Overview
- Headquarters
- Chicago, IL
- Average Client Assets
- $1.2 million
- SEC CRD Number
- 108031
Fee Structure
Primary Fee Schedule (MORNINGSTAR WEALTH SERVICES)
| Min | Max | Marginal Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | and above | 0.15% |
Minimum Annual Fee: $100,000
Illustrative Fee Rates
| Total Assets | Annual Fees | Average Fee Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $1 million | $100,000 | 10.00% |
| $5 million | $100,000 | 2.00% |
| $10 million | $100,000 | 1.00% |
| $50 million | $100,000 | 0.20% |
| $100 million | $150,000 | 0.15% |
Clients
- HNW Share of Firm Assets
- 4.53%
- Total Client Accounts
- 515,981
- Discretionary Accounts
- 515,981
Services Offered
Services: Portfolio Management for Individuals, Portfolio Management for Companies, Portfolio Management for Pooled Investment Vehicles, Portfolio Management for Institutional Clients, Pension Consulting, Investment Advisor Selection
Regulatory Filings
Additional Brochure: INSTITUTIONAL ADVISORY SERVICES (2026-03-27)
View Document Text
Morningstar Investment Management LLC Form ADV Part 2A: Firm Brochure
Morningstar Retirement Institutional Advisory Services
22 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312.696.6000
www.corporate.morningstar.com
Item 11. Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions, and
Personal Trading was updated to remove references to Morningstar
Investment Services LLC and to reflect the rotation process used to notify
institutional clients of changes to certain model portfolios.
March 27, 2026
We made other edits where necessary to correct grammar or punctuation, to
provide clarification or further information, for consistency in terminology or
content, or to improve the readability of the brochure.
at
312.696.6000
send
an
email
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and
business practices of Morningstar Investment Management LLC. If you
have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact
to
or
us
compliancemail@morningstar.com. The information in this brochure
has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or by any state securities authority.
Additional information about Morningstar Investment Management LLC
is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Morningstar Investment Management LLC is registered with the SEC as
a registered investment adviser. Registration with the SEC does not
imply a certain level of skill or training. Please retain this brochure for
future reference.
Item 3. Table of Contents
Item 2. Material Changes .................................................................................................... 1
Item 4. Advisory Business .................................................................................................... 1
Item 5. Fees and Compensation ....................................................................................... 4
Item 6. Performance Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management .................... 6
Item 7. Types of Clients ........................................................................................................ 6
Item 8. Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss ............ 6
Item 9. Disciplinary Information .................................................................................... 18
Item 10. Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ............................ 18
Item 11. Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading .................................................................................................................. 21
Item 12. Brokerage Practices .......................................................................................... 21
Item 13. Review of Accounts ........................................................................................... 22
Item 14. Client Referrals and Other Compensation .............................................. 22
Item 15. Custody ................................................................................................................... 22
Item 16. Investment Discretion ...................................................................................... 22
Item 17. Voting Client Securities ................................................................................... 22
Item 18. Financial Information ....................................................................................... 23
All current versions of our firm brochures are available in the Part 2 Brochures
section of this record on the SEC’s website. You can also request a copy of our
current brochure free of charge by contacting our Compliance Department
at 312.696.6000, or by email to compliancemail@morningstar.com. In your
request, please indicate the name of the company (Morningstar Investment
Management) and the service brochure(s) (Morningstar Retirement Advisory
Services for Individuals, Morningstar Retirement Institutional Advisory
Services, or Morningstar Wealth Advisory Services) you are requesting.
that was
incorporated
in 1999. Morningstar
is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar,
Item 2. Material Changes
The Institutional Advisory Services Firm Brochure dated March 2026 contains
no material changes since our last annual update dated March 2025
Non-material changes since our last annual update include:
Item 4. Advisory Business
Firm Information
Morningstar Investment Management LLC is a Delaware limited liability
Investment
company
Management
Inc.
(“Morningstar”). Morningstar is a publicly traded company (Nasdaq Ticker:
MORN) with Mr. Joseph Mansueto, Executive Chairman of Morningstar,
holding more than 35% of Morningstar’s outstanding shares. Because of that
ownership, Mr. Mansueto is an indirect owner of Morningstar Investment
Management.
Item 4. Advisory Business was updated to reflect our assets under
management and advisement as of December 31, 2025, add the Manager
Due Diligence and Investment Selection service, and to remove references to
a wrap program that was sponsored by our affiliate.
Morningstar Investment Management is registered with the SEC under
Section 203(c) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers
Act”). Morningstar Investment Management has filed the appropriate notices
to conduct business in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin
Islands, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Morningstar Investment
Management is registered with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading
Commission as a Commodity Pool Operator (“CPO”) and is a member of the
U.S. National Futures Association.
Item 10. Other Financial Activities and Affiliations was updated to remove
references to Morningstar Investment Services LLC, which closed its
investment adviser registration as of December 31, 2025, reflect a rotation
process used to notify institutional clients of changes to certain model
interest related to
portfolios, clarify how we mitigate conflicts of
recommendations to investment products that we provide with consulting or
investment management services, and to remove references to Morningstar
Research Services LLC as an investment adviser, as it also closed its
investment adviser registration.
Morningstar Investment Management, along with other Morningstar
subsidiaries authorized in appropriate jurisdictions to provide investment
management and advisory services, is part of a global investment team
composed of investment analysts, portfolio managers, and other investment
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 2 of 23
professionals. These investment and operations teams span the globe, with
primary offices in Chicago, London, and Sydney.
about
the
Funds
is
Equity Fund, and the Morningstar Global Opportunistic Equity Fund. More
information
at
Morningstar
http://connect.rightprospectus.com/Morningstar.
Morningstar Retirement is committed to helping people improve their
financial health and prepare for retirement by offering investment advice
and managed accounts, custom model portfolios, and fiduciary services to
plan providers, employers, and retirement investors. The advisory services
below are offered through Morningstar Retirement:
Morningstar Wealth and Morningstar Retirement are groups within
Morningstar Investment Management that independently offer certain
products and services. This brochure focuses on the products and services
provided to institutional clients through the Morningstar Retirement group.
You can obtain a copy of our brochure describing our products and services
for individuals (managed account, advice, and personal target-date fund
services for retirement investors) or our products and services offered
through our Morningstar Wealth group by following the instructions above.
Manager Due Diligence and Investment Selection
We provide investment consulting services to Institutional Clients. These
services are provided on a non-discretionary basis with the Institutional
Clients having final decision-making authority on whether to follow our
recommendation(s) or not.
Advisory Services We Offer – Overview
Morningstar Investment Management offers various investment advisory
services that focus on our core capabilities in asset allocation, investment
selection, and portfolio construction to financial or other institutions
including, but not limited to, asset management firms, banks, broker/dealers,
consultants, endowments, foundations, insurance companies, investment
advisers, investment fiduciaries, plan sponsors of retirement plans,
providers of retirement plan services, trusts, and other business entities
(collectively “Institutional Clients” or individually, an “Institutional Client”.)
The advisory service below is offered through both Morningstar Wealth and
Morningstar Retirement:
construction
adviser
(providing
For the due diligence service, we apply quantitative screens and qualitative
analysis to evaluate investment managers with the end goal of identifying
those we believe would be appropriate for an Institutional Client to consider
given their stated objective/purpose. In addition to identifying investment
managers, we often are required to provide a written analysis on each
investment manager including our rationale for recommending them. At the
Institutional Client’s discretion, we may be engaged to provide ongoing
monitoring. This ongoing monitoring typically includes our periodically
applying quantitative screens and qualitative analysis and when need be,
recommending a change or changes to what we initially recommended to
the Institutional Client. This is often supplemented with a written document
detailing our rationale for such a change(s). Institutional Clients have the
final decision-making authority as to whether to accept our recommendation
or not and, if accepted, the timing of when the changes are to occur.
Institutional Asset Management
For Institutional Clients who sponsor registered or pooled investment
products, we serve as a portfolio manager (with discretionary authority),
portfolio
non-discretionary
recommendations), or sub-adviser to registered or pooled investment
products. We provide recommendations for asset class allocation targets
and/or selection of underlying holdings to fulfill each asset class allocation
target. Underlying holdings may include, but are not limited to, open-end
mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), and collective investment
trusts. The universe of underlying holdings is generally defined by the
Institutional Client and may include investment products that are affiliated
with that Institutional Client. As a result, our recommendations may be
limited to the investment options available within that universe. This service
typically
includes ongoing responsibilities such as monitoring the
underlying holdings and reviewing and updating asset allocation
percentages and/or underlying holdings as necessary.
For the investment selection service, we analyze an investment universe as
defined by an Institutional Client and create a list of securities that meets the
Institutional Client’s specific criteria (e.g., certain performance level over a
five-year period, tenure of portfolio manager). The list of securities is typically
used by the Institutional Client in providing investment advice to their clients.
A given list is typically broken down by asset class and for each asset class,
the identification of several securities that have passed our quantitative
screens and qualitative analysis. An Institutional Client may require that the
list of securities under each asset class require a certain number of them be
their proprietary securities. If such requirement is present, the Institutional
Client is responsible for communicating such constraint to its clients. In
addition to identifying securities, we often are requested to provide a written
analysis on each security including our rationale for recommending it. At the
Institutional Client’s discretion, we may also be engaged to perform ongoing
monitoring. This ongoing monitoring typically includes periodically applying
quantitative screens and qualitative analysis against the defined investment
universe and when need be, recommending a change or changes that the
Institutional Client may want to consider. In addition to recommending
securities, we often are required to provide a written analysis on our rationale
for making such recommendation. The Institutional Client has the final
decision-making authority as to accepting our recommendation or not and,
if accepted, the timing of when the changes are to occur.
Custom Model Portfolios
We construct custom asset allocation model portfolios for use in employer-
sponsored retirement plans based on the investment options available within
a plan’s investment lineup. These model portfolios may be time-based (such
We are an investment adviser to Morningstar Funds Trust, registered with
the SEC as an open-end management investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. We have overall supervisory
responsibility for the general management and investment of the fund
portfolios within the Morningstar Funds Trust (“Morningstar Funds”), which
are managed in a combination of multimanager structure and internal
proprietary strategies. Subject to the review and approval by the Morningstar
Funds Trust’s board, we set each Morningstar Fund’s overall investment
strategy. We are also responsible for the oversight and evaluation of each
Morningstar Fund’s sub-advisers. The Morningstar Funds will be used as the
underlying holdings for certain model portfolios, most notably mutual fund
model portfolios, offered by Morningstar Investment Management The
Morningstar Funds include the Morningstar Alternatives Fund, Morningstar
Defensive Bond Fund, Morningstar Global Income Fund, Morningstar
International Equity Fund, Morningstar Multisector Bond Fund, Morningstar
Municipal Bond Fund, Morningstar Total Return Bond Fund, Morningstar U.S.
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 3 of 23
In some cases, Institutional Clients delegate discretionary management
responsibilities to us. For our standard 3(38) service, we serve as a fiduciary
with respect to the investment selection and monitoring we provide and we
act as an investment manager for the plan, with full authority to select,
remove and replace investment options from the plan lineup. We provide
periodic monitoring of the specific investments in the approved investment
list and monitor individual plans to ensure they are meeting our asset-class
requirements and investing in approved funds.
as target-date strategies), risk-based, or a combination of time- and risk-
based approaches. Where applicable, we design target-date glide paths
tailored to the characteristics of a specific plan and its participant
population.
In developing these models, we may consider a variety of plan-level and
participant-level factors, including, but not limited to, the presence of
defined benefit plan assets, company stock holdings, participant savings
rates, and account balances. We monitor the model portfolios and associated
glide paths on an ongoing basis and may recommend changes to asset
allocation targets or the underlying investment options used within the
models. Our recommendations and any investment decisions are limited to
the investment options available within the retirement plan’s investment
lineup.
For “flexibility” with the 3(38) service, we offer the services outlined in our
standard 3(38) service but allow the Institutional Client the flexibility to
request some variability in our standard process, such as the ability to
include more approved investment options in asset classes than we allow
under our standard service. This service is designed to help avoid too much
disruption as Institutional Clients convert their plans to our service.
We offer Plan Advantage, an online platform designed to help retirement
plan sponsors served by financial professionals of Institutional Clients (1)
identify a category-level plan lineup, (2) choose a plan provider from those
available through Plan Advantage (choice of plan provider can be further
limited by the Institutional Client), and (3) access 3(21) or 3(38) fiduciary
services as part of a bundled offering. Once enrolled, plan sponsors and their
designated plan advisor can review their lineup and access reports, view
notifications, and learn more about plan lineup changes.
Fiduciary Services
We provide Institutional Clients with retirement plan services that include
the construction, monitoring, and/or management of plan lineups. These
services typically include automated reporting capabilities, marketing and
sales support, and an online reporting delivery mechanism. We provide
documentation of the process used to select, review, monitor, and update the
funds chosen. We offer a workforce profile questionnaire designed to help a
plan sponsor identify the investment sophistication, funding status,
investment goals, and/or risk tolerance of the retirement plan or its
participants. We also typically provide methodology documents, an
investment policy statement, quarterly fund and plan performance reports,
annual summary reports, and a quarterly market summary.
In providing these services, we serve as a fiduciary, as defined in section
3(21)(A) ERISA, as amended, and may additionally serve as an investment
manager, as defined in section 3(38) of ERISA.
We construct a list of lineup options (including, but not limited to, collective
investment trusts and/or mutual, money market, and/or stable value funds)
from the universe of investment options defined by the Institutional Client.
We provide asset-class requirements for the lineup, with specific investment
options identified for each asset class, for use in developing a lineup for a
defined contribution or defined benefit retirement plan. This process is
designed to provide the Institutional Client with investment choices that will
result in a lineup that is appropriately diversified with a sufficient broad
range of risk/return characteristics.
Under our standard 3(21) service, we serve as a fiduciary with respect to the
investment selection and monitoring we provide, but the Institutional Client
retains responsibility for investing plan assets in accordance with our
recommendations. We provide ongoing monitoring of the specific
investments in the approved investment list and monitor individual plans to
ensure they are meeting our asset-class requirements and investing in
approved funds. Typically, if we recommend modifications to a lineup, we
provide notice to the Institutional Client who has discretion to implement our
recommended changes.
Managed Accounts, Advice, and Guidance
We offer services to Institutional Clients for use with individual retirement
investors in their employer-sponsored retirement plans or other retirement
products, like individual retirement accounts or health savings accounts
earmarked for retirement (each a “retirement account”). These services are
intended for citizens or legal residents of the United States or its territories
and are offered through retirement plan sponsors and/or plan providers, plan
administrators, retirement product providers, and/or other investment
advisers (each a “service provider.”) These services typically include
guidance, advice and/or managed account options, along with an online
includes general and
platform to access those services. Guidance
educational information and tools to help retirement investors manage their
retirement account. Under Guidance, the retirement investor is responsible
for determining the suitability of investments, implementing changes to their
retirement account, and monitoring their account on an ongoing basis.
Advice offers each retirement investor a target retirement income goal,
projected retirement income amount, recommendations on savings rate and
retirement age, personalized asset allocation strategy, and professional
investment selection. Under Advice, the retirement investor is responsible for
the implementation of any changes to and the monitoring of their retirement
account. Under Managed Accounts, we will manage the retirement investor’s
account(s) on an ongoing basis, in addition to the items provided under
Advice. Our account management includes ongoing monitoring, automatic
account rebalancing and implementation of changes, quarterly progress
reports, and an annual progress report. Typically, these reports are available
electronically through our website on a quarterly basis. We use the
investment options available in the retirement plan or product to construct a
portfolio and, when applicable, monitor model portfolios designed for
retirement investors across a broad range of risk exposure levels.
For “flexibility” with the 3(21) service, we offer the services outlined under
our standard 3(21) service but allow the Institutional Client the flexibility to
choose investments from our approved investment list along with non-
approved investment options for their lineup. Our fiduciary support covers
the use of investment options from our approved list only. Under this service,
we do not provide any fiduciary coverage on the end lineup.
Advisor Managed Accounts is a product name for Managed Accounts or
Advice that allows investment advisers, consultants, or asset managers to
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 4 of 23
service provider(s) and/or an account aggregator provides, and includes
ongoing monitoring and automatic account rebalancing and implementation
of allocation changes. After determining the retirement investor’s asset
allocation target, the target-date funds available in the retirement investor’s
plan or product are used to create an investment-specific portfolio. We
manage the retirement investor’s account on an ongoing basis and
communicate our investment decisions to the plan or product’s service
provider.
The target date fund series available in the retirement plan or product could
be associated with an Institutional Client or plan or product’s service
provider. In such instances, the service provider, or their affiliate, may receive
compensation based on the assets in those investments which gives the
service provider an incentive to make those investments available.
Retirement investors will periodically receive progress reports reflecting
progress towards their retirement goals and other information in regard to
their investments. Typically, these reports are available electronically
through our website on a quarterly basis.
incorporate their own asset allocation and fund selection capabilities into
our offering. Under this service, the investment adviser, consultant, or asset
manager is responsible for building plan-level portfolios from each plan or
product’s investment options or non-core investment options, if available
through the service provider. The plan-level portfolios are used in our
portfolio assignment methodology to create hundreds of retirement investor-
level portfolios that span the equity spectrum. If we engage an asset manager
as a sub-adviser (“Sub-Adviser”) to provide portfolio construction services for
Advisor Managed Accounts, we are responsible for the investment-level
portfolios created for users of our services and there is no advisory
relationship between you, your retirement investors or product users, and the
Sub-Adviser. Each retirement investor is then assigned to a portfolio
appropriate for their retirement goals. As part of Managed Accounts, each
retirement investor receives a target retirement income goal, projected
retirement income amount, and recommendations on savings rate and
retirement age. We manage the retirement investor’s account on an ongoing
basis, which includes ongoing monitoring, automatic account rebalancing
and implementation of changes, quarterly progress reports, and an annual
progress report. Typically, these reports are available electronically through
our website on a quarterly basis.
nature,
the
Institutional
Client
can
Customized Services
At an Institutional Client’s request, we will take under consideration a request
to provide them with a customized version of the above services or a different
type of advisory services that would utilize our core capabilities in asset
allocation, investment selection, or portfolio construction. Given the
customized
impose
constraints/restrictions on such things as security types, asset classes, or
proprietary security requirements and/or wish to collaborate with us on such
things as investment methodology and screening criteria.
Wrap Fee Programs
We do not sponsor a wrap fee program.
If made available by the plan sponsor or service provider, retirement
investors have the option to complete an annuity questionnaire. Through this
questionnaire they can indicate whether they would like to receive a
recommendation for how much of their retirement account could be invested
in an annuity while still aligning with our investment strategy. We do not
recommend, endorse, or sell any specific annuity products as part of this
allocation recommendation and do not provide advisory or discretionary
investment management services to assets invested in an annuity. If
requested by the plan sponsor or service provider, we will integrate access
to an annuity marketplace or provider into our platform to help facilitate the
retirement investor’s purchase of an annuity, if they decide to do so. In such
instances, the annuity or annuities available are chosen by the plan sponsor
or service provider and we have no role in selecting those annuities. An
annuity allocation recommendation is only available through the Managed
Accounts service.
Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2025, the discretionary regulatory assets under
management for Morningstar Investment Management (rounded to the
nearest $100,000) were:
Retirement Services to Individuals: $40,274,500,000
Investment Management Services to Institutional Clients:
$42,014,300,000
Total Regulatory Asset Under Management: $82,288,800,000
The non-discretionary assets under advisement for Morningstar Investment
Management (rounded to the nearest $100,000) were $266,475,500,000 .
We offer advisory services to Institutional Clients who offer their own
investment advice or managed account programs to their clients. In most
cases, we serve as the independent “Financial Expert” as defined within the
Department of Labor’s Advisory Opinion 2001-09A dated December 14, 2001
(commonly referred to as the “SunAmerica Opinion.”) We use the investment
options available in a retirement investor’s lineup or product to construct
and, when applicable, monitor model portfolios designed for retirement
investors across a broad range of risk exposure levels. We may also use
information provided by independent third parties such as mutual fund data
or index providers in the construction of advice for the program.
Item 5. Fees and Compensation
Fees and Compensation – Overview
We typically negotiate our fees, payment terms, and payment schedules on
an individual basis with each Institutional Client. The services we provide,
the specific fees for such services, and the contract term are governed by the
contractual agreement between us and our Institutional Client. Institutional
Clients may not receive all of the services listed above. Our fees vary
depending on the services selected and could include a fixed fee, a basis-
point fee, and/or a technology licensing fee. Fees for some services take into
consideration such factors as the number of services being provided and
service specific variables such as the universe of investments, variables in
monitoring frequency, delivery type, investment types, and frequency of
written analysis.
Personal Target Date Fund Service
We offer a personalized target date fund service to Institutional Clients for
use with retirement investors. This service includes a personalized asset
allocation strategy and professional investment selection for individual
retirement investors invested in employer-sponsored retirement plans or
other retirement products, like individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”) or
health savings accounts (“HSAs”) earmarked for retirement through an
online platform. The asset allocation strategy utilizes one or more target date
fund vintages, is based on the retirement investor’s financial situation and
retirement goals using the information the retirement investor, plan sponsor,
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 5 of 23
termination of the contract. In addition to the fee, payment terms and
payment schedules are negotiable.
Institutional Asset Management
Our Institutional Asset Management fees are negotiable but generally
include an asset-based fee and can include a minimum annual fee. The
asset-based fee typically ranges from 2 to 15 basis points of the assets being
managed or consulted upon while the minimum annual fee is $100,000 -
$200,000. The actual fee depends on a range of variables including our role
in providing the services, the type of security we are providing services for,
and the amount of assets involved. The fee is typically charged monthly in
arrears.
Custom Model Portfolios
Fees for our Custom Model Portfolio services are negotiable and generally
consist of a minimum annual fee and an asset-based fee. Asset-based fees
typically range from 2 to 8 basis points (0.02%–0.08%) of assets. Minimum
annual fees generally range from $100,000 to $300,000, depending on the
scope of services provided. The specific fee charged to a client will depend
on several factors, including the services provided, the size of assets covered
by the engagement, our fiduciary role, and whether the services are offered
on an opt-in or opt-out basis. Minimum or licensing fees are typically billed
in arrears. Asset-based fees are generally calculated quarterly by applying
the applicable pro-rated basis point rate to the average assets in the
retirement accounts covered by the engagement during the quarter.
As the investment adviser to the Morningstar Funds Trust (“Trust”), we are
compensated by the Trust based on assets within the Morningstar Funds for
our investment management activities in accordance with the Investment
Management Agreement between the Trust and us. We are entitled to receive
an annual management fee calculated daily and payable monthly equal to
the following percentage of a Morningstar Fund’s average daily net assets:
Fiduciary Select
Our 3(21) and 3(38) Fiduciary Select fees are negotiable but generally include
a minimum and an asset-based fee. Asset-based fees generally range
between 2 and 8 basis points. Minimum fees typically vary from $100,000 to
$450,000. The actual fees depend on a range of variables including our
fiduciary role, service used, asset size, and whether services are opt-in or opt-
out. The fee is typically charged quarterly in arrears based on assets held at
calendar quarter-end or the average assets in the service over the quarter.
Management Fee
0.67%
0.83%
0.35%
0.44%
0.44%
0.36%
0.61%
0.47%
Morningstar Fund
Morningstar U.S. Equity Fund
Morningstar International Equity Fund
Morningstar Global Income Fund
Morningstar Total Return Bond Fund
Morningstar Municipal Bond Fund
Morningstar Defensive Bond Fund
Morningstar Multisector Bond Fund
Morningstar Global Opportunistic Equity
Fund
Morningstar Alternatives Fund
0.85%
More information about the Morningstar Funds’ fees and expenses can be
found in the prospectus at http://connect.rightprospectus.com/Morningstar.
Our Plan Advantage fees are negotiable but generally range between 3 and
8 basis points annually. The actual fee depends on a range of variables
including our fiduciary role, services used, and asset size. The fee is typically
charged quarterly in arrears by applying the pro-rated basis point rate to the
average assets in a plan during the quarter.
Managed Accounts, Advice, and Guidance
Managed Accounts, Advice, and Guidance fees are negotiable, but generally
include a minimum and/or licensing fee, and an asset-based fee. Minimum
and/or licensing fees typically vary from $100,000 to $800,000. Asset-based
fees for Managed Accounts typically range from 8 to 40 basis points
annually. The actual fees depend on a range of variables including our
fiduciary role, services used, asset size, and whether services are opt-in or
opt-out. The licensing fee is typically charged annually in advance. The asset-
based fee is typically charged quarterly in arrears by applying the pro-rated
basis point rate to the average assets in a retirement account during the
quarter.
Manager Due Diligence and Investment Selection
Due diligence fees are negotiable, but typically starts at $5,000 per
investment strategy reviewed. The actual amount charged depends on a
range of variables including the Institutional Client’s intended use, the
number of investment strategies reviewed, the type of reporting they wish to
receive from us, the degree of customizations or constraints they wish to
place on us, and whether they want us to provide on-going monitoring
services. The fee is typically charged quarterly in advance. If, in accordance
with contractual terms, the Institutional Client terminates their agreement
prior to the end of the billing period, we may refund any unearned fees on a
pro rata basis after the termination of the contract. In addition to the fee,
payment terms and payment schedules are negotiable.
Please note, in instances where a Sub-Adviser has been engaged to
undertake portfolio construction for these services, the portfolios they create
will typically consist of associated investment products in which they receive
compensation based on the amount of assets invested.
Investment selection fees are negotiable, but typically start at $50,000 per
standard list or $65,000 per custom list annually. The actual amount charged
depends on a range of variables including the Institutional Client’s intended
use, the number and type of asset classes they wish the list to cover, the
number and type of investments they wish the list to have, the type of
reporting they wish to receive from us, the degree of customizations or
constraints they wish to place on us, and whether they want us to provide on-
going monitoring services. The fee is typically charged quarterly in advance.
In instances where our investment selection services are used as an input for
an Institutional Client’s financial product, basis point fees are generally
charged. Basis point fees are charged quarterly in arrears, and typically start
at 15-20 bps annually. If, in accordance with contractual terms, the
Institutional Client terminates their agreement prior to the end of the billing
period, we may refund any unearned fees on a pro rata basis after the
Personal Target Date Fund Service
Personal Target Date Fund Service fees are negotiable, but generally include
a one-time set-up fee, a minimum fee, and an asset-based fee. The set-up fee
typically ranges from $100,000 to $200,000. The annual minimum is
generally in the range of $200,000 to $500,000. The annual asset-based fee
typically ranges from 3 to 5 basis points. The actual fees depend on a range
of variables including the asset manager size and the overall fees charged.
The set-up fee is typically charged in advance. The asset-based fees are
typically charged quarterly in arrears by applying the pro-rated basis point
rate to the assets in the retirement account enrolled in the service.
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 6 of 23
We do not have any revenue sharing arrangements with any mutual funds.
Third-Party Compensation
We receive direct or indirect cash payments from unaffiliated third parties
for referring their services to other advisory firms or investors. This creates a
conflict of interest as we have an incentive to recommend these third parties
in order to receive the cash payment.
Payment
Payments, payment terms and payment schedules are negotiated and
governed by the contractual agreement we enter into with each Institutional
Client. We typically send an invoice on a periodic basis (e.g., monthly or
quarterly), although in some instances, we bill annually. For services we
provide to an affiliate, fees are charged through an intercompany charge.
Fixed and licensing fees are typically paid in advance of services being
provided, and basis-point fees are typically charged in arrears.
Item 6. Performance Based Fees and Side-by-Side
Management
We do not have performance-based fee arrangements with any qualified
client pursuant to Rule 205-3 under the Advisers Act.
Item 7. Types of Clients
Our clients include advisory programs or platforms of third-party advisory or
platform providers, entities such as financial institutions, third-party
investment advisers, broker/dealers, investment companies (including the
Morningstar Funds Trust), and other business entities, consultants, plan
providers, product providers, and sponsors who offer investment advice
programs to individual retirement investors in defined contribution plans
such as 401(k), 457, and 403(b) retirement plans, individual retirement plan
participants, health savings accounts, and individuals who are in retirement.
Please see our Retirement Services for Individuals brochure, available on the
SEC website, for further information about Morningstar Retirement’s
advisory services provided to retirement investors.
We do not require a minimum account size for our institutional investment
advisory services, and we generally do not impose other conditions for using
our institutional advisory services.
Other Costs in Connection with Our Advisory Services
Our fees are separate from fees and expenses charged by the investment
products (including redemption fees or asset- or transaction-based trading
fees), fees and expenses charged by the Institutional Client for their products
(including any revenue sharing arrangements that they have with the
investment option’s investment adviser and/or distributor), or fees that are
charged by a third party, such as a proprietary advisory program, financial
advisor, platform, custodian, transfer agent, plan provider, or recordkeeper.
The investment options’ fees and expenses are described in the prospectus
or an equivalent document. These fees will generally include a management
fee, other investment expenses, and possibly a distribution fee (e.g., 12b-1).
In some cases, an investment option may also charge an initial or deferred
sales charge. Annuities typically have additional fees, such as surrender
charges, mortality and expense risk charges for death benefits or payout
options like guaranteed income for life, administrative fees, underlying fund
expenses related to investment sub-accounts, and other charges for special
features, like guaranteed minimum income benefits, principal protection, or
stepped-up death benefits. Neither Morningstar Investment Management
nor any of our employees receive transaction-based compensation for the
investment recommendations we make.
Item 8. Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk
of Loss
Investment Philosophy
Our investment philosophy is driven by the investment principles that are
promoted throughout our organization. The principles are intended to guide
our thinking, behavior and decision making. These principles have been
inspired by a number of the most experienced and successful investors in
the last century. These principles also reflect and align with the history and
foundation of Morningstar. The investment principles are:
Fees Charged in Advance
Our services can be terminated as outlined in the contractual agreement
between Morningstar Investment Management and the Institutional Client.
Termination of services and refunds of fees, if any, are governed by the
contractual agreement between the parties, which is negotiated on an
individual basis. Upon termination, any earned, unpaid fees by the
Institutional Client are due and payable. If, in accordance with contractual
terms, the Institutional Client terminates their contract prior to the end of the
billing period, we will refund any unearned fees on a pro rata basis after the
termination of the contract.
Compensation from Sales of Securities
We do not expect, accept or receive compensation for the sales of securities,
including asset-based sales charges or service fees from the sale of open-
end mutual funds.
- We put investors first
- We’re independent-minded
- We invest for the long term
- We’re valuation-driven investors
- We take a fundamental approach
- We strive to minimize costs
- We build portfolios holistically
You may have the option to purchase investment products we recommend or
similar services through other investment advisers or financial professionals
not affiliated with us. Because our services are not exclusive, the fee for our
services may be higher than fees charged by other financial firms who
provide services similar to ours or if you paid separately for investment
advice and other services. In addition, because the underlying holdings of
our portfolios are not exclusive to the services described herein, you may buy
securities (e.g., mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, equity securities, etc.)
outside of this service without incurring our fees.
Building upon our investment principles, our investment philosophy is built
on the belief that portfolios should maintain a risk profile commensurate
with the desired long-term asset allocation guidelines we provide to the
client. We focus extensively on the portfolio structure to maintain a careful
balance between being allocated similarly to the portfolio benchmarks and
one that reflects our assessment of the value available in the current market
environment. We select managers that we believe manage fund assets with
a consistent and disciplined process that can provide for sustainable long-
term results. We prefer managers with a prudent, logical, and repeatable
Revenue Sharing Arrangements
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 7 of 23
process and remain keenly focused on the consistency of the implementation
of their investment disciplines.
Alongside this analysis, which looks at both absolute and relative valuation,
we also consider investor sentiment and positioning, which adds contrarian
elements to our process and tells us how the market consensus views an
investment idea we’re considering. We prefer to invest in ideas contrary to
the market consensus because one needs to be different to be able to
outperform.
To align with our business structure, we have two Investment Policy
Committees. The investment advice used in the products and services
referenced in this brochure from Morningstar Investment Management is
provided by investment teams. Information on key members of these
investment teams is included in our Form ADV Part 2B Brochure Supplement
for Institutional Advisory Services. For Advisor Managed Accounts, the
registered investment adviser responsible for portfolio construction has their
own Brochure Supplement that you should obtain and review.
We also look closely at each asset class’s risk, which can be complex,
multifaceted, and vary over time. We believe that one of the best ways to
control for risk is to buy fundamentally strong assets that seem underpriced.
Our in-depth valuation analysis and contrarian indicators, when brought
together, are the key ways we generate investment ideas. These ideas might
be names to include in a stock portfolio or our best thinking on reward for
risk at the asset class-level. In addition, our valuation-driven asset allocation
process paired with our in-house investment selection skill allows us to
holistically build portfolios for our clients for the long term. The Investment
Management group, as a global team, works to understand markets and
opportunities, monitor risk in existing portfolios, and vet ideas to make
investment changes. We use this ongoing investment process to manage a
variety of equity and multi-asset portfolios for our Institutional Clients.
Global Investment Committee
Morningstar Wealth’s Global Investment Committee and its regional
governance bodies, in addition to the Americas Investment Product
Committee, are responsible for oversight of the investment methodologies
across some of our Institutional Asset Management, Model Portfolios and
Separately Managed Accounts, Asset Allocation Services, and some of our
Investment Analytics, Monitoring, and Comparative Analysis Reports
products and services. Members of the Global Investment Committee , chief
investment officers, and the preseident of Morningstar
Investment
Management or its affiliates. The regional governance bodies meet quarterly
to review guideline changes and performance across portfolios. Formal and
informal global best practice working groups also exist with the goal of
sharing methodologies and research across regions. These groups focus on
specific investment areas such as valuation models driven by our capital
markets research and methodologies used for asset allocation, investment
selection, portfolio construction for different investment strategies and
advice. In addition to governance bodies, the investment team has regional
research and portfolio construction workflows that surface best thinking
across investment opportunities and guide portfolio construction.
Investment Selection
Finding investment opportunities isn’t just about great ideas; it’s also about
selecting great investments for our clients. Investments may be individual
stocks, or active managers and/or passive exchange-traded products in a
multi-asset portfolio. Our research-driven approach to selecting investments
is designed to help investors reach their goals and objectives.
including some of our
When building multi-asset portfolios, we need to evaluate the active
investment managers and/or passive funds we use to implement our
investment strategies. Our investment selection process begins with analysis
from Morningstar and its affiliates, which covers hundreds of thousands of
investment offerings globally, including mutual funds, closed-end funds,
separate accounts, exchange-traded products, individual stocks, and hedge
funds. We then build upon that analysis with reviews by our internal
investment team, which includes not only quantitative screens and
assessments, but also one-on-one conversations with portfolio managers as
part of our fundamental due diligence.
Morningstar Retirement Investment Policy Committee
The Morningstar Retirement Investment Policy Committee is responsible for
oversight of the investment methodologies across Morningstar Retirement’s
products and services
Institutional Asset
Management, Managed Accounts, Advice, and Guidance, Personal Target
Date Fund Services, Custom Model Portfolios, Fiduciary Select, and some of
our Investment Analytics, Monitoring, and Comparative Analysis Reports.
Members of the Morningstar Retirement Investment Policy Committee
includes the Morningstar Retirement’s chief investment officers, head of
advice and financial planning, head of business development, head of client
success, head of channel strategy, head of research, director of retirement
research, director of product management, head of investments for
institutional and retirement solutions, and the senior director of automated
portfolios management.
In our due diligence, we assess whether their investment team is qualified,
experienced, and talented; that they follow a consistent and disciplined
investment process; that their organization is strong and stable; and that they
operate professionally and ethically.
We study managers’ holdings using our proprietary tools and analytics to
assess how well their strategy may work in combination with those of other
managers. And we consider managers’ ability to outperform in different
market environments. Rather than following simple style analytics or style
neutrality blends, we seek process diversification and try to avoid the pitfalls
of over-diversification often found in fund-of-fund investment strategies.
Institutional Asset Management
Investment Process
Our investment process starts with scouring the globe for opportunities.
Instead of hewing closely to an index-defined universe, we look broadly,
investigating asset classes, sub-asset classes, sectors, and securities in
markets around the world. Our capital markets research extends to more
than 200 equity and 150 fixed-income asset classes. We also track around 30
world currencies.
We apply deep valuation analysis supported by in-depth fundamental
research to find opportunities around the globe.
Once we have selected active managers, we tend to keep them in place for
the long haul. We believe hiring independent managers to run high-
conviction strategies is a far better approach to multimanager portfolios.
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 8 of 23
investment professionals serve in different asset-class specialties on the
committee. The committee jointly decides on organization-wide portfolio
positioning policy, and strategy teams and portfolio managers adapt the
positioning decision, as applicable, to their particular strategies and client
portfolios. Teams of our portfolio managers are supported by the broad array
of investment professionals within the Investment Management group, who
contribute to manager research, asset-class research, investment-process
enhancement, and the development and maintenance of portfolio
management tools used in providing this service. All portfolios are reviewed
by a team of peers before we deliver them to our Institutional Client.
As for passive vehicles, our selection process begins with the thousands of
exchange-traded products in the Morningstar database and includes the
work of Morningstar and its affiliates’ ETF analyst team. Our own analysts
perform qualitative work that can’t be found in an automated service. ETFs
are often less expensive than their open-end mutual fund counterparts but
assessing them has to go beyond this fact. We closely examine the risk
characteristics that define ETFs—including tracking to the index, trading
volume, bid/ask spread, and premium/discount—to help ensure the goals
are realistic and the liquidity is what we expect. As with other funds, we
assess ETFs within a portfolio context to achieve access to a particular
market segment or sub-asset class.
Managing Portfolios
Once we’ve holistically built portfolios, we manage them. This part of the
process is simply continuing to find opportunities, thinking through ways
those opportunities might be included in our portfolios, and watching
markets closely for any signs that would call for adjustments within the
portfolio.
Individual stock selection relies heavily on our asset class research to identify
attractive segments of the market (sectors, countries, or factors like quality)
and a review of the valuations and fundamentals of the underlying stocks.
We rely heavily upon Morningstar’s Equity Research group in addition to our
own proprietary insights.
Portfolio management is not a stop/start process. We constantly review our
positions, seeking to maximize reward for risk. Each strategy we manage has
a set of investment guidelines that outline the investment objectives, risk
levels, and investment constraints. These are monitored to stay within the
defined ranges.
Specific to our Institutional Asset Management service, the portfolios we
build for an Institutional Client are typically constrained to a universe of
investment options defined by our client, which include their affiliated
investment products in some instances. Our analysis will still include
quantitative analytics and fundamental research on the investment options
available. We draw on Morningstar’s comprehensive database of fund and
security analytics as well as utilizing portfolios information provided by our
Institutional Client, if applicable. In some instances, we work closely with our
Institutional Client to identify and evaluate manager candidates for possible
addition to or removal from the available investment universe.
As valuation-driven investors, we primarily focus on price changes relative
to fair value through time. Given that markets are dynamic, we reassess the
portfolio given the changes in investment ideas, aggregate risks, and
portfolio exposures. This iterative process reconsiders the opportunity set,
with a constant eye on fundamental diversification and portfolio allocations.
Turnover and trading reduce returns for investors and therefore any changes
should be expected to add value by a comfortable margin. Investment
decisions happen in the real world rather than on paper—transaction costs
and taxes are real. This means being biased toward inaction and long-term
holdings, keeping turnover and transaction costs as low as possible.
Building Portfolios
Armed with investment ideas, our global team works together to holistically
build portfolios suited to each strategy we offer or the objectives of our
clients. Portfolio construction is about ranking and risk management. We
seek to gain the largest exposure to our best ideas, while building robust
portfolios designed to stand up to challenging investment environments or
investment errors.
Our global investment team works around the clock to understand markets
and opportunities, monitor risk in existing portfolios, and vet ideas to make
investment changes. This ongoing investment process powers every portfolio
managed by the entities within Morningstar’s Investment Management
group.
This judgment-driven approach also allows us to evaluate the complexity and
multifaceted nature of investment risk. We view risk as the permanent loss
of capital. Our valuation-based approach (that is, seeking underpriced assets
and avoiding overpriced assets), fundamental diversification, and forward-
looking approach to viewing asset class co-movements (that is, those that
buffer gains and losses), all help mitigate risk in the portfolios we build.
We have processes and risk controls in place at multiple levels of the
investment process to ensure that our portfolios are created in a manner
consistent with their risk and return objectives. We evaluate risk at both the
asset class model level and the portfolio level. At the asset class level, we
monitor easily observable metrics such as standard deviation, skew, kurtosis,
historical beta and overall tracking error relative to our stated benchmark.
Our standard deviation and covariance matrix figures are estimated by a
proprietary factor analysis system that ensures consistency across multiple
asset classes and time periods. We delve deeper by examining conditional
value-at-risk and conducting scenario analysis testing under different
market conditions.
