Best Ira maybe SEP- Ira if you have a small business or have 1099 incomes... I have one at Vanguard - it's great way to have tax sheltered acct to have for long term holdings because you save so much tax deferred to use for investing
Anyone have DEFINED BENEFITS plans added to their portfolio!?

@johnN you asked this two weeks ago and I stated that "if the object is to maximize allowable contributions, the individual 401(k) is usually superior."
https://mutualfundobserver.com/discuss/discussion/47567/roth-ira-and-sep-ira-and-defined-benefits-questions
I'll try to be clearer. What are you trying to do with a DB plan? Usually someone looks at these only with high income and after one has maxed out DC options. For most people with self-employment income, they get a higher max with a 401(k) plan than with a SEP-IRA.
The SEP-IRA limit is lower until you hit $280K in net income. Even then, it's still lower if you qualify for a catch up contribution, which you can't do with a SEP.
So if you're trying to increase the amount you can defer, have you looked into a 401(k) instead of a SEP? If you're trying to create a "traditional" pension plan (which is what a DB plan is), have you considered simply annuitizing (part of) your DC plan instead? That's simpler than doing all the annual mortality and funding calculations for a DB plan.
Here's a calculator from Fidelity that will show you what you can contribute to a SEP vs a 401k plan.
https://scs.fidelity.com/products/mobile/sepMobile.shtml
Here's Fidelity's worksheet (with 2017 limits) that shows you what's behind the calculations:
https://www.fidelity.com/bin-public/060_www_fidelity_com/documents/customer-service/401k-self-employed-owner-only-business.pdf
Another reason why a 401(k) plan is superior for some - unlike a SEP, it allows you to make Roth contributions. Vanguard finally added a Roth option to its individual 401(k). For many years, T. Rowe Price was the only one offering a no cost 401(k) with Roth option, which is why I used that. Fidelity's still doesn't have a Roth option.
https://investor.vanguard.com/small-business-retirement-plans/comparison

Wasn't the idea of the tax on SS in fact to tax the "rich"? If I recall the argument, many well-off people with large retirement incomes were (as usual) using loopholes to avoid taxes. Wasn't it the idea that people with lower retirement incomes would not hit the tax threshold for SS but people with the larger incomes would?

@Old_Joe, I don't remember the argument, but what you say about the actual tax computation is true. With lower income, much less of SS income is taxed; 2018 was a low income year for me, and ~ 15% is taxable, versus the usual ~ 85%.
Haven't heard this argument in a while, but I recall that in the past, at least, it was suggested that SS should be means tested ... and it is, via the income tax.
P.S., off topic: do you still have the place in the Russian R. valley? Another flood year there, I'm reading.

For now, do nothing.
Here is some discussion at M*, with additional links inside:
https://socialize.morningstar.com/NewSocialize/forums/p/388268/3992995.aspx#3992995

"The fee is calculated as 0.15% of a mutual-fund company’s industrywide assets, not just on the dollar amount of assets held by Fidelity customers buying shares on the platform, the document says."
This is the kicker -- .15% of a hosted fund company's ENTIRE industrywide assets? So if they are offering XYZ's S&P 500 fund only, XYZ is paying Fido a fee that's based on not only the AUM of that fund but also the AUM of every other fund XYZ sells, even if it's not available on the Fido platform? And does that include retirement plans, SEP accounts, or other managed accounts? Wow .. that's chutzpah!
This sounds like an end-run around declaring a 12(b)-1 fee -- or a 12(b)-1 that's higher than the average for services that are supposed to be paid for from a stated 12(b)-1 fee. TL;DR Typical greed/sleaze move!!

huh, no mention of the 'value' auto-churn strategy for SP500 that, so far as I can see, outperforms at every interval for the last ~6.5y
iow a non-secret for beating the market, or #7
graph CAPE vs FXAIX since fall of 2012 and any sub-period thereafter

It would be 6y old at the end of April, and only $7mm in assets. Matthews launched quite a few funds in the past several years that haven't really broken out in popularity. I just hope they don't start dropping more of them, like my fave MAVRX, their only identified value fund, with ~ $25mm in assets.

