SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [ X ]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ X ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss.240-14a-11(c) or ss.240-14a-12
AGE High Income Fund, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In its Charter)
AGE High Income Fund, Inc.
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[ X ] $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(j)(2)
[ ] $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3)
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction
computed pursuant to
Exchange Act Rule 0-11:1
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
1 Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was
paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3) Filing Party:
4) Date Filed:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SHAREHOLDERS OF
AGE HIGH INCOME FUND, INC.
The attached materials include a proxy statement and your proxy card for the
upcoming shareholders' meeting on August 28, 1996. The proxy card serves as a
ballot, allowing you to express your views regarding certain aspects of the
Fund's operations. Please fill out and sign the proxy card, and return it in the
enclosed postage-prepaid envelope to the Fund and we will vote the proxy exactly
as you tell us at the shareholders' meeting. If you simply sign and return the
proxy card, we will vote as described on [ ].
By completing and signing the proxy card, and mailing it to the Fund, you reduce
the possibility that the Fund will need to conduct additional or follow-up
solicitations of shareholders.
When you review the attached proxy statement, you will discover that the Fund is
requesting your vote on four specific matters, including the election of
directors, approval of the Board of Directors' selection of independent auditors
for the Fund, a change in the place and form of organization for the Fund, and
an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation to permit the issuance of an
additional class of shares in the event the Reorganization is not approved by
shareholders.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Letter from the President......................................
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders.........................
The Proxy Statement..............................................
Proposal I - Election of Directors
Proposal II - Ratification of the selection of independent auditors
Proposal III - To approve a change of the Fund's place and form of
organization from a Colorado corporation to a Delaware business trust
Proposal IV - To approve an amendment to the Fund's Articles of
Incorporation, to be made only if the Reorganization is not approved,
which would permit the Directors to create an class of shares
Other Information
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Fellow Shareholders:
My purpose in writing is to request that you consider specific matters that
relate to your ownership of shares in the AGE High Income Fund, Inc. (the
"Fund"). The Board of Directors of the Fund asks that you cast your proxies on
four specific issues as listed in the notice of annual meeting of shareholders
and described in the proxy statement.
As you review the proxy statement for the 1996 Annual Meeting of Shareholders,
you will discover that it now includes explanatory notes (in italics) that are
designed to provide you with a simpler and more concise explanation of certain
issues. While much of the information that must be furnished in the proxy
statement is technical and required by the Fund's regulator, we hope that the
use of these explanations will be helpful to you.
The vote of each shareholder is important to the Fund. On behalf of the
Directors, thank you in advance for the consideration that I am confident you
will give to these issues as you read the proxy statement and execute your proxy
card.
Sincerely,
RUPERT H. JOHNSON, JR.
President
THE NOTICE, SET FORTH BELOW, CONSTITUTES THE FORMAL AGENDA FOR THE ANNUAL
MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS. THE NOTICE SPECIFIES WHAT ISSUES WILL BE CONSIDERED BY
SHAREHOLDERS, AND THE TIME AND LOCATION OF THE MEETING.
All shareholders are cordially invited to attend the Meeting in person. If you
do not expect to attend the Meeting, please indicate your voting instructions on
the enclosed proxy card, date and sign it, and return it in the envelope
provided, which is addressed for your convenience and needs no postage if mailed
in the United States. In order to avoid the additional expense to the Fund of
further solicitation, we ask your cooperation in mailing in your proxy promptly.
AGE HIGH INCOME FUND, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD AUGUST 28, 1996
To the Shareholders of AGE High Income Fund, Inc.:
Notice is hereby given that the annual meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting")
of AGE High Income Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") will be held at the offices of the
Fund, 777 Mariners Island Blvd., San Mateo, California 94404, at 2:00 p.m.
Pacific time, on August 28, 1996, for the following purposes:
I. To elect a Board of Directors of the Fund.
II. To ratify or reject the selection of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.,
Certified Public Accountants, as the independent auditors for the
Fund for the fiscal year ending May 31, 1997.
III. To approve a change of the Fund's place and form of organization
from a Colorado corporation to a Delaware business trust.
II. To approve an amendment to the Fund's Articles of Incorporation,
to be made only if the Reorganization is not approved, which would
permit the Directors to create an additional class of shares
To consider any other business as may properly come before the
Meeting.
Pursuant to the Fund's By-Laws, the Board of Directors has fixed the close of
business on July 9, 1996, as the record date for the determination of
shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. Only shareholders
of record at that time will be entitled to vote at the Meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
By Order of the Board of Directors
DEBORAH R. GATZEK
Secretary
San Mateo, California
Dated: July 22, 1996
PLEASE RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD PROMPTLY
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
NO MATTER HOW MANY SHARES YOU OWN
AGE HIGH INCOME FUND, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
777 MARINERS ISLAND BLVD.
SAN MATEO, CA 94404
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
AUGUST 28, 1996
THE PROXY STATEMENT IS DESIGNED TO FURNISH SHAREHOLDERS WITH THE INFORMATION
NECESSARY TO VOTE ON THE MATTERS LISTED IN THE NOTICE. CERTAIN OF THE
INFORMATION IN THE PROXY STATEMENT MUST BE INCLUDED BECAUSE OF REQUIREMENTS OF
THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE "SEC"), THE FUND'S REGULATOR. SOME
OF THIS INFORMATION MAY BE TECHNICAL.
OWHO IS ASKING FOR MY VOTE?
The Directors of AGE High Income Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") who are responsible for
overseeing the Fund have asked that you vote on several matters. The vote will
be formally taken at the Annual Meeting (the "Meeting") of shareholders to be
held at the offices of the Fund at 777 Mariners Island Blvd., San Mateo,
California 94404 on August 28, 1996 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific time and at any and all
adjournments thereof.
You may vote in person at the Meeting, or you may vote by returning the enclosed
proxy card in advance of the Meeting. You may revoke your proxy at any time
before it is exercised by delivering a written notice to the Fund expressly
revoking your proxy, by signing and forwarding to the Fund a later-dated proxy,
or by attending the Meeting and casting your votes in person.
The Fund will request broker-dealer firms, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries
to forward proxy material to the beneficial owners of the shares of record by
such persons. The Fund may reimburse such broker-dealer firms, custodians,
nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable expenses incurred in connection
with such proxy solicitation. The cost of soliciting these proxies will be borne
by the Fund. In addition to solicitations by mail, some of the officers and
employees of the Fund and Franklin Advisers, Inc. and its affiliates, without
any extra compensation, may conduct additional solicitations by telephone,
telegraph and personal interviews. The Fund has engaged Shareholder
Communications Corporation to solicit proxies from brokers, banks, other
institutional holders and individual shareholders for an approximate fee,
including out-of-pocket expenses, ranging between $90,457 and $203,644. It is
expected that this proxy statement will first be mailed to shareholders on or
about July 22, 1996.
The proxyholders will vote all proxies received. It is the present intention
that, absent contrary instructions, the enclosed proxy will be voted: FOR the
election as Directors of the nominees named hereinafter, but the proxyholders
reserve full discretion to cast votes for other persons in the event any such
nominees are unable to serve; FOR the ratification of the selection of Coopers &
Lybrand L.L.P., Certified Public Accountants, as independent auditors for the
Fund for the fiscal year ending May 31, 1997; FOR the approval of a change of
the Fund's place and form of organization from a Colorado corporation to a
Delaware business trust; FOR the approval of an amendment to the Fund's Articles
of Incorporation, to be made if the Reorganization is not approved, which would
permit the Directors to create an additional class of shares; and in the
discretion of the proxyholders upon such other business not now known or
determined which may legally come before the Meeting. Under relevant state law
and the Fund's charter and By-Laws, abstentions and broker non-votes will be
included for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present at the
Meeting, but will be treated as votes not cast and, therefore, will not be
counted for the purpose of determining whether matters to be voted upon at the
Meeting have been approved.
OWHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE?
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on July 9, 1996, are
entitled to vote at the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. On that date, the
number of outstanding voting securities (shares) of AGE High Income Fund - Class
I and AGE High Income Fund - Class II were ___________ and ______________,
respectively, with each share of capital stock having a par value of one cent
($.01) per share and each share being entitled to one vote. To the Fund's
knowledge, no person beneficially owns 5% or more of the outstanding shares of
either class of the Fund.
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
THE ROLE OF DIRECTORS IS TO PROVIDE GENERAL OVERSIGHT OF THE FUND'S BUSINESS,
AND TO GUARANTEE THAT THE FUND IS OPERATED FOR THE BENEFIT OF SHAREHOLDERS. THE
DIRECTORS MEET MONTHLY, AND REVIEW THE FUND'S INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE. THE
DIRECTORS ALSO OVERSEE THE SERVICES FURNISHED TO THE FUND BY ITS INVESTMENT
ADVISER AND VARIOUS OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS.
Each of the nominees is presently serving as a Director of the Fund, and has
previously been elected by the shareholders. In order to be elected to serve
another term, the Directors must receive the vote of a majority of the Fund's
shares, represented in person or by proxy.
The following persons have been nominated to be Directors of the Fund to hold
office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors
are elected and shall qualify. All of the nominees have consented to serve as
Directors. If any nominee is not available for election at the time of the
Meeting, however, the proxyholders may vote for any other person in their
discretion or may refrain from electing or voting to elect anyone to fill the
position. The favorable vote of the holders of a majority of the shares
represented at the Meeting, in person or by proxy, is required to elect the
Directors.
Shareholders are entitled to one vote per Share. All voting rights are
non-cumulative, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the Shares
voting for the election of Directors can elect 100% of such Directors if they
choose to do so, and in such event, the holders of the remaining Shares so
voting will not be able to elect any Directors.
Directors who are "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") are designated by an asterisk
(*). Messrs. Johnson, Wiskemann and Burns are deemed to be "interested persons"
due to their status as officers of the Fund. Messrs. Johnson, Wiskemann and
Burns are also deemed to be "interested persons" based upon their positions with
the Fund's investment advisor.
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED
NAME, AGE AND AS OF
FIVE-YEAR BUSINESS EXPERIENCE LENGTH OF SERVICE MAY 31, 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank H. Abbott, III Director 772
Age 75 Since
DIRECTOR September 1982
1045 Sansome St.
San Francisco, CA 94111
President and Director, Abbott Corporation (an investment company); and
director, trustee or managing general partner, as the case may be, of 31 of the
investment companies in the Franklin Group of Funds.
*Harmon E. Burns Director 20,152
Age 51 Since
777 Mariners Island Blvd August 1993 and
San Mateo, CA 94404 Vice President
Since
Executive Vice President, Secretary and Director, Franklin Resources, Inc.;
Executive Vice President and Director, Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.;
Executive Vice President, Franklin Advisers, Inc.; Director, Franklin/Templeton
Investor Services, Inc.; officer and/or director, as the case may be, of other
subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc.; and officer and/or director or trustee
of 61 the investment companies in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds.
Robert F. Carlson (68) Director 11,436
Age 68 Since
2120 Lambeth Way June 1982
Carmichael, CA 95608
Member and past President, Board of Administration, California Public Employee
Retirement Systems (CALPERS); former member and past Chairman of the Board,
Sutter Community Hospitals, Sacramento, CA; former member Corporate Board, Blue
Shield of California; formerly chief counsel, California Department of
Transportation; and director of one investment company in the Franklin Group of
Funds.
SHARES
BENEFICIALLY
OWNED
NAME, AGE AND AS OF
FIVE-YEAR BUSINESS EXPERIENCE LENGTH OF SERVICE MAY 31, 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S. Joseph Fortunato Director 51,434
Age 63 Since
Park Avenue at Morris County October 1992
P. O. Box 1945
Morristown, NJ 07962-1945
Member of the law firm of Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch; Director of General Host
Corporation; and director, trustee or managing general partner, as the case may
be, of 58 of the investment companies in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds.
