SEI INDEX FUNDS
485BPOS, 1998-07-29
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<PAGE>
   
     AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JULY 29, 1998.
    
 
                                                                FILE NO. 2-97111
                                                               FILE NO. 811-4283
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                            ------------------------
 
                                   FORM N-1A
 
                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
 
                             SECURITIES ACT OF 1933                      / /
 
   
                        POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 21                  /X/
    
 
                                      AND
 
                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
 
                         INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940                  / /
 
   
                                AMENDMENT NO. 23                         /X/
    
 
                            ------------------------
 
                                SEI INDEX FUNDS
 
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
 
                               C/O CT CORPORATION
                                2 OLIVER STREET
                          BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02109
              (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
 
       Registrant's Telephone Number, including Area Code (800) 932-7781
 
   
                               EDWARD D. LOUGHLIN
                          C/O SEI INVESTMENTS COMPANY
                            OAKS, PENNSYLVANIA 19456
                    (Name and Address of Agent for Service)
    
 
                            ------------------------
 
                                   COPIES TO:
 
   
      RICHARD W. GRANT, ESQUIRE                JOHN H. GRADY, JR., ESQUIRE
     Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP               Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
        2000 One Logan Square                      1800 M Street, N.W.
   Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103               Washington, D.C. 20036
 
    
 
                            ------------------------
 
   
Title of Securities Being Registered............................................
                                                               Units of
Benenficial Interest
    
 
                            ------------------------
 
                     /X/  immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
 
                     / /  on [date] pursuant to paragraph (b)
 
                     / /  60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)
 
   
                     / /  on [date] pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485.
    
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
   
                                SEI INDEX FUNDS
                             CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
                        POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 21
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
N-1A ITEM NO.                                                             LOCATION
- --------------------------------------------------------
                                                        ---------------------------------------------
<C>        <S>                                          <C>
PART A--S&P 500 INDEX AND BOND INDEX PORTFOLIOS
 
 Item 1.   Cover Page................................... Cover Page
 
 Item 2.   Synopsis..................................... Annual Operating Expenses
 
 Item 3.   Condensed Financial Information.............. Financial Highlights
 
 Item 4.   General Description of Registrant............ The Trust; Investment Objectives and
                                                          Policies; General Investment Policies;
                                                          General Information; Investment
                                                          Limitations; Description of Permitted
                                                          Investments and Risk Factors
 
 Item 5.   Management of the Fund....................... General Information; The Advisers; The
                                                          Manager; Distribution and Shareholder
                                                          Servicing
 
 Item 5A.  Management's Discussion of Fund
             Performance................................ **
 
 Item 6.   Capital Stock and Other Securities........... Taxes; General Information;
 
 Item 7.   Purchase of Securities Being Offered......... Purchase and Redemption of Shares
 
 Item 8.   Redemption or Repurchase..................... Purchase and Redemption of Shares
 
 Item 9.   Pending Legal Proceedings.................... *
 
PART A--S&P 500 INDEX PORTFOLIO CLASS E
 
 Item 1.   Cover Page................................... Cover Page
 
 Item 2.   Synopsis..................................... Annual Operating Expenses
 
 Item 3.   Condensed Financial Information.............. Financial Highlights
 
 Item 4.   General Description of Registrant............ The Trust; Investment Objectives and
                                                          Policies; General Investment Policies;
                                                          General Information; Investment
                                                          Limitations; Description of Permitted
                                                          Investments and Risk Factors
 
 Item 5.   Management of the Fund....................... General Information; The Adviser; The
                                                          Manager; Distribution and Shareholder
                                                          Servicing
 
 Item 5A.  Management's Discussion of Fund
             Performance................................ **
 
 Item 6.   Capital Stock and Other Securities........... Taxes; General Information
 
 Item 7.   Purchase of Securities Being Offered......... Purchase and Redemption of Shares
 
 Item 8.   Redemption or Repurchase..................... Purchase and Redemption of Shares
 
 Item 9.   Pending Legal Proceedings.................... *
 
PART B--ALL PORTFOLIOS
 
 Item 10.  Cover Page................................... Cover Page
</TABLE>
 
                                       i
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
N-1A ITEM NO.                                                             LOCATION
- --------------------------------------------------------
                                                        ---------------------------------------------
<C>        <S>                                          <C>
Item 11.   Table of Contents............................ Table of Contents
 
Item 12.   General Information and History.............. The Trust
 
Item 13.   Investment Objectives and Policies........... Description of Permitted Investments;
                                                          Investment Limitations
 
Item 14.   Management of the Registrant................. Trustees and Officers of the Trust; The
                                                          Advisers
 