AJ,
What are the differences between MAVRX and MAPIX?
Mona

It would be 6y old at the end of April, and only $7mm in assets. Matthews launched quite a few funds in the past several years that haven't really broken out in popularity. I just hope they don't start dropping more of them, like my fave MAVRX, their only identified value fund, with ~ $25mm in assets.

Two portfolio managers resigned?
New team of 5 managers?
Que pasa, Chartwell?

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/923184/000119312519056986/d681102d497.htm
497 1 d681102d497.htm 497
MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS
SUPPLEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 28, 2019
TO THE INVESTOR CLASS PROSPECTUS
DATED APRIL 30, 2018, AS SUPPLEMENTED
For all existing and prospective shareholders of Matthews Asia Focus Fund – Investor Class (MAFSX):
The Board of Trustees of Matthews International Funds (d/b/a Matthews Asia Funds) (the “Trust”) has approved a Plan of Termination, Dissolution and Liquidation for the Matthews Asia Focus Fund, a series of the Trust (the “Fund”), pursuant to which the Fund will be liquidated (the “Liquidation”) on or about March 29, 2019 (“Liquidation Date”). This date may be changed without notice at the discretion of the Trust’s officers.
Suspension of Sales. Effective on March 1, 2019, the Fund will no longer sell shares to new investors or existing shareholders, including through exchanges into the Fund from other series of the Trust.
Mechanics. The Fund will cease investment operations in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies, and the Fund’s assets will be converted into cash and cash equivalents on or before the Liquidation Date. In connection with the Liquidation, any shares of the Fund outstanding on the Liquidation Date will be automatically redeemed as of the close of business on the Liquidation Date. The proceeds of any such redemption will be equal to the net asset value of those shares after the Fund has paid or covered with reserves all of its charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities. The distribution to shareholders of these liquidation proceeds will occur as soon as practicable, and will be made to all shareholders of the Fund of record at the time of the Liquidation. Additionally, the Fund must declare and distribute to shareholders any realized capital gains and all net investment income no later than the final Liquidation distribution. Matthews International Capital Management, LLC (“Matthews”), investment advisor to the Fund, intends to distribute substantially all of the Fund’s net investment income before the Liquidation. Matthews will bear all expenses in connection with the Liquidation to the extent those expenses exceed the amount of the Fund’s normal and customary fees and expenses accrued by the Fund through the Liquidation Date, provided that those accrued amounts are first applied to pay for the Fund’s normal and customary fees and expenses.
Other Alternatives. At any time before the Liquidation Date, shareholders of the Fund may redeem their shares of the Fund and receive the net asset value thereof, pursuant to the procedures set forth under “Investing in the Matthews Asia Funds – Selling (Redeeming) Shares” in the Prospectus. Shareholders may also exchange their Fund shares for shares of the same class of any other series of the Trust, as described in and subject to any restrictions set forth under “Investing in the Matthews Asia Funds – Exchanging Shares” in the Prospectus.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters. For tax purposes, with respect to shares held in a taxable account, the automatic redemption of shares of the Fund on the Liquidation Date will generally be treated as any other redemption of shares (i.e., as a sale that may result in gain or loss for federal income tax purposes). Instead of waiting until the Liquidation Date, a shareholder may voluntarily redeem his or her shares before the Liquidation Date to the extent that the shareholder wishes to realize any such gains or losses before the Liquidation Date. See “Other Shareholder Information – Taxes” in the Prospectus. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax treatment of the Liquidation.
