall not exceed .25% of the average daily net asset value of Class P Shares outstanding. The Distributor may use all or a portion of these service fees to compensate Authorized Institutions for service activities as defined in paragraph 5 below.

 

(f) Class R2 Fees .

 

(i) In consideration for the services provided and the expenses incurred by the Distributor pursuant to the Distribution Agreement and paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall pay to the Distributor an aggregate fee at the annual rate of 1.00% of the average daily net asset value of Class R2 Shares outstanding, subject to paragraph 3 hereof. The Distributor may use all or any portion of the distribution fee received pursuant to this paragraph to compensate Authorized Institutions that have engaged in the sale of Class R2 Shares or in service activities with respect to Class R2 Shares pursuant to the Agreements, or to pay any of the expenses associated with other activities authorized under paragraph 1 hereof.

 

(ii) Subject to the aggregate fee amounts set forth in paragraph 2(f)(i) hereof, the Fund may attribute a portion of the distribution fee to service activities, which portion shall not exceed .25% of the average daily net asset value Class R2 Shares outstanding. The Distributor may use all or a portion of these service fees to compensate Authorized Institutions for service activities as defined in paragraph 5 below.

 

(g) Class R3 Fees .

 

(i) In consideration for the services provided and the expenses incurred by the Distributor pursuant to the Distribution Agreement and paragraph 1 hereof, the Fund shall pay to the Distributor an aggregate fee at the annual rate of 1.00% of the average daily net asset value of Class R3 Shares outstanding, subject to paragraph 3 hereof. The Distributor may use all or any portion of the distribution fee received pursuant to this paragraph to compensate Authorized Institutions that have engaged in the sale of Class R3 Shares or in service activities with respect to Class R3 Shares pursuant to the Agreements, or to pay any of the expenses associated with other activities authorized under paragraph 1 hereof.

 

(ii) Subject to the aggregate fee amounts set forth in paragraph 2(g)(i) hereof, the Fund may attribute a portion of the distribution fee to service activities, which portion shall not exceed .25% of the average daily net asset value of Class R3 Shares outstanding. The Distributor may use all or a portion of these service fees to compensate Authorized Institutions for service activities as defined in paragraph 5 below.

 

3. The Board shall from time to time determine the amounts, within the foregoing maximum amounts described in paragraph 2, that the Fund may pay the Distributor hereunder. These determinations and approvals of nonmaterial amendments to this Plan by the Board shall be made and given by votes of the kind referred to in paragraph 9.

 

4. The net asset value of the Shares shall be determined as provided in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Fund. Any fees payable hereunder,

4

which may be waived by the Distributor or Authorized Institutions in whole or in part, may be calculated and paid at least quarterly. If the Distributor waives all or a portion of the fees that are to be paid by the Fund hereunder, the Distributor shall not be deemed to have waived its rights under this Plan to have the Fund pay fees in the future. Nothing herein shall prohibit the Distributor from collecting Distribution Fees in any given year, as provided hereunder, in excess of expenditures made in that year for activities authorized under paragraph 1 hereof. The Distributor in its sole discretion may assign its right to receive fees hereunder.

 

5. The Distributor shall provide to the Fund’s Board, and the Board shall review at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended pursuant to this Plan and the purposes for which the expenditures were made, including amounts expended for “distribution activities” and/or “service activities.” For purposes of this Plan, “distribution activities” shall mean any activities that are not deemed “service activities.” “Service activities” shall mean activities in connection with the provision of personal, continuing services to shareholder accounts in the Shares; provided, however, that if the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”) adopts a definition of “service fee” for purposes of Section 2830(b)(9) of the NASD Conduct Rules or any successor provision that differs from the definition of “service activities” hereunder, or if the NASD adopts a related interpretive position intended to define the same concept, the definition of “service activities” in this paragraph shall be automatically amended, without further action of the parties, to conform to the then effective NASD definition. Overhead and other expenses related to “distribution activities” or “service activities,” including telephone and other communications expenses, may be included in the information regarding amounts expended for these activities.

 

6. The Distributor shall give the Fund the benefit of the Distributor’s reasonable judgment and good faith efforts in rendering services under this Plan. Other than to abide by the provisions hereof and render the services called for hereunder in good faith, the Distributor assumes no responsibility under this Plan and, having so acted, the Distributor shall not be held liable or held accountable for any mistake of law or fact, or for any loss or damage arising or resulting therefrom suffered by the Fund, or any of its shareholders, creditors, Board Members, or officers of the Fund; provided however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to protect the Distributor against any liability to the Fund or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties hereunder, or by reason of the reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder.

 

7. This Plan shall become effective upon the date hereof, and shall continue in effect from year to year so long as the Plan, together with any related agreements, is specifically approved at least annually by votes of a majority of both (a) the Board and (b) those Board Members who are not “interested persons” of the Fund and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or any agreements related thereto (“Independent Board Members”), cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this approval. If a Fund is a series of a registered investment company, references to the Board, Board Members and Independent Board Members shall be to that or those of the company of which the Fund is a series.

 

8. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent by the Fund hereunder above the maximum amounts referred to in paragraph 2 without a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund in compliance with Rule 12b-1 and Rule

5

18f-3 under the Act or any successor statutes, rules or regulations as in effect at that time, and each material amendment must be approved in the manner provided for by paragraph 7. Because this amendment and restatement of the Plan does not increase the fees payable under the Plan as previously in effect, approval in the manner specified in paragraph 7 shall be sufficient for its adoption.

 

9. Amendments to this Plan other than material amendments of the kind referred to in paragraph 8 may be adopted by a majority of both (a) the Board Members and (b) the Independent Board Members. The Board may, by such a vote, interpret this Plan and make all determinations necessary or advisable for its administration.

 

10. This Plan may be terminated at any time without the payment of any penalty by the vote of a majority of the Independent Board Members, or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund in compliance with Rule 12b-1 and Rule 18f-3 under the Act or any successor statute, rule or regulation as in effect at that time. This Plan shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.

 

11. So long as this Plan shall remain in effect, the selection and nomination of those Board Members of the Fund who are not “interested persons” of the Fund are committed to the discretion of the incumbent disinterested Board Members. The terms “interested persons,” “assignment” and “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” shall have the same meanings as those terms are defined in the Act.

 

12. The Funds are adopting and entering into this Plan on a common basis for administrative convenience and not for the reason of creating or incurring any right, privilege, obligation or liability with respect to each other. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of the Funds under this Plan are several and not joint, and no Fund or class of Shares shall have any liability to pay any fee for any other Fund or class of Shares. This Plan shall be severable as to any Fund at the election of the Independent Board Members of that Fund. Additional Funds or classes of Shares may be added and existing Funds or classes of Shares may be removed from the operation of this Plan without action by any other Fund or class of Shares.

 

13. The obligations of the Fund, including those imposed hereby, are not personally binding upon, nor shall resort be had to the private property of, any of the Board Members, shareholders, officers, employees or agents of the Fund individually, but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Fund. Any and all personal liability, either at common law or in equity, or by statute or constitution, of every Board Member, shareholder, officer, employee or agent for any breach of the Fund of any agreement, representation or warranty hereunder is hereby expressly waived as a condition of and in consideration for the execution of this Agreement by the Fund.

