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As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 25, 2014

1933 Act File No. 333-30810

1940 Act File No. 811-09819

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM N-1A

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

   THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933   x
   Post-Effective Amendment No. 47   x

and

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

   THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940   x
   Amendment No. 48  

 

 

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST

 

 

P.O. Box 5049, Boston, Massachusetts 02206

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(617) 662-1742

(Registrant’s Telephone Number)

David James, Secretary

State Street Bank and Trust Company

4 Copley Place, 5 th floor

Boston, MA 02116

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

 

Copy to:

Timothy W. Diggins, Esq.

Ropes & Gray LLP

800 Boylston Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02199-3600

 

 

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

¨ Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
¨ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)
x 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
¨ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485.
¨ 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.

This amendment only relates to registering the Institutional Class, Investor Class and Administration Class for the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

State Street Institutional Investment Trust

 

 

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL LIQUID RESERVES FUND

Institutional Class: [            ]

Administration Class: [            ]

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL TAX FREE MONEY MARKET FUND

Institutional Class: [            ]

Investor Class: [            ]

Administration Class: [            ]

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

Institutional Class: [            ]

Administration Class: [            ]

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND

Institutional Class: [            ]

Investor Class: [            ]

Administration Class: [            ]

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL TREASURY PLUS MONEY MARKET FUND

Institutional Class: [            ]

Investor Class: [            ]

Administration Class: [            ]

 

 

Prospectus Dated [            ], 2014

 

 

[SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.]

THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

AN INVESTMENT IN ANY OF THE FUNDS OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT A BANK DEPOSIT AND IS NOT INSURED OR GUARANTEED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. ALTHOUGH THE FUNDS SEEK TO PRESERVE THE VALUE OF YOUR INVESTMENT AT $1.00 PER SHARE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO LOSE MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE FUNDS.

EACH FUND OFFERS MULTIPLE CLASSES OF SHARES.    THIS PROSPECTUS COVERS ONLY THE INSTITUTIONAL CLASS.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Fund Summaries

  

State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund

     3   

State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund

     7   

State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund

     11   

State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund

     15   

State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund

     18   

Other Information

     21   

Additional Information About Investment Objectives, Principal Strategies and Risks of Investing in the Funds and Portfolios

     22   

Additional Information About the Funds’ and Portfolios’ Non-Principal Investment Strategies and Risks

     29   

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure

     29   

Management and Organization

     29   

Shareholder Information

     30   

Payments to Financial Intermediaries

     34   

Dividends, Distributions and Tax Considerations

     34   

Financial Highlights

     36   

 

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STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL LIQUID RESERVES FUND

Investment Objective

The investment objective of State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund (the “ILR Fund” or sometimes referred to in context as the “Fund”) is to seek to maximize current income, to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity and the maintenance of a stable $1.00 per share net asset value (“NAV”) by investing in U.S. dollar-denominated money market securities.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the ILR Fund. The expenses shown in the table and the Example reflect the expenses of the Fund and the Fund’s proportionate share of the expenses of State Street Money Market Portfolio (the “Money Market Portfolio” or sometimes referred to in context as the “Portfolio”).

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (1)

 

    Institutional
Class
    Administration
Class
 

Management Fee

    0.05     0.05

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

    [    ]     [    ]

Other Expenses

    [    ]     [    ]

Service Fee

    [    ]     [    ]
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (2)

    [    ]     [    ]
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)  

Amounts reflect the total expenses of the Money Market Portfolio and the Fund.

 

(2)  

The Fund’s investment adviser, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSgA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser’s sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2013, the Adviser had not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion,

  irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund, without limitation. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund’s expenses and reduce the Fund’s yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield.

Example

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the ILR Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

      1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  

Institutional Class

  $ [       $ [       $ [       $ [    

Administration Class

  $ [       $ [       $ [       $ [    

Principal Investment Strategies

The ILR Fund invests substantially all of its investable assets in the Money Market Portfolio.

The Money Market Portfolio follows a disciplined investment process in which the Portfolio’s investment adviser, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSgA FM”), bases its decisions on the relative attractiveness of different money market instruments. In the Adviser’s opinion, the attractiveness of an instrument may vary depending on the general level of interest rates, as well as imbalances of supply and demand in the market. The Portfolio invests in accordance with regulatory requirements applicable to money market funds, which require, among other things, the Portfolio to invest only in short-term, high quality debt obligations (generally, securities that have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less and either have been rated in one of the two highest short-term rating categories or are considered by the Portfolio to be of comparable quality), to maintain a maximum dollar-weighted average maturity of 60 days or less, and to meet requirements as to portfolio diversification and liquidity.

 

 

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The Portfolio attempts to meet its investment objective by investing in a broad range of money market instruments. These may include among other things: U.S. government securities, including U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds and other securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities; certificates of deposits and time deposits of U.S. and foreign banks; commercial paper and other high quality obligations of U.S. or foreign companies; asset-backed securities, including asset-backed commercial paper; mortgage-related securities; and repurchase agreements. These instruments may bear fixed, variable or floating rates of interest or may be zero-coupon securities. The Portfolio also may invest in shares of other money market funds, including funds advised by the Adviser. Under normal market conditions, the Portfolio intends to invest more than 25% of its total assets in bank obligations. A substantial portion of the Portfolio may be invested in securities that are issued or traded pursuant to exemptions from registration under the federal securities laws.

Principal Investment Risks

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and it is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.

In addition, the Fund is subject to the following risks:

 

   

Risks of Investing Principally in Money Market Instruments:

 

   

Interest Rate Risk — The risk that interest rates will rise, causing the value of the Portfolio’s investments to fall. Also, the risk that as interest rates decline, the amount of income the Portfolio receives on its new investments generally will decline.

 

   

Credit Risk — The risk that an issuer, guarantor or liquidity provider of an instrument will be unable, or will be perceived to be unable, to make scheduled interest or principal payments, and that the value of the instrument will fall as a result.

 

   

Liquidity Risk — The risk that the Portfolio may not be able to sell some or all of its securities at desired prices, or may be unable to sell the securities at all, because

   

of a lack of demand in the market for such securities, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the securities when properly tendered by the Portfolio.

 

   

Prepayment Risk and Extension Risk — Applicable primarily to mortgage-related and asset-backed securities, the risks that loan obligations may be repaid faster or slower than expected, causing the Portfolio to invest repayment proceeds in, or continue to hold, lower yielding securities, as the case may be.

 

   

Stable Share Price Risk:     If the market value of one or more of the Portfolio’s investments changes substantially, the Fund may not be able to maintain a stable share price of $1.00. This risk typically is higher during periods of rapidly changing interest rates or when issuer credit quality generally is falling, and is made worse when the Portfolio experiences significant redemption requests.

 

   

Master/Feeder Structure Risk:     The Fund’s performance may be adversely affected as a result of large cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio and any related disruption to the Portfolio’s investment program.

 

   

Low Short-Term Interest Rate Risk:     At the date of this Prospectus, short-term interest rates are at historically low levels, and so the Fund’s yield is very low. It is possible that the Portfolio will generate an insufficient amount of income to pay its expenses, and that it and/or the Fund will not be able to pay a daily dividend and may have a negative yield (i.e., it may lose money on an operating basis). It is possible that the Portfolio will maintain a substantial portion of its assets in cash, on which it would earn little, if any, income.

 

   

Banking Industry Risk:     To the extent the Portfolio concentrates its investments in bank obligations, financial, economic, business, and other developments in the banking industry will have a greater effect on the Portfolio than if it had not concentrated its assets in the banking industry. Adverse changes in the banking industry may include, among other things, banks experiencing substantial losses on loans, increases in non-performing assets and charge-offs and declines in total deposits.

 

   

Repurchase Agreement Risk:     In a repurchase agreement, the Portfolio purchases a security

 

 

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from a seller at one price and simultaneously agrees to sell it back to the original seller at an agreed-upon price. If the Portfolio’s counterparty is unable to honor its commitments, the Portfolio may be unable to recover its purchase price and may be prevented or delayed from realizing on the security to make up any losses.

 

   

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk:     Defaults, or perceived increases in the risk of defaults, on the loans underlying mortgage-related or asset-backed securities may impair the values of the securities. These securities also present a higher degree of prepayment risk (when repayment of principal occurs before scheduled maturity) and extension risk (when rates of repayment of principal are slower than expected) than do other types of fixed income securities. The enforceability of security interests that support these securities may, in some cases, be subject to limitations.

 

   

Foreign Securities Risk:     The Portfolio may invest in U.S. dollar denominated instruments issued by foreign governments, corporations and financial institutions. Foreign securities are subject to political, economic, and regulatory risks not present in domestic investments. Returns on investments in securities issued by foreign issuers could be more volatile than securities issued by U.S. issuers. Foreign investments may be affected by, among other things, changes in currency exchange rates; currency controls; different accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and legal standards and practices applicable in foreign countries; tax withholding; and higher transaction costs. Foreign banks, or their domestic or foreign branches, may be subject to less rigorous regulation than U.S. banks operating in the United States, and may not be required to meet financial, capital, and other requirements applicable to U.S. banks. Foreign laws and accounting standards typically are not as strict as they are in the U.S. so there may be fewer restrictions on loan limitations, less frequent examinations and less stringent requirements regarding reserve accounting, auditing, recordkeeping and public reporting requirements.

 

   

U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises Risk:      Securities of certain U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities are not supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, and to the extent the Portfolio owns such securities, it

   

must look to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the securities for repayment.

 

   

Variable and Floating Rate Securities Risk:     The Portfolio may purchase variable and floating rate securities, whose interest rates change based on changes in market interest rates. As a result, the interest paid on such securities will tend to fall as market interest rates fall generally, and the interest rates on such securities may not rise as rapidly as general market rates.

 

   

Market Risk:     The values of the securities in which the Portfolio invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual issuers and/or general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or may last for extended periods. Recent instability in the financial markets has led the U.S. Government to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. The withdrawal of this support could negatively affect the value and liquidity of certain securities or of markets generally. In addition, legislation recently enacted in the U.S. calls for changes in many aspects of financial regulation. The impact of the legislation on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.

 

   

Money Market Fund Regulatory Risk:     It is possible that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or another agency will adopt regulations that change in very important respects the operation of money market funds. Any such regulatory changes could impact important characteristics of the Fund, including liquidity of an investment in the Fund or the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable net asset value per share.

Performance

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the ILR Fund by illustrating the variability of the Fund’s returns for [Institutional] Shares during the years since inception. The Fund’s past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Current performance information for the Fund is available

 

 

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toll free by calling (877) 521-4083 or by visiting our website at www.ssga.com/cash . Performance history will be available for the Institutional Class and the Administration Class Shares of the Fund after they have been in operation for one calendar year. Returns of these share classes could have been similar to the returns shown for [Institutional] Shares because the shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities. Returns would differ only to the extent that the new share classes do not have the same expenses as [Institutional] Shares. Institutional Class and the Administration Class Shares are generally expected to incur [higher] expenses than [Institutional] Shares.

State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund

Total Return for the Calendar Years

Ended December 31

 

LOGO

Returns would have been lower if operating expenses had not been reduced. During the period shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a quarter was 1.33% (quarter ended 12/31/06) and the lowest return for a quarter was 0.02% (quarter ended 9/30/13).

Average Annual Total Returns

For the Periods Ended December 31, 2013

[Institutional] Shares

 

       1-Year     5-Year     Since the Inception
Date of the Fund
 

State Street
Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund

     0.10     0.23     1.91

To obtain the Fund’s current yield, please call (877) 521-4083.

Investment Adviser

SSgA FM serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

For important information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, please turn to “Other Information” on page 21 of the prospectus.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

For important information about financial intermediary compensation, please turn to “Other Information” on page 21 of the prospectus.

 

 

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STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL TAX FREE MONEY MARKET FUND

Investment Objective

The investment objective of State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund (the “Tax Free Fund” or sometimes referred to in context as the “Fund”) is to seek to maximize current income, exempt from federal income taxes, to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity and the maintenance of a stable $1.00 per share net asset value (“NAV”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Tax Free Fund. The expenses shown in the table and the Example reflect the expenses of the Fund and the Fund’s proportionate share of the expenses of State Street Tax Free Money Market Portfolio (the “Tax Free Portfolio” or sometimes referred to in context as the “Portfolio”).

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (1)

 

    Institutional
Class
    Investor
Class
    Administration
Class
 

Management Fee

    0.05     0.05     0.05

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

    [    ]     [    ]     [    ]

Other Expenses

    [    ]     [    ]     [    ]

Service Fee

    [    ]     [    ]     [    ]
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Annual
Fund
Operating
Expenses
(2)

    [    ]     [    ]     [    ]
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)  

Amounts reflect the total expenses of the Tax Free Portfolio and the Fund.

 

(2)  

The Fund’s investment adviser, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSgA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser’s sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31,

  2013, the Adviser had waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses in the aggregate amount of $157,432 since October 1, 2012, all of which is potentially recoverable under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund, without limitation. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund’s expenses and reduce the Fund’s yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield.

Example

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Tax Free Fund with the costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions yours costs would be:

 

      1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  

Institutional Class

  $ [       $ [       $ [       $ [    

Investor Class

  $ [       $ [       $ [       $ [    

Administration Class

  $ [       $ [       $ [       $ [    

Principal Investment Strategies

The Tax Free Fund invests substantially all of its investable assets in the Tax Free Portfolio.

The Tax Free Portfolio has a fundamental policy of investing at least 80% of its net assets (plus borrowings, if any) in federal tax-exempt, high quality, short-term municipal securities of all types. However, the Portfolio generally invests substantially all of its assets in instruments exempt from ordinary federal income tax. The Portfolio may invest up to 20% of its net assets in federally taxable money market instruments (including those subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax), including securities issued by or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, as well as certificates of deposit, commercial paper and repurchase agreements. The Portfolio may buy or sell securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis.

 

 

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The Portfolio follows a disciplined investment process that attempts to provide stability of principal, liquidity and current income through all market conditions, by investing in high quality money market instruments. Among other things, the Portfolio’s investment adviser, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSgA FM”), conducts its own credit analyses of potential investments and portfolio holdings, and relies substantially on a dedicated short-term credit research team. The Portfolio invests in accordance with regulatory requirements applicable to money market funds which require, among other things, the Portfolio to invest only in short-term, high quality debt obligations (generally, securities that have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less and either have been rated in one of the two highest short-term rating categories or are considered by the Portfolio to be of comparable quality), to maintain a maximum dollar-weighted average maturity of 60 days or less, and to meet requirements as to portfolio diversification and liquidity. All securities held by the Portfolio are U.S. dollar-denominated, and they may have fixed, variable or floating interest rates, or may be zero-coupon securities.

The Portfolio attempts to meet its investment objective by investing in, among other things:

 

   

Securities issued by states, municipalities and their political subdivisions and agencies and certain territories and possessions of the U.S. (“municipal securities”), including:

 

   

General obligation bonds and notes;

 

   

Revenue bonds and notes;

 

   

Commercial paper and other privately issued securities;

 

   

Tender option bonds;

 

   

Private activity bonds;

 

   

Industrial development bonds;

 

   

Municipal lease contracts; and

 

   

Securities of other investment companies with similar investment guidelines.

Principal Investment Risks

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and it is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.

In addition, the Fund is subject to the following risks:

 

   

Risks of Investing Principally in Money Market Instruments:

 

   

Interest Rate Risk — The risk that interest rates will rise, causing the value of the Portfolio’s investments to fall. Also, the risk that as interest rates decline, the amount of income the Portfolio receives on its new investments generally will decline.

 

   

Credit Risk — The risk that an issuer, guarantor or liquidity provider of an instrument will be unable, or will be perceived to be unable, to make scheduled interest or principal payments, and that the value of the instrument will fall as a result.

 

   

Liquidity Risk — The risk that the Portfolio may not be able to sell some or all of its securities at desired prices, or may be unable to sell the securities at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for such securities, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the securities when properly tendered by the Portfolio.

 

   

Master/Feeder Structure Risk:     The Fund’s performance may be adversely affected as a result of large cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio and any related disruption to the Portfolio’s investment program.

 

   

Repurchase Agreement Risk:     In a repurchase agreement, the Portfolio purchases a security from a seller at one price and simultaneously agrees to sell it back to the original seller at an agreed-upon price. If the Portfolio’s counterparty is unable to honor its commitments, the Portfolio may be unable to recover its purchase price and may be prevented or delayed from realizing on the security to make up any losses.

 

   

Stable Share Price Risk:     If the market value of one or more of the Portfolio’s investments changes substantially, the Fund may not be able to maintain a stable share price of $1.00. This risk typically is higher during periods of rapidly changing interest rates or when issuer credit quality generally is falling, and is made worse when the Portfolio experiences significant redemption requests.

 

   

Municipal Securities Risk:     The municipal securities markets in which the Portfolio invests

 

 

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may be volatile and may be significantly affected by adverse tax, legislative, or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities. The values of municipal securities that depend on a specific revenue source to fund their payment obligations may fluctuate as a result of changes in the cash flows generated by the revenue source or changes in the priority of the municipal security to receive the cash flows generated by the revenue source.

 

   

Low Short-Term Interest Rate Risk:     At the date of this Prospectus, short-term interest rates are at historically low levels, and so the Fund’s yield is very low. It is possible that the Portfolio will generate an insufficient amount of income to pay its expenses, and that it and/or the Fund will not be able to pay a daily dividend and may have a negative yield (i.e., it may lose money on an operating basis). It is possible that the Portfolio will maintain a substantial portion of its assets in cash, on which it would earn little, if any, income.

 

   

Market Risk:     The values of the securities in which the Portfolio invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual issuers and/or general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or may last for extended periods. Recent instability in the financial markets has led the U.S. Government to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. The withdrawal of this support could negatively affect the value and liquidity of certain securities or of markets generally. In addition, legislation recently enacted in the U.S. calls for changes in many aspects of financial regulation. The impact of the legislation on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.

 

   

Variable and Floating Rate Securities Risk:     The Portfolio may purchase variable and floating rate securities, whose interest rates change based on changes in market interest rates. As a result, the interest paid on such securities will tend to fall as market interest rates fall generally, and the interest rates on such securities may not rise as rapidly as general market rates.

   

Money Market Fund Regulatory Risk:     It is possible that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or another agency will adopt regulations that change in very important respects the operation of money market funds. Any such regulatory changes could impact important characteristics of the Fund, including liquidity of an investment in the Fund or the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable net asset value per share.

Performance

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Tax Free Fund by illustrating the variability of the Fund’s returns for [Institutional] Shares during the years since inception. The Fund’s past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Current performance information for the Fund is available toll free by calling (877) 521-4083 or by visiting our website at www.ssga.com/cash . Performance history will be available for the Institutional Class, Investor Class and the Administration Class Shares of the Fund after they have been in operation for one calendar year. Returns of these share classes could have been similar to the returns shown for [Institutional] Shares because the shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities. Returns would differ only to the extent that the new share classes do not have the same expenses as [Institutional] Shares. Institutional Class, Investor Class and the Administration Class Shares are generally expected to incur [higher] expenses than [Institutional] Shares.

State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund

Total Return for the Calendar Years

Ended December 31

 

LOGO

 

 

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During the period shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a quarter was 0.70% (quarter ended 3/31/08) and the lowest return for a quarter was 0.00% (quarter ended 12/31/13).

Average Annual Total Returns

For the Periods Ended December 31, 2013

[Institutional] Shares

 

      1-Year     5-Year     Since the Inception
Date of the Fund
 

State Street
Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund

    0.00     0.11     0.86

To obtain the Fund’s current yield, please call (877) 521-4083.

Investment Adviser

SSgA FM serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

For important information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, please turn to “Other Information” on page 21 of the prospectus.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to distribute income that is exempt from U.S. federal income tax and the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax. However, a portion of the Fund’s distributions may be subject to federal income tax or to federal alternative minimum tax.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

For important information about financial intermediary compensation, please turn to “Other Information” on page 21 of the prospectus.

 

 

10


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STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

Investment Objective

The investment objective of State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund (the “U.S. Government Fund” or sometimes referred to in context as the “Fund”) is to seek to maximize current income, to the extent consistent with the preservation of capital and liquidity and the maintenance of a stable $1.00 per share net asset value (“NAV”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the U.S. Government Fund. The expenses shown in the table and the Example reflect the expenses of the Fund and the Fund’s proportionate share of the expenses of State Street U.S. Government Money Market Portfolio (the “U.S. Government Portfolio” or sometimes referred to in context as the “Portfolio”).

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (1)

 

    Institutional
Class
    Administration
Class
 

Management Fee

    0.05     0.05

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

    [    ]     [    ]

Other Expenses

    [    ]     [    ]

Service Fee

    [    ]     [    ]
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (2)

    [    ]     [    ]
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)  

Amounts reflect the total expenses of the U.S. Government Portfolio and the Fund.

 

(2)  

The Fund’s investment adviser, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSgA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser’s sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2013, the Adviser had waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses in the aggregate amount of $1,800,030 since October 1, 2012, all of which is

  potentially recoverable under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund, without limitation. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund’s expenses and reduce the Fund’s yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield.

Example

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the U.S. Government Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

      1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  

Institutional Class

  $ [       $ [       $ [       $ [    

Administration Class

  $ [       $ [       $ [       $ [    

Principal Investment Strategies

The U.S. Government Fund invests substantially all of its investable assets in the U.S. Government Portfolio.

The U.S. Government Portfolio invests only in obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, as well as repurchase agreements secured by such instruments.

The Portfolio follows a disciplined investment process that attempts to provide stability of principal, liquidity and current income, by investing in U.S. government securities. Among other things, SSgA FM, the Portfolio’s investment adviser, conducts its own credit analyses of potential investments and portfolio holdings, and relies substantially on a dedicated short-term credit research team. The Portfolio invests in accordance with regulatory requirements applicable to money market funds. Regulations require, among other things, a money market fund to invest only in short-term, high

 

 

11


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quality debt obligations (generally, securities that have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less and either have been rated in one of the two highest short-term rating categories or are considered by the Portfolio to be of comparable quality), to maintain a maximum dollar-weighted average maturity of 60 days or less, and to meet requirements as to portfolio diversification and liquidity. All securities held by the Portfolio are U.S. dollar-denominated, and they may have fixed, variable or floating interest rates.

The Portfolio attempts to meet its investment objective by investing in:

 

   

Obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, such as U.S. Treasury securities and securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States;

 

   

Obligations issued or guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association, and U.S. government-sponsored entities such as the Federal Home Loan Bank, which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; and

 

   

Repurchase agreements with respect to U.S. government securities

Principal Investment Risks

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and it is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.

In addition, the Fund is subject to the following risks:

 

   

Risks of Investing Principally in Money Market Instruments:

 

   

Interest Rate Risk — The risk that interest rates will rise, causing the value of the Portfolio’s investments to fall. Also, the risk that as interest rates decline, the amount of income the Portfolio receives on its new investments generally will decline.

   

Credit Risk — The risk that an issuer, guarantor or liquidity provider of an instrument will be unable, or will be perceived as unable, to make scheduled interest or principal payments, and that the market value of the instrument will fall as a result.

 

   

Liquidity Risk — The risk that the Portfolio may not be able to sell some or all of its securities at desired prices, or may be unable to sell the securities at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for such securities, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the securities when properly tendered by the Portfolio.

 

   

Prepayment Risk and Extension Risk — Applicable primarily to mortgage-related and asset-backed securities, the risks that loan obligations may be repaid faster or slower than expected, causing the Portfolio to invest repayment proceeds in, or continue to hold, lower yielding securities, as the case may be.

 

   

Master/Feeder Structure Risk:     The Fund’s performance may be adversely affected as a result of large cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio and any related disruption to the Portfolio’s investment program.

 

   

U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises Risk:      Securities of certain U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities are not supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, and to the extent the Portfolio owns such securities, it must look to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the securities for repayment. Because the Portfolio emphasizes investment in U.S. government securities, and because U.S. government securities generally are perceived as having low risks compared to most other types of investments, the Portfolio’s performance compared to money market funds that invest principally in other types of money market instruments may be lower.

 

   

Significant Exposure to U.S. Government Agencies Risk:     To the extent the Portfolio focuses its investments in securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies, any market price movements, regulatory changes or changes in political or economic conditions that affect the U.S. government agencies in which the Portfolio invests may have a significant impact on the

 

 

12


Table of Contents
   

Portfolio’s performance. Events that would adversely affect the market prices of securities issued or guaranteed by one government agency may adversely affect the market price of securities issued or guaranteed by other government agencies.

 

   

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk:     Defaults, or perceived increases in the risk of defaults, on the loans underlying mortgage-related or asset-backed securities may impair the values of the securities. These securities also present a higher degree of prepayment risk (when repayment of principal occurs before scheduled maturity) and extension risk (when rates of repayment of principal are slower than expected) than do other types of fixed income securities.

 

   

Repurchase Agreement Risk:     In a repurchase agreement, the Portfolio purchases a security from a seller at one price and simultaneously agrees to sell it back to the original seller at an agreed-upon price. If the Portfolio’s counterparty is unable to honor its commitments, the Portfolio may be unable to recover its purchase price and may be prevented or delayed from realizing on the security to make up any losses.

 

   

Stable Share Price Risk:     If the market value of one or more of the Portfolio’s investments changes substantially, the Fund may not be able to maintain a stable share price of $1.00. This risk typically is higher during periods of rapidly changing interest rates or when issuer credit quality generally is falling, and is made worse when the Portfolio experiences significant redemption requests.

 

   

Low Short-Term Interest Rate Risk:     At the date of this Prospectus, short-term interest rates are at historically low levels, and so the Fund’s yield is very low. It is possible that the Portfolio will generate an insufficient amount of income to pay its expenses, and that it and/or the Fund will not be able to pay a daily dividend and may have a negative yield (i.e., it may lose money on an operating basis). It is possible that the Portfolio will maintain a substantial portion of its assets in cash, on which it would earn little, if any, income.

 

   

Market Risk:     The values of the securities in which the Portfolio invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual issuers

   

and general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or may last for extended periods. Recent instability in the financial markets has led the U.S. Government to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. The withdrawal of this support could negatively affect the value and liquidity of certain securities or of markets generally. In addition, legislation recently enacted in the U.S. calls for changes in many aspects of financial regulation. The impact of the legislation on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.

 

   

Variable and Floating Rate Securities Risk:     The Portfolio may purchase variable and floating rate securities, whose interest rates change based on changes in market interest rates. As a result, the interest paid on such securities will tend to fall as market interest rates fall generally, and the interest rates on such securities may not rise as rapidly as general market rates.

 

   

Money Market Fund Regulatory Risk:     It is possible that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or another agency will adopt regulations that change in very important respects the operation of money market funds. Any such regulatory changes could impact important characteristics of the Fund, including liquidity of an investment in the Fund or the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable net asset value per share.

Performance

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the U.S. Government Fund by illustrating the variability of the Fund’s returns for [Institutional] Shares during the years since inception. The Fund’s past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Current performance information for the Fund is available toll free by calling (877) 521-4083 or by visiting our website at www.ssga.com/cash . Performance history will be available for the Institutional Class and the Administration Class Shares of the Fund after they have been in operation for one calendar year. Returns of these share classes could have been similar to the returns

 

 

13


Table of Contents

shown for [Institutional] Shares because the shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities. Returns would differ only to the extent that the new share classes do not have the same expenses as [Institutional] Shares. Institutional Class and the Administration Class Shares are generally expected to incur [higher] expenses than [Institutional] Shares.

State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund Total Return for the Calendar Years Ended December 31

 

LOGO

Returns would have been lower if operating expenses had not been reduced. During the period shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a quarter was 0.83% (quarter ended 3/31/08) and the lowest return for a quarter was 0.00% (quarter ended 9/30/13).

Average Annual Total Returns For the Periods Ended December 31, 2013

[Institutional] Shares

 

      1-Year     5-Year     Since the Inception
Date of the Fund
 

State Street
Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund

    0.01     0.08     0.54

To obtain the Fund’s current yield, please call (877) 521-4083.

Investment Adviser

SSgA FM serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

For important information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, please turn to “Other Information” on page 21 of the prospectus.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

For important information about financial intermediary compensation, please turn to “Other Information” on page 21 of the prospectus.

 

 

14


Table of Contents

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND

Investment Objective

The investment objective of State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund (the “Treasury Fund” or sometimes referred to in context as the “Fund”) is to seek a high level of current income consistent with preserving principal and liquidity and the maintenance of a stable $1.00 per share net asset value (“NAV”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Treasury Fund. The expenses shown in the table and the Example reflect the expenses of the Fund and the Fund’s proportionate share of the expenses of State Street Treasury Money Market Portfolio (the “Treasury Portfolio” or sometimes referred to in context as the “Portfolio”).

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (1)

 

    Institutional
Class
    Investor
Class
    Administration
Class
 

Management Fee

    0.05     0.05     0.05

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

    [    ]     [    ]     [    ]

Other Expenses

    [    ]     [    ]     [    ]

Service Fee

    [    ]     [    ]     [    ]
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (2)

    [    ]     [    ]     [    ]
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)  

Amounts reflect the total expenses of the Treasury Portfolio and the Fund.

 

(2)  

The Fund’s investment adviser, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSgA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser’s sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2013, the Adviser had waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses in the aggregate amount of

  $5,699,274 since October 1, 2012, all of which is potentially recoverable under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund, without limitation. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund’s expenses and reduce the Fund’s yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield.

Example

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Treasury Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

      1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  

Institutional Class

  $ [       $ [       $ [       $ [    

Investor Class

  $ [       $ [       $ [       $ [    

Administration Class

  $ [       $ [       $ [       $ [    

Principal Investment Strategies

The Treasury Fund invests substantially all of its investable assets in the Treasury Portfolio.

The Treasury Portfolio attempts to meet its investment objective by investing only in U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds (which are direct obligations of the U.S. government).

The Portfolio invests in accordance with regulatory requirements applicable to money market funds, which require, among other things, the Portfolio to invest only in short-term securities (generally, securities that have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less), to maintain a maximum dollar-weighted average maturity of 60 days or less, and to meet requirements as to portfolio diversification and liquidity.

Principal Investment Risks

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and it is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal

 

 

15


Table of Contents

Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.

In addition, the Fund is subject to the following risks:

 

   

Risks of Investing Principally in Money Market Instruments:

 

   

Interest Rate Risk — The risk that interest rates will rise, causing the value of the Portfolio’s investments to fall. Also, the risk that as interest rates decline, the amount of income the Portfolio receives on its new investments generally will decline.

 

   

Credit Risk — The risk that an issuer, guarantor or liquidity provider of an instrument will be unable, or will be perceived to be unable, to make scheduled interest or principal payments, and that the value of the instrument will fall as a result.

 

   

Liquidity Risk — The risk that the Portfolio may not be able to sell some or all of its securities at desired prices, or may be unable to sell the securities at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for such securities, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the securities when properly tendered by the Portfolio.

 

   

Master/Feeder Structure Risk:     The Fund’s performance may be adversely affected as a result of large cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio and any related disruption to the Portfolio’s investment program.

 

   

Stable Share Price Risk:     If the market value of one or more of the Portfolio’s investments changes substantially, the Fund may not be able to maintain a stable share price of $1.00. This risk typically is higher during periods of rapidly changing interest rates or when issuer credit quality generally is falling and is made worse when the Portfolio experiences significant redemption requests.

 

   

Low Short-Term Interest Rate Risk:     At the date of this Prospectus, short-term interest rates are at historically low levels, and so the Fund’s yield is very low. It is possible that the Portfolio will generate an insufficient amount of income to pay its expenses, and that it and/or the Fund will not be able to pay a daily dividend and may have a

   

negative yield (i.e., it may lose money on an operating basis). It is possible that the Portfolio will maintain a substantial portion of its assets in cash, on which it would earn little, if any, income.

 

   

Market Risk:     Recent instability in the financial markets has led the U.S. Government to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. The withdrawal of this support could negatively affect the value and liquidity of certain securities or of markets generally. In addition, legislation recently enacted in the U.S. calls for changes in many aspects of financial regulation. The impact of the legislation on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.

 

   

Money Market Fund Regulatory Risk:     It is possible that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or another agency will adopt regulations that change in very important respects the operation of money market funds. Any such regulatory changes could impact important characteristics of the Fund, including liquidity of an investment in the Fund or the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable net asset value per share.

Performance

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Treasury Fund by illustrating the variability of the Fund’s returns for [Institutional] Shares during the years since inception. The Fund’s past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Current performance information for the Fund is available toll free by calling (877) 521-4083 or by visiting our website at www.ssga.com/cash . Performance history will be available for the Institutional Class, Investor Class and the Administration Class Shares of the Fund after they have been in operation for one calendar year. Returns of these share classes could have been similar to the returns shown for [Institutional] Shares because the shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities. Returns would differ only to the extent that the new share classes do not have the same expenses as [Institutional] Shares. Institutional Class, Investor Class and the Administration Class Shares are generally expected to incur [higher] expenses than [Institutional] Shares.

 

 

16


Table of Contents

State Street Institutional Treasury Money

Market Fund

Total Return for the Calendar Years

Ended December 31

 

LOGO

During the period shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a quarter was 0.53% (quarter ended 3/31/08) and the lowest return for a quarter was 0.00% (quarter ended 9/30/13).

Average Annual Total Returns

For the Periods Ended December 31, 2013

[Institutional] Shares

 

      1-Year     5-Year     Since the Inception
Date of the Fund
 

State Street
Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund

    0.00     0.01     0.30

To obtain the Fund’s current yield, please call (877) 521-4083.

Investment Adviser

SSgA FM serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

For important information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, please turn to “Other Information” on page 21 of the prospectus.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

For important information about financial intermediary compensation, please turn to “Other Information” on page 21 of the prospectus.

 

 

17


Table of Contents

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL TREASURY PLUS MONEY MARKET FUND

Investment Objective

The investment objective of State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund (the “Treasury Plus Fund” or sometimes referred to in context as the “Fund”) is to seek a high level of current income consistent with preserving principal and liquidity and the maintenance of a stable $1.00 per share net asset value (“NAV”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Treasury Plus Fund. The expenses shown in the table and the Example reflect the expenses of the Fund and the Fund’s proportionate share of the expenses of State Street Treasury Plus Money Market Portfolio (the “Treasury Plus Portfolio” or sometimes referred to in this context as the “Portfolio”).

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) (1)

 

      Institutional
Class
    Investor
Class
    Administration
Class
 

Management Fee

    0.05     0.05     0.05

Distribution (12b-1) Fees

    [    ]     [    ]     [    ]

Other Expenses

    [    ]     [    ]     [    ]

Service Fee

    [    ]     [    ]     [    ]
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (2)

    [    ]     [    ]     [    ]
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)  

Amounts reflect the total expenses of the Treasury Plus Portfolio and the Fund restated to reflect current fees.

 

(2)  

The Treasury Plus Fund’s investment adviser, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSgA FM”) has contractually agreed to cap the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding taxes, interest and extraordinary expenses) attributable to the Institutional Class, Investor Class and Administration Class to the extent that expenses exceed [    ]%, [    ]% and [    ]%, respectively of the class’s net assets, through April 30, 2015; these arrangements may not be terminated prior to that date without the consent of the Board.

 

(3)  

The Adviser may also voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid negative yield

  (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser’s sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2013, the Adviser had waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses in the aggregate amount of $[    ] since October 1, 2012, all of which is potentially recoverable under the Voluntary Reduction. Any future reimbursement of previously waived fees by the Fund to the Adviser may cause the total fund annual operating expenses of the Fund to exceed the expense limitation under the contractual expense limitation agreement. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund, without limitation. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund’s expenses and reduce the Fund’s yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield.

Example

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Treasury Plus Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same, and that the “1 Year” figure reflects the impact of fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements for the first year, as shown in the “Annual Fund Operating Expenses” table. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

      1 Year     3 Years     5 Years     10 Years  

Institutional Class

  $ [       $ [       $ [       $ [    

Investor Class

  $ [       $ [       $ [       $ [    

Administration Class

  $ [       $ [       $ [       $ [    

Principal Investment Strategies

The Treasury Plus Fund invests substantially all of its investable assets in the Treasury Plus Portfolio.

The Treasury Plus Portfolio attempts to meet its investment objective by investing only in U.S. Treasury

 

 

18


Table of Contents

bills, notes and bonds (which are direct obligations of the U.S. government) and repurchase agreements collateralized by these obligations.

The Portfolio invests in accordance with regulatory requirements applicable to money market funds, which require, among other things, the Portfolio to invest only in short-term securities (generally, securities that have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less), to maintain a maximum dollar-weighted average maturity of 60 days or less, and to meet requirements as to portfolio diversification and liquidity.

Principal Investment Risks

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and it is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.

In addition, the Fund is subject to the following risks:

 

   

Risks of Investing Principally in Money Market Instruments:

 

   

Interest Rate Risk — The risk that interest rates will rise, causing the value of the Portfolio’s investments to fall. Also, the risk that as interest rates decline, the amount of income the Portfolio receives on its new investments generally will decline.

 

   

Credit Risk — The risk that an issuer, guarantor or liquidity provider of an instrument will be unable, or will be perceived to be unable, to make scheduled interest or principal payments, and that the value of the instrument will fall as a result.

 

   

Liquidity Risk — The risk that the Portfolio may not be able to sell some or all of its securities at desired prices, or may be unable to sell the securities at all, because of a lack of demand in the market for such securities, or a liquidity provider defaults on its obligation to purchase the securities when properly tendered by the Portfolio.

 

   

Master/Feeder Structure Risk:     The Fund’s performance may be adversely affected as a result of large cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio and any related disruption to the Portfolio’s investment program.

   

Stable Share Price Risk:     If the market value of one or more of the Portfolio’s investments changes substantially during the period, the Fund may not be able to maintain a stable share price of $1.00. This risk typically is higher during periods of rapidly changing interest rates or when issuer credit quality generally is falling, and is made worse when the Portfolio experiences significant redemption requests.

 

   

Low Short-Term Interest Rate Risk:     At the date of this Prospectus, short-term interest rates are at historically low levels, and so the Fund’s yield is very low. It is possible that the Portfolio will generate an insufficient amount of income to pay its expenses, and that it and/or the Fund will not be able to pay a daily dividend and may have a negative yield (i.e., it may lose money on an operating basis). It is possible that the Portfolio will maintain a substantial portion of its assets in cash, on which it would earn little, if any, income.

 

   

Repurchase Agreement Risk:     In a repurchase agreement, the Portfolio purchases a security from a seller at one price and simultaneously agrees to sell it back to the original seller at an agreed-upon price. If the Portfolio’s counterparty is unable to honor its commitments, the Portfolio may be unable to recover its purchase price and may be prevented or delayed from realizing on the security to make up any losses.

 

   

Market Risk:     Recent instability in the financial markets has led the U.S. Government to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. The withdrawal of this support could negatively affect the value and liquidity of certain securities or of markets generally. In addition, legislation recently enacted in the U.S. calls for changes in many aspects of financial regulation. The impact of the legislation on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.

 

   

Money Market Fund Regulatory Risk:     It is possible that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or another agency will adopt regulations that change in very important respects the operation of money market funds. Any such regulatory changes could impact

 

 

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important characteristics of the Fund, including liquidity of an investment in the Fund or the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable net asset value per share.

Performance

The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Treasury Plus Fund by illustrating the variability of the Fund’s returns for [Institutional] Shares during the years since inception. The Fund’s past performance does not necessarily indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Current performance information for the Fund is available toll free by calling (877) 521-4083 or by visiting our website at www.ssga.com/cash . Performance history will be available for the Institutional Class, Investor Class and the Administration Class Shares of the Fund after they have been in operation for one calendar year. Returns of these share classes could have been similar to the returns shown for [Institutional] Shares because the shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities. Returns would differ only to the extent that the new share classes do not have the same expenses as [Institutional] Shares. Institutional Class, Investor Class and the Administration Class Shares are generally expected to incur [higher] expenses than [Institutional] Shares.

State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund

Total Return for the Calendar Years

Ended December 31

 

LOGO

Returns would have been lower if operating expenses had not been reduced. During the period shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a quarter was 0.62% (quarter ended 03/31/08) and the lowest return for a quarter was 0.00% (quarter ended 9/30/13).

Average Annual Total Returns

For the Periods Ended December 31, 2013

[Institutional] Shares

 

       1-Year     5-Year     Since the Inception
Date of the Fund
 

State Street
Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund

     0.00     0.03     0.39

To obtain the Fund’s current yield, please call (877) 521-4083.

Investment Adviser

SSgA FM serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

For important information about purchase and sale of Fund shares, please turn to “Other Information” on page 21 of the prospectus.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to make distributions that may be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

For important information about financial intermediary compensation, please turn to “Other Information” on page 21 of the prospectus.

 

 

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Other Information

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

The Fund’s initial and subsequent investment minimums generally are as follows, although the Fund may reduce or waive the minimums in some cases.

 

Institutional Class

   

To establish an account

  $[    ]

To add to an existing account

  None

Investor Class

   

To establish an account

  $[    ]

To add to an existing account

  None

Administration Class

   

To establish an account

  $[    ]

To add to an existing account

  None

You may redeem Fund shares on any day the Fund is open for business.

 

By Mail:

State Street Funds

P.O. Box 8048

Boston, MA 02205-8048

By Overnight:

State Street Funds

30 Dan Road

Canton, MA 02021

By Intermediary:

If you wish to purchase or redeem Fund shares through a broker, bank or other financial intermediary (“Intermediary”), please contact that financial intermediary directly. Your financial intermediary may have different or additional requirements for opening an account and/or for the processing of purchase and redemption orders, or may be closed at times when the Fund is open.

 

Intermediaries may contact State Street Dealer Services Group at 617-662-7300 or email them at broker-dealerservices@statestreet.com with questions.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and 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 intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s Website for more information.

 

 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES AND RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUNDS AND PORTFOLIOS

Investment Objectives

The investment objective of each of the ILR Fund, the U.S. Government Fund, the Treasury Fund and the Treasury Plus Fund, as stated in each Fund’s Fund Summary, may be changed without shareholder approval. The Investment objective of the Tax Free Fund, as stated in the Fund’s Fund Summary, is fundamental and may not be changed without shareholder approval.

ILR FUND

Principal Investment Strategies

The ILR Fund invests substantially all of its investable assets in the Money Market Portfolio.

The Money Market Portfolio follows a disciplined investment process in which the Adviser bases its decisions on the relative attractiveness of different money market instruments. In the Adviser’s opinion, the attractiveness of an instrument may vary depending on the general level of interest rates, as well as imbalances of supply and demand in the market. The Portfolio invests in accordance with regulatory requirements applicable to money market funds, which require, among other things, the Portfolio to invest only in short-term, high quality debt obligations (generally, securities that have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less and either have been rated in one of the two highest short-term rating categories or are considered by the Portfolio to be of comparable quality), to maintain a maximum dollar-weighted average maturity of 60 days or less, and to meet requirements as to portfolio diversification and liquidity.

The Portfolio attempts to meet its investment objective by investing in a broad range of money market instruments. These may include among other things: U.S. government securities, including U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds and other securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities; certificates of deposits and time deposits of U.S. and foreign banks (including ECDs, ETDs and YCDs (as defined below)); commercial paper and other high quality obligations of U.S. or foreign companies; asset-backed securities, including asset-backed commercial paper; mortgage-related securities;

and repurchase agreements. These instruments may bear fixed, variable or floating rates of interest or may be zero-coupon securities. The Portfolio also may invest in shares of other money market funds, including funds advised by the Adviser. Under normal market conditions, the Portfolio intends to invest more than 25% of its total assets in bank obligations. A substantial portion of the Portfolio may be invested in securities that are issued or traded pursuant to exemptions from registration under the federal securities laws. European Certificates of Deposit (“ECDs”) are U.S. dollar-denominated certificates of deposit issued by a bank outside of the United States. European Time Deposits (“ETDs”) are U.S. dollar-denominated deposits in foreign branches of U.S. banks and foreign banks. Yankee Certificates of Deposit (“YCDs”) are U.S. dollar-denominated certificates of deposit issued by U.S. branches of foreign banks. These instruments have different risks than those associated with the obligations of U.S. banks operating in the United States.

TAX FREE FUND

Principal Investment Strategies

The Tax Free Fund invests substantially all of its investable assets in the Tax Free Portfolio.

The Tax Free Portfolio has a fundamental policy of investing at least 80% of its net assets (plus borrowings, if any) in federal tax-exempt, high quality, short-term municipal securities of all types. The Portfolio generally invests all of its assets in instruments exempt from ordinary federal income tax. The Portfolio may invest up to 20% of its net assets in federally taxable money market instruments (including those subject to the Federal alternative minimum tax), including securities issued by or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, as well as certificates of deposit, commercial paper and repurchase agreements. The Portfolio may buy or sell securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis.

The Portfolio follows a disciplined investment process that attempts to provide stability of principal, liquidity and current income through all market conditions, by investing in high quality money market instruments. Among other things, the Adviser conducts its own credit analyses of potential investments and portfolio holdings, and relies substantially on a dedicated short-term credit research team. The Portfolio invests in accordance with regulatory requirements

 

 

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applicable to money market funds, which require, among other things, the Portfolio to invest only in short-term, high quality debt obligations (generally, securities that have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less and either have been rated in one of the two highest short-term rating categories or are considered by the

Portfolio to be of comparable quality), to maintain a maximum dollarweighted average maturity of 60 days or less, and to meet requirements as to portfolio diversification and liquidity. All securities held by the Portfolio are U.S. dollar-denominated, and they may have fixed, variable or floating interest rates, or may be zero-coupon securities.

The Portfolio attempts to meet its investment objective by investing in, among other things:

 

   

Municipal securities, including:

 

   

General obligation bonds and notes;

 

   

Revenue bonds and notes;

 

   

Commercial paper and other privately issued securities;

 

   

Tender option bonds;

 

   

Private activity bonds;

 

   

Industrial development bonds;

 

   

Municipal lease contracts; and

 

   

Securities of other investment companies with similar investment guidelines.

U.S. GOVERNMENT FUND

Principal Investment Strategies

The U.S. Government Fund invests substantially all of its investable assets in the U.S. Government Portfolio.

The U.S. Government Portfolio invests only in obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, as well as repurchase agreements secured by such instruments.

The Portfolio follows a disciplined investment process that attempts to provide stability of principal, liquidity and current income, by investing in U.S. government securities. Among other things, the Adviser conducts its own credit analyses of potential investments and portfolio holdings, and relies substantially on

a dedicated short-term credit research team. The Portfolio invests in accordance with regulatory requirements applicable to money market funds. Regulations require, among other things, a money market fund to invest only in short-term, high quality debt obligations (generally, securities that have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less and either have been rated in one of the two highest short-term rating categories or are considered by the Portfolio to be of comparable quality), to maintain a maximum dollar-weighted average maturity of 60 days or less, and to meet requirements as to portfolio diversification and liquidity. All securities held by the Portfolio are U.S. dollar-denominated, and they may have fixed, variable or floating interest rates.

The Portfolio attempts to meet its investment objective by investing in:

 

   

Obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, such as U.S. Treasury securities and securities issued by GNMA, which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States;

 

   

Obligations issued or guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association, and U.S. government-sponsored entities such as the Federal Home Loan Bank, which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; and

 

   

Repurchase agreements with respect to U.S. government securities

TREASURY FUND

Principal Investment Strategies

The Treasury Fund invests substantially all of its investable assets in the Treasury Portfolio.

The Treasury Portfolio attempts to meet its investment objective by investing only in U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds (which are direct obligations of the U.S. government). The Portfolio invests in accordance with regulatory requirements applicable to money market funds, which require, among other things, the Portfolio to invest only in short-term securities (generally, securities that have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less), to maintain a maximum dollar weighted average maturity of 60 days or less, and to meet requirements as to portfolio diversification and liquidity.

 

 

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TREASURY PLUS FUND

Principal Investment Strategies

The Treasury Plus Fund invests substantially all of its investable assets in the Treasury Plus Portfolio.

The Treasury Plus Portfolio attempts to meet its investment objective by investing only in U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds (which are direct obligations of the U.S. government) and repurchase agreements collateralized by these obligations.

The Portfolio invests in accordance with regulatory requirements applicable to money market funds, which require, among other things, the Portfolio to invest only in short-term securities (generally, securities that have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less), to maintain a maximum dollar-weighted average maturity of 60 days or less, and to meet requirements as to portfolio diversification and liquidity.

Additional Information About Risks

Risk information is applicable to all Funds unless otherwise noted.

 

   

Money Market Risk.     An investment in the Funds is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. Although the Funds seek to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, there can be no assurance that they will do so, and it is possible to lose money by investing in the Funds.

 

   

Interest Rate Risk.     The values of debt instruments usually rise and fall in response to changes in interest rates. Declining interest rates generally result in increases in the values of existing debt instruments, and rising interest rates generally result in declines in the values of existing debt instruments. Interest rate risk is generally greater for investments with longer durations or maturities. Some investments give the issuer the option to call or redeem an investment before its maturity date. If an issuer calls or redeems an investment during a time of declining interest rates, a Portfolio might have to reinvest the proceeds in an investment offering a lower yield and therefore might not benefit from any increase in value as a result of declining interest rates. Adjustable rate instruments also generally increase or decrease in value in

   

response to changes in interest rates, although generally to a lesser degree than fixed-income securities (depending, however, on the characteristics of the reset terms, including the index chosen, frequency of reset, and reset caps or floors, among other factors). When interest rates decline, the income received by a Portfolio may decline, and such Portfolio’s yield may also decline. Short-term interest rates have been at historically low levels for an extended period due in substantial part to governmental intervention. Any changes in governmental policy could cause interest rates to increase and could have a substantial and immediate effect on the values of a Fund’s investments.

 

   

Credit Risk     Credit risk is the risk that an issuer, guarantor or liquidity provider of a fixed-income security held by a Portfolio may be unable or unwilling, or may be perceived (whether by market participants, ratings agencies, pricing services or otherwise) as unable or unwilling, to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or to otherwise honor its obligations. It includes the risk that one or more of the securities will be downgraded by a credit rating agency; generally, lower credit quality issuers have higher credit risks. An actual or perceived loss in creditworthiness of an issuer of a fixed-income security held by a Portfolio may result in a decrease in the value of the security. Credit risk also includes the risk that an issuer or guarantor of a security, or a bank or other financial institution that has entered into a repurchase agreement with a Portfolio, may default on its payment or repurchase obligation, as the case may be.

 

   

Liquidity Risk.     Liquidity risk exists when particular investments cannot be disposed of quickly in the normal course of business. The ability of a Portfolio to dispose of such securities at advantageous prices may be greatly limited, and a Portfolio may have to continue to hold such securities during periods when the Adviser would otherwise have sold them. Some securities held by a Portfolio may be restricted as to resale, and there is often no ready market for such securities. In addition, a Portfolio, by itself or together with other accounts managed by the Adviser, may hold a position in a security that is large relative to the typical trading volume for that security, which can make it difficult for the Portfolio to dispose of the position at an

 

 

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advantageous time or price. Market values for illiquid securities may not be readily available, and there can be no assurance that any fair value assigned to an illiquid security at any time will accurately reflect the price a Portfolio might receive upon the sale of that security. It is possible that, during periods of extreme market volatility or unusually high and unanticipated levels of redemptions, a Portfolio may be forced to sell large amounts of securities more quickly than it normally would in the ordinary course of business. In such a case, the sale proceeds received by a Portfolio may be substantially less than if the Portfolio had been able to sell the securities in more-orderly transactions, and the sale price may be substantially lower than the price previously used by the Portfolio to value its securities.

 

   

Stable Share Price Risk:     If the market value of one or more of a Portfolio’s investments changes substantially, the Fund investing in such Portfolio may not be able to maintain a stable share price of $1.00. This risk typically is higher during periods of rapidly changing interest rates or when issuer credit quality generally is falling, and is made worse when a Portfolio experiences significant redemption requests.

 

   

Master/Feeder Structure Risk.     Unlike traditional mutual funds that invest directly in securities, each of the Funds pursues its objective by investing substantially all of its assets in a Portfolio with substantially the same investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The ability of a Fund to meet its investment objective is directly related to the ability of the corresponding Portfolio to meet its objective. The ability of a Fund to meet its objective may be adversely affected by the purchase and redemption activities of other investors in the corresponding Portfolio and any related disruption to such Portfolio’s investment program. The ability of a Fund to meet redemption requests depends on its ability to redeem its interest in the corresponding Portfolio. The Adviser also serves as investment adviser to the corresponding Portfolio. Therefore, conflicts may arise as the Adviser fulfills its fiduciary responsibilities to a Fund and its corresponding Portfolio. For example, the Adviser may have an economic incentive to maintain a Fund’s investment in the corresponding Portfolio at a time when it might otherwise not choose to do so.

   

Low Short-Term Interest Rate Risk:     At the date of this Prospectus, short-term interest rates are at historically low levels, and so each Fund’s yield is very low. It is possible that a Portfolio will generate an insufficient amount of income to pay its expenses, and that it and/or a Fund will not be able to pay a daily dividend and may have a negative yield (i.e., it may lose money on an operating basis). It is possible that a Portfolio will maintain a substantial portion of its assets in cash, on which it would earn little, if any, income.

 

   

Market Risk.     The values of the securities in which a Portfolio invests may go up or down in response to the prospects of individual issuers and/or general economic conditions. Price changes may be temporary or may last for extended periods. Recent instability in the financial markets has led the U.S. Government to take a number of unprecedented actions designed to support certain financial institutions and segments of the financial markets that have experienced extreme volatility and, in some cases, a lack of liquidity. Federal, state, and other governments, their regulatory agencies, or self regulatory organizations may take actions that affect the regulation of the instruments in which the Portfolios invest, or the issuers of such instruments, in ways that are unforeseeable. Legislation or regulation may also change the way in which the Funds and Portfolios themselves are regulated. Such legislation or regulation could limit or preclude a Fund’s or Portfolio’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Furthermore, volatile financial markets can expose the Portfolios to greater market and liquidity risk and potential difficulty in valuing portfolio instruments held by the Portfolios.

 

   

Money Market Fund Regulatory Risk:     It is possible that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or another agency will adopt regulations that change in very important respects the operation of money market funds. Any such regulatory changes could impact important characteristics of the Fund, including liquidity of an investment in the Fund or the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable net asset value per share.

 

   

Repurchase Agreement Risk (ILR Fund, Tax Free Fund, U.S. Government Fund and Treasury

 

 

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Plus Fund only).     In a repurchase agreement, a Portfolio purchases a security from a seller at one price and simultaneously agrees to sell it back to the original seller at an agreed-upon price. Repurchase agreements may be viewed as loans made by the Portfolio which are collateralized by the securities subject to repurchase. A Portfolio’s investment return on such transactions will depend on the counterparties’ willingness and ability to perform their obligations under the repurchase agreements. If a Portfolio’s counterparty should default on its obligations and the Portfolio is delayed or prevented from recovering the collateral, or if the value of the collateral is insufficient, the Portfolio may realize a loss.

 

   

U.S. Government Sponsored Enterprises Risk (ILR Fund and U.S. Government Fund only).     U.S. Government securities include a variety of securities (including U.S. Treasury bills, notes, and bonds) that differ in their interest rates, maturities, and dates of issue. While securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury and some agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government (such as the Government National Mortgage Association) are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, securities issued or guaranteed by certain other agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government (such as Federal Home Loan Banks) are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Government, and securities issued or guaranteed by certain other agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government (such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac) are supported only by the credit of the issuer itself. Investments in these securities are also subject to interest rate risk and prepayment risk, and the risk that the value of the securities will fluctuate in response to political, market, or economic developments.

 

   

Variable and Floating Rate Securities (ILR Fund, Tax Free Fund and U.S. Government Fund only).     In addition to traditional fixed-rate securities, a Portfolio may invest in debt securities with variable or floating interest rates or dividend payments. Variable or floating rate securities bear rates of interest that are adjusted periodically according to formulae intended to reflect market rates of interest. Variable or floating rate securities allow a Portfolio to participate in increases in interest rates through upward adjustments of the coupon rates on such securities. However, during periods of increasing

 

interest rates, changes in the coupon rates may lag the change in market rates or may have limits on the maximum increase in coupon rates. Alternatively, during periods of declining interest rates, the coupon rates on such securities readjust downward resulting in a lower yield.

 

   

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk (ILR Fund and U.S. Government Fund only).     Mortgage-related securities represent a participation in, or are secured by, mortgage loans. Asset-backed securities are typically structured like mortgage-related securities, but instead of mortgage loans or interests in mortgage loans, the underlying assets may include such items as motor vehicle installment sales or installment loan contracts, leases on various types of real and personal property, and receivables from credit card agreements. During periods of falling interest rates, mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities, which typically provide the issuer with the right to prepay the security prior to maturity, may be prepaid, which may result in a Portfolio having to reinvest the proceeds in other investments at lower interest rates. During periods of rising interest rates, the average life of mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities may extend because of slower-than expected principal payments. This may lock in a below market interest rate, increase the security’s duration and volatility, and reduce the value of the security. As a result, mortgage-related and asset-backed securities may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of declining interest rates than other securities of comparable maturities, although they may have a similar risk of decline in market values during periods of rising interest rates. Prepayment rates are difficult to predict and the potential impact of prepayments on the value of a mortgage-related or an asset-backed security depends on the terms of the instrument and can result in significant volatility. The price of a mortgage-related or asset-backed security also depends on the credit quality and adequacy of the underlying assets or collateral, if any. Defaults on the underlying assets, if any, may impair the value of an asset-backed or a mortgage-related security. For some asset-backed securities in which a Portfolio invests, such as those backed by credit card receivables, the underlying cash flows may not be supported by a security interest in a related asset. Moreover, the values of mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities may be substantially

 

 

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dependent on the servicing of the underlying asset pools, and are therefore subject to risks associated with the negligence or malfeasance by their servicers and to the credit risk of their servicers. In certain situations, the mishandling of related documentation may also affect the rights of securities holders in and to the underlying collateral, if any. Furthermore, there may be legal and practical limitations on the enforceability of any security interest granted with respect to underlying assets, or the value of the underlying assets, if any, may be insufficient if the issuer defaults.

 

      In a “forward roll” transaction, a Portfolio will sell a mortgage-related security to a bank or other permitted entity and simultaneously agree to purchase a similar security from the institution at a later date at an agreed-upon price. The mortgage securities that are purchased will bear the same interest rate as those sold, but generally will be collateralized by different pools of mortgages with different prepayment histories than those sold. Risks of mortgage-related security rolls include: the risk of prepayment prior to maturity and the risk that the market value of the securities sold by the Portfolio may decline below the price at which the Portfolio is obligated to purchase the securities. Forward roll transactions may have the effect of creating investment leverage in the Portfolio.

 

   

Prepayment Risk and Extension Risk (ILR Fund and U.S. Government Fund only).     Prepayment risk and extension risk apply primarily to mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities.

 

      Prepayment risk is the risk that principal on loan obligations underlying a security may be repaid prior to the stated maturity date. If the Portfolio has purchased a security at a premium, any repayment that is faster than expected reduces the market value of the security and the anticipated yield-to-maturity. Repayment of loans underlying certain securities tends to accelerate during periods of declining interest rates.

 

      Extension risk is the risk that an issuer will exercise its right to repay principal on an obligation held by the Portfolio later than expected. This may happen when there is a rise in interest rates, which could extend the duration
  of obligations held by the Portfolio and make the values of such obligations more sensitive to changes in interest rates.

 

   

Banking Industry Risk (ILR Fund only).     If the Portfolio concentrates its investments in bank obligations, adverse developments in the banking industry may have a greater effect on the Portfolio than on a mutual fund that invests more broadly. Banks may be particularly sensitive to certain economic factors such as interest rate changes, adverse developments in the real estate market, fiscal and monetary policy and general economic cycles. Recent instability in the financial markets has heavily influenced the obligations of certain banking institutions, resulting in some cases in extreme price volatility and a lack of liquidity.

 

   

Foreign Securities Risk (ILR Fund only).     The Portfolio may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated obligations issued by non-U.S. issuers. While such instruments may be denominated in U.S. dollars, this does not eliminate the risk inherent in investing in the securities of foreign issuers. Dollar-denominated instruments issued by entities located in foreign countries could lose value as a result of political, financial and economic events in foreign countries. Issuers of these instruments are not necessarily subject to the same regulatory requirements that apply to U.S. banks and corporations, although the information available for dollar-denominated instruments may be subject to the accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards of the U.S. domestic market or exchange on which they are traded, which standards may be more uniform and more exacting than those to which many foreign issuers are subject. Foreign banks, including those issuing instruments such as ECDs, ETDs and YCDs, or their domestic or foreign branches, may be subject to less rigorous regulation than U.S. banks operating in the United States, and may not be required to meet financial, capital, and other requirements applicable to U.S. banks. Foreign laws and accounting standards typically are not as strict as they are in the U.S. so there may be fewer restrictions on loan limitations, less frequent examinations and less stringent requirements regarding reserve accounting, auditing, recordkeeping and public reporting requirements.

 

 

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Section 4(2) Commercial Paper and Rule 144A Securities Risk (ILR Fund only).     The Portfolio may invest in commercial paper issued in reliance on the private placement exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). This commercial paper is commonly called “Section 4(2) paper.” The Portfolio may also invest in securities that may be offered and sold only to “qualified institutional buyers” under Rule 144A of the 1933 Act (“Rule 144A securities”).

 

      Section 4(2) paper is sold to institutional investors who must agree to purchase the paper for investment and not with a view to public distribution. Any resale by the purchaser must be in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. Section 4(2) paper normally is resold to other institutional investors like the Portfolio through or with the assistance of the issuer or investment dealers that make a market in Section 4(2) paper. As a result it suffers from liquidity risk, the risk that the securities may be difficult to value because of the absence of an active market and the risk that it may be sold only after considerable expense and delay, if at all. Rule 144A securities generally must be sold only to other qualified institutional buyers.

 

      Section 4(2) paper and Rule 144A securities will not be considered illiquid for purposes of a Portfolio’s limitation on illiquid securities if the Adviser (pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Board) determines that a liquid trading market exists for the securities in question. There can be no assurance that a liquid trading market will exist at any time for any particular Section 4(2) paper or Rule 144A securities. The Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) addresses the Fund’s and Portfolio’s limitation on illiquid securities.

 

   

Municipal Securities Risk (Tax Free Fund only).     Municipal securities may be issued to obtain funds to be used for various public purposes, including general purpose financing for state and local governments, refunding outstanding obligations, and financings for specific projects or public facilities. General obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the issuer. These securities include, for example, tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes and

   

general obligation bonds. Revenue obligations are generally backed by the revenues generated from a specific project or facility and include industrial development bonds and private activity bonds. Private activity and industrial development bonds are dependent on the ability of the facility’s user to meet its financial obligations and the value of any real or personal property pledged as security for such payment. Private activity and industrial development bonds, although issued by industrial development authorities, may be backed only by the assets of the non-governmental user. Municipal notes are short-term instruments which are issued and sold in anticipation of a bond sale, collection of taxes or receipt of other revenues.

 

      Some municipal securities are insured by private insurance companies, while others may be supported by letters of credit furnished by domestic or foreign banks. In determining the credit quality of insured or letter of credit-backed securities, the Adviser reviews the financial condition and creditworthiness of such parties including insurance companies, banks and corporations.

 

      Unlike most other bonds, however, municipal bonds pay interest that is exempt from federal income taxes and, in some cases, also from state and local taxes. Municipal bonds, and municipal bond funds, can therefore be advantageous to investors in higher tax brackets. However, because the interest is tax-exempt, municipal bond yields typically are lower than yields on taxable bonds and bond funds with comparable maturity ranges.