To prepare investors for the future, we seek to construct robust portfolios
designed to perform well in different environments rather than being
considered “optimal” based on expected results or a specific environment.
We avoid forecasts and building strategies based on our ability to predict
specific environments. Instead, we aim to prepare for different environments
through constructing portfolios that will hold up under many possible
environments—even ones that we haven’t seen before. In effect, this involves
trade-offs of aggregate reward for risk and a calibration of the probability
and impact of negative outcomes.
Asset allocation guidelines for multi-asset portfolios are developed by our
Asset Allocation Committee, which comprises most of the investment
Our
professionals in Morningstar’s Investment Management group.
At the portfolio level, we conduct a detailed style analysis of our underlying
funds using holdings information, quantitative regressions, and manager
meetings. The underlying styles allow us to determine the effective rolled up
portfolio asset class exposures and compare them to our asset allocation
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 9 of 23
We have retained the following investment advisers to act as a sub-adviser
for the listed Morningstar Fund Trust fund pursuant to a sub-advisory
agreement:
Sub-adviser
targets. Further, we analyze each manager’s style consistency to make sure
we monitor and adjust for huge swings in our effective asset class exposures.
This analysis ensures that we are aware of, and comfortable with, our
effective asset class exposures. Additional analysis is done routinely to
measure our fund portfolio duration, tracking error, sector exposures and
betas.
Portfolio Sub-advised
Morningstar U.S. Equity Fund
Morningstar U.S. Equity Fund
Morningstar U.S. Equity Fund
Morningstar U.S. Equity Fund
ClearBridge Investments, LLC
Diamond Hill Capital Management,
Inc.
Massachusetts Financial Services
Company, d/b/a MFS Investment
Management
Wasatch Advisors, LP d/b/a
Wasatch Global Investors
Westwood Management Corp.
Harding Loevner LP
While actively managed portfolios will exhibit certain biases in terms of asset
class weightings or security characteristics relative to their blended
benchmarks at times (based our intended investment decisions and the
actions of the underlying managers), they are constrained by setting
minimum and maximum allocations to different asset classes, as stated in
our investment policy guidelines. Establishing allowable ranges for asset
classes helps enable the strategy to take advantage of opportunities and
avoid risks at the asset class level, but also keeps the portfolios tethered to
their blended benchmarks.
Harris Associates L.P.
Lazard Asset Management LLC
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
Morningstar U.S. Equity Fund
Morningstar International Equity
Fund
Morningstar International Equity
Fund
Morningstar International Equity
Fund
Morningstar International Equity
Fund
Morningstar Global Income Fund
Morningstar Global Income Fund
Ongoing monitoring of the underlying position weights is critical to keeping
the portfolio exposures as intended. Each fund is assigned a target position
and a “deviation threshold,” which governs the degree to which a fund may
sway from its target. Each fund has a different degree of latitude, based on
both its weight in the portfolio and the volatility of the assets in which it
typically invests. If a fund deviates from its target weight, we evaluate
whether the accounts that contain the fund need to be adjusted (i.e.,
rebalanced) to bring the alignment back in order.
Cullen Capital Management, LLC
Western Asset Management
Company, LLC
BlackRock Financial Management,
Inc.
Allspring Global Investments, LLC
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
For registered or collective investment products we manage on behalf of an
Institutional Client, we review and revise portfolio allocation targets on a
continuous basis to ensure that asset class targets outlined in the prospectus
are maintained. Reviews are implemented to ensure that the underlying
investments in the portfolio don’t exceed allocations noted in the product’s
prospectus or breach other restrictions.
First Pacific Advisors, LP
Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P.
Morningstar Funds Trust Valuation
The Morningstar Funds Trust’s Board of Directors has oversight
responsibility for the Morningstar Funds Trust’ portfolio valuation and
pricing practices but has the discretion to delegate authority to the adviser
or sub-adviser of the funds. Fair valuation matters are also addressed within
the Morningstar Funds Trust’s valuation policies and procedures.
TCW Investment Management
Company LLC
Voya Investment Management
Company, LLC
Lazard Asset Management LLC
Morningstar Total Return Bond
Fund
Morningstar Municipal Bond
Fund
Morningstar Municipal Bond
Fund
Morningstar Defensive Bond
Fund
Morningstar Multisector Bond
Fund
Morningstar Multisector Bond
Fund
Morningstar Multisector Bond
Fund
Morningstar Global Opportunistic
Equity Fund
Morningstar Alternatives Fund
Morningstar Alternatives Fund
Morningstar Alternatives Fund
SSI Investment Management LLC
Water Island Capital, LLC
BlackRock Financial Management,
Inc.
Morningstar Funds Trust Subadvisor Oversight and Multi-style Management
We are responsible for hiring, terminating, and replacing sub-advisers to the
Morningstar Funds, subject to board approval. Before hiring a sub-adviser,
we perform due diligence on them including, but not limited to, quantitative
and qualitative analysis of their investment process, risk management, and
historical performance. We are responsible for the general supervision of the
sub-advisers as well as allocating each Morningstar Fund’s assets among
the sub-advisers and rebalancing the portfolio as necessary, the timing and
degree of which will be determined by us.
At times, allocation adjustments among sub-advisers may be considered
tactical with over- or under-allocations to certain sub-advisers based on our
assessment of the risk and return potential of each sub-adviser’s strategy.
Sub-adviser allocations are also influenced by each sub-adviser’s historical
returns and volatility, which are assessed by examining the performance of
strategies managed by the sub-advisers in other accounts that we believe to
be similar to those that will be used for a Morningstar Fund.
Sub-advisers have discretionary authority to determine, subject to each
portfolio’s investment policies and restrictions, the securities in which the
portfolios advised by them will invest, which may include domestic and
foreign equity securities, warrants, derivatives, delayed settlement
securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, investment company
securities, United States government securities, and options, futures, and
forward contracts. The sub-advisers employ proprietary methods of
securities analysis in making investment decisions for the portfolios and may
rely upon a variety of sources for information, including internally generated
research. In making investments on behalf of the portfolios, the sub-advisers
may employ investment strategies and techniques which include long and
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 10 of 23
short-term purchases, short-term trading, short sales, derivatives, and
options writing. Potential investors in the Morningstar Funds Trust should
carefully read the prospectus, statement of additional information and/or
portfolio’s offering documents for additional information on each portfolio’s
investment objectives, risks and restrictions.
Asset class performance expectations are critical in developing a diversified
portfolio that aims to help meet an individual’s retirement income goal. We
rely on the capital market assumptions described in the section above. We
forecast expected risk and returns for each asset class under consideration
by gathering and analyzing a broad range of data points, including historical
data, current market information, and the correlations between asset classes.
More details on this step are provided above, in the Capital Market
Assumptions section.
Due Diligence and Investment Selection
We begin our due diligence and investment selection process by developing
a blueprint in consultation with the Institutional Client. During this
development phase, various items are determined including, but not limited
to, the universe of investments from which we are to choose from, the asset
classes to be addressed, the number of investment selections per asset class,
the intended users of the list, and the intended account type (e.g., taxable or
tax-deferred) Once the blueprint has been created, we apply quantitative
screens (e.g., manager tenure, portfolio exposures, and risk and return
characteristics) to the available investment universe to narrow the list.
investments passing those initial quantitative screens are then subject to a
qualitative analysis. During that analysis, we assess each investment on its
own merits including looking at the Morningstar Medalist Rating assigned to
it, giving preference to those that have a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Rating. During
the qualitative analysis phases, we are also assessing how the investment
compares to other investments in its asset class as well among all the asset
classes paying attention to diversification of investment approach within
each asset class and overall.
We use historical data for these benchmarks/proxies in an attempt to
forecast the expected return, standard deviation, and cross-correlation of the
asset classes. We use multiple statistical techniques to extend the returns
data for all domestic equity asset classes back to 1926. Fixed income and
non-U.S. equity asset classes go back to 1970, due to significant structural
changes in the fixed income market that made the interest rate environment
since 1970 inherently different from previous periods. We then use a
"building-blocks" approach to set expected returns for asset classes. The
return building blocks are based on forward-looking assumptions about an
asset's underlying economic and corporate fundamentals. We use historical
data to help forecast standard deviation. Since most data series only extend
back to the 1970s, we use the ratio method to extend the standard deviation
estimates of the shorter-lived asset class benchmarks so that they
incorporate relevant economic events. The ratio method attempts to extend
the standard deviation estimate for certain asset class benchmarks using a
short benchmark (an asset class benchmark that does not have historical
data over the full, relevant time period starting from 1926 for domestic
equities and 1970 for fixed income and non-U.S. equities) and a long proxy
(an index that has historical data over the full, relevant time period and is
economically similar to the short benchmark). The ratio method leads to an
estimate of what the standard deviation of the short benchmark would have
been had it existed over the full, relevant period.
We monitor the investments on a list typically on a quarterly basis following
the same process used for the initial selection. Changes that we believe may
negatively affect an investment’s long-term prospects will lead us to put that
investment on watch while we continue to monitor it. Typically, an
investment’s watch period is two to four quarters at which point we will make
a recommendation to remove the investment from the select list or to take it
off watch.
We use correlation coefficients based on the historical returns of the asset
class benchmarks from 1970 to the present. Correlation coefficients must be
extended for series that do not have history for the full relevant period. In an
attempt to create this history, we use a sophisticated statistical process that
extends asset class benchmarks that do not have complete data histories but
that have a relatively high correlation coefficient with another proxy (or
benchmark). This estimate approximates what the correlation coefficient
between the two series might have been if both had existed over the longer
period.
Custom Model Portfolios
For our Custom Model Portfolios service, we build portfolios for Institutional
Clients that are typically constrained to a universe of investment options
defined by our client, which include their affiliated investment products in
certain situations. Our analysis
includes quantitative analytics and
fundamental research on the investment options available. We draw on
Morningstar’s comprehensive database of fund and security analytics as
well as utilizing portfolio information provided by our Institutional Client, if
applicable.
The capital markets assumptions that help inform the portfolio construction
and wealth forecasting aspects of our advisory services are updated
periodically to reflect our expectations of the capital markets. The detailed
asset allocations of the target-date models are strategic in nature and are
closely tied to our long-term, unconditional capital market expectations
(rather than our valuation-implied returns). Moreover, the allocations do not
change significantly on a year-over-year basis.
We believe that asset allocation policy is one of the most important
determinants of a portfolio’s risk and return characteristics over time. When
constructing a model portfolio, we believe it is critical to take advantage of
potential diversification benefits over the long run. The primary objective of
our investment selection process is to find the best combination of
investment options that will maximize alpha (excess return above a
benchmark) for any given level of tracking error (risk/standard deviation of
the alpha), while maintaining the appropriate target asset allocation.
As part of our overall process, we continually search for ways to enhance our
inputs, understanding of market behavior, and forecasting methodology to
provide our clients with optimal advice.
We use a six-step investment process that relies on a number of complex
optimization routines to find the right mix of asset classes and managers to
meet our objective. We use the following six-step process to construct an
investment portfolio for our custom models:
Step 1: Asset Class Inputs
Each year, we update the capital market assumptions. We focus on return
forecasts over multiple time horizons: 10 years, 20 years, and long-term
unconditional expected returns. The 10-year forecasts assume that various
valuation metrics will return to “fair value” over a 10-year period. Similarly,
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 11 of 23
the 20-year forecasts assume the return to fair value for the various valuation
metrics will occur over a 20-year period. The long-term unconditional
expected returns do not have a valuation component, essentially assuming
the markets are fairly valued.
At a high level, our approach to determining the glide path is based on using
the financial assets (i.e., the 401k plan balance) as a “completion portfolio”
that is optimized based on the other assets owned by the investor and the
risk attributes of those assets (a concept referred to as background risk).
Determining the glide path effectively means determining the appropriate
stock/bond split for different retirement investors, we generally refer to this
process as “portfolio assignment”. Our approach towards portfolio
assignment considers an individual’s total wealth, of which human capital is
a dominate asset for younger individuals.
Step 2: Total Wealth: Building Glide Paths
Our method for creating glide paths builds on our asset-allocation expertise
and applies a total wealth approach. When determining the optimal portfolio
for investors, we take a holistic view of their total wealth so we can construct
the most appropriate glide path based on the total value and risk attributes
of the different assets owned by that investor.
investor
individually and then aggregate the
Our total wealth approach considers assets that are often overlooked, like
human capital and pension wealth. Human capital can be thought of as the
present value of an individual’s future wage income, whereas pension wealth
represents assets like Social Security retirement benefits and defined benefit
pensions.
When building a glide path, we determine the optimal allocation for each
retirement
individual
allocations into an aggregate cohort portfolio (e.g., into a 2040 Target Date
portfolio). These cohort portfolios can then be viewed in combination to form
the glide path. The actual portfolio selected to represent a given cohort can
be based on a number of different factors, and it is possible for us to create
different glide paths for different groups of employees (e.g., hourly versus
salary, union versus non-union). This enables to determine the relative
difference for different employee groups and cohorts. It is worth noting that
our glide path approach is not static, and the actual portfolios will change
over time based on the risk characteristics of the defined contribution plan
participants in that cohort.
A fundamental part of our total wealth approach requires an understanding
of how an individual’s wealth changes over their lifetime. For example, the
total wealth of younger investors is almost always dominated by human
capital. As individuals age, they tend to save money for retirement,
accumulating financial assets and accruing benefits in pension plans such
as Social Security. In other words, most investors convert a portion of their
salary over time into financial capital by saving and accruing pension
benefits, which can be used to fund retirement.
Step 3: Asset Allocation
Using our total wealth approach, we first create the stock/bond allocation
for an investor and then determine the asset class targets for the portfolio.
We use some of the most advanced asset allocation techniques to
determine these weights. Three examples include: our proprietary approach
to formulating capital market assumptions; how we incorporate non-normal
returns and downside risk in the portfolio optimization routine; and how we
build portfolios based on the specific objectives of the investor.
Human capital is a relatively bond-like asset. We say “relatively” because the
riskiness of human capital varies across business cycles, by job skills, and by
the individual’s occupation or industry. Our research suggests that, for the
average investor, human capital is approximately 30% stock-like and 70%
bond-like. Individuals with riskier human capital who have jobs in cyclical
industries should have more conservative portfolios, and individuals with
secure jobs and stable incomes can invest in more aggressive portfolios.
Younger workers typically have higher weights to human capital as a
function of their total wealth. Because human capital is untradeable, from a
total wealth perspective these young workers have an overweight to a bond-
like asset.
As the median plan participant’s overall economic situation evolves and as
the participant transitions from accumulation into drawdown, the asset
allocation evolves throughout their lifetime. Overall, as investors age, we
believe asset allocations should have a more pronounced home country
bias to help pay for their U.S. dollar denominated retirement income liability
(e.g. a real inflation adjusted income in retirement) and shift from growth-
oriented asset classes, such as small cap equities to lower-risk, high-quality
asset classes such as U.S. large cap equities. Additionally, we find intra-
bond allocations should gradually shift from high-return, long-duration,
nominal-bond-oriented asset allocations towards a less volatile, shorter-
duration, real-return-oriented asset allocation.
That’s why their financial assets should generally be invested more
aggressively to achieve a more balanced risk level from a total wealth
perspective. When the relative value of human capital (as a percentage of
total wealth) declines as the individual ages, financial capital often needs to
be invested more conservatively to balance the risk of the total wealth.
is particularly
Risk tolerance and risk preference are often used interchangeably, but we
treat them as two related, but different, concepts. Risk tolerance should be
driven by risk capacity and risk preference. Risk capacity is an investor’s
ability to take on risk given the composition of his or her total wealth, while
risk preference is the individual’s desire to take on risk. These two types of
risk combine to determine an appropriate total wealth allocation for
participants.
Step 4: Analyze Investment Options
important when working with
Investment screening
investment menus that have many options for an investment option-level
model portfolio from which to choose. Once we’ve built the asset allocation
targets for the portfolio, we determine which investment options from the
lineup to use to meet our asset class targets and our standards for quality.
Our selection process relies on both quantitative and qualitative measures.
The selection criteria we use to narrow the available universe include
manager experience, performance record, manager history, alpha, style
consistency, fund type, and fund fees. Here is an overview of the some of the
key steps:
Our approach to constructing the glide path is based on a significant number
of assumptions.
Once investment options pass the initial screening, we then peer group all
remaining funds for further analysis. The peer grouping process begins by
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Page 12 of 23
confirm that the processes in place that generated past returns are still
relevant, and gives us an opportunity to apply human judgment to the
process.
Step 5: Construct the Portfolio
Once we determine the asset class models and which funds from the plan’s
lineup will be included in the portfolio, our portfolio construction team then
determines what combination of these funds will help us reach our asset
class weights. The team also considers the combination of funds that we
think will help drive the portfolio’s performance in the future.
evaluating investments based on their Morningstar Category (if available).
Returns Based Style Analysis (“RBSA”), which looks at the “behavior” of an
investment option rather than its actual holdings, is used to determine the
appropriate category, because it takes a longer-term view of an investment
option’s style and consistency, which is important for peer grouping. The
category is validated through a series of regression analyses against sets of
benchmark returns. The Morningstar Category determines which set of
benchmarks is used in the initial regression. Based on this initial regression
result, R-square, and benchmark exposures, the investment option may be
sent for further regression analysis to better determine the appropriate peer
group. If the R-square of the final regression is greater than or equal to 65,
then the peer group is assigned. If through all sets of regression analysis, the
investment option does not achieve an R-square of 65 or greater, then the
investment option is unclassified and may not be used.
Using the select list, we construct the fund-level model portfolios using a
proprietary alpha-tracking error optimization process. The primary objective
is to find the best combination of investment options (for each of seven risk
levels) that will maximize the FLA for any given level of tracking error, while
hitting the asset class allocation targets.
If an investment option is not a public fund or does not have a Morningstar
Category, the same process is followed, but the initial set of benchmarks
used in the regression analyses is a general set. Again, the investment option
goes through a series of regression tests to determine the best peer group fit.
This alpha-tracking error optimization is similar to MVO described earlier.
MVO is conducted using as inputs the expected return, standard deviation,
and correlations of the asset class returns. The alpha-tracking error
optimization, however, is conducted using the FLA and tracking errors of
each investment option. The asset class exposures of the available
investment options are determined using HBSA.
One of the quantitative inputs we use when constructing fund-level portfolios
is a proprietary measurement known as forward-looking alpha (“FLA”). This
measure helps us identify managers that we believe will add alpha and help
drive the long-term positive performance of their portfolios.
HBSA calculates the exposure of a fund based on the characteristics of each
of its underlying securities. The most recent portfolio available in our
database is used for this analysis. In addition, there are certain tolerances,
constraints, and maximum fund allocations.
FLA uses historical data to forecast how well an investment option is likely to
perform in the near-term future. Unlike traditional methods of calculating
alpha, FLA is based on alpha over two time periods (12 months and 60
months), and rewards managers for consistent performance over both the
short and long term. By using these two time periods, we believe that they
are better able to predict how a manager might perform in the future.
The alpha-tracking error frontier offers an entire spectrum of efficient
allocations among all funds for the target asset allocation. We select the
appropriate portfolio based on multiple iterations of evaluating possible
outcomes, starting with a higher emphasis on alpha (i.e., portfolios with
higher excess returns). If the portfolio is found to be outside these tolerances,
the emphasis on alpha is lowered and a new set of portfolios is generated for
evaluation.
The final step is to generate portfolios that place all the emphasis on the
tracking error, to help ensure the asset allocation targets are met. If at this
point the portfolios generated are not within the tolerances set, including
hitting the asset allocation targets, then the investment menu would not
qualify for our advice services. This multiple iterative process helps ensure
that for each portfolio the investment options chosen maximize the potential
portfolio alpha within the tolerances for tracking error while hitting the asset
allocation targets.
From the investment options that pass all of the prior screening criteria
above, we will form a “main” list, and ultimately a “select” list of the funds
that are included in the final fund optimization process. However, arriving at
the select list is a two-tiered screening process. To form the main list, index
funds are ranked by their tracking error. The top two funds in each peer group
(with the lowest tracking error) form the main list. When there aren’t enough
index funds available, the actively managed fund with the lowest tracking
error is chosen instead. The two index funds on the main list are then ranked
by expense ratio, and the one with the lowest expense ratio is included in the
select list. Actively managed funds are evaluated based on their information
ratio and FLA. The three funds in each peer group with the highest
information ratio and FLA form the main list. Active funds are then ranked
on R-square relative to a single peer-group primary benchmark, the number
of years the fund outperformed its customized benchmark from the RBSA
results over the past five years, and a customized consistency score from the
RBSA results. One fund from the “highest information ratio” main list and one
fund from the “highest FLA” main list, each with the highest average score,
form the select list.
We first attempt to build fund-level portfolios at the highest level of
complexity/granularity. The large-, mid-, and small-cap asset classes are
split into growth and value; aggregate bonds are split into long- and short-
term bonds. If we are unable to hit the asset class targets at the highest
complexity, then a second attempt is made at a lower complexity. The process
continues until the asset class targets are met (within the tolerances), while
minimizing tracking error and maximizing alpha. If an investment menu fails
at all of the asset class complexities, we will not be able to construct fund-
level portfolios.
Step 6: Monitor the Portfolio
In addition to using the above quantitative steps based, we may also consider
qualitative measures such as an investment option’s holdings, style changes,
style drift over time, manager changes, and SEC actions. These qualitative
steps are mainly used when the quantitative results are questionable due to
low statistical significance, quantitative results differing from expectations,
or simply to ensure that the quantitative techniques are accurate. For
example, this analysis may help confirm the peer group and style analysis,
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Page 13 of 23
Once the portfolio is constructed, we will monitor and re-evaluate the
investments on an ongoing basis to ensure it is still aligned with asset
allocation targets and diversification objectives.
We conduct further style analyses on managers that pass our initial screens
to identify nuances of their strategies. Just as important as selecting qualified
managers is determining how well an investment option will fit with other
investments in the lineup. We want each investment to fill a distinct stylistic
role within a plan lineup, so we carefully assess how it can be expected to
complement other options we are recommending in adjacent styles. In
general, we want to have a number of strategies investing in a specific space
while employing different investment approaches.
When a new fund is added to an investment menu, we reevaluate the new
investment mix and determines if new asset class and fund-level model
portfolios are necessary. When a fund that is used in a portfolio is dropped
from a plan menu or closes, the plan’s portfolios will be immediately
rebalanced, as it would not be possible to implement the existing fund-level
portfolios.
To accomplish this, we rely largely on a holdings-based style analysis to build
a picture of an investment option’s style positioning based on its underlying
holdings. This means drilling down to examine the asset class exposure
within the investment option. We evaluate overall diversification to ensure
that the investment option is not exposed to undue security or sector specific
risk. The goal is to provide a selection of investments that are likely to meet
their investment mandate, but also to provide options that differ in their
pursuit of that objective.
We monitor fund lineups on a quarterly basis to determine if changes are
needed. We review and rebalance the fund-level portfolios quarterly. We’ve
established a range of +/– 5% based on the most recently delivered fund-
level allocations to prevent large fluctuations in investment option
allocations from quarter to quarter. If a more attractive alternative is present,
an investment option will be phased out over time rather than in one quarter,
to minimize large portfolio reallocations on a quarterly basis. This approach
also helps to minimize short-term redemption fees to investors, should they
exist. All asset class model portfolios are updated annually, as we review and
update the MVO inputs (expected returns, standard deviations, and cross-
correlation).
After an extensive quantitative review, we review an investment from a
qualitative perspective. The purpose here is to allow our investment
professionals to gain conviction in their investment thesis by developing a
firm fundamental understanding of the strategy. Our professionals draw
from their extensive experience in evaluating investment managers to
analyze the people and process behind the investment. In doing so, our goal
is to anticipate how an investment option is likely to be positioned in the
future, which helps us build expectations of performance and capability of
consistently playing a specific portfolio role.
Fiduciary Select
Investment Selection for Investment Lineups
For our Fiduciary Select, the lineups we build for an Institutional Client are
typically constrained to a universe of investment options (typically a subset
of the entire universe of investment options publicly available for purchase
by investors) defined by our client, which include their affiliated investment
products in certain situations. We have no ability to choose the investment
options that are made available under our Institutional Client’s products and
contracts and may have more favorable opinions of certain investment
options which are not included in the defined universe of investment options.
Our analysis includes quantitative analytics and fundamental research on
the investment options available, holdings-based style analysis to determine
an investment’s style over time. We draw on Morningstar’s comprehensive
database of fund and security analytics as well as utilizing portfolio
information provided by our Institutional Client, if applicable.
In our fundamental assessment, we review a number of characteristics of the
investment option and its manager that could be relevant to how well it can
fill the role for which it is being considered. Those include reviewing the
manager’s performance and risk record against his or her peers in the same
style—not just at the manager’s current fund but also any other investment
vehicles they’ve managed in the past. We analyze the subtleties of the
manager’s investment process to understand what drives performance. We
observe which types of markets the investment option fares best in and
which types are trouble for its style. We also determine what it is about their
style that explains the performance pattern.
When analyzing investment options or managers for use in a lineup, our goal
is to determine their true investment style, identify what we believe to be
best-in-class managers, and identify the factors contributing to their
performance and risk characteristics with the aim of assessing whether their
performance appears to be sustainable over time.
We assess whether a manager’s investment process leads to a more
aggressive or more conservative performance profile relative to its style
peers, and how a manager’s process might lead to persistent over- or under-
weights in certain sectors. We also assess how performance, both absolute
and relative to a peer group, has changed as a manager’s assets have grown.
We use many factors to evaluate funds depending on the specific situation
and the questions we are trying to answer including investment sub-style,
manager skill, impact of asset growth on performance, sources of investment
ideas, investment decision-making process, actions in previous market
environments, manager ownership, process repeatability, and performance
attribution.
Our qualitative assessment of a fund will draw on Morningstar’s forward-
looking Morningstar Medalist RatingTM, when available, for additional
perspective in evaluating factors such as those noted above.
Lineup Design and Construction
We start with a propriety peer grouping analysis using the available
investment options. Once investment options have been placed into their
appropriate peer groups, our methodology begins with a quantitative review
process. First, we apply a series of screens designed to flag funds that exhibit
characteristics that are apt to hinder long-term performance in order to
efficiently filter a large universe of investment options to focus our efforts on
a more manageable opportunity set. Second, we use a multitude of statistics
to begin to assess the overall quality of an investment option. We gather
current and historical data points to evaluate investment style, structure, and
performance and consider key factors that include fees, management tenure,
style consistency, alpha, volatility, fund size, asset class exposure, and
holdings concentration.
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 14 of 23
(ranging from conservative to aggressive) for each retirement plan or
product using a customized approach to blending traditional asset allocation
models with liability-driven investing and decumulation strategies. Which
asset classes and sub-asset classes are used to build these model portfolios
is dependent on the specific investment lineup for each retirement plan or
product. We always try to build the model portfolios with the greatest number
of sub-asset classes, but this is contingent on whether the investment
options available can fulfill each asset class.
The area of behavioral finance has shown that investors don’t always behave
rationally and that the manner in which a problem is posed can impact
individual actions. We are mindful of simple heuristics employed by
retirement investors in making investment-related decisions and design
lineups that attempt to drive better action on the part of investors. When
constructing a lineup, we consider issues around choice overload, naïve
allocations, and loss aversion. We strive to select investments to fill a distinct
stylistic role within a lineup and carefully assess how each investment can
be expected to fit with other investments. We strive to choose funds that are
clearly different from one another, rather than similar or redundant. The goal
is to establish a specific role for each investment option in the lineup that
minimizes holdings overlap and maximizes diversification.
Each retirement investor that receives investment advice as part of Managed
Accounts or Advice is assigned into one of up to 589 model portfolios for the
account we advise on (“retirement account”). The large number of model
portfolios is to address the personalization that is needed by retirement
investors. These model portfolios account for not only varying equity/fixed-
income allocations but also how close the individual is to retirement. As the
individual nears retirement, the sub-asset allocation changes to reflect a
liability-driven investment overlay used in the model portfolios for a
retirement investor near or in retirement. Any change within the model
portfolios is reflected at the individual level as soon as the retirement
investor is reevaluated each quarter.
Managing Lineups
We formally review investment options in our investment lineups quarterly.
The majority of our watch-list notifications (a notice to indicate an
investment option is under extra scrutiny due to factors such as performance,
risk, straying from its stated investment style, or management changes) and
approval changes occur on a regular quarterly schedule. However, we are
always monitoring our approved investment options and if something occurs
intra-quarter that we believe merits immediate action, we will take action
outside of the normal review schedule.
When an investment option is removed by one of our investment
professionals, a memo to the plan is produced outlining the rationale for such
a decision, and for Institutional Clients of our 3(21) services, a timeframe is
typically noted for a plan to make a particular change. If the plan opts out of
the replacement investment option or fails to choose a replacement
investment option from the approved list of investment options, the plan is
terminated from the service. A negative consent process for changes can also
be implemented wherein an investment option change is automatically
implemented if the plan does not take any action within a specified window
of time. For Institutional Clients of our 3(38) services, we will direct the plan’s
provider to implement the change as detailed in the memo.
In creating recommendations, we believe that the more information the
retirement investor provides to us, the better the investment strategy we are
able to deliver. We collect information the plan provider, plan sponsor, or
other service provider is able to provide to us, which is pre-populated into the
user interface. The retirement investor is prompted to provide any additional
data that wasn’t available from other sources. After collecting those key
pieces of data, the user is presented with an initial strategy as a starting
point. The retirement investor can model many scenarios by changing
variables such as retirement age, desired retirement income, and savings
rate. We will dynamically update the retirement investor's retirement
strategy to reflect any changes made. The retirement investor is also
encouraged to enter, and/or use an account aggregator to enter, additional
information for savings earmarked for retirement such as out-of-plan assets
or benefits for themselves or their spouse/partner (“outside assets”) in order
to further personalize the recommendations. They can provide detail
regarding the investments or select from one of the pre-defined investment
styles. We do not provide investment specific advice on outside assets but
provide an asset allocation recommendation for outside assets as a whole
and will take those into consideration when determining the investment
strategy for the retirement account. The portfolio recommendation for the
retirement account will take into consideration the amount of advisable
retirement account relative to outside assets as well as the equity/fixed
composition of those outside assets.
Managed Accounts, Advice, and Guidance
Investment Process
In providing Managed Accounts and Advice, we start with the five-step
investment process detailed above in the Custom Model Portfolios section to
build model portfolios. In providing Guidance, we use the first two steps of
the investment process described above in the Custom Model Portfolio
section to create an asset allocation model. Data incorporated in the
recommendations include the plan’s or product’s investment lineup and for
retirement plans, plan design requirements such as plan limits and matching
formulas.
For these services, the portfolios we build are typically constrained to a
universe of investment options defined by our Institutional Client, which
include their or Sub-Adviser’s affiliated investment products in certain
situations. Our analysis will still include quantitative analytics and
fundamental research on the investment options available. We draw on
Morningstar’s comprehensive database of fund and security analytics as
well as utilizing portfolios information provided by our Institutional Client, if
applicable.
We start with all of the available retirement investor-specific data and then
makes assumptions about certain pieces of information. A retirement
investor can review and refine some of these assumed data points through
the user interface. These assumptions can have a significant impact on the
strategies we will create for them and are related to social security income,
salary growth, retirement age, inflation rates, estimated taxes, retirement
income goal, and risk capacity. We combine this information with other
factors into a proprietary software program that can provide investment
recommendations and a projection of different outcomes. Using this model,
we develop an investment strategy tailored to each retirement investor’s
investment goals.
use a combination of model portfolios and customization as part of a
We
larger portfolio construction and fund implementation process. For Managed
Accounts and Advice, we generate thousands of unique model portfolios
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 15 of 23
Approximately 20,000 cases are used to routinely test engine functionality to
help ensure our recommendations are in line with our expectations. The test
data consists of real retirement investor information as well as generated
cases, and covers a gamut of possible ages, balances, salaries, and other
optional data points. Running these cases and analyzing the results help
ensure we are confident in the advice we provide retirement investors.
For those retirement investors that are accumulating for retirement, our
investment strategy is generally based on information such as their
retirement account balance, expected retirement age, contribution rate and
other preferences. If a retirement investor has already retired, and our
Institutional Client makes available our In-Retirement services, our strategy
is based on information such as their current account balance, additional
cash flows and life expectancy. This retirement strategy may include some
or all of the following:
Retirement Income Goal (accumulation phase). We define the retirement
income goal as the projected amount of money that the retirement
investor will need during retirement. We calculate this amount based on
current income, adjusted to reflect the estimated dollar value at
retirement age. Typically, we use an amount equal to 100% of take-home
pay, however, some plan or service providers request we use a different
rate. We then project the value of that amount at retirement age to
determine the retirement income goal. A retirement investor using our
user interface has the option to change this projected retirement income
amount.
Income Outlook (accumulation phase). We define the income outlook as
a projection of the annual income that the retirement investor may
receive during retirement. We base this on an annualized view of the
investment wealth accumulated, combined with social security benefits
and any pension or other income the retirement investor might receive.
Total Retirement Income (in-retirement phase). For those plans that offer
our In-Retirement service, we define total retirement income as the
projected amount of money, typically at some level of probability that the
retirement investor can expect to receive on an annual basis in order to
maintain income throughout retirement.
Key Assumptions
Social Security - We can incorporate Social Security for both the retirement
investor and their spouse. This can be calculated using an estimate based on
calculations/formulas from the Social Security Administration or input by the
retirement investor. To calculate the estimate, a retirement investor/spouse
must have 35 years of contributions. If the retirement investor/spouse has
more than 35 years of service remaining, all projections are forward-looking.
If the retirement investor/spouse has fewer than 35 years of service
remaining, the difference in contributions is back-calculated. Social Security
payments are inflated using a simulated cost-of-living allowance designed
to replicate the actual Social Security Administration formulas and are
applied at the maximum benefit age as defined by the Social Security
Administration. Retirement investors can override the estimate by including
information from their Social Security statement. In addition to standard
payments, we account for reduction in payments while working in
retirement, increases in benefits for the spouse 50% rule and increased
benefits for the surviving spouse 100% rule. The program assumes the
retirement investor/spouse completes all applications required to collect the
maximum benefit. We treat Social Security as similar to income from fixed-
income investments. We also take Social Security into consideration while
analyzing income replacement. We default to the age at which the retirement
investor will receive full benefits from the Social Security Administration.
Retirement investors can adjust the benefit amount and start age if desired,
however, the start age must be between the ages of 62 and 70.
For our Advice services, many of our Institutional Clients offer a similar
experience to retirement investors either through our user interface or their
proprietary user interface.
Salary Growth - To estimate future salary, we use a salary growth curve based
on academic research rather than assuming a single, fixed growth rate. This
curve takes into account the fact that salaries tend to grow most rapidly for
young employees, peak around age 51, and then slightly decline later in life.
Retirement Age - We assume a default retirement age of 65, or the retirement
investor’s current age plus one year if they are older than 65. Retirement
investors have the option to change this to a different retirement age.
We believe in long-term strategic asset allocation based on an individual’s
risk capacity. Changes in an investor’s financial situation, such as the
addition of outside retirement accounts, pension benefits, or contribution
rates, can result in a change to their model portfolio assignment. In addition,
changes to their personal situation, such as the addition of a spouse or
partner or a different retirement age, could also impact the model portfolio
assignment. For Managed Accounts, we will typically review portfolios on a
quarterly basis to determine if market shifts require a rebalancing of the
portfolio. Retirement investor wealth re-forecasting occurs on an annual
basis for our Managed Accounts service. For Advice, we encourage
retirement investors to re-enter our user interface on a periodic or as-needed
basis, in order to review their information and receive an updated strategy.
At a minimum, we recommend that a retirement investor’s portfolio is
rebalanced on an annual basis. At this point, the retirement investor is one
year closer to retirement, and we will shift them along their glide path.
Income Projections – A retirement investor’s income projection is the level of
annual income we project the retirement investor has at least a 70% chance
of achieving and is calculated for both the retirement investor’s current
strategy and our proposed strategy. We use forecasts for investment returns,
portfolio risk, and correlation for each of the 12 asset classes and an average
expense ratio for each asset class to estimate investment fees. The
projections consider different scenarios for life span, based on standard
published mortality tables (based on the Society of Actuaries Individual
Annuity Mortality (IAM) table). We assume that the retirement investor’s risk
capacity (and corresponding asset allocation) will change over time,
generally growing more conservative as they approach retirement, and that
their savings rate will not change.
Our projections are provided based upon an investor’s personal financial
situation using our total wealth approach. We use MVO, resampling the
mean-variance outputs using a Monte Carlo simulation, and our process
incorporates liability-relative optimization. We solve for a specific probability
of success when determining the sustainable retirement income. The Monte
Carlo simulation uses our long-term capital market assumptions when
projecting the future returns for the various asset classes.
Estimated Tax - We estimate federal and state income, and capital gains
taxes based on marginal tax rate calculations. Tax data is updated annually
based on U.S. Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and similar state tax data. We use
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 16 of 23
income data for the retirement investor, as well as for a spouse/partner, to
estimate federal and state tax exposure. Tax exposure is appropriately
reduced for pretax deferrals, tax-deferred capital gains, and yield and
distribution of Roth proceeds. Based on the information we know about the
retirement investor, we provide an estimate of tax exposure but may not
include all tax considerations.
the Morningstar Retirement Manager platform through their Plan or product
provider’s website. The full enrollment process allows retirement investors
to provide us with additional information about their retirement situation and
goals so that we can further customize their retirement strategy. If the
retirement investor has additional retirement assets outside their retirement
account, have a spouse or partner they’d like us to consider, want to restrict
certain securities from being used in their retirement account, or want to
change suggestions made in the streamlined enrollment process (i.e.,
savings rate), or if they want to see how changes would impact their
retirement strategy, we encourage them to use our full enrollment process
instead of the streamlined process.
Inflation Assumptions - When projecting the growth of various income
sources and expenses, we use a variety of different inflation rates. These
rates are reviewed and updated annually by our research team. Different
inflation rates are used for different projections and major expenses. We
believe that our multifaceted approach to calculating inflation results in
more realistic and more accurate projections compared with using one set
rate.
IRS Limitations and Application of Penalties - We incorporate all IRS
contribution limits, eligibility requirements, and withdrawal penalties into
the retirement strategies.
Personalized Target-Date Fund Service
With the Personalized Target-Date Fund Service, we start with a basic set of
retirement investor inputs to generate a personalized asset allocation target.
This target is then fulfilled by allocating to target-date funds available within
the retirement investor’s retirement plan or product lineup. Our choice of
funds is constrained to the universe of the retirement plan or product’s
chosen target-date fund series.
Risk of Loss and Strategy Risk
Investments in securities are subject to market risk, risk of loss, and other
risks and will not always be profitable. There is no assurance or guarantee
that the intended investment objectives of our recommendations will be
received. We do not represent or guarantee that our
investment
recommendations can or will predict future results, will successfully identify
market highs or lows, or will result in a profit or protect clients from loss.
Past performance of a security may or may not be sustained in the future and
is no indication of future performance. A security’s investment return and an
investor’s principal value will fluctuate so that, when redeemed, an investor’s
shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. We are unable to
predict or forecast market fluctuations or other uncertainties that may affect
the value of any investment.
Asset allocation and diversification are investment strategies which spread
assets across various investment types for long-term investing. However, as
with all investment strategies, these strategies do not ensure a profit and do
not guarantee against losses.
Capital market assumptions are forecasts which involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual
results to differ materially and/or substantially from any future results,
performance, or achievements expressed or implied by those projections for
any reason. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Brokerage Accounts - Some plan sponsors allow retirement investors to
maintain a brokerage account within their retirement plan. If allowed this
option, the retirement investor will be responsible for managing and
monitoring those assets. We do not manage brokerage account assets;
however, if the retirement investor provides us with detailed information on
the holdings within the brokerage account, our methodology will consider
these holdings in developing an appropriate investment strategy for their
retirement account. If the retirement investor does not provide detailed
information, our methodology will assume that the balance in the brokerage
account is 52% stocks and 48% fixed income.
Our Advisor Managed Accounts methodology is the same as our Managed
Accounts and Advice methodology described above, except that we do not
use our Custom Model Portfolios investment process to build the mode)
portfolios. The model portfolios are built by our Institutional Client; with the
exception of Sub-Advisers, we do not review their portfolios, nor do we have
the ability to make any changes to those portfolios. If applicable under
Advisor Managed Accounts, the plan sponsor or product provider is
responsible for choosing the Sub-Adviser. However, we must agree to
engage and are responsible for ongoing monitoring of the Sub-Adviser. In
making portfolio recommendations, we are limited to those portfolios
created by the Sub-Adviser but have discretion to reject or edit those
portfolios if we feel necessary. The model portfolios created by a Sub-Adviser
will typically consist of associated investment products in which they receive
compensation based on the amount of assets invested. These investment
products generally must be added to the retirement plan or product lineup
by the plan sponsor or product provider. You should be aware that the use
of affiliated investment products gives the Sub-Adviser an incentive to build
model portfolios using those investments.