Item 15.   Control Persons and Principal Holders of
             Securities................................. Trustees and Officers of the Trust; 5%
                                                          Shareholders
 
Item 16.   Investment Advisory and Other Services....... The Advisers; Distributor and Shareholder
                                                          Servicing; Experts; The Manager and The
                                                          Transfer Agent; Custodian and Independent
                                                          Public Accountant
 
Item 17.   Brokerage Allocation......................... Portfolio Transactions; Trading Practices and
                                                          Brokerage
 
Item 18.   Capital Stock and Other Securities........... Description of Shares
 
Item 19.   Purchase, Redemption, and Pricing of
             Securities Being Offered................... Purchase and Redemption of Shares;
                                                          Description of Shares; Determination of Net
                                                          Asset Value
 
Item 20.   Tax Status................................... Taxes
 
Item 21.   Underwriters................................. Distribution and Shareholder Servicing
 
Item 22.   Calculation of Yield Quotations.............. Performance
 
Item 23.   Financial Statements......................... Financial Information
 
PART C
 
Information required to be included in Part C is set forth under the appropriate item, so numbered,
in Part C of the Registration Statement.
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------
 
 *Not Applicable
 
   
**Information required by Item 5A is contained in the Annual Report for the
  fiscal year ending March 31, 1998.
    
 
                                       ii
<PAGE>
   
SEI INDEX FUNDS
JULY 31, 1998
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
S&P 500 INDEX PORTFOLIO
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
This Prospectus concisely sets forth information about the above-referenced
Portfolio that an investor needs to know before investing. Please read this
Prospectus carefully, and keep it on file for future reference.
 
   
A Statement of Additional Information dated July 31, 1998, has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, and is available upon request and
without charge by writing the Distributor, SEI Investments Distribution Co.,
Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456, or by calling 1-800-342-5734. The Statement of
Additional Information is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
    
 
SEI Index Funds (the "Trust") is an open-end management investment company,
certain classes of which offer financial institutions a convenient means of
investing their own funds, or funds for which they act in a fiduciary, agency or
custodial capacity, in professionally managed diversified portfolios of
securities. Each Portfolio may offer separate classes of shares that differ from
each other primarily in the allocation of certain shareholder servicing
expenses. This Prospectus offers Class E shares of the Trust's S&P 500 Index
Portfolio (the "Portfolio").
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION. NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PASSED
 UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
 CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
 THE TRUST'S SHARES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR
 ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK. THE TRUST'S SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE
 FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER
 GOVERNMENT AGENCY. INVESTMENT IN THE SHARES INVOLVES RISK, INCLUDING POSSIBLE
 LOSS OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT INVESTED.
<PAGE>
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)        CLASS E
                                                                          SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                  S&P 500
                                                                                                                   INDEX
                                                                                                                 ---------
<S>                                                                                                   <C>        <C>
Management/Advisory Fees (AFTER FEE WAIVER) (1)                                                                       .21%
12b-1 Fees                                                                                                            None
Total Other Expenses                                                                                                  .04%
  Shareholder Servicing Expenses (after fee waiver) (2)                                                    .00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Operating Expenses (AFTER FEE WAIVERS) (3)                                                                      .25%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
(1) THE MANAGER HAS WAIVED, ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS, A PORTION OF ITS FEE, AND THE
    MANAGEMENT/ADVISORY FEES SHOWN REFLECT THIS VOLUNTARY WAIVER. THE MANAGER
    RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE ITS WAIVER AT ANY TIME IN ITS SOLE
    DISCRETION. ABSENT SUCH FEE WAIVER, MANAGEMENT/ADVISORY FEES FOR THE
    PORTFOLIO WOULD BE .25%.
 
   
(2) REFLECTS THE CURRENT LEVEL OF SHAREHOLDER SERVICING FEES. ABSENT WAIVERS,
    SHAREHOLDER SERVICING FEES WOULD BE .25%. PLEASE SEE "DISTRIBUTION AND
    SHAREHOLDER SERVICING."
    
 
   
(3) ABSENT FEE WAIVERS, TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES FOR THE PORTFOLIO WOULD BE
    .54%. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY BE FOUND UNDER "THE ADVISER" AND "THE
    MANAGER."
    
