Transfer Restriction

A plan rule or contractual provision limiting the frequency, amount, or direction of participant transfers between plan investment options. (See also equity wash.)

Defined Contribution Plan

A tax-qualified retirement plan under which the amount of the participant’s benefit will vary depending upon the amount of employer (or plan sponsor) and/or employee contributions made to the participant’s account and the investment earnings or losses thereon. Most defined contribution plans that include employee contributions (e.g., 401(k) plans) permit participants to direct the investment of their accounts.

Fees

See expense ratio.

Interest Rate Responsiveness

The degree to which a stable value investment option’s yield (or an investment contract’s crediting rate) moves in conjunction with the changes in the overall market level of interest rates. A stable value investment option’s returns typically tend to follow changes in current interest rates, but with a lag.

Plan Sponsor

The entity, usually an employer, that has established a retirement plan, selected the type of plan and investment options, and determined the method of funding plan benefits.

Short-Term Investment Fund (STIF)

A short-term investment vehicle, typically with similar objectives as a money market fund, typically managed by the plan’s custodian or trustee bank.