MANAGED ASSETS TRUST
485APOS, 1997-02-20
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<PAGE>   1


                                              Registration Statement No. 2-79359
                                                                        811-3568

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                   FORM N-1A

            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                        Post-Effective Amendment No. 21

                                     and/or

        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
                                Amendment No. 20

                              MANAGED ASSETS TRUST
                              --------------------
                           (Exact name of Registrant)

                 ONE TOWER SQUARE, HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT  06183
                 ----------------------------------------------
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

       Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (203) 277-0111
                                                           --------------

                                ERNEST J. WRIGHT
                       Secretary to the Board of Trustees
                              Managed Assets Trust
                                One Tower Square
                          Hartford, Connecticut 06183
                          ---------------------------
                    (Name and Address of Agent for Service)



Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:
                                              --------------------

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

       immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b).
- ---
       on May 1, 1997 pursuant to paragraph (b).
- ---
 X     60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1).
- ---
       on ___________ pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
- ---
       75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
- ---
       on ___________ pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.
- ---

If appropriate, check the following box:
       this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
- ---    previously filed post-effective amendment.
   

AN INDEFINITE NUMBER OF SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST OF THE REGISTRANT WERE
REGISTERED PURSUANT TO RULE 24f-2 OF THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940.  A
RULE 24f-2 NOTICE FOR REGISTRANT'S FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 WILL BE
FILED WITH THE COMMISSION PRIOR TO MARCH 1, 1997.
<PAGE>   2
                              MANAGED ASSETS TRUST

  Cross-Reference Sheet pursuant to Rule 495 under the Securities Act of 1933


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM
NO.                                                            CAPTION IN PROSPECTUS
- ---                                                            ---------------------
<S>    <C>                                                     <C>                                                
1.     Cover Page                                              Cover Page
2.     Synopsis                                                Cover Page
3.     Condensed Financial Information                         Financial Highlights
4.     General Description of Registrant                       Cover Page; Fund Description; Investment
                                                                  Objective and Policies
5.     Management of the Fund                                  Board of Trustees; Investment Advisers; 
                                                                  Fund Expenses; Additional Information
6.     Capital Stock and Other Securities                      Fund Description; Dividends and 
                                                                  Distributions; Shareholder Rights; Net
                                                                  Asset Value
7.     Purchase of Securities Being Offered                    Shareholder Rights
8.     Redemption or Repurchase                                Share Redemption
9.     Legal Proceedings                                       Legal Proceedings


                                                               CAPTION IN STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL
                                                               INFORMATION                                     
                                                               -----------------------------------

10.    Cover Page                                              Cover Page
11.    Table of Contents                                       Table of Contents
12.    General Information and History                         Not Applicable
13.    Investment Objectives and Policies                      Investment Objectives and Policies;
                                                                  Investment Restrictions; Appendix
14.    Management of the Registrant                            Trustees and Officers
15.    Control Persons and Principal                           Additional Information
          Holders of Securities
16.    Investment Advisory and                                 Investment Advisory Services; Additional
          Other Services                                          Information
17.    Brokerage Allocation                                    Brokerage
18.    Capital Stock and Other Securities                      Declaration of Trust
19.    Purchase, Redemption and Pricing                        Valuation of Securities
          of Securities Being Offered
20.    Tax Status                                              Distributions and Tax Status
21.    Underwriters                                            Not Applicable
22.    Calculation of Performance Data                         Not Applicable
23.    Financial Statements                                    Financial Statements
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   3





                                     PART A

                      INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A PROSPECTUS
<PAGE>   4
 
                              MANAGED ASSETS TRUST
 
One Tower Square
Hartford, Connecticut 06183
Telephone 860-422-3985
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Managed Assets Trust (the "Fund") is a diversified open-end management
investment company (mutual fund) whose goal is high total investment return
through a fully managed investment policy. The Fund has a fully managed
investment policy and invests in common stocks, corporate bonds and money market
instruments.
 
Shares of the Fund are currently offered without a sales charge only to separate
accounts of The Travelers Insurance Company and The Travelers Life and Annuity
Company (the "Company" or "The Travelers"). The Fund serves as one of the
investment vehicles for certain variable annuity and variable life insurance
contracts issued by the Company. The term "shareholder" as used herein refers to
any insurance company separate account that may use shares of the Fund as an
investment vehicle now or in the future.
 
   
This Prospectus concisely sets forth the information about the Fund that you
should know before investing. Please read it and retain it for future reference.
Additional information about the Fund is contained in a Statement of Additional
Information ("SAI") dated May 1, 1997 which has been filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and is incorporated by reference into this
Prospectus. A copy may be obtained, without charge, by writing to The Travelers,
Annuity Services, One Tower Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06183-5030, or by
calling 860-422-3985.
    
 
THIS PROSPECTUS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A CURRENT PROSPECTUS FOR A VARIABLE
ANNUITY OR VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE CONTRACT ISSUED BY THE TRAVELERS. BOTH THIS
PROSPECTUS AND THE CONTRACT PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY AND RETAINED FOR
FUTURE REFERENCE.
 
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.
 
   
                  THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS MAY 1, 1997.
    
<PAGE>   5
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                     <C>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS..................................................................    3
FUND DESCRIPTION......................................................................    4
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES.....................................................    4
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS...............................................................    5
RISK FACTORS..........................................................................    5
BOARD OF TRUSTEES.....................................................................    5
INVESTMENT ADVISERS...................................................................    6
  TAMIC...............................................................................    6
     Portfolio Manager................................................................    6
  TIMCO...............................................................................    6
     Portfolio Manager................................................................    6
FUND ADMINISTRATION...................................................................    7
SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS...............................................................    7
FUND EXPENSES.........................................................................    7
TRANSFER AGENT........................................................................    8
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS....................................................................    8
NET ASSET VALUE.......................................................................    8
TAX STATUS............................................................................    9
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS...........................................................    9
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.....................................................................    9
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION................................................................    9
EXHIBIT A.............................................................................   10
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      MAT-2
<PAGE>   6
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              MANAGED ASSETS TRUST
          PER SHARE DATA FOR A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT EACH YEAR
 
   
The following information on per share data for the seven years ended December
31, 1996, has been audited by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P, Independent Accountants.
All other periods presented have been audited by the Fund's prior auditors.
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.'s report on the per share data for each of the
applicable years in the period ended December 31, 1996 is contained in the
Fund's Annual Report which should be read along with this information and which
is incorporated by reference into the SAI.
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                            --------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              1996       1995            1994            1993            1992
<S>                                                         <C>        <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER SHARE DATA
 Net asset value, beginning of year........................            $   12.85       $   14.21       $   14.02       $   14.78
Income from operations
 Net investment income.....................................                 0.49            0.46            0.51            0.64
 Net gains or losses on securities (realized and
   unrealized).............................................                 2.83           (0.73)           0.72            0.01
                                                             --------   --------        --------        --------        --------
   Total from investment operations........................                 3.32           (0.27)           1.23            0.65
Less distributions
 Distributions from net investment income and short-term
   realized gains..........................................                (0.50)          (0.67)          (0.85)          (1.04)
 Distributions from long-term realized gains...............                (0.17)          (0.42)          (0.19)          (0.37)
                                                             --------   --------        --------        --------        --------
   Total distributions.....................................                (0.67)          (1.09)          (1.04)          (1.41)
 Net asset value, end of year..............................            $   15.50       $   12.85       $   14.21       $   14.02
                                                             ========   ========        ========        ========        ========
TOTAL RETURN*..............................................                27.12%          (2.24)%          9.33%           5.14%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 Net assets, end of year (thousands).......................            $ 171,276       $ 140,887       $ 156,767       $ 148,971
 Ratio of expenses to average net assets...................                 0.58%**         0.61%**         0.56%**         0.56%**
 Ratio of net investment income to average net assets......                 3.49%           3.59%           3.65%           4.97%
 Portfolio turnover rate...................................                  110%             97%             86%            112%
 Average Commission Rate Paid***...........................                .0490              --              --              --
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                               1991           1990+            1989         1988          1987
 
<S>                                                         <C>  <C>         <C>             <C>          <C>           <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
PER SHARE DATA
 Net asset value, beginning of year........................  $   12.77       $  13.03        $  10.25     $    9.89     $   11.03
 
Income from operations
 Net investment income.....................................       0.74           0.65            0.52          0.48          0.40
 
 Net gains or losses on securities (realized and
   unrealized).............................................       1.91          (0.37)           2.26          0.43         (0.16)
 
                                                              --------       --------        --------      --------      --------
 
   Total from investment operations........................       2.65           0.28            2.78          0.91          0.24
 
Less distributions
 Distributions from net investment income and short-term
   realized gains..........................................      (0.64)         (0.54)             --         (0.55)        (0.38)
 
 Distributions from long-term realized gains...............         --             --              --            --         (1.00)
 
                                                              --------       --------        --------      --------      --------
 
   Total distributions.....................................      (0.64)         (0.54)             --         (0.55)        (1.38)
 
 Net asset value, end of year..............................  $   14.78       $  12.77        $  13.03     $   10.25     $    9.89
 
                                                              ========       ========        ========      ========      ========
 
TOTAL RETURN*..............................................      21.70%          2.47%          27.12%         9.18%         1.92%
 
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
 Net assets, end of year (thousands).......................  $ 126,021       $ 92,464        $ 84,223     $ 115,111     $ 119,866
 
 Ratio of expenses to average net assets...................       0.56%**        0.59%**         0.71%         0.66%         0.67%
 
 Ratio of net investment income to average net assets......       5.49%          5.17%           4.41%         4.55%         3.23%
 
 Portfolio turnover rate...................................        141%           123%             56%          105%          140%
 
 Average Commission Rate Paid***...........................         --             --              --            --            --
 
</TABLE>
    
 
 * Total return is determined by dividing the increase (decrease) in value of a
   share during the year, after reflecting the reinvestment of dividends
   declared during the year, by the beginning of year share price. Shares in
   Fund MAT are only sold to The Travelers separate accounts in connection with
   the issuance of variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts. The
   above return does not reflect the deduction of any contract charges or fees
   assessed by The Travelers separate accounts.
 
   
 ** The ratios of expenses to average net assets for 1990 and later years
    reflect an expense reimbursement by The Travelers in connection with the
    voluntary expense limitations. Without the expense reimbursement, the ratios
    of operating expenses to average net assets would have been 0.60%, 0.63%,
    0.69% and 0.74% for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1992, 1991 and 1990
    respectively. For the years ended December 31, 1994, 1995, and 1996 there
    were no expense reimbursements by The Travelers in connection with the
    voluntary expense limitations.
    
 
   
*** The Average Commission Rate Paid is required for funds that have over 10% in
    equities for which commissions are paid. This information is required for
    funds with fiscal year ends on or after September 30, 1996; earlier
    compliance is allowed.
    
 
   + On May 1, 1990, TAMIC replaced Keystone Custodian Funds, Inc. as the
     investment adviser for the Fund.
 
                                      MAT-3
<PAGE>   7
 
                                FUND DESCRIPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Managed Assets Trust (the "Fund") is registered with the SEC as a diversified
open-end management investment company, commonly known as a mutual fund. The
Fund was created under Massachusetts law as a Massachusetts business trust on
August 6, 1982.
 
                       INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The Fund's investment objective is to provide a high total investment return
through a fully managed investment policy. To do this, the Fund adjusts its
overall exposure to risk by spreading its investments among those providing
alternatives for capital growth, capital stability and income as market and
economic trend change. This fully managed investment policy makes use of equity,
debt, convertible and money market securities. The Fund expects that over longer
periods a larger portion of the Fund's portfolio will consist of equity
securities.
 
The Fund's investment philosophy is based on the belief that, as in the past,
the structure of the United States economy and its securities markets will
undergo continuous change. Thus, the fully managed approach puts maximum
emphasis on flexibility. Because of this flexibility, the Fund may have a high
rate of turnover in its portfolio securities and thus higher costs of securities
transactions and brokerage. Accordingly, the Fund would expect to have turnover
in the range of 100% to 300%. The Fund expects that the portfolio turnover rate
will be approximately 50% for debt securities, and 200% to 300% for equity
securities. A higher turnover rate should not be interpreted as a variation from
the stated investment policy. Portfolio turnover is expected to result when the
Fund makes a change in its investments from one investment sector (such as the
equity market) to another investment sector (such as the bond market), as well
as in response to redemptions when the Fund realizes capital gains, and in
response to market conditions. Increased cost to the Fund may result if the Fund
makes a change in the investment sector in which the greatest proportion of its
assets is invested at a time when subsequent market conditions are unfavorable.
 
