LORD ABBETT
TAX-FREE INCOME FUND, INC.
THE GENERAL MOTORS BUILDING
767 FIFTH AVENUE
NEW YORK, NY 10153-0203 800-426-1130
LORD ABBETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND, INC. (WE OR THE FUND), IS A MUTUAL FUND
CURRENTLY CONSISTING OF TEN SEPARATE SERIES THE NATIONAL, CALIFORNIA,
CONNECTICUT, HAWAII, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, TEXAS AND
WASHINGTON SERIES. THE NATIONAL SERIES OFFERS THREE CLASSES OF SHARES: CLASS A,
B AND C SHARES. THE CALIFORNIA AND NEW YORK SERIES EACH OFFER TWO CLASSES OF
SHARES: CLASS A AND C SHARES. ALL OTHER SERIES OF THE FUND OFFER CLASS A SHARES
ONLY.
EACH SERIES SEEKS AS HIGH A LEVEL OF INTEREST INCOME EXEMPT FROM FEDERAL INCOME
TAX AS IS CONSISTENT WITH REASONABLE RISK. SEE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES. EACH
SERIES INVESTS IN INTERMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM MUNICIPAL BONDS WHICH CAN FLUCTUATE
IN VALUE AS INTEREST RATES CHANGE. EXCEPT FOR THE NATIONAL, TEXAS AND WASHINGTON
SERIES, EACH SERIES ALSO SEEKS AS HIGH A LEVEL OF INTEREST INCOME EXEMPT FROM
ITS RESPECTIVE STATES PERSONAL INCOME TAX AND, IN THE CASE OF THE NEW YORK
SERIES, FROM NEW YORK CITY PERSONAL INCOME TAX, AS IS CONSISTENT WITH REASONABLE
RISK. AT PRESENT, NEITHER TEXAS NOR WASHINGTON IMPOSES A PERSONAL INCOME TAX.
THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT EACH SERIES WILL ATTAIN ITS OBJECTIVE.
THIS PROSPECTUS SETS FORTH CONCISELY THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND THAT A
PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD KNOW BEFORE INVESTING. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT
THE FUND HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION AND IS
AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST WITHOUT CHARGE. THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
IS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROSPECTUS AND MAY BE OBTAINED, WITHOUT
CHARGE, BY WRITING TO THE FUND OR BY CALLING 800-874-3733 ASK FOR PART B OF THE
PROSPECTUS THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS, AND THE DATE OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION, IS FEBRUARY 1, 1998.
PROSPECTUS
INVESTORS SHOULD READ AND RETAIN THIS PROSPECTUS. SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES SHOULD
BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE FUND OR BY CALLING 800-821-5129. YOU ALSO CAN MAKE
INQUIRIES THROUGH YOUR BROKER-DEALER.
SHARES OF THE SERIES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR
ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK, AND THE SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL
DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY.
AN INVESTMENT IN THE SERIES INVOLVES RISKS, INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF
PRINCIPAL.
1 Investment Objectives 2
2 Fee Table 2
3 Financial Highlights 4
4 How We Invest 10
5 Purchases 15
6 Shareholder Services 23
7 Our Management 24
8 Dividends, Capital Gains
Distributions and Taxes 25
9 Redemptions 27
10 Performance 28
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 SERIES ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN CERTAIN STATES. PLEASE REFER TO JURISDICTIONS
UNDER THE HEADING PURCHASES FOR AVAILABILITY.
<PAGE>
1 INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES
Our investment objective for each Series is to seek as high a level of interest
income exempt from federal income tax as is consistent with reasonable risk. For
this purpose, reasonable risk means that each Series over time will have
volatility approximating the Lehman Brothers Current Coupon Long Index. Each
Series invests in intermediate and long-term municipal bonds (initially
investment-grade or equivalent) and, therefore, each Series shares can fluctuate
in value as interest rates change more than shares of a short-term municipal
bond fund, but consistent with an investment-grade, longer term municipal bond
fund. Under normal circumstances, we intend to maintain the average weighted
stated maturity of each Series at between ten and thirty-five years. Except for
the National, Texas and Washington Series, each Series also seeks as high a
level of interest income exempt from its states personal income tax and, in the
case of the New York Series, from New York City personal income tax, as is
consistent with reasonable risk. At present, neither Texas nor Washington
imposes a personal income tax.
2 FEE TABLE
A summary of the expenses of each class of each Series is set forth in the table
below. The example should not be considered a representation of past or future
expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Class A Class B Class C
Shares Shares Shares
NATIONAL NEW YORK CALIFORNIA NATIONAL NATIONAL NEW YORK CALIFORNIA
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Shareholder Transaction Expenses(1)
(as a percentage of offering price)
Maximum Sales Load(2) on Purchases
(See Purchases) 4.75% 4.75% 4.75% None None None None
Deferred Sales Load(2) (See Purchases) None None None 5% if shares are redeemed 1% if shares are redeemed before
before 1st anniversary 1st anniversary of purchase(2)(3)
of purchase, declining
to 1% before 6th
anniversary and
eliminated on and
after 6th anniversary(3)
Annual Fund Operating Expenses(4)
(as a percentage of average net assets)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Management Fees (See Our Management) 0.50% 0.50% 0.50% 0.50% 0.50% 0.50% 0.50%
12b-1 Fees (See Purchases)(2) 0.26% 0.25% 0.26% 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% 1.00%
Other Expenses (See Our Management) 0.11% 0.10% 0.09% 0.11% 0.11% 0.10% 0.09%
Total Operating Expenses 0.87% 0.85% 0.85% 1.61% 1.61% 1.60% 1.59%
Class A Shares
Shareholder Transaction Expenses(1)
(as a percentage of offering price) Connecticut Hawaii Minnesota Missouri New Jersey Texas Washington
Maximum Sales Load(2) on Purchases
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
(See Purchases) 4.75% 4.75% 4.75% 4.75% 4.75% 4.75% 4.75%
Deferred Sales Load(2) (See Purchases) None None None None None None None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses(4)
(as a percentage of average net assets after
management fee waivers and expense subsidies)
Management Fees (See Our Management)(5) 0.50% 0.50% 0.00% 0.50% 0.50% 0.50% 0.50%
12b-1 Fees (See Purchases)(2)(6) 0.21% 0.26% 0.00% 0.32% 0.24% 0.28% 0.00%
Other Expenses (See Our Management) 0.07% 0.11% 0.36% 0.12% 0.12% 0.10% 0.12%
Total Operating Expenses 0.78% 0.87% 0.36% 0.94% 0.86% 0.88% 0.62%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
EXAMPLE:
Assume each Series annual return is 5% and there is no change in the level of
expenses described above. For a $1,000 investment in each Series with
reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, you would have paid the
following total expenses assuming redemptions at the end of each time period
indicated:
1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
National Series
Class A $56 $74 $93 $150
Class B $66 $81 $108 $171
Class C $27 $51 $88 $191
New York Series
Class A $56 $73 $92 $148
Class C $27 $50 $87 $190
California Series
Class A $56 $73 $92 $148
Class C $26 $50 $87 $189
Connecticut Series Class A $55 $71 $89 $140
Hawaii Series Class A $56 $74 $93 $150
Minnesota Series Class A $51 $59 $67 $91
Missouri Series Class A $57 $76 $97 $157
New Jersey Series Class A $56 $74 $93 $149
Texas Series Class A $56 $74 $94 $151
Washington Series Class A $54 $66 $80 $121
Example:
You would pay the following expenses on the same investment, assuming no
redemption:
1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
National Series
Class A $56 $74 $93 $150
Class B $16 $51 $88 $171
Class C $16 $51 $88 $191
New York Series
Class A $56 $73 $92 $148
Class C $16 $50 $87 $190
California Series
Class A $56 $73 $92 $148
Class C $16 $50 $87 $189
(1)Although no Series, with respect to the Class B and Class C shares, charges a
front-end sales charge, investors should be aware that long-term
shareholders may pay, under the Rule 12b-1 plans applicable to the Class B
and Class C shares, more than the economic equivalent of the maximum
front-end sales charge as permitted by certain rules of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Likewise, with respect to Class A
shares, investors should be aware that, over the long term, such maximum
may be exceeded due to the Rule 12b-1 plan applicable to Class A shares
which permits a Series to pay up to 0.50% in total annual fees, half for
service and the other half for distribution.
(2)Sales load is referred to as sales charge and deferred sales load is referred
to as contingent deferred sales charge (or CDSC) and 12b-1 fees, which
consist of a service fee and a distribution fee, are referred to by either
or both of these terms where appropriate throughout this Prospectus.
(3)Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on the eighth
anniversary of the purchase of Class B shares.
(4)The annual operating expenses shown in the summary have been restated from
September 30, 1997 fiscal-year amounts to reflect current fees.
(5)Although not obligated to, Lord, Abbett & Co. (Lord Abbett) may waive a
portion of its management fee and assume other expenses with respect to a
Series. Lord Abbett is currently waiving the management fee with respect to
the Minnesota Series. Without such management fee waiver, the management
fee would be 0.50% and the total operating expense ratio would be 0.86%.
(6)Each Rule 12b-1 Plan will not become operative for Minnesota and Washington
Series until the net assets of that Plan reach $100 million.
The foregoing is provided to give investors a better understanding of
the expenses that are incurred by an investment in each Series.
<PAGE>
3 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following tables have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
public accountants, in connection with their annual audits of the Funds
Financial Statements, whose report thereon is incorporated by reference in the
Statement of Additional Information and may be obtained on request, and have
been included herein in reliance upon their authority as experts in auditing and
accounting.
NATIONAL SERIES CLASS A SHARES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED SIX MONTHS
PER SHARE+ OPERATING SEPTEMBER 30, ENDED SEPT. 30 YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
PERFORMANCE: 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991* 1991 1990 1989 1988
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $11.08 $11.00 $10.62 $12.37 $11.72 $11.31 $11.05 $10.86 $10.66 $10.47 $11.32
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income .587 .603 .626 .657 .695 .700 .359 .743 .769 .772 .781
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on securities .415 .075 .382 (1.3124) .9255 .4795 .293 .2225 .206 .172 (.692)
Total from investment operations 1.002 .678 1.008 (.6554) 1.6205 1.1795 .652 .9655 .975 .944 .089
DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income (.602) (.598) (.628) (.6596) (.693) (.717) (.362) (.738) (.775) (.754) (.784)
Distributions from net realized gain --- --- --- (.435) (.2775) (.0525) (.03) (.0375) --- --- (.155)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $11.48 $11.08 $11.00 $10.62 $12.37 $11.72 $11.31 $11.05 $10.86 $10.66 $10.47
TOTAL RETURN** 9.30% 6.31% 9.84% (5.64)% 14.57% 10.78% 6.01%++ 9.21% 9.30% 9.27% 1.30%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses, including waiver 0.87% 0.90% 0.82% 0.86% 0.87% 0.83% 0.43%++ 0.75% 0.61% 0.66% 0.62%
Net investment income 5.27% 5.63% 5.92% 5.76% 5.79% 6.00% 3.20%++ 6.79% 7.00% 7.26% 7.51%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NATIONAL SERIES CLASS B SHARES CLASS C SHARES
YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
PER SHARE OPERATING SEPTEMBER 30, AUGUST 1, 1996*** TO SEPTEMBER 30, JULY 15, 1996*** TO
PERFORMANCE: 1997 SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 1997 SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $11.08 $11.05 $11.08 $10.90
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income .553 .089 .507 .106
Net realized and unrealized
gain on securities .413 .033 .423 .190
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS .966 .122 .93 .296
Distributions
Dividends from net investment income (.546) (.092) (.520) (.116)
Net asset value, end of period $11.50 $11.08 $11.49 $11.08
Total Return** 8.95% 1.16%++ 8.61% 2.71%++
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Expenses, including waiver 1.37% 0.20%++ 1.59% 0.34%++
Net investment income 4.65% 0.68%++ 4.54% 0.96%++
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NATIONAL SERIES
YEAR ENDED SIX MONTHS
SEPTEMBER 30, ENDED SEPT. 30, YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA FOR ALL CLASSES: 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991* 1991 1990 1989 1988
Net assets, end of period (000) $646,736 $672,344 $650,699 $662,380 $709,413 $546,768 $396,221 $340,476 $317,660 $286,195 $263,689
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE 232.64% 205.35% 225.39% 184.07% 138.06% 87.56% 18.77% 57.71% 42.60% 81.39% 93.15%
<FN>
* The Financial Statements cover a short year (six months) because the fiscal
year-end was changed from March 31 to September 30.
** Total return does not consider the effects of front-end sales or contingent
deferred sales charges.
*** Commencement of offering Class shares.
Each Series had only one class of shares prior to July 12, 1996. That class of
shares is now designated Class A shares.
Not annualized.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NEW YORK SERIES CLASS A SHARES
YEAR ENDED SIX MONTHS
PER SHARE+ OPERATING SEPTEMBER 30, ENDED SEPT. YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
PERFORMANCE: 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 30, 1991* 1991 1990 1989 1988
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $10.78 $10.85 $10.54 $12.27 $11.60 $11.26 $10.89 $10.78 $10.71 $10.53 $11.38
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income .578 .597 .610 .649 .682 .691 .366 .741 .777 .785 .787
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on securities .262 (.081) .316 (1.3665) .874 .458 .407 .179 .18 .161 (.755)
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS .84 .516 .926 (.7175) 1.556 1.149 .773 .92 .957 .946 .032
DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income (.590) (.586) (.616) (.6475) (.681) (.709) (.368) (.750) (.787) (.766) (.792)
Distributions from net realized gain ---- --- --- (.365) (.205) (.10) (.035) (.06) (.10) --- (.09)
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $11.03 $10.78 $10.85 $10.54 $12.27 $11.60 $11.26 $10.89 $10.78 $10.71 $10.53
TOTAL RETURN** 8.01% 4.87% 9.12% (6.21)% 13.95% 10.69% 7.24%++ 8.87% 9.08% 9.22% 0.67%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses, including waiver 0.85% 0.81% 0.82% 0.83% 0.85% 0.81% 0.37%++ 0.76% 0.60% 0.64% 0.66%
Net investment income 5.35% 5.54% 5.83% 5.72% 5.72% 5.98% 3.29%++ 6.83% 7.04% 7.29% 7.45%
</TABLE>
NEW YORK SERIES
CLASS C SHARES
YEAR ENDED FOR THE PERIOD
PER SHARE OPERATING SEPTEMBER 30, JULY 15, 1996*** TO
PERFORMANCE: 1997 SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $10.78 $10.63
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income .483 .111
Net realized and unrealized
gain on securities .267 .152
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS .75 .263
DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income (.510) (.113)
Net asset value, end of period $11.02 $10.78
TOTAL RETURN** 7.13% 2.48%++
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses, including waiver 1.57% 0.34%++
Net investment income 4.60% 1.04%++
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NEW YORK SERIES
YEAR ENDED SIX MONTHS
SEPTEMBER 30, ENDED Sept. YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA FOR ALL CLASSES:1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 30, 1991* 1991 1990 1989 1988
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net assets, end of period (000) $300,490 $319,553 $331,618 $338,539 $376,456 $306,447 $230,014 $201,132 $176,280 $145,541 $122,553
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE 110.28% 64.25% 105.62% 149.13% 101.59% 146.68% 51.79% 39.84% 27.55% 51.58% 34.64%
<FN>
* The Financial Statements cover a short year (six months) because the fiscal
year-end was changed from March 31 to September 30.
** Total return does not consider the effects of front-end sales or contingent
deferred sales charges.
*** Commencement of offering Class shares. The Series had only one class of
shares prior to July 12, 1996. That class of shares is now designated Class
A shares.
Not annualized.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CALIFORNIA SERIES CLASS A SHARES
ONE MONTH
PER SHARE+ OPERATING ENDED SEPT. YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
PERFORMANCE: 1997 30, 1996 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.43 $10.32 $10.41 $10.45 $11.79 $11.21 $10.78 $10.19 $10.31 $9.89 $9.95
Income from investment operations
Net investment income .560 .046 .566 .588 .623 .656 .663 .684 .685 .712 .713
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on investments .290 .112 (.089) (.038) (.989) .872 .5615 .592 (.112) .413 (.060)
Total from investment operations .850 .158 .477 .550 (.366) 1.528 1.2245 1.276 .573 1.125 .653
Distributions
Dividends from net investment income (.560) (.048) (.567) (.590) (.624) (.658) (.672) (.686) (.693) (.705) (.713)
Distributions from net realized gain --- --- --- --- (.350) (.290) (.1225) --- --- --- ---
Net asset value, end of period $10.72 $10.43 $10.32 $10.41 $10.45 $11.79 $11.21 $10.78 $10.19 $10.31 $9.89
Total Return* 8.39% 1.53%++ 4.65% 5.58% (3.33)% 14.43% 11.79% 12.90% 5.67% 11.67% 6.91%
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Expenses, including waiver 0.72% 0.07%++ 0.75% 0.76% 0.67% 0.68% 0.67% 0.75% 0.61% 0.55% 0.54%
Expenses, excluding waiver 0.85% 0.07%++ 0.86% 0.86% 0.87% 0.88% 0.87% 0.95% 0.94% 0.92% 0.98%
Net investment income 5.38% 0.44%++ 5.41% 5.84% 5.63% 5.68% 5.87% 6.44% 6.75% 6.90% 7.23%
CALIFORNIA SERIES
CLASS C SHARES
YEAR ENDED FOR THE PERIOD
PER SHARE OPERATING SEPTEMBER 30, ONE MONTH ENDED JULY 15, 1996** TO
PERFORMANCE: 1997 SEPTEMBER 30, 1996 AUGUST 31, 1996
<S> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $10.43 $10.32 $10.28
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income .485 .039 .068
Net realized and unrealized
gain on securities .287 .113 .041
Total from investment operations .772 .152 .109
Distributions
Dividends from net investment income (.482) (.042) (.069)
Net asset value, end of period $10.72 $10.43 $10.32
Total Return* 7.59% 1.47%++ 1.16%++
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses, including waiver 1.46% 0.13%++ 0.17%++
Expenses, excluding waiver 1.59% 0.13%++ 0.21%++
Net investment income 4.64% 0.38%++ 0.65%++
CALIFORNIA SERIES
YEAR ENDED ONE MONTH
SEPT. 30, ENDED SEPT. YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31,
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA FOR ALL CLASSES: 1997 30, 1996 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net assets, end of period (000) $273,009 $294,837 $291,611 $296,274 $329,474 $336,291 $224,505 $138,808 $105,238 $100,378 $82,592
Portfolio turnover rate 121.97% 2.74% 132.37% 100.20% 86.05% 81.34% 152.79% 117.39% 38.43% 61.01% 72.06%
<FN>
* Total return does not consider the effects of front-end sales or contingent
deferred sales charges.
** Commencement of offering Class shares.
++ On July 12, 1996 the Fund acquired the net assets of Lord Abbett California
Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc. (the Acquired Fund) in exchange for Class A
shares of the Funds newly-created California Series. All figures shown
above for Class A shares, prior to July 12, 1996, reflect the performance
history of the Acquired Fund.
++Not annualized.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONNECTICUT SERIES CLASS A SHARES
APRIL 1, 1991
YEAR ENDED (COMMENCEMENT
PER SHARE+ OPERATING SEPTEMBER 30, OF OPERATIONS) TO
PERFORMANCE: 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 SEPT. 30, 1991
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.13 $10.12 $9.71 $11.01 $10.16 $9.86 $9.525
Income from investment operations
Net investment income .556 .576 .579 .585 .612 .617 .313
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on securities .287 (.013) .407 (1.1287) .906 .311 .335
Total from investment operations .843 .563 .986 (.5437) 1.518 .928 .648
DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income (.553) (.553) (.576) (.6038) (.608) (.628) (.313)
Distributions from net realized gain --- --- --- (.1525) (.06) --- ---
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $10.42 $10.13 $10.12 $9.71 $11.01 $10.16 $9.860
TOTAL RETURN* 8.56% 5.70% 10.52% (5.13)% 15.48% 9.69% 6.91%++
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (000) $119,909 $122,885 $113,436 $101,619 $93,020 $58,880 $21,895
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:
Expenses, including waiver 0.59% 0.38% 0.41% 0.49% 0.44% 0.20% 0.00%++
Expenses, excluding waiver 0.78% 0.80% 0.86% 0.86% 0.91% 0.74% 0.40%++
Net investment income 5.45% 5.66% 5.89% 5.67% 5.60% 5.96% 3.00%++
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE 37.09% 63.61% 54.19% 97.42% 45.81% 54.90% 2.15%++
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TEXAS SERIES CLASS A SHARES
YEAR ENDED SIX MONTHS
PER SHARE+ OPERATING SEPTEMBER 30, ENDED SEPT. YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
PERFORMANCE: 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 30, 1991** 1991 1990 1989 1988
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET ASSET VALUE, BEGINNING OF PERIOD $10.11 $10.05 $9.59 $10.82 $10.28 $9.94 $9.64 $9.41 $9.16 $8.99 $9.58
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income .548 .567 .571 .604 .624 .611 .317 .658 .678 .688 .7010
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on securities .367 .045 .452 (1.0802) .7135 .4155 .309 .227 .251 .163 (.588)
Total from investment operations .915 .612 1.023 (.4762) 1.3375 1.0265 .626 .885 .929 .851 .1130
Distributions
Dividends from net investment income (.555) (.552) (.563) (.6038) (.615) (.629) (.326) (.655) (.679) (.681) (.703)
Distributions from net realized gain (.07) --- --- (.15) (.1825) (.0575) --- --- --- --- ---
Net asset value, end of period $10.40 $10.11 $10.05 $9.59 $10.82 $10.28 $9.94 $9.64 $9.41 $9.16 $8.99
Total Return* 9.25% 6.11% 11.14% (4.60)% 13.64% 10.68% 6.59%++ 9.74% 10.53% 9.74% 1.55%
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000) $91,301 $94,414 $100,304 $103,836 $109,232 $90,205 $66,746 $30,529 $25,886 $22,298 $17,836
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Expenses, including waiver 0.88% 0.69% 0.62% 0.50% 0.57% 0.60% 0.25%++ 0.40% 0.27% 0.22% 0.015%
Expenses, excluding waiver 0.88% 0.87% 0.87% 0.87% 0.97% 1.00% 0.45%++ 0.84% 0.76% 0.76% 0.87%
Net investment income 5.38% 5.58% 5.90% 5.97% 5.96% 5.96% 3.09%++ 6.91% 7.18% 7.48% 7.65%
Portfolio turnover rate 127.88% 112.34% 108.00% 96.79% 58.10% 123.33% 50.19% 50.52% 25.52% 46.86% 36.22%
<FN>
* Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads.
** The Financial Statements cover a short year (six months) because the fiscal
year-end was changed from March 31 to September 30.
+Each Series existing Class of shares is now designated Class A shares.
++Not annualized.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Missouri Series Class A Shares
May 31, 1991
(Commencement
Per Share+ Operating Year Ended September 30, of Operations) to
Performance: 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 Sept. 30, 1991
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $5.08 $5.08 $4.88 $5.51 $5.14 $4.91 $4.762
Income from investment operations
Net investment income .268 .267 .277 .2926 .305 .310 .106
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on securities .138 .008 .204 (.5681) .381 .236 .150
Total from investment operations .406 .275 .481 (.2755) .686 .546 .256
Distributions
Dividends from net investment income (.266) (.275) (.281) (.297) (.301) (.316) (.108)
Distributions from net realized gain --- --- --- (.0575) (.015) --- ---
Net asset value, end of period $5.22 $5.08 $5.08 $4.88 $5.51 $5.14 $4.910
Total Return* 8.22% 5.54% 10.21% (5.22)% 13.80% 11.47% 5.46%++
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000) $140,280 $134,144 $131,823 $119,690 $107,478 $65,812 $24,230
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Expenses, including waiver 0.70% 0.77% 0.74% 0.60% 0.48% 0.26% 0.00%++
Expenses, excluding waiver 0.94% 0.92% 0.89% 0.91% 0.92% 0.79% 0.37%++
Net investment income 5.22% 5.21% 5.61% 5.60% 5.66% 5.94% 1.81%++
Portfolio turnover rate 27.34% 93.17% 58.17% 50.59% 56.20% 44.19% 0.00%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Minnesota Series
Class A Shares
Dec. 27, 1994
Year Ended (Commencement
Per Share+Operating Sept. 30, of Operations)to
Performance: 1997 1996 Sept. 30, 1995
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $4.90 $5.01 $4.76
Income from investment operations
Net investment income .273 .294 .230
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on securities .155 (.078) .249
Total from investment operations .428 .216 .479
Distributions
Dividends from net investment income (.278) (.286) (.229)
Distributions from net realized gain --- (.04) ---
Net asset value, end of period $5.05 $4.90 $5.01
Total Return* 8.97% 4.44% 10.22%++
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000) $10,510 $8,047 $4,315
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Expenses, including waiver 0.36% 0.00% 0.00%++
Expenses, excluding waiver 0.86% 0.91% 0.64%++
Net investment income 5.51% 5.91% 4.58%++
Portfolio turnover rate 41.45% 43.08% 121.41%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
New Jersey Series
Class A Shares
January 2, 1991
Year Ended Six Months (Commencement
Per Share+ Operating September 30, Ended of Operations) to
Performance: 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 Sept. 30, 1991** March 31, 1991
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $5.18 $5.14 $4.95 $5.55 $5.14 $4.97 $4.81 $4.76
Income from investment operations
Net investment income .272 .277 .287 .300 .318 .320 .167 .083
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on securities .144 .041 .192 (.507) .439 .185 .165 .051
Total from investment operations .416 .318 .479 (.207) .757 .505 .332 .134
Distributions
Dividends from net investment income (.276) (.278) (.289) (.303) (.307) (.325) (.172) (.084)
Distributions from net realized gain --- --- --- (.09) (.04) (.01) --- ---
Net asset value, end of period $5.32 $5.18 $5.14 $4.95 $5.55 $5.14 $4.97 $4.81
Total Return* 8.25% 6.29% 9.98% (3.91)% 15.26% 10.51% 7.01%++ 2.77%++
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000) $184,465 $186,402 $191,562 $184,230 $178,767 $118,386 $59,463 $23,203
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Expenses, including waiver 0.82% 0.79% 0.72% 0.51% 0.35% 0.19% 0.00%++ 0.00%++
Expenses, excluding waiver 0.86% 0.86% 0.87% 0.83% 0.83% 0.73% 0.38%++ 0.28%++
Net investment income 5.21% 5.31% 5.73% 5.76% 5.88% 6.09% 3.23%++ 1.42%++
Portfolio turnover rate 154.80% 171.63% 133.11% 75.62% 88.29% 54.63% 49.33% 6.51%
<FN>
* Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads.
** The Financial Statements cover a short year (six months) because the
fiscal year-end was changed from March 31 to September 30.
+ Each Series existing class of shares is now designated Class A shares.
++ Not annualized.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Washington Series Class A Shares
April 15, 1992
Year Ended (Commencement
Per Share+ Operating September 30, of Operations) to
Performance: 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 Sept. 30, 1992
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $4.96 $4.91 $4.72 $5.35 $4.92 $4.76
Income from investment operations
Net investment income .268 .271 .277 .2976 .304 .140
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on securities .206 .056 .200 (.5895) .427 .165
Total from investment operations .474 .327 .477 (.2919) .731 .305
Distributions
Dividends from net investment income (.274) (.277) (.287) (.2931) (.301) (.145)
Distribution from net realized gain --- --- --- (.045) --- ---
Net asset value, end of period $5.16 $4.96 $4.91 $4.72 $5.35 $4.92
Total Return* 9.82% 6.80% 10.48% (5.65)% 15.32% 6.47%++
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000) $66,215 $71,295 $74,359 $78,854 $77,324 $42,627
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Expenses, including waiver 0.57% 0.60% 0.53% 0.29% 0.30% 0.00%++
Expenses, excluding waiver 0.62% 0.68% 0.68% 0.67% 0.80% 0.38%++
Net investment income 5.36% 5.47% 5.84% 5.93% 5.86% 2.58%++
Portfolio turnover rate 132.37% 78.02% 92.85% 137.74% 85.45% 37.23%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Hawaii Series Class A Shares
October 28, 1991
Year Ended (Commencement
Per Share+ Operating September 30, of Operations) to
Performance: 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 Sept. 30, 1992
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value, beginning of period $4.93 $4.91 $4.72 $5.34 $4.89 $4.76
Income from investment operations
Net investment income .266 .273 .271 .2918 .297 .281
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on securities .138 .015 .198 (.578) .454 .138
Total from investment operations .404 .288 .469 (.2862) .751 .419
Distributions
Dividends from net investment income (.264) (.268) (.279) (.2888) (.301) (.289)
Distribution from net realized gain --- --- --- (.045) --- ---
Net asset value, end of period $5.07 $4.93 $4.91 $4.72 $5.34 $4.89
Total Return* 8.42% 5.94% 10.30% (5.54)% 15.85% 9.06%++
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000) $79,079 $85,344 $86,105 $92,972 $92,883 $47,031
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Expenses, including waiver 0.58% 0.57% 0.58% 0.41% 0.40% 0.00%++
Expenses, excluding waiver 0.87% 0.87% 0.87% 0.87% 0.90% 0.74%++
Net investment income 5.39% 5.46% 5.74% 5.80% 5.62% 5.96%++
Portfolio turnover rate 29.09% 59.46% 70.64% 66.04% 34.49% 53.24%
<FN>
* Total return does not consider the effects of sales loads.
