IRA Custodian Disclosure Statement and Plan Agreement
CUSTODIAN DISCLOSURE
STATEMENT
The following information is provided to you by the Custodian (as specified
on the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ application or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Brokerage IRA application) of the
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Individual Retirement Account, as required by the Internal Revenue Code.
You should read this information along with the Individual Retirement Account
Custodial Agreement and the prospectus(es) and/or other information for the
investments you have selected for your IRA contributions. If there is any
inconsistency between the provisions of your plan or a prospectus and this
Statement, the plan and the prospectus provisions will control.
REVOCATION OF YOUR IRA
If you have not received this Disclosure Statement at least seven calendar
days before your IRA has been established, you have the right to revoke your IRA
during the seven calendar days after your IRA was established. To revoke your
IRA, you must request the revocation in writing and send or deliver it to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Trust Company Trust Department Two International Place Boston, MA 02110
If you mail your revocation, the postmark must be within the seven-day
period during which you are permitted to revoke your IRA. If you revoke your IRA
within the proper time, the entire amount that you contributed, without any
adjustments for administrative fees, expenses, price fluctuation, or earnings,
will be returned to you. You may obtain further IRA information from any
district office of the Internal Revenue Service.
IRA TYPES
Within this Disclosure Statement, the IRA types which are addressed are as
follows:
Traditional IRA
A Traditional IRA is an IRA to which you make regular deductible or
non-deductible contributions or your employer makes Simplified Employee Pension
Plan (SEP) IRA contributions.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
A ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ is an IRA to which you make regular non-deductible contributions
and from which distributions are tax and penalty free if certain conditions are
met.
Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
A Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ is a ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ to which you convert a Traditional IRA.
CONTRIBUTIONS
Eligibility to Make Contributions
Traditional IRA Contributions
You are eligible to make a regular Traditional IRA contribution for any tax
year in which you have earned income. However, you cannot make a Traditional IRA
contribution for the calendar year you reach age 701/2 or for any later year.
You must make your regular Traditional IRA contributions for any tax year
during that tax year or by April 15th of the next year. You may make rollover
contributions or transfers to your Traditional IRA at any time even if you have
reached the age of 701/2 (see "Rollovers, Transfers and Conversions" below).
If you are an employee, "earned income" means the amount shown as wages on
the Form W-2 that you receive from your employer. If you are self-employed, your
"earned income" is your net profits, if any, as shown on the "Net profits or
loss" line on the Schedule C or C-EZ of your IRS Form 1040 less your
self-employment tax deduction and contributions to a qualified retirement plan
on your own behalf. If you are performing income-producing services as a partner
in a partnership, your "earned income" is your share of the net partnership
profits as shown on the Schedule K-1 of your partnership return (IRS Form 1065)
less your self-employment tax deduction and contributions to a qualified
retirement plan on your own behalf. In most cases, earned income will not
include passive income, such as investment income or rental income.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ Contributions
You are eligible to make a regular ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ contribution for any tax year
in which you have earned income (described above), and if your Adjusted Gross
Income (AGI) does not exceed the applicable tax year's maximum allowable AGI.
Your AGI for this purpose is, in general, your income from all sources before
any deductions. The instructions to your federal income tax return (i.e., Form
1040) will provide you with specific guidance on calculating your AGI for this
purpose.
For 1998, if you are single and your AGI is below $95,050, you may make a
full $2,000 (or 100% of your earned income, if less) ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ contribution. If
your AGI is $110,000 or more, you cannot make any ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ contribution. If your
AGI is more than $95,050 and less than $110,000, and you have earned income of
at least the amount of your ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ contribution, your maximum ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
contribution will be an amount between $200 and $1,990. If your AGI falls in
this zone, you can calculate your maximum ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ contribution with this
formula:
Maximum Maximum
$15,000 - (AGI - $95,000) X Allowable = ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
------------------------- Contribution Contribution
$15,000
(Your "Maximum Allowable Contribution" is the lesser of $2,000 or 100% of
your earned income.)
You must round up your result to the next highest $10 level (the next
highest number which ends in zero). For example, if your result was $1,521, you
would round it up to $1,530. In addition, if your rounded result is greater than
$0, but less than $200, your maximum ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ contribution would automatically
be $200.*
For 1998, if you are married and file a joint return and you and your
spouse's combined AGI is below $150,050, you may make a full $2,000 ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
contribution (or 100% of your combined earned income, if less). If your combined
AGI is $160,000 or more, you cannot make any ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ contribution. If your
combined AGI is more than $150,050 and less than $160,000, and you have earned
income of at least the amount of your ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ contribution, your maximum ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ contribution will be an amount between $200 and $1,990. If your combined AGI
falls in this zone, you can calculate your maximum ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ contribution with
this formula:
$10,000 - Maximum Maximum
(combined AGI - $150,000) X Allowable = ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
-------------------------- Contribution Contribution
$10,000
(Your "Maximum Allowable Contribution" is the lesser of $2,000 or 100% of
your earned income.)
You must round up your result to the next highest $10 level (the next
highest number which ends in zero). For example, if your result was $1,521, you
would round it up to $1,530. In addition, if your rounded result is greater than
$0, but less than $200, your maximum ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ contribution would automatically
be $200.*
* This assumes that you have at least $200 in earned income. If you have
less, the maximum would be equal to the amount of the earned income.
Maximum Combined Traditional and ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ Contributions
Your maximum combined regular Traditional and ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ contributions for
each tax year is the lesser of $2,000 or 100% of your earned income. However, if
your earned income is less than your spouse's earned income and you and your
spouse file a joint federal income tax return for the year, you may contribute
up to the lesser of (a) $2,000 or (b) your combined earned income reduced by the
amount your spouse contributes to his or her IRA for the year. Thus, married
persons may often make total IRA contributions of up to $4,000, even if one
spouse does not work. You can split the contribution amount in any manner among
IRAs for you and your spouse as long as you do not contribute more than $2,000
to all IRAs belonging to one spouse. (Your ability to make a ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
contribution is subject to your AGI, as described above in this section. Also,
under certain circumstances to gain the maximum possible federal income tax
deduction for Traditional IRA contributions, you may be required to carefully
allocate your contributions among IRAs. See "Deductibility of Your Traditional
IRA Contributions" below.)
Excess IRA Contributions
If you make contributions to one or more IRAs which exceed the amount you
are allowed to contribute for any tax year, the excess over the allowable amount
will be subject to a 6% IRS excess contribution tax unless you remove it (and
any attributable earnings) by the due date, including any extensions, for your
federal income tax return for the year for which you made the contributions.
If you make a contribution to a ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ or a conversion of a Traditional
IRA (see "Conversion from a Traditional IRA to a Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇" below) and
later determine that you do not qualify to make such contribution or conversion,
legislation is currently pending which may allow you to transfer the excess
amount (and earnings) to a Traditional IRA by the due date of your tax return
for the year of the contribution or conversion. This transfer will be included
as a part of your Maximum Allowable Contribution (see "Eligibility to Make
Contributions" above) for the year. If this legislation is not enacted, the 6%
penalty described above may apply for contributions or conversions which you are
not qualified to make.
Deductibility of Your Traditional IRA Contributions
Active Participant Status
If either you or your spouse is an "active participant" in an
employer-maintained retirement plan, your Traditional IRA contributions may be
fully or partially deductible or may be nondeductible. You are an "active
participant" if you make contributions to, or receive credit for an employer
contribution in, certain employer-maintained retirement plans. These plans
include pension plans, profit-sharing plans, 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans
(tax-sheltered annuities), ▇▇▇▇▇ plans, ESOPs (stock bonus plans), simplified
employee pension plans (SEP-IRAs), simple retirement accounts (simple IRAs) and
certain governmental plans.
You will be considered to be an active participant for the year even if you
are not yet vested in any contributions made on your behalf to an
employer-maintained retirement plan. Also, if you make required contributions or
voluntary employee contributions to an employer-maintained retirement plan, you
will be considered to be an active participant even if you only worked for the
employer for part of the year.
You will not be considered to be an active participant if you are covered
in a plan only because of your service as (1) an Armed Force Reservist, for less
than 90 days active service, or (2) a volunteer firefighter covered for
firefighting service by a governmental plan.
If you are an employee, the Form W-2 that you receive from your employer
should indicate whether you were an active participant for the year that the
Form W-2 covers. If you have any questions about your participation in your
employer's plan, you should check with your employer.
(NOTE: If a husband and wife live apart for an entire tax year, and file
separate federal income tax returns, they will not be treated as married for the
purposes of these IRA deduction limits.)
Deductibility if Neither You nor Your Spouse Is an Active Participant
If neither you nor your spouse is an active participant in an
employer-maintained retirement plan, you can deduct 100% of your Traditional IRA
contributions up to the maximum amount: in general, the lesser of $2,000 or 100%
of earned income. (See "Eligibility to Make Contributions" above.)
Deductibility if You or Your Spouse Is an Active Participant
If you are an active participant in an employer-maintained retirement plan,
the amount of your Traditional IRA contributions that you can deduct will depend
on what your modified adjusted gross income ("AGI") is for the year for which
you want to make an IRA contribution. Your AGI for this purpose is, in general,
your income from all sources before any deductions. The instructions to your
federal income tax return (i.e., Form 1040) will provide you with specific
guidance on calculating your AGI for this purpose.