The Fund may invest a limited portion of its assets in bonds rated lower than
Baa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (Moody's) or BBB by Standard & Poor's
Corporation (S&P) or which, if unrated, are deemed to be of comparable quality
by the Fund's investment adviser. The Fund may not purchase any debt securities
rated B or lower by either service or their equivalent. Bonds rated Baa by
Moody's are considered medium-grade obligations, i.e., they are neither highly
protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal and principal
security appear adequate for the present, but certain protective elements may be
lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time.
Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have
speculative characteristics as well. Debt rated BBB by S&P is regarded as having
an adequate capacity to pay interest and repay principal. While it normally
exhibits adequate protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing
circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and
repay principal for debt in this category than in higher rated categories. Bonds
rated lower than Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P, but above B by either service,
are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as
well-assured. Often, the protection of interest and principal payments may be
very moderate. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.
Travelers Asset Management International Corporation ("TAMIC") expects that
securities rated below Baa by Moody's or below BBB by S&P will be primarily
subordinated convertible securities of issuers whose senior debt is rated Baa or
higher by Moody's, BBB or higher by S&P or, in the absence of such ratings, are
deemed to be of comparable quality by TAMIC.
 
The Fund may invest in money market instruments which mature within one year of
their purchase, and which consist of U.S. government securities; instruments of
banks insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation which have assets of
at least $1 billion, including U.S. branches of foreign banks and foreign
branches of U.S. banks, such as certificates of deposit, demand and time
deposits
 
                                      MAT-4
<PAGE>   8
 
and bankers' acceptances; prime commercial paper, including master demand notes;
and repurchase agreements secured by U.S. government securities.
 
For further information about the types of investments and investment techniques
available to the Fund, including the associated investment risks, see Exhibit A
to this Prospectus.
 
                            INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The Fund has adopted the following fundamental investment restrictions which may
not be changed without a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"1940 Act"). Certain other fundamental restrictions are set forth in the
Statement of Additional Information. Unless otherwise stated, all references to
the Fund's assets are in terms of current market value.
 
   
The Fund will not: (1) invest more than 25% of its assets in the securities of a
single issuer; (2) borrow money, except that the Fund may borrow money from
banks for temporary or emergency purposes in amounts of up to 10% of its assets;
(3) pledge more than the lesser of the dollar amounts borrowed or 10% of its
assets; (4) invest more than 25% of its assets in the securities of issuers in
the same industry; and (5) invest more than 10% of its assets in repurchase
agreements maturing in more than seven days and other securities for which
market quotations are not readily available. In addition, a policy which may be
changed without shareholder approval permits the Fund to invest up to 25% of its
assets in the securities of foreign issuers.
    
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The Fund's net asset value will fluctuate in response to changes in economic
conditions, interest rates and the market's perception of the underlying
portfolio securities of the Fund. There can be no assurance that the Fund will
achieve its investment objective since there is uncertainty in every investment.
 
The investment experience of equity investments over time will tend to reflect
levels of stock market prices and dividend payouts. Both are affected by diverse
factors, including not only business conditions and investor confidence in the
economy, but current conditions in a particular industry or company. Equity
securities are subject to financial risks relating to the earning stability and
overall financial soundness of an issue. They are also subject to market risks
relating to the effect of general changes in the securities market on the price
of a security.
 
The yield on debt instruments over a period of time should reflect prevailing
interest rates, which depend on a number of factors, including government action
in the capital markets, government fiscal and monetary policy, needs of
businesses for capital goods for expansion, and investor expectations as to
future inflation. The yield on a particular debt instrument is also affected by
the risk that the issuer will be unable to pay principal and interest.
 
                               BOARD OF TRUSTEES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Under Massachusetts law, the Fund's Board of Trustees has absolute and exclusive
control over the management and disposition of all assets of the Fund. Subject
to the provisions of the Declaration of Trust, the business and affairs of the
Fund shall be managed by the Trustees or other parties so designated by the
Trustees. Information relating to the Board of Trustees, including its members
and their compensation, is contained in the SAI.
 
                                      MAT-5
<PAGE>   9
 
                              INVESTMENT ADVISERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
TAMIC provides investment advice and, in general, supervises the management and
investment program of the Fund. The Travelers Investment Management Company
("TIMCO") provides sub-advisory services to the Fund with respect to the Fund's
common stock investments, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees
and TAMIC.
 
TAMIC
 
TAMIC is a registered investment adviser which has provided investment advisory
services since its incorporation in 1978. Under its Advisory Agreement with the
Fund, TAMIC is paid an amount equivalent on an annual basis to 0.50% of the
average daily net assets of the Fund. The fee is computed daily and paid weekly.
TAMIC is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Travelers Group Inc., a
financial services holding company, and its principal offices are located at One
Tower Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06183.
 
In addition to providing investment advice to the Fund, TAMIC acts as investment
adviser for other investment companies used to fund variable products issued by
the Company. TAMIC also provides investment advice to individual and pooled
pension and profit-sharing accounts, domestic insurance companies affiliated
with The Travelers, and nonaffiliated insurance companies.
 
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
 
The Fund's fixed income investments have been managed by David A. Tyson, Ph.D.
and CFA, since February 1994. Mr. Tyson is currently Senior Vice President and
the head of the Company's Portfolio Management Group. He directly manages The
Travelers Annuity, Life Surplus and Convertible portfolios. His previous
responsibilities have included managing The Travelers Derivatives, Mortgage-
Backed and Quantitative Investment Groups. Mr. Tyson joined The Travelers in
1985 and TAMIC in 1994. He previously spent seven years with the Equitable
Investment Management Corporation where he was responsible for quantitative
equity research and new product development.
 
TIMCO
 
TIMCO is employed by TAMIC as the Fund's sub-adviser with respect to the
management of the Fund's common stock investments. For its services under the
Sub-Advisory Agreement, TIMCO receives from TAMIC 50% of the investment advisory
fees earned by TAMIC. TIMCO, a registered investment adviser, has provided
investment advisory services since its incorporation in 1967. TIMCO is an
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Travelers Group Inc. with principal offices
located at One Tower Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06183.
 
In addition to serving as sub-adviser to the Fund, TIMCO acts as investment
adviser for other investment companies used to fund variable products issued by
The Travelers and The Travelers Life and Annuity Company. TIMCO also provides
investment advice to individual and pooled pension and profit-sharing accounts,
and affiliated companies of The Travelers.
 
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
 
The Fund's common stock investments are managed by a team of TIMCO's investment
professionals. TIMCO uses a disciplined stock selection process to review a
broad universe of equity securities and identify those that appear most
attractive in terms of relative valuation and earnings momentum. A team of
experienced investment professionals selects specific holdings and manage the
portfolio according to specific diversification guidelines.
 
Effective December 30, 1994, Kent A. Kelley, CFA, became Chief Executive Officer
of TIMCO. Mr. Kelley is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund's
common stock investments and is responsible for directing the activities of
TIMCO's portfolio management team. Mr. Kelley was
 
                                      MAT-6
<PAGE>   10
 
President of TIMCO from November 1992 to December 1994. He became responsible
for management of the Fund in November 1992. Prior to his appointment as
President, Mr. Kelley was the Executive Vice President in charge of the risk
management group in TIMCO, which managed index funds and other structured
investment strategies.
 
   
                              FUND ADMINISTRATION
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Managed Assets Trust ("Fund") has entered into an Administrative Services
Agreement, whereby Travelers Insurance will be responsible for the pricing and
bookkeeping services for the Fund at an annualized rate of 0.06% of the daily
net assets of the Fund. The Travelers Insurance Company, at its expense, may
appoint a sub-administrator to perform these services. The sub-administrator may
be affiliated with The Travelers Insurance Company.
    
 
   
                            SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Under policies established by the Board of Trustees, TAMIC and TIMCO will select
broker-dealers to execute transactions for the Fund, subject to the receipt of
best execution. When selecting broker-dealers to execute portfolio transactions
for the Fund, TAMIC and TIMCO may consider the number of Fund shares sold by
such broker-dealers. In addition, broker-dealers may from time to time be
affiliated with the Fund, TAMIC, TIMCO or their affiliates.
 
The Fund may pay higher commissions to broker-dealers that provide research
services. TAMIC and TIMCO may use these services in advising the Fund, as well
as in advising other clients for which they act as investment adviser.
 
   
                                 FUND EXPENSES
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
In addition to the investment advisory fees discussed above, other expenses of
the Fund include the charges and expenses of the transfer agent, the custodian,
the independent auditors, and any outside legal counsel employed by either the
Fund or the Board of Trustees; the compensation for the disinterested members of
the Board of Trustees; the costs of printing and mailing the Fund's
prospectuses, proxy solicitation materials, and annual, semiannual and periodic
reports; brokerage commissions, interest charges and taxes; and any
registration, filing and other fees payable to government agencies in connection
with the registration of the Fund and its shares under federal and state
securities laws. Additional, high portfolio turnover may involve greater
brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which would be borne directly
by the Fund, as well as additional realized gains and/or losses to shareholders.
 
Pursuant to a Management Agreement dated May 1, 1993 between the Fund and The
Travelers Insurance Company, the Company has agreed to reimburse the Fund for
the amount by which the Fund's aggregate annual expenses, including investment
advisory fees but excluding brokerage commissions, interest charges and taxes,
exceed 1.25% of the Fund's average net assets for any fiscal year.
 
   
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, the Fund paid .  % of its average
net assets in expenses.
    
 
                                      MAT-7
<PAGE>   11
 
                                 TRANSFER AGENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
First data Investor Services Group, Inc., Exchange Place, Boston, MA 02109,
serves as the Fund's transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent.
    
 
   
                               SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
Shares of the Fund are currently sold only to insurance company separate
accounts in connection with variable annuity and variable life insurance
contracts issued by the Company. Shares of the Fund are not sold to the general
public. Fund shares are sold on a continuing basis, without a sales charge, at
the net asset value next computed after payment is made by the insurance company
to the Fund's custodian. However, the separate accounts to which shares are sold
may impose sales and other charges, as described in the appropriate contract
prospectus.
    
 
The Fund currently issues one class of shares which participate equally in
dividends and distributions and have equal voting, liquidation and other rights.
When issued and paid for, the shares will be fully paid and nonassessable by the
Fund and will have no preference, conversion, exchange or preemptive rights.
 
Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share owned and fractional
votes for fractional shares. Shares are redeemable, transferable and freely
assignable as collateral. There are no sinking fund provisions. (See the
accompanying separate account prospectus for a discussion of voting rights
applicable to purchasers of variable annuity and variable life insurance
contracts.)
 
   
Although the Fund is not currently aware of any disadvantages to contract owners
of either variable annuity or variable life insurance contracts because the
Fund's shares are available with respect to both products, an irreconcilable
material conflict may conceivably arise between contract owners of different
separate accounts investing in the Fund due to differences in tax treatment,
management of the Fund's investments, or other considerations. The Fund's Board
of Trustees will monitor events in order to identify any material conflicts
between variable annuity contract owners and variable life insurance policy
owners, and will determine what action, if any, should be taken in the event of
such a conflict.
    
 
   
                                NET ASSET VALUE
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The net asset value of a Fund share is computed as of the close of trading on
each day on which the New York Stock Exchange ("Exchange") is open, except on
days when changes in the value of the Fund's securities do not affect the
current net asset value of its shares. The net asset value per share of the Fund
is arrived at by determining the value of the Fund's assets, subtracting its
liabilities, and dividing the result by the number of shares outstanding.
 
Current values for the Fund's portfolio securities are determined as follows:
Securities that are traded on an established exchange or the over-the-counter
National Market System (NMS) are valued on the basis of the last sales price on
the exchange where primarily traded or on the NMS prior to the time of the
valuation, provided that a sale has occurred and that this price reflects
current market value according to procedures established by the Board of
Trustees. Securities traded in the over-the-counter market, other than NMS, are
valued at the mean of the bid and asked prices at the time of valuation.
 
Short-term instruments with maturities of sixty days or less (including all
master demand notes) are valued at amortized cost (original purchase cost as
adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion of discount) which, when
combined with accrued interest or amortized discount, approximates market.
Short-term instruments with maturities of more than sixty days, for which market
quotations are readily available, are valued at current market value.
 
                                      MAT-8
<PAGE>   12
 
The following are valued at prices deemed in good faith to be fair under
procedures established by the Board of Trustees: (a) securities, including
restricted securities, for which complete quotations are not readily available;
(b) listed securities or those on NMS if, in the Fund's opinion, the last sales
price does not reflect a current market value or if no sale occurred; and (c)
other assets.
 
   
Fund shares are redeemed at the redemption value next determined after the Fund
receives a redemption request. The redemption value is the net asset value
adjusted for fractions of a cent and may be more or less than the shareholder's
cost depending upon changes in the value of the Fund's portfolio between
purchase and redemption.
    
 
The Fund computes the redemption value at the close of the Exchange at the end
of the day on which it has received all proper documentation from the
shareholder. Redemption proceeds are normally wired or mailed either the same or
the next business day, but in no event later than seven days thereafter.
 
