This section describes how your contributions to the Faculty and Staff Retirement Plan ("the Plan") will be invested if you have a payroll deduction set up to contribute but do not select specific investment funds. It also describes your rights and responsibilities in connection with default investments. You are eligible to make voluntary contributions in the Faculty and Staff Retirement Plan regardless of whether you are exempt or non-exempt staff.

Your Right to Direct Investments

You have the right to direct investments for contributions to the Faculty and Staff Retirement Plan.

If you have a payroll deduction set up to contribute or will start receiving Duke's contribution but do not make investment elections through Fidelity, your contributions will be automatically deposited in the default investment fund. The default investment fund established under the plan is the Vanguard Target Retirement Date Fund series.  Your contributions will be invested in the Target Date Fund closest to the year in which you will reach age 65.

It is intended that the default investment fund be a "qualified default investment alternative" (QDIA) as defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). See details about the Vanguard Target Retirement Date Funds below.

Learn More... Contact Fidelity

You may change your investment selections any time by contacting Fidelity directly. It is strongly recommended that you review the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses prior to making an investment decision. This information can be found in each fund's prospectus.

If you have questions, please contact the Benefits Office at (919) 684-5600.

Qualified Default Investment Alternative Notice

This notice is to inform you that any contributions for which you have the right to provide investment direction, but have not done so, will be invested in the Plan's designated default investment option, unless and until you direct otherwise. Provided below is a description of the Plan's designated default investment option(s), as well as certain applicable fee information. Additional fee information is available within the Participant Fee Disclosure Document.  If you are satisfied with your current investment election(s), no action is required on your part. You always retain the right under the Plan to direct the investment of your existing balances, which includes contributions and any earnings on those contributions, and your future contributions to any of the Plan's available investment options. In the event that you have not made an investment election and the Plan Sponsor has not provided direction for a given contribution, it will be invested in the Plan's default investment option as described below. If your contributions are invested in the default investment option, you have the right to transfer out of this option to another investment option available in the Plan.

To obtain information about your Plan, including your contribution percentage, your current investment options and information (including objective, strategy, risk, performance and expense information) on other Plan investment options available to you, please access the NetBenefits® mobile app, log on to NetBenefits® at www.fidelity.com/duke or call 800-558-9179 to speak to a representative. If you are a rehire, you should contact Fidelity® to confirm if you already have investment direction on file.

Plan's Current Designated Default Investment Option

The Target Date Fund used as the Plan's designated default investment option is based on the assumption that the participant will retire at age 65. Please use the chart below, decided by your Plan Sponsor, to determine in which Target Date Fund your future contributions will be directed, based on your date of birth on the Fidelity recordkeeping system.

Date of BirthFund NameTicker SymbolGross Expense ratio
as of 8/14/2023
Before 12/31/1952Vanguard Target Retirement Income FundVTINX0.08%
1/1/1953 – 12/311957Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 FundVTWNX0.08%
1/1/1958 – 12/31/1962Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 FundVTTVX0.08%
1/1/1963 – 12/13/1967Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 FundVTHRX0.08%
1/1/1968 – 12/31/1972Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 FundVTTHX0.08%
1/1/1973 – 12/31/1977Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 FundVFORX0.08%
1/1/1978 – 12/31/1982Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 FundVTIVX0.08%
1/1/1983 – 12/31/1987Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 FundVFIFX0.08%
1/1/1988 – 12/31/1992Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 FundVFFVX0.08%
1/1/1993 – 12/31/1997Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 FundVTTSX0.08%
1/1/1998 - 12/31/2002Vanguard Target Retirement 2065 FundVLXVX0.08%
1/1/2003 or laterVanguard Target Retirement 2070 FundVSVNX0.08%

Fund line-up as of August 14, 2023.

