0001104659-23-103222.txt : 20230922 0001104659-23-103222.hdr.sgml : 20230922 20230922165035 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-23-103222 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: DEF 14C PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20230927 FILED AS OF DATE: 20230922 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20230922 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: MASSMUTUAL SELECT FUNDS CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000916053 IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 0930 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: DEF 14C SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-08274 FILM NUMBER: 231272276 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1295 STATE STREET CITY: SPRINGFIELD STATE: MA ZIP: 01111 BUSINESS PHONE: 413-744-1000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1295 STATE STREET CITY: SPRINGFIELD STATE: MA ZIP: 01111 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: MASSMUTUAL INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19931213 0000916053 S000061107 MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Bond Fund C000198049 Class I MMEMX DEF 14C 1 tm2325986-2_def14c.htm DEF 14C tm2325986-2_nonfiling - none - 2.7031424s
SCHEDULE 14C
(Rule 14c-101)
Information Required in Information Statement
Schedule 14C Information
Information Statement Pursuant to Section 14(c)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Check the appropriate box:

Preliminary Information Statement

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14c-5(d)(2))

Definitive Information Statement
MassMutual Select Funds
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Payment of Filing Fee (check the appropriate box):

No fee required

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101) per Item 1 of this Schedule and Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) and 0-11.

 
MASSMUTUAL SELECT FUNDS
(the “Trust”)
1295 State Street
Springfield, MA 01111-0001
MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Bond Fund
(the “Fund”)
INFORMATION STATEMENT
September 27, 2023
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of this Information Statement
This Information Statement is available at https://www.massmutual.com/funds
The Trustees of the MassMutual Select Funds (the “Trustees”) are distributing this Information Statement in connection with (i) an amendment to the investment sub-subadvisory agreement between T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (“T. Rowe Price”) and T. Rowe Price Hong Kong Limited (“T. Rowe Price Hong Kong”) in order to add T. Rowe Price Hong Kong as a sub-subadviser for the Fund and (ii) an amendment to the investment sub-subadvisory agreement between T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price International Ltd (“T. Rowe Price International”) in order to add T. Rowe Price International as a sub-subadviser for the Fund (each, a “Sub-Subadvisory Agreement Amendment” and collectively, the “Sub-Subadvisory Agreement Amendments”). T. Rowe Price serves as the investment subadviser to the Fund. This Information Statement explains why the Trustees approved (i) T. Rowe Price entering into the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement Amendment with T. Rowe Price Hong Kong on behalf of the Fund and (ii) T. Rowe Price entering into the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement Amendment with T. Rowe Price International on behalf of the Fund. In addition, this Information Statement describes generally the terms of each Sub-Subadvisory Agreement Amendment. This Information Statement is being delivered to shareholders of record as of September 18, 2023 on or about September 27, 2023.
As required by an Exemptive Order that MML Investment Advisers, LLC (“MML Advisers” or the “Adviser”), investment adviser to the Fund, has received from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to permit the Adviser to change subadvisers or hire new subadvisers for one or more funds from time to time without obtaining shareholder approval, subject to approval by a fund’s shareholders of this arrangement, the Fund is distributing this Information Statement solely for your information. WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY, AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY.
Trustee Approval of the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement Amendments
At a meeting of the Trustees held on March 21-22, 2023, the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (“Independent Trustees”), approved the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement Amendment, dated July 1, 2023, between T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Hong Kong and the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement Amendment, dated July 1, 2023, between T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price International, pursuant to which T. Rowe Price Hong Kong and T. Rowe Price International, each an investment adviser registered with the SEC, would provide certain investment advisory services in respect of the Fund. The Trustees considered that there would be no change in the services provided in respect of the Fund as a result of the implementation of the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement Amendments, and that the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement Amendments were intended to allow T. Rowe Price to access its investment personnel employed by T. Rowe Price Hong Kong and T. Rowe Price International for the benefit of the Fund. The Trustees noted that T. Rowe Price was not proposing any changes to the investment strategies or processes of the Fund.
The Trustees also discussed with MML Advisers and considered a wide range of information including, among other things, that the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement Amendments would not result in any changes in the fees payable by the Fund or MML Advisers and that the services provided would continue to be subject to
 

 
the supervision of T. Rowe Price. The Trustees concluded that the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement Amendments are in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.
After carefully considering the information summarized above, the Trustees (except Michael R. Fanning who was not present), including a majority of the Independent Trustees voting separately, unanimously voted to approve the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement Amendments. Prior to the votes being taken to approve the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement Amendments, the Independent Trustees met separately in executive session to discuss the appropriateness of the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement Amendments. During the executive session, the Independent Trustees were advised by their independent legal counsel. The Independent Trustees weighed the foregoing matters in light of the advice given to them by their independent legal counsel as to the law applicable to the review of investment advisory contracts. In arriving at a decision, the Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, did not identify any single matter as all-important or controlling. The foregoing summary does not detail all of the matters considered.
Description of the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement Amendments
Appendices A and B to this Information Statement contain the Sub-Subadvisory Agreement Amendments, as well as the Sub-Subadvisory Agreements. While the next several paragraphs briefly summarize some important provisions of each Sub-Subadvisory Agreement, as amended, you should read Appendices A and B for a complete understanding of the Sub-Subadvisory Agreements, as amended.
The Sub-Subadvisory Agreements, as amended, essentially provide that T. Rowe Price Hong Kong and T. Rowe Price International, as applicable, under the Trustees’, MML Advisers’, and T. Rowe Price’s supervision, will, among other things, make discretionary investment decisions to purchase and sell securities and other investments for the Fund and arrange for the purchase and sale of securities and other investments for the Fund, and agree to perform their duties and functions under the Sub-Subadvisory Agreements in accordance with (i) the applicable requirements of the 1940 Act, Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and any rules and regulations thereunder; (ii) any other applicable provisions of United Kingdom, Hong Kong, state, or federal law; (iii) the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Bylaws; (iv) policies and determinations of the Board; (v) the Fund’s fundamental and non-fundamental policies and investment restrictions as set forth in its registration statement or as may be amended; and (vi) the Fund’s then-current prospectus and statement of additional information.
The Sub-Subadvisory Agreements, as amended, provide that T. Rowe Price Hong Kong and T. Rowe Price International will not be liable to the Fund, except in the event of T. Rowe Price Hong Kong’s and T. Rowe Price International’s reckless disregard, willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard in the performance of their duties under the applicable Sub-Subadvisory Agreement, as amended.
The advisory fee rate paid by the Fund’s shareholders is unchanged. The Fund does not pay an advisory fee.
Information About the Ownership of the New Sub-Subadvisers
The following description of T. Rowe Price Hong Kong was provided to the Trust by T. Rowe Price Hong Kong.
T. Rowe Price Hong Kong Limited (“T. Rowe Price Hong Kong”) is located at 6/F Chater House, 8 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong. T. Rowe Price Hong Kong is a wholly-owned subsidiary of T. Rowe Price International, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of T. Rowe Price. T. Rowe Price is a wholly-owned subsidiary of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., a publicly-traded financial services holding company. As of June 30, 2023, T. Rowe Price and its affiliates had approximately $1.40 trillion in assets under management.
The following are the names and principal occupations of the principal executive officers and each director of T. Rowe Price Hong Kong. The address of the principal executive officers and each director is 6/F Chater House, 8 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong.
 
