______________________________________________________________________________
PROSPECTUS MAY 1, 1998
DREYFUS LIQUID ASSETS, INC.
______________________________________________________________________________
DREYFUS LIQUID ASSETS, INC. (THE "FUND") IS AN OPEN-END, DIVERSIFIED,
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY, KNOWN AS A MONEY MARKET MUTUAL FUND. THE
FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE YOU WITH AS HIGH A LEVEL OF CURRENT
INCOME AS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE PRESERVATION OF CAPITAL.
YOU CAN INVEST, REINVEST OR REDEEM SHARES AT ANY TIME WITHOUT CHARGE
OR PENALTY. THE FUND PROVIDES FREE REDEMPTION CHECKS, WHICH YOU CAN USE IN
AMOUNTS OF $500 OR MORE FOR CASH OR TO PAY BILLS. YOU CONTINUE TO EARN INCOME
ON THE AMOUNT OF THE CHECK UNTIL IT CLEARS. YOU CAN PURCHASE OR REDEEM SHARES
BY TELEPHONE USING DREYFUS TELETRANSFER.
THE DREYFUS CORPORATION PROFESSIONALLY MANAGES THE FUND'S PORTFOLIO.
THIS PROSPECTUS SETS FORTH CONCISELY INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND
THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE INVESTING. IT SHOULD BE READ AND RETAINED FOR
FUTURE REFERENCE.
THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, DATED MAY 1, 1998, WHICH MAY
BE REVISED FROM TIME TO TIME, PROVIDES A FURTHER DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN AREAS
IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND OTHER MATTERS WHICH MAY BE OF INTEREST TO SOME
INVESTORS. IT HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AND
IS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE. THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
MAINTAINS A WEB SITE (HTTP://WWW.SEC.GOV) THAT CONTAINS THE STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, MATERIAL INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE, AND OTHER
INFORMATION REGARDING THE FUND. FOR A FREE COPY OF THE STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, WRITE TO THE FUND AT 144 GLENN CURTISS BOULEVARD,
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK 11556-0144, OR CALL 1-800-645-6561. WHEN TELEPHONING, ASK
FOR OPERATOR 144.
AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND IS NEITHER INSURED NOR GUARANTEED BY THE
U.S. GOVERNMENT. THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE FUND WILL BE ABLE TO
MAINTAIN A STABLE NET ASSET VALUE OF $1.00 PER SHARE.
MUTUAL FUND SHARES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR
GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK, AND ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE
FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY
OTHER AGENCY.
______________________________________________________________________________
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Annual Fund Operating Expenses.................... 3
Condensed Financial Information................... 3
Yield Information................................. 4
Description of the Fund........................... 4
Management of the Fund............................ 6
How to Buy Shares................................. 7
Shareholder Services.............................. 9
How to Redeem Shares.............................. 12
Shareholder Services Plan......................... 14
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes................ 15
General Information............................... 16
Appendix.......................................... 17
______________________________________________________________________________
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
______________________________________________________________________________
[This Page Intentionally Left Blank]
[Page 2]
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of average daily net assets)
Management Fees........................... .47%
Other Expenses............................ .28%
Total Fund Operating Expenses............. .75%
<TABLE>
Example: 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
You would pay the following expenses on
a $1,000 investment, assuming (1) 5%
annual return and (2) redemption at the
end of each time period: $8 $24 $42 $93
</TABLE>
______________________________________________________________________________
THE AMOUNTS LISTED IN THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS
REPRESENTATIVE OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES AND ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER
OR LESS THAN THOSE INDICATED. MOREOVER, WHILE THE EXAMPLE ASSUMES A 5% ANNUAL
RETURN, THE FUND'S ACTUAL PERFORMANCE WILL VARY AND MAY RESULT IN AN ACTUAL
RETURN GREATER OR LESS THAN 5%.
______________________________________________________________________________
The purpose of the foregoing table is to assist you in understanding
the costs and expenses borne by the Fund, the payment of which will reduce
investors' annual return. The information in the foregoing table does not
reflect any fee waiver or expense reimbursement arrangements that may be in
effect. You can purchase Fund shares without charge directly from the Fund's
distributor; you may be charged a fee if you effect transactions in Fund
shares through a securities dealer, bank or other financial institution. See
"Management of the Fund," "How to Buy Shares" and "Shareholder Services
Plan."
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The information in the following table has been audited by Ernst &
Young LLP, the Fund's independent auditors. Further financial data, related
notes and the report of independent auditors accompany the Statement of
Additional Information, which is available upon request.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Contained below is per share operating performance data for a share
of Common Stock outstanding, total investment return, ratios to average net
assets and other supplemental data for each year indicated. This information
has been derived from the Fund's financial statements.
<TABLE>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997
PER SHARE DATA: ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ _____
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value,
beginning
of year.... $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $1.00
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ _____
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
Investment
income_net..... .069 .087 .076 .057 .034 .026 .035 .053 .048 .049
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ _____
DISTRIBUTIONS:
Dividends from
investment
income_net.... (.069) (.087) (.076) (.057) (.034) (.026) (.035) (.053) (.048) (.049)
______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ ______ _____
Net asset value,
end of year.. $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $1.00
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ====== =====
TOTAL INVESTMENT
RETURN....... 7.11% 9.07% 7.99% 5.87% 3.47% 2.64% 3.53% 5.45% 4.91% 5.04%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Ratio of expenses to
average net
assets..... .69% .66% .65% .67% .72% .77% .76% .79% .76% .74%
Decrease reflected
in above expense
ratios due to
undertaking by
The Dreyfus
Corporation _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .02% .01%
Ratio of net
investment income
to average
net assets ... 6.92% 8.72% 7.66% 5.75% 3.43% 2.62% 3.49% 5.33% 4.75% 4.92%
Net Assets,
end of year
(000's
omitted).... $7,304,277 $7,835,754 $7,521,291 $6,200,255 $5,502,100 $4,828,134 $4,863,374 $4,459,938 $4,714,699 $4,566,292
</TABLE>
[Page 3]
YIELD INFORMATION
From time to time, the Fund advertises its yield and effective yield.
Both yield figures are based on historical earnings and are not intended to
indicate future performance. It can be expected that these yields will
fluctuate substantially. The yield of the Fund refers to the income generated
by an investment in the Fund over a seven-day period (which period will be
stated in the advertisement). This income is then annualized. That is, the
amount of income generated by the investment during that week is assumed to
be generated each week over a 52-week period and is shown as a percentage of
the investment. The effective yield is calculated similarly, but, when
annualized, the income earned by an investment in the Fund is assumed to be
reinvested. The effective yield will be slightly higher than the yield because
of the compounding effect of this assumed reinvestment. The Fund's yield and
effective yield may reflect absorbed expenses pursuant to any undertaking that
may be in effect. See "Management of the Fund."
Yield information is useful in reviewing the Fund's performance, but
because yields will fluctuate, under certain conditions such information may
not provide a basis for comparison with domestic bank deposits, other
investments which pay a fixed yield for a stated period of time, or other
investment companies which may use a different method of computing yield.
Comparative performance information may be used from time to time in
advertising or marketing the Fund's shares, including data from Lipper
Analytical Services, Inc., IBC's Money Fund Reporttrademark, Morningstar,
Inc., Bank Rate Monitortrademark, N. Palm Beach, Fla. 33408 and other
industry publications.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Fund's investment objective is to provide you with as high a
level of current income as is consistent with the preservation of capital. It
cannot be changed without approval by the holders of a majority (as defined
in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act")) of the
Fund's outstanding voting shares. There can be no assurance that the Fund's
investment objective will be achieved. Securities in which the Fund will
invest may not earn as high a level of current income as long-term or lower
quality securities which generally have less liquidity, greater market risk
and more fluctuation in market value.
MANAGEMENT POLICIES
The Fund invests in short-term money market instruments, consisting
exclusively of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its
agencies or instrumentalities, certificates of deposit, time deposits,
bankers' acceptances and other short-term obligations issued by domestic
banks and London branches of domestic banks, repurchase agreements,
asset-backed securities, high grade commercial paper and other short-term
corporate obligations. See "Appendix-Certain Portfolio Securities." The Fund
will invest at least 25% of its assets in bank obligations. See "Investment
Considerations and Risks" below.
The Fund seeks to maintain a net asset value of $1.00 per share for
purchases and redemptions. To do so, the Fund uses the amortized cost method
of valuing its securities pursuant to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, which
Rule includes various maturity, quality and diversification requirements,
certain of which are summarized below.
In accordance with Rule 2a-7, the Fund is required to maintain a
dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of 90 days or less, purchase only
instruments having remaining maturities of 13 months or less and invest only
in U.S. dollar denominated securities determined in accordance with
procedures established by the Fund's Board to present minimal credit risks
and which are rated in one of the two highest rating categories for debt
obligations by at least two nationally recognized statistical rating
organizations (or one rating organization if the instrument was rated by only
one such organization) or, if unrated, are
[Page 4]
of comparable quality as determined in accordance with procedures established
by the Board. Moreover, the Fund will purchase only securities so rated in
the highest rating category or, if unrated, of comparable quality as
determined in accordance with such procedures. The nationally recognized
statistical rating organizations currently rating instruments of the type the
Fund may purchase are Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), Standard &
Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P"), Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. ("Duff"), Fitch
IBCA, Inc. ("Fitch") and Thomson BankWatch, Inc., and their rating criteria
are described in the "Appendix" to the Statement of Additional Information.
For further information regarding the amortized cost method of valuing
securities, see "Determination of Net Asset Value" in the Statement of
Additional Information. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able
to maintain a stable net asset value of $1.00 per share.
The Fund may borrow money from banks for temporary or emergency (not
leveraging) purposes in an amount up to 5% of the value of its total assets
(including the amount borrowed) valued at the lesser of cost or market, less
liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) at the time the borrowing is
made.
INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS AND RISKS
GENERAL - The Fund attempts to increase yields by trading to take advantage
of short-term market variations. This policy is expected to result in high
portfolio turnover but should not adversely affect the Fund because the Fund
usually does not pay brokerage commissions when it purchases short-term debt
obligations. The value of the portfolio securities held by the Fund will vary
inversely to changes in prevailing interest rates. Thus, if interest rates
have increased from the time a security was purchased, such security, if
sold, might be sold at a price less than its purchase cost. Similarly, if
interest rates have declined from the time a security was purchased, such
security, if sold, might be sold at a price greater than its purchase cost.
In either instance, if the security was purchased at face value and held to
maturity, no gain or loss would be realized.
BANK SECURITIES - To the extent the Fund's investments are concentrated in
the banking industry, the Fund will have correspondingly greater exposure to
the risk factors which are characteristic of such investments. Sustained
increases in interest rates can adversely affect the availability or
liquidity and cost of capital funds for a bank's lending activities, and a
deterioration in general economic conditions could increase the exposure to
credit losses. In addition, the value of and the investment return on the
Fund`s shares could be affected by economic or regulatory developments in or
related to the banking industry, and competition within the banking industry
as well as with other types of financial institutions. The Fund, however,
will seek to minimize its exposure to such risks by investing only in debt
securities which are determined to be of the highest quality.
FOREIGN SECURITIES - Because the Fund's portfolio may contain securities
issued by London branches of domestic banks, the Fund may be subject to
additional investment risks with respect to such securities that are
different in some respects from those incurred by a fund which invests only
in debt obligations of U.S. domestic issuers. Such risks include possible
adverse political and economic developments, seizure or nationalization of
foreign deposits, or adoption of governmental restrictions which might
adversely affect or restrict the payment of principal and interest on such
securities to investors located outside the country of the issuer.
SIMULTANEOUS INVESTMENTS - Investment decisions for the Fund are made
independently from those of other investment companies advised by The Dreyfus
Corporation. If, however, such other investment companies desire to invest
in, or dispose of, the same securities as the Fund, available investments or
opportunities for sales will be allocated equitably to each investment
company. In some cases, this procedure may adversely affect the price paid or
received by the Fund or the size of the position obtained for or disposed of
by the Fund.
