FIRST AMENDMENT TO SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT ING PARTNERS, INC.

Exhibit 99.77(q)(e)(17)

FIRST AMENDMENT TO SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT

ING PARTNERS, INC.

This First Amendment, effective as of July 15, 2013, amends the Sub-Advisory Agreement (the “Agreement”) dated the 7^th day of May, 2013, as amended, between Directed Services LLC (the “Adviser”), a Delaware limited liability company, and Pioneer Investment Management, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Sub-Adviser”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the Agreement and agree that the amendment will be effective as of July 15, 2013.

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

1.

The following information will be inserted as Section 2 (j):

With respect to any investments, including but not limited to repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements, derivatives contracts, futures contracts, International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) Master Agreements, and options on futures contracts (“futures”), which are permitted to be made by the Sub-Adviser in accordance with this Agreement and the investment objectives and strategies of the Series, as outlined in the Registration Statement for the Series, the Adviser hereby authorizes and directs the Sub-Adviser to do and perform every act and thing whatsoever necessary or incidental in performing its duties and obligations under this Agreement including, but not limited to, executing as agent, on behalf of each Series, brokerage agreements and other documents to establish, operate and conduct all brokerage or other trading accounts, and executing as agent, on behalf of each Series, such agreements and other documentation as may be required for the purchase or sale, assignment, transfer and ownership of any permitted investment, including limited partnership agreements, repurchase and derivative master agreements, including any schedules and annexes to such agreements, releases, consents, elections and confirmations, provided that the Sub-Adviser may only trade swaps and derivatives under ISDA Master Agreements which are substantially similar to those reviewed and approved by the Adviser.  The Adviser acknowledges and understands that it will be bound by any such trading accounts established, and agreements and other documentation executed, by the Sub-Adviser for such investment purposes.

2.

Capitalized terms used in this Amendment and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement.  

3.

In all other respects, the Agreement is hereby confirmed and remains in full force and effect.

Exhibit 99.77(q)(e)(17)

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

	DIRECTED SERVICES LLC
	By:	/s/Xxxx Xxxxx
		Xxxx Xxxxx
		Vice President
	PIONEER INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC.
	By:	/s/Xxxxxxx X. Koewig Jr.
	Name:	Xxxxxxx X. Koewig, Jr.
	Title:	SVP Chief of Staff, U.S.