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Name
Title
Justin Thomson Director
Elsie Oi Sze Chan Director and Responsible Officer
Ernest C. Yeung Director and Responsible Officer
Christine Po Kwan To Director and Responsible Officer
Riki Chao Chief Compliance Officer
The following description of T. Rowe Price International was provided to the Trust by T. Rowe Price International.
T. Rowe Price International Ltd (“T. Rowe Price International”) is located at Warwick Court, 5 Paternoster Square, London EC4M 7DX, United Kingdom. T. Rowe Price International is a wholly-owned subsidiary of T. Rowe Price. T. Rowe Price is a wholly-owned subsidiary of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., a publicly-traded financial services holding company. As of June 30, 2023, T. Rowe Price and its affiliates had approximately $1.40 trillion in assets under management.
The following are the names and principal occupations of the principal executive officers and each director of T. Rowe Price International. The address of the principal executive officers and each director is Warwick Court, 5 Paternoster Square, London EC4M 7DX, United Kingdom.
Name
Title
Emma Beal Director and Assistant Secretary
Scott Keller Director
Justin Thomson Director
Robert Charles Trant Higginbotham Chief Executive Officer, Chair of the Board, Director, and President
David Oestreicher Secretary
Louise Johnson Chief Compliance Officer
Certain Brokerage Matters
As permitted by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), T. Rowe Price Hong Kong and T. Rowe Price International may each cause the Fund to pay to a broker which provides brokerage and research services to the Fund an amount of disclosed commission in excess of the commission which another broker would have charged for effecting that transaction. This practice is subject to a good faith determination by T. Rowe Price Hong Kong or T. Rowe Price International, as applicable, that the price is reasonable in light of the services provided viewed either in terms of the specific transaction involved in T. Rowe Price Hong Kong’s or T. Rowe Price International’s overall duties to the Fund and/or other accounts for which it exercises investment discretion, or the policies that the Trustees of the Trust may adopt from time to time.
T. Rowe Price Hong Kong and T. Rowe Price International may each cause portfolio transactions for the Fund to be executed by an affiliated brokerage firm. The Fund pays brokerage commissions to these brokerage firms for executing these portfolio transactions. T. Rowe Price Hong Kong and T. Rowe Price International have each informed the Adviser that they follow procedures designed to ensure that the commissions paid to affiliated brokerage firms are equal to or less than those paid to other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities and that the commissions charged to the Fund by affiliated brokerage firms do not exceed commissions charged to other clients in connection with comparable transactions involving similar securities.
Other Information
Adviser’s Address. The address of the Adviser is 1295 State Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 01111-0001. The Adviser, a Delaware limited liability company, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“MassMutual”).
 
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Principal Underwriter, Administrator, and Subadministrators. The address of the Fund’s principal underwriter, MML Distributors, LLC, is 1295 State Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 01111-0001. MML Distributors, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MassMutual. The Adviser serves as the administrator of the Fund. State Street Bank and Trust Company, which is located at 1 Iron Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, and MassMutual, located at 1295 State Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 01111-0001, each serve as a subadministrator of the Fund.
Annual and Semiannual Reports. The Trust has previously sent its Annual and Semiannual Reports to its shareholders. You can obtain a copy of these Reports without charge by writing to the Trust at 1295 State Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 01111-0001 or by calling 1-888-309-3539.
Outstanding Shares. Appendix C to this Information Statement lists the total number of shares outstanding as of September 18, 2023 for Class I shares of the Fund. Shares of the Fund are only offered to the MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement Funds and cannot be purchased directly by other investors.
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY,
AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY.
 
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Appendix A
AMENDMENT TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
INVESTMENT SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
Between
T. ROWE PRICE ASSOCIATES, INC.
And
T. ROWE PRICE HONG KONG LIMITED
This Amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Amended and Restated Investment Subadvisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of the 1st day of July, 2023, by and between T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (the “Adviser”), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland, United States of America, and T. Rowe Price Hong Kong Limited (the “Subadviser”), a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong, with respect to the mutual funds (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) set forth on Schedule 1 to the Agreement as of the date indicated thereof, as it may be amended from time to time.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the parties hereto entered into the Agreement dated as of November 1, 2022;
WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to add the MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Bond Fund to the Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.
Schedule 1 to the Agreement is hereby replaced with Schedule 1 attached hereto.
2.
All other terms and conditions of the Agreement remain in full force and effect.
 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized and their respective seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above written.
WITNESS: T. ROWE PRICE ASSOCIATES, INC.
/s/ Kate Spencer
By:
/s/ Terence Baptiste
Name:
Kate Spencer
Name:
Terence Baptiste
Title:
Assistant Vice President
Title:
Vice President
WITNESS: T. ROWE PRICE HONG KONG LIMITED
/s/ Kate Spencer
By:
/s/ Carmen Guo
Name:
Kate Spencer
Name:
Carmen Guo
Title:
Assistant Vice President
Title:
Vice President
 
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SCHEDULE 1
As of July 1, 2023
Fund Name
Date of Subadvisory
Agreement
Effective Date of
this Agreement
MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Bond Asset Fund
January 10, 2018
November 1, 2022
MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund
January 10, 2018
November 1, 2022
MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Limited Duration Inflation Focused Bond Fund
January 10, 2018
November 1, 2022
MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Bond Fund
January 10, 2018
July 1, 2023
 
