STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST

485APOS 1 d828095d485apos.htm STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST

As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 23, 2024

1933 Act File No. 333-30810
1940 Act File No. 811-09819

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933	☒
Post-Effective Amendment No. 302	☒

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940	☒
Amendment No. 304	☒

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

One Iron Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02210

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(617) 664-1465

(Registrant's Telephone Number)

Sean O’Malley, Esq.
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
c/o SSGA Funds Management, Inc.
One Iron Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02210

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Copies to:

Adam M. Schlichtmann, Esq.
Ropes & Gray LLP
Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02199-3600

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

☐	immediately upon filing pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (b)
☐	on __________ pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (b)
☐	60 days after filing pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (a)(1)
☐	on _________________ pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (a)(1)
☒	75 days after filing pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (a)(2)
☐	on _________________ pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (a)(2)

If appropriate, check the following box:

☐	This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

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.

Prospectus

August 9, 2024

State Street Institutional Investment Trust

State Street Federal Treasury Money Market Fund: Advantage Class ([ ])

State Street Federal Treasury Plus Money Market Fund: Advantage Class ([ ])

State Street Federal Government Money Market Fund: Advantage Class ([ ])

The U.S. 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.

None of State Street Corporation, State Street Bank and Trust Company, State Street Global Advisors, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. or their affiliates (“State Street Entities”) guarantee the value of your investment at $1.00 per share or any other target share price. Investors should have no expectation of capital support to the Funds from State Street Entities.

LOGO

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Fund Summaries

State Street Federal Treasury Money Market Fund			3

State Street Federal Treasury Plus Money Market Fund			7

State Street Federal Government Money Market Fund			11

Additional Information About Investment Objectives, Principal Strategies and Risks			16

Additional Information About Non-Principal Investment Strategies and Risks			22

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure			24

Management and Organization			24

Shareholder Information			26

Dividends, Distributions and Tax Considerations			31

Financial Highlights			32

STATE STREET FEDERAL TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND

Investment Objective

The investment objective of State Street Federal 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 tables below describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Treasury Fund (“Fund Shares”). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. 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 the State Street Treasury Money Market Portfolio (the “Treasury Portfolio” or sometimes referred to in context as the “Portfolio”).

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)


Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)			None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price)			None

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


Management Fee	0.05	%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees	0.00	%
Other Expenses¹
Operations and Administration Fee	0.14	%
Shareholder Service Fee	0.25	%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.44	%

¹	Other Expenses, including the Operations and Administration Fee, are based on estimates for the current fiscal year.

Example:

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated, and then sell or hold all of your Fund 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
$[ ]	$	[	]

Principal Investment Strategies

The Treasury Fund is a government money market fund and 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 Fund may hold a portion of its assets in cash pending investment, to satisfy redemption requests or to meet the Fund’s other cash management needs.

The Fund invests in accordance with regulatory requirements applicable to money market funds, which require, among other things, the Fund to invest only in short-term securities (generally, securities that have remaining maturities of 397 calendar days or less, with the exception of certain floating rate securities that may have final maturities longer than 397 days but use maturity shortening provisions to meet the 397 day requirement, and that the Fund believes present minimal credit risk), to maintain a maximum dollar-weighted average maturity and dollar-weighted average life of sixty (60) days or less and 120 days or less, respectively, and to meet requirements as to portfolio diversification and liquidity.

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its investable assets in the Treasury Portfolio, which has substantially identical investment policies to the Fund. When the Fund invests in this “master-feeder” structure, the Fund’s only investments are shares of the Portfolio, and it participates in the investment returns achieved by the Portfolio. Descriptions in this section of the investment activities of the “Fund” also generally describe the expected investment activities of the Portfolio.

Principal Risks

The Fund is subject to the following risks. You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal, is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor is not required to reimburse the Fund for losses, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time, including during periods of market stress. Certain risks relating to instruments and strategies used in the management of the Fund are placed first. The significance of any specific risk to an investment in the Fund will vary over time, depending on the composition of the Fund’s portfolio, market conditions, and other factors. You should read all of the risk information presented below carefully, because any one or more of these risks may result in losses to the Fund.

Money Market Risk: An investment in a money market fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. Although a money market fund generally seeks to preserve the value of its shares at $1.00 per share, there can be no assurance that it will do so, and it is possible to lose money by investing in a money market fund. A major or unexpected change in interest rates or a decline in the credit quality of an issuer or entity providing credit support, an inactive trading market for money market instruments, or adverse market, economic, industry, political, regulatory, geopolitical, and other conditions could cause a money market fund’s share price to fall below $1.00.

U.S. Treasury Obligations Risk: U.S. Treasury obligations may differ from other fixed income securities in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Similar to other issuers, changes to the financial condition or credit rating of the U.S. government may cause the value of the Fund’s U.S. Treasury obligations to decline.

Stable Share Price Risk: If the market value of one or more of the Fund’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 Fund experiences significant redemption requests.

Market Risk: The Fund’s investments are subject to changes in general economic conditions, general market fluctuations and the risks inherent in investment in securities markets. Investment markets can be volatile and prices of investments can change substantially due to various factors, including, but not limited to, economic growth or recession, changes in interest rates, inflation, changes in the actual or perceived creditworthiness of issuers, and general market liquidity. The Fund is subject to the risk that geopolitical events will disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets. Local, regional or global events such as war, military conflicts, acts of terrorism, natural disasters, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, or other events could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments.

Debt Securities Risk: The values of debt securities may increase or decrease as a result of the following: market fluctuations, changes in interest rates, actual or perceived inability or unwillingness of issuers, guarantors or liquidity providers to make scheduled principal or interest payments, or illiquidity in debt securities markets. To the extent that interest rates rise, certain underlying obligations may be paid off substantially slower than originally anticipated and the value of those securities may fall sharply. A rising interest rate environment may cause the value of the Fund’s fixed income securities to decrease, an adverse impact on the liquidity of the Fund’s fixed income securities, and increased volatility of the fixed income markets. During periods when interest rates are at low levels, the Fund’s yield can be low, and the Fund may have a negative yield (i.e., it may lose money on an operating basis). To the extent that interest rates fall, certain underlying obligations may be paid off substantially faster than originally anticipated. If the principal on a debt obligation is prepaid before expected, the prepayments of principal may have to be reinvested in obligations paying interest at lower rates. During periods of falling interest rates, the income received by the Fund may decline. Changes in interest rates will likely have a greater effect on the values of debt securities of longer durations. Returns on investments in debt securities could trail the returns on other investment options, including investments in equity securities. High levels of inflation and/or a significantly changing interest rate environment can lead to heightened levels of volatility and reduced liquidity.

Interest Rate Risk: Interest rate risk is the risk that debt securities will decline in value because of increases in interest rates. The value of a security with a longer duration will be more sensitive to changes in interest rates than a similar security with a shorter duration. Interest-only and principal-only securities are especially sensitive to interest rate changes, which can affect not only their prices but can also change the income flows and repayment assumptions about those investments.

Rapid Changes in Interest Rates Risk: Rapid changes in interest rates may cause significant requests to redeem Fund Shares, and possibly cause the Fund to sell portfolio securities at a loss to satisfy those requests.

Low Short-Term Interest Rates: During market conditions in which short-term interest rates are at low levels, the Fund’s yield can be very low. During these conditions, it is possible that the Fund will generate an insufficient amount of income to pay its expenses, and that it 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 Fund would, during these conditions, maintain a substantial portion of its assets in cash, on which it may earn little, if any, income.

Master/Feeder Structure Risk: The Fund pursues its objective by investing substantially all of its assets in another pooled investment vehicle (a “master fund”). The ability of the Fund to meet its investment objective is directly related to the ability of the master fund to meet its investment objective. The Adviser serves as investment adviser to the master fund, leading to potential conflicts of interest. The Fund will bear its pro rata portion of the expenses incurred by the master fund. Substantial redemptions by other investors in a master fund may affect the master fund’s investment program adversely and limit the ability of the master fund to achieve its objective.

Large Shareholder Risk: To the extent a large proportion of the interests of the Portfolio are held by a small number of investors (or a single investor), including funds or accounts over which the Adviser has investment discretion, the Portfolio is subject to the risk that these investors will purchase or redeem Portfolio interests in large amounts rapidly or unexpectedly, including as a result of an asset allocation decision made by the Adviser. These transactions could adversely affect the ability of the Portfolio to conduct its investment program.

Variable and Floating Rate Securities Risk: During periods of increasing interest rates, changes in the coupon rates of variable or floating rate securities may lag behind the changes in market rates or may have limits on the maximum increases in coupon rates. Alternatively, during periods of declining interest rates, the coupon rates on such securities will typically readjust downward resulting in a lower yield.

Performance

Performance information for the Fund has been omitted because the Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus. Once the Fund has completed a full calendar year of operations, a bar chart and table will be included that will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing the variability of the Fund’s returns based on net assets. When available, the Fund will make updated performance information available at the Fund’s website: https://www.ssgafunds.com.

Investment Adviser

SSGA FM serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

Purchase Minimums

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


Advantage Class
To establish an account	$	1,000,000
To add to an existing account		None

You may purchase or redeem Fund Shares on any day the Fund is open for business.

You may purchase or redeem Fund Shares by written request or wire transfer. Written requests should be sent to:

By Mail:

State Street Funds

P.O. Box 219737

Kansas City, MO 64121-9737

By Overnight:

State Street Funds

430 W 7^th Street Suite 219737

Kansas City, MO 64105-1407

By Telephone:

For wire transfer instructions, please call (866) 392-0869 between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. Redemptions by telephone are permitted only if you previously have been authorized for these transactions.

By Intermediary:

If you wish to purchase or redeem Fund Shares through a broker, bank or other financial intermediary (“Financial 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.

Financial Intermediaries may contact SS&C GIDS, Inc. at (877) 332-6207 or via email at nsccresearch@dstsystems.com with questions.

Tax Information

The Fund’s distributions are expected to be taxed as ordinary income unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account. Any withdrawals made from such tax-advantaged arrangement may be taxable to you.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase Fund Shares through a broker-dealer or other Financial Intermediary (such as a bank), the Adviser or its affiliates may pay the Financial Intermediary for certain activities related to the Fund, including educational training programs, conferences, the development of technology platforms and reporting systems, or other services related to the sale or promotion of the Fund. 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.

STATE STREET FEDERAL TREASURY PLUS MONEY MARKET FUND

Investment Objective

The investment objective of State Street Federal 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 tables below describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Treasury Plus Fund (“Fund Shares”). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. 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 the State Street Treasury Plus Money Market Portfolio (the “Treasury Plus Portfolio” or sometimes referred to in context as the “Portfolio”).

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)


Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)			None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price)			None

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


Management Fee	0.05	%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees	0.00	%
Other Expenses¹
Operations and Administration Fee	0.14	%
Shareholder Service Fee	0.25	%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.44	%

¹	Other Expenses, including the Operations and Administration Fee, are based on estimates for the current fiscal year.

Example:


1 year	3 years
$[ ]	$	[	]

Principal Investment Strategies

The Treasury Plus Fund is a government money market fund and 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 Fund may hold a portion of its assets in cash pending investment, to satisfy redemption requests or to meet the Fund’s other cash management needs.

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its investable assets in the Treasury Plus Portfolio, which has substantially identical investment policies to the Fund. When the Fund invests in this “master-feeder” structure, the Fund’s only investments are shares of the Portfolio, and it participates in the investment returns achieved by the Portfolio. Descriptions in this section of the investment activities of the “Fund” also generally describe the expected investment activities of the Portfolio.

Principal Risks

Repurchase Agreement Risk: Repurchase agreements may be viewed as loans made by the Fund, which are collateralized by the securities subject to repurchase. If the Fund’s counterparty should default on its obligations and the Fund is delayed or prevented from recovering the collateral, or if the value of the collateral is insufficient, the Fund may realize a loss.

Counterparty Risk: The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties with which the Fund enters into repurchase agreements and other transactions. If a counterparty fails to meet its contractual obligations, the Fund may be unable to terminate the transaction, and it may be delayed or prevented from realizing on any collateral in the event of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding relating to the counterparty.

the principal on a debt obligation is prepaid before expected, the prepayments of principal may have to be reinvested in obligations paying interest at lower rates. During periods of falling interest rates, the income received by the Fund may decline. Changes in interest rates will likely have a greater effect on the values of debt securities of longer durations. Returns on investments in debt securities could trail the returns on other investment options, including investments in equity securities. High levels of inflation and/or a significantly changing interest rate environment can lead to heightened levels of volatility and reduced liquidity.

Performance

Investment Adviser

SSGA FM serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

Purchase Minimums

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


Advantage Class
To establish an account	$	1,000,000
To add to an existing account		None

You may purchase or redeem Fund Shares on any day the Fund is open for business.

You may purchase or redeem Fund Shares by written request or wire transfer. Written requests should be sent to:

By Mail:

State Street Funds

P.O. Box 219737

Kansas City, MO 64121-9737

By Overnight:

State Street Funds

430 W 7^th Street Suite 219737

Kansas City, MO 64105-1407

By Telephone:

By Intermediary:

Financial Intermediaries may contact SS&C GIDS, Inc. at (877) 332-6207 or via email at nsccresearch@dstsystems.com with questions.

Tax Information

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

STATE STREET FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

Investment Objective

The investment objective of the State Street Federal Government Money Market Fund (the “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 tables below describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Government Fund (“Fund Shares”). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below. 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 the State Street U.S. Government Money Market Portfolio (the “U.S. Government Portfolio” or sometimes referred to in context as the “Portfolio”).

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)


Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)			None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price)			None

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


Management Fee	0.05	%
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees	0.00	%
Other Expenses¹
Operations and Administration Fee	0.14	%
Shareholder Service Fee	0.25	%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.44	%

¹	Other Expenses, including the Operations and Administration Fee, are based on estimates for the current fiscal year.

Example:


1 year	3 years
$[ ]	$	[	]

Principal Investment Strategies

The Government Fund is a government money market fund and 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 Fund may hold a portion of its assets in cash pending investment, to satisfy redemption requests or to meet the Fund’s other cash management needs.

The Fund 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 Funds Management, Inc. (“SSGA FM” or the “Adviser”), the investment adviser to the Fund, conducts its own credit analyses of potential investments and portfolio holdings, and relies substantially on a dedicated short-term credit research team. The Fund 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, with the exception of certain floating rate securities that may have final maturities longer than 397 days but use maturity shortening provisions to meet the 397 day requirement, and that the Fund believes present minimal credit risk), to maintain a maximum dollar-weighted average maturity and dollar-weighted average life of sixty (60) days or less and 120 days or less, respectively, and to meet requirements as to portfolio diversification and liquidity. All securities held by the Fund are U.S. dollar-denominated, and they may have fixed, variable or floating interest rates.

The Fund 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, and the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation, which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; and

•

Repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities.

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its investable assets in the U.S. Government Portfolio, which has substantially identical investment policies to the Fund. When the Fund invests in this “master-feeder” structure, the Fund’s only investments are shares of the Portfolio, and it participates in the investment returns achieved by the Portfolio. Descriptions in this section of the investment activities of the “Fund” also generally describe the expected investment activities of the Portfolio.

Principal Risks

U.S. Government Securities Risk: Certain U.S. government securities are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; others are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; others are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency’s obligations; and still others are supported only by the credit of the issuing agency, instrumentality, or enterprise. Although U.S. government-sponsored enterprises such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) and the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) may be chartered or sponsored by Congress, they are not funded by Congressional appropriations, and their securities are not issued by the U.S. Treasury, are not supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, and involve increased credit risks.

Significant Exposure to U.S. Government Agencies or Instrumentalities Risk: To the extent the Fund focuses its investments in securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities, any market movements, regulatory changes or changes in political or economic conditions that affect the U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities in which the Fund invests may have a significant impact on the Fund’s performance. Events that would adversely affect the market prices of securities issued or guaranteed by one government agency or instrumentality may adversely affect the market price of securities issued or guaranteed by other government agencies or instrumentalities.

Income Risk: The Fund’s income may decline due to falling interest rates or other factors. Issuers of securities held by the Fund may call or redeem the securities during periods of falling interest rates, and the Fund would likely be required to reinvest in securities paying lower interest rates. If an obligation held by the Fund is prepaid, the Fund may have to reinvest the prepayment in other obligations paying income at lower rates.

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk: Investments in mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities are subject to the risk of significant credit downgrades, illiquidity, and defaults to a greater extent than many other types of fixed-income investments. The liquidity of mortgage-related and asset-backed securities may change over time. During periods of falling interest rates, mortgage- and asset-backed securities may be called or prepaid, which may result in the Fund having to reinvest proceeds in other investments at a lower interest rate. During periods of rising interest rates, the average life of mortgage- and asset-backed securities may extend, which may lock in a below-market interest rate, increase the security’s duration and interest rate sensitivity, and reduce the value of the security. Enforcing rights against the underlying assets or collateral may be difficult, and the underlying assets or collateral may be insufficient if the issuer defaults.

Performance

Investment Adviser

SSGA FM serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

Purchase Minimums

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


Advantage Class
To establish an account	$	1,000,000
To add to an existing account		None

You may purchase or redeem Fund Shares on any day the Fund is open for business.

You may purchase or redeem Fund Shares by written request or wire transfer. Written requests should be sent to:

By Mail:

State Street Funds

P.O. Box 219737

Kansas City, MO 64121-9737

By Overnight:

State Street Funds

430 W 7^th Street Suite 219737

Kansas City, MO 64105-1407

By Telephone:

By Intermediary:

Financial Intermediaries may contact SS&C GIDS, Inc. at (877) 332-6207 or via email at nsccresearch@dstsystems.com with questions.

Tax Information

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, PRINCIPAL STRATEGIES AND RISKS

Investment Objective

The investment objective of each of the Treasury Fund, Treasury Plus Fund and Government Fund, as stated in each Fund’s Summary, may be changed without shareholder approval.

Treasury Fund

Principal Investment Strategies

The Treasury Fund is a government money market fund and 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 Fund will provide shareholders with at least sixty (60) days’ prior notice of any change in this investment policy. The Fund may hold a portion of its assets in cash pending investment, to satisfy redemption requests or to meet the Fund’s other cash management needs.

Treasury Plus Fund

Principal Investment Strategies

The Treasury Plus Fund is a government money market fund and 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 Fund will provide shareholders with at least sixty (60) days’ prior notice of any change in this investment policy. The Fund may hold a portion of its assets in cash pending investment, to satisfy redemption requests or to meet the Fund’s other cash management needs.

Government Fund

Principal Investment Strategies

The Government Fund is a government money market fund and 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 Fund will provide shareholders with at least sixty (60) days’ prior notice of any change in this investment policy. The Fund may hold a portion of its assets in cash pending investment, to satisfy redemption requests or to meet the Fund’s other cash management needs.

The Fund 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 conducts its own credit analyses of potential investments and portfolio holdings, and relies substantially on a dedicated short-term credit research team. The Fund 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, with the exception of certain floating rate securities that may have final maturities longer than 397 days but use maturity shortening provisions to meet the 397 day requirement, and that the Fund believes present minimal credit risk), to maintain a maximum dollar-weighted average maturity and dollar-weighted average life of sixty (60) days or less and 120 days or less, respectively, and to meet requirements as to portfolio diversification and liquidity. All securities held by the Fund are U.S. dollar-denominated, and they may have fixed, variable or floating interest rates.

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

•

Repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities.

Additional Information About Risks

The Funds are subject to the following principal risks. The risks are described in alphabetical order and not in the order of importance or potential exposure. Each principal risk without a parenthetical indicating a single Fund’s name is applicable to each Fund.

Debt Securities Risk. The values of debt securities may increase or decrease as a result of the following: market fluctuations, changes in interest rates, actual or perceived inability or unwillingness of issuers, guarantors or liquidity providers to make scheduled principal or interest payments or illiquidity in debt securities markets. To the extent that interest rates rise, certain underlying obligations may be paid off substantially slower than originally anticipated and the value of those securities may fall sharply. A rising interest rate environment may cause the value of a Fund’s fixed income securities to decrease, an adverse impact on the liquidity of a Fund’s fixed income securities, and increased volatility of the fixed income markets. During periods when interest rates are at low levels, a Fund’s yield can be low, and a Fund may have a negative yield (i.e., it may lose money on an operating basis). To the extent that interest rates fall, certain underlying obligations may be paid off substantially faster than originally anticipated. If the principal on a debt obligation is prepaid before expected, the prepayments of principal may have to be reinvested in obligations paying interest at lower rates. During periods of falling interest rates, the income received by a Fund may decline. Changes in interest rates will likely have a greater effect on the values of debt securities of longer durations. Returns on investments in debt securities could trail the returns on other investment options, including investments in equity securities. High levels of inflation and/or a significantly changing interest rate environment can lead to heightened levels of volatility and reduced liquidity.

Credit Risk (principal risk for the Government Fund and Treasury Plus Fund). Credit risk is the risk that an issuer, guarantor or liquidity provider of a fixed-income security held by a Fund 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 the security will be downgraded by a credit rating agency; generally, lower credit quality issuers present higher credit risks. An actual or perceived decline in creditworthiness of an issuer of a fixed-income security held by a Fund may result in a decrease in the value of the security. It is possible that the ability of an issuer to meet its obligations will decline substantially during the period when a Fund owns securities of the issuer or that the issuer will default on its obligations or that the obligations of the issuer will be limited or restructured.

The credit rating assigned to any particular investment does not necessarily reflect the issuer’s current financial condition and does not reflect an assessment of an investment’s volatility or liquidity. Securities rated in the lowest category of investment-grade are considered to have speculative characteristics. If a security held by a Fund loses its rating or its rating is downgraded, the Fund may nonetheless continue to hold the security in the discretion of the Adviser. In the case of asset-backed or mortgage-related securities, changes in the actual or perceived ability of the obligors on the underlying assets or mortgages to make payments of interest and/or principal may affect the values of those securities.

Income Risk (principal risk for the Government Fund). A Fund’s income may decline due to falling interest rates or other factors. Issuers of securities held by a Fund may call or redeem the securities during periods of falling interest rates, and the Fund would likely be required to reinvest in securities paying lower interest rates. If an obligation held by a Fund is prepaid, the Fund may have to reinvest the prepayment in other obligations paying income at lower rates. A reduction in the income earned by a Fund may limit the Fund’s ability to achieve its objective.

Reinvestment Risk (principal risk for the Government Fund). Income from a Fund’s portfolio may decline when the Fund invests the proceeds from investment income, sales of portfolio securities or matured, traded or called debt obligations. For instance, during periods of declining interest rates, an issuer of debt obligations may exercise an option to redeem securities prior to maturity, forcing a Fund to reinvest the proceeds in lower-yielding securities. A decline in income received by a Fund from its investments is likely to have a negative effect on the yield and total return of the Fund Shares.

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that the securities held by a Fund will decline in value because of increases in market interest rates. Duration is a measure used to determine the sensitivity of a security’s price to changes in interest rates. Debt securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile than debt securities with shorter durations. For example, the value of a security with a duration of five years would be expected to decrease by 5% for every 1% increase in interest rates. Falling interest rates also create the potential for a decline in a Fund’s income and yield. Interest-only and principal-only securities are especially sensitive to interest rate changes, which can affect not only their prices but can also change the income flows and repayment assumptions about those investments. Variable and floating rate securities also generally increase or decrease in value in response to changes in interest rates, although generally to a lesser degree than fixed-rate securities. A substantial increase in interest rates may also have an adverse impact on the liquidity of a security, especially those with longer durations. Changes in governmental policy, including changes in central bank monetary policy, could cause interest rates to rise rapidly, or cause investors to expect a rapid rise in interest rates. This could lead to heightened levels of interest rate, volatility and liquidity risks for the fixed income markets generally and could have a substantial and immediate effect on the values of a Fund’s investments. High levels of inflation and/or a significantly changing interest rate environment can lead to heightened levels of volatility and reduced liquidity.

Rapid Changes in Interest Rates. The values of instruments held by a Fund may be adversely affected by rapid changes in interest rates. Rapid changes in interest rates may cause significant requests to redeem Fund Shares, and possibly cause a Fund to sell portfolio securities at a loss to satisfy those requests. Significant losses could impair a Fund’s ability to maintain a stable share price of $1.00.

Low Short-Term Interest Rate Risk. During market conditions in which short-term interest rates are at low levels, a Fund’s yield can be very low. During these conditions, it is possible that a Fund will generate an insufficient amount of income to pay its expenses, and that it 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 Fund would, during these conditions, maintain a substantial portion of its assets in cash, on which it may earn little, if any, income.

Market Risk. Market prices of investments held by a Fund will go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. A Fund’s investments are subject to changes in general economic conditions, general market fluctuations and the risks inherent in investment in securities markets. Investment markets can be volatile, and prices of investments can change substantially due to various factors, including, but not limited to, economic growth or recession, changes in interest rates, inflation, changes in actual or perceived creditworthiness of issuers and general market liquidity. Even if general economic conditions do not change, the value of an investment in a Fund could decline if the particular industries, sectors or companies in which the Fund invests do not perform well or are adversely affected by events. Further, legal, political, regulatory and tax changes also may cause fluctuations in markets and securities prices. Local, regional or global events such as war, military conflicts, acts of terrorism, natural disasters, public health issues, or other events could have a significant impact on a Fund and its investments. Due to the interconnectedness of economies and financial markets

throughout the world, if a Fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to countries experiencing economic and financial difficulties, the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected. A widespread outbreak of an infectious illness, such as COVID-19, and efforts to contain its spread, may result in market volatility, inflation, reduced liquidity of certain instruments, disruption in the trading of certain instruments, and systemic economic weakness. The foregoing could impact a Fund and its investments and result in disruptions to the services provided to a Fund by its service providers.

Additionally, in the spring of 2023, the shutdown of certain financial institutions raised economic concerns over disruption in the U.S. banking system. There can be no certainty that the actions taken by the U.S. government to strengthen public confidence in the U.S. banking system will be effective in mitigating the effects of financial institution failures on the economy and restoring public confidence in the U.S. banking system.

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk. A Fund is subject to the risk that geopolitical events will disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets. War, terrorism, and related geopolitical events have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Likewise, natural and environmental disasters, pandemics and epidemics, and systemic market dislocations may be highly disruptive to economies and markets. Those events, as well as other changes in foreign and domestic economic and political conditions, also could adversely affect individual issuers or related groups of issuers, securities markets, interest rates, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of a Fund’s investments. Given the increasing interdependence among global economies and markets, conditions in one country, market, or region might adversely affect markets, issuers, and/or foreign exchange rates in other countries, including the U.S. Any partial or complete dissolution of the EMU, or any increased uncertainty as to its status, could have significant adverse effects on currency and financial markets, and on the values of a Fund’s investments. On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom (“UK”) formally withdrew from the European Union (“EU”) (commonly known as “Brexit”). An agreement between the UK and the EU governing their future trade relationship became effective January 1, 2021, but critical aspects of the relationship remain unresolved and subject to further negotiation and agreement. There is still considerable uncertainty relating to the potential consequences associated with the exit, how the negotiations for new trade agreements will be conducted, and whether the UK’s exit will increase the likelihood of other countries also departing the EU. Brexit may have a significant impact on the UK, Europe, and global economies, which may result in increased volatility and illiquidity, new legal, political, economic and regulatory uncertainties and potentially lower economic growth for these economies that could potentially have an adverse effect on the value of the Funds’ investments. Any further exits from the EU, or the possibility of such exits, or the abandonment of the euro, may cause additional market disruption globally and introduce new legal and regulatory uncertainties.

Securities and financial markets may be susceptible to market manipulation or other fraudulent trade practices, which could disrupt the orderly functioning of these markets or adversely affect the values of investments traded in these markets, including investments held by a Fund. To the extent a Fund has focused its investments in the market or index of a particular region, adverse geopolitical and other events could have a disproportionate impact on the Fund.

Market Volatility; Government Intervention Risk. Market dislocations and other external events, such as the failures or near failures of significant financial institutions, dislocations in investment or currency markets, corporate or governmental defaults or credit downgrades, or poor collateral performance, may subject a Fund to significant risk of substantial volatility and loss. Governmental and regulatory authorities have taken, and may in the future take, actions to provide or arrange credit supports to financial institutions whose operations have been compromised by credit market dislocations and to restore liquidity and stability to financial systems in their jurisdictions; the implementation of such governmental interventions and their impact on both the markets generally and a Fund’s investment program in particular can be uncertain. Governmental and non-governmental issuers may default on, or be forced to restructure, their debts, and other issuers may face difficulties obtaining credit. Defaults or restructurings by governments or others of their debts could have substantial adverse effects on economies, financial markets, and asset valuations around the world. Federal Reserve or other U.S. or non-U.S. governmental or central bank actions, including interest rate increases or contrary actions by different governments, or investor perception that these efforts are not succeeding, could negatively affect financial markets generally as well as the values and liquidity of certain securities.

Master/Feeder Structure Risk. Each Fund pursues its objective by investing substantially all of its assets in another pooled investment vehicle (a “master fund”). The ability of a Fund to meet its investment objective is directly related to the ability of the master fund to meet its investment 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 master fund. The ability of a Fund to meet

redemption requests will depend on its ability to redeem its interest in the master fund. The Adviser or an affiliate serves as investment adviser to the master fund, leading to potential conflicts of interest. For example, the Adviser or its affiliates will receive fees based on the amount of assets invested in the master fund. Investment by a Fund in the master fund may be beneficial in the management of the master fund, by helping to achieve economies of scale or enhancing cash flows. Due to this and other factors, the Adviser may have an incentive to invest a Fund’s assets in a master fund sponsored or managed by the Adviser or its affiliates in lieu of investments by a Fund directly in portfolio securities, or may have an incentive to invest in such master fund over a master fund sponsored or managed by others. Similarly, the Adviser may have an incentive to delay or decide against the sale of interests held by a Fund in a master fund sponsored or managed by the Adviser or its affiliates. It is possible that other clients of the Adviser or its affiliates will purchase or sell interests in a master fund sponsored or managed by the Adviser or its affiliates at prices and at times more favorable than those at which a Fund does so. A Fund will bear its pro rata portion of the expenses incurred by the master fund.

Large Shareholder Risk. To the extent a large proportion of the interests of a Portfolio are highly concentrated or held by a small number of investors (or a single investor), including funds or accounts over which the Adviser has investment discretion, a Portfolio is subject to the risk that these investors will purchase or redeem Portfolio interests in large amounts rapidly or unexpectedly, including as a result of an asset allocation decision made by the Adviser. These transactions could adversely affect the ability of a Portfolio to conduct its investment program. For example, they could require a Portfolio to sell portfolio securities or purchase portfolio securities unexpectedly and incur substantial transaction costs and/or accelerate the realization of taxable income and/or gains to investors, or a Portfolio may be required to sell its more liquid portfolio investments to meet a large redemption, in which case a Portfolio’s remaining assets may be less liquid, more volatile, and more difficult to price. A Portfolio may hold a relatively large proportion of its assets in cash in anticipation of large redemptions, diluting its investment returns.

Money Market Risk. An investment in a money market fund is not a deposit of any bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. Although a money market fund generally seeks to preserve the value of its shares at $1.00 per share, there can be no assurance that it will do so, and it is possible to lose money by investing in a money market fund. A major or unexpected change in interest rates or a decline in the credit quality of an issuer or entity providing credit support, an inactive trading market for money market instruments, or adverse market, economic, industry, political, regulatory, geopolitical, and other conditions could cause a money market fund’s share price to fall below $1.00. It is possible that a money market fund will issue and redeem shares at $1.00 per share at times when the fair value of the money market fund’s portfolio per share is more or less than $1.00. Rule 2a-7 as adopted by the SEC permits a money market fund to impose a liquidity fee upon the sale of fund shares under certain circumstances, however the Treasury Fund, Treasury Plus Fund and Government Fund are all government money market funds that have not elected to be subject to the liquidity fee provision of Rule 2a-7. None of State Street Corporation, State Street, State Street Global Advisors, SSGA FM or their affiliates (collectively, the “State Street Entities”) guarantee the value of an investment in a money market fund at $1.00 per share. Investors should have no expectation of capital support to a money market fund from the State Street Entities.

Money Market Fund Regulatory Risk. Money market funds and the securities they invest in are subject to comprehensive regulations. The SEC has adopted amendments to money market fund regulation that, among other things, increase the daily and weekly liquid asset requirements (“Money Market Fund Reform”). Money Market Fund Reform permits government money market funds (such as the Funds), that are experiencing a negative gross yield as a result of negative interest rates, to either convert from a stable share price to a floating share price or reduce the number of shares outstanding (e.g., through a reverse stock split) to maintain a stable net asset value per share, subject to certain Board determinations and disclosures to investors. A Fund’s operations will be impacted as it comes into compliance with the Money Market Fund Reform. The SEC and other government agencies continue to review the regulation of money market funds and may implement additional regulatory changes in the future. The enactment of any new legislation or regulations impacting the money market fund industry could limit the Fund’s investment flexibility and reduce its ability to generate returns.

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk (principal risk for the Government Fund). Investments in mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities are subject to the risk of significant credit downgrades, illiquidity, and defaults to a greater extent than many other types of fixed income investments. The liquidity of mortgage-related and asset-backed securities may change over time. Mortgage-related securities represent a participation in, or are secured by, mortgage loans. Other 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, for example, items such 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 Fund 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 interest rate sensitivity, and reduce the value of the security. As a result, mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of declining interest rates than other debt 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 other asset-backed security depends on the terms of the instrument and can result in significant volatility. The price of a mortgage-related or other asset-backed security also depends on the credit quality and adequacy of the underlying assets or collateral. Mortgage-related or other asset-backed securities issued by non-governmental issuers (such as commercial banks, savings and loan institutions, private mortgage insurance companies, mortgage bankers and other secondary market issuers) will generally entail greater credit risk than obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government. Defaults on the underlying assets, if any, may impair the value of a mortgage-related or other asset-backed security. For some asset-backed securities in which a Fund 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 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. 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.

Repurchase Agreement Risk (principal risk for the Government Fund and Treasury Plus Fund). A repurchase agreement is an agreement to buy a security from a seller at one price and a simultaneous agreement to sell it back to the original seller at an agreed-upon price, typically representing the purchase price plus interest. Repurchase agreements may be viewed as loans made by a Fund, which are collateralized by the securities subject to repurchase. A Fund’s investment return on such transactions will depend on the counterparty’s willingness and ability to perform its obligations under a repurchase agreement. If a Fund’s counterparty should default on its obligations and a Fund is delayed or prevented from recovering the collateral, or if the value of the collateral is insufficient, a Fund may realize a loss.

Counterparty Risk (principal risk for the Government Fund and Treasury Plus Fund). A Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties with which a Fund enters into repurchase agreements and other transactions. If a counterparty fails to meet its contractual obligations, a Fund may be unable to terminate the transaction, and it may be delayed or prevented from realizing on any collateral in the event of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding relating to the counterparty.

Stable Share Price Risk. If the market value of one or more of the Fund’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 Fund experiences significant redemption requests.

U.S. Government Securities Risk (principal risk for the Government Fund). U.S. government securities, such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds and mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States; others are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury; others are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency’s obligations; and still others are supported only by the credit of the issuing agency, instrumentality, or enterprise. Although U.S. government-sponsored enterprises such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) and the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) may be chartered or sponsored by Congress, they are not funded by Congressional appropriations, and their securities are not issued by the U.S. Treasury nor supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. There is no assurance that the U.S. government would provide financial support to its agencies and instrumentalities if not required to do so. In addition, certain governmental entities have been subject to regulatory scrutiny regarding their accounting policies and practices and other concerns that may result in legislation, changes in regulatory oversight and/or other consequences that could adversely affect the credit quality, availability, or investment character of securities issued by these entities. The value and liquidity of U.S. government securities may be affected adversely by changes in the ratings of those securities. Securities issued by the U.S. Treasury historically have been considered to present minimal credit risk. The downgrade in the long-term U.S. credit rating by at least two major rating agencies has introduced greater uncertainty about the ability of the U.S. to repay its obligations. Further credit rating downgrades or a U.S. credit default could decrease the value and increase the volatility of a Fund’s investments.

Significant Exposure to U.S. Government Agencies or Instrumentalities Risk (principal risk for the Government Fund). To the extent a Fund focuses its investments in securities issued or guaranteed by U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities, any market movements, regulatory changes or changes in political or economic conditions that affect the U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities in which the Fund invests may have a significant impact on a Fund’s performance. Events that would adversely affect the market prices of securities issued or guaranteed by one government agency or instrumentality may adversely affect the market price of securities issued or guaranteed by other government agencies or instrumentalities.

U.S. Treasury Obligations Risk. U.S. Treasury obligations may differ from other securities in their interest rates, maturities, times of issuance and other characteristics. Similar to other issuers, changes to the financial condition or credit rating of the U.S. government may cause the value of a Fund’s U.S. Treasury obligations to decline. The total public debt of the United States as a percent of gross domestic product grew rapidly after the financial crisis of 2008 and has remained at a historically high level. Although high debt levels do not necessarily indicate or cause economic problems, they may create certain systemic risks if sound debt management practices are not implemented. A high national debt level may increase market pressures to meet government funding needs, which may drive debt cost higher and cause a country to sell additional debt, thereby increasing refinancing risk. A high national debt also raises concerns that a government will not be able to make principal or interest payments when they are due. In the worst case, unsustainable debt levels can cause a decline in the value of the dollar (which may lead to inflation), and can prevent the U.S. government from implementing effective countercyclical fiscal policy in economic downturns. On August 5, 2011, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services downgraded U.S. Treasury securities from AAA rating to AA+ rating. Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services stated that its decision was prompted by its view on the rising public debt burden and its perception of greater policymaking uncertainty. Fitch downgraded its rating of U.S. Treasury securities in August 2023. A downgrade of the ratings of U.S. government debt obligations, which are often used as a benchmark for other borrowing arrangements, could result in higher interest rates for individual and corporate borrowers, cause disruptions in the international bond markets and have a substantial negative effect on the U.S. economy. Any additional downgrades of U.S. Treasury securities from ratings agencies may cause the value of the Fund’s U.S. Treasury obligations to decline. In recent years, impasses in Congress regarding the federal budget have caused repeated temporary Federal government shutdowns. While Congress has temporarily suspended the debt limit from time to time, the risks that the U.S. government will not adopt a long-term budget or deficit reduction plan, of one or more additional Federal government shutdowns or of future failures to not increase the Federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree.

Variable and Floating Rate Securities Risk. Variable or floating rate securities are debt securities with variable or floating interest rates payments. Variable or floating rate securities bear rates of interest that are adjusted periodically according to formulae intended generally to reflect market rates of interest and allow a Fund to participate (determined in accordance with the terms of the securities) in increases in interest rates through upward adjustments of the coupon rates on the securities. However, during periods of increasing interest rates, changes in the coupon rates may lag behind the changes in market rates or may have limits on the maximum increases in coupon rates. Alternatively, during periods of declining interest rates, the coupon rates on such securities will typically readjust downward resulting in a lower yield. A Fund may also invest in variable or floating rate equity securities, whose dividend payments vary based on changes in market rates of interest or other factors.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT NON-PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

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

Conflicts of Interest Risk. An investment in a Fund will be subject to a number of actual or potential conflicts of interest. For example, the Adviser or its affiliates may provide services to a Fund, such as securities lending agency services, custodial, administrative, bookkeeping, and accounting services, transfer agency and shareholder servicing, securities brokerage services, and other services for which the Fund would compensate the Adviser and/or such affiliates. The Funds may invest in other pooled investment vehicles sponsored, managed, or otherwise affiliated with the Adviser. There is no assurance that the rates at which a Fund pays fees or expenses to the Adviser or its affiliates, or the terms on which it enters into transactions with the Adviser or its affiliates will be the most favorable available in the market generally or as favorable as the rates the Adviser or its affiliates make available to other clients. Because of its financial interest, the Adviser will have an incentive to enter into transactions or arrangements on behalf of a Fund with itself or its affiliates in circumstances where it might not have done so in the absence of that interest, provided that the Adviser will comply with applicable regulatory requirements.

The Adviser and its affiliates serve as investment adviser to other clients and may make investment decisions that may be different from those that will be made by the Adviser on behalf of the Funds. For example, the Adviser may provide asset allocation advice to some clients that may include a recommendation to invest in or redeem from particular issuers while not providing that same recommendation to all clients invested in the same or similar issuers. The Adviser may (subject to applicable law) be simultaneously seeking to purchase (or sell) investments for a Fund and to sell (or purchase) the same investment for accounts, funds, or structured products for which it serves as asset manager, or for other clients or affiliates. The Adviser and its affiliates may invest for clients in various securities that are senior, pari passu or junior to, or have interests different from or adverse to, the securities that are owned by a Fund. The Adviser or its affiliates, in connection with its other business activities, may acquire material nonpublic confidential information that may restrict the Adviser from purchasing securities or selling securities for itself or its clients (including the Funds) or otherwise using such information for the benefit of its clients or itself.

The foregoing does not purport to be a comprehensive list or complete explanation of all potential conflicts of interests which may affect a Fund. A Fund may encounter circumstances, or enter into transactions, in which conflicts of interest that are not listed or discussed above may arise.

Cybersecurity Risk. With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet and the dependence on computer systems to perform business and operational functions, funds (such as the Funds) and their service providers (including the Adviser) may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from cyber-attacks and/or technological malfunctions. In addition, the global spread of COVID-19 caused the Funds, the Portfolios and their service providers to implement business continuity plans, including widespread use of work-from-home arrangements. Furthermore, geopolitical tensions may have increased the scale and sophistication of deliberate cybersecurity attacks, particularly those from nation-states or from entities with nation-state backing. In general, cyber-attacks are deliberate, but unintentional events may have similar effects. Cyber-attacks include, among others, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, preventing legitimate users from accessing information or services on a website, releasing confidential information without authorization, and causing operational disruption. Successful cyber-attacks against, or security breakdowns of, a Fund, a Portfolio, the Adviser or a custodian, transfer agent, or other affiliated or third-party service provider may adversely affect a Fund or its shareholders. For instance, cyber-attacks or technical malfunctions may interfere with the processing of shareholder or other transactions, affect a Fund’s ability to calculate its NAV, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential Fund information, impede trading, cause reputational damage, and subject a Fund to regulatory fines, penalties or financial losses, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and additional compliance costs. Cyber-attacks or technical malfunctions may render records of Fund assets and transactions, shareholder ownership of Fund Shares, and other data integral to the functioning of a Fund inaccessible or inaccurate or incomplete. A Fund may also incur substantial costs for cybersecurity risk management in order to prevent cyber incidents in the future. A Fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result. While the Adviser has established business continuity plans and systems designed to minimize the risk of cyber-attacks through the use of technology, processes and controls, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems, including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified, given the evolving nature of this threat. Each Fund relies on third-party service providers for many of its day-to-day operations, and will be subject to the risk that the protections and protocols implemented by those service providers will be ineffective to protect the Fund from cyber-attack. The Adviser does not control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by third-party service providers, and such third-party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to the Adviser or the Funds. Similar types of cybersecurity risks or technical malfunctions also are present for issuers of securities in which each Fund invests, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause a Fund’s investment in such securities to lose value.

Risk of Investment in Other Pools. If a Fund invests in another pooled investment vehicle, it is exposed to the risk that the other pool will not perform as expected. A Fund is exposed indirectly to all of the risks applicable to an investment in such other pool. In addition, lack of liquidity in the underlying pool could result in its value being more volatile than the underlying portfolio of securities, and may limit the ability of a Fund to sell or redeem its interest in the pool at a time or at a price it might consider desirable. The investment policies and limitations of the other pool may not be the same as those of the Fund; as a result, the Fund may be subject to additional or different risks, or may achieve a reduced investment return, as a result of its investment in another pool. If a pool is an exchange-traded fund or other product traded on a securities exchange or otherwise actively traded, its shares may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV, an effect that might be more pronounced in less liquid markets. A Fund bears its proportionate share of the fees and expenses of any pool in which it invests. The Adviser or an affiliate may serve as investment adviser to a pool in which the Fund may invest, leading to potential conflicts of interest. For example, the Adviser or its affiliates may receive fees based on the amount of assets invested in the pool. Investment by a Fund in the pool may be beneficial to the Adviser or an affiliate in the management of the pool, by helping to achieve economies of scale or enhancing cash flows. Due to this and other factors, the Adviser may have an incentive to invest a Fund’s assets in a pool sponsored or managed by the Adviser or its affiliates in lieu of investments by the Fund directly in portfolio securities, or may have an incentive to invest in the pool over a pool sponsored or managed by others. Similarly, the Adviser may have an incentive to delay or decide against the sale of interests held by a Fund in a pool sponsored or managed by the Adviser or its affiliates. It is possible that other clients of the Adviser or its affiliates will purchase or sell interests in a pool sponsored or managed by the Adviser or its affiliates at prices and at times more favorable than those at which a Fund does so.

Temporary Defensive Positions. In response to actual or perceived adverse market, economic, political, or other conditions, a Fund may (but will not necessarily), without notice, depart from its principal investment strategies by temporarily investing for defensive purposes. While investing defensively, the Fund may maintain a substantial portion of its assets in cash, on which the Fund may earn little if any income. If a Fund invests for defensive purposes, it may not achieve its investment objective. In addition, the defensive strategy may not work as intended.

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE

The Funds’ portfolio holdings disclosure policy is described in the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”).

MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION

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 (the “Board” and each member thereof, a “Trustee”) 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.

Investment Adviser

SSGA FM serves as the investment adviser to each Fund and corresponding Portfolio and, subject to the oversight of the Board, is responsible for the investment management of each Fund. The Adviser provides an investment management program for each Fund and manages the investment of each Fund’s assets. In addition, the Adviser provides administrative, compliance and general management services to each Fund. The Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of State Street Global Advisors, Inc., which itself is a wholly-owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation. The Adviser is registered with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Adviser and certain other affiliates of State Street Corporation make up SSGA. SSGA is one of the world’s largest institutional money managers and the investment management arm of State Street Corporation. As of June 30, 2024, the Adviser managed approximately $[ ] billion in assets and SSGA managed approximately $[ ] trillion in assets. The Adviser’s principal business address is One Iron Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.

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 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.

Expense Limitations and Reductions. From time to time, the Adviser may enter into a contractual agreement to waive a portion of its management fee and/or reimburse certain expenses (a “Contractual Expense Limitation”). As of the date of this Prospectus, the Adviser has not entered into any Contractual Expense Limitations for the Funds. In addition to any applicable contractual expense limitation for a Fund, which would be described in the Fund Summaries, each of the Adviser and State Street Global Advisors Funds Distributors, LLC (each a “Service Provider”) also may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses for a Fund or a share class to the extent necessary to maintain a certain minimum net yield, which may vary from time to time and from share class to share class within a Fund, in SSGA FM’s sole discretion (any such waiver or reimbursement of expenses being referred to herein as a “Voluntary Reduction”).

A discussion regarding the Board’s consideration of the Funds’ Investment Advisory Agreement is provided in the Funds’ Annual Report to Shareholders for the period ended December 31, 2024.

The Administrator, Sub-Administrator and Custodian

The Adviser serves as administrator of each Fund. The Funds operate under what is essentially an all-in fee structure where each Fund will pay the Adviser an investment advisory fee and separately pay the Adviser a unitary operations and administration fee (the “Operations and Administration Fee”). The Operations and Administration Fee each Fund pays to the Adviser is computed as a percentage of the Fund’s assets. The Adviser, in turn, provides or procures operational, fund administration and other administrative services for the Fund and its shareholders. The Adviser bears the cost of various third-party services required by each Fund, including audit, custodial, portfolio accounting, legal, transfer agency and printing costs (including those costs incurred indirectly through such Fund’s investment in its corresponding master portfolio). The Funds bear other expenses that are not covered under the investment advisory fee or Operations and Administration Fee, such as 0.25% in shareholder service expenses; organizational expenses; costs of borrowing money, including interest expenses; investment advisory fees; extraordinary expenses (such as litigation and indemnification expenses); expenses incurred in preparing, printing, and mailing proxy statements and related materials (each a “Proxy”) to shareholders of a Fund; associated expenses of conducting meetings of a Fund’s shareholders in conjunction to a Proxy; and fees and expenses of trustees who are not deemed to be “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and their counsel. The Adviser believes that the Operations and Administration Fee structure provides shareholders with fees that are largely non-variable, simple, and predictable. Pursuant to the Operations and Administration Fee structure, the Adviser is responsible for bearing the costs of administrative services provided by financial intermediaries, such as recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency, sub-accounting and other services. Any portion of such expenses may also be borne by the Adviser or its affiliates and out of its or their profits. Each Fund pays Operations and Administration Fee, which is borne at the share class level and may vary by share class, to the Adviser at the annual rate of 0.14%.

State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), a subsidiary of State Street Corporation, serves as the sub-administrator and custodian for the Funds for a fee that is paid from the Operations and Administration Fee. SSGA FM serves as administrator of the Portfolios and State Street serves as sub-administrator and custodian of the Portfolios.

The Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent

SS&C GIDS, Inc. is the Funds’ transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent (the “Transfer Agent”).

The Distributor

State Street Global Advisors Funds Distributors, LLC serves as the Funds’ distributor (“SSGA FD”) pursuant to the Distribution Agreement between SSGA FD and the Trust.

