Form 485BXT FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIE

May 23, 2025 7:19 AM EDT
    

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 23, 2025.

 

File Nos. File Nos. 033-39088 and 811-06243

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-1A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

[X]

 

Pre-Effective Amendment No.

 

[ ]

   

Post-Effective Amendment No.

156

[X]

 

and/or

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

[X]

 

Amendment No.

158

[X]

 

FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

ONE FRANKLIN PARKWAY, SAN MATEO, CA 94403-1906

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

(650) 312-2000

(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

ALISON E. BAUR, ONE FRANKLIN PARKWAY, SAN MATEO, CA 94403-1906

(Name and Address of Agent for Service of Process)

 

Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)

 

[ ]

immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

[ X ]

on June 20, 2025 pursuant to paragraph (b)

[ ]

60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

[ ]

on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485

[ ]

75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

[ ]

on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485

 

If appropriate, check the following box:

 

[ X ]

This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

  

This Post-Effective Amendment to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A relates only to the prospectus and statement of additional information (“SAI”) of the Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series C and Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series CP, each a series of the Registrant and does not otherwise delete, amend, or supersede any information relating to any other series of the Registrant.


PART A AND PART B

Pursuant to Rule 485(b)(1)(iii) of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment No. 156 to the Registration Statement, relating only to the Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series C and Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series CP, each a series of the Registrant (the “Fund”), is being filed for the sole purpose of designating June 20, 2025, as the new date upon which Post-Effective Amendment No. 155, as filed on March 14, 2025 (Accession #0001741773-25-001316), (“PEA 155”) shall become effective.

Accordingly, the prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Fund, as filed in PEA 155, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety into this filing.


FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES

FILE NOS. 033-39088 & 811-06243

PART C

OTHER INFORMATION

    

Item 28. Exhibits.

 

The following exhibits are incorporated by reference to the previously filed document indicated below, except as noted:

  

(a)

Agreement and Declaration of Trust

   
 

(i)

Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Franklin Strategic Series, a Delaware statutory trust, dated May 18, 2018

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: June 3, 2019

   

(b)

By-Laws

   
 

(i)

Third Amended and Restated By-Laws of Franklin Strategic Series, a Delaware Statutory Trust effective as of May 18, 2018

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: June 3, 2019

   
 

(ii)

Certificate of the By-Laws of Franklin Strategic Series dated January 17, 2019

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: June 3, 2019

   

(c)

Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders

   
 

(i)

Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration

  

(a)

Article III, Shares

  

(b)

Article V, Shareholders’ Voting Powers and Meetings

  

(c)

Article VI, Net Asset Value, Distributions, Redemptions and Transfers

  

(d)

Articles VIII, Certain Transactions – Section 4

  

(e)

Articles X, Miscellaneous – Section 4

   
 

(ii)

Amended and Restated By-Laws

  

(a)

Article II, Meetings of Shareholders

  

(b)

Article VI, Records and Reports – Section 1, 2 and 3

  

(c)

Article VII, General Matters: - Sections 3, 4, 6 and 7

  

(d)

Articles VIII, Amendment – Section 1

   
 

(iii)

Part B: Statement of Additional Information – Item 22

   

(d)

Investment Advisory Contracts

   
 

(i)

Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund (Formerly, Franklin Strategic Income Fund) and Franklin Advisers, Inc., dated December 29, 2017

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 26, 2019

   


   
 

(ii)

Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Natural Resources Fund and Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund and Franklin Advisers, Inc., dated December 29, 2017

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 26, 2019

   
 

(iii)

Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement Between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund and Franklin Advisers, Inc., dated May 1, 2013

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 28, 2013

   
 

(iv)

Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Growth Opportunities Fund and Franklin Advisers, Inc., dated December 29, 2017

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 26, 2019

   
 

(v)

Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund and Franklin Advisers, Inc., dated December 29, 2017

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 26, 2019

   
 

(vi)

Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Templeton SMACS, Series I, Series E, Series CH and Series H and Franklin Advisers, Inc. dated June 1, 2019

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 26, 2019

   
 

(vii)

Amendment to the Investment Management Agreement dated April 7, 2020, on behalf of each Fund of Franklin Strategic Series listed in Schedule A and Franklin Advisers, Inc.