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AMENDED AND RESTATED
INVESTMENT SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
Between
T. ROWE PRICE ASSOCIATES, INC.
And
T. ROWE PRICE HONG KONG LIMITED
This AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTMENT SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT is dated as of November 1, 2022, by and between T. ROWE PRICE ASSOCIATES, INC. (the “Adviser”), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland, United States of America, with its principal office at 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore MD 21202, United States and T. ROWE PRICE HONG KONG LIMITED (the “Subadviser”), a company incorporated under the laws of Hong Kong whose registered office is 6/F Chater House, 8 Connaught Place, Central Hong Kong.
WHEREAS, the Adviser and Subadviser are parties to that certain Investment Subadvisory Agreement dated May 22, 2020 (the “Original Agreement”), pursuant to which the Subadviser provides investment subadvisory services to the MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund, a series of MassMutual Select Funds (the “Trust”);
WHEREAS, the Adviser has entered into a separate investment subadvisory agreement (the “Subadvisory Agreement”) with MML Investment Advisers, LLC (the “Company”) with respect each of the companies listed on Schedule 1, each of which is a separate series of the Trust and is engaged in business as an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”) (each, a “Fund”);
WHEREAS, the Adviser and the Subadviser desire to amend and restate the Original Agreement to include the MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Bond Asset Fund and MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Limited Duration Inflation Focused Bond Fund in this Amended and Restated Investment Subadvisory Agreement (the Original Agreement, as amended and restated hereby, shall be referred to hereinafter as the “Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the Adviser is engaged principally in the business of rendering investment supervisory services and is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as an investment adviser under the United States Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”);
WHEREAS, the Subadviser is engaged in the business of, among other things, rendering discretionary investment management services and is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and is licensed with the Securities and Futures Commission to carry out investment management business;
WHEREAS, the Adviser is authorized under the Subadvisory Agreements to obtain such information, advice or assistance as the Adviser may deem necessary, appropriate or convenient for the discharge of its obligations under such agreements; and
WHEREAS, the Adviser desires to retain the Subadviser to furnish certain discretionary investment management services to the Adviser with respect to each Fund, and the Subadviser is willing to furnish such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual promises herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows with respect to each Fund:
1.   Appointment. Adviser hereby appoints the Subadviser to furnish certain discretionary investment management and dealing facilitation services with respect to the Fund for the period and on the terms set
 
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forth in this Agreement. The Subadviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided.
2.   Duties of the Subadviser.
A.   Investment Subadvisory Services. Subject to the supervision of the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Board”), the Company, and the Adviser, the Subadviser shall furnish certain discretionary investment management services, as more fully described below, in relation to the investments of the Fund and in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective(s), investment strategies, policies, and restrictions as provided in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time (hereinafter referred to as the “Prospectus”), and such other limitations as the Fund may impose by notice in writing to the Adviser or the Adviser may impose by notice in writing to the Subadviser. The Subadviser shall obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, businesses, securities markets, and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in the discharge of its obligations hereunder and shall formulate and implement a continuing program for the management of the assets and resources of the Fund allocated to the Subadviser in a manner consistent with the Fund’s investment objective(s), investment strategies, policies, and restrictions. In furtherance of this duty, the Subadviser, on behalf of the Fund, is authorized to:
(1)   make discretionary investment decisions to buy, sell, exchange, convert, lend, and otherwise trade in any stocks, bonds, and other securities or assets, and the Adviser agrees that the Subadviser may delegate trading execution and related reporting/instruction functions to the relevant trading desk of the Adviser or one of its affiliates (“Affiliated Trading Desk”);
(2)   instruct the Affiliated Trading Desk to place orders and negotiate the commissions for the execution of transactions in securities or other assets with or through such brokers, dealers, underwriters or issuers as the Affiliated Trading Desk on behalf of the Subadviser may select, both in respect of trades initiated pursuant to subclause (1) above and, upon request by the Adviser, in respect of investment decisions taken by the Adviser and notified to the Subadviser; and
(3)   generally, perform any other act necessary to enable the Subadviser to carry out its obligations under this Agreement or as agreed upon with the Adviser.
The Subadviser shall not exercise any voting and other rights and privileges attaching to the securities held by the Fund, unless instructed by the Adviser consistent with the terms of the Subadvisory Agreement.
B.   Personnel, Office Space, and Facilities of the Subadviser. The Subadviser at its own expense shall furnish or provide and pay the cost of such office space, office equipment, office personnel, and office services as the Subadviser requires in the performance of its investment advisory and other obligations under this Agreement.
C.   Further Duties of the Subadviser. In all matters relating to the performance of this Agreement, the Subadviser shall act in conformity with the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and ByLaws, and the Fund’s currently effective Registration Statement (as defined below) and with the written instructions and directions of the Board (as communicated by the Adviser from time to time) and the Adviser, and shall comply with the applicable requirements of the 1940 Act and Advisers Act and the rules thereunder, the SEC, the applicable Hong Kong regulators and all other applicable United States, state, or foreign laws and regulations. The Subadviser shall at all times perform its duties with good care as a prudent manager and exercise its authority under this Agreement faithfully for the benefit of the Adviser, the Company, and the Fund.
3.   Compensation. For the services provided and the expenses assumed by the Subadviser pursuant to this Agreement, the Adviser may pay the Subadviser an investment management fee, if any, up to, but not more than 60% of the management fee paid to the Adviser under the Subadvisory Agreement with the Company.
 
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4.   Duties of the Adviser.
A.   The Adviser shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Subadvisory Agreement, other than those delegated to the Subadviser, and shall oversee and review the Subadviser’s performance of its duties under this Agreement.
B.   Upon request from the Subadviser, the Adviser will furnish the Subadviser with copies of each of the following documents and any future amendments and supplements to such documents, if any, as soon as practicable after such request and such documents become available:
(1)   The Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended from time to time;
(2)   The ByLaws of the Trust as in effect on the date hereof and as amended from time to time (“ByLaws”);
(3)   Certified resolutions of the Board authorizing the appointment of the Adviser and the Subadviser and approving the form of the Subadvisory Agreement and this Agreement;
(4)   The Fund’s Registration Statement under the 1940 Act and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on Form N-1A, as filed with the SEC relating to the Fund and its shares and all amendments thereto (“Registration Statement”);
(5)   The Notification of Registration of the Fund under the 1940 Act on Form N-8A as filed with the SEC and any amendments thereto;
(6)   The Fund’s Prospectus (as defined above); and
(7)   A certified copy of any financial statement or report prepared for the Fund by certified or independent public accountants, and copies of any financial statements or reports made by the Fund to its shareholders or to any governmental body or securities exchange.
The Adviser shall furnish the Subadviser with any further documents, materials or information that the Subadviser may reasonably request to enable it to perform its duties pursuant to this Agreement.
5.   Brokerage.
A.   The Subadviser agrees that, in placing orders with broker-dealers for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities, it shall attempt (or instruct the Affiliated Trading Desk to do so, as applicable) to obtain quality execution at favorable security prices; provided that, on behalf of the Fund, the Subadviser or the Affiliated Trading Desk, as applicable, may, in its discretion and consistent with its fiduciary duty, agree to pay a broker-dealer that furnishes brokerage or research services as such services are defined under Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“1934 Act”), a higher commission than that which might have been charged by another broker-dealer for effecting the same transactions, if the Subadviser or the Affiliated Trading Desk, as applicable determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the brokerage and research services provided by the broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Subadviser with respect to the accounts as to which it exercises investment discretion (as such term is defined under Section 3(a)(35) of the 1934 Act). In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold to the Subadviser, or any affiliated person thereof, except in accordance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. It is understood by the parties hereto that best execution is evaluated based on various factors, including but not limited to, commission costs.
B.   On occasions when the Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Fund as well as other clients of the Subadviser, the Subadviser or the Affiliated Trading Desk, as applicable, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities to be purchased or sold to attempt to obtain a more favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and efficient execution. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Subadviser or the Affiliated Trading Desk, as applicable, in the manner the Subadviser or the
 