[Page 5]
Year 2000 Risks - Like other mutual funds, financial and business
organizations and individuals around the world, the Fund could be adversely
affected if the computer systems used by The Dreyfus Corporation and the
Fund's other service providers do not properly process and calculate
date-related information and data from and after January 1, 2000. This is
commonly known as the "Year 2000 Problem." The Dreyfus Corporation is taking
steps to address the Year 2000 Problem with respect to the computer systems
that it uses and to obtain assurances that comparable steps are being taken
by the Fund's other major service providers. At this time, however, there can
be no assurance that these steps will be sufficient to avoid any adverse
impact on the Fund.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
INVESTMENT ADVISER - The Dreyfus Corporation, located at 200 Park Avenue,
New York, New York 10166, was formed in 1947 and serves as the Fund's
investment adviser. The Dreyfus Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Mellon Bank, N.A., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mellon Bank
Corporation ("Mellon"). As of March 31, 1998, The Dreyfus Corporation managed
or administered approximately $100 billion in assets for approximately 1.7
million investor accounts nationwide.
The Dreyfus Corporation supervises and assists in the overall
management of the Fund's affairs under a Management Agreement with the Fund,
subject to the authority of the Fund's Board in accordance with Maryland law.
Mellon is a publicly owned multibank holding company incorporated
under Pennsylvania law in 1971 and registered under the Federal Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended. Mellon provides a comprehensive range of
financial products and services in domestic and selected international
markets. Mellon is among the twenty-five largest bank holding companies in
the United States based on total assets. Mellon's principal wholly-owned
subsidiaries are Mellon Bank, N.A., Mellon Bank (DE) National Association,
Mellon Bank (MD), The Boston Company, Inc., AFCO Credit Corporation and a
number of companies known as Mellon Financial Services Corporations. Through
its subsidiaries, including The Dreyfus Corporation, Mellon managed more than
$305 billion in assets as of December 31, 1997, including approximately $104
billion in proprietary mutual fund assets. As of December 31, 1997, Mellon,
through various subsidiaries, provided non-investment services, such as
custodial or administration services, for more than $1.532 trillion in
assets, including approximately $60 billion in mutual fund assets.
Under the terms of the Management Agreement, the Fund has agreed to
pay The Dreyfus Corporation a monthly fee at the annual rate of .47 of 1% of
the value of the Fund's average daily net assets. For the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997, the Fund paid The Dreyfus Corporation a monthly management
fee at the effective annual rate of .46 of 1% of the value of the Fund's
average daily net assets pursuant to an undertaking by The Dreyfus
Corporation. From time to time, The Dreyfus Corporation may waive receipt of
its fees and/or voluntarily assume certain expenses of the Fund, which would
have the effect of lowering the expense ratio of the Fund and increasing
yield to investors. The Fund will not pay The Dreyfus Corporation at a later
time for any amounts it may waive, nor will the Fund reimburse The Dreyfus
Corporation for any amounts it may assume.
In allocating brokerage transactions, The Dreyfus Corporation seeks
to obtain the best execution of orders at the most favorable net price.
Subject to this determination, The Dreyfus Corporation may consider, among
other things, the receipt of research services and/or the sale of shares of
the Fund or other funds managed, advised or administered by The Dreyfus
Corporation as factors in the selection of broker-dealers to execute
portfolio transactions for the Fund. See "Portfolio Transactions" in the
Statement of Additional Information.
The Dreyfus Corporation may pay the Fund's distributor for
shareholder services from The Dreyfus Corporation's own assets, including
past profits but not including the management fee paid by the Fund.
[Page 6]
The Fund's distributor may use part or all of such payments to pay securities
dealers, banks or other financial institutions in respect to these services.
DISTRIBUTOR - The Fund's distributor is Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc.
("Distributor"), located at 60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. The
Distributor's ultimate parent is Boston Institutional Group, Inc.
TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT AND CUSTODIAN - Dreyfus Transfer,
Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Dreyfus Corporation, P.O. Box 9671,
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671, is the Fund's Transfer and Dividend
Disbursing Agent (the "Transfer Agent"). The Bank of New York, 90 Washington
Street, New York, New York 10286, serves as the Fund's Custodian.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
Fund shares are sold without a sales charge. You may be charged a fee
if you effect transactions in Fund shares through a securities dealer, bank
or other financial institution. Stock certificates are issued only upon your
written request. No certificates are issued for fractional shares. The Fund
reserves the right to reject any purchase order.
The minimum initial investment is $2,500, or $1,000 if you are a
client of a securities dealer, bank or other financial institution which
maintains an omnibus account in the Fund and has made an aggregate minimum
initial purchase for its customers of $2,500. Subsequent investments must be
at least $100. However, the minimum initial investment is $750 for
Dreyfus-sponsored Keogh Plans, IRAs (including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for
a non-working spouse, Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs and rollover IRAs) and 403(b)(7)
Plans with only one participant and $500 for Dreyfus-sponsored Education
IRAs, with no minimum for subsequent purchases. The initial investment must
be accompanied by the Account Application. For full-time or part-time
employees of The Dreyfus Corporation or any of its affiliates or
subsidiaries, directors of The Dreyfus Corporation, Board members of a fund
advised by The Dreyfus Corporation, including members of the Fund's Board, or
the spouse or minor child of any of the foregoing, the minimum initial
investment is $1,000. For full-time or part-time employees of The Dreyfus
Corporation or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries who elect to have a
portion of their pay directly deposited into their Fund accounts, the minimum
initial investment is $50. The Fund reserves the right to offer Fund shares
without regard to minimum purchase requirements to employees participating in
certain qualified and non-qualified employee benefit plans or other programs
where contributions or account information may be transmitted in a manner and
form acceptable to the Fund. The Fund reserves the right to vary further the
initial and subsequent minimum investment requirements at any time. Fund
shares also are offered without regard to the minimum initial investment
requirements through Dreyfus-AUTOMATIC Asset Builder Registration Mark, Dreyfus
Government Direct Deposit Privilege or Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan pursuant
to the Dreyfus Step Program described under "Shareholder Services." These
services enable you to make regularly scheduled investments and may provide
you with a convenient way to invest for long-term financial goals. You should
be aware, however, that periodic investment plans do not guarantee a profit
and will not protect an investor against loss in a declining market.
You may purchase Fund shares by check or wire, or through the Dreyfus
TELETRANSFER Privilege described below. Checks should be made payable to "The
Dreyfus Family of Funds," or, if for Dreyfus retirement plan accounts, to
"The Dreyfus Trust Company, Custodian." Payments to open new accounts which
are mailed should be sent to The Dreyfus Family of Funds, P.O. Box 9387,
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9387, together with your Account Application.
For subsequent investments, your Fund account number should appear on the
check and an investment slip should be enclosed and sent to The Dreyfus
Family of Funds, P.O. Box 105, Newark, New Jersey 07101-0105. For Dreyfus
retirement plan
[Page 7]
accounts, both initial and subsequent investments should be sent to The
Dreyfus Trust Company, Custodian, P.O. Box 6427, Providence, Rhode Island
02940-6427. Neither initial nor subsequent investments should be made by
third party check. Purchase orders may be delivered in person only to a
Dreyfus Financial Center. THESE ORDERS WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE FUND AND WILL
BE PROCESSED ONLY UPON RECEIPT THEREBY. For the location of the nearest
Dreyfus Financial Center, please call one of the telephone numbers listed
under "General Information."
Wire payments may be made if your bank account is in a commercial
bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve System or any other bank having
a correspondent bank in New York City. Immediately available funds may be
transmitted by wire to The Bank of New York, DDA #8900051795/Dreyfus Liquid
Assets, Inc., for purchase of Fund shares in your name. The wire must include
your Fund account number (for new accounts, your taxpayer identification
number ("TIN") should be included instead), account registration and dealer
number, if applicable. If your initial purchase of Fund shares is by wire,
please call 1-800-645-6561 after completing your wire payment to obtain your
Fund account number. Please include your Fund account number on the Account
Application and promptly mail the Account Application to the Fund, as no
redemptions will be permitted until the Account Application is received. You
may obtain further information about remitting funds in this manner from your
bank. All payments should be made in U.S. dollars and, to avoid fees and
delays, should be drawn only on U.S. banks. A charge will be imposed if any
check used for investment in your account does not clear. The Fund makes
available to certain large institutions the ability to issue purchase
instructions through compatible computer facilities.
Subsequent investments also may be made by electronic transfer of
funds from an account maintained in a bank or other domestic financial
institution that is an Automated Clearing House member. You must direct the
institution to transmit immediately available funds through the Automated
Clearing House to The Bank of New York with instructions to credit your Fund
account. The instructions must specify your Fund account registration and
Fund account number PRECEDED BY THE DIGITS "1111."
Fund shares are sold on a continuous basis at the net asset value per
share next determined after an order in proper form is received by the
Transfer Agent or other entity authorized to receive orders on behalf of the
Fund. Net asset value per share is determined as of the close of trading on
the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m., New York time)
on each day the New York Stock Exchange or the Transfer Agent is open for
business. Net asset value per share is computed by dividing the value of the
Fund's net assets (i.e., the value of its assets less liabilities) by the
total number of Fund shares outstanding. See "Determination of Net Asset
Value" in the Statement of Additional Information.
The Distributor may pay dealers a fee of up to .5% of the amount
invested through such dealers in Fund shares by employees participating in
qualified and non-qualified employee benefit plans or other programs where
(i) the employers or affiliated employers maintaining such plans or programs
have a minimum of 250 employees eligible for participation in such plans or
programs, or (ii) such plan's or program's aggregate investment in the
Dreyfus Family of Funds or certain other products made available by the
Distributor to such plans or programs exceeds $1,000,000 ("Eligible Benefit
Plans"). Shares of funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds then held by Eligible
Benefit Plans will be aggregated to determine the fee payable. The
Distributor reserves the right to cease paying these fees at any time. The
Distributor will pay such fees from its own funds, other than amounts
received from the Fund, including past profits or any other source available
to it.
Federal regulations require that you provide a certified TIN upon
opening or reopening an account. See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" and
the Account Application for further information concerning this requirement.
Failure to furnish a certified TIN to the Fund could subject you to a $50
penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS").
[Page 8]
DREYFUS TELETRANSFER PRIVILEGE
You may purchase shares (minimum $500, maximum $150,000 per day) by
telephone if you have checked the appropriate box and supplied the necessary
information on the Account Application or have filed a Shareholder Services
Form with the Transfer Agent. The proceeds will be transferred between the
bank account designated in one of these documents and your Fund account. Only
a bank account maintained in a domestic financial institution which is an
Automated Clearing House member may be so designated. The Fund may modify or
terminate this Privilege at any time or charge a service fee upon notice to
shareholders. No such fee currently is contemplated.
If you have selected the Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege, you may
request a Dreyfus TELETRANSFER purchase of shares by calling 1-800-645-6561
or, if you are calling from overseas, call 516-794-5452.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
FUND EXCHANGES
You may purchase, in exchange for shares of the Fund, shares of
certain other funds managed or administered by The Dreyfus Corporation, to
the extent such shares are offered for sale in your state of residence. These
funds have different investment objectives which may be of interest to you.
If you desire to use this service, please call 1-800-645-6561 to determine if
it is available and whether any conditions are imposed on its use.
To request an exchange, you must give exchange instructions to the
Transfer Agent in writing or by telephone. Before any exchange, you must
obtain and should review a copy of the current prospectus of the fund into
which an exchange is being made. Prospectuses may be obtained by calling
1-800-645-6561. Except in the case of personal retirement plans, the shares
being exchanged must have a current value of at least $500; furthermore, when
establishing a new account by exchange, the shares being exchanged must have
a value of at least the minimum initial investment required for the fund into
which the exchange is being made. The ability to issue exchange instructions
by telephone is given to all Fund shareholders automatically, unless you
check the applicable "No" box on the Account Application, indicating that you
specifically refuse this Privilege. The Telephone Exchange Privilege may be
established for an existing account by written request signed by all
shareholders on the account, by a separate signed Shareholder Services Form,
available by calling 1-800-645-6561, or by oral request from any of the
authorized signatories on the account by calling 1-800-645-6561. If you have
established the Telephone Exchange Privilege, you may telephone exchange
instructions (including over The Dreyfus Touch Registration Mark automated
telephone system) by calling 1-800-645-6561. If you are calling from
overseas, call 516-794-5452. See "How to Redeem Shares - Procedures." Upon an
exchange into a new account the following shareholder services and
privileges, as applicable and where available, will be automatically carried
over to the fund into which the exchange is made: Telephone Exchange
Privilege, Check Redemption Privilege, Wire Redemption Privilege, Telephone
Redemption Privilege, Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege and the dividend/capital
gain distribution option (except for Dreyfus Dividend Sweep) selected by the
investor.