Income projections used in our Guidance, Advice, and Managed Account
services are based on hypothetical performance data and do not represent
actual or guaranteed results. Projections may vary over time and with each
use of our service.
Our recommendations are made without taking into consideration potential
tax consequences and we do not provide tax advice. Potential tax
consequences may exist. We encourage you to consult with a tax professional
about these and other tax consequences.
Enrollment
Plan and product providers have the option to make one or more websites
available to retirement investors for enrollment in Managed Accounts. You
should be aware that the streamlined version of our enrollment process does
not consider all information relevant to a retirement investor’s financial
situation, including some of the information discussed in this section. (The
streamlined process takes into account age, retirement plan or product type,
and the balance, investment allocation, and contributions for their retirement
account as provided by the retirement plan or product provider.) Retirement
investors can access our full enrollment process at any time by logging into
The Morningstar Funds Trust principal risks include multimanager and sub-
adviser selection risk, active management risk, asset allocation risk, market
risk, investment company/ETF risk, REITS and other real estate companies
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 17 of 23
agency. For most money market funds, their sponsor has no legal obligation
to provide financial support to the fund, and you should not expect that the
sponsor will provide financial support to the fund at any time. Although some
money market funds seek to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00
per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. It is possible to lose money by
investing in money market funds.
Stable Value Funds and Guaranteed Investment Contracts (“GICs”)
The interest rate on a stable value fund or GIC is typically only guaranteed
for a certain amount of time and may vary with changing market conditions.
Withdrawal fees or penalties, sometimes substantial, may be charged if you
decided to move money out of a stable value fund or GIC. Stable value funds
and GICs are less likely to provide long-term protection against inflation, as
compared to other options.
risk, master limited partnership risk, smaller company risk, sector focus risk,
foreign security risk, currency risk, derivative risk, quantitative models risk,
cybersecurity risk, European market risk, Asian market risk, China market
risk, Japan market risk, emerging-markets risk, geographic concentration
risk, cash/cash equivalents risk, private placements risk, interest-rate risk,
call risk, credit risk, high-yield risk, convertible securities risk, preferred stock
risk, contingent capital securities risk, US government securities risk,
sovereign debt securities risk, mortgage-related and other asset-backed
securities risk, floating-rate notes risk, loan risk, CDO risk, reverse repurchase
agreement risk, dollar rolls risk, portfolio turnover risk, municipal securities
risk, municipal focus risk, Latin America issuer risk, absolute return risk
strategy, long/short strategy risk, short sales risk, supranational entities risk,
indexed and inverse securities risk, and merger arbitrage risk. More
information about the Morningstar Funds Trust’s risks can be found in the
prospectus at http://connect.rightprospectus.com/Morningstar.
Information Sources
Our global resources used in the formulation of our advisory services go
down to our roots—the data and analysis from Morningstar that form the
base of our investment process. This expansive, in-house network of global
data and investment analysis spans asset classes and regions to help drive
timely new ideas. Morningstar or its affiliates have more than 900 analysts
and make data available on more than 600,000 investment options and 4.75
million privately-held companies. The extensive data, analysis, and
methodologies from these resources, along with external research reports,
data, and interviews with investment managers are combined with financial
publications, annual reports, prospectuses, press releases, and SEC filings to
serve as the basis of our primary sources of information.
Exchange-traded Funds
ETFs, like all investments, carry certain risks that may adversely affect their
net asset value, market price, and/or performance. An ETF’s net asset value
(NAV) will fluctuate in response to market activity. Because ETFs are traded
throughout the day and the price is determined by market forces, the market
price you pay for an ETF may be more or less than the NAV. Because ETFs are
not actively managed, their value may be affected by a general decline in the
U.S. market segments relating to their underlying indexes. Similarly, an
imperfect match between an ETF’s holdings and those of its underlying index
may cause its performance to not match the performance of its underlying
index. Like other concentrated investments, an ETF with concentrated
holdings may be more vulnerable to specific economic, political, or
regulatory events than an ETF that mirrors the general U.S. market.
For some of our services, we combine this information with other factors—
including actuarial data, stock market exposure, probability analysis, and
mean-variance optimization—into a proprietary software program to analyze
a complex set of market data and variables that results in an advanced model
that can provide investment recommendations and a projection of different
outcomes.
Security Type Risks
Mutual Funds and Collective Investment Trusts
Investments in mutual funds and collective investment trust (CITs) funds
involve risk, including loss of principal as a result of changing market and
economic conditions and will not always be profitable.
A collective investment trust may also be called a commingled or collective
fund. CITs are tax-exempt, pooled investment vehicles maintained by a bank
or trust company exclusively for qualified plans, including 401(k)s, and
certain types of government plans. CITs are unregistered investment vehicles
subject to banking regulations of the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency (OCC), which means they are typically less expensive than other
investment options due to lower marketing, overhead, and compliance-
related costs. CITs are not available to the general public but are managed
only for specific retirement plans.
Annuities
An annuity is a tax-deferred investment structured to convert a sum of money
into a series of payments over time. Annuity contracts have limitations and
are not viewed as short-term liquid investments. An insurance company’s
fulfillment of a commitment to pay a death or living benefit, a schedule of
payments, a fixed investment amount guaranteed by the insurance company,
or another form of guarantee depends on the claims-paying ability of the
issuing insurance company. Any such guarantee does not affect or apply to
the investment return or principal value of the separate account and its
subaccount(s). The financial ratings quoted for an insurance company do not
apply to the separate account and its subaccount(s). The insurance company
offering an annuity will charge several fees to investors, including annual
contract charges that compensate the insurance company for the cost of
maintaining and administering the annuity contract, mortality and expense
risk charges based on a percentage of a subaccount’s assets to cover costs
associated with mortality and expense risk, and administration fees that are
based on a percentage of a subaccount’s assets to cover the costs involved
in offering and administering the subaccount. An annuity investor can also
be charged a front-end load by the insurance company on their initial
contribution, ongoing fees related to the management of the fund and
surrender charges (which can be substantial) if the investor makes a
withdrawal prior to a specified time. If the annuity subaccount is invested in
a money-market fund, the money market fund is not FDIC-insured, may lose
money, and is not guaranteed by a bank or other financial institution.
Annuities can be complicated, and an investor should carefully read the
insurance company’s offering material to understand how a specific
annuity’s return will be determined.
Money Market Funds
A money market fund may impose a fee upon the sale of shares or may
temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the fund’s liquidity falls
below a required minimum because of market conditions or other factors.
An investment in a money-market vehicle is not insured or guaranteed by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 18 of 23
Variable Annuities have a rate of return that varies with underlying
investment options in the market, and do not include a guarantee from the
insurance company that you will earn a return.
Fixed annuities have a predetermined rate of return an investor earns and a
fixed income payout that is guaranteed by the issuing investment company
and may be immediate or deferred. Payouts may last for a specific period or
for the life of the investor. Investments in a deferred fixed annuity grow tax-
deferred with income tax incurred upon withdrawal, and do not depend on
the stock market. Fixed annuities typically do not have cost-of-living payment
adjustments and are regulated by state insurance commissioners.
and their team members that work on Morningstar Wealth’s Portfolios, part
of their bonus is also based on select portfolio investment performance and
risk metrics versus both a corresponding benchmark over specified three-,
five-, and/or seven-year periods and appropriate peer groups. Benchmarks
are used as a measure of investment performance and are chosen by senior
personnel and approved by the Regional Investment Committee, which is
chaired by the regional Chief Investment Officer. To mitigate the conflict of
interest that could arise from partially basing an employee’s bonus on
performance of a select portfolio or portfolios, all investment decisions made
within a portfolio by an individual portfolio manager must be peer reviewed
by the broader regional team of portfolio managers. In addition, the Regional
Investment Committee reviews strategy performance on a quarterly basis.
Fixed indexed annuities, also called equity index annuities, are a combination
of the characteristics of both fixed and variable annuities. Fixed indexed
annuities offer a predetermined rate of return like a fixed annuity, but they
also allow for participation in the stock market, like a variable annuity. Fixed
indexed annuities are typically risker and offer the potential for greater
return than fixed annuities, but less so than a variable annuity. Investments
in a fixed indexed annuity grow tax-deferred with income tax incurred upon
withdrawal and are regulated by state insurance commissioners.
For many of our advisory services, the universe of investment options from
which we make our investment selections is defined by our Institutional
Client. In some cases, this universe of investment options includes
proprietary investment options of the Institutional Client. To mitigate any
actual or potential conflict of interests presented by this situation, we subject
all investment options to the same quantitative and qualitative investment
selection methodology, based on several factors, including performance,
risk, and expense so that the proprietary nature of an investment option does
not influence our selection.
Target-Date Funds
An investment in a target date fund is not guaranteed, and investors may
experience losses, including losses near, at, or after the target date. There is
no guarantee that a target-date fund will provide adequate income at and
through an individual’s retirement.
investment options
We may provide consulting or investment management services to
Institutional Clients that offer registered or pooled investment products, such
as mutual funds, variable annuities, collective investment trusts, or model
portfolios. To mitigate the conflict of interest presented by our role in these
investment products, we generally exclude such investment products from
the universe of
from which we make our
recommendations to other clients. If an investment product that we provide
consulting or investment management services to is included in a
recommendation from us, we disclose our conflict of interest and take steps
in regard to our advisory fees so that our recommendation does not result in
the use of our fiduciary role to direct additional compensation to us.
Methodology Updates
Our CMA, asset allocation, and investment committees typically meet on a
periodic basis. These committees have oversight for their respective areas of
expertise. If any of these committees makes an adjustment, the changes are
thoroughly reviewed and tested before being implemented. These changes
are manifested in retirement investor portfolios through expected future
returns, and asset allocations. CMAs are updated on an annual basis. We also
update our methodologies with updated tax limits on an annual basis. Asset
allocation and advice methodologies are updated only when there is a
regulatory change that requires an update or when research we have
completed warrants enhancing our asset allocation process or advice
methodology.
Item 9. Disciplinary Information
We are required to disclose all material facts regarding any legal or
disciplinary events that would influence a potential client to engage us. We
do not have any material legal or disciplinary events to disclose.
Item 10. Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Morningstar Investment Management is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Morningstar. Our offerings center on advisory services in our core
capabilities of asset allocation,
investment selection, and portfolio
construction that we offer to individual investors and institutions (including
the services described in this brochure.)
We receive compensation for our research and analysis activities (e.g.,
research papers) from a variety of financial institutions including large
banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies, and mutual fund companies.
In order to mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise
from this service, we ensure that our research and analytical activities are
non-biased and objective given our business relationships. Employees who
provide research and analysis for clients are separate from our sales and
relationship manager staff in order to mitigate the conflict of interest that an
employee may feel pressure to present results in such a way as to maintain
existing or gain new business. In addition, as noted above, all investment
decisions for Morningstar Wealth’s Portfolios service must be peer reviewed
by fellow portfolio managers, which mitigates the conflict of interest by
providing checks and balances so that no employee can act unilaterally in
making recommendation decisions. Methodology updates which impact
investment recommendations or decisions for Morningstar Retirement’s
services are peer reviewed by the Morningstar Retirement Investment Policy
Committee. This serves to mitigate conflicts of interest by providing checks
and balances so that no employee can act unilaterally in making
recommendation decisions.
Morningstar Investment Management is registered as a Commodity Pool
Operator with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Some of
Our portfolio managers and their team members who are responsible for the
day-to-day management of our portfolios are paid a base salary plus a
discretionary bonus. The bonus is fully or partially determined by a
combination of the employee’s business unit’s overall revenue and
profitability, Morningstar’s overall annual revenue and profitability, and the
individual’s contribution to the business unit. For most portfolio managers
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 19 of 23
Morningstar Investment Management’s employees are registered with the
National Futures Association as principals or associated persons.
Affiliations – Morningstar, Inc.
Our parent company, Morningstar, Inc., is publicly traded (Ticker Symbol:
MORN). We may recommend an investment product that holds a position in
publicly traded shares of Morningstar’s stock. Such an investment in
Morningstar’s stock is solely the decision of the investment product’s
portfolio manager. We have no input into a portfolio manager’s investment
decision nor do we require that the investment products we recommend own
shares of Morningstar. An investment product’s position in Morningstar has
no direct bearing on our investment selection process. We mitigate any
actual or potential conflicts of interest by not factoring Morningstar’s
publicly traded stock into our qualitative or quantitative analysis nor in our
recommendations.
We have procedures in place to ensure that model portfolio updates are
allocated in such a manner as to not favor one person over another. We offer
non-discretionary model portfolio services to institutional clients through
Morningstar Wealth and maintain seed accounts invested in accordance
with a model portfolio to track performance of a strategy. For multi-asset
strategies, we will typically communicate updates to model portfolios after
the close of trading on the United States markets. This process was designed
so that no one person receives preferential treatment over another and all
have the opportunity to trade upon market open or otherwise follow their
internal procedures. Trades for our multi-asset seed accounts are placed
after all institutional clients have received the model portfolio updates. For
select equity strategies, model portfolio updates are communicated based
off a rotation schedule designed to ensure equitable and systematic
distribution. The rotation process for select equity strategies includes our
seed accounts.
We invested in the Series D funding round of SMArtX Advisory Solutions, a
managed account technology provider and architect of the SMArtX turnkey
asset management platform. This investment will assist in the build out of
SMArtX’s development capabilities, which could benefit us or our parent
company. Daniel Needham, our co-president serves on the board of SMArtX.
Morningstar offers various products and services to the public. Some of
Morningstar’s clients are service providers (e.g., portfolio managers,
advisers, or distributors) affiliated with a mutual fund or other investment
option. We may have a contractual relationship to provide consulting or
advisory services to these same service providers or we may recommend the
products of these service providers to our advisory clients. To mitigate any
actual or potential conflicts of interest, we do not consider the relationship
between Morningstar and
these service providers when making
recommendations. We are not paid to recommend one investment option
over another,
including products of service providers with which
Morningstar has a relationship.
When we, along with Morningstar and/or our other affiliates offer services to
the same client, we have the option to enter into a bundled agreement with
the client that encompasses all or part of those services. Additional fee(s) for
such product(s) or service(s), if required, will be set forth in our agreement
with the client. In these situations, clients pay a fee directly to us and each
such affiliate for its products or services or as part of a joint fee schedule
which encompasses all services.
Morningstar provides information to the public about various investment
products, including managed investments like open-end mutual funds and
ETFs. In some cases, this information includes written analyses of these
investment products. Although we use certain products, services, or
databases of Morningstar, we do not have any decision-making input in the
written analyses that Morningstar provides its licensees. While we consider
the analyses of Morningstar, our investment recommendations are oriented
to the mandates of the investment products in question.
Affiliations – Registered Entities
Morningstar has various subsidiaries across the globe that are each
registered with the applicable regulatory body or bodies in that country to
provide investment management or other advisory services. As described
earlier in this brochure, we share resources with these various subsidiaries.
Morningstar hosts educational events and conferences and, in some
instances, provides us with the opportunity to suggest invitees or offer
(proactively or upon request) discounted or waived registration fees. We
mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interest this introduces by using
pre-defined criteria to select Institutional Clients for these opportunities.
In some cases, our senior management members have management
responsibilities to these other affiliated entities. We do not believe that these
management responsibilities create any material conflicts of interests for our
clients.
Morningstar Wealth and Morningstar Retirement have set up service teams
composed of employees of our affiliate and located at our affiliate’s office in
Mumbai, India. In addition, Morningstar Retirement has a team composed of
employees of our affiliate located at our affiliate’s office in Toronto, Canada.
We compensate our affiliates for services rendered via intercompany
charges. The services and compensation will be governed by intercompany
agreements. This compensation will likely be lower than compensation
negotiated with non-affiliated firms for the same or similar services. To
mitigate any conflict of interest between us and our affiliates we have
established dual reporting lines for employees on these teams so that such
employees report up to employees of Morningstar Investment Management.
We’ve also established information security boundaries and technology
separation to protect our non-public information and Morningstar’s
compliance department monitors the personal trading activity of these
employees.
Morningstar offers various products and services to retail and institutional
investors. In certain situations, we recommend an investment product that
tracks an index created and maintained by Morningstar. In such cases, the
investment product sponsor has entered into a licensing agreement with
Morningstar to use such index. To mitigate any conflicts of interest arising
from our selection of such investment products, we use solely quantitative
criteria established by our advisory client to make such selection, or when
Morningstar’s compensation is based on assets invested in the product, it’s
compensation from the investment product sponsor will not be based on nor
will it include assets that are a result of our recommendation to our advisory
client to invest in those investment products. In other cases, some of
Morningstar’s clients are sponsors of funds that we recommend to our
clients. Morningstar does not and will not have any input into our investment
decisions, including what investment products will be recommended for our
recommended portfolios. We mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of
(both physical and
informational barriers
interest by
imposing
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 20 of 23
technological), maintaining separate organizational reporting lines, and
monitoring by the compliance department. In addition, we do not factor in
the relationship between Morningstar when analyzing investments or
making recommendations. We mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of
interests resulting from that by not producing qualitative analysis on any
such exchange-traded fund as well as imposing informational barriers (both
physical and technological), maintaining separate organizational reporting
lines between, and monitoring by the compliance department.
Morningstar Research Services LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Morningstar, Inc. Morningstar Research Services’ offerings center around
the production of investment research reports and investment consulting
services to financial institutions/institutional investors who themselves are
registered with a regulatory body. Conflicts of interests between us and
Morningstar Research Services are mitigated by such things as the
maintenance of separate legal entities and dual reporting/organization lines,
and the utilization of physical (i.e., separate office “neighborhoods”) and
technological separation. Morningstar Research Services also maintains a
committee structure so as to limit any unilateral decisions. Morningstar’s
compliance department monitors the personal trading activities of
Morningstar Research Services’ employees.
imposing
In some instances, we create portfolios that track an index created and
maintained by Morningstar. Morningstar does not and will not have any
input into our investment decisions, including what investment products will
be included in our portfolios. We mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of
interest by
(both physical and
informational barriers
technological), maintaining separate organizational reporting lines, and
monitoring by the compliance department.
Morningstar Research Services provides information to the public about
various securities, including managed investments like open-end mutual
funds and ETFs, which include written analyses of these investment products
in some situations. Although we use certain products, services, or databases
that contain this information, we do not participate in or have any input in
the written analyses that Morningstar Research Services produces. While we
consider the analyses of Morningstar Research Services, our investment
recommendations are based on our decisions in regard to the investment
product.
Morningstar has and maintains accounts which they invest in accordance
with investment strategies created and maintained by us. Those investment
strategies are deployed using equity securities. As we have discretion over
these accounts, Morningstar’s accounts are traded as part of our rotation
schedule with institutional clients that receive the same model portfolios in
order to ensure that Morningstar’s accounts are not treated more favorably
than our client accounts. Some of Morningstar’s accounts are used as the
subject of newsletters offered by Morningstar. In order to ensure that
Morningstar’s newsletter subscribers are not treated more favorably than
our clients, which would result in a breach of our fiduciary duty, we do not
report trades in Morningstar’s accounts invested in our strategies to
newsletter subscribers until after our clients have been notified of a model
portfolio change.
Morningstar Research Services issues investment research reports on
securities we hold in our portfolios or recommend to our clients, but they do
not share any yet-to-be published views and analysis and/or changes in
estimates (i.e., their confidential information) with us on these securities. In
making investment decisions or recommendations, we use Morningstar
Research Services’ publicly available analysis as part of our review process,
and do not have access to their analysis prior to its public dissemination. We
mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interest that could arise from the
access of their analysis prior to publication through measures such as
informational barriers (both physical and technological), maintaining
separate or dual organizational reporting lines, and monitoring by the
compliance department.
As a wholly owned subsidiary, we use the resources, infrastructure, and
employees of Morningstar and its affiliates to provide certain support
services in such areas as technology, procurement, human resources,
accounting, legal, compliance, information security, and marketing. We do
not believe this arrangement presents a conflict of interests to us in terms of
our advisory services.
Morningstar Research Services prepares qualitative analysis on separately
managed accounts and model portfolios. To mitigate conflicts of interest,
Morningstar Research Services does not prepare qualitative analysis for any
Morningstar separately managed account or model portfolio we create and
manage.
We have the option to make our clients aware of various products and
services offered by Morningstar or its affiliates. We do not receive
compensation for that introduction. Morningstar and its affiliates also have
the option to make their clients aware of various products and services
offered by us. Morningstar and its affiliates do not receive any compensation
from us for that introduction, unless it falls under a solicitation arrangement,
as described in Item 14 below.
Some of Morningstar Research Services’ clients are sponsors of funds or
associated with other securities that we recommend to our institutional
clients. We mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interests resulting
from this fact through such measures as informational barriers (both
physical and technological), maintaining separate or dual organizational
reporting lines, and monitoring by the compliance department. In addition,
we do not factor in the relationship between Morningstar Research Services
and their clients when analyzing investments or making recommendations.
Morningstar Wealth, through Morningstar and its subsidiaries, make
available products such as: (i) investment product ; (ii) Morningstar Funds
Trust, (iii) Morningstar ByAllAccounts, Morningstar’s investment data
aggregation service; and (iv) Morningstar.com, Morningstar’s individual
investor site offering. Daniel Needham, our co-president, has management
responsibilities for Morningstar Wealth. We do not believe that these
management responsibilities create any material conflicts of interests for our
clients, but we mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interests resulting
from that by imposing informational barriers where appropriate and
undertaking compliance monitoring.
Morningstar Investment Management serves as an investment adviser to
investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, and to other pooled investment products. To mitigate
conflicts of interest, Morningstar Research Services does not prepare
qualitative analysis on any investment company to whom we serve as
investment adviser or sub-adviser.
Affiliations – Morningstar, Inc. Subsidiaries
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 21 of 23
Equity and manager research analysts based outside the United States are
employed by various wholly owned subsidiaries of Morningstar. These
analysts follow the same investment methodologies and process as
Morningstar Research Services, as well as being held to the same conduct
standards. As a result, we do not believe this structure causes actual or a
potential for a conflict of interest.
Interest In Securities That We May Recommend
Morningstar Investment Management has and maintains a number of seed
accounts (accounts used to establish a strategy we offer or track), many of
which follow strategies we offer to clients. We have implemented procedures
for the trading of these accounts to ensure they do not receive more favorable
trades than our clients’ accounts.
Affiliations – Credit Rating Agency
We are affiliated with the Morningstar DBRS group of companies, which
include DBRS, Inc., DBRS Limited, DBRS Ratings GmbH, and DBRS Ratings
Limited. DBRS, Inc. is registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization
(NRSRO). Morningstar DBRS’ companies are also registered with and
governed by applicable regulatory body or bodies in other countries around
the globe. In our analysis of certain securities, we use the publicly available
credit rating and analysis issued by Morningstar DBRS. Because of our use
of Morningstar DBRS’ ratings and analysis is limited to that which is publicly
available, we do not believe there is an actual or potential conflict of interest
that arises from such use.
Personal Trading By Access Persons
Our Code of Ethics is designed to ensure that Access Persons’ personal
trading activities does not interfere with our clients’ interests. While our
Access Persons have the option to maintain personal investment accounts,
they are subject to certain restrictions. Our Code of Ethics includes policies
designed to prevent Access Persons from trading based on material non-
public information. Access Persons in possession of material non-public
information are prohibited from trading in securities which are the subject
of such information and tipping such information to others. In certain
instances, we employ information blocking devices such as restricted lists to
prevent illegal insider trading. Morningstar’s compliance department
monitors the activities in the personal accounts of our Access Persons (and
any accounts in which they have beneficial ownership) upon hire and
thereafter. Access Persons are required to pre-clear IPO, initial digital coin
offerings, and private placement
transactions with Morningstar’s
compliance department.
Item 12. Brokerage Practices
Where we exercise investment discretion, we will generate trade instructions
for each portfolio that requires investment, reallocation or rebalancing and
forward those instructions to the appropriate institution as designated by the
client. As a result, we do not have the ability to make decisions regarding
which broker is used to execute the transactions nor the timing of when the
trade is executed. This could result in different pricing of client trades. We
do not participate in any soft dollar practices.
Item 11. Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client
Transactions and Personal Trading
Code Of Ethics
We have in place a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers
Act (“Code of Ethics”). Our Code of Ethics strives to uphold the highest
standards of moral and ethical conduct, including placing our clients’
interest ahead of our own. Our Code of Ethics covers all our officers and
employees as well as other persons who have access to our non-public
information (collectively “Access Persons”). Our Code of Ethics addresses
such topics as professional and ethical responsibilities, compliance with
securities laws, our fiduciary duty, and personal trading practices. Our Code
of Ethics also addresses receipt and/or permissible use of material non-
public information and other confidential information our Access Persons
may be exposed and/or have access to given their position. The Code of
Ethics is provided upon hire and at least annually thereafter and at each time,
the Access Person must certify in writing that she or he has received, read,
and understands the Code of Ethics and that they agree to or have complied
with its contents.
A copy of our Code of Ethics is available to existing and prospective clients
by sending written request to compliancemail@morningstar.com.
To generate additional income or to earn credits that offset expenses, the
Morningstar Funds reserves the right to lend its portfolio securities to
unaffiliated broker/dealers, financial institutions or other institutional
investors pursuant to agreements requiring that the loans be secured
continuously by collateral, marked-to-market daily and maintained in an
amount at least equal in value to the current market value of the securities
loaned. The aggregate market value of securities lent by a Morningstar Fund
will not at any time exceed 33 1/3% of the total assets of the Morningstar
Fund. All relevant facts and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of
the broker-dealer or institution, will be considered in making decisions with
respect to the lending of securities subject to review by the Morningstar
Funds Trust’s Board of Trustees. Currently, six of the nine Morningstar Funds
participate in a securities lending program.
Interest In Client Transactions
Our Access Persons have the option to maintain personal investment
accounts and purchase or sell investments in those accounts that are the
same as or different from the investments we recommend to clients. Our
Code of Ethics is designed to ensure that Access Persons’ personal trading
activities should not conflict with our advisory activities or the timing of our
recommendations and will not interfere with our clients’ interests, while
allowing our Access Persons to invest in their own accounts.
The cash collateral received from a borrower as a result of a Morningstar
Fund’s securities lending activities will be invested in cash or high quality,
short-term debt obligations, such as securities of the U.S. government, its
agencies or instrumentalities, irrevocable letters of credit issued by a bank
that meets the Morningstar Fund’s investment standards, bank guarantees
or money market mutual funds or any combination thereof.
We do not engage in principal transactions (transactions where we, acting in
our own account or in an affiliated account, buy a security from or sell a
security to a client’s account) nor do we engage in agency cross transactions
(transactions where we or our affiliate executes a transaction while acting as
a broker for both our client and the other party in the transaction).
Securities lending involves two primary risks: “investment risk” and
“borrower default risk.” Investment risk is the risk that a fund will lose money
from the investment of the cash collateral received from the borrower.
Borrower default risk is the risk that a fund will lose money due to the failure
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 22 of 23
interest, and the terms of any compensation paid directly or indirectly to the
solicitor as a result of their referral.
of a borrower to return a borrowed security in a timely manner. There also
may be risks of delay in receiving additional collateral, in recovering the
securities loaned, or a loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of
the securities fail financially. In the event a Morningstar Fund is unsuccessful
in seeking to enforce the contractual obligation to deliver additional
collateral, then the Morningstar Fund could suffer a loss.
We receive direct or indirect cash payments from unaffiliated third parties
for referring their services to other advisory firms or investors. This creates a
conflict of interest as we have an incentive to recommend these third parties
in order to receive the cash payment.
Item 13. Review of Accounts
If included in our contract with the Institutional Client, we will provide
ongoing monitoring of the underlying holdings in investment portfolios and
reallocation or rebalancing of investment portfolios. The frequency and
nature of our reviews and rebalancing is governed by our contract with each
Institutional Client.
We enter into agreements with certain Institutional Clients whereby we
provide compensation to Institutional Clients in exchange for access to their
financial professionals to educate them about our advisory products and
services, having our name, products, or services listed or highlighted in
Institutional Client materials, attendance or booth space at Institutional
Client conferences, and/or similar marketing, distribution, and educational
activities. We also provide compensation to Institutional Clients to sponsor
meetings and events for their financial professionals and/or clients.
In instances where we act as a discretionary investment manager for
Morningstar Wealth Portfolios, financial advisors of the Institutional Client or
financial advisors using the Institutional Client’s platform are typically
responsible for periodically reviewing client accounts.
Item 15. Custody
We do not serve as a custodian of client assets. However, in cases where we
have the ability to debit fees directly from client accounts, we are deemed to
have custody of client assets under Rule 206(4)-2 of the Advisers Act, even if
we do not act as a custodian. The Institutional Client is responsible for
selecting the custodian for assets.
We do not provide periodic reviews or ongoing monitoring of retirement
accounts where we solely provide our Guidance or Advice services. We
recommend such retirement investors return to our site every six months to
receive an updated strategy, or sooner if they have had any significant
changes in their personal or financial situation. We also recommend they
return to our site whenever there has been a chance in the available
investment options in their plan lineup.
Item 16. Investment Discretion
In some cases, we have complete investment discretion in managing
investment portfolios, retirement plans, or registered funds for our
Institutional Clients and Morningstar Funds Trust. In other cases, we provide
information or make investment recommendations to an investment
committee, board, plan sponsor, or other person(s) within an institution
designed to help them make investment choices, but the institution has the
discretion to accept, reject, or modify our recommendations.
Retirement accounts enrolled in our Managed Accounts service are typically
rebalanced to the asset allocation target or reallocated on a quarterly basis
as necessary, and portfolio allocations will be adjusted on an annual or as-
needed basis to account for changes in age and any other significant
personal or financial changes that we have been informed about. Our
methodology has a built-in mechanism to help prevent unnecessary trading
and therefore will not propose any changes to investment strategies if the
adjustments are relatively small. Retirement investors are responsible for
notifying us of changes in their personal and financial information,
investment objectives, and investment restrictions so that we can make the
necessary adjustments to their investment strategy.
As described in our Morningstar Retirement Advisory Services for Individuals
firm brochure, we typically have investment discretion in managing
retirement accounts through Morningstar Retirement’s Managed Accounts
and the Personal Target-Date Fund Service. In other cases, we make
investment recommendations to retirement investors through our Advice or
Guidance programs, but the retirement investor has the discretion to accept,
reject, or modify our recommendations.
We may provide periodic reports to our Institutional Clients on the
investment portfolios and the underlying holdings or retirement plan or
product lineup if included in our contract with the Institutional Client. We do
not prepare periodic reports as part of Advice or Guidance.
The extent of our investment discretion is set forth in our contract with the
Institutional Client or retirement investors using our Managed Account,
Advice, or Guidance services.
Our model portfolios and valuation models are reviewed on at least an annual
basis. Investment-specific model portfolios for a retirement plan or product
are reviewed on at least an annual basis.
Item 17. Voting Client Securities
For the majority of our institutional advisory service arrangements, we do not
have the authority to and will not vote proxies. In such situations, proxies or
other solicitations will be sent directly to the Institutional Client and we will
not provide information or advice in regard to questions an Institutional
Client has about a particular solicitation.
We do not advise or act for Institutional Clients in legal proceedings,
including class actions or bankruptcies, involving recommended securities.
The Morningstar Funds have authorized us to vote proxies on their behalf. In
turn, in accordance with the sub-advisory agreement entered into between
us and each sub-adviser, we have delegated proxy voting authority to the
Item 14. Client Referrals and Other Compensation
We may make direct or indirect cash or non-cash payments to our affiliates
or to unaffiliated third parties for recommending our services. If such
payments occur, they will be done pursuant to Rule 206(4)-1 of the Advisers
Act. Clients referred by third party solicitors may in some cases pay a higher
fee than clients who contract with us directly. Through disclosures, which are
spoken or given in writing to Clients at the time of the solicitation, Clients
solicited by an unaffiliated person are made aware of the arrangement
between the solicitor and us (and therefore that the solicitor has a financial
interest in recommending us to Client), any other material conflicts of
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 23 of 23
sub-adviser. We have implemented policies and procedures with respect to
the portion of the Morningstar Funds that are not managed by a sub-adviser.
super-majority, the Committee will hold a meeting to discuss the proxy and
reach a resolution.
There may be instances where we will refrain from voting a specific proxy
when we believe it is in the best interests of our Morningstar Fund investors.
Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures
Rule 206(4)-6 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, places a
number of requirements on investment advisers with proxy voting authority.
These requirements are:
by
calling
877-626-3227,
sending
an
e-mail
How you can Obtain Proxy Voting Information
At any time, you may request information on how we voted proxies and/or
request a copy of our proxy voting policies and procedures. Requests can be
to
submitted
compliancemail@morningstar.com, or writing to Morningstar Investment
Management LLC at 22 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602 ATTN:
Compliance.
• Adopt and implement written policies and procedures that are
reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest
of clients. Such procedures must include how to address material
conflicts that may arise between our interests and those of our clients;
• Disclose how clients may obtain information about how proxies were
voted with respect to their securities; and
• Describe to clients our proxy voting policies and procedures and, upon
request, furnish a copy of the policies and procedures.
Item 18. Financial Information
We are required to provide you with certain financial information or
disclosures about our financial condition. We do not have any financial
commitment that impairs our ability to meet our contractual and fiduciary
commitments to clients, have we been the subject of any bankruptcy
proceeding.
Proxy Voting Committee
In efforts to mitigate conflicts of interest, we have in place a Proxy Voting
Committee (“Committee”). This Committee consists of both non-voting and
voting members (collectively, “Committee Members”). Committee Members
include members of the investment team serving in a voting role and
member(s) of compliance and operations team serving in non-voting roles.
The Committee is responsible for tasks such as:
• Developing, implementing and updating policy and procedures intended
to ensure voting of proxies is conducted in a manner that is in the best
interests of Morningstar Funds investors;
• Assessing whether proxy voting should be done internally, externally by
a third-party vendor, or a combination of the two;
• Oversight of a third-party vendor, when applicable;
• Making voting decisions (including whether or not to abstain from
voting) and ensuring votes are cast on time;
• Maintaining documents material to the voting decision; and
•
Implementing appropriate proxy voting disclosures and maintaining
records of communications received from Morningstar Funds investors
requesting information on how proxies were voted and our responses.
Proxy Voting Process
Proxy statement notifications are received by an independent third-party
vendor when a proxy statement has been issued on a security that currently
underlies a portion of a Morningstar Fund managed by us. This third-party
vendor provides additional services such as facilitating vote submissions on
our behalf and provides access to e-ballot and meeting information.
We identify, on an annual basis, certain categories of proxy votes to be
reviewed by our proxy committee. In these instances, the vote will be
determined on a case-by-case basis based on the Investment Management
group’s global proxy voting principles. Upon receipt of a proxy statement, the
investment team member with the primary oversight responsibility for the
security will review the proxy statement and any additional soliciting
materials it is aware of that the issuer has filed and will communicate their
recommendation, support for the recommendation, and other pertinent
information to the Committee.
The voting Committee Members will review the proxy issue and the
recommendation and will cast their vote as to whether they agree or disagree
with the recommendation. If the other voting Committee Members agree with
the recommendation, the proxy will be voted in that manner. If there is not a
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Additional Brochure: METLIFE EXPERTSELECT PROGRAM (2026-03-27)
View Document Text
Form ADV Part 2A: Firm Brochure
Advisory Services to MetLife ExpertSelect Program
Morningstar Investment Management LLC
22 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312.696.6000
www.corporate.morningstar.com
March 27, 2026
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Morningstar
Investment Management LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact
us at 312.696.6000 or send an email to compliancemail@morningstar.com. The information in this brochure
has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or by
any state securities authority.
Additional information about Morningstar Investment Management LLC is also available on the SEC’s
website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Morningstar Investment Management LLC is registered with the SEC as a registered investment adviser.
Registration with the SEC does not imply a certain level of skill or training.
All current versions of our firm brochures are available in the Part 2 Brochures section of this record on the SEC’s
website. You can request a copy of our current brochure free of charge by contacting our Compliance Department at
312.696.6000, or by email to compliancemail@morningstar.com. In your request, please indicate the name of the
company (Morningstar Investment Management) and the service brochure (MetLife Expert Select Program) you are
requesting.
Item 2. Material Changes
The Advisory Services to MetLife ExpertSelect Program Firm Brochure dated March 2026 contains no material
changes since our last annual update dated March 27, 2025
Non-material changes since our last annual update include:
Item 4. Advisory Business was updated to remove the statement “This service is provided by a sub-adviser,
Morningstar Research Services LLC, who is affiliated Morningstar Investment Management.” As of January 1,
2026, the affiliated employees that were performing this service are employed by Morningstar Investment
Management. This section was also updated to reflect our assets under management and advisement as of December
31, 2025 and to remove references to a wrap program that was sponsored by our affiliate.
Item 10. Other Financial Activities and Affiliations was updated to remove references to Morningstar Investment
Services LLC, which closed its investment adviser registration as of December 31, 2025, reflect a rotation process
used to notify institutional clients of changes to certain model portfolios, clarify how we mitigate conflicts of interest
related to recommendations to investment products that we provide with consulting or investment management
services, and to remove references to Morningstar Research Services LLC as an investment adviser, as it also closed
its investment adviser registration.
Item 11. Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions, and Personal Trading was updated to remove
references to Morningstar Investment Services LLC and to reflect the rotation process used to notify institutional
clients of changes to certain model investment strategies.
We made other edits where necessary to correct grammar or punctuation, to provide clarification or further
information, for consistency in terminology or content, or to improve the readability of the brochure.
Item 3. Table of Contents
Item 2. Material Changes ................................................................................................................................ 1
Item 3. Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................ 1
Item 4. Advisory Business ............................................................................................................................... 2
1.
2.
3.
1
Item 5. Fees and Compensation....................................................................................................................... 4
4.
Item 6. Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management ................................................................... 4
5.
Item 7. Types of Clients .................................................................................................................................. 4
6.
Item 8. Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss ........................................................... 5
7.
Item 9. Disciplinary Information ..................................................................................................................... 8
8.
Item 10. Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ......................................................................... 8
9.
10. Item 11. Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions, and Personal Trading ................. 12
11. Item 12. Brokerage Practices ......................................................................................................................... 13
12. Item 13. Review of Accounts ........................................................................................................................ 13
13. Item 14. Client Referrals and Other Compensation....................................................................................... 13
14. Item 15. Custody ........................................................................................................................................... 13
15. Item 16. Investment Discretion ..................................................................................................................... 14
16. Item 17. Voting Client Securities .................................................................................................................. 14
17. Item 18. Financial Information ...................................................................................................................... 14
Item 4. Advisory Business
Morningstar Investment Management LLC (“Morningstar Investment Management”, “we”, “us” or “our”) is a
Delaware limited liability company that was incorporated in 1999. Morningstar Investment Management is a wholly
owned subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc. (“Morningstar”). Morningstar is a publicly traded company (Nasdaq Ticker:
MORN) with Mr. Joseph Mansueto, Executive Chairman of Morningstar, holding more than 35% of Morningstar’s
outstanding shares. Because of that ownership, Mr. Mansueto is an indirect owner of Morningstar Investment
Management.
Morningstar Investment Management is registered with the SEC under Section 203(c) of the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”). Morningstar Investment Management has filed the appropriate notices to
conduct business in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico. Morningstar Investment Management is registered with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission as
a Commodity Pool Operator (“CPO”) and is a member of the U.S. National Futures Association.
Morningstar Investment Management, along with other Morningstar subsidiaries authorized in appropriate
jurisdictions to provide investment management and advisory services, is part of a global investment team composed
of investment analysts, portfolio managers, and other professionals. These investment and operations teams span the
globe, with primary offices in Chicago, London, and Sydney.
We offer a suite of investment advisory services to individuals, plan sponsors, and other institutional clients. This
brochure focuses on the products and services we provide to individuals through the MetLife ExpertSelect Program
for their retirement plans or retirement accounts. You can obtain a copy of our brochure describing our products and
services in our core capabilities of asset allocation, investment selection, and portfolio construction that we offer to
individuals and institutions such as asset management firms, insurance companies, investment companies, investment
fiduciaries, plan sponsors of retirement plans, plan providers of retirement plan services, and other business entities
by following the instructions above.
