Notice to all participants with AMO Plans retirement accounts: Scheduled fund exchange will significantly limit transaction and investment activities from February 9 through 18

American Maritime Officers Plans participants were previously notified that the fund exchange that is scheduled to take place beginning on February 9, 2022 will result in a "blackout period" while the exchange is being processed. This "blackout period" is scheduled to be completed on February 18 and will affect all individual AMO Plans retirement investment accounts, including Defined Contribution, 401(k) and Money Purchase Benefit.

During the "blackout period," AMO Plans participants will temporarily be unable to diversify the assets in their Plan account or process certain transactions, such as distributions and loans from a retirement plan.

Notices were mailed to all eligible participants on December 31, 2021 specifying the key dates during which the temporary "blackout period" will take place so that participants would be able to plan accordingly.

On February 9, 2022, the Vanguard Target-Date Funds will merge their Institutional Target-Date Funds into their Target Retirement Funds, forming a single share class and reducing the expense ratio from nine (9) basis points to eight (8) basis points.

Due to this upcoming merger of share classes, there will be a brief "blackout period" while the exchange takes place. During the temporary "blackout period" of February 9, 2022 through February 18, 2022, participants will still be able to access/view accounts, but rebalances, exchanges and loans cannot be requested or initiated until the blackout period is over.

AMO Plans participants can contact the Newport Group Participant Service Center at 844-749-9981 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET to speak with a live representative. You can also contact the Plan Office at 800-348-6515, extension 14, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET to speak to an AMO Plans Retirement Services representative.