+ Each Series existing class of shares is now designated Class A shares.
++ Not annualized.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
4 HOW WE INVEST
Each Series invests primarily in a portfolio of intermediate-term (5-10 years)
to long-term (over 10 years) municipal bonds, the interest on which is exempt
from federal income tax in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer. Except for
the National, Texas and Washington Series, the interest on the municipal bonds
in which each Series primarily invests also is exempt from its states personal
income tax and, in the case of the New York Series, from New York City personal
income tax, in the opinion of bond counsel to the issuer. At present neither
Texas nor Washington imposes a personal income tax. The per-share net asset
value of each Series can be expected to fluctuate inversely to interest rate
changes. When interest rates rise, the value of securities in the portfolios, as
well as the share values, generally will fall. Conversely, when interest rates
fall, the value of securities in the portfolios and the share values generally
will rise.
Municipal bonds as used herein and as more fully described in the Statement of
Additional Information are debt obligations issued by or on behalf of states,
territories and possessions of the United States, including the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam, and their political
subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities.
Each Series invests primarily in investment-grade municipal bonds rated (rated
bonds) at the time of purchase within the four highest grades assigned by Moodys
Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) (Aaa, Aa, A, Baa), Standard & Poors Ratings
Services (S&P) (AAA, AA, A, BBB) or Fitch Investors Service (Fitch) (AAA, AA, A,
BBB). Each Series also may invest in municipal bonds that are not rated and that
are exempt from federal income tax and its states personal income tax,
determined by Lord Abbett to be of comparable quality to the rated bonds in
which such Series may invest. At least 70% of the municipal bonds in each
portfolio must be rated, at the time of purchase, within or equivalent to, the
three highest such grades. As much as 30% of the municipal bonds in each Series
portfolio may be rated, at the time of purchase, in the fourth highest grade.
This grade, while regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay interest and
repay principal, is considered to be of medium grade and has speculative
characteristics. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances are more
likely to lead to a weakened capacity to make principal and interest payments
than is the case with higher grade bonds. After a Series purchases a municipal
bond, the issuer may cease to be rated, or its rating may be reduced below the
minimum required for purchase, which could have an adverse effect on the market
value of the issue, but will not require the elimination of the issue from the
Series portfolio.
The Fund's internal policy restricts investments to intermediate to long-term
municipal bonds which are initially investment-grade, i.e., among the four
highest grades mentioned above or their equivalent, and we seek to provide a
high level of tax-free income. In view of this internal policy, and because we
manage the maturities of our investments in accordance with our interest-rate
expectations, we anticipate (i) a higher level of tax-free income than a
short-term, tax-free municipal bond fund and (ii) a share value tending to
fluctuate more than such a short-term fund, but consistent with an
investment-grade, longer term municipal bond fund.
The two principal classifications of municipal bonds are "general obligation"
and limited obligation or "revenue" bonds. General obligation bonds are secured
by the pledge of faith, credit and taxing power of the municipality. The taxes
or special assessments that can be levied for the payment of debt service may be
limited or unlimited as to rate or amount. Revenue bonds are payable only from
the revenues derived from a particular facility or class of facilities or, in
some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue
source. Industrial development bonds are in most cases revenue bonds and do not
generally constitute the pledge of the faith, credit or taxing power of the
municipality. The credit quality of such municipal bonds usually is directly
related to the credit standing of the user of the facilities. There are
variations in the security of municipal bonds, both within a particular
classification and between classifications, depending on numerous factors.
Each Series may purchase new issues of municipal bonds, which are generally
offered on a when-issued basis, with delivery and payment (settlement) normally
taking place approximately one month after the purchase date. However, the
payment obligation and the interest rate to be received by the Fund are each
fixed on the purchase date. During the period between purchase and settlement,
<PAGE>
Fund assets consisting of cash and/or high-grade marketable debt securities,
marked to market daily, of an amount sufficient to make payment at settlement
will be segregated at our custodian. There is a risk that market yields
available at settlement may be higher than yields obtained on the purchase date,
which could result in depreciation of value. While we may sell when-issued
securities prior to settlement, we intend to actually acquire such securities
unless a sale appears desirable for investment reasons.
Under normal market conditions, each Series will attempt to invest 100% and, as
a matter of fundamental policy which cannot be changed without the approval of
shareholders, we will invest at least 80% of the value of its net assets in
municipal bonds, the interest on which is exempt from federal income tax. Except
for the National Series, under normal market conditions, each Series also will
attempt to invest 100% and, as a matter of fundamental policy, will invest at
least 80% of its net assets in municipal bonds, the interest on which is exempt
from its states personal income tax. At present neither Texas nor Washington
imposes a personal income tax. Under normal market conditions, the New York
Series also will attempt to invest 100% and, as a matter of fundamental policy,
will invest at least 80% of its net assets in such municipal bonds, the interest
on which is exempt from New York State and New York City personal income taxes.
See Dividends, Capital Gains Distributions and Taxes --- Minnesota Taxes for
investment policies applicable to the Minnesota Series relating to Minnesota tax
laws.
Although normally each Series intends to be fully invested in intermediate to
long-term municipal bonds, a Series may temporarily invest in short-term
tax-exempt securities meeting the above-described quality standards and,
additionally, may temporarily put up to 20% of its assets in cash, in commercial
paper of comparable investment quality or in short-term obligations issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities (U.S.
Government securities), in order to improve liquidity or to create reserve
purchasing power. Because interest earned from commercial paper or U.S.
Government securities is taxable for federal income tax purposes, we intend to
minimize temporary investments in such short-term securities.
Each Series may invest up to 20% of its net assets (less any amount invested in
the temporary taxable investments described above) in private activity bonds.
Series dividends derived from interest on such bonds would be considered a
preference item for purposes of the computation of the alternative minimum tax.
Series dividends derived from such interest may increase the alternative minimum
tax liability of corporate shareholders who are subject to that tax based on the
excess of their adjusted current earnings over their taxable income.
Each Series intends to meet the diversification rules under Subchapter M of the
Internal Revenue Code. Generally, this requires, at the end of each quarter of
the taxable year, that (a) not more than 25% of each Series total assets be
invested in any one issuer and (b) with respect to 50% of each Series total
assets, no more than 5% of each Series total assets be invested in any one
issuer except U.S. Government securities. Since under these rules each of the
Series, except for the National Series, may invest its assets in the securities
of a limited number of issuers, the value of such Series investments may be more
affected by any single adverse economic, political or regulatory occurrence than
in the case of a diversified investment company under the Act, such as the
National Series. The National Series, as a diversified investment company, is
prohibited, with respect to 75% of the value of its total assets, from investing
more than 5% of its total assets in securities of any one issuer other than U.S.
Government securities. For diversification purposes, the identification of an
issuer will be determined on the basis of the source of assets and revenues
committed to meeting interest and principal payments of the securities. When the
assets and revenues of a states political subdivision are separate from those of
the state government creating the subdivision, and the security is backed only
by the assets and revenues of the subdivision, then the subdivision would be
considered the sole issuer. Similarly, if a revenue bond is backed only by the
assets and revenues of a nongovernmental user, then such user would be
considered the sole issuer.
No Series intends to invest more than 25% of its total assets in any industry,
except that each Series may, subject to the limits referred to in the preceding
three paragraphs, invest more than 25% of such assets in a combination of U.S.
Government securities and in tax-exempt securities, including tax-exempt revenue
bonds whether or not the users of any facilities financed by such bonds are in
the same industry. Where nongovernmental users are in the same industry, there
<PAGE>
may be additional risk to a Series in the event of an economic downturn in such
industry, which may result generally in a lowered ability of such users to make
payments on their obligations. Electric utility and health care are typical, but
not all inclusive of, the industries in which this 25% may be exceeded. The
former is relatively stable but subject to rate regulation vagaries. The latter
suffers from two main problems affordability and access. Tax-exempt securities
issued by governments or political subdivisions of governments are not
considered part of any industry.
Each of the Series may invest up to 15% of its respective net assets in illiquid
securities. Bonds determined by the Directors to be liquid pursuant to
Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 144A, (the Rule) will not be subject to
this limit. Investments by a Series in Rule 144A securities initially determined
to be liquid could have the effect of diminishing the level of a Series
liquidity during periods of decreased market interest in such securities. Under
the Rule, a qualifying unregistered security may be resold to a qualified
institutional buyer without registration and without regard to whether the
seller originally purchased the security for investment.
Each Series may invest up to 20% of its net assets in residual interest bonds
(RIBs) to enhance and increase portfolio duration. None of the Series invested
more than 11% of its net assets in RIBs at any time during the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1997. A RIB, sometimes referred to as an inverse floater, is a
debt instrument with a floating or variable interest rate that moves in the
opposite direction of the interest rate on another specific fixed-rate security
(specific fixed-rate security). Changes in the interest rate on the specific
fixed-rate security inversely affect the residual interest rate paid on the RIB,
with the result that when interest rates rise, RIBs interest payments are
lowered and their value falls faster than securities similar to the specific
fixed-rate security. In an effort to mitigate this risk, the Fund purchases
fixed-rate bonds which are less volatile. When interest rates fall, not only do
RIBs provide interest payments that are higher than securities similar to the
specific fixed-rate security, but their values also rise faster than securities
similar to the specific fixed-rate security.
Each Series may borrow from banks (as defined in the Act) in amounts up to
331/3% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed). Each Series also may
borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets for temporary purposes, and,
in addition, may obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary for the
clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER. The portfolio turnover rates for the National, California,
New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Minnesota, Missouri, Hawaii, Texas and
Washington Series were 232.64%, 121.97%, 154.80%, 110.28%, 37.09%, 41.45%,
27.34%, 29.09%, 127.88% and 132.37%, respectively, for the year ended September
30, 1997, versus 205.35%, 132.37%, 171.63%, 64.25%, 63.61%, 43.08%, 93.17%,
59.46%, 112.34% and 78.02%, respectively, for the prior fiscal year, primarily
due to security purchases and sales relating to purchases and redemptions of
Series shares and some portfolio restructuring.
OPTIONS AND FINANCIAL FUTURES TRANSACTIONS. Each Series may deal in options on
securities, and securities indices, and financial futures transactions,
including options on financial futures. Each Series may write (sell) covered
call options and secured put options on up to 25% of its net assets and may
purchase put and call options provided that no more than 5% of its net assets
(at the time of purchase) may be invested in premiums on such options.
None of the Series is currently employing any of the options and financial
futures transactions described above.
RISK FACTORS. Securities in which we may invest are subject to the provisions of
bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of
creditors and laws which may be enacted extending the time of payment of
principal and interest, or both. There is also the possibility that, as a result
of litigation or other conditions, the power or ability of issuers to meet their
obligations for payment of principal and interest may be materially affected or
their obligations may be found to be invalid or unenforceable.
The ability of any Series to achieve its objective is based on the expectation
that the issuers of the municipal bonds in a Series portfolio will continue to
meet their obligations for the payment of principal and interest. The following
are brief summaries of certain factors affecting the California, Connecticut,
Hawaii, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Texas and Washington Series.
These summaries do not purport to be complete and are based on information
derived from publicly available documents related to each state involved, which
<PAGE>
information has not been independently verified by the Fund. For more detailed
discussions of the risks applicable to these Series, see the Statement of
Additional Information.
CALIFORNIA BONDS RISK FACTORS. As disclosed by the State of California in
connection with recent bond issues, various constitutional and statutory
provisions may affect the ability of issuers of California municipal bonds to
meet their financial obligations. Decreases in State and local revenues as a
consequence of such provisions may result in reductions in the ability of
California issuers to pay their obligations. In addition, from 1990 - 1993,
California suffered a sustained economic recession, the most severe in the State
since the 1930s. Californias economy has been recovering and growing steadily
stronger since 1994. However, accumulated budget deficits, together with
expenditures for school funding which were not reflected in the budget, and a
reduction of available internal borrowable funds, combined to significantly
deplete the States cash resources to pay its ongoing expenses during part of the
recession. In order to meet its cash needs, between spring 1992 and summer 1994,
the State depended on external borrowings, including borrowings past the end of
a fiscal year. A full payment of $4 billion of revenue anticipation warrants was
made on April 25, 1996. California did not have to resort to such cross-year
borrowing during the 1995-96 or 1996-97 fiscal years. As a result of the
deterioration in the States budget and cash situation, the States credit rating
was reduced in July 1994 by the rating agencies.
The 1995-96 Budget Act is projected to have $52.5 billion of general fund
revenues and transfers and $52.8 billion of budgeted expenditures. The
accumulated budget deficit from the recession years was eliminated in the
1996-97 fiscal year.
In 1994, Orange County, California (the County), together with its pooled
investment funds (the Pools) filed for protection under Chapter 9 of the Federal
Bankruptcy Code, after reports that the Pools had suffered significant market
losses in their investments, causing a liquidity crisis for the Pools and the
County. Many of the entities which deposited moneys in the Pools, including the
County, faced interim and/or extended cash flow difficulties because of the
bankruptcy filing and may be required to reduce programs or capital projects.
The County implemented significant reductions in services and personnel, and
continues to face fiscal constraints in the aftermath of its bankruptcy, which
had been caused by large investment losses in its pooled investment funds.
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, none of the Funds net assets were
invested in securities issued by Orange County.
CONNECTICUT BONDS RISK FACTORS. Connecticut's economy, while traditionally
concentrated in the manufacturing sector, has broadened in recent years with
strong relative growth in service, finance, transportation and real estate
sectors. Fiscal stress is reflected in the States economic and revenue
forecasts, a rising debt burden that reflects a significant increase in bond
activity since fiscal 1987-88 and the continuing effects of general fund
deficits that existed through fiscal 1990 and 1991, which have been funded
through the issuance of general obligation economic recovery notes and operating
surpluses incurred in subsequent fiscal years.
HAWAII BONDS RISK FACTORS. The marketability and market value of Hawaii
obligations may be affected from time to time by constitutional provisions,
legislative measures, executive orders, administrative regulations and voter
incentives. Hawaiis economy is concentrated in retail trade and tourism and also
includes construction, agriculture and military operations, but its performance
has deteriorated over the last year. Tourism is a major factor in the economy,
with tourists coming from a variety of nations, which may cushion the effect of
any adverse economic conditions in a single country, but recent events in Asia
are likely to adversely affect Hawaiis economy. Agriculture, dominated by
pineapple and sugar production, has experienced increased foreign competition.
Most government activities, including activities administered in other states on
a municipal or county level, such as public education, are the responsibility of
the State. This concentration contributes to the high level of State debt
obligations. Revenue is derived primarily from the general excise taxes and
individual and corporate income tax.
Hawaii's county governments (the only units of local government in the State)
may issue government obligation bonds, which obligations have further increased,
and may continue to increase in the future, the States high level of overall
municipal debt.
<PAGE>
MINNESOTA BONDS RISK FACTORS. Minnesotas economy is diverse, with employment
spread over ten major sectors distributed in approximately the same proportions
as national employment, including manufacturing of industrial machinery,
fabricated metal and instruments, food, paper and allied industries and other
agricultural industries. Minnesotas significant public debt includes the States
general obligation debt as well as university and other agency debt which is not
an obligation of the State.
MISSOURI BONDS RISK FACTORS. Missouri has a diversified economy which includes
manufacturing, commerce, trade, services, agriculture and mining. Economic
reversals in either the Kansas City or St. Louis metropolitan areas, whose
Missouri portions together contain a significant portion of the States
population, would have a major impact on the States overall economic condition.
Missouris unemployment levels have approached and, at times, exceeded the
national average in recent years, and adverse changes in military
appropriations, which play an important role in the States economy, could
contribute to a continuation of this pattern. As discussed in the Statement of
Additional Information, payment on Missouri municipal bonds could be adversely
affected by certain provisions of the Constitution of Missouri.
NEW JERSEY BONDS RISK FACTORS. The State of New Jersey has a diversified
economic base consisting of, among other things, manufacturing, construction and
service industries, supplemented by selective commercial agriculture. The States
economy has been adversely affected by the recent recession as reflected in
recent actual and projected shortfalls in State revenues. A slow economic
recovery commenced in 1993 as shown by employment gains and growth in other
economic activity. New Jersey is a major recipient of federal assistance. Hence,
a decrease in federal financial assistance may adversely affect New Jerseys
financial condition. In an attempt to ensure that local governmental entities
remain on a sound financial basis, State law restricts total appropriations
increases to 5% annually for such entities. Statutory or legislative
restrictions of such character may adversely affect a municipalitys or any other
bond-issuing authoritys ability to repay its obligations.
NEW YORK BONDS RISK FACTORS. New York State has recorded balanced budgets on a
cash basis for its last five fiscal years, despite diminishing revenue, due in
part to a significant slowdown in the New York and regional economy commencing
in mid-1990. While the State budget for fiscal 1997-98 again calls for a
balanced budget, gaps between actual revenues and expenditures may arise in the
current year and in future fiscal years. Because the State, New York City, the
States other political subdivisions and the State Authorities, all of which
borrow money, are (or are perceived in the marketplace to be) financially
interdependent, financial difficulty experienced by one can adversely affect the
market value and marketability of obligations issued by others. The States
credit is presently involved with the indebtedness of the Authorities because of
the States guarantee or other support. This indebtedness is substantial in
amount. The Authorities are likely to require further financial assistance from
the State. During the last several fiscal years, New York City experienced
significant shortfalls in almost all of its major tax sources and increases in
social services costs, and has been required to take actions to close
substantial budget gaps in order to maintain balanced budgets. Similar
shortfalls and budget gaps have been predicted for future years and will require
further action by the City's government.
TEXAS BONDS RISK FACTORS. Texas' economy recovered from the recession that began
in the mid-1980s after a collapse in oil prices. The economy has become more
stable due to increased diversification, with the oil and gas industry
diminishing in relative importance while service-producing sectors produce the
major source of job growth. The 1998-99 biennial all funds budget for the State
did not require increasing state taxes, based on the implementation of certain
cost-cutting measures and an expected increase in receipt of federal funds.
Although we anticipate that most of the bonds in the Texas Series will be
revenue obligations or general obligations of local governments or authorities,
any circumstances that affect the States credit standing may also affect the
market value of these other bonds held by the Texas Series, either directly or
indirectly, as a result of a dependency of local governments and other
authorities upon State aid and reimbursement programs.
WASHINGTON BONDS RISK Factors. The State of Washingtons economy includes
manufacturing and service industries as well as agricultural and timber
production. International trade plays an important role. The States leading
<PAGE>
export industries are aerospace, forest products, agriculture and food
processing. The Boeing Company, one of the worlds largest aerospace firms, is
the States largest employer and as such has a significant impact, in terms of
production, employment and labor earnings, on the States economy. Boeing
underwent significant production and work force reductions in 1993, 1994 and
1995, but added jobs in 1996 and 1997. It recently announced new work force
reductions. Also, trade levels depend largely on national and world economic
conditions and could be affected adversely by recent economic events in Asia. In
addition, continued declines in the forest products industry are expected in the
future and a decrease in employment in this area is also expected.
State law requires a balanced budget. The Governor has a statutory
responsibility to reduce expenditures across the board to avoid any cash deficit
at the end of a biennium. In addition, State law prohibits State tax revenue
growth from exceeding the growth of State personal income. To date, Washington
State tax revenue increases have remained below the applicable limit.
PUERTO RICO RISK FACTORS. The Fund may have significant investments in bonds
issued by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its instrumentalities. The economy
of Puerto Rico is dominated by diversified manufacturing and service sectors. It
is closely integrated, through extensive trade, with that of the mainland United
States, and its economic health is closely tied to the state of the U.S.
economy. Puerto Rico has a rate of unemployment greatly exceeding the U.S.
average.
Puerto Ricos economy has experienced significant growth since fiscal 1989.
Continued growth will depend on several factors, including the state of the U.S.
economy, the relative stability of the price of oil and borrowing costs.
CHANGE OF INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES. We will not change our investment
objectives without shareholder approval. If we determine that our objectives can
best be achieved by a change in investment policy or strategy, we may make such
change without shareholder approval by disclosing it in our prospectus.
5 PURCHASES
GENERAL
HOW MUCH MUST YOU INVEST? You may buy our shares through any independent
securities dealer having a sales agreement with Lord Abbett Distributor LLC
(Lord Abbett Distributor), our exclusive selling agent. Place your order with
your investment dealer or send it to Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc.
(P.O. Box 419100, Kansas City, Missouri 64141). The minimum initial investment
is $1,000 except for Invest-A-Matic and Div-Move ($250 initial and $50 monthly
minimum). Subsequent investments may be made in any amount. See Shareholder
Services. For information regarding proper form of a purchase or redemption
order, call the Fund at 800-821-5129. This offering may be suspended, changed or
withdrawn. Lord Abbett Distributor reserves the right to reject any order.
The net asset values of our shares are calculated every business day as of the
close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) by dividing net assets by the number
of shares outstanding. Securities are valued at their market value as more fully
described in the Statement of Additional Information.
BUYING SHARES THROUGH YOUR DEALER. Orders for shares received by the Fund prior
to the close of the NYSE, or received by dealers prior to such close and
received by Lord Abbett Distributor in proper form prior to the close of its
business day, will be confirmed at the applicable public offering price
effective at such NYSE close. Orders received by dealers after the NYSE closes
and received by Lord Abbett Distributor in proper form prior to the close of its
next business day are executed at the applicable public offering price effective
as of the close of the NYSE on that next business day. The dealer is responsible
for the timely transmission of orders to Lord Abbett Distributor. A business day
is a day on which the NYSE is open for trading.
Lord Abbett Distributor may, for specified periods, allow dealers to retain the
full sales charge for sales of shares during such period, or pay an additional
concession to a dealer who, during a specified period, sells a minimum dollar
amount of our shares and/or shares of other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds. In some
instances, such additional concessions will be offered only to certain dealers
expected to sell significant amounts of shares. Lord Abbett Distributor may from
time to time implement promotions under which Lord Abbett Distributor will pay a
<PAGE>
fee to dealers with respect to certain purchases not involving imposition of a
sales charge. Additional payments may be paid from Lord Abbett Distributors own
resources and will be made in the form of cash or, if permitted, non-cash
payments. The non-cash payments will include business seminars at resorts or
other locations, including meals and entertainment, or the receipt of
merchandise. The cash payments will include payment of various business expenses
of the dealer.
In selecting dealers to execute portfolio transactions, if two or more dealers
are considered capable of providing best execution, we may prefer the dealer who
has sold our shares and/or shares of other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds.
ALTERNATIVE SALES ARRANGEMENTS.
Certain Series of the Fund offer investors different classes of shares. The
different classes of a Series represent investments in the same portfolio of
securities but are subject to different expenses and will be likely to have
different share prices.
NATIONAL, NEW YORK AND CALIFORNIA SERIES. The National, New York and California
Series offer Class A and Class C shares. National Series also offers Class B
shares. Investors considering an investment in the National, New York or
California Series should pay particular attention to the sections below headed
Investment in a Multi-Class Series, Buying Class A Shares, and Buying Class C
Shares. Investors considering an investment in the National Series also should
pay attention to the section below worded Buying Class B shares.
CONNECTICUT, HAWAII, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, TEXAS AND WASHINGTON
SERIES. Each of the above Series is a single-class series, offering Class A
shares only. Investors considering an investment in any of the above Series
should read the section below headed Buying Class A Shares carefully.
CLASS A SHARES. If you buy Class A shares of any Series, you pay an initial
sales charge on investments of less than $1 million. If you purchase Class A
shares as part of an investment of at least $1 million in shares of one or more
Lord Abbett-sponsored funds, you will not pay an initial sales charge, but if
you redeem any of those shares within 24 months after the month in which you buy
them, you may pay to the Series a contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 1%.
Class A shares are subject to service and distribution fees that are currently
estimated to total annually for the National, California, Connecticut, Hawaii,
Missouri, New Jersey, New York and Texas Series approximately 0.26, 0.26, 0.21,
0.26, 0.32, 0.24, 0.25 and 0.28 of 1%, respectively, of the annual net asset
value of the Class A shares of each Series. Minnesota and Washington Series
currently have no CDSC because each Series Rule 12b-1 Plan is not operative. The
initial sales charge rates, the CDSC and the Rule 12b-1 Plan applicable to the
Class A shares are described in Buying Class A Shares below.
CLASS B SHARES. If you buy Class B shares, you pay no sales charge at the time
of purchase, but if you redeem your shares before the sixth anniversary of
buying them, you will normally pay a CDSC to Lord Abbett Distributor. That CDSC
varies depending on how long you own shares. Class B shares are subject to
service and distribution fees at an annual rate of 1% of the annual net asset
value of the Class B shares. The CDSC and the Rule 12b-1 Plan applicable to the
Class B shares are described in Buying Class B Shares below.
CLASS C SHARES. If you buy Class C shares offered by the National, California
and New York Series, you pay no sales charge at the time of purchase, but if you
redeem your shares before the first anniversary of buying them, you will
normally pay the Series a CDSC of 1%. Class C shares are subject to service and
distribution fees at an annual rate of 1% of the annual net asset value of the
Class C shares. The CDSC and the Rule 12b-1 Plan applicable to the C shares are
described in Buying Class C Shares below.
WHICH CLASS OF SHARES SHOULD YOU CHOOSE? Once you decide that the National,
California or New York Series is an appropriate investment for you, the decision
as to which class of shares is better suited to your needs depends on a number
of factors which you should discuss with your investment professional. The
Series class-specific expenses and the effect of the different types of sales
charges on your investment will affect your investment results over time. The
most important factors are how much you plan to invest and how long you plan to
hold your investment. If your goals and objectives change over time and you plan
to purchase additional shares, you should re-evaluate those factors to see if
<PAGE>
you should consider another class of shares.
In the following discussion, to help provide you and your investment
professional with a framework in which to choose a class, we have made some
assumptions using a hypothetical investment. We used the sales charge rates that
apply to Class A, Class B and Class C shares, and considered the effect of the
higher distribution fee on Class B and Class C expenses (which will affect your
investment return). Of course, the actual performance of your investment cannot
be predicted and will vary, based on the Series actual investment returns, the
operating expenses borne by each class of shares, and the class of shares you
purchase. The factors briefly discussed below are not intended to be investment
advice, guidelines or recommendations, because each investors financial
considerations are different. The discussion below of the factors to consider in
purchasing a particular class of shares assumes that you will purchase only one
class of shares and not a combination of shares of different classes.
HOW LONG DO YOU EXPECT TO HOLD YOUR INVESTMENT? While future financial needs
cannot be predicted with certainty, knowing how long you expect to hold your
investment will assist you in selecting the appropriate class of shares. For
example, over time, the reduced sales charges available for larger purchases of
Class A shares may offset the effect of paying an initial sales charge on your
investment, compared to the effect over time of higher class-specific expenses
on Class B or Class C shares, for which no initial sales charge is paid. Because
of the effect of class-based expenses, your choice should also depend on how
much you plan to invest.
INVESTING FOR THE SHORT TERM. If you have a short-term investment horizon (that
is, you plan to hold your shares for not more than six years), you should
probably consider purchasing Class A or Class C shares rather than Class B
shares. This is because of the effect of the Class B CDSC if you redeem before
the sixth anniversary of your purchase, as well as the effect of the Class B
distribution fee on the investment return for that class in the short-term.
Class C shares might be the appropriate choice (especially for investments of
less than $100,000), because there is no initial sales charge on Class C shares,
and the CDSC does not apply to amounts you redeem after holding them one year.
However, if you plan to invest more than $100,000 for the short term, then the
more you invest and the more your investment horizon increases toward six years,
the more attractive the Class A share option may become. This is because the
annual distribution fee on Class C shares will have a greater impact on your
account over the longer term than the reduced front-end sales charge available
for larger purchases of Class A shares. For example, Class A might be more
appropriate than Class C for investments of more than $100,000 expected to be
held for 5 or 6 years (or more). For investments over $250,000 expected to be
held 4 to 6 years (or more), Class A shares may become more appropriate than
Class C. Although we believe you ought to have a long-term investment horizon,
if you are investing $500,000 or more, Class A may become more desirable as your
investment horizon approaches 3 years or more.
INVESTING FOR THE LONGER TERM. If you are investing in the National Series for
the longer term (for example, future college expenses for your child) and do not
expect to need access to your money for seven years or more, Class B shares may
be an appropriate investment option, if you plan to invest less than $100,000.
If you plan to invest more than $100,000 over the long term, Class A shares will
likely be more advantageous than Class B shares or Class C shares, as discussed
above, because of the effect of the expected lower expenses for Class A shares
and the reduced initial sales charges available for larger investments in Class
A shares under the Funds Rights of Accumulation.
Of course, these examples are based on approximations of the effect of current
sales charges and expenses on a hypothetical investment over time, and should
not be relied on as rigid guidelines.
You should discuss your purchase order for a specific class of shares with your
investment professional.
