SSGA Active Trust

As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on September 9, 2025

Securities Act File No. 333-173276
Investment Company Act of 1940 File No. 811-22542

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933	☒
Pre-Effective Amendment No. Post-Effective Amendment No. 239	☒

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940	☒
Amendment No. 245	☒

SSGA Active Trust

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

One Iron Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02210

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(617) 664-3920

(Registrant's Telephone Number)

Andrew J. DeLorme, Esq.
Chief Legal Officer

c/o SSGA Funds Management, Inc.
One Iron Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02210

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Copies to:

W. John McGuire, Esq.
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20004

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

☐	immediately upon filing pursuant to Rule 485, paragraph (b)
☒	On September 10, 2025 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.

Prospectus

September 10, 2025

SSGA Active Trust

SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF (MYMK)

Principal U.S. Listing Exchange: The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. Shares in the Fund are not guaranteed or insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other agency of the U.S. Government, nor are shares deposits or obligations of any bank. It is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.

Table of Contents

Fund Summary
SPDR® SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF	4
Additional Strategies Information	10
Additional Risk Information	11
Management	20
Trademark Licenses/Disclaimers	23
Additional Purchase and Sale Information	23
Distributions	24
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure	24
Additional Tax Information	24
General Information	27
Financial Highlights	29
Where to Learn More About the Fund	Back Cover

Fund Summary

SPDR® SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF

Investment Objective

The SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to maximize current income that is

exempt from regular federal income taxes while seeking preservation of capital.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

The table below describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund (“Fund Shares”). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and Example below.

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

Management fees	0.20%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	None
Other expenses1	0.00%
Total annual Fund operating expenses	0.20%

“Other expenses” are based on estimated amounts 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 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:

Year 1	Year 3
$20	$64

Portfolio Turnover:

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund's performance. The Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus and, as a result, does not yet have a portfolio turnover rate.

The Fund's Principal Investment Strategy

Under normal circumstances, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”) invests at least 80% of the Fund's net assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes) in investments the income of which is exempt from regular federal income tax. Any change to this fundamental 80% investment policy will require shareholder approval. The Fund primarily invests in municipal bonds maturing in the year 2031, which may include bonds with embedded issuer call options falling within that year. The Fund may also invest in municipal bonds with maturity dates within six months prior to or after the Fund's target maturity year. An embedded issuer call option means that the bond's issuer has the right to redeem a bond prior to its designated maturity date. The Fund is part of the MyIncome suite of target maturity bond ETFs and is designed to terminate on or about December 15, 2031, at which point the Fund will distribute its remaining net assets to shareholders pursuant to a plan of liquidation. The Fund does not seek to distribute any predetermined amount at maturity.

The Fund primarily invests in U.S. dollar denominated municipal bonds issued by U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or local governments or agencies, the interest of which is exempt from U.S. federal income taxes and the federal alternative minimum tax. The bonds are primarily rated investment grade at the time of purchase, which is defined as bonds rated BBB- or higher by S&P Global Ratings and/or Fitch Ratings Inc., Baa3 or higher by Moody's Investors

Service, Inc., or equivalent ratings by another registered nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”), or, if unrated by an NRSRO, of comparable quality as determined by the Adviser. The Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in municipal bonds rated below investment grade at the time of purchase (commonly known as “junk” bonds).

The Fund may use derivative instruments (primarily futures contracts, interest rate and credit default swaps, and options on treasury futures) to manage yield, interest rate exposure (also known as duration), weighted average maturity, and exposure to credit quality.

In the Fund's target maturity year, proceeds from municipal bonds maturing prior to the Fund's liquidation date may be reinvested in cash and cash equivalents, including, but not limited to, shares of money market funds (including money market funds advised by the Adviser). The Fund seeks to remain fully invested in municipal bonds to the extent possible; however, leading up to the Fund's target maturity date, the Fund's cash and cash equivalents holdings may increase and the Fund's investments the income of which is exempt from federal income tax may be less than 80% of the Fund's net assets.

The Adviser actively manages the Fund using a risk-aware, top-down approach combined with bottom-up security selection to construct a portfolio that seeks to overweight the most attractive sectors and issuers. The Adviser develops long-term structural and intermediate-term cyclical views by analyzing macroeconomic factors, financial conditions, as well as consumer, industry, and sector trends. Individual securities are then identified for investment through rigorous fundamental research, including financial analysis of the applicable cash flows, capital structure, industry, and issuer-specific fundamentals. The Adviser's analysis also includes an assessment of relative value and liquidity trends, which are supported by the performance of similar instruments through economic and market cycles.

The Adviser may consider selling a security when one of the selection characteristics no longer applies, when the Adviser believes that the valuation has become excessive, or when more attractive alternatives are identified. The Fund may engage in active and frequent trading of its portfolio securities.

The Fund should not be confused with a target date fund, which has assets that are managed according to a particular investment strategy that converts fund assets to conservative investments over time.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

As with all investments, there are certain risks of investing in the Fund. Fund Shares will change in value, and you could lose money by investing in the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.

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, trade policy changes or disputes, the threat or actual imposition of tariffs, 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.

Municipal Obligations Risk: Issuers, including governmental issuers, may be unable to pay their obligations as they come due. The values of municipal obligations may be adversely affected by local political and economic conditions and developments. In addition, the values of municipal obligations that depend on a specific revenue source to fund their payment obligations may fluctuate as a result of actual or anticipated changes in the cash flows generated by the revenue source or changes in the priority of the municipal obligation to receive the cash flows generated by the revenue source. Municipal obligations may be more susceptible to downgrades or defaults during recessions or similar periods of economic stress. In addition, changes in U.S. federal tax laws or the activity of an issuer may adversely affect the tax-exempt status of municipal obligations. Loss of tax-exempt status may cause interest received and distributed by the Fund to shareholders to be taxable and may result in a significant decline in the values of such municipal obligations.

Political Risk: A significant restructuring of federal income tax rates or even serious discussion on the topic in Congress could cause municipal bond prices to fall. The demand for municipal securities is strongly influenced by the value of tax-exempt income to investors. Lower income tax rates could reduce the advantage of owning municipals.

Fluctuation of Net Asset Value, Share Premiums and Discounts Risk: As with all exchange-traded funds, Fund Shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. The trading prices of Fund Shares in the secondary market may differ from the Fund's daily net asset value (“NAV”) per share and there may be times when the market price of the shares is more than the NAV per share (premium) or less than the NAV per share (discount). This risk is heightened in times of market volatility or periods of steep market declines.

Below Investment-Grade Securities Risk: Lower-quality debt securities (“high yield” or “junk” bonds) are considered predominantly speculative, and can involve a substantially greater risk of default than higher quality debt securities. Issuers of lower-quality debt securities may have substantially greater risk of insolvency or bankruptcy than issuers of higher-quality debt securities. They can be illiquid, and their values can have significant volatility and may decline significantly over short periods of time. Lower-quality debt securities tend to be more sensitive to adverse news about the issuer, or the market or economy in general.

Declining Yield Risk: Leading up to the Fund's target maturity date as bonds mature, the Fund may transition its portfolio to cash and cash equivalents. If so, the Fund's yield will generally tend to move toward the yield of cash and cash equivalents and thus may be lower than the yields of the bonds previously held by the Fund and/or prevailing yields for bonds in the market.

Futures Contract Risk: A futures contract is a standardized agreement that calls for the purchase or sale of a specific asset at a specific price at a specific future time, or cash settlement of the terms of the contract. Transactions in futures contracts can create investment leverage and may have significant volatility. It is possible that a futures contract transaction will result in a much greater loss than the principal amount invested, and the Fund may not be able to close out the futures contract at a favorable time or price. There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market on an exchange will exist for any particular futures contract. In the event no such market exists, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions, and the Fund will be unable to terminate its exposure to the futures contract. There is also a risk of imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the futures contract and movements in the price of the underlying assets. The counterparty to a futures contract may be unable or unwilling to make timely settlement payments, return the Fund's margin, or otherwise honor its obligations.

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.

Liquidity Risk: Lack of a ready market, stressed market conditions, or restrictions on resale may limit the ability of the Fund to sell a security at an advantageous time or price or at all. Illiquid investments may trade at a discount from comparable, more liquid investments and may be subject to wide fluctuations in market value. If the liquidity of the Fund's holdings deteriorates, it may lead to differences between the market price of Fund Shares and the NAV of Fund Shares, and could result in the Fund Shares being less liquid. Illiquidity of the Fund's holdings may also limit the ability of the Fund to obtain cash to meet redemptions on a timely basis. In addition, the Fund, due to limitations on investments in any illiquid investments and/or the difficulty in purchasing and selling such investments, may be unable to achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain market or sector.

Management Risk: The Fund is actively managed. The Adviser's judgments about the attractiveness, relative value, or potential appreciation of a particular sector, security, commodity or investment strategy may prove to be incorrect, and may cause the Fund to incur losses. There can be no assurance that the Adviser's investment techniques and decisions will produce the desired results.

Money Market Fund Investment 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. Certain money market funds seek to preserve the value of their shares at $1.00 per share, although there can be no assurance that they will do so, and it is possible to lose money by investing in such 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 the share price of such a money market fund to fall below $1.00. Other money market funds price and transact at a “floating” NAV that will fluctuate along with changes in the market-based value of fund assets. Shares sold utilizing a floating NAV may be worth more or less than their original purchase price. Recent changes in the regulation of money market funds may affect the operations and structures of money market funds. To the extent the Fund invests in a money market fund managed by the Adviser, the Adviser may have an incentive to take into account the effect on such money market fund in determining whether, and under what circumstances, to purchase or sell shares in that money market fund. Although the Adviser takes steps to address the conflicts of interest, it is possible that the conflicts could impact the Fund.

New Fund Risk: The Fund is new and there is no assurance that the Fund will grow quickly. When the Fund's size is small, the Fund may experience low trading volume, which could lead to wider bid/ask spreads. In addition, the Fund may face the risk of being delisted if the Fund does not meet certain conditions of the listing exchange. Any resulting liquidation of the Fund could cause elevated transaction costs for the Fund and negative tax consequences for its shareholders.

Non-Diversification Risk: As a “non-diversified” fund, the Fund may hold a smaller number of portfolio securities than many other funds. To the extent the Fund invests in a relatively small number of issuers, a decline in the market value of a particular security held by the Fund may affect its value more than if it invested in a larger number of issuers. The value of Fund Shares may be more volatile than the values of shares of more diversified funds.

Options Risk: The Fund's successful use of options depends on the ability of the Adviser to forecast market movements correctly. When the Fund purchases an option, it runs the risk that it will lose its entire investment in the option in a relatively short period of time, unless the Fund exercises the option or enters into a closing sale transaction before the option's expiration. If the price of the underlying security does not rise (in the case of a call) or fall (in the case of a put) to an extent sufficient to cover the option premium and transaction costs, the Fund will lose part or all of its investment in the option. The effective use of options also depends on the Fund's ability to terminate option positions at times when the Adviser deems it desirable to do so. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to effect closing transactions at any particular time or at an acceptable price. The sale of options by the Fund may create investment leverage.

Portfolio Turnover Risk: Frequent purchases and sales of portfolio securities may result in higher Fund expenses and may result in more significant distributions of short-term capital gains to investors, which are taxed to individuals as ordinary income.

Swaps Risk: A swap is a two-party contract that generally obligates the parties to exchange payments based on a specified reference security, basket of securities, security index or index component. Swaps can involve greater risks than direct investment in securities because swaps may be leveraged and are subject to counterparty risk (e.g., the risk of a counterparty's defaulting on the obligation or bankruptcy), credit risk and pricing risk (i.e., swaps may be difficult to value). It may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate a swap position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses.

Tax Exemption Risk: There is no guarantee that the Fund's income will be exempt from federal or state income taxes. Events occurring after the date of issuance of a municipal bond or after the Fund's acquisition of a municipal bond may result in a determination that interest on that bond is includible in gross income for federal income tax purposes retroactively to its date of issuance. Such a determination may cause a portion of prior distributions by the Fund to its shareholders to be taxable to those shareholders in the year of receipt. Federal or state changes in income or alternative minimum tax rates or in the tax treatment of municipal bonds may make municipal bonds less attractive as investments and cause them to decline in value. In addition, all or a portion of distributions from the Fund that are attributable to income that is generally exempt from federal or state income taxes may be characterized as taxable dividends in the Fund's target maturity year.

Valuation Risk: Certain portfolio holdings may be valued on the basis of factors other than market quotations. This may occur more often in times of market turmoil or reduced liquidity. There are multiple methods that can be used to value a portfolio holding when market quotations are not readily available. The value established for any portfolio holding at a point in time might differ from what would be produced using a different methodology or if it had been priced using market quotations. Portfolio holdings that are valued using techniques other than market quotations, including “fair valued” securities, may be subject to greater fluctuation in their valuations from one day to the next than if market quotations were used. In addition, there is no assurance that the Fund could sell or close out a portfolio position for the value established for it at any time, and it is possible that the Fund would incur a loss because a portfolio position is sold or closed out at a discount to the valuation established by the Fund at that time.

Fund Performance

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 and comparing the Fund's performance to the Index. When available, updated performance information may be obtained by calling 1-866-787-2257 or visiting the Fund's website: www.statestreet.com/im.

Portfolio Management

Investment Adviser

SSGA FM serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are Arthur Aaronson and Stella DeLucia.

Arthur Aaronson, CPA, is a Vice President of the Adviser and a Portfolio Manager in the Global Fixed Income Solutions group focusing on Tax Exempt and Taxable Municipal securities. He joined the Adviser in 2016 through the acquisition of GE Asset Management Incorporated (“GEAM”) by the ultimate parent company of State Street Investment Management.

Stella DeLucia is a Managing Director of the Adviser and a Senior Portfolio Manager in the Active Fixed Income Team. She joined the Adviser in 2016 through the acquisition of GEAM by the ultimate parent company of State Street Investment Management.

Purchase and Sale Information

The Fund will issue (or redeem) Fund Shares to certain institutional investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) only in large blocks of Fund Shares known as “Creation Units.” Creation Unit transactions are conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of a designated portfolio of in-kind securities and/or cash. Creation Unit transactions may be conducted in exchange for cash only, which may cause the Fund to recognize capital gains and to pay out higher annual capital gain distributions to shareholders than if such transactions had been conducted in-kind.

Individual Fund Shares may only be purchased and sold on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (the “Exchange”), other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. Because Fund Shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Fund Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount). When buying or selling Fund Shares in the secondary market, you may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase Fund Shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for Fund Shares (ask) (the “bid-ask spread”). Recent information regarding the Fund's NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads is available at www.statestreet.com/im.

Tax Information

The Fund intends to pay income that is exempt from regular federal income tax, but which may be subject to federal alternative minimum tax. A portion of the Fund's distributions may be subject to regular federal income tax, and in the Fund's target maturity year, all or a very large portion of distributions may be subject to regular federal income tax. Income from municipal securities of states other than the shareholder's state of residence generally will not qualify for tax-free treatment for such shareholder with respect to state and local taxes.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase Fund Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the 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.

Additional Strategies Information

Principal Strategies

Please see “The Fund's Principal Investment Strategy” section under “Fund Summary” above for a discussion of its principal investment strategies. The Fund may invest in various types of securities and engage in various investment techniques which are not the principal focus of the Fund and therefore are not described in this Prospectus. These securities, techniques and practices, together with their risks, are described in the Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”) which you may obtain free of charge by contacting shareholder services (see the back cover of this Prospectus for the address and phone number).

Bond Ladders. The fixed-income investment technique of building exposure to a portfolio of bonds with various maturities, through investment in the Fund and other SPDR MyIncome ETFs with different maturities, is called a bond ladder. Ladders may help create predictable streams of income, may reduce exposure to volatile stocks, and manage some potential risks from changing interest rates; however, such outcomes are not guaranteed.

The Fund has adopted a fundamental investment policy to invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes, in investments the income of which is exempt from regular federal income tax. Any change to this fundamental 80% investment policy will require shareholder approval. The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of SSGA Active Trust (the “Trust”) may change the Fund's investment objective, investment strategy and other policies without shareholder approval, except as otherwise noted in this Prospectus or in the SAI.

Non-Principal Strategies

Temporary Defensive Positions. In response to actual or perceived adverse market, economic, political, or other conditions, the Fund may (but will not necessarily), without notice, depart from its principal investment strategies by temporarily investing for defensive purposes. Temporary defensive positions may include, but are not limited to, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, repurchase agreements collateralized by such securities, money market funds, and high-quality debt investments. If the Fund invests for defensive purposes, it may not achieve its investment objective. In addition, the defensive strategy may not work as intended.

Borrowing Money. The Fund may borrow money from a bank as permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”) or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund, but only for temporary or emergency purposes.

The 1940 Act presently allows a fund to borrow from any bank (including pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets) in an amount up to 33 1/3% of its total assets (not including temporary borrowings not in excess of 5% of its total assets). The Fund may also invest in reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions. Consistent with a rule under the 1940 Act, the Fund may treat such investments as either borrowings or derivatives transactions. To the extent the Fund treats reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions as borrowings, such investments will also be included in the 33 1/3% limit.

Lending of Securities. The Fund may lend its portfolio securities in an amount not to exceed 40% of the value of its net assets via a securities lending program through its securities lending agent, State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street” or the “Lending Agent”), to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions desiring to borrow securities to complete transactions and for other purposes. A securities lending program allows the Fund to receive a portion of the income generated by lending its securities and investing the respective collateral. The Fund will receive collateral for each loaned security which is at least equal to the market value of that security, marked to market each trading day. To the extent the Fund receives cash collateral, as of the date of this Prospectus, the Adviser expects to invest such cash collateral in the fund managed by the Adviser that invests in U.S. dollar-denominated, short-term, high quality debt obligations, including the following: a broad range of money market instruments; certificates of deposit and time deposits of U.S. and foreign banks; commercial paper and other high quality obligations of U.S. or foreign companies; asset-backed securities; mortgage-related securities; repurchase agreements; and shares of money market funds. With respect to loans that are collateralized by cash, the borrower may be entitled to receive a fee based on the amount of cash collateral. The Fund is compensated by the difference between the amount earned on the reinvestment of cash collateral and the fee paid to the borrower. In the case of collateral other than cash, the Fund is compensated by a fee paid by the borrower equal to a percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. In the

securities lending program, the borrower generally has the right to vote the loaned securities; however, the Fund may call loans to vote proxies if a material issue affecting the Fund's economic interest in the investment is to be voted upon. Security loans may be terminated at any time by the Fund.

Additional Risk Information

The following section provides information regarding the principal risks identified under “Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund” in the Fund Summary along with additional risk information.

Principal Risks

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, a decline in the Fund's income and yield, 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. During inflationary periods, the U.S. Federal Reserve has, in past practice, raised interest rates in an effort to combat these high levels of inflation. High levels of inflation and/or a significantly changing interest rate environment can lead to heightened levels of volatility and reduced liquidity. 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.

Below Investment-Grade Securities Risk. Securities rated below investment-grade and unrated securities of comparable credit quality (commonly known as “high-yield” or “junk” bonds) lack strong investment-grade characteristics, are considered predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's continuing ability to make principal and interest payments, and are subject to greater levels of credit, liquidity and market risk than higher-rated securities. They can involve a substantially greater risk of default than higher-rated securities, and their values can decline significantly over short periods of time. Issuers of lower-quality debt securities may have substantially greater risk of insolvency or bankruptcy than issuers of higher-quality debt securities. In the event the issuer of a debt security held by the Fund defaults on its payments or becomes insolvent or bankrupt, the Fund may not receive the return it was promised on the investment and could lose its entire investment. The lower ratings of junk bonds reflect a greater possibility that actual or perceived adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuer or in general economic conditions, or an unanticipated rise in interest rates, may impair the ability of the issuer to make payments of interest and principal. If this were to occur, the values of such securities held by the Fund may fall substantially and the Fund could lose some or all of the value of its investment. Lower-quality debt securities tend to be more sensitive to adverse news about the issuer, or the market or economy in general, than higher quality debt securities. The market for lower quality debt securities can be less liquid than for higher quality debt securities, especially during periods of recession or general market decline, which could make it difficult at times for the Fund to sell certain securities at prices used in calculating the Fund's NAV. These securities may have significant volatility.

Call/Prepayment Risk. Call/prepayment risk is the risk that an issuer will exercise its right to pay principal on an obligation held by the Fund earlier than expected or required. This may occur, for example, when there is a decline in interest rates, and an issuer of bonds or preferred stock redeems the bonds or stock in order to replace them with obligations on which it is required to pay a lower interest or dividend rate. It may also occur when there is an unanticipated increase in the rate at which mortgages or other receivables underlying mortgage- or asset-backed securities held by the Fund are prepaid. In any such case, the Fund may be forced to invest the prepaid amounts in lower-yielding investments, resulting in a decline in the Fund's income.

Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that an issuer, guarantor or liquidity provider of a fixed-income security held by the 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 the 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 the 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 the 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.

Declining Yield Risk. Leading up to the Fund's target maturity date as bonds mature, the Fund may transition its portfolio to cash and cash equivalents. If so, the Fund's yield will generally tend to move toward the yield of cash and cash equivalents and thus may be lower than the yields of the bonds previously held by the Fund and/or prevailing yields for bonds in the market.

Derivatives Risk. A derivative is a financial contract the value of which depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, interest rate, or index. Derivative transactions typically involve leverage and may have significant volatility. It is possible that a derivative transaction will result in a loss greater than the principal amount invested, and the Fund may not be able to close out a derivative transaction at a favorable time or price. Risks associated with derivative instruments include potential changes in value in response to interest rate changes or other market developments or as a result of the counterparty's credit quality; the potential for the derivative transaction not to have the effect the Adviser anticipated or a different or less favorable effect than the Adviser anticipated; the failure of the counterparty to the derivative transaction to perform its obligations under the transaction or to settle a trade; possible mispricing or improper valuation of the derivative instrument; imperfect correlation in the value of a derivative with the asset, rate, or index underlying the derivative; the risk that the Fund may be required to post collateral or margin with its counterparty, and will not be able to recover the collateral or margin in the event of the counterparty's insolvency or bankruptcy; the risk that the Fund will experience losses on its derivatives investments and on its other portfolio investments, even when the derivatives investments may be intended in part or entirely to hedge those portfolio investments; the risks specific to the asset underlying the derivative instrument; lack of liquidity for the derivative instrument, including, without limitation, absence of a secondary trading market; the potential for reduced returns to the Fund due to losses on the transaction and an increase in volatility; the potential for the derivative transaction to have the effect of accelerating the recognition of gain; and legal risks arising from the documentation relating to the derivative transaction.

Futures Contract Risk. The risk of loss relating to the use of futures contracts is potentially unlimited. The ability to establish and close out positions in futures contracts will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid market. There is no assurance that a liquid market on an exchange will exist for any particular futures contract or at any particular time. In the event no such market exists, it might not be possible to effect closing transactions, and the Fund will be unable to terminate the futures contract. In using futures contracts, the Fund will be reliant on the ability of the Adviser to predict market and price movements correctly; the skills needed to use such futures contracts successfully are different from those needed for traditional portfolio management. If the Fund uses futures contracts for hedging purposes, there is a risk of imperfect correlation between movements in the prices of the futures contracts and movements in the securities or index underlying the futures contracts or movements in the prices of the Fund's investments that are the subject of such hedge. The prices of futures contracts, for a number of reasons, may not correlate perfectly with movements in the securities or index underlying them. For example, participants in the futures markets are subject to margin deposit requirements. Such requirements may cause investors to take actions with respect to their futures positions that they would not otherwise take. The margin requirements in the futures markets may be less onerous than margin requirements in

the securities markets in general, and as a result those markets may attract more speculators than the securities markets do. Increased participation by speculators in those markets may cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price distortion, even a correct forecast of general market trends by the Adviser still may not result in a successful futures activity over a very short time period. The risk of a position in a futures contract may be very large compared to the relatively low level of margin the Fund is required to deposit. The Fund will typically be required to post margin with its futures commission merchant in connection with its transactions in futures contracts. In many cases, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial loss or gain to the investor relative to the size of a required margin deposit. The Fund will incur brokerage fees in connection with its futures transactions. In the event of an insolvency of the futures commission merchant or a clearing house, the Fund may not be able to recover all (or any) of the margin it has posted with the futures commission merchant, or to realize the value of any increase in the price of its positions, or it may experience a significant delay in doing so. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”), certain foreign regulators, and many futures exchanges have established limits referred to as “position limits” on the maximum net long or net short positions that any person and certain affiliated entities may hold or control in a particular futures and options contract. In addition, federal position limits apply to swaps that are economically equivalent to futures contracts on certain agricultural, metals and energy commodities. All positions owned or controlled by the same person or entity, even if in different accounts, must be aggregated for purposes of complying with position limits. It is possible that the positions of different clients managed by the Adviser may be aggregated for this purpose. Therefore, the trading decisions of the Adviser may have to be modified and positions held by the Fund liquidated in order to avoid exceeding such limits. The modification of investment decisions or the elimination of open positions, if it occurs, may adversely affect the performance of the Fund. A violation of position limits could also lead to regulatory action materially adverse to the Fund's investment strategy. An exchange may order a person who holds or controls a position in excess of a position accountability level not to further increase its position, to comply with any prospective limit that exceeds the size of the position owned or controlled, or to reduce any open position that exceeds the position accountability level if the exchange determines that such action is necessary to maintain an orderly market. Position accountability levels could adversely affect the Fund's ability to establish and maintain positions in commodity futures contracts to which such levels apply, if the Fund were to trade in such contracts, and the Fund's ability to achieve its investment objective.

Futures contracts traded on markets outside the U.S. are not generally subject to the same level of regulation by the CFTC or other U.S. regulatory entities as contracts traded in the U.S., including without limitation as to the execution, delivery, and clearing of transactions. U.S. regulators neither regulate the activities of a foreign exchange, nor have the power to compel enforcement of the rules of the foreign exchange or the laws of the foreign country in question. Margin and other payments made by the Fund may not be afforded the same protections as are afforded those payments in the U.S., including in connection with the insolvency of an executing or clearing broker or a clearinghouse or exchange. Certain foreign futures contracts may be less liquid and more volatile than U.S. contracts.

Options Risk. The Fund's successful use of options depends on the ability of the Adviser to forecast market movements correctly. For example, if the Fund were to write a call option on a security based on the Adviser's expectation that the price of the security would fall, but the price were to rise instead, the Fund could be required to sell the security upon exercise at a price below the current market price. Similarly, if the Fund were to write a put option based on the Adviser's expectation that the price of the underlying security would rise, but the price were to fall instead, the Fund could be required to purchase the security upon exercise at a price higher than the current market price. When the Fund purchases an option, it runs the risk that it will lose its entire investment in the option in a relatively short period of time, unless the Fund exercises the option or enters into a closing sale transaction before the option's expiration. If the price of the underlying security does not rise (in the case of a call) or fall (in the case of a put) to an extent sufficient to cover the option premium and transaction costs, the Fund will lose part or all of its investment in the option. This contrasts with an investment by the Fund in the underlying security, since the Fund will not realize a loss if the security's price does not change over a relatively short time period. The effective use of options also depends on the Fund's ability to terminate option positions at times when the Adviser deems it desirable to do so. There is no assurance that the Fund will be able to effect closing transactions at any particular time or at an acceptable price. The sale of options by the Fund may create investment leverage.

Swaps Risk. A swap is a two-party contract that generally obligates the parties to exchange payments based on a specified reference security, basket of securities, security index or index component. Swaps can involve greater risks than direct investment in securities because swaps may be leveraged and are subject to counterparty risk (e.g., the risk of a counterparty's defaulting on the obligation or bankruptcy), credit risk and pricing risk (i.e., swaps may be difficult to value). Swaps may also be considered illiquid. It may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate a swap position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses.

Counterparty Risk. The Fund will be subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties with which the Fund enters into derivatives contracts and other transactions such as repurchase agreements or reverse repurchase agreements. The Fund's ability to profit from these types of investments and transactions will depend on the willingness and ability of its counterparty to perform its obligations. If a counterparty fails to meet its contractual obligations, the Fund may be unable to terminate or realize any gain on the investment or transaction, resulting in a loss to the Fund. The Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery in an insolvency, bankruptcy, or other reorganization proceeding involving its counterparty (including recovery of any collateral posted by it) and may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. If the Fund holds collateral posted by its counterparty, it may be delayed or prevented from realizing on the collateral in the event of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding relating to the counterparty. Under applicable law or contractual provisions, including if the Fund enters into an investment or transaction with a financial institution and such financial institution (or an affiliate of the financial institution) experiences financial difficulties, then the Fund may in certain situations be prevented or delayed from exercising its rights to terminate the investment or transaction, or to realize on any collateral and may result in the suspension of payment and delivery obligations of the parties under such investment or transactions or in another institution being substituted for that financial institution without the consent of the Fund. Further, the Fund may be subject to “bail-in” risk under applicable law whereby, if required by the financial institution's authority, the financial institution's liabilities could be written down, eliminated or converted into equity or an alternative instrument of ownership. A bail-in of a financial institution may result in a reduction in value of some or all of its securities and, if the Fund holds such securities or has entered into a transaction with such a financial security when a bail-in occurs, the Fund may also be similarly impacted.

Leveraging Risk. Borrowing transactions, reverse repurchase agreements, certain derivatives transactions, securities lending transactions and other investment transactions such as when-issued, delayed-delivery, or forward commitment transactions may create investment leverage. If the Fund engages in transactions that have a leveraging effect on the Fund's investment portfolio, the value of the Fund will be potentially more volatile and all other risks will tend to be compounded. This is because leverage generally creates investment risk with respect to a larger base of assets than the Fund would otherwise have and so magnifies the effect of any increase or decrease in the value of the Fund's underlying assets. The use of leverage is considered to be a speculative investment practice and may result in losses to the Fund. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy repayment, interest payment, or margin obligations or to meet asset coverage requirements.

Fluctuation of Net Asset Value, Share Premiums and Discounts Risk. The NAV of Fund Shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund's securities holdings. The market prices of Fund Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in the Fund's NAV and supply and demand of Fund Shares on the Exchange. It cannot be predicted whether Fund Shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. The Fund and its holdings in ETFs are subject to the same market forces. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for Fund Shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the securities trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. The market prices of Fund Shares may deviate significantly from the NAV of Fund Shares during periods of market volatility. However, given that Fund Shares can be created and redeemed in Creation Units (unlike shares of many closed-end funds, which frequently trade at appreciable discounts from, and sometimes at premiums to, their NAV), the Adviser believes that large discounts or premiums to the NAV of Fund Shares should not be sustained over long periods. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely that Fund Shares normally will trade close to the Fund's

NAV, disruptions to creations and redemptions or market volatility may result in trading prices that differ significantly from the Fund's NAV. If an investor purchases Fund Shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV of Fund Shares or sells at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV of Fund Shares, then the investor may sustain losses.

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. A reduction in the income earned by the Fund may limit the Fund's ability to achieve its objective.

Extension Risk. During periods of rising interest rates, the average life of certain types of securities may be extended because of slower-than-expected principal payments. This may increase the period of time during which an investment earns a below-market interest rate, increase the security's duration and reduce the value of the security. Extension risk may be heightened during periods of adverse economic conditions generally, as payment rates decline due to higher unemployment levels and other factors.

Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that the securities held by the 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 the 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. Interest rate changes can be sudden and unpredictable, and are influenced by a number of factors, including government policy, monetary policy, inflation expectations, perceptions of risk, and supply and demand for bonds. Changes in government or central bank policy, including changes in tax policy or changes in a central bank's implementation of specific policy goals, may have a substantial impact on 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 the Fund's investments. There can be no guarantee that any particular government or central bank policy will be continued, discontinued or changed, nor that any such policy will have the desired effect on interest rates.

Reinvestment Risk. Income from the Fund 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 the Fund to reinvest the proceeds in lower-yielding securities. A decline in income received by the Fund from its investments is likely to have a negative effect on the yield and total return of the Fund Shares.

Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that the Fund may not be able to dispose of investments readily at a favorable time or prices (or at all) or at prices approximating those at which the Fund currently values them. For example, certain investments may be subject to restrictions on resale, may trade in the over-the-counter market or in limited volume, or may not have an active trading market. Illiquid investments may trade at a discount from comparable, more liquid investments and may be subject to wide fluctuations in market value. It may be difficult for the Fund to value illiquid investments accurately. The market for certain investments may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer. If the liquidity of the Fund's holdings deteriorates, it may lead to differences between the market price of Fund Shares and the NAV of Fund Shares, and could result in the Fund Shares being less liquid. Disposal of illiquid investments may entail registration expenses and other transaction costs that are higher than those for liquid investments. The Fund may seek to borrow money to meet its obligations (including among other things redemption obligations) if it is unable to dispose of illiquid investments, resulting in borrowing expenses and possible leveraging of the Fund.

Furthermore, if the Fund's principal investment strategies involve investing in municipal securities or high yield securities, the Fund's portfolio may have greater exposure to liquidity risk since the markets for such securities may be less liquid than the traditional bond markets. There may also be less information available on the financial condition of issuers of these types of securities than for public corporations. This means that it may be harder to buy and sell such securities, especially on short notice, and these securities may be more difficult for the Fund to value accurately than securities of public corporations.

Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed. The Adviser's judgments about the attractiveness, relative value, or potential appreciation of a particular sector, security, commodity or investment strategy may prove to be incorrect, and may cause the Fund to incur losses. There can be no assurance that the Adviser's investment techniques and decisions will produce the desired results.

Market Risk. Market prices of investments held by the Fund will go up or down, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. 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 actual or perceived creditworthiness of issuers and general market liquidity. Even if general economic conditions do not change, the value of an investment in the 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, trade policy changes or disputes, the threat or actual imposition of tariffs, natural disasters, public health issues, or other events could have a significant impact on the Fund and its investments. Due to the interconnectedness of economies and financial markets throughout the world, whether or not the 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 the Fund and its investments and result in disruptions to the services provided to the Fund by its service providers.

Money Market Fund Investment 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. Certain money market funds seek to preserve the value of their shares at $1.00 per share, although there can be no assurance that they will do so, and it is possible to lose money by investing in such 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 the share price of such a money market fund to fall below $1.00. It is possible that such 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. None of State Street Corporation, State Street, 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. Other money market funds price and transact at a “floating” NAV that will fluctuate along with changes in the market-based value of fund assets. Shares sold utilizing a floating NAV may be worth more or less than their original purchase price. Recent changes in the regulation of money market funds may affect the operations and structures of money market funds. A money market fund may be permitted or required to impose redemption fees during times of market stress. To the extent the Fund invests in a money market fund managed by the Adviser, the Adviser may have an incentive to take into account the effect on such money market fund in determining whether, and under what circumstances, to purchase or sell shares in that money market fund. Although the Adviser takes steps to address the conflicts of interest, it is possible that the conflicts could impact the Fund.

Municipal Obligations Risk. The U.S. municipal securities market is volatile and can be significantly affected by adverse tax, legislative, or political changes and the financial condition of the issuers of municipal securities. Municipal obligations include revenue obligations, which are generally backed by the revenues generated from a specific project or facility and include private activity bonds and industrial development bonds. Private activity and industrial development bonds are dependent on the ability of the facility's user to meet its financial obligations and on the value of any real or personal property pledged as security for such payment. Private activity and industrial development

bonds, although issued by industrial development authorities, may be backed only by the assets of the non-governmental user. Because many municipal securities are issued to finance projects relating to education, health care, transportation and utilities, conditions in those sectors can affect the overall municipal securities market. In addition, municipal securities backed by current or anticipated revenues from a specific project or specific asset can be negatively affected by the discontinuance or reduction in the rate of the taxation supporting the project or asset or the inability to collect revenues for the project or from the assets. If the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) determines the issuer of a municipal security has not complied with applicable tax requirements, interest from the security could become taxable, and the security could decline in value. Municipal obligations may also be subject to prepayment risk and extension risk. Certain states and other governmental entities have experienced, and may continue to experience, extreme financial pressures in response to financial, economic and other factors, and may be, or be perceived to be, unable to meet all of their obligations under municipal bonds issued or guaranteed by them; such factors may result in substantial volatility in municipal securities markets and losses to the Fund. Additionally, the Fund's portfolio may have greater exposure to liquidity risk since the markets for such securities may be less liquid than the traditional bond markets. There may also be less information available on the financial condition of issuers of these types of securities than for public corporations. This means that it may be harder to buy and sell such securities, especially on short notice, and these securities may be more difficult for the Fund to value accurately than securities of public corporations.

Political Risk. A significant restructuring of federal income tax rates or even serious discussion on the topic in Congress could cause municipal bond prices to fall. The demand for municipal securities is strongly influenced by the value of tax-exempt income to investors. Lower income tax rates could reduce the advantage of owning municipals.

Tax Exemption Risk. There is no guarantee that any of the Fund's income will be exempt from federal or state income taxes. Events occurring after the date of issuance of a municipal bond or after the Fund's acquisition of a municipal bond may result in a determination that interest on that bond is includible in gross income for federal income tax purposes retroactively to its date of issuance. Such a determination may cause a portion of prior distributions by the Fund to its shareholders that is attributable to municipal bonds to be taxable to those shareholders in the year of receipt. Federal or state changes in income or alternative minimum tax rates or in the tax treatment of municipal bonds may make municipal bonds less attractive as investments and cause them to decline in value. In addition, all or a portion of distributions from the Fund that are attributable to income that is generally exempt from federal or state income taxes may be characterized as taxable dividends in the Fund's target maturity year.

New Fund Risk. The Fund is new and there is no assurance that the Fund will grow quickly. When the Fund's size is small, the Fund may experience low trading volume, which could lead to wider bid/ask spreads. In addition, the Fund may face the risk of being delisted if the Fund does not meet certain conditions of the listing exchange. Any resulting liquidation of the Fund could cause elevated transaction costs for the Fund and negative tax consequences for its shareholders.

Non-Diversification Risk. As a “non-diversified” fund, the Fund may hold a smaller number of portfolio securities than many other funds. To the extent the Fund invests in a relatively small number of issuers, a decline in the market value of a particular security held by the Fund may affect its value more than if it invested in a larger number of issuers. The value of Fund Shares may be more volatile than the values of shares of more diversified funds.

Portfolio Turnover Risk. The Fund may engage in frequent trading of its portfolio securities. Fund turnover generally involves a number of direct and indirect costs and expenses to the Fund, including, for example, brokerage commissions, dealer mark-ups and bid/asked spreads, and transaction costs on the sale of securities and reinvestment in other securities. The costs related to increased portfolio turnover have the effect of reducing the Fund's investment return, and the sale of securities by the Fund may result in the realization of taxable capital gains, including short-term capital gains.

including “fair valued” securities, may be subject to greater fluctuation in their valuations from one day to the next than if market quotations were used. Technological issues or other service disruption issues involving third-party service providers may cause the Fund to value its investments incorrectly. In addition, there is no assurance that the Fund could sell or close out a portfolio position for the value established for it at any time, and it is possible that the Fund would incur a loss because a portfolio position is sold or closed out at a discount to the valuation established by the Fund at that time.

Non-Principal Risks

Authorized Participants, Market Makers and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that may act as Authorized Participants (“APs”), which are responsible for the creation and redemption activity for the Fund. In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, Fund Shares may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services, or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.

Cash Transaction Risk. To the extent the Fund sells portfolio securities to meet some or all of a redemption request with cash, the Fund may incur taxable gains or losses that it might not have incurred had it made redemptions entirely in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used.

Conflicts of Interest Risk. An investment in the Fund may be subject to a number of actual or potential conflicts of interest. For example, the Adviser or its affiliates may provide services to the 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 Fund may invest in other pooled investment vehicles sponsored, managed, or otherwise affiliated with the Adviser. There is no assurance that the rates at which the 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 makes available to other clients. Because of its financial interest, the Adviser may have an incentive to enter into transactions or arrangements on behalf of the 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 Fund. 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 the 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 the 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 Fund) 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 the Fund. The Fund may encounter circumstances, or enter into transactions, in which conflicts of interest that are not listed or discussed above may arise.

generally lower if Fund Shares have more trading volume and market liquidity and higher if Fund Shares have little trading volume and market liquidity. Further, increased market volatility may cause increased bid/ask spreads. Due to the costs of buying or selling Fund Shares, including bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of Fund Shares may significantly reduce investment results and an investment in Fund Shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.

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 Fund) and their service providers (including the Adviser) may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from cyber-attacks and/or technological malfunctions. 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, the Fund, the Adviser, a custodian, the transfer agent, or other affiliated or third-party service provider may adversely affect the Fund or its shareholders. For instance, cyber-attacks or technical malfunctions may interfere with the processing of shareholder or other transactions, affect the Fund's ability to calculate its NAV, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential Fund information, impede trading, cause reputational damage, and subject the Fund to regulatory fines, penalties or financial losses, reimbursement or other compensation costs, and additional compliance costs. Cyber-attacks or technical malfunctions may render records of Fund assets and transactions, shareholder ownership of Fund Shares, and other data integral to the functioning of the Fund inaccessible or inaccurate or incomplete. The Fund may also incur substantial costs for cybersecurity risk management in order to prevent cyber incidents in the future. The 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. The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning could exacerbate these risks or result in cyber security incidents that implicate personal data. The 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 Fund. Similar types of cybersecurity risks or technical malfunctions also are present for issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause the Fund's investment in such securities to lose value.

Regulatory Risk. Governmental and regulatory actions may have unexpected or adverse consequences on particular markets, strategies, or investments, which may adversely impact the Fund and impair how it is managed. Policy and legislative changes in the United States and in other countries may affect aspects of financial regulation, and may in some instances contribute to decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. The impact of these changes on the markets, and the practical implications for market participants, may not be fully known for some time.

Securities Lending Risk. The Fund may lend portfolio securities in an amount not to exceed 40% of the value of its net assets. For these purposes, net assets shall exclude the value of all assets received as collateral for the loan. Such loans may be terminated at any time. Any such loans must be continuously secured by collateral maintained on a current basis in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned by the Fund, marked to market each trading day. The Fund will receive the amount of all dividends, interest and other distributions on the loaned securities; however, the borrower has the right to vote the loaned securities. The Fund will call loans to vote proxies if a material issue affecting the investment is to be voted upon. Efforts to recall such securities promptly may be unsuccessful, especially for foreign securities or thinly traded securities. Securities lending involves the risk that the Fund may lose money because the borrower of the loaned securities fails to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. Should the borrower of the securities fail financially, the Fund may experience delays in recovering the securities or exercising its rights in the collateral. Loans are made only to borrowers that are deemed by the securities lending agent to be of good financial standing. In a loan transaction, the Fund will also bear the risk of any decline in value of securities provided as collateral or acquired with cash collateral. The Fund will attempt to minimize this risk by limiting

the investment of cash collateral to high quality instruments of short maturity either directly on behalf of the lending Fund or through one or more joint accounts or funds, which may include those managed by the Adviser. In addition, the Fund will be subject to the risk that any income generated by lending its securities or reinvesting cash collateral is lower than any fees the Fund has agreed to pay a borrower. The Adviser will take into account the tax impact to shareholders of substitute payments for dividends when overseeing the Fund's securities lending activity.