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Affiliated Trading Desk, as applicable, considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and its other clients.
6.   Ownership of Records. The Subadviser shall maintain all books and records pertaining to investment decisions made by the Subadviser irrespective of whether the investment decisions are made based on its own discretionary investment judgment or made based on a request by the Adviser and notified to the Subadviser, which are required to be maintained by the Subadviser pursuant to the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder with respect to transactions on behalf of the Fund. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Subadviser hereby agrees (i) that all records that it maintains for the Fund are the property of the Fund, (ii) to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 3la-2 under the 1940 Act any records that it maintains for the Fund and that are required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and (iii) agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund any records that it maintains for the Fund upon request by the Fund; provided, however, the Subadviser may retain copies of such records.
7.   Reports. The Subadviser shall furnish to the Board, the Company or the Adviser, or each of them, as appropriate, such information, reports, evaluations, analyses and opinions as the Subadviser and the Board, the Company or the Adviser, as appropriate, may mutually agree upon from time to time.
8.   Services to Others Clients. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall limit or restrict (i) the freedom of the Subadviser, or any affiliated person thereof, to render investment management and corporate administrative services to other investment companies, to act as investment manager or investment counselor to other persons, firms, or corporations, or to engage in any other business activities, or (ii) the right of any director, officer, or employee of the Subadviser to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar nature or a dissimilar nature.
9.   Subadviser’s Use of the Services of Others. The Subadviser may (at its cost except as contemplated by Paragraph 5 of this Agreement) employ, retain, or otherwise avail itself of the services or facilities of other persons or organizations for the purpose of providing the Adviser or the Company or the Fund, as appropriate, with such statistical and other factual information, such advice regarding economic factors and trends, such advice as to occasional transactions in specific securities, or such other information, advice, or assistance as the Subadviser may deem necessary, appropriate, or convenient for the discharge of its obligations hereunder or otherwise helpful to the Company or the Fund, as appropriate, or in the discharge of Subadviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to the other accounts that it serves as investment manager or counselor.
The Subadviser may (at its cost except as contemplated by Paragraph 5 of this Agreement) employ third parties, whether or not affiliated, to perform administrative, dealing and ancillary services required to enable the Subadviser to perform its services under this Agreement. It is understood that the Subadviser shall not be liable for acts of broker dealers provided they are selected in accordance with the Subadviser’s fiduciary duties.
10.   Limitation of Liability of the Subadviser. Neither the Subadviser nor any of its officers, directors, or employees, nor any person performing executive, administrative, trading, or other functions for the Company, the Adviser, the Fund (at the direction or request of the Subadviser) or the Subadviser in connection with the Subadviser’s discharge of its obligations undertaken or reasonably assumed with respect to this Agreement, shall be liable for (i) any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Company, the Adviser or the Fund or (ii) any error of fact or mistake of law contained in any report or data provided by the Subadviser, except for any error, mistake or loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its or his duties on behalf of the Company or the Fund or from reckless disregard by the Subadviser or any such person of the duties of the Subadviser pursuant to this Agreement. The Subadviser shall not offer any specific benefit or compensation for the loss to the Adviser, or the Fund as far as the Subadviser has faithfully conducted its duties given to the Subadviser. The Adviser or the Fund shall not demand such benefit or compensation from the Subadviser. However, nothing herein shall constitute a waiver of liability under applicable laws and regulations which may impose liability in certain instances for acts undertaken in good faith. In case any error occurs to the Fund on the
 
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process of investment management or related acts, the Subadviser shall take a lead to settle the error to compensate the loss to the Fund and allocate to bear the corresponding amount among responsible parties.
11.   Representations of the Subadviser. The Subadviser represents, warrants, and agrees as follows:
A.   The Subadviser: (i) is licensed with appropriate Hong Kong regulators and is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will continue to be so registered or licensed for so long as this Agreement remains in effect; (ii) is not prohibited by the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the SEC, the applicable Hong Kong regulators or other applicable law or regulation from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) has met, and will continue to meet for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, any other applicable federal, state or foreign law requirements, or the applicable requirements of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency, necessary to be met in order to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; (iv) has the authority to enter into and perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; and (v) will immediately notify the Adviser of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Subadviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise.
B.   The Subadviser has adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j- l under the 1940 Act and, a compliance program complying with the requirements of Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, and if it has not already done so, will provide the Adviser and the Fund with a copy of such code of ethics and its compliance policies and procedures, together with evidence of its adoption.
C.   The Subadviser will provide the Adviser and the Fund (through the Adviser) with a copy of its Form ADV as most recently filed with the SEC and will, promptly after filing any amendment to its Form ADV with the SEC, furnish a copy of such amendment to the Adviser and the Fund.
12.   Representation of the Adviser. The Adviser represents that it is an “Institutional Professional Investor” as defined under the Code of Conduct for Persons Licensed by or Registered with the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (the “Code”) (being a person falling under Paragraphs (a) to (i) of the definition of “professional investor” in Section 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Securities and Futures Ordinance). As the Adviser is classified as an Institutional Professional Investor, the Subadviser may elect to dispense with certain regulatory requirements as set out in Paragraphs 15.4 and 15.5 of the Code as well as under the Securities and Futures (Contract notes, Statements of Account and Receipts) Rules when dealing with the Adviser. Details of these regulatory requirements that may be dispensed with are set out in the Appendix and the Adviser acknowledges that it has read the Appendix and fully understands the content contained therein. In the event the Adviser no longer qualifies and/or agrees to be classified as an Institutional Professional Investor, the Adviser must immediately notify the Subadviser in writing.
13.   Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective upon the date first above written, provided that this Agreement shall not take effect unless it has first been approved by a vote of a majority of those trustees of the Fund who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party. Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of two years from the effective date hereof. Thereafter, this Agreement shall continue in effect from year to year, with respect to the Fund, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms and conditions hereof, so long as such continuation shall be specifically approved at least annually (a) by the Board, including by vote of a majority of the trustees of the Fund who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party; and (b) the Subadviser shall not have notified the Adviser and the Fund, in writing, at least 60 days prior to such approval that it does not desire such continuation. The Subadviser shall furnish to the Fund, promptly upon its request, such information as may reasonably be necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement or any extension, renewal, or amendment hereof.
14.   Termination of Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of the Board or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund on at least 60 days’ prior written notice to the Subadviser. This Agreement may also be terminated by the Adviser: (i) on at least 120 days’ prior written notice to the Subadviser, without the payment of any penalty; (ii) upon material breach by the Subadviser of any of the representations and warranties set forth in Paragraph 11 of this Agreement, if such breach shall not have
 