If you have any questions regarding the Liquidation, please contact the Trust at 1-800-789-ASIA (2742).
Please retain this Supplement with your records.
ST047
MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS
SUPPLEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 28, 2019
TO THE INSTITUTIONAL CLASS PROSPECTUS
DATED APRIL 30, 2018, AS SUPPLEMENTED
For all existing and prospective shareholders of Matthews Asia Focus Fund — Institutional Class (MIFSX):
The Board of Trustees of Matthews International Funds (d/b/a Matthews Asia Funds) (the “Trust”) has approved a Plan of Termination, Dissolution and Liquidation for the Matthews Asia Focus Fund, a series of the Trust (the “Fund”), pursuant to which the Fund will be liquidated (the “Liquidation”) on or about March 29, 2019 (“Liquidation Date”). This date may be changed without notice at the discretion of the Trust’s officers.
Suspension of Sales. Effective on March 1, 2019, the Fund will no longer sell shares to new investors or existing shareholders, including through exchanges into the Fund from other series of the Trust.
Mechanics. The Fund will cease investment operations in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and policies, and the Fund’s assets will be converted into cash and cash equivalents on or before the Liquidation Date. In connection with the Liquidation, any shares of the Fund outstanding on the Liquidation Date will be automatically redeemed as of the close of business on the Liquidation Date. The proceeds of any such redemption will be equal to the net asset value of those shares after the Fund has paid or covered with reserves all of its charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities. The distribution to shareholders of these liquidation proceeds will occur as soon as practicable, and will be made to all shareholders of the Fund of record at the time of the Liquidation. Additionally, the Fund must declare and distribute to shareholders any realized capital gains and all net investment income no later than the final Liquidation distribution. Matthews International Capital Management, LLC (“Matthews”), investment advisor to the Fund, intends to distribute substantially all of the Fund’s net investment income before the Liquidation. Matthews will bear all expenses in connection with the Liquidation to the extent those expenses exceed the amount of the Fund’s normal and customary fees and expenses accrued by the Fund through the Liquidation Date, provided that those accrued amounts are first applied to pay for the Fund’s normal and customary fees and expenses.
Other Alternatives. At any time before the Liquidation Date, shareholders of the Fund may redeem their shares of the Fund and receive the net asset value thereof, pursuant to the procedures set forth under “Investing in the Matthews Asia Funds — Selling (Redeeming) Shares” in the Prospectus. Shareholders may also exchange their Fund shares for shares of the same class of any other series of the Trust, as described in and subject to any restrictions set forth under “Investing in the Matthews Asia Funds — Exchanging Shares” in the Prospectus.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters. For tax purposes, with respect to shares held in a taxable account, the automatic redemption of shares of the Fund on the Liquidation Date will generally be treated as any other redemption of shares (i.e., as a sale that may result in gain or loss for federal income tax purposes). Instead of waiting until the Liquidation Date, a shareholder may voluntarily redeem his or her shares before the Liquidation Date to the extent that the shareholder wishes to realize any such gains or losses before the Liquidation Date. See “Other Shareholder Information — Taxes” in the Prospectus. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the tax treatment of the Liquidation.
If you have any questions regarding the Liquidation, please contact the Trust at 1-800-789-ASIA (2742).
Please retain this Supplement with your records.
ST048