Shares will be exchanged at the next determined net asset value;
however, a sales load may be charged with respect to exchanges into funds
sold with a sales load. If you are exchanging into a fund that charges a
sales load, you may qualify for share prices which do not include the sales
load or which reflect a reduced sales load, if the shares you are exchanging
were: (a) purchased with a sales load, (b) acquired by a previous exchange
from shares purchased with a sales load, or (c) acquired through reinvestment
of dividends or distributions paid with respect to the foregoing categories
of shares. To qualify, at the time of the exchange you must notify the
Transfer Agent. Any such qualification is subject to confirmation of your
holdings through a check of appropriate records. See "Shareholder Services"
in the Statement of
[Page 9]
Additional Information. No fees currently are charged shareholders
directly in connection with exchanges, although the Fund reserves the right,
upon not less than 60 days' written notice, to charge shareholders a nominal
administrative fee in accordance with rules promulgated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The Fund reserves the right to reject any exchange
request in whole or in part. The availability of Fund Exchanges may be
modified or terminated at any time upon notice to shareholders. See
"Dividends, Distributions and Taxes."
DREYFUS AUTO-EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege enables you to invest regularly (on
a semi-monthly, monthly, quarterly or annual basis), in exchange for shares
of the Fund, in shares of certain other funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds
of which you are a shareholder. The amount you designate, which can be
expressed either in terms of a specific dollar or share amount ($100
minimum), will be exchanged automatically on the first and/or fifteenth of
the month according to the schedule you have selected. Shares will be
exchanged at the then-current net asset value; however, a sales load may be
charged with respect to exchanges into funds sold with a sales load. See
"Shareholder Services" in the Statement of Additional Information. The right
to exercise this Privilege may be modified or cancelled by the Fund or the
Transfer Agent. You may modify or cancel your exercise of this Privilege at
any time by mailing written notification to The Dreyfus Family of Funds, P.O.
Box 9671, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671. The Fund may charge a service
fee for the use of this Privilege. No such fee currently is contemplated. For
more information concerning this Privilege and the funds in the Dreyfus
Family of Funds eligible to participate in this Privilege, or to obtain a
Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Authorization Form, please call toll free
1-800-645-6561. See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes."
DREYFUS-AUTOMATIC ASSET BUILDER Registration Mark
Dreyfus-AUTOMATIC Asset Builder permits you to purchase Fund shares
(minimum of $100 and maximum of $150,000 per transaction) at regular
intervals selected by you. Fund shares are purchased by transferring funds
from the bank account designated by you. Only an account maintained at a
domestic financial institution which is an Automated Clearing House member
may be so designated. To establish a Dreyfus-AUTOMATIC Asset Builder account,
you must file an authorization form with the Transfer Agent. You may obtain
the necessary authorization form by calling 1-800-645-6561. You may cancel
your participation in this Privilege or change the amount of purchase at any
time by mailing written notification to The Dreyfus Family of Funds, P.O. Box
9671, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671, or, if for Dreyfus retirement plan
accounts, to The Dreyfus Trust Company, Custodian, P.O. Box 6427, Providence,
Rhode Island 02940-6427, and the notification will be effective three
business days following receipt. The Fund may modify or terminate this
Privilege at any time or charge a service fee. No such fee currently is
contemplated.
DREYFUS GOVERNMENT DIRECT DEPOSIT PRIVILEGE - Dreyfus Government Direct
Deposit Privilege enables you to purchase Fund shares (minimum of $100 and
maximum of $50,000 per transaction) by having Federal salary, Social
Security, or certain veterans', military or other payments from the Federal
government automatically deposited into your Fund account. You may deposit as
much of such payments as you elect. To enroll in Dreyfus Government Direct
Deposit, you must file with the Transfer Agent a completed Direct Deposit
Sign-Up Form for each type of payment that you desire to include in this
Privilege. The appropriate form may be obtained by calling 1-800-645-6561.
Death or legal incapacity will terminate your participation in this
Privilege. You may elect at any time to terminate your participation by
notifying in writing the appropriate Federal agency. The Fund may terminate
your participation upon 30 days' notice to you.
DREYFUS PAYROLL SAVINGS PLAN - Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan permits you to
purchase Fund shares (minimum of $100 per transaction) automatically on a
regular basis. Depending upon your employer's
[Page 10]
direct deposit program, you may have part or all of your paycheck transferred
to your existing Dreyfus account electronically through the Automated
Clearing House system at each pay period. To establish a Dreyfus Payroll
Savings Plan account, you must file an authorization form with your
employer's payroll department. Your employer must complete the reverse side
of the form and return it to The Dreyfus Family of Funds, P.O. Box 9671,
Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671. You may obtain the necessary
authorization form by calling 1-800-645-6561. You may change the amount of
purchase or cancel the authorization only by written notification to your
employer. It is the sole responsibility of your employer, not the Distributor,
The Dreyfus Corporation, the Fund, the Transfer Agent or any other person, to
arrange for transactions under the Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan. The Fund may
modify or terminate this Privilege at any time or charge a service fee. No
such fee currently is contemplated.
Dreyfus Step Program - Dreyfus Step Program enables you to purchase Fund
shares without regard to the Fund's minimum initial investment requirements
through Dreyfus-AUTOMATIC Asset Builder Registration Mark, Dreyfus Government
Direct Deposit Privilege or Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan. To establish a
Dreyfus Step Program account, you must supply the necessary information on
the Account Application and file the required authorization form(s) with the
Transfer Agent. For more information concerning this Program, or to request
the necessary authorization form(s), please call toll free 1-800-782-6620.
You may terminate your participation in this Program at any time by
discontinuing your participation in Dreyfus-AUTOMATIC Asset Builder, Dreyfus
Government Direct Deposit Privilege or Dreyfus Payroll Savings Plan, as the
case may be, as provided under the terms of such Privilege(s). The Fund may
modify or terminate this Program at any time. Investors who wish to purchase
Fund shares through the Dreyfus Step Program in conjunction with a
Dreyfus-sponsored retirement plan may do so only for IRAs, SEP-IRAs and IRA
"Rollover Accounts."
MONTHLY OR QUARTERLY DISTRIBUTION PLANS - The Distribution Plans permit you
to receive monthly or quarterly payments from the Fund consisting of proceeds
from the redemption of shares purchased for your account through the
automatic reinvestment of dividends declared on your account during the
preceding month or calendar quarter.
You may open a monthly or quarterly Distribution Plan by submitting
a request to the Transfer Agent. A Plan may be ended at any time by you, the
Fund or the Transfer Agent. Shares for which certificates have been issued
must be presented before redemption under the Plan.
DREYFUS DIVIDEND OPTIONS - Dreyfus Dividend Sweep enables you to invest
automatically dividends or dividends and capital gain distributions, if any,
paid by the Fund in shares of another fund in the Dreyfus Family of Funds of
which you are a shareholder. Shares of the other fund will be purchased at
the then-current net asset value; however, a sales load may be charged with
respect to investments in shares of a fund sold with a sales load. If you are
investing in a fund that charges a sales load, you may qualify for share
prices which do not include the sales load or which reflect a reduced sales
load. If you are investing in a fund that charges a contingent deferred sales
charge, the shares purchased will be subject on redemption to the contingent
deferred sales charge, if any, applicable to the purchased shares. See
"Shareholder Services" in the Statement of Additional Information. Dreyfus
Dividend ACH permits you to transfer electronically dividends or dividends
and capital gain distributions, if any, from the Fund to a designated bank
account. Only an account maintained at a domestic financial institution which
is an Automated Clearing House member may be so designated. Banks may charge
a fee for this service.
For more information concerning these privileges or to request a
Dividend Options Form, please call toll free 1-800-645-6561. You may cancel
these privileges by mailing written notification to The Dreyfus Family of
Funds, P.O. Box 9671, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671. To select a new
fund after cancellation, you must submit a new Dividend Options Form.
Enrollment in or cancellation of these privileges
[Page 11]
is effective three business days following receipt. These
privileges are available only for existing accounts and may not be used to
open new accounts. Minimum subsequent investments do not apply for Dreyfus
Dividend Sweep. The Fund may modify or terminate these privileges at any time
or charge a service fee. No such fee currently is contemplated. Shares of the
Fund held under Keogh Plans, IRAs or other retirement plans are not eligible
for Dreyfus Dividend Sweep.
AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN - The Automatic Withdrawal Plan permits you to
request withdrawal of a specified dollar amount (minimum of $50) on either a
monthly or quarterly basis if you have a $5,000 minimum account. An Automatic
Withdrawal Plan may be established by filing an Automatic Withdrawal Plan
application with the Transfer Agent or by oral request from any of the
authorized signatories on the account by calling 1-800-645-6561. The
Automatic Withdrawal Plan may be ended at any time by you, the Fund or the
Transfer Agent. Shares for which certificates have been issued may not be
redeemed through the Automatic Withdrawal Plan.
RETIREMENT PLANS - The Fund offers a variety of pension and profit-sharing
plans, including Keogh Plans, IRAs (including regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for
a non-working spouse, Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs, rollover IRAs and Education IRAs),
401(k) Salary Reduction Plans and 403(b)(7) Plans. Plan support services also
are available. You can obtain details on the various plans by calling the
following numbers: for Keogh Plans, please call 1-800-358-5566; for IRAs
(except SEP-IRAs) please call 1-800-645-6561; or for SEP-IRAs, 401(k) Salary
Reduction Plans and 403(b)(7) Plans, please call 1-800-322-7880.
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
GENERAL
You may request redemption of your shares at any time. Redemption
requests should be transmitted to the Transfer Agent as described below. When
a request is received in proper form by the Transfer Agent or other entity
authorized to receive orders on behalf of the Fund, the Fund will redeem the
shares at the next determined net asset value.
The Fund imposes no charges when shares are redeemed. Securities
dealers, banks and other financial institutions may charge their clients a
fee for effecting redemptions of Fund shares. Any certificates representing
Fund shares being redeemed must be submitted with the redemption request. The
value of the shares redeemed may be more or less than their original cost,
depending upon the Fund's then-current net asset value.
The Fund ordinarily will make payment for all shares redeemed
within seven days of receipt by the Transfer Agent of a redemption request in
proper form, except as provided by the rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. HOWEVER, IF YOU HAVE PURCHASED FUND SHARES BY CHECK, BY DREYFUS
TELETRANSFER PRIVILEGE OR THROUGH DREYFUS-AUTOMATIC ASSET BUILDER Registration
Mark AND SUBSEQUENTLY SUBMIT A WRITTEN REDEMPTION REQUEST TO THE TRANSFER
AGENT, YOUR REDEMPTION WILL BE EFFECTIVE AND THE REDEMPTION PROCEEDS WILL BE
TRANSMITTED TO YOU PROMPTLY UPON BANK CLEARANCE OF YOUR PURCHASE CHECK,
DREYFUS TELETRANSFER PURCHASE OR DREYFUS-AUTOMATIC ASSET BUILDER ORDER, WHICH
MAY TAKE UP TO EIGHT BUSINESS DAYS OR MORE. IN ADDITION, THE FUND WILL NOT
HONOR REDEMPTION CHECKS UNDER THE CHECK REDEMPTION PRIVILEGE, AND WILL REJECT
REQUESTS TO REDEEM SHARES BY WIRE OR TELEPHONE OR PURSUANT TO THE DREYFUS
TELETRANSFER PRIVILEGE, FOR A PERIOD OF EIGHT BUSINESS DAYS AFTER RECEIPT BY
THE TRANSFER AGENT OF THE PURCHASE CHECK, THE DREYFUS TELETRANSFER PURCHASE
OR THE DREYFUS-AUTOMATIC ASSET BUILDER ORDER AGAINST WHICH SUCH REDEMPTION IS
REQUESTED. THESE PROCEDURES WILL NOT APPLY IF YOUR SHARES WERE PURCHASED BY
WIRE PAYMENT, OR IF YOU OTHERWISE HAVE A SUFFICIENT COLLECTED BALANCE IN YOUR
ACCOUNT TO COVER THE REDEMPTION REQUEST. PRIOR TO THE TIME ANY REDEMPTION IS
EFFECTIVE, DIVIDENDS ON SUCH SHARES WILL ACCRUE AND
[Page 12]
BE PAYABLE, AND YOU WILL BE ENTITLED TO EXERCISE ALL OTHER RIGHTS
OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP. Fund shares will not be redeemed until the Transfer
Agent has received your Account Application.
