HARTFORD SERIES FUND INC, 485APOS, 2000-10-11

HARTFORD SERIES FUND INC
485APOS, 2000-10-11

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<PAGE>

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October __, 2000

File Nos. 333-45431/811-08629

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. 8 / X /
---- ----

and/or

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 / X /
----

Amendment No. 8 / X /
------- ----

HARTFORD SERIES FUND, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

P. O. Box 2999, Hartford, Connecticut 06104-2999
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant's Telephone Number including Area Code: (860) 297-6443

Kevin J. Carr, Esquire
Investment Law Unit
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
55 Farmington Avenue
Hartford, Connecticut 06105
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

COPY TO:

David S. Goldstein
Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP
1275 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004

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

immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
---
on (Date) pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
---
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
---
on (Date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
---
X 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
---
on (Date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
---

If appropriate, check the following box:

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

<PAGE>

This post-effective amendment includes four new prospectuses and a new
statement of additional information relating to four new series (Funds) of
shares being registered herewith. Each of the four series relates to one of the
following Funds: Hartford Global Communications HLS Fund, Hartford Global
Financial Services HLS Fund, Hartford Growth HLS Fund and Hartford Premier
Focus HLS Fund. This amendment is to register two classes of shares of each of
the four new series. The registrant currently has five other series of shares
(each with two classes) registered under the Securities Act of 1933 which are
offered through two other prospectuses and one other statement of additional
information (all dated May 1, 2000) not included in this post-effective
amendment. This post-effective amendment is not intended to update or amend the
two prospectuses and the statement of additional information not included
herein.

<PAGE>

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
FOR USE WITH THE HARTFORD
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS
AND CERTAIN QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS
CLASS IA SHARES

PROSPECTUS

EFFECTIVE [ ], 2000

<PAGE>
[THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
<PAGE>
HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS

CLASS IA SHARES
PROSPECTUS
[ ], 2000

AS WITH ALL MUTUAL FUNDS, THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT
APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

HARTFORD SERIES FUND, INC.

PREMIUM FOCUS HLS FUND

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
C/O INDIVIDUAL ANNUITY SERVICES
P.O. BOX 5085
HARTFORD, CT 06102-5085
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION
------------------------------------------------------------

The Hartford HLS Funds is a family of twenty-one mutual funds (each a "fund" and
together the "funds") which serve as underlying investment options for certain
variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of Hartford Life
Insurance Company and its affiliates ("Hartford Life") and certain qualified
retirement plans. Owners of variable annuity contracts and variable life
insurance contracts may choose the funds permitted in the accompanying contract
prospectus. In addition, participants in certain qualified retirement plans may
choose the funds permitted in their plans. Each fund offers two classes of
shares: Class IA shares offered in this prospectus and Class IB shares offered
by another prospectus.

Hartford Series Fund, Inc. is comprised of nine investment portfolios, each of
which is a Hartford HLS Fund. This prospectus describes one of these funds.

The Premium Focus HLS Fund is a non-diversified fund. Information on the fund,
including risk factors for investing in diversified versus non-diversified
funds, can be found on the pages following this summary. HARTFORD LIFE ALSO
SPONSORS A FAMILY OF MUTUAL FUNDS KNOWN AS THE HARTFORD MUTUAL FUNDS, INC. WHICH
ARE OFFERED DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC (THE "RETAIL FUNDS"). THE RETAIL FUNDS ARE
SEPARATE FUNDS AND SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH THE HARTFORD HLS FUND INVESTMENT
OPTIONS OFFERED IN THIS PROSPECTUS.

The investment manager to the fund is HL Investment Advisors, LLC ("HL
Advisors"). The day-to-day portfolio management of the fund is provided by an
investment sub-adviser -- Wellington Management Company, LLP ("Wellington
Management"). Information regarding Wellington Management is included under
"Management of the Fund" in this prospectus.

Please note that mutual funds are not bank deposits and are not insured or
guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government
agency. Because you could lose money by investing in the fund, be sure to read
all risk disclosures carefully before investing.

2 HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
<PAGE>
CONTENTS PAGE
------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
A summary of the fund's goals, Hartford Premium Focus HLS Fund 4
strategies, risks, performance and
fees.

Other investment strategies and investment 6
Further information on the matters 7
fund. Management of the fund
Purchase and redemption of fund shares 8
Determination of net asset value 8
Dividends and distributions 9
Exchange privileges 9
Federal income taxes 9
Brokerage commissions 9
Performance related information 10
Distributor, Custodian and Transfer Agent 10
For more information back cover
</TABLE>

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS 3
<PAGE>
HARTFORD PREMIUM FOCUS HLS FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INVESTMENT GOAL. The Hartford Premium Focus Fund seeks long-term capital
appreciation.

INVESTMENT STRATEGY. The fund invests primarily in equity securities of a
relatively small number of large capitalization companies (stocks comprising the
S&P 500 Index). The fund will typically hold stocks of 20-30 companies.
Individual holdings typically constitute 3-5% of the fund's total assets and may
constitute up to 10%. The fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in the
securities of foreign issuers and non-dollar securities.

Wellington Management uses a two phase investment strategy. Using what is
sometimes called a "top down" approach, Wellington Management analyzes the
general economic and investment environment by evaluating such things as
economic conditions, U.S. fiscal and monetary policy, demographic trends and
investor sentiment. Through this process Wellington Management tries to
anticipate trends and changes in various markets and in the overall economy to
identify industries and sectors that will outperform the U.S. economy.

The "top down" analysis is followed by what is often called a "bottom up"
approach, which is the use of fundamental (qualitative) analysis to select
specific securities from industries and sectors identified in the top down
analysis. Fundamental analysis involves the assessment of company-specific
factors such as business environment, management quality, balance sheet, income
statement, revenues, anticipated earnings and other related measures or
indicators of value.

The key characteristics of growth companies in which the fund typically invests
include:

- Accelerating earnings and earnings per share growth

- A strong balance sheet combined with a high return on equity

- Unrecognized or undervalued assets

- A strong management team

- A leadership position within an industry

- Sustainable or increasing dividends

- Positive investor sentiment

The fund will consider selling a security when:

- Downside risk equals upside potential.

- Decreasing trend of earnings growth is exhibited

- Excessive valuations are reached

Annual portfolio turnover is expected to be in excess of 100%.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MAIN RISKS. As with most equity funds, the value of your investment in the fund
may go down in response to overall stock market movements and trends. You could
lose money as a result of your investment.

The fund's focus on large capitalization companies significantly influences its
performance. Large capitalization stocks as a group can fall out of favor with
the market causing the fund to perform more poorly than funds that focus on
medium or small capitalization stocks. In addition, because the fund is
non-diversified and therefore may take larger positions in individual issuers
than most mutual funds, the fund may have greater market fluctuation and price
volatility than a fund that maintains a more broadly diversified portfolio. An
investment in the fund therefore entails substantial market risk.

Wellington Management's strategy of combining top down and bottom up approaches
also has a significant impact on the fund's performance. If the strategy does
not produce the desired results, the fund could underperform its peers or lose
money. In particular, the fund's success in achieving its goal is highly
dependent on Wellington Management's successful reliance on the top down, bottom
up strategy and fundamental analysis of the prospects of particular companies.
Therefore, an investment in the fund also entails substantial financial risk
related to such companies.

Foreign investments may be more risky than domestic investments. Investments in
foreign securities may be affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates,
incomplete or inaccurate financial information on companies, social upheavals
and political actions ranging from tax law changes to governmental collapse.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PAST PERFORMANCE. Because the fund has been in operation for less than one year
no performance history has been provided.

4 HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
<PAGE>
HARTFORD PREMIUM FOCUS HLS FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

YOUR EXPENSES. This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if
you buy and hold shares of the fund. Please note that this table does not
include fees and expenses deducted at the variable life insurance, variable
annuity contract level, or by a qualified retirement plan.

SHAREHOLDER FEES CLASS IA
(fees paid directly from your investment)

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Maximum sales charge (load) as a percentage of
offering price None
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) None
Exchange fees None
</TABLE>

ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
(expenses that are deducted from the fund's assets)

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Management fees 0.85%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees None
Other expenses [ ]
Total operating expenses [ ]
</TABLE>

EXAMPLE. This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in
the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes
that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then
redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes
that your investment has a 5% return each year, that the fund's operating
expenses remain the same and that you reinvest all dividends and distributions.
Because no sales charges apply to the Class IA shares you would have the same
expenses whether or not you redeemed your shares. Although your actual costs may
be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

EXPENSES CLASS IA
(with or without redemption)

[SIDE NOTE]

SUB-ADVISER

Wellington Management

PORTFOLIO MANAGER

Rand L. Alexander

- Senior Vice President of Wellington Management

- Joined Wellington Management in 1990

- Investment Professional
since 1976
[END SIDE NOTE]

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS 5
<PAGE>
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OTHER INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND INVESTMENT MATTERS

INVESTMENT RISKS GENERALLY

There is no assurance that the fund will achieve its investment objective or
objectives, and investors should not consider the fund alone to be a complete
investment program. As with all mutual funds, there is a risk that an investor
could lose money by investing in the fund.