 

   

Tax Exempt Commercial Paper (Tax Free Fund only).  Tax exempt commercial paper is a short-term obligation with a stated maturity of 365 days or less. It is typically issued to finance seasonal working capital needs or as short-term financing in anticipation of longer term financing. Tax exempt commercial paper may be a general obligation that is backed by the full faith and credit of the issuer or it may be a revenue obligation that is backed by the revenues generated from a specific project or facility. Each instrument may be backed only by the credit of the issuer or may be backed by some form of credit enhancement, typically in the form of a guarantee by a commercial bank.

 

 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS’ AND PORTFOLIOS’ NON-PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

The investments described below reflect the Funds’ and Portfolios’ current practices. In addition to the principal risks described above, other risks are described in some of the descriptions of the investments below:

Investment in other Investment Companies (ILR Fund and Tax Free Fund only).     A Portfolio may invest in other money market funds that are registered as investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds that are sponsored or advised by the Adviser or its affiliates, to the extent permitted by applicable law or SEC exemptive relief. If a Portfolio invests in other money market funds, shareholders of the Fund will bear not only their proportionate share of the expenses described in this Prospectus, but also, indirectly, the expenses, including, for example, advisory and administrative fees, of the money market funds in which the Portfolio invests. Shareholders would also be exposed to the risks associated not only with the investments of the Portfolio (indirectly through the Fund’s investment in the Portfolio) but also to the portfolio investments of the money market funds in which the Portfolio invests.

Temporary Defensive Positions.     From time to time, a Portfolio may take temporary defensive positions in attempting to respond to adverse market, economic or other conditions. Temporary defensive positions may be taken, for example, to preserve capital or if a Portfolio is unable to acquire the types of securities in which it normally invests. Temporary defensive positions may include, but are not limited to, investment in U.S. government securities, repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities, the maintenance of uninvested cash, or investment in cash equivalents. A Portfolio’s holdings in temporary defensive positions may be inconsistent with the Portfolio’s principal investment strategy, and, as a result, the Portfolio may not achieve its investment objective.

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE

The Funds’ portfolio holdings disclosure policy is described in the SAI.

MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION

The Funds and the Portfolios.     Each Fund is a separate, diversified series of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust (the “Trust”), which is an open-end management investment company organized as a business trust under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Each Fund invests as part of a “master-feeder” structure. Each Fund currently seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its investable assets in a corresponding Portfolio, a separate mutual fund, that has substantially identical investment objective, investment policies, and risks as the Fund. All discussions about a Fund’s investment objective, policies and risks should be understood to refer also to the investment objectives, policies and risks of the corresponding Portfolio.

A Fund can withdraw its investment in a Portfolio if, at any time, the Fund’s Board of Trustees determines that it would be in the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders, or if the investment objectives of the corresponding Portfolio changed so that they were inconsistent with the objectives of the Fund. If a Fund withdraws its investment from a Portfolio, the Fund may invest all of its assets in another mutual fund that has the same investment objective as the Fund, the Adviser may directly manage the Fund’s assets, or the Board may take such other action it deems appropriate and in the best interests of shareholders of the Fund, which may include liquidation of the Fund.

The Adviser.     State Street Global Advisors (“SSgA”) is the investment management arm of State Street Corporation, a publicly held bank holding company. SSgA is one of the world’s largest institutional money managers, and uses quantitative and traditional techniques to manage approximately $2.34 trillion in assets as of December 31, 2013. SSgA FM, a wholly-owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation is the investment adviser to the Funds and the Portfolios, and is registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. SSgA FM had approximately $334.95 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2013. Each Fund has entered into an investment advisory agreement with the Adviser pursuant to which the Adviser will manage the Fund’s assets directly, for compensation paid at an annual rate of 0.05% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, in the event that the Fund were to cease investing substantially all of its assets in its

 

 

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corresponding Portfolio or another investment company with essentially the same investment objectives and policies as the Fund. The Adviser does not receive any management fees from a Fund under that agreement so long as the Fund continues to invest substantially all of its assets in the corresponding Portfolio or in another investment company with essentially the same investment objectives and policies as the Fund. The Adviser places all orders for purchases and sales of the portfolios’ investments. For the year ended December 31, 2013, the effective management fee paid, reflecting certain fee waivers and expense reimbursements of the Adviser, was 0.05% for Money Market Portfolio, 0.00% for Tax Free Money Market Portfolio, 0.03% for U.S. Government Portfolio, 0.00% for Treasury Portfolio and 0.00% for Treasury Plus Portfolio.

In addition to any contractual expense limitation for a Fund which is described in the Fund Summaries, the Adviser also may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses for a Fund to the extent necessary to avoid negative yield which may vary from time to time and from Fund to Fund in the Adviser’s sole discretion. Under an agreement with the Adviser relating to the Voluntary Reduction, the Funds have agreed to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction beginning on October 1, 2012, subject to certain limitations. A Fund will not be obligated to reimburse the Adviser: more than three years after the end of the fiscal year for the Fund in which the Adviser provided a Voluntary Reduction; in respect of any business day for which the net annualized one-day yield is less than 0.00%; to the extent that the amount of the reimbursement to the Adviser on any day exceeds fifty percent of the yield (net of all expenses, exclusive of the reimbursement) of the Fund on that day; to the extent that the amount of such reimbursement would cause the Fund’s net yield to fall below the Fund’s minimum net yield as determined by the Advisor in its sole discretion; or in respect of any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements that are necessary to maintain a Fund’s contractual total expense limit which is effective at the time of such fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. A reimbursement to the Adviser would increase fund expenses and negatively impact a Fund’s future yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that a Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. Reimbursement payments by a Fund to the Adviser in connection with the Voluntary Reduction are considered “extraordinary

expenses” and are not subject to any contractual expense limitation agreement in effect for the Fund at the time of such payment. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from a Fund, without limitation.

A summary of the factors considered by the Board of Trustees in connection with the renewals of the investment advisory agreements for the Funds is available in the Funds’ annual report to shareholders dated December 31, 2013.

The Adviser’s principal address is State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.

The Administrator, Sub-Administrator and Custodian.     The Adviser serves as administrator of each Fund. The amount of the fee paid to the Adviser for administrative services varies by share class. Each Fund pays the Adviser an administrative fee at the annual rate of 0.05% in respect of its Institutional Class shares. State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), a subsidiary of State Street Corporation, serves as the sub-administrator for the Funds for a fee that is paid by the Adviser. State Street also serves as custodian of the Funds for a separate fee that is paid by each Fund.

The Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent.     Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. is the transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent.

The Distributor.     State Street Global Markets, LLC serves as the Funds’ distributor (the “Distributor” or “SSGM”) pursuant to the Distribution Agreement between the Distributor and the Trust.

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Determination of Net Asset Value.     The Tax Free Fund determines its NAV per share once each business day at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (“ET”) or the close of the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), whichever is earlier. The Treasury Fund determines its NAV per share once each business day at 2:30 p.m. ET or the close of the NYSE, whichever is earlier. Each of the other Funds determines its NAV per share once each business day at 5:00 p.m. ET except for days when the NYSE closes earlier than its regular closing time, in which event those Funds will determine their NAVs at the earlier closing time (the time when a Fund determines its NAV per share is referred to herein as the “Valuation Time”). Pricing does not occur on NYSE holidays.

 

 

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A business day is one on which the NYSE is open for regular trading. The Federal Reserve is closed on certain holidays on which the NYSE is open. These holidays are Columbus Day and Veterans Day. On these holidays, you will not be able to purchase shares by wiring Federal Funds because Federal Funds wiring does not occur on days when the Federal Reserve is closed. The Funds reserve the right to accept orders to purchase or redeem shares, or to continue to accept such orders following the close of the NYSE, on any day that is not a business day or any day on which the NYSE closes early, respectively, including any day the Federal Reserve remains open. The Funds also may establish special hours on those days to determine each Fund’s NAV. In the event that the Funds invoke the right to accept orders to purchase or redeem shares on any day that is not a business day or adopt special hours of operation, the Funds will post advance notice of these events at www.ssga.com/cash.

Each of the Funds seeks to maintain a $1.00 per share NAV and, accordingly, uses the amortized cost valuation method, in compliance with Rule 2a-7’s risk limiting conditions, to value its portfolio instruments. The amortized cost valuation method initially prices an instrument at its cost and thereafter assumes a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates on the market value of the instrument.

If you hold shares of a Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, your intermediary may offer additional services and account features that are not described in this Prospectus. Please contact your intermediary directly for an explanation of these services.

Purchasing Shares.     Investors pay no sales load to invest in the Institutional Class, Investor Class and Administration Class shares of the Funds. The price for Fund shares is the NAV per share. Orders will be priced at the NAV next calculated after the order is accepted by the Funds.

Purchase orders in good form (a purchase request is in good form if it meets the requirements implemented from time to time by the Funds’ transfer agent or a Fund, and for new accounts includes submission of a completed and signed application and all documentation necessary to open an account) on a business day will, if payment is received the same day by Fed Wire before the close of the Federal Reserve, if accepted, receive that day’s NAV and will earn

dividends declared on the date of the purchase. All purchases that are made by check will begin earning dividends the following business day after the day the order is accepted. (If you purchase shares by check, your order will not be in good form until the Fund’s transfer agent receives federal funds for the check.) All purchase orders are subject to acceptance by the Funds. The Funds intend to be as fully invested as is practicable; therefore, investments must be made in Federal Funds (i.e., monies credited to the account of the Funds’ custodian bank by a Federal Reserve Bank).

The minimum initial investment in Institutional Class, Investor Class and Administration Class shares of the Funds is $[    ], $[    ] and $[    ], respectively. Holdings of related customer accounts may be aggregated for purposes of determining the minimum investment amount. “Related customer accounts” include accounts held by the same investment or retirement plan, financial institution, broker, dealer or intermediary. The Funds and the Adviser reserve the right to increase or decrease the minimum amount required to open or maintain an account. There is no minimum subsequent investment, except in relation to maintaining certain minimum account balances (See “Redeeming Shares” below). The Funds require prior notification of subsequent investments in excess of: $[            ] for the Tax Free Fund; $[            ] for the Treasury Fund; and $[            ] for the ILR Fund, U.S. Government Fund, and Treasury Plus Fund.

The Funds reserve the right to cease accepting investments at any time or to reject any investment order. In addition, the ILR Fund, U.S. Government Fund and the Treasury Plus Fund may limit the amount of a purchase order received after 3:00 p.m. ET. The Treasury Fund may limit the amount of a purchase order received after 12:00 p.m. (noon) ET.

How to Purchase Shares

 

By Mail:

 

An initial investment in the Funds must be preceded or accompanied by a completed, signed Institutional Account Application Form, sent to:

State Street Institutional Trust Funds

P.O. Box 8048

Boston, MA 02205-8048

By Overnight:

 

State Street Institutional Trust Funds

30 Dan Road

Canton, MA 02021-2809

 

 

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By Telephone/Fax:

 

An initial investment in the Funds must be preceded or accompanied by a completed, signed Institutional Account Application Form, faxed to (816) 218-0400. Call the Fund at (866) 392-0869 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. ET and 5:00 p.m. ET to:

 

Ø      confirm receipt of the faxed Institutional Account Application Form (initial purchases only),

Ø      request your new account number (initial purchases only),

Ø      confirm the amount being wired and wiring bank, and

Ø      receive a confirmation number for your purchase order (your trade is not effective until you have received a confirmation number from the Fund).

 

For your initial investment, send the original, signed Institutional Account Application Form to the address above.

Wire Instructions:

 

Instruct your bank to transfer money by Federal Funds wire to:

State Street Bank and

Trust Company

1 Iron Street

Boston, MA 02110

 

ABA# 011000028

DDA# 9905-801-8

State Street Institutional Investment Trust

Fund name

Institutional Class

Account Number

Account Registration

 

On Columbus Day and Veterans Day, you will not be able to purchase shares by wiring Federal Funds because the Federal Funds wiring does not occur on those days. Payment for Fund shares must be in Federal Funds (or converted to Federal Funds by the Transfer Agent) by the close of the Federal Reserve.

 

You will not be able to redeem shares from the account until the original Application has been received.  The Funds and the Funds’ agents are not responsible for transfer errors by the sending or receiving bank and will not be liable for any loss incurred due to a wire transfer not having been received .

In accordance with certain federal regulations, the Trust is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each entity that applies to open an account. For this reason, when you open (or change ownership of) an account, the Trust will request certain information, including your name, residential/business address, date of birth (for individuals) and taxpayer identification number or other government identification number and other information that will allow us to identify you which will be used to verify your identity. The Trust may also request to review other identification documents such as driver license, passport or documents showing the existence of the business entity. If you do not provide sufficient information to verify your identity, the Trust will not open an account for you. As required by law, the Trust may employ various procedures, such as comparing your information to fraud databases or requesting additional information and documentation from you, to

ensure that the information supplied by you is correct. The Trust reserves the right to reject any purchase for any reason, including failure to provide the Trust with information necessary to confirm your identity as required by law.

Redeeming Shares.     An investor may redeem all or any portion of its investment at the NAV next determined after it submits a redemption request, in proper form, to the Funds. Redemption orders are processed at the NAV next determined after a Fund receives a redemption order in good form. If a Fund receives a redemption order prior to its Valuation Time on a business day, the Fund may send payment for redeemed shares on that day. No dividends will be paid on shares that are redeemed and wired the same day. Each Fund, other than the ILR Fund, reserves the right to pay for redeemed shares within seven days after receiving a redemption order if, in the judgment of the Adviser, an earlier payment could adversely affect the Fund. For the ILR Fund, shares are redeemed, and payment for redeemed shares sent, no later than the next business day.

The right of any investor to receive payment with respect to any redemption may be suspended or the payment of the redemption proceeds postponed during any period in which the NYSE is closed (other than weekends or holidays) or trading on the NYSE is restricted or, to the extent otherwise permitted by the 1940 Act, if an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Fund of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund fairly to determine the value of its net assets. In addition, the SEC may by order permit suspension of redemptions for the protection of shareholders of the Funds. Although each Fund attempts to maintain its NAV at $1.00 per share, there can be no assurance that it will be successful, and there can be no assurance that a shareholder will receive $1.00 per share upon any redemption.

A request for a partial redemption by an investor whose account balance is below the minimum amount or a request for partial redemption by an investor that would bring the account below the minimum amount may be treated as a request for a complete redemption of the account. These minimums may be different for investments made through certain financial intermediaries as determined by their policies and may be waived in the Adviser’s discretion. The Funds reserve the right to modify minimum account requirements at any time with or without prior notice. The Funds also

 

 

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reserve the right to involuntarily redeem an investor’s account if the investor’s account balance falls below the applicable minimum amount due to transaction activity.

How to Redeem Shares

 

 
By Mail  

Send a signed letter to:

  State Street Institutional Investment Trust Funds

  P.O. Box 8048

  Boston, MA 02205-8048

 

The letter should include information necessary to process your request as described below. The Fund may require a medallion guarantee in certain circumstances. See “Medallion Guarantees” below.

By Overnight  

State Street Institutional Investment Trust Funds

30 Dan Road

Canton, MA 02021-2809

By Telephone   Please Call (866) 392-0869 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET.

The Funds will need the following information to process your redemption request:

 

Ø      name(s) of account owners;

 

Ø      account number(s);

 

Ø      the name of the Fund;

 

Ø      your daytime telephone number; and

 

Ø      the dollar amount or number of shares being redeemed.

On any day that the Funds calculate NAV earlier than normal, the Funds reserve the right to adjust the times noted above for purchasing and redeeming shares.

Medallion Guarantees.     Certain redemption requests must include a medallion guarantee for each registered account owner if any of the following apply:

 

  Ø  

Your account address has changed within the last 10 business days.

 

  Ø  

Redemption proceeds are being transferred to an account with a different registration.

 

  Ø  

A wire is being sent to a financial institution other than the one that has been established on your Fund account.

 

  Ø  

Other unusual situations as determined by the Funds’ transfer agent.

All redemption requests regarding shares of the Funds placed after 4:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. ET for the Treasury Fund) may only be placed by telephone or

pre-established other means such as a transmission. The Funds reserve the right to postpone payments for redemption requests received after 4:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. ET for the Treasury Fund) until the next business day. The Funds reserve the right to waive medallion guarantee requirements, require a medallion guarantee under other circumstances or reject or delay redemption if the medallion guarantee is not in good form. Medallion guarantees may be provided by an eligible financial institution such as a commercial bank, a FINRA member firm such as a stock broker, a savings association or a national securities exchange. A notary public cannot provide a medallion guarantee. The Funds reserve the right to reject a medallion guarantee if it is not provided by a STAMP Medallion guarantor.

About Telephone Transactions.     Telephone transactions are extremely convenient but are not free from risk. Neither the Funds nor the Funds’ agents will be responsible for any losses resulting from unauthorized telephone transactions if reasonable security procedures are followed. In addition, you are responsible for: (i) verifying the accuracy of all data and information transmitted by telephone, (ii) verifying the accuracy of your account statements immediately upon receipt, and (iii) promptly notifying the Funds of any errors or inaccuracies including, without limitation, any errors or inaccuracies relating to shareholder data or information transmitted by telephone. During periods of heavy market activity or other times, it may be difficult to reach the Funds by telephone. If you are unable to reach us by telephone, consider sending written instructions.

The Funds may terminate the receipt of redemption orders by telephone at any time, in which case you may redeem shares by other means.

If you choose to purchase or redeem shares by sending instructions by regular mail, they will not be deemed received in good order until they are released by the post office and redelivered to the Transfer Agent’s physical location at 30 Dan Road in Canton, MA 02021. There will be a time lag, which may be one or more days, between regular mail receipt at the Boston post office box and redelivery to such physical location in Canton, and a Fund’s net asset value may change over those days. You might consider using express rather than regular mail if you believe time of receipt of your transaction request to be sensitive.

Excessive Trading.     Because the Funds are money market funds, the Funds’ Board of Trustees has not adopted policies and procedures with respect to frequent

 

 

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purchases and redemptions of Fund shares by Fund shareholders. Nonetheless, the Funds may take any reasonable action that they deem necessary or appropriate to prevent excessive trading in Fund shares without providing prior notification to the account holder. Such action may include rejecting any purchase, in whole or part, including, without limitation, by a person whose trading activity in Fund shares may be deemed harmful to the Fund. While the Funds attempt to discourage such excessive trading, there can be no guarantee that they will be able to identify investors who are engaging in excessive trading or limit their trading practices. Additionally, frequent trades of small amounts may not be detected. The Funds recognize that they may not always be able to detect or prevent excessive trading or other activity that may disadvantage the Funds or their shareholders.

PAYMENTS TO FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

Financial intermediaries are firms that, for compensation, sell shares of mutual funds, including the Fund, and/or provide certain administrative and account maintenance services to mutual fund shareholders. Financial intermediaries may include, among others, brokers, financial planners or advisors, banks, and insurance companies.

In some cases, a financial intermediary may hold its clients’ Fund shares in nominee or street name. Shareholder services provided by a financial intermediary may (though they will not necessarily) include, among other things: processing and mailing trade confirmations, periodic statements, prospectuses, annual reports, semiannual reports, shareholder notices, and other SEC-required communications; capturing and processing tax data; issuing and mailing dividend checks to shareholders who have selected cash distributions; preparing record date shareholder lists for proxy solicitations; collecting and posting distributions to shareholder accounts; and establishing and maintaining systematic withdrawals and automated investment plans and shareholder account registrations.

The compensation paid by SSGM or its affiliates to a financial intermediary is typically paid continually over time, during the period when the intermediary’s clients hold investments in the Fund. The amount of continuing compensation paid by SSGM or its affiliates to different financial intermediaries for distribution and/or shareholder services varies. The compensation is typically a percentage of the value of the financial intermediary’s clients’ investments in the Fund or a per

account fee. The variation in compensation may, but will not necessarily, reflect enhanced or additional services provided by the intermediary.

SSGM and its affiliates (including SSgA FM), at their own expense and out of their own assets, may also provide compensation to financial intermediaries in connection with sales of the Fund’s shares or the servicing of shareholders or shareholder accounts. Such compensation may include, but is not limited to, financial assistance to financial intermediaries in connection with conferences, sales, or training programs for their employees; seminars for the public; advertising or sales campaigns; or other financial intermediary-sponsored special events. In some instances, this compensation may be made available only to certain financial intermediaries whose representatives have sold or are expected to sell significant amounts of shares. Dealers may not use sales of the Fund’s shares to qualify for this compensation to the extent prohibited by the laws or rules of any state or any self-regulatory agency, such as FINRA.

If payments to financial intermediaries by the distributor or adviser for a particular mutual fund complex exceed payments by other mutual fund complexes, your financial advisor and the financial intermediary employing him or her may have an incentive to recommend that fund complex over others. Please speak with your financial advisor to learn more about the total amounts paid to your financial advisor and his or her firm by SSGM and its affiliates and by sponsors of other mutual funds he or she may recommend to you. You should also consult disclosures made by your financial intermediary at the time of purchase.

DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The Funds intend to declare dividends on shares from net investment income daily and pay them as of the last business day of each month. Distributions from capital gains, if any, will be made annually in December.

The following discussion is a summary of some important U.S. federal tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Funds. Your investment in the Funds may have other tax implications. Please consult your tax advisor about foreign, federal, state, local or other tax laws applicable to you. Investors, including non-U.S. investors, should consult the SAI tax section for more complete disclosure.

 

 

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Each Fund has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company and intends each year to qualify and to be eligible to be treated as such. A regulated investment company is generally not subject to tax at the corporate level on income and gains that are distributed to shareholders. However, a Fund’s failure to qualify as a regulated investment company would result in corporate level taxation, and consequently, a reduction in income available for distribution to shareholders.

For federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income (other than “exempt-interest dividends” described below) are generally taxable to you as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains generally are determined by how long the applicable Portfolio owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long you have owned your Fund shares. The Funds generally do not expect to make distributions that are eligible for taxation as long-term capital gains.

Distributions from the Tax Free Fund properly reported as “exempt-interest dividends” are not generally subject to federal income tax, including the federal alternative minimum tax for individuals, but may be included in “adjusted current earnings” for purposes of the federal alternative minimum tax for corporate shareholders and may be subject to state and local taxes. If you receive Social Security or railroad retirement benefits, you should consult your tax advisor to determine what effect, if any, an investment in the Tax Free Fund may have on the federal taxation of your benefits. Distributions of the Tax Free Fund’s income other than exempt-interest dividends generally will be taxable as ordinary income, and distributions of the Tax Free Fund’s net long-term and short-term capital gains (if any) generally will be taxable to you as long-term or short-term capital gain, as applicable, including in respect of gains generated from the sale or other disposition of tax-exempt municipal obligations. The Tax Free Portfolio may also invest a portion of its assets in securities that generate income (that will be allocated to and distributed by the Fund) that will be subject to both federal and state taxes.

Distributions (other than distributions of exempt-interest dividends) are taxable whether you receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares. Any gains resulting from the redemption of Fund shares will generally be taxable to you as either short-term or long-term capital gain, depending upon how long you have held your shares in the Fund.

A 3.8% Medicare contribution tax is imposed on the “net investment income” of individuals, estates and trusts whose income exceeds certain threshold amounts. Net investment income generally includes for this purpose dividends paid by a Fund, including any capital gain dividends, and net capital gains recognized on the redemption of shares of a Fund.

If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, each Fund’s ordinary income dividends, but not its exempt-interest dividends, will generally be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax, unless a lower treaty rate applies or unless such income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. For distributions with respect to taxable years of the Funds beginning before January 1, 2014, a Fund was able, under certain circumstances, to report in a written notice to shareholders all or a portion of a dividend as an “interest-related dividend” or a “short-term capital gain dividend” that if received by a nonresident alien or foreign entity generally was exempt from the 30% U.S. withholding tax, provided that certain other requirements are met. These exemptions have expired for distributions with respect to taxable years of a Fund beginning on or after January 1, 2014. Therefore, as of the date of this Prospectus, the Funds (or intermediaries, as applicable) are currently required to withhold on distributions to non-resident aliens or foreign entities attributable to net interest or short-term capital gains that were formerly eligible for this withholding exemption. It is currently unclear whether Congress will extend this exemption for distributions with respect to taxable years of the Funds beginning on or after January 1, 2014, or what the terms of such an extension would be, including whether such extension would have retroactive effect.

 

 

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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The Financial Highlights table is not presented for the Funds because the Institutional Class, Investor Class and Administration Class shares have not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus.

 

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For more information about the Funds:

The Funds’ SAI includes additional information about the Funds and is incorporated by reference into this document. Additional information about the Funds’ investments is available in the Funds’ annual and semiannual reports to shareholders.

The SAI and the Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports are available, without charge, upon request. Shareholders in the Funds may make inquiries to the Funds to receive such information by calling State Street Global Markets, LLC at (877) 521-4083 or by writing to the Funds, c/o State Street Global Markets, LLC, State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111-2900. The Funds’ website address is http://www.ssga.com/cash.

Information about the Funds (including the SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the Commission at 1-202-942-8090. Reports and other information about the Funds are available free of charge on the EDGAR Database on the Commission’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. Copies of this information also may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the Commission’s Public Reference Section, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520.

 

 

 

SSgA Funds Management, Inc.

STATE STREET FINANCIAL CENTER

ONE LINCOLN STREET

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02111

The State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Investment Company Act File Number is 811-09819.


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STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST

(the “Trust”)

P.O. Box 5049

Boston, Massachusetts 02206

STATE STREET EQUITY 500 INDEX FUND

Administrative Shares (STFAX)

Class R Shares

Service Shares (STBIX)

STATE STREET EQUITY 400 INDEX FUND

STATE STREET EQUITY 2000 INDEX FUND

STATE STREET AGGREGATE BOND INDEX FUND

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL LIMITED DURATION BOND FUND

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL LIQUID RESERVES FUND

[Institutional] Class (SSIXX)

Investment Class (SSVXX)

Service Class (LRSXX)

M Class Shares

Institutional Class ([ ])

Administration Class ([ ])

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

[Institutional] Class (GVMXX)

Investment Class (GVVXX)

Service Class (GVSXX)

Institutional Class ([ ])

Administration Class ([ ])

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL TAX FREE MONEY MARKET FUND

[Institutional] Class (SSTXX)

Investment Class (TFVXX)

Service Class (TASXX)

Institutional Class ([ ])

Investor Class ([ ])

Administration Class ([ ])

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND

[Institutional] Class ( TRIXX)

Investment Class (TRVXX)

Service Class ( TYSXX)

Institutional Class ([ ])

Investor Class ([ ])

Administration Class ([ ])

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL TREASURY PLUS MONEY MARKET FUND

[Institutional] Class (TPIXX)

Investment Class (TPVXX)

Service Class (TPSXX)

Institutional Class ([ ])

Investor Class ([ ])

Administration Class ([ ])

 

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STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

APRIL 30, 2014

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) relates to the prospectuses dated April 30, 2014, as amended [            ] for the [Institutional] Class, Investment Class, Service Class, M Class Shares, Administrative Shares, Class R Shares, Service Shares and to the Prospectus dated June [            ], 2014 as it relates to the Institutional Class, Investor Class and Administration Class for the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund.

as amended from time to time thereafter for each of the Funds listed above (each, a “Prospectus” and collectively, the “Prospectuses”).

The SAI is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectuses. A copy of each Prospectus can be obtained free of charge by calling (866) 392-0869 or by written request to the Trust at the address listed above.

The Trust’s financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, including the independent registered public accounting firm reports thereon, are included in the Trust’s annual reports and are incorporated into this SAI by reference. Copies of the Trust’s annual reports are available, without charge, upon request, by calling (866) 392-0869 or by written request to the Trust at the address above.

[SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. THE INFORMATION IN THIS SAI IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE MAY NOT SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS SAI IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED]

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

General

     4   

Description of the Funds and Their Investments and Risks

     5   

Additional Investments and Risks

     7   

Management of the Trust

     23   

Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities

     31   

Investment Advisory and Other Services

     35   

Portfolio Managers

     42   

Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices

     43   

Declaration of Trust, Capital Stock and Other Information

     44   

Pricing of Shares

     44   

Taxation of the Funds

     45   

Underwriter

     56   

Financial Statements

     56   

Appendix A—Ratings of Debt Instruments

     A-1   

Appendix B—Trust’s Proxy Voting Procedures

     B-1   

Appendix C—Adviser’s Proxy Voting Procedures and Guidelines

     C-1   

 

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GENERAL

The Trust was organized as a business trust under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on February 16, 2000.

The Trust is an open-end management investment company. The Trust comprises the following diversified series:

 

    State Street Equity 500 Index Fund (the “Equity 500 Index Fund”);

 

    State Street Equity 400 Index Fund (the “Equity 400 Index Fund”);

 

    State Street Equity 2000 Index Fund (the “Equity 2000 Index Fund”);

 

    State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund (the “Aggregate Bond Index Fund”);

 

    State Street Institutional Limited Duration Bond Fund (the “Limited Duration Bond Fund”);

 

    State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund (the “ILR Fund”);

 

    State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund (the “Tax Free Fund”);

 

    State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund (the “U.S. Government Fund”)

 

    State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund (the “Treasury Fund”); and

 

    State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund (the “Treasury Plus Fund”)

The Equity 500 Index Fund, Equity 400 Index Fund, Equity 2000 Index Fund and Aggregate Bond Index Fund are referred to in this SAI as the “Index Funds.” The ILR Fund, Treasury Fund, Treasury Plus Fund, Tax Free Fund and U.S. Government Fund are referred to in this SAI as the “Money Funds” or “Money Market Funds.” The Treasury Fund and Treasury Plus Fund are referred to in this SAI as the “Treasury Funds.” The Limited Duration Bond Fund is referred to in this SAI as the “Bond Fund.” All Funds together are referred to in this SAI as the “Funds” and each Fund may be referred to in context as the “Fund” as appropriate.

Each Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its investable assets in a corresponding master portfolio of the State Street Master Funds (each a “Portfolio” and collectively the “Portfolios”) that has the same investment objective as, and investment policies that are substantially similar to those of, the Fund. The table below shows the respective Portfolio in which each Fund invests.

 

Feeder Fund

  

Master Portfolio

Equity 500 Index Fund

   State Street Equity 500 Index Portfolio (“Equity 500 Index Portfolio”)

Equity 400 Index Fund

   State Street Equity 400 Index Portfolio (“Equity 400 Index Portfolio”)

Equity 2000 Index Fund

   State Street Equity 2000 Index Portfolio (“Equity 2000 Index Portfolio)

Aggregate Bond Index Fund

   State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio (“Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio”)

Limited Duration Bond Fund

   State Street Limited Duration Bond Portfolio (“Limited Duration Bond Portfolio”)

ILR Fund

   State Street Money Market Portfolio (“Money Market Portfolio”)

Tax Free Fund

   State Street Tax Free Money Market Portfolio (“Tax Free Portfolio”)

U.S. Government Fund

   State Street U.S. Government Money Market Portfolio (“U.S. Government Portfolio”)

Treasury Fund

   State Street Treasury Money Market Portfolio (“Treasury Portfolio”)

Treasury Plus Fund

   State Street Treasury Plus Money Market Portfolio (“Treasury Plus Portfolio”)

 

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The Equity 500 Index Portfolio, Equity 400 Index Portfolio, Equity 2000 Index Portfolio and Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio are referred to in this SAI as the “Index Portfolios.” The Money Market Portfolio, Treasury Portfolio, Treasury Plus Portfolio and U.S. Government Portfolio are referred to in this SAI as the “Money Portfolios” or “Money Market Portfolios.” The Treasury Portfolio and Treasury Plus Portfolio are referred to in this SAI as the “Treasury Portfolios.” The Limited Duration Bond Portfolio is referred to in this SAI as the “Bond Portfolio.” All Portfolios together are referred to in this SAI as the “Portfolios” and each Portfolio may be referred to in context as the “Portfolio” as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS AND THEIR INVESTMENTS AND RISKS

Each Fund’s Prospectus contains information about the investment objective and policies of that Fund. This SAI should only be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of the Fund or Funds in which you intend to invest.

In addition to the principal investment strategies and the principal risks of the Funds and Portfolios described in each Fund’s Prospectus, a Fund or Portfolio may employ other investment practices and may be subject to additional risks, which are described below. In reviewing these practices of the Funds, you should assume that the practices of the corresponding Portfolio are the same in all material respects.

Additional Information Concerning the S&P 500

The S&P 500 Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, and has been licensed for use by SSgA. Standard & Poor’s ® , S&P ® and S&P 500 ® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”); Dow Jones ® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”). The Equity 500 Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P, their respective affiliates (collectively “S&P Dow Jones Indices”), and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the S&P 500 Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the Equity 500 Index Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the S&P 500 to track general stock market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to the Equity 500 Index Fund is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices, which is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to the Fund. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to take the needs of the Equity 500 Index Fund or the owners of shares of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the S&P 500. S&P Dow Jones Indices is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the price and number of shares of the Equity 500 Index Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of shares of the Fund, or calculation of the equation by which shares of the Fund are redeemable for cash. S&P Dow Jones Indices has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of shares of the Equity 500 Index Fund.

S&P Dow Jones Indices does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the S&P 500 or any data included therein and S&P Dow Jones Indices shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. S&P Dow Jones Indices makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Equity 500 Index Fund, owners of shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the S&P 500 or any data included therein. S&P makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the S&P 500 or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall S&P have any liability for any incidental, special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits, trading losses, lost time or goodwill), even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

Additional Information Concerning the S&P MidCap 400

The S&P MidCap 400 Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, and has been licensed for use by SSgA. The Equity 400 Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones, S&P, their respective affiliates (collectively “S&P Dow Jones Indices”), and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors,

 

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omissions, or interruptions of the S&P MidCap 400 Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the Equity 400 Index Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the S&P MidCap 400 to track general stock market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to the Equity 400 Index Fund is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices, which is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to the Fund. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to take the needs of the Equity 400 Index Fund or the owners of shares of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the S&P MidCap 400. S&P Dow Jones Indices is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the price and number of shares of the Equity 400 Index Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of shares of the Fund, or calculation of the equation by which shares of the Fund are redeemable for cash. S&P Dow Jones Indices has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of shares of the Equity 400 Index Fund.

S&P Dow Jones Indices does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the S& P MidCap 400 or any data included therein and S&P Dow Jones Indices shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. S&P Dow Jones Indices makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Equity 400 Index Fund, owners of shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the S&P MidCap 400 or any data included therein. S&P makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the S&P MidCap 400 or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall S&P have any liability for any incidental, special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits, trading losses, lost time or goodwill), even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

Additional Information Concerning the Russell 2000 Index

The Equity 2000 Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, promoted by, or in any way affiliated with Frank Russell Company (“Russell”). Russell is not responsible for and has not reviewed the Equity 2000 Index Fund or any associated literature or publications, and Russell makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to their accuracy or completeness, or otherwise. Russell reserves the right, at any time and without notice, to alter, amend, terminate or in any way change the Russell 2000 Index. Russell has no obligation to take the needs of any particular fund or its participants or any other product or person into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Russell 2000 Index. Russell’s publication of the Index in no way suggests or implies an opinion by Russell as to the attractiveness or appropriateness of investment in any or all securities upon which the Index is based. Russell makes no representation, warranty or guarantee as to the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or otherwise of the Russell 2000 Index or any data included in the Index. Russell makes no representation or warranty regarding the use, or the results of use, of the Russell 2000 Index or any data included therein, or any security (or combination thereof) comprising the Index. Russell makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose with respect to the Russell 2000 Index or any data or any security (or combination thereof) included therein.

Additional Information Concerning the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index (the “U.S. Aggregate Index”)

The Aggregate Bond Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Barclays. Barclays makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the Aggregate Bond Index Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the U.S. Aggregate Index to track general performance. Barclays’s only relationship to the Aggregate Bond Index Fund is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of Barclays and of the U.S. Aggregate Index, which is determined, composed and calculated by Barclays without regard to the Fund. Barclays has no obligation to take the needs of the Aggregate Bond Index Fund or the owners of shares of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the U.S. Aggregate Index. Barclays is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the price and number of shares of the Aggregate Bond Index Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of shares of the Fund. Barclays has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of shares of the Aggregate Bond Index Fund.

 

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Barclays does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the U.S. Aggregate Index or any data included therein and Barclays shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. Barclays makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Aggregate Bond Index Fund, owners of shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the U.S. Aggregate Index or any data included therein. Barclays makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the U.S. Aggregate Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Barclays have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits), even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS AND RISKS

To the extent consistent with its investment objective and restrictions, each Fund or Portfolio may invest in the following instruments and use the following techniques.

Cash Reserves

Each Index Portfolio and the Tax Free Portfolio may hold portions of its assets in short-term debt instruments with remaining maturities of 397 days or less pending investment or to meet anticipated redemptions and day-to-day operating expenses. Short-term debt instruments consist of: (i) short-term obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies, instrumentalities, authorities or political subdivisions; (ii) other short-term debt securities rated at the time of purchase Aa or higher by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or AA or higher by S&P or, if unrated, of comparable quality in the opinion of SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSgA FM”); (iii) commercial paper; (iv) bank obligations, including negotiable certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers’ acceptances; and (v) repurchase agreements. At the time an Index Portfolio invests in commercial paper, bank obligations or repurchase agreements, the issuer or the issuer’s parent must have outstanding debt rated Aa or higher by Moody’s or AA or higher by S&P or outstanding commercial paper or bank obligations rated Prime-1 by Moody’s or A-1 by S&P; or, if no such ratings are available, the instrument must be of comparable quality in the opinion of the Adviser. To the extent that an Index Portfolio holds the foregoing instruments its ability to track its corresponding Index may be adversely affected. See Appendix A for more information on the ratings of debt instruments.

Credit Default Swaps

The Limited Duration Bond Portfolio may enter into credit default swap transactions. A credit default swap is an agreement between the Portfolio and a counterparty that enables the Portfolio to buy or sell protection against a credit event related to a specified issuer. One party, acting as a “protection buyer,” make periodic payments to the other party, a “protection seller,” in exchange for a promise by the protection seller to make a payment to the protection buyer if a negative credit event (such as a delinquent payment or default) occurs with respect to a referenced bond or group of bonds. Acting as a protection seller allows the Portfolio to create an investment exposure similar to owning a bond. Acting as a protection buyer allows the Portfolio potentially to reduce its credit exposure to a bond it owns or to take a “short” position in a bond it does not own.

As the protection buyer in a credit default swap, the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio may pay a premium (by means of periodic payments) in return for the right to deliver specified bonds or loans (such as those of a U.S. or foreign issuer or a basket of such issuers) to the protection seller and receive the par (or other agreed-upon) value upon default (or similar events) by the reference issuer. If no default occurs, the protection seller would keep the stream of payments and would have no further obligations to the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio. As the protection buyer, the Portfolio bears the risk that the investment might expire worthless and/or that the protection seller may fail to satisfy its payment obligations to the Portfolio in the event of a default (or similar event). In addition, when the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio is a protection buyer, the Portfolio’s investment would only generate income in the event of an actual default (or similar event) by the issuer of the underlying reference obligation.

The Limited Duration Bond Portfolio may also use credit default swaps for investment purposes by selling a credit default swap, in which case, the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio would be required to pay the par (or other agreed-upon) value of a referenced debt obligation to the protection buyer in the event of a default (or similar event) by the third-party reference issuer. In return for its obligation, the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio would receive from the

 

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protection buyer a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract. If no credit event occurs, the Portfolio would keep the stream of payments and would have no payment obligations. As the protection seller in a credit default swap, the Portfolio effectively adds economic leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Portfolio is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.

The use of credit default swaps, like all swap agreements, is subject to certain risks, such as counterparty risk, leverage risk, hedging risk, correlation risk and liquidity risk. The Fund will enter into a credit default swap only with counterparties that the Adviser determines to meet certain standards of creditworthiness. If a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the value of the swap would likely decline because of the heightened risk that the counterparty may be unable to satisfy its payment obligations (particularly if the counterparty was the protection seller under the credit default swap contract). In addition, there is no guarantee that the Portfolio can eliminate its exposure under an outstanding swap agreement by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same or another party.

A Limited Duration Bond Portfolio’s exposure under a credit default swap may be considered leverage and as such be subject to the restrictions on leveraged derivatives.

Futures Contracts and Options on Futures

Each Index Portfolio may enter into futures contracts on securities in which it may invest or on indices comprised of such securities and may purchase and write call and put options on such contracts.

Futures contracts. A financial futures contract is a contract to buy or sell a specified quantity of financial instruments such as U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds at a specified future date at a price agreed upon when the contract is made. An index futures contract is a contract to buy or sell specified units of an index at a specified future date at a price agreed upon when the contract is made. The value of a unit is based on the current value of the index. Under such contracts no delivery of the actual securities making up the index takes place. Rather, upon expiration of the contract, settlement is made by exchanging cash in an amount equal to the difference between the contract price and the closing price of the index at expiration, net of variation margin previously paid. Futures contracts are traded in the United States only on commodity exchanges or boards of trade — known as “contract markets” — approved for such trading by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”), and must be executed through a futures commission merchant or brokerage firm which is a member of the relevant contract market.

Although many futures contracts by their terms call for actual delivery or acceptance of commodities or securities, in most cases the contracts are closed out before the settlement date without the making or taking of delivery, but rather by entering into an offsetting contract (a “closing transaction”). Upon entering into a futures contract, an Index Portfolio is required to deposit an initial margin with the futures broker. The initial margin serves as a “good faith” deposit that an Index Portfolio will honor its futures commitments. Subsequent payments (called “variation margin” or “maintenance margin”) to and from the broker are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying security or commodity fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as “marking to the market.” Futures contracts also involve brokerage costs. If the Portfolio is unable to enter into a closing transaction, the amount of the Portfolio’s potential loss may be unlimited.

Each Index Portfolio will not commit more than 5% of the market value of its total assets to initial margin deposits on futures and premiums paid for options on futures.

The Limited Duration Bond Portfolio may enter into futures contracts on securities in which it may invest and may purchase and write call and put options on such contracts.

Registration under the Commodity Exchange Act. The State Street Equity 500 Index Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (the “CEA”), and therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under the CEA.

 

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Options on futures contracts . In return for the premium paid, options on futures contracts give the purchaser the right to assume a position in a futures contract at the specified option exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Options on futures are similar to options on securities except that options on futures give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures. If an option is exercised on the last trading day prior to its expiration date, the settlement will be made entirely in cash. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.

As with options on securities, the holder or writer of an option may terminate his position by selling or purchasing an offsetting option. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected.

The Limited Duration Bond Portfolio will be required to deposit initial margin and maintenance margin with respect to put and call options on futures contracts written by it pursuant to brokers’ requirements similar to those described above in connection with the discussion of futures contracts.

Risks of transactions in futures contracts and related options. Successful use of futures contracts by the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio is subject to the Adviser’s ability to predict movements in various factors affecting financial markets. Compared to the purchase or sale of futures contracts, the purchase of call or put options on futures contracts involves less potential risk to the Portfolio because the maximum amount at risk is the premium paid for the options (plus transaction costs). However, there may be circumstances when the purchase of a call or put option on a futures contract would result in a loss to the Portfolio when the purchase or sale of a futures contract would not, such as when there is no movement in the prices of the hedged investments. The writing of an option on a futures contract involves risks similar to those risks relating to the sale of futures contracts.

The use of options and futures strategies involves the risk of imperfect correlation among movements in the prices of the securities underlying the futures and options purchased and sold by the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio, of the options and futures contracts themselves, and, in the case of hedging transactions, of the securities which are the subject of a hedge. The successful use of these strategies further depends on the ability of the Adviser to forecast interest rates and market movements correctly.

There is no assurance that higher than anticipated trading activity or other unforeseen events might not, at times, render certain market clearing facilities inadequate, and thereby result in the institution by exchanges of special procedures which may interfere with the timely execution of customer orders.

To reduce or eliminate a position held by the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio, the Portfolio may seek to close out such a position. The ability to establish and close out positions will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid secondary market. It is not certain that this market will develop or continue to exist for a particular futures contract or option. Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain contracts or options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of contracts or options, or underlying securities; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or a clearing corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of contracts or options (or a particular class or series of contracts or options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange for such contracts or options (or in the class or series of contracts or options) would cease to exist, although outstanding contracts or options on the exchange that had been issued by a clearing corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would likely continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.

U.S. Treasury security futures contracts and options. Some U.S. Treasury security futures contracts require the seller to deliver, or the purchaser to take delivery of, the type of U.S. Treasury security called for in the contract at a specified date and price; others may be settled in cash. Options on U.S. Treasury security futures contracts give the purchaser the right in return for the premium paid to assume a position in a U.S. Treasury security futures contract at the specified option exercise price at any time during the period of the option.

 

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Successful use of U.S. Treasury security futures contracts by the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio is subject to the Adviser’s ability to predict movements in the direction of interest rates and other factors affecting markets for debt securities. For example, if the Portfolio has sold U.S. Treasury security futures contracts in order to hedge against the possibility of an increase in interest rates which would adversely affect the values of securities held in its portfolio, and the prices of the Portfolio’s securities increase instead as a result of a decline in interest rates, the Portfolio will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value of its securities which it has hedged because it will have offsetting losses in its futures positions. In addition, in such situations, if the Portfolio has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities to meet daily maintenance margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.

There is also a risk that price movements in U.S. Treasury security futures contracts and related options will not correlate closely with price movements in markets for particular securities. For example, if the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio has hedged against a decline in the values of tax-exempt securities held by it by selling Treasury security futures and the values of Treasury securities subsequently increase while the values of the Portfolio’s tax-exempt securities decrease, the Portfolio would incur losses on both the Treasury security futures contracts written by it and the tax-exempt securities held in its portfolio.

Illiquid Securities

Each Portfolio, except for the Treasury Portfolio, may invest in illiquid securities. Each Index Portfolio, Bond Portfolio and the Tax Free Portfolio will invest no more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities or securities that are not readily marketable, including repurchase agreements and time deposits of more than seven days’ duration. The absence of a regular trading market for illiquid securities imposes additional risks on investments in these securities. Illiquid securities may be difficult to value and may often be disposed of only after considerable expense and delay. Each Money Market Portfolio (and Money Market Fund) is managed in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). As a result, each Money Market Portfolio (and Money Market Fund) has adopted the following liquidity policies (except as noted):

 

  1. The Portfolio/Fund may not purchase an illiquid security if, immediately after purchase, the Portfolio/Fund would have invested more than 5% of its total assets in illiquid securities (securities that cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the market value ascribed to them by the Portfolio/Fund);

 

  2. The Portfolio/Fund may not purchase a security other than a security offering daily liquidity if, immediately after purchase, the Portfolio/Fund would have invested less than 10% of its total assets in securities offering daily liquidity (includes securities that mature or are subject to demand within one business day, cash or direct U.S. Government obligations) (this policy does not apply to the Tax Free Fund or the corresponding Tax Free Portfolio); and

 

  3. The Portfolio/Fund may not purchase a security other than a security offering weekly liquidity if, immediately after purchase, the Portfolio/Fund would have invested less than 30% of its total assets in securities offering weekly liquidity (includes securities that mature or are subject to demand within five business days, cash, direct U.S. Government obligations and Government agency discount notes with remaining maturities of 60 days or less).

 

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Lending of Portfolio Securities

Each Index Portfolio may lend portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations in amounts up to 33 1/3% of the total value of its assets. Any such loan must be continuously secured by collateral in cash or cash equivalents maintained on a current basis in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned by an Index Portfolio. An Index Portfolio would continue to receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned, and would receive an additional return that may be in the form of a fixed fee or a percentage of the collateral. An Index Portfolio would have the right to call the loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice of not more than five business days. In the event of bankruptcy or other default of the borrower, an Index Portfolio could experience both delays in liquidating the loan collateral or recovering the loaned securities and losses including (a) possible decline in the value of collateral or in the value of the securities loaned during the period while the Portfolio seeks to enforce its rights thereto, (b) possible sub-normal levels of income and lack of access to income during this period, and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights. A Portfolio’s securities lending agent may be an affiliate of the Adviser, and would be compensated by the Portfolio for its services.

Options on Securities and Securities Indices

Each Index Portfolio may purchase or sell options on securities in which it may invest and on indices that are comprised of securities in which it may invest, subject to the limitations set forth above and provided such options are traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter market. Options on securities indices are similar to options on securities except there is no transfer of a security and settlement is in cash. A call option on a securities index grants the purchaser of the call, for a premium paid to the seller, the right to receive in cash an amount equal to the difference between the closing value of the index and the exercise price of the option times a multiplier established by the exchange upon which the option is traded. Typically, a call option will be profitable to the holder of the option if the value of the security or the index increases during the term of the option; a put option will be valuable if the value of the security or the index decreases during the term of the option. The Index Portfolios may also invest in warrants, which entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a specific price for a specific period of time.

Purchase of Other Investment Company Shares

Each Portfolio (except the Treasury Portfolio and the Treasury Plus Portfolio) may, to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and exemptive rules and orders thereunder, invest in shares of other investment companies, which include Funds managed by SSgA FM, which invest exclusively in money market instruments or in investment companies with investment policies and objectives which are substantially similar to the Portfolio’s. These investments may be made temporarily, for example, to invest uncommitted cash balances or, in limited circumstances, to assist in meeting shareholder redemptions.

Repurchase Agreements

Each Portfolio, except for the Treasury Portfolio, may enter into repurchase agreements with banks and other financial institutions, such as broker-dealers. Under a repurchase agreement, the Portfolio purchases securities from a financial institution that agrees to repurchase the securities at the Portfolio’s original purchase price plus interest within a specified time (normally one business day). The Portfolio will limit repurchase transactions to those member banks of the Federal Reserve System and broker-dealers whose creditworthiness the Adviser considers satisfactory. Should the counterparty to a transaction fail financially, the Portfolio may encounter delay and incur costs before being able to sell the securities, or may be prevented from realizing on the securities. Further, the amount realized upon the sale of the securities may be less than that necessary to fully compensate the Portfolio.

Section 4(2) Commercial Paper/Rule 144A Securities

Each Portfolio, other than the Treasury Portfolios, may also invest in commercial paper issued in reliance on the private placement exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”) (“Section 4(2) paper”) or in securities that that can be offered and sold only to “qualified institutional buyers” under Rule 144A of the 1933 Act (“Rule 144A securities”). The U.S. Government Portfolio may invest in Rule 144A securities, but not Section 4(2) paper.

 

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Section 4(2) paper is restricted as to disposition under the federal securities laws and generally is sold to institutional investors that agree that they are purchasing the paper for investment and not with a view to public distribution. Any resale by the purchaser must be a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. Section 4(2) paper normally is resold to other institutional investors like the Portfolios through or with the assistance of the issuer or investment dealers that make a market in Section 4(2) paper. Rule 144A securities generally must be sold only to other institutional investors.

Section 4(2) paper and Rule 144A securities will not be considered illiquid for purposes of each Fund’s and Portfolio’s percentage limitations on illiquid securities when the Adviser (pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Board of Trustees) determines that a liquid trading market exists for the securities in question. There can be no assurance that a liquid trading market will exist at any time for any particular Section 4(2) paper or Rule 144A securities.

U.S. Government Securities

Each Portfolio may purchase U.S. Government securities. With respect to U.S. Government securities, the Treasury Portfolio will invest exclusively in direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, such as U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds maturing within 397 days, and other mutual funds, subject to regulatory limitations, that invest exclusively in such obligations. The Treasury Plus Portfolio will invest only in direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury (U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds) and repurchase agreements collateralized by these obligations. The types of U.S. Government obligations in which each other Portfolio may at times invest include: (1) U.S. Treasury obligations and (2) obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities which are supported by any of the following: (a) the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, (b) the right of the issuer to borrow an amount limited to a specific line of credit from the U.S. Treasury, (c) discretionary authority of the U.S. Government agency or instrumentality, or (d) the credit of the instrumentality (examples of agencies and instrumentalities are: Federal Land Banks, Federal Housing Administration, Federal Farm Credit Bank, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Federal Home Loan Banks, General Services Administration, Maritime Administration, Tennessee Development Bank, Asian-American Development Bank, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Federal National Mortgage Association). No assurance can be given that in the future the U.S. Government will provide financial support to U.S. Government securities it is not obligated to support.

The Money Portfolios may purchase U.S. Government obligations on a forward commitment basis.

Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities

The Money Portfolios, except for the Treasury Portfolios, and the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio may invest in Inflation-Protection Securities (“IPSs”), a type of inflation-indexed Treasury security. IPSs typically provide for semiannual payments of interest and a payment of principal at maturity. In general, each payment will be adjusted to take into account any inflation or deflation that occurs between the issue date of the security and the payment date based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (“CPI-U”).

Each semiannual payment of interest will be determined by multiplying a single fixed rate of interest by the inflation-adjusted principal amount of the security for the date of the interest payment. Thus, although the interest rate will be fixed, the amount of each interest payment will vary with changes in the principal of the security as adjusted for inflation and deflation.

IPSs also provide for an additional payment (a “minimum guarantee payment”) at maturity if the security’s inflation-adjusted principal amount for the maturity date is less than the security’s principal amount at issuance. The amount of the additional payment will equal the excess of the security’s principal amount at issuance over the security’s inflation-adjusted principal amount for the maturity date.

 

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When-Issued Securities

Each Portfolio may purchase securities on a when-issued basis. Delivery of and payment for these securities may take place as long as a month or more after the date of the purchase commitment. The value of these securities is subject to market fluctuation during this period, and no income accrues to the Portfolio until settlement takes place. When entering into a when-issued transaction, the Portfolio will rely on the other party to consummate the transaction; if the other party fails to do so, the Portfolio may be disadvantaged. The Money Portfolios will not invest more than 25% of their respective net assets in when-issued securities.

Securities purchased on a when-issued basis and held by a Portfolio are subject to changes in market value based upon actual or perceived changes in the level of interest rates. Generally, the value of such securities will fluctuate inversely to changes in interest rates — i.e., they will appreciate in value when interest rates decline and decrease in value when interest rates rise. Therefore, if in order to achieve higher interest income a Portfolio remains substantially fully invested at the same time that it has purchased securities on a “when-issued” basis, there will be a greater possibility of fluctuation in the Portfolio’s net asset value (“NAV”).

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, the Tax Free Portfolio, the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio, the Money Market Portfolio and the U.S. Government Portfolio may enter into reverse repurchase agreements under the circumstances described in “Investment Restrictions.” Under a reverse repurchase agreement, a Portfolio sells portfolio securities to a financial institution in return for cash in an amount equal to a percentage of the portfolio securities’ market value and agrees to repurchase the securities at a future date at a prescribed repurchase price equal to the amount of cash originally received plus interest on such amount. A Portfolio retains the right to receive interest and principal payments with respect to the securities while they are in the possession of the securities. Reverse repurchase agreements may create investment leverage and involve the risk that the market value of securities sold by a Portfolio may decline below the price at which it is obligated to repurchase the securities. Reverse repurchase agreements also involve a risk of default by the counterparty, which may adversely affect a Portfolio’s ability to reacquire the underlying securities.

Total Return Swaps and Interest Rate Swaps

The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio and the Bond Portfolio may contract with a counterparty to pay a stream of cash flows and receive the total return of an index or a security for purposes of attempting to obtain a particular desired return at a lower cost to the Portfolio than if the Portfolio had invested directly in an instrument that yielded that desired return. A Portfolio’s return on a swap will depend on the ability of its counterparty to perform its obligations under the swap. The Adviser will cause the Portfolio to enter into swap agreements only with counterparties that would be eligible for consideration as repurchase agreement counterparties under the Portfolio’s repurchase agreement guidelines.

The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio and Limited Duration Bond Portfolio may enter into interest rate swap transactions with respect to any security they are entitled to hold. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Portfolio with another party of their respective rights to receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments. A Portfolio expects to enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio or to protect against any increase in the price of securities it anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Portfolios intend to use these transactions as a hedge and not as a speculative investment. For example, the Portfolios may enter into an interest rate swap in order to protect against declines in the value of fixed income securities held by the Portfolios. In such an instance, the Portfolios may agree with a counterparty to pay a fixed rate (multiplied by a notional amount) and the counterparty to pay a floating rate multiplied by the same notional amount. If interest rates rise, resulting in a diminution in the value of a Portfolio, the Portfolio would receive payments under the swap that would offset, in whole or in part, such diminution in value; if interest rates fall, the Portfolio would likely lose money on the swap transaction.

 

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Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit (“ECDs”), Eurodollar Time Deposits (“ETDs”) and Yankee Certificates of Deposit (“YCDs”)

The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio, the Money Market Portfolio and the U.S. Government Portfolio may invest in ECDs, ETDs and YCDs. ECDs and ETDs are U.S. dollar denominated certificates of deposit issued by foreign branches of domestic banks and foreign banks. YCDs are U.S. dollar denominated certificates of deposit issued by U.S. branches of foreign banks.

Different risks than those associated with the obligations of domestic banks may exist for ECDs, ETDs and YCDs because the banks issuing these instruments, or their domestic or foreign branches, are not necessarily subject to the same regulatory requirements that apply to domestic banks, such as loan limitations, examinations and reserve, accounting, auditing, recordkeeping and public reporting requirements. Obligations of foreign issuers also involve risks such as future unfavorable political and economic developments, withholding tax, seizures of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations, and other governmental restrictions that might affect repayment of principal or payment of interest, or the ability to honor a credit commitment.

Forward Commitments

The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, the Bond Portfolio, the Tax Free Portfolio and the Money Portfolios may enter into contracts to purchase securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time (“forward commitments”) , consistent with the Fund’s ability to manage its investment portfolio, meet redemption requests, and for each Money Market Fund, maintain a stable net asset value. Forward commitments may be considered securities in themselves, and involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date, which risk is in addition to the risk of decline in the value of the Portfolio’s other assets. Where such purchases are made through dealers, the Portfolio relies on the dealer to consummate the sale. The dealer’s failure to do so may result in the loss to the Portfolio of an advantageous yield or price.

Although a Portfolio will generally enter into forward commitments with the intention of acquiring securities for its portfolio or for delivery pursuant to options contracts it has entered into, a Portfolio may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement if the Adviser deems it appropriate to do so. A Portfolio may realize short-term profits or losses upon the sale of forward commitments. When effecting such transactions, cash or other liquid assets (such as liquid high quality debt obligations) held by the Fund of a dollar amount sufficient to make payment for the portfolio securities to be purchased will be segregated on the Fund’s records at the trade date and maintained until the transaction is settled. Such segregated assets will be marked to market on a daily basis, and if the market value of such assets declines, additional cash or assets will be segregated so that the market value of the segregated assets will equal the amount of such the Fund’s obligations. Forward commitments involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date, or if the other party fails to complete the transaction.

Investment-Grade Bonds

The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio and the Money Market Portfolio may invest in corporate notes and bonds that are rated investment-grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”) (and, in the case of the Money Market Portfolio, rated in one of the two short-term highest rating categories by at least two NRSROs or by one NRSRO if only one NRSRO has rated the security) or, if unrated, are of comparable quality to the rated securities described above, as determined by the Adviser, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees. Investment-grade securities include securities rated Baa or higher by Moody’s or BBB- or higher by S&P (and securities of comparable quality); securities rated Baa or BBB may have speculative characteristics.

Mortgage-Related Securities

The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, the Limited Duration Bond Portfolio, the Money Market Portfolio and the U.S. Government Portfolio may invest in mortgage-related securities. Mortgage-related securities represent an interest in a pool of, or are secured by, mortgage loans. Mortgage-related securities may be issued or guaranteed by (i) US Government agencies or instrumentalities such as the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) (also known as Ginnie Mae), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) (also known as Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”) (also known as Freddie Mac) or (ii) other issuers, including private companies.

 

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Many mortgage-related securities provide regular payments which consist of interest and, in most cases, principal. In contrast, other forms of debt securities normally provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or specified call dates. In effect, payments on many mortgage-related securities are a “pass-through” of the payments made by the individual borrowers on their mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities.

Besides the scheduled repayment of principal, repayments of principal may result from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing or foreclosure of the underlying mortgage loans. If property owners make unscheduled prepayments of their mortgage loans, these prepayments will typically result in early payment of the applicable mortgage-related securities. The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by a variety of factors including the level of interest rates, general economic conditions, the location and age of the mortgage, and other social and demographic conditions. During periods of falling interest rates, the rate of mortgage prepayments tends to increase, thereby tending to decrease the life of mortgage-related securities. During periods of rising interest rates, the rate of mortgage prepayments usually decreases, thereby tending to increase the life of mortgage-related securities.

Because of the possibility of prepayments (and due to scheduled repayments of principal), mortgage-related securities are less effective than other types of securities as a means of “locking in” attractive long-term interest rates. Prepayments would have to be reinvested at lower rates. As a result, these securities may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of declining interest rates than other securities of comparable maturities, although they may have a similar risk of decline in market value during periods of rising interest rates. Prepayments may also significantly shorten the effective maturities of these securities, especially during periods of declining interest rates. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, a reduction in prepayments may increase the effective maturities of these securities, subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore, potentially increasing the volatility of the Funds.

Collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) may be issued by a U.S. Government agency or instrumentality or by a private issuer. CMOs are typically structured with classes or series that have different maturities and are generally retired in sequence. Each class of obligations receives periodic interest payments according to its terms. However, monthly principal payments and any prepayments from the collateral pool are generally paid first to the holders of the most senior class. Thereafter, payments of principal are generally allocated to the next most senior class of obligations until that class of obligations has been fully repaid. Any or all classes of obligations of a CMO may be paid off sooner than expected because of an increase in the payoff speed of the pool. Changes in prepayment rates may have significant effects on the values and the volatility of the various classes and series of a CMO. Payment of interest or principal on some classes or series of a CMO may be subject to contingencies or some classes or series may bear some or all of the risk of default on the underlying mortgages.

Stripped mortgage-related securities are usually structured with two classes that receive different portions of the interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage loans. The yield to maturity on an interest only or “IO” class of stripped mortgage-related securities is extremely sensitive not only to changes in prevailing interest rates but also to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying assets. A rapid rate of principal prepayments may have a measurable adverse effect on a Fund’s yield to maturity to the extent it invests in IOs. If the assets underlying the IO experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail to recoup fully, or at all, its initial investment in these securities. Conversely, principal only securities or “POs” tend to increase in value if prepayments are greater than anticipated and decline if prepayments are slower than anticipated. The secondary market for stripped mortgage-related securities may be more volatile and less liquid than that for other mortgage-related securities, potentially limiting a Fund’s ability to buy or sell those securities at any particular time.

Government Mortgage-Related Securities

GNMA is the principal federal government guarantor of mortgage-related securities. GNMA is a wholly owned U.S. Government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It guarantees, with the full

 

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faith and credit of the United States, full and timely payment of all monthly principal and interest on its mortgage-related securities. GNMA pass-through securities are considered to have a relatively low risk of default in that (1) the underlying mortgage loan portfolio is comprised entirely of government-backed loans and (2) the timely payment of both principal and interest on the securities is guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, regardless of whether they have been collected. GNMA pass-through securities are, however, subject to the same interest rate risk as comparable privately issued mortgage-related securities. Therefore, the effective maturity and market value of a fund’s GNMA securities can be expected to fluctuate in response to changes in interest rate levels.

Residential mortgage loans are also pooled by FHLMC, a corporate instrumentality of the U.S. Government. The mortgage loans in FHLMC’s portfolio are not government backed; FHLMC, not the U.S. Government, guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal on FHLMC securities. FHLMC also issues guaranteed mortgage certificates, on which it guarantees semiannual interest payments and a specified minimum annual payment of principal.

FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. FNMA purchases residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers, which include savings and loan associations, savings banks, commercial banks, credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest only by FNMA, not the U.S. Government.