Shareholder Service and Administrative Services Provided by Intermediaries

Pursuant to a Shareholder Service Plan adopted by the Board, the Funds may enter into agreements with intermediaries that require them to provide service to their customers who beneficially own Advantage Class shares of the Funds. The shareholder service fee rate borne by the Advantage Class shares is an annual rate of up to 0.25%. These arrangements, as well as administrative services provided by financial intermediaries, are further described in the SAI under “[Shareholder Servicing]”.

Additional Information

The Trustees of the Trust oversee generally the operations of the Funds and the Trust. The Trust enters into contractual arrangements with various parties, including, among others, the Funds’ investment adviser, custodian, transfer agent, and accountants, who provide services to the Funds. Shareholders are not parties to any such contractual arrangements or intended beneficiaries of those contractual arrangements, and those contractual arrangements are not intended to create in any shareholder any right to enforce them directly against the service providers or to seek any remedy under them directly against the service providers.

This Prospectus provides information concerning the Trust and the Funds that you should consider in determining whether to purchase shares of the Funds. Neither this Prospectus, nor the related SAI, is intended, or should be read, to be or to give rise to an agreement or contract between the Trust or the Funds and any investor, or to give rise to any rights in any shareholder or other person other than any rights under federal or state law that may not be waived.

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Determination of Net Asset Value

The Treasury Plus Fund and the Government Fund each determines its net asset value (“NAV”) per share once each day on which the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the Federal Reserve banks and State Street are open for business (a “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 determines their NAVs at the earlier closing time. 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 (the time when a Fund determines its NAV per share is referred to herein as the “Valuation Time”). Each Fund seeks to maintain a $1.00 per share NAV and, accordingly, uses the amortized cost valuation method, in compliance with the risk limiting conditions of Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), 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.

Pricing does not occur on NYSE holidays. 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, provided the Federal Reserve remains open. As noted in this Prospectus, certain Funds may invest in securities listed on foreign exchanges, or otherwise traded in a foreign market, and those securities may trade on weekends or other days when a Fund does not price its shares. Consequently, the NAV of a Fund’s shares may change on days when shareholders are not able to purchase or redeem the Fund’s shares. 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 Fund will post advance notice of these events at:www.ssga.com/cash.

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.

Investing in State Street Institutional Investment Trust Shares

Mutual funds advised by SSGA FM (the “State Street Funds”) and their service providers have a legal obligation to collect from you certain personal information about you at the time you open an account in order to verify your identity and the source of your payment. If you do not provide this information, you may not be able to open an account with the State Street Funds. If the State Street Funds believe that they have uncovered unlawful activity, the State Street Funds and their service providers may close your account and take any action they deem reasonable or required by law. The State Street Funds reserve the right to reject any purchase order.

This section of the Prospectus explains the basics of doing business with the State Street Funds. Carefully read each topic. The policies set forth below regarding the purchase, redemption and exchange of State Street Fund shares are in addition to the “Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares” section contained in the “Fund Summary” portion of this Prospectus. The State Street Funds reserve the right to change the following policies, without notice to shareholders; except that any modification or termination of the exchange privileges described in this Prospectus will be preceded by 60 days’ advance notice to shareholders. Please call or check online for current information. Requests for transactions in the State Street Funds will be processed when they are received in “good order.” “Good order” means that the request is in an accurate and complete form, and all applicable documents have been received in such accurate and complete form (including, typically, a signed application and medallion-guaranteed documents), and, for a purchase request, the check or wired funds have cleared.

Purchasing Shares

Investors pay no sales load to invest in the Advantage Class Shares of the Funds. The price for Fund Shares is the NAV per share. Purchase requests received by a Fund in good order (a purchase request is in good order if it meets the requirements implemented from time to time by the Transfer Agent or authorized agent of the 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 by FedWire, be priced at the NAV next determined after the order is accepted by the Fund. Payments received by FedWire prior to the last Valuation Times will earn dividend accrual for that purchase.

All purchases that are made by check will be priced with the last valuation price and 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 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 Advantage Class of the Funds is $1 million, although the Adviser may waive the minimum in its discretion. Holdings of related customer accounts may be aggregated for purposes of determining the minimum investment amount. “Related customer accounts” may include, but are not limited to, 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 $[ ] million for the Treasury Fund and $[ ] million for 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 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 Funds

P.O. Box 219737

Kansas City, MO 64121-9737

By Overnight:

State Street Funds

430 W 7^th Street Suite 219737

Kansas City, MO 64105-1407

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 7:00 a.m. ET and 5:00 p.m. ET to:

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

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

☐ confirm the amount being wired and wiring bank, and

☐ 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 02210

ABA# 011000028

DDA# 9904-631-0

State Street Institutional Investment Trust

Fund Name

Class Name

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.

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.

Redeeming Shares

An investor may redeem all or any portion of its investment. 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 in good form prior to 2:30 p.m. ET for the Treasury Fund and 5:00 p.m. ET for the Treasury Plus Fund and the Government Fund on a Business Day, the Fund typically expects to pay out redemption proceeds on that day, but no later than the next Business Day if redemption proceeds are sent by wire or ACH.

If redemption proceeds are sent by check, the Fund pays out redemption proceeds on the next Business Day. If a full redemption order is requested, no dividends will accrue with respect to shares on the day the redemption proceeds are sent. If a redemption order is placed after 2:30 p.m. ET for the Treasury Fund and 5:00 p.m. ET for the Government Fund and the Treasury Plus Fund, the Fund typically expects to pay out redemption proceeds on the next Business Day (and dividends will accrue up to, but not including, the day that redemption proceeds are sent), but no later than the following Business Day. The Fund may postpone and/or suspend redemption and payment beyond the foregoing time periods only as follows:

a)	For any period during which there is a non-routine closure of the Fedwire or applicable Federal Reserve Banks;

b)	For any period (1) during which the NYSE is closed other than customary week-end and holiday closings or (2) during which trading on the NYSE is restricted;

c)	For any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which (1) disposal of securities owned by the Fund is not reasonably practicable or (2) it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to fairly determine the net asset value of shares of the Fund;

d)	For any period during which the SEC has, by rule or regulation, deemed that (1) trading shall be restricted or (2) an emergency exists;

e)	For any period that the SEC, may by order permit for your protection; or

f)	For any period during which the Fund as part of a necessary liquidation of the fund, has properly postponed and/or suspended redemption of shares and payment in accordance with federal securities laws.

Rule 2a-7 as adopted by the SEC permits a money market fund to impose a liquidity fee upon the sale of fund shares under certain circumstances, however the Treasury Fund, Treasury Plus Fund and the Government Fund are all government money market funds that have not elected to be subject to the liquidity fee provision of Rule 2a-7. 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.

The transfer agent may temporarily delay for more than seven days the disbursement of redemption proceeds from the Fund account of a “Specified Adult” (as defined in Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) Rule 2165) based on a reasonable belief that financial exploitation of the Specified Adult has occurred, is occurring, has been attempted, or will be attempted, subject to certain conditions.

Under normal circumstances, the Funds expect to meet redemption requests by using cash or cash equivalents in its portfolio and/or selling portfolio assets to generate cash. The Funds also may pay redemption proceeds using cash obtained through borrowing arrangements that may be available from time to time.

A Fund may pay all or a portion of your redemption proceeds by giving you securities (for example, if the Fund reasonably believes that a cash redemption may have a substantial impact on the Fund and its remaining shareholders). A redemption is generally a taxable event for shareholders, regardless of whether the redemption is satisfied in cash or in kind. You may pay transaction costs and/or taxes to dispose of the securities, and you may receive less for them than the price at which they were valued for purposes of the redemption. In addition, you will be subject to the market risks associated with such securities until such time as you choose to dispose of the security.

During periods of deteriorating or stressed market conditions or during extraordinary or emergency circumstances, a Fund may be more likely to pay redemption proceeds with cash obtained through short-term borrowing arrangements (if available) or by giving you securities.

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 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 219737 Kansas City, MO 64121-9737
By Mail:		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 430 W 7^th Street Suite 219737 Kansas City, MO 64105-1407

By Telephone:		Please call (866) 392-0869 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET.

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

☐

name(s) of account owners;

☐

account number(s);

☐

the name of the Fund;

☐

your daytime telephone number; and

☐

the dollar amount or number of shares being redeemed.

On any day that the Funds calculate their NAVs 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:

•

Your account address has changed within the last 10 Business Days.

•

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

•

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

•

Other unusual situations as determined by the Transfer Agent.

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 Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“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 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 430 W 7th Street Suite 219737 in Kansas City, MO 64105-1407. There will be a time lag, which may be one or more days, between regular mail receipt at the post office box and redelivery to such physical location in Kansas City, and a Fund’s NAV may change over those days. You might consider using express rather than regular mail if you believe the time of receipt of your transaction request to be sensitive.

Exchanging Shares

An exchange occurs when you use the proceeds from the redemption of shares of a Fund in the State Street Institutional Investment Trust to simultaneously purchase shares of a different Fund in the State Street Institutional Investment Trust. Currently, exchanging shares is allowed from/to each Fund. Exchanges may be made between different Funds within the same class (i.e., Advantage Class shares for Advantage Class shares). The account holding the original shares must be registered in the same name as the account holding the new shares received in the exchange. You may make exchange requests by telephone, or by mail. See Purchasing Shares and Redeeming Shares. Exchanges are subject to the terms applicable to the purchases of the fund into which you are exchanging. Exchange privileges may not be available for mutual funds advised by SSGA FM (the “State Street Funds”) and may be suspended or rejected.

Excessive Trading

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

Delivery of Documents to Accounts Sharing an Address

To reduce expenses, we may mail only one copy of the Funds’ Prospectus and each annual and semi-annual report to those addresses shared by two or more accounts. If you wish to receive individual copies of these documents, please call us at (866) 392-0869, or contact your financial institution. We will begin sending you individual copies thirty (30) days after receiving your request.

Unclaimed Property

Many states have unclaimed property rules that provide for transfer to the state (also known as “escheatment”) of unclaimed property under various circumstances. These circumstances include inactivity (e.g., no owner-initiated contact for a certain period), returned mail (e.g., when mail sent to a shareholder is returned by the post office as undeliverable), or a combination of both inactivity and returned mail. If a State Street Fund identifies property as unclaimed, it will attempt to contact the shareholder, but if that attempt is unsuccessful, the account may be considered abandoned and escheated to the state after the passage of a certain period of time (as required by applicable state law).

It is your responsibility to ensure that you maintain a correct address for your account, and maintain contact in ways such as by contacting the Funds’ transfer agent by mail or telephone or accessing your account through the Funds’ website, and promptly cashing all checks for dividends, capital gains and redemptions. State requirements for maintaining contact with an account can vary and are subject to change. If you invest in a Fund through a financial intermediary, we encourage you to contact the financial intermediary regarding applicable state unclaimed property laws. The Funds, the transfer agent and the distributor will not be liable to shareholders or their representatives for good faith compliance with state unclaimed property laws. Please check your state’s unclaimed or abandoned property website for specific information.

If you are a resident of the state of Texas, you may designate a representative to receive escheatment notifications by completing and submitting a designation form, which you can find on the website of the Texas Comptroller. Designating such a representative may be beneficial, since Texas law provides that the escheatment period will cease if the representative, after receiving an escheatment notification regarding your account, communicates knowledge of your location and confirms that you have not abandoned your account. You can mail a completed designation form to the Fund (if you hold shares directly with the Fund) or to your financial intermediary (if you do not hold shares directly with the Fund).

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. Dividends of investment income and capital gain distributions will be paid in additional shares on the reinvestment date unless you have elected to receive them in cash. No interest will accrue on the amounts represented by uncashed distribution checks. If you have elected to receive distributions by check, and the postal or other delivery service is unable to deliver the checks because of an incorrect mailing address, or if a distribution check remains uncashed for six months, the uncashed distribution and all future distributions will be reinvested at the then-current NAV of the Fund.

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

Each Fund will elect 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 generally is not subject to tax at the corporate level on income and gains that are timely distributed to shareholders. In order to qualify and be eligible for treatment as a regulated investment company, a Fund must, among other things, satisfy diversification, 90% gross income and distribution requirements. 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.

Each Fund invests substantially all of its investable assets in a corresponding Portfolio that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Therefore, the nature and character of each Fund’s income, gains, losses and deductions generally will be determined at the Portfolio level, and each Fund will be allocated its share of the corresponding Portfolio’s income, gains, losses and deductions. As applicable, references in this discussion to income, gains and losses of a Fund will be to income, gains and losses recognized and deductions accruing at the Portfolio level and allocated to or otherwise taken into account by the Fund, and references to assets of a Fund will be to the Fund’s allocable share of the assets of the corresponding Portfolio.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income are generally taxable to you as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains generally are determined by how long the applicable Portfolio or Fund owned (or is deemed to have owned) the investments that generated them, rather than how long you have owned your Fund Shares. Any net short-term gains the Funds distribute will be taxable to you as ordinary income. The Funds generally do not expect to make distributions that are eligible for taxation as long-term capital gains.

Distributions are taxable to you even if they are paid from income or gains earned by a Fund before your investment (and thus were included in the price you paid for your shares). Distributions may also be subject to state and local taxes and are taxable whether you receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares. Distributions in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits are treated as a return of capital to the extent of your basis in the applicable Fund’s shares, and, in general, as capital gain thereafter.

If the NAV of Fund Shares were to vary from $1.0000 per share, shareholders generally would realize a gain or loss upon the redemption or other taxable disposition of such Fund Shares. Any such gain generally would be taxable to you as either short-term or long-term capital gain, depending upon how long you held the Fund Shares. The Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has issued final regulations and published guidance that permit a simplified method of accounting for gains and losses realized upon the disposition of money market fund shares. Shareholders should see the SAI for further information.

A Fund’s and the Portfolio’s income from or proceeds of investments in non-U.S. assets may be subject to non-U.S. withholding and other taxes. This will decrease the Fund’s return on securities subject to such taxes. Tax treaties between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. Although such taxes will reduce a Fund’s taxable income, shareholders generally will not be entitled separately to claim a credit or deduction with respect to foreign taxes incurred by the Portfolio or Fund.

An additional 3.8% Medicare contribution tax is imposed on the “net investment income” of individuals, estates and trusts to the extent their income exceeds certain threshold amounts. Net investment income generally includes for this purpose dividends paid by a Fund and net gains recognized on the redemption (or other taxable disposition) of Fund Shares.

If you are not a U.S. person, dividends paid by a Fund that the Fund properly reports as capital gain dividends, short-term capital gain dividends, or interest-related dividends, each as further defined in the SAI, are not subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax, provided that certain requirements are met. A Fund is permitted, but is not required, to report any part of its dividends as are eligible for such treatment. A Fund’s dividends other than those the Fund so reports as capital gain dividends, short-term capital gain dividends, or interest-related dividends generally will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a 30% rate (or lower applicable treaty rate). See each Fund’s SAI for further information.

The U.S. Treasury and IRS generally require a Fund to obtain information sufficient to identify the status of each shareholder under sections 1471-1474 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the U.S. Treasury and IRS guidance issued thereunder (collectively, “FATCA”) or under an applicable intergovernmental agreement between the United States and a foreign government. Please see the SAI for more information on FATCA reporting requirements.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The Advantage Class shares of the Funds had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus and therefore do not have financial information. Once the Advantage Class Shares of the Funds have completed a full calendar year of operations, financial highlight tables will be provided.

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 will be available in the Funds’ initial annual or semi-annual reports to shareholders. The Funds’ SAI is available, without charge, upon request. The Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports will be available, without charge, upon request. Shareholders in the Funds may make inquiries to the Funds to receive such information by calling (877) 521-4083 or the customer service center at the telephone number shown in the accompanying contract prospectus, if applicable. Each Fund’s Prospectus and SAI are available, and the annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders are available, or will be available, free of charge, on the Funds’ website at www.ssga.com/cash.

Reports and other information about the Funds are available free of charge on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’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.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. THE INFORMATION IN THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 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.

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST

(the “Trust”)

One Iron Street

Boston, Massachusetts 02210

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

August 9, 2024

STATE STREET FEDERAL TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND

Advantage Class [ ]

STATE STREET FEDERAL TREASURY PLUS MONEY MARKET FUND

Advantage Class [ ]

STATE STREET FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

Advantage Class [ ]

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) relates to the prospectus dated August 9, 2024 as may be revised and/or supplemented from time to time thereafter for each of the Funds listed above (the “Prospectus”).

The SAI is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus. A copy of the Prospectus can be obtained free of charge by calling (877) 521-4083 or by written request to the Trust at the address listed above.

The Funds had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI and therefore did not have any financial information to report for the Trust’s most recent fiscal year end. Capitalized terms used in this SAI and not otherwise defined have the meanings assigned to them in the Prospectus.

[ADVANTAGE]MMSAI

TABLE OF CONTENTS


GENERAL			3
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS AND THEIR INVESTMENTS AND RISKS			4
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS AND RISKS			4
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST AND STATE STREET MASTER FUNDS			17
PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES			25
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES			25
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES			25
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES			28
DECLARATION OF TRUST, CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER INFORMATION			30
PRICING OF SHARES			30
TAXATION OF THE FUNDS			31
UNDERWRITER			41
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS			41
APPENDICES			A-1

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 includes the following diversified series:

•

State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund;

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State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio;

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State Street Balanced Index Fund;

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State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund;

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State Street Equity 500 Index Fund;

•

State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio;

•

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

•

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

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State Street Federal Government Money Market Fund (the “Government Fund”);

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State Street Global All Cap Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund;

•

State Street Global All Cap Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio;

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State Street Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund;

•

State Street Income Fund;

•

State Street International Developed Equity Index Fund;

•

State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund;

•

State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund;

•

State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund;

•

State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund ;

•

State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund;

•

State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio;

•

State Street Target Retirement Fund;

•

State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund;

•

State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund;

•

State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund;

•

State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund;

•

State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund;

•

State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund;

•

State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund;

•

State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund;

•

State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund;

•

State Street Target Retirement 2065 Fund;

•

State Street Treasury Obligations Money Market Fund ;

•

State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund.

The Treasury Fund, Treasury Plus Fund, and Government Fund are referred to in this SAI as the “Money Funds,” “Money Market Funds,” or the “Funds.” The Treasury Fund and Treasury Plus Fund are also sometimes separately referred to in this SAI as the “Treasury Funds.”

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


Feeder Fund		Master Portfolio
Treasury Fund		State Street Treasury Money Market Portfolio (“Treasury Portfolio”)
Treasury Plus Fund		State Street Treasury Plus Money Market Portfolio (“Treasury Plus Portfolio”)
Government Fund		State Street U.S. Government Money Market Portfolio (“U.S. Government Portfolio”)

The 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 also sometimes separately referred to in this SAI as the “Treasury Portfolios.”

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 Feeder Funds, you should assume that the practices of the corresponding Portfolio are the same in all material respects.

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, and is subject to the following additional risks.

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.

Cash Reserves

Certain Funds may hold portions of its assets in cash or 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 Standard & Poor’s Rating Group (“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.

Cleared Derivatives Transactions

Transactions in some types of swaps are required to be centrally cleared by applicable rules and regulations and a Fund may also voluntarily centrally clear other transactions that are available for clearing. In a cleared derivatives transaction, a Portfolio’s counterparty to the transaction is a central derivatives clearing organization, or clearing house, rather than a bank or broker. Because the Portfolios are not members of a clearing house, and only members of a clearing house can participate directly in the clearing house, the Portfolios hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members. In cleared derivatives transactions, a Portfolio will make payments (including margin payments) to and receive payments from a clearing house through its accounts at clearing members. Clearing members guarantee performance of their clients’ obligations to the clearing house. Centrally cleared derivative arrangements may be less favorable to a Portfolio than bilateral (non-cleared) arrangements. For example, a Portfolio may be required to provide greater amounts of margin for cleared derivatives transactions than for bilateral derivatives transactions. Also, in contrast to bilateral derivatives transactions, in some cases following a period of notice to a Portfolio, a clearing member generally can require termination of existing cleared derivatives transactions at any time or an increase in margin requirements above the margin that the clearing member required at the beginning of a transaction. Clearing houses also have broad rights to increase margin requirements for existing transactions or to terminate transactions at any time. Each Portfolio is subject to risk if it enters into a derivatives transaction that is required to be cleared (or which the Adviser expects to be cleared), and no clearing member is willing or able to clear the transaction on the Portfolio’s behalf. In that case, the transaction might have to be terminated, and the Portfolio could lose some or all of the benefit of the transaction, including loss of an increase in the value of the transaction and loss of hedging protection. In addition, the documentation governing the relationship between the Portfolios and clearing members is drafted by the clearing members and generally is less favorable to the Portfolios than typical bilateral derivatives documentation. For example, documentation relating to cleared derivatives generally includes a one-way indemnity by the Portfolio in favor of the clearing member for losses the clearing member incurs as the Portfolio’s clearing member. Also, such documentation typically does not provide the Portfolio any remedies if the clearing member defaults or becomes insolvent.

Counterparty risk with respect to derivatives has been and will continue to be affected by rules and regulations relating to the derivatives market. With respect to a centrally cleared transaction, a party is subject to the credit risk of the clearing house and the clearing member through which it holds its cleared position. Credit risk of market participants with respect to centrally cleared derivatives is concentrated in a few clearing houses, and it is not clear how an insolvency proceeding of a clearing house would be conducted and what impact an insolvency of a clearing house would have on the financial system. A clearing member is obligated by contract and regulation to segregate all funds received from customers with respect to cleared derivatives positions from the clearing member’s proprietary assets. However, all funds and other property received by a clearing member from its customers with respect to cleared derivatives are generally held by the clearing member on a commingled basis in an omnibus account (which can be invested in instruments permitted under the regulations). Therefore, a Portfolio might not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of the Portfolio’s clearing member because the Portfolio would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of the funds held by the clearing member on behalf of customers, with a claim against the clearing member for any deficiency. Also, the clearing member is required to transfer to the clearing house the amount of margin required by the clearing house for cleared derivatives, which amount is generally held in an omnibus account at the clearing house for all customers of the clearing member. Regulations promulgated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) require that the clearing member notify the clearing house of the initial margin provided by the clearing member to the clearing house that is attributable to each customer. However, if the clearing member does not accurately report the Portfolio’s initial margin, the Portfolio is subject to the risk that a clearing house will use the assets attributable to it in the clearing house’s omnibus account to satisfy payment obligations a defaulting customer of the clearing member has to the clearing house. In addition, clearing members generally provide the clearing house the net amount of variation margin required for cleared swaps for all of its customers, rather than individually for each customer. A Portfolio is therefore subject to the risk that a clearing house will not make variation margin payments owed to the Portfolio if another customer of the clearing member has suffered a loss and is in default, and the risk that the Portfolio will be required to provide additional variation margin to the clearing house before the clearing house will move the Portfolio’s cleared derivatives positions to another clearing member. In addition, if a clearing member does not comply with the applicable regulations or its agreement with the Portfolio, or in the event of fraud or misappropriation of customer assets by a clearing member, the Portfolio could have only an unsecured creditor claim in an insolvency of the clearing member with respect to the margin held by the clearing member.

Russia Sanctions Risk

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022, various countries, including the U.S. and the U.K., as well as the E.U., issued broad-ranging economic sanctions against Russia. The U.S. and other countries have also imposed economic sanctions on Belarus and may impose sanctions on other countries that support Russia’s invasion. A large number of corporations and U.S. states have also announced plans to divest interests or otherwise curtail business dealings with certain Russian businesses. These sanctions and any additional sanctions or other intergovernmental actions that have been or may be undertaken in the future, against Russia, Russian entities or Russian individuals, or other countries that support Russia’s military invasion, may result in the devaluation of Russian currency, a downgrade in the country’s credit rating, an immediate freeze of Russian assets, a decline in the value and liquidity of Russian securities, property or interests, and/or other adverse consequences to the Russian economy or a Portfolio. The scope and scale of sanctions in place at a particular time may be expanded or otherwise modified in a way that have negative effects on a Portfolio. Sanctions, or the threat of new or modified sanctions, could impair the ability of a Portfolio to buy, sell, hold, receive, deliver or otherwise transact in certain affected securities or other investment instruments. Sanctions could also result in Russia taking counter measures or other actions in response (including cyberattacks and espionage), which may further impair the value and liquidity of Russian securities. These sanctions, and the resulting disruption of the Russian economy, may cause volatility in other regional and global markets and may negatively impact the performance of various sectors and industries, as well as companies in other countries, which could have a negative effect on the performance of a Portfolio, even if a Portfolio does not have direct exposure to securities of Russian issuers. As a collective result of the imposition of sanctions, Russian government countermeasures and the impact that they have had on the trading markets for Russian securities, certain Portfolios have used, and may in the future use, fair valuation procedures approved by the Portfolio’s Board to value certain Russian securities, which could result in such securities being deemed to have a zero value.

Swap Execution Facilities

Certain derivatives contracts are required to be executed through swap execution facilities (“SEFs”). A SEF is a trading platform where multiple market participants can execute derivatives by accepting bids and offers made by multiple other participants in the platform. Such requirements may make it more difficult and costly for investment funds, such as a Portfolio, to enter into highly tailored or customized transactions. Trading swaps on a SEF may offer certain advantages over traditional bilateral over-the-counter trading, such as ease of execution, price transparency, increased liquidity and/or favorable pricing. Execution through a SEF is not, however, without additional costs and risks, as parties are required to comply with SEF and CFTC rules and regulations, including disclosure and recordkeeping obligations, and SEF rights of inspection, among others. SEFs typically charge fees, and if a Portfolio executes derivatives on a SEF through a broker intermediary, the intermediary may impose fees as well. A Portfolio also may be required to indemnify a SEF, or a broker intermediary who executes swaps on a SEF on the Portfolio’s behalf, against any losses or costs that may be incurred as a result of the Portfolio’s transactions on the SEF. In addition, a Portfolio may be subject to execution risk if it enters into a derivatives transaction that is required to be cleared, and no clearing member is willing to clear the transaction on the Portfolio’s behalf. In that case, the transaction might have to be terminated, and the Portfolio could lose some or all of the benefit of any increase in the value of the transaction after the time of the trade.

Risks Associated with Derivatives Regulation

The U.S. government has enacted and is continuing to implement legislation that provides for regulation of the derivatives market, including clearing, margin, reporting, and registration requirements. The European Union (“E.U.”), the United Kingdom (the “U.K.”) and some other countries have also adopted and are continuing to implement similar requirements, which will affect a Portfolio when it enters into a derivatives transaction with a counterparty organized in that country or otherwise subject to that country’s derivatives regulations. Such rules and other rules and regulations could, among other things, restrict a Portfolio’s ability to engage in, or increase the cost to the Portfolio of, derivatives transactions, for example, by making some types of derivatives no longer available to the Portfolio, increasing margin or capital requirements, or otherwise limiting liquidity or increasing transaction costs. While the rules and regulations and central clearing of some derivatives transactions are designed to reduce systemic risk (i.e., the risk that the interdependence of large derivatives dealers could cause them to suffer liquidity, solvency or other challenges simultaneously), there is no assurance that they will achieve that result, and in the meantime, as noted above, central clearing and related requirements expose the Portfolios to kinds of costs and risks.

For example, in the event of a counterparty’s (or its affiliate’s) insolvency, a Portfolio’s ability to exercise remedies, such as the termination of transactions, netting of obligations and realization on collateral, could be stayed or eliminated under special resolution regimes adopted in the United States, the E.U., the U.K. and various other jurisdictions. Such regimes provide government authorities with broad authority to intervene when a financial institution is experiencing financial difficulty. In particular, with respect to counterparties who are subject to such proceedings in the E.U. and the U.K., the liabilities of such counterparties to the Portfolios could be reduced, eliminated, or converted to equity in such counterparties (sometimes referred to as a “bail in”).

The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act providing for the regulation of registered investment companies’ use of derivatives and certain related instruments. The rule, among other things, limits derivatives exposure through one of two value-at-risk tests and eliminates the asset segregation framework for covering derivatives and certain financial instruments arising from the SEC’s Release 10666 and ensuing staff guidance. The rule also requires funds to adopt and implement a derivatives risk management program (including the appointment of a derivatives risk manager and the implementation of certain testing requirements) and subjects funds to certain reporting requirements in respect of derivatives. Limited derivatives users (as determined by Rule 18f-4) are not, however, subject to the full requirements under the rule.

Additionally, U.S. regulators, the EU, the U.K. and certain other jurisdictions have adopted minimum margin and capital requirements for uncleared derivatives transactions. These rules impose minimum margin requirements on derivatives transactions between a Portfolio and its counterparties and may increase the amount of margin a Portfolio is required to provide. They impose regulatory requirements on the timing of transferring margin and the types of collateral that parties are permitted to exchange.

Since 2021, the SEC has proposed and, in some cases, finalized several new rules regarding a wide range of topics related to the Fund. For example, the SEC has proposed new rules requiring the reporting and public disclosure of a manager’s positions in security-based swaps, including CDS, equity total return swaps and related positions. The SEC has also finalized new rules restricting activities that could be considered to be manipulative in connection with security-based swaps, new rules requiring managers to file monthly confidential reports with the SEC regarding equity short sales and related activity, new rules regarding regulatory and public reporting of certain securities lending transactions, and new rules requiring the central clearing of certain cash and repurchase transactions involving U.S. Treasuries. These and other proposed new rules, whether assessed on an individual or collective basis, could fundamentally change the current regulatory framework for relevant markets and market participants, including having a material impact on activities of investment managers and their funds. While it is currently difficult to predict the full impact of these new rules, these rules could make it more difficult for the Portfolio to execute certain investment strategies and may have an adverse effect on the Portfolio’s ability to generate returns.

These and other regulations are relatively new and evolving, so their full impact on the Portfolios and the financial system are not yet known.

Custodial Risk

There are risks involved in dealing with the custodians or brokers who hold a Portfolio’s investments or settle a Portfolio’s trades. It is possible that, in the event of the insolvency or bankruptcy of a custodian or broker, a Portfolio would be delayed or prevented from recovering its assets from the custodian or broker, or its estate, and may have only a general unsecured claim against the custodian or broker for those assets. In recent insolvencies of brokers or other financial institutions, the ability of certain customers to recover their assets from the insolvent’s estate has been delayed, limited, or prevented, often unpredictably, and there is no assurance that any assets held by a Portfolio with a custodian or broker will be readily recoverable by the Portfolio. In addition, there may be limited recourse against non-U.S. sub-custodians in those situations in which a Portfolio invests in markets where custodial and/or settlement systems and regulations are not fully developed, including emerging markets, and the assets of the Portfolio have been entrusted to such sub-custodians. SSGA FM or an affiliate may serve as the custodian of the Portfolios.

Forward Commitments

Each Fund may invest in forward commitments. Each Fund may contract to purchase securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time consistent with the Fund’s ability to manage its investment portfolio and meet redemption requests. A Fund may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement if it is appropriate to do so and realize short-term profits or losses upon such sale. 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.

Government Mortgage-Related Securities

The Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA” or “Ginnie Mae”) 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 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 Portfolio’s GNMA securities can be expected to fluctuate in response to changes in interest rate levels.

Residential mortgage loans are also pooled by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC” or “Freddie Mac”), 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.

The Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA” or “Fannie Mae”) 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.

Illiquid Securities

Each Portfolio may invest in illiquid securities. 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):

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);

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 25% of its total assets in securities offering daily liquidity (includes securities that mature or are subject to demand within one business day, cash, direct U.S. Government obligations or amounts receivable and due unconditionally within one business day on pending sales of portfolio securities); and

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 50% 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, Government agency discount notes with remaining maturities of 60 days or less or amounts receivable and due unconditionally within five business days on pending sales of portfolio securities)

Under Rule 2a-7, “illiquid security” means a security that cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven calendar days at approximately the value ascribed to it by the seller.

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 they 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.

Interest income on these bonds may be an item of tax preference subject to federal alternative minimum tax for shareholders subject to such tax.

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 (“NAV”) of a Portfolio’s shares. Insurers are selected based upon the diversification of their portfolios 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.

Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk

The Portfolios are subject to the risk that geopolitical events will disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets. War, terrorism, and related geopolitical events have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Likewise, natural and environmental disasters, epidemics or pandemics, such as that caused by COVID-19, and systemic market dislocations may be highly disruptive to economies and markets. Those events as well as other changes in non-U.S. and domestic economic and political conditions also could adversely affect individual issuers or related groups of issuers, securities markets, interest rates, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of a Portfolio’s investments. Given the increasing interdependence between global economies and markets, conditions in one country, market, or region might adversely impact markets, issuers and/or foreign exchange rates in other countries, including the U.S. Continuing uncertainty as to the status of the euro and the Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union (the “EMU”) has created significant volatility in currency and financial markets generally. Any partial or complete dissolution of the EMU, or any continued uncertainty as to its status, could have significant adverse effects on currency and financial markets, and on the values of a Portfolio’s investments. The EU faces challenges related to member states seeking to change their relationship with the European Union, exemplified by the United Kingdom’s (“UK”) withdrawal from the EU in 2020 (an event commonly known as “Brexit”). Brexit has resulted in volatility in European and global markets and could have negative long-term impacts on financial markets in the UK and throughout Europe. There is still considerable uncertainty relating to the potential consequences associated with the exit, including how negotiations for new trade agreements will be conducted and whether the UK’s exit will increase the likelihood of other countries also departing the EU.

Securities markets may be susceptible to market manipulation or other fraudulent trade practices, which could disrupt the orderly functioning of these markets or adversely affect the value of investments traded in these markets, including investments of a Fund.

For example, London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) was the offered rate at which major international banks could obtain wholesale, unsecured funding. Certain of the Funds’ investments, payment obligations, financing terms and other transactions (including certain derivatives transactions) have historically been tied to LIBOR. In connection with the global transition away from LIBOR led by regulators and market participants, LIBOR was last published on a representative basis at the end of June 2023. Alternative reference rates to LIBOR have been established in most major currencies (e.g., the Secured Overnight Financing Rate for U.S. dollar LIBOR and the Sterling Overnight Index Average for GBP LIBOR) and the transition to new reference rates continues. The transition away from LIBOR to the use of replacement rates has gone relatively smoothly but the full impact of the transition on the Funds or the financial instruments in which the Funds invest cannot yet be fully determined. In addition, the Funds’ investments, payment obligations, financing terms and other transactions (including certain derivatives transactions) may be tied to other floating rates such as Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) and other similar types of reference rates including as a result of the transition away from LIBOR to new alternative reference rates (each, a “Reference Rate”). Such Reference Rates as well as other types of rates and indices are classed as “benchmarks” and have been the subject of ongoing national and international regulatory reform, including under the European Union regulation on indices used as benchmarks in financial instruments and financial contracts (known as the “Benchmarks Regulation”). The Benchmarks Regulation has been enacted into United Kingdom law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (as amended), subject to amendments made by the Benchmarks (Amendment and Transitional Provision) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/657) and other statutory instruments. Following the implementation of these reforms, the manner of administration of benchmarks has changed and may further change in the future, with the result that relevant benchmarks may perform differently than in the past, the use of benchmarks that are not compliant with the new standards by certain supervised entities may be restricted, and certain benchmarks may be eliminated entirely. Such changes could cause increased market volatility and disruptions in liquidity for instruments that rely on or are impacted by such benchmarks. Additionally, there could be other consequences which cannot be predicted.

Recent political activity in the U.S. has increased the risk that the U.S. could default on some or any of its obligations. While it is impossible to predict the consequences of such an unprecedented event, it is likely that a default by the U.S. would be highly disruptive to the U.S. and global securities markets and could significantly impair the value of the Funds’ investments. Similarly, political events within the U.S. at times have resulted, and may in the future result, in a shutdown of government services, which could negatively affect the U.S. economy, decrease the value of many Fund investments, and increase uncertainty in or impair the operation of the U.S. or other securities markets. To the extent a Fund has focused its investments in the stock market index of a particular region, adverse geopolitical and other events could have a disproportionate impact on the Fund.

Market Turbulence Resulting from Infectious Illness

A widespread outbreak of an infectious illness, such as COVID-19, may lead to governments and businesses world-wide taking aggressive measures, including closing borders, restricting international and domestic travel, and the imposition of prolonged quarantines of large populations. As occurred in the wake of COVID-19, the spread of such an illness may result in the disruption of and delays in the delivery of healthcare services and processes, the cancellation of organized events and educational institutions, the disruption of production and supply chains, a decline in consumer demand for certain goods and services, and general concern and uncertainty, all of which may contribute to increased volatility in global markets. COVID-19, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, could adversely affect the economies of many nations, the global economy, individual companies, economic sectors and industries, and capital markets in ways that cannot be foreseen at the present time. In addition, the impact of infectious diseases in developing or emerging market countries may be greater due to limited health care resources. Political, economic and social stresses caused by an infectious illness also may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries. The duration of such an illness and its effects cannot be determined at this time, but the effects could be present for an extended period of time.

Mortgage-Related Securities

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) U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities such as GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC or (ii) other issuers, including private companies.

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 Portfolio.

Ongoing developments in the residential and commercial mortgage markets may have additional consequences for the market for mortgage-backed securities. During the periods of deteriorating economic conditions, such as recessions or periods of rising unemployment, delinquencies and losses generally increase, sometimes dramatically, with respect to securitizations involving mortgage loans. Many sub-prime mortgage pools have become distressed during the periods of economic distress and may trade at significant discounts to their face value during such period.

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 the Portfolio’s ability to buy or sell those securities at any particular time.

Municipal and Municipal-Related Securities

The Portfolios may invest in 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.

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 Portfolio 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.

Municipal Leases

The Portfolios 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 Portfolio’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.

Purchase of Other Investment Company Shares

Each Portfolio may, to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and the rules 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 those of the Portfolios. These investments may be made temporarily, for example, to invest uncommitted cash balances or, in limited circumstances, to assist in meeting shareholder redemptions, or as long-term investments. In general, the 1940 Act prohibits a Portfolio from acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any one other investment company, and prohibits a Portfolio investing more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one other investment company or more than 10% of its total assets in securities of other investment companies in the aggregate. The percentage limitations above apply to investments in any investment company. Pursuant to rules adopted by the SEC, a Portfolio may invest in excess of these limitations if the Fund and the investment company in which the Portfolio would like to invest comply with certain conditions. Certain of the conditions do not apply if a Portfolio is investing in shares issued by affiliated funds. In addition, a Portfolio may invest in shares issued by money market funds, including certain unregistered money market funds, in excess of the limitations. A Portfolio’s investments in another investment company will be subject to the risks of the purchased investment company’s portfolio securities. A Portfolio’s shareholders must bear not only their proportionate share of that Portfolio’s fees and expenses, but they also must bear indirectly the fees and expenses of the other investment company.

Repurchase Agreements

Each Portfolio, except for the Treasury Portfolio, may enter into repurchase agreements with banks, other financial institutions, such as broker-dealers, and other institutional counterparties. 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. The Portfolio will limit repurchase transactions to those member banks of the Federal Reserve System, broker-dealers and other financial institutions 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. The SEC has finalized new rules requiring the central clearing of certain repurchase transactions involving U.S. Treasuries. Historically, such transactions have not been required to be cleared and voluntary clearing of such transactions has generally been limited. The new clearing requirements could make it more difficult for a Fund to execute certain investment strategies.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

Each Portfolio may enter into reverse repurchase agreements, which are a form of borrowing. Under reverse repurchase agreements, a Portfolio transfers possession of portfolio securities to financial institutions 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 by repaying the cash with interest. Each Portfolio retains the right to receive interest and principal payments from the securities. Reverse repurchase agreements 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 involve the risk that the buyer of the securities sold might be unable to deliver them when a Portfolio seeks to repurchase the securities. If the buyer files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent, a Portfolio may be delayed or prevented from recovering the security that it sold. The SEC has finalized new rules requiring the central clearing of certain repurchase transactions involving U.S. Treasuries. Historically, such transactions have not been required to be cleared and voluntary clearing of such transactions has generally been limited. The new clearing requirements could make it more difficult for a Fund to execute certain investment strategies.

Tax Exempt Commercial Paper

The Portfolios 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, A-1 by S&P or F-1 by Fitch Ratings. See Appendix A for more information on the ratings of debt instruments.

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.

Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities

The Portfolios may invest in Inflation-Protection Securities (“TIPSs”), a type of inflation-indexed Treasury security. TIPSs 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.

TIPSs 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.

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 generally 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 (“Fannie Mae” or “FNMA”). 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 Portfolios may purchase U.S. Government obligations on a forward commitment basis.

Variable and Floating Rate Securities

The Portfolios may invest in variable and floating rate securities. In general, 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. 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 widely recognized market rates, which are typically set once a day. 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. Variable rate obligations will be deemed to have a maturity equal to the period remaining until the next readjustment of the interest rate.

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 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 NAV.

Zero Coupon Securities

The Portfolios 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. In the case of any zero-coupon debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance that are treated as issued originally at a discount, a Portfolio will be required to accrue original issue discount (“OID”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, in the case of a Portfolio treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”), may as a result be required to pay out as an income distribution an amount which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Portfolio actually received. To generate sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions to maintain its qualification for treatment as a RIC under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), a Portfolio that is taxed as a RIC may be required to sell investments, including at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so.

The Portfolios 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. Privately-issued stripped securities 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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: each 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 investment policy on concentration (number 6 above), a Money Market 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 purposes of the above investment limitation number 6, in the case of a tax-exempt bond issued by a non-governmental user, where the tax-exempt bond is backed only by the assets and revenues of the non-governmental user, then such non-governmental user would be deemed to be the sole issuer. 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.

Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions

Names Rule Policy

To the extent a Fund is subject to Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund has an investment policy, described in the Fund’s prospectus, to, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its assets in the particular types of investments suggested by the Fund’s name (a “Name Policy”). “Assets” for the purposes of a Name Policy are net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes. The percentage limitation applies at the time of purchase of an investment. A Fund’s Name Policy may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. However, to the extent required by SEC regulations, shareholders will be provided with at least sixty (60) days’ notice prior to any change in a Fund’s Name Policy.

Additional Information

Fundamental Investment Restrictions (1) through (5), as numbered above limit a Fund’s ability to engage in certain investment practices and purchase securities or other instruments to the extent consistent with applicable law as that law changes from time to time. Applicable law includes the 1940 Act, the rules or regulations thereunder and applicable orders of SEC as are currently in place. In addition, interpretations and guidance provided by the SEC staff may be taken into account, where deemed appropriate by a Fund, to determine if an investment practice or the purchase of securities or other instruments is permitted by applicable law. As such, the effects of these limitations will change as the statute, rules, regulations or orders (or, if applicable, interpretations) change, and no shareholder vote will be required or sought when such changes permit or require a resulting change in practice.

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

Introduction

The policies set forth below to be followed by State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”) and SSGA FM ( collectively, the “Service Providers”) for the disclosure of information about the portfolio holdings of 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 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Board of Trustees must approve all material amendments to the policy.

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.

No information concerning the portfolio holdings of the Trust may be disclosed to any party (including shareholders) except as provided below. The Service Providers are not permitted to receive compensation or other consideration in connection with disclosing information about a Fund’s portfolio to third parties. In order to address potential conflicts between the interest of Fund shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the Service Providers or any affiliated person of those entities or of the Fund, on the other hand, the Fund’s policies require that non-public disclosures of information regarding the Fund’s portfolio may be made only if there is a legitimate business purpose consistent with fiduciary duties to all shareholders of the Fund.

The Board of Trustees exercises continuing oversight over the disclosure of each Fund’s holdings by (i) overseeing the implementation and enforcement of the portfolio holding disclosure policy, Codes of Ethics and other relevant policies of each Fund and its service providers by the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and (2) considering reports and recommendations by the Trust’s CCO concerning any material compliance matters (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act). The Board reserves the right to amend the policy at any time without prior notice in its sole discretion.

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

Each Fund generally will post on its website (or, in the case of a Portfolio, 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 Fund will also post a full list of its portfolio holdings on its website (or, in the case of a Portfolio, on the corresponding 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(h)(10) under the 1940 Act and remain posted on the website for not less than six months. Each Fund is also required to file with the SEC its complete portfolio holdings in monthly reports on Form N-MFP, available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Information about each Fund’s 10 largest holdings generally is posted on the Funds’ website at SSGA.com within 30 days following the end of each month.

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’ (“SSGA”) trading desk may periodically distribute lists of investments held by its clients (including the Trust) for 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 Funds’ 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 (such as Morningstar, Inc. and Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., formerly, Lipper, Inc.) 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.

Additional Restrictions. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the 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 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 AND STATE STREET MASTER FUNDS

The Board is responsible for overseeing generally the management, activities and affairs of the Funds and has approved contracts with various organizations to provide, among other services, day-to-day management required by the Trust (see the section called “Investment Advisory and Other Services”). The Board has engaged the Adviser to manage the Funds on a day-to day basis. The Board is responsible for overseeing the Adviser and other service providers in the operation of the Trust in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, applicable Massachusetts law and regulation, other applicable laws and regulations, and the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust. The Trustees listed below are also Trustees of SSGA Funds, the State Street Master Funds and the State Street Navigator Securities Lending Trust (the “Navigator Trust”), State Street Institutional Funds, State Street Variable Insurance Series Funds, Inc., Elfun Diversified Fund, Elfun Government Money Market Fund, Elfun Tax-Exempt Income Fund, Elfun Income Fund, Elfun International Equity Fund and Elfun Trusts (collectively, the “Elfun Funds”), and their respective series. 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 each officer of the Trusts.


Name, Address, and Year of Birth	Position(s) Held With Trust	Term of Office and Length of Time Served	Principal Occupation During Past Five Years and Relevant Experience	Number of Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee†	Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past Five Years
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

PATRICK J. RILEY c/o SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 YOB: 1948	Trustee and Chairperson of the Board	Term: Indefinite Elected: 1/14	Associate Justice of the Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (2002 – May 2010); Partner, Riley, Burke & Donahue, L.L.P. (law firm) (1985 – 2002); Independent Director, State Street Global Advisors Europe Limited (investment company) (1998 – 2023); Independent Director, SSGA Liquidity plc (formerly, SSGA Cash Management Fund plc) (1998 – 2023); Independent Director, SSGA Fixed Income plc (January 2009 – 2023); and Independent Director, SSGA Qualified Funds plc (January 2009 – 2019).	54	Board Director and Chairman, SSGA SPDR ETFs Europe I plc (2011 – March 2023); Board Director and Chairman, SSGA SPDR ETFs Europe II plc (2013 – March 2023); Board Director, State Street Liquidity plc (1998 – March 2023).


JOHN R. COSTANTINO c/o SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 YOB: 1946	Trustee and Chairperson of the Qualified Legal Compliance Committee	Term: Indefinite Elected: 12/18	Executive, Kleinfeld Bridal Corp. (January 2023 – present); Senior Advisor to NGN Capital LLC (January 2020 – present); Managing General Partner, NGN Capital LLC (2006 – December 2019).	54	Director of Kleinfeld Bridal Corp. (January 2016 – present); Trustee of Neuroscience Research Institute (1986 – 2017); Trustee of Fordham University (1989 – 1995 and 2001 – 2007) and Trustee Emeritus (2007 – present); Trustee and Independent Chairperson of GE Funds (1993 – February 2011); Director, Muscular Dystrophy Association (2019 – present); Trustee of Gregorian University Foundation (1992 – 2007); Chairman of the Board of Directors, Vivaldi Biosciences Inc. (May 2017 - present); Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Vivaldi Biosciences AG. (May 2017 - present); Trustee, Gallim Dance (December 2021 - present).

MICHAEL A. JESSEE c/o SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 YOB: 1946	Trustee and Chairperson of the Valuation Committee	Term: Indefinite Appointed: 7/16 Elected: 12/18	Retired; formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (1989 – 2009); Trustee, Randolph- Macon College (2004 – 2016).	54	None.


Name, Address, and Year of Birth	Position(s) Held With Trust	Term of Office and Length of Time Served	Principal Occupation During Past Five Years and Relevant Experience	Number of Funds in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee†	Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past Five Years
MARGARET K. MCLAUGHLIN c/o SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 YOB: 1967	Trustee, Vice-Chairperson of the Audit Committee and Vice-Chairperson of the Qualified Legal Compliance Committee	Term: Indefinite Appointed: 9/22	Consultant, Bates Group (consultants) (September 2020 – January 2023); Consultant, Madison Dearborn Partners (private equity) (2019 – 2020); General Counsel/CCO, Kramer Van Kirk Credit Strategies L.P./Mariana Systems LLC (Investment Adviser/SaaS Technology) (2011 – 2019).	54	Director, Manning & Napier Fund Inc (2021 – 2022).

GEORGE M. PEREIRA c/o SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 YOB: 1964	Trustee, Chairperson of the Nominating Committee and Chairperson of the Governance Committee	Term: Indefinite Appointed: 9/22	Chief Operating Officer (January 2011 – September 2020) and Chief Financial Officer (November 2004 – September 2020), Charles Schwab Investment Management.	54	Director, Pave Finance Inc. (May 2023 – present); Director, Pacific Premier Bancorp, Pacific Premier Bank (2021 – present); Director, Charles Schwab Asset Management (Ireland) Ltd., & Charles Schwab Worldwide Funds plc. (2005 – 2020); Director, Rotaplast International, Inc. (non-profit providing free medical services to children worldwide) (2012 – 2018).

DONNA M. RAPACCIOLI c/o SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 YOB: 1962	Trustee, Chairperson of the Audit Committee, Vice-Chairperson of the Nominating Committee and Vice-Chairperson of the Governance Committee	Term: Indefinite Elected: 12/18	Dean of the Gabelli School of Business (2007 – June 2022) and Accounting Professor (1987 – present) at Fordham University.	54	Director- Graduate Management Admissions Council (2015 – present); Trustee of Emmanuel College (2010 – 2019).