Roy V. Fox (77) Director 21,408
Age (77) Since
107 Deepwood April 1985
Georgetown, TX 78628
Retired; formerly Publishing Consultant, Franklin Resources, Inc. and formerly
National Administrative Officer of the Assembly of Governmental Employees; and
director of one investment company in the Franklin Group of Funds.
*Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. Director 185,782
Age 55 Since
777 Mariners Island Blvd. March 1978 and
San Mateo, CA 94404 President
Since
Executive Vice President and Director, Franklin Resources, Inc. and Franklin
Templeton Distributors, Inc.; President and Director, Franklin Advisers, Inc.;
Director, Franklin/Templeton Investor Services, Inc.; and officer and/or
director, trustee or managing general partner, as the case may be, of most other
subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc. and of 61 of the investment companies
in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds.
*R. Martin Wiskemann Director 444,876
Age 69 Since
777 Mariners Island Blvd. May 1989 and
San Mateo, CA 94404 Vice President
Since
Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Director, Franklin Advisers, Inc.;
Senior Vice President, Franklin Management, Inc.; Vice President, Treasurer and
Director, ILA Financial Services, Inc. and Arizona Life Insurance Company of
America; and officer and/or director, as the case may be, of 21 of the
investment companies in the Franklin Group of Funds.
The executive officers of the Fund other than those listed above are:
NAME, AGE, ADDRESS, AND FIVE-YEAR BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
Kenneth V. Domingues
Age 63
777 Mariners Island Blvd.
San Mateo, CA 94404
Vice President - Financial Reporting and Accounting Standards of the Fund since
January 1995 and officer in various capacities since September 1987; Senior Vice
President, Franklin Resources, Inc., Franklin Advisers, Inc., and
Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc.; officer and/or director, as the case may
be, of other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc.; and officer and/or
managing general partner, as the case may be, of 37 of the investment companies
in the Franklin Group of Funds.
Martin L. Flanagan
Age 36
777 Mariners Island Blvd.
San Mateo, CA 94404
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Fund since January 1995;
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, Franklin
Resources, Inc.; Executive Vice President, Templeton Worldwide, Inc.; Senior
Vice President and Treasurer, Franklin Advisers, Inc. and Franklin Templeton
Distributors, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Franklin/Templeton Investor Services,
Inc.; officer of most other subsidiaries of Franklin Resources, Inc.; and
officer, director and/or trustee of 61 of the investment companies in the
Franklin Templeton Group of Funds.
Deborah R. Gatzek
Age 47
777 Mariners Island Blvd.
San Mateo, CA 94404
Secretary of the Fund since October 1985 and Vice President of the Fund since
May 1992; Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Franklin Resources, Inc.;
Senior Vice President, Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.; Vice President,
Franklin Advisers, Inc.; and officer of 61 of the investment companies in the
Franklin Templeton Group of Funds.
Diomedes Loo-Tam
Age 57
777 Mariners Island Blvd.
San Mateo, CA 94404
Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer of the Fund since January 1995;
Employee of Franklin Advisers, Inc.; and officer of 37 of the investment
companies in the Franklin Group of Funds.
Edward V. McVey
Age 59
777 Mariners Island Blvd.
San Mateo, CA 94404
Vice President of the Fund since October 1985; Senior Vice President/National
Sales Manager, Franklin Templeton Distributors, Inc.; and officer of 32 of the
investment companies in the Franklin Group of Funds.
All officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors (the "Board").
Directors of the Fund who are not affiliated with Franklin Advisers, Inc.
("nonaffiliated directors") are currently paid fees of $680 per month plus $680
per meeting attended. Certain of the nonaffiliated directors also serve as
directors, trustees or managing general partners of other investment companies
in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds from which they may receive fees for
their services. The following table indicates the total fees paid to
nonaffiliated directors by the Fund and by other funds in the Franklin Templeton
Group of Funds.
Total
Compensation
Number of Boards in from Franklin
Aggregate the Franklin Templeton Group
Compensation Templeton Group of of Funds,
From The Funds on Which Each including the
Name Fund* Serves** Fund**
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank H. Abbott, III $16,320 31 $162,420
Robert F. Carlson 16,320 1 15,640
S. Joseph Fortunato 16,320 58 344,745
Roy V. Fox 16,320 1 16,320
*For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996.
**The number of boards is based on the number of registered investment companies
in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds. This number does not include the total
number of series or funds within each investment company for which the Board
members are responsible. The Franklin Templeton Group of Funds currently
includes 61 registered investment companies, with approximately 165 U.S. based
funds or series. ***For the calendar year ended December 31, 1995.
The nonaffiliated Directors of the Fund are also reimbursed for expenses
incurred in connection with attending Board meetings, paid pro rata by each fund
in the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds for which they serve as a director,
trustee or managing gerneral partner.
Certain officers and directors of the Fund are shareholders of Franklin
Resources, Inc. ("Resources") and may be deemed to receive indirect remuneration
by virtue of their participation in the management fees, underwriting
commissions and Rule 12b-1 fees received by Franklin Advisers, Inc. ("Advisers"
or the "Manager") and Franklin/Templeton Distributors, Inc ("Distributors").
During the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996, there were twelve meetings of the
Board. All of the Directors attended at least 75% of the meetings.
Messrs. Abbott and Carlson compose the audit committee of the Board. The
function of the audit committee is to make recommendations to the full Board
with respect to the selection of auditors and any other issues that may properly
come before the audit committee. The audit committee met once during the fiscal
year ended May 31, 1996. The Board does not currently have a nominating or
compensation committee.
As of May 31, 1996, the officers and directors , as a group, owned of record and
beneficially approximately 744,587.43 shares of AGE High Income Fund - Class I
and no shares of AGE High Income Fund - Class II, less than 1% of the total
outstanding shares of either of the Fund's classes. Many of the Fund's directors
also own shares in various of the other funds in the Franklin Templeton Group of
Funds.
PROPOSAL II: RATIFICATION OR REJECTION OF THE SELECTION
OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board is requesting ratification of its designation of Coopers & Lybrand
L.L.P. ("Coopers"), Certified Public Accountants, as independent auditors to
audit the books and accounts of the Fund for the fiscal year ending May 31,
1997. The selection of auditors was approved at a meeting of the Board on May
14, 1996, including the favorable vote of a majority of the Directors who are
not interested persons of the Fund. During the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996,
the auditing services of Coopers consisted of the rendering of an opinion on the
financial statements of the Fund. Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. has no material
direct or indirect beneficial interest in the Fund or its Manager and does not
intend to send a representative to be present at the Meeting.
Required Vote - The favorable vote of a majority of the shares represented at
the Meeting, in person or by proxy, is required to ratify the selection of
independent auditors.
Recommendation of the Board - The Board unanimously recommends that you vote in
favor of the selection of Coopers as independent auditors of the Fund for the
fiscal year ending May 31, 1997.
PROPOSAL III: TO APPROVE A CHANGE OF THE FUND'S PLACE AND FORM OF ORGANIZATION
FROM A COLORADO CORPORATION TO A DELAWARE BUSINESS TRUST
SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSAL
THE DIRECTORS RECOMMEND THAT YOU APPROVE A CHANGE IN THE PLACE AND FORM OF
ORGANIZATION OF THE FUND FROM A COLORADO CORPORATION TO A DELAWARE BUSINESS
TRUST. THE PROPOSED CHANGE WILL BE REFERRED TO IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT AS THE
"REORGANIZATION."
O WHAT WILL THE REORGANIZATION MEAN FOR THE FUND AND ITS STOCKHOLDERS?
THE REORGANIZATION INVOLVES THE CONTINUATION OF THE FUND IN THE FORM OF A NEWLY
CREATED DELAWARE BUSINESS TRUST NAMED "FRANKLIN HIGH INCOME TRUST" (REFERRED TO
IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT AS THE "TRUST"). THE TRUST WILL ISSUE ONE INITIAL SERIES
NAMED AGE HIGH INCOME FUND (REFERRED TO IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT AS THE "NEW
FUND") WHICH WILL HAVE THE SAME INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, INVESTMENT POLICIES AND
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS AS THE FUND; THE EXISTING FUND ASSETS WILL BECOME ASSETS
OF THE NEW FUND; THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS OF THE FUND WILL BE THE TRUSTEES OF
THE TRUST; THE CURRENT OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE FUND WILL BE THE SAME AS
THE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE TRUST; AND EACH STOCKHOLDER WILL OWN AN
INTEREST IN THE NEW FUND THAT IS EQUIVALENT TO HIS OR HER INTEREST IN THE FUND
ON THE CLOSING DATE OF THE REORGANIZATION. IN ESSENCE, YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE
FUND WILL SIMPLY CONTINUE AS AN INVESTMENT IN THE NEW FUND SERIES OF THE TRUST.
O WHY ARE THE DIRECTORS RECOMMENDING THAT I APPROVE THE REORGANIZATION?
THE DIRECTORS BELIEVE THAT MUTUAL FUNDS FORMED AS DELAWARE BUSINESS TRUSTS HAVE
ADVANTAGES IN ADDITION TO THOSE AVAILABLE TO COLORADO CORPORATIONS. IN SUM,
DELAWARE LAW PERMITS A LESS COMPLICATED STRUCTURE AND ALLOWS GREATER FLEXIBILITY
IN A FUND'S BUSINESS OPERATIONS, AS WELL AS FAVORABLE STATE TAX TREATMENT.
DELAWARE LAW CONTAINS PROVISIONS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, WHICH
TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THEIR UNIQUE STRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS, AND ALLOWS FUNDS TO
SIMPLIFY THEIR OPERATIONS BY REDUCING ADMINISTRATIVE BURDENS AND TO GENERALLY
OPERATE MORE EFFICIENTLY. FOR EXAMPLE, FUNDS ORGANIZED AS DELAWARE BUSINESS
TRUSTS MAY ESTABLISH MULTIPLE SERIES OF SHARES, EACH OF WHICH INVESTS IN A
SEPARATE PORTFOLIO OF SECURITIES, AND MAY ESTABLISH MULTIPLE CLASSES OF SHARES
WITHIN SUCH SERIES, IN EITHER CASE, WITHOUT HAVING TO OBTAIN THE APPROVAL OF
SHAREHOLDERS AT A SHAREHOLDERS MEETING.1 IN ADDITION, FUNDS ORGANIZED AS
DELAWARE BUSINESS TRUSTS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HOLD ANNUAL STOCKHOLDER MEETINGS IF
MEETINGS ARE NOT OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS. UNDER
COLORADO CORPORATE LAW, A FUND MUST OBTAIN STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL FOR AN AMENDMENT
TO ITS ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION EACH TIME IT DESIRES TO CREATE A SERIES OR
CLASS, AND FUNDS ARE REQUIRED TO HOLD ANNUAL STOCKHOLDER MEETINGS.
O WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS OF REORGANIZING THE FUND?