The Fund may temporarily suspend the right to redeem its shares when (1) the
Exchange is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings; (2)
trading on the Exchange is restricted; (3) an emergency exists as determined by
the SEC so that disposal of the Fund's investments or determination of its net
asset value is not reasonably practicable; or (4) the SEC, for the protection of
shareholders, so orders.
 
   
                                   TAX STATUS
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
The Fund has qualified and intends to qualify in the future as a regulated
investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. The Fund
qualifies if, among other things, it distributes to its shareholders at least
90% of its net investment income for each fiscal year.
 
   
                          DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Capital gains and dividends are distributed in cash or reinvested in additional
shares of the Fund, without a sales charge. Although purchasers of variable
contracts are not subject to federal income taxes on distributions by the Fund,
they may be subject to state and local taxes and should review the accompanying
contract prospectus for a discussion of the tax treatment applicable to
purchasers of variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts.
 
                               LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
There are no pending material legal proceedings affecting the Fund.
 
   
                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Except as otherwise stated in this Prospectus or as required by law, the Fund
reserves the right to change the terms of the offer stated in this Prospectus
without shareholder approval, including the right to impose or change fees for
services provided.
 
                                      MAT-9
<PAGE>   13
 
                                   EXHIBIT A
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN TYPES OF INVESTMENTS AND
                  INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES AVAILABLE TO THE FUND
 
OBLIGATIONS OF FOREIGN BRANCHES OF UNITED STATES BANKS
 
The obligations of foreign branches of United States banks may be general
obligations of the parent bank in addition to the issuing branch, or may be
limited by the terms of a specific obligation and by government regulation.
Payment of interest and principal upon these obligations may also be affected by
governmental action in the country of domicile of the branch (generally referred
to as sovereign risk). In addition, evidences of ownership of such securities
may be held outside the United States and the Fund may be subject to the risks
associated with the holding of such property overseas. Various provisions of
federal law governing domestic branches do not apply to foreign branches of
domestic banks.
 
OBLIGATIONS OF UNITED STATES BRANCHES OF FOREIGN BANKS
 
Obligations of United States branches of foreign banks may be general
obligations of the parent bank in addition to the issuing branch, or may be
limited by the terms of a specific obligation and by federal and state
regulation, as well as by governmental action in the country in which the
foreign bank has its head office. In addition, there may be less publicly
available information about a United States branch of a foreign bank than about
a domestic bank.
 
MASTER DEMAND NOTES
 
Master demand notes are unsecured obligations that permit the investment of
fluctuating amounts by the Fund at varying rates of interest pursuant to direct
arrangements between the Fund as lender and the issuer as borrower. The Fund has
the right to increase the amount under the note at any time up to the full
amount provided by the note agreement, or to decrease the amount, and the
borrower may repay up to the full amount of the note without penalty. Notes
purchased by the Fund permit the Fund to demand payment of principal and accrued
interest at any time (on not more than seven days notice). Notes acquired by the
Fund may have maturities of more than one year, provided that (i) the Fund is
entitled to payment of principal and accrued interest upon not more than seven
days notice, and (ii) the rate of interest on such notes is adjusted
automatically at periodic intervals which normally will not exceed 31 days but
may extend up to one year. The notes will be deemed to have a maturity equal to
the longer of the period remaining to the next interest rate adjustment or the
demand notice period. Because these types of notes are direct lending
arrangements between the lender and the borrower, such instruments are not
normally traded and there is no secondary market for these notes, although they
are redeemable and thus repayable by the borrower at face value plus accrued
interest at any time. Accordingly, the Fund's right to redeem is dependent on
the ability of the borrower to pay principal and interest on demand. In
connection with master demand notes, TAMIC considers, under standards
established by the Board of Trustees, earning power, cash flow and other
liquidity ratios of the borrower and will monitor the ability of the borrower to
pay principal and interest on demand. These notes are not typically rated by
credit rating agencies. Unless rated, the Fund will invest in them only if the
issuer meets the criteria established for commercial paper.
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
Interim cash balances may be invested from time to time in repurchase agreements
with approved counterparties (i.e., national banks or reporting broker-dealers
meeting the Advisor's credit quality standards as presenting minimal risk of
default). All repurchase transactions must be collateralized by U.S. Government
securities with market value no less than 102% of the amount of the transaction,
including accrued interest. Repurchase transactions generally mature the next
business
 
                                     MAT-10
<PAGE>   14
 
day but, in the event of a transaction of longer maturity, collateral will be
marked to market daily and, when required, additional cash or qualifying
collateral will be required from the counterparty.
 
In executing a repurchase agreement, a portfolio purchases eligible securities
subject to the seller's simultaneous agreement to repurchase them on a mutually
agreed upon date and at a mutually agreed upon price. The purchase and resale
prices are negotiated with the counterparty on the basis of current short-term
interest rates, which may be more or less than the rate on the securities
collateralizing the transaction. Physical delivery or, in the case of
"book-entry" securities, segregation in the counterparty's account at the
Federal Reserve for the benefit of the Portfolio is required to establish a
perfected claim to the collateral for the term of the agreement in the event the
counterparty fails to fulfill its obligation.
 
As the securities collateralizing a repurchase transaction are generally of
longer maturity than the term of the transaction, in the event of default by the
counterparty on its obligation, the Portfolio would bear the risks of delay,
adverse market fluctuation and transaction costs in disposing of the collateral.
 
FOREIGN SECURITIES
 
The Fund may invest in securities principally traded in securities markets
outside the United States. While investment in foreign securities is intended to
reduce risk by providing further diversification, such investments involve
sovereign risk in addition to the credit and market risks normally associated
with domestic securities. Foreign investments may be affected favorably or
unfavorably by changes in currency rates and exchange control regulations. There
may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a
U.S. company, and foreign companies may not be subject to accounting, auditing
and financial reporting standards and requirements comparable to those
applicable to U.S. companies. Securities of some foreign companies are less
liquid or more volatile than securities of U.S. companies, and foreign brokerage
commissions and custodian fees are generally higher than in the United States.
Investments in foreign securities may also be subject to other risks different
from those affecting U.S. investments, including political or economic
developments, expropriation or nationalization of assets, imposition of
withholding taxes on dividend or interest payments and currency blockage (which
would prevent cash from being brought back to the United States). These risks
are carefully considered by the investment adviser prior to the purchase of
these securities.
 
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES
 
The Fund may, from time to time, purchase new-issue Government or Agency
securities on a "when-issued" or "to-be-announced" ("TBA") basis ("when-issued
securities"). The prices of such securities will be fixed at the time the
commitment to purchase is made, and may be expressed in either dollar price or
yield maintenance terms. Delivery and payment may be at a future date beyond
customary settlement time. It is the customary practice of the Fund to make
when-issued or TBA purchases for settlement no more than 90 days beyond the
commitment date.
 
   
The commitment to purchase a when-issued security may be viewed as a senior
security, and will be marked to market and reflected in the Fund's net asset
value daily from the commitment date. While it is the adviser's intention to
take physical delivery of these securities, offsetting transactions may be made
prior to settlement, if it is advantageous to do so. The Fund does not make
payment or begin to accrue interest on these securities until settlement date.
In order to invest its assets pending settlement, the Fund will normally invest
in short-term money market instruments and other securities maturing no later
than the scheduled settlement date.
    
 
The Fund does not intend to purchase when-issued securities for speculative or
"leverage" purposes. Consistent with Section 18 of the 1940 Act and the General
Policy Statement of the SEC thereunder, when the Fund commits to purchase a
when-issued security, it will identify and place in a segregated account
high-grade money market instruments and other liquid securities equal in value
to the purchase cost of the when-issued securities.
 
                                     MAT-11
<PAGE>   15
 
   
The adviser believes that purchasing when-issued securities in this manner will
be advantageous to the Fund. However, this practice does entail certain
additional risks, namely the default of the counterparty on its obligations to
deliver the security as scheduled. In this event, the Fund would experience a
gain or loss equal to the appreciation or depreciation in value from the
commitment date. The adviser employs a rigorous credit quality procedure in
determining the counterparties with which it will deal in when-issued
securities, and in some circumstances, will require the counterparty to post
cash or some other form of security as margin to protect the value of its
delivery obligation pending settlement.
    
 
FUTURES CONTRACTS
 
The Fund may use exchange-traded financial futures contracts as a hedge to
protect against anticipated changes in interest rates or stock prices. Financial
futures contracts consist of stock index futures contracts and futures contracts
on debt securities ("interest rate futures"). A stock index futures contract is
a contractual obligation to buy or sell a specified index of stocks at a future
date for a fixed price. Unlike most other financial futures, stock index futures
require cash settlement on a daily basis. An interest rate futures contract is a
contract to buy or sell specified debt securities at a future time for a fixed
price.
 
Stock index futures may be used, to a limited extent, to hedge specific common
stocks with respect to market (systematic) risk (involving the market's
assessment of overall economic prospects) as distinguished from stock-specific
risk (involving the market's evaluation of the merits of the issuer of a
particular security). Gains and losses on futures contracts employed as hedges
for specific securities will normally be offset by losses or gains,
respectively, on the hedged security.
 
Hedging by use of interest rate futures seeks to establish, with more certainty
than would otherwise be possible, the effective rate of return on portfolio
securities. When hedging is successful, any depreciation in the value of
portfolio securities will substantially be offset by appreciation in the value
of the futures position. Conversely, any appreciation in the value of the
portfolio securities will substantially be offset by depreciation in the value
of the futures position. At no time will the Fund's transactions in such
financial futures be employed for speculative purposes.
 
When a futures contract is purchased, the Fund will set aside, in an
identifiable manner, an amount of cash and cash equivalents equal to the total
market value of the futures contract, less the amount of the initial margin.
 
Positions taken in the futures market are not normally held to maturity, but
instead are liquidated through offsetting transactions which may result in a
profit or a loss. Closing out an open futures contract sale or purchase is
effected by entering into an offsetting futures contract purchase or sale,
respectively, for the same aggregate amount of the stock index or security and
the same delivery date. If the offsetting purchase price is less than the
original sale price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is more, the Fund realizes
a loss. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is more than the original
purchase price, the Fund realizes a gain; if less, a loss. While futures
positions taken by the Fund will usually be liquidated in this manner, the Fund
may instead make or take delivery of the underlying securities whenever it
appears economically advantageous for it to do so. In determining gain or loss,
transaction costs must be taken into account. There can be no assurance that the
Fund will be able to enter into an offsetting transaction with respect to a
particular contract at a particular time.
 
All stock index and interest rate futures contracts will be traded on exchanges
that are licensed and regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission
("CFTC").
 
The Fund will not purchase or sell futures contracts for which the aggregate
initial margin exceeds five percent (5%) of the fair market value of its assets,
after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such
contracts it has entered into.
 
To ensure that its futures transactions meet CFTC standards, the Fund will enter
into futures contracts for hedging purposes only, i.e., for the purposes or with
the intent specified in CFTC regulations and
 
                                     MAT-12
<PAGE>   16
 
interpretations, subject to the requirements of the SEC. The Fund will further
seek to assure that fluctuations in the price of any futures contracts that it
uses for hedging purposes will be substantially related to fluctuations in the
price of the securities held by it or which it expects to purchase, or for other
risk reduction strategies, though there can be no assurance the expected result
will always be achieved.
 
As evidence of its hedging intent, the Fund expects that on seventy-five percent
(75%) or more of the occasions on which it purchases a long futures contract, it
will effect the purchase of securities in the cash market or take delivery as it
closes out a futures position. In particular cases, however, when it is
economically advantageous, a long futures position may be terminated without the
corresponding purchase of securities.
 
SPECIAL RISKS RELATING TO FUTURES CONTRACTS
 
   
While certain futures contracts may be purchased and sold to reduce certain
risks, these transactions may entail other risks. Thus, while the Fund may
benefit from the use of such futures, unanticipated changes in stock price
movements or interest rates may result in a poorer overall performance for the
Fund than if it had not entered into such futures contracts. Moreover, in the
event of an imperfect correlation between the futures position and the portfolio
position which is intended to be protected, the desired protection may not be
obtained and the Fund may be exposed to risk of loss. The adviser will attempt
to reduce this risk by engaging in futures transactions, to the extent possible,
where, in its judgment, there is a significant correlation between changes in
the prices of the futures contracts and the prices of any portfolio securities
sought to be hedged. Successful use of futures contracts for hedging purposes is
also subject to the adviser's ability to predict correctly movements in the
direction of the market.
    
 
BUYING PUT AND CALL OPTIONS
 
   
The Fund may purchase put options on securities held, or on futures contracts
whose price volatility is expected to closely match that of securities held, as
a defensive measure to preserve shareholders' capital when market conditions
warrant. The Fund may purchase call options on specific securities, or on
futures contracts whose price volatility is expected to closely match that of
securities eligible for purchase by the Fund, in anticipation of or as a
substitute for the purchase of the securities themselves. These options may be
listed on a national exchange or executed "over-the-counter" with a
broker-dealer as the counterparty. While the adviser anticipates that the
majority of option purchases and sales will be executed on a national exchange,
put or call options on specific securities or for non-standard terms are likely
to be executed directly with a broker-dealer when it is advantageous to do so.
Option contracts will be short-term in nature, generally less than nine months
in duration.
    