The different types of securities, investments, and investment techniques used
by the fund all have attendant risks of varying degrees. For example, with
respect to equity securities, there can be no assurance of capital appreciation
and an investment in any stock is subject to the risk that the stock market as a
whole may decline, thereby depressing the stock's price (market risk), or the
risk that the price of a particular issuer's stock may decline due to its
financial results (financial risk). With respect to debt securities, there
exists the risk that the issuer of a security may not be able to meet its
obligations on interest or principal payments at the time required by the
instrument (credit risk, a type of financial risk). In addition, the value of
debt instruments and other income-bearing securities generally rises and falls
inversely with prevailing current interest rates (interest rate risk, a type of
market risk). As described below, an investment in the fund entails special
additional risks as a result of its ability to invest a substantial portion of
their assets in foreign investments.

USE OF MONEY MARKET INVESTMENTS FOR TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE PURPOSES

From time to time, as part of its principal investment strategy, the fund may
invest some or all of its assets in high quality money market securities for
temporary defensive purposes in response to adverse market, economic or
political conditions. To the extent that the fund is in a defensive position, it
may lose the benefit of upswings and limit its ability to meet its investment
objective.

USE OF OPTIONS, FUTURES AND OTHER DERIVATIVES

Although not a principal investment strategy, the fund may purchase and sell
options, enter into futures contracts or utilize other derivatives with respect
to stocks, bonds, groups of securities (such as financial indices), foreign
currencies or interest rates. These techniques, which are incidental to the
fund's primary strategy, permit the fund to gain exposure to a particular
security, group of securities, interest rate or index, and thereby have the
potential for the fund to earn returns that are similar to those which would be
earned by direct investments in those securities or instruments.

These techniques are also used to manage risk by hedging a fund's portfolio
investments. Hedging techniques may not always be available to the fund; and it
may not always be feasible for the fund to use hedging techniques even when they
are available.

Derivatives have risks, however. If the issuer of the derivative instrument does
not pay the amount due, the fund could lose money on the instrument. In
addition, the underlying security or investment on which the derivative is
based, and the derivative itself, may not perform the way the manager expected.
As a result, the use of these techniques may result in losses to the fund or
increase volatility in the fund's performance.

FOREIGN INVESTMENTS

Investments in the securities of foreign issuers or investments in non-dollar
securities involve significant risks that are not typically associated with
investing in U.S. dollar-denominated securities or securities of domestic
issuers. Such investments may be affected by changes in currency rates, changes
in foreign or U.S. laws or restrictions applicable to such investments and in
exchange control regulations. Some foreign stock markets (and other securities
markets) may have substantially less volume than, for example, the New York
Stock Exchange (or other domestic markets) and securities of some foreign
issuers may be less liquid than securities of comparable domestic issuers.
Commissions and dealer mark-ups on transactions in foreign investments may be
higher than for similar transactions in the United States. In addition,
clearance and settlement procedures may be different in foreign countries and,
in certain markets, on certain occasions, such procedures have been unable to
keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, thus making it difficult
to conduct such transactions. The inability of the fund to make intended
investments due to settlement problems could cause it to miss attractive
investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of portfolio securities or other
investments due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the fund
due to subsequent declines in value of the portfolio investment or, if the fund
has entered into a contract to sell the investment, could result in possible
liability to the purchaser.

6 HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
<PAGE>
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Foreign issuers are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and
financial reporting standards comparable to those applicable to domestic
companies, and there may be less publicly available information about a foreign
issuer than about a domestic one. In addition, there is generally less
government regulation of stock exchanges, brokers, and listed and unlisted
issuers in foreign countries than in the United States.

Furthermore, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is a possibility
of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, imposition of withholding taxes on
dividend or interest payments, limitations on the removal of cash or other
assets of the fund, or political or social instability or diplomatic
developments which could affect investments in those countries. Individual
foreign economies also may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy
in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital
reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position.

ABOUT THE FUND'S INVESTMENT GOAL

The fund's investment goal may be changed without the approval of the
shareholders of the fund. The fund may not be able to achieve its goal.

EXPENSE CONSEQUENCES OF PORTFOLIO TRADING PRACTICES

At times the fund may engage in short-term trading, which could produce higher
brokerage expenses for the fund and thus lowering the fund's performance.

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

The fund may invest in various securities and engage in various investment
techniques which are not the principal focus of the fund and therefore are not
described in this prospectus. These securities and techniques, together with
their risks are discussed in the fund's Statement of Additional Information
which may be obtained free of charge by contacting the fund (see back cover for
address and phone number).

TERMS USED IN THIS PROSPECTUS

Equity Securities: Equity Securities include common stock, preferred stock,
securities convertible into common stock and warrants or rights to acquire
common stock.

Foreign Issuers: (1) Companies organized outside the United States,
(2) companies whose securities are principally traded outside the United States,
and (3) foreign governments and agencies or instrumentalities of foreign
governments.

Non-Dollar Securities: Securities denominated or quoted in foreign currency or
paying income in foreign currency.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

THE INVESTMENT ADVISER

HL Investment Advisors, LLC ("HL Advisors") is the investment adviser to the
fund. As investment adviser, HL Advisors is responsible for supervising the
activities of the investment sub-adviser described below. In addition, Hartford
Life serves as the administrator of the fund. HL Advisors and Hartford Life are
majority-owned indirect subsidiaries of The Hartford Financial Services
Group, Inc. ("The Hartford"), a Connecticut financial services company with over
$165 billion in assets. As of December 31, 1999 HL Advisors had over $40 billion
in assets under management. HL Advisors is principally located at 200 Hopmeadow
Street, Simsbury, Connecticut 06070.

THE INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISER

Wellington Management Company, LLP is the investment sub-adviser to the Premium
Focus HLS Fund.

Wellington Management, a Massachusetts limited liability partnership, is a
professional investment counseling firm that provides services to investment
companies, employee benefit plans, endowments, foundations and other
institutions and individuals. Wellington Management and its predecessor
organizations have provided investment advisory services since 1928. As of
December 31, 1999 Wellington Management had investment management authority over
approximately $235 billion in assets. Wellington Management is principally
located at 75 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109.

MANAGEMENT FEES

The fund pays a monthly advisory fee and administration fee to HL Advisors and
Hartford Life based on a stated percentage of the fund's average daily net asset
value as follows:

PREMIUM FOCUS HLS FUND

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET ASSET VALUE ANNUAL RATE
--------------- -----------
<S> <C>
First $250 Million 0.85%
Next $250 Million 0.80%
Amount Over $500 Million 0.75%
</TABLE>

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS 7
<PAGE>
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES

The fund offers each class of its shares to variable annuity and variable life
insurance separate accounts of Hartford Life (the "Accounts") as investment
option for certain variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance
contracts ("variable contracts") issued through the Accounts. The fund also
offers each class of its shares to certain qualified retirement plans (the
"Plans").

The fund offers two different classes of shares -- Class IA and Class IB.
Class IA shares are offered by this prospectus. Class IB shares are offered by a
separate prospectus. For the fund, both classes of shares represent an
investment in the fund but are subject to different expenses and have different
prices and performance.

Most of the Accounts are registered with the SEC as investment companies. When
shares of the fund are offered as investment options for variable contracts
issued through such an Account, a separate prospectus describing the particular
Account and contract will accompany this prospectus. When shares of the fund are
offered as investment options for variable contracts issued through an Account
that is not so registered, a separate disclosure document (rather than a
prospectus) describing that Account and contract will accompany this prospectus.

Shares of the fund are sold by Hartford Securities Distribution Company, Inc.
(the "Distributor") in a continuous offering to the Accounts and the Plans. Net
purchase payments under the variable contracts are placed in one or more
subaccounts of the Accounts and the assets of each subaccount are invested in
the shares of the fund corresponding to that subaccount. The Accounts and the
Plans purchase and redeem Class IA shares of the fund at net asset value without
sales or redemption charges.

For each day on which the fund's net asset value is calculated, the Accounts
transmit to the fund any orders to purchase or redeem shares of the fund based
on the net purchase payments, redemption (surrender or withdrawal) requests, and
transfer requests from variable contract owners, annuitants and beneficiaries
that have been processed by Hartford Life as of that day. Similarly, the Plans
transmit to the fund any orders to purchase or redeem shares of the fund based
on the instructions of Plan trustees or participants. The Accounts and Plans
purchase and redeem shares of the fund at the net asset value per share
calculated as of the day that the fund receives the order, although such
purchases and redemptions may be executed the next morning. Payment for shares
redeemed is made within seven days after receipt of notice of redemption, except
that payments of redemptions may be postponed beyond seven days when permitted
by applicable laws and regulations.

A potential for certain conflicts exists between the interests of variable
annuity contract owners and variable life insurance contract owners invested in
the fund. Likewise, a potential for certain conflicts exists between the
interests of owners of variable contracts and those of participants in a Plan
that invests in the fund. To the extent that such classes of investors are
invested in the same fund when a conflict of interest arises that might involve
the fund, one or more of such classes of investors could be disadvantaged. The
fund currently does not foresee any such conflict or disadvantage to owners of
variable contracts or Plan participants. Nonetheless, the funds' Board of
Directors will monitor the fund for the existence of any irreconcilable material
conflicts among or between the interests of various classes of investors. If
such a conflict affecting owners of variable contracts is determined to exist,
Hartford Life will, to the extent reasonably practicable, take such action as is
necessary to remedy or eliminate the conflict. If such a conflict were to occur,
one or more Accounts may be required to withdraw its investment in the fund or
substitute shares of another fund for the current fund. This, in turn, could
cause a fund to sell portfolio securities at a disadvantageous price.