6

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative as of the date first above written.

 

  EACH OF THE FUNDS LISTED ON SCHEDULE A
HERETO
       
  By: /s/ Lawrence H. Kaplan  
    Lawrence H. Kaplan  
    Vice President & Secretary  

 

ATTEST:

 
   
/s/ Lawrence B. Stoller  
Lawrence B. Stoller  
Vice President & Assistant Secretary  

 

  LORD ABBETT DISTRIBUTOR LLC
       
  By: LORD, ABBETT & CO. LLC  
    Managing Member  
       
  By: /s/ Lawrence H. Kaplan  
    Lawrence H. Kaplan  
    A Member  
7

SCHEDULE A

 

The Lord Abbett Family of Funds

Amended and Restated Joint Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan and Agreement

As of December 1, 2013 1

 

FUNDS   CLASSES
     
Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
     
Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
     
Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
     
Lord Abbett Equity Trust    
Lord Abbett Calibrated Large Cap Value Fund   A, C, F, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Calibrated Mid Cap Value Fund   A, C, F, R2, R3
     
Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.    
Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Corporate Debt Fund   A, C, F, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Currency Fund   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund   A, C, F, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Global Opportunity Fund   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
     
Lord Abbett Investment Trust    
Lord Abbett Convertible Fund   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Diversified Equity Strategy Fund   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Floating Rate Fund   A, B, C, F, R2, R3
Lord Abbett High Yield Fund   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Income Fund   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Inflation Focused Fund   A, C, F, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Balanced Opportunity Fund   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Growth Fun d   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Income Fund   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Total Return Fund   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
     
Lord Abbett Mid Cap Stock Fund, Inc.   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
     
Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.    

 

 

 

1 As amended to reflect: (1) effective November 22, 2013, the Reorganization of Lord Abbett Classic Stock Fund, into Lord Abbett Calibrated Dividend Growth Fund, each a series of Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.; (2) effective November 29, 2013, the name change of Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Global Opportunity Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett Global Allocation Fund); and (3) effective December 1, 2013, Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Balanced Opportunity Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett Balanced Strategy Fund), Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Growth Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett Growth & Income Strategy Fund), and Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Income Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett Diversified Income Strategy Fund).

B- 1

 

Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund   A, C, F
Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund   A, C, F, P
Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund   A, B, C, F, P
Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax-Free Fund   A, B, C, F, P
Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund   A, B, C, F, P
Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund   A, F, P
Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund   A, C, F, P
Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund   A, B, C, F
     
Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.    
Lord Abbett Calibrated Dividend Growth Fund   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
Small-Cap Value Series   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
     
Lord Abbett Securities Trust    
Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Fundamental Equity Fund   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Growth Leaders Fund   A, B, C, F, R2, R3
Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett International Dividend Income Fund   A, B, C, F, R2, R3
Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund   A
Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund   A
Lord Abbett Value Opportunities Fund   A, B, C, F, P, R2, R3
     
Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government    
Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.   A, B, C
B- 2

SCHEDULE B

 

The Lord Abbett Family of Funds – Class A

Amended and Restated Joint Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan and Agreement

As of November 28, 2012

 

Entity / Fund

 

Service fees payable with respect to Class A
Shares that were initially issued, or are
attributable to shares that were initially
issued, by the Fund or a predecessor fund
prior to [DATE] shall not exceed [RATE] of
the average net asset value of such Shares:

     

Lord Abbett Investment Trust –
Lord Abbett Income Fund

  9/1/85 - .15 of 1%
     

Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund

 

6/1/90 - .15 of 1%

     

Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund

 

6/1/90 - .15 of 1%

     

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund

 

6/1/90 - .15 of 1%

     

Lord Abbett Mid Cap Stock Fund

 

6/1/90 - .15 of 1%

     

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund –
Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund

 

6/1/90 - .15 of 1%

     

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund –
Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund

 

6/1/90 - .15 of 1%

     

Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund –
Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund

 

7/1/92 - .15 of 1%

B- 3

 

Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Plan as of June 6, 2013 with updated Schedule A dated December 1, 2013

 

The Lord Abbett Family of Funds

 

Amended and Restated Plan as of June 6, 2013 1

 

Pursuant to Rule 18f-3(d)

under the Investment Company Act of 1940

 

Rule 18f-3 (the “Rule”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), requires that the Board of Directors or Trustees of an investment company desiring to offer multiple classes pursuant to the Rule adopt a plan setting forth the separate arrangement and expense allocation of each class, and any related conversion features or exchange privileges. This document constitutes an amended and restated plan (the “Plan”) of each of the investment companies, or series thereof, listed on Schedule A attached hereto (each, a “Fund”). The Plan of any Fund is subject to amendment by action of the Board of Directors or Trustees (the “Board”) of such Fund and without the approval of shareholders of any class, to the extent permitted by law and by the governing documents of such Fund.

 

The Board, including a majority of the non-interested Board members, has determined that the following separate arrangement and expense allocation, and the related conversion features, if any, and exchange privileges, of each class of each Fund are in the best interest of each class of each Fund individually and each Fund as a whole.

 

1. CLASS DESIGNATION .

 

Shares of all Funds except Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc. shall be divided into Class A, Class B, Class C, Class F, Class P, Class R2, Class R3, and Class I shares as indicated for each Fund on Schedule A attached hereto. In the case of the Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc., shares of the Growth and Income Portfolio shall be divided into Variable Contract Class shares (Class VC shares) and Class P shares and shares of all other Portfolios shall be comprised of one class of shares as indicated on Schedule A, each of which shall also be known as Class VC shares of the respective Portfolio.

 

2. SALES CHARGES AND DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE FEES .

 

(a) Initial Sales Charge . Class A shares will be traditional front-end sales charge shares, offered at their net asset value (“NAV”) plus a sales charge in the case of each Fund as described in such Fund’s prospectus as from time to time in effect.

 

Class B shares, Class C shares, Class F shares, Class P shares, Class R2 shares, Class R3 shares, Class I shares, and Class VC shares will be offered at their NAV without an initial sales charge.

 

(b) Service and Distribution Fees . As to the shares of Class A, Class B, Class C, Class F, Class P, Class R2, and Class R3, each Fund will pay service and/or distribution fees

 

1 Originally adopted August 15, 1996 and previously Amended and Restated July 1, 2008.

 

under the Plan from time to time in effect adopted for such classes pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Joint 12b-1 Plan”), at such rates as are set by its Board.

 

Pursuant to the Joint 12b-1 Plan as to the Class A shares, if effective, each Fund generally will pay distribution fees at an aggregate fee at the annual rate of 0.35%, 0.25%, or 0.20% of the average daily NAV of the Class A share accounts, as set by the Board, or such other rate as set by the Board from time to time. The Board has the authority to increase the total fees payable under the Joint 12b-1 Plan by a vote of the Board, including a majority of the independent members thereof, up to an aggregate fee at the annual rate of 0.50% of the average daily NAV of the Class A shares. The effective dates of the Joint 12b-1 Plan for the Class A shares are based on achievement by the Funds of specified total net assets for the Class A shares of such Funds.