Mortgage-Backed Security Rolls

The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio may enter into “forward roll” transactions with respect to mortgage-related securities issued by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC. In a forward roll transaction, a Portfolio will sell a mortgage-related security to a bank or other permitted entity and simultaneously agree to repurchase a similar security from the institution at a later date at an agreed upon price. The mortgage securities that are repurchased will typically bear the same interest rate as those sold, but generally will be collateralized by different pools of mortgages with different prepayment histories than those sold. A Portfolio that engages in a forward roll transaction forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities sold during the roll period, but is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase. In addition, a Portfolio earns interest by investing the transaction proceeds during the roll period. A forward roll transaction may create investment leverage. A Portfolio is subject to the risk that the value of securities to be purchased pursuant to a forward roll transaction will decline over the roll period, and that the Portfolio’s counterparty may be unwilling or unable to perform its obligations to the Portfolio. Upon entering into a mortgage-backed security roll, the participating Portfolio will segregate on its records cash, US Government securities or other high-grade debt securities in an amount sufficient to cover to its obligation under the roll.

Other Asset-Backed Securities

The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio and the Money Market Portfolio may invest in asset-backed securities that are not mortgage-related. Asset-backed securities other than mortgage-related securities represent undivided fractional interests in pools of instruments, such as consumer loans, and are typically similar in structure to mortgage-related pass-through securities. Payments of principal and interest are passed through to holders of the securities and are typically supported by some form of credit enhancement, such as a letter of credit, surety bond, limited guarantee by another entity, or by priority to certain of the borrower’s other securities. The degree of credit-enhancement, if any, varies, applying only until exhausted and generally covering only a fraction of the security’s par value.

The value of such asset-backed securities is affected by changes in the market’s perception of the asset backing the security, changes in the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the instrument pool, the originator of the instruments, or the financial institution providing any credit enhancement and the expenditure of any portion of any credit enhancement. The risks of investing in asset-backed securities are ultimately dependent upon payment of the underlying instruments by the obligors, and a Fund would generally have no recourse against the obligee of the instruments in the event of default by an obligor. The underlying instruments are subject to prepayments which shorten the duration of asset-backed securities and may lower their return, in generally the same manner as described above for prepayments of pools of mortgage loans underlying mortgage-related securities.

 

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Variable and Floating Rate Securities

The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, the Bond Portfolio, the Money Market Portfolio, the Tax Free Portfolio and the U.S. Government Portfolio may invest in variable and floating rate securities. Variable rate securities are instruments issued or guaranteed by entities such as (1) U.S. Government, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, (2) corporations, (3) financial institutions, (4) insurance companies or (5) trusts that have a rate of interest subject to adjustment at regular intervals but less frequently than annually. A variable rate security provides for the automatic establishment of a new interest rate on set dates. Interest rates on these securities are ordinarily tied to, and are a percentage of, a widely recognized interest rate, such as the yield on 90-day U.S. Treasury bills or the prime rate of a specified bank. These rates may change as often as twice daily. Generally, changes in interest rates will have a smaller effect on the market value of variable and floating rate securities than on the market value of comparable fixed income obligations. Thus, investing in variable and floating rate securities generally allows less opportunity for capital appreciation and depreciation than investing in comparable fixed income securities. Variable rate obligations will be deemed to have a maturity equal to the period remaining until the next readjustment of the interest rate. The Limited Duration Bond Portfolio may also invest in funding agreements, which are privately placed, unregistered obligations negotiated with a purchaser.

Variable Amount Master Demand Notes

The Money Market Portfolio, the U.S. Government Portfolio and the Bond Portfolio may invest in variable amount master demand notes which are unsecured obligations that are redeemable upon demand and are typically unrated. These instruments are issued pursuant to written agreements between their issuers and holders. The agreements permit the holders to increase (subject to an agreed maximum) and the holders and issuers to decrease the principal amount of the notes, and specify that the rate of interest payable on the principal fluctuates according to an agreed formula. Generally, changes in interest rates will have a smaller effect on the market value of these securities than on the market value of comparable fixed income obligations. Thus, investing in these securities generally allows less opportunity for capital appreciation and depreciation than investing in comparable fixed income securities. There may be no active secondary market with respect to a particular variable rate instrument.

Zero Coupon Securities

The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, the Bond Portfolio, the Money Market Portfolio and the U.S. Government Portfolio may invest in zero coupon securities. Zero coupon securities are notes, bonds and debentures that: (1) do not pay current interest and are issued at a substantial discount from par value; (2) have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons and receipts; or (3) pay no interest until a stated date one or more years into the future. These securities also include certificates representing interests in such stripped coupons and receipts. Generally, changes in interest rates will have a greater impact on the market value of a zero coupon security than on the market value of the comparable securities that pay interest periodically during the life of the instrument. The Portfolios will not receive cash payments on a current basis from the issuer in respect of accrued original issue discount (“OID”), but investors will be required to accrue OID for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To generate sufficient cash for a Fund to make the requisite distributions to maintain its qualification for treatment as a “regulated investment company” (“RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), a Fund may be required to redeem a portion of its interest in a Portfolio in order to obtain sufficient cash to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement with respect to the OID accrued on zero coupon bonds. The Portfolio in turn may sell investments in order to meet such redemption requests, including at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so.

The Money Portfolio, the U.S. Government Portfolio and the Bond Portfolio may invest no more than 25% of their respective total assets in stripped securities that have been stripped by their holder, typically a custodian bank or investment brokerage firm. A number of securities firms and banks have stripped the interest coupons and resold them in custodian receipt programs with different names such as Treasury Income Growth Receipts (“TIGRS”) and Certificates of Accrual on Treasuries (“CATS”). Privately-issued stripped securities such as TIGRS and CATS are not themselves guaranteed by the U.S. Government, but the future payment of principal or interest on U.S. Treasury obligations which they represent is so guaranteed.

 

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Municipal and Municipal-Related Securities

Municipal securities may bear fixed, floating or variable rates of interest or may be zero coupon securities. Municipal securities are generally of two types: general obligations and revenue obligations. General obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the issuer. These securities include tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, general obligation bonds and commercial paper. Revenue obligations are backed by the revenues generated from a specific project or facility and include industrial development bonds and private activity bonds. Tax anticipation notes are issued to finance working capital needs of municipalities and are generally issued in anticipation of future tax revenues. Bond anticipation notes are issued in expectation of the issuer obtaining longer-term financing.

The Tax Free Portfolio and the Bond Portfolio may invest in municipal and municipal-related securities. Municipal obligations are affected by economic, business or political developments. These securities may be subject to provisions of litigation, bankruptcy and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, or may become subject to future laws extending the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or limiting the rights of municipalities to levy taxes. The Portfolios may be more adversely impacted by changes in tax rates and policies than other funds. Because interest income from municipal securities is normally not subject to regular federal income taxation, the attractiveness of municipal securities in relation to other investment alternatives is affected by changes in federal income tax rates applicable to, or the continuing federal income tax-exempt status of, such interest income. Any proposed or actual changes in such rates or exempt status, therefore, can significantly affect the demand for and supply, liquidity and marketability of municipal securities. This could in turn affect a Portfolio’s ability to acquire and dispose of municipal securities at desirable yield and price levels. Concentration of a Portfolio’s investments in these municipal obligations will subject the Portfolio, to a greater extent than if such investment was not so concentrated, to the risks of adverse economic, business or political developments affecting the particular state, industry or other area of concentration. Issuers, including governmental issuers, of municipal securities may be unable to pay their obligations as they become due. Recent declines in tax revenues, and increases in liabilities, such as pension and health care liabilities, may increase the actual or perceived risk of default on such securities.

Auction Rate Securities.

Auction rate municipal securities permit the holder to sell the securities in an auction at par value at specified intervals. The dividend or interest is typically reset by “Dutch” auction in which bids are made by broker-dealers and other institutions for a certain amount of securities at a specified minimum yield. The rate set by the auction is the lowest interest or dividend rate that covers all securities offered for sale. While this process is designed to permit auction rate securities to be traded at par value, there is the risk that an auction will fail due to insufficient demand for the securities. A Portfolio will take the time remaining until the next scheduled auction date into account for purposes of determining the securities’ duration. The Tax Free Portfolio does not invest in auction rate securities.

Industrial Development and Private Activity Bonds.

Industrial development bonds are issued to finance a wide variety of capital projects including: electric, gas, water and sewer systems; ports and airport facilities; colleges and universities; and hospitals. The principal security for these bonds is generally the net revenues derived from a particular facility, group of facilities, or in some cases, the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue sources. Although the principal security behind these bonds may vary, many provide additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund whose money may be used to make principal and interest payments on the issuer’s obligations. Some authorities provide further security in the form of a state’s ability without obligation to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund.

Private activity bonds are considered municipal securities if the interest paid thereon is exempt from federal income tax and are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to raise money to finance various privately operated facilities for business and manufacturing, housing, sports, and pollution control. These bonds are also used to finance public facilities such as airports, mass transit systems, ports and parking. The payment of the principal and interest on such bonds is dependent solely on the ability of the facility’s user to meet its financial obligations and the value of any real or personal property pledged as security for such payment. As noted in each Portfolio’s Prospectus and discussed below under “Taxation of the Funds,” interest income on these bonds may be an item of tax preference subject to federal alternative minimum tax for individuals and corporations.

 

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Insured Municipal Securities.

Insured municipal securities are those for which scheduled payments of interest and principal are guaranteed by a private (non-governmental) insurance company. The insurance entitles a fund to receive only the face or par value of the securities held by the fund, but the ability to be paid is limited to the claims paying ability of the insurer. The insurance does not guarantee the market value of the municipal securities or the net asset value of a fund’s shares. Insurers are selected based upon the diversification of its portfolio and the strength of the management team which contributes to the claims paying ability of the entity. However, the Adviser selects securities based upon the underlying credit with bond insurance viewed as an enhancement only. The Adviser’s objective is to have an enhancement that provides additional liquidity to insulate against volatility in changing markets.

Municipal Leases.

The Tax Free Portfolio may purchase participation interests in municipal obligations, including municipal lease/purchase agreements. Municipal leases are an undivided interest in a portion of an obligation in the form of a lease or installment purchase issued by a state or local government to acquire equipment or facilities. These instruments may have fixed, floating or variable rates of interest, with remaining maturities of 13 months or less. Certain participation interests may permit a Portfolio to demand payment on not more than seven days’ notice, for all or any part of the fund’s interest, plus accrued interest.

Municipal leases frequently have special risks not normally associated with general obligation or revenue bonds. Some leases or contracts include “non-appropriation” clauses, which provide that the governmental issuer has no obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for such purpose by the appropriate legislative body on a yearly or other periodic basis. To reduce these risks, the Portfolios will only purchase municipal leases subject to a non-appropriation clause when the payment of principal and accrued interest is backed by a letter of credit or guarantee of a bank.

Whether a municipal lease agreement will be considered illiquid for the purpose of a Portfolio’s restriction on investments in illiquid securities will be determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees.

Pre-Refunded Municipal Securities.

The interest and principal payments on pre-refunded municipal securities are typically paid from the cash flow generated from an escrow fund consisting of U.S. Government securities. These payments have been “pre-refunded” using the escrow fund.

Tender Option Bonds.

A tender option is a municipal obligation (generally held pursuant to a custodial arrangement) having a relatively long maturity and bearing interest at a fixed rate substantially higher than prevailing short-term tax exempt rates, that has been coupled with the agreement of a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution, pursuant to which such institution grants the security holders the option, at periodic intervals, to tender their securities to the institution and receive the face value thereof. As consideration for providing the option, the financial institution receives periodic fees equal to the difference between the municipal obligation’s fixed coupon rate and the rate, as determined by a remarketing or similar agent at or near the commencement of such period, that would cause the securities, coupled with the tender option, to trade at par on the date of such determination. Thus, after payment of this fee, the security holder effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing short-term tax exempt rate. Subject to applicable regulatory requirements, a Portfolio may buy tender option bonds if the agreement gives the Portfolio the right to tender the bond to its sponsor no less frequently than once every 397 days. The Adviser will consider on an ongoing basis the creditworthiness of the issuer of the underlying obligation, any custodian and the third party provider of the tender option. In certain instances and for certain tender option bonds, the option may be terminable in the event of a default in payment of principal or interest on the underlying municipal obligation and for other reasons.

 

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Tax Exempt Commercial Paper

The Tax Free Portfolio and the Bond Portfolio may invest in tax exempt commercial paper. Tax exempt commercial paper is a short-term obligation with a stated maturity of 365 days or less. It is typically issued to finance seasonal working capital needs or as short-term financing in anticipation of longer term financing. Each instrument may be backed only by the credit of the issuer or may be backed by some form of credit enhancement, typically in the form of a guarantee by a commercial bank. Commercial paper backed by guarantees of foreign banks may involve additional risk due to the difficulty of obtaining and enforcing judgments against such banks and the generally less restrictive regulations to which such banks are subject. The Portfolios will only invest in commercial paper rated at the time of purchase not less than Prime-1 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., A-1 by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group or F-1 by Fitch Ratings. See Appendix A for more information on the ratings of debt instruments.

Fundamental Investment Restrictions

The Portfolios in which the Funds invest each have substantially the same investment restrictions as their corresponding Funds. In reviewing the description of a Fund’s investment restrictions below, you should assume that the investment restrictions of the corresponding Portfolio are the same in all material respects as those of the Fund.

The Trust has adopted the following restrictions applicable to the Funds, which may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a “majority of the outstanding voting securities” of a Fund, which is defined in the 1940 Act to mean the affirmative vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund and (2) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present at the meeting in person or by proxy.

 

  1. A Fund may borrow money and issue senior securities to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time.

 

  2. A Fund may make loans, including to affiliated investment companies, to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time.

 

  3. A Fund may purchase or sell commodities to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time.

 

  4. A Fund may purchase, sell or hold real estate to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time.

 

  5. A Fund may underwrite securities to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time.

For the State Street Equity 500 Index Fund, State Street Equity 400 Index Fund, State Street Equity 2000 Index Fund, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund, State Street Institutional Limited Duration Bond Fund (“Non-Money Market Funds”):

 

  6. A Fund may not purchase any security if, as a result, 25% or more of the Fund’s total assets (taken at current value) would be invested in a particular industry (for purposes of this restriction, investment companies are not considered to constitute a particular industry or group of industries), except as is consistent with applicable law from time to time and as follows: the Fund is permitted to invest without limit in “government securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act) and tax-exempt securities issued by a U.S. territory or possession, a state or local government, or a political subdivision of any of the foregoing. The Fund may concentrate its investments in securities of issuers in the same industry as may be necessary to approximate the composition of the Fund’s underlying Index.

 

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For the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund (collectively, the “Money Market Funds”):

 

  6. A Fund may not purchase any security if, as a result, 25% or more of the Fund’s total assets (taken at current value) would be invested in a particular industry (for purposes of this restriction, investment companies are not considered to constitute a particular industry or group of industries), except as is consistent with applicable law from time to time and as follows: the Fund is permitted to invest without limit in “government securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act), tax-exempt securities issued by a U.S. territory or possession, a state or local government, or a political subdivision of any of the foregoing and bankers’ acceptances, certificates of deposit and similar instruments issued by: (i) U.S. banks, (ii) U.S. branches of foreign banks (in circumstances in which the Adviser determines that the U.S. branches of foreign banks are subject to the same regulation as U.S. banks), (iii) foreign branches of U.S. banks (in circumstances in which the Adviser determines that the Fund will have recourse to the U.S. bank for the obligations of the foreign branch), and (iv) foreign branches of foreign banks (to the extent that the Adviser determines that the foreign branches of foreign banks are subject to the same or substantially similar regulations as U.S. banks).

With respect to the Money Market Funds’ investment policy on concentration (#6 above), a Fund may concentrate in bankers’ acceptances, certificates of deposit and similar instruments when, in the opinion of the Adviser, the yield, marketability and availability of investments meeting the Fund’s quality standards in the banking industry justify any additional risks associated with the concentration of the Fund’s assets in such industry.

For each Fund, all percentage limitations (except the limitation to borrowings) on investments will apply at the time of the making of an investment and shall not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of such investment. Except for the investment restrictions expressly identified as fundamental, or to the extent designated as such in the Prospectus with respect to a Fund, the other investment policies described in this SAI or in the Prospectus are not fundamental and may be changed by approval of the Trustees without shareholder approval.

The interest holders of each master portfolio have approved the same fundamental investment restrictions as the corresponding Fund.

Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions

In addition, it is contrary to the Non-Money Market Funds’ present policies, which may be changed without shareholder approval, to invest in (a) securities which are not readily marketable, (b) securities restricted as to resale (excluding securities determined by the Trustees of the Trust (or the person designated by the Trustees of the Trust to make such determinations) to be readily marketable), and (c) repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days, if, as a result, more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets (taken at current value) would be invested in securities described in (a), (b) and (c) above.

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

Introduction

The policies set forth below to be followed by the State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) and SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (“SSgA FM” and, collectively, the “Service Providers”) for the disclosure of information about the portfolio holdings of the SSgA Funds, State Street Master Funds, and State Street Institutional Investment Trust (each, a “Trust”). These disclosure policies are intended to ensure compliance by the Service Providers and the Trust with applicable regulations of the federal securities laws, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”) and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Board of Trustees of the Trust must approve all material amendments to the policy.

 

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General Policy

It is the policy of the Service Providers to protect the confidentiality of client holdings and prevent the selective disclosure of non-public information concerning the Trust.

Exception

No information concerning the portfolio holdings of the Trust may be disclosed to any party (including shareholders) except as provided below.

Publicly Available Information. Any party may disclose portfolio holdings information after the holdings are publicly available.

Disclosure of the complete holdings of each series of the Trust (each, a “Fund”) is required to be made quarterly within 60 days of the end of the Fund’s fiscal quarter in the Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report to Fund shareholders and in the quarterly holdings report on Form N-Q (filed after the first and third fiscal quarters). These reports are available, free of charge, on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov . Each Fund will also make complete portfolio holdings available generally no later than 60 calendar days after the end of such Fund’s fiscal quarter or subsequent to periodic portfolio holdings disclosure in the Fund’s filings with the SEC or on their website. Each money market fund generally will post on its website (or, in the case of a master fund, on the corresponding feeder fund’s website) a full list of its portfolio holdings each Friday reflecting the portfolio holdings of the fund on the immediately preceding Wednesday. Each money market fund will also post a full list of its portfolio holdings on its website (or, in the case of a master fund, on the corresponding feeder fund’s website) no later than the fifth business day of each month reflecting its portfolio holdings as of the last business day of the previous month. Such monthly posting shall contain such information as required by Rule 2a-7(c)(12) under the 1940 Act and remain posted on the website for not less than six months.

Press Interviews Brokers and Other Discussions

Portfolio managers and other senior officers or spokespersons of the Service Providers or the Trust may disclose or confirm the ownership of any individual portfolio holding position to reporters, brokers, shareholders, consultants or other interested persons only if such information has been previously publicly disclosed in accordance with these disclosure policies. For example, a portfolio manager discussing the Trust may indicate that he owns XYZ Company for the Trust only if the Trust’s ownership of such company has previously been publicly disclosed.

Trading Desk Reports

State Street Global Advisors’ trading desk may periodically distribute lists of investments held by its clients (including the Trust) for the general analytical research purposes. In no case may such lists identify individual clients or individual client position sizes. Furthermore, in the case of equity securities, such lists shall not show aggregate client position sizes.

Miscellaneous

Confidentiality Agreement . No non-public disclosure of the Trust’s portfolio holdings will be made to any party unless such party has signed a written Confidentiality Agreement. For purposes of the disclosure policies, any Confidentiality Agreement must be in a form and substance acceptable to, and approved by, the Trust’s officers.

Evaluation Service Providers. There are numerous mutual fund evaluation services (Morningstar and Lipper) and due diligence departments of broker-dealers and wirehouses that regularly analyze the portfolio holdings of mutual funds in order to monitor and report on various attributes. These services and departments then distribute the results of their analysis to the public, paid subscribers and/or in-house brokers. In order to facilitate the review of the Trust by these services and departments, the Trust may distribute (or authorize the Service Providers and the Trust’s custodian or fund accountants to distribute) month-end portfolio holdings to such services and departments only if such entity has executed a confidentiality agreement.

 

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Additional Restrictions . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trust’s Board of Trustees, State Street and SSgA FM may, on a case-by-case basis, impose additional restrictions on the dissemination of portfolio information beyond those found in these disclosure policies.

Waivers of Restrictions. These disclosure policies may not be waived, or exceptions made, without the consent of the Trust’s officers. All waivers and exceptions involving the Trust will be disclosed to the Board of Trustees of the Trust no later than its next regularly scheduled quarterly meeting.

Disclosures Required by Law . Nothing contained herein is intended to prevent the disclosure of portfolio holdings information as may be required by applicable law. For example, SSgA FM, State Street, the Trust or any of its affiliates or service providers may file any report required by applicable law (such as Schedules 13D, 13G and 13F or Form N-MFP), respond to requests from regulators and comply with valid subpoenas.

MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST

The Trustees are responsible for generally overseeing the Trust’s business. The following table provides information with respect to each Trustee, including those Trustees who are not considered to be “interested” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), and officer of the Trust.

 

NAME, ADDRESS,

AND AGE

 

POSITION(S)

HELD WITH

TRUST

  TERM OF
OFFICE AND
LENGTH OF
TIME
SERVED
 

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION

DURING PAST FIVE YEARS

  NUMBER OF
FUNDS IN
FUND
COMPLEX
OVERSEEN
BY TRUSTEE
 

OTHER

DIRECTORSHIPS

HELD BY TRUSTEE
DURING PAST FIVE
YEARS

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

         

Michael F. Holland

Holland & Company, LLC

375 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10152

YOB: 1944

  Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Board   Term:

Indefinite

Elected:
7/99

  Chairman, Holland & Company L.L.C. (investment adviser) (1995- present).   56   Trustee and Co-Chairman, State Street Master Funds; Trustee and Co-Chairman, SSgA Funds; Director, the Holland Series Fund, Inc.; Director, The China Fund, Inc.; Director, The Taiwan Fund, Inc.; Director, Reaves Utility Income Fund, Inc.; and Director, Blackstone/GSO Loan Funds.

Patrick J. Riley

State Street Financial Center

One Lincoln Street Boston, MA

02111-2900

YOB: 1948

  Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Board   Term:

Indefinite

Elected:
1/14

  2002 to May 2010, Associate Justice of the Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; 1985 to 2002, Partner, Riley, Burke & Donahue, L.L.P. (law firm); 1998 to Present, Independent Director, State Street Global Advisers Ireland, Ltd. (investment company); 1998 to Present, Independent Director, SSgA Liquidity plc (formerly, SSgA Cash Management Fund plc); January 2009 to Present, Independent Director, SSgA Fixed Income plc; and January 2009 to Present, Independent Director, SSgA Qualified Funds PLC.   56   Trustee and Co-Chairman, State Street Master Funds; Trustee and Co-Chairman, SSgA Funds; Board Director and Chairman, SPDR Europe 1PLC Board (2011-Present); Board Director and Chairman, SPDR Europe II, PLC (2013- Present).

 

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William L. Boyan

State Street Financial Center

One Lincoln Street Boston, MA

02111-2900

YOB: 1937

  Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Valuation Committee   Term:
Indefinite
Elected:
7/99
  President and Chief Operations Officer, John Hancock Financial Services (1959 – 1999). Mr. Boyan retired in 1999. Chairman Emeritus, Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA (1984 – 2011); Former Trustee of Old Mutual South Africa Master Trust (investments) (1995 – 2008); Former Chairman, Boston Plan For Excellence, Boston Public Schools (1995 – 2010); Member of Advisory Board of Florida Atlantic University Lifelong Learning Society.   56   Trustee, State Street Master Funds; Trustee, SSgA Funds; Former Trustee of Old Mutual South Africa Master Trust; Trustee, Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA.

William L. Marshall

State Street Financial Center

One Lincoln Street Boston,

MA 02111-2900

YOB: 1942

  Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Audit Committee   Term:

Indefinite

Elected:
1/14

  April 2011 to Present, Chairman (until April 2011, Chief Executive Officer and President), Wm. L. Marshall Associates, Inc., Wm. L. Marshall Companies, Inc. and the Marshall Financial Group, Inc. (a registered investment adviser and provider of financial and related consulting services); Certified Financial Planner; Member, Financial Planners Association; Director, SPCA of Bucks County, PA; and the Ann Silverman Community Clinic of Doylestown, PA.   56   Trustee, State Street Master Funds; Trustee, SSgA Funds; Director, Marshall Financial Group, Inc.

Richard D. Shirk

State Street Financial Center

One Lincoln Street Boston, MA

02111-2900

YOB: 1945

  Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee   Term:

Indefinite

Elected:
1/14

  March 2001 to April 2002, Chairman (1996 to March 2001, President and Chief Executive Officer), Cerulean Companies, Inc. (holding company) (Retired); 1992 to March 2001, President and Chief Executive Officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia (health insurer, managed healthcare); 1998 to December 2008, Chairman, Board Member and December 2008 to Present, Investment Committee Member, Healthcare Georgia Foundation (private foundation); September 2002 to Present, Lead Director and Board Member, Amerigroup Corp. (managed health care); 1999 to Present, Board Member and (since 2001) Investment Committee Member, Woodruff Arts Center; and 2003 to 2009, Trustee, Gettysburg College.   56   Trustee, State Street Master Funds; Trustee, SSgA Funds; Board member, AeroCare Holdings (privately held healthcare services company) (February 2003-Present); Board member, Regenesis Biomedical (health care services) (April 2012-Present).

 

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Rina K. Spence

State Street Financial Center

One Lincoln Street Boston, MA

02111-2900

YOB: 1948

  Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee and Co-Chairman of the Governance Committee   Term:
Indefinite
Elected:
7/99
  President of SpenceCare International LLC (international healthcare consulting) (1999 – present); Chief Executive Officer, IEmily.com (health internet company) (2000 – 2001); Chief Executive Officer of Consensus Pharmaceutical, Inc. (1998 – 1999); Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Spence Center for Women’s Health (1994 – 1998); President and CEO Emerson Hospital (1984 – 1994); Trustee, Eastern Enterprise (utilities) (1988 – 2000).     56      Trustee, State Street Master Funds; Trustee, SSgA Funds; Director, Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America (1993 – 2009); Director, IEmily.com, Inc. (2000 – 2010); and Trustee, National Osteoporosis Foundation (2005 – 2008).

Bruce D. Taber

State Street Financial Center

One Lincoln Street Boston, MA

02111-2900

YOB: 1943

  Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Valuation Committee and Co-Chairman of the Governance Committee   Term:

Indefinite

Elected:
1/14

  1999 to Present, Partner, Zenergy LLC (a technology company providing Computer Modeling and System Analysis to the General Electric Power Generation Division); Until December 2008, Independent Director, SSgA Cash Management Fund plc; Until December 2008, Independent Director, State Street Global Advisers Ireland, Ltd. (investment companies); and Until August 1994, President, Alonzo B. Reed, Inc., (a Boston architect-engineering firm).     56      Trustee, State Street Master Funds; Trustee, SSgA Funds.

Douglas T. Williams

State Street Financial Center

One Lincoln Street Boston, MA

02111-2900

YOB: 1940

  Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Audit Committee   Term:
Indefinite
Elected:
7/99
  President, Oakmonst Homeowners Association; President, Mariner Sands Chapel; Executive Vice President and member of Executive Committee, Chase Manhattan Bank (1987 -1999); President, Boston Stock Exchange Depository Trust Company, 1981-1982.     56      Trustee, State Street Master Funds; Trustee, SSgA Funds; Treasurer, Nantucket Educational Trust, (2002-2007).
INTERESTED TRUSTEES (1)          

Scott F. Powers

State Street Financial Center

One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111-2900

YOB: 1959

  Trustee   Term:

Indefinite

Elected

Trustee:
1/14

  May 2008 to Present, President and Chief Executive Officer of State Street Global Advisors; 2001 — 2008, Chief Executive Officer of Old Mutual Asset Management; Board of Directors, United Way of Massachusetts Bay; Board of Directors of Middlesex School; Incorporator, Cardigan Mountain School     56      Trustee, State Street Master Funds; Trustee, SSgA Funds.

 

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James E. Ross

SSgA Funds Management, Inc.

State Street Financial Center

One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111-2900

YOB: 1965

  Trustee   Term:

Indefinite

Elected

Trustee:
2/07

  Chairman and Director, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (2012 – present); President, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (2005 – 2012); Senior Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors (2006 – present); and Principal, State Street Global Advisors (2006 – present).   239   Trustee, State Street Master Funds; Trustee, SSgA Funds; Trustee, SPDR Series Trust; Trustee, SPDR Index Shares Funds; Trustee, Select Sector SPDR Trust; Trustee, SSgA Active ETF Trust; and Trustee, SSgA Master Trust.

 

(1)   Mr. Powers and Mr. Ross are Interested Trustees because of their employment by SSgA Funds Management, Inc., an affiliate of the Trust.

 

NAME, ADDRESS,

AND AGE

 

POSITION(S)

HELD WITH

TRUST

 

TERM OF

OFFICE AND

LENGTH OF

TIME SERVED

 

PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION

DURING PAST FIVE YEARS

OFFICERS:      

Ellen M. Needham

SSgA Funds Management, Inc.

State Street Financial Center

One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111-2900

YOB: 1967

  President   Term: Indefinite Elected: 10/12   President and Director, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (June 2012 – present); Chief Operating Officer, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (May 2010 – June 2012); Senior Managing Director, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (1992-2012) and Senior Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors (1992-present).*

Ann M. Carpenter

SSgA Funds Management, Inc.

State Street Financial Center

One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111-2900

YOB: 1966

  Vice President  

Term: Indefinite

Elected: 10/12

  Vice President, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (2008 – present); Chief Operating Officer, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (April 2014 – present); Principal, State Street Global Advisors (2005 – 2008 – present).*

Laura F. Dell

State Street Bank and Trust Company

4 Copley Place, 5th floor

Boston, MA 02116

YOB: 1964

  Treasurer   Term: Indefinite Elected: 11/10   Vice President, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2002 – present).*

Chad C. Hallett

State Street Bank and Trust Company

4 Copley Place, 5th floor

Boston, MA 02116

YOB: 1969

  Assistant Treasurer   Term: Indefinite Elected: 09/11   Vice President, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2001 – present).*

Caroline Connolly

State Street Bank and Trust Company

4 Copley Place, 5th floor

Boston, MA 02116

YOB: 1975

 

Assistant

Treasurer

  Term: Indefinite Elected: 09/11   Assistant Vice President, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2007 – present).

 

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Brian Harris

State Street Financial Center

One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

YOB: 1973

  Chief Compliance Officer  

Term: Indefinite

Elected: 11/13

  Vice President, State Street Global Advisors and SSgA Funds Management, Inc.( June 2013 - Present); Senior Vice President and Global Head of Investment Compliance, BofA Global Capital Management (September 2010 to May 2013); Director of Compliance, AARP Financial Inc. (July 2008 to August 2010).

David K. James

State Street Bank and Trust Company

4 Copley Place, 5th Floor

Boston, MA 02116

YOB: 1970

  Secretary  

Term: Indefinite

Elected: 4/13

  Vice President and Managing Counsel, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2009—present); Vice President and Counsel, PNC Global Investment Servicing (US), Inc. (2006–2009).

Kristin Schantz

State Street Bank and Trust Company

4 Copley Place, 5th Floor

Boston, MA 02116

YOB: 1979

 

Assistant

Secretary

 

Term: Indefinite

Elected: 2/14

  Vice President and Counsel, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2013 - present); Vice President, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (2008-2013).

 

* Served in various capacities and/or with various affiliated entities during noted time period.

The By-Laws of the Trust provide that the Trust shall indemnify each person who is or was a Trustee of the Trust against all expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceedings if the person in good faith and reasonably believes that his or her conduct was in the Trust’s best interest. The Trust, at its expense, provides liability insurance for the benefit of its Trustees and officers.

Summary of Trustees’ Qualifications

Following is a summary of the experience, attributes and skills which qualify each Trustee to serve on the Trust’s Board.

Michael F. Holland: Mr. Holland is an experienced business executive with over 43 years of experience in the financial services industry including 18 years as a portfolio manager of another registered mutual fund; his experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of State Street Institutional Investment Trust and State Street Master Funds for 14 years (since the trusts’ inception) and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of those trusts.

William L. Boyan: Mr. Boyan is an experienced business executive with over 41 years of experience in the insurance industry; his experience includes prior service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies and charities and an executive position with a major insurance company. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Master Funds for 14 years (since the trusts’ inception) and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of those trusts.

Rina K. Spence: Ms. Spence is an experienced business executive with over 33 years of experience in the health care industry; her experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies, charities and utility companies and chief executive positions for various health care companies. She has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Master Funds for 14 years (since the trusts’ inception) and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of those trusts.

 

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Douglas T. Williams: Mr. Williams is an experienced business executive with over 40 years of experience in the banking industry; his experience includes service as a trustee or director of various investment companies and charities and senior executive positions of major bank organizations. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Master Funds for 14 years (since the trusts’ inception) and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of those trusts.

James E. Ross: Mr. Ross is an experienced business executive with over 24 years of experience in the financial services industry; his experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies. He has served on the Board of Trustees of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Master Funds for six years and as President of the trusts for seven years and possesses significant experience regarding the trusts’ operations and history. Mr. Ross is also a senior executive officer of State Street Global Advisors.

William L. Marshall: Mr. Marshall is an experienced business executive with over 44 years of experience in the financial services industry; his experience includes service as an advisor trustee or officer of various investment companies and charities. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of SSgA Funds for 25 years and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust.

Patrick J. Riley: Mr. Riley is an experienced business executive with over 38 years of experience in the legal and financial services industries; his experience includes service as a trustee or director of various investment companies and Associate Justice of the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of SSgA Funds for 25 years and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust.

Richard D. Shirk: Mr. Shirk is an experienced business executive with over 45 years of experience in the health care and insurance industries and with investment matters; his experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various health care companies and nonprofit organizations. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of SSgA Funds for 25 years and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust.

Bruce D. Taber: Mr. Taber is an experienced business executive with over 40 years of experience in the power generation, technology and engineering industries; his experience includes service as a trustee or director of various investment companies. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of SSgA Funds for 22 years and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust.

Scott F. Powers: Mr. Powers is an experienced business executive with over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry; his experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies and charities. He was recently elected to the SSgA Funds’ Board of Trustees and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust. Mr. Powers is also the president and chief executive officer of the State Street Global Advisors.

References to the experience, attributes and skills of Trustees above are pursuant to requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), do not constitute holding out of the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.

Standing Committees

The Board of Trustees has established various committees to facilitate the timely and efficient consideration of various matters of importance to Independent Trustees, the Trust, and the Trust’s shareholders and to facilitate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Currently, the Board has created an Audit Committee, Governance Committee, Valuation Committee and Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee.

 

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The Audit Committee is composed of all of the Independent Trustees. The Audit Committee meets twice a year, or more often as required, in conjunction with meetings of the Board of Trustees. The Audit Committee oversees and monitors the Trust’s internal accounting and control structure, its auditing function and its financial reporting process. The Audit Committee is responsible for selecting and retaining the independent accountants for the Trust. The Audit Committee is responsible for approving the audit plans, fees and other material arrangements in respect of the engagement of the independent accountants, including non-audit services performed. The Audit Committee reviews the qualifications of the independent accountant’s key personnel involved in the foregoing activities and monitors the independent accountant’s independence. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Audit Committee held two meetings.

The Governance Committee is composed of all the Independent Trustees. The primary functions of the Governance Committee, including the Nominating Committee (a sub-committee of the Governance Committee), is to review and evaluate the composition and performance of the Board; make nominations for membership on the Board and committees; review the responsibilities of each committee; and review governance procedures, compensation of Independent Trustees, and independence of outside counsel to the Trustees. The Governance Committee performs an annual self-evaluation of Board members. The Governance Committee was established after the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.

The Valuation Committee is composed of all the Independent Trustees. The Valuation Committee’s primary purpose is to review the actions and recommendations of the Adviser’s Oversight Committee no less often than quarterly. The Trust has established procedures and guidelines for valuing portfolio securities and makes fair value determinations from time to time through the Valuation Committee, with the assistance of the Oversight Committee, State Street and SSgA FM. The Valuation Committee reviews the actions and recommendations of the Oversight Committee in connection with quarterly Board meetings. The Valuation Committee was established after the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.

The Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee (the “QLCC”) is composed of all the Independent Trustees. The primary functions of the QLCC are to receive quarterly reports from the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; to oversee generally the Trust’s responses to regulatory inquiries; and to investigate matters referred to it by the Chief Legal Officer and make recommendations to the Board regarding the implementation of an appropriate response to evidence of a material violation of the securities laws or breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by the Trust, its officers or the Trustees. The Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee was established after the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.

Leadership Structure and Risk Management Oversight

The Board has chosen to select different individuals as Co-Chairpersons of the Board of the Trust and as President of the Trust. Currently, Mr. Holland and Mr. Riley, both Independent Trustees, serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Board, Mr. Marshall and Mr. Williams serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Audit Committee, Mr. Shirk and Ms. Spence serve as Co-Chairpersons of the QLCC, Mr. Boyan and Mr. Taber serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Valuation Committee and Mr. Taber and Ms. Spence serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Governance Committee.

Mr. Powers and Mr. Ross, who are also employees of the Adviser, serve as Trustees of the Trust and Ellen Needham, who is also an employee of the Adviser, serves as President of the Trust. The Board believes that this leadership structure is appropriate, since Mr. Powers, Mr. Ross and Ms. Needham provide the Board with insight regarding the Trust’s day-to-day management, while Mr. Holland and Mr. Riley provide an independent perspective on the Trust’s overall operation and Mr. Marshall and Mr. Williams provide a specialized perspective on audit matters.

The Board has delegated management of the Trust to service providers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of risks applicable to the Trust. The Board oversees risk management for the Trust in several ways. The Board receives regular reports from both the chief compliance officer and administrator for the Trust, detailing the results of the Trust’s compliance with its Board-adopted policies and procedures, the investment policies and limitations of the Portfolios, and applicable provisions of the federal securities laws and Internal Revenue Code. As needed, the Adviser discusses management issues respecting the Trust with the Board, soliciting the Board’s input on many aspects of management, including potential risks to the Fund. The Board’s Audit Committee also receives reports on various aspects of risk that might affect the Trust and offers advice to management, as

 

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appropriate. The Trustees also meet in executive session with the independent counsel to the disinterested Trustees, the independent registered public accounting firm, counsel to the Trust, the chief compliance officer and representatives of management, as needed. Through these regular reports and interactions, the Board oversees the risk management parameters for the Trust, which are effected on a day-to-day basis by service providers to the Trust.

Trustee Ownership of Securities of the Trust, Adviser and Distributor

As of April 1, 2014 none of the Independent Trustees or their immediate family members had any ownership of securities of the Adviser or State Street Global Markets, LLC (“SSGM”), the Trust’s distributor, or any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser or SSGM.

The following table sets forth information describing the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee in the Trust as of December 31, 2013.

 

Name of Independent Trustee

   Dollar Range Of Equity Securities In Each Fund    Aggregate Dollar Range
Of Equity Securities In
All Registered Investment
Companies Overseen  By
Trustees In Family of
Investment Companies

William L. Boyan

   None    None    None

Michael F. Holland

   None    None    None

William L. Marshall

   None    None    Over $100,000

Patrick J. Riley

   None    None    Over $100,000

Richard D. Shirk

   None    None    Over $100,000

Rina K. Spence

   None    None    None

Bruce D. Taber

   None    None    Over $100,000

Douglas T. Williams

   None    None    None

Name of Interested Trustee

    

Scott F. Powers

   None    None    Over $100,000

James E. Ross

   None    None    Over $100,000

Trustee Compensation

As of January 24, 2014, each Independent Trustee receives for his or her services to the State Street Master Funds, State Street Institutional Investment Trust and SSgA Funds, a $141,500 annual base retainer in addition to $18,000 for each in-person meeting and $2,000 for each telephonic meeting from the Trust. The Trust will bear a pro rata allocation based on the Trust’s average monthly assets. The Co-Chairmen receive an additional $44,000 annual retainer.

The following table sets forth the total remuneration of Trustees and officers of the Trust for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.

 

    AGGREGATE
COMPENSATION
FROM TRUST
    PENSION OR
RETIREMENT
BENEFITS
ACCRUED AS
PART OF TRUST
EXPENSES
    ESTIMATED
ANNUAL
BENEFITS
UPON

RETIREMENT
    TOTAL
COMPENSATION
FROM TRUST &
FUND COMPLEX
PAID TO TRUSTEES
 

NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE

       

William L. Boyan, Trustee

  $ 129,250      $ 0      $ 0      $ 129,250   

Michael F. Holland, Trustee

  $ 159,250      $ 0      $ 0      $ 159,250   

William L. Marshall, Trustee*

  $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0   

Patrick J. Riley, Trustee*

  $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0   

Richard D. Shirk, Trustee*

  $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0   

Rina K. Spence, Trustee

  $ 127,500      $ 0      $ 0      $ 127,500   

Bruce D. Taber, Trustee*

  $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0   

Douglas T. Williams, Trustee

  $ 139,250      $ 0      $ 0      $ 139,250   

NAME OF INTERESTED TRUSTEE

                       

Scott F. Powers, Trustee*

  $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0   

James E. Ross, Trustee

  $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0   

 

* Elected in January 2014.

 

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Code of Ethics

The Trust, the Adviser and SSGM have each adopted a code of ethics (together, the “Codes of Ethics”) under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. The Codes of Ethics permit personnel, subject to the Codes of Ethics and their provisions, to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Trust, Adviser, State Street or SSGM.

PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES

The Trust has adopted proxy voting procedures pursuant to which the Trust delegates the responsibility for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Portfolios to the Adviser as part of the Adviser’s general management of the Portfolios, subject to the Board’s continuing oversight. A copy of the Trust’s proxy voting procedures is located in Appendix B and a copy of the Adviser’s proxy voting procedures is located in Appendix C.

Shareholders may receive information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ending June 30 (i) by calling (877) 521-4083 or (ii) on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov .

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

As of June [     ], 2014, the Trustees and officers of the Trust owned in the aggregate less than 1% of the shares of each class (if applicable) of each Fund of the Trust.

Persons or organizations owning 25% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund may be presumed to “control” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) a Fund. As a result, these persons or organizations could have the ability to approve or reject those matters submitted to the shareholders of such Fund for their approval. As of June [     ], 2014, to the knowledge of the Trust, the following persons held of record or beneficially through one or more accounts 25% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of the Funds.

[TO BE UPDATED]

 

Name and Address

   Percentage  

State Street Equity 500 Index Fund — Administrative Shares

  

American United Life Insurance Company

  

American Unit Trust

  

One American Square

  

P.O. Box 1995

  

Indianapolis, IN 46206

     95.37

State Street Equity 500 Index Fund — Class R Shares

  

American United Life Insurance Company

  

American Unit Trust

  

One America Square

  

P.O. Box 1995

  

Indianapolis, IN 46206

     97.91

 

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State Street Equity 500 Index Fund — Service Shares

  

Nationwide Trust Company

  

FBO Participating Retirement Plans (VNRS)

  

C/O IPO Portfolio Accounting

  

P.O. Box 182029

  

Columbus, OH 43218-2029

     34.59

Calvert Distributors Inc.

  

FBO DC Plan

  

4550 Montgomery Ave.

  

Suite 1000N

  

Bethesda, MD 20814

     52.91

State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund – Institutional Class

  

State Street Bank and Trust FBO Cash Sweep Clients

  

State Street Cash Sweep Support

  

Attn: Cash Sweep Sup- Rick Letham

  

1200 Crown Colony Drive CC13

  

Quincy, MA 02169-0938

     46.22

State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund – Class M

  

State Street Bank and Trust FBO Cash Sweep Clients

  

State Street Cash Sweep Support

  

Attn: Cash Sweep Sup- Rick Letham

  

1200 Crown Colony Drive CC13

  

Quincy, MA 02169-0938

     100

State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund — Investment Class

  

Saturn & Co C/O State Street Bank & Trust

  

Attn: FCG 124

  

200 Clarendon

  

Boston, MA 02116-5021

     38.78

Saturn & Co

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Operations

  

1200 Crown Colony Drive, CC1-3

  

Quincy, MA 02169-0938

     51.98

State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund – Investment Class

  

Saturn & Co C/O State Street Bank & Trust

  

Attn: FCG 124

  

200 Clarendon Street

  

Boston, MA 02116-5021

     94.66

State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund – Institutional Class

  

State Street Bank and Trust FBO

  

Cash Sweep Clients

  

Attn: Cash Sweep Support- Rick Letham

  

1200 Crown Colony Drive CC13

  

Quincy, MA 02169-0938

     83.45

State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund – Institutional Class

  

State Street Bank and Trust FBO

  

Cash Sweep Clients

  

Attn: Cash Sweep Support- Rick Letham

  

1200 Crown Colony Drive CC13

  

Quincy, MA 02169-0938

     71.09

 

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State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund – Investment Class

  

Saturn & Co C/O State Street Bank & Trust

  

Attn: FCG 124

  

200 Clarendon

  

Boston, MA 02116-5021

     96.51

State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund – Investment Class

  

Saturn & Co C/O State Street Bank & Trust

  

Attn: FCG 124

  

200 Clarendon

  

Boston, MA 02116-5021

     68.49

State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund – Institutional Class

  

State Street Bank & Trust FBO

  

Cash Sweep Clients

  

Attn: Cash Sweep Support — Rick Letham

  

1200 Crown Colony Drive CC13

  

Quincy, MA 02169-0938

     89.19

State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund – Investment Class

  

Saturn & Co C/O State Street Bank and Trust

  

Attn: FCG 124

  

200 Clarendon

  

Boston, MA 02116-5021

     59.98

State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund – Institutional Class

  

State Street Bank and Trust FBO Cash Sweep Clients

  

Attn: Cash Sweep Support-Rick Letham

  

1200 Crown Colony Drive CC13

  

Quincy, MA 02169-0938

     84.95

American Beacon S&P 500 Index Fund -Institutional Class

  

JP Morgan Chase Bank

  

C/O JP Morgan/American Century RPS

  

P.O. Box 419784

  

Kansas City, MO 64141-6784

     96.68

American Beacon S&P 500 Index Fund -Investor Class

  

TD Ameritrade Inc for the Exclusive benefit of our Clients

  

PO Box 2226

  

Omaha, NE 68103-2226

     30.63

As of April 1, 2014, to the knowledge of the Trust, the following persons held of record or beneficially through one or more accounts 5% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of the Funds.

 

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Name and Address

   Percentage  

State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund - Institutional Class

  

Kuwait Investment Authority

  

Attn: Adel N. Hamadah

  

Ministries Complex Al Murgab Blk 3

  

Investment Accts Dept Fl 2

  

PO Box 64

  

Safat Kuwait 13001

     8.06

State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund

  

TyphoonBass & Co

  

12 Crown Colony Dr

  

Quincy, MA 02169-0938

     23.99

Cyr & Co C/O State Street Bank & Trust - Investment Class

  

1200 Crown Colony Drive Ste C1/3

  

Quincy, Ma 02116-0938

     16.04

Saturn and Company- Institutional Class

c/o State Street Bank and Trust

  

Attn FCG 124

  

200 Clarendon

  

Boston, MA 02116-5021

     6.30

Cyr & Co C/O State Street Bank & Trust - Institutional Class

  

1200 Crown Colony Drive Ste C 1 / 3

  

Quincy, MA 02169-0938

     8.17

State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund

  

Saturn and Company

  

c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company

  

Attn: FCG 124

  

200 Clarendon

  

Boston, MA 02116-5021

     6.95

State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund

  

Mainstay Marketfield Fund

  

Attn Allan Kiser

  

292 Madison Ave FL 14

  

New York, NY 10017-6348

     11.92

Stormcrew and Co

  

C/O State Street Bank and Trust Company

  

1200 Crown Colony Dr

  

Quincy, MA 02169-0938

     5.94

State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund

  

JP Morgan Clearing Corp.

  

Attn: Denise Dilorenzo

  

3 Chase Metrotech Center

  

Brooklyn, NY 11245-0001

     6.25

 

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DST as Agent for Van Eck

  

Universal Account

  

FBO Van Eck Money Fund

  

Attn: Bruce J. Smith

  

335 Madison Avenue 19th floor

  

New York, NY 10017-4611

     23.60

Neuberger Berman Management LLC FBO

  

Neuberger Berman Funds Shareholders

  

Attn Owen F. McEntee Jr.

  

605 Third Avenue Mail Drop 2-7

  

New York, NY 10158

     6.19

American Beacon S&P 500 Index Fund - Investor Class

  

National Financial Services Corp

  

For the Exclusive Benefit of our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds 5 th floor

  

200 Liberty Street

  

One World Financial Center

  

New York, NY 10281-1003

     16.33

Charles Schwab & Co.

  

For the Exclusive Benefit of our Customers

  

Attn: Mutual Funds Operations

  

9601 E. Panorama Center

  

Englewood, CO 80112-3441

     22.54

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

Investment Advisory Agreements

SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (“SSgA FM” or the “Adviser”) is responsible for the investment management of the Funds pursuant to Investment Advisory Agreements dated May 1, 2001, February 14, 2002, February 7, 2007, October 2, 2007 and February 18, 2011, as amended from time to time (the “Advisory Agreement”), by and between the Adviser and the Trust. The Adviser and State Street are wholly- owned subsidiaries of State Street Corporation, a publicly held bank holding company.

Each Fund currently invests all of its assets in a related Portfolio that has the same investment objectives and substantially the same investment policies as the relevant Fund. As long as a Fund remains completely invested in a Portfolio (or any other investment company), the Adviser is not entitled to receive any investment advisory fee with respect to the Fund. A Fund may withdraw its investment from the related Portfolio at any time. The Trust has retained the Adviser as investment adviser to manage a Fund’s assets in the event that the Fund withdraws its investment from its related Portfolio.

On February 18, 2011, the investment advisory agreement for each Money Fund was amended to reduce the management fee payable to SSgA FM to 0.05% of the Money Fund’s average daily net assets. SSgA FM does not receive any investment advisory fees from a Money Fund so long as the Money Fund invests substantially all of its assets in a Money Portfolio or in another investment company with essentially the same investment objectives and policies as the Money Fund.

The Adviser is also the investment adviser to each of the related Portfolios pursuant to investment advisory agreements (the “Portfolio Advisory Agreement”) between the Adviser and State Street Master Funds, on behalf of the Portfolios. The Adviser receives an investment advisory fee with respect to each related Portfolio. The Portfolio Advisory Agreement is the same in all material respects as the Advisory Agreement between the Trust on behalf of the Funds and the Adviser. Each Fund that invests in a related Portfolio bears a proportionate part of the management fees paid by the Portfolio (based on the percentage of the Portfolio’s assets attributable to the Fund).

 

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The Advisory Agreement will continue from year to year provided that a majority of the Trustees and a majority of the Independent Trustees or a majority of the shareholders of the Trust approve its continuance. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated by the Adviser or the Trust without penalty upon sixty days’ notice and will terminate automatically upon its assignment. The Advisory Agreement was most recently approved by the Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, on November 13, 2013.

The Adviser and its affiliates may have deposit, loan and other commercial banking relationships with the issuers of obligations that may be purchased on behalf of the Funds, including outstanding loans to such issuers that could be repaid in whole or in part with the proceeds of securities so purchased. Such affiliates deal, trade and invest for their own accounts in such obligations and are among the leading dealers of various types of such obligations. The Adviser has informed the Funds that, in making its investment decisions, it will not obtain or use material inside information in its possession or in the possession of any of its affiliates. In making investment recommendations for a Fund, the Adviser will not inquire or take into consideration whether an issuer of securities proposed for purchase or sale by the Fund is a customer of the Adviser, its parent or its subsidiaries or affiliates and, in dealing with its customers, the Adviser, its parent, subsidiaries and affiliates will not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of such customers were held by any Fund managed by the Adviser or any such affiliate.

In certain instances there may be securities that are suitable for a Fund as well as for one or more of the Adviser’s other clients. Investment decisions for the Trust and for the Adviser’s other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives. It may develop that a particular security is bought or sold for only one client even though it might be held by, or bought or sold for, other clients. Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more clients are selling that same security. Some simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several clients receive investment advice from the same investment adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objectives of more than one client. When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner believed to be equitable to each. It is recognized that in some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as the Fund is concerned. However, it is believed that the ability of each Fund to participate in volume transactions will produce better executions for the Funds.

Effective August 1, 2009, SSgA FM contractually agreed to cap the total operating expenses of Institutional Class and Investment Class of the ILR Fund (excluding taxes, interest and extraordinary expenses), to the extent expenses exceed 0.12% and 0.47%, respectively, of each class’s average daily net assets on an annualized basis, until April 30, 2015. For the years ended December 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, SSgA FM reimbursed the ILR Fund $0, $0 and $0, respectively, under these agreements. Additionally, the Adviser may reimburse expenses or waive fees to avoid negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level. Any such waiver or reimbursement would be voluntary and may be revised or cancelled at any time without notice. The ILR Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2013. The investment adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the fund, without limitation. For the year ended December 31, 2013, SSgA FM voluntarily waived fees of $0 on the ILR Fund.

The Adviser may reimburse expenses or waive fees to avoid negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level. Any such waiver or reimbursement would be voluntary and may be revised or cancelled at any time without notice. The Tax Free Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2013. The investment adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the fund, without limitation. For the year ended December 31, 2013, SSgA FM voluntarily waived fees of $418,224on the Tax Free Fund.

Effective August 1, 2009, SSgA FM contractually agreed to cap the total operating expenses of the Institutional Class and Investment Class of the U.S. Government Fund (excluding taxes, interest and extraordinary expenses), to the extent expenses exceed 0.12% and 0.47% respectively, of each class’s average daily net assets on an annualized basis, until April 30, 2015. For the years ended December 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, SSgA FM reimbursed the U.S. Government Fund $0, $334,991 and $156,552, respectively, under this agreement. Additionally, the Adviser may reimburse expenses or waive fees to avoid negative yield (the “Voluntary

 

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Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level. Any such waiver or reimbursement would be voluntary and may be revised or cancelled at any time without notice. The U.S. Government Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2013. The investment adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the fund, without limitation. For the year ended December 31, 2013, SSgA FM voluntarily waived fees of $1,976,248 on the U.S. Government Fund.

The Adviser may reimburse expenses or waive fees of the Institutional Class and Investment Class of the Treasury Fund to avoid negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level. Any such waiver or reimbursement would be voluntary and may be revised or cancelled at any time without notice. The Treasury Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2013. The investment adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the fund, without limitation. For the year ended December 31, 2013, SSgA FM voluntarily waived fees of $6,058,938 on the Treasury Fund.

Effective August 1, 2009, SSgA FM contractually agreed to cap the total operating expenses of the Institutional Class and Investment Class of the Treasury Plus Fund (excluding taxes, interest and extraordinary expenses), to the extent expenses exceeded 0.12% and 0.47%, respectively, of each class’s average daily net assets on an annualized basis, until April 30, 2015. For the years ended December 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, SSgA FM reimbursed the Treasury Plus Fund $266,958, $325,670 and $297,688, respectively, under this agreement. Additionally, the Adviser may reimburse expenses or waive fees to avoid negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level. Any such waiver or reimbursement would be voluntary and may be revised or cancelled at any time without notice. The Treasury Plus Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2013. The investment adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the fund, without limitation. For the year ended December 31, 2013, SSgA FM voluntarily waived fees of $1,004,830 on the Treasury Plus Fund.

On April 29, 2010, SSgA FM contractually agreed to cap the total operating expenses of the Equity 2000 Index Fund (excluding pass-through expenses of the Equity 2000 Index Portfolio, non-recurring account fees and extraordinary expenses) to the extent that total operating expenses do not exceed 0.05% of the Equity 2000 Index Fund’s average daily net assets on an annualized basis. This contractual agreement remain in effect until April 30, 2015 and shall automatically renew for successive annual periods, unless SSgA FM provides notice to the Fund of its intent not to renew prior to the start of the next annual period. This agreement may not be terminated without prior approval from the Board of Trustees. For the years ended December 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, SSgA FM reimbursed the Equity 2000 Index Fund $0, $0 and $0, respectively, under this agreement.

Administrator

Under the Administrative Services Agreement (the “Non-Money Market Funds Administration Agreement”), State Street is obligated on a continuous basis to provide such administrative services as the Board of Trustees of the Trust reasonably deems necessary for the proper administration of the Trust and all Funds except the Money Market Funds (the “Non-Money Market Funds”). State Street will generally assist in all aspects of the Trust’s and the Non-Money Market Funds’ operations; supply and maintain office facilities (which may be in State Street’s own offices); provide statistical and research data, data processing services, clerical, accounting, bookkeeping and record keeping services (including without limitation the maintenance of such books and records as are required under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, except as maintained by other agents), internal auditing, executive and administrative services, and stationery and office supplies; prepare reports to shareholders or investors; prepare and file tax returns; supply financial information and supporting data for reports to and filings with the SEC and various state Blue Sky authorities; supply supporting documentation for meetings of the Board of Trustees; provide monitoring reports and assistance regarding compliance with Declarations of Trust, by-laws, the Non-Money Market Funds’ investment objectives and policies and with Federal and state securities laws; arrange for appropriate insurance coverage; calculate NAVs, net income and realized capital gains or losses; and negotiate arrangements with, and supervise and coordinate the activities of, agents and others to supply services. Pursuant to the Non-Money Market Funds’ Administration Agreement, the Trust has agreed to a limitation on damages and to indemnify the Administrator for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under federal securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from the Administrator’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties.

 

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Effective February 1, 2011, SSgA FM serves as the administrator for the Money Funds pursuant to an Amended and Restated Administration Agreement. Under the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement, SSgA FM is obligated to continuously provide business management services to the Trust and each Money Fund and will generally, subject to the general oversight of the Trustees and except as otherwise provided in the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement, manage all of the business and affairs of the Trust. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, SSgA FM supplies the Trust and each Money Fund with the following services, among others, under the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement: provide the Trust with adequate office space and all necessary office equipment and services; prepare and submit reports and meeting materials to the Board of Trustees and to existing shareholders for meetings of shareholders; assist the Funds in posting and maintaining required schedules of investments and related information on their websites; prepare reports relating to the business and affairs of the Trust as may be mutually agreed upon; provide to the Trust’s Board of Trustees periodic and special reports and recommendations; coordinate the meetings of the Board and its Committees; provide consultation on regulatory matters relating to portfolio management; act as liaison to legal counsel to the Trust; assist the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer with issues regarding the Trust’s compliance program; perform certain compliance procedures for the Trust; provide consultation and advice for resolving compliance questions together with the Funds’ outside legal counsel; provide periodic testing of portfolios; maintain and preserve, or oversee the maintenance and preservation of, accounts, books, financial records and other documents as required by the 1940 Act, applicable federal and state laws and any other law or administrative rules or procedures which may be applicable to a Fund (including in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles to the extent required under applicable law); facilitate audits of accounts by a Fund’s independent public accountants; oversee the determination and publication of the Trust’s net asset value in accordance with the Trust’s policy as adopted from time to time by the Board; prepare the Trust’s federal, state and local income tax returns for review by the Trust’s independent accountants and filing by the Trust’s treasurer; review the calculation of, submit for approval by officers of the Trust and arrange for payment of the Trust’s expenses; and prepare and file with the SEC amendments to the Trust’s registration statement, including updating the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. Prior to February 1, 2011, State Street served as the administrator for the Money Funds. The nature and amount of services provided by SSgA under the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement may vary as between classes of shares of a Fund, and a Fund may pay fees to SSgA FM under that Agreement at different rates in respect of its different share classes.

Sub-Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent

Effective February 1, 2011, State Street serves as the sub-administrator for the Money Funds pursuant to a Sub-Administration Agreement among SSgA FM, State Street and, for certain limited purposes, the Trust. Under the Sub-Administration Agreement for the Money Funds (the “State Street Administration Agreement”), State Street is obligated to provide administrative services to the Trust and the Money Market Funds. State Street provides the following services, among others, to the Trust and the Money Market Funds under the Sub-Administration Agreement: supply and maintain office facilities (which may be in State Street’s own offices); provide statistical and research data, data processing services, clerical, accounting, bookkeeping and record keeping services (including without limitation the maintenance of such books and records as are required under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, except as maintained by other agents), internal auditing, executive and administrative services, and stationery and office supplies; prepare reports to shareholders or investors; prepare and file tax returns; supply financial information and supporting data for reports to and filings with the SEC and various state Blue Sky authorities; supply supporting documentation for meetings of the Board of Trustees; provide monitoring reports and assistance regarding compliance with Declarations of Trust, by-laws, the Money Market Funds’ investment objectives and policies and with Federal and state securities laws; arrange for appropriate insurance coverage; calculate NAVs, net income and realized capital gains or losses; and negotiate arrangements with, and supervise and coordinate the activities of, agents and others to supply services. State Street also provides such other services with respect to the Trust or a Money Market Fund as agreed with SSgA FM from time to time.

State Street serves as Custodian for the Funds pursuant to the Custody Agreement and holds the Funds’ assets.

 

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State Street also serves as Transfer Agent of the Equity 500 Index Fund, Equity 400 Index Fund, Equity 2000 Index Fund and Aggregate Bond Index Fund. Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. serves as Transfer Agent to all other Funds in this SAI.

As consideration for State Street’s services as administrator, transfer agent and custodian to the Equity 500 Index Fund, and for State Street’s assumption of the ordinary expenses of that Fund, State Street receives from the Equity 500 Index Fund an annual fee, accrued daily at the rate of 1/365th of the applicable fee rate and payable monthly on the first business day of each month, of the following annual percentages of the Equity 500 Index Fund’s average daily net assets during the month:

 

Index Fund

   Annual percentage
of average daily
net assets
 

Equity 500 Index Fund

  

- Administrative Shares

     0.05

- Service Shares

     0.05

- Class R Shares

     0.05

As consideration for State Street’s services as administrator and custodian to the other non-Money Market Funds, State Street shall receive from each such Fund an annual fee, accrued daily at the rate of 1/365th and payable monthly on the first business day of each month, pursuant to the following schedule:

Annual Fee Schedule

$25,000 for Administration Services

$12,600 for Custody and Accounting Services

Except as noted below, as consideration for SSgA FM’s services as administrator to each Money Fund, SSgA FM receives an annual fee of 0.05% of the average daily net assets of such Money Fund, accrued daily at the rate of 1/365th and payable monthly on the first business day of each month.

As consideration for SSgA FM’s services as administrator with respect to the ILR Fund, SSgA FM receives a fee at the annual rate of 0.05% of the average daily net assets attributable to each class of shares of the Fund other than the amounts attributable to the Class M shares, in respect of which it receives a fee at an annual rate of 0.03% of the average daily net assets attributable to that share class. The fees are accrued daily at the rate of 1/365th and payable monthly on the first business day of each month.

As consideration for State Street’s services as sub-administrator, custodian and accounting agent for each Money Fund, State Street receives annual fees, accrued daily at the rate of 1/365th and payable monthly on the first business day of each month, pursuant to the following schedule:

Annual Fee Schedule

$25,000 for Sub-Administration Services (payable by SSgA FM with respect to each Money Fund)

$12,600 for Custody and Accounting Services (payable by each Money Fund)

 

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The administration, custodian and transfer agency fees (if applicable) paid to State Street for the last three fiscal years are set forth in the table below.

 

Fund

   Fiscal year
ended

December 31,
2011
     Fiscal year
ended

December 31,
2012
     Fiscal year
ended
December 31,
2013
 

Equity 500 Index Fund

   $ 130,031       $ 141,704       $ 169,918   

ILR Fund

   $ 42,321       $ 42,566       $ 42,239   

Tax Free Fund

   $ 42,256       $ 42,065       $ 42,069   

U.S. Government Fund

   $ 42,256       $ 42,066       $ 42,069   

Treasury Fund

   $ 42,271       $ 42,103       $ 42,069   

Treasury Plus Fund

   $ 42,330       $ 42,189       $ 42,108   

Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. (“BFDS”) serves as the Transfer and Dividend Paying Agent. BFDS is a joint venture of State Street Corporation and DST Systems, Inc. BFDS is paid for the following annual account services: opening an account; closing an account; investor services; CDSC services; omnibus transparency services; and investigation services. BFDS is also paid for the following activities: telephone calls; teleservicing; telephone transactions; fulfillment; IRA custodial services; and charges related to compliance and regulatory services.