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

The net asset value per shareis determined for the fund as of the close of the
New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each
business day that the NYSE is open. The net asset value is determined by
dividing the value of the fund's net assets attributable to a class of shares by
the number of shares outstanding for that class. The fund uses market prices in
valuing portfolio securities, but may use fair value estimates, as determined by
HL Advisors under the direction of the Board of Directors, if reliable market
prices are not available. Fair value pricing may be used by the fund when
current market values are unavailable or when an event occurs after the close of
the exchange on which the fund's portfolio securities are principally traded
that is likely to have changed the value of the securities. The use of fair
value pricing by a fund may cause the net asset value of its shares to differ
significantly from the net asset value that would be calculated using current
market values. Securities of foreign issuers and non-dollar securities are
valued on the basis of quotations from the primary market in which they are
traded, and are translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using
current exchange rates. With respect to the funds, short-term investments that
will mature in

8 HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
<PAGE>
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
60 days or less are also valued at amortized cost, which approximates market
value.

The fund may invest in securities primarily traded in foreign securities
markets. Foreign securities markets may trade on days when the fund does not
compute its net asset value or may close (generating closing prices) at times
before or after the NYSE. Consequently, the net asset value of the fund and the
value of its shares may change on days, or at times, when an investor cannot
redeem the fund's shares. Conversely, events affecting the values of securities
of foreign issuers and non-dollar securities that occur after the close of
regular trading on the NYSE will not be reflected in the fund's net asset value.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

The shareholders of the fund are entitled to receive such dividends and
distributions as may be declared by the fund's Board of Directors, from time to
time based upon the investment performance of the assets making up the fund's
portfolio. The current policy for the fund is to pay dividends from net
investment income and to make distributions of realized capital gains, if any,
at least once each year.

Such dividends and distributions will be automatically invested in additional
full or fractional shares monthly on the last business day of each month at the
per share net asset value on that date. Provision is also made to pay such
dividends and distributions in cash if requested. Such dividends and
distributions will be in cash or in full or fractional shares of the fund at net
asset value.

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES

Variable contract owners may exchange shares in the fund as indicated by the
accompanying variable contract prospectus. The fund is intended to be a
long-term investment vehicle and is not designed to provide investors with a
means of speculating on short-term market movements. Investors who engage in
excessive transfers in and out of a fund generate additional costs which are
borne by all of the funds' shareholders. In order to minimize such costs, the
fund reserves the right to reject any purchase request that is reasonably deemed
to be disruptive to efficient portfolio management, either because of the timing
of the investment or previous excessive trading by a variable contract owner.

FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

For federal income tax purposes, the fund is treated as a separate taxpayer. The
fund intends to qualify each year as a "regulated investment company" under the
Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the "Code"). By so qualifying, the fund is
not subject to federal income tax to the extent that its net investment income
and net realized capital gains are distributed to the separate accounts of
insurance companies or to qualified plans. Further, the fund intends to meet
certain diversification requirements applicable to mutual funds underlying
variable life insurance and variable annuity contracts.

The Shareholders of the fund are qualified pension and profit sharing plans and
the separate accounts of life insurance companies. Under current law, plan
participants and owners of variable life insurance and annuity contracts which
have invested in the fund are not subject to federal income tax on the fund
distributions or on gains realized upon the sale or redemption of fund shares
until they are withdrawn from the plan or contracts. For information concerning
the federal tax consequences to the purchasers of the variable annuity or
variable life insurance contracts, see the prospectus for such contract.

For more information about the tax status of the fund, see "Taxes" in the SAI.

BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS

Although the rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
prohibit its members from seeking orders for the execution of investment company
portfolio transactions on the basis of their sales of investment company shares,
under such rules, sales of investment company shares may be considered in
selecting brokers to effect portfolio transactions. Accordingly, some portfolio
transactions are, subject to such rules and to obtaining best prices and
executions, effected through dealers who sell shares of the fund.

VARIABLE CONTRACT OWNER VOTING RIGHTS

With regard to fund matters for which the 1940 Act requires a shareholder vote,
Hartford Life generally votes shares held by the Accounts in accordance with
instructions received from the owners of variable contracts (or annuitants or
beneficiaries thereunder) having a voting interest in that Account. Each share
has one vote and votes are counted on an aggregate basis except as to matters
where the interests funds differ (such as approval of an investment advisory
agreement or a change in the fund's fundamental investment policies). In such
cases, the voting is on a fund-by-fund basis. Fractional shares are counted.
Shares held by an Account for which no instructions are received are voted by
Hartford Life for or against,

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS 9
<PAGE>
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
or in abstention, any proposals in the same proportion as the shares for which
instructions are received.

PLAN PARTICIPANT VOTING RIGHTS

With regard to fund matters for which the 1940 Act requires a shareholder vote,
Plan trustees generally vote fund shares held by their Plans either in their own
discretion or in accordance with instructions from Plan participants.

PERFORMANCE RELATED INFORMATION

The fund may advertise performance related information. Performance information
about the fund is based on the fund's past performance only and is no indication
of future performance.

The fund may include its total return in advertisements or other sales material.
When the fund advertises its total return, it will usually be calculated for one
year, five years, and ten years or some other relevant period if the fund has
not been in existence for at least ten years. Total return is measured by
comparing the value of an investment in the fund at the beginning of the
relevant period to the value of the investment at the end of the period
(assuming immediate reinvestment of any dividends or capital gains
distributions).

The fund is offered exclusively through variable insurance products and to
certain qualified retirement plans. Performance information presented for the
fund should not be compared directly with performance information of other
insurance products or retirement plans without taking into account charges and
expenses payable with respect to these insurance products or retirement plans.
Such charges and expenses are not reflected in the funds' performance
information and will reduce an investor's return under the variable contracts or
retirement plans.

DISTRIBUTOR, CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER
AGENT

Hartford Securities Distribution Company, Inc., 200 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury,
CT 06089, serves as distributor to the funds.

State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02110, serves as custodian of each fund's assets.

Hartford Life Insurance Company, 200 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT 06089,
serves as Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent for the funds.

10 HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
<PAGE>
FOR MORE INFORMATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two documents are available that offer further information on the Hartford HLS
Fund:

ANNUAL/SEMIANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS

Additional information on the fund is contained in the financial statements and
portfolio holdings of the funds' annual and semiannual report. In the fund's
annual report you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment
strategies that significantly affected performance during the last fiscal year,
and the auditor's report.

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI)

The SAI contains more detailed information on all aspects of the fund.

A current SAI and annual report have been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and are incorporated by reference into (are legally a part of) this
prospectus.

To request a free copy of the current annual/ semiannual report or the SAI,
please contact the fund at:

BY MAIL:

Hartford HLS Funds
c/o Individual Annuity Services
P.O. Box 5085
Hartford, CT 06102-5085

BY PHONE:

1-800-862-6668

ON THE INTERNET:

http://invest.hartfordlife.com

Or you may view or obtain these documents from the SEC:

IN PERSON:

at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC

Information on the operation of the SEC's public reference room may be obtained
by calling 1-202-942-8090.

BY MAIL:

Public Reference Section
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549-6009
(duplicating fee required)

ON THE INTERNET OR BY E-MAIL:

INTERNET:

www.sec.gov

E-MAIL:

[email protected]

Requests which are made by e-mail r equire the payment of a duplicating fee to
the SEC to obtain a document.

SEC FILE NUMBERS:

Premium Focus HLS Fund 811-08629
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
FOR USE WITH THE HARTFORD
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS
AND CERTAIN QUALIFIED
RETIREMENT PLANS
CLASS IB SHARES
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
PROSPECTUS
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
EFFECTIVE [ ],
2000
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS

CLASS IB SHARES
PROSPECTUS
[ ], 2000

HARTFORD SERIES FUND, INC.

PREMIUM FOCUS HLS FUND

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
C/O INDIVIDUAL ANNUITY SERVICES
P.O. BOX 5085
HARTFORD, CT 06102-5085
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION
------------------------------------------------------------

The Hartford HLS Funds is a family of twenty-one mutual funds (each a "fund" and
together the "funds") which serve as underlying investment options for certain
variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of Hartford Life
Insurance Company and its affiliates ("Hartford Life") and certain qualified
retirement plans. Owners of variable annuity contracts and variable life
insurance contracts may choose the funds permitted in the accompanying contract
prospectus. In addition, participants in certain qualified retirement plans may
choose the funds permitted in their plans. Each fund offers two classes of
shares: Class IB shares offered in this prospectus and Class IA shares offered
by another prospectus.

Hartford Series Fund, Inc. is comprised of nine investment portfolios, each of
which is a Hartford HLS Fund. This prospectus describes one of these funds.

The Class IB shares were first offered in April 1998. Class IA shares are
subject to the same expenses as the Class IB shares, but unlike the Class IB
shares, they are not subject to distribution fees imposed pursuant to a
distribution plan ("Distribution Plan") adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"). The Premium Focus HLS Fund is a
non-diversified fund. Information on the fund, including risk factors for
investing in diversified versus non-diversified funds, can be found on the pages
following this summary. HARTFORD LIFE ALSO SPONSORS A FAMILY OF MUTUAL FUNDS
KNOWN AS THE HARTFORD MUTUAL FUNDS, INC. WHICH ARE OFFERED DIRECTLY TO THE
PUBLIC (THE "RETAIL FUNDS"). THE RETAIL FUNDS ARE SEPARATE FUNDS AND SHOULD NOT
BE CONFUSED WITH THE HARTFORD HLS FUND INVESTMENT OPTIONS OFFERED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS.

2 HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
<PAGE>
CONTENTS PAGE
------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
A summary of the fund's goals, Hartford Premium Focus HLS Fund 4
strategies, risks, performance and
fees.