ARE THERE DIFFERENCES IN ACCOUNT FEATURES THAT MATTER TO YOU? Some account
features are available in whole or in part to Class A, Class B and Class C
shareholders. Other features (such as Systematic Withdrawal Plans) might not be
advisable for Class B shareholders (because of the effect of the CDSC on
withdrawals over 12% annually) and in any account for Class C shareholders
during the first year of share ownership (due to the CDSC on withdrawals during
that year). See Systematic Withdrawal Plan under Shareholder Services for more
information about the 12% annual waiver of the CDSC. You should carefully review
<PAGE>
how you plan to use your investment account before deciding which class of
shares you buy. For example, the dividends payable to Class B and Class C
shareholders will be reduced by the expenses borne solely by each of these
classes, such as the higher distribution fee to which Class B and Class C shares
are subject, as described below.
HOW DOES IT AFFECT PAYMENTS TO MY INVESTMENT Professional? An investment
professional, such as a broker, or any other person who is entitled to receive
compensation for selling Fund shares may receive different compensation for
selling one class than for selling another class. As discussed in more detail
below, such compensation is primarily paid at the time of sale in the case of
Class A and B shares and is paid over time, so long as shares remain
outstanding, in the case of Class C shares. It is important that investors
understand that the primary purpose of the CDSC for the Class B shares and the
distribution fee for Class B and Class C shares is the same as the purpose of
the front-end sales charge on sales of Class A shares: to compensate brokers and
other persons selling such shares. The CDSC, if payable, supplements the Class B
distribution fee and reduces the Class C distribution fee expenses for the Fund
and Class C shareholders.
BUYING CLASS A SHARES (ALL SERIES). For each Series, the offering price of Class
A shares is based on the per-share net asset value calculated as of the times
described above, plus a sales charge as follows.
Sales Charge as a Dealers
Percentage of: Concession
as a To Compute
Net Percentage Offering
Offering Amount of Offering Price, Divide
Size of Investment Price Invested Price NAV by
Less than $50,000 4.75% 4.99% 4.00% .9525
$50,000 to $99,999 4.75% 4.99% 4.25% .9525
$100,000 to $249,999 3.75% 3.90% 3.25% .9625
$250,000 to $499,999 2.75% 2.83% 2.50% .9725
$500,000 to $999,999 2.00% 2.04% 1.75% .9800
$1,000,000 or more No sales charge 1.00%+ 1.0000
The following $1 million category is for each of the Washington and Minnesota
Series only until such Series Rule 12b-1 Plan becomes effective, at which time
the sales charge table above will apply to such Series.
$1,000,000 or more 1.00% 1.01% 1.00%+ .9900
+Authorized institutions receive concessions on purchases made by a retirement
plan or other qualified purchaser within a 12-month period (beginning with the
first net asset value purchase) as follows: 1.00% on purchases of $5 million,
0.55% of the next $5 million, 0.50% of the next $40 million and 0.25% on
purchases over $50 million. See "Class A Rule 12b-1 Plan" below.
CLASS A VOLUME DISCOUNTS. This section describes several ways to qualify for a
lower sales charge if you inform Lord Abbett Distributor or the Fund that you
are eligible at the time of purchase.
(1) Any purchaser (as described below) may aggregate a Class A share purchase in
the Fund with purchases of any other eligible Lord Abbett-sponsored fund,
together with the current value at maximum offering price of any shares in the
Fund and in any eligible Lord Abbett-sponsored funds held by the purchaser.
(Holdings in the following funds are not eligible for the above rights of
accumulation: Lord Abbett Equity Fund (LAEF), Lord Abbett Series Fund (LASF),
any series of the Lord Abbett Research Fund if not offered to the general public
(LARF) and Lord Abbett U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund (GSMMF),
except for existing holdings in GSMMF which are attributable to shares exchanged
from a Lord Abbett-sponsored fund.) (2) A purchaser may sign a non-binding
13-month statement of intention to invest $100,000 or more in the Fund or in any
of the above eligible funds. If the intended purchases are completed during the
period, each purchase will be at the sales charge, if any, applicable to the
aggregate of such purchasers intended purchases. If not completed, each purchase
will be at the sales charge for the aggregate of the actual purchases. Shares
issued upon reinvestment of dividends or distributions are not included in the
statement of intention. The term purchaser includes (i) an individual, (ii) an
individual and his or her spouse and children under the age of 21 and (iii) a
trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares for a single trust estate or single
fiduciary account (including a pension, profit-sharing, or other employee
benefit trust qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code more than
one qualified employee benefit trust of a single employer, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, may be considered a single trust, as may qualified
plans of multiple employers registered in the name of a single bank trustee as
one account), although more than one beneficiary is involved.
CLASS A SHARE NET
ASSET VALUE PURCHASES. Each Series Class A shares may be purchased at net asset
value by our directors, employees of Lord Abbett, employees of our shareholder
servicing agent and employees of any securities dealer having a sales agreement
with Lord Abbett Distributor who consents to such purchases or by the trustee or
<PAGE>
custodian under any pension or profit-sharing plan or Payroll Deduction IRA
established for the benefit of such persons or for the benefit of any national
securities trade organization to which Lord Abbett or Lord Abbett Distributor
belongs or any company with an account(s) in excess of $10 million managed by
Lord Abbett on a private-advisory-account basis. For purposes of this paragraph,
the terms directors and employees include a directors or employees spouse
(including the surviving spouse of a deceased director or employee). The terms
directors and employees of Lord Abbett also include other family members and
retired directors and employees. Our Class A shares also may be purchased at net
asset value (a) at $1 million or more, (b) with dividends and distributions on
Class A shares of other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds, except for dividends and
distributions on shares of LARF, LAEF and LASF, (c) by certain unaffiliated
authorized brokers, dealers, registered investment advisers or other financial
institutions who have entered into an agreement with Lord Abbett Distributor in
accordance with certain standards approved by Lord Abbett Distributor, providing
specifically for the use of our Class A shares in particular investment products
made available for a fee to clients of such brokers, dealers, registered
investment advisers and other financial institutions (mutual fund wrap-fee
programs), and (d) by employees, partners and owners of unaffiliated consultants
and advisers to Lord Abbett, Lord Abbett Distributor or Lord Abbett-sponsored
funds who consent to such purchase if such persons provide services to Lord
Abbett, Lord Abbett Distributor or such funds on a continuing basis and are
familiar with such funds.
There are no initial or subsequent minimum investment requirements and Rule
12b-1 fees are waivable for the above-mentioned mutual fund wrap-fee programs.
Our Class A shares may be issued at net asset value in exchange for the assets,
subject to possible tax adjustment, of a personal holding company or an
investment company.
CLASS A RULE 12B-1 PLAN. We have adopted new Class A share Rule 12b-1 Plans for
each Series (the A Plans, each an A Plan) which authorizes the payment of fees
to authorized institutions (except as to certain accounts for which tracking
data is not available) in order to provide additional incentives for them (a) to
provide continuing information and investment services to their Class A
shareholder accounts and otherwise to encourage those accounts to remain
invested in the applicable Series and (b) to sell Class A shares of the
applicable Series. Under the A Plans, in order to save on the expense of
shareholders meetings and to provide flexibility to the Board of Directors, the
Board, including a majority of the outside directors who are not interested
persons of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, is
authorized to approve annual fee payments from our Class A assets of up to 0.50
of 1% of the average net of such assets consisting of distribution and service
fees, each at a maximum annual rate not exceeding 0.25 of 1% subject to certain
exceptions described below (the Fee Ceiling). Institutions and persons permitted
by law to receive such fees are "authorized institutions".
In addition, the Board has approved for those authorized institutions which
qualify, a supplemental annual distribution fee equal to 0.10% of the average
daily net asset value of the Class A shares serviced by authorized institutions
which have a program for the promotion and retention of such shares satisfying
Lord Abbett Distributor. Class A shares held pursuant to a satisfactory program
would, for example, (i) constitute a significant percentage of the Funds net
assets, (ii) be held for a substantial length of time and/or (iii) have a lower
than average redemption rate.
Under the A Plans, Lord Abbett Distributor is permitted to use payments received
to provide continuing services to Class A shareholder accounts not serviced by
authorized institutions and, with Board approval, to finance any activity which
is primarily intended to result in the sale of Class A shares. Any such payments
are subject to the Fee Ceiling. Any payments under that Plan not used by Lord
Abbett Distributor in this manner are passed on to authorized institutions.
NATIONAL, CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK AND TEXAS A PLANS. Under the National,
California, New York and Texas Series A Plans (except as to certain accounts for
which tracking data is not available) the Board has approved payments by the
Series to Lord Abbett Distributor which uses or passes on to authorized
institutions (1) an annual service fee (payable quarterly) of (i) with respect
to the National, New York and Texas Series, 0.15% of the average daily net asset
value of the Series shares sold by dealers prior to June 1, 1990 and 0.25% of
the average daily net asset value of such shares ser-
<PAGE>
viced by authorized institutions on or after that date and (ii) with respect to
the California Series, 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of the Series
shares serviced by authorized institutions and (2) a one-time distribution fee
of up to 1% (reduced according to the following schedule: 1% of the first $5
million, .55% of the next $5 million, .50% of the next $40 million and .25% over
$50 million), payable at the time of sale on all Class A shares sold during any
12-month period starting from the day of the first net asset value sale (i) at
the $1 million level by authorized institutions, including sales qualifying at
such level under the rights of accumulation and statement of intention
privileges; and (ii) through Retirement Plans with at least 100 eligible
employees.
CONNECTICUT, HAWAII, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY AND WASHINGTON A PLANS.
Separate A Plans have been adopted by the Connecticut, Hawaii, Minnesota,
Missouri, New Jersey and Washington Series. Each of these A Plans is identical
to the Plans for the National, New York and Texas Series, except for slightly
different service fee payment arrangements as discussed below. Each A Plan has
become effective except for the Washington and Minnesota Series which will go
into effect on the first day (the effective date) of the quarter subsequent to
its net assets reaching $100 million. The Fund cannot estimate when the net
assets of the Washington or Minnesota Series will reach the level required for
effectiveness of that Series A Plan. Under each Plan the Board has approved
service fee payment arrangements by each such Series to Lord Abbett Distributor
which uses or passes on to authorized institutions an annual service fee
(payable quarterly) of (a) in the case of the Connecticut and Missouri Series,
.25% of the average daily net asset value of shares serviced by authorized
institutions from commencement of the Series public offering and (b) in the case
of the Hawaii, Minnesota, New Jersey and Washington Series, .15% of the average
daily net asset value of such shares sold prior to its effective date and .25%
of the average daily net asset value of such shares sold on or after that date.
Holders of Class A shares on which the 1% sales distribution fee has been paid
may be required to pay to the Series on behalf of the Class A shares a
contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 1% of the original cost or the then
net asset value, whichever is less, of all Class A shares of each Series so
purchased which are redeemed out of the Lord Abbett-sponsored family of funds on
or before the end of the twenty-fourth month after the month in which the
purchase occurred. (An exception is made for redemptions by Retirement Plans due
to any benefit payment such as Plan loans, hardship withdrawals, death,
retirement or separation from service with respect to plan participants or the
distribution of any excess contributions.) If Class A shares have been exchanged
into another Series or Lord Abbett fund and are thereafter redeemed out of the
Lord Abbett Family of Funds on or before the end of such twenty-fourth month,
the charge will be collected for the Series by the other Series or fund. Each of
the above Series will collect such a charge for other Series and other such
funds in a similar situation.
BUYING CLASS B SHARES (National Series Only). Class B shares are sold at net
asset value per share without an initial sales charge. However, if Class B
shares are redeemed for cash before the sixth anniversary of their purchase, a
CDSC may be deducted from the redemption proceeds. The charge will be assessed
on the lesser of the net asset value of the shares at the time of redemption or
the original purchase price. The Class B CDSC is paid to Lord Abbett Distributor
to compensate it for its services rendered in connection with the distribution
of Class B shares, including the payment and financing of sales commissions. See
Class B Rule 12b-1 Plan below.
To determine whether the CDSC applies to a redemption, the National Series
redeems Class B shares in the following order: (1) shares acquired by
reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, (2) shares held until
the sixth anniversary of their purchase or later, and (3) shares held the
longest before the sixth anniversary of their purchase.
The amount of the CDSC will depend on the number of years since you invested and
the dollar amount being redeemed, according to the following schedule.
Anniversary
of the Day on Contingent Deferred
Which the Purchase Sales Charge on
Order Was Accepted Redemptions
(As % of Amount
On Before Subject to Charge)
1st 5.0%
1st 2nd 4.0%
2nd 3rd 3.0%
3rd 4th 3.0%
4th 5th 2.0%
5th 6th 1.0%
on or after the 6th None
anniversary
<PAGE>
In the table, an "anniversary" is the 365th day subsequent to a purchase or a
prior anniversary. All purchases are considered to have been made on the
business day the purchase was made. See "Buying Shares Through Your Dealer"
above.
If Class B shares are exchanged into the same class of another Lord
Abbett-sponsored fund and the new shares are subsequently redeemed for cash
before the sixth anniversary of the original purchase, the CDSC will be payable
on the new shares on the basis of the time elapsed from the original purchase.
The Fund will collect such a charge for other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds in a
similar situation.
WAIVER OF CLASS B SALES CHARGES. The Class B CDSC will not be applied to shares
purchased in certain types of transactions nor will it apply to shares redeemed
in certain circumstances as described below.
The Class B CDSC will be waived for redemptions of shares (i) in connection with
the Systematic Withdrawal Plan and Div-Move services, as described in more
detail under Shareholder Services below; (ii) by Retirement Plans due to any
benefit payment such as Plan loans, hardship withdrawals, death, retirement or
separation from service with respect to plan participants or the distribution of
any excess contributions, (iii) in connection with the death of a shareholder
(natural person), and (iv) in connection with mandatory distributions under
403(b) plans and individual retirement accounts. If Class B shares represent a
part of an individuals total IRA or 403(b) investment, the CDSC waiver is
available only for that portion of a mandatory distribution which bears the same
relation to the entire mandatory distribution as the B share investment bears to
the total investment.
CLASS B RULE 12B-1 PLAN. The Fund has adopted a Class B share Rule 12b-1 Plan
(the B Plan) for the Class B shares of the National Series under which the
National Series periodically pays Lord Abbett Distributor (i) an annual service
fee of 0.25 of 1% of the average daily net asset value of the Class B shares and
(ii) an annual distribution fee of 0.75 of 1% of the average daily net asset
value of the Class B shares that are outstanding for less than 8 years.
Lord Abbett Distributor uses the service fee to compensate authorized
institutions for providing personal services for accounts that hold Class B
shares. Those services are primarily similar to those provided under the A
Plans, described above.
Lord Abbett Distributor pays an up-front payment to authorized institutions
totaling 4%, consisting of 0.25% for service and 3.75% for a sales commission as
described below.
Lord Abbett Distributor pays the 0.25% service fee to authorized institutions in
advance for the first year after Class B shares have been sold by the authorized
institutions. After the shares have been held for a year, Lord Abbett
Distributor pays the service fee on a quarterly basis. Lord Abbett Distributor
is entitled to retain such service fee payable under the B Plan with respect to
accounts for which there is no authorized institution of record or for which
such authorized institution did not qualify. Although not obligated to do so,
Lord Abbett Distributor may waive receipt from the Fund of part or all of the
service fee payments.
The 0.75% annual distribution fee is paid to Lord Abbett Distributor to
compensate it for its services rendered in connection with the distribution of
Class B shares, including the payment and financing of sales commissions.
Although Class B shares are sold without a front-end sales charge, Lord Abbett
Distributor pays authorized institutions responsible for sales of Class B shares
a sales commission of 3.75% of the purchase price. This payment is made at the
time of sale from Lord Abbett Distributors own resources. Lord Abbett has made
arrangements to finance these commission payments, which arrangements include
non-recourse assignments by Lord Abbett Distributor to the financing party of
such distribution and CDSC payments which are made to Lord Abbett Distributor by
shareholders who redeem their Class B shares within six years of their purchase.
The distribution fee and CDSC payments described above allow investors to buy
Class B shares without a front-end sales charge while allowing Lord Abbett
Distributor to compensate authorized institutions that sell Class B shares. The
CDSC is intended to supplement Lord Abbett Distributors reimbursement for the
commission payments it has made with respect to Class B shares and its related
distribution and financing costs. The distribution fee payments are at a fixed
rate and the CDSC payments are of a nature that, during any year, both forms of
payment may not be sufficient to reimburse Lord Abbett Distributor for its
actual expenses. The Fund is not liable for any expenses incurred by Lord Abbett
Distributor in excess of (i) the amount of such distribution fee payments to be
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received by Lord Abbett Distributor and (ii) unreimbursed distribution expenses
of Lord Abbett Distributor incurred in a prior plan year, subject to the right
of the Board of Directors or shareholders to terminate the B Plan. Over the long
term, the expenses incurred by Lord Abbett Distributor are likely to be greater
than such distribution fee and CDSC payments. Nevertheless, there exists a
possibility that for a short-term period Lord Abbett Distributor may not have
sufficient expenses to warrant reimbursement by receipt of such distribution fee
payments. Although Lord Abbett Distributor undertakes not to make a profit under
the B Plan, the B Plan is considered a compensation plan (i.e., distribution
fees are paid regardless of expenses incurred) in order to avoid the possibility
of Lord Abbett Distributor not being able to receive distribution fees because
of a temporary timing difference between its incurring expenses and receipt of
such distribution fees.
AUTOMATIC CONVERSION OF CLASS B SHARES. On the eighth anniversary of your
purchase of Class B shares, those shares will automatically convert to Class A
shares. This conversion relieves Class B shareholders of the higher annual
distribution fee that applies to Class B shares under the Class B Rule 12b-1
Plan. The conversion is based on the relative net asset value of the two
classes, and no sales charge or other charge is imposed. When Class B shares
convert, any other Class B shares that were acquired by the reinvestment of
dividends and distributions will also convert to Class A shares on a pro rata
basis. The conversion feature is subject to the continued availability of an
opinion of counsel or of a tax ruling described in Purchase, Redemptions and
Shareholder Services in the Statement of Additional Information.
BUYING CLASS C SHARES (NATIONAL, CALIFORNIA AND NEW YORK SERIES ONLY). Class C
shares are sold at net asset value per share without an initial sales charge.
However, if Class C shares are redeemed for cash before the first anniversary of
their purchase, a CDSC of 1% may be deducted from the redemption proceeds. The
charge will be assessed on the lesser of the net asset value of the shares at
the time of redemption or the original purchase price. That sales charge will
not apply to shares purchased by the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
distributions. The Class C CDSC is paid to the Series to reimburse it, in whole
or in part, for the service and distribution fee payment made by the Series at
the time such shares were sold, as described below.
To determine whether the CDSC applies to a redemption, the Series redeem Class C
shares in the following order: (1) shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends
and capital gains distributions, (2) shares held for one year or more, and (3)
shares held the longest before the first anniversary of their purchase. If Class
C shares are exchanged into the same class of another Series or another Lord
Abbett-sponsored fund and subsequently redeemed before the first anniversary of
their original purchase, the charge will be collected by the other series or
fund on behalf of this Series Class C shares. Each Series will collect such a
charge for other Series or Lord Abbett-sponsored funds in a similar situation.
CLASS C RULE 12B-1 PLAN. The Fund has adopted a Class C share Rule 12b-1 Plan
(the C Plan) on behalf of each of the National, California and New York Series
under which (except as to certain accounts for which tracking data is not
available) each such Series pays authorized institutions through Lord Abbett
Distributor (1) a service fee and a distribution fee, at the time shares are
sold, not to exceed 0.25 and 0.75 of 1%, respectively, of the net asset value of
such shares and (2) at each quarter-end after the first anniversary of the sale
of shares, fees for services and distribution at annual rates not to exceed 0.25
and 0.75 of 1%, respectively, of the average annual net asset value of such
shares outstanding (payments with respect to shares not outstanding during the
full quarter to be prorated). These service and distribution fees are for
purposes similar to those mentioned above with respect to the A Plan. Sales in
clause (1) exclude shares issued for reinvested dividends and distributions and
shares outstanding in clause (2) include shares issued for reinvested dividends
and distributions after the first anniversary of their issuance. Lord Abbett
Distributor may retain from the quarterly distribution fee, for the payment of
distribution expenses incurred directly by it, an amount not to exceed .10% of
the average annual net asset value of such shares outstanding.
JURISDICTIONS: The California Series is sold only to residents of Arizona,
California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Nevada and New Jersey. The
New York Series is sold only to residents of California, Colorado, Connecticut,
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District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio,
Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West
Virginia and Wyoming. The New Jersey Series may be sold in the same
jurisdictions except for Rhode Island and Vermont. The Texas Series may be sold
in the same jurisdictions as the New Jersey Series plus New Mexico and Texas.
The Connecticut Series, with the addition of Massachusetts, may be sold in the
same jurisdictions as the New York Series except for Indiana and Vermont. The
Hawaii and Missouri Series may be sold in the same jurisdictions as the New York
Series except for Indiana, Rhode Island and Vermont and, in the case of the
Hawaii Series, except in California. The Washington Series, with the addition of
Alaska and Washington, may be sold in the same jurisdictions as the Missouri
Series. The Minnesota Series may be sold in the same jurisdictions as the New
York Series, except for Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia.
6 SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
We offer the following shareholder services:
TELEPHONE EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE: Shares of any Series may be exchanged, without a
service charge: (a) for those of the same class of any other Series or any other
Lord Abbett-sponsored fund except for (i) LAEF, LARF and LASF and (ii) certain
tax-free single-state series where the exchanging shareholder is a resident of a
state in which such series is not offered for sale and (b) for shares of any
authorized institutions affiliated money market fund satisfying Lord Abbett
Distributor as to certain omnibus account and other criteria (such series or
funds together, Eligible Funds).
You or your representative with proper identification can instruct the Fund to
exchange uncertificated shares (held by the transfer agent) by telephone.
Shareholders have this privilege unless they refuse it in writing. The Fund will
not be liable for following instructions communicated by telephone that it
reasonably believes to be genuine and will employ reasonable procedures to
confirm that instructions received are genuine, including requesting proper
identification and recording all telephone exchanges. Instructions must be
received by the Fund in Kansas City (800-821-5129) prior to the close of the
NYSE to obtain each funds net asset value per share on that day. Expedited
exchanges by telephone may be difficult to implement in times of drastic
economic or market change. The exchange privilege should not be used to take
advantage of short-term swings in the market. The Fund reserves the right to
terminate or limit the privilege of any shareholder who makes frequent
exchanges. The Fund can revoke the privilege for all shareholders upon 60 days
prior written notice. A prospectus for the other Lord Abbett-sponsored fund
selected by you should be obtained and read before an exchange. Exercise of the
Exchange Privilege will be treated as a sale for federal income tax purposes
and, depending on the circumstances, a capital gain or loss may be recognized.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN (SWP): Except for retirement plans for which there is
no such minimum, if the maximum offering price value of your uncertificated
shares is at least $10,000, you may have periodic cash withdrawals automatically
paid to you in either fixed or variable amounts. With respect to Class B shares,
the CDSC will be waived on redemptions of up to 12% per year of the current net
asset value of your account at the time your SWP is established. For Class B
(over 12% per year) and C shares, redemption proceeds due to a SWP will be
derived from the following sources in the order listed: (1) shares acquired by
reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, (2) shares held for six years or
more (Class B) or one year or more (Class C); and (3) shares held the longest
before the sixth anniversary of their purchase (Class B) or before the first
anniversary of their purchase (Class C). For Class B share redemptions over 12%
per year, the CDSC will apply to the entire redemption. Therefore, please
contact the Fund for assistance in minimizing the CDSC in this situation.
Shareholders should be careful in establishing a SWP, especially to the extent
that such a withdrawal exceeds the annual total return for a class, in which
case, the shareholders original principal will be invaded and, over time, may be
depleted.
DIV-MOVE: You can invest the dividends paid on your account ($250 minimum
initial and $50 subsequent minimum investment) into an existing account in any
other Eligible Fund. The account must be either your account, a joint account
for you and your spouse, a single account for your spouse, or a custodial
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account for your minor child under the age of 21. Such dividends are not subject
to a CDSC. You should read the prospectus of the other fund before investing.
INVEST-A-MATIC: You can make fixed, periodic investments ($250 minimum initial
and $50 subsequent minimum investment) into the Fund and/or any Eligible Fund by
means of automatic money transfers from your bank checking account. You should
read the prospectus of the other fund before investing.
HOUSEHOLDING: A singe copy of an annual or semi-annual report will be sent to an
address to which more than one registered shareholder of the Fund with the same
last name has indicated mail is to be delivered, unless additional reports are
specifically requested in writing or by telephone.
All correspondence should be directed to Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc.
(P.O. Box 419100, Kansas City, Missouri 64141).
7 OUR MANAGEMENT
Our business is managed by our officers on a day-to-day basis under the overall
direction of our Board of Directors. We employ Lord Abbett as investment manager
for each Series, pursuant to Management Agreements applicable to one or more
specific Series of the Fund (Management Agreements). Lord Abbett has been an
investment manager for over 68 years and currently manages approximately $25
billion in a family of mutual funds and advisory accounts. Under the Management
Agreements, Lord Abbett provides us with investment management services and
personnel, pays the remuneration of our officers and of our directors affiliated
with Lord Abbett, provides us with office space and pays for ordinary and
necessary office and clerical expenses relating to research, statistical work
and supervision of our portfolios and certain other costs. Lord Abbett provides
similar services to twelve other funds having various investment objectives and
also advises other investment clients. Zane E. Brown, a Lord Abbett partner and
its Director of Fixed Income, is primarily responsible for the day-to-day
management of the Fund. Mr. Brown delegates management duties to other Lord
Abbett employees who may be Fund officers.
Under the Management Agreements, we are obligated to pay Lord Abbett a monthly
fee, at the annual rate of .50 of 1%, based on the average daily net assets of
each Series for each month. For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, with
respect to the California, New Jersey, Connecticut, Missouri, Hawaii, Washington
and Minnesota Series, Lord Abbett waived $344,451, $76,825, $220,975, $329,040
$227,090, $34,553 and $45,321, respectively, in management fees. In addition, we
pay all expenses not expressly assumed by Lord Abbett. Our Class A share ratios
of expenses, including management fee expenses, to average net assets for the
year ended September 30, 1997 were .72%, .87%, .85%, .88%, .82%, .59%, .36%,
.70%, .58% and .57% for the California, National, New York, Texas, New Jersey,
Connecticut, Minnesota, Missouri, Hawaii and Washington Series, respectively.
The California, New Jersey, Connecticut, Missouri, Hawaii, Washington and
Minnesota Series Class A share expense ratios would have been .85%, .86%, .78%,
.94%, .87%, .62% and .86%, respectively, had Lord Abbett not waived all or a
portion of its management fees. Lord Abbett waived management fees and
subsidized expenses with respect to the Minnesota Series. Without this subsidy
the expense ratio would have been .86%. Our Class C share ratio of expenses,
including management fee expenses, to average net assets for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 1997 were 1.59%, 1.57% and 1.46% for the National, New York
and California Series, respectively. For the National Series for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 1997, the Class B share ratio of expenses, including
management fee expenses, to average net assets, was 1.37%.
The Management Agreement relating to the Minnesota Series provides for the
Series to repay Lord Abbett without interest for any expenses assumed by Lord
Abbett on and after the first day of the calendar quarter after the net assets
of the Series first reach $50 million (commencement date), to the extent that
the expense ratio of the Series (determined before taking into account any fee
waiver or expense assumption) is less than .85%. Commencing with the first day
of the calendar quarter after the net assets of the Minnesota Series first reach
$100 million, such repayments shall be made to the extent that such expense
ratio so determined is less than 1.05%. The Minnesota Series shall not be
<PAGE>
obligated to repay any such expenses after the earlier of the termination of the
Management Agreement or the end of five full fiscal years after the commencement
date with respect to such Series. The Minnesota Series will not record as
obligations in its financial statements any expenses which may possibly be
repaid to Lord Abbett under this repayment formula, unless such repayment is
probable at the time. If such repayment is not probable, the Series will
disclose in a note to its financial statements that such repayments are
possible.
We will not hold annual meetings of shareholders unless required to do so by the
Act, the Board of Directors or the shareholders with one-quarter of the
outstanding stock entitled to vote. See the Statement of Additional Information
for more details.
The Fund was incorporated under Maryland law on December 27, 1983. Each
outstanding share of a Series has one vote on all matters voted upon by that
Series and an equal right to dividends and distributions of that Series and
where a Series has a multi-class structure, shares of each class have equal
rights as to voting, dividends, assets and liquidation except for differences
resulting from certain class-specific expenses. All shares have noncumulative
voting rights for the election of directors.
8 DIVIDENDS, CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
Dividends from net investment income are declared daily and paid monthly. They
may be taken in cash or reinvested in additional shares at net asset value
without a sales charge. If you elect a cash payment (i) a check will be mailed
to you as soon as possible after the monthly reinvestment date or (ii) if you
arrange for direct deposit, your payment will be wired directly to your bank
account within one day after the payable date. You begin earning dividends on
the business day on which payment for the purchase of your shares is received.
A long-term capital gains distribution is made when we have net profits during
the year from sales of securities which we have held more than one year. If we
realize net short-term capital gains, they also will be distributed. Any capital
gains distribution will be made annually in December. You may take it in cash or
reinvest it in additional shares at net asset value without a sales charge.
Dividends and distributions declared in October, November or December of any
year to shareholders of record as of a date in such a month will be treated, for
federal income tax purposes, as having been received by shareholders in that
year, if they are paid before February 1 of the following year.