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been cured within a 20-day period after notice of such breach; or (iii) if the Subadviser becomes unable to discharge its duties and obligations under this Agreement. The Subadviser may terminate this Agreement at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on at least 60 days’ prior notice to the Adviser and the Fund. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment or upon termination of the Subadvisory Agreement.
Any termination shall be without prejudice to the rights and liabilities of either party in respect of transactions already initiated. All outstanding transactions at the time of termination will be settled and delivery made. The Subadviser will account to the Adviser for such transactions. The Adviser will not be required to make any additional payment to the Subadviser on termination save for any periodic fee contractually due. The Subadviser may also charge and receive payment from the Adviser for any additional expenses which are necessarily incurred in terminating the Agreement plus any losses necessarily realized in settling or concluding outstanding obligations.
15.   Amendment of Agreement. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged, or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge, or termination is sought, and no material amendment of this Agreement shall be effective without the prior written approval of the Company and the Board and except as permitted by law including, if required by the 1940 Act, being approved by a vote of a majority of the Fund’s trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party.
16.   Miscellaneous.
A.   Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles thereof and the 1940 Act. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Maryland conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.
B.   Captions. The captions contained in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
C.   Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto and shall supersede any prior agreements between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, and all such prior agreements shall be deemed terminated upon the effectiveness of this Agreement.
D.   Interpretation. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the Fund to take any action contrary to its Agreement and Declaration of Trust or ByLaws, or any applicable statutory or regulatory requirement to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive the Board of its responsibility for and control of the conduct of the affairs of the Fund.
E.   Counterparts; Electronically Transmitted Documents and Signatures. The parties may execute this Agreement in one or more counterparts, each of which are deemed an original and all of which together constitute one and the same instrument. The parties may deliver this Agreement, including signature pages, by original or digital signatures, or facsimile or emailed PDF transmissions, and the parties hereby adopt any documents so received as original and having the same effect as physical delivery of paper documents bearing the original signature.
F.   Definitions. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations, or orders of the SEC validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. As used in this Agreement, the terms “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “affiliated person,” “interested person,” “assignment,” “broker,” “investment adviser,” “net assets,” “sale,” “sell,” and “security” shall have the same meaning as such terms have in the 1940 Act, subject to such exemption as may be granted by the SEC by any rule, regulation, or order. Where the effect of a requirement of the federal securities laws reflected in any provision of this Agreement is made less restrictive by a rule, regulation, or order of the SEC, whether of special or general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation, or order.
 
A-9

 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their duly authorized signatories as of the date and year first above written.
Attest: T. ROWE PRICE ASSOCIATES, INC.
/s/ Kate Spencer
/s/ Terence Baptiste
Name:
Kate Spencer
Name:
Terence Baptiste
Title:
Assistant Vice President
Title:
Vice President
Attest: T. ROWE PRICE HONG KONG LIMITED
/s/ Jacky Man
/s/ Carmen Guo
Name:
Jacky Man
Name:
Carmen Guo
Title:
Senior Legal Counsel
Title:
Vice President
 
A-10

 
SCHEDULE 1
As of November 1, 2022
Fund Name
Date of Subadvisory
Agreement
Effective Date of
this Agreement
MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Bond Asset Fund
January 10, 2018
November 1, 2022
MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund
January 10, 2018
November 1, 2022
MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Limited Duration Inflation Focused Bond Fund
January 10, 2018
November 1, 2022
 
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Appendix
Consequences of being treated as an Institutional Professional Investor
The following sets out the details of the regulatory requirements pursuant to Paragraphs 15.4 and 15.5 of the Code and the Securities and Futures (Contract notes, Statements of Account and Receipts) Rules which the Subadviser is able to dispense with when dealing with Institutional Professional Investors such as the Adviser:
Information for clients
(a)
The need to inform the Adviser about the Subadviser and the identity and status of its employees and others acting on its behalf.
(b)
The need to confirm promptly with the Adviser the essential features of a transaction after effecting a transaction for the Adviser.
(c)
The need to provide the Adviser with documentation on the Nasdaq-Amex Pilot Program.
(d)
The need to disclose transaction related information.
Information about clients
(a)
The need to establish the Adviser’s financial situation, investment experience and investment objectives.
(b)
The need to ensure the suitability of a recommendation or solicitation.
(c)
The need to assess the Adviser’s knowledge of derivatives and characterize the Adviser based on his knowledge of derivatives.
Client agreement
The need to enter into a written agreement and the provision of relevant risk disclosure statements.
Discretionary accounts
(a)
The need for the Subadviser to obtain from the Adviser an authority in a written form prior to effecting transactions for the Adviser without its specific authority.
(b)
The need to explain the authority described under Paragraph 7.1(a)(ii) of the Code, being the authority granted by the Adviser to the Subadviser to effect transactions for the Adviser without the Adviser’s specific authorisation and the need to confirm it on an annual basis.
Securities and Futures (Contract notes, Statements of Account and Receipts) Rules
The need to provide the Adviser with contract notes and daily/monthly statements and receipts (as the case may be).
 