Other investment strategies and investment 6
Further information on the matters 7
fund. Management of the fund
Purchase and Redemption of fund shares 7
Determination of net asset value 9
Dividends and distributions 9
Exchange privileges 9
Federal income taxes 9
Brokerage commissions 10
Performance related information 10
Distributor, Custodian and Transfer Agent 10
For more information back cover
</TABLE>

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS 3
<PAGE>
HARTFORD PREMIUM FOCUS HLS FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INVESTMENT GOAL. The Hartford Premium Focus Fund seeks long-term capital
appreciation.

The key characteristics of growth companies in which the fund typically invests
include:

- Accelerating earnings and earnings per share growth

- A strong balance sheet combined with a high return on equity

- Unrecognized or undervalued assets

- A strong management team

- A leadership position within an industry

- Sustainable or increasing dividends

- Positive investor sentiment

The fund will consider selling a security when:

- Downside risk equals upside potential.

- Decreasing trend of earnings growth is exhibited

- Excessive valuations are reached

Annual portfolio turnover is expected to be in excess of 100%.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PAST PERFORMANCE. Because the fund has been in operation for less than one year
no performance history has been provided.

4 HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
<PAGE>
HARTFORD PREMIUM FOCUS HLS FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SHAREHOLDER FEES CLASS IB
(fees paid directly from your investment)

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Maximum sales charge (load) as a percentage of offering
price None
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) None
Exchange fees None
</TABLE>

ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
(expenses that are deducted from the fund's assets)

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Management fees 0.85%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees [ ]
Other expenses [ ]
Total operating expenses [ ]
Fee waiver [ ]
Net expenses(1) [ ]
</TABLE>

(1)Although the Rule 12b-1 fee for Class IB shares is 0.25% of average net
assets, the fund's distributor has contractually agreed to reduce the fee to
0.18% through at least April 30, 2002. This waiver may be discontinued at any
time thereafter.

EXAMPLE. This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in
the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes
that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then
redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes
that your investment has a 5% return each year, that the fund's operating
expenses remain the same and that you reinvest all dividends and distributions.
Because no sales charges apply to the Class IB shares you would have the same
expenses whether or not you redeemed your shares. Although your actual costs may
be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

EXPENSES CLASS IB
(with or without redemption)

[SIDE NOTE]

SUB-ADVISER

Wellington Management

PORTFOLIO MANAGER

Rand L. Alexander

- Senior Vice President of Wellington Management

- Joined Wellington Management in 1990

- Investment professional since 1976
[END SIDE NOTE]

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS 5
<PAGE>
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OTHER INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND INVESTMENT MATTERS

INVESTMENT RISKS GENERALLY

USE OF MONEY MARKET INVESTMENTS FOR TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE PURPOSES

USE OF OPTIONS, FUTURES AND OTHER DERIVATIVES

FOREIGN INVESTMENTS

6 HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
<PAGE>
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
addition, there is generally less government regulation of stock exchanges,
brokers, and listed and unlisted issuers in foreign countries than in the United
States. Furthermore, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is a
possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, imposition of withholding
taxes on dividend or interest payments, limitations on the removal of cash or
other assets of the fund, or political or social instability or diplomatic
developments which could affect investments in those countries. Individual
foreign economies also may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy
in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital
reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position.

ABOUT THE FUND'S INVESTMENT GOAL

The fund's investment goal may be changed without the approval of the
shareholders of the fund. The fund may not be able to achieve its goal.

EXPENSE CONSEQUENCES OF PORTFOLIO TRADING PRACTICES

At times the fund may engage in short-term trading, which could produce higher
brokerage expenses for the fund and thus lowering the fund's performance.

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

TERMS USED IN THIS PROSPECTUS
Equity Securities: Equity Securities include common stock, preferred stock,
securities convertible into common stock and warrants or rights to acquire
common stock.

Foreign Issuers: (1) Companies organized outside the United States, (2)
companies whose securities are principally traded outside the United States, and
(3) foreign governments and agencies or instrumentalities of foreign
governments.

Non-Dollar Securities: Securities denominated or quoted in foreign currency or
paying income in foreign currency.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND

THE INVESTMENT ADVISER

HL Investment Advisors, LLC ("HL Advisors") is the investment adviser to the
fund. As investment adviser, HL Advisors is responsible for supervising the
activities of the investment sub-adviser described below. In addition, Hartford
Life serves as the administrator of the fund. HL Advisors and Hartford Life are
majority-owned indirect subsidiaries of The Hartford Financial Services Group,
Inc. ("The Hartford"), a Connecticut financial services company with over $165
billion in assets. As of December 31, 1999 HL Advisors had over $40 billion in
assets under management. HL Advisors is principally located at 200 Hopmeadow
Street, Simsbury, Connecticut 06070.

THE INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISER

Wellington Management Company, LLP is the investment sub-adviser to the Premium
Focus HLS Fund.

MANAGEMENT FEES

The Fund pays a monthly advisory fee and administration fee to HL Advisors and
Hartford Life based on a stated percentage of the fund's average daily net asset
value as follows:

PREMIUM FOCUS FUND

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET ASSET VALUE ANNUAL RATE
--------------- -----------
<S> <C>
First $250 Million 0.85%
Next $250 Million 0.80%
Amount Over $500 Million 0.75%
</TABLE>

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS 7
<PAGE>
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
each class of its shares to certain qualified retirement plans (the "Plans").

The fund offers two different classes of shares -- Class IA and Class IB. Class
IB shares are offered by this prospectus. Class IA shares are offered by a
separate prospectus. For the fund, both classes of shares represent an
investment in the fund but are subject to different expenses and have different
prices and performance.

Shares of the fund are sold by Hartford Securities Distribution Company, Inc.
(the "Distributor") in a continuous offering to the Accounts and the Plans. Net
purchase payments under the variable contracts are placed in one or more
subaccounts of the Accounts and the assets of each subaccount are invested in
the shares of the fund corresponding to that subaccount. The Accounts and the
Plans purchase and redeem Class IB shares of the fund at net asset value without
sales or redemption charges.

DISTRIBUTION PLAN

Each fund has adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940
Act for the Class IB shares. Pursuant to the Distribution Plan, the fund
compensates the Distributor from assets attributable to the Class IB shares for
services rendered and expenses borne in connection with activities primarily
intended to result in the sale of the Class IB shares. It is anticipated that a
portion of the amounts received by the Distributor will be used to defray
various costs incurred or paid by the Distributor in connection with the
printing and mailing of fund prospectuses, statements of additional information,
any supplements to those documents and shareholder reports and holding seminars
and sales meetings with wholesale and retail sales personnel designed to promote
the distribution of Class IB shares. The Distributor may also use the amounts
received to provide compensation to financial intermediaries and third-party
broker-dealers for their services in connection with the distribution of Class
IB shares.

Although the Distribution Plan provides that the fund may pay annually up to
0.25% of its average daily net assets attributable to its Class IB shares for
activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Class IB shares, the
Distributor has contractually agreed to waive .07% of the fee at least through
April 30, 2002. This waiver may be discontinued at any time thereafter. Under
the terms of the Distribution Plan and the principal underwriting agreement, the
fund is authorized to make payments monthly to the Distributor which may be used
to pay or reimburse entities providing distribution and shareholder servicing
with respect to the Class IB shares for such entities' fees or expenses incurred
or paid in that regard.

The Distribution Plan is of a type known as a "compensation" plan because
payments are made for services rendered to the fund with respect to Class IB

8 HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
<PAGE>
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
shares regardless of the level of expenditures by the Distributor. The Directors
will, however, take into account such expenditures for purposes of reviewing
operations under the Distribution Plan and in connection with their annual
consideration of the Plan's renewal. The Distributor has indicated that it
expects its expenditures to include, without limitation: (a) the printing and
mailing of fund prospectuses, statements of additional information, any
supplements to those documents and shareholder reports for prospective owners of
variable contracts, insurance products and trustees or participants in qualified
retirement plans with respect to the Class IB shares of a fund; (b) those
relating to the development, preparation, printing and mailing of
advertisements, sales literature and other promotional materials describing
and/or relating to the Class IB shares of the fund; (c) holding seminars and
sales meetings designed to promote the distribution of fund Class IB shares; (d)
obtaining information and providing explanations to wholesale and retail
distributors of variable contracts regarding fund investment objectives and
policies and other information about the fund, including the performance of the
fund; (e) training sales personnel regarding the Class IB shares of the fund;
(f) compensation to financial intermediaries and third-party broker-dealers; and
(g) financing any other activity that the Distributor determines is primarily
intended to result in the sale of Class IB shares. Rule 12b-1 fees have the
effect of increasing operating expenses of the fund.

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

The net asset value per share is determined for the fund as of the close of the
New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each
business day that the NYSE is open. The net asset value is determined by
dividing the value of the fund's net assets attributable to a class of shares by
the number of shares outstanding for that class. The fund uses market prices in
valuing portfolio securities, but may use fair value estimates, as determined by
HL Advisors under the direction of the Board of Directors, if reliable market
prices are not available. Fair value pricing may be used by the fund when
current market values are unavailable or when an event occurs after the close of
the exchange on which the fund's portfolio securities are principally traded
that is likely to have changed the value of the securities. The use of fair
value pricing by a fund may cause the net asset value of its shares to differ
significantly from the net asset value that would be calculated using current
market values. Securities of foreign issuers and non-dollar securities are
valued on the basis of quotations from the primary market in which they are
traded, and are translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using
current exchange rates. With respect to the fund, short-term investments that
will mature in 60 days or less are also valued at amortized cost, which
approximates market value.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES

FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS 9
<PAGE>
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
income and net realized capital gains are distributed to the separate accounts
of insurance companies or to qualified plans. Further, the fund intends to meet
certain diversification requirements applicable to mutual funds underlying
variable life insurance and variable annuity contracts.