Remember, even if you can deduct only a portion of your maximum allowable
Traditional IRA contribution, you can still contribute the difference between
the maximum deductible portion of your contribution and your maximum IRA
contribution (see "Eligibility to Make Contributions" above) as a nondeductible
contribution to a Traditional IRA or a ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ (if you meet the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ income
qualifications, as described above in "Eligibility to Make Contributions"). You
may also choose to treat as nondeductible a contribution which could be
deductible. Any contributions you make to an IRA, whether deductible or
nondeductible, will accumulate earnings tax deferred until you withdraw the
contributions at a later date. (Withdrawals of ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ earnings may be
tax-free, as described below in "Taxability of IRA Distributions.")
Single Individuals
If you are single and your AGI is below $30,050, you can deduct 100% of
your Traditional IRA contribution up to your maximum allowable contribution (see
"Eligibility to Make Contributions" above). If your AGI is $40,000 or more, you
cannot deduct any of your Traditional IRA contribution. If your AGI is more than
$30,050 and less than $40,000, and you have earned income of at least the amount
of your Traditional IRA contribution, your maximum tax-deductible Traditional
IRA contribution will be an amount between $200 and $1,990. If your AGI falls in
this zone, you can calculate the maximum deductible portion of your Traditional
IRA contribution with this formula:
Maximum
$10,000 - Maximum Deductible
(combined AGI - $30,000) X Allowable = Portion of
--------------------------- Contribution Traditional IRA
$10,000 Contribution
(Your "Maximum Allowable Contribution" is the
lesser of $2,000 or 100% of your earned income.)
You must round up your result to the next highest $10 level (the next
highest number which ends in zero). For example, if your result was $1,521, you
would round it up to $1,530. In addition, if your rounded result is greater than
$0, but less than $200, the maximum deductible portion of your Traditional IRA
contribution would automatically be $200.*
Married Individuals
If you are married and file a joint return and you and your spouse's
combined AGI is below $50,050, you can deduct 100% of your Traditional IRA
contribution up to your Maximum Allowable Contribution (see "Eligibility to Make
Contributions" above). If your combined AGI is $60,000 or more, you cannot
deduct any of your Traditional IRA contribution. If your combined AGI is more
than $50,050 and less than $60,000, and you have earned income of at least the
amount of your IRA contribution, your maximum tax-deductible IRA contribution
will be an amount between $200 and $1,990. If your combined AGI falls in this
zone, you can calculate the maximum deductible portion of your Traditional IRA
contribution with this formula:
Maximum
$10,000 - Maximum Deductible
(combined AGI - $150,000) X Allowable = Portion of
-------------------------- Contribution Traditional IRA
$10,000 Contribution
(Your "Maximum Allowable Contribution" is the lesser of $2,000 or 100% of
your earned income.)
You must round up your result to the next highest $10 level (the next
highest number which ends in zero). For example, if your result was $1,521, you
would round it up to $1,530. In addition, if your rounded result is greater than
$0, but less than $200, the maximum deductible portion of your Traditional IRA
contribution would automatically be $200.*
* This assumes that you have at least $200 in earned income. If you have
less, the deductible portion would be equal to the amount of the earned
income.
Deductibility if Your Spouse Is an Active Participant, and You Are Not
If you are married and file a joint return and your spouse is an active
participant in an employer-maintained retirement plan, but you are not, then you
can deduct 100% of your Traditional IRA contribution up to your Maximum
Allowable Contribution (see "Eligibility to Make Contributions" above) if your
combined AGI is below $150,050. If your combined AGI is $160,000 or more, you
cannot deduct any of your Traditional IRA contribution. If your combined AGI is
more than $150,050 and less than $160,000, and you and your spouse have earned
income of at least the amount of your IRA contribution, your maximum
tax-deductible Traditional IRA contribution will be
an amount between $200 and $1,990. If your combined AGI falls in this zone, you
can calculate the maximum deductible portion of your Traditional IRA
contribution with this formula:
Maximum
$10,000 Maximum Deductible
(combined AGI - $150,000) X Allowable = Portion of
---------------------------- Contribution Traditional IRA
$10,000 Contribution
(Your "Maximum Allowable Contribution" is the lesser of $2,000 or 100% of
your earned income.)
You must round up your result to the next highest $10 level (the next
highest number which ends in zero). For example, if your result was $1,521, you
would round up to $1,530. In addition, if your rounded result is greater than
$0, but less than $200, the maximum deductible portion of your Traditional IRA
contribution would automatically be $200.*
* This assumes that you and your spouse have at least $200 in earned income.
If you and your spouse have less, the deductible portion would be equal to
the amount of earned income.
Nondeductibility of your ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ Contributions
Contributions to a ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ are not deductible, regardless of your earned
income.
Other Eligibility, Contribution and Deductibility Provisions
Reporting of Nondeductible Contributions to IRAs
If you make a nondeductible contribution to a Traditional IRA, you must
report the amount of the nondeductible contribution to the IRS on Form 8606 as a
part of your annual federal income tax return. It has not yet been established
whether your nondeductible ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ contributions must be reported on Form 8606.
You may make contributions to your Traditional IRA at any time during the
year until the total of your contributions to your Traditional IRA equals your
maximum (see "Eligibility to Make Contributions" above), without having to know
how much will be a Traditional IRA deductible contribution. When you fill out
your tax return, you may then figure out how much of your Traditional IRA
contribution is deductible. You should be aware that there is a $100 IRS penalty
tax for overstating on your federal income tax return the amount you can deduct.
Form of Contribution
Unless you are making a rollover contribution, your contribution must be
made in cash. Rollover contributions may be made in a form other than cash if
permitted by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Investor Services, Inc. You cannot make any contributions
to this IRA for investment in life insurance contracts.
All contributions you make to this IRA are nonforfeitable (100% vested).
SEP Contributions
If your employer makes contributions to your Traditional IRA as part of a
Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SEP-IRA), those employer contributions are not
subject to the eligibility and deduction limits discussed above. Your employer
may contribute up to the lesser of $24,000 (for 1997 and 1998) or 15% of your
compensation to your IRA and deduct that amount on the employer's federal income
tax return. The employer contribution amount is excluded from your income for
federal income tax purposes. You may also make your own contributions, subject
to the eligibility and deduction limits above, to the same Traditional IRA to
which your employer makes contributions.
ROLLOVERS, TRANSFERS, and CONVERSIONS
Rollovers and Transfers to Traditional IRAs
You are allowed to transfer or roll over all or a part of your Traditional
IRA investment to another Traditional IRA without any tax liability. However,
you are only allowed to make one rollover from a particular Traditional IRA
during any 12-month period. In addition, if you are to receive a distribution of
all or any part of your interest in an employer-maintained retirement plan, then
you may roll over all or a portion of the distribution into a Traditional IRA
either directly from the employer-maintained plan or within 60 days of the day
you receive it, unless the distribution is a required minimum distribution or
part of a series of substantially equal payments made over a period of 10 years
or more or over your life expectancy or the joint life expectancy of you and
your beneficiary. Please note that distributions paid to you directly will be
subject to a 20% withholding requirement unless they are required minimum
distributions, or payments made over a period longer than 10 years of your life
expectancy or the joint life expectancy of you and your beneficiary.
Distributions directly rolled over to a Traditional IRA are not subject to 20%
withholding.
Rollovers and Transfers to ▇▇▇▇ IRAs
You are allowed to transfer or roll over all or part of your ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
investment to another ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ without any tax liability. However, you are only
allowed to make one rollover from a particular ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ during any 12-month
rollover period. In addition, if you are to receive a distribution of all or any
part of your interest in an employer-maintained retirement plan, you may not
directly roll over such amount to a ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇. You must roll it over into a
Traditional IRA first, and you may then be able to convert all or part of your
Traditional IRA to a Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, depending on your AGI, or you and your
spouse's combined AGI (see "Conversion from a Traditional IRA to a Conversion
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇" below).
Conversion from a Traditional IRA to a Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
If you are single and your AGI does not exceed $100,000, or if you are
married and you and your spouse's combined AGI does not exceed $100,000 (and you
are not married filing a separate return), you may convert all or part of your
Traditional IRA to a Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇. (Note, a conversion from a Traditional
IRA to a Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ must be made as a rollover and not a transfer.) If
you are married and file a separate return, you may not make a conversion.The
entire amount of the taxable portion of the conversion (i.e., all amounts other
than nondeductible contributions) is taxable to you for the tax year during
which the conversion is made. However, if you make the conversion before January
1, 1999, the tax will be spread over four years. If you die during the four year
period, it has not been determined whether any remaining taxable amounts must be
included on your final tax return, or if you are married and your spouse is your
beneficiary, if your spouse can continue to include the appropriate amounts in
his or her income for the remainder of the four year period.
TAXABILITY OF IRA DISTRIBUTIONS
Traditional IRAs
If you have made only deductible contributions to your Traditional IRA, all of
your distributions will be taxed as ordinary income for the year you receive the
distributions. If, however, you made any nondeductible contributions, the
portion of the IRA distributions consisting of nondeductible contributions will
not be taxed again when you receive it. If you made any nondeductible
Traditional IRA contributions, each distribution from your Traditional IRA (or
IRAs) will consist of a nontaxable portion (return of nondeductible
contributions) and a taxable portion (return of deductible contributions, if
any, and account earnings). You may use the following formula to determine the
nontaxable portion of your distributions for a tax year:
Nondeductible
Contributions Total Non-taxable
Not Yet Distributed x Distribution = Distribution
------------------- (for the year) (for the year)
Year-End Total Traditional
IRA Account Balances Plus
Distributions Taken During
Year (Currently, there is
no clarification as to whether
you must also include your ▇▇▇▇
and Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
account balances in this amount.)