 
The Fund will pay a premium in exchange for the right to purchase (call) or sell
(put) a specific number of shares of an equity security or futures contract at a
specified price (the strike price) on or before the expiration date of the
option contract. In either case, the Fund's risk is limited to the option
premium paid.
 
The Fund may sell the put and call options prior to their expiration and thereby
realize a gain or loss. A call option will expire worthless if the price of the
related security is below the contract strike price at the time of expiration; a
put option will expire worthless if the price of the related security is above
the contract strike price at the time of expiration.
 
Put and call options will be employed for bona fide hedging purposes only.
Liquid securities sufficient to fulfill the call option delivery obligation will
be identified and segregated in an account; deliverable securities sufficient to
fulfill the put option obligation will be similarly identified and segregated.
In the case of put options on futures contracts, portfolio securities whose
price volatility is expected to match that of the underlying futures contract
will be identified and segregated.
 
                                     MAT-13
<PAGE>   17
 
WRITING COVERED CALL OPTIONS
 
The Fund may write or sell covered call options. By writing a call option, the
Fund becomes obligated during the term of the option to deliver the securities
underlying the option upon payment of the exercise price.
 
The Fund may only write "covered" options. This means that as long as the Fund
is obligated as the writer of a call option, it will own the underlying
securities subject to the option or in the case of call options on U.S. Treasury
bills, the Fund might own substantially similar U.S. Treasury bills.
 
The principal reason for writing call options is to obtain, through a receipt of
premiums, a greater current return than would be realized on the underlying
securities alone. The Fund receives a premium from writing a call option which
it retains whether or not the option is exercised. By writing a call option, the
Fund might lose the potential for gain on the underlying security while the
option is open.
 
Options on some securities are relatively new and it is impossible to predict
the amount of trading interest that will exist in such options. There can be no
assurance that viable markets will develop or continue. The failure of such
markets to develop or continue could significantly impair the Fund's ability to
use such options to achieve its investment objectives.
 
COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS
 
The Fund's investments in commercial paper are limited to those rated A-1 by
Standard & Poor's Corporation or Prime-1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
These ratings and other money market instruments are described as follows.
 
Commercial paper rated A-1 by S&P has the following characteristics: Liquidity
ratios are adequate to meet cash requirements. The issuer's long-term senior
debt is rated "A" or better although in some cases "BBB" credits may be allowed.
The issuer has access to at least two additional channels of borrowing. Basic
earnings and cash flow have an upward trend with allowance made for unusual
circumstances. Typically, the issuer's industry is well established and the
issuer has a strong position within the industry.
 
The rating Prime-1 is the highest commercial paper rating assigned by Moody's.
Among the factors considered by Moody's in assigning ratings are the following:
(1) evaluation of the management of the issuer; (2) economic evaluation of the
issuer's industry or industries and an appraisal of speculative-type risks which
may be inherent in certain areas; (3) evaluation of the issuer's products in
relation to competition and customer acceptance; (4) liquidity; (5) amount and
quality of long-term debt; (6) trend of earnings over a period of ten years; (7)
financial strength of a parent company and the relationships which exist with
the issuer; and (8) recognition by the management of obligations which may be
present or which may arise as a result of public preparations to meet such
obligations. Relative strength or weakness of the above factors determines how
the issuer's commercial paper is rated within various categories.
 
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
 
Securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government include a
variety of Treasury securities that differ only in their interest rates,
maturities and dates of issuance. Treasury bills have maturities of one year or
less; Treasury notes have maturities of one to ten years; and Treasury bonds
generally have maturities of greater than ten years at the date of issuance.
 
Securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government or its agencies
or instrumentalities include direct obligations of the United States Treasury
and securities issued or guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration,
Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Small
Business Administration, Government National Mortgage Association, General
Services Administration, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Home Loan Banks,
Federal Loan Mortgage Corporation, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Federal
Land Banks, Maritime Administration, The
 
                                     MAT-14
<PAGE>   18
 
Tennessee Valley Authority, District of Columbia Armory Board, Student Loan
Marketing Association and Federal National Mortgage Association.
 
   
Some obligations of United States Government agencies and instrumentalities,
such as Treasury bills and Government National Mortgage Association pass-through
certificates, are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States;
others, such as securities of Federal Home Loan Banks, are supported by the
right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury; still others, such as bonds
issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association, a private corporation, are
supported only by the credit of the instrumentality. Because the United States
Government is not obligated by law to provide support to an instrumentality
which it sponsors, the Fund will invest in the securities issued by such an
instrumentality only when the adviser determines that the credit risk with
respect to the instrumentality does not make its securities unsuitable
investments. United States Government securities will not include international
agencies or instrumentalities in which the United States Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities participate, such as the World Bank, the Asian
Development Bank or the Inter-American Development Bank, or issues insured by
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
    
 
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSITS
 
Certificates of deposit are receipts issued by a bank in exchange for the
deposit of funds. The issuer agrees to pay the amount deposited plus interest to
the bearer of the receipt on the date specified on the certificate. The
certificate can usually be traded in the secondary market prior to maturity.
 
Certificates of deposit will be limited to U.S. dollar-denominated certificates
of United States banks which have at least $1 billion in deposits as of the date
of their most recently published financial statements (including foreign
branches of U.S. banks, U.S. branches of foreign banks which are members of the
Federal Reserve System or the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and savings
and loan associations which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation).
 
The Fund will not acquire time deposits or obligations issued by the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Asian Development
Bank or the Inter-American Development Bank. Additionally, the Fund does not
currently intend to purchase such foreign securities (except to the extent that
certificates of deposit of foreign branches of U.S. banks may be deemed foreign
securities) or purchase certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances or other
similar obligations issued by foreign banks.
 
BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES
 
Bankers' acceptances typically arise from short-term credit arrangements
designed to enable businesses to obtain funds to finance commercial
transactions. Generally, an acceptance is a time draft drawn on a bank by an
exporter or an importer to obtain a stated amount of funds to pay for specific
merchandise. The draft is then "accepted" by the bank which, in effect,
unconditionally guarantees to pay the face value of the instrument on its
maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an
earning asset or it may be sold in the secondary market at the going rate of
discount for a specific maturity. Although maturities for acceptances can be as
long as 270 days, most acceptances have maturities of six months or less.
Bankers' acceptances acquired by the Fund must have been accepted by U.S.
commercial banks, including foreign branches of U.S. commercial banks, having
total deposits at the time of purchase in excess of $1 billion and must be
payable in U.S. dollars.
 
                                     MAT-15
<PAGE>   19
 
                              MANAGED ASSETS TRUST
 
                                   PROSPECTUS
 
   
                                                                TIC Ed. 5-97
    
L-11172                                                        Printed in U.S.A.
<PAGE>   20





                                     PART B

         INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
<PAGE>   21

                      STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


                              MANAGED ASSETS TRUST

   
                                  MAY 1, 1997
    


   
         This Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a prospectus
but relates to, and should be read in conjunction with, the Fund's prospectus
dated May 1, 1997.  A copy of the prospectus is available from The Travelers
Insurance Company, Annuity Services, One Tower Square, Hartford, Connecticut
06183-5030, or by calling 860-422-3985.  This SAI should be read in conjunction
with the accompanying 1996 Annual Report for the Fund.
    




                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                         PAGE
<S>                                                                                                                       <C>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    1

VALUATION OF SECURITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    2

DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    3

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    3

TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    3

DECLARATION OF TRUST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    5

INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    6
    The Investment Adviser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    6
    Advisory Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    7
    The Subadviser. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    7

REDEMPTIONS IN KIND . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    7

BROKERAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    7

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    8

APPENDIX. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   10
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   22
                       INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES

         The investment objective of the Managed Assets Trust (the "Fund") is
to provide a high total investment return.  To do this, the Fund adjusts its
overall exposure to risk by spreading its investments among those providing
alternatives for capital growth, capital stability and income as market and
economic trends change.


                            INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

         None of the restrictions enumerated in this paragraph may be changed
without a vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding shares, as defined in
the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act").  The Fund will not:

         (1)   purchase any securities which are rated lower than BBB by S&P,
               Baa by Moody's or, if unrated by such services, are, in TAMIC's
               opinion, of equivalent quality, if as a result more than 10% of
               the Fund's assets which are invested in debt securities would be
               invested in such securities; or purchase any debt securities
               rated B or lower by either service or their equivalent;

         (2)   purchase any securities (other than securities issued by the
               United States Government, its agencies or instrumentalities or
               securities which are backed by the full faith and credit of the
               United States) of any issuer if as a result more than 5% of its
               total assets would be invested in the securities of the issuer,
               except that up to 25% of its total assets may be invested
               without regard to this 5% limitation;

         (3)   invest in securities of a single issuer if, as a result, the
               Fund owns more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of
               such issuer;

         (4)   borrow money, except from banks as a temporary measure in an
               amount not to exceed 10% of its total assets to facilitate
               redemptions or for emergency or extraordinary purposes, and any
               such borrowings will be repaid before additional investments are
               made;

         (5)   pledge assets, except to secure indebtedness permitted by
               restriction (4) above and in amounts not in excess of the lesser
               of the dollar amounts borrowed or 10% of the Fund's total
               assets;

         (6)   underwrite securities of other issuers, except that the Fund may
               purchase securities from the issuer thereof or others and
               dispose of such securities in a manner consistent with its
               investment objective and policies;

         (7)   purchase or sell real estate, except that the Fund may invest in
               securities secured by real estate or interests therein or issued
               by companies, including real estate investment trusts, which
               invest in real estate or interests therein;

         (8)   purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except
               transactions involving financial futures contracts in order to
               limit transaction and borrowing costs and for hedging purposes;

         (9)   invest for the purpose of control or management;

         (10)  purchase securities on margin, except that the Fund may obtain
               such short term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of
               purchases and sales of securities and place up to 5% of the
               value of its net assets in total margin deposits for positions
               in futures contracts;

         (11)  make short sales of securities or maintain short positions;





                                       1
<PAGE>   23
         (12)  make loans, except that the Fund may purchase or hold debt
               obligations and repurchase agreements in a manner consistent
               with its investment objective and restrictions;

         (13)  purchase any security if as a result more than 25% of its total
               assets would be invested in a single industry;

         (14)  purchase securities of other investment companies, except in the
               open market and at customary brokerage rates and in no event
               more than 3% of the voting securities of any investment company
               or in connection with a merger, consolidation, purchase of
               assets or similar transaction approved by the Fund's
               shareholders;

   
         (15)  invest more than 10% of its total assets in illiquid securities.
    

         Additional investment restrictions adopted by the Fund, which may be
changed by the Board of Trustees, provide that the Fund may not:  (1) invest in
securities of foreign issuers if at the time of acquisition more than 25% of
its total assets, taken at market value, would be invested in such securities;
(2) purchase or sell interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or
development programs; (3) invest in warrants if at the time of acquisition more
than 5% of its total assets would be invested in warrants (for the purposes of
this restriction, warrants acquired by the Fund in units or attached to
securities will be deemed to be without value); (4) invest more than 5% of its
total assets in securities of companies having a record, together with
predecessors, of less than three years of continuous operation, and securities
of issuers that are not readily marketable; and (5) purchase or retain
securities of an issuer if, to the knowledge of the Fund, officers, Trustees or
Directors of the Fund or Travelers Asset Management International Corporation
(TAMIC), each owning beneficially more than 0.5% of the securities of such
issuer, own in the aggregate more than 5% of the securities of such issuer, or
such persons or management personnel of the Fund or TAMIC have a substantial
beneficial interest in the securities of such issuer.  Portfolio securities of
the Fund may not be purchased from or sold or loaned to TAMIC or any affiliate
thereof or any of its Directors, officers or employees.

         The Fund has undertaken to a state insurance authority that, so long
as the state authority requires and shares of the Fund are offered for sale to
fund variable life insurance policies in that state, the Fund will comply with
certain foreign security diversification guidelines.  These guidelines provide
that (1) as the percentage of the Fund's net asset value invested in foreign
securities increases, a corresponding increase will be made in the number of
countries in whose securities the Fund invests; and (2) the Fund will invest no
more than 20% of its net asset value in securities of issuers located in any
one country (other than the United States).  Notwithstanding the above, these
guidelines permit the Fund to invest any amount in securities of issuers
located in the United States, and an additional 15% of its net asset value in
securities of issuers located in Australia, Canada, France, Japan, the United
Kingdom or Germany.  These guidelines require that American Depository Receipts
be treated as if they were foreign securities. This undertaking is not a
fundamental investment restriction or policy and may be changed without a vote
of shareholders.