For more information about the tax status of the fund, see "Taxes" in the SAI.

BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS

VARIABLE CONTRACT OWNER VOTING RIGHTS

PLAN PARTICIPANT VOTING RIGHTS

PERFORMANCE RELATED INFORMATION

The fund may advertise performance related information. Performance information
about the fund is based on the fund's past performance only and is no indication
of future performance. The fund may include its total return in advertisements
or other sales material. When the fund advertises its total return, it will
usually be calculated for one year, five years, and ten years or some other
relevant period if the fund has not been in existence for at least ten years.
Total return is measured by comparing the value of an investment in the fund at
the beginning of the relevant period to the value of the investment at the end
of the period (assuming immediate reinvestment of any dividends or capital gains
distributions).

DISTRIBUTOR, CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT

Hartford Securities Distribution Company, Inc., 200 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury,
CT 06089, serves as distributor to the funds.

State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02110, serves as custodian of each fund's assets.

Hartford Life Insurance Company, 200 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT 06089,
serves as Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent for the funds.

10 HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
<PAGE>
FOR MORE INFORMATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two documents are available that offer further information on the Hartford HLS
Fund:

ANNUAL/SEMIANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI)

The SAI contains more detailed information on all aspects of the fund.

A current SAI and annual report have been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and are incorporated by reference into (are legally a part of) this
prospectus.

To request a free copy of the current annual/ semiannual report or the SAI,
please contact the fund at:

BY MAIL:

Hartford HLS Funds
c/o Individual Annuity Services
P.O. Box 5085
Hartford, CT 06102-5085

BY PHONE:

1-800-862-6668

ON THE INTERNET:

http://invest.hartfordlife.com

Or you may view or obtain these documents from the SEC:

IN PERSON:

at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC

Information on the operation of the SEC's public reference room may be obtained
by calling 1-202-942-8090.

BY MAIL:

Public Reference Section
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549-6009
(duplicating fee required)

ON THE INTERNET OR BY E-MAIL:

INTERNET:

www.sec.gov

E-MAIL:

[email protected]

Requests which are made by e-mail require the payment of a duplicating fee to
the SEC to obtain a document.

SEC FILE NUMBERS:

Premium Focus HLS Fund 811-08629
<PAGE>

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
FOR USE WITH THE HARTFORD
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS
AND CERTAIN QUALIFIED
RETIREMENT PLANS
CLASS IA SHARES

PROSPECTUS

EFFECTIVE [ ], 2000

<PAGE>
[THIS PAGE IS INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
<PAGE>
HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS

CLASS IA SHARES
PROSPECTUS
[ ], 2000

HARTFORD SERIES FUND, INC.

GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS HLS FUND

GLOBAL FINANCIAL SERVICES HLS FUND

GROWTH HLS FUND

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
C/O INDIVIDUAL ANNUITY SERVICES
P.O. BOX 5085
HARTFORD, CT 06102-5085
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION
------------------------------------------------------------

Hartford Series Fund, Inc. is comprised of nine investment portfolios, each of
which is a Hartford HLS Fund. This prospectus describes three of these funds.

The Growth HLS Fund is a diversified fund. The Global Communications HLS Fund
and Global Financial Services HLS Fund are non-diversified funds, which are
sometimes known as "sector funds." Information on each fund, including risk
factors for investing in diversified versus non-diversified funds, can be found
on the pages following this summary. HARTFORD LIFE ALSO SPONSORS A FAMILY OF
MUTUAL FUNDS KNOWN AS THE HARTFORD MUTUAL FUNDS, INC. WHICH ARE OFFERED DIRECTLY
TO THE PUBLIC (THE "RETAIL FUNDS"). THE RETAIL FUNDS ARE SEPARATE FUNDS AND
SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH THE HARTFORD HLS FUND INVESTMENT OPTIONS OFFERED IN
THIS PROSPECTUS.

The investment manager to each fund is HL Investment Advisors, LLC ("HL
Advisors"). The day-to-day portfolio management of the funds is provided by an
investment sub-adviser -- Wellington Management Company, LLP ("Wellington
Management"). Information regarding Wellington Management is included under
"Management of the Funds" in this prospectus.

Please note that mutual funds are not bank deposits and are not insured or
guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government
agency. Because you could lose money by investing in these funds, be sure to
read all risk disclosures carefully before investing.

2 HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
<PAGE>
CONTENTS PAGE
------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
A summary of each fund's goals, Hartford Global Communications HLS Fund 4
strategies, risks, performance and Hartford Global Financial Services HLS Fund 6
fees. Hartford Growth HLS Fund 8

Other investment strategies and investment 10
matters 12
Further information on the funds. Management of the funds
Purchase and redemption of fund shares 12
Determination of net asset value 13
Dividends and distributions 13
Exchange privileges 14
Federal income taxes 14
Brokerage commissions 14
Performance related information 14
Distributor, Custodian and Transfer Agent 15
For more information back cover
</TABLE>

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS 3
<PAGE>
HARTFORD GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS HLS FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INVESTMENT GOAL. The Hartford Global Communications Fund seeks long-term
capital appreciation.

INVESTMENT STRATEGY. Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 80%
of its total assets in equity securities of telecommunications companies
worldwide. The fund takes a broad approach to investing in the
telecommunications industry. It may invest in companies that: manufacture and
distribute telecommunications equipment; companies that provide traditional
local and long-distance telephone service and equipment; companies that provide
cellular, paging and local and wide area product networks or equipment;
companies that provide satellite, microwave and cable television or equipment;
and companies developing new telecommunications technologies.

The fund's investment process focuses on stock selection through fundamental
(qualitative) analysis. Fundamental analysis involves assessment of company-
specific factors such as business environment, management quality, balance
sheet, income statement, revenues, anticipated earnings and other related
measures and indicators of value. Wellington Management uses its in-depth
knowledge of the telecommunications industry to select companies with the
following attributes:

The current market price of its stock is at the low end of its historical
relative valuation range:

- A positive change in operating results is anticipated but not yet
reflected in the price of its stock

- Unrecognized or undervalued assets

- Management that demonstrates that it can convert the above factors into
shareholder value

The fund will consider selling a security when:

- Its target price is achieved

- Expectations of future earnings/returns of its issuer are reduced due to
fundamental changes in the issuer's business prospects

- Equity securities of other comparable issuers in the industry are
available at more attractive prices

The fund's portfolio is heavily concentrated in the telecommunications industry
and not considered diversified. Although the fund does not invest more than 10%
of its total assets in the securities of a single issuer, it often holds
relatively large positions in the securities of particular issuers. Except for
temporary defensive purposes, the fund remains substantially fully invested. The
fund may invest in securities of companies of any size capitalization. Annual
portfolio turnover is expected to be less than 100%.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Equity securities of small or mid-sized companies may be more risky than those
of larger companies. These companies may be young and have more limited
operating or business history. Because these businesses frequently rely on
narrower product lines and niche markets, they can suffer from isolated business
setbacks.

The fund's investments are concentrated in the telecommunications industry. This
means that the fund may have greater market fluctuation and price volatility
than a fund that maintains a more broadly diversified portfolio by investing
across a variety of industries. Financial, business and economic factors
affecting the telecommunications industry are likely to have a substantial
impact on the fund. Because market conditions, interest rates, economic,
regulatory and financial developments are likely to have similar effect on many
companies in the industry, they are likely to have a greater impact on a fund of
this kind than on a broadly diversified fund. Similarly, because the fund may
take larger positions in individual issuers than most mutual funds, it is
subject to greater financial risk.

Fierce competition in many sectors of the telecommunications industry may cause
companies to significantly reduce the prices of their products, which can reduce
the companies' profitability. Should this occur throughout the industry, the
value of the fund's investment portfolio could decline substantially. In
addition, companies in this industry can suffer significant adverse effects from
obsolescence of existing equipment, short product cycles and new market
entrants. Such effects could reduce such companies' profitability and the market
value of their securities. Finally, companies in this industry, particularly
telephone operating companies, are often subject to government regulation of
rates of return and services that can be offered. Overall, the fund's returns
may be more volatile than those of a fund that is not subject to these risk
factors.

Foreign investments may be more risky than domestic investments. Investments in
securities of foreign issuers and non-dollar securities may be affected by
fluctuations in currency exchange rates, incomplete or inaccurate financial
information on companies, social upheavals and political actions ranging from
tax-law changes to governmental collapse.

Wellington Management's investment strategy will significantly influence the
fund's performance. If Wellington's strategy for selecting individual securities
does not produce the desired results, the fund could underperform its peers or
lose money.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PAST PERFORMANCE. Because the fund has been in operation for less than one year
no performance history has been provided.