To figure the year-end total Traditional IRA account balances, you treat
all of your Traditional IRAs as a single IRA. This includes all regular
Traditional IRAs, as well as SEP-IRAs, and Traditional IRAs to which you have
made rollover contributions.
If you take a distribution from a Traditional IRA to which you have made
nondeductible contributions, you must file Form 8606 as part of your annual
federal income tax return for the year of the distribution.
▇▇▇▇ IRAs
Distributions of earnings from your ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ (or Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇) will
be taxed as ordinary income for the year you receive the distribution, unless 1)
the distribution is made after five taxable years from your first ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
contribution (or after five taxable years from each conversion of a Traditional
IRA to a Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇) and if 2) the distribution is made for one of the
following reasons:
1) It is paid to you after you attain age 59 1/2.
2) It is paid to you because you are disabled.
3) It is paid to your beneficiary or estate because of your death.
4) It is paid for the first-time home purchase for you, your spouse, or any
child, grandchild or ancestor of you or your spouse. (Please see your tax
advisor to determine if your distribution qualifies as made for the
first-time purchase of a home.) A maximum lifetime amount of $10,000 from
all IRAs can qualify for this tax exception.
The five-taxable-year period indicated above begins on the January 1
of the calendar year during which you make a contribution or conversion.
Distributions from a ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ are made first from non-taxable principal and
then from earnings. ▇▇▇▇ IRAs to which you make regular contributions are
aggregated for purposes of determining non-taxable principal and earnings for
distributions from ▇▇▇▇ IRAs. Conversion ▇▇▇▇ IRAs with the same five year
holding period are aggregated for purposes of determining non-taxable principal
and earnings for distributions from Conversion ▇▇▇▇ IRAs. The five year holding
period for a Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ begins with the tax year of the most recent
conversion to the Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇. Because of this rule, you may wish to
establish a separate Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ account for each conversion you make.
Special rules may apply if a distribution is made from a Conversion ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ within the five-taxable-year period beginning with the January 1 of the year
in which the most recent conversion was made to that particular Conversion ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇. In this case, certain penalties may apply on the amounts which were
previously subject to tax at the time of the conversion (see "Special Penalty
for Certain Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ Distributions" below).
It is currently not yet established whether you must file Form 8606 as part
of your annual federal income tax return for the year of the distribution of
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ contributions and/or earnings.
PENALTIES ON IRA DISTRIBUTIONS
Traditional IRAs
Since the purpose of your IRA is to accumulate funds for your retirement, if you
take a distribution from your Traditional IRA before you reach the age of 591/2,
the taxable portion of the distribution will be subject to a 10% IRS early
withdrawal penalty tax unless the distribution meets one of these exceptions:
1) It is made to your beneficiary or your estate because of your death.
2) It is part of a series of installment payments paid over your life
expectancy or the joint life and last survivor expectancy of you and your
beneficiary, and the payments continue until the later of five years or
your reaching age 59 1/2.
3) It is rolled over into another IRA or a qualified plan (if allowed) within
60 days of the day you receive the distribution.
4) It is paid to you because you are disabled.
5) It is paid to you to pay medical expenses in excess of 7 1/2% of your
adjusted gross income.
6) It is paid to you to pay for medical insurance premiums if you are
unemployed (or within 60 days after your re-employment) and you have
received unemployment compensation for at least 12 consecutive weeks during
the current or preceding taxable year. (Self-employed individuals may only
be eligible for this exception in certain circumstances.)
7) It is paid to you, your spouse, or any child or grandchild of you or your
spouse for qualified higher education expenses. (Please see your tax
advisor to determine if your distribution qualifies as made for qualified
higher education expenses.)
8) It is paid for the first-time purchase of a home for you, your spouse, or
any child, grandchild or ancestor of you or your spouse. (See your tax
advisor to determine if your distribution qualifies as made for the
first-time purchase of a home.) A maximum lifetime amount of $10,000 from
all IRAs can qualify for this penalty exception.
▇▇▇▇ IRAs
The taxable portion (the earnings portion) of distributions from ▇▇▇▇ IRAs
or Conversion ▇▇▇▇ IRAs will be subject to a 10% penalty tax, unless one of the
exceptions listed in items 1-8 above applies. (A special penalty may apply for
distribution from a Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ within five taxable years of a
conversion. See "Special Penalty for Certain Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ Distributions"
below).
SPECIAL PENALTY
FOR CERTAIN CONVERSION
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ DISTRIBUTIONS
Legislation is currently pending which will provide that amounts which are
distributed from a Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ within five taxable years of a conversion
would be subject to i) a 10% penalty and ii) for conversions made in 1998, an
additional 10% penalty. These penalties would be based on the amount that was
taxable at the time of conversion. Any such withdrawal from a Conversion ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ may also be deemed to come first from amounts which were taxable at the time
of the conversion.
In addition, separate ▇▇▇▇ IRAs and Conversion ▇▇▇▇ IRAs must be
maintained. The proposed legislation would provide that the five year holding
period described above may be deemed to begin with the most recent taxable year
for which a conversion is made. All ▇▇▇▇ IRAs with the same five year holding
period would be aggregated to determine the amount of the withdrawal which is
considered attributable to the taxable amounts at the time of the conversion.
You must establish a separate Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ for conversions of Traditional
IRAs that you make in different calendar years. One Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ can be
established for all conversions made within the same calendar year.
REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS
Traditional IRAs
You must begin taking distributions from your Traditional IRA by the April
1 following the year in which you reach age 701/2. The minimum amount that you
are required to take for the year you reach 701/2 and each following year is the
amount that you would take as a distribution if you were taking distributions
over the joint life and last survivor expectancy of you and your beneficiary.
For more information on the minimum distribution requirements of your IRA, see
Articles IV and VIII of the Form 5305-A (1-98) Individual Retirement Custodial
Account Agreement.
▇▇▇▇ IRAs
You are not required to begin taking distributions from a ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ (or
Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇) at any time. If you die prior to a distribution of all
amounts held in a ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ (or Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇), certain distribution rules
apply to your beneficiary. For more information on the distribution requirements
of your ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ (or Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇) after your death, see Articles V and
IX of the Form 5303-RA(1-98) Individual Retirement Custodial Account Agreement.
EXCESS ACCUMULATION
PENALTY TAX
If you do not meet the minimum distribution requirements as discussed in
Articles IV and VIII of the Form 5305-A (1-98) Individual Retirement Custodial
Account Agreement for any year, you will be subject to an IRS penalty tax of 50%
of the amount that you were required to take as a distribution but did not take
as a distribution.
ESTATE TAX
After your death, the balance in your IRA may be subject to an estate tax.
You should contact your attorney or accountant for more details.
PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS
If you or your Beneficiary engage in any prohibited transactions, including
selling, exchanging, or leasing any property between you and the custodial
account, the account would lose its tax-exempt status and all assets of the
account will be treated as if they were distributed to you. You would then be
required to pay taxes on the appropriate portion of your IRA assets. (See
"Taxability of IRA Distributions" above.) In addition, if you are under age 59
1/2 and are not disabled, the distribution will also be subject to the 10% IRS
early withdrawal penalty tax unless it meets any of the exceptions listed above
under "Penalties on IRA Distributions" and is not subject to the penalty
described in "Special Penalty for Certain Conversion ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ Distributions"
described above.
You also cannot use your IRA assets as collateral for a loan. If you do
this, the amount used as collateral will be treated as if it were distributed to
you and will be subject to tax and penalty tax as provided in the paragraph
above for prohibited transactions.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ MUTUAL FUND
INFORMATION
Information about the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ mutual funds available for investment in this
IRA is available from ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Investor Services, Inc. You are required to
receive this information (given in the form of a prospectus governed by the
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission) before you invest in the Funds.
Growth in the value of your custodial account cannot be guaranteed or
projected. The Funds' prospectuses and reports provide information regarding
current income and expenses.
BROKERAGE INFORMATION
Information about the brokerage services available for this IRA is available
from ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Brokerage Services, Inc. Growth in the value of your custodial
account cannot be guaranteed or projected.
CUSTODIAL PROVISIONS
These provisions supplement paragraphs 5-7 of Article IX of the Form 5305-RA
(1-98), Individual Retirement Custodial Account Agreement and paragraphs 5-7 of
Article VIII of the Form 5305-A (1-98), Individual Retirement Custodial Account
Agreement and should be read in conjunction with them.
1. Your contributions must be made to a trust or custodial account for which
the trustee or custodian is either a bank or a person who has been approved
by the Secretary of the Treasury.
2. The Custodian may charge your custodial account for any fees or other
expenses of maintaining your account. The Custodian's fee schedule is also
referred to in Article IX of the Form 5305-RA (1-98), IRA Custodial Account
Agreement and Article VIII of the Form 5305-A (1-98) IRA Custodial Account
Agreement and notice of such fee schedule will be provided to you in an
appropriate manner.