 

Pursuant to the Joint 12b-1 Plan as to the Class B shares, if effective, each Fund generally will pay an aggregate fee at the annual rate of up to 1.00% of the average daily NAV of such shares then outstanding, or such other rate as set by the Board from time to time.

 

Pursuant to the Joint 12b-1 Plan as to the Class C shares, if effective, each Fund generally will pay an aggregate fee at an annual rate of up to 1.00% of the average daily NAV of such shares then outstanding, or such other rate as set by the Board from time to time.

 

Pursuant to the Joint 12b-1 Plan as to the Class F shares, if effective, each Fund generally will pay an aggregate fee at an annual rate of up to 0.10% of the average daily NAV of such shares then outstanding, or such other rate as set by the Board from time to time. The Board has the authority to increase the distribution fees payable under such 12b-1 Plan by a vote of the Board, including a majority of the independent members thereof, up to an aggregate fee at the annual rate of 1.00% of the average daily NAV of the Class F shares.

 

Pursuant to the Joint 12b-1 plan as to the Class P shares, if operational, each Fund generally will pay an aggregate fee at an annual rate of up to 0.45% of the average daily NAV of such shares then outstanding, or such other rate as set by the Board from time to time. The Board has the authority to increase the distribution fees payable under such 12b-1 Plan by a vote of the Board, including a majority of the independent members thereof, up to an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily NAV of the Class P shares.

 

Pursuant to the Joint 12b-1 Plan as to the Class R2 shares, if effective, each Fund generally will pay an aggregate fee at an annual rate of up to 0.60% of the average daily NAV of such shares then outstanding, or such other rate as set by the Board from time to time. The Board has the authority to increase the distribution fees payable under such 12b-1 Plan by a vote of the Board, including a majority of the independent members thereof, up to an annual rate of 1.00% of the average daily NAV of the Class R2 shares.

 

Pursuant to the Joint 12b-1 Plan as to the Class R3 shares, if effective, each Fund generally will pay an aggregate fee at an annual rate of up to 0.50% of the average daily NAV of such shares then outstanding, or such other rate as set by the Board from time to time. The Board has the authority to increase the distribution fees payable under such 12b-1 Plan by a vote of the Board, including a majority of the independent members thereof, up to an annual rate of 1.00% of the average daily NAV of the Class R3 shares.

- 2 -

The Class VC shares do not have a Rule 12b-1 Plan. However, pursuant to a separate Services Agreement for the Class VC shares, each Fund generally will pay an aggregate fee at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily NAV of such shares then outstanding to certain insurance companies for the service and maintenance of shareholder accounts, or such other rate as set by the Board from time to time.

 

The Class I shares do not have a Rule 12b-1 Plan.

 

(c) Contingent Deferred Sales Charges (“CDSC”) . Subject to some waiver exceptions, Class A shares purchased in amounts of $1 million or more will be subject to a CDSC equal to 1.00% of the lower of the cost or the NAV of such shares if the shares are redeemed for cash on or before the first day of the month in which the one-year anniversary of the original purchase falls.

 

Class B shares will be subject to a CDSC ranging from 5.00% to 1.00% of the lower of the cost or the NAV of the shares, if the shares are redeemed for cash before the sixth anniversary of their purchase. The CDSC for the Class B shares may be waived for certain transactions. Class C shares will be subject to a CDSC equal to 1.00% of the lower of the cost or the NAV of the shares if the shares are redeemed for cash before the first anniversary of their purchase.

 

The Class F, Class P, Class R2, Class R3, and Class I shares will not be subject to a CDSC.

 

3. CLASS-SPECIFIC EXPENSES .

 

The following expenses shall be allocated, to the extent such expenses can reasonably be identified as relating to a particular class and consistent with Revenue Procedure 96-47, on a class-specific basis: (a) fees under the Joint 12b-1 Plan applicable to a specific class (net of any CDSC paid with respect to shares of such class and retained by the Fund) and any other costs relating to implementing or amending such Plan, including obtaining shareholder approval of such Plan or any amendment thereto; (b) transfer and shareholder servicing agent fees and shareholder servicing costs identifiable as being attributable to the particular provisions of a specific class; (c) stationery, printing, postage and delivery expenses related to preparing and distributing materials such as shareholder reports, prospectuses and proxy statements to current share holders of a specific class; (d) Securities and Exchange Commission registration fees incurred by a specific class; (e) Board fees or expenses identifiable as being attributable to a specific class; (f) fees for outside accountants and related expenses relating solely to a specific class; (g) litigation expenses and legal fees and expense relating solely to a specific class; (h) expenses incurred in connection with shareholders meetings as a result of issues relating solely to a specific class and (i) other expenses relating solely to a specific class, provided, that advisory fees and other expenses related to the management of a Fund’s assets (including custodial fees and tax-return preparation fees) shall be allocated to all shares of such Fund on the basis of NAV, regardless of whether they can be specifically attributed to a particular class. All common expenses shall be allocated to shares of each class at the same time they are allocated to the shares of all other classes. All such expenses incurred by a class of shares will be charged directly to the net assets of the particular class and thus will be borne on a pro rata basis by the outstanding shares of such class. For all Funds, with the exception of Series Fund, each Fund’s

- 3 -

Blue Sky expenses will be treated as common expenses. In the case of Series Fund, Blue Sky expenses will be allocated entirely to Class P, as the Class VC of Series Fund has no Blue Sky expenses.

 

4. INCOME AND EXPENSE ALLOCATIONS .

 

Income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses and expenses not allocated to a class as provided above shall be allocated to each class on the basis of the net assets of that class in relation to the net assets of the Fund, except that, in the case of each daily dividend Fund, income and expenses shall be allocated on the basis of relative net assets (settled shares).

 

5. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS .

 

Dividends and distributions paid by a Fund on each class of its shares, to the extent paid, will be calculated in the same manner, will be paid at the same time, and will be in the same amount, except that the amount of the dividends declared and paid by a particular class may be different from that paid by another class because of expenses borne exclusively by that class.

 

6. NET ASSET VALUES .

 

The NAV of each share of a class of a Fund shall be determined in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation or Declaration of Trust of such Fund with appropriate adjustments to reflect the allocations of expenses, income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of such Fund between or among its classes as provided above.

 

7. CONVERSION FEATURES .

 

(a) Class B Share Conversions . The Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares 8 years after the date of purchase. Such conversion will occur at the relative NAV per share of each Class without the imposition of any sales charge, fee or other charge. When Class B shares convert, any other Class B shares that were acquired by the shareholder by the reinvestment of dividends and distributions will also convert to Class A shares on a pro rata basis. The conversion of Class B shares to Class A shares after 8 years is subject to the continuing availability of a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel to the effect that the conversion does not constitute a taxable event for the Class B shareholder under Federal income tax law. If such a revenue ruling or opinion is no longer available, the automatic conversion feature may be suspended, in which event no further conversions of Class B shares would occur while such suspension remained in effect.