Portfolio fees are allocated to each Fund based on the average net asset value of each Fund and are billable on a monthly basis at the rate of 1/12 of the annual fee. BFDS is reimbursed by each Fund for supplying certain out-of-pocket expenses including confirmation statements, investor statements, banking fees, postage, forms, audio response, telephone, records retention, customized programming/enhancements, reports, transcripts, microfilm, microfiche, and expenses incurred at the specific direction of the Fund. BFDS’s principal business address is 2 Heritage Drive, North Quincy, MA 02171.

The transfer agency fees paid to BFDS for the last three fiscal years are set forth in the table below.

 

Fund

   Fiscal year ended
December 31,
2011
     Fiscal year ended
December 31
2012
     Fiscal year ended
December 31

2013
 

ILR Fund

   $ 44,500       $ 60,679       $ 72,521   

Tax Free Fund

   $ 21,264       $ 21,875       $ 22,692   

U.S. Government Fund

   $ 32,490       $ 37,153       $ 40,837   

Treasury Fund

   $ 22,156       $ 24,730       $ 26,921   

Treasury Plus Fund

   $ 21,758       $ 21,085       $ 22,478   

Shareholder Servicing and Distribution Plans

To compensate State Street Global Markets, LLC (“SSGM”) for the services it provides and for the expenses it bears in connection with the distribution of shares of the Funds, each Fund may make payments from the assets attributable to certain classes of its shares to SSGM under a distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the “Distribution Plan”). The Distribution Plan is a compensation plan that provides for payments at annual rates (based on average daily net assets) set out below. Because Rule 12b-1 fees are paid on an ongoing basis, they will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales loads. It is expected that SSGM will pay substantially all of the amounts it receives under the Plan to intermediaries involved in the sale of shares of the Funds, including affiliates of the Advisor. The principal business address of SSGM is One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111. SSGM is the Funds’ distributor.

The Distribution Plan will continue in effect with respect to a class of shares of a Fund only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of both a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”) and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Plan or in any agreements related thereto (the “Qualified Distribution Plan Trustees”). The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of a Fund’s permitted expenses thereunder without the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of the affected share class and may not be materially amended in any case without a vote

 

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of the majority of both the Trustees and the Qualified Distribution Plan Trustees. As of December 31, 2013 none of the Independent Trustees of the Trust had a direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Rule 12b-1 Plan. The Rule 12b-1 Plan calls for payments at an annual rate (based on average net assets) as follows:

 

State Street Equity 500 Index Fund — Administrative Shares:

     0.15

State Street Equity 500 Index Fund — Service Shares:

     0.25

State Street Equity 500 Index Fund — Class R Shares:

     0.60

State Street Equity 400 Index Fund:

     0.25

State Street Equity 2000 Index Fund:

     0.25

State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund:

     0.25

ILR Fund — Investment Class:

     0.10

U.S. Government Fund — Investment Class:

     0.10

Tax Free Fund — Investment Class:

     0.10

Treasury Fund — Investment Class:

     0.10

Treasury Plus Fund — Investment Class:

     0.10

Limited Duration Bond Fund

     0.05

The total Distributor fees paid to SSGM and Other Intermediaries pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 Plan for the last fiscal year are reflected in the chart below.

 

Fund

   SSGM
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31,
2013
     Other
Intermediaries
Fiscal Year
Ended
December 31,
2013
 

Equity 500 Index Fund: Administrative Shares

   $ 0       $ 307,944   

Equity 500 Index Fund: Service Shares

   $ 0       $ 266,571   

Equity 500 Index Fund: Class R Shares

   $ 0       $ 167,470   

ILR Fund: Investment Class

   $ 0       $ 0   

Tax Free Fund: Investment Class

   $ 0       $ 0   

U.S. Government Fund: Investment Class

   $ 0       $ 0   

Treasury Fund: Investment Class

   $ 0       $ 0   

Treasury Plus Fund: Investment Class

   $ 0       $ 0   

Pursuant to a Shareholder Servicing Plan, the Trust may pay a shareholder servicing fee for the provision of personal services to and the maintenance of shareholder accounts of investors in the Investment Class and Service Class of the Money Market Funds. Shareholder servicing fees paid for the last fiscal year included amounts paid to State Street Bank and Trust Company, Wealth Management Services (“WMS”), an affiliate of the Adviser. WMS is among the financial intermediaries which may receive fees from the Rule 12b-1 Plan.

The Shareholder Servicing Plan calls for payments at an annual rate (based on average net assets) as follows:

 

     Investment Class     Service Class  

ILR Fund

     0.25     0.05

U.S. Government Fund

     0.25     0.05

Tax Free Fund

     0.25     0.05

Treasury Fund

     0.25     0.05

Treasury Plus Fund

     0.25     0.05

 

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Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Ropes & Gray LLP serves as counsel to the Trust. The principal business address of Ropes & Gray LLP is 800 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02199. Joseph P. Barri LLC, located at 259 Robbins Street, Milton, Massachusetts 02186, serves as independent counsel to the independent Trustees.

Ernst & Young LLP serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Trust and provides (i) audit services and (ii) tax services. In connection with the audit of the 2013 financial statements, the Trust entered into an engagement agreement with Ernst & Young LLP that sets forth the terms of Ernst & Young LLP’s audit engagement. The principal business address of Ernst & Young LLP is 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

The following persons serve as the portfolio managers of the Equity 500 Portfolio as of the date of this SAI. The following table lists the number and types of accounts managed by each individual and assets under management in those accounts as of December 31, 2013:

 

Portfolio

Manager

 

Portfolio

  Registered
Investment
Company
Accounts
    Assets
Managed
($ billions)
    Other
Pooled
Investment
Vehicle
Accounts
    Assets
Managed
($ billions)
    Other
Accounts
    Assets
Managed
$ billions)
    Total
Assets
Managed
($ billions)
 

John A. Tucker

  Equity 500 Index Portfolio     113      $ 161.48        261      $ 408.54        508      $ 476.58      $ 1,046.60   

Karl Schneider

  Equity 500 Index Portfolio     113      $ 161.48        261      $ 408.54        508      $ 467.58      $ 1,046.60   

As indicated in the table above, portfolio managers at the Adviser may manage numerous accounts for multiple clients. These accounts may include registered investment companies (which include exchange-traded funds), other types of pooled accounts (e.g., collective investment funds), and separate accounts (i.e., accounts managed on behalf of individuals or public or private institutions). Portfolio managers make investment decisions for each account based on the investment objectives and policies and other relevant investment considerations applicable to that portfolio. The portfolio managers do not beneficially own any shares of any Portfolio as of December 31, 2013.

When a portfolio manager has responsibility for managing more than one account, potential conflicts of interest may arise. Those conflicts may arise out of: (a) the portfolio manager’s execution of different investment strategies for various accounts; or (b) the allocation of resources or investment opportunities.

A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the portfolio managers’ responsibility for multiple accounts with similar investment guidelines. Under these circumstances, a potential investment may be suitable for more than one of the portfolio manager’s accounts, but the quantity of the investment available for purchase is less than the aggregate amount the accounts would ideally devote to the opportunity. Similar conflicts may arise when multiple accounts seek to dispose of the same investment. The portfolio manager may also manage accounts whose objectives and policies differ from that of the respective Portfolio. These differences may be such that under certain circumstances, trading activity appropriate for one account managed by the portfolio manager may have adverse consequences for another account managed by the portfolio manager. For example, an account may sell a significant position in a security, which could cause the market price of that security to decrease, while the fund maintained its position in that security.

A potential conflict may arise when the portfolio manager is responsible for accounts that have different advisory fees. The difference in fees could create an incentive for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another, for example, in terms of access to investment opportunities. This conflict may be heightened if an account is subject to a performance-based fee. Another potential conflict may arise when the portfolio manager has an investment in one or more accounts that participates in transactions with other accounts. His or her investment(s) may create an incentive for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another. The

 

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Adviser has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to address these potential material conflicts. For instance, portfolio managers within the Adviser are normally responsible for all accounts within a certain investment discipline and do not, absent special circumstances, differentiate among the various accounts when allocating resources. Additionally, the Adviser and its advisory affiliates have processes and procedures for allocating investment opportunities among portfolios that are designed to be fair and equitable.

The compensation of SSgA’s investment professionals is based on a number of factors, including external benchmarking data and market trends, State Street performance, SSgA performance, and individual performance. Each year our Global Human Resources department participates in compensation surveys in order to provide SSgA with critical, market-based compensation information that helps support individual pay decisions. Additionally, subject to State Street and SSgA business results, State Street allocates an incentive pool to SSgA to reward its employees. Because the size of the incentive pool is based on the firm’s overall profitability, each staff member is motivated to contribute both as an individual and as a team member.

The incentive pool is allocated to the various functions within SSgA. The discretionary determination of the allocation amounts to business units is influenced by market-based compensation data, as well as the overall performance of the group. Individual compensation decisions are made by the employee’s manager, in conjunction with the senior management of the employee’s business unit. These decisions are based on the performance of the employee and, as mentioned above, on the performance of the firm and business unit.

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

Each Fund invests all of its investable assets in a corresponding Portfolio and therefore does not directly incur transactional costs for purchases and sales of portfolio investments. The Funds purchase and redeem shares of the corresponding Portfolio each day depending on the number of shares of such Fund purchased or redeemed by investors on that day. Shares of the Portfolios are available for purchase by the Funds at their NAV without any sales charges, transaction fees, or brokerage commissions being charged.

All portfolio transactions are placed on behalf of the Portfolios by the Adviser. Purchases and sales of securities on a securities exchange are effected through brokers who charge a commission for their services. Ordinarily commissions are not charged on over the counter orders (including, for example, debt securities and money market investments) because a Portfolio pays a spread which is included in the cost of the security, and is the difference between the dealer’s cost and the cost to a Portfolio. When a Portfolio executes an over the counter order with an electronic communications network, an alternative trading system or a non-market maker, a commission is charged because there is no spread on the trade. Securities may be purchased from underwriters at prices that include underwriting fees. The Money Portfolios, Treasury Portfolios, Tax Free Portfolio and the Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio normally do not pay a stated brokerage commission on transactions.

Each Portfolio’s investment advisory agreement authorizes the Adviser to place, in the name of the Portfolio, orders for the execution of the securities transactions in which the Portfolio is authorized to invest, provided the Adviser, and as applicable, the Sub-Adviser seeks the best overall terms for the transaction. In selecting brokers or dealers (including affiliates of the Adviser, and as applicable, the Sub-Adviser), the Adviser, and as applicable, the Sub-Adviser chooses the broker-dealer deemed most capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the most favorable execution (the most favorable cost or net proceeds reasonably obtainable under the circumstances). The full range of brokerage services applicable to a particular transaction may be considered when making this judgment, which may include, but is not limited to: liquidity, price, commission, timing, aggregated trades, capable floor brokers or traders, competent block trading coverage, ability to position, capital strength and stability, reliable and accurate communications and settlement processing, use of automation, knowledge of other buyers or sellers, arbitrage skills, administrative ability, brokerage and research services, underwriting, and provision of information on a particular security or market in which the transaction is to occur. The specific criteria will vary depending on the nature of the transaction, the market in which it is executed, and the extent to which it is possible to select from among multiple broker-dealers. The Adviser, and as applicable, the Sub-Adviser does not currently use any Portfolio’s assets for soft-dollar arrangements. The Adviser, and as applicable, the Sub-Adviser does not presently participate in any soft dollar arrangements. It may aggregate trades with clients of State Street Global Advisors whose commission dollars are used to generate soft dollar credits for State Street Global Advisors. Although the Adviser’s clients’ commissions are not used for soft dollars, the Adviser and State Street Global Advisors’ clients may benefit from the soft dollar products/services received by State Street Global Advisors.

 

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The Adviser assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of the Trust for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities.

DECLARATION OF TRUST, CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER INFORMATION

Capitalization

Under the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees are authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of each Fund. Upon liquidation or dissolution of a Fund, investors are entitled to share pro rata in the Fund’s net assets available for distribution to its investors. Investments in a Fund have no preference, preemptive, conversion or similar rights, except as determined by the Trustees or as set forth in the Bylaws, and are fully paid and non-assessable, except as set forth below.

Declarations of Trust

The Declarations of Trust of the Trust and the Master Trust each provide that a Trust may redeem shares of a Fund at the redemption price that would apply if the share redemption were initiated by a shareholder. It is the policy of each Trust that, except upon such conditions as may from time to time be set forth in the then current prospectus of the Trust or to facilitate a Trust’s or a Fund’s compliance with applicable law or regulation, a Trust would not initiate a redemption of shares unless it were to determine that failing to do so may have a substantial adverse consequence for a Fund or the Trust.

Each Trust’s Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee who is not an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of a Trust will be deemed independent and disinterested with respect to any demand made in connection with a derivative action or proceeding. It is the policy of each Trust that it will not assert that provision to preclude a shareholder from claiming that a trustee is not independent or disinterested with respect to any demand made in connection with a derivative action or proceeding; provided, however, that the foregoing policy will not prevent the Trusts from asserting applicable law (including Section 2B of Chapter 182 of the Massachusetts General Laws) to preclude a shareholder from claiming that a trustee is not independent or disinterested with respect to any demand made in connection with a derivative action or proceeding.

A Trust will not deviate from the foregoing policies in a manner that adversely affects the rights of shareholders of a Fund without the approval of “a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of such Fund.

Voting

Each investor is entitled to a vote in proportion to the number of Fund shares it owns. Shares do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of Trustees, and investors holding more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding shares in the Trust may elect all of the Trustees if they choose to do so. The Trust is not required and has no current intention to hold annual meetings of investors but the Trust will hold special meetings of shareholders when in the judgment of the Trustees it is necessary or desirable to submit matters for a shareholder vote.

Massachusetts Business Trust

Under Massachusetts law, shareholders in a Massachusetts business trust could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the trust. However, the Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and provides for indemnification out of the property of the applicable series of the Trust for any loss to which the shareholder may become subject by reason of being or having been a shareholder of that series and for reimbursement of the shareholder for all expense arising from such liability. Thus the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability should be limited to circumstances in which the series would be unable to meet its obligations.

PRICING OF SHARES

Pricing of shares of the Funds does not occur on New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) holidays. The NYSE is open for trading every weekday except for: (a) the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday, Washington’s Birthday (the third Monday in February), Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas; and (b) the preceding Friday or the subsequent Monday when one of

 

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the calendar-determined holidays falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively. Purchases and withdrawals will be effected at the time of determination of NAV next following the receipt of any purchase or withdrawal order which is determined to be in good order.

The Money Market Funds seek to maintain a constant price per share of $1.00 for purposes of sales and redemptions of shares by using the amortized cost valuation method to value its portfolio instruments in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. There can be no assurance that the $1.00 NAV per share will be maintained. The amortized cost method involves valuing an instrument at its cost and thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premium, even though the portfolio security may increase or decrease in market value generally in response to changes in interest rates. While this method provides certainty in valuation, it may result in periods during which value, as determined by amortized cost, is higher or lower than the price each Money Market Fund would receive if it sold the instrument.

For example, in periods of declining interest rates, the daily yield on each of the Money Market Fund’s shares computed by dividing the annualized daily income on the Fund’s portfolio by the NAV based upon the amortized cost valuation technique may tend to be higher than a similar computation made by using a method of valuation based upon market prices and estimates thereof. In periods of rising interest rates, the daily yield on each Fund’s shares computed the same way may tend to be lower than a similar computation made by using a method of calculation based upon market prices and estimates.

The Trustees have established procedures reasonably designed to stabilize each Money Market Fund’s and the Tax Free Fund’s price per share at $1.00. These procedures include: (1) the determination of the deviation from $1.00, if any, of each Fund’s NAV using market values; (2) periodic review by the Trustees of the amount of and the methods used to calculate the deviation; and (3) maintenance of records of such determination. The Trustees will promptly consider what action, if any, should be taken if such deviation exceeds 1/2 of one percent.

The Funds’ securities will be valued pursuant to guidelines established by the Board of Trustees.

The Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory bodies are considering rules that may have the effect of changing significantly the structure of money market funds. It is not possible at this time predict whether such rules will be adopted or the effects they will have on money market funds generally or on the Funds in particular.

TAXATION OF THE FUNDS

The following discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences of investment in the Funds is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. Treasury regulations, and other applicable authority, as of the date of this SAI. These authorities are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, possibly with retroactive effect. The following discussion is only a summary of some of the important U.S. federal tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Funds. There may be other tax considerations applicable to particular shareholders. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their particular situation and the possible application of foreign, state and local tax laws.

Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the suitability of shares of a Fund as an investment through such plans and the precise effect of an investment on their particular tax situations.

Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company

Each Fund has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Code and intends each year to qualify and be eligible to be treated as such. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded RICs and their shareholders, each Fund must, among other things, (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale of securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and (ii) net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (as defined below); (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the value of the

 

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Fund’s total assets consists of cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to a value not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and no more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) no more than 25% of its assets are invested (x) in the securities (other than those of the U.S. Government or other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same, similar or related trades and businesses, or (y) in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (as defined below); and (c) distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code without regard to the deduction for dividends paid — generally taxable ordinary income and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and net tax-exempt income, for such year.

In general, for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described in (a) above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be qualifying income if realized directly by the RIC. Where, as here, each Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its investable assets in a corresponding Portfolio, which is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the nature and character of each Fund’s income and gains will generally be determined at the Portfolio level and each Fund will be allocated its share of Portfolio income and gains. Consequently, references in this discussion of Taxation of the Funds to income, gains and losses of a Fund will generally be to income, gains and losses recognized at the Portfolio level and allocated to or otherwise taken into account by the Fund. In the discussion below, “Portfolio” refers to the series of the State Street Master Funds in which the relevant Fund(s) invest their assets.

In addition, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a “qualified publicly traded partnership” (a partnership (x) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, and (y) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in section (a)(i) above), will be treated as qualifying income. In general, such entities will be treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes, because they meet the passive-type income requirement under Code section 7704(c)(2). Further, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a RIC with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership.

For purposes of the diversification test in (b) above, the term “outstanding voting securities of such issuer” will include the equity securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership. Also, for purposes of the diversification test in (b) above, the identification of the issuer (or, in some cases, issuers) of a particular Portfolio investment can depend on the terms and conditions of that investment. In some cases, identification of the issuer (or issuers) is uncertain under current law, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) with respect to issuer identification for a particular type of investment may adversely affect the Fund’s ability to meet the diversification test in (b) above.

If a Fund qualifies as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on income distributed in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends (including Capital Gain Dividends, as defined below). If a Fund were to fail to meet the income, diversification or distribution test described above, the Fund could in some cases cure such failure, including by paying a Fund-level tax, paying interest or disposing of certain assets. If the Fund were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such failure for any year, or if the Fund were otherwise to fail to qualify as a RIC accorded special tax treatment in any taxable year, the Fund would be subject to tax at the Fund level on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Some portions of such distributions may be eligible for the dividends received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders and may be eligible to be treated as “qualified dividend income” in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals, provided, in both cases, the shareholder meets certain holding period and other requirements in respect of the Fund’s shares (as described below). In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before re-qualifying as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment.

 

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Each Fund intends to distribute at least annually to its shareholders all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction) and its net tax-exempt income (if any), and may distribute its net capital gain. Any taxable income retained by a Fund will be subject to tax at the Fund level at regular corporate rates. If a Fund retains any net capital gain, it will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained, but is permitted to designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a timely notice to its shareholders who (a) will be required to include in income for federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount, and (b) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds on a properly-filed U.S. tax return to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If the Fund makes this designation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by an amount equal under current law to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholder’s gross income under clause (a) of the preceding sentence and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (b) of the preceding sentence. The Funds are not required to, and there can be no assurance a Fund will, make this designation if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gain in a taxable year.

In determining its net capital gain, including in connection with determining the amount available to support a Capital Gain Dividend (as defined below), its taxable income, and its earnings and profits, a RIC generally may elect to treat part or all of any post-October capital loss (defined as the greatest of net capital loss, net long-term capital loss, or net short-term capital loss, in each case attributable to the portion of the taxable year after October 31 (or a later date, if the RIC is permitted to elect and so elects)) or late-year ordinary loss (generally, (i) net ordinary loss from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property, attributable to the portion of the taxable year after October 31 (or a later date, if the RIC makes the election referred to above), plus (ii) other net ordinary loss attributable to the portion of the taxable year after December 31) as if incurred in the succeeding taxable year. If a Fund were to fail to distribute in a calendar year at least an amount equal, in general, to the sum of 98% of its ordinary income for such year and 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 of such year (or a later date if the Fund makes the election referred to above), plus any such amounts retained from the prior year, the Fund would be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts. For purposes of the required excise tax distribution, a RIC’s ordinary gains and losses from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property that would otherwise be taken into account after October 31 of a calendar year (or a later date, if the RIC makes the election referred to above) generally are treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year. Also, for these purposes, a Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it is subject to corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within the calendar year. Each Fund intends generally to make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so. Distributions declared by a Fund during October, November and December to shareholders of record on a date in any such month and paid by the Fund during the following January will be treated for federal tax purposes as paid by the Fund and received by shareholders on December 31 of the year in which declared.

Capital losses in excess of capital gains (“net capital losses”) are not permitted to be deducted against a Fund’s net investment income. If a Fund incurs or has incurred net capital losses in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 (“post-2010 losses”), those losses will be carried forward to one or more subsequent taxable years without expiration; any such carryforward losses will retain their character as short-term or long-term. If a Fund incurred net capital losses in a taxable year beginning on or before December 22, 2010 (“pre-2011 losses”), the Fund is permitted to carry such losses forward for eight taxable years; in the year to which they are carried forward, such losses are treated as short-term capital losses that first offset any short-term capital gains, and then offset any long-term capital gains. A Fund must use any post-2010 losses, which will not expire, before it uses any pre-2011 losses. This increases the likelihood that pre-2011 losses will expire unused at the conclusion of the eight-year carryforward period. A Fund’s ability to use net capital losses to offset gains may be limited as a result of certain (a) acquisitive reorganizations and (b) shifts in the ownership of the Fund by a shareholder owning or treated as owning 5% or more of the stock of the Fund. See a Fund’s most recent annual shareholder report for the Fund’s available capital loss carryovers as of the end of its most recently ended fiscal year.

 

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Taxation of Distributions Received by Shareholders

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income (other than “exempt-interest dividends,” described below) are generally taxable as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the Portfolio owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her Fund shares. In general, a Fund will recognize its allocable share of long-term capital gain or loss on the disposition of assets a Portfolio has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for more than one year , and short-term capital gain or loss on the disposition of investments a Portfolio has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for one year or less. Distributions of net-capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) that are properly reported by a Fund as capital gain dividends (“Capital Gain Dividends”) generally will be taxable to a shareholder receiving such distributions as long-term capital gains includible in net capital gain and taxed to individuals at reduced rates. Distributions from capital gains are generally made after applying any available capital loss carryovers. The Money Market Funds and Tax Free Fund do not expect to distribute Capital Gain Dividends. The Aggregate Bond Index Fund and the Bond Fund generally do not expect a significant portion of their distributions to be Capital Gain Dividends. Distributions of net short-term capital gain (as reduced by any net long-term capital loss for the taxable year) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions of investment income reported by a Fund as derived from “qualified dividend income” will be taxed in the hands of individuals at the rates applicable to net capital gain, provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Portfolio level. The Aggregate Bond Index Fund, the Bond Fund and the Money Market Funds do not expect Fund distributions to be derived from qualified dividend income.

In addition, Section 1411 of the Code generally imposes a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on the net investment income of certain individuals whose income exceeds certain threshold amounts, and of certain trusts and estates under similar rules. For these purposes, “net investment income” generally includes, among other things, (i) distributions paid by the Fund of net investment income and capital gains (other than exempt-interest dividends, described below) as described above, and (ii) any net gain from the sale, redemption or exchange of Fund shares. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this additional tax on their investment in the Fund.

Shareholders of a Fund will be subject to federal income taxes as described herein on distributions made by the Fund whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.

Distributions on a Fund’s shares are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax as described herein to the extent they do not exceed the Fund’s allocable share of its Portfolio’s realized income and gains, even though such distributions may economically represent a return of a particular shareholder’s investment. Such distributions are likely to occur in respect of shares purchased at a time when a Fund’s net asset value reflects either unrealized gains, or realized but undistributed income or gains, that were therefore included in the price the shareholder paid. Such distributions may reduce the fair market value of the Fund’s shares below the shareholder’s cost basis in those shares. As described above, a Fund is required to distribute realized income and gains regardless of whether the Fund’s net asset value also reflects unrealized losses.

In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Fund shareholder to be “qualified dividend income,” the Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the dividend-paying stocks in its Portfolio and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the Fund’s shares. A dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (a) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (b) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (c) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (d) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (i) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (ii) treated as a passive foreign investment company.

In general, distributions of investment income reported by a Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income in the hands of a shareholder taxed as an individual, provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Fund’s shares. If the aggregate qualified dividends allocated to a Fund by a Portfolio during any taxable year are 95% or more of the Fund’s gross income (excluding net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), then 100% of the Fund’s dividends (other than dividends properly reported as Capital Gain Dividends) will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income.

 

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Dividends of net investment income received by corporate shareholders of a Fund will qualify for the 70% dividends received deduction generally available to corporations to the extent of the amount of eligible dividends received by a Portfolio and allocated to the Fund from domestic corporations for the taxable year. A dividend so allocated to a Fund will not be treated as a dividend eligible for the dividends- received deduction (a) if it has been received with respect to any share of stock that the Portfolio has held for less than 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) during the 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date in the case of certain preferred stock) or (b) to the extent that the Portfolio is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, the dividends received deduction may otherwise be disallowed or reduced (x) if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to its shares of the Fund or (y) by application of various provisions of the Code (for instance, the dividends-received deduction is reduced in the case of a dividend received on debt-financed stock (generally, stock acquired with borrowed funds)). The Aggregate Bond Index Fund, the Bond Fund and the Money Market Funds do not expect Fund distributions to be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. The Aggregate Bond Index Fund, the Bond Fund and the Money Market Funds do not expect Fund distributions to be eligible for the dividends-received deduction.

Any Fund distribution of income that is attributable to (a) income received by a Portfolio in lieu of dividends with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction or (b) dividend income received by a Portfolio on securities it temporarily purchased from a counterparty pursuant to a repurchase agreement that is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a loan by the Fund, will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders. Similarly, any Fund distribution of income that is attributable to (x) income received by a Portfolio in lieu of tax-exempt interest with respect to securities on loan or (y) tax-exempt interest received by a Portfolio on tax-exempt securities it temporarily purchased from a counterparty pursuant to a repurchase agreement that is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a loan by the Fund, will not constitute an exempt- interest dividend to shareholders.

If a Fund makes a distribution to a shareholder in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits in any taxable year, the excess distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of such shareholder’s tax basis in its shares, and thereafter as capital gain. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholder’s tax basis in its shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of its shares.

If a Portfolio holds, directly or indirectly, one or more “tax credit bonds” (including build America bonds issued before January 1, 2011, clean renewable energy bonds, and qualified tax credit bonds) on one or more applicable dates during a taxable year, a Fund investing in the Portfolio may elect to permit its shareholders to claim a tax credit on their income tax returns equal to each shareholder’s proportionate share of tax credits from the bond otherwise allowed to the Fund. In such a case, shareholders must include in gross income (as interest) their proportionate share of the income attributable to the tax credits. A shareholder’s ability to claim a tax credit associated with one or more tax credit bonds may be subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code, and the amount of the tax credits may not exceed the amount reported by the Fund in a written notice to shareholders. Even if a Fund is eligible to pass through tax credits to shareholders, the Fund may choose not to do so.

If a Portfolio receives tax credit bond credits from a RIC in which the Portfolio invests (an “investment company”), and the investment company made an election to pass through such tax credits to its shareholders, then the Fund is permitted in turn to elect to pass through its proportionate share of those tax credits to its shareholders, provided that the Fund meets the shareholder notice and other requirements.

 

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Investments in Other Regulated Investment Companies

In certain cases, the amount of income and gains realized by a Portfolio from its investments in shares of underlying RICs (“underlying funds”) may be greater (or less) than such amounts would have been had the Portfolio invested directly in securities held by the underlying funds. For similar reasons, the tax attributes of such income and gains (e.g., long-term capital gain, eligibility for the dividends-received deduction, etc.) may not be the same as it would have been had the Portfolio invested directly in the securities held by the underlying funds.

If a Portfolio receives dividends from an investment company and the investment company reports such dividends as qualified dividend income, then a Fund investing in the Portfolio is permitted in turn to report its portion of such dividends as qualified dividend income when it distributes such portion to its shareholders, provided holding period and other requirements are met.

If a Portfolio receives dividends from an investment company and the investment company reports such dividends as eligible for the dividends- received deduction, then a Fund investing in the Portfolio is permitted in turn to report its portion of such dividends as eligible for the dividends-received deduction as well, when it distributes such portion to its shareholders, provided holding period and other requirements are met.

Derivatives, Hedging, and Related Transactions

A Portfolio’s transactions in derivative instruments (e.g., options, futures, forward contracts, swap agreements), as well as any of its hedging, short sale, securities loan or similar transactions, may be subject to one or more special tax rules (e.g., notional principal contract, straddle, constructive sale, wash sale and short sale rules). These rules may affect whether gains and losses recognized by a Portfolio are treated as ordinary or capital or as short-term or long-term, accelerate the recognition of income or gains to a Fund, defer losses to a Fund, and cause adjustments in the holding periods of a Portfolio’s securities. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and/or character of income, gains, losses and other tax items that are allocable to shareholders and could cause shareholders to be taxed on amounts not representing economic income. Because the tax rules applicable to these types of transactions are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may cause changes in an investor’s allocation of any tax item, possibly for prior years. Thus, in the case of investors that are RICs under the Code, these changes may affect whether such an investor has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification as a RIC and avoid a Fund-level tax.

Certain of a Portfolio’s investments in derivative instruments and its hedging activities are likely to produce a difference between the book income and the taxable income of a Fund investing in the Portfolio. If there are differences between a Fund’s book income and the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the Fund may be required to distribute amounts in excess of its book income or a portion of Fund distributions may be treated as a return of capital to shareholders. If a Fund’s book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income (including realized capital gains) and net tax-exempt income (if any), the distribution (if any) of such excess generally will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund’s remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient’s basis in its shares, and (iii) thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. If a Fund’s book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment.

Exempt-Interest Dividends

The Tax Free Fund intends to pay dividends (“exempt-interest dividends”) that pass through to shareholders the tax-exempt character of exempt interest earned by the Tax Free Portfolio for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A Fund is eligible to pay exempt-interest dividends only for taxable years in which, at the end of each quarter, at least 50% of the value of its total assets consists of securities generating interest that is exempt from federal tax under section 103(a) of the Code. The Tax Free Portfolio (and therefore the Tax Free Fund) intends to satisfy this requirement. Fund distributions reported as exempt-interest dividends are not generally taxable to Fund shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but they may be subject to state and local taxes. In addition, an investment in the Fund may result in liability for the federal alternative minimum tax, both for individual and corporate shareholders. For example, if the Fund invests in “private activity bonds,” certain shareholders may become subject to alternative minimum tax on the part of the Fund’s distributions derived from interest on such bonds.

 

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Distributions of the Tax Free Fund’s income and gains other than exempt-interest dividends generally will be taxable as ordinary income, except that any distributions of Capital Gain Dividends (defined above) will be taxable as long-term capital gains.

Entities or persons who are “substantial users” (or persons related to substantial users) of facilities financed by private activity bonds (“PABs”) or industrial development bonds (“IDBs”) should consult their tax advisors before purchasing shares of a Fund because, for users of certain of these facilities, the interest on those bonds is not exempt from federal income tax. For these purposes, the term “substantial user” is defined generally to include a non-exempt person who regularly uses in trade or business a part of a facility financed from the proceeds of PABs or IDBs.

Up to 85% of social security and railroad retirement benefits may be included in taxable income for recipients whose adjusted gross income (including income from tax-exempt sources such as the Funds) plus 50% of their benefits exceeds certain base amounts. Exempt-interest dividends paid by the Funds still are tax-exempt to the extent described in each Fund’s Prospectus; but they are included in the calculation of whether a recipient’s income exceeds the base amounts, and may therefore increase the amount of benefits that is taxable to the recipient.

Foreign Income

Income received by a Portfolio from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. It is not feasible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax in advance since the amount of a Portfolio’s assets to be invested in various countries (if any) will vary.

Investments in Original Issue Discount Securities

A Portfolio’s investment in securities issued at a discount and certain other obligations will (and investments in securities purchased at a discount may) require a Fund to accrue, and allocate to shareholders, income not yet received. Some debt obligations that are acquired by a Portfolio, including all zero coupon debt obligations, with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance will be treated as debt obligations that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of the original issue discount (“OID”) is treated as interest income and is allocated to shareholders over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures.

In addition, some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance that are acquired in the secondary market by a Portfolio may be treated as having market discount. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the “accrued market discount” on such debt security. Market discount generally accrues in equal daily installments. Elections applicable to debt obligations having market discount, may affect the character and timing of recognition of income by shareholders.

Furthermore, some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance that are acquired by a Portfolio may be treated as having market discount or OID. Generally, a Fund investing in such a Portfolio will be required to include the market discount or OID in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. Elections applicable to debt obligations having market discount or OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income by shareholders.

 

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Securities Purchased at a Premium

Very generally, where a Fund purchases a bond at a price that exceeds the redemption price at maturity – that is, at a premium – the premium is amortizable over the remaining term of the bond. In the case of a taxable bond, if a Fund makes an election applicable to all such bonds it purchases, which election is irrevocable without consent of the IRS, the Fund reduces the current taxable income from the bond by the amortized premium and reduces its tax basis in the bond by the amount of such offset; upon the disposition or maturity of such bonds acquired on or after January 4, 2013, the Fund is permitted to deduct any remaining premium allocable to a prior period. In the case of a tax-exempt bond, tax rules require a Fund to reduce its tax basis by the amount of amortized premium.

Investments – Mortgage Pooling Vehicles

A Portfolio may invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”) (including by investing in residual interests in collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) with respect to which an election to be treated as a REMIC is in effect) or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (“TMPs”). Under a notice issued by the IRS in October 2006 and Treasury regulations that have yet to be issued but may apply retroactively, a portion of a Fund’s income (including income allocated to the Portfolio from certain pass-through entities) that is attributable to a residual interest in a REMIC or an equity interest in a TMP (referred to in the Code as an “excess inclusion”) will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in all events. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a partnership, such as a Portfolio, will be allocated to partners in the partnership consistent with the allocation of other items of income, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related interest directly.

In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on UBTI, that invest in RIC to which the Fund allocates, excess inclusion income, thereby potentially requiring an entity to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, and (iii) in the case of a foreign shareholder that invests in such RIC to which the Fund allocates excess inclusion income, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. A shareholder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such inclusions notwithstanding any exemption from such income tax otherwise available under the Code.

Backup Withholding

A Fund generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to any individual shareholder who fails to properly furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number (“TIN”), who has under- reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to the Fund that he or she is not subject to such withholding. The backup withholding rules may also apply to distributions that are properly reported as exempt-interest dividends. The backup withholding rate is 28%.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

Redemptions and Exchanges

Redemptions and exchanges of each Fund’s shares are taxable events and, accordingly, shareholders may realize gain or loss on these transactions. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the sale, exchange or redemption of Fund shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, if a shareholder sells Fund shares at a loss within six months after purchasing the shares, the loss will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any Capital Gain Dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares. In addition, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares held by a shareholder for six months or less will be disallowed, to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends received by the shareholder with respect to the shares. Furthermore, no loss will be allowed on the sale of Fund shares to the extent the shareholder acquired other substantially identical shares within 30 days before or after the sale of the loss shares. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Upon the redemption or exchange of shares of a Fund other than a Money Market Fund, the Fund or, in the case of shares purchased through a financial intermediary, the financial intermediary may be required to provide you and the IRS with cost basis and certain other related tax information about the Fund shares you redeemed or exchanged. See the Fund’s Prospectus for more information. Upon the redemption or exchange of shares of a Fund other than a Money Market Fund, the Fund or, in the case of shares purchased through a financial intermediary, the financial intermediary may be required to provide you and the IRS with cost basis and certain other related tax information about the Fund shares you redeemed or exchanged. See the Fund’s Prospectus for more information.

 

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Tax-Exempt Shareholders

Income of a RIC that would be unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) if earned directly by a tax-exempt entity will not generally be attributed as UBTI to a tax-exempt shareholder of the RIC. Notwithstanding this “blocking” effect, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in a Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Code Section 514(b).

A tax-exempt shareholder may also recognize UBTI if a Fund recognizes “excess inclusion income” derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICS or equity interests in TMPs if the amount of such income recognized by the Fund exceeds the Fund’s investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Fund).

In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (“CRTs”) that invest in RICs that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Under legislation enacted in December 2006, a CRT (as defined in section 664 of the Code) that realizes any UBTI for a taxable year must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI as a result of investing in a Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income.” Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in a Fund that recognizes “excess inclusion income,” then the Fund will be subject to a tax on that portion of its “excess inclusion income” for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, each Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholder’s distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholder’s interest in each Fund. CRTs are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in each Fund.

Tax Shelter Reporting

If a Fund shareholder recognizes a loss of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the Internal Revenue Service a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

Non-U.S. Investors

Non-U.S. investors in the Funds should consult their tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of ownership of shares in the Funds. Distributions properly reported as Capital Gain Dividends and exempt-interest dividends generally will not be subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax. However, exempt-interest dividends may be subject to backup withholding (as discussed above). In general, dividends other than Capital Gain Dividends and exempt-interest dividends paid by a Fund to a shareholder that is not a “U.S. person” within the meaning of the Code ( a “foreign person”) are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) even if they are funded by income or gains (such as portfolio interest, short-term capital gains, or foreign-source dividend and interest income) that, if paid to a foreign person directly, would not be subject to withholding. For distributions with respect to taxable years of a Fund beginning before January 1, 2014, a Fund was not required to withhold any amounts (a) with respect to distributions (other than distributions to a foreign person (i)

 

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that had not provided a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (ii) to the extent that the dividend were attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign person is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (iii) that was within certain foreign countries that have inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (iv) to the extent the dividend were attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the foreign person and the foreign person was a controlled foreign corporation) from U.S.-source interest income of types similar to those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign person, to the extent such distributions were properly reported by each Fund in a written notice to shareholders (“interest-related dividends”), and (b) with respect to distributions (other than (i) distributions to an individual foreign person who was present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution and (ii) distributions subject to special rules regarding the disposition of U.S. real property interests (described below)) of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses to the extent such distributions were properly reported by each Fund in a written notice to shareholders (“short-term capital gain dividends”). A Fund was permitted to report such parts of its dividends as are eligible, to be treated as interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends, but is not required to, and may not do so. In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may have withheld even if a Fund reported all or a portion of a payment as an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend. Foreign persons should contact their intermediaries regarding the application of these rules to their accounts.

This exemption from withholding for interest-related and short-term capital gain dividends has expired for distributions with respect to taxable years of a Fund beginning on or after January 1, 2014. Therefore, as of the date of this SAI, the Funds (or intermediaries, as applicable) are currently required to withhold on distributions to foreign shareholders attributable to net interest or short-term capital gains that were formerly eligible for this withholding exemption. It is currently unclear whether Congress will extend this exemption for distributions with respect to taxable years of the Funds beginning on or after January 1, 2014, or what the terms of such an extension would be, including whether such extension would have retroactive effect.

A beneficial holder of shares who is a foreign person is not, in general, subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of a Fund or on Capital Gain Dividends or exempt-interest dividends unless (a) such gain or dividend is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by such holder within the United States, (b) in the case of an individual holder, the holder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale or the receipt of the Capital Gain Dividend and certain other conditions are met, or (c) the gain or loss realized on the sale of shares of a Fund or the Capital Gain Dividends are attributable to gains from the sale or exchange of “U.S. real property interests” (“USRPIs”) as defined generally below.

Foreign persons with respect to whom income from a Fund is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the foreign person within the United States will in general be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the income derived from the Fund at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents or domestic corporations, whether such income is received in cash or reinvested in shares of the Fund and, in the case of a foreign corporation, may also be subject to a branch profits tax. If a foreign person is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the shareholder in the United States. More generally, foreign shareholders who are residents in a country with an income tax treaty with the United States may obtain different tax results than those described herein, and are urged to consult their tax advisors.

Special rules apply to distributions to certain foreign shareholders from a RIC that is either a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) or would be a USRPHC absent exclusions from USRPI treatment for interests in domestically controlled REITs (or, prior to January 1, 2014, RICs) and not-greater-than-5% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in REITs or RICs. Additionally, special rules apply to the sale of shares in a RIC that is a USRPHC or former USRPHC. Very generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds USRPIs (including indirectly through a Portfolio) — USRPIs are defined generally as any interest in U.S. real property or any equity interest in a USRPHC — the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporation’s USRPIs, interests in real property located outside the United States and other trade or business assets. Again very generally, these special rules may entail withholding and other taxes on certain distributions to and redemptions by foreign shareholders related to a Fund’s investment in USRPIs or, in some cases, an underlying fund’s investments in USRPIs. Each Fund generally does not expect that it will be a USRPHC or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of the above-mentioned exclusions, and thus does not expect these special tax rules to apply.

 

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In order for a foreign person to qualify for any exemptions from withholding described above or from lower withholding tax rates under income tax treaties, or to establish an exemption from back back-up withholding, the foreign person must comply with special certification and filing requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or substitute form). Non-U.S. investors in the Funds should consult their tax advisers in this regard.

Special rules (including withholding and reporting requirements) apply to foreign partnerships and those holding Fund shares through foreign partnerships. Additional considerations may apply to foreign trusts and estates. Investors holding Fund shares through foreign entities should consult their tax advisers about their particular situation.

A beneficial holder of shares who is a foreign person may be subject to state and local tax and to the U.S. federal estate tax in addition to the U.S. federal income tax on income referred to above.

Shareholder Reporting Obligations With Respect To Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts

Shareholders that are U.S. persons and own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of a Fund by vote or value could be required to report annually their “financial interest” in the Fund’s “foreign financial accounts,” if any, on Treasury Department Form TD F 90-22.1, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (“FBAR”). Shareholders should consult a tax advisor regarding the applicability to them of this reporting requirement.

Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) generally requires a Fund to obtain information sufficient to identify the status of each of its shareholders under FATCA. If a shareholder fails to provide this information or otherwise fails to comply with FATCA, a Fund may be required to withhold under FATCA at a rate of 30% with respect to that shareholder on dividends (other than exempt-interest dividends), including Capital Gain Dividends, and the proceeds of the sale, redemption or exchange of Fund shares. If a payment by a Fund is subject to FATCA withholding, the Fund is required to withhold even if such payment would otherwise be exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to foreign shareholders described above (e.g., Capital Gain Dividends and short-term capital gain and interest-related dividends); beginning as early as January 1, 2014.

Each prospective investor is urged to consult its tax adviser regarding the applicability of FATCA and any other reporting requirements with respect to the prospective investor’s own situation, including investments through an intermediary.

General Considerations

The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the consequences under the current U.S. federal income tax law of an investment in the Funds. It is for general information only and not a substitute for personal tax advice. Consult your personal tax advisor about the potential U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Fund, as well as the effects of state, local and foreign tax laws and any proposed tax law changes.

 

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UNDERWRITER

State Street Global Markets, LLC serves as the Funds’ Distributor (the “Distributor”) pursuant to the Distribution Agreement by and between the Distributor and the Trust. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Funds pay the Distributor fees under the Rule 12b-1 Plan in effect for the Funds. For a description of the fees paid to the Distributor under the Rule 12b-1 Plan, see “Shareholder Servicing and Distribution Plans,” above. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any specific number of shares and will sell shares of a Fund on a continuous basis only against orders to purchase shares. The principal business address of the Distributor is One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 for the Funds in operation at that date are included in the Annual Report of the Trust, which was filed with the SEC on March 10, 2014 as part of the Trust’s filing on Form N-CSR (SEC Accession No. 0001193125-13-098256) and are incorporated into this SAI by reference. The Annual Report is available, without charge, upon request, by calling (866) 392-0869.

SSITSAI

 

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APPENDIX A

RATINGS OF DEBT INSTRUMENTS

MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. (“MOODY’S”) — LONG TERM DEBT RATINGS. The following is a description of Moody’s debt instrument ratings.

Aaa — Bonds that are rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.

Aa — Bonds that are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

A — Bonds that are rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Baa — Baa rated bonds are considered medium-grade obligations, and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics and are subject to moderate credit risk.

Ba — Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.

B and Lower — Bonds which are rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk. Bonds which are rated

Caa are of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk. Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest. Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

Moody’s applies numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a midrange ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.

P-1 — Moody’s short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers (or supporting institutions) to honor short-term financial obligations. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months. The designation “Prime-1” or “P-1” indicates a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-2 — Issuers (or supporting institutions) have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-3 — Issuers (or supporting institutions) have an acceptable ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

STANDARD & POOR’S RATING GROUP (“S&P”). S&P’s ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations: (i) the likelihood of default — capacity and willingness of the obligor as to the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation; (ii) the nature of and provisions of the obligation; and (iii) the protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights.

AAA — Bonds rated AAA are highest grade debt obligations. This rating indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay principal and interest.

AA — Bonds rated AA also qualify as high-quality obligations. Their capacity to pay principal and interest is very strong, and in the majority of instances they differ from AAA issues only by a small degree.

A — Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay principal and interest, although they are more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than bonds in higher-rated categories.

 

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BBB — Bonds rated BBB exhibit adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and principal.

BB and Lower — Bonds rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest degree of speculation. While such bonds may have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.

The ratings AA to C may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

A-1- Standard & Poor’s short-term issue credit ratings are current assessments of the likelihood of timely payments of debt having original maturity of no more than 365 days. The A-1 designation indicates that the capacity for payment is extremely strong.

A-2- The capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is strong. However, a short-term debt with this rating is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debts in higher rating categories.

Plus (+) or minus (-): 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. (“FITCH”).

Fitch Ratings cover a global spectrum of corporate, sovereign (including supranational and sub-national), financial, bank, insurance, municipal and other public finance entities and the securities or other obligations they issue.

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 adversely 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 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.

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; however, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments.

Fitch Rating’s appends the modifiers “+” or “-” to denote relative status within the major rating categories.

A short-term rating has a time horizon of up to 13 months for most obligations, or up to 36 months for US public finance securities, and thus places greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.

F1. 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.

F2. Good short-term credit quality. A Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

 

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F3. 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 vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

C. High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.

D. Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a specific short-term obligation.

E. Restricted Default. Indicates an entity has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations.

 

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APPENDIX B

SSgA FUNDS

STATE STREET MASTER FUNDS

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST

PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

As of February 13, 2014

The Boards of Trustees of the SSgA Funds, State Street Master Funds, State Street Institutional Investment Trust (each a “Trust”) 1 have adopted the following policy and procedures with respect to voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Trust’s investment portfolios.

 

1. Proxy Voting Policy

The policy of the Trust is to delegate the responsibility for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Trust to SSgA Funds Management, Inc., the Trust’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”), subject to the Trustees’ continuing oversight.

 

2. Fiduciary Duty

The right to vote proxies with respect to a portfolio security held by the Trust is an asset of the Trust. The Adviser acts as a fiduciary of the Trust and must vote proxies in a manner consistent with the best interest of the Trust and its shareholders.

 

3. Proxy Voting Procedures

A. At least annually, the Adviser shall present to the Board its policies, procedures and other guidelines for voting proxies (“Policy”). In addition, the Adviser shall notify the Trustees of material changes to its Policy promptly and not later than the next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees after such amendment is implemented.

B. With respect to any proxies that the Adviser has identified as involving a conflict of interest, the Adviser shall submit a report indicating the nature of the conflict of interest and how that conflict was resolved with respect to the voting of the proxy at the next regular meeting of the Board or Trustees. For this purpose, a “conflict of interest” shall be deemed to occur when the Adviser, the principal underwriter of the Trust (the “Principal Underwriter”) or an affiliated person of the Adviser or the Principal Underwriter has a financial interest in a matter presented by a proxy to be voted on behalf of a Trust, other than the obligations the Adviser or the Principal Underwriter incurs as a service provider to the Trust, which may compromise the Adviser’s or Principal Underwriter’s independence of judgment and action in voting the proxy.

C. At least annually, the Adviser shall inform the Trustees that a record is available with respect to each proxy voted with respect to portfolio securities of the Trust during the year. Also see Section 5 below.

 

4. Revocation of Authority to Vote

The delegation by the Trustees of the authority to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities of the Trust may be revoked by the Trustees, in whole or in part, at any time.

 

 

1   Unless otherwise noted, the singular term “Trust” used throughout this document means each of SSgA Funds, State Street Master Funds and State Street Institutional Investment Trust.

 

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5. Annual Filing of Proxy Voting Record

The Adviser shall provide the required data for each proxy voted with respect to portfolio securities of the Trust to the Trust or its designated service provider in a timely manner and in a format acceptable to be filed in the Trust’s annual proxy voting report on Form N-PX for the twelve-month period ended June 30. Form N-PX is required to be filed not later than August 31 of each year.

 

6. Disclosures

 

  A. The Trust shall include in its registration statement:

1. A description of this policy and of the policies and procedures used by the Adviser to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities; and

2. A statement disclosing that information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Trust’s toll-free telephone number; or through a specified Internet address; or both; and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC”) website.

 

  B. The Trust shall include in its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders:

1. A statement disclosing that a description of the policies and procedures used by or on behalf of the Trust to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities of the Funds is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Trust’s toll-free telephone number; through a specified Internet address, if applicable; and on the SEC’s website; and

2. A statement disclosing that information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Trust’s toll-free telephone number; or through a specified Internet address; or both; and on the SEC’s website.

 

7. Review of Policy

The Trustees shall review this policy to determine its continued sufficiency as necessary from time to time.

 

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APPENDIX C

 

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LOGO

SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (“SSgA FM”) is a registered investment advisor and a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation, a leading provider of financial services to institutional investors. As an investment manager, SSgA FM has discretionary proxy voting authority over most of its client accounts, and SSgA FM votes these proxies in the manner that we believe will most likely protect and promote the long term economic value of client investments as described in the SSgA FM Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles.

SSgA FM maintains Proxy Voting Guidelines for select markets, including voting guidelines for the US, the EU, the UK, emerging markets and Japan. International markets that do not have specific voting guidelines are reviewed and voted consistent with our SSgA FM Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles; however, SSgA FM also endeavors to show sensitivity to local market practices when voting in these various markets.

 

LOGO

 

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LOGO

SSgA FM’S APPROACH TO

PROXY VOTING AND ISSUER ENGAGEMENT

At SSgA FM, we take our fiduciary duties as an asset manager very seriously. We have a dedicated team of corporate governance professionals, who help us carry out our duties as a responsible investor. These duties include engaging with companies, developing and enhancing in-house corporate governance policies, analyzing corporate governance issues on a case-by-case basis at the company level, and exercising our voting rights, all to maximize shareholder value.

SSgA FM’s Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles may take unique perspectives on common governance issues that vary from one market to another and likewise engagement activity may take different forms in order to best achieve long term engagement goals. We believe that proxy voting and engagement with portfolio companies is often the most direct and productive way shareholders can exercise their ownership rights, and taken together, we view these tools to be an integral part of the overall investment process.

We believe engagement and voting activity have a direct relationship. As a result, the integration of our engagement activities, while leveraging the exercise of our voting rights, provides a meaningful shareholder tool that we believe protects and enhances the long term economic value of the holdings in our client accounts. SSgA FM maximizes its voting power and engagement by maintaining a centralized proxy voting and active ownership process covering all holdings, regardless of strategy. Despite the different investment views and objectives across SSgA FM, depending on the product or strategy, the fiduciary responsibilities of share ownership and voting for which SSgA FM has voting discretion is carried out with a single voice and objective.

SSgA FM’s Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles support governance structures that we believe add to or maximize shareholder value at the companies held in our clients’ portfolios. SSgA FM conducts issuer specific engagement with companies to discuss our principles, including sustainability related risks. In addition, we encourage issuers to find ways of increasing the amount of direct communication board members have with shareholders. We believe direct communication with executive board members and independent non-executive directors is critical to helping companies understand shareholder concerns. Conversely, where appropriate, we conduct collaborative engagement activities with multiple shareholders and communicate with company representatives about common concerns.

In conducting our engagement, SSgA FM also evaluates the various factors that play into the corporate governance framework of a country, including the macroeconomic conditions and broader political system in a country, quality of regulatory oversight, enforcement of property and shareholder rights and the independence of the judiciary to name a few. SSgA FM understands that regulatory requirements and investor expectations relating to governance practices and engagement activities differ from country-to-country. As a result, SSgA FM engages with issuers, regulators, or both, depending on the market. Also, SSgA FM is a member of various investor associations that seek to address broader corporate governance related policy at the country level as well as issuer specific concerns at a company level.

To help mitigate company specific risk, the team may collaborate with members of the active investment teams to engage with companies on corporate governance issues and address any specific concerns, or to get more information regarding shareholder items that are to be voted on at upcoming shareholder meetings. Outside of proxy voting season, SSgA FM conducts issuer specific engagement with companies covering various corporate governance and sustainability related risks.

The SSgA FM Governance Team uses a blend of quantitative and qualitative research and data to support screens to help identify issuers where active engagement may be necessary to protect and promote shareholder value. Issuer engagement may also be event driven, focusing on issuer specific corporate governance, sustainability concerns or wider industry related trends. SSgA FM also gives consideration to the size of our total position of the issuer in question and/or the potential negative governance, performance profile, and circumstance at hand. As a result, SSgA FM believes issuer engagement can take many forms and be triggered under numerous circumstances. The following methods represent how SSgA FM defines engagement methods:

 

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Active

SSgA FM uses screening tools designed to capture a mix of company specific data including governance and sustainability profiles to help us focus our voting and engagement activity. SSgA FM will actively seek direct dialogue with the board and management of companies we have identified through our screening processes. Such engagements may lead to further monitoring to ensure the company improves its governance or sustainability practices. In these cases, the engagement process represents the most meaningful opportunity for SSgA FM to protect long term shareholder value from excessive risk due to poor governance and sustainability practices.

Recurring

SSgA FM has ongoing dialogue with its largest holdings on corporate governance and sustainability issues. SSgA FM maintains regular face to face meetings with these issuers, allowing SSgA FM to reinforce key tenets of good corporate governance and actively advise these issuers around concerns that SSgA FM feels may negatively impact long term shareholder value.

Reactive

Reactive engagement is initiated by the issuers. SSgA FM routinely discusses specific voting issues and items with the issuer community. Reactive engagement is an opportunity to address not only voting items, but also a wide range of governance and sustainability issues.

Measurement

Assessing the effectiveness of our issuer engagement process is often difficult. To limit the subjectivity of measuring our success we actively seek issuer feedback and monitor the actions issuers take post-engagement to identify tangible changes. By doing so, we are able to establish indicators to gauge how issuers respond to our concerns and to what degree these responses satisfy our requests. It is also important to note that successful engagement activity can be measured over differing time periods depending on the facts and circumstances involved; engagements can last as short as a single meeting or span multiple years.

Depending on the issue and whether the engagement activity is reactive, recurring, or active, engagement with issuers can take the form of written communication, conference calls, or face-to-face meetings.

SSgA FM believes active engagement is best conducted directly with company management or board members. Collaborative engagement, where multiple shareholders communicate with company representatives, can serve as a potential forum for issues that are not identified by SSgA FM as requiring active engagement, such as shareholder conference calls.

PROXY VOTING PROCEDURE

Oversight

The SSgA FM Corporate Governance Team is responsible for implementing the Proxy Voting Guidelines, case-by-case voting items, issuer engagement activities, and research and analysis of governance-related issues. The implementation of the Proxy Voting Guidelines is overseen by the SSgA Global Proxy Review Committee (“SSgA PRC”), a committee of investment, compliance and legal professionals, who provide guidance on proxy issues as described in greater detail below. Oversight of the proxy voting process is ultimately the responsibility of the SSgA Investment Committee. The SSgA Investment Committee reviews and approves amendments to the Proxy Voting Guidelines. The SSgA PRC reports to the SSgA Investment Committee, and may refer certain significant proxy items to that committee.

Proxy Voting Process

In order to facilitate SSgA FM’s proxy voting process, SSgA FM retains Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”), a firm with expertise in proxy voting and corporate governance. SSgA FM utilizes ISS’s services in three ways: (1) as SSgA FM’s proxy voting agent (providing SSgA FM with vote execution and administration services); (2) for applying SSgA FM’s Proxy Voting Guidelines; and (3) as providers of research and analysis relating to general corporate governance issues and specific proxy items.

 

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The SSgA FM Corporate Governance Team reviews its Proxy Voting Guidelines with ISS on an annual basis or on a case-by-case basis as needed. On most routine proxy voting items (e.g., ratification of auditors), ISS will affect the proxy votes in accordance with SSgA FM’s Proxy Voting Guidelines. On matters not directly covered by our Proxy Voting Guidelines, and where we conclude there is limited impact on shareholder value, ISS may affect proxy votes in accordance with its own recommendations.

In other cases, the Corporate Governance Team will evaluate the proxy solicitation to determine how to vote based on facts and circumstances, and consistent with SSgA FM’s Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles, and the accompanying Proxy Voting Guidelines, that seek to maximize the value of our client accounts.

In some instances, the SSgA FM Corporate Governance Team may refer significant issues to the SSgA PRC for a determination of the proxy vote. In addition, in determining whether to refer a proxy vote to the SSgA PRC, the SSgA FM Corporate Governance Team will consider whether a material conflict of interest exists between the interests of our client and those of SSgA FM or its affiliates (as explained in greater detail below under “Conflict of Interest”).

SSgA FM votes in all markets where it is feasible; however, SSgA FM may refrain from voting meetings when power of attorney documentation is required, where voting will have a material impact on our ability to trade the security, or where issuer-specific special documentation is required or various market or issuer certifications are required. SSgA FM is unable to vote proxies when certain custodians, used by our clients, do not offer proxy voting in a jurisdiction or when they charge a meeting specific fee in excess of the typical custody service agreement.

Conflict of Interest

From time to time, SSgA FM will review a proxy which may present a potential conflict of interest. In general, we do not believe matters that fall within our Proxy Voting Guidelines and are voted consistently with the Proxy Voting Guidelines present any potential conflicts, since the vote on the matter has effectively been determined without reference to the soliciting entity. However, where matters do not fall within our Proxy Voting Guidelines or where we believe that voting in accordance with the Proxy Voting Guidelines is unwarranted, we conduct an additional review to determine whether there is a conflict of interest. Although various relationships could be deemed to give rise to a conflict of interest, SSgA FM has determined that two categories of relationships present a serious concern to warrant an alternative process: (1) clients of SSgA FM or its affiliates which are among the top 100 clients of State Street Corporation or its affiliates based upon revenue; and (2) the 10 largest broker-dealers used by SSgA FM, based upon revenue (a “Material Relationship”).

In circumstances where either (i) the matter does not fall clearly within the Proxy Voting Guidelines or (ii) SSgA FM determines that voting in accordance with such policies or guidance is not in the best interests of its clients, the Head of SSgA FM’s Corporate Governance Team will determine whether a Material Relationship exists. If so the matter is referred to the SSgA PRC. The SSgA PRC then reviews the matter and determines whether a conflict of interest exists, and if so, how to best resolve such conflict. For example, the SSgA PRC may (i) determine that the proxy vote does not give rise to a conflict due to the issues presented, (ii) refer the matter to the SSgA Investment Committee for further evaluation or (iii) retain an independent fiduciary to determine the appropriate vote.

PROXY VOTING AND ENGAGEMENT PRINCIPLES

Directors and Boards

The election of directors is one of the most important fiduciary duties SSgA FM performs as a shareholder. SSgA FM believes that well-governed companies can protect and pursue shareholder interests better and withstand the challenges of an uncertain economic environment. As such, SSgA FM seeks to vote director elections, in a way, which we as a fiduciary, believe will maximize the long term value of each portfolio’s holdings.

Principally, a board acts on behalf of shareholders by protecting their interests and preserving their rights. This concept establishes the standard by which board and director performance is measured. To achieve this fundamental principle, the role of the board, in SSgA FM’s view, is to carry out its responsibilities in the best long-term interest of the company and its shareholders. An independent and effective board oversees management, provides guidance on strategic matters, selects the CEO and other senior executives, creates a succession plan, provides risk oversight and assess the performance of the CEO and management. In contrast, management implements the business and capital allocation strategies and runs the company’s day-to-day operations. As part of SSgA FM’s engagement process, SSgA FM routinely discusses the importance of these responsibilities with the boards of issuers.

 

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SSgA FM believes the quality of a board is a measure of director independence and company governance practices. In voting to elect nominees, SSgA FM considers many factors. SSgA FM believes independent directors are crucial to good corporate governance and help management establish sound corporate governance policies and practices. A sufficiently independent board will effectively monitor management, maintain appropriate governance practices, and perform oversight functions necessary to protect shareholder interests. SSgA FM also believes the right mix of skills, independence and qualifications among directors provides boards with the knowledge and direct experience to deal with risks and operating structures that are often unique and complex from one industry to another.

Accounting and Audit Related Issues

SSgA FM believes audit committees are critical and necessary as part of the board’s risk oversight role. The audit committee is responsible for setting out an internal audit function to provide robust audit and internal control systems designed to effectively manage potential and emerging risks to the company’s operations and strategy. SSgA FM believes the audit committees should have independent directors as members and SSgA FM will hold the members of the audit committee responsible for overseeing the management of the audit function.

The disclosure and availability of reliable financial statements in a timely manner is imperative for the investment process. As a result, board oversight of the internal controls and the independence of the audit process are essential if investors are to rely on financial statements. Also, it is important for the audit committee to appoint external auditors who are independent from management as we expect auditors to provide assurance as of a company’s financial condition.

Capital Structure, Reorganization and Mergers

The ability to raise capital is critical for companies to carry out strategy, grow and achieve returns above their cost of capital.

The approval of capital raising activities is fundamental to a shareholder’s ability to monitor the amounts of proceeds and to ensure capital is deployed efficiently. Altering the capital structure of a company is a critical decision for boards and in making such a critical decision, SSgA FM believes the company should have a well explained business rationale that is consistent with corporate strategy and not overly dilute its shareholders.

Mergers and the reorganization of the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, mergers, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders, demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the company’s operations, will be supported. In evaluating mergers and acquisitions, SSgA FM considers the adequacy of the consideration and the impact of the corporate governance provisions to shareholders. In all cases, SSgA FM uses its discretion in order to maximize shareholder value.

Occasionally, companies add anti-takeover provisions that reduce the chances of a potential acquirer making an offer or reducing the likelihood of a successful offer. SSgA FM does not support proposals that reduce shareholders’ rights, entrench management or reduce the likelihood of shareholder’s right to vote on reasonable offers.

Compensation

SSgA FM considers the board’s responsibility to include setting the appropriate level of executive compensation. Despite the differences among the types of plans and the awards possible, there is a simple underlying philosophy that guides SSgA FM’s analysis of executive compensation; there should be a direct relationship between executive compensation and company performance over the long term.

Shareholders should have the opportunity to assess whether pay structures and levels are aligned with business performance. When assessing remuneration reports, SSgA FM considers factors such as adequate disclosure of different remuneration elements, absolute and relative pay levels, peer selection and benchmarking, the mix of long term and short term incentives, alignment of pay structures with shareholder interests as well as with corporate strategy and performance. SSgA FM may oppose remuneration reports where pay seems misaligned with shareholders’ interests. SSgA FM may also consider executive compensation practices when re-electing members of the remuneration committee.

