As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 29, 2005

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-8

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE

SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Franklin Resources, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Franklin Templeton Profit Sharing 401(k) Plan

(Full title of the plan)

Barbara J. Green, Esq.

Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Secretary

Franklin Resources, Inc.

One Franklin Parkway,

San Mateo, California 94403-1906

(Name and address of agent for service)

(650) 312-3000

(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE

SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

The documents containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 (plan information and registrant information and employee plan annual information) will be sent or given to employees as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Such documents need not be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) either as part of this registration statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act. These documents and the documents incorporated by reference in this registration statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of Form S-8, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.

PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

The following documents, previously filed by the registrant with the SEC (File No. 001-09318), are hereby incorporated by reference in this registration statement:

(a) The registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004, including the registrant’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004 attached thereto;

(b) All other reports filed* by the registrant pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Securities Exchange Act”), since the end of the fiscal year covered by the annual report on Form 10-K referred to in (a) above; and

(c) The description of the registrant’s common stock contained in the registrant’s registration statement on Form 8-A as filed with the SEC on November 6, 1986, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating that description.

All documents subsequently filed by the registrant or the Franklin Templeton Profit Sharing 401(k) Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act after the date of this registration statement, and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which de-registers all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Unless expressly incorporated into this registration statement, a report (or portion thereof) “furnished” on Form 8-K shall not be incorporated by reference into this registration statement.

Any statement contained in a document which is incorporated by reference in this registration statement will be deemed modified or superseded for purposes of this registration statement to the extent that a statement contained in this registration statement or incorporated by reference in this registration statement or in any document that the registrant or the Plan file after the date of this registration statement that also is incorporated by reference in this registration statement modifies or supersedes the prior statement. Any modified or superseded statement shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this registration statement. Subject to the foregoing, all information appearing in this registration statement is qualified in its entirety by the information appearing in the documents incorporated by reference in this registration statement.

Item 4. Description of Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

The registrant is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. Under Section 145(a) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), a Delaware corporation has the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful.

Under Section 145(b) of the DGCL, a Delaware corporation has the power to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation. However, no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

Section 145(c) of the DGCL further provides that to the extent that a present or former director or officer of a Delaware corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to above in Sections 145(a) and 145(b) of the DGCL, or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually or reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.

Section 145 of the DGCL also states that the indemnification and advancement of expenses provided for in such section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement may be entitled.

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL permits a Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director: (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) willful or negligent violations of certain sections of the DGCL (Sections 174, 160 and 173 of the DGCL) imposing certain requirements with respect to stock purchases, redemptions and dividends; or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

In addition to the above described provisions, the registrant’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides that the registrant shall, to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of DGCL, as the same may be

amended and supplemented, indemnify any and all persons whom it shall have power to indemnify under such section from and against any and all of the expenses, liabilities or other matters referred to in or covered by such section, and the indemnification provided for therein shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any By-Law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. Moreover, registrant’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, further provides that a director of the registrant shall not be personally liable to the registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the registrant or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived any improper personal benefit. Additionally, if the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, provides that the liability of a director of the registrant shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.

The registrant’s Amended and Restated By-Laws contain provisions requiring the registrant to provide indemnification to directors, officers, employees and agents of the Corporation similar to the indemnification allowed under Section 145 of the DGCL. In addition, the registrant’s Amended and Restated By-Laws provide that directors or officers who have been successful on the merits or otherwise in a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding referred to in Section 145(a) or 145(b) of the DGCL, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, shall be indemnified against expenses, including attorneys’ fees and disbursements, and costs actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith. Moreover, the registrant’s Amended and Restated By-Laws provide that a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation serves or prepares to serve as a witness in any action, suit or proceeding or in any investigation by the registrant or by any securities exchange, the registrant shall indemnify such person against expenses, including attorneys’ fees and disbursements, and costs actually and reasonably incurred in connection therewith.

It is the registrant’s policy to enter into indemnification agreements (“Indemnification Agreements”) with its directors, some of whom are also executive officers (each, an “Indemnified Person”). The Indemnification Agreements provide for indemnification of an Indemnified Person “to the fullest extent permitted by law as soon as practicable”, and the prompt advancing of attorneys’ fees and all other costs, expenses and obligations paid or incurred by the Indemnified Person, in connection with a Claim.

A “Claim” consists of participation in any threatened, pending or completed action, or any inquiry or investigation that the Indemnified Person in good faith believes might lead to the institution of any such action, and must be related to the fact that the Indemnified Person is or was a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the registrant or is or was serving at the request of the registrant as a director, officer, employee, trustee, agent or fiduciary for another corporation, partnership, join venture, employee benefit plan, trust or other enterprise.

Additionally, the Indemnification Agreements provide that if the registrant pays an Indemnified Person pursuant to the Indemnification Agreements, the registrant will be subrogated to the Indemnified Person’s rights to recover from third parties.

However, the Indemnification Agreements prohibit such indemnification (i) in connection with any Claim initiated by the Indemnified Person against the registrant or any director or officer of the registrant unless the registrant has joined in or consented to the Claim or (ii) if selected members of the Board of Directors or other person or body appointed by the Board of Directors determines that such indemnification is not permitted under applicable law. In the event of such determination, the Indemnified Person agrees to reimburse the registrant for all amounts that the registrant has advanced to the Indemnified Person in respect of such indemnification.

The Indemnification Agreements also provide that if there is a change in control of the registrant, the registrant will seek legal advice from special, independent counsel selected by the Indemnified Person and approved by the registrant with respect to matters thereafter arising concerning rights of the Indemnified Person under the Indemnification Agreement. Additionally, the Indemnification Agreements provide that if there is a potential change in control, the registrant will, upon written request of the Indemnified Person, fund a trust to satisfy expenses

reasonably anticipated to be incurred in connection with a Claim relating to an indemnifiable event. The registrant is not currently, nor does it expect to be, subject to a change in control.

In accordance with authority granted under the registrant’s Amended and Restated By-Laws, the registrant also has purchased an insurance policy indemnifying its officers and directors and the officers and directors of its subsidiaries against claims and liabilities (with stated exceptions) to which they may become subject by reason of their positions as directors and officers.

The foregoing summaries are necessarily subject to the complete text of the applicable statute, article(s) of the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, by-law(s) of the Amended and Restated By-Laws, agreement and insurance policy referred to above and are qualified in their entirety by reference thereto.

Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.

Not applicable.

Item 8. Exhibits.

Item 9. Undertakings.

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(b)            The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

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

SIGNATURES

The Registrant. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 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, State of California, on September 29, 2005.

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gregory E. Johnson and Barbara J. Green, and each of them individually, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement on Form S-8, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them, or their, his or her substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

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

The Plan. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the trustee has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Salt Lake, State of Utah, on September 26, 2005.

INDEX TO EXHIBITS