An alternative method of collecting the sales fees or loads (typically, annual) for a mutual fund in a series of smaller payments. This option allows investors who make periodic contributions to a mutual fund account to spread the load payments across a series of smaller amounts, on a periodical basis.Nevertheless, the investor always has the option to revert back to fees payment in one lump sum amount.

For example, if sales fees for an investor in a mutual fund were set to be USD 10,000 for a period of 10 years, the investor, using a load spread option, may opt to an annual payment of USD 1,000 over the course of 10 years.

It is also referred to as spread load contractual plan.