SSgA FM recognizes that compensation policies and practices are unique from market to market; often with significant differences between the level of disclosures, the amount and forms of compensation paid, and the ability of shareholders to approve executive compensation practices. As a result, our ability to assess the appropriateness of executive compensation is often dependent on market practices and laws.

 

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Environmental and Social Issues

As a fiduciary, SSgA FM considers the financial and economic implications of environmental and social issues first and foremost. Environmental and social factors may not only have an impact on the reputation of companies but may also represent significant operational risks and costs to business. Well-developed environmental and social management systems can generate efficiencies and enhance productivity, both of which impact shareholder value in the long-term.

SSgA FM encourages companies to be transparent about the environmental and social risks and opportunities they face and adopt robust policies and processes to manage such issues. In our view, companies that manage all risks and consider opportunities related to environmental and social issues are able to adapt faster to changes and appear to be better placed to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in the long-term. Similarly, companies with good risk management systems, which include environmental and social policies, have a stronger position relative to their peers to manage risk and change, which could be the result of anything from regulation and litigation, physical threats (severe weather, climate change), economic trends to shifts in consumer behavior.

In their public reporting, we expect companies to disclose information on relevant management tools, material environmental and social performance metrics. We support efforts by companies to demonstrate how sustainability fits into operations and business activities. SSgA FM’s team of analysts evaluates these risks and shareholder proposals relating to them on an issuer by issuer basis; understanding that environmental and social risks can vary widely depending on a company, its industry, operations, and geographic footprint. SSgA FM may also take action against the re-election of board members if we have serious concerns over ESG practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder requests to amend them.

General/Routine

Although SSgA FM does not seek involvement in the day-to-day operations of an organization, SSgA FM recognizes the need for conscientious oversight and input into management decisions that may affect a company’s value. SSgA FM supports proposals that encourage economically advantageous corporate practices and governance, while leaving decisions that are deemed to be routine or constitute ordinary business to management and the board of directors.

Securities on loan

SSgA FM may recall securities off loan for proxy voting purposes in instances where SSgA FM believes that a particular vote will have a material impact on the fund(s) investment.

Reporting

SSgA FM publicly discloses all voting activity for our US registered mutual funds as part of our annual N-PX reporting requirements to the SEC.

SSgA Global Entities

Australia: State Street Global Advisors, Australia, Limited (ABN 42 003 914 225) is the holder of an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL Number 238276). Registered office: Level 17, 420 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Telephone: +612 9240-7600 • Facsimile: +612 9240-7611. Belgium: State Street Global Advisors Belgium, Office Park Nysdam, 92 Avenue Reine Astrid, B-1310 La Hulpe, Belgium. Telephone: 32 2 663 2036 • Facsimile: 32 2 672 2077. Belgium is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited. Canada: State Street Global Advisors, Ltd., 770 Sherbrooke Street West Suite 1200, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1G1 Canada and 30 Adelaide Street East, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 3G6 Canada. Dubai: State Street Bank and Trust Company (Representative Office), Suite 404 4th Floor, Building 4, Emaar Square, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Telephone: +971 (0)4-4372800 • Facsimile: +971 (0)4-4372818. France: State Street Global Advisors France. Authorised and regulated by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. Registered with the Register of Commerce and Companies of Nanterre under the number 412 052 680. Registered office: Immeuble Défense Plaza, 23-25 rue Delarivière-Lefoullon, 92064 Paris La Défense Cedex, France. Telephone: (+33) 1 44 45 40 00 • Facsimile: (+33) 1 44 45 41 92. Germany: State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich. Telephone +49 (0)89-55878-400 • Facsimile +49 (0)89-55878-440. Hong Kong: State Street Global Advisors Asia Limited, 68/F, Two International Finance Centre, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong • Telephone: +852 2103-0288 • Facsimile: +852 2103-0200. Japan: State Street Global Advisors, Japan, 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Telephone +813 4530 7380. Financial Instruments Business Operator, Kanto Local Financial Bureau (Kinsho #345). Japan Securities Investment Advisers Association, Investment Trust Association, Japan Securities Dealers’ Association. Ireland: State Street Global Advisors Ireland Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Incorporated and registered in Ireland at Two Park Place, Upper Hatch Street, Dublin 2. Registered number 145221. Member of the Irish Association of Investment Managers. Italy: State Street Global Advisors Ltd., Sede Secondaria di Milano—Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy. Telephone: +39 02 32066 100 • Facsimile: +39 02 32066 155. Netherlands: State Street Global Advisors Netherlands, Adam Smith Building, Thomas Malthusstraat 1-3, 1066 JR Amsterdam, Netherlands. Telephone: 31 20 7085600

 

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• Facsimile 31 20 7085601, SSgA Netherlands is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited. Singapore: State Street Global Advisors Singapore Limited, 168, Robinson Road, #33-01 Capital Tower, Singapore 068912 (Company Reg. No: 200002719D), Telephone: +65 6826-7500 • Facsimile: +65 6826-7501. Switzerland: State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich. Telephone +41 (0)44 245 70 00 • Facsimile +41 (0)44 245 70 16. United Kingdom: State Street Global Advisors Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered in England. Registered No. 2509928. VAT No. 5776591 81. Registered office: 20 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HJ. Telephone: 020 3395 6000 • Facsimile: 020 3395 6350. United States: State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900.

Web: www.ssga.com

SSgA generally delegates commodities management for separately managed accounts to SSgA FM, a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street and an affiliate of SSgA. SSgA FM is registered as a commodity trading advisor (“CTA”) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and National Futures Association.

This communication is not specifically directed to investors of separately managed accounts (SMA) utilizing futures, options on futures or swaps. SSgAFM CTAclients should contact SSgA Relationship Management for important CTA materials.

 

LOGO   LOGO
State Street Global Advisors is the investment management business of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), one of the world’s leading providers of financial services to institutional investors.   www.ssga.com

 

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LOGO

SSgA FM’s US Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines outline our expectations of companies listed on stock exchanges in the US. This policy complements and should be read in conjunction with SSgA FM’s Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles which provide a detailed explanation of SSgA FM’s approach to voting and engaging with companies.

SSgA FM’s US Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines address areas including board structure, audit related issues, capital structure, executive compensation, environmental, social and other governance related issues. Principally, we believe the primary responsibility of the board of directors is to preserve and enhance shareholder value and protect shareholder interests. In order to carry out their primary responsibilities, directors have to undertake activities that range from oversight of executive management to monitoring the risks that arise from a company’s business, including risks related to sustainability issues. Further, good corporate governance necessitates the existence of effective internal controls and risk management systems, which should be governed by the board.

 

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LOGO

When voting and engaging with companies in global markets, SSgA FM considers market specific nuances in the manner that we believe will most likely protect and promote the long term economic value of client investments. SSgA FM expects companies to observe the relevant laws and regulations of their respective markets as well as country specific best practice guidelines and corporate governance codes. In its analysis and research in to corporate governance issues in the US, SSgA FM expects all companies, to act in a transparent manner, conduct private ordering activity. Companies should provide detailed explanations under the Code’s ‘comply or explain’ approach, especially where they fail to meet requirements and why any such non-compliance would serve shareholders’ long-term interests.

SSgA FM’S PROXY VOTING AND ENGAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY

In our view, corporate governance and sustainability issues are an integral part of the investment process. The Corporate Governance Team consists of investment professionals with expertise in corporate governance and company law, remuneration, accounting as well as environmental and social issues. SSgA FM has established robust corporate governance principles and practices that are backed with extensive analytical expertise to understand the complexities of the corporate governance landscape. SSgA FM engages with companies to provide insight on the principles and practices that drive our voting decisions. We also conduct proactive engagement to address significant shareholder concerns and ESG issues in a manner consistent with maximizing shareholder value.

The team works alongside members of SSgA FM’s active investment teams; collaborating on issuer engagement and providing input on company specific fundamentals. SSgA FM is also a member of various investor associations that seek to address broader corporate governance related policy issues in the US.

SSgA FM is a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and is compliant with the UK Stewardship Code. We are committed to sustainable investing and are working to further integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles into investment and corporate governance practice, where applicable and consistent with our fiduciary duty.

DIRECTORS AND BOARDS

Director related proposals concern issues submitted to shareholders that deal with the composition of the board or impact the members of a corporation’s board of directors. In deciding which director nominee to support, SSgA FM considers numerous factors.

Director Elections

SSgA FM’s director election policy focuses on companies’ governance profile to identify if a company demonstrates appropriate governance practices or if it exhibits negative governance practices. Factors SSgA FM considers when evaluating governance practices include, but are not limited to the following:

 

    Shareholder rights;

 

    Board independence; and

 

    Board structure.

If a company demonstrates appropriate governance practices,

SSgA FM believes a director should be classified as independent based on the relevant listing standards or local market practice standards. In such cases, the composition of the key oversight committees of a board should meet the minimum standards of independence. Accordingly, SSgA FM will vote against a nominee at a company with appropriate governance practices if the director is classified as non-independent under relevant listing standards or local market practice AND serves on a key committee of the board (compensation, audit, nominating or committees required to be fully independent by local market standards).

 

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Conversely, if a company demonstrates negative governance practices , SSgA FM believes the classification standards for director independence should be elevated. In such circumstances, we will evaluate all director nominees based on the following classification standards:

 

    Is the nominee an employee of or related to an employee of the issuer or its auditor;

 

    Does the nominee provide professional services to the issuer;

 

    Has the nominee attended an appropriate number of board meetings; or

 

    Has the nominee received non-board related compensation from the issuer.

Where companies demonstrate negative governance practices,

these stricter standards will apply not only to directors who are a member of a key committee but to all directors on the board as market practice permits. Accordingly, SSgA FM will vote against a nominee (with the exception of the CEO) where the board has inappropriate governance practices and is considered not independent based on the above independence criteria.

Additionally, SSgA FM may withhold votes based on the following:

 

    CEOs of public companies who sit on more than three public company boards;

 

    Nominees who sit on more than six public company boards;

 

    SSgA FM may withhold votes from all director nominees at companies that have ignored a shareholder proposal which received a majority of the shares outstanding at the last annual or special meeting, unless management submits the proposal(s) on the ballot as a binding management proposal, recommending shareholders vote for the particular proposal(s);

 

    SSgA FM may withhold votes from compensation committee members where there is a weak relationship between executive pay and performance over a five-year period;

 

    SSgA FM will withhold votes from audit committee members if non-audit fees exceed 50% of total fees paid to the auditors; and

 

    SSgA FM will withhold votes from directors who appear to have been remiss in their duties.

Director Related Proposals

SSgA FM generally votes for the following director related proposals:

 

    Discharge of board members’ duties, in the absence of pending litigation, governmental investigation, charges of fraud or other indications of significant concern;

 

    Proposals to restore shareholders’ ability to remove directors with or without cause;

 

    Proposals that permit shareholders to elect directors to fill board vacancies; and

 

    Shareholder proposals seeking disclosure regarding the company, board, or compensation committee’s use of compensation consultants, such as company name, business relationship(s) and fees paid.

SSgA FM generally votes against the following director related proposals:

 

    Requirements that candidates for directorships own large amounts of stock before being eligible to be elected;

 

    Proposals that relate to the “transaction of other business as properly comes before the meeting”, which extend “blank check” powers to those acting as proxy; and

 

    Shareholder proposals requiring two candidates per board seat.

Majority Voting

SSgA FM will generally support a majority vote standard based on votes cast for the election of directors.

SSgA FM will generally vote to support amendments to bylaws that would require simple majority of voting shares (i.e. shares cast) to pass or repeal certain provisions.

 

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Annual Elections

SSgA FM generally supports the establishment of annual elections of the board of directors. Consideration is given to the overall level of board independence and the independence of the key committees as well as whether there is a shareholders rights plan.

Cumulative Voting

SSgA FM does not support cumulative voting structures for the election of directors.

Separation Chair/CEO

SSgA FM analyzes proposals for the separation of Chair/CEO on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration numerous factors, including but not limited to, a company’s performance and the overall governance structure of the company.

Proxy Access

SSgA FM will consider proposals relating to Proxy Access on a case-by-case basis:

SSgA FM will evaluate the company’s specific circumstances, the impact of the proposal on the target company and its potential effect on shareholder value.

Considerations include but are not limited to the following:

 

    The ownership thresholds and holding duration proposed in the resolution;

 

    The binding nature of the proposal;

 

    The number of directors that shareholders may be nominate each year;

 

    Company performance;

 

    Company governance structure;

 

    Shareholder rights; and

 

    Board performance.

Age/Term Limits

Generally, SSgA FM will vote against limits to tenure.

Approve Remuneration of Directors

Generally, SSgA FM will support directors’ compensation, provided the amounts are not excessive relative to other issuers in the market or industry. In making our determination, we review whether the compensation is overly dilutive to existing shareholders.

Indemnification

Generally, SSgA FM supports proposals to limit directors’ liability and/or expand indemnification and liability protection if he or she has not acted in bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

Classified Boards

SSgA FM generally supports annual elections for the board of directors. In certain cases, SSgA FM will support a classified board structure, if the board is composed of 80 percent of independent directors, the board’s key committees (auditing, nominating and compensation) are composed of independent directors, and SSgA FM will consider other governance factors, including antitakeover devices.

Confidential Voting

SSgA FM will support confidential voting.

 

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Board Size

SSgA FM will support proposals seeking to fix the board size or designate a range for the board size and will vote against proposals that give management the ability to alter the size of the board outside of a specified range without shareholder approval.

AUDIT RELATED ISSUES

Ratifying Auditors and Approving Auditor Compensation

SSgA FM supports the approval of auditors and auditor compensation provided that the issuer has properly disclosed audit and non-audit fees relative to market practice and the audit fees are not deemed excessive. SSgA FM deems audit fees to be excessive if the non-audit fees for the prior year constituted 50% or more of the total fees paid to the auditor. SSgA FM will support the disclosure of auditor and consulting relationships when the same or related entities are conducting both activities and will support the establishment of a selection committee responsible for the final approval of significant management consultant contract awards where existing firms are already acting in an auditing function.

In circumstances where “other” fees include fees related to initial public offerings, bankruptcy emergence, and spin-offs, and the company makes public disclosure of the amount and nature of those fees which are determined to be an exception to the standard “non-audit fee” category, then such fees may be excluded from the non-audit fees considered in determining the ratio of non-audit to audit/audit-related fees/tax compliance and preparation for purposes of determining whether non-audit fees are excessive.

SSgA FM will support the discharge of auditors and requirements that auditors attend the annual meeting of shareholders. 1

CAPITAL RELATED ISSUES

Capital structure proposals include requests by management for approval of amendments to the certificate of incorporation that will alter the capital structure of the company. The most common request is for an increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock, usually in conjunction with a stock split or dividend. Typically, requests that are not unreasonably dilutive or enhance the rights of common shareholders are supported. In considering authorized share proposals, the typical threshold for approval is 100% over current authorized shares. However, the threshold may be increased if the company offers a specific need or purpose (merger, stock splits, growth purposes, etc.). All proposals are evaluated on a case-by-case basis taking into account the company’s specific financial situation.

Increase in Authorized Common Shares

In general, SSgA FM supports share increases for general corporate purposes up to 100% of current authorized stock.

SSgA FM supports increases for specific corporate purposes up to 100% of the specific need plus 50% of current authorized common stock for US firms and plus 100% of current authorized stock for international firms.

When applying the thresholds, SSgA FM will also consider the nature of the specific need, such as mergers and acquisitions and stock splits.

Increase in Authorized Preferred Shares

SSgA FM votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to increase the number of preferred shares.

Generally, SSgA FM will vote for the authorization of preferred stock in cases where the company specifies the voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights of such stock and the terms of the preferred stock appear reasonable.

SSgA FM will support proposals to create “declawed” blank check preferred stock (stock that cannot be used as a takeover defense).

However, SSgA FM will vote against proposals to increase the number of blank check preferred stock authorized for issuance when no shares have been issued or reserved for a specific purpose.

 

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Unequal Voting Rights

SSgA FM will not support proposals authorizing the creation of new classes of common stock with superior voting rights and will vote against new classes of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights. In addition, SSgA FM will not support capitalization changes that add “blank check” classes of stock (i.e. classes of stock with undefined voting rights) or classes that dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders.

However, SSgA FM will support capitalization changes that eliminate other classes of stock and/or unequal voting rights.

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

Mergers and the reorganization structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, mergers, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders, demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the company’s operations, will be supported. In general, provisions that are not viewed as economically sound or are thought to be destructive to shareholders’ rights are not supported.

SSgA FM will generally support transactions that maximize shareholder value. Some of the considerations include, but are not limited to the following:

 

    Offer premium;

 

    Strategic rationale;

 

    Board oversight of the process for the recommended transaction, including, director and/or management conflicts of interest;

 

    Offers made at a premium and where there are no other higher bidders; and

 

    Offers in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value.

SSgA FM may vote against a transaction considering the following:

 

    Offers with potentially damaging consequences for minority shareholders because of illiquid stock, especially in some non-US markets;

 

    Offers where we believe there is a reasonable prospect for an enhanced bid or other bidders; and

 

    At the time of voting, the current market price of the security exceeds the bid price.

ANTI–TAKEOVER ISSUES

Typically, proposals relating to requests by management to amend the certificate of incorporation or bylaws to add or delete a provision are deemed to have an antitakeover effect. The majority of these proposals deal with management’s attempt to add some provision that makes a hostile takeover more difficult or will protect incumbent management in the event of a change in control of the company.

Proposals that reduce shareholders’ rights or have the effect of entrenching incumbent management will not be supported. Proposals that enhance the right of shareholders to make their own choices as to the desirability of a merger or other proposal are supported.

Shareholder Rights Plans

SSgA FM will support mandates requiring shareholder approval of a shareholder rights plans (“poison pill”) and repeals of various anti-takeover related provisions.

In general, SSgA FM will vote against the adoption or renewal of a US issuer’s shareholder rights plan (“poison pill”).

SSgA FM will vote for an amendment to a shareholder rights plan (“poison pill”) where the terms of the new plans are more favorable to shareholders’ ability to accept unsolicited offers (i.e. if one of the following conditions are met: (i) minimum trigger, flip-in or flip-over of 20%, (ii) maximum term of three years, (iii) no “dead hand,” “slow hand,” “no hand” or similar feature that limits the ability of a future board to redeem the pill, and (iv) inclusion of a shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause), permitting ten percent of the shares to call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the pill if the board refuses to redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced).

 

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Special Meetings

SSgA FM will vote for shareholder proposals related to special meetings at companies that do not provide shareholders the right to call for a special meeting in their by-laws if:

 

    The company also does not allow shareholders to act by written consent; or

 

    The company allows shareholders to act by written consent but the ownership threshold for acting by written consent is set above 25% of outstanding shares.

SSgA FM will vote for shareholder proposals related to special meetings at companies that give shareholders (with a minimum 10% ownership threshold) the right to call for a special meeting in their by-laws if:

 

    The current ownership threshold to call for a special meeting is above 25% of outstanding shares.

SSgA FM will vote for management proposals related to special meetings.

Written Consent

SSgA FM will vote for shareholder proposals on written consent at companies if:

 

    The company does not have provisions in their by-laws giving shareholders the right to call for a special meeting; or

 

    The company allows shareholders the right to call for a special meeting but the current ownership threshold to call for a special meeting is above 25% of outstanding shares; and

 

    The company has a poor governance profile.

SSgA FM will vote management proposals on written consent on a case-by-case basis.

Super–Majority

SSgA FM will generally vote against amendments to by-laws requiring super-majority shareholder votes to pass or repeal certain provisions. SSgA FM will vote for the reduction or elimination of super-majority vote requirements, unless management of the issuer was concurrently seeking to or had previously made such a reduction or elimination.

REMUNERATION ISSUES

Despite the differences among the types of plans and the awards possible there is a simple underlying philosophy that guides the analysis of all compensation plans; namely, are the terms of the plan designed to provide an incentive for executives and/or employees to align their interests with those of the shareholders and thus work toward enhancing shareholder value. Plans which benefit participants only when the shareholders also benefit are those most likely to be supported.

Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation and Frequency

SSgA FM believes executive compensation plays a critical role in aligning executives interest with shareholder’s, attracting, retaining and incentivizing key talent, and ensuring positive correlation between the performance achieved by management and the benefits derived by shareholders. SSgA FM supports management proposals on executive compensation where there is a strong relationship between executive pay and performance over a five-year period. SSgA FM seeks adequate disclosure of different compensation elements, absolute and relative pay levels, peer selection and benchmarking, the mix of long term and short term incentives, alignment of pay structures with shareholder interests as well as with corporate strategy and performance. Further, shareholders should have the opportunity to assess whether pay structures and levels are aligned with business performance on an annual basis.

Employee Equity Award Plans

SSgA FM considers numerous criteria when examining equity award proposals. Generally, SSgA FM does not vote against plans for lack of performance or vesting criteria. Rather, the main criteria that will result in a vote against an equity award plan are:

Excessive voting power dilution : To assess the dilutive effect, we divide the number of shares required to fully fund the proposed plan, the number of authorized but unissued shares and the issued but unexercised shares by the fully diluted share count. SSgA FM reviews that number in light of certain factors, including the industry of the issuer.

 

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Other criteria include the following:

 

    Number of participants or eligible employees;

 

    The variety of awards possible;

 

    The period of time covered by the plan.

There are numerous factors that we view as negative, and together, may result in a vote against a proposal:

 

    Grants to individuals or very small groups of participants;

 

    “Gun-jumping” grants which anticipate shareholder approval of a plan or amendment;

 

    The power of the board to exchange “underwater” options without shareholder approval; this pertains to the ability of a company to reprice options, not the actual act of repricing described above;

 

    Below market rate loans to officers to exercise their options;

 

    The ability to grant options at less than fair market value;

 

    Acceleration of vesting automatically upon a change in control; and

 

    Excessive compensation (i.e. compensation plans which are deemed by SSgA FM to be overly dilutive).

Historical option grants : Excessive historical option grants over the past three years. Plans that provide for historical grant patterns of greater than eight to twelve percent are generally not supported.

Repricing : SSgA FM will vote against any plan where repricing is expressly permitted. If a company has a history of repricing underwater options, the plan will not be supported.

Share Repurchases : If a company makes a clear connection between a share repurchase program and its intent to offset dilution created from option plans and the company fully discloses the amount of shares being repurchased, the voting dilution calculation may be adjusted to account for the impact of the buy back.

Companies who do not (i) clearly state the intentions of any proposed share buy-back plan or (ii) disclose a definitive number of the shares to be bought back and, (iii) disclose the time frame during which the shares will be bought back, will not have any such repurchase plan factored into the dilution calculation.

162(m) Plan Amendments : If a plan would not normally meet SSgA FM criteria described above, but is primarily being amended to add specific performance criteria to be used with awards designed to qualify for performance-based exception from the tax deductibility limitations of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, then SSgA FM will support the proposal to amend the plan.

Employee Stock Option Plans

SSgA FM generally votes for stock purchase plans with an exercise price of not less than 85% of fair market value. However, SSgA FM takes market practice into consideration.

Compensation Related Items

SSgA FM will generally support the following proposals:

 

    Expansions to reporting of financial or compensation-related information, within reason; and

 

    Proposals requiring the disclosure of executive retirement benefits if the issuer does not have an independent compensation committee.

SSgA FM will generally vote against the following proposals:

 

    Retirement bonuses for non-executive directors and auditors.

 

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MISCELLANEOUS/ROUTINE ITEMS

SSgA FM generally supports the following miscellaneous/routine governance items:

 

    Reimbursement of all appropriate proxy solicitation expenses associated with the election when voting in conjunction with support of a dissident slate;

 

    Opting out of business combination provision;

 

    Proposals that remove restrictions on the right of shareholders to act independently of management;

 

    Liquidation of the company if the company will file for bankruptcy if the proposal is not approved;

 

    Shareholder proposals to put option repricings to a shareholder vote;

 

    General updating of or corrective amendments to charter and by-laws not otherwise specifically addressed herein, unless such amendments would reasonably be expected to diminish shareholder rights (e.g. extension of directors’ term limits, amending shareholder vote requirement to amend the charter documents, insufficient information provided as to the reason behind the amendment);

 

    Change in corporation name;

 

    Mandates that amendments to bylaws or charters have shareholder approval;

 

    Management proposals to change the date, time, and/or location of the annual meeting unless the proposed change is unreasonable;

 

    Repeals, prohibitions or adoption of anti-greenmail provisions;

 

    Management proposals to implement a reverse stock split when the number of authorized shares will be proportionately reduced and proposals to implement a reverse stock split to avoid delisting; and

 

    Exclusive forum provisions.

SSgA FM generally does not support the following miscellaneous/ routine governance items:

 

    Proposals asking companies to adopt full tenure holding periods for their executives;

 

    Reincorporation to a location that we believe has more negative attributes than its current location of incorporation;

 

    Shareholder proposals to change the date, time, and/or location of the annual meeting unless the current scheduling or location is unreasonable;

 

    Proposals to approve other business when it appears as voting item;

 

    Proposals giving the board exclusive authority to amend the bylaws; and

 

    Proposals to reduce quorum requirements for shareholder meetings below a majority of the shares outstanding unless there are compelling reasons to support the proposal.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES

As a fiduciary, we consider the financial and economic implications of environmental and social issues first and foremost. Environmental and social factors not only can have an impact on the reputation of companies; they may also represent significant operational risks and costs to business.

Well-developed environmental and social management systems can also generate efficiencies and enhance productivity, both of which impact shareholder value in the long-term.

SSgA FM encourages companies to be transparent about the environmental and social risks and opportunities they face and adopt robust policies and processes to manage such issues. In our view, companies that manage all risks and consider opportunities related to environmental and social issues are able to adapt faster to changes and appear to be better placed to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in the long-term. Similarly, Companies with good risk management systems, which include environmental and social policies, have a stronger position relative to their peers to manage risk and change, which could result anything from regulation and litigation, physical threats (severe weather, climate change), economic trends as well as shifts in consumer behavior.

 

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In their public reporting, we expect companies to disclose information on relevant management tools, material environmental and social performance metrics and support efforts by companies to try to demonstrate how sustainability fits into operations and business activities. SSgA FM’s team of analysts evaluates these risks on an issuer by issuer basis; understanding that environmental and social risks can vary widely depending on company industry, its operations, and geographic footprint.

 

1   Common for non-US issuers; request from the issuer to discharge from liability the directors or auditors with respect to actions taken by them during the previous year.

SSgA Global Entities

Australia: State Street Global Advisors, Australia, Limited (ABN 42 003 914 225) is the holder of an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL Number 238276). Registered office: Level 17, 420 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Telephone: +612 9240-7600 • Facsimile: +612 9240-7611. Belgium: State Street Global Advisors Belgium, Office Park Nysdam, 92 Avenue Reine Astrid, B-1310 La Hulpe, Belgium. Telephone: 32 2 663 2036 • Facsimile: 32 2 672 2077. Belgium is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited. Canada: State Street Global Advisors, Ltd., 770 Sherbrooke Street West Suite 1200, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1G1 Canada and 30 Adelaide Street East, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 3G6 Canada. Dubai: State Street Bank and Trust Company (Representative Office), Suite 404 4th Floor, Building 4, Emaar Square, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Telephone: +971 (0)4-4372800 • Facsimile: +971 (0)4-4372818. France: State Street Global Advisors France. Authorised and regulated by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. Registered with the Register of Commerce and Companies of Nanterre under the number 412 052 680. Registered office: Immeuble Défense Plaza, 23-25 rue Delarivière-Lefoullon, 92064 Paris La Défense Cedex, France. Telephone: (+33) 1 44 45 40 00 • Facsimile: (+33) 1 44 45 41 92. Germany: State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich. Telephone +49 (0)89-55878-400 • Facsimile +49 (0)89-55878-440. Hong Kong: State Street Global Advisors Asia Limited, 68/F, Two International Finance Centre, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong • Telephone: +852 2103-0288 • Facsimile: +852 2103-0200. Japan: State Street Global Advisors, Japan, 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Telephone +813 4530 7380. Financial Instruments Business Operator, Kanto Local Financial Bureau (Kinsho #345). Japan Securities Investment Advisers Association, Investment Trust Association, Japan Securities Dealers’ Association. Ireland: State Street Global Advisors Ireland Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Incorporated and registered in Ireland at Two Park Place, Upper Hatch Street, Dublin 2. Registered number 145221. Member of the Irish Association of Investment Managers. Italy: State Street Global Advisors Ltd., Sede Secondaria di Milano—Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy. Telephone: +39 02 32066 100 • Facsimile: +39 02 32066 155. Netherlands: State Street Global Advisors Netherlands, Adam Smith Building, Thomas Malthusstraat 1-3, 1066 JR Amsterdam, Netherlands. Telephone: 31 20 7085600 • Facsimile 31 20 7085601, SSgA Netherlands is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited. Singapore: State Street Global Advisors Singapore Limited, 168, Robinson Road, #33-01 Capital Tower, Singapore 068912 (Company Reg. No: 200002719D), Telephone: +65 6826-7500 • Facsimile: +65 6826-7501. Switzerland: State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich. Telephone +41 (0)44 245 70 00 • Facsimile +41 (0)44 245 70 16. United Kingdom: State Street Global Advisors Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered in England. Registered No. 2509928. VAT No. 5776591 81. Registered office: 20 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HJ. Telephone: 020 3395 6000 •- Facsimile: 020 3395 6350. United States: State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900.

Web: www.ssga.com

SSgA generally delegates commodities management for separately managed accounts to SSgA FM, a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street and an affiliate of SSgA. SSgA FM is registered as a commodity trading advisor (“CTA”) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and National Futures Association.

This communication is not specifically directed to investors of separately managed accounts (SMA) utilizing futures, options on futures or swaps. SSgA FM CTAclients should contact SSgA Relationship Management for important CTA materials.

 

LOGO   LOGO
State Street Global Advisors is the investment management business of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), one of the world’s leading providers of financial services to institutional investors.   www.ssga.com

 

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LOGO

SSgA FM’s European Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines cover different corporate governance frameworks and practices in European markets excluding the United Kingdom and Ireland. This policy complements and should be read in conjunction with SSgA FM’s overarching Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles which provide a detailed explanation of SSgA FM’s approach to voting and engaging with companies.

SSgA FM’s Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines in European markets address areas including board structure, audit related issues, capital structure, remuneration, environmental, social and other governance related issues. Principally, we believe the primary responsibility of the board of directors is to preserve and enhance shareholder value and protect shareholder interests. In order to carry out their primary responsibilities, directors have to undertake activities that range from oversight of executive management and monitoring the risks that arise from a company’s business, including risks related to sustainability issues. Further, good corporate governance necessitates the existence of effective internal controls and risk management systems, which should be governed by the board.

 

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LOGO

When voting and engaging with companies in European markets, SSgA FM considers market specific nuances in the manner that we believe will most likely protect and promote the long term economic value of client investments. SSgA FM expects companies to observe the relevant laws and regulations of their respective markets as well as country specific best practice guidelines and corporate governance codes. In its analysis and research in to corporate governance issues in European companies, SSgA FM also considers guidance issued by the European Commission. Companies should provide detailed explanations under diverse ‘comply or explain’ approaches, especially where they fail to meet requirements and why any such non-compliance would serve shareholders’ long-term interests.

SSgA’S PROXY VOTING AND ENGAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY

In our view, corporate governance and sustainability issues are an integral part of the investment process. The Corporate Governance Team consists of investment professionals with expertise in corporate governance and company law, remuneration, accounting as well as environmental and social issues. SSgA FM has established robust corporate governance principles and practices that are backed with extensive analytical expertise to understand the complexities of the corporate governance landscape. SSgA FM engages with companies to provide insight on the principles and practices that drive our voting decisions. We also conduct proactive engagement to address significant shareholder concerns and ESG issues in a manner consistent with maximizing shareholder value.

The team works alongside members of SSgA FM’s active fundamental and EMEA investment teams; collaborating on issuer engagement and providing input on company specific fundamentals. SSgA FM is also a member of various investor associations that seek to address broader corporate governance related policy issues in European markets.

SSgA FM is a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and is compliant with the UK Stewardship Code. We are committed to sustainable investing and are working to further integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles into investment and corporate governance practice, where applicable and consistent with our fiduciary duty.

DIRECTORS AND BOARDS

SSgA FM believes that a well constituted board of directors, with a good balance of skills, expertise and independence, provides the foundations for a well governed company. SSgA FM votes for the election/re–election of directors on a case-by-case basis after considering various factors including general market practice and availability of information on director skills and expertise. In principle, SSgA FM believes independent directors are crucial to good corporate governance and help management establish sound corporate governance policies and practices. A sufficiently independent board will most effectively monitor management and perform oversight functions necessary to protect shareholder interests.

SSgA FM’s broad criteria for director independence in European companies include factors such as:

 

    Participation in related–party transactions and other business relations with the company;

 

    Employment history with company;

 

    Tenure;

 

    Relations with controlling shareholders;

 

    family ties with any of the company’s advisers, directors or senior employees; and

 

    Employee and government representatives.

 

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While, overall board independence requirements and board structures differ from market–to–market, SSgA FM considers voting against directors it deems non–independent if overall board independence is below one third. SSgA FM also assesses the division of responsibilities between chairman and CEO on a case–by–case basis, giving consideration to factors such as overall level of independence on the board and general corporate governance standards in the company. SSgA FM may also not support a proposal to discharge the board, if a company fails to meet adequate governance standards or board level independence.

When considering the election or re-election of a non-executive director, SSgA FM also considers the number of outside board directorships a non-executive can undertake and attendance at board meetings. In addition, SSgA FM may vote against the election of a director whose biographical disclosures are insufficient to assess his or her role on the board and/or independence.

Although we generally are in favor of the annual election of directors, we recognize that director terms vary considerable in different European markets. SSgA FM may vote against article/ bylaw changes that seek to extend director terms. In addition, in certain markets, SSgA FM may vote against directors if their director terms extend beyond four years.

SSgA FM believes companies should have relevant board level committees for audit, remuneration and nomination oversight. The audit committee is responsible for monitoring the integrity of the financial statements of the company, appointing external auditors, monitoring their qualifications and independence as well their effectiveness and resource levels. Similarly, executive pay is an important aspect of corporate governance, and it should be determined by the board of directors and SSgA FM expects companies to have in place remuneration committees to provide independent oversight over executive pay. SSgA FM may vote against nominees who are executive members of audit or remuneration committees.

In its analysis of boards, SSgA FM considers whether board members have adequate skills to provide effective oversight of corporate strategy, operations and risks, including environmental and social issues. Boards should also have a regular evaluation process is place to assess the effectiveness of the board and the skills of board members to address issues such as emerging risks, changes to corporate strategy and diversification of operations and geographic footprint.

In certain European markets it is not uncommon for the election of directors to be presented in a single slate. In these cases, where executives serve on the audit or the remuneration committees, SSgA FM may vote against the entire slate.

SSgA FM may also consider factors such as board performance and directors who appear to be remiss in the performance of their oversight responsibilities. (e.g. fraud, criminal wrongdoing, breach of fiduciary responsibilities)

Indemnification and limitations on liability

Generally, SSgA FM supports proposals to limit directors’ and statutory auditors’ liability and/or expand indemnification and liability protection up to the limit provided by law, if he or she has not acted in bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

AUDIT RELATED ISSUES

Companies should have a robust internal audit and internal control systems designed for effective management of any potential and emerging risks to company operations and strategy. The responsibility of setting out an internal audit function lies with the audit committee, which should have as members independent non-executive directors.

Appointment of External Auditors

SSgA FM believes that a company’s auditor is an essential feature of an effective and transparent system of external supervision and shareholders should be given the opportunity to vote on their appointment or re-appoint at the annual meeting. When appointing external auditors and approving audit fees, SSgA FM will take into consideration the level of detail in company disclosures and will generally not support such resolutions if adequate breakdown is not provided and if non-audit fees are more than 50% of audit fees. In addition, SSgA FM may vote against members of the audit committee if we have concerns with audit related issues or if the level of non-audit fees to audit fees is significant. In certain circumstances, SSgA FM may consider auditor tenure when evaluating the audit process.

Limit Legal Liability of External Auditors

SSgA FM generally opposes limiting the legal liability of audit firms as we believe this could create a negative impact on the quality of the audit function.

 

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SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS AND CAPITAL RELATED ISSUES

In some European markets, differential voting rights continue to exist. SSgA FM supports the “one share one vote” policy and favors a share structure where all shares have equal voting rights. SSgA FM believes pre-emption rights should be introduced for shareholders in order to provide adequate protection from being overly diluted from the issuance of new shares or convertible securities to third parties or a small number of select shareholders.

Unequal Voting Rights

SSgA FM generally opposes proposals authorizing the creation of new classes of common stock with superior voting rights and will generally oppose new classes of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights. In addition, SSgA FM will not support capitalization changes that add classes of stock with undefined voting rights or classes that may dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders. SSgA FM supports proposals to abolish voting caps and capitalization changes that eliminate other classes of stock and/or unequal voting rights.

Increase in Authorized Capital

The ability raise capital is critical for companies to carry out strategy, grow, and achieve returns above their cost of capital. The approval of capital raising activities is fundamental to shareholder’s ability to monitor the amounts of proceeds and to ensure capital is deployed efficiently. SSgA FM supports capital increases that have sound business reasons and are not excessive relative to a company’s existing capital base.

Pre-emption rights are a fundamental right for shareholders to protect their investment in a company. Where companies seeks to issue new shares whilst dis–applying pre–emption rights, SSgA FM may vote against if such authorities are greater than 20% of the issued share capital. SSgA FM may also vote against resolutions seeking authority to issue capital with pre-emption rights if the aggregate amount allowed seems excessive and is not justified by the board. Generally, we are against capital issuance proposals greater than 100% of the issued share capital when the proceeds are not intended for a specific purpose.

Share Repurchase Programs

SSgA FM generally supports a proposal to repurchase shares, other than if the issuer does not clearly state the business purpose for the program, a definitive number of shares to be repurchased, and the time frame for the repurchase. SSgA FM may vote against share re-purchase requests that allow share re-purchases during a takeover period.

Dividends

SSgA FM generally supports dividend payouts that constitute 30% or more of net income. SSgA FM may vote against the dividend payouts if the dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30% without adequate explanation; or, the payout is excessive given the company’s financial position. Particular attention will be paid where the payment may damage the company’s long term financial health.

Related Party Transactions

Certain companies in European markets have a controlled ownership structure and have complex cross-shareholdings between subsidiaries and parent companies (related companies). Such structures may result in the prevalence of related-party transactions between the company and its various stakeholders such as directors and management, subsidiaries and shareholders. In markets where shareholders are required to approve such transactions, SSgA FM expects companies to provide details of the transaction, such as the nature, value and purpose of such a transaction. It also encourages independent directors to ratify such transactions. Further, SSgA FM encourages companies to describe the level of independent board oversight and the approval process, including details of any independent valuations provided by financial advisors on related-party transactions.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Mergers and the reorganization structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, mergers, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders, demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the company’s operations, will be supported. In general, provisions that are not viewed as economically sound or are thought to be destructive to shareholders’ rights are not supported.

 

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SSgA FM will generally support transactions that maximize shareholder value. Some of the considerations include, but are not limited to the following:

 

    Offer premium;

 

    Strategic rationale;

 

    Board oversight of the process for the recommended transaction, including, director and/or management conflicts of interest;

 

    Offers made at a premium and where there are no other higher bidders; and

 

    Offers in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value.

SSgA FM may vote against a transaction considering the following:

 

    Offers with potentially damaging consequences for minority shareholders because of illiquid stock;

 

    Offers where we believe there is a reasonable prospect for an enhanced bid or other bidders; and

 

    At the time of voting, the current market price of the security exceeds the bid price.

Anti–Takeover Measures

European markets have diverse regulations concerning the use of share issuances as takeover defenses with legal restrictions lacking in some markets. SSgA FM supports a one-share, one-vote policy, for example, given that dual-class capital structures entrench certain shareholders and management, insulating them from possible takeovers. SSgA FM opposes unlimited share issuance authorizations as they may be used as antitakeover devices, and they have the potential for substantial voting and earnings dilution. SSgA FM also monitors the duration of authorities to issue shares and whether there are restrictions and caps on multiple issuance authorities during the specified time periods. SSgA FM opposes antitakeover defenses such as authorities for the board, when subject to a hostile takeover, to issue warrants convertible into shares to existing shareholders.

REMUNERATION

Executive Pay

Despite the differences among the types of plans and awards possible, there is a simple underlying philosophy that guides SSgA FM’s analysis of executive pay—there should be a direct relationship between remuneration and company performance over the long term.

Shareholders should have the opportunity to assess whether pay structures and levels are aligned with business performance. When assessing remuneration reports, SSgA FM considers factors such as adequate disclosure of different remuneration elements, absolute and relative pay levels, peer selection and benchmarking, the mix of long term and short term incentives, alignment of pay structures with shareholder interests as well as with corporate strategy and performance. SSgA FM may oppose remuneration reports where there seems to be a misalignment between shareholders’ interests. SSgA FM may vote also against the re-election of members of the remuneration committee if we have serious concerns over remuneration practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder pressure the amend them.

Equity Incentives Plans

SSgA FM may not support proposals on equity-based incentive plans where insufficient information is provided on matters such as grant limits, performance metrics, performance and vesting periods and overall dilution. SSgA FM does not generally support options under such plans being issued at a discount to market price or plans that allow for re-testing of performance metrics.

Non–executive Director Pay

In European markets, authorities seeking shareholder approval for non-executive directors’ fees are generally not controversial. SSgA FM generally supports resolutions regarding directors’ fees unless disclosure is poor and we are unable to determine whether they are excessive relative to fees paid by other companies in the same country or industry. SSgA FM will evaluate on a company-by-company basis any non-cash or performance related pay to non-executive directors.

 

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RISK MANAGEMENT

SSgA FM believes that risk management is a key function of the board, which is responsible for setting the overall risk appetite of a company and for providing oversight on the risk management process established by senior executives at a company. SSgA FM allows boards discretion over how they provide oversight in this area. However, SSgA FM expects companies to disclose how the board provides oversight on its risk management system and to identify key risks facing the company. Boards should also review existing and emerging risks as they can change with a changing political and economic landscape, or as companies diversify or expand their operations into new areas.

Environmental and Social Issues

As a fiduciary, SSgA FM considers the financial and economic implications of environmental and social issues first and foremost. In this regard, SSgA FM supports environmental and social related items that we believe would protect or enhance shareholder value. Environmental and social factors not only can have an impact on the reputation of companies; they may also represent significant operational risks and costs to business. Well-developed environmental and social management systems can also generate efficiencies and enhance productivity, both of which impact shareholder value in the long-term.

SSgA FM encourages companies to be transparent about the environmental and social risks and opportunities they face and adopt robust policies and processes to manage such issues. In our view, companies that manage all risks and consider opportunities related to environmental and social issues are able to adapt faster to changes and appear to be better placed to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in the long-term. Similarly, Companies with good risk management systems, which include environmental and social policies, have a stronger position relative to their peers to manage risk and change, which could result anything from regulation and litigation, physical threats (severe weather, climate change), economic trends as well as shifts in consumer behavior.

In their public reporting, we expect companies to disclose information on relevant management tools, material environmental and social performance metrics and support efforts by companies to try to demonstrate how sustainability fits into operations and business activities. SSgA FM’s team of analysts evaluates these risks and shareholder proposals relating to them on an issuer by issuer basis; understanding that environmental and social risks can vary widely depending on company industry, its operations, and geographic footprint. SSgA FM may also take action against the re-election of members of the board if we have serious concerns over ESG practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder pressure the amend them.

SSgA Global Entities

Australia: State Street Global Advisors, Australia, Limited (ABN 42 003 914 225) is the holder of an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL Number 238276). Registered office: Level 17, 420 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Telephone: +612 9240-7600 • Facsimile: +612 9240-7611. Belgium: State Street Global Advisors Belgium, Office Park Nysdam, 92 Avenue Reine Astrid, B-1310 La Hulpe, Belgium. Telephone: 32 2 663 2036 • Facsimile: 32 2 672 2077. Belgium is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited. Canada: State Street Global Advisors, Ltd., 770 Sherbrooke Street West Suite 1200, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1G1 Canada and 30 Adelaide Street East, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 3G6 Canada. Dubai: State Street Bank and Trust Company (Representative Office), Suite 404 4th Floor, Building 4, Emaar Square, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Telephone: +971 (0)4-4372800 • Facsimile: +971 (0)4-4372818. France: State Street Global Advisors France. Authorised and regulated by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. Registered with the Register of Commerce and Companies of Nanterre under the number 412 052 680. Registered office: Immeuble Défense Plaza, 23-25 rue Delarivière-Lefoullon, 92064 Paris La Défense Cedex, France. Telephone: (+33) 1 44 45 40 00 • Facsimile: (+33) 1 44 45 41 92. Germany: State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich. Telephone +49 (0)89-55878-400 • Facsimile +49 (0)89-55878-440. Hong Kong: State Street Global Advisors Asia Limited, 68/F, Two International Finance Centre, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong • Telephone: +852 2103-0288 • Facsimile: +852 2103-0200. Japan: State Street Global Advisors, Japan, 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Telephone +813 4530 7380. Financial Instruments Business Operator, Kanto Local Financial Bureau (Kinsho #345). Japan Securities Investment Advisers Association, Investment Trust Association, Japan Securities Dealers’ Association. Ireland: State Street Global Advisors Ireland Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Incorporated and registered in Ireland at Two Park Place, Upper Hatch Street, Dublin 2. Registered number 145221. Member of the Irish Association of Investment Managers. Italy: State Street Global Advisors Ltd., Sede Secondaria di Milano—Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy. Telephone: +39 02 32066 100 • Facsimile: +39 02 32066 155. Netherlands: State Street Global Advisors Netherlands, Adam Smith Building, Thomas Malthusstraat 1-3, 1066 JR Amsterdam, Netherlands. Telephone: 31 20 7085600 • Facsimile 31 20 7085601, SSgA Netherlands is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited. Singapore: State Street Global Advisors Singapore Limited, 168, Robinson Road, #33-01 Capital Tower, Singapore 068912 (Company Reg. No: 200002719D), Telephone: +65 6826-7500 • Facsimile: +65 6826-7501. Switzerland: State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich. Telephone +41 (0)44 245 70 00 • Facsimile +41 (0)44 245 70 16. United Kingdom: State Street Global Advisors Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered in England. Registered No. 2509928. VAT No. 5776591 81. Registered office: 20 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HJ. Telephone: 020 3395 6000 • Facsimile: 020 3395 6350. United States: State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900.

 

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Web: www.ssga.com

SSgA generally delegates commodities management for separately managed accounts to SSgA FM, a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street and an affiliate of SSgA. SSgA FM is registered as a commodity trading advisor (“CTA”) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and National Futures Association.

This communication is not specifically directed to investors of separately managed accounts (SMA) utilizing futures, options on futures or swaps. SSgAFM CTAclients should contact SSgA Relationship Management for important CTA materials.

 

LOGO   LOGO
State Street Global Advisors is the investment management business of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), one of the world’s leading providers of financial services to institutional investors.   www.ssga.com

 

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LOGO

SSgA FM’s UK Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines outline our expectations of companies listed on stock exchanges in the United Kingdom and Ireland. This policy complements and should be read in conjunction with SSgA FM’s Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles which provide a detailed explanation of SSgA FM’s approach to voting and engaging with companies.

SSgA FM’s UK Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines address areas including board structure, audit related issues, capital structure, remuneration, environmental, social and other governance related issues. Principally, we believe the primary responsibility of the board of directors is to preserve and enhance shareholder value and protect shareholder interests. In order to carry out their primary responsibilities, directors have to undertake activities that range from oversight of executive management to monitoring the risks that arise from a company’s business, including risks related to sustainability issues. Further, good corporate governance necessitates the existence of effective internal controls and risk management systems, which should be governed by the board.

 

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LOGO

When voting and engaging with companies in global markets, SSgA FM considers market specific nuances in the manner that we believe will most likely protect and promote the long term economic value of client investments. SSgA FM expects companies to observe the relevant laws and regulations of their respective markets as well as country specific best practice guidelines and corporate governance codes. In its analysis and research in to corporate governance issues in the UK and Ireland, SSgA FM expects all companies, regardless of domicile that obtain a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange or the Irish Stock Exchange to comply with the UK Corporate Governance Code. Companies should provide detailed explanations under the Code’s ‘comply or explain’ approach, especially where they fail to meet requirements and why any such non-compliance would serve shareholders’ long-term interests.

SSgA’S PROXY VOTING AND ENGAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY

In our view, corporate governance and sustainability issues are an integral part of the investment process. The Corporate Governance Team consists of investment professionals with expertise in corporate governance and company law, remuneration, accounting as well as environmental and social issues. SSgA FM has established robust corporate governance principles and practices that are backed with extensive analytical expertise to understand the complexities of the corporate governance landscape. SSgA FM engages with companies to provide insight on the principles and practices that drive our voting decisions. We also conduct proactive engagement to address significant shareholder concerns and ESG issues in a manner consistent with maximizing shareholder value.

The team works alongside members of SSgA FM’s active fundamental and EMEA investment teams; collaborating on issuer engagement and providing input on company specific fundamentals. SSgA FM is also a member of various investor associations that seek to address broader corporate governance related policy issues in the UK and European markets.

SSgA FM is a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and is compliant with the UK Stewardship Code. We are committed to sustainable investing and are working to further integrate environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles into investment and corporate governance practice, where applicable and consistent with our fiduciary duty.

DIRECTORS AND BOARDS

SSgA FM believes that a well constituted board of directors, with a good balance of skills, expertise and independence, provides the foundations for a well governed company. SSgA FM votes for the election/re-election of directors on a case-by-case basis after considering various factors including general market practice and availability of information on director skills and expertise. In principle, SSgA FM believes independent directors are crucial to good corporate governance and help management establish sound corporate governance policies and practices. A sufficiently independent board will most effectively monitor management and perform oversight functions necessary to protect shareholder interests.

SSgA FM’s broad criteria for director independence in UK companies include factors such as:

 

    Participation in related-party transactions and other business relations with the company;

 

    Employment history with company;

 

    Tenure;

 

    Relations with controlling shareholders; and

 

    Family ties with any of the company’s advisers, directors or senior employees.

When considering the election or re-election of a director, SSgA FM also considers the number of outside board directorships of a non-executive and an executive may undertake as well as attendance at board meetings. In addition, SSgA FM monitors other factors that may influence the independence of a non-executive director, such as performance related pay, cross-directorships, significant shareholdings and tenure. SSgA FM supports the annual election of directors.

 

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While SSgA FM is generally supportive of having the roles of chairman and CEO separated in the UK market, SSgA FM assesses the division of responsibilities between chairman and CEO on a case-by-case basis, giving consideration to factors such as the company’s specific circumstances, overall level of independence on the board and general corporate governance standards in the company. Similarly, SSgA FM will monitor for circumstances where a combined chairman/CEO is appointed or where a former CEO becomes chairman.

SSgA FM may also consider factors such as board performance and directors who appear to be remiss in the performance of their oversight responsibilities. (e.g. fraud, criminal wrongdoing, breach of fiduciary responsibilities).

SSgA FM believes companies should have committees for audit, remuneration and nomination oversight. The audit committee is responsible for monitoring the integrity of the financial statements of the company, appointing external auditors, monitoring their qualifications and independence as well their effectiveness and resource levels. Similarly, executive pay is an important aspect of corporate governance, and it should be determined by the board of directors and SSgA FM expects companies to have in place remuneration committees to provide independent oversight over executive pay. SSgA FM will vote against nominees who are executive members of audit or remuneration committees.

In its analysis of boards, SSgA FM considers whether board members have adequate skills to provide effective oversight of corporate strategy, operations and risks, including environmental and social issues. Boards should also have a regular evaluation process is place to assess the effectiveness of the board and the skills of board members to address issues such as emerging risks, changes to corporate strategy and diversification of operations and geographic footprint. The nomination committee is responsible for evaluating and keeping under review the balance of skills, knowledge and experience of the board and ensuring that adequate succession plans are in place for directors and the CEO. SSgA FM may vote against the re-election of members of the nomination committee if, over time, the board has failed to address concerns over board structure or succession.

Indemnification and limitations on liability

Generally, SSgA FM supports proposals to limit directors’ and statutory auditors’ liability and/or expand indemnification and liability protection up to the limit provided by law, if he or she has not acted in bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

AUDIT RELATED ISSUES

Companies should have a robust internal audit and internal control systems designed for effective management of any potential and emerging risks to company operations and strategy. The responsibility of setting out an internal audit function lies with the audit committee, which should have as members independent non-executive directors.

Appointment of External Auditors

SSgA FM believes that a company’s auditor is an essential feature of an effective and transparent system of external supervision and shareholders should be given the opportunity to vote on their appointment or re-appoint at the annual meeting. When appointing external auditors and approving audit fees, SSgA FM will take into consideration the level of detail in company disclosures and will generally not support such resolutions if an adequate breakdown is not provided and if non-audit fees are more than 50% of audit fees. In addition, SSgA FM may vote against members of the audit committee if we have concerns with audit related issues or if the level of non-audit fees to audit fees is significant. In certain circumstances, SSgA FM may consider auditor tenure when evaluating the audit process.

Limit Legal Liability of External Auditors

SSgA FM generally opposes limiting the legal liability of audit firms as we believe this could create a negative impact on the quality of the audit function.

SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS AND CAPITAL RELATED ISSUES

Share Issuances

The ability raise capital is critical for companies to carry out strategy, grow, and achieve returns above their cost of capital. The approval of capital raising activities is fundamental to shareholder’s ability to monitor the amounts of proceeds and to ensure capital is deployed efficiently. SSgA FM supports capital increases that have sound business reasons and are note excessive relative to a company’s existing capital base.

 

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Pre-emption rights are a fundamental right for shareholders to protect their investment in a company. Where companies seeks to issue new shares whilst dis-applying pre-emption rights, SSgA FM may vote against if such authorities are greater than 20% of the issued share capital. SSgA FM may also vote against resolutions seeking authority to issue capital with pre-emption rights if the aggregate amount allowed seems excessive and is not justified by the board. Generally, we are against capital issuance proposals greater than 100% of the issued share capital when the proceeds are not intended for a specific purpose.

Share Repurchase Programs

SSgA FM generally supports a proposal to repurchase shares, other than if the issuer does not clearly state the business purpose for the program, a definitive number of shares to be repurchased, and the time frame for the repurchase. SSgA FM may vote against share re-purchase requests that allow share re-purchases during a takeover period.

Dividends

SSgA FM generally supports dividend payouts that constitute 30% or more of net income. SSgA FM may vote against the dividend payouts if the dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30% without adequate explanation; or, the payout is excessive given the company’s financial position. Particular attention will be paid where the payment may damage the company’s long term financial health.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Mergers and the reorganization structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, mergers, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders, demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the company’s operations, will be supported. In general, provisions that are not viewed as economically sound or are thought to be destructive to shareholders’ rights are not supported.

SSgA FM will generally support transactions that maximize shareholder value. Some of the considerations include, but are not limited to the following:

 

    Offer premium;

 

    Strategic rationale;

 

    Board oversight of the process for the recommended transaction, including, director and/or management conflicts of interest;

 

    Offers made at a premium and where there are no other higher bidders; and

 

    Offers in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value.

SSgA FM may vote against a transaction considering the following:

 

    Offers with potentially damaging consequences for minority shareholders because of illiquid stock;

 

    Offers where we believe there is a reasonable prospect for an enhanced bid or other bidders; and

 

    At the time of voting, the current market price of the security exceeds the bid price.

Anti-Takeover Measures

SSgA FM opposes antitakeover defenses such as authorities for the board when subject to a hostile takeover to issue warrants convertible into shares to existing shareholders.

REMUNERATION

Executive Pay

Despite the differences among the types of plans and awards possible, there is a simple underlying philosophy that guides SSgA FM’s analysis of executive pay—there should be a direct relationship between remuneration and company performance over the long term.

 

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Shareholders should have the opportunity to assess whether pay structures and levels are aligned with business performance. When assessing remuneration reports, SSgA FM considers factors such as adequate disclosure of different remuneration elements, absolute and relative pay levels, peer selection and benchmarking, the mix of long term and short term incentives, alignment of pay structures with shareholder interests as well as with corporate strategy and performance. SSgA FM may oppose remuneration reports where there seems to be a misalignment between shareholders’ interests. SSgA FM may vote also against the re-election of members of the remuneration committee if we have serious concerns over remuneration practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder pressure the amend them.

Equity Incentives Plans

SSgA FM may not support proposals on equity-based incentive plans where insufficient information is provided on matters such as grant limits, performance metrics, performance and vesting periods and overall dilution. SSgA FM does not generally support options under such plans being issued at a discount to market price or plans that allow for re-testing of performance metrics.

Non-executive Director Pay

Authorities seeking shareholder approval for non-executive directors’ fees are generally not controversial. SSgA generally supports resolutions regarding directors’ fees unless disclosure is poor and we are unable to determine whether they are excessive relative to fees paid by other companies in the same country or industry. SSgA FM will evaluate on a company-by-company basis any non-cash or performance related pay to non-executive directors.

RISK MANAGEMENT

SSgA FM believes that risk management is a key function of the board, which is responsible for setting the overall risk appetite of a company and for providing oversight on the risk management process established by senior executives at a company. SSgA FM allows boards discretion over how they provide oversight in this area. However, SSgA FM expects companies to disclose how the board provides oversight on its risk management system and to identify key risks facing the company. Boards should also review existing and emerging risks as they can change with a changing political and economic landscape, or as companies diversify or expand their operations into new areas.

Environmental and Social Issues

As a fiduciary, SSgA FM considers the financial and economic implications of environmental and social issues first and foremost. In this regard, SSgA FM supports environmental and social related items that we believe would protect or enhance shareholder value. Environmental and social factors not only can have an impact on the reputation of companies; they may also represent significant operational risks and costs to business. Well-developed environmental and social management systems can also generate efficiencies and enhance productivity, both of which impact shareholder value in the long-term.

SSgA FM encourages companies to be transparent about the environmental and social risks and opportunities they face and adopt robust policies and processes to manage such issues. In our view, companies that manage all risks and consider opportunities related to environmental and social issues are able to adapt faster to changes and appear to be better placed to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in the long-term. Similarly, companies with good risk management systems, which include environmental and social policies, have a stronger position relative to their peers to manage risk and change, which could result anything from regulation and litigation, physical threats (severe weather, climate change), economic trends as well as shifts in consumer behavior.

In their public reporting, we expect companies to disclose information on relevant management tools, material environmental and social performance metrics and support efforts by companies to try to demonstrate how sustainability fits into operations and business activities. SSgA FM’s team of analysts evaluates these risks and shareholder proposals relating to them on an issuer by issuer basis; understanding that environmental and social risks can vary widely depending on company industry, its operations, and geographic footprint. SSgA FM may also take action against the re-election of members of the board if we have serious concerns over ESG practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder pressure the amend them.

 

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SSgA Global Entities

Australia: State Street Global Advisors, Australia, Limited (ABN 42 003 914 225) is the holder of an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL Number 238276). Registered office: Level 17, 420 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Telephone: +612 9240-7600 • Facsimile: +612 9240-7611. Belgium: State Street Global Advisors Belgium, Office Park Nysdam, 92 Avenue Reine Astrid, B-1310 La Hulpe, Belgium. Telephone: 32 2 663 2036 • Facsimile: 32 2 672 2077. Belgium is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited. Canada: State Street Global Advisors, Ltd., 770 Sherbrooke Street West Suite 1200, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1G1 Canada and 30 Adelaide Street East, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 3G6 Canada. Dubai: State Street Bank and Trust Company (Representative Office), Suite 404 4th Floor, Building 4, Emaar Square, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Telephone: +971 (0)4-4372800 • Facsimile: +971 (0)4-4372818. France: State Street Global Advisors France. Authorised and regulated by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. Registered with the Register of Commerce and Companies of Nanterre under the number 412 052 680. Registered office: Immeuble Défense Plaza, 23-25 rue Delarivière-Lefoullon, 92064 Paris La Défense Cedex, France. Telephone: (+33) 1 44 45 40 00 • Facsimile: (+33) 1 44 45 41 92. Germany: State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich. Telephone +49 (0)89-55878-400 • Facsimile +49 (0)89-55878-440. Hong Kong: State Street Global Advisors Asia Limited, 68/F, Two International Finance Centre, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong • Telephone: +852 2103-0288 • Facsimile: +852 2103-0200. Japan: State Street Global Advisors, Japan, 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Telephone +813 4530 7380. Financial Instruments Business Operator, Kanto Local Financial Bureau (Kinsho #345). Japan Securities Investment Advisers Association, Investment Trust Association, Japan Securities Dealers’ Association. Ireland: State Street Global Advisors Ireland Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Incorporated and registered in Ireland at Two Park Place, Upper Hatch Street, Dublin 2. Registered number 145221. Member of the Irish Association of Investment Managers. Italy: State Street Global Advisors Ltd., Sede Secondaria di Milano—Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy. Telephone: +39 02 32066 100 • Facsimile: +39 02 32066 155. Netherlands: State Street Global Advisors Netherlands, Adam Smith Building, Thomas Malthusstraat 1-3, 1066 JR Amsterdam, Netherlands. Telephone: 31 20 7085600 • Facsimile 31 20 7085601, SSgA Netherlands is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited. Singapore: State Street Global Advisors Singapore Limited, 168, Robinson Road, #33-01 Capital Tower, Singapore 068912 (Company Reg. No: 200002719D), Telephone: +65 6826-7500 • Facsimile: +65 6826-7501. Switzerland: State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich. Telephone +41 (0)44 245 70 00 • Facsimile +41 (0)44 245 70 16. United Kingdom: State Street Global Advisors Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered in England. Registered No. 2509928. VAT No. 5776591 81. Registered office: 20 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HJ. Telephone: 020 3395 6000 • Facsimile: 020 3395 6350. United States: State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900.

Web: www.ssga.com

SSgA generally delegates commodities management for separately managed accounts to SSgA FM, a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street and an affiliate of SSgA. SSgA FM is registered as a commodity trading advisor (“CTA”) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and National Futures Association.

This communication is not specifically directed to investors of separately managed accounts (SMA) utilizing futures, options on futures or swaps. SSgAFM CTAclients should contact SSgA Relationship Management for important CTA materials.

 

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State Street Global Advisors is the investment management business of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), one of the world’s leading providers of financial services to institutional investors.   www.ssga.com

 

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LOGO

SSgA FM’s Emerging Market Proxy Voting and Engagement Policy cover different corporate governance frameworks and practices in emerging markets. This policy complements and should be read in conjunction with SSgA FM’s overarching Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles which provides a detailed explanation of SSgA FM’s approach to voting and engaging with companies.

At SSgA FM, we recognize that countries in emerging markets are disparate in their corporate governance frameworks and practices. Concurrent with developing a company specific voting and engagement program, SSgA FM also evaluates the various factors that play into the corporate governance framework of a country. These factors include the macroeconomic conditions and broader political system in a country, quality of regulatory oversight, enforcement of property and shareholder rights, and the independence of judiciary to name a few. While emerging market countries tend to pose broad common governance issues across all markets such as concentrated ownership, poor disclosure of financial and related-party transactions, and weak enforcement of rules and regulation, SSgA FM’s emerging market proxy voting policy is designed to identify and address specific governance concerns in each market.

 

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SSgA FM’S PROXY VOTING AND ENGAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY IN EMERGING MARKETS

SSgA FM’s approach to proxy voting and issuer engagement in emerging markets is designed to increase the value of our investments through the mitigation of governance risks. Since the overall quality of the corporate governance framework in an emerging market country drives the level of governance risks investors assign to a country, improving the macro governance framework in a country may help reduce governance risks, in turn, increasing the overall value of SSgA FM’s holdings over time. Therefore, in order to improve the overall governance framework and practices in a country, members of our proxy voting and engagement team endeavor to visit emerging market countries and meet with representatives from regulatory agencies and stock markets to highlight potential concerns with the macro governance framework of a country. SSgA FM is also a member of various investor associations that seek to address broader corporate governance related policy issues in emerging markets. To help mitigate company specific risk, the team works alongside members of the active fundamental and emerging market teams to engage with emerging market companies on governance issues and address any specific concerns or to get more information regarding shareholder items that are to be voted on at upcoming shareholder meetings. This integrated approach to engagement drives SSgA FM’s proxy voting and engagement philosophy in emerging markets.