 
EXAMPLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    1 YR.       3 YRS.       5 YRS.       10 YRS.
                                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
An investor in a Portfolio would pay the following expenses on a $1,000
 investment assuming (1) a 5% annual return and (2) redemption at the end of
 each time period:                                                                $       3    $       8    $      14    $      32
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE
EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN. THE PURPOSE
OF THE EXPENSE TABLE AND EXAMPLE IS TO ASSIST THE INVESTOR IN UNDERSTANDING THE
VARIOUS COSTS AND EXPENSES THAT MAY BE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BORNE BY INVESTORS
IN CLASS E SHARES OF THE PORTFOLIO. A PERSON WHO PURCHASES SHARES THROUGH A
FINANCIAL INSTITUTION MAY BE CHARGED SEPARATE FEES BY THAT INSTITUTION. THE
PORTFOLIO ALSO OFFERS CLASS A SHARES, WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO THE SAME EXPENSES,
EXCEPT THERE ARE DIFFERENT SHAREHOLDER SERVICING COSTS. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
MAY BE FOUND UNDER "THE MANAGER," "THE ADVISER" AND "DISTRIBUTION AND
SHAREHOLDER SERVICING."
 
                                                                               2
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                  ______________________________________________________________
 
   
The following information has been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, the Trust's
independent accountants, as indicated in their report dated May 8, 1998, on the
Trust's financial statements as of March 31, 1998, which are incorporated by
reference into the Trust's Statement of Additional Information. The Trust's
financial statements and additional performance information are set forth in the
1998 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is available upon request and without
charge by calling 1-800-342-5734. This table should be read in conjunction with
the Trust's financial statements and notes thereto.
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               NET REALIZED
                                                                   AND
                                     NET ASSET                  UNREALIZED      DIVIDENDS
                                       VALUE        NET        GAIN (LOSS)       FROM NET    DISTRIBUTIONS   NET ASSET
                                     BEGINNING   INVESTMENT         ON          INVESTMENT   FROM CAPITAL    VALUE, END
                                     OF PERIOD    INCOME       INVESTMENTS        INCOME         GAINS       OF PERIOD
<S>                                  <C>         <C>         <C>                <C>          <C>             <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR A CLASS E SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD
- -------------------------
S&P 500 INDEX PORTFOLIO*
- -------------------------
For the periods ended March 31,
1998                                  $  24.10     $0.45          $10.88          $(0.45)       $(0.21)        $  34.77
1997                                     20.88     0.46             3.54           (0.45)        (0.33)           24.10
1996                                     16.40     0.44             4.72           (0.37)        (0.31)           20.88
1995                                     15.07     0.42             1.79           (0.42)        (0.46)           16.40
1994                                     15.80     0.43            (0.22)          (0.42)        (0.52)           15.07
1993                                     14.17     0.40             1.69           (0.40)        (0.06)           15.80
1992                                     13.43     0.40             1.01           (0.41)        (0.26)           14.17
1991                                     12.45     0.43             1.24           (0.43)        (0.26)           13.43
1990                                     10.88     0.42             1.64           (0.43)        (0.06)           12.45
1989(1)                                   9.63     0.39             1.26           (0.40)       --                10.88
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                          RATIO OF                   RATIO OF NET
                                                                         TO AVERAGE       NET         INCOME TO
                                                             RATIO OF    NET ASSETS    INVESTMENT    AVERAGE NET
                                              NET ASSETS     EXPENSES    (EXCLUDING    INCOME TO        ASSETS       PORTFOLIO
                                    TOTAL       END OF      TO AVERAGE      FEE       AVERAGE NET     (EXCLUDING      TURNOVER
                                   RETURN    PERIOD (000)   NET ASSETS    WAIVERS)       ASSETS      FEE WAIVERS)       RATE
<S>                                  <C>
- -----------------------------------
 
FOR A CLASS E SHARE OUTSTANDING THR
- -------------------------
S&P 500 INDEX PORTFOLIO*
- -------------------------
For the periods ended March 31,
1998                                47.62%     $1,300,924      0.25%        0.54%         1.55%          1.26%             4%
1997                                19.46         835,889      0.25         0.54          2.03           1.74              2
1996                                31.88         630,566      0.25         0.35          2.31           2.21              3
1995                                15.26         458,012      0.25         0.35          2.69           2.59              4
1994                                 1.19         424,647      0.25         0.33          2.57           2.49             23
1993                                14.97         675,484      0.25         0.35          2.75           2.65              1
1992                                10.71         470,847      0.25         0.34          2.99           2.90              1
1991                                14.18         261,165      0.25         0.32          3.56           3.49             40
1990                                19.02         192,154      0.25         0.36          3.58           3.47             10
1989(1)                             17.60         125,714      0.25         0.39          4.03           3.89             47
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                       AVERAGE
                                      COMMISSION
                                        RATE+
- -----------------------------------
 
FOR A CLASS E SHARE OUTSTANDING THR
- -------------------------
S&P 500 INDEX PORTFOLIO*
- -------------------------
For the periods ended March 31,
1998                                    $.0169
1997                                     .0197
1996                                    n/a
1995                                    n/a
1994                                    n/a
1993                                    n/a
1992                                    n/a
1991                                    n/a
1990                                    n/a
1989(1)                                 n/a
</TABLE>
    
 
   
  * EFFECTIVE JULY 31, 1997, THE FORMER CLASS A SHARES WERE RENAMED CLASS E
    SHARES.
    