Advisory Services We Offer – MetLife ExpertSelect Program
Program Services
We selected the menu of investment options available in the MetLife ExpertSelect Program (“Program”) from the
universe of investments that MetLife is authorized to offer. We review the universe of investment options using our
standard proprietary screening review. The investment options selected for the Program are those that have met our
criteria. We do not review the annuity products in connection with the Program or your retirement plan (“Plan.”) On
an ongoing basis, we monitor the investment options in the Program lineup using the same process used in the initial
selection of the investment options. This monitoring can result in changes to the Program menu due to, for example,
one or more investment options no longer meeting our criteria. If we determine that an investment option should be
removed from the Program menu, we will identify a replacement from those investment options that MetLife may
offer that has similar characteristics (e.g., asset class, risk/return) as the investment option being replaced and that
meets our selection criteria. In performing this service, we are acting in an advisory capacity to the Program and we
are not acting in an advisory capacity to you with respect to the selection and ongoing monitoring of the investment
options within the Program. We only provide advisory services to you on a limited basis as described under Participant
Services below.
2
Participant Services
The investment options in the Program menu include a broad range of investment options that are diverse and have
different risk and return characteristics. The goal of the Program investment option menu is to give you the ability to
build a diversified portfolio of investments with risk and return characteristics that you feel are most appropriate for
your situation. You are solely responsible for deciding how to allocate your Plan account among available
investment options in the Plan and your Program account among the investment options available in the Program
lineup. We do not offer any advice or recommendation with respect to the purchase or sale of a particular investment
option in your Plan or the investment options in your Program lineup, or with respect to the purchase or sale of
annuity products.
When a change in the Program menu occurs, we provide MetLife with a written communication to be distributed to
you in advance of the change (“Notification”). For purpose of delivering the Notification, MetLife will use your
personal mailing information that you have made available to MetLife through the Plan enrollment process or
subsequent notification. If your Program account has a balance in the investment option that is intended to be
removed from the Program menu, you are to contact MetLife to instruct them as to which remaining investment
option or investment options you would like that balance to be reallocated and how you would like future
contributions to be allocated. If you do not provide such instructions to MetLife on a timely basis prior to the
change, we will provide you with certain limited discretionary advisory services, which only include:
•
•
the reallocation of your entire existing account balance in the investment option that is being removed
from the Program lineup to the investment option that has been added to the Program lineup in its
place; and
the direction of future contributions to the investment option that has been substituted in the Program
lineup.
You can contact MetLife by calling 1-800-543-2520 or by going to www.mlr.metlife.com for answers to questions
about the implementation of an investment option substitution or the Program in general. You are solely responsible
for the monitoring of your Program account. You can contact MetLife at any time to change your investment option
allocations and/or instructions on how to allocate your future contributions.
The Program and Participant Services to you will terminate:
•
•
•
if your participation in the Program is terminated,
if we cease to provide services in connection with the Program, or
if you elect to invest your Plan account assets in a Plan investment option other than the Program
menu.
Customized Services
We provide advice based on the universe of investment options available to your Plan through the Program. These
investment options include open-end mutual funds, collective investment trusts (CITs), guaranteed retirement income
products like annuities, and other products. The universe of investment options defined by your plan provider or plan
sponsor is subject to change without notice. Particular investment options in this universe may not be appropriate for
all investors, and there may be other investment options that are more suitable. We may have more favorable opinions
of certain investment options which are not included in the universe of investment options made available through
your plan provider or plan sponsor. Our selections are based on qualitative factors and quantitative analysis in addition
to the judgment of our analysts.
Wrap Fee Programs
We do not sponsor a wrap fee program.
Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2025, the discretionary regulatory assets under management for Morningstar Investment
Management (rounded to the nearest $100,000) were:
Retirement Services to Individuals: $40,274,500,000
Investment Management Services to Institutional Clients: $42,014,300,000
Total Regulatory Asset Under Management: $82,288,800,000
3
The non-discretionary assets under advisement for Morningstar Investment Management (rounded to the nearest
$100,000) were $266,475,500,000.
Item 5. Fees and Compensation
For the above services, only your Program account (and not any other part of your Plan account, including assets in
a Fixed Annuity Account) will be charged an annual asset-based fee of 0.05% in payment for the Program and
Participant Services (the “Program Service Fee”). The Program Service Fee is included in the fee for the Program.
MetLife, acting as a conduit, will remit the Program Service Fee to us. MetLife does not retain any portion of the
Program Service Fee and we do not pay MetLife in connection with the Program. We receive a minimum annual fee
for our services. If the aggregate amount of annual Program Service Fees does not reach the annual minimum fee
owed to us, MetLife has agreed to pay the difference. The amount of compensation we receive does not change
based upon any particular investment option in the Program lineup.
Payment
MetLife will debit the Program Service Fee from your plan account and remit that fee to us.
Other Costs in Connection with Our Advisory Services
All fees paid by you for the Program and the Participant Services are separate from fees and expenses charged by
the investment options or fees that may be charged by a third party, such as your plan provider. The investment
options' fees and expenses are described in a prospectus or its equivalent. These fees will generally include a
management fee, other investment expenses, and possibly a distribution fee (e.g., 12b-1). In some cases, an
investment option will also charge an initial or deferred sales charge. In addition, investment option transactions
within your Program account can result in a redemption fee being charged to your Program account by the
underlying investment option or investment options. Such redemption fees are separate and distinct and are in
addition to the above-mentioned fees paid for the Program and Participant Services. Neither Morningstar Investment
Management nor any of our affiliates or employees receive transaction-based compensation for the investment
recommendations we make.
You may have the option to purchase investment products we recommend or similar services through other investment
advisers or financial professionals not affiliated with us.
Compensation from Sales of Securities
We do not expect, accept or receive compensation for the sales of securities, including asset-based sales charges or
service fees from the sale of open-end mutual funds.
Revenue Sharing Arrangements
We do not have any revenue sharing arrangements with any mutual funds.
Third Party Compensation
We receive direct or indirect cash payments from unaffiliated third parties for referring their services to other advisory
firms or investors. This creates a conflict of interest as we have an incentive to recommend these third parties in order
to receive the cash payment.
Item 6. Performance-Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
We do not charge any performance-based fees (fees based on a share of capital gains or on capital appreciation of
assets in your account). Therefore, we do not manage any performance-based fee accounts side-by-side with non-
performance-based fee accounts.
Item 7. Types of Clients
In addition to the services described in this brochure, we also provide managed accounts and advice services to
retirement investors and to individuals who are in retirement and investment advisory services to institutional clients
such as asset management firms, banking institutions, consultants, endowments, financial institutions, foundations,
insurance companies, investment companies, investment fiduciaries, pension or profit sharing plans, third-party
advisory programs, trusts, or other business entities. If you would like a copy of our brochures describing these
services, please follow the instructions on Page 1 to access the SEC website or contact us at compliancemail@
4
morningstar.com. The services described in this brochure are only available to participants of 403(b) plans that
enroll in the Program. We do not require a minimum account balance to use our services, and we generally do not
impose any other conditions on your use of our services.
Item 8. Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and Risk of Loss
Investment Philosophy
Our investment philosophy is driven by the investment principles that are promoted throughout our organization. The
principles are intended to guide our thinking, behavior and decision making. These principles have been inspired by
a number of the most experienced and successful investors in the last century. These principles also reflect and align
with the history and foundation of Morningstar. The investment principles are:
- We put investors first
- We’re independent-minded
- We invest for the long term
- We’re valuation-driven investors
- We take a fundamental approach
- We strive to minimize costs
- We build portfolios holistically
Morningstar Retirement Investment Policy Committee
The Morningstar Retirement Investment Policy Committee is responsible for oversight of the investment
methodologies across all Morningstar Retirement’s products and services, including those described in this brochure.
Members of the Morningstar Retirement Investment Policy Committee includes Morningstar Retirement’s chief
investment officer, head of advice and financial planning, head of business development, head of client success, head
of channel strategy, head of research, director of retirement research, director of product management, head of
investments for institutional and retirement solutions, and the senior director of portfolio management.
An investment team provides the investment advice used in the products and services referenced in this brochure.
Investment Selection for Investment Lineups
The lineups we build are limited to a universe of mutual funds and other investment vehicles, such as CITs and
guaranteed retirement income products such as annuities. This universe is a subset of the entire universe of mutual
funds and other products publicly available for purchase by investors available in the Program. We have no ability to
choose the mutual funds or other products that are made available under the Program and may have more favorable
options of investment options not included. Our analysis includes quantitative analytics and fundamental research on
the investment options available, and holdings-based style analysis to determine an investment’s style over time. We
draw on Morningstar’s comprehensive database of fund and security analytics.
When analyzing investment options or managers for use in a lineup, our goal is to determine their true investment
style, identify what we believe to be best-in-class managers, and identify the factors contributing to their
performance and risk characteristics with the aim of assessing whether their performance appears to be sustainable
over time.
We start with a proprietary peer grouping analysis using the available investment options. Once investment options
have been placed into their appropriate peer groups, our methodology begins with a quantitative review process.
First, we apply a series of screens designed to flag investment options that exhibit characteristics that are apt to
hinder long-term performance in order to efficiently filter a large universe of investment options and focus our
efforts on a more manageable opportunity set. Second, we use a multitude of statistics to begin to assess the overall
quality of an investment option. We gather current and historical data points to evaluate investment style, structure,
and performance and consider key factors that include fees, management tenure, style consistency, alpha, volatility,
fund size, asset class exposure, and holdings concentration.
We conduct further style analyses on managers that pass our initial screens to identify nuances of their strategies.
Just as important as selecting qualified managers is determining how well an investment option will fit with other
investments in the lineup. We want each investment to fill a distinct stylistic role within a plan lineup, so we
carefully assess how it can be expected to complement other options we are recommending in adjacent styles. In
5
general, we want to have a number of strategies investing in a specific space while employing different investment
approaches.
To accomplish this, we rely largely on a holdings-based style analysis to build a picture of an investment option’s
style positioning based on its underlying holdings. This means drilling down to examine the asset class exposure
within the investment option. We evaluate overall diversification to ensure that the investment option is not exposed
to undue security or sector specific risk. The goal is to provide a selection of investments that are likely to meet their
investment mandate, but also to provide options that differ in their pursuit of that objective.
After an extensive quantitative review, we review an investment from a qualitative perspective. The purpose here is
to allow our investment professionals to gain conviction in their investment thesis by developing a firm fundamental
understanding of the strategy. Our professionals draw from their extensive experience in evaluating investment
managers to analyze the people and process behind the investment. In doing so, our goal is to anticipate how an
investment option is likely to be positioned in the future, which helps us build expectations of performance and
capability of consistently playing a specific portfolio role.
In our fundamental assessment, we review a number of characteristics of the investment option and its manager that
could be relevant to how well it can fill the role for which it is being considered. Those include reviewing the
manager’s performance and risk record against his or her peers in the same style—not just at the manager’s current
investment option but also any other investment vehicles they’ve managed in the past. We analyze the subtleties of
the manager’s investment process to understand what drives performance. We observe in which types of markets the
investment option fares best and which types are trouble for its style. We also determine what it is about their style
that explains the performance pattern.
We assess whether a manager’s investment process leads to a more aggressive or more conservative performance
profile relative to its style peers, and how a manager’s process might lead to persistent over- or under-weights in
certain sectors. We also assess how performance, both absolute and relative to a peer group, has changed as a
manager’s assets have grown.
We use many factors to evaluate investment options depending on the specific situation and the questions we are
trying to answer, including investment sub-style, manager skill, impact of asset growth on performance, sources of
investment ideas, investment decision-making process, actions in previous market environments, manager
ownership, process repeatability, and performance attribution.
Lineup Design and Construction
When constructing a lineup, we consider issues around choice overload, naïve allocations, and loss aversion. We
strive to select investments to fill a distinct stylistic role within a lineup and carefully assesses how each investment
can be expected to fit with other investments. We strive to choose investment options that are clearly different from
one another, rather than similar or redundant. The goal is to establish a specific role for each investment option in
the lineup that minimizes holdings overlap and maximizes diversification.
Managing Lineups
We formally review investment options in our investment lineups quarterly. However, we are always monitoring our
approved investment options and if something occurs intra-quarter that we believe merits immediate action, we will
take action outside of the normal review schedule.
Risk of Loss and Strategy Risk
You should remember that all investments involve risk and will not always be profitable. We do not make any
guarantee about the future performance or profitability of your Plan account and its underlying investments, nor do
we promise that investments in the investment options in the Program lineup will be profitable. The investment
options in the Program lineup are subject to a variety of risks, which could include market, currency, and political
risks. We cannot guarantee that negative returns can or will be avoided in any of our recommendations. An
investment’s future performance can differ substantially from its historical performance and as a result, could incur a
loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
6
Asset allocation and diversification are investment strategies which spread assets across various investment types for
long-term investing. However, as with all investment strategies, these strategies do not ensure a profit and do not
guarantee against losses.
You should consider the impact, if any, that an investment in or a distribution from your 403(b) account may have
on your tax situation. Potential tax consequences can exist. We do not provide tax advice. We encourage you to
consult with a tax professional about these and other tax consequences.
Information Sources
Our global resources used in the formulation of our advisory services go down to our roots—the data and analysis
from Morningstar, Inc. that form the base of our investment process. This expansive, in-house network of global data
and investment analysis spans asset classes and regions to help drive timely new ideas. Morningstar or its affiliates
have more than 900 analysts and makes data available on more than 600,000 investment options and 4.75 million
privately-held companies. The extensive data, analysis, and methodologies from these resources, along with external
research reports, data, and interviews with investment managers are combined with financial publications, annual
reports, prospectuses, press releases, and SEC filings to serve as the basis of our primary sources of information.
For some of our services, we combine this information with other factors—including actuarial data, stock market
exposure, probability analysis, and mean-variance optimization—into a proprietary software program to analyze a
complex set of market data and variables that results in an advanced model that can provide investment
recommendations and a projection of different outcomes.
Security Type Risks
Mutual Funds
Investments in mutual funds involve risk, including loss of principal as a result of changing market and economic
conditions and will not always be profitable.
Collective Investment Trusts
A collective investment trust (CIT) may also be called a commingled or collective fund. CITs are tax-exempt, pooled
investment vehicles maintained by a bank or trust company exclusively for qualified plans, including 401(k)s, and
certain types of government plans. CITs are unregistered investment vehicles subject to banking regulations of the
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), which means they are typically less expensive than other investment
options due to lower marketing, overhead, and compliance-related costs. CITs are not available to the general public
but are managed only for specific retirement plans.
Money Market Funds
A money market fund may impose a fee upon the sale of shares or may temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares
if the fund’s liquidity falls below required minimum because of market conditions or other factors. An investment in
a money-market vehicle is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any
other government agency. For most money market funds, their sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial
support to the fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the fund at any time.
Although some money market funds seek to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot
guarantee it will do so. It is possible to lose money by investing in money market funds.
Stable Value Funds and Guaranteed Investment Contracts (“GICs”)
The interest rate on a stable value fund or GIC is typically only guaranteed for a certain amount of time and may vary
with changing market conditions. Withdrawal fees or penalties, sometimes substantial, may be charged if you decide
to move money out of a stable value fund or GIC. Stable value funds and GICs are less likely to provide long-term
protection against inflation, as compared to other options.
Annuities
An annuity is a tax-deferred investment structured to convert a sum of money into a series of payments over time.
Annuity contracts have limitations and are not viewed as short-term liquid investments. An insurance company’s
fulfillment of a commitment to pay a death or living benefit, a schedule of payments, a fixed investment amount
guaranteed by the insurance company, or another form of guarantee depends on the claims-paying ability of the issuing
insurance company. Any such guarantee does not affect or apply to the investment return or principal value of the
separate account and its subaccount(s). The financial ratings quoted for an insurance company do not apply to the
7
separate account and its subaccount(s). The insurance company offering an annuity will charge several fees to
investors, including annual contract charges that compensate the insurance company for the cost of maintaining and
administering the annuity contract, mortality and expense risk charges based on a percentage of a subaccount’s assets
to cover costs associated with mortality and expense risk, and administration fees that are based on a percentage of a
subaccount’s assets to cover the costs involved in offering and administering the subaccount. An annuity investor can
also be charged a front-end load by the insurance company on their initial contribution, ongoing fees related to the
management of the fund and surrender charges (which can be substantial) if the investor makes a withdrawal prior to
a specified time. If the annuity subaccount is invested in a money-market fund, the money market fund is not FDIC-
insured, may lose money, and is not guaranteed by a bank or other financial institution. Annuities can be complicated,
and an investor should carefully read the insurance company’s offering material to understand how a specific annuity’s
return will be determined.
Variable Annuities have a rate of return that varies with underlying investment options in the market, and do not
include a guarantee from the insurance company that you will earn a return.
Fixed annuities have a predetermined rate of return an investor earns and a fixed income payout that is guaranteed by
the issuing investment company and may be immediate or deferred. Payouts may last for a specific period or for the
life of the investor. Investments in a deferred fixed annuity grow tax-deferred with income tax incurred upon
withdrawal, and do not depend on the stock market. Fixed annuities typically do not have cost-of-living payment
adjustments and are regulated by state insurance commissioners.
Fixed indexed annuities, also called equity index annuities, are a combination of the characteristics of both fixed and
variable annuities. Fixed indexed annuities offer a predetermined rate of return like a fixed annuity, but they also allow
for participation in the stock market, like a variable annuity. Fixed indexed annuities are typically risker and offer the
potential for greater return than fixed annuities, but less so than a variable annuity. Investments in a fixed indexed
annuity grow tax-deferred with income tax incurred upon withdrawal and are regulated by state insurance
commissioners.
Item 9. Disciplinary Information
We are required to disclose all material facts regarding any legal or disciplinary events that would influence your
decision to hire or retain us as your investment advisor. We do not have any material legal or disciplinary events to
report.
Item 10. Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Morningstar Investment Management is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar. Our offerings center around
advisory services in our core capabilities of asset allocation, investment selection, and portfolio construction that we
offer to individual investors and institutions. Morningstar Investment Management consists of two groups –
Morningstar Wealth and Morningstar Retirement, each of whom offer certain advisory services.
Our portfolio managers and their team members who are responsible for the day-to-day management of our portfolios
are paid a base salary plus a discretionary bonus. The bonus is fully or partially determined by a combination of the
employee’s business unit’s overall revenue and profitability, Morningstar’s overall annual revenue and profitability,
and the individual’s contribution to the business unit.
For many of our advisory services, the universe of investment options from which we make our investment selections
is defined by our Institutional Client. In some cases, this universe of investment options includes proprietary
investment options of the Institutional Client. To mitigate any actual or potential conflict of interests presented by this
situation, we subject all investment options to the same quantitative and qualitative investment selection methodology,
based on several factors, including performance, risk, and expense so that the proprietary nature of an investment
option does not influence our selection.
We provide consulting or investment management services to institutional clients that offer registered or pooled
investment products, such as mutual funds, variable annuities, collective investment trusts, or model portfolios. To
mitigate the conflict of interest presented by our role in these investment products, we generally exclude such
investment products from the universe of investment options from which we make our recommendations to other
clients. If an investment product that we provide consulting or investment management services to is included in a
8
recommendation from us, we disclose our conflict of interest and take steps in regard to our advisory fees so that our
recommendation does not result in the use of our fiduciary role to direct additional compensation to us.
please
request
a
of
our
Institutional Advisory Services
brochure
and
Morningstar Funds Trust is registered with the SEC as an open-end management investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and has retained us as its investment adviser. The funds within the
Morningstar Funds Trust will be used as the underlying holdings for certain Morningstar Wealth portfolios, most
notably the mutual fund model portfolios series. The funds within the Morningstar Funds Trust can only be utilized
in connection with the model portfolios and separately managed accounts offered by Morningstar’s Investment
Management group. To mitigate the conflict of interest presented by our role in these investment products, we exclude
such investment products from the universe of investment options from which we make our recommendations to other
clients, including participants in MetLife’s ExpertSelect program. For more information about the Morningstar Funds
Trust,
visit
copy
http://connect.rightprospectus.com/Morningstar to view the prospectus.
Morningstar Investment Management is registered as a Commodity Pool Operator with the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission. Some of Morningstar Investment Management’s employees are registered with the National
Futures Association as principals or associated persons.
We receive compensation for our research and analysis activities (e.g., research papers) from a variety of financial
institutions including large banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies, and mutual fund companies. In order to
mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interest that arise from this service, we ensure that our research and
analytical activities are non-biased and objective given our business relationships. Employees who provide research
and analysis for clients are separate from our sales and relationship manager staff in order to mitigate the conflict of
interest that an employee may feel pressure to present results in such a way as to maintain existing or gain new
business. In addition, methodology updates that impact investment recommendations or decisions are peer reviewed
by the Morningstar Retirement Investment Policy Committee, which mitigates the conflict of interest by providing
checks and balances so that no employee can act unilaterally in making recommendation decisions.
We have procedures in place to ensure that model portfolio updates are allocated in such a manner as to not favor one
person over another. We offer non-discretionary model portfolio services to institutional clients through Morningstar
Wealth and maintain seed accounts invested in accordance with a model portfolio to track performance of a strategy.
For multi-asset strategies, we will typically communicate updates to model portfolios after the close of trading on the
United States markets. This process was designed so that no one person receives preferential treatment over another
and all have the opportunity to trade upon market open or otherwise follow their internal procedures. Trades for our
multi-asset seed accounts are placed after all institutional clients have received the model portfolio updates. For select
equity strategies, model portfolio updates are communicated based off a rotation schedule designed to ensure equitable
and systematic distribution. The rotation process for select equity strategies includes our seed accounts.
We invested in the Series D funding round of SMArtX Advisory Solutions, a managed account technology provider
and architect of the SMArtX turnkey asset management platform. This investment will assist in the build out of
SMArtX’s development capabilities, which could benefit us or our parent company. Daniel Needham, our co-president
serves on the board of SMArtX.
When we, along with Morningstar and/or our other affiliates offer services to the same client, we have the option to
enter into a bundled agreement with the client that encompasses all or part of those services. Additional fee(s) for
such product(s) or service(s), if required, will be set forth in our agreement with the client. In these situations, clients
pay a fee directly to us and each such affiliate for its products or services, or as part of a joint fee schedule which
encompasses all services.
Affiliations –Registered Entities
Morningstar has various subsidiaries across the globe that are each registered with the applicable regulatory body or
bodies in that country to provide investment management or other advisory services. We share resources with these
various subsidiaries.
In some cases, our senior management members have management responsibilities to these other affiliated entities.
We do not believe that these management responsibilities create any material conflicts of interests for our clients.
9
Morningstar Wealth and Morningstar Retirement have set up shared services teams composed of employees of our
affiliate and located at our affiliate’s office in Mumbai, India. Morningstar Retirement also has a team composed of
employees of our affiliate located at our affiliate’s office in Toronto, Canada. We compensate our affiliates for
services rendered via intercompany charges. The services and compensation will be governed by intercompany
agreements. This compensation will likely be lower than compensation negotiated with non-affiliated firms for the
same or similar services. To mitigate any conflict of interest between us and our affiliates we have established dual
reporting lines for employees on these teams so that such employees report up to employees of Morningstar Investment
Management. We’ve also established information security boundaries and technology separation to protect our non-
public information and Morningstar’s compliance department monitors the personal trading activity of these
employees.
Affiliations – Morningstar, Inc.
Our parent company, Morningstar, Inc., is publicly traded (Ticker Symbol: MORN). We may recommend an
investment product that holds a position in publicly traded shares of Morningstar’s stock. Such an investment in
Morningstar’s stock is solely the decision of the investment product’s portfolio manager. We have no input into a
portfolio manager’s investment decision nor do we require that the investment products we recommend own shares
of Morningstar. An investment product’s position in Morningstar has no direct bearing on our investment selection
process. We mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interest by not factoring Morningstar’s publicly traded stock
into our qualitative or quantitative analysis nor in our recommendations.
Morningstar offers various products and services to the public. Some of Morningstar’s clients are service providers
(e.g., portfolio managers, advisers, or distributors) affiliated with a mutual fund or other investment option. We may
have a contractual relationship to provide consulting or advisory services to these same service providers or we may
recommend the products of these service providers to our advisory clients. To mitigate any actual or potential conflicts
of interest, we do not consider the relationship between Morningstar and these service providers when making
recommendations. We are not paid to recommend one investment option over another, including products of service
providers with which Morningstar has a relationship.
Morningstar provides information to the public about various investment products, including managed investments
like open-end mutual funds and ETFs. In some cases, this information includes written analyses of these investment
products. Although we use certain products, services, or databases of Morningstar, we do not have any decision-
making input in the written analyses that Morningstar provides its licensees. While we consider the analyses of
Morningstar, our investment recommendations are oriented to the mandates of the investment products in question.
Morningstar hosts educational events and conferences and on occasion provides us with the opportunity to suggest
invitees or offer (proactively or upon request) discounted or waived registration fees. We mitigate any actual or
potential conflicts of interest this introduces by using pre-defined criteria to select Clients for these opportunities.
Morningstar offers various products and services to retail and institutional investors. In certain situations, we
recommend an investment product that tracks an index created and maintained by Morningstar. In such cases, the
investment product sponsor has entered into a licensing agreement with Morningstar to use such index. To mitigate
any conflicts of interest arising from our selection of such investment products, we use solely quantitative criteria
established by our advisory client to make such selection, or when Morningstar’s compensation is based on assets
invested in the product, it’s compensation from the investment product sponsor will not be based on nor will it include
assets that are a result of our recommendation to our advisory client to invest in those investment products. In other
cases, some of Morningstar’s clients are sponsors of funds that we recommend to our clients. Morningstar does not
and will not have any input into our investment decisions, including what investment products will be recommended
for our recommended portfolios. We mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interest by imposing informational
barriers (both physical and technological), maintaining separate organizational reporting lines, and monitoring by the
compliance department. In addition, we do not factor in the relationship between Morningstar when analyzing
investments or making recommendations. We mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interests resulting from that
by not producing qualitative analysis on any such exchange-traded fund as well as imposing informational barriers
(both physical and technological), maintaining separate organizational reporting lines between, and monitoring by the
compliance department.
10
In some instances, we create portfolios that track an index created and maintained by Morningstar. Morningstar does
not and will not have any input into our investment decisions, including what investment products will be included in
our portfolios. We mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interest by imposing informational barriers (both
physical and technological), maintaining separate organizational reporting lines, and monitoring by the compliance
department.
Morningstar has and maintains accounts which they invest in accordance with investment strategies created and
maintained by us. Those investment strategies are deployed using equity securities. As we have discretion over these
accounts, Morningstar’s accounts are traded as part of our rotation schedule with institutional clients that receive the
same model portfolios in order to ensure that Morningstar’s accounts are not treated more favorably than our client
accounts. Some of Morningstar’s accounts are used as the subject of newsletters offered by Morningstar. In order to
ensure that Morningstar’s newsletter subscribers are not treated more favorably than our clients, which would result
in a breach of our fiduciary duty, we do not report trades in Morningstar’s accounts invested in our strategies to
newsletter subscribers until after our clients have been notified of a model portfolio change.
As a wholly owned subsidiary, we use the resources, infrastructure, and employees of Morningstar and its affiliates to
provide certain support services in such areas as technology, procurement, human resources, account, legal,
compliance, information security, and marketing. We do not believe this arrangement presents a conflict of interests
to us in terms of our advisory services.
In certain situations, we make our clients aware of various products and services offered by Morningstar or its
affiliates. We do not receive compensation for that introduction. Morningstar and its affiliates also have the option to
make their clients aware of various products and services offered by us. Morningstar and its affiliates do not receive
any compensation from us for that introduction, unless it falls under a solicitation arrangement, as described in Item
14 below.
Morningstar Wealth, through Morningstar and its subsidiaries, make available products such as: (i) investment
product ; (ii) Morningstar Funds Trust, (iii) Morningstar ByAllAccounts, Morningstar’s investment data aggregation
service; and (iv) Morningstar.com, Morningstar’s individual investor site offering. Daniel Needham, our co-president,
has management responsibilities for Morningstar Wealth. We do not believe that these management responsibilities
create any material conflicts of interests for our clients, but we mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interests
resulting from that by imposing informational barriers where appropriate and undertaking compliance monitoring.
Affiliations – Morningstar, Inc.’s Subsidiaries
Morningstar Research Services LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc. Morningstar Research
Services’ offerings center around the production of investment research reports and investment consulting services to
financial institutions/institutional investors who themselves are registered with a regulatory body. Conflicts of interests
between us and Morningstar Research Services are mitigated by such things as the maintenance of separate legal
entities and dual reporting/organization lines, and the utilization of physical (i.e., separate office “neighborhoods”)
and technological separation. Morningstar Research Services also maintains a committee structure so as to limit any
unilateral decisions. Morningstar’s compliance department monitors the personal trading activities of Morningstar
Research Services’ employees.
Morningstar Research Services provides information to the public about various securities, including managed
investments like open-end mutual funds and ETFs, which include written analyses of these investment products in
some situations. Although we use certain products, services, or databases that contain this information, we do not
participate in or have any input in the written analyses that Morningstar Research Services produces. While we
consider the analyses of Morningstar Research Services, our investment recommendations are based on our decisions
in regard to the investment product.
Morningstar Research Services issues investment research reports on securities we hold in our portfolios or
recommend to our clients, but they do not share any yet-to-be published views and analysis and/or changes in estimates
(i.e., their confidential information) with us on these securities. In making investment decisions or recommendations,
we use Morningstar Research Services’ publicly available analysis as part of our review process, and do not have
access to their analysis prior to its public dissemination. We mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interest that
could arise from the access of their analysis prior to publication through measures such as informational barriers (both
11
physical and technological), maintaining separate or dual organizational reporting lines, and monitoring by the
compliance department.
Morningstar Research Services prepares qualitative analysis on separately managed accounts and model portfolios.
To mitigate conflicts of interest, Morningstar Research Services does not prepare qualitative analysis for any
Morningstar separately managed account or model portfolio we create and manage.
Some of Morningstar Research Services’ clients are sponsors of funds or associated with other securities that we
recommend to our institutional clients. We mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interests resulting from this
fact through such measures as informational barriers (both physical and technological), maintaining separate or dual
organizational reporting lines, and monitoring by the compliance department. In addition, we do not factor in the
relationship between Morningstar Research Services and their clients when analyzing investments or making
recommendations.
Morningstar Investment Management serves as an investment adviser to investment companies registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and to other pooled investment products. To mitigate conflicts of
interest, Morningstar Research Services does not prepare qualitative analysis on any investment company to whom
we serve as investment adviser or sub-adviser.
Equity and manager research analysts based outside the United States are employed by various wholly owned
subsidiaries of Morningstar. These analysts follow the same investment methodologies and process as Morningstar
Research Services, as well as being held to the same conduct standards. As a result, we do not believe this structure
causes actual or a potential for a conflict of interest.
Affiliations – Credit Rating Agency
We are affiliated with the Morningstar DBRS group of companies, which include DBRS, Inc., DBRS Limited, DBRS
Ratings GmbH, and DBRS Ratings Limited. DBRS, Inc. is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
as a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (NRSRO). Morningstar DBRS’ companies are also
registered with and governed by applicable regulatory body or bodies in other countries around the globe. In our
analysis of certain securities, we use the publicly available credit rating and analysis issued by Morningstar DBRS.
Because of our use of Morningstar DBRS’ ratings and analysis is limited to that which is publicly available, we do
not believe there is an actual or potential conflict of interest that arises from such use.
Item 11. Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions, and Personal Trading
Code Of Ethics
We have in place a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act (“Code of Ethics”). Our Code of
Ethics strives to uphold the highest standards of moral and ethical conduct, including placing our clients’ interest
ahead of our own. Our Code of Ethics covers all our officers and employees as well as other persons who have access
to our non-public information (collectively “Access Persons”). Our Code of Ethics addresses such topics as
professional and ethical responsibilities, compliance with securities laws, our fiduciary duty, and personal trading
practices. Our Code of Ethics also addresses receipt and/or permissible use of material non-public information and
other confidential information our Access Persons may be exposed and/or have access to given their position. The
Code of Ethics is provided upon hire and at least annually thereafter and at each time, the Access Person must certify
in writing that she or he has received, read, and understands the Code of Ethics and that they agree to or have complied
with its contents.
A copy of our Code of Ethics is available to existing and prospective clients by sending written request to
compliancemail@morningstar.com.
Interest In Client Transactions
Our Access Persons have the option to maintain personal investment accounts and purchase or sell investments in
those accounts that are the same as or different from the investments we recommend to clients. Our Code of Ethics is
designed to ensure that Access Persons’ personal trading activities should not conflict with our advisory activities or
the timing of our recommendations and interfere with our clients’ interests, while allowing our Access Persons to
invest in their own accounts.
12
We do not engage in principal transactions (transactions where we, acting in our own account or in an affiliated
account, buy a security from or sell a security to a client’s account) nor do we engage in agency cross transactions
(transactions where we or our affiliate executes a transaction while acting as a broker for both our client and the other
party in the transaction).
Interest In Securities That We May Recommend
Morningstar Investment Management has and maintains a number of seed accounts (accounts used to establish a
strategy we offer or are tracking), many of which follow strategies we offer to clients. We have implemented
procedures for the trading of these accounts to ensure they do not receive more favorable trades than our clients’
accounts.
Personal Trading By Access Persons
Our Code of Ethics is designed to ensure that Access Persons’ personal trading activities do not interfere with our
clients’ interests. While our Access Persons have the option to maintain personal investment accounts, they are subject
to certain restrictions. Our Code of Ethics includes policies designed to prevent Access Persons from trading based on
material non-public information. Access Persons in possession of material non-public information are prohibited from
trading in securities which are the subject of such information and from tipping such information to others. In certain
instances, we employ information blocking devices such as restricted lists to prevent illegal insider trading.
Morningstar’s compliance department monitors the activities in the personal accounts of our Access Persons (and any
accounts in which they have beneficial ownership) upon hire and thereafter. Access Persons are required to pre-clear
IPO, initial digital coin offerings, and private placement transactions with Morningstar’s compliance department.
Item 12. Brokerage Practices
Where we exercise investment discretion, we will generate trade instructions for each individual account that
requires rebalancing and forward those instructions to the appropriate institution as designated by the plan provider.
As a result, we do not have the ability to make decisions regarding which broker is used to execute the transactions
in your account. We do not participate in any soft dollar practices.
Item 13. Review of Accounts
We provide ongoing monitoring of the investment options in the Program and, when necessary, remove and replace
investment options included in the Program. However, we do not provide periodic review or ongoing monitoring of
individual participant accounts.
Item 14. Client Referrals and Other Compensation
We make direct or indirect cash or non-cash payments to our affiliates or to unaffiliated third parties for recommending
our services as described in Item 4 above. If such payments occur, they will be done pursuant to Rule 206(4)-1 of the
Advisers Act. Clients referred by third party solicitors may in some cases pay a higher fee than clients who contract
with us directly. Through disclosures, which are spoken or given in writing to clients at the time of the solicitation,
solicited clients solicited by an unaffiliated person are made aware of the arrangement between the solicitor and us
(and therefore that the solicitor has a financial interest in recommending us to client), any other material conflicts of
interest, and the terms of any compensation paid directly or indirectly to the solicitor as a result of their referral.
We receive direct or indirect cash payments from unaffiliated third parties for referring their services to other advisory
firms or investors. This creates a conflict of interest as we have an incentive to recommend these third parties in order
to receive the cash payment.
We enter into agreements with certain Institutional Clients whereby we provide compensation to Institutional Clients
in exchange for access to their financial professionals to educate them about our advisory products and services, having
our name, products, or services listed or highlighted in Institutional Client materials, attendance or booth space at
Institutional Client conferences, and/or similar marketing, distribution, and educational activities. We also provide
compensation to Institutional Clients to sponsor meetings and events for their financial professionals and/or clients.
Item 15. Custody
We do not serve as a custodian of client assets. However, in cases where we have the ability to debit fees directly
from client accounts, we are deemed to have custody of client assets under Rule 206(4)-2 of the Advisers Act, even
if we do not act as a custodian. The plan sponsor is responsible for selecting the custodian for plan assets. The
selection of custodians may be limited by your plan provider.
13
Item 16. Investment Discretion
You retain the investment discretion over the assets in your Plan account. We only have investment discretion under
the limited circumstances more specifically described under Participant Services in the Advisory Business section
above, in the event you fail to provide MetLife with instructions on how to reallocate investments in your account in
an investment option that has been removed from the Program lineup, and how to allocate future investments in your
account.
Item 17. Voting Client Securities
You are responsible for receiving and voting proxies for all investments held in your account. We do not have the
authority to and will not vote proxies. You may receive proxies or other solicitations directly from your plan account’s
custodian. We cannot provide information or advice in regard to questions you have about a particular solicitation.
We do not advise or act for Clients in legal proceedings, including class actions or bankruptcies, involving
recommended securities.
Item 18. Financial Information
We are required to provide you with certain financial information or disclosures about our financial condition. We
do not have any financial commitment that impairs our ability to meet our contractual and fiduciary commitments to
clients, nor have we been the subject of any bankruptcy proceeding.
14
Additional Brochure: MORNINGSTAR WEALTH SERVICES (2026-03-27)
View Document Text
Morningstar Investment Management LLC Form ADV Part 2A: Firm Brochure
Morningstar Wealth Advisory Services
Item 4. Advisory Business was updated to reflect our assets under
management and advisement as of December 31, 2025.
22 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312.696.6000
www.corporate.morningstar.com
March 27, 2026
Item 10. Other Financial Activities and Affiliations was updated to clarify how
we mitigate conflicts of interest related to recommendations to investment
products that we provide with consulting or investment management
services, and to remove references to Morningstar Research Services LLC as
an investment adviser, as it closed its investment adviser registration.
at
312.696.6000
send
an
email
We made other edits where necessary to correct grammar or punctuation, to
provide clarification or further information, for consistency in terminology or
content, or to improve the readability of the brochure.
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and
business practices of Morningstar Investment Management LLC. If you
have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact
to
or
us
compliancemail@morningstar.com. The information in this brochure
has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or by any state securities authority.
Additional information about Morningstar Investment Management LLC
is available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Morningstar Investment Management LLC is registered with the SEC as
a registered investment adviser. Registration with the SEC does not
imply a certain level of skill or training. Please retain this brochure for
future reference.
Item 3. Table of Contents
Item 2. Material Changes .................................................................................................... 1
Item 4. Advisory Business .................................................................................................... 1
Item 5. Fees and Compensation ....................................................................................... 4
Item 6. Performance Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management .................... 6
Item 7. Types of Clients ........................................................................................................ 6
Item 8. Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss ............ 6
Item 9. Disciplinary Information .................................................................................... 12
Item 10. Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations ............................ 12
Item 11. Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and
Personal Trading .................................................................................................................. 15
Item 12. Brokerage Practices .......................................................................................... 16
Item 13. Review of Accounts ........................................................................................... 16
Item 14. Client Referrals and Other Compensation .............................................. 16
Item 15. Custody ................................................................................................................... 17
Item 16. Investment Discretion ...................................................................................... 17
Item 17. Voting Client Securities ................................................................................... 17
Item 18. Financial Information ....................................................................................... 18
All current versions of our firm brochures are available in the Part 2 Brochures
section of this record on the SEC’s website. You can also request a copy of our
current brochure free of charge by contacting our Compliance Department
at 312.696.6000, or by email to compliancemail@morningstar.com. In your
request, please indicate the name of the company (Morningstar Investment
Management) and the service brochure(s) (Morningstar Wealth Advisory
Services, Morningstar Retirement Advisory Services for
Individuals,
Morningstar Retirement Institutional Advisory Services, or Advisory Services
to MetLife ExpertSelect Program) you are requesting.
that was
incorporated
in 1999. Morningstar
is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar,
Item 2. Material Changes
This Morningstar Wealth Advisory Services Firm Brochure dated March 2026
contains the following changes since our last annual update dated March 27,
2025.Throughout the Firm Brochure, we removed references to Morningstar
Investment Services’ discretionary advisory services and instances where
Morningstar Investment Services offered strategies to third-party financial
institution clients as these services have since ceased.
Item 4. Advisory Business
Firm Information
Morningstar Investment Management LLC is a Delaware limited liability
Investment
company
Management
Inc.
(“Morningstar”). Morningstar is a publicly traded company (Nasdaq Ticker:
MORN) with Mr. Joseph Mansueto, Executive Chairman of Morningstar,
holding more than 35% of Morningstar’s outstanding shares. Because of that
ownership, Mr. Mansueto is an indirect owner of Morningstar Investment
Management.
Item 4. Advisory Business, Item 5. Fees and Compensation, and Item 8.
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk of Loss were updated to
include Morningstar Managed Plan Solutions, an offering that provides
proprietary model investment strategies, risk tolerance questionnaire,
investment policy statement, and/or investment lineup assistance for plan
sponsors and their plan participants.
Morningstar Investment Management is registered with the SEC under
Section 203(c) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers
Act”). Morningstar Investment Management has filed the appropriate notices
to conduct business in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin
Islands, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Morningstar Investment
Management is registered with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading
Commission as a Commodity Pool Operator (“CPO”) and is a member of the
U.S. National Futures Association.