THE REORGANIZATION INVOLVES A LEGAL TRANSACTION THROUGH WHICH THE FUND WILL BE
REORGANIZED INTO A SERIES OF THE TRUST, AND THE TRUST, AS THE FUND'S SUCCESSOR,
WILL CONTINUE THE BUSINESS OF THE FUND FOR THE FUND'S STOCKHOLDERS. AS OUTLINED
IN AN AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION APPROVED BY THE DIRECTORS, THE FUND
WILL TRANSFER SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF ITS ASSETS (SUCH AS ITS PORTFOLIO
SECURITIES), SUBJECT TO ANY OF ITS LIABILITIES, TO THE NEW FUND, AND THE NEW
FUND, IN EXCHANGE, WILL PROVIDE THE FUND WITH SHARES OF THE NEW FUND TO BE
DISTRIBUTED TO THE NEW FUND'S SHAREHOLDERS. THE SHARES OF THE TRUST WILL BE
ISSUED IN CLASSES, AS ARE THE EXISTING SHARES OF THE FUND, AND THE TRUST WILL
OPEN AN ACCOUNT FOR EACH FUND STOCKHOLDER, AND CREDIT TO THAT ACCOUNT THE EXACT
NUMBER OF SHARES THE STOCKHOLDERS HELD IN THE CORRESPONDING CLASS OF THE FUND ON
THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE REORGANIZATION. AFTER THE REORGANIZATION, THE FUND
WILL BE DISSOLVED AND WILL GO OUT OF EXISTENCE.
THE TRUST WAS FORMED FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF BECOMING THE SUCCESSOR TO THE FUND
AFTER THE FUND'S DIRECTORS APPROVED THE REORGANIZATION THIS PAST MAY. AT THAT
TIME, THE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF THE FUND WERE APPOINTED AS THE OFFICERS AND
TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST, AND THE TRUSTEES TOOK ALL THE ACTIONS NECESSARY SO THAT
THE TRUST NOW STANDS READY TO TAKE OVER THE FUND'S BUSINESS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE
TRUSTEES APPROVED AN INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH ADVISERS FOR THE TRUST
THAT IS SUBSTANTIALLY IDENTICAL TO THE CURRENT INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN ADVISERS AND THE FUND. THE TRUST WILL ALSO ADOPT THE FUND'S PROSPECTUS
AS ITS OWN PROSPECTUS, WITH AMENDMENTS TO SHOW THE NEW NAME AND STRUCTURE, IF
STOCKHOLDERS APPROVE THE REORGANIZATION.
IF STOCKHOLDERS APPROVE THE REORGANIZATION, THE NEW FUND WILL BECOME YOUR MUTUAL
FUND. YOU WILL OWN EXACTLY THE SAME AMOUNT OF SHARES OF EITHER CLASS OF THE NEW
FUND THAT YOU OWNED IN THE CORRESPONDING CLASS OF THE FUND, AND THEY WILL BE
WORTH EXACTLY THE SAME DOLLAR AMOUNT AS YOUR FUND SHARES ON THE CLOSING DATE OF
THE REORGANIZATION. AFTERWARDS, THE NEW FUND WILL OPERATE IN THE SAME WAY THAT
THE FUND OPERATED.
O WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF MY "YES" VOTE?
BY VOTING "YES" TO THE REORGANIZATION, YOU WILL BE AGREEING TO BECOME A
SHAREHOLDER OF A MUTUAL FUND ORGANIZED AS A DELAWARE BUSINESS TRUST WITH ITS
TRUSTEES, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS, INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT AND DISTRIBUTION
PLANS ALREADY IN PLACE, AND ALL SUCH ARRANGEMENTS ARE SUBSTANTIALLY IDENTICAL TO
THOSE OF THE FUND. THESE ARE ITEMS WHICH ARE USUALLY SEPARATELY APPROVED BY
SHAREHOLDERS EITHER PERIODICALLY OR, IF THERE ARE CHANGES, MORE OFTEN AS
REQUIRED BY THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS.
THIS PROXY STATEMENT CONTAINS DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUSTEES OF THE
TRUST; THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS OF THE TRUST; THE INVESTMENT MANAGER AND
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE TRUST; AND THE DISTRIBUTION PLAN FOR EACH CLASS OF
SHARES OF THE TRUST.
O ARE THERE ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES FOR STOCKHOLDERS?
THE REORGANIZATION IS DESIGNED TO BE TAX FREE FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES SO
THAT STOCKHOLDERS DO NOT EXPERIENCE A TAXABLE GAIN OR LOSS WHEN THE
REORGANIZATION IS COMPLETED.
O WHAT IF I CHOOSE TO SELL MY SHARES AT ANY TIME?
ANY REQUEST TO SELL (REDEEM) SHARES OF THE FUND RECEIVED AND PROCESSED PRIOR TO
THE REORGANIZATION WILL BE TREATED AS A REDEMPTION OF SHARES OF THE APPROPRIATE
CLASS OF FUND. ANY REQUEST TO SELL (REDEEM) SHARES RECEIVED OR PROCESSED AFTER
THE REORGANIZATION WILL BE TREATED AS A REQUEST FOR THE REDEMPTION OF THE SAME
NUMBER OF SHARES OF THE APPROPRIATE CLASS OF THE NEW FUND.
O WHAT VOTE IS REQUIRED TO APPROVE THE REORGANIZATION?
APPROVAL OF THIS PROPOSAL REQUIRES THE VOTE OF TWO-THIRDS OF THE FUND'S
OUTSTANDING SHARES REPRESENTED EITHER IN PERSON AT THE MEETING OR THROUGH A
PROXY CARD, PROVIDED A QUORUM IS PRESENT.
* * *
At its meeting on May 14, 1996, the Board of Directors of the Fund approved,
subject to the approval of the Fund's stockholders, the concept of the
Reorganization, pursuant to which the Fund's place and form of organization
would be changed from a Colorado corporation to a Delaware business trust. At
the meeting, the Board also approved an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization
(the "Agreement and Plan"), in substantially the form attached hereto as
Appendix A, which provides for the reorganization of the Fund into the Trust.
Franklin Advisers, Inc. ("Advisers") will be responsible for the investment of
the New Fund 's assets, subject to supervision by the Trust's Board of Trustees,
under an investment management agreement substantially identical to the current
agreement between the Fund and Advisers. For a discussion of the current and
proposed investment management agreements with Advisers, see "Information
Concerning Advisers and the Management Agreements," below. The Trust will enter
into an agreement with Franklin/Templeton Investor Services, Inc. for transfer
agency and shareholder servicing which is substantially identical to the
agreement currently in effect for the Fund. Franklin/Templeton Distributors,
Inc. ("Distributors") will act as the Trust's principal underwriter under a
distribution agreement between Distributors and the Trust, which is
substantially identical to the distribution agreement currently in effect for
the Fund. The New Fund has adopted a distribution plan for each of its two
classes of shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of
1940 (the "1940 Act"), which is substantially identical to the plan currently in
place for each class of the Fund. More detailed information about the service
provider arrangements and the distribution plans is outlined below.
REASONS FOR THE REORGANIZATION
WHY ARE THE DIRECTORS RECOMMENDING THAT I APPROVE THE REORGANIZATION?
The Directors unanimously recommend conversion of the Fund into a series of a
Delaware business trust, because they have determined that Delaware law affords
additional advantages to the operations of a mutual fund in addition to those
available under Colorado law. The Reorganization would also increase uniformity
among the mutual funds within the Franklin Group of FundsAE and the Templeton
Group of Funds (collectively referred to as the "Franklin Templeton Group of
Funds") which currently has several Delaware business trust funds, and for which
the Delaware business trust form has been chosen for new funds over the past
five years. Increased uniformity among the funds, many of which share common
directors and trustees, officers and service providers, is expected to reduce
the costs and resources devoted to compliance with varying state corporate laws
and also reduce administrative burdens.
The advantages of the Delaware business trust structure for mutual funds arise
from the fact that the Delaware Business Trust Act (the "Delaware Act") allows
greater operational flexibility and favorable state tax treatment for mutual
funds. The Delaware Act permits a less complicated structure for mutual funds
than most corporate laws, and allows greater flexibility in drafting a fund's
governing documents, which can result in greater efficiencies of operation and
savings for a fund and its shareholders.
The Delaware Act contains certain provisions specifically designed for mutual
funds. For example, mutual funds organized as Delaware business trusts are not
required to hold annual meetings of shareholders, which can result in
substantial savings for funds. In addition, a fund organized as a Delaware
business trust is not required to seek and obtain shareholder approval before
taking actions for which shareholder approval would not be required under the
1940 Act, if the fund's trustees and officers believe that shareholder approval
is not necessary. Unlike Colorado law, this flexibility under the Delaware Act
allows a fund, for example, to issue new series or classes of its shares or to
change its name or the name of one of its series without seeking a shareholder
vote. Of course, shareholder voting is still required for certain fundamental
matters and matters affecting the rights or interests of particular
shareholders.
A comparison of the Delaware Act and the Colorado law applicable to the Trust
and the Fund, respectively, as well as a comparison of relevant provisions of
the governing documents of the Trust and the Fund, is included in Appendix B,
which is entitled "DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE LEGAL STRUCTURE OF A DELAWARE
BUSINESS TRUST AND A COLORADO CORPORATION."
PROCEDURES FOR REORGANIZATION
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS OF REORGANIZING THE FUND?
As stated in the Agreement and Plan, on the closing date of the Reorganization,
the Fund will transfer substantially all of its portfolio securities and any
other assets, subject to its liabilities, to the New Fund. In exchange for such
assets and the assumption of such liabilities, the New Fund will issue its own
shares to the Fund, in exactly the same dollar amount as that of the assets and
liabilities that were transferred by the Fund to the New Fund. The Fund will
then distribute those New Fund shares pro rata to the Fund's stockholders, so
that stockholders receive exactly the same number and dollar amount of shares of
the particular class of the New Fund as the amounts that they previously held in
the corresponding class of the Fund.
Upon completion of the Reorganization, the New Fund will continue the Fund's
business with the same investment objective and policies; will hold the same
portfolio of securities previously held by the Fund; and will be operated under
substantially identical overall management, investment management, distribution
and administrative arrangements as those of the Fund. As the successor to the
Fund's operations, the Trust will adopt the Fund's existing registration
statement (which includes its Prospectus) under the Securities Act of 1933 and
the 1940 Act, with amendments to show the new name and Delaware business trust
structure. Completion of the Reorganization, in the opinion of Stradley, Ronon,
Stevens & Young, LLP, counsel to both the Fund and Trust, will not result in the
recognition of income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes by the Fund,
the Trust or the Fund's stockholders. See "FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF
THE REORGANIZATION."
The Agreement and Plan provides that, as soon as practicable after the closing
of the Reorganization, the officers and Directors of the Fund will file Articles
of Dissolution on behalf of the Fund in the State of Colorado, after which the
Fund's legal existence will be terminated. As part of the Reorganization, the
Trust will become responsible for all the liabilities and obligations of the
Fund and the liabilities of the Fund or of its stockholders, directors, or
officers shall not be affected by the Reorganization, nor shall the right of the
creditors thereof or any persons dealing with such persons or any liens upon the
property of such persons be impaired by the Reorganization. The Reorganization
is subject to a number of conditions which are customary in reorganizations of
this kind. The Agreement and Plan may be terminated and the Reorganization
abandoned at any time prior to the closing date of the Reorganization by the
Board of Directors of the Fund.
At present, it appears that the most advantageous time to complete the
Reorganization is on or before October 1, 1996. However, if the Reorganization
is approved by stockholders, the Reorganization will be completed on such date
as the Directors deem advisable and in the best interest of stockholders. If the
Reorganization is not approved or if the Directors determine to terminate or
abandon the Reorganization, the Fund will continue to operate as a Colorado
corporation.
EFFECT OF STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL OF THE REORGANIZATION
WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF MY "YES" VOTE?
An investment company registered under the 1940 Act is required by the 1940 Act
to: (1) submit the selection of the company's independent auditors to the
shareholders for their ratification; (2) provide for the election of the
company's directors (or trustees) by the shareholders; (3) submit the investment
management agreement for the investment company to the shareholders for initial
approval; and (4) submit any plan of distribution adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the 1940 Act with respect to such company to the shareholders for
approval.