  + AVERAGE COMMISSION RATE PAID PER SHARE FOR SECURITY PURCHASES AND SALES
    DURING THE PERIOD. PRESENTATION OF THE RATE IS ONLY REQUIRED FOR THE FISCAL
    YEARS BEGINNING AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 1995.
 (1) CLASS E SHARES (FORMERLY CLASS A SHARES) COMMENCED OPERATIONS ON 8/1/85.
 
                                                                               3
<PAGE>
THE TRUST
      __________________________________________________________________________
 
SEI INDEX FUNDS (the "Trust") is an open-end management investment company that
offers units of beneficial interest ("shares") in two separate diversified
investment portfolios. This prospectus offers Class E shares of the Trust's S&P
500 Index Portfolio (the "Portfolio"). The S&P 500 Index Portfolio has Class A
and Class E shares. Class A shares of the S&P 500 Index Portfolio and the Bond
Index Portfolio are offered by a separate prospectus. Additional information
pertaining to the Trust may be obtained by writing SEI Investments Distribution
Co., Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456, or by calling 1-800-342-5734.
 
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVES AND
POLICIES
     ___________________________________________________________________________
S&P 500 INDEX
PORTFOLIO
   
                     The S&P 500 Index Portfolio seeks to provide investment
                     results that correspond to the aggregate price and dividend
                     performance of the securities in the Standard & Poor's 500
                     Composite Stock Price Index (the "S&P 500 Index"), which is
                     comprised of 500 selected securities (most of which are
                     common stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange).
    
 
                           The Portfolio's ability to duplicate the performance
                     of the S&P 500 Index will depend to some extent on the size
                     and timing of cashflows into and out of the Portfolio, as
                     well as on the level of the Portfolio's expenses.
 
                           Adjustments made to accommodate cash flows will track
                     the S&P 500 Index to the maximum extent possible, and may
                     result in brokerage expenses for the Portfolio. Over time,
                     the correlation between the performance of the Portfolio
                     and the S&P 500 Index is expected to be over 0.95. A
                     correlation of 1.00 would indicate perfect correlation,
                     which would be achieved when the net asset value of the
                     Portfolio, including the value of its dividend and capital
                     gains distributions, increased or decreased in exact
                     proportion to changes in the S&P 500 Index.
 
   
                           The Portfolio will normally be invested in all of the
                     stocks and other securities which comprise the S&P 500
                     Index, except when changes are made to the S&P 500 Index
                     itself. The Portfolio's policy is to be fully invested in
                     common stocks and other securities included in the Index,
                     and it is expected that cash reserve items would normally
                     be less than 10% of net assets. Accordingly, an investment
                     in shares of the Portfolio involves risks similar to those
                     of investing in a portfolio consisting of the common stocks
                     and other securities of some or all of the companies
                     included in the S&P 500 Index.
    
 
   
                           The weightings of securities in the S&P 500 Index are
                     based on each security's relative total market value, I.E.,
                     market price per share times the number of shares
                     outstanding. Because of this weighting, approximately 50%
                     of the S&P 500 Index is currently composed of stocks of the
                     50 largest companies in the S&P 500 Index, and the S&P 500
                     Index currently represents over 65% of the market value of
                     all U.S. common stocks listed on the New York Stock
                     Exchange.
    
 
                                                                               4
<PAGE>
   
                           World Asset Management ("World"), the Portfolio's
                     investment adviser, makes no attempt to "manage" the
                     Portfolio in the traditional sense (I.E. by using economic,
                     financial or market analyses). The adverse financial
                     situation of a company usually will not result in the
                     elimination of a security from the Portfolio. However, an
                     investment may be removed from the Portfolio if, in the
                     judgment of World, the merit of the investment has been
                     substantially impaired by extraordinary events or adverse
                     financial conditions. Furthermore, administrative
                     adjustments may be made in the Portfolio from time to time
                     because of mergers, changes in the composition of the S&P
                     500 Index and similar reasons. In certain circumstances,
                     World may exercise discretion in determining whether to
                     exercise warrants or rights issued in respect to portfolio
                     securities or whether to tender portfolio securities
                     pursuant to a tender or exchange offer.
    
 
   
                           The equity securities in which the Portfolio invests
                     are common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible
                     into common stock and American Depositary Receipts
                     ("ADRs"). The Portfolio may also purchase shares of real
                     estate investment trusts ("REITs").
    