SSgA FM’s proxy voting guidelines in Emerging Markets addresses six broad areas:

 

    Directors and Boards;

 

    Accounting and Audit Related Issues;

 

    Shareholder Rights and Capital Related Issues;

 

    Remuneration;

 

    Environmental and Social Issues; and

 

    General/Routine Issues.

DIRECTORS AND BOARDS

SSgA FM believes that a well constituted board of directors, with a good balance of skills, expertise and independence, provides the foundations for a well governed company. However, several factors such as low overall independence-level requirements by market regulators, poor biographical disclosure of director profiles, prevalence of related-party transactions and the general resistance from controlling shareholders to increase board independence renders the election of directors as one of the most important fiduciary duties SSgA FM performs in emerging market companies.

SSgA FM votes for the election/ re-election of directors on a case-by-case basis after considering various factors including general market practice and availability of information on director skills and expertise.

SSgA FM’s broad criteria for director independence in emerging market companies include factors such as:

 

    Participation in related-party transactions;

 

    Employment history with company;

 

    Relations with controlling shareholders and other employees; and

 

    Attendance levels.

AUDIT RELATED ISSUES

The disclosure and availability of reliable financial statements in a timely manner is imperative for the investment process. As a result, board oversight of internal controls and the independence of the audit process are essential if investors are to rely on financial statements. SSgA FM believes that audit committees provide the necessary oversight on the selection and appointment of auditors, a company’s internal controls and accounting policies, and the overall audit process. In emerging markets, SSgA FM encourages boards to appoint an audit committee composed of a majority of independent auditors.

 

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Appointment of External Auditors

SSgA FM believes that a company’s auditor is an essential feature of an effective and transparent system of external supervision and shareholders should be given the opportunity to vote on their appointment or re-appoint at the annual meeting. SSgA FM believes that it is imperative for audit committees to select outside auditors who are independent from management.

SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS AND CAPITAL RELATED ISSUES

SSgA FM believes that changes to a company’s capital structure—such as changes in authorized share capital, share repurchase and debt issuances—are critical decision made by the board. SSgA FM believes the company should have a well explained business rationale that is consistent with corporate strategy and should not overly dilute its shareholders.

Related Party Transactions

Most companies in emerging markets have a controlled ownership structure that often include complex cross-shareholding between subsidiaries and parent companies (related companies). As a result, there is a high prevalence of related-party transactions between the company and its various stakeholders such as directors and management. In addition, inter-group loan and loan guarantees provided to related companies are some of the other related-party transactions that increase the risk profile of companies. In markets where shareholders are required to approve such transactions, SSgA FM expects companies to provide details of the transaction, such as the nature, value and purpose of such a transaction. It also encourages independent directors to ratify such transactions. Further, SSgA FM encourages companies to describe the level of independent board oversight and the approval process, including details of any independent valuations provided by financial advisors on related-party transactions.

Share Repurchase Programs

With regard to share repurchase, SSgA FM expects issues to clearly state the business purpose for the program, a definitive number of shares to be repurchased, and the time frame for the repurchase.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Mergers and the reorganization structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, mergers, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders, demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the company’s operations, will be supported. In general, provisions that are not viewed as economically sound or are thought to be destructive to shareholders’ rights are not supported.

SSgA FM evaluates mergers and structural reorganizations on a case-by-case basis. SSgA FM will generally support transactions that maximize shareholder value. Some of the considerations include, but are not limited to the following:

 

    Offer premium;

 

    Strategic rationale;

 

    Board oversight of the process for the recommended transaction, including, director and/or management conflicts of interest;

 

    Offers made at a premium and where there are no other higher bidders; and

 

    Offers in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value.

SSgA FM may vote against a transaction considering the following:

 

    Offers with potentially damaging consequences for minority shareholders because of illiquid stock;

 

    Offers where we believe there is a reasonable prospect for an enhanced bid or other bidders; and

 

    At the time of voting, the current market price of the security exceeds the bid price.

REMUNERATION

SSgA FM considers it to be the board’s responsibility to set appropriate level of executive compensation. Despite the differences among the types of plans and the awards possible, there is a simple underlying philosophy that guides SSgA FM’s analysis of executive compensation; there should be a direct relationship between executive compensation and company performance over the long term. In emerging markets we encourage companies to disclose information on senior executive remuneration.

With regard to director remuneration, SSgA FM supports director pay provided the amounts are not excessive relative to other issuers in the market or industry and are not overly dilutive to existing shareholders.

 

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ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES

As a fiduciary, SSgA FM considers the financial and economic implications of environmental and social issues first and foremost. In this regard, SSgA FM supports environmental and social related items that we believe would protect or enhance shareholder value. Environmental and social factors can not only have an impact on the reputation of companies; they may also represent significant operational risks and costs to business. Well-developed environmental and social management systems generate efficiencies and enhance productivity, both of which impact shareholder value in the long-term.

SSgA FM encourages companies to be transparent about the environmental and social risks and opportunities they face and adopt robust policies and processes to manage such issues. Companies with good risk management systems, which include environmental and social policies, have a stronger position relative to their peers to manage risk and change.

In their public reporting, we expect companies to disclose information on relevant management tools, material environmental and social performance metrics and support efforts by companies to try to demonstrate how sustainability fits into operations and business activities. SSgA FM’s team of analysts evaluates these risks on an issuer by issuer basis; understanding that environmental and social risks can vary widely depending on company industry, its operations, and geographic footprint.

In emerging markets, shareholders seldom vote on environmental and social issues. Therefore, SSgA FM addresses a company’s approach to identifying and managing environmental and social risks stemming for various aspects of its operations in its one-on-one engagement with companies.

GENERAL/ROUTINE ISSUES

Some of the other issues that are routinely voted on in emerging markets include approving the allocation of income and accepting financial statements and statutory reports. For these voting items, SSgA FM’s policies consider several factors including historical dividend payouts, pending litigation, governmental investigation, charges of fraud or other indication of significant concerns.

SSgA Global Entities

Australia: State Street Global Advisors, Australia, Limited (ABN 42 003 914 225) is the holder of an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL Number 238276). Registered office: Level 17, 420 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Telephone: +612 9240-7600 • Facsimile: +612 9240-7611. Belgium: State Street Global Advisors Belgium, Office Park Nysdam, 92 Avenue Reine Astrid, B-1310 La Hulpe, Belgium. Telephone: 32 2 663 2036 • Facsimile: 32 2 672 2077. Belgium is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited. Canada: State Street Global Advisors, Ltd., 770 Sherbrooke Street West Suite 1200, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1G1 Canada and 30 Adelaide Street East, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 3G6 Canada. Dubai: State Street Bank and Trust Company (Representative Office), Suite 404 4th Floor, Building 4, Emaar Square, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Telephone: +971 (0)4-4372800 • Facsimile: +971 (0)4-4372818. France: State Street Global Advisors France. Authorised and regulated by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. Registered with the Register of Commerce and Companies of Nanterre under the number 412 052 680. Registered office: Immeuble Défense Plaza, 23-25 rue Delarivière-Lefoullon, 92064 Paris La Défense Cedex, France. Telephone: (+33) 1 44 45 40 00 • Facsimile: (+33) 1 44 45 41 92. Germany: State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich. Telephone +49 (0)89-55878-400 • Facsimile +49 (0)89-55878-440. Hong Kong: State Street Global Advisors Asia Limited, 68/F, Two International Finance Centre, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong • Telephone: +852 2103-0288 • Facsimile: +852 2103-0200. Japan: State Street Global Advisors, Japan, 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Telephone +813 4530 7380. Financial Instruments Business Operator, Kanto Local Financial Bureau (Kinsho #345). Japan Securities Investment Advisers Association, Investment Trust Association, Japan Securities Dealers’ Association. Ireland: State Street Global Advisors Ireland Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Incorporated and registered in Ireland at Two Park Place, Upper Hatch Street, Dublin 2. Registered number 145221. Member of the Irish Association of Investment Managers. Italy: State Street Global Advisors Ltd., Sede Secondaria di Milano—Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy. Telephone: +39 02 32066 100 • Facsimile: +39 02 32066 155. Netherlands: State Street Global Advisors Netherlands, Adam Smith Building, Thomas Malthusstraat 1-3, 1066 JR Amsterdam, Netherlands. Telephone: 31 20 7085600 • Facsimile 31 20 7085601, SSgA Netherlands is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited. Singapore: State Street Global Advisors Singapore Limited, 168, Robinson Road, #33-01 Capital Tower, Singapore 068912 (Company Reg. No: 200002719D), Telephone: +65 6826-7500 • Facsimile: +65 6826-7501. Switzerland: State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich. Telephone +41 (0)44 245 70 00 • Facsimile +41 (0)44 245 70 16. United Kingdom: State Street Global Advisors Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered in England. Registered No. 2509928. VAT No. 5776591 81. Registered office: 20 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HJ. Telephone: 020 3395 6000 • Facsimile: 020 3395 6350. United States: State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900.

 

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Web: www.ssga.com

SSgA generally delegates commodities management for separately managed accounts to SSgA FM, a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street and an affiliate of SSgA. SSgA FM is registered as a commodity trading advisor (“CTA”) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and National Futures Association.

This communication is not specifically directed to investors of separately managed accounts (SMA) utilizing futures, options on futures or swaps. SSgAFM CTAclients should contact SSgA Relationship Management for important CTA materials.

 

LOGO   LOGO
State Street Global Advisors is the investment management business of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), one of the world’s leading providers of financial services to institutional investors.   www.ssga.com

 

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LOGO

SSgA FM’s Japan Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines complements and should be read in conjunction with SSgA FM’s overarching Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles, which provides a detailed explanation of SSgA FM’s approach to voting and engaging with companies.

SSgA FM’s Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines in Japan addresses areas including board structure, audit related issues, capital structure, remuneration, environmental, social and other governance related issues. Principally, we believe the primary responsibility of the board of directors is to preserve and enhance shareholder value and protect shareholder interests. In order to carry out their primary responsibilities, directors have to undertake activities that range from oversight of executive management to monitoring the risks that arise from a company’s business, including risks related to sustainability issues. Further, good corporate governance necessitates the existence of effective internal controls and risk management systems, which should be governed by the board.

When voting and engaging with companies in Japan, SSgA FM takes into consideration the unique aspects of Japanese corporate governance structures. We recognize that under Japanese corporate law, companies may choose between two structures of corporate governance: the statutory auditor system or the committee structure. Most Japanese boards predominantly consist of executives and non-independent outsiders affiliated through commercial relationships or cross-shareholdings. Nonetheless, when evaluating companies, SSgA FM expects Japanese companies to address conflicts of interest, risk management and demonstrate an effective process for monitoring management. In its analysis and research into corporate governance issues in Japanese companies, SSgA FM also considers guidance issued by the Corporate Law Subcommittee of the Legislative Council within the Ministry of Justice as well as private study groups.

 

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SSgA FM’S PROXY VOTING AND ENGAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY

In our view, corporate governance and sustainability issues are an integral part of the investment process. The Corporate Governance Team consists of investment professionals with expertise in corporate governance and company law, remuneration, and environmental and social issues. SSgA FM has established robust corporate governance principles and practices that are backed with extensive analytical expertise to understand the complexities of the corporate governance landscape. SSgA FM engages with companies to provide insight on the principles and practices that drive our voting decisions. We also conduct proactive engagement to address significant shareholder concerns and environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues in a manner consistent with maximizing shareholder value.

The team works alongside members of SSgA FM’s active investment teams; collaborating on issuer engagement and providing input on company specific fundamentals. SSgA FM is also a member of various investor associations that seek to address broader corporate governance related policy issues in Japan.

SSgA FM is a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and is compliant with UK Stewardship Code. We are committed to sustainable investing and are working to further integrate ESG principles into investment and corporate governance practice, where applicable and consistent with our fiduciary duty.

DIRECTORS AND BOARDS

SSgA FM believes that a well constituted board of directors, with a good balance of skills, expertise and independence, provides the foundations for a well governed company. SSgA FM votes for the election/ re-election of directors on a case-by-case basis after considering various factors including general market practice.

Japanese companies have the option of having a traditional board of directors with statutory auditors or a board with a committee structure. Most Japanese issuers prefer the traditional statutory auditor structure. Statutory auditors act in a quasi-compliance role as they are not involved in strategic decision-making nor are they part of the formal management decision process. Statutory auditors attend board meetings but do not have voting rights at the board, however, they have the right to seek an injunction and conduct broad investigations of unlawful behavior in the company’s operations.

SSgA FM will support the election of statutory auditors, unless the outside statutory auditor nominee is regarded as non-independent based on SSgA FM criteria, or the outside statutory auditor has attended less than 75 percent of meetings of the board of directors or board of statutory auditors during the year under review or the statutory auditor has been remiss in the performance of their oversight responsibilities (fraud, criminal wrong doing, breach of fiduciary responsibilities).

For companies with a statutory auditor structure there is no legal requirement that boards have outside directors, however, SSgA FM believes there should be a transparent process of independent and external monitoring of management on behalf of shareholders.

 

    SSgA FM believes that non-controlled Japanese companies should appoint at least one outside director, otherwise, SSgA FM will oppose the top executive who is responsible for the director nomination process; and

 

    For controlled companies with a statutory auditor structure, SSgA FM will oppose the top executive, if the board does not have at least two outside directors.

 

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For companies with a committee structure, SSgA FM votes for the election/ re-election of directors on a case-by-case basis after considering general market practice, as well as the independence of the nominee. SSgA FM also takes into consideration the overall independence level of the committees. In determining director independence, SSgA FM considers the following factors:

 

    Participation in related-party transactions and other business relations with the company;

 

    Past employment with the company;

 

    Provides professional services to the company; and

 

    Family ties with the company.

Regardless of board structure, SSgA FM may oppose the election of a director for the following reasons:

 

    Failure to attend board meetings; or

 

    In instances of egregious actions related to a director’s service on the board.

Indemnification and limitations on liability

Generally, SSgA FM supports proposals to limit directors’ and statutory auditors’ liability and/or expand indemnification and liability protection up to the limit provided by law, if he or she has not acted in bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office. SSgA FM believes limitations and indemnification are necessary to attract and retain qualified directors.

AUDIT RELATED ITEMS

SSgA FM believes that a company’s auditor is an essential feature of an effective and transparent system of external supervision and shareholders should have the opportunity to vote on their appointment at the annual meeting.

Ratifying External Auditors

SSgA FM will generally support the appointment of external auditors unless the external auditor is perceived as being non-independent and there are concerns about the accounts presented and the audit procedures followed.

Limit Legal Liability of External Auditors

SSgA FM generally opposes limiting the legal liability of audit firms as we believe this could create a negative impact on the quality of the audit function.

CAPITAL STRUCTURE, REORGANIZATION AND MERGERS

SSgA FM supports the “one share one vote” policy and favors a share structure where all shares have equal voting rights. SSgA FM supports proposals to abolish voting caps or multiple voting rights and will oppose measures to introduce these types of restrictions on shareholder rights.

SSgA FM believes pre-emption rights should be introduced for shareholders in order to provide adequate protection from being overly diluted from the issuance of new shares or convertible securities to third parties or a small number of select shareholders.

Unequal Voting Rights

SSgA FM generally opposes proposals authorizing the creation of new classes of common stock with superior voting rights and will generally oppose new classes of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights. In addition, SSgA FM will not support capitalization changes that add classes of stock with undefined voting rights or classes that may dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders.

 

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However, SSgA FM will support capitalization changes that eliminate other classes of stock and/or unequal voting rights.

Increase in Authorized Capital

SSgA FM generally supports increases in authorized capital where the company provides an adequate explanation for the use of shares. In the absence of an adequate explanation, SSgA FM may oppose the request if the increase in authorized capital exceeds 100 percent of the currently authorized capital or if it leaves the company will less than 30 percent of the proposed authorized capital outstanding. Where share issuance requests exceed our standard threshold, SSgA FM will consider the nature of the specific need, such as mergers and acquisitions and stock splits.

Dividends

SSgA FM generally supports dividend payouts that constitute 30% or more of net income. SSgA FM may vote against the dividend payouts if the dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30% without adequate explanation; or, the payout is excessive given the company’s financial position. Particular attention will be paid where the payment may damage the company’s long term financial health.

Share Repurchase Programs

Companies are allowed under Japan Corporate Law to amend their articles to authorize the repurchase shares at the board’s discretion. SSgA FM will oppose an amendment to articles allowing the repurchase of shares at the board’s discretion. SSgA FM believes the company should seek shareholder approval for a share repurchase program at each year’s AGM, providing shareholders the right to evaluate the purpose of the repurchase.

SSgA FM generally supports a proposal to repurchase shares, other than if the issuer does not clearly state the business purpose for the program, a definitive number of shares to be repurchased, and the time frame for the repurchase. SSgA FM may vote against share repurchase requests that allow share repurchases during a takeover period.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Mergers and the reorganization structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, mergers, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders, demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the company’s operations, will be supported. In general, provisions that are not viewed as economically sound or are thought to be destructive to shareholders’ rights are not supported.

SSgA FM evaluates mergers and structural reorganizations on a case-by-case basis. SSgA FM will generally support transactions that maximize shareholder value. Some of the considerations include, but are not limited to the following:

 

    Offer premium;

 

    Strategic rationale;

 

    Board oversight of the process for the recommended transaction, including, director and/or management conflicts of interest;

 

    Offers made at a premium and where there are no other higher bidders; and

 

    Offers in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value.

SSgA FM may vote against a transaction considering the following:

 

    Offers with potentially damaging consequences for minority shareholders because of illiquid stock;

 

    Offers where we believe there is a reasonable prospect for an enhanced bid or other bidders; and

 

    At the time of voting, the current market price of the security exceeds the bid price.

 

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Anti-Takeover Measures

In general, SSgA FM believes that adoption of poison pills that have been structured to protect management and to prevent takeover bids from succeeding is not in shareholders’ interest. A shareholder rights plan may lead to management entrenchment and discourage legitimate tender offers and acquisitions. Even if the premium paid to companies with a shareholder rights plan is higher than that offered to unprotected firms, a company’s chances of receiving a takeover offer in the first place may be reduced by the presence of a shareholder rights plan.

Proposals that reduce shareholders’ rights or have the effect of entrenching incumbent management will not be supported. Proposals that enhance the right of shareholders to make their own choices as to the desirability of a merger or other proposal are supported.

Shareholder Rights Plans

In evaluating poison pills, the following conditions must be met before SSgA FM will recommend a vote in favor.

SSgA FM will support the adoption or renewal of a Japanese issuer’s shareholder rights plans (“poison pill”) if the following conditions are met: (i) minimum trigger, flip-in or flip-over of 20%, (ii) maximum term of three years, (iii) no “dead hand,”

“slow hand,” “no hand” or similar feature that limits the ability of a future board to redeem the pill, and (iv) inclusion of a shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause), permitting ten percent of the shares to call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the pill if the board refuses to redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced.

SSgA FM will vote for an amendment to a shareholder rights plan (“poison pill”) where the terms of the new plans are more favorable to shareholders’ ability to accept unsolicited offers (i.e. if one of the following conditions are met: (i) minimum trigger, flip-in or flip-over of 20%, (ii) maximum term of three years, (iii) no “dead hand,” “slow hand,” “no hand” or similar feature that limits the ability of a future board to redeem the pill, and (iv) inclusion of a shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause), permitting ten percent of the shares to call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the pill if the board refuses to redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced).

COMPENSATION

In Japan, excessive compensation is rarely an issue. Rather, the problem is the lack of connection between pay and performance. Fixed salaries and cash retirement bonuses tend to comprise a significant portion of the compensation structure while performance-based pay is generally a small portion of the total pay. SSgA FM, where possible, seeks to encourage the use of performance based compensation in Japan as an incentive for executives and as a way to align interests with shareholders.

Approve Adjustment to Aggregate Compensation Ceiling for Directors

Remuneration for directors is generally reasonable. Typically, each company sets the director compensation parameters as an aggregate thereby limiting the total pay to all directors. When requesting a change, a company must disclose the last time the ceiling was adjusted and management provides the rationale for the ceiling increase. SSgA FM will generally support proposed increases to the ceiling if the company discloses the rationale for the increase. SSgA FM may oppose proposals to increase the ceiling if there has been corporate malfeasance or sustained poor performance.

 

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Approve Annual Bonuses for Directors/Statutory Auditors

In Japan, since there are no legal requirements that mandate companies to seek shareholder approval before making a bonus, SSgA FM believes that existing shareholder approval for the bonus should be considered best practice. As a result, SSgA FM supports management proposals on executive compensation where there is a strong relationship between executive pay and performance over a five-year period.

Approve Retirement Bonuses for Directors/Statutory Auditors

Retirement bonuses make up a sizeable portion of directors’ and auditors’ lifetime compensation and are based on board tenure. While many companies in Japan have abolished this practice, there remain many proposals seeking shareholder approval for the total amounts paid to directors and statutory auditors as a whole. In general, SSgA FM supports payments unless the recipient is an outsider or in instances where the amount is not disclosed.

Approve Stock Plan

Most option plans in Japan are conservative, particularly at large companies. Japan corporate law requires companies to disclose the monetary value of the stock options for directors and/or statutory auditors. Some companies do not disclose the maximum number of options that can be issued per year and shareholders are unable to evaluate the dilution impact. In this case, SSgA FM cannot calculate the dilution level and therefore, SSgA FM may oppose such plans for poor disclosure. Also, SSgA FM opposes plans that allow for the repricing of the exercise price.

Deep Discount Options

As Japanese companies move away from the retirement bonus system, deep discount options plans have become more popular. Typically, the exercise price is set at JPY 1 per share. SSgA FM evaluates deep discount options using the same criteria used to evaluate stock options as well as considering the vesting period.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES

As a fiduciary, SSgA FM considers the financial and economic implications of environmental and social issues first and foremost. In this regard, SSgA FM supports environmental and social related items that we believe would protect or enhance shareholder value. Environmental and social factors can not only have an impact on the reputation of companies; they may also represent significant operational risks and costs to business. Well-developed environmental and social management systems generate efficiencies and enhance productivity, both of which impact shareholder value in the long-term.

SSgA FM encourages companies to be transparent about the environmental and social risks and opportunities they face and adopt robust policies and processes to manage such issues. Companies with good risk management systems, which include environmental and social policies, have a stronger position relative to their peers to manage risk and change.

In their public reporting, we expect companies to disclose information on relevant management tools, material environmental and social performance metrics and support efforts by companies to try to demonstrate how sustainability fits into operations and business activities. SSgA FM’s team of analysts evaluates these risks on an issuer by issuer basis; understanding that environmental and social risks can vary widely depending on company industry, its operations, and geographic footprint.

MISCELLANEOUS/ROUTINE ITEMS

Expansion of Business Activities

Japanese companies’ articles of incorporation strictly define the types of businesses in which a company is permitted to engage. In general, SSgA FM views proposals to expand and diversify the company’s business activities as routine and non-contentious. SSgA FM will monitor instances where there has been an inappropriate acquisition and diversification away from the company’s main area of competence, which resulted in a decrease of shareholder value.

 

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MORE INFORMATION

Any client who wishes to receive information on how its proxies were voted should contact its SSgA relationship manager.

SSgA Global Entities

Australia: State Street Global Advisors, Australia, Limited (ABN 42 003 914 225) is the holder of an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL Number 238276). Registered office: Level 17, 420 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Telephone: +612 9240-7600 • Facsimile: +612 9240-7611. Belgium: State Street Global Advisors Belgium, Office Park Nysdam, 92 Avenue Reine Astrid, B-1310 La Hulpe, Belgium. Telephone: 32 2 663 2036 • Facsimile: 32 2 672 2077. Belgium is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited. Canada: State Street Global Advisors, Ltd., 770 Sherbrooke Street West Suite 1200, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1G1 Canada and 30 Adelaide Street East, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 3G6 Canada. Dubai: State Street Bank and Trust Company (Representative Office), Suite 404 4th Floor, Building 4, Emaar Square, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Telephone: +971 (0)4-4372800 • Facsimile: +971 (0)4-4372818. France: State Street Global Advisors France. Authorised and regulated by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. Registered with the Register of Commerce and Companies of Nanterre under the number 412 052 680. Registered office: Immeuble Défense Plaza, 23-25 rue Delarivière-Lefoullon, 92064 Paris La Défense Cedex, France. Telephone: (+33) 1 44 45 40 00 • Facsimile: (+33) 1 44 45 41 92. Germany: State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich. Telephone +49 (0)89-55878-400 • Facsimile +49 (0)89-55878-440. Hong Kong: State Street Global Advisors Asia Limited, 68/F, Two International Finance Centre, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong • Telephone: +852 2103-0288 • Facsimile: +852 2103-0200. Japan: State Street Global Advisors, Japan, 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo Telephone +813 4530 7380. Financial Instruments Business Operator, Kanto Local Financial Bureau (Kinsho #345). Japan Securities Investment Advisers Association, Investment Trust Association, Japan Securities Dealers’ Association. Ireland: State Street Global Advisors Ireland Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Incorporated and registered in Ireland at Two Park Place, Upper Hatch Street, Dublin 2. Registered number 145221. Member of the Irish Association of Investment Managers. Italy: State Street Global Advisors Ltd., Sede Secondaria di Milano—Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy. Telephone: +39 02 32066 100 • Facsimile: +39 02 32066 155. Netherlands: State Street Global Advisors Netherlands, Adam Smith Building, Thomas Malthusstraat 1-3, 1066 JR Amsterdam, Netherlands. Telephone: 31 20 7085600 • Facsimile 31 20 7085601, SSgA Netherlands is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited. Singapore: State Street Global Advisors Singapore Limited, 168, Robinson Road, #33-01 Capital Tower, Singapore 068912 (Company Reg. No: 200002719D), Telephone: +65 6826-7500 • Facsimile: +65 6826-7501. Switzerland: State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich. Telephone +41 (0)44 245 70 00 • Facsimile +41 (0)44 245 70 16. United Kingdom: State Street Global Advisors Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered in England. Registered No. 2509928. VAT No. 5776591 81. Registered office: 20 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HJ. Telephone: 020 3395 6000 • Facsimile: 020 3395 6350. United States: State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900.

 

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Web: www.ssga.com

SSgA generally delegates commodities management for separately managed accounts to SSgA FM, a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street and an affiliate of SSgA. SSgA FM is registered as a commodity trading advisor (“CTA”) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and National Futures Association.

This communication is not specifically directed to investors of separately managed accounts (SMA) utilizing futures, options on futures or swaps. SSgAFM CTAclients should contact SSgA Relationship Management for important CTA materials.

 

LOGO   LOGO

State Street Global Advisors is the investment

management business of State Street Corporation

(NYSE: STT), one of the world’s leading

providers of financial services to institutional

investors.

  www.ssga.com

 

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LOGO

State Street Global Advisors Funds Management, Inc.’,

(“SSgA FM”) Australia Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines outline our expectations of companies listed on stock exchanges in Australia. This policy complements and should be read in conjunction with SSgA FM’s Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles which provide a detailed explanation of SSgA FM’s approach to voting and engaging with companies.

SSgA FM’s Australia Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines address areas including board structure, audit related issues, capital structure, remuneration, environmental, social and other governance related issues. Principally, we believe the primary responsibility of the board of directors is to preserve and enhance shareholder value and protect shareholder interests. In order to carry out their primary responsibilities, directors have to undertake activities that range from setting strategy, overseeing executive management to monitoring the risks that arise from a company’s business, including risks related to sustainability issues. Further, good corporate governance necessitates the existence of effective internal controls and risk management systems, which should be governed by the board.

 

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LOGO

When voting and engaging with companies in global markets, SSgA FM considers market specific nuances in the manner that we believe will most likely protect and promote the long-term economic value of client investments. SSgA FM expects companies to observe the relevant laws and regulations of their respective markets as well as country specific best practice guidelines and corporate governance codes. When we feel that a country’s regulatory requirements do not address some of the key philosophical principles that SSgA FM believes are fundamental to its global voting guidelines, we may hold companies in such markets to our global standards.

In its analysis and research in to corporate governance issues in Australia, SSgA FM expects all companies at a minimum to comply with the ASX Corporate Governance Principles. Companies should provide detailed explanations under the Principles’ ‘comply or explain’ approach, especially where they fail to meet requirements and why any such non-compliance would serve shareholders’ long-term interests. On some governance matters, such as composition of audit committees, we hold Australian companies to our global standards requiring all directors on the committee to be independent of management.

SSgA FM’s PROXY VOTING AND ENGAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY

In our view, corporate governance and sustainability issues are an integral part of the investment process. The Corporate Governance Team consists of investment professionals with expertise in corporate governance and company law, remuneration, accounting as well as environmental and social issues. SSgA FM has established robust corporate governance principles and practices that are backed with extensive analytical expertise to understand the complexities of the corporate governance landscape. SSgA FM engages with companies to provide insight on the principles and practices that drive our voting decisions. We also conduct proactive engagement to address significant shareholder concerns and environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) issues in a manner consistent with maximizing shareholder value.

The team works alongside members of SSgA FM’s active fundamental and the Asia-Pacific (“APAC”) investment teams; collaborating on issuer engagement and providing input on company specific fundamentals. SSgA FM is also a member of various investor associations that seek to address broader corporate governance related policy issues in the region.

SSgA FM is a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment (“UNPRI”) and is compliant with the UK Stewardship Code. We are committed to sustainable investing and are working to further integrate ESG principles into investment and corporate governance practice, where applicable and consistent with our fiduciary duty.

DIRECTORS AND BOARDS

SSgA FM believes that a well constituted board of directors, with a good balance of skills, expertise and independence, provides the foundations for a well governed company. SSgA FM votes for the election/re-election of directors on a case-by-case basis after considering various factors including general market practice and availability of information on director skills and expertise. In principle, SSgA FM believes independent directors are crucial to good corporate governance and help management establish sound ESG policies and practices. A sufficiently independent board will most effectively monitor management and perform oversight functions necessary to protect shareholder interests.

SSgA FM’s broad criteria for director independence in Australian companies include factors such as:

 

  Participation in related-party transactions and other business relations with the company;

 

  Employment history with company;

 

  Relations with controlling shareholders; and

 

  Family ties with any of the company’s advisers, directors or senior employees.

When considering the election or re-election of a director, SSgA FM also considers the number of outside board directorships a non-executive and an executive may undertake as well as attendance at board meetings. In addition, SSgA FM monitors other factors that may influence the independence of a non-executive director, such as performance related pay, cross-directorships, significant shareholdings and tenure.

 

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SSgA FM supports the annual election of directors and encourages Australian companies to adopt this practice.

While SSgA FM is generally supportive of having the roles of chairman and CEO separated in the Australia market, SSgA FM assesses the division of responsibilities between chairman and CEO on a case-by-case basis, giving consideration to factors such as the company’s specific circumstances, overall level of independence on the board and general corporate governance standards in the company. Similarly, SSgA FM will monitor for circumstances where a combined chairman/CEO is appointed or where a former CEO becomes chairman.

SSgA FM may also consider factors such as board performance and directors who appear to be remiss in the performance of their oversight responsibilities when considering their suitability for reappointment. (e.g. fraud, criminal wrongdoing, breach of fiduciary responsibilities)

SSgA FM believes companies should have committees for audit, remuneration and nomination oversight. The audit committee is responsible for monitoring the integrity of the financial statements of the company, appointing external auditors, monitoring their qualifications and independence as well their effectiveness and resource levels. Australian Corporate Governance Principles requires ASX listed companies to have an audit committee of at least three members all of whom are non-executive directors and a majority of whom are independent directors. It also requires that the committee be chaired by an independent director who is not the chair of the board. SSgA FM holds Australian companies to its global standards for developed financial markets, by requiring that all members of the audit committee be independent directors.

In its analysis of boards, SSgA FM considers whether board members have adequate skills to provide effective oversight of corporate strategy, operations and risks, including environmental and social issues. Boards should also have a regular evaluation process in place to assess the effectiveness of the board and the skills of board members to address issues such as emerging risks, changes to corporate strategy and diversification of operations and geographic footprint. The nomination committee is responsible for evaluating and keeping under review the balance of skills, knowledge and experience of the board and ensuring that adequate succession plans are in place for directors and the CEO. SSgA FM may vote against the re-election of members of the nomination committee if, over time, the board has failed to address concerns over board structure or succession.

Executive pay is another important aspect of corporate governance. SSgA FM believes that executive pay should be determined by the board of directors and SSgA FM expects companies to have in place remuneration committees to provide independent oversight over executive pay. Australian Corporate Governance Principles requires ASX listed companies to have a remuneration committee of at least three members all of whom are non-executive directors and a majority of whom are independent directors. Since Australia has a binding vote on pay with a two-strike rule requiring a board spill in the event of a second strike, SSgA FM believes that the vote provides investors a mechanism to address concerns it may have on the quality of oversight provided by the board on remuneration issues. Accordingly SSgA FM voting guidelines accommodate local market practice.

Indemnification and limitations on liability

Generally, SSgA FM supports proposals to limit directors’ liability and/or expand indemnification and liability protection up to the limit provided by law, if he or she has not acted in bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

AUDIT RELATED ISSUES

Companies should have robust internal audit and internal control systems designed for effective management of any potential and emerging risks to company operations and strategy. The responsibility of setting out an internal audit function lies with the audit committee, which should have as members independent non-executive directors.

Appointment of External Auditors

SSgA FM believes that a company’s auditor is an essential feature of an effective and transparent system of external supervision and shareholders should be given the opportunity to vote on their appointment or re-appoint at the annual meeting. When appointing external auditors and approving

 

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audit fees, SSgA FM will take into consideration the level of detail in company disclosures and will generally not support such resolutions if adequate breakdown is not provided and if non-audit fees are more than 50% of audit fees. In addition, SSgA FM may vote against members of the audit committee if we have concerns with audit related issues or if the level of non-audit fees to audit fees is significant. In certain circumstances, SSgA FM may consider auditor tenure when evaluating the audit process.

SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS AND CAPITAL RELATED ISSUES

Share Issuances

The ability to raise capital is critical for companies to carry out strategy, grow, and achieve returns above their cost of capital. The approval of capital raising activities is fundamental to shareholders’ ability to monitor the amounts of proceeds and to ensure capital is deployed efficiently. SSgA FM supports capital increases that have sound business reasons and are not excessive relative to a company’s existing capital base.

Pre-emption rights are a fundamental right for shareholders to protect their investment in a company. Where companies seeks to issue new shares whilst dis-applying pre-emption rights, SSgA FM may vote against if such authorities are greater than 20% of the issued share capital. SSgA FM may also vote against resolutions seeking authority to issue capital with pre-emption rights if the aggregate amount allowed seems excessive and is not justified by the board. Generally, we are against capital issuance proposals greater than 100% of the issued share capital when the proceeds are not intended for a specific purpose.

Share Repurchase Programs

SSgA FM generally supports a proposal to repurchase shares, other than if the issuer does not clearly state the business purpose for the program, a definitive number of shares to be repurchased, and the time frame for the repurchase. SSgA FM may vote against share re-purchase requests that allow share re-purchases during a takeover period.

Dividends

SSgA FM generally supports dividend payouts that constitute 30% or more of net income. SSgA FM may vote against the dividend payouts if the dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30% without adequate explanation; or, the payout is excessive given the company’s financial position. Particular attention will be paid where the payment may damage the company’s long-term financial health.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Mergers or reorganizing the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, mergers, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders, demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the company’s operations, will be supported. In general, provisions that are not viewed as economically sound or are thought to be destructive to shareholders’ rights are not supported. SSgA FM will generally support transactions that maximize shareholder value. Some of the considerations include, but are not limited to the following:

 

  Offer premium;

 

  Strategic rationale;

 

  Board oversight of the process for the recommended transaction, including, director and/or management conflicts of interest;

 

  Offers made at a premium and where there are no other higher bidders; and

 

  Offers in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value.

SSgA FM may vote against a transaction considering the following:

 

  Offers with potentially damaging consequences for minority shareholders because of illiquid stock;

 

  Offers where we believe there is a reasonable prospect for an enhanced bid or other bidders; and

 

  At the time of voting, the current market price of the security exceeds the bid price

 

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Anti-Takeover Measures

SSgA FM opposes antitakeover defenses, such as authorities for the board, when subject to a hostile takeover, to issue warrants convertible into shares to existing shareholders.

REMUNERATION

Executive Pay

There is a simple underlying philosophy that guides SSgA FM’s analysis of executive pay—there should be a direct relationship between remuneration and company performance over the long-term. Shareholders should have the opportunity to assess whether pay structures and levels are aligned with business performance. When assessing remuneration reports, SSgA FM considers factors such as adequate disclosure of different remuneration elements, absolute and relative pay levels, peer selection and benchmarking, the mix of long term and short term incentives, alignment of pay structures with shareholder interests as well as with corporate strategy and performance. SSgA FM may oppose remuneration reports where there seems to be a misalignment between pay and shareholders’ interests and where incentive policies and schemes have a re-test option or feature. SSgA FM may also vote against the re-election of members of the remuneration committee if we have serious concerns over remuneration practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder pressure to review its approach.

Equity Incentives Plans

SSgA FM may not support proposals on equity-based incentive plans where insufficient information is provided on matters such as grant limits, performance metrics, performance and vesting periods and overall dilution. SSgA FM does not generally support options under such plans being issued at a discount to market price or plans that allow for re-testing of performance metrics.

Non-Executive Director Pay

Authorities seeking shareholder approval for non-executive directors’ fees are generally not controversial. SSgA FM generally supports resolutions regarding directors’ fees unless disclosure is poor and we are unable to determine whether they are excessive relative to fees paid by other companies in the same country or industry. SSgA FM will evaluate on a company-by-company basis any non-cash or performance related pay to non-executive directors.

RISK MANAGEMENT

SSgA FM believes that risk management is a key function of the board, which is responsible for setting the overall risk appetite of a company and for providing oversight on the risk management process established by senior executives at a company. SSgA FM allows boards discretion over how they provide oversight in this area. However, SSgA FM expects companies to disclose how the board provides oversight on its risk management system and to identify key risks facing the company. Boards should also review existing and emerging risks as they can change with a changing political and economic landscape, or as companies diversify or expand their operations into new areas.

Environmental and Social Issues

As a fiduciary, SSgA FM considers the financial and economic implications of environmental and social issues first and foremost. In this regard, SSgA FM supports environmental and social related items that we believe would protect or enhance shareholder value. Environmental and social factors not only can have an impact on the reputation of companies; they may also represent significant operational risks and costs to business. Well-developed environmental and social management systems can also generate efficiencies and enhance productivity, both of which impact shareholder value in the long-term.

SSgA FM encourages companies to be transparent about the environmental and social risks and opportunities they face and adopt robust policies and processes to manage such issues. In our view, companies that manage all risks and consider opportunities related to environmental and social issues are able to adapt faster to changes and appear to be better placed to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in the long-term. Similarly, companies with good risk management systems, which include environmental and social policies, have a stronger position relative to their peers to manage risk and change, which could result in anything from regulation and litigation, physical threats (severe weather, climate change), economic trends as well as shifts in consumer behavior.

 

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In their public reporting, we expect companies to disclose information on relevant management tools and material environmental and social performance metrics. We support efforts by companies to try to demonstrate how sustainability fits into operations and business activities. SSgA FM’s team of analysts evaluates these risks and shareholder proposals relating to them on an issuer by issuer basis; understanding that environmental and social risks can vary widely depending on company industry, its operations, and geographic footprint. SSgA FM may also take action against the re-election of members of the board if we have serious concerns over ESG practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder pressure.

State Street Global Advisors Worldwide Entities

Australia: State Street Global Advisors, Australia, Limited (ABN 42 003 914 225) is the holder of an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL Number 238276). Registered Office: Level 17, 420 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia • Telephone: +612 9240-7600 • Facsimile: +612 9240-7611. Belgium: State Street Global Advisors Belgium, Office Park Nysdam, 92 Avenue Reine Astrid, B-1310 La Hulpe, Belgium • Telephone: +32 2 663 2036 • Facsimile: +32 2 672 2077. State Street Global Advisors Belgium is a branch office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom. Canada: State Street Global Advisors, Ltd., 770 Sherbrooke Street West, Suite 1200 Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1G1, 1-514-282-2484 and 30 Adelaide Street East Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario M5C 3G6 • Telephone: +647-775-5900. Dubai: State Street Bank and Trust Company (Representative Office), Boulevard Plaza 1, 17th Floor, Office 1703 Near Dubai Mall & Burj Khalifa, P.O Box 26838, Dubai, United Arab Emirates • Telephone: +971 (0)4-4372800 • Facsimile: +971 (0)4-4372818. France: State Street Global Advisors France. Authorised and regulated by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers. Registered with the Register of Commerce and Companies of Nanterre under the number: 412 052 680. Registered Office: Immeuble Défense Plaza, 23-25 rue Delarivière-Lefoullon, 92064 Paris La Défense Cedex, France • Telephone: (+33) 1 44 45 40 00 • Facsimile: (+33) 1 44 45 41 92. Germany: State Street Global Advisors GmbH, Brienner Strasse 59, D-80333 Munich • Telephone: +49 (0)89-55878-100 • Facsimile: +49 (0)89-55878-440. Hong Kong: State Street Global Advisors Asia Limited, 68/F, Two International Finance Centre, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong • Telephone: +852 2103-0288 • Facsimile: +852 2103-0200. Ireland: State Street Global Advisors Ireland Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Incorporated and registered in Ireland at Two Park Place, Upper Hatch Street, Dublin 2. Registered Number: 145221. Member of the Irish Association of Investment Managers • Telephone: +353 (0)1 776 3000 • Facsimile: +353 (0)1 776 3300. Italy: State Street Global Advisors Italy, Sede Secondaria di Milano, Via dei Bossi, 4 20121 Milan, Italy • Telephone: +39 02 32066 100 • Facsimile: +39 02 32066 155. State Street Global Advisors Italy is a branch office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom. Japan: State Street Global Advisors (Japan) Co., Ltd., 9-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-6239 • Telephone: +813 4530 7380. Financial Instruments Business Operator, Kanto Local Financial Bureau (Kinsho #345). Japan Investment Advisers Association, Investment Trusts Association Japan, Japan Securities Dealers Association. Netherlands: State Street Global Advisors Netherlands, Adam Smith Building, Thomas Malthusstraat 1-3, 1066 JR Amsterdam, Netherlands • Telephone: + 31 (0)20 7181701. State Street Global Advisors Netherlands is a branch office of State Street Global Advisors Limited. State Street Global Advisors Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom. Singapore: State Street Global Advisors Singapore Limited, 168, Robinson Road, #33-01 Capital Tower, Singapore 068912 (Company Registered Number: 200002719D) • Telephone: +65 6826-7500 • Facsimile: +65 6826-7501. Switzerland: State Street Global Advisors AG, Beethovenstr. 19, CH-8027 Zurich • Telephone: +41 (0)44 245 70 00 • Facsimile: +41 (0)44 245 70 16. United Kingdom: State Street Global Advisors Limited. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England. Registered Number: 2509928. VAT Number: 5776591 81. Registered Office: 20 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HJ • Telephone: +020 3395 6000 • Facsimile: +020 3395 6350. United States: State Street Global Advisors, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900 • Telephone: (617) 664-4738.

Web: ssga.com

The views expressed in this material are the views of State Street Global Advisors Corporate Governance Team through the period ended March 17, 2014 and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. This document contains certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

State Street Global Advisors generally delegates commodities management for separately managed accounts to State Street Global Advisors FM, a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street and an affiliate of State Street Global Advisors. State Street Global Advisors FM is registered as a commodity trading advisor (“CTA”) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and National Futures Association.

This communication is not specifically directed to investors of separately managed accounts (SMA) utilizing futures, options on futures or swaps. State Street Global Advisors FM CTA clients should contact State Street Global Advisors Relationship Management for important CTA materials.

Investing involves risk including the risk of loss of principal.

The whole or any part of this work may not be reproduced, copied or transmitted or any of its contents disclosed to third parties without SSgA FM’s express written consent.

The information provided does not constitute investment advice and it should not be relied on as such. It should not be considered a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell a security. It does not take into account any investor’s particular investment objectives, strategies, tax status or investment horizon. You should consult your tax and financial advisor. All material has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. There is no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information and State Street shall have no liability for decisions based on such information.

 

LOGO  
State Street Global Advisors is the investment management business of State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), one of the world’s leading providers of financial services to institutional investors.   ssga.com

 

© 2014 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved.   6    ID1055-INST-4620 0414 Exp. Date: 3/31/2015


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PART C. Other Information

Item 28. Exhibits

 

(a)(1)    Declaration of Trust dated February 16, 2000 is incorporated herein by reference to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 16, 2000.
(2)    Amendment No.1 dated February 14, 2002 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008.
(3)    Amendment No. 2 dated May 13, 2004 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008.
(4)    Amendment No. 3 dated May 19, 2005 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008.
(5)    Amendment No. 4 dated January 26, 2007 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 6, 2007.
(6)    Amendment No. 5 dated October 2, 2007 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on October 2, 2007.
(7)    Amendment No. 6 dated September 18, 2008 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2009.
(8)    Amendment No. 7 dated October 19, 2011 to Agreement and Declaration of Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on December 12, 2011.
(9)    Amendment No. 8 to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust related to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust, the State Street MSCI ACWI ex U.S. Index Fund to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(10)    Declaration of Trust dated April 14, 2014 of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust is filed herewith.
(b)(1)    Third Amended and Restated By-laws of the Trust dated May 13, 2004 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008.


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(2)    Amended and Restated ByLaws of State Street Institutional Investment Trust dated April 14, 2014 is filed herewith.
(c)        Not applicable.
(d)(1)    Investment Advisory Agreement dated May 1, 2001 between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 + to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2002.
(2)    Notice dated February 14, 2002 to Investment Advisory Contract dated May 1, 2001 between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008.
(3)    Notice dated February 7, 2007 to Investment Advisory Contract between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust dated May 1, 2001 with respect to the State Street Institutional Limited Duration Bond Fund, State Street Institutional Tax Free Limited Duration Bond Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008.
(4)    Notice dated October 2, 2007 to Investment Advisory Contract between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust dated May 1, 2001 with respect to the State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, and State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on FormN-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008.
(5)    Fee Waiver letter dated April 12, 2010 between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Short-Term Tax Exempt Bond Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2010.
(6)    Fee Waiver letter dated July 2, 2009 between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 25, 2010.
(7)    Fee Waiver letter dated April 28, 2011 between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the State Street Equity 2000 Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2011.
(8)    Fee Waiver letter dated February 1, 2011 between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the Money Market Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2011.
(9)    Amendment dated February 18, 2011 to the Investment Advisory Agreement dated May 1, 2001, between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2011.


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(10)    Amendment to the Advisory Agreement related to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust, the State Street MSCI ACWI ex U.S. Index Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment.
(11)    Reimbursement Agreement dated September 20, 2012 by and among State Street Master Funds, State Street Institutional Investment Trust, and SSgA Funds Managements, Inc. will be filed by subsequent amendment.
(e)(1)    Distribution Agreement dated August 1, 2009 between State Street Global Markets, LLC, and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 25, 2010.
(2)    Amended Distribution Agreement dated August 1, 2009 between State Street Global Markets, LLC, and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on December 12, 2011.
(3)    Amended Distribution Agreement related to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust, the State Street MSCI ACWI ex U.S. Index Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment.
(4)    Amended Distribution Agreement dated April 14, 2014 between State Street Global Markets, LLC, and the Trust to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(f)         Not applicable.
(g)(1)    Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9+ to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2002.
(2)    Notice dated February 14, 2002 to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 with respect to the State Street Money Market Fund and the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008.
(3)    Notice dated February 12, 2004 to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008.
(4)    Notice dated July 22, 2008 to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund and the State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008.


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(5)        Notice to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust, the State Street MSCI ACWI ex U.S. Index Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment.
(h)(1)(a)    Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9+ to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2002.
(1)(b)    Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated July 31, 2009 between Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 25, 2010.
(1)(c)    Anti-Money Laundering Services Amendment dated October 31, 2006 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008.
(1)(d)    Services Amendment dated April 5, 2004 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008.
(1)(e)    Notice dated February 14, 2002 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Money Market Fund and the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2009.
(1)(f)    Notice dated February 12, 2004 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2009.
(1)(g)    Notice to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated July 31, 2009 between Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the Class M Shares of the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 39 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 27, 2012.
(1)(h)    Notice to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated July 31, 2009 between Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust, the State Street MSCI ACWI ex U.S. Index Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment.
(2)        Administration Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9+ to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2002.


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  (2)(a)    Notice dated February 14, 2002 to Administration Agreement dated February 28, 2000 with respect to the State Street Institutional Money Market Fund and the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008.
       (2)(b)    Notice dated February 12, 2004 to Administration Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008.
  (2)(c)    Notice dated September 10, 2007 to Administration Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund and the State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008.
  (2)(d)    Administration Agreement dated February 1, 2011 between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the Money Market Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2011.
  (2)(e)    Amended and Restated Administration Agreement dated October 19, 2011 between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the Money Market Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on December 12, 2011.
  (2)(f)    Sub-Administration Agreement dated February 1, 2011 by and among State Street Bank and Trust Company, SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the Money Market Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2011.
  (2)(g)    Notice to Amended and Restated Administration Agreement dated October 19, 2011 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust, the State Street MSCI ACWI ex U.S. Index Fund will be filled by subsequent amendment.
  (3)    Form of Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and the Trust with respect to the State Street Equity 500 Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 28, 2006.
  (4)    Form of Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 28, 2006.


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(5)    Form of Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Limited Duration Bond Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 28, 2006.
(6)    Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Tax Free Limited Duration Bond Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008.
(7)    Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008.
(8)    Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008.
(9)    Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008.
(10)    Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and Henderson Global Funds dated April 20, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2009.
(11)    Information Security Program Agreement dated November 19, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2011.
(i)(1)    Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission in September 2000.
(2)    Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on November 13, 2002.
(3)    Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the Class R Shares of the State Street Equity 500 Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on June 3, 2005.


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(4)    Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Institutional Limited Duration Bond Fund, State Street Institutional Tax Free Limited Duration Bond Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 6, 2007.
(5)    Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to State Street Institutional Investment Trust, the State Street MSCI ACWI ex U.S. Index Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment.
(j)    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(k)    Not applicable.
(l)    Not applicable.
(m)(1)    Amended Rule 12b-1 Plan dated May 14, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 25, 2010.
(2)    Amended Rule 12b-1 Plan dated February 18, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2011.
(3)    Amended Rule 12b-1 Plan as it relates to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust, the State Street MSCI ACWI ex U.S. Index Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment.
(4)    Amended Rule 12b-1 Plan dated April 14, 2014 as it relates to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust is filed herewith.
(5)    Amended Shareholder Servicing Plan for Service Class effective May 14, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 25, 2010.
(6)    Amended Shareholder Servicing Plan for Investment Class effective May 14, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 25, 2010.
(7)    Amended Shareholder Servicing Plan as it relates to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust, the State Street MSCI ACWI ex U.S. Index Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment.
(n)(1)    Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 dated May 15, 2008 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008.
(2)    Amended Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on December 12, 2011.


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(3)    Amended Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as it relates to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust, the State Street MSCI ACWI ex U.S. Index Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment.
(4)    Amended Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 will be filed by subsequent amendment.
(o)        Power of Attorney as it relates to the Registrant is filed herewith.
(p)(1)    Joint Code of Ethics dated May 17, 2000, as amended September 16, 2004 with State Street Master Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 25, 2005.
(2)    Amended Code of Ethics of SSgA Funds Management, Inc. dated April 16, 2013 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on November 15, 2013.
(3)    Joint Code of Ethics of the Trust and State Street Master Funds dated May 17, 2000, as amended September 16, 2004, February 18, 2010 and February 13, 2014 is filed herewith.

 

+ Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 was filed with the Commission on January 30, 2002. The next Post-Effective Amendment, filed on April 30, 2002, should have been sequentially numbered Post-Effective Amendment No. 9. Due to a scrivener’s error, it was numbered Post-Effective Amendment No. 10. Such Post-Effective Amendment has been referred to in this Part C as Post-Effective Amendment No. 9.

Item 29. Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control with the Fund

See the Statement of Additional Information regarding the Trust’s control relationships.

Item 30. Indemnification

Pursuant to Article 4 of the Trust’s Amended and Restated By-Laws, the Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees and officers (including persons who serve at the Trust’s request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise) (hereinafter referred to as a “Covered Person”) against all liabilities and expenses, including but not limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and counsel fees reasonably incurred by any Covered Person in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such Covered Person may be or may have been threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of any alleged act or omission as a Trustee or officer or by reason of his or her being or having been such a Trustee or officer, except with respect to any matter as to which such Covered Person shall have been finally adjudicated in any such action, suit or other proceeding not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person’s action was in the best interest of the Trust and except that no Covered Person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which such Covered Person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person’s office. Expenses, including counsel fees so incurred by any such Covered Person, may be paid from time to time by the Trust in advance of the final disposition of any such action, suit or proceeding on the condition that the amounts so paid shall be repaid to the Trust if it is ultimately determined that indemnification of such expenses is not authorized under this Article.


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As to any matter disposed of by a compromise payment by any such Covered Person referred to above, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise, no such indemnification either for said payment or for any other expenses shall be provided unless such compromise shall be approved as in the best interests of the Trust, after notice that it involved such indemnification, (a) by a disinterested majority of the Trustees then in office; or (b) by a majority of the disinterested Trustees then in office; or (c) by any disinterested person or persons to whom the question may be referred by the Trustees, provided that in the case of approval pursuant to clause (b) or (c) there has been obtained an opinion in writing of independent legal counsel to the effect that such Covered Person appears to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the best interests of the Trust and that such indemnification would not protect such person against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of office; or (d) by vote of Shareholders holding a majority of the Shares entitled to vote thereon, exclusive of any Shares beneficially owned by any interested Covered Person. Approval by the Trustees pursuant to clause (a) or (b) or by any disinterested person or persons pursuant to clause (c) of this Section shall not prevent the recovery from any Covered Person of any amount paid to such Covered Person in accordance with any of such clauses as indemnification if such Covered Person is subsequently adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person’s action was in the best interests of the Trust or to have been liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person’s office.

The right of indemnification hereby provided shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any such Covered Person may be entitled. As used in this Article 4, the term “Covered Person” shall include such person’s heirs, executors and administrators; an “interested Covered Person” is one against whom the action, suit or other proceeding in question or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending; and a “disinterested Trustee” or “disinterested person” is a Trustee or a person against whom none of such actions, suits or other proceedings or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending. Nothing contained in this Article shall affect any rights to indemnification to which personnel of the Trust, other than Trustees and officers, and other persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law, nor the power of the Trust to purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of any such person.

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser

SSgA Funds Management, Inc.

See “Management of the Trust” in Part B. Information as to the directors and officers of the Adviser is included in its Form ADV filed with the SEC and is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

Item 32. Principal Underwriter

(a) State Street Global Markets, LLC, State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, serves as the Trust’s principal underwriter and also serves as the principal underwriter for the following investment companies: SPDR Series Trust, SPDR Index Shares Funds, State Street Master Funds, and SSgA Funds.

(b) To the best of Registrant’s knowledge, the directors and executive officers of State Street Global Markets, LLC, are as follows:

 

Nicholas Bonn    Chief Executive Officer and Director
Vincent Manzi    Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer
Christopher P. Jensen    FINOP and Chief Financial Officer and Director
Howard Fairweather    Director


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Stephan Gavell    Director
Mark Snyder    Executive Vice President and Director
R. Bryan Woodard    Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Counsel and Secretary
James Ross    Executive Vice President and Director
Martine Bond    Executive Vice President and Director
Melissa McKay    Vice President and Assistant Secretary

 

* The principal business address for each of the above directors and executive officers is 1 Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111.

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

The accounts and records of the Trust are located, in whole or in part, at the office of the Trust and the following locations:

State Street Institutional Investment Trust (“Trust”)

4 Copley Place, 3rd floor

Boston, MA 02116

SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (“Adviser”)

State Street Financial Center

One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

SSgA Funds Management, Inc. serves as the Administrator for the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, and the State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund.

State Street Bank and Trust Company serves as the Sub-Administrator for the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, and the State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund.

State Street Bank and Trust Company serves as the Administrator for the State Street Institutional Limited Duration Bond Fund, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund, State Street Equity 500 Index Fund, State Street Equity 400 Index Fund, State Street Equity 2000 Index Fund, State Street Institutional Investment Trust, and State Street MSCI ACWI ex U.S. Index Fund.

State Street Bank and Trust Company serves as the Custodian, Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent), except not the Transfer Agent/Dividend Disbursing Agent for the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Limited Duration Bond Fund, State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, the State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Investment Trust, and State Street MSCI ACWI ex U.S. Index Fund.

State Street Bank and Trust Company

4 Copley Place, 3rd floor

Boston, MA 02116


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Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.

Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. serves as the Transfer Agent/Dividend Disbursing Agent for the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Limited Duration Bond Fund, State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Investment Trust, and State Street MSCI ACWI ex U.S. Index Fund.

Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.

2000 Crown Colony Drive

Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Item 34. Management Services

Not applicable.

Item 35. Undertakings

Not applicable.


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant, State Street Institutional Investment Trust (the “Trust”) has duly caused this Amendment to the Trust’s Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of Boston and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on this 25 th day of April, 2014.

 

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST
        By:   /s/ Ellen M. Needham
  Ellen M. Needham
  President

Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, this Registration Statement for the Trust has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 25 th day of April, 2014:

 

Signature

     

Signature

/s/ William L. Boyan*

William L. Boyan, Trustee

   

/s/ James E. Ross*

James E. Ross, Trustee

/s/ Michael F. Holland*

Michael F. Holland, Trustee

   

/s/ Richard D. Shirk*

Richard D. Shirk, Trustee

/s/ William L. Marshall*

William L. Marshall, Trustee

   

/s/ Rina K. Spence*

Rina K. Spence, Trustee

/s/ Scott F. Powers*

Scott F. Powers, Trustee

   

/s/ Bruce D. Taber*

Bruce D. Taber, Trustee

/s/ Patrick J. Riley*

Patrick J. Riley, Trustee

   

/s/ Douglas T. Williams*

Douglas T. Williams, Trustee

/s/ Laura F. Dell

Laura F. Dell, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

   

/s/ Ellen M. Needham

Ellen M. Needham, President and Principal Executive Officer

 

/s/ David James
*By: David James
Attorney-in-Fact
Pursuant to Powers of Attorney


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SIGNATURES

This Registration Statement contains certain disclosures regarding the State Street Money Market Portfolio, State Street Tax Free Money Market Portfolio, State Street U.S. Government Money Market Portfolio, State Street Treasury Money Market Portfolio and State Street Treasury Plus Money Market Portfolio (the “Portfolios”), series of State Street Master Funds (the “Trust”). The Trust has, subject to the next following sentence, duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of State Street Institutional Investment Trust (the “Registrant”) to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on April 25, 2014. The Trust is executing this Registration Statement only in respect of the disclosures contained herein specifically describing the Trust and the Portfolios, and hereby disclaims any responsibility or liability as to any other disclosures in this Registration Statement.

 

STATE STREET MASTER FUNDS
        By:   /s/ Ellen M. Needham
  Ellen M. Needham
  President, State Street Master Funds

This Registration Statement on Form N-1A of the Registrant has been signed below by the following persons, solely in the capacities indicated and subject to the next following sentence, on April 25, 2014. Each of the following persons is signing this Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to this Registration Statement only in respect of the disclosures contained herein specifically describing the Trust and the Portfolios, and hereby disclaims any responsibility or liability as to any other disclosures in this Registration Statement.

 

Signature

     

Signature

/s/ William L. Boyan*

William L. Boyan, Trustee

   

/s/ James E. Ross*

James E. Ross, Trustee

/s/ Michael F. Holland*

Michael F. Holland, Trustee

   

/s/ Richard D. Shirk*

Richard D. Shirk, Trustee

/s/ William L. Marshall*

William L. Marshall, Trustee

   

/s/ Rina K. Spence*

Rina K. Spence, Trustee

/s/ Scott F. Powers*

Scott F. Powers, Trustee

   

/s/ Bruce D. Taber*

Bruce D. Taber, Trustee

/s/ Patrick J. Riley*

Patrick J. Riley, Trustee

   

/s/ Douglas T. Williams*

Douglas T. Williams, Trustee

/s/ Laura F. Dell

Laura F. Dell, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer

   

/s/ Ellen M. Needham

Ellen M. Needham, President and Principal Executive Officer

 

/s/ David James
*By: David James
Attorney-in-Fact
Pursuant to Powers of Attorney


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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Document

(a)(10)   Declaration of Trust for the Trust dated April 14, 2014 as it relates to the Registrant
(b)(2)   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust dated April 14, 2014 as it relates to the Registrant
(m)(4)   Amended 12b-1 Plan as it relates to the Registrant
(o)   Power of Attorney as it relates to the Registrant
(p)(3)   Amended Joint Code of Ethics for the Trust dated February 13, 2014 as it relates to the Registrant

AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST

This AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST, made on this 14th day of April 2014, amending and restating the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated February 16, 2000 (the “Existing Declaration of Trust”),

WITNESSETH that

WHEREAS, this Trust has been formed to carry on the business of an investment company; and

WHEREAS, the Trustees have agreed to manage all property coming into their hands as trustees of a Massachusetts voluntary association with transferable shares in accordance with the provisions hereinafter set forth;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Trustees hereby amend and restate the Existing Declaration of Trust to read in its entirety as follows and do declare that they will hold all cash, securities and other assets, which they may from time to time acquire in any manner as Trustees hereunder IN TRUST to manage and dispose of the same upon the following terms and conditions for the benefit of the holders from time to time of Shares in this Trust as hereinafter set forth.

ARTICLE I

Name and Definitions

Name

Section 1. This Trust shall be known as “State Street Institutional Investment Trust”, and the Trustees shall conduct the business of the Trust under that name or any other name as they may from time to time determine.

Definitions

Section 2. Whenever used herein, unless otherwise required by the context or specifically provided:

(a) The “Trust” refers to the Massachusetts business trust established by the Existing Declaration of Trust, as amended from time to time, including by this Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust;

(b) “Trustees” refers to the Trustees of the Trust named herein or elected in accordance with Article IV;

(c) “Shares” means the equal proportionate transferable units of interest into which the beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided from time to time or, if more than one series or class of Shares is authorized by the Trustees, the equal proportionate transferable units into which each series or class of Shares shall be divided from time to time;

 

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(d) “Shareholder” means a record owner of Shares;

(e) The “1940 Act” refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules and Regulations thereunder, all as amended from time to time;

(f) The terms “Affiliated Person”, “Assignment”, “Commission”, “Interested Person”, “Principal Underwriter” and “Majority Shareholder Vote” (the 67% or 50% requirement of the third sentence of Section 2(a)(42) of the 1940 Act, whichever may be applicable) shall have the meanings given them in the 1940 Act;

(g) “Declaration of Trust” shall mean this Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust as amended or restated from time to time;

(h) “Bylaws” shall mean the Bylaws of the Trust as amended from time to time;

(i) The term “series” or “series of Shares” refers to the one or more separate series of Shares established by the Trustees from time to time;

(j) The term “class” or “class of Shares” refers to the various classes of Shares of any series established by the Trustees from time to time; and

(k) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

ARTICLE II

Purpose of Trust

The purpose of the Trust is to provide investors one or more investment programs and to carry on such other business as the Trustees may from time to time determine pursuant to their authority under this Declaration of Trust.

