For more information about the topics below, please click on the link, which will direct you to answers of some frequently asked questions. We hope these answers address your questions.
General Help TopicsAbout Lord Abbett
Why Lord Abbett?- Lord Abbett is an independent, privately held firm with a singular focus on the management of money. As one of the oldest money management firms in the United States, we have consistently provided generations of clients and their financial advisors with a quality investment experience since 1929.To learn more about Lord Abbett, click on the tab "About Lord Abbett."
How does Lord Abbett manage funds?- We view our business as a craft, practiced by skilled and experienced professionals who employ a proven investment process and work within dedicated teams, each focused on a specific portfolio with defined investment objectives. Driven by an unwavering commitment to the stewardship of our clients' assets, we accept the responsibility entrusted to us and hold ourselves accountable for the results of the decisions we make on our clients' behalf.
To learn more about Lord Abbett, click on the tab "About Lord Abbett."
How does Lord Abbett manage money?- Lord Abbett's portfolio management teams are organized according to specific investment disciplines. Each team is empowered to excel and is provided with the resources necessary to craft the optimal portfolio within a specific investment discipline.
To learn more about Lord Abbett, click on the tab "About Lord Abbett".
Why does Lord Abbett use investment professionals to sell its funds? - Investment professionals dedicate their time to understanding both the financial markets and how to help clients identify and achieve their financial goals. In addition, these professionals have access to expert research so that they can provide you with solid knowledge about your investment options. Investment professionals provide experience, insight, and guidance to help you prepare for your retirement, educational expenses, a new home, or other important financial needs. Investors who consult an investment professional tend to stay invested longer and have more diversified holdings. Over time, an investment professional will work to monitor your portfolio and help you reach your financial goals by reallocating your assets when conditions warrant doing so. Financial security not only means building a nest egg but also having the ability to sleep at night.
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About Our Funds
How much money do I need to invest in a Lord Abbett fund? - The minimum investment required to begin investing in a Lord Abbett fund can be $250 or $1,000, depending on which fund you choose. However, to open a Lord Abbett IRA, the minimum investment is held to a flat $250 for any fund.
Which Lord Abbett fund is best for me?- This is probably the most frequently asked question. The fact is, every investor has different investment needs. An ideal investment strategy for one person may be a poor strategy for another. At Lord Abbett, we have attempted to create an investment option to meet the needs of practically every investor. We currently offer a family of equity, tax-free and taxable fixed-income, strategic allocation and money market mutual funds ranging in objective from aggressive growth to capital preservation and income, allowing our investors to build a well-diversified portfolio.
With the multitude of product options, extensive advertising, and financial coverage by the media, finding the right mutual fund can be confusing. An investment professional can help you identify and understand your investment objectives and, ultimately, recommend funds suitable for your individual needs.
How can I receive more information about Lord Abbett funds?- Our Website contains useful information about Lord Abbett and the Lord Abbett Family of Funds. We encourage you to explore the site and gather as much information as possible. Please remember to read the prospectus carefully before investing.
Many of our investors work directly with professional financial advisors and we encourage these clients to speak with their financial advisors to learn more about Lord Abbett funds.- Visit the "Mutual Fund" section of the Website to learn about performance and pricing, as well as review literature for the Lord Abbett Family of Funds.
- Download and read a prospectus by clicking here.
- Call 800-821-5129 to speak with a Lord Abbett representative.
- Speak to your financial advisor, who can help determine your investment objectives and suggest fund recommendations suitable for your investment needs.
When are dividends paid by the funds?- For dividend payment dates, first select a fund and then go to the "Mutual Fund Detail" section of the Website. Click on the tab labeled "Distribution & Tax Information" for information about dividends.
What is CDSC?- Contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) is a fee that mutual fund investors pay when selling mutual fund shares within a specified number of days or years following the date on which the shares were originally purchased. It is the most common type of back-end sales load. The amount of this type of load will depend on how long the investor holds his or her shares. For example, a contingent deferred sales load might be 5 percent if an investor holds his or her shares for one year, 4 percent if the investor holds his or her shares for two years, and so on until the load goes away completely. The rate at which the fee declines will be disclosed in the fund's prospectus.
How do Lord Abbett share classes differ?- Most Lord Abbett funds offer four classes of shares: Classes A, B, C, and P. Each class represents investments in the same portfolio of securities, but each has different expenses, dividends, and sales charges. Class A, B, and C shares are offered to any investor. Class P shares are only offered to certain investors.