MARK E. SWANSON c/o SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 YOB: 1963	Trustee and Vice-Chairperson of the Valuation Committee	Term: Indefinite Appointed: 3/23	Treasurer, Chief Accounting Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Russell Investment Funds (“RIF”) (1998 – 2022); Global Head of Fund Services, Russell Investments (2013 – 2022); Treasurer, Chief Accounting Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Russell Investment Company (“RIC”) (1998 - 2022); President and Chief Executive Officer, RIF (2016 - 2017 and 2020 to 2022); President and Chief Executive Officer, RIC (2016 - 2017 and 2020 - 2022)	54	Director and President, Russell Investments Fund Services, LLC (2010 - 2023); Director, Russell Investment Management, LLC, Russell Investments Trust Company and Russell Investments Financial Services, LLC (2010 - 2023).

†	For the purpose of determining the number of portfolios overseen by the Trustees, “Fund Complex” comprises registered investment companies for which SSGA FM serves as investment adviser.

The following lists the principal officers for the Trust and State Street Master Funds, as well as their mailing addresses and ages, positions with the Trusts and length of time served, and present and principal occupations:


Name, Address, and Year of Birth	Position(s) Held With Trust	Term of Office and Length of Time Served	Principal Occupation During Past Five Years

OFFICERS:

ANN M. CARPENTER SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 YOB: 1966	President and Principal Executive Officer; Deputy Treasurer	Term: Indefinite Served: since 5/23 Term: Indefinite Served: since 4/19	Chief Operating Officer, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (April 2005 – present); Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors. (April 2005 – present).

BRUCE S. ROSENBERG SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 YOB: 1961	Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer	Term: Indefinite Served: since 2/16	Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (July 2015 – present).

CHAD C. HALLETT SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 YOB: 1969	Deputy Treasurer	Term: Indefinite Served: since 2/16	Vice President, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (November 2014 – present).

DARLENE ANDERSON-VASQUEZ SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 YOB: 1968	Deputy Treasurer	Term: Indefinite Served: since 11/16	Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (May 2016 – present).

ARTHUR A. JENSEN SSGA Funds Management, Inc. 1600 Summer Street Stamford, CT 06905 YOB: 1966	Deputy Treasurer	Term: Indefinite Served: since 11/16	Vice President, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (July 2016 – present).

DAVID LANCASTER SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 YOB: 1971	Assistant Treasurer	Term: Indefinite Served: since 11/20	Vice President, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (July 2017 – present).*

JOHN BETTENCOURT SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street, Boston, MA 02210 YOB:1976	Assistant Treasurer	Term: Indefinite Served: since 5/22	Vice President, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (March 2020 – present); Assistant Vice President, State Street Global Advisors (June 2007 – March 2020).

VEDRAN VUKOVIC SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street, Boston, MA 02210 YOB:1985	Assistant Treasurer	Term: Indefinite Served: since 2/24	Vice President, State Street Global Advisors (2023 – present); Assistant Vice President, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (2011 – 2023).

BRIAN HARRIS SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 YOB: 1973	Chief Compliance Officer; Anti- Money Laundering Officer; Code of Ethics Compliance Officer	Term: Indefinite Served: since 7/16	Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (June 2013 – present).*

ANDREW J. DELORME SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 YOB: 1975	Chief Legal Officer	Term: Indefinite Served: since 2/24	Managing Director and Managing Counsel, State Street Global Advisors (March 2023 – present); Counsel, K&L Gates (February 2021 – March 2023); Vice President and Senior Counsel, State Street Global Advisors (August 2014 – February 2021).

DAVID BARR SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 YOB: 1974	Secretary	Term: Indefinite Served: since 9/20	Vice President and Senior Counsel, State Street Global Advisors (October 2019 – present); Vice President and Counsel, Eaton Vance Corp. (October 2010 – October 2019).


Name, Address, and Year of Birth	Position(s) Held With Trust	Term of Office and Length of Time Served	Principal Occupation During Past Five Years
E. GERARD MAIORANA, JR. SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 YOB: 1971	Assistant Secretary	Term: Indefinite Served: since 5/23	Assistant Vice President, State Street Global Advisors (July 2014 – present).

DAVID URMAN SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 YOB: 1985	Assistant Secretary	Term: Indefinite Served: since 8/19	Vice President and Senior Counsel, State Street Global Advisors (April 2019 – present); Vice President and Counsel, State Street Global Advisors (August 2015 – April 2019).

*	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 Boards of Trustees of the Trust and State Street Master Funds.

Patrick J. Riley: Mr. Riley is an experienced business executive with over 46 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 the Trust for 34 years and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust. Mr. Riley serves as a Trustee of the Navigator Trust, SSGA Funds, State Street Master Funds, Elfun Funds, and State Street Institutional Funds and a Director of State Street Variable Insurance Series Funds, Inc.

John R. Costantino: In addition to his tenure as a board member of various other funds advised by SSGA FM, Mr. Costantino has over 34 years of private equity investing experience. He has also served as an officer or a board member of charitable organizations and public and private companies for over 33 years. Mr. Costantino is an attorney and a certified public accountant. Mr. Costantino serves as a Trustee of the Navigator Trust, SSGA Funds, State Street Master Funds, Elfun Funds, and State Street Institutional Funds (independent chairperson through 2016) and a Director of State Street Variable Insurance Series Funds, Inc. (independent chairperson through 2016).

Michael A. Jessee: Mr. Jessee is an experienced business executive with approximately 46 years of experience in the banking industry. He previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston as well as various senior executive positions of major banks. Mr. Jessee has served on the Navigator Trust’s Board of Trustees and related committees for 27 years and possesses significant experience regarding the trust’s operations and history. Mr. Jessee also serves as a Trustee of the Navigator Trust, SSGA Funds, State Street Master Funds, Elfun Funds, and State Street Institutional Funds and a Director of State Street Variable Insurance Series Funds, Inc.

Margaret K. McLaughlin: Ms. McLaughlin has over 26 years of experience she has gained in a variety of roles encompassing regulatory, operating, legal, and compliance functions, serving both firms and their boards. Ms. McLaughlin formerly served as a founding member of the executive management team for Kramer Van Kirk Credit Strategies L.P. and its technology affiliate, Mariana Systems LLC, where she was integrally involved in corporate strategy, operational oversight, risk management and board governance. Prior to Kramer Van Kirk, Ms. McLaughlin was Assistant General Counsel to Harris Associates L.P., where she was responsible for legal, regulatory and compliance activities related to the Oakmark Mutual Funds. Ms. McLaughlin has an extensive understanding and perspective on governance, oversight, regulation, policies and procedures from these positions as well as her prior experience with both the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice. Most recently, Ms. McLaughlin has held consulting positions at major private equity and management consulting firms. Ms. McLaughlin serves as a Trustee of State Street Institutional Investment Trust, State Street Master Funds, State Street Navigator Securities Lending Trust, SSGA Funds, Elfun Funds, and State Street Institutional Funds and a Director of State Street Variable Insurance Series Funds, Inc.

George M. Pereira: Mr. Pereira has over 31 years of experience in executive management with financial institutions, including extensive experience relating to financial reporting, operations, cybersecurity oversight, and enterprise risk management. Mr. Pereira recently retired from Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc., having served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer during his tenure. Previously, Mr. Pereira also served as Head of Financial Reporting for Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Earlier in his career, Mr. Pereira gained valuable regulatory experience and perspective while serving as managing director at the New York Stock Exchange. With this professional experience, Mr. Pereira has developed wide-ranging expertise in building and managing financial, operational, technology and risk control platforms for growth and scale within the financial services industry. Additionally, Mr. Pereira is a member of the Latino Corporate Directors Association. Mr. Pereira serves as a Trustee of State Street Institutional Investment Trust, State Street Master Funds, State Street Navigator Securities Lending Trust, SSGA Funds, Elfun Funds, and State Street Institutional Funds and a Director of State Street Variable Insurance Series Funds, Inc.

Donna M. Rapaccioli: Ms. Rapaccioli has over 34 years of service as a full-time member of the business faculty at Fordham University, where she developed and taught undergraduate and graduate courses, including International Accounting and Financial Statement Analysis, has taught at the executive MBA level and served as Dean of the Gabelli School of Business for 15 years. She has served on Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation team visits, lectured on accounting and finance topics and consulted for numerous investment banks. Ms. Rapaccioli also serves as a Trustee of the Navigator Trust, SSGA Funds, State Street Master Funds, Elfun Funds, and State Street Institutional Funds and a Director of State Street Variable Insurance Series Funds, Inc.

Mark E. Swanson: Mr. Swanson has over 26 years of experience in executive management with financial services institutions, including extensive experience relating to, fund operations, financial reporting, fund accounting, and fund services. Mr. Swanson recently retired from Russell Investments, having served most recently as the Global Head of Fund Services. Additionally, Mr. Swanson served as Treasurer, Chief Accounting Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Russell Investment Company (“RIC”) and Russell Investment Funds (“RIF”). Previously, Mr. Swanson served as Global Head of Fund Operations for Russell, as well as serving in different directorships with RIC, RIF and other Russell entities. Mr. Swanson serves as a Trustee of State Street Institutional Investment Trust, State Street Master Funds, State Street Navigator Securities Lending Trust, SSGA Funds, Elfun Diversified Fund, Elfun Government Money Market Fund, Elfun Income Fund, Elfun International Equity Fund, Elfun Tax Exempt Income Fund, Elfun Trusts, and State Street Institutional Funds and a Director of State Street Variable Insurance Funds, Inc.

References to the experience, attributes and skills of Trustees above are pursuant to requirements of 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, Nominating Committee and Qualified Legal Compliance Committee (the “QLCC”).

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, 2023, the Audit Committee held four meetings.

Each of the Governance Committee and the Nominating Committee is composed of all the Independent Trustees. The primary functions of the Governance Committee and the Nominating Committee are 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 Nominating Committee will consider nominees to the Board recommended by shareholders. Recommendations should be submitted in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Nominating Committee Charter and should be submitted in writing to the Trust, to the attention of the Trust’s Secretary, at the address of the principal executive offices of the Trust. Shareholder recommendations must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Trust not less than sixty (60) calendar days nor more than ninety (90) calendar days prior to the date of the Board or shareholder meeting at which the nominee candidate would be considered for election. The Governance Committee performs an annual self-evaluation of Board members. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Governance Committee and Nominating Committee held three combined meetings.

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 making fair value determinations from time to time through the Valuation Committee, with the assistance of the Oversight Committee, State Street and SSGA FM. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the Valuation Committee held four meetings.

The QLCC is composed of all the Independent Trustees. The primary functions of the QLCC are to receive quarterly reports from the CCO; 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. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the QLCC held four meetings.

Leadership Structure and Risk Management Oversight

The Board has chosen to select different individuals as Chairperson of the Board of the Trust, as Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Committees of the Board, and as President of the Trust. Currently, Mr. Riley, an Independent Trustee, serves as Chairperson of the Board, Ms. Rapaccioli serves as Chairperson of the Audit Committee, Mr. Costantino serves as Chairperson of the QLCC, Mr. Jessee serves as Chairperson of the Valuation Committee and Mr. Pereira serves as Chairperson of each of the Governance Committee and Nominating Committee. Ms. McLaughlin serves as Vice-Chairperson of the Audit Committee and Vice-Chairperson of the QLCC, Mr. Swanson serves as Vice-Chairperson of the Valuation Committee, and Ms. Rapaccioli serves as Vice-Chairperson of each of the Governance Committee and Nominating Committee. Ms. Carpenter, who is an employee of the Adviser, serves as President of the Trust. The Board believes that this leadership structure is appropriate. Ms. Carpenter is available to provide the Board with insight regarding the Trust’s day-to-day management when requested, while Mr. Riley provides an independent perspective on the Trust’s overall operation and Ms. Rapaccioli provides 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 CCO 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 Funds, and applicable provisions of the federal securities laws and the Code. As needed, the Adviser discusses management issues regarding the Trust with the Board, soliciting the Board’s input on many aspects of management, including potential risks to the Funds. The Board’s Audit Committee also receives reports on various aspects of risk that might affect the Trust and offers advice to management, as appropriate. The Trustees also meet in executive session with the independent counsel to the Independent Trustees, the independent registered public accounting firm, counsel to the Trust, the CCO 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 December 31, 2023, none of the Independent Trustees or their immediate family members had any ownership of securities of the Adviser, State Street Global Advisors Funds Distributors, LLC (“SSGA FD”), the Trust’s distributor, or any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser or SSGA FD.

The following table sets forth information describing the dollar range of the Trust’s equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee as of December 31, 2023.


	Dollar Range Of Equity Securities In The Funds		Aggregate Dollar Range Of Equity Securities In All Registered Investment Companies Overseen By Trustees In Family of Investment Companies
Name of Independent Trustee

Patrick J. Riley		None	Over $	100,000
John R Costantino		None		None
Michael A. Jessee		None		None
Margaret McLaughlin		None		None
George M. Pereira		None		None
Donna M. Rapaccioli		None		None
Mark E. Swanson⁽¹⁾		None		None

⁽¹⁾	Mr. Swanson was appointed as an Independent Trustee effective March 2, 2023.

Trustee Compensation

Independent Trustees are compensated on a calendar year basis. Any Trustee who is deemed to be an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Funds does not receive compensation from the Funds for his or her service as a Trustee. As of January 1, 2024, except as noted below, each Independent Trustee will receive for his or her services to the State Street Master Funds, the Trust, SSGA Funds, the Elfun Funds, Navigator Trust, State Street Institutional Funds and State Street Variable Insurance Series Funds, Inc. (together, the “Fund Entities”) a $390,000 annual base retainer in addition to $25,000 for each special in-person meeting and $5,000 for each special telephonic meeting from the Trust. The Chairperson of the Board receives an additional $100,000 annual retainer. As of January 1, 2023, the total annual compensation paid to the Independent Trustees (other than telephonic and special meeting fees) will be allocated to each Fund Entity as follows: a fixed amount of $21,000 is allocated to each Fund Entity or, if applicable, each series thereof; and the remainder will be allocated among the Fund Entities or, if applicable, each series thereof based on relative net assets excluding, however, any feeder fund that invests in a master fund that is a Fund Entity or series thereof. The Independent Trustees are reimbursed for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses in connection with meeting attendance. As of the date of this SAI, the Trustees were not paid pension or retirement benefits as part of the Trust’s expenses.

The Trust’s officers are compensated by the Adviser and its affiliates.

The following table sets forth the total remuneration of Trustees and officers of the Trust for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023:


Name of Trustee	Aggregate Compensation from the Trust		Pension or Retirement Benefits Accrued as Part of Trust Expenses		Estimated Annual Benefits Upon Retirement		Total Compensation from the Trust and Fund Complex Paid to Trustees
Independent Trustees:
Patrick J. Riley	$	124,424	$	0	$	0	$	450,000
John R. Costantino	$	99,539	$	0	$	0	$	360,000
Michael A. Jessee	$	99,539	$	0	$	0	$	360,000
Donna M. Rapaccioli	$	99,539	$	0	$	0	$	360,000
Richard D. Shirk⁽¹⁾	$	99,539	$	0	$	0	$	360,000
Margaret McLaughlin	$	99,539	$	0	$	0	$	360,000
George M. Pereira	$	99,539	$	0	$	0	$	360,000
Mark E. Swanson⁽²⁾	$	77,617	$	0	$	0	$	300,000

⁽¹⁾	Mr. Shirk served as a Trustee until December 31, 2023.

⁽²⁾	Mr. Swanson was appointed as Trustee effective March 2, 2023.

PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES

The Board has delegated to the Adviser the responsibility to vote proxies on securities held by the Funds and Portfolios, subject to certain exceptions. The Board has retained authority to vote proxies for certain bank and bank holding company securities (“Bank Securities”) that may be held by one or more Funds and Portfolios from time to time. The Board has adopted the Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc.’s (“ISS”) benchmark proxy voting policy with respect to voting such Bank Securities’ proxies. The Board has retained this authority in order to permit the Adviser to utilize exemptions from limitations arising under the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, as amended, that might otherwise prevent the Adviser from investing a Fund’s or Portfolio’s assets in Bank Securities. Each of the Trust’s and the Adviser’s proxy voting policies, as well as ISS’ benchmark proxy voting policy, are attached as an appendix to this SAI. Information regarding how a Fund or Portfolio voted proxies relating to its portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available: (1) without charge by calling 1-866-787-2257; (2) on the Funds’ and Portfolios’ website at https://www.ssga.com/us/en/intermediary/ic; and (3) on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES

The Funds had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI and therefore did not have any beneficial owners that owned greater than 5% of the outstanding voting securities as of the date of this SAI.

The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, as a group, own less than 1% of any Funds voting securities as of the date of this SAI.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

Investment Advisory Agreement

The Adviser is responsible for the investment management of the Funds pursuant to the Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement dated November 17, 2015 as amended from time to time (the “Advisory Agreement”), by and between the Adviser and the Trust. The Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of State Street Global Advisors, Inc., which itself is a wholly-owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation, a publicly held financial holding company. State Street is a wholly-owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation.

The Advisory Agreement will continue from year to year provided that such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (a) the Trustees or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund, and (b) vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. 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 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 non-public 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. The Trust recognizes that in some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as a 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.

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 its related 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.

The Adviser is also the investment adviser to each of the related Portfolios pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (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).

For the services provided under the Advisory Agreement and the Portfolio Advisory Agreement, each Fund pays the Adviser a fee at an annual rate set forth below of the Fund’s average daily net assets.


Fund	Fee Rate
Treasury Fund		0.05	%
Treasury Plus Fund		0.05	%
Government Fund		0.05	%

The Funds had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI and therefore did not pay fees to the Adviser for the past three fiscal years.

Voluntary Yield Waivers. For each Money Market Fund, SSGA FM may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses for a fund or a share class to the extent necessary to maintain a certain minimum net yield, which may vary from time to time in SSGA FM’s sole discretion (any such waiver or reimbursement of expenses being referred to herein as a “Voluntary Reduction”). The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, implement the Voluntary Reduction for some Funds, or some share classes of a Fund, and not others. The amount of any Voluntary Reduction may differ between Funds and share classes in the Adviser’s sole discretion. The business objectives of the Adviser and its affiliates and their broader relationships with certain Fund shareholders, Financial Intermediaries or other factors could give the Adviser an incentive to implement the Voluntary Reduction for some Funds or share classes and not others, or to implement it to a greater degree for some Funds or share classes than others. Under an agreement with the Service Providers relating to the Voluntary Reduction, the Funds and the Portfolios have agreed to reimburse the Service Providers for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction beginning on May 1, 2020, subject to certain limitations. Each Service Provider may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from a Fund, without limitation. The Funds had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI and therefore did not reduce fees or reimburse expenses to the Adviser for the past three fiscal years fees reduced or expenses reimbursed by the Service Providers in connection with the Voluntary Reduction.

Administrator under Operations and Administration Agreement for Advantage Class Shares

SSGA FM serves as the administrator for the Funds pursuant to an Operations and Administration Agreement dated [ ] for the Advantage Class. The Funds operate under what is essentially an all-in fee structure where each Fund pays SSGA FM an investment advisory fee and separately pays SSGA FM a unitary operations and administration fee. Under the Operations and Administration Agreement, SSGA FM is obligated to provide or procure operational, fund administration and other administrative services for the Funds and their shareholders. The nature and amount of services provided or procured by SSGA FM under the Operations and Administration Agreement include, but are not limited to, fund administrative services, audit, custodial, portfolio accounting, legal, transfer agency and printing costs. SSGA FM bears the cost of various third-party services required by each Fund, including audit, custodial, portfolio accounting, legal, transfer agency and printing costs (including those costs incurred indirectly through such Fund’s investment in its corresponding master portfolio). Pursuant to the Operations and Administration structure, SSGA FM is responsible for bearing the costs of administrative, services provided by financial intermediaries, such as recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency, sub-accounting and other services. For SSGA FM’s services as administrator to each Fund under the Operations and Administration Agreement for the Advantage Class and undertaking to provide or procure operational and other services, such as shareholder administrative services provided by financial intermediaries, for the Funds, other than those expenses that are expressly the financial responsibility of the Funds, SSGA FM receives an annual fee of 0.14% of the average daily net assets of such Fund, accrued daily at the rate of 1/365th and payable monthly on the first business day of each month. The fee is borne at the share class level and may vary by share class. Advantage Class shareholders of the Funds will bear expenses that are not covered by the investment advisory agreement or Operations and Administration Agreement, such as 0.25% in shareholder service expenses; organizational expenses; costs of borrowing money, including interest expenses; investment advisory fees; extraordinary expenses (such as litigation and indemnification expenses); expenses incurred in preparing, printing, and mailing proxy statements and related materials (each a “Proxy”) to shareholders of a Fund; associated expenses of conducting meetings of a Fund’s shareholders in conjunction to a Proxy; and fees and expenses of trustees who are not deemed to be “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and their counsel. The Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI and therefore did not pay fees to the Administrator for the past three fiscal years.

Sub-Administrator, Custody and Fund Accounting

State Street serves as the sub-administrator for the Trust, pursuant to a sub-administration agreement dated June 1, 2015 (the “Sub-Administration Agreement”). State Street serves as the custodian for the Trust, pursuant to a custody agreement dated April 11, 2012 (the “Custody Agreement”). Under the Sub-Administration Agreement, State Street is obligated to provide certain sub-administrative services to the Trust. Under the Custody Agreement, State Street is obligated to provide certain custody services to the Trust, as well as basic portfolio recordkeeping required by the Trust for regulatory and financial reporting purposes. State Street is a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation, a publicly held financial holding company, and is affiliated with the Adviser. State Street’s mailing address is State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111-2900.

As consideration for services provided under the Sub-Administration Agreement and the Custody Agreement, the Adviser, from its operations and administration fee, pays State Street a fee for the services, which is accrued daily and paid monthly based on the average monthly net assets of each Fund. The Adviser, from its operations and administration fee, also pays State Street transaction and service fees for these services and reimburses State Street for out-of-pocket expenses.

Transfer Agent and Dividend Paying Agent

SS&C GIDS, Inc. serves as the Transfer and Dividend Paying Agent. SS&C GIDS, Inc. is paid for the following annual account services and activities including but not limited to: establishment and maintenance of each shareholder’s account; closing an account; acceptance and processing of trade orders; preparation and transmission of payments for dividends and distributions declared by each Fund; customer service support including receipt of correspondence and responding to shareholder and financial intermediary inquiries; investigation services; tax related support; financial intermediary fee payment processing; and charges related to compliance and regulatory services.

As consideration for these services, the Adviser, from its operations and administration fee, pays SS&C GIDS, Inc. a fee for the services, which 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. SS&C GIDS, Inc. is reimbursed by the Adviser, from its operations and administration fee, 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 a Fund. SS&C GIDS, Inc. principal business address is 2000 Crown Colony Drive, Quincy, MA 02169.

Codes of Ethics

The Trust, the Adviser and SSGA FD have each adopted a code of ethics (together, the “Codes of Ethics”) pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act as required by applicable law, which is designed to prevent affiliated persons of the Trust, the Adviser and SSGA FD from engaging in deceptive, manipulative or fraudulent activities in connection with securities held or to be acquired by the Funds (which may also be held by persons subject to the Codes of Ethics). The Codes of Ethics permit personnel, subject to the Codes of Ethics and their provisions, to invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, subject to certain limitations, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Trust, Adviser, State Street or SSGA FD.

Distributor

SSGA FD serves as the distributor of the Funds SSGA FD is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation. SSGA FD’s mailing address is One Iron Street, Boston, MA 02210.

Shareholder Servicing

Payments to Financial Intermediaries – Advantage Share Class

Financial intermediaries are firms through which investors may access and hold shares of mutual funds, including the Funds. In addition to providing personal service, financial intermediaries may provide certain administrative services to mutual fund shareholders. Financial intermediaries may include, among others, brokers, financial planners or advisors, banks, retirement plan recordkeepers, and insurance companies. In some cases, a financial intermediary may hold its clients’ Fund shares in nominee or street name and may utilize omnibus accounts. Shareholder administrative services provided by a financial intermediary may (though they will not necessarily) include, among other things: establishing and maintaining shareholder account registrations; sub-accounting with respect to shares held in omnibus accounts; aggregating and processing purchase and redemption orders for transmission to a Fund; processing and delivering to beneficial owners trade confirmations, periodic statements, shareholder reports and other communications; processing dividend and distribution payments and issuing related documentation; providing shareholder tax reporting and processing tax data; and receiving, tabulating, and transmitting proxies for proxy solicitations. Certain financial intermediaries may also provide technology to provide cash sweep programs.

SSGA FM, at its own expense and out of its own assets, may also provide compensation to financial intermediaries in connection with sales of the Funds’ shares or servicing of shareholders or shareholder accounts by financial intermediaries. Such compensation may include, but is not limited to, ongoing payments, 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.

If payments to financial intermediaries with respect to 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 SSGA FD 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. Because the Funds pay distribution, service and other fees for the sale of their shares and for services provided to shareholders out of the Funds’ assets on an ongoing basis, over time those fees will increase the cost of an investment in a Fund.

Set forth below is a list of those financial intermediaries to which SSGA FM expects, as of the date of this SAI, to pay compensation, to the extent applicable, in the manner described in this “Payments to Financial Intermediaries” section. This list may change over time. Please contact your financial intermediary to determine whether it or its affiliate currently may be receiving such compensation and to obtain further information regarding any such compensation.

[ ]

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. Sullivan & Worcester LLP, located at One Post Office Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, serves as independent counsel to the Independent Trustees.

[ ] 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 2023 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.

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

All portfolio transactions are placed on behalf of a Fund by the Adviser. Purchases and sales of securities on a securities exchange are affected through brokers who charge a commission for their services. Ordinarily commissions are not charged on over-the-counter orders (e.g., fixed income securities) because the Funds pay a spread which is included in the cost of the security and represents the difference between the dealer’s quoted price at which it is willing to sell the security and the dealer’s quoted price at which it is willing to buy the security. When a Fund executes an over-the-counter order with an electronic communications network or an alternative trading system, a commission is charged by such electronic communications networks and alternative trading systems as they execute such orders on an agency basis. Securities may be purchased from underwriters at prices that include underwriting fees.

In placing a portfolio transaction, the Adviser seeks to achieve best execution. The Adviser’s duty to seek best execution requires the Adviser to take reasonable steps to obtain for the client as favorable an overall result as possible for Fund portfolio transactions under the circumstances, taking into account various factors that are relevant to the particular transaction.

The Adviser refers to and selects from the list of approved trading counterparties maintained by the Adviser’s Credit Risk Management team. In selecting a trading counterparty for a particular trade, the Adviser seeks to weigh relevant factors including, but not limited to the following:

•

Prompt and reliable execution;

•

The competitiveness of commission rates and spreads, if applicable;

•

The financial strength, stability and/or reputation of the trading counterparty;

•

The willingness and ability of the executing trading counterparty to execute transactions (and commit capital) of size in liquid and illiquid markets without disrupting the market for the security;

•

Local laws, regulations or restrictions;

•

The ability of the trading counterparty to maintain confidentiality;

•

The availability and capability of execution venues, including electronic communications networks for trading and execution management systems made available to Adviser;

•

Market share;

•

Liquidity;

•

Price;

•

Execution related costs;

•

History of execution of orders;

•

Likelihood of execution and settlement;

•

Order size and nature;

•

Clearance and settlement capabilities, especially in high volatility market environments;

•

Availability of lendable securities;

•

Sophistication of the trading counterparty’s trading capabilities and infrastructure/facilities;

•

The operational efficiency with which transactions are processed and cleared, taking into account the order size and complexity;

•

Speed and responsiveness to the Adviser;

•

Access to secondary markets;

•

Counterparty exposure; and

•

Depending upon the circumstances, the Adviser may take other relevant factors into account if the Adviser believes that these are important in taking all sufficient steps to obtain the best possible result for execution of the order.

In selecting a trading counterparty, the price of the transaction and costs related to the execution of the transaction typically merit a high relative importance, depending on the circumstances. The Adviser does not necessarily select a trading counterparty based upon price and costs but may take other relevant factors into account if it believes that these are important in taking reasonable steps to obtain the best possible result for a Fund under the circumstances. Consequently, the Adviser may cause a client to pay a trading counterparty more than another trading counterparty might have charged for the same transaction in recognition of the value and quality of the brokerage services provided. The following matters may influence the relative importance that the Adviser places upon the relevant factors:

(i)

The nature and characteristics of the order or transaction. For example, size of order, market impact of order, limits, or other instructions relating to the order;

(ii)

The characteristics of the financial instrument(s) or other assets which are the subject of that order. For example, whether the order pertains to an equity, fixed income, derivative or convertible instrument;

(iii)

The characteristics of the execution venues to which that order can be directed, if relevant. For example, availability and capabilities of electronic trading systems;

(iv)

Whether the transaction is a ‘delivery versus payment’ or ‘over-the-counter’ transaction. The creditworthiness of the trading counterparty, the amount of existing exposure to a trading counterparty and trading counterparty settlement capabilities may be given a higher relative importance in the case of ‘over-the-counter’ transactions; and/or

(v)

Any other circumstances that the Adviser believes are relevant at the time.

The process by which trading counterparties are selected to effect transactions is designed to exclude consideration of the sales efforts conducted by broker-dealers in relation to the Funds.

The Adviser does not currently use the Funds’ assets in connection with third-party soft dollar arrangements. While the Adviser does not currently use “soft” or commission dollars paid by the Funds for the purchase of third-party research, the Adviser reserves the right to do so in the future.

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 a Fund 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 shareholder 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 shareholders 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 shareholders 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, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas; and (b) the preceding Friday or the subsequent Monday when one of 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 Funds’ securities will be valued pursuant to guidelines established by the Board of Trustees.

Treasury Fund, Treasury Plus Fund and Government Fund

Each Fund seeks 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 Fund would receive if it sold the instrument.

For example, in periods of declining interest rates, the daily yield on each of the 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 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.

Negative Interest Rate Environments - Treasury Fund, Treasury Plus Fund, and Government Fund

In the event of a negative interest rate environment, the net income of a Fund may fall below zero (i.e., become negative). If this occurs, the Trustees may enact certain measures to seek to maintain a stable NAV per share at $1.00 for each applicable Fund. These measures may include the reduction or suspension of the issuance of dividends, the implementation of reverse distributions, or periodic reverse share splits, as necessary in the Trustees’ judgment, to seek to maintain a stable NAV per share at $1.00. The measures taken by the Trustees in an effort to stabilize the NAV per share at $1.00 are subject to applicable law and the provisions of the Fund’s organizational documents. Investments in a Fund are subject to the potential that the Trustees may enact such measures.

A Fund may also effect reverse distributions to offset the impact of the negative income on a Fund’s NAV per share, thereby reducing the number of shares outstanding and maintaining a stable NAV per share at $1.00. In a reverse distribution, the number of shares would be reduced on a pro rata basis from each shareholder. If there is a reverse share split, the number of shares of a Fund will decrease, on a pro rata basis, as necessary to reflect the negative income of the Fund and maintain a stable NAV per share at $1.00.

Depending on the specific measure(s) taken, these measures would result in shareholders not receiving a dividend, holding fewer shares of the Fund and/or experiencing a loss in the aggregate value of their investment in the Fund. There is no assurance that the Trustees will take such actions or that such measures will result in a stable NAV per share of $1.00.

If the Trustees determine that it is no longer in the best interests of the Trust and its shareholders to maintain a stable price of $1.00 per share or if the Trustees believe that maintaining such price no longer reflects a market based NAV, the Trustees have the right to change from an amortized cost basis of valuation to valuation based on market quotations. The Trust will notify shareholders of an applicable Fund of any such change.

TAXATION OF THE FUNDS

The following discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Funds is based on 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 income 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.

Each Fund invests substantially all of its assets in a corresponding Portfolio (which may be a series of State Street Master Funds) (in each case, a “Portfolio”), and so substantially all of each such Fund’s income will result from distributions or deemed distributions, or allocations, as the case may be, from the corresponding Portfolio. Therefore, as applicable, references to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the Funds, including to the assets owned and the income earned by the Funds, will be to or will include such treatment of the corresponding Portfolio, and, as applicable, the assets owned and the income earned by the corresponding Portfolio. See “Tax Considerations Applicable to Funds Investing in Portfolios Treated as Partnerships” and “Tax Considerations Applicable to Funds Investing in Portfolios Treated as RICs” below for further information.

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

Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company

Each Fund intends to elect to be treated as a 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 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, including through corporations in which the Fund owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, (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.

However, 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 are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, and (y) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in section (a)(i) of the preceding paragraph), will be treated as qualifying income. In general, such entities will be treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, because they meet the passive income requirement under Code Section 7704(c)(2). 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 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 a 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 or gains 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 such Fund were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such failure for any year, or if such 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 (if any) and net capital gains (as defined below), 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 a Fund’s shares (each as described below). In addition, a 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.

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 (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, in each case determined with reference to any loss carryforwards). 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 it 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 U.S. 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 a 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 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 any net capital loss attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after October 31 or, if there is no such loss, the net long-term capital loss or net short-term capital loss attributable to any such portion of the taxable year) or late-year ordinary loss (generally, the sum of its (i) net ordinary loss, if any, from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property, attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after October 31, and its (ii) other net ordinary loss, if any, attributable to the portion, if any, 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 November 30 or December 31, if the Fund is eligible to elect and so elects), 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 November 30, if the Fund makes the election referred to above) generally are treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year; in the case of a Fund with a December 31 year end that makes the election described above, no such gains or losses will be so treated. 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. Instead, potentially subject to certain limitations, a Fund may carry net capital losses from any taxable year forward to subsequent taxable years to offset capital gains, if any, realized during such subsequent taxable years. Distributions from capital gains are generally made after applying any available capital loss carryforwards. Capital loss carryforwards are reduced to the extent they offset current-year net realized capital gains, whether the Fund retains or distributes such gains. A Fund may carry net capital losses forward to one or more subsequent taxable years without expiration; any such carryforward losses will retain their character as short-term or long-term. The Fund must apply such carryforwards first against gains of the same character. 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.

Taxation of Distributions Received by Shareholders

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income are generally taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long a Fund owned (or is deemed to have 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 long-term capital gain or loss on the disposition of assets the Fund 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 the Fund 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 relative to ordinary income. Distributions from capital gains are generally made after applying any available capital loss carryovers. The IRS and the Department of the Treasury have issued regulations that impose special rules in respect of Capital Gain Dividends received through partnership interests constituting “applicable partnership interests” under Section 1061 of the Code. The Funds do not expect to distribute 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 properly reported by a Fund and, in the case of a Fund investing in a Portfolio treated as a RIC, the Portfolio, 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 each of the shareholder, the Portfolio and, in the case of a Fund investing in a Portfolio treated as a RIC, the Fund level. The Funds do not expect Fund distributions to be derived from qualified dividend income.

The Code generally imposes a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on the net investment income of certain individuals, trusts and estates to the extent their income exceeds certain threshold amounts. For these purposes, “net investment income” generally includes, among other things, (i) distributions paid by a Fund of net investment income and capital gains, and (ii) any net gain from the sale, redemption, exchange or other taxable disposition of Fund shares. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this additional tax on their investment in a Fund.

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.

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 with respect to 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 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 NAV includes 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 NAV also reflects unrealized losses.

In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Fund shareholder to be “qualified dividend income,” the corresponding Portfolio must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the dividend-paying stocks held by the Portfolio, the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the Fund’s shares, and in the case of a Fund investing in a Portfolio treated as a RIC, the Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to its shares in the Portfolio. In general, a dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at any of the Portfolio, Fund or shareholder level, as applicable) (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 properly 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 (a) allocated to a Fund by a Portfolio that is treated as a partnership or (b) received by a Fund from a Portfolio that is treated as a RIC, 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.

In general, dividends of net investment income received by corporate shareholders of a Fund will qualify for the dividends-received deduction generally available to corporations to the extent of the amount of eligible dividends from domestic corporations received by a Portfolio (a) that is treated as a partnership and allocated to the Fund, or (b) that is treated as a RIC and in turn paid by the Portfolio to the Fund for the taxable year. A dividend so allocated or paid to a Fund will not be treated as a dividend eligible for the dividends-received deduction (at any of the Portfolio, Fund or shareholder level, as applicable) (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, a Fund that invests in a corresponding Portfolio that is treated as a RIC must meet similar requirements with respect to its shares of the corresponding Portfolio. Finally, 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 portfolio stock (generally, stock acquired with borrowed funds)). The Funds do not expect Fund distributions to be eligible for the dividends-received deduction.

Any distribution of income that is attributable to (a) income received by a Fund in lieu of dividends with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction or (b) dividend income received by a Fund 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.

If a Fund holds, directly or indirectly, one or more “tax credit bonds” issued on or before December 31, 2017, on one or more applicable dates during a taxable year, the Fund 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, a shareholder will be deemed to receive a distribution of money with respect to its Fund shares equal to the shareholder’s proportionate share of the amount of such credits and be allowed a credit against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax equal to the amount of such deemed distribution. 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.

Tax Considerations Applicable to Funds Investing in Portfolios Treated as Partnerships

Certain Funds invest substantially all of their investable assets in a corresponding Portfolio that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In such cases the nature and character of each such Fund’s income, gains, losses and deductions will generally be determined at the Portfolio level and each such Fund will be allocated its share of Portfolio income and gains. As applicable, references to income, gains, losses and deductions of a Fund will be to income, gains and losses recognized and deductions accruing at the Portfolio level and allocated to or otherwise taken into account by the Fund, and references to assets of a Fund will be to the Fund’s allocable share of the assets of the corresponding Portfolio.

Such a Fund may be required to redeem a portion of its interest in a Portfolio in order to obtain sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions to maintain its qualification for treatment as a RIC. The Portfolio in turn may be required to sell investments in order to meet such redemption requests, including at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so.A Fund is permitted to realize a loss on a redemption of Portfolio shares only if and when all Portfolio shares held by the Fund are completely redeemed for cash.

Tax Considerations Applicable to Funds Investing in Portfolios Treated as RICs

The following considerations are relevant to shareholders of Funds that invest substantially all of their assets in a corresponding Portfolio that has elected or intends to elect to be treated and to qualify and be eligible to be treated each year as a RIC.

Substantially all of such a Fund’s income will result from distributions or deemed distributions from the corresponding Portfolio. Additionally, whether a Fund will meet the asset diversification test described above will depend on whether the corresponding Portfolio meets each of the income, diversification and distribution tests. If a Portfolio were to fail to meet any such test and were ineligible to or otherwise were not to cure such failure, the corresponding Fund would as a result itself fail to meet the asset diversification test and might be ineligible or unable to or might otherwise not cure such failure.

Because each Fund invests substantially all of its assets in shares of the corresponding Portfolio, its distributable income and gains will normally consist substantially of distributions from the corresponding Portfolio. To the extent that a Portfolio realizes net losses on its investments for a given taxable year, the corresponding Fund will not be able to benefit from those losses until, and only to the extent that (i) the Portfolio realizes gains that it can reduce by those losses, or (ii) the Fund recognizes its share of those losses when it disposes of shares of the Portfolio in a transaction qualifying for sale or exchange treatment. Moreover, even when a Fund does make such a disposition, any loss will be recognized as a capital loss, a portion of which may be a long-term capital loss. The Fund will not be able to offset any capital losses from its dispositions of shares of the corresponding Portfolio against its ordinary income (including distributions of any net short-term capital gains realized by a Portfolio), and the Fund’s long-term capital losses first offset its long-term capital gains, increasing the likelihood that the Fund’s short-term capital gains are distributed to shareholders as ordinary income.

The foregoing rules may cause the tax treatment of a Fund’s gains, losses and distributions to differ at times from the tax treatment that would apply if the Fund invested directly in the types of securities held by the corresponding Portfolio. As a result, investors may receive taxable distributions earlier and recognize higher amounts of capital gain or ordinary income than they otherwise would.

Finally, a RIC generally must look through its 20 percent voting interest in a corporation, including a RIC, to the underlying assets thereof for purposes of the diversification test; special rules potentially provide limited relief from the application of this rule where a RIC owns such an interest in an underlying RIC (as defined below), such as a Portfolio.

Investments in Other RICs.

If a Fund receives dividends from a Portfolio treated as a RIC, or a Portfolio receives dividends from a mutual fund, an ETF or another investment company that qualifies as a RIC (each an “underlying RIC”) and the underlying RIC reports such dividends as qualified dividend income, then the Fund, or Portfolio, as applicable, is permitted, in turn, to report a portion of its distributions as “qualified dividend income,” provided the Fund, or Portfolio, as applicable, meets the holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the underlying RIC.

If a Fund or Portfolio receives dividends from an underlying RIC and the underlying RIC reports such dividends as eligible for the dividends-received deduction, then the Fund or Portfolio, as applicable, is permitted, in turn, to report a portion of its distributions 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.

If an underlying RIC in which a Fund invests elects to pass through tax credit bond 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 shareholder notice and other requirements.

The foregoing rules may cause the tax treatment of a Fund’s gains, losses and distributions to differ at times from the tax treatment that would apply if the Fund invested directly in the types of securities held by the underlying RIC. As a result, investors may receive taxable distributions earlier and recognize higher amounts of capital gain or ordinary income than they otherwise would.

Tax Implications of Certain Fund Investments

Special Rules for Debt Obligations. Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance (and 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, OID is treated as interest income and is included in a Fund’s income and required to be distributed by the Fund over the term of the debt obligation, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt obligation. In addition, payment-in-kind obligations will give rise to income which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though the Fund holding the obligation receives no interest payment in cash on the obligation during the year.

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 Fund may be treated as having “market discount.” Very generally, market discount is the excess of the stated redemption price of a debt obligation (or in the case of an obligation issued with OID, its “revised issue price”) over the purchase price of such obligation. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt obligation 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 obligation. Alternatively, a Fund may elect to accrue market discount currently, in which case the Fund will be required to include the accrued market discount in income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the term of the debt obligation, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt obligation. If a Fund makes the election referred to in the preceding sentence, then the rate at which the market discount accrues, and thus is included in a Fund’s income, will depend upon which of the permitted accrual methods the Fund elects.

If a Fund holds the foregoing kinds of obligations, or other obligations subject to special rules under the Code, the Fund may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or, if necessary, by disposition of portfolio securities, including at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so. These dispositions may cause a Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates) and, in the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger Capital Gain Dividend than they would have if the Fund had not held such obligations.

A portion of the OID accrued on certain high yield discount obligations may not be deductible to the issuer and will instead be treated as a dividend paid by the issuer for purposes of the dividends-received deduction. In such cases, if the issuer of the high yield discount obligations is a domestic corporation, dividend payments by a Fund may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction to the extent attributable to the deemed dividend portion of such OID.

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.

At-risk or Defaulted Securities. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for the Funds. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when a Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount; whether, when or to what extent the Fund should recognize market discount on such debt obligations; when and to what extent a Fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities; and how a Fund should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by a Fund when, as and if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a RIC and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.

Certain Investments in Mortgage Pooling Vehicles. Certain Funds may invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”) (including by investing in residual interests in CMOs with respect to which an election to be treated as a REMIC is in effect) or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (“TMPs”). Under a notice issued by the IRS 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 Fund 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 RIC, such as a Fund, will be allocated to shareholders of the RIC in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related interest directly. As a result, a RIC investing in such securities may not be a suitable investment for charitable remainder trusts (“CRTs”), as noted below.In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and that otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, and (iii) in the case of a foreign shareholder will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. A shareholder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such inclusions notwithstanding any exemption from such income tax otherwise available under the Code.

Foreign Currency Transactions. Any transaction by a Fund in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt obligations or certain foreign currency options, futures contracts or forward contracts (or similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. Any such net gains could require a larger dividend toward the end of the calendar year. Any such net losses will generally reduce and potentially require the recharacterization of prior ordinary income distributions. Such ordinary income treatment may accelerate a Fund’s distributions to shareholders and increase the distributions taxed to shareholders as ordinary income. Any net ordinary losses so created cannot be carried forward by the Fund to offset income or gains earned in subsequent taxable years.

Options and Futures. In general, option premiums received by a Fund are not immediately included in the income of the Fund. Instead, the premiums are recognized when the option contract expires, the option is exercised by the holder, or the Fund transfers or otherwise terminates the option (e.g., through a closing transaction). If a call option written by a Fund is exercised and the Fund sells or delivers the underlying stock, the Fund generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to (a) the sum of the strike price and the option premium received by the Fund minus (b) the Fund’s basis in the stock. Such gain or loss generally will be short-term or long-term depending upon the holding period of the underlying stock. If securities are purchased by a Fund pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, the Fund generally will subtract the premium received for purposes of computing its cost basis in the securities purchased. Gain or loss arising in respect of a termination of a Fund’s obligation under an option other than through the exercise of the option will be short-term gain or loss depending on whether the premium income received by the Fund is greater or less than the amount paid by the Fund (if any) in terminating the transaction. Thus, for example, if an option written by a Fund expires unexercised, the Fund generally will recognize short-term gain equal to the premium received.

A Fund’s options activities may include transactions constituting straddles for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that is, that trigger the U.S. federal income tax straddle rules contained primarily in Section 1092 of the Code. Such straddles include, for example, positions in a particular security, or an index of securities, and one or more options that offset the former position, including options that are “covered” by a Fund’s long position in the subject security. Very generally, where applicable, Section 1092 requires (i) that losses be deferred on positions deemed to be offsetting positions with respect to “substantially similar or related property,” to the extent of unrealized gain in the latter, and (ii) that the holding period of such a straddle position that has not already been held for the long-term holding period be terminated and begin anew once the position is no longer part of a straddle. Options on single stocks that are not “deep in the money” may constitute qualified covered calls, which generally are not subject to the straddle rules; the holding period on stock underlying qualified covered calls that are “in the money” although not “deep in the money” will be suspended during the period that such calls are outstanding. Thus, the straddle rules and the rules governing qualified covered calls could cause gains that would otherwise constitute long-term capital gains to be treated as short-term capital gains, and distributions that would otherwise constitute “qualified dividend income” or qualify for the dividends-received deduction to fail to satisfy the holding period requirements and therefore to be taxed as ordinary income or fail to qualify for the dividends-received deduction, as the case may be.

The tax treatment of certain positions entered into by a Fund, including regulated futures contracts, certain foreign currency positions and certain listed non-equity options, will be governed by section 1256 of the Code (“section 1256 contracts”). Gains or losses on section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (“60/40”), although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts may be treated as ordinary in character. Also, section 1256 contracts held by a Fund at the end of each taxable year (and, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under the Code) are “marked to market” with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as ordinary or 60/40 gain or loss, as applicable.

Derivatives, Hedging, and Related Transactions. In addition to the special rules described above in respect of futures and options transactions, a Fund’s transactions in other derivative instruments (e.g., forward contracts and 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 Fund are treated as ordinary or capital, accelerate the recognition of income or gains to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, and cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund’s securities, thereby affecting whether capital gains and losses are treated as short-term or long-term. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and/or character of distributions to shareholders.

Because these and other 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 affect whether a Fund has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification as a RIC and avoid a Fund-level tax.

Book-Tax Differences. Certain of a Fund’s investments in derivative instruments and foreign currency-denominated instruments, and any of the Fund’s transactions in foreign currencies and hedging activities, are likely to produce a difference between its book income and the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any). If such a difference arises, and a Fund’s book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment and to avoid an entity-level tax. In the alternative, if a Fund’s book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income (including realized capital gains) and net tax-exempt income, the distribution (if any) of such excess generally will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund’s remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient’s basis in its shares, and (iii) thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset.

Foreign Taxation

A Fund’s income, proceeds and gains from sources within foreign countries may be subject to non-U.S. withholding or other taxes, which will reduce the yield of those investments. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. Shareholders generally will not be entitled separately to claim a credit or deduction (but not both) in respect of non-U.S. taxes paid or treated as paid by the Fund.

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.

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 IRS.

Tax-Exempt Shareholders

Income of a RIC that would be UBTI if earned directly by a tax-exempt entity will not generally constitute UBTI when distributed 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 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 RIC 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 RIC that recognizes “excess inclusion income,” then the RIC 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 U.S. 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 a Fund. CRTs are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in each Fund.

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 12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Fund shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares held by a shareholder for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any Capital Gain Dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares.

The IRS permits a simplified method of accounting for gains and losses realized upon the disposition of shares of a RIC that is a money market fund. Very generally, rather than realizing gain or loss upon each redemption of a share, a shareholder of a Fund using such method of accounting will recognize gain or loss with respect to such a Fund’s shares for a given computation period (the shareholder’s taxable year or shorter period selected by the shareholder) equal to the value of all the Fund shares held by the shareholder on the last day of the computation period, less the value of all Fund shares held by the shareholder on the last day of the preceding computation period, less the shareholder’s net investment in the Fund (generally, purchases minus redemptions) made during the computation period. Shareholders of a Fund are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding their investment in the Fund.

Tax Shelter Reporting

Under U.S. Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss of at least $2 million in any single taxable year or $4 million in any combination of taxable years for an individual shareholder or at least $10 million in any taxable year or $20 million in any combination of taxable years for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a 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. Shareholders

Non-U.S. shareholders in a Fund should consult their tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of ownership of shares in the Fund. Distributions by a Fund to shareholders that are not “U.S. persons” within the meaning of the Code (“foreign shareholders”) properly reported by the Fund as (1) Capital Gain Dividends, (2) short-term capital gain dividends, and (3) interest-related dividends, each as defined and subject to certain conditions described below, generally are not subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax.