ARTICLE III

Shares

Division of Beneficial Interest

Section 1. The Shares of the Trust shall be issued in one or more series as the Trustees may, without shareholder approval, authorize. Each series shall be preferred over all other series in respect of the assets allocated to that series. The beneficial interest in each series shall at all times be divided into Shares, without par value, each of which shall, except as provided in the following sentence, represent an equal proportionate interest in the series with each other Share of the same series, none having priority or preference over another. The Trustees may, without Shareholder approval, divide the Shares of any series into two or more classes, Shares of each such class having such preferences and special or relative rights and privileges (including

 

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conversion rights, if any) as the Trustees may determine or as shall be set forth in the Bylaws. The number of Shares of the Trust and of any series and classes of the Trust authorized shall be unlimited, except as the Bylaws may otherwise provide or as the Trustees may otherwise determine, and the Shares so authorized may be represented in part by fractional shares. The Trustees may from time to time divide or combine the Shares of any series or class into a greater or lesser number without thereby changing the proportionate beneficial interest in the series or class. The Trustees also may from time to time, without Shareholder approval, combine the Shares of two or more series into a single series or the Shares of two or more classes of any series into a single class.

Ownership of Shares

Section 2. The ownership of Shares shall be recorded on the books of the Trust or a transfer or similar agent. No certificates certifying the ownership of Shares shall be issued except as the Trustees may otherwise determine from time to time. The Trustees may make such rules as they consider appropriate for the issuance of Share certificates, the transfer of Shares and similar matters. The record books of the Trust as kept by the Trust or any transfer or similar agent, as the case may be, shall be conclusive as to who are the Shareholders of each series and class and as to the number of Shares of each series and class held from time to time by each Shareholder.

Investment in the Trust

Section 3. The Trustees shall accept investments in the Trust from such persons and on such terms and for such consideration, which may consist of cash or tangible or intangible property or a combination thereof, as they or the Bylaws from time to time authorize.

All consideration received by the Trust for the issue or sale of Shares of a series, together with all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation thereof, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the same may be, shall irrevocably belong solely to that series of Shares for all purposes, subject only to the rights of creditors of such series, and shall be so handled upon the books of account of the Trust and are herein referred to as “assets of” such series.

No Preemptive Rights

Section 4. Shareholders shall have no preemptive or other right to subscribe to any additional Shares or other securities issued by the Trust.

 

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Derivative Claims

Section 5. The purpose of this Section 5 is to protect the interests of the Trust and the Shareholders by establishing a process that will permit legitimate inquiries and claims to be made and considered while avoiding the time, expense, distraction and other harm that can be caused to the Trust and Shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative actions.

(a) No Shareholder shall commence or maintain a derivative or similar action or proceeding on behalf or for the benefit of the Trust or any series or class to recover a judgment in its favor (a “derivative action”) unless each of the following conditions is met:

(i) The complaining Shareholder was a Shareholder of the series or class on behalf of or in the right of which the derivative action is proposed to be brought (the “affected series or class”) at the time of the action or failure to act complained of, or acquired the Shares afterwards by operation of law from a person who was a Shareholder at that time, and subsequently remains a Shareholder of such series or class for all relevant periods including without limitation when the demand required by subsection (iii) below was made and while the derivative action is maintained;

(ii) The complaining shareholder does not bring or purport to bring the derivative action on behalf of any series or class of the Trust other than the class or series that the Shareholder owns pursuant to subsection (i) above;

(iii) Prior to the commencement of such derivative action, the complaining Shareholder has made a written demand on the Trust, mailed to the Secretary of the Trust at the Trust’s principal office, requesting that the Trustees cause the Trust to file the action itself on behalf of the affected series or class (a “demand”) and setting forth with particularity the nature of the proposed proceeding or claim and the essential facts relied upon by the Shareholder to support the allegations made in the demand;

(iv) The period described in subsections (b) or (e) below has elapsed, unless the Trust notifies the complaining Shareholder by an earlier date of the Trust’s response to the demand; and

(v) The Trust has not notified the complaining Shareholder of any determination by the Trustees or the Shareholders pursuant to this Section 5 that would preclude the complaining Shareholders from commencing or maintaining the derivative action.

(b) Within 90 calendar days of the receipt of a Shareholder demand submitted in accordance with the requirements above, those Trustees who are independent for purposes of considering the demand (the “independent Trustees”) will consider the merits of the claim and determine whether commencing or maintaining a suit would be in the best interests of the Trust or the affected series or class, as applicable. If, during this 90-day period, those independent Trustees conclude that such determination cannot reasonably be made within the 90-day period, those independent Trustees may extend the 90-day period by a period that the independent Trustees consider will be sufficient to permit them to make such a determination, not to exceed 120 calendar days from the end of the initial 90-day period (such 90-day period, as may be extended as provided hereunder, the “review period”). Notice of any such decision to extend the review period shall be sent to the complaining Shareholder.

 

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(c) Any Trustee acting in connection with any demand or any proceeding relating to a claim on behalf of or for the benefit of the Trust or any series or class thereof who is not an Interested Person of the Trust shall be deemed to be independent and disinterested with respect to any actions taken in connection with any such demand, proceeding, or claim. Without limiting the foregoing, a Trustee otherwise independent for purposes of considering the demand shall not be considered not to be independent and disinterested by virtue of (i) the fact that such Trustee receives remuneration for his service as a Trustee of the Trust or as a trustee or director of one or more investment companies with the same or an affiliated investment adviser or underwriter, (ii) the amount of such remuneration, (iii) the fact that such Trustee was identified in the demand as a potential defendant or witness or was named as a defendant in any derivative action, or (iv) the fact that the Trustee approved or participated in the act being challenged in the demand if the act resulted in no material personal benefit to the Trustee or, if the Trustee is also a Shareholder, no material personal benefit that is not shared pro rata with other Shareholders of the series or class of which the Trustee is a Shareholder.

(d) Any decision by the independent Trustees to bring, maintain or settle (or not to bring, maintain or settle) a proceeding in connection with a demand, or to vindicate (or not vindicate) any claim on behalf or for the benefit of the Trust, or to submit the matter to a vote of Shareholders pursuant to subsection (e) below, shall be made by the Trustees in their sole business judgment and shall be binding upon the Shareholders, and no suit, proceeding or other action shall be commenced or maintained after a decision to reject a demand.

(e) In their sole discretion, the Trustees may submit the decision whether to bring an action in response to the demand on behalf of the Trust or any affected series or class to a vote of Shareholders of the Trust or any affected series or class. Notice of any such decision to submit the matter to a vote of Shareholders shall be sent to the complaining Shareholder. The Trust shall notify the complaining Shareholder of the results of such Shareholders’ vote, which shall be binding upon Shareholders, within 180 days of the receipt of such demand submitted in accordance with the requirements of subsection (a) above.

Status of Shares and Limitation of Personal Liability

Section 6. Shares shall be deemed to be personal property giving only the rights provided in this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws. Every Shareholder by virtue of having become a Shareholder shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms of this Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws and to have become a party to this Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws. The death of a Shareholder during the continuance of the Trust shall not operate to terminate the same nor entitle the representative of any deceased Shareholder to an accounting or to take any action in court or elsewhere against the Trust or the Trustees, but only to the rights of said

 

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decedent under this Trust. Ownership of Shares shall not entitle the Shareholder to any title in or to the whole or any part of the Trust property or right to call for a partition or division of the same or for an accounting, nor shall the ownership of Shares constitute the Shareholders partners. Neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor any officer, employee or agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind personally any Shareholder, nor except as specifically provided herein to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at any time personally agree to pay.

Direct Claims

Section 7. No class of Shareholders shall have the right to bring or maintain a direct action or claim for monetary damages against the Trust or the Trustees predicated upon an express or implied right of action under this Declaration of Trust or the 1940 Act or other federal securities laws, nor shall any single Shareholder, who is similarly situated to one or more other Shareholders with respect to an alleged injury, have the right to bring such an action, unless the class of Shareholders or single Shareholder has obtained authorization from the Trustees to bring the action. The requirement of authorization shall not be excused under any circumstances, including claims of alleged interest on the part of the Trustees. A request for authorization shall be mailed to the Secretary of the Trust at the Trust’s principal office and shall set forth with particularity the nature of the proposed court action, proceeding or claim and the essential facts relied upon by the class of Shareholders or single Shareholder to support the allegations made in the request. The Trustees shall consider such request within 90 days after its receipt by the Trust. In their sole discretion, the Trustees may submit the matter to a vote of Shareholders of the Trust or of any series or class of Shares, as appropriate. Any decision by the Trustees to settle or to authorize (or not to settle or to authorize) such court action, proceeding or claim, or to submit the matter to a vote of Shareholders, shall be binding upon the class of Shareholders or single Shareholder seeking authorization.

ARTICLE IV

The Trustees

Election, Tenure and Removal

Section 1. The Trustees as of the date hereof shall be William L. Boyan, Michael F. Holland, William L. Marshall, Patrick J. Riley, Richard D. Shirk, Bruce D. Taber, Scott F. Powers, James E. Ross, Rina K. Spence and Douglas T. Williams. A Trustee may be elected either by the Trustees or by the Shareholders. From time to time, the Trustees may fix the number of Trustees or fill vacancies in the Trustees, including vacancies arising from an increase in the number of Trustees. Any Trustee may be removed from office, for any reason or for no reason, (i) by vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding Shares at a meeting of Shareholders called for the purpose of considering the removal of the Trustee, (ii) by declaration in writing signed by the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding Shares filed with the Trust’s custodian; or (iii) by vote of a majority of the remaining Trustees and a majority of the remaining Trustees who are not Interested Persons of the Trust, specifying the date when such removal shall become effective. Each Trustee shall serve during the continued lifetime of the Trust until

 

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he or she dies, resigns or is removed, or, if sooner, until the election and qualification of his or her successor. Any Trustee may resign at any time by written instrument signed by him or her and delivered to any officer of the Trust or to a meeting of the Trustees. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless specified to be effective at some other time. Except to the extent expressly provided in a written agreement with the Trust, no Trustee resigning and no Trustee removed shall have any right to any compensation for any period following his or her resignation or removal, or any right to damages on account of such removal. The Shareholders may fix the number of Trustees and elect Trustees at any meeting of Shareholders called by the Trustees for that purpose and to the extent required by applicable law.

Effect of Death, Resignation, etc. of a Trustee

Section 2. The death, declination, resignation, retirement, removal or incapacity of the Trustees, or any one of them, shall not operate to annul the Trust or to revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of this Declaration of Trust.

Powers

Section 3. Subject to the provisions of this Declaration of Trust, the business of the Trust shall be managed by the Trustees, and they shall have all powers necessary or convenient to carry out that responsibility. Without limiting the foregoing, the Trustees may adopt Bylaws not inconsistent with this Declaration of Trust providing for the conduct of the business of the Trust and the regulation and management of the affairs of the Trust and may amend and repeal them to the extent that such Bylaws do not reserve that right to the Shareholders; they may fill vacancies in or add to their number, and may elect and remove, with or without cause, such Trustees and officers and appoint and terminate such agents as they consider appropriate; they may appoint from their own number, and terminate, any one or more committees consisting of two or more Trustees, including an executive committee which may, when the Trustees are not in session, exercise some or all of the power and authority of the Trustees as the Trustees may determine; they may employ one or more custodians of the assets of the Trust and may authorize such custodians to employ subcustodians and to deposit all or any part of such assets in a system or systems for the central handling of securities or with a Federal Reserve Bank, retain a transfer agent or a Shareholder servicing agent, or both, provide for the distribution of Shares by the Trust, through one or more principal underwriters or otherwise, set record dates for the determination of Shareholders with respect to various matters, and in general delegate such authority as they consider desirable to any officer of the Trust, to any committee of the Trustees and to any agent or employee of the Trust or to any such custodian or underwriter.

Without limiting the foregoing, the Trustees shall have power and authority:

(a) To invest and reinvest cash, and to hold cash uninvested;

 

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(b) To sell, exchange, lend, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, lease, write options with respect to or otherwise deal in any property rights relating to any or all of the assets of the Trust;

(c) To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership, with respect to stock or other securities or property; and to execute and deliver proxies or powers of attorney to such person or persons as the Trustees shall deem proper, granting to such person or persons such power and discretion with relation to securities or property as the Trustees shall deem proper;

(d) To exercise powers and rights of subscription or otherwise which in any manner arise out of ownership of securities or other property;

(e) To hold any security or property in a form not indicating any trust, whether in bearer, unregistered or other negotiable form, or in the name of the Trustees or of the Trust or in the name of a custodian, subcustodian or other depositary or a nominee or nominees or otherwise;

(f) Subject to the provisions of Article III, Section 3, to allocate assets, liabilities, income and expenses of the Trust to a particular series of Shares or to apportion the same among two or more series, provided that any liabilities or expenses incurred by or arising in connection with a particular series of Shares shall be payable solely out of the assets of that series; and to the extent necessary or appropriate to give effect to the preferences and special or relative rights and privileges of any classes of Shares, to allocate assets, liabilities, income and expenses of a series to a particular class of Shares of that series or to apportion the same among two or more classes of Shares of that series;

(g) To consent to or participate in any plan for the reorganization, consolidation or merger of any corporation or issuer, any security of which is or was held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, or purchase or sale of property by such corporation or issuer, and to pay calls or subscriptions with respect to any security held in the Trust;

(h) To join other security holders in acting through a committee, depositary, voting trustee or otherwise, and in that connection to deposit any security with, or transfer any security to, any such committee, depositary or trustee, and to delegate to them such power and authority with relation to any security (whether or not so deposited or transferred) as the Trustees shall deem proper, and to agree to pay, and to pay, such portion of the expenses and compensation of such committee, depositary or trustee as the Trustees shall deem proper;

(i) To compromise, arbitrate or otherwise adjust claims in favor of or against the Trust or any matter in controversy, including but not limited to claims for taxes;

 

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(j) To enter into joint ventures, general or limited partnerships and any other combinations or associations;

(k) To borrow funds or other property;

(l) To endorse or guarantee the payment of any notes or other obligations of any person; to make contracts of guaranty or suretyship, or otherwise assume liability for payment thereof; and to mortgage and pledge the Trust property or any part thereof to secure any of or all such obligations;

(m) To purchase and pay for entirely out of Trust property such insurance as they may deem necessary or appropriate for the conduct of the Trust’s or a series’ business, including without limitation, insurance policies insuring the assets of the Trust and payment of distributions and principal on its portfolio investments, and insurance policies insuring any or all of the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees, agents, investment advisers or managers, principal underwriters, or independent contractors of the Trust individually against all claims and liabilities of every nature arising by reason of holding, being or having held any such office or position, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted by any such person as Shareholder, Trustee, officer, employee, agent, investment adviser or manager, principal underwriter, or independent contractor, including, without limitation, any action taken or omitted that may be determined to constitute negligence, or gross negligence, in each case, whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability;

(n) To pay pensions for faithful service, as deemed appropriate by the Trustees, and to adopt, establish and carry out pension, profit-sharing, share bonus, share purchase, savings, thrift and other retirement, incentive and benefit plans, trusts and provisions, including the purchasing of life insurance and annuity contracts as a means of providing such retirement and other benefits, for any or all of the Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust;

(o) Generally, to adopt and cause the implementation of such policies, procedures, guidelines or directives as they deem necessary or appropriate, in their sole discretion, relating to the governance, operation and related matters of the Trust;

(p) To organize, and transfer assets of the Trust into and out of, subsidiaries of the Trust or any series thereof; and

(q) To engage in any other lawful act or activity.

The foregoing enumeration of the powers and authority of the Trustees shall be read as broadly and liberally as possible, it being the intent of the foregoing in no way to limit the Trustees’ powers and authority.

 

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The Trustees shall not in any way be bound or limited by any present or future law or custom in regard to investments by trustees. The Trustees shall not be required to obtain any court order to deal with any assets of the Trust or take any other action hereunder.

Except as otherwise provided herein or from time to time in the Bylaws, any action to be taken by the Trustees may be taken (A) by a majority of the Trustees present at a meeting of the Trustees (a quorum being present), within or without Massachusetts, including any meeting held by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time (participation by which means shall for all purposes constitute presence in person at a meeting), or (B) by written consents of a majority of the Trustees then in office (which written consents shall be filed with the records of the meetings of the Trustees and shall be treated for all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting of Trustees).

Payment of Expenses by Trust

Section 4. The Trustees are authorized to pay or to cause to be paid out of the assets of the Trust, all expenses, fees, charges, taxes and liabilities incurred or arising in connection with the Trust, or in connection with the management thereof, including, but not limited to, the Trustees’ compensation and such expenses and charges for the services of the Trust’s officers, employees, any investment adviser, manager or sub-adviser, principal underwriter, auditor, counsel, custodian, transfer agent, shareholder servicing agent, and such other agents or independent contractors and such other expenses and charges as the Trustees may deem necessary or proper to incur, provided, however, that all expenses, fees, charges, taxes and liabilities incurred by or arising in connection with a particular series of Shares, as determined by the Trustees or the President or the Treasurer of the Trust, shall be payable solely out of the assets of that series and may, as the Trustees or such officer from time to time may determine, be allocated to a particular class of Shares of a series or apportioned among two or more classes of Shares of a series.

Ownership of Assets of the Trust

Section 5. Title to all of the assets of each series of Shares and of the Trust shall at all times be considered as vested in the Trustees.

Advisory, Management and Distribution

Section 6. The Trustees may, at any time and from time to time, contract for exclusive or nonexclusive advisory and/or management services with any corporation, trust, association or other organization (the “Manager”), every such contract to comply with such requirements and restrictions as may be set forth in the Bylaws; and any such contract may provide for, or permit, the hiring of, or delegation to, one or more sub-advisers who shall perform all or part of the obligations of the Manager under such contract and may contain such other terms as the Trustees may determine, including, without limitation, authority to determine from time to time what investments shall be purchased, held, sold or exchanged and what portion, if any, of the assets of

 

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the Trust shall be held uninvested and to make changes in the Trust’s investments. The Trustees may also, at any time and from time to time, contract with the Manager or any other corporation, trust, association or other organization, appointing it exclusive or nonexclusive distributor or principal underwriter for the Shares, every such contract to comply with such requirements and restrictions as may be set forth in the Bylaws; and any such contract may contain such other terms as the Trustees may determine.

The fact that:

(i) any of the Shareholders, Trustees or officers of the Trust is a shareholder, director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, manager, adviser, principal underwriter or distributor or agent of or for any corporation, trust, association, or other organization, or of or for any parent or affiliate of any organization, with which an advisory or management contract, or principal underwriter’s or distributor’s contract, or transfer, Shareholder servicing or other agency contract may have been or may hereafter be made, or that any such organization, or any parent or affiliate thereof, is a Shareholder or has an interest in the Trust, or that

(ii) any corporation, trust, association or other organization with which an advisory or management contract or principal underwriter’s or distributor’s contract, or transfer, Shareholder servicing or other agency contract may have been or may hereafter be made also has an advisory or management contract, or transfer, shareholder servicing or other agency contract with one or more other corporations, trusts, associations, or other organizations, or has other business or interests

shall not affect the validity of any such contract or disqualify any Shareholder, Trustee or officer of the Trust from voting upon or executing the same or create any liability or accountability to the Trust or its Shareholders.

Agent for Service of Process

Section 7. The name and address of the resident agent of the Trust on the date hereof in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is State Street Bank and Trust Company, Secretary of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust, c/o State Street Fund Administration Legal Department, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111.

ARTICLE V

Shareholders’ Voting Powers and Meetings

Voting Powers

Section 1. The Shareholders shall have power to vote only (i) for the election or removal of Trustees as provided in Article IV, Section 1 of this Declaration of Trust, (ii) with respect to any amendment of this Declaration of Trust to the extent and as provided in Article IX, Section 8 of this Declaration of Trust, (iii) with respect to any termination of this Trust to the extent and as

 

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provided in Article IX, Section 4 of this Declaration of Trust (for the avoidance of any doubt, Shareholders shall have no separate right to vote with respect to the termination of the Trust if the Trustees exercise their right to terminate the Trust pursuant to Article IX, Section 4 of this Declaration of Trust), and (iv) with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by law, this Declaration of Trust, or the Bylaws, or as the Trustees may consider necessary or desirable. Each whole Share shall be entitled to one vote as to any matter on which it is entitled to vote and each fractional Share shall be entitled to a proportionate fractional vote. On any matter submitted to a vote of Shareholders, all Shares of the Trust then entitled to vote shall, except as otherwise provided in the Bylaws, be voted in the aggregate as a single class without regard to series or classes of Shares, except that (1) when required by the 1940 Act or when the Trustees shall have determined that the matter affects one or more series or classes of Shares materially differently, Shares shall be voted by individual series or class and (2) when the Trustees have determined that the matter affects only the interests of one or more series or classes, only Shareholders of such series or classes shall be entitled to vote thereon. There shall be no cumulative voting in the election of Trustees. Shares may be voted in person or by proxy. A proxy with respect to Shares held in the name of two or more persons shall be valid if executed by any one of them unless at or prior to exercise of the proxy the Trust receives a specific written notice to the contrary from any one of them. A proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a Shareholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger. Until Shares of the Trust are issued, the Trustees may exercise all rights of Shareholders and may take any action permitted or required of the Shareholders by law, this Declaration of Trust, the Bylaws, or any registration of the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any successor agency) or any state. Until Shares of any series or class are issued, the Trustees may exercise all rights of Shareholders of that series or class, respectively, and may take any action permitted or required of the Shareholders of that series or class by law, this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws, or any registration of the Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any successor agency) or any state.

Meetings

Section 2. Meetings of the Shareholders of any or all series or classes may be called by the Trustees from time to time for the purpose of taking action upon any matter requiring the vote or authority of the Shareholders of such series or classes as herein provided or for such other purposes as may be prescribed by law, by this Declaration of Trust or by the Bylaws. Meetings of the Shareholders may also be called by the Trustees from time to time for the purpose of taking action upon any other matter deemed by the Trustees to be necessary or desirable. A meeting of Shareholders may be held at any place within or without Massachusetts designated by the Trustees. Notice of any meeting of Shareholders, stating the time and place of the meeting, shall be given or caused to be given by the Trustees to each Shareholder entitled to vote at such meeting by mailing such notice, postage prepaid, at least seven days before such meeting, at the Shareholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Trust, or by facsimile or other electronic transmission, at least seven days before such meeting, to the telephone or facsimile number or e-mail or other electronic address as it appears on the records of the Trust.

 

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Whenever notice of a meeting is required to be given to a Shareholder under this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws, a written waiver thereof, executed before or after the meeting by such Shareholder or his or her attorney thereunto authorized and filed with the records of the meeting, shall be deemed equivalent to such notice. Notice of a meeting need not be given to a Shareholder who attends the meeting without protesting prior thereto or at its commencement the lack of notice to him or her.

Quorum and Required Vote

Section 3. Thirty percent of Shares entitled to vote on a particular matter shall be a quorum for the transaction of business on that matter at a Shareholders’ meeting, except that where any provision of law or of this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws requires that holders of any series or class shall vote as an individual series or class, then thirty percent of the aggregate number of Shares of that series or class entitled to vote shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by that series or class; provided that the Trustees may in their discretion specify a greater percentage to constitute a quorum as to any matter. Any lesser number shall be sufficient for adjournments. Any adjourned session or sessions may be held, within a reasonable time after the date set for the original meeting, without the necessity of further notice. Except when a larger vote is required by any provision of law or of this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws, a majority of the Shares voted shall decide any questions and a plurality shall elect a Trustee, provided that where the holders of any series or class vote as an individual series or class, a majority of the Shares of that series or class voted on the matter (or a plurality with respect to the election of a Trustee) shall decide that matter insofar as that series or class is concerned.

Action by Written Consent

Section 4. Any action taken by Shareholders may be taken without a meeting if Shareholders holding a majority of the Shares entitled to vote on the matter (or such larger proportion thereof as shall be required to act on such matter) or, as applicable, holding a majority of the Shares of any series or class entitled to vote separately on the matter (or such larger proportion as aforesaid) consent to the action in writing and such written consents are filed with the records of the meetings of Shareholders. Such consent shall be treated for all purposes as a vote taken at a meeting of Shareholders.

Inspection of Books and Records

Section 5. No Shareholder shall have any right to examine any books or records of the Trust if the Trust determines that the examination will for any reason be adverse to the interests of the Trust. The Trust’s determination that the examination would be adverse to the interests of the Trust, and the refusal to permit examination, shall be binding upon the Shareholders, and no suit, proceeding or other action shall be commenced or maintained after such decision to reject a demand for examination. There shall be no right for any person to examine any books or records

 

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of the Trust if such person is not a Shareholder of the applicable series or class of Shares for all relevant periods including without limitation when the demand to examine any books or records of the Trust was made, during the pendency of any suit, proceeding or other action related to a demand to examine any books or records of the Trust, or during the period of any examination of the books or records of the Trust. This provision is without exclusion to other bases for refusing to permit such examination. In addition, every examination shall be subject to such reasonable regulations as the Trust may establish in regard thereto.

Additional Provisions

Section 6. The Bylaws may include further provisions, not inconsistent with this Declaration of Trust, regarding Shareholders’ voting powers, the conduct of meetings and related matters.

ARTICLE VI

Distributions, Redemptions and Repurchases

Distributions

Section 1. The Trustees may each year, or more frequently if they so determine, distribute to the Shareholders of any series solely out of the assets of such series such amounts as the Trustees may determine. Any such distribution to the Shareholders of a particular series shall be made to said Shareholders pro rata in proportion to the number of Shares of such series held by each of them, except to the extent otherwise required or permitted by the preferences and special or relative rights and privileges of any classes of Shares of that series, and any distribution to the Shareholders of a particular class of Shares shall be made to such Shareholders pro rata in proportion to the number of Shares of such class held by each of them. Such distributions shall be made in cash, Shares or other property, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Trustees. Any such distribution paid in Shares will be paid at the net asset value thereof. The Trustees shall have full discretion to determine which items shall be treated as income and which items as capital and their determinations shall be binding upon the Shareholders.

Redemptions and Repurchases

Section 2. The Trust shall purchase such Shares as are offered by any Shareholder for redemption, upon the presentation of any certificate for the Shares to be purchased, a proper instrument of transfer and a request directed to the Trust or a person designated by the Trust that the Trust purchase such Shares, or in accordance with such other procedures for redemption as the Trustees may from time to time authorize; and the Trust will pay therefor the net asset value thereof, as next determined in accordance herewith, less any applicable redemption charge or other charges and/or fees fixed by the Trustees. Except as otherwise provided from time to time in the prospectus of the Trust relating to the particular class or series of Shares, or as the Trustees may otherwise determine, payment for said Shares shall be made by the Trust to the Shareholder within seven days after the date on which the request is made. The obligations set forth in this Section 2 may be suspended or postponed from time to time or at any time in the discretion of the Trustees in accordance with applicable law and regulation, including determinations,

 

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exemptions, pronouncements, and regulatory relief issued or promulgated by appropriate governmental authorities. The Trust may also purchase or repurchase Shares at a price not exceeding the net asset value of such Shares in effect when the purchase or repurchase or any contract to purchase or repurchase is made.

The redemption, purchase or repurchase may be made in cash or in other property, or any combination thereof. The composition of any such payment shall be determined by the Trust in its sole discretion, and the Trust shall have no obligation to effect a pro rata division of cash or other property in making any such payment. In no case shall the Trust be liable for any delay of any corporation or other person in transferring securities or other property selected for delivery as all or part of any such payment.

Redemption at the Option of the Trust

Section 3. The Trust shall have the right at its option and without a vote of the Shareholders at any time and for any or no reason to redeem all or a portion of the Shares of any Shareholder at the net asset value thereof as determined in accordance with this Declaration of Trust and the Bylaws, including, but not limited to: (i) if at such time such Shareholder owns fewer Shares than, or Shares having an aggregate net asset value of less than, an amount determined from time to time by the Trustees; or (ii) to the extent that such Shareholder owns Shares of a particular series of Shares equal to or in excess of a percentage of the outstanding Shares of that series determined from time to time by the Trustees, or representing a percentage of the aggregate net asset value of that series equal to or in excess of a percentage determined from time to time by the Trustees; or (iii) to the extent that such Shareholder owns Shares of the Trust equal to or in excess of a percentage of the outstanding Shares of the Trust or the aggregate net asset value of the Trust determined from time to time by the Trustees; or (iv) if the Trust determines that such Shareholder is engaging in conduct that is harmful to the Trust or any series or class; or (v) that such Shareholder’s continued participation in the Trust would cause, or in the judgment of the Trustees threatens to cause, the Trust to fail to comply with applicable law or to fail to be eligible for any tax withholding, regulatory or registration exemption, including without limitation, due to a determination by the Trustees that such Shareholder’s continued participation in the Trust may cause the Trust to be required to withhold on distributions to such Shareholder by reason of section 1471 et seq. of the Code; or (vi) if the Trust otherwise determines such redemption to be necessary or appropriate.

Determination of Net Asset Value

Section 4. Determinations of net asset value of any Shares of any series or class made by Trustees or their designees shall be binding on all parties concerned.

 

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ARTICLE VII

Compensation and Limitation of Liability of Trustees

Compensation

Section 1. The Trustees as such shall be entitled to reasonable compensation from the Trust; they may fix the amount of their compensation. Nothing herein shall in any way prevent the employment of any Trustee for advisory, management, legal, accounting, investment banking or other services and payment for the same by the Trust.

Limitation of Liability

Section 2. The Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or wrongdoing of any officer, agent, employee, manager or principal underwriter of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible for the act or omission of any other Trustee, but nothing herein contained shall protect any Trustee against any liability to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking and every other act or thing whatsoever issued, executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued, executed or done only in or with respect to their or his or her capacity as Trustees or Trustee, and such Trustees or Trustee shall not be personally liable thereon.

ARTICLE VIII

Indemnification

Trustees, Officers, etc.

Section 1. The Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees and officers, including persons who serve at the Trust’s request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (each such Trustee, officer or person hereinafter referred to as a “Covered Person”), against all liabilities and expenses, including but not limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and accountants’ or counsel fees reasonably incurred by any Covered Person in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such Covered Person may be or may have been threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of being or having been such a Covered Person, except with respect to any matter as to which such Covered Person shall have been finally adjudicated in a decision on the merits in any such action, suit or other proceeding not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person’s action was in the best interests of the Trust or that such Covered Person’s action was at least not

 

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opposed to the best interests of the Trust and except that no Covered Person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which such Covered Person would otherwise be subject by reason of such Covered Person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person’s office. Expenses, including counsel fees so incurred by any such Covered Person (but excluding amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines or penalties), shall be paid from time to time by the Trust in advance of the final disposition of any such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such Covered Person to repay amounts so paid to the Trust if it is ultimately determined that indemnification of such expenses is not authorized under this Article VIII, provided, that (a) such Covered Person shall provide security for his or her undertaking, (b) the Trust shall be insured against losses arising from any such advance payments, or (c) either a majority of the disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter), or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall have determined based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that there is reason to believe such Covered Person ultimately will be entitled to indemnification.

Compromise Payment

Section 2. As to any matter disposed of (whether by a compromise payment, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise) without an adjudication in a decision on the merits by a court, or by any other body before which the proceeding was brought, that such Covered Person either (a) did not act in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person’s action was in the best interest of the Trust or that such Covered Person’s action was at least not opposed to the best interests of the Trust or (b) is liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of such Covered Person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person’s office, indemnification shall be provided if (x) approved as in the best interest of the Trust, after notice that it involves such indemnification, by at least a majority of the disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter), upon a determination, based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that such Covered Person acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person’s action was in the best interests of the Trust or that such Covered Person’s action was at least not opposed to the best interests of the Trust and that such indemnification would not protect such Covered Person against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of such Covered Person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person’s office, or (y) there has been obtained an opinion in writing of independent legal counsel, based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), to the effect that such Covered Person appears to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person’s action was in the best interests of the Trust or that such Covered Person’s action was at least not opposed to the best interests of the Trust and that such indemnification would not protect such Covered Person against any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders to which such Covered Person would otherwise be subject by reason of such Covered Person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of

 

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the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office. Any approval pursuant to this Section 2 shall not prevent the recovery from any Covered Person of any amount paid to such Covered Person in accordance with this Section 2 as indemnification if such Covered Person is subsequently adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person’s action was in the best interests of the Trust or that such Covered Person’s action was at least not opposed to the best interests of the Trust or to have been liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of such Covered Person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person’s office.

Rebuttable Presumption

Section 3. For purposes of the determination or opinion referred to in clause (c) of Section 1 of this Article VIII or clauses (x) or (y) of Section 2 of this Article VIII, the majority of the disinterested Trustees of the Trust acting on the matter or independent legal counsel, as the case may be, shall be entitled to rely upon a rebuttable presumption that the Covered Person acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Person’s action was in the best interests of the Trust or that such Covered Person’s action was at least not opposed to the best interests of the Trust and has not engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Person’s office.

Indemnification Not Exclusive

Section 4. The right of indemnification hereby provided shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any such Covered Person may be entitled. As used in this Article VIII, the term “Covered Person” shall include such person’s heirs, executors and administrators, and a “disinterested Trustee” is a Trustee who is not an “interested person” of the Trust as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act (or who has been exempted from being an interested person by any rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission) and against whom none of the actions, suits or other proceedings in question or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending. Nothing contained in this Article VIII shall affect any rights to indemnification to which personnel of the Trust, other than Trustees and officers, and other persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law, nor the power of the Trust to purchase and maintain liability insurance on behalf of any such person, including any Trustees or officers.

Shareholders

Section 5. In case any Shareholder or former Shareholder shall be held to be personally liable solely by reason of his or her being or having been a Shareholder of the Trust or of a particular series and not because of his or her acts or omissions or for some other reason, the Shareholder or former Shareholder (or his or her heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representatives or, in the case of a corporation or other entity, its corporate or other general successor) shall be entitled out of the assets of the series of which he or she is a Shareholder or former Shareholder to be held harmless from and indemnified against all loss and expense arising from such liability.

 

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ARTICLE IX

Miscellaneous

Trustees, Shareholders, etc. Not Personally Liable; Notice

Section 1. All persons extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trust or a particular series or class of Shares shall look only to the assets of the Trust or, to the extent that the liability relates to assets of a particular series or class, only to the assets belonging to the relevant series or attributable to the relevant class, for payment under such credit, contract or claim, and neither the Shareholders nor the Trustees, nor any of the Trust’s officers, employees or agents, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor. Nothing in this Declaration of Trust shall protect any Trustee against any liability to which such Trustee would otherwise be subject by reason of such Trustee’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee.

Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking made or issued on behalf of the Trust by the Trustees or any Trustee, by any officer or officers or otherwise shall give notice that this Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and shall recite that the same was executed or made by or on behalf of the Trust or by them as Trustee or Trustees or as officer or officers and not individually and that the obligations of such instrument are not binding upon any of them or the Shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of the Trust or upon the assets belonging to the series or attributable to the class for the benefit of which such note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking is made or issued, and may contain such further recital as he or she or they may deem appropriate, but the omission thereof shall not operate to bind any Trustee or Trustees or officer or officers or Shareholder or Shareholders or any other person individually.

Trustee’s Good Faith Action, Expert Advice, No Bond or Surety

Section 2. The exercise by the Trustees of their powers and discretions hereunder shall be binding upon everyone interested. A Trustee shall be liable for his or her own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee, and for nothing else. The Trustees may take advice of counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this Declaration of Trust, and shall be under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice or for failing to follow such advice. The Trustees shall not be required to give any bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is required.

 

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The appointment, designation or identification of a Trustee as the chairperson or co-chairperson of the Trustees, the lead or assistant lead independent Trustee, a member or chairperson or co-chairperson of a committee of the Trustees, an expert on any topic or in any area (including audit committee financial expert) or having any other special appointment, designation or identification, shall not (a) impose on that person any duty, obligation or liability that is greater than the duties, obligations and liabilities imposed on that person as a Trustee in the absence of the appointment, designation or identification or (b) affect in any way such Trustee’s rights or entitlement to indemnification, and no Trustee who has special skills or expertise, or is appointed, designated or identified as aforesaid, shall (x) be held to a higher standard of care by virtue thereof or (y) be limited with respect to any indemnification or right or privilege to which such Trustee would otherwise be entitled.

Liability of Third Persons Dealing with Trustees

Section 3. No person dealing with the Trustees shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction made or to be made by the Trustees or to see to the application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trust or upon its order.

Duration and Termination of Trust

Section 4. Unless terminated as provided herein, the Trust shall continue without limitation of time. The Trust may be terminated at any time by vote of at least 66-2/3% of the Shares of each series, voting separately by series, or by the Trustees by written notice to the Shareholders. Any series may be terminated at any time by vote of at least 66-2/3% of the Shares of that series; alternatively, any series or class may be terminated at any time by the Trustees by written notice to the Shareholders of that series or class. Nothing in this Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws shall restrict the power of the Trustees to terminate any series or class by written notice to the Shareholders of such series or class, whether or not such Shareholders have voted (or are proposed to vote) with respect to a merger, reorganization, sale of assets or similar transaction involving such series or class.

Upon termination of the Trust (or any series or class, as the case may be), after paying or otherwise providing for all charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities belonging, severally, to each series (or the applicable series or attributable to the particular class, as the case may be), whether due or accrued or anticipated as may be determined by the Trustees, the Trust shall, in accordance with such procedures as the Trustees consider appropriate, reduce the remaining assets belonging, severally, to each series (or the applicable series or attributable to the particular class, as the case may be), to distributable form in cash or shares or other securities or property, or any combination thereof, and distribute them to the Shareholders of that series (or class, as the case may be), as a series (or class, as the case may be), ratably according to the number of Shares of that series (or class, as the case may be) held by the several Shareholders on the date of termination.

 

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Reorganizations

Section 5. The Trust, or any one or more series of the Trust, may, either as the successor, survivor or non-survivor, (1) consolidate or merge with one or more other trusts, series (including any series of the Trust), sub-trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies, associations or corporations organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or any other jurisdiction, to form a consolidated or merged trust, series (including any series of the Trust), sub-trust, partnership, limited liability company, association or corporation under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or any other jurisdiction or (2) transfer all or a substantial portion of its assets to one or more other trusts, series (including any series of the Trust), sub-trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies, associations or corporations organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or any other jurisdiction, or have one or more such trusts, series, sub-trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies, associations or corporations transfer all or a substantial portion of its assets to it, any such consolidation, merger or transfer to be upon such terms and conditions as are specified in an agreement and plan of reorganization authorized and approved by the Trustees and entered into by the Trust, or one or more series, as the case may be, in connection therewith. Any such consolidation, merger or transfer may be authorized by vote of a majority of the Trustees then in office without the approval of Shareholders of the Trust or relevant series.

Filing and Copies, References, Headings

Section 6. The original or a copy of this instrument and of each amendment hereto shall be kept at the office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. Anyone dealing with the Trust may rely on a certificate by an officer of the Trust as to any matters in connection with the Trust hereunder, and, with the same effect as if it were the original, may rely on a copy certified by an officer of the Trust to be a copy of this instrument or of any amendments hereto. In this instrument and in any such amendment, references to this instrument and all expressions like “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” shall be deemed to refer to this instrument as amended or affected by any such amendments. Headings are placed herein for convenience of reference only and shall not be taken as a part hereof or control or affect the meaning, construction or effect of this instrument. This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original.

Applicable Law

Section 7. This Declaration of Trust is made in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and it is created under and is to be governed by and construed and administered according to the laws of said Commonwealth. The Trust shall be of the type commonly called a Massachusetts business trust and, without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers which are ordinarily exercised by such a trust.

 

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Amendments

Section 8.

(a) Except as specifically provided in this Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may amend or otherwise supplement the Declaration of Trust by making an amendment, a Declaration of Trust supplemental hereto or an amended and restated Declaration of Trust by an instrument in writing executed by a majority of the Trustees. Shareholders shall have the right to vote only on any amendment (i) that would affect their right to vote granted in Article V Section 1 hereof; (ii) as may be required by law to be approved by Shareholders; or (iii) submitted to them by the Trustees. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Trustees may, without any Shareholder vote, amend this Declaration of Trust (x) to supply any omission or to cure, correct or supplement any ambiguous, defective or inconsistent provision hereof, or (y) if they deem it necessary or advisable, to conform the Declaration of Trust to the requirements of applicable law, including the 1940 Act or the Code, but the Trustees shall not be liable for failing to do so, or, (z) with respect to an amendment affecting a series or class, for any reason at any time, if there are no Shares of such series or class outstanding at that time. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Declaration of Trust, any amendment on which Shareholders have the right to vote shall require an affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Shares outstanding and entitled to vote, except that an amendment which in the determination of the Trustees shall affect the holders of one or more series or but not the holders of all outstanding series, or shall affect the holders of one or more classes of a series but not the holders of all outstanding Shares of all classes, shall be authorized as to any such series or class by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Shares of such affected series or class outstanding and entitled to vote, and no vote of Shareholders of a series or class not determined by the Trustees to be affected shall be required.

(b) Nothing contained in the Declaration of Trust shall permit the amendment of the Declaration of Trust (i) to impair the exemption from personal liability of the Shareholders, former Shareholders, Trustees or former Trustees, (ii) to permit assessments upon Shareholders of the Trust, or (iii) to limit the rights to indemnification provided in Article VIII with respect to actions or omissions prior to such amendment.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand and seal for himself and his assigns, as of the day and year first above written.

 

/s/ William L. Boyan

   

/s/ Bruce D. Taber

William L. Boyan     Bruce D. Taber

/s/ Michael F. Holland

   

/s/ Scott F. Powers

Michael F. Holland     Scott F. Powers

/s/ William L. Marshall

   

/s/ James E. Ross

William L. Marshall     James E. Ross

/s/ Patrick J. Riley

   

/s/ Rina K. Spence

Patrick J. Riley     Rina K. Spence

/s/ Richard D. Shirk

   

/s/ Douglas T. Williams

Richard D. Shirk     Douglas T. Williams


Trustees and Address:

William L. Boyan

Michael F. Holland

William L. Marshall

Patrick J. Riley

Richard D. Shirk

Bruce D. Taber

Scott F. Powers, James E. Ross

Rina K. Spence

Douglas T. Williams

One Lincoln Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02111-2900

Trust Address:

State Street Institutional Investment Trust

One Lincoln Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02111-2900

Resident Agent:

State Street Bank and Trust Company

Secretary of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust

c/o State Street Fund Administration Legal Department

One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST

ARTICLE 1

Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Principal Office

1.1 Agreement and Declaration of Trust.  These Bylaws shall be subject to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as from time to time in effect (the “Declaration of Trust”), of State Street Institutional Investment Trust, the Massachusetts business trust established by the Declaration of Trust (the “Trust”).

1.2 Principal Office of the Trust.  The Trust may have one or more principal offices within or outside of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts as the Trustees may determine or as they may authorize.

ARTICLE 2

Meetings of Trustees

2.1 Regular Meetings.  Regular meetings of the Trustees may be held without call or notice at such places and at such times as the Trustees may from time to time determine, provided that notice of the first regular meeting following any such determination shall be given to absent Trustees.

2.2 Special Meetings.  Special meetings of the Trustees may be held at any time and at any place designated in the call of the meeting when called by the Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons of the Trustees, the President or the Treasurer or by two or more Trustees, sufficient notice thereof being given to each Trustee by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary or by the officer or the Trustees calling the meeting.

2.3 Notice of Special Meetings.  It shall be sufficient notice to a Trustee of a special meeting to send notice (a) by mail at least three days before the meeting; (b) by courier at least forty-eight hours before the meeting; (c) by e-mail, telegram, telex or telecopy or other electronic facsimile transmission method at least twenty-four hours before the meeting, in each case addressed to the Trustee at his or her usual or last known business or residence address; or (d) to give notice to him or her in person or by telephone at least twenty-four hours before the meeting. Notice of a meeting need not be given to any Trustee if a written waiver of notice, executed by him or her, before or after the meeting, is filed with the records of the meeting, or to any Trustee who attends the meeting without protesting prior thereto or at its commencement the lack of notice to him or her. Neither notice of a meeting nor a waiver of a notice need specify the purposes of the meeting.

2.4 Quorum.  At any meeting of the Trustees a majority of the Trustees then in office shall constitute a quorum. Any meeting may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of the votes cast upon the question, whether or not a quorum is present, and the meeting may be held as adjourned without further notice.

2.5 Notice of Certain Actions by Consent.  If in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration of Trust any action is taken by the Trustees by a written consent of less than all of the Trustees, then prompt notice of any such action shall be furnished to each Trustee who did not execute such written consent, provided that the effectiveness of such action shall not be impaired by any delay or failure to furnish such notice.

2.6 Telephone Meeting.  Except as otherwise provided in the Declaration of Trust or from time to time in the Bylaws, any action to be taken by the Trustees may be taken at a meeting by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time and participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.

ARTICLE 3

Officers

3.1 Enumeration; Qualification.  The officers of the Trust shall be a President, a Treasurer, a Secretary, a Chief Compliance Officer and such other officers, if any, as the Trustees from time to time may in their discretion elect. The Trust may also have such agents as the Trustees from time to time may in their discretion appoint. In


addition, there shall be a Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons of the Trustees. A Chairperson or Co-Chairperson shall not be deemed to be an officer of the Trust. The Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons of the Trustees shall be a Trustee and may but need not be a shareholder; and any officer of the Trust may but need not be a Trustee or a shareholder. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person. A Trustee may but need not be a shareholder.

3.2 Election.  The Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons of the Trustees, the President, the Treasurer, the Secretary and the Chief Compliance Officer shall be elected by the Trustees upon the occurrence of any vacancy in any such office. Other officers, if any, may be elected or appointed by the Trustees at any time. Vacancies in any office may be filled at any time.

3.3 Tenure.  The Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons of the Trustees, the President, the Treasurer, the Secretary and the Chief Compliance Officer shall hold office in each case until he or she dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified. Each other officer shall hold office and each agent shall retain authority at the pleasure of the Trustees.

3.4 Powers.  Subject to the other provisions of these Bylaws, each officer shall have, in addition to the duties and powers herein and in the Declaration of Trust set forth, such duties and powers as are commonly incident to the office occupied by him or her as if the Trust were organized as a Massachusetts business corporation and such other duties and powers as the Trustees may from time to time designate.

3.5 Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons.  Unless the Trustees otherwise provide, the Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons of the Trustees or, if there is none or in the absence of a Chairperson of the Trustees, the President shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders and of the Trustees. The Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons of the Trustees shall have such other duties and powers relating to the operations of the Trustees as the Trustees may from time to time designate, but shall have no individual authority to act for the Trust as an officer of the Trust. At any time when there are Co-Chairpersons in office, the Co-Chairpersons shall act jointly or as they may otherwise agree; provided, however, that in the absence of any Co-Chairperson from a meeting of the Board of Trustees or shareholders, any other Co-Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons (if more than one) in attendance shall preside.

3.6 President.  Unless the Trustees otherwise provide, the President shall be the principal executive officer of the Trust.

3.7 Treasurer.  Unless the Trustees shall provide otherwise, the Treasurer shall be the principal financial and accounting officer of the Trust, and shall, subject to the provisions of the Declaration of Trust and to any arrangement made by the Trustees with a custodian, investment adviser or manager, or transfer, shareholder servicing or similar agent, be in charge of the valuable papers, books of account and accounting records of the Trust, and shall have such other duties and powers as may be designated from time to time by the Trustees or by the President.

3.8 Secretary.  The Secretary shall record all proceedings of the shareholders and the Trustees in books to be kept therefor, which books or a copy thereof shall be kept at the principal office of the Trust. In the absence of the Secretary from any meeting of the shareholders or Trustees, an Assistant Secretary, or if there be none or if he or she is absent, a temporary Secretary chosen at such meeting shall record the proceedings thereof in the aforesaid books.

3.9 Resignations and Removals.  Any Trustee or officer may resign at any time by written instrument signed by him or her and delivered to the Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons of the Trustees, the President or the Secretary or to a meeting of the Trustees. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless specified to be effective at some other time. The Trustees may remove any officer elected by them with or without cause. Except to the extent expressly provided in a written agreement with the Trust, no Trustee or officer resigning and no officer removed shall have any right to any compensation for any period following his or her resignation or removal, or any right to damages on account of such removal.

ARTICLE 4

Committees

4.1 Quorum; Voting.  Except as specifically provided in the resolutions constituting a Committee of the Trustees or a Charter providing for the conduct of its meetings, a majority of the members of any Committee of the Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and any action of such a Committee may be taken

 

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at a meeting by a vote of a majority of the members present (a quorum being present) or evidenced by one or more writings, including writings submitted electronically, signed by such a majority. Members of a Committee may participate in a meeting of such Committee by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time and participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.

ARTICLE 5

Reports

5.1 General.  The Trustees and officers shall render reports at the time and in the manner required by the Declaration of Trust or any applicable law. Officers and Committees shall render such additional reports as they may deem desirable or as may from time to time be required by the Trustees.

ARTICLE 6

Fiscal Year

6.1 General.  The fiscal year of each series of the Trust shall be the taxable year of such series of the Trust, unless fixed otherwise by the Board of Trustees.

ARTICLE 7

Seal

7.1 General.  The seal of the Trust, subject to alteration by the Trustees, shall consist of a flat-faced die with the word “Massachusetts”, together with the name of the Trust and the year of its organization cut or engraved thereon but, unless otherwise required by the Trustees, the seal shall not be necessary to be placed on and its absence shall not impair the validity of, any document, instrument or other paper executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Trust.

ARTICLE 8

Execution of Papers

8.1 General.  Except as the Trustees may generally or in particular cases authorize the execution thereof in some other manner, all deeds, leases, contracts, notes, checks, transfers, bonds, drafts and other obligations made by the Trust shall be signed by the President, a Vice President, the Treasurer or by whoever else shall be designated for that purpose by vote of the Trustees, and need not bear the seal of the Trust.

ARTICLE 9

Issuance of Shares and Share Certificates

9.1 Sale of Shares.  Except as otherwise determined by the Trustees, the Trust will issue and sell for cash or securities from time to time, full and fractional shares of its shares of beneficial interest, such shares to be issued and sold at a price of not less than the par value per share, if any, and not less than the net asset value per share as from time to time determined in accordance with the Declaration of Trust and, in the case of fractional shares, at a proportionate reduction in such price. In the case of shares sold for securities, such securities shall be valued in accordance with the provisions for determining the value of the assets of the Trust as stated in the Declaration of Trust. The officers of the Trust are severally authorized to take all such actions as may be necessary or desirable to carry out this Section 9.1.

9.2 Share Certificates.  In lieu of issuing certificates for shares, the Trustees or the transfer agent may either issue receipts therefor or may keep accounts upon the books of the Trust for the record holders of such shares, who shall in either case be deemed, for all purposes hereunder, to be the holders of certificates for such shares as if they had accepted such certificates and shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms hereof.

 

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The Trustees may at any time authorize the issuance of share certificates. In that event, each shareholder shall be entitled to a certificate stating the number of shares of each class owned by him, in such form as shall be prescribed from time to time by the Trustees. Such certificate shall be signed by the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer. Such signatures may be facsimile if the certificate is signed by a transfer agent or by a registrar. In case any officer who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on such certificate shall cease to be such officer before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Trust with the same effect as if he were such officer at the time of its issue.

9.3 Loss of Certificates.  The transfer agent of the Trust, with the approval of any two officers of the Trust, is authorized to issue and countersign replacement certificates for the shares of the Trust which have been lost, stolen or destroyed upon (i) receipt of an affidavit or affidavits of loss or non-receipt and of an indemnity agreement executed by the registered holder or his legal representative and supported by an open penalty surety bond, said agreement and said bond in all cases to be in form and content satisfactory to and approved by the President or the Treasurer, or (ii) receipt of such other documents as may be approved by the Trustees.

9.4 Issuance of New Certificate to Pledgee.  A pledgee of shares transferred as collateral security shall be entitled to a new certificate if the instrument of transfer substantially describes the debt or duty that is intended to be secured thereby. Such new certificate shall express on its face that it is held as collateral security, and the name of the pledgor shall be stated thereon, who alone shall be liable as a shareholder and entitled to vote thereon.

9.5 Discontinuance of Issuance of Certificates.  The Trustees may at any time discontinue the issuance of share certificates and may, by written notice to each shareholder, require the surrender of share certificates to the Trust for cancellation. Such surrender and cancellation shall not affect the ownership of shares in the Trust.

ARTICLE 10

Shareholders

10.1 Meetings.  A meeting of the shareholders shall be called by a majority of the Trustees or by the Secretary or other officer or officers as authorized by the Trustees whenever ordered to do so by a majority of Trustees. Meetings shall also be called by order of the Trustees at the request of shareholders if and to the extent provided by the Declaration of Trust or by applicable law. The Trustees shall determine, or may authorize the officers of the Trust to determine, the date, time and place for any meeting of shareholders, which place may be within or without the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof. Any meeting so called may be postponed by the Trustees prior to the meeting with notice to the shareholders entitled to vote at that meeting.

10.2 Record Dates.  For the purpose of determining the shareholders of any class or series of shares of the Trust who are entitled to vote or act at any meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof, or who are entitled to receive payment of any dividend or of any other distribution, the Trustees may from time to time fix a time, or may authorize an officer to fix a time, which shall be not more than 90 days before the date of any meeting of shareholders or the date of payment of any dividend or of any other distribution, as the record date for determining the shareholders of such class or series having the right to notice of and to vote at such meeting and any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof or the right to receive such dividend or distribution, and in such case only shareholders of record on such record date shall have such right notwithstanding any transfer of shares on the books of the Trust after the record date; or without fixing such record date the Trustees may for any such purposes close the register or transfer books for all or any part of such period.

10.3 Proxies.  The placing of a shareholder’s name on a proxy pursuant to telephonic or electronically transmitted instructions obtained pursuant to procedures reasonably designed to verify that such instructions have been authorized by such shareholder shall constitute execution of such proxy by or on behalf of such shareholder.

10.4 Notice; No Ballot.  Notice of a meeting need not be given to any shareholder who attends the meeting without protesting prior thereto or at its commencement the lack of notice to such shareholder. No ballot shall be required for any election unless required by a shareholder present or represented at the meeting and entitled to vote in such election.

 

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10.5 Adjournment.  Any meeting of shareholders may, by action of the chairman of the meeting, be adjourned from time to time without notice other than announcement at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken with respect to one or more matters to be considered at such meeting to a designated time and place within a reasonable time after the date set for the original meeting, whether or not a quorum is present with respect to such matter; upon motion of the chairman of the meeting, the question of adjournment may be (but is not required by these Bylaws to be) submitted to a vote of the shareholders entitled to vote on the matter for which adjournment is to be taken, and in that case, any adjournment with respect to one or more matters must be approved by the vote of holders of a majority of the shares voting on the question of adjournment, whether or not a quorum is present with respect to such matter or matters, and, if approved, such adjournment shall take place without further notice other than announcement at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. Unless a proxy is otherwise limited in this regard, any shares present and entitled to vote at a meeting may, at the discretion of the proxies named therein, be voted in favor of such an adjournment.

10.6 Conduct of Meetings.  If no Chairperson or Co-Chairperson or the President is present, a meeting of shareholders shall be presided over by another Trustee or officer designated by the Chairperson or Co-Chairpersons, or if there is no such designee present at the meeting, then by the most senior officer of the Trust present at the meeting and such person shall be deemed for all purposes the chairman of the meeting. The chairman of the meeting shall determine the order of business of the meeting and may prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and take such actions as, in the discretion of such chairman, are appropriate for the proper conduct of the meeting. For any matter to be properly before any meeting of shareholders, the matter must be specifically identified in the notice of meeting given by or at the direction of a majority of the Trustees then in office or otherwise brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the chairman of the meeting, in the chairman’s sole direction. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law, only matters proposed by the Trustees may be included in the Trust’s proxy materials. The Trustees may from time to time in their discretion provide for procedures by which shareholders may, prior to any meeting at which Trustees are to be elected, submit the names of potential candidates for Trustee, to be considered by the Trustees, or any proper committee thereof. At all meetings of shareholders, unless voting is conducted by inspectors, all questions relating to the qualification of voters and the validity of proxies and the acceptance or rejection of votes shall be decided by the chairman of the meeting. Unless otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, meetings shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure.

ARTICLE 11

Amendments to the Bylaws

11.1 General.  These Bylaws may be amended or repealed, in whole or in part, by a majority of the Trustees then in office at any meeting of the Trustees, or by one or more writings signed by such a majority.

 

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AMENDED AND RESTATED RULE 12b-1 PLAN

State Street Institutional Investment Trust

1. The Trust . The State Street Institutional Investment Trust (the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and organized as a series trust (each such series is referred to herein as a “Fund”).

2. The Plan . The Trust desires to adopt a plan of distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to the classes of shares of beneficial interest (“Shares”) of each Fund set out on Exhibit A, and the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board of Trustees”) has determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that adoption of this Rule 12b-1 Plan (the “Plan”) will benefit each Fund (each a “Designated Fund” and collectively the “Designated Funds”) and each such class and the holders of Shares of each Fund and of each such class. Accordingly, each Designated Fund hereby adopts this Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act on the following terms and conditions (capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned thereto in the Funds’ registration statement under the 1940 Act and under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as such registration statement is amended from time to time).

3. The Distributor . The Trust has entered into a written Distribution Agreement with the Trust’s distributor (the “Distributor”), pursuant to which the Distributor will act as the exclusive distributor with respect to the distribution of Shares as described in the registration statement of each Fund.

4. Payments . Each class of Shares of a Designated Fund may pay fees pursuant to this Plan at annual rates as may hereafter be determined by the Board of Trustees, which rates shall not exceed the rates set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto. All agreements related to this Plan shall be in writing and shall provide: (A) that such agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Plan or in any agreement related to this Plan (the “Independent Trustees”) or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the applicable class of Shares of the Designated Fund, on not more than 60 days’ written notice to any other party to the agreement, and (B) that such agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

5. Term . This Plan shall, unless terminated as hereinafter provided, remain in effect with respect to each applicable class of Shares of each Designated Fund for one year from its effective date and shall continue thereafter, provided that its continuance with respect to that class is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of both a majority of the Trustees and a majority of Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on this Plan.

6. Amendment . This Plan may be amended at any time by the Board of Trustees, provided that (a) any amendment to increase materially the rate at which payments may be made by a class of Shares of a Designated Fund under this Plan shall be effective only upon approval by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of that class of Shares, and (b) any material amendment of this Plan shall be effective only upon approval by a vote of both a majority of the Board of Trustees and a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such amendment.


7. Termination . This Plan may be terminated at any time with respect to any class of Shares of a Designated Fund, without payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of that class of Shares. In the event of termination or non-continuance of this Plan, the Trust may reimburse any expense that it incurred prior to such termination or non-continuance, provided that such reimbursement is specifically approved by both a majority of the Board of Trustees and a majority of the Independent Trustees.

8. Reports . While this Plan is in effect, the Distributor shall provide to the Trustees, and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts expended pursuant to the Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.

9. Records . The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan, each agreement related hereto and each report referred to in paragraph 9 hereof for a period of at least six years from the date of such Plan, agreement or report, the first two years in an easily accessible place.

10. Independent Trustees . While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of Independent Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act).

11. Severability . If any provision of the Plan shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Plan shall not be affected thereby.

Plan adopted: February 28, 2000

Amended: September 17, 2007; May 15, 2008; February 18, 2010; April 14, 2014

 

2


EXHIBIT A

A Designated Fund may pay fees under this Plan with respect to any class of Shares of that Designated Fund at an annual rate up to the rate shown below, of the average daily net assets attributable to that class.

 

FUND AND CLASS

   MAXIMUM
ANNUALIZED
RATE
 

State Street Equity 500 Index Fund

  

Administrative Shares

     0.15

Service Shares

     0.25

Class R Shares

     0.60

State Street Equity 400 Index Fund

     0.25

State Street Equity 2000 Index Fund

     0.25

State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund

     0.25

State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund

  

Institutional Class

     0.00

Service Class

     0.00

Investment Class

     0.10

State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund

  

Institutional Class

     0.00

Service Class

     0.00

Investment Class

     0.10

State Street Institutional Limited Duration Bond Fund

     0.05

State Street Institutional Short-Term Tax Exempt Bond Fund

     0.05

State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund

  

Institutional Class

     0.00

Service Class

     0.00

Investment Class

     0.10

State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund

  

Institutional Class

     0.00

Service Class

     0.00

Investment Class

     0.10

State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund

  

Institutional Class

     0.00

Service Class

     0.00

Investment Class

     0.10

State Street Blackstone/GSO Senior Loan Fund

  

Class A

     0.25

Class C

     1.00

Class I

     0.00

Class K

     0.00

State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund

  

Class A

     0.25

Class C

     1.00

Class I

     0.00

Class K

     0.00

 

3


State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund

  

Class A

     0.25

Class C

     1.00

Class I

     0.00

Class K

     0.00

State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund

  

Class A

     0.25

Class C

     1.00

Class I

     0.00

Class K

     0.00

State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund

  

Class A

     0.25

Class C

     1.00

Class I

     0.00

Class K

     0.00

State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund

  

Class A

     0.25

Class C

     1.00

Class I

     0.00

Class K

     0.00

State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund

  

Class A

     0.25

Class C

     1.00

Class I

     0.00

Class K

     0.00

State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund

  

Class A

     0.25

Class C

     1.00

Class I

     0.00

Class K

     0.00

State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund

  

Class A

     0.25

Class C

     1.00

Class I

     0.00

Class K

     0.00

State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund

  

Class A

     0.25

Class C

     1.00

Class I

     0.00

Class K

     0.00

State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund

  

Class A

     0.25

Class C

     1.00

Class I

     0.00

Class K

     0.00

State Street Target Retirement Income Fund

  

Class A

     0.25

Class C

     1.00

Class I

     0.00

Class K

     0.00

 

4


State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Equity Fund

  

Class A

     0.25

Class C

     1.00

Class I

     0.00

Class K

     0.00

State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund

  

Class A

     0.25

Class C

     1.00

Class I

     0.00

Class K

     0.00

State Street Global Managed Volatility Fund

  

Class A

     0.25

Class C

     1.00

Class I

     0.00

Class K

     0.00

State Street Strategic Real Return Fund

  

Class A

     0.25

Class C

     1.00

Class I

     0.00

Class K

     0.00

 

5

Exhibit (o)

SSgA FUNDS

STATE STREET MASTER FUNDS

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each of the undersigned Trustees of SSgA Funds, State Street Master Funds and State Street Institutional Investment Trust (the “Trusts”) hereby constitutes and appoints Laura Dell, Joshua Weinberg, Esq., Stephanie Capistron, Esq., David James, Esq., and Kristin Schantz, Esq., each of them with full powers of substitution, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent to execute in his or her name and on his or her behalf in any and all capacities the Registration Statements on Form N-1A, and any and all amendments thereto, and all other documents, filed by the Trusts or its affiliates with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and (as applicable) the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any and all instruments which such attorneys and agents, or any of them, deem necessary or advisable to enable the Trusts or its affiliates to comply with such Acts, the rules, regulations and requirements of the SEC, the securities, Blue Sky law and/or corporate/trust laws of any state or other jurisdiction, the Commodities Future Trading Commission, and the regulatory authorities of any foreign jurisdiction, including all documents necessary to ensure the Trusts has insurance and fidelity bond coverage, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC and such other jurisdictions, and the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms as his or her own act and deed any and all acts that such attorneys and agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Any one of such attorneys and agents has, and may exercise, all of the powers hereby conferred. The undersigned hereby revokes any Powers of Attorney previously granted with respect to the Trusts concerning the filings and actions described herein.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have hereunto set their hands as of the 13 th day of February 2014.