Ordinarily the Fund will initiate payment for all shares redeemed
pursuant to the regular redemption procedure, by wire or telephone or through
the Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege on the next business day after receipt by
the Transfer Agent of a redemption request in proper form.
The Fund reserves the right to redeem your account at its option
upon not less than 45 days' written notice if your account's net asset value
is $500 or less and remains so during the notice period.
PROCEDURES
You may redeem shares by using the regular redemption procedure
through the Transfer Agent, or through the Check Redemption Privilege or
Telephone Redemption Privilege which are granted automatically unless you
specifically refuse them by checking the applicable "No" box on the Account
Application. The Check Redemption Privilege and Telephone Redemption
Privilege may be established for an existing account by a separate signed
Shareholder Services Form or, for the Telephone Redemption Privilege, by oral
request from any of the authorized signatories on the account by calling
1-800-645-6561. You also may redeem shares through the Wire Redemption
Privilege or the Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege, if you have checked the
appropriate box and supplied the necessary information on the Account
Application or have filed a Shareholder Services Form with the Transfer
Agent. The Fund makes available to certain large institutions the ability to
issue redemption instructions through compatible computer facilities. The
Fund reserves the right to refuse any request made by wire or telephone,
including requests made shortly after a change of address, and may limit the
amount involved or the number of such requests. The Fund may modify or
terminate any redemption Privilege at any time or charge a service fee upon
notice to shareholders. No such fee currently is contemplated. Shares held
under Keogh Plans, IRAs or other retirement plans, and shares for which
certificates have been issued, are not eligible for the Check Redemption,
Wire Redemption, Telephone Redemption or Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege.
The Telephone Redemption Privilege or Telephone Exchange Privilege
authorizes the Transfer Agent to act on telephone instructions (including
over The Dreyfus Touch Registration Mark automated telephone system) from any
person representing himself or herself to be you, and reasonably believed by
the Transfer Agent to be genuine. The Fund will require the Transfer Agent to
employ reasonable procedures, such as requiring a form of personal
identification, to confirm that instructions are genuine and, if it does not
follow such procedures, the Fund or the Transfer Agent may be liable for any
losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Neither the Fund nor
the Transfer Agent will be liable for following telephone instructions
reasonably believed to be genuine.
During times of drastic economic or market conditions, you may
experience difficulty in contacting the Transfer Agent by telephone to
request a redemption or exchange of Fund shares. In such cases, you should
consider using the other redemption procedures described herein. Use of these
other redemption procedures may result in your redemption request being
processed at a later time than it would have been if telephone redemption had
been used.
REGULAR REDEMPTION - Under the regular redemption procedure, you may redeem
shares by written request mailed to The Dreyfus Family of Funds, P.O. Box
9671, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671, or, if for Dreyfus retirement plan
accounts, to The Dreyfus Trust Company, Custodian, P.O. Box 6427, Providence,
Rhode Island 02940-6427. Redemption requests may be delivered in person only
to a Dreyfus Financial Center. THESE REQUESTS WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE FUND
AND WILL BE PROCESSED ONLY UPON RECEIPT THEREBY. For the location of the
nearest Dreyfus Financial Center, please call one of the telephone numbers
listed under "General Information." Redemption requests must be signed by
each shareholder, including each owner of a joint account, and each signature
must be guaranteed. The Transfer Agent has
[Page 13]
adopted standards and procedures pursuant to which signature-guarantees in
proper form generally will be accepted from domestic banks, brokers, dealers,
credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities
associations, clearing agencies and savings associations, as well as from
participants in the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program, the
Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") and the Stock
Exchanges Medallion Program. If you have any questions with respect to
signature-guarantees, please call one of the telephone numbers listed under
"General Information."
Redemption proceeds of at least $1,000 will be wired to any member
bank of the Federal Reserve System in accordance with a written
signature-guaranteed request.
CHECK REDEMPTION PRIVILEGE - You may write Redemption Checks drawn on your
Fund account. Redemption Checks may be made payable to the order of any
person in the amount of $500 or more. Redemption Checks should not be used to
close your account. Redemption Checks are free, but the Transfer Agent will
impose a fee for stopping payment of a Redemption Check upon your request or
if the Transfer Agent cannot honor a Redemption Check due to insufficient
funds or other valid reason. You should date your Redemption Checks with the
current date when you write them. Please do not postdate your Redemption
Checks. If you do, the Transfer Agent will honor, upon presentment, even if
presented before the date of the check, all postdated Redemption Checks which
are dated within six months of presentment for payment, if they are otherwise
in good order. If you hold shares in a Dreyfus sponsored IRA account, you may
be permitted to make withdrawals from your IRA account using checks furnished
to you by The Dreyfus Trust Company. The Check Redemption Privilege is
granted automatically unless you refuse it.
WIRE REDEMPTION PRIVILEGE - You may request by wire, telephone or letter that
redemption proceeds (minimum $1,000) be wired to your account at a bank which
is a member of the Federal Reserve System, or a correspondent bank if your
bank is not a member. Holders of jointly registered Fund or bank accounts may
have redemption proceeds of not more than $250,000 wired within any 30-day
period. You may telephone redemption requests by calling 1-800-645-6561 or,
if you are calling from overseas, call 516-794-5452. The Statement of
Additional Information sets forth instructions for transmitting redemption
requests by wire.
TELEPHONE REDEMPTION PRIVILEGE - You may request by telephone that
redemption proceeds (maximum $150,000 per day) be paid by check and mailed to
your address. You may telephone redemption instructions by calling
1-800-645-6561 or, if you are calling from overseas, call 516-794-5452. The
Telephone Redemption Privilege is granted automatically unless you refuse it.
DREYFUS TELETRANSFER PRIVILEGE - You may request by telephone that
redemption proceeds (minimum $500 per day) be transferred between your Fund
account and your bank account. Only a bank account maintained in a domestic
financial institution which is an Automated Clearing House member may be
designated. Redemption proceeds will be on deposit in your account at an
Automated Clearing House member bank ordinarily two days after receipt of the
redemption request. Holders of jointly registered Fund or bank accounts may
redeem through the Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege for transfer to their bank
account not more than $250,000 within any 30-day period.
If you have selected the Dreyfus TELETRANSFER Privilege, you may
request a Dreyfus TELETRANSFER redemption of shares by calling 1-800-645-6561
or, if you are calling from overseas, call 516-794-5452.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN
The Fund has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan pursuant to which
the Fund reimburses Dreyfus Service Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
The Dreyfus Corporation, an amount not to exceed an annual rate of .25 of 1%
of the value of the Fund's average daily net assets for certain allocated
expenses of providing personal services and/or maintaining shareholder
accounts. The services provided may include personal
[Page 14]
services relating to shareholder accounts, such as answering
shareholder inquiries regarding the Fund and providing reports and other
information, and services related to the maintenance of shareholder accounts.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
The Fund ordinarily declares and pays dividends from its net
investment income on each day the New York Stock Exchange or the Transfer
Agent is open for business. The Fund's earnings for Saturdays, Sundays and
holidays are paid as dividends on the next business day. Shares begin
accruing dividends on the day following the date of purchase. Distributions
from net realized securities gains, if any, generally are declared and paid
once a year, but the Fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis to
comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), in all events in a manner consistent with the
provisions of the 1940 Act. The Fund will not make distributions from net
realized securities gains unless capital loss carryovers, if any, have been
utilized or have expired. You may choose whether to receive dividends and
distributions in cash or to reinvest in additional Fund shares at net asset
value. If you elect to receive dividends and distributions in cash and your
dividend or distribution check is returned to the Fund as undeliverable or
remains uncashed for six months, the Fund reserves the right to reinvest such
dividend or distribution and all future dividends and distributions payable
to you in additional Fund shares at net asset value. No interest will accrue
on amounts represented by uncashed distribution or redemption checks. All
expenses are accrued daily and deducted before declaration of dividends to
investors.
Dividends derived from net investment income, together with
distributions from any net realized short-term securities gains and all or a
portion of any gain realized from the sale or other disposition of certain
market discount bonds, paid by the Fund will be taxable to shareholders as
ordinary income whether received in cash or reinvested in additional Fund
shares. No dividend will qualify for the dividends received deduction
allowable to certain U.S. corporations. Distributions from net realized
long-term securities gains of the Fund will be taxable to U.S. shareholders as
long-term capital gains regardless of how long shareholders have held their
Fund shares and whether such distributions are received in cash or reinvested
in additional Fund shares. The Code provides that an individual generally
will be taxed on his or her net capital gain at a maximum rate of 28% with
respect to capital gain from securities held for more than one year but not
more than 18 months and at a maximum rate of 20% with respect to capital gain
from securities held for more than 18 months. The Fund, however, does not
expect to generate capital gains from securities held more than 18 months.
Dividends and distributions may be subject to certain state and local taxes.
Dividends derived from net investment income, together with
distributions from net realized short-term securities gain and all or a
portion of any gain realized from the sale or other disposition of certain
market discount bonds, paid by the Fund to a foreign investor generally are
subject to U.S. nonresident withholding taxes at the rate of 30%, unless the
investor claims the benefit of a lower rate specified in a tax treaty.
Distributions from net realized long-term securities gains paid by the Fund to
a foreign investor generally will not be subject to U.S. nonresident
withholding tax. However, such distributions may be subject to backup
withholding, as described below, unless the foreign investor certifies his
non-U.S. residency status.
Notice as to the tax status of your dividends and distributions
will be mailed to you annually. You also will receive periodic summaries of
your account which will include information as to dividends and distributions
from securities gains, if any, paid during the year.
The exchange of shares of one fund for shares of another is treated
for Federal income tax purposes as a sale of the shares given in exchange by
the shareholder and, therefore, an exchanging shareholder may realize a
taxable gain or loss.
Federal regulations generally require the Fund to withhold ("backup
withholding") and remit to the U.S. Treasury 31% of dividends and
distributions from net realized securities gains of the Fund paid to a
shareholder if such shareholder fails to certify either that the TIN
furnished in connection with opening an
[Page 15]
account is correct, or that such shareholder has not received
notice from the IRS of being subject to backup withholding as a result of a
failure to properly report taxable dividend or interest income on a Federal
income tax return. Furthermore, the IRS may notify the Fund to institute
backup withholding if the IRS determines that a shareholder's TIN is
incorrect or if a shareholder has failed to properly report taxable dividend
and interest income on a Federal income tax return.
A TIN is either the Social Security number, IRS individual taxpayer
identification number, or employer identification number of the record owner
of the account. Any tax withheld as a result of backup withholding does not
constitute an additional tax imposed on the record owner of the account, and
may be claimed as a credit on the record owner's Federal income tax return.
Management of the Fund believes that the Fund has qualified for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 as a "regulated investment company" under
the Code. The Fund intends to continue to so qualify if such qualification is
in the best interests of its shareholders. Such qualification relieves the
Fund of any liability for Federal income taxes to the extent its earnings are
distributed in accordance with applicable provisions of the Code. The Fund is
subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax, measured with respect to certain
undistributed amounts of taxable income and capital gains, if any.
You should consult your tax adviser regarding specific questions as
to Federal, state or local taxes.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Fund was incorporated under Maryland law on September 6, 1973,
and commenced operations on January 28, 1974. The Fund is authorized to issue
25 billion shares of Common Stock, par value $.10 per share. Each share has
one vote.
Unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act, ordinarily it will not
be necessary for the Fund to hold annual meetings of shareholders. As a
result, Fund shareholders may not consider each year the election of Board
members or the appointment of auditors. However, the holders of at least 10%
of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote may require the Fund to hold a
special meeting of shareholders for the purpose of removing a Board member
from office. Fund shareholders may remove a Board member by the affirmative
vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting shares. In addition, the
Board will call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of electing Board
members if, at any time, less than a majority of the Board members then
holding office have been elected by shareholders.
The Transfer Agent maintains a record of your ownership and sends
you confirmations and statements of account.