We intend to continue to meet the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code. We will try to distribute to shareholders all our net investment
income and net realized capital gains, so as to avoid the necessity of the Fund
paying federal income tax. Distributions by the Fund of any net long-term
capital gains will be taxable to a shareholder as long-term capital gains
regardless of how long the shareholder has held the shares. Under recently
enacted legislation, the maximum tax rate for a U.S. individual, estate or trust
is reduced to 20% for distributions derived from the sale of assets held by the
Fund for more than 18 months. (If the taxpayer is in the 15% tax bracket, the
rate is 10%.) For distributions derived from the sale of assets held by the Fund
for between 12 and 18 months, the tax rate remains at 28% (15% if the taxpayer
is in the 15% tax bracket).
Shareholders may be subject to a $50 penalty under the Internal Revenue Code and
we may be required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury for federal income
taxes a portion (31%) of any redemption proceeds (including the value of shares
exchanged into another Lord Abbett-sponsored fund) and of any taxable dividend
or distribution on any account where the payee failed to provide a correct
taxpayer identification number or to make certain required certifications.
Shareholders receiving Social Security benefits and certain railroad retirement
benefits may be subject to federal income tax on up to 85% of such benefits as a
result of receiving investment income, including tax-exempt income (such as
exempt-interest dividends) and other distributions paid by the Fund. The tax
will be imposed on up to one-half of such benefits only when the sum of the
recipients adjusted gross income (plus miscellaneous adjustments), tax-exempt
interest income and one-half of Social Security income exceeds $25,000 for
individuals ($32,000 for individuals filing a joint return). The tax will be
imposed on up to 85% of such benefits only when such sum exceeds $34,000 for
individuals ($44,000 for individuals filing a joint return). Shareholders
receiving such benefits should consult their tax advisers.
<PAGE>
NEW YORK TAXES In the opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton, counsel to the Fund,
dividends paid by the New York Series will not be subject to New York State and
New York City personal income taxes to the extent that they are derived from
interest on obligations of the State of New York and its political subdivisions
which are exempt from federal income tax. In addition, dividends derived from
interest on debt obligations issued by certain other governmental entities (for
example, U.S. territories) will be similarly exempt.
For New York State and City personal income tax purposes, distributions, whether
received in cash or additional shares, paid from the Funds other investment
income and from any net realized short-term capital gains, are taxable as
ordinary income and distributions from net realized long-term capital gains are
treated as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long a shareholder has
held the shares.
Distributions from investment income and capital gains, including
exempt-interest dividends, may be subject to New York State franchise taxes and
to the New York City General Corporation Tax, if received by a corporation
subject to those taxes, to state taxes in states other than New York and to
local taxes in cities other than New York City.
CALIFORNIA TAXES Exempt-interest dividends derived from interest income on
municipal bonds issued by the State of California and its political
subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities and on obligations of the federal
government or certain other government authorities (for example, Puerto Rico)
paid to individual shareholders will be exempt from California personal income
tax. Such dividends may be subject to California franchise taxes if received by
a corporation subject to such taxes and to state and local taxes in states other
than California.
CONNECTICUT TAXES Dividends paid by the Connecticut Series will not be subject
to the Connecticut personal income tax to the extent that they are derived from
interest on obligations of the State of Connecticut or any of its political
subdivisions which are exempt from federal income tax or derived from interest
on debt obligations issued by certain other government entities (for example,
U.S. territories). Dividends and distributions, whether received in cash or
additional shares, derived from the Connecticut Series other investment income
and capital gains are subject to tax.
Distributions from investment income and capital gains, including
exempt-interest dividends derived from interest that is exempt from Connecticut
personal income tax and federal income tax, may be subject to the Connecticut
Corporation Business Tax if received by a corporation subject to such tax, to
state taxes in states other than Connecticut and to local taxes.
HAWAII TAXES Dividends paid by the Hawaii Series generally will be exempt from
Hawaii income tax to the extent that they are derived from interest on
obligations of the State of Hawaii or any of its political subdivisions or
authorities or obligations issued by certain other government authorities (for
example, U.S. territories). Dividends and distributions derived from the Series
other investment income and short-term capital gains will be subject to Hawaii
income tax as ordinary income and distributed and undistributed net realized
long-term capital gains will be subject to Hawaii income tax as capital gains.
Dividends and distributions paid by the Series, including dividends that are
exempt from Hawaii income tax as described above, will be subject to the Hawaii
franchise tax if received by a corporation subject to such taxes and may be
subject to state taxes in states other than Hawaii or to local taxes.
MINNESOTA TAXES Shareholders of the Minnesota Series who are individuals,
estates, or trusts and who are subject to regular Minnesota personal income tax
will not be subject to such regular Minnesota tax on Minnesota Series dividends
to the extent that such distributions qualify as exempt-interest dividends of a
regulated investment company under Section 852 (b) (5) of the Internal Revenue
Code which are derived from interest on tax-exempt obligations of the State of
Minnesota, or its political or governmental subdivisions, municipalities,
governmental agencies or instrumentalities. The foregoing will apply, however,
only if the portion of the exempt-interest dividends from such Minnesota sources
that is paid to all shareholders represents 95% or more of the exempt-interest
dividends that are paid by the Minnesota Series. If the 95% test is not met, all
exempt-interest dividends paid by the Minnesota Series will be subject to the
regular Minnesota personal income tax. Even if the 95% test is met, to the
extent that exempt-interest dividends that are paid by the Minnesota Series are
not derived from the Minnesota sources described in the first sentence of this
paragraph, such dividends will be subject to the regular Minnesota personal
income tax. Other distributions of the Minnesota Series, including distributions
from net short-term and long-term capital gains, are generally not exempt from
the regular Minnesota personal income tax.
Minnesota Series dividends, if any, that are derived from interest on certain
United States obligations are generally not subject to the regular Minnesota
personal income tax or the Minnesota alternative minimum tax, in the case of
shareholders of the Minnesota Series who are individuals, estates, or trusts.
Minnesota Series distributions, including exempt-interest dividends, are not
excluded in determining the Minnesota franchise tax on corporations that is
measured by taxable income and alternative minimum taxable income. Minnesota
Series distributions may also be taken into account in certain cases in
determining the minimum fee that is imposed on corporations, S corporations, and
partnerships.
Except during temporary defensive periods or when acceptable investments are
unavailable to the Minnesota Series, at least 80% of the value of the net assets
of the Minnesota Series will be maintained in debt obligations which are exempt
from federal income tax and Minnesota personal income tax. The Series intends to
invest so that the 95% test described in the paragraphs above is met.
MISSOURI TAXES Dividends paid by the Missouri Series generally will be exempt
from Missouri personal and corporate income tax to the extent that they are
derived from interest on obligations of the State of Missouri or any of its
political subdivisions or authorities or obligations issued by certain other
government authorities (for example, U.S. territories). The portion of the
Series dividends received by a shareholder that is exempt from Missouri personal
or corporate income tax each year may be reduced by interest or other expenses
in excess of $500 paid or incurred to purchase or carry shares of the Series or
other investments producing income that is exempt from Missouri income tax.
Dividends and distributions derived from the Series other investment income and
its capital gains will be subject to Missouri personal and corporate income tax.
Dividends and distributions paid by the Series, including dividends that are
exempt from Missouri personal income tax as described above, may be subject to
state taxes in states other than Missouri or to local taxes.
NEW JERSEY TAXES Dividends and distributions paid by the New Jersey Series will
be exempt from New Jersey Gross Income Tax to the extent that they are derived
from interest on obligations of the State of New Jersey or its political
subdivisions or authorities or on obligations issued by certain other government
authorities (for example, U.S. territories) or from capital gains derived from
the disposition of such obligations, as long as at least 80% of the Series
interest-bearing and discount obligations are such obligations, and the Series
meets certain other investment and filing requirements. We intend to meet those
requirements. As long as we meet those requirements, net gains or income derived
from the disposition of shares of the New Jersey Series will not be subject to
New Jersey Gross Income Tax.
Dividends and distributions derived from the Series other investment income and
capital gains will be subject to New Jersey Gross Income Tax. Dividends and
distributions from the New Jersey Series (including exempt-interest dividends
and all distributions derived from capital gains) will be subject to the New
Jersey corporation business (franchise) tax and the New Jersey corporation
income tax if received by a corporation subject to such taxes and may be subject
to state taxes in states other than New Jersey and to local taxes.
ANNUAL INFORMATION Information concerning the tax treatment of dividends and
other distributions will be mailed annually to shareholders. Each Series will
also provide annually to its shareholders information regarding the source of
dividends and distributions of capital gains paid by that Series. You should
consult your tax adviser regarding the treatment of those distributions and
state and local taxes generally and any proposed changes thereto as well as the
tax consequences of gains or losses from the redemption or exchange of our
shares.
9 REDEMPTIONS
To obtain the proceeds of an expedited redemption of $50,000 or less, you or
your representative with proper identification can telephone the Fund. The Fund
will not be liable for following instructions communicated by telephone that it
<PAGE>
reasonably believes to be genuine and will employ reasonable procedures to
confirm that instructions received are genuine, including requesting proper
identification, recording all telephone redemptions and mailing the proceeds
only to the named shareholder at the address appearing on the account
registration.
If you do not qualify for the expedited procedures described above to redeem
shares directly, send your request to Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc.
(P.O. Box 419100, Kansas City, Missouri 64141) with signature(s) and any legal
capacity of the signer(s) guaranteed by an eligible guarantor, accompanied by
any certificates for shares to be redeemed and other required documentation. We
will make payment of the net asset value of the shares on the date the
redemption order was received in proper form. Payment will be made within three
business days. The Fund may suspend the right to redeem shares for not more than
three days (or longer under unusual circumstances as permitted by Federal law).
If you have purchased Fund shares by check and subsequently submit a redemption
request, redemption proceeds will be paid upon clearance of your purchase check,
which may take up to 15 days. To avoid delays you may arrange for the bank upon
which a check was drawn to communicate to the Fund that the check has cleared.
Shares also may be redeemed by the Fund at net asset value through your
securities dealer who, as an unaffiliated dealer, may charge you a fee. If your
dealer receives your order prior to the close of the NYSE and communicates it to
Lord Abbett, as our agent, prior to the close of Lord Abbetts business day, you
will receive the net asset value of the shares being redeemed as of the close of
the NYSE on that day. If the dealer does not communicate such an order to Lord
Abbett until the next business day, you will receive the net asset value as of
the close of the NYSE on that next business day.
Shareholders who have redeemed their shares have a one-time right to reinvest
into another account having the identical registration in any of the Eligible
Funds, at the then applicable net asset value (i) of the shares being purchased,
without the payment of a front-end sales charge or (ii) with reimbursement for
the payment of any CDSC. Such reinvestment must be made within 60 days of the
redemption and is limited to no more than the amount of the redemption proceeds.
Under certain circumstances and subject to prior written notice, our Board of
Directors may authorize redemption of all of the shares in any account in which
there are fewer than 25 shares.
10 PERFORMANCE
Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund completed fiscal 1997 on September 30 with
aggregate net assets of $1.9 billion.
Each Series seeks to provide shareholders with high current tax-free income from
a portfolio of high-quality municipal bonds. Following are some of the factors
that were relevant to the Series performance over the past year, including
market conditions and investment strategies pursued by the Funds management.
The Fund increased holdings in more defensive securities (such as prerefunded
and shorter term bonds), which tend to be more stable during periods of market
volatility. Portfolios in the Fund held approximately 35% of these bonds at the
close of the fiscal year. As yields came down over the past twelve months, many
issuers prerefunded their bonds, leading to an increased overall supply of
municipal issues in September. Issuers prerefund their bonds when rates decline
by issuing newer, lower yielding debt and using the proceeds to pay off the
first bond at its first call date. (The call date is the date upon which an
issuer may redeem a bond.)
Overall, credit quality (which evaluates an issuers ability to repay debt) has
improved as many municipalities cut deficits and improved the performance of
their operations. Due to the relatively small difference in yield between lower
rated and higher rated bonds, the Fund did not sacrifice much in the way of
yield by continuing to focus on high quality bonds.
YIELD AND TOTAL RETURN. Yield, tax-equivalent yield and total return data may
from time to time be included in advertisements about the Series. Each class of
shares calculates its yield by dividing annualized net investment income per
<PAGE>
share during a recent 30-day period by the maximum offering price per share on
the last day of that period. Tax-equivalent yield is calculated by dividing that
portion of each class yield (as determined above) which is tax-exempt by one
minus a stated income tax rate and adding the product to that portion, if any,
of each class yield that is not tax exempt. The yield and tax-equivalent yield
of each class will differ because of the different expenses (including actual
12b-1 fees) of each class of shares. The yield data represents a hypothetical
investment return on the portfolio, and does not measure an investment return
based on dividends actually paid to shareholders. To show that return, a
dividend distribution rate may be calculated. Dividend distribution rate is
calculated by dividing the dividends of a class derived from net investment
income during a stated period by the maximum offering price on the last day of
the period. Yields and dividend distribution rate for Class A shares reflect the
deduction of the maximum initial sales charge, but may also be shown based on
the Series net asset value per share. Yields for Class B and Class C shares do
not reflect the deduction of the CDSC. Total return for the one-, five- and
ten-year periods represents the average annual compounded rate of return on an
investment of $1,000 in each Series at the maximum public offering price. When
total return is quoted for Class A shares, it includes the payment of the
maximum initial sales charge. When total return is shown for Class B and Class C
shares, it reflects the effect of the applicable CDSC. Total return also may be
presented for other periods or based on investment at reduced sales charge
levels or net asset value. Any quotation of total return not reflecting the
maximum initial sales charge (front-end, back-end or level) would be reduced if
such sales charge were used. Quotations of yield or total return for any period
when an expense limitation is in effect will be greater than if the limitation
had not been in effect. See Past Performance in the Statement of Additional
Information for a more detailed discussion.
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH
SUCH OFFER IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER IS NOT
QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER.
NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO GIVE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS NOT
CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN SUPPLEMENTAL
LITERATURE AUTHORIZED BY THE FUND, AND NO PERSON IS ENTITLED TO RELY UPON ANY
INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED HEREIN OR THEREIN.
<PAGE>
The performance of the Class A shares of each multiclass Series which is shown
in the comparisons below will be greater than or less than that shown below for
Class B and Class C shares based on the differences in sales charges and fees
paid by shareholders investing in the different classes.
Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Class A shares of Lord
Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund National Series, assuming reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions, Lippers Average of National Tax-Free Funds and the
Lehman Municipal Bond Index
The Following was represented by a line graph
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Lipper's
The Series The Series Leham Average of
(Class A shares) at (Class A shares) at Municipal National
Date net asset value maximum offering price (1) Bond Index Tax-Free Funds (3)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
9-30-87 10,000 9,527 10,000 10,000
9-30-88 11,614 11,065 11,346 11,361
9-30-89 12,681 12,082 12,421 12,341
9-30-90 13,450 12,814 13,210 12,998
9-30-91 15,201 14,482 15,172 14,664
9-30-92 16,839 16,044 16,842 16,165
9-30-93 19,292 18,381 19,480 18,282
9-30-94 18,203 17,343 18,068 17,580
9-30-95 19,995 19,050 19,557 19,396
9-30-96 21,256 20,251 20,903 20,484
9-30-97 23,232 22,134 22,779 22,244
</TABLE>
Average Annual Total Return
for Class A Shares(4)
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
4.10% 5.63% 8.27%
Average Annual Total Return
for Class B Shares
1 Year Life of Series
(8/1/96-9/30/97)(5)(6)
4.60% 4.96%
Average Annual Total Return
for Class C Shares
1 Year Life of Series
(7/15/96-9/30/97)(7)(8)
8.61% 9.44%
Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Class A shares of Lord
Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc. (now Class A shares of California
Series), assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, Lippers
Average of California Tax-Free Funds and the Lehman Municipal Bond Index
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Lipper's
The Series The Series Leham Average of
(Class A shares) at (Class A shares) at Municipal National
Date net asset value maximum offering price (1) Bond Index Tax-Free Funds (3)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
9-30-87 10,000 9,530 10,000 10,000
9-30-88 11,578 11,033 11,346 11,346
9-30-89 12,684 12,087 12,421 12,402
9-30-90 13,440 12,808 13,210 13,064
9-30-91 15,299 14,579 15,172 14,737
9-30-92 16,984 16,185 16,842 16,139
9-30-93 19,575 18,654 19,480 18,334
9-30-94 18,287 17,427 18,068 17,577
9-30-95 19,865 18,931 19,557 19,258
9-30-96 20,951 19,966 20,903 20,514
9-30-97 22,709 21,640 22,779 22,332
</TABLE>
Average Annual Total Return
for Class A Shares(4)
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
3.20% 4.45% 8.03%
Average Annual Total Return
for Class C Shares
1 Year Life of Series
(7/15/96-9/30/97)(7)(8)
7.59% 8.53%
Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Class A shares of Lord
Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund Missouri Series, assuming reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions, Lippers Average of Missouri Tax-Free Funds and the
Lehman Municipal Bond Index
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Lipper's
The Series The Series Leham Average of
(Class A shares) at (Class A shares) at Municipal National
Date net asset value maximum offering price (1) Bond Index Tax-Free Funds (3)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
5-30-91 10,000 9,524 10,000 10,000
9-30-91 10,546 10,044 10,409 10,359
9-30-92 11,756 11,196 11,555 11,384
9-30-93 13,378 12,741 13,365 12,948
9-30-94 12,679 12,075 12,396 12,397
9-30-95 13,973 13,307 13,418 13,630
9-30-96 14,747 14,045 14,341 14,362
9-30-97 15,959 15,199 15,629 15,547
</TABLE>
Average Annual Total Return
for Class A Shares(4)
1 Year 5 Years Life of Series
(5/31/91-9/30/97)
3.10% 5.27% 6.83%
Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Class A shares of Lord
Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund Minnesota Series, assuming reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions, Lippers Average of Minnesota Tax-Free Funds and the
Lehman Municipal Bond Index
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Lipper's
The Series The Series Leham Average of
(Class A shares) at (Class A shares) at Municipal National
Date net asset value maximum offering price (1) Bond Index Tax-Free Funds (3)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
12-27-94 10,000 9,520 10,000 10,000
9-30-95 11,022 10,493 11,139 11,062
9-30-96 11,512 10,959 11,906 11,638
9-30-97 12,543 11,942 12,974 12,545
</TABLE>
Average Annual Total Return
for Class A Shares(4)
1 Year Life of Series
(12/27/94-9/30/97)
3.80% 8.57%
Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Class A shares of Lord
Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund New York Series, assuming reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions, Lippers Average of New York Tax-Free Funds and the
Lehman Municipal Bond Index
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Lipper's
The Series The Series Leham Average of
(Class A shares) at (Class A shares) at Municipal National
Date net asset value maximum offering price (1) Bond Index Tax-Free Funds (3)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
9-30-87 10,000 9,527 10,000 10,000
9-30-88 11,495 10,952 11,346 11,339
9-30-89 12,545 11,952 12,421 12,300
9-30-90 13,212 12,589 13,210 12,842
9-30-91 15,077 14,364 15,172 14,397
9-30-92 16,688 15,900 16,842 15,939
9-30-93 19,016 18,117 19,480 18,126
9-30-9 17,835 16,992 18,068 17,338
9-30-95 19,463 18,543 19,557 18,853
9-30-96 20,411 19,447 20,903 19,900
9-30-97 22,045 21,004 22,779 21,585
</TABLE>
Average Annual Total Return
for Class A Shares(4)
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
2.80% 4.70% 7.71%
Average Annual Total Return
for Class C Shares
1 Year Life of Series
(7/15/96-9/30/97)(7)(8)
7.13% 8.00%
Comparison of a change in value of a $10,000 investment in Class A shares of
Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund Hawaii Series, assuming reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions, Lippers Average of Hawaii Tax-Free Funds and the
Lehman Municipal Bond Index
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Lipper's
The Series The Series Leham Average of
(Class A shares) at (Class A shares) at Municipal National
Date net asset value maximum offering price (1) Bond Index Tax-Free Funds (3)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
10-28-91 10,000 9,520 10,000 10,000
9-30-92 10,905 10,382 11,015 10,830
9-30-93 12,634 12,028 12,740 12,189
9-30-94 11,934 11,360 11,816 11,791
9-30-95 13,163 12,531 12,790 12,841
9-30-96 13,943 13,274 13,670 13,592
9-30-97 15,117 14,392 14,897 14,685
</TABLE>
Average Annual Total Return
for Class A Shares(4)
1 Year 5 Year Life of Series
(10/28/91-9/30/97)
3.20% 5.73% 6.33%
Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Class A shares of Lord
Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund Washington Series, assuming reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions, Lippers Average of Washington Tax-Free Funds and
the Lehman Municipal Bond Index
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Lipper's
The Series The Series Leham Average of
(Class A shares) at (Class A shares) at Municipal National
Date net asset value maximum offering price (1) Bond Index Tax-Free Funds (3)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
4-15-92 10,000 9,520 10,000 10,000
9-30-92 10,647 10,136 10,515 10,546
9-30-93 12,278 11,689 12,162 11,926
9-30-94 11,584 11,028 11,280 11,372
9-30-95 12,798 12,183 12,210 12,344
9-30-96 13,668 13,012 13,050 13,146
9-30-97 15,009 14,289 14,221 14,270
</TABLE>
Average Annual Total Return
for Class A Shares(4)
1 Year 5 Years Life of Series
(4/15/92-9/30/97)
4.50% 6.04% 6.76%
Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Class A shares of Lord
Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund New Jersey Series, assuming reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions, Lippers Average of New Jersey Tax-Free Funds and
the Lehman Municipal Bond Index
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Lipper's
The Series The Series Leham Average of
(Class A shares) at (Class A shares) at Municipal National
Date net asset value maximum offering price (1) Bond Index Tax-Free Funds (3)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1-02-91 10,000 9,524 10,000 10,000
9-30-91 10,998 10,474 10,933 10,877
9-30-92 12,154 11,575 12,137 11,970
9-30-93 14,009 13,342 14,038 13,596
9-30-94 13,461 12,821 13,020 13,055
9-30-95 14,805 14,100 14,093 14,252
9-30-96 15,737 14,987 15,063 15,014
9-30-97 17,035 16,223 16,415 16,227
</TABLE>
Average Annual Total Return
for Class A Shares(4)
1 Year 5 Years Life of Series
(1/2/91-9/30/97)
3.10% 5.93% 7.43%
Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Class A shares of Lord
Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund Connecticut Series, assuming reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions, Lippers Average of Connecticut Tax-Free Funds and
the Lehman Municipal Bond Index
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Lipper's
The Series The Series Leham Average of
(Class A shares) at (Class A shares) at Municipal National
Date net asset value maximum offering price (1) Bond Index Tax-Free Funds (3)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
4-01-91 10,000 9,525 10,000 10,000
9-30-91 10,692 10,183 10,696 10,542
9-30-92 11,728 11,170 11,874 11,581
9-30-93 13,542 12,899 13,733 13,172
9-30-94 12,847 12,236 12,738 12,609
9-30-95 14,199 13,524 13,788 13,843
9-30-96 15,007 14,294 14,736 14,592
9-30-97 16,293 15,519 16,059 15,784
</TABLE>
Average Annual Total Return
for Class A Shares(4)
1 Year 5 Years Life of Series
(4/1/91-9/30/97)
3.30% 5.76% 7.00%
Comparison of change in value of a $10,000 investment in Class A shares of Lord
Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund Texas Series, assuming reinvestment of all dividends
and distributions, Lippers Average of Texas Tax-Free Funds and the Lehman
Municipal Bond Index
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Lipper's
The Series The Series Leham Average of
(Class A shares) at (Class A shares) at Municipal National
Date net asset value maximum offering price (1) Bond Index Tax-Free Funds (3)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
9-30-87 10,000 9,527 10,000 10,000
9-30-88 11,613 11,056 11,346 11,469
9-30-89 12,727 12,118 12,421 12,444
9-30-90 13,567 12,916 13,210 13,155
9-30-91 15,520 14,777 15,172 14,896
9-30-92 17,179 16,355 16,842 16,632
9-30-93 19,522 18,586 19,480 18,803
9-30-94 18,625 17,731 18,068 18,064
9-30-95 20,699 19,707 19,557 19,425
9-30-96 21,961 20,909 20,903 20,622
9-30-97 23,662 22,843 22,779 22,375
Average Annual Total Return
for Class A Shares(4)
1 Year 5 Years 10 Years
4.10% 5.87% 8.61%
<FN>
(1) Data reflects the deduction of the maximum initial sales charge of 4.75%
applicable to Class A shares.
(2) Performance numbers for the Lehman Municipal Bond Index do not reflect
transaction costs or management fees. An investor cannot invest directly in
the Index. This Index is unmanaged and composed of municipal bonds from
many different states and, therefore, it may not be valid to compare to a
single-state municipal bond portfolio, such as those of this single-state
Series. (3)Source: Lipper Analytical Services. (4)Total return is the
percent change in net asset value, after deduction of the maximum initial
sales charge of 4.75% applicable to Class A shares with all dividends and
distributions reinvested for the periods shown ending September 30, 1996
(except for California Series, whose period ends August 31, 1995) using the
SEC-required uniform method to compute such return. A portion of the
management fee has been waived.
(5) The Class commenced operations 8/1/96. Performance numbers are not
annualized.
(6) Performance reflects the deduction of a 4% CDSC.
(7) The Class commenced operations 7/15/96. Performance numbers are not
annualized.
(8)Performance reflects no deduction.
</FN>
</TABLE>
INVESTMENT MANAGER AND UNDERWRITER
Lord, Abbett & Co. and Lord Abbett Distributor LLC
The General Motors Building
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10153-0203
212-848-1800
CUSTODIAN
The Bank of New York
48 Wall Street
New York, New York 10286
TRANSFER AGENT AND DIVIDEND
DISBURSING AGENT
United Missouri Bank of Kansas City, N.A.
Tenth and Grand
Kansas City, Missouri 64141
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING AGENT
DST Systems, Inc.
P.O. Box 419100
Kansas City, Missouri 64141
800-821-5129
AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP
COUNSEL
Debevoise & Plimpton
Printed in the U.S.A.
LATFI-1-298
LORD ABBETT
PROSPECTUS '98
FEBRUARY 1, 1998
Application Inside
LORD ABBETT
TAX-FREE
INCOME FUND
NATIONAL SERIES
CALIFORNIA SERIES
CONNECTICUT
HAWAII SERIES
MINNESOTA SERIES
MISSOURI SERIES
NEW JERSEY SERIES
NEW YORK SERIES
TEXAS SERIES
WASHINGTON SERIES
A mutual fund seeking high tax-free income and preservation of capital.
<PAGE>
LORD ABBETT
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FEBRUARY 1, 1998
LORD ABBETT TAX-FREE INCOME FUND, INC.
This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. A Prospectus may
be obtained from your securities dealer or from Lord Abbett Distributor LLC
("Lord Abbett Distributor"), The General Motors Building, 767 Fifth Avenue, New
York, New York 10153-0203. This Statement relates to, and should be read in
conjunction with, the Prospectus dated February 1, 1998.
Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc. (sometimes referred to as "we" or the
"Fund") was organized in 1983 and was incorporated under Maryland law on
December 27, 1983. Our Board of Directors has authority to create and classify
shares of common stock in separate series, without further action by
shareholders. To date, 40,000,000 shares of each of the Connecticut, Hawaii,
Minnesota, Missouri, Texas and Washington Series, 80,000,000 shares of New
Jersey Series, 100,000,000 shares of each of California and New York Series, and
120,000,000 shares of the National Series have been authorized. The National
Series consists of three classes of shares (A, B and C). Both the New York and
California series consist of two classes (A and C). All other series offer a
single class of shares: Class A shares. The Board of Directors will allocate
these authorized shares among the classes of each Series from time to time. All
shares have equal noncumulative voting rights and equal rights with respect to
dividends, assets and liquidation, except for certain class-specific expenses.
They are fully paid and nonassessable when issued and have no preemptive or
conversion rights. Although no present plans exist to do so, further series may
be added in the future. The Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"Act"), requires that where more than one series exists, each series must be
preferred over all other series in respect of assets specifically allocated to
such series.
Rule 18f-2 under the Act provides that any matter required to be submitted, by
the provisions of the Act or applicable state law, or otherwise, to the holders
of the outstanding voting securities of an investment company such as the Fund
shall not be deemed to have been effectively acted upon unless approved by the
holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each class or series affected
by such matter. Rule 18f-2 further provides that a class or series shall be
deemed to be affected by a matter unless the interests of each class or series
in the matter are substantially identical or the matter does not affect any
interest of such class or series. However, the Rule exempts the selection of
independent public accountants, the approval of principal distribution contracts
and the election of directors from the separate voting requirements of the Rule.