Item 10. Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations and Item 11. Code
of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal Trading
were updated to include the mitigation of any perceived conflict of interest
associated with seed and Morningstar-affiliated accounts by communicating
our multi-asset Strategy recommendations after the close of the trading day
and equity Strategy recommendations based off a trade rotation.
Morningstar Investment Management, along with other Morningstar
subsidiaries authorized in appropriate jurisdictions to provide investment
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 2 of 18
management and advisory services, is part of a global investment team
composed of investment analysts, portfolio managers, and other investment
professionals. These investment and operations teams span the globe, with
primary offices in Chicago, London, and Sydney.
defined by the Institutional Client and may include investment products that
are affiliated with that Institutional Client. As a result, our recommendations
may be limited to the investment options available within that universe. This
service typically includes ongoing responsibilities such as monitoring the
underlying holdings and reviewing and updating asset allocation
percentages and/or underlying holdings as necessary.
Morningstar Investment Management is composed of two units that are
organizationally and functionally segregated from each other – Morningstar
Wealth and Morningstar Retirement. Each unit retains discretion over the
assets it manages, has a separate and distinct investment process, and is
held out to the public as separate from the other.
insurance companies,
investment advisers,
This brochure focuses on the products and services we provide to retail and
institutional Morningstar Wealth clients. You can obtain a copy of our
Morningstar Retirement brochure describing our products and services for
individuals (managed accounts, advice, and personal target-date fund
services for retirement investors, “Morningstar Retirement Advisory Services
for Individuals”) or products and services in our core capabilities of asset
allocation, investment selection, and portfolio construction that we offer to
institutions such as asset management firms, banks, broker/dealers,
consultants,
investment
fiduciaries, plan sponsors of retirement plans, plan providers of retirement
plan services, trusts, and other business entities (“Morningstar Retirement
Institutional Advisory Services”) by following the instructions above.
about
the
Funds
is
We are an investment adviser to Morningstar Funds Trust, registered with
the SEC as an open-end management investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. We have overall supervisory
responsibility for the general management and investment of the fund
portfolios within the Morningstar Funds Trust (“Morningstar Funds”), which
are managed in a combination of multimanager structure and internal
proprietary strategies. Subject to the review and approval by the Morningstar
Funds Trust’s board, we set each Morningstar Fund’s overall investment
strategy. We are also responsible for the oversight and evaluation of each
Morningstar Fund’s sub-advisers. The Morningstar Funds will be used as the
underlying holdings for certain model portfolios, most notably mutual fund
model portfolios, offered by Morningstar Investment Management. The
Morningstar Funds include the Morningstar Alternatives Fund, Morningstar
Defensive Bond Fund, Morningstar Global Income Fund, Morningstar
International Equity Fund, Morningstar Multisector Bond Fund, Morningstar
Municipal Bond Fund, Morningstar Total Return Bond Fund, Morningstar U.S.
Equity Fund, and the Morningstar Global Opportunistic Equity Fund. More
information
at
Morningstar
http://connect.rightprospectus.com/Morningstar.
consultants,
endowments,
foundations,
Advisory Services We Offer – Overview
Morningstar Wealth and Morningstar Retirement are groups within
Morningstar Investment Management that independently offer certain
advisory products and services. These investment advisory services focus on
our core capabilities in asset allocation, investment selection, and portfolio
construction to retail or institutional clients. Our “Institutional Clients”
limited to, asset management firms, banks,
include, but are not
broker/dealers,
insurance
companies, investment advisers, investment fiduciaries, plan sponsors of
retirement plans, providers of retirement plan services, trusts, and other
business entities.
Model Investment Strategies
For Institutional Clients who offer a proprietary advisory program, or a
platform that makes investment strategies available for use by other financial
institutions, we create model investment strategies (collectively, “Strategies”)
for use through such programs or platforms. The Strategies are typically
designed for use by a financial professional with their retail investor clients,
and can include risk- or target date-based asset allocation portfolios,
portfolios designed to address a certain financial planning need or goal, or
relatively focused stock or bond portfolios. We provide educational materials
and information regarding the Strategies to financial professionals using the
program or platform.
investment strategies
to
The Morningstar Wealth unit within Morningstar Investment Management
offers:
•
•
investment strategies,
risk
•
•
•
Institutional asset management,
Proprietary model
third-party
institutional clients on a non-discretionary basis as a strategist,
tolerance
Proprietary model
questionnaire, investment policy statement, and/or investment
lineup assistance for plan sponsors and their plan participants,
Recommendations of other investment advisers or platforms that
offer our model investment strategies to retail investors, and
Asset allocation, capital market assumptions, and other advisory
services to institutional clients.
In providing this service, we act as a non-discretionary model manager. We
select and monitor the asset allocation and underlying holdings of each
Strategy based on a universe of investments typically defined by the
institutional client. In general, we provide ongoing monitoring of the
Strategies, along with rebalancing and reallocating recommendations. The
investor’s financial professional or the investor is responsible for suitability,
choice of custodian, and other services related to investing in a Strategy. The
institutional client or the financial professional using the advisory program
or platform has the full and sole discretion over their client accounts invested
in a Strategy and has the ability to deviate from our Strategy by including all
or a portion of our recommendations and/or supplement or modify our
investment recommendations.
construction
adviser
(providing
We also maintain seed and other Morningstar-affiliated accounts of our
Strategies in which we act as a discretionary investment manager. The seed
accounts are maintained to provide an indication of the performance of each
Strategy while the Morningstar-affiliated accounts are used with the
Morningstar Newsletters product.
Institutional Asset Management
For Institutional Clients who sponsor registered or pooled investment
products, we serve as a portfolio manager (with discretionary authority),
portfolio
non-discretionary
recommendations), or sub-adviser. We provide recommendations for asset
class allocation targets and/or selection of underlying holdings to fulfill each
asset class allocation target. Underlying holdings may include, but are not
limited to, open-end mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), and
collective investment trusts. The universe of underlying holdings is generally
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 3 of 18
We offer a broad array of multi-asset and equity Strategies designed to play
varying roles for
investors. Our multi-asset Strategies range from
conservative to aggressive, and are comprised of mutual funds, ETFs, or a
combination of the two. In addition to broad, widely diversified Strategies that
can function as the “core” portion of an investor’s financial strategy, we also
manage more targeted Strategy options. Our equity Strategies are generally
concentrated portfolios of stocks chosen based upon their valuation and
fundamental characteristics. We also have a lineup of index-based portfolios
which can incorporate individual needs and preferences.
Plan’s Investment Lineup: Additionally, we assist Plan Sponsors in deter-
mining the mutual funds and/or ETFs available under a plan. When engaged
to do so, we act as a 3(38) “investment manager” (as defined under the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended) through a
platform provider. These services include the selection of securities which are
then used to create the model portfolios. We rebalance the security
weightings in the model portfolios and remove and replace securities as we
deem necessary. We determine appropriate funds primarily through the use
of a proprietary fund rating system that is based on key factors. Such key
factors are defined in the Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies and
Risk of Loss section of this brochure.
The Strategies, most notably those utilizing mutual funds, may have
underlying holdings that include one or more of the Morningstar Funds. Each
Morningstar Funds’ summary prospectus, prospectus, statement of
additional information (‘SAI”), and other regulatory filings are available at
http://connect.rightprospectus.com/Morningstar.
Morningstar Managed Plan Solutions
The Morningstar Managed Plan Solutions services are designed to help
employers who are responsible for establishing and maintaining their
company’s defined contribution or other retirement plan (the “Plan Sponsor”)
and the participants enrolled in the plan (“Participants”).
Select Lists
We work with institutional clients to analyze an investment universe they
define and create a subset or “select list” of investments that meet specific
criteria, including the institutional client’s proprietary requirements. A select
list is typically used by the institutional client’s financial professionals when
working with their clients to put together an investment strategy. Each select
list is derived through a combination of quantitative screens and qualitative
analysis, resulting in a menu of investments under various asset categories.
Typically, we provide ongoing monitoring of those investments within the
select list to help ensure that the investment options initially selected for the
select list continue to satisfy the criteria that led to their initial selection.
Features within Morningstar Managed Plan Solutions services are as follows:
Model Portfolios: We offer model portfolios covering various risk levels (e.g.,
conservative, aggressive, etc.) designed to provide broad diversification
across asset classes and risk levels. This strategy invests primarily in
diversified investments in domestic and international equity mutual funds
and/or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) available through the plan or the plan’s
recordkeeping provider. The goal of model portfolios is to provide the
Participant with the ability to invest their plan account assets in a diversified
manner.
Risk Tolerance Questionnaire: Through some recordkeepers, we provide a risk
tolerance questionnaire. The questionnaire’s sole purpose is to provide
Participants with general assistance in terms of identifying their risk
tolerance and investment objectives and, based on this, which model
portfolio is most aligned with that risk tolerance/investment objective.
Recommendations of Other Investment Advisers or Platforms
As noted above, we provide our Strategies to institutional clients who offer a
proprietary advisory program or a platform that makes investment strategies
available for use by other financial institutions. For institutional clients who
have entered into a promoter agreement with us, we will recommend to
certain retail investors or financial advisors that they access our Strategies
through these institutional clients. The financial advisor is responsible for
determining the suitability of a Strategy for the investor. We may provide tools
and information to assist in that determination, choice of custodian, and
other services related to investing in a Strategy. The institutional client has
discretion over client accounts invested in a Strategy and has the ability to
deviate from our Strategy. We are incentivized to recommend institutional
clients that offer our Strategies as the institutional client pays us a licensing
fee for use of our Strategies based on assets invested in the Strategies.
Investment Policy Statement: We provide Plan Sponsors with tools to help
them develop an Investment Policy Statement (“IPS”). The purpose of the IPS
is to provide guidelines for the investment and management of assets held
for the benefit of Participants and beneficiaries of the plan. The primary
intent of the IPS is to:
• Establish a framework for structuring a retirement savings program for
plan Participants by making available diversified investment options
that support a range of long-term needs, goals and risk tolerances.
• Provide Participants with investment options which, when prudently
used, will diversify portfolio risks and better accommodate the range of
risk/return preferences they may have.
Asset Allocation Services
We provide Institutional Clients and their financial representatives tools for
identifying their clients’ investment goals and risk tolerance (such as risk
tolerance questionnaires), and a mechanism to match those goals and risks
with an appropriate asset allocation strategy. Asset allocation services are
typically used by our Institutional Clients in their investment products, wrap
programs, variable annuity asset allocation programs, or similar programs.
If included in an agreement with an Institutional Client, asset allocation
models are periodically reviewed and adjusted as needed. We may provide
Institutional Clients with rebalancing triggers and recommendations on
when the allocations for asset classes should be revisited or adjusted.
• Establish careful procedures for monitoring and evaluating the
performance of the investment options within the plan.
• Describe the investment process used to select the plan’s investment
options and the asset allocation portfolios available in the plan.
• Describe the roles and responsibilities of the various parties that may be
involved in the oversight of plan investment activities.
Customized Services
Upon request, we will take under consideration the provision of a customized
version of the above services or a different type of advisory services that
would utilize our core capabilities in asset allocation, investment selection,
or portfolio construction. Given the customized nature, the client can impose
constraints/restrictions on such things as security types, asset classes, or
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 4 of 18
proprietary security requirements and/or wish to collaborate with us on such
things as investment methodology and screening criteria.
0.61%
0.47%
Morningstar Multisector Bond Fund
Morningstar Global Opportunistic Equity
Fund
Morningstar Alternatives Fund
0.85%
Wrap Fee Programs
We do not sponsor a wrap fee program.
More information about the Morningstar Funds’ fees and expenses can be
found in the prospectus at http://connect.rightprospectus.com/Morningstar.
Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2025, the discretionary regulatory assets under
management for Morningstar Investment Management (rounded to the
nearest $100,000) were:
Retirement Services to Individuals: $40,274,500,000
Investment Management Services to Institutional Clients:
$42,014,300,000
Total Regulatory Asset Under Management: $82,288,800,000
The non-discretionary assets under advisement for Morningstar Investment
Management (rounded to the nearest $100,000) were $266,475,500,000.
Model Investment Strategies
Strategy fees are typically negotiable and range from 0 – 40 basis points. The
actual fee depends on our role in offering the service including asset size, the
complexity involved, whether Morningstar Funds are included in the
Strategies, and any other services we provide to the institutional client. Some
institutional clients charge a fee for including our Strategies on their
program or platform. Clients of those programs and platforms will be
charged a higher fee than that noted above. Strategy fees are typically
charged quarterly and may be charged in advance based on the prior
period’s ending balance or arrears based on the average daily balance for
the applicable period. If, in accordance with the contractual terms, the
institutional client terminates the agreement they have with us prior to the
end of the billing period, we will refund any unearned fees on a pro rata basis
after the termination of the contract.
Item 5. Fees and Compensation
Fees and Compensation – Overview
We typically negotiate our fees, payment terms, and payment schedules on
an individual basis with each institutional client. We utilize a standard fee
schedule for recommendations of other investment advisers or platforms.
The services we provide, the specific fees for such services, and the contract
term are governed by the contractual agreement between us and our client.
Clients may not receive all of the services listed above. Our fees vary
depending on the services selected and could include a fixed fee, a basis-
point fee, and/or a technology licensing fee. Fees for some services take into
consideration such factors as the number of services being provided and
service specific variables such as the universe of investments, variables in
monitoring frequency, delivery type, investment types, and frequency of
written analysis.
For any Strategy in which one or more of the underlying holdings is a
Morningstar Fund, no investment management fee is charged with respect
to the Morningstar Funds. As disclosed above, in accordance with the
Investment Management Agreement between us and Morningstar Funds
Trust, we receive compensation from Morningstar Funds Trust based on the
assets invested in the Morningstar Funds for the investment management
activities we perform for the Morningstar Funds. Since we receive
compensation for this activity, we don’t charge a separate investment
management fee with respect to the Morningstar Funds in a Strategy.
Morningstar Managed Plan Solutions
When the underlying funds in an investment lineup and model portfolios are
third-party funds, the Morningstar Managed Plan Solutions fees are paid by
the Plan Sponsor, Plan, or Participant. This fee typically ranges from 20–30
basis points and is based on the Plan’s assets and the complexity involved in
providing the services. The fee is typically remitted quarterly to us by the
Plan’s recordkeeper.
Institutional Asset Management
Our Institutional Asset Management fees are negotiable but generally
include an asset-based fee and can include a minimum annual fee. The
asset-based fee typically ranges from 2 to 15 basis points of the assets being
managed or consulted upon while the minimum annual fee is $100,000 -
$200,000. The actual fee depends on a range of variables including our role
in providing the services, the type of security we are providing services for,
and the amount of assets involved. The fee is typically charged monthly in
arrears.
As the investment adviser to the Morningstar Funds Trust (“Trust”), we are
compensated by the Trust based on assets within the Morningstar Funds for
our investment management activities in accordance with the Investment
Management Agreement between the Trust and us. We are entitled to receive
an annual management fee calculated daily and payable monthly equal to
the following percentage of a Morningstar Fund’s average daily net assets:
When a model portfolio’s underlying holdings include Morningstar Funds, no
investment management fee is charged for the model portfolios. As disclosed
above, in accordance with the Investment Management Agreement between
us and Morningstar Funds Trust, we receive compensation from Morningstar
Funds Trust based on the assets invested in the Morningstar Funds for the
investment management activities we perform for the Morningstar Funds.
Since we receive compensation for this activity, we don’t charge a separate
investment management fee with respect to the Morningstar Funds in a
model portfolio.
For Plans that only receive an investment lineup, the fee is typically 3 basis
points on Plan assets. The fee is typically remitted quarterly to us by the
Plan‘s recordkeeper or Plan Sponsor.
Morningstar Fund
Morningstar U.S. Equity Fund
Morningstar International Equity Fund
Morningstar Global Income Fund
Morningstar Total Return Bond Fund
Morningstar Municipal Bond Fund
Morningstar Defensive Bond Fund
Management Fee
0.67%
0.83%
0.35%
0.44%
0.44%
0.36%
Select Lists
Select list fees are negotiable but generally range from $50,000 to $400,000
annually. The actual amount charged depends on a range of variables
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 5 of 18
of funds the recordkeeper makes available to us and update your share class
as more attractive options become available.
including the intended use of the select list, the number of type of securities
included, the type of reporting the institutional client wishes to receive from
us, the degree of customizations or constraints placed on us, and whether
the service includes on-going monitoring of the select list. The fee is typically
charged quarterly in advance. If, in accordance with the contractual terms,
the institutional client terminates the agreement they have with us prior to
the end of the billing period, we may refund any unearned fees on a pro rata
basis after the termination of the contract. In addition to the fee, payment
terms and payment schedules are negotiable.
are
described
in
prospectus
For funds, the fees and expenses are described in the prospectus or an
equivalent document. These fees will generally include a management fee,
other investment expenses, and possibly a distribution fee (e.g., 12b-1). In
some cases, an investment option may also charge an initial or deferred sales
charge. Neither Morningstar Investment Management nor any of our
employees receive transaction-based compensation for the investment
recommendations we make. The fees and expenses charged by Morningstar
Funds
at
the
http://connect.rightprospectus.com/Morningstar.
Exchange-traded funds have their own internal fees and expenses such as
investment advisory, administration, and other fund-level expenses; by
investing in them, the investor incurs a proportionate share of those fees and
expenses.
Recommendations of Other Investment Advisers or Platforms
When recommending another institutional client who offers our Strategies,
we receive a portion of the fees the institutional client charges the investor.
We negotiate this fee with each institutional client, but they generally are
paid to us for the period of time the investor remains invested in one or more
of our Strategies through the institutional client. The fee may be paid in
advance or in arrears.
Investors can find the institutional client’s fees applicable to their account in
their proposal and/or account opening documents.
ADRs are typically created, organized and administered by a U.S. bank.
Generally, these banks charge a fee for their services (e.g., custody) and
typically deduct these fees from the dividends and other distributions
generated from the ADR shares. In addition, banks incur expenses, such as
converting foreign currency into U.S. dollars, and as a result can choose to
pass those expenses on to the ADR shareholder.
Asset Allocation Services
Our Asset Allocation Services fees are negotiable but generally range from
$50,000 to $500,000 annually. The actual amount charged depends on a
range of variables including the terms of distribution, number of sets, type
and scope of the models requested (including the number of asset classes
used in the asset allocation models), and whether the client receives other
advisory services from us. The fee is typically charged annually in arrears. In
addition to the fee, payment terms and schedules are negotiable.
Fees Charged in Advance
Our services can be terminated as outlined in the contractual agreement
between Morningstar Investment Management and the client. Termination
of services and refunds of fees, if any, are governed by the contractual
agreement between the parties, which is negotiated on an individual basis.
Upon termination, any earned, unpaid fees by the client are due and payable.
If, in accordance with contractual terms, the client terminates their contract
prior to the end of the billing period, we will refund any unearned fees on a
pro rata basis after the termination of the contract.
Payment
Payments, payment terms and payment schedules are negotiated and
governed by the contractual agreement we enter into with each client. For
institutional clients, we typically send an invoice on a periodic basis (e.g.,
monthly or quarterly), although in some instances, we bill annually. Fixed and
licensing fees are typically paid in advance of services being provided, and
basis-point fees are typically charged in arrears.
Compensation from Sales of Securities
We do not expect, accept or receive compensation for the sales of securities,
including asset-based sales charges or service fees from the sale of open-
end mutual funds.
Other Costs in Connection with Our Advisory Services
Our fees are separate from fees and expenses charged by the investment
products (including redemption fees or asset- or transaction-based trading
fees), fees and expenses charged by the institutional client or platform for
their products (including any revenue sharing arrangements that they have
with the investment option’s investment adviser and/or distributor), or fees
that are charged by a third party, such as a proprietary advisory program,
financial advisor, platform, custodian, transfer agent, plan provider, or
recordkeeper.
You may have the option to purchase investment products we recommend or
similar services through other investment advisers or financial professionals
not affiliated with us. Because our services are not exclusive, the fee for our
services may be higher than fees charged by other financial firms who
provide services similar to ours or if you paid separately for investment
advice and other services. In addition, because the underlying holdings of
our portfolios are not exclusive to the services described herein, you may buy
securities (e.g., mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, equity securities, etc.)
outside of this service without incurring our fees.
Revenue Sharing Arrangements
We do not have any revenue sharing arrangements with any mutual funds.
Under Morningstar Managed Plan Solutions, we are limited to choosing
funds and fund shares classes from those made available to us through each
recordkeeper’s platform, which can result in us choosing funds that charge
other fees outside of our control. There may be cheaper share classes
available for a fund on other recordkeeper platforms. While we typically seek
to use the cheapest share class available to us, you should not assume we
have access to the share class with the lowest possible expense ratio for a
specific fund through your recordkeeper. More expensive share classes
reduce the performance of an account. We periodically review the universe
Third-Party Compensation
We receive direct or indirect cash payments from unaffiliated third parties
for referring their services to other advisory firms or investors. This creates a
conflict of interest as we have an incentive to recommend these third parties
in order to receive the cash payment.
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 6 of 18
environment. We select managers that we believe manage fund assets with
a consistent and disciplined process that can provide for sustainable long-
term results. We prefer managers with a prudent, logical, and repeatable
process and remain keenly focused on the consistency of the implementation
of their investment disciplines.
Marketing, Distribution, and Educational Support Arrangements
We enter into agreements with certain institutional clients whereby we
provide compensation to the institutional client in exchange for access to
their financial advisers to educate them about our Strategies, having our
Strategies listed or highlighted in the marketing materials, attendance or
booth space at conferences, and/or similar marketing, distribution, and
educational activities. We also provide compensation to institutional client
or advisory firms to sponsor financial adviser or retail client meetings and
events.
To align with our business structure, we have two Investment Policy
Committees. The investment advice used in the products and services
referenced in this brochure from Morningstar Investment Management is
provided by investment teams. Information on key members of these
investment teams is included in our Form ADV Part 2B Brochure Supplement
for Morningstar Wealth Advisory Services.
Item 6. Performance Based Fees and Side-by-Side
Management
We do not have performance-based fee arrangements with any qualified
client pursuant to Rule 205-3 under the Advisers Act.
Item 7. Types of Clients
Our clients include advisory programs or platforms of third-party advisory or
platform providers, entities such as financial institutions, third-party
investment advisers, broker/dealers, investment companies (including the
Morningstar Funds Trust), and other business entities, consultants, plan
providers, product providers, and sponsors who offer investment advice
programs to individual retirement investors in defined contribution plans
such as 401(k), 457, and 403(b) retirement plans, individual retirement plan
participants, health savings accounts, individuals who are in retirement, and
other investors. Please see our Morningstar Retirement Advisory Services for
Individuals and Morningstar Retirement Institutional Advisory Services
brochures, available on the SEC website, for further information about the
advisory services offered through Morningstar Retirement.
Global Investment Committee
Morningstar Wealth’s Global Investment Committee and its regional
governance bodies, in addition to the Americas Investment Product
Committee, are responsible for oversight of the investment methodologies
across some of our Institutional Asset Management, Model Investment
Strategies and Seed Accounts, Select Lists, and Asset Allocation Services.
Members of the Global Investment Committee include chief investment
officers and the president of Morningstar Investment Management or its
affiliates. The regional governance bodies meet quarterly to review guideline
changes and performance across portfolios. Formal and informal global best
practice working groups also exist with the goal of sharing methodologies
and research across regions. These groups focus on specific investment
areas such as valuation models driven by our capital markets research and
methodologies used for asset allocation, investment selection, portfolio
construction for different investment strategies and advice. In addition to
governance bodies, the investment team has regional research and portfolio
construction workflows that surface best thinking across investment
opportunities and guide portfolio construction.
Investment Strategies,
Institutional Asset Management, Model
Morningstar Managed Plan Solutions and Asset Allocation Services
Investment Process
Our investment process starts with scouring the globe for opportunities.
Instead of hewing closely to an index-defined universe, we look broadly,
investigating asset classes, sub-asset classes, sectors, and securities in
markets around the world. Our capital markets research extends to more
than 200 equity and 150 fixed-income asset classes. We also track around 30
world currencies.
We do not require a minimum account size for our institutional investment
advisory services, and we generally do not impose other conditions for using
our institutional advisory services.
Item 8. Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, and Risk
of Loss
Investment Philosophy
Our investment philosophy is driven by the investment principles that are
promoted throughout our organization. The principles are intended to guide
our thinking, behavior and decision making. These principles have been
inspired by a number of the most experienced and successful investors in
the last century. These principles also reflect and align with the history and
foundation of Morningstar. The investment principles are:
We apply deep valuation analysis supported by in-depth fundamental
research to find opportunities around the globe.
- We put investors first
- We’re independent-minded
- We invest for the long term
- We’re valuation-driven investors
- We take a fundamental approach
- We strive to minimize costs
- We build portfolios holistically
Alongside this analysis, which looks at both absolute and relative valuation,
we also consider investor sentiment and positioning, which adds contrarian
elements to our process and tells us how the market consensus views an
investment idea we’re considering. We prefer to invest in ideas contrary to
the market consensus because one needs to be different to be able to
outperform.
We also look closely at each asset class’s risk, which can be complex,
multifaceted, and vary over time. We believe that one of the best ways to
control for risk is to buy fundamentally strong assets that seem underpriced.
Building upon our investment principles, our investment philosophy is built
on the belief that portfolios should maintain a risk profile commensurate
with the desired long-term asset allocation guidelines we provide to the
client. We focus extensively on the portfolio structure to maintain a careful
balance between being allocated similarly to the portfolio benchmarks and
one that reflects our assessment of the value available in the current market
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 7 of 18
Individual stock selection relies heavily on our asset class research to identify
attractive segments of the market (sectors, countries, or factors like quality)
and a review of the valuations and fundamentals of the underlying stocks.
We rely heavily upon Morningstar’s Equity Research group in addition to our
own proprietary insights.
Our in-depth valuation analysis and contrarian indicators, when brought
together, are the key ways we generate investment ideas. These ideas might
be names to include in a stock portfolio or our best thinking on reward for
risk at the asset class-level. In addition, our valuation-driven asset allocation
process paired with our in-house investment selection skill allows us to
holistically build portfolios for our clients for the long term. The Investment
Management group, as a global team, works to understand markets and
opportunities, monitor risk in existing portfolios, and vet ideas to make
investment changes. We use this ongoing investment process to manage a
variety of equity and multi-asset portfolios for our Institutional Clients.
Investment Selection
Finding investment opportunities isn’t just about great ideas; it’s also about
selecting great investments for our clients. Investments may be individual
stocks, or active managers and/or passive exchange-traded products in a
multi-asset portfolio. Our research-driven approach to selecting investments
is designed to help investors reach their goals and objectives.
Specific to our Institutional Asset Management and Asset Allocation Model
Portfolio services, the portfolios we build for an Institutional Client are
typically constrained to a universe of investment options defined by our
client, which include their affiliated investment products in some instances.
Our analysis will still include quantitative analytics and fundamental
research on the investment options available. We draw on Morningstar’s
comprehensive database of fund and security analytics as well as utilizing
portfolios information provided by our Institutional Client, if applicable. In
some instances, we work closely with our Institutional Client to identify and
evaluate manager candidates for possible addition to or removal from the
available investment universe.
Building Portfolios
Armed with investment ideas, our global team works together to holistically
build portfolios suited to each strategy we offer or the objectives of our
clients. Portfolio construction is about ranking and risk management. We
seek to gain the largest exposure to our best ideas, while building robust
portfolios designed to stand up to challenging investment environments or
investment errors.
When building multi-asset portfolios, we need to evaluate the active
investment managers and/or passive funds we use to implement our
investment strategies. Our investment selection process begins with analysis
from Morningstar and its affiliates, which covers hundreds of thousands of
investment offerings globally, including mutual funds, closed-end funds,
separate accounts, exchange-traded products, individual stocks, and hedge
funds. We then build upon that analysis with reviews by our internal
investment team, which includes not only quantitative screens and
assessments, but also one-on-one conversations with portfolio managers as
part of our fundamental due diligence.
This judgment-driven approach also allows us to evaluate the complexity and
multifaceted nature of investment risk. We view risk as the permanent loss
of capital. Our valuation-based approach (that is, seeking underpriced assets
and avoiding overpriced assets), fundamental diversification, and forward-
looking approach to viewing asset class co-movements (that is, those that
buffer gains and losses), all help mitigate risk in the portfolios we build.
In our due diligence, we assess whether their investment team is qualified,
experienced, and talented; that they follow a consistent and disciplined
investment process; that their organization is strong and stable; and that they
operate professionally and ethically.
We study managers’ holdings using our proprietary tools and analytics to
assess how well their strategy may work in combination with those of other
managers. And we consider managers’ ability to outperform in different
market environments. Rather than following simple style analytics or style
neutrality blends, we seek process diversification and try to avoid the pitfalls
of over-diversification often found in fund-of-fund investment strategies.
To prepare investors for the future, we seek to construct robust portfolios
designed to perform well in different environments rather than being
considered “optimal” based on expected results or a specific environment.
We avoid forecasts and building strategies based on our ability to predict
specific environments. Instead, we aim to prepare for different environments
through constructing portfolios that will hold up under many possible
environments—even ones that we haven’t seen before. In effect, this involves
trade-offs of aggregate reward for risk and a calibration of the probability
and impact of negative outcomes.
Once we have selected active managers, we tend to keep them in place for
the long haul. We believe hiring independent managers to run high-
conviction strategies is a far better approach to multimanager portfolios.
As for passive vehicles, our selection process begins with the thousands of
exchange-traded products in the Morningstar database and includes the
work of Morningstar and its affiliates’ ETF analyst team. Our own analysts
perform qualitative work that can’t be found in an automated service. ETFs
are often less expensive than their open-end mutual fund counterparts but
assessing them has to go beyond this fact. We closely examine the risk
characteristics that define ETFs—including tracking to the index, trading
volume, bid/ask spread, and premium/discount—to help ensure the goals
are realistic and the liquidity is what we expect. As with other funds, we
assess ETFs within a portfolio context to achieve access to a particular
market segment or sub-asset class.
Asset allocation guidelines for multi-asset portfolios are developed by our
Asset Allocation Committee, which comprises most of the investment
Our
professionals in Morningstar’s Investment Management group.
investment professionals serve in different asset-class specialties on the
committee. The committee jointly decides on organization-wide portfolio
positioning policy, and strategy teams and portfolio managers adapt the
positioning decision, as applicable, to their particular strategies and client
portfolios. Teams of our portfolio managers are supported by the broad array
of investment professionals within the Investment Management group, who
contribute to manager research, asset-class research, investment-process
enhancement, and the development and maintenance of portfolio
management tools used in providing this service. All portfolios are reviewed
by a team of peers before we deliver them to our Institutional Client.
Managing Portfolios
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 8 of 18
classes helps enable the strategy to take advantage of opportunities and
avoid risks at the asset class level, but also keeps the portfolios tethered to
their blended benchmarks.
Once we’ve holistically built portfolios, we manage them. This part of the
process is simply continuing to find opportunities, thinking through ways
those opportunities might be included in our portfolios, and watching
markets closely for any signs that would call for adjustments within the
portfolio.
Portfolio management is not a stop/start process. We constantly review our
positions, seeking to maximize reward for risk. Each strategy we manage has
a set of investment guidelines that outline the investment objectives, risk
levels, and investment constraints. These are monitored to stay within the
defined ranges.
Ongoing monitoring of the underlying position weights is critical to keeping
the portfolio exposures as intended. Each fund is assigned a target position
and a “deviation threshold,” which governs the degree to which a fund may
sway from its target. Each fund has a different degree of latitude, based on
both its weight in the portfolio and the volatility of the assets in which it
typically invests. If a fund deviates from its target weight, we evaluate
whether the accounts that contain the fund need to be adjusted (i.e.,
rebalanced) to bring the alignment back in order.
As valuation-driven investors, we primarily focus on price changes relative
to fair value through time. Given that markets are dynamic, we reassess the
portfolio given the changes in investment ideas, aggregate risks, and
portfolio exposures. This iterative process reconsiders the opportunity set,
with a constant eye on fundamental diversification and portfolio allocations.
For registered or collective investment products we manage on behalf of an
Institutional Client, we review and revise portfolio allocation targets on a
continuous basis to ensure that asset class targets outlined in the prospectus
are maintained. Reviews are implemented to ensure that the underlying
investments in the portfolio don’t exceed allocations noted in the product’s
prospectus or breach other restrictions.
Turnover and trading reduce returns for investors and therefore any changes
should be expected to add value by a comfortable margin. Investment
decisions happen in the real world rather than on paper—transaction costs
and taxes are real. This means being biased toward inaction and long-term
holdings, keeping turnover and transaction costs as low as possible.
Morningstar Funds Trust Valuation
The Morningstar Funds Trust’s Board of Directors has oversight
responsibility for the Morningstar Funds Trust’ portfolio valuation and
pricing practices but has the discretion to delegate authority to the adviser
or sub-adviser of the funds. Fair valuation matters are also addressed within
the Morningstar Funds Trust’s valuation policies and procedures.
Our global investment team works around the clock to understand markets
and opportunities, monitor risk in existing portfolios, and vet ideas to make
investment changes. This ongoing investment process powers every portfolio
managed by the entities within Morningstar’s Investment Management
group.
Morningstar Funds Trust Subadvisor Oversight and Multi-Style Management
We are responsible for hiring, terminating, and replacing sub-advisers to the
Morningstar Funds, subject to board approval. Before hiring a sub-adviser,
we perform due diligence on them including, but not limited to, quantitative
and qualitative analysis of their investment process, risk management, and
historical performance. We are responsible for the general supervision of the
sub-advisers as well as allocating each Morningstar Fund’s assets among
the sub-advisers and rebalancing the portfolio as necessary, the timing and
degree of which will be determined by us.
We have processes and risk controls in place at multiple levels of the
investment process to ensure that our portfolios are created in a manner
consistent with their risk and return objectives. We evaluate risk at both the
asset class model level and the portfolio level. At the asset class level, we
monitor easily observable metrics such as standard deviation, skew, kurtosis,
historical beta and overall tracking error relative to our stated benchmark.
Our standard deviation and covariance matrix figures are estimated by a
proprietary factor analysis system that ensures consistency across multiple
asset classes and time periods. We delve deeper by examining conditional
value-at-risk and conducting scenario analysis testing under different
market conditions.
At times, allocation adjustments among sub-advisers may be considered
tactical with over- or under-allocations to certain sub-advisers based on our
assessment of the risk and return potential of each sub-adviser’s strategy.
Sub-adviser allocations are also influenced by each sub-adviser’s historical
returns and volatility, which are assessed by examining the performance of
strategies managed by the sub-advisers in other accounts that we believe to
be similar to those that will be used for a Morningstar Fund.
We have retained the following investment advisers to act as a sub-adviser
for the listed Morningstar Fund Trust fund pursuant to a sub-advisory
agreement:
Sub-adviser
At the portfolio level, we conduct a detailed style analysis of our underlying
funds using holdings information, quantitative regressions, and manager
meetings. The underlying styles allow us to determine the effective rolled up
portfolio asset class exposures and compare them to our asset allocation
targets. Further, we analyze each manager’s style consistency to make sure
we monitor and adjust for huge swings in our effective asset class exposures.
This analysis ensures that we are aware of, and comfortable with, our
effective asset class exposures. Additional analysis is done routinely to
measure our fund portfolio duration, tracking error, sector exposures and
betas.
Portfolio Sub-advised
Morningstar U.S. Equity Fund
Morningstar U.S. Equity Fund
Morningstar U.S. Equity Fund
ClearBridge Investments, LLC
Massachusetts Financial Services
Company, d/b/a MFS Investment
Management
Wasatch Advisors, LP d/b/a
Wasatch Global Investors
Harding Loevner LP
While actively managed portfolios will exhibit certain biases in terms of asset
class weightings or security characteristics relative to their blended
benchmarks at times (based our intended investment decisions and the
actions of the underlying managers), they are constrained by setting
minimum and maximum allocations to different asset classes, as stated in
our investment policy guidelines. Establishing allowable ranges for asset
Morningstar International Equity
Fund
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 9 of 18
Harris Associates L.P.
Lazard Asset Management LLC
Morningstar International Equity
Fund
Morningstar International Equity
Fund
Morningstar Global Income Fund
Morningstar Global Income Fund
We provide forward-looking CMAs for both taxable and tax-deferred account
types.Our CMAs consist of expected return, standard deviation and
correlation among asset classes based on our proprietary equity, fixed
income, currency and risk models. In our CMAs, we use valuation-implied
returns, which are based on the idea that asset class returns can be
decomposed into underlying corporate and economic fundamentals and the
valuations impact near-term returns. Our research team develops and
enhances our capital market models on an ongoing basis to reflect the latest
best practices and innovations. We analyze the available opportunity set of
long-term expected returns, standard
asset classes and constructs
deviations, and correlation coefficients for each.
Cullen Capital Management, LLC
Western Asset Management
Company, LLC
Guggenheim Partners Investment
Management, LLC
BlackRock Financial Management,
Inc.
Allspring Global Investments, LLC
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
First Pacific Advisors, LP
For equity valuation-implied returns, we use a supply-side approach to
forecast equity returns. The supply-side model is based on the idea that
equity returns can be decomposed into underlying economic and corporate
fundamentals. Our approach separates the expected return of each equity
asset class into four key return drivers:
Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P.
1)
Inflation: We determine long-term inflation expectations using a
structured framework that integrates quantitative historical
evidence, central bank capability, and fiscal and institutional
constraints, supplemented by country-specific structural factors.
2)
TCW Investment Management
Company LLC
Voya Investment Management
Company, LLC
Lazard Asset Management LLC
Total Yield: We base our estimates of future total yield on an
analysis of the historical payout rates and total payout yields for
a given asset class. We estimate total yield for each equity asset
class at both the country and sector level.
Morningstar Total Return Bond
Fund
Morningstar Total Return Bond
Fund
Morningstar Municipal Bond
Fund
Morningstar Municipal Bond
Fund
Morningstar Defensive Bond
Fund
Morningstar Multisector Bond
Fund
Morningstar Multisector Bond
Fund
Morningstar Multisector Bond
Fund
Morningstar Global Opportunistic
Equity Fund
Morningstar Alternatives Fund
Morningstar Alternatives Fund
Morningstar Alternatives Fund
SSI Investment Management LLC
Water Island Capital, LLC
BlackRock Financial Management,
Inc.
3) Growth: The growth term measures the change in corporate cash
flows per share excluding the impact of repurchases. Our long-
run growth expectations are based on expected growth of the
asset class based on underlying fundamentals.
4) Change in Valuation: We use several valuation models to estimate
the fair value of equity asset classes and assumes reversion to fair
value over a 10-year period. Specifically, our valuation models rely
on several forward-looking measures of normalized earnings
such as profit margin, return on book-equity, and inflation-
adjusted average earnings over the business cycle.
For fixed-income valuation-implied returns, we use a building-block
approach to forecast returns of fixed-income asset classes. The key inputs
into our fixed-income model are:
1)
Inflation: The inflation forecast is the same as the one used in our
equity model.
Sub-advisers have discretionary authority to determine, subject to each
portfolio’s investment policies and restrictions, the securities in which the
portfolios advised by them will invest, which may include domestic and
foreign equity securities, warrants, derivatives, delayed settlement
securities, commercial paper, certificates of deposit, investment company
securities, United States government securities, and options, futures, and
forward contracts. The sub-advisers employ proprietary methods of
securities analysis in making investment decisions for the portfolios and may
rely upon a variety of sources for information, including internally generated
research. In making investments on behalf of the portfolios, the sub-advisers
may employ investment strategies and techniques which include long and
short-term purchases, short-term trading, short sales, derivatives, and
options writing. Potential investors in the Morningstar Funds Trust should
carefully read the prospectus, statement of additional information and/or
portfolio’s offering documents for additional information on each portfolio’s
investment objectives, risks and restrictions.
2)
Real Rate: The real rate of return is the expected return of cash
after inflation. We forecast real rates based on an examination of
long-run historical real-rate data and consideration of the
macroeconomic environment for each fixed-income asset class.
3)
Asset Allocation Services – Capital Market Assumptions and Risk
Tolerance Questionnaires
As part of our Asset Allocation Services, we typically offer a combination of
Asset Class Model Portfolio(s), Risk Tolerance Questionnaire(s) (“RTQ”), and
our Capital Market Assumptions (“CMAs”). Our construction method for
Asset Class Model Portfolios is described above. This section will focus on
our CMA and RTQ methods.
Term Spread: We base our forecast of the term spread on the
long-run shape of the yield curve, current market data, and
surveys. The expected shape of the yield curve also determines
our forecast of the roll return of a fixed-income asset class.
Capital Market Assumptions
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Page 10 of 18
tolerance questionnaire scores alone should not be the predominant
indicator used to match an investor to a portfolio or investment products.