Trading Issues. Although Fund Shares are listed for trading on the Exchange and may be listed or traded on U.S. and non-U.S. stock exchanges other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for the Fund Shares will develop or be maintained. Trading in Fund Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Fund Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Fund Shares on the Exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to Exchange “circuit breaker” rules. Similar to the shares of operating companies listed on a stock exchange, Fund Shares may be sold short and are therefore subject to the risk of increased volatility in the trading price of the Fund's shares. While the Fund expects that the ability of APs to create and redeem Fund Shares at NAV should be effective in reducing any such volatility, there is no guarantee that it will eliminate the volatility associated with such short sales. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged or that Fund Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange.

Management

Investment Adviser

SSGA FM serves as the investment adviser to the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (“Investment Advisory Agreement”) between the Trust and the Adviser, and, subject to the oversight of the Board, is responsible for the investment management of the Fund. The Adviser provides an investment management program for the Fund and manages the investment of the Fund's assets. In addition, the Adviser provides administrative, compliance and general management services to the Fund. The Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of State Street Investment Management, 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 State Street Investment Management. State Street Investment Management is one of the world's largest institutional money managers and the investment management arm of State Street Corporation. As of June 30, 2025, the Adviser managed approximately $1.17 trillion in assets and State Street Investment Management managed approximately $5.12 trillion in assets. The Adviser's principal business address is One Iron Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.

For the services provided to the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund expects to pay the Adviser the annual fees based on a percentage of the Fund's average daily net assets of 0.20%. With respect to the Fund, the management fee is reduced by any acquired fund fees and expenses attributable to the Fund's investments in other investment companies (except acquired fund fees and expenses associated with holdings of acquired funds for cash management purposes).

From time to time, the Adviser may waive all or a portion of its management fee. The Adviser pays all expenses of the Fund other than the management fee, acquired fund fees and expenses associated with holdings of acquired funds for cash management purposes, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees (including any Trustee's counsel fees), litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses.

SSGA FM, as the investment adviser for the Fund, may hire one or more sub-advisers to oversee the day-to-day investment activities of the Fund. The sub-advisers are subject to oversight by the Adviser. The Adviser, and the Trust have received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits the Adviser, with the approval of the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, of the Trust, to retain and amend existing sub-advisory agreements with unaffiliated investment sub-advisers for the Fund without submitting the sub-advisory agreement to a vote of the Fund's shareholders. The Trust will notify shareholders in the event of any change in the identity of such sub-adviser or sub-advisers. The Adviser has ultimate responsibility for the investment performance of the Fund due to its responsibility to oversee each sub-adviser and recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. The Adviser is not required to disclose fees paid to any unaffiliated sub-adviser retained pursuant to the order.

A summary of the factors considered by the Board in connection with the initial approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement for the Fund will be available in the Fund's Form N-CSR filing with the SEC for the period ended February 28, 2026.

Portfolio Managers

The Adviser manages the Fund using a team of investment professionals. The team approach is used to create an environment that encourages the flow of investment ideas. The portfolio managers within the team work together in a cohesive manner to develop and enhance techniques that drive the investment process for the investment strategy. This approach requires portfolio managers to share a variety of responsibilities, including investment strategy and analysis, while retaining responsibility for the implementation of the strategy within any particular portfolio. The approach also enables the team to draw upon the resources of other groups within State Street Investment Management. The portfolio management team is overseen by State Street Investment Management's internal governance.

The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are Arthur Aaronson and Stella Delucia.

Arthur Aaronson, CPA, is a Vice President of State Street Investment Management and the Adviser and a Portfolio Manager in the Global Fixed Income Solutions group focusing on Tax Exempt and Taxable Municipal securities. Mr. Aaronson joined State Street Investment Management in July 2016 through the acquisition of GEAM by the ultimate parent company of State Street Investment Management. He was a Portfolio Manager in the Insurance Asset Management Group prior to assuming his role on the Municipal team. He joined GEAM in 2002 as an Assistant Portfolio Manager. Prior to GEAM, he spent eleven years at the Princeton Insurance Companies as Vice President of Investments. Previous to his tenure at Princeton, he was Chief Financial Officer for Propac Underwriters and spent several years at Pannell Kerr Forster, a national public accounting firm. Mr. Aaronson has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Law from Clarkson University and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Stella DeLucia is a Managing Director of State Street Investment Management and a Senior Portfolio Manager in the Active Fixed Income Team. Ms. DeLucia joined State Street Investment Management in July 2016 through the acquisition of GEAM by the ultimate parent company of State Street Investment Management and has thirty years of experience in asset management. Ms. DeLucia started managing municipal portfolios in 1989 when she worked at AllianceBernstein managing national and state specific municipal mutual funds. Upon joining GEAM in 1994, she managed total return municipal portfolios for multiple insurance clients. Ms. DeLucia holds a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and a Master of Business Administration from the Stern School of Business at New York University.

Additional information about the portfolio managers' compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and the portfolio managers' ownership of the Fund is available in the SAI.

Administrator, Sub-Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent. The Adviser serves as Administrator for the Fund. State Street, part of State Street Corporation, is the Sub-Administrator for the Fund and the Custodian for the Fund's assets, and serves as Transfer Agent to the Fund.

Lending Agent. State Street serves as the securities lending agent for the Trust. For its services, the lending agent would typically receive a portion of the net investment income, if any, earned on the collateral for the securities loaned.

Distributor. State Street Global Advisors Funds Distributors, LLC serves as the Fund's distributor (“SSGA FD” or the “Distributor”) pursuant to the Distribution Agreement between SSGA FD and the Trust. The Distributor will not distribute Fund Shares in less than Creation Units, and it does not maintain a secondary market in Fund Shares. The Distributor may enter into selected dealer agreements with other broker-dealers or other qualified financial institutions for the sale of Creation Units of Fund Shares.

Additional Information. The Board oversees generally the operations of the Fund and the Trust. The Trust enters into contractual arrangements with various parties, including, among others, the Fund's investment adviser, custodian, transfer agent, and accountants, who provide services to the Fund. 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 Fund that you should consider in determining whether to purchase Fund Shares. Neither this Prospectus nor the related SAI is intended, or should be read, to be or give rise to an agreement or contract between the Trust or the Fund 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.

Trademark Licenses/Disclaimers

SPDR Trademark. The “SPDR” trademark is used under license from Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC (“S&P”). No Fund offered by the Trust or its affiliates is sponsored, endorsed, sold or marketed by S&P or its affiliates. S&P makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly. S&P is not responsible for and has not participated in any determination or calculation made with respect to issuance or redemption of Fund Shares. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL S&P HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Additional Purchase and Sale Information

Fund Shares are listed for secondary trading on the Exchange and individual Fund Shares may only be purchased and sold in the secondary market through a broker-dealer. The secondary markets are closed on weekends and also are generally closed on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The Exchange may close early on the business day before certain holidays and on the day after Thanksgiving Day. Exchange holiday schedules are subject to change without notice. If you buy or sell Fund Shares in the secondary market, you will pay the secondary market price for Fund Shares. In addition, you may incur customary brokerage commissions and charges and may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered price in the secondary market on each leg of a round trip (purchase and sale) transaction.

The trading prices of Fund Shares will fluctuate continuously throughout trading hours based on market supply and demand rather than the Fund's NAV, which is calculated at the end of each business day. Fund Shares will trade on the Exchange at prices that may be above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount), to varying degrees, the daily NAV of Fund Shares. The trading prices of Fund Shares may deviate significantly from the Fund's NAV during periods of market volatility. Given, however, that Fund Shares can be issued and redeemed daily in Creation Units, the Adviser believes that large discounts and premiums to NAV should not be sustained over long periods.

The Exchange will disseminate, every fifteen seconds during the regular trading day, an indicative optimized portfolio value (“IOPV”) relating to the Fund. The IOPV calculations are estimates of the value of the Fund's NAV per Fund Share. Premiums and discounts between the IOPV and the market price may occur. This should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the NAV per Fund Share. The IOPV is based on the current market value of the published basket of portfolio securities and/or cash required to be deposited in exchange for a Creation Unit and does not necessarily reflect the precise composition of the Fund's actual portfolio at a particular point in time. Moreover, the IOPV is generally determined by using current market quotations and/or price quotations obtained from broker-dealers and other market intermediaries and valuations based on current market rates. The IOPV may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV, which (i) is computed only once a day, (ii) unlike the calculation of the IOPV, takes into account Fund expenses, and (iii) may be subject, in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, to fair valuation at different prices than those used in the calculations of the IOPV. The IOPV price is based on quotes and closing prices from the securities' local market converted into U.S. dollars at the current currency rates and may not reflect events that occur subsequent to the local market's close. Therefore, the IOPV may not reflect the best possible valuation of the Fund's current portfolio. Neither the Fund nor the Adviser or any of their affiliates are involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of such IOPVs and make no warranty as to their accuracy.

The Fund does not impose any restrictions on the frequency of purchases and redemptions; however, the Fund reserves the right to reject or limit purchases at any time as described in the SAI. When considering that no restriction or policy was necessary, the Board evaluated the risks posed by market timing activities, such as whether frequent purchases and redemptions would interfere with the efficient implementation of the Fund's investment strategy, or

whether they would cause the Fund to experience increased transaction costs. The Board considered that, unlike traditional mutual funds, Fund Shares are issued and redeemed only in large quantities of shares known as Creation Units, available only from the Fund directly, and that most trading in the Fund occurs on the Exchange at prevailing market prices and does not involve the Fund directly. Given this structure, the Board determined that it is unlikely that (a) market timing would be attempted by the Fund's shareholders or (b) any attempts to market time the Fund by shareholders would result in negative impact to the Fund or its shareholders.

Distributions

Dividends and Capital Gains. As a Fund shareholder, you are entitled to your share of the Fund's income and net realized gains on its investments. The Fund pays out substantially all of its net earnings to its shareholders as “distributions.”

The Fund may earn interest from debt securities and, if participating, securities lending income. These amounts, net of expenses and taxes (if applicable), are passed along to Fund shareholders as “income dividend distributions.” The Fund will generally be treated as realizing short-term capital gains or losses whenever it sells or exchanges assets held for one year or less. Net short-term capital gains will generally be treated as ordinary income when distributed to shareholders. The Fund will generally be treated as realizing long-term capital gains or losses whenever it sells or exchanges assets held for more than one year. Net capital gains (the excess of the Fund's net long-term capital gains over its net short-term capital losses) are distributed to shareholders as “capital gain distributions.”

Income dividend distributions, if any, for the Fund are generally distributed to shareholders monthly, but may vary significantly from period to period.

Net capital gains for the Fund are distributed at least annually. Dividends may be declared and paid more frequently or at any other time to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”).

Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole Fund Shares only if the broker through whom you purchased Fund Shares makes such option available. Distributions which are reinvested will nevertheless be taxable to the same extent as if such distributions had not been reinvested.

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure

The Fund's portfolio holdings disclosure policy is described in the SAI. In addition, the identities and quantities of the securities held by the Fund are disclosed on the Fund's website.

Additional Tax Information

The following discussion is a summary of some important U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to an investment in the Fund. Your investment in the 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.

The Fund has elected or will elect to be a regulated investment company (“RIC”) and intends to qualify each year to be treated as such. A RIC is generally not subject to tax at the corporate level on income and gains that are distributed to shareholders. However, the Fund's failure to qualify for treatment as a RIC may result in corporate level taxation, and consequently, a reduction in income available for distribution to shareholders. The Fund primarily invests in U.S. dollar denominated municipal bonds issued by U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or local governments or agencies, the interest of which is exempt from U.S. federal income taxes and the federal alternative minimum tax.

Taxes On Distributions. The Fund intends to primarily invest its assets in a manner such that dividend distributions to its shareholders will generally be exempt from regular U.S. federal income tax. Dividends paid by the Fund will be exempt from regular federal income tax to the extent of its net tax-exempt interest income as long as 50% or more of the value of its assets at the end of each quarter is invested in state, municipal and other bonds the interest on which is excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes and the Fund reports such dividends as exempt-interest dividends. As a result of failing to meet this test as of the end of one or more quarters in its target maturity year, all or a portion of distributions from the Fund that are attributable to income that is generally exempt from federal income tax may be characterized as taxable dividends in the Fund's target maturity year.

Although the Fund primarily invests in bonds generating interest that is exempt from the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax applicable to noncorporate tax payers, the Fund may invest in “private activity bonds” within the meaning of Section 141 of the Code, the interest on which is not exempt from U.S. federal income tax for persons who are “substantial users” of the facilities financed by such bonds or “related persons” of such “substantial users.” The Fund may not be an appropriate investment for shareholders who are considered either a “substantial user” or “related person” within the meaning of Section 141 of the Code. In addition, interest on private activity bonds is included as an item of tax preference in determining the amount of a noncorporate taxpayer's alternative minimum taxable income. To the extent the Fund receives income from private activity bonds, a portion of the dividends paid by it, although otherwise exempt from regular federal income tax, may be taxable to those noncorporate shareholders who are subject to the alternative minimum tax regime. The Fund will annually supply shareholders with a report indicating the percentage of its income required to be included in calculating the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to noncorporate taxpayers.

Exempt-interest dividends from the Fund are taken into account in determining the taxable portion of any Social Security or railroad retirement benefits that you receive. If you receive Social Security or railroad retirement benefits, you should consult your tax advisor about how an investment in the Fund may affect the taxation of your benefits.

Exempt-interest dividends attributable to interest on municipal securities issued by a state or its political subdivisions may be exempt in the hands of a shareholder from income tax imposed by that state, but exempt-interest dividends attributable to interest on municipal securities issued by another state generally will not be exempt from such income tax.

In general, your distributions (other than exempt-interest dividends) are subject to federal income tax when they are paid, whether you take them in cash or reinvest them in the Fund. The income dividends and short-term capital gains distributions you receive from the Fund will be taxed as ordinary income. Any distributions of the Fund's net capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gain regardless of how long you have owned Fund Shares. Long-term capital gains are generally taxed to noncorporate shareholders at reduced rates. Although the Fund does not seek to realize taxable income or capital gains, the Fund may realize and distribute taxable income or capital gains from time to time as a result of their normal investment activities.

Distributions in excess of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits are treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your basis in the Fund's shares, and, in general, as capital gain thereafter.

U.S. individuals with income exceeding specified thresholds are subject to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which includes taxable interest, dividends and certain capital gains (generally including capital gain distributions and capital gains realized upon the sale of Fund Shares) but does not include exempt-interest dividends. This 3.8% tax also applies to all or a portion of the undistributed net investment income of certain shareholders that are estates and trusts.

Certain tax-exempt educational institutions will be subject to an excise tax on net investment income. For these purposes, certain dividends and capital gain distributions (but not exempt-interest dividends), and certain gains from the disposition of Fund Shares (among other categories of income), are generally taken into account in computing a shareholder's net investment income.

If you lend your Fund Shares pursuant to securities lending arrangements you may lose the ability to treat Fund dividends (paid while the Fund Shares are held by the borrower) as qualified dividend income. You should consult your financial intermediary or tax advisor to discuss your particular circumstances.

Distributions paid in January, but declared by the Fund in October, November or December of the previous year, payable to shareholders of record in such a month, may be taxable to you in the calendar year in which they were declared. The Fund will inform you of the amount of your ordinary income dividends and capital gain distributions shortly after the close of each calendar year.

A distribution will reduce the Fund's NAV per Fund Share and may be taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gain even though, from an investment standpoint, the distribution may constitute a return of capital.

receive cash interest payments that are less than the income recognized for tax purposes. In other circumstances, whether pursuant to the terms of a security or as a result of other factors outside the control of the Fund, the Fund may recognize income without receiving a commensurate amount of cash. The Fund's share of such income is included in determining the amount that the Fund must distribute to maintain its eligibility for treatment as a RIC and to avoid the payment of federal tax, including the nondeductible 4% excise tax. Because any income required to be recognized as a result of the OID and/or market discount rules (discussed below) may not be matched by a corresponding cash payment, the Fund may be required to borrow money or dispose of securities to be able to make distributions to its shareholders in order to qualify for treatment as a RIC and eliminate taxes at the Fund level.

Inflation-Indexed Bonds. Special rules apply if the Fund holds inflation-indexed bonds. Generally, all stated interest on inflation-indexed bonds is taken into income by the Fund under its regular method of accounting for interest income. The amount of any positive inflation adjustment for a taxable year, which results from an increase in the inflation-adjusted principal amount of the bond, is treated as OID. The amount of the Fund's OID in a taxable year with respect to a bond will increase the Fund's taxable income for such year without a corresponding receipt of cash until the bond matures. As a result, the Fund may need to use other sources of cash to satisfy its distribution requirements for such year. The amount of any negative inflation adjustments, which result from a decrease in the inflation-adjusted principal amount of the bond, first reduces the amount of interest (including stated interest, OID, and market discount, if any) otherwise includible in the Fund's income with respect to the bond for the taxable year; any remaining negative adjustments will be either treated as ordinary loss or, in certain circumstances, carried forward to reduce the amount of interest income taken into account with respect to the bond in future taxable years.

Market Discount (Municipal Securities). If the Fund purchases a municipal security at a market discount, any gain realized by the Fund upon sale or redemption of the municipal security will be treated as taxable interest income to the extent of the market discount, and any gain realized in excess of the market discount will be treated as capital gains.

Derivatives and Other Complex Securities. The Fund may invest in complex securities. These investments may be subject to numerous special and complex rules. These rules could affect whether gains and losses recognized by the Fund are treated as ordinary income or capital gain, accelerate the recognition of income to the Fund and/or defer the Fund's ability to recognize losses. In turn, these rules may affect the amount, timing or character of the income distributed to you by the Fund. You should consult your personal tax advisor regarding the application of these rules.

Taxes on Exchange-Listed Share Sales. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Fund Shares is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if Fund Shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if Fund Shares have been held for one year or less, except that any capital loss on the sale of Fund Shares held for six months or less will be disallowed to the extent of exempt-interest dividends paid on such Fund Shares, and any amount of the loss that exceeds the amount disallowed will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid with respect to the Fund Shares.

Taxes on Creations and Redemptions of Creation Units. A person who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time and the exchanger's aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus any cash paid for the Creation Units. A person who exchanges Creation Units for securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger's basis in the Creation Units and the aggregate market value of the securities and the amount of cash received. The IRS, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.

Under current federal tax laws, any capital gain or loss realized upon a redemption (or creation) of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Fund Shares (or securities surrendered) have been held for more than one year and as a short-term capital gain or loss if the Fund Shares (or securities surrendered) have been held for one year or less.

If you create or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many Fund Shares you purchased or sold and at what price.

The Trust on behalf of the Fund has the right to reject an order for Creation Units if the purchaser (or a group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the Fund Shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund and if, pursuant to Section 351 of the Code, the Fund would have a basis in the securities different from the market value of the securities on the date of deposit. The Trust also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination. If the Trust does issue Creation Units to a purchaser (or a group of purchasers) that would, upon obtaining the Fund Shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund, the purchaser (or group of purchasers) will not recognize gain or loss upon the exchange of securities for Creation Units.

If the Fund redeems Creation Units in cash, it may bear additional costs and recognize more capital gains than it would if it redeems Creation Units in-kind.

Non-U.S. Investors. Ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund to shareholders who are non-resident aliens or foreign entities will generally be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax (other than distributions reported by the Fund as interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends), unless a lower treaty rate applies or unless such income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. In general, the Fund may report interest-related dividends to the extent of its net income derived from U.S. source interest and the Fund may report short-term capital gain dividends to the extent its net short-term capital gain for the taxable year exceeds its net long-term capital loss. Gains on the sale of Fund Shares and dividends that are, in each case, effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. will generally be subject to U.S. federal net income taxation at regular income tax rates. Non-U.S. shareholders that own, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of the Fund's shares are urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning special tax rules that may apply to their investment.

Unless certain non-U.S. entities that hold Fund Shares comply with IRS requirements that will generally require them to report information regarding U.S. persons investing in, or holding accounts with, such entities, a 30% withholding tax may apply to distributions (other than exempt-interest dividends) payable to such entities. A non-U.S. shareholder may be exempt from the withholding described in this paragraph under an applicable intergovernmental agreement between the U.S. and a foreign government, provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.

Backup Withholding. The Fund will be required in certain cases to withhold (as “backup withholding”) on amounts (including exempt-interest dividends) payable to any shareholder who (1) has provided the Fund either an incorrect tax identification number or no number at all, (2) is subject to backup withholding by the IRS for failure to properly report payments of interest or dividends, (3) has failed to certify to the Fund that such shareholder is not subject to backup withholding, or (4) has not certified that such shareholder is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). The backup withholding rate is currently 24%. Backup withholding will not be applied to payments that have been subject to the 30% withholding tax on shareholders who are neither citizens nor permanent residents of the United States.

Other Tax Issues. The Fund may be subject to tax in certain states where the Fund does business (or is treated as doing business as a result of its investments). Furthermore, in those states which have income tax laws, the tax treatment of the Fund and of Fund shareholders with respect to distributions by the Fund may differ from federal tax treatment.

The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the consequences under current federal income tax law of an investment in the Fund. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. Consult your personal tax advisor about the potential tax consequences of an investment in the Fund under all applicable tax laws.

General Information

The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on March 30, 2011. If shareholders of the Fund are required to vote on any matters, shareholders are entitled to one vote for each Fund Share they own. Annual meetings of shareholders will not be held except as required by the 1940 Act and other applicable law. See the SAI for more information concerning the Trust's form of organization.

Management and Organization

The Fund is a separate series of the Trust, which is an open-end registered management investment company.

From time to time, the Fund may advertise yield and total return figures. Yield is a historical measure of dividend income, and total return is a measure of past dividend income (assuming that it has been reinvested) plus capital appreciation. Neither yield nor total return should be used to predict the future performance of the Fund.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP serves as counsel to the Trust, including the Fund. Ernst & Young LLP serves as the independent registered public accounting firm and will audit the Fund's financial statements annually.

Financial Highlights

The Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus and, therefore, does not have financial information.

Where to Learn More About the Fund

This Prospectus does not contain all the information included in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC with respect to Fund Shares. An SAI, the Annual and Semi-annual Reports to shareholders and Form N-CSR, each of which has been or will be filed with the SEC, provide more information about the Fund. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund's performance during the Fund's last fiscal year, as applicable. In the Form N-CSR, you will find the Fund's annual and semi-annual financial statements. The Prospectus and SAI may be supplemented from time to time. The SAI is incorporated herein by reference (i.e., it is legally part of this Prospectus). These materials may be obtained without charge, upon request, by writing to the Distributor, State Street Global Advisors Funds Distributors, LLC, One Iron Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, by visiting the Fund's website at www.statestreet.com/im or by calling the following number:

Investor Information: 1-866-787-2257

The Registration Statement, including this Prospectus, the SAI, and the exhibits as well as any shareholder reports may be reviewed on the EDGAR Database on the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). You may also obtain copies of this and other information, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following E-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.

Shareholder inquiries may be directed to the Fund in writing to State Street Global Advisors Funds Distributors, LLC, One Iron Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, or by calling the Investor Information number listed above.

No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this Prospectus in connection with the offer of Fund Shares, and, if given or made, the information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Trust or the Fund. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale of Fund Shares shall under any circumstance imply that the information contained herein is correct as of any date after the date of this Prospectus.

Dealers effecting transactions in Fund Shares, whether or not participating in this distribution, are generally required to deliver a Prospectus. This is in addition to any obligation of dealers to deliver a Prospectus when acting as underwriters.

ATMYKUNISTATPROThe Trust's Investment Company Act Number is 811-22542.

Prospectus

September 10, 2025

SSGA Active Trust

SPDR SSGA My2035 Corporate Bond ETF (MYCO)

Principal U.S. Listing Exchange: The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Table of Contents

Fund Summary
SPDR® SSGA My2035 Corporate Bond ETF	4
Additional Strategies Information	10
Additional Risk Information	11
Management	20
Trademark Licenses/Disclaimers	23
Additional Purchase and Sale Information	23
Distributions	24
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure	24
Additional Tax Information	24
General Information	27
Financial Highlights	28
Where to Learn More About the Fund	Back Cover

Fund Summary

SPDR® SSGA My2035 Corporate Bond ETF

Investment Objective

The SPDR SSGA My2035 Corporate Bond ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to maximize current income while

seeking preservation of capital.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

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

Management fees	0.15%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees	None
Other expenses1	0.00%
Total annual Fund operating expenses	0.15%

“Other expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

Example:

Year 1	Year 3
$15	$48

Portfolio Turnover:

The Fund's Principal Investment Strategy

Under normal circumstances, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”) invests at least 80% of the Fund's net assets (plus borrowings for investment purposes) in corporate bonds. The Fund will provide shareholders with at least sixty (60) days' notice prior to any change in its 80% investment policy. The Fund primarily invests in corporate bonds maturing in the year 2035, which may include bonds with embedded issuer call options falling within that year. The Fund may also invest in corporate bonds with maturity dates within six months prior to or after the Fund's target maturity year. An embedded issuer call option means that the bond's issuer has the right to redeem a bond prior to its designated maturity date. The Fund is part of the MyIncome suite of target maturity bond ETFs and is designed to terminate on or about December 15, 2035, at which point the Fund will distribute its remaining net assets to shareholders pursuant to a plan of liquidation. The Fund does not seek to distribute any predetermined amount at maturity.

The Fund primarily invests in U.S. dollar denominated corporate bonds rated investment grade at the time of purchase. Investment grade is defined as bonds rated BBB- or higher by S&P Global Ratings and/or Fitch Ratings Inc., Baa3 or higher by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or equivalent ratings by another registered nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”), or, if unrated by an NRSRO, of comparable quality as determined by the Adviser. The

Fund may invest up to 10% of its net assets in corporate bonds rated below investment grade at the time of purchase (commonly known as “junk” bonds). As of the date of this Prospectus, it is expected that a significant portion of the Fund will comprise securities of companies in the financial, industrial and utilities sectors, although this may change from time to time.

In the Fund's target maturity year, proceeds from corporate bonds maturing prior to the Fund's liquidation date may be reinvested in cash and cash equivalents, including, but not limited to, shares of money market funds (including money market funds advised by the Adviser). The Fund seeks to remain fully invested in corporate bonds to the extent possible; however, leading up to the Fund's target maturity date, the Fund's cash and cash equivalents holdings may increase and the Fund's investment in corporate bonds may be less than 80% of the Fund's net assets.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Financial Sector Risk: Financial services companies are subject to extensive governmental regulation, which may limit both the amounts and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, the interest rates and fees they can charge, the scope of their activities, the prices they can charge and the amount of capital they must maintain. Profitability is largely dependent on the availability and cost of capital funds and can fluctuate significantly when interest rates change or due to increased competition. In addition, deterioration of the credit markets generally may cause an adverse impact in a broad range of markets, including U.S. and international credit and interbank money markets generally, thereby affecting a wide range of financial institutions and markets. Certain events in the financial sector may cause an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign, and cause certain financial services companies to incur large losses. Securities of financial services companies may experience a dramatic decline in value when such companies experience substantial declines in the valuations of their assets, take action to raise capital (such as the issuance of debt or equity securities), or cease operations. Credit losses resulting from financial difficulties of borrowers and financial losses associated with investment activities can negatively impact the sector. Insurance companies may be subject to severe price competition. Adverse economic, business or political developments could adversely affect financial institutions engaged in mortgage finance or other lending or investing activities directly or indirectly connected to the value of real estate.

Industrial Sector Risk: Industrial companies are affected by supply and demand both for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products and services in general. Government regulation, world events, exchange rates and economic conditions, technological developments and liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities will likewise affect the performance of these companies. Aerospace and defense companies, a component of the industrial sector, can be significantly affected by government spending policies because companies involved in this industry rely, to a significant extent, on U.S. and foreign government demand for their products and services. Thus, the financial condition of, and investor interest in, aerospace and defense companies are heavily influenced by governmental defense spending policies which are typically under pressure from efforts

to control the U.S. (and other) government budgets. Transportation securities, another component of the industrial sector, are cyclical and have occasional sharp price movements which may result from changes in the economy, fuel prices, labor agreements and insurance costs.

(e.g., the risk of a counterparty's defaulting on the obligation or bankruptcy), credit risk and pricing risk (i.e., swaps may be difficult to value). It may not be possible for the Fund to liquidate a swap position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses.

Utilities Sector Risk: Utility companies are affected by supply and demand, operating costs, government regulation, environmental factors, liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities, and rate caps or rate changes. Although rate changes of a regulated utility usually fluctuate in approximate correlation with financing costs, due to political and regulatory factors rate changes ordinarily occur only following a delay after the changes in financing costs. This factor will tend to favorably affect a regulated utility company's earnings and dividends in times of decreasing costs, but conversely, will tend to adversely affect earnings and dividends when costs are rising. The value of regulated utility equity securities may tend to have an inverse relationship to the movement of interest rates. Certain utility companies have experienced full or partial deregulation in recent years. These utility companies are frequently more similar to industrial companies in that they are subject to greater competition and have been permitted by regulators to diversify outside of their original geographic regions and their traditional lines of business. These opportunities may permit certain utility companies to earn more than their traditional regulated rates of return. Some companies, however, may be forced to defend their core business and may be less profitable. In addition, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, government intervention or other factors may render a utility company's equipment unusable or obsolete and negatively impact profitability.

Among the risks that may affect utility companies are the following: risks of increases in fuel and other operating costs; the high cost of borrowing to finance capital construction during inflationary periods; restrictions on operations and increased costs and delays associated with compliance with environmental and nuclear safety regulations; and the difficulties involved in obtaining natural gas for resale or fuel for generating electricity at reasonable prices. Other risks include those related to the construction and operation of nuclear power plants, the effects of energy conservation and the effects of regulatory changes.

Fund Performance

Portfolio Management

Investment Adviser

SSGA FM serves as the investment adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Managers

The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are Sprague Rient and John Mele.

Sprague Rient is a Vice President of the Adviser and a Portfolio Manager and Analyst on the Fundamental Active Fixed Income Team. He joined the Adviser in 2016 through the acquisition of GE Asset Management Incorporated (“GEAM”) by the ultimate parent company of State Street Investment Management.

John Mele is a Vice President of the Adviser and a Senior Portfolio Manager on the Fundamental Active Investment Grade Credit Team. He joined the Adviser in 2016 through the acquisition of GEAM by the ultimate parent company of State Street Investment Management.

Purchase and Sale Information

Tax Information

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

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

Additional Strategies Information

Principal Strategies

The Fund has adopted a non-fundamental investment policy to invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes, in corporate bonds. The Fund will provide shareholders with at least 60 days' notice prior to any change in this non-fundamental 80% investment policy. The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of SSGA Active Trust (the “Trust”) may change the Fund's investment objective, investment strategy and other policies without shareholder approval, except as otherwise noted in this Prospectus or in the SAI.

Non-Principal Strategies

Additional Risk Information

The following section provides information regarding the principal risks identified under “Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund” in the Fund Summary along with additional risk information.

Principal Risks

Financial Sector Risk. Financial services companies are subject to extensive governmental regulation, which may limit both the amounts and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, the interest rates and fees they can charge, the scope of their activities, the prices they can charge and the amount of capital they must maintain. Profitability is largely dependent on the availability and cost of capital funds and can fluctuate significantly when interest rates change or due to increased competition. In addition, deterioration of the credit markets generally may cause an adverse impact in a broad range of markets, including U.S. and international credit and interbank money markets generally, thereby affecting a wide range of financial institutions and markets. Certain events in the financial sector may cause an unusually high degree of volatility in the financial markets, both domestic and foreign, and cause certain financial services companies to incur large losses. Securities of financial services companies may experience a dramatic decline in value when such companies experience substantial declines in the valuations of their assets, take action to raise capital (such as the issuance of debt or equity securities), or cease operations. Credit losses resulting from financial difficulties of borrowers and financial losses associated with investment activities can negatively impact the sector. Insurance companies may be subject to severe price competition. Adverse economic, business or political developments could adversely affect financial institutions engaged in mortgage finance or other lending or investing activities directly or indirectly connected to the value of real estate.

Industrial Sector Risk. Industrial companies are affected by supply and demand both for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products and services in general. Government regulation, world events, exchange rates and economic conditions, technological developments and liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities will likewise affect the performance of these companies. Aerospace and defense companies, a component of the industrial sector, can be significantly affected by government spending policies because companies involved in this industry rely, to a significant extent, on U.S. and foreign government demand for their products and services. Thus, the financial condition of, and investor interest in, aerospace and defense companies are heavily influenced by governmental defense spending policies which are typically under pressure from efforts to control the U.S. (and other) government budgets. Transportation securities, another component of the industrial sector, are cyclical and have occasional sharp price movements which may result from changes in the economy, fuel prices, labor agreements and insurance costs.

Utilities Sector Risk. Utility companies are affected by supply and demand, operating costs, government regulation, environmental factors, liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities, and rate caps or rate changes. Although rate changes of a regulated utility usually fluctuate in approximate correlation with financing costs, due to political and regulatory factors, rate changes ordinarily occur only following a delay after the changes in financing costs. This factor will tend to favorably affect a regulated utility company's earnings and dividends in times of decreasing costs, but conversely, will tend to adversely affect earnings and dividends when costs are rising. The value of regulated utility equity securities may tend to have an inverse relationship to the movement of interest rates. Certain utility companies have experienced full or partial deregulation in recent years. These utility companies are frequently more similar to industrial companies in that they are subject to greater competition and have been permitted by regulators to diversify outside of their original geographic regions and their traditional lines of business. These opportunities may permit certain utility companies to earn more than their traditional regulated rates of return. Some companies, however, may be forced to defend their core business and may be less profitable. In addition, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, government intervention or other factors may render a utility company's equipment unusable or obsolete and negatively impact profitability.

Valuation Risk. Certain portfolio holdings may be valued on the basis of factors other than market quotations. This may occur more often in times of market turmoil or reduced liquidity. There are multiple methods that can be used to value a portfolio holding when market quotations are not readily available. The value established for any portfolio holding at a point in time might differ from what would be produced using a different methodology or if it had been priced using market quotations. Portfolio holdings that are valued using techniques other than market quotations, including “fair valued” securities, may be subject to greater fluctuation in their valuations from one day to the next than if market quotations were used. Technological issues or other service disruption issues involving third-party service providers may cause the Fund to value its investments incorrectly. In addition, there is no assurance that the Fund could sell or close out a portfolio position for the value established for it at any time, and it is possible that the Fund would incur a loss because a portfolio position is sold or closed out at a discount to the valuation established by the Fund at that time.

Non-Principal Risks

clients (including the Fund) 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 the Fund. The Fund may encounter circumstances, or enter into transactions, in which conflicts of interest that are not listed or discussed above may arise.

Costs of Buying and Selling Shares. Investors buying or selling Fund Shares in the secondary market will pay brokerage commissions or other charges imposed by brokers, as determined by that broker. Brokerage commissions are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell relatively small amounts of Fund Shares. In addition, secondary market investors will also incur the cost of the difference between the price that an investor is willing to pay for Fund Shares (the “bid” price) and the price at which an investor is willing to sell Fund Shares (the “ask” price). This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “spread” or “bid/ask spread.” The bid/ask spread varies over time for Fund Shares based on trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally lower if Fund Shares have more trading volume and market liquidity and higher if Fund Shares have little trading volume and market liquidity. Further, increased market volatility may cause increased bid/ask spreads. Due to the costs of buying or selling Fund Shares, including bid/ask spreads, frequent trading of Fund Shares may significantly reduce investment results and an investment in Fund Shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.

Management

Investment Adviser

For the services provided to the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund expects to pay the Adviser the annual fees based on a percentage of the Fund's average daily net assets of 0.15%. With respect to the Fund, the management fee is reduced by any acquired fund fees and expenses attributable to the Fund's investments in other investment companies (except acquired fund fees and expenses associated with holdings of acquired funds for cash management purposes).

SSGA FM, as the investment adviser for the Fund, may hire one or more sub-advisers to oversee the day-to-day investment activities of the Fund. The sub-advisers are subject to oversight by the Adviser. The Adviser and the Trust have received an exemptive order from the SEC that permits the Adviser, with the approval of the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, of the Trust, to retain and amend existing sub-advisory agreements with unaffiliated investment sub-advisers for the Fund without submitting the sub-advisory agreement to a vote of the Fund's shareholders. The Trust will notify shareholders in the event of any change in the identity of such sub-adviser or sub-advisers. The Adviser has ultimate responsibility for the investment performance of the Fund due to its responsibility to oversee each sub-adviser and recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. The Adviser is not required to disclose fees paid to any unaffiliated sub-adviser retained pursuant to the order.

Portfolio Managers

The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are Sprague Rient and John Mele.

Sprague Rient is a Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Analyst on the Fundamental Active Investment Grade Credit Team. He is responsible for the Investment Grade credit allocation within several actively managed fixed income strategies. Mr. Rient is also the primary research analyst covering healthcare, pharmaceutical sectors. He joined State Street Investment Management in 2016 as part of the State Street Investment Management acquisition of GE Asset Management (GEAM). Mr. Rient joined GEAM in 2004 in an operations capacity and has held various research positions in Structured Products and Investment Grade credit research. He has a BA in Economics from Denison University, an MBA in Finance from the University of Connecticut, and is a CFA charterholder.

John Mele is a Vice President of State Street Investment Management and the Adviser and a Senior Portfolio Manager on the Fundamental Active Investment Grade Credit Team. He is responsible for the investment grade credit allocation within several actively managed fixed income strategies. Mr. Mele joined State Street Investment Management in 2016 through the acquisition of GE Asset Management (GEAM) by the ultimate parent company of State Street Investment Management. He also held roles in Private Equity and Finance while with GEAM. Prior to joining GEAM, Mr. Mele worked at Citigroup as a portfolio manager/research analyst in Citigroup's Private Client Group. His responsibilities included managing discretionary equity and balanced portfolios for high net worth clients. Mr. Mele's prior work experience also includes several years in investment management compliance and investment product development. Mr. Mele holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from the University of Connecticut, a Juris Doctor from Quinnipiac University and a Master of Business Administration with specializations in Economics and Finance from New York University's Stern School of Business.

Additional information about the portfolio managers' compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and the portfolio managers' ownership of the Fund is available in the SAI.

Trademark Licenses/Disclaimers

Additional Purchase and Sale Information

Distributions

Income dividend distributions, if any, for the Fund are generally distributed to shareholders monthly, but may vary significantly from period to period.

Portfolio Holdings Disclosure

The Fund's portfolio holdings disclosure policy is described in the SAI. In addition, the identities and quantities of the securities held by the Fund are disclosed on the Fund's website.

Additional Tax Information

Taxes On Distributions. In general, your distributions are subject to federal income tax when they are paid, whether you take them in cash or reinvest them in the Fund. The income dividends and short-term capital gains distributions you receive from the Fund will be taxed as ordinary income. Any distributions of the Fund's net capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gain regardless of how long you have owned Fund Shares. Long-term capital gains are generally taxed to noncorporate shareholders at reduced rates. Distributions in excess of the Fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits are treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of your basis in the Fund's shares, and, in general, as capital gain thereafter.

U.S. individuals with income exceeding specified thresholds are subject to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which includes taxable interest, dividends and certain capital gains (generally including capital gain distributions and capital gains realized upon the sale of Fund Shares). This 3.8% tax also applies to all or a portion of the undistributed net investment income of certain shareholders that are estates and trusts.

Certain tax-exempt educational institutions will be subject to an excise tax on net investment income. For these purposes, certain dividends and capital gain distributions, and certain gains from the disposition of Fund Shares (among other categories of income), are generally taken into account in computing a shareholder's net investment income.

Original Issue Discount. Investments by the Fund in zero coupon or other discount securities will result in income to the Fund equal to a portion of the excess face value of the securities over their issue price (the “original issue discount” or “OID”) each year that the securities are held, even though the Fund may receive no cash interest payments or may receive cash interest payments that are less than the income recognized for tax purposes. In other circumstances, whether pursuant to the terms of a security or as a result of other factors outside the control of the Fund, the Fund may recognize income without receiving a commensurate amount of cash. The Fund's share of such income is included in determining the amount that the Fund must distribute to maintain its eligibility for treatment as a RIC and to avoid the payment of federal tax, including the nondeductible 4% excise tax. Because any income required to be recognized as a result of the OID and/or market discount rules (discussed below) may not be matched by a corresponding cash payment, the Fund may be required to borrow money or dispose of securities to be able to make distributions to its shareholders in order to qualify for treatment as a RIC and eliminate taxes at the Fund level.

Market Discount. Any market discount recognized on a market discount bond is taxable as ordinary income. A market discount bond is a bond acquired in the secondary market at a price below redemption value or below adjusted issue price if the bond was issued with original issue discount. Absent an election by the Fund to include the market discount in income as it accrues, the gain on the Fund's disposition of such an obligation will be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gain to the extent of the accrued market discount. Where the income required to be recognized as a result of the market discount rules is not matched by a corresponding cash receipt by the Fund, the Fund may be required to borrow money or dispose of securities to enable the Fund to make distributions to its shareholders in order to qualify for treatment as a RIC and eliminate taxes at the Fund level, potentially resulting in additional taxable gain or loss to the Fund.

Foreign Currency Transactions. The Fund's transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency denominated debt obligations and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and 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.

Taxes on Exchange-Listed Share Sales. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Fund Shares is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if Fund Shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if Fund Shares have been held for one year or less, except that any capital loss on the sale of Fund Shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid with respect to the Fund Shares.

Taxes on Creations and Redemptions of Creation Units. A person who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time and the exchanger's aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus any cash paid for the Creation Units. A person who exchanges Creation Units for securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger's basis in the Creation Units and the aggregate market value of the securities and the amount of cash received. The Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.

If you create or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many Fund Shares you purchased or sold and at what price.

If the Fund redeems Creation Units in cash, it may bear additional costs and recognize more capital gains than it would if it redeems Creation Units in-kind.

Certain Tax-Exempt Investors. The Fund, if investing in certain limited real estate investments and other publicly traded partnerships, may be required to pass through certain “excess inclusion income” and other income as “unrelated business taxable income” (“UBTI”). Prior to investing in the Fund, tax-exempt investors sensitive to UBTI should consult their tax advisors regarding this issue and IRS pronouncements addressing the treatment of such income in the hands of such investors.

Unless certain non-U.S. entities that hold Fund Shares comply with IRS requirements that will generally require them to report information regarding U.S. persons investing in, or holding accounts with, such entities, a 30% withholding tax may apply to distributions payable to such entities. A non-U.S. shareholder may be exempt from the withholding described in this paragraph under an applicable intergovernmental agreement between the U.S. and a foreign government, provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.