The Directors of the Fund believe that it is in the interest of the Fund's
stockholders (who will become the New Fund's shareholders if the Reorganization
is approved) to avoid the considerable expense of another stockholders' meeting
to obtain the stockholder approvals described above, shortly after the closing
of the Reorganization. The Directors also believe that it is not in the interest
of the stockholders to carry out the Reorganization if the surviving Trust would
not have independent auditors, a board of trustees, a management agreement, or
distribution plans which are duly approved by stockholders and, therefore, which
comply with the 1940 Act.
The Directors will, therefore, consider that approval of the Reorganization by
the requisite vote of the stockholders will also constitute, for the purposes of
the 1940 Act: (1) ratification of the selection of Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P.,
previously selected as the Fund's independent auditors, to be the Trust's
independent auditors; (2) election of the Directors of the Fund who are in
office at the time of the closing of the Reorganization as Trustees of the
Trust; (3) approval of a new investment management agreement between the Trust
and Advisers which is substantially identical to the agreement currently in
place between the Fund and Advisers; and (4) approval of a separate distribution
plan for each class of shares of the New Fund adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the 1940 Act, which is substantially identical to the respective plan
currently in place for each class of the Fund.
The New Fund will issue a single share of each of its classes to the Fund, and,
assuming stockholder approval of the Reorganization, the officers of the Fund,
prior to the Reorganization, will cause the Fund, as the sole shareholder of
each class of the Trust, to vote such shares "FOR" the matters specified in the
above paragraph. The Trust will then consider the shareholder approval
requirements of the 1940 Act referred to above to have been satisfied.
CAPITALIZATION AND STRUCTURE.
The Fund is a corporation established in 1968 pursuant to the Colorado Business
Corporation Act (the "CBCA"). Article IV of the Fund's Articles of Incorporation
("Articles") currently authorizes the issuance of five billion (5,000,000,000)
shares of a single series of stock called the "AGE High Income Fund Series" (the
"Series"), with a par value of one cent ($0.01) per share and a total aggregate
par value of fifty million ($50,000,000) dollars. The Series is further
sub-divided into shares of "AGE High Income Fund - Class I" and "AGE High Income
Fund - Class II," and two and one half billion (2,500,000,000) authorized shares
are allocated to each such class of shares. Each of the two classes of the
Series has distinct rights and preferences notably, expenses related to, and
consequently, dividends paid on each class are different as compared to the
other class because each class carries a different distribution plan.
The Trust was created on May 14, 1996 pursuant to the Delaware Act. The Trust
has an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest authorized, all of
which have a par value of $0.001 per share. A single series of the Trust has
been authorized by the Trustees to correspond with the single series of the
Fund, and an unlimited number of shares have been allocated to such series. The
shares of the single series are further sub-divided into two classes of shares
to correspond with the two classes of shares of the existing series of the Fund.
Shares of the respective classes of the Fund and the Trust have equal dividend
rights, are fully paid, non-assessable, and freely transferable, have the same
conversion rights and have no preemptive or subscription rights. Shares of the
respective classes of both the Fund and the New Fund have equal voting and
liquidation rights and have one vote per share. The Trust will have the same
fiscal year as the Fund.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REORGANIZATION
ARE THERE ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES FOR STOCKHOLDERS?
It is anticipated that the transaction contemplated by the Agreement and Plan
will be tax free for federal income tax purposes. Consummation of the
Reorganization is subject to receipt of an opinion of Messrs. Stradley, Ronon,
Stevens & Young, LLP, counsel to the Trust and the Fund, that under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the Reorganization will not give rise to the
recognition of a gain or loss for federal income tax purposes to the Fund, the
Trust or stockholders of the Fund or the Trust. A stockholder's adjusted basis
for tax purposes in the shares of the Trust after the closing of the
Reorganization will be the same as his adjusted basis for tax purposes in the
shares of the Fund immediately before the closing of the Reorganization. Each
stockholder should consult his own tax adviser with respect to the details of
these tax consequences and with respect to state and local tax consequences of
the proposed transaction.
TEMPORARY WAIVER OF CERTAIN INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Certain of the Fund's present investment restrictions would preclude the Fund
from carrying out the Reorganization. Specifically, such investment restrictions
prohibit the Fund from acquiring control of any company or purchasing more than
a certain percentage of ownership of another investment company or other
company. Stockholder approval of the Reorganization would be deemed to be a
waiver of these restrictions for the specific purpose of engaging in the
Reorganization.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST
THE ROLE OF THE TRUSTEES IS TO PROVIDE GENERAL OVERSIGHT OF THE
TRUST'S BUSINESS, AND TO ENSURE THAT THE TRUST IS OPERATED FOR THE
BENEFIT OF ITS SHAREHOLDERS. THE TRUSTEES MEET MONTHLY AND REVIEW THE
TRUST'S INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE. THE TRUSTEES ALSO OVERSEE THE
SERVICES FURNISHED TO THE TRUST BY ITS INVESTMENT MANAGER AND VARIOUS
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS.
IF YOU VOTE "YES" TO APPROVE THE REORGANIZATION, YOUR VOTE WILL ALSO
HAVE THE EFFECT OF ELECTING THE CURRENT NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS OF THE
FUND AS THE TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST.
If the Reorganization is approved, the Fund will vote the share of beneficial
interest it holds of each class of the New Fund for the election of each of the
current nominees for Director of the Fund as the Trustees of the Trust. If
approved, each Trustee shall serve as such until the next election or until his
term is terminated as provided in the Trust's governing instrument. The
compensation of such Trustees will be identical to that of the nominees for
Director of the Fund, as described in this Proxy Statement.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS OF THE TRUST
IF YOU VOTE TO APPROVE THE REORGANIZATION, YOUR VOTE WILL ALSO HAVE
THE SAME EFFECT AS A VOTE RATIFYING THE SELECTION OF COOPERS &
LYBRAND, L.L.P. ("COOPERS") AS THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE TRUST
FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR. COOPERS IS ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S
PREEMINENT ACCOUNTING FIRMS, AND PRESENTLY SERVES AS THE INDEPENDENT
AUDITORS FOR THE FUND.
At a meeting held on May 14, 1996, the Board of Trustees of the Trust selected
Coopers to serve as the independent auditors to audit the books and accounts of
the Trust for the fiscal year ending May 31, 1997. If this proposal is approved,
the Fund will vote the shares of beneficial interest it holds in the Trust for
ratification of the selection of Coopers as the independent auditors of the
Trust. A representative of Coopers is not expected to be present at the meeting.
INFORMATION CONCERNING ADVISERS AND THE MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS
IF YOU VOTE TO APPROVE THE REORGANIZATION, YOUR VOTE WILL ALSO HAVE
THE SAME EFFECT AS A VOTE APPROVING THE NEW INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TRUST AND ADVISERS, WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY
IDENTICAL TO THE AGREEMENT CURRENTLY IN PLACE FOR THE FUND.
THE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT ESTABLISHES THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN A MUTUAL FUND AND ITS INVESTMENT MANAGER, AND OUTLINES THE
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MANAGER AND THE COMPENSATION TO BE PAID BY
THE FUND FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF ITS ASSETS.
INCLUDED BELOW IS DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT ADVISERS AS WELL AS THE
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS (THE EXISTING AGREEMENT FOR THE FUND
AND PROPOSED AGREEMENT FOR THE TRUST).
If this proposal is approved, the Fund will vote the share of beneficial
interest it holds in each class of the New Fund for approval of the management
agreement between the Trust and Advisers.
ADVISERS
Advisers, whose principal address is 777 Mariners Island Boulevard, San Mateo,
California 94404, serves as the investment manager of the Fund and is proposed
to also serve as investment manager of the New Fund. Advisers is a registered
investment adviser and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Franklin Resources, Inc.
("Resources"), whose principal address is 777 Mariners Island Boulevard, San
Mateo, California 94404. Through its subsidiaries, Resources is engaged in
various aspects of the financial services industry.
Advisers also provides advisory and management services to the 36 investment
companies (119 separate series) in the Franklin Group of FundsAE which
collectively have aggregate assets over $81 billion. Charles B. Johnson is
Chairman of the Board of Advisers, Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. is President and
Director of Advisers. Charles B. Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. beneficially
own approximately 20% and 16%, respectively, of Resources' outstanding voting
securities, whose shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Charles B.
Johnson and Rupert H. Johnson, Jr. are brothers. See "Information Concerning the
Nominees to the Board of Trustees of the Trust" which sets forth the officers of
the Trust and the Fund who are officers of Advisers. The address of each officer
and director of Advisers is the office of Advisers stated above.
Certain officers and directors of the Trust and the Fund, respectively, are
stockholders of Resources and may be deemed to receive indirect remuneration by
virtue of their participation in management fees, underwriting commissions, or
12b-1 distribution fees received or to be received by Advisers or Distributors,
the Fund's principal underwriter. Distributors' principal address is 777
Mariners Island Boulevard, San Mateo, California 94404.
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE TRUST
Under the management agreement with the Trust, which is substantially identical
to the management agreement currently in effect for the Fund, Advisers will
provide investment research and portfolio management services, including the
selection of securities for the New Fund to purchase, hold or sell and the
selection of brokers through whom the New Fund's portfolio transactions are
executed. Advisers' activities will be subject to the review and supervision of
the Trust's Board of Trustees to whom Advisers will render periodic reports of
the Trust's investment activities. Advisers, at its own expense, will furnish
the Trust with office space and office furnishings, facilities and equipment
reasonably required for managing the business affairs of the Trust; will
maintain all internal bookkeeping, clerical, secretarial and executive personnel
and services; and will provide certain telephone and other mechanical services.
Advisers is covered by fidelity insurance on its officers, directors and
employees for the protection of the Trust. The Trust will bear all of its
expenses not assumed by Advisers.
Pursuant to the management agreement, the New Fund will be obligated to pay
Advisers a fee computed as of the close of business on the last business day of
each month equal to a monthly rate of 5/96 of 1% (approximately 5/8 of 1% per
year) for the first $100 million of net assets of the New Fund; 1/24 of 1%
(approximately 1/2 of 1% per year) on net assets of the New Fund in excess of
$100 million up to $250 million; and 9/240 of 1% (approximately 45/100 of 1% per
year) of net assets of the New Fund in excess of $250 million. Each class will
pay its share of the fee as determined by the proportion of the New Fund that it
represents. The management agreement specifies that the management fee will be
reduced or eliminated to the extent necessary to comply with the most stringent
limits on the expenses which may be borne by the New Fund as prescribed by any
state in which the New Fund's shares are registered. The most stringent current
limit requires Advisers to reduce or eliminate its fee to the extent that
aggregate operating expenses of the New Fund (excluding interest, taxes,
brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses such as litigation costs) would
otherwise exceed in any fiscal year 2(OMEGA)% of the first $30 million of
average net assets of the New Fund, 2% of the next $70 million of average net
assets of the New Fund and 1(OMEGA)% of average net assets of the New Fund in
excess of $100 million. Expense reductions with respect to the Fund have not
been necessary based on state requirements.
The management agreement was approved by the Board of Trustees at a meeting held
on May 14, 1996. Once the agreement is formalized in connection with the
Reorganization, it will be in effect for an initial period of more than two
years and may continue in effect for successive annual periods providing such
continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of the Trust's
Board of Trustees or by a vote of the holders of a majority of the New Fund's
outstanding voting securities, and in either event by a majority vote of the
Trust's Trustees who are not parties to the management agreement or interested
persons of any such party (other than as trustees of the Trust), cast in person
at a meeting called for that purpose. The management agreement may be terminated
without penalty at any time by the (1) vote of the Board of Trustees of the
Trust or vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
of the Trust, on 60 days' written notice to Advisers or (2) Advisers, on 30
days' written notice and will automatically terminate in the event of its
assignment as defined in the 1940 Act.