4) Credit Spread: We forecast default and recovery rates across
credit ratings and industries. Our model takes into account the
impact of rating upgrades and downgrades (credit migration) on
credit bond prices.
Although the risk tolerance questionnaire scoring process is objective,
subjectivity cannot be completely eliminated when using such measurement
tools. For example, some investors may struggle to understand the questions
or may not have clearly defined risk preferences. There is no guarantee that
this risk tolerance assessment tool or its scoring method perfectly assesses
a person’s tolerance to risk or attitudes about gains and losses. In addition,
although the financial professional may have directly or indirectly used the
results of a risk tolerance questionnaire to inform a suggested asset
allocation, there is no guarantee that the resulting asset mix appropriately
reflects an investor’s ability to withstand investment risk.
For currency valuation-implied returns, the currency return is our forecast of
the change in the spot exchange rate. In general, for any asset not
denominated in the reference currency, the valuation-implied return of the
asset is based on the expected return in local currency plus the expected
currency return. The currency valuation-implied return has two main
components: 1) the inflation differential between the local currency and the
reference currency, and 2) the reversion of real exchange rate to its fair value.
The inflation differential is the difference between the expected inflation rate
of the local and reference currencies, where the inflation forecast is based
on the same methodology as the one discussed in the equity section above.
In the very long run (i.e., at the unconditional horizon), we expect the inflation
differential to be the sole driver of changes in the spot rate. The change in
the real exchange rate is estimated based on multiple deflators (including
CPI and PPI) to account for potential differences in the importance of the
tradable versus non-tradable sector in a given economy. These price-based
measures of real exchange rates are adjusted for differences in export quality
and productivity differentials, accounting for potential differences in the
value of goods not reflected in the price indexes. The expected change in the
real exchange rate is generally based on the assumption that the real
exchange rate will revert to a long-run average.
Select Lists and Investment Lineups
For our Select List and Investment Lineups services, our analysis is typically
constrained to a universe of investment options defined by our institutional
client, which may include their affiliated investment products. Our analysis
will still include quantitative analytics and fundamental research on the
investment options available. We draw on Morningstar’s comprehensive
database of fund and security analytics as well as utilizing portfolio
information provided by our institutional client, if applicable. Select Lists are
fully customized around a firm’s asset allocation, portfolio construction, and
investment objective needs. We work with our institutional client to
determine the universe of investment options from which we are to choose
from, the asset classes to be addressed, the number of investment selections
per asset class, the intended users of the list, and the intended account type
(e.g., taxable or tax-deferred). We typically update select lists and investment
lineups quarterly, or on another basis as defined by our client.
To build the select list or investment lineup, we employ a disciplined process
incorporating quantitative screens (e.g., manager tenure, portfolio exposure,
and risk and return characteristics) to the available investment universe to
narrow the list. Investment options passing those initial quantitative screens
are then subject to a qualitative analysis. During that analysis, we are
assessing each security on its own merits. During the qualitative analysis
phases, we are also assessing how the investment options compares to
others in its asset class as well among all the asset classes, paying attention
to diversification of investment approach within each asset class and overall.
Risk Tolerance Questionnaire
A risk tolerance questionnaire is a tool designed to measure an investor’s
self-reported perceptions of their general willingness and ability to
withstand the volatility inherent in investing in capital markets. Our measure
is based on three self-reported factors: (1) time horizon, (2) feelings about
the trade-offs between expected returns and expected volatility, and (3)
beliefs about the investor’s anticipated emotional reactions to changes in
their portfolio’s value, in particular drawdowns. Using a unit weighted sum
of the responses to the questions within this questionnaire, two overall
scores are generated. The first is a score in regard to the investor’s time
horizon, which serves as a proxy for the investor’s ability or capacity to take
on risk. The second score reflects an investor’s overall risk preferences.
These two scores can be used independently, and/or they can be
systematically mapped to a spectrum of risk tolerance profiles ranging from
conservative to aggressive. The spectrum of risk tolerance profiles and
scores can be represented as distinct profiles, such as Very Conservative,
Conservative, Moderately Conservative, Moderate, Moderately Aggressive,
and Very Aggressive.
The investment selection process is guided by a proprietary due diligence
process, which combines quantitative analysis with qualitative assessment
of an investment’s management team and investment process. The
assessment we make represents our overall level of conviction in an
investment based on various factors that we believe are important in
determining which investments have the best chance of delivering above-
average risk-adjusted performance in the future. These factors include the
following:
the risk
tolerance questionnaire. Our risk
Process – We strive to identify managers who employ a disciplined
and prudent investment process that has been executed in a
consistent fashion. We favor attributes such as insightful security
analysis, a robust valuation discipline, and sound risk management
and portfolio construction.
Parent – The culture and structure of a firm can have a significant
impact on its ability to attract and retain talent and its penchant for
serving in the best interests of shareholders. We look at ownership
Ultimately, the investor and/or their financial professional has the final
decision in determining the investor’s portfolio, which may differ from the
risk tolerance profile or scores and be based on additional information not
captured by
tolerance
questionnaire is a measurement tool for helping a financial professional
discover information about the investor’s time horizon, risk and return
preferences, and their anticipated responses to volatility. This information
can—and should—help initiate and facilitate conversations that assist the
financial professional in gaining a broader understanding of the investor’s
financial situation, including additional information about an investor’s
assets, anticipated cash-flows, needs, goals, and other relevant information.
Based on this more complete understanding of the investor, financial
professional should be able to develop a suitable investment strategy. Risk
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 11 of 18
structure of the firm, its organizational stability and financial strength.
We also place considerable emphasis on stewardship by favoring
investments where the firm has shown a tendency to act in the best
interests of shareholders and where the portfolio managers eat their
own cooking, so to speak, and have their incentives aligned with
shareholders.
Capital market assumptions are forecasts which involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual
results to differ materially and/or substantially from any future results,
performance, or achievements expressed or implied by those projections for
any reason. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Our recommendations are made without taking into consideration potential
tax consequences and we do not provide tax advice. Potential tax
consequences may exist. We encourage you to consult with a tax professional
about these and other tax consequences.
People – We judge the depth and capabilities of members of the
investment team and the stability of the organization. We look beyond
the lead portfolio manager to assess the quality of research analysts.
Performance – We strive to identify investments that have shown the
ability to deliver solid risk-adjusted performance over time. We
evaluate performance from several angles and over various time
periods. We favor managers that have added value over an
appropriate benchmark or peer group in a consistent manager.
Price – Research indicates that expenses are one of the most
important factors in predicting mutual fund performance. While a
lower expense ratio is always better, we put expenses into the proper
context and consider factors such as the size of the fund, trend in
expenses, and investment strategy.
Our access to fund managers allows us to conduct constant research, and
meetings with those managers are an important part of our process. This
deepens our understanding of the processes these managers use and gives
us valuable perspective on the state of the economy and capital markets.
The Morningstar Funds Trust principal risks include multimanager and sub-
adviser selection risk, active management risk, asset allocation risk, market
risk, investment company/ETF risk, REITS and other real estate companies
risk, master limited partnership risk, smaller company risk, sector focus risk,
foreign security risk, currency risk, derivative risk, quantitative models risk,
cybersecurity risk, European market risk, Asian market risk, China market
risk, Japan market risk, emerging-markets risk, geographic concentration
risk, cash/cash equivalents risk, private placements risk, interest-rate risk,
call risk, credit risk, high-yield risk, convertible securities risk, preferred stock
risk, contingent capital securities risk, US government securities risk,
sovereign debt securities risk, mortgage-related and other asset-backed
securities risk, floating-rate notes risk, loan risk, CDO risk, reverse repurchase
agreement risk, dollar rolls risk, portfolio turnover risk, municipal securities
risk, municipal focus risk, Latin America issuer risk, absolute return risk
strategy, long/short strategy risk, short sales risk, supranational entities risk,
indexed and inverse securities risk, and merger arbitrage risk. More
information about the Morningstar Funds Trust’s risks can be found in the
prospectus at http://connect.rightprospectus.com/Morningstar.
After creating a new Select List or Investment Lineup, we will conduct
monitoring, typically on a quarterly basis, following the same process used
for the initial selection. For Select Lists, we also maintain a watch list, which
includes investment options that have undergone changes we believe may
negatively affect its long-term prospects. The intent of the watch process is
to ensure that the investments initially selected continue to satisfy the
criteria that led to their initial selection. Generally, an investment option’s
watch period is two to four quarters, at which point, we will make a
recommendation to remove the option from the Select List or take it off
watch. In addition, if any investments experience significant change prior to
the quarterly update, such as a manager change, we will notify the client as
the case arises.
Information Sources
Our global resources used in the formulation of our advisory services go
down to our roots—the data and analysis from Morningstar that form the
base of our investment process. This expansive, in-house network of global
data and investment analysis spans asset classes and regions to help drive
timely new ideas. Morningstar or its affiliates have more than 900 analysts
and make data available on more than 600,000 investment options and 4.75
million privately-held companies. The extensive data, analysis, and
methodologies from these resources, along with external research reports,
data, and interviews with investment managers are combined with financial
publications, annual reports, prospectuses, press releases, and SEC filings to
serve as the basis of our primary sources of information.
For some of our services, we combine this information with other factors—
including actuarial data, stock market exposure, probability analysis, and
mean-variance optimization—into a proprietary software program to analyze
a complex set of market data and variables that results in an advanced model
that can provide investment recommendations and a projection of different
outcomes.
Risk of Loss and Strategy Risk
Investments in securities are subject to market risk, risk of loss, and other
risks and will not always be profitable. There is no assurance or guarantee
that the intended investment objectives of our recommendations will be
received. We do not represent or guarantee that our
investment
recommendations can or will predict future results, will successfully identify
market highs or lows, or will result in a profit or protect clients from loss.
Past performance of a security may or may not be sustained in the future and
is no indication of future performance. A security’s investment return and an
investor’s principal value will fluctuate so that, when redeemed, an investor’s
shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. We are unable to
predict or forecast market fluctuations or other uncertainties that may affect
the value of any investment.
Asset allocation and diversification are investment strategies which spread
assets across various investment types for long-term investing. However, as
with all investment strategies, these strategies do not ensure a profit and do
not guarantee against losses.
Security Type Risks
Commons Stocks
Certain Portfolios are invested primarily in common stocks listed on U.S.
stock exchanges, which are a type of equity security that represents an
ownership interest in a corporation. Please be aware that common stocks are
typically subject to greater fluctuations in market value than other asset
classes as a result of such factors as a company’s business performance,
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 12 of 18
Investments in mutual funds and collective investment trust (CITs) funds
involve risk, including loss of principal as a result of changing market and
economic conditions and will not always be profitable.
investor perceptions, stock market trends and general economic conditions.
Stocks of small-cap and mid-cap companies tend to be more volatile and less
liquid than stocks of large companies. Small-cap and mid-cap companies, as
compared to larger companies, may have a shorter history of operations, may
not have as great an ability to raise additional capital, may have a less
diversified product line making them susceptible to market pressure, and
may have a smaller public market for their shares.
A collective investment trust may also be called a commingled or collective
fund. CITs are tax-exempt, pooled investment vehicles maintained by a bank
or trust company exclusively for qualified plans, including 401(k)s, and
certain types of government plans. CITs are unregistered investment vehicles
subject to banking regulations of the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency (OCC), which means they are typically less expensive than other
investment options due to lower marketing, overhead, and compliance-
related costs. CITs are not available to the general public but are managed
only for specific retirement plans.
Real Estate Investment Trusts
Publicly-traded Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) may be included in
certain Portfolios. REITs are traded like common stocks and invest in real
estate either through properties or mortgages. REITs are focused securities
and may exhibit higher volatility than securities with broader investment
objectives. Principal risks associated with REITs include market risk, issuer
risk, economic risk, mortgage rate risk, diversification risk, and
sector/concentration risk.
ADRs and Foreign Stocks
Certain Portfolios are invested in ADRs or foreign stocks listed on an U.S.
exchange. An ADR is typically created by a U.S. bank and allows U.S. investors
to have a position in the foreign company in the form of an ADR. Each ADR
represents one or more shares of a foreign stock or a fraction of a share (often
referred as the ‘ratio’). The certificate, transfer, and settlement practices for
ADRs are identical to those for U.S. securities. Generally, the price of the ADR
corresponds to the price of the foreign stock in its home market, adjusted for
the ratio of ADRs to foreign company shares. There are investment risks
associated with ADRs and foreign stocks including, but not limited to,
currency exchange-rate, inflationary, and liquidity risks as well as the risk of
adverse political, economic and social developments taking place within the
underlying issuer’s home country. In addition, the underlying issuers of
certain ADRs are under no obligation
to distribute shareholder
communications to ADR holders, or to pass through to them any voting rights
with respect to the deposited securities.
Target-Date Funds
An investment in a target date fund is not guaranteed, and investors may
experience losses, including losses near, at, or after the target date. There is
no guarantee that a target-date fund will provide adequate income at and
through an individual’s retirement.
Exchange-Traded Funds
Portfolios may be invested in exchange-traded funds whose investment
objective is to track that sector. ETFs are traded on national exchanges and
therefore are subject to similar investment risks as common stocks. ETFs, like
all investments, carry certain risks that may adversely affect their net asset
value, market price, and/or performance. An ETF’s net asset value (NAV) will
fluctuate in response to market activity. Because ETFs are traded throughout
the day and the price is determined by market forces, the market price you
pay for an ETF may be more or less than the net asset value. Because ETFs
are not actively managed, their value may be affected by a general decline in
the U.S. market segments relating to their underlying indexes. Similarly, an
imperfect match between an ETF’s holdings and those of its underlying index
may cause its performance to not match the performance of its underlying
index. Like other concentrated investments, an ETF with concentrated
holdings may be more vulnerable to specific economic, political, or
regulatory events than an ETF that mirrors the general U.S. market.
Methodology Updates
Our CMA, asset allocation, and investment committees typically meet on a
periodic basis. These committees have oversight for their respective areas of
expertise. If any of these committees makes an adjustment, the changes are
thoroughly reviewed and tested before being implemented. These changes
are manifested in retirement investor portfolios through expected future
returns, and asset allocations. CMAs are updated on an annual basis. We also
update our methodologies with updated tax limits on an annual basis. Asset
allocation and advice methodologies are updated only when there is a
regulatory change that requires an update or when research we have
completed warrants enhancing our asset allocation process or advice
methodology.
Item 9. Disciplinary Information
We are required to disclose all material facts regarding any legal or
disciplinary events that would influence a potential client to engage us. We
do not have any material legal or disciplinary events to disclose.
Item 10. Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Morningstar Investment Management is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Morningstar. Our offerings center on advisory services in our core
investment selection, and portfolio
capabilities of asset allocation,
construction that we offer to individual investors and institutions (including
the services described in this brochure.)
Money Market Funds
A money market fund may impose a fee upon the sale of shares or may
temporarily suspend your ability to sell shares if the fund’s liquidity falls
below a required minimum because of market conditions or other factors.
An investment in a money-market vehicle is not insured or guaranteed by the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government
agency. For most money market funds, their sponsor has no legal obligation
to provide financial support to the fund, and you should not expect that the
sponsor will provide financial support to the fund at any time. Although some
money market funds seek to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00
per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. It is possible to lose money by
investing in money market funds.
Mutual Funds and Collective Investment Trusts
Our portfolio managers and their team members who are responsible for the
day-to-day management of our strategies are paid a base salary plus a
discretionary bonus. The bonus is fully or partially determined by a
combination of the employee’s business unit’s overall revenue and
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 13 of 18
profitability, Morningstar’s overall annual revenue and profitability, and the
individual’s contribution to the business unit. For most portfolio managers
and their team members that work on Morningstar Wealth’s Strategies, part
of their bonus is also based on select Strategy investment performance and
risk metrics versus both a corresponding benchmark over specified three-,
five-, and/or seven-year periods and appropriate peer groups. Benchmarks
are used as a measure of investment performance and are chosen by senior
personnel and approved by the Regional Investment Committee, which is
chaired by the regional Chief Investment Officer. To mitigate the conflict of
interest that could arise from partially basing an employee’s bonus on
performance of a select Strategy or Strategies, all investment decisions made
within a Strategy by an individual portfolio manager must be peer reviewed
by the broader regional team of portfolio managers. In addition, the Regional
Investment Committee reviews strategy performance on a quarterly basis.
We have procedures in place to ensure that trades are allocated in such a
manner as to not favor one person over another. We maintain seed accounts
for certain Morningstar Wealth Strategies in order to provide an indication of
each Strategy’s performance. While the same or similar Strategies are
offered by us to our institutional clients, we do not believe this creates any
material conflicts of interest for our clients. In order to mitigate any perceived
conflict of
interest, our multi-asset Strategy recommendations are
communicated to institutional clients after the close of the trading day. Seed
and Morningstar-affiliated accounts in those Strategies are traded after all
institutional clients have received the Strategy updates so that no one person
has an advantage over another. Equity Strategy recommendations are
communicated based off a trade rotation schedule designed to ensure
equitable and systematic distribution. The trade rotation process includes
our seed accounts.
We invested in the Series D funding round of SMArtX Advisory Solutions, a
managed account technology provider and architect of the SMArtX turnkey
asset management platform. This investment will assist in the build out of
SMArtX’s development capabilities, which could benefit us or our parent
company. Daniel Needham, our co-president serves on the board of SMArtX.
For many of our institutional advisory services, the universe of investment
options from which we make our investment selections is defined by our
client. In some cases, this universe of investment options includes
proprietary investment options of that client. To mitigate any actual or
potential conflict of interests presented by this situation, we subject all
investment options to the same quantitative and qualitative investment
selection methodology, based on several factors, including performance,
risk, and expense so that the proprietary nature of an investment option does
not influence our selection.
When we, along with Morningstar and/or our other affiliates offer services to
the same client, we have the option to enter into a bundled agreement with
the client that encompasses all or part of those services. Additional fee(s) for
such product(s) or service(s), if required, will be set forth in our agreement
with the client. In these situations, clients pay a fee directly to us and each
such affiliate for its products or services or as part of a joint fee schedule
which encompasses all services.
Affiliations – Registered Entities
Morningstar has various subsidiaries across the globe that are each
registered with the applicable regulatory body or bodies in that country to
provide investment management or other advisory services. As described
earlier in this brochure, we share resources with these various subsidiaries.
We provide consulting or investment management services to institutional
clients that offer registered or pooled investment products, such as mutual
funds, variable annuities, collective investment trusts, or model portfolios. To
mitigate the conflict of interest presented by our role in these investment
products, we generally exclude such investment products from the universe
of investment options from which we make our recommendations to other
clients. If an investment product that we provide consulting or investment
management services to is included in a recommendation from us, we
disclose our conflict of interest and take steps in regard to our advisory fees
so that our recommendation does not result in the use of our fiduciary role
to direct additional compensation to us.
In some cases, our senior management members have management
responsibilities to these other affiliated entities. We do not believe that these
management responsibilities create any material conflicts of interests for our
clients.
We receive compensation for our research and analysis activities (e.g.,
research papers) from a variety of financial institutions including large
banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies, and mutual fund companies.
In order to mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may arise
from this service, we ensure that our research and analytical activities are
non-biased and objective given our business relationships. Employees who
provide research and analysis for clients are separate from our sales and
relationship manager staff in order to mitigate the conflict of interest that an
employee may feel pressure to present results in such a way as to maintain
existing or gain new business. In addition, as noted above, all investment
decisions for Morningstar Wealth’s Strategies must be peer reviewed by
fellow portfolio managers, which mitigates the conflict of interest by
providing checks and balances so that no employee can act unilaterally in
making recommendation decisions.
Morningstar Wealth has set up service teams composed of employees of our
affiliate and located at our affiliate’s office in Mumbai, India. We compensate
our affiliates for services rendered via intercompany charges. The services
and compensation will be governed by intercompany agreements. This
compensation will likely be lower than compensation negotiated with non-
affiliated firms for the same or similar services. To mitigate any conflict of
interest between us and our affiliates we have established dual reporting
lines for employees on these teams so that such employees report up to
employees of Morningstar Investment Management. We’ve also established
information security boundaries and technology separation to protect our
non-public information and Morningstar’s compliance department monitors
the personal trading activity of these employees.
Morningstar Investment Management is registered as a Commodity Pool
Operator with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Some of
Morningstar Investment Management’s employees are registered with the
National Futures Association as principals or associated persons.
Affiliations – Morningstar, Inc.
Our parent company, Morningstar, Inc., is publicly traded (Ticker Symbol:
MORN). We may recommend an investment product that holds a position in
publicly traded shares of Morningstar’s stock. Such an investment in
Morningstar’s stock is solely the decision of the investment product’s
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 14 of 18
physical and technological), maintaining separate organizational reporting
lines between, and monitoring by the compliance department.
portfolio manager. We have no input into a portfolio manager’s investment
decision nor do we require that the investment products we recommend own
shares of Morningstar. An investment product’s position in Morningstar has
no direct bearing on our investment selection process. We mitigate any
actual or potential conflicts of interest by not factoring Morningstar’s
publicly traded stock into our qualitative or quantitative analysis nor in our
recommendations.
imposing
In some instances, we create portfolios that track an index created and
maintained by Morningstar. Morningstar does not and will not have any
input into our investment decisions, including what investment products will
be included in our portfolios. We mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of
interest by
(both physical and
informational barriers
technological), maintaining separate organizational reporting lines, and
monitoring by the compliance department.
Morningstar has and maintains accounts which they invest in accordance
with investment strategies created and maintained by us. Those investment
strategies are deployed using equity securities. Some of Morningstar’s
accounts are used as the subject of newsletters offered by Morningstar. In
order to ensure that Morningstar’s newsletter subscribers are not treated
more favorably than our clients, trade recommendations are communicated
based off of a trade rotation schedule.
Morningstar offers various products and services to the public. Some of
Morningstar’s clients are service providers (e.g., portfolio managers,
advisers, or distributors) affiliated with a mutual fund or other investment
option. We may have a contractual relationship to provide consulting or
advisory services to these same service providers or we may recommend the
products of these service providers to our advisory clients. To mitigate any
actual or potential conflicts of interest, we do not consider the relationship
between Morningstar and
these service providers when making
recommendations. We are not paid to recommend one investment option
over another,
including products of service providers with which
Morningstar has a relationship.
As a wholly owned subsidiary, we use the resources, infrastructure, and
employees of Morningstar and its affiliates to provide certain support
services in such areas as technology, procurement, human resources,
accounting, legal, compliance, information security, and marketing. We do
not believe this arrangement presents a conflict of interests to us in terms of
our advisory services.
Morningstar provides information to the public about various investment
products, including managed investments like open-end mutual funds and
ETFs. In some cases, this information includes written analyses of these
investment products. Although we use certain products, services, or
databases of Morningstar, we do not have any decision-making input in the
written analyses that Morningstar provides its licensees. While we consider
the analyses of Morningstar, our investment recommendations are oriented
to the mandates of the investment products in question.
We have the option to make our clients aware of various products and
services offered by Morningstar or its affiliates. We do not receive
compensation for that introduction. Morningstar and its affiliates also have
the option to make their clients aware of various products and services
offered by us. Morningstar and its affiliates do not receive any compensation
from us for that introduction, unless it falls under a solicitation arrangement,
as described in Item 14 below.
Morningstar hosts educational events and conferences and, in some
instances, provides us with the opportunity to suggest invitees or offer
(proactively or upon request) discounted or waived registration fees. We
mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interest this introduces by using
pre-defined criteria to select Institutional Clients for these opportunities.
Morningstar Wealth, through Morningstar and its subsidiaries, make
available products such as: (i) investment product ; (ii) Morningstar Funds
Trust, (iii) Morningstar ByAllAccounts, Morningstar’s investment data
aggregation service; and (iv) Morningstar.com, Morningstar’s individual
investor site offering. Daniel Needham, our co-president, has management
responsibilities for Morningstar Wealth. We do not believe that these
management responsibilities create any material conflicts of interests for our
clients, but we mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interests resulting
from that by imposing informational barriers where appropriate and
undertaking compliance monitoring.
imposing
Morningstar offers various products and services to retail and institutional
investors. In certain situations, we recommend an investment product that
tracks an index created and maintained by Morningstar. In such cases, the
investment product sponsor has entered into a licensing agreement with
Morningstar to use such index. To mitigate any conflicts of interest arising
from our selection of such investment products, we use solely quantitative
criteria established by our advisory client to make such selection, or when
Morningstar’s compensation is based on assets invested in the product, it’s
compensation from the investment product sponsor will not be based on nor
will it include assets that are a result of our recommendation to our advisory
client to invest in those investment products. In other cases, some of
Morningstar’s clients are sponsors of funds that we recommend to our
clients. Morningstar does not and will not have any input into our investment
decisions, including what investment products will be recommended for our
recommended portfolios. We mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of
(both physical and
informational barriers
interest by
technological), maintaining separate organizational reporting lines, and
monitoring by the compliance department. In addition, we do not factor in
the relationship between Morningstar when analyzing investments or
making recommendations. We mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of
interests resulting from that by not producing qualitative analysis on any
such exchange-traded fund as well as imposing informational barriers (both
Affiliations – Morningstar, Inc. Subsidiaries
Morningstar Research Services LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Morningstar, Inc. Morningstar Research Services’ offerings center around
the production of investment research reports and investment consulting
services to financial institutions/institutional investors who themselves are
registered with a regulatory body. Conflicts of interests between us and
Morningstar Research Services are mitigated by such things as the
maintenance of separate legal entities and dual reporting/organization lines,
and the utilization of physical (i.e., separate office “neighborhoods”) and
technological separation. Morningstar Research Services also maintains a
committee structure so as to limit any unilateral decisions. Morningstar’s
compliance department monitors the personal trading activities of
Morningstar Research Services’ employees.
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 15 of 18
(NRSRO). Morningstar DBRS’ companies are also registered with and
governed by applicable regulatory body or bodies in other countries around
the globe. In our analysis of certain securities, we use the publicly available
credit rating and analysis issued by Morningstar DBRS. Because of our use
of Morningstar DBRS’ ratings and analysis is limited to that which is publicly
available, we do not believe there is an actual or potential conflict of interest
that arises from such use.
Morningstar Research Services provides information to the public about
various securities, including managed investments like open-end mutual
funds and ETFs, which include written analyses of these investment products
in some situations. Although we use certain products, services, or databases
that contain this information, we do not participate in or have any input in
the written analyses that Morningstar Research Services produces. While we
consider the analyses of Morningstar Research Services, our investment
recommendations are based on our decisions in regard to the investment
product.
Morningstar Research Services issues investment research reports on
securities we hold in our portfolios or recommend to our clients, but they do
not share any yet-to-be published views and analysis and/or changes in
estimates (i.e., their confidential information) with us on these securities. In
making investment decisions or recommendations, we use Morningstar
Research Services’ publicly available analysis as part of our review process,
and do not have access to their analysis prior to its public dissemination. We
mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interest that could arise from the
access of their analysis prior to publication through measures such as
informational barriers (both physical and technological), maintaining
separate or dual organizational reporting lines, and monitoring by the
compliance department.
Item 11. Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client
Transactions and Personal Trading
Code Of Ethics
We have in place a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers
Act (“Code of Ethics”). Our Code of Ethics strives to uphold the highest
standards of moral and ethical conduct, including placing our clients’
interest ahead of our own. Our Code of Ethics covers all our officers and
employees as well as other persons who have access to our non-public
information (collectively “Access Persons”). Our Code of Ethics addresses
such topics as professional and ethical responsibilities, compliance with
securities laws, our fiduciary duty, and personal trading practices. Our Code
of Ethics also addresses receipt and/or permissible use of material non-
public information and other confidential information our Access Persons
may be exposed and/or have access to given their position. The Code of
Ethics is provided upon hire and at least annually thereafter and at each time,
the Access Person must certify in writing that she or he has received, read,
and understands the Code of Ethics and that they agree to or have complied
with its contents.
Morningstar Research Services prepares qualitative analysis on separately
managed accounts and model portfolios. To mitigate conflicts of interest,
Morningstar Research Services does not prepare qualitative analysis for any
Morningstar separately managed account or model portfolio we create and
manage.
A copy of our Code of Ethics is available to existing and prospective clients
by sending written request to compliancemail@morningstar.com.
Some of Morningstar Research Services’ clients are sponsors of funds or
associated with other securities that we recommend to our institutional
clients. We mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interests resulting
from this fact through such measures as informational barriers (both
physical and technological), maintaining separate or dual organizational
reporting lines, and monitoring by the compliance department. In addition,
we do not factor in the relationship between Morningstar Research Services
and their clients when analyzing investments or making recommendations.
Interest In Client Transactions
Our Access Persons have the option to maintain personal investment
accounts and purchase or sell investments in those accounts that are the
same as or different from the investments we recommend to clients. Our
Code of Ethics is designed to ensure that Access Persons’ personal trading
activities should not conflict with our advisory activities or the timing of our
recommendations and will not interfere with our clients’ interests, while
allowing our Access Persons to invest in their own accounts.
We do not engage in principal transactions (transactions where we, acting in
our own account or in an affiliated account, buy a security from or sell a
security to a client’s account) nor do we engage in agency cross transactions
(transactions where we or our affiliate executes a transaction while acting as
a broker for both our client and the other party in the transaction).
Morningstar Investment Management serves as an investment adviser to
investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, and to other pooled investment products. To mitigate
conflicts of interest, Morningstar Research Services does not prepare
qualitative analysis on any investment company to whom we serve as
investment adviser or sub-adviser.
Equity and manager research analysts based outside the United States are
employed by various wholly owned subsidiaries of Morningstar. These
analysts follow the same investment methodologies and process as
Morningstar Research Services, as well as being held to the same conduct
standards. As a result, we do not believe this structure causes actual or a
potential for a conflict of interest.
Interest In Securities That We May Recommend
Morningstar Investment Management has and maintains a number of seed
accounts (accounts used to establish a strategy we offer or track), many of
which follow strategies we offer to clients. In order to ensure that our seed
accounts or any one client does not receive favorable treatment, our multi-
asset Strategy recommendations are communicated after the close of the
trading day and seed accounts in those Strategies. Equity Strategy
recommendations are communicated based off a trade rotation schedule
designed to ensure equitable and systematic distribution.
Personal Trading By Access Persons
Affiliations – Credit Rating Agency
We are affiliated with the Morningstar DBRS group of companies, which
include DBRS, Inc., DBRS Limited, DBRS Ratings GmbH, and DBRS Ratings
Limited. DBRS, Inc. is registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 16 of 18
Item 13. Review of Accounts
If included in our contract with an institutional client, we will provide ongoing
monitoring of the underlying holdings in investment portfolios and
reallocation or rebalancing of investment portfolios. The frequency and
nature of our reviews and rebalancing is governed by our contract with each
such client.
Our Code of Ethics is designed to ensure that Access Persons’ personal
trading activities does not interfere with our clients’ interests. While our
Access Persons have the option to maintain personal investment accounts,
they are subject to certain restrictions. Our Code of Ethics includes policies
designed to prevent Access Persons from trading based on material non-
public information. Access Persons in possession of material non-public
information are prohibited from trading in securities which are the subject
of such information and tipping such information to others. In certain
instances, we employ information blocking devices such as restricted lists to
prevent illegal insider trading. Morningstar’s compliance department
monitors the activities in the personal accounts of our Access Persons (and
any accounts in which they have beneficial ownership) upon hire and
thereafter. Access Persons are required to pre-clear IPO, initial digital coin
offerings, and private placement
transactions with Morningstar’s
compliance department.
In instances where we recommend an institutional client that offers our
Strategies, our financial advisor is responsible for periodically reviewing
those client accounts. In most cases, the investor’s financial advisor will
review the investor’s responses to a risk tolerance questionnaire or similar
information and assist the investor in determining if a Strategy is appropriate
for the investor. If it is, the financial advisor will assist the investor in making
a final determination as to the most appropriate Strategy for the investor
from those available through the institutional client. The investor’s financial
advisor will contact the investor at least annually to discuss and review any
changes in their financial situation.
We provide ongoing monitoring of the Strategies we offer to seek to ensure
each Strategy remains aligned with factors such as its objective, guidelines,
and restrictions. Our model portfolios and valuation models are reviewed on
at least an annual basis. Investment-specific model portfolios for a
retirement plan or product are reviewed on at least an annual basis.
Item 12. Brokerage Practices
Where we exercise investment discretion, we will generate trade instructions
for each portfolio that requires investment, reallocation or rebalancing and
forward those instructions to the appropriate institution as designated by the
client. As a result, we do not have the ability to make decisions regarding
which broker is used to execute the transactions nor the timing of when the
trade is executed. This could result in different pricing of client trades. We
do not participate in any soft dollar practices.
We may provide periodic reports to our institutional clients on the investment
portfolios and the underlying holdings or retirement plan or product lineup
if included in our contract with such client.
To generate additional income or to earn credits that offset expenses, the
Morningstar Funds reserves the right to lend its portfolio securities to
unaffiliated broker/dealers, financial institutions or other institutional
investors pursuant to agreements requiring that the loans be secured
continuously by collateral, marked-to-market daily and maintained in an
amount at least equal in value to the current market value of the securities
loaned. The aggregate market value of securities lent by a Morningstar Fund
will not at any time exceed 33 1/3% of the total assets of the Morningstar
Fund. All relevant facts and circumstances, including the creditworthiness of
the broker-dealer or institution, will be considered in making decisions with
respect to the lending of securities subject to review by the Morningstar
Funds Trust’s Board of Trustees. Currently, six of the nine Morningstar Funds
participate in a securities lending program.
Item 14. Client Referrals and Other Compensation
We may make direct or indirect cash or non-cash payments to our affiliates
or to unaffiliated third parties for recommending our services. We may also
receive direct or indirect cash or non-cash payments from an institutional
client if we recommend investors use their services. If such payments occur,
they will be done pursuant to Rule 206(4)-1 of the Advisers Act. Those referred
by third party solicitors may in some cases pay a higher fee than those who
contract with a firm directly. Through disclosures, which are spoken or given
in writing to clients at the time of the solicitation, clients or investors solicited
by an unaffiliated person or recommended to use our institutional client are
made aware of the arrangement between the us and solicitor or us and our
institutional client (and therefore that the solicitor has a financial interest in
making the recommendation), any other material conflicts of interest, and
the terms of any compensation paid directly or indirectly to the solicitor as a
result of their referral.
The cash collateral received from a borrower as a result of a Morningstar
Fund’s securities lending activities will be invested in cash or high quality,
short-term debt obligations, such as securities of the U.S. government, its
agencies or instrumentalities, irrevocable letters of credit issued by a bank
that meets the Morningstar Fund’s investment standards, bank guarantees
or money market mutual funds or any combination thereof.
Referral fees are typically paid quarterly for so long as the client or investor
maintains an applicable agreement for advisory services and the solicitor’s
agreement between us and the other firm remains in-force. If at any time
either agreement is terminated, the referral fee payments to the solicitor will
cease.
We receive direct or indirect cash payments from unaffiliated third parties
for referring their services to other advisory firms or investors. This creates a
conflict of interest as we have an incentive to recommend these third parties
in order to receive the cash payment.
Securities lending involves two primary risks: “investment risk” and
“borrower default risk.” Investment risk is the risk that a fund will lose money
from the investment of the cash collateral received from the borrower.
Borrower default risk is the risk that a fund will lose money due to the failure
of a borrower to return a borrowed security in a timely manner. There also
may be risks of delay in receiving additional collateral, in recovering the
securities loaned, or a loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of
the securities fail financially. In the event a Morningstar Fund is unsuccessful
in seeking to enforce the contractual obligation to deliver additional
collateral, then the Morningstar Fund could suffer a loss.
We enter into agreements with certain Institutional Clients whereby we
provide compensation to Institutional Clients in exchange for access to their
financial professionals to educate them about our advisory products and
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 17 of 18
• Describe to clients our proxy voting policies and procedures and, upon
request, furnish a copy of the policies and procedures.
services, having our name, products, or services listed or highlighted in
Institutional Client materials, attendance or booth space at Institutional
Client conferences, and/or similar marketing, distribution, and educational
activities. We also provide compensation to Institutional Clients to sponsor
meetings and events for their financial professionals and/or clients.
Item 15. Custody
We do not serve as a custodian of client assets. However, in cases where we
have the ability to debit fees directly from client accounts, we are deemed to
have custody of client assets under Rule 206(4)-2 of the Advisers Act, even if
we do not act as a custodian. The client is typically responsible for selecting
the custodian for its assets.
Proxy Voting Committee
In efforts to mitigate conflicts of interest, we have in place a Proxy Voting
Committee (“Committee”). This Committee consists of both non-voting and
voting members (collectively, “Committee Members”). Committee Members
include members of the investment team serving in a voting role and
member(s) of compliance and operations team serving in non-voting roles.
The Committee is responsible for tasks such as:
• Developing, implementing and updating policy and procedures intended
to ensure voting of proxies is conducted in a manner that is in the best
interests of Morningstar Funds investors;
• Assessing whether proxy voting should be done internally, externally by
a third-party vendor, or a combination of the two;
• Oversight of a third-party vendor, when applicable;
• Making voting decisions (including whether or not to abstain from
voting) and ensuring votes are cast on time;
• Maintaining documents material to the voting decision; and
•
Implementing appropriate proxy voting disclosures and maintaining
records of communications received from Morningstar Funds investors
requesting information on how proxies were voted and our responses.
Item 16. Investment Discretion
In some cases, we have complete investment discretion in managing
investment portfolios or registered funds for our institutional clients and
Morningstar Funds Trust. In other cases, we provide information or make
investment recommendations to an investment adviser, broker/dealer,
investment committee, board, plan sponsor, financial professional, or other
person(s) to help them make investment choices, but the institution or person
has the discretion to accept, reject, or modify our recommendations. The
extent of our investment discretion is set forth in our contract with our
institutional client.
When recommending investors to an institutional client that offers our
Strategies, we do not have discretion over the investor’s account.
Item 17. Voting Client Securities
For the majority of our institutional advisory service arrangements, we do not
have the authority to and will not vote proxies. In such situations, proxies or
other solicitations will be sent directly to the client and we will not provide
information or advice in regard to questions a client has about a particular
solicitation.
We do not vote proxies in instances where we provide our Strategies to
institutional clients.
Proxy Voting Process
Proxy statement notifications are received by an independent third-party
vendor when a proxy statement has been issued on a security that currently
underlies a portion of a Morningstar Fund managed by us. This third-party
vendor provides additional services such as facilitating vote submissions on
our behalf and provides access to e-ballot and meeting information.
We identify, on an annual basis, certain categories of proxy votes to be
reviewed by our proxy committee. In these instances, the vote will be
determined on a case-by-case basis based on the Investment Management
group’s global proxy voting principles. Upon receipt of a proxy statement, the
investment team member with the primary oversight responsibility for the
security will review the proxy statement and any additional soliciting
materials it is aware of that the issuer has filed and will communicate their
recommendation, support for the recommendation, and other pertinent
information to the Committee.
We do not advise or act for clients in legal proceedings, including class
actions or bankruptcies, involving recommended securities.
The voting Committee Members will review the proxy issue and the
recommendation and will cast their vote as to whether they agree or disagree
with the recommendation. If the other voting Committee Members agree with
the recommendation, the proxy will be voted in that manner. If there is not a
super-majority, the Committee will hold a meeting to discuss the proxy and
reach a resolution.
The Morningstar Funds have authorized us to vote proxies on their behalf. In
turn, in accordance with the sub-advisory agreement entered into between
us and each sub-adviser, we have delegated proxy voting authority to the
sub-adviser. We have implemented policies and procedures with respect to
the portion of the Morningstar Funds that are not managed by a sub-adviser.
There may be instances where we will refrain from voting a specific proxy
when we believe it is in the best interests of our Morningstar Fund investors.
Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures
Rule 206(4)-6 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, places a
number of requirements on investment advisers with proxy voting authority.
These requirements are:
by
calling
877-626-3227,
sending
an
e-mail
How you can Obtain Proxy Voting Information
At any time, you may request information on how we voted proxies and/or
request a copy of our proxy voting policies and procedures. Requests can be
submitted
to
compliancemail@morningstar.com, or writing to Morningstar Investment
Management LLC at 22 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602 ATTN:
Compliance.
• Adopt and implement written policies and procedures that are
reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest
of clients. Such procedures must include how to address material
conflicts that may arise between our interests and those of our clients;
• Disclose how clients may obtain information about how proxies were
voted with respect to their securities; and
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 18 of 18
Item 18. Financial Information
We are required to provide you with certain financial information or
disclosures about our financial condition. We do not have any financial
commitment that impairs our ability to meet our contractual and fiduciary
commitments to clients, have we been the subject of any bankruptcy
proceeding.
