Frequently Asked Questions About MainStay Mutual Funds

Mainstay Mutual Funds FAQs

1. What are the investment minimums for MainStay Funds?
   To open an account:
   $1,000 is the minimum for MainStay Money Market Fund and MainStay Equity Index Fund
   $500 is the minimum for all other Funds
   Each time after that:
   $50 for all the Funds, except MainStay Equity Index Fund, which has a $1,000 minimum
   
   
2. How can I get information about my account activity and Fund performance?
   
   • Visit My Accounts  , where you can purchase additional shares and exchange shares, obtain duplicate statements, and view transactions, 24 hours a day
   • You can also call 1-800-MAINSTAY (1-800-624-6782) and get automated account information, speak to a customer service representative, and obtain fund performance data
   • Go to our Fund Center   and Prices and Performance   pages for the latest Fund data
   • Speak with your registered investment professional
   
   
   
3. What share classes does MainStay offer?
   MainStay Funds are offered in three share classes: A, B, and C (except for MainStay Equity Index Fund, which only offers Class A shares, and MainStay MAP Fund, which also has Class I shares that are offered in a separate prospectus).
   
   
4. Who backs the guarantee on MainStay Equity Index Fund?
   The guarantee is backed solely by NYLIFE LLC. NYLIFE LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of New York Life Insurance Company. Neither the Fund nor any entity other than NYLIFE LLC is obligated under the terms of the guarantee.
   
   
5. What is the "reverse share split" that occurs at the end of the year on MainStay Equity Index Fund?
   The reverse share split is an annual adjustment to keep the number of shares constant within the account to simplify tracking the guarantee. In a normal mutual fund distribution, the NAV will drop by the amount of the distribution, but will be reinvested to purchase more shares at the lower NAV. The account balance does not change, but the investor owns more shares that are worth less. In MainStay Equity Index Fund, the reverse share split brings the number of shares and the share value to where they were before the distribution. Either way, the account is worth the same dollar amount.
   
   
6. Why does the MainStay MAP Fund have "I" shares?
   This fund began operations in 1971 as the Mutual Benefit Fund, with A, B, and C shares. It was renamed MAP-Equity Fund in 1995, and then was reorganized as MainStay MAP Equity Fund Class I shares on June 9, 1999 (when MainStay assumed management of the fund). The fund was renamed MainStay MAP Fund in 2002. Class I shares are sold with no initial sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge, but with a higher minimum investment amount. Performance figures for MainStay MAP Fund Class I shares include the performance of MAP Fund from its inception (January 21, 1971).
   
   
7. How can I find "ticker" or Nasdaq symbols for MainStay Funds?
   We provide these symbols for each share class of each MainStay Fund in our Daily Prices   section.
   
   
8. Can I automatically access my accounts online?
   If you are invested in MainStay Funds, you automatically have online account access. To get started, all you have to do is create a Personal Identification Number (PIN).
   
   
9. How do I create a PIN?
   Click on Create a PIN   (accessible from the Account Login page  ) and enter the following information:
   • Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number
   • Account Number from your statement (for most accounts, this is an eight-digit number that appears after the first hyphen)
   • A unique PIN (four to eight characters)
   • Verify your PIN by re-entering it
   • 
     
10. Where can I locate my account number?
    Your account number can be found on both your quarterly and transaction confirmation statements. Depending on which type of statement you have received, your account number is either eight digits after the first hyphen (see A) or located in a stand-alone Account No. box (see B).

    
    
    

11. Will my PIN change?
    Your PIN will never automatically change. Your PIN will only change if you decide to change it.
    
    
12. How do I change my PIN?
    Click on Change PIN (accessible from the Account Login Page) and enter the following information:
    
    • Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number
    • Account Number from your statement (for most accounts, this is an eight-digit number that appears after the first hyphen)
    • Your current PIN
    • Your new PIN (four to eight characters)
    • Verify your PIN by re-entering it
    
    
    
13. What should I do if I forget my PIN?
    If you forget your PIN, call our toll-free number at 1-800-MAINSTAY (1-800-624-6782), from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Eastern time. A shareholder services representative will reset your PIN. Once the PIN is reset, you will need to create a new PIN.
    
    
14. What share classes are available?
    MainStay Funds are offered in three share classes: A, B, and C (except for MainStay Equity Index Fund, which only offers Class A shares, and MainStay MAP Fund, which also has Class I shares that are offered in a separate prospectus). These classes differ only in their sales, service and/or distribution expenses, and any other specific expenses the Board of Trustees may approve.
    For more information about our Funds and share classes, view our shareholder guide   or visit our fund center  .
    
    
15. Where can I view pending trades?
    If a trade is pending approval, it will appear on the View Account History page. Once a trade has been approved (generally within one business day), it will appear as an account history item.
    
    
16. How do I get the cost basis for each of my Funds?
    From the Manage Account page, click on View Cost Basis under Account Options or call 1-800-MAINSTAY (1-800-624-6782). Note that cost basis is only available for most non-retirement accounts. It is not available for accounts established prior to 1987 and certain other accounts.
    