 
                           The Portfolio may enter into stock index futures
                     contracts to maintain adequate liquidity to meet its
                     redemption demands while maximizing the level of the
                     Portfolio's assets which are tracking the performance of
                     the S&P 500 Index, provided that the value of these
                     contracts does not exceed 20% of the Portfolio's total
                     assets. The Portfolio may only purchase those stock index
                     futures contracts--such as futures contracts on the S&P 500
                     Index--that are likely to closely duplicate the performance
                     of the S&P 500 Index. The Portfolio also can sell such
                     futures contracts in order to close out a previously
                     established position. The Portfolio will not enter into any
                     stock index futures contract for the purpose of
                     speculation, and will only enter into contracts traded on
                     national securities exchanges with standardized maturity
                     dates.
 
                           The Portfolio may invest cash reserves in securities
                     issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
                     instrumentalities, bankers' acceptances, commercial paper
                     rated at least A-1 by S&P and/or Prime-1 by Moody's
                     Investors Services, Inc. ("Moody's"), certificates of
                     deposit and repurchase agreements involving such
                     obligations. Such investments will not be used for
                     defensive purposes.
 
   
                           The Portfolio is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or
                     promoted by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P"). S&P
                     makes no representation or warranty, implied or express, to
                     the purchasers of the Portfolio or any member of the public
                     regarding the advisability of investing in index funds or
                     the Portfolio or the ability of the Index to track general
                     stock market performance.
    
 
   
                           S&P DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE
                     COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. S&P
                     MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE
                     OBTAINED BY THE PORTFOLIO, OWNERS OF THE PORTFOLIO, OR ANY
                     DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
                     WARRANTIES, AND HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF
                     MERCHANTABILITY OR
    
 
                                                                               5
<PAGE>
   
                     FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE
                     INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. S&P'S ONLY RELATIONSHIP
                     TO THE PORTFOLIO IS THE LICENSING OF THE S&P MARKS AND THE
                     INDEX, WHICH IS DETERMINED, COMPOSED, AND CALCULATED BY S&P
                     WITHOUT REGARD TO THE LICENSEE OR THE PORTFOLIO.
    
 
                           There can be no assurance that the Portfolio will
                     achieve its investment objective. For a description of the
                     above ratings, see the Statement of Additional Information.
 
GENERAL
INVESTMENT
POLICIES
     ___________________________________________________________________________
 
   
                     The Portfolio may lend a portion of its assets to qualified
                     institutions for the purpose of realizing additional
                     income, however the Portfolio has no present intention to
                     lend its securities. The Portfolio may invest in illiquid
                     securities; however, not more than 10% of the total assets
                     of the Portfolio will be invested in such instruments. The
                     Portfolio may enter into forward commitments, or purchase
                     securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis.
    
 
                           For additional information regarding the Portfolio's
                     permitted investments see "Description of Permitted
                     Investments and Risk Factors" in this Prospectus and in the
                     Statement of Additional Information.
 
INVESTMENT
LIMITATIONS
        ________________________________________________________________________
 
                     The investment objective and certain of the investment
                     limitations are fundamental policies of the Portfolio.
                     Fundamental policies cannot be changed with respect to the
                     Trust or a Portfolio without the consent of the holders of
                     a majority of the Trust's or that Portfolio's outstanding
                     shares.
 
                     THE PORTFOLIO MAY NOT:
 
                     1.  Purchase securities of any issuer (except securities
                         issued or guaranteed by the United States Government,
                         its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result,
                         more than 5% of the Portfolio's total assets would be
                         invested in the securities of such issuer. This
                         restriction applies to 75% of the Portfolio's total
                         assets.
 
                     2.  Purchase any securities which would cause more than 25%
                         of the Portfolio's total assets to be invested in the
                         securities of one or more issuers conducting their
                         principal business activities in the same industry,
                         provided that this limitation does not apply to
                         investments in obligations issued or guaranteed by the
                         United States Government or its agencies and
                         instrumentalities.
 
                     3.  Borrow money, except for temporary or emergency
                         purposes and then only in an amount not exceeding 10%
                         of the value of the total assets of the Portfolio. This
                         borrowing provision is included solely to facilitate
                         the orderly sale of portfolio securities to accommodate
                         substantial redemption requests if they should occur,
                         and
 
                                                                               6
<PAGE>
                         is not for investment purposes. All borrowings will be
                         repaid before making additional investments for the
                         Portfolio, and any interest paid on such borrowings
                         will reduce the Portfolio's income.
 