Shareholder inquiries may be made by writing to the Fund at 144
Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, New York 11556-0144, or by calling toll
free 1-800-645-6561. In New York City, call 1-718-895-1206; outside the U.S.,
call 516-794-5452.
[Page 16]
APPENDIX
CERTAIN PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES - Securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government or its agencies or instrumentalities include U.S. Treasury
securities, which differ in their interest rates, maturities and times of
issuance. Some obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies
and instrumentalities are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Treasury; others by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury;
others by discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain
obligations of the agency or instrumentality; and others only by the credit
of the agency or instrumentality. These securities bear fixed, floating or
variable rates of interest. While the U.S. Government currently provides
financial support to such U.S. Government-sponsored agencies or
instrumentalities, no assurance can be given that it will always do so, since
it is not so obligated by law.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS - In a repurchase agreement, the Fund buys, and the
seller agrees to repurchase, a security at a mutually agreed upon time and
price (usually within seven days). The repurchase agreement thereby
determines the yield during the purchaser's holding period, while the
seller's obligation to repurchase is secured by the value of the underlying
security. Repurchase agreements could involve risks in the event of a default
or insolvency of the other party to the agreement, including possible delays
or restrictions upon the Fund's ability to dispose of the underlying
securities. TheFund may enter into repurchase agreements with certain banks
or non-bank dealers.
BANK OBLIGATIONS - The Fund may purchase certificates of deposit, time
deposits, bankers' acceptances and other short-term obligations issued by
domestic banks and London branches of domestic banks. With respect to such
securities issued by London branches of domestic banks, the Fund may be
subject to additional investment risks that are different in some respects
from those incurred by a fund which invests only in debt obligations of U.S.
domestic issuers. "Description of the Fund-Investment Considerations and
Risks-Foreign Securities."
Certificates of deposit are negotiable certificates evidencing the
obligation of a bank to repay funds deposited with it for a specified period
of time.
Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in a banking
institution for a specified period of time (in no event longer than seven
days) at a stated interest rate. Investments in time deposits generally are
limited to domestic banks and London branches of domestic banks that have
total assets in excess of one billion dollars.
Bankers' acceptances are credit instruments evidencing the obligation
of a bank to pay a draft drawn on it by a customer. These instruments reflect
the obligation both of the bank and the drawer to pay the face amount of the
instrument upon maturity. The other short-term obligations may include
uninsured, direct obligations bearing fixed, floating or variable interest
rates.
COMMERCIAL PAPER - Commercial paper consists of short-term, unsecured
promissory notes issued to finance short-term credit needs. The commercial
paper purchased by the Fund will consist only of direct obligations issued by
domestic entities. The other corporate obligations in which the Fund may
invest consist of high quality, U.S. dollar denominated short-term bonds and
notes (including variable amount master demand notes) issued by domestic and
foreign corporations, including banks.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES - The Fund may purchase asset-backed securities,
which are securities issued by special purpose entities whose primary assets
consist of a pool of mortgages, loans, receivables or other assets. Payment
of principal and interest may depend largely on the cash flows generated by
the assets backing the securities and, in certain cases, supported by letters
of credit, surety bonds or other forms of
[Page 17]
credit or liquidity enhancements. The value of these asset-backed securities
also may be affected by the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the
pool of assets, the originator of the loans or receivables or the financial
institution providing the credit support.
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND IN THE
FUND'S OFFICIAL SALES LITERATURE IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER OF THE FUND'S
SHARES, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST
NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE FUND. THIS PROSPECTUS
DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER IN ANY STATE IN WHICH, OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM,
SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
[Page 18]
[This Page Intentionally Left Blank]
[Page 19]
Liquid
Assets, Inc.
Prospectus
Registration Mark
Copy Rights 1998, Dreyfus Service Corporation
DREYFUS LIQUID ASSETS, INC.
PART B
(STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
MAY 1, 1998
This Statement of Additional Information, which is not a prospectus,
supplements and should be read in conjunction with the current Prospectus of
Dreyfus Liquid Assets, Inc. (the "Fund"), dated May 1, 1998, as it may be
revised from time to time. To obtain a copy of the Fund's Prospectus,
please write to the Fund at 144 Glenn Curtiss Boulevard, Uniondale, New York
11556-0144, or call the following numbers:
Call Toll Free 1-800-645-6561
In New York City -- Call 1-718-895-1206
Outside the U.S. -- Call 516-794-5452
The Dreyfus Corporation (the "Manager") serves as the Fund's investment
adviser.
Premier Mutual Fund Services, Inc. (the "Distributor") is the
distributor of the Fund's shares.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Investment Objective and Management Policies B-2
Management of the Fund B-4
Management Agreement B-8
Purchase of Shares B-10
Shareholder Services Plan B-11
Redemption of Shares B-12
Shareholder Services B-14
Determination of Net Asset Value B-17
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes B-18
Portfolio Transactions B-18
Yield Information B-18
Information About the Fund B-19
Transfer and Dividend Disbursing Agent,
Custodian, Counsel and Independent Auditors B-20
Financial Statements and Report of Independent Auditors B-20
Appendix B-21
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND MANAGEMENT POLICIES
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the sections in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "Description of the
Fund" and "Appendix."
Portfolio Securities
Bank Obligations. Investments in time deposits ("TDs") and
certificates of deposit ("CDs") are limited to domestic banks having total
assets in excess of $1 billion and London branches of such domestic banks;
investments in bankers' acceptances are limited to domestic banks having
total assets in excess of $1 billion. The Fund also is authorized to buy
CDs issued by banks, savings and loan associations and similar institutions
with less than $1 billion in assets, the deposits of which are insured by
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"), provided the Fund
purchases any such CD in the principal amount of no more than $100,000,
which amount would be fully insured by the Bank Insurance Fund or the
Savings Association Insurance Fund administered by the FDIC. Interest
payments on such a CD are not insured by the FDIC. The Fund would not own
more than one such CD per such issuer.
Both domestic banks and London branches of domestic banks are subject
to extensive but different governmental regulations which may limit both the
amount and types of loans which may be made and interest rates which may be
charged. In addition, the profitability of the banking industry is
dependent largely upon the availability and cost of funds for the purpose of
financing lending operations under prevailing money market conditions.
General economic conditions as well as exposure to credit losses arising
from possible financial difficulties of borrowers play an important part in
the operations of the banking industry.
As a result of Federal or state laws and regulations, domestic banks
are, among other things, required to maintain specified levels of reserves,
limited in the amounts which they can loan to a single borrower and subject
to other regulations designed to promote financial soundness. However, not
all of such laws and regulations apply to the foreign branches of domestic
banks.
CDs held by the Fund, other than those issued by banks with less than
$1 billion in assets as described above, do not benefit materially, and TDs
do not benefit at all, from insurance from the Bank Insurance Fund or the
Savings Association Insurance Fund.
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund's custodian or subcustodian will have
custody of, and will hold in a segregated account, securities acquired by
the Fund under a repurchase agreement. Repurchase agreements are considered
by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission to be loans by the
Fund. In an attempt to reduce the risk of incurring a loss on a repurchase
agreement, the Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only with domestic
banks with total assets in excess of $1 billion, or primary government
securities dealers reporting to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, with
respect to securities of the type in which the Fund may invest, and will
require that additional securities be deposited with it if the value of the
securities purchased should decrease below resale price.
Investment Restrictions
The Fund has adopted the following investment restrictions as
fundamental policies, which cannot be changed without approval by the
holders of a majority (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "1940 Act")) of the outstanding voting shares of the Fund. The
Fund may not:
1. Purchase common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants, other equity
securities, corporate bonds or debentures, state bonds, municipal bonds or
industrial revenue bonds (except through the purchase of debt obligations
referred to above and in the Prospectus).
2. Borrow money, except from banks for temporary or emergency (not
leveraging) purposes in an amount up to 5% of the value of the Fund's total
assets (including the amount borrowed) valued at the lesser of cost or
market, less liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) at the time the
borrowing is made.
3. Pledge its assets, except in an amount up to 15% of the value of
its total assets but only to secure borrowings for temporary or emergency
purposes.
4. Sell securities short.
5. Write or purchase put or call options.
6. Underwrite the securities of other issuers, purchase securities
subject to restrictions on disposition under the Securities Act of 1933 (so
called "restricted securities") or purchase securities which are not freely
marketable.
7. Purchase or sell real estate, real estate investment trust
securities, commodities, or oil and gas interests.
8. Make loans to others, except through the purchase of debt
obligations and through repurchase agreements referred to in the Prospectus.
9. Invest more than 15% of its assets in the obligations of any
one bank or invest more than 5% of its assets in the commercial paper of any
one issuer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent required by rules
of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund will not invest more
than 5% of its assets in the obligations of any one bank.
10. Invest less than 25% of its assets in obligations issued by banks
or invest more than 25% of its assets in the securities of issuers in any
other industry.
11. Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control.
12. Invest in securities of other investment companies, except as they
may be acquired as part of a merger, consolidation or acquisition of assets.
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a
later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from a change in values
or assets will not constitute a violation of that restriction.
The Fund may make commitments more restrictive than the restrictions
listed above so as to permit the sale of Fund shares in certain states.
Should the Fund determine that a commitment is no longer in the best
interests of the Fund and its shareholders, the Fund reserves the right to
revoke the commitment by terminating the sale of Fund shares in the state
involved.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
Board members and officers of the Fund, together with information as to
their principal business occupations during at least the last five years,
are shown below.
Board Members of the Fund
LUCY WILSON BENSON, Board Member. President of Benson and Associates,
consultants to business and government. Mrs. Benson is a director of
Communications Satellite Corporation, General RE Corporation and
Logistics Management Institute. She is also a Trustee of the Alfred P.
Sloan Foundation, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Lafayette
College, Vice Chairman of the Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs and
a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. From 1980 to 1994, Mrs.
Benson was a director of The Grumman Corporation. Mrs. Benson served
as a consultant to the U.S. Department of State and to SRI
International from 1980 to 1981. From 1977 to 1980, she was Under
Secretary of State for Security Assistance, Science and Technology.
She is 70 years old and her address is 46 Sunset Avenue, Amherst,
Massachusetts 01002.
DAVID W. BURKE, Board Member. Chairman of the Broadcasting Board of
Governors, an independent board within the United States Information
Agency, since August 1995. From August 1994 to December 1994, Mr.
Burke was a Consultant to the Manager and, from October 1990 to August
1994, he was Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the
Manager. From 1977 to 1990, Mr. Burke was involved in the management
of national television news, as Vice President and Executive Vice
President of ABC News, and subsequently as President of CBS News. He
is 60 years old and his address is Box 654, Eastham, Massachusetts
02642.
JOSEPH S. DiMARTINO, Chairman of the Board. Since January 1995, Chairman of
the Board of various funds in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. He is also
a director of The Muscular Dystrophy Association, HealthPlan Services
Corporation, a provider of marketing, administrative and risk
management services to health and other benefit programs, The Noel
Group, Inc., a venture capital company (for which, from February 1995
until November 1997, he was Chairman of the Board), Carlyle Industries,
Inc. (formerly, Belding Heminway Company, Inc.), a button packager and
distributor, Staffing Resources, Inc., a temporary placement agency,
and Century Business Services, Inc., a provider of various outsourcing
functions for small and medium size companies. For more than five
years prior to January 1995, he was President, a director and, until
August 1994, Chief Operating Officer of the Manager and Executive Vice
President and a director of Dreyfus Service Corporation, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Manager and, until August 24, 1994, the Fund's
distributor. From August 1994 until December 31, 1994, he was a
director of Mellon Bank Corporation. He is 54 years old and his address
is 200 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10166.
MARTIN D. FIFE, Board Member. Chairman of the Board of Magar Inc., a
company specializing in financial products and developing early stage
companies. In addition, Mr. Fife is Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of Skysat Communication Network Corporation, a
company developing telecommunications systems. Mr. Fife also serves on
the boards of various other companies. He is 69 years old and his
address is 405 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10174.
WHITNEY I. GERARD, Board Member. Partner of the New York City law firm of
Chadbourne & Parke. He is 62 years old and his address is 30
Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10112.