 

SIGNATURE      TITLE    
/s/ William L. Marshall      Trustee  
William L. Marshall       
/s/ James E. Ross      Trustee  
James E. Ross       
/s/ Patrick J. Riley      Trustee  
Patrick J. Riley       


/s/ Richard D. Shirk      Trustee  

Richard D. Shirk

      
/s/ Bruce D. Taber      Trustee  

Bruce D. Taber

      
/s/ Rina K. Spence      Trustee  

Rina K. Spence

      

/s/ William L. Boyan

     Trustee  

William L. Boyan

      

/s/ Michael F. Holland

     Trustee  

Michael F. Holland

      

/s/ Scott F. Powers

     Trustee  

Scott F. Powers

      

/s/ Douglas T. Williams

     Trustee  

Douglas T. Williams

      

 

2

STATE STREET GLOBAL ADVISORS   |  SSgA

CODE OF ETHICS

February 13, 2014


Table of Contents

 

I.   Overview and Scope      4   
II.   Statement of General Fiduciary Principles      4   
III.   Definitions      6   
IV.   Requirements of the Code Applicable to all Access Persons, Investment Personnel, and Non-Access Persons      11   
    A.   Disinterested Trustees      11   
    B.   Compliance with Applicable Securities Laws      11   
    C.   Prohibited Conduct      11   
    D.   Adherence to the SSgA Inside Information Policy and the State Street Standard of Conduct      12   
    E.   Reporting Violations      12   
    F.   Certification of Receipt and Compliance      13   
    G.   Reportable Funds Transactions and Holdings      13   
    H.   Disclosure of Reportable Accounts and Holdings (for details on the specific reporting obligations, see Appendix C)      14   
    I.   Excessive Trading      15   
    J.   Gifts and Entertainment      15   
    K.   Political Contributions and Activities      15   
    L.   Use of the Advisors’ Proprietary Information      15   
    M.   Service as a Director/Outside Employment and Business Activities      15   
    N.   Futures, Options, Contracts For Difference, and Spread Betting      15   
    O.   Initial Public Offerings      15   
    P.   Private Placements      16   
    Q.   Investment Clubs and Investment Contests      16   
    R.   Shorting of Securities      16   


    S.   State Street Securities      16   
V.   Trading Provisions, Restrictions, and Prohibitions Applicable to Access Persons and Investment Personnel      17   
    A.   Pre-Clearance.      17   
    B.   Short-Term Trading.      18   
VI.   Trading Requirements Applicable to Investment Personnel      19   
    A.   Blackout Period      19   
VII.   Administration and Enforcement of the Code of Ethics      20   
    A.   Applicability of the Code of Ethics’ Provisions      20   
    B.   Review of Reports      20   
    C.   Violations and Sanctions      20   
    D.   Appeal of Sanction(s)      20   
    E.   Amendments and Committee Procedures      20   
    F.   Recordkeeping      21   

Appendix A – SSgA Legal Entities and Locations

Appendix B – Beneficial Ownership

Appendix C – Reporting Obligations

Appendix D – Specific Country Requirements

Appendix E – Security Types and Pre-Clearance and Reporting Requirements

Appendix F – List of brokers which provide electronic feeds in to Star NG

The following Related Policies are available on the Compliance intranet page: Code of Ethics Intranet Page

Note: The related policies and information are subject to change from time to time.

 

    SSgA Inside Information Policy

 

    SSgA Outside Business Activities and Affiliations Policy

 

    SSgA Gifts and Entertainment to Public Officials Policy and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Policy

 

    SSgA Violation and Sanctioning Policy

 

    State Street Corporation Political Activities Policy

 

    State Street Standard of Conduct


I. Overview and Scope

The Code of Ethics (“the Code”) applies to (i) the employees of and certain designated contingent workers engaged at State Street Global Advisors, wherever located; (ii) the trustees and officers of registered investment companies managed by SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (“SSgA FM”), excluding registered investment companies for which SSgA FM serves as sub-adviser (the “Funds”) (such individuals specified in (i) and (ii), collectively “Covered Persons”); and (iii) any other persons as designated from time to time by the State Street Ethics Office (the “Ethics Office”), or their designee. SSgA FM and other advisory affiliates of State Street make up State Street Global Advisors (“SSgA”), the investment management arm of State Street Corporation (see Appendix A for a list of SSgA entities and locations). In certain non-US countries, local laws, regulations or customs may impose requirements in addition to those required by the Code. Covered Persons residing in a country identified in Appendix D are subject to the applicable requirements set forth in Appendix D, as updated from time to time.

Please note that in France the provisions of this Code are complementary to the provisions of State Street Global Advisors France, S.A.’s (“SSgAF”) Internal Regulation as updated on June 1, 2010, and the other policies and procedures listed in Appendix D.

The Ethics Office administers this Code in coordination with SSgA’s Global Chief Compliance Officer, and should be contacted if you have any questions concerning the meaning or interpretation of any provision of this Code.

 

II. Statement of General Fiduciary Principles

SSgA, its subsidiaries and affiliates (see Appendix A) (collectively “the Advisors”, “Our”, or “We”) and the trustees and officers of the Funds owe a fiduciary duty to their advisory clients (including the Funds) and are subject to certain laws and regulations governing personal securities trading. Therefore, as a Covered Person, you have an obligation to observe the following principles, as applicable:

 

    At all times, avoid placing your personal interest ahead of the interests of the clients of the Advisors;

 

    Avoid actual and potential conflicts of interests between personal activities and the activities of the Advisors’ clients; and

 

    Do not misappropriate investment opportunities from clients.

As such, your personal financial transactions and related activities, along with those of your family members (and others in a similar relationship to you) must be conducted consistently with this Code and in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflicts of interest with the Advisors’ clients or abuse of your position of trust and responsibility. Please see Appendix D for regional requirements concerning applicability of the Code to accounts associated with the Covered Persons.

 

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The Advisors consider personal trading to be a privilege, not a right. When making personal investment decisions you must exercise extreme care to ensure that the prohibitions of this Code are not violated. We have developed this Code to promote the highest standards of behavior and ensure compliance with applicable laws. The Code sets forth procedures and limitations that govern the personal securities transactions of every Covered Person.

It is not possible for this Code to address every situation involving the personal trading of Covered Persons. The Ethics Office is charged with oversight and interpretation of the Code in a manner considered fair and equitable, in all cases placing the Advisors’ clients’ interests as paramount. No Covered Person shall recommend or cause an Advisors’ client account to take action or refrain from taking action for the Covered Person’s own personal benefit. Technical compliance with the procedures, prohibitions and limitations of the Code will not automatically insulate you from scrutiny of, or sanctions for, securities transactions that abuse your fiduciary duty to any client of the Advisors.

 

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III. Definitions

The definitions are designed to help you understand the application of the Code to all Covered Persons, and in particular, your situation. These definitions are an integral part of the Code and a proper understanding of them is necessary to comply with the Code. Please contact the Ethics Office if you have any questions. The specific requirements of the Code begin on page 11. Please refer back to these definitions as you read the Code.

 

  A. Covered Person includes employees of the Advisors, including full-time and part-time, exempt and non-exempt employees (where applicable), trustees and officers of the Funds who are not employed by the Advisors, and other such persons as designated by the Ethics Office. Covered Person also includes certain designated contingent workers engaged at SSgA, including but not limited to consultants, contractors, and temporary help. Covered Persons are subject to the provisions of this Code.

The personal trading requirements of the Code also apply to related persons of Covered Persons, such as spouses, domestic partners, minor children, adult children and other relatives living in the Covered Person’s household, as well as other persons designated as a Covered Person by the CCO or the Ethics Office, or their designee(s). (Please see Appendix D for regional definitions.)

 

  B. Categories of Covered Persons

 

  1. Access Persons are those Covered Persons, who,

 

  a. In connection with their regular functions or duties, (i) have access to nonpublic information regarding any of the Advisors’ clients’ purchase or sale of securities; (ii) have access to nonpublic information regarding the portfolio holdings of any of the Advisors’ clients; and (iii) other persons designated as Access Persons by SSgA’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”), the Ethics Office or their designee(s); or

 

  b. Are directors/trustees, officers, or general partners of the Advisors or the Funds; or

 

  c. Are directors, officers, or general partners of the Funds’ principal underwriter, who, in the ordinary course of business, participate in or obtain information regarding the purchase or sale of securities by a Fund for which the principal underwriter acts, or whose functions or duties in the ordinary course of business relate to the making of any recommendation to a Fund regarding the purchase or sale of securities.

 

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  2. Investment Personnel are Access Persons who:

(i) in connection with their regular functions or duties, make investment recommendations or decisions; participate in making investment recommendations or decisions; are responsible for day-to-day management of a portfolio; have knowledge of investment decisions under consideration; execute trades; analyze and research securities; (ii) manage or are managed by employees meeting the criteria in (i) above; and (iii) other persons designated as Investment Personnel by SSgA’s CCO, the Ethics Office or their designee(s).

 

  3. Non Access Persons are Covered Persons who are not categorized as Access Persons or Investment Personnel.

 

  C. Employees are all officers, directors, and employees of the Advisors, including full-time and part-time, exempt and non-exempt employees (where applicable), and other such persons as designated by the Ethics Office or their designee(s). Such persons may include fund officers, interns, and others providing services to the Advisors.

 

  D. Beneficially Owned Account

The Code’s provisions apply to accounts beneficially owned by the Covered Person, as well as accounts under direct or indirect influence or control of the Covered Person and includes, but is not limited to:

 

  1. The Covered Person’s own Reportable Accounts and Reportable Accounts “beneficially owned” by the Covered Person as described below;

 

  2. The Covered Person’s spouse/domestic partner’s/PACS 1 partner’s Reportable Accounts and the Reportable Accounts of minor and adult children and other relatives living in the Covered Person’s household;

 

  3. Accounts in which the Covered Person, his/her spouse/domestic partner/PACS partner, minor and adult children or other relatives living in their household have a beneficial interest (i.e. share in the profits even if there is no influence on voting or disposition of the shares); and

 

  4. Reportable Accounts (including corporate Accounts and trust Accounts) over which the Covered Person or his/her spouse/domestic partner/PACS partner or other relatives living in the Covered Person’s household exercises investment discretion or direct or indirect influence or control.

See Appendix B for a more detailed discussion of Beneficially Owned Accounts and beneficial ownership. For additional guidance in determining beneficial ownership, contact the Ethics Office.

 

1   PACS partner is a term for a domestic partner applicable in France.

 

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  E. Reportable Accounts are Beneficially Owned Accounts including:

 

    All brokerage accounts.

 

    The Self-Directed brokerage accounts offered to employees of the Advisors by State Street Global Markets, LLC (“SSGM”).

 

    Accounts which are provided to employees into which their Employee Incentive Awards are deposited.

 

    Employee Stock Ownership Plans (“ESOPs”)

 

    Retirement accounts, such as IRA accounts in the U.S., and RRSPs in Canada, as an example.

 

    Pension or retirement plans offered by other employers (contact the Ethics Office for guidance on these accounts).

 

    Accounts in the State Street Salary Savings program (401k accounts in the U. S.), FCPE accounts (SSgA Employee Savings accounts in France) and other retirement plan accounts offered to the employees of the Advisors. However, such accounts are not required to be reported in the Code of Ethics system, Star Next Generation (“Star NG”), at this time.

Reportable Accounts do not include a Covered Person’s personal bank accounts and those educational savings plans which only allow unaffiliated open-end mutual funds, unit-investment trusts, or other registered commingled funds (such as IRC 529 Plans in the U.S.). Reportable Accounts also do not include Australian public offer superannuation vehicles or investment option(s) within such vehicles except those which are either wholly advised by the Advisors or enable member directed exposure to a particular security requiring pre-clearance as specified in Appendix E.

For greater clarity, all Reportable Accounts must be reported in Star NG regardless of whether they only hold securities which are considered exempt under the Code.

 

  F. Automatic Investment Plan means a program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or from) investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation. This includes a dividend reinvestment plan and payroll and State Street contributions to the State Street retirement plans.

 

  G. CCO means the Global Chief Compliance Officer of SSgA.

 

  H. Covered Securities are those securities subject to certain provisions of the Code. See Appendix E “Security Types and Pre-Clearance and Reporting Requirements” for the application of the Code to the various security types and for a list of securities which are not Covered Securities.

 

  I. Closed-end Fund means a registered investment company that raises capital only periodically, by issuing a fixed number of shares. The shares of the closed-end fund are typically traded on an exchange and their prices fluctuate throughout the trading day, based on supply, demand, and the changing values of their underlying holdings. Closed-end funds are also known as Listed Investment Companies in Australia, and Investment Trusts in the U.K. Closed-end funds do not include funds typically known as “Exchange-Traded Funds” (“ETFs”) organized as open-end investment companies or unit investment trusts.

 

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  J. Contracts For Difference (“CFDs”) are financial derivatives that allow investors to take advantage of prices moving up (long positions) or prices moving down (short positions) on underlying financial instruments and are often used to speculate on those markets. A CFD is a contract between two parties, typically described as “buyer” and “seller”, stipulating that the seller will pay to the buyer the difference between the current value of an asset and its value at contract time. If the difference is negative, then the buyer pays instead to the seller.

 

  K. Employee Incentive Awards means SSgA Performance Equity Plan (“PEP”) Awards in State Street Corporation (“STT”) stock, Deferred Stock Awards (DSAs), Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs), STT stock options which are granted to employees, and any other awards that are convertible into or otherwise based on STT common stock.

 

  L. EMG means the Executive Management Group of SSgA.

 

  M. Fully Managed Account (also known as Discretionary Account) means a Beneficially Owned Account in which the individual has contractually authorized an independent third party broker or advisor to have full investment discretion over the account and trade securities in the account without prior consent from the Covered Person for each transaction. An account is not considered to be a Fully Managed Account until the Ethics Office has formally approved the account as such.

 

  N. IPO means an initial public offering of equity securities registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or a foreign financial regulatory authority.

 

  O. Private Placement means a securities offering that is exempt from registration under certain provisions of the U.S. securities laws and/or similar laws of non–U.S. jurisdictions (if you are unsure whether the securities are issued in a private placement, you must consult with the Ethics Office). Private placements include certain co-operative investments in real estate, commingled investment vehicles such as hedge funds, and investments in family owned or privately held businesses. Time-shares and cooperative investments in real estate used as a primary or secondary residence are not considered to be private placements. Please see Appendix D for regional definitions of Private Placement.

 

  P. Reportable Fund means any commingled investment vehicle (except money market funds and ETFs), or Exchange Traded Note (“ETN”) for which the Advisors act as investment advisor, sub-advisor, principal underwriter, or marketing agent.

 

  Q. SSgA Compliance Department means all global SSgA compliance staff, including those in local offices, in charge of ensuring compliance with the laws and regulations in force worldwide and who report up to the Global Chief Compliance Officer of SSgA.

 

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  R. Spread betting is any of various types of wagering, such as on sports, financial instruments or house prices for example, on the outcome of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a simple “win or lose” outcome. As an example, spread betting on a stock allows the participant to speculate on the price movement of the stock.

 

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IV. Requirements of the Code Applicable to all Access Persons, Investment Personnel, and Non-Access Persons

 

A. Disinterested Trustees

Various provisions of this Code do not apply to the trustees of the Funds who are not “interested persons” of a Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Disinterested Trustees”).

The Disinterested Trustees must comply with:

 

    Section IV(C) of this Code.

 

    The reporting requirement in section H(2), if the Disinterested Trustee knew or, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her official duties as a Fund trustee, should have known that during the 15-day period immediately before or after the trustee’s transaction in a Covered Security, the Fund purchased or sold the security, or the Fund or SSgA FM considered purchasing or selling the security; provided, however, that a Disinterested Trustee shall not be required to make a report with respect to transactions effected for any account over which such person does not have any direct or indirect influence or control.

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Code of Ethics, the Disinterested Trustees are not required to specifically comply with any other provision in this Code.

 

B. Compliance with Applicable Securities Laws

The Advisors and their clients are subject to extensive laws and regulations. As a Covered Person, you must comply not only with all applicable securities laws, 2 but all applicable firm-wide policies and procedures, including this Code, which may be, on occasion, more restrictive than applicable securities laws. Any person subject to this Code is responsible for compliance with these rules with respect to any Beneficially Owned Account, as applicable. Covered Persons residing outside the U.S. must also comply with local securities laws (see Appendix D for specific country requirements). In addition, Covered Persons must be sensitive to the need to recognize any conflict, or the appearance of a conflict, of interest between personal activities and activities conducted for the benefit of the Advisors’ clients, whether or not covered by the provisions of this Code.

 

C. Prohibited Conduct

No Covered Person, in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, by such Covered Person of a security held or to be acquired by a Fund, shall:

 

  (a) Employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud the Fund;

 

2   U.S. employees must comply with the applicable U.S. Federal Securities Laws. This includes the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, any rules adopted by the SEC under these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act and rules adopted there under by the SEC or the Department of the Treasury.

 

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  (b) Make any untrue statement of a material fact to the Fund or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made to the Fund, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;

 

  (c) Engage in any act, practice or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on the Fund; or

 

  (d) Engage in any manipulative practice with respect to the Fund.

 

D. Adherence to the SSgA Inside Information Policy and the State Street Standard of Conduct

Covered Persons must adhere to the provisions of the SSgA Inside Information Policy, which governs the receipt and communication of material, non-public information (“inside information”) and prohibits the use of such information in violation of securities laws. The SSgA Inside Information Policy states that trading or recommending trading in any security in violation of securities laws while in possession of material, non-public information (“insider trading”) is prohibited. It is a violation of the SSgA Inside Information policy for any Covered Person to engage in insider trading, including:

 

    trading, either personally or on behalf of others, while in possession of inside information;

 

    communicating inside information to any other person (except to a direct manager or person authorized by the SSgA Legal Department to receive such information (a “Designated Person”) or other Covered Persons on a need-to-know basis with the prior approval of one of the Designated Persons). The Designated Persons List is set forth in the SSgA Inside Information Policy; and

 

    recommending the purchase or sale of securities to which the inside information relates.

Inside information may include information about important events involving the Reportable Funds, such as, but not limited to, planned mergers or liquidations of Reportable Funds, or changes in the portfolio management team for a Reportable Fund.

Employees must also adhere to the provisions of the State Street Standard of Conduct, which addresses personal trading, inside information, and protection of confidential information, among other policies.

 

E. Reporting Violations

This language does not apply to Covered Persons in France and Italy. Please see Appendix D for the “Reporting Violations” section applicable in France and Italy. Covered Persons are required to promptly report any violation of the Code, and any amendments thereto, whether their own or another individual’s, to the Ethics Office. Reports of violations other than your own may be made to the Ethics Office, or the CCO. Alternatively, you may contact these individuals anonymously and confidentially.

 

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F. Certification of Receipt and Compliance

 

  1. Initial Certification (New Covered Person)

Each new Covered Person will be given a copy of the Code. New employees will be given a copy of the State Street Standard of Conduct. Each new employee’s offer letter will include a copy of the Code and a statement advising the individual that he/she will be subject to the Code if he/she accepts the offer of employment. If, outside the U.S. due to local employment practices it is necessary to modify this approach, then the offer letters will be revised in accordance with local law. Within 10 calendar days of becoming a Non-Access Person, Access Person, or Investment Person, each new Covered Person must certify that they have (i) read, understand, and will comply with the Code, (ii) will promptly report violations or possible violations (in France and Italy, Covered Persons will acknowledge they have the possibility to report violations or possible violations identified in the “Reporting Violations” section set forth in Appendix D as applicable to France and Italy); and (iii) recognize that a violation of the Code may be grounds for disciplinary action. Further rules apply to Covered Persons in Italy. Please see section “Certification of receipt and Compliance” in Appendix D as applicable to Italy.

 

  2. Annual Certification (All Covered Persons)

Each Covered Person is required to certify annually that they have read and understand the Code within 30 calendar days following calendar year end. Each Covered Person must also certify that they: (i) have complied with the Code during the course of their association with the Advisor; (ii) will continue to comply with the Code in the future; (iii) will promptly report violations or possible violations (in France and Italy, Covered Persons will acknowledge they have the possibility to report the violations or possible violations identified the “Reporting Violations” section set forth in Appendix D as applicable to France and Italy); (iv) recognize that a violation of the Code may be grounds for disciplinary action. This certification shall apply to all Reportable Accounts.

 

G. Reportable Funds Transactions and Holdings

Covered Persons are subject to the same policies prohibiting excessive trading that apply to all shareholders in Reportable Funds. These policies, as described in the Reportable Funds’ prospectuses, are subject to change.

Covered Person investments in Reportable Funds are also subject to the Short Term Trading policy described in Section V. B. of this Code. These transactions are also subject to the pre-clearance and reporting requirements described in Appendix E.

The current list of Reportable Funds is located on the Code of Ethics Intranet page using this link: Code of Ethics Intranet page .

 

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H. Disclosure of Reportable Accounts and Holdings (for details on the specific reporting obligations, see Appendix C)

 

  1. Initial Report

Each new Covered Person must disclose all Reportable Accounts, and all holdings in Covered Securities within 10 calendar days of becoming a Non-Access Person, Access Person, or Investment Person. The report must contain information that is current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the new employee became an Access Person, Investment Person, or Non-Access Person.

Please note that any Reportable Accounts opened during the Covered Person’s employment or engagement with SSgA must also be immediately disclosed in Star NG regardless of whether there is any activity in the account. Also, any Reportable Accounts newly associated with a Covered Person, through marriage, gift, inheritance, or any other life event, must be disclosed within 30 days of the event.

 

  (a) Duplicate Statements and Confirms

Each Covered Person is responsible for ensuring that their broker-dealer, trust account manager, or other entity through with they have a Reportable Account, sends directly to the Ethics Office duplicate account statements and duplicate trade confirmations summarizing each transaction. This applies to any Reportable Accounts opened during the Covered Person’s employment or engagement with SSgA. In local jurisdictions where this is not standard market practice, the Covered Person shall be responsible for supplying the Ethics Office or their designee(s) with required duplicate documents. Please see Appendix D for regional requirements.

 

  2. Quarterly Transaction Reports

Each Covered Person is required to submit a quarterly transaction report for and certify to transactions in all Covered Securities within 30 calendar days of calendar quarter end, even if they had no transactions in Covered Securities during the quarter. Each Covered Person shall also certify that the Reportable Accounts listed in the transaction report are the only Reportable Accounts in which Covered Securities were traded during the quarter for their direct or indirect benefit. For the purposes of this report, transactions in Covered Securities that are effected in Automatic Investment Plans need not be reported.

 

  3. Annual Report

On an annual basis, Covered Persons are required to make an annual update of their Reportable Accounts and all holdings in Covered Securities within 30 calendar days following calendar year end. Each Covered Person shall certify that the Covered Securities listed in the report are the only Covered Securities in which they have any direct or indirect beneficial ownership. The report must contain information that is current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the report is submitted.

 

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I. Excessive Trading

Excessive or inappropriate trading that interferes with job performance or compromises the duty that the Advisors owe to their clients will not be permitted. An unusually high level of personal trading is strongly discouraged and may be monitored by the Ethics Office and reported to the EMG for review. A pattern of excessive trading may lead to disciplinary action under the SSgA Violation and Sanctioning Policy.

 

J. Gifts and Entertainment

All employees of the Advisors are required to comply with the SSgA Gifts and Entertainment to Public Officials Policy & Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Policy, as well as the gifts and entertainment section of the State Street Standard of Conduct.

 

K. Political Contributions and Activities

All employees of the Advisors are required to comply with the State Street Corporation Political Activities Policy.

 

L. Use of the Advisors’ Proprietary Information

The Advisors’ investment recommendations and other proprietary information are for the exclusive use of our clients. Covered Persons should not use the Advisors’ proprietary information for personal benefit. Any pattern of personal trading suggesting use of the Advisors’ proprietary information will be investigated by the Ethics Office. Any misuse or distribution in contravention of the Advisors’ policies regarding confidentiality, proprietary information or the State Street Standard of Conduct is prohibited.

 

M. Service as a Director/Outside Employment and Business Activities

All employees of the Advisors are required to comply with the SSgA Outside Business Activities and Affiliations Policy, as well as the business conflicts section of the State Street Standard of Conduct.

 

N. Futures, Options, Contracts For Difference, and Spread Betting

Covered Persons are prohibited from engaging in Contracts For Difference (“CFDs”) and spread betting. Covered Persons are also prohibited from buying or selling options and futures. An exception may be made for Covered Persons who have received options from a prior employer. In those instances, the exercising or selling of options received from the prior employer is subject to the pre-clearance and reporting requirements of the Code. Please see Appendix D for additional regional regulations.

 

O. Initial Public Offerings

Covered Persons are prohibited from acquiring securities through an allocation by an underwriter of an initial public offering (“IPO”). An exception may be considered for situations where the spouse/domestic partner/PACS partner of an Covered Person is eligible to acquire shares in an IPO of his/her employer with prior written disclosure to and written approval from the Ethics Office. Please see Appendix D for additional regional regulations.

 

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P. Private Placements

Covered Persons must obtain prior written approval from the Ethics Office before participating in a Private Placement. The Ethics Office will consult with the appropriate parties in evaluating the request. To request prior approval, Covered Persons must provide the Ethics Office with a completed Private Placement Request form which is available on the Code of Ethics intranet page. See Appendix D for regional definitions of Private Placements.

If the request is approved, the Covered Person must report the trade on the Quarterly Transaction Report and report the holding on the Annual Holdings Report (see Section IV. H.) Private placements include certain co-operative investments in real estate, commingled investment vehicles such as hedge funds, and investments in family owned businesses. Time-shares and cooperative investments in real estate used as a primary or secondary residence are not considered to be private placements.

 

Q. Investment Clubs and Investment Contests

Covered Persons must obtain prior written approval from the Ethics Office before participating in an Investment Club. The brokerage account(s) of the Investment Club are subject to the pre-clearance and reporting requirements of the Code. Participation in an investment club with other SSgA employees requires special review and pre-approval by the Ethics Office. The Advisors prohibit Covered Persons from direct or indirect participation in an investment contest. These prohibitions extend to the direct or indirect acceptance of payment or offers of payments of compensation, gifts, prizes, or winnings as a result of participation in such activities.

 

R. Shorting of Securities

Covered Persons are prohibited from selling securities short. Please see Appendix D for additional regional regulations.

 

S. State Street Securities

Certain employees of the Advisors are subject to the State Street Securities Trading Policy as administered by the State Street Corporate Legal Department. These employees must comply with this policy.

During certain trading windows, employees may be permitted to exercise Employee Incentive Awards without being subject to the blackout and open order rule. However, these transactions remain subject to the pre-clearance and reporting requirements of the Code at all times. Employees will be notified when a trading window commences. During this period, all employees remain subject to the SSgA Inside Information Policy, as well as the Personal Trading in Securities section of the State Street Standard of Conduct.

All vested State Street Employee Incentive Awards must be entered in to Star NG.

 

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V. Trading Provisions, Restrictions, and Prohibitions Applicable to Access Persons and Investment Personnel

 

A. Pre-Clearance.

Access Persons and Investment Personnel must request and receive pre-clearance approval prior to effecting a personal transaction in most Covered Securities (see Appendix E). All pre-clearance requests must be made by submitting a Pre-Trade Authorization Form (“PTAF”) for the amount of shares to be transacted in the Code of Ethics Compliance system, Star NG.

Pre-clearance approval is valid for the same business day the approval is granted. “Good–till-cancelled” orders are not permitted. Access Persons and Investment Persons are required to submit a PTAF on “Limit” orders for every day a limit order is open.

Access Persons and Investment Persons are required to pre-clear donations and/or gifts of securities made.

Any pre-clearance request may be evaluated to determine compliance with the provisions of the Code relevant to the trade, or as market conditions warrant. As there could be many reasons for pre-clearance being granted or denied, Access Persons and Investment Persons should not infer from the pre-clearance response anything regarding the security for which pre-clearance was requested.

By seeking pre-clearance, Access Persons and Investment Personnel will be deemed to be advising the Ethics Office or their designee(s) that they (i) do not possess any material, non-public information relating to the security or issuer of the security; (ii) are not using knowledge of any proposed trade or investment program relating to any client portfolio for personal benefit; (iii) believe the proposed trade is available to any similarly situated market participant on the same terms; and (iv) will provide any relevant information requested by the Ethics Office or their designee(s).

Subject to the de minimis exception, Investment Personnel may not trade in a Covered Security on any day that the Advisors have a pending buy or sell order in the same Covered Security on the trading desk for any fund or client account until the order is executed or withdrawn.

De Minimis Exception

Transactions effected pursuant to the de minimis exception permit a trade to be automatically pre-approved due to its size; however, these transactions remain subject to the pre-clearance and reporting requirements of the Code. A “de minimis transaction” is a personal trade that meets the following condition: A transaction in a security with an aggregate amount equal to or less than US $5,000 (or the local country equivalent) within a five business day window.

 

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Exempted Transactions

Pre-clearance is not required for the below list of transactions:

 

    Purchases or sales which are part of an Automatic Investment Plan where the investment decisions are non-discretionary after the initial selections by the account owner (although the initial selection requires pre-clearance). These include dividend reinvestment plans, transactions in Employee Stock Ownership Programs (“ESOPs”) and similar services. Initiation of an Automatic Investment Plan must be disclosed to the Ethics Office or their designee(s) in advance.

 

    Transactions in Covered Securities for which the Ethics Office has determined pre-clearance is not required (please see Appendix E for a chart of Security Types and pre-clearance requirements).

 

    Subject to prior approval of the account from the Ethics Office, transactions made in a Discretionary Account. An account will not be deemed a Discretionary Account until the Ethics Office has approved the account as a Discretionary Account. Please see the Code of Ethics intranet page for the pre-approval form and broker certification which must be supplied to the Ethics Office.

 

    Transactions in educational savings plans which only allow unaffiliated open-end mutual funds, unit-investment trusts, or other registered commingled products (such as IRC 529 Plans in the U.S.).

 

    Involuntary purchases or sales such as mandatory tenders, broker disposition of fractional shares, debt maturities. Voluntary tenders, transactions executed as a result of a margin call, and other non-mandatory corporate actions are to be pre-cleared, unless the timing of the action is outside the control of the Covered Person, or the Ethics Office has determined pre-clearance is not required for a particular voluntary transaction.

 

    Covered Securities received via a gift or inheritance, although such Covered Securities must be reported in Star NG.

 

B. Short-Term Trading.

All Access Persons and Investment Personnel are prohibited from profiting from the purchase and sale (or sale and purchase) of the same or equivalent Covered Security within sixty (60) calendar days. Profits from such trades must be disgorged (surrendered) in a manner acceptable to the Ethics Office and the EMG. Any disgorgement amount shall be calculated by the Ethics Office or their designee(s), the calculation of which shall be binding. This provision does not apply to:

 

    Transactions in securities that are not Covered Securities, transactions in ETFs and money market funds (see Appendix E);

 

    Transactions executed in Discretionary Accounts that have been pre-cleared through and approved by the Ethics Office, are exempt from pre-clearance; or

 

    Transactions effected through an Automatic Investment Plan.

 

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VI. Trading Requirements Applicable to Investment Personnel

 

A. Blackout Period

Subject to the de minimis exception, Investment Personnel may not buy or sell a Covered Security that requires pre-clearance for their Reportable Accounts for seven calendar days before or after a transaction in the same or equivalent security in a client portfolio with which they are associated.

If a Portfolio Manager receives pre-clearance authorization to trade a Covered Security that requires pre-clearance in his or her Reportable Account, and subsequently determines that it is appropriate to trade the same or equivalent security in his or her client portfolio, the Portfolio Manager must contact the Ethics Office prior to executing any trades for his or her Reportable Account and/or client portfolio.

 

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VII. Administration and Enforcement of the Code of Ethics

 

A. Applicability of the Code of Ethics’ Provisions

The EMG, or its designee(s), has the discretion to determine that the provisions of the Code of Ethics policy do not apply to a specific transaction or activity and may exempt any transaction from one or more trading prohibitions in writing under limited circumstances if the transaction is not inconsistent with the purpose of the Code and does not amount to a waiver of a fundamental policy contained in the Code that has been adopted to meet applicable securities laws and applicable firm-wide policies and procedures. The EMG, or its designee(s), will review applicable facts and circumstances of such situations, such as specific legal requirements, contractual obligations or financial hardship. Any Covered Person who would like such consideration must submit a request in writing to the Ethics Office.

 

B. Review of Reports

The Ethics Office will regularly review and monitor the reports filed by Covered Persons. Covered Persons and their supervisors may or may not be notified of the Ethics Office’s review.

 

C. Violations and Sanctions

This language does not apply to Covered Persons in France and Italy. Please see Appendix D for the “Violations and Sanctions” section applicable in France and Italy. Any potential violation of the provisions of the Code or related policies will be investigated by the Ethics Office. Repeat violations of the Code are reported to the EMG. If a determination is made that a violation has occurred, a sanction may be imposed in accordance with the SSgA Violation and Sanctioning Policy. Material violations will be reported promptly to the respective SSgA Committees, boards of trustees/managers of the Reportable Funds or relevant committees of the boards.

 

D. Appeal of Sanction(s)

In accordance with the SSgA Violation and Sanctioning Policy, employees may appeal a sanction, other than termination of employment, according to the process detailed in the SSgA Violation and Sanctioning Policy. This language does not apply to Covered Persons in France and Italy. Please see Appendix D for the “Defense Rights in Regard to Sanctions” section which replaces this section for France and Italy.

 

E. Amendments and Committee Procedures

As set forth in its charter, the Global Compliance Committee (“the Committee”) will review and approve the Code, including appendices and exhibits, and any amendments thereto. The Committee may, from time to time, amend the Code and any appendices and exhibits to the Code to reflect updated business practice or changes in applicable law and regulation. The Committee, or its designee, shall submit material amendments to the EMG for approval. In addition, the Committee, or its designee, shall submit any material amendments to this Code to the respective boards of trustees/managers of the Reportable Funds, or their designee(s), for approval no later than six months after adoption of the material change.

 

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F. Recordkeeping

SSgA Compliance shall maintain code of ethics records in accordance with the requirements set forth in applicable securities laws. 3

See Appendix D for additional information relating to the administration and enforcement of the Code of Ethics in certain regions.

 

3   In the U.S., record keeping requirements for code of ethics are set forth in Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rule 204-2 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

 

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Appendix A: SSgA Legal Entities and Locations

 

Entity

  

Location

Managed Pension Funds, Limited    London, England
State Street Global Advisors, Australia, Limited    Sydney, Australia
State Street Global Advisors, Australia Services, Limited    Sydney, Australia
SSgA Funds Management, Inc.    Boston, MA
SSgA Investment Research Services Private Limited    Bangalore, India
State Street Global Advisors, a division of State Street Bank And Trust Company    Boston, MA
State Street Global Advisors (Japan) Co., Ltd    Tokyo, Japan
State Street Global Advisors AG    Zurich, Switzerland
State Street Global Advisors Asia Limited    Hong Kong, China
State Street Global Advisors France, S.A.    Paris, France
State Street Global Advisors GmbH    Munich, Germany
State Street Global Advisors Limited    London, England Milan branch, Milan, Italy
State Street Global Advisors Ireland Limited    Dublin, Ireland
State Street Global Advisors Luxembourg Management Sarl    Luxembourg, Luxembourg
State Street Global Advisors Singapore Limited    Singapore, Singapore
State Street Global Advisors, Cayman    Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
State Street Global Advisors, Inc.    Dover, DE
State Street Global Advisors, Mauritius    Port Louis, Mauritius
State Street Global Advisors, Ltd    Montreal, Quebec and Toronto, Ontario, Canada
State Street Unit Trust Management Limited    London, England
State Street Ireland Unit Trust Management Limited    Dublin, Ireland

 

Appendix A-1


Appendix B – Beneficial Ownership

The Code states that the Code’s provisions apply to accounts beneficially owned by the Covered Person, as well as accounts under direct or indirect influence or control of the Covered Person. Generally, an individual is considered to be a beneficial owner of accounts or securities when the individual has or shares direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the accounts or securities. Pecuniary interest means that an individual has the ability to profit, directly or indirectly, or share in any profit from a transaction. Indirect pecuniary interest extends to, but is not limited to:

 

    Accounts and securities held by immediate family members sharing the same household; and

 

    Securities held in trust (certain restrictions may apply)

 

    A right to acquire Covered Securities through the exercise or conversion of any derivative security, whether or not presently exercisable

In addition, a Covered Person may be considered a beneficial owner of an account or securities when the Covered Person can exercise direct or indirect investment control.

Practical Application

 

    If an adult child is living with his or her parents: If the child is living in the parents’ house, but does not financially support the parent, the parents’ accounts and securities are not beneficially owned by the child. If the child works for the Advisors and does not financially support the parents, accounts and securities owned by the parents are not subject to the Code, with the exception of UGMA/UTMA, or similar types of accounts, which are legally owned by the child. If one or both parents work for the Advisors, and the child is supported by the parent(s), the child’s accounts and securities are subject to the Code because the parent(s) is a beneficial owner of the child’s accounts and securities.

 

    Co-habitation (domestic partnership or PACS): Accounts where the Covered Person is a joint owner, or listed as a beneficiary, are subject to the Code. If the Covered Person contributes to the maintenance of the household and the financial support of the partner, the partner’s accounts and securities are beneficially owned by the Covered Person and are therefore subject to the Code.

 

    Co-habitation (roommate): Generally, roommates are presumed to be temporary and have no beneficial interest in one another’s accounts and securities.

 

    UGMA/UTMA and similar types of accounts: If the Covered Person, or the Covered Person’s spouse is the custodian for a minor child, the account is beneficially owned by the Covered Person. If someone other than the Covered Person, or the Covered Person’s spouse, is the custodian for the Covered Person’s minor child, the account is not beneficially owned by the Covered Person.

 

    Transfer On Death accounts (“TOD accounts”): TOD accounts where the Covered Person receives the interest of the account upon death of the account owner are not beneficially owned by the Covered Person until the account transfer occurs (this particular account registration is not common).

 

Appendix B-1


    Trusts

 

    If the Covered Person is the trustee for an account where the beneficiaries are not immediate family members, the position should be reviewed in light of outside business activity and generally will be subject to a case-by-case review for Code applicability.

 

    If the Covered Person is a beneficiary and does not share investment control with a trustee, the Covered Person is not a beneficial owner until the Trust assets are distributed.

 

    If a Covered Person is a beneficiary and can make investment decisions without consultation with a trustee, the trust is beneficially owned by the Covered Person.

 

    If the Covered Person is a trustee and a beneficiary, the trust is beneficially owned by the Covered Person.

 

    If the Covered Person is a trustee, and a family member is beneficiary, then the account is beneficially owned by the Covered Person.

 

    If the Covered Person is a settler of a revocable trust, the trust is beneficially owned by the Covered Person.

 

    If the Covered Person’s spouse/domestic partner is trustee and beneficiary, a case–by-case review will be performed to determine applicability of the Code.

 

    College age children: If a Covered Person has a child in college and still claims the child as a dependent for tax purposes, the Covered Person is a beneficial owner of the child’s accounts and securities.

 

    Powers of Attorney: If a Covered Person has been granted power of attorney over an account, the Covered Person is not the beneficial owner of the account until such time as the power of attorney is activated.

 

Appendix B-2


Appendix C – Reporting Obligations

 

A. Duplicate Statements and Confirmations

Covered Persons must instruct their broker-dealer, trust account manager, or other entity through which they have a Reportable Account, to send on a regular basis directly to the Ethics Office or their designee(s):

 

    a trade confirmation summarizing each transaction; and

 

    account statements (e.g. monthly, quarterly statements).

This applies to any Reportable Accounts opened during the Covered Person’s employment or engagement with SSgA. In local jurisdictions where this is not standard market practice, the Covered Person shall be responsible for supplying the Ethics Office with required duplicate documents. Please see Appendix D for regional requirements.

 

B. Initial and Annual Holdings Reports

Covered Persons must file initial and annual holdings reports (“Holdings Reports”) in Star NG as follows.

 

  1. Content of Holdings Reports

 

    The name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the Covered Person maintained a Reportable Account. Please note that all Reportable Accounts must be reported in Star NG regardless of whether they do not presently hold any securities or only hold securities which are considered exempt under the Code.

 

    The title, number of shares and principal amount of each Covered Security

 

    The date the Covered Person submits the report.

 

  2. Timing of Holdings Reports

 

    Initial Report – No later than 10 calendar days after becoming an Access Person, Investment Personnel, or Non-Access Person. The information must be current as of a date no more than 45 days prior to the date the Covered Person became an Access Person, Investment Person, or Non-Access Person.

 

    Annual Report – Annually, within 30 calendar days following calendar year end and the information must be current as of a date no more than 45 calendar days prior to the date the report is submitted.

 

Appendix C-1


  3. Exceptions from Holdings Report Requirements

Holdings in securities which are not Covered Securities are not required to be included in Holdings Reports (please see Appendix E).

 

C. Quarterly Transaction Reports

Covered Persons must file a Quarterly Transaction Report in Star NG with respect to:

 

    any transaction during the calendar quarter in a Covered Security in which the Covered Person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership: and

 

  1. Content of Quarterly Transactions Report

 

  a. For Transactions in Covered Securities

 

    The date of the transaction, the title, the interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares and the principal amount of each Covered Security involved;

 

    The nature of the transaction, (i.e., purchase, sale, or any other type of acquisition or disposition);

 

    The price of the Covered Security at which the transaction was effected;

 

    The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected; and

 

    The date the report was submitted by the Covered Person.

 

  b. For Newly Established Reportable Accounts Holding ANY Securities

 

    The name of the broker, dealer, or bank with whom the Covered Person established the account;

 

    The date the account was established; and

 

    The date the report was submitted by the Covered Person.

 

  2. Timing of Transactions Report

No later than 30 calendar days after the end of the calendar quarter.

 

  3. Exception from Transactions Report Requirements

Transactions effected pursuant to an Automatic Investment Plan as well as transactions in securities which are not Covered Securities, and transactions effected in accounts which are not Reportable accounts, are not required to be included in the Quarterly Transaction Report (please see Appendix E).

 

Appendix C-2


Appendix D – Specific Country Requirements (for Covered Persons located in offices outside of the U.S.)

Australia

From time to time the Responsible Entity (“RE”) of the Australian domiciled Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) may determine certain Covered Persons could be in possession of material non-public information relating to one or more ETFs for which State Street Global Advisors, Australia, Limited is the investment advisor, and request a blackout period covering the securities be implemented, whether due to consideration of Australian Securities Exchange listing rules, the insider trading provisions of the Corporations Act 2001 or similar. Typically this may occur during the two weeks prior to the public announcement of income distributions for an ETF.

Upon receipt of a request from the RE, the Ethics Office, or their designee, will review the request and may initiate a blackout period over the relevant ETFs on such terms as are deemed appropriate. Covered Persons to whom a blackout period applies will be advised of the commencement, duration and other specifics of any such blackout period. Any trading in contravention of the blackout period will be treated as a violation of this Code.

United Kingdom

The U.K. Financial Services Authority rules on personal account dealing are contained in the FSA Conduct of Business Rules Sourcebook (“COBS”).

Under COBS, any of the Advisors based in the U.K. must take reasonable steps to ensure that any investment activities conducted by Covered Persons do not conflict with the Advisor’s duties to its customers. In ensuring this is, and continues to be, the case, the Advisors must ensure they have in place processes and procedures which enable them to identify and record any Covered Person transactions and permission to continue with any transaction is only given where the requirements of COBS are met.

France

At the date of this Code, Covered Persons of SSgAF are required in France to comply, in addition to the Code, with the following provisions:

 

(i) Laws and regulations

 

    the Monetary and Financial Code, and in the particular the rules of good conduct provided in Articles L.533-11 et seq. of the Monetary and Financial Code;

 

    the General Regulation of the Financial Markets Authority, and in particular the organizational and good conduct rules provided in Book III of this Regulation;

 

    Instructions, recommendations and decisions issued as the case may be by the French Markets Authority.

 

Appendix D-1


(ii) Policies and procedures issued locally by SSgAF :

 

    Provisions of the Internal Regulation, as updated on June 1, 2010

 

    Policy relating to management and the prevention of conflicts of interest, as updated on November 1, 2007.

Further, as indicated in the Code, certain sections of the Code are not applicable in France, or are applicable in a modified version set forth below. References are to section headings used in the Code.

 

II. Statement of General Fiduciary Principles

Please note that in France, the Code does not necessarily apply to transactions of family members or persons in a similar relationship to you. Rather, the Code applies to your personal transactions and related activities, and any transactions of which you are an effective beneficiary.

 

III. Definitions

A. Covered Person: In France, a Covered Person includes employees of the Advisors, including full-time and part-time, exempt and non-exempt employees (where applicable), and other such persons as designated by the Ethics Office. Covered Person also includes certain designated contingent workers engaged at SSgA, including but not limited to consultants, contractors, and temporary help. Covered Persons are subject to the provisions of this Code. Persons related to an employee or contingent worker, such as spouses, children and other relatives living in the employee’s or contingent worker’s household are not covered by the Code, except to the extent the employee or contingent worker is an effective beneficiary of transactions entered into by such persons.

N. Private Placement: In France, a Private Placement means a securities offering that is exempt from registration or which is not subject to the obligation to publish a prospectus under certain relevant provisions of French law and regulation and/or similar laws of jurisdictions outside of France (if you are unsure whether the securities are issued in a private placement, you must consult with the Ethics Office). In France, the rules relating to Private Placements are set forth in Articles L.411-2 and D.411-1 et seq. of the Monetary and Financial Code.

 

IV. Requirements of the Code Applicable to all Access Persons, Investment Personnel, and Non Access Persons

 

C. Reporting Violations

If a Covered Person in France has reason to believe that a violation of law or regulations relating to internal control procedures in the financial, accounting, banking or anti-corruption areas or that a violation of a interest vital to SSgAF or of the physical or moral integrity of its Covered Persons has been committed, he/she is encouraged to notify the Ethics Office so that SSgAF may carefully examine the facts and take corrective measures.

 

Appendix D-2


Covered Persons should identify themselves in order to allow SSgAF to obtain a complete report on the relevant facts as rapidly as possible. Nonetheless, if circumstances require, Covered Persons may communicate the facts anonymously.

The information furnished to the company by a Covered Person believing in good faith that his/her action is necessary to protect SSgAF from illegal or inappropriate behavior will be treated in a strictly confidential and secure manner to the extent allowed by law. Any person identified within the framework of the procedure for reporting violations will have a right to access, obtain further information, and if applicable, object to and correct the data regarding him/her.

SSgAF will not take any sanctions or retaliatory measures against a Covered Person for reporting suspected violations in good faith. Failure to report will not give rise to any consequences for Covered Persons. However, an abusive use of the reporting procedure may in certain cases expose a Covered Person to sanctions.

F. Disclosure of Reportable Accounts and Holdings (for details on the specific reporting obligations, see Appendix C) - 1. a.) Duplicate Statements and Confirms

Each Covered Person in France is responsible for sending to the Ethics Office duplicate securities account statements and duplicate trade confirmations summarizing each transaction, including any Reportable Accounts opened during employment or engagement at SSgAF.

 

K. Futures, Options, and Spread Betting

In France, the prohibition relating to futures and options does not apply to transactions completed through a Discretionary Account or transactions involving units or shares of a mutual fund which is not governed by Articles L.214-35-2, L.214-37, L.214-42 and R.214-32 of the French Monetary and Financial Code.

 

L. Initial Public Offerings

In France, the prohibitions in the Code relating to participation in an IPO does not apply to securities acquired through a Discretionary Account or relating to units or shares of a mutual fund which is not governed by Articles L.214-35-2, L.214-37, L.214-42 and R.214-32 of the French Monetary and Financial Code.

 

O. Shorting of Securities

In France, the prohibitions in the Code relating to shorting does not apply to sales made through a Discretionary Account or relating to units or shares of a mutual fund which is not governed by Articles L.214-35-2, L.214-37, L.214-42 and R.214-32 of the French Monetary and Financial Code.

 

Appendix D-3


VII. Administration and Enforcement of the Code of Ethics

 

C. Violations and Sanctions

Any potential violation of the provisions of the Code or related policies by Covered Persons in France will be investigated by the Ethics Office. Covered Persons are invited to review the list of misconduct which may, among other violations, give rise to the disciplinary sanctions contemplated by SSgAF’s Internal Regulation. Violations of the Code are reported to the EMG. If a determination is made that a violation has occurred, a sanction may be imposed by the employer, SSgAF, in accordance with the SSgA Violation and Sanctioning Policy. As discussed in the SSgA Violation and Sanctioning Policy, sanctions will be proportional to the gravity of the misconduct. Significant sanctions will be reported promptly to the respective SSgA Committees, boards of trustees/managers of the Reportable Funds or relevant committees of the boards.

 

D. Defense rights in regard to sanctions (replacing “D. Appeal of Sanctions” in the Code)

In France, all sanctions will be notified in writing to the employee concerned, indicating the grounds for the sanction.

Prior to any sanction affecting the duties, career, remuneration or presence of the employee, the following procedure will be implemented:

 

    The employee will be convened to a prior meeting within the two-month period described in Article L.1332-4 of the Labor Code, by registered letter or by hand delivery against receipt.

This letter will state the purpose for the convocation and will indicate the date, place and time of the meeting, as well as the possibility for the employee to be assisted by a person of his/her choice from a list which can be consulted at the town hall of SSgA, Defense Plaza, 23-25 rue Delariviere-Lefoullon, 92064 Paris La Defense Cedex and/or the town hall of the employee’s domicile (if the employee’s domicile is located in the same department as the offices of SSgAF), or at the Labor Inspectorate located at SSgA, Defense Plaza, 23-25 rue Delariviere-Lefoullon, 92064 Paris La Defense Cedex.

 

    A preliminary meeting will be held during which the facts relating to the employee’s alleged misconduct will be presented to the employee and to the person assisting the employee and at which the employee’s explanations will be obtained.

 

    As the case may be depending on the explanations given, a sanction letter will be sent by registered post, return receipt requested, at the earliest one full day and at the latest one month after the meeting. This letter should set forth the grounds for the sanction.

When the behavior of an employee renders such actions indispensable, conservatory measures may be taken prior to implementing the procedure described above. No sanction may be taken until the procedure has been completed.

The following additional sections are added to Part VII of the Code in regard the Code’s administration and enforcement in France :

 

Appendix D-4


F. Personal Data

In France, data obtained in the context of the administration and enforcement of the Code will be processed in compliance with the “Computers and Personal Freedom” Act of January 6, 1978, as modified by the Law of August 6, 2004. Pursuant to this law, Covered Persons have access, rectification and objection rights in regard to the data relating to them. They may exercise these rights by contacting the SSgAF Compliance Department. The Ethics Office will be notified of any Covered Persons who invoke the objection rights to provide broker statements to their local Compliance Department.

Certain recipients of personal data are located outside of the EU, in particular the following recipients: SSgA Compliance, Boston, MA, and StarCompliance Software, Inc., Rockville, MD, United States of America. The following data will be communicated to such recipients: Covered Person’s name, business phone number, business email address, name of brokerage firm, account number, name and amount of securities held in brokerage account. StarCompliance Software, Inc. has obtained and maintains a US-EU Safe Harbor Certification with respect to data protection. The transmission of data to recipients located outside of the EU will be made for the purpose of implementing and coordinating the rules contemplated by this Code.

 

G. Publicity and Entry into Force

This Code, which has been filed in France with the secretariat of the clerk of the Labor Court of SSgA, Defense Plaza, 23-25 rue Delariviere-Lefoullon, 92064 Paris La Defense Cedex and posted in compliance with the provisions of Articles R.1321-1 and R.1321-2 of the Labor Code, entered into force on December 1, 2009.

It will be provided to all Covered Persons and other relevant persons at the time of hire or arrival on the premises of SSgAF.

Material modifications and additions to these internal rules shall be subject to the same consultation, communication and publicity procedures.

The Code has been previously submitted to the Labor Inspectorate, and is displayed on SSgAF’s premises.

Appendix C- Reporting Obligations

 

A. Duplicate Statements and Confirmations

Each Covered Person in France is responsible for sending to the Ethics Office duplicate securities account statements and duplicate trade confirmations summarizing each transaction, including any Reportable Accounts opened during employment or engagement at SSgAF- specifically:

 

    a trade confirmation summarizing each transaction; and

 

    account statements (e.g. monthly, quarterly statements).

 

Appendix D-5


This requirement applies to all Reportable Accounts in which a Covered Person has direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership.

Italy

At the date of this Code, SSgA’s Covered Persons are required in Italy to comply, in addition to the Code, with the following provisions:

 

(i) Laws and regulations

 

    Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24 February 1998, as amended (the “Italian Financial Act”), containing, inter alia , general provisions concerning investment services;

 

    Legislative Decree No. 231 of 21 November 2007, as amended (the “Anti-money Laundering Act”), containing, inter alia , the duty to identify each client and subsequently record his data, as well as to keep a unified electronic archive and to notify any suspect transactions;

 

    Regulation No.16190 of 29 October 2007, adopted by CONSOB (the “Intermediaries Regulation”), with reference to the investment services and the financial activities carried out in Italy;

 

    instructions containing information duties and statistical reporting requirements, recommendations and decisions issued as the case may be by any Italian supervisory authorities, including CONSOB and the Bank of Italy.

Further, as indicated in the Code, certain sections of the Code are not applicable in Italy, or are applicable in a modified version set forth below. References are to section headings used in the Code.

 

II. Statement of General Fiduciary Principles

Please note that in Italy, the Code does not necessarily apply to transactions of family members or persons in a similar relationship to you. Rather, the Code applies to your personal transactions and related activities, and any transactions of which you are a direct or indirect beneficiary.

In this regard, please also see this Appendix D – Italy – III. Definitions – A Categories of Employees – 5. Covered Person.

 

III. Definitions

A. Categories of Employees -5. Covered Person: In Italy, a Covered Person includes employees of the Advisors, including full-time and part-time, exempt and non-exempt employees (where applicable), and other such persons as designated by the Ethics Office. Covered Person also includes certain designated contingent workers engaged at SSgA, including but not limited to consultants, contractors, and temporary help. Covered Persons are subject to the provisions of this Code. Persons related to an employee or a contingent worker, such as spouses, children and other relatives living in the employee’s or the contingent worker’s household are not covered by the Code, except to the extent the employee or the contingent worker is a direct or indirect beneficiary of transactions entered into by such persons.

 

Appendix D-6


N. Private Placement: In Italy, a Private Placement means a securities offering that is exempt from registration or which is not subject to the obligation to publish a prospectus under certain relevant provisions of Italian law and regulation and/or similar laws of jurisdictions outside of Italy (if you are unsure whether the securities are issued in a private placement, you must consult with the Ethics Office). In Italy, the rules relating to Private Placements are set forth in Article 100 of the Italian Financial Act, as implemented by CONSOB.

 

IV. Requirements of the Code Applicable to all Access Persons, Investment Personnel, and Non-Access Persons

 

C. Reporting Violations

If a Covered Person in Italy has reason to believe that a violation of law or regulations relating to internal control procedures in the financial, accounting, banking or anticorruption areas or that a violation of a interest vital to SSgA or of the physical or moral integrity of its Covered Persons has been committed, he/she is encouraged to notify the Ethics Office so that SSgA may carefully examine the facts and the Ethics Office may take corrective measures.

Covered Persons should identify themselves in order to allow SSgA to obtain a complete report on the relevant facts as rapidly as possible. Nonetheless, if circumstances require, Covered Persons may communicate the facts anonymously.

The Italian branch of SSgA will not take any sanctions or retaliatory measures against a Covered Person for reporting suspected violations in good faith. Failure to report will not give rise to any consequences for employees. However, an abusive use of the reporting procedure may in certain cases expose a Covered Person to sanctions.

 

D. Certification of Receipt and Compliance

With reference to Italy, further to the provisions set forth under the Code, the following shall apply.

The Code is displayed on the premises of the Italian branch of SSgA and constitutes an integral part of its disciplinary code.

 

VII. Administration and Enforcement of the Code of Ethics

 

C. Violations and Sanctions

The requirements of this Code have a binding value vis-a-vis the Covered Persons of the Italian branch of SSgA and are to be considered in addition to the provisions contained in the disciplinary code in force within the Italian branch of SSgA.

 

Appendix D-7


Any potential violation of the provisions of the Code or related policies by Covered Persons in Italy will be investigated by the Ethics Office. Violations of the Code are reported to the EMG. If a determination is made that a violation has occurred, a sanction may be imposed in accordance with the SSgA Violation and Sanctioning Policy and pursuant to the rules established by Italian Law and by the applicable national collective bargaining agreement.

As discussed in the SSgA Violation and Sanctioning Policy, sanctions shall be differentiated and graduated based on the seriousness of the individual breaches, taking into consideration the objective circumstances, the intentionality, the existence of justifications, the recidivism and the possible repetition of the conducts concerned.

Disciplinary measures may also apply to any supervisor who directs or approves such actions, or has knowledge of them and does not promptly correct them. Conducts which violate this Code may also violate laws and therefore subject the offending Covered Person to civil and criminal liabilities as well.

SSgA may also be subject to prosecution and fines for the conduct of its employees. Reimbursement of losses of damages deriving from any breach of this Code will be requested to the employees according to the procedures set forth by the applicable national collective bargaining agreement.

 

D. Defense rights in regard to sanctions (replacing “D. Appeal of Sanctions” in the Code)

In Italy, prior to inflict to employee any sanction deriving from possible violations of this Code, the specific disciplinary procedure provided for by Law. No. 300/1970 (the so called “Workers’ Statute”) shall be implemented.

In particular, the Ethics Office shall notify in writing to the employee concerned the facts relating to the alleged misconduct and shall ask the employee concerned to furnish his/her justifications within 5 days from the receipt of such disciplinary letter.

The disciplinary sanction, if any, shall be adopted following the 5-days’ term granted to the employee to render his/her justifications.

The disciplinary sanctions shall be proportional to the employee’s behaviour in breach.

 

F. Personal Data

In Italy the personal data of the Covered Persons shall be processed in compliance with Legislative Decree n. 196 of 30 June 2003, concerning personal data protection.

Pursuant to Covered Persons have access, rectification and objection rights in regard to the data relating to them. They may exercise these rights by contacting the Ethics Office. The Ethics Office will be notified of any Covered Persons who invoke the objection rights to provide broker statements to their local Compliance Department.

Certain recipients of personal data are located outside of the EU, in particular the following recipients: SSgA Compliance, Boston, MA, and StarCompliance Software, Inc., Rockville, MD, United States of America. The following data will be communicated to such recipients: Covered Person’s name, business phone number, business email address, name of brokerage firm, account

 

Appendix D-8


number, name and amount of securities held in brokerage account. StarCompliance Software, Inc. has obtained and maintains a US-EU Safe Harbor Certification with respect to data protection. The transmission of data to recipients located outside of the EU will be made for the purpose of implementing and coordinating the rules contemplated by this Code.

Germany

The rules on personal account dealing are contained in the Securities Trading Act (WpHG, Article 33b) and Minimum Requirements of Compliance (MaComp).

Under this law firms/institutions must ensure that any personal investment activities conducted by Covered Persons do not conflict with any duties to clients and/or to the firm. Firms must establish processes and procedures to review and record trading of Covered Persons to avoid any insider trading or conflict of interests.

Hong Kong and Singapore

To comply with local conflict of interest requirements, in addition to the other requirements of this Code, all Hong Kong and Singapore based Investment Personnel must pre-clear the following regardless of value with the Ethics Office after receiving pre-clearance approval in Star NG, but prior to conducting a trade:

 

  1. Any trade requiring pre-clearance under this Code; and

 

  2. Any purchase or sale of an Exchange Traded Fund advised or sub-advised by SSgA in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Any purchase of an Exchange Traded Fund (which is advised or sub-advised by SSgA in Hong Kong and Singapore) shall also be subject to the minimum holding period of 30 calendar days.

Japan

To comply with local regulatory requirements in Japan, in addition to the other requirements of this Code, the following modifications are added for Japanese Covered Persons.

 

  1. Covered Persons in Japan are subject to a minimum holding period of 6 months regardless of whether a transaction would result in the Covered Person realizing a loss or profit. (Section V. B. Short - Term Trading) This requirement applies to equities, equity warrants, convertible bonds and other equity related products, and does not apply to ETFs, mutual funds, and non-convertible bonds.

 

  2. There is no de minimis exception available to Investment Personnel in Japan who work in the active equity group. (Section VI. A. Blackout Period)

 

  3. If a Covered Person in Japan intends to deal with a Japanese broker (JSDA member only) for equities, equity warrants, convertible bonds and other equity related products, the Covered Person must obtain a special certification (“Jibadashi-syoumei”) from SSgA Japan compliance.

 

Appendix D-9


Appendix E – Security Types and Pre-Clearance and Reporting Requirements

(This list is not all inclusive and may be updated from time to time. Contact the Ethics Office for additional guidance as needed.)

 

Security Type

  

Covered Security?

  

Pre-clearance
Required?

  

Transactions
and Holdings
Reporting
Required?

Equity securities (publicly traded) Including both vested and unvested shares.    Yes    Yes    Yes
REITs (publicly traded real estate investment trusts    Yes    Yes    Yes
State Street stock (“STT”)    Yes    Yes    Yes
Open-end mutual funds, UCITs, SICAVs, unlisted managed investment schemes not advised or sub-advised by SSgA    No    No    No
Open-end mutual funds advised and sub-advised by SSgA (except SSgA Money Market Funds)    Yes    Yes    Yes
ETFs not advised or sub-advised by SSgA    Yes    No    Yes
ETFs advised by or sub-advised by SSgA    Yes    No* (except the Investment Solutions Group (“ISG”) which pre-clears the actively managed ETFs which are managed by ISG)    Yes
ETNs    Yes    No    Yes
All closed-end mutual funds (also known as investment trusts in U.K. and listed investment companies in Australia)    Yes    Yes    Yes
Venture Capital Trusts (“VCT’s”)    Yes    Yes    Yes
High Yield Bond securities    Yes    Yes    Yes
Corporate Bond securities    Yes    Yes    Yes
Municipal Bond securities    Yes    Yes    Yes
U.S. Treasury securities and other direct obligations backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government or other sovereign government or supranational agencies    No    No    No

 

Appendix E-1


Security Type

  

Covered Security?

  

Pre-clearance
Required?

  

Transactions
and Holdings
Reporting
Required?

US Agency securities, such as FHLMC and FNMA, and other debt obligations not backed by the full faith and credit of the US Government or other sovereign government or supranational agencies    Yes    Yes    Yes
High quality short-term debt instruments, cash, bankers acceptances, certificates of deposit (“CDs”), commercial paper, repurchase agreements.    No    No    No
Transactions in Employer Stock Ownership Programs (“ESOPs”) and automatic investments in programs where the investment decisions are non-discretionary after the initial selections by the account owner.    Yes    The initial selection and any change in selection must be pre-cleared.    Yes, where Covered Person has a direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership interest in any Covered Securities held by the plan.
Hedge Funds and other Private Placements    Yes    Yes* - You must submit a completed Private Placement Request Form to Compliance for approval before participating and before entering a PTAF to either buy or sell.    Yes
Variable and fixed insurance products    No    No    No
Educational Savings Plans (such as IRC Section 529 plans) which only allow unaffiliated collective investment schemes    No    No    No

 

Appendix E-2


Security Type

  

Covered Security?

  

Pre-clearance
Required?

  

Transactions
and Holdings
Reporting
Required?

Voluntary rights, warrants or tender offers    Yes    Yes    Yes
Company Stock Options received from State Street or a former employer    Yes    Yes    Yes
Options (other than Company Stock Options received from employer)    Not permitted under the Code.    n/a    n/a
Futures    Not permitted under the Code.    n/a    n/a
Contract for Difference (“CFD”) and Spread Bets    Not permitted under the Code.    n/a    n/a

 

Appendix E-3


Appendix F – List of brokers which currently are providing an electronic feed in to Star NG

As of April 2012

 

    Fidelity (U.S. accounts)

 

    TD Ameritrade (U.S. accounts)

 

    Scottrade (U.S. accounts)

 

    ETrade (U.S. accounts)

 

    Merrill Lynch (U.S. accounts)

 

    Charles Schwab (U.S. accounts)

 

    State Street Global Markets (all locations)

 

Appendix G-1