                     4.  Make loans, except that the Portfolio: (i) may enter
                         into repurchase agreements, provided that repurchase
                         agreements and time deposits maturing in more than
                         seven days, and other illiquid securities, including
                         securities which are not readily marketable or are
                         restricted, are not to exceed, in the aggregate, 10% of
                         the Portfolio's total assets, (ii) may engage in
                         securities lending as described in this Prospectus, and
                         (iii) may purchase or hold debt instruments in
                         accordance with its investment objectives and policies.
 
                     The foregoing percentage limitations (except the limitation
                     on borrowings) will apply at the time of the purchase of a
                     security. Additional fundamental investment limitations are
                     set forth in the Statement of Additional Information.
THE MANAGER
          ______________________________________________________________________
 
   
                     SEI Investments Fund Management ("SEI Management") provides
                     the Trust with overall management services, regulatory
                     reporting, all necessary office space, equipment, personnel
                     and facilities, and acts as dividend disbursing agent and
                     shareholder servicing agent. SEI Management also serves as
                     the transfer agent (the "Transfer Agent") of the Trust.
    
 
                           For its management services, SEI Management is
                     entitled to a fee, which is calculated daily and paid
                     monthly, at an annual rate of .22% of the average daily net
                     assets of the Portfolio. SEI Management may from time to
                     time waive all or a portion of its fee in order to limit
                     the operating expenses of the Portfolio. Any such waiver is
                     voluntary and may be terminated at any time in its sole
                     discretion.
 
   
                           For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the
                     Portfolio paid management fees, after fee waivers, of .18%
                     of its average daily net assets.
    
THE ADVISER
         _______________________________________________________________________
 
                     World Asset Management ("World") serves as investment
                     adviser to the S&P 500 Index Portfolio.
 
                           World is a general partnership organized by Munder
                     Capital Management ("MCM"), a general partnership formed in
                     December, 1994, which engages in investment management and
                     advisory services. As of December 31, 1996 total assets
                     under management of World were $11.0 billion and assets
                     under management of MCM were $37.0 billion. The principal
                     business address for World is 255 Brown Street Centre, 2nd
                     Floor, Birmingham, Michigan 48009.
 
                           Under the terms of this Advisory Agreement, World
                     provides certain record keeping and management services in
                     connection with the Portfolio including monitoring the
 
                                                                               7
<PAGE>
                     indexing systems and determining which securities to
                     purchase and sell in order to keep the Portfolio in balance
                     with its index.
 
   
                           World is entitled to a fee, which is calculated daily
                     and paid monthly, at an annual rate of .03% of the average
                     daily net assets of the Portfolio. For the fiscal year
                     ended March 31, 1998, the Portfolio paid World an advisory
                     fee of .03% of its average daily net assets.
    
 
DISTRIBUTION
AND SHAREHOLDER
SERVICING
      __________________________________________________________________________
 
                     SEI Investments Distribution Co. (the "Distributor"), a
                     wholly-owned subsidiary of SEI Investments Company ("SEI
                     Investments"), serves as the Portfolio's distributor
                     pursuant to a distribution agreement (the "Distribution
                     Agreement") with the Trust. The Portfolio has also adopted
                     a shareholder servicing plan for its Class A shares (the
                     "Class A Service Plan") which is similar to the plan
                     described below.
 
   
                           The Portfolio has adopted a shareholder servicing
                     plan for Class E shares (the "Service Plan") under which
                     the Portfolio may pay the Distributor a fee at a negotiated
                     rate of up to .25% annually of average daily net assets
                     attributable to Class E shares. Under the Service Plan, the
                     Distributor may perform, or may compensate other service
                     providers for performing, the following shareholder and
                     administrative services; maintaining client accounts;
                     arranging for bank wires; responding to client inquiries
                     concerning services provided on investments; assisting
                     clients in changing dividend options, account designations
                     and addresses; sub-accounting; providing information on
                     share positions to clients; forwarding shareholder
                     communications to clients; processing purchase, exchange
                     and redemption orders; and processing dividend payments.
                     Under the Service Plan, the Distributor may retain as a
                     profit any difference between the fee it receives and the
                     amount it pays to third parties.
    
 
                           It is possible that an institution may offer
                     different classes of shares to its customers and thus
                     receive different compensation with respect to different
                     classes. These financial institutions may also charge
                     separate fees to their customers.
 
                           The Trust may execute brokerage or other agency
                     transactions through the Distributor for which the
                     Distributor may receive compensation.
 
                           The Distributor may, from time to time and at its own
                     expense, provide promotional incentives, in the form of
                     cash or other compensation, to certain financial
                     institutions whose representatives have sold or are
                     expected to sell significant amounts of the Portfolio's
                     shares.
 