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 26, 2021

   

(e)

Underwriting Contracts

   
 

(i)

Distribution Agreement dated July 7, 2021 between Registrant on behalf of Funds listed in Attachment A and Franklin Distributors, LLC

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   
 

(ii)

Distribution Agreement dated July 7, 2021 between Registrant on behalf of Franklin Templeton SMACS, Series E, Series I, Series CH, Series H and Franklin Distributors, LLC

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   
 

(iii)

Form of Selling Agreements between Franklin Distributors, LLC and Securities Dealers dated July 7, 2021

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 149 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: December 27, 2022

   

(f)

Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts

   


   
  

Not Applicable

   

(g)

Custodian Agreements

   
 

(i)

Custody Agreement between the Registrant on behalf of Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund (Formerly, Franklin Strategic Income Fund) and Millennium Trust Company, LLC.

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 91 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: December 27, 2019

   
 

(ii)

Global Custody Agreement between the Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank dated March 1, 2020

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2023

   
 

(iii)

Joinder to Global Custody Agreement dated March 1, 2020, between the Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank dated July 15, 2020

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2023

   
 

(iv)

Second Joinder to Global Custody Agreement dated March 1, 2020, between the Registrant and JPMorgan Chase, dated March 12, 2021

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2023

   
 

(v)

Third Joinder to Global Custody Agreement dated March 1, 2020, between the Registrant and JPMorgan Chase, dated August 11, 2021

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2023

   
 

(vi)

Fourth Joinder to Global Custody Agreement dated February 15, 2023, between the Registrant and JPMorgan Chase effective March 31, 2023

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2023

   

(h)

Other Material Contracts

   
 

(i)

Amended and Restated Subcontract for Fund Administrative Services dated February 28, 2012 and amended as of May 1, 2014 between Franklin Templeton Services, LLC and Franklin Advisers, Inc. for the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund, Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund (Formerly, Franklin Strategic Income Fund) and Franklin Natural Resources Fund 

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 27, 2015

   
 

(ii)

Subcontract for Fund Administrative Services dated May 1, 2013 and amended as of May 1, 2014 between Franklin Templeton Services, LLC and Franklin Advisers, Inc. for the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Growth Opportunities Fund and Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 27, 2015

   


   
 

(iii)

Subcontract for Fund Administrative Services dated May 1, 2014 between Franklin Templeton Services, LLC and Franklin Advisers, Inc. for the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund 

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No.73 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: May 15, 2015

   
 

(iv)

Second Amended and Restated Transfer Agent and Shareholder Services Agreement between the Registrant and Franklin Templeton Investor Services, LLC dated October 1, 2022 

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2023

   
 

(v)

Second Amended and Restated Transfer Agent and Shareholder Services Agreement between the Registrant on behalf of Franklin SMACs Series I, Series E, Series CH and Series E and Franklin Templeton Investor Services, LLC dated June 1, 2024

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 154 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: December 27, 2024

   
 

(vi)

Subcontract for Fund Administrative Services between Franklin Advisers, Inc. and Franklin Templeton Services, LLC for the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Templeton SMACS, Series I, Series E, Series CH and Series H dated June 1, 2019

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 91 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: December 27, 2019

   
 

(vii)

Amendment to Fund Services Agreement dated July 15, 2020 between Franklin Templeton Services, LLC for the Registrant and JPMorgan on behalf dated January 22, 2020

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 103 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 27, 2020

   
 

(viii)

Fund Services Agreement between Franklin Templeton Services, LLC for the Registrant and JPMorgan on behalf dated January 22, 2020

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 26, 2021

   
 

(ix)

Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement Agreement on behalf of Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund, Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund and Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series E, Series I, Series CH and Series H dated June 1, 2020

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 26, 2021

   
 

(x)

Amendment to Fund Services Agreement effective January 29, 2021 between Franklin Templeton Services, LLC for the Registrant and JPMorgan dated January 22, 2020

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   
 

(xi)