REPORTING EXCESS
CONTRIBUTIONS,
EXCESS ACCUMULATIONS,
and EARLY WITHDRAWALS
TO THE IRS
For any year for which you have an excess contribution, an excess
accumulation, or an early withdrawal (unless the 1099-R you receive correctly
reflects that the distributions meet an exception to the penalty tax), you are
required to report it on Form 5329 with your annual federal income tax return to
the Internal Revenue Service.
The form of this Individual Retirement Account Plan has been approved by
the Internal Revenue Service. The approval, however, is only for the form of the
Plan and does not represent an approval of the merits of the Plan.
For Traditional IRAs:
IRA Form 5305-A (1-98)
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT CUSTODIAL
ACCOUNT AGREEMENT
(Under Section 408(a) of the Internal Revenue Code)
The Depositor whose name appears on the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ Application is
establishing an individual retirement account under section 408(a) to provide
for his or her retirement and for the support of his or her beneficiaries after
death.
The Custodian named on the Application has given the Depositor the
disclosure statement required under Regulations section 1.408-6.
The Depositor has deposited with the Custodian the amount indicated on the
Application in cash. The Depositor and the Custodian make the following
agreement:
ARTICLE I
The Custodian may accept additional cash contributions on behalf of the
Depositor for a tax year of the Depositor. The total cash contributions are
limited to $2,000 for the tax year unless the contribution is a rollover
contribution described in section 402(c), 403(a)(4), 403(b)(8), 408(d)(3), or an
employer contribution to a simplified employee pension plan as described in
section 408(k).
ARTICLE II
The Depositor's interest in the balance in the custodial account is
nonforfeitable.
ARTICLE III
1. No part of the custodial funds may be invested in life insurance
contracts, nor may the assets of the custodial account be commingled with other
property except in a common trust fund or common investment fund (within the
meaning of section 408(a)(5).
2. No part of the custodial funds may be invested in collectables (within
the meaning of section 408(m)), except as otherwise permitted by section
408(m)(3), which provides an exception for certain gold, silver, and platinum
coins issued under the laws of any state, and certain bullion.
ARTICLE IV
1. Notwithstanding any provision of this agreement to the contrary, the
distribution of the Depositor's interest in the custodial account shall be made
in accordance with the following requirements and shall otherwise comply with
section 408(a)(6) and Proposed Regulations section 1.408-8, including the
incidental death benefit provisions of Proposed Regulations section
1.401(a)(9)-2, the provisions of which are incorporated by reference.
2. Unless otherwise elected by the time distributions are required to begin
to the Depositor under paragraph 3, or to the surviving spouse under paragraph
4, other than in the case of a life annuity, life expectancies shall be
recalculated annually. Such election shall be irrevocable as to the Depositor
and to the surviving spouse and shall apply to all subsequent years. The life
expectancy of a non-spouse beneficiary may not be recalculated.
3. The Depositor's entire interest in the custodial account must be, or
begin to be, distributed by the Depositor's required beginning date April 1
following the calendar year end in which the Depositor reaches age 70 1/2. By
that date, the Depositor may elect, in a manner acceptable to the Custodian, to
have the balance in the custodial account distributed in:
(a) A single sum payment.
(b) An annuity contract that provides equal or substantially equal
monthly, quarterly, or annual payments over the life of the Depositor.
(c) An annuity contract that provides equal or substantially equal
monthly, quarterly, or annual payments over the joint and last
survivor lives of the Depositor and his or her designated beneficiary.
(d) Equal or substantially equal annual payments over a specified period
that may not be longer than the Depositor's life expectancy.
(e) Equal or substantially equal annual payments over a specified period
that may not be longer than the joint life and last survivor
expectancy of the Depositor and his or her designated beneficiary.
4. If the Depositor dies before his or her entire interest is distributed
to him or her, the entire remaining interest will be distributed as follows:
(a) If the Depositor dies on or after distribution of his or her interest
has begun, distribution must continue to be made in accordance with
paragraph 3.
(b) If the Depositor dies before distribution of his or her interest has
begun, the entire remaining interest will at the election of the
Depositor or, if the Depositor has not so elected, at the election of
the beneficiary or beneficiaries, either
(i) Be distributed by the December 31 of the year containing the
fifth anniversary of the Depositor's death, or
(ii) Be distributed in equal or substantially equal payments over the
life or life expectancy of the designated beneficiary or
beneficiaries starting by December 31 of the year following the
year of the Depositor's death. If, however, the beneficiary is
the Depositor's surviving spouse, then this distribution is not
required to begin before December 31 of the year in which the
Depositor would have reached age 70 1/2.
(c) Except where distribution in the form of an annuity meeting the
requirements of section 408(b)(3) and its related regulations has
irrevocably commenced, distributions are treated as having begun on
the Depositor's required beginning date, even though payments may
actually have been made before that date.
(d) If the Depositor dies before his or her entire interest has been
distributed and if the beneficiary is other than the surviving spouse,
no additional cash contributions or rollover contributions may be
accepted in the account.
5. In the case of distribution over life expectancy in equal or
substantially equal annual payments, to determine the minimum annual payment for
each year, divide the Depositor's entire interest in the Custodial account as of
the close of business on December 31 of the preceding year by the life
expectancy of the Depositor (or the joint life and last survivor expectancy of
the Depositor and the Depositor's designated beneficiary, or the life expectancy
of the designated beneficiary, whichever applies). In the case of distributions
under paragraph 3, determine the initial life expectancy (or joint life and last
survivor expectancy) using the attained ages of the Depositor and designated
beneficiary as of their birthdays in the year the Depositor reaches age 70 1/2.
In the case of distribution in accordance with paragraph 4(b)(ii), determine
life expectancy using the attained age of the designated beneficiary as of the
beneficiary's birthday in the year distributions are required to commence.
6. The owner of two or more individual retirement accounts may use the
"Alternative Method" described in Notice 88-38, 1988-1 C.B. 524, to satisfy the
minimum distribution requirements described above. This method permits an
individual to satisfy these requirements by taking from one individual
retirement account the amount required to satisfy the requirement for another.
ARTICLE V
1. The Depositor agrees to provide the Custodian with information necessary
for the Custodian to prepare any reports required under section 408(i) and
Regulations sections 1.408-5 and 1.408-6.
2. The Custodian agrees to submit reports to the Internal Revenue Service
and the Depositor prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service.
ARTICLE VI
Notwithstanding any other articles which may be added or incorporated, the
provisions of Articles I through III and this sentence will be controlling. Any
additional articles that are not consistent with section 408(a) and related
regulations will be invalid.
ARTICLE VII
This agreement will be amended from time to time to comply with the provisions
of the Code and related regulations. Other amendments may be made with the
consent of the persons whose signatures appear on the Application.
ARTICLE VIII
1. Please refer to the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ Application or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Brokerage IRA
Application which is incorporated into this Agreement as this paragraph of
Article VIII.
2. Depositor's Selection of Investments.
Investment Options
The Depositor may only direct the Custodian to invest custodial funds in
investment shares of the Mutual Funds (regulated investment companies for which
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇, Inc., its successor or any affiliates, acts as the
investment adviser and which ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Investor Services, Inc., (the
"Distributor") has designated as appropriate for investments in the custodial
account), or in other investments which the Distributor or its successors has
designated as eligible investments for the custodial account.
Investments
As soon as practicable after the Custodian receives the Application, the
Custodian will invest the initial contribution or transfer as the Depositor
directed on the Application in shares of the Mutual Fund(s) or other investments
designated by the Distributor as eligible investments for the custodial account.
With regard to the Mutual Funds listed on the Application and any other Mutual
Fund, the Depositor understands that neither the Custodian nor the Distributor
endorses the Mutual Funds as suitable investments for the custodial account. In
addition, neither the Custodian nor the Distributor will provide investment
advice to the Depositor. The Depositor assumes all responsibility for the choice
of his or her investments in the custodial account.
The Custodian will invest each subsequent contribution or transfer to the
custodial account as soon as practicable after the Custodian receives the
contribution or transfer, according to the Depositor's instructions for that
subsequent contribution or transfer, in the Mutual Funds or other investment
designated by the Distributor as eligible investments for the custodial account.
If the Depositor's custodial account assets are invested in any Mutual Fund
which terminates or is eliminated, the Custodian will transfer the custodial
account assets in that Mutual Fund to another Mutual Fund designated by the
Distributor unless the Depositor instructs the Custodian otherwise in the manner
required by the Custodian.
If the Custodian receives any investment instructions from the Depositor
which in the opinion of the Custodian are not in good order or are unclear, or
if the Custodian receives any monies from the Depositor which would exceed the
amount that the Depositor may contribute to the custodial account, the Custodian
may hold all or a portion of the monies uninvested pending receipt of written
(or in any other manner permitted by the Distributor) instructions or
clarification. During any such delay the Custodian will not be liable for any
loss of income or appreciation, loss of interest, or for any other loss. The
Custodian may also return all or a portion of the monies to the Depositor.
Again, in such situations, the Custodian will not be liable for any loss.
Unless the Custodian permits otherwise, all dividend and capital gains
distributions received on shares of a Mutual Fund in the custodial account
(unless made in the form of additional shares) will be reinvested in shares of
the same Mutual Fund which paid the distribution, and credited to the custodial
account. All accumulations from other investments will be reinvested in the
Depositor's custodial account according to the Depositor's instructions to the
Custodian which must be in a form acceptable to the Custodian.