                            VALUATION OF SECURITIES

         Current value for the Fund's portfolio securities is determined as
described in the prospectus. However, the Fund believes that reliable market
quotations generally are not readily available for purposes of valuing fixed
income securities.  As a result, depending on the particular securities owned
by the Fund, it is likely that most of the valuations for such securities will
be based upon their fair value determined under procedures which have been
approved by the Trustees.  The Board of Trustees has authorized the use of a
pricing service to determine the fair value of its fixed income securities and
certain other securities.  Securities for which market quotations are readily
available are valued on a consistent basis at that price quoted which, in the
opinion of the Trustees or the person designated by the Trustees to make the
determination, most nearly represents the market value of the particular
security.  Any securities for which market quotations are not readily available
or other assets are valued on a consistent basis at fair value as determined in
good faith using methods prescribed by the Trustees.





                                       2
<PAGE>   24
                            DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES

         It is the Fund's intention to distribute dividends from net investment
income and all net realized capital gains annually in shares or, at the option
of the shareholder, in cash.

         When the Fund makes a distribution, it intends to distribute only its
net capital gains and such income as has been predetermined to the best of the
Fund's ability to be taxable as ordinary income.  Therefore, net investment
income distributions will not be made on the basis of distributable income as
computed on the Fund's books, but will be made on a federal taxation basis.

         If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company, shareholders
will not be subject to federal income taxes on distributions by the Fund but
may be subject to state and local taxes.  See the accompanying separate account
prospectus for a discussion of the tax treatment applicable to purchasers of
variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts.

   
                               PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

         The Fund's portfolio turnover for the fiscal years ended December 31,
1994, 1995 and 1996 were ___________%, ______________%,   and ____________%,
respectively.  High portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater
brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which will be borne directly
by the Fund.
    

   
                             TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Name                                   Present Position and Principal Occupation During Last Five Years
 ----                                   ----------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                    <C>
 *Heath B. McLendon                     Managing Director (1993-present), Smith Barney Inc. ("Smith Barney");
  Chairman and Member                   Chairman (1993-present), Smith Barney Strategy Advisors, Inc.;
  388 Greenwich Street                  President (1994-present), Smith Barney Mutual Funds Management Inc.;
  New York, New York                    Chairman and Director of forty-one investment companies associated with
  Age 63                                Smith Barney; Chairman, Board of Trustees, Drew University; Trustee,
                                        The East New York Savings Bank; Advisory Director, First Empire State
                                        Corporation; Chairman, Board of Managers, seven Variable Annuity
                                        Separate Accounts of The Travelers Insurance Company+; Chairman, Board
                                        of Trustees, five Mutual Funds sponsored by The Travelers Insurance
                                        Company++; prior to July 1993, Senior Executive Vice President of
                                        Shearson Lehman Brothers Inc.


  Knight Edwards                        Of Counsel (1988-present), Partner (1956-1988), Edwards & Angell,
  Member                                Attorneys; Member, Advisory Board (1973-1994), thirty-one mutual funds
  2700 Hospital Trust Tower             sponsored by Keystone Group, Inc.; Member, Board of Managers, seven
  Providence, Rhode Island              Variable Annuity Separate Accounts of The Travelers Insurance Company+;
  Age 73                                Trustee, five Mutual Funds sponsored by The Travelers Insurance
                                        Company.++
</TABLE>
    





                                       3
<PAGE>   25
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Name                                   Present Position and Principal Occupation During Last Five Years
 ----                                   ----------------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                                  <C>
   
   Robert E. McGill, III                Retired manufacturing executive.  Director (1983-1995), Executive Vice
   Member                               President (1989-1994) and Senior Vice President, Finance and
   295 Hancock Street                   Administration (1983-1989), The Dexter Corporation (manufacturer of
   Williamstown, Massachusetts          specialty chemicals and materials); Vice Chairman (1990-1992), Director
   Age 65                               (1983-1995), Life Technologies, Inc. (life science/biotechnology
                                        products); Director, (1994-present), The Connecticut Surety Corporation
                                        (insurance); Director (1995-present), Calbiochem Novachem International
                                        (life science/biotechnology products); Director (1995-present), Chemfab
                                        Corporation (specialty materials manufacturer); Member, Board of
                                        Managers, seven Variable Annuity Separate Accounts of The Travelers
                                        Insurance Company+; Trustee, five Mutual Funds sponsored by The
                                        Travelers Insurance Company.++


   Lewis Mandell                        Dean, College of Business Administration (1995-present), Marquette
   Member                               University; Professor of Finance (1980-1995) and Associate Dean
   606 N. 13th Street                   (1993-1995), School of Business Administration, and Director, Center
   Milwaukee, WI 53233                  for Research and Development in Financial Services (1980-1995),
   Age 54                               University of Connecticut; Director (1992-present), GZA
                                        Geoenvironmental Tech, Inc. (engineering services); Member, Board of
                                        Managers, seven Variable Annuity Separate Accounts of The Travelers
                                        Insurance Company+; Trustee, five Mutual Funds sponsored by The
                                        Travelers Insurance Company.++


   Frances M. Hawk                      Portfolio Manager (1992-present), HLM Management Company, Inc.
   Member                               (investment management); Assistant Treasurer, Pensions and Benefits.
   222 Berkeley Street                  Management (1989-1992), United Technologies Corporation (broad- based
   Boston, Massachusetts                designer and manufacturer of high technology products); Member, Board
   Age 49                               of Managers, seven Variable Annuity Separate Accounts of The Travelers
                                        Insurance Company+; Trustee, five Mutual Funds sponsored by The
                                        Travelers Insurance Company.++


   Ernest J. Wright                     Assistant Secretary (1994-present), Counsel (1987-present), The
   Secretary to the Board               Travelers Insurance Company; Secretary, Board of Managers, seven
   One Tower Square                     Variable Annuity Separate Accounts of The Travelers Insurance Company+;
   Hartford, Connecticut                Secretary, Board of Trustees, five Mutual Funds sponsored by The
   Age 56                               Travelers Insurance Company.++


   Kathleen A. McGah                    Assistant Secretary and Counsel (1995-present), The Travelers Insurance
   Assistant Secretary to the Board     Company; Assistant Secretary, Board of Managers, seven Variable Annuity
   One Tower Square                     Separate Accounts of The Travelers Insurance Company+; Assistant
   Hartford, Connecticut                Secretary, Board of Trustees, five Mutual Funds sponsored by The
   Age 46                               Travelers Insurance Company.++  Prior to January 1995, Counsel, ITT
                                        Hartford Life Insurance Company.


   Lewis E. Daidone                     Managing Director of Smith Barney, Senior Vice President and Treasurer
   Treasurer                            of 41 investment companies associated with Smith Barney, and Director
   388 Greenwich Street                 and Vice President of SBMFM and TIA; Treasurer, Board of Trustees, five
   New York, NY                         Mutual Funds sponsored by The Travelers Insurance Company.++
   Age 38
</TABLE>
    





                                       4
<PAGE>   26
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 Name                                   Present Position and Principal Occupation During Last Five Years
 ----                                   ----------------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                                  <C>
   
   Irving David                         Vice President of Smith Barney, Asset Management Division (March
   Controller                           1994-present) ); Controller, Board of Trustees, five Mutual Funds
   388 Greenwich Street                 sponsored by The Travelers Insurance Company.++
   New York, NY
   Age 35

   Thomas M. Reynolds                   Director of Smith Barney, Asset Management Division; Controller and
   Controller                           Assistant Secretary of 35 investment companies associated with Smith
   388 Greenwich Street                 Barney, (September 1991-present) ); Controller, Board of Trustees, five
   New York, NY                         Mutual Funds sponsored by The Travelers Insurance Company.++
   Age 36
</TABLE>
    

+    These seven Variable Annuity Separate Accounts are:  The Travelers Growth
     and Income Stock Account for Variable Annuities, The Travelers Quality
     Bond Account for Variable Annuities, The Travelers Money Market Account
     for Variable Annuities, The Travelers Timed Growth and Income Stock
     Account for Variable Annuities, The Travelers Timed Short-Term Bond
     Account for Variable Annuities, The Travelers Timed Aggressive Stock
     Account for Variable Annuities and The Travelers Timed Bond Account for
     Variable Annuities.

++   These five Mutual Funds are:  Capital Appreciation Fund, Cash Income
     Trust, High Yield Bond Trust, Managed Assets Trust and The Travelers
     Series Trust.

     *   Mr. McLendon is an "interested person" within the meaning of the 1940
Act by virtue of his position as Managing Director of Smith Barney Inc., an
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Travelers Group Inc. and also owns shares
and options to purchase shares of Travelers Group Inc., the indirect parent of
The Travelers Insurance Company.

   
         Members of the Board of Trustees who are also officers or employees of
Travelers Group Inc. or its subsidiaries are not entitled to any fee.  Members
of the Board of Trustees who are not affiliated as employees of Travelers Group
Inc. or its subsidiaries receive an aggregate retainer of $19,000 for service
on the Boards of the five Mutual Funds sponsored by The Travelers Insurance
Company and the seven Variable Annuity Separate Accounts established by The
Travelers Insurance Company.  Once a Board Member retires, 50% of the retainer
amount will be paid annually.  They also receive an aggregate fee of $2,500 for
each meeting of such Boards attended.
    

                              DECLARATION OF TRUST

         The Fund is organized as a Massachusetts business trust.  Pursuant to
certain decisions of the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, shareholders
of such a trust may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as
partners for the obligations of the trust.  However, even if the Fund were held
to be a partnership, the possibility of its shareholders incurring financial
loss for that reason appears remote because the Fund's Declaration of Trust
contains an express disclaimer of shareholder liability for obligations of the
Fund and requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement,
obligation or instrument entered into or executed by the Fund or the Trustees,
and because the Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of Fund
property for any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the
Fund.

         The Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee shall be liable only
for his own willful defaults and, if reasonable care has been exercised in the
selection of officers, agents, employees or investment advisers, a Trustee
shall not be liable for the neglect or wrongdoing of any such person; provided,
however, that nothing in the Declaration of Trust shall protect a Trustee
against any liability for his willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence
or the reckless disregard of his duties.

         Shareholders first elected Trustees at a meeting held on April 23,
1984, and most recently elected Trustees on April 23, 1993.  No further
meetings of shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees will be held,
unless





                                       5
<PAGE>   27
required by law, and unless and until such time as less than a majority of the
Trustees holding office have been elected by shareholders, at which time the
Trustees then in office will call a shareholders' meeting for the election of
Trustees.

         Except as set forth above, the Trustees shall continue to hold office
indefinitely, unless otherwise required by law and may appoint successor
Trustees.  Trustees may voluntarily resign from office, or a Trustee may be
removed from office (1) at any time by two-thirds vote of the Trustees; (2) by
a majority vote of Trustees where any Trustee becomes mentally or physically
incapacitated; and (3) either by declaration in writing or at a meeting called
for such purpose by the holders of not less than two-thirds of the outstanding
shares or other voting interests of the Fund.  The Trustees are required to
call a meeting for the purpose of considering the removal of a person serving
as trustee, if requested in writing to do so by the holders of not less than
10% of the outstanding shares or other voting interests of the Fund.  The Fund
is required to assist in Shareholders' communications.  In accordance with
current laws, insurance companies using the Fund as an underlying investment
option within their variable contract will request voting instructions from
contract owners participating in such contracts, and will vote shares of the
Fund in the same proportion as the voting instructions received.

         Voting rights are not cumulative, so that the holders of more than 50%
of the shares voting on the election of Trustees can, if they choose to do so,
elect all of the Trustees of the Fund, in which event the holders of the
remaining shares will be unable to elect any person as a Trustee.

         No amendment may be made to the Declaration of Trust without a "vote
of a majority of the outstanding voting securities" of the Fund (as defined in
the 1940 Act).

                          INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES

THE INVESTMENT ADVISER

         Travelers Asset Management International Corporation (TAMIC), an
indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Travelers Group Inc., furnishes investment
management and advisory services to the Fund in accordance with the terms of an
Investment Advisory Agreement which was approved by shareholders on April 23,
1993.

         As required by the 1940 Act, the Advisory Agreement will continue in
effect for a period more than two years from the date of its execution only so
long as its continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by a
vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees, or (ii) by a vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.  In addition, and in either
event, the terms of the Advisory Agreement must be approved annually by a vote
of a majority of the Board of Trustees who are not parties to, or interested
persons of any party to, the Advisory Agreement, cast in person at a meeting
called for the purpose of voting on such approval and at which the Board of
Trustees is furnished such information as may be reasonably necessary to
evaluate the terms of the Advisory Agreement.  The Advisory Agreement further
provides that it will terminate automatically upon assignment; may be amended
only with prior approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of
the Fund; may be terminated without the payment of any penalty at any time upon
sixty days' notice by the Board of Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the Fund; and may not be terminated by TAMIC
without prior approval of a new investment advisory agreement by a vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.

         Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, TAMIC shall:

         (1) obtain and evaluate pertinent economic, statistical and financial
             data and other information relevant to the investment policy of
             the Fund, affecting the economy generally and individual companies
             or industries, the securities of which are included in the Fund's
             portfolio or are under consideration for inclusion therein;

         (2) be authorized to purchase supplemental research and other services
             from brokers at an additional cost to the Fund;





                                       6
<PAGE>   28
         (3) regularly furnish recommendations to the Board of Trustees with
             respect to an investment program for approval, modification or
             rejection by the Board of Trustees;

         (4) take such steps as are necessary to implement the investment
             program approved by the Board of Trustees; and

         (5) regularly report to the Board of Trustees with respect to
             implementation of the approved investment program and any other
             activities in connection with the administration of the assets of
             the Fund.

   
ADVISORY FEES

         For furnishing investment management and advisory services to the
Fund, TAMIC is paid an amount equivalent on an annual basis to 0.50% of the
average daily net assets of the Fund.  The fee is computed daily and paid
monthly.  For the three years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 the
advisory fees were $738,883,  $776,392, and $______________, respectively.

THE SUBADVISER

         The Travelers Investment Management Company (TIMCO), an indirect
wholly owned subsidiary of Travelers Group Inc., serves as subadviser to the
Fund with respect to its common stock investments pursuant to the terms of a
Subadvisory Agreement between TAMIC and TIMCO.  The Subadvisory Agreement,
which was approved by shareholders of the Fund at a meeting held on April 23,
1993, provides that TIMCO will receive from TAMIC a fee equal to 50% of the
advisory fee earned by TAMIC for its services as subadviser.  For the fiscal
years ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, TIMCO received $369,442, $388,196
and $__________, respectively, in advisory fees.
    


                              REDEMPTIONS IN KIND

         If conditions arise that would make it undesirable for the Fund to pay
for all redemptions in cash, the Fund may authorize payment to be made in
portfolio securities or other property.

         However, the Fund has obligated itself under the 1940 Act to redeem
for cash all shares presented for redemption by any one shareholder up to
$250,000, or 1% of the Fund's net assets if that is less, in any 90-day period.
Securities delivered in payment of redemptions would be valued at the same
value assigned to them in computing the net asset value per share.
Shareholders receiving such securities would incur brokerage costs when these
securities are sold.


                                   BROKERAGE

         Subject to approval of the Board of Trustees, it is the policy of
TAMIC and TIMCO, in executing transactions in portfolio securities, to seek
best execution of orders at the most favorable prices.  The determination of
what may constitute best execution and price in the execution of a securities
transaction by a broker involves a number of considerations, including, without
limitation, the overall direct net economic result to the Fund, involving both
price paid or received and any commissions and other cost paid, the efficiency
with which the transaction is effected, the ability to effect the transaction
at all where a large block is involved, the availability of the broker to stand
ready to execute potentially difficult transactions in the future, and the
financial strength and stability of the broker.  Such considerations are
judgmental and are weighed by management in determining the overall
reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid.  Subject to the foregoing, a
factor in the selection of brokers is the receipt of research services,
analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic
factors and trends, and other statistical and factual information.  Any such
research and other statistical and factual information provided by brokers,
TAMIC or TIMCO is considered to be in addition to and not in lieu of services





                                       7
<PAGE>   29
required to be performed by TAMIC under its Investment Advisory Agreement, or
by TIMCO under the Subadvisory Agreement with TAMIC.  The cost, value and
specific application of such information are indeterminable and hence are not
practicably allocable among the Fund and other clients of TAMIC or TIMCO who
may indirectly benefit from the availability of such information.  Similarly,
the Fund may indirectly benefit from information made available as a result of
transactions for such clients.

         Purchases and sales of bonds and money market instruments will usually
be principal transactions and will normally be purchased directly from the
issuer or from the underwriter or market maker for the securities.  There
usually will be no brokerage commissions paid for such purchases.  Purchases
from the underwriters will include the underwriting commission or concession,
and purchases from dealers serving as market makers will include the spread
between the bid and asked prices.  Where transactions are made in the
over-the-counter market, the Fund will deal with primary market makers unless
more favorable prices are otherwise obtainable.  Brokerage fees will be
incurred in connection with futures transactions, and the Fund will be required
to deposit and maintain funds with brokers as margin to guarantee performance
of future obligations.

         TAMIC and TIMCO may follow a policy of considering the sale of shares
of the Fund a factor in the selection of broker-dealers to execute portfolio
transactions, subject to the requirements of best execution described above.
The policy of TAMIC and TIMCO with respect to brokerage is and will be reviewed
by the Board of Trustees periodically. Because of the possibility of further
regulatory developments affecting the securities exchanges and brokerage
practices generally, the foregoing practices may be changed, modified or
eliminated.

   
         The total brokerage commissions paid by the Fund for the fiscal years
ended December 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996 were $374,918, $363,916 and $_________,
respectively.  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, portfolio
transactions in the amount of $__________ were placed with certain brokers
because of research services, of which $___________ was paid in commissions
with respect to such services.  No formula was used in placing such
transactions and no specific amount of transactions was allocated for research
services. Commissions in the amount of $________, $_________  and $__________
were paid to Smith Barney Inc., The Robinson Humphrey Company, Inc. and
Shearson/American Express, respectively, affiliates of TIMCO and TAMIC, which
equals, for each,  ___ %, ____% and ____% of Managed Assets Trust's aggregate
brokerage commissions paid to such brokers during 1996.  The percentage of the
Managed Assets Trust's aggregate dollar amount of transactions involving the
payment of commissions effected through Smith Barney, Robinson Humphrey and
Shearson/American Express was ____ %, ____ % and ___ %, respectively.
    


                             ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

         On April 1, 1997, The Travelers Insurance Company and its affiliates
owned 100% of the Fund's outstanding shares.  The Travelers Insurance Company
is a stock insurance company chartered in 1864 in Connecticut and continuously
engaged in the insurance business since that time.  It is a wholly owned
subsidiary of The Travelers Insurance Group Inc., which is an indirect wholly
owned subsidiary of Travelers Group Inc., a financial services holding company.
The Company's Home Office is located at One Tower Square, Hartford, Connecticut
06183, telephone number 860-422-3985.

   
First Data Investor Services Group, Inc., Exchange Place, Boston, MA,
02109, acts as transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund.

         PNC Bank NA, 200 Stevens Drive, Lester, PA, 19113 and Barclay's Bank,
PLC, 75 Wall Street, New York, NY, 10265 are the custodians of all securities
and cash of the Fund.

         Beginning on January 1, 1997, KPMG Peat Marwick; LLP, independent
certified public accountants, 345 Park Ave., New York, NY 10154, became the
Fund's auditors. Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants, 100 Pearl
Street, Hartford, Connecticut, were the independent auditors for the Fund
through December 31, 1996. The services provided to the Fund include primarily
the examination of the Fund's financial statements.  The financial statements
have been audited by Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., as indicated in their report
thereon, and are included in the Fund's Annual Report which is incorporated
herein by reference.
    





                                       8
<PAGE>   30
         Except as otherwise stated in its prospectus or as required by law,
the Fund reserves the right to change the terms of the offer stated in its
prospectus without shareholder approval, including the right to impose or
change fees for services provided.

         No dealer, salesman or other person is authorized to give any
information or to make any representation not contained in the Fund's
prospectus, this SAI or any supplemental sales literature issued by the Fund,
and no person is entitled to rely on any information or representation not
contained therein.

         The Fund's prospectus and this SAI omit certain information contained
in the Fund's registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission which may be obtained from the Commission's principal office in
Washington, D.C. upon payment of the fee prescribed by the Rules and
Regulations promulgated by the Commission.





                                       9
<PAGE>   31
                                    APPENDIX

                       COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS


MOODY'S COMMON STOCK RATINGS

         Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (Moody's) presents a concise statement
of the important characteristics of a company and an evaluation of the grade
(quality) of its common stock. Data presented includes: (a) capsule stock
information which reveals short and long term growth and yield afforded by the
indicated dividend, based on a recent price; (b) a long term price chart which
shows patterns of monthly stock price movements and monthly trading volumes;
(c) a breakdown of a company's capital account which aids in determining the
degree of conservatism or financial leverage in a company's balance sheet; (d)
interim earnings for the current year to date, plus three previous years; (e)
dividend information; (f) company background; (g) recent corporate
developments; (h) prospects for a company in the immediate future and the next
few years; and (i) a ten year comparative statistical analysis.

         This information provides investors with information on what a company
does, how it has performed in the past, how it is performing currently and what
its future performance prospects appear to be.

         These characteristics are then evaluated and result in a grading, or
indication of quality. The grade is based on an analysis of each company's
financial strength, stability of earnings and record of dividend payments.
Other considerations include conservativeness of capitalization, depth and
caliber of management, accounting practices, technological capabilities and
industry position. Evaluation is represented by the following grades:

         (1)  High Grade

         (2)  Investment Grade

         (3)  Medium Grade

         (4)  Speculative Grade


MOODY'S PREFERRED STOCK RATINGS

         Preferred stock ratings and their definitions are as follows:

         1.  aaa:  An issue which is rated "aaa" is considered to be a
top-quality preferred stock.  This rating indicates good asset protection and
the least risk of dividend impairment within the universe of preferred stocks.

         2.  aa:  An issue which is rated "aa" is considered a high-grade
preferred stock.  This rating indicates that there is a reasonable assurance
that earnings and asset protection will remain relatively well maintained in
the foreseeable future.

         3.  a:  An issue which is rated "a" is considered to be an
upper-medium grade preferred stock.  While risks are judged to be somewhat
greater than in the "aaa" and "aa" classification, earnings and asset
protection are, nevertheless, expected to be maintained at adequate levels.

         4.  baa:  An issue which is rated "baa" is considered to be a
medium-grade preferred stock, neither highly protected nor poorly secured.
Earnings and asset protection appear adequate at present but may be
questionable over any great length of time.





                                       10
<PAGE>   32
         5.  ba:  An issue which is rated "ba" is considered to have
speculative elements and its future cannot be considered well assured.
Earnings and asset protection may be very moderate and not well safeguarded
during adverse periods. Uncertainty of position characterizes preferred stocks
in this class.

         6.  b:  An issue which is rated "b" generally lacks the
characteristics of a desirable investment.  Assurance of dividend payments and
maintenance of other terms of the issue over any long period of time may be
small.

         7.  caa:  An issue which is rated "caa" is likely to be in arrears on
dividend payments.  This rating designation does not purport to indicate the
future status of payments.

         8.  ca:  An issue which is rated "ca" is speculative in a high degree
and is likely to be in arrears on dividends with little likelihood of eventual
payments.

         9.  c:  This is the lowest rated class of preferred or preference
stock.  Issues so rated can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of
ever attaining any real investment standing.

         Moody's applies numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 in each rating
classification:  the modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher
end of its generic rating category, the modifier 2 indicates a midrange
ranking, and the modifier 3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of
its generic rating category.


                             CORPORATE BOND RATINGS

S&P CORPORATE BOND RATINGS

         A Standard & Poor's Corporation (S&P) corporate bond rating is a
current assessment of the creditworthiness of an obligor, including obligors
outside the United States, with respect to a specific obligation.  This
assessment may take into consideration obligors such as guarantors, insurers,
or lessees.  Ratings of foreign obligors do not take into account currency
exchange and related uncertainties.  The ratings are based on current
information furnished by the issuer or obtained by S&P from other sources it
considers reliable.

         The ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following
considerations:

         a.  Likelihood of default capacity and willingness of the obligor as
to the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance with
the terms of the obligation;

         b.  Nature of and provisions of the obligation; and

         c.  Protection afforded by and relative position of the obligation in
the event of bankruptcy, reorganization or other arrangement under the laws of
bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors' rights.

         PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-):  To provide more detailed indications of credit
quality, ratings from "AA" to "A" may be modified by the addition of a plus or
minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

         Bond ratings are as follows:

         1.  AAA - Debt rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P.
Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is extremely strong.

         2.  AA - Debt rated AA has a very strong capacity to pay interest and
repay principal and differs from the higher rated issues only in small degree.





                                       11
<PAGE>   33
         3.  A - Debt rated A has a strong capacity to pay interest and repay
principal although it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of
changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debt in higher rated
categories.

         4.  BBB - Debt rated BBB is regarded as having an adequate capacity to
pay interest and repay principal.  Although it normally exhibits adequate
protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances
are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay
principal for debt in this category than in higher rated categories.

         5.  BB, B, CCC, CC and C - Debt rated BB, B, CCC, CC and C is
regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to capacity to
pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the
obligation. BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation, and C the highest
degree of speculation.  While such debt will likely have some quality and
protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or
major risk exposures to adverse conditions.


MOODY'S CORPORATE BOND RATINGS

         Moody's ratings are as follows:

         1.  Aaa - Bonds which are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best
quality.  They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally
referred to as "gilt-edge."  Interest payments are protected by a large or by
an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure.  While the various
protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are
not likely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such issues.

