BGI pioneered target-date, or lifecycle funds, in November 1993.Target-date funds since have become one of the fastest growing segments ofthe retirement investment market and are available in 68 percent of definedcontribution (DC) plans.(1) According to the most recent data from theInvestment Company Institute, target-date funds assets totaled $185 billionat the end of the first quarter of 2008 and almost 90 percent of lifecyclefund assets were held in retirement accounts. LifePath Portfolios accountfor nearly $23 billion of the category total, made available in some of thelargest defined contribution plans in America.

"The introduction of target-date funds marked a significant evolutionarystep in the defined contribution market, offering plan participants asimple choice for a sophisticated approach to retirement investing," saidKristi Mitchem, head of the U.S. defined contribution group at BGI. "Werecognized that many participants didn't contribute adequately or failed toadjust their portfolio allocation as needed. LifePath was at the forefrontto help remove these barriers and guide participants into an appropriatelydiversified, professionally managed portfolio."

LifePath was the first DC product to address both investment and behavioralrisks, and provide participants with the opportunity to achieve a betterinvestment outcome. While behavioral finance studies show that mostemployees know they should save for retirement, realistically inertiaprevents them from actually saving, let alone soundly managing investmentrisk over time. Today, these behavioral and financial risks are stillprevalent for DC investors, particularly in today's markets.

"LifePath is more relevant than ever as the qualified default investmentalternative for defined contribution plans," Mitchem said. "LifePath alsohelps participants avoid common investment pitfalls, such as buying highand selling low, chasing funds with impressive short-term performance,over-allocating in stable value or money market funds, and failing toadjust asset allocations as retirement gets closer or as market conditionschange."

Now, target-date funds have become a favored option for plan sponsorsseeking innovative solutions to boost 401(k) plan enrollments, whileoffering participants a streamlined and less confusing approach to theirlong-term financial security. According to Hewitt, the number of 401(k)plans offering lifecycle funds is expected to continue to grow now that thePension Protection Act and accompanying Department of Labor and InternalRevenue Service regulations have given sponsors more guidance andprotection for helping employees prepare for retirement.

LifePath marked the first generation of significant innovation in thedefined contribution marketplace. Last year, BGI ushered in the secondgeneration of retirement investing innovation with SponsorMatch, a uniqueinvestment option that allows plan sponsors to offer, for the first time,comprehensive defined benefit-like solutions for retirement saving withinthe constraints of defined contribution plans.

With SponsorMatch, plan sponsors gain access to a fund that includes BGIinvestment portfolios and deferred annuity portfolios, which combine toprovide and increase an income stream over time as a participant ages.

"Many employees put themselves at risk for running out of money inretirement. No matter how much they save during their working years, itcan be a challenge to effectively manage their nest egg in retirement,"Mitchem said. "SponsorMatch addresses this need by providing a source oflifetime income within a company's defined contribution plan. As LifePathPortfolios did before, SponsorMatch continues our history of providinginnovative solutions that serve both the evolving needs of plan sponsorswhile helping participants to better prepare for retirement."

About Barclays Global Investors

Barclays Global Investors is one of the world's largest asset managers anda leading global provider of investment management products and serviceswith more than 3,000 institutional clients and over $1.9 trillion of assetsunder management as of June 30, 2008. BGI transformed the investmentindustry by creating the first index strategy in 1971 and the firstquantitative active strategy in 1979. BGI is the global product leader inexchange traded funds (iShares® exchange traded funds) with over 330funds for institutions and individuals globally.

Carefully consider the funds' investment objectives, risk factors andcharges and expenses before investing. This and other information can befound in the funds' prospectuses, which may be obtained by calling1-877-BGI-1544 (1-877-244-1544). Read the prospectus carefully beforeinvesting.

Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Riskcontrols, asset allocation models, and diversification do not promise anylevel of performance or guarantee against loss of principal.

The LifePath® strategies are available as collective investment funds oras mutual funds. There are structural and regulatory differences betweencollective funds and mutual funds that may affect their respective fees andperformance. SponsorMatch is offered as collective investment funds.Barclays Global Investors, N.A., a limited purpose national trust bank,manages the LifePath® Portfolios collective investment funds and providesfiduciary and custody services to various institutional investors. Fundsmanaged by Barclays Global Investors are not insured by the Federal DepositInsurance Corporation or any other government agency and are not guaranteedby BGI or its affiliates. A collective investment fund is privatelyoffered; prospectuses are not required. The collective investment fundsmaintained by Barclays Global Investors, N.A. are available only to certainqualified employee benefit plans and governmental plans and not offered tothe general public.

The LifePath® Portfolios are distributed by SEI Investments DistributionCo. (SEI). Barclays Global Fund Advisors (BGFA) serves as investmentadviser to the Master Portfolios, in which each LifePath Portfolio investsall of its assets and to the underlying funds in which the MasterPortfolios invest. BGFA is a subsidiary of Barclays Global Investors, N.A.,neither of which is affiliated with SEI.

This is not intended to be investment, legal, accounting or tax advice. Youmay not rely on this publication in evaluating the merits of investing inSponsorMatch. Any investment decision with respect to SponsorMatch shouldbe made by you solely upon the information contained in any final offeringdocument or other offering materials relating to SponsorMatch. SponsorMatchis subject to the terms and conditions set forth in any such final offeringdocument or materials (and any changes thereof).

SponsorMatch is not itself an insurance product. BGI is not issuing orselling insurance or promising any financial guarantee or periodic payment.Annuities are provided by one or more insurance companies.

LifePath® and SponsorMatch™ are trademarks of Barclays GlobalInvestors, N.A. The LifePath® products are covered by U.S. patents5,812,987 and 6,336,102. MF-0005-1108

(1) Source: Deloitte Annual 401(k) Benchmarking Survey 2005/2006.