The Depositor may change any portion of his or her investment in an
eligible investment to another eligible investment by requesting the change in
the manner the Custodian requires. However, the Distributor reserves the right
to refuse to sell shares of any Mutual Fund when it determines in its own
judgment that the Depositor has made frequent trading in the custodial account.
3. Contributions
All contributions by the Depositor to the custodial account must be in
cash, except for initial contributions of rollovers which may be made in a form
other than cash if permitted by the Distributor.
The Custodian will designate contributions (other than rollover
contributions) as being made for particular years as requested by the Depositor.
If the Depositor does not designate a year for any contribution, the Custodian
will designate the contribution as being made for a particular year according to
a policy established by the Distributor.
If permitted by the Distributor, the Depositor may make rollover
contributions to the custodial account of deductible employee contributions
which were made to qualified employer or government retirement plans as provided
in Internal Revenue Code Section 72(o).
The Depositor warrants that all contributions to the custodial account,
including any rollover contributions, will be made in accordance with the
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
Excess Contributions
If the Depositor exceeds the amount that may be contributed to his or her
custodial account for any year, the Custodian will, upon a proper written
request from the Depositor, either 1) return the excess and any attributable
earnings to the Depositor, or 2) treat the contribution as if it were made for a
later year.
4. Transfers
The Custodian will accept transfers of a cash amount to the custodial
account from another custodian or a trustee of an individual retirement account
or individual retirement annuity upon the Depositor's written direction. The
Custodian will also transfer a cash amount in the custodial account upon the
written request of the Depositor to another custodian or trustee of an
individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity. For such a
transfer, the Custodian may require the written acceptance of the successor
custodian. The Depositor warrants that all transfers to and from the custodial
account will be made in accordance with the rules and regulations issued by the
Internal Revenue Service.
5. Custodian's Fees
The Custodian is entitled to receive reasonable fees for establishing and
maintaining the custodial account. These fees will be set by the Custodian from
time to time.
The Custodian may change its fee schedule upon thirty (30) days' written
notice to the Distributor.
The Custodian has the right to charge the custodial account, including the
right to liquidate Mutual Fund shares or other investments, or to charge the
Depositor for the Custodian's fees, as well as for any income, gift, estate and
inheritances taxes (including any transfer taxes incurred in connection with the
investment or reinvestment of the assets of the custodial account), which are
levied or assessed against the custodial account assets, and for all other
administrative expenses of the Custodian for performing its duties, including
any fees for legal services provided to the Custodian.
6. Custodial Account
Once the Custodian mails an acknowledgement of its receipt of the
Application to the Depositor, this Agreement will be effective as of the date
the Depositor signed the Application. As soon as practicable after the Custodian
receives the Application, the Custodian will open and maintain a separate
custodial account for the Depositor.
All Mutual Fund shares or other investments in the custodial account will
be registered in the name of the Custodian (with or without identifying the
Depositor) or in the name of the Custodian's nominee. The Custodian will
deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to the Depositor all notices,
prospectuses, financial statements, proxies and proxy solicitating materials
relating to the Mutual Funds or other investments in the custodial account.
The Custodian will vote shares only according to the Depositor's
instructions on an executed proxy; provided that the Custodian may without
written direction from the Depositor vote shares "present" solely for the
purposes of establishing a quorum.
7. Additional Provisions Regarding the Custodian
According to this Agreement, the Custodian will be an agent for the
Depositor for the custodial account to receive and to invest contributions, and
to hold and to distribute these investments as authorized by the Depositor, and
to keep adequate records and provide reports as required by the Agreement. None
of the parties to this Agreement intend to confer any fiduciary duties on the
Custodian, and no such duties shall be implied.
The Custodian may perform any of its administrative duties through other
persons designated by the Custodian from time to time. However, the custodial
account must be registered in the name of the Custodian or its nominee as
provided in paragraph 6 above.
The Custodian assumes no responsibility or liability for collecting
contributions, for the deductibility or propriety of any contribution made to
the custodial account, or for the purpose or propriety of any distributions made
from the custodial account. Those matters are the sole responsibility of the
Depositor.
The Custodian will keep adequate records of transactions it is required to
perform for the custodial account. The Custodian will provide to the Depositor a
written report or reports reflecting the transactions in the custodial account
over each calendar year and the assets in the custodial account as of the end of
the calendar year.
If the Custodian resigns or is removed, as provided in paragraph 10 below,
the Custodian must provide a written report or reports reflecting the
transactions in the custodial account from the last report through the date of
the Custodian's resignation or removal, and the assets in the custodial account
as of the date of the Custodian's resignation or removal.
After providing the end-of-the-year report or the reports from the
Custodian's resignation or removal, the Custodian will be forever released from
all liability and accountability to anyone for its acts or transactions
reflected in the report(s), except those acts or transactions to which the
Depositor (or recipient, if different) has filed a written objection with the
Custodian within 60 days of the date the report was provided to the Depositor or
other recipient.
The Depositor always fully indemnifies the Custodian and will hold it
harmless from any and all liability which may arise from this Agreement, except
that which arises from the Custodian's negligence or willful misconduct. The
Custodian will not be obligated or expected to commence or defend any legal
action or proceeding about this Agreement unless both the Custodian and
Depositor agree and the Custodian will be fully indemnified to its satisfaction.
The Custodian may conclusively rely upon and will be protected from acting
on any written order from or authorized by the Depositor, or any other notice,
request, consent, certificate or other instrument, paper, or other communication
which the Custodian believes to be genuine and issued in proper form with proper
authority, as long as the Custodian acts in good faith in taking or omitting to
take any action in reliance upon the communication.
Before the Beneficiary has notified the Custodian (in the manner required
by the Custodian) of the Depositor's death, the Custodian will not be
responsible for treating the Beneficiary as if he or she has rights and
obligations under this Agreement.
8. Distributions
This paragraph supplements the information found in Article IV above, and
must be read in conjunction with it.
The Depositor has the responsibility to ensure that he or she will begin to
receive distributions from the custodial account on or before the Required
Beginning Date (i.e., the April 1 following the year in which the Depositor
reaches age 70 1/2). The Depositor also has sole responsibility to initiate
distributions from the custodial account and sole responsibility to ensure that
all distributions are made in accordance with the applicable provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code.
Distribution Requests
The Depositor is responsible for making the distribution requests to the
Custodian sufficiently in advance of any requested or required distribution time
to ensure that the distribution will be made before that requested or required
distribution time.
The Custodian will make distributions from the custodial account only after
receiving a written request from the Depositor (or any other party entitled to
receive the assets of the custodial account) or any other party entitled to
receive the assets of the custodial account. The Custodian will make the
distribution as soon as practicable after it receives the written request.
The Depositor must make the distribution request in the form required by
the Custodian. The distribution
request must include the form of distribution requested (e.g., lump-sum
distribution or installment payments). The Depositor must provide to the
Custodian any applications, certificates, tax waivers, signature guarantees, and
any other documents (including proof of legal representative's authority) that
the Custodian requires. The Custodian will not be liable for complying with a
distribution request that appears on its face to be genuine, nor will the
Custodian be liable for refusing to comply with a distribution request which the
Custodian is not satisfied is genuine.
If the distribution request is not made in the correct form, the Custodian
is not responsible and will not be liable to the Depositor for any losses while
the Custodian waits for the distribution request to be made in the proper form.
The Depositor also agrees to fully indemnify the Custodian for any losses which
may result from the Custodian's failing to act upon an improperly made
distribution request.
The Depositor may request a distribution of any portion of the custodial
account at any time. However, the Depositor must meet the minimum distribution
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code at all times.
The Custodian does not assume any responsibility for the tax treatment of
any distributions from the custodial account.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in 3.(b.) and (c.) of Article IV
above, the Depositor may not receive distributions from the custodial account in
the form of an annuity.
Designation of Beneficiary
The Depositor may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries (the
"Beneficiary") to receive the assets of the custodial account upon the
Depositor's death. The Depositor must designate his or her Beneficiary to the
Custodian in the manner required by the Custodian.
If the Depositor's Beneficiary is not living at the Depositor's death, the
Depositor's estate is entitled to receive the assets of the custodial account.
In addition, to the extent the Depositor has not effectively disposed of the
assets in the custodial account by his or her designation of Beneficiary, the
Depositor's estate will be entitled to receive the assets of the custodial
account.
If the Depositor's Beneficiary dies after the Depositor, the Beneficiary's
estate will be entitled to receive the assets of the custodial account.
The Depositor may change his or her choice of a Beneficiary at any time by
notifying the Custodian in the manner required by the Custodian. However, if the
Depositor changes his or her Beneficiary after the Required Beginning Date, that
new Beneficiary may decrease the joint life and last survivor expectancy of the
Depositor and his or her Beneficiary for purposes of installment payments paid
over the joint life and last survivor expectancy of the Depositor and his or her
Beneficiary.
Before the Depositor's death, the Depositor's Beneficiary has no right or
power to anticipate any part of the custodial account, or to sell, assign,
transfer, pledge, or hypothecate any part of the account. In addition, the
Custodial account will not be liable for any debts of the Depositor's
Beneficiary or, except as required by law, subject to attachment, execution, or
any other legal process.