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE FUND
The management agreement between the Fund and Advisers, dated October 1, 1986,
was most recently approved by the Board of Directors of the Fund on April 18,
1996 to continue in effect until April 30, 1997, and was last submitted to
stockholders on September 23, 1986 for the purpose of approving a new management
agreement with Advisers. The terms of the Fund's management agreement are the
same in all material respects as the Trust's management agreement with Advisers,
except for the effective and termination dates. The Fund paid management fees to
Advisers for the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996 of $9,614,852. For the fiscal
year ended May 31, 1996, the Fund did not pay any commissions to any affiliated
brokers.
SIMILAR FUNDS MANAGED BY ADVISERS
Advisers also serves as the investment manager for certain other mutual funds
whose investment objectives are similar to those of the Fund and the Trust. The
following table provides information about such funds and summarizes the rate of
investment management fees paid to Advisers by such funds:
Asset Size Management Fee Rate
(in Based on Average
Fund Name millions) Daily Net Assets
As of
May 31,
1996
Franklin High Yield Tax-Free $3,891.52 0.47%
Income Fund
Franklin Valuemark Funds-High $367.24
Income 0.625% through first $1 million
Fund 0.50% from $100 million through
$250 million
0.45% from $250 million through
$10 billion
0.44% from $10 billion through
$12.5 billion
0.42% from $12.5 billion
through $15 billion
0.40% over $15 billion
Franklin Tax-Advantaged High
Yield Securities Fund $222.78 0.52% up to the first $1 million
0.42% from $100 million to $250
million
0.0375% over $250 million
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUST'S DISTRIBUTION PLANS
IF YOU VOTE TO APPROVE THE REORGANIZATION, YOUR VOTE WILL ALSO HAVE
THE SAME EFFECT AS A VOTE APPROVING THE DISTRIBUTION PLANS THAT WERE
ADOPTED BY THE NEW FUND PURSUANT TO RULE 12B-1 UNDER THE 1940 ACT FOR
EACH OF ITS CLASSES (THE "PLANS"), AND WHICH ARE SUBSTANTIALLY
IDENTICAL TO THE DISTRIBUTION PLANS CURRENTLY IN PLACE FOR THE
RESPECTIVE CLASSES OF THE FUND.
EACH PLAN AUTHORIZES THE TRUST TO REIMBURSE DISTRIBUTORS OR OTHERS
FOR EXPENSES RELATING TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE SHARES OF THE
RESPECTIVE CLASS OF THE NEW FUND IN AMOUNTS OF UP TO SPECIFIED
PERCENTAGES OF SUCH CLASS' AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS PER YEAR.
INCLUDED BELOW IS DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLANS (AND THE
EXISTING DISTRIBUTION PLANS CURRENTLY IN PLACE FOR THE FUND), AS WELL
AS INFORMATION ABOUT DISTRIBUTORS.
A separate Plan was approved and adopted by the Board of Trustees for each class
("Class I Plan" and "Class II Plan," respectively) at a meeting held on May 14,
1996. If this proposal is approved, the Fund will vote its share of beneficial
interest of each class of the New Fund for approval of the Plan applicable to
the particular class.
Under the Plans, Distributors or others will be entitled to be reimbursed each
quarter for actual expenses, subject to certain maximums, incurred in the
distribution and promotion of the New Fund shares, including, but not limited
to, the printing of prospectuses and reports used for sales purposes, expenses
of preparing and distributing sales literature and related expenses,
advertisements, and other distribution-related expenses, including a prorated
portion of Distributors' overhead expenses attributable to the distribution of
New Fund shares, as well as any distribution or service fees paid to securities
dealers or their firms or others who have executed a servicing agreement with
the Trust, Distributors or its affiliates. All expenses of distribution and
marketing over the maximum amounts allowable under the Plans will be borne by
Distributors, or others who have incurred them, without reimbursement by the New
Fund, and the Plans do not permit unreimbursed expenses incurred in a particular
year to be carried over to or be reimbursed in subsequent years.
The maximum amount which the New Fund may pay to Distributors or others under
the Class I Plan for distribution expenses is 0.15% per year of the class'
average daily net assets payable on a quarterly basis. In implementing the Class
I Plan, the Board has determined that the annual fees payable under the Plan
will be equal to the sum of: (i) the amount obtained by multiplying 0.15% by the
average daily net assets represented by Class I shares of the Fund and the New
Fund that were acquired by investors on or after May 1, 1994, the effective date
of the Fund's Class distribution plan ("New Assets"), and (ii) the amount
obtained by multiplying 0.05% by the average daily net assets represented by
Class I shares of the Fund that were acquired before the effective date of the
Fund's Class I distribution plan ("Old Assets"). Such fees will be paid to the
current securities dealer of record on the shareholder's account. In addition,
until such time as the maximum payment of 0.15% is reached on a yearly basis, up
to an additional 0.02% will be paid to Distributors under the Plan. The payments
to be made to Distributors will be used by Distributors to defray other
marketing expenses that have been incurred in accordance with the Plan, such as
advertising.
The fee relating to the Class I Plan is a New Fund expense so that all
shareholders regardless of when they purchased their shares of the Fund or the
New Fund will bear 12b-1 expenses at the same rate. The rate at which 12b-1 fees
were charged during the Fund's previous fiscal year was 0.10% of Class I's
average daily net assets. It is likely that, as the proportion of Class I shares
purchased on or after the effective date of the Class I Plan increases in
relation to outstanding Class I shares, the expenses attributable to payments
under the Plan will also increase (but will never exceed 0.15% of average daily
net assets). While this is the currently anticipated calculation for fees
payable under the Class I Plan, the Class I Plan permits the Trustees of the
Trust to allow the New Fund to pay a full 0.15% on all assets at any time. The
approval of the Board of Trustees would be required to change the calculation of
the payments to be made under the Plan.
Under the Class II Plan, the New Fund pays to Distributors distribution and
related expenses up to 0.50% per annum of Class II's average daily net assets
payable quarterly. Such fees may be used in order to compensate Distributors or
others for providing distribution and related services and bearing certain
expenses of the Class. In addition, the Class II Plan provides for an additional
payment by the New Fund of up to 0.15% per annum, payable quarterly of the Class
II's average daily net assets as a servicing fee. This fee will be used to pay
dealers or others for, among other things, assisting in establishing and
maintaining customer accounts and records; assisting with purchase and
redemption requests; receiving and answering correspondence; monitoring dividend
payments from the New Fund on behalf of the customers, and similar activities
related to furnishing personal services and maintaining shareholder accounts.
Distributors may pay the securities dealer, from its own resources, a commission
of up to 1.0% of the amount invested at the time of investment.
Under both Plans, Distributors is required to report in writing to the Board of
Trustees at least quarterly on the amounts and purpose of any payment made under
the Plan and any related agreements, as well as to furnish the Board of Trustees
with such other information as may be reasonably requested in order to enable
the Board of Trustees to make an informed determination of whether the Plan
should be continued.
Each Plan will be in effect for an initial period in excess of one year from its
adoption, and will be renewable annually by a vote of the Trust's Board of
Trustees, including a majority vote of the Trustees who are non-interested
persons of the Trust, and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in
the operation of the Plans, cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose.
It is also required that the selection and nomination of such trustees be made
by the non-interested Trustees. The Plans and any related agreements may be
terminated at any time, without any penalty, by vote of a majority of the
non-interested Trustees on not more than 60 days written notice, by Distributors
on not more than 60 days written notice, by any act that constitutes an
assignment of the management agreement with Advisers, or by vote of a majority
of the New Fund's outstanding shares. Distributors or any dealer or other firm
may also terminate their respective distribution or service agreement at any
time upon written notice.
The Plans and any related agreements may not be amended to increase materially
the amount to be spent for distribution expenses without approval by a majority
of the New Fund's outstanding shares, and all material amendments to the Plans
or any related agreements shall be approved by a vote of the non-interested
trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on any
such amendment.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE FUND'S DISTRIBUTION PLANS
The Fund has also adopted Class I and Class II distribution plans pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, which were most recently approved by the Board of
Directors of the Fund on April 18, 1996, to continue in effect until April 30,
1996. The Fund's distribution plans are the same in all material respects as the
Trust's Plans, including the way in which the annual fees payable under the
Plans are calculated.
For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996, the amount of distribution fees paid by
the Fund was $1,910,366 or 0.10% of the total average net assets of the Class I
shares, and $102,920 or 0.65% of the average net assets of the Class II shares
totaling $2,013,286. During the same fiscal year, Distributors received $479,482
in distribution fees from the Fund.
FRANKLIN/TEMPLETON INVESTOR SERVICES, INC.
Franklin/Templeton Investor Services, Inc. ("Investor Services"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Resources, is the shareholder servicing agent for the Trust and
the Fund and also acts as the transfer agent and dividend-paying agent for the
Trust and the Fund. Investor Services is compensated on the basis of a fixed fee
per account. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996, the Fund paid $1,153,533 to
Investor Services for its services.
PROPOSAL IV. TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE FUND'S ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION, TO BE MADE IF THE REORGANIZATION IS NOT APPROVED, WHICH
WOULD PERMIT THE DIRECTORS TO CREATE AN ADDITIONAL CLASS OF SHARES.
THE DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE TO AMEND THE FUND'S
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO CREATE AN ADDITIONAL CLASS OF SHARES TO
BE SOLD TO A NEW MUTUAL FUND WITHIN THE FRANKLIN TEMPLETON GROUP OF
FUNDS WHICH INVESTS ITS ASSETS SOLELY IN SHARES OF OTHER MUTUAL FUNDS
WITHIN THE FRANKLIN TEMPLETON GROUP OF FUNDS. THIS PROPOSED AMENDMENT
TO THE FUND'S ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION WILL ONLY BE COMPLETED IF
STOCKHOLDERS DO NOT APPROVE THE REORGANIZATION DESCRIBED IN PROPOSAL I
BUT APPROVE THIS PROPOSAL. IF THE REORGANIZATION IS APPROVED, THE
TRUSTEES OF THE SURVIVING DELAWARE BUSINESS TRUST WILL BE ABLE TO ADD
THE NEW CLASS OF SHARES WITHOUT BEING REQUIRED TO SEEK SHAREHOLDER
APPROVAL.
APPROVAL OF THIS PROPOSAL WILL NOT AFFECT ANY SHAREHOLDER'S INVESTMENT
IN THE FUND, AND REQUIRES THE VOTE OF TWO-THIRDS OF THE FUND'S
OUTSTANDING SHARES REPRESENTED EITHER IN PERSON AT THE MEETING OR
THROUGH A PROXY CARD, PROVIDED A QUORUM IS PRESENT.
Management is recommending that the Fund's Articles of Incorporation
("Articles") be amended to create new "Class Z" shares of the Fund, in the event
the reorganization of the Fund into a Delaware business trust is not approved.
The new Class Z shares of the Fund are intended initially to be sold to a new
mutual fund within the Franklin Templeton Group of Funds, which invests its
assets solely in shares of other mutual funds within the Franklin Templeton
Group of Funds. The new mutual fund, which is known as a "fund of funds" in the
mutual fund industry, would purchase the Class Z shares of the Fund, as well as
Class Z shares of other Franklin Templeton funds.
The proposed Class Z shares would be the third class of shares of the Fund's
only series. Under the Fund's multiple classes structure, which was previously
approved by stockholders of the Fund, different classes of shares may invest in
a single portfolio of securities (a series), but each class can have a different
pricing structure. For example, the existing Class I and Class II shares of the
Fund have varying sales charges and 12b-1 fees, so that investors can choose a
pricing structure that best suits their investment strategy, and the different
classes also have different voting rights, so that each class has sole voting
power with respect to the approval of its Rule 12b-1 plan.
