VANGUARD MONEY MARKET RESERVES INC
497, 1996-05-15
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<PAGE>   1





                            FUND PROFILE PROSPECTUS
                                      FOR

                                     [LOGO]

                                  MONEY MARKET
                                    RESERVES
                                PRIME PORTFOLIO

                                  May 15, 1996

                         The Prime Portfolio is part of
                        Vanguard Money Market Reserves,
                      which also includes the Federal and
                           U.S. Treasury Portfolios.


                                     [LOGO]
<PAGE>   2


1        OBJECTIVE

Vanguard Money Market Reserves Prime Portfolio seeks to provide maximum current
income while preserving your investment and protecting your ability to convert
to cash when needed.* The Portfolio may not meet this objective.

2        INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Prime Portfolio invests in high-quality money market obligations issued by
banks and other financial institutions, nonfinancial corporations, and the
U.S., state, and municipal governments and their agencies.

The Portfolio seeks an average maturity of 90 days or less, and maintains the
following quality ratings:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    MONEY MARKET                                                        MINIMUM
    OBLIGATIONS                                                     QUALITY RATINGS**
    -----------                                                     -----------------
    <S>                                                             <C>
    Certificates of Deposit (CDs)                                   A-1
    Commercial Paper
     (short-term promissory notes)                                  Prime-1
    Short-Term Corporate Obligations                                Aa3
</TABLE>

3        RISKS

Investors in the Portfolio are exposed to:

  o      A VERY LOW degree of interest rate risk because the short-term nature
         of the Portfolio's investments tends to minimize the impact of
         interest rate changes.

  o      A HIGH degree of income risk (the possibility that the Portfolio's
         income will fluctuate when interest rates change).

  o      A LOW degree of credit risk (the possibility that the issuer of a
         money market instrument will fail to repay interest and principal)
         because of the high quality of the Portfolio's securities.


*An investment in a money market fund is neither insured nor guaranteed by the
U.S. Government, and there is no assurance that the fund will be able to
maintain a stable net asset value of $1.00 per share.
**As rated by Moody's Investors Services, Inc.
<PAGE>   3
4        APPROPRIATENESS
This Portfolio may be suitable for investors who . . .

  o      Are seeking a market rate of income in very short-term securities.

  o      Want to protect the value of their investment.

  o      Have short-term goals or need a temporary place to hold money.

The Portfolio is not suitable for investors who . . .

  o      Want a steady level of income.

  o      Are seeking capital growth.

5        FEES AND EXPENSES

The Prime Portfolio--like all Vanguard Funds--is offered on a pure no-load
basis (that is, the Portfolio has no 12b-1 fees or charges to buy or sell
shares).

The Portfolio's operating expenses are deducted from its total assets before
daily share prices and income distributions are calculated. The Portfolio's
expense ratio for fiscal year 1995 was 0.32% of assets.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
    --------------------------------------------------
    <S>                                          <C>
    Investment Advisory Fees  . . . . . . . .    0.01%
    Distribution Costs  . . . . . . . . . . .    0.03
    Other Expenses  . . . . . . . . . . . . .    0.28
    TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES  . . . . . . . .    0.32%
                                                ======
</TABLE>

The following example illustrates the expenses that you would incur on a $1,000
investment over various periods, assuming (1) a 5% annual rate of return and
(2) redemption at the end of each period.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   1 YEAR        3 YEARS        5 YEARS       10 YEARS
   ---------------------------------------------------
     <S>           <C>            <C>            <C>
     $3            $10            $18            $41
</TABLE>

This example should not be considered a representation of past or future
expenses or performance. Actual expenses may be higher or lower than those
shown.

<PAGE>   4
6        PAST PERFORMANCE

                                  Performance
                          Annual Returns (%) 1986-1995

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            1986         1987       1988        1989        1990        1991         1992         1993        1994         1995
           <S>          <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>
           6.6-6.3      6.6-6.1    7.6-7.0     9.4-8.8     8.3-7.8     6.1-5.7      3.7-3.3      3.0-2.6     4.1-3.7      5.-5.4
</TABLE>


                              Performance Summary
                         (Periods ended March 31, 1996)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
                                         PRIME                               LIPPER
                                       PORTFOLIO                            AVERAGE+
<S>                                      <C>                                 <C>
1 Year                                   +5.7%                               +5.2%
5 Years                                  +4.5%                               +4.0%
10 Years                                 +6.1%                               +5.6%
</TABLE>

Performance figures include the reinvestment of all dividends. All returns are
net of expenses. The performance data quoted represent past performance; future
returns will fluctuate.


                        Annualized current yield for the
                     seven-day period ended March 31, 1996:

                                     5.02%

                     For the latest yield, call Vanguard at
                                 1-800-662-7447

    The average annualized current yield represents the Portfolio's average
    income less all expenses for the seven-day period, annualized by 365 days
    and divided by the average total net assets over the same period.

+Lipper Non-Government Money Market Funds Average is an industry benchmark of
non-government money market funds with similar investment objectives and
policies, as measured by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc.

<PAGE>   5
7        INVESTMENT ADVISER

The Portfolio is managed by Vanguard Fixed Income Group, which manages total
assets of some $70 billion.

8        PURCHASES

You may purchase shares by mail, wire, or exchange from another Vanguard Fund.
The minimum initial investment is $3,000 ($1,000 for IRAs and accounts for
minors).

9        REDEMPTIONS

You may redeem shares by writing a check ($250 minimum), sending a letter to,
or calling Vanguard.

10       DISTRIBUTIONS

Dividends are declared each business day and are paid on the first business day
of each month. Dividend distributions can be automatically reinvested or
received in cash. Dividend distributions are taxable to you whether reinvested
in additional shares or received in cash.

11       OTHER SERVICES

  o      Free checkwriting.

  o      Vanguard Fund Express(R)--electronic transfers between your bank
         account and the Portfolio.

  o      Vanguard Tele-Account(R)--around-the-clock access to Vanguard Fund
         information, account balances, and some transactions by calling
         1-800-662-6273 (ON-BOARD).

  o      Investor Information--toll-free access to Vanguard Associates by
         calling 1-800-662-7447 (SHIP).
<PAGE>   6

 This Fund Profile contains key information about the Portfolio. If you would
          like more information before you invest, please consult the
 Portfolio's prospectus. For details about the Portfolio's holdings or recent
       investment strategies, please review the Portfolio's most recent
 annual or semi-annual report. The prospectus and reports may be obtained at no
                        cost by calling 1-800-662-7447.


0596-53B     (C) 1996 Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor       FP30


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