Getting Started

How do I get Internet access to my plan?

For help establishing a user ID, please check your plan ID, then contact us.

When can I start viewing my plan information?

As soon as you log in and agree to the terms and conditions statement, you can view your plan information. Make sure to read and fully understand the terms and conditions before viewing your information.

How do I change my password?

You can change your password by clicking the Change password link on the login screen or by logging in and then selecting Change password from the My Profile drop-down menu at the top-right of the screen.

What happens if I forget my password or get locked out?

You may be able to reset your password online if you’ve established the security measures to do so. Click on Forgot your password? on the login page and follow the directions.

Otherwise, check your plan ID number, then contact us.

I forgot my user ID. What can I do?

If you’ve forgotten or lost your user ID, check your plan ID number, then contact us.

Will I be charged for accessing my plan online?

No, plan sponsor access is free.

How can a participant access their account on the website?

The website address for the participant is Capitalgroup.com/participant. The Accessing Your Account handout located in the forms section (For participants: Handouts and Instructions) can be provided to the participant and will go over how the participant can access their account on the website.

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Technical Information

Are there any special hardware requirements for accessing my plan?

No, all you need is a computer with Internet access.

Does the site work on all browsers?

No. The site is best viewed with Microsoft^® Edge^®, Mozilla^® Firefox^® 3.0 or above, Apple^® Safari^™ 4.0 or above, or Google Chrome^™. Click on the links to download the most recent version of Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Safari or Chrome now.

Should I enable JavaScript^™ on my browser?

Yes, the site will perform best if JavaScript is enabled on your browser. JavaScript is a non-invasive programming feature that runs on your browser and does not interact with your computer’s operating system. Most browsers enable JavaScript as a default. If you need to turn on JavaScript, follow the directions below:

Microsoft Edge (Windows^®)

• Click the three dots in the upper right-hand corner of the browser window.
• Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
• Select Cookies and site permissions from the left-hand menu. (Click the three stacked lines in the upper left hand corner to open the left-hand navigation, if it's closed).
• Underneath the All permissions section, select the JavaScript menu item.
• Toggle the Allowed (recommended), click Enable setting to the right so that the toggle turns blue.
• Click OK to leave the Security Settings window.
• Close the settings tab.

Firefox 31(Windows, Macintosh^® and Linux^®)

To verify that JavaScript is enabled on your computer, follow these steps:

• In the address bar, type about:config and press the Enter key on your keyboard.
• Click the I’ll be careful, I promise! button on the warranty warning message window.
• In the Search bar, type javascript.enabled and press the Enter key on your keyboard.
• Find the line where where javascript.enabled appears on your screen.
• If true appears in the Value column, then JavaScript is enabled. Go to step 6.
  • If false appears in the Value column, then JavaScript is disabled.
  • To enable JavaScript, right-click the line where javascript.enabled appears and click Toggle.
  • Confirm that true appears in the Value column. Go to step 6.
• Close the about:config tab.

Safari 6.x (Macintosh)

• Go to the Safari menu and select Preferences.
• Click the Security icon at the top.
• Click the boxes next to Enable JavaScript.
• Close the window.

Safari 5.x (Macintosh)

• Go to the Safari menu and select Preferences.
• Click the Security icon at the top.
• Click the box next to Enable plug-ins, Enable Java and Enable JavaScript.
• Close the window.

Chrome 36.x (Windows, Macintosh and Linux)

• On the right edge of the page in the browser toolbar, click the Chrome menu.
• Select Settings.
• Click the Show advanced settings… link at the bottom of the Settings list.
• Click the Content settings… button under the Privacy heading.
• Find the JavaScript heading and select Allow all sites to run JavaScript (recommended).
• Click the Done button.
• Close the Settings tab.

Can I import payroll contributions using a Microsoft Excel^® file?

Due to technical limitations, we recommend saving an Excel file as a CSV (comma separated values) file before importing.

How do I clear my browser’s cache?

Browsers temporarily store Internet files in a cache folder which enables you to quickly access websites you have recently visited. When this folder becomes full, your browser may become significantly slower or it may crash. It’s commonly recommended that you clear the contents of the cache folder regularly. You can delete the files in this folder manually, or you can follow the directions below to have your browser do it automatically.

• Microsoft Edge^® (Windows^®)
• Firefox^® 4.x (Windows)
• Safari^TM 5.x (Macintosh^®)
• Chrome^TM (Windows)

For further assistance, refer to your browser’s help content.

Microsoft Edge (Windows)

• Click the three dots in the upper right-hand corner of the browser window.
• Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
• Select Privacy & services from the left-hand menu.
• Under Clear browsing data, select the Cached images and files check box.
• Select Clear data.