Backup Withholding. The Fund will be required in certain cases to withhold (as “backup withholding”) on amounts payable to any shareholder who (1) has provided the Fund either an incorrect tax identification number or no number at all, (2) is subject to backup withholding by the IRS for failure to properly report payments of interest or dividends, (3) has failed to certify to the Fund that such shareholder is not subject to backup withholding, or (4) has not certified that such shareholder is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). The backup withholding rate is currently 24%. Backup withholding will not be applied to payments that have been subject to the 30% withholding tax on shareholders who are neither citizens nor permanent residents of the United States.

Certain Potential Tax Reporting Requirements. Under U.S. Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder (or certain greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Significant penalties may be imposed for the failure to comply with the reporting requirements. 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 advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

General Information

Management and Organization

The Fund is a separate series of the Trust, which is an open-end registered management investment company.

Financial Highlights

The Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Prospectus and, therefore, does not have financial information.

Where to Learn More About the Fund

Investor Information: 1-866-787-2257

ATMYCUNISTATPROThe Trust's Investment Company Act Number is 811-22542.

SSGA ACTIVE TRUST (THE “TRUST”)

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

September 10, 2025

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. With respect to each of the Trust's series listed below (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”), this SAI should be read in conjunction with the prospectuses dated September 10, 2025, as may be revised from time to time. Each of the foregoing prospectuses may be referred to herein as a “Prospectus”.

CORPORATE BOND ETF	TICKER
SPDR SSGA MY2035 CORPORATE BOND ETF	MYCO

MUNICIPAL BOND ETF	TICKER
SPDR SSGA MY2031 MUNICIPAL BOND ETF	MYMK

Principal U.S. Listing Exchange for the ETF: The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined have the same meaning as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise noted. Copies of the Prospectus and the Funds' Form N-CSR filing and the Fund's Annual Report to Shareholders (when available) may be obtained without charge by writing to State Street Global Advisors Funds Distributors, LLC, the Trust's principal underwriter (referred to herein as “Distributor” or “Principal Underwriter”), One Iron Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, by visiting the Trust's website at https://www.statestreet.com/im or by calling 1-866-787-2257. 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 August 31, 2025 fiscal year end.

MYSAI

TABLE OF CONTENTS

General Description of the Trust	3
Investment Policies	3
Special Considerations and Risks	24
Investment Restrictions	29
Exchange Listing and Trading	30
Management of the Trust	30
Investment Advisory and Other Services	39
Brokerage Transactions	43
Book Entry Only System	45
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities	46
Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units	46
Determination of Net Asset Value	52
Dividends and Distributions	53
Taxes	53
Capital Stock and Other Securities	61
Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	61
Local Market Holiday Schedules	61
Financial Statements	62
Appendices	A-1

General Description of the Trust

The Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), consisting of multiple investment series, including the Funds. The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust on March 30, 2011 and each Fund was established on May 15, 2025. The offering of each Fund's shares (“Shares”) is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). SSGA Funds Management, Inc. serves as the investment adviser for each Fund (“SSGA FM” or the “Adviser”). State Street Investment Management, consisting of the Adviser and other investment advisory affiliates of State Street Corporation, is the investment management arm of State Street Corporation.

Each Fund offers and issues Shares at their net asset value (sometimes referred to herein as “NAV”) only in aggregations of a specified number of Shares (each, a “Creation Unit”). Each Fund generally offers and issues Shares in exchange for (i) a basket of securities designated by the Fund (“Deposit Securities”) together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (“Cash Component”) or (ii) a cash payment equal in value to the Deposit Securities (“Deposit Cash”) together with the Cash Component. The primary consideration accepted by a Fund (i.e., Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash) is set forth under “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units” later in this SAI. The Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of a “cash in lieu” amount to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security and reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of Deposit Securities in lieu of Deposit Cash (subject to applicable legal requirements). The Shares have been approved for listing and secondary trading on a national securities exchange (the “Exchange”). The Shares will trade on the Exchange at market prices. These prices may differ from the Shares' net asset values. The Shares are also redeemable only in Creation Unit aggregations, and generally in exchange for either (i) portfolio securities and a specified cash payment or (ii) cash (subject to applicable legal requirements).

Shares may be issued in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions including a requirement to maintain on deposit with the Trust cash at least equal to a specified percentage of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities as set forth in the Participant Agreement (as defined below). See “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units.” The Trust may impose a transaction fee for each creation or redemption. In all cases, such fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities. In addition to the fixed creation or redemption transaction fee, an additional transaction fee of up to three times the fixed creation or redemption transaction fee and/or an additional variable charge may apply.

Investment Policies

Each Fund may invest in the following types of investments, consistent with its investment strategies and objective. Please see a Fund's Prospectus for additional information regarding its principal investment strategies.

DIVERSIFICATION STATUS

Each Fund is classified as a non-diversified investment company under the 1940 Act. A “non-diversified” classification means that a Fund is not limited by the 1940 Act with regard to the percentage of its assets that may be invested in the securities of a single issuer. This means that a Fund may invest a greater portion of its assets in the securities of a single issuer than a diversified fund. This may have an adverse effect on a Fund's performance or subject a Fund's Shares to greater price volatility than more diversified investment companies.

Each Fund intends to maintain a level of diversification and otherwise conduct their operations so as to enable each Fund to qualify for treatment as a “regulated investment company” for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Internal Revenue Code”), and to relieve each Fund of any liability for federal income tax to the extent that its earnings are distributed to shareholders. Compliance with the diversification requirements of the Internal Revenue Code may limit the investment flexibility of the Funds and may make it less likely that the Funds will meet their investment objectives.

ASSET-BACKED AND MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES

Mortgage-backed securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”) and certain stripped mortgage-backed securities, represent a participation in, or are secured by, mortgage loans. Asset-backed securities are structured like mortgage-backed securities, but instead of mortgage loans or interests in mortgage loans, the underlying assets may include such items as motor vehicle installment sales or installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property and receivables from credit card agreements. The cash flow generated by the underlying assets is

applied to make required payments on the securities and to pay related administrative expenses. The amount of residual cash flow resulting from a particular issue of asset-backed or mortgage-backed securities depends on, among other things, the characteristics of the underlying assets, the coupon rates on the securities, prevailing interest rates, the amount of administrative expenses and the actual prepayment experience on the underlying assets. Each Fund may invest in any such instruments or variations as may be developed, to the extent consistent with its investment objective and policies and applicable regulatory requirements. In general, the collateral supporting asset-backed securities is of a shorter maturity than mortgage loans and is likely to experience substantial prepayments.

Mortgage-backed securities have yield and maturity characteristics corresponding to the underlying assets. Unlike traditional debt securities, which may pay a fixed rate of interest until maturity, when the entire principal amount comes due, payments on certain mortgage-backed securities include both interest and a partial repayment of principal. Besides the scheduled repayment of principal, repayments of principal may result from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing or foreclosure of the underlying mortgage loans. If property owners make unscheduled prepayments of their mortgage loans, these prepayments will result in early payment of the applicable mortgage-backed securities. In that event, a Fund may be unable to invest the proceeds from the early payment of the mortgage-backed securities in an investment that provides as high a yield as the mortgage-backed securities. Consequently, early payment associated with mortgage-backed securities may cause these securities to experience significantly greater price and yield volatility than that experienced by traditional fixed-income securities. The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by factors including the level of interest rates, general economic conditions, the location and age of the 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-backed securities. During periods of rising interest rates, the rate of mortgage prepayments usually decreases, thereby tending to increase the life of mortgage-backed securities. If the life of a mortgage-backed security is inaccurately predicted, a Fund may not be able to realize the rate of return it expected.

Adjustable rate mortgage securities (“ARMs”), like traditional mortgage-backed securities, are interests in pools of mortgage loans that provide investors with payments consisting of both principal and interest as mortgage loans in the underlying mortgage pool are paid off by the borrowers. Unlike fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities, ARMs are collateralized by or represent interests in mortgage loans with variable rates of interest. These interest rates are reset at periodic intervals, usually by reference to an interest rate index or market interest rate. Although the rate adjustment feature may act as a buffer to reduce sharp changes in the value of adjustable rate securities, these securities are still subject to changes in value based on, among other things, changes in market interest rates or changes in the issuer's creditworthiness. Because the interest rates are reset only periodically, changes in the interest rate on ARMs may lag changes in prevailing market interest rates. Also, some ARMs (or the underlying mortgages) are subject to caps or floors that limit the maximum change in the interest rate during a specified period or over the life of the security. As a result, changes in the interest rate on an ARM may not fully reflect changes in prevailing market interest rates during certain periods.

A Fund may also invest in hybrid ARMs, whose underlying mortgages combine fixed-rate and adjustable rate features.

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities are less effective than other types of securities as a means of locking in attractive long-term interest rates. One reason is the need to reinvest prepayments of principal; another is the possibility of significant unscheduled prepayments resulting from declines in interest rates. These prepayments would have to be reinvested at lower rates. The automatic interest rate adjustment feature of mortgages underlying ARMs likewise reduces the ability to lock-in attractive rates. As a result, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of declining interest rates than other securities of comparable maturities, although they may have a similar risk of decline in market 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 Fund.

At times, some mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities will have higher than market interest rates and therefore will be purchased at a premium above their par value. Prepayments may cause losses on securities purchased at a premium.

CMOs may be issued by a U.S. government agency or instrumentality or by a private issuer. Although payment of the principal of, and interest on, the underlying collateral securing privately issued CMOs may be guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities, these CMOs represent obligations solely of the private issuer and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities or any other person or entity.

Prepayments could cause early retirement of CMOs. CMOs are designed to reduce the risk of prepayment for certain investors by issuing multiple classes of securities, each having different maturities, interest rates and payment schedules, and with the principal and interest on the underlying mortgages allocated among the several classes in various ways. Payment of interest or principal on some classes or series of CMOs may be subject to contingencies or some classes or series may bear some or all of the risk of default on the underlying mortgages. CMOs of different classes or series are generally retired in sequence as the underlying mortgage loans in the mortgage pool are repaid. If enough mortgages are repaid ahead of schedule, the classes or series of a CMO with the earliest maturities generally will be retired prior to their maturities. Thus, the early retirement of particular classes or series of a CMO would have the same effect as the prepayment of mortgages underlying other mortgage-backed securities. Conversely, slower than anticipated prepayments can extend the effective maturities of CMOs, subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore, potentially increasing their volatility.

Prepayments could result in losses on stripped mortgage-backed securities. Stripped mortgage-backed 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-backed securities is extremely sensitive not only to changes in prevailing interest rates but also to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying assets. A rapid rate of principal prepayments 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 its initial investment in these securities. Principal only or “POs” tend to increase in value if prepayments are greater than anticipated and decline if prepayments are slower than anticipated. The secondary market for stripped mortgage-backed securities may be more volatile and less liquid than that for other mortgage-backed securities, potentially limiting the Fund's ability to buy or sell those securities at any particular time.

Subprime mortgage loans, which typically are made to less creditworthy borrowers, have a higher risk of default than conventional mortgage loans. Therefore, mortgage-backed securities backed by subprime mortgage loans may suffer significantly greater declines in value due to defaults or the increased risk of default.

The risks associated with other asset-backed securities (including in particular the risks of issuer default and of early prepayment) are generally similar to those described above for CMOs. In addition, because asset-backed securities generally do not have the benefit of a security interest in the underlying assets that is comparable to a mortgage, asset-backed securities present certain additional risks that are not present with mortgage-backed securities. The ability of an issuer of asset-backed securities to enforce its security interest in the underlying assets may be limited. For example, revolving credit receivables are generally unsecured and the debtors on such receivables are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which give debtors the right to set-off certain amounts owed, thereby reducing the balance due. Automobile receivables generally are secured, but by automobiles, rather than by real property.

Asset-backed securities may be collateralized by the fees earned by service providers. The values of asset-backed securities may be substantially dependent on the servicing of the underlying asset 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 circumstances, the mishandling of related documentation may also affect the rights of the security holders in and to the underlying collateral. The insolvency of entities that generate receivables or that utilize the assets may result in added costs and delays in addition to losses associated with a decline in the value of the underlying assets.

Federal, state and local government officials and representatives as well as certain private parties have proposed actions to assist homeowners who own or occupy property subject to mortgages. Certain of those proposals involve actions that would affect the mortgages that underlie or relate to certain mortgage-related securities, including securities or other instruments which a Fund may hold or in which it may invest. Some of those proposals include, among other things, lowering or forgiving principal balances; forbearing, lowering or eliminating interest payments; or utilizing eminent domain powers to seize mortgages, potentially for below market compensation. The prospective or actual implementation of one or more of these proposals may significantly and adversely affect the value and liquidity of securities held by a Fund and could cause the Fund's net asset value to decline, potentially significantly. Tremendous uncertainty remains in the market concerning the resolution of these issues; the range of proposals and the potential implications of any implemented solution is impossible to predict.

A Fund may invest in any level of the capital structure of an issuer of mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities, including the equity or “first loss” tranche. See “COLLATERALIZED DEBT OBLIGATIONS.”

Consistent with a Fund's investment objective and policies, the Adviser may also cause a Fund to invest in other types of mortgage- and asset-backed securities offered currently or in the future, including certain yet-to-be-developed types of mortgage- and asset-backed securities which may be created as the market evolves.

BANK LOANS

Bank loans include floating rate loans and institutionally traded floating rate debt obligations issued by asset-backed pools and other issues, and interests therein. Bank loan interests may be acquired from U.S. or foreign commercial banks, insurance companies, finance companies or other financial institutions that have made loans or are members of a lending syndicate or from other holders of loan interests. Bank loans typically pay interest at rates which are re-determined periodically on the basis of a floating base lending rate (such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR)) plus a premium. Bank loans are typically of below investment grade quality. Bank loans generally (but not always) hold the most senior position in the capital structure of a borrower and are often secured with collateral.

Each Fund may invest in both secured and unsecured bank loans. Holders' claims under unsecured loans are subordinated to claims of creditors holding secured indebtedness and possibly other classes of creditors holding unsecured debt. Unsecured loans have a greater risk of default than secured loans, particularly during periods of deteriorating economic conditions. Also, since they do not afford the lender recourse to collateral, unsecured loans are subject to greater risk of nonpayment in the event of default than secured loans. Many such loans are relatively illiquid and may be difficult to value.

Some bank loans are subject to the risk that a court, pursuant to fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws, could subordinate the bank loans to presently existing or future indebtedness of the borrower or take other action detrimental to the holders of the bank loans, including, in certain circumstances, invalidating such bank loans or causing interest previously paid to be refunded to the borrower. If interest were required to be refunded, it could negatively affect a Fund's performance.

Indebtedness of companies whose creditworthiness is poor involves substantially greater risks and may be highly speculative. Some companies may never pay off their indebtedness or pay only a small fraction of the amount owed. Consequently, when investing in indebtedness of companies with poor credit, a Fund bears a substantial risk of losing the entire amount invested.

Investments in bank loans through a direct assignment of the financial institution's interest with respect to the bank loan may involve additional risks. For example, if a secured bank loan is foreclosed, a Fund could become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. In addition, it is conceivable that under emerging legal theories of lender liability, a Fund could be held liable as a co-lender. When a Fund is a purchaser of an assignment, it succeeds to all the rights and obligations under the loan agreement of the assigning lender and becomes a lender under the loan agreement with the same rights and obligations as the assigning lender.

Bank loans may be structured to include both term loans, which are generally fully funded at the time of investment, and revolving credit facilities, which would require a Fund to make additional investments in the bank loans as required under the terms of the credit facility at the borrower's demand.

A financial institution's employment as agent bank may be terminated in the event that it fails to observe a requisite standard of care or becomes insolvent. A successor agent bank would generally be appointed to replace the terminated agent bank, and assets held by the agent bank under the loan agreement would remain available to the holders of such indebtedness. However, if assets held by the agent bank for the benefit of a Fund were determined to be subject to the claims of the agent bank's general creditors, the Fund may incur certain costs and delays in realizing payments on a bank loan or loan participation and could suffer a loss of principal and/or interest.

BONDS

A bond is an interest-bearing security issued by a company, governmental unit or, in some cases, a non-U.S. entity. The issuer of a bond has a contractual obligation to pay interest at a stated rate on specific dates and to repay principal (the bond's face value) periodically or on a specified maturity date; provided, however, a zero coupon bond pays no interest to its holder during its life. The value of a zero coupon bond to a Fund consists of the difference between such bond's face value at the time of maturity and the price for which it was acquired, which may be an amount significantly less than its face value (sometimes referred to as a “deep discount” price).

An issuer may have the right to redeem or “call” a bond before maturity, in which case the investor may have to reinvest the proceeds at lower market rates. Most bonds bear interest income at a “coupon” rate that is fixed for the life of the bond. The value of a fixed rate bond usually rises when market interest rates fall, and falls when market interest rates rise. Accordingly, a fixed rate bond's yield (income as a percent of the bond's current value) may differ from its coupon rate as its value rises or falls. Fixed rate bonds generally are also subject to inflation risk, which is the risk that the value of the bond or income from the bond will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. This could mean that, as inflation increases, the “real” value of the assets of a Fund holding fixed rate bonds can decline, as can the value of the Fund's distributions. Other types of bonds bear income at an interest rate that is adjusted periodically. Because of their adjustable interest rates, the value of “floating-rate” or “variable-rate” bonds fluctuates much less in response to market interest rate movements than the value of fixed rate bonds. A Fund may treat some of these bonds as having a shorter maturity for purposes of calculating the weighted average maturity of its investment portfolio. Bonds may be senior or subordinated obligations. Senior obligations generally have the first claim on a corporation's earnings and assets and, in the event of liquidation, are paid before subordinated obligations. Bonds may be unsecured (backed only by the issuer's general creditworthiness) or secured (also backed by specified collateral).

The investment return of corporate bonds reflects interest on the bond and changes in the market value of the bond. The market value of a corporate bond may be affected by the credit rating of the corporation, the corporation's performance and perceptions of the corporation in the market place. There is a risk that the issuers of the securities may not be able to meet their obligations on interest or principal payments at the time called for by such a security.

COLLATERALIZED DEBT OBLIGATIONS

Collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) are a type of asset-backed security and include, among other things, collateralized bond obligations (“CBOs”), collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and other similarly structured securities. A CBO is a trust which is backed by a diversified pool of high risk, below investment grade fixed income securities. A CLO is a trust typically collateralized by a pool of loans, which may include, among others, domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans.

The cash flows from the CDO trust are generally split into two or more portions, called tranches, varying in risk and yield. Senior tranches are paid from the cash flows from the underlying assets before the junior tranches and equity or “first loss” tranches. Losses are first borne by the equity tranches, next by the junior tranches, and finally by the senior tranches. Senior tranches pay the lowest interest rates but are generally safer investments than more junior tranches because, should there be any default, senior tranches are typically paid first. The most junior tranches, such as equity tranches, would attract the highest interest rates but suffer the highest risk should the holder of an underlying loan default. If some loans default and the cash collected by the CDO is insufficient to pay all of its investors, those in the lowest, most junior tranches suffer losses first. Since it is partially protected from defaults, a senior tranche from a CDO trust typically has higher ratings and lower yields than the underlying securities, and can be rated investment grade. Despite the protection from the equity tranche, more senior CDO tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and disappearance of protecting tranches, market anticipation of defaults and aversion to CDO securities as a class.

The risks of an investment in a CDO depend largely on the quality and type of the collateral and the tranche of the CDO in which a Fund invests. Normally, CBOs, CLOs and other CDOs are privately offered and sold, and thus are not registered under the securities laws. As a result, investments in CDOs may be characterized by a Fund as illiquid investments; however, an active dealer market, or other relevant measures of liquidity, may exist for CDOs allowing a CDO potentially to be deemed liquid by the Adviser under liquidity policies approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”). In addition to the risks associated with debt instruments (e.g., interest rate risk and credit risk), CDOs carry additional risks including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (iii) the possibility that a Fund may invest in CDOs that are subordinate to other classes; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results.

COLLATERALIZED LOAN OBLIGATIONS (CLOs)

Each Fund may invest in CLOs. A CLO is a financing company (generally called a Special Purpose Vehicle or “SPV”), created to reapportion the risk and return characteristics of a pool of assets. While the assets underlying CLOs are typically senior loans, the assets may also include (i) unsecured loans, (ii) other debt securities that are rated below

investment grade, (iii) debt tranches of other CLOs and (iv) equity securities incidental to investments in senior loans. When investing in CLOs, a Fund will not invest in equity tranches, which are the lowest tranche. However, a Fund may invest in lower debt tranches of CLOs, which typically experience a lower recovery, greater risk of loss or deferral or non-payment of interest than more senior debt tranches of the CLO. In addition, a Fund intends to invest in CLOs consisting primarily of individual senior loans of borrowers and not repackaged CLO obligations from other high risk pools. The underlying senior loans purchased by CLOs are generally performing at the time of purchase but may become non-performing, distressed or defaulted. CLOs with underlying assets of non-performing, distressed or defaulted loans are not contemplated to comprise a significant portion of a Fund's investments in CLOs. The key feature of the CLO structure is the prioritization of the cash flows from a pool of debt securities among the several classes of the CLO. The SPV is a company founded solely for the purpose of securitizing payment claims arising out of this diversified asset pool. On this basis, marketable securities are issued by the SPV which, due to the diversification of the underlying risk, generally represent a lower level of risk than the original assets. The redemption of the securities issued by the SPV typically takes place at maturity out of the cash flow generated by the collected claims.

Holders of CLOs bear risks of the underlying investments, index or reference obligation and are subject to counterparty risk.

A Fund may have the right to receive payments only from the CLOs, and generally does not have direct rights against the issuer or the entity that sold the assets to be securitized. While certain CLOs enable the investor to acquire interests in a pool of securities without the brokerage and other expenses associated with directly holding the same securities, investors in CLOs generally pay their share of the CLO's administrative and other expenses. Although it is difficult to predict whether the prices of indices and securities underlying a CLO will rise or fall, these prices (and, therefore, the prices of CLOs) will be influenced by the same types of political and economic events that affect issuers of securities and capital markets generally. If the issuer of a CLO uses shorter term financing to purchase longer term securities, the issuer may be forced to sell its securities at below market prices if it experiences difficulty in obtaining short-term financing, which may adversely affect the value of the CLOs owned by a Fund.

Certain CLOs may be thinly traded or have a limited trading market. CLOs are typically privately offered and sold. As a result, investments in CLOs may be characterized by a Fund as illiquid investments. In addition to the general risks associated with debt securities discussed herein, CLOs carry additional risks, including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (iii) the possibility that the investments in CLOs are subordinate to other classes or tranches thereof; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results.

COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS (CMOs) AND MULTICLASS PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES

CMOs are debt obligations collateralized by mortgage loans or mortgage pass-through securities. CMOs may be collateralized by Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) certificates, but also may be collateralized by whole loans or private mortgage pass-through securities (such collateral is collectively hereinafter referred to as “Mortgage Assets”). Mortgage Assets may be collateralized by commercial or residential uses. Multiclass pass-through securities are equity interests in a trust composed of Mortgage Assets. Payments of principal of and interest on the Mortgage Assets, and any reinvestment income thereon, may require a Fund to pay debt service on the CMOs or make scheduled distributions on the multiclass pass-through securities. CMOs may be issued by federal agencies, or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose subsidiaries of the foregoing. The issuer of a series of mortgage pass-through securities may elect to be treated as a Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (“REMIC”). REMICs include governmental and/or private entities that issue a fixed pool of mortgages secured by an interest in real property. REMICs are similar to CMOs in that they issue multiple classes of securities, but unlike CMOs, which are required to be structured as debt securities, REMICs may be structured as indirect ownership interests in the underlying assets of the REMICs themselves. Although CMOs and REMICs differ in certain respects, characteristics of CMOs described below apply in most cases to REMICs, as well.

In a CMO, a series of bonds or certificates is issued in multiple classes. Each class of CMOs, often referred to as a tranche, is issued at a specific fixed or floating coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution date. Principal prepayments on the Mortgage Assets may cause the CMOs to be retired substantially earlier than their stated maturities or final distribution dates. Interest is paid or accrues on all classes of the CMOs on a monthly, quarterly or semiannual basis. Certain CMOs may have variable or floating interest rates and others may be stripped mortgage securities.

The principal of and interest on the Mortgage Assets may be allocated among the several classes of a CMO series in a number of different ways. Generally, the purpose of the allocation of the cash flow of a CMO to the various classes is to obtain a more predictable cash flow to certain of the individual tranches than exists with the underlying collateral of the CMO. As a general rule, the more predictable the cash flow is on a CMO tranche, the lower the anticipated yield will be on that tranche at the time of issuance relative to prevailing market yields on other mortgage-backed securities. As part of the process of creating more predictable cash flows on most of the tranches in a series of CMOs, one or more tranches generally must be created that absorb most of the volatility in the cash flows on the underlying mortgage loans. The yields on these tranches are generally higher than prevailing market yields on mortgage-backed securities with similar maturities. As a result of the uncertainty of the cash flows of these tranches, the market prices of and yield on these tranches generally are more volatile. See “COLLATERALIZED DEBT OBLIGATIONS” for a discussion on investments in structured products with multiple tranches.

CMO RESIDUALS

CMO residuals are mortgage securities issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government or by private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, homebuilders, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose entities of the foregoing. The cash flow generated by the mortgage assets underlying a series of a CMO is applied first to make required payments of principal and interest on the securities or certificates issued by the CMO and second to pay the related administrative expenses and any management fee of the issuer. The residual in a CMO structure generally represents the interest in any excess cash flow remaining after making the foregoing payments. Each payment of such excess cash flow to a holder of the related CMO residual represents income and/or a return of capital. The amount of residual cash flow resulting from a CMO will depend on, among other things, the characteristics of the mortgage assets, the coupon rate of each class of CMO, prevailing interest rates, the amount of administrative expenses and the pre-payment experience on the mortgage assets. In particular, the yield to maturity on CMO residuals is extremely sensitive to pre-payments on the related underlying mortgage assets. In addition, if a series of a CMO includes a class that bears interest at an adjustable rate, the yield to maturity on the related CMO residual will also be extremely sensitive to changes in the level of the index upon which interest rate adjustments are based. As described below with respect to stripped mortgage-backed securities, in certain circumstances a Fund may fail to recoup fully its initial investment in a CMO residual. CMO residuals are generally purchased and sold by institutional investors through several investment banking firms acting as brokers or dealers. In addition, CMO residuals may, or pursuant to an exemption therefrom, may not have been registered under the Securities Act. CMO residuals, whether or not registered under the Securities Act, may be subject to certain restrictions on transferability, and may be deemed “illiquid.”

COMMERCIAL PAPER

Commercial paper consists of short-term, promissory notes issued by banks, corporations and other entities to finance short-term credit needs. These securities generally are discounted but sometimes may be interest bearing.

CONCENTRATION

The Funds do not intend to concentrate their investments in any particular industry. The SPDR SSGA My2035 Corporate Bond ETF looks to the Global Industry Classification Standard Level 3 (Industries) in making industry determinations. The SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF looks to the Bloomberg Classification System Class 3 (BCLASS-3) in making industry determinations. The Trust's general policy is to exclude securities of the U.S. government and its agencies or instrumentalities, and tax-exempt securities of state, territory, possession or municipal governments and their authorities, agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions (except to the extent that the income from a municipal bond is derived principally from the assets and revenues of non-governmental users) when measuring industry concentration.

CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES

Convertible securities are bonds, debentures, notes, preferred stock or other securities that may be converted or exchanged (by the holder or by the issuer) into shares of the underlying common stock (or cash or securities of equivalent value) at a stated exchange ratio. A convertible security may also be called for redemption or conversion by the issuer after a particular date and under certain circumstances (including a specified price) established upon issue. If a convertible security held by a Fund is called for redemption or conversion, the Fund could be required to tender it for redemption, convert it into the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third party.

Convertible securities generally have less potential for gain or loss than common stock. Convertible securities generally provide yields higher than the underlying common stock, but generally lower than comparable non-convertible securities. Because of this higher yield, convertible securities generally sell at a price above their “conversion value,” which is the current market value of the stock to be received upon conversion. The difference between this conversion value and the price of convertible securities will vary over time depending on changes in the value of the underlying common stock and interest rates. When the underlying common stock declines in value, convertible securities will tend not to decline to the same extent because of the interest or dividend payments and the repayment of principal at maturity for certain types of convertible securities. However, securities that are convertible other than at the option of the holder generally do not limit the potential for loss to the same extent as securities convertible at the option of the holder. When the underlying common stock rises in value, the value of convertible securities may also be expected to increase. At the same time, however, the difference between the market value of convertible securities and their conversion value will narrow, which means that the value of convertible securities will generally not increase to the same extent as the value of the underlying common stock. Because convertible securities may also be interest-rate sensitive, their value may increase as interest rates fall and decrease as interest rates rise. Convertible securities are also subject to credit risk, and are often lower-quality securities.

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS

Each Fund may invest in other exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) (including ETFs managed by the Adviser). ETFs may be structured as investment companies that are registered under the 1940 Act, typically as open-end funds or unit investment trusts. These ETFs are generally based on specific domestic and foreign market securities indices. An “index-based ETF” seeks to provide investment results that match the performance of an index by holding in its portfolio either the contents of the index or a representative sample of the securities in the index. An “actively-managed ETF” invests in securities based on an adviser's investment strategy. An “enhanced ETF” seeks to provide investment results that match a positive or negative multiple of the performance of an underlying index. In seeking to provide such results, an ETF and, in particular, an enhanced ETF, may engage in short sales of securities included in the underlying index and may invest in derivatives instruments, such as equity index swaps, futures contracts, and options on securities, futures contracts, and stock indices. Alternatively, ETFs may be structured as grantor trusts or other forms of pooled investment vehicles that are not registered or regulated under the 1940 Act. These ETFs typically hold commodities, precious metals, currency or other non-securities investments. ETFs, like mutual funds, have expenses associated with their operation, such as advisory and custody fees. When a Fund invests in an ETF, in addition to directly bearing expenses associated with its own operations, including the brokerage costs associated with the purchase and sale of shares of the ETF, the Fund will bear a pro rata portion of the ETF's expenses. In addition, it may be more costly to own an ETF than to directly own the securities or other investments held by the ETF because of ETF expenses. The risks of owning shares of an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities or other investments held by the ETF, although lack of liquidity in the market for the shares of an ETF could result in the ETF's value being more volatile than the underlying securities or other investments.

EXCHANGE-TRADED NOTES (“ETNs”)

ETNs are debt obligations of investment banks which are traded on exchanges and the returns of which are linked to the performance of market indexes. In addition to trading ETNs on exchanges, investors may redeem ETNs directly with the issuer on a weekly basis, typically in a minimum amount of 50,000 units, or hold the ETNs until maturity. ETNs may be riskier than ordinary debt securities and may have no principal protection. A Fund's investment in an ETN may be influenced by many unpredictable factors, including highly volatile commodities prices, changes in supply and demand relationships, weather, agriculture, trade, changes in interest rates, and monetary and other governmental policies, action and inaction. Investing in ETNs is not equivalent to investing directly in index components or the relevant index itself. Because ETNs are debt securities, they possess credit risk; if the issuer has financial difficulties or goes bankrupt, the investor may not receive the return it was promised.

FUTURES CONTRACTS, FORWARDS, OPTIONS AND SWAP AGREEMENTS

Each Fund may invest in derivatives, including forward contracts, exchange-traded futures on indices, exchange-traded futures on Treasuries or Eurodollars, U.S. exchange-traded or over-the-counter (“OTC”) put and call options contracts and exchange-traded or OTC swap transactions (including interest rate swaps, total return swaps, excess return swaps, and credit default swaps).

Futures and Options on Futures: Futures contracts generally provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified commodity or security at a specified future time and at a specified price. Index futures contracts are settled daily with a payment by one party to the other of a cash amount based on the difference between the level of the index specified in the contract from one day to the next. A futures contract on an index is an agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between the value of the index at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the index contract originally was written. Although the value of an index might be a function of the value of certain specified securities, physical delivery of these securities is not always made. A public market exists in futures contracts covering a number of indexes, as well as financial instruments, including, without limitation: U.S. Treasury bonds; U.S. Treasury notes; GNMA Certificates; three-month U.S. Treasury bills; 90-day commercial paper; bank certificates of deposit; Eurodollar certificates of deposit; the Australian Dollar; the Canadian Dollar; the British Pound; the Japanese Yen; the Swiss Franc; the Mexican Peso; and certain multinational currencies, such as the Euro. It is expected that other futures contracts will be developed and traded in the future. Futures contracts are standardized as to maturity date and underlying instrument and are traded on futures exchanges.

The Funds may purchase and write (sell) call and put options on futures. Options on futures give the holder the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a long position (call) or short position (put) in a futures contract at a specified exercise price upon expiration of, or at any time during the period of, the option. Upon exercise of a call option, the holder acquires a long position in the futures contract and the writer is assigned the opposite short position. In the case of a put option, the opposite is true.

A Fund is required to make a good faith margin deposit in cash or U.S. government securities (or other eligible collateral) with a broker or custodian to initiate and maintain open positions in futures contracts. A margin deposit is intended to assure completion of the contract (delivery or acceptance of the underlying commodity or payment of the cash settlement amount) if it is not terminated prior to the specified delivery date. Brokers may establish deposit requirements which are higher than the exchange minimums. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margin deposits which may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded.

After a futures contract position is opened, the value of the contract is marked to market daily. If the futures contract price changes to the extent that the margin on deposit does not satisfy price changes, additional payments will be required. Conversely, change in the contract value may reduce the required margin, resulting in a repayment of excess margin to the contract holder. Variation margin payments are made to and from the futures broker for as long as the contract remains open. In such case, a Fund would expect to earn interest income on its margin deposits. Although some futures contracts call for making or taking delivery of the underlying commodity, generally these obligations are closed out prior to delivery by offsetting purchases or sales of matching futures contracts (involving the same exchange, underlying commodity, security or index and delivery month). If an offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, a Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is more, a Fund realizes a capital loss. Conversely, if an offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, a Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is less, the Fund realizes a capital loss. The transaction costs also must be included in these calculations.

Options: A Fund may purchase and sell put and call options. Such options may relate to particular securities and may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange and issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. Options trading is a highly specialized activity that entails greater than ordinary investment risk. Options on particular securities may be more volatile than the underlying securities, and therefore, on a percentage basis, an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation than an investment in the underlying securities themselves.

Short Sales “Against the Box”: The Funds may engage in short sales “against the box.” In a short sale against the box, a Fund agrees to sell at a future date a security that it either contemporaneously owns or has the right to acquire at no extra cost. If the price of the security has declined at the time a Fund is required to deliver the security, the Fund will benefit from the difference in the price. If the price of the security has increased, the Fund will be required to pay the difference.

Forwards: A forward contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific security, currency or other instrument for an agreed price at a future date that is individually negotiated and privately traded by traders and their customers. Unlike contracts traded on an exchange (such as futures contracts), forward contracts trade OTC and are not guaranteed by an exchange or clearinghouse and are subject to the creditworthiness of the counterparty of the trade. Forward contracts are highly leveraged and highly volatile, and a relatively small price movement in a forward contract may result in substantial losses to a Fund. Depending on the asset underlying the forward contract, forward transactions can be influenced by, among other things, changing supply and demand relationships, government commercial and trade programs and policies, national and international political and economic events, weather and climate conditions, insects and plant disease, purchases and sales by foreign countries and changing interest rates.

Swap Transactions: Each Fund may enter into swap transactions, including interest rate swap, credit default swap, NDF, and total return swap transactions. Swap transactions are contracts between parties in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to the other party based on the change in market value or level of a specified rate, index or asset. In return, the other party agrees to make payments to the first party based on the return of a different specified rate, index or asset. Swap transactions will usually be done on a net basis, i.e., where the two parties make net payments with a Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. The net amount of the excess, if any, of a Fund's obligations over its entitlements with respect to each swap is accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash or equivalents having an aggregate value at least equal to the accrued excess is maintained by the Fund. Swaps may be used in conjunction with other instruments to offset interest rate, currency or other underlying risks. For example, interest rate swaps may be offset with “caps,” “floors” or “collars.” A “cap” is essentially a call option which places a limit on the amount of floating rate interest that must be paid on a certain principal amount. A “floor” is essentially a put option which places a limit on the minimum amount that would be paid on a certain principal amount. A “collar” is essentially a combination of a long cap and a short floor where the limits are set at different levels.

The use of swap transactions by a Fund entails certain risks, which may be different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the securities and other investments that are the referenced asset for the swap agreement. Swaps are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques, risk analyses, and tax planning different from those associated with stocks, bonds, and other traditional investments. The use of a swap requires an understanding not only of the referenced asset, reference rate, or index, but also of the swap itself, without the benefit of observing the performance of the swap under all the possible market conditions. Because some swap transactions have a leverage component, adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate, or index can result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the swap itself. Certain swaps have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment.

Bilateral OTC transactions differ from exchange-traded or cleared derivatives transactions in several respects. Bilateral OTC transactions are transacted directly with dealers and not with a clearing corporation. Without the availability of a clearing corporation, bilateral OTC transaction pricing is normally done by reference to information from market makers and/or available index data, which information is carefully monitored by the Adviser and verified in appropriate cases. As bilateral OTC transactions are entered into directly with a dealer, there is a risk of nonperformance by the dealer as a result of its insolvency or otherwise. Under regulations adopted by the CFTC and federal banking regulators (“Margin Rules”), a Fund is required to post collateral (known as variation margin) to cover the mark-to-market exposure in respect of its uncleared swaps. The Margin Rules also mandate that collateral in the form of initial margin be posted to cover potential future exposure attributable to uncleared swap transactions. In the event a Fund is required to post collateral in the form of initial margin or variation margin in respect of its uncleared swap transactions, all such collateral will be posted with a third party custodian pursuant to a triparty custody agreement between the Fund, its dealer counterparty and an unaffiliated custodian.

The requirement to execute certain OTC derivatives contracts on exchanges or electronic trading platforms called swap execution facilities (“SEFs”) may offer certain advantages over traditional bilateral OTC trading, such as ease of execution, price transparency, increased liquidity and/or favorable pricing. However, SEF trading may make it more difficult and costly for a Fund to enter into highly tailored or customized transactions and may result in additional costs and risks. Market participants such as the Funds that execute derivatives contracts through a SEF, whether directly or through a broker intermediary, are required to submit to the jurisdiction of the SEF and comply with SEF and CFTC rules and regulations which impose, among other things disclosure and recordkeeping obligations. In addition, a Fund will generally incur SEF or broker intermediary fees when it trades on a SEF. A Fund may also be required to indemnify the SEF or broker intermediary for any losses or costs that may result from the Fund's transactions on the SEF.

Total Return Swaps: A Fund may enter into total return swap transactions for investment purposes. Total return swaps are transactions in which one party agrees to make periodic payments based on the change in market value of the underlying assets, which may include a specified security, basket of securities or security indexes during the specified period, in return for periodic payments based on a fixed or variable interest rate of the total return from other underlying assets. Total return swaps may be used to obtain exposure to a security or market without owning or taking physical custody of such security or market, including in cases in which there may be disadvantages associated with direct ownership of a particular security. In a typical total return equity swap, payments made by a Fund or the counterparty are based on the total return of a particular reference asset or assets (such as an equity security, a combination of such securities, or an index). That is, one party agrees to pay another party the return on a stock, basket of stocks, or stock index in return for a specified interest rate. By entering into an equity index swap, for example, the index receiver can gain exposure to stocks making up the index of securities without actually purchasing those stocks. Total return swaps involve not only the risk associated with the investment in the underlying securities, but also the risk of the counterparty not fulfilling its obligations under the agreement.

Credit Default Swaps: A Fund may enter into credit default swap transactions for investment purposes. A credit default swap transaction may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not currently held by the Fund. A Fund may be either the protection buyer or protection seller in the transaction. Credit default swaps may also be structured based on the debt of a basket of issuers, rather than a single issuer, and may be customized with respect to the default event that triggers purchase or other factors. As a protection seller, a Fund would generally receive an upfront payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap, which typically is between six months and three years, provided that there is no credit event. If a credit event occurs, generally the protection seller must pay the protection buyer the full face amount of the reference obligations that may have little or no value. If a Fund were a protection buyer and no credit event occurred during the term of the swap, the Fund would recover nothing if the swap were held through its termination date. However, if a credit event occurred, the protection buyer may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of the reference obligation that may have little or no value. Where a Fund is the protection buyer, credit default swaps involve the risk that the seller may fail to satisfy its payment obligations to the Fund in the event of a default. The purchase of credit default swaps involves costs, which will reduce a Fund's return.

Currency Swaps: A Fund may enter into currency swap transactions for investment purposes. Currency swaps are similar to interest rate swaps, except that they involve multiple currencies. A Fund may enter into a currency swap when it has exposure to one currency and desires exposure to a different currency. Typically, the interest rates that determine the currency swap payments are fixed, although occasionally one or both parties may pay a floating rate of interest. Unlike an interest rate swap, however, the principal amounts are exchanged at the beginning of the contract and returned at the end of the contract. In addition to paying and receiving amounts at the beginning and end of the transaction, both sides will have to pay in full on a periodic basis based upon the currency they have borrowed. Change in foreign exchange rates and changes in interest rates, as described above, may negatively affect currency swaps.

Interest Rate Swaps: A Fund may enter into an interest rate swap in an effort to protect against declines in the value of fixed income securities held by the Fund. In such an instance, the Fund may agree to pay a fixed rate (multiplied by a notional amount) while a counterparty agrees to pay a floating rate (multiplied by the same notional amount). If interest rates rise, resulting in a diminution in the value of the Fund's portfolio, the Fund would receive payments under the swap that would offset, in whole or in part, such diminution in value.

Interest Rate Caps, Floors and Collars: A Fund may use interest rate caps, floors and collars. Interest rate caps, floors and collars are similar to interest rate swap contracts because the payment obligations are measured by changes in interest rates as applied to a notional amount and because they are generally individually negotiated with a specific counterparty. The purchase of an interest rate cap entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specific index exceeds a specified interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling the interest rate cap. The purchase of an interest rate floor entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index falls below specified interest rates, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling the interest rate floor. The purchase of an interest rate collar entitles the purchaser, to the extent that a specified index exceeds or falls below a specified interest rate, to receive payments of interest on a notional principal amount from the party selling the interest rate collar.

Options on Swaps: An option on a swap agreement, or a “swaption,” is a contract that gives a counterparty the right (but not the obligation) to enter into a new swap agreement or to shorten, extend, cancel or otherwise modify an existing swap agreement, at some designated future time on specified terms. In return, the purchaser pays a “premium” to the seller of the contract. The seller of the contract receives the premium and bears the risk of unfavorable changes on the underlying

swap. A Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swaptions. A Fund may also enter into swaptions on either an asset-based or liability-based basis, depending on whether the Fund is hedging its assets or its liabilities. A Fund may write (sell) and purchase put and call swaptions to the same extent it may make use of standard options on securities or other instruments. A Fund may enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its holdings, as a duration management technique, to protect against an increase in the price of securities the Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date, or for any other purposes, such as for speculation to increase returns. Swaptions are generally subject to the same risks involved in a Fund's use of options.

