The benefits of automatic investing
With automatic investment plans, you'll have the chance to save time, the opportunity to save on the average cost per share, and the ability to conveniently "pay yourself first."

It saves you time
Choosing an automatic investment plan shifts the paperwork from you to us! Once your plan is established, you'll never need to write a check, complete another form or mail an investment envelope again. We'll deduct the amount you specified--when you've specified it--from your bank account, a money market fund account or your paycheck. We'll use those dollars to purchase shares of the fund(s) of your choice. Your investments will be added to your portfolio and you'll receive quarterly statements on your account's status--without any paperwork for you.

It may lower your average cost per share
Investors have known about the benefits of dollar cost averaging for years. With an automatic investment plans, you also can reap the rewards. Followed consistently, a dollar cost averaging program should let you enjoy a lower average price per share over the long term.

You can pay yourself first
With so many current expenses, it's sometimes difficult to spare dollars for long-term goals. It's too easy to skip a month or two when faced with higher-than-usual expenses. Yet, experts agree, you must "pay yourself first" on a regular basis in order to build your portfolio-making a payment to your investment account from your discretionary income.

An automatic investment plan makes the process of paying yourself first easy. They ensure contributions to your investment account are made prior to the rest of your expenses. And the plans relieve you of the worry of meeting short-term and long-term goals each month.

Who should take advantage of investing through an automatic investment plan?
Almost everyone can benefit from investing through an automatic investment plan. For example:

If you are just getting started, it's a great way to begin a positive habit of investing for the future. If you're concerned about the current financial market, it's a good way to invest gradually and not have to worry about "timing" your investments.

If you are investing for a long-term goal--such as purchasing a home, funding a college education or retirement--an automatic investment plan can help you systematically invest a specific amount over a period of time to match your financial goals.

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

Dollar cost averaging doesn't assure a profit, nor does it protect against losses in a declining market. Because dollar cost averaging involves continuous investing, you should consider your long-term financial ability to continue to make purchases through periods of low price levels.