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Additional Brochure: RETIREMENT SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS (2026-03-27)
View Document Text
Morningstar Investment Management LLC Form ADV Part 2A: Firm Brochure
Morningstar Retirement Advisory Services for Individuals
22 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602
Phone: 312.696.6000
www.corporate.morningstar.com
March 27, 2026
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business
practices of Morningstar Investment Management LLC. If you have any
questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at
312.696.6000 or send an email to compliancemail@morningstar.com. The
information in this brochure has not been approved or verified by the United
States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or by any state securities
authority.
Additional information about Morningstar Investment Management LLC is
available on the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.
Morningstar Investment Management LLC is registered with the SEC as a
registered investment adviser. Registration with the SEC does not imply a
certain level of skill or training.
Item 3. Table of Contents
Item 2. Material Changes ...................................................................................................................... 1
Item 3. Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................... 1
Item 4. Advisory Business ..................................................................................................................... 1
Item 5. Fees and Compensation......................................................................................................... 4
Item 6. Performance Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management ..................................... 6
Item 7. Types of Clients .......................................................................................................................... 6
Item 8. Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, & Risk of Loss .................................. 6
Item 9. Disciplinary Information ..................................................................................................... 10
Item 10. Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations.............................................. 10
Item 11. Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions and Personal
Trading ....................................................................................................................................................... 13
Item 12. Brokerage Practices ........................................................................................................... 14
Item 13. Review of Accounts............................................................................................................. 14
Item 14. Client Referrals and Other Compensation ............................................................... 14
Item 15. Custody .................................................................................................................................... 14
Item 16. Investment Discretion ....................................................................................................... 14
Item 17. Voting Client Securities .................................................................................................... 14
Item 18. Financial Information ........................................................................................................ 15
incorporated
in 1999. Morningstar
All current versions of our firm brochures are available in the Part 2 Brochures section
of this record on the SEC’s website. You can also request a copy of our current
brochure free of charge by contacting our Compliance Department at 312.696.6000,
or by email to compliancemail@morningstar.com. In your request, please indicate
the name of the company (Morningstar Investment Management) and the service
brochure(s) (Morningstar Retirement Advisory Services for Individuals, Morningstar
Retirement Institutional Advisory Services, or Morningstar Wealth Services) you are
requesting.
Item 2. Material Changes
The Retirement Services for Individuals Firm Brochure dated March 2026 contains no
following material changes since our last annual update dated March 27, 2025.
Item 4. Advisory Business
Firm Information
Morningstar Investment Management LLC (“we”, “our” or “us”) is a Delaware limited
liability company that was
Investment
Management is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc. (“Morningstar”).
Morningstar is a publicly traded company (Nasdaq Ticker: MORN) with Mr. Joseph
Mansueto, Executive Chairman of Morningstar, holding more than 35% of
Morningstar’s outstanding shares. Because of that ownership, Mr. Mansueto is an
indirect owner of Morningstar Investment Management.
The non-material changes since our last annual update include:
Morningstar Investment Management is registered with the SEC under Section
203(c) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”).
Morningstar Investment Management has filed the appropriate notices to conduct
business in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Morningstar Investment Management is registered
with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission as a Commodity Pool Operator
(“CPO”) and is a member of the U.S. National Futures Association.
Morningstar Investment Management, along with other Morningstar subsidiaries
authorized in appropriate jurisdiction to provide investment management and
advisory services, is part of a global investment team composed of investment
analysts, portfolio managers, and other investment professionals. These investment
and operations teams span the globe, with primary offices in Chicago, London, and
Sydney.
Item 4. Advisory Business was updated to reflect our assets under management and
advisement as of December 31, 2025, add the Manager Due Diligence and Investment
Selection service, and to remove references to a wrap program that was sponsored
by our affiliate. Item 10. Other Financial Activities and Affiliations was updated to
remove references to Morningstar Investment Services LLC, which closed its
investment adviser registration as of December 31, 2025, reflect a rotation process
used to notify institutional clients of changes to certain model portfolios, clarify how
we mitigate conflicts of interest related to recommendations to investment products
that we provide with consulting or investment management services, and to remove
references to Morningstar Research Services LLC as an investment adviser, as it also
closed its investment adviser registration. Item 11. Code of Ethics, Participation or
Interest in Client Transactions, and Personal Trading was updated to remove
references to Morningstar Investment Services LLC and to reflect the rotation
process used to notify institutional clients of changes to certain model portfolios.
These advisory services are built on several fundamental principles:
We made other edits where necessary to correct grammar or punctuation, to provide
clarification or further information, for consistency in terminology or content, or to
improve the readability of the brochure.
Personalized. Our primary objective is to help you get on track for your retirement
goals by furnishing you with a personalized strategy on asset allocation and
investments. We tailor our strategy to your specific circumstances, including
financial situation, future retirement goals, and risk capacity (the amount of risk
you want to take to help reach your goals).
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Goals-Based. We recognize that a prudent strategy must be built in relation to
specific goals, and we help you define those goals and develop a strategy aimed
at reaching them.
Page 2 of 15
If we are solely responsible for the advice provided to you, you give us responsibility
for managing your retirement account. We build the asset allocation portfolios for
your retirement plan and then choose from the available investment options to create
the investment-specific portfolios to which you can be assigned. We communicate
these investment decisions to your service provider, who implements them for your
retirement account. The investment options available for your retirement account
are defined by your service provider, plan sponsor, or other party chosen by your plan
sponsor.
Diversified. While no investment strategy can ensure a profit or protect against
a loss, diversifying your investments is a strategy designed to help mitigate the
risk of all your investments losing money at the same time by investing in
different types of investments. Our proprietary approach diversifies you across
asset classes, as well as investment sectors and styles.
Conservative. Our risk-based approach is designed to reduce the likelihood of
significant losses in volatile markets. The assumptions we make about portfolio
returns in our projections emphasize disciplined saving and investing rather
than outsized capital market returns.
We act as the independent “financial expert” (as defined in the Department of Labor’s
Advisory Opinion 2001-09A dated December 14, 2001, commonly known as the
“SunAmerica Opinion”) to other financial institutions who offer their own managed
account programs to their clients. Under this service, we use the investment options
available in the retirement plan or product to construct and monitor model portfolios
designed for retirement investors across a broad range of risk exposure levels.
to either
(1) Morningstar
Forward-Looking. Rather than relying only on historical data (which may not
have any relevance to future conditions), we incorporate forward-looking
estimates for assumptions about investment returns and performance behavior.
Institutional-Quality. The components of our retirement advice are based on
factors generally used by professional money managers and adapted to the
needs of the individual investor.
Under our Advisor Managed Accounts service, you give the responsibility for
managing your retirement account
Investment
Management and the Other IA or (2) in those situations where a Sub-Adviser has
been engaged, Morningstar Investment Management. The Other IA or Sub-Adviser
is responsible for building the asset allocation-specific portfolios for your retirement
plan or product. Some Other IAs or Sub-Advisers also choose investments for the
investment-specific portfolios. We then use our portfolio-assignment methodology
to select an appropriate portfolio for you from those portfolios. If another financial
institution or Other IA is solely or in part responsible for providing investment advice
to you through Managed Accounts, you will need to obtain the financial institution’s
or Other IA’s Firm Brochure for information about their services, fees, methodology,
any conflicts of interest, and other important information. Please make sure you read
this information carefully.
Please note, in instances where a Sub-Adviser is engaged, we are responsible for the
investment-specific portfolios available to you. No advisory relationship exists
between you and the Sub-Adviser.
Managed Accounts includes ongoing investment management of your retirement
account. Your recommended account holdings are typically reviewed on at least a
quarterly basis, or whenever you provide us with additional or updated information
about your personal or financial situation. As necessary, we will send transaction
instructions to your service provider to rebalance or reallocate your account.
Advisory Services We Offer
This brochure focuses on the services we provide to individual participants invested
in employer-sponsored retirement plans or other retirement products, like individual
retirement accounts (“IRAs”) or health savings accounts (“HSAs”) earmarked for
retirement (each a “retirement account”) through Morningstar Retirement. These
services are intended for citizens or legal residents of the United States or its
territories and are offered through retirement plan sponsors and/or plan providers,
plan administrators, retirement product providers, and/or other investment advisers
(each a "service provider"). You can obtain a copy of our brochure describing our
products and services in our core capabilities of asset allocation, investment
selection, and portfolio construction that we offer to institutions such as asset
management firms, banks, broker/dealers, consultants, insurance companies,
investment advisers, investment fiduciaries, plan sponsors of retirement plans, plan
providers of retirement plan services, trusts, and other business entities
(“Morningstar Retirement Institutional Advisory Services” or “Morningstar Wealth
Advisory Services”) by following the instructions above.
You should be aware that the investment options available to your retirement
account could be associated with a service provider or Sub-Adviser. In such
instances, the service provider or Sub-Adviser, or their affiliate, may receive
compensation based on the assets in those investments. This gives your service
provider or the Sub-Adviser an incentive to make those investments available or
build portfolios using those investments.
Managed Accounts
Under Managed Accounts, we propose an investment strategy for your retirement
account based on your personal and financial situation using the information you,
your plan sponsor, service provider(s) and/or an account aggregator provides to us.
This strategy typically includes a retirement income goal and recommended savings
level, retirement age, and asset allocation target designed to help you meet your
retirement goals. After creating your personal investment strategy, we will select an
investment-specific portfolio appropriate for your retirement account(s). We send
transaction instructions to a service provider associated with your retirement
account(s) to implement the recommended retirement strategy in your retirement
account.
Please Note: Your service provider may not be able to process rebalancing
transactions if any investment option in your retirement account has any restriction
(e.g., equity wash restriction) at the time the rebalancing transaction instruction is
received by the service provider. In addition, rebalancing transaction instructions
may be rejected if any data validation error exists on your account. In these instances,
we will work with your service provider to resolve any issues and to rebalance your
retirement account as quickly as possible. In some cases, your retirement account
will not be rebalanced until the next quarterly review period when all restrictions
have been lifted and/or data validation errors have been corrected.
If you choose the Managed Accounts service, the investment advice you receive is
provided by either (1) Morningstar Investment Management or (2) Morningstar
Investment Management and an investment adviser unaffiliated with us (“Other IA”)
who are each responsible for the provision of certain advice. In some instances, we
have engaged an Other IA to perform portfolio construction services on our behalf as
a sub-adviser (“Sub-Adviser”). Your Investment Advisory Agreement details which
entity or entities are responsible for the advice you receive.
You will periodically receive progress reports reflecting your progress towards your
retirement goals and other information in regard to your investments. Typically,
these reports are available electronically through our website on a quarterly basis.
You have the option to terminate Managed Accounts at any time without penalty.
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 3 of 15
throughout retirement. It may also include information about allocating a portion of
your account balance for the purchase of an annuity or other guaranteed income
product.
Some service providers extend Managed Accounts to those approaching or in
retirement. If your service provider offers this service and you meet the retirement
criteria established by your service provider, your investment strategy may include a
suggested amount that you can withdraw while striving to maintain income
throughout retirement. It may also include information about allocating a portion of
your account balance for the purchase of an annuity or other guaranteed income
product.
Guidance
Under Guidance, we provide information designed to help you make your own
investment choices regarding your retirement account assets. Like Managed
Accounts and Advice, we will propose an investment strategy based on your personal
and financial situation, using the information you, your service provider, an account
aggregator, and/or your plan sponsor provided to us. After creating your personal
investment strategy, we provide asset allocation targets appropriate for your
retirement account.
Advice
Under Advice, you are provided with information designed to help you make your
own investment choices regarding your retirement account assets. Like Managed
Accounts, you’ll receive a personal investment strategy, which includes asset
allocation targets appropriate for your retirement account. You also receive
investment-specific recommendations for your strategy using the investment
options available to your retirement plan or product but unlike Managed Accounts,
you are responsible for reviewing and determining whether our recommendations
are suitable for you and implementing your own investment decisions.
Guidance is an educational, point-in-time service. Under Guidance the actual
investment decisions you make are not monitored or reviewed, your retirement
account is not monitored, reviewed or updated on an ongoing basis, and you do not
receive updated asset allocation targets or projections. However, you can return to
the service at any time to receive updated asset allocation targets and projections.
Guidance is not available under the Advisor Managed Accounts service.
If we are solely responsible for the advice provided to you under the Advice service,
we build the asset allocation and investment-specific portfolios and recommend a
specific portfolio for you. We build the asset allocation portfolios for your retirement
plan or product and then choose from the available investment options to create the
investment-specific portfolios available to you. The investments options available in
your retirement plan or product are defined by your service provider, plan sponsor,
or other party chosen by your plan sponsor.
Outside Account Guidance
Through Managed Accounts and Advice, you can enter information about assets in
other accounts you have earmarked for use in retirement (“Outside Accounts”.) If you
enter Outside Accounts, you will receive an asset allocation recommendation for
those accounts as a whole. This information should not be considered advice to buy
or sell a particular investment. You are responsible for determining whether any
particular investment is suitable for you.
We act as the independent “financial expert” to other financial institutions who offer
their own advice services to their clients. Under this service, we use the investment
options available in the retirement plan or product to construct and monitor model
portfolios designed for retirement investors across a broad range of risk exposure
levels.
We cannot monitor, review or update our suggestions or projections for Outside
Accounts on an on-going basis, nor do we have the capability to monitor or review
investment decisions you make in Outside Accounts. Because our services and
recommendations depend on the completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of the
information you, your service provider, plan sponsor, or an account aggregator
provide, you are solely responsible for reviewing and updating your individual
financial information. You are responsible for tracking your Outside Accounts and
the market to be aware of any changes in the value of your Outside Accounts, and
providing that information to us as changes occur. Until you do, we will continue to
make recommendations for your retirement account in accordance with the
information we have on file.
Under our Advisor Managed Accounts service, the advice you receive is provided by
(1) Morningstar Investment Management and an Other IA or (2) in those situations
where a Sub-Adviser has been engaged, Morningstar Investment Management. The
Other IA or Sub-Adviser is responsible for building the asset allocation-specific
portfolios for your retirement plan or product. Some Other IAs or Sub-Advisers also
choose investments for the investment-specific portfolios. Morningstar Investment
Management then uses our portfolio-assignment methodology to recommend an
appropriate portfolio for you from those portfolios. Your Investment Advisory
Agreement details which entity or entities are responsible for the advice you receive
through Advice.
There is no additional fee to receive an Outside Accounts recommendation, however,
you could incur redemption fees, transaction costs, other investment or account level
charges and expenses, and/or tax consequences for any changes in the investments
in your Outside Accounts. You should consult with a professional financial adviser
or tax adviser if you have any questions prior to making any investment decisions.
If another financial institution or Other IA is solely or in part responsible for providing
investment advice to you through Advice, you will need to obtain the financial
institution’s or Other IA’s Firm Brochure for information about their services, fees,
methodology, any conflicts of interest, and other important information. Please make
sure you read this information carefully.
recommendation; once you
ByAllAccounts®, an account aggregation service offered by Morningstar, is integrated
with our Managed Accounts and Advice services. ByAllAccounts gives you the option
to link Outside Accounts to the Managed Accounts or Advice services so that your
account balances and investment holdings are reported on your behalf. If you use
ByAllAccounts, your Outside Account information can be refreshed each time you
visit our service. For Managed Accounts users, we encourage you to visit our service
regularly (i.e., at least once a quarter) so that we have current and accurate
information about your financial situation. Note: Account availability is determined
by your Outside Account’s custodian. All account custodians may not be available
through ByAllAccounts.
Advice provides a point-in-time
receive a
recommendation, the advisory relationship between you and us or, if applicable, the
Other IA ends. (Please note, no advisory relationship exists between you and the Sub-
Adviser, if applicable.) Under Advice, the actual investment decisions you make are
not monitored or reviewed, your retirement account is not monitored, reviewed or
updated on an ongoing basis, and you do not receive updated recommendations or
projections. However, you can return at any time to receive new recommendations
and projections.
Personal Target-Date Fund Service
Under the Personal Target-Date Fund Service, we propose an investment strategy
consisting of an asset allocation target for your retirement account based on your
personal and financial situation (e.g., age, salary, retirement account balance, and
Some service providers extend Advice to those who are approaching or are in
retirement. If your service provider offers this service and you meet the retirement
criteria established by your service provider, your investment strategy may include a
suggested amount that you can withdraw while striving to maintain income
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
contribution rate) using the information you, your plan sponsor, and/or service
provider(s). After determining your asset allocation target, we choose from the
target-date funds available in your plan or product to create an investment-specific
portfolio for you. Upon enrolling in the Personal Target-Date Fund Service, you give
us responsibility for managing your retirement account. We communicate our
investment decisions to your service provider, who implements them in your
retirement account. You have the option to terminate the Personal Target-Date
Service at any time without penalty. The investment options available for your
retirement account are defined by your service provider, plan sponsor, or other party
chosen by your plan sponsor.
Page 4 of 15
portion of your retirement account allocated to your company’s stock upon enrolling
in Managed Accounts or Advice, we will recommend that you do not make additional
investments in the company stock. Unless your company stock holdings are
restricted due to a plan or product provision or a restriction imposed by your service
provider or plan sponsor, at your direction we will decrease your allocation in your
company’s stock down to zero, using the strategy outlined in your advisory
agreement. You have the option to retain all or a portion of the company stock. If you
choose to retain your investment in the company stock, we will not be responsible
for that portion of your retirement account, although we take it into consideration
when creating your investment strategy.
Morningstar Retirement Manager
Morningstar Retirement Manager is an online platform designed to help retirement
investors make better decisions about investing in their retirement accounts.
Managed Accounts, Advice, Guidance, and the Personal Target-Date Fund Service
are available through Morningstar Retirement Manager. Plan sponsors or service
providers can choose to offer one or more of these services available.
The Personal Target-Date Service includes ongoing investment management of your
retirement account. Your recommended account holdings are typically reviewed on
at least a quarterly basis, or whenever you provide us with additional or updated
information about your personal or financial situation. As necessary, we will send
transaction instructions to your service provider to rebalance or reallocate your
account.
You should be aware that the investment options available to your retirement
account could be associated with a service provider. In such instances, the service
provider, or their affiliate, may receive compensation based on the assets in those
investments. This gives your service provider an incentive to make those investments
available.
The Morningstar Retirement Manager platform and/or the services offered
through it can be branded under different names chosen by our service provider
clients. These names include, but are not limited to, “Managed by Morningstar”
(Managed Accounts), “Managed by You” (Advice), “Managed Advice”
(Managed Accounts), or “Personalized Portfolios” (Managed Accounts or
Advice). If you access a version of our platform with a customized name, please
note that we use Managed Accounts, Advice, Guidance, Personal Target-Date
Fund Service throughout this document, but the information included still
applies to your service. Please contact your plan sponsor, service provider, or
us if you are unsure what service option(s) apply to you.
Please Note: Your service provider may not be able to process rebalancing
transactions if any investment option in your retirement account has any restriction
(e.g., equity wash restriction) at the time the rebalancing transaction instruction is
received by the service provider. In addition, rebalancing transaction instructions
may be rejected if any data validation error exists on your account. In these instances,
we will work with your service provider to resolve any issues and to rebalance your
retirement account as quickly as possible. In some cases, your retirement account
will not be rebalanced until the next quarterly review period when all restrictions
have been lifted and/or data validation errors have been corrected.
You will periodically receive progress reports reflecting your progress towards your
retirement goals and other information in regard to your investments. Typically,
these reports are available electronically through our website on a quarterly basis.
Advisor Managed Accounts
We use the product name “Advisor Managed Accounts” when Managed Accounts
and/or Advice includes advice from (1) both Morningstar Investment Management
and an Other IA or (2) Morningstar Investment Management with portfolio
construction services performed on our behalf by a Sub-Adviser. The plan sponsor or
service provider chooses the Other IA or Sub-Adviser and whether to offer one or both
services to plan participants.
As noted above, customized names (like
“Personalized Portfolios”) can be used throughout the online platform instead
of Managed Accounts or Advice.
Wrap Fee Programs
We do not sponsor a wrap fee program, but we do provide portfolio management
services to a wrap fee program. This wrap fee program is scheduled to be closed
around the end of the second quarter of 2025.
Assets Under Management
As of December 31, 2025, our discretionary regulatory assets under management
(rounded to the nearest $100,000) were:
Customized Services
Under Managed Accounts and Advice, advice is provided based on the investment
options (e.g., mutual funds, including money market funds and stable value funds,
annuities, collective investment trusts, and/or exchange-traded funds) available in
your retirement plan or product, as defined by your service provider or plan sponsor.
Under the Personal Target-Date Fund Service, advice is provided based on the target-
date funds available in your retirement plan or product, as defined by your service
provider or plan sponsor. If we are responsible for investment selection, our
selections are based on qualitative factors and quantitative analysis in addition to
the judgment of our analysts. If an Other IA is responsible for investment selection
under Advisor Managed Accounts, their selection methodology will be described in
their Firm Brochure.
Retirement Services to Individuals: $40,274,500,000
Investment Management Services to Institutional Clients:
$42,014,300,000
Total Regulatory Asset Under Management: $82,288,800,000
Non-discretionary assets under advisement (rounded to the nearest $100,000)
were: $266,475,500,000.
If you choose, you may ask us to exclude specific investment options from your
Managed Accounts, Advice, or Personal Target-Date Fund Service recommendations.
However, if your requested restriction(s) prevent the building of an adequately
diversified portfolio, you will need to remove some restrictions in order to use
Managed Accounts, Advice, or the Personal Target-Date Fund Service.
We believe that holding the stock of your employer greatly increases your portfolio
risk, particularly in large concentrations. Prudent financial planning principles hold
that any significant investment in a single stock creates a non-diversified situation
in your portfolio with greater risk of investment losses. If your retirement plan or
product includes your company’s stock as an investment option, and if you have a
Item 5. Fees and Compensation
Fees and Compensation
Our fee is generally negotiated by your service provider or plan sponsor. The actual
fee depends on a range of variables including the service used and retirement
account balance. In some cases, our fee may be paid by your plan sponsor or service
provider or may be part of the fees of the underlying investment options your
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
retirement account is invested in. To view your specific fee schedule and method of
paying those fees, you can access your account through our website or consult with
your plan sponsor or service provider(s) for more information or if you have
questions. You have the option to terminate your advisory relationship with us at any
time without penalty.
Page 5 of 15
is charged monthly or quarterly, in arrears or in advance, depending on the
capabilities of your service provider and are detailed in your advisory agreement with
us. Your fee is calculated by applying the basis point rate to the assets in your
retirement account in accordance with the terms of your agreement with us. As an
example, your fee could be based on the average assets in your retirement account
over the course of a quarter or based on the assets as of the month-end.
Managed Accounts. For Managed Accounts, your retirement account will be charged
a fee based on the assets managed under the service in your retirement account.
This fee is expressed in “basis points.” A basis point is equivalent to 0.01%; 100 basis
points is equivalent to 1%.
Our services can be terminated without penalty at any time as outlined in your
Personal Target-Date Fund Service contractual agreement. Upon termination, any
earned, unpaid fees by you are due and payable.
In some cases, your service provider(s) may charge an administrative user fee. Please
check with your plan sponsor or service provider(s) for specific fee information for
your plan.
Our fee is generally less than 50 basis points and typically ranges from 8 to 50 basis
points annually. For example, if your retirement account balance is around $50,000,
your annual fee would be less than $250. This fee is charged monthly or quarterly,
in arrears or in advance, depending on the capabilities of your service provider and
are detailed in your advisory agreement with us. Your fee is calculated by applying
the basis point rate to the assets in your retirement account in accordance with the
terms of your agreement with us. As an example, your fee could be based on the
average assets in your retirement account over the course of a quarter or based on
the assets as of the month-end. In some cases, new Managed Accounts users are
offered a “free look” period. During the free look period our fee will be waived for a
specific timeframe, as detailed in your agreement with us.
Payment
For Managed Accounts and the Personal Target-Date Fund Service, your service
provider will typically debit our fee from your retirement account and remit that fee
to us. As noted above, in some cases, your plan sponsor or service provider will pay
us for our services, or our fee will be a component of the fees charged by the
investment options you are invested in. Your advisory agreement with us will include
the details of how and when our fee is charged to you. Under Advisor Managed
Accounts, your plan provider will typically also debit the Other IA’s fee from your
retirement account and remit it to them. If you have questions about how the Other
IA’s fee is assessed and remitted, please contact your plan sponsor or service
provider(s).
Under Advisor Managed Accounts, the Other IA charges a separate fee for their
services. We are not involved in the setting or negotiation of this fee between your
service provider or plan sponsor and the Other IA. This fee is a basis point fee applied
to your retirement account balance (typically 0 to 30 basis points annually), or a basis
point or flat annual fee charged to your plan. Please check with your plan sponsor
or service(s) provider for further information about these fees.
In instances where a Sub-Adviser has been engaged to undertake investment-
specific portfolio construction, the portfolios they create can consist of associated
investment products in which they receive compensation based on the amount of
assets invested. For example, the Sub-Adviser acts as investment adviser to mutual
funds used in creating the investment-specific portfolios and receives asset-based
compensation from the funds related to the investment management activities they
perform for the funds.
Our services can be terminated without penalty at any time as outlined in your
Managed Accounts contractual agreement. Upon termination, any earned, unpaid
fees by you are due and payable.
Other Costs in Connection with Our Advisory Services
Our advisory fee is separate from fees and expenses charged by the investment
options or fees that are charged by a third party, such as your service provider(s). The
investment options’ fees and expenses are described in the investment’s prospectus
or equivalent. These fees will generally include a management fee, other investment
expenses, and possibly a distribution fee (e.g.,12b-1). Annuities typically have
additional fees, such as surrender charges, mortality and expense risk charges for
death benefits or payout options like guaranteed income for life, administrative fees,
underlying fund expenses related to investment sub-accounts, and other charges for
special features, like guaranteed minimum income benefits, principal protection, or
stepped-up death benefits. In some cases, an investment option may also charge an
initial or deferred sales charge. Neither us nor any of our employees receive
transaction-based compensation for the investment recommendations we make. You
may incur custodian, brokerage, and other transaction costs from third parties. Your
plan provider or recordkeeper can provide you with specific fee information for your
plan.
In some cases, your service provider(s) may charge an administrative user fee. Please
check with your plan sponsor or service provider(s) for specific fee information for
your plan.
You may have the option to purchase investment products we recommend or similar
services through other investment advisers or financial professionals not affiliated
with us.
Advice and Guidance. We do not charge you a fee to use Advice or Guidance.
However, in some cases, your service provider(s) may charge an administrative user
fee. Please check with your plan sponsor or service provider(s) for your specific fee
information.
Compensation from Sales of Securities
We do not expect, accept or receive compensation for the sale of securities, including
asset-based sales charges or service fees from the sale of open-end mutual funds,
used in the Managed Accounts, Advice, or Guidance services.
If a Sub-Adviser has been engaged for Advice, the portfolios they create will typically
consist of associated investment products in which they receive compensation based
on the amount of assets invested.
Revenue Sharing Arrangements
We do not have any revenue sharing arrangements with any mutual funds.
Personal Target-Date Fund Service. Your retirement account will be charged a fee
based on the assets managed under the Personal Target-Date Fund Service in your
retirement account. This fee is expressed in “basis points.” A basis point is equivalent
to 0.01%; 100 basis points is equivalent to 1%.
Third-Party Compensation
We receive direct or indirect cash payments from unaffiliated third parties for
referring their services to other advisory firms or investors. This creates a conflict of
interest as we have an incentive to recommend these third parties in order to receive
the cash payment.
Our fee is generally around 5 basis points annually. For example, if your retirement
account balance is around $50,000, your annual fee would be around $25. This fee
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 6 of 15
actual social security amount, any outstanding loans from your retirement account,
balances of any other investment accounts intended for retirement, expected
pensions, and balances in company stock. The Personal Target-Date Service makes
assumptions about Social Security Income, potential salary growth, inflation rates,
retirement income goal, and your risk capacity. This information is collected in order
to personalize the advice you receive.
Item 6. Performance Based Fees and Side-by-Side Management
We do not have performance-based fee arrangements (fees based on a share of
capital gains or on capital appreciation of the assets in your account) with any
qualified client pursuant to Rule 205-3 under the Advisers Act. Therefore, we do not
manage any performance-based fee accounts side-by-side with non-performance-
based fee accounts.
Item 7. Types of Clients
In addition to the retirement services for individuals described in this brochure, we
also provide investment advisory services to institutional clients such as financial
institutions, third-party investment advisers, broker/dealers, consultants, investment
companies, pension or profit-sharing plans, or other business entities (“Institutional
Clients”). If you would like a copy of our brochure describing these services, please
follow the instructions on page 1 of this brochure to access the SEC website or
contact us.
In creating your strategy for Managed Accounts, Advice, or Guidance, the more
information you provide to us, the more personalized the investment strategy we are
able to deliver. We collect information your service provider is able to provide to us
and ask you to provide any additional data that wasn’t available from your service
provider. Through our website or over the phone, you will be presented with an initial
strategy as a starting point. You can model many scenarios by changing your
retirement age, desired retirement income, social security start age, and savings rate.
We will update your retirement strategy in real time to reflect any change you make.
We also encourage you to provide additional account information in regard to your
retirement savings such as assets you hold outside your retirement account or
benefits for you or your spouse/partner in order to further personalize the
recommendations. We do not provide advice on outside assets but will take those
into consideration when determining the investment strategy for your retirement
account assets.
The Managed Account, Advice, Guidance services and the Personal Target-Date Fund
Service are only available to individuals with retirement accounts. While the
Managed Accounts, Advice, and Guidance services are similar in nature to the
Personal Target-Date Fund Service, these services offer a more comprehensive
retirement strategy and provide advice after considering the full investment lineup
in your retirement plan or product, not just the target-date funds. We do not require
a minimum account balance to use our services, and we generally do not impose any
other conditions on your use of our services.
Item 8. Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies, & Risk of Loss
Investment Philosophy
Our investment philosophy is driven by the investment principles that are promoted
throughout our organization. The principles are intended to guide our thinking,
behavior and decision making. These principles also reflect and align with the history
and foundation of Morningstar and are described above in the Firm Information
section.
Enrollment. Your service provider has the option to make one or more websites
available to you for enrollment in Managed Accounts or the Personal Target-Date
Fund Service. If you use a streamlined version of our enrollment process, you should
be aware that it does not consider all information relevant to your financial situation,
including some of the information discussed in this section. (For example, for
Managed Accounts, the streamlined process takes into account your age, retirement
account type, and the balance, fund allocation, and contributions for your retirement
account as provided by your service provider.) You can access our full enrollment
process at any time by logging into the Morningstar Retirement Manager platform
through your service provider’s website. The full enrollment process for Managed
Accounts allows you to provide us with additional information about your retirement
situation and goals so that we can further customize your retirement strategy. If you
have additional retirement assets outside your retirement account, have a spouse or
partner you’d like us to consider, want to restrict certain securities from being used
in your retirement account, or want to change suggestions made for you in the
streamlined enrollment process (i.e., your savings rate), or if you want to see how
changes would impact your retirement strategy, we encourage you to use our full
enrollment process instead of the streamlined process. For the Personal Target-Date
Fund Service, if you want to view the information your service provider gave to us
about you, or you want to restrict certain securities from being used in your
retirement account, we encourage you to use our full enrollment process instead of
the streamlined process.
Morningstar Retirement Investment Policy Committee
The Morningstar Retirement Investment Policy Committee is responsible for
oversight of the investment methodologies across the Morningstar Retirement’s
products and services, including those described in this brochure. Members of the
Morningstar Retirement Investment Policy Committee includes the Morningstar
Retirement’s chief investment officers, head of advice and financial planning, head
of business development, head of client success, head of channel strategy, head of
research, director of retirement research, director of product management, head of
investments for institutional and retirement solutions, and the senior director of
automated portfolios management.
The investment advice we offer through the products and services referenced in this
brochure are provided by an investment team. Information on key members of this
investment team is included in the attached Brochure Supplement. For Advisor
Managed Accounts, the Other IA has their own Brochure Supplement that you should
obtain and review.
Analysis Methods
Our Managed Accounts and Advice Analysis Methods. Where we are responsible for
creating the asset allocation and investment specific portfolios used in our services,
we review available quantitative data to analyze and screen the investment options
available to us, which are typically constrained to a universe defined by your plan
sponsor or service provider. We also apply qualitative analysis by our investment
professionals, such as evaluations of investment managers, portfolios and individual
investments. We combine this information with other factors—including actuarial
data, stock market exposure, probability analysis, and mean-variance optimization—
into a proprietary software program to analyze a complex set of market data and
variables. The result is an advanced model, or robo-adviser, which can provide
investment recommendations and a projection of different outcomes.
use a combination of portfolios and customizations as part of a larger portfolio
We
construction process. For Managed Accounts and Advice, we will take a retirement
plan’s fund lineup and create 3 accumulation and 3 decumulation models (“pillar
portfolios”) which range from conservative to aggressive and reflect varying asset
Data
While Managed Accounts, Advice, Guidance, and the Personal Target-Date Fund
Service use a powerful robo-advice program for evaluating your goals, the
appropriateness of the advice you receive is dependent on the personal information
we receive from you, your service provider, and/or the account aggregation services
described in the Outside Account Guidance section above. While we strive to provide
the most accurate and timely economic forecast and financial information, we
depend on you to provide the most accurate assessment of your financial status and
goals. We will collect relevant personal and financial data about you (and, if
applicable, your spouse or partner) that, depending on the service you’re enrolled in,
can include your age, current savings rate, employer contributions (if applicable),
retirement income goal, state of residence, retirement account balance, projected or
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
allocation characteristics. To create a personalized fund portfolio for a participant,
we blend a subset of these “pillar portfolios” using a customized approach to
blending traditional asset allocation models with liability-driven investing and
decumulation strategies.. Which asset classes and sub-asset classes are used to
build these model portfolios is dependent on the specific investment options
available to us. Using this model, we develop an investment strategy tailored to your
investment goals, as described below, and assign you to one of those portfolios.
Page 7 of 15
do not recommend, endorse, or sell any specific annuity products as part of this
allocation recommendation and do not provide advisory or discretionary investment
management services to assets invested in an annuity. If requested by your plan
sponsor or service provider, we will integrate access to an annuity marketplace or
provider into our platform to help you facilitate your decision to purchase an annuity,
if you choose to do so. In such instances, the annuity or annuities available to you
are chosen by your plan sponsor or service provider and we had no role in selecting
those annuities. An annuity allocation recommendation is only available through the
Managed Accounts service.
We start with all of the available information we receive from your service provider
and/or you and then make assumptions about certain pieces of information. You
have the ability to review and refine some of these assumed data points through our
website or over the phone. These assumptions can have a significant impact on the
strategies created for you and are related to social security income, salary growth,
inflation rates, retirement income goal, and risk capacity. We combine this
information with other factors into a proprietary software program that can provide
investment recommendations and a projection of different outcomes.
If you are accumulating for retirement savings, our investment strategy is generally
based on information such as your retirement account balance, expected retirement
age, contribution rate and other preferences you may have. If you have already
retired, and if your service provider offers Managed Accounts or Advice while you are
in retirement, our strategy is based on information such as your current account
balance, additional cash flows and life expectancy. This retirement strategy may
include some or all of the following:
We use a concept called total wealth to determine your risk capacity. This helps us
determine an appropriate target risk level for your retirement account by considering
your risk exposure in all your other accounts that you’ve told us about that are
earmarked for retirement. Our total wealth methodology accounts for your financial
capital (total saved assets and tradeable assets such as stocks and bonds) as well as
your human capital (future earnings and savings potential). Using this methodology,
we assign a target risk level based on your total economic worth. If made available
to you by your service provider, you can also complete an optional risk tolerance
questionnaire that could result in further adjustments to your investment strategy.
Retirement Income Goal (accumulation phase)
We define your retirement income goal as the projected amount of money that
you will need during retirement. We calculate this amount based on your current
income, adjusted to reflect the estimated dollar value at your retirement age.
Typically, we use an amount equal to 100% of your take-home pay (although
some plan providers request we use a different rate, e.g., 80% of your gross pay),
and then project the value of that amount at your retirement age to determine
your retirement income goal. You have the option to change this projected
retirement income goal amount.
Income Outlook (accumulation phase)
We define the income outlook as a projection of the annual income that you may
receive during retirement. We base this on an annualized view of the investment
wealth you accumulate, combined with social security benefits and any pension
or other income you might receive.
In general, human capital is a large percentage of total wealth for younger investors,
which means attaining the overall market portfolio allocation (the optimal portfolio
for every investor based upon each asset’s current market value) typically requires
younger investors to allocate their financial portfolio more heavily in equities. As the
investor ages, the human capital portion of total wealth declines, which means that
older investors generally should consider investing their financial portfolios more
heavily in fixed-income investments, resulting in a more conservative risk capacity.
Total Retirement Income (in-retirement phase)
If your service provider offers the services described above while you are in
retirement, we define your total retirement income as the projected amount of
money, typically at some level of probability that you can expect to receive on an
annual basis in order to maintain income throughout retirement.
If made available to you through your service provider, you also have the option to
complete a risk tolerance questionnaire, which helps you think about your attitude
towards risk. Risk tolerance is a personality trait based partly on genetics and partly
on life experience. Typically risk tolerance decreases slowly with age and may be
changed by major life events. We encourage you to retest your risk tolerance every
two to three years and after any major life event.
IMPORTANT: When we determine the income projections described above, these
projections are based on hypothetical performance data and do not represent actual
or guaranteed results. Your projections may vary over time with each additional use
of our service.
After completing the risk tolerance questionnaire, your score will account for a 20%
weighting in our target equity determination for your investment strategy, with the
other 80% weighting coming from your total wealth determination.
The target risk level changes over time to help ensure you are still investing in a
portfolio for your specific situation and risk capacity. In general, we try to provide a
smooth transition from an aggressive equity portfolio to a more conservative fixed
portfolio as you near retirement.
Your strategy considers the following items when building a target equity allocation
for your retirement account, but they are restricted from our investment selection
process: outside investment accounts you own, assets designated as “restricted” or
“frozen” by your employer, assets you have chosen to retain in company stock, funds
affiliated with Morningstar or its subsidiaries, or custom funds created specifically
for your plan.
We believe in a creating a customized long-term asset allocation based on your risk
capacity. Changes in your financial situation, such as the addition of Outside
Accounts, pension benefits, or contribution rates, are likely to result in a change to
your asset allocation. In addition, changes to your personal situation, such as the
addition of a spouse or partner or a different retirement age, could also impact your
asset allocation. We encourage you to update the information you have on file with
us in such events, so that we can update your asset allocation accordingly. If you use
Managed Accounts, we will typically review portfolios on a quarterly basis to
determine if market shifts require us to rebalance your account. On an annual basis,
we will re-run our analysis of your future wealth forecast. If you use Advice or
Guidance, we encourage you to re-enter our website on a periodic or as-needed
basis, in order to review your information and receive an updated strategy. At a
minimum, we recommend that you receive an updated strategy on an annual basis.
Other IA’s Analysis Methods. For Advisor Managed Accounts where an Other IA is
responsible for reviewing and selecting from the investment options within your
If made available by your service provider, you have the option to complete an
annuity questionnaire. Through this questionnaire you can indicate whether you
would like to receive a recommendation for how much of your retirement account
could be invested in an annuity while still aligning with our investment strategy. We
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
plan, the Other IA’s methodologies and methods of analysis can be found in their
Other IA’s Firm Brochure.
Page 8 of 15
us to rebalance your account. On an annual basis, we will re-run our analysis of your
future wealth forecast.
Key Assumptions
We make assumptions about certain pieces of information that have a significant
impact on the strategy we will create for you. In particular, these assumptions relate
to inflation rates, retirement income goals, federal/state/capital gains/other taxes
(for Managed Accounts, Advice, and Guidance), risk capacity, social security
amounts (if you are not yet retired), and salary growth.
Sub-Adviser’s Analysis Methods. For Advisor Managed Accounts where a Sub-
Adviser has been engaged to perform portfolio construction services, the Sub-
Adviser will build asset class and/or investment-specific portfolios based on our pre-
determined equity targets. Sub-Adviser’s constructing investment-specific portfolios
use investment options they designate based on their methods of investment
analysis. (As noted above, Sub-Adviser’s constructing investment-specific portfolios
can choose to use their associated investment options instead of selecting from the
full universe of investments available to you. To do this, your plan sponsor or service
provider must make the Sub-Adviser’s investment options available as part of your
retirement plan lineup or product universe.) These portfolios will be blended to create
the portfolios available to you, as described in the section above on our analysis
methods. It is our responsibility to ensure the portfolios available to you meet
appropriate standards, therefore, we reserve the right to modify the portfolios
provided by the Sub-Adviser.