Depending on the terms of the particular option agreement, a Fund will generally incur a greater degree of risk when it writes a swaption than it will incur when it purchases a swaption. When a Fund purchases a swaption, it risks losing only the amount of the premium it has paid should it decide to let the option expire unexercised. However, when a Fund writes a swaption, upon exercise of the option the Fund will become obligated according to the terms of the underlying agreement.

Contracts for Differences: Contracts for differences are swap arrangements in which a Fund may agree with a counterparty that its return (or loss) will be based on the relative performance of two different groups or “baskets” of securities. For example, as to one of the baskets, a Fund's return is based on theoretical long futures positions in the securities comprising that basket, and as to the other basket, the Fund's return is based on theoretical short futures positions in the securities comprising that other basket. The notional sizes of the baskets will not necessarily be the same, which can give rise to investment leverage. A Fund may also use actual long and short futures positions to achieve the market exposure(s) as contracts for differences. A Fund may enter into swaps and contracts for differences for investment return, hedging, risk management and for investment leverage.

Government Regulation: The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) that was signed into law on July 21, 2010 created a new statutory framework that comprehensively regulated the OTC derivatives markets for the first time. Prior to the Dodd-Frank Act, the OTC derivatives markets were traditionally traded on a bilateral basis (so-called “bilateral OTC transactions”). Under the Dodd-Frank Act, certain OTC derivatives transactions are now required to be centrally cleared and traded on SEFs.

On October 28, 2020, the SEC adopted Rule 18f-4 (the “Derivatives Rule”) under the 1940 Act which replaced prior SEC and staff guidance with an updated, comprehensive framework for registered funds' use of derivatives. The Derivatives Rule permits a Fund to enter into derivatives transactions and certain other transactions notwithstanding the restrictions on the issuance of “senior securities” under Section 18 of the 1940 Act. The Derivatives Rule requires the Funds to trade derivatives and certain other instruments that create future payment or delivery obligations subject to a value-at-risk (“VaR”) leverage limit, develop and implement a derivatives risk management program and new testing requirements, and comply with new requirements related to board and SEC reporting. These requirements apply unless a Fund qualifies as a “limited derivatives user,” as defined in the Derivatives Rule. To the extent a Fund uses derivatives, complying with the Derivatives Rule may increase the cost of a Fund's investments and cost of doing business, which could adversely affect investors. Other new regulations could adversely affect the value, availability and performance of certain derivative instruments, may make them more costly, and may limit or restrict their use by the Funds.

Regulation Under the Commodity Exchange Act: Each Fund intends to use commodity interests, such as futures, swaps and options on futures in accordance with Rule 4.5 of the CEA. An exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” has been claimed with respect to each series of the Trust in accordance with Rule 4.5 such that registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA is not necessary.

Restrictions on Trading in Commodity Interests: Each Fund reserves the right to engage in transactions involving futures, options thereon and swaps to the extent allowed by the CFTC regulations in effect from time to time and in accordance with a Fund's policies.

Certain additional risk factors related to derivatives are discussed below:

Derivatives Risk: Under recently adopted rules by the CFTC, transactions in some types of interest rate swaps and index credit default swaps on North American and European indices are required to be cleared. In addition, the CFTC may promulgate additional regulations that require clearing of other classes of swaps. In a cleared derivatives transaction (which includes futures, options on futures, and cleared swaps transactions), a Fund's counterparty is a clearing house (such as CME, ICE Clear Credit or LCH.Clearnet), rather than a bank or broker. Since each Fund is not a member of a clearing house and only members of a clearing house can participate directly in the clearing house, a Fund holds cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members, who are futures commission merchants that are members of the clearing houses and who have the appropriate regulatory

approvals to engage in cleared derivatives transactions. A Fund makes and receives payments owed under cleared derivatives transactions (including margin payments) through its accounts at clearing members. Clearing members guarantee performance of their clients' obligations to the clearing house. In contrast to bilateral OTC transactions, clearing members generally can require termination of existing cleared derivatives transactions at any time and increases in margin above the margin that it required at the beginning of a transaction. Clearing houses also have broad rights to increase margin requirements for existing transactions and to terminate transactions in accordance with their rules. Any such increase or termination could interfere with the ability of a Fund to pursue its investment strategy. Also, a Fund is subject to execution risk if it enters into a derivatives transaction that is required to be cleared (or that the Advisor expects to be cleared), and no clearing member is willing or able to clear the transaction on the Fund's behalf. While the documentation in place between a Fund and its clearing members generally provides that the clearing members will accept for clearing all transactions submitted for clearing that are within credit limits specified by the clearing members in advance, the Fund could be subject to this execution risk if the Fund submits for clearing transactions that exceed such credit limits, if the clearing house does not accept the transactions for clearing, or if the clearing members do not comply with their agreement to clear such transactions. In that case, the transaction might have to be terminated, and the Fund could lose some or all of the benefit of any increase in the value of the transaction after the time of the transaction. In addition, new regulations could, among other things, restrict a Fund's ability to engage in, or increase the cost to the Fund of, derivatives transactions, for example, by making some types of derivatives no longer available to the Fund or increasing margin or capital requirements. If a Fund is not able to enter into a particular derivatives transaction, the Fund's investment performance and risk profile could be adversely affected as a result.

Counterparty Risk: Counterparty risk with respect to OTC derivatives may be affected by new regulations promulgated by the CFTC and SEC affecting the derivatives market. As described under “Derivatives Risk” above, all futures and options on futures and some swap transactions are required to be cleared, and a party to a cleared derivatives transaction is subject to the credit risk of the clearing house and the clearing member through which it holds its cleared derivatives position, rather than the credit risk of its original counterparty to the derivative transaction. Clearing members are required to segregate all funds received from customers with respect to cleared derivatives transactions from the clearing member's proprietary assets. However, all funds and other property received by a clearing broker from its customers are generally held by the clearing broker on a commingled basis in an omnibus account, and the clearing broker may also invest those funds in certain instruments permitted under the applicable regulations. Also, the clearing member transfers to the clearing house the amount of margin required by the clearing house for cleared derivatives transactions, which amounts are generally held in the relevant omnibus account at the clearing house for all customers of the clearing member.

For commodities futures positions, the clearing house may use all of the collateral held in the clearing member's omnibus account to meet a loss in that account, without regard to which customer in fact supplied that collateral. Accordingly, in addition to bearing the credit risk of its clearing member, each customer to a futures transaction also bears “fellow customer” risk from other customers of the clearing member. However, with respect to cleared swaps positions, recent regulations promulgated by the CFTC require that the clearing member notify the clearing house of the amount of initial margin provided by the clearing member to the clearing house that is attributable to each customer. Because margin in respect of cleared swaps must be earmarked for specific clearing member customers, the clearing house may not use the collateral of one customer to cover the obligations of another customer. However, if the clearing member does not provide accurate reporting, a Fund is subject to the risk that a clearing house will use the Fund's assets held in an omnibus account at the clearing house to satisfy payment obligations of a defaulting customer of the clearing member to the clearing house. In addition, clearing members may generally choose to provide to the clearing house the net amount of variation margin required for cleared swaps for all of its customers in the aggregate, rather than the gross amount for each customer.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

A Fund may take advantage of opportunities in the area of options and futures contracts, options on futures contracts, warrants, swaps and any other investments which are not presently contemplated for use by the Fund or which are not currently available but which may be developed, to the extent such opportunities are both consistent with the Fund's investment objective and legally permissible for the Fund. Before entering into such transactions or making any such investment, a Fund will provide appropriate disclosure.

HIGH YIELD SECURITIES

Investment in high yield securities (commonly known as “junk” bonds) generally provides greater income and increased opportunity for capital appreciation than investments in higher quality securities, but they also typically entail greater price volatility and credit risk. These high yield securities are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments. Analysis of the creditworthiness of issuers of debt securities that are high yield may be more complex than for issuers of higher quality debt securities. In addition, high yield securities are often issued by smaller, less creditworthy companies or by highly leveraged (indebted) firms, but can also be issued by governments. Such issuers are generally less able than more financially stable issuers to make scheduled payments of interest and principal. The risks posed by securities issued under such circumstances are substantial.

Investing in high yield debt securities involves risks that are greater than the risks of investing in higher quality debt securities. These risks include: (i) changes in credit status, including weaker overall credit conditions of issuers and risks of default; (ii) industry, market and economic risk; and (iii) greater price variability and credit risks of certain high yield securities such as zero coupon and payment-in-kind securities. While these risks provide the opportunity for maximizing return over time, they may result in greater volatility of the value of a Fund than a fund that invests in higher-rated securities.

Furthermore, the value of high yield securities may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic, company or industry conditions than is the case for higher quality securities. The market values of certain of these lower-rated and unrated debt securities tend to reflect individual issuer developments to a greater extent than do higher-rated securities which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates, and tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions than are higher-rated securities. Adverse market, credit or economic conditions could make it difficult at certain times to sell certain high yield securities held by a Fund.

The secondary market on which high yield securities are traded may be less liquid than the market for higher grade securities. Less liquidity in the secondary trading market could adversely affect the price at which a Fund could sell a high yield security, and could adversely affect the daily net asset value per share of a Fund. When secondary markets for high yield securities are less liquid than the market for higher grade securities, it may be more difficult to value the securities because there is less reliable, objective data available.

The use of credit ratings as a principal method of selecting high yield securities can involve certain risks. For example, credit ratings evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments, not the market value risk of high yield securities. Also, credit rating agencies may fail to change credit ratings in a timely fashion to reflect events since the security was last rated.

ILLIQUID INVESTMENTS

Each Fund may invest in illiquid investments. A Fund may not acquire any illiquid investment if, immediately after the acquisition, the Fund would have invested more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments. An illiquid investment means any investment that a Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. If illiquid investments exceed 15% of a Fund's net assets, certain remedial actions will be taken as required by Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act and the Funds' policies and procedures.

INFLATION-PROTECTED OBLIGATIONS

Each Fund may invest in inflation-protected public obligations, commonly known as “TIPS,” of the U.S. Treasury, as well as TIPS of major governments and emerging market countries, excluding the United States. TIPS are a type of security issued by a government that are designed to provide inflation protection to investors. TIPS are income-generating instruments whose interest and principal payments are adjusted for inflation—a sustained increase in prices that erodes the purchasing power of money. The inflation adjustment, which is typically applied monthly to the principal of the bond, follows a designated inflation index, such as the Consumer Price Index. A fixed coupon rate is applied to the inflation-adjusted principal so that as inflation rises or falls, both the principal value and the interest payments will increase or decrease. This can provide investors with a hedge against inflation, as it helps preserve the purchasing power of an investment. Because of this inflation adjustment feature, inflation-protected bonds typically have lower yields than conventional fixed-rate bonds.

INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Each Fund may invest in the securities of other investment companies, including affiliated funds and money market funds, subject to applicable limitations under Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act. Pursuant to Section 12(d)(1), a Fund may invest in the securities of another investment company (the “acquired company”) provided that the Fund, immediately after such purchase or acquisition, does not own in the aggregate: (i) more than 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of the acquired company; (ii) securities issued by the acquired company having an aggregate value in excess of 5% of the value of the total assets of the Fund; or (iii) securities issued by the acquired company and all other investment companies (other than Treasury stock of the Fund) having an aggregate value in excess of 10% of the value of the total assets of the Fund. To the extent allowed by law, regulation, and/or a Fund's investment restrictions, a Fund may invest its assets in securities of investment companies, including affiliated funds and/or money market funds, in excess of the limits discussed above.

If a Fund invests in and, thus, is a shareholder of, another investment company, the Fund's shareholders will indirectly bear the Fund's proportionate share of the fees and expenses paid by such other investment company, including advisory fees, in addition to both the management fees payable directly by the Fund to the Fund's own investment adviser and the other expenses that the Fund bears directly in connection with the Fund's own operations.

LENDING PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

Each Fund may lend portfolio securities to certain creditworthy borrowers in U.S. and non-U.S. markets in an amount not to exceed 40% of the value of its net assets. The borrowers provide collateral that is marked to market daily in an amount at least equal to the current market value of the securities loaned. A Fund may terminate a loan at any time and obtain the securities loaned. A Fund receives the value of any interest or cash or non-cash distributions paid on the loaned securities. A Fund cannot vote proxies for securities on loan, but may recall loans to vote proxies if a material issue affecting the Fund's economic interest in the investment is to be voted upon. Efforts to recall such securities promptly may be unsuccessful, especially for foreign securities or thinly traded securities. Distributions received on loaned securities in lieu of dividend payments (i.e., substitute payments) would not be considered qualified dividend income.

With respect to loans that are collateralized by cash, the borrower may be entitled to receive a fee based on the amount of cash collateral. A Fund is compensated by the difference between the amount earned on the reinvestment of cash collateral and the fee paid to the borrower. In the case of collateral other than cash, a Fund is compensated by a fee paid by the borrower equal to a percentage of the market value of the loaned securities. Any cash collateral may be reinvested in certain high quality short-term instruments either directly on behalf of the lending Fund or through one or more joint accounts or funds, which may include those managed by the Adviser. A Fund could lose money due to a decline in the value of collateral provided for loaned securities or any investments made with cash collateral. Certain non-cash collateral or investments made with cash collateral may have a greater risk of loss than other non-cash collateral or investments.

A Fund may pay a portion of the interest or fees earned from securities lending to a borrower as described above, and to one or more securities lending agents approved by the Board who administer the lending program for the Funds in accordance with guidelines approved by the Board. In such capacity, the lending agent provides the following services to the Funds in connection with the Funds' securities lending activities: (i) locating borrowers among an approved list of prospective borrowers; (ii) causing the delivery of loaned securities from a Fund to borrowers; (iii) monitoring the value of loaned securities, the value of collateral received, and other lending parameters; (iv) seeking additional collateral, as necessary, from borrowers; (v) receiving and holding collateral from borrowers, and facilitating the investment and reinvestment of all or substantially all cash collateral in an investment vehicle designated by the Funds; (vi) returning collateral to borrowers; (vii) facilitating substitute dividend, interest, and other distribution payments to the Funds from borrowers; (viii) negotiating the terms of each loan of securities, including but not limited to the amount of any loan premium, and monitoring the terms of securities loan agreements with prospective borrowers for consistency with the requirements of the Funds' Securities Lending Authorization Agreement; (ix) selecting securities, including amounts (percentages), to be loaned; (x) recordkeeping and accounting servicing; and (xi) arranging for return of loaned securities to the Fund in accordance with the terms of the Securities Lending Authorization Agreement. State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State Street”), an affiliate of the Trust, has been approved by the Board to serve as securities lending agent for the Funds and the Trust has entered into an agreement with State Street for such services. Among other matters, the Trust has agreed to indemnify State Street for certain liabilities. State Street has received an order of exemption from the SEC under Sections 17(a) and 12(d)(1) under the 1940 Act to serve as the lending agent for affiliated investment companies such as the Trust and to invest the cash collateral received from loan transactions to be invested in an affiliated cash collateral fund.

Securities lending involves exposure to certain risks, including operational risk (i.e., the risk of losses resulting from problems in the settlement and accounting process especially so in certain international markets such as Taiwan), “gap” risk (i.e., the risk of a mismatch between the return on cash collateral reinvestments and the fees a Fund has agreed to pay a borrower), risk of loss of collateral, credit, legal, counterparty and market risk. If a securities lending counterparty were to default, a Fund would be subject to the risk of a possible delay in receiving collateral or in recovering the loaned securities, or to a possible loss of rights in the collateral. In the event a borrower does not return a Fund's securities as agreed, the Fund may experience losses if the proceeds received from liquidating the collateral do not at least equal the value of the loaned security at the time the collateral is liquidated, plus the transaction costs incurred in purchasing replacement securities. Although State Street has agreed to provide a Fund with indemnification in the event of a borrower default, a Fund is still exposed to the risk of losses in the event a borrower does not return a Fund's securities as agreed. For example, delays in recovery of lent securities may cause a Fund to lose the opportunity to sell the securities at a desirable price.

LEVERAGING

While the Funds do not anticipate doing so, a Fund may borrow money in an amount greater than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets. However, under normal circumstances, a Fund will not borrow money from a bank in an amount greater than 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund's total assets. Borrowing for investment purposes is one form of leverage. Leveraging investments, by purchasing securities with borrowed money, is a speculative technique that increases investment risk, but also increases investment opportunity. Because substantially all of a Fund's assets will fluctuate in value, whereas the interest obligations on borrowings may be fixed, the NAV of a Fund will increase more when such Fund's portfolio assets increase in value and decrease more when the Fund's portfolio assets decrease in value than would otherwise be the case. Moreover, interest costs on borrowings may fluctuate with changing market rates of interest and may partially offset or exceed the returns on the borrowed funds.

MUNICIPAL SECURITIES

General: Municipal securities are securities issued by states, municipalities and other political subdivisions, agencies, authorities and instrumentalities of states and multi-state agencies or authorities. Shareholders should note that, although interest paid on municipal securities is generally exempt from regular federal income tax, the SPDR SSGA My2035 Corporate Bond ETF does not anticipate holding municipal securities in sufficient quantities to enable such Fund to qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends. As a result, distributions by the SPDR SSGA My2035 Corporate Bond ETF to shareholders are expected to be treated for federal income tax purposes as ordinary dividends without regard to the character in the hands of the Fund of any interest that it receives on municipal securities.

Municipal securities share the attributes of debt/fixed income securities in general, but are generally issued by states, municipalities and other political subdivisions, agencies, authorities and instrumentalities of states and multi-state agencies or authorities. The municipal securities which a Fund may purchase include general obligation bonds and limited obligation bonds (or revenue bonds), including industrial development bonds issued pursuant to former federal tax law. General obligation bonds are obligations involving the credit of an issuer possessing taxing power and are payable from such issuer's general revenues and not from any particular source. Limited obligation bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source. Tax-exempt industrial development bonds generally are also revenue bonds and thus are not payable from the issuer's general revenues. The credit and quality of industrial development bonds are usually related to the credit of the corporate user of the facilities. Payment of interest on and repayment of principal of such bonds is the responsibility of the corporate user (and/or any guarantor).

Some longer-term municipal securities give the investor the right to “put” or sell the security at par (face value) within a specified number of days following the investor's request—usually one to seven days. This demand feature enhances a security's liquidity by shortening its effective maturity and enables it to trade at a price equal to or very close to par. If a demand feature terminates prior to being exercised, a Fund would hold the longer-term security, which could experience substantially more volatility.

The market for municipal bonds may be less liquid than for taxable bonds. This means that it may be harder to buy and sell municipal securities, especially on short notice, than non-municipal securities. There may also be less information available on the financial condition of issuers of municipal securities than for public corporations. This means that it may be harder to buy and sell municipal securities, especially on short notice, and municipal securities may be more difficult for a Fund to value accurately than securities of public corporations. If a Fund invests in municipal securities, the Fund's

portfolio may have greater exposure to liquidity risk than a fund that only invests in non-municipal securities. In addition, the municipal securities market is generally characterized as a buy and hold investment strategy. As a result, the accessibility of municipal securities in the market is generally greater closer to the original date of issue of the securities and lessens as the securities move further away from such issuance date.

Municipal securities are subject to credit and market risk. Generally, prices of higher quality issues tend to fluctuate more with changes in market interest rates than prices of lower quality issues and prices of longer maturity issues tend to fluctuate more than prices of shorter maturity issues.

Prices and yields on municipal securities are dependent on a variety of factors, including general money-market conditions, the financial condition of the issuer, general conditions of the municipal security market, the size of a particular offering, the maturity of the obligation and the rating of the issue. A number of these factors, including the ratings of particular issues, are subject to change from time to time. Information about the financial condition of an issuer of municipal securities may not be as extensive as that which is made available by corporations whose securities are publicly traded. As a result, municipal securities may be more difficult to value than securities of public corporations.

Obligations of issuers of municipal securities are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors. Congress or state legislatures may seek to extend the time for payment of principal or interest, or both, or to impose other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations. In addition, municipal securities are subject to the risk that their tax treatment could be changed by Congress or state legislatures, thereby affecting the value of outstanding municipal securities. There is also the possibility that as a result of litigation or other conditions, the power or ability of issuers to meet their obligations for the payment of interest and principal on their municipal securities may be materially affected or their obligations may be found to be invalid or unenforceable. Such litigation or conditions may from time to time have the effect of introducing uncertainties in the market for municipal securities or certain segments thereof, or of materially affecting the credit risk with respect to particular bonds. Adverse economic, business, legal or political developments might affect all or a substantial portion of a Fund's municipal securities in the same manner.

Municipal Leases and Certificates of Participation: Also included within the general category of municipal securities are municipal leases, certificates of participation in such lease obligations or installment purchase contract obligations (hereinafter collectively called “Municipal Lease Obligations”) of municipal authorities or entities. Although a Municipal Lease Obligation does not constitute a general obligation of the municipality for which the municipality's taxing power is pledged, a Municipal Lease Obligation is ordinarily backed by the municipality's covenant to budget for, appropriate and make the payments due under the Municipal Lease Obligation. However, certain Municipal Lease Obligations contain “non-appropriation” clauses which provide that the municipality has no obligation to make lease or installment purchase payments in future years unless money is appropriated for such purpose on a yearly basis. In the case of a “non-appropriation” lease, a Fund's ability to recover under the lease in the event of non-appropriation or default will be limited solely to the repossession of the leased property, without recourse to the general credit of the lessee, and disposition or releasing of the property might prove difficult.

Municipal Insurance: A municipal security may be covered by insurance that guarantees the bond's scheduled payment of interest and repayment of principal. This type of insurance may be obtained by either (i) the issuer at the time the bond is issued (primary market insurance), or (ii) another party after the bond has been issued (secondary market insurance).

Both primary and secondary market insurance guarantee timely and scheduled repayment of all principal and payment of all interest on a municipal security in the event of default by the issuer, and cover a municipal security to its maturity, enhancing its credit quality and value.

Municipal security insurance does not insure against market fluctuations or fluctuations in a Fund's share price. In addition, a municipal security insurance policy will not cover: (i) repayment of a municipal security before maturity (redemption), (ii) prepayment or payment of an acceleration premium (except for a mandatory sinking fund redemption) or any other provision of a bond indenture that advances the maturity of the bond, or (iii) nonpayment of principal or interest caused by negligence or bankruptcy of the paying agent. A mandatory sinking fund redemption may be a provision of a municipal security issue whereby part of the municipal security issue may be retired before maturity.

Because a significant portion of the municipal securities issued and outstanding is insured by a small number of insurance companies, an event involving one or more of these insurance companies could have a significant adverse effect on the value of the securities insured by that insurance company and on the municipal markets as a whole.

Municipal Market Disruption Risk: The value of municipal securities may be affected by uncertainties in the municipal market related to legislation or litigation involving the taxation of municipal securities or the rights of municipal securities holders in the event of a bankruptcy. Proposals to restrict or eliminate the federal income tax exemption for interest on municipal securities are introduced before Congress from time to time. Proposals also may be introduced before state legislatures that would affect the state tax treatment of a municipal fund's distributions. If such proposals were enacted, the availability of municipal securities and the value of any municipal securities held by a Fund would be affected. Municipal bankruptcies are relatively rare, and certain provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code governing such bankruptcies are unclear and remain untested. Further, the application of state law to municipal issuers could produce varying results among the states or among municipal securities issuers within a state. These legal uncertainties could affect the municipal securities market generally, certain specific segments of the market, or the relative credit quality of particular securities. Any of these effects could have a significant impact on the prices of some or all of the municipal securities held by a Fund.

OTHER SHORT-TERM INSTRUMENTS

Each Fund may invest in short-term instruments, including money market instruments, (including money market funds advised by the Adviser), cash and cash equivalents, on an ongoing basis to provide liquidity or for other reasons. Money market instruments are generally short-term investments that may include but are not limited to: (i) shares of money market funds (including those advised by the Adviser); (ii) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises); (iii) negotiable certificates of deposit (“CDs”), bankers' acceptances, fixed time deposits and other obligations of U.S. and foreign banks (including foreign branches) and similar institutions; (iv) commercial paper rated at the date of purchase “Prime-1” by Moody's Investors Service (“Moody's”) or “A-1” by S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”), or if unrated, of comparable quality as determined by the Adviser; (v) non-convertible corporate debt securities (e.g., bonds and debentures) with remaining maturities at the date of purchase of not more than 397 days and that present minimal credit risk; and (vi) short-term U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks (including U.S. branches) that, in the opinion of the Adviser, are of comparable quality to obligations of U.S. banks which may be purchased by a Fund. Any of these instruments may be purchased on a current or a forward-settled basis. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Bankers' acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks by borrowers, usually in connection with international transactions. Money market instruments also include shares of money market funds. The SEC and other government agencies continue to review the regulation of money market funds. The SEC has adopted changes to the rules that govern money market funds over the years, most recently in July 2023. Legislative developments may also affect money market funds. These changes and developments may affect the investment strategies, performance, yield, operating expenses and continued viability of a money market fund.

PERPETUAL BONDS

Perpetual bonds offer a fixed return with no maturity date. Because they never mature, perpetual bonds can be more volatile than other types of bonds that have a maturity date and may have heightened sensitivity to changes in interest rates. An issuer of perpetual bonds is responsible for coupon payments in perpetuity but does not have to redeem the securities. Perpetual bonds may be callable after a set period of time. It is possible that one or more perpetual bonds in which a Fund invests will be characterized as equity rather than debt for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Where such perpetual bonds are issued by non-U.S. issuers, they may be treated in turn as equity securities of a “passive foreign investment company.”

PREFERRED SECURITIES

Preferred securities pay fixed or adjustable rate interest or dividends to investors, and are generally senior to common stock, but may be subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a company's capital structure and therefore may be subject to greater credit risk than those debt instruments. There is no assurance that interest payments, dividends or distributions on the preferred securities in which a Fund invests will be declared or otherwise made payable. In the case of preferred stock, in order to be payable, distributions on preferred securities must be declared by the issuer's board of directors. The market value of preferred securities may be affected by favorable and unfavorable changes impacting companies in the utilities and financial services sectors, which are prominent issuers of preferred securities, and by actual and anticipated changes in tax laws.

Because the claim on an issuer's earnings represented by preferred securities may become onerous when interest rates fall below the rate payable on such securities, the issuer may redeem the securities. Thus, in declining interest rate environments in particular, a Fund's holdings of higher rate-paying fixed rate preferred securities may be reduced and the Fund would be unable to acquire securities paying comparable rates with the redemption proceeds.

PRIVATE PLACEMENTS AND RESTRICTED SECURITIES

Each Fund may invest in securities that are purchased in private placements and, accordingly, are subject to restrictions on resale as a matter of contract or under federal securities laws. While such private placements may offer attractive opportunities for investment not otherwise available on the open market, the securities so purchased are often “restricted securities,” i.e., securities which cannot be sold to the public without registration under the Securities Act or the availability of an exemption from registration (such as Rules 144 or 144A), or which are not readily marketable because they are subject to other legal or contractual delays in or restrictions on resale. Generally speaking, restricted securities may be sold only to qualified institutional buyers, or in a privately negotiated transaction to a limited number of purchasers, or in limited quantities after they have been held for a specified period of time and other conditions are met pursuant to an exemption from registration, or in a public offering for which a registration statement is in effect under the Securities Act.

Because there may be relatively few potential purchasers for such investments, especially under adverse market or economic conditions or in the event of adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuer, a Fund could find it more difficult to sell such securities when the Adviser believes it advisable to do so or may be able to sell such securities only at prices lower than if such securities were more widely held. Market quotations for such securities are generally less readily available than for publicly traded securities. The absence of a trading market can make it difficult to ascertain a market value for such securities for purposes of computing a Fund's net asset value, and the judgment of the Adviser may at times play a greater role in valuing these securities than in the case of publicly traded securities. Disposing of such securities, which may be illiquid investments, can involve time-consuming negotiation and legal expenses, and it may be difficult or impossible for a Fund to sell them promptly at an acceptable price. A Fund may have to bear the extra expense of registering such securities for resale and the risk of substantial delay in effecting such registration.

A Fund may be deemed to be an “underwriter” for purposes of the Securities Act when selling restricted securities to the public, and in such event the Fund may be liable to purchasers of such securities if the registration statement prepared by the issuer, or the prospectus forming a part of it, is materially inaccurate or misleading.

RATINGS

An investment grade rating means the security or issuer is rated investment grade by Moody's, S&P, Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”), Morningstar DBRS, or another credit rating agency designated as a nationally recognized statistical rating organization by the SEC, or is unrated but considered to be of equivalent quality by the Adviser.

Subsequent to purchase by a Fund, a rated security may cease to be rated or its investment grade rating may be reduced below an investment grade rating. Bonds rated lower than Baa3 by Moody's or BBB- by S&P or Fitch are below investment grade quality and are obligations of issuers that are considered predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal according to the terms of the obligation and, therefore, carry greater investment risk, including the possibility of issuer default and bankruptcy and increased market price volatility. Such securities (“lower rated securities”) are commonly referred to as “junk” bonds and are subject to a substantial degree of credit risk. Lower rated securities are often issued by smaller, less creditworthy companies or by highly leveraged (indebted) firms, which are generally less able than more financially stable firms to make scheduled payments of interest and principal. The risks posed by securities issued under such circumstances are substantial. Bonds rated below investment-grade tend to be less marketable than higher-quality bonds because the market for them is less broad. The market for unrated bonds is even narrower. See “HIGH YIELD SECURITIES” above for more information relating to the risks associated with investing in lower rated securities, or Appendix A for more information on the ratings of debt instruments.

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

Each Fund may invest in repurchase agreements with commercial banks, brokers or dealers to generate income from its excess cash balances and to invest securities lending cash collateral. A repurchase agreement is an agreement under which a Fund acquires a financial instrument (e.g., a security issued by the U.S. government or an agency thereof, a banker's acceptance or a certificate of deposit) from a seller, subject to resale to the seller at an agreed upon price and

date (normally, the next Business Day—as defined below). A repurchase agreement may be considered a loan collateralized by securities. The resale price reflects an agreed upon interest rate effective for the period the instrument is held by a Fund and is unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying instrument.

In these repurchase agreement transactions, the securities acquired by a Fund (including accrued interest earned thereon) must have a total value in excess of the value of the repurchase agreement and are held by the Custodian until repurchased. No more than an aggregate of 15% of a Fund's net assets will be invested in illiquid investments, including repurchase agreements having maturities longer than seven days and securities subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, or for which there are no readily available market quotations.

The use of repurchase agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the other party to the agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying security at a time when the value of the security has declined, a Fund may incur a loss upon disposition of the security. If the other party to the agreement becomes insolvent and subject to liquidation or reorganization under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or other laws, a court may determine that the underlying security is collateral for a loan by a Fund not within the control of the Fund and, therefore, the Fund may not be able to substantiate its interest in the underlying security and may be deemed an unsecured creditor of the other party to the agreement.

REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS

Each Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements, which involve the sale of securities with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment and have the characteristics of borrowing. The securities purchased with the funds obtained from the agreement and securities collateralizing the agreement will have maturity dates no later than the repayment date. Generally the effect of such transactions is that a Fund can recover all or most of the cash invested in the portfolio securities involved during the term of the reverse repurchase agreement, while in many cases a Fund is able to keep some of the interest income associated with those securities. Such transactions are only advantageous if a Fund has an opportunity to earn a greater rate of interest on the cash derived from these transactions than the interest cost of obtaining the same amount of cash. Opportunities to realize earnings from the use of the proceeds equal to or greater than the interest required to be paid may not always be available and a Fund intends to use the reverse repurchase technique only when the Adviser believes it will be advantageous to the Fund. The use of reverse repurchase agreements may exaggerate any interim increase or decrease in the value of a Fund's assets. A Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements if it either meets the relevant asset coverage requirements of Section 18 of the 1940 Act for senior securities representing indebtedness, or elects to treat such arrangements as derivatives transactions under the Derivatives Rule. Each Fund does not expect to engage, under normal circumstances, in reverse repurchase agreements with respect to more than 10% of its total assets.

TAX EXEMPT COMMERCIAL PAPER

The SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF 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.

U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS

U.S. Government obligations are a type of bond. U.S. Government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.

One type of U.S. Government obligation, U.S. Treasury obligations, are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury and differ only in their interest rates, maturities, and times of issuance. U.S. Treasury bills have initial maturities of one-year or less; U.S. Treasury notes have initial maturities of one to ten years; and U.S. Treasury bonds generally have initial maturities of greater than ten years.

Other U.S. Government obligations are issued or guaranteed by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government including, but not limited to, Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae, the Small Business Administration, the Federal Farm Credit Administration, Freddie Mac, the Federal Home Loan Banks, Banks for Cooperatives (including the Central Bank for Cooperatives), the Federal Land Banks, the Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the

Export-Import Bank of the United States, the Commodity Credit Corporation, the Federal Financing Bank, the Student Loan Marketing Association, the National Credit Union Administration and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac). Some obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities, including, for example, Ginnie Mae pass-through certificates, are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Other obligations issued by or guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those securities issued by Fannie Mae, are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain obligations of the federal agency, while other obligations issued by or guaranteed by federal agencies, such as those of the Federal Home Loan Banks, are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury. While the U.S. Government provides financial support to such U.S. Government-sponsored federal agencies, no assurance can be given that the U.S. Government will always do so, since the U.S. Government is not so obligated by law.

In September 2008, the U.S. Treasury announced a federal takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, placing the two federal instrumentalities in conservatorship. Under the terms of the takeover, the U.S. Treasury agreed to acquire $1 billion of senior preferred stock of each instrumentality and obtained warrants for the purchase of common stock of each instrumentality. Under these Senior Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements (“SPAs”), the U.S. Treasury has pledged to provide a limited amount of capital per instrumentality as needed, including the contribution of cash capital to the instrumentalities in the event their liabilities exceed their assets. In May 2009, the U.S. Treasury increased its maximum commitment to each instrumentality under the SPAs from $100 billion to $200 billion per instrumentality. In December 2009, the U.S. Treasury amended the SPAs to provide Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with some additional flexibility to meet the requirement to reduce their mortgage portfolios. Also in December 2009, the U.S. Treasury further amended the SPAs to allow the cap on the U.S. Treasury's funding commitment to increase as necessary to accommodate any cumulative reduction in Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's net worth through the end of 2012. On August 17, 2012, the U.S. Treasury announced that it was again amending the SPAs to terminate the requirement that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac each pay a 10% dividend annually on all amounts received under the funding commitment. Instead, they were required to transfer to the U.S. Treasury on a quarterly basis all profits earned during a quarter that exceeded a capital reserve amount of $3 billion. On September 30, 2019, the U.S. Treasury announced amendments to the SPAs permitting Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to maintain capital reserves of $25 billion and $20 billion, respectively. It is believed that the amendment puts Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in a better position to service their debt because the companies no longer have to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to make fixed dividend payments.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are the subject of several continuing class action lawsuits and investigations by federal regulators over certain accounting, disclosure or corporate governance matters, which (along with any resulting financial restatements) may adversely affect the guaranteeing entities. Importantly, the future of the entities is in serious question as the U.S. government reportedly is considering multiple options, ranging from nationalization, privatization, consolidation, or abolishment of the entities.

U.S. REGISTERED SECURITIES OF FOREIGN ISSUERS

Each Fund may purchase exchange-traded common stocks and exchange-traded preferred securities of foreign corporations, as well as U.S. registered, dollar-denominated bonds of foreign corporations, governments, agencies and supra-national entities. Investing in U.S. registered, dollar-denominated, securities issued by non-U.S. issuers involves some risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These include differences in accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, political instability which could affect U.S. investments in foreign countries, and potential restrictions of the flow of international capital. Foreign companies may be subject to less governmental regulation than U.S. issuers. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self- sufficiency and balance of payment positions.

A Fund's investments in common stock of foreign corporations may also be in the form of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”) (collectively “Depositary Receipts”). Depositary Receipts are receipts, typically issued by a bank or trust company, which evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. For ADRs, the depository is typically a U.S. financial institution and the underlying securities are issued by a foreign issuer. For other Depositary Receipts, the depository may be a foreign or a U.S. entity, and the underlying securities may have a foreign or a U.S. issuer. Depositary Receipts will not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as their underlying securities. Generally, ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, and EDRs, in bearer form, are designated for use in European securities markets. GDRs are tradable both in the United States and in Europe and are designed for use throughout the world.

VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE SECURITIES

Variable rate securities are instruments issued or guaranteed by entities such as (1) U.S. Government, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, (2) states, municipalities and other political subdivisions, agencies, authorities and instrumentalities or states and multi-state agencies or authorities, (3) corporations, (4) financial institutions, (5) insurance companies or (6) trusts that have a rate of interest subject to adjustment at regular intervals but less frequently than annually. A variable rate security provides for the automatic establishment of a new interest rate on set dates. Variable rate obligations whose interest is readjusted no less frequently than annually will be deemed to have a maturity equal to the period remaining until the next readjustment of the interest rate. A Fund may also purchase floating rate securities. A floating rate security provides for the automatic adjustment of its interest rate whenever a specified interest rate changes. Interest rates on these securities are ordinarily tied to, and are a percentage of, a widely recognized interest rate, such as the yield on 90-day U.S. Treasury bills or the prime rate of a specified bank. These rates may change as often as twice daily. Generally, changes in interest rates will have a smaller effect on the market value of variable and fixed rate floating rate securities than on the market value of comparable fixed rate fixed income obligations. Thus, investing in variable and fixed rate floating rate securities generally allows less opportunity for capital appreciation and depreciation than investing in comparable fixed rate fixed income securities.

WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES

Each Fund 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 a Fund until settlement takes place. When entering into a when-issued transaction, a Fund will rely on the other party to consummate the transaction; if the other party fails to do so, a Fund may be disadvantaged.

Securities purchased on a when-issued basis and held by a Fund 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 a Fund purchases securities on a “when-issued” basis, there may be a greater possibility of fluctuation in the Fund's NAV.

Special Considerations and Risks

A discussion of the risks associated with an investment in each Fund is contained in the Prospectus. The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the Prospectus.

GENERAL

Investment in a Fund should be made with an understanding that the value of a Fund's portfolio securities may fluctuate in accordance with changes in the financial condition of the issuers of the portfolio securities, the value of securities generally and other factors.

An investment in a Fund should also be made with an understanding of the risks inherent in an investment in securities, including the risk that the financial condition of issuers may become impaired or that the general condition of the securities markets may deteriorate (either of which may cause a decrease in the value of the portfolio securities and thus in the value of Shares). Securities are susceptible to general market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change. These investor perceptions are based on various and unpredictable factors including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and global or regional political, economic and banking crises. Securities of issuers traded on exchanges may be suspended on certain exchanges by the issuers themselves, by an exchange or by government authorities. The likelihood of such suspensions may be higher for securities of issuers in emerging or less-developed market countries than in countries with more developed markets. Trading suspensions may be applied from time to time to the securities of individual issuers for reasons specific to that issuer, or may be applied broadly by exchanges or governmental authorities in response to market events. Suspensions may last for significant periods of time, during which trading in the securities and instruments that reference the securities, such as participatory notes (or “P-notes”) or other derivative instruments, may be halted.

The principal trading market for some securities may be in the over-the-counter market. The existence of a liquid trading market for certain securities may depend on whether dealers will make a market in such securities. There can be no assurance that a market will be made or maintained or that any such market will be or remain liquid. The price at which securities may be sold and the value of a Fund's Shares will be adversely affected if trading markets for a Fund's portfolio securities are limited or absent or if bid/ask spreads are wide.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST RISK

An investment in a Fund may 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. A Fund 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 makes available to other clients. Because of its financial interest, the Adviser may 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.

CONTINUOUS OFFERING

The method by which Creation Units of Shares are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units of Shares are issued and sold by the Trust on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act, may occur. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act.

For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Distributor, breaks them down into constituent Shares, and sells such Shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for Shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a categorization as an underwriter.

Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in Shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of Shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(a)(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. Firms that incur a prospectus-delivery obligation with respect to Shares of a Fund are reminded that under Securities Act Rule 153, a prospectus-delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to an exchange member in connection with a sale on the Exchange is satisfied by the fact that a Fund's Prospectus is available at the Exchange upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is only available with respect to transactions on an exchange.

SSGA FM or its affiliates (the “Selling Shareholder”) may purchase Creation Units through a broker-dealer to “seed” (in whole or in part) Funds as they are launched, or may purchase shares from broker-dealers or other investors that have previously provided “seed” for a Fund when it was launched or otherwise in secondary market transactions, and because the Selling Shareholder may be deemed an affiliate of such Funds, the Shares are being registered to permit the resale of these shares from time to time after purchase. The Funds will not receive any of the proceeds from the resale by the Selling Shareholders of these Shares.

The Selling Shareholder intends to sell all or a portion of the Shares owned by it and offered hereby from time to time directly or through one or more broker-dealers, and may also hedge such positions. The Shares may be sold on any national securities exchange on which the Shares may be listed or quoted at the time of sale, in the over-the-counter market or in transactions other than on these exchanges or systems at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. These sales may be effected in transactions, which may involve cross or block transactions.

The Selling Shareholder may also loan or pledge Shares to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such Shares, to the extent permitted by applicable law. The Selling Shareholder may also enter into options or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions or the creation of one or more derivative securities which require the delivery to such broker-dealer or other financial institution of Shares, which Shares such broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell.

The Selling Shareholder and any broker-dealer or agents participating in the distribution of Shares may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. In such event, any commissions paid to any such broker-dealer or agent and any profit on the resale of the Shares purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. The Selling Shareholder who may be deemed an “underwriter” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act will be subject to the applicable prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act.

COUNTERPARTY RISK

Counterparty risk with respect to derivatives has been and may continue to be affected by new rules and regulations affecting the derivatives market. Some derivatives transactions are required to be centrally cleared, and a party to a cleared derivatives transaction is subject to the credit risk of the clearing house and the clearing member through which it holds its cleared position, rather than the credit risk of its original counterparty to the derivatives transaction. Credit risk of market participants with respect to derivatives that are centrally cleared is concentrated in a few clearing houses, and it is not clear how an insolvency proceeding of a clearing house would be conducted, what effect the insolvency proceeding would have on any recovery by a Fund, and what impact an insolvency of a clearing house would have on the financial system more generally.

FUTURES AND OPTIONS TRANSACTIONS

There can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular futures contract or option at any specific time. Thus, it may not be possible to close a futures or options position. In the event of adverse price movements, a Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments to maintain its required margin. In such situations, if a Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet daily margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, a Fund may be required to make delivery of the instruments underlying futures contracts it has sold.

Each Fund will minimize the risk that it will be unable to close out a futures or options contract by only entering into futures and options for which there appears to be a liquid secondary market.