    
17. What types of account information can I view online?
    With My Accounts, you can:
    
    • View information on all of the MainStay accounts in your portfolio-shares owned, daily NAVs, net reinvestment share amounts, cash distribution amounts-as well as the total value of your portfolio.
    • Manage your account through a number of options¹, such as:
    • 
      View account history
      Make an exchange
      Purchase additional shares
      View cost basis
      Order statement
      Order tax form
      Request additional money market checks
    ^{1 Account options available depend on the Fund you are invested in and the options you have selected on your account application.}
    
    
18. Why are some account options only available with certain Funds?
    There could be a number of reasons. Account options, such as purchasing additional shares, requires you to provide bank information in advance. Also, some Funds inherently have certain features. Only MainStay Money Market Fund has a check-writing capability and, therefore, is the only Fund for which you can request additional checks. Finally, certain options are available on a seasonal basis. Tax forms are generally available from January 30 through November 30 of each year. If you would like to add available options to your account, please call us toll-free at 1-800-MAINSTAY (1-800-624-6782), from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Eastern time.
    
    
19. How often is my account information updated?
    Share prices (NAVs) and account balances are updated daily. Cost basis information is updated weekly.
    
    
20. How do I check account balances?
    You can check the total value of your account on the My Portfolio page.
    
    
21. Where can I view the total value of my portfolio?
    You can check the total value of your portfolio on the upper right hand corner of the My Portfolio page.
    
    
22. How do I check the status of my transactions?
    To view your transactions, go to the View Account History page. Transactions will generally appear on this page the day after the trade date.
    
    
23. Why can't I sell (redeem) shares online?
    For security purposes, MainStay requires either a written request by all shareholders on the account or that one shareholder calls to make the request on our toll-free number, 1-800-MAINSTAY (1-800-624-6782).
    
    
24. Why can I only order checks on certain accounts?
    This feature is only available with money market funds. Therefore, you can order checks for MainStay Money Market Fund.
    
    
25. Is "My Accounts" Secure?
    Yes. My Accounts is secure because it encrypts your data with Secure Socket Layer (SSL), the standard for Internet security. SSL scrambles data transmitted from your browser over the Internet, making it virtually impossible for anyone to access your confidential information. There are various levels of encryption from 40-bit to 128-bit, which is one of the highest levels of encryption. 
    
    My Accounts supports all browsers from 40 to 128 bits of encryption. However, for the most secure level, we highly recommend that your browser supports 128-bit encryption. The following browsers supports this technology: Netscape 4.08 and higher, Internet Explorer 4.0 and higher for Windows, Internet Explorer 4.51 and higher for Macintosh and AOL 4.0 and higher.
    
    If your browser does not support 128-bit encryption, you'll need to upgrade your browser by clicking on one of the links below depending on which browser you have. As a general rule, before upgrading or installing any new software, be sure to back up any critical files. 
    
    For Internet Explorer Users
    
    • If you have version 4.0 or higher, you can download a small 128-bit encryption patch at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/recommended/128bit/default.asp 
      
    • If you have lower than version 4.0, you?ll need to upgrade your browser at: Windows: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/default.asp 
      or Macintosh: http://www.microsoft.com/mac/ After this upgrade is complete, download the 128-bit encryption version.

    For Netscape Navigator Users 
    For all versions, you'll need to upgrade your browser.
    
    After identifying the platform you use, select "Download strong U.S./Canada-only encryption." For Macintosh, not Power PC, click on "Other Platforms." 
    
    For AOL Users 
    If you have lower than version 4.0, you can use the Internet Explorer or Netscape upgrade links above. Be sure to download the 128-bit encryption version. 
    
    Additional Security Steps to Take

    • As a MainStay shareholder, there are additional things you can do to maintain your security: 
    • Never give out your PIN to anyone. MainStay Shareholder Services Representatives will never ask for your PIN. 
    • Do not store your PIN or other sensitive data on your computer. 
    • Log out of My Accounts when you are done using it. For added protection, My Accounts will log out automatically after 15 minutes of inactivity. 
    • 
      
26. How can I obtain more information about MainStay Funds?
    • Visit our Download Literature section to download PDFs of fund materials, including fact sheets and prospectuses
    • Contact Us by e-mail or, if you prefer, call our toll-free number 1-800-MAINSTAY (1-800-624-6782) or send regular mail
    • Request Literature to be mailed to you with our convenient online entry form.
    • 
      
27. How can I receive the name of a registered investment professional?
    Simply call our toll-free number, 1-800-MAINSTAY (1-800-624-6782), from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Eastern time.

Click here to get answers to other questions you may have about other products, this site and more.

Questions about this article or about New York Life, our subsidiaries and the products that we offer? Please call this toll-free number 800-710-7945 to arrange for a discussion with a New York Life agent or a NYLIFE Securities LLC financial services professional.

This material is for informational purposes only. Neither New York Life nor its agents provide tax, legal or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal or accounting professional before making any decisions.

EOE M/F/D/V

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