Shareholder inquiries should be made by writing directly to the Fund or by
calling 800-821-5129. In addition, you can make inquiries through your dealer.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page
1. Investment Objectives and Policies 2
2. Directors and Officers 8
3. Investment Advisory and Other Services 11
4. Portfolio Transactions 12
5. Purchases, Redemptions and Shareholder Services 13
6. Taxes 20
7. Risk Factors Regarding Investments in California,
Connecticut, Hawaii, Minnesota, Missouri,
New Jersey, New York, Texas, Washington and
Puerto Rico Municipal Bonds 21
8. Past Performance 32
9. Further Information About the Fund 33
10. Financial Statements 34
<PAGE>
1.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Each Series may not: (1) borrow money (except that (i) each Series may borrow
from banks (as defined in the Act) in amounts up to 33 1/3% of its total assets
(including the amount borrowed), (ii) each Series may borrow up to an additional
5% of its total assets for temporary purposes, (iii) each Series may obtain such
short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales
of portfolio securities and (iv) each Series may purchase securities on margin
to the extent permitted by applicable law); (2) pledge its assets (other than to
secure such borrowings or to the extent permitted by each Series' investment
policies as permitted by applicable law); (3) engage in the underwriting of
securities except pursuant to a merger or acquisition or to the extent that, in
connection with the disposition of its portfolio securities, it may be deemed to
be an underwriter under federal securities laws; (4) make loans to other
persons, except that the acquisition of bonds, debentures or other corporate
debt securities and investment in government obligations, commercial paper,
pass-through instruments, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances,
repurchase agreements or any similar instruments shall not be subject to this
limitation, and except further that each Series may lend its portfolio
securities, provided that the lending of portfolio securities may be made only
in accordance with applicable law; (5) buy or sell real estate (except that each
Series may invest in securities directly or indirectly secured by real estate or
interests therein or issued by companies which invest in real estate or
interests therein), commodities or commodity contracts (except to the extent
each Series may do so in accordance with applicable law and without registering
as a commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act as, for example,
with futures contracts); (6) with respect to 75% of the gross assets of the
National Series, buy securities of one issuer representing more than (i) 5% of
the Series' gross assets, except securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities or (ii) 10% of the voting
securities of such issuer; (7) invest more than 25% of its assets, taken at
market value, in the securities of issuers in any particular industry (excluding
securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities); or (8)
issue senior securities to the extent such issuance would violate applicable
law.
With respect to the restrictions mentioned herein, compliance therewith will not
be affected by change in the market value of portfolio securities but will be
determined at the time of purchase or sale of such securities.
NON-FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS. In addition to the investment
restrictions above which cannot be changed without shareholder approval, we also
are subject to the following non-fundamental investment policies which may be
changed by the Board of Directors without shareholder approval. Each Series may
not: (1) borrow in excess of 33 1/3% of its total assets (including the amount
borrowed), and then only as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency
purposes; (2) make short sales of securities or maintain a short position except
to the extent permitted by applicable law; (3) invest knowingly more than 15% of
its net assets (at the time of investment) in illiquid securities, except for
securities qualifying for resale under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933
deemed to be liquid by the Board of Directors; (4) invest in securities of other
investment companies, except as permitted by applicable law; (5) invest in
securities of issuers which, together with predecessors, have a record of less
than three years of continuous operation, if more than 5% of the Fund's total
assets would be invested in such securities (this restriction shall not apply to
mortgaged-backed securities, asset-backed securities or obligations issued or
guaranteed by the U. S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities); (6) hold
securities of any issuer if more than 1/2 of 1% of the issuer's securities are
owned beneficially by one or more of the Fund's officers or directors or by one
or more partners or members of the Fund's underwriter or investment adviser if
these owners in the aggregate own beneficially more than 5% of the securities of
such issuer; (7) invest in warrants if, at the time of acquisition, its
investment in warrants, valued at the lower of cost or market, would exceed 5%
of such Series' total assets (included within such limitation, but not to exceed
2% of the Series' total assets, are warrants which are not listed on the New
York or American Stock Exchange or a major foreign exchange; (8) invest in real
estate limited partnership interests or interests in oil, gas or other mineral
leases, or exploration or development programs, except that each Series may
invest in securities issued by companies that engage in oil, gas or other
mineral exploration or development activities; (9) write, purchase or sell puts,
calls, straddles, spreads or combinations thereof, except to the extent
permitted in the Fund's prospectus and statement of additional information, as
they may be amended from time to time or (10) buy from or sell to any of its
officers, directors, employees, or its investment adviser or any of its
officers, directors, partners or employees, any securities other than shares of
the Series' common stock.
<PAGE>
With respect to each Series other than the National Series, there is no
fundamental policy or restriction with respect to diversification, but each
Series will be required to meet the diversification rules under Subchapter M of
the Internal Revenue Code.
While each of the Series may take short-term gains if deemed appropriate,
normally the Series will hold securities in order to realize interest income
exempt from federal income tax and, where applicable, its state's personal
income tax, consistent with reasonable risk. For the year ended September 30,
1997, the portfolio turnover rates for the National, New York, California,
Texas, New Jersey, Connecticut, Missouri, Hawaii, Washington and Minnesota
Series were 232.64%, 110.28%, 121.97%, 127.88%, 154.80%, 37.09%, 27.34%, 29.09%,
132.37% and 41.45%, respectively.
The liquidity of a Rule 144A security will be a determination of fact for which
the Board of Directors is ultimately responsible. However, the Directors may
delegate the day-to-day function of such determinations to Lord, Abbett & Co.
("Lord Abbett"), subject to the Directors' oversight. Examples of factors which
the Directors may take into account with respect to a Rule 144A security include
the frequency of trades and quotes for the security, the number of dealers
willing to purchase or sell the security and the number of other potential
purchasers, dealer undertakings to make a market in the security and the nature
of the security and of the marketplace (e.g., the time period needed to dispose
of the security, the method of soliciting offers and the mechanics of transfer).
Rule 144A securities may be considered illiquid in certain circumstances to the
extent necessary to comply with applicable state law requirements.
MUNICIPAL BONDS
In general, municipal bonds are debt obligations issued by or on behalf of
states, territories and possessions of the United States and the District of
Columbia and Puerto Rico and by their political subdivisions, agencies and
instrumentalities. Municipal bonds are issued to obtain funds for various public
purposes, including the construction of bridges, highways, housing, hospitals,
mass transportation, schools, streets and water and sewer works. They may be
used to refund outstanding obligations, to obtain funds for general operating
expenses, or to obtain funds to lend to other public institutions and facilities
and in anticipation of the receipt of revenue or the issuance of other
obligations. In addition, the term "municipal bonds" includes certain types of
"private activity" bonds including industrial development bonds issued by public
authorities to obtain funds to provide privately-operated housing facilities,
sports facilities, convention or trade show facilities, airport, mass transit,
port or parking facilities, air or water pollution control facilities and
certain facilities for water supply, gas, electricity, or sewerage or solid
waste disposal. Under the Tax Reform Act of 1986, as amended, substantial
limitations have been imposed on new issues of municipal bonds to finance
privately-operated facilities. The interest on municipal bonds generally is
excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes of most investors.
The two principal classifications of municipal bonds are "general obligation"
and limited obligation or "revenue bonds." General obligation bonds are secured
by the pledge of the faith, credit and taxing power of the municipality for the
payment of principal and interest. The taxes or special assessments that can be
levied for the payment of debt service may be limited or unlimited as to rate or
amount. Revenue bonds are payable only from the revenues derived from a
particular facility or class of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds
of a special excise or other specific revenue source. "Private activity" bonds,
including industrial development bonds are, in most cases, revenue bonds and
generally do not constitute the pledge of the faith, credit or taxing power of
the municipality. The credit quality of such municipal bonds usually is directly
related to the credit standing of the user of the facilities. There are
variations in the security of municipal bonds, both within a particular
classification and between classifications, depending on numerous factors.
The yields on municipal bonds are dependent on a variety of factors, including
general market conditions, supply and demand, general conditions of the
municipal bond market, size of a particular offering, the maturity of the
obligation and the rating of the issue. The ratings of Moody's Investors
Service, Inc. ("Moody's") and Standard & Poor's Ratings Services ("Standard &
Poor's") and Fitch Investors Service ("Fitch") represent their opinions as to
the quality of the municipal bonds which they undertake to rate. It should be
emphasized, however, that such ratings are general and are not absolute
standards of quality. Consequently, municipal bonds with the same maturity,
coupon and rating may have different yields when purchased in the open market,
while municipal bonds of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may
have the same yield.
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF FOUR HIGHEST MUNICIPAL BOND RATINGS
Moody's describes its four highest ratings for municipal bonds as follows:
" AAA Bonds that 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 most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong
position of such issues.
AA Bonds that 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
or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or
there may be other elements present that make the long-term risks
appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
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
some time in the future.
BAA Bonds that 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."
Standard & Poor's describes its four highest ratings for municipal bonds as
follows:
"AAA An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard &
Poor's. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial commitment on the
obligation is extremely strong.
AA An obligation rated AA differs from the highest rated obligations only
in small degree. The obligor's capacity to meet its financial
commitment on the obligation is very strong.
A An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse
effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than
obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor's capacity
to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
BBB An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters.
However, adverse economic conditions are changing circumstances are
more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its
financial commitment on the obligation."
Fitch describes its four highest ratings for municipal bonds as follows:
"AAA HIGHEST CREDIT QUALITY. `AAA' ratings denote the lowest expectation of
credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong
capacity for timely payment of financial commitments. This capacity is
highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA VERY HIGH CREDIT QUALITY. `AA' ratings denote a very low expectation of
credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for timely payment of
financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to
foreseeable events.
A HIGH CREDIT QUALITY. `A' ratings denote a low expectation of credit
risk. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is
considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable
to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case
for higher ratings.
BBB GOOD CREDIT QUALITY. `BBB' ratings indicate that there is currently a
low expectation of credit risk. The capacity for timely payment of
financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse changes in
circumstances and in economic conditions are more likely to impair this
capacity. This is the lowest investment-grade category."
<PAGE>
OPTIONS AND FINANCIAL FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
GENERAL. Each Series may engage in options and financial futures transactions in
accordance with its investment objective and policies. Although none of the
Series are currently employing such options and financial futures transactions,
and have no current intention of doing so, each may engage in such transactions
in the future if it appears advantageous to the Series to do so, in order to
hedge against the effects of fluctuating interest rates and other market
conditions or to stabilize the value of the Series' assets. The use of options
and financial futures, and possible benefits and attendant risks, are discussed
below, along with information concerning certain other investment policies and
techniques.
FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS. Each Series may enter into financial futures
contracts for the future delivery of a financial instrument, such as a security
or the cash value of a securities index. This investment technique is designed
primarily to hedge (i.e., protect) against anticipated future changes in
interest rates or market conditions which otherwise might adversely affect the
value of securities which a Series holds or intends to purchase. A "sale" of a
futures contract means the undertaking of a contractual obligation to deliver
the securities or the cash value of an index called for by the contract at a
specified price during a specified delivery period. A "purchase" of a futures
contract means the undertaking of a contractual obligation to acquire the
securities or cash value of an index at a specified price during a specified
delivery period. At the time of delivery in the case of fixed-income securities
pursuant to the contract, adjustments are made to recognize differences in value
arising from the delivery of securities with a different interest rate than that
specified in the contract. In some cases, securities called for by a futures
contract may not have been issued at the time the contract was written. A Series
will not enter into any futures contracts or options on futures contracts if the
aggregate of the market value of the outstanding futures contracts of the Series
and futures contracts subject to the outstanding options written by the Series
would exceed 50% of the total assets of the Series.
Although some financial futures contracts by their terms call for the actual
delivery or acquisition of securities, in most cases, a party will close out the
contractual commitment before delivery without having to make or take delivery
of the security by purchasing (or selling, as the case may be) on a commodities
exchange an identical futures contract calling for delivery in the same month.
Such a transaction, if effected through a member of an exchange, cancels the
obligation to make or take delivery of the securities. All transactions in the
futures market are made, offset or fulfilled through a clearing house associated
with the exchange on which the contracts are traded. The Series will incur
brokerage fees when they purchase or sell contracts and will be required to
maintain margin deposits. At the time a Series enters into a futures contract,
it is required to deposit with its custodian, on behalf of the broker, a
specified amount of cash or eligible securities called "initial margin." The
initial margin required for a futures contract is set by the exchange on which
the contract is traded. Subsequent payments, called "variation margin," to and
from the broker are made on a daily basis as the market price of the futures
contract fluctuates. The costs incurred in connection with futures transactions
could reduce a Series' return. Futures contracts entail risks. If the investment
adviser's judgment about the general direction of interest rates or markets is
wrong, the overall performance may be poorer than if no such contracts had been
entered into.
There may be an imperfect correlation between movements in prices of futures
contracts and portfolio securities being hedged. The degree of difference in
price movements between futures contracts and the securities being hedged
depends upon such things as variations in speculative market demand for futures
contracts and debt securities and differences between the securities being
hedged and the securities underlying the futures contracts, e.g., interest
rates, tax status, maturities and creditworthiness of issuers. While interest
rates on taxable securities generally move in the same direction as the interest
rates on municipal bonds, frequently there are differences in the rate of such
movements and temporary dislocations. Accordingly, the use of a financial
futures contract on a taxable security or a taxable securities index may involve
a greater risk of an imperfect correlation between the price movements of the
futures contract and of the municipal bond being hedged than when using a
financial futures contract on a municipal bond or a municipal bond index. In
addition, the market prices of futures contracts may be affected by certain
factors. If participants in the futures market elect to close out their
contracts through offsetting transactions rather than meet margin requirements,
distortions in the normal relationship could result. Price distortions also
could result if investors in futures contracts decide to make or take delivery
of underlying securities rather than engage in closing transactions because of
<PAGE>
the resultant reduction in the liquidity of the futures market. In addition,
because, from the point of view of speculators, margin requirements in the
futures market are less onerous than margin requirements in the cash market,
increased participation by speculators in the futures market could cause
temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price distortions in the
futures market and because of the imperfect correlation between movements in the
prices of securities and movements in the prices of futures contracts, a correct
forecast of market trends by the investment adviser still may not result in a
successful hedging transaction. If any of these events should occur, a Series
could lose money on the financial futures contracts and also on the value of its
portfolio securities.
OPTIONS ON FINANCIAL FUTURES CONTRACTS. Each Series may purchase and write call
and put options on financial futures contracts. An option on a futures contract
gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a
position in a futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time during
the period of the option. Upon exercise, the writer of the option delivers the
futures contract to the holder at the exercise price. A Series would be required
to deposit with its custodian initial margin and maintenance margin with respect
to put and call options on futures contracts written by it. Options on futures
contracts involve risks similar to the risks relating to transactions in
financial futures contracts described above. Also, an option purchased by a
Series may expire worthless, in which case the Series would lose the premium
paid therefor.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES. Each Series may write (sell) covered call options on
securities so long as it owns securities which are acceptable for escrow
purposes and may write secured put options on securities, which means that, so
long as a Series is obligated as a writer of a put option, it will invest an
amount not less than the exercise price of the put option in eligible
securities. A call option gives the purchaser the right to buy, and the writer
the obligation to sell, the underlying security at the exercise price during the
option period. A put option gives the purchaser the right to sell, and the
writer has the obligation to buy, the underlying security at the exercise price
during the option period. The premium received for writing an option will
reflect, among other things, the current market price of the underlying
security, the relationship of the exercise price to such market price, the price
volatility of the underlying security, the option period, supply and demand and
interest rates. A Series may write or purchase spread options which are options
for which the exercise price may be a fixed- dollar spread or yield spread
between the security underlying the option and another security it does not own,
but which is used as a benchmark. The exercise price of an option may be below,
equal to, or above the current market value of the underlying security at the
time the option is written. The buyer of a put who also owns the related
security is protected by ownership of a put option against any decline in that
security's price below the exercise price less the amount paid for the option.
The ability to purchase put options allows a Series to protect capital gains in
an appreciated security it owns, without being required to actually sell that
security. At times a Series might like to establish a position in securities
upon which call options are available. By purchasing a call option, the Series
is able to fix the cost of acquiring the security, this being the cost of the
call plus the exercise price of the option. This procedure also provides some
protection from an unexpected downturn in the market because the Series is only
at risk for the amount of the premium paid for the call option which it can, if
it chooses, permit to expire.
During the option period, the covered call writer gives up the potential for
capital appreciation above the exercise price should the underlying security
rise in value, and the secured put writer retains the risk of loss should the
underlying security decline in value. For the covered call writer, substantial
appreciation in the value of the underlying security would result in the
security being "called away." For the secured put writer, substantial
depreciation in the value of the underlying security would result in the
security being "put to" the writer. If a covered call option expires
unexercised, the writer realizes a gain and the buyer a loss in the amount of
the premium. If the covered call option writer has to sell the underlying
security because of the exercise of the call option, the writer realizes a gain
or loss from the sale of the underlying security, with the proceeds being
increased by the amount of the premium.
If a secured put option expires unexercised, the writer realizes a gain and the
buyer a loss in the amount of the premium. If the secured put writer has to buy
the underlying security because of the exercise of the put option, the secured
put writer incurs an unrealized loss to the extent that the current market value
of the underlying security is less than the exercise price of the put option,
minus the premium received.
OVER-THE-COUNTER OPTIONS. As indicated in the Prospectus, each Series may deal
in over-the-counter traded options ("OTC options"). OTC options differ from
exchange-traded options in several respects. They are transacted directly with
dealers and not with a clearing corporation and there is a risk of
nonperformance by the dealer as a result of the insolvency of such dealer or
otherwise, in which event, the Series may experience material losses. However,
in writing options, the premium is paid in advance by the dealer. OTC options
are available for a greater variety of securities, and a wider range of
<PAGE>
expiration dates and exercise prices, than are exchange-traded options. Since
there is no exchange, pricing normally is done by reference to information from
market makers, which information is carefully monitored by the Series'
investment adviser and verified in appropriate cases.
A writer or purchaser of a put or call option can terminate it voluntarily only
by entering into a closing transaction. In the case of OTC options, there can be
no assurance that a continuous liquid secondary market will exist for any
particular option at any given time. Consequently, a Series may be able to
realize the value of an OTC option it has purchased only by exercising it or
entering into a closing sale transaction with the dealer that issued it.
Similarly, when a Series writes an OTC option, generally it can close out that
option prior to its expiration only by entering into a closing purchase
transaction with the dealer to which the Series originally wrote it. If a
covered call option writer cannot effect a closing transaction, it cannot sell
the underlying security until the option expires or the option is exercised.
Therefore, a covered call option writer of an OTC option may not be able to sell
an underlying security even though it might otherwise be advantageous to do so.
Likewise, a secured put writer of an OTC option may be unable to sell the
securities pledged to secure the put for other investment purposes while it is
obligated as a put writer. Similarly, a purchaser of such put or call option
also might find it difficult to terminate its position on a timely basis in the
absence of a secondary market.
The Fund understands the position of the staff of the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") to be that purchased OTC options and the assets used as
"cover" for written OTC options are illiquid securities. The Fund and its
investment adviser disagree with this position and believe that the dealers with
which they intend to engage in OTC options transactions generally are agreeable
to and capable of entering into closing transactions. The Fund has adopted
procedures for engaging in OTC options for the purpose of reducing any potential
adverse effect of such transactions upon the liquidity of a Series' portfolio. A
description of such procedures is set forth below.
The Series only will engage in OTC options transactions with dealers that have
been specifically approved by the Board of Directors of the Fund. The Series and
their investment adviser believe that such dealers present minimal credit risks
to the Series and, therefore, should be able to enter into closing transactions
if necessary. The Series currently will not engage in OTC options transactions
if the amount invested by the Series in OTC options plus a "liquidity charge"
related to OTC options written by the Fund, plus the amount invested by the Fund
in illiquid securities, would exceed 10% of the Fund's net assets. The
"liquidity charge" referred to above is computed as described below.
The Fund anticipates entering into agreements with dealers to which the Series
sell OTC options. Under these agreements a Series would have the absolute right
to repurchase the OTC options from the dealer at any time at a price no greater
than a price established under the agreements (the "Repurchase Price"). The
"liquidity charge" referred to above for a specific OTC option transaction will
be the Repurchase Price related to the OTC option less the intrinsic value of
the OTC option. The intrinsic value of an OTC call option for such purposes will
be the amount by which the current market value of the underlying security
exceeds the exercise price. In the case of an OTC put option, intrinsic value
will be the amount by which the exercise price exceeds the current market value
of the underlying security. If there is no such agreement requiring a dealer to
allow a Series to repurchase a specific OTC option written by the Series, the
"liquidity charge" will be the current market value of the assets serving as
"cover" for such OTC option.
OPTIONS ON SECURITIES INDICES. Each Series also may purchase and write call and
put options on securities indices in an attempt to hedge against market
conditions affecting the value of securities that the Series owns or intends to
purchase, and not for speculation. Through the writing or purchase of index
options, a Series can achieve many of the same objectives as through the use of
options on individual securities. Options on securities indices are similar to
options on a security except that, rather than the right to take or make
delivery of a security at a specified price, an option on a securities index
gives the holder the right to receive, upon exercise of the option, an amount of
cash, if the closing level of the securities index upon which the option is
based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a
put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the
difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the
option. The writer of the option is obligated, in return for the premium
received, to make delivery of this amount. Unlike security options, all
settlements are in cash and gain or loss depends upon price movements in the
market generally (or in a particular industry or segment of the market), rather
than upon price movements in individual securities. Price movements in
securities which a Series owns or intends to purchase probably will not
correlate perfectly with movements in the level of an index and, therefore, the
Series bears the risk that a loss on an index option would not be completely
offset by movements in the price of such securities.
<PAGE>
When a Series writes an option on a securities index, it will be required to
deposit with its custodian and mark-to-market eligible securities equal in value
to at least 100% of the exercise price in the case of a put or the contract
value in the case of a call. In addition, where a Series writes a call option on
a securities index at a time when the contract value exceeds the exercise price,
the Series will segregate and mark to market cash or cash equivalents equal in
value to such excess until the option expires or is closed out.
Options on futures contracts and index options involve risks similar to those
risks relating to transactions in financial futures contracts described above.
Also, an option purchased by a Series may expire worthless, in which case the
Series would lose the premium paid therefor.
DELAYED DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS. Each Series may purchase or sell portfolio
securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. When-issued or delayed
delivery transactions involve a commitment by the Series to purchase or sell
securities with payment and delivery to take place in the future in order to
secure what is considered to be an advantageous price or yield to the Series at
the time of entering into the transaction. When a Series enters into a delayed
delivery purchase, it becomes obligated to purchase securities and it has all
the rights and risks attendant to ownership of a security, although delivery and
payment occur at a later date. The value of fixed-income securities to be
delivered in the future will fluctuate as interest rates vary. At the time the
Series makes the commitment to purchase a security on a when-issued or delayed
delivery basis, it will record the transaction and reflect the liability for the
purchase and the value of the security in determining its net asset value.
Likewise, at the time the Series makes the commitment to sell a security on a
delayed delivery basis, it will record the transaction and include the proceeds
to be received in determining its net asset value; accordingly, any fluctuations
in the value of the security sold pursuant to a delayed delivery commitment are
ignored in calculating net asset value so long as the commitment remains in
effect. The Series, generally, have the ability to close out a purchase
obligation on or before the settlement date rather than take delivery of the
security.
To the extent the Series engage in when-issued or delayed delivery purchases,
they will do so for the purpose of acquiring portfolio securities consistent
with the Series' investment objectives and policies and not for investment
leverage or to speculate in interest rate changes. The Series only will make
commitments to purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis
with the intention of actually acquiring the securities, but the Series reserve
the right to sell these securities before the settlement date if deemed
advisable.
REGULATORY RESTRICTIONS. To the extent required to comply with Securities and
Exchange Commission Release No. IC-10666, when purchasing a futures contract,
writing a put option or entering into a delayed delivery purchase, each Series
will maintain, in a segregated account, cash or high-grade marketable debt
securities equal to the value of such contracts.
To the extent required to comply with Commodities Futures Trading Commission
Regulation 4.5 and thereby avoid "commodity pool operator" status, no Series
will enter into a futures contract or purchase an option thereon if immediately
thereafter the initial margin deposits for futures contracts held by the Series
plus premiums paid by it for open options on futures would exceed 5% of the
Series' total assets. A Series will not engage in transactions in financial
futures contracts or options thereon for speculation, but only to attempt to
hedge against changes in market conditions affecting the values of securities
which the Series holds or intends to purchase. When futures contracts or options
thereon are purchased to protect against a price increase on securities intended
to be purchased later, it is anticipated that at least 75% of such intended
purchases will be completed. When other futures contracts or options thereon are
purchased, the underlying value of such contracts at all times will not exceed
the sum of: (1) accrued profits on such contracts held by the broker; (2) cash
or high-quality money market instruments set aside in an identifiable manner and
(3) cash proceeds from investments due within 30 days.
2.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
The following directors are partners of Lord Abbett, The General Motors
Building, 767 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10153-0203. They have been
associated with Lord Abbett for over five years and are also officers and/or
directors or trustees of the twelve other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds. They are
"interested persons" as defined in the Act, and as such, may be considered to
have an indirect financial interest in the Rule 12b-1 Plan described in the
Prospectus.
<PAGE>
Robert S. Dow, age 52, Chairman and President
E. Wayne Nordberg, age 59, Vice President
The following outside directors are also directors or trustees of the twelve
other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds referred to above.
E. Thayer Bigelow
Courtroom Television Network
600 Third Avenue
New York, New York
Chief Executive Officer of Courtroom Television Network. Formerly President and
Chief Executive Officer of Time Warner Cable Programming, Inc. Prior to that,
formerly President and Chief Operating Officer of Home Box Office, Inc. Age 56.
Stewart S. Dixon
Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon
225 W. Wacker Drive (Suite 2800)
Chicago, Illinois
Partner in the law firm of Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon. Age 67.
John C. Jansing
162 S. Beach Road
Hobe Sound, Florida
Retired. Former Chairman of Independent Election Corporation of America, a proxy
tabulating firm. Age 72.
C. Alan MacDonald
Directorship Inc.
8 Sound Shore Drive
Greenwich, Connecticut
Managing Director of Directorship Inc., a consultancy in board management and
corporate governance. Formerly General Partner of The Marketing Partnership,
Inc., a full service marketing consulting firm (1994-1997). Prior to that, he
was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lincoln Snacks, Inc., manufacturer
of branded snack foods (1992-1994). His career spans 36 years at Stouffers and
Nestle with 18 of the years as Chief Executive Officer. Currently serves as
Director of DenAmerica Corp., J. B. Williams Company, Inc., Fountainhead Water
Company and Exigent Diagnostics. Age 64.
Hansel B. Millican, Jr.
Rochester Button Company
1100 Noblin Avenue
South Boston, Virginia
President and Chief Executive Officer of Rochester Button Company. Age 68.
Thomas J. Neff
Spencer Stuart U.S.
277 Park Avenue
New York, New York
Chairman of Spencer Stuart U.S., an executive search consulting firm. Age 60.
<PAGE>
The second column of the following table sets forth the compensation accrued for
the Fund's outside directors. The third and fourth columns set forth information
with respect to the equity-based benefits accrued for outside directors
maintained by the Lord Abbett-sponsored funds. The fourth column sets forth the
total compensation payable by such funds to the outside directors. No director
of the Fund associated with Lord Abbett and no officer of the Fund received any
compensation from the Fund for acting as a director or officer.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997
(1) (2) (3) (4)
Pension or For Year Ended
Retirement Benefits December 31, 1997
Accrued by the Total Compensation
Aggregate Fund and Accrued by the Fund and
Compensation Twelve Other Lord Twelve Other Lord
Accrued by Abbett-sponsored Abbett-sponsored
NAME OF DIRECTOR THE FUND1 FUNDS2 FUNDS3
<S> <C> <C> <C>
E. Thayer Bigelow $7,686 $17,068 $ 56,000
Stewart S. Dixon $7,553 $32,190 $ 55,000
John C. Jansing $7,483 $45,0854 $ 55,000
C. Alan MacDonald $7,816 $30,703 $ 57,400
Hansel B. Millican, Jr. $7,653 $37,747 $ 55,000
Thomas J. Neff $7,651 $19,853 $ 56,000
<FN>
1. Outside directors' fees, including attendance fees for board and committee
meetings, are allocated among all Lord Abbett-sponsored funds based on the
net assets of each fund. A portion of the fees payable by the Fund to its
outside directors is being deferred under a plan that deems the deferred
amounts to be invested in shares of the Fund for later distribution to the
directors.
2. The amounts in Column 3 were accrued by the Lord Abbett-Sponsored Funds for
the 12 months ended October 31, 1997 with respect to the equity based plans
established for independent directors in 1996. This plan supercedes a
previously approved retirement plan for all future directors. Current
directors had the option to convert their accrued benefits under the
retirement plan. All of the outside directors except one made such an
election. Each plan also provides for a pre-retirement death benefit and
actuarially reduced joint-and-survivor spousal benefits.
3. This column shows aggregate compensation, including directors fees and
attendance fees for board and committee meetings, of a nature referred to in
footnote one, accrued by the Lord Abbett-sponsored funds during the year
ended December 31, 1997. The amounts of the aggregate compensation payable by
the Fund as of September 30, 1997 deemed invested in Fund shares, including
dividends reinvested and changes in net asset value applicable to such deemed
investments, were: Mr. Bigelow, $22,714; Mr. Dixon, $80,098; Mr. Jansing,
$100,868; Mr. MacDonald, $46,890; Mr. Millican, $101611 and Mr. Neff,
$102,221. If the amounts deemed invested in Fund shares were added to each
director's actual holdings of Fund shares as of September 30, 1997, each
would own, the following: Mr. Bigelow, 2,593 shares; Mr. Dixon, 7,657 shares;
Mr. Jansing, 12,774 shares; Mr. McDonald, 6,231 shares; Mr. Millican, 10,100
shares; and Mr. Neff, 10,421 shares.