In general, the Code defines (1) “short-term capital gain dividends” as distributions of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses and (2) “interest-related dividends” as distributions from U.S.-source interest income of types similar to those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign shareholder, in each case to the extent such distributions are properly reported as such by a Fund in a written notice to shareholders.

The exceptions to withholding for Capital Gain Dividends and short-term capital gain dividends do not apply to (A) distributions to an individual foreign shareholder who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution and (B) distributions attributable to gain that is treated as effectively connected with the conduct by the foreign shareholder of a trade or business within the United States under special rules regarding the disposition of “U.S. real property interests” (“USRPIs”) as described below. The exception to withholding for interest-related dividends does not apply to distributions to a foreign shareholder (i) that has not provided a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (ii) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign shareholder is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (iii) that is within certain foreign countries that have inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (iv) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the foreign shareholder and the foreign shareholder is a controlled foreign corporation. If a Fund invests in a RIC that pays such distributions to the Fund, such distributions retain their character as not subject to withholding if properly reported when paid by the Fund to foreign shareholders. A RIC is 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 do so. In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if a Fund reports all or a portion of a payment as an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend to shareholders.

Foreign shareholders should contact their intermediaries regarding the application of withholding rules to their accounts.

Distributions by a Fund to foreign shareholders other than Capital Gain Dividends, short-term capital gain dividends and interest-related dividends (e.g., dividends attributable to dividend and foreign-source interest income or to short-term capital gains or U.S. source interest income to which the exception from withholding described above does not apply) are generally subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate).

A foreign shareholder is not, in general, subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of a Fund unless (a) such gain 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 and certain other conditions are met, or (c) the special rules relating to gain attributable to the sale or exchange of USRPIs apply to the foreign shareholder’s sale of shares of the Fund (as described below).

Foreign shareholders 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 shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the shareholder in the United States. More generally, foreign shareholders who are residents in a country with an income tax treaty with the United States may obtain different tax results than those described herein, and are urged to consult their tax advisors.

Special rules would apply if a Fund were a qualified investment entity (“QIE”) because it is either a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of certain exceptions to the definition thereof. Very generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds USRPIs the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporation’s USRPIs, interests in real property located outside the United States, and other trade or business assets. USRPIs are generally defined as any interest in U.S. real property and any interest (other than solely as a creditor) in a USRPHC or, very generally, an entity that has been a USRPHC in the last five years. A Fund that holds, directly or indirectly, significant interests in real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) may be a USRPHC. Interests in domestically controlled QIEs, including REITs and RICs that are QIEs, not-greater-than-10% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in REITs and not-greater-than-5% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in RICs generally are not USRPIs, but these exceptions do not apply for purposes of determining whether a Fund is a QIE. If an interest in a Fund were a USRPI, the Fund would be required to withhold U.S. tax on the proceeds of a share redemption by a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder, in which case such foreign shareholder generally would also be required to file U.S. tax returns and pay any additional taxes due in connection with the redemption.

If a Fund were a QIE under a special “look-through” rule, any distributions by the Fund to a foreign shareholder attributable directly or indirectly to (i) distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier RIC or REIT that the Fund is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands and (ii) gains realized on the disposition of USRPIs by the Fund, would retain their character as gains realized from USRPIs in the hands of the Fund’s foreign shareholders and would be subject to U.S. tax withholding. In addition, such distributions could result in the foreign shareholder being required to file a U.S. tax return and pay tax on the distributions at regular U.S. federal income tax rates. The consequences to a foreign shareholder, including the rate of such withholding and character of such distributions (e.g., as ordinary income or USRPI gain), would vary depending upon the extent of the foreign shareholder’s current and past ownership of the Fund. Each Fund generally does not expect that it will be a QIE.

Foreign shareholders of a Fund also may be subject to “wash sale” rules to prevent the avoidance of the tax-filing and –payment obligations discussed above through the sale and repurchase of Fund shares.Foreign shareholders should consult their tax advisers and, if holding shares through intermediaries, their intermediaries, concerning the application of these rules to their investment in a Fund.

In order for a foreign shareholder to qualify for any exemptions from withholding described above or for lower withholding tax rates under income tax treaties, or to establish an exemption from back-up withholding, the foreign shareholder must comply with special certification and filing requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, or substitute form). Foreign shareholders in a Fund 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 foreign shareholder 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 FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (“FBAR”). Shareholders should consult a tax advisor, and persons investing in a Fund through an intermediary should contact their intermediary, regarding the applicability to them of this reporting requirement.

Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements

Sections 1471-1474 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury and IRS guidance issued thereunder (collectively, “FATCA”) generally require a Fund to obtain information sufficient to identify the status of each of its shareholders under FATCA or under an applicable intergovernmental agreement (an “IGA”) between the United States and a foreign government. If a shareholder fails to provide the requested information or otherwise fails to comply with FATCA or an IGA, the Fund may be required to withhold under FATCA at a rate of 30% with respect to that shareholder on ordinary dividends it pays. The IRS and the Department of Treasury have issued proposed regulations providing that these withholding rules will not apply to the gross proceeds of share redemptions or Capital Gain Dividends a Fund pays. If a payment by a Fund is subject to FATCA withholding, the Fund is required to withhold even if such payment would otherwise be exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to foreign shareholders described above (e.g., short- term capital gain dividends and interest-related dividends).

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

General Considerations

The U.S. federal income tax discussion set forth above is for general information only. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the specific U.S. federal income tax consequences of purchasing, holding, and disposing of shares of the Funds, as well as the effects of state, local, foreign, and other tax laws and any proposed tax law changes.

UNDERWRITER

SSGA FD serves as the Funds’ distributor pursuant to the Distribution Agreement by and between SSGA FD and the Trust. SSGA FD 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 SSGA FD is One Iron Street, Boston, MA 02210.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Advantage Class shares of the Funds had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus and therefore do not have financial statements. The Annual Report will be available, without charge, upon request, by calling (877) 521-4083.

APPENDIX A

RATINGS OF DEBT INSTRUMENTS

MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. (“MOODY’S”)

GLOBAL LONG-TERM RATING SCALE

Ratings assigned on Moody’s global long-term rating scale are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public sector entities. Long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or obligations with an original maturity of one year or more and reflect both on the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default.

Aaa: Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.

Aa: Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

A: Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Baa: Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

Ba: Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.

B: Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

Caa: Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

Ca: Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

C: Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a “(hyb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies, and securities firms.*

By their terms, hybrid securities allow for the omission of scheduled dividends, interest, or principal payments, which can potentially result in impairment if such an omission occurs. Hybrid securities may also be subject to contractually allowable write-downs of principal that could result in impairment. Together with the hybrid indicator, the long-term obligation rating assigned to a hybrid security is an expression of the relative credit risk associated with that security.

GLOBAL SHORT-TERM RATING SCALE

Ratings assigned on Moody’s global short-term rating scale are forward-looking opinions of the relative credit risks of financial obligations issued by non-financial corporates, financial institutions, structured finance vehicles, project finance vehicles, and public sector entities. Short-term ratings are assigned to obligations with an original maturity of thirteen months or less and reflect both on the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default.

P-1: Ratings of Prime-1 reflect a superior ability to repay short-term obligations.

P-2: Ratings of Prime-2 reflect a strong ability to repay short-term obligations.

P-3: Ratings of Prime-3 reflect an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

NP: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

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S&P GLOBAL RATINGS (“S&P”)

ISSUE CREDIT RATING DEFINITIONS

An S&P Global Ratings issue credit rating is a forward-looking opinion about the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to a specific financial obligation, a specific class of financial obligations, or a specific financial program (including ratings on medium-term note programs and commercial paper programs). It takes into consideration the creditworthiness of guarantors, insurers, or other forms of credit enhancement on the obligation and takes into account the currency in which the obligation is denominated. The opinion reflects S&P Global Ratings’ view of the obligor’s capacity and willingness to meet its financial commitments as they come due, and this opinion may assess terms, such as collateral security and subordination, which could affect ultimate payment in the event of default.

Issue credit ratings can be either long-term or short-term. Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. Short-term ratings are also used to indicate the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put features on long-term obligations. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.

LONG-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS*

AAA: An obligation rated ‘AAA’ has the highest rating assigned by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is extremely strong.

AA: An obligation rated ‘AA’ differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is very strong.

A: An obligation rated ‘A’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is still strong.

BBB: An obligation rated ‘BBB’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

BB; B; CCC; CC; and C: Obligations rated ‘BB’, ‘B’, ‘CCC’, ‘CC’, and ‘C’ are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. ‘BB’ indicates the least degree of speculation and ‘C’ the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposure to adverse conditions.

BB: An obligation rated ‘BB’ is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

B: An obligation rated ‘B’ is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated ‘BB’, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

CCC: An obligation rated ‘CCC’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

CC: An obligation rated ‘CC’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The ‘CC’ rating is used when a default has not yet occurred, but S&P Global Ratings expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

C: An obligation rated ‘C’ is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared with obligations that are rated higher.

D: An obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. A rating on an obligation is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed debt restructuring.

NR: This indicates that a rating has not been assigned or is no longer assigned.

*	Ratings from ‘AA’ to ‘CCC’ may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the rating categories.

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SHORT-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS

A-1: A short-term obligation rated ‘A-1’ is rated in the highest category by S&P Global Ratings. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on these obligations is extremely strong.

A-2: A short-term obligation rated ‘A-2’ is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is satisfactory.

A-3: A short-term obligation rated ‘A-3’ exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to weaken an obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

B: A short-term obligation rated ‘B’ is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties that could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

C: A short-term obligation rated ‘C’ is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitments on the obligation.

D: A short-term obligation rated ‘D’ is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the ‘D’ rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P Global Ratings believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The ‘D’ rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to ‘D’ if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.

FITCH RATINGS. (“FITCH”)

ISSUER DEFAULT RATINGS

Rated entities in a number of sectors, including financial and non-financial corporations, sovereigns, insurance companies and certain sectors within public finance, are generally assigned Issuer Default Ratings (IDRs). IDRs are also assigned to certain entities in global infrastructure and project finance. IDRs opine on an entity’s relative vulnerability to default on financial obligations. The threshold default risk addressed by the IDR is generally that of the financial obligations whose non-payment would best reflect the uncured failure of that entity. As such, IDRs also address relative vulnerability to bankruptcy, administrative receivership or similar concepts.

In aggregate, IDRs provide an ordinal ranking of issuers based on the agency’s view of their relative vulnerability to default, rather than a prediction of a specific percentage likelihood of default.

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.

A-3

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 that supports the servicing of financial commitments.

B: Highly speculative.

‘B’ ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

CCC: Substantial credit risk.

Very low margin for safety. Default is a real possibility.

CC: Very high levels of credit risk.

Default of some kind appears probable.

C: Near default

A default or default-like process has begun, or the issuer is in standstill, or for a closed funding vehicle, payment capacity is irrevocably impaired. Conditions that are indicative of a ‘C’ category rating for an issuer include:

the issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation;

the issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation;

the formal announcement by the issuer or their agent of a distressed debt exchange;

a closed financing vehicle where payment capacity is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to pay interest and/or principal in full during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default is imminent.

RD: Restricted default.

‘RD’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch’s opinion has experienced:

an uncured payment default or distressed debt exchange on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation, but

has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation, or other formal winding-up procedure, and

has not otherwise ceased operating.

This would include:

the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt;

ii.

the uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation;

iii.

the extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; ordinary execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations.

D: Default.

‘D’ ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch’s opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure or that has otherwise ceased business.

A-4

Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange.

In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency’s opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer’s financial obligations or local commercial practice.

SHORT-TERM RATINGS ASSIGNED TO ISSUERS AND OBLIGATIONS

A short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-term deposit ratings may be adjusted for loss severity. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short term” based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign, and structured obligations and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.

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. Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

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

C: High Short-Term Default risk. Default is a real possibility.

RD: Restricted Default. Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Typically applicable to entity ratings only.

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

Note: The modifiers “+” or “-” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. For example, the rating category ‘AA’ has three notch-specific rating levels (‘AA+’; ‘AA’; ‘AA-’; each a rating level). Such suffixes are not added to ‘AAA’ ratings and ratings below the ‘CCC’ category. For the short-term rating category of ‘F1’, a ‘+’ may be appended. For Viability Ratings, the modifiers “+” or “–” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within categories from ‘AA’ to ‘CCC’. For derivative counterparty ratings the modifiers “+” or “–” may be appended to the ratings within ‘AA(dcr)’ to ‘CCC(dcr)’ categories.

A-5

APPENDIX B – TRUST’S PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

SSGA FUNDS

STATE STREET MASTER FUNDS

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST

ELFUN GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND

ELFUN TAX-EXEMPT INCOME FUND

ELFUN INCOME FUND

ELFUN DIVERSIFIED FUND

ELFUN INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND

ELFUN TRUSTS

STATE STREET NAVIGATOR SECURITIES LENDING TRUST

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS

STATE STREET VARIABLE INSURANCE SERIES FUNDS, INC. (THE “COMPANY”)¹

PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

As of September 20, 2017

The Board of Trustees/Directors of the Trust/Company (each series thereof, a “Fund”) have adopted the following policy and procedures with respect to voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Trust/Company’s investment portfolios.

1. Proxy Voting Policy

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

2. Fiduciary Duty

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

3. Proxy Voting Procedures

A. At least annually, the Adviser shall present to the Boards of Trustees/Directors its policies, procedures and other guidelines for voting proxies (“Policy”) and the policy of any Sub-adviser (as defined below) to which proxy voting authority has been delegated (see Section 9 below). In addition, the Adviser shall notify the Trustees/Directors of material changes to its Policy or the policy of any Sub-adviser promptly and not later than the next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees/Directors after such amendment is implemented.

B. At least annually, the Adviser shall present to the Boards of Trustees/Directors its policy for managing conflicts of interests that may arise through the Adviser’s proxy voting activities. In addition, the Adviser shall report any Policy overrides involving portfolio securities held by a Fund to the Trustees/Directors at the next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees/Directors after such override(s) occur.

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

4. Revocation of Authority to Vote

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

Unless otherwise noted, the singular term “Trust/Company” used throughout this document means each of SSGA Funds, State Street Master Funds, State Street Institutional Investment Trust, State Street Navigator Securities Lending Trust, Elfun Government Money Market Fund, Elfun Tax-Exempt Income Fund, Elfun Income Fund, Elfun Diversified Fund, Elfun International Equity Fund, Elfun Trusts, State Street Institutional Funds, and State Street Variable Insurance Series Funds, Inc.

B-1

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/Company to the Trust/Company or its designated service provider in a timely manner and in a format acceptable to be filed in the Trust/Company’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. Retention and Oversight of Proxy Advisory Firms

A. In considering whether to retain or continue retaining a particular proxy advisory firm, the Adviser will ascertain whether the proxy advisory firm has the capacity and competency to adequately analyze proxy issues, act as proxy voting agent as requested, and implement the Policy. In this regard, the Adviser will consider, at least annually, among other things, the adequacy and quality of the proxy advisory firm’s staffing and personnel and the robustness of its policies and procedures regarding its ability to identify and address any conflicts of interest. The Adviser shall, at least annually, report to Boards of Trustees/Directors regarding the results of this review.

B. The Adviser will request quarterly and annual reporting from any proxy advisory firm retained by the Adviser, and hold ad hoc meetings with such proxy advisory firm, in order to determine whether there has been any business changes that might impact the proxy advisory firm’s capacity or competency to provide proxy voting advice or services or changes to the proxy advisory firm’s conflicts policies or procedures. The Adviser will also take reasonable steps to investigate any material factual error, notified to the Adviser by the proxy advisory firm or identified by the Adviser, made by the proxy advisory firm in providing proxy voting services.

7. Periodic Sampling

The Adviser will periodically sample proxy votes to review whether they complied with the Policy. The Adviser shall, at least annually, report to the Boards of Trustees/Directors regarding the frequency and results of the sampling performed.

8. Disclosures

The Trust/Company 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/Company 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/Company’s toll-free telephone number; or through a specified Internet address; or both; and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC”) website.

The Trust/Company 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/Company to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities of the Funds is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Trust/Company’s toll-free telephone number; through a specified Internet address, if applicable; and on the SEC’s website; and

9. Sub-Advisers

For certain Funds, the Adviser may retain investment management firms (“Sub-advisers”) to provide day-to-day investment management services to the Funds pursuant to sub-advisory agreements. It is the policy of the Trust/Company that the Adviser may delegate proxy voting authority with respect to a Fund to a Sub-adviser. Pursuant to such delegation, a Sub-adviser is authorized to vote proxies on behalf of the applicable Fund or Funds for which it serves as sub-adviser, in accordance with the Sub-adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures.

10. Review of Policy

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

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APPENDIX C - ADVISER’S PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES


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Effective March 25, 2024, for voting decisions as of March 26, 2024

Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Policy

State Street Global Advisors is the investment management arm of State Street Corporation, a leading provider of financial services to institutional investors. As an asset manager, State Street Global Advisors votes its clients’ proxies where the client has delegated proxy voting authority to it, and State Street Global Advisors votes these proxies and engages with companies in the manner that we believe will most likely protect and promote the long-term economic value of client investments, as described in this document.¹

This Policy is applicable to SSGA Funds Management, Inc., State Street Global Advisors Trust Company, and other advisory affiliates of State Street Corporation.

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Table of Contents	4	Introduction
	4	Our Asset Stewardship Program
	5	The State Street Global Advisors Proxy Voting Program
	5	Securities Not Voted Pursuant to the Policy
	6	Regional Nuances

	6	Our Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles
	6	Effective Board Oversight
	7	Disclosure
	7	Shareholder Protection
	8	Shareholder Proposals
	8	Engagement

	8	Section I. Effective Board Oversight
	8	Board Independence
	9	Board Composition
	12	Board Accountability

	15	Section II. Disclosure
	16	Board Composition Disclosures
	16	Reporting

	18	Section III. Shareholder Protection
	18	Capital
	20	Shareholder Rights
	21	Governance Documents & Miscellaneous Items

	23	Section IV. Shareholder Proposals

	24	Section V. Engagement
	24	Equity Engagements
	24	Fixed Income Engagements
	25	The Use of R-Factor in Engagements
	25	Engaging with Other Investors Soliciting State Street Global Advisors’ Votes in Connection with Vote-No Campaigns or Shareholder Proposals

	26	Section VI. Other Matters
	26	Securities On Loan
	26	Reporting

	28	Appendix A: Assessment Criteria for Common Disclosure Topics
	28	Climate Disclosure Criteria
	30	Say-on-Climate Criteria
	30	Climate Transition Plan Disclosure Criteria for Companies that Have Adopted a Climate Transition Plan
	32	Methane Disclosure Criteria

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		33		Nature-Related Disclosure: Biodiversity, Deforestation, Water Management, Wastewater Management, Plastics and Packaging, Waste Management, Product Lifecycle
		33		Human Capital Management Disclosure Criteria
		33		Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Disclosure Criteria
		34		Pay Equity Disclosure Criteria (United States and United Kingdom Only)
		34		Civil Rights Disclosure Criteria (United States Only)
		35		Human Rights Disclosure Criteria
		35		Political Contributions Disclosure Criteria (United States Only)
		35		Lobbying Disclosure Criteria (United States Only)
		36		Trade Association Alignment Disclosure Criteria

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Introduction				At State Street Global Advisors, we take our fiduciary duties as an asset manager very seriously. Our primary fiduciary obligation to our clients is to maximize the long-term value of their investments. State Street Global Advisors focuses on risks and opportunities that may impact long-term value creation for our clients. We rely on the elected representatives of the companies in which we invest — the board of directors — to oversee these firms’ strategies. We expect effective independent board oversight of the material risks and opportunities to its business and operations. We believe that appropriate consideration of these risks and opportunities is an essential component of a firm’s long-term business strategy, and expect boards to actively oversee the management of this strategy.

Our Asset Stewardship Program				State Street Global Advisors’ Asset Stewardship Team is responsible for developing and implementing this Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Policy (the “Policy”), the implementation of third-party proxy voting guidelines where applicable, case-by- case voting items, issuer engagement activities, and research and analysis of corporate governance issues and proxy voting items. The Asset Stewardship Team’s activities are overseen by our internal governance body, State Street Global Advisors’ ESG Committee (the “ESG Committee”). The ESG Committee is responsible for reviewing State Street Global Advisors’ stewardship strategy, engagement priorities, the Policy, and for monitoring the delivery of voting objectives. In order to facilitate our proxy voting process, we retain Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”), a firm with expertise in proxy voting and corporate governance. We utilize ISS to: (1) act as our proxy voting agent (providing State Street Global Advisors with vote execution and administration services), (2) assist in applying the Policy, and (3) provide research and analysis relating to general corporate governance issues and specific proxy items. All voting decisions and engagement activities for which State Street Global Advisors has been given voting discretion are undertaken in accordance with this Policy, ensuring that the interests of our clients remain the sole consideration when discharging our stewardship responsibilities. Exceptions to this policy is the use of an independent third party to vote on State Street Corporation (“State Street”) stock and the stock of other State Street affiliated entities, to mitigate a conflict of interest of voting on our parent company or affiliated entities, and other situations where we believe we may be conflicted from voting (for example, stock of a public company for which a State Street director also serves as a director, or due to an outside business interest). In such cases, delegated third parties exercise vote decisions based upon their independent voting policy.

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				We aim to vote at all shareholder meetings where our clients have given us the authority to vote their shares and where it is feasible to do so. However, when we deem appropriate, we could refrain from voting at meetings in cases where:

				• Power of attorney documentation is required.

				• Voting will have a material impact on our ability to trade the security.

				• Voting is not permissible due to sanctions affecting a company or individual.

				• Issuer-specific special documentation is required or various market or issuer certifications are required.

				• Unless a client directs otherwise, in so-called “share blocking” markets (markets where proxy voters have their securities blocked from trading during the period of the annual meeting).

				Additionally, we are 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. Voting authority attached to certain securities held by State Street Global Advisors pooled funds may be delegated to an independent third party as required by regulatory or other requirements. Under such arrangements, voting will be conducted by the independent third party pursuant to its proxy voting policy and not pursuant to this Policy.

The State Street Global Advisors Proxy Voting Program				In addition to the option of delegating proxy voting authority to State Street Global Advisors pursuant to this Policy, clients may alternatively choose to participate in the State Street Global Advisors Proxy Voting Program (the “Proxy Voting Program”) which empowers clients to direct the proxy voting of shares held by the eligible fund or segregated account² they own. Clients that participate in the Proxy Voting Program have the option of selecting a third-party proxy voting guideline from among policies included in the Proxy Voting Program to apply to the vote of the client’s pro rata share of the securities held by the eligible fund or segregated account they own. This Policy does not apply to shares voted under the Proxy Voting Program.

Securities Not Voted Pursuant to the Policy				Where State Street Global Advisors’ clients have asked it to vote their shares on the client’s behalf, including where a pooled fund fiduciary has delegated the responsibility to vote the fund’s securities to State Street

				2 “Eligible funds and segregated accounts” include all fund and client accounts managed by State Street Global Advisors that employ an equity index strategy and which have granted, or are able to grant, proxy voting authority to State Street Global Advisors.

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				Global Advisors, State Street Global Advisors votes those securities in a unified manner, consistent with the principles described in this Policy. Exceptions to this unified voting policy are: (1) where State Street Global Advisors has made its Proxy Voting Program available to its separately managed account clients and investors within a fund managed by State Street Global Advisors, in which case a pro rata portion of shares held by the fund or segregated account attributable to clients who choose to participate in the Proxy Voting Program will be voted consistent with the third-party proxy voting guidelines selected by the clients, (2) where a pooled investment vehicle managed by State Street Global Advisors utilizes a third party proxy voting guideline as set forth in that fund’s organizational and/or offering documents, and (3) where voting authority with respect to certain securities held by State Street Global Advisors pooled funds may be delegated to an independent third party as required by regulatory or other requirements. With respect to such funds and separately managed accounts utilizing third-party proxy voting guidelines, the terms of the applicable third-party proxy voting guidelines shall apply in place of the Policy described herein and the proxy votes implemented with respect to such a fund or account may differ from and be contrary to the votes implemented for other portfolios managed by State Street Global Advisors pursuant to this Policy.

Regional Nuances				When voting and engaging with companies, we may consider market-specific nuances that may be relevant to that company. We expect companies to observe the relevant laws and regulations of their respective markets, as well as country specific best practice guidelines and corporate governance codes and to publicly disclose their level of compliance with the applicable provisions and requirements. Except where specified, this Policy applies globally.

Our Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles				We have organized our proxy voting and engagement program around three broad principles:

Effective Board Oversight				We believe that well-governed companies can protect and pursue shareholder interests better and withstand the challenges of an uncertain economic environment. As such, we seek to vote director elections in a way that we believe will maximize long-term value. Principally, a board acts on behalf of shareholders by protecting their interests and preserving their rights. In order to carry out their primary responsibilities, directors undertake activities that include setting strategy and providing guidance on strategic matters, selecting the CEO and other senior executives, overseeing executive management, creating a succession plan for the board and management, and providing effective oversight of material risks and opportunities relevant to their business. 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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				We view board quality as a measure of director independence, director succession planning, board diversity, evaluations and refreshment, and company governance practices. We believe independent directors are crucial to good corporate governance; they help management establish sound corporate governance policies and practices. We believe a sufficiently independent board is key to effectively monitoring management, maintaining appropriate governance practices, and performing oversight functions necessary to protect shareholder interests. We also believe the right mix of skills, independence, diversity, and qualifications among directors provides boards with the knowledge and direct experience to manage risks and operating structures that are often complex and industry-specific. We vote for the (re-)election of directors on a case-by-case basis after considering various factors set forth in this Policy, including, but not limited to, board quality, general market practice, and availability of information on director skills and expertise. When voting in director elections, we do so on behalf of and in the best interest of the funds and client accounts we manage and do not seek to change or influence control of the company.

Disclosure				It is important for shareholders to receive timely and accurate reporting of a company’s financial performance and strategy so that they are able to assess both the value and risk of their investment. In addition to information related to strategy and performance, companies should also provide disclosure relating to their approach to corporate governance and shareholder rights. Such information allows investors to determine whether their economic interests have been protected by the board and provides insights into the quality of the board’s oversight of management. Ultimately, the board of directors is accountable for the oversight and disclosure of the material risks and opportunities faced by the company.

Shareholder Protection				State Street Global Advisors believes it is in the best interest of shareholders for companies to have appropriate shareholder rights and accountability mechanisms in place. As a starting place for voting rights, it is necessary for ownership rights to reflect one vote for one share to ensure that economic interests and proxy voting power are aligned. This share structure best supports the shareholders’ right to exercise their proxy vote on matters that are important to the protection of their investment such as share issuances and other dilutive events, authorization of strategic transactions, approval of a shareholder rights plan, and changes to the corporate bylaws or charter, among others. In terms of accountability mechanisms, we believe there should be annual elections of the full board of directors. The ability to elect, remove and nominate directors on at least an annual basis provides the appropriate checks and balances to ensure that the board of directors are undertaking their responsibilities in the best interests of their shareholders.

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Shareholder Proposals				When voting our clients’ proxies, we may be presented with shareholder proposals at portfolio companies that must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the principles set forth above. For proposals related to commonly requested disclosure topics, we have also developed the criteria found in Appendix A to assess the effectiveness of disclosure on such topics in connection with these types of proposals.

Engagement				State Street Global Advisors’ engagement activities provides a meaningful shareholder tool that we believe protects and enhances the long-term economic value of the holdings in our clients’ accounts. We conduct issuer-specific engagements with companies to discuss the principles set forth in this Policy, including sustainability-related risks and opportunities. In addition, we encourage issuers to increase 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.

Section I. Effective Board Oversight

Board Independence				We believe independent directors are crucial to good corporate governance; they help management establish sound corporate governance policies and practices. We believe a sufficiently independent board is key to effectively monitoring management, maintaining appropriate governance practices, and performing oversight functions necessary to protect shareholder interests. We have developed a set of criteria for determining board independence, which varies by region and/or local jurisdiction. These criteria generally follow relevant listing standards, local regulatory requirements and/or local market practice standards. Such criteria, may include, for example:

				• Participation in related-party transactions and other material business relations with the company

				• Employment history with company

				• Founder and member of founding family

				• Government representative

				• Excessive tenure and a preponderance of long-tenured directors

				• Relations with significant shareholders

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				• Close family ties with any of the company’s advisers, directors or senior employees

				• Cross-directorships

				• Receipt of non-board related compensation from the issuer, its auditors or advisors

				• Company classification of a director as non-independent

				In some cases, State Street Global Advisors’ criteria may be more rigorous than applicable local or listing requirements.

				Separation of Chair/CEO Our primary focus is to ensure there is strong independent leadership of the board, in accordance with the principles discussed above. We generally support the board choosing the governance structure that is most appropriate for that company.

				We may take voting action against the chair or members of the nominating committee at companies in the following indexes that have combined the roles of chair and CEO and have not appointed a lead independent director:

				• S&P 500

				• STOXX Europe 600

				Board Committees We believe that board committees are crucial to robust corporate governance and should be composed of a sufficient number of independent directors. We use the same criteria for determining committee independence as we do for determining director independence, which varies by region and/or local jurisdiction. Although we recognize that board structures may vary by jurisdiction, where a board has established an audit committee and/or compensation/remuneration committee, we generally expect the committee to be primarily, and in some cases, fully independent.

Board Composition				State Street Global Advisors believes that a well-constituted board of directors, with a balance of skills, expertise, and independence, provides the foundation for a well-governed company.

				Refreshment and Tenure We may withhold votes from directors if overall average board tenure is excessive. In assessing excessive tenure, we consider factors such as the preponderance of long tenured directors, board refreshment practices, and classified board structures.

				Generally, we may vote against age and term limits unless the company is found to have poor board refreshment and director succession practices, and has a preponderance of non-executive directors with excessively long tenures serving on the board.

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				Director Time Commitments We consider if a company publicly discloses its director time commitment policy (e.g., within corporate governance guidelines, proxy statement, company website). This policy or associated disclosure must include:

				• Description of the annual review process undertaken by the nominating committee to evaluate director time commitments

				• Numerical limit(s) on public company board seat(s) the company’s directors can serve on

				For companies in the S&P 500, we may vote against the nominating committee chair at companies that do not publicly disclose a policy compliant with the above criteria, or do not commit to doing so within a reasonable timeframe.

				For other companies in certain markets³that do not publicly disclose a policy compliant with the above criteria, we will consider the number of outside board directorships that the company’s non-executive and executive directors may undertake. Thus, State Street Global Advisors may take voting action against a director who exceeds the number of board mandates listed below:⁴

				• Named Executive Officers (NEOs) of a public company who sit on more than two public company boards

				• Non-executive board chairs or lead independent directors who sit on more than three public company boards

				• Non-executive directors who sit on more than four public company boards

				If a director is imminently leaving a board and this departure is disclosed in a written, time-bound and publicly-available manner, we may consider waiving our withhold vote when evaluating the director for excessive time commitments.

				Board Diversity We believe effective board oversight of a company’s long-term business strategy necessitates a diversity of perspectives, especially in terms of gender, race and ethnicity.

				a. Board Gender Diversity

				3. Such markets include the United States (ex-S&P 500), Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

				4. Service on a mutual fund board, the board of a UK investment trust or a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) board is not considered when evaluating directors for excessive commitments. However, we do expect these roles to be considered by nominating committees when evaluating director time commitments.

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				We expect boards of all listed companies to have at least one female board member. If a company does not meet the applicable expectation for three consecutive years, State Street Global Advisors may vote against all incumbent members of the nominating committee or those persons deemed responsible for the nomination process.

				In addition, we expect the boards of companies in the following indices to be composed of at least 30-percent female directors.

				• Russell 3000

				• TSX

				• FTSE 350

				• STOXX 600

				• ASX 300

				If a company does not meet the applicable expectation, State Street Global Advisors may vote against the chair of the board’s nominating committee or the board leader in the absence of a nominating committee.

				We may waive the 30-percent voting guideline if a company engages with State Street Global Advisors and provides a specific, timebound plan for reaching the 30-percent threshold.

				b. Board Racial & Ethnic Diversity (US & UK Only)

				We may withhold support from the chair of the nominating committee when a company in the S&P 500 or FTSE 100 does not have at least one director from an underrepresented racial/ethnic community on its board. We may waive this voting guideline if a company engages with State Street Global Advisors and provides a specific, timebound plan for reaching this threshold.

				Board Member Expertise We believe board members should have adequate skills to provide effective oversight of corporate strategy, operations, and risks, including sustainability-related 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. We believe nominating committees are best positioned to evaluate the skillset and expertise of both existing and prospective board members. However, we may take such considerations into account in certain circumstances, such as contested elections.

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Board Accountability				Oversight of Strategy and Risk We believe 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. We allow boards to have discretion regarding the ways in which they provide oversight in this area. However, we expect companies to disclose how the board provides oversight on its risk management system and risk identification. Boards should also review existing and emerging risks that evolve in tandem with the changing political and economic landscape or as companies diversify or expand their operations into new areas.

				As responsible stewards, we believe in the importance of effective risk management and oversight of issues that are material to a company. To effectively manage and assess the risk of our clients’ portfolios, we expect our portfolio companies to manage risks and opportunities that are material and industry-specific and that have a demonstrated link to long-term value creation, and to provide high-quality disclosure of this process to shareholders. Consistent with this perspective, we may seek to engage with our portfolio companies to better understand how their boards are overseeing risks and opportunities the company has deemed to be material to its business or operations. If we believe that a company has failed to implement and communicate effective oversight of these risks, we may consider voting against the responsible directors. We may withhold votes from directors who we determine have been remiss in their duties.

				We may vote against directors due to failure to demonstrate effective oversight in the following three areas for relevant companies:

				• Governance

				• Climate risk management at companies in carbon-intensive industries⁵or companies receiving shareholder proposals that exhibit significant misalignment with our TCFD disclosure assessment criteria

				• Human capital management at our largest global holdings

				5 State Street Global Advisors defines carbon-intensive industries as the following Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) subindustries: Electric Utilities, Integrated Oil &Gas, Multi-Utilities, Steel, Construction Materials, Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders, Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing, Oil & Gas Exploration & Production, Diversified Metals & Mining, Airlines, Commodity Chemicals, Industrial Gases, Aluminum, Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation, Multi-Sector Holdings, Diversified Chemicals, Fertilizers & Agricultural Chemicals, Air Freight & Logistics, Agricultural Products, Environmental & Facilities Services, Coal & Consumable Fuels, Paper Packaging, Railroads, Marine, Automotive Retail, Oil & Gas Drilling, Food Retail, Paper Products, Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines, Internet & Direct Marketing Retail, Hypermarkets & Supercenters, Precious Metals & Minerals.

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				When evaluating a board’s oversight of risks and opportunities, we assess the following factors, based on disclosures by, and engagements with, portfolio companies:

				• Oversees Long-term Strategy

				— Articulates the material risks and opportunities and how those risks and opportunities fit into the firm’s long-term business strategy

				— Regularly assesses the effectiveness of the company’s long-term strategy, and management’s execution of this strategy

				• Demonstrates an Effective Oversight Process

				— Describes which committee(s) have oversight over specific risks and opportunities, as well as which topics are overseen and/or discussed at the full-board level

				— Includes risks and opportunities in board and/or committee agendas, and articulates how often specific topics are discussed at the committee and/or full-board level

				— Utilizes KPIs or metrics to assess the effectiveness of risk management processes

				— Engages with key stakeholders including employees and investors

				• Ensures Effective Leadership

				— Holds management accountable for progress on relevant metrics and targets

				— Integrates necessary skills and perspectives into the board nominating and executive hiring processes, and provides training to directors and executives on topics material to the company’s business or operations

				— Conducts a periodic effectiveness review

				• Ensures Disclosures of Material Information

				— Ensures publication of relevant disclosures, including those regarding material topics

				— For example, we expect companies to disclose against the four pillars of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework.

				Proxy Contests We believe nominating committees that are comprised of independent directors are best placed to assess which individuals can properly fulfill the duties of the board, and act as effective fiduciaries. As long-term shareholders, we vote proxies in director elections, including

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				related to nominating committee members, who play a critical role in determining board composition. While our default position is to support the committees’ judgement, we consider the following factors when evaluating dissident nominees:

				• Strategy presented by dissident nominees versus that of current management, as overseen by the incumbent board

				• Effectiveness, quality, and experience of the management slate

				• Material governance failures and the level of responsiveness to shareholder concerns and market signals by the incumbent board

				• Quality of disclosure and engagement practices to support changes to shareholder rights, capital allocation and/or governance structure

				• Company performance and, if applicable, the merit of a recovery plan

				Board Oversight of Geopolitical Risk As stewards of our clients’ assets, we are aware of the financial risks associated with geopolitical risk, including risks arising from unexpected conflict between or among nations. We expect our portfolio companies that may be impacted by geopolitical risk to:

				• Manage and mitigate risks related to operating in impacted markets, which may include financial, sanctions-related, regulatory, and/or reputational risks, among others;

				• Strengthen board oversight of these efforts; and

				• Describe these efforts in public disclosures.

				Compensation and Remuneration We consider it the board’s responsibility to identify the appropriate level of executive compensation. Despite the differences among the possible types of plans and the awards, there is a simple underlying philosophy that guides our analysis of executive compensation: we believe that 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, we consider factors such as adequate disclosure of various 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. We may oppose remuneration reports where pay seems misaligned with shareholders’ interests. We may also consider executive compensation practices when re-electing members of the compensation committee.

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				For example, criteria we may consider include the following:

				• Overall quantum relative to company performance

				• Vesting periods and length of performance targets

				• Mix of performance, time and options-based stock units

				• Use of special grants and one-time awards

				• Retesting and repricing features

				• Disclosure and transparency

				Board Responsiveness to Advisory Votes

				a. Executive Pay

				We may vote against the re-election of members of the compensation committee if we have serious concerns about remuneration practices and if the company has not been responsive to shareholder feedback to review its approach. In addition, if the level of dissent against a management proposal on executive pay is consistently high, and we have determined that a vote against a pay-related proposal is warranted in the third consecutive year, we may vote against the Chair of the compensation committee.

				b. Shareholder Proposals with Significant Shareholder Support

				We may withhold votes from directors of companies that have not been responsive to a shareholder proposal that received a majority shareholder support at the last annual or special meeting.

				Attendance We may withhold votes from directors if they attend less than 75 percent of board meetings without providing appropriate explanation for their failure to meet the attendance threshold.

Section II. Disclosure				It is important for shareholders to receive timely and accurate reporting of a company’s financial performance and strategy so that they are able to assess both the value and risk of their investment. In addition to information related to strategy and performance, companies should provide disclosure relating to their approach to corporate governance and shareholder rights. Such information allows investors to determine whether their economic interests have been protected by the board and provides insights into the quality of the board’s oversight of management. Ultimately, the board of directors is accountable for the oversight and disclosure of the material risks and opportunities faced by the company.

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Board Composition Disclosures				We view board quality as a measure of director independence, director succession planning, board diversity, evaluations and refreshment, and company governance practices. We also believe the right mix of skills, independence, diversity, and qualifications among directors provides boards with the knowledge and direct experience to manage risks and operating structures that are often complex and industry-specific.

				Board Demographics (US and UK) If a company in the Russell 1000 or FTSE 350 does not disclose the gender, racial and ethnic composition of its board, we may vote against the Chair of the nominating committee. Acceptable disclosures include:

				• Aggregate-level (e.g., “5% of our Directors are Black”, “Seven of our Directors are people of color”, “30% chose not to self-identify”); or

				• Individual-level (e.g., “Jane Doe is African-American, John Smith is Caucasian,” etc.)

Reporting				Financial Statements We believe the disclosure and availability of reliable financial statements in a timely manner is imperative for investment analysis. We expect external auditors to provide assurance of a company’s financial condition. Hence, we may vote against the approval of financial statements if (i) they have not been disclosed or audited; (ii) the auditor opinion is qualified/adverse, or the auditor has issued a disclaimer of opinion; or (iii) the auditor opinion is not disclosed.

				Climate-Related Disclosures We believe that managing climate-related risks and opportunities is a key element in maximizing long-term risk-adjusted returns for our clients. As a result, we have a longstanding commitment to enhancing investor-useful disclosure around this topic.

				We find that the recommendations of the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) provide an effective framework for disclosure of climate-related risks and opportunities. We believe all companies should provide public disclosures in accordance with the following four pillars of the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework:

				• Governance The TCFD recommends companies describe the board’s oversight of, and management’s role in, assessing and managing climate-related risks and opportunities.

				• Strategy The TCFD recommends companies describe identified climate-related risks and opportunities and the impact of these risks and opportunities on their businesses, strategy, and financial planning.

				• Risk Management The TCFD recommends companies describe processes for identifying, assessing, and managing climate-related risks and describe how these processes are integrated into overall risk management.

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				• Metrics and Targets The TCFD recommends companies disclose metrics and targets used to assess and manage climate-related risks and opportunities.

				— State Street Global Advisors is not prescriptive on target setting. We expect companies that have adopted net zero ambitions to disclose interim climate targets.⁶If a company chooses not to disclose any climate targets, we expect the company to provide an explanation on how the company measures and monitors progress on managing climate-related risks and opportunities in line with the recommendations of TCFD.

				— TCFD recommends the disclosure of Scope 1, Scope 2, and, if appropriate, Scope 3 emissions. We expect companies to identify and disclose the most relevant categories of Scope 3 emissions as defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard. However, we recognize that Scope 3 emissions estimates have a high degree of uncertainty; therefore, if the company determines that categories of Scope 3 are impracticable to estimate, we instead encourage companies to explain these limitations. We do not expect companies to set Scope 3 targets. We do encourage companies to explain any efforts to address Scope 3 emissions in line with TCFD, such as engagement with suppliers, customers, or other stakeholders across the value chain, where relevant.

				We may take voting action against directors serving at companies in the following indexes that fail to provide sufficient disclosure regarding: (i) board oversight of climate-related risks and opportunities; (ii) total direct and indirect GHG emissions (“Scope 1” and “Scope 2” emissions); (iii) climate-related targets, in accordance with the TCFD framework:

				• S&P 500

				• S&P/TSX Composite

				• FTSE 350

				• STOXX 600

				• ASX 200

				• TOPIX 100

				6. “Net zero ambitions” are defined by State Street Global Advisors as a public statement/commitment to align the company’s emissions to third party frameworks or pathways for net zero.

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				• Hang Seng

				• Straits Times Index

				We may waive the guideline if a company engages with State Street Global Advisors and provides a specific, timebound plan for providing the expected disclosures.

				Say-on-Climate Proposals While we are generally supportive of effective climate- related disclosure, we currently do not endorse an annual advisory climate vote. We have reservations with the potential unintended consequences of such a vote, including insulating directors from accountability, distracting from existing disclosure frameworks, and straining investors’ limited proxy voting resources. Where management chooses to include a Say-on-Climate vote, we assess the company’s disclosure in accordance with the criteria listed in Appendix A.

				Workforce Disclosures (US Only) We may vote against the chair of the compensation committee at companies in the S&P 500 that do not disclose their EEO-1 reports. Acceptable disclosures include:

				• The original EEO-1 report response; or

				• The exact content of the report translated into custom graphics

Section III. Shareholder Protection

Capital				Share Capital Structure The ability to raise capital is critical for companies to carry out strategy, to grow, and to 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. When making such a decision, we believe the company should disclose a comprehensive business rationale that is consistent with corporate strategy and not overly dilutive to its shareholders.

				Our approach to share capital structure matters may vary by local market and jurisdiction, due to regional nuances. Such proposals may include:

				• Increase in Authorized Common Shares

				• Increase in Authorized Preferred Shares

				• Unequal Voting Rights

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				• Share Repurchase Programs

				Dividend Payouts We generally support dividend payouts that constitute 30 percent or more of net income. We may vote against a dividend payout if the dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30 percent without adequate explanation. We may also vote against if the payout is excessive given the company’s financial position. Particular attention will be warranted when the payment may damage the company’s long-term financial health.

				Reorganization, Mergers and Acquisitions The reorganization of the structure of a company or mergers often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, 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 generally be supported.

				We evaluate mergers and structural reorganizations on a case-by-case basis. We will generally support transactions that maximize shareholder value. Some of the considerations include 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

				• Offers in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value

				We 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

				• The current market price of the security exceeds the bid price at the time of voting

				Related-Party Transactions Some companies have a controlled ownership structure and complex cross-shareholdings between subsidiaries and parent companies (“related companies”). Such

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				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, we expect companies to disclose details of the transaction, such as the nature, the value and the purpose of such a transaction. We also encourage independent directors to ratify such transactions. Further, we encourage 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.

				Cross-Shareholdings (Japan Only) “Cross-shareholdings” are a long-standing feature of the balance sheets of many Japanese companies, but, in our view, can be detrimental for corporate governance practices and ultimately shareholder returns.

				Therefore, State Street Global Advisors may vote against the board leader at the TOPIX 500 companies where the “cross-shareholdings” (strategic listed shares) held by a company exceed 30 percent of the company’s net assets (as in the securities report disclosed for the previous fiscal year).

				We may waive the guideline if a company engages with State Street Global Advisors and provides a specific, timebound, and publicly available plan for reducing its exposure to “cross-shareholdings”:

				• To less than 30% by 2025; or

				• By 50% of current level by 2025

Shareholder Rights				Proxy Access (North America Only) In general, we believe that proxy access is a fundamental right and an accountability mechanism for all long-term shareholders. We consider proposals relating to proxy access on a case-by-case basis. We generally support shareholder proposals that set parameters to empower long-term shareholders while providing management the flexibility to design a process that is appropriate for the company’s circumstances.

				Vote Standards

				a. Annual Elections We generally support 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 the existence of a shareholder rights plan. b. Majority Voting We generally support a majority vote standard based on votes cast for the election of directors. We generally vote to support amendments to bylaws that would require simple majority of voting shares (i.e. shares cast) to pass or to repeal certain provisions.

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				Shareholder Meetings

				a. Special Meetings and Written Consent In general, we support the ability for shareholders to call special meetings, as well as act by written consent. We believe an appropriate threshold for both calling a special meeting and acting by written consent can be 25% of outstanding shares or less. b. Notice Period to Convene a General Meeting We expect companies to give as much notice as is practicable when calling a general meeting. Generally, we are not supportive of authorizations seeking to reduce the notice period to less than 14 days. c. Virtual/Hybrid Shareholder Meetings We generally support proposals that grant boards the right to hold shareholder meetings in a virtual or hybrid format as long as companies uphold the following best practices:

				• Afford virtual attendee shareholders the same rights as would normally be granted to in-person attendee shareholders

				• Commit to time-bound renewal (five years or less) of meeting format authorization by shareholders

				• Provide a written record of all questions posed during the meeting, and

				• Comply with local market laws and regulations relating to virtual and hybrid shareholder meeting practices

				• If a company breaches any of the criteria above, we may vote against the chair of the nominating committee.

				• In evaluating these proposals we also consider the operating environment of the company, including local regulatory developments and specific market circumstances impacting virtual meeting practices.

Governance Documents & Miscellaneous Items				Article Amendments
				a. Unilateral Amendments We may withhold votes from directors of companies that have unilaterally adopted/amended company bylaws that negatively impact shareholder rights (such as fee-shifting, forum selection, and exclusion service bylaws) without putting such amendments to a shareholder vote.

				b. Super-Majority We generally vote against amendments to bylaws requiring super-majority shareholder votes to pass or repeal certain provisions.

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				We generally 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.

				c. Board Size We generally support proposals seeking to fix the board size or designate a range for the board size and vote against proposals that give management the ability to alter the size of the board outside of a specified range without shareholder approval.

				Anti-Takeover Issues Occasionally, companies add anti-takeover provisions that reduce the chances of a potential acquirer to make an offer, or to reduce the likelihood of a successful offer. We generally do not support proposals that reduce shareholders’ rights, entrench management, or reduce the likelihood of shareholders’ right to vote on reasonable offers. Our approach to anti-takeover issues may vary by local market and jurisdiction, due to regional nuances. However, we will generally support mandates requiring shareholder approval of a shareholder rights plans (“poison pill”) and repeals of various anti-takeover related provisions.

				When appropriate, we may vote for an amendment to a shareholder rights plan 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 percent, (ii) maximum term of three years, (iii) no “dead hand,” “slow hand,” “no hand” nor 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).

				Accounting and 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 independent non-executive directors designated as members.

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

				State Street Global Advisors believes that a company’s external auditor is an essential feature of an effective and transparent system of external

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				independent assurance. Shareholders should be given the opportunity to vote on their appointment or to re-appoint at the annual meeting. When appointing external auditors and approving audit fees, we will take into consideration the level of detail in company disclosures. We generally do not support resolutions if adequate breakdown is not provided and/or if non-audit fees are more than 50 percent of audit fees. In addition, we 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, we may consider auditor tenure when evaluating the audit process.

				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.

				We generally support the discharge of auditors in the absence of pending litigation, governmental investigation, charges or fraud or other indication of significant concern, as well as requirements that auditors attend the annual meeting of shareholders.

				Indemnification and Liability Generally, we support proposals to limit directors’⁷liability 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.

Section IV. Shareholder Proposals				We believe that company boards do right by investors and are responsible for overseeing strategy and company management. Towards that end, we generally vote against a shareholder proposal if it appears to impose changes to business strategy or operations, such as increasing or decreasing investment in certain products or businesses or phasing out a product or business line or if it is not a topic that the company has deemed to be material in their public disclosure documents.