Social Security
We can incorporate Social Security for you and, if applicable, your spouse/partner,
using an estimate based on calculations/formulas from the Social Security
Administration or a number you input from your Social Security statement. Social
Security payments are inflated using a simulated cost-of-living allowance designed
to replicate the actual Social Security Administration (“SSA”) formulas and are
applied at the maximum benefit age as defined by the SSA. We account for reduction
in payments while working in retirement, increases in benefits for the spouse 50%
rule and increased benefits for the surviving spouse 100% rule. The program
assumes you complete all applications required to collect the maximum benefit. We
also take Social Security into consideration while analyzing income replacement. We
default to the age at which you will receive full benefits from the SSA. Managed
Accounts, Advice, and Guidance users can adjust the benefit amount and start age if
desired, however, the start age must be between 62 and 70. Note: Spouse/partner
social security estimates are not available in the Personal Target-Date Fund Service.
Our Personal Target-Date Fund Service Analysis Methods. To choose investments for
your retirement account enrolled in our Personal Target-Date Fund Service, we use
your age to narrow down the target-date funds we consider for your retirement
account to no more than five funds. These funds include the target-date fund vintage
associated with your age and the next two vintages further from and closer to the
assumed retirement age of 65. The target-date fund options available to us are
typically chosen by your plan sponsor or service provider. (For example, if the target-
date fund associated with your age is the 2050 vintage, we’ll consider the 2040, 2045,
2050, 2055, and 2060 vintages.) We combine this information with other factors—
including actuarial data, stock market exposure, probability analysis, and mean-
variance optimization—into a proprietary software program to analyze a complex set
of market data and variables. The result is an advanced model, or robo-adviser, that
can provide investment recommendations and a projection of different outcomes.
Salary Growth
To estimate future salary, we use a salary growth curve based on academic research
rather than assuming a single, fixed growth rate. This curve takes into account the
fact that salaries tend to grow most rapidly for young employees, peak around age
51, and then slightly decline later in life. If you are retired, we assume you are no
longer collecting a salary.
Retirement Age
For Managed Accounts, Advice, and Guidance, we assume a default retirement age
of 65, or your current age plus one year if you are older than 65. You have the option
to change this to a different retirement age.
We start with the available information we receive from your service provider and
then make assumptions about certain pieces of information. You have the ability to
review and refine some of these assumed data points through our website or over
the phone. These assumptions can have a significant impact on the strategies
created for you and are related to social security income, salary growth, inflation
rates, retirement income goal, and risk capacity. We combine this information with
other factors into our proprietary software program.
The Personal Target-Date Fund Service defines retirement age as the age at which
you will begin withdrawing money from your primary retirement account. We
assume a default retirement age of your ”Full Retirement Age”, as defined by the
Social Security Administration. Your Full Retirement Age depends on your birthday,
or your current age plus one year if you are older than your Full Retirement Age.
As discussed in the Our Managed Accounts and Advice Analysis Methods section
above, we also use the total wealth concept to determine your risk capacity with
Personal Target-Date Fund Service. Using this methodology, we assign a target risk
level based on your total economic worth. The target risk level changes over time to
help ensure you are still investing in a portfolio for your specific situation and risk
capacity. In general, we try to provide a smooth transition from an aggressive equity
portfolio to a more conservative fixed portfolio as you near retirement.
Your strategy only considers the assets in your retirement account when building a
target equity allocation for your retirement account. It does not consider any outside
investment accounts you own, assets designated as “restricted” or “frozen” by your
employer, assets you have chosen to retain in company stock, funds affiliated with
Morningstar or its subsidiaries, or custom funds created specifically for your plan.
Income Projections
For Managed Accounts, Advice, and Guidance, your income projection is the level of
annual income we project you have at least a 70% chance of achieving and is
calculated for both your current strategy and our proposed strategy. We use
forecasts for investment returns, portfolio risk, and correlation for each of 12 asset
classes and an average expense ratio for each asset class to estimate investment
fees. The projections consider different scenarios for your life span, based on
standard published mortality tables (based on the Society of Actuaries Individual
Annuity Mortality (IAM) table). We assume that your risk capacity (and corresponding
asset allocation) will change over time, generally growing more conservative as you
approach retirement, and that your savings rate will not change. Note: Income
projection assumptions do not apply to the Personal Target-Date Fund Service.
We believe in a creating a customized long-term asset allocation based on your risk
capacity. Changes in your financial situation, such as a change in your contribution
rate, are likely to result in a change to your asset allocation. In addition, changes to
your personal situation, such as a different retirement age, could also impact your
asset allocation. We encourage you to update the information you have on file with
us in such events, so that we can update your asset allocation accordingly. We will
typically review portfolios on a quarterly basis to determine if market shifts require
Estimated Tax
We estimate federal and state income, and capital gains taxes based on marginal tax
rate calculations. Tax data is updated annually based on U.S. Internal Revenue Code
(IRC) and similar state tax data. We use income data for you, as well as for your
spouse/partner, if applicable, to estimate federal and state tax exposure. Tax
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 9 of 15
Our investment strategy for the Personal Target-Date Fund Service is intended to
provide you with an investment portfolio that is diversified across various asset
classes and appropriate based on your facts and circumstances using only the
target-date funds made available through your retirement plan or product. An
investment in a target date fund is not guaranteed, and you may experience losses,
including losses near, at, or after the target date. There is no guarantee that the fund
will provide adequate income at and through your retirement.
exposure is appropriately reduced for pretax deferrals, tax-deferred capital gains,
and yield and distribution of Roth proceeds. Based on the information we know about
you, we estimate your tax exposure, but do not include all tax considerations. Our
recommendations are made without taking into consideration potential tax
consequences and we do not provide tax advice. Potential tax consequences can
exist. We encourage you to consult with a tax professional about these and other tax
consequences. Note: Estimated Tax assumptions do not apply to the Personal Target-
Date Fund Service.
Asset allocation and diversification are investment strategies which spread assets
across various investment types for long-term investing. However, as with all
investment strategies, these strategies do not ensure a profit and do not guarantee
against losses.
Inflation Assumptions
When projecting the growth of various income sources and expenses, we use a
variety of different inflation rates. These rates are reviewed and updated annually by
our research team. For example, a long-term inflation rate is used to help calculate
retirement need and cash flows and a simulated inflation rate is used for Social
Security calculations, pensions, and cost of living adjustments. Additionally, different
inflation rates are used for major expenses. We believe that our multifaceted
approach to calculating inflation results in more realistic and more accurate
projections compared with using one set rate.
Capital market assumptions are forecasts which involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results to differ
materially and/or substantially
future results, performance, or
from any
achievements expressed or implied by those projections for any reason. Past
performance does not guarantee future results.
IRS Limitations and Application of Penalties
We incorporate all IRS contribution limits, eligibility requirements, and withdrawal
penalties into the retirement strategies.
Income projections used in our services are based on hypothetical performance data
and do not represent actual or guaranteed results. Projections may vary over time
and with each use of our service.
Brokerage Account
Some retirement plans allow participants to maintain a brokerage account within the
plan. If your plan allows this option, you will be responsible for managing and
monitoring those assets. We do not manage brokerage account assets; however, if
you provide us with detailed information on the holdings within the brokerage
account, our Managed Accounts, Advice, and Guidance methodology will consider
these holdings in developing an appropriate investment strategy for your retirement
account. If you do not provide detailed information, our methodology will assume
that the balance in the brokerage account is 45% stocks and 55% fixed income.
If applicable under Advisor Managed Accounts, your plan sponsor or service provider
is responsible for choosing and monitoring the Other IA. In making our portfolio
recommendations, we are limited to those portfolios created by the Other IA. We do
not have any input over the choice of the Other IA, nor do we review the Other IA’s
asset allocation or portfolio creation methodologies or investment selection process.
If applicable under Advisor Managed Accounts, your plan sponsor or service provider
is responsible for choosing the Sub-Adviser but Morningstar
Investment
Management must agree to engage and is responsible for ongoing monitoring of the
Sub-Adviser. In making portfolio recommendations, we are limited to those portfolios
created by the Sub-Adviser but have discretion to reject or edit those portfolios if we
feel necessary.
Risk of Loss and Strategy Risk
We determine a risk strategy for you based on several factors, such as your current
age and time until retirement, gender, salary, total current wealth, deferral rate, and
retirement goals. If you have retired or are approaching retirement, and if you have
the opportunity to purchase an annuity, the risk strategy also considers your
longevity and liquidity needs. Your risk level corresponds to an asset mix, or the
combination of stocks, bonds and cash, that will serve as the basis for our
recommendations of specific funds appropriate for you.
Information Sources
Where we are responsible for investment selection, our global resources used in the
formulation of our advisory services go down to our roots—the data and analysis
from Morningstar, Inc. that form the base of our investment process. This expansive,
in-house network of global data and investment analysis spans asset classes and
regions to help drive timely new ideas. Morningstar or its affiliates have more than
900 analysts and makes data available on more than 600,000 investment options and
4.75 million privately-held companies.
The extensive data, analysis, and
methodologies from these resources, along with external research reports, data, and
interviews with investment managers are combined with financial publications,
annual reports, prospectuses, press releases, and SEC filings to serve as the basis of
our primary sources of information.
For some of our services, we combine this information with other factors—including
actuarial data, stock market exposure, probability analysis, and mean-variance
optimization—into a proprietary software program to analyze a complex set of
market data and variables that results in an advanced model that can provide
investment recommendations and a projection of different outcomes.
You should remember that investments in securities involve market risk, risk of loss,
and other risks, and will not always be profitable. We do not guarantee that the
intended objectives of our recommendations will result in achieving your retirement
income goal. We cannot guarantee that negative returns can or will be avoided in
any of our recommendations. We do not represent or guarantee that our investment
recommendations can or will predict future results, will successfully identify market
highs or lows, or will result in a profit or protect clients from loss. An investment’s
future performance may differ substantially from its historical performance, which
is no indication of future performance. A security’s investment return and an
investor’s principal value will fluctuate so that, when redeemed, an investor’s shares
may be worth more or less than their original cost. We are unable to predict or
forecast market fluctuations or other uncertainties that may affect the value of any
investment.
Security Type Risks
Mutual Funds and Collective Investment Trusts
Investments in mutual funds and collective investment trust (CITs) funds involve risk,
including loss of principal as a result of changing market and economic conditions
and will not always be profitable.
Our investment strategy for Managed Accounts, Advice, and Guidance is intended to
provide you with an investment portfolio that is diversified across various asset
classes and appropriate based on your facts and circumstances.
A collective investment trust may also be called a commingled or collective fund.
CITs are tax-exempt, pooled investment vehicles maintained by a bank or trust
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 10 of 15
investor makes a withdrawal prior to a specified time. If the annuity subaccount is
invested in a money-market fund, the money market fund is not FDIC-insured, may
lose money, and is not guaranteed by a bank or other financial institution. Annuities
can be complicated, and an investor should carefully read the insurance company’s
offering material to understand how a specific annuity’s return will be determined.
company exclusively for qualified plans, including 401(k)s, and certain types of
government plans. CITs are unregistered investment vehicles subject to banking
regulations of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), which means they
are typically less expensive than other investment options due to lower marketing,
overhead, and compliance-related costs. CITs are not available to the general public
but are managed only for specific retirement plans.
Variable Annuities have a rate of return that varies with underlying investment
options in the market, and do not include a guarantee from the insurance company
that you will earn a return.
Target-Date Funds
An investment in a target date fund is not guaranteed, and you may experience
losses, including losses near, at, or after the target date. There is no guarantee that
the fund will provide adequate income at and through your retirement.
Fixed annuities have a predetermined rate of return an investor earns and a fixed
income payout that is guaranteed by the issuing investment company and may be
immediate or deferred. Payouts may last for a specific period or for the life of the
investor. Investments in a deferred fixed annuity grow tax-deferred with income tax
incurred upon withdrawal, and do not depend on the stock market. Fixed annuities
typically do not have cost-of-living payment adjustments and are regulated by state
insurance commissioners.
Money Market Funds
A money market fund may impose a fee upon the sale of shares or may temporarily
suspend your ability to sell shares if the fund’s liquidity falls below a required
minimum because of market conditions or other factors. An investment in a money-
market vehicle is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (“FDIC”) or any other government agency. For most money market funds,
their sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the fund, and
you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the fund at
any time. Although some money market funds seek to preserve the value of your
investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. It is possible to lose
money by investing in money market funds.
Fixed indexed annuities, also called equity index annuities, are a combination of the
characteristics of both fixed and variable annuities. Fixed indexed annuities offer a
predetermined rate of return like a fixed annuity, but they also allow for participation
in the stock market, like a variable annuity. Fixed indexed annuities are typically
risker and offer the potential for greater return than fixed annuities, but less so than
a variable annuity. Investments in a fixed indexed annuity grow tax-deferred with
income tax incurred upon withdrawal and are regulated by state insurance
commissioners.
Methodology Updates
Our capital market assumptions and investment policy committees typically meet
monthly. These committees have oversight for their respective areas of expertise. If
any of these committees makes an adjustment, the changes are thoroughly reviewed
and tested before being implemented. These changes are manifested in portfolios
through expected future returns, and asset allocations. Capital market assumptions
are updated on an annual basis. We also update our methodologies with updated tax
limits on an annual basis. Asset allocation and advice methodologies are updated
when there is a regulatory change that requires an update or when research we have
completed warrants enhancing our asset allocation process or advice methodology.
Stable Value Funds and Guaranteed Investment Contracts (“GICs”)
The interest rate on a stable value fund or GIC is typically only guaranteed for a
certain amount of time and may vary with changing market conditions. Withdrawal
fees or penalties, sometimes substantial, may be charged if you decided to move
money out of a stable value fund or GIC. Stable value funds and GICs are less likely
to provide long-term protection against inflation, as compared to other options.
Exchange-traded Funds
ETFs, like all investments, carry certain risks that may adversely affect their net asset
value, market price, and/or performance. An ETF’s net asset value (NAV) will fluctuate
in response to market activity. Because ETFs are traded throughout the day and the
price is determined by market forces, the market price you pay for an ETF may be
more or less than the NAV. Because ETFs are not actively managed, their value may
be affected by a general decline in the U.S. market segments relating to their
underlying indexes. Similarly, an imperfect match between an ETF’s holdings and
those of its underlying index may cause its performance to not match the
performance of its underlying index. Like other concentrated investments, an ETF
with concentrated holdings may be more vulnerable to specific economic, political,
or regulatory events than an ETF that mirrors the general U.S. market.
Beginning May 29, 2026, Morningstar will introduce an enhancement to its portfolio
blending methodology within Managed Accounts. This enhancement expands the
portfolio blending horizon and enables more personalized fund portfolio
recommendations that better reflect participants’ unique circumstances, including
spending needs and inflation protection for those who are retired.
To create a personalized fund portfolio, Morningstar blends a subset of plan sponsor-
specific pillar portfolios based on each participant’s individual profile. This enhanced
approach supports smoother portfolio transitions over a participant’s lifetime by
extending the blending horizon from 30 years to 50 years.
for more precise and personalized
As part of this enhancement, there will be significantly more possible fund portfolios
available, allowing
fund portfolio
recommendations for each participant.
Item 9. Disciplinary Information
We are required to disclose all materials facts in regard to any legal or disciplinary
events that would influence a potential client to engage us. We do not have any
material legal or disciplinary events to disclose.
Item 10. Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Morningstar Investment Management is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar.
Our offerings center around advisory services in our core capabilities of asset
allocation, investment selection, and portfolio construction that we offer to individual
investors and institutions.
Annuities
An annuity is a tax-deferred investment structured to convert a sum of money into a
series of payments over time. Annuity contracts have limitations and are not viewed
as short-term liquid investments. An insurance company’s fulfillment of a
commitment to pay a death or living benefit, a schedule of payments, a fixed
investment amount guaranteed by the insurance company, or another form of
guarantee depends on the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
Any such guarantee does not affect or apply to the investment return or principal
value of the separate account and its subaccount(s). The financial ratings quoted for
an insurance company do not apply to the separate account and its subaccount(s).
The insurance company offering an annuity will charge several fees to investors,
including annual contract charges that compensate the insurance company for the
cost of maintaining and administering the annuity contract, mortality and expense
risk charges based on a percentage of a subaccount’s assets to cover costs
associated with mortality and expense risk, and administration fees that are based
on a percentage of a subaccount’s assets to cover the costs involved in offering and
administering the subaccount. An annuity investor can also be charged a front-end
load by the insurance company on their initial contribution, ongoing fees related to
the management of the fund and surrender charges (which can be substantial) if the
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Our portfolio managers and their team members who are responsible for the day-to-
day management of our portfolios are paid a base salary plus a discretionary bonus.
The bonus is fully or partially determined by a combination of the employee’s
business unit’s overall revenue and profitability, Morningstar’s overall annual
revenue and profitability, and the individual’s contribution to the business unit.
For many of our advisory services, the universe of investment options from which we
make our investment selections is defined by our Institutional Client. In some cases,
this universe of investment options includes proprietary investment options of the
Institutional Client. To mitigate any actual or potential conflict of interests presented
by this situation, we subject all investment options to the same quantitative and
qualitative investment selection methodology, based on several factors, including
performance, risk, and expense so that the proprietary nature of an investment
option does not influence our selection.
Page 11 of 15
to ensure that trades are allocated in such a manner as to not favor one client over
another. When we offer portfolios on anon-discretionary basis to third-party
Institutional Clients, our Institutional Clients receive trade recommendations just
after trades are placed for discretionary clients, due to our heightened fiduciary
responsibilities to our discretionary clients. In addition, all non-discretionary clients
are notified of transaction recommendations after the close of the trading day, so
that no one such client has an advantage over another. (As noted above, Morningstar
Investment Services anticipates the cessation of its discretionary advisory services
by the end of the second quarter of 2025. Morningstar Investment Management will
become the investment adviser to many of Morningstar Investment Services’ third-
party financial institution clients. Trade recommendations will be communicated to
non-discretionary clients after the close of the trading day and Morningstar-
affiliated accounts in Morningstar Wealth portfolios will be traded the next day so
that no one person has an advantage over another.)
We invested in the Series D funding round of SMArtX Advisory Solutions, a managed
account technology provider and architect of the SMArtX turnkey asset management
platform. This investment will assist in the build out of SMArtX’s development
capabilities, which could benefit us or our parent company. Daniel Needham, our co-
president serves on the board of SMArtX.
We provide consulting or investment management services to Institutional Clients
that offer registered or pooled investment products, such as mutual funds, variable
annuities, collective investment trusts, or model portfolios. To mitigate the conflict of
interest presented by our role in these investment products, we exclude such
investment products from the universe of investment options from which we make
our recommendations to other clients.
When we, along with Morningstar and/or our other affiliates offer services to the
same client, we have the option to enter into a bundled agreement with the client
that encompasses all or part of those services. Additional fee(s) for such product(s)
or service(s), if required, will be set forth in our agreement with the client. In these
situations, clients pay a fee directly to us and each such affiliate for its products or
services, or as part of a joint fee schedule which encompasses all services.
Morningstar Funds Trust is registered with the SEC as an open-end management
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and
has retained us as its investment adviser. The funds within the Morningstar Funds
Trust will be used as the underlying holdings for certain Morningstar Wealth
portfolios, most notably the mutual fund model portfolios series. The funds within
the Morningstar Funds Trust can only be utilized in connection with the model
portfolios and separately managed accounts offered by Morningstar Wealth. To
mitigate the conflict of interest presented by our role in these investment products,
we exclude such investment products from the universe of investment options from
which we make our recommendations to other clients, including participants in
Managed Accounts and Advice. For more information about the Morningstar Funds
Trust, please request a copy of our Institutional Advisory Services brochure and visit
http://connect.rightprospectus.com/Morningstar to view the prospectus.
We are registered as a Commodity Pool Operator with the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission. Some our employees are registered with the National Futures
Association as principals or associated persons.
Affiliations – Registered Entities
Morningstar has various subsidiaries across the globe that are each registered with
the applicable regulatory body or bodies in that country to provide investment
management or other advisory services. We share resources with this global group,
as described earlier in this brochure. One subsidiary, Morningstar Investment
Services LLC, is our subsidiary and is also an investment adviser registered under
the Advisers Act. Morningstar Investment Services is additionally registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commissions as a broker-dealer and a member of the
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Morningstar Investment Services
offers model portfolios and separately managed accounts through its role as the
sponsor of an investment advisory program known as the Wealth Platform and
through third-party financial institutions, plan sponsor services, and retirement plan
services for institutional and retail clients. (As noted above, Morningstar Investment
Services anticipates the cessation of its discretionary advisory services by the end of
the second quarter of 2025.)
We receive compensation for our research and analysis activities (e.g., research
papers) from a variety of financial institutions including large banks, brokerage firms,
insurance companies, and mutual fund companies. In order to mitigate any actual or
potential conflicts of interest that arise from this service, we ensure that our research
and analytical activities are non-biased and objective given our business
relationships. Employees who provide research and analysis for clients are separate
from our sales and relationship manager staff in order to mitigate the conflict of
interest that an employee may feel pressure to present results in such a way as to
maintain existing or gain new business. In addition, methodology updates that
impact investment recommendations or decisions for Morningstar Retirement
services are peer reviewed by the Morningstar Retirement Investment Policy
Committee, which mitigates the conflict of interest by providing checks and balances
so that no employee can act unilaterally in making recommendation decisions.
In some cases, our senior management members have management responsibilities
to these other affiliated entities. We do not believe that these management
responsibilities create any material conflicts of interests for our clients.
Morningstar Retirement and Morningstar Wealth have set up service teams
composed of employees of our affiliate and located at our affiliate’s office in Mumbai,
India. In addition, Morningstar Retirement has a team composed of employees of our
affiliate located at our affiliate’s office in Toronto, Canada. We compensate our
affiliates for services rendered via intercompany charges. The services and
compensation will be governed by intercompany agreements. This compensation
will likely be lower than compensation negotiated with non-affiliated firms for the
same or similar services. To mitigate any conflict of interest between us and our
affiliates we have established dual reporting lines for employees on these teams so
that such employees report up to employees of Morningstar
Investment
information security boundaries and
Management. We’ve also established
technology separation to protect our non-public information and Morningstar’s
compliance department monitors the personal trading activity of these employees.
Our investment professionals provide portfolio construction and ongoing monitoring
and maintenance for the Morningstar Wealth portfolios to third-party financial
institutions. While the same or similar portfolios are offered by us to our Institutional
Clients, we do not believe these responsibilities create any material conflicts of
interest for our clients. In order to mitigate any perceived conflict of interest, when
we offer discretionary services for Morningstar Wealth’s portfolios, transactions for
our clients are placed at the same time as transactions for Morningstar Investment
Services’ discretionary clients as part of block trades. We have procedures in place
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 12 of 15
Morningstar Investment Management serves as an investment adviser to investment
companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and
to other pooled investment products. To mitigate conflicts of interest, Morningstar
Research Services does not prepare qualitative analysis on nor recommend as part
of their investment consulting services any investment company we are an
investment adviser or sub-adviser to.
Morningstar Research Services LLC is also a wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar
and an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act. Morningstar Research
Services’ offerings center around the production of investment research reports and
investment consulting services to financial institutions/institutional investors who
themselves are registered with and governed by a regulatory body. Conflicts of
interests between us and Morningstar Research Services are mitigated by such
things as the maintenance of separate legal entities and dual reporting/organization
lines, and the utilization of physical (i.e., separate office “neighborhoods”) and
technological separation. Morningstar Research Services also maintains a
committee structure so as to limit any unilateral decisions. Morningstar’s
compliance department monitors the personal trading activities of Morningstar
Research Services’ employees.
Affiliations – Morningstar, Inc.
Our parent company, Morningstar, Inc., is publicly traded (Ticker Symbol: MORN).
We may recommend an investment product that holds a position in publicly traded
shares of Morningstar’s stock. Such an investment in Morningstar’s stock is solely
the decision of the investment product’s portfolio manager. We have no input into a
portfolio manager’s investment decision nor do we require that the investment
products we recommend own shares of Morningstar. An investment product’s
position in Morningstar has no direct bearing on our investment selection process.
We mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interest by not factoring
Morningstar’s publicly traded stock into our qualitative or quantitative analysis nor
in our recommendations.
We have the option to engage Morningstar Research Services to perform investment
manager due diligence and/or selection services on our behalf as a sub-adviser or
consultant. The notification to and authorization by the Institutional Client to our
engaging Morningstar Research Services as a sub-adviser is addressed in our
agreement with the Institutional Client. On such occasions, we compensate
Morningstar Research Services for services rendered via an intercompany charge.
The services and compensation will be governed by an intercompany agreement.
This compensation will likely be lower than compensation negotiated with non-
affiliated financial institutions/institutional investors for the same or similar
services. Morningstar Research Services’ employees who are engaged to provide
manager due diligence and/or selection services are prohibited from using non-
public/confidential information obtained because of their engagement in its
investment research reports and/or investment consulting services to clients,
including us.
Morningstar offers various products and services to the public. Some of
Morningstar’s clients are service providers (e.g., portfolio managers, advisers, or
distributors affiliated with a mutual fund or other investment option). We may have
a contractual relationship to provide consulting or advisory services to these same
service providers or we may recommend the products of these service providers to
our advisory clients. To mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interest, we do
not consider the relationship between Morningstar and these service providers when
making recommendations. We are not paid to recommend one investment option
over another, including products of service providers with which Morningstar has a
relationship.
Morningstar Research Services provides information to the public about various
securities, including managed investments like open-end mutual funds and ETFs,
which include written analyses of these investment products in some situations.
Although we use certain products, services, or databases that contain this
information, we do not participate in or have any input in the written analyses that
Morningstar Research Services produces. While we consider the analyses of
Morningstar Research Services, our investment recommendations are based on our
decisions in regard to the investment product.
Morningstar provides information to the public about various investment products,
including managed investments like open-end mutual funds and ETFs. In some
cases, this information includes written analyses of these investment products.
Although we use certain products, services, or databases of Morningstar, we do not
have any decision-making input in the written analyses that Morningstar provides
its licensees. While we consider the analyses of Morningstar, our investment
recommendations are oriented to the mandates of the investment products in
question.
Morningstar hosts educational events and conferences and on occasion provides us
with the opportunity to suggest invitees or offer (proactively or upon request)
discounted or waived registration fees. We mitigate any actual or potential conflicts
of interest this may introduce by using pre-defined criteria to select Institutional
Clients for these opportunities.
Morningstar Research Services issues investment research reports on securities we
hold in our portfolios or recommend to our clients, but they do not share any yet-to-
be published views and analysis and/or changes in estimates (i.e., their confidential
information) with us on these securities. In making investment decisions or
recommendations, we use of Morningstar Research Services’ publicly available
analysis as part of our review process and do not we have access to their analysis
prior to its public dissemination. We mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of
interest that could arise from the access of their analysis prior to publication through
measures such as informational barriers (both physical and technological),
maintaining separate or dual organizational reporting lines, and monitoring by the
compliance department.
Morningstar Research Services prepares qualitative analysis on separately managed
accounts and model portfolios. To mitigate conflicts of interest, Morningstar
Research Services does not prepare qualitative analysis on, nor recommend any
Morningstar separately managed account or model portfolio we create and manage.
Some of Morningstar Research Services’ clients are sponsors of funds or associated
with other securities that we recommend to our clients. We mitigate any actual or
potential conflicts of interests resulting from this fact through such measures as
informational barriers (both physical and technological), maintaining separate or
dual organizational reporting lines, and monitoring by the compliance department.
In addition, we do not factor in the relationship between Morningstar Research
Services and their clients when analyzing investments or making recommendations.
Morningstar offers various products and services to retail and institutional investors.
In certain situations, we recommend an investment product that tracks an index
created and maintained by Morningstar. In such cases, the investment product
sponsor has entered into a licensing agreement with Morningstar to use such index.
To mitigate any conflicts of interest arising from our selection of such investment
products, we use solely quantitative criteria established by our advisory client to
make such selection, or, in the alternative, Morningstar’s compensation from the
investment product sponsor will not be based on nor will it include assets that are a
result of our recommendation to our advisory client to invest in those investment
products. In other cases, some of Morningstar’s clients are sponsors of funds that
we recommend to our clients. Morningstar does not and will not have any input into
our investment decisions, including what investment products will be recommended
for our recommended portfolios. We mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of
interest by imposing informational barriers (both physical and technological),
maintaining separate organizational reporting lines, and monitoring by the
compliance department. In addition, we do not factor in the relationship between
Morningstar when analyzing investments or making recommendations. We mitigate
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 13 of 15
well as being held to the same conduct standards. As a result, we do not believe this
structure causes actual or a potential for a conflict of interest.
any actual or potential conflicts of interests resulting from that by not producing
qualitative analysis on any such exchange-traded fund as well as imposing
informational barriers (both physical and technological), maintaining separate
organizational reporting lines between, and monitoring by the compliance
department.
In some instances, we create portfolios that track an index created and maintained
by Morningstar. Morningstar does not and will not have any input into our
investment decisions, including what investment products will be included in our
portfolios. We mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interest by imposing
informational barriers (both physical and technological), maintaining separate
organizational reporting lines, and monitoring by the compliance department.
Affiliations – Credit Rating Agency
We are affiliated with the Morningstar DBRS group of companies, which include
DBRS, Inc., DBRS Limited, DBRS Ratings GmbH, and DBRS Ratings Limited. DBRS,
Inc. is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a Nationally
Recognized Statistical Rating Organization (NRSRO). Morningstar DBRS’ companies
are also registered with and governed by applicable regulatory body or bodies in
other countries around the globe. In our analysis of certain securities, we use the
publicly available credit rating and analysis issued by Morningstar DBRS. Because
of our use of Morningstar DBRS’ ratings and analysis is limited to that which is
publicly available, we do not believe there is an actual or potential conflict of interest
that arises from such use.
Morningstar has and maintains accounts which they invest in accordance with
investment strategies created and maintained by us. Those investment strategies are
deployed using equity securities. As we have discretion over these accounts,
Morningstar’s accounts are traded at the same time as our and Morningstar
Investment Services’ other discretionary client accounts in order to ensure that
Morningstar’s accounts are not treated more favorably than our client accounts.
Some of Morningstar’s accounts are used as the subject of newsletters offered by
Morningstar. In order to ensure that Morningstar’s newsletter subscribers are not
treated more favorably than our clients, which would result in a breach of our
fiduciary duty, we do not report trades in Morningstar’s accounts invested in our
strategies to newsletter subscribers until after our client accounts have been traded
or our non-discretionary clients have been notified.
Item 11. Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client
Transactions and Personal Trading
Code of Ethics
We have in place a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act
(“Code of Ethics”). Our Code of Ethics strives to uphold the highest standards of
moral and ethical conduct, including placing our clients’ interest ahead of our own.
Our Code of Ethics covers all our officers and employees as well as other persons
who have access to our non-public information (collectively “Access Persons”). Our
Code of Ethics addresses such topics as professional and ethical responsibilities,
compliance with securities laws, our fiduciary duty, and personal trading practices.
Our Code of Ethics also addresses receipt and/or permissible use of material non-
public information and other confidential information our Access Persons may be
exposed and/or have access to given their position. The Code of Ethics is provided
upon hire and at least annually thereafter and at each time, the Access Person must
certify in writing that she or he has received, read, and understands the Code of
Ethics and that they agree to or have complied with its contents. A copy of our Code
of Ethics is available to existing and prospective clients by sending written request
to compliancemail@morningstar.com.
As a wholly owned subsidiary, we use the resources, infrastructure, and employees
of Morningstar and its affiliates to provide certain support services in such areas as
technology, procurement, human resources, accounting,
legal, compliance,
information security, and marketing. We do not believe this arrangement presents a
conflict of interests to us in terms of our advisory services. Employees of Morningstar
that provide support services to us have the option to maintain their Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) security licenses under Morningstar
Investment Services’ limited broker/dealer registration, if appropriate for their
current job responsibilities. We believe no conflict of interest exists due to the
maintenance of these security licenses.
In certain situations, we make our clients aware of various products and services
offered by Morningstar or its affiliates. We do not receive compensation for that
introduction. Morningstar and its affiliates also have the option to make their clients
aware of various products and services offered by us. Morningstar and its affiliates
do not receive any compensation from us for that introduction, unless it falls under
a solicitation arrangement, as described in Item 14 below.
Interest in Client Transactions
Our Access Persons have the option to maintain personal investment accounts and
purchase or sell investments in those accounts that are the same as or different from
the investments we recommend to clients. Our Code of Ethics is designed to ensure
that Access Persons’ personal trading activities should not conflict with our advisory
activities or the timing of our recommendations and will not interfere with our
clients’ interests, while allowing our Access Persons to invest in their own accounts.
We do not engage in principal transactions (transactions where we, acting in our own
account or in an affiliated account, buy a security from or sell a security to a client’s
account) nor do we engage in agency cross transactions (transactions where we or
our affiliate executes a transaction while acting as a broker for both our client and
the other party in the transaction).
Morningstar Wealth, through Morningstar and its subsidiaries, make available
products such as: (i) investment product ; (ii) Morningstar Funds Trust, (iii)
Morningstar Office, Morningstar’s RIA portfolio software service; (iv) Morningstar
ByAllAccounts, Morningstar’s
investment data aggregation service; and (v)
Morningstar.com, Morningstar’s individual investor site offering. Daniel Needham,
our co-president, has management responsibilities for Morningstar Wealth. We do
not believe that these management responsibilities create any material conflicts of
interests for our clients, but we mitigate any actual or potential conflicts of interests
resulting from that by imposing informational barriers where appropriate and
undertaking compliance monitoring.
Affiliations – Morningstar, Inc. Subsidiaries
Equity and manager research analysts based outside the United States are employed
by various wholly owned subsidiaries of Morningstar. These analysts follow the
same investment methodologies and process as Morningstar Research Services, as
Interest in Securities That We May Recommend
Morningstar Investment Management has and maintains a number of seed accounts
(accounts used to establish a strategy we offer or are tracking), many of which follow
strategies we offer to clients. We place block trades for our accounts, therefore trade
requests for our seed accounts are placed at the same time as trades are placed for
those client accounts invested in the same strategy and for which we have discretion.
Block trades are allocated in such a manner as to ensure that our seed accounts do
not receive more favorable trades than our clients’ accounts. Client accounts that we
manage on a discretionary basis and thus, our seed accounts, are traded before we
provide model portfolio trade recommendations to other clients using our model
portfolios. However, our model portfolio clients receive trade recommendation after
the close of the trading day, so that no one model portfolio client is favored over
another. (As noted above, Morningstar Investment Services anticipates the cessation
of its discretionary advisory services by the end of the second quarter of 2025. When
this occurs, trade recommendations will be communicated to non-discretionary
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
clients after the close of the trading day and seed and Morningstar-affiliated
accounts in the Strategies will be traded the next day so that no one person has an
advantage over another.)
Page 14 of 15
with us directly. Through disclosures, which are spoken or given in writing to Clients
at the time of the solicitation, solicited Clients are made aware of the arrangement
between the solicitor and us (and therefore that the solicitor has a financial interest
in recommending us to Client), any other material conflicts of interest, and the terms
of any compensation paid directly or indirectly to the solicitor as a result of their
referral.
We receive direct or indirect cash payments from unaffiliated third parties for
referring their services to other advisory firms or investors. This creates a conflict of
interest as we have an incentive to recommend these third parties in order to receive
the cash payment.
Personal Trading By Access Persons
Our Code of Ethics is designed to ensure that Access Persons’ personal trading
activities do not interfere with our clients’ interests. While our Access Persons have
the option to maintain personal investment accounts, they are subject to certain
restrictions. Our Code of Ethics includes policies designed to prevent Access Persons
from trading based on material non-public information. Access Persons in
possession of material non-public information are prohibited from trading in
securities which are the subject of such information and from tipping such
information to others. In certain instances, we employ information blocking devices
such as restricted lists to prevent illegal insider trading. Morningstar’s compliance
department monitors the activities in the personal accounts of our Access Persons
(and any accounts in which they have beneficial ownership) upon hire and thereafter.
Access Persons are required to pre-clear IPO, initial digital coin offerings, and private
placement transactions with Morningstar’s compliance department.
We enter into agreements with certain Institutional Clients whereby we provide
compensation to Institutional Clients in exchange for access to their financial
professionals to educate them about our advisory products and services, having our
name, products, or services listed or highlighted in Institutional Client materials,
attendance or booth space at Institutional Client conferences, and/or similar
marketing, distribution, and educational activities. We also provide compensation to
Institutional Clients to sponsor meetings and events for their financial professionals
and/or clients.
Item 12. Brokerage Practices
Where we exercise investment discretion, we will generate trade instructions for
each retirement account that requires investment, reallocation, or rebalancing and
forward those instructions to the appropriate institution as designated by the service
provider. As a result, we do not have the ability to make decisions regarding which
broker is used to execute the transactions nor the timing of when the trade is
executed. This could result in different pricing of client trades. We do not participate
in any soft dollar practices.
Item 15. Custody
We do not serve as a custodian of client assets. However, in cases where we have
the ability to debit fees directly from client accounts, we are deemed to have custody
of client assets under Rule 206(4)-2 of the Advisers Act, even if we do not act as a
custodian. Your service provider or its designee is responsible for selecting the
custodian for your plan assets and you should receive statements from the qualified
custodian that holds your assets at least quarterly. You should carefully review such
statements and compare them to the written progress reports we provide to you. Our
progress reports may vary from custodial statements because of differences in
accounting procedures (e.g., trade-date versus settlement-date accounting) or
reporting dates. If you note any discrepancies on your account statements, please
promptly contact your service provider.
Item 13. Review of Accounts
Retirement accounts enrolled in Managed Accounts and the Personal Target-Date
Fund Service are typically rebalanced to your account’s asset allocation target or
reallocated on a quarterly basis as necessary and your portfolio allocations will be
adjusted on an annual or as-needed basis to account for changes in your age and
any other significant personal or financial changes to your situation that you have
informed us about. Our methodology has a built-in mechanism to help prevent
unnecessary trading and therefore will not propose any changes to your investment
strategy if the adjustments are relatively small. You are responsible for notifying us
of changes in your personal and financial information, investment objectives, and
investment restrictions so that we can make the necessary adjustments to your
investment strategy. Periodically, you will receive a written progress report with
information about your account, either in an electronic format (e.g., by email or
through Internet account access). This progress report may include such things as
your progress toward your retirement goal, investment performance information,
and an analysis of your retirement account.
Item 16. Investment Discretion
When you accept the advisory agreement for Managed Accounts or the Personal
Target-Date Fund Service, you assign to us or us and the Other IA (applicable to
Advisor Managed Accounts) full discretion to manage the investments of your
retirement account on your behalf and to monitor it on an ongoing basis. Based on
information provided by you, you receive an individualized asset allocation strategy
and investment options appropriate for that strategy which are selected from the
options or, in the case of the Personal Target-Date Fund Service, target-date funds
available to your retirement account. As described above, you have the right to
impose reasonable restrictions on your retirement account. We, and if applicable the
Other IA, will exercise our discretion in managing your account consistent with your
individualized strategy and within the account restrictions, if any.
If you elect Advice or Guidance, you retain the investment discretion and control of
your retirement account. We provide you with information designed to help you make
investment choices regarding your retirement account assets, but you are
responsible for managing the investments in your account. We do not monitor,
review or update our recommendations or projections on an ongoing basis.
We do not provide ongoing account reviews as part of Advice and Guidance. You
should review your retirement account asset allocation recommendations on a
regular basis. You can use the Morningstar Retirement Manager platform at any time
to update your personal information and review your retirement strategy, which will
likely change as the result of the updated information. We recommend you return to
our site every six months to receive an updated strategy, or sooner if you have had
any significant changes in your personal or financial situation. We also recommend
you return to our site whenever there has been a chance in the available investment
options in your retirement plan or product lineup. We do not prepare periodic reports
as part of Advice or Guidance.
Item 17. Voting Client Securities
You are responsible for receiving and voting proxies for all investments held in your
retirement account. You may receive proxies or other solicitations directly from your
account’s custodian. We do not have the authority to and will not vote proxies. We
cannot provide information or advice in regard to questions you have about a
particular solicitation.
Item 14. Client Referrals and Other Compensation
We make direct or indirect cash or non-cash payments to our affiliates or to
unaffiliated third parties for recommending our services. If such payments occur,
they will be done pursuant to Rule 206(4)-1 of the Advisers Act. Clients referred by
third party solicitors may in some cases pay a higher fee than clients who contract
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.
Page 15 of 15
We do not advise or act for you in legal proceedings, including class actions or
bankruptcies, involving recommended securities.
Item 18. Financial Information
We are required to provide you with certain financial information or disclosures
about our financial condition. We do not have any financial commitment that impairs
our ability to meet our contractual and fiduciary commitments to clients, nor have
we been the subject of any bankruptcy proceeding.
©2026 Morningstar Investment Management LLC. All Rights Reserved. The Morningstar name and logo are registered marks of Morningstar, Inc.