The proposed Class Z shares would be sold by the Fund to the new Franklin
Templeton "fund of funds" without any sales charges or Rule 12b-1 fees.
Stockholders who indirectly purchase shares of the Fund's Class Z shares through
the "fund of funds," will bear sales charges and Rule 12b-1 fees at the "fund of
funds" level, under a Class I and Class II pricing structure which is the same
as that currently offered by the equity funds within the Franklin Templeton
Group of Funds.
The Directors believe that offering the Class Z shares of the fund to the "fund
of funds" may lead to increased sales of the Fund's shares. This may result in
greater investment flexibility for the Fund and, to the extent of any increase
in the size of the Fund, possible reductions in operating expense ratios due to
economies of scale -- thus benefitting both existing and future stockholders.
The proposed amendment to the Fund's Articles would not affect an existing
stockholder's investment in the Fund. The amendment would create the additional
class of shares of the Fund's only series, with rights and preferences which
differ from the existing class, and the amendment would name the newly created
class. Please refer to Appendix C to this Proxy Statement, which contains the
full text of the current section of the Articles that is proposed to be amended,
as well as the full text of the proposed amendment.
OTHER MATTERS
In the event that sufficient votes in favor of the proposals set forth in the
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders are not received by the date of the
meeting, the proxyholders may propose one or more adjournments of the meeting
for a period or periods of not more than 30 days in the aggregate to permit
further solicitation of proxies, even though a quorum is present. Any such
adjournment will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on
the questions, in person or by proxy, at the session of the meeting to be
adjourned. The costs of any such additional solicitation and of any adjourned
session will be borne by the Fund.
OTHER INFORMATION
THE INFORMATION SET OUT BELOW, WHILE NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE PROPOSALS THAT
YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO CONSIDER, IS REQUIRED BY THE SEC TO BE INCLUDED IN THE
PROXY STATEMENT.
SHAREHOLDERS' PROPOSALS
If proposal III is not approved by shareholders, the Fund anticipates holding
its next annual meeting in August 1997. Any shareholder intending to present any
proposal for consideration at the Fund's next meeting must, in addition to
meeting other applicable requirements, mail such proposal so that it is received
at the Fund's executive offices not less than 120 days in advance of July 22,
1997.
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Annual Report to Shareholders of the Fund, including financial statements of
the Fund for the fiscal year ended May 31, 1996 will be mailed to all
shareholders. UPON REQUEST, SHAREHOLDERS MAY OBTAIN WITHOUT CHARGE A COPY OF THE
ANNUAL REPORT OR THE MOST RECENT SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT BY WRITING THE FUND AT THE
ADDRESS ABOVE OR CALLING THE TRUST AT 1-800/DIAL BEN.
Respectfully Submitted,
DEBORAH R. GATZEK
Secretary
Dated: July 22, 1996
San Mateo, California
SHAREHOLDERS WHO ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON ARE REQUESTED TO
FILL IN, DATE AND SIGN THE PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED PREPAID
ENVELOPE.
WHEN SIGNING AS ATTORNEY, EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, TRUSTEE OR GUARDIAN, GIVE
YOUR FULL TITLE AS SUCH. WHERE STOCK IS HELD JOINTLY, BOTH SIGNATURES ARE
REQUIRED.
APPENDIX A
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF REORGANIZATION
This Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the "Agreement") is made
this __ day of ______________, 1996 by and between AGE High Income Fund, Inc., a
Colorado corporation (the "Fund"), and Franklin High Income Trust, a business
trust created under the laws of the State of Delaware (the "Trust").
In consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, and
intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto agree as follows:
A. PLAN OF REORGANIZATION.
1. Upon satisfaction of the conditions precedent described in Section
3 hereof, the Fund will convey, transfer and deliver to the AGE High
Income Fund (the "New Fund") series of the Trust at the closing
provided for in Section 2 (hereinafter referred to as the "Closing")
all of its then-existing assets, including the assets underlying its
single series of shares designated as the AGE High Income Fund Series.
In consideration thereof, the Trust agrees at the Closing (i) to
assume and pay, to the extent that they exist on or after the Closing
Date of the Reorganization (as defined in Section 2 hereof), all of
the Fund's obligations and liabilities, whether absolute, accrued,
contingent or otherwise, including all fees and expenses in connection
with the Agreement, including without limitation costs of legal
advice, accounting, printing, mailing, proxy solicitation and transfer
taxes, if any, the obligations and liabilities allocated to the Fund
to become the obligations and liabilities of the Trust, and (ii) to
deliver to the Fund full and fractional shares of beneficial interest
of the Trust, par value $0.01, equal in number to the number of full
and fractional shares of common stock, with $0.01 par value, of the
Fund. The transactions contemplated hereby are intended to qualify as
a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code").
2. The Trust will effect such delivery by establishing an open account
for each stockholder of the Fund and by crediting to such account, the
exact number of full and fractional shares of the appropriate class of
the New Fund such stockholder held in the corresponding class of the
Fund on the Closing Date of the Reorganization. Fractional shares of
the New Fund will be carried to the third decimal place. On the
Closing Date of the Reorganization, the net asset value per share of
beneficial interest of each class of the New Fund shall be deemed to
be the same as the net asset value per share of each class of the
Fund. On such date, each certificate representing shares of a class of
the Fund will represent the same number of shares of the corresponding
class of the New Fund. Each stockholder of the Fund will have the
right to exchange his (her) share certificates for share certificates
of the corresponding class of the New Fund. However, a stockholder
need not make this exchange of certificates unless he (she) so
desires. Simultaneously with the crediting of the shares of the New
Fund to the stockholders of record of the Fund, the shares of the Fund
held by such stockholder shall be canceled.
3. As soon as practicable after the Closing Date of the
Reorganization, the Fund shall take all necessary steps under Colorado
law to effect a complete dissolution of the Fund.
B. CLOSING AND CLOSING DATE OF THE REORGANIZATION. The Closing, which will
involve the transfer of the Fund's assets to the Trust, in exchange for the
assumption by the Trust of the Fund's liabilities and the issuance of the
Trust's shares, as described above, together with related acts necessary to
consummate such transactions, will occur either on (i) the business day
immediately following the later of receipt of all necessary regulatory
approvals or the final adjournment of the meeting of stockholders of the
Fund at which this Agreement will be considered, or (ii) such later date as
the parties may mutually agree (the "Closing Date of the Reorganization").
C. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT. The obligations of the Fund and the Trust to
effectuate the Reorganization hereunder shall be subject to the
satisfaction of each of the following conditions:
1. Such authority and orders from the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") and state securities commissions as may
be necessary to permit the parties to carry out the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall have been received;
2. One or more post-effective amendments to the Fund's Registration
Statement on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, containing (i) such amendments to such
Registration Statement as are determined by the Directors of the Fund
to be necessary and appropriate as a result of the Agreement, and (ii)
the adoption by the Trust as its own of such Registration Statement,
as so amended, shall have been filed with the Commission, and such
post-effective amendment or amendments to the Fund's Registration
Statement shall have become effective, and no stop order suspending
the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall have been
issued, and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated
or threatened by the Commission (other than any such stop order,
proceeding or threatened proceeding which shall have been withdrawn or
terminated);
3. Confirmation shall have been received from the Commission or the
Staff thereof that Trust shall, effective upon or before the Closing
Date of the Reorganization, be duly registered as an open-end
management investment company under the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended;
4. Each party shall have received a ruling from the Internal Revenue
Service or an opinion from Messrs. Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young,
LLP, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to the effect that the reorganization
contemplated by this Agreement qualifies as a "reorganization" under
Section 368(a) of the Code, and, thus, will not give rise to the
recognition of income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes to
the Fund, the Trust or stockholders of the Fund or the Trust;
5. Each party shall have received an opinion from Messrs. Stradley,
Ronon, Stevens & Young, LLP, dated the Closing Date of the
Reorganization, addressed to and in form and substance satisfactory to
it, to the effect that (i) this Agreement and the reorganization
provided for herein, and the execution of this Agreement, has been
duly authorized and approved by the Fund and the Trust and constitutes
a legal, valid and binding agreement of each such party in accordance
with its terms; (ii) the shares of the New Fund to be issued pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement have been duly authorized and, when
issued and delivered as provided in this Agreement, will have been
validly issued and fully paid and will be non-assessable by the Trust;
(iii) the Trust is duly organized and validly existing under the laws
of the State of Delaware; and (iv) the Fund is duly organized and
validly existing under the laws of the State of Colorado.
6. The shares of the New Fund shall have been duly qualified for
offering to the public in all states of the United States, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia so as to
permit the transfers contemplated by this Agreement to be consummated;
7. This Agreement and the reorganization contemplated hereby shall
have been adopted and approved by an affirmative vote of at least
two-thirds of all votes entitled to be cast at a meeting of the
stockholders of the Fund;
8. The stockholders of the Fund shall have voted to direct the Fund to
vote, and the Fund shall have voted, as sole shareholder of each class
of the Trust, to:
a. Elect as Trustees of the Trust (the "Trustees") the
following individuals: Messrs. Abbott, Burns, Carlson,
Fortunato, Fox, Rupert H. Johnson, Jr., and Wiskemann;
b. Select Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P. as the independent
public accountants for the Trust for the fiscal year ending
May 31, 1997;
c. Approve a new investment management agreement between the
Trust and Franklin Advisers, Inc., which is substantially
identical to the current investment management agreement
between the Fund and Franklin Advisers, Inc.; and
d. Approve a distribution plan for each class of the only
series of the Trust, as adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, which is
substantially identical to the current 12b-1 distribution
plan for each class of the only series of the Fund;
9. The Trustees shall have taken the following action at a meeting duly
called for such purposes:
a. Approval of the Trust's Custodian Agreement;
b. Selection of Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P. as the Trust's
independent auditors for the fiscal year ending May 31,
1997;
c. Approval of an investment management agreement between
the Trust and Franklin Advisers, Inc., which is
substantially identical to the current investment management
agreement between the Fund and Franklin Advisers, Inc.;
d. Authorization of the issuance by the Trust, prior to the
Closing Date of the Reorganization, of one share of each
class of the Trust, to the Fund in consideration for the
payment of $__ per share for the purpose of enabling the
Fund to vote on matters referred to in paragraph (h) of this
Section 3;
e. Submission of the matters referred to in paragraph (h) of
this Section 3 to the Fund as sole shareholder of the Trust;
and
f. Authorization of the issuance by the Trust of shares of
the Trust on the Closing Date of the Reorganization in
exchange for the assets of the Fund pursuant to the terms
and provisions of this Agreement.
At any time prior to the Closing, any of the
foregoing conditions may be waived by the Board of
Directors of the Fund if, in the judgment of the Directors,
such waiver will not have a material adverse effect on the
benefits intended under this Agreement to the stockholders
of the Fund.
D. TERMINATION. The Board of Directors of the Fund may terminate this
Agreement and abandon the reorganization contemplated hereby,
notwithstanding approval thereof by the stockholders of the Fund, at any
time prior to the Closing Date of the Reorganization if, in the judgment of
the Directors, the facts and circumstances make proceeding with the
Agreement inadvisable.
E. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement between
the parties and there are no agreements, understandings, restrictions or
warranties among the parties other than those set forth herein or herein
provided for.
F. FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Fund and the Trust shall take such further
action as may be necessary or desirable and proper to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby.
G. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of
which shall constitute one and the same instrument.
H. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws
of the State of Delaware.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust and the Fund have each caused this
Agreement and Plan of Reorganization to be executed on its behalf by its
Vice-President and its seal to be affixed hereto and attested by its Secretary,
all as of the day and year first-above written.
Attest: AGE High Income Fund, Inc.
By: By:
Deborah R. Gatzek Harmon E. Burns
Secretary Vice-President
Attest: Franklin High Income Trust
By: By:
Deborah R. Gatzek Harmon E. Burns
Secretary Vice-President
APPENDIX B
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE LEGAL STRUCTURE OF A DELAWARE
BUSINESS TRUST AND A COLORADO CORPORATION
The following discussion provides a summary of the material
differences between the legal structure of a Delaware business trust, created
pursuant to the Delaware Business Trust Act (the "Delaware Act"), and a
corporation organized under the Colorado Business Corporation Act (the "Colorado
Act"). The different legal structures are considered by contrasting the
provisions of the charter documents of AGE High Income Fund, Inc., which is a
Colorado corporation (the "Fund"), with the governing documents of its proposed
successor, Franklin High Income Trust, a Delaware business trust (the "Trust"),
as well as the respective laws applicable to such entities.
GOVERNING INSTRUMENTS
The business and affairs of the Fund are governed under the Colorado
Act by its Articles of Incorporation ("Articles") and by its bylaws. An
Agreement and Declaration of Trust ("Declaration of Trust") and bylaws are the
instruments which provide for the governance of the business and affairs of the
Trust.
MULTIPLE SERIES AND CLASSES
Mutual funds commonly issue a number of different series of shares of
stock, each of which has its own investment objective and policies and
represents a different pool of portfolio securities. Investors can purchase
shares of a fund's various series, such as an equity, bond or money market
series, which are generally viewed by shareholders, in effect, as separate
funds.
The Fund's Articles currently provide for a single series of common
stock, which is further subdivided into two separate classes of shares carrying
differing sales and distribution charges and voting rights. Under the Fund's
Articles, consistent with the Colorado Act, the Board of Directors of the Fund
has the power to determine the respective preferences, limitations and relative
rights of any series or class of shares, or to name such series or classes, but
only before such shares are issued to the public. The Directors may not,
however, create any series or class of shares of the Fund without seeking and
obtaining shareholder approval of an amendment to the Fund's Articles.
The Delaware Act, unlike the Colorado Act, would allow the Board of
Trustees of the Trust to create additional series or classes of beneficial
interests (shares), having such relative rights, powers and duties as the
Declaration of Trust may provide. Furthermore, additional series and/or classes
of shares may be created by resolution of the Board of Trustees without
requiring shareholder approval.
Under the Delaware Act, the debts, liabilities, obligations and
expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to a
particular series of a multiple series investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") are enforceable only against the
assets of such series, and not against the assets of the trust generally,
provided that certain requirements are satisfied. The Trust intends to fulfill
such requirements and its Declaration of Trust provides that each of its series
shall not be charged with the liabilities of another series.
The Colorado Act does not contain specific statutory provisions
addressing series liability with respect to a multiple series investment
company; however, if the stock of a corporation is divided into series, the
Colorado Act requires the articles of incorporation to set forth any preferences
or restrictions relating to such series. Therefore, a shareholder of one series
of shares of a Colorado corporation may not be liable for the obligations of
another series of shares, provided that the articles of incorporation contains a
provision to that effect. With respect to this issue, the Fund's articles of
incorporation do not contain provisions limiting the liability of a particular
series for the obligations of another series.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a court applying federal securities
law may not respect provisions which serve to limit the liability of one series
of an investment company's shares for the liabilities of another series. Several
Federal district court holdings indicate that the provisions relating to series
liability that are contained in either the governing instrument of a DBT or in
the articles of incorporation of a Colorado corporation may be preempted by the
way in which the courts interpret the 1940 Act. Although provisions relating to
series liability in the governing instrument of a DBT or the articles of
incorporation of a Colorado corporation may be preempted by judicial
interpretation of the 1940 Act, such provisions in the governing instrument of a
DBT may be more likely to be upheld because the Delaware Act contains an express
statutory provision.
SHAREHOLDER VOTING POWERS AND MEETINGS
Shareholders of both a Delaware business trust and a Colorado
corporation are subject to the voting requirements contained in the 1940 Act in
connection with the election and removal of trustees or directors, the selection
of auditors and the approval of investment advisory agreements and any plan of
distribution. There are differences, however, in the Delaware Act and the
Colorado Act with respect to shareholder voting on other matters.
The Delaware Act provides that the governing instrument may grant to,
or withhold from, all or certain trustees or beneficial owners, or a specified
class, group or series of trustees or beneficial owners, the right to vote,
separately or with any or all other classes, groups or series of the trustees or
beneficial owners on any matter.
AMENDING GOVERNING DOCUMENTS. The Delaware Act provides more
flexibility, as compared with the Colorado Act, with respect to procedures for
amending a fund's governing documents. The Trust's Declaration of Trust states
that, if shares have been issued, shareholder approval is only required in order
to adopt any amendments to the Declaration of Trust which would adversely affect
to a material degree the rights and preferences of the shares of any series (or
class) or to increase or decrease the par value of the shares of any series (or
class). In addition, before adopting any amendment to the Declaration of Trust
relating to shares without shareholder approval, the trustees are required to
determine that it is: (i) consistent with the fair and equitable treatment of
all shareholders; and (ii) shareholder approval is not required by the 1940 Act
or other applicable law.
Under the Colorado Act, the Fund's Articles may only be amended, with
certain minor exceptions if approved by both the Board of Directors and a
two-thirds majority of the Fund's outstanding shares entitled to vote. One
practical effect of the differences between the Delaware Act and the Colorado
Act for the Fund is that the Fund would be required to seek shareholder approval
in order to amend its Articles to allow it to create new series or classes; or
change the name of the Fund or its series, while the board of a fund organized
as a Delaware business trust could approve such changes without the expense or
delay associated with obtaining shareholder approval.
GENERAL VOTING REQUIREMENTS. The governing documents of the Trust and
Fund contain different requirements with respect to establishing a quorum of
shareholders for purposes of holding a shareholder vote at a meeting of
shareholders. Unless a larger quorum is required by the applicable provisions of
the 1940 Act, the Declaration of Trust of the Trust provides that a majority of
the shares entitled to vote on a matter, present either in person or by proxy,
shall constitute a quorum at a shareholders' meeting. Consistent with the
Declaration of Trust, the bylaws of the Trust further provide that, when a
quorum is present at any meeting, a majority of the shares voted shall decide
any questions, unless the question is one for which a different vote is required
by express provision of Delaware law, the 1940 Act or the Declaration of Trust.
With respect to the election of Trustees, only a plurality vote is necessary.
Similar to the Trust's Declaration of Trust, the Fund's bylaws and
the Colorado Act provide that the presence in person or by proxy of the holders
of record of a majority of the shares entitled to vote shall constitute a
quorum, except as otherwise provided by the 1940 Act or the Fund's Articles.
When a quorum is present, a majority vote of the shares entitled to vote held by
stockholders present in person or by proxy shall decide any matter, unless the
question is one for which a two-thirds majority or some other percentage is
required under the Colorado Act, the 1940 Act or the Fund's Articles. The bylaws
provide that a plurality of the shares present in person or by proxy shall elect
the Directors.
MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS. Under the Delaware Act, annual meetings of
a registered investment company's shareholders are not required to be held. The
Delaware Act does not require annual meetings to be held in any case; however,
the bylaws of the trust provide that an annual meeting of shareholders will be
held if the 1940 Act requires the election of trustees to be acted upon.
Unlike the Delaware Act, the Colorado Act requires that a meeting of
shareholders be held annually. Failure to hold such a meeting, however, neither
affects the validity of any corporate action nor will such failure operate as a
forfeiture or dissolution of the corporation.
SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY
The Delaware Act provides that, except to the extent otherwise
provided in the governing instrument, the beneficial owners of a DBT shall be
entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders
of a private corporation organized for profit under the general corporation law
of Delaware. There is no specific provision in the Fund's Declaration of Trust
or bylaws varying this provision.
As a general matter, shareholders of a Colorado corporation are not
liable for the obligations of the corporation. Under the Colorado Act, however,
a shareholder may be liable in the amount of any distribution he or she accepts
knowing that the distribution was made in violation of the corporation's
articles of incorporation or the Colorado Act.
LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES
The Delaware Act provides that a trustee shall not be personally
liable to any person other than the business trust or a beneficial owner for any
act, omission or obligation of the business trust or any trustee. The Delaware
Act also states that the trustee's duties and liabilities to the trust and its
shareholders may be expanded or restricted by provisions in the governing
instrument. In this regard, the Trust's Declaration of Trust provides that the
Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or
wrongdoing of any officer, agent, employee, manager or principal underwriter of
the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible for the act or omission of any
other trustee. In addition, the Declaration of Trust also states that the
trustees, acting in their capacity as trustees, shall not be personally liable
for acts done by or on behalf of the Trust.
The Colorado Act requires a director to perform his or her duties in
good faith, in a manner he or she reasonably believes to be in the best
interests of the corporation and its shareholders and with such care, including
reasonable inquiry, that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would
use under similar circumstances. A director who performs his or her duties in
accordance with this standard has no liability by reason of being or having been
a director. If it is established that a director did not meet the foregoing
standard, the director, for example, may be personally liable to the corporation
for voting or assenting to a distribution of assets to stockholders which is in
violation of its Articles or the Colorado Act.
INDEMNIFICATION
The Declaration of Trust, consistent with the Delaware Act, provides
that the Trust, subject to its Declaration of Trust and bylaws, may indemnify,
out of its assets, and hold harmless each and every trustee and officer from and
against any and all claims, demands, costs, losses, expenses, and damages,
arising out of, or related to, such trustee's performance of his or her duties
as a trustee or officer. Pursuant to the Declaration of Trust, the Trust will
not indemnify any trustee or officer from or against any liability to the Trust
or any shareholder by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence
or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her
office.
Pursuant to the Colorado Act a director may not be indemnified if it
is established that the act or omission of the director was material to the
matter giving rise to the proceeding and was committed in bad faith or was the
result of active and deliberate dishonesty; or in the case of any criminal
proceeding, the director had reasonable cause to believe that the act or
omission was unlawful. In the case of a proceeding by or in the right of the
corporation against a director, indemnification may not be made in respect of
any proceeding in which the director is adjudged to be liable to the
corporation. In addition, a director may not be indemnified when he or she is
adjudged to be liable on the basis that he or she improperly received personal
benefits, regardless of whether or not the proceeding involves action in the
director's official capacity. There is a comparable provision in the Trust's
bylaws. Also similar to the bylaws of the Trust, the Colorado Act states that
the termination of any proceeding by judgment, order or settlement does not
create a presumption that the director did not meet the standard of conduct to
permit indemnification by the Fund. Moreover, the termination of any proceeding
by conviction, or a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, or an entry of an
order of probation prior to judgment, creates a rebuttable presumption that the
director did not meet the requisite standard of conduct.
Similar to the Declaration of Trust, the Fund's Articles provides
that the Fund shall not protect any officer or director for any liability
arising from the willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or the
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person's duties
to the Fund.
INSURANCE
The Delaware Act does not contain a provision specifically related to
insurance. The Declaration of Trust, however, provides that the Trustees shall
be entitled and empowered to the fullest extent permitted by law to purchase
with Trust assets insurance for liability and for all expenses reasonably
incurred or paid or expected to be paid by a trustee or officer in connection
with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he or she becomes involved
by virtue of his or her capacity (or former capacity) with the Trust. The bylaws
of the Trust permit insurance coverage to the fullest extent permitted by law
and extend such coverage to employees of the Trust.