This caught my eye at the end of the report:
Fidelity’s entire ETF lineup can be bought commission-free on Fidelity’s online brokerage platform. Earlier this month, the company announced it was nearly doubling the number of funds that can be bought commission-free on its platform to more than 500 products from various asset managers. That expansion takes effect today.

Thanks @Old_Skeet,,
I fell in love with pie-charts some 25 years ago after I deep-sixed my fee-based “advisor” and started wondering how to diversify a portfolio. It’s an easy way to visualize the proportion allocated to different sectors and to make quick modifications if needed. (Might also be a “right brain” / “left brain” issue. :) ) Dr. Mandell’s recommendations, while not presented in pie-chart form, easily lend themselves to one. No doubt there are apps that could easily display them that way.
I’m astounded at how conservatively he positions a “conservative” investor. 45% cash? Yikes! But it’s not for me to say. Something in me wonders if that represents perhaps a “cautious” outlook for stocks?
I’m glad @Starchild felt enlightened by all the suggestions. I didn’t weigh in. The universe of high quality International / Global funds is just too wide for me to be comfortable suggesting one. Success relative to peers is often based on where in the world they chose to position the fund and how different economies performed over shorter periods.

FYI: Fidelity Investments launched three multifactor exchange-traded funds on Thursday, boosting the company’s bet on factor investing as it expands its ETF lineup.
All three products follow indexes developed in-house that track companies that Fidelity’s research analysts believe have attractive valuations, high-quality profiles, positive momentum signals and lower volatility than broader market indexes.
Regards,
Ted
https://www.fa-mag.com/news/fidelity-debuts-three-multifactor-etfs-43565.html?print

@Starchild: It's me again. I pulled Dr. Madell's recommended funds form his recent newsletter. They are listed below for your review. It looks like VWIGX is his recommended international choice. You might wish to look at TBGVX as it is also on his short list. And, VTMGX looks interesting as well.
My Recommended Stock Funds:
-Vanguard Extended Market Idx (VEXMX)
-Vanguard Small Cap Growth Idx (VISGX)
-Vanguard 500 Index (VFINX)
-Vanguard Equity Income (VEIPX)
-Vanguard Windsor II (VWNFX)
-Vanguard Energy (VGENX)
-Vanguard Growth Idx (VIGRX)
-Vanguard Pacific Index (VPACX)
-Vanguard International Growth (VWIGX)
-Vanguard Europe Idx (VEURX)
-Vanguard Emerging Markets Idx (VEIEX)
-Tweedy, Browne Global Value (TBGVX)
-Vanguard Total Stock Mkt Idx Inv (VTSMX)
-Vanguard Developed Markets Idx Adm (VTMGX)
My Recommended Bond Funds:
-Vanguard California Interm-Term Tax-Exempt (VCAIX)
-PIMCO Total Return Instl (PTTRX)
-Vanguard Total Bond Market Index (VBMFX)
-Vanguard High Yield (VWEHX)
-Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade (VFSTX)
-PIMCO International Bond Adm (PFRAX)
-Vanguard Total International Bond Index (VTIBX)
Some Tips Form Skeet
You might wish to visit how much risk you have within your portfolio. I have seen, through the years, some of my buddies taking on too much risk in an attemp to meet targeted returns. Have you done a risk assessment of your portfolio? And, is it set to your tolerance? If in doubt then you might wish to do a risk profile on yourself. I have linked one below just in case it might interest you.
https://www.calcxml.com/do/inv08
In doing a look back into Dr. Madell's October 2018 newsletter below are his published model asset allocations.
Overall Allocations to Stocks, Bonds, and Cash
Recommended For Moderate Risk Investors
Asset Current (Last Qtr.)
Stocks 57% (57%)
Bonds 24 (25)
Cash 19 (18)
Recommended For Aggressive Risk Investors
Asset Current (Last Qtr.)
Stocks 73% (73%)
Bonds 14 (14)
Cash 13 (13)
Recommended For Conservative Risk Investors
Asset Current (Last Qtr.)
Stocks 20% (20%)
Bonds 35 (35)
Cash 45 (45)
While my asset allocation of 20% cash, 40% income and 40% equity might not be right for you it is what I have recently moved to being 70+ years in age and retired. This asset allocation affords me enough cash reserves should I need a cash infusion, enough income generation from my income area along with enough growth from my equity area to grow my principal over time. Generally, I take no more than one half (in dollars) of what my five year annual average returns have been. In this way principal grows over time. And, as my principal grows so do my distributions.
In addition, I'd do an Instant Xray of my portfolio before I add new positions and then with the proposed changes to make sure the changes reflect the way I want to head.
Morningstar's Instant Xray tool is linked below. In addition to looking at your portfolio as a whole you might wish to look at each fund in Xray to see how it is compiled. This should help in making better fit choices.
https://www.morningstar.com/portfolio.html?requestUrl=/RtPort/Free/InstantXRayDEntry.aspx?dt=0.7055475
Again, I wish you good investing in the years to come.
Old_Skeet

