AVZ Amvescap

AIM Investments announced today the launch of a designated Roth 401(k) contribution option to the AIM Solo 401(k)(R) program. Effective today, plan participants may begin making designated contributions into their AIM Solo 401(k) plan. The primary benefit of the ability to make Roth contributions is that they are made after-tax. Therefore, the investment earnings will not be taxed when they are withdrawn from the plan at retirement, if withdrawn in accordance with applicable rules. To add the Roth 401(k) option to an existing AIM Solo 401(k) Plan, plan sponsors must amend their plan documents by Dec. 31, 2006. Amendments will be mailed by AIM later this year. Unlike the Roth IRA, there are no adjusted gross income (AGI) limits for participants making designated Roth 401(k) contributions. All participants in plans that offer this feature are eligible. "Investors who anticipate retiring in a higher tax bracket than they are currently in may benefit the most from choosing to make a Roth 401(k) contribution," said Kathryn Capage, First Vice President and Strategic Planning Director for Tax-Advantaged Products in A I M Distributors, Inc. "Additionally, investors whose income exceeds the limit for a Roth IRA or are looking to diversify their tax liability may also benefit from this new feature. Certainly, investors should consult their tax advisors about the benefits of the traditional versus the Roth 401(k) for their particular situations. "We believe the new Roth 401(k) investment option can be a beneficial enhancement for our clients who work with certain individuals already using or whom may best be served by opening an AIM Solo 401(k) plan." AIM Investments was one of the industry's early providers of individual or "solo" 401(k) plans, rolling out its first in 2002 after the approval of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (EGTRRA) of 2001. The AIM Solo 401(k) plan is designed for owner-only businesses - those with no employees other than the owner's spouse and no plans to add employees in the near future. The Plan offers: -- Flexibility: Both salary deferrals and profit sharing contributions are discretionary. You do not have to make deferrals or a profit sharing contribution each year. -- Rollovers: Rollovers from other eligible plans, including traditional IRAs, are permitted, giving you an opportunity to consolidate your retirement assets. -- Tax benefits: Contributions are tax deductible, and earnings accumulate on a tax-deferred basis. -- Loans: Loans are available. -- Low cost: Costs for an AIM Solo 401(k) are substantially less than those of a standard 401(k). More information about AIM's lineup of retirement products can be found in the Retirement section of www.AIMinvestments.com. About AIM Investments Houston-based AIM Investments represents one of the nation's leading investment management companies. It is dedicated to building solutions for its clients with exceptional products and services through multiple investment management styles and a broad range of investment portfolios - mutual funds, retirement products, separately managed accounts for high-net-worth and institutional investors, annuities, cash management, college savings plans, and offshore products. Founded in 1976, AIM Investments had $129 billion in assets under management as of Sept. 30, 2005. For more information, visit www.aiminvestments.com. AIM Investments is a service mark of A I M Management Group Inc. A I M Advisors, Inc., A I M Capital Management, Inc., and AIM Private Asset Management, Inc., are the investment advisors for the products and services represented by AIM Investments. A I M Distributors, Inc. is the distributor for the retail mutual funds and Fund Management Company is the distributor for the institutional money market funds represented by AIM Investments. About AMVESCAP A I M Management Group Inc. is a subsidiary of AMVESCAP PLC, a leading independent global investment manager, dedicated to helping people worldwide build their financial security. Operating under the AIM, INVESCO and Atlantic Trust brands, AMVESCAP strives to deliver outstanding products and services through a comprehensive array of retail and institutional products for clients around the world. The Company, which had approximately $381 billion in assets under management as of Sept. 30, 2005, is listed on the London, New York and Toronto stock exchanges with the symbol "AVZ." Additional information is available at www.amvescap.com. Note to editors -- We are required to include the following information with our news release: Consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully before investing. For this and other important information about any AIM fund, please obtain a prospectus from your financial advisor and read it carefully before investing. A I M Distributors, Inc., Distributor