 

(b) Share Class Conversions for Fee-Based Advisory Programs . At the request of a financial intermediary firm sponsoring a fee-based advisory program, shares of a Fund may be converted into shares of the another class of the same Fund, without the imposition of any sales charge, fee or other charge, under the following circumstances:

 

(1) Participation in a Fee-Based Advisory Program . Any class of shares, other than Class B shares, may be converted into Class F shares or Class I shares (if the shareholder is eligible to purchase Class I shares), provided that: (i) the shares are not subject to any sales charge, including a CDSC; and (ii) such conversion is necessary to facilitate the shareholder’s

- 4 -

participation in a fee-based program sponsored by the financial intermediary that is the broker of record on the shareholder’s account that holds the shares to be converted.

 

(2) Removal from a Fee-Based Advisory Program . Any class of shares, other than Class B shares, may be converted to Class A shares, provided that the conversion is in connection with a shareholder currently participating in a fee-based program sponsored by a financial intermediary and the shareholder owns (directly or beneficially) Class F or P shares that were acquired as part of the fee-based program, provided that: (i) the shareholder wishes to cease participating in the fee-based program; (ii) the shares are not subject to any sales charge, including CDSC; and (iii) the financial intermediary sponsoring the fee-based program (from which the shareholder is ceasing to participate) is the broker of record on the shareholder’s brokerage account that will hold the Class A shares after the conversion.

 

(c) Subject to amendment by the Board, none of the other classes of shares shall be subject to any automatic conversion feature.

 

8. EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES .

 

Except as set forth in a Fund’s prospectus as from time to time in effect, shares of any class of such Fund may be exchanged, at the holder’s option, for shares of the same class of another Fund, or other Lord Abbett-sponsored fund or series thereof, without the imposition of any sales charge, fee or other charge. In addition, shares of Classes F, P, R2, and R3 may be exchanged for Class A shares, but such an exchange will be subject to the imposition of a sales charge to the same extent as any purchase of Class A shares for cash.

 

* * *

 

This Plan is qualified by and subject to the terms of the then current prospectus for the applicable Fund; provided, however, that none of the terms set forth in any such prospectus shall be inconsistent with the terms contained herein. The prospectus for each Fund contains additional information about that Fund’s classes and its multiple-class structure.

 

This Plan has been adopted for each Fund with the approval of, and all material amendments thereto must be approved by, a majority of the members of the Board of such Fund, including a majority of the Board members who are not interested persons of the Fund.

- 5 -

SCHEDULE A

 

As of December 1, 2013 2

 

The Lord Abbett Family of Funds

 

FUNDS   CLASSES
     
Lord Abbett Affiliated Fund, Inc.   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
     
Lord Abbett Bond-Debenture Fund, Inc.   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
     
Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
     
Lord Abbett Equity Trust    
Lord Abbett Calibrated Large Cap Value Fund   A, C, F, I, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Calibrated Mid Cap Value Fund   A, C, F, I, R2, R3
     
Lord Abbett Global Fund, Inc.    
Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Corporate Debt Fund   A, C, F, I, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Currency Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Emerging Markets Local Bond Fund   A, C, F, I, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Global Opportunity Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
     
Lord Abbett Investment Trust    
Lord Abbett Convertible Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Core Fixed Income Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Diversified Equity Strategy Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Floating Rate Fund   A, B, C, F, I, R2, R3
Lord Abbett High Yield Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Income Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Inflation Focused Fund   A, C, F, I, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Balanced Opportunity Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Growth Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Income Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Short Duration Income Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Total Return Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
     
Lord Abbett Mid Cap Stock Fund, Inc.   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
     
Lord Abbett Municipal Income Fund, Inc.    
Lord Abbett AMT Free Municipal Bond Fund   A, C, F, I
Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund   A, C, F, I, P
Lord Abbett High Yield Municipal Bond Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P
Lord Abbett Intermediate Tax Free Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P
 

2 As amended to reflect: (1) effective November 22, 2013, the Reorganization of Lord Abbett Classic Stock Fund into Lord Abbett Calibrated Dividend Growth Fund, each a series of Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.; (2) effective November 29, 2013, the name change of Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Global Opportunity Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett Global Allocation Fund); and (3) effective December 1, 2013, Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Balanced Opportunity Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett Balanced Strategy Fund), Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Growth Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett Growth & Income Strategy Fund), and Lord Abbett Multi-Asset Income Fund (formerly, Lord Abbett Diversified Income Strategy Fund).

A- 1
Lord Abbett National Tax-Free Income Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P
Lord Abbett New Jersey Tax-Free Income Fund   A, F, I, P
Lord Abbett New York Tax-Free Income Fund   A, C, F, I, P
Lord Abbett Short Duration Tax Free Fund   A, B, C, F, I
     
Lord Abbett Research Fund, Inc.    
Lord Abbett Calibrated Dividend Growth Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Growth Opportunities Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
Small-Cap Value Series   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
     
Lord Abbett Securities Trust    
Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Fundamental Equity Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Growth Leaders Fund   A, B, C, F, I, R2, R3
Lord Abbett International Core Equity Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett International Dividend Income Fund   A, B, C, F, I, R2, R3
Lord Abbett International Opportunities Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Growth Fund   A, I
Lord Abbett Micro-Cap Value Fund   A, I
Lord Abbett Value Opportunities Fund   A, B, C, F, I, P, R2, R3
     
Lord Abbett Series Fund, Inc.    
Bond-Debenture Portfolio   VC
Calibrated Dividend Growth Portfolio   VC
Classic Stock Portfolio   VC
Developing Growth Portfolio   VC
Fundamental Equity Portfolio   VC
Growth and Income Portfolio   VC, P
Growth Opportunities Portfolio   VC
International Core Equity Portfolio   VC
International Opportunities Portfolio   VC
Mid Cap Stock Portfolio   VC
Total Return Portfolio   VC
Value Opportunities Portfolio   VC
     
Lord Abbett U.S. Government & Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund, Inc.   A, B, C, I
A- 2

 

Code of Ethics dated October, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC

 

Lord Abbett Distributor LLC

 

Lord Abbett Funds

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

October 2013

 

 
 

Code of Ethics

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Section No.   Description of Section   Page Number
         
I   Standards of Business Conduct and Ethical Principles   3
         
II   Personal Investment Accounts Covered   4
         
III   Approved Brokerage Firms   5
         
IV   Types of Investments and Transactions   5
         
V   Required Minimum Holding Periods   10
         
VI   Reports and Certifications   11
         
VII   Administration of Code   13
         
Appendix A   Special Rules For Independent Board Members   A-1
         
Appendix B   Special Rules For Temporary Employees and Consultants   B-1
         
Appendix C   List of Approved Broker-Dealers   C-1
         
Appendix D   Special Preclearance Rules For Spouses or Domestic Partners of Lord Abbett Personnel   D-1
         
Appendix E   Notes   E-1

 

Lord Abbett & Co. LLC Code of Ethics
October 2013 

2
Code of Ethics

 

I. STANDARDS OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

 

Lord Abbett’s focus on honesty and integrity has been a critical part of its culture since the firm’s founding in 1929. Lord Abbett is a fiduciary to the mutual funds and other client accounts (“Clients”) managed by the firm.