				When assessing shareholder proposals, we fundamentally consider whether the adoption of the resolution would promote long-term shareholder value in the context of our core governance principles:

				1. Effective board oversight

				7. In Japan, this includes statutory auditors.

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				2. Quality disclosure

				3. Shareholder protection

				We will consider supporting a shareholder proposal if:

				• the request is focused on enhanced disclosure of the company’s governance and/or risk oversight

				• the adoption of the request would protect our clients’ interests as minority shareholders; or

				• for common proposal topics for which we have developed assessment criteria, the extent to which the request satisfies the criteria found in Appendix A

Section V. Engagement				As a fiduciary, State Street Global Advisors takes a comprehensive approach to engaging with our portfolio companies. Our stewardship prioritization process allows us to proactively identify companies for engagement and voting in order to mitigate risks in our portfolio. Through engagement, we aim to build long-term relationships with the issuers in which we invest on behalf of our clients and to address a broad range of topics relating to the promotion of long-term shareholder value creation.

Equity Engagements				In general, there are three types of engagements that State Street Global Advisors may hold on behalf of equity holders:

				1. Engagements with Portfolio Companies in Connection with a Ballot Item or Other Topic In our Policy — Engagements held with portfolio companies to discuss a ballot item, event or other established topic found in our Policy. Such engagements generally, but not necessarily, occur during “proxy season.” They may be held at the request of State Street Global Advisors or the portfolio company.

				2. Off-Season Engagement at the Request of a Portfolio Company — From time-to-time, portfolio companies may seek to engage with State Street Global Advisors in the ‘off- season’ to discuss a particular topic.

				3. Off-Season Proactive Engagement Campaigns — Each year, State Street Global Advisors will identify thematic engagement campaigns on important topics for which we are seeking more information to potentially inform our future voting positions.

Fixed Income Engagements				From time-to-time, certain corporate action election events, reclassifications or other changes to the investment terms of debt

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				holdings may occur or an issuer may seek to engage with State Street Global Advisors to discuss matters pertaining to the debt instruments that State Street Global Advisors holds on behalf of its clients. In such instances, State Street Global Advisors may engage with the issuer to obtain further information about the matter for purposes of its investment decision making. Such engagements are the responsibility of the Fixed Income portfolio management team, but may be supported by State Street Global Advisors’ Asset Stewardship Team. All election decisions are the responsibility of the relevant portfolio management team.

				In addition, State Street Global Advisors may also identify themes for engagement campaigns with issuers on topics that it believes may affect value of its clients’ debt investments. State Street Global Advisors may proactively engage with portfolio companies on these topics to help inform our views on the subject. Where such themes align with those relating to equities, such engagements may be carried out jointly on behalf of both equity and fixed income holdings where there is mutual benefit for both asset classes. Such engagements are led by the State Street Global Advisors Asset Stewardship Team, but could be attended by the relevant portfolio management teams.

The Use of R-Factor in Engagements				R-Factor^™ is a scoring system created by State Street Global Advisors that leverages multiple data sources and aligns them to widely accepted, transparent Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Materiality Framework for over 12,000 publicly listed companies. R-Factor^™ scores are among the many inputs the Asset Stewardship Team may review when performing analysis on portfolio companies before engagements.

				State Street Global Advisors uses R-Factor as a consideration when prioritizing engagements. State Street Global Advisors may also engage with a company regarding its R-Factor score at the request of the company.

Engaging with Other Investors Soliciting State Street Global Advisors’ Votes in Connection with Vote-No Campaigns or Shareholder Proposals				We believe it is good practice for us to speak to other investors that are running proxy contests, putting forth vote-no campaigns, or proposing shareholder proposals at investee companies. However, we generally limit such discussions with investors to one engagement with the proponent unless we believe that it is necessary for us to have a follow-up discussion, and will seek to also engage with the company. We welcome the opportunity to review materials sent in advance of the proposed discussion. To the extent possible, we review all materials made publicly available by the investor or the company on a contested ballot item before making our own independent voting decision.

				Our primary purpose of engaging with investors is:

				• To gain a better understanding of their position or concerns at investee companies.

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				• In proxy contest situations:

				— To assess possible director candidates where investors are seeking board representation in proxy contest situations
				— To understand the investor’s proposed strategy for the company and investment time horizon to assess their alignment with State Street Global Advisors’ views and interests as a long-term shareholder
				All requests for engagement should be sent to GovernanceTeam@ssga.com.

Section VI. Other Matters

Securities On Loan				As a responsible investor and fiduciary, we recognize the importance of balancing the benefits of voting shares and the incremental lending revenue for the pooled funds that participate in State Street Global Advisors’ securities lending program (the “Funds”). Our objective is to recall securities on loan and restrict future lending until after the record date for the respective vote in instances where we believe that a particular vote could have a material impact on the Funds’ long-term financial performance and the benefit of voting shares will outweigh the forgone lending income.

				Accordingly, we have set systematic recall and lending restriction criteria for shareholder meetings involving situations with the highest potential financial implications (such as proxy contests and strategic transactions including mergers and acquisitions, going dark transactions, change of corporate form, or bankruptcy and liquidation).

				Generally, these criteria for recall and restriction for lending only apply to certain large cap indices in developed markets.

				State Street Global Advisors monitors the forgone lending revenue associated with each recall to determine if the impact on the Funds’ long-term financial performance and the benefit of voting shares will outweigh the forgone lending income.

				Although our objective is to systematically recall securities based on the aforementioned criteria, we must receive notice of the vote in sufficient time to recall the shares on or before the record date. When we do not receive timely notice, we may be unable to recall the shares on or before the record date.

Reporting				We provide transparency for our stewardship activities through our regular client reports and relevant information reported online. We publish

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an annual stewardship report that provides details of our stewardship approach, engagement and voting policies, and activities during the year. The annual stewardship report is complemented by quarterly stewardship activity reports as well as the publication of thought leadership on governance and sustainability on our website. Our voting record information is available on Vote View, an interactive platform that provides relevant company details, proposal types, resolution descriptions, and records of our votes cast.

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Appendix A

Assessment Criteria for Common Disclosure Topics				As outlined above, the pillars of our Asset Stewardship Program rest on effective board oversight, quality disclosure and shareholder protection. We are frequently asked to evaluate shareholder proposals on various topics, including requests for enhanced disclosure. We have developed the below criteria, which we believe represents quality disclosure on commonly requested disclosure topics.

Climate Disclosure Criteria				We expect all companies to provide public disclosures in accordance with the following four pillars of the Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework:

				• Governance The TCFD recommends companies describe the board’s oversight of, and management’s role in, assessing and managing climate-related risks and opportunities.

				• Strategy The TCFD recommends companies describe identified climate-related risks and opportunities and the impact of these risks and opportunities on their businesses, strategy, and financial planning.

				• Risk Management The TCFD recommends companies describe processes for identifying, assessing, and managing climate-related risks and describe how these processes are integrated into overall risk management.

				• Metrics and Targets The TCFD recommends companies disclose metrics and targets used to assess and manage climate-related risks and opportunities.

				— State Street Global Advisors is not prescriptive on target setting. We expect companies that have adopted net zero ambitions to disclose interim climate targets. If a company chooses not to disclose any climate targets, we expect the company to provide an explanation on how the company measures and monitors progress on managing climate-related risks and opportunities in line with the recommendations of TCFD.

				— TCFD recommends the disclosure of Scope 1, Scope 2, and, if appropriate, Scope 3 emissions. We expect companies to identify and disclose the most relevant categories of Scope 3 emissions as defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard. However, we recognize that Scope 3 emissions estimates have a high degree of uncertainty; therefore, if the company determines that categories of Scope 3 are impracticable to estimate, we instead encourage companies to explain these limitations. We do not expect

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				companies to set Scope 3 targets. We do encourage companies to explain any efforts to address Scope 3 emissions in line with TCFD, such as engagement with suppliers, customers, or other stakeholders across the value chain, where relevant.

				Additionally, we expect companies in carbon-intensive industries⁹to disclose:

				• Public disclosure in accordance with all four pillars of Taskforce for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework: (1) Governance, (2) Strategy, (3) Risk Management, (4) Metrics and Targets

				• Interim climate targets to accompany long-term climate ambitions

				• Discussion of scenario-planning on relevant risk assessment and strategic planning processes¹⁰

				8. “Net zero ambitions” are defined by State Street Global Advisors as a public statement/commitment to align the company’s emissions to third party frameworks or pathways for net zero.

				9. State Street Global Advisors defines carbon-intensive industries as the following Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS) subindustries: Electric Utilities, Integrated Oil &Gas, Multi-Utilities, Steel, Construction Materials, Independent Power Producers & Energy Traders, Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing, Oil & Gas Exploration & Production, Diversified Metals & Mining, Airlines, Commodity Chemicals, Industrial Gases, Aluminum, Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation, Multi-Sector Holdings, Diversified Chemicals, Fertilizers & Agricultural Chemicals, Air Freight & Logistics, Agricultural Products, Environmental & Facilities Services, Coal & Consumable Fuels, Paper Packaging, Railroads, Marine, Automotive Retail, Oil & Gas Drilling, Food Retail, Paper Products, Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines, Internet & Direct Marketing Retail, Hypermarkets & Supercenters, Precious Metals & Minerals.

				10. As recommended by TCFD, we believe quality disclosure on scenario analysis includes the following: (i) the company has evaluated and disclosed the resilience of their strategy and business model to climate-related risks and opportunities using climate-related scenario analysis (ii) the company has described the implications of the scenario-planning exercise on the business including relevant risk assessment and strategic planning processes. We are not prescriptive on scenario selection. The company may choose to evaluate a range of scenarios aligned with relevant jurisdictional commitments, sectoral decarbonization approaches, or publicly available scenarios aligned with limiting global temperature rise as recommended by TCFD.

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				• Incorporation of relevant climate considerations in financial planning and/or capital allocation decisions, and

				• Scope 1, 2, and relevant categories of Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions¹¹

Say-on-Climate Criteria				While we are generally supportive of the goals of “Say-on-Climate” proposals because we support effective climate-related disclosure, we currently do not endorse an annual advisory climate vote. We have reservations with the potential unintended consequences of such a vote, including insulating directors from accountability, distracting from existing disclosure frameworks, and straining investors’ limited proxy voting resources. Where management chooses to include a Say-on-Climate vote, we assess the company’s disclosure on a case-by-case basis consistent with our Assessment Criteria for Climate Transition Plan Disclosure outlined below.

				We would consider supporting a “Say-on-Climate” shareholder proposal if the company has not provided investors with meaningful climate-related disclosure in line with our expectations, nor signaled the intention to enhance disclosure in the future.

Climate Transition Plan Disclosure Criteria for Companies that Have Adopted a Climate Transition Plan				We do not require companies to adopt net zero ambitions¹²or join relevant industry initiatives. For companies that have adopted a net zero ambition and/or climate transition plan, the disclosure criteria set out below serve to provide transparency on the criteria we assess.¹³Given that climate-related risks present differently across industries, our assessment of the below criteria may vary to account for best practices in specific industries.

				• Ambition

				— Disclosure of long-term climate ambitions

				• Targets

				11. TCFD recommends the disclosure of Scope 1, Scope 2, and, if appropriate, Scope 3 emissions. We expect companies to identify and disclose the most relevant categories of Scope 3 emissions as defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard. However, we recognize that Scope 3 emissions estimates have a high degree of uncertainty and therefore if the company determines that categories of Scope of 3 are impracticable to estimate, we instead encourage companies to explain these limitations.

				12. “Net zero ambitions” are defined by State Street Global Advisors as a public statement/commitment to align the company’s emissions to third party frameworks or pathways for net zero.

				13. State Street Global Advisors does not require companies to adopt a climate transition plan.

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				— Disclosure of short- and/or medium-term interim climate targets

				— Disclosure of alignment of climate targets with relevant jurisdictional commitments, specific temperature pathways, and/or sectoral decarbonization approaches

				• TCFD Disclosure

				— As recommended by TCFD:

				^○ Description of approach to identifying and assessing climate-related risks and opportunities

				^○ Disclosure of resilience of the company’s strategy, taking into consideration a range of climate-related scenarios

				^○ Disclosure of Scope 1, Scope 2, and relevant categories of Scope 3 emissions and any assurance

				• Decarbonization Strategy

				^○ Disclosure of plans and actions to support stated climate targets and ambitions

				^○ Disclosure of emissions management efforts within the company’s operations and, as applicable, across the value chain

				^○ Disclosure of carbon offsets utilization, if any

				^○ Disclosure of the role of climate solutions (e.g., carbon capture and storage)

				^○ Disclosure of potential social risks and opportunities¹⁴related to climate transition plan, if any

				• Capital Allocation

				^○ Disclosure of integration of relevant climate considerations in financial planning

				^○ Disclosure of total actual and planned capital deployed toward climate transition plan

				14. Social risks and opportunities refer to the potential impacts on stakeholders, such as a company’s workforce, customers, communities, or supply chains related to the company’s climate transition plan, which may give rise to risks or opportunities related to human capital management, human rights, and economic development, among others.

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				^○ Disclosure of approach to assessing and prioritizing investments toward climate transition plan (e.g., marginal abatement cost curves, internal carbon pricing, if any)

				• Climate Policy Engagement

				^○ Disclosure of position on climate-related topics relevant to the company’s decarbonization strategy

				^○ Disclosure of assessment of stated positions on relevant climate-related topics versus those of associations and other relevant policy-influencing entities, such as trade associations, industry bodies, or coalitions, to which the company belongs, and any efforts taken as a result of this review to address potential misalignment.

				• Climate Governance

				^○ Disclosure of the board’s role in overseeing climate transition plan

				^○ Disclosure of management’s role in overseeing climate transition plan

				• Physical Risk

				^○ Disclosure of assessment of climate-related physical risks

				^○ Disclosure of approach to managing identified climate-related physical risks

				• Stakeholder Engagement

				^○ Disclosure of engagement with relevant internal stakeholders related to climate transition plan (e.g., workforce training, cross-functional collaboration)

				^○ Disclosure of engagement with relevant external stakeholders related to climate transition plan (e.g., industry collaboration, customer engagement)

Methane Disclosure Criteria				For companies that own or operate oil and gas assets we believe quality disclosure includes the following:

				• Describe methane emissions detection and monitoring efforts

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				• Explain efforts to enhance measurement, reporting, and verification

				• Describe the company’s strategy to manage methane emissions

				• Disclose any methane-related metrics and targets utilized

Nature-Related Disclosure: Biodiversity, Deforestation, Water Management, Wastewater Management, Plastics and Packaging, Waste Management, Product Lifecycle				For companies that have determined Biodiversity, Deforestation, Water Management, Wastewater Management, Plastics and Packaging, Waste Management, or Product Lifecycle to present a long-term risk and/or opportunity to their business and/or operations we believe quality disclosure should include the following, which aligns with the pillars of the TCFD framework: • Governance • Strategy • Risk management • Metrics and targets (when relevant) In assessing these criteria, we may review the company’s disclosure against industry and market practice (e.g., peer disclosure, relevant frameworks, relevant industry guidance).

Human Capital Management Disclosure Criteria				We believe quality public disclosure includes the following:
Human Capital Management Disclosure Criteria				• Board oversight Methods outlining how the board oversees human capital-related risks and opportunities

				• Strategy Approaches to human capital management and how these advance the long- term business strategy

				• Compensation Strategies throughout the organization that aim to attract and retain employees, and incentivize contribution to an effective human capital strategy

				• Voice Channels to ensure the concerns and ideas from workers are solicited and acted upon, and how the workforce is engaged and empowered in the organization, and

				• Diversity, equity, and inclusion Efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Disclosure Criteria				We believe quality public disclosure includes the following:
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Disclosure Criteria				• Board Oversight Describe how the board executes its oversight role in risks and opportunities related to diversity and inclusion

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				• Strategy Articulate the role that diversity (of race, ethnicity, and gender, at minimum) plays in the company’s broader human capital management practices and long-term strategy

				• Goals Describe what diversity, equity, and inclusion-related goals exist, how these goals contribute to the company’s overall strategy, and how they are managed and progressing

				• Metrics Provide measures of the diversity of the company’s global employee base and board, including:

				○ Workforce Employee diversity by race, ethnicity, and gender (at minimum). We expect to see this information to be broken down by industry-relevant employment categories or levels of seniority, for all full-time employees. In the US, companies are expected to at least use the disclosure framework set forth by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s EEO-1 Survey. Non-US companies are encouraged to disclose this information in alignment with SASB guidance and nationally appropriate frameworks; and,

				○ Board Diversity characteristics, including racial, ethnic, and gender makeup (at minimum) of the board of directors; and

				○ Board Diversity Articulate goals and strategy related to diverse representation at the board (including race, ethnicity, and gender, at minimum), including how the board reflects the diversity of the company’s workforce, community, customers, and other key stakeholders.

Pay Equity Disclosure Criteria (United States and United Kingdom Only)				We believe quality disclosure for companies in the United States and the United Kingdom includes the following:
				• Adjusted pay gaps related to race and gender within the company (disclosure of the unadjusted pay gap is also encouraged, but not expected outside of the United Kingdom market at this time);

				• Strategy to achieve and maintain pay equity; and

				• Role of the board in overseeing pay strategies as well as diversity, equity and inclusion efforts

Civil Rights Disclosure Criteria (United States				We believe quality disclosure for companies in the United States includes the following:
Only)				• Risks related to civil rights, including risks associated with products, practices, and services;

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				• Plans to manage and mitigate these risks; and

				• Processes at the board for overseeing such risks (e.g., committee responsible, frequency of discussions, etc.).

Human Rights Disclosure Criteria				We expect portfolio companies to regularly identify whether there are risks related to human rights¹⁵in their operations and manage any material risks that emerge, providing relevant disclosures to investors.

				We believe all companies should disclose whether they have established processes for identifying risks related to human rights. For companies where material human rights risks are identified, we believe quality disclosure includes the following:

				• Human rights-related risks the company considers most material

				• Plans to manage and mitigate these risks

				• Board oversight of these risks, and

				• Assessment of the effectiveness of the human rights risk management program

Political Contributions Disclosure Criteria				We believe quality disclosure companies in the United States includes the following information:
(United States Only)				• All contributions, no matter the dollar value, made by the company, its subsidiaries, and/ or affiliated Political Action Committees (PACs) to individual candidates, PACs, and other political organizations at the state and federal levels in the United States; and

				• The role of the board in oversight of political contributions.

Lobbying Disclosure Criteria (United States				We believe quality disclosure for companies in the United States includes the following:
Only)				• Membership in United States trade associations (to which payments are above $50,000 per year) and

				• The role of the board in overseeing lobbying activities.

				15. As defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.

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Trade Association Alignment Disclosure				We believe quality disclosure for companies includes the following:
Criteria				• The board’s role in overseeing the company’s participation in the political process, including membership in trade associations or other policy-influencing entities; and

				• Whether the company regularly performs a gap analysis of its stated positions on relevant issues versus those of the trade associations or other policy-influencing organizations of which it is a member, and

				• Whether the company disclosed a list of its trade association memberships

About State Street Global Advisors				For four decades, State Street Global Advisors has served the world’s governments, institutions and financial advisors. With a rigorous, risk-aware approach built on research, analysis and market-tested experience, we build from a breadth of index and active strategies to create cost-effective solutions. As pioneers in index, ETF, and ESG investing, we are always inventing new ways to invest. As a result, we have become the world’s fourth- largest asset manager* with US $4.13 trillion^† under our care.

				Note: We believe that management is best suited to take positions on the matters related to their company, and therefore we do not recommend any specific position. Our support of these types of shareholder proposals, if any, solely reflects our support for enhanced disclosure on assessing alignment between stated company positions and the positions of associations and other relevant policy-influencing entities to which the company belongs in line with market expectations and effective risk management.

				* Pensions & Investments Research Center, as of December 31, 2022. ^† This figure is presented as of December 31, 2023 and includes approximately $64.44 billion USD of assets with respect to SPDR products for which State Street Global Advisors Funds Distributors, LLC (SSGA FD) acts solely as the marketing agent. SSGA FD and State Street Global Advisors are affiliated.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS



Coverage			D-9

1. Board of Directors			D-10

Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections			D-10

Independence			D-10

ISS Classification of Directors – U.S.			D-11

Composition			D-13

Attendance			D-13

Overboarded Directors			D-14

Gender Diversity			D-14

Racial and/or Ethnic Diversity			D-14

Responsiveness			D-14

Accountability			D-15

Poison Pills			D-15

Unequal Voting Rights			D-16

Classified Board Structure			D-16

Removal of Shareholder Discretion on Classified Boards			D-16

Problematic Governance Structure			D-16

Unilateral Bylaw/Charter Amendments			D-16

Restricting Binding Shareholder Proposals			D-17

Director Performance Evaluation			D-17

Management Proposals to Ratify Existing Charter or Bylaw Provisions			D-17

Problematic Audit-Related Practices			D-18

Problematic Compensation Practices			D-18

Problematic Pledging of Company Stock			D-19

Climate Accountability			D-19

Governance Failures			D-19

Voting on Director Nominees in Contested Elections			D-20

Vote-No Campaigns			D-20

Proxy Contests/Proxy Access			D-20

Other Board-Related Proposals			D-20

Adopt Anti-Hedging/Pledging/Speculative Investments Policy			D-20

Board Refreshment			D-20

Term/Tenure Limits			D-21

Age Limits			D-21


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Board Size			D-21

Classification/Declassification of the Board			D-21

CEO Succession Planning			D-21

Cumulative Voting			D-22

Director and Officer Indemnification, Liability Protection, and Exculpation			D-22

Establish/Amend Nominee Qualifications			D-22

Establish Other Board Committee Proposals			D-23

Filling Vacancies/Removal of Directors			D-23

Independent Board Chair			D-23

Majority of Independent Directors/Establishment of Independent Committees			D-24

Majority Vote Standard for the Election of Directors			D-24

Proxy Access			D-25

Require More Nominees than Open Seats			D-25

Shareholder Engagement Policy (Shareholder Advisory Committee)			D-25

2. Audit-Related			D-25

Auditor Indemnification and Limitation of Liability			D-25

Auditor Ratification			D-26

Shareholder Proposals Limiting Non-Audit Services			D-26

Shareholder Proposals on Audit Firm Rotation			D-27

3. Shareholder Rights & Defenses			D-28

Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals/Nominations			D-28

Amend Bylaws without Shareholder Consent			D-28

Control Share Acquisition Provisions			D-28

Control Share Cash-Out Provisions			D-29

Disgorgement Provisions			D-29

Fair Price Provisions			D-29

Freeze-Out Provisions			D-29

Greenmail			D-29

Shareholder Litigation Rights			D-30

Federal Forum Selection Provisions			D-30

Exclusive Forum Provisions for State Law Matters			D-30

Fee shifting			D-31

Net Operating Loss (NOL) Protective Amendments			D-31

Poison Pills (Shareholder Rights Plans)			D-31

Shareholder Proposals to Put Pill to a Vote and/or Adopt a Pill Policy			D-31

Management Proposals to Ratify a Poison Pill			D-32


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Management Proposals to Ratify a Pill to Preserve Net Operating Losses (NOLs)			D-32

Proxy Voting Disclosure, Confidentiality, and Tabulation			D-32

Ratification Proposals: Management Proposals to Ratify Existing Charter or Bylaw Provisions			D-33

Reimbursing Proxy Solicitation Expenses			D-33

Reincorporation Proposals			D-34

Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent			D-34

Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings			D-34

Stakeholder Provisions			D-35

State Antitakeover Statutes			D-35

Supermajority Vote Requirements			D-35

Virtual Shareholder Meetings			D-35

4. Capital/Restructuring			D-36

Capital			D-36

Adjustments to Par Value of Common Stock			D-36

Common Stock Authorization			D-36

General Authorization Requests			D-36

Specific Authorization Requests			D-37

Dual Class Structure			D-37

Issue Stock for Use with Rights Plan			D-37

Preemptive Rights			D-37

Preferred Stock Authorization			D-37

General Authorization Requests			D-37

Recapitalization Plans			D-39

Reverse Stock Splits			D-39

Share Issuance Mandates at U.S. Domestic Issuers Incorporated Outside the U.S.			D-39

Share Repurchase Programs			D-40

Share Repurchase Programs Shareholder Proposals			D-40

Stock Distributions: Splits and Dividends			D-40

Tracking Stock			D-40

Restructuring			D-40

Appraisal Rights			D-40

Asset Purchases			D-41

Asset Sales			D-41

Bundled Proposals			D-41

Conversion of Securities			D-41

Corporate Reorganization/Debt Restructuring/Prepackaged Bankruptcy Plans/Reverse Leveraged Buyouts/Wrap Plans			D-41


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Formation of Holding Company			D-42

Going Private and Going Dark Transactions (LBOs and Minority Squeeze-outs)			D-42

Joint Ventures			D-43

Liquidations			D-43

Mergers and Acquisitions			D-43

Private Placements/Warrants/Convertible Debentures			D-44

Reorganization/Restructuring Plan (Bankruptcy)			D-45

Special Purpose Acquisition Corporations (SPACs)			D-45

Special Purpose Acquisition Corporations (SPACs) - Proposals for Extensions			D-46

Spin-offs			D-46

Value Maximization Shareholder Proposals			D-47

5. Compensation			D-47

Executive Pay Evaluation			D-47

Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation—Management Proposals (Say-on-Pay)			D-48

Pay-for-Performance Evaluation			D-48

Problematic Pay Practices			D-49

Compensation Committee Communications and Responsiveness			D-50

Frequency of Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (“Say When on Pay”)			D-51

Voting on Golden Parachutes in an Acquisition, Merger, Consolidation, or Proposed Sale			D-51

Equity-Based and Other Incentive Plans			D-51

Shareholder Value Transfer (SVT)			D-52

Three-Year Value-Adjusted Burn Rate			D-53

Egregious Factors			D-53

Liberal Change in Control Definition			D-53

Repricing Provisions			D-54

Problematic Pay Practices or Significant Pay-for-Performance Disconnect			D-54

Amending Cash and Equity Plans (including Approval for Tax Deductibility (162(m))			D-54

Specific Treatment of Certain Award Types in Equity Plan Evaluations			D-55

Dividend Equivalent Rights			D-55

Operating Partnership (OP) Units in Equity Plan Analysis of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)			D-56

Other Compensation Plans			D-56

401(k) Employee Benefit Plans			D-56

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)			D-56

Employee Stock Purchase Plans—Qualified Plans			D-56

Employee Stock Purchase Plans—Non-Qualified Plans			D-56

Option Exchange Programs/Repricing Options			D-57


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Stock Plans in Lieu of Cash			D-57

Transfer Stock Option (TSO) Programs			D-57

Director Compensation			D-58

Shareholder Ratification of Director Pay Programs			D-58

Equity Plans for Non-Employee Directors			D-59

Non-Employee Director Retirement Plans			D-59

Shareholder Proposals on Compensation			D-59

Bonus Banking/Bonus Banking “Plus”			D-59

Compensation Consultants—Disclosure of Board or Company’s Utilization			D-59

Disclosure/Setting Levels or Types of Compensation for Executives and Directors			D-60

Golden Coffins/Executive Death Benefits			D-60

Hold Equity Past Retirement or for a Significant Period of Time			D-60

Pay Disparity			D-61

Pay for Performance/Performance-Based Awards			D-61

Pay for Superior Performance			D-61

Pre-Arranged Trading Plans (10b5-1 Plans)			D-62

Prohibit Outside CEOs from Serving on Compensation Committees			D-62

Recoupment of Incentive or Stock Compensation in Specified Circumstances			D-63

Severance Agreements for Executives/Golden Parachutes			D-63

Share Buyback Impact on Incentive Program Metrics			D-63

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (SERPs)			D-64

Tax Gross-Up Proposals			D-64

Termination of Employment Prior to Severance Payment/Eliminating Accelerated Vesting of Unvested Equity			D-64

6. Routine/Miscellaneous			D-64

Adjourn Meeting			D-64

Amend Quorum Requirements			D-65

Amend Minor Bylaws			D-65

Change Company Name			D-65

Change Date, Time, or Location of Annual Meeting			D-65

Other Business			D-65

7. Social and Environmental Issues			D-66

Global Approach – E&S Shareholder Proposals			D-66

Endorsement of Principles			D-66

Animal Welfare			D-67

Animal Welfare Policies			D-67

Animal Testing			D-67

Animal Slaughter			D-67


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Consumer Issues			D-67

Genetically Modified Ingredients			D-67

Reports on Potentially Controversial Business/Financial Practices			D-68

Pharmaceutical Pricing, Access to Medicines, and Prescription Drug Reimportation			D-68

Product Safety and Toxic/Hazardous Materials			D-69

Tobacco-Related Proposals			D-69

Climate Change			D-70

Say on Climate (SoC) Management Proposals			D-70

Say on Climate (SoC) Shareholder Proposals			D-70

Climate Change/Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions			D-71

Energy Efficiency			D-71

Renewable Energy			D-72

Diversity			D-72

Board Diversity			D-72

Equality of Opportunity			D-73

Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, and Domestic Partner Benefits			D-73

Gender, Race/Ethnicity Pay Gap			D-73

Racial Equity and/or Civil Rights Audit Guidelines			D-73

Environment and Sustainability			D-74

Facility and Workplace Safety			D-74

General Environmental Proposals and Community Impact Assessments			D-74

Hydraulic Fracturing			D-75

Operations in Protected Areas			D-75

Recycling			D-75

Sustainability Reporting			D-75

Water Issues			D-76

General Corporate Issues			D-76

Charitable Contributions			D-76

Data Security, Privacy, and Internet Issues			D-76

ESG Compensation-Related Proposals			D-76

Human Rights, Human Capital Management, and International Operations			D-77

Human Rights Proposals			D-77

Mandatory Arbitration			D-77

Operations in High-Risk Markets			D-78

Outsourcing/Offshoring			D-78

Sexual Harassment			D-78

Weapons and Military Sales			D-78


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Political Activities			D-79

Lobbying			D-79

Political Contributions			D-79

Political Expenditures and Lobbying Congruency			D-79

Political Ties			D-80

8. Mutual Fund Proxies			D-80

Election of Directors			D-80

Closed End Funds- Unilateral Opt-In to Control Share Acquisition Statutes			D-80

Converting Closed-end Fund to Open-end Fund			D-81

Proxy Contests			D-81

Investment Advisory Agreements			D-81

Approving New Classes or Series of Shares			D-81

Preferred Stock Proposals			D-81

1940 Act Policies			D-82

Changing a Fundamental Restriction to a Nonfundamental Restriction			D-82

Change Fundamental Investment Objective to Nonfundamental			D-82

Name Change Proposals			D-82

Change in Fund’s Subclassification			D-82

Business Development Companies—Authorization to Sell Shares of Common Stock at a Price below Net Asset Value			D-83

Disposition of Assets/Termination/Liquidation			D-83

Changes to the Charter Document			D-83

Changing the Domicile of a Fund			D-84

Authorizing the Board to Hire and Terminate Subadvisers Without Shareholder Approval			D-84

Distribution Agreements			D-84

Master-Feeder Structure			D-84

Mergers			D-84

Shareholder Proposals for Mutual Funds			D-85

Establish Director Ownership Requirement			D-85

Reimburse Shareholder for Expenses Incurred			D-85

Terminate the Investment Advisor			D-85


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Coverage

The U.S. research team provides proxy analyses and voting recommendations for the common shareholder meetings of U.S. - incorporated companies that are publicly-traded on U.S. exchanges, as well as certain OTC companies, if they are held in our institutional investor clients’ portfolios. Coverage generally includes corporate actions for common equity holders, such as written consents and bankruptcies. ISS’ U.S. coverage includes investment companies (including open-end funds, closed-end funds, exchange-traded funds, and unit investment trusts), limited partnerships (“LPs”), master limited partnerships (“MLPs”), limited liability companies (“LLCs”), and business development companies. ISS reviews its universe of coverage on an annual basis, and the coverage is subject to change based on client need and industry trends.

Foreign-incorporated companies

In addition to U.S.- incorporated, U.S.- listed companies, ISS’ U.S. policies are applied to certain foreign-incorporated company analyses. Like the SEC, ISS distinguishes two types of companies that list but are not incorporated in the U.S.:

∎

U.S. Domestic Issuers – which have a majority of outstanding shares held in the U.S. and meet other criteria, as determined by the SEC, and are subject to the same disclosure and listing standards as U.S. incorporated companies (e.g. they are required to file DEF14A proxy statements) – are generally covered under standard U.S. policy guidelines.

∎

Foreign Private Issuers (FPIs) – which are allowed to take exemptions from most disclosure requirements (e.g., they are allowed to file 6-K for their proxy materials) and U.S. listing standards – are generally covered under a combination of policy guidelines:

∎

FPI Guidelines (see the Americas Regional Proxy Voting Guidelines), may apply to companies incorporated in governance havens, and apply certain minimum independence and disclosure standards in the evaluation of key proxy ballot items, such as the election of directors; and/or

∎

Guidelines for the market that is responsible for, or most relevant to, the item on the ballot.

U.S. incorporated companies listed only on non-U.S. exchanges are generally covered under the ISS guidelines for the market on which they are traded.

An FPI is generally covered under ISS’ approach to FPIs outlined above, even if such FPI voluntarily files a proxy statement and/or other filing normally required of a U.S. Domestic Issuer, so long as the company retains its FPI status.

In all cases – including with respect to other companies with cross-market features that may lead to ballot items related to multiple markets – items that are on the ballot solely due to the requirements of another market (listing, incorporation, or national code) may be evaluated under the policy of the relevant market, regardless of the “assigned” primary market coverage.


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1. Board of Directors

Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections

Four fundamental principles apply when determining votes on director nominees:

Independence: Boards should be sufficiently independent from management (and significant shareholders) to ensure that they are able and motivated to effectively supervise management’s performance for the benefit of all shareholders, including in setting and monitoring the execution of corporate strategy, with appropriate use of shareholder capital, and in setting and monitoring executive compensation programs that support that strategy. The chair of the board should ideally be an independent director, and all boards should have an independent leadership position or a similar role in order to help provide appropriate counterbalance to executive management, as well as having sufficiently independent committees that focus on key governance concerns such as audit, compensation, and nomination of directors.

Composition: Companies should ensure that directors add value to the board through their specific skills and expertise and by having sufficient time and commitment to serve effectively. Boards should be of a size appropriate to accommodate diversity, expertise, and independence, while ensuring active and collaborative participation by all members. Boards should be sufficiently diverse to ensure consideration of a wide range of perspectives.

Responsiveness: Directors should respond to investor input, such as that expressed through significant opposition to management proposals, significant support for shareholder proposals (whether binding or non-binding), and tender offers where a majority of shares are tendered.

Accountability: Boards should be sufficiently accountable to shareholders, including through transparency of the company’s governance practices and regular board elections, by the provision of sufficient information for shareholders to be able to assess directors and board composition, and through the ability of shareholders to remove directors.

General Recommendation: Generally vote for director nominees, except under the following circumstances (with new nominees¹ considered on case-by-case basis):

Independence

Vote against² or withhold from non-independent directors (Executive Directors and Non-Independent Non-Executive Directors per ISS’ Classification of Directors) when:

∎

Independent directors comprise 50 percent or less of the board;

∎

The non-independent director serves on the audit, compensation, or nominating committee;

∎

The company lacks an audit, compensation, or nominating committee so that the full board functions as that committee; or

∎

The company lacks a formal nominating committee, even if the board attests that the independent directors fulfill the functions of such a committee.

¹ A “new nominee” is a director who is being presented for election by shareholders for the first time. Recommendations on new nominees who have served for less than one year are made on a case-by-case basis depending on the timing of their appointment and the problematic governance issue in question.

² In general, companies with a plurality vote standard use “Withhold” as the contrary vote option in director elections; companies with a majority vote standard use “Against”. However, it will vary by company and the proxy must be checked to determine the valid contrary vote option for the particular company.


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ISS Classification of Directors – U.S.

Executive Director

1.1.

Current officer¹of the company or one of its affiliates².

Non-Independent Non-Executive Director

Board Identification

2.1.

Director identified as not independent by the board.

Controlling/Significant Shareholder

2.2.

Beneficial owner of more than 50 percent of the company’s voting power (this may be aggregated if voting power is distributed among more than one member of a group).

Current Employment at Company or Related Company

2.3.

Non-officer employee of the firm (including employee representatives).

2.4.

Officer¹, former officer, or general or limited partner of a joint venture or partnership with the company.

Former Employment

2.5.

Former CEO of the company. ^{3, 4}

2.6.

Former non-CEO officer¹of the company or an affiliate²within the past five years.

2.7.

Former officer¹of an acquired company within the past five years.⁴

2.8.

Officer¹of a former parent or predecessor firm at the time the company was sold or split off within the past five years.

2.9.

Former interim officer if the service was longer than 18 months. If the service was between 12 and 18 months an assessment of the interim officer’s employment agreement will be made.⁵

Family Members

2.10.

Immediate family member⁶of a current or former officer¹of the company or its affiliates²within the last five years.

2.11.

Immediate family member⁶of a current employee of company or its affiliates²where additional factors raise concern (which may include, but are not limited to, the following: a director related to numerous employees; the company or its affiliates employ relatives of numerous board members; or a non- Section 16 officer in a key strategic role).

Professional, Transactional, and Charitable Relationships

2.12.

Director who (or whose immediate family member⁶) currently provides professional services⁷in excess of $10,000 per year to: the company, an affiliate², or an individual officer of the company or an affiliate; or who is (or whose immediate family member⁶is) a partner, employee, or controlling shareholder of an organization which provides the services.

2.13.

Director who (or whose immediate family member⁶) currently has any material transactional relationship⁸with the company or its affiliates²; or who is (or whose immediate family member⁶is) a partner in, or a controlling shareholder or an executive officer of, an organization which has the material transactional relationship⁸(excluding investments in the company through a private placement).

2.14.

Director who (or whose immediate family member⁶) is a trustee, director, or employee of a charitable or non-profit organization that receives material grants or endowments⁸from the company or its affiliates².


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Other Relationships

2.15.

Party to a voting agreement⁹to vote in line with management on proposals being brought to shareholder vote.

2.16.

Has (or an immediate family member⁶has) an interlocking relationship as defined by the SEC involving members of the board of directors or its Compensation Committee.¹⁰

2.17.

Founder¹¹of the company but not currently an employee.

2.18.

Director with pay comparable to Named Executive Officers.

2.19.

Any material¹²relationship with the company.

Independent Director

3.1.

No material¹²connection to the company other than a board seat.

Footnotes:

1. The definition of officer will generally follow that of a “Section 16 officer” (officers subject to Section 16 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934) and includes the chief executive, operating, financial, legal, technology, and accounting officers of a company (including the president, treasurer, secretary, controller, or any vice president in charge of a principal business unit, division, or policy function). Current interim officers are included in this category. For private companies, the equivalent positions are applicable. A non-employee director serving as an officer due to statutory requirements (e.g. corporate secretary) will generally be classified as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director under “Any material relationship with the company.” However, if the company provides explicit disclosure that the director is not receiving additional compensation exceeding $10,000 per year for serving in that capacity, then the director will be classified as an Independent Director.

2. “Affiliate” includes a subsidiary, sibling company, or parent company. ISS uses 50 percent control ownership by the parent company as the standard for applying its affiliate designation. The manager/advisor of an externally managed issuer (EMI) is considered an affiliate.

3. Includes any former CEO of the company prior to the company’s initial public offering (IPO).

4. When there is a former CEO of a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) serving on the board of an acquired company, ISS will generally classify such directors as independent unless determined otherwise taking into account the following factors: the applicable listing standards determination of such director’s independence; any operating ties to the firm; and the existence of any other conflicting relationships or related party transactions.

5. ISS will look at the terms of the interim officer’s employment contract to determine if it contains severance pay, long-term health and pension benefits, or other such standard provisions typically contained in contracts of permanent, non-temporary CEOs. ISS will also consider if a formal search process was under way for a full-time officer at the time.

6. “Immediate family member” follows the SEC’s definition of such and covers spouses, parents, children, step-parents, step-children, siblings, in-laws, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of any director, nominee for director, executive officer, or significant shareholder of the company.

7. Professional services can be characterized as advisory in nature, generally involve access to sensitive company information or to strategic decision-making, and typically have a commission-or fee-based payment structure. Professional services generally include but are not limited to the following: investment banking/financial advisory services, commercial banking (beyond deposit services), investment services, insurance services, accounting/audit services, consulting services, marketing services, legal services, property management services, realtor services, lobbying services, executive search services, and IT consulting services. The following would generally be considered transactional relationships and not professional services: deposit services, IT tech support services, educational services, and construction services. The case of participation in a banking syndicate by a non-lead bank should be considered a transactional (and hence subject to the associated materiality test) rather than a professional relationship. “Of Counsel” relationships are only considered immaterial if the individual does not receive any form of compensation (in excess of $10,000 per year) from, or is a retired


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partner of, the firm providing the professional service. The case of a company providing a professional service to one of its directors or to an entity with which one of its directors is affiliated, will be considered a transactional rather than a professional relationship. Insurance services and marketing services are assumed to be professional services unless the company explains why such services are not advisory.

8. A material transactional relationship, including grants to non-profit organizations, exists if the company makes annual payments to, or receives annual payments from, another entity, exceeding the greater of: $200,000 or 5 percent of the recipient’s gross revenues, for a company that follows NASDAQ listing standards; or the greater of $1,000,000 or 2 percent of the recipient’s gross revenues, for a company that follows NYSE listing standards. For a company that follows neither of the preceding standards, ISS will apply the NASDAQ-based materiality test. (The recipient is the party receiving the financial proceeds from the transaction).

9. Dissident directors who are parties to a voting agreement pursuant to a settlement or similar arrangement may be classified as Independent Directors if an analysis of the following factors indicates that the voting agreement does not compromise their alignment with all shareholders’ interests: the terms of the agreement; the duration of the standstill provision in the agreement; the limitations and requirements of actions that are agreed upon; if the dissident director nominee(s) is subject to the standstill; and if there any conflicting relationships or related party transactions.

10. Interlocks include: executive officers serving as directors on each other’s compensation or similar committees (or, in the absence of such a committee, on the board); or executive officers sitting on each other’s boards and at least one serves on the other’s compensation or similar committees (or, in the absence of such a committee, on the board).

11. The operating involvement of the founder with the company will be considered; if the founder was never employed by the company, ISS may deem him or her an Independent Director.

12. For purposes of ISS’s director independence classification, “material” will be defined as a standard of relationship (financial, personal, or otherwise) that a reasonable person might conclude could potentially influence one’s objectivity in the boardroom in a manner that would have a meaningful impact on an individual’s ability to satisfy requisite fiduciary standards on behalf of shareholders.

Composition

Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings: Generally vote against or withhold from directors (except nominees who served only part of the fiscal year³) who attend less than 75 percent of the aggregate of their board and committee meetings for the period for which they served, unless an acceptable reason for absences is disclosed in the proxy or another SEC filing. Acceptable reasons for director absences are generally limited to the following:

∎

Medical issues/illness;

∎

Family emergencies; and

∎

Missing only one meeting (when the total of all meetings is three or fewer).

In cases of chronic poor attendance without reasonable justification, in addition to voting against the director(s) with poor attendance, generally vote against or withhold from appropriate members of the nominating/governance committees or the full board.

If the proxy disclosure is unclear and insufficient to determine whether a director attended at least 75 percent of the aggregate of his/her board and committee meetings during his/her period of service, vote against or withhold from the director(s) in question.

³ Nominees who served for only part of the fiscal year are generally exempted from the attendance policy.


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Overboarded Directors: Generally vote against or withhold from individual directors who:

∎

Sit on more than five public company boards; or

∎

Are CEOs of public companies who sit on the boards of more than two public companies besides their own - withhold only at their outside boards⁴.

Gender Diversity: Generally vote against or withhold from the chair of the nominating committee (or other directors on a case-by-case basis) at companies where there are no women on the company’s board. An exception will be made if there was at least one woman on the board at the preceding annual meeting and the board makes a firm commitment to return to a gender-diverse status within a year.

Racial and/or Ethnic Diversity: For companies in the Russell 3000 or S&P 1500 indices, generally vote against or withhold from the chair of the nominating committee (or other directors on a case-by-case basis) where the board has no apparent racially or ethnically diverse members⁵. An exception will be made if there was racial and/or ethnic diversity on the board at the preceding annual meeting and the board makes a firm commitment to appoint at least one racial and/or ethnic diverse member within a year.

Responsiveness

Vote case-by-case on individual directors, committee members, or the entire board of directors as appropriate if:

∎

The board failed to act on a shareholder proposal that received the support of a majority of the shares cast in the previous year or failed to act on a management proposal seeking to ratify an existing charter/bylaw provision that received opposition of a majority of the shares cast in the previous year. Factors that will be considered are:

∎

Disclosed outreach efforts by the board to shareholders in the wake of the vote;

∎

Rationale provided in the proxy statement for the level of implementation;

∎

The subject matter of the proposal;

∎

The level of support for and opposition to the resolution in past meetings;

∎

Actions taken by the board in response to the majority vote and its engagement with shareholders;

∎

The continuation of the underlying issue as a voting item on the ballot (as either shareholder or management proposals); and

∎

Other factors as appropriate.

∎

The board failed to act on takeover offers where the majority of shares are tendered;

∎

At the previous board election, any director received more than 50 percent withhold/against votes of the shares cast and the company has failed to address the issue(s) that caused the high withhold/against vote.

⁴ Although all of a CEO’s subsidiary boards with publicly-traded common stock will be counted as separate boards, ISS will not recommend a withhold vote for the CEO of a parent company board or any of the controlled (>50 percent ownership) subsidiaries of that parent but may do so at subsidiaries that are less than 50 percent controlled and boards outside the parent/subsidiary relationships.

⁵ Aggregate diversity statistics provided by the board will only be considered if specific to racial and/or ethnic diversity.


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Vote case-by-case on Compensation Committee members (or, in exceptional cases, the full board) and the Say on Pay proposal if:

∎

The company’s previous say-on-pay received the support of less than 70 percent of votes cast. Factors that will be considered are:

∎

The company’s response, including:

∎

Disclosure of engagement efforts with major institutional investors, including the frequency and timing of engagements and the company participants (including whether independent directors participated);

∎

Disclosure of the specific concerns voiced by dissenting shareholders that led to the say-on-pay opposition;

∎

Disclosure of specific and meaningful actions taken to address shareholders’ concerns;

∎

Other recent compensation actions taken by the company;

∎

Whether the issues raised are recurring or isolated;

∎

The company’s ownership structure; and

∎

Whether the support level was less than 50 percent, which would warrant the highest degree of responsiveness.

∎

The board implements an advisory vote on executive compensation on a less frequent basis than the frequency that received the plurality of votes cast.

Accountability

PROBLEMATIC TAKEOVER DEFENSES, CAPITAL STRUCTURE, AND GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE

Poison Pills: Generally vote against or withhold from all nominees (except new nominees¹, who should be considered case-by-case) if:

∎

The company has a poison pill with a deadhand or slowhand feature⁶;

∎

The board makes a material adverse modification to an existing pill, including, but not limited to, extension, renewal, or lowering the trigger, without shareholder approval; or

∎

The company has a long-term poison pill (with a term of over one year) that was not approved by the public shareholders⁷.

Vote case-by-case on nominees if the board adopts an initial short-term pill⁶ (with a term of one year or less) without shareholder approval, taking into consideration:

∎

The disclosed rationale for the adoption;

∎

The trigger;

∎

The company’s market capitalization (including absolute level and sudden changes);

∎

A commitment to put any renewal to a shareholder vote; and

∎

Other factors as relevant.

⁶ If a short-term pill with a deadhand or slowhand feature is enacted but expires before the next shareholder vote, ISS will generally still recommend withhold/against nominees at the next shareholder meeting following its adoption.

⁷ Approval prior to, or in connection, with a company’s becoming publicly-traded, or in connection with a de-SPAC transaction, is insufficient.


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Unequal Voting Rights: Generally vote withhold or against directors individually, committee members, or the entire board (except new nominees¹, who should be considered case-by-case), if the company employs a common stock structure with unequal voting rights⁸.

Exceptions to this policy will generally be limited to:

∎

Newly-public companies⁹ with a sunset provision of no more than seven years from the date of going public;

∎

Limited Partnerships and the Operating Partnership (OP) unit structure of REITs;

∎

Situations where the super-voting shares represent less than 5% of total voting power and therefore considered to be de minimis; or

∎

The company provides sufficient protections for minority shareholders, such as allowing minority shareholders a regular binding vote on whether the capital structure should be maintained.

Classified Board Structure: The board is classified, and a continuing director responsible for a problematic governance issue at the board/committee level that would warrant a withhold/against vote recommendation is not up for election. All appropriate nominees (except new) may be held accountable.

Removal of Shareholder Discretion on Classified Boards: The company has opted into, or failed to opt out of, state laws requiring a classified board structure.

Problematic Governance Structure: For companies that hold or held their first annual meeting⁹ of public shareholders after Feb. 1, 2015, generally vote against or withhold from directors individually, committee members, or the entire board (except new nominees¹, who should be considered case-by-case) if, prior to or in connection with the company’s public offering, the company or its board adopted the following bylaw or charter provisions that are considered to be materially adverse to shareholder rights:

∎

Supermajority vote requirements to amend the bylaws or charter;

∎

A classified board structure; or

∎

Other egregious provisions.

A provision which specifies that the problematic structure(s) will be sunset within seven years of the date of going public will be considered a mitigating factor.

Unless the adverse provision is reversed or removed, vote case-by-case on director nominees in subsequent years.