                                                                               8
<PAGE>
PURCHASE AND
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
    ____________________________________________________________________________
 
                     Financial institutions may acquire shares of the Portfolio
                     for their own account, or as a record owner on behalf of
                     fiduciary, agency or custody accounts, by placing orders
                     with the Transfer Agent (or its authorized agent).
                     Institutions that use certain SEI proprietary systems may
                     place orders electronically through those systems.
                     Financial institutions may impose an earlier cut-off time
                     for receipt of purchase orders directed through them to
                     allow for processing and transmittal of these orders to the
                     Transfer Agent for effectiveness on the same day. Financial
                     institutions which purchase shares for the accounts of
                     their customers may impose separate charges on these
                     customers for account services.
 
                           Shares of the Portfolio may be purchased or redeemed
                     on days on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for
                     business ("Business Days"). However, shares cannot be
                     purchased by Federal Reserve wire on federal holidays
                     restricting wire transfers. The minimum initial investment
                     for the Class E shares of the Portfolio is $5,000,000;
                     however, the minimum investment may be waived at the
                     Distributor's discretion. All subsequent purchases must be
                     at least $1,000.
 
   
                           Shareholders who desire to purchase shares for cash
                     must place their orders with the Transfer Agent (or its
                     authorized agent) prior to the determination of net asset
                     value on any Business Day for the order to be accepted on
                     that Business Day. Purchases orders received by a fund
                     after the determination of net asset value will be effected
                     at the next Business Day's net asset value. Generally,
                     payment for fund shares must be transmitted or delivered in
                     federal funds to the wire agent on the next Business Day
                     following the day the order is placed. The Trust reserves
                     the right to reject a purchase order when the Distributor
                     determines that it is not in the best interest of the Trust
                     or shareholders to accept such purchase order.
    
 
   
                           Purchases will be made in full and fractional shares
                     of the Portfolio calculated to three decimal places. The
                     Trust will send shareholders a statement of shares owned
                     after each transaction. The purchase price of shares is the
                     net asset value next determined after a purchase order is
                     received and accepted by the Trust. The net asset value per
                     share of the Portfolio is determined by dividing the total
                     market value of the Portfolio's investment and other
                     assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of
                     outstanding shares of the Portfolio. Net asset value per
                     share is determined as of the regularly-scheduled close of
                     normal trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally
                     4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on any Business Day.
    
 
   
                           If there is no readily ascertainable market value for
                     a security, SEI Management will make a good faith
                     determination as to the "fair value" of the security.
                     Securities having maturities of 60 days or less at the time
                     of purchase will be valued using the amortized cost method
                     (described in the Statement of Additional Information).
    
 
                                                                               9
<PAGE>
   
                           Shareholders who desire to redeem shares of the
                     Portfolio must place their redemption orders with the
                     Transfer Agent (or its authorized agent) prior to the
                     determination of net asset value on any Business Day.
                     Redemption orders received after the determination of net
                     asset value will be effected at the next Business Day's net
                     asset value. The redemption price is the net asset value
                     per share of the Portfolio next determined after receipt by
                     the Transfer Agent of the redemption order. Payment on
                     redemption will be made as promptly as possible and, in any
                     event, within seven days after the redemption order is
                     received.
    
 
   
                           Purchase and redemption orders may be placed by
                     telephone. Neither the Trust nor the Transfer Agent will be
                     responsible for any loss, liability, cost or expense for
                     acting upon wire instructions or upon telephone
                     instructions that it reasonably believes to be genuine. The
                     Trust and the Transfer Agent (or its authorized agent) will
                     each employ reasonable procedures to confirm that
                     instructions communicated by telephone are
    
 
                     genuine, including requiring a form of personal
                     identification prior to acting upon instructions received
                     by telephone and recording telephone instructions.
 
                           If market conditions are extraordinarily active, or
                     other extraordinary circumstances exist, shareholders may
                     experience difficulties placing redemption orders by
                     telephone, and may wish to consider placing orders by other
                     means.
PERFORMANCE
          ______________________________________________________________________
 
                     From time to time, the Portfolio may advertise yield and
                     total return. These figures will be based on historical
                     earnings and are not intended to indicate future
                     performance. No representation can be made concerning
                     actual future yields or returns. The yield of a Portfolio
                     refers to the income generated by a hypothetical investment
                     in the Portfolio over a thirty day period. This income is
                     then "annualized," I.E., the income over thirty days is
                     assumed to be generated over one year, and is shown as a
                     percentage of the investment.
 