The risk of loss in trading futures contracts or uncovered call options in some strategies (e.g., selling uncovered index futures contracts) is potentially unlimited. The risk of a futures position may still be large as traditionally measured due to the low margin deposits required. In many cases, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial loss or gain to the investor relative to the size of a required margin deposit. A Fund, however, may utilize futures and options contracts in a manner designed to limit its risk exposure to that which is comparable to what it would have incurred through direct investment in securities.

Utilization of futures transactions by a Fund involves the risk of loss by a Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom a Fund has an open position in the futures contract or option.

Certain financial futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. The “daily price fluctuation limit” or “daily limit” establishes the maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous day's settlement price at the end of a trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular type of contract, generally no trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs only price movement during a particular trading day and therefore does not limit potential losses, because the limit may prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. Futures contract prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and subjecting some futures traders to substantial losses.

RISKS OF SWAP AGREEMENTS

Swap agreements are subject to the risk that the swap counterparty will default on its obligations. If such a default occurs, a Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction, but such remedies may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws which could affect the Fund's rights as a creditor.

The use of interest-rate and index swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. The use of a swap requires an understanding not only of the referenced asset, reference rate, or index, but also of the swap itself, without the benefit of observing the performance of the swap under all possible market conditions. These transactions generally do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets or principal.

The absence of a regulated execution facility or contract market and lack of liquidity for swap transactions has led, in some instances, to difficulties in trading and valuation, especially in the event of market disruptions. Under recently adopted rules and regulations, transactions in some types of swaps are required to be centrally cleared. In a cleared derivatives transaction, a Fund's counterparty to the transaction is a central derivatives clearing organization, or clearing house, rather than a bank or broker. Because the Funds are not members of a clearing house, and only members of a clearing house can participate directly in the clearing house, each Fund holds cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members. In cleared derivatives transactions, a Fund 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 Fund than bilateral (non-cleared) arrangements. For example, a Fund 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 Fund, 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 in accordance with their rules. A Fund is subject to risk if it enters into a derivatives transaction that is required to be cleared (or which SSGA FM expects to be cleared), and no clearing member is willing or able to clear the transaction on the Fund's behalf. In that case, the transaction might have to be terminated, and the Fund 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 a Fund and clearing members is drafted by the clearing members and generally is less favorable to the Fund than typical bilateral derivatives documentation.

These clearing rules and other new rules and regulations could, among other things, restrict a Fund's ability to engage in, or increase the cost to the Fund of, derivatives transactions, for example, by making some types of derivatives no longer available to the Fund, increasing margin or capital requirements, or otherwise limiting liquidity or increasing transaction costs. These regulations, as applicable to swaps, are relatively new and evolving, so their potential impact on a Fund and the financial system are not yet known.

Because they are two party contracts that may be subject to contractual restrictions on transferability and termination and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid and subject to a Fund's limitation on investments in illiquid investments. To the extent that a swap is not liquid, it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses. Like most other investments, swap agreements are subject to the risk that the market value of the instrument will change in a way detrimental to a Fund's interest.

If a Fund uses a swap as a hedge against, or as a substitute for, a portfolio investment, the Fund will be exposed to the risk that the swap will have or will develop imperfect or no correlation with the portfolio investment. This could cause substantial losses for the Fund. While hedging strategies involving swap instruments can reduce the risk of loss, they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other Fund investments. Many swaps are complex and often valued subjectively.

EUROPE – RECENT EVENTS

A number of countries in Europe, including Greece, Spain, Italy, and Portugal, have substantial government debt levels. The concern over these debt levels has led to volatility in the European financial markets, which has adversely affected the exchange rate of the euro and may continue to significantly affect every country in Europe. For some countries, the ability to repay sovereign debt is in question, and default is possible, which could affect their ability to borrow in the future. Several countries have agreed to multi-year bailout loans from the European Central Bank, the IMF, and other institutions. A default or debt restructuring by any European country can adversely impact holders of that country's debt and can affect exposures to other European Union (“EU”) countries and their financial companies as well. These financial difficulties may

continue, worsen or spread within or outside Europe. Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences.

Uncertainties regarding the viability of the EU have impacted and may continue to impact markets in the United States and around the world. On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom (“UK”) formally withdrew from the EU (commonly known as “Brexit”). An agreement between the UK and the EU governing their future trade relationship became effective January 1, 2021, but that agreement does not include an agreement on financial services, and it is unlikely that such agreement will be concluded. Moreover, the UK government has started a program of financial services law reform with the ultimate aim of repealing many EU financial services laws that were assimilated into UK law from January 1, 2021, and replacing them with legislation or rules made by the UK government or financial services regulators. Accordingly, uncertainty remains in certain areas as to the future relationship between the UK and the EU. Brexit has already had a significant impact on the UK, Europe, and global economies, and could continue to result in volatility and illiquidity, legal, political, economic and regulatory uncertainties and lower economic growth for these economies that could in turn have an adverse effect on the value of a Fund's 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.

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, 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 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.

RUSSIA SANCTIONS RISK

Sanctions threatened or imposed by a number of jurisdictions, including the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom, and other intergovernmental actions that have been or may be undertaken in the future, against Russia, Russian entities or Russian individuals, 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 Fund. 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 Fund. Sanctions, or the threat of new or modified sanctions, could impair the ability of a Fund 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, 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 Fund, even if a Fund does not have direct exposure to securities of Russian issuers.

A reduction in liquidity of certain Fund holdings as a result of sanctions and related actions may cause a Fund to experience increased premiums or discounts to its NAV and/or wider bid-ask spreads. Additionally, if it becomes impracticable or unlawful for a Fund to hold securities subject to, or otherwise affected by, sanctions, or if deemed appropriate by the Fund's investment adviser, the Fund may prohibit in-kind deposits of the affected securities in connection with creation transactions and instead require a cash deposit, which may also increase the Fund's transaction costs.

TAX RISKS

As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in Shares of a Fund will be taxed. The tax information in the Prospectus and this SAI is provided as general information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in Shares of a Fund.

Unless your investment in Shares is made through a tax-exempt entity or tax-advantaged retirement account, such as an individual retirement account, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when a Fund makes distributions or you sell Shares.

Investment Restrictions

The Trust has adopted the following investment restrictions as fundamental policies with respect to each Fund. These restrictions cannot be changed with respect to a Fund without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities. For purposes of the 1940 Act, a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund means the vote, at an annual or a special meeting of the security holders of the Trust, of the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the voting securities of the Fund present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. Except with the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, a Fund may not:

Concentrate investments in a particular industry or group of industries, as concentration is defined under the 1940 Act, the Rules and regulations thereunder or any exemption therefrom, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended or interpreted from time to time;(1)

Make loans to another person except as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Funds;

Issue senior securities or borrow money except as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Funds;

Invest directly in real estate unless the real estate is acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. This restriction shall not preclude the Funds from investing in companies that deal in real estate or in instruments that are backed or secured by real estate;

Act as an underwriter of another issuer's securities, except to the extent the Funds may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the Funds' purchase and sale of portfolio securities;

Invest in commodities except as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Funds; or

With respect to the SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF, invest, under normal circumstances, less than 80% of its assets, plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes, in investments the income of which is exempt from federal income tax.

In addition to the investment restrictions adopted as fundamental policies as set forth above, the Funds observes the following restrictions, which may be changed by the Board without a shareholder vote. The Funds will not:

Invest in the securities of a company for the purpose of exercising management or control, provided that the Trust may vote the investment securities owned by the Funds in accordance with its views;

With respect to the SPDR SSGA My2035 Corporate Bond ETF, under normal circumstances, invest less than 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes) in corporate bonds. Prior to any change in this 80% investment policy, the Funds will provide shareholders with 60 days' notice; or

(1)

The SEC Staff considers concentration to involve more than 25% of a fund's assets to be invested in an industry or group of industries.

With respect to the SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF, under normal circumstances, invest less than 80% of its net assets (plus the amount of borrowings for investment purposes) in municipal bonds. Prior to any change in this 80% investment policy, the Funds will provide shareholders with 60 days' notice.

If a percentage limitation is adhered to at the time of investment or contract, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value or total or net assets will not result in a violation of such restriction, except that the percentage limitations with respect to the borrowing of money will be observed continuously. With respect to the limitation on borrowing, in the event that a subsequent change in net assets or other circumstances cause the Funds to exceed its limitation, the Funds will take steps to bring the aggregate amount of borrowing back within the limitations within three days thereafter (not including Sundays and holidays).

The 1940 Act currently permits the Funds to loan up to 33 1/3% of its total assets. With respect to borrowing, the 1940 Act presently allows the Funds to: (1) borrow from any bank (including pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets) in an amount up to 33 1/3% of its total assets, (2) borrow money for temporary purposes in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the Funds' total assets at the time of the loan, and (3) enter into reverse repurchase agreements. However, under normal circumstances any borrowings by the Funds will not exceed 10% of the Funds' total assets. The 1940 Act generally prohibits funds from issuing senior securities, although it does not treat certain transactions as senior securities, such as certain borrowings, with appropriate asset coverage. With respect to investments in commodities, the 1940 Act presently permits the Funds to invest in commodities in accordance with investment policies contained in its prospectus and SAI. Any such investment shall also comply with the CEA and the rules and regulations thereunder. The 1940 Act does not directly restrict an investment company's ability to invest in real estate, but does require that every investment company have the fundamental investment policy governing such investments. The Funds will not purchase or sell real estate, except that the Funds may invest in companies that deal in real estate (including REITs) or in instruments that are backed or secured by real estate.

Exchange Listing and Trading

A discussion of exchange listing and trading matters associated with an investment in a Fund is contained in the Prospectus under “PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION” and “ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION.” The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, such sections of the Prospectus.

The Shares of each Fund are approved for listing and trading on the Exchange, subject to notice of issuance. Shares trade on the Exchange at prices that may differ to some degree from their net asset value. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of Shares of a Fund will continue to be met.

The Exchange may consider the suspension of trading in, and may initiate delisting proceedings of, the Shares of a Fund under any of the following circumstances: (i) if the Exchange becomes aware that the Fund is no longer eligible to operate in reliance on Rule 6c-11 under the 1940 Act; (ii) if the Fund no longer complies with the applicable listing requirements set forth in the Exchange's rules; (iii) if, following the initial twelve-month period after commencement of trading on the Exchange of the Fund, there are fewer than 50 beneficial holders of the Fund; or (iv) if such other event shall occur or condition exists which, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable. The Exchange will remove the Shares from listing and trading upon termination of a Fund.

The Trust reserves the right to adjust the Share price of a Fund in the future to maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of the Fund or an investor's equity interest in the Fund.

As in the case of other publicly traded securities, brokers' commissions on transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels.

The base and trading currencies of each Fund is the U.S. dollar. The base currency is the currency in which a Fund's net asset value per Share is calculated and the trading currency is the currency in which Shares of a Fund are listed and traded on the Exchange.

Management of the Trust

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “MANAGEMENT.”

BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

The management and affairs of the Trust and its series, including the Funds described in this SAI, are overseen by the Trustees. The Board has approved contracts, as described in this SAI, under which certain companies provide essential management services to the Trust.

Like most mutual funds, the day-to-day business of the Trust, including the management of risk, is performed by third party service providers, such as the Adviser, Distributor, Administrator, and Sub-Administrator. The Trustees are responsible for overseeing the Trust's service providers and, thus, have oversight responsibility with respect to risk management performed by those service providers. Risk management seeks to identify and address risks, i.e., events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder services, investment performance or reputation of the Funds. The Funds and their service providers employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify various of those possible events or circumstances, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Each service provider is responsible for one or more discrete aspects of the Trust's business and, consequently, for managing the risks associated with that business. The Board has emphasized to the Funds' service providers the importance of maintaining vigorous risk management.

The Trustees' role in risk oversight begins before the inception of a Fund, at which time the Fund's Adviser presents the Board with information concerning the investment objectives, strategies and risks of the Fund, as well as proposed investment limitations for the Fund. Additionally, the Fund's Adviser provides the Board with an overview of, among other things, their investment philosophies, brokerage practices and compliance infrastructures. Thereafter, the Board continues its oversight function as various personnel, including the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer, as well as personnel of the Adviser and other service providers, such as the Fund's independent accountants, make periodic reports to the Audit Committee or to the Board with respect to various aspects of risk management. The Board and the Audit Committee oversee efforts by management and service providers to manage risks to which a Fund may be exposed.

The Board is responsible for overseeing the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Funds by the Adviser and receives information about those services at its regular meetings. In addition, on an annual basis, in connection with its consideration of whether to renew the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser, the Board meets with the Adviser to review such services. Among other things, the Board regularly considers the Adviser's adherence to each Fund's investment restrictions and compliance with various Fund policies and procedures and with applicable securities regulations. The Board also reviews information about each Fund's investments.

The Trust's Chief Compliance Officer reports regularly to the Board to review and discuss compliance issues. At least annually, the Trust's Chief Compliance Officer provides the Board with a report reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Trust's policies and procedures and those of its service providers, including the Adviser. The report addresses the operation of the policies and procedures of the Trust and each service provider since the date of the last report; any material changes to the policies and procedures since the date of the last report; any recommendations for material changes to the policies and procedures; and any material compliance matters since the date of the last report.

The Board receives reports from the Funds' service providers regarding operational risks and risks related to the valuation and liquidity of portfolio securities. Regular reports are made to the Board concerning investments for which market quotations are not readily available. Annually, the independent registered public accounting firm reviews with the Audit Committee its audit of each Fund's financial statements, focusing on major areas of risk encountered by the Fund and noting any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the Fund's internal controls. Additionally, in connection with its oversight function, the Board oversees Fund management's implementation of disclosure controls and procedures, which are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust in its periodic reports with the SEC are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the required time periods. The Board also oversees the Trust's internal controls over financial reporting, which comprise policies and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Trust's financial reporting and the preparation of the Trust's financial statements.

From their review of these reports and discussions with the Adviser, the Chief Compliance Officer, the independent registered public accounting firm and other service providers, the Board and the Audit Committee learn in detail about the material risks of the Funds, thereby facilitating a dialogue about how management and service providers identify and mitigate those risks.

The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect a Fund can be identified and/or quantified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve a Fund's goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address

certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, reports received by the Trustees as to risk management matters are typically summaries of the relevant information. Most of the Funds' investment management and business affairs are carried out by or through a Fund's Adviser and other service providers, each of which has an independent interest in risk management but whose policies and the methods by which one or more risk management functions are carried out may differ from the Funds' and each other's in the setting of priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the Board's ability to monitor and manage risk, as a practical matter, is subject to limitations.

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

There are eight members of the Board of Trustees, seven of whom are not interested persons of the Trust, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (“Independent Trustees”). Dwight D. Churchill, an Independent Trustee, serves as Chairman of the Board. The Board has determined its leadership structure is appropriate given the specific characteristics and circumstances of the Trust. The Board made this determination in consideration of, among other things, the fact that the Independent Trustees constitute a super-majority (87.5%) of the Board, the fact that the chairperson of each Committee of the Board is an Independent Trustee, the amount of assets under management in the Trust, and the number of funds overseen by the Board. The Board also believes that its leadership structure facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Independent Trustees from fund management.

The Board of Trustees has two standing committees: the Audit Committee and Trustee Committee. The Audit Committee and Trustee Committee are each chaired by an Independent Trustee and composed of all of the Independent Trustees.

Set forth below are the names, year of birth, position with the Trust, length of term of office, and the principal occupations during the last five years and other directorships held of each of the persons currently serving as a Trustee or Officer of the Trust.

TRUSTEES

Name, Address and Year of Birth	Position(s) With Funds	Term of Office and Length of Time Served	Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years	Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee†	Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past Five Years
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
DWIGHT D. CHURCHILL c/o SSGA Active Trust One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 1953	Independent Trustee, Chairman; Trustee Committee, Chairman	Term: Unlimited Served: since April 2010	Self-employed consultant since 2010.	147	Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (Director) (2010 - present).
CARL G. VERBONCOEUR c/o SSGA Active Trust One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 1952	Independent Trustee	Term: Unlimited Served: since April 2010	Self-employed consultant since 2009.	147	None.
CLARE S. RICHER c/o SSGA Active Trust One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 1958	Independent Trustee	Term: Unlimited Served: since July 2018	Retired.	147	Principal Financial Group (Director and Financial Committee Chair) (2020 – present); Bain Capital Specialty Finance (Director) (2019 – present); Bain Capital Private Credit (Director) (2022 – present); University of Notre Dame (Trustee) (2015 – present).
SANDRA G. SPONEM c/o SSGA Active Trust One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 1958	Independent Trustee, Audit Committee Chair	Term: Unlimited Served: since July 2018	Retired.	147	Rydex Series Funds (52 portfolios), Rydex Dynamic Funds (8 portfolios) and Rydex Variable Trust (49

Name, Address and Year of Birth	Position(s) With Funds	Term of Office and Length of Time Served	Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years	Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee†	Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past Five Years
					portfolios) (Trustee) (2016 – present); Guggenheim Strategy Funds Trust (3 portfolios), Guggenheim Funds Trust (18 portfolios), Guggenheim Taxable Municipal Bond & Investment Grade Debt Trust, Guggenheim Strategic Opportunities Fund, Guggenheim Variable Funds Trust (14 portfolios), and Transparent Value Trust (5 portfolios) (Trustee) (2019-present); Guggenheim Active Allocation Fund (Trustee) (2021-present); Fiduciary/Claymore Energy Infrastructure Fund (Trustee) (2019-2022); Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Income Fund and Guggenheim Credit Allocation Fund (Trustee) (2019-2021); and Guggenheim Energy & Income Fund (Trustee) (2015 - 2023).
CAROLYN M. CLANCY c/o SSGA Active Trust One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 1960	Independent Trustee	Term Unlimited Served: since October 2022	Retired. Executive Vice President, Head of Strategy, Analytics and Market Readiness, Fidelity Investments (April 2020 – June 2021); Executive Vice President, Head of Broker Dealer Business, Fidelity Investments (July 2017 – March 2020).	147	Assumption University (Trustee) (2011 – 2021) and (2022 – present); Big Sister Association of Greater Boston (Director) (2016 – 2023).
KRISTI L. ROWSELL c/o SSGA Active Trust One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 1966	Independent Trustee	Term Unlimited Served: since October 2022	Partner and President, Harris Associates (2010 – 2021).	147	Harris Oakmark ETF Trust (1 portfolio) (Trustee) 2024-present); Harris Associates Investment Trust (8 portfolios) (Trustee) (2010 – present); Board of Governors, Investment Company Institute (Member) (2018 – present); Habitat for Humanity Chicago (Director) (2015 – present).
JAMES E. ROSS* c/o SSGA Active Trust One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 1965	Independent Trustee	Term: Unlimited Served: since April 2010	President, Winnisquam Capital LLC (December 2022 – present); Non-Executive Chairman, Fusion Acquisition Corp II	169	Investment Managers Series Trust (50 Portfolios) (2022 – present); The Select Sector SPDR Trust (11 portfolios) (2005 –

Name, Address and Year of Birth	Position(s) With Funds	Term of Office and Length of Time Served	Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years	Number of Portfolios in Fund Complex Overseen by Trustee†	Other Directorships Held by Trustee During Past Five Years
			(February 2020 – present); Non-Executive Chairman, Fusion Acquisition Corp. (June 2020 – September 2021); Retired Chairman and Director, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (2005 – March 2020); Retired Executive Vice President, State Street Investment Management (2012 – March 2020); Retired Chief Executive Officer and Manager, State Street Global Advisors Funds Distributors, LLC (May 2017 – March 2020).		present); SSGA SPDR ETFs Europe I plc (Director) (2016 – 2020); SSGA SPDR ETFs Europe II plc (Director) (2016 – 2020); State Street Navigator Securities Lending Trust (2016 – 2020); SSGA Funds (2014 – 2020); State Street Institutional Investment Trust (2007 –2020); State Street Master Funds (2007 –2020).
INTERESTED TRUSTEE
JEANNE LAPORTA** c/o SSGA Active Trust One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 1965	Interested Trustee	Term Unlimited Served: since November 2024	Chair and Director, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (October 2024 – Present); Senior Managing Director, State Street Investment Management (August 2024 – Present); Chief Administrative Officer at ClearAlpha Technologies LP (FinTech startup) (January 2021 – August 2024); Senior Managing Director at State Street Investment Management (July 2016 – 2021); Manager of State Street Global Advisors Funds Distributors, LLC (May 2017 – 2021); Director of SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (March 2020 - 2021); President of State Street Institutional Funds and State Street Variable Insurance Series Funds, Inc. (April 2014 – March 2020).	227	Interested Trustee, Select Sector SPDR Trust (November 2024-present). Interested Trustee/ Director of Elfun Diversified Fund, Elfun Government Money Market Fund, Elfun Income Fund, Elfun International Equity Fund, Elfun Tax-Exempt Income Fund, Elfun Trusts, State Street Navigator Securities Lending Trust, SSGA Funds, State Street Variable Insurance Series Funds, Inc., State Street Master Funds, and State Street Institutional Investment Trust (January 2025 – present). Interested Trustee, Elfun Government Money Market Fund, Elfun Tax-Exempt Income Fund, Elfun Income Fund, Elfun Diversified Fund, Elfun International Equity Fund, and Elfun Trusts (2016 – 2021).

†

For the purpose of determining the number of portfolios overseen by the Trustees, “Fund Complex” comprises registered investment companies for which SSGA Funds Management, Inc. serves as investment adviser, which includes series of SPDR Series Trust, SSGA Active Trust and SPDR Index Shares Funds.

Mr. Ross previously served as an Interested Trustee from November 2005 to December 2009 and from April 2010 to May 2024. He became an Independent Trustee on May 16, 2024.

Ms. LaPorta is an Interested Trustee because of her positions with the Adviser.

OFFICERS

Name, Address and Year of Birth	Position(s) With Funds	Term of Office and Length of Time Served	Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
ANN M. CARPENTER SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 1966	President and Principal Executive Officer; Deputy Treasurer	Term: Unlimited Served: since May 2023 (with respect to President and Principal Executive Officer); Term: Unlimited Served: since February 2016 (with respect to Deputy Treasurer)	Chief Operating Officer, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (April 2005 - present); Managing Director, State Street Investment Management (April 2005 - present).
BRUCE S. ROSENBERG SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 1961	Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer	Term: Unlimited Served: since February 2016	Managing Director, State Street Investment Management and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (July 2015 - present).
CHAD C. HALLETT SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 1969	Deputy Treasurer	Term: Unlimited Served: since February 2016	Vice President, State Street Investment Management and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (November 2014 - present).
ANDREW J. DELORME SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 1975	Chief Legal Officer	Term: Unlimited Served: since February 2024	Managing Director and Managing Counsel, State Street Investment Management (March 2023 - present); Counsel, K&L Gates (February 2021 - March 2023); Vice President and Senior Counsel, State Street Investment Management (August 2014 - February 2021).
DAVID URMAN SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 1985	Secretary	Term: Unlimited Served: since August 2019	Vice President and Senior Counsel, State Street Investment Management (April 2019 - present).
DAVID BARR SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 1974	Assistant Secretary	Term: Unlimited Served: since November 2020	Vice President and Senior Counsel, State Street Investment Management (October 2019 - present).
E. GERARD MAIORANA, JR. SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 1971	Assistant Secretary	Term: Unlimited Served: since May 2023	Assistant Vice President, State Street Investment Management (July 2014 - present).
DARLENE ANDERSON-VASQUEZ SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 1968	Deputy Treasurer	Term: Unlimited Served: since November 2016	Managing Director, State Street Investment Management and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (May 2016 - present).
ARTHUR A. JENSEN SSGA Funds Management, Inc. 1600 Summer Street Stamford, CT 06905 1966	Deputy Treasurer	Term: Unlimited Served: since August 2017	Vice President, State Street Investment Management and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (July 2016 - present).
DAVID LANCASTER SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 1971	Assistant Treasurer	Term: Unlimited Served: since November 2020	Vice President, State Street Investment Management and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (July 2017 - present).*

Name, Address and Year of Birth	Position(s) With Funds	Term of Office and Length of Time Served	Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
JOHN BETTENCOURT SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 1976	Assistant Treasurer	Term: Unlimited Served: since May 2022	Vice President, State Street Investment Management and SSGA Funds Management Inc. (March 2020 – present).
VEDRAN VUKOVIC SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 1985	Assistant Treasurer	Term: Unlimited Served: since February 2024	Vice President, State Street Investment Management (2023 – present); Assistant Vice President, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (2011 – 2023).
BRIAN HARRIS SSGA Funds Management, Inc. One Iron Street Boston, MA 02210 1973	Chief Compliance Officer; Anti-Money Laundering Officer; Code of Ethics Compliance Officer	Term: Unlimited Served: since November 2013	Managing Director, State Street Investment Management and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (June 2013 - present); Chief Compliance Officer, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (June 2023 – Present).*

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

INDIVIDUAL TRUSTEE QUALIFICATIONS

The Board has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve on the Board because of his or her ability to review and understand information about the Funds provided to him or her by management, to identify and request other information he or she may deem relevant to the performance of his or her duties, to question management and other service providers regarding material factors bearing on the management and administration of the Funds, and to exercise his or her business judgment in a manner that serves the best interests of each Fund's shareholders. The Board has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve as a Trustee based on his or her own experience, qualifications, attributes and skills as described below.

The Board has concluded that Mr. Churchill should serve as Trustee because of the experience he gained serving as the Head of the Fixed Income Division of one of the nation's leading mutual fund companies and provider of financial services, his knowledge of the financial services industry and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust since April 2010.

The Board has concluded that Mr. Verboncoeur should serve as Trustee because of the experience he gained serving as the Chief Executive Officer of a large financial services and investment management company, his knowledge of the financial services industry and his experience serving on the boards of other investment companies, including SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust since April 2010.

The Board has concluded that Ms. Richer should serve as Trustee because of the experience she gained serving as the Chief Financial Officer of a large financial services and investment management company, her knowledge of the financial services industry and her experience serving on the board of a major educational institution. Ms. Richer was appointed to serve as Trustee of the Trust in July 2018 and elected to serve as Trustee of the Trust in October 2022.

The Board has concluded that Ms. Sponem should serve as Trustee because of the experience she gained serving as the Chief Financial Officer of a large financial services company, her knowledge of the financial services industry and her experience serving on the boards of other investment companies. Ms. Sponem was appointed to serve as Trustee of the Trust in July 2018 and elected to serve as Trustee of the Trust in October 2022.

The Board has concluded that Ms. Clancy should serve as Trustee because of the experience she gained serving as an Executive Vice President of a large financial services company, her knowledge of the financial services industry and her experience serving on the boards of a major educational institution and a charitable foundation. Ms. Clancy was elected to serve as Trustee of the Trust in October 2022.

The Board has concluded that Ms. Rowsell should serve as Trustee because of the experience she gained serving as the President and Chief Financial Officer of a large financial services company, her knowledge of the financial services industry and her experience serving on the boards of a financial services company, a leading association representing regulated investment funds and a charitable foundation. Ms. Clancy was elected to serve as Trustee of the Trust in October 2022.

The Board has concluded that Mr. Ross should serve as Trustee because of the experience he has gained in his various roles with the Adviser, his knowledge of the financial services industry, and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust since 2005 (Mr. Ross did not serve as Trustee of SPDR Index Shares Funds or SPDR Series Trust from December 2009 until April 2010).

The Board has concluded that Ms. LaPorta should serve as Trustee because of the experience she has gained in her various roles with the Adviser and her knowledge of the financial services industry. Ms. LaPorta was appointed to serve as Trustee of the Trust in November 2024.

In its periodic assessment of the effectiveness of the Board, the Board considers the complementary individual skills and experience of the individual Trustees primarily in the broader context of the Board's overall composition so that the Board, as a body, possesses the appropriate (and appropriately diverse) skills and experience to oversee the business of the Funds.

REMUNERATION OF THE TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

The Trust, SPDR Series Trust and SPDR Index Shares Funds (together with the Trust, the “Trusts”) pay, in the aggregate, each Trustee (other than Ms. LaPorta) an annual fee of $300,000 plus $15,000 per in-person meeting attended and $2,500 for each telephonic or video conference meeting attended. The Chairman of the Board receives an additional annual fee of $115,000 and the Chairman of the Audit Committee receives an additional annual fee of $40,000. The Trusts also reimburse each Trustee (other than Ms. LaPorta) for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by him/her in connection with attending such meetings and in connection with attending industry seminars and meetings. Trustee fees are allocated between the Trusts and each of their respective series in such a manner as deemed equitable, taking into consideration the relative net assets of the series. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2025, no officer of the Trust received compensation in excess of $60,000 from the Trust. Additionally, no Trustee or officer of the Trust is entitled to any pension or retirement benefits from the Trust.

The table below shows the compensation that the Trustees received during the Funds' fiscal year ended August 31, 2025.

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 (1)
Independent Trustees:
Carl G. Verboncoeur	$15,662	$0	$0	$497,500
Dwight D. Churchill	$13,093	$0	$0	$415,833
Clare S. Richer	$12,042	$0	$0	$382,500
Sandra G. Sponem	$12,252	$0	$0	$389,167
Carolyn M. Clancy	$12,042	$0	$0	$382,500
Kristi L. Roswell	$12,042	$0	$0	$382,500
James E. Ross	$12,042	$0	$0	$382,500
Interested Trustee:
Jeanne LaPorta(2)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

(1)

The Fund Complex includes SPDR Series Trust, SSGA Active Trust and SPDR Index Shares Funds.

(2)

Not compensated by the Trust due to Ms. LaPorta's position with the Adviser. Ms. LaPorta was appointed to serve as an Interested Trustee on November 7, 2024.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Audit Committee: The Board has an Audit Committee consisting of all the Independent Trustees. Ms. Sponem serves as Chair. The Audit Committee meets with the Trust's independent auditors to review and approve the scope and results of their professional services; to review the procedures for evaluating the adequacy of the Trust's accounting controls; to consider the range of audit fees; and to make recommendations to the Board regarding the engagement of the Trust's independent auditors. The Audit Committee met four (4) times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2025.

Trustee Committee: The Board has established a Trustee Committee consisting of all the Independent Trustees. Mr. Churchill serves as Chairman. The responsibilities of the Trustee Committee are to: 1) nominate Independent Trustees; 2) review on a periodic basis the governance structures and procedures of the Funds; 3) review proposed resolutions and conflicts of interest that may arise in the business of the Funds and may have an impact on the investors of the Funds; 4) select any independent counsel of the Independent Trustees as well as make determinations as to that counsel's independence; 5) review matters that are referred to the Committee by the Chief Legal Officer or other counsel to the Trust; and 6) provide general oversight of the Funds on behalf of the investors of the Funds. The Trustee Committee does not have specific procedures in place with respect to the consideration of nominees recommended by security holders, but may consider such nominees in the event that one is recommended. The Trustee Committee met four (4) times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2025.

OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES

As of December 31, 2024, neither the Independent Trustees nor their immediate family members owned beneficially or of record any securities in the Adviser, Principal Underwriter or any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser or Principal Underwriter.

The following table shows, as of December 31, 2024, the amount of equity securities beneficially owned by the Trustees in the Trust.

Name of Trustee	Fund	Dollar Range of Equity Securities in the Trust	Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All Funds Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies(1)
Independent Trustees:
Carl G. Verboncoeur	None	None	$50,001-$100,000
Dwight D. Churchill	SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF	Over $100,000	Over $100,000
Clare S. Richer	SPDR DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF	$50,001 - $100,000	Over $100,000
	SPDR Galaxy Digital Asset Ecosystem ETF	$10,001 - $50,000
Sandra G. Sponem	SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF	$50,001 - $100,000	Over $100,000
Carolyn M. Clancy	SPDR Blackstone High Income ETF	$10,001 - $50,000	Over $100,000
	SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF	$10,001 - $50,000
	SPDR Galaxy Transformative Tech Accelerators ETF	$10,001 - $50,000
Kristi L. Rowsell	SPDR DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF	$50,001 - $100,000	Over $100,000
James E. Ross	SPDR Blackstone High Income ETF	Over $100,000	Over $100,000
Interested Trustee:
Jeanne LaPorta	None	None	None

(1) The family of investment companies includes series of SSGA Active Trust, SPDR Series Trust and SPDR Index Shares Funds.

CODES OF ETHICS

The Trust, the Adviser (which includes applicable reporting personnel of the Distributor) each have adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act, which is designed to prevent affiliated persons of the Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor 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). Each Code of Ethics permits personnel, subject to that Code of Ethics, to invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, subject to certain limitations, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds.

There can be no assurance that the Codes of Ethics will be effective in preventing such activities. Each Code of Ethics, filed as exhibits to this registration statement, may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C. or on the Internet at the SEC's website at https://www.sec.gov.

PROXY VOTING POLICIES

The Board has delegated the responsibility to vote proxies on securities held by the Funds to the Adviser for all Funds, 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 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 acquiring Bank Securities on behalf of a Fund. 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 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' website at www.statestreet.com/im; and (3) on the SEC's website at https://www.sec.gov.

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS POLICY

The Trust has adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of information about the Trust's portfolio holdings. The Board must approve all material amendments to this policy. The Funds' portfolio holdings are publicly disseminated each day a Fund is open for business through financial reporting and news services including publicly accessible Internet web sites. In addition, a basket composition file, which includes the security names and share quantities to deliver in exchange for Shares, together with estimates and actual cash components, is publicly disseminated daily prior to the opening of the Exchange via the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”). The basket represents one Creation Unit of a Fund. The Trust, the Adviser or State Street will not disseminate non-public information concerning the Trust, except information may be made available prior to its public availability: (i) to a party for a legitimate business purpose related to the day-to-day operations of the Funds, including (a) a service provider, (b) the stock exchanges upon which an ETF is listed, (c) the NSCC, (d) the Depository Trust Company, and (e) financial data/research companies such as Morningstar, Bloomberg L.P., and Reuters, or (ii) to any other party for a legitimate business or regulatory purpose, upon waiver or exception, with the consent of an applicable Trust officer.

Investment Advisory and Other Services

THE INVESTMENT ADVISER

SSGA FM acts as investment adviser to the Trust and, subject to the oversight of the Board, is responsible for the investment management of each Fund. As of June 30, 2025, the Adviser managed approximately $1.17 trillion in assets. The Adviser's principal address is One Iron Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. The Adviser, a Massachusetts corporation, 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 Investment Management, consisting of the Adviser and other investment advisory affiliates of State Street Corporation, is the investment management arm of State Street Corporation.

The Adviser serves as investment adviser to each Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (“Investment Advisory Agreement”) between the Trust and the Adviser. The Investment Advisory Agreement, with respect to each Fund, continues in effect for two years from its effective date, and thereafter is subject to annual approval by (1) the Board or (2) vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, provided that in either event such continuance also is approved by a majority of the Board who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to each Fund is terminable without penalty, on 60 days' notice, by the Board or by a vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of a Fund's outstanding voting securities. The Investment Advisory Agreement is also terminable upon 90 days' notice by the Adviser and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser, subject to the oversight of the Board and in conformity with the stated investment policies of each Fund, manages the investment of each Fund's assets. The Adviser is responsible for placing purchase and sale orders and providing continuous supervision of the investment portfolio of each Fund. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is not liable for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the federal securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from (a) willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties; (b) the reckless disregard of its obligations and duties; or (c) a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services.

For the services provided to the Funds under the Investment Advisory Agreement, each Fund pays the Adviser monthly fees based on a percentage of each Fund's average daily net assets as set forth in each Fund's Prospectus. With respect to each Fund, the management fee is reduced by any acquired fund fees and expenses attributable to the Funds' investments in other investment companies (except acquired fund fees and expenses associated with holdings of acquired funds for cash management purposes). The Adviser pays all expenses of each Fund other than the management fee,

acquired fund fees and expenses associated with holdings of acquired funds for cash management purposes, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees (including any Trustee's counsel fees), litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses. The Adviser may, from time to time, waive all or a portion of its fee. The Adviser has agreed to pay all costs associated with the organization of the Trust and each Fund.

A summary of the factors considered by the Board in connection with the initial approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement for the Funds will be available in the Fund's Form N-CSR filing with the SEC after the Funds commence operations.

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.

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

The Adviser manages the Funds using a team of investment professionals. The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the SPDR SSGA My2035 Corporate Bond ETF are Sprague Rient and John Mele. The professionals primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF are Arthur Aaronson and Stella DeLucia.

The following table lists the number and types of accounts managed by each of the key professionals involved in the day-to-day portfolio management for the Funds and assets under management in those accounts. The total number of accounts and assets have been allocated to each respective manager. Therefore, some accounts and assets have been counted twice.

Other Accounts Managed as of June 30, 2025

Portfolio Manager	Registered Investment Company Accounts	Assets Managed (billions)*	Other Pooled Investment Vehicle Accounts	Assets Managed (billions)*	Other Accounts	Assets Managed (billions)*	Total Assets Managed (billions)
Sprague Rient	19	$2.58	4	$0.88	19	$12.66	$16.12
John Mele	19	$2.58	4	$0.88	19	$12.66	$16.12
Stella DeLucia	19	$2.58	4	$0.88	19	$12.66	$16.12
Arthur Aaronson	19	$2.58	4	$0.88	19	$12.66	$16.12

There are no performance-based fees associated with these accounts.

The Funds had not commenced operations prior to the date of this SAI and therefore the portfolio managers did not beneficially own any Shares.

Conflicts of Interest. A portfolio manager that has responsibility for managing more than one account may be subject to potential conflicts of interest because he or she is responsible for other accounts in addition to the Funds. Those conflicts could include preferential treatment of one account over others in terms of: (a) the portfolio manager's execution of different investment strategies for various accounts; or (b) the allocation of resources or of investment opportunities.

Portfolio managers may manage numerous accounts for multiple clients. These accounts may include registered investment companies, other types of pooled accounts (e.g., collective investment funds), and separate accounts (i.e., accounts managed on behalf of individuals or public or private institutions). Portfolio managers make investment decisions for each account based on the investment objectives and policies and other relevant investment considerations applicable to that portfolio. A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of a portfolio manager's responsibility for multiple accounts with similar investment guidelines. Under these circumstances, a potential investment may be suitable for more than one of the portfolio manager's accounts, but the quantity of the investment available for purchase is less than the aggregate amount the accounts would ideally allocate to the opportunity. Similar conflicts may arise when multiple accounts seek to dispose of the same investment. The portfolio managers may also manage accounts whose objectives and policies differ from that of the Funds. These differences may be such that under certain circumstances, trading activity appropriate for one account managed by the portfolio manager may have adverse consequences for another account managed by the portfolio manager. For example, an account may sell a significant position in a security, which could cause the market price of that security to decrease, while a Fund maintained its position in that security.

A potential conflict may arise when the portfolio managers are responsible for accounts that have different advisory fees—the difference in fees could create an incentive for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another, for example, in terms of access to investment opportunities. This conflict may be heightened if an account is subject to a performance-

based fee, as applicable. Another potential conflict may arise when the portfolio manager has a personal investment in one or more accounts that participate in transactions with other accounts. His or her personal investment(s) may create an incentive for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to address these potential material conflicts. For instance, portfolio managers are normally responsible for all accounts within a certain investment discipline and do not, absent special circumstances, differentiate among the various accounts when allocating resources. Additionally, the Adviser and its advisory affiliates have processes and procedures for allocating investment opportunities among portfolios that are designed to provide a fair and equitable allocation. With respect to conflicts arising from personal investments, all employees, including portfolio managers, must comply with personal trading controls established by each of the Adviser's and Trust's Code of Ethics.

Compensation. State Street Investment Management's culture is complemented and reinforced by a total rewards strategy that is based on a pay for performance philosophy which seeks to offer a competitive pay mix of base salary, benefits, cash incentives and deferred compensation.

Salary is based on a number of factors, including external benchmarking data and market trends, and performance both at the business and individual level. State Street Investment Management's Global Human Resources department regularly participates in compensation surveys in order to provide State Street Investment Management with market-based compensation information that helps support individual pay decisions.

Additionally, subject to State Street and State Street Investment Management business results, an incentive pool is allocated to State Street Investment Management to reward its employees. The size of the incentive pool for most business units is based on the firm's overall profitability and other factors, including performance against risk-related goals. For most State Street Investment Management investment teams, State Street Investment Management recognizes and rewards performance by linking annual incentive decisions for investment teams to the firm's or business unit's profitability and business unit investment performance over a multi-year period.

Incentive pool funding for most active investment teams is driven in part by the post-tax investment performance of fund(s) managed by the team versus the return levels of the benchmark index(es) of the fund(s) on a one-, three- and, in some cases, five-year basis. For most active investment teams, a material portion of incentive compensation for senior staff is deferred over a four-year period into the State Street Investment Management Long-Term Incentive (“State Street Investment Management LTI”) program. For these teams, the State Street Investment Management LTI program indexes the performance of these deferred awards against the post-tax investment performance of fund(s) managed by the team. This is intended to align our investment team's compensation with client interests, both through annual incentive compensation awards and through the long-term value of deferred awards in the State Street Investment Management LTI program.

The discretionary allocation of the incentive pool to the business units within State Street Investment Management is influenced by market-based compensation data, as well as the overall performance of each business unit. Individual compensation decisions are made by the employee's manager, in conjunction with the senior management of the employee's business unit. These decisions are based on the overall performance of the employee and, as mentioned above, on the performance of the firm and business unit. Depending on the job level, a portion of the annual incentive may be awarded in deferred compensation, which may include cash and/or Deferred Stock Awards (State Street stock), which typically vest over a four-year period. This helps to retain staff and further aligns State Street Investment Management employees' interests with State Street Investment Management clients' and shareholders' long-term interests.

State Street Investment Management recognizes and rewards outstanding performance by:

•Promoting employee ownership to connect employees directly to the company's success.

•Using rewards to reinforce mission, vision, values and business strategy.

•Seeking to recognize and preserve the firm's unique culture and team orientation.

•Providing all employees the opportunity to share in the success of State Street Investment Management.

THE ADMINISTRATOR, SUB-ADMINISTRATOR, CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT

Administrator: SSGA FM serves as the administrator to each series of the Trust, pursuant to an Administration Agreement dated June 1, 2015 (the “SSGA FM Administration Agreement”). Pursuant to the SSGA FM Administration Agreement, SSGA FM is obligated to continuously provide business management services to the Trust and its series and will generally, subject to the general oversight of the Trustees and except as otherwise provided in the SSGA FM Administration Agreement, manage all of the business and affairs of the Trust.

Sub-Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent: State Street serves as the sub-administrator to each series of the Trust, pursuant to a Sub-Administration Agreement dated June 1, 2015 (the “Sub-Administration Agreement”). Under the Sub-Administration Agreement, State Street is obligated to provide certain administrative services to the Trust and its series. 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 One Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114.

State Street also serves as Custodian for the Trust's series pursuant to a custodian agreement (“Custodian Agreement”). As Custodian, State Street holds Fund assets, calculates the net asset value of the Shares and calculates net income and realized capital gains or losses. State Street and the Trust will comply with the self-custodian provisions of Rule 17f-2 under the 1940 Act.