Unilateral Bylaw/Charter Amendments: Generally vote against or withhold from directors individually, committee members, or the entire board (except new nominees¹, who should be considered case-by-case) if the board amends the company’s bylaws or charter without shareholder approval in a manner that materially diminishes shareholders’ rights or that could adversely impact shareholders, considering the following factors:

∎

The board’s rationale for adopting the bylaw/charter amendment without shareholder ratification;

∎

Disclosure by the company of any significant engagement with shareholders regarding the amendment;

∎

The level of impairment of shareholders’ rights caused by the board’s unilateral amendment to the bylaws/charter;

⁸ This generally includes classes of common stock that have additional votes per share than other shares; classes of shares that are not entitled to vote on all the same ballot items or nominees; or stock with time-phased voting rights (“loyalty shares”).

⁹ Includes companies that emerge from bankruptcy, SPAC transactions, spin-offs, direct listings, and those who complete a traditional initial public offering.


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∎

The board’s track record with regard to unilateral board action on bylaw/charter amendments or other entrenchment provisions;

∎

The company’s ownership structure;

∎

The company’s existing governance provisions;

∎

The timing of the board’s amendment to the bylaws/charter in connection with a significant business development; and

∎

Other factors, as deemed appropriate, that may be relevant to determine the impact of the amendment on shareholders.

Unless the adverse amendment is reversed or submitted to a binding shareholder vote, in subsequent years vote case-by-case on director nominees. Generally vote against (except new nominees¹, who should be considered case-by-case) if the directors:

∎

Classified the board;

∎

Adopted supermajority vote requirements to amend the bylaws or charter;

∎

Eliminated shareholders’ ability to amend bylaws;

∎

Adopted a fee-shifting provision; or

∎

Adopted another provision deemed egregious.

Restricting Binding Shareholder Proposals: Generally vote against or withhold from the members of the governance committee if:

∎

The company’s governing documents impose undue restrictions on shareholders’ ability to amend the bylaws. Such restrictions include but are not limited to: outright prohibition on the submission of binding shareholder proposals or share ownership requirements, subject matter restrictions, or time holding requirements in excess of SEC Rule 14a-8. Vote against or withhold on an ongoing basis.

Submission of management proposals to approve or ratify requirements in excess of SEC Rule 14a-8 for the submission of binding bylaw amendments will generally be viewed as an insufficient restoration of shareholders’ rights. Generally continue to vote against or withhold on an ongoing basis until shareholders are provided with an unfettered ability to amend the bylaws or a proposal providing for such unfettered right is submitted for shareholder approval.

Director Performance Evaluation: The board lacks mechanisms to promote accountability and oversight, coupled with sustained poor performance relative to peers. Sustained poor performance is measured by one-, three-, and five-year total shareholder returns in the bottom half of a company’s four-digit GICS industry group (Russell 3000 companies only). Take into consideration the company’s operational metrics and other factors as warranted. Problematic provisions include but are not limited to:

∎

A classified board structure;

∎

A supermajority vote requirement;

∎

Either a plurality vote standard in uncontested director elections, or a majority vote standard in contested elections;

∎

The inability of shareholders to call special meetings;

∎

The inability of shareholders to act by written consent;

∎

A multi-class capital structure; and/or

∎

A non-shareholder-approved poison pill.

Management Proposals to Ratify Existing Charter or Bylaw Provisions: Vote against/withhold from individual directors, members of the governance committee, or the full board, where boards ask shareholders to ratify existing charter or bylaw provisions considering the following factors:

∎

The presence of a shareholder proposal addressing the same issue on the same ballot;


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∎

The board’s rationale for seeking ratification;

∎

Disclosure of actions to be taken by the board should the ratification proposal fail;

∎

Disclosure of shareholder engagement regarding the board’s ratification request;

∎

The level of impairment to shareholders’ rights caused by the existing provision;

∎

The history of management and shareholder proposals on the provision at the company’s past meetings;

∎

Whether the current provision was adopted in response to the shareholder proposal;

∎

The company’s ownership structure; and

∎

Previous use of ratification proposals to exclude shareholder proposals.

Problematic Audit-Related Practices

Generally vote against or withhold from the members of the Audit Committee if:

∎

The non-audit fees paid to the auditor are excessive;

∎

The company receives an adverse opinion on the company’s financial statements from its auditor; or

∎

There is persuasive evidence that the Audit Committee entered into an inappropriate indemnification agreement with its auditor that limits the ability of the company, or its shareholders, to pursue legitimate legal recourse against the audit firm.

Vote case-by-case on members of the Audit Committee and potentially the full board if:

∎

Poor accounting practices are identified that rise to a level of serious concern, such as: fraud; misapplication of GAAP; and material weaknesses identified in Section 404 disclosures. Examine the severity, breadth, chronological sequence, and duration, as well as the company’s efforts at remediation or corrective actions, in determining whether withhold/against votes are warranted.

Problematic Compensation Practices

In the absence of an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (Say on Pay) ballot item or in egregious situations, vote against or withhold from the members of the Compensation Committee and potentially the full board if:

∎

There is an unmitigated misalignment between CEO pay and company performance (pay for performance);

∎

The company maintains significant problematic pay practices; or

∎

The board exhibits a significant level of poor communication and responsiveness to shareholders.

Generally vote against or withhold from the Compensation Committee chair, other committee members, or potentially the full board if:

∎

The company fails to include a Say on Pay ballot item when required under SEC provisions, or under the company’s declared frequency of say on pay; or

∎

The company fails to include a Frequency of Say on Pay ballot item when required under SEC provisions.

Generally vote against members of the board committee responsible for approving/setting non-employee director compensation if there is a pattern (i.e. two or more years) of awarding excessive non-employee director compensation without disclosing a compelling rationale or other mitigating factors.


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Problematic Pledging of Company Stock: Vote against the members of the committee that oversees risks related to pledging, or the full board, where a significant level of pledged company stock by executives or directors raises concerns. The following factors will be considered:

∎

The presence of an anti-pledging policy, disclosed in the proxy statement, that prohibits future pledging activity;

∎

The magnitude of aggregate pledged shares in terms of total common shares outstanding, market value, and trading volume;

∎

Disclosure of progress or lack thereof in reducing the magnitude of aggregate pledged shares over time;

∎

Disclosure in the proxy statement that shares subject to stock ownership and holding requirements do not include pledged company stock; and

∎

Any other relevant factors.

Climate Accountability

For companies that are significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters, through their operations or value chain¹⁰, generally vote against or withhold from the incumbent chair of the responsible committee (or other directors on a case-by-case basis) in cases where ISS determines that the company is not taking the minimum steps needed to understand, assess, and mitigate risks related to climate change to the company and the larger economy.

Minimum steps to understand and mitigate those risks are considered to be the following. Both minimum criteria will be required to be in alignment with the policy :

∎

Detailed disclosure of climate-related risks, such as according to the framework established by the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), including:

∎

Board governance measures;

∎

Corporate strategy;

∎

Risk management analyses; and

∎

Metrics and targets.

∎

Appropriate GHG emissions reduction targets.

At this time, “appropriate GHG emissions reductions targets” will be medium-term GHG reduction targets or Net Zero-by-2050 GHG reduction targets for a company’s operations (Scope 1) and electricity use (Scope 2). Targets should cover the vast majority of the company’s direct emissions.

Governance Failures

Under extraordinary circumstances, vote against or withhold from directors individually, committee members, or the entire board, due to:

∎

Material failures of governance, stewardship, risk oversight¹¹, or fiduciary responsibilities at the company;

∎

Failure to replace management as appropriate; or

¹⁰ Companies defined as “significant GHG emitters” will be those on the current Climate Action 100+ Focus Group list.

¹¹ Examples of failure of risk oversight include but are not limited to: bribery; large or serial fines or sanctions from regulatory bodies; demonstrably poor risk oversight of environmental and social issues, including climate change; significant adverse legal judgments or settlement; or hedging of company stock.


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Egregious actions related to a director’s service on other boards that raise substantial doubt about his or her ability to effectively oversee management and serve the best interests of shareholders at any company.

Voting on Director Nominees in Contested Elections

Vote-No Campaigns

General Recommendation: In cases where companies are targeted in connection with public “vote-no” campaigns, evaluate director nominees under the existing governance policies for voting on director nominees in uncontested elections. Take into consideration the arguments submitted by shareholders and other publicly available information.

Proxy Contests/Proxy Access

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on the election of directors in contested elections, considering the following factors:

∎

Long-term financial performance of the company relative to its industry;

∎

Management’s track record;

∎

Background to the contested election;

∎

Nominee qualifications and any compensatory arrangements;

∎

Strategic plan of dissident slate and quality of the critique against management;

∎

Likelihood that the proposed goals and objectives can be achieved (both slates); and

∎

Stock ownership positions.

In the case of candidates nominated pursuant to proxy access, vote case-by-case considering any applicable factors listed above or additional factors which may be relevant, including those that are specific to the company, to the nominee(s) and/or to the nature of the election (such as whether there are more candidates than board seats).

Other Board-Related Proposals

Adopt Anti-Hedging/Pledging/Speculative Investments Policy

General Recommendation: Generally vote for proposals seeking a policy that prohibits named executive officers from engaging in derivative or speculative transactions involving company stock, including hedging, holding stock in a margin account, or pledging stock as collateral for a loan. However, the company’s existing policies regarding responsible use of company stock will be considered.

Board Refreshment

Board refreshment is best implemented through an ongoing program of individual director evaluations, conducted annually, to ensure the evolving needs of the board are met and to bring in fresh perspectives, skills, and diversity as needed.


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Term/Tenure Limits

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on management proposals regarding director term/tenure limits, considering:

∎

The rationale provided for adoption of the term/tenure limit;

∎

The robustness of the company’s board evaluation process;

∎

Whether the limit is of sufficient length to allow for a broad range of director tenures;

∎

Whether the limit would disadvantage independent directors compared to non-independent directors; and

∎

Whether the board will impose the limit evenly, and not have the ability to waive it in a discriminatory manner.

Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals asking for the company to adopt director term/tenure limits, considering:

∎

The scope of the shareholder proposal; and

∎

Evidence of problematic issues at the company combined with, or exacerbated by, a lack of board refreshment.

Age Limits

General Recommendation: Generally vote against management and shareholder proposals to limit the tenure of independent directors through mandatory retirement ages. Vote for proposals to remove mandatory age limits.

Board Size

General Recommendation: Vote for proposals seeking to fix the board size or designate a range for the board size.

Vote against proposals that give management the ability to alter the size of the board outside of a specified range without shareholder approval.

Classification/Declassification of the Board

General Recommendation: Vote against proposals to classify (stagger) the board.

Vote for proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually.

CEO Succession Planning

General Recommendation: Generally vote for proposals seeking disclosure on a CEO succession planning policy, considering, at a minimum, the following factors:

∎

The reasonableness/scope of the request; and

∎

The company’s existing disclosure on its current CEO succession planning process.


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Cumulative Voting

General Recommendation: Generally vote against management proposals to eliminate cumulate voting, and for shareholder proposals to restore or provide for cumulative voting, unless:

∎

The company has proxy access¹², thereby allowing shareholders to nominate directors to the company’s ballot; and

∎

The company has adopted a majority vote standard, with a carve-out for plurality voting in situations where there are more nominees than seats, and a director resignation policy to address failed elections.

Vote for proposals for cumulative voting at controlled companies (insider voting power > 50%).

Director and Officer Indemnification, Liability Protection, and Exculpation

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals on director and officer indemnification, liability protection, and exculpation¹³.

Consider the stated rationale for the proposed change. Also consider, among other factors, the extent to which the proposal would:

∎

Eliminate directors’ and officers’ liability for monetary damages for violating the duty of care.

∎

Eliminate directors’ and officers’ liability for monetary damages for violating the duty of loyalty.

∎

Expand coverage beyond just legal expenses to liability for acts that are more serious violations of fiduciary obligation than mere carelessness.

∎

Expand the scope of indemnification to provide for mandatory indemnification of company officials in connection with acts that previously the company was permitted to provide indemnification for, at the discretion of the company’s board (i.e., “permissive indemnification”), but that previously the company was not required to indemnify.

Vote for those proposals providing such expanded coverage in cases when a director’s or officer’s legal defense was unsuccessful if both of the following apply:

∎

If the individual was found to have acted in good faith and in a manner that the individual reasonably believed was in the best interests of the company; and

If only the individual’s legal expenses would be covered.

Establish/Amend Nominee Qualifications

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals that establish or amend director qualifications. Votes should be based on the reasonableness of the criteria and the degree to which they may preclude dissident nominees from joining the board.

¹²	A proxy access right that meets the recommended guidelines.

¹³	Indemnification: the condition of being secured against loss or damage.


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Vote case-by-case on shareholder resolutions seeking a director nominee who possesses a particular subject matter expertise, considering:

∎

The company’s board committee structure, existing subject matter expertise, and board nomination provisions relative to that of its peers;

Limited liability: a person’s financial liability is limited to a fixed sum, or personal financial assets are not at risk if the individual loses a lawsuit that results in financial award/damages to the plaintiff.

Exculpation: to eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director or officer to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director or officer.

∎

The company’s existing board and management oversight mechanisms regarding the issue for which board oversight is sought;

∎

The company’s disclosure and performance relating to the issue for which board oversight is sought and any significant related controversies; and

∎

The scope and structure of the proposal.

Establish Other Board Committee Proposals

General Recommendation: Generally vote against shareholder proposals to establish a new board committee, as such proposals seek a specific oversight mechanism/structure that potentially limits a company’s flexibility to determine an appropriate oversight mechanism for itself. However, the following factors will be considered:

∎

Existing oversight mechanisms (including current committee structure) regarding the issue for which board oversight is sought;

∎

Level of disclosure regarding the issue for which board oversight is sought;

∎

Company performance related to the issue for which board oversight is sought;

∎

Board committee structure compared to that of other companies in its industry sector; and

∎

The scope and structure of the proposal.

Filling Vacancies/Removal of Directors

General Recommendation: Vote against proposals that provide that directors may be removed only for cause. Vote for proposals to restore shareholders’ ability to remove directors with or without cause.

Vote against proposals that provide that only continuing directors may elect replacements to fill board vacancies.

Vote for proposals that permit shareholders to elect directors to fill board vacancies.

Independent Board Chair

General Recommendation: Generally vote for shareholder proposals requiring that the board chair position be filled by an independent director, taking into consideration the following:

∎

The scope and rationale of the proposal;


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∎

The company’s current board leadership structure;

∎

The company’s governance structure and practices;

∎

Company performance; and

∎

Any other relevant factors that may be applicable.

The following factors will increase the likelihood of a “for” recommendation:

∎

A majority non-independent board and/or the presence of non-independent directors on key board committees;

∎

A weak or poorly-defined lead independent director role that fails to serve as an appropriate counterbalance to a combined CEO/chair role;

∎

The presence of an executive or non-independent chair in addition to the CEO, a recent recombination of the role of CEO and chair, and/or departure from a structure with an independent chair;

∎

Evidence that the board has failed to oversee and address material risks facing the company;

∎

A material governance failure, particularly if the board has failed to adequately respond to shareholder concerns or if the board has materially diminished shareholder rights; or

∎

Evidence that the board has failed to intervene when management’s interests are contrary to shareholders’ interests.

Majority of Independent Directors/Establishment of Independent Committees

General Recommendation: Vote for shareholder proposals asking that a majority or more of directors be independent unless the board composition already meets the proposed threshold by ISS’ definition of Independent Director (See ISS’ Classification of Directors.)

Vote for shareholder proposals asking that board audit, compensation, and/or nominating committees be composed exclusively of independent directors unless they currently meet that standard.

Majority Vote Standard for the Election of Directors

General Recommendation: Generally vote for management proposals to adopt a majority of votes cast standard for directors in uncontested elections. Vote against if no carve-out for a plurality vote standard in contested elections is included.

Generally vote for precatory and binding shareholder resolutions requesting that the board change the company’s bylaws to stipulate that directors need to be elected with an affirmative majority of votes cast, provided it does not conflict with the state law where the company is incorporated. Binding resolutions need to allow for a carve-out for a plurality vote standard when there are more nominees than board seats.

Companies are strongly encouraged to also adopt a post-election policy (also known as a director resignation policy) that will provide guidelines so that the company will promptly address the situation of a holdover director.


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Proxy Access

General Recommendation: Generally vote for management and shareholder proposals for proxy access with the following provisions:

∎

Ownership threshold: maximum requirement not more than three percent (3%) of the voting power;

∎

Ownership duration: maximum requirement not longer than three (3) years of continuous ownership for each member of the nominating group;

∎

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

∎

Cap: cap on nominees of generally twenty-five percent (25%) of the board.

Review for reasonableness any other restrictions on the right of proxy access. Generally vote against proposals that are more restrictive than these guidelines.

Require More Nominees than Open Seats

General Recommendation: Vote against shareholder proposals that would require a company to nominate more candidates than the number of open board seats.

Shareholder Engagement Policy (Shareholder Advisory Committee)

General Recommendation: Generally vote for shareholder proposals requesting that the board establish an internal mechanism/process, which may include a committee, in order to improve communications between directors and shareholders, unless the company has the following features, as appropriate:

∎

Established a communication structure that goes beyond the exchange requirements to facilitate the exchange of information between shareholders and members of the board;

∎

Effectively disclosed information with respect to this structure to its shareholders;

∎

Company has not ignored majority-supported shareholder proposals, or a majority withhold vote on a director nominee; and

∎

The company has an independent chair or a lead director, according to ISS’ definition. This individual must be made available for periodic consultation and direct communication with major shareholders.

2. Audit-Related

Auditor Indemnification and Limitation of Liability

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on the issue of auditor indemnification and limitation of liability. Factors to be assessed include, but are not limited to:

∎

The terms of the auditor agreement—the degree to which these agreements impact shareholders’ rights;

∎

The motivation and rationale for establishing the agreements;


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∎

The quality of the company’s disclosure; and

∎

The company’s historical practices in the audit area.

Vote against or withhold from members of an audit committee in situations where there is persuasive evidence that the audit committee entered into an inappropriate indemnification agreement with its auditor that limits the ability of the company, or its shareholders, to pursue legitimate legal recourse against the audit firm.

Auditor Ratification

General Recommendation: Vote for proposals to ratify auditors unless any of the following apply:

∎

An auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore not independent;

∎

There is reason to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion that is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position;

∎

Poor accounting practices are identified that rise to a serious level of concern, such as fraud or misapplication of GAAP; or

∎

Fees for non-audit services (“Other” fees) are excessive.

Non-audit fees are excessive if:

∎

Non-audit (“other”) fees > audit fees + audit-related fees + tax compliance/preparation fees

Tax compliance and preparation include the preparation of original and amended tax returns and refund claims, and tax payment planning. All other services in the tax category, such as tax advice, planning, or consulting, should be added to “Other” fees. If the breakout of tax fees cannot be determined, add all tax fees to “Other” fees.

In circumstances where “Other” fees include fees related to significant one-time capital structure events (such as initial public offerings, bankruptcy emergence, and spin-offs) and the company makes public disclosure of the amount and nature of those fees that are 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.

Shareholder Proposals Limiting Non-Audit Services

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals asking companies to prohibit or limit their auditors from engaging in non-audit services.


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Shareholder Proposals on Audit Firm Rotation

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals asking for audit firm rotation, taking into account:

∎

The tenure of the audit firm;

∎

The length of rotation specified in the proposal;

∎

Any significant audit-related issues at the company;

∎

The number of Audit Committee meetings held each year;

∎

The number of financial experts serving on the committee; and

∎

Whether the company has a periodic renewal process where the auditor is evaluated for both audit quality and competitive price.


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3. Shareholder Rights & Defenses

Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals/Nominations

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on advance notice proposals, giving support to those proposals which allow shareholders to submit proposals/nominations as close to the meeting date as reasonably possible and within the broadest window possible, recognizing the need to allow sufficient notice for company, regulatory, and shareholder review.

To be reasonable, the company’s deadline for shareholder notice of a proposal/nominations must be no earlier than 120 days prior to the anniversary of the previous year’s meeting and have a submittal window of no shorter than 30 days from the beginning of the notice period (also known as a 90-120-day window). The submittal window is the period under which shareholders must file their proposals/nominations prior to the deadline.

In general, support additional efforts by companies to ensure full disclosure in regard to a proponent’s economic and voting position in the company so long as the informational requirements are reasonable and aimed at providing shareholders with the necessary information to review such proposals.

Amend Bylaws without Shareholder Consent

General Recommendation: Vote against proposals giving the board exclusive authority to amend the bylaws.

Vote case-by-case on proposals giving the board the ability to amend the bylaws in addition to shareholders, taking into account the following:

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Any impediments to shareholders’ ability to amend the bylaws (i.e. supermajority voting requirements);

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The company’s ownership structure and historical voting turnout;

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Whether the board could amend bylaws adopted by shareholders; and

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Whether shareholders would retain the ability to ratify any board-initiated amendments.

Control Share Acquisition Provisions

General Recommendation: Vote for proposals to opt out of control share acquisition statutes unless doing so would enable the completion of a takeover that would be detrimental to shareholders.

Vote against proposals to amend the charter to include control share acquisition provisions.

Vote for proposals to restore voting rights to the control shares.

Control share acquisition statutes function by denying shares their voting rights when they contribute to ownership in excess of certain thresholds. Voting rights for those shares exceeding ownership limits may only be restored by approval of either a majority or supermajority of disinterested shares. Thus, control share acquisition statutes effectively require a hostile bidder to put its offer to a shareholder vote or risk voting disenfranchisement if the bidder continues buying up a large block of shares.


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Control Share Cash-Out Provisions

General Recommendation: Vote for proposals to opt out of control share cash-out statutes.

Control share cash-out statutes give dissident shareholders the right to “cash-out” of their position in a company at the expense of the shareholder who has taken a control position. In other words, when an investor crosses a preset threshold level, remaining shareholders are given the right to sell their shares to the acquirer, who must buy them at the highest acquiring price.

Disgorgement Provisions

General Recommendation: Vote for proposals to opt out of state disgorgement provisions.

Disgorgement provisions require an acquirer or potential acquirer of more than a certain percentage of a company’s stock to disgorge, or pay back, to the company any profits realized from the sale of that company’s stock purchased 24 months before achieving control status. All sales of company stock by the acquirer occurring within a certain period of time (between 18 months and 24 months) prior to the investor’s gaining control status are subject to these recapture-of-profits provisions.

Fair Price Provisions

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals to adopt fair price provisions (provisions that stipulate that an acquirer must pay the same price to acquire all shares as it paid to acquire the control shares), evaluating factors such as the vote required to approve the proposed acquisition, the vote required to repeal the fair price provision, and the mechanism for determining the fair price.

Generally vote against fair price provisions with shareholder vote requirements greater than a majority of disinterested shares.

Freeze-Out Provisions

General Recommendation: Vote for proposals to opt out of state freeze-out provisions. Freeze-out provisions force an investor who surpasses a certain ownership threshold in a company to wait a specified period of time before gaining control of the company.

Greenmail

General Recommendation: Vote for proposals to adopt anti-greenmail charter or bylaw amendments or otherwise restrict a company’s ability to make greenmail payments.

Vote case-by-case on anti-greenmail proposals when they are bundled with other charter or bylaw amendments.

Greenmail payments are targeted share repurchases by management of company stock from individuals or groups seeking control of the company. Since only the hostile party receives payment, usually at a substantial premium over the market value of its shares, the practice discriminates against all other shareholders.


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Shareholder Litigation Rights

Federal Forum Selection Provisions

Federal forum selection provisions require that U.S. federal courts be the sole forum for shareholders to litigate claims arising under federal securities law.

General Recommendation: Generally vote for federal forum selection provisions in the charter or bylaws that specify “the district courts of the United States” as the exclusive forum for federal securities law matters, in the absence of serious concerns about corporate governance or board responsiveness to shareholders.

Vote against provisions that restrict the forum to a particular federal district court; unilateral adoption (without a shareholder vote) of such a provision will generally be considered a one-time failure under the Unilateral Bylaw/Charter Amendments policy.

Exclusive Forum Provisions for State Law Matters

Exclusive forum provisions in the charter or bylaws restrict shareholders’ ability to bring derivative lawsuits against the company, for claims arising out of state corporate law, to the courts of a particular state (generally the state of incorporation).

General Recommendation: Generally vote for charter or bylaw provisions that specify courts located within the state of Delaware as the exclusive forum for corporate law matters for Delaware corporations, in the absence of serious concerns about corporate governance or board responsiveness to shareholders.

For states other than Delaware, vote case-by-case on exclusive forum provisions, taking into consideration:

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The company’s stated rationale for adopting such a provision;

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Disclosure of past harm from duplicative shareholder lawsuits in more than one forum;

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The breadth of application of the charter or bylaw provision, including the types of lawsuits to which it would apply and the definition of key terms; and

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Governance features such as shareholders’ ability to repeal the provision at a later date (including the vote standard applied when shareholders attempt to amend the charter or bylaws) and their ability to hold directors accountable through annual director elections and a majority vote standard in uncontested elections.

Generally vote against provisions that specify a state other than the state of incorporation as the exclusive forum for corporate law matters, or that specify a particular local court within the state; unilateral adoption of such a provision will generally be considered a one-time failure under the Unilateral Bylaw/Charter Amendments policy.


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Fee shifting

Fee-shifting provisions in the charter or bylaws require that a shareholder who sues a company unsuccessfully pay all litigation expenses of the defendant corporation and its directors and officers.

General Recommendation: Generally vote against provisions that mandate fee-shifting whenever plaintiffs are not completely successful on the merits (i.e., including cases where the plaintiffs are partially successful).

Unilateral adoption of a fee-shifting provision will generally be considered an ongoing failure under the Unilateral Bylaw/Charter Amendments policy.

Net Operating Loss (NOL) Protective Amendments

General Recommendation: Vote against proposals to adopt a protective amendment for the stated purpose of protecting a company’s net operating losses (NOL) if the effective term of the protective amendment would exceed the shorter of three years and the exhaustion of the NOL.

Vote case-by-case, considering the following factors, for management proposals to adopt an NOL protective amendment that would remain in effect for the shorter of three years (or less) and the exhaustion of the NOL:

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The ownership threshold (NOL protective amendments generally prohibit stock ownership transfers that would result in a new 5-percent holder or increase the stock ownership percentage of an existing 5-percent holder);

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The value of the NOLs;

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Shareholder protection mechanisms (sunset provision or commitment to cause expiration of the protective amendment upon exhaustion or expiration of the NOL);

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The company’s existing governance structure including: board independence, existing takeover defenses, track record of responsiveness to shareholders, and any other problematic governance concerns; and

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Any other factors that may be applicable.

Poison Pills (Shareholder Rights Plans)

Shareholder Proposals to Put Pill to a Vote and/or Adopt a Pill Policy

General Recommendation: Vote for shareholder proposals requesting that the company submit its poison pill to a shareholder vote or redeem it unless the company has: (1) A shareholder-approved poison pill in place; or (2) The company has adopted a policy concerning the adoption of a pill in the future specifying that the board will only adopt a shareholder rights plan if either:

∎

Shareholders have approved the adoption of the plan; or

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The board, in its exercise of its fiduciary responsibilities, determines that it is in the best interest of shareholders under the circumstances to adopt a pill without the delay in adoption that would result from seeking stockholder approval (i.e., the “fiduciary out” provision). A poison pill adopted under this fiduciary out will be put to a shareholder ratification vote within 12 months of adoption or expire. If the pill is not approved by a majority of the votes cast on this issue, the plan will immediately terminate.


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If the shareholder proposal calls for a time period of less than 12 months for shareholder ratification after adoption, vote for the proposal, but add the caveat that a vote within 12 months would be considered sufficient implementation.

Management Proposals to Ratify a Poison Pill

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on management proposals on poison pill ratification, focusing on the features of the shareholder rights plan. Rights plans should contain the following attributes:

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No lower than a 20 percent trigger, flip-in or flip-over;

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A term of no more than three years;

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No deadhand, slowhand, no-hand, or similar feature that limits the ability of a future board to redeem the pill;

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Shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause); if the board refuses to redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced, 10 percent of the shares may call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the pill.

In addition, the rationale for adopting the pill should be thoroughly explained by the company. In examining the request for the pill, take into consideration the company’s existing governance structure, including: board independence, existing takeover defenses, and any problematic governance concerns.

Management Proposals to Ratify a Pill to Preserve Net Operating Losses (NOLs)

General Recommendation: Vote against proposals to adopt a poison pill for the stated purpose of protecting a company’s net operating losses (NOL) if the term of the pill would exceed the shorter of three years and the exhaustion of the NOL.

Vote case-by-case on management proposals for poison pill ratification, considering the following factors, if the term of the pill would be the shorter of three years (or less) and the exhaustion of the NOL:

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The ownership threshold to transfer (NOL pills generally have a trigger slightly below 5 percent);

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The value of the NOLs;

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Shareholder protection mechanisms (sunset provision, or commitment to cause expiration of the pill upon exhaustion or expiration of NOLs);

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The company’s existing governance structure, including: board independence, existing takeover defenses, track record of responsiveness to shareholders, and any other problematic governance concerns; and

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Any other factors that may be applicable.

Proxy Voting Disclosure, Confidentiality, and Tabulation

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals regarding proxy voting mechanics, taking into consideration whether implementation of the proposal is likely to enhance or protect shareholder rights. Specific issues covered under the policy include, but are not limited to, confidential voting of individual proxies and ballots, confidentiality of running vote tallies, and the treatment of abstentions and/or broker non-votes in the company’s vote-counting methodology.


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While a variety of factors may be considered in each analysis, the guiding principles are: transparency, consistency, and fairness in the proxy voting process. The factors considered, as applicable to the proposal, may include:

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The scope and structure of the proposal;

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The company’s stated confidential voting policy (or other relevant policies) and whether it ensures a “level playing field” by providing shareholder proponents with equal access to vote information prior to the annual meeting;

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The company’s vote standard for management and shareholder proposals and whether it ensures consistency and fairness in the proxy voting process and maintains the integrity of vote results;

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Whether the company’s disclosure regarding its vote counting method and other relevant voting policies with respect to management and shareholder proposals are consistent and clear;

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Any recent controversies or concerns related to the company’s proxy voting mechanics;

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Any unintended consequences resulting from implementation of the proposal; and

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Any other factors that may be relevant.

Ratification Proposals: Management Proposals to Ratify Existing Charter or Bylaw Provisions

General Recommendation: Generally vote against management proposals to ratify provisions of the company’s existing charter or bylaws, unless these governance provisions align with best practice.

In addition, voting against/withhold from individual directors, members of the governance committee, or the full board may be warranted, considering:

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The presence of a shareholder proposal addressing the same issue on the same ballot;

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The board’s rationale for seeking ratification;

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Disclosure of actions to be taken by the board should the ratification proposal fail;

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Disclosure of shareholder engagement regarding the board’s ratification request;

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The level of impairment to shareholders’ rights caused by the existing provision;

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The history of management and shareholder proposals on the provision at the company’s past meetings;

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Whether the current provision was adopted in response to the shareholder proposal;

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The company’s ownership structure; and

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Previous use of ratification proposals to exclude shareholder proposals.

Reimbursing Proxy Solicitation Expenses

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals to reimburse proxy solicitation expenses.

When voting in conjunction with support of a dissident slate, vote for the reimbursement of all appropriate proxy solicitation expenses associated with the election.

Generally vote for shareholder proposals calling for the reimbursement of reasonable costs incurred in connection with nominating one or more candidates in a contested election where the following apply:

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The election of fewer than 50 percent of the directors to be elected is contested in the election;

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One or more of the dissident’s candidates is elected;


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Shareholders are not permitted to cumulate their votes for directors; and

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The election occurred, and the expenses were incurred, after the adoption of this bylaw.

Reincorporation Proposals

General Recommendation: Management or shareholder proposals to change a company’s state of incorporation should be evaluated case-by-case, giving consideration to both financial and corporate governance concerns including the following:

∎

Reasons for reincorporation;

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Comparison of company’s governance practices and provisions prior to and following the reincorporation; and

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Comparison of corporation laws of original state and destination state.

Vote for reincorporation when the economic factors outweigh any neutral or negative governance changes.

Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent

General Recommendation: Generally vote against management and shareholder proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholders’ ability to act by written consent.

Generally vote for management and shareholder proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to act by written consent, taking into account the following factors:

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Shareholders’ current right to act by written consent;

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The consent threshold;

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The inclusion of exclusionary or prohibitive language;

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Investor ownership structure; and

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Shareholder support of, and management’s response to, previous shareholder proposals.

Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals if, in addition to the considerations above, the company has the following governance and antitakeover provisions:

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An unfettered¹⁴ right for shareholders to call special meetings at a 10 percent threshold;

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A majority vote standard in uncontested director elections;

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No non-shareholder-approved pill; and

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An annually elected board.

Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings

General Recommendation: Vote against management or shareholder proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholders’ ability to call special meetings.

¹⁴ Unfettered” means no restrictions on agenda items, no restrictions on the number of shareholders who can group together to reach the 10 percent threshold, and only reasonable limits on when a meeting can be called: no greater than 30 days after the last annual meeting and no greater than 90 prior to the next annual meeting.


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Generally vote for management or shareholder proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to call special meetings taking into account the following factors:

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Shareholders’ current right to call special meetings;

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Minimum ownership threshold necessary to call special meetings (10 percent preferred);

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The inclusion of exclusionary or prohibitive language;

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Investor ownership structure; and

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Shareholder support of, and management’s response to, previous shareholder proposals.

Stakeholder Provisions

General Recommendation: Vote against proposals that ask the board to consider non-shareholder constituencies or other non-financial effects when evaluating a merger or business combination.

State Antitakeover Statutes

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals to opt in or out of state takeover statutes (including fair price provisions, stakeholder laws, poison pill endorsements, severance pay and labor contract provisions, and anti-greenmail provisions).

Supermajority Vote Requirements

General Recommendation: Vote against proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote.

Vote for management or shareholder proposals to reduce supermajority vote requirements. However, for companies with shareholder(s) who have significant ownership levels, vote case-by-case, taking into account:

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Ownership structure;

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Quorum requirements; and

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Vote requirements.

Virtual Shareholder Meetings

General Recommendation: Generally vote for management proposals allowing for the convening of shareholder meetings by electronic means, so long as they do not preclude in-person meetings. Companies are encouraged to disclose the circumstances under which virtual-only¹⁵ meetings would be held, and to allow for comparable rights and opportunities for shareholders to participate electronically as they would have during an in-person meeting.

Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals concerning virtual-only meetings, considering:

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Scope and rationale of the proposal; and

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Concerns identified with the company’s prior meeting practices.

¹⁵ Virtual-only shareholder meeting” refers to a meeting of shareholders that is held exclusively using technology without a corresponding in-person meeting.


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4. Capital/Restructuring

Capital

Adjustments to Par Value of Common Stock

General Recommendation: Vote for management proposals to reduce the par value of common stock unless the action is being taken to facilitate an anti-takeover device or some other negative corporate governance action.

Vote for management proposals to eliminate par value.

Common Stock Authorization

General Authorization Requests

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock that are to be used for general corporate purposes:

∎

If share usage (outstanding plus reserved) is less than 50% of the current authorized shares, vote for an increase of up to 50% of current authorized shares.

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If share usage is 50% to 100% of the current authorized, vote for an increase of up to 100% of current authorized shares.

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If share usage is greater than current authorized shares, vote for an increase of up to the current share usage.

∎

In the case of a stock split, the allowable increase is calculated (per above) based on the post-split adjusted authorization.

Generally vote against proposed increases, even if within the above ratios, if the proposal or the company’s prior or ongoing use of authorized shares is problematic, including, but not limited to:

∎

The proposal seeks to increase the number of authorized shares of the class of common stock that has superior voting rights to other share classes;

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On the same ballot is a proposal for a reverse split for which support is warranted despite the fact that it would result in an excessive increase in the share authorization;

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The company has a non-shareholder approved poison pill (including an NOL pill); or

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The company has previous sizeable placements (within the past 3 years) of stock with insiders at prices substantially below market value, or with problematic voting rights, without shareholder approval.

However, generally vote for proposed increases beyond the above ratios or problematic situations when there is disclosure of specific and severe risks to shareholders of not approving the request, such as:

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In, or subsequent to, the company’s most recent 10-K filing, the company discloses that there is substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern;

∎

The company states that there is a risk of imminent bankruptcy or imminent liquidation if shareholders do not approve the increase in authorized capital; or

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A government body has in the past year required the company to increase its capital ratios.

For companies incorporated in states that allow increases in authorized capital without shareholder approval, generally vote withhold or against all nominees if a unilateral capital authorization increase does not conform to the above policies.


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Specific Authorization Requests

General Recommendation: Generally vote for proposals to increase the number of authorized common shares where the primary purpose of the increase is to issue shares in connection with transaction(s) (such as acquisitions, SPAC transactions, private placements, or similar transactions) on the same ballot, or disclosed in the proxy statement, that warrant support. For such transactions, the allowable increase will be the greater of:

∎

twice the amount needed to support the transactions on the ballot, and

∎

the allowable increase as calculated for general issuances above.

Dual Class Structure

General Recommendation: Generally vote against proposals to create a new class of common stock unless:

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The company discloses a compelling rationale for the dual-class capital structure, such as:

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The company’s auditor has concluded that there is substantial doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern; or

∎

The new class of shares will be transitory;

∎

The new class is intended for financing purposes with minimal or no dilution to current shareholders in both the short term and long term; and

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The new class is not designed to preserve or increase the voting power of an insider or significant shareholder.

Issue Stock for Use with Rights Plan

General Recommendation: Vote against proposals that increase authorized common stock for the explicit purpose of implementing a non-shareholder-approved shareholder rights plan (poison pill).

Preemptive Rights

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals that seek preemptive rights, taking into consideration:

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The size of the company;

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The shareholder base; and

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The liquidity of the stock.

Preferred Stock Authorization

General Authorization Requests

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals to increase the number of authorized shares of preferred stock that are to be used for general corporate purposes:

∎

If share usage (outstanding plus reserved) is less than 50% of the current authorized shares, vote for an increase of up to 50% of current authorized shares.

∎

If share usage is 50% to 100% of the current authorized, vote for an increase of up to 100% of current authorized shares.

∎

If share usage is greater than current authorized shares, vote for an increase of up to the current share usage.


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∎

In the case of a stock split, the allowable increase is calculated (per above) based on the post-split adjusted authorization.

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If no preferred shares are currently issued and outstanding, vote against the request, unless the company discloses a specific use for the shares.

Generally vote against proposed increases, even if within the above ratios, if the proposal or the company’s prior or ongoing use of authorized shares is problematic, including, but not limited to:

∎

If the shares requested are blank check preferred shares that can be used for antitakeover purposes;¹⁶

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The company seeks to increase a class of non-convertible preferred shares entitled to more than one vote per share on matters that do not solely affect the rights of preferred stockholders “supervoting shares”);

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The company seeks to increase a class of convertible preferred shares entitled to a number of votes greater than the number of common shares into which they are convertible (“supervoting shares”) on matters that do not solely affect the rights of preferred stockholders;

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The stated intent of the increase in the general authorization is to allow the company to increase an existing designated class of supervoting preferred shares;

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On the same ballot is a proposal for a reverse split for which support is warranted despite the fact that it would result in an excessive increase in the share authorization;

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The company has a non-shareholder approved poison pill (including an NOL pill); or

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In, or subsequent to, the company’s most recent 10-K filing, the company discloses that there is substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern;

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The company states that there is a risk of imminent bankruptcy or imminent liquidation if shareholders do not approve the increase in authorized capital; or

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A government body has in the past year required the company to increase its capital ratios.

Specific Authorization Requests

General Recommendation: Generally vote for proposals to increase the number of authorized preferred shares where the primary purpose of the increase is to issue shares in connection with transaction(s) (such as acquisitions, SPAC transactions, private placements, or similar transactions) on the same ballot, or disclosed in the proxy statement, that warrant support. For such transactions, the allowable increase will be the greater of:

∎

twice the amount needed to support the transactions on the ballot, and

∎

the allowable increase as calculated for general issuances above.

¹⁶ To be acceptable, appropriate disclosure would be needed that the shares are “declawed”: i.e., representation by the board that it will not, without prior stockholder approval, issue or use the preferred stock for any defensive or anti-takeover purpose or for the purpose of implementing any stockholder rights plan.


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Recapitalization Plans

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on recapitalizations (reclassifications of securities), taking into account the following:

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More simplified capital structure;

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Enhanced liquidity;

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Fairness of conversion terms;

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Impact on voting power and dividends;

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Reasons for the reclassification;

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Conflicts of interest; and

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Other alternatives considered.

Reverse Stock Splits

General Recommendation: Vote for management proposals to implement a reverse stock split if:

∎

The number of authorized shares will be proportionately reduced; or

∎

The effective increase in authorized shares is equal to or less than the allowable increase calculated in accordance with ISS’ Common Stock Authorization policy.

Vote case-by-case on proposals that do not meet either of the above conditions, taking into consideration the following factors:

∎

Stock exchange notification to the company of a potential delisting;

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Disclosure of substantial doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern without additional financing;

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The company’s rationale; or

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Other factors as applicable.

Share Issuance Mandates at U.S. Domestic Issuers Incorporated Outside the U.S.

General Recommendation: For U.S. domestic issuers incorporated outside the U.S. and listed solely on a U.S. exchange, generally vote for resolutions to authorize the issuance of common shares up to 20 percent of currently issued common share capital, where not tied to a specific transaction or financing proposal.

For pre-revenue or other early-stage companies that are heavily reliant on periodic equity financing, generally vote for resolutions to authorize the issuance of common shares up to 50 percent of currently issued common share capital. The burden of proof will be on the company to establish that it has a need for the higher limit.

Renewal of such mandates should be sought at each year’s annual meeting.

Vote case-by-case on share issuances for a specific transaction or financing proposal.


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Share Repurchase Programs

General Recommendation: For U.S.-incorporated companies, and foreign-incorporated U.S. Domestic Issuers that are traded solely on U.S. exchanges, vote for management proposals to institute open-market share repurchase plans in which all shareholders may participate on equal terms, or to grant the board authority to conduct open-market repurchases, in the absence of company-specific concerns regarding:

∎

Greenmail;

∎

The use of buybacks to inappropriately manipulate incentive compensation metrics;

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Threats to the company’s long-term viability; or

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Other company-specific factors as warranted.

Vote case-by-case on proposals to repurchase shares directly from specified shareholders, balancing the stated rationale against the possibility for the repurchase authority to be misused, such as to repurchase shares from insiders at a premium to market price.

Share Repurchase Programs Shareholder Proposals

General Recommendation: Generally vote against shareholder proposals prohibiting executives from selling shares of company stock during periods in which the company has announced that it may or will be repurchasing shares of its stock. Vote for the proposal when there is a pattern of abuse by executives exercising options or selling shares during periods of share buybacks.

Stock Distributions: Splits and Dividends

General Recommendation: Generally vote for management proposals to increase the common share authorization for stock split or stock dividend, provided that the effective increase in authorized shares is equal to or is less than the allowable increase calculated in accordance with ISS’ Common Stock Authorization policy.

Tracking Stock

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on the creation of tracking stock, weighing the strategic value of the transaction against such factors as:

∎

Adverse governance changes;

∎

Excessive increases in authorized capital stock;

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Unfair method of distribution;

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Diminution of voting rights;

∎

Adverse conversion features;

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Negative impact on stock option plans; and

∎

Alternatives such as spin-off.

Restructuring

Appraisal Rights

General Recommendation: Vote for proposals to restore or provide shareholders with rights of appraisal.


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Asset Purchases

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on asset purchase proposals, considering the following factors:

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Purchase price;

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Fairness opinion;

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Financial and strategic benefits;

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How the deal was negotiated;

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Conflicts of interest;

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Other alternatives for the business;

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Non-completion risk.

Asset Sales

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on asset sales, considering the following factors:

∎

Impact on the balance sheet/working capital;

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Potential elimination of diseconomies;

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Anticipated financial and operating benefits;

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Anticipated use of funds;

∎

Value received for the asset;

∎

Fairness opinion;

∎

How the deal was negotiated;

∎

Conflicts of interest.

Bundled Proposals

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on bundled or “conditional” proxy proposals. In the case of items that are conditioned upon each other, examine the benefits and costs of the packaged items. In instances when the joint effect of the conditioned items is not in shareholders’ best interests, vote against the proposals. If the combined effect is positive, support such proposals.

Conversion of Securities

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals regarding conversion of securities. When evaluating these proposals, the investor should review the dilution to existing shareholders, the conversion price relative to market value, financial issues, control issues, termination penalties, and conflicts of interest.

Vote for the conversion if it is expected that the company will be subject to onerous penalties or will be forced to file for bankruptcy if the transaction is not approved.

Corporate Reorganization/Debt Restructuring/Prepackaged Bankruptcy Plans/Reverse Leveraged Buyouts/Wrap Plans

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals to increase common and/or preferred shares and to issue shares as part of a debt restructuring plan, after evaluating:

∎

Dilution to existing shareholders’ positions;

∎

Terms of the offer - discount/premium in purchase price to investor, including any fairness opinion; termination penalties; exit strategy;


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∎

Financial issues - company’s financial situation; degree of need for capital; use of proceeds; effect of the financing on the company’s cost of capital;

∎

Management’s efforts to pursue other alternatives;

∎

Control issues - change in management; change in control, guaranteed board and committee seats; standstill provisions; voting agreements; veto power over certain corporate actions; and

∎

Conflict of interest - arm’s length transaction, managerial incentives.

Vote for the debt restructuring if it is expected that the company will file for bankruptcy if the transaction is not approved.

Formation of Holding Company

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals regarding the formation of a holding company, taking into consideration the following:

∎

The reasons for the change;

∎

Any financial or tax benefits;

∎

Regulatory benefits;

∎

Increases in capital structure; and

∎

Changes to the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the company.

Absent compelling financial reasons to recommend for the transaction, vote against the formation of a holding company if the transaction would include either of the following:

∎

Increases in common or preferred stock in excess of the allowable maximum (see discussion under “Capital”); or

∎

Adverse changes in shareholder rights.

Going Private and Going Dark Transactions (LBOs and Minority Squeeze-outs)

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on going private transactions, taking into account the following:

∎

Offer price/premium;

∎

Fairness opinion;

∎

How the deal was negotiated;

∎

Conflicts of interest;

∎

Other alternatives/offers considered; and

∎

Non-completion risk.

Vote case-by-case on going dark transactions, determining whether the transaction enhances shareholder value by taking into consideration:

∎

Whether the company has attained benefits from being publicly-traded (examination of trading volume, liquidity, and market research of the stock);

∎

Balanced interests of continuing vs. cashed-out shareholders, taking into account the following:

∎

Are all shareholders able to participate in the transaction?

∎

Will there be a liquid market for remaining shareholders following the transaction?


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∎

Does the company have strong corporate governance?

∎

Will insiders reap the gains of control following the proposed transaction?

∎

Does the state of incorporation have laws requiring continued reporting that may benefit shareholders?

Joint Ventures

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals to form joint ventures, taking into account the following:

∎

Percentage of assets/business contributed;

∎

Percentage ownership;

∎

Financial and strategic benefits;

∎

Governance structure;

∎

Conflicts of interest;

∎

Other alternatives; and

∎

Non-completion risk.

Liquidations

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on liquidations, taking into account the following:

∎

Management’s efforts to pursue other alternatives;

∎

Appraisal value of assets; and

∎

The compensation plan for executives managing the liquidation.

Vote for the liquidation if the company will file for bankruptcy if the proposal is not approved.

Mergers and Acquisitions

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on mergers and acquisitions. Review and evaluate the merits and drawbacks of the proposed transaction, balancing various and sometimes countervailing factors including:

∎

Valuation - Is the value to be received by the target shareholders (or paid by the acquirer) reasonable? While the fairness opinion may provide an initial starting point for assessing valuation reasonableness, emphasis is placed on the offer premium, market reaction, and strategic rationale.

∎

Market reaction - How has the market responded to the proposed deal? A negative market reaction should cause closer scrutiny of a deal.

∎

Strategic rationale - Does the deal make sense strategically? From where is the value derived? Cost and revenue synergies should not be overly aggressive or optimistic, but reasonably achievable. Management should also have a favorable track record of successful integration of historical acquisitions.

∎

Negotiations and process - Were the terms of the transaction negotiated at arm’s-length? Was the process fair and equitable? A fair process helps to ensure the best price for shareholders. Significant negotiation “wins” can also signify the deal makers’ competency. The comprehensiveness of the sales process (e.g., full auction, partial auction, no auction) can also affect shareholder value.

∎

Conflicts of interest -Are insiders benefiting from the transaction disproportionately and inappropriately as compared to non-insider shareholders? As the result of potential conflicts, the directors and officers of the company may be more likely to vote to approve a merger than if they did not hold these interests. Consider whether these interests may have influenced these directors


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and officers to support or recommend the merger. The CIC figure presented in the “ISS Transaction Summary” section of this report is an aggregate figure that can in certain cases be a misleading indicator of the true value transfer from shareholders to insiders. Where such figure appears to be excessive, analyze the underlying assumptions to determine whether a potential conflict exists.

∎

Governance - Will the combined company have a better or worse governance profile than the current governance profiles of the respective parties to the transaction? If the governance profile is to change for the worse, the burden is on the company to prove that other issues (such as valuation) outweigh any deterioration in governance.