- Class A
- Normally offered with a front-end sales charge, which may be reduced or eliminated in certain circumstances
- Generally the lowest annual expenses due to lower 12b-1 fees
- Class B
- No front-end sales charge, but a CDSC is applied to shares redeemed before the sixth anniversary of purchase
- Higher annual expenses than Class A shares due to higher 12b-1 fees
- Automatically converts to Class A shares after eight years
- Class C
- No front-end sales charge, but a CDSC is applied to shares redeemed before the first anniversary of purchase
- Higher annual expenses than Class A shares due to higher 12b-1 fees
- Class P
- Available only to certain investors
- No front-end sales charge and no CDSC
- Lower annual expenses than Class B or Class C shares due to lower 12b-1 fees
To learn more about share classes, please speak to your financial advisor and read the funds' prospectuses.
Can I exchange among share classes?- Generally, exchanges are only allowed within the same share class. You should speak to your financial advisor, who can help you understand the requirements, or you may call a representative at 888-522-2388.
- For more information, please see the section "Your Investment-Purchases" in the prospectus for additional information on redemptions that may be subject to a CDSC.
Do I have to pay front-end commissions or redemption charges if I invest in a Lord Abbett mutual fund?- Lord Abbett offers several classes of mutual fund shares that each have different costs associated with them. These costs often represent commissions paid to investment professionals for the services they provide in order to determine the needs and long-term objectives of their clients. Not every class of mutual fund shares is appropriate for every investor, which is why we strongly urge all investors to seek the guidance of investment professionals, who can help them select funds and share classes that suit their specific investment needs. For more complete information about any Lord Abbett mutual fund, including risks, charges, and ongoing expenses, call your investment professional or Lord Abbett Distributor LLC at 888-522-2388 for a prospectus. Lord Abbett mutual fund shares are distributed by Lord Abbett Distributor LLC. An investor should read the prospectus carefully before investing.
What is a breakpoint?- A breakpoint is the total value that your account must have to qualify for a lower sales charge on Class A shares. To find a fund's breakpoint, go to the "Mutual Fund" section of the Website and select a fund. Then, go the section "Price/Fees/Expenses" to view the fund's breakpoint. If you have a financial advisor, we encourage you to speak with him or her for more information or to learn how this may apply to your situation.
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Help with Logging In
What information must I provide to log into the site?- When logging into lordabbett.com, you will never be asked for any personal information other than your Social Security number. If you are ever prompted for additional information when attempting to log into the site, please contact a Lord Abbett representative immediately at 800-821-5129.
Why must I enter my Social Security number in order to log into the Website?- Your Social Security number is requested for verification purposes only. Lord Abbett recognizes the importance of protecting your personal and financial information when you visit our Website. We treat this information as confidential and make protecting access to it a top priority.
We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect your personal information. Within Lord Abbett, access to such information is strictly limited to personnel who need it to perform their jobs, such as those who service your accounts, resolve problems, or inform you of new products or services. Our Code of Ethics, which applies to all employees, restricts the use of customer information and requires that it be held in strict confidence.
What if I forget my password or want to change my password?- If you established security questions and answers, go to the homepage, enter your Social Security number, and hit the "Submit" button. You will be able to either reset or change your password.
- If you have not established a security questions and answers, please contact a Lord Abbett representative at 800-821-5129 to reset or change your password.
My password is blocked. How can I reset it?- Please contact a Lord Abbett representative at 800-821-5129 for assistance. As a security measure, we block your password after numerous failed login attempts to protect your account. Lord Abbett takes very seriously the protection of your personal information.
I am a financial advisor. How do I access the Financial Advisor section of the Website?- On the Lord Abbett homepage, located under "Account Log In," is the title "Visit Other Lord Abbett Sites." Within that section, click on "Advisor Services" and you will be directed to the login page for financial advisors.
If you need assistance, please call 888-522-2388.
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Questions about Opening an Account
Thank you for your interest in the Lord Abbett Funds. Because successful investing requires careful consideration of many complex issues, and because achieving your financial goals can take many years-perhaps decades-we strongly advise you to work with a financial advisor. A financial advisor can help you define your goals, craft a long-term strategy that's suitable for you, and help you open an account.
You also can speak to one of our representatives 800-821-5129.
Why does Lord Abbett use investment professionals to sell their funds? - Investment professionals dedicate their time to understanding both the financial markets and how to help clients identify and achieve their financial goals. In addition, these professionals have access to expert research so that they can provide you with solid knowledge about your investment options. Investment professionals provide experience, insight, and guidance to help you prepare for your retirement, educational expenses, a new home, or other important financial needs. Investors who consult an investment professional tend to stay invested longer and have more diversified holdings. Over time, an investment professional will work to monitor your portfolio and help you reach your financial goals by reallocating your assets when conditions warrant doing so. Financial security not only means building a nest egg but also having the ability to sleep at night.
What personal information must I provide to Lord Abbett to open an account?- The USA Patriot account requires that Lord Abbett follow certain procedures for opening a new account. All financial institutions, including each fund, must obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. This means that when you request to open an account at Lord Abbett, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number or similar number, and other information that will allow us to identify you. We will ask for similar information in the case of persons who will be signing on behalf of a legal entity that will own the account. We also may ask for copies of documents.