State Street also serves as Transfer Agent for each series of the Trust pursuant to a transfer agency agreement (“Transfer Agency Agreement”).

Compensation: As compensation for its services provided under the SSGA Administration Agreement, SSGA FM shall receive fees for the services, calculated based on the average aggregate net assets of the Trust, which are accrued daily and paid monthly out of its management fee.

As compensation for its services under the Sub-Administration Agreement, Custodian Agreement and Transfer Agency Agreement, State Street shall receive an annual fixed fee per Fund. In addition, State Street shall receive global safekeeping and transaction fees, which are calculated on a per-country basis, in-kind creation (purchase) and redemption transaction fees (as described below) and revenue on certain cash balances. State Street may be reimbursed by the series of the Trust for its out-of-pocket expenses. The Investment Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser will pay certain operating expenses of the Trust, including the fees due to State Street under the Custodian Agreement and the Transfer Agency Agreement.

Additional Sub-Administration Services: Also under the Sub-Administration Agreement, State Street receives: (i) an annual per Fund fee for certain services required in the preparation (including preparing a schedule of quarterly portfolio investments) and filing of Form N-PORT and Form N-CEN with the SEC (“N-PORT Related Services”); (ii) an annual per Fund fee for services regarding certain liquidity analytics (“Liquidity Risk Measurement Services”) under the Sub-Administration Agreement; and (iii) an annual per Fund fee for certain services related to the preparation of tailored shareholder reports (“Tailored Shareholder Report Services”). N-PORT Related Services, Liquidity Risk Measurement Services, and Tailored Shareholder Report Services fees are paid by the Adviser from its management fee.

THE DISTRIBUTOR

State Street Global Advisors Funds Distributors, LLC serves as the principal underwriter and Distributor of Shares. Its principal address is One Iron Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. Investor information can be obtained by calling 1-866-787-2257. The Distributor has entered into a distribution agreement (“Distribution Agreement”) with the Trust pursuant to which it distributes Shares of each Fund. The Distribution Agreement will continue for two years from its effective date and is renewable annually thereafter. Shares will be continuously offered for sale by the Trust through the Distributor only in Creation Units, as described in the Prospectus and below under “PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS.” Shares in less than Creation Units are not distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor will deliver the Prospectus to persons purchasing Creation Units and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). The Distributor has no role in determining the investment policies of the Trust or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Trust. An affiliate of the Distributor may assist Authorized Participants (as defined below) in assembling shares to purchase Creation Units or upon redemption, for which it may receive commissions or other fees from such Authorized Participants. An affiliate of the Distributor also receives compensation from State Street for providing on-line creation and redemption functionality to Authorized Participants through its Fund Connect application.

The Adviser or Distributor, or an affiliate of the Adviser or Distributor, may directly or indirectly make cash payments to certain broker-dealers for participating in activities that are designed to make registered representatives and other professionals more knowledgeable about exchange-traded products, including the SPDR funds, or for other activities, such as participation in marketing activities and presentations, educational training programs, conferences, the development of technology platforms and reporting systems.

In addition, as of the date of this SAI, the Adviser and/or Distributor had arrangements whereby they may make payments, other than for the educational programs and marketing activities described above, to Pershing LLC (“Pershing”), RBC Capital Markets, LLC (“RBC”), LPL Financial, LLC (“LPL”), and Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, LLC. These amounts, which may be significant, are paid by the Adviser and/or Distributor from their own resources and not from Fund assets. Pursuant to these arrangements, Pershing, RBC and LPL have agreed to offer certain SPDR funds to their customers and not to charge certain of their customers any commissions when those customers purchase or sell shares of certain SPDR funds. Payments to a broker-dealer or intermediary may create potential conflicts of interest between the broker dealer or intermediary and its clients.

In addition, the Adviser or Distributor, or an affiliate of the Adviser or Distributor, may reimburse expenses or make payments from their own assets to other persons in consideration of services, provision of data, or other activities that they believe may benefit the SPDR business or facilitate investment in SPDR funds.

The Distribution Agreement provides that it may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, as to a Fund: (i) by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or (ii) by vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, on at least 60 days' written notice to the Distributor. The Distribution Agreement is also terminable upon 60 days' notice by the Distributor and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

The continuation of the Distribution Agreement and any other related agreements is subject to annual approval of the Board, including by a majority of the Independent Trustees, as described above.

The Distributor may also enter into agreements with securities dealers (“Soliciting Dealers”) who will solicit purchases of Creation Unit aggregations of Shares. Such Soliciting Dealers may also be Participating Parties (as defined in the “Book Entry Only System” section below) and/or DTC Participants (as defined below).

Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Trust has agreed to indemnify the Distributor, and may indemnify Soliciting Dealers and Authorized Participants (as described below) entering into agreements with the Distributor, for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the federal securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Distribution Agreement or other agreement, as applicable.

Brokerage Transactions

All portfolio transactions are placed on behalf of the Funds 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.

The Funds had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI and therefore did not pay brokerage commissions during the past three fiscal years.

Securities of “Regular Broker-Dealers”: The Trust is required to identify any securities of its “regular brokers and dealers” (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) which it may hold at the close of its most recent fiscal year. “Regular brokers or dealers” of the Trust are the ten brokers or dealers that, during the most recent fiscal year: (i) received the greatest dollar amounts of brokerage commissions from the Trust's portfolio transactions; (ii) engaged as principal in the largest dollar amounts of portfolio transactions of the Trust; or (iii) sold the largest dollar amounts of the Trust's shares.

The Fund had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI and therefore did not have any holdings in Securities of Regular Broker-Dealers as of August 31, 2025.

Portfolio Turnover: Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year, as well as within a year. High turnover rates are also likely to result in comparatively greater brokerage expenses or transaction costs. The overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions and transaction costs is evaluated by the Adviser based upon its knowledge of available information as to the general level of commissions and transaction costs paid by other institutional investors for comparable services.

Book Entry Only System

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION.”

The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) acts as securities depositary for the Shares. Shares of each Fund are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC. Except in the limited circumstance provided below, certificates will not be issued for Shares.

DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of its participants (the “DTC Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (the “Indirect Participants”).

Beneficial ownership of Shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in Shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “Beneficial Owners”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of Shares.

Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement between the Trust and DTC, DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of the Shares of each Fund held by each DTC Participant. The Trust, either directly or through a third party service, shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding Shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust, either directly or through a third party service, shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant and/or third party service a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Share distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all Shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall credit immediately DTC Participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in Shares of a Fund as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of Shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.

The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspects of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such Shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants.

DTC may determine to discontinue providing its service with respect to Shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action either to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost or, if such a replacement is unavailable, to issue and deliver printed certificates representing ownership of Shares, unless the Trust makes other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the Exchange.

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.

An Authorized Participant (as defined below) may hold of record more than 25% of the outstanding Shares of a Fund. From time to time, Authorized Participants may be a beneficial and/or legal owner of the Funds, may be deemed to have control of the Fund and may be able to affect the outcome of matters presented for a vote of the shareholders of the Funds. Authorized Participants may execute an irrevocable proxy granting the Distributor, State Street or an affiliate (the “Agent”) power to vote or abstain from voting such Authorized Participant's beneficially or legally owned Shares of the applicable Fund. In such cases, the Agent shall mirror vote (or abstain from voting) such Shares in the same proportion as all other beneficial owners of the Fund.

The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, as a group, owned less than 1% of the Trust's voting securities as of the date of this SAI.

Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units

Each Fund issues and redeems its Shares on a continuous basis, at net asset value, only in a large specified number of Shares called a “Creation Unit.” The value of each Fund is determined once each business day as described under “Determination of Net Asset Value.” The Creation Unit size for a Fund may change. Authorized Participants (as defined below) will be notified of such change. The principal consideration for creations and redemptions for each Fund is in-kind, although this may be revised at any time without notice.

PURCHASE (CREATION)

The Trust issues and sells Shares of each Fund only: in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Principal Underwriter, without a sales load (but subject to transaction fees), at their NAV per share next determined after receipt of an order, on any Business Day (as defined below), in proper form pursuant to the terms of the Authorized Participant Agreement (“Participant Agreement”). A “Business Day” with respect to a Fund is, generally, any day on which the NYSE is open for business, with the exception of Veterans Day and Columbus Day.

FUND DEPOSIT

The consideration for purchase of a Creation Unit of a Fund generally consists of either (i) the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component (defined below), computed as described below or (ii) the cash value of the Deposit Securities and the “Cash Component,” computed as described below. When accepting purchases of Creation Units for cash, a Fund may incur additional costs associated with the acquisition of Deposit Securities that would otherwise be provided by an in-kind purchaser.

Together, the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which represents the minimum initial and subsequent investment amount for a Creation Unit of a Fund. The “Cash Component,” which may include a Dividend Equivalent Payment, is an amount equal to the difference between the net asset value of the Shares (per Creation Unit) and the market value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable. The “Dividend Equivalent Payment” enables a Fund to make a complete distribution of dividends on the day preceding the next dividend payment date, and is an amount equal, on a per Creation Unit basis, to the dividends on all the portfolio securities of the Fund (“Dividend Securities”) with ex-dividend dates within the accumulation period for such distribution (the “Accumulation Period”), net of expenses and liabilities for such period, as if all of the Dividend Securities had been held by the Fund for the entire Accumulation Period. The Accumulation Period begins on the ex-dividend date for each Fund and ends on the day preceding the next ex-dividend date. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the net asset value per Creation Unit exceeds the market value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable), the Cash Component shall be such positive amount. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the net asset value per Creation Unit is less than the market value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable), the Cash Component shall be such negative amount and the creator will be entitled to receive cash in an amount equal to the Cash Component. The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the net asset value per Creation Unit and the market value of the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable. Computation of the Cash Component excludes any stamp duty or other similar fees and expenses payable upon transfer of beneficial ownership of the Deposit Securities, if applicable, which shall be the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant (as defined below).

The Custodian, through NSCC, makes available on each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time), the list of the names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security or the required amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, to be included in the current standard Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for a Fund. Such standard Fund Deposit is subject to any applicable adjustments as described below, in order to effect purchases of Creation Units of a Fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit Securities or the required amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, is made available.

The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities or the amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, required for a Fund Deposit for each Fund may be changed from time to time with a view to the investment objective of the Fund. Information regarding the Fund Deposit necessary for the purchase of a Creation Unit is made available to Authorized Participants and other market participants seeking to transact in Creation Unit aggregations.

As noted above, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of Deposit Cash to replace any Deposit Security, which shall be added to the Cash Component, including, without limitation, in situations where the Deposit Security: (i) may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery, (ii) may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC for corporate securities and municipal securities; (iii) may not be eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant (as defined below) or the investor for which it is acting; (iv) would be restricted under the securities laws or where the delivery of the Deposit Security to the Authorized Participant would result in the disposition of the Deposit Security by the Authorized Participant becoming restricted under the securities laws, or (v) in certain other situations (collectively, “non-standard orders”). The Trust also reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of Deposit Securities in lieu of Deposit Cash. The adjustments described above will reflect changes, known to the Adviser on the date of announcement to be in effect by the time of delivery of the Fund Deposit, resulting from certain corporate actions.

PROCEDURES FOR PURCHASE OF CREATION UNITS

To be eligible to place orders with the Principal Underwriter, as facilitated via the Transfer Agent, to purchase a Creation Unit of a Fund, an entity must be (i) a “Participating Party”, i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (the “Clearing Process”), a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC; or (ii) a DTC Participant (see “Book Entry Only System”). In addition, each Participating Party or DTC Participant (each, an “Authorized Participant”) must execute a Participant Agreement that has been agreed to by the Principal Underwriter and the Transfer Agent, and that has been accepted by the Trust, with respect to purchases and redemptions of Creation Units. Each Authorized Participant will agree, pursuant to the terms of a Participant Agreement, on behalf of itself or any investor on whose behalf it will act, to certain conditions, including that it will pay to the Trust, an amount of cash sufficient to pay the Cash Component together with the creation transaction fee (described below) and any other applicable fees, taxes and additional variable charge.

All orders to purchase Shares directly from a Fund, including non-standard orders, must be placed for one or more Creation Units and in the manner and by the time set forth in the Participant Agreement and/or the applicable order form. The date on which an order to purchase Creation Units (or an order to redeem Creation Units, as set forth below) is received and accepted is referred to as the “Order Placement Date.”

An Authorized Participant may require an investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order (e.g., to provide for payments of cash, when required). Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and that, therefore, orders to purchase Shares directly from a Fund in Creation Units have to be placed by the investor's broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. In such cases there may be additional charges to such investor. At any given time, there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement and only a small number of such Authorized Participants may have international capabilities.

On days when the Exchange or the bond markets close earlier than normal, a Fund may require orders to create Creation Units to be placed earlier in the day. In addition, if a market or markets on which a Fund's investments are primarily traded is closed, the Fund will also generally not accept orders on such day(s). Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement and in accordance with the applicable order form. Those placing orders through an Authorized Participant should allow sufficient time to permit proper submission of the purchase order by the cut-off time. Economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure may impede the ability to reach the Distributor or an Authorized Participant.

Fund Deposits must be delivered by an Authorized Participant through the Federal Reserve System (for cash and U.S. government securities), or through DTC (for corporate securities and municipal securities), through a subcustody agent (for foreign securities) and/or through such other arrangements allowed by the Trust or its agents. With respect to foreign Deposit Securities, the Custodian shall cause the subcustodian of a Fund to maintain an account into which the Authorized Participant shall deliver, on behalf of itself or the party on whose behalf it is acting, such Deposit Securities. Foreign Deposit Securities must be delivered to an account maintained at the applicable local subcustodian. The Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the Authorized Participant in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, to the account of a Fund or its agents by no later than the Settlement Date. The “Settlement Date” with respect to a creation order for a Fund is generally the first Business Day (“T+1”) after the Order Placement Date.

All questions as to the number of Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash to be delivered, as applicable, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities or cash, as applicable, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding. The amount of cash represented by the Cash Component must be transferred directly to the Custodian through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system in a timely manner so as to be received by the Custodian no later than the Settlement Date. If the Cash Component and the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, are not received in a timely manner by the Settlement Date, the creation order may be cancelled. Upon written notice to the Distributor, such canceled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using a Fund Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the then current NAV of the Fund. The delivery of Creation Units so created generally will occur no later than the first Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.

The order shall be deemed to be received on the Business Day on which the order is placed provided that the order is placed in proper form prior to the applicable cut-off time and the federal funds in the appropriate amount are deposited by 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (per applicable instructions), with the Custodian on the Settlement Date. If the order is not placed in proper form as required, or federal funds in the appropriate amount are not received by 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (per applicable instructions) on the Settlement Date, then the order may be deemed to be rejected and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Fund for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. A creation request is considered to be in “proper form” if all procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, order form and this SAI are properly followed.

Shortened settlement cycles are expected to be available, through which creation transactions can be settled on the trade date in accordance with instructions provided by the Trust and/or Distributor.

ISSUANCE OF A CREATION UNIT

Except as provided herein, Creation Units will not be issued until the transfer of good title to the Trust of the Deposit Securities or payment of Deposit Cash, as applicable, and the payment of the Cash Component have been completed. When the subcustodian has confirmed to the Custodian that the required Deposit Securities (or the cash value thereof) have been delivered to the account of the relevant subcustodian or subcustodians, the Principal Underwriter and the Adviser shall be notified of such delivery, and the Trust will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Units.

In instances where the Trust accepts Deposit Securities for the purchase of a Creation Unit, the Creation Unit may be purchased in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities as described below. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value greater than the net asset value of the Shares on the date the order is placed in proper form since in addition to available Deposit Securities, cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Cash Component, plus (ii) an additional amount of cash equal to a percentage of the market value as set forth in the Participant Agreement, of the undelivered Deposit Securities (the “Additional Cash Deposit”), which shall be maintained in a general non-interest bearing collateral account. An additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with the Trust, pending delivery of the missing Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust in an amount at least equal to the applicable percentage, as set forth in the Participant Agreement, of the daily marked to market value of the missing Deposit Securities. The Trust may use such Additional Cash Deposit to buy the missing Deposit Securities at any time. Authorized Participants will be liable to the Trust for all costs, expenses, dividends, income and taxes associated with missing Deposit Securities, including the costs incurred by the Trust in connection with any such purchases. These costs will be deemed to include the amount by which the actual purchase price of the Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such Deposit Securities on the day the purchase order was deemed received by the Principal Underwriter plus the brokerage and related transaction costs associated with such purchases. The Trust will return any unused portion of the Additional Cash Deposit once all of the missing Deposit Securities have been properly received by the Custodian or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a transaction fee as set forth below under “Creation Transaction Fees” will be charged in all cases and an additional variable charge may also be applied. The delivery of Creation Units so created generally will occur no later than the Settlement Date.

ACCEPTANCE OF ORDERS OF CREATION UNITS

The Trust reserves the right to reject an order for Creation Units transmitted in respect of a Fund at its discretion, including, without limitation, if (a) the order is not in proper form or the Deposit Securities delivered do not consist of the securities that the Custodian specified; (b) the Deposit Securities or Deposit Cash, as applicable, delivered by the Authorized Participant are not as disseminated through the facilities of the NSCC for that date by the Custodian; (c) the investor(s), upon obtaining the Shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding Shares of the Fund; (d) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (e) the acceptance or receipt of the order for a Creation Unit would, in the opinion of counsel to the Trust, be unlawful; or (f) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Custodian, the Transfer Agent, the Distributor and/or the Adviser make it for all practical purposes not feasible to process orders for Creation Units. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God or public service or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Trust, the Principal Underwriter, the Custodian, the Transfer Agent, DTC, NSCC, Federal Reserve System, or any other participant in the creation process, and other extraordinary events. The Trust or its agents shall communicate to the Authorized Participant its rejection of an order. The Trust, the Transfer Agent, the Custodian and the Principal Underwriter are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall either of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification. The Trust, the Transfer Agent, the Custodian and the Principal Underwriter shall not be liable for the rejection of any purchase order for Creation Units. Given the importance of the ongoing issuance of Creation Units to maintaining a market price that is at or close to the underlying net asset value of a Fund, the Trust does not intend to suspend acceptance of orders for Creation Units.

All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trust's determination shall be final and binding.

REDEMPTION

Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their net asset value next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by a Fund through the Transfer Agent and only on a Business Day. EXCEPT UPON LIQUIDATION OF A FUND, THE TRUST WILL NOT REDEEM SHARES IN AMOUNTS LESS THAN CREATION UNITS. Investors must accumulate enough Shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit in order to have such Shares redeemed by the Trust. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of Shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit.

With respect to each Fund, the Custodian, through the NSCC, makes available prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m. Eastern time) on each Business Day, the list of the names and share quantities of securities designated by the Fund that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as defined below) on that day (“Redemption Securities”). Redemption Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities. The identity and number of shares of the Redemption Securities or the Cash Redemption Amount (defined below) may be changed from time to time with a view to the investment objective of a Fund.

Redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit are paid either in-kind or in cash, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Trust. With respect to in-kind redemptions of a Fund, redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit will consist of Redemption Securities plus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the net asset value of the Fund Shares being redeemed, as next determined after a receipt of a request in proper form, and the value of the Redemption Securities (the “Cash Redemption Amount”), less a fixed redemption transaction fee and any applicable additional variable charge as set forth below. In the event that the Redemption Securities have a value greater than the net asset value of the Fund Shares, a compensating cash payment equal to the differential is required to be made by or through an Authorized Participant by the redeeming shareholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the Trust's discretion, an Authorized Participant may receive the corresponding cash value of the securities in lieu of the in-kind securities value representing one or more Redemption Securities.

PROCEDURES FOR REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS

Redemption proceeds from the Funds will be delivered to the redeeming Authorized Participant. The Funds may deliver redemption proceeds directly to a redeeming Authorized Participant After the Trust has deemed an order for redemption received, the Trust will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Redemption Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to the Authorized Participant by the Settlement Date. The “Settlement Date” with respect to a redemption order for the Funds is generally T+1. With respect to in-kind redemptions of the Fund, the calculation of the value of the Redemption Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered upon redemption will be made by the Custodian according to the procedures set forth under “Determination of Net Asset Value”, computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed received by the Trust. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to the Principal Underwriter by a DTC Participant by the specified time on the Order Placement Date, and the requisite number of Shares of the Funds are delivered to the Custodian prior to 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (per applicable instructions) on the Settlement Date, then the value of the Redemption Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered will be determined by the Custodian on such Order Placement Date. If the requisite number of Shares of the Funds are not delivered by 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (per applicable instructions) on the Settlement Date, the Funds will not release the underlying securities for delivery unless collateral is posted in such percentage amount of missing Shares as set forth in the Participant Agreement (marked to market daily).

With respect to in-kind redemptions of a Fund, in connection with taking delivery of shares of Redemption Securities upon redemption of Creation Units, an Authorized Participant must maintain appropriate custody arrangements with a qualified broker-dealer, bank or other custody providers in each jurisdiction in which any of the Redemption Securities are customarily traded (or such other arrangements as allowed by the Trust or its agents), to which account such Redemption Securities will be delivered. Delivery of redemption proceeds is generally T+1. The order form specifies the date at which the delivery of redemption proceeds for the specific Fund is generally expected to occur.

Due to the schedule of holidays in certain countries, however, the delivery of in-kind redemption proceeds may take longer than one Business Day after the day on which the redemption request is received in proper form. If the Authorized Participant has not made appropriate arrangements to take delivery of the Redemption Securities in the applicable foreign

jurisdiction and it is not possible to make other such arrangements, or if it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Redemption Securities in such jurisdiction, the Trust may, in its discretion, exercise its option to redeem such Shares in cash, and the Authorized Participant will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash.

If it is not possible to make other such arrangements, or if it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Redemption Securities, the Trust may in its discretion exercise its option to redeem such Shares in cash, and the redeeming investor will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that a Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit. In either case, the investor will receive a cash payment equal to the NAV of its Shares based on the NAV of Shares of the relevant Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a redemption transaction fee and additional charge for requested cash redemptions specified above, to offset the Trust's brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Redemption Securities). A Fund may also, in its sole discretion, upon request of a shareholder, provide such redeemer a portfolio of securities that differs from the exact composition of the Redemption Securities but does not differ in net asset value.

An Authorized Participant submitting a redemption request is deemed to represent to the Trust that, as of the close of the Business Day on which the redemption request was submitted, it (or its client) will own (within the meaning of Rule 200 of Regulation SHO) or has arranged to borrow for delivery to the Trust on or prior to the Settlement Date of the redemption request, the requisite number of Shares of the relevant Fund to be redeemed as a Creation Unit. In either case, the Authorized Participant is deemed to acknowledge that: (i) it (or its client) has full legal authority and legal right to tender for redemption the requisite number of Shares of the applicable Fund and to receive the entire proceeds of the redemption; and (ii) if such Shares submitted for redemption have been loaned or pledged to another party or are the subject of a repurchase agreement, securities lending agreement or any other arrangement affecting legal or beneficial ownership of such Shares being tendered, there are no restrictions precluding the tender and delivery of such Shares (including borrowed shares, if any) for redemption, free and clear of liens, on the redemption Settlement Date. The Trust reserves the right to verify these representations at its discretion, but will typically require verification with respect to a redemption request from a Fund in connection with higher levels of redemption activity and/or short interest in the Fund. If the Authorized Participant, upon receipt of a verification request, does not provide sufficient verification of its representations as determined by the Trust, the redemption request will not be considered to have been received in proper form and may be rejected by the Trust.

Redemptions of Shares for Redemption Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and each Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Units for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Redemption Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Redemption Securities under such laws. An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the Redemption Securities applicable to the redemption of Creation Units may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming investor of the Shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment. Further, an Authorized Participant that is not a “qualified institutional buyer,” (“QIB”) as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the Securities Act, will not be able to receive Redemption Securities that are restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A. An Authorized Participant may be required by the Trust to provide a written confirmation with respect to QIB status in order to receive Redemption Securities.

The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with respect to a Fund (1) for any period during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (2) for any period during which trading on the Exchange is suspended or restricted; (3) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares of the Fund or determination of the NAV of the Shares is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such other circumstance as is permitted by the SEC.

REQUIRED EARLY ACCEPTANCE OF ORDERS

Notwithstanding the foregoing, as described in the Participant Agreement and/or the applicable order form, certain Funds may require orders to be placed prior to the trade date, as described in the Participant Agreement or the applicable order form, in order to receive the trade date's net asset value. The cut-off time to receive the trade date's net asset value will not precede the calculation of the net asset value of a Fund's shares on the prior Business Day. Orders to purchase

Shares of such Funds that are submitted on the Business Day immediately preceding a holiday or a day (other than a weekend) that the equity markets in the relevant foreign market are closed may not be accepted. Authorized Participants may be notified that the cut-off time for an order may be earlier on a particular Business Day, as described in the Participant Agreement and the applicable order form.

CREATION AND REDEMPTION TRANSACTION FEES

A transaction fee, as set forth in the table below, is imposed for the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the purchase or redemption of Creation Units, as applicable. Authorized Participants will be required to pay a fixed creation transaction fee and/or a fixed redemption transaction fee, as applicable, on a given day regardless of the number of Creation Units created or redeemed on that day. A Fund may adjust the transaction fee from time to time. An additional charge or a variable charge (discussed below) will be applied to certain creation and redemption transactions, including non-standard orders and whole or partial cash purchases or redemptions. With respect to creation orders, Authorized Participants are responsible for the costs of transferring the securities constituting the Deposit Securities to the account of the Trust and with respect to redemption orders, Authorized Participants are responsible for the costs of transferring the Redemption Securities from the Trust to their account or on their order. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may also be charged a fee for such services.

Creation and Redemption Transaction Fees:

Fund	Transaction Fee, *	Maximum Transaction Fee, *
SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF	$250	$1,000
SPDR SSGA My2035 Corporate Bond ETF	$250	$1,000

From time to time, a Fund may waive all or a portion of its applicable transaction fee(s). An additional charge of up to three (3) times the standard transaction fee may be charged to the extent a transaction is outside of the clearing process.

In addition to the transaction fees listed above, the Funds may charge an additional variable fee for creations and redemptions in cash to offset brokerage and impact expenses associated with the cash transaction. The variable transaction fee will be calculated based on historical transaction cost data and the Adviser's view of current market conditions; however, the actual variable fee charged for a given transaction may be lower or higher than the trading expenses incurred by a Fund with respect to that transaction.

Determination of Net Asset Value

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the sections in the Prospectus entitled “PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION” and “ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION.”

NAV per Share for each Fund is computed by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund (i.e., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of Shares outstanding. Expenses and fees, including the management fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for purposes of determining NAV. The NAV of each Fund is calculated by State Street and determined once daily as of the close of the regular trading session on the NYSE (ordinarily 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each day that such exchange is open. Creation/redemption order cut-off times may be earlier on any day that the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (or applicable exchange or market on which a Fund's investments are traded) announces an early closing time. Any assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted into U.S. dollars at market rates on the date of valuation (generally as of 4:00 p.m. London time) as quoted by one or more sources.

In calculating a Fund's net asset value per Share, the Fund's investments are generally valued using market valuations. A market valuation generally means a valuation (i) obtained from an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or dealer) or (ii) based on a price quotation or other equivalent indication of value supplied by an exchange, a pricing service, or a major market maker (or dealer). Each Fund relies on a third-party service provider for assistance with the daily calculation of the Fund's NAV. The third-party service provider, in turn, relies on other parties for certain pricing data and other inputs used in the calculation of the Fund's NAV. Therefore, each Fund is subject to certain operational risks associated with reliance on its service provider and that service provider's sources of pricing and other data. NAV calculation may be adversely affected by operational risks arising from factors such as errors or failures in systems and technology. Such errors or failures may result in inaccurately calculated NAVs, delays in the calculation of NAVs and/or the inability to calculate NAV over extended time periods. A Fund may be unable to recover any losses associated with such failures. In the case of shares of other funds that are not traded on an exchange, a market valuation means such fund's published net asset value per share. Each Fund may use various pricing services, or discontinue the use of any

pricing service. Fixed-income assets are generally valued as of the announced closing time for trading in fixed-income instruments in a particular market or exchange, and generally 4:00 p.m. EST for U.S. fixed-income assets. Fixed-income assets are generally valued at the mean of the bid and ask prices for bank loans and inflation protected securities, and at the bid price for all other fixed-income assets.

Pursuant to Board approved valuation procedures, the Board has designated the Adviser as the valuation designee for each Fund. These procedures address, among other things, (i) determining (a) when market quotations are not readily available or reliable and (b) the methodologies to be used for determining the fair value of investments, and (ii) the use and oversight of third-party pricing services for fair valuation. The Adviser is responsible for periodically reviewing the procedures, and the selected methodologies used, for their continuing appropriateness and accuracy, and making any changes or adjustments to the procedures and methodologies as appropriate.

In the event that current market valuations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, the Trust's procedures require the Adviser to determine a security's fair value. In determining a fair value, the Adviser may consider, among other things, (i) price comparisons among multiple sources, (ii) a review of corporate actions and news events, and (iii) a review of relevant financial indicators (e.g., movement in interest rates and market indices). In these cases, a Fund's net asset value may reflect certain portfolio securities' fair values rather than their market prices. The fair value of a portfolio instrument is generally the price which a Fund might reasonably expect to receive upon its current sale in an orderly market between market participants. Ascertaining fair value requires a determination of the amount that an arm's-length buyer, under the circumstances, would currently pay for the portfolio instrument. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determination for a security is materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of the security.

Dividends and Distributions

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in each Prospectus entitled “DISTRIBUTIONS.”

GENERAL POLICIES

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are generally declared and paid monthly by each Fund. Distributions of net realized securities gains, if any, generally are declared and paid once a year, but the Trust may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, in all events in a manner consistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act.

Dividends and other distributions on Shares are distributed, as described below, on a pro rata basis to Beneficial Owners of such Shares. Dividend payments are made through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners then of record with proceeds received from the Trust.

Management of the Trust reserves the right to declare special dividends if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to preserve a Fund's eligibility for treatment as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes at the Fund level.

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT

Broker dealers, at their own discretion, may offer a dividend reinvestment service under which Shares are purchased in the secondary market at current market prices. Investors should consult their broker dealer for further information regarding any dividend reinvestment service offered by such broker dealer.

Taxes

The following is a summary of certain federal income tax considerations generally affecting the Funds and their shareholders that supplements the discussions in the Prospectuses. No attempt is made to present a comprehensive explanation of the federal, state, local or foreign tax treatment of the Funds or their shareholders, and the discussion here and in each Prospectus is not intended to be a substitute for careful tax planning.

The following general discussion of certain federal income tax consequences is based on the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations issued thereunder as in effect on the date of this SAI. New legislation, as well as administrative changes or court decisions, may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein.

The following information should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectuses entitled “ADDITIONAL TAX INFORMATION.”

TAXATION OF THE FUNDS

Each Fund is treated as a separate corporation for federal income tax purposes. Each Fund therefore is considered to be a separate entity in determining its treatment under the rules for RICs described herein and in the Prospectuses. Losses in one series of the Trust do not offset gains in any other series of the Trust, and the requirements (other than certain organizational requirements) for qualifying for treatment as a RIC are determined at the Fund level rather than at the Trust level. Each Fund has elected or will elect and intends to qualify each year to be treated as a separate RIC under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, each Fund should not be subject to federal income tax on its net investment income and capital gains, if any, to the extent that it timely distributes such income and capital gains to its shareholders. In order to qualify for treatment as a RIC, a Fund must distribute annually to its shareholders at least the sum of 90% of its taxable net investment income (generally including the excess of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and 90% of its net tax-exempt interest income, if any (the “Distribution Requirement”) and also must meet several additional requirements. Among these requirements are the following: (i) at least 90% of a Fund's gross income each taxable year must be derived from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies, and net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships (the “Qualifying Income Requirement”); and (ii) at the end of each quarter of a Fund's taxable year, its assets must be diversified so that (a) at least 50% of the market value of its total assets must be represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect to any one issuer, to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more than 25% of the value of its total assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer, the securities (other than securities of other RICs) of two or more issuers that it controls and that are engaged in the same, similar, or related trades or businesses, or the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (the “Diversification Requirement”).

If a Fund fails to satisfy the Qualifying Income Requirement or the Diversification Requirement in any taxable year, the Fund may be eligible for relief provisions if the failures are due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and if a penalty tax is paid with respect to each failure to satisfy the applicable requirements. Additionally, relief is provided for certain de minimis failures of the Diversification Requirement where a Fund corrects the failure within a specified period of time. In order to be eligible for the relief provisions with respect to a failure to meet the Diversification Requirement, a Fund may be required to dispose of certain assets. If these relief provisions were not available to a Fund and it were to fail to qualify for treatment as a RIC for a taxable year, all of its taxable income would be subject to tax at the applicable corporate rate without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and its distributions (including capital gains distributions) generally would be taxable as ordinary income dividends to its shareholders, subject to the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders and the lower tax rates on qualified dividend income received by noncorporate shareholders. To requalify for treatment as a RIC in a subsequent taxable year, a Fund would be required to satisfy the RIC qualification requirements for that year and to distribute any earnings and profits from any year in which the Fund failed to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC. If a Fund failed to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years, it would generally be required to pay a Fund-level tax on certain net built-in gains recognized with respect to certain of its assets upon a disposition of such assets within five years of qualifying as a RIC in a subsequent year. The Board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of a Fund for treatment as a RIC if it determines such course of action to be beneficial to shareholders.

As discussed more fully below, each Fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and its capital gains for each taxable year. If a Fund meets the Distribution Requirement but retains some or all of its income or gains, it will be subject to federal income tax to the extent any such income or gains are not distributed. A Fund may designate certain amounts retained as undistributed net capital gain in a notice to its shareholders, who (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their proportionate shares of the undistributed amount so designated, (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the income tax paid by the Fund on that

undistributed amount against their federal income tax liabilities and to claim refunds to the extent such credits exceed their liabilities and (iii) will be entitled to increase their tax basis, for federal income tax purposes, in their Shares by an amount equal to the excess of the amount of undistributed net capital gain included in their respective income over their respective income tax credits. If a Fund failed to satisfy the Distribution Requirement for any taxable year, it would be taxed as a regular corporation, with consequences generally similar to those described in the preceding paragraph.

A Fund will be subject to a 4% excise tax on certain undistributed income if it does not distribute to its shareholders in each calendar year an amount at least equal to 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year plus 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the twelve months ended October 31 of such year, subject to an increase for any shortfall in the prior year's distribution. Each Fund intends to declare and distribute dividends and distributions in the amounts and at the times necessary to avoid the application of this 4% excise tax.

A Fund may elect to treat part or all of any “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in determining the Fund's taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. The effect of this election is to treat any such “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in characterizing Fund distributions for any calendar year. A “qualified late year loss” generally includes net capital loss, net long-term capital loss, or net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year (commonly referred to as “post-October losses”) and certain other late-year losses.

Capital losses in excess of capital gains (“net capital losses”) are not permitted to be deducted against a RIC's net investment income. Instead, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, potentially subject to certain limitations, each Fund may carry a net capital loss from any taxable year forward indefinitely to offset its capital gains, if any, in years following the year of the loss. To the extent subsequent capital gains are offset by such losses, they will not result in U.S. federal income tax liability to a Fund and may not be distributed as capital gains to its shareholders. Generally, the Funds may not carry forward any losses other than net capital losses.

TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS – DISTRIBUTIONS

Each Fund intends to distribute annually to its shareholders substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the deduction for dividends paid), its net tax-exempt income, if any, and any net capital gain (net recognized long-term capital gains in excess of net recognized short-term capital losses, taking into account any capital loss carryforwards). Each Fund will report to shareholders annually the amounts of dividends paid from ordinary income, the amount of distributions of net capital gain, and the amount of exempt-interest dividends, if any. Since the Funds primarily hold investments that do not pay dividends, it is not expected that any portion of dividends paid by those Funds will qualify either for the dividends-received deduction for corporations or for the reduced U.S. federal income tax rates available to individual and certain other noncorporate shareholders on qualified dividend income.

Distributions from a Fund's net short-term capital gains will generally be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions from a Fund's net capital gain will be taxable to shareholders at long-term capital gains rates, regardless of how long shareholders have held their Shares. Long-term capital gains are generally taxed to noncorporate shareholders at reduced rates.

The SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF intends to satisfy certain conditions (including requirements as to the proportion of their assets invested in municipal securities) that will enable them to report distributions from the interest income generated by its investments in municipal securities as exempt-interest dividends. Dividends paid by each Municipal Bond ETF will be exempt from regular federal income tax to the extent of its net tax-exempt interest income as long as 50% or more of the value of its assets at the end of each quarter is invested in state, municipal and other bonds the interest on which is excluded from gross income for federal income tax purposes and the SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF reports such dividends as exempt-interest dividends. As a result of failing to meet this test as of the end of one or more quarters in its target maturity year, all or a portion of distributions from the SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF that are attributable to income that is generally exempt from federal income tax may be characterized as taxable dividends in its target maturity year. Shareholders receiving exempt-interest dividends will not be subject to regular federal income tax on the amount of such dividends, but exempt-interest dividends may be taken into account in determining shareholders' federal alternative minimum tax liability. Insurance proceeds received by the SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF under any insurance policies in respect of scheduled interest payments on defaulted municipal securities will generally be excludable from federal gross income. In the case of non-appropriation by a political subdivision, however, there can be no assurance that payments made by the insurer representing interest on non-appropriation lease obligations will be excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes.

Exempt-interest dividends paid by the SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF and attributable to interest earned on municipal securities issued by a state or its political subdivisions are generally exempt in the hands of a shareholder from income tax imposed by that state, but exempt-interest dividends attributable to interest on municipal securities issued by another state generally will not be exempt from such income tax.

Distributions by the SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF of net interest received from certain taxable temporary investments (such as certificates of deposit, commercial paper and obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities) and net short-term capital gains realized by the Funds, if any, will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. If the SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF purchases a municipal security at a market discount, any gain realized by the Fund upon sale or redemption of the municipal security will be treated as taxable interest income to the extent of the market discount, and any gain realized in excess of the market discount will be treated as capital gains.

If you lend your Shares in the SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF pursuant to a securities lending or similar arrangement, you may lose the ability to treat dividends paid by such Fund while the Shares are held by the borrower as tax-exempt income. Interest on indebtedness incurred by a shareholder to purchase or carry Shares of the SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF will not be deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a shareholder receives exempt-interest dividends with respect to any share of the SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF and if the share is held by the shareholder for six months or less, then any loss on the sale or exchange of the share may, to the extent of the exempt-interest dividends, be disallowed. In addition, the Internal Revenue Code may require a shareholder in the SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF that receives exempt-interest dividends to treat as taxable income a portion of certain otherwise non-taxable social security and railroad retirement benefit payments. Furthermore, a portion of any exempt-interest dividend paid by the SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF that represents income derived from certain revenue or private activity bonds held by the SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF may not retain its tax-exempt status in the hands of a shareholder who is a “substantial user” of a facility financed by such bonds, or a “related person” thereof. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers as to whether they are “substantial users” with respect to a facility or “related” to such users within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code.

Federal tax law imposes an alternative minimum tax with respect to individuals. Interest on certain municipal securities that meet the definition of private activity bonds under the Internal Revenue Code is included as an item of tax preference in determining the amount of a noncorporate taxpayer's alternative minimum taxable income. To the extent that the SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF receives income from private activity bonds, a portion of the dividends paid by it, although otherwise exempt from federal income tax, may be taxable to those noncorporate shareholders subject to the alternative minimum tax regime. The SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF will annually supply shareholders with a report indicating the percentage of their income attributable to municipal securities required to be included in calculating the federal alternative minimum tax applicable to noncorporate taxpayers. Exempt-interest dividends may also be taxable to corporate shareholders under the alternative minimum tax applicable to corporations.

Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid, any dividend declared by a Fund in October, November or December and payable to shareholders of record in such a month that is paid during the following January will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as received by shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which it was declared.

If a Fund's distributions exceed its earnings and profits, all or a portion of the distributions made in the taxable year may be treated as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital distribution generally will not be taxable but will reduce the shareholder's cost basis and result in a higher capital gain or lower capital loss when the Shares on which the distribution was received are sold. After a shareholder's basis in the Shares has been reduced to zero, distributions in excess of earnings and profits will be treated as gain from the sale of the shareholder's Shares.

Under Section 163(j) of the Code, a taxpayer's business interest expense is generally deductible to the extent of its business interest income plus certain other amounts. If a Fund earns business interest income, it may report a portion of its dividends as “Section 163(j) interest dividends,” which its shareholders may be able to treat as business interest income for purposes of Section 163(j) of the Code. The Fund's “Section 163(j) interest dividend” for a tax year will be limited to the excess of its business interest income over the sum of its business interest expense and other deductions properly allocable to its business interest income. In general, a Fund's shareholders may treat a distribution reported as a Section 163(j) interest dividend as interest income only to the extent the distribution exceeds the sum of the portions of the distribution reported as other types of tax-favored income (which would generally include exempt-interest income). To be eligible to treat a Section 163(j) interest dividend as interest income, a shareholder may need to meet certain holding period requirements in respect of Shares and must not have hedged its position in Shares in certain ways.

Distributions that are reinvested in additional Shares through the means of a dividend reinvestment service, if offered by your broker- dealer, will nevertheless be taxable dividends to the same extent as if such dividends had been received in cash.

A 3.8% Medicare contribution tax generally applies to all or a portion of the net investment income of a shareholder who is an individual and not a nonresident alien for federal income tax purposes and who has adjusted gross income (subject to certain adjustments) that exceeds a threshold amount ($250,000 if married filing jointly or if considered a “surviving spouse” for federal income tax purposes, $125,000 if married filing separately, and $200,000 in other cases). This 3.8% tax also applies to all or a portion of the undistributed net investment income of certain shareholders that are estates and trusts. For these purposes, dividends, interest and certain capital gains (generally including capital gain distributions and capital gains realized on the sale of Shares) are generally taken into account in computing a shareholder's net investment income, but exempt-interest dividends generally are not taken into account.

Distributions of ordinary income and capital gains may also be subject to foreign, state and local taxes depending on a shareholder's circumstances.

TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS – SALE OF SHARES

In general, a sale of Shares results in capital gain or loss, and for individual shareholders, is taxable at a federal rate dependent upon the length of time the Shares were held. A sale of Shares held for a period of one year or less at the time of such sale will, for tax purposes, generally result in short-term capital gains or losses, and a sale of those held for more than one year will generally result in long-term capital gains or losses. Long-term capital gains are generally taxed to noncorporate shareholders at reduced rates.

Gain or loss on the sale of Shares is measured by the difference between the amount received and the adjusted tax basis of the Shares. Shareholders should keep records of investments made (including Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and distributions) so they can compute the tax basis of their Shares. It may not be advantageous from a tax perspective for shareholders to sell or redeem Shares of the SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF after tax-exempt income has accrued but before the record date for the exempt-interest dividend representing the distribution of such income. Because such accrued tax-exempt income is included in the net asset value per share, such a sale or redemption could result in treatment of the portion of the sales or redemption proceeds equal to the accrued tax-exempt interest as taxable gain (to the extent the sale or redemption price exceeds the shareholder's tax basis in the Fund Shares of the SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF disposed of) rather than tax-exempt interest.