4 HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
<PAGE>
HARTFORD GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS HLS FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SHAREHOLDER FEES CLASS IA
(fees paid directly from your investment)

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Maximum sales charge (load) as a percentage of
offering price None
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) None
Exchange fees None

ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
(expenses that are deducted from the fund's assets)
Management fees 0.85%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees None
Other expenses [ ]
Total operating expenses [ ]
</TABLE>

EXPENSES CLASS IA
(with or without redemption)

[SIDE NOTE]

SUB-ADVISER

The fund is managed by Wellington Management using a team of its global industry
analysts that specialize in the telecommunications industry
[END SIDE NOTE]

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS 5
<PAGE>
HARTFORD GLOBAL FINANCIAL SERVICES HLS FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INVESTMENT GOAL. The Hartford Global Financial Services Fund seeks long-term
capital appreciation.
INVESTMENT STRATEGY. Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 80%
of its total assets in equity securities of financial services companies
worldwide. The fund takes a broad approach to investing in the financial
services industry. It may invest in banks, savings and loan associations (and
other thrifts), mortgage banking companies, insurance companies, securities
brokers, asset management companies, leasing companies and consumer and
industrial finance companies.
Because the financial services industry requires large pools of accumulated
capital and stable economic, legal and political institutions, the vast majority
of the world's market value in financial services stocks is located in North
America and western Europe. Therefore the fund invests most of its assets in
companies located in these two geographical regions. Wellington Management uses
its in-depth knowledge of the financial services industry to assess the
competitive situation and consolidation dynamics in each region.
The fund's investment process focuses on stock selection through fundamental
(qualitative) analysis. Fundamental analysis involves the assessment of
company-specific factors such as business environment, management quality,
balance sheet, income statement, revenues, anticipated earnings and other
related measures or indicators of value. Wellington Management uses this
'bottom-up' approach to identify stocks with a favorable risk/reward profile.
A stock is considered to have a strong risk/reward profile if its issuer
exhibits one or more of the following attributes:
- Management focuses on rewarding shareholders
- Market expectations of future earnings are too low
- Market value does not reflect the fact that earnings are understated due
to conservative accounting
- Market value does not reflect the true value of the issuer's component
businesses and there is some reason to believe that this disparity will
not persist
- It is an outstanding company but the stock is available at an average
price because of the market's temporary indifference to quality
- Its strength in a distinct product or geographic area makes it attractive
to potential acquirers
The fund will consider selling a security when:
- Its issuer's management has reverted to traditional attitudes towards
shareholder value
- Market expectations of future earnings are too high
- It can sell the security of an outstanding company at a significant
premium due to the market's temporary overemphasis on quality
- Market value exceeds the true value of the issuer's component businesses
- Market value does not reflect the fact that earnings are overstated due
to aggressive accounting
- Market value does not reflect the risk of potential problems in an
important business component
- Equity securities of other comparable issuers in the industry are
available at more attractive prices
The fund's portfolio is heavily concentrated in the financial services industry
and is not considered diversified. Although the fund does not invest more than
10% of its total assets in the securities of a single issuer, it often holds
relatively large positions in the securities of particular issuers. Except for
temporary defensive purposes, the fund remains substantially fully invested. The
fund may invest in securities of companies of any size capitalization. Annual
portfolio turnover is expected to be less than 100%.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MAIN RISKS. As with most equity funds, the value of your investment in the fund
may go down in response to overall stock market movements and trends. Because
the fund may invest in small, medium and large companies, its performance may be
more volatile than that of a fund that invests primarily in larger companies.
You could lose money as a result of your investment.
Equity securities of small or mid-sized companies may be more risky than those
of larger companies. These companies may be young and have more limited
operating or business history. Because these businesses frequently rely on
narrower product lines and niche markets, they can suffer from isolated business
setbacks.
The fund's investments are concentrated in the financial services industry. This
means that the fund may have greater market fluctuation and price volatility
than a fund that maintains a more broadly diversified portfolio by investing
across a variety of industries. Financial, business and economic factors
affecting the financial services industry are likely to have a substantial
impact on the fund. Because market conditions, interest rates, economic,
regulatory and financial developments are likely to have similar effect on many
companies in the industry, they are likely to have a greater impact on a fund of
this kind than on a broadly diversified fund. Similarly, because the Fund may
take larger positions in individual issuers than most mutual funds, it is
subject to greater financial risk.
Each sector of the financial services industry is subject to extensive
government regulation which can limit the amounts and types of loans and other
financial commitments that companies can make, the interest rates and fees that
they can charge, and the manner in which they distribute their products.
Profitability can be largely dependent on the availability and cost of capital
and can fluctuate significantly when interest rates change. Credit losses
resulting from financial difficulties of borrowers can negatively affect lending
institutions. Insurance companies can be subject to severe price competition.
The financial services industry generally is undergoing rapid change as existing
distinctions between financial service sectors diminish. For example, recent
mergers have combined insurance, finance and securities brokerage under single
ownership. Likewise, some primarily retail companies have expanded into the
securities brokerage and insurance sectors.
Foreign investments may be more risky than domestic investments. Investments in
securities of foreign issuers and non-dollar securities may be affected by
fluctuations in currency exchange rates, incomplete or inaccurate financial
information on companies, social upheavals and political actions ranging from
tax law changes to governmental collapse.
Wellington Management's investment strategy will significantly influence the
fund's performance. If Wellington's strategy for selecting individual securities
does not produce the desired results, the fund could underperform its peers or
lose money.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PAST PERFORMANCE. Because the fund has been in operation for less than one year
no performance history has been provided.

6 HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
<PAGE>
HARTFORD GLOBAL FINANCIAL SERVICES HLS FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SHAREHOLDER FEES CLASS IA
(fees paid directly from your investment)

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Maximum sales charge (load) as a percentage of
offering price None
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) None
Exchange fees None

ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
(expenses that are deducted from the fund's assets)
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Management fees 0.85%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees None
Other expenses [ ]
Total operating expenses [ ]
</TABLE>

EXPENSES CLASS IA
(with or without redemption)

[SIDE NOTE]

SUB-ADVISER

The fund is managed by Wellington Management using a team of its global industry
analysts that specialize in the financial services industry.

[END SIDE NOTE]

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS 7
<PAGE>
HARTFORD GROWTH HLS FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INVESTMENT GOAL. The Hartford Growth Fund seeks maximum long-term capital
appreciation.

INVESTMENT STRATEGY. Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 80%
of its total assets in large capitalization (stocks comprising the S&P 500
Index) and blue chip equity securities representing all major sectors of the
U.S. economy. The fund's holdings emphasize securities of growth oriented
companies with market capitalizations in excess of $10 billion. The fund may
invest up to [20]% of its total assets in the securities of foreign issuers and
non-dollar securities.

Wellington Management uses a two-phase investment strategy. Using what is
sometimes called a "top down" approach, Wellington Management analyzes the
general economic and investment environment by evaluating such things as
economic conditions, U.S. fiscal and monetary policy, demographic trends and
investor sentiment. Through this process Wellington Management tries to
anticipate trends and changes in various markets and in the overall economy to
identify industries and sectors that will outperform the U.S. economy.

The key characteristics of growth companies favored by the fund include:

- Accelerating earnings and earnings per share growth

- A strong balance sheet combined with a high return on equity

- Unrecognized or undervalued assets

- A strong management team

- A leadership position within an industry

The fund will consider selling a security when:

- Confidence in management is lost

- Expectations of future earnings/returns of its issuer are reduced due to
fundamental changes in the issuer's business prospects

- Equity securities of other issuers in the industry are available at more
attractive prices

Annual portfolio turnover is expected to be less than 100%.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The fund's focus on large capitalization growth companies significantly
influences its performance. Large capitalization stocks as a group can fall out
of favor with the market causing the fund to perform more poorly than funds that
focus on medium or small capitalization stocks. Likewise, the securities of
growth oriented companies can fall out of favor with the market with the same
results. An investment in the fund entails substantial market risk.

Wellington Management's strategy of combining top down and bottom up approaches
also has a significant impact on the fund's performance. If the strategy does
not produce the desired results, the fund could underperform its peers or lose
money. In particular, the fund's success in achieving its goal is highly
dependent on Wellington Management's successful reliance on fundamental analysis
of the prospects of particular companies. Therefore, an investment in the fund
also entails significant financial risk related to such companies.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PAST PERFORMANCE. Because the fund has been in operation for less than one year
no performance history has been provided.

8 HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
<PAGE>
HARTFORD GROWTH HLS FUND
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SHAREHOLDER FEES CLASS IA
(fees paid directly from your investment)

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Maximum sales charge (load) as a percentage of
offering price None
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) None
Exchange fees None
</TABLE>

ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
(expenses that are deducted from the fund's assets)

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Management fees 0.775%
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees None
Other expenses [ ]
Total operating expenses [ ]
</TABLE>

EXPENSES CLASS IA
(with or without redemption)

[SIDE NOTE]

SUB-ADVISER

Wellington Management

PORTFOLIO MANAGER

Andrew J. Shilling

- Vice President of Wellington Management

- Joined Wellington Management in 1994

- Investment professional since 1990
[END SIDE NOTE]

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS 9
<PAGE>
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FUNDS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OTHER INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND INVESTMENT MATTERS

INVESTMENT RISKS GENERALLY

There is no assurance that a fund will achieve its investment objective or
objectives, and investors should not consider any one fund alone to be a
complete investment program. As with all mutual funds, there is a risk that an
investor could lose money by investing in a fund.

The different types of securities, investments, and investment techniques used
by each fund all have attendant risks of varying degrees. For example, with
respect to equity securities, there can be no assurance of capital appreciation
and an investment in any stock is subject to the risk that the stock market as a
whole may decline, thereby depressing the stock's price (market risk), or the
risk that the price of a particular issuer's stock may decline due to its
financial results (financial risk). With respect to debt securities, there
exists the risk that the issuer of a security may not be able to meet its
obligations on interest or principal payments at the time required by the
instrument (credit risk, a type of financial risk). In addition, the value of
debt instruments and other income-bearing securities generally rises and falls
inversely with prevailing current interest rates (interest rate risk, a type of
market risk). As described below, an investment in certain of the funds entails
special additional risks as a result of their ability to invest a substantial
portion of their assets in foreign investments, or securities of issuers in the
same industry.