Election to Have Life Expectancy Recalculated
For installment payments to be made over the Depositor's life expectancy,
the Depositor may make an election to have the Custodian annually recalculate
his or her life expectancy, and the life expectancy of the Depositor's spouse,
if applicable.
The Depositor must make the election to have the Custodian recalculate no
later than his or her Required Beginning Date. The Depositor must make this
election in the manner required by the Custodian.
If the depositor does not elect to have the Custodian recalculate life
expectancy, the Custodian will not recalculate the life expectancy.
9. Amendment
This paragraph supplements the information found in Article VII above, and
must be read in conjunction with it.
If the Distributor amends this Agreement, it must provide a written notice
of the amendment to both the Depositor and the Custodian. The Depositor will be
considered to have consented to the Distributor's amendment 30 days after the
Distributor has mailed the notice to the Depositor unless within that 30-day
period the Depositor gives the Custodian a proper written order for a lump-sum
distribution. The Custodian will be considered to have consented to the
Distributor's amendment unless it notifies the Distributor otherwise within 30
days after the Distributor has mailed (or otherwise delivered) the notice to the
Custodian.
The Custodian may change its fee schedule, as provided in paragraph 5
above, without having to amend this Agreement.
10. Resignation or Removal of Custodian
The Custodian may resign at any time by giving at least 30 days' written
notice to the Distributor. The Distributor may remove the Custodian at any time
by giving at least 30 days' written notice to the Custodian.
If the Custodian resigns or is removed, the Distributor must either appoint
a successor custodian to serve under this Agreement or notify the Depositor that
he or she must appoint a successor custodian. The successor custodian must
provide a written acceptance of its appointment as successor custodian to the
Custodian. Upon receiving this written acceptance, the Custodian must transfer
to the successor custodian all of the assets and records of the custodial
account.
The Custodian may reserve a portion of the custodial account assets to pay
for any fees, compensation, costs, expenses, or for any liabilities constituting
a charge on or against the Custodian. If any assets remain after paying these
items, the Custodian will pay the remainder to the successor custodian.
If the Custodian resigns or is removed, and the Distributor or the
Depositor has not appointed a successor custodian within 30 days after the
Custodian's resignation or removal (or a longer period, if the Custodian
agrees), the Custodian will terminate this Agreement as provided in paragraph
11, below.
After the Custodian has transferred the custodial account assets to the
successor custodian, the Custodian is relieved of any further liability for this
Agreement, the custodial account, and the custodial account assets.
The Custodian or any successor custodian appointed to serve under this
Agreement, must be either 1) a bank as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section
408(n), or 2) such other person who qualifies to serve as prescribed by Internal
Revenue Code Section 408(a)(2) and satisfies the Distributor and the Custodian
that he or she qualifies.
11. Termination of Agreement
As provided in paragraph 10, above, the Custodian will terminate the
Agreement if the Distributor or the Depositor has not appointed a successor
custodian within the specified time after the Custodian resigns or is removed.
If this Agreement is terminated, the Custodian will distribute the custodial
account assets in kind or cash to the Depositor. The Custodian may reserve a
portion of the assets as provided in paragraph 10.
The Depositor may terminate this Agreement at any time by taking a lump-sum
distribution of his or her investment in the custodial account.
After this Agreement has been terminated, it will have no further force and
effect, and the Custodian is relieved of any further liability for this
Agreement, the custodial account, and the custodial account assets.
12. Liquidation of Custodial Account
The Distributor has the right to direct the Custodian by a written order to
liquidate the custodial account if the value of the account is below a minimum
level established from time to time by the Distributor on a nondiscriminatory
basis. Once the Custodian receives a written liquidation order from the
Distributor, the Custodian will liquidate the assets in the custodial account as
soon as practicable and distribute the proceeds to the Depositor in a lump sum
in cash or in kind. The Custodian may reserve a portion of the account to pay
for any fees, compensation, costs or expenses, or for any liabilities
constituting a charge on or against the Custodian. If any assets remain after
paying these items, the Custodian will pay the remainder to the Depositor.
If the custodial account is liquidated as provided above, neither the
Distributor nor the Custodian will be responsible or liable for any penalty or
loss incurred by anyone because of the liquidation. In addition, after the
account is liquidated, both the Distributor and the Custodian will be relieved
from any further liability for this Agreement, the custodial account, and the
custodial account assets.
13. Miscellaneous
Any reference in this Agreement to Internal Revenue Code means the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any future successors.
Except as provided in the next sentence, any references to "Depositor" in
this Agreement will apply to the Depositor's Beneficiary if the Depositor is
deceased. The references to the "Depositor" in paragraphs 3, 4, and 8 of this
Article VIII will apply to the Depositor's Beneficiary only if the Depositor is
deceased, the Depositor's Beneficiary is the Depositor's surviving spouse, and
the surviving spouse elects to treat the custodial account as his or her own. If
the spouse does elect to treat the custodial account as his or her own, as
discussed in the preceding sentence, references to "Depositor" in Articles I
through VII will apply to the spouse as the Depositor's Beneficiary.
Unless specifically designated otherwise in this Agreement, any notice or
report that the Custodian must provide to any person by reason of this Agreement
will be considered to have been provided by the Custodian as of the date it is
sent by first-class mail to the person at his or her most recent address on the
Custodian's records.
To the extent permitted by law, the Custodian may, at its election and upon
the written instructions of the Depositor, pay investment adviser fees from the
Depositor's custodial accounts.
This Agreement is accepted by the Custodian in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and will be constructed and administered in accordance with the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
This Agreement is intended to qualify under Section 408 of the Internal
Revenue Code as an Individual Retirement Account, and under Section 219 of the
Internal Revenue Code for any tax-deductibility and limitations of contributions
made to the IRA. If any language or provision of this Agreement can be
interpreted in more than one way, the interpretation of the language or
provision that is consistent with the intention of this Agreement will control.
However, the Custodian and the Mutual Funds (or any company associated with
them) will not be responsible for guaranteeing that the intentions of this
Agreement are met through the use of this Agreement. The Depositor should
consult his or her own attorney for any assurances that the intentions of the
Agreement will be met through the use of this Agreement.
For ▇▇▇▇ IRAs: Form 5305-RA (1-98)
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT
CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT AGREEMENT
(Under section 408A of the Internal Revenue Code)
The Depositor whose name appears on the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ application or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Brokerage IRA application is establishing a ▇▇▇▇ individual retirement account
(▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇) under Section 408A to provide for his or her retirement and for the
support of his or her beneficiaries after death. The Custodian named on the
Application has given the Depositor the disclosure statement required under
Regulations Section 1.408-6. The Depositor has deposited with the Custodian the
amount indicated on the Application in cash. The Depositor and the Custodian
make the following agreement:
ARTICLE I
1. If this ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ is not designated as a ▇▇▇▇ Conversion IRA, then,
except in the case of a rollover contribution described in Section 408A(e), the
custodian will accept only cash contributions and only up to a maximum amount of
$2,000 for any tax year of the depositor.
2. If this ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ is designated as a ▇▇▇▇ Conversion IRA, no
contributions other than IRA Conversion Contributions made during the same tax
year will be accepted.
ARTICLE II
The $2,000 limit described in Article I is gradually reduced to $0 between
certain levels of adjusted gross income (AGI). For a single depositor, the
$2,000 annual contribution is phased out between AGI of $95,000 and $110,000;
for a married depositor who files jointly, between AGI $150,000 and $160,000;
and for a married depositor who files separately, between $0 and $10,000. In the
case of a conversion, the custodian will not accept IRA Conversion Contributions
in a tax year if the depositor's AGI for that tax year exceeds $100,000 or if
the depositor is married and files a separate return. Adjusted gross income is
defined in section 408A(c)(3) and does not include IRA Conversion Contributions.
ARTICLE III
The depositor's interest in the balance in the custodial account is
nonforfeitable.
ARTICLE IV
1. No part of the custodial funds may be invested in life insurance
contracts, nor may the assets of the custodial account be commingled with other
property except in a common trust fund or common investment fund (within the
meaning of section 408(a)(5)).
2. No part of the custodial funds may be invested in collectibles (within
the meaning of section 408(m)), except as otherwise permitted by section
408(m)(3), which provides an exception for certain gold, silver and platinum
coins, coins issued under the laws of any state, and certain bullion.
ARTICLE V
1. If the depositor dies before his or her entire interest is distributed
to him or her and the grantor's surviving spouse is not the sole beneficiary,
the entire remaining interest will, at the election of the depositor or, if the
depositor has not so elected, at the election of the beneficiary or
beneficiaries, either:
(a) Be distributed by December 31 of the year containing the fifth
anniversary of the depositor's death, or
(b) Be distributed over the life expectancy of the designated beneficiary
starting no later than December 31 of the year following the year of
the depositor's death. If distributions do not begin by the date
described in (b), distribution method (a) will apply.
2. In the case of distribution method 1.(b) above, to determine the minimum
annual payment for each year, divide the grantor's entire interest in the trust
as of the close of business on December 31 of the preceding year by the life
expectancy of the designated beneficiary using the attained age of the
designated beneficiary as of the beneficiary's birthday in the year
distributions are required to commence and subtract 1 for each subsequent year.