A loss realized on a sale of Shares may be disallowed if substantially identical Shares are acquired (whether through the reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a sixty-one (61) day period beginning thirty (30) days before and ending thirty (30) days after the date that the Shares are disposed of. In such a case, the basis of the Shares acquired must be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss upon the sale of Shares held for six (6) months or less will be disallowed to the extent of exempt-interest dividends paid on such Shares, and any amount of the loss that exceeds the amount disallowed will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions to the shareholder of long-term capital gain (including any amounts credited to the shareholder as undistributed capital gains).

COST BASIS REPORTING

The cost basis of Shares acquired by purchase will generally be based on the amount paid for the Shares and then may be subsequently adjusted for other applicable transactions as required by the Internal Revenue Code. The difference between the selling price and the cost basis of Shares generally determines the amount of the capital gain or loss realized on the sale or exchange of Shares. Contact the broker through whom you purchased your Shares to obtain information with respect to the available cost basis reporting methods and elections for your account.

TAXATION OF FUND INVESTMENTS

Dividends and interest received by a Fund on foreign securities may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. No Fund expects to satisfy the requirements for passing through to its shareholders any share of any foreign taxes paid by the Fund, with the result that shareholders will not include such taxes in their gross incomes and will not be entitled to a tax deduction or credit for such taxes on their own returns.

Certain of the Funds' investments may be subject to complex provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (including provisions relating to hedging transactions, straddles, integrated transactions, foreign currency contracts, forward foreign currency contracts, and notional principal contracts) that, among other things, may affect the character of gains and losses realized by a Fund (e.g., may affect whether gains or losses are ordinary or capital), accelerate recognition of income to the Fund and defer losses. These rules could therefore affect the character, amount and timing of distributions to shareholders. These provisions also may require a Fund to mark-to-market certain types of positions in its portfolio (i.e., treat them as if they were closed out) which may cause the Fund to recognize income without receiving cash with which to make distributions to its shareholders in amounts necessary to satisfy the RIC distribution requirements for avoiding income and excise taxes. The Funds intend to monitor their transactions, intend to make appropriate tax elections, and intend to make appropriate entries in their books and records in order to mitigate the effect of these rules and preserve the Funds' qualification for treatment as RICs.

Each Fund is required for federal income tax purposes to mark to market and recognize as income for each taxable year its net unrealized gains and losses on certain futures contracts as of the end of the year as well as those actually realized during the year. Gain or loss from futures and options contracts on broad-based indexes required to be marked to market will be 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Application of this rule may alter the timing and character of distributions to shareholders. A Fund may be required to defer the recognition of losses on futures contracts, options contracts and swaps to the extent of any unrecognized gains on offsetting positions held by the Fund. It is anticipated that certain net gain realized from the closing out of futures or options contracts will be considered gain from the sale of securities and therefore will be qualifying income for purposes of the Qualifying Income Requirement.

Investments by a Fund in zero coupon or other discount securities will result in income to the Fund equal to a portion of the excess face value of the securities over their issue price (the “original issue discount” or “OID”) each year that the securities are held, even though the Fund may receive no cash interest payments or may receive cash interest payments that are less than the income recognized for tax purposes. In other circumstances, whether pursuant to the terms of a security or as a result of other factors outside the control of a Fund, the Fund may recognize income without receiving a commensurate amount of cash. Such income is included in determining the amount of income that a Fund must distribute to maintain its eligibility for treatment as a RIC and to avoid the payment of federal income tax, including the nondeductible 4% excise tax described above.

Any market discount recognized on a market discount bond is taxable as ordinary income. A market discount bond is a bond acquired in the secondary market at a price below redemption value or below adjusted issue price if issued with original issue discount. Absent a Fund's election to include the market discount in income as it accrues, gain on the Fund's disposition of such an obligation will be treated as ordinary income rather than capital gain to the extent of the accrued market discount. Where the income required to be recognized as a result of the OID and/or market discount rules is not matched by a corresponding cash receipt by a Fund, the Fund may be required to borrow money or dispose of other securities to enable the Fund to make distributions to its shareholders in order to qualify for treatment as a RIC and eliminate taxes at the Fund level.

Special rules apply to any investments by a Fund in inflation-indexed bonds, such as TIPS. Generally, all stated interest on inflation-indexed bonds is taken into income by a Fund under its regular method of accounting for interest income. The amount of any positive inflation adjustment for a taxable year, which results from an increase in the inflation-adjusted principal amount of the bond, is treated as OID. The amount of a Fund's OID in a taxable year with respect to a bond will increase a Fund's taxable income for such year without a corresponding receipt of cash, until the bond matures. As a result, a Fund may need to use other sources of cash to satisfy its distribution requirements for the applicable year. The amount of any negative inflation adjustments, which result from a decrease in the inflation-adjusted principal amount of the bond, first reduces the amount of interest (including stated interest, OID, and market discount, if any) otherwise includable in the Fund's taxable income with respect to the bond for the taxable year; any remaining negative adjustments will be either treated as ordinary loss or, in certain circumstances, carried forward to reduce the amount of interest income taken into account with respect to the bond in future taxable years.

TAX-EXEMPT SHAREHOLDERS

Certain tax-exempt shareholders, including qualified pension plans, individual retirement accounts, salary deferral arrangements, 401(k) plans, and other tax-exempt entities, generally are exempt from federal income taxation except with respect to their unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”). Under current law, a Fund generally serves to block UBTI from being realized by its tax-exempt shareholders. However, notwithstanding the foregoing, tax-exempt shareholders could realize UBTI by virtue of their investment in a Fund where, for example, (i) the Fund invests in REITs that hold

residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”) or (ii) Shares constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholders within the meaning of section 514(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. Charitable remainder trusts are subject to special rules and should consult their tax advisers.

Certain tax-exempt educational institutions will be subject to a 1.4% tax on net investment income. For these purposes, certain dividends and capital gain distributions (but not exempt-interest dividends), and certain gains from the disposition of Shares (among other categories of income), are generally taken into account in computing a shareholder's net investment income.

FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS

Dividends, other than capital gains dividends and exempt-interest dividends, “short-term capital gain dividends” and “interest-related dividends” (described below), paid by a Fund to shareholders who are nonresident aliens or foreign entities will be subject to a 30% United States withholding tax unless a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided under applicable treaty law to the extent derived from investment income and short-term capital gain or unless such income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on through a permanent establishment in the United States. Nonresident shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers concerning the applicability of the United States withholding tax and the proper withholding form(s) to be submitted to a Fund. A non-U.S. shareholder who fails to provide an appropriate Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form W-8 may be subject to backup withholding at the appropriate rate.

Dividends reported by a Fund as (i) interest-related dividends, to the extent such dividends are derived from the Fund's “qualified net interest income,” or (ii) short-term capital gain dividends, to the extent such dividends are derived from the Fund's “qualified short-term gain,” are generally exempt from this 30% withholding tax. “Qualified net interest income” is a Fund's net income derived from U.S.- source interest and original issue discount, subject to certain exceptions and limitations. “Qualified short-term gain” generally means the excess of a Fund's net short-term capital gain for the taxable year over its net long-term capital loss, if any. In the case of Shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if a Fund reports the payment as an interest-related dividend or as a short- term capital gain dividend. Non-U.S. shareholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts.

Unless certain non-U.S. entities that hold Shares comply with IRS requirements that will generally require them to report information regarding U.S. persons investing in, or holding accounts with, such entities, a 30% withholding tax may apply to Fund distributions (other than exempt-interest dividends) payable to such entities. A non-U.S. shareholder may be exempt from the withholding described in this paragraph under an applicable intergovernmental agreement between the U.S. and a foreign government, provided that the shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.

BACKUP WITHHOLDING

A Fund will be required in certain cases to withhold (as “backup withholding”) on amounts (including exempt-interest dividends) payable to any shareholder who (1) has provided the Fund either an incorrect tax identification number or no number at all, (2) is subject to backup withholding by the IRS for failure to properly report payments of interest or dividends, (3) has failed to certify to the Fund that such shareholder is not subject to backup withholding, or (4) has not certified that such shareholder is a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). The backup withholding rate is currently 24%. Backup withholding will not be applied to payments that have been subject to the 30% withholding tax on shareholders who are neither citizens nor permanent residents of the U.S.

CREATION UNITS

An Authorized Participant who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time and the sum of the exchanger's aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus the amount of cash paid for such Creation Units. A person who redeems Creation Units will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger's basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate market value of any securities received plus the amount of any cash received for such Creation Units. The IRS, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position.

Any gain or loss realized upon a creation of Creation Units will be treated as capital gain or loss if the Authorized Participant holds the securities exchanged therefor as capital assets, and otherwise will be ordinary income or loss. Similarly, any gain or loss realized upon a redemption of Creation Units will be treated as capital gain or loss if the Authorized Participant holds Shares comprising the Creation Units as capital assets, and otherwise will be ordinary income or loss. Any capital gain or loss realized upon the creation of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the securities exchanged for such Creation Units have been held for more than one year, and otherwise will be short-term capital gain or loss. Any capital gain or loss realized upon the redemption of Creation Units will generally be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares comprising the Creation Units have been held for more than one year, and otherwise, will generally be short-term capital gain or loss. Any capital loss realized upon a redemption of Creation Units held for six (6) months or less will be disallowed to the extent of exempt-interest dividends paid with respect to the Creation Units, and to the extent not disallowed will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any amounts treated as distributions to the applicable Authorized Participant of long-term capital gains with respect to the Creation Units (including any amounts credited to the Authorized Participant as undistributed capital gains).

A Fund has the right to reject an order for Creation Units if the purchaser (or a group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining Shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund and if, pursuant to section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund would have a basis in any deposit securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. A Fund also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial Share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination. If a Fund does issue Creation Units to a purchaser (or a group of purchasers) that would, upon obtaining the Shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund, the purchaser (or a group of purchasers) may not recognize gain or loss upon the exchange of securities for Creation Units.

If a Fund redeems Creation Units in cash, it may bear additional costs and recognize more capital gains than it would if it redeems Creation Units in kind.

Persons purchasing or redeeming Creation Units should consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax treatment of any creation or redemption transaction.

STATE TAX MATTERS

The discussion of state and local tax treatment is based on the assumptions that the Funds will qualify for treatment under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code as RICs, that they will satisfy the conditions which will cause distributions to qualify as exempt-interest dividends to shareholders when distributed as intended, and that each Fund will distribute all interest and dividends it receives to its shareholders. The tax discussion summarizes general state and local tax laws which are currently in effect, and which are subject to change by legislative, judicial or administrative action; any such changes may be retroactive with respect to the applicable Fund's transactions. Investors should consult a tax advisor for more detailed information about state and local taxes to which they may be subject.

Many states grant tax-free status to dividends paid to you from interest earned on direct obligations of the U.S. government, subject in some states to minimum investment requirements that must be met by the Fund. Investment in Ginnie Mae or Fannie Mae securities, banker's acceptances, commercial paper, and repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. government securities do not generally qualify for such tax-free treatment. The rules on exclusion of this income are different for corporate shareholders.

CERTAIN POTENTIAL TAX REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Under promulgated Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss on disposition of a Fund's shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder (or certain greater amounts over a combination of years), 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. A shareholder who fails to make the required disclosure to the IRS may be subject to adverse tax consequences, including significant penalties. 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.

The foregoing discussion is a summary only and is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Purchasers of Shares should consult their own tax advisers as to the tax consequences of investing in such Shares, including under state, local and other tax laws. Finally, the foregoing discussion is based on applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, regulations, judicial authority and administrative interpretations in effect on the date hereof. Changes in applicable authority could materially affect the conclusions discussed above, and such changes often occur.

Capital Stock and Other Securities

Each Fund issues Shares of beneficial interest with no par value per Share. The Board may designate additional funds.

Each Share issued by the Trust has a pro rata interest in the assets of the corresponding series of the Trust. Shares have no preemptive, exchange, subscription or conversion rights and are freely transferable. Each Share is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions declared by the Board with respect to each Fund, and in the net distributable assets of each Fund on liquidation.

Each Share has one vote with respect to matters upon which a shareholder vote is required consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. Shares of all series of the Trust vote together as a single class except that if the matter being voted on affects only a particular Fund it will be voted on only by that Fund and if a matter affects a particular Fund differently from other Funds, that Fund will vote separately on such matter. Under Massachusetts law, the Trust is not required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. The policy of the Trust is not to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. All Shares of the Trust (regardless of the fund) have noncumulative voting rights for the election of Trustees. Under Massachusetts law, Trustees of the Trust may be removed by vote of the shareholders.

Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of a business trust may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for obligations of the Trust. However, the Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust, requires that Trust obligations include such disclaimer, and provides for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of the Trust's property for any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Trust itself would be unable to meet its obligations. Given the above limitations on shareholder personal liability, and the nature of each Fund's assets and operations, the risk to shareholders of personal liability is believed to be remote.

Shareholder inquiries may be made by writing to the Trust, c/o the Distributor, State Street Global Advisors Funds Distributors, LLC at One Iron Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210.

Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, located at 1111 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004, serves as counsel to the Trust. Ernst & Young LLP, located at 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, serves as the independent registered public accounting firm of the Trust. Ernst & Young LLP performs annual audits of the Funds' financial statements and provides other audit, tax and related services.

Local Market Holiday Schedules

The Trust generally intends to effect deliveries of the Funds' portfolio securities on T+1. The ability of the Trust to effect in-kind redemptions within one Business Day of receipt of a redemption request is subject, among other things, to the condition that, within the time period from the date of the request to the date of delivery of the securities, there are no days that are local market holidays on the relevant Business Days. For every occurrence of one or more intervening holidays in the local market that are not holidays observed in the United States, the redemption settlement cycle may be extended by the number of such intervening local holidays. In addition to holidays, other unforeseeable closings in a foreign market due to emergencies may also prevent the Trust from delivering securities within one Business Day.

The securities delivery cycles currently practicable for transferring portfolio securities to redeeming investors, coupled with local market holiday schedules, may require a delivery process longer than the standard settlement period. In certain circumstances during the calendar year, the settlement period may be greater than seven calendar days.

Financial Statements

The Funds had not commenced operations as of the date of this SAI and therefore do not have financial statements.

APPENDIX A

Standard & Poor's, a division of S&P Global (“S&P”), Long-Term Issue 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.

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.

A-1

Moody's Investors Service, Inc.'s (“Moody's”) Long-Term Obligation Ratings:

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.*

Note: For more information on long-term ratings assigned to obligations in default, please see the definition “Long-Term Credit Ratings for Defaulted or Impaired Securities” in the Other Definitions section of Moody's Rating Symbols and Definitions publication.

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.

Fitch Ratings Ltd.'s (“Fitch”) Corporate Finance Obligations – Long-Term Ratings:

AAA: Highest Credit Quality. ‘AAA' ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit 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 credit 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 credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB: Good Credit Quality. ‘BBB' ratings indicate that expectations of credit 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 credit risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.

B: Highly Speculative. ‘B' ratings indicate that material credit risk is present.

CCC: Substantial Credit Risk. ‘CCC' ratings indicate that substantial credit risk is present.

CC: Very High Levels of Credit Risk. ‘CC' ratings indicate very high levels of credit risk.

C: Exceptionally High Levels of Credit Risk. ‘C' indicates exceptionally high levels of credit risk.

A-2

Appendix B

SPDR® Series Trust
SPDR® Index Shares Funds
SSGA Active Trust
(each, a “Trust” or “Fund,” and, collectively, the “Trusts” or “Funds”)

PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

The Board of Trustees of the Trusts has adopted the following policy and procedures with respect to voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Trusts' investment portfolios.

Proxy Voting Policy

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

Fiduciary Duty

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

Proxy Voting Procedures

At least annually, the Adviser shall present to the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) its policies, procedures and other guidelines for voting proxies (“Policy”) and the Policy of any Sub-adviser (defined below) to which proxy voting authority has been delegated (see Section 9 below). In addition, the Adviser shall notify the Board of material changes to its Policy or the Policy of any Sub-adviser promptly and no later than the next regular meeting of the Board after such amendment is implemented.

At least annually, the Adviser shall present to the Board its policy for managing the 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 the Trusts to the Trustees at the next regular meeting of the Board after such override(s) occur.

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

Revocation of Authority to Vote

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

Annual Filing of Proxy Voting Record

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

Retention and Oversight of Proxy Advisory Firms

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 the Board regarding the results of this review.

B-1

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.

Periodic Sampling

The Adviser will periodically sample proxy votes to review whether they complied with the Policy.

Disclosures

A Trust shall include in its registration statement:

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

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

A Trust shall include in its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders:

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

Sub-Advisers

For certain Funds, the Adviser retains investment management firms (“Sub-advisers”) to provide day-to-day investment management services to the Trusts pursuant to sub-advisory agreements. It is the policy of the Trusts 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 shall review this policy to determine its continued sufficiency as necessary from time to time.

Adopted (SPDR Series Trust/SPDR Index Shares Funds):	May 31, 2006
Updated:	August 1, 2007
Amended:	May 29, 2009
Amended:	November 19, 2010
Adopted (SSGA Active Trust)/Amended:	May 25, 2011
Amended:	February 25, 2016
Amended:	August 17, 2023

B-2

Appendix C

Adviser's Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures

March 2025

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

When engaging with and voting proxies with respect to the portfolio companies in which we invest our clients' assets, we do so on behalf of and in the best interests of the client accounts we manage and do not seek to change or influence control of any such portfolio companies. The State Street Global Advisors Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Policy (the “Policy”) contains certain policies that State Street Global Advisors will only apply in jurisdictions where permitted by local law and regulations. State Street Global Advisors will not apply any policies contained herein in any jurisdictions where State Street Global Advisors believes that implementing or following such policies would be deemed to constitute seeking to change or influence control of a portfolio company.

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 a firm's 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 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' Global Fiduciary and Conduct Committee (“GFCC”). The GFCC 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 the execution of our proxy votes, we retain Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (“ISS”). 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. State Street Global Advisors does not follow the voting recommendations of any policy offered by ISS or any other proxy voting policy provider in implementing the Policy.

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 include 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

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

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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 on their independent voting policy.

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 may refrain from voting at meetings in cases where:

•Power of attorney documentation is required.

•Voting would 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.

•Certain market limitations would prohibit voting (e.g., partial/split voting prohibitions or residency restrictions).

•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 Choice 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 Choice Program (the “Proxy Voting Choice Program”), which empowers clients to direct the proxy voting of shares held by the eligible fund or segregated account they own. Clients that participate in the Proxy Voting Choice Program have the option of selecting a third-party proxy voting guideline from the policies included in the Proxy Voting Choice 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 Choice Program.

Securities Not Voted Pursuant to the Policy

Where clients have asked State Street Global Advisors to vote the client's shares on their behalf, including where a pooled fund fiduciary has delegated the responsibility to vote the fund's securities to State Street 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 Choice 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 Choice 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.

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Our Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles

State Street Global Advisors' proxy voting and engagement program focuses on 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. 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.
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 experience to manage risks and operating structures that are often complex and industry-specific.

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 safeguarded 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 to shareholders and appropriate checks and balances, we believe there should be annual elections of the full board of directors.

Application of Principles

These three principles of effective board oversight, disclosure and shareholder protection apply across all of State Street Global Advisors' proxy voting decisions. When voting at portfolio companies in different markets, State Street Global Advisors may apply the principles in ways that are specific to a given market based on factors such as availability of data, resources, disclosure practices, and size of holdings in our clients' accounts.

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 developed the criteria found in Appendix A to assess the effectiveness of disclosure on such topics in connection with these types of proposals.

Engagement

We conduct engagements with individual issuers to communicate the principles set forth in this Policy and to learn more about companies' strategy, board oversight and disclosure practices. We do not seek to change or influence control of any portfolio company through these engagements. 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.

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Section I. Effective Board Oversight

Director Independence

We believe independent directors are crucial to good corporate governance; they help management establish sound corporate governance policies and practices. We have developed criteria for determining director independence, which vary 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:

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

•Employment history with the company

•Status as founder or member of the founding family

•Government representative

•Excessive tenure and preponderance of long-tenured directors

•Relations with significant shareholders

•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's own 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.

Majority Independent Board

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.

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 believe the board is best placed to choose the governance structure that is most appropriate for that company.

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.

Refreshment and Tenure

We believe that average board tenure should generally align with the length of the business cycle of the respective industry in which a company operates. In assessing excessive tenure, we consider factors such as the preponderance of long tenured directors, board refreshment practices, classified board structures and the business cycle for the industry in which a company operates.

Director Time Commitments

We believe a company's nominating committee is best placed to determine appropriate time commitments for the company's directors. We consider if a company publicly discloses its director time commitment policy (e.g., within corporate governance guidelines, proxy statement, annual report, company website, etc.) and if this policy or associated disclosure outlines the factors that the nominating committee considers to assess director time commitments during the annual policy review process.

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Board Composition

We believe effective board oversight of a company's long-term business strategy necessitates a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, which may include a range of characteristics such as skills, gender, race, ethnicity, and age. By having a critical mass of diverse perspectives, boards could experience the benefits that may lead to innovative ideas and foster more robust conversations about a company's strategy.

We recognize that many factors may influence board composition, including board size, geographic location, and local regulations, among others. Further, we believe that a robust nominating and governance process is essential to achieving a board composition that is designed to facilitate effective, independent oversight of a company's long-term strategy. We believe nominating committees are best placed to determine the most effective board composition and we encourage companies to ensure that there are sufficient levels of diverse experiences and perspectives represented in the boardroom.

Board 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.

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 of 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.

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

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–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

Compliance with Corporate Governance Principles
Our minimum expectation is that companies will comply with their respective market governance codes and/or stewardship principles. Issuers are encouraged to provide explanations of their level of compliance with their local market code and why their preferred governance structure (if not compliant with the code) serves shareholders' long-term interests.

We will review governance practices at companies in selected indexes for their adherence to market governance codes and/or stewardship principles.

Proxy Contests
We believe nominating committees that are comprised of independent directors are best placed to assess which individuals are adequately equipped with the skills and expertise to fulfill the duties of board members, and to act as effective fiduciaries.

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

•Expertise of board members with respect to company industry and strategy

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 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 determine the appropriate level of executive compensation. Despite the differences among the possible types of plans and 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.

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

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•Use of special grants and one-time awards

•Retesting and repricing features

•Disclosure and transparency

Board Meeting Attendance
We expect directors to attend at least 75 percent of board meetings in the last financial year or provide an appropriate explanation for why they were unable to meet this 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 financial interests have been protected by the board and provides insights into 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.

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.

Sustainability-related Disclosures
We believe in the importance of effective risk management and governance of issues that are material to a company. This may include sustainability-related risks and opportunities where a company has identified such risks and opportunities as material to its business. Such disclosure allows shareholders to effectively assess companies' oversight, strategy, and business practices related to these sustainability issues identified as material.

We look to companies to provide disclosure on sustainability-related risks and opportunities relevant to their businesses in line with applicable local regulatory requirements and any voluntary standards and frameworks adopted by the company.

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 related to this topic.

For companies that have identified climate risk as material to their business, we expect the company to provide disclosure on climate-related risks and opportunities relevant to their businesses in line with applicable local regulatory requirements and any voluntary standards and frameworks adopted by the company.

•We encourage the disclosure of Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions and related targets. However, State Street Global Advisors is not prescriptive in how a company sets its targets. We expect companies that have adopted net zero ambitions to disclose interim climate targets. In each case, if a company chooses not to disclose any climate targets, we expect the company to provide an explanation of how the company measures and monitors progress on managing climate-related risks and opportunities.

•We do not expect any company to set Scope 3 targets. We encourage companies to identify and disclose the most relevant categories of Scope 3 emissions. However, we recognize that Scope 3 emissions estimates have a high degree of uncertainty. Therefore, if a company determines that categories of Scope 3 emissions are impracticable to estimate, we encourage the company to explain the relevant limitations. We also encourage companies to explain any efforts to address Scope 3 emissions, such as engagement with suppliers, customers, or other stakeholders across the value chain, where relevant.

Say-on-Climate Proposals
While we generally believe in the importance of effective disclosure of climate-related risks a company has deemed material to its business, we do not endorse annual advisory climate votes. Where management chooses to include a Say-on-Climate vote, we assess the company's climate-related disclosure in accordance with the criteria listed in Appendix A.

Board and Workforce Demographics
We expect disclosure on the composition of both the board and workforce.

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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

•Share Repurchase Programs

Dividend Payouts (Japan Only)
For Japanese issuers, we are generally supportive of dividend payouts that constitute 30 percent or more of net income; however we consider whether 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.

We expect proposals to be in the best interests of shareholders, demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the company's operations.

We evaluate mergers and structural reorganizations on a case-by-case basis and expect transactions to 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 also consider 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 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 believe independent directors should ratify such transactions. Further, we believe companies should 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.

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Shareholder Rights

Proxy Access
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 and consider a balance between providing long-term shareholders accountability while preserving flexibility for management to design a process that is appropriate for the company's circumstances.

Vote Standards

•Annual Elections: We believe the establishment of annual elections of the board of directors is appropriate. We also consider the overall level of board independence and the independence of the key committees, as well as the existence of a shareholder rights plan.

•Majority Voting: We believe a majority vote standard based on votes cast for the election of directors is appropriate.

Shareholder Meetings

•Special Meetings and Written Consent: We believe the ability for shareholders to call special meetings, as well as act by written consent is appropriate. We believe an appropriate threshold for both calling a special meeting and acting by written consent can be 25% of outstanding shares or less.

•Notice Period to Convene a General Meeting: We expect companies to give as much notice as is practicable when calling a general meeting, generally at least 14 days.

•Virtual/Hybrid Shareholder Meetings: We believe the right to hold shareholder meetings in a virtual or hybrid format is appropriate with 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

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
We believe amendments to company bylaws that may negatively impact shareholder rights (such as fee-shifting, forum selection, and exclusion service bylaws) should be put to a shareholder vote.

We believe a majority voting standard is generally appropriate.

We generally believe companies should have a fixed board size, or designate a range for the board size.

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 believe shareholders should have the right to vote on reasonable offers. Our approach to anti-takeover issues may vary by local market and jurisdiction, due to regional nuances.

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.

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State Street Global Advisors believes that a company's external auditor is an essential feature of an effective and transparent system of external independent assurance. Shareholders should be given the opportunity to vote on their (re-)appointment at the annual meeting. When appointing external auditors and approving audit fees, we will take into consideration the level of detail in company disclosures.

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 believe a company should be able to discharge its auditors in the absence of pending litigation, governmental investigation, charges or fraud or other indication of significant concern. Further, we believe that auditors should attend the annual meeting of shareholders.

Indemnification and Liability
Generally, we believe directors should be able to limit their liability and/or expand indemnification and liability protection if a director 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 do not support shareholder proposals that appear 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:

Effective board oversight

Quality disclosure

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 portfolio companies. Our stewardship prioritization process allows us to proactively identify companies for engagement and voting in order to mitigate risks in our client's portfolios. 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. We do not seek to change or influence control of any portfolio company through engagement.

Equity Engagements

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

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.

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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.

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 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 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 and other issuers 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 may also be attended by the relevant portfolio management teams.

Engaging with Other Investors Soliciting State Street Global Advisors' Votes in Connection with Contested Shareholder Meetings, Vote-No Campaigns, or Shareholder Proposals

While it may be helpful to speak to other investors that are running proxy contests, putting forth vote-no campaigns, or proposing shareholder proposals at investee companies, we limit such discussions to investors who have filed necessary documentation with regulators and engage in these discussions at our own discretion.

Our primary purpose of engaging with investors is:

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

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

Any information about our vote decisions are available in this document and on our website. 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.

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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 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.

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 proposals on various topics, including requests for enhanced disclosure.

Where a company receives a proposal on a topic that the company has determined is material to its business, we will assess the proposal in accordance with the below criteria that we believe represent quality disclosure on commonly requested disclosure topics. In each case, in assessing the proposal against the applicable criteria, we may review the company's relevant disclosures against industry and market practice (e.g., peer disclosure, relevant frameworks, relevant industry guidance).

Climate Disclosure Criteria

For companies that have identified climate-related risks or opportunities as material to their business, we expect the company to provide disclosure on climate-related risks and opportunities relevant to their businesses in line with applicable local regulatory requirements and any voluntary standards and frameworks adopted by the company, as described in the section related to Climate-Related Disclosures above.

Additionally, where a company is among the highest emitters, we consider whether the company discloses:

•Scenario-planning on relevant risk assessment and strategic planning processes;

•The company's plans to achieve stated climate-related targets, if any, including information on timelines and expected emissions reductions; and

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

Climate Transition Plan Disclosure Criteria for Companies that have Adopted a Climate Transition Plan

We do not expect or require companies to adopt net zero ambitions or join relevant industry initiatives. For companies that have adopted a net zero ambition and/or climate transition plan and that receive a related proposal, we assess the proposal against the disclosure criteria set out below. Given that climate related risks present differently across industries, our assessment of the below criteria may vary to account for best practices in specific industries.

General Climate-related Disclosures

•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

Ambition

•Disclosure of long-term climate ambitions

Targets

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

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

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 opportunities related to climate transition plan, if any

Capital Allocation

•Disclosure integration of relevant climate considerations in financial planning

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

•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

Where a company has determined that methane emissions-related risks or opportunities are material to its business and has received a related shareholder proposal, we will assess the proposal in accordance with the following disclosure criteria:

•Disclosure of methane emissions detection and monitoring efforts

•An explanation of efforts to enhance measurement, reporting, and verification

•A description of the company's strategy to manage methane emissions

•Disclosure of any methane-related metrics and targets utilized

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Nature-Related Disclosures: Biodiversity, Deforestation and other Land-Use, Water Management, Pollution and Waste

Where a company has determined that one or more nature-related risks and opportunities are material to its business and has received a related shareholder proposal, we will assess the proposal in accordance with the following disclosure criteria:

•Governance: Board oversight of the material nature-related risks and opportunities

•Risk Management: Approach to identifying, assessing, monitoring, and mitigating the material nature-related risks and opportunities

•Strategy: Consideration of material nature-related risks and opportunities in business strategy, resiliency, and planning

•Metrics and Targets (when relevant): Metrics used to assess, monitor, and manage nature-related risks and opportunities

Human Capital Management Disclosure Criteria

Where a company has determined that human capital management-related risks or opportunities are material to its business and has received a related shareholder proposal, we will assess the proposal in accordance with the following 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

•Workforce Demographics: Role of the board in overseeing workforce demographics efforts

Diversity Equity and Inclusion Disclosure Criteria

Where a company has determined that diversity, equity and inclusion-related risks or opportunities are material to its business and has received a related shareholder proposal, we will assess the proposal in accordance with the following disclosure criteria:

•Board Oversight: Describe how the board executes its oversight role in risks and opportunities related to diversity, equity and inclusion

•Strategy: Articulate the role that diversity, equity, and inclusion plays in the company's broader human capital management practices and long-term strategy, as well as how the company intends to implement that strategy

•Metrics: Provide disclosure on the company's global employee base and board demographics, where permitted

•Board Composition: Articulate the role of diversity of skills, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives in the board's nominating process

Pay Equity Disclosure Criteria (United States and United Kingdom Only)

Where a company has determined that pay equity-related risks or opportunities are material to its business and has received a related shareholder proposal, we will assess the proposal in accordance with the following disclosure criteria:

•Disclosure of 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);

•Disclosure of strategy to achieve and maintain pay equity; and

•Disclosure of the role of the board in overseeing pay strategies as well as diversity-related efforts

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Civil Rights Disclosure Criteria (United States Only)

Where a company has determined that civil rights-related risks or opportunities are material to its business and has received a related shareholder proposal, we will assess the proposal in accordance with the following disclosure criteria:

•Disclosure of risk related to civil rights, including risks associated with products, practices, and services;

•Disclosure of plans to manage and mitigate these risks; and

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

Human Rights Disclosure Criteria

Where a company has determined that human rights-related risks or opportunities are material to its business and has received a related shareholder proposal, we will assess the proposal in accordance with the following disclosure criteria:

•Human rights-related risks the company considers more relevant;

•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 (United States Only)

For all companies that receive a shareholder proposal related to political contributions, we will assess the proposal in accordance with the following disclosure criteria:

•Disclosure of 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 US; and

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

Lobbying Disclosure Criteria (United States Only)

For all companies that receive a shareholder proposal related to lobbying disclosure, we will assess the proposal in accordance with the following disclosure criteria:

•Disclosure of membership in United States trade associations (to which payments are above $50,000 per year) and

•Disclosure of the role of the board in overseeing lobbying activities.

Trade Association Alignment Disclosure Criteria

For all companies that receive a shareholder proposal related to trade association alignment, we will assess the proposal in accordance with the following disclosure criteria:

•Disclosure of 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

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 reflect 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.

About State Street Investment Management

For over four decades, State Street Investment Management has served the world's governments, institutions, and financial advisors. With a rigorous, risk-aware approach built on research, analysis, and market-tested experience, and as pioneers in index and ETF investing, we are always inventing new ways to invest.

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ssga.com

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TABLE OF CONTENTS



Coverage			9

1. Board of Directors			10

Voting on Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections			10

Independence			10

ISS Classification of Directors – U.S.			11

Composition			13

Attendance			13

Overboarded Directors			13

Gender Diversity			14

Racial and/or Ethnic Diversity			14

Responsiveness			14

Accountability			15

Poison Pills			15

Unequal Voting Rights			15

Classified Board Structure			16

Removal of Shareholder Discretion on Classified Boards			16

Problematic Governance Structure			16

Unilateral Bylaw/Charter Amendments			16

Restricting Binding Shareholder Proposals			17

Director Performance Evaluation			17

Management Proposals to Ratify Existing Charter or Bylaw Provisions			17

Problematic Audit-Related Practices			17

Problematic Compensation Practices			18

Problematic Pledging of Company Stock			18

Climate Accountability			18

Governance Failures			19

Voting on Director Nominees in Contested Elections			19

Vote-No Campaigns			19

Proxy Contests/Proxy Access			19

Other Board-Related Proposals			20

Adopt Anti-Hedging/Pledging/Speculative Investments Policy			20

Board Refreshment			20

Term/Tenure Limits			20

Age Limits			20

Board Size			20

Classification/Declassification of the Board			20


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CEO Succession Planning			21

Cumulative Voting			21

Director and Officer Indemnification, Liability Protection, and Exculpation			21

Establish/Amend Nominee Qualifications			22

Establish Other Board Committee Proposals			22

Filling Vacancies/Removal of Directors			22

Independent Board Chair			22

Majority of Independent Directors/Establishment of Independent Committees			23

Majority Vote Standard for the Election of Directors			23

Proxy Access			23

Require More Nominees than Open Seats			24

Shareholder Engagement Policy (Shareholder Advisory Committee)			24

2. Audit-Related			25

Auditor Indemnification and Limitation of Liability			25

Auditor Ratification			25

Shareholder Proposals Limiting Non-Audit Services			25

Shareholder Proposals on Audit Firm Rotation			25

3. Shareholder Rights & Defenses			27

Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals/Nominations			27

Amend Bylaws without Shareholder Consent			27

Control Share Acquisition Provisions			27

Control Share Cash-Out Provisions			27

Disgorgement Provisions			28

Fair Price Provisions			28

Freeze-Out Provisions			28

Greenmail			28

Shareholder Litigation Rights			28

Federal Forum Selection Provisions			28

Exclusive Forum Provisions for State Law Matters			29

Fee shifting			29

Net Operating Loss (NOL) Protective Amendments			29

Poison Pills (Shareholder Rights Plans)			30

Shareholder Proposals to Put Pill to a Vote and/or Adopt a Pill Policy			30

Management Proposals to Ratify a Poison Pill			30

Management Proposals to Ratify a Pill to Preserve Net Operating Losses (NOLs)			30

Proxy Voting Disclosure, Confidentiality, and Tabulation			31

Ratification Proposals: Management Proposals to Ratify Existing Charter or Bylaw Provisions			31

Reimbursing Proxy Solicitation Expenses			32


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Reincorporation Proposals			32

Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent			32

Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings			33

Stakeholder Provisions			33

State Antitakeover Statutes			33

Supermajority Vote Requirements			33

Virtual Shareholder Meetings			33

4. Capital/Restructuring			34

Capital			34

Adjustments to Par Value of Common Stock			34

Common Stock Authorization			34

General Authorization Requests			34

Specific Authorization Requests			35

Dual Class Structure			35

Issue Stock for Use with Rights Plan			35

Preemptive Rights			35

Preferred Stock Authorization			35

General Authorization Requests			35

Recapitalization Plans			37

Reverse Stock Splits			37

Share Issuance Mandates at U.S. Domestic Issuers Incorporated Outside the U.S.			37

Share Repurchase Programs			37

Share Repurchase Programs Shareholder Proposals			38

Stock Distributions: Splits and Dividends			38

Tracking Stock			38

Restructuring			38

Appraisal Rights			38

Asset Purchases			38

Asset Sales			39

Bundled Proposals			39

Conversion of Securities			39

Corporate Reorganization/Debt Restructuring/Prepackaged Bankruptcy Plans/Reverse Leveraged Buyouts/Wrap Plans			39

Formation of Holding Company			40

Going Private and Going Dark Transactions (LBOs and Minority Squeeze-outs)			40

Joint Ventures			40

Liquidations			41

Mergers and Acquisitions			41

Private Placements/Warrants/Convertible Debentures			42


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Reorganization/Restructuring Plan (Bankruptcy)			43

Special Purpose Acquisition Corporations (SPACs)			43

Special Purpose Acquisition Corporations (SPACs) - Proposals for Extensions			43

Spin-offs			44

Value Maximization Shareholder Proposals			44

5. Compensation			45

Executive Pay Evaluation			45

Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation—Management Proposals (Say-on-Pay)			45

Pay-for-Performance Evaluation			46

Problematic Pay Practices			47

Compensation Committee Communications and Responsiveness			48

Frequency of Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (“Say When on Pay”)			48

Voting on Golden Parachutes in an Acquisition, Merger, Consolidation, or Proposed Sale			48

Equity-Based and Other Incentive Plans			49

Shareholder Value Transfer (SVT)			50

Three-Year Value-Adjusted Burn Rate			50

Egregious Factors			50

Liberal Change in Control Definition			50

Repricing Provisions			51

Problematic Pay Practices or Significant Pay-for-Performance Disconnect			51

Amending Cash and Equity Plans (including Approval for Tax Deductibility (162(m))			51

Specific Treatment of Certain Award Types in Equity Plan Evaluations			52

Dividend Equivalent Rights			52

Operating Partnership (OP) Units in Equity Plan Analysis of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)			52

Other Compensation Plans			52

401(k) Employee Benefit Plans			52

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)			52

Employee Stock Purchase Plans—Qualified Plans			53

Employee Stock Purchase Plans—Non-Qualified Plans			53

Option Exchange Programs/Repricing Options			53

Stock Plans in Lieu of Cash			54

Transfer Stock Option (TSO) Programs			54

Director Compensation			55

Shareholder Ratification of Director Pay Programs			55

Equity Plans for Non-Employee Directors			55

Non-Employee Director Retirement Plans			55

Shareholder Proposals on Compensation			56

Bonus Banking/Bonus Banking “Plus”			56

Compensation Consultants—Disclosure of Board or Company’s Utilization			56


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Disclosure/Setting Levels or Types of Compensation for Executives and Directors			56

Golden Coffins/Executive Death Benefits			56

Hold Equity Past Retirement or for a Significant Period of Time			56

Pay Disparity			57

Pay for Performance/Performance-Based Awards			57

Pay for Superior Performance			57

Pre-Arranged Trading Plans (10b5-1 Plans)			58

Prohibit Outside CEOs from Serving on Compensation Committees			58

Recoupment of Incentive or Stock Compensation in Specified Circumstances			58

Severance and Golden Parachute Agreements			59

Share Buyback Impact on Incentive Program Metrics			59

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (SERPs)			59

Tax Gross-Up Proposals			59

Termination of Employment Prior to Severance Payment/Eliminating Accelerated Vesting of Unvested Equity			60

6. Routine/Miscellaneous			61

Adjourn Meeting			61

Amend Quorum Requirements			61

Amend Minor Bylaws			61

Change Company Name			61

Change Date, Time, or Location of Annual Meeting			62

Other Business			62

7. Social and Environmental Issues			63

Global Approach – E&S Shareholder Proposals			63

Endorsement of Principles			63

Animal Welfare			63

Animal Welfare Policies			63

Animal Testing			64

Animal Slaughter			64

Consumer Issues			64

Genetically Modified Ingredients			64

Reports on Potentially Controversial Business/Financial Practices			65

Pharmaceutical Pricing, Access to Medicines, and Prescription Drug Reimportation			65

Product Safety and Toxic/Hazardous Materials			65

Tobacco-Related Proposals			66

Climate Change			66

Say on Climate (SoC) Management Proposals			66

Say on Climate (SoC) Shareholder Proposals			67

Climate Change/Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions			67


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Energy Efficiency			68

Renewable Energy			68

Diversity			68

Board Diversity			68

Equality of Opportunity			69

Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, and Domestic Partner Benefits			69

Gender, Race/Ethnicity Pay Gap			69

Racial Equity and/or Civil Rights Audit Guidelines			70

Environment and Sustainability			70

Facility and Workplace Safety			70

Natural Capital- Related and/or Community Impact Assessment Proposals			70

Hydraulic Fracturing			71

Operations in Protected Areas			71

Recycling			71

Sustainability Reporting			71

Water Issues			71

General Corporate Issues			72

Charitable Contributions			72

Data Security, Privacy, and Internet Issues			72

ESG Compensation-Related Proposals			72

Human Rights, Human Capital Management, and International Operations			73

Human Rights Proposals			73

Mandatory Arbitration			73

Operations in High-Risk Markets			73

Outsourcing/Offshoring			74

Sexual Harassment			74

Weapons and Military Sales			74

Political Activities			75

Lobbying			75

Political Contributions			75

Political Expenditures and Lobbying Congruency			75

Political Ties			76

8. Mutual Fund Proxies			77

Election of Directors			77

Closed End Funds- Unilateral Opt-In to Control Share Acquisition Statutes			77

Converting Closed-end Fund to Open-end Fund			77

Proxy Contests			77

Investment Advisory Agreements			77

Approving New Classes or Series of Shares			78


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Preferred Stock Proposals			78

1940 Act Policies			78

Changing a Fundamental Restriction to a Nonfundamental Restriction			78

Change Fundamental Investment Objective to Nonfundamental			78

Name Change Proposals			78

Change in Fund’s Subclassification			79

Business Development Companies—Authorization to Sell Shares of Common Stock at a Price below Net Asset Value			79

Disposition of Assets/Termination/Liquidation			79

Changes to the Charter Document			79

Changing the Domicile of a Fund			80

Authorizing the Board to Hire and Terminate Subadvisers Without Shareholder Approval			80

Distribution Agreements			80

Master-Feeder Structure			80

Mergers			80

Shareholder Proposals for Mutual Funds			80

Establish Director Ownership Requirement			80

Reimburse Shareholder for Expenses Incurred			81

Terminate the Investment Advisor			81


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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

¹A “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.