 

In recognition of these fiduciary obligations, the personal investment activities of Lord Abbett Partners and Employees (“Lord Abbett Personnel”) will be governed by the following general principles:

 

· Lord Abbett Personnel must place first the interests of Clients.

 

· Lord Abbett Personnel must conduct their personal investments consistent with the Code and in a manner that is designed to avoid or minimize any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of a person’s position of trust and responsibility.

 

· Lord Abbett Personnel must not take inappropriate advantage of their positions with Lord Abbett or the Lord Abbett Family of Funds (the “Lord Abbett Funds”).

 

· Lord Abbett Personnel must comply with the Federal Securities Laws. 1

 

· Lord Abbett Personnel must maintain all “internal use only” and/or proprietary information as confidential and not disclose or discuss such information with people outside Lord Abbett unless such disclosure is specifically permitted under another Lord Abbett policy.

 

· Lord Abbett Personnel may not give or accept favors or preferential treatment of any kind or gift or other thing in violation of Lord Abbett’s Gifts and Entertainment Policies and Procedures, or otherwise fail to comply with those policies and procedures.

 

· Lord Abbett Personnel may not become a director, officer or employee of any other company without Lord Abbett’s prior consent and, if appropriate, implementation of appropriate safeguards against conflicts of interest and apparent conflicts of interest.

 

· Lord Abbett Personnel may not participate in an outside business activity without Lord Abbett’s prior consent. 2

 

The independent members of the Boards of Directors/Trustees of the Lord Abbett Funds (the “Independent Board Members”) are subject to this Code as set forth in Appendix A. Consultants and temporary employees of Lord Abbett are subject to this Code as set forth in Appendix B.

 

Lord Abbett & Co. LLC Code of Ethics
October 2013 

3
Code of Ethics

 

II. PERSONAL INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS COVERED

 

The Code limitations on personal investments apply to all types of securities 3 accounts maintained in the name of any Lord Abbett Personnel or for which any Lord Abbett Personnel has a “ Beneficial Ownership” interest , except for “ Fully Discretionary Accounts .”

 

è What types of accounts are covered ?

 

Any account that that may invest in securities, including but not limited to brokerage accounts, IRA accounts, trust accounts, 401(k) and other retirement plan accounts, and dividend reinvestment or automatic investment plan accounts.

 

è What does it mean to have a “Beneficial Ownership” interest?

 

You are the “Beneficial Owner” of any securities of which you, directly or indirectly, share in the profits, even if you have no influence on voting or disposition of those securities. For example, you generally should consider yourself the “Beneficial Owner” of securities held in your spouse’s or domestic partner’s 401(k) and/or IRA accounts. 4

 

è What is a “Fully Discretionary Account”?

 

This is an account where you do not have any “direct or indirect influence or control” over transactions before they occur.

 

· You have “no direct or indirect influence or control” over an account only if:

 

o Investment discretion for the account is delegated in its entirety to an independent fiduciary and is not in any way, either directly or indirectly, shared with or retained by you;

 

o You certify in writing, at the start of your employment with Lord Abbett or upon the opening of a fully discretionary account and annually thereafter, that you have not and will not discuss any potential specific investment decisions with the independent fiduciary before any transaction; and

 

o The independent fiduciary provides written confirmation of your representations.

 

NOTE : Written confirmation from the independent fiduciary is not required for separately managed accounts sponsored by broker-dealers.

 

· New Lord Abbett Personnel must disclose to Lord Abbett’s Compliance Department at the start of their employment all pertinent facts regarding any account that is a Fully-Discretionary Account or in which you have a Beneficial Ownership interest.

 

Lord Abbett & Co. LLC Code of Ethics
October 2013 

4
Code of Ethics

 

III. APPROVED BROKERAGE FIRMS

 

Brokerage accounts directly or beneficially owned by any Lord Abbett Personnel must be maintained at one or more of the approved firms identified in Appendix C, unless otherwise authorized by Lord Abbett’s General Counsel or Chief Compliance Officer.

 

NOTE : (1) You must direct your brokerage firm(s) to send copies of all trade confirmations and monthly/quarterly statements (either in paper or electronically) to Lord Abbett’s Code of Ethics Officer in the Compliance Department.

 

(2) You must notify Lord Abbett’s Code of Ethics Officer in the Compliance Department about the opening of any such brokerage account within thirty (30) days of its opening.

 

IV. TYPES OF INVESTMENTS AND TRANSACTIONS

 

There are four categories of investments and transactions:

 

· Permitted investments that DO NOT require preapproval

 

· Permitted investments that DO require preapproval

 

· Prohibited investments

 

· Prohibited transactions

 

Lord Abbett & Co. LLC Code of Ethics
October 2013 

5
Code of Ethics

 

è Permitted Investments

 

The categories of Permitted Investments and Preapproval requirements are set forth in the chart below:

 

Preapproval Required   Preapproval Not Required
Purchase or sale of common stock,
corporate bonds, and

municipal bonds
  Purchase of common stock or bonds
through automatic investment plan/dividend
reinvestment plan
     
Purchase or sale of non-U.S. funds   Sale of 300 shares or less of common stock
of an S&P 500 Index company
     
Purchase or sale of closed-end funds,
exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), and
unit investment trusts (“UITs”)
  Receipt of securities through bankruptcy, insolvency, or  
non-discretionary corporate action
     
Purchase or sale of equity securities
of a U.S. Instrumentality 5
 

Purchase or sale of U.S. registered open-end mutual funds
(including all U.S. registered money market funds)

that do not trade on an exchange

     
    Purchase or sale of U.S. Government Securities, 6
debt securities of a U.S. Instrumentality, and
Money Market Instruments 7

 

è Preapproval Requests

 

è What is preapproval?

 

Before you make certain investments, you must seek and receive permission from the Compliance Department. This requirement is referred to as “preapproval.”

 

è How do I request preapproval?

 

You must submit your preapproval requests to the Compliance Department through the Protegent PTA system (“Protegent PTA”), or in such other manner as may be directed by the Compliance Department.

 

è How long does an approval last?

 

Approved requests remain effective until the earlier of :

 

· The end of the second business day after the date of approval.

 

Example : If a preapproval request is approved on Monday, then you can trade until the close of business on Wednesday.

 

Lord Abbett & Co. LLC Code of Ethics
October 2013

6
Code of Ethics

 

· You learn that Lord Abbett is considering purchasing for a Client the security that was the subject of your preapproval request.

 

If the effectiveness of an approval lapses for any reason, you must submit a new request and receive another approval before you may purchase or sell the security.

 

è Is there a limit on the number of preapproval requests I can make?

 

You may not submit more than 20 preapproval requests in any one calendar year, including requests submitted after the lapse of a previously-granted approval. Preapproval requests for ETF transactions, however, will not count against your annual preapproval request limit.

 

è Is there a limit on the number of transactions I can make?

 

You may not complete more than 10 transactions requiring preapproval in any one calendar year. Completed ETF transactions, however, will not count against your annual transaction limit.

 

è Who is responsible for keeping track of the number of preapproval requests and transactions I make?