Private Placements/Warrants/Convertible Debentures

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals regarding private placements, warrants, and convertible debentures taking into consideration:

∎

Dilution to existing shareholders’ position: The amount and timing of shareholder ownership dilution should be weighed against the needs and proposed shareholder benefits of the capital infusion. Although newly issued common stock, absent preemptive rights, is typically dilutive to existing shareholders, share price appreciation is often the necessary event to trigger the exercise of “out of the money” warrants and convertible debt. In these instances from a value standpoint, the negative impact of dilution is mitigated by the increase in the company’s stock price that must occur to trigger the dilutive event.

∎

Terms of the offer (discount/premium in purchase price to investor, including any fairness opinion, conversion features, termination penalties, exit strategy):

∎

The terms of the offer should be weighed against the alternatives of the company and in light of company’s financial condition. Ideally, the conversion price for convertible debt and the exercise price for warrants should be at a premium to the then prevailing stock price at the time of private placement.

∎

When evaluating the magnitude of a private placement discount or premium, consider factors that influence the discount or premium, such as, liquidity, due diligence costs, control and monitoring costs, capital scarcity, information asymmetry, and anticipation of future performance.

∎

Financial issues:

∎

The company’s financial condition;

∎

Degree of need for capital;

∎

Use of proceeds;

∎

Effect of the financing on the company’s cost of capital;

∎

Current and proposed cash burn rate;

∎

Going concern viability and the state of the capital and credit markets.

∎

Management’s efforts to pursue alternatives and whether the company engaged in a process to evaluate alternatives: A fair, unconstrained process helps to ensure the best price for shareholders. Financing alternatives can include joint ventures, partnership, merger, or sale of part or all of the company.

∎

Control issues:

∎

Change in management;

∎

Change in control;

∎

Guaranteed board and committee seats;

∎

Standstill provisions;


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∎

Voting agreements;

∎

Veto power over certain corporate actions; and

∎

Minority versus majority ownership and corresponding minority discount or majority control premium.

∎

Conflicts of interest:

∎

Conflicts of interest should be viewed from the perspective of the company and the investor.

∎

Were the terms of the transaction negotiated at arm’s length? Are managerial incentives aligned with shareholder interests?

∎

Market reaction:

∎

The market’s response to the proposed deal. A negative market reaction is a cause for concern. Market reaction may be addressed by analyzing the one-day impact on the unaffected stock price.

Vote for the private placement, or for the issuance of warrants and/or convertible debentures in a private placement, if it is expected that the company will file for bankruptcy if the transaction is not approved.

Reorganization/Restructuring Plan (Bankruptcy)

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals to common shareholders on bankruptcy plans of reorganization, considering the following factors including, but not limited to:

∎

Estimated value and financial prospects of the reorganized company;

∎

Percentage ownership of current shareholders in the reorganized company;

∎

Whether shareholders are adequately represented in the reorganization process (particularly through the existence of an Official Equity Committee);

∎

The cause(s) of the bankruptcy filing, and the extent to which the plan of reorganization addresses the cause(s);

∎

Existence of a superior alternative to the plan of reorganization; and

∎

Governance of the reorganized company.

Special Purpose Acquisition Corporations (SPACs)

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on SPAC mergers and acquisitions taking into account the following:

∎

Valuation - Is the value being paid by the SPAC reasonable? SPACs generally lack an independent fairness opinion and the financials on the target may be limited. Compare the conversion price with the intrinsic value of the target company provided in the fairness opinion. Also, evaluate the proportionate value of the combined entity attributable to the SPAC IPO shareholders versus the pre-merger value of SPAC. Additionally, a private company discount may be applied to the target if it is a private entity.

∎

Market reaction - How has the market responded to the proposed deal? A negative market reaction may be a cause for concern. Market reaction may be addressed by analyzing the one-day impact on the unaffected stock price.

∎

Deal timing - A main driver for most transactions is that the SPAC charter typically requires the deal to be complete within 18 to 24 months, or the SPAC is to be liquidated. Evaluate the valuation, market reaction, and potential conflicts of interest for deals that are announced close to the liquidation date.

∎

Negotiations and process -What was the process undertaken to identify potential target companies within specified industry or location specified in charter? Consider the background of the sponsors.


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∎

Conflicts of interest - How are sponsors benefiting from the transaction compared to IPO shareholders? Potential conflicts could arise if a fairness opinion is issued by the insiders to qualify the deal rather than a third party or if management is encouraged to pay a higher price for the target because of an 80 percent rule (the charter requires that the fair market value of the target is at least equal to 80 percent of net assets of the SPAC). Also, there may be sense of urgency by the management team of the SPAC to close the deal since its charter typically requires a transaction to be completed within the 18-24-month timeframe.

∎

Voting agreements - Are the sponsors entering into enter into any voting agreements/tender offers with shareholders who are likely to vote against the proposed merger or exercise conversion rights?

∎

Governance - What is the impact of having the SPAC CEO or founder on key committees following the proposed merger?

Special Purpose Acquisition Corporations (SPACs) - Proposals for Extensions

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on SPAC extension proposals taking into account the length of the requested extension, the status of any pending transaction(s) or progression of the acquisition process, any added incentive for non-redeeming shareholders, and any prior extension requests.

∎

Length of request: Typically, extension requests range from two to six months, depending on the progression of the SPAC’s acquistion process.

∎

Pending transaction(s) or progression of the acquisition process: Sometimes an intial business combination was already put to a shareholder vote, but, for varying reasons, the transaction could not be consummated by the termination date and the SPAC is requesting an extension. Other times, the SPAC has entered into a definitive transaction agreement, but needs additional time to consummate or hold the shareholder meeting.

∎

Added incentive for non-redeeming shareholders: Sometimes the SPAC sponsor (or other insiders) will contribute, typically as a loan to the company, additional funds that will be added to the redemption value of each public share as long as such shares are not redeemed in connection with the extension request. The purpose of the “equity kicker” is to incentivize shareholders to hold their shares through the end of the requested extension or until the time the transaction is put to a shareholder vote, rather than electing redeemption at the extension proposal meeting.

∎

Prior extension requests: Some SPACs request additional time beyond the extension period sought in prior extension requests.

Spin-offs

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on spin-offs, considering:

∎

Tax and regulatory advantages;

∎

Planned use of the sale proceeds;

∎

Valuation of spinoff;

∎

Fairness opinion;

∎

Benefits to the parent company;

∎

Conflicts of interest;

∎

Managerial incentives;

∎

Corporate governance changes;

∎

Changes in the capital structure.


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Value Maximization Shareholder Proposals

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals seeking to maximize shareholder value by:

∎

Hiring a financial advisor to explore strategic alternatives;

∎

Selling the company; or

∎

Liquidating the company and distributing the proceeds to shareholders.

These proposals should be evaluated based on the following factors:

∎

Prolonged poor performance with no turnaround in sight;

∎

Signs of entrenched board and management (such as the adoption of takeover defenses);

∎

Strategic plan in place for improving value;

∎

Likelihood of receiving reasonable value in a sale or dissolution; and

∎

The company actively exploring its strategic options, including retaining a financial advisor.

5. Compensation

Executive Pay Evaluation

Underlying all evaluations are five global principles that most investors expect corporations to adhere to in designing and administering executive and director compensation programs:

Maintain appropriate pay-for-performance alignment, with emphasis on long-term shareholder value: This principle encompasses overall executive pay practices, which must be designed to attract, retain, and appropriately motivate the key employees who drive shareholder value creation over the long term. It will take into consideration, among other factors, the link between pay and performance; the mix between fixed and variable pay; performance goals; and equity-based plan costs;

2.	Avoid arrangements that risk “pay for failure”: This principle addresses the appropriateness of long or indefinite contracts, excessive severance packages, and guaranteed compensation;

Maintain an independent and effective compensation committee: This principle promotes oversight of executive pay programs by directors with appropriate skills, knowledge, experience, and a sound process for compensation decision-making (e.g., including access to independent expertise and advice when needed);

4.	Provide shareholders with clear, comprehensive compensation disclosures: This principle underscores the importance of informative and timely disclosures that enable shareholders to evaluate executive pay practices fully and fairly;

Avoid inappropriate pay to non-executive directors: This principle recognizes the interests of shareholders in ensuring that compensation to outside directors is reasonable and does not compromise their independence and ability to make appropriate judgments in overseeing managers’ pay and performance. At the market level, it may incorporate a variety of generally accepted best practices.


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Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation—Management Proposals (Say-on-Pay)

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on ballot items related to executive pay and practices, as well as certain aspects of outside director compensation.

Vote against Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation (Say-on-Pay or “SOP”) if:

∎

There is an unmitigated misalignment between CEO pay and company performance (pay for performance);

∎

The company maintains significant problematic pay practices;

∎

The board exhibits a significant level of poor communication and responsiveness to shareholders.

Vote against or withhold from the members of the Compensation Committee and potentially the full board if:

∎

There is no SOP on the ballot, and an against vote on an SOP would otherwise be warranted due to pay-for-performance misalignment, problematic pay practices, or the lack of adequate responsiveness on compensation issues raised previously, or a combination thereof;

∎

The board fails to respond adequately to a previous SOP proposal that received less than 70 percent support of votes cast;

∎

The company has recently practiced or approved problematic pay practices, such as option repricing or option backdating; or

∎

The situation is egregious.

Primary Evaluation Factors for Executive Pay

Pay-for-Performance Evaluation

ISS annually conducts a pay-for-performance analysis to identify strong or satisfactory alignment between pay and performance over a sustained period. With respect to companies in the S&P1500, Russell 3000, or Russell 3000E Indices¹⁷, this analysis considers the following:

1.	Peer Group¹⁸ Alignment:

∎

The degree of alignment between the company’s annualized TSR rank and the CEO’s annualized total pay rank within a peer group, each measured over a three-year period.

∎

The rankings of CEO total pay and company financial performance within a peer group, each measured over a three-year period.

¹⁷ The Russell 3000E Index includes approximately 4,000 of the largest U.S. equity securities.

¹⁸ The revised peer group is generally comprised of 14-24 companies that are selected using market cap, revenue (or assets for certain financial firms), GICS industry group, and company’s selected peers’ GICS industry group, with size constraints, via a process designed to select peers that are comparable to the subject company in terms of revenue/assets and industry, and also within a market-cap bucket that is reflective of the company’s market cap. For Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels companies, market cap is the only size determinant.


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∎

The multiple of the CEO’s total pay relative to the peer group median in the most recent fiscal year.

2.	Absolute Alignment¹⁹ – the absolute alignment between the trend in CEO pay and company TSR over the prior five fiscal years – i.e., the difference between the trend in annual pay changes and the trend in annualized TSR during the period.

If the above analysis demonstrates significant unsatisfactory long-term pay-for-performance alignment or, in the case of companies outside the Russell indices, a misalignment between pay and performance is otherwise suggested, our analysis may include any of the following qualitative factors, as relevant to an evaluation of how various pay elements may work to encourage or to undermine long-term value creation and alignment with shareholder interests:

∎

The ratio of performance- to time-based incentive awards;

∎

The overall ratio of performance-based compensation to fixed or discretionary pay;

∎

The rigor of performance goals;

∎

The complexity and risks around pay program design;

∎

The transparency and clarity of disclosure;

∎

The company’s peer group benchmarking practices;

∎

Financial/operational results, both absolute and relative to peers;

∎

Special circumstances related to, for example, a new CEO in the prior FY or anomalous equity grant practices (e.g., bi-annual awards);

∎

Realizable pay²⁰ compared to grant pay; and

∎

Any other factors deemed relevant.

Problematic Pay Practices

Problematic pay elements are generally evaluated case-by-case considering the context of a company’s overall pay program and demonstrated pay-for-performance philosophy. The focus is on executive compensation practices that contravene the global pay principles, including:

∎

Problematic practices related to non-performance-based compensation elements;

∎

Incentives that may motivate excessive risk-taking or present a windfall risk; and

∎

Pay decisions that circumvent pay-for-performance, such as options backdating or waiving performance requirements.

The list of examples below highlights certain problematic practices that carry significant weight in this overall consideration and may result in adverse vote recommendations:

∎

Repricing or replacing of underwater stock options/SARs without prior shareholder approval (including cash buyouts and voluntary surrender of underwater options);

∎

Extraordinary perquisites or tax gross-ups;

∎

New or materially amended agreements that provide for:

¹⁹	Only Russell 3000 Index companies are subject to the Absolute Alignment analysis.

²⁰	ISS research reports include realizable pay for S&P1500 companies.


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∎

Excessive termination or CIC severance payments (generally exceeding 3 times base salary and average/target/most recent bonus);

∎

CIC severance payments without involuntary job loss or substantial diminution of duties (“single” or “modified single” triggers) or in connection with a problematic Good Reason definition;

∎

CIC excise tax gross-up entitlements (including “modified” gross-ups);

∎

Multi-year guaranteed awards that are not at risk due to rigorous performance conditions;

∎

Liberal CIC definition combined with any single-trigger CIC benefits;

∎

Insufficient executive compensation disclosure by externally-managed issuers (EMIs) such that a reasonable assessment of pay programs and practices applicable to the EMI’s executives is not possible;

∎

Severance payments made when the termination is not clearly disclosed as involuntary (for example, a termination without cause or resignation for good reason);

∎

Any other provision or practice deemed to be egregious and present a significant risk to investors.

The above examples are not an exhaustive list. Please refer to ISS’ U.S. Compensation Policies FAQ document for additional detail on specific pay practices that have been identified as problematic and may lead to negative vote recommendations.

Options Backdating

The following factors should be examined case-by-case to allow for distinctions to be made between “sloppy” plan administration versus deliberate action or fraud:

∎

Reason and motive for the options backdating issue, such as inadvertent vs. deliberate grant date changes;

∎

Duration of options backdating;

∎

Size of restatement due to options backdating;

∎

Corrective actions taken by the board or compensation committee, such as canceling or re-pricing backdated options, the recouping of option gains on backdated grants; and

∎

Adoption of a grant policy that prohibits backdating and creates a fixed grant schedule or window period for equity grants in the future.

Compensation Committee Communications and Responsiveness

Consider the following factors case-by-case when evaluating ballot items related to executive pay on the board’s responsiveness to investor input and engagement on compensation issues:

∎

Failure to respond to majority-supported shareholder proposals on executive pay topics; or

∎

Failure to adequately respond to the company’s previous say-on-pay proposal that received the support of less than 70 percent of votes cast, taking into account:

∎

Disclosure of the specific concerns voiced by dissenting shareholders that led to the say-on-pay opposition;

∎

Disclosure of specific and meaningful actions taken to address shareholders’ concerns;

∎

Other recent compensation actions taken by the company;


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∎

Whether the issues raised are recurring or isolated;

∎

The company’s ownership structure; and

∎

Whether the support level was less than 50 percent, which would warrant the highest degree of responsiveness.

Frequency of Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (“Say When on Pay”)

General Recommendation: Vote for annual advisory votes on compensation, which provide the most consistent and clear communication channel for shareholder concerns about companies’ executive pay programs.

Voting on Golden Parachutes in an Acquisition, Merger, Consolidation, or Proposed Sale

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on say on Golden Parachute proposals, including consideration of existing change-in-control arrangements maintained with named executive officers but also considering new or extended arrangements.

Features that may result in an “against” recommendation include one or more of the following, depending on the number, magnitude, and/or timing of issue(s):

∎

Single- or modified-single-trigger cash severance;

∎

Single-trigger acceleration of unvested equity awards;

∎

Full acceleration of equity awards granted shortly before the change in control;

∎

Acceleration of performance awards above the target level of performance without compelling rationale;

∎

Excessive cash severance (generally >3x base salary and bonus);

∎

Excise tax gross-ups triggered and payable;

∎

Excessive golden parachute payments (on an absolute basis or as a percentage of transaction equity value); or

∎

Recent amendments that incorporate any problematic features (such as those above) or recent actions (such as extraordinary equity grants) that may make packages so attractive as to influence merger agreements that may not be in the best interests of shareholders; or

∎

The company’s assertion that a proposed transaction is conditioned on shareholder approval of the golden parachute advisory vote.

Recent amendment(s) that incorporate problematic features will tend to carry more weight on the overall analysis. However, the presence of multiple legacy problematic features will also be closely scrutinized.

In cases where the golden parachute vote is incorporated into a company’s advisory vote on compensation (management say-on-pay), ISS will evaluate the say-on-pay proposal in accordance with these guidelines, which may give higher weight to that component of the overall evaluation.

Equity-Based and Other Incentive Plans

Please refer to ISS’ U.S. Equity Compensation Plans FAQ document for additional details on the Equity Plan Scorecard policy.


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General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on certain equity-based compensation plans²¹ depending on a combination of certain plan features and equity grant practices, where positive factors may counterbalance negative factors, and vice versa, as evaluated using an “Equity Plan Scorecard” (EPSC) approach with three pillars:

∎

Plan Cost: The total estimated cost of the company’s equity plans relative to industry/market cap peers, measured by the company’s estimated Shareholder Value Transfer (SVT) in relation to peers and considering both:

∎

SVT based on new shares requested plus shares remaining for future grants, plus outstanding unvested/unexercised grants; and

∎

SVT based only on new shares requested plus shares remaining for future grants.

∎

Plan Features:

∎

Quality of disclosure around vesting upon a change in control (CIC);

∎

Discretionary vesting authority;

∎

Liberal share recycling on various award types;

∎

Lack of minimum vesting period for grants made under the plan;

∎

Dividends payable prior to award vesting.

∎

Grant Practices:

∎

The company’s three-year burn rate relative to its industry/market cap peers;

∎

Vesting requirements in CEO’s recent equity grants (3-year look-back);

∎

The estimated duration of the plan (based on the sum of shares remaining available and the new shares requested, divided by the average annual shares granted in the prior three years);

∎

The proportion of the CEO’s most recent equity grants/awards subject to performance conditions;

∎

Whether the company maintains a sufficient claw-back policy;

∎

Whether the company maintains sufficient post-exercise/vesting share-holding requirements.

Generally vote against the plan proposal if the combination of above factors indicates that the plan is not, overall, in shareholders’ interests, or if any of the following egregious factors (“overriding factors”) apply:

∎

Awards may vest in connection with a liberal change-of-control definition;

∎

The plan would permit repricing or cash buyout of underwater options without shareholder approval (either by expressly permitting it – for NYSE and Nasdaq listed companies – or by not prohibiting it when the company has a history of repricing – for non-listed companies);

∎

The plan is a vehicle for problematic pay practices or a significant pay-for-performance disconnect under certain circumstances;

∎

The plan is excessively dilutive to shareholders’ holdings;

∎

The plan contains an evergreen (automatic share replenishment) feature; or

∎

Any other plan features are determined to have a significant negative impact on shareholder interests.

Further Information on certain EPSC Factors:

Shareholder Value Transfer (SVT)

The cost of the equity plans is expressed as Shareholder Value Transfer (SVT), which is measured using a binomial option pricing model that assesses the amount of shareholders’ equity flowing out of

²¹ Proposals evaluated under the EPSC policy generally include those to approve or amend (1) stock option plans for employees and/or employees and directors, (2) restricted stock plans for employees and/or employees and directors, and (3) omnibus stock incentive plans for employees and/or employees and directors; amended plans will be further evaluated case-by-case.


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the company to employees and directors. SVT is expressed as both a dollar amount and as a percentage of market value, and includes the new shares proposed, shares available under existing plans, and shares granted but unexercised (using two measures, in the case of plans subject to the Equity Plan Scorecard evaluation, as noted above). All award types are valued. For omnibus plans, unless limitations are placed on the most expensive types of awards (for example, full-value awards), the assumption is made that all awards to be granted will be the most expensive types.

For proposals that are not subject to the Equity Plan Scorecard evaluation, Shareholder Value Transfer is reasonable if it falls below a company-specific benchmark. The benchmark is determined as follows: The top quartile performers in each industry group (using the Global Industry Classification Standard: GICS) are identified. Benchmark SVT levels for each industry are established based on these top performers’ historic SVT. Regression analyses are run on each industry group to identify the variables most strongly correlated to SVT. The benchmark industry SVT level is then adjusted upwards or downwards for the specific company by plugging the company-specific performance measures, size, and cash compensation into the industry cap equations to arrive at the company’s benchmark.²²

Three-Year Value-Adjusted Burn Rate

A “Value-Adjusted Burn Rate” is used for stock plan evaluations. Value-Adjusted Burn Rate benchmarks are calculated as the greater of: (1) an industry-specific threshold based on three-year burn rates within the company’s GICS group segmented by S&P 500, Russell 3000 index (less the S&P 500) and non-Russell 3000 index; and (2) a de minimis threshold established separately for each of the S&P 500, the Russell 3000 index less the S&P 500, and the non-Russell 3000 index. Year-over-year burn-rate benchmark changes will be limited to a predetermined range above or below the prior year’s burn-rate benchmark.

The Value-Adjusted Burn Rate is calculated as follows:

Value-Adjusted Burn Rate = ((# of options * option’s dollar value using a Black-Scholes model) + (# of full-value awards * stock price)) / (Weighted average common shares * stock price).

Egregious Factors

Liberal Change in Control Definition

Generally vote against equity plans if the plan has a liberal definition of change in control and the equity awards could vest upon such liberal definition of change in control, even though an actual change in control may not occur. Examples of such a definition include, but are not limited to, announcement or commencement of a tender offer, provisions for acceleration upon a “potential” takeover, shareholder approval of a merger or other transactions, or similar language.

²² For plans evaluated under the Equity Plan Scorecard policy, the company’s SVT benchmark is considered along with other factors.


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Repricing Provisions

Vote against plans that expressly permit the repricing or exchange of underwater stock options/stock appreciate rights (SARs) without prior shareholder approval. “Repricing” typically includes the ability to do any of the following:

∎

Amend the terms of outstanding options or SARs to reduce the exercise price of such outstanding options or SARs;

∎

Cancel outstanding options or SARs in exchange for options or SARs with an exercise price that is less than the exercise price of the original options or SARs;

∎

Cancel underwater options in exchange for stock awards; or

∎

Provide cash buyouts of underwater options.

While the above cover most types of repricing, ISS may view other provisions as akin to repricing depending on the facts and circumstances.

Also, vote against or withhold from members of the Compensation Committee who approved repricing (as defined above or otherwise determined by ISS), without prior shareholder approval, even if such repricings are allowed in their equity plan.

Vote against plans that do not expressly prohibit repricing or cash buyout of underwater options without shareholder approval if the company has a history of repricing/buyouts without shareholder approval, and the applicable listing standards would not preclude them from doing so.

Problematic Pay Practices or Significant Pay-for-Performance Disconnect

If the equity plan on the ballot is a vehicle for problematic pay practices, vote against the plan.

ISS may recommend a vote against the equity plan if the plan is determined to be a vehicle for pay-for-performance misalignment. Considerations in voting against the equity plan may include, but are not limited to:

∎

Severity of the pay-for-performance misalignment;

∎

Whether problematic equity grant practices are driving the misalignment; and/or

∎

Whether equity plan awards have been heavily concentrated to the CEO and/or the other NEOs.

Amending Cash and Equity Plans (including Approval for Tax Deductibility (162(m))

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on amendments to cash and equity incentive plans.


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Generally vote for proposals to amend executive cash, stock, or cash and stock incentive plans if the proposal:

∎

Addresses administrative features only; or

∎

Seeks approval for Section 162(m) purposes only, and the plan administering committee consists entirely of independent directors, per ISS’ Classification of Directors. Note that if the company is presenting the plan to shareholders for the first time for any reason (including after the company’s initial public offering), or if the proposal is bundled with other material plan amendments, then the recommendation will be case-by-case (see below).

Vote against proposals to amend executive cash, stock, or cash and stock incentive plans if the proposal:

∎

Seeks approval for Section 162(m) purposes only, and the plan administering committee does not consist entirely of independent directors, per ISS’ Classification of Directors.

Vote case-by-case on all other proposals to amend cash incentive plans. This includes plans presented to shareholders for the first time after the company’s IPO and/or proposals that bundle material amendment(s) other than those for Section 162(m) purposes.

Vote case-by-case on all other proposals to amend equity incentive plans, considering the following:

∎

If the proposal requests additional shares and/or the amendments include a term extension or addition of full value awards as an award type, the recommendation will be based on the Equity Plan Scorecard evaluation as well as an analysis of the overall impact of the amendments.

∎

If the plan is being presented to shareholders for the first time (including after the company’s IPO), whether or not additional shares are being requested, the recommendation will be based on the Equity Plan Scorecard evaluation as well as an analysis of the overall impact of any amendments.

∎

If there is no request for additional shares and the amendments do not include a term extension or addition of full value awards as an award type, then the recommendation will be based entirely on an analysis of the overall impact of the amendments, and the EPSC evaluation will be shown only for informational purposes.

In the first two case-by-case evaluation scenarios, the EPSC evaluation/score is the more heavily weighted consideration.

Specific Treatment of Certain Award Types in Equity Plan Evaluations

Dividend Equivalent Rights

Options that have Dividend Equivalent Rights (DERs) associated with them will have a higher calculated award value than those without DERs under the binomial model, based on the value of these dividend streams. The higher value will be applied to new shares, shares available under existing plans, and shares awarded but not exercised per the plan specifications. DERS transfer more shareholder equity to employees and non-employee directors and this cost should be captured.


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Operating Partnership (OP) Units in Equity Plan Analysis of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

For Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITS), include the common shares issuable upon conversion of outstanding Operating Partnership (OP) units in the share count for the purposes of determining: (1) market capitalization in the Shareholder Value Transfer (SVT) analysis and (2) shares outstanding in the burn rate analysis.

Other Compensation Plans

401(k) Employee Benefit Plans

General Recommendation: Vote for proposals to implement a 401(k) savings plan for employees.

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)

General Recommendation: Vote for proposals to implement an ESOP or increase authorized shares for existing ESOPs, unless the number of shares allocated to the ESOP is excessive (more than five percent of outstanding shares).

Employee Stock Purchase Plans—Qualified Plans

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on qualified employee stock purchase plans. Vote for employee stock purchase plans where all of the following apply:

∎

Purchase price is at least 85 percent of fair market value;

∎

Offering period is 27 months or less; and

∎

The number of shares allocated to the plan is 10 percent or less of the outstanding shares.

Vote against qualified employee stock purchase plans where when the plan features do not meet all of the above criteria.

Employee Stock Purchase Plans—Non-Qualified Plans

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on nonqualified employee stock purchase plans. Vote for nonqualified employee stock purchase plans with all the following features:

∎

Broad-based participation;

∎

Limits on employee contribution, which may be a fixed dollar amount or expressed as a percent of base salary;

∎

Company matching contribution up to 25 percent of employee’s contribution, which is effectively a discount of 20 percent from market value; and

∎

No discount on the stock price on the date of purchase when there is a company matching contribution.

Vote against nonqualified employee stock purchase plans when the plan features do not meet all of the above criteria. If the matching contribution or effective discount exceeds the above, ISS may evaluate the SVT cost of the plan as part of the assessment.


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Option Exchange Programs/Repricing Options

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on management proposals seeking approval to exchange/reprice options taking into consideration:

∎

Historic trading patterns—the stock price should not be so volatile that the options are likely to be back “in-the-money” over the near term;

∎

Rationale for the re-pricing—was the stock price decline beyond management’s control?;

∎

Is this a value-for-value exchange?;

∎

Are surrendered stock options added back to the plan reserve?;

∎

Timing—repricing should occur at least one year out from any precipitous drop in company’s stock price;

∎

Option vesting—does the new option vest immediately or is there a black-out period?;

∎

Term of the option—the term should remain the same as that of the replaced option;

∎

Exercise price—should be set at fair market or a premium to market;

∎

Participants—executive officers and directors must be excluded.

If the surrendered options are added back to the equity plans for re-issuance, then also take into consideration the company’s total cost of equity plans and its three-year average burn rate.

In addition to the above considerations, evaluate the intent, rationale, and timing of the repricing proposal. The proposal should clearly articulate why the board is choosing to conduct an exchange program at this point in time. Repricing underwater options after a recent precipitous drop in the company’s stock price demonstrates poor timing and warrants additional scrutiny. Also, consider the terms of the surrendered options, such as the grant date, exercise price and vesting schedule. Grant dates of surrendered options should be far enough back (two to three years) so as not to suggest that repricings are being done to take advantage of short-term downward price movements. Similarly, the exercise price of surrendered options should be above the 52-week high for the stock price.

Vote for shareholder proposals to put option repricings to a shareholder vote.

Stock Plans in Lieu of Cash

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on plans that provide participants with the option of taking all or a portion of their cash compensation in the form of stock.

Vote for non-employee director-only equity plans that provide a dollar-for-dollar cash-for-stock exchange.

Vote case-by-case on plans which do not provide a dollar-for-dollar cash for stock exchange. In cases where the exchange is not dollar-for-dollar, the request for new or additional shares for such equity program will be considered using the binomial option pricing model. In an effort to capture the total cost of total compensation, ISS will not make any adjustments to carve out the in-lieu-of cash compensation.

Transfer Stock Option (TSO) Programs

General Recommendation: One-time Transfers: Vote against or withhold from compensation committee members if they fail to submit one-time transfers to shareholders for approval.


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Vote case-by-case on one-time transfers. Vote for if:

∎

Executive officers and non-employee directors are excluded from participating;

∎

Stock options are purchased by third-party financial institutions at a discount to their fair value using option pricing models such as Black-Scholes or a Binomial Option Valuation or other appropriate financial models; and

∎

There is a two-year minimum holding period for sale proceeds (cash or stock) for all participants.

Additionally, management should provide a clear explanation of why options are being transferred to a third-party institution and whether the events leading up to a decline in stock price were beyond management’s control. A review of the company’s historic stock price volatility should indicate if the options are likely to be back “in-the-money” over the near term.

Ongoing TSO program: Vote against equity plan proposals if the details of ongoing TSO programs are not provided to shareholders. Since TSOs will be one of the award types under a stock plan, the ongoing TSO program, structure, and mechanics must be disclosed to shareholders. The specific criteria to be considered in evaluating these proposals include, but not limited, to the following:

∎

Eligibility;

∎

Vesting;

∎

Bid-price;

∎

Term of options;

∎

Cost of the program and impact of the TSOs on company’s total option expense; and

∎

Option repricing policy.

Amendments to existing plans that allow for introduction of transferability of stock options should make clear that only options granted post-amendment shall be transferable.

Director Compensation

Shareholder Ratification of Director Pay Programs

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on management proposals seeking ratification of non-employee director compensation, based on the following factors:

∎

If the equity plan under which non-employee director grants are made is on the ballot, whether or not it warrants support; and

∎

An assessment of the following qualitative factors:

∎

The relative magnitude of director compensation as compared to companies of a similar profile;

∎

The presence of problematic pay practices relating to director compensation;

∎

Director stock ownership guidelines and holding requirements;

∎

Equity award vesting schedules;

∎

The mix of cash and equity-based compensation;

∎

Meaningful limits on director compensation;

∎

The availability of retirement benefits or perquisites; and

∎

The quality of disclosure surrounding director compensation.


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Equity Plans for Non-Employee Directors

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on compensation plans for non-employee directors, based on:

∎

The total estimated cost of the company’s equity plans relative to industry/market cap peers, measured by the company’s estimated Shareholder Value Transfer (SVT) based on new shares requested plus shares remaining for future grants, plus outstanding unvested/unexercised grants;

∎

The company’s three-year burn rate relative to its industry/market cap peers (in certain circumstances); and

∎

The presence of any egregious plan features (such as an option repricing provision or liberal CIC vesting risk).

On occasion, non-employee director stock plans will exceed the plan cost or burn-rate benchmarks when combined with employee or executive stock plans. In such cases, vote case-by-case on the plan taking into consideration the following qualitative factors:

∎

The relative magnitude of director compensation as compared to companies of a similar profile;

∎

The presence of problematic pay practices relating to director compensation;

∎

Director stock ownership guidelines and holding requirements;

∎

Equity award vesting schedules;

∎

The mix of cash and equity-based compensation;

∎

Meaningful limits on director compensation;

∎

The availability of retirement benefits or perquisites; and

∎

The quality of disclosure surrounding director compensation.

Non-Employee Director Retirement Plans

General Recommendation: Vote against retirement plans for non-employee directors. Vote for shareholder proposals to eliminate retirement plans for non-employee directors.

Shareholder Proposals on Compensation

Bonus Banking/Bonus Banking “Plus”

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals seeking deferral of a portion of annual bonus pay, with ultimate payout linked to sustained results for the performance metrics on which the bonus was earned (whether for the named executive officers or a wider group of employees), taking into account the following factors:

∎

The company’s past practices regarding equity and cash compensation;

∎

Whether the company has a holding period or stock ownership requirements in place, such as a meaningful retention ratio (at least 50 percent for full tenure); and

∎

Whether the company has a rigorous claw-back policy in place.

Compensation Consultants—Disclosure of Board or Company’s Utilization

General Recommendation: Generally vote for 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.


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Disclosure/Setting Levels or Types of Compensation for Executives and Directors

General Recommendation: Generally vote for shareholder proposals seeking additional disclosure of executive and director pay information, provided the information requested is relevant to shareholders’ needs, would not put the company at a competitive disadvantage relative to its industry, and is not unduly burdensome to the company.

Generally vote against shareholder proposals seeking to set absolute levels on compensation or otherwise dictate the amount or form of compensation (such as types of compensation elements or specific metrics) to be used for executive or directors.

Generally vote against shareholder proposals that mandate a minimum amount of stock that directors must own in order to qualify as a director or to remain on the board.

Vote case-by-case on all other shareholder proposals regarding executive and director pay, taking into account relevant factors, including but not limited to: company performance, pay level and design versus peers, history of compensation concerns or pay-for-performance disconnect, and/or the scope and prescriptive nature of the proposal.

Golden Coffins/Executive Death Benefits

General Recommendation: Generally vote for proposals calling for companies to adopt a policy of obtaining shareholder approval for any future agreements and corporate policies that could oblige the company to make payments or awards following the death of a senior executive in the form of unearned salary or bonuses, accelerated vesting or the continuation in force of unvested equity grants, perquisites and other payments or awards made in lieu of compensation. This would not apply to any benefit programs or equity plan proposals for which the broad-based employee population is eligible.

Hold Equity Past Retirement or for a Significant Period of Time

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals asking companies to adopt policies requiring senior executive officers to retain a portion of net shares acquired through compensation plans. The following factors will be taken into account:

∎

The percentage/ratio of net shares required to be retained;

∎

The time period required to retain the shares;

∎

Whether the company has equity retention, holding period, and/or stock ownership requirements in place and the robustness of such requirements;

∎

Whether the company has any other policies aimed at mitigating risk taking by executives;

∎

Executives’ actual stock ownership and the degree to which it meets or exceeds the proponent’s suggested holding period/retention ratio or the company’s existing requirements; and

∎

Problematic pay practices, current and past, which may demonstrate a short-term versus long-term focus.


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Pay Disparity

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals calling for an analysis of the pay disparity between corporate executives and other non-executive employees. The following factors will be considered:

∎

The company’s current level of disclosure of its executive compensation setting process, including how the company considers pay disparity;

∎

If any problematic pay practices or pay-for-performance concerns have been identified at the company; and

∎

The level of shareholder support for the company’s pay programs.

Generally vote against proposals calling for the company to use the pay disparity analysis or pay ratio in a specific way to set or limit executive pay.

Pay for Performance/Performance-Based Awards

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals requesting that a significant amount of future long-term incentive compensation awarded to senior executives shall be performance-based and requesting that the board adopt and disclose challenging performance metrics to shareholders, based on the following analytical steps:

∎

First, vote for shareholder proposals advocating the use of performance-based equity awards, such as performance contingent options or restricted stock, indexed options, or premium-priced options, unless the proposal is overly restrictive or if the company has demonstrated that it is using a “substantial” portion of performance-based awards for its top executives. Standard stock options and performance-accelerated awards do not meet the criteria to be considered as performance-based awards. Further, premium-priced options should have a meaningful premium to be considered performance-based awards.

∎

Second, assess the rigor of the company’s performance-based equity program. If the bar set for the performance-based program is too low based on the company’s historical or peer group comparison, generally vote for the proposal. Furthermore, if target performance results in an above target payout, vote for the shareholder proposal due to program’s poor design. If the company does not disclose the performance metric of the performance-based equity program, vote for the shareholder proposal regardless of the outcome of the first step to the test.

In general, vote for the shareholder proposal if the company does not meet both of the above two steps.

Pay for Superior Performance

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals that request the board establish a pay-for-superior performance standard in the company’s executive compensation plan for senior executives. These proposals generally include the following principles:

∎

Set compensation targets for the plan’s annual and long-term incentive pay components at or below the peer group median;


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∎

Deliver a majority of the plan’s target long-term compensation through performance-vested, not simply time-vested, equity awards;

∎

Provide the strategic rationale and relative weightings of the financial and non-financial performance metrics or criteria used in the annual and performance-vested long-term incentive components of the plan;

∎

Establish performance targets for each plan financial metric relative to the performance of the company’s peer companies;

∎

Limit payment under the annual and performance-vested long-term incentive components of the plan to when the company’s performance on its selected financial performance metrics exceeds peer group median performance.

Consider the following factors in evaluating this proposal:

∎

What aspects of the company’s annual and long-term equity incentive programs are performance driven?

∎

If the annual and long-term equity incentive programs are performance driven, are the performance criteria and hurdle rates disclosed to shareholders or are they benchmarked against a disclosed peer group?

∎

Can shareholders assess the correlation between pay and performance based on the current disclosure?

∎

What type of industry and stage of business cycle does the company belong to?

Pre-Arranged Trading Plans (10b5-1 Plans)

General Recommendation: Generally vote for shareholder proposals calling for the addition of certain safeguards in prearranged trading plans (10b5-1 plans) for executives. Safeguards may include:

∎

Adoption, amendment, or termination of a 10b5-1 Plan must be disclosed in a Form 8-K;

∎

Amendment or early termination of a 10b5-1 Plan allowed only under extraordinary circumstances, as determined by the board;

∎

Request that a certain number of days that must elapse between adoption or amendment of a 10b5-1 Plan and initial trading under the plan;

∎

Reports on Form 4 must identify transactions made pursuant to a 10b5-1 Plan;

∎

An executive may not trade in company stock outside the 10b5-1 Plan;

∎

Trades under a 10b5-1 Plan must be handled by a broker who does not handle other securities transactions for the executive.

Prohibit Outside CEOs from Serving on Compensation Committees

General Recommendation: Generally vote against proposals seeking a policy to prohibit any outside CEO from serving on a company’s compensation committee, unless the company has demonstrated problematic pay practices that raise concerns about the performance and composition of the committee.


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Recoupment of Incentive or Stock Compensation in Specified Circumstances

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals to recoup incentive cash or stock compensation made to senior executives if it is later determined that the figures upon which incentive compensation is earned turn out to have been in error, or if the senior executive has breached company policy or has engaged in misconduct that may be significantly detrimental to the company’s financial position or reputation, or if the senior executive failed to manage or monitor risks that subsequently led to significant financial or reputational harm to the company. Many companies have adopted policies that permit recoupment in cases where an executive’s fraud, misconduct, or negligence significantly contributed to a restatement of financial results that led to the awarding of unearned incentive compensation. However, such policies may be narrow given that not all misconduct or negligence may result in significant financial restatements. Misconduct, negligence, or lack of sufficient oversight by senior executives may lead to significant financial loss or reputational damage that may have long-lasting impact.

In considering whether to support such shareholder proposals, ISS will take into consideration the following factors:

∎

If the company has adopted a formal recoupment policy;

∎

The rigor of the recoupment policy focusing on how and under what circumstances the company may recoup incentive or stock compensation;

∎

Whether the company has chronic restatement history or material financial problems;

∎

Whether the company’s policy substantially addresses the concerns raised by the proponent;

∎

Disclosure of recoupment of incentive or stock compensation from senior executives or lack thereof; or

∎

Any other relevant factors.

Severance Agreements for Executives/Golden Parachutes

General Recommendation: Vote for shareholder proposals requiring that golden parachutes or executive severance agreements be submitted for shareholder ratification, unless the proposal requires shareholder approval prior to entering into employment contracts.

Vote case-by-case on proposals to ratify or cancel golden parachutes. An acceptable parachute should include, but is not limited to, the following:

∎

The triggering mechanism should be beyond the control of management;

∎

The amount should not exceed three times base amount (defined as the average annual taxable W-2 compensation during the five years prior to the year in which the change of control occurs);

∎

Change-in-control payments should be double-triggered, i.e., (1) after a change in control has taken place, and (2) termination of the executive as a result of the change in control. Change in control is defined as a change in the company ownership structure.

Share Buyback Impact on Incentive Program Metrics

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals requesting the company exclude the impact of share buybacks from the calculation of incentive program metrics, considering the following factors:

∎

The frequency and timing of the company’s share buybacks;

∎

The use of per-share metrics in incentive plans;


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∎

The effect of recent buybacks on incentive metric results and payouts; and

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Whether there is any indication of metric result manipulation.

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (SERPs)

General Recommendation: Generally vote for shareholder proposals requesting to put extraordinary benefits contained in SERP agreements to a shareholder vote unless the company’s executive pension plans do not contain excessive benefits beyond what is offered under employee-wide plans.

Generally vote for shareholder proposals requesting to limit the executive benefits provided under the company’s supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP) by limiting covered compensation to a senior executive’s annual salary or those pay elements covered for the general employee population.

Tax Gross-Up Proposals

General Recommendation: Generally vote for proposals calling for companies to adopt a policy of not providing tax gross-up payments to executives, except in situations where gross-ups are provided pursuant to a plan, policy, or arrangement applicable to management employees of the company, such as a relocation or expatriate tax equalization policy.

Termination of Employment Prior to Severance Payment/Eliminating Accelerated Vesting of Unvested Equity

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals seeking a policy requiring termination of employment prior to severance payment and/or eliminating accelerated vesting of unvested equity.

The following factors will be considered:

∎

The company’s current treatment of equity upon employment termination and/or in change-in-control situations (i.e., vesting is double triggered and/or pro rata, does it allow for the assumption of equity by acquiring company, the treatment of performance shares, etc.);

∎

Current employment agreements, including potential poor pay practices such as gross-ups embedded in those agreements.

Generally vote for proposals seeking a policy that prohibits automatic acceleration of the vesting of equity awards to senior executives upon a voluntary termination of employment or in the event of a change in control (except for pro rata vesting considering the time elapsed and attainment of any related performance goals between the award date and the change in control).

6. Routine/Miscellaneous

Adjourn Meeting

General Recommendation: Generally vote against proposals to provide management with the authority to adjourn an annual or special meeting absent compelling reasons to support the proposal.


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Vote for proposals that relate specifically to soliciting votes for a merger or transaction if supporting that merger or transaction. Vote against proposals if the wording is too vague or if the proposal includes “other business.”

Amend Quorum Requirements

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals to reduce quorum requirements for shareholder meetings below a majority of the shares outstanding, taking into consideration:

∎

The new quorum threshold requested;

∎

The rationale presented for the reduction;

∎

The market capitalization of the company (size, inclusion in indices);

∎

The company’s ownership structure;

∎

Previous voter turnout or attempts to achieve quorum;

∎

Any provisions or commitments to restore quorum to a majority of shares outstanding, should voter turnout improve sufficiently; and

∎

Other factors as appropriate.

In general, a quorum threshold kept as close to a majority of shares outstanding as is achievable is preferred.

Vote case-by-case on directors who unilaterally lower the quorum requirements below a majority of the shares outstanding, taking into consideration the factors listed above.

Amend Minor Bylaws

General Recommendation: Vote for bylaw or charter changes that are of a housekeeping nature (updates or corrections).

Change Company Name

General Recommendation: Vote for proposals to change the corporate name unless there is compelling evidence that the change would adversely impact shareholder value.

Change Date, Time, or Location of Annual Meeting

General Recommendation: Vote for management proposals to change the date, time, or location of the annual meeting unless the proposed change is unreasonable.

Vote against shareholder proposals to change the date, time, or location of the annual meeting unless the current scheduling or location is unreasonable.

Other Business

General Recommendation: Vote against proposals to approve other business when it appears as a voting item.


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7. Social and Environmental Issues

Global Approach – E&S Shareholder Proposals

ISS applies a common approach globally to evaluating social and environmental proposals which cover a wide range of topics, including consumer and product safety, environment and energy, labor standards and human rights, workplace and board diversity, and corporate political issues. While a variety of factors goes into each analysis, the overall principle guiding all vote recommendations focuses on how the proposal may enhance or protect shareholder value in either the short or long term.

General Recommendation: Generally vote case-by-case, examining primarily whether implementation of the proposal is likely to enhance or protect shareholder value. The following factors will be considered:

∎

If the issues presented in the proposal are being appropriately or effectively dealt with through legislation or government regulation;

∎

If the company has already responded in an appropriate and sufficient manner to the issue(s) raised in the proposal;

∎

Whether the proposal’s request is unduly burdensome (scope or timeframe) or overly prescriptive;

∎

The company’s approach compared with any industry standard practices for addressing the issue(s) raised by the proposal;

∎

Whether there are significant controversies, fines, penalties, or litigation associated with the company’s practices related to the issue(s) raised in the proposal;

∎

If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether reasonable and sufficient information is currently available to shareholders from the company or from other publicly available sources; and

∎

If the proposal requests increased disclosure or greater transparency, whether implementation would reveal proprietary or confidential information that could place the company at a competitive disadvantage.

Endorsement of Principles

General Recommendation: Generally vote against proposals seeking a company’s endorsement of principles that support a particular public policy position. Endorsing a set of principles may require a company to take a stand on an issue that is beyond its own control and may limit its flexibility with respect to future developments.

Management and the board should be afforded the flexibility to make decisions on specific public policy positions based on their own assessment of the most beneficial strategies for the company.


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Animal Welfare

Animal Welfare Policies

General Recommendation: Generally vote for proposals seeking a report on a company’s animal welfare standards, or animal welfare-related risks, unless:

∎

The company has already published a set of animal welfare standards and monitors compliance;

∎

The company’s standards are comparable to industry peers; and

∎

There are no recent significant fines, litigation, or controversies related to the company’s and/or its suppliers’ treatment of animals.

Animal Testing

General Recommendation: Generally vote against proposals to phase out the use of animals in product testing, unless:

∎

The company is conducting animal testing programs that are unnecessary or not required by regulation;

∎

The company is conducting animal testing when suitable alternatives are commonly accepted and used by industry peers; or

∎

There are recent, significant fines or litigation related to the company’s treatment of animals.

Animal Slaughter

General Recommendation: Generally vote against proposals requesting the implementation of Controlled Atmosphere Killing (CAK) methods at company and/or supplier operations unless such methods are required by legislation or generally accepted as the industry standard.

Vote case-by-case on proposals requesting a report on the feasibility of implementing CAK methods at company and/or supplier operations considering the availability of existing research conducted by the company or industry groups on this topic and any fines or litigation related to current animal processing procedures at the company.

Consumer Issues

Genetically Modified Ingredients

General Recommendation: Generally vote against proposals requesting that a company voluntarily label genetically engineered (GE) ingredients in its products. The labeling of products with GE ingredients is best left to the appropriate regulatory authorities.

Vote case-by-case on proposals asking for a report on the feasibility of labeling products containing GE ingredients, taking into account:

∎

The potential impact of such labeling on the company’s business;


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∎

The quality of the company’s disclosure on GE product labeling, related voluntary initiatives, and how this disclosure compares with industry peer disclosure; and

∎

Company’s current disclosure on the feasibility of GE product labeling.

Generally vote against proposals seeking a report on the social, health, and environmental effects of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Studies of this sort are better undertaken by regulators and the scientific community.

Generally vote against proposals to eliminate GE ingredients from the company’s products, or proposals asking for reports outlining the steps necessary to eliminate GE ingredients from the company’s products. Such decisions are more appropriately made by management with consideration of current regulations.

Reports on Potentially Controversial Business/Financial Practices

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on requests for reports on a company’s potentially controversial business or financial practices or products, taking into account:

∎

Whether the company has adequately disclosed mechanisms in place to prevent abuses;

∎

Whether the company has adequately disclosed the financial risks of the products/practices in question;

∎

Whether the company has been subject to violations of related laws or serious controversies; and

∎

Peer companies’ policies/practices in this area.

Pharmaceutical Pricing, Access to Medicines, and Prescription Drug Reimportation

General Recommendation: Generally vote against proposals requesting that companies implement specific price restraints on pharmaceutical products unless the company fails to adhere to legislative guidelines or industry norms in its product pricing practices.

Vote case-by-case on proposals requesting that a company report on its product pricing or access to medicine policies, considering:

∎

The potential for reputational, market, and regulatory risk exposure;

∎

Existing disclosure of relevant policies;

∎

Deviation from established industry norms;

∎

Relevant company initiatives to provide research and/or products to disadvantaged consumers;

∎

Whether the proposal focuses on specific products or geographic regions;

∎

The potential burden and scope of the requested report;

∎

Recent significant controversies, litigation, or fines at the company.

Generally vote for proposals requesting that a company report on the financial and legal impact of its prescription drug reimportation policies unless such information is already publicly disclosed.

Generally vote against proposals requesting that companies adopt specific policies to encourage or constrain prescription drug reimportation. Such matters are more appropriately the province of legislative activity and may place the company at a competitive disadvantage relative to its peers.


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Product Safety and Toxic/Hazardous Materials

General Recommendation: Generally vote for proposals requesting that a company report on its policies, initiatives/procedures, and oversight mechanisms related to toxic/hazardous materials or product safety in its supply chain, unless:

∎

The company already discloses similar information through existing reports such as a supplier code of conduct and/or a sustainability report;

∎

The company has formally committed to the implementation of a toxic/hazardous materials and/or product safety and supply chain reporting and monitoring program based on industry norms or similar standards within a specified time frame; and

∎

The company has not been recently involved in relevant significant controversies, fines, or litigation.