What is a Custodial UGMA/UTMA account? - A Custodial account is defined as an account where an adult is designated to exercise control of a minor's account on behalf of the minor. For example, the proper registration would read as follows: John Doe CUST Mary Doe UGMA
What is meant by a signature guarantee? - The signature guarantee is standard in the securities business. If you handle transactions through a broker, you probably are unaware of this requirement, as your broker attends to it as part of his/her service to you. Its chief purpose is to authenticate your signature. The guarantee also carries statutory warranties which are relied upon by the transfer agent. NOTE: Your signature must be guaranteed by: a) commercial bank or trust company, or b) a member firm of a domestic stock exchange (foreign banks must indicate their New York correspondent). Signature guarantees by any other entities, including, but not limited to, savings and loan associations, credit unions, and notary publics, are NOT acceptable.
A signature guarantee is required if: - Your redemption amount is more than $50,000;
- The redemption check is made payable to someone other than the registered shareholder(s); or
- The redemption check is being sent to an address other than the address of record that has been used with the account for at least 30 days.
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Managing Your Account Online
After you log in to www.lordabbett.com, you can manage your account in several ways. Below are some key highlights for managing your investments and administering your accounts.
How do I purchase, exchange, or redeem shares, as well as monitor account activity?- If you have a financial advisor and your account is held at a broker/dealer, please call your financial advisor for information about how to purchase, exchange, or redeem shares in Lord Abbett funds. Your financial advisor also will advise you on the easiest way to monitor your account activity.
- If you do not have a financial advisor and your account is held directly with Lord Abbett, please log into the Website. Go to "My Account" to purchase, exchange, or redeem shares, as well as monitor transactions and account activity.
How do I download a prospectus?- Go to the "Mutual Fund" section of the Website. Choose the fund for which you'd like to review a prospectus by clicking on the name of the fund. You will be directed to the "Mutual Fund Detail" page. Click on the link "Prospectus."
Can I set up automatic investments, redemptions, or exchanges?- Yes. After you log into the Website, go to "My Account." Next to the name of the fund for which you'd like to set up automatic investments, redemptions, or exchanges, click on "Your Fund Detail." Next, you will see a heading called "Schedule Auto Transactions," which has a drop down box. Select the appropriate action from the list of options.
How do I update my preferences for the treatment of dividends and capital gains?- Log into the Website and go "My Account." Scroll down the page and click on the link called "Your Fund Detail" for the fund preferences that you would like to update. Under the heading "One-time Transactions", select the appropriate action from the drop down box.
Can I allow electronic transactions to occur between my bank and Lord Abbett? - Electronic fund transfers are allowed between your bank and Lord Abbett. To set up this service, please call a Lord Abbett representative at 800-821-5129.
How can I change personal information on my account? - Log into the Website and go to "My Account." Under the heading "Personal Account Summary," you will find a link called "Change Personal Information." Click on that link to update your personal information.
To speak with a Lord Abbett representative, please call 800-821-5129.
Can I download or import my account information into my personal financial software?- Yes, you can download transaction history into Microsoft® Excel or Microsoft® Money. Log into the Website and go to "My Account." Click on the link "View Transaction History," which is located under the heading "Personal Accounts Summary." Click on the button "Download/Print History." Choose a file format in the dropdown box and click "Download Now."
How can I obtain a duplicate account statement?- From our Website, you can order a duplicate statement, which will be mailed to you. Please log into the Website, go to "My Account," and select "Your Fund Detail" for the mutual fund account. Under the title "Order," select "Duplicate Statement" from the dropdown box and click on the "GO" button.
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Investing Resources
How can I learn about some common investing principles and concepts?- There is so much to learn about investing, and we hope to help you build your knowledge. Visit the "Investing Basics" section of our Website for easy-to-understand information about various investing concepts.
How can I learn about Lord Abbett's perspective on market trends?- Please visit the "Commentary" section of our Website. Here you will find an array of information on economic and other important issues that may affect your portfolio.
You may be interested in reading some of our key publications, including: - Economic Insights, weekly commentaries on timely economic issues by Milton Ezrati, Partner and Senior Economic and Market Strategist for Lord Abbett;
- The Lord Abbett Review, our quarterly magazine devoted to covering important investment topics; and
- Lord Abbett Times, a quarterly newsletter to our investors, which discusses investment strategies.
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Technical Information
Browsers and Operating Systems
What is a Web browser?- A Web browser is the computer application that you use to view Web pages. The most popular Web browsers include Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, America Online, and Apple Safari. Each Web browser comes in different versions.