USE OF MONEY MARKET INVESTMENTS FOR TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE PURPOSES

From time to time, as part of its principal investment strategy, each fund may
invest some or all of its assets in high quality money market securities for
temporary defensive purposes in response to adverse market, economic or
political conditions. To the extent that a fund is in a defensive position, it
may lose the benefit of upswings and limit its ability to meet its investment
objective.

USE OF OPTIONS, FUTURES AND OTHER DERIVATIVES

Although not a principal investment strategy, each fund may purchase and sell
options, enter into futures contracts or utilize other derivatives with respect
to stocks, bonds, groups of securities (such as financial indices), foreign
currencies or interest rates. These techniques, which are incidental to each
fund's primary strategy, permit a fund to gain exposure to a particular
security, group of securities, interest rate or index, and thereby have the
potential for a fund to earn returns that are similar to those which would be
earned by direct investments in those securities or instruments.

These techniques are also used to manage risk by hedging a fund's portfolio
investments. Hedging techniques may not always be available to the funds; and it
may not always be feasible for a fund to use hedging techniques even when they
are available.

Derivatives have risks, however. If the issuer of the derivative instrument does
not pay the amount due, a fund could lose money on the instrument. In addition,
the underlying security or investment on which the derivative is based, and the
derivative itself, may not perform the way the manager expected. As a result,
the use of these techniques may result in losses to a fund or increase
volatility in a fund's performance.

FOREIGN INVESTMENTS

10 HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
<PAGE>
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FUNDS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY

The financial service industry is subject to extensive government regulation,
can be subject to relatively rapid change due to increasingly blurred
distinctions between service segments and can be significantly affected by
availability and cost of capital, changes in interest rates and price
competition. In addition, various segments of this industry are subject to risks
specific to their businesses.

The banking industry will be significantly affected by the recent adoption of
federal legislation that has diminished the separation between commercial and
investment banking businesses and changed the laws governing capitalization and
the savings and loan industry. While providing diversification, this legislation
could expose banks to well-financed competitors, particularly as the historical
distinctions between banks and other financial institutions erode. Increased
competition can also result from the broadening of regional and national
interstate banking powers, which has already reduced the number of publicly
traded banks. In addition, general economic conditions greatly impact banks that
face exposure to credit losses and banks can be significantly affected by
interest rate changes.

The brokerage and investment management industry (and certain segments of the
life insurance industry) is significantly affected by changes in government
regulations, brokerage commission structure, large capital requirements and a
very competitive environment. The performance of companies in the brokerage and
investment management businesses can be closely tied to the performance of the
securities markets and can suffer substantially during market declines. Revenues
can also depend on overall market activity.

The insurance industry can be significantly affected by interest rates, general
economic conditions, and price and marketing competition. Property and casualty
insurance profits can be affected by weather catastrophes and other natural
disasters. Life and health insurance profits can be affected by mortality and
morbidity rates. Insurance companies can be adversely affected by inadequacy of
reserves and cash flows, the inability of reinsurance carriers to pay claims,
liability for coverage of environmental clean-up costs from past years, and as
yet unidentified liabilities. Also, insurance companies are subject to extensive
government regulation, including the imposition of maximum rate levels, and can
be adversely affected by proposed or potential tax law changes. For example,
possible changes in government regulations affecting the health care system
could have a dramatic impact on the health insurance industry in the future.

The residential finance and mortgage industry can be significantly affected by
changes in government regulation, interest rate movements, home mortgage demand,
refinancing activity, and residential delinquency trends. The residential real
estate finance industry has changed rapidly over the last decade. Regulatory
changes at federally insured institutions (in response to high failure rates)
have mandated higher capital ratios and more prudent lending. Reduced capacity
among insured institutions has created growth opportunities for uninsured
companies and secondary market products to fulfill unmet demand for home
finance. Change continues in the origination, packaging, selling, holding and
insuring of home finance products.

ABOUT EACH FUND'S INVESTMENT GOAL

Each fund's investment goal may be changed without the approval of the
shareholders of the fund. A fund may not be able to achieve its goal.

EXPENSE CONSEQUENCES OF PORTFOLIO TRADING PRACTICES

At times each fund may engage in short-term trading, which could produce higher
brokerage expenses for a fund and thus lowering a fund's performance.

ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS 11
<PAGE>
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FUNDS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
techniques, together with their risks are discussed in the fund's Statement of
Additional Information which may be obtained free of charge by contacting the
fund (see back cover for address and phone number).

TERMS USED IN THIS PROSPECTUS

Equity Securities: Equity Securities include common stock, preferred stock,
securities convertible into common stock and warrants or rights to acquire
common stock.

Non-Dollar Securities: Securities denominated or quoted in foreign currency or
paying income in foreign currency.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

THE INVESTMENT ADVISER

HL Investment Advisors, LLC ("HL Advisors") is the investment adviser to each
fund. As investment adviser, HL Advisors is responsible for supervising the
activities of the investment sub-adviser described below. In addition, Hartford
Life serves as the administrator of each fund. HL Advisors and Hartford Life are
majority-owned indirect subsidiaries of The Hartford Financial Services
Group, Inc. ("The Hartford"), a Connecticut financial services company with over
$165 billion in assets. As of December 31, 1999 HL Advisors had over $40 billion
in assets under management. HL Advisors is principally located at 200 Hopmeadow
Street, Simsbury, Connecticut 06070.

THE INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISERS

Wellington Management Company, LLP is the investment sub-adviser to the Global
Communications HLS Fund, Global Financial Services HLS Fund and Growth HLS Fund.

MANAGEMENT FEES

Each Fund pays a monthly advisory fee and administration fee to HL Advisors and
Hartford Life based on a stated percentage of the fund's average daily net asset
value as follows:

GROWTH FUND

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET ASSET VALUE ANNUAL RATE
--------------- -----------
<S> <C>
First $250 Million 0.775%
Next $250 Million 0.725%
Next $500 Million 0.675%
Amount Over $1 Billion 0.625%
</TABLE>

GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS FUND AND GLOBAL FINANCIAL SERVICES FUND

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET ASSET VALUE ANNUAL RATE
--------------- -----------
<S> <C>
First $250 Million 0.85%
Next $250 Million 0.80%
Amount Over $500 Million 0.75%
</TABLE>

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF FUND SHARES

The funds offer each class of their shares to variable annuity and variable life
insurance separate accounts of Hartford Life (the "Accounts") as investment
options for certain variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance
contracts ("variable contracts") issued through the Accounts. The funds also
offer each class of its shares to certain qualified retirement plans (the
"Plans").

The funds offer two different classes of shares -- Class IA and Class IB.
Class IA shares are offered by this prospectus. Class IB shares are offered by a
separate prospectus. For each fund, both classes of shares represent an
investment in the fund but are subject to different expenses and have different
prices and performance.

Most of the Accounts are registered with the SEC as investment companies. When
shares of a fund are offered as investment options for variable contracts issued
through such an Account, a separate prospectus describing the particular Account
and contract will accompany this prospectus. When shares of a fund are offered
as investment options for variable contracts issued through an Account that is
not so registered, a separate disclosure document (rather than a prospectus)
describing that Account and contract will accompany this prospectus.

Shares of the funds are sold by Hartford Securities Distribution Company, Inc.
(the "Distributor") in a continuous offering to the Accounts and the Plans. Net
purchase payments under the variable contracts

12 HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
<PAGE>
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FUNDS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
are placed in one or more subaccounts of the Accounts and the assets of each
subaccount are invested in the shares of the fund corresponding to that
subaccount. The Accounts and the Plans purchase and redeem Class IA shares of
the funds at net asset value without sales or redemption charges.

For each day on which a fund's net asset value is calculated, the Accounts
transmit to the fund any orders to purchase or redeem shares of the fund based
on the net purchase payments, redemption (surrender or withdrawal) requests, and
transfer requests from variable contract owners, annuitants and beneficiaries
that have been processed by Hartford Life as of that day. Similarly, the Plans
transmit to a fund any orders to purchase or redeem shares of the fund based on
the instructions of Plan trustees or participants. The Accounts and Plans
purchase and redeem shares of the funds at the net asset value per share
calculated as of the day that the funds receive the order, although such
purchases and redemptions may be executed the next morning. Payment for shares
redeemed is made within seven days after receipt of notice of redemption, except
that payments of redemptions may be postponed beyond seven days when permitted
by applicable laws and regulations.

A potential for certain conflicts exists between the interests of variable
annuity contract owners and variable life insurance contract owners invested in
a particular fund. Likewise, a potential for certain conflicts exists between
the interests of owners of variable contracts and those of participants in a
Plan that invests in a fund. To the extent that such classes of investors are
invested in the same fund when a conflict of interest arises that might involve
the fund, one or more of such classes of investors could be disadvantaged. The
funds currently do not foresee any such conflict or disadvantage to owners of
variable contracts or Plan participants. Nonetheless, the funds' Board of
Directors will monitor each fund for the existence of any irreconcilable
material conflicts among or between the interests of various classes of
investors. If such a conflict affecting owners of variable contracts is
determined to exist, Hartford Life will, to the extent reasonably practicable,
take such action as is necessary to remedy or eliminate the conflict. If such a
conflict were to occur, one or more Accounts may be required to withdraw its
investment in one or more of the funds or substitute shares of another fund for
the current fund. This, in turn, could cause a fund to sell portfolio securities
at a disadvantageous price.