Third Amendment to Fund Services Agreement dated March 12, 2021 between Franklin Templeton Services, LLC for the Registrant and JPMorgan dated January 22, 2020

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   


   
 

(xii)

Fourth Amendment to Fund Services Agreement effective September 1, 2021 between Franklin Templeton Services, LLC for the Registrant and JPMorgan dated January 22, 2020

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   
 

(xiii)

Fifth Amendment to Fund Services Agreement dated June 10, 2022 between Franklin Templeton Services, LLC for the Registrant and JPMorgan dated January 22, 2020

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   
 

(xiv)

Form of Rule 12d1-4 Fund of Funds Investment Agreement

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   
 

(xv)

Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement revised August 2023 for Schedule A and B

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 153 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 26, 2024

   
 

(xvi)

Transfer Agent and Shareholder Services Agreement revised October 1, 2023 for Schedule A

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 153 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 26, 2024

   

(i)

Legal Opinion

   
 

(i)

Opinion and Consent of Counsel dated March 8, 1999

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: March 11, 1999

   
 

(ii)

Opinion and Consent of Counsel dated June 3, 2019 on Behalf of Franklin Templeton SMACS: Series I, Series E, Series CH and Series H

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 87 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: June 3, 2019

   

(j)

Other Opinions

   
 

(i)

Not Applicable

   

(k)

Omitted Financial Statements

   
  

Not Applicable

   

(l)

Initial Capital Agreements

   
 

(i)

Letter of Understanding for Franklin Natural Resources Fund dated June 5, 1995

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: December 5, 1995

   


   
 

(ii)

Letter of Understanding for Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund dated September 5, 1997

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: March 13, 1998

   
 

(iii)

Letter of Understanding for Franklin Growth Opportunities Fund (formerly Franklin Aggressive Growth Fund), dated June 22, 1999

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: June 28, 1999

   
 

(iv)

Letter of Understanding for Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund dated April 28, 2000

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: June 30, 2000

   

(m)

Rule 12b-1 Plan

   
 

(i)

Amended and Restated Class A Distribution Plan between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund, and Franklin Distributors, LLC dated July 7, 2021

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   
 

(ii)

Amended and Restated Class A Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the Registrant, on behalf of the Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund (Formerly, Franklin Strategic Income Fund), and Franklin Distributors, LLC dated July 7, 2021

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   
 

(iii)

Amended and Restated Class A Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the Registrant, on behalf of the Franklin Natural Resources Fund, and Franklin Distributors, LLC dated July 7, 2021

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   
 

(iv)

Amended and Restated Class A Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund and Franklin Distributors, LLC dated July 7, 2021

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   
 

(v)

Amended and Restated Class A Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Growth Opportunities Fund, and Franklin Distributors, LLC dated July 7, 2021

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   
 

(vi)

Amended and Restated Class A Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund and Franklin Distributors, LLC dated July 7, 2021

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   


   
 

(vii)

Amended and Restated Class C Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund (Formerly, Franklin Strategic Income Fund) and Franklin Distributors, LLC dated July 7, 2021

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   
 

(viii)

Amended and Restated Class C Distribution Plan between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Growth Opportunities Fund, Franklin Natural Resources Fund, Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund, Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund and Franklin Distributors, LLC dated July 7, 2021

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   
 

(ix)

Amended and Restated Class R Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Growth Opportunities Fund, Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund, Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund and Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund (Formerly, Franklin Strategic Income Fund), and Franklin Distributors, LLC dated July 7, 2021

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   
 

(x)

Amended and Restated Class C Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 between the Registrant, on behalf of Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund and Franklin Distributors, LLC dated July 7, 2021

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   

(n)

Rule 18f-3 Plan

   
 

(i)

Amended Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Natural Resources Fund dated July 7, 2021

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   
 

(ii)

Amended Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Small Cap Growth Fund dated July 7, 2021

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   
 

(iii)

Amended Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund dated July 7, 2021

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   
 

(iv)

Amended Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Biotechnology Discovery Fund dated July 7, 2021

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   
 

(v)

Amended Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Core Plus Bond Fund (Formerly, Franklin Strategic Income Fund) dated July 7, 2021