 

You are responsible for ensuring that you do not exceed the number of permitted preapproval requests and transactions. At present, Protegent PTA cannot be relied on to prevent you from exceeding the permitted number of preapproval requests and transactions. Please contact Compliance with any questions regarding the application of the annual preapproval request and transaction limits.

 

è Are there any exemptions available for new Lord Abbett Personnel ?

 

Without regard to the foregoing limitations on the number of preapproval requests and transactions, the General Counsel or Chief Compliance Officer may, in writing and subject to any appropriate conditions, permit new Lord Abbett Personnel to sell during their first 30 days at Lord Abbett any securities held prior to becoming Lord Abbett Personnel.

 

è Are there any special restrictions for investment personnel ?

 

Lord Abbett Personnel who participate in non-public investor meetings (for example, earnings meetings/calls, analyst meetings, etc.) with company management or otherwise “cover” or “follow” a company, may not request preapproval to purchase or sell securities of that company for a period of 6 months after the later of the most recent investor meeting or termination of coverage of that company. Participation in web events and other broad forums for company management that are open to buy- and sell-side firms, on the other hand, will not be treated as non-public investor meetings with company management for purposes of the above restriction.

 

Lord Abbett & Co. LLC Code of Ethics
October 2013

7
Code of Ethics

 

è Will there ever be a period during which my ability to obtain preapproval may be suspended by Lord Abbett ?

 

Lord Abbett may suspend your ability to engage in transactions that require preapproval during any business interruption or other period in which it is impracticable for the Compliance Department to follow its normal procedures in responding to preapproval requests.

 

Special Preapproval Rules : See Appendix D for special preapproval rules for certain transactions involving spouses or domestic partners of Lord Abbett Personnel.

 

è Prohibited Investments 8

 

The following are prohibited investments under the Code:

 

· Futures or options on commodities, currencies, or other financial instruments
     
· Short sales or purchases on margin
     
· Options with respect to any security
     
· Initial public offerings or secondary public offerings
     
· Any security issued by a company (excluding exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds) with a market capitalization of less than $3 billion at the time of purchase
     
· Private Placement Securities 9

 

NOTE : (1) A Fully Discretionary Account (and certain other accounts) for Lord Abbett Personnel may purchase Private Placement Securities. 10

 

(2) Private Placement Securities that were owned prior to becoming Lord Abbett Personnel or that were acquired through an inheritance or other gift may be retained, but no additional discretionary purchases of these Private Placement Securities may be made.

 

(3) The General Counsel or the Chief Compliance Officer may exempt the following from this prohibition.

 

§ The purchase or holding of Private Placement Securities by Lord Abbett Personnel if such person determines there is no actual conflict with any Lord Abbett Client.
     
§ The receipt of Private Placement Securities by the spouses or domestic partners of Lord Abbett Personnel as compensation for their service as directors or employees of, or consultants to, a company.
     
§ The purchase of Private Placement Securities by the spouses or domestic partners of Lord Abbett Personnel to the extent required for their continued employment as directors or employees of, or consultants to, a company.

 

Lord Abbett & Co. LLC Code of Ethics
October 2013

8
Code of Ethics

 

Any such exemptions will be reported to Lord Abbett’s Managing Partner promptly. 11

 

è Prohibited Transactions

 

All Lord Abbett Personnel are subject to the trading prohibitions described below. You may not :

 

· Trade on material non-public information, or fail to comply with Lord Abbett’s Insider Trading and Receipt of Material Non Public Information Policy and Procedure.
     
· Purchase or sell a security if there has been a determination to purchase or sell that security for a Client, or the purchase or sale is under consideration for a Client.
     
· Disclose information to anyone on other than on a need-to-know basis regarding a contemplated security transaction for a Client until that transaction has been completed or abandoned.
     
· Purchase or sell any security within 7 business days before or after any Client transactions in that security.

 

NOTE : (1) Any profits realized on these transactions will be forfeited to the relevant Client or as otherwise determined by Lord Abbett.

 

(2) The Chief Compliance Officer or the General Counsel may exempt any transaction from this requirement if the transaction for the Lord Abbett Personnel had no material effect on and/or did not benefit from the Client transaction(s).

 

· Engage in market timing activities with respect to any Lord Abbett Fund or any other mutual fund advised or subadvised by Lord Abbett.
     
· Own 5% or more of the outstanding shares of any non-affiliated fund ( i.e. , any U.S. registered open-end fund not managed or subadvised by Lord Abbett). 12
     
· Profit in the purchase and sale, or the sale and purchase, of the same (or equivalent) securities, within 60 calendar days.

 

NOTE : (1) Holding periods are calculated based on a “first-in, first-out” methodology.

 

(2) Any profits realized on these short-term transactions will be forfeited to the relevant Client or as otherwise determined by Lord Abbett.

 

Lord Abbett & Co. LLC Code of Ethics
October 2013

9
Code of Ethics

 

V. REQUIRED MINIMUM HOLDING PERIODS

 

è General

 

Lord Abbett Personnel must hold certain mutual fund shares for a minimum of 30 days after purchase.

 

è Covered Funds

 

This restriction applies to:

· All Lord Abbett Funds other than Lord Abbett Money Market Fund 13
· Any other funds advised or subadvised by Lord Abbett

 

è Types of Accounts

 

This restriction applies to all accounts otherwise covered by the Code, including Lord Abbett 401(k) Retirement Plan accounts.

 

è Calculation of Holding Periods

 

Holding periods are calculated on a “first-in, first-out” basis.

 

è Exceptions to Holding Period Requirements

 

This restriction does not apply to:

 

· Sales or exchanges of a Lord Abbett Fund within 30 days after purchase as the default investment choice for automatic enrollees in the Lord Abbett 401(k) Retirement Plan .
     
· Exchanges of Lord Abbett Fund shares for shares of a newly-offered Lord Abbett Fund for a period of up to 90 days after such newly-offered Fund first accepts investments.

 

è Requests for Exceptions

 

Requests for additional exceptions to this restriction will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Any such request must be approved by Lord Abbett’s Managing Partner and General Counsel or Chief Compliance Officer .

 

è Board Reporting

 

Lord Abbett will report any approved exception to the Audit Committees of the Lord Abbett Funds.

 

Lord Abbett & Co. LLC Code of Ethics
October 2013

10
Code of Ethics

 

VI. REPORTS AND CERTIFICATIONS

 

è Initial and Annual Holdings Reports

 

Lord Abbett Personnel must, except as shown in the table below, submit a report detailing all of their personal investments using the required form or as otherwise directed by the Compliance Department when they start their employment at Lord Abbett and on an annual basis thereafter.