ARTHUR A. HARTMAN, Board Member. Senior consultant with APCO Associates
Inc. From 1981 to 1987, he was United States Ambassador to the former
Soviet Union. He is also a director of the ITT Hartford Insurance
Group, Ford Meter Box Corporation, Lawter International and a member of
the advisory councils of several other companies, research institutes
and foundations. Ambassador Hartman is Chairman of First NIS Regional
Fund (ING/Barings Management). He is a former President of the Harvard
Board of Overseers. He is 70 years old and his address is 2738
McKinley Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20015.
GEORGE L. PERRY, Board Member. An economist and Senior Fellow at the
Brookings Institution since 1969. He is co-director of the Brookings
Panel on Economic Activity and editor of its journal, The Brookings
Papers. He is also a director of the State Farm Mutual Automobile
Association, State Farm Life Insurance Company and Federal Realty
Investment Trust. He is 62 years old and his address is 1775
Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.
PAUL D. WOLFOWITZ, Board Member. Dean of The Paul H. Nitze School of
Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. From 1989
to 1993, he was Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. From 1986 to
1989, he was the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia. From
1982 to 1986, he was Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and
Pacific Affairs of the Department of State. He is 52 years old and his
address is 1740 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.
For so long as the Fund's plan described in the section captioned
"Shareholder Services Plan" remains in effect, the Board members of the Fund
who are not "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act,
will be selected and nominated by the Board members who are not "interested
persons" of the Fund.
The Fund typically pays its Board members an annual retainer and a per
meeting fee and reimburses them for their expenses. The Chairman of the Board
receives an additional 25% of such compensation. Emeritus Board members are
entitled to receive an annual retainer and a per meeting fee of one-half the
amount paid to them as Board members. The aggregate amount of compensation paid
to each Board member by the Fund and by all other funds in the Dreyfus Family of
Funds for which such person is a Board member (the number of which is set forth
in parenthesis next to each Board member's total compensation) for the year
ended December 31, 1997, were as follows:
Total
Compensation from
Aggregate Fund and Fund
Name of Board Compensation from Complex Paid to
Member Fund* Board Members
Lucy Wilson Benson $ 9,000 $ 74,055 (15)
David W. Burke $ 9,000 $239,000 (49)
Joseph S. DiMartino $11,250 $597,128 (96)
Martin D. Fife $ 9,000 $ 60,500 (12)
Whitney I. Gerard $ 9,000 $ 60,500 (12)
Arthur A. Hartman $ 8,500 $ 55,750 (12)
George L. Perry $ 9,000 $ 60,500 (12)
Paul D. Wolfowitz $ 9,000 $ 52,750 (11)
_____________________
* Amount does not include reimbursed expenses for attending Board meetings,
which amounted to $5,938 for all Board members as a group.
Officers of the Fund
MARIE E. CONNOLLY, President and Treasurer. President, Chief Compliance
Officer and a director of the Distributor and Funds Distributor, Inc.,
the ultimate parent of which is Boston Institutional Group, Inc. and an
officer of other investment companies advised or administered by the
Manager. She is 40 years old.
RICHARD W. INGRAM, Vice President and Assistant Treasurer. Executive Vice
President of Funds Distributor, Inc., and an officer of other
investment companies advised or administered by the Manager. From
March 1994 to November 1995, he was Vice President and Division Manager
for First Data Investor Services Group. From 1989 to 1994, he was Vice
President, Assistant Treasurer and Tax Director - Mutual Funds of The
Boston Company, Inc. He is 42 years old.
MARY A. NELSON, Vice President and Assistant Treasurer. Vice President of
the Distributor and Funds Distributor, Inc., and an officer of other
investment companies advised or administered by the Manager. From
September 1989 to July 1994, she was an Assistant Vice President and
Client Manager for The Boston Company, Inc. She is 33 years old.
MICHAEL S. PETRUCELLI, Vice President, Assistant Treasurer and Assistant
Secretary. Senior Vice President of Funds Distributor, Inc., and an
officer of other investment companies advised or administered by the
Manager. From December 1989 through November 1996, he was employed by
GE Investments where he held various financial, business development
and compliance positions. He also served as Treasurer of the GE Funds
and as a Director of GE Investment Services. He is 36 years old.
JOSEPH F. TOWER, III, Vice President and Assistant Treasurer. Senior Vice
President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and a director of the
Distributor and Funds Distributor, Inc., and an officer of other
investment companies advised or administered by the Manager. From July
1988 to August 1994, he was employed by The Boston Company, Inc. where
he held various management positions in the Corporate Finance and
Treasury areas. He is 35 years old.
DOUGLAS C. CONROY, Vice President and Assistant Secretary. Assistant Vice
President of Funds Distributor, Inc., and an officer of other
investment companies advised or administered by the Manager. From
April 1993 to January 1995, he was a Senior Fund Accountant for
Investors Bank & Trust Company. From December 1991 to March 1993, he
was employed as a Fund Accountant at The Boston Company, Inc. He is 28
years old.
CHRISTOPHER J. KELLEY. Vice President and Assistant Secretary. Vice
President and Senior Associate General Counsel of Funds Distributor,
Inc., and an officer of other investment companies advised or
administered by the Manager. From April 1994 to July 1996, he was
Assistant Counsel at Forum Financial Group. From October 1992 to March
1994, he was employed by Putnam Investments in legal and compliance
capacities. He is 33 years old.
KATHLEEN K. MORRISEY. Vice President and Assistant Secretary. Manager of
Treasury Services Administration of Funds Distributor, Inc., and an
officer of other investment companies advised or administered by the
Manager. From July 1994 to November 1995, she was a Fund Accountant
for Investors Bank & Trust Company. She is 25 years old.
ELBA VASQUEZ. Vice President and Assistant Secretary. Assistant Vice
President of Funds Distributor, Inc., and an officer of other
investment companies advised or administered by The Dreyfus
Corporation. From March 1990 to May 1996, she was employed by the U.S.
Trust Company of New York where she held various sales and marketing
positions. She is 36 years old.
The address of each officer of the Fund is 200 Park Avenue, New York,
New York 10166.
The Fund's Board members and officers, as a group, owned less than 1%
of the Fund's shares outstanding on April 9, 1998.
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "Management of the Fund."
The Manager provides management services pursuant to the Management
Agreement (the "Agreement") dated August 24, 1994 with the Fund, which is
subject to annual approval by (i) the Fund's Board or (ii) vote of a
majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities
of the Fund, provided that in either event the continuance also is approved
by a majority of the Board members who are not "interested persons" (as
defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or the Manager, by vote cast in person
at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The
Agreement was last approved by shareholders on August 4, 1994 and was last
approved by the Fund's Board, including a majority of the Board members who
are not "interested persons" of any party to the Agreement, at a meeting
held on August 7, 1997. The Agreement is terminable without penalty on 60
days' notice by the Fund's Board, by vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund or by the Manager. The Agreement will
terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the
1940 Act).
The following persons are officers and/or directors of the Manager: W.
Keith Smith, Chairman of the Board; Christopher M. Condron, President, Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and a director; Stephen E.
Canter, Vice Chairman, Chief Investment Officer and a director; Lawrence S.
Kash, Vice Chairman--Distribution and a director; Ronald P. O'Hanley III,
Vice Chairman; J. David Officer, Vice Chairman; William T. Sandalls, Jr.,
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Mark N. Jacobs, Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary; Patrice M. Kozlowski, Vice
President--Corporate Communications; Mary Beth Leibig, Vice President--Human
Resources; Jeffrey N. Nachman, Vice President--Mutual Fund Accounting;
Andrew S. Wasser, Vice President--Information Systems; William V. Healey,
Assistant Secretary; and Mandell L. Berman, Burton C. Borgelt, Frank V.
Cahouet and Richard F. Syron, directors.
The Manager manages the Fund's portfolio of investments in accordance
with the stated policies of the Fund, subject to the approval of the Fund's
Board. The Manager is responsible for investment decisions, and provides
the Fund with portfolio managers who are authorized by the Board to execute
purchases and sales of securities. The Fund's portfolio managers are
Bernard Kiernan, Thomas S. Riordan and Patricia A. Larkin. The Manager also
maintains a research department with a professional staff of portfolio
managers and securities analysts who provide research services for the Fund
and for other funds advised by the Manager.
The Manager maintains office facilities on behalf of the Fund, and
furnishes statistical and research data, clerical help, accounting, data
processing, bookkeeping and internal auditing and certain other required
services to the Fund. The Manager also may make such advertising and
promotional expenditures, using its own resources, as it from time to time
deems appropriate.
All expenses incurred in the Fund's operations are borne by the Fund,
except to the extent specifically assumed by the Manager. The expenses
borne by the Fund include: taxes, interest, brokerage fees and commissions,
if any, fees of Board members who are not officers, directors, employees or
holders of 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Manager,
Securities and Exchange Commission fees, state Blue Sky qualification fees,
advisory fees, charges of custodians, registrar, transfer and dividend
disbursing agents' fees, certain insurance premiums, industry association
fees, outside auditing and legal expenses, costs of investor services
(including allocable telephone and personnel expenses), costs of shareholder
reports and meetings, costs of maintaining the Fund's existence, costs of
printing prospectuses and statements of additional information used for
regulatory purposes and for distribution to existing shareholders, and any
extraordinary expenses. In addition, Fund shares are subject to an annual
service fee. See "Shareholder Services Plan."
As compensation for its services to the Fund, the Fund has agreed to
pay the Manager a monthly management fee, as provided in the Agreement, at
the following annual rate: 1/2 of 1% of the Fund's average daily net assets
up to $1.5 billion; 48/100ths of 1% of such net assets between $1.5 billion
and $2 billion; 47/100ths of 1% of such net assets between $2 billion and
$2.5 billion; and 45/100ths of 1% of average net assets over $2.5 billion.
All fees and expenses are accrued daily and deducted before payment of
dividends to investors. The management fees payable by the Fund for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 amounted to $21,804,228,
$21,719,653 and $21,984,365, respectively; however, the amount payable for
the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997 was reduced by $1,079,881
and $284,274 pursuant to undertakings by the Manager in effect, resulting in
a net fee paid by the Fund of $20,639,772 and $21,700,091 for fiscal years
1996 and 1997, respectively.
The Manager has agreed that if in any fiscal year the Fund's aggregate
expenses, exclusive of taxes, brokerage, interest and (with the prior
written consent of the necessary state securities commissions) extraordinary
expenses, but including the management fee, exceed 1% of the value of the
Fund's average net assets for the fiscal year, the Manager will refund to
the Fund, or bear, the excess over 1%. Such expense reimbursement, if any,
will be estimated, reconciled and paid on a monthly basis. No expense
reimbursement was required as a result of the expense limitation for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 or 1997.
PURCHASE OF SHARES
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "How to Buy Shares."
The Distributor. The Distributor serves as the Fund's distributor on a
best efforts basis pursuant to an agreement which is renewable annually.
The Distributor also acts as distributor for the other funds in the Dreyfus
Family of Funds and for certain other investment companies.
Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege. Dreyfus TeleTransfer purchase orders
may be made at any time. Purchase orders received by 4:00 p.m., New York
time, on any business day that Dreyfus Transfer, Inc., the Fund's transfer
and dividend disbursing agent (the "Transfer Agent"), or the New York Stock
Exchange are open for business will be credited to the shareholder's Fund
account on the next bank business day following such purchase order.
Purchase orders made after 4:00 p.m., New York time, on any business day the
Transfer Agent or the New York Stock Exchange is open for business, or
orders made on Saturday, Sunday or any Fund holiday (e.g., when the New York
Stock Exchange is not open for business), will be credited to the
shareholder's Fund account on the second bank business day following such
purchase order. To qualify to use the Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege, the
initial payment for purchase of Fund shares must be drawn on, and redemption
proceeds paid to, the same bank and account as are designated on the Account
Application or Shareholder Services Form on file. If the proceeds of a
particular redemption are to be wired to an account at any other bank, the
request must be in writing and signature-guaranteed. See "Redemption of
Shares--Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege."
Transactions Through Securities Dealers. Fund shares may be purchased
and redeemed through securities dealers which may charge a fee for such
services. Some dealers will place the Fund's shares in an account with
their firm. Dealers also may require the following: that the customer
invest more than the $1,000 minimum investment; the customer not take
physical delivery of stock certificates; the customer not request redemption
checks to be issued in the customer's name; fractional shares not be
purchased; monthly income distributions be taken in cash; or other
conditions.