3. If the depositor's spouse is the sole beneficiary on the depositor's
date of death, such spouse will then be treated as the depositor.
ARTICLE VI
1.The depositor agrees to provide the custodian with information necessary
for the custodian to prepare any reports required under sections 408(i) and
408A(d)(3)(E), Regulations sections 1.408-5 and 1.408-6, and under guidance
published by the Internal Revenue Service.
2.The Custodian agrees to submit reports to the Internal Revenue Service
and the depositor prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service.
ARTICLE VII
Notwithstanding any other articles which may be added or incorporated, the
provisions of Articles I through IV and this sentence will be controlling. Any
additional articles that are not consistent with Section 408A, the related
regulations, and other published guidance will be invalid.
ARTICLE VIII
This agreement will be amended from time to time to comply with the
provisions of the code, related regulations, and other published guidance. Other
Amendments may be made with the consent of the persons whose signatures appear
on the application.
ARTICLE IX
1. Please refer to the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ Application or ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Brokerage IRA
Application, which is incorporated into this Agreement as this paragraph of
Article IX.
2. Depositor's Selection of Investments
Investment Options
The Depositor may only direct the Custodian to invest custodial funds in
investment shares of the Mutual Funds (regulated investment companies for which
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇, Inc., its successor or any affiliates, acts as the
investment adviser and which ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Investor Services, Inc., (the
"Distributor") has designated as appropriate for investments in the custodial
account), or in other investments which the Distributor or its successors has
designated as eligible investments for the custodial account.
Investments
As soon as practicable after the Custodian receives the Application, the
Custodian will invest the initial contribution or transfer as the Depositor
directed on the Application in shares of the Mutual Fund(s) or other investments
designated by the Distributor as eligible investments for the custodial account.
With regard to the Mutual Funds listed on the Application and any other Mutual
Fund, the Depositor understands that neither the Custodian nor the Distributor
endorses the Mutual Funds as suitable investments for the custodial account. In
addition, the Custodian (and the Distributor, unless the Distributor otherwise
agrees) will not provide investment advice to the Depositor. The Depositor
assumes all responsibility for the choice of his or her investments in the
custodial account.
The Custodian will invest each subsequent contribution or transfer to the
custodial account as soon as practicable after the Custodian receives the
contribution or transfer, according to the Depositor's instructions for that
subsequent contribution or transfer, in the Mutual Funds or other investment
designated by the Distributor as eligible investments for the custodial account.
If the Depositor's custodial account assets are invested in any Mutual Fund
which terminates or is eliminated, the Custodian will transfer the custodial
account assets in that Mutual Fund to another Mutual Fund designated by the
Distributor unless the Depositor instructs the Custodian otherwise in the manner
required by the Custodian.
If the Custodian receives any investment instructions from the Depositor
which in the opinion of the Custodian are not in good order or are unclear, or
if the Custodian receives any monies from the Depositor which would exceed the
amount that the Depositor may contribute to the custodial account, the Custodian
may hold all or a portion of the monies uninvested pending receipt of written
(or in any other manner permitted by the Distributor) instructions or
clarification. During any such delay the Custodian will not be liable for any
loss of income or appreciation, loss of interest, or for any other loss. The
Custodian may also return all or a portion of the monies to the Depositor.
Again, in such situations, the Custodian will not be liable for any loss.
Unless the Custodian permits otherwise, all dividend and capital gains
distributions received on shares of a Mutual Fund in the custodial account
(unless made in the form of additional shares) will be reinvested in shares of
the same Mutual Fund which paid the distribution, and credited to the custodial
account. All accumulations from other investments will be reinvested in the
Depositor's custodial account according to the Depositor's instructions to the
Custodian which must be in a form acceptable to the Custodian.
The Depositor may change any portion of his or her investment in an
eligible investment to another eligible investment by requesting the change in
the manner the Custodian requires. However, the Distributor reserves the right
to refuse to sell shares of any Mutual Fund when it determines in its own
judgment that the Depositor has made frequent trading in the custodial account.
3. Contributions
All contributions by the Depositor to the custodial account must be in
cash, except for initial contributions of rollovers which may be made in a form
other than cash if permitted by the Distributor.
The Custodian will designate contributions (other than rollover
contributions) as being made for particular years as requested by the Depositor.
If the Depositor does not designate a year for any contribution, the Custodian
will designate the contribution as being made for a particular year according to
a policy established by the Distributor.
If permitted by the Distributor, the Depositor may make rollover
contributions to the custodial account of deductible employee contributions
which were made to qualified employer or government retirement plans as provided
in Internal Revenue Code Section 72(o).
The Depositor warrants that all contributions to the custodial account,
including any rollover contributions, will be made in accordance with the
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
Excess Contributions
If the Depositor exceeds the amount that may be contributed to his or her
custodial account for any year, the Custodian will apply such amount as is
allowed by law.
4. Transfers
The Custodian will accept transfers to the custodial account of investments
which the Distributor or its successors have designated as eligible investments
for the custodial account from another custodian or trustee of an individual
retirement account or individual retirement annuity upon the Depositor's
direction. The Custodian will also transfer amounts in the custodial account
upon the request in writing, or in such other manner as agreed upon by the
Custodian, of the Depositor to another custodian or trustee of an individual
retirement account or individual retirement annuity. For such a transfer, the
Custodian may require the written acceptance of the successor custodian. The
Depositor warrants that all transfers to and from the custodial account will be
made in accordance with the rules and regulations issued by the Internal Revenue
Service.
5. Custodian's Fees
The Custodian is entitled to receive reasonable fees for establishing and
maintaining the custodial account. These fees will be set by the Custodian from
time to time.
The Custodian may change its fee schedule upon thirty (30) days' written
notice to the Distributor.
The Custodian has the right to charge the custodial account, including the
right to liquidate Mutual Fund shares or other investments, or to charge the
Depositor for the Custodian's fees, as well as for any income, gift, estate, and
inheritance taxes (including any transfer taxes incurred in connection with the
investment or reinvestment of the assets of the custodial account), which are
levied or assessed against the custodial account assets, and for all other
administrative expenses of the Custodian for performing its duties, including
any fees for legal services provided to the Custodian.
6. Custodial Account
Once the Custodian mails an acknowledgment of its receipt of the
Application to the Depositor, this Agreement will be effective as of the date
the Depositor signed the Application. As soon as practicable after the Custodian
receives the Application, the Custodian will open and maintain a separate
custodial account for the Depositor.
All Mutual Fund shares or other investments in the custodial account will
be registered in the name of the Custodian (with or without identifying the
Depositor) or in the name of the Custodian's nominee. The Custodian or its agent
will deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to the Depositor all
notices, prospectuses, financial statements, proxies, and proxy soliciting
materials which the Custodian or its agent receives which relate to the Mutual
Funds or other investments in the custodial account. The Custodian or its agent
will vote shares only according to the Depositor's instructions on an executed
proxy, provided that the Custodian may without written direction from the
Depositor vote shares "present" solely for purposes of establishing a quorum.
7. Additional Provisions Regarding the Custodian
According to this Agreement, the Custodian will be an agent for the
Depositor for the custodial account to receive and to invest contributions, and
to hold and to distribute these investments as authorized by the Depositor, and
to keep adequate records and provide reports as required by the Agreement. None
of the parties to this Agreement intend to confer any fiduciary duties on the
Custodian, and no such duties shall be implied.
The Custodian may perform any of its administrative duties through other
persons designated by the Custodian from time to time. However, the custodial
account must be registered in the name of the Custodian or its nominee as
provided in paragraph 6 above.
The Custodian assumes no responsibility or liability for collecting
contributions, for the deductibility or propriety of any contribution made to
the custodial account, or for the purpose or propriety of any distributions made
from the custodial account. Those matters are the sole responsibility of the
Depositor.
The Custodian will keep adequate records of transactions it is required to
perform for the custodial account. The Custodian will provide to the Depositor a
written report or reports reflecting the transactions in the custodial account
over each calendar year and the assets in the custodial account as of the end of
the calendar year.
If the Custodian resigns or is removed, as provided in paragraph 10 below,
the Custodian must provide a written report or reports reflecting the
transactions in the custodial account from the last report through the date of
the Custodian's resignation or removal, and the assets in the custodial account
as of the date of the Custodian's resignation or removal.
After providing the end-of-the-year report or the reports from the
Custodian's resignation or removal, the Custodian will be forever released from
all liability and accountability to anyone for its acts or transactions
reflected in the report(s), except those acts or transactions to which the
Depositor (or recipient, if different) has filed a written objection with the
Custodian within 60 days of the date the report was provided to the Depositor or
other recipient.
The Depositor always fully indemnifies the Custodian and will hold it
harmless from any and all liability which may arise from this Agreement, except
that which arises from the Custodian's negligence or willful misconduct. The
Custodian will not be obligated or expected to commence or defend any legal
action or proceeding about this Agreement unless both the Custodian and
Depositor agree and the Custodian will be fully indemnified to its satisfaction.
The Custodian may conclusively rely upon and will be protected from acting
on any written order from or authorized by the Depositor, or any other notice,
request, consent, certificate or other instrument, paper, or other communication
which the Custodian believes to be genuine and issued in proper form with proper
authority, as long as the Custodian acts in good faith in taking or omitting to
take any action in reliance upon the communication.
