How American Funds share classes differ

Our share classes mainly differ based on how you pay for the advice of your financial professional. Because different payment structures suit different investment needs, we offer several convenient pricing options for our mutual fund accounts as well as our CollegeAmerica® 529 savings plan — a tax-advantaged way to save for college.

• Class A and 529-A shares

  • You pay the sales charge at the time of purchase.

  • You will pay lower annual expenses.

• Class B and 529-B shares

  • If you sell your shares within six years, you will pay a sales charge.
  • You will pay higher annual expenses than Class A and 529-A shares for eight years.

  • Class B and 529-B shares convert to Class A and 529-A shares, respectively, after eight years.

• Class C and 529-C shares

  • If you sell your shares within 12 months, you will pay a sales charge.
  • You could pay higher annual expenses than Class A, 529-A, B and Class 529-B shares.

  • Class C shares convert to Class F-1 shares after 10 years. Class 529-C shares do not convert to Class 529-F-1 shares.

• Class F-1, F-2 and 529-F-1 shares

  • You pay an asset-based fee for F-1, F-2 or 529-F-1 shares based on your financial adviser's fee-based program.
  • You pay no up-front or contingent deferred sales charge.
  • Class F-2 shares do not carry a 12b-1 fee.
  • These shares are offered only through participating financial professionals.

Visit the Share Classes & Expenses page for additional information.

CollegeAmerica is sponsored by Virginia College Savings Plan. But you can invest no matter where you live, and your beneficiary can go to school in any state. However, if you reside in a state other than Virginia, there may be an in-state plan that offers tax and other benefits not available through CollegeAmerica. Before investing in any state’s 529 plan, you should consult your tax adviser.