There is no sales or service charge by the Fund or the Distributor,
although investment dealers, banks and other institutions may make
reasonable charges to investors for their services. The services provided
and the applicable fees are established by each dealer or other institution
acting independently of the Fund. The Fund has been given to understand
that fees may be charged for customer services including, but not limited
to, same-day investment of client funds; same-day access to client funds;
advice to customers about the status of their accounts, yield currently
being paid or income earned to date; provision of periodic account
statements showing security and money market positions; other services
available from the dealer, bank or other institution; and assistance with
inquiries related to their investment. Any such fees will be deducted
monthly from the investor's account, which on smaller accounts could
constitute a substantial portion of distributions. Small, inactive,
long-term accounts involving monthly service charges may not be in the best
interest of investors. Investors should be aware that they may purchase
shares of the Fund directly from the Fund without imposition of any
maintenance or service charges, other than those already described herein.
Reopening an Account. An investor may reopen an account with a minimum
investment of $100 without filing a new Account Application during the
calendar year the account is closed or during the following calendar year,
provided the information on the old Account Application is still applicable.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES PLAN
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "Shareholder Services
Plan."
The Fund has adopted a Shareholder Services Plan pursuant to which the
Fund reimburses Dreyfus Service Corporation for certain allocated expenses
of providing personal services and/or maintaining shareholder accounts. The
services provided may include personal services related to shareholder
accounts, such as answering shareholder inquiries regarding the Fund and
providing reports and other information, and services related to the
maintenance of shareholder accounts.
A quarterly report of the amounts expended under the Shareholder
Services Plan, and the purposes for which such expenditures were incurred,
must be made to the Board for its review. In addition, the Shareholder
Services Plan provides that material amendments of the Shareholder Services
Plan must be approved by the Fund's Board, and by the Board members who are
not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund and have
no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Shareholder
Services Plan by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
considering such amendments. The Shareholder Services Plan is subject to
annual approval by such vote of the Board members cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Shareholder Services Plan.
The Shareholder Services Plan was last so approved by the Board at a meeting
held on August 7, 1997. The Shareholder Services Plan is terminable at any
time by vote of a majority of the Board members who are not "interested
persons" and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation
of the Shareholder Services Plan.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, the Fund was charged
$5,425,404 pursuant to the Shareholder Services Plan.
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "How to Redeem Shares."
Check Redemption Privilege. The Fund provides Redemption Checks
("Checks") automatically upon opening an account, unless the investor
specifically refuses the check Redemption Privilege by checking the
applicable "No" box on the Account Application. The Check Redemption
Privilege may be established for an existing account by a separate signed
Shareholder Services Form. Checks will be sent only to the registered
owner(s) of the account and only to the address of record. The Account
Application or Shareholder Services Form must be manually signed by the
registered owner(s). Checks are drawn on the investor's Fund acount and may
be made payable to the order of any person in an amount of $500 or more.
When a Check is presented to the Transfer Agent for payment, the Transfer
Agent, as the investor's agent, will cause the Fund to redeem a sufficient
number of shares in the investor's account to cover the amount of the Check.
Dividends are earned until the Check clears. After clearance, a copy of the
Check will be returned to the investor. Investors generally will be subject
to the same rules and regulations that apply to checking accounts, although
the election of this Privilege creates only a shareholder-transfer agent
relationship with the Transfer Agent.
If the amount of the Check is greater than the value of the shares in
the investor's account, the Check will be returned marked insufficient
funds. Checks should not be used to close an account.
Wire Redemption Privilege. By using this Privilege, an investor
authorizes the Transfer Agent to act on wire, telephone or letter redemption
instructions from any person representing himself or herself to be the
investor and reasonably believed by the Transfer Agent to be genuine.
Ordinarily, the Fund will initiate payment for shares redeemed pursuant to
this Privilege on the next business day after receipt by the Transfer Agent
of a redemption request in proper form. Redemption proceeds ($1,000
minimum) will be transferred by Federal Reserve wire only to the commercial
bank account specified by the investor on the Account Application or
Shareholder Services Form, or to a correspondent bank if the investor's bank
is not a member of the Federal Reserve System. Fees ordinarily are imposed
by such bank and borne by the investor. Immediate notification by the
correspondent bank to the investor's bank is necessary to avoid a delay in
crediting the funds to the investor's bank account.
Investors with access to telegraphic equipment may wire redemption
requests to the Transfer Agent by employing the following transmittal code
which may be used for domestic or overseas transmissions:
Transfer Agent's
Transmittal Code Answer Back Sign
144295 144295 TSSG PREP
Investors who do not have direct access to telegraphic equipment may
have the wire transmitted by contacting a TRT Cables operator at
1-800-654-7171, toll free. Investors should advise the operator that the
above transmittal code must be used and should also inform the operator of
the Transfer Agent's answer back sign.
To change the commercial bank or account designated to receive
redemption proceeds, a written request must be sent to the Transfer Agent.
This request must be signed by each shareholder, with each signature
guaranteed as described below under "Stock Certificates; Signatures."
Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege. Investors should be aware that if they
have selected the Dreyfus TeleTransfer Privilege, any request for a wire
redemption will be effected as a Dreyfus TeleTransfer transaction through
the Automated Clearing House ("ACH") system unless more prompt transmittal
specifically is requested. Redemption proceeds will be on deposit in the
investor's account at an ACH member bank ordinarily two business days after
receipt of the redemption request. See "Purchase of Shares--Dreyfus
TeleTransfer Privilege."
Stock Certificates; Signatures. Any certificates representing Fund
shares to be redeemed must be submitted with the redemption request.
Written redemption requests must be signed by each shareholder, including
each holder of a joint account, and each signature must be guaranteed.
Signatures on endorsed certificates submitted for redemption also must be
guaranteed. The Transfer Agent has adopted standards and procedures
pursuant to which signature-guarantees in proper form generally will be
accepted from domestic banks, brokers, dealers, credit unions, national
securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies
and savings associations, as well as from participants in the New York Stock
Exchange Medallion Program, the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program
("STAMP") and the Stock Exchange's Medallion Program. Guarantees must be
signed by an authorized signatory of the guarantor and
"Signature-Guaranteed" must appear with the signature. The Transfer Agent
may request additional documentation from corporations, executors, ad
ministrators, trustees or guardians, and may accept other suitable
verification arrangements from foreign investors, such as consular
verification. For more information with respect to signature-guarantees,
please call one of the telephone numbers listed on the cover.
Redemption Commitment. The Fund has committed itself to pay in cash
all redemption requests by any shareholder of record, limited in amount
during any 90-day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the value of the
Fund's net assets at the beginning of such period. Such commitment is
irrevocable without the prior approval of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. In the case of requests for redemption in excess of such
amount, the Fund's Board reserves the right to make payments in whole or in
part in securities or other assets of the Fund in case of an emergency or
any time a cash distribution would impair the liquidity of the Fund to the
detriment of the existing shareholders. In such event, the securities would
be valued in the same manner as the Fund's portfolio is valued. If the
recipient sold such securities, brokerage charges might be incurred.
Suspension of Redemption. The right of redemption may be suspended or
the date of payment postponed (a) during any period when the New York Stock
Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), (b)
when trading in the markets the Fund ordinarily utilizes is restricted, or
when an emergency exists as determined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission so that disposal of the Fund's investments or determination of
its net asset value is not reasonably practicable, or (c) for such other
periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission by order may permit to
protect the Fund's shareholders.
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "Shareholder Services."
Fund Exchanges. Shares of other funds purchased by exchange will be
purchased on the basis of relative net asset value per share as follows:
A. Exchanges for shares of funds that are offered without a
sales load will be made without a sales load.
B. Shares of funds purchased without a sales load may be
exchanged for shares of other funds sold with a sales load, and
the applicable sales load will be deducted.
C. Shares of funds purchased with a sales load may be exchanged
without a sales load for shares of other funds sold without a
sales load.
D. Shares of funds purchased with a sales load, shares of funds
acquired by a previous exchange from shares purchased with a
sales load, and additional shares acquired through reinvestment
of dividends or distributions of any such funds (collectively
referred to herein as "Purchased Shares") may be exchanged for
shares of other funds sold with a sales load (referred to herein
as "Offered Shares"), provided that, if the sales load applicable
to the Offered Shares exceeds the maximum sales load that could
have been imposed in connection with the Purchased Shares (at the
time the Purchased Shares were acquired), without giving effect
to any reduced loads, the difference will be deducted.
To accomplish an exchange under item D above, shareholders must notify
the Transfer Agent of their prior ownership of fund shares and their account
number.
To request an exchange, an investor must give exchange instructions to
the Transfer Agent in writing or by telephone. The ability to issue
exchange instructions by telephone is given to all Fund shareholders
automatically, unless the investor checks the applicable "No" box on the
Account Application, indicating that the investor specifically refuses this
Privilege. By using the Telephone Exchange Privilege, the investor
authorizes the Transfer Agent to act on telephonic instructions (including
over The Dreyfus Touch automated telephone system) from any person
representing himself or herself to be the investor, and reasonably believed
by the Transfer Agent to be genuine. Telephone exchanges may be subject to
limitations as to the amount involved or the number of telephone exchanges
permitted. Shares issued in certificate form are not eligible for telephone
exchange.
To establish a personal retirement plan by exchange, shares of the fund
being exchanged must have a value of at least the minimum initial investment
required for the fund into which the exchange is being made.
Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege. Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege
permits an investor to purchase, in exchange for shares of the Fund, shares
of another fund in the Dreyfus Family of Funds. This privilege is available
only for existing accounts. Shares will be exchanged on the basis of
relative net asset value as described above under "Fund Exchanges."
Enrollment in or modification or cancellation of this Privilege is effective
three business days following notification by the investor. An investor
will be notified if his account falls below the amount designated to be
exchanged under this Privilege. In this case, an investor's account will
fall to zero unless additional investments are made in excess of the
designated amount prior to the next Auto-Exchange transaction. Shares held
under IRA and other retirement plans are eligible for this Privilege.
Exchanges of IRA shares may be made between IRA accounts and from regular
accounts to IRA accounts, but not from IRA accounts to regular accounts.
With respect to all other retirement accounts, exchanges may be made only
among those accounts.
Fund Exchanges and the Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege are available to
shareholders resident in any state in which shares of the fund being
acquired may legally be sold. Shares may be exchanged only between accounts
having identical names and other identifying designations.
Shareholder Services Forms and prospectuses of the other funds may be
obtained by calling 1-800-645-6561. The Fund reserves the right to reject
any exchange request in whole or in part. The Fund Exchanges service or the
Dreyfus Auto-Exchange Privilege may be modified or terminated at any time
upon notice to shareholders.
Automatic Withdrawal Plan. The Automatic Withdrawal Plan permits an
investor with a $5,000 minimum account to request withdrawal of a specified
dollar amount (minimum of $50) on either a monthly or quarterly basis.
Withdrawal payments are the proceeds from sales of Fund shares, not the
yield on the shares. If withdrawal payments exceed reinvested dividends and
distributions, the investor's shares will be reduced and eventually may be
depleted. Automatic Withdrawal may be terminated at any time by the
investor, the Fund or the Transfer Agent. Shares for which stock
certificates have been issued may not be redeemed through the Automatic
Withdrawal Plan.
Dreyfus Dividend Sweep. Dreyfus Dividend Sweep allows investors to
invest automatically their dividends or dividends and capital gain
distributions, if any, from the Fund in shares of another fund in the
Dreyfus Family of Funds of which the investor is a shareholder. Shares of
funds purchased pursuant to the privilege will be purchased on the basis of
relative net asset value per share as follows:
A. Dividends and distributions paid by a fund may be
invested without imposition of a sales load in shares
of other funds that are offered without a sales load.
B. Dividends and distributions paid by a fund which
does not charge a sales load may be invested in shares
of other funds sold with a sales load, and the
applicable sales load will be deducted.
C. Dividends and distributions paid by a fund which
charges a sales load may be invested in shares of other
funds sold with a sales load (referred to herein as
"Offered Shares"), provided that, if the sales load
applicable to the Offered Shares exceeds the maximum
sales load charged by the fund from which dividends or
distributions are being swept, without giving effect to
any reduced loads, the difference will be deducted.
