497K 1 jnlst497k_vgmodalloc.htm
Summary Prospectus – April 30, 2018, as amended January 9, 2019

JNL/Vanguard Moderate ETF Allocation Fund
(formerly, JNL/Vanguard Moderate Allocation Fund)
Class A
Class I
Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund's Prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks.  You can find the Fund's Prospectus and other information about the Fund, including the Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") and most recent reports to shareholders, online at http://hosted.rightprospectus.com/Jackson/JNLSeriesTrust. You can also get this information at no cost by calling 1-800-644-4565 (Annuity and Life Service Center), 1-800-599-5651 (NY Annuity and Life Service Center), 1-800-777-7779 (for contracts purchased through a bank or financial institution) or 1-888-464-7779 (for NY contracts purchased through a bank or financial institution), or by sending an email request to ProspectusRequest@jackson.com.  The current Prospectus dated April 30, 2018, as supplemented August 13, 2018, and SAI dated August 13, 2018, are incorporated by reference into (which means they legally are a part of) this Summary Prospectus.


Investment Objective.  The investment objective of the Fund is to seek long-term growth of capital through investment in exchange-traded funds ("Underlying ETFs").
Expenses.  This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
The expenses do not reflect the expenses of the variable insurance contracts or the separate account through which you indirectly invest in the Fund, whichever may be applicable, and the total expenses would be higher if they were included.
Shareholder Fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
Not Applicable
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
 
Class A
Management Fee
0.20%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
0.30%
Other Expenses1
0.15%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses2
0.09%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses3
0.74%
Less Waiver/Reimbursement4
0.05%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Waiver/Reimbursement3
0.69%
 
1
"Other Expenses" include an Administrative Fee of 0.15% which is payable to Jackson National Asset Management, LLC ("JNAM" or "Adviser").
2
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are the indirect expenses of investing in other investment companies.  Accordingly, the expense ratio presented in the Financial Highlights section of the prospectus will not correlate to the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses disclosed above.
3
Expense information has been restated to reflect current fees.
4
JNAM has contractually agreed to waive 0.05% of the management fees of the Fund.  The fee waiver will continue for at least one year from the date of the current Prospectus, and continue thereafter unless the Board of Trustees approves a change in or elimination of the waiver. This fee waiver is subject to yearly review and approval by the Board of Trustees.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
 
Class I
Management Fee
0.20%
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
0.00%
Other Expenses1
0.15%
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses2
0.09%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses3
0.44%
Less Waiver/Reimbursement4,5
0.17%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Waiver/Reimbursement3
0.27%
 
1
"Other Expenses" include an Administrative Fee of 0.15% which is payable to Jackson National Asset Management, LLC ("JNAM" or "Adviser").
2
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are the indirect expenses of investing in other investment companies.  Accordingly, the expense ratio presented in the Financial Highlights section of the prospectus will not correlate to the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses disclosed above.
3
Expense information has been restated to reflect current fees.
4
JNAM has contractually agreed to waive 0.12% of the administrative fees of the Class.  The fee waiver will continue for at least one year from the date of the current Prospectus, and continue thereafter unless the Board of Trustees approves a change in or elimination of the waiver. This fee waiver is subject to yearly review and approval by the Board of Trustees.
5
JNAM has contractually agreed to waive 0.05% of the management fees of the Fund.  The fee waiver will continue for at least one year from the date of the current Prospectus, and continue thereafter unless the Board of Trustees approves a change in or elimination of the waiver. This fee waiver is subject to yearly review and approval by the Board of Trustees.

Expense Example. This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. Also, this example does not reflect the expenses of the variable insurance contracts or the separate account through which you indirectly invest in the Fund, whichever may be applicable, and the total expenses would be higher if they were included. The table below shows the expenses you would pay on a $10,000 investment, assuming (1) 5% annual return; (2) redemption at the end of each time period and (3) that the Fund operating expenses remain the same. The example also assumes that the contractual expense limitation agreement is not renewed. The example also assumes that the Class I administrative fee waiver is discontinued after one year. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
JNL/Vanguard Moderate ETF Allocation Fund Class A
1 year
3 years
5 years
10 years
$70
$232
$407
$914

JNL/Vanguard Moderate ETF Allocation Fund Class I
1 year
3 years
5 years
10 years
$28
$124
$229
$538

Portfolio Turnover (% of average value of portfolio).  The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio).  A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs.  These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Expense Example above, affect the Fund's performance.
Period
 
9/25/2017 - 12/31/2017
6
%

Principal Investment Strategies. Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective primarily through investing at least 80% of its assets (net assets plus the amount of any borrowings made for investment purposes) in a diversified group of Underlying ETFs ("ETFs").  An ETF is an investment fund that is traded on a stock exchange and holds an underlying basket of securities generally designed to track an index.  ETFs can be bought and sold through the trading day in the secondary market or at net asset value directly with an authorized participant.  A list of such ETFs will be provided by the Adviser upon request.
The asset allocation of the Fund is determined through the use of a proprietary asset allocation model developed and managed by the Adviser in conjunction with third-party service providers.  The asset allocation models provide initial guidance to specific asset allocations among various asset classes and sub-asset classes.  Final allocations are determined by the Adviser through the use of both internal and external resources.
Mellon Investments Corporation ("Mellon"), the Fund's sub-adviser ("Sub-Adviser"), is responsible for managing the investment of portfolio assets solely according to the instructions (including the specific Underlying ETFs and the corresponding weights of such Underlying ETFs) provided by the Adviser.  The Sub-Adviser executes transactions in the Underlying ETFs, as required, to closely replicate the allocation instructions received from the Adviser.  The Fund's allocations are rebalanced periodically, generally monthly, based on the allocation instructions provided by the Adviser.
There are no geographic limitations to the Underlying ETFs' investments, and the Underlying ETFs may invest in securities of companies located in developed or emerging markets.
During the month, when cash inflows and outflows occur, the Sub-Adviser makes new purchases and sales based on the Fund's current existing market weights.
Under normal market conditions, the Adviser allocates approximately 30% to 50% (with a target allocation of 40%) of the Fund's assets to Underlying ETFs that invest primarily in equity securities and 50% to 70% (with a target allocation of 60%) of the Fund's assets to Underlying ETFs that invest primarily in fixed income securities and/or cash alternatives.  The Adviser may also allocate the Fund's assets to securities and derivative contracts to meet the Fund's allocation targets.
The Fund may also invest in a range of securities and derivative contracts, including indexes, swap agreements, futures, currency forwards, and U.S. Treasury securities, and cash equivalents including, without limitation, commercial paper, repurchase agreements, and time deposits, as instructed by the Adviser.
The Sub-Adviser may invest in ETFs in excess of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") limits on investment in other investment companies as instructed by the Adviser.
The Fund may invest, directly or indirectly, in illiquid or thinly traded securities.
The Fund may invest, directly or indirectly through ETFs, in bank loans.
The Fund is "non-diversified" under the 1940 Act, and may invest more of its assets in fewer issuers than "diversified" mutual funds.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund.  An investment in the Fund is not guaranteed.  As with any mutual fund, the value of the Fund's shares will change, and you could lose money by investing in the Fund. The principal risks associated with investing in the Underlying ETFs include:
·
Allocation risk – The Fund's ability to achieve its investment objective depends upon the investment manager's analysis of such factors as macroeconomic trends, outlooks for various industries and asset class valuations, and its ability to select an appropriate mix of asset classes and Underlying ETFs based on its analysis of such factors.  The Fund is subject to the risk of changes in market, investment, and economic conditions in the selection and percentages of allocations among Underlying ETFs.
·
Counterparty risk Transactions involving a counterparty are subject to the credit risk of the counterparty. A Fund that enters into contracts with counterparties, such as repurchase or reverse repurchase agreements or over-the-counter ("OTC") derivatives contracts, or that lends its securities, runs the risk that the counterparty will be unable or unwilling to make timely settlement payments or otherwise honor its obligations. If a counterparty fails to meet its contractual obligations, files for bankruptcy, or otherwise experiences a business interruption, the Fund could suffer losses, including monetary losses, miss investment opportunities or be forced to hold investments it would prefer to sell. Counterparty risk is heightened during unusually adverse market conditions.
·
Currency risk Investments in foreign currencies, securities that trade in or receive revenues in foreign currencies, or derivatives that provide exposure to foreign currencies are subject to the risk that those currencies may decline in value or, in the case of hedging positions, that the currency may decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. Currency exchange rates can be volatile and may be affected by a number of factors, such as the general economics of a country, the actions (or inaction) of U.S. and foreign governments or central banks, the imposition of currency controls, and speculation. A decline in the value of a foreign currency versus the U.S. dollar reduces the value in U.S. dollars of investments denominated in that foreign currency.
·