Funds Description

Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund

Objective: The investment seeks to provide current income and some capital appreciation

Strategy: The fund invests in a mix of Vanguard mutual funds according to an asset allocation strategy designed for investors currently in retirement. Its indirect bond holdings are a diversified mix of short-, intermediate-, and long-term U.S. government, U.S. agency, and investment-grade U.S. corporate bonds; inflation-protected public obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury; mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities; and government, agency, corporate, and securitized investment-grade foreign bonds issued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.

Risk: The fund is subject to the volatility of the financial markets, including that of equity and fixed income investments. Fixed income investments carry issuer default and credit risk, inflation risk, and interest rate risk. (As interest rates rise, bond prices usually fall, and vice versa. This effect is usually more pronounced for longer-term securities.) Principal invested is not guaranteed at any time, including at or after retirement. Additional risk information for this product may be found in the prospectus or other product materials, if available.

Short term trading fees: None

Footnotes: This description is only intended to provide a brief overview of the mutual fund. Read the fund's prospectus for more detailed information about the fund. Stock markets, especially foreign markets, are volatile and can decline significantly in response to adverse issuer, political, regulatory, market or economic developments. Target date investments are generally designed for investors expecting to retire around the year indicated in each investment's name. The investments are managed to gradually become more conservative over time. The investment risks of each target date investment change over time as its asset allocation changes. They are subject to the volatility of the financial markets, including equity and fixed income investments in the U.S. and abroad and may be subject to risk associated with investing in high yield, small cap and foreign securities. Principal invested is not guaranteed at any time, including at or after their target dates.

Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund

Objective: The investment seeks to provide capital appreciation and current income consistent with its current asset allocation.

Strategy: The fund invests in a mix of Vanguard mutual funds according to an asset allocation strategy designed for investors planning to retire and leave the workforce in or within a few years of 2020 (the target year). The fund's asset allocation will become more conservative over time, meaning that the percentage of assets allocated to stocks will decrease while the percentage of assets allocated to bonds and other fixed income investments will increase.

Risk: The target date funds are designed for investors expecting to retire around the year indicated in each fund's name. The funds are managed to gradually become more conservative over time as they approach their target date. The investment risk of each target date fund changes over time as its asset allocation changes. They are subject to the volatility of the financial markets, including that of equity and fixed income investments in the U.S. and abroad, and may be subject to risks associated with investing in high-yield, small-cap, and foreign securities. Principal invested is not guaranteed at any time, including at or after their target dates. Additional risk information for this product may be found in the prospectus or other product materials, if available.

Short term trading fees: None

Footnotes: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund

Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund

Objective: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund

Strategy: The fund invests in a mix of Vanguard mutual funds according to an asset allocation strategy designed for investors planning to retire and leave the workforce in or within a few years of 2025 (the target year). The fund's asset allocation will become more conservative over time, meaning that the percentage of assets allocated to stocks will decrease while the percentage of assets allocated to bonds and other fixed income investments will increase.

Risk: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund

Short term trading fees: None

Footnotes: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund

Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund

Objective: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund

Strategy: The fund invests in a mix of Vanguard mutual funds according to an asset allocation strategy designed for investors planning to retire and leave the workforce in or within a few years of 2030 (the target year). The fund's asset allocation will become more conservative over time, meaning that the percentage of assets allocated to stocks will decrease while the percentage of assets allocated to bonds and other fixed income investments will increase.

Risk: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund

Short term trading fees: None

Footnotes: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund

Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund

Objective: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund

Strategy: The fund invests in a mix of Vanguard mutual funds according to an asset allocation strategy designed for investors planning to retire and leave the workforce in or within a few years of 2035 {the target year). The fund's asset allocation will become more conservative over time, meaning that the percentage of assets al located to stocks will decrease while the percentage of assets allocated to bonds and other fixed income investments will increase.