4. Mr. Jansing chose to continue to receive benefits under the retirement plan
which provides that outside directors (Trustees) may receive annual
retirement benefits for life equal to their final annual retainer following
retirement at or after age 72 with at least ten years of service. Thus, if
Mr. Jansing were to retire and the annual retainer payable by the funds were
the same as it is today, he would receive annual retirement benefits of
$50,000.
</FN>
</TABLE>
Except where indicated, the following executive officers of the Fund have been
associated with Lord Abbett for over five years. Of the following, Messrs.
Allen, Brown, Carper, Ms. Foster, Messrs. Hilstad, Morris, Noelke and Walsh are
<PAGE>
partners of Lord Abbett; the others are employees: Zane Brown, age 46, Executive
Vice President; Paul A. Hilstad, age 55, Vice President and Secretary (with Lord
Abbett since 1995; formerly Senior Vice President and General Counsel of
American Capital Management & Research, Inc.); Stephen I. Allen, age 44; Daniel
E. Carper, age 46; Daria L. Foster, age 43; Lawrence H. Kaplan, age 41 (with
Lord Abbett since 1997 - formerly Vice President and Chief Counsel of Salomon
Brothers Asset Management Inc from 1995 to 1997, prior thereto Senior Vice
President, Director and General Counsel of Kidder Peabody Asset Management,
Inc.); Thomas F. Konop, age 55; Robert G. Morris, age 53; Robert J. Noelke, age
41; A. Edward Oberhaus, age 38; Keith F. O'Connor, age 42; John J. Walsh, age
61, Vice Presidents; and Donna M. McManus, age 37, Treasurer (with Lord Abbett
since 1996, formerly a Senior Manager at Deloitte & Touche LLP).
The Fund's By-Laws provide that the Fund shall not hold an annual meeting of its
stockholders in any year unless one or more matters are required to be acted on
by stockholders under the Act, or unless called by a majority of the Board of
Directors or by stockholders holding at least one quarter of the stock of the
Fund outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting. When any such annual
meeting is held, the stockholders will elect directors and vote on the approval
of the independent auditors of the Fund.
As of December 31, 1997, our officers and directors as a group owned less than
1% of our outstanding shares.
3.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
As described under "Our Management" in the Prospectus, Lord Abbett is the Fund's
investment manager. Ten of the twelve general partners of Lord Abbett, all of
whom are officers and/or directors of the Fund, are: Stephen I. Allen, Zane E.
Brown, Daniel E. Carper, Robert S. Dow, Daria L. Foster, Paul Hilstad, Robert G.
Morris, Robert J. Noelke, E. Wayne Nordberg and John J. Walsh. The address of
each partner is The General Motors Building, 767 Fifth Avenue, New York, New
York 10153-0203. The other general partners of Lord Abbett who are neither
officers nor directors of the Fund are W. Thomas Hudson and Michael McLaughlin.
The services performed by Lord Abbett are described under "Our Management" in
the Prospectus. Under the Management Agreements described in the Prospectus, we
are obligated to pay Lord Abbett a monthly fee, based on average daily net
assets of each Series for each month, at the annual rate of .5 of 1%. For the
National, New York and California Series this fee is allocated among the
separate classes based on such class' proportionate share of the Series' average
daily net assets. In addition, we pay all expenses not expressly assumed by Lord
Abbett, including, without limitation, 12b-1 expenses; outside directors' fees
and expenses; association membership dues; legal and auditing fees; taxes;
transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees; shareholder servicing costs;
expenses relating to shareholder meetings; expenses of preparing, printing and
mailing stock certificates and shareholder reports; expenses of registering our
shares under federal and state securities laws; expenses of preparing, printing
and mailing prospectuses to existing shareholders; insurance premiums and
brokerage and other expenses connected with executing portfolio transactions.
For the fiscal years ended September 30, 1995 ,1996 and 1997, the management
fees paid to Lord Abbett for the National Series amounted to $3,174,906,
$3,318,985 and $3,310,474 respectively, and for the New York Series $1,645,366,
$1,632,539 and $1,546,703 respectively.
For the fiscal years September 30, 1995 and 1996, Lord Abbett waived $249,916
and $172,582 of the Texas Series' management fees, respectively. For the fiscal
year ending September 30, 1997, the management fees paid to Lord Abbett amounted
to $463,328.
Although not obligated to do so, Lord Abbett has waived or may waive all or part
of its management fees and has assumed or may assume other expenses of the
Connecticut, Hawaii, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey and Washington Series. For
the fiscal years ended September 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997, Lord Abbett waived
$283,466, $148,339 and $76,825 in New Jersey Series management fees,
respectively.
With respect to the Connecticut Series, for the fiscal years ended September 30,
1995, 1996 and 1997, Lord Abbett waived $480,744, $500,557 and $220,975,
respectively, in management fees. With respect to the Missouri Series, for the
fiscal years ended September 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997, Lord Abbett waived
$188,122, $201,043 and $329,040, respectively, in management fees.
<PAGE>
For the fiscal years ended September 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997, Lord Abbett waived
$256,798, $258,022, and $227,090 respectively, in Hawaii Series' management
fees. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997, Lord Abbett
waived $109,631, $55,661and $34,553, respectively, in Washington Series'
management fees. Lord Abbett may pay or reimburse the Washington Series for
certain of its other expenses. Any such expenses have been repaid to Lord Abbett
by the Washington Series pursuant to a formula based on the expense ratio of the
Washington Series.
For the fiscal years ended August 31, 1995 and 1996, Lord Abbett waived $306,758
and $322,490 in management fees with respect to the California Series' and its
"predecessor", Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc. For the fiscal
year ending September 30, 1997, Lord Abbett waived $344,451 in management fees
for the California Series.
For the period December 27, 1994 through September 30, 1996, Lord Abbett waived
all management fees and subsidized expenses with respect to the Minnesota
Series. Any such expenses may be repaid to Lord Abbett by the Minnesota Series
pursuant to a formula based on the expense ratio of the Minnesota Series. For
the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997, Lord Abbett waived $45,321 in
management fees for the Minnesota Series.
For the fiscal years ended September 30, 1996 and 1997 the management fees paid
to Lord Abbett by the Series indicated were $843,359 (New Jersey), $379,369
(Connecticut), $360,135 (Missouri), $173,255 (Hawaii) and $309,809 (Washington).
For the fiscal years ended August 31, 1995 and 1996 the management fees paid to
Lord Abbett by the California Series (from July 15, 1996) and by its
"predecessors", Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Income Fund, Inc. prior to that
date were $1,217,777 and $1,137,106. For the period September 1, 1996 to
September 30, 1996 the management fees paid to Lord Abbett by the California
Series was $123,314. For the year ending September 30, 1997, the management fees
paid to Lord Abbett by the California Series was $1,061,790.
Lord Abbett has given the Fund the right to use the identifying name "Lord
Abbett" and this right may be withdrawn if Lord Abbett ceases to be the Fund's
investment manager.
Lord Abbett serves as the principal underwriter for each Series.
Deloitte & Touche LLP, Two World Financial Center, New York, New York 10281, are
the independent auditors of the Fund and must be approved at least annually by
our Board of Directors to continue in such capacity. They perform audit services
for the Fund including the audit of financial statements included in our annual
report to shareholders.
The Bank of New York, 40 Wall Street, New York, New York 10268, serves as the
Fund's custodian.
4.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
Purchases and sales of portfolio securities usually will be principal
transactions and normally such securities will be purchased directly from the
issuer or from an underwriter or purchased from or sold to a market maker for
the securities. Therefore, the Fund usually will pay no brokerage commissions on
such transaction. Purchases from underwriters of portfolio securities will
include a commission or concession paid by the issuer to the underwriter and
purchases from or sales to dealers serving as market makers will include a
dealer's markup or markdown. Principal transactions, including riskless
principal transactions, are not afforded the protection of the safe harbor in
Section 28 (e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Our policy is to obtain best execution on all our portfolio transactions, which
means that we seek to have purchases and sales of portfolio securities executed
at the most favorable prices, considering all costs of the transaction including
dealer markups and markdowns and any brokerage commissions. This policy governs
the selection of brokers or dealers and the market in which the transaction is
executed. To the extent permitted by law, we may, if considered advantageous,
make a purchase from or sale to another Lord Abbett-sponsored fund without the
intervention of any broker-dealer.
Broker-dealers are selected on the basis of their professional capability and
the value and quality of their brokerage and research services. Normally, the
<PAGE>
selection is made by traders who are officers of the Fund and also are employees
of Lord Abbett. These traders do the trading as well for other accounts --
investment companies (of which they are also officers) and other investment
clients -- managed by Lord Abbett. They are responsible for negotiation of
prices and any commissions.
We may pay a brokerage commission on the purchase or sale of a security that
could be purchased from or sold to a market maker if our net cost of the
purchase or the net proceeds to us of the sale are at least as favorable as we
could obtain on a direct purchase or sale. Brokers who receive such commissions
may also provide research services at least some of which are useful to Lord
Abbett in their overall responsibilities with respect to us and the other
accounts they manage. Research includes trading equipment and computer software
packages, acquired from third-party suppliers, that enable Lord Abbett to access
various information bases and may include the furnishing of analyses and reports
concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends,
portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts. Such services may be used by
Lord Abbett in servicing all their accounts, and not all of such services will
necessarily be used by Lord Abbett in connection with their management of the
Fund; conversely, such services furnished in connection with brokerage on other
accounts managed by Lord Abbett may be used in connection with their management
of the Fund, and not all of such services will necessarily be used by Lord
Abbett in connection with their advisory services to such other accounts. We
have been advised by Lord Abbett that research services received from brokers
cannot be allocated to any particular account, are not a substitute for Lord
Abbett's services but are supplemental to their own research effort and, when
utilized, are subject to internal analysis before being incorporated by Lord
Abbett into their investment process. As a practical matter, it would not be
possible for Lord Abbett to generate all of the information presently provided
by brokers. While receipt of research services from brokerage firms has not
reduced Lord Abbett's normal research activities, the expenses of Lord Abbett
could be materially increased if it attempted to generate such additional
information through its own staff and purchased such equipment and software
packages directly from the suppliers.
No commitments are made regarding the allocation of brokerage business to or
among brokers, and trades are executed only when they are dictated by investment
decisions of the Fund to purchase or sell portfolio securities.
If two or more broker-dealers are considered capable of offering the equivalent
likelihood of best execution, the broker-dealer who has sold our shares and/or
shares of other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds may be preferred.
If other clients of Lord Abbett buy or sell the same security at the same time
as we do, transactions will, to the extent practicable, be allocated among all
participating accounts in proportion to the amount of each order and will be
executed daily until filled so that each account shares the average price and
commission cost of each day. Other clients who direct that their brokerage
business be placed with specific brokers or who invest through wrap accounts
introduced to Lord Abbett by certain brokers may not participate with us in the
buying and selling of the same securities as described above. If these clients
wish to buy or sell the same security as we do, they may have their transactions
executed at times different from our transactions and thus may not receive the
same price or incur the same commission cost as we do.
We will not seek "reciprocal" dealer business (for the purpose of applying
commissions in whole or in part for our benefit or otherwise) from dealers as
consideration for the direction to them of portfolio business.
During the fiscal years ending September 30, 1995, 1996 and 1997, we paid no
commissions to independent dealers.
5.
PURCHASES, REDEMPTIONS
AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
The Fund values its portfolio securities at market value as of the close of the
NYSE. Market value will be determined as follows: securities listed or admitted
to trading privileges on the New York or American Stock Exchange or on the
NASDAQ National Market System are valued at the last sales price, or, if there
is no sale on that day, at the mean between the last bid and asked prices, or,
in the case of bonds, in the over-the-counter market if, in the judgment of the
Fund's officers, that market more accurately reflects the market value of the
bonds. Over-the-counter securities not traded on the NASDAQ National Market
System are valued at the mean between the last bid and asked prices. Securities
for which market quotations are not available are valued at fair market value
under procedures approved by the Board of Directors.
<PAGE>
Information concerning how we value our shares for the purchase and redemption
of our shares is described in the Prospectus under "Purchases" and
"Redemptions", respectively.
As disclosed in the Prospectus, we calculate our net asset value and are
otherwise open for business on each day that the NYSE is open for trading. The
NYSE is closed on Saturdays and Sundays and the following holidays: New Year's
Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day,
Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The net asset value per share for the Class B and Class C shares is determined
in the same manner as for the Class A shares (net assets divided by shares
outstanding). Our Class B and Class C shares are sold at net asset value.
The maximum offering prices of our Class A shares on September 30, 1997 were
computed as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
National New York Texas Connecticut California
SERIES SERIES SERIES SERIES SERIES
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value per
share (net assets divided by shares
outstanding) $11.48 $11.03 $10.40 $10.42 $10.72
Maximum offering
price per share (net asset value
divided by .9525) $12.05 $11.58 $10.92 $10.94 $11.25
Missouri Minnesota New Jersey Hawaii Washington
SERIES SERIES SERIES SERIES SERIES
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net asset value per
share (net assets divided by shares
outstanding) $5.22 $5.05 $5.32 $5.07 $5.16
Maximum offering
price per share (net asset value
divided by .9525) $5.48 $5.30 $5.59 $5.32 $5.42
</TABLE>
The maximum offering prices of our Class B shares on September 30, 1997 were
computed as follows:
National
SERIES
Net asset value per
share (net assets divided by shares
outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11.50
The maximum offering prices of our Class C shares on September 30, 1997 were
computed as follows:
National New York California
SERIES SERIES SERIES
Net asset value per
share (net assets divided by shares
outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11.49 $11.02 $10.72
The Fund has entered into a distribution agreement with Lord Abbett Distributor
LLC, a New York limited liability company ("Lord Abbett Distributor"), under
which Lord Abbett Distributor is obligated to use its best efforts to find
purchasers for the shares of the Fund, and to make reasonable efforts to sell
<PAGE>
Fund shares so long as, in Lord Abbett Distributor's judgment, a substantial
distribution can be obtained by reasonable efforts.
For our last three fiscal years, Lord Abbett as our principal underwriter
received net commissions after allowance of a portion of the sales charge to
independent dealers with respect to Class A shares as follows:
Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended
SEPT. 30, 1997 SEPT. 30, 1996 SEPT. 30, 1995
-------------- -------------- --------------
Gross sales charge $2,686,781 $3,375,031 $4,116,912
Amount allowed
to dealers 2,338,259 2,934,816 3,599,701
--------- --------- ----------
Net commissions received
by Lord Abbett $ 348,522 $ 440,215 $ 517,211
============ ============ ===========
For the last three fiscal years, Lord Abbett as principal underwriter received
net commissions after allowance of a portion of the sales charge to independent
dealers with respect to Class A shares of the California Series' "predecessor",
Lord Abbett California Tax-Free Fund, Inc. and for the California Series for the
period September 1, 1996 to September 30, 1996 as follows:
Period
Sept. 1, 1996 Year Ended Year Ended
TO SEPT. 30, 1996 AUGUST 31, 1996 AUGUST 31, 1995
----------------- --------------- ---------------
Gross sales charge $23,132 $433,713 $561,169
Amount allowed
to dealers 20,471 378,916 488,132
-------- --------- ---------
Net Commissions received
by Lord Abbett $ 2,661 $ 54,797 $ 73,037
======== ========= =========
Conversion of Class B Shares. The conversion of Class B shares of the National
Series on the eighth anniversary of their purchase is subject to the continuing
availability of a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an
opinion of counsel to the effect that the conversion of Class B shares does not
constitute a taxable event for the holder under Federal income tax law. If such
a revenue ruling or opinion is no longer available, the automatic conversion
feature may be suspended, in which event no further conversions of Class B
shares would occur while such suspension remained in effect. Although Class B
shares could then be exchanged for Class A shares on the basis of relative net
asset value of the two classes, without the imposition of a sales charge or fee,
such exchange could constitute a taxable event for the holder.
CLASS A, B AND C RULE 12B-1 PLANS. As described in the Prospectus, the Fund has
adopted a Distribution Plan and Agreement on behalf of each Series pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 of the Act for each class of such Series: the "A Plan" (all Series),
the "B Plan" (National Series only) and the "C Plan" (National, New York and
California Series only), respectively. In adopting each Plan and in approving
its continuance, the Board of Directors has concluded that there is a reasonable
likelihood that each Plan will benefit its respective Class and such Class'
shareholders. The expected benefits include greater sales and lower redemptions
of shares, which should allow each Class to maintain a consistent cash flow, and
a higher quality of service to shareholders by authorized institutions than
would otherwise be the case. Both the B Plan and the C Plans were adopted by the
Fund subsequent to its last fiscal year. Lord Abbett used all amounts received
under the A Plans for payments to dealers for (i) providing continuous services
to the Class A shareholders, such as answering shareholder inquiries,
maintaining records, and assisting shareholders in making redemptions,
transfers, additional purchases and exchanges and (ii) their assistance in
distributing Class A shares of the Fund.
<PAGE>
The fees payable under the A, B and C Plans are described in the Prospectus. For
the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997 fees paid to dealers under the A Plans
were as follows: National Series $1,580,638; New York Series $747,714;
California Series $681,060; Texas Series $249,678; New Jersey Series $441,129;
Connecticut Series $247,201; Missouri Series $437,956 and Hawaii Series
$209,303.
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997 fees paid to dealers under the B
Plan for the National Series were $12,902. For the fiscal year ended September
30, 1997 fees paid under the C Plan for the National, New York and California
Series were $413,830, $63,980 and $150,927.
Each Plan requires the Board of Directors to review, on a quarterly basis,
written reports of all amounts expended pursuant to the Plan and the purposes
for which such expenditures were made. Each Plan shall continue in effect only
if its continuance is specifically approved at least annually by vote of the
Board of Directors and of the directors who are not interested persons of the
Fund and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of
the Plan or in any agreements related to the Plan ("outside directors"), cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Plan and agreements.
No Plan may be amended to increase materially the amount spent for distribution
expenses without approval by a majority of the outstanding voting securities of
the relevant class of the Series in question and the approval of a majority of
the directors, including a majority of the outside directors. Each Plan may be
terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the outside directors or by vote
of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the
relevant class of the Series in question.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGES. A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge ("CDSC"),
applies upon early redemption of shares, regardless of class, and (i) will be
assessed on the lesser of the net asset value of the shares at the time of
redemption or the original purchase price and (ii) is not imposed on the amount
of your account value represented by the increase in net asset value over the
initial purchase price (including increases due to the reinvestment of dividends
and capital gains distributions).
CLASS A SHARES. As stated in the Prospectus, a CDSC is imposed with respect to
those Class A shares (or Class A shares of another Lord Abbett-sponsored fund or
series acquired through exchange of such shares) on which a Series has paid the
one-time 1% distribution fee if such shares are redeemed out of the Lord
Abbett-sponsored family of funds within a period of 24 months from the end of
the month in which the original sale occurred.
CLASS B SHARES (NATIONAL SERIES ONLY). As stated in the Prospectus, if Class B
shares of the National Series (or Class B shares of another Lord
Abbett-sponsored fund or series acquired through exchange of such shares) are
redeemed out of the Lord Abbett-sponsored family of funds for cash before the
sixth anniversary of their purchase, a CDSC will be deducted from the redemption
proceeds. The Class B CDSC is paid to Lord Abbett Distributor to reimburse its
expenses, in whole or in part, of providing distribution-related service to the
Series in connection with the sale of Class B shares.
To determine whether the CDSC applies to a redemption, the Series redeem shares
in the following order: (1) shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends and
capital gains distributions, (2) shares held on or after the sixth anniversary
of their purchase, and (3) shares held the longest before such sixth
anniversary.
The amount of the contingent deferred sales charge will depend on the number of
years since you invested and the dollar amount being redeemed, according to the
following schedule:
Anniversary of Contingent Deferred Sales Charge
Purchase on Redemptions (As % of Amount Subject to Charge)
Before the 1st 5.0%
On the 1st, before the 2nd 4.0%
On the 2nd, before the 3rd 3.0%
On the 3rd, before the 4th 3.0%
On the 4th, before the 5th 2.0%
On the 5th, before the 6th 1.0%
On or after the 6th anniversary None
<PAGE>
In the table, an "anniversary" is the 365th day subsequent to the acceptance of
a purchase order or a prior anniversary. All purchases are considered to have
been made on the business day on which the purchase order was accepted.
CLASS C SHARES (NATIONAL, NEW YORK AND CALIFORNIA SERIES ONLY). As stated in the
Prospectus, if Class C shares are redeemed for cash before the first anniversary
of their purchase, the redeeming shareholder will be required to pay to the
applicable Series on behalf of Class C shares a CDSC of 1% of the lower of cost
or the then net asset value of Class C shares redeemed. If such shares are
exchanged into the same class of another Lord Abbett-sponsored fund and
subsequently redeemed before the first anniversary of their original purchase,
the charge will be collected by the other fund on behalf of the Series' Class C
shares.
GENERAL. Each percentage (1% in the case of Class A and C shares and 5% through
1% in the case of Class B shares) used to calculate CDSCs described above for
the Class A, Class B and Class C shares is sometimes hereinafter referred to as
the "Applicable Percentage".
With respect to Class A and Class B shares, no CDSC is payable on redemptions by
participants or beneficiaries from employer-sponsored retirement plans under the
Internal Revenue Code for benefit payments due to plan loans, hardship
withdrawals, death, retirement or separation from service and for returns of
excess contributions to retirement plan sponsors. In the case of Class A and
Class C shares, the CDSC is received by the applicable Series and is intended to
reimburse all or a portion of the amount paid by the Series if the shares are
redeemed before the Series has had an opportunity to realize the anticipated
benefits of having a long-term shareholder account in the Series. In the case of
Class B shares, the CDSC is received by Lord Abbett Distributor and is intended
to reimburse its expenses of providing distribution-related service to the
National Series (including recoupment of the commission payments made) in
connection with the sale of Class B shares before Lord Abbett Distributor has
had an opportunity to realize its anticipated reimbursement by having such a
long-term shareholder account subject to the B Plan distribution fee.
The other funds and series which participate in the Telephone Exchange Privilege
(except (a) Lord Abbett U.S. Government Securities Money Market Fund, Inc.
("GSMMF"), (b) certain series of the Fund and Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Trust
for which a Rule 12b-1 Plan is not yet in effect, and (c) any authorized
institution's affiliated money market fund satisfying Lord Abbett Distributor as
to certain omnibus account and other criteria, hereinafter referred to as an
"authorized money market fund" or "AMMF" (collectively, the "Non-12b-1 Funds"))
have instituted a CDSC for each class on the same terms and conditions. No CDSC
will be charged on an exchange of shares of the same class between Lord Abbett
funds or between such funds and AMMF. Upon redemption of shares out of the Lord
Abbett family of funds or out of AMMF, the CDSC will be charged on behalf of and
paid: (i) to the fund in which the original purchase (subject to a CDSC)
occurred, in the case of the Class A and Class C shares and (ii) to Lord Abbett
Distributor if the original purchase was subject to a CDSC, in the case of the
Class B shares. Thus, if shares of a Lord Abbett fund are exchanged for shares
of the same class of another such fund and the shares of the same class tendered
("Exchanged Shares") are subject to a CDSC, the CDSC will carry over to the
shares of the same class being acquired, including GSMMF and AMMF ("Acquired
Shares"). Any CDSC that is carried over to Acquired Shares is calculated as if
the holder of the Acquired Shares had held those shares from the date on which
he or she became the holder of the Exchanged Shares. Although the Non-12b-1
Funds will not pay a distribution fee on their own shares, and will, therefore,
not impose their own CDSC, the Non-12b-1 Funds will collect the CDSC (a) on
behalf of other Lord Abbett funds, in the case of the Class A and Class C shares
and (b) on behalf of Lord Abbett Distributor, in the case of the Class B shares.
Acquired Shares held in GSMMF and AMMF which are subject to a CDSC will be
credited with the time such shares are held in GSMMF but will not be credited
with the time such shares are held in AMMF. Therefore, if your Acquired Shares
held in AMMF qualified for no CDSC or a lower Applicable Percentage at the time
of exchange into AMMF, that Applicable Percentage will apply to redemptions for
cash from AMMF, regardless of the time you have held Acquired Shares in AMMF.
In no event will the amount of the CDSC exceed the Applicable Percentage of the
lesser of: (i) the net asset value of the shares redeemed or (ii) the original
cost of such shares (or of the Exchanged Shares for which such shares were
acquired). No CDSC will be imposed when the investor redeems (i) amounts derived
from increases in the value of the account above the total cost of shares being
redeemed due to increases in net asset value, (ii) shares with respect to which
<PAGE>
no Lord Abbett fund or series paid a 12b-1 fee and, in the case of Class B
shares, Lord Abbett Distributor paid no sales charge or service fee (including
shares acquired through reinvestment of dividend income and capital gains
distributions) or (iii) shares which, together with Exchanged Shares, have been
held continuously for 24 months from the end of the month in which the original
sale occurred (in the case of Class A shares); for six years or more (in the
case of Class B shares) or for one year or more (in the case of Class C shares).
In determining whether a CDSC is payable, (a) shares not subject to the CDSC
will be redeemed before shares subject to the CDSC and (b) of the shares subject
to a CDSC, those held the longest will be the first to be redeemed.
EXCHANGES. The Prospectus briefly describes the Telephone Exchange Privilege.
You may exchange some or all of your shares for those of the same class of: (i)
Lord Abbett-sponsored funds currently offered to the public with a sales charge
(front-end, back-end or level), (ii) GSMMF or (iii) AMMF, to the extent offers
and sales may be made in your state. You should read the prospectus of the other
fund before exchanging. In establishing a new account by exchange, shares of the
Fund being exchanged must have a value equal to at least the minimum initial
investment required for the fund into which the exchange is made.
Shareholders in other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds and AMMF have the same right
to exchange their shares for the Fund's shares. Exchanges are based on relative
net asset values on the day instructions are received by the Fund in Kansas City
if the instructions are received prior to the close of the NYSE in proper form.
No sales charges are imposed except in the case of exchanges out of GSMMF or
AMMF (unless a sales charge (front-end, back-end or level) was paid on the
initial investment). Exercise of the exchange privilege will be treated as a
sale for federal income tax purposes, and, depending on the circumstances, a
gain or loss may be recognized. In the case of an exchange of shares that have
been held for 90 days or less where no sales charge is payable on the exchange,
the original sales charge incurred with respect to the exchanged shares will be
taken into account in determining gain or loss on the exchange only to the
extent such charge exceeds the sales charge that would have been payable on the
acquired shares had they been acquired for cash rather than by exchange. The
portion of the original sales charge not so taken into account will increase the
basis of the acquired shares.
Shareholders have the exchange privilege unless they refuse it in writing. You
should not view the exchange privilege as a means for taking advantage of
short-term swings in the market, and we reserve the right to terminate or limit
the privilege of any shareholder who makes frequent exchanges. We can revoke or
modify the privilege for all shareholders upon 60 days' prior notice. "Eligible
Funds" are AMMF and other Lord Abbett-sponsored funds which are eligible for the
exchange privilege, except Lord Abbett Series Fund ("LASF") which offers its
shares only in connection with certain variable annuity contracts, Lord Abbett
Equity Fund ("LAEF") which is not issuing shares, and series of Lord Abbett
Research Fund not offered to the general public ("LARF").
STATEMENT OF INTENTION. Under the terms of the Statement of Intention to invest
$100,000 or more over a 13-month period as described in the Prospectus, shares
of Lord Abbett-sponsored funds (other than shares of LAEF, LASF, LARF and GSMMF,
unless holdings in GSMMF are attributable to shares exchanged from a Lord
Abbett-sponsored fund offered with a front-end, back-end or level sales charge)
currently owned by you are credited as purchases (at their current offering
prices on the date the Statement is signed) toward achieving the stated
investment and reduced initial charges for Class A shares. Class A shares valued
at 5% of the amount of intended purchases are escrowed and may be redeemed to
cover the additional sales charge payable if the Statement is not completed. The
Statement of Intention is neither a binding obligation on you to buy, nor on the
Fund to sell, the full amount indicated.
RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION. As stated in the Prospectus, purchasers (as defined in
the Prospectus) may accumulate their investment in Lord Abbett-sponsored funds
(other than LAEF, LARF, LASF, and GSMMF, unless holdings in GSMMF are
attributable to shares exchanged from a Lord Abbett-sponsored fund offered with
a front-end, back-end or level sales charge) so that a current investment, plus
the purchaser's holdings valued at the current maximum offering price, reach a
level eligible for a discounted sales charge for Class A shares.
NET ASSET VALUE PURCHASES OF CLASS A SHARES. As stated in the Prospectus, our
Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value by our directors, employees
of Lord Abbett, employees of our shareholder servicing agent and employees of
any securities dealer having a sales agreement with Lord Abbett who consents to
such purchases or by the trustee or custodian under any pension or
profit-sharing plan or Payroll Deduction IRA established for the benefit of such
persons or for the benefit of employees of any national securities trade
organization to which Lord Abbett belongs or any company with an account(s) in
excess of $10 million managed by Lord Abbett on a private-advisory-account
basis. For purposes of this paragraph, the terms "directors" and "employees"
include a director's or employee's spouse (including the surviving spouse of a
deceased director or employee). The terms " directors" and "employees of Lord
Abbett" also include other family members and retired directors and employees.