         2.  Aa - Bonds which are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by
all standards.  Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally
known as high grade bonds.  They are rated lower than the best bonds because
margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities, fluctuation of
protective elements may be of greater amplitude, or there may be other elements
present which make the long term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa
securities.

         3.  A - Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment
attributes and are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations.  Factors
giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate but elements
may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the
future.

         4.  Baa - Bonds which are rated Baa are considered as medium grade
obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured.
Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but
certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically
unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding
investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as
well.

         5.  Ba - Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative
elements.  Their future cannot be considered as well assured.  Often the
protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby
not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future.
Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.

         6.  B - Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of the
desirable investment.  Assurance of interest and principal payments or of
maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be
small.

         Moody's applies numerical modifiers, 1, 2 and 3 in each generic rating
classification from Aa through B in its corporate bond rating system.  The
modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic
rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a midrange ranking; and the modifier
3 indicates that the issue ranks in the lower end of its generic rating
category.





                                       12
<PAGE>   34





                              MANAGED ASSETS TRUST

                      STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION





L-11172S                                                       TIC Ed.5-97
                                                               Printed in U.S.A.





<PAGE>   35
                                     PART C

                               OTHER INFORMATION

Item 24.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

(a)    The financial statements of the Registrant and the Report of Independent
       Accountants will be provided in a subsequent Post-Effective Amendment.

(b)    Exhibits

       1.     Declaration of Trust.  (Incorporated herein by reference to
              Exhibit 1 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 to the Registration
              Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 11, 1996.)

       2.     By-Laws of Managed Assets Trust  (Incorporated herein by
              reference to Exhibit 2 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 to the
              Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 11, 1996.)

    5(A).     Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and
              Travelers Asset Management International Corporation.
              Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(A) to
              Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 to the Registration Statement on
              Form N-1A filed on April 11, 1996.)
           
    5(B).     Sub-Advisory Agreement between Travelers Asset Management
              International Corporation and The Travelers Investment Management
              Company.  (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(B) to
              Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 to the Registration Statement on
              Form N-1A filed on April 11, 1996.)

       8.     Custody Agreement between the Registrant and PNC Bank, N.A. of
              Lester, PA and Barclay's Bank, PLC of New York, NY.  (To be filed
              by amendment.)

       9.     Administrative Services Agreement between the Registrant and The
              Travelers Insurance Company

      10.     An Opinion and Consent of counsel as to the legality of the
              securities registered by the Registrant.  (To be filed by
              amendment.)

   11(A).     Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., Certified Public
              Accountants.  (To be filed by amendment.)

              Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick, Independent Certified Public
              Accountants.  (To be filed by amendment.)

   11(B).     Powers of Attorney authorizing Ernest J. Wright or Kathleen A.
              McGah as signatory for Heath B. McLendon, Knight Edwards, Robert
              E. McGill III, Lewis Mandell, Frances M. Hawk and Ian R. Stuart.
         
              Power of Attorney authorizing Ernest J. Wright or Kathleen A.
              McGah as signatory for Lewis E. Daidone.
         
      27.     Financial Data Schedule.  (To be filed by amendment.)
<PAGE>   36
Item 25.  Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control With the Registrant

Not Applicable.


Item 26.  Number of Holders of Securities

                                              Number of Record Holders
       Title of Class                         as of February 20, 1997          
       --------------                         --------------------------------

       Shares of beneficial interest,                      Four (4)
       without par value                      


Item 27.  Indemnification

Provisions for the indemnification of the Fund's Trustees and officers are
contained in the Fund's Declaration of Trust which was filed with
Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 to this Registration Statement as Exhibit 1 on
April 11, 1996.


Rule 484 Undertaking

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liability (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by
such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
<PAGE>   37


Item 28.  Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser

Officers and Directors of Travelers Asset Management International Corporation
(TAMIC), the Fund's Investment Adviser, are set forth in the following table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Name                                 Position with TAMIC                     Other Business
- ----                                 -------------------                     --------------
<S>                                  <C>                                     <C>
Marc P. Weill                        Director and Chairman                   Senior Vice President **
  
David A. Tyson                       Director, President and                 Senior Vice President *
                                     Chief Investment Officer

Joseph E. Ruelli, Jr.                Director, Vice President                Vice President
                                     and Chief Financial Officer

Joseph Mullally                      Senior Vice President                   Vice President*

F. Denney Voss                       Director and Senior                     Senior Vice President*
                                     Vice President                                                

John R. Britt                        Director and Secretary                  Assistant Secretary *

David Amaral                         Vice President                          Assistant Director*

John R. Calcagni                     Vice President                          Second Vice President*

Gene Collins                         Vice President                          Vice President*

Kathyrn D. Karlic                    Vice President                          Vice President*

David R. Miller                      Vice President                          Vice President*

Emil J. Molinaro                     Vice President                          Vice President*

Jordan M. Stitzer                    Vice President                          Vice President

William H. White                     Treasurer                               Vice President and Treasurer *

Charles B. Chamberlain               Assistant Treasurer                     Assistant Treasurer *

George C. Quaggin, Jr.               Assistant Treasurer                     Assistant Treasurer *

Marla A. Berman                      Assistant Secretary                     Assistant Secretary**

Patricia A. Uzzel                    Compliance Officer                      Assistant Director*

Frank J. Fazzina                     Controller                              Director *
</TABLE>




*    Positions are held with The Travelers Insurance Group Inc., One Tower
     Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06183.

**   Positions are held with Travelers Group Inc., 388 Greenwich Street, New
     York, N.Y. 10013.


<PAGE>   38
Officers and Directors of The Travelers Investment Management Company (TIMCO),
the Fund's Sub-Adviser, are set forth in the following table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name                                       Position with TIMCO                    Other Business
- ----                                       -------------------                    --------------
<S>                                        <C>                                    <C>
Jeffrey B. Lane                            Director and Chairman                  Vice Chairman
                                                                                  Smith Barney Inc.*

Kent A. Kelley                             Director and Chief**                   Not Applicable
                                           Executive Officer

Sandip A. Bhagat                           Director and President**               Not Applicable

Heath B. McLendon                          Director                               Managing Director
                                                                                  Smith Barney Inc.*

Jacob E. Hurwitz                           Senior Vice President**                Not Applicable

Emil Molinaro                              Vice President                         Vice President
                                                                                  Travelers Group Inc.**

Daniel Willey                              Vice President**                       Not Applicable

Gloria G. Williams                         Assistant Vice President**             Not Applicable

Michael F. Rosenbaum                       Corporate Secretary                    General Counsel to t
                                                                                  Asset Management
                                                                                  Smith Barney Inc.*

Michael Day                                Treasurer                              Managing Director
                                                                                  Smith Barney Inc.*
</TABLE>


   *Address:  Smith Barney Inc., 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013
  **Address:  One Tower Square, Hartford, Connecticut 01683


Item 29.  Principal Underwriter

Not Applicable.


Item 30.  Location of Accounts and Records

       (1)    Smith Barney
              388 Greenwich St.
              New York, NY 10013

       (2)    PNC Bank, N.A.
              200 Stevens Drive
              Lester, PA  19113

       (3)    Barclay's Bank, PLC
              75 Wall Street
              New York, New York  10265
<PAGE>   39
Item 31.  Management Services

Not Applicable.


Item 32.  Undertakings

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to provide to each person to whom
a prospectus is delivered a copy of the Registrant's latest annual report to
shareholders, upon request and without charge.
<PAGE>   40
                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the
Registrant, Managed Assets Trust, has duly caused this amendment to this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the City of Hartford, State of Connecticut, on February 20,
1997.


                              MANAGED ASSETS TRUST
                              --------------------
                                  (Registrant)



                                        By: *HEATH B. McLENDON 
                                            ------------------------------------
                                             Heath B. McLendon 
                                             Chairman, Board of Trustees


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this post-effective
amendment to this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities indicated on February 20, 1997.


*HEATH B. McLENDON                       Chairman of the Board
- -------------------------                                     
 (Heath B. McLendon)                    
                                        
*KNIGHT EDWARDS                          Trustee
- -------------------------                       
 (Knight Edwards)                       
                                        
*ROBERT E. McGILL III                    Trustee
- -------------------------                       
 (Robert E. McGill III)                 
                                        
*LEWIS MANDELL                           Trustee
- -------------------------                       
 (Lewis Mandell)                        
                                        
*FRANCES M. HAWK                         Trustee
- -------------------------                       
 (Frances M. Hawk                       
                                        
*LEWIS E. DAIDONE                        Treasurer
- -------------------------                         
 (Lewis E. Daidone)



*By:Ernest J. Wright, Attorney-in-Fact
    Secretary, Board of Trustees
<PAGE>   41
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
  No.         Description                                                              Method of Filing
- -------       -----------                                                              ----------------
<S>           <C>                                                                      <C>
1.            Declaration of Trust.  (Incorporated herein by reference to
              Exhibit 1 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 to the Registration
              Statement on Form N-1A filed on April 11, 1996.)

2.            By-Laws of Managed Assets Trust.  (Incorporated
              herein by reference to Exhibit 2 to Post-Effective
              Amendment No. 20 to the Registration Statement on
              Form N-1A filed on April 11, 1996.)

5(A).         Investment Advisory Agreement between the Registrant and
              Travelers Asset Management International Corporation.
              (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(A) to Post-
              Effective Amendment No. 20 to the Registration Statement on Form
              N-1A filed on April 11, 1996.)

5(B).         Sub-Advisory Agreement between Travelers Asset Management
              International Corporation and The Travelers Investment Management
              Company.  (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 5(B) to
              Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 to the Registration Statement on
              Form N-1A filed on April 11, 1996.)

8.            Custody Agreement between the Registrant and PNC Bank, N.A. of           To be filed by
              Lester, PA and Barclay's Bank, PLC of New York, NY.                      amendment

9.            Administrative Services Agreement between the                            Electronically 
              Registrant and The Travelers Insurance Company.

10.           An Opinion and Consent of counsel as to the legality                     To be filed by 
              of the securities registered by the Registrant.                          amendment      

11(A).        Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., Certified Public                    To be filed by
              Accountants.                                                             amendment     

11(A).        Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick L.L.P., Independent                         To be filed by
              Certified Public Accountants.                                            amendment     

11(B).        Powers of Attorney authorizing Ernest J. Wright or Kathleen A.
              McGah as signatory for Heath B. McLendon, Knight Edwards, Robert
              E. McGill III, Lewis Mandell, Frances M. Hawk and Ian R. Stuart.
              (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 11(B) to
              Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 to the Registration Statement on
              Form N-1A filed on April 11, 1996.)

              Power of Attorney authorizing Ernest J. Wright or Kathleen A.            Electronically 
              McGah as signatory for Lewis E. Daidone.

27.           Financial Data Schedule.                                                 To be filed by 
                                                                                       amendment
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1

                                                                       EXHIBIT 9


                       ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT


         This Administrative Services Agreement (the "Agreement") is hereby
made as of November 4, 1996, by and between The Travelers Insurance Company,
("Travelers") a Connecticut corporation with its principal offices in Hartford,
Connecticut, and Managed Assets Trust (the "Trust") which is a registered open
end management investment company with its principal office in Hartford,
Connecticut.

         In consideration of the premises and the mutual promises hereinafter
set forth, Travelers and the Trust hereby agree as follows:

1.       Appointments.  Trust hereby appoints and employs Travelers as agent to
provide the services described in this Agreement for the Trust.  Travelers
shall perform the obligations and the services set forth herein in accordance
with the terms and conditions hereto.

2.       Services to be Performed

         A.    Travelers shall be responsible for performing as agent, as of
               the date of this Agreement, the pricing and bookkeeping services
               commonly referred to as "back office" services described as
               follows:

               (1)   Accounting relating to portfolio transactions of the
                     Trust.

               (2)   The determination of net asset value per share of the
                     outstanding shares of the Trust and the offering price, if
                     any, at which shares are to be sold, at the times and in
                     the manner described in the declaration of trust or other
                     organizational document, as amended, and the Prospectus of
                     the Trust.

               (3)   The determination of distributions, if any.

               (4)   Maintaining the books of account of the Trust.

               (5)   In conjunction with the Trust's custodian ("Custodian"),
                     receiving information and keeping records about all
                     corporate actions, including, but not limited to, cash and
                     stock distributions or dividends, stock splits and reverse
                     stock splits, taken by companies whose securities are held
                     by the Trust.

               (6)   Monitoring foreign corporate actions and foreign trades
                     and entering orders to convert foreign currency or
                     establish contracts for future settlement of foreign
                     currency.

               (7)   Processing and monitoring of settlement of  Variable Rate
                     Demand Notes, GNMA's and similar instruments.