Firefox 4.x (Windows)

• From the Tools drop-down menu at the top of the browser, select Clear Recent History�.
• Select Everything from the Time range to clear drop-down list.
• Under Details, check the box to select Cache.
• Click Clear Now.

Safari 5.x (Macintosh)

• From the Safari drop-down menu at the top of the browser, select Empty Cache.
• A pop-up message asking “Are you sure you want to empty the cache?” will appear.
• Click Empty.

Chrome (Windows)

• Click the wrench icon on the Chrome toolbar.
• Click Tools.
• Click Clear browsing data�
• Check Empty the cache.
• Click Clear browsing data.

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Security

How is the privacy of plan information protected?

Online access to your plan is designed to be as secure as reasonably possible. While we can’t guarantee the security of a worldwide network, we use current encryption technology. However, by using this system, you assume all associated risks and responsibilities. You agree to indemnify Capital Client Group, Inc., its affiliates and funds against any losses, costs or damages that arise from accessing your plan via the Internet.

What can I do to protect the privacy of plan information?

The most important thing you can do is to never reveal your password to anyone. Also, make sure to always close your browser when you’re finished viewing your account information — even if you’re just going to a different website. You may be logged in to your plan even after you’ve gone to another website.

How do I encrypt files?

When you send email to American Funds containing sensitive information such as participant names, addresses, SSNs and birth dates, we ask that you encrypt Excel and Word files for security before sending them to us.

Excel and Word files on this website have been set up to prompt you to encrypt the files. If you have an older file, download a new version. It’s easy to encrypt a new file. You’ll set up a password to reopen the file. Without it, the file can’t be read.

If you don’t want to use a new file, you should manually encrypt it. This is a slightly more complicated process. Follow the instructions below.

How to encrypt a file with Microsoft Office 2003

• Open the Excel or Word file.
• From the menu bar, select Tools, then Options. Select the Security tab, then click on the Advanced button.
• For encryption type, select RC4, Microsoft Enhanced RSA and AES 128. Confirm that the Encrypt document properties box is checked. Click on OK.
• Create a Password to open this file. Secure passwords will contain a mix of 10 or more letters, numbers and symbols and will not include accessible information such as names, account and ID numbers, or common words. Click on OK.
• Re-enter the password in the Confirm Password pop-up and click on OK.
• Save and close the file. To reopen the file, you’ll have to enter the password.

How to encrypt a file with Microsoft Office 2007

• Open the Excel or Word file.
• Click on the Office button, then click on Prepare.
• Click on Encrypt Document.
• Create a Password to open this file. Secure passwords will contain a mix of 10 or more letters, numbers and symbols and will not include accessible information such as names, account and ID numbers, or common words. Click on OK.
• Re-enter the password in the Confirm Password pop-up and click on OK.
• Save and close the file. To reopen the file, you’ll have to enter the password.

When you’re ready to send the encrypted file, please contact us to provide the password.

If you don't contact us, we won’t be able to open and process the file.

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Account Basics

How is a participant’s personal rate of return calculated?

American Funds uses the Modified Dietz method to calculate personal rate of return. This time-weighted analysis takes into account not only the returns of the funds the participant owns, but also when and how much he or she contributed or withdrew. Expenses and fees paid by the participant or the plan affect the return as well. In addition, the personal rate of return for a participant’s overall portfolio also takes into account any funds previously owned that are no longer in the participant’s portfolio.

The Modified Dietz formula can be expressed this way:

Return = 100 x

Ending Value - Beginning Value - (Contributions - Withdrawals)

Beginning Value + Day-Weighted Flows

Here’s an example that illustrates how a personal rate of return would be calculated at the end of the year. Let’s assume the following:

• Balance at the beginning of the year: $15,000
• Balance at the end of the year: $15,500
• $200 contribution made on June 30
• (The contribution on June 30 would be assigned a weighting of one-half, because half the year remained. So a $200 contribution would add $100 to the Day-Weighted Flows.)

100 x

15,500 - 15,000 - (200 - 0)

15,000 + 100

=1.99% return

A participant’s personal rate of return is calculated quarterly and when any statement is generated for the account. For more information, talk to your plan’s financial professional.

Why is a participant’s personal rate of return different from the returns for the funds he or she owns?

A participant’s personal rate of return is based not only on the rates of return for the funds he or she owns, but also on the timing of share purchases and any withdrawals and exchanges. Fees and expenses paid by the participant or the plan are also taken into account.

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Contacting Us

My question wasn’t answered here. Is there someone else I can contact?

If you have questions or requests regarding your plan, please check your plan ID, then contact us.