<PAGE>
Our Class A shares also may be purchased at net asset value (a) at $1 million or
more, (b) with dividends and distributions from Class A shares and other Lord
Abbett-sponsored funds, except for LARF, LAEF and LASF, (c) under the loan
feature of the Lord Abbett-sponsored prototype 403(b) plan for share purchases
representing the repayment of principal and interest, (d) by certain authorized
brokers, dealers, registered investment advisers or other financial institutions
who have entered into an agreement with Lord Abbett Distributor in accordance
with certain standards approved by Lord Abbett Distributor, providing
specifically for the use of our shares in particular investment products made
available for a fee to clients of such brokers, dealers, registered investment
advisers and other financial institutions, and (e) by employees, partners and
owners of unaffiliated consultants and advisors to Lord Abbett, Lord Abbett
Distributor or Lord Abbett-sponsored funds who consent to such purchase if such
persons provide service to Lord Abbett, Lord Abbett Distributor or such funds on
a continuing basis and are familiar with such funds. Shares are offered at net
asset value to these investors for the purpose of promoting goodwill with
employees and others with whom Lord Abbett Distributor and/or the Fund has
business relationships.
Our shares may be issued at net asset value in exchange for the assets, subject
to possible tax adjustment, of a personal holding company or an investment
company. There are economies of selling efforts and sales-related expenses with
respect to offers to these investors and those referred to above.
REDEMPTIONS. A redemption order is in proper form when it contains all of the
information and documentation required by the order form or supplementally by
Lord Abbett Distributor or the Fund to carry out the order. The signature(s) and
any legal capacity of the signer(s) must be guaranteed by an eligible guarantor.
See the Prospectus for expedited redemption procedures.
The right to redeem and receive payment, as described in the Prospectus, may be
suspended if the NYSE is closed (except for weekends or customary holidays),
trading on the NYSE is restricted or the Securities and Exchange Commission
deems an emergency to exist.
Our Board of Directors may authorize redemption of all of the shares in any
account in which there are fewer than 25 shares. Before authorizing such
redemption, the Board must determine that it is in our economic best interest or
necessary to reduce disproportionately burdensome expenses in servicing
shareholder accounts. At least 30 days' prior written notice will be given
before any such redemption, during which time shareholders may avoid redemption
by bringing their accounts up to the minimum set by the Board.
DIV-MOVE. Under the Div-Move service described in the Prospectus, you can invest
the dividends paid on your account into an existing account in any other
Eligible Fund. The account must be either your account, a joint account for you
and your spouse, a single account for your spouse, or a custodial account for
your minor child under the age of 21. You should read the prospectus of the
other fund before investing.
INVEST-A-MATIC. The Invest-A-Matic method of investing in the Fund and/or any
other Eligible Fund is described in the Prospectus. To avail yourself of this
method you must complete the application form, selecting the time and amount of
your bank checking account withdrawals and the funds for investment, include a
voided, unsigned check and complete the bank authorization.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLANS. The Systematic Withdrawal Plan (the "SWP") also is
described in the Prospectus. You may establish a SWP if you own or purchase
uncertificated shares having a current offering price value of at least $10,000.
Lord Abbett prototype retirement plans have no such minimum. With respect to a
SWP for Class B shares, the CDSC will be waived on redemptions of up to 12% per
year of either the current net asset value of your account or your original
purchase price, whichever is higher. With respect to Class C shares, the CDSC
will be waived on and after the first anniversary of their purchase. The SWP
involves the planned redemption of shares on a periodic basis by receiving
either fixed or variable amounts at periodic intervals. Since the value of
shares redeemed may be more or less than their cost, gain or loss may be
recognized for income tax purposes on each periodic payment. Normally, you may
not make regular investments at the same time you are receiving systematic
withdrawal payments because it is not in your interest to pay a sales charge on
new investments when in effect a portion of that new investment is soon
withdrawn. The minimum investment accepted while a withdrawal plan is in effect
is $1,000. The SWP may be terminated by you or by us at any time by written
notice.
RETIREMENT PLANS. The Prospectus indicates the types of retirement plans for
which Lord Abbett provides forms and explanations. Lord Abbett makes available
<PAGE>
the retirement plan forms and custodial agreements for IRAs (Individual
Retirement Accounts including Simplified Employee Pensions), 403(b) plans and
qualified pension and profit-sharing plans, including 401(k) plans. The forms
name Investors Fiduciary Trust Company as custodian and contain specific
information about the plans. Explanations of the eligibility requirements,
annual custodial fees and allowable tax advantages and penalties are set forth
in the relevant plan documents. Adoption of any of these plans should be on the
advice of your legal counsel or qualified tax adviser.
6.
TAXES
Each Series will be treated as a separate entity for federal income tax
purposes. As a result, the status of each Series as a regulated investment
company is determined separately by the Internal Revenue Service.
Interest on indebtedness incurred by a shareholder to purchase or carry shares
of the Fund may not be deductible, in whole or in part, for federal, or for
state or personal income tax purposes. Pursuant to published guidelines, the
Internal Revenue Service may deem indebtedness to have been incurred for the
purpose of acquiring or carrying shares of the Fund even though the borrowed
funds may not be directly traceable to the purchase of shares.
Our shares may not be an appropriate investment for "substantial users" of
facilities financed by industrial development bonds or persons related to such
"substantial users." Such persons should consult their tax advisers before
investing in shares of the Fund.
Certain financial institutions, like other taxpayers, may be denied a federal
income tax deduction for the amount of interest expense allocable to an
investment in the Fund and the deduction for loss reserves available to property
and casualty insurance companies may be reduced by a specified percentage as a
result of their investment in the Fund.
The value of any shares redeemed by the Fund or repurchased or otherwise sold
may be more or less than your tax basis at the time the redemption, repurchase
or sale is made. Any gain or loss generally will be taxable for federal income
tax purposes. Any loss realized on the sale, redemption or repurchase of Fund
shares held for six months or less will be treated for tax purposes as a
long-term capital loss to the extent of any distribution designated by the Fund
as a "capital gains distribution" received with respect to such shares.
Moreover, shareholders will not be allowed to recognize for tax purposes any
capital loss realized on the redemption or repurchase of Fund shares which they
have held for six months or less to the extent of any tax-exempt distributions
received on the shares. Losses on the sale of stock or securities are not
deductible if, within a period beginning 30 days before the date of the sale and
ending 30 days after the date of the sale, the taxpayer acquires stock or
securities that are substantially identical.
Each Series will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax on certain amounts
not distributed (and not treated as having been distributed) on a timely basis
in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement. The Fund intends to
distribute to shareholders each year an amount adequate to avoid the imposition
of such excise taxes.
Limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, on
regulated investment companies may restrict the Fund's ability to engage in the
options and financial futures transactions discussed above or in other
investment techniques and practices. Moreover, in order to continue to qualify
as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes, each Series
may be required in some circumstances to defer closing out options or futures
contracts that might otherwise be desirable to close out. State law may restrict
a Series' ability to engage in the options and financial futures transactions
discussed above. A current interpretation of New Jersey law issued by the New
Jersey Department of the Treasury would preclude the New Jersey Series from
engaging in some or all of the options and financial futures transactions
discussed above. Each Series may engage in such transactions to the extent they
currently are or become permissible under applicable state law.
Except as discussed in the Prospectus, the receipt of dividends from the Series
may be subject to tax under laws of state or local tax authorities. You should
consult your tax adviser on state and local tax matters.
<PAGE>
7.
RISK FACTORS REGARDING INVESTMENTS
IN CALIFORNIA, CONNECTICUT, HAWAII, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY,
NEW YORK, TEXAS, WASHINGTON AND PUERTO RICO MUNICIPAL BONDS
The following information is a summary of special factors affecting the states
and territory indicated. It does not purport to be complete or current and is
based upon information and judgments derived from public documents relating to
such states and territory and other sources. The Fund has not verified any of
this data.
CALIFORNIA BONDS
Certain -provisions of the California Constitution and State statutes which
limit the taxing and spending authority of California governmental entities may
impair the ability of California issuers to maintain debt service on their
obligations. GENERAL -Starting in mid-1990, the State entered a sustained
economic recession, somewhat later than the rest of the nation. It was the most
severe recession in the State since the 1930's, with job losses estimated at
over 800,000 particularly in the manufacturing (predominately aerospace),
services and construction sectors. A steady recovery has been underway since
1994 and pre-recession employment levels are not expected to be reached by early
1996.
On July 15, 1994, all three of the rating agencies rating the State's long-term
debt lowered their ratings of the State's general obligation bonds. Moody's
lowered its rating from "Aa" to A1", S&P lowered its rating from "A+" to "A" and
termed its outlook as "stable," and Fitch lowered its rating from "AA" to "A."
Evidence that the has entered a recovery phase is the Department of Finances's
May Revision to the 1996-97 Governor's Budget, released on May 21, 1996, which
updated the projections for the 1995-96 Fiscal Year so that revenues and
transfers were estimated to be $46.1 billion, some $2 billion over the original
fiscal year estimate, which was attributed to the strong economic recovery.
Expenditures were also increased, to an estimated $45.4 billion, as a result of
the requirement to expend revenues for schools under Proposition 98, a combined
initiative constitutional amendment and statute entitled the "Classroom
Instructional Improvement and Accountability Act", and, among other things,
failure of the federal government to enact welfare reform and to budget new aid
for illegal immigrant costs, both of which the Administration had counted on to
allow reductions in State costs. The Special Fund for Economic Uncertainties was
projected to have a small negative balance of about $70 million at June 30,
1996, all but eliminating the accumulated budget deficit from the early 1990's.
The Department also estimated that on June 30, 1996, available internal
borrowable resources (available cash, after payment of all obligations due)
would be about $4 billion, representing a significant improvement in the State's
cash position, and ending the need for deficit borrowing over the end of the
fiscal year. The State's improved cash position allowed it to repay the $4.0
billion Revenue Anticipation Warrant issue on April 25, 1996, and to issue only
$2.0 billion of revenue anticipation notes during the fiscal year, which matured
on June 28, 1996.
The 1997-98 Budget Act is projected to have $52.5 billion of General Fund
revenues and transfers, a 6.8% increase over 1996-97 and $52.8 billion of
budgeted expenditures. The principal features of the 1997-98 Budget Act include:
an increase in Proposition 98 funding for schools and college districts, a
$1.235 billion pension case judgment payment, the provision of approximately
$300 million in federal funds for incarceration costs of illegal immigrants and
no tax increases. The legislature approved a 5% cut in bank and corporate taxes
starting January 1, 1997.
ARTICLE XIII B OF THE CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION. In 1979, California voters
adopted Article XIII B to the California Constitution, imposing an
appropriations limit (the "Appropriations Limit") on the spending authority of
the State. Article XIII B was modified substantially by Propositions 98 and 111
in 1988 and 1990, respectively. (See "Proposition 98" below.)
Article XIII B prohibits the State from spending "appropriations subject to
limitation" in excess of the Appropriations Limit. "Appropriations subject to
limitation," with respect to the State, are authorizations to spend "proceeds of
taxes," which consist of tax revenues, and certain other funds, including
proceeds from regulatory licenses, user charges or other fees, to the extent
that such proceeds exceed "the cost reasonably borne by that entity in providing
the regulation, product or service," but "proceeds of taxes" exclude most State
subventions to local governments, tax refunds and some benefit payments such as
unemployment insurance. No limit is imposed on appropriations of funds which are
<PAGE>
not "proceeds of taxes," such as reasonable user charges or fees and certain
other non-tax funds.
Not included in the Appropriations Limit are appropriations for the debt service
costs of bonds existing or authorized by January 1, 1979 or subsequently
authorized by the voters, appropriations required to comply with mandates of
courts or the federal government and, pursuant to Proposition 111,
appropriations for qualified capital outlay projects and appropriations of
revenues derived from any increase in gasoline taxes and motor vehicle weight
fees above January 1, 1990 levels. In addition, a number of recent initiatives
were structured to create new tax revenues dedicated to certain specific uses,
with such new taxes expressly exempted from the Article XIII B limits (e.g.,
increased cigarette and tobacco taxes enacted by Proposition 98 in 1988). The
Appropriations Limit also may be exceeded in cases of emergency. However, unless
the emergency arises from civil disturbance or natural disaster declared by the
Governor, and the appropriations are approved by two-thirds of the Legislature,
the Appropriations Limit for the succeeding three years must be reduced by the
amount of the excess.
PROPOSITION 98. On November 8, 1988, voters of the State approved Proposition
98, a combined initiative constitutional amendment and statute called the
"Classroom Instructional Improvement and Accountability Act." Proposition 98
changed State funding of public education below the university level and the
operation of the State Appropriations Limit, primarily by guaranteeing K-14
schools a minimum share of General Fund revenues.
Proposition 98 permits the Legislature, by two-thirds vote of both Houses with
the Governor's concurrence, to suspend the K-14 schools' minimum funding formula
for a one-year period. Proposition 98 also contains provisions transferring
certain State tax revenues in excess of the Article XIII B limit to K-14
schools.
The effect of these various constitutional and statutory amendments upon the
ability of California issuers to pay interest and principal on their obligations
remains unclear and in any event may depend upon whether a particular California
Municipal Bond is a general or limited obligation bond (limited obligation bonds
generally being less affected by such changes) and on the type of security, if
any, provided for the bond. It is possible that other measures affecting the
taxing or spending authority of the State of California or its political
subdivisions may be approved or enacted in the future.
CONNECTICUT BONDS
Connecticut is a mature and highly developed State located in proximity to
significant centers of consumer and industrial activity. During the 1980s and
until 1993, unemployment rates generally have stayed at or below the national
figures. Personal income has exceeded regional and national levels. However,
while the State has a high level of personal income, large gaps exist between
the low figure for its largest cities and the remainder of the State.
Connecticut's economy is diverse, with manufacturing, services and trade
accounting for approximately 70% of total nonagricultural employment.
Manufacturing employment has been on a downward trend since the mid-1980's while
non-manufacturing employment has risen significantly. Rapid relative growth in
the non-manufacturing sector as compared to the manufacturing sector is a trend
that is in evidence nationwide and reflects the increased importance of the
service industry. From 1985 to 1995, manufacturing employment in the State
declined by 30.1%, producing a decline of 1.5% from 1994 to 1995.
Non-manufacturing employment rose slightly over the same period, particularly in
the services, trade and finance sectors, continuing a growth trend begun in the
early 1970's. The State's manufacturing sector is diversified, with
transportation equipment (primarily aircraft engines, helicopters and
submarines) the dominant industry, followed by non-electrical machinery,
fabricated metal products and electrical equipment.
Because of the important role of defense-related businesses in the State,
changes in military appropriations enacted by the United States Congress will
disproportionately affect the State's economy.
Connecticut has no constitutional limit on its power to issue obligations or
incur indebtedness other than that it may only borrow for public purposes. In
1991, legislation was enacted providing that no indebtedness payable from
General Fund tax receipts of the State shall be authorized by the General
Assembly, except as shall not cause the aggregate amount of (1) the total amount
of indebtedness payable from General Fund tax receipts authorized by the General
Assembly but which have not been issued and (2) the total amount of such
indebtedness which has been issued and remains outstanding (with certain
exceptions), to exceed 1.6 times the total estimated General Fund tax receipts
of the State for the fiscal year in which any such authorization will become
effective, as estimated for such fiscal year by the joint standing committee of
the General Assembly having cognizance of finance, revenue and bonding.
On November 3, 1992, Connecticut voters approved a constitutional amendment
which requires a balanced budget for each year and imposes a cap on the growth
of expenditures. The General Assembly is required by the constitutional
amendment to adopt by three-fifths vote certain spending cap definitions, which
has not yet occurred. Accordingly, the 1997-98 budget complies with the current
statutory spending cap definitions enacted in 1991. The statutory spending cap
limits the growth of expenditures to either (1) the average of the annual
increase in personal income in the State for each of the preceding five years or
(2) the increase in the consumer price index for urban consumers during the
preceding twelve-month period, whichever is greater. Expenditures for the
payment of bonds, notes and other evidences of indebtedness are excluded from
the constitutional and statutory definitions of general budget expenditures.
The Comptroller's monthly report for the period ending June 30, 1997 indicated a
projected General Fund surplus of 255.3 million. This surplus is primarily the
result of higher than anticipated revenue collections of $516.8 million above
original budget projections. The most significant contributor to this increase
was higher than expected personal income tax collections combined with much
lower than expected refunds of taxes. Pursuant to legislative action, $166.7
million of the fiscal 1996-97 surplus shall be deemed to be appropriated to the
Economic Recovery Fund to meet the final two payments of Economic Recovery
Notes. The improved revenue results are offset somewhat by Medicaid expenditures
and expenses associated with early retirement incentive packages. No assurances
can be given that the final annual report will not indicate changes in the
anticipated General Fund result.
The adopted budget for 1997-98 anticipates General Fund revenues of $9,342.4
million and General Fund expenditures of $9,342.2 million resulting in a
projected surplus of $0.2 million. Per Section 3-115 of the Connecticut General
Statutes, the State's fiscal position is reported monthly by the Comptroller.
This report compares revenues already received and expenditures already made to
estimated revenues to be collected and estimated expenditures to be made during
the balance of the year.
HAWAII BONDS
The Constitution of the State of Hawaii empowers the issuance of four types of
bonds. They are:
1. General obligation bonds (all bonds for the payment of the principal and
interest for which the full faith and credit of the State or a political
subdivision are pledged and, unless otherwise indicated, including reimbursable
general obligation bonds);
2. Bonds issued under special improvements statutes;
3. Revenue bonds (all bonds payable from revenues, or user taxes, or any
combination of both, of a public undertaking, improvement, system or loan
program); and
4. Special purpose revenue bonds (all bonds payable from rental or other
payments made or any issuer by a person pursuant to contract). Such bonds shall
only be authorized or issued to finance manufacturing, processing or industrial
enterprise facilities, utilities serving the general public, health care
facilities provided to the general public by not-for-profit corporations or low
and moderate income governmental housing programs.
All bonds other than special purpose revenue bonds may be authorized by a
majority vote of the members of each House of the Hawaii Legislature. Special
purpose revenue bonds may be authorized by two-thirds vote of the members of
each House of the Hawaii Legislature.
The Hawaii Constitution contains a limitation on issuance of State general
obligation bonds which is the amount of bonds outstanding that would cause the
debt service (principal and interest) payable on such bonds (either the higher
of the current or projected debt service), to exceed 18 1/2% of the average of
the general fund revenues of Hawaii in the three fiscal years immediately
preceding such issuance (general fund revenue excludes grants from the federal
government and receipts in reimbursement of any indebtedness excluded in
computing the total State debt). This limitation on the power of the State to
incur indebtedness applies only to the issuance of general obligation bonds, is
computed at the time of issuance and includes only issued, outstanding and
proposed to be issued general obligation bonds.
<PAGE>
GENERAL INFORMATION. Through 1995, total personal income in Hawaii has continued
to grow, as has per capita personal income although the rate of growth for both
has slowed in recent years. Unemployment decreased in 1995 to 5.4%, a 0.2%
percentage point decline from 1994, approximately the national average. In
general, the State's economy has remained stable with increases in retail sales
but decreases in construction and tourism. Recent years have seen an increase in
diversified agricultural sales, particularly in growing and exporting papayas,
macadamia nuts, and nursery products. Hurricane Iniki passed directly over the
island of Kauai on November 11, 1992, causing damage estimated at over $1.7
billion. On July 1, 1995, the Hawaii legislature authorized the issuance of $600
million in general obligation bonds for the Hawaiian Hurricane Relief Fund.
MINNESOTA BONDS
Diversity and a significant natural resource base are two important
characteristics of Minnesota's economy. When viewed in 1996 at a highly
aggregative level of detail, the structure of the State's economy parallels the
structure of the United States economy as a whole. State employment in 10 major
sectors was distributed in approximately the same proportions as national
employment. Some unique characteristics in the State's economy were apparent in
employment concentrations in industries that comprise the durable and
non-durable goods manufacturing categories. In the durable goods industries, the
State's employment in 1996 was highly concentrated in the industrial machinery,
instrument and miscellaneous categories. Of particular importance is the
industrial machinery category in which 30.3% of the State's durable goods
employment was concentrated in 1996, as compared to 19.6% for the United States
as a whole. The emphasis is partly explained by the location in the State of
Unisys, IBM, Cray Research, and other computer equipment manufacturers which are
included in the industrial machinery classification.
The importance of the State's rich resource base for overall employment is
apparent in the employment mix in the non-durable goods industries. In 1996,
29.8% of the State's non-durable goods employment was concentrated in food and
kindred industries, and 17.8% in paper and allied industries. This compares to
22.1% and 8.9%, respectively, for comparable sectors in the national economy.
Both of these rely heavily on renewable resources in the State. Over half of the
State's acreage is devoted to agricultural purposes, and nearly one-third to
forestry. Printing and publishing is also relatively more important in the State
than in the U.S. Mining is currently a less significant factor in the State
economy than it once was.
The State's per capita income, which is computed by dividing personal income by
total resident population, has generally remained above the national average in
spite of early 1980's recessions and some difficult years in agriculture. In
1996, Minnesota per capita personal income was 105.6% of its U.S. counterpart.
During 1995 and 1996, the State's monthly unemployment rate was generally less
than the national unemployment rate, averaging 4.0% in 1996, as compared to the
national average of 5.4%.
The Minnesota Constitution authorizes public debt to be incurred (i) for the
acquisition and betterment of public land, buildings, and other improvements of
a capital nature or appropriation or loans to State agencies or political
subdivisions for such purposes and (ii) to finance the development of
agricultural resources of the State by extending credit on real estate security.
All such debt must be evidenced by the issuance of State bonds maturing within
20 years of their date of issue, for which the full faith and credit and taxing
powers of the State are irrevocably pledged. The Constitution places no
limitation on the amount which may be authorized for these purposes. As of
August 1, 1997, the outstanding principal amount of general obligation bonds of
the State was approximately $2.2 billion.
The University of Minnesota, established as a separate entity by the Minnesota
Constitution, and various State agencies or instrumentalities established by the
Legislature, are authorized by law to issue various forms of obligations. These
obligations may be supported by the full faith and credit of the University and
the other issuers, or by various revenue pledges, or both. However, such
obligations are not debts of the State and the State is not required to provide
monies for their repayment. As of July 1, 1997, such issuers (and principal
amount of obligations outstanding) include: Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
($1.991 billion), University of Minnesota ($292 million), Minnesota Higher
Education Coordinating Board ($75 million), Minnesota State Colleges and
University Board ($60.5 million), Minnesota Higher Education Facilities
Authority ($288 million), Minnesota Public Facilities Authority ($378 million),
Minnesota State Armory Building Commission ($4 million), Minnesota Rural Finance
Authority ($19 million), Minnesota Agricultural and Economic Development Board
($33 million) and the office of the Commissioner of the Iron Range Resources and
Rehabilitation ($4 million).
<PAGE>
MISSOURI BONDS
Limitations on the State debt and bond issues are contained in Article III,
Section 37 of the Constitution of Missouri. Pursuant to this section, the
General Assembly may issue general obligation bonds solely for the purpose of
(1) refunding outstanding bonds or (2) upon the recommendation of the Governor,
for a temporary liability by reason of unforeseen emergency or of deficiency in
revenue in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 for any one year and to be paid in
not more than five years or as otherwise specifically provided. When the
liability exceeds $1,000,000, the General Assembly, or the people by initiative,
may submit the proposition to incur indebtedness to the voters of the State, and
the bonds may be issued if approved by a majority of those voting.
Article X, Sections 16-24 of the Constitution of Missouri (the "Tax Limitation
Amendment"), imposes limitations on the amount of State taxes which may be
collected by the State of Missouri in any fiscal year. The limit is tied to
total State revenues for fiscal year 1980-81, as defined in the Tax Limitation
Amendment, adjusted annually, in accordance with the formula set forth in the
Amendment, which adjusts the limit based on increases in the average personal
income of Missouri for certain designated periods. The details of the Amendment
are complex and clarification from subsequent legislation and further judicial
decisions may be necessary. If total State revenues exceed the State revenue
limit by more than one percent, the State is required to refund the excess. The
revenue limit can only be exceeded if the General Assembly approves by a
two-thirds vote of each House an emergency declaration by the Governor. The
state expects that the limit will be exceeded in Fiscal Year 1996 by
approximately $140 million, which will trigger an income base refund liability
under the provisions of the Constitution.
To the extent that the payment of general obligation bonds issued by the State
of Missouri or a unit of local government in the Series' portfolio is dependent
on revenues from the levy of taxes and such obligations have been issued
subsequent to the date of the Tax Limitation Amendment's adoption, November 4,
1980, the ability of the State of Missouri or the appropriate local unit to levy
sufficient taxes to pay the debt service on such bonds may be affected.
Debt obligations of certain State and local agencies and authorities are not, by
the terms of their respective authorizing statutes, obligations of the State or
any political subdivision, public instrumentality or authority, county,
municipality or other state or local unit of government. The debt obligations of
such issuers are payable only from the revenues generated by the project or
program financed from the proceeds of the debt obligations they issue.
Missouri has a diverse economy with a distribution of earnings and employment
among manufacturing, trade, service and other sectors closely approximating the
average national distribution. Since 1986, Missouri unemployment levels
generally have approximated, and at times have been higher than, the national
average.
The Missouri portions of the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas
together contain a significant portion of Missouri's population. Economic
reversals in either of these two areas would have a major impact on the overall
economic condition of the State of Missouri. Additionally, the State of Missouri
has a significant agricultural sector which may experience problems comparable
to those which are occurring in other states. To the extent that any such
problems intensify, there could possibly be an adverse impact on the overall
economic condition of the State.
Defense-related business plays an important role in Missouri's economy. In
addition to the large number of civilians employed at the various military
installations and training bases in the State, aircraft and related businesses
in Missouri are the recipients of substantial annual dollar volumes of defense
contract awards. Over the past decade, Missouri's rank among the top states in
total military contract awards has been significantly higher than its population
ranking. To the extent that changes in military appropriations are enacted by
the United States Congress, Missouri could be disproportionately affected.
NEW JERSEY BONDS
New Jersey's economic base is diversified, consisting of a variety of
manufacturing, construction and service industries, supplemented by selective
commercial agriculture. After a period of strong growth in the mid-1980s, New
Jersey as well as the rest of the Northeast slipped into a slow-down well before
the onset of the national recession which officially began in July 1990. The
onset of recession caused an acceleration of New Jersey's job losses in
construction and manufacturing, as well as an employment downturn in such
previously growing sectors as wholesale trade, retail trade, finance, utilities,
trucking and warehousing. The net effect was a decline in the State's total
nonfarm wage and salary employment from a peak of 3,689,800 in March 1989 to a
low of 3,445,000 in March 1992. This loss has been followed by an employment
gain of 176,400 from March 1992 to October 1995.
<PAGE>
Evidence of the State's improving economy can be found in increased homebuilding
and other areas of construction activity, rising consumer spending for new cars
and light trucks, substantial new job creation and a decline in the unemployment
rate. Looking further ahead, prospects for New Jersey are favorable, although a
return to the pace of the 1980's is highly unlikely.
The New Jersey Constitution provides, in part, that no money shall be drawn from
the State treasury except for appropriations made by law and that no law
appropriating money for any State purpose shall be enacted if the appropriations
contained therein, together with all prior appropriations made for the same
fiscal period, shall exceed the total amount of the revenue on hand and
anticipated to be available to meet such appropriations during such fiscal
period, as certified by the Governor.
New Jersey's Local Budget Law imposes specific budgetary procedures upon
counties and municipalities ("local units"). Every local unit must adopt an
operating budget which is balanced on a cash basis, and items of revenue and
appropriation must be examined by the Director of the Division of Local
Government Services in the State Department of Community Affairs (the
"Director").
The Local Government Cap Law (the "Cap Law") generally limits the year-to-year
increase of the total appropriations of any municipality and the tax levy of any
county to either five percent or an index rate determined annually by the
Director, whichever is less. However, where the index percentage rate exceeds
five percent, the Cap Law permits the governing body of any municipality or
county to approve the use of a higher percentage rate up to the index rate.
Further, where the index percentage rate is less than five percent, the Cap Law
also permits the governing body of any municipality or county to approve the use
of a higher percentage rate up to five percent. Regardless of the rate utilized,
certain exceptions exist to the Cap Law's limitation on increases in
appropriations. The principal exceptions to this limitation are municipal and
county appropriations to pay debt service requirements; to comply with certain
other State or federal mandates; amounts approved by referendum; and, in the
case of municipalities only, to fund the preceding year's cash deficit or to
reserve for shortfalls in tax collections.
State law also regulates the issuance of debt by local units. The Local Budget
Law limits the amount of tax anticipation notes that may be issued by local
units and requires the repayment of such notes within 120 days of the end of the
fiscal year (six months in the case of the counties) in which issued. With
certain exceptions, no local unit is permitted to issue bonds for the payment of
current expenses. Local units may not issue bonds to pay outstanding bonds,
except for refunding purposes, and then only with the approval of the Local
Finance Board. Local units may issue bond anticipation notes for temporary
periods not exceeding in the aggregate approximately ten years from the date of
first issue. The debt that any local unit may authorize is limited to a
percentage of its equalized valuation basis, which is the average of the
equalized value of all taxable real property and improvements within the
geographic boundaries of the local unit, as annually determined by the Director
of the Division of Taxation, for each of the three most recent years.