               (8)   Monitoring and accounting for futures and options.
<PAGE>   2
         B.    Travelers shall be responsible for administering a program of
               securities lending for the Trust by:

               (1)   Carrying out security loan transactions between approved
                     borrowers and the Trust, including assisting the Custodian
                     in receiving and returning collateral for loans;

               (2)   Marking to market loans outstanding each day; and

               (3)   Ensuring that the value of collateral for loans is 100% or
                     more of loaned securities at market price and issuing
                     demands for additional collateral should the percentage
                     fall below 100%.

         C.    Travelers shall not be responsible for any other services
               provided to the Trust, including, but not limited to, investment
               advisory, legal, auditing and clerical services.

               The Trust will be responsible for the following expenses,
               including, but not limited to, (i)  interest and taxes; (ii)
               brokerage commissions and other costs in connection with the
               purchase or sale of securities and other investment instruments;
               (iii) fees and expenses of the Trust's trustees other than those
               who are "interested persons" of the Trust, the Manager, the
               Subadviser; (iv) legal and audit expenses; (v) custodian and
               registrar fees and expenses; (vi) fees and expenses related to
               the registration and qualification of the Trust's shares for
               distribution under state and federal securities laws; (vii)
               expenses of printing and mailing reports and notices and proxy
               material to shareholders of the Trust; (viii) all other expenses
               incidental to holding meetings of the Trust's shareholders,
               including proxy solicitations therefor; (ix) insurance premiums
               for fidelity bond and other coverage; (x) investment management
               fees; (xi) expenses of typesetting for printing prospectuses and
               statements of additional information and supplements thereto;
               (xii) expenses of printing and mailing prospectuses and
               statements of additional information and supplements thereto;
               and (xiii) such non-recurring or extraordinary expenses as may
               arise, including those relating to actions, suits or proceedings
               to which the Trust is a party and any legal obligation that the
               Trust may have to indemnify the Trust's trustees, officers
               and/or employees or agents with respect thereto.

         Operating procedures and standards to be followed for
each function may be established from time to time by agreement between the
Trust and Travelers.

3.       Record Keeping and Other Information.  Travelers shall create and
maintain all records required by all applicable laws, rules and regulations
relating to the services to be performed herein, including but not limited to,
all applicable records required by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act
of 1940 ("1940 Act") and the rules thereunder, as the same be amended from time
to time.  All records shall be the property of the Trust and shall be available
for inspection and use by the Trust at all times. Where applicable, such
records shall be maintained by Travelers for the periods and in the places
required by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act.


                                      2
<PAGE>   3
4.       Audits, Inspections and Visits.  Travelers shall make available during
regular business hours all records and other data created and maintained
pursuant to this Agreement for reasonable audit and inspection by each Trust,
any agent or person designated by the Trust, or any regulatory agency having
authority over the Trust.  Upon reasonable notice by the Trust, Travelers shall
make available during regular business hours its facilities and premises
employed in connection with its performance of this Agreement for reasonable
visits by the Trust, any agent or person designated by the Trust, or any
regulatory agency having authority over the Trust.

5.       Compensation.  For the performance of its obligations hereunder, the
Trust agrees to pay fees to Travelers at the annualized rate of .06% of the
daily net assets.  Fees will be accrued daily and quarterly within ten days of
the end of each calendar quarter.

6.       Appointment of Agents.  Travelers, at its expense, may at any time or
times in its discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) one or more other
parties as agent to perform any or all of the services specified hereunder and
carry out such provisions of this Agreement as Travelers may from time to time
direct; provided, however, that the appointment of any such agent shall not
relieve Travelers of any of its responsibilities or liabilities hereunder.

7.       Security.  Travelers represents and warrants that, to the best of its
knowledge, the various procedures and systems which Travelers has implemented
with regard to the safeguarding from loss or damage attributable to fire, theft
or any other cause (including provision for twenty-four hours a day restricted
access) of the Trust's blank checks, certificates, records and other data and
Travelers records, data, equipment, facilities and other property used in the
performance of its obligations hereunder are adequate, and that it will make
such changes therein from time to time as in its judgment are required for the
secure performance of its obligations hereunder.  Travelers shall review such
systems and procedures on a periodic basis and the Trust shall have access to
review these systems and procedures.

8.       Insurance.  Travelers shall maintain insurance of the types and in the
amounts deemed by it to be appropriate and shall notify the Trust should any of
its insurance coverage be changed for any reason.  Such notification shall
include the date of change and the reason or reasons therefor.  Travelers shall
notify the Trust of any material claims against Travelers whether or not they
may be covered by insurance, and shall notify the Trust from time to time as
may be appropriate of the total outstanding claims made by Travelers under its
insurance coverage.  To the extent that policies of insurance may provide for
coverage of claims for liability or indemnity by the parties set forth in this
Agreement, the contracts of insurance shall take precedence, and no provision
of this Agreement shall be construed to relieve any insurer of any obligation
to pay claims to the Trust, Travelers or other insured party which would
otherwise be a covered claim in the absence of any provision of this Agreement.




                                      3
<PAGE>   4
9.      Indemnification.

        A.    The Trust shall indemnify and hold Travelers harmless against
              any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including
              reasonable counsel fees and expenses) resulting from:

              (1)   any claim, demand, action or suit brought by any person
                    other than the Trust, including by a shareholder, which
                    names Travelers and/or the Trust as a party and is not
                    based on and does not result from Travelers willful
                    misfeasance, bad faith or reckless disregard of its
                    duties, and arises but of or in connection with Travelers
                    performance hereunder, or
       
              (2)   any claim, demand, action or suit (except to the extent
                    contributed to by Travelers willful misfeasance, bad faith
                    or reckless disregard of its duties) which results from
                    the negligence of the Trust, or from Travelers acting upon
                    any instruction(s) reasonably believed by it to have been
                    executed or communicated by any person duly authorized by
                    the Trust, or as a result of Travelers acting in reliance
                    with advice reasonably believed by Travelers to have been
                    given by counsel for the Trust, or as a result of
                    Travelers acting in reliance upon any instrument or stock
                    certificate reasonably believed by it to have been genuine
                    and signed, countersigned or executed by the proper
                    person.
       
        B.    Travelers shall indemnify and hold the Trust harmless against
              any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including
              reasonable counsel fees and expenses) resulting from any claim,
              demand, action or suit brought by any person other than
              Travelers, which names the Trust and/or Travelers as a party and
              is based upon and arises out of Travelers willful misfeasance,
              bad faith or reckless disregard of its duties in connection with
              its performances hereunder.
       
        In the event that either party requests the other to indemnify or hold
it harmless hereunder, the party requesting indemnification (the "Indemnified
Party") shall inform the other party (the "Indemnifying Party") of the relevant
facts known to the Indemnified Party concerning the matter in question.  The
Indemnified Party shall use reasonable care to identify and promptly to notify
the Indemnifying Party concerning any matter which presents, or appears likely
to present, a claim for indemnification.  The Indemnifying Party shall have the
election of defending the Indemnified Party against any claim which may be the
subject of indemnification or of holding the Indemnified Party harmless
hereunder.  In the event the Indemnifying Party so elects, it will so notify
the Indemnified Party and thereupon the Indemnifying Party shall take over
defense of the claim and, if so requested by the Indemnifying Party, the
Indemnified Party  shall incur no further legal or other expenses related
thereto for which it shall be entitled to indemnify or to being held harmless
hereunder; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prevent the Indemnified
Party from retaining counsel at its own expense to defend any claim.  Except
with the Indemnifying Party's prior written consent, the Indemnified Party
shall in no event confess any claim or make any compromise in any matter in
which the Indemnifying Party will be asked to indemnify or hold the Indemnified
Party harmless hereunder.



                                      4

<PAGE>   5
10.      Acts of God, etc.  Travelers shall not be liable for
delays or errors occurring by reason of circumstances beyond its control,
including but not limited to acts of civil or military authority, national
emergencies, work stoppages, fire, flood, catastrophe, acts of God,
insurrection, war, riot, or failure of communication equipment of common
carriers or power supply.  In the event of equipment breakdowns beyond it
control, Travelers shall, at no additional expense to the Trust, take
reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions and mitigate their effects
but shall have no liability with respect thereto.  Travelers shall enter into
and shall maintain in effect with appropriate parties one or more agreements
making reasonable provision for emergency use of electronic data processing
equipment.

11.      Amendments.  Travelers and the Trust shall regularly
consult with each other regarding Travelers performance of its obligations and
its compensation hereunder.  In connection therewith, the Trust shall submit to
Travelers at a reasonable time in advance of filing with the Securities and
Exchange Commission copies of any amended or supplemented registration
statements (including exhibits) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and the 1940 Act and, a reasonable time in advance of their proposed use,
copies of any amended or supplemented forms relating to any plan, program or
service offered by the Trust.  Any change in such material which would require
any change in Travelers obligations hereunder shall be subject to Travelers
approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.  In the event that a change
in such documents or in the procedures contained therein materially increases
the cost to Travelers of performing its obligations hereunder, Travelers shall
be entitled to receive reasonable compensation therefor.

12.      Duration, Termination, etc.  Neither this Agreement nor any provisions
hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated, except by written
instrument which shall make specific reference to this Agreement and which
shall be signed by the party against which enforcement of such change, waiver,
discharge or termination is sought.
        
         This Agreement shall continue in effect with respect to the
Trust until October 31, 1998 and indefinitely thereafter so long as such
continuance is approved at least annually by vote of such Trust's Board of
Trustees; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated at any time
with respect to such Trust by sixty (60) days' written notice given by
Travelers to the Trust or  sixty (60) days' written notice given by the Trust
to Travelers,; and provided further that this Agreement may be terminated
immediately at any time for cause either by the Trust or by Travelers in the
event that such cause remains unremedied for a reasonable period of time not to
exceed ninety (90) days after receipt of written specification of such cause.
Any such termination shall not affect the rights and obligations of the parties
under Paragraph 9 hereof.

         Upon the termination hereof, the Trust shall pay to Travelers such
compensation as may be due for the period prior to the date of such
termination.  In the event that the Trust designates a successor to any
Traveler's obligations hereunder, Travelers shall, at the expense and direction
of the Trust, transfer to such successor all relevant books, records and other
data established or maintained by Travelers hereunder.  To the extent that
Travelers incurs expenses related to a transfer of responsibilities to a
successor, Travelers shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such expenses,
including any out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by Travelers in
connection with the transfer.




                                      5
<PAGE>   6
13.      LIABILITY.  NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THIS AGREEMENT IS NOT
EXECUTED ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES OF ANY TRUST AS INDIVIDUALS, AND THE
OBLIGATIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT ARE NOT BINDING UPON ANY OF THE TRUSTEES,
OFFICERS OR SHAREHOLDERS OF A TRUST INDIVIDUALLY, BUT ARE BINDING ONLY UPON THE
ASSETS AND PROPERTY OF THE TRUST.  TRAVELERS AGREES THAT NO SHAREHOLDER,
TRUSTEE, OR OFFICER OF THE TRUST MAY BE HELD PERSONALLY LIABLE OR RESPONSIBLE
FOR ANY OBLIGATIONS OF THE TRUST ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT.  WITH RESPECT
TO ANY OBLIGATIONS OF THE TRUST ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT, TRAVELERS SHALL
LOOK FOR PAYMENT OR SATISFACTION OF ANY OBLIGATION SOLELY TO THE ASSETS AND
PROPERTY OF THE TRUST.

15.      Miscellaneous.  Each party agrees to perform such further acts
and execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes
hereof.  This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with and
governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut, without giving effect to the
choice of laws provisions thereof.  The captions in this Agreement are intended
for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the
provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.  This
Agreement may be executed simultaneously in counterparts, each of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement by
their respective officials thereunto duly authorized and seals to be affixed,
in the case of the Company.

                                        MANAGED ASSETS TRUST


                                        By:
                                           ------------------------------------
                 
                                        Name:
                                             ----------------------------------

                                        Title: 
                                              ---------------------------------


                                        THE TRAVELERS INSURANCE COMPANY


                                        By:
                                           ----------------------------------- 

                                        Name:
                                             ---------------------------------

                                        Title:
                                              --------------------------------
                 


                                      6



<PAGE>   1

                                                                 EXHIBIT 11(b)


                             MANAGED ASSETS TRUST



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY



          KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:



          That I, Lewis E. Daidone of Holmdel, New Jersey, Treasurer of
Managed Assets Trust, do hereby make, constitute and appoint ERNEST J. WRIGHT,
Secretary of said Trust, and KATHLEEN A. McGAH, Assistant Secretary of said
Trust, either one of them acting alone, my true and lawful attorney-in-fact,
for me, and in my name, place and stead, to sign registration statements of
said Trust on Form N-1A or other applicable form under the Securities Act of
1933 for the registration of shares of Beneficial Interest of Managed Assets
Trust and to sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments
thereto, that may be filed.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of
February, 1997.




                                Lewis E. Daidone
                                Treasurer, Managed Assets Trust


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