@Starchild: It's me again. I pulled Dr. Madell's recommended funds form his recent newsletter. They are listed below for your review. It looks like VWIGX is his recommended international choice. You might wish to look at TBGVX as it is also on his short list. And, VTMGX looks interesting as well.
My Recommended Stock Funds:
-Vanguard Extended Market Idx (VEXMX)
-Vanguard Small Cap Growth Idx (VISGX)
-Vanguard 500 Index (VFINX)
-Vanguard Equity Income (VEIPX)
-Vanguard Windsor II (VWNFX)
-Vanguard Energy (VGENX)
-Vanguard Growth Idx (VIGRX)
-Vanguard Pacific Index (VPACX)
-Vanguard International Growth (VWIGX)
-Vanguard Europe Idx (VEURX)
-Vanguard Emerging Markets Idx (VEIEX)
-Tweedy, Browne Global Value (TBGVX)
-Vanguard Total Stock Mkt Idx Inv (VTSMX)
-Vanguard Developed Markets Idx Adm (VTMGX)
My Recommended Bond Funds:
-Vanguard California Interm-Term Tax-Exempt (VCAIX)
-PIMCO Total Return Instl (PTTRX)
-Vanguard Total Bond Market Index (VBMFX)
-Vanguard High Yield (VWEHX)
-Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade (VFSTX)
-PIMCO International Bond Adm (PFRAX)
-Vanguard Total International Bond Index (VTIBX)
Some Tips Form Skeet
You might wish to visit how much risk you have within your portfolio. I have seen, through the years, some of my buddies taking on too much risk in an attemp to meet targeted returns. Have you done a risk assessment of your portfolio? And, is it set to your tolerance? If in doubt then you might wish to do a risk profile on yourself. I have linked one below just in case it might interest you.
https://www.calcxml.com/do/inv08
In doing a look back into Dr. Madell's October 2018 newsletter below are his published model asset allocations.
Overall Allocations to Stocks, Bonds, and Cash
Recommended For Moderate Risk Investors
Asset Current (Last Qtr.)
Stocks 57% (57%)
Bonds 24 (25)
Cash 19 (18)
Recommended For Aggressive Risk Investors
Asset Current (Last Qtr.)
Stocks 73% (73%)
Bonds 14 (14)
Cash 13 (13)
Recommended For Conservative Risk Investors
Asset Current (Last Qtr.)
Stocks 20% (20%)
Bonds 35 (35)
Cash 45 (45)
While my asset allocation of 20% cash, 40% income and 40% equity might not be right for you it is what I have recently moved to being 70+ years in age and retired. This asset allocation affords me enough cash reserves should I need a cash infusion, enough income generation from my income area along with enough growth from my equity area to grow my principal over time. Generally, I take no more than one half (in dollars) of what my five year annual average returns have been. In this way principal grows over time. And, as my principal grows so do my distributions.
In addition, I'd do an Instant Xray of my portfolio before I add new positions and then with the proposed changes to make sure the changes reflect the way I want to head.
Morningstar's Instant Xray tool is linked below. In addition to looking at your portfolio as a whole you might wish to look at each fund in Xray to see how it is compiled. This should help in making better fit choices.
https://www.morningstar.com/portfolio.html?requestUrl=/RtPort/Free/InstantXRayDEntry.aspx?dt=0.7055475
Again, I wish you good investing in the years to come.
Old_Skeet

Wow! Over the top help @ old_skeet. I really appreciate it and will take it all in.

Hey folks this is a pretty good read. The six are as follows: 1) Trend Following 2) Momentum 3) Seasonality 4) Carry 5) Betting Against Beta and 6) Value.