 

Holdings Not Required to be Included in Initial and Annual Holdings Reports

 

Lord Abbett Funds purchased directly from Fund
or through Lord Abbett 401(k) Retirement Plan

 

Non-Affiliated Funds 14

 

Any U.S. registered money market fund (including Lord Abbett Money Market Fund)

 

U.S. Government Securities

 

Money Market Instruments

 

Examples of holdings that must be included in initial and annual holdings reports include, without limitation :

 

· Lord Abbett Funds held through a brokerage account

 

· U.S. registered open-end funds advised or subadvised by Lord Abbett

 

· Non-U.S. funds

 

· Closed-end funds, ETFs, and UITs

 

· Common stock

 

· Corporate or municipal bonds

 

· Debt or equity securities of a U.S. Instrumentality

 

Lord Abbett & Co. LLC Code of Ethics
October 2013 

11
Code of Ethics

 

è Quarterly Transaction Reports

 

Lord Abbett Personnel must, except as shown in the table below, submit a quarterly report through Protegent PTA regarding all of their personal securities transactions in accordance with the requirements below.

 

Transactions Not Required to be Included in Quarterly Transaction Reports

 

Purchase of Lord Abbett Funds directly from Fund or
through Lord Abbett 401(k) Retirement Plan and redemptions

 

Purchase or sale of Non-Affiliated Funds

 

Purchase or sale of any U.S. registered money market fund
(including Lord Abbett Money Market Fund)

 

Purchase of common stock through reinvestment of dividends or
through an automatic investment plan made in accordance with predetermined schedule

 

Purchase or sale of U.S. Government Securities

 

Purchase or sale of debt securities of a U.S. Instrumentality

 

Purchase or sale of Money Market Instruments

 

Examples of transactions that must be included in quarterly transaction reports include, without limitation , the purchase or sale of:

 

· Lord Abbett Funds held through a brokerage account

 

· U.S. registered open-end funds advised or subadvised by Lord Abbett

 

· Non-U.S. funds

 

· Closed-end funds, ETFs, and UITs

 

· Common stock

 

· Corporate or municipal bonds

 

· Equity securities of a U.S. Instrumentality

 

NOTE : You must submit a quarterly transaction report to the Compliance Department even if you had no reportable transactions during that quarter .

 

Lord Abbett & Co. LLC Code of Ethics
October 2013 

12
Code of Ethics

 

è Annual Certifications

 

Lord Abbett Personnel must, on an annual basis, make certain certifications through Protegent PTA or in such other manner as directed by the Compliance Department, including, without limitation , that they:

 

· Have received, read, and understand the Code and any amendments to the Code

 

· Recognize they are subject to the Code

 

· Have complied with the requirements of the Code

 

· Have disclosed or reported all transactions required to be disclosed or reported

 

è Due Dates for Reports and Certifications

 

Report   Filing Due Date   Information Current As Of
         
  Initial Holdings Report   10 days after becoming  
Lord Abbett Personnel
  At least 45 days prior to becoming
Lord Abbett Personnel
 
             
  Annual Holdings Report   January 31st   Calendar Year End  
             
  Quarterly Transaction Report   30 days after calendar quarter   Calendar Quarter  
             
  Annual Certification   January 31st   N/A  

 

VII. ADMINISTRATION OF CODE

 

è Distribution of Code and Amendments

 

The Compliance Department will ensure that copies of the Code are provided to Lord Abbett Personnel, Independent Board Members, and temporary employees and consultants in accordance with the table below.

 

Applicable Party   When Provided
     
Lord Abbett Personnel   At start of employment
     
Temporary employees and consultants   After six-month anniversary
     
Independent Board Members   At appointment or election to Board

 

The Compliance Department will ensure that copies of any amendment to the Code also are provided as soon as reasonably practicable after approval. Documents may be provided through paper, electronic, or internet-based means. 

 

Lord Abbett & Co. LLC Code of Ethics
October 2013 

13
Code of Ethics

 

è Administration and Enforcement of Code

 

The General Counsel and the Chief Compliance Officer are responsible for administering and enforcing the Code, and they may appoint one or more designees to aid them in carrying out their responsibilities. The Compliance Department is responsible for reviewing transaction and holdings reports, and certifications, and processing preapproval requests. The Compliance Department will establish such procedures and conduct such oversight in assessing compliance with the Code as the Chief Compliance Officer, in consultation with the General Counsel, deems appropriate. All personal transaction and holdings reports and preapproval requests submitted by the Chief Compliance Officer must be reviewed by the General Counsel.

 

è Reporting Violations

 

Any violation of the Code must be reported promptly to the Chief Compliance Officer, or, in his absence, to the General Counsel. The Chief Compliance Officer will bring to the attention of the Audit Committees of the Lord Abbett Funds any violation of the Code, and the action, if any, taken by Lord Abbett in response to such violation. The Audit Committee may recommend that it is appropriate to take additional or different action. The record of any Code violation discussion will be made a part of the permanent records of the Audit Committees.

 

è Sanctions

 

Lord Abbett may take any action against a violator as it deems appropriate, up to and including suspension or termination from the firm.

 

è Board Reporting

 

The Chief Compliance Officer, in consultation with the General Counsel, will prepare an “Annual Issues and Certification Report” to the Board that among other things:

 

· Summarizes Lord Abbett’s procedures concerning personal investing.

 

· Identifies and summarizes any changes or recommended changes to those procedures.

 

· Certifies that Lord Abbett’s procedures are reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Code.

 

· Summarizes any violations of the Code over the past year and any sanctions imposed.

 

è Exemptions

 

Lord Abbett’s Managing Partner, General Counsel, or Chief Compliance Officer may exempt a proposed transaction or series of transactions from one or more provisions of the Code if it is determined that the proposal is consistent with the policy and purposes underlying the Code. 15

 

Lord Abbett & Co. LLC Code of Ethics
October 2013 

14
Code of Ethics

 

APPENDIX A

 

SPECIAL RULES FOR INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS

 

è Preapproval and Reporting Requirements

 

General : The Independent Board Members generally will not receive information that will subject their personal securities transactions to the requirements of this Code. Therefore, Independent Board Members generally are not required to :

 

· Obtain preapproval from the Compliance Department to purchase or sell securities.

 

· Submit holdings and transaction reports to the Compliance Department.

 

o This rule also applies to options received or exercised by Independent Board Members who are directors or employees of, or consultants to, a company, along with the sale of the securities underlying the options.

 

Voluntary Preapproval : Independent Board Members may voluntarily seek preapproval of any securities transaction at any time.

 

Exception Where Preapproval Required : If, at a meeting or otherwise, an Independent Board Member learns of Lord Abbett’s or a Lord Abbett Fund’s current or contemplated investment transaction in any company, then the Independent Board Member must:

 

· Promptly report this information to the Chief Compliance Officer.

 

· Obtain preapproval in accordance with the Code for any personal securities transactions in that company during the 30 day period after learning such information, in accordance with Section IV of the Code.

 

Exception Where Quarterly Transaction Reporting Required : An Independent Board Member must submit a quarterly transaction report to the Compliance Department pursuant to Section VI of the Code when he/she knows, or in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her official duties as an Independent Board Member should have known, at the time of such transaction, that during the 15-day period immediately before or after the date of the transaction ( i.e. , a total of 30 days) such security was or was to be purchased or sold by any Lord Abbett Fund or such a purchase or sale was or was to be considered by a Lord Abbett Fund. If an Independent Board Member enters into any such transaction, he/she must report all securities transactions effected during the quarter for his or her account or for any account in which he/she has a Beneficial Ownership interest, unless it is a Fully-Discretionary Account.