The Colorado Act provides that the Fund may purchase insurance on
behalf of any director, officer or employee of the Fund against any liability
asserted against and incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out
of such person's position, whether or not the Fund would have the power to
indemnify such person against such liability.
The foregoing is only a summary of the differences between the Fund's
Articles, bylaws and the Colorado Act; and the Trust's Declaration of Trust,
bylaws and the Delaware Act. It is not a complete list of differences.
Shareholders should refer to the provisions of such Articles, bylaws, the
Colorado Act, the Declaration of Trust, the Trust's bylaws and the Delaware Act
directly for a more thorough comparison.
APPENDIX C
The current text of Article IV of the Restated Articles of
Incorporation reads as follows in its entirety:
"The total number of shares of stock which the
corporation shall have authority to issue is five
billion (5,000,000,000) shares of stock, par
value one cent ($.01) per share, such shares
having an aggregate par value of Fifty Million
Dollars ($50,000,000).
Subject to the provisions of these Articles of
Incorporation, the Board of Directors shall have
the power to issue shares of stock of the
Corporation from time to time, at prices not less
than the net asset value or par value thereof,
whichever is greater, for such consideration as
may be fixed from time to time pursuant to the
direction of the Board of Directors.
Pursuant to Section 7-106-102 of the Colorado
Business Corporation Act, the Board of Directors
of the Corporation shall have the power to
determine the preferences, limitations and
relative rights of any series or classes of the
Fund's common stock prior to its issuance and to
ascribe distinguishing designations to such
series or classes.
Subject to the aforesaid power of the Board of
Directors, the class of shares from which shares
are presently issued and outstanding is hereby
designated as the "AGE High Income Fund Series"
(the "Series"), and five billion (5,000,000,000)
shares of stock, par value $.01, are hereby
initially classified and allocated to such
Series.
The Series is hereby divided into such series
("sub-classes") as specified or provided for
herein. Two Billion Five Hundred Million
(2,500,000,000) shares of stock (par value $.01),
which includes all of the currently issued and
outstanding shares of the Series, shall be
allocated to a sub-class known as "AGE High
Income Fund - Class I" ("Class I") and Two
Billion Five Hundred Million (2,500,000,000)
shares of stock (par value $.01) shall be
allocated to a sub-class known as "AGE High
Income Fund Class II" ("Class II").
Each share of a class shall have equal rights
with each other share of that class with respect
to the assets of the Corporation pertaining to
that class. The dividends payable to the holders
of any class of sub-class thereof (subject to any
applicable rules, regulation or order of the
Securities and Exchange Commission or any other
applicable law or regulation) may be charged with
any pro rata portion of distribution expenses
paid pursuant to a Plan of Distribution adopted
by such class or sub-class thereof in accordance
with Investment Company Act of 1940 Rule 12b-1
(or any successor thereto), which dividend shall
be determined as directed by the Board and need
not be individually declared, but may be declared
and paid in accordance with a formula adopted by
the Board. Except as otherwise provided herein,
all references in these Articles of Incorporation
to stock or class of stock shall apply without
discrimination to the shares of each class of
stock.
The shares of Class I and Class II of the AGE
High Income Fund Series shall represent
proportionate interests in the same portfolio of
investments of the Series. The shares of Class I
and Class II shall have the same rights and
privileges, and shall be subject to the same
limitations and priorities, all as set forth
herein, provided that dividends paid on the
shares of Class I shall not reflect any reduction
for payment of fees under the Distribution Plan
of Class II, and dividends paid on the shares of
Class II shall not reflect reduction for payment
of fees under the Distribution Plan of Class I,
adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and
provided further, that the shares of Class I
shall not vote upon or with respect to any matter
relating to or arising from any Distribution Plan
of Class II, and the shares of Class II shall not
vote upon or with respect to any matter relating
to or arising from any Distribution Plan of Class
I.
The holder of each share of stock of the
Corporation shall be entitled to one vote for
each full share, and a fractional vote for each
fractional share of stock, irrespective of the
class then standing in his or her name in the
books of the Corporation. On any matter submitted
to a vote of stockholders, all shares of the
corporation then issued and outstanding and
entitled to vote, irrespective of the class or
sub-class, shall be voted in the aggregate and
not by class or sub-class except (1) when
otherwise expressly provided by the Colorado
Business Corporation Act, or (2) when required by
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
shares shall be voted by individual classes or
sub-classes and (3) when the matter does not
affect any interest of the particular class or
sub-class, then only stockholders of the affected
class or sub-classes shall be entitled to vote
thereon. Holders of shares of stock of the
Corporation shall not be entitled to cumulative
voting in the election of directors or on any
other matter."
The amended text of Article IV of the Restated Articles of Incorporation is
proposed to read as follows in its entirety:
"The total number of shares of stock which the
corporation shall have authority to issue is Five
Billion (5,000,000,000) shares of stock, par
value one cent ($.01) per share, such shares
having an aggregate par value of Fifty Million
($50,000,000) Dollars.
Subject to the provisions of these Articles of
Incorporation, the Board of Directors shall have
the power to issue shares of stock of the
Corporation from time to time, at prices not less
than the net asset value or par value thereof,
whichever is greater, for such consideration as
may be fixed from time to time pursuant to the
direction of the Board of Directors.
Pursuant to Section 7-106-102 of the Colorado
Business Corporation Act, the Board of Directors
of the Corporation shall have the power to
determine the preferences, limitations and
relative rights of any series or classes of the
Fund's common stock prior to its issuance and to
ascribe distinguishing designations to such
series or classes.
Subject to the aforesaid power of the Board of
Directors, the class of shares from which shares
are presently issued and outstanding is hereby
designated as the "AGE High Income Fund Series"
(the "Series"), and Five Billion (5,000,000,000)
shares of stock, par value $.01, are hereby
initially classified and allocated to such
Series.
The Series is hereby divided into such series
("sub-classes") as specified or provided for
herein. Two Billion (2,000,000,000) shares of
stock (par value $.01), shall be allocated to a
sub-class known as "AGE High Income Fund - Class
I" ("Class I"), and shall include all of the
currently issued and outstanding Class I shares,
Two Billion (2,000,000,000) shares of stock (par
value $.01) shall be allocated to a sub-class
known as "AGE High Income Fund - Class II"
("Class II"), and shall include all of the
currently issued and outstanding Class II shares,
and One Billion (1,000,000,000) shares of stock,
one half of which were previously allocated to
the Class I shares and one half of which were
previously allocated to the Class II shares,
shall be redesignated and reallocated to a
sub-class known as "AGE High Income Fund - Class
Z" ("Class Z").
Each share of a class shall have equal rights
with each other share of that class with respect
to the assets of the Corporation pertaining to
that class. The dividends payable to the holders
of any class or sub-class thereof (subject to any
applicable rules, regulation or order of the
Securities and Exchange Commission or any other
applicable law or regulation) may be charged with
any pro rata portion of distribution expenses
paid pursuant to a Plan of Distribution adopted
by such class or sub-class thereof in accordance
with Investment Company Act of 1940 Rule 12b-1
(or any successor thereto), which dividend shall
be determined as directed by the Board and need
not be individually declared, but may be declared
and paid in accordance with a formula adopted by
the Board. Except as otherwise provided herein,
all references in these Articles of Incorporation
to stock or class of stock shall apply without
discrimination to the shares of each class of
stock.
The shares of Class I, Class II and Class Z of
the AGE High Income Fund Series shall represent
proportionate interests in the same portfolio of
investments of the Series. The shares of Class I,
Class II and Class Z shall have the same rights
and privileges, and shall be subject to the same
limitations and priorities, all as set forth
herein, provided that dividends paid on the
shares of Class I and Class Z shall not reflect
any reduction for payment of fees under the
Distribution Plan of Class II, adopted pursuant
to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and dividends
paid on the shares of Class II and Class Z shall
not reflect reduction for payment of fees under
the Distribution Plan of Class I, adopted
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, and
provided further, that the shares of Class I or
Class Z shall not vote upon or with respect to
any matter relating to or arising from any
Distribution Plan of Class II, and the shares of
Class II or Class Z shall not vote upon or with
respect to any matter relating to or arising from
any Distribution Plan of Class I.
The holder of each share of stock of the
Corporation shall be entitled to one vote for
each full share, and a fractional vote for each
fractional share of stock, irrespective of the
class then standing in his or her name in the
books of the Corporation. On any matter submitted
to a vote of stockholders, all shares of the
corporation then issued and outstanding and
entitled to vote, irrespective of the class or
sub-class, shall be voted in the aggregate and
not by class or sub-class except (1) when
otherwise expressly provided by the Colorado
Business Corporation Act, or (2) when required by
the 1940 Act, shares shall be voted by individual
classes or sub-classes and (3) when the matter
does not affect any interest of the particular
class or sub-class, then only stockholders of the
affected class or sub-classes shall be entitled
to vote thereon. Holders of shares of stock of
the Corporation shall not be entitled to
cumulative voting in the election of directors or
on any other matter."
1 The term "series" in the mutual fund industry is used to refer to
shares that represent interests in separate portfolios of investments
with differing investment objectives. "Classes" of shares represent
sub-divisions of series with differing preferences, rights and
privileges as the directors may determine and, in most circumstances,
differing marketing attributes. The terms do not necessarily
correspond to the terms that are used under the Colorado corporate
law, but will be used for ease of reference in this discussion.
PROXY PROXY
105
AGE HIGH INCOME FUND, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS - AUGUST 28, 1996
The undersigned hereby revokes all previous proxies for his shares and appoints
Rupert H. Johnson, Jr., Charles B. Johnson, Harmon E. Burns, Deborah R. Gatzek,
Larry L. Greene, and each of them proxies of the undersigned with full power of
substitution to vote all shares of AGE High Income Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") which
the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Fund's Annual Meeting to be held at
777 Mariners Island Blvd., San Mateo, California 94404 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific time
on the 28th day of August, 1996, including any adjournments thereof, upon the
matters set forth below.
PLEASE SIGN AND PROMPTLY RETURN IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE. NO POSTAGE
REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE U.S. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS. IT WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED. IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THIS
PROXY SHALL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF EACH LISTED PROPOSAL (INCLUDING ALL NOMINEES
FOR DIRECTORS) AND WITHIN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXYHOLDERS AS TO ANY OTHER
BUSINESS WHICH MAY LEGALLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
x____________________________
Signature
x____________________________ Dated:________________, 1996
Signature
Note: please sign exactly as your name appears on the proxy. If signing for
estates, trusts, or corporations, title or capacity should be stated. If
shares are held jointly, each holder must sign.
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS - TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL
NOMINEE, STRIKE A LINE THROUGH THE NOMINEE'S NAME IN THE LIST BELOW.
TO VOTE FILL IN BOX COMPLETELY
FOR ALL NOMINEES except WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
as marked to the contrary below FOR ALL NOMINEES
BELOW
Frank H. Abbott, III, Harmon E. Burns, Robert F. Carlson, S. Joseph Fortunato,
Roy V. Fox, Rupert H. Johnson, Jr., R. Martin Wiskemann
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
2. Ratification of the selection of Coopers & Lybrand, Certified Public
Accountants, as the independent auditors for the Fund for the fiscal year ending
May 31, 1997.
3. To approve a change of the Fund's place and form of organization from a
Colorado corporation to a Delaware business trust.
4. To approve amendments to the Fund's Articles of Incorporation, to be made of
the Reorganization is not approved, which would permit the Directors to create
an additional class of shares.
GRANT WITHHOLD
5. To vote upon any other business which may legally
come before the meeting.
105
PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THE
REVERSE OF THIS CARD