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

The net asset value per share is determined for each fund as of the close of the
New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on each
business day that the NYSE is open. The net asset value is determined by
dividing the value of the fund's net assets attributable to a class of shares by
the number of shares outstanding for that class. The funds use market prices in
valuing portfolio securities, but may use fair value estimates, as determined by
HL Advisors under the direction of the Board of Directors, if reliable market
prices are not available. Fair value pricing may be used by a fund when current
market values are unavailable or when an event occurs after the close of the
exchange on which the fund's portfolio securities are principally traded that is
likely to have changed the value of the securities. The use of fair value
pricing by a fund may cause the net asset value of its shares to differ
significantly from the net asset value that would be calculated using current
market values. Securities of foreign issuers and non-dollar securities are
valued on the basis of quotations from the primary market in which they are
traded, and are translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using
current exchange rates. With respect to all funds, short-term investments that
will mature in 60 days or less are also valued at amortized cost, which
approximates market value.

A fund may invest in securities primarily traded in foreign securities markets.
Foreign securities markets may trade on days when a fund does not compute its
net asset value or may close (generating closing prices) at times before or
after the NYSE. Consequently, the net asset value of a fund and the value of its
shares may change on days, or at times, when an investor cannot redeem the
fund's shares. Conversely, events affecting the values of securities of foreign
issuers and non-dollar securities that occur after the close of regular trading
on the NYSE will not be reflected in a fund's net asset value.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

The shareholders of each fund are entitled to receive such dividends and
distributions as may be declared by each fund's Board of Directors, from time to
time based upon the investment performance of the assets making up that fund's
portfolio. The current policy for each fund is to pay dividends from net
investment income and to make distributions of realized capital gains, if any,
at least once each year.

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS 13
<PAGE>
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FUNDS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES

Variable contract owners may exchange shares in each fund as indicated by the
accompanying variable contract prospectus. The funds are intended to be
long-term investment vehicles and are not designed to provide investors with a
means of speculating on short-term market movements. Investors who engage in
excessive transfers in and out of a fund generate additional costs which are
borne by all of the funds' shareholders. In order to minimize such costs, the
funds reserve the right to reject any purchase request that is reasonably deemed
to be disruptive to efficient portfolio management, either because of the timing
of the investment or previous excessive trading by a variable contract owner.

FEDERAL INCOME TAXES

For federal income tax purposes, each fund is treated as a separate taxpayer.
Each fund intends to qualify each year as a "regulated investment company" under
the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the "Code"). By so qualifying, a fund is
not subject to federal income tax to the extent that its net investment income
and net realized capital gains are distributed to the separate accounts of
insurance companies or to qualified plans. Further, each fund intends to meet
certain diversification requirements applicable to mutual funds underlying
variable life insurance and variable annuity contracts.

The Shareholders of the funds are qualified pension and profit sharing plans and
the separate accounts of life insurance companies. Under current law, plan
participants and owners of variable life insurance and annuity contracts which
have invested in a fund are not subject to federal income tax on fund
distributions or on gains realized upon the sale or redemption of fund shares
until they are withdrawn from the plan or contracts. For information concerning
the federal tax consequences to the purchasers of the variable annuity or
variable life insurance contracts, see the prospectus for such contract.

For more information about the tax status of the Funds, see "Taxes" in the SAI.

BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS

VARIABLE CONTRACT OWNER VOTING RIGHTS

PLAN PARTICIPANT VOTING RIGHTS

PERFORMANCE RELATED INFORMATION

The funds may advertise performance related information. Performance information
about a fund is based on the fund's past performance only and is no indication
of future performance.

Each fund may include its total return in advertisements or other sales
material. When a fund advertises its total return, it will usually be calculated
for one year, five years, and ten years or some other relevant period if the
fund has not been in existence for at least ten years. Total return is measured
by comparing the value of an investment in the fund at the beginning of the
relevant period to the value of the investment at the end of the period
(assuming immediate reinvestment of any dividends or capital gains
distributions).

The funds are offered exclusively through variable insurance products and to
certain qualified retirement plans. Performance information presented for the
funds should not be compared directly with performance information of other
insurance products or retirement plans without taking into account charges and
expenses payable with respect to these insurance products or retirement plans.
Such charges and expenses are not reflected in the funds'

14 HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
<PAGE>
FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE FUNDS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
performance information and will reduce an investor's return under the variable
contracts or retirement plans.

DISTRIBUTOR, CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT

Hartford Securities Distribution Company, Inc., 200 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury,
CT 06089, serves as distributor to the funds.

State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02110, serves as custodian of each fund's assets.

Hartford Life Insurance Company, 200 Hopmeadow Street, Simsbury, CT 06089,
serves as Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent for the funds.

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS 15
<PAGE>
FOR MORE INFORMATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two documents are available that offer further information on the Hartford HLS
Funds:

ANNUAL/SEMIANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS

Additional information on the funds is contained in the financial statements and
portfolio holdings of the funds' annual and semiannual report. In the fund's
annual report you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment
strategies that significantly affected performance during the last fiscal year,
and the auditor's report.

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI)

The SAI contains more detailed information on all aspects of the funds.

A current SAI and annual report have been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and are incorporated by reference into (are legally a part of) this
prospectus.

To request a free copy of the current annual/ semiannual report or the SAI,
please contact the funds at:

BY MAIL:

Hartford HLS Funds
c/o Individual Annuity Services
P.O. Box 5085
Hartford, CT 06102-5085

BY PHONE:

1-800-862-6668

ON THE INTERNET:

http://invest.hartfordlife.com

Or you may view or obtain these documents from the SEC:

IN PERSON:

at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, DC

Information on the operation of the SEC's public reference room may be obtained
by calling 1-202-942-8090.

BY MAIL:

Public Reference Section
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC 20549-6009
(duplicating fee required)

ON THE INTERNET OR BY E-MAIL:

INTERNET:

www.sec.gov

E-MAIL:

[email protected]

Requests which are made by e-mail require the payment of a duplicating fee to
the SEC to obtain a document.

SEC FILE NUMBERS:

Global Communications HLS Fund 811-08629
Global Financial Services HLS Fund 811-08629
Growth HLS Fund 811-08629
<PAGE>

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
FOR USE WITH THE HARTFORD
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS
AND CERTAIN QUALIFIED
RETIREMENT PLANS
CLASS IB SHARES

PROSPECTUS

EFFECTIVE [ ], 2000
<PAGE>
HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS

CLASS IB SHARES
PROSPECTUS
[ ], 2000

HARTFORD SERIES FUND, INC.

GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS HLS FUND

GLOBAL FINANCIAL SERVICES HLS FUND

GROWTH HLS FUND

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
C/O INDIVIDUAL ANNUITY SERVICES
P.O. BOX 5085
HARTFORD, CT 06102-5085
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION
------------------------------------------------------------

The Hartford HLS Funds is a family of twenty-one mutual funds (each a "fund" and
together the "funds") which serve as underlying investment options for certain
variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of Hartford Life
Insurance Company and its affiliates ("Hartford Life") and certain qualified
retirement plans. Owners of variable annuity contracts and variable life
insurance contracts may choose the funds permitted in the accompanying contract
prospectus. In addition, participants in certain qualified retirement plans may
choose the funds permitted in their plans. Each fund offers two classes of
shares: Class IB shares offered in this prospectus and Class IA shares offered
by another prospectus.

Hartford Series Fund, Inc. is comprised of nine investment portfolios, each of
which is a Hartford HLS Fund. This prospectus describes three of these funds.

The Class IB shares were first offered in April 1998. Class IA shares are
subject to the same expenses as the Class IB shares, but unlike the Class IB
shares, they are not subject to distribution fees imposed pursuant to a
distribution plan ("Distribution Plan") adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"). The Growth HLS Fund is a
diversified fund. The Global Communications HLS Fund and Global Financial
Services HLS Fund are non-diversified funds, which are sometimes known as
"sector funds." Information on each fund, including risk factors for investing
in diversified versus non-diversified funds, can be found on the
pages following this summary. HARTFORD LIFE ALSO SPONSORS A FAMILY OF MUTUAL
FUNDS KNOWN AS THE HARTFORD MUTUAL FUNDS, INC. WHICH ARE OFFERED DIRECTLY TO THE
PUBLIC (THE "RETAIL FUNDS"). THE RETAIL FUNDS ARE SEPARATE FUNDS AND SHOULD NOT
BE CONFUSED WITH THE HARTFORD HLS FUND INVESTMENT OPTIONS OFFERED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS.

Please note that mutual funds are not bank deposits and are not insured or
guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government
agency. Because you could lose money by investing in these funds, be sure to
read all risk disclosures carefully before investing.

2 HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS
<PAGE>
CONTENTS PAGE
------------------------------------------------------------

Other investment strategies and investment 10
Further information on the matters 12
funds. Management of the fund
Purchase and Redemption of fund shares 12
Determination of net asset value 14
Dividends and distributions 14
Exchange privileges 14
Federal income taxes 14
Brokerage commissions 15
Performance related information 15
Distributor, Custodian and Transfer Agent 15
For more information back cover
</TABLE>

HARTFORD HLS MUTUAL FUNDS 3
<PAGE>
HARTFORD GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS HLS FUND
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INVESTMENT GOAL. The Hartford Global Communications Fund seeks long-term
capital appreciation.

- The current market price of its stock is at the low end of its historical
relative valuation range