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   


   
 

(vi)

Amended Multiple Class Plan for Franklin Growth Opportunities Fund dated July 7, 2021

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 143 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 25, 2022

   

(p)

Code of Ethics

   
 

(i)

Code of Ethics dated March 4, 2024

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 153 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: August 26, 2024

   

(q)

Power of Attorney

   
 

(i)

Power of Attorney dated January 3, 2025

Filing: Post-Effective Amendment No. 155 to Registration Statement on Form N-1A

File No. 033-39088

Filing Date: March 14, 2025

   

Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund

None

Item 30. Indemnification

The Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the "Declaration") provides that any person who is or was a Trustee, officer, employee or other agent, including the underwriter, of such Trust shall be liable to the Trust and its shareholders only for (1) any act or omission that constitutes a bad faith violation of the implied contractual covenant of good faith and fair dealing, or (2) the person's own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person (such conduct referred to herein as Disqualifying Conduct) and for nothing else. Except in these instances and to the fullest extent that limitations of liability of agents are permitted by the Delaware Statutory Trust Act (the "Delaware Act"), these Agents (as defined in the Declaration) shall not be responsible or liable for any act or omission of any other Agent of the Trust or any investment adviser or principal underwriter. Moreover, except and to the extent provided in these instances, none of these Agents, when acting in their respective capacity as such, shall be personally liable to any other person, other than such Trust or its shareholders, for any act, omission or obligation of the Trust or any trustee thereof.

The Trust shall indemnify, out of its property, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, any of the persons who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding (as defined in the Declaration) because the person is or was an Agent of such Trust. These persons shall be indemnified against any Expenses (as defined in the Declaration), judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the Proceeding if the person acted in good faith or, in the case of a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction or plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not in itself create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith or that the person had reasonable cause to believe that the person's conduct was unlawful. There shall nonetheless be no indemnification for a person's own Disqualifying Conduct.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to Trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Trust pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Trust has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Trust of expenses incurred or paid by a Trustee, officer or controlling person of the Trust in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such Trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with securities being registered, the Trust may be required, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, to submit to a court or appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


Item 31. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser

Franklin Advisers, Inc. (Advisers)

The officers and directors of Advisers also serve as officers and/or directors for (1) Advisers' corporate parent, Franklin Resources, Inc., and/or (2) other investment companies in Franklin Templeton Investments. For additional information please see Part B and Schedules A and D of Form ADV of Advisers (SEC File 801-26292) incorporated herein by reference, which sets forth the officers and directors of Advisers and information as to any business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by those officers and directors during the past two years.

Item 32. Principal Underwriters

a) Franklin Distributors, LLC (Distributors) also acts as principal underwriter of shares of:

 

Franklin Alternative Strategies Fund

Franklin California Tax-Free Income Fund

Franklin California Tax-Free Trust

Franklin Custodian Funds

Franklin ETF Trust

Franklin Federal Tax-Free Income Fund

Franklin Fund Allocator Series

Franklin Global Trust

Franklin Gold and Precious Metals Fund

Franklin High Income Trust

Franklin Investors Securities Trust

Franklin Managed Trust

Franklin Municipal Securities Trust

Franklin Mutual Series Funds

Franklin New York Tax-Free Income Fund

Franklin New York Tax-Free Trust

Franklin Real Estate Securities Trust

Franklin Tax-Free Trust

Franklin Templeton ETF Trust

Franklin Templeton Trust

Franklin Templeton Variable Insurance Products Trust

Franklin U.S. Government Money Fund

Franklin Value Investors Trust

Institutional Fiduciary Trust

Templeton Developing Markets Trust

Templeton Funds

Templeton Global Investment Trust

Templeton Global Smaller Companies Fund

Templeton Growth Fund, Inc.

Templeton Income Trust

Templeton Institutional Funds

Legg Mason ETF Investment Trust

Legg Mason Global Asset Management Trust

Legg Mason Partners Income Trust

Legg Mason Partners Institutional Trust

Legg Mason Partners Investment Trust

Legg Mason Partners Variable Equity Trust

Legg Mason Partners Variable Income Trust

Legg Mason Partners Institutional Trust

Legg Mason Partners Money Market Trust

Western Asset Funds, Inc.

