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We offer several share classes for our regular mutual funds, CollegeAmerica® 529 college savings plan and ABLEAmerica® accounts. See the pricing details for each.
Our share classes are among the lowest-cost options, as measured by Lipper℠ Inc.
As you work with your financial professional to determine which share class to own, it’s important to consider:
Class F-1, F-2, F-3 and 529-F-1 shares are designed for investors who choose to compensate their financial professional based on the total assets in their portfolios, rather than commissions or sales charges. This arrangement is often called an “asset-based” or a “fee-based” program.
Class F-1, F-2, F-3 and 529-F-1 shares do not have an up-front or a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC). Class F-2 shares also do not carry a 12b-1 fee but are subject to sub-transfer agency fees. These expenses will vary among the funds. Class F-3 shares do not carry 12b-1 or sub-transfer agency fees.
Please note that Class F-1, F-2 and F-3 shares are not available for purchase in certain employer-sponsored retirement plans, unless they are a part of a qualifying fee-based program.
For many investors — especially those with significant account balances — Class A, 529-A and ABLE-A shares are the most cost-effective way to own our funds.
These shares are sold with an up-front sales charge, which declines as the amount invested increases. They also carry lower annual expenses.
There are a number of ways to reduce the sales charge on Class A, 529-A and ABLE-A share purchases. If you qualify for a reduction, you’ll need to tell your financial professional (or contact us) at the time of purchase. Otherwise, you may not receive the sales charge reduction.
* Excludes American Funds Preservation Portfolio, American Funds Tax-Exempt Preservation Portfolio and American Funds Tax-Aware Conservative Growth and Income Portfolio. Sales charge information for these funds is included in subsequent tables showing funds that have a 3.75% and 2.50% maximum sales charge. Please see the funds’ prospectuses for more information.
** There is no initial sales charge on purchases of $250,000 or more. A 0.75% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) may be assessed if a redemption occurs within 18 months of purchase. Tax-exempt bond funds are not available through the CollegeAmerica 529 plan or ABLEAmerica. Please see the funds’ prospectuses for more information.
† There is no initial sales charge on purchases of $1 million or more. A 1% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) may be assessed if a redemption occurs within 18 months of purchase. Tax-exempt bond funds are not available through the CollegeAmerica 529 plan or ABLEAmerica. Please see the funds’ prospectuses for more information.
‡ Excludes American Funds College Enrollment Fund. Sales charge information for this fund is included in the table showing funds that have a 2.50% maximum sales charge. Please see the fund prospectus for more information.
§ Excludes American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund, American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, Intermediate Bond Fund of America, Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America and Short-Term Bond Fund of America. Sales charge information for these funds is included in the table showing funds that have a 2.50% maximum sales charge. Please see the funds’ prospectuses for more information.
ǁ Excludes American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York, American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund, The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America and The Tax-Exempt Fund of California. Information for these funds is included in the table showing funds that have a 3.75% maximum sales charge with a different sales charge schedule. Please see the funds' prospectuses for more information.
¶ There is no initial sales charge on purchases of $500,000 or more. A 0.75% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) may be assessed if a redemption occurs within 18 months of purchase. Tax-exempt bond funds are not available through the CollegeAmerica 529 plan or ABLEAmerica. Please see the funds’ prospectuses for more information.
Class C and 529-C shares — often called level-load shares — do not have an up-front sales charge. Class C shares convert to Class A shares after 8 years. Prior to 6/30/2020, Class C shares converted to Class F-1 shares after 10 years. Class 529-C shares convert to Class 529- A shares after 5 years. Prior to 6/30/2020, Class 529-C shares converted to Class 529-A shares after 10 years.
You can invest up to $500,000 in Class C shares. You can invest into Class 529-C shares in a CollegeAmerica Account until the balance (including any earnings) reaches $500,000. You cannot invest in these share classes if you’re eligible to invest at net asset value ($1 million sales charge breakpoint discount).
If you sell (redeem) Class C and 529-C shares before you hold them for 12 months, you will pay a 1% sales charge on the shares that you sell. This is called a contingent deferred sales charge, or CDSC. In some situations, your redemption will not be assessed a CDSC. Our fund prospectuses provide more details.
Please note that certain funds do not offer direct purchase of Class C and 529-C shares, as described in their prospectuses. Additionally, Class C shares are not available for purchase in certain employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k), money purchase or profit-sharing plans).
Certain redemptions will not be assessed a CDSC.