Vote case-by-case on resolutions requesting that companies develop a feasibility assessment to phase-out of certain toxic/hazardous materials, or evaluate and disclose the potential financial and legal risks associated with utilizing certain materials, considering:

∎

The company’s current level of disclosure regarding its product safety policies, initiatives, and oversight mechanisms;

∎

Current regulations in the markets in which the company operates; and

∎

Recent significant controversies, litigation, or fines stemming from toxic/hazardous materials at the company.

Generally vote against resolutions requiring that a company reformulate its products.

Tobacco-Related Proposals

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on resolutions regarding the advertisement of tobacco products, considering:

∎

Recent related fines, controversies, or significant litigation;

∎

Whether the company complies with relevant laws and regulations on the marketing of tobacco;

∎

Whether the company’s advertising restrictions deviate from those of industry peers;

∎

Whether the company entered into the Master Settlement Agreement, which restricts marketing of tobacco to youth; and

∎

Whether restrictions on marketing to youth extend to foreign countries.

Vote case-by-case on proposals regarding second-hand smoke, considering;

∎

Whether the company complies with all laws and regulations;

∎

The degree that voluntary restrictions beyond those mandated by law might hurt the company’s competitiveness; and

∎

The risk of any health-related liabilities.

Generally vote against resolutions to cease production of tobacco-related products, to avoid selling products to tobacco companies, to spin-off tobacco-related businesses, or prohibit investment in tobacco equities. Such business decisions are better left to company management or portfolio managers.


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Generally vote against proposals regarding tobacco product warnings. Such decisions are better left to public health authorities.

Climate Change

Say on Climate (SoC) Management Proposals

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on management proposals that request shareholders to approve the company’s climate transition action plan²³, taking into account the completeness and rigor of the plan. Information that will be considered where available includes the following:

∎

The extent to which the company’s climate related disclosures are in line with TCFD recommendations and meet other market standards;

∎

Disclosure of its operational and supply chain GHG emissions (Scopes 1, 2, and 3);

∎

The completeness and rigor of company’s short-, medium-, and long-term targets for reducing operational and supply chain GHG emissions (Scopes 1, 2, and 3 if relevant);

∎

Whether the company has sought and received third-party approval that its targets are science-based;

∎

Whether the company has made a commitment to be “net zero” for operational and supply chain emissions (Scopes 1, 2, and 3) by 2050;

∎

Whether the company discloses a commitment to report on the implementation of its plan in subsequent years;

∎

Whether the company’s climate data has received third-party assurance;

∎

Disclosure of how the company’s lobbying activities and its capital expenditures align with company strategy;

∎

Whether there are specific industry decarbonization challenges; and

∎

The company’s related commitment, disclosure, and performance compared to its industry peers.

Say on Climate (SoC) Shareholder Proposals

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals that request the company to disclose a report providing its GHG emissions levels and reduction targets and/or its upcoming/approved climate transition action plan and provide shareholders the opportunity to express approval or disapproval of its GHG emissions reduction plan, taking into account information such as the following:

∎

The completeness and rigor of the company’s climate-related disclosure;

∎

The company’s actual GHG emissions performance;

∎

Whether the company has been the subject of recent, significant violations, fines, litigation, or controversy related to its GHG emissions; and

∎

Whether the proposal’s request is unduly burdensome (scope or timeframe) or overly prescriptive.

²³ Variations of this request also include climate transition related ambitions, or commitment to reporting on the implementation of a climate plan.


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Climate Change/Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

General Recommendation: Generally vote for resolutions requesting that a company disclose information on the financial, physical, or regulatory risks it faces related to climate change on its operations and investments or on how the company identifies, measures, and manages such risks, considering:

∎

Whether the company already provides current, publicly-available information on the impact that climate change may have on the company as well as associated company policies and procedures to address related risks and/or opportunities;

∎

The company’s level of disclosure compared to industry peers; and

∎

Whether there are significant controversies, fines, penalties, or litigation associated with the company’s climate change-related performance.

Generally vote for proposals requesting a report on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from company operations and/or products and operations, unless:

∎

The company already discloses current, publicly-available information on the impacts that GHG emissions may have on the company as well as associated company policies and procedures to address related risks and/or opportunities;

∎

The company’s level of disclosure is comparable to that of industry peers; and

∎

There are no significant, controversies, fines, penalties, or litigation associated with the company’s GHG emissions.

Vote case-by-case on proposals that call for the adoption of GHG reduction goals from products and operations, taking into account:

∎

Whether the company provides disclosure of year-over-year GHG emissions performance data;

∎

Whether company disclosure lags behind industry peers;

∎

The company’s actual GHG emissions performance;

∎

The company’s current GHG emission policies, oversight mechanisms, and related initiatives; and

∎

Whether the company has been the subject of recent, significant violations, fines, litigation, or controversy related to GHG emissions.

Energy Efficiency

General Recommendation: Generally vote for proposals requesting that a company report on its energy efficiency policies, unless:

∎

The company complies with applicable energy efficiency regulations and laws, and discloses its participation in energy efficiency policies and programs, including disclosure of benchmark data, targets, and performance measures; or

∎

The proponent requests adoption of specific energy efficiency goals within specific timelines.


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Renewable Energy

General Recommendation: Generally vote for requests for reports on the feasibility of developing renewable energy resources unless the report would be duplicative of existing disclosure or irrelevant to the company’s line of business.

Generally vote against proposals requesting that the company invest in renewable energy resources. Such decisions are best left to management’s evaluation of the feasibility and financial impact that such programs may have on the company.

Generally vote against proposals that call for the adoption of renewable energy goals, taking into account:

∎

The scope and structure of the proposal;

∎

The company’s current level of disclosure on renewable energy use and GHG emissions; and

∎

The company’s disclosure of policies, practices, and oversight implemented to manage GHG emissions and mitigate climate change risks.

Diversity

Board Diversity

General Recommendation: Generally vote for requests for reports on a company’s efforts to diversify the board, unless:

∎

The gender and racial minority representation of the company’s board is reasonably inclusive in relation to companies of similar size and business; and

∎

The board already reports on its nominating procedures and gender and racial minority initiatives on the board and within the company.

Vote case-by-case on proposals asking a company to increase the gender and racial minority representation on its board, taking into account:

∎

The degree of existing gender and racial minority diversity on the company’s board and among its executive officers;

∎

The level of gender and racial minority representation that exists at the company’s industry peers;

∎

The company’s established process for addressing gender and racial minority board representation;

∎

Whether the proposal includes an overly prescriptive request to amend nominating committee charter language;

∎

The independence of the company’s nominating committee;

∎

Whether the company uses an outside search firm to identify potential director nominees; and

∎

Whether the company has had recent controversies, fines, or litigation regarding equal employment practices.


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Equality of Opportunity

General Recommendation: Generally vote for proposals requesting a company disclose its diversity policies or initiatives, or proposals requesting disclosure of a company’s comprehensive workforce diversity data, including requests for EEO-1 data, unless:

∎

The company publicly discloses equal opportunity policies and initiatives in a comprehensive manner;

∎

The company already publicly discloses comprehensive workforce diversity data; and

∎

The company has no recent significant EEO-related violations or litigation.

Generally vote against proposals seeking information on the diversity efforts of suppliers and service providers. Such requests may pose a significant burden on the company.

Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, and Domestic Partner Benefits

General Recommendation: Generally vote for proposals seeking to amend a company’s EEO statement or diversity policies to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity, unless the change would be unduly burdensome.

Generally vote against proposals to extend company benefits to, or eliminate benefits from, domestic partners. Decisions regarding benefits should be left to the discretion of the company.

Gender, Race/Ethnicity Pay Gap

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on requests for reports on a company’s pay data by gender or race/ ethnicity, or a report on a company’s policies and goals to reduce any gender or race/ethnicity pay gaps, taking into account:

∎

The company’s current policies and disclosure related to both its diversity and inclusion policies and practices and its compensation philosophy on fair and equitable compensation practices;

∎

Whether the company has been the subject of recent controversy, litigation, or regulatory actions related to gender, race, or ethnicity pay gap issues;

∎

The company’s disclosure regarding gender, race, or ethnicity pay gap policies or initiatives compared to its industry peers; and

∎

Local laws regarding categorization of race and/or ethnicity and definitions of ethnic and/or racial minorities.

Racial Equity and/or Civil Rights Audit Guidelines

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals asking a company to conduct an independent racial equity and/or civil rights audit, taking into account:

∎

The company’s established process or framework for addressing racial inequity and discrimination internally;


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∎

Whether the company adequately discloses workforce diversity and inclusion metrics and goals;

∎

Whether the company has issued a public statement related to its racial justice efforts in recent years, or has committed to internal policy review;

∎

Whether the company has engaged with impacted communities, stakeholders, and civil rights experts;

∎

The company’s track record in recent years of racial justice measures and outreach externally; and

∎

Whether the company has been the subject of recent controversy, litigation, or regulatory actions related to racial inequity or discrimination.

Environment and Sustainability

Facility and Workplace Safety

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on requests for workplace safety reports, including reports on accident risk reduction efforts, taking into account:

∎

The company’s current level of disclosure of its workplace health and safety performance data, health and safety management policies, initiatives, and oversight mechanisms;

∎

The nature of the company’s business, specifically regarding company and employee exposure to health and safety risks;

∎

Recent significant controversies, fines, or violations related to workplace health and safety; and

∎

The company’s workplace health and safety performance relative to industry peers.

Vote case-by-case on resolutions requesting that a company report on safety and/or security risks associated with its operations and/or facilities, considering:

∎

The company’s compliance with applicable regulations and guidelines;

∎

The company’s current level of disclosure regarding its security and safety policies, procedures, and compliance monitoring; and

∎

The existence of recent, significant violations, fines, or controversy regarding the safety and security of the company’s operations and/or facilities.

General Environmental Proposals and Community Impact Assessments

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on requests for reports on policies and/or the potential (community) social and/or environmental impact of company operations, considering:

∎

Current disclosure of applicable policies and risk assessment report(s) and risk management procedures;

∎

The impact of regulatory non-compliance, litigation, remediation, or reputational loss that may be associated with failure to manage the company’s operations in question, including the management of relevant community and stakeholder relations;

∎

The nature, purpose, and scope of the company’s operations in the specific region(s);

∎

The degree to which company policies and procedures are consistent with industry norms; and

∎

The scope of the resolution.


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Hydraulic Fracturing

General Recommendation: Generally vote for proposals requesting greater disclosure of a company’s (natural gas) hydraulic fracturing operations, including measures the company has taken to manage and mitigate the potential community and environmental impacts of those operations, considering:

∎

The company’s current level of disclosure of relevant policies and oversight mechanisms;

∎

The company’s current level of such disclosure relative to its industry peers;

∎

Potential relevant local, state, or national regulatory developments; and

∎

Controversies, fines, or litigation related to the company’s hydraulic fracturing operations.

Operations in Protected Areas

General Recommendation: Generally vote for requests for reports on potential environmental damage as a result of company operations in protected regions, unless:

∎

Operations in the specified regions are not permitted by current laws or regulations;

∎

The company does not currently have operations or plans to develop operations in these protected regions; or

∎

The company’s disclosure of its operations and environmental policies in these regions is comparable to industry peers.

Recycling

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals to report on an existing recycling program, or adopt a new recycling program, taking into account:

∎

The nature of the company’s business;

∎

The current level of disclosure of the company’s existing related programs;

∎

The timetable and methods of program implementation prescribed by the proposal;

∎

The company’s ability to address the issues raised in the proposal; and

∎

How the company’s recycling programs compare to similar programs of its industry peers.

Sustainability Reporting

General Recommendation: Generally vote for proposals requesting that a company report on its policies, initiatives, and oversight mechanisms related to social, economic, and environmental sustainability, unless:

∎

The company already discloses similar information through existing reports or policies such as an environment, health, and safety (EHS) report; a comprehensive code of corporate conduct; and/or a diversity report; or

∎

The company has formally committed to the implementation of a reporting program based on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines or a similar standard within a specified time frame.


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Water Issues

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals requesting a company report on, or adopt a new policy on, water-related risks and concerns, taking into account:

∎

The company’s current disclosure of relevant policies, initiatives, oversight mechanisms, and water usage metrics;

∎

Whether or not the company’s existing water-related policies and practices are consistent with relevant internationally recognized standards and national/local regulations;

∎

The potential financial impact or risk to the company associated with water-related concerns or issues; and

∎

Recent, significant company controversies, fines, or litigation regarding water use by the company and its suppliers.

General Corporate Issues

Charitable Contributions

General Recommendation: Vote against proposals restricting a company from making charitable contributions. Charitable contributions are generally useful for assisting worthwhile causes and for creating goodwill in the community. In the absence of bad faith, self-dealing, or gross negligence, management should determine which, and if, contributions are in the best interests of the company.

Data Security, Privacy, and Internet Issues

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals requesting the disclosure or implementation of data security, privacy, or information access and management policies and procedures, considering:

∎

The level of disclosure of company policies and procedures relating to data security, privacy, freedom of speech, information access and management, and Internet censorship;

∎

Engagement in dialogue with governments or relevant groups with respect to data security, privacy, or the free flow of information on the Internet;

∎

The scope of business involvement and of investment in countries whose governments censor or monitor the Internet and other telecommunications;

∎

Applicable market-specific laws or regulations that may be imposed on the company; and

∎

Controversies, fines, or litigation related to data security, privacy, freedom of speech, or Internet censorship.

ESG Compensation-Related Proposals

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals seeking a report or additional disclosure on the company’s approach, policies, and practices on incorporating environmental and social criteria into its executive compensation strategy, considering:

∎

The scope and prescriptive nature of the proposal;

∎

The company’s current level of disclosure regarding its environmental and social performance and governance;

∎

The degree to which the board or compensation committee already discloses information on whether it has considered related E&S criteria; and


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∎

Whether the company has significant controversies or regulatory violations regarding social or environmental issues.

Human Rights, Human Capital Management, and International Operations

Human Rights Proposals

General Recommendation: Generally vote for proposals requesting a report on company or company supplier labor and/or human rights standards and policies unless such information is already publicly disclosed.

Vote case-by-case on proposals to implement company or company supplier labor and/or human rights standards and policies, considering:

∎

The degree to which existing relevant policies and practices are disclosed;

∎

Whether or not existing relevant policies are consistent with internationally recognized standards;

∎

Whether company facilities and those of its suppliers are monitored and how;

∎

Company participation in fair labor organizations or other internationally recognized human rights initiatives;

∎

Scope and nature of business conducted in markets known to have higher risk of workplace labor/human rights abuse;

∎

Recent, significant company controversies, fines, or litigation regarding human rights at the company or its suppliers;

∎

The scope of the request; and

∎

Deviation from industry sector peer company standards and practices.

Vote case-by-case on proposals requesting that a company conduct an assessment of the human rights risks in its operations or in its supply chain, or report on its human rights risk assessment process, considering:

∎

The degree to which existing relevant policies and practices are disclosed, including information on the implementation of these policies and any related oversight mechanisms;

∎

The company’s industry and whether the company or its suppliers operate in countries or areas where there is a history of human rights concerns;

∎

Recent significant controversies, fines, or litigation regarding human rights involving the company or its suppliers, and whether the company has taken remedial steps; and

∎

Whether the proposal is unduly burdensome or overly prescriptive.

Mandatory Arbitration

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on requests for a report on a company’s use of mandatory arbitration on employment-related claims, taking into account:

∎

The company’s current policies and practices related to the use of mandatory arbitration agreements on workplace claims;

∎

Whether the company has been the subject of recent controversy, litigation, or regulatory actions related to the use of mandatory arbitration agreements on workplace claims; and

∎

The company’s disclosure of its policies and practices related to the use of mandatory arbitration agreements compared to its peers.


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Operations in High-Risk Markets

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on requests for a report on a company’s potential financial and reputational risks associated with operations in “high-risk” markets, such as a terrorism-sponsoring state or politically/socially unstable region, taking into account:

∎

The nature, purpose, and scope of the operations and business involved that could be affected by social or political disruption;

∎

Current disclosure of applicable risk assessment(s) and risk management procedures;

∎

Compliance with U.S. sanctions and laws;

∎

Consideration of other international policies, standards, and laws; and

∎

Whether the company has been recently involved in recent, significant controversies, fines, or litigation related to its operations in “high-risk” markets.

Outsourcing/Offshoring

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals calling for companies to report on the risks associated with outsourcing/plant closures, considering:

∎

Controversies surrounding operations in the relevant market(s);

∎

The value of the requested report to shareholders;

∎

The company’s current level of disclosure of relevant information on outsourcing and plant closure procedures; and

∎

The company’s existing human rights standards relative to industry peers.

Sexual Harassment

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on requests for a report on company actions taken to strengthen policies and oversight to prevent workplace sexual harassment, or a report on risks posed by a company’s failure to prevent workplace sexual harassment, taking into account:

∎

The company’s current policies, practices, oversight mechanisms related to preventing workplace sexual harassment;

∎

Whether the company has been the subject of recent controversy, litigation, or regulatory actions related to workplace sexual harassment issues; and

∎

The company’s disclosure regarding workplace sexual harassment policies or initiatives compared to its industry peers.

Weapons and Military Sales

General Recommendation: Vote against reports on foreign military sales or offsets. Such disclosures may involve sensitive and confidential information. Moreover, companies must comply with government controls and reporting on foreign military sales.

Generally vote against proposals asking a company to cease production or report on the risks associated with the use of depleted uranium munitions or nuclear weapons components and delivery systems, including disengaging


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from current and proposed contracts. Such contracts are monitored by government agencies, serve multiple military and non-military uses, and withdrawal from these contracts could have a negative impact on the company’s business.

Political Activities

Lobbying

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals requesting information on a company’s lobbying (including direct, indirect, and grassroots lobbying) activities, policies, or procedures, considering:

∎

The company’s current disclosure of relevant lobbying policies, and management and board oversight;

∎

The company’s disclosure regarding trade associations or other groups that it supports, or is a member of, that engage in lobbying activities; and

∎

Recent significant controversies, fines, or litigation regarding the company’s lobbying-related activities.

Political Contributions

General Recommendation: Generally vote for proposals requesting greater disclosure of a company’s political contributions and trade association spending policies and activities, considering:

∎

The company’s policies, and management and board oversight related to its direct political contributions and payments to trade associations or other groups that may be used for political purposes;

∎

The company’s disclosure regarding its support of, and participation in, trade associations or other groups that may make political contributions; and

∎

Recent significant controversies, fines, or litigation related to the company’s political contributions or political activities.

Vote against proposals barring a company from making political contributions. Businesses are affected by legislation at the federal, state, and local level; barring political contributions can put the company at a competitive disadvantage.

Vote against proposals to publish in newspapers and other media a company’s political contributions. Such publications could present significant cost to the company without providing commensurate value to shareholders.

Political Expenditures and Lobbying Congruency

General Recommendation: Generally vote case-by-case on proposals requesting greater disclosure of a company’s alignment of political contributions, lobbying, and electioneering spending with a company’s publicly stated values and policies, considering:

∎

The company’s policies, management, board oversight, governance processes, and level of disclosure related to direct political contributions, lobbying activities, and payments to trade associations, political action committees, or other groups that may be used for political purposes;


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∎

The company’s disclosure regarding: the reasons for its support of candidates for public offices; the reasons for support of and participation in trade associations or other groups that may make political contributions; and other political activities;

∎

Any incongruencies identified between a company’s direct and indirect political expenditures and its publicly stated values and priorities.

∎

Recent significant controversies related to the company’s direct and indirect lobbying, political contributions, or political activities.

Generally vote case-by-case on proposals requesting comparison of a company’s political spending to objectives that can mitigate material risks for the company, such as limiting global warming.

Political Ties

General Recommendation: Generally vote against proposals asking a company to affirm political nonpartisanship in the workplace, so long as:

∎

There are no recent, significant controversies, fines, or litigation regarding the company’s political contributions or trade association spending; and

∎

The company has procedures in place to ensure that employee contributions to company-sponsored political action committees (PACs) are strictly voluntary and prohibit coercion.

Vote against proposals asking for a list of company executives, directors, consultants, legal counsels, lobbyists, or investment bankers that have prior government service and whether such service had a bearing on the business of the company. Such a list would be burdensome to prepare without providing any meaningful information to shareholders.

8. Mutual Fund Proxies

Election of Directors

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on the election of directors and trustees, following the same guidelines for uncontested directors for public company shareholder meetings. However, mutual fund boards do not usually have compensation committees, so do not withhold for the lack of this committee.

Closed End Funds- Unilateral Opt-In to Control Share Acquisition Statutes

General Recommendation: For closed-end management investment companies (CEFs), vote against or withhold from nominating/governance committee members (or other directors on a case-by-case basis) at CEFs that have not provided a compelling rationale for opting-in to a Control Share Acquisition statute, nor submitted a by-law amendment to a shareholder vote.


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Converting Closed-end Fund to Open-end Fund

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on conversion proposals, considering the following factors:

∎

Past performance as a closed-end fund;

∎

Market in which the fund invests;

∎

Measures taken by the board to address the discount; and

∎

Past shareholder activism, board activity, and votes on related proposals.

Proxy Contests

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proxy contests, considering the following factors:

∎

Past performance relative to its peers;

∎

Market in which the fund invests;

∎

Measures taken by the board to address the issues;

∎

Past shareholder activism, board activity, and votes on related proposals;

∎

Strategy of the incumbents versus the dissidents;

∎

Independence of directors;

∎

Experience and skills of director candidates;

∎

Governance profile of the company;

∎

Evidence of management entrenchment.

Investment Advisory Agreements

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on investment advisory agreements, considering the following factors:

∎

Proposed and current fee schedules;

∎

Fund category/investment objective;

∎

Performance benchmarks;

∎

Share price performance as compared with peers;

∎

Resulting fees relative to peers;

∎

Assignments (where the advisor undergoes a change of control).

Approving New Classes or Series of Shares

General Recommendation: Vote for the establishment of new classes or series of shares.

Preferred Stock Proposals

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on the authorization for or increase in preferred shares, considering the following factors:

∎

Stated specific financing purpose;

∎

Possible dilution for common shares;

∎

Whether the shares can be used for antitakeover purposes.


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1940 Act Policies

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on policies under the Investment Advisor Act of 1940, considering the following factors:

∎

Potential competitiveness;

∎

Regulatory developments;

∎

Current and potential returns; and

∎

Current and potential risk.

Generally vote for these amendments as long as the proposed changes do not fundamentally alter the investment focus of the fund and do comply with the current SEC interpretation.

Changing a Fundamental Restriction to a Nonfundamental Restriction

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals to change a fundamental restriction to a non-fundamental restriction, considering the following factors:

∎

The fund’s target investments;

∎

The reasons given by the fund for the change; and

∎

The projected impact of the change on the portfolio.

Change Fundamental Investment Objective to Nonfundamental

General Recommendation: Vote against proposals to change a fund’s fundamental investment objective to non-fundamental.

Name Change Proposals

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on name change proposals, considering the following factors:

∎

Political/economic changes in the target market;

∎

Consolidation in the target market; and

∎

Current asset composition.

Change in Fund’s Subclassification

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on changes in a fund’s sub-classification, considering the following factors:

∎

Potential competitiveness;

∎

Current and potential returns;

∎

Risk of concentration;

∎

Consolidation in target industry.


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Business Development Companies—Authorization to Sell Shares of Common Stock at a Price below Net Asset Value

General Recommendation: Vote for proposals authorizing the board to issue shares below Net Asset Value (NAV) if:

∎

The proposal to allow share issuances below NAV has an expiration date no more than one year from the date shareholders approve the underlying proposal, as required under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

∎

The sale is deemed to be in the best interests of shareholders by (1) a majority of the company’s independent directors and (2) a majority of the company’s directors who have no financial interest in the issuance; and

∎

The company has demonstrated responsible past use of share issuances by either:

∎

Outperforming peers in its 8-digit GICS group as measured by one- and three-year median TSRs; or

∎

Providing disclosure that its past share issuances were priced at levels that resulted in only small or moderate discounts to NAV and economic dilution to existing non-participating shareholders.

Disposition of Assets/Termination/Liquidation

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals to dispose of assets, to terminate or liquidate, considering the following factors:

∎

Strategies employed to salvage the company;

∎

The fund’s past performance;

∎

The terms of the liquidation.

Changes to the Charter Document

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on changes to the charter document, considering the following factors:

∎

The degree of change implied by the proposal;

∎

The efficiencies that could result;

∎

The state of incorporation;

∎

Regulatory standards and implications.

Vote against any of the following changes:

∎

Removal of shareholder approval requirement to reorganize or terminate the trust or any of its series;

∎

Removal of shareholder approval requirement for amendments to the new declaration of trust;

∎

Removal of shareholder approval requirement to amend the fund’s management contract, allowing the contract to be modified by the investment manager and the trust management, as permitted by the 1940 Act;

∎

Allow the trustees to impose other fees in addition to sales charges on investment in a fund, such as deferred sales charges and redemption fees that may be imposed upon redemption of a fund’s shares;

∎

Removal of shareholder approval requirement to engage in and terminate subadvisory arrangements;

∎

Removal of shareholder approval requirement to change the domicile of the fund.


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Changing the Domicile of a Fund

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on re-incorporations, considering the following factors:

∎

Regulations of both states;

∎

Required fundamental policies of both states;

∎

The increased flexibility available.

Authorizing the Board to Hire and Terminate Subadvisers Without Shareholder Approval

General Recommendation: Vote against proposals authorizing the board to hire or terminate subadvisers without shareholder approval if the investment adviser currently employs only one subadviser.

Distribution Agreements

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on distribution agreement proposals, considering the following factors:

∎

Fees charged to comparably sized funds with similar objectives;

∎

The proposed distributor’s reputation and past performance;

∎

The competitiveness of the fund in the industry;

∎

The terms of the agreement.

Master-Feeder Structure

General Recommendation: Vote for the establishment of a master-feeder structure.

Mergers

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on merger proposals, considering the following factors:

∎

Resulting fee structure;

∎

Performance of both funds;

∎

Continuity of management personnel;

∎

Changes in corporate governance and their impact on shareholder rights.


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Shareholder Proposals for Mutual Funds

Establish Director Ownership Requirement

General Recommendation: Generally vote against shareholder proposals that mandate a specific minimum amount of stock that directors must own in order to qualify as a director or to remain on the board.

Reimburse Shareholder for Expenses Incurred

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals to reimburse proxy solicitation expenses. When supporting the dissidents, vote for the reimbursement of the proxy solicitation expenses.

Terminate the Investment Advisor

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on proposals to terminate the investment advisor, considering the following factors:

∎

Performance of the fund’s Net Asset Value (NAV);

∎

The fund’s history of shareholder relations;

∎

The performance of other funds under the advisor’s management.


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LOGO

We empower investors and companies to build for long-term and sustainable growth by providing high-quality data, analytics, and insight.

G E T S T A R T E D W I T H I S S S O L U T I O N S

Email sales@issgovernance.com or visit www.issgovernance.com for more information.

Founded in 1985, Institutional Shareholder Services group of companies (ISS) empowers investors and companies to build for long-term and sustainable growth by providing high-quality data, analytics and insight. ISS, which is majority owned by Deutsche Bourse Group, along with Genstar Capital and ISS management, is a leading provider of corporate governance and responsible investment solutions, market intelligence, fund services, and events and editorial content for institutional investors and corporations, globally. ISS’ 2,600 employees operate worldwide across 29 global locations in 15 countries. Its approximately 3,400 clients include many of the world’s leading institutional investors who rely on ISS’ objective and impartial offerings, as well as public companies focused on ESG and governance risk mitigation as a shareholder value enhancing measure. Clients rely on ISS’ expertise to help them make informed investment decisions. This document and all of the information contained in it, including without limitation all text, data, graphs, and charts (collectively, the “Information”) is the property of Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS), its subsidiaries, or, in some cases third party suppliers.

The Information has not been submitted to, nor received approval from, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory body. None of the Information constitutes an offer to sell (or a solicitation of an offer to buy), or a promotion or recommendation of, any security, financial product or other investment vehicle or any trading strategy, and ISS does not endorse, approve, or otherwise express any opinion regarding any issuer, securities, financial products or instruments or trading strategies.

The user of the Information assumes the entire risk of any use it may make or permit to be made of the Information.

ISS MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, NON-INFRINGEMENT, COMPLETENESS, MERCHANTABILITY, AND FITNESS for A PARTICULAR PURPOSE) WITH RESPECT TO ANY OF THE INFORMATION.

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PART C
OTHER INFORMATION

Item 28.

Exhibits

(a)(1)	Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated April 14, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust’s (the “Trust” or the “Registrant”) Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on April 25, 2014.
(b)(1)	Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Trust are incorporated herein by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on August 28, 2015.
(c)	Not applicable.
(d)(1)	Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement dated November 17, 2015 between SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (“SSGA FM”) and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 216 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2016.
(2)	Amended and Restated Appendix A dated April 24, 2020 to the Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement dated November 17, 2015 between SSGA FM and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post- Effective Amendment No. 273 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on January 28, 2021.
(3)	Amended and Restated Appendix B dated April 24, 2020 to the Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement dated November 17, 2015 between SSGA FM and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post- Effective Amendment No. 273 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on January 28, 2021.
(4)	Amended and Restated Appendix B dated May 14, 2021 to the Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement dated November 17, 2015 between SSGA FM (State Street Income Fund and State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund) and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 291 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on December 16, 2021.
(5)	Amended and Restated Appendix B to the Investment Advisory Agreement dated October 27, 2023 between SSGA FM (State Street Balanced Index Fund) and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 301 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2024.
(6)	Amended and Restated Appendix B to the Investment Advisory Agreement dated November 17, 2015 between SSGA FM (State Street Federal Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Federal Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Federal Government Money Market Fund) and the Trust to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(7)	Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement Arrangements Letter dated April 30, 2024 between SSGA FM and the Trust with respect to State Street Global All Cap Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio (formerly known as State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio), State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio, State Street Equity 500 Index Fund, State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, State Street Global All Cap Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund (formerly known as State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund), State Street International Developed Equity Index Fund, State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund, State Street Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund, and State Street Treasury Obligations Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 301 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2024.
(8)	Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement Arrangements Letter dated April 30, 2024 between SSGA FM and the Trust with respect to State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, and State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 301 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2024.
(9)	Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement Arrangements Letter dated April 30, 2024 between SSGA FM and the Trust with respect to State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund and State Street Target Retirement 2065 Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 301 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2024.
(10)	Form of Reimbursement Agreement by and among State Street Master Funds, the Trust, State Street Navigator Securities Lending Trust, Elfun Government Money Market Fund, SSGA FM and State Street Global Advisors Funds Distributors, LLC (“SSGA FD”) is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 271 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 24, 2020.

(11)	Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement Arrangements letter dated October 25, 2023 between SSGA FM and the Trust with respect to the State Street Balanced Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 299 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on October 25, 2023.
(e)(1)	Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement dated May 1, 2017 between the Registrant and SSGA FD is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 253 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2018.
(2)	Notice dated August 17, 2017 to the Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement dated May 1, 2017 related to the State Street Treasury Obligations Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 253 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2018.
(3)	Notice dated May 14, 2021 to the Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement dated May 1, 2017 related to the State Street Target Retirement 2065 Fund, State Street Income Fund and State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 291 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on December 16, 2021.
(4)	Notice dated January 17, 2024 to the Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement dated May 1, 2017 related to the State Street Balanced Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 301 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2024.
(5)	Notice dated [_____] to the Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement dated May 1, 2017 related to the State Street Federal Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Federal Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Federal Government Money Market Fund 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 Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2002.
(2)	Amendment dated September 30, 2020 to the 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. 273 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on January 28, 2021.
(3)	Notice dated February 14, 2002 to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 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 Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008.
(4)	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 Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008.
(5)	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 Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008.
(6)	Notice dated June 19, 2014 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 Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Global All Cap Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Fund, State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund, State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund and State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 216 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2016.
(7)	Notice dated August 17, 2017 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 Treasury Obligations Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 253 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2018.
(8)	Notice dated February 10, 2015 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 International Developed Equity Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on May 26, 2015.

(9)	Notice dated February 10, 2015 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 Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on May 6, 2015.
(10)	Notice dated August 3, 2015 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 Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio and State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on September 30, 2015.
(11)	Notice dated May 14, 2021 to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund, State Street Global All Cap Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund, State Street Income Fund and State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 291 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on December 16, 2021.
(12)	Notice dated May 28, 2020 to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Target Retirement 2065 Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 273 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on January 28, 2021.
(13)	Notice to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Balanced Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 301 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2024.
(14)	Notice to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Federal Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Federal Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Federal Government Money Market Fund to 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 Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2002.
(1)(b)	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 Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008.
(1)(c)	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 Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008.
(1)(d)	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 Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2009.
(1)(e)	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 Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2009.
(1)(f)	Notice dated August 3, 2015 to the 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 Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on September 30, 2015.
(1)(g)	Notice dated June 19, 2014 to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to State Street Global All Cap Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 216 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2016.
(1)(h)	Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between SS&C GIDS, Inc. (f/k/a Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.) and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.151 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on September 30, 2015.
(1)(i)	Amendment dated September 23, 2016 to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between SS&C GIDS, Inc. (f/k/a Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.) and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 232 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on November 22, 2016.

(1)(j)	Amendment dated October 27, 2017 to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between SS&C GIDS, Inc. (f/k/a Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.) and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 253 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2018.
(1)(k)	Amended Schedule A dated April 24, 2020 to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between SS&C GIDS, Inc. (f/k/a DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.) and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post- Effective Amendment No. 273 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on January 28, 2021.
(1)(l)	Amended Schedule A dated June 14, 2021 to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between SS&C GIDS, Inc. (f/k/a DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.) and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post- Effective Amendment No. 291 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on December 16, 2021.
(1)(m)	Amended Schedule A effective December 22, 2021 to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between SS&C GIDS, Inc. (f/k/a DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.) and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 293 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on January 27, 2022.
(1)(n)	Amendment dated January 15, 2020 to be effective December 30, 2019 to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between SS&C GIDS, Inc. (f/k/a DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.) and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 271 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 24, 2020.
(1)(o)	Shareholder Servicing Agreement dated October 1, 2017 between SSGA FD and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 253 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2018.
(1)(p)	Amendment dated June 28, 2018 to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between SS&C GIDS, Inc. (f/k/a DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.) and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post- Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2019.
(1)(q)	DST Digital Solutions Services Master Agreement dated July 1, 2018 between DST Systems, Inc. and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2019.
(1)(r)	Amendment dated February 10, 2021 to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between SS&C GIDS, Inc. (f/k/a DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.), SSGA Funds and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 277 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 28, 2021.
(1)(s)	Amendment dated April 13, 2021 to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between SS&C GIDS, Inc. (f/k/a DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.) and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post- Effective Amendment No. 291 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on December 16, 2021.
(1)(t)	Amendment dated January 19, 2022 to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between SS&C GIDS, Inc. (f/k/a DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.) and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post- Effective Amendment No. 294 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 28, 2022.
(1)(u)	Amendment to Schedule A to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between SS&C GIDS, Inc. (f/k/a DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.) and the Trust with respect to the State Street Balanced Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 301 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2024.
(1)(v)	Amendment to Schedule A to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between SS&C GIDS, Inc. (f/k/a DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc.) and the Trust with respect to the State Street Federal Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Federal Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Federal Government Money Market Fund to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(2)(a)	Administration Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between SSGA FM, SSGA Funds, the Trust and State Street Master Funds is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 216 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2016.
(2)(b)	Notice dated August 17, 2017 to Administration Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between SSGA FM, SSGA Funds, the Trust and State Street Master Funds with respect to the State Street Treasury Obligations Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 253 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2018.
(2)(c)	Notice dated December 31, 2020 to Administration Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between SSGA Funds, State Street Master Funds, SSGA FM and the Trust with respect to the State Street Target Retirement 2065 Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 277 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 28, 2021.

(2)(d)	Notice dated May 14, 2021 to Administration Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between SSGA FM, SSGA Funds, the Trust and State Street Master Funds with respect to the State Street Income Fund and State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 291 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on December 16, 2021.
(2)(e)	Notice to Administration Agreement between SSGA FM, SSGA Funds, the Trust and State Street Master Funds with respect to the State Street Balanced Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 301 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2024.
(2)(f)	Master Sub-Administration Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and SSGA FM is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 175 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on November 20, 2015.
(2)(g)	Notice dated August 17, 2017 to Master Sub-Administration Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and SSGA FM with respect to the State Street Treasury Obligations Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 253 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2018.
(2)(h)	Notice dated May 14, 2021 to Master Sub-Administration Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and SSGA FM with respect to the State Street Target 2065 Fund, State Street Income Fund and State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 291 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on December 16, 2021.
(2)(i)	Amendment dated June 29, 2018 to the Master Sub-Administration Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and SSGA FM is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2019.
(2)(j)	Notice to Sub-Administration Agreement between State Street Bank and Trust Company and SSGA FM with respect to the State Street Balanced Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 301 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2024.
(2)(k)	Notice to Sub-Administration Agreement between State Street Bank and Trust Company and SSGA FM with respect to the State Street Federal Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Federal Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Federal Government Money Market Fund to be filed 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 Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 28, 2006.
(4)	Form of Master Feeder Participation Agreement dated March 30, 2004 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 Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 28, 2006.
(5)	Master Feeder Participation Agreement dated October 2, 2007 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 Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008.
(6)	Master Feeder Participation Agreement dated October 2, 2007 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 Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008.
(7)	Information Security Program Agreement dated November 19, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference to Post- Effective Amendment No. 33 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2011.
(8)	Master Feeder Participation Agreement dated August 21, 2017 between State Street Master Funds and the Trust with respect to the State Street Treasury Obligations Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post- Effective Amendment No. 253 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2018.
(9)(a)	Master Amended and Restated Securities Lending Authorization Agreement dated January 6, 2017 between SSGA Funds, the Trust, State Street Master Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 271 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 24, 2020.
(9)(b)	First Amendment to Master Amended and Restated Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between SSGA Funds, the Trust, State Street Master Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated December 7, 2018 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 256 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2019.
(9)(c)	Second Amendment to Master Amended and Restated Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between SSGA Funds, the Trust, State Street Master Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated February 28, 2022 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 301 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2024.

(9)(d)	Third Amendment to Master Amended and Restated Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between SSGA Funds, the Trust, State Street Master Funds and State Street Bank and Trust Company dated December 18, 2023 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 301 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2024.
(10)	Form of Fund of Funds Investment Agreement dated January 19, 2022 is incorporated herein by reference to Post- Effective Amendment No. 293 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on January 27, 2022.
(11)	Indemnification Agreement dated September 15, 2022 between the Trust and the Board of Trustees is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 295 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on January 26, 2023.
(12)	Indemnification Agreement dated March 2, 2023 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 300 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on January 26, 2024.
(13)	Operations and Administration Agreement dated [ ] between State Street Federal Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Federal Government Money Market Fund, and SSGA FM to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(i)(1)	Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the 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 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 Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on June 3, 2005.
(4)	Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the Trust and the State Street Global All Cap Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 11, 2014.
(5)	Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Global All Cap Equity ex- U.S. Index Portfolio and State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 11, 2014.
(6)	Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the Institutional Class, Investor Class and Administration Class shares of the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves 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 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 54 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on June 24, 2014.
(7)	Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to Class G shares of the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on September 9, 2014.
(8)	Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund and State Street International Developed Equity Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on May 6, 2015.
(9)	Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund and State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 133 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on August 7, 2015.
(10)	Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on August 28, 2015.
(11)	Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to Trust Class shares of the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund and State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 226 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on August 25, 2016.
(12)	Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to Class M shares of the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 232 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on November 22, 2016.
(13)	Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Treasury Obligations Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 247 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on August 17, 2017.

(14)	Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Target Retirement 2065 Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 267 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 19, 2020.
(15)	Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to Bancroft Capital Class shares of the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 284 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on September 9, 2021.
(16)	Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to Blaylock Van Class shares of the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund and Cabrera Capital Markets Class shares of the State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 287 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on October 15, 2021.
(17)	Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to Opportunity Class shares of the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 288 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on October 25, 2021.
(18)	Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to Class R3 shares of the State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2065 Fund and State Street Target Retirement Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 291 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on December 16, 2021.
(19)	Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to State Street Balanced Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 299 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on October 25, 2023.
(20)	Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to State Street Federal Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Federal Treasury Plus Money Market Fund and State Street Federal Government Money Market Fund to be filed by subsequent amendment.
(j)	Not applicable.
(k)	Not applicable.
(l)	Not applicable.
(m)(1)	Amended and Restated Rule 12b-1 Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 277 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 28, 2021.
(2)	Amended Shareholder Servicing Plan for Service Class effective May 14, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 25, 2010.
(3)	Amended Shareholder Servicing Plan for Investment Class effective May 14, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 25, 2010.
(n)(1)	Amended and Restated Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 295 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on January 26, 2023.
(o)(1)	Power of Attorney dated September 15, 2022 as it relates to the SSGA Funds, State Street Master Funds, the Trust, State Street Institutional Funds, State Street Variable Insurance Series Funds, Inc. State Street Navigator Securities Lending Trust, Elfun Government Money Market Fund, Elfun Tax-Exempt Income Fund, Elfun Income Fund, Elfun Diversified Fund, Elfun International Equity Fund and Elfun Trusts is incorporated herein by reference to Post- Effective Amendment No. 295 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on January 26, 2023.
(2)	Power of Attorney dated August 22, 2019 as it relates to the State Street Disciplined Global Equity Portfolio, a series of SSGA Active Trust, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 262 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on August 26, 2019.
(3)	Power of Attorney dated November 17, 2020 as it relates to the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post- Effective Amendment No. 273 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on January 28, 2021.
(4)	Power of Attorney dated November 17, 2020 as it relates to the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post- Effective Amendment No. 273 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on January 28, 2021.

(5)	Power of Attorney dated March 10, 2023 as it relates to the SSGA Funds, State Street Master Funds, the Trust, State Street Institutional Funds, State Street Variable Insurance Series Funds, Inc. State Street Navigator Securities Lending Trust, Elfun Government Money Market Fund, Elfun Tax-Exempt Income Fund, Elfun Income Fund, Elfun Diversified Fund, Elfun International Equity Fund and Elfun Trusts is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 296 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on March 29, 2023.
(6)	Power of Attorney dated May 10, 2023 as it relates to the SSGA Funds, State Street Master Funds, the Trust, State Street Institutional Funds, State Street Variable Insurance Series Funds, Inc. State Street Navigator Securities Lending Trust, Elfun Government Money Market Fund, Elfun Tax-Exempt Income Fund, Elfun Income Fund, Elfun Diversified Fund, Elfun International Equity Fund and Elfun Trusts is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 299 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on October 25, 2023.
(p)(1)	Joint Code of Ethics of SSGA FM is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 301 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2024.
(2)	Code of Ethics for the Independent Trustees is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 291 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on December 16, 2021.

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 Registrant

See the Statement of Additional Information regarding the Trust’s control relationships.

Item 30.

Indemnification

Under the terms of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, Article VIII, the Registrant is required, subject to certain exceptions and limitations, to indemnify each of its Trustees and officers, including persons who serve at the Registrant’s request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Registrant has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise who may be indemnified by the Registrant under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Under a separate Indemnification Agreement by and among the Registrant and each Trustee, the Registrant has undertaken to indemnify and advance expenses to each Trustee in a manner consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Agreement precludes indemnification or advancement of expenses with respect to “disabling conduct” (willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of office) and sets forth reasonable and fair means for determining whether indemnification or advancement of expenses shall be made.

Item 31.

Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser

Any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature in which each director or principal officer of each investment adviser is or has been, at any time during the last two fiscal years, engaged for his or her own account or in the capacity of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee are as follows:

SSGA FUNDS MANAGEMENT, INC.:

SSGA FM serves as the investment adviser for each series of the Trust. SSGA FM is a wholly-owned subsidiary of State Street Global Advisors, Inc., which itself is a wholly-owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation. SSGA FM and other advisory affiliates of State Street Corporation make up State Street Global Advisors (“SSGA”), the investment management arm of State Street Corporation. The principal address of SSGA FM is One Iron Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. SSGA FM is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Below is a list of the directors and principal executive officers of SSGA FM and their principal occupation(s). Unless otherwise noted, the address of each person listed is One Iron Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.

Name	Principal Occupation
Barry Smith	Chairperson, Director and President; Executive Vice President of SSGA
Sean Driscoll	Director of SSGA FM; Managing Director of SSGA
Shweta Narasimhadevara	Director of SSGA FM; Senior Managing Director of SSGA

Name	Principal Occupation
Apea Amoa	Director of SSGA FM; Chief Financial Officer of SSGA
Greg Hartch	Director of SSGA FM; Senior Managing Director of SSGA
Brian Harris	Chief Compliance Officer of SSGA FM; Managing Director of SSGA
Steven Hamm	Treasurer of SSGA FM; Vice President of SSGA
Sean O’Malley, Esq.	Chief Legal Officer of SSGA FM; General Counsel of SSGA
Ann M. Carpenter	Chief Operating Officer of SSGA FM; Managing Director of SSGA
Tim Corbett	Chief Risk Officer of SSGA FM; Senior Vice President/Senior Managing Director of SSGA
Jamie Bernardi	Derivates Risk Manager of SSGA FM; Managing Director of SSGA
Christyann Weltens	Derivates Risk Manager; Vice President of SSGA
David Ireland	CTA Chief Marketing Officer; Senior Vice President/Senior Managing Director of SSGA
David Urman, Esq.	Clerk of SSGA FM; Vice President and Senior Counsel of SSGA
Dan Furman, Esq.	Assistant Clerk of SSGA FM; Managing Director and Managing Counsel of SSGA

Item 32.

Principal Underwriters

(a)

SSGA FD, One Iron Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, serves as the Trust’s principal underwriter and also serves as the principal underwriter for the following investment companies: State Street Institutional Funds, State Street Variable Insurance Series Funds, Inc., SSGA Funds, SPDR Series Trust, SPDR Index Shares Funds, SSGA Active Trust, State Street Institutional Investment Trust, Elfun Tax-Exempt Income Fund, Elfun Income Fund, Elfun International Equity Fund, Elfun Government Money Market Fund, Elfun Trusts and Elfun Diversified Fund.

(b)

To the best of the Trust’s knowledge, the managers and executive officers of SSGA FD are as follows:

Name and Principal Business Address*	Positions and Offices with Underwriter	Positions and Offices with the Trust
Barry F. X. Smith	President, Chairman and Manager	None
Editha V. Tenorio	Chief Financial Officer	None
Sean O’Malley	Chief Legal Officer	Chief Legal Officer
Timothy P. Corbett	Interim Chief Compliance and AML Officer	None
Sean Driscoll	Manager	None
David Maxham	Manager	None
Christine Stokes	Manager	None
Allison Bonds Mazza	Manager	None
John Tucker	Manager	None

The principal business address for each of the above managers and executive officers is One Iron Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.

(c)

Not applicable.

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
One Iron Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02210

SSGA Funds Management, Inc.
One Iron Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02210

SSGA FM serves as the Administrator for all Funds and Portfolios.

State Street Bank and Trust Company serves as the Sub-Administrator for all Funds and Portfolios.

State Street Bank and Trust Company serves as the Custodian, Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent for all Funds, except State Street Bank and Trust Company does not serve as the Transfer Agent/Dividend Disbursing Agent 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, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund, State Street Balanced Index Fund, State Street Equity 500 Index Fund, State Street Global All Cap Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2065 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund, State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund, State Street Treasury Obligations Money Market Fund, State Street Income Fund, State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund and the State Street Balanced Index Fund.

State Street Bank and Trust Company
100 Summer Street, 7th Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02111

SS&C GIDS, Inc.

SS&C GIDS, Inc. serves as the Transfer Agent/Dividend Disbursing Agent 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, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund, State Street Balanced Index Fund, State Street Equity 500 Index Fund, State Street Global All Cap Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2065 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund, State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund, State Street Treasury Obligations Money Market Fund and the State Street Balanced Index Fund.

SS&C GIDS, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC serves as Transfer Agent/Dividend Paying Agent for the State Street Income Fund and State Street U.S. Core Equity Fund.

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202-5207

Item 34.

Management Services

Not applicable.

Item 35.

Undertakings

Not applicable.

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 Post-Effective Amendment to the Trust’s Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Boston and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 23rd day of May, 2024.

STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST

By:	/s/ Ann M. Carpenter
	Ann M. Carpenter
	President

Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, this Registration Statement for the Trust has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities as indicated on the 23rd day of May, 2024:

Signature	Title	Date
/s/ Patrick J. Riley*	Trustee	May 23, 2024
Patrick J. Riley
/s/ Michael A. Jessee*	Trustee	May 23, 2024
Michael A. Jessee
/s/ Donna M. Rapaccioli*	Trustee	May 23, 2024
Donna M. Rapaccioli
/s/ John R. Costantino*	Trustee	May 23, 2024
John R. Costantino
/s/ Margaret K. McLaughlin*	Trustee	May 23, 2024
Margaret K. McLaughlin
/s/ George M. Pereira*	Trustee	May 23, 2024
George M. Pereira
/s/ Mark E. Swanson*	Trustee	May 23, 2024
Mark E. Swanson
/s/ Bruce S. Rosenberg	Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer	May 23, 2024
Bruce S. Rosenberg
/s/ Ann M. Carpenter	President (Principal Executive Officer)	May 23, 2024
Ann M. Carpenter	President (Principal Executive Officer)

*By:	/s/ Edmund Gerard Maiorana, Jr.
	Edmund Gerard Maiorana, Jr. As Attorney-in-Fact Pursuant to Powers of Attorney

Signature affixed by Edmund Gerard Maiorana, Jr. pursuant to a power of attorney dated May 10, 2023.