Which browsers work best with Lord Abbett's Website?- We recommend using one of the following browser versions (or higher) to ensure you see this site properly: Internet Explorer 6.0, Netscape Navigator 6.1, Mozilla Firefox 2.0, or Safari 1.0.
How can I tell which browser I am using? - Most people launch their Web browser by clicking on an icon on their desktop, dock, or taskbar. To find out which browser and version you are using:
- Microsoft Windows Users:
- Did you double-click on an icon that looks like a big blue "e"? If you did, most likely you are using Internet Explorer. Click on "Help" located on your toolbar and select "About Internet Explorer" to find out which version you are using.
- Did you double-click on a triangular icon? If you did, most likely you are using America Online (AOL). Click on "Help" at the top of your AOL screen and select "About America Online" to find out which version you are using.
- Did you click on an icon that looks like a blue ball with an orange fox wrapped around it? If you did, you are probably using Mozilla Firefox. Click on "Help" in the top toolbar and select "About Mozilla Firefox" to find out which version you are using.
- Mac Users:
- Did you click on an icon that looks like a big blue "e"? If you did, most likely you are using Internet Explorer. Click on "Help" located on your toolbar and select "About Internet Explorer" to find out which version you are using.
- Did you click on a triangular icon? If you did, most likely you are using America Online (AOL). Click on "Help" at the top of your AOL screen and select "About America Online" to find out which version you are using.
- Did you click on an icon that looks like a blue ball with an orange fox wrapped around it? If you did, you are probably using Mozilla Firefox. Click on "Help" in the top toolbar and select "About Mozilla Firefox" to find out which version you are using.
- Did you click on an icon that looks like a compass? If you did, you are probably using Apple Safari. Click on the Safari menu and select "About Safari" to find out which version you are using.
Cookies
What is a cookie?- A cookie is a small text file that is stored in your computer's Web browser on your hard drive after you access a Website. The cookie stores information about your preferences when using the Website and enables the Website to recognize your computer each time you return to that site. Cookies have many purposes. For example, they are used for customizing Web pages or allowing users to log in to Websites and authenticate that the person is allowed to perform certain actions on the Website.
How are cookies used on lordabbett.com?- The Lord Abbett Website uses client-side cookies to support the Fund-Watch functionality. When you return to the Website after having added funds to your Fund Watch, the cookies ensure that the funds you added will still be on the Fund Watch list. Cookies also are used to track the funds in retirement plan and portfolio accounts.
- Please note that if you use a computer and add funds to the "Fund Watch" list, the next person who uses that computer will see the funds you added. On the other hand, if the cookies are deleted, the Fund Watch section will be empty.
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Security and Privacy
What is the difference between security and privacy?- When you install a home security system, you're trying to keep people from breaking into your home. Web security is the same kind of thing-a system of safeguards that prevent unauthorized parties from reading or modifying information in secured areas. Privacy is your right as a consumer to remain anonymous.
How does Lord Abbett protect the integrity and privacy of personal information?- Your privacy is important to us. We respect every individual's right to privacy and security of information that personally identifies you or your account with us.
- We will safeguard, according to strict standards of security and confidentiality, any nonpublic personal information our customers share with us. We do not sell personal information to anyone. We protect the integrity and privacy of your information in a number of ways. We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those employees who need to know that information to provide products or services to you. We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards to protect your nonpublic personal information.
How does Lord Abbett collect and use personal information?- We collect personal information, such as your name, address, and Social Security number, from the applications or other forms that you complete, through your use of our Website, and from market research companies. We also collect information about your transactions with us or others, such as your account balance, investment history, and parties to transactions. We may share nonpublic personal information with companies that perform administrative or other services on our behalf, such as transfer agents, printers, and other service providers to effect transactions that you request or authorize. In order to provide you with better products and services, we may disclose information to companies that perform marketing services on our behalf or to other financial institutions with which we have joint marketing agreements. We require these companies to protect the confidentiality of your nonpublic personal information and to use it only for the purposes for which the disclosure is made. We do not otherwise share nonpublic personal information we collect about you or any of our former customers with anyone, except as required or permitted by law.
What security measures does lordabbett.com use?- Security of information is a principal focus at Lord Abbett. We are committed to safeguarding your personal information. Lord Abbett researches and implements what we believe are the best security methods and technology available to protect your information. Our site uses the latest Web server technology, which provides us with data encryption and authentication features. Communication between you and lordabbett.com is protected by a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).
What should I do if my personal information is incorrect or outdated?- The accuracy of your personal information is important. If you need to correct or update your personal or account information, please call us at 888-522-2388. We will be happy to review, correct, or update your personal or account information.
Will any of my personal information be sold to third parties? - Lord Abbett is committed to maintaining the absolute privacy of the information you share with us when you use this Website. We want to assure you that information about users of lordabbett.com is not sold to any third party.
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