²In 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.

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


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ISS Classification of Directors – U.S.

Executive Director

1.1.

Current officer¹ of 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 officer¹ of the company or an affiliate² within the past five years.

2.7.

Former officer¹ of an acquired company within the past five years.⁴

2.8.

Officer¹ of 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 member⁶ of a current or former officer¹ of the company or its affiliates² within the last five years.

2.11.

Immediate family member⁶ of a current employee of company or its affiliates² where 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 services⁷ in 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 member⁶ is) 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 relationship⁸ with the company or its affiliates²; or who is (or whose immediate family member⁶ is) 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 endowments⁸ from the company or its affiliates².

Other Relationships

2.15.

Party to a voting agreement⁹ to vote in line with management on proposals being brought to shareholder vote.

2.16.

Has (or an immediate family member⁶ has) an interlocking relationship as defined by the SEC involving members of the board of directors or its Compensation Committee.¹⁰

2.17.

Founder¹¹ of the company but not currently an employee.

2.18.

Director with pay comparable to Named Executive Officers.

2.19.

Any material¹² relationship with the company.


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Independent Director

3.1.

No material¹² connection 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 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.


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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.

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.

NOTE: For shareholder meeting reports published on or after February 25th, 2025, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) has indefinitely halted the consideration of the gender diversity of a company’s board when making vote recommendations with respect to the election or re-election of directors at U.S. companies covered by these guidelines under its proprietary ISS U.S. Benchmark policy.

³ Nominees who served for only part of the fiscal year are generally exempted from the attendance policy.

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.


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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.

NOTE: For shareholder meeting reports published on or after February 25th, 2025, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) has indefinitely halted the consideration of the racial and/or ethnic diversity of a company’s board when making vote recommendations with respect to the election or re-election of directors at U.S. companies covered under these guidelines under its proprietary ISS U.S. Benchmark policy.

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;

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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; or

◾

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.

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; and

◾

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

⁵ Aggregate diversity statistics provided by the board will only be considered if specific to racial and/or ethnic diversity.


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Whether the support level was less than 50 percent, which would warrant the highest degree of responsiveness.

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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 nominees ¹, 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 trigger threshold and other terms of the pill;

◾

The disclosed rationale for the adoption;

◾

The context in which the pill was adopted, (e.g., factors such as the company’s size and stage of development, sudden changes in its market capitalization, and extraordinary industry-wide or macroeconomic events);

◾

A commitment to put any renewal to a shareholder vote;

◾

The company’s overall track record on corporate governance and responsiveness to shareholders; and

◾

Other factors as relevant.

Unequal Voting Rights: Generally vote withhold or against directors individually, committee members, or the entire board (except new nominees ¹, 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.

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.

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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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 meeting ⁹ of public shareholders after Feb. 1, 2015, generally vote against or withhold from directors individually, committee members, or the entire board (except new nominees ¹, 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 nominees ¹, 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;

◾

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 nominees ¹, 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.


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Restricting Binding Shareholder Proposals: Generally vote against or withhold from the members of the governance committee if:

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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;

◾

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.


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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.

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 :

¹⁰ Companies defined as “significant GHG emitters” will be those on the current Climate Action 100+ Focus Group list.


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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

◾

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).

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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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.

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.


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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.

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 loyalt;

◾

Expand coverage beyond just legal expenses to liability for acts that are more serious violations of fiduciary obligation than mere carelessness; and

◾

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.

¹² A proxy access right that meets the recommended guidelines.

¹³ Indemnification: the condition of being secured against loss or damage.

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.


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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.

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;

◾

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;

◾

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.


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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.

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; and

◾

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.


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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.


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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;

◾

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.

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;


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The length of rotation specified in the proposal;

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Any significant audit-related issues at the company;

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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:

◾

Any impediments to shareholders’ ability to amend the bylaws (i.e. supermajority voting requirements);

◾

The company’s ownership structure and historical voting turnout;

◾

Whether the board could amend bylaws adopted by shareholders; and

◾

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.

Control Share Cash-Out Provisions

General Recommendation: Vote for proposals to opt out of control share cash-out statutes.


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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.

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.


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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:

◾

The company’s stated rationale for adopting such a provision;

◾

Disclosure of past harm from duplicative shareholder lawsuits in more than one forum;

◾

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

◾

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.

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.


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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:

◾

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);

◾

The value of the NOLs;

◾

Shareholder protection mechanisms (sunset provision or commitment to cause expiration of the protective amendment upon exhaustion or expiration of the NOL);

◾

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

◾

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

◾

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.

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:

◾

No lower than a 20 percent trigger, flip-in or flip-over;

◾

A term of no more than three years;

◾

No deadhand, slowhand, no-hand, or similar feature that limits the ability of a future board to redeem the pill; and

◾

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.


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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:

◾

The ownership threshold to transfer (NOL pills generally have a trigger slightly below 5 percent);

◾

The value of the NOLs;

◾

Shareholder protection mechanisms (sunset provision, or commitment to cause expiration of the pill upon exhaustion or expiration of NOLs);

◾

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

◾

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.

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:

◾

The scope and structure of the proposal;

◾

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;

◾

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;

◾

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;

◾

Any recent controversies or concerns related to the company’s proxy voting mechanics;

◾

Any unintended consequences resulting from implementation of the proposal; and

◾

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:

◾

The presence of a shareholder proposal addressing the same issue on the same ballot;

◾

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;


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The company’s ownership structure; and

◾

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:

◾

The election of fewer than 50 percent of the directors to be elected is contested in the election;

◾

One or more of the dissident’s candidates is elected;

◾

Shareholders are not permitted to cumulate their votes for directors; and

◾

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;

◾

Comparison of company’s governance practices and provisions prior to and following the reincorporation; and

◾

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:

◾

Shareholders’ current right to act by written consent;

◾

The consent threshold;

◾

The inclusion of exclusionary or prohibitive language;

◾

Investor ownership structure; and

◾

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:

◾

An unfettered¹⁴ right for shareholders to call special meetings at a 10 percent threshold;

◾

A majority vote standard in uncontested director elections;

¹⁴ quality of the company’s disclosure; and “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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No non-shareholder-approved pill; and

◾

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.

Generally vote for management or shareholder proposals that provide shareholders with the ability to call special meetings taking into account the following factors:

◾

Shareholders’ current right to call special meetings;

◾

Minimum ownership threshold necessary to call special meetings (10 percent preferred);

◾

The inclusion of exclusionary or prohibitive language;

◾

Investor ownership structure; and

◾

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:

◾

Ownership structure;

◾

Quorum requirements; and

◾

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.

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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Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals concerning virtual-only meetings, considering:

◾

Scope and rationale of the proposal; and

◾

Concerns identified with the company’s prior meeting practices.

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 share;

◾

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; or

◾

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;

◾

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;

◾

The company has a non-shareholder approved poison pill (including an NOL pill); or

◾

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:

◾

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

◾

A government body has in the past year required the company to increase its capital ratios.


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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.

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:

◾

The company discloses a compelling rationale for the dual-class capital structure, such as:

◾

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

◾

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:

◾

The size of the company;

◾

The shareholder base; and

◾

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;


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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;

◾

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; or

◾

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

◾

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”);

◾

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;

◾

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;

◾

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;

◾

The company has a non-shareholder approved poison pill (including an NOL pill); and

◾

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

◾

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:

◾

More simplified capital structure;

◾

Enhanced liquidity;

◾

Fairness of conversion terms;

◾

Impact on voting power and dividends;

◾

Reasons for the reclassification;

◾

Conflicts of interest; and

◾

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;

◾

Disclosure of substantial doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern without additional financing;

◾

The company’s rationale; or

◾

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.

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;


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The use of buybacks to inappropriately manipulate incentive compensation metrics;

◾

Threats to the company’s long-term viability; or

◾

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;

◾

Unfair method of distribution;

◾

Diminution of voting rights;

◾

Adverse conversion features;

◾

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.

Asset Purchases

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on asset purchase proposals, considering the following factors:

◾

Purchase price;

◾

Fairness opinion;

◾

Financial and strategic benefits;

◾

How the deal was negotiated;


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Conflicts of interest;

◾

Other alternatives for the business; and

◾

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;

◾

Potential elimination of diseconomies;

◾

Anticipated financial and operating benefits;

◾

Anticipated use of funds;

◾

Value received for the asset;

◾

Fairness opinion;

◾

How the deal was negotiated; and

◾

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;

◾

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.


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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); and

◾

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?

◾

Does the company have strong corporate governance?

◾

Will insiders reap the gains of control following the proposed transaction? and

◾

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;


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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 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.


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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; and

◾

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;

◾

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; and

◾

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.


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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.

◾

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

The main purpose of SPACs is to identify and acquire a viable target within a specified timeframe, and failure to achieve this objective within the allotted time calls into question management’s ability to execute its primary objective. The end of that timeframe is generally referred to as the termination date.


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General Recommendation: Generally support requests to extend the termination date by up to one year from the SPAC’s original termination date (inclusive of any built-in extension options, and accounting for prior extension requests).

Other factors that may be considered include: any added incentives, business combination status, other amendment terms, and, if applicable, use of money in the trust fund to pay excise taxes on redeemed shares.

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; and

◾

Changes in the capital structure.

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.


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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;

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);

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; and

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.

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; or

◾

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.


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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:

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.

◾

The multiple of the CEO’s total pay relative to the peer group median in the most recent fiscal year.

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.

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.

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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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:

◾

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); and/or

◾

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); and/or

◾

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.


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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;

◾

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.


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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.

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; and

◾

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; and

◾

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.

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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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 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.

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.


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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; and

◾

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.

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).


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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.

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; and

◾

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


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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.

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.


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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.

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.


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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.

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;


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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.

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; and

◾

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; and

◾

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? and

◾

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; and

◾

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.

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.


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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; and

◾

Any other relevant factors.

Severance and Golden Parachute Agreements

General Recommendation: Vote case-by-case on shareholder proposals requiring that executive severance (including change-in-control related) arrangements or payments be submitted for shareholder ratification.

Factors that will be considered include, but are not limited to:

◾

The company’s severance or change-in-control agreements in place, and the presence of problematic features (such as excessive severance entitlements, single triggers, excise tax gross-ups, etc.);

◾

Any existing limits on cash severance payouts or policies which require shareholder ratification of severance payments exceeding a certain level;

◾

Any recent severance-related controversies; and

◾

Whether the proposal is overly prescriptive, such as requiring shareholder approval of severance that does not exceed market norms.

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;

◾

The effect of recent buybacks on incentive metric results and payouts; and

◾

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.


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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.); and

◾

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).


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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.

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.


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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;

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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;

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Whether there are significant controversies, fines, penalties, or litigation associated with the company’s practices related to the issue(s) raised in the proposal;

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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.

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;

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The company’s standards are comparable to industry peers; and

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There are no recent significant fines, litigation, or controversies related to the company’s and/or its suppliers’ treatment of animals.


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Animal Testing

General Recommendation: Generally vote against proposals to phase out the use of animals in product testing, unless:

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The company is conducting animal testing programs that are unnecessary or not required by regulation;

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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;

◾

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.


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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:

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Whether the company has adequately disclosed mechanisms in place to prevent abuses;

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Whether the company has adequately disclosed the financial risks of the products/practices in question;

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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; and

◾

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.

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; or

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The company has not been recently involved in relevant significant controversies, fines, or litigation.


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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:

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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;

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Whether the company’s advertising restrictions deviate from those of industry peers;

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Whether the company entered into the Master Settlement Agreement, which restricts marketing of tobacco to youth; and

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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;

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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.

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:

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The extent to which the company’s climate related disclosures are in line with TCFD recommendations and meet other market standards;

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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Disclosure of its operational and supply chain GHG emissions (Scopes 1, 2, and 3);

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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);

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Whether the company has sought and received third-party approval that its targets are science-based;

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Whether the company has made a commitment to be “net zero” for operational and supply chain emissions (Scopes 1, 2, and 3) by 2050;

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Whether the company discloses a commitment to report on the implementation of its plan in subsequent years;

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Whether the company’s climate data has received third-party assurance;

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Disclosure of how the company’s lobbying activities and its capital expenditures align with company strategy;

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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.

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;

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The company’s level of disclosure is comparable to that of industry peers; or

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There are no significant, controversies, fines, penalties, or litigation associated with the company’s GHG emissions.


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Vote case-by-case on proposals that call for the adoption of GHG reduction goals from products and operations, taking into account:

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Whether the company provides disclosure of year-over-year GHG emissions performance data;

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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.

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; or

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The board already reports on its nominating procedures and gender and racial minority initiatives on the board and within the company.


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Vote case-by-case on proposals asking a company to increase the gender and racial minority representation on its board, taking into account:

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The degree of existing gender and racial minority diversity on the company’s board and among its executive officers;

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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.

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; or

◾

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;

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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.


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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;

◾

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;

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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.

Natural Capital- Related and/or Community Impact Assessment Proposals

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:

◾

Alignment of current disclosure of applicable company policies, metrics, risk assessment report(s) and risk management procedures with any relevant, broadly accepted reporting frameworks;

◾

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;

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The nature, purpose, and scope of the company’s operations in the specific region(s);


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The degree to which company policies and procedures are consistent with industry norms; and

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The scope of the resolution.

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.

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;


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Whether or not the company’s existing water-related policies and practices are consistent with relevant internationally recognized standards and national/local regulations;

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The potential financial impact or risk to the company associated with water-related concerns or issues; and

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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

◾

Whether the company has significant controversies or regulatory violations regarding social or environmental issues.


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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.

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:


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The nature, purpose, and scope of the operations and business involved that could be affected by social or political disruption;

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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 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.


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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;

◾

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; and

◾

Recent significant controversies related to the company’s direct and indirect lobbying, political contributions, or political activities.


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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.


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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.

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; and

◾

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; and

◾

Assignments (where the advisor undergoes a change of control).


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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; and

◾

Whether the shares can be used for antitakeover purposes.

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.


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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; and

◾

Consolidation in target industry.

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; and

◾

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; and

◾

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;


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◾

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; or

◾

Removal of shareholder approval requirement to change the domicile of the fund.

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; and

◾

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; and

◾

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; and

◾

Changes in corporate governance and their impact on shareholder rights.

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.


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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; and

◾

The performance of other funds under the advisor’s management.


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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.

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PART C
OTHER INFORMATION

Item 28.

Exhibits

(a)(i)	Declaration of Trust of SSGA Active Trust (the “Trust” or the “Registrant”), dated March 30, 2011 (the “Declaration of Trust”), is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a) to the Registrant’s initial Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 1, 2011.
(a)(ii)	Amendment No. 1, dated December 5, 2014, to the Declaration of Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 50 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on August 27, 2015.
(a)(iii)	Amendment No. 2, dated February 20, 2025, to the Declaration of Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a)(iii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 231 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on February 26, 2025.
(b)	Registrant’s Amended and Restated By-Laws, dated February 20, 2025, are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 231 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on February 26, 2025.
(c)	Not applicable.
(d)(i)(1)	Investment Advisory Agreement, dated April 25, 2012, between the Trust and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (“SSGA FM”) (the “Advisory Agreement”) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(i) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on October 9, 2013.
(d)(i)(2)	Exhibit A (Schedule of Series), dated September 10, 2025, to the Advisory Agreement is filed herewith.
(d)(ii)	Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated March 27, 2013, between SSGA FM and Blackstone Liquid Credit Strategies, LLC (formerly, GSO/Blackstone Debt Funds Management, LLC) (“Blackstone”) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(iii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on October 9, 2013.
(d)(iii)	Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated February 23, 2015, between SSGA FM and DoubleLine Capital LP (“DoubleLine”) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(vi) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on April 23, 2015.
(d)(iv)	Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated January 26, 2021, between SSGA FM and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC (“Nuveen Asset Management”) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(iv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 198 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on April 1, 2022.
(d)(v)	Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated September 15, 2021, between SSGA FM and Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. (“Loomis”) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(v) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 180 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on September 27, 2021.
(d)(vi)	Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated August 15, 2024, between SSGA FM and Galaxy Digital Capital Management LP (“Galaxy”) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(vi) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 219 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on September 9, 2024.
(d)(vii)	Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement, dated February 28, 2025, between SSGA FM and Bridgewater Associates, LP (“Bridgewater”) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (d)(vii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 232 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on March 5, 2025.
(e)(i)(1)	Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement, dated May 1, 2017, between the Trust and State Street Global Advisors Funds Distributors, LLC (“SSGA FD”) (the “Distribution Agreement”) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(i)(1) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on October 30, 2017.
(e)(i)(2)	Annex I (Schedule of Series), dated September 10, 2025, to the Distribution Agreement is filed herewith.
(e)(ii)	Form of Authorized Participant Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (e)(ii) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on January 6, 2012.
(f)	Not applicable.
(g)(i)(1)	Custodian Agreement, dated April 18, 2012, between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Custodian Agreement”) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(i) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on October 9, 2013.
(g)(i)(2)	Amendment, dated September 30, 2020, to the Custodian Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (g)(i)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 163 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on November 20, 2020.

(g)(i)(3)	Appendix A (Schedule of Series), dated September 10, 2025, to the Custodian Agreement is filed herewith.
(h)(i)(1)	Administration Agreement, dated June 1, 2015, between the Trust and SSGA FM (the “Administration Agreement”) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(i) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on October 28, 2015.
(h)(i)(2)	Schedule A (Schedule of Series), dated September 10, 2025, to the Administration Agreement is filed herewith.
(h)(ii)(1)	Master Sub-Administration Agreement, dated June 1, 2015, between SSGA FM and State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Sub-Administration Agreement”) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(ii) of Post- Effective Amendment No. 58 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on October 28, 2015.
(h)(ii)(2)	Amendment, dated June 29, 2018, to the Sub-Administration Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(ii)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 142 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on October 29, 2018.
(h)(ii)(3)	Amendment, dated August 14, 2019, to the Sub-Administration Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(ii)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 212 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on August 23, 2023.
(h)(ii)(4)	Schedule A (Schedule of Series), dated September 10, 2025, to the Sub-Administration Agreement is filed herewith.
(h)(iii)(1)	Transfer Agency and Service Agreement, dated April 18, 2012, between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Transfer Agency and Service Agreement”) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on October 9, 2013.
(h)(iii)(2)	Schedule A (Schedule of Series), dated September 10, 2025, to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement is filed herewith.
(h)(iv)(1)	Master Amended and Restated Securities Lending Authorization Agreement, dated January 6, 2017, between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company (the “Securities Lending Authorization Agreement”) is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(v) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 141 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on August 29, 2018.
(h)(iv)(2)	First Amendment, dated April 12, 2019, to the Securities Lending Authorization Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(v)(2) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 147 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on August 29, 2019.
(h)(iv)(3)	Second Amendment, dated September 6, 2019, to the Securities Lending Authorization Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(iv)(3) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 158 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on August 28, 2020.
(h)(iv)(4)	Third Amendment, dated October 31, 2019, to the Securities Lending Authorization Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(iv)(4) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 212 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on August 23, 2023.
(h)(iv)(5)	Fourth Amendment, dated January 1, 2022, to the Securities Lending Authorization Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(iv)(5) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 212 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on August 23, 2023.
(h)(iv)(6)	Fifth Amendment, dated February 24, 2022, to the Securities Lending Authorization Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(iv)(6) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 212 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on August 23, 2023.
(h)(iv)(7)	Sixth Amendment, dated September 6, 2023, to the Securities Lending Authorization Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(iv)(7) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 213 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on October 26, 2023.
(h)(iv)(8)	Seventh Amendment, dated March 28, 2024, to the Securities Lending Authorization Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(iv)(8) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 214 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on June 21, 2024.
(h)(iv)(9)	Eighth Amendment, dated July 3, 2024, to the Securities Lending Authorization Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(iv)(9) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 222 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on October 24, 2024.
(h)(iv)(10)	Ninth Amendment, dated January 3, 2025, to the Securities Lending Authorization Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(iv)(10) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 230 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on February 25, 2025.
(h)(v)	Form of Fund of Funds Investment Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(v) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on February 16, 2022.

(h)(vi)	Agreement to Provide Firm Bid Quotations and Obligations to Purchase, dated February 25, 2025, between the Registrant and Apollo Global Securities, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(vi) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 232 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on March 5, 2025.
(h)(vii)	Agreement to Provide Firm Bid Quotations and Obligations to Purchase, dated August 28, 2025, between the Registrant and Apollo Global Securities, LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (h)(vii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 238 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on August 27, 2025.
(i)(i)	Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the SPDR® SSGA Multi-Asset Real Return ETF, SPDR SSGA Income Allocation ETF, SPDR SSGA Conservative Global Allocation ETF, SPDR SSGA Global Allocation ETF, SPDR SSGA Aggressive Global Allocation ETF, SPDR Blackstone/GSO Senior Loan ETF, SPDR SSGA Ultra Short Term Bond ETF, SPDR MFS Systematic Core Equity ETF, SPDR MFS Systematic Growth Equity ETF, SPDR MFS Systematic Value Equity ETF, SPDR SSGA Risk Aware ETF, SPDR DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF, and State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Portfolio, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 58 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on October 28, 2015.
(i)(ii)	Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the State Street Disciplined Global Equity Portfolio, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on February 18, 2016.
(i)(iii)	Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the SPDR® DoubleLine® Short Duration Total Return Tactical ETF, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on April 12, 2016.
(i)(iv)	Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the SPDR® DoubleLine® Emerging Markets Fixed Income ETF, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on April 12, 2016.
(i)(v)	Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the SPDR® SSGA US Sector Rotation ETF and SPDR® SSGA Fixed Income Sector Rotation ETF, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(v) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 145 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on April 1, 2019.
(i)(vi)	Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the SPDR Nuveen Municipal Bond ETF, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(vi) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 167 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on February 2, 2021.
(i)(vii)	Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the SPDR Loomis Sayles Opportunistic Bond ETF, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(vii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 180 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on September 27, 2021.
(i)(viii)	Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the SPDR Blackstone High Income ETF, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(viii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 194 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on February 16, 2022.
(i)(ix)	Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the SPDR Nuveen Municipal Bond ESG ETF, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(ix) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 198 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on April 1, 2022.
(i)(x)	Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the SPDR SSGA US Equity Premium Income ETF, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(x) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 218 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on September 4, 2024.
(i)(xi)	Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the SPDR Galaxy Digital Asset Ecosystem ETF, SPDR Galaxy Transformative Tech Accelerators ETF, and SPDR Galaxy Hedged Digital Asset Ecosystem ETF, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(xi) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 219 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on September 9, 2024.
(i)(xii)	Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the SPDR SSGA My2026 Corporate Bond ETF, SPDR SSGA My2026 Municipal Bond ETF, SPDR SSGA My2027 Corporate Bond ETF, SPDR SSGA My 2027 Municipal Bond ETF, SPDR SSGA My2028 Corporate Bond ETF, SPDR SSGA My2028 Municipal Bond ETF, SPDR SSGA My2029 Corporate Bond ETF, SPDR SSGA My2029 Municipal Bond ETF, SPDR SSGA My2030 Corporate Bond ETF, SPDR SSGA My2030 Municipal Bond ETF, SPDR SSGA My2031 Corporate Bond ETF, SPDR SSGA My2032 Corporate Bond ETF, SPDR SSGA My2033 Corporate Bond ETF and SPDR SSGA My2034 Corporate Bond ETF, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(xii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 221 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on September 23, 2024.
(i)(xiii)	Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the SPDR SSGA IG Public & Private Credit ETF, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(xiii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 231 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on February 26, 2025.

(i)(xiv)	Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the SPDR Bridgewater All Weather ETF, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(xiv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 232 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on March 5, 2025.
(i)(xv)	Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the State Street Short Duration IG Public & Private Credit ETF, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (i)(xv) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 238 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on August 27, 2025.
(i)(xvi)	Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF and SPDR SSGA My2035 Corporate Bond ETF, is filed herewith.
(j)	Not applicable.
(k)	Not applicable.
(l)	Form of Seed Capital Subscription Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (l) of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on April 20, 2012.
(m)	Not applicable.
(n)	Not applicable.
(o)	Not applicable.
(p)(i)	Registrant’s Code of Ethics, adopted February 22, 2011, and last revised September 23, 2020, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(i) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 233 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on May 27, 2025.
(p)(ii)	Code of Ethics of SSGA FM, dated March 31, 2025, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(ii) of Post- Effective Amendment No. 233 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on May 27, 2025.
(p)(iii)	Code of Ethics of Blackstone, dated January 2024, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(iii) of Post- Effective Amendment No. 222 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on October 24, 2024.
(p)(iv)	Code of Ethics of DoubleLine, dated February 15, 2022, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(iv) of Post- Effective Amendment No. 222 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on October 24, 2024.
(p)(v)	Code of Ethics of Nuveen Asset Management, dated July 10, 2024, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(v) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 222 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on October 24, 2024.
(p)(vi)	Code of Ethics of Loomis, effective January 14, 2000, and as amended November 30, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(vi) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 222 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on October 24, 2024.
(p)(vii)	Code of Ethics of Galaxy, dated November 2023, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(vii) of Post- Effective Amendment No. 219 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on September 9, 2024.
(p)(viii)	Code of Ethics of Bridgewater, dated October 3, 2024, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(viii) of Post- Effective Amendment No. 232 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on March 5, 2025.
(p)(ix)	Code of Ethics for the Independent Trustees is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (p)(viii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 198 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on April 1, 2022.
(q)(i)	Power of Attorney for Mses. Clancy, Richer, Rowsell and Sponem and Messrs. Churchill, Ross, Verboncoeur and Rosenberg, dated May 18, 2023, is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (q) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 212 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on August 23, 2023.
(q)(ii)	Power of Attorney, dated November 8, 2024, for Ms. LaPorta is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (q)(ii) of Post-Effective Amendment No. 223 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC on November 19, 2024.
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EX-101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
EX-101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
EX-101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase
EX-101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

Item 29.

Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control With Registrant

The Board of Trustees of the Trust is the same as the Boards of Trustees of SPDR Series Trust and SPDR Index Shares Funds. In addition, the officers of the Trust are substantially identical to the officers of SPDR Series Trust and SPDR Index Shares Funds. Additionally, the Trust’s investment adviser, SSGA FM, also serves as investment adviser to each series of SPDR Series Trust and SPDR Index Shares Funds. Nonetheless, the Trust takes the position that it is not under common control with other trusts because the power residing in the respective boards and officers arises as the result of an official position with the respective trusts.

Additionally, see the “Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities” section of the Statement of Additional Information for a list of shareholders who own more than 5% of a specific fund’s outstanding shares and such information is incorporated by reference to this Item.

Item 30.

Indemnification

Pursuant to Section V.3 of the Registrant’s Declaration of Trust, the Trust will indemnify any person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him/her in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he/she becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his/her being or having been a Trustee, officer, employee or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him/her in the settlement thereof, if he/she acted in good faith and in a manner he/she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Trust, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his/her conduct was unlawful. In addition, indemnification is permitted only if it is determined that the actions in question did not render him/her liable by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of his/her duties or by reason of reckless disregard of his/her obligations and duties to the Registrant. The Registrant may also advance money for litigation expenses provided that Trustees, officers, employees and/or agents give their undertakings to repay the Registrant unless their conduct is later determined to permit indemnification.

Pursuant to Section V.2 of the Registrant’s Declaration of Trust, no Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Registrant shall be liable for any action or failure to act, except in the case of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties to the Registrant. Pursuant to paragraph 9 of the Registrant’s Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser shall not be liable for any action or failure to act, except in the case of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence or reckless disregard of duties to the Registrant.

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions of Rule 484 under the Act, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The Registrant hereby undertakes that it will apply the indemnification provision of its By-Laws in a manner consistent with Release 11330 of the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), so long as the interpretation of Sections 17(h) and 17(i) of such Act remains in effect.

The Registrant maintains insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Registrant, or who is or was serving at the request of the Registrant as a trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of another trust or corporation, against any liability asserted against him/her and incurred by him/her or arising out of his/her position. However, in no event will the Registrant maintain insurance to indemnify any such person for any act for which the Registrant itself is not permitted to indemnify him/her.

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
Jeanne LaPorta	Chairperson, Director and President; Executive Vice President of SSGA
Sean Driscoll	Director of SSGA FM; Managing Director of SSGA
Apea Amoa	Director of SSGA FM; Chief Financial Officer 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
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

BLACKSTONE LIQUID CREDIT STRATEGIES LLC:

Blackstone Liquid Credit Strategies LLC (“Blackstone”) serves as the investment sub-adviser to the Registrant’s SPDR Blackstone Senior Loan ETF and SPDR Blackstone High Income ETF. Blackstone is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Blackstone Inc. (collectively with its affiliates, “Blackstone Inc.”). Blackstone Inc. is a leading manager of private capital and provider of financial advisory services. It is one of the largest independent managers of private capital in the world. The principal business address of Blackstone is 345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor, New York, New York 10154. Blackstone is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Below is a list of the directors and principal executive officers of Blackstone and their principal occupation(s). Unless otherwise noted, the address of each person listed is 345 Park Avenue, 31st Floor, New York, New York 10154.

Name	Position with and Name of Other Company
BLACKSTONE ALTERNATIVE CREDIT ADVISORS LP	MANAGING MEMBER
ZABLE, ROBERT, DANIEL	HEAD OF BLACKSTONE CREDIT’S LIQUID CREDIT STRATEGIES UNIT
SMITH, DANIEL, HARLAN	CHAIRMAN OF BLACKSTONE CREDIT’S LIQUID CREDIT STRATEGIES UNIT
BEENEY, MARISA, JANEL	GENERAL COUNSEL OF BLACKSTONE CREDIT
BOUGIAMAS, PANAYIOTA	CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER OF BLACKSTONE LIQUID CREDIT STRATEGIES LLC
IANNARONE, THOMAS, LAWRENCE	CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF BLACKSTONE LIQUID CREDIT STRATEGIES LLC
SCOTT, DONALD, DWIGHT	PRESIDENT OF BLACKSTONE CREDIT
VONZUBEN, HEATHER, CAREY	CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF BLACKSTONE CREDIT
KRESGE, KEVIN, MICHAEL	HEAD OF FINANCE FOR BLACKSTONE CREDIT

DOUBLELINE CAPITAL LP:

DoubleLine serves as investment sub-adviser to the Registrant’s SPDR DoubleLine Total Return Tactical ETF, SPDR DoubleLine Short Duration Total Return Tactical ETF and SPDR DoubleLine Emerging Markets Fixed Income ETF. The principal business address of DoubleLine is 2002 N. Tampa Street, Suite 200, Tampa, Florida 33602. DoubleLine is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Below is a list of the directors and principal executive officers of DoubleLine and their principal occupation(s). Unless otherwise noted, the address of each person listed is 2002 N. Tampa Street, Suite 200, Tampa, Florida 33602.

Name	Position with and Name of Other Company
GUNDLACH, JEFFREY, EDWARD	CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER; CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER; DIRECTOR; LIMITED PARTNER;EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
DOUBLELINE CAPITAL GP LLC	GENERAL PARTNER
OAKTREE FUND GP II, L.P.	LIMITED PARTNER
CHASE, HENRY, VANN	CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER; LIMITED PARTNER;EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
LARISCY, EARL, ALLAN	GENERAL COUNSEL; LIMITED PARTNER;EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
REDELL, RONALD, ROBERT	EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER; LIMITED PARTNER
SANTA ANA III, CRIS	CHIEF RISK OFFICER, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER, LIMITED PARTNER
VAN EVERY, BARBARA, RUTH	EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER; CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER; LIMITED PARTNER
MOORE, CASEY, LEE	CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER; EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER; LIMITED PARTNER
SHERMAN, JEFFREY, JOHN	EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER; DEPUTY CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER; LIMITED PARTNER
GUIA, YOUSE, ENRIQUE	CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER; EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER
ELAM, JOAN, LYNEA	CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER; EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER; LIMITED PARTNER
TOWNZEN, PATRICK, AARON	CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER; EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER; LIMITED PARTNER

NUVEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC:

Nuveen Asset Management serves as the investment sub-adviser to the Registrant’s SPDR Nuveen Municipal Bond ETF and SPDR Nuveen Municipal Bond ESG ETF. The principal business address of Nuveen Asset Management is 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606. Nuveen Asset Management is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Below is a list of the directors and principal executive officers of Nuveen Asset Management and their principal occupation(s). Unless otherwise noted, the address of each person listed is 333 West Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

Name	Position with and Name of Other Company
William T. Huffman	President
Stuart J. Cohen	Managing Director and Head of Legal
Travis M. Pauley	Chief Compliance Officer
Jon Stevens	Senior Managing Director
Megan Sendlak	Controller
Saira Malik	Executive Vice President

LOOMIS, SAYLES & COMPANY, L.P.:

Loomis serves as the investment sub-adviser to the Registrant’s SPDR Loomis Sayles Opportunistic Bond ETF. The principal business address of Loomis is One Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. Loomis is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Below is a list of the directors and principal executive officers of Loomis and their principal occupation(s). Unless otherwise noted, the address of each person listed is One Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.

Name and Position with Loomis	Name and Principal Business Address of Other Company	Connection with Other Company
Kevin P. Charleston Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director	Loomis Sayles Funds I 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer
	Loomis Sayles Funds II 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	Trustee

Name and Position with Loomis	Name and Principal Business Address of Other Company	Connection with Other Company
	Natixis Funds Trust I 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	Trustee
	Natixis Funds Trust II 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	Trustee
	Natixis Funds Trust IV 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	Trustee
	Natixis ETF Trust 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	Trustee
	Natixis ETF Trust II 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	Trustee
	Gateway Trust 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	Trustee
	Loomis Sayles Distributors, Inc. One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111	Director
	Loomis Sayles Investments Limited The Economist Plaza, 25 St. James’s Street, London, England SW1A 1 HA	Representative of Loomis Sayles as a corporate Director
	Loomis Sayles Trust Company, LLC One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111	Manager and President
	Loomis Sayles Investments Asia Pte. Ltd. 10 Collyer Quay #14-06, Ocean Financial Centre, Singapore 049315	Director
	Loomis Sayles Operating Services, LLC One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111 (dissolved 12/20/22)	Director, Chairman and President (2020 – 2022)
	NIM-os, LLC One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111	Manager
Matthew J. Eagan Co-Head and Portfolio Manager, Full Discretion, and Director	None.	None.
Daniel J. Fuss Vice Chairman and Director	Loomis Sayles Funds I 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	Executive Vice President (2003 - 2021)
	Loomis Sayles Funds II 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	Executive Vice President (2003 - 2021)
John R. Gidman Chief Operating Officer and Director	Loomis Sayles Operating Services, LLC One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111 (dissolved 12/20/22)	Director and Chief Executive Officer (2020 – 2022)
	NIM-os, LLC One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111	Manager
David L. Giunta Director	Natixis Investment Managers 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	President and Chief Executive Officer, US
	Natixis Advisors, LLC 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	President and Chief Executive Officer
	Compliance, Risk and Internal Control Committee (formerly known as Natixis Distribution Corporation) 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
	Natixis Distribution, LLC 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	President and Chief Executive Officer
	Loomis Sayles Funds I 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	Trustee and Executive Vice President
	Loomis Sayles Funds II 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer

Name and Position with Loomis	Name and Principal Business Address of Other Company	Connection with Other Company
	Natixis Funds Trust I 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer
	Natixis Funds Trust II 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer
	Natixis Funds Trust IV 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer
	Natixis ETF Trust 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer
	Natixis ETF Trust II 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer
	Gateway Trust 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer
	NIM-os, LLC One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111	Manager
Aziz V. Hamzaogullari Chief Investment Officer of the Growth Equity Strategies, Portfolio Manager and Director	None.	None.
Kinji Kato Director	Natixis Investment Managers Japan Ark Hills South Tower 8F, 4-5, Roppongi 1-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032 Japan	Honorary Chairman
Maurice Leger Head of Global Distribution and Director	Loomis Sayles Trust Company, LLC One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111	Manager
Richard G. Raczkowski Co-Head and Portfolio Manager, Relative Return, and Director	None.	None.
Rebecca O’Brien Radford General Counsel, Secretary and Director (1/1/23 to present); Deputy General Counsel (2021 – 2023)	Loomis Sayles Distributors, Inc. One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111	Director
	Loomis Sayles Investments Limited The Economist Plaza, 25 St. James’s Street, London, England SW1A 1 HA	General Counsel and Secretary
	Loomis Sayles Trust Company, LLC One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111	Manager and Secretary
	Loomis Sayles Operating Services, LLC One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111 (dissolved 12/20/22)	Director and Secretary (2020 – 2022)
	NIM-os, LLC One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111	Manager and General Counsel
John F. Russell Head of Human Resources and Director	None.	None.
Timothy F. Ryan Director	Natixis Investment Managers 888 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199	Chief Executive Officer and Head of Asset & Wealth Management
Susan L. Sieker Chief Financial Officer and Director	Loomis Sayles Investments Limited The Economist Plaza, 25 St. James’s Street, London, England SW1A 1 HA	Chief Financial Officer
	Loomis Sayles Trust Company, LLC One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111	Manager and Chief Financial Officer
	NIM-os, LLC One Financial Center, Boston, MA 02111	Manager and Chief Financial Officer
Elaine M. Stokes Co-Head and Portfolio Manager, Full Discretion, and Director	None.	None.

Name and Position with Loomis	Name and Principal Business Address of Other Company	Connection with Other Company
David L. Waldman Deputy Chief Investment Officer (2013 - 2021), Chief Investment Officer (2021 to present) and Director	None.	None.

GALAXY DIGITAL CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LP:

Galaxy serves as the investment sub-adviser to the Registrant’s SPDR Galaxy Digital Asset Ecosystem ETF, SPDR Galaxy Transformative Tech Accelerators ETF and SPDR Galaxy Hedged Digital Asset Ecosystem ETF. The principal business address of Galaxy is 300 Vesey Street, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10282. Galaxy is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Below is a list of the directors and principal executive officers of Galaxy and their principal occupation(s). Unless otherwise noted, the address of each person listed is 300 Vesey Street, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10282.

Name	Position with and Name of Other Company
GALAXY DIGITAL CAPITAL MANAGEMENT GP LLC	GENERAL PARTNER
GALAXY DIGITAL LP	LIMITED PARTNER
Siegel, Andrew, Neal	GENERAL COUNSEL AND AUTHORIZED PERSON
Kurz, Stephen, Janus	HEAD, ASSET MANAGEMENT DIVISION, AND AUTHORIZED PERSON
Ferraro, Christopher	PRESIDENT
Paquette, Anthony Philip	CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Srivastava, Lagan	CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER

BRIDGEWATER ASSOCIATES, LP:

Bridgewater serves as the investment sub-adviser to the Registrant’s SPDR Bridgewater All Weather ETF. The principal business address of Bridgewater is One Nyala Farms Road, Westport, Connecticut 06880. Bridgewater is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

Below is a list of the directors and principal executive officers of Bridgewater and their principal occupation(s). Unless otherwise noted, the address of each person listed is One Nyala Farms Road, Westport, Connecticut 06880.

Name	Position with and Name of Other Company
Nir Bar Dea	Chief Executive Officer
Greg Jensen	Co-Chief Investment Officer
Bob Prince	Co-Chief Investment Officer
Karen Karniol-Tambour	Co-Chief Investment Officer

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: SPDR Series Trust, SPDR Index Shares Funds, State Street Institutional Investment Trust, SSGA Funds, State Street Institutional Funds, State Street Variable Insurance Series Funds, Inc., Elfun Diversified Fund, Elfun Tax-Exempt Income Fund, Elfun Income Fund, Elfun International Equity Fund, Elfun Government Money Market Fund and Elfun Trusts.

(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
Jeanne LaPorta	Chairperson and Manager	Interested Trustee
Allison Bonds Mazza	President and Manager	None
Editha V. Tenorio	Chief Financial Officer	None

Name and Principal Business Address*	Positions and Offices with Underwriter	Positions and Offices with the Trust
Sean O’Malley	Chief Legal Officer	None
Mark Trabucco	Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Officer	None
Jessica Cross	Secretary	None
Sean Driscoll	Manager	None
David Maxham	Manager	None
Christine Stokes	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

All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the Rules thereunder are maintained at the offices of SSGA FM and/or State Street Bank and Trust Company, with offices located at One Iron Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210 and One Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, respectively.

Item 34.

Management Services

Not applicable.

Item 35.

Undertakings

Not applicable.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, SSGA Active Trust certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the 1933 Act andhas duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 9th day of September, 2025.

	SSGA ACTIVE TRUST

By:	/s/ Ann M. Carpenter
	Ann M. Carpenter
	President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:

Signature	Title	Date
/s/ Carolyn M. Clancy*	Trustee	September 9, 2025
Carolyn M. Clancy
/s/ Dwight D. Churchill*	Trustee	September 9, 2025
Dwight D. Churchill
/s/ Clare S. Richer*	Trustee	September 9, 2025
Clare S. Richer
/s/ Kristi L. Rowsell*	Trustee	September 9, 2025
Kristi L. Rowsell
/s/ Sandra G. Sponem*	Trustee	September 9, 2025
Sandra G. Sponem
/s/ Carl G. Verboncoeur*	Trustee	September 9, 2025
Carl G. Verboncoeur
/s/ Jeanne LaPorta*	Trustee	September 9, 2025
Jeanne LaPorta
/s/ James E. Ross*	Trustee	September 9, 2025
James E. Ross
/s/ Ann M. Carpenter	President and Principal Executive Officer	September 9, 2025
Ann M. Carpenter
/s/ Bruce S. Rosenberg	Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)	September 9, 2025
Bruce S. Rosenberg

*By:	/s/ Edmund Gerard Maiorana, Jr.
	Edmund Gerard Maiorana, Jr. As Attorney-in-Fact Pursuant to Powers of Attorney

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Exhibit
(d)(i)(2)	Revised Exhibit A (Schedule of Series), dated September 10, 2025, to the Advisory Agreement
(e)(i)(2)	Amended Annex I (Schedule of Series), dated September 10, 2025, to the Distribution Agreement
(g)(i)(3)	Amended Appendix A (Schedule of Series), dated September 10, 2025, to the Custodian Agreement
(h)(i)(2)	Amended Schedule A (Schedule of Series), dated September 10, 2025, to the Administration Agreement
(h)(ii)(4)	Amended Schedule A (Schedule of Series), dated September 10, 2025, to the Sub-Administration Agreement
(h)(iii)(2)	Amended Schedule A (Schedule of Series), dated September 10, 2025, to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement
(i)(xvi)	Opinion and consent of counsel, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, relating to the SPDR SSGA My2031 Municipal Bond ETF and SPDR SSGA My2035 Corporate Bond ETF
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EX-101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
EX-101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
EX-101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase
EX-101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase