Benefit:
Income level should generally be above money market and short-term bond funds, while the share price should fluctuate less than long-term bond funds. The majoirty of income received should be exempt from federal income taxes and individual state obligations, if any.
Risks:
Fixed-income securites are subject to credit risk, liquidity risk, call risk, and interest-rate risk. As interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall. Municipal securities will be highly impacted by the events and volatiliy of the overall municipal securities markets, inclduing unfavorable legislative or political developments, adverse changes in the financial conditions of municipal securities issuers, and the economy. State and local taxes may apply. A portion of the income distributions may be subject to alternative minimum tax.