@Starchild: It's me again. I pulled Dr. Madell's recommended funds form his recent newsletter. They are listed below for your review. It looks like VWIGX is his recommended international choice. You might wish to look at TBGVX as it is also on his short list. And, VTMGX looks interesting as well.
My Recommended Stock Funds:
-Vanguard Extended Market Idx (VEXMX)
-Vanguard Small Cap Growth Idx (VISGX)
-Vanguard 500 Index (VFINX)
-Vanguard Equity Income (VEIPX)
-Vanguard Windsor II (VWNFX)
-Vanguard Energy (VGENX)
-Vanguard Growth Idx (VIGRX)
-Vanguard Pacific Index (VPACX)
-Vanguard International Growth (VWIGX)
-Vanguard Europe Idx (VEURX)
-Vanguard Emerging Markets Idx (VEIEX)
-Tweedy, Browne Global Value (TBGVX)
-Vanguard Total Stock Mkt Idx Inv (VTSMX)
-Vanguard Developed Markets Idx Adm (VTMGX)
My Recommended Bond Funds:
-Vanguard California Interm-Term Tax-Exempt (VCAIX)
-PIMCO Total Return Instl (PTTRX)
-Vanguard Total Bond Market Index (VBMFX)
-Vanguard High Yield (VWEHX)
-Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade (VFSTX)
-PIMCO International Bond Adm (PFRAX)
-Vanguard Total International Bond Index (VTIBX)
Some Tips Form Skeet
You might wish to visit how much risk you have within your portfolio. I have seen, through the years, some of my buddies taking on too much risk in an attemp to meet targeted returns. Have you done a risk assessment of your portfolio? And, is it set to your tolerance? If in doubt then you might wish to do a risk profile on yourself. I have linked one below just in case it might interest you.
https://www.calcxml.com/do/inv08
In doing a look back into Dr. Madell's October 2018 newsletter below are his published model asset allocations.
Overall Allocations to Stocks, Bonds, and Cash
Recommended For Moderate Risk Investors
Asset Current (Last Qtr.)
Stocks 57% (57%)
Bonds 24 (25)
Cash 19 (18)
Recommended For Aggressive Risk Investors
Asset Current (Last Qtr.)
Stocks 73% (73%)
Bonds 14 (14)
Cash 13 (13)
Recommended For Conservative Risk Investors
Asset Current (Last Qtr.)
Stocks 20% (20%)
Bonds 35 (35)
Cash 45 (45)
While my asset allocation of 20% cash, 40% income and 40% equity might not be right for you it is what I have recently moved to being 70+ years in age and retired. This asset allocation affords me enough cash reserves should I need a cash infusion, enough income generation from my income area along with enough growth from my equity area to grow my principal over time. Generally, I take no more than one half (in dollars) of what my five year annual average returns have been. In this way principal grows over time. And, as my principal grows so do my distributions.
In addition, I'd do an Instant Xray of my portfolio before I add new positions and then with the proposed changes to make sure the changes reflect the way I want to head.
Morningstar's Instant Xray tool is linked below. In addition to looking at your portfolio as a whole you might wish to look at each fund in Xray to see how it is compiled. This should help in making better fit choices.
https://www.morningstar.com/portfolio.html?requestUrl=/RtPort/Free/InstantXRayDEntry.aspx?dt=0.7055475
Again, I wish you good investing in the years to come.
Old_Skeet

It's very hard to argue against FMIJX, but I've usually planted a foot in the door of closing funds in case they continued to out-perform. This has not been markedly successful, but it's more due to my lack of attention (or additional funds to invest) than to underperformance. If you can afford to meet the PRIDX minimum (and it's not a hard close), consider doing so and investing in FMIJX (which has its top 5 holdings located in Britain or Japan [1], so Brexit may have an impact) next. While I am a Vanguard enthusiast for the ERs, VWIGX will always be open (and it is is 5* on M*, while the others or one rank lower), and the ER will almost always be lower.
The other funds I was going to suggest are closed, but keep an eye open for JOHAX, if it reopens. SFVLX is open, small and from a good company, with a reasonable ER, despite an initially unimpressive performance.
Consider putting a fragment of your funds at some point (or at multiple points) in an emerging markets ETF, such as the 4* IEMG, since it's likely that these companies (those who survive) will be the dominant foreign companies in your old age.

Ummm ... the fund appears to have $50,000 in AUM and only one shareholder, Elizabeth Whitehurst (per the SAI). I've never seen that before.

Nice people, weird way of reducing expenses. The net effect is that the e.r will drop by 0.25%.