 

Brokerage Statements : Independent Board Members must direct their brokerage firms to send copies of all trade confirmations and monthly/quarterly statements (either in paper or electronically) to the Code of Ethics Officer in the Compliance Department.

A-1
Code of Ethics

 

è Trading Prohibitions

 

Independent Board Members generally are subject to the trading prohibitions in Section IV of the Code. 16

 

è Other Board Positions

 

Prior to becoming a director of any public company, Independent Board Members must advise Lord Abbett’s Managing Partner and discuss whether accepting such appointment creates any conflict of interest or other issues.

 

è Annual Certification Requirement for Independent Board Members

 

Independent Board Members must comply with the annual certification requirement referenced in Section VI of the Code.

A-2
Code of Ethics

 

APPENDIX B

 

S PECIAL RULES FOR TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES AND CONSULTANTS

 

Temporary employees and consultants are subject to the following rules:

 

· Temporary employees and consultants who work at Lord Abbett for more than 6 months are subject to all preapproval and reporting requirements in the same manner as Lord Abbett Personnel.

 

· Temporary employees and consultants who work at Lord Abbett for more than 12 months must maintain any direct or beneficially owned brokerage accounts only at the approved firms identified in Appendix C, unless otherwise authorized by the Chief Compliance Officer or the General Counsel.

 

NOTE : For purposes of applying these rules, a former temporary employee or consultant who re-engages with Lord Abbett must count the period of every prior Lord Abbett engagement unless more than 6 months have lapsed since the most recent engagement.

B-1
Code of Ethics

 

APPENDIX C

  

LIST OF APPROVED BROKER-DEALERS

  

Merrill Lynch* Citi
Bank of America* UBS
Edward Jones Fidelity
Linsco/PrivateLedger Schwab
Wells Fargo Met Life
Raymond James Morgan Stanley/Smith Barney

 

* Bank of America and Merrill Lynch are on separate trading platforms.

C- 1
Code of Ethics

 

APPENDIX D

 

SPECIAL PRECLEARANCE RULES FOR SPOUSES OR DOMESTIC PARTNERS OF LORD ABBETT PERSONNEL

 

è Stock Options

 

If your spouse or domestic partner is a director or an employee of, or a consultant to, a company, his/her receipt and exercise of options to acquire securities of that company (or an affiliate) and the sale of the securities underlying those options are subject to the specific preapproval and transaction reporting requirements below.

  

Preapproval and Quarterly Transaction
Reporting Required
  Preapproval and Quarterly Transaction
Reporting Not Required
Sale of underlying securities in connection with “cashless” exercise of options by spouse/domestic partner   Receipt of options by spouse/domestic partner
Sale of underlying securities
after initial “cash exercise”
of options by spouse/domestic partner
  Exercise of options without
sale of underlying securities
(i.e., “cash exercise” of options) by spouse/domestic partner

 

è Private Placement Securities

 

If your spouse or domestic partner is a director or an employee of, or a consultant to, a company and holds Private Placement Securities pursuant to an exemption received from the General Counsel or the Chief Compliance Officer as described in Section IV of the Code under the heading “Prohibited Investments – Private Placement Securities,” you must:

 

· Obtain preapproval for sales of those Private Placement Securities.

 

· Include sales of those Private Placement Securities in your quarterly transaction reports.

 

· Include those Private Placement Securities in your annual holdings reports.
D- 1
Code of Ethics

 

APPENDIX E

 

NOTES

 

1 . Federal Securities Laws ” includes the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Commodity Exchange Act, Title V of the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act, and any rules adopted by the SEC or the Commodities Futures Trading Commission under any of those statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act as it applies to mutual funds and investment advisers, and any rules adopted thereunder by the SEC or the Department of the Treasury.

 

2 . Lord Abbett Personnel also must comply with all applicable Lord Abbett policies and procedures, including the Insider Trading and Receipt of Material Non Public Information Policy and Procedure, Gifts and Entertainment Policies and Procedures and Whistleblower Policy and Procedures.

 

3 . The term “ security ” means any: (i) common or preferred stock, bond, debenture or, in general, any instrument commonly known as a security under the Federal Securities Laws; (ii) any separate security which is convertible into, exchangeable for, or which carries a right to purchase or sell, a security, including warrants; and (iii) an option, futures contract, option on a futures contract, and swap where the reference asset is a security, a securities index, or other financial indicator.

 

4 . Beneficial Ownership ” will be interpreted in the same manner as it would be under S ection 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 16a-1 thereunder. Examples of “Beneficial Ownership” include: (i) securities held by your immediate family sharing the same house with you (with certain exceptions). For purposes of the Code, immediate family includes spouse, child, and a domestic partner (of the same or opposite gender) that has been identified to Lord Abbett through enrollment in Lord Abbett’s medical, dental, or vision insurance benefit coverage (; (ii) your interest in securities held by a general or limited partnership where you are a general partner; (iii) your interest in securities held in trust as trustee, beneficiary or settlor; and (iv) your right to acquire securities through options, rights, or other derivative securities ( e.g. , stock options or restricted stock from a former employer).

 

5 U.S. Instrumentality ” means any U.S. Government agency, authority, or instrumentality, including, without limitation, the Government National Mortgage Association, the Export-Import Bank, the Small Business Administration, the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal Home Loan Bank, and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

 

6 . “ U.S. Government Securities ” means securities issued by the United States Treasury, including, without limitation, U.S. Treasury bills, notes, and bonds.

 

7 . “ Money Market Instruments ” includes bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, or other high quality short-term debt instruments (including repurchase agreements).

 

8 . Lord Abbett reserves the right to make exceptions in advance of such trading based upon unusual facts and circumstances.

E- 1
Code of Ethics

 

9 . Private Placement Securities ” refers to securities that are sold in transactions that are exempt from registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 and related rules. A typical example would be interests in a hedge fund.

 

10 . The other accounts in which Private Placement Securities may be purchased are: a ny government plan; any collective trust fund consisting solely of retirement assets; or any stock bonus, pension, or profit sharing trust for any Lord Abbett Associate that meets the requirements for qualification under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 

11 . Any holdings of, and transactions in, Private Placement Securities remain subject to all other applicable preapproval and transaction and holding reporting requirements of the Code.

  

12 . Your ownership of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of any Non-Affiliated F und (as defined in Note 15 below) will not result in the imposition of any sanctions as long as you reduce your ownership below 5% within 60 days from the date you knew or should have known that your ownership was equal to or exceeded the 5% limit.

 

13 . “ Lord Abbett Money Market Fund ” means Lord Abbett U.S. Government and Government Sponsored Enterprises Money Market Fund.

 

14 . “ Non-Affiliated Fund ” means any U.S. registered open-end fund that is not advised or subadvised by Lord Abbett.

 

15 . Such persons may not, however, exempt their own transactions from the Code.

 

16 . Independent Board Members are not, however, subject to the prohibitions listed in the fourth, sixth, and seventh bullet points under the heading “Trading Prohibitions” in Section IV of the Code.

E- 2