Before the Beneficiary has notified the Custodian (in the manner required
by the Custodian) of the Depositor's death, the Custodian will not be
responsible for treating the Beneficiary as if he or she has rights and
obligations under this Agreement.
8. Distributions
This paragraph supplements the information found in Article V above, and
must be read in conjunction with it.
The Depositor has sole responsibility to initiate distributions from the
custodial account and sole responsibility to ensure that all distributions are
made in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
Distribution Requests
The Depositor* is responsible for making the distribution requests to the
Custodian sufficiently in advance of any requested or required distribution time
to ensure that the distribution will be made before that requested or required
distribution time.
The Custodian will make distributions from the custodial account only after
receiving a request in writing, or in such other manner as agreed upon by the
Custodian, from the Depositor*. The Custodian will make the distribution as soon
as practicable after it receives the request in writing, or in such other manner
as agreed upon by the Custodian.
The Depositor* must make the distribution request in the form required by
the Custodian. The distribution request must include the form of distribution
requested (e.g., lump-sum distribution or installment payments). The Depositor*
must provide to the Custodian any applications, certificates, tax waivers,
signature guarantees and any other documents (including proof of legal
representative's authority) that the Custodian requires. The Custodian will not
be liable for complying with a distribution request that appears on its face to
be genuine, nor will the Custodian be liable for refusing to comply with a
distribution request which the Custodian is not satisfied is genuine.
If the distribution request is not made in the correct form, the Custodian
is not responsible and will not be liable to the Depositor* for any losses while
the Custodian waits for the distribution request to be made in the proper form.
The Depositor* also agrees to fully indemnify the Custodian for any losses which
may result from the Custodian's failing to act upon an improperly made
distribution request.
The Depositor* may request a distribution of any portion of the custodial
account at any time.
The Custodian does not assume any responsibility for the tax treatment of
any distributions from the custodial account.
* or any other party entitled to receive the assets of the custodial
account
Designation of Beneficiary
The Depositor may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries (the
"Beneficiary") to receive the assets of the custodial account upon the
Depositor's death. The Depositor must designate his or her Beneficiary to the
Custodian in the manner required by the Custodian.
If the Depositor's Beneficiary is not living at the Depositor's death, the
Depositor's estate is entitled to receive the assets of the custodial account.
In addition, to the extent the Depositor has not effectively disposed of the
assets in the custodial account by his or her designation of beneficiary, the
Depositor's estate will be entitled to receive the assets of the custodial
account.
If the Depositor's Beneficiary dies after the Depositor, the Beneficiary's
estate will be entitled to receive the assets of the custodial account.
The Depositor may change his or her choice of a Beneficiary at any time by
notifying the Custodian in the manner required by the Custodian.
Before the Depositor's death, the Depositor's Beneficiary has no right or
power to anticipate any part of the custodial account, or to sell, assign,
transfer, pledge, or hypothecate any part of the account. In addition, the
Custodial account will not be liable for any debts of the Depositor's
Beneficiary or, except as required by law, subject to attachment, execution, or
any other legal process.
Election to Have Life Expectancy Recalculated
For installment payments to be made over the Depositor's life expectancy,
the Depositor may make an election to have the Custodian annually recalculate
his or her life expectancy, and the life expectancy of the Depositor's spouse,
if applicable. The Depositor must make this election in the manner required by
the Custodian.
If the Depositor does not elect to have the Custodian recalculate life
expectancy, the Custodian will not recalculate the life expectancy of any other
party entitled to receive the assets of the custodial account.
9. Amendment
This paragraph supplements the information found in Article VIII above, and
must be read in conjunction with it.
If the Distributor amends this Agreement, it must provide a written notice
of the amendment to both the Depositor and the Custodian. The Depositor will be
considered to have consented to the Distributor's amendment 30 days after the
Distributor has mailed the notice to the Depositor unless within that 30-day
period the Depositor gives the Custodian a proper request in writing, or in such
other manner as agreed upon by the Custodian, for a lump-sum distribution. The
Custodian will be considered to have consented to the Distributor's amendment
unless it notifies the Distributor otherwise within 30 days after the
Distributor has mailed (or otherwise delivered) the notice to the Custodian.
The Custodian may change its fee schedule, as provided in paragraph 5
above, without having to amend this Agreement.
10. Resignation or Removal of Custodian
The Custodian may resign at any time by giving at least 30 days' written
notice to the Distributor. The Distributor may remove the Custodian at any time
by giving at least 30 days' written notice to the Custodian.
If the Custodian resigns or is removed, the Distributor must either appoint
a successor custodian to serve under this Agreement or notify the Depositor that
he or she must appoint a successor custodian. The successor custodian must
provide a written acceptance of its appointment as successor custodian to the
Custodian. Upon receiving this written acceptance, the Custodian must transfer
to the successor custodian all of the assets and records of the custodial
account.
The Custodian may reserve a portion of the custodial account assets to pay
for any fees, compensation, costs, expenses, or for any liabilities constituting
a charge on or against the Custodian. If any assets remain after paying these
items, the Custodian will pay the remainder to the successor custodian.
If the Custodian resigns or is removed, and the Distributor or the
Depositor has not appointed a successor custodian within 30 days after the
Custodian's resignation or removal (or a longer period, if the Custodian
agrees), the Custodian will terminate this Agreement as provided in paragraph
11, below.
After the Custodian has transferred the custodial account assets to the
successor custodian, the Custodian is relieved of any further liability for this
Agreement, the custodial account, and the custodial account assets.
The Custodian or any successor custodian appointed to serve under this
Agreement must be either 1) a bank as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section
408(n), or 2) such other person who qualifies to serve as prescribed by Internal
Revenue Code Section 408(a)(2) and satisfies the Distributor and the Custodian
that he or she qualifies.
11. Termination of Agreement
As provided in paragraph 10, above, the Custodian will terminate the
Agreement if the Distributor or the Depositor has not appointed a successor
custodian within the specified time after the Custodian resigns or is removed.
If this Agreement is terminated, the Custodian will distribute the custodial
account assets in kind or cash to the Depositor. The Custodian may reserve a
portion of the assets as provided in paragraph 10.
The Depositor may terminate this Agreement at any time by taking a lump-sum
distribution of his or her investment in the custodial account.
After this Agreement has been terminated, it will have no further force and
effect, and the Custodian is relieved of any further liability for this
Agreement, the custodial account, and the custodial account assets.
12. Liquidation of Custodial Account
The Distributor has the right to direct the Custodian by a request in
writing, or in such other manner as agreed upon by the Custodian, to liquidate
the custodial account if the value of the account is below a minimum level
established from time to time by the Distributor on a nondiscriminatory basis.
Once the Custodian receives a request in writing, or in such other manner as
agreed upon by the Custodian, from the Distributor, the Custodian will liquidate
the assets in the custodial account as soon as practicable and distribute the
proceeds to the Depositor in a lump sum in cash or in kind. The Custodian may
reserve a portion of the account to pay for any fees, compensation, costs or
expenses, or for any liabilities constituting a charge on or against the
Custodian. If any assets remain after paying these items, the Custodian will pay
the remainder to the Depositor.
If the custodial account is liquidated as provided above, neither the
Distributor nor the Custodian will be responsible or liable for any penalty or
loss incurred by anyone because of the liquidation. In addition, after the
account is liquidated, both the Distributor and the Custodian will be relieved
from any further liability for this Agreement, the custodial account, and the
custodial account assets.
13. Miscellaneous
Any references in this Agreement to Internal Revenue Code mean the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any future successors.
Except as provided in the next sentence, any references to "Depositor" in
this Agreement will apply to the Depositor's Beneficiary if the Depositor is
deceased. The references to the "Depositor" in paragraphs 3, 4, and 8 of this
Article IX will apply to the Depositor's Beneficiary only if the Depositor is
deceased, the Depositor's Beneficiary is the Depositor's surviving spouse, and
the surviving spouse elects to treat the custodial account as his or her own. If
the spouse does elect to treat the custodial account as his or her own, as
discussed in the preceding sentence, references to "Depositor" in Articles I
through VIII will apply to the spouse as the Depositor's Beneficiary. (Note,
this highlighted information overrides otherwise conflicting information found
in Article V.3 of this Agreement.)
Unless specifically designated otherwise in this Agreement, any notice or
report that the Custodian must provide to any person by reason of this Agreement
will be considered to have been provided by the Custodian as of the date it is
sent by first-class mail to the person at his or her most recent address on the
Custodian's records.
To the extent permitted by law, the Custodian may, at its election and upon
the written instructions of the Depositor, pay investment adviser fees from the
Depositor's custodial accounts.
This Agreement is accepted by the Custodian in the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and will be constructed and administered in accordance with the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
This Agreement is intended to qualify under Section 408 of the Internal
Revenue Code as an Individual Retirement Account, and under Section 219 of the
Internal Revenue Code for any tax-deductibility and limitations of contributions
made to the IRA. If any language or provision of this Agreement can be
interpreted in more than one way, the interpretation of the language or
provision that is consistent with the intention of this Agreement will control.
However, the Custodian and the Mutual Funds (or any company associated with
them) will not be responsible for guaranteeing that the intentions of this
Agreement are met through the use of this Agreement. The Depositor should
consult his or her own attorney for any assurances that the intentions of the
Agreement will be met through the use of this Agreement.