Derivatives risk Investments in derivatives, which are financial instruments whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of underlying assets, reference rates, or indices, can be highly volatile and may be subject to transaction costs and certain risks, such as unanticipated changes in securities prices and global currency investment.  Derivatives also are subject to leverage risk, liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, counterparty risk, and credit risk.  They also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, interest rate or index. Gains or losses from derivatives can be substantially greater than the derivatives' original cost.  Certain derivatives transactions may subject an Underlying ETF Fund to counterparty risk.
·
Equity securities risk – Common and preferred stocks represent equity ownership in a company.  Stock markets are volatile, and equity securities generally have greater price volatility than fixed-income securities.  The price of equity or equity-related securities will fluctuate and can decline and reduce the value of a portfolio investing in equity or equity-related securities.  The value of equity or equity-related securities purchased by an Underlying ETF Fund could decline if the financial condition of the companies an Underlying ETF Fund invests in decline or if overall market and economic conditions deteriorate.  They may also decline due to factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or an increase in production costs and competitive conditions within an industry.  In addition, they may decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a company or industry, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or generally adverse investor sentiment.
·
Exchange-traded funds investing risk – An investment in an ETF generally presents the following risks:  (i) the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional fund (i.e., one that is not exchange-traded) that has the same investment objectives, strategies and policies; (ii) the risk that an ETF may fail to accurately track the market segment or index that underlies its investment objective; (iii) price fluctuation, resulting in a loss to the Fund; (iv) the risk that an ETF may trade at a discount to its net asset value; (v) the risk that an active market for an ETF's shares may not develop or be maintained; and (vi) the risk that an ETF may no longer meet the listing requirements of any applicable exchanges on which that ETF is listed. When the Fund invests in an ETF, shareholders of the Fund bear their proportionate share of the ETF's fees and expenses as well as their share of the Fund's fees and expenses.
·
Fixed-income riskThe price of fixed-income securities responds to economic developments, particularly interest rate changes, as well as to perceptions about the credit risk of individual issuers.  Rising interest rates generally will cause the price of bonds and other fixed-income debt securities to fall.  Falling interest rates may cause an issuer to redeem, call or refinance a security before its stated maturity, which may result in the Fund having to reinvest the proceeds in lower yielding securities.  Bonds and other fixed-income debt securities are subject to credit risk, which is the possibility that the credit strength of an issuer will weaken and/or an issuer of a fixed-income security will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest and the security will go into default.
·
Foreign regulatory risk – The Adviser is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential plc, a publicly traded company incorporated in the United Kingdom and is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial Inc., a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America.  Through its ownership structure, the Adviser has a number of global financial industry affiliates.  As a result of this structure, and the asset management and financial industry business activities of the Adviser and its affiliates, the Adviser and the Fund may be prohibited or limited in effecting transactions in certain securities.  Additionally, the Adviser and the Fund may encounter trading limitations or restrictions because of aggregation issues or other foreign regulatory requirements.  Foreign regulators or foreign laws may impose position limits on securities held by the Fund, and the Fund may be limited as to which securities it may purchase or sell, as well as the timing of such purchases or sales.  These foreign regulatory limits may increase the Fund's expenses and may limit the Fund's performance.
·
Leverage risk Certain transactions, such as reverse repurchase agreements, futures, forwards, swaps, or other derivative instruments, include the use of leverage and may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions at disadvantageous times to satisfy its obligations or to meet asset segregation requirements.  The effect of using leverage is to amplify the Fund's gains and losses in comparison to the amount of the Fund's assets (that is, assets other than borrowed assets) at risk, which may cause the Fund's portfolio to be more volatile. If the Fund uses leverage, the Fund has the risk of capital losses that exceed the net assets of the Fund.
·
Liquidity risk – Investments in securities that are difficult to purchase or sell (illiquid or thinly-traded securities) may reduce returns if an Underlying ETF Fund is unable to sell the securities at an advantageous time or price or achieve its desired level of exposure to a certain sector.  Liquidity risk arises, for example, from small average trading volumes, trading restrictions, or temporary suspensions of trading. To meet redemption requests, an Underlying ETF Fund may be forced to sell securities at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions.
·
Market risk – Portfolio securities may decline in value due to factors affecting securities markets generally, such as real or perceived adverse economic, political, or regulatory conditions, inflation, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment, among others. Adverse market conditions may be prolonged and may not have the same impact on all types of securities.  The values of securities may fall due to factors affecting a particular issuer, industry or the securities market as a whole.
·
Non-diversification risk The Fund is non-diversified, as defined by the 1940 Act, and as such may invest in the securities of a limited number of issuers and may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issuer.  Therefore, a decline in the market price of a particular security held by the Fund may affect the Fund's performance more than if the Fund were a diversified investment company.
·
Settlement risk Settlement risk is the risk that a settlement in a transfer system does not take place as expected.  Loan transactions often settle on a delayed basis compared with securities and the Fund may not receive proceeds from the sale of a loan for a substantial period after the sale, potentially impacting the ability of the Fund to make additional investments or meet redemption obligations.  In order to meet short-term liquidity needs, the Fund may draw on its cash or other short-term positions, maintain short-term or other liquid assets sufficient to meet reasonably anticipated redemptions, or maintain a credit facility.