Risk: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund

Short term trading fees: None

Footnotes: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund

Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Fund

Objective: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund

Strategy: The fund invests in a mix of Vanguard mutual funds according to an asset allocation strategy designed for investors planning to retire and leave the workforce in or within a few years of 2040 {the target year). The fund's asset allocation will become more conservative over time, meaning that the percentage of assets al located to stocks will decrease while the percentage of assets allocated to bonds and other fixed income investments will increase.

Risk: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund

Short term trading fees: None

Footnotes: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund

Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund

Objective: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund

Strategy: The fund invests in a mix of Vanguard mutual funds according to an asset allocation strategy designed for investors planning to retire and leave the workforce in or within a few years of 2045 {the target year). The fund's asset allocation will become more conservative over time, meaning that the percentage of assets al located to stocks will decrease while the percentage of assets allocated to bonds and other fixed income investments will increase.

Risk: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund

Short term trading fees: None

Footnotes: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund

Vanguard Target Retirement 2050 Fund

Objective: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund

Strategy: The fund invests in a mix of Vanguard mutual funds according to an asset allocation strategy designed for investors planning to ret ire and leave the workforce in or within a few years of 2050 {the target year). The fund's asset allocation will become more conservative over time, meaning that the percentage of assets allocated to stocks will decrease while the percentage of assets allocated to bonds and other fixed income investments will increase.

Risk: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund

Short term trading fees: None

Footnotes: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund

Vanguard Target Retirement 2055 Fund

Objective: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund

Strategy: The fund invests in a mix of Vanguard mutual funds according to an asset allocation strategy designed for investors planning to retire and leave the workforce in or within a few years of 2055 {the target year). The fund's asset allocation will become more conservative over time, meaning that the percentage of assets allocated to stocks will decrease while the percentage of assets allocated to bonds and other fixed income investments will increase.

Risk: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund

Short term trading fees: None

Footnotes: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund

Vanguard Target Retirement 2060 Fund

Objective: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund

Strategy: The fund invests in a mix of Vanguard mutual funds according to an asset allocation strategy designed for investors planning to retire and leave the workforce in or within a few years of 2060 (the target year). The fund's asset allocation will become more conservative over time, meaning that the percentage of assets allocated to stocks will decrease while the percentage of assets allocated to bonds and other fixed income investments will increase.

Risk: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund

Short term trading fees: None

Footnotes: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund

Vanguard Target Retirement 2065 Fund

Objective: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund

Strategy: The fund invests in a mix of Vanguard mutual funds according to an asset allocation strategy designed for investors planning to retire and leave the workforce in or within a few years of 2065 (the target year). The fund's asset allocation will become more conservative over time, meaning that the percentage of assets allocated to stocks will decrease while the percentage of assets allocated to bonds and other fixed income investments will increase.

Risk: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund

Short term trading fees: None

Footnotes: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund

Vanguard Target Retirement 2070 Fund

Objective: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund

Strategy: The fund invests in a mix of Vanguard mutual funds (underlying funds) according to an asset allocation strategy designed for investors planning to retire and leave the workforce in or within a few years of 2070 (the target year). The fund's asset allocation will become more conservative over time, meaning that the percentage of assets allocated to stocks will decrease while the percentage of assets allocated to bonds and other fixed income investments will increase.

Risk: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund

Short term trading fees: None

Footnotes: Same description as Vanguard Target Retirement Income Fund


Before investing in any investment option, consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.

In the event of a discrepancy between this notice and the terms of the Plan, the Plan document will govern. A mutual fund expense ratio is the total annual fund or class operating expenses (before waivers or reimbursements) paid by the fund and stated as a percent of the fund's total net assets. For other types of investments, the figure in the expense ratio field reflects similar information, but may have been calculated differently than for mutual funds. Mutual fund data comes from the fund's prospectus. For non-mutual fund investment options, the information has been provided by the Plan Sponsor, the investment option's manager or the trustee. When no ratio is shown for these options, it is because none was available. There may be fees and expenses associated with the investment option. Expense information changes periodically. Please consult NetBenefits® for updates.

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