A-12

 
Appendix B
AMENDMENT TO
AMENDED AND RESTATED
INVESTMENT SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
Between
T. ROWE PRICE ASSOCIATES, INC.
And
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL LTD
This Amendment (the “Amendment”) to the Amended and Restated Investment Subadvisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made as of the 1st day of July, 2023, by and between T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (the “Adviser”), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland, United States of America, and T. Rowe Price International Ltd (the “Subadviser”), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United Kingdom, with respect to the mutual funds (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) set forth on Schedule 1 to the Agreement as of the date indicated thereof, as it may be amended from time to time.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the parties hereto entered into the Agreement dated as of November 1, 2022;
WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to add the MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Bond Fund to the Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1.
Schedule 1 to the Agreement is hereby replaced with Schedule 1 attached hereto.
2.
All other terms and conditions of the Agreement remain in full force and effect.
 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be signed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized and their respective seals to be hereunto affixed, as of the day and year first above written.
WITNESS: T. ROWE PRICE ASSOCIATES, INC.
/s/ Kate Spencer
By:
/s/ Terence Baptiste
Name:
Kate Spencer
Name:
Terence Baptiste
Title:
Assistant Vice President
Title:
Vice President
WITNESS: T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL LTD
/s/ Rebeka Gulyas
By:
/s/ Daniel Worthington
Name:
Rebeka Gulyas
Name:
Daniel Worthington
Title:
Assistant Vice President
Title:
Vice President
 
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SCHEDULE 1
As of July 1, 2023
Fund Name
Date of Subadvisory
Agreement
Effective Date of
this Agreement
MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Bond Asset Fund
January 10, 2018
November 1, 2022
MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund
January 10, 2018
November 1, 2022
MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Limited Duration Inflation Focused Bond Fund
January 10, 2018
November 1, 2022
MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Bond Fund
January 10, 2018
July 1, 2023
 
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AMENDED AND RESTATED
INVESTMENT SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
Between
T. ROWE PRICE ASSOCIATES, INC.
And
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL LTD
This AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTMENT SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT is dated as of November 1, 2022, by and between T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (the “Adviser”), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Maryland, United States of America, and T. Rowe Price International Ltd (the “Subadviser”), a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United Kingdom.
WHEREAS, the Adviser and Subadviser are parties to that certain Investment Subadvisory Agreement dated January 10, 2018 (the “Original Agreement”), pursuant to which the Subadviser provides investment subadvisory services to the MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Bond Asset Fund and the MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund, each a series of MassMutual Select Funds (the “Trust”);
WHEREAS, the Adviser has entered into a separate investment subadvisory agreement (the “Subadvisory Agreement”) with MML Investment Advisers, LLC (the “Company”) with respect each of the companies listed on Schedule 1, each of which is a separate series of the Trust and is engaged in business as an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”) (each, a “Fund”);
WHEREAS, the Adviser and the Subadviser desire to amend and restate the Original Agreement to include the MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Limited Duration Inflation Focused Bond Fund in this Amended and Restated Investment Subadvisory Agreement (the Original Agreement, as amended and restated hereby, shall be referred to hereinafter as the “Agreement”);
WHEREAS, the Adviser is engaged principally in the business of rendering investment supervisory services and is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as an investment adviser under the United States Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (“Advisers Act”);
WHEREAS, the Subadviser is engaged in the business of, among other things, rendering investment advisory services and is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act, the United Kingdom with the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) and other non-U.S. regulatory agencies;
WHEREAS, the Adviser is authorized under the Subadvisory Agreements to obtain such information, advice or assistance as the Adviser may deem necessary, appropriate or convenient for the discharge of its obligations under such agreements; and
WHEREAS, the Adviser desires to retain the Subadviser to act as Subadviser to furnish certain investment advisory services to the Adviser with respect to each Fund and the Subadviser is willing to furnish such services.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual promises herein set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows with respect to each Fund:
1.   Appointment. Adviser hereby appoints the Subadviser as its investment Subadviser with respect to the Fund for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Subadviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided.
2.   Duties of the Subadviser.
A.   Investment Subadvisory Services. Subject to the supervision of the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Board”), the Company, and the Adviser, the Subadviser shall act as the investment subadviser and
 
B-4

 
shall supervise and direct the Fund’s investments as specified by the Adviser from time to time, and in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective(s), investment strategies, policies, and restrictions as provided in the Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented from time to time (hereinafter referred to as the “Prospectus”), and such other limitations as the Fund may impose by notice in writing to the Adviser or the Adviser may impose by notice in writing to the Subadviser. The Subadviser shall obtain and evaluate such information relating to the economy, industries, businesses, securities markets, and securities as it may deem necessary or useful in the discharge of its obligations hereunder and shall formulate and implement a continuing program for the management of the assets and resources of the Fund allocated to the Subadviser in a manner consistent with the Fund’s investment objective(s), investment strategies, policies, and restrictions. In furtherance of this duty, the Subadviser, on behalf of the Fund, is authorized to:
(1)   make discretionary investment decisions to buy, sell, exchange, convert, lend, and otherwise trade in any stocks, bonds, and other securities or assets;
(2)   place orders and negotiate the commissions for the execution of transactions in securities or other assets with or through such brokers, dealers, underwriters or issuers as the Subadviser may select or instruct the Affiliated Trading Desk (as defined below) to do so on behalf of the Subadviser, as applicable;
(3)   vote proxies, exercise conversion or subscription rights, and respond to tender offers and other consent solicitations with respect to the issuers of securities in which Fund assets may be invested provided such materials have been forwarded to the Subadviser in a timely fashion by the Adviser and to the extent such actions are consistent with the Subadvisory Agreement;
(4)   instruct the Fund’s custodian to deliver for cash received, securities or other cash and/or securities instruments sold, exchanged, redeemed or otherwise disposed of from the Fund, and to pay cash for securities or other cash and/or securities instruments delivered to the custodian and/or credited to the Fund upon acquisition of the same for the Fund; and
(5)   generally, perform any other act necessary to enable the Subadviser to carry out its obligations under this Agreement or as agreed upon with the Adviser.
The Adviser agrees that Subadviser may delegate trading execution and related reporting functions to the trading desk of an affiliate (“Affiliated Trading Desk”).
B.   Personnel, Office Space, and Facilities of the Subadviser. The Subadviser at its own expense shall furnish or provide and pay the cost of such office space, office equipment, office personnel, and office services as the Subadviser requires in the performance of its investment advisory and other obligations under this Agreement.
C.   Further Duties of the Subadviser. In all matters relating to the performance of this Agreement, the Subadviser shall act in conformity with the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust and ByLaws, and the Fund’s currently effective Registration Statement (as defined below) and with the written instructions and directions of the Board (as communicated by the Adviser from time to time) and the Adviser, and shall comply with the applicable requirements of the 1940 Act and Advisers Act and the rules thereunder, the SEC, the FCA, and all other applicable United States, state, United Kingdom, and other laws and regulations.
3.   Compensation. For the services provided and the expenses assumed by the Subadviser pursuant to this Agreement, the Adviser may pay the Subadviser an investment management fee, if any, up to, but not more than 60% of the management fee paid to the Adviser under the Subadvisory Agreement with the Company.
4.   Duties of the Adviser.
A.   The Adviser shall continue to have responsibility for all services to be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Subadvisory Agreement, other than those delegated to the Subadviser, and shall oversee and review the Subadviser’ s performance of its duties under this Agreement.
 
