Stocks are also referred to as equity securities since they represent ownership or equity in a company.

Bonds are also referred to as debt securities. They represent a loan to a government agency or private corporation who are obligated to repay the principal of the loan plus interest at a specified future date.

International Funds primarily invest in equity securities of companies based outside the United States including companies based in Asia, Europe and emerging markets.

International investments may be most appropriate for someone looking for greater potential returns and willing to accept a higher degree of risk. International investment may provide diversification for a domestic portfolio. Foreign investments involve special risks, including currency fluctuations and political developments. International securities may also be subject to somewhat higher taxation as well as less liquidity compared to domestic investments.

Small Cap Funds primarily invest in equity securities of public companies located in the United States that have market capitalizations less than two billion dollars. Market capitalization is a measure of a company's size and is calculated by multiplying the number of outstanding shares by the current market price.

Small-cap investments may be most appropriate for someone with a longer investment horizon, seeking long-term capital growth, and willing to accept larger market fluctuations. Equity securities of companies with relatively small market capitalizations may be more volatile than securities of larger, more established companies.

Mid Cap Funds primarily invest in equity securities of public companies located in the United States that have market capitalizations less than 10 billion dollars but greater than two billion dollars. Market capitalization is a measure of a company's size and is calculated by multiplying the number of outstanding shares by the current market price

Mid-cap investments may be most appropriate for someone seeking higher potential returns over time and willing to weather market downturns. Mid-cap stocks may be more volatile than large-cap stocks but with potentially higher return.

Large Cap Funds primarily invest in equity securities of public companies located in the United States that have market capitalizations greater than 10 billion dollars. Market capitalization is a measure of a company's size and is calculated by multiplying the number of outstanding shares by the current market price.

Large-cap investments may be most appropriate for someone willing to accept market fluctuations in return for long-term capital growth. Stock investments tend to be more volatile than bond or money market investments.

Balanced Funds use both stocks and bonds to moderate market fluctuations in the equity markets.

Balanced investments may be most appropriate for someone seeking a balance between income from bond investments and capital growth from equity investments in one option. The investor is willing to accept higher risk for greater potential returns, rather than investing in bonds alone.

Bond Funds primarily invest in debt securities of government agencies and private companies. They provide income based on the interest or yield of the underlying bonds. Changes in interest rates and the stability of the issuer can affect the value of the underlying bonds. Unlike money market and fixed funds, bond funds can result in a loss of principal.

Bond investments may be most appropriate for someone seeking higher potential income than with a money market fund or stable value investment. The investor may desire to balance some of their more aggressive investments, with one providing potentially steady income.

Fixed Funds primarily invest in short term to medium term, high quality debt securities. Each quarter a new rate is determined, effective for the remainder of the crediting period. They are also referred to as stable value funds since they strive to provide safety of principal and stable income.

Stable value investments may be most appropriate for someone wanting to safeguard principal value or to balance out a more aggressive portfolio. This investor may be nearing retirement and requires more stability and asset liquidity.