Performance.  Performance for the Fund has not been included because the Fund has less than one full calendar year of operations.
Portfolio Management.
Investment Adviser to the Fund:
Jackson National Asset Management, LLC
Sub-Adviser:
Mellon Investments Corporation ("BNYM AMNA")
Portfolio Managers:
Name:
Joined Fund Management Team In:
Title:
William Harding, CFA
September 2017
Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager, JNAM
Sean Hynes, CFA, CAIA
September 2017
Assistant Vice President and Portfolio Manager, JNAM
Mark Pliska, CFA
September 2017
Portfolio Manager, JNAM
Karen Q. Wong, CFA
September 2017
Managing Director, Mellon
Richard A. Brown, CFA
September 2017
Managing Director, Mellon
Thomas J. Durante, CFA
September 2017
Managing Director, Mellon

Purchase and Redemption of Fund Shares
Only separate accounts of Jackson National Life Insurance Company ("Jackson") or Jackson National Life Insurance Company of New York ("Jackson NY") and series, including fund of funds, of registered investment companies in which either or both of those insurance companies invest may purchase shares of the Fund. You may invest indirectly in the Fund through your purchase of a variable annuity or life insurance contract issued by a separate account of Jackson or Jackson NY that invests directly, or through a fund of funds, in this Fund.  Any minimum initial or subsequent investment requirements and redemption procedures are governed by the applicable separate account through which you invest indirectly.
This Fund serves as an underlying investment by insurance companies, affiliated investment companies, and retirement plans for funding variable annuity and life insurance contracts and retirement plans.
Tax Information
The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders, which generally are the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts of Jackson or Jackson NY and mutual funds owned directly or indirectly by such separate accounts.  You should consult the prospectus of the appropriate separate account or description of the plan for a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of your contract, policy, or plan.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Financial Intermediaries
If you invest in the Fund under a variable insurance contract or a plan that offers a variable insurance contract as a plan option through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a financial institution), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's Website for more information.