B-5

 
B.   Upon request from the Subadviser, the Adviser will furnish the Subadviser with copies of each of the following documents and any future amendments and supplements to such documents, if any, as soon as practicable after such request and such documents become available:
(1)   The Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended from time to time;
(2)   The ByLaws of the Trust as in effect on the date hereof and as amended from time to time (“ByLaws”);
(3)   Certified resolutions of the Board authorizing the appointment of the Adviser and the Subadviser and approving the form of the Subadvisory Agreement and this Agreement;
(4)   The Fund’s Registration Statement under the 1940 Act and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on Form N-1 A, as filed with the SEC relating to the Fund and its shares and all amendments thereto (“Registration Statement”);
(5)   The Notification of Registration of the Fund under the 1940 Act on Form N-8A as filed with the SEC and any amendments thereto;
(6)   The Fund’s Prospectus (as defined above); and
(7)   A certified copy of any financial statement or report prepared for the Fund by certified or independent public accountants, and copies of any financial statements or reports made by the Fund to its shareholders or to any governmental body or securities exchange.
The Adviser shall furnish the Subadviser with any further documents, materials or information that the Subadviser may reasonably request to enable it to perform its duties pursuant to this Agreement.
5.   Brokerage.
A.   The Subadviser agrees that, in placing orders with broker-dealers for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities, it shall attempt (or instruct the Affiliated Trading Desk to do so, as applicable) to obtain quality execution at favorable security prices; provided that, on behalf of the Fund, the Subadviser or the Affiliated Trading Desk, as applicable, may, in its discretion and consistent with its fiduciary duty, agree to pay a broker-dealer that furnishes brokerage or research services as such services are defined under Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“1934 Act”), a higher commission than that which might have been charged by another broker-dealer for effecting the same transactions, if the Subadviser or the Affiliated Trading Desk, as applicable, determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the brokerage and research services provided by the broker-dealer, viewed in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall responsibilities of the Subadviser with respect to the accounts as to which it exercises investment discretion (as such term is defined under Section 3(a)(35) of the 1934 Act). In no instance will portfolio securities be purchased from or sold to the Subadviser, or any affiliated person thereof, except in accordance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. It is understood by the parties hereto that best execution is evaluated based on various factors, including but not limited to, commission costs.
B.   On occasions when the Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Fund as well as other clients of the Subadviser, the Subadviser or the Affiliated Trading Desk, as applicable, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may, but shall be under no obligation to, aggregate the securities to be purchased or sold to attempt to obtain a more favorable price or lower brokerage commissions and efficient execution. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Subadviser or the Affiliated Trading Desk, as applicable, in the manner the Subadviser or the Affiliated Trading Desk, as applicable, considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and its other clients.
6.   Ownership of Records. The Subadviser shall maintain all books and records required to be maintained by the Subadviser pursuant to the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder with respect to transactions on behalf of the Fund. In compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, the Subadviser hereby agrees (i) that all records that it maintains for the Fund are the
 
B-6

 
property of the Fund, (ii) to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act any records that it maintains for the Fund and that are required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act, and (iii) agrees to surrender promptly to the Fund any records that it maintains for the Fund upon request by the Fund; provided, however, the Subadviser may retain copies of such records.
7.   Reports. The Subadviser shall furnish to the Board, the Company or the Adviser, or each of them, as appropriate, such information, reports, evaluations, analyses and opinions as the Subadviser and the Board, the Company, or the Adviser, as appropriate, may mutually agree upon from time to time.
8.   Services to Others Clients. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall limit or restrict (i) the freedom of the Subadviser, or any affiliated person thereof, to render investment management and corporate administrative services to other investment companies, to act as investment manager or investment counselor to other persons, firms, or corporations, or to engage in any other business activities, or (ii) the right of any director, officer, or employee of the Subadviser, to engage in any other business or to devote his or her time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any other business, whether of a similar nature or a dissimilar nature.
9.   Subadviser’s Use of the Services of Others. The Subadviser may (at its cost except as contemplated by Paragraph 5 of this Agreement) employ, retain, or otherwise avail itself of the services or facilities of other persons or organizations for the purpose of providing the Adviser or the Company or the Fund, as appropriate, with such statistical and other factual information, such advice regarding economic factors and trends, such advice as to occasional transactions in specific securities, or such other information, advice, or assistance as the Subadviser may deem necessary, appropriate, or convenient for the discharge of its obligations hereunder or otherwise helpful to the Company or the Fund, as appropriate, or in the discharge of Subadviser’s overall responsibilities with respect to the other accounts that it serves as investment manager or counselor.
10.   Limitation of Liability of the Subadviser. Neither the Subadviser nor any of its officers, directors, or employees, nor any person performing executive, administrative, trading, or other functions for the Company, the Fund (at the direction or request of the Subadviser) or the Subadviser in connection with the Subadviser’s discharge of its obligations undertaken or reasonably assumed with respect to this Agreement, shall be liable for (i) any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Company or the Fund or (ii) any error of fact or mistake of law contained in any report or data provided by the Subadviser, except for any error, mistake or loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its or his duties on behalf of the Company or the Fund or from reckless disregard by the Subadviser or any such person of the duties of the Subadviser pursuant to this Agreement.
11.   Representations of the Subadviser. The Subadviser represents, warrants, and agrees as follows:
A.   The Subadviser: (i) is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act, and is registered or licensed with the FCA and various other non-U.S. regulatory agencies, and will continue to be so registered or licensed for so long as this Agreement remains in effect; (ii) is not prohibited by the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the SEC, the FCA or other applicable law or regulation from performing the services contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) has met, and will continue to meet for so long as this Agreement remains in effect, any other applicable federal, state or foreign law requirements, or the applicable requirements of any regulatory or industry self-regulatory agency, necessary to be met in order to perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; (iv) has the authority to enter into and perform the services contemplated by this Agreement; and (v) will immediately notify the Adviser of the occurrence of any event that would disqualify the Subadviser from serving as an investment adviser of an investment company pursuant to Section 9(a) of the 1940 Act or otherwise.
B.   The Subadviser has adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and, a compliance program complying with the requirements of Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, and if it has not already done so, will provide the Adviser and the Fund with a copy of such code of ethics and its compliance policies and procedures, together with evidence of its adoption.
C.   The Subadviser will provide the Adviser and the Fund (through the Adviser) with a copy of its Form ADV as most recently filed with the SEC and will, promptly after filing any amendment to its Form ADV with the SEC, furnish a copy of such amendment to the Adviser and the Fund.
 