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1679960/000116204419000108/state497201902.htm
497 1 state497201902.htm
SUPPLEMENT DATED FEBRUARY 27, 2019 TO THE
ENHANCED ULTRA SHORT DURATION MUTUAL FUND PROSPECTUS
DATED MARCH 29, 2018, AS SUPPLEMENTED
On February 20, 2019, the Board of Trustees of State Funds (the “Trust”), upon the recommendation of New York Alaska ETF Management LLC, the investment adviser for the series of the Trust, approved a plan to liquidate and terminate (the “Liquidation”) the Enhanced Ultra Short Duration Mutual Fund (the “Fund”), a series of the Trust. It is anticipated that the Liquidation will be completed on or about March 6, 2019 (the “Liquidation Date”). A shareholder vote is not required to approve the Liquidation.
Any shares of the Fund outstanding on the Liquidation Date will be automatically redeemed on that date. Effective as of the regularly scheduled close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on February 27, 2019, the Fund will no longer accept investments from new shareholders. Redemption orders received in proper form as described in the Fund’s prospectus after the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on February 27, 2019 will not be subject to any contingent deferred sales charges or other sales charges imposed by the Fund, except that shares held through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, such as omnibus accounts, may be subject to sales charges in accordance with the protocols of the financial intermediary.
At any time prior to the Liquidation Date, shareholders may redeem their shares of the Fund pursuant to the procedures set forth in the prospectus under “How to Redeem Shares.” A letter will be sent to shareholders who hold shares directly with the Fund with respect to the Liquidation and the distribution of their redemption proceeds. Shareholders who hold their shares in the Fund through a financial intermediary should contact their financial representative to discuss their options with respect to the Liquidation and the distribution of such shareholders’ redemption proceeds.
It is expected that as soon as practicable following the Liquidation, the cash proceeds of the Liquidation will be distributed to shareholders of the Fund in complete redemption of their shares, after all charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities of the Fund have been paid or accounted for. For federal income tax purposes, the automatic redemption on the Liquidation Date will generally be considered a taxable event like any other redemption of shares. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisors for more information about the tax consequences of the Liquidation to them, including any federal, state, local, foreign or other tax consequences.
In order to provide for an orderly liquidation and satisfy redemptions in anticipation of the Liquidation, the Fund will no longer pursue its investment objectives and strategies between now and the Liquidation Date.
For assistance or more information, shareholders can contact their registered representative or contact the Fund by calling toll free 1-800-523-8382.
* * * * *
Please retain this Supplement for future reference...

FYI: U.S. stocks wobbled for the second consecutive session Wednesday, pausing their early-year rally as analysts weighed comments from U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and the latest batch of corporate earnings.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 72 points, or 0.25%, at 25985, after earlier falling as much as 181 points. The S&P 500 dropped less than 0.05%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite also swung between small gains and losses and was recently down less than 0.07%.
Although patience from the Federal Reserve and optimism about a U.S.-China trade agreement have boosted stocks recently, some analysts say the recovery has gone too far. The Dow industrials entered Wednesday’s session up 12% for the year and within 3% of last year’s record.
The yield on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note rose to 2.684%, according to Tradeweb, from 2.636% a day earlier. Bond yields rise as prices fall.
Elsewhere, the Stoxx Europe 600 dipped 0.3%.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 closed 0.5% higher, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng shed less than 0.1% after climbing earlier in the session.
The majority of the S&P 500 Sectors, led by Communicationn Services lagged, while Energy led the winners.
Regards,
Ted
Bloomberg Evening Briefing:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-27/your-evening-briefing
WSJ:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/global-stocks-decline-as-violence-erupts-in-kashmir-11551258388
Bloomberg:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-26/asia-stocks-set-for-modest-gains-treasuries-rise-markets-wrap?srnd=premium
IBD:
https://www.investors.com/market-trend/stock-market-today/dow-jones-stock-triggers-sell-signals/
Reuters:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-stocks/wall-street-edges-lower-after-lighthizer-comments-on-trade-talks-idUSKCN1QG1R1?il=0
CNBC:
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/27/stock-market-dow-futures-in-focus-ahead-of-trump-kim-summit.html
U.K.: FTSE Down .61%
Europe:
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/europes-indexes-sink-as-geopolitical-tensions-between-pakistan-and-india-escalate-metro-bank-plunges-20-2019-02-27/print
Asia:
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/asian-markets-rise-as-trump-kim-set-to-meet-2019-02-26/print
Bonds:
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/27/bonds-traders-await-another-powell-speech.html
Currencies:
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/27/forex-markets-dollar-the-fed-british-pound-in-focus.html
Oil:
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/27/oil-markets-opec-us-crude-inventories-in-focus.html
Gold
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/27/gold-markets-the-fed-dollar-palladium-in-focus.html
WSJ: Markets At A Glance:
https://markets.wsj.com/us
Major ETFs % Change:
https://www.barchart.com/etfs-funds/etf-monitor
SPDR's Sector Tracker:
http://www.sectorspdr.com/sectorspdr/tools/sector-tracker
SPDR's Bloomberg Sector Performance Pie Chart:
https://www.bloomberg.com/markets/sectors
Current Futures:
https://finviz.com/futures.ashx