NEW YORK BONDS
Circumstances adversely affecting the State's credit rating may directly or
indirectly affect the market value of bonds issued by the State's political
subdivisions and its Authorities to the extent that those entities depend, or
are perceived to depend, upon State financial assistance. Conversely, the fiscal
stability of the State is related to the fiscal stability of New York City and
of the Authorities. The State's experience has been that if New York City or any
of the Authorities suffers serious financial difficulty, the ability of the
State, New York City, the State's political subdivisions and the Authorities to
obtain financing in the public credit markets is adversely affected. This
results, in part, from the expectation that to the extent that any Authority or
local government experiences financial difficulty, it will seek and receive
State financial assistance. Moreover, New York City accounts for a substantial
portion of the State's population and tax receipts, so New York City's financial
integrity affects the State directly. Accordingly, if there should be a default
by New York City or any of the Authorities, the market value and marketability
of all New York State tax-exempt bonds could be adversely affected. This would
have an adverse effect on the net asset value and liquidity of the Series, even
though securities of the defaulting entity may not be held by the Series.
<PAGE>
NEW YORK STATE. New York State has experienced a slowdown in the regional and
State economy in recent years and a severe economic downturn during the national
recession that commenced in mid-1990. The State economy remained in recession
until 1993, when employment growth resumed. Employment growth has been hindered
in recent years by cutbacks in the computer and instrument manufacturing,
utility, defense and banking industries. The State completed its 1996-97 fiscal
year with a general cash surplus. The closing Fund balance including a $317
million deposit in the Tax-Free Reserve Fund to be used in the event of any
future general fund deficit and $41 million on deposit in the Contingency
Reserve Fund.
New York State's financial operations have improved during recent fiscal years.
During the period 1989-90 through 1991-92, the State incurred General Fund
operating deficits that were closed with receipts from the issuance of tax and
revenue anticipation notes. First, the national recession, and then the
lingering economic slowdown in the New York and regional economy, resulted in
repeated shortfalls in receipts and three budget deficits. During its last five
fiscal years, the State recorded balanced budgets on a cash basis, with
substantial fund balances in 1992-93 and 1993-94, a smaller fund balance in
1994-95 and Fund cash surpluses in 1995-96 and 1996-97.
The State's budget for the 1997-98 fiscal year was enacted by the Legislature on
August 4, 1997, more than four months after the start of the fiscal year. Prior
to the adoption of the budget, the Legislature enacted appropriations for
disbursements considered to be necessary for State operations and other
purposes, including necessary appropriations for all State-supported debt
service. The State Financial Plan for the 1997-98 fiscal year was formulated on
August 11, 1997 and is based on the State's budget as enacted by the Legislature
and signed into law by the Governor, as well as actual results for the first
quarter of the current fiscal year. The 1996-97 State Financial Plan will be
updated in October and January.
The adopted 1997-98 budget projects an increase in General Fund disbursements of
5.2 percent over 1996-97 levels. State Funds (excluding federal grants)
disbursements are projected to increase by 5.4 percent from the prior fiscal
year. All Governmental Funds projected disbursements increase by 7.0 percent
over the prior fiscal year.
The 1997-98 State Financial Plan is projected to be balanced on a cash basis.
The Financial Plan projections include a reserve for future needs of $530
million. As compared to the Governor's Executive Budget as amended in February
1997, the State's adopted budget for 1997-98 increases General Fund spending by
$1.7 billion, primarily from increases for local assistance ($1.3 billion).
Resources used to fund these additional expenditures include increased revenues
projected for the 1997-98 fiscal year, increased resources produced in the
1996-97 fiscal year that will be utilized in 1997-98, re-estimates of social
service, fringe benefit and other spending, and other resources including
certain non-recurring resources. The total amount of non-recurring resources
included in the 1997-98 Financial Plan are projected by DOB to be $270 million,
or 0.7 percent of total General Fund receipts.
There can be no assurance that the State's projections for tax and other
receipts for the 1997-98 fiscal year are not overstated and will not be revised
downward, or that disbursements will not be in excess of the amounts projected.
In addition, projections of State disbursements for future fiscal years may be
affected by uncertain factors relating to the economy of the Nation and the
State and the financial condition of the Authorities, New York City and other
localities. In the event that these factors affect, or are perceived to affect,
the State's ability to meet its financial obligations, the market value and
marketability of its bonds also may be adversely affected.
AUTHORITIES. The fiscal stability of the State is related, in part, to the
fiscal stability of its Authorities, which generally are responsible for
financing, constructing and operating revenue-producing public benefit
facilities. Authorities are not subject to the constitutional restrictions on
the incurrence of debt which apply to the State itself and may issue bonds and
notes within the amounts indicated in their legislative authorization. The
State's access to the public credit markets could be impaired, and the market
price of its outstanding debt may be adversely affected, if any of the
Authorities were to default on their respective obligations. As of September 30,
1996, there were outstanding approximately $73.45 billion aggregate principal
amount of bonds and bond anticipation notes issued by 17 Authorities, only a
portion of which were guaranteed by the State or supported by the State through
lease-purchase or contractual-obligation financing arrangements or through moral
obligation provisions. While principal and interest payments on outstanding
Authority obligations normally are paid from revenues generated by projects of
the Authorities, in the past the State has had to appropriate large amounts to
enable certain Authorities (in particular, the New York State Urban Development
Corporation and the New York State Housing Finance Agency) to meet their
financial obligations. Further assistance to these Authorities may be required
in the future.
<PAGE>
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (the "MTA") oversees the operation of
New York City's bus and subway systems by its affiliates, the New York City
Transit Authority and the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating
Authority (collectively, the "TA") and, through subsidiaries, operates certain
commuter rail and bus lines and a rapid transit line on Staten Island. Through
its affiliated agency, the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (the "TBTA"),
the MTA operates certain intrastate toll bridges and tunnels. The MTA has
depended and will continue to depend upon Federal, State, local government and
TBTA support to operate the mass transit portion of these operations because
fare revenues are insufficient. For the 1997-98 State fiscal year, total State
assistance to the MTA is estimated at approximately $1.2 billion.
State legislation accompanying the 1996-97 adopted State budget authorized the
MTA, TBTA and TA to issue an aggregate of $6.5 billion in bonds to finance a
portion of a new $11.98 billion MTA capital plan for the 1995 through 1999
calendar years (the "1995-99 Capital Program"). In July 1997, the Capital
Program Review Board approved the 1995-99 Capital Progam, which supersedes the
overlapping portion of the MTA's 1992-96 Capital Program. This is the fourth
capital plan since the Legislature authorized procedures for the adoption,
approval and amendment of MTA capital programs and is designed to upgrade the
performance of the MTA's transportation systems by investing in new rolling
stock, maintaining replacement schedules for existing assets and bringing the
MTA system into a state of good repair. The 1995-99 Capital Program assumes the
issuance of an estimated $5.1 billion in bonds under this $6.5 billion aggregate
bonding authority. The remainder of the plan is projected to be financed through
assistance from the State, the federal government, and the City of New York, and
from various other revenues generated from actions taken by the MTA.
There can be no assurance that all the necessary governmental actions for the
1995-99 Capital Program or future capital programs will be taken, that funding
sources currently identified will not be decreased or eliminated, or that the
1995-99 Capital Program, or parts thereof, will not be delayed or reduced.
Should funding levels fall below current projections, the MTA would have to
revise its 1995-99 Capital Program accordingly. If the 1995-99 Capital Program
is delayed or reduced, ridership and fare revenues may decline, which could,
among other things, impair the MTA's ability to meet its operating expenses
without additional assistance.
THE CITY OF NEW YORK. The fiscal health of the State is closely related to the
fiscal health of its localities, particularly the City of New York (the "City"),
which has required and continues to require significant financial assistance
from the State.
In response to the City's fiscal crisis in 1975, the State took a number of
steps to assist the City in returning to fiscal stability. Among these actions,
the State created the Municipal Assistance Corporation for the City of New York
("MAC") to provide financing assistance to the City. The State also enacted the
New York State Financial Emergency Act for the City of New York (the "Financial
Emergency Act") which, among other things, established the New York State
Financial Control Board (the "Control Board") to oversee the City's financial
affairs. The State also established the Office of the State Deputy Comptroller
for New York City ("OSDC") in the Office of the State Comptroller to assist the
Control Board in exercising its powers and responsibilities.
The City operates under a four-year Financial Plan which is prepared annually
and is periodically updated. In 1986, the Control Board's powers of approval
over the City's Financial Plan were suspended when certain statutory conditions
were met. However, the Control Board, MAC and OSDC continue to exercise various
monitoring functions relating to the City's financial position and upon the
occurrence of certain events, including, but not limited to, a City operating
budget deficit of more than $100 million, the Control Board is required by law
to impose a Control Period. The City submits its financial plans as well as
periodic updates to the Control Board for its review.
The City requires significant amounts of financing for seasonal and capital
purposes. The City's capital financing program projects long-term financing
requirements of approximately $17 billion for the City's fiscal years 1995
through 1998. The major capital requirements include expenditures for the City's
water supply and sewage disposal systems, roads, bridges, mass transit, schools,
hospitals and housing.
The State anticipates that its capital programs will be financed, in part,
through borrowings by the State and public authorities in the 1997-98 fiscal
year. The State expects to issue $605 million in general obligation bonds
(including $140 million for purposes of redeeming outstanding BANs) and $140
million in general obligation commercial paper. The Legislature has also
authorized the issuance of up to $311 million in COPs during the State's 1997-98
fiscal year for equipment purchases. The projection of the State regarding its
borrowings for the 1997-98 fiscal year may change if circumstances require.
<PAGE>
Borrowings by other public authorities pursuant to lease-purchase and
contractual-obligation financing for capital programs of the State are projected
to total approximately $1.9 billion, including costs of issuances, reserve
funds, and other costs, net of anticipated refundings and other adjustments for
1997-98 capital projects. Included therein are borrowings by (i) DASNY for SUNY,
The City University of New York ("CUNY"), health facilities, and mental health
facilities; (ii) Thruway Authority for the Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust
Fund and Consolidated Highway Improvement Program; (iii) UDC (doing business as
the Empire State Development Corporation) for prison and youth facilities; (iv)
the Housing Finance Agency ("HFA") for housing programs; and (v) borrowings by
the Environmental Facilities Corporation ("EFC") and other authorities.
In the 1997 legislative session, the Legislature approved two new authorizations
for lease-purchase and contractual obligation financings. An aggregate $425
million was authorized for four public authorities (Thruway Authority, DASNY,
UDC and HFA) for the Community Enhancement Facility Program for economic
development purposes, including sports facilities, cultural institutions,
transportation, infrastructure and other community facility projects. DASNY was
also authorized to issue up to $40 million to finance the expansion and
improvement of facilities at the Albany County airport.
The State could be affected by the ability of the City to market its securities
successfully in the public credit markets. On July 10, 1995, Standard & Poor's
revised downward its rating on City general obligation bonds from A- to BBB+ and
removed City bonds from CreditWatch, citing "persistent softness in the City's
economy, highlighted by weak job growth and a growing dependence on the
historically volatile financial services sector". Fitch continues to rate the
City general obligation bonds A-. Moody's rating for City general obligation
bonds is Baa1.
The City's financial plans have been the subject of extensive public comment and
criticism. On October 14, 1994, the City Comptroller issued a report concluding
that the budget gap for the 1995 fiscal year had increased to $1.4 billion, due,
in part, to continuing shortfalls in tax revenues. The City Council and the
Mayor currently disagree as to the steps to take to close the budget gap and the
disagreement is now a subject of litigation.
Although the City has balanced its budget since 1981, estimates of the City's
revenues and expenditures are based on numerous assumptions and are subject to
various uncertainties. If expected Federal or State aid is not forthcoming, if
unforeseen developments in the economy significantly reduce revenues derived
from economically sensitive taxes or necessitate increased expenditures for
public assistance, if the City should negotiate wage increases for its employees
greater than the amounts provided for in the City's Financial Plan or if other
uncertainties materialize that reduce expected revenues or increase projected
expenditures, then, to avoid operating deficits, the City may be required to
implement additional actions, including increases in taxes and reductions in
essential City services. The City also might seek additional assistance from the
State.
OTHER LOCALITIES. Certain localities in addition to the City could have
financial problems leading to requests for additional State assistance during
the last several state fiscal years. The potential impact on the State of such
actions by localities is not included in the projections of the State receipts
and disbursements for the State's 1997-98 fiscal year.
Fiscal difficulties experienced by the City of Yonkers ("Yonkers") resulted in
the creation of the Financial Control Board of the City of Yonkers (the "Yonkers
Board") by the State in 1984. The Yonkers Board is charged with overseeing
fiscal affairs of Yonkers. Future actions taken by the State to assist Yonkers
could result in increased state expenditures for extraordinary local assistance.
Municipalities and school districts have engaged in substantial short-term and
long-term borrowing. In 1995, the total indebtedness of all localities in the
State other than the City was approximately $19.0 billion; a small portion
(approximately $102.3 million) of this indebtedness represented borrowing to
finance budgetary deficits and was issued pursuant to enabling State
legislation. State law requires the Comptroller to review and make
recommendations concerning the budgets of those local government units other
than the City authorized by State law to finance deficits during the period that
such deficit financing is outstanding. Eighteen localities had outstanding
indebtedness for deficit financing at the close of their fiscal years ending in
1995.
<PAGE>
From time to time, Federal expenditure reductions could reduce, or in some cases
eliminate, Federal funding of some local programs and accordingly might impose
substantial increased expenditure requirements on affected localities. If the
State, the City or any of the Authorities were to suffer serious financial
difficulties jeopardizing their respective access to the public credit markets,
the marketability of notes and bonds issued by localities within the State could
be adversely affected. Localities also face anticipated and potential problems
resulting from certain pending litigation, judicial decisions and long-range
economic trends. The longer range problems of declining city populations,
increasing expenditures, and other economic trends could adversely affect
localities and require increasing State assistance in the future.
LITIGATION. Certain litigation pending or determined against the State or its
officers or employees could have a substantial or long-term adverse effect on
State finances. Among the more significant of these cases are those that
involve: challenges to the State's finance policies, claims challenging
different aspects of the State's social welfare programs, claims of racial
segregation, real property claims and contract and tort claims. In its audited
financial statements for 1996-97 the State estimated its liability for awarded
and anticipated unfavorable judgments at $364 million.
PUERTO RICO BONDS
The economy of Puerto Rico is dominated by the manufacturing and service
sectors. The manufacturing sector has experienced a basic change over the years
as a result of increased emphasis on industries such as pharmaceutical,
scientific instruments, computers, microprocessors, medical product and
electrical product industries. The service sector, including wholesale and
retail trade, finance, insurance and real estate, also plays a major role in the
economy. The service sector ranks second only to manufacturing in contribution
to the gross domestic product and leads all sectors in providing employment. In
recent years, the service sector has experienced significant growth in response
to and paralleling the expansion of the manufacturing sector. Growth in
construction and tourism also contributed to increased economic activity in
fiscal 1996.
Much of the development of the manufacturing sector in Puerto Rico to date can
be attributed to various federal and Commonwealth tax incentives, most notably
Section 936 of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") which allows companies
with operations in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories to receive a credit to
be used against U.S. tax on certain income from operations and the
Commonwealth's Industrial Incentives Program. However, effective for years
beginning after December 31, 1995, Section 936 has been repealed subject to
certain special and transitional rules. The expected impact of the repeal of
this provision on Puerto Rico's economy is not yet known.
Puerto Rico's more than decade-long economic expansion continued throughout the
five-year period from fiscal 1991 through fiscal 1996, and affected almost every
sector of its economy and resulted in record levels of employment (although
Puerto Rico's unemployment rate has continued to exceed the average for the
United States). Factors behind this expansion included Commonwealth-sponsored
economic development programs, periodic declines in the exchange value of the
United States dollar, increases in the level of federal transfers and the
relatively low cost of borrowing.
The Constitution of Puerto Rico provides that public debt of the Commonwealth
will constitute a first claim on available Commonwealth revenues. Public debt
includes general obligation bonds and notes of the Commonwealth and any payments
required to be made by the Commonwealth under its guarantees of bonds and notes
issued by its public instrumentalities.
The Constitution of Puerto Rico also provides that direct obligations of the
Commonwealth evidenced by full faith and credit bonds or notes shall not be
issued if the amount of the principal of and interest on such bonds and notes
and on all such bonds and notes theretofore issued which is payable in any
fiscal year, together with any amount paid by the Commonwealth in the preceding
fiscal year on account of bonds or notes guaranteed by the Commonwealth, exceeds
15% of the average annual revenues raised under the provisions of Commonwealth
legislation and covered into the Treasury of Puerto Rico (principally income
taxes, property taxes and excise taxes) in the two fiscal years preceding the
then current fiscal year.
With the approval of the North American Free Trade Agreement by the United
States Congress, which is intended to eliminate certain restrictions on trade
between Canada, the United States and Mexico, certain of Puerto Rico's
industries, including those that are lower salaried and labor intensive, may
<PAGE>
face increased competition from Mexico. However, Puerto Rico's favorable
investment environment, skilled work force, infrastructure development would
tend to create expanded trade opportunities for Puerto Rico in such areas as
pharmaceutical and high technology manufacturing. This may, however be adversely
affected by the repeal of Section 936 of the code as outlined above.
TEXAS BONDS
The economy of Texas recovered from the recession that began in the mid-1980s
after a collapse in oil prices and, although the State's economy was slowed by
the Nation's 1990-91 recession, the State Comptroller of Public Accounts has
predicted that the overall State economy will slightly outpace national economic
growth in the long term. In 1981, drilling, production, refining, chemicals and
energy-related manufacturing accounted for 26% of the State's total output of
goods and services. By early 1997, these businesses accounted for 10% of the
State's economy. The service-producing sectors (which include transportation,
public utilities, finance, insurance, real estate, trade, services and
government) are the major sources of job growth in Texas.
During the 1997 regular legislative session, the State legislature passed a
1998-99 biennial all funds budget of approximately $79.9 billion without
increasing State taxes. This was facilitated by significant recent growth in
State revenues and an estimated balance of $2.0 billion from the 1996-1997
biennium.
Due to the State's expansion in Medicaid spending and other Health and Human
Services programs requiring federal matching revenues, federal receipts were the
State's main revenue source during fiscal year 1996. Sales tax, which had been
the main source of revenue for 12 years prior to 1993, was second. The remainder
of the State's revenues are derived primarily from licenses, fees and permits,
the motor fuels tax and other excise taxes. The State has no personal or
corporate income tax, although the State does impose a corporate franchise tax
based on the amount of a corporation's capital and "earned surplus", which
includes corporate net income and officers' and directors' compensation.
The State Constitution prohibits the State from levying AD VALOREM taxes on
property for general revenue purposes.
The State Constitution also limits the rate of growth of appropriations from tax
revenues not dedicated by the Constitution during any biennium to the estimated
rate of growth for the State's economy. The Legislature may avoid the
constitutional limitation if it finds, by a majority vote of both Houses, that
an emergency exists. The State Constitution authorizes the Legislature to
provide by law for the implementation of this restriction, and the Legislature,
pursuant to such authorization, has defined the estimated rate of growth in the
State's economy to mean the estimated increase in State personal income.
WASHINGTON BONDS
The economic base of the State of Washington includes manufacturing and services
industries as well as agriculture and timber production. Overall, during 1990
through 1995, employment within the State experienced a decline in manufacturing
industries. Sectors which exhibited growth include services, trade and
government.
The State's leading export industries are aerospace, forest products,
agriculture and food processing. On a combined basis, the aerospace, timber and
food processing industries employ about 9% of the State's non-farm workers. In
recent years, the non-manufacturing sector has played an increasingly
significant role in contributing to the State's economy with employment in the
trade and service sectors representing an increasing portion of total
employment.
The State's manufacturing base includes aircraft manufacture, which comprised
approximately 25% of total manufacturing in 1995. The aerospace industry
currently represents approximately 8% of all taxable business income generated
in the State. The Boeing Company, the State's largest employer, is preeminent in
aircraft manufacture. Boeing exerts a significant impact on overall State
production, employment and labor earnings. While the primary activity of Boeing
is the manufacture of commercial aircraft, Boeing has played leading roles in
the aerospace and military missile programs of the United State and has
undertaken a broad program of diversification activities including Boeing
Information and Support Services.
Forest products rank second behind aerospace in value of total production. A
continued decline in overall production during the next few years is expected
due to federally imposed limitations on the harvest of old-growth timber and the
inability to maintain the recent record levels of production increases.
<PAGE>
International trade plays an important role in the State's employment base, as
one in six jobs in the State is related to international trade. The State's
trade levels depend largely on national and world (rather than local) economic
conditions, including consumer demands.
The State ranks fourth among all states in the percentage of its work force
employed in technology-related industries and ranks third among the largest
software development centers.
Agriculture, combined with food processing, is the State's most important
industry. The State's major products, wheat, apples, milk and cattle, comprise
more than half of total production.
The State operates on a July 1 to June 30 fiscal year and on a biennial budget
basis. Fiscal controls are exercised during the biennium through an allotment
process which requires each agency to submit a monthly expenditure plan. The
plan must be approved by the Governor's budget agency and provides the authority
for agencies to spend funds within statutory maximums specified in a
legislatively adopted budget. State law requires a balanced biennial budget.
Whenever it appears that disbursements will exceed the aggregate of estimated
receipts plus beginning cash surplus the Governor is required to reduce
allotments, thereby reducing expenditures of appropriated funds.
For the 1997-99 biennium, General Fund-State revenues are estimated to finish at
$19.2 billion. The General Fund is projected to end the 1995-97 biennium with a
$478 million fund balance.
The operating budget for the 1997-99 Biennium calls for an overall expenditure
level of $19.1 billion for General Fund-State, which is an increase of $1.4
billion (7.6 percent) over the 1995-97 Biennium. This is fifty-eight percent of
the General Fund-State budget that will go to support public schools and higher
education. Social and health services make up 26 percent of the State budget
within the $19.2 billion expenditure limit imposed under Initiative 601.
Until June 30, 1995, State law prohibited State tax revenue growth from
exceeding an averaged growth rate of State personal income under Initiative 62.
As of July 1, 1995, Initiative 601 replaced Initiative 62. Initiative 601, which
was voted into law in November 1993, limits increases in General Fund-State
government expenditures to the three-year average rate of population and
inflation growth
Washington's Constitution, as interpreted by the State Supreme Court, prohibits
the imposition of net income taxes. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1996,
approximately 76.7% of the State's tax revenues derived from general and
selective sales and gross receipts taxes.
With certain exceptions, the amount of State general obligation debt which may
be incurred is limited by constitutional and statutory restrictions. The
limitations in both cases are imposed by prohibiting the issuance of new debt if
the new debt would cause the maximum annual debt service on all thereafter
outstanding general obligation debt to exceed a specified percentage of the
arithmetic mean of general State revenues for the preceding three years. These
are limitations on the incurrence of new debt and are not limitations on the
amount of debt service which may be paid by the State in future years.
8.
PAST PERFORMANCE
Each Series computes the average annual rate of total return for each class
during specified periods that would equate the initial amount invested to the
ending redeemable value of such investment by adding one to the computed average
annual total return, raising the sum to a power equal to the number of years
covered by the computation and multiplying the result by $1,000 which represents
a hypothetical initial investment. The calculation assumes deduction of the
maximum sales charge from the initial amount invested and reinvestment of all
income dividends and capital gains distributions on the reinvestment dates at
prices calculated as stated in the Prospectus. The ending redeemable value is
determined by assuming a complete redemption at the end of the period(s) covered
by the average annual total return computation.
In calculating total returns for Class A shares, the current maximum sales
charge of 4.75% (as a percentage of the offering price) is deducted from the
<PAGE>
initial investment (unless the return is shown at net asset value). For Class B
shares (National Series only), the payment of the applicable CDSC (5.0% prior to
the first anniversary of purchase, 4.0% prior to the second anniversary of
purchase, 3.0% prior to the third and fourth anniversaries of purchase, 2.0%
prior to the fifth anniversary of purchase, 1.0% prior to the sixth anniversary
of purchase and no CDSC on and after the sixth anniversary of purchase) is
applied to the National Series' investment result for that class for the time
period shown (unless the total return is shown at net asset value). For Class C
shares, the 1.0% CDSC is applied to the applicable Series' investment result for
that class for the time period shown prior to the first anniversary of purchase
(unless the total return is shown at net asset value). Total returns also assume
that all dividends and capital gains distributions during the period are
reinvested at net asset value per share, and that the investment is redeemed at
the end of the period.
The total returns for the Class A shares of the National, New York, Texas, New
Jersey, Connecticut, Missouri, Hawaii, Washington, Minnesota and California
Series of the Fund using the computation method described above for the one-year
period ended on September 30, 1997 were as follows: 4.10%, 2.80%, 4.10%, 3.10%,
3.30%, 3.10%, 3.20% 4.50%, 3.80% and 3.20% respectively. The average annual
compounded rates of total return for the National, New York, Texas, New Jersey,
Connecticut, Missouri, Hawaii, Washington and California Series for the five
years ending on September 30, 1997 were as follows: 5.63%, 4.70%, 5.87%, 5.93%,
5.76%, 5.27%, 5.73%, 6.04% and 4.95% respectively. The average annual compounded
rates of total return for the National, New York, Texas, New Jersey,
Connecticut, Missouri, Hawaii, Washington, Minnesota and California Series for
ten years or life of the Series were as follows: 8.27%, 7.71%, 8.61%, 7.43%,
7.00%, 6.83%, 6.33%, 6.76%, 6.66% and 8.03% respectively. These five and ten
year total returns included the California Series' Class A predecessor until
July 15, 1996.
The total return for Class B Shares of the National Series for the one year
period ended September 30, 1997 was 4.60%.
The total return for Class C Shares of the National, New York and California
Series for the one year period ending September 30, 1997 were 8.61%, 7.13% and
7.59%.
Each Series' yield quotation for each class is based on a 30-day period ended on
a specified date, computed by dividing the Series' net investment income per
share earned during the period by the Series' maximum offering price per share
on the last day of the period. This is determined by finding the following
quotient: Take the Series' dividends and interest earned during the period minus
its expenses accrued for the period (net of reimbursements) and divide by the
product of (i) the average daily number of Series shares outstanding during the
period that were entitled to receive dividends and (ii) the Series' maximum
offering price per share on the last day of the period. To this quotient add
one. This sum is multiplied by itself five times. Then, one is subtracted from
the product of this multiplication and the remainder is multiplied by two. Yield
for the Class A shares reflects the deduction of the maximum initial sales
charge, but may also be shown based on the Fund's net asset value per share.
Yields for Class B and C shares do not reflect the deduction of the CDSC. For
the 30-day period ended September 30, 1997, the yields for Class A shares of the
National, California, Connecticut, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Texas,
Hawaii, Washington and Minnesota Series were 4.57%, 4.78%, 4.47%, 4.71%, 4.40%,
4.55%, 4.32%, 4.51%, 4.97% and 4.49%, respectively.
Each Series' tax-equivalent yield for each class is computed by dividing that
portion of the class' yield (as determined above) which is tax exempt by one
minus a stated income tax rate (National 7.14%; California 8.16%; Connecticut
7.31%; Missouri 7.66%; New Jersey 7.36%; New York 7.69%; Texas 6.75%; Hawaii
7.83%; Washington 7.77% and Minnesota 7.67%) and adding the product to that
portion, if any, of the class' yield that is not tax exempt. For the 30-day
period ended on September 30, 1997, the tax-equivalent yields for Class A shares
of the National, California, Connecticut, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Texas,
Hawaii, Washington and Minnesota Series were 4.57%, 4.78%, 4.47%, 4.71%, 4.40%,
4.55%, 4.32%, 4.51%, 4.97% and 4.49%, respectively.
It is important to remember that these figures represent past performance and an
investor should be aware that the investment return and principal value of a
Series investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed,
may be worth more or less than their original cost. Therefore, there is no
assurance that this performance will be repeated in the future.
<PAGE>
9.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND
The directors, trustees and officers of Lord Abbett-sponsored mutual funds,
together with the partners and employees of Lord Abbett, are permitted to
purchase and sell securities for their personal investment accounts. In engaging
in personal securities transactions, however, such persons are subject to
requirements and restrictions contained in the Fund's Code of Ethics which
complies, in substance, with each of the recommendations of the Investment
Company Institute's Advisory Group on Personal Investing. Among other things,
the Code requires that Lord Abbett partners and employees obtain advance
approval before buying or selling securities, submit confirmations and quarterly
transaction reports, and obtain approval before becoming a director of any
company; and it prohibits such persons from investing in a security 7 days
before or after any Lord Abbett-sponsored fund trades in such security,
prohibiting profiting on trades of the same security within 60 days and trading
on material and non-public information. The code imposes certain similar
requirements and restrictions on the independent directors and trustees of each
Lord Abbett-sponsored mutual funds to the extent contemplated by the
recommendations of such Advisory Group.
10.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997 and the
opinion thereon of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, included in the
1997 Annual Report to Shareholders of the Lord Abbett Tax-Free Income Fund,
Inc., are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon the authority of
Deloitte & Touche LLP as experts in auditing and accounting.