B-7

 
12.   Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective upon the date first above written, provided that this Agreement shall not take effect unless it has first been approved by a vote of a majority of those trustees of the Fund who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party. Unless sooner terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of two years from the effective date hereof. Thereafter, this Agreement shall continue in effect from year to year, with respect to the Fund, subject to the termination provisions and all other terms and conditions hereof, so long as such continuation shall be specifically approved at least annually (a) by the Board, including by vote of a majority of the trustees of the Fund who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party; and (b) the Subadviser shall not have notified the Adviser and the Fund, in writing, at least 60 days prior to such approval that it does not desire such continuation. The Subadviser shall furnish to the Fund, promptly upon its request, such information as may reasonably be necessary to evaluate the terms of this Agreement or any extension, renewal, or amendment hereof.
13.   Termination of Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of the Board or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund on at least 60 days’ prior written notice to the Subadviser. This Agreement may also be terminated by the Adviser: (i) on at least 60 days’ prior written notice to the Subadviser, without the payment of any penalty; (ii) upon material breach by the Subadviser of any of the representations and warranties set forth in Paragraph 11 of this Agreement, if such breach shall not have been cured within a 20-day period after notice of such breach; or (iii) if the Subadviser becomes unable to discharge its duties and obligations under this Agreement. The Subadviser may terminate this Agreement at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on at least 60 days’ prior notice to the Adviser and the Fund. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment or upon termination of the Subadvisory Agreement.
14.   Amendment of Agreement. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged, or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge, or termination is sought, and no material amendment of this Agreement shall be effective without the prior written approval of the Company and the Board and except as permitted by law including, if required by the 1940 Act, being approved by a vote of a majority of the Fund’s trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party.
15.   Miscellaneous.
A.   Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland without giving effect to the conflicts of laws principles thereof and the 1940 Act. To the extent that the applicable laws of the State of Maryland conflict with the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the latter shall control.
B.   Captions. The captions contained in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
C.   Electronic Communications. Telephone conversations and electronic communications between the Sub-Adviser and the Adviser may be recorded for training and monitoring purposes. A copy of any such conversations and communications with the Adviser will be available upon request for a period of five years (or, where requested by the FCA, for a period of up to seven years) from the date when the record is made.
D.   Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto and shall supersede any prior agreements between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof, and all such prior agreements shall be deemed terminated upon the effectiveness of this Agreement.
E.   Interpretation. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to require the Fund to take any action contrary to its Agreement and Declaration of Trust or ByLaws, or any applicable statutory or regulatory requirement to which it is subject or by which it is bound, or to relieve or deprive the Board of its responsibility for and control of the conduct of the affairs of the Fund.
 
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F.   Counterparts; Electronically Transmitted Documents and Signatures. The parties may execute this Agreement in one or more counterparts, each of which are deemed an original and all of which together constitute one and the same instrument. The parties may deliver this Agreement, including signature pages, by original or digital signatures, or facsimile or emailed PDF transmissions, and the parties hereby adopt any documents so received as original and having the same effect as physical delivery of paper documents bearing the original signature.
G.   Definitions. Any question of interpretation of any term or provision of this Agreement having a counterpart in or otherwise derived from a term or provision of the 1940 Act shall be resolved by reference to such term or provision of the 1940 Act and to interpretations thereof, if any, by the United States courts or, in the absence of any controlling decision of any such court, by rules, regulations, or orders of the SEC validly issued pursuant to the 1940 Act. As used in this Agreement, the terms “majority of the outstanding voting securities,” “affiliated person,” “interested person,” “assignment,” “broker,” “investment adviser,” “net assets,” “sale,” “sell,” and “security” shall have the same meaning as such terms have in the 1940 Act, subject to such exemption as may be granted by the SEC by any rule, regulation, or order. Where the effect of a requirement of the federal securities laws reflected in any provision of this Agreement is made less restrictive by a rule, regulation, or order of the SEC, whether of special or general application, such provision shall be deemed to incorporate the effect of such rule, regulation, or order.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their duly authorized signatories as of the date and year first above written.
WITNESS: T. ROWE PRICE ASSOCIATES, INC.
/s/ Kate Spencer
By:
/s/ Terence Baptiste
Name:
Kate Spencer
Name:
Terence Baptiste
Title:
Assistant Vice President
Title:
Vice President
WITNESS: T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL LTD
/s/ Rebeka Gulyas
By:
/s/ Daniel Worthington
Name:
Rebeka Gulyas
Name:
Daniel Worthington
Title:
Senior Legal Analyst
Title:
Vice President
 
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SCHEDULE 1
As of November 1, 2022
Fund Name
Date of Subadvisory
Agreement
Effective Date of
this Agreement
MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Bond Asset Fund
January 10, 2018
November 1, 2022
MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price International Equity Fund
January 10, 2018
November 1, 2022
MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Limited Duration Inflation Focused Bond Fund
January 10, 2018
November 1, 2022
 
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Appendix C
Shares Outstanding
The number of shares outstanding as of September 18, 2023 was as follows:
MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Number of Shares
Outstanding and Entitled to
Vote
Class I
10,767,978.489
Total
10,767,978.489
Ownership of Shares
As of September 18, 2023, the Trustees and officers of the Trust did not own any shares of the Fund. As of September 18, 2023, the MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2030 Fund, 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, owned of record 29.30% of the Fund, and therefore for certain purposes may be deemed to “control” the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. As of September 18, 2023, the MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2020 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2025 Fund, MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement Balanced Fund, and MassMutual Select T. Rowe Price Retirement 2035 Fund, each located at 1295 State Street, Springfield, MA 01111, owned of record 21.07%, 18.06%, 9.34%, and 8.34%, respectively, of Class I shares of the Fund, and therefore for certain purposes, each may be deemed a principal holder of the Fund.
 
C-1