George Putnam Balanced Fund

Putnam Asset Allocation Funds


 

Putnam California Tax Exempt Income Fund

Putnam Convertible Securities Fund

Putnam Diversified Income Trust

Putnam ETF Trust

Putnam Focused International Equity Fund

Putnam Funds Trust

Putnam Global Health Care Fund

Putnam Global Income Trust

Putnam High Yield Fund

Putnam Income Fund

Putnam International Equity Fund

Putnam Investment Funds

Putnam Large Cap Value Fund

Putnam Massachusetts Tax Exempt Income Fund

Putnam Minnesota Tax Exempt Income Fund

Putnam Money Market Fund

Putnam Mortgage Securities Fund

Putnam New Jersey Tax Exempt Income Fund

Putnam New York Tax Exempt Income Fund

Putnam Ohio Tax Exempt Income Fund

Putnam Pennsylvania Tax Exempt Income Fund

Putnam Sustainable Leaders Fund

Putnam Target Date Funds

Putnam Tax Exempt Income Fund

Putnam Tax-Free Income Trust

Putnam Variable Trust

b) The information required with respect to each director and officer of Distributors is incorporated by reference to Part B of this N-1A and Schedule A of Form BD filed by Distributors with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1934 (SEC File No. 008-05889).

c) Not Applicable. Registrant's principal underwriter is an affiliated person of an affiliated person of the Registrant.

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

The accounts, books or other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 are kept by the Registrant at One Franklin Parkway, San Mateo CA 94403-1906 or its shareholder services agent, Franklin Templeton Investor Services LLC both of whose address is 100 Fountain Parkway, St. Petersburg, FL 33716.

Item 34. Management Services

There are no management-related service contracts not discussed in Part A or Part B.

Item 35. Undertakings

Not Applicable


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of San Mateo and the State of California, on the 22nd day of May, 2025.

Franklin Strategic Series

(Registrant)

By: /s/ Navid J. Tofigh

Navid J. Tofigh

Vice President and Secretary

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

   

EDWARD D. PERKS*

 

President and Chief Executive Officer – Investment Management

Edward D. Perks

 

Dated: May 22, 2025

   

CHRISTOPHER KINGS*

 

Chief Executive Officer – Finance and Administration

Christopher Kings

 

Dated: May 22, 2025

   

JEFFREY W. WHITE*

 

Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer

Jeffrey W. White

 

Dated: May 22, 2025

   

HARRIS J. ASHTON*

 

Trustee

Harris J. Ashton

 

Dated: May 22, 2025

   

TERRENCE J. CHECKI*

 

Trustee

Terrence J. Checki

 

Dated: May 22, 2025

   

MARY C. CHOKSI*

 

Trustee

Mary C. Choksi

 

Dated: May 22, 2025

   

EDITH E. HOLIDAY*

 

Trustee

Edith E. Holiday

 

Dated: May 22, 2025

   

GREGORY E. JOHNSON*

 

Trustee

Gregory E. Johnson

 

Dated: May 22, 2025

   

RUPERT H. JOHNSON, JR.*

 

Trustee

Rupert H. Johnson, Jr.

 

Dated: May 22, 2025

   

J. MICHAEL LUTTIG*

 

Trustee

J. Michael Luttig

 

Dated: May 22, 2025

   

LARRY D. THOMPSON*

 

Trustee

Larry D. Thompson

 

Dated: May 22, 2025

   

VALERIE M. WILLIAMS*

 

Trustee

Valerie M. Williams

 

Dated: May 22, 2025


*By: /s/ NAVID J. TOFIGH

Navid J. Tofigh

 Attorney-in-Fact

(Pursuant to Powers of Attorney previously filed)


FRANKLIN STRATEGIC SERIES

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

EXHIBITS INDEX

The following exhibits are attached:

  

EXHIBIT NO.

DESCRIPTION

  

None

 
  




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