D. Dividends and distributions paid by a fund may be
invested in shares of other funds that impose a
contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") and the
applicable CDSC, if any, will be imposed upon redemption
of such shares.
Corporate Pension, Profit-Sharing and Personal Retirement Plans. The
Fund makes available to corporations a variety of prototype pension and
profit-sharing plans including a 401(k) Salary Reduction Plan. In addition,
the Fund makes available Keogh Plans, IRAs (including regular IRAs, spousal
IRAs for a non-working spouse, IRAs set up under a Simplified Employee
Pension Plan ("SEP-IRAs"), Roth IRAs, Education IRAs and IRA "Rollover
Accounts") and 403(b)(7) Plans. Plan support services are also available.
Investors who wish to purchase Fund shares in conjunction with a Keogh
Plan, a 403(b)(7) Plan or an IRA, including a SEP-IRA, may request from the
Distributor forms for adopting such plans.
A fee may be charged by the entity acting as custodian for Keogh Plans,
403(b)(7) Plans or IRAs, payment of which could require the liquidation of
shares. All fees charged are described in the appropriate form.
Shares may be purchased in connection with these plans only by direct
remittance to the entity which acts as custodian. Purchases for these plans
may not be made in advance of receipt of funds.
The minimum initial investment for corporate plans, Salary Reduction
Plans, 403(b)(7) Plans, and SEP-IRAs with more than one participant, is
$2,500, with no minimum for subsequent purchases. The minimum initial
investment is $750 for Dreyfus-sponsored Keogh Plans, IRAs (including
regular IRAs, spousal IRAs for non-working spouse, Roth IRAs, SEP-IRAs and
rollover IRAs) and 403(b)(7) Plans, with only one participant and $500 for
Dreyfus-sponsored Education IRAs, with no minimum for subsequent purchases.
The investor should read the prototype retirement plan and the
appropriate form of custodial agreement for further details as to
eligibility, service fees and tax implications, and should consult a tax
adviser.
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "How to Buy Shares."
Amortized Cost Pricing. The valuation of the Fund's portfolio
securities is based upon their amortized cost which does not take into
account unrealized gains or losses. This involves valuing an instrument at
its cost and thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any
discount or premium, regardless of the impact of fluctuating interest rates
on the market value of the instrument. While this method provides certainty
in valuation, it may result in periods during which value, as determined by
amortized cost, is higher or lower than the price the Fund would receive if
it sold the instrument.
The Board has established, as a particular responsibility within the
overall duty of care owed to the Fund's investors, procedures reasonably
designed, taking into account current market conditions and the Fund's
investment objective, to stabilize the Fund's price per share as computed
for purposes of purchases and redemptions at $1.00. Such procedures include
review of the Fund's portfolio holdings by the Board, at such intervals as
it may deem appropriate, to determine whether the Fund's net asset value
calculated by using available market quotations or market equivalents
deviates from $1.00 per share based on amortized cost. In such review,
investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued at
the most recent bid price or yield equivalent for such securities or for
securities of comparable maturity, quality and type, as obtained from one or
more of the major market makers for the securities to be valued. Other
investments and assets are valued at fair value as determined in good faith
by the Board.
The extent of any deviation between the Fund's net asset value based
upon available market quotations or market equivalents and $1.00 per share
based on amortized cost will be examined by the Board. If such deviation
exceeds 1/2 of 1%, the Board will consider promptly what action, if any,
will be initiated. In the event the Board of Directors determines that a
deviation exists which may result in material dilution or other unfair
results to investors or existing shareholders, it has agreed to take such
corrective action as it regards as necessary and appropriate, including:
selling portfolio instruments prior to maturity to realize capital gains or
losses or to shorten average portfolio maturity; withholding dividends or
paying distributions from capital or capital gains; redeeming shares in
kind; or establishing a net asset value per share by using available market
quotations or market equivalents.
New York Stock Exchange and Transfer Agent Closings. The holidays (as
observed) on which the New York Stock Exchange and the Transfer Agent are
closed currently are: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day,
Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and
Christmas.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in Fund's Prospectus entitled "Dividends, Distributions and
Taxes."
Ordinarily, gains and losses realized from portfolio transactions will
be treated as capital gain or loss. However, all or a portion of any gains
realized from the sale or other disposition of certain market discount bonds
will be treated as ordinary income under Section 1276 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Portfolio securities ordinarily are purchased directly from the issuer
or an underwriter or a market maker for the securities. Ordinarily no
brokerage commissions are paid by the Fund for such purchases. Purchases
from underwriters of portfolio securities include a concession paid by the
issuer to the underwriter and the purchase price paid to market makers for
the securities may include the spread between the bid and asked price. No
brokerage commissions have been paid by the Fund to date.
Transactions are allocated to various dealers by the Fund's portfolio
managers in their best judgment. The primary consideration is prompt and
effective execution of orders at the most favorable price. Subject to that
primary consideration, dealers may be selected for research, statistical or
other services to enable the Manager to supplement its own research and
analysis with the views and information of other securities firms.
Research services furnished by brokers through which the Fund effects
securities transactions may be used by the Manager in advising other funds
it advises and, conversely, research services furnished to the Manager by
brokers in connection with other funds the Manager advises may be used by
the Manager in advising the Fund. Although it is not possible to place a
dollar value on these services, it is the opinion of the Manager that the
receipt and study of such services should not reduce the overall expenses of
its research department.
YIELD INFORMATION
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "Yield Information."
For the seven-day period ended December 31, 1997, the Fund's yield was
4.99% and effective yield was 5.11%. Yield is computed in accordance with a
standardized method which involves determining the net change in the value
of a hypothetical pre-existing Fund account having a balance of one share at
the beginning of a seven calendar day period for which yield is to be
quoted, dividing the net change by the value of the account at the beginning
of the period to obtain the base period return, and annualizing the results
(i.e., multiplying the base period return by 365/7). The net change in the
value of the account reflects the value of additional shares purchased with
dividends declared on the original share and any such additional shares and
fees that may be charged to shareholder accounts, in proportion to the
length of the base period and the Fund's average account size, but does not
include realized gains and losses or unrealized appreciation and
depreciation. Effective yield is computed by adding one to the base period
return (calculated as described above), raising that sum to a power equal to
365 divided by 7, and subtracting 1 from the result.
Yields will fluctuate and are not necessarily representative of future
results. An investor should remember that yield is a function of the type
and quality of the instruments in the portfolio, portfolio maturity and
operating expenses. An investor's principal in the Fund
is not guaranteed. See "Determination of Net Asset Value" for a discussion
of the manner in which the Fund's price per share is determined.
From time to time, Fund advertisements may include statistical data or
general discussions about the growth and development of Dreyfus Retirement
Services (in terms of new customers, assets under management, market share,
etc.) and its presence in the defined contribution plan market. From time
to time, advertising material for the Fund may include biographical
information relating to its portfolio managers and may refer to, or include
commentary by a portfolio manager relating to investment strategy, asset
growth, current or past business, political, economic or financial
conditions and other matters of general interest to investors.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND
The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction
with the section in the Fund's Prospectus entitled "General Information."
In 1973, the Fund was incorporated as a money market mutual fund and it
commenced operations in 1974 as the first money market fund to be widely
offered on a retail basis. Money market mutual funds have subsequently
grown into a multibillion dollar industry.
Each share has one vote and, when issued and paid for in accordance
with the terms of the offering, is fully paid and non-assessable. Fund
shares are of one class and have equal rights as to dividends and in
liquidation. Shares have no preemptive, subscription or conversion rights
and are freely transferable.
The Fund sends annual and semi-annual financial statements to all its
shareholders.
TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND DISBURSING AGENT, CUSTODIAN,
COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Dreyfus Transfer, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Manager, P.O.
Box 9671, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9671, is the Fund's transfer and
dividend disbursing agent. Under a transfer agency agreement with the Fund,
the Transfer Agent arranges for the maintenance of shareholder account
records for the Fund, the handling of certain communications between
shareholders and the Fund and the payment of dividends and distributions
payable by the Fund. For these services, the Transfer Agent receives a
monthly fee computed on the basis of the number of shareholder accounts it
maintains for the Fund during the month, and is reimbursed for certain out-
of-pocket expenses. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, the Fund
paid the Transfer Agent $4,941,709.
The Bank of New York, 90 Washington Street, New York, New York 10286,
is the Fund's custodian. The Bank of New York has no part in determining
the investment policies of the Fund or which securities are to be purchased
or sold by the Fund.
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, 180 Maiden Lane, New York, New York
10038-4982, as counsel for the Fund, has rendered its opinion as to certain
legal matters regarding the due authorization and valid issuance of the
shares being sold pursuant to the Fund's Prospectus.
Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York,
New York 10019, have been selected as the Fund's auditors.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Fund's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1997 is a separate document supplied with this Statement of
Additional Information, and the financial statements, accompanying notes,
and report of independent auditors appearing therein are incorporated by
reference into this Statement of Additional Information.
APPENDIX
Description of the highest commercial paper, bond and other short- and
long-term rating category assigned by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group
("S&P"), Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), Fitch IBCA, Inc.
("Fitch"), Duff & Phelps Credit Rating Co. ("Duff"), and Thomson BankWatch,
Inc. ("BankWatch").
Commercial Paper and Short-Term Ratings
The designation A-1 by S&P indicates that the degree of safety
regarding timely payment is either overwhelming or very strong. Those
issues determined to possess overwhelming safety characteristics are denoted
with a plus sign (+) designation.
The rating Prime-1 (P-1) is the highest commercial paper rating
assigned by Moody's. Issuers of P-1 paper must have a superior capacity for
repayment of short-term promissory obligations, and ordinarily will be
evidenced by leading market positions in well established industries, high
rates of return on funds employed, conservative capitalization structures
with moderate reliance on debt and ample asset protection, broad margins in
earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high internal cash
generation, and well established access to a range of financial markets and
assured sources of alternate liquidity.
The rating Fitch-1 (Highest Credit Quality) is the highest commercial
paper rating assigned by Fitch and indicates the strongest capacity for
timely payment of financial commitments.
The rating Duff-1 is the highest commercial paper rating assigned by
Duff. Paper rated Duff-1 is regarded as having very high certainty of
timely payment with excellent liquidity factors which are supported by ample
asset protection. Risk factors are minor.
The rating TBW-1 is the highest short-term obligation rating assigned
by BankWatch. Obligations rated TBW-1 are regarded as having the strongest
capacity for timely repayment.
Bond and Long-Term Ratings
Bonds rated AAA are considered by S&P to be the highest grade
obligations and possess an extremely strong capacity to pay principal and
interest.
Bonds rated Aaa are judged by Moody's to be of the best quality.
Bonds rated AAA by Fitch are judged by Fitch to be of the highest
credit quality. The AAA rating by Fitch denotes the lowest expectation of
credit risk. The AAA rating is assigned by Fitch only in case of
exceptionally strong capacity for timely payment of financial commitments;
the capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable
events.
Bonds rated AAA by Duff are considered to be of the highest credit
quality. The risk factors are negligible, being only slightly more than
U.S. Treasury debt.
Fitch also assigns a rating to certain international and U.S. banks. A
Fitch bank rating represent Fitch's current assessment of the strength of
the bank and whether such bank would receive support should it experience
difficulties. In its assessment of a bank, Fitch uses a dual rating system
comprised of Legal Ratings and Individual Ratings. In addition, Fitch
assigns banks Long- and Short-Term Ratings as used in the corporate ratings
discussed above. Legal Ratings, which range in gradation from 1 through 5,
address the question of whether the bank would receive support provided by
central banks or shareholders if it experienced difficulties, and such
ratings are considered by Fitch to be a prime factor in its assessment of
credit risk. Individual Ratings, which range in gradations from A through
E, represent Fitch's assessment of a bank's economic merits and address the
question of how the bank would be viewed if it were entirely independent and
could not rely on support from state authorities or its owners.
In addition to its ratings of short-term obligations, BankWatch assigns
a rating to each issuer it rates, in gradations of A through E. BankWatch
examines all segments of the organization, including, where applicable, the
holding company, member banks or associations, and other subsidiaries. In
those instances where financial disclosure is incomplete or untimely, a
qualified rating (QR) is assigned to the institution. BankWatch also
assigns, in the case of foreign banks, a country rating which represents an
assessment of the overall political and economic stability of the country in
which the bank is domiciled.