                           The total return of the Portfolio refers to the
                     average compounded rate of return on a hypothetical
                     investment for designated time periods, assuming that the
                     entire investment is redeemed at the end of each period and
                     assuming the reinvestment of all dividend and capital gain
                     distributions.
 
                           The Portfolio may periodically compare its
                     performance to the performance of: other mutual funds
                     tracked by mutual fund rating services (such as Lipper
                     Analytical); financial and business publications and
                     periodicals; broad groups of comparable mutual funds;
                     unmanaged indices which may assume investment of dividends
                     but generally do not reflect deductions for administrative
                     and management costs; or to other investment alternatives.
                     The Portfolio may quote Morningstar, Inc., a service that
                     ranks mutual funds on the basis of risk-adjusted
                     performance. The Portfolio may use long-term performance of
                     these capital markets to demonstrate general long-term risk
                     versus reward scenarios and could include the value of a
                     hypothetical investment in any of the capital markets. The
 
                                                                              10
<PAGE>
                     Portfolio may also quote financial and business
                     publications and periodicals as they relate to fund
                     management, investment philosophy and investment
                     techniques.
 
                           The Portfolio may quote various measures of
                     volatility and benchmark correlation in advertising, and
                     may compare these measures to those of other funds.
                     Measures of volatility attempt to compare historical share
                     price fluctuations or total returns to a benchmark while
                     measures of benchmark correlation indicate how valid a
                     comparative benchmark might be. Measures of volatility and
                     correlation are calculated using averages of historical
                     data and cannot be calculated precisely.
 
                           The performance of Class E shares will normally be
                     higher than that of the Class A shares of the S&P 500 Index
                     Portfolio because of the different shareholder servicing
                     expenses actually charged to Class A shares.
TAXES
  ______________________________________________________________________________
 
                     The following summary of federal income tax consequences is
                     based on current tax laws and regulations, which may be
                     changed by legislative, judicial or administrative action.
                     No attempt has been made to present a detailed explanation
                     of the federal, state or local income tax treatment of the
                     Portfolio or its shareholders. In addition, state and local
                     tax consequences of an investment in the Portfolio may
                     differ from the federal income tax consequences described
                     below. Accordingly, shareholders are urged to consult their
                     tax advisers regarding specific questions as to federal,
                     state and local taxes. Additional information concerning
                     taxes is set forth in the Statement of Additional
                     Information.
TAX STATUS
OF THE PORTFOLIO
                     The Portfolio is treated as a separate entity for federal
                     income tax purposes and is not combined with the Trust's
                     other portfolios. The Portfolio intends to qualify for the
                     special tax treatment afforded regulated investment
                     companies ("RICs") under Subchapter M of the Internal
                     Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), so as to be
                     relieved of federal income tax on net investment company
                     taxable income and net capital gains (the excess of net
                     long-term capital gain over net short-term capital losses)
                     distributed to the Portfolio's shareholders.
TAX STATUS
OF DISTRIBUTIONS
                     The Portfolio will distribute substantially all of its net
                     investment income (including net short-term capital gains)
                     to its shareholders. Dividends from the Portfolio's net
                     investment company taxable income are taxable to its
                     shareholders as ordinary income (whether received in cash
                     or in additional shares) to the extent of the Portfolio's
                     earnings and profits. Dividends paid by the Portfolio to
                     corporate shareholders will qualify for the
                     dividends-received deduction to the extent attributable to
                     dividends received by the Portfolio from domestic
                     corporations. Long-term capital gains realized by the
                     Portfolio will be distributed by the Portfolio to its
                     shareholders at least annually and will be taxable to the
                     shareholders as long-term capital gains regardless of how
                     long the shareholder has held shares and regardless of
                     whether the distributions are received in cash or in
                     additional shares. Distributions from net capital gains do
                     not qualify for the dividends-
 
                                                                              11
<PAGE>
                     received deduction. The Portfolio will provide annual
                     reports to the Portfolio's shareholders of the federal
                     income tax status of all distributions.
 
                           Dividends declared by the Portfolio in October,
                     November or December of any year and payable to
                     shareholders of record on a date in such a month will be
                     deemed to have been paid by the Portfolio and received by
                     the shareholders on December 31 of the year declared if
                     paid by the Portfolio at any time during the following
                     January.
 
                           Investment income received directly by the Portfolio
                     on direct U.S. government obligations is exempt from income
                     tax at the state level and may be exempt, depending on the
                     state, when received by a shareholder as income dividends
                     provided certain state-specific conditions are satisfied.
                     Interest received on repurchase agreements collateralized
                     by U.S. government obligations normally is not exempt from
                     state tax. The Portfolio will inform its shareholders
                     annually of the percentage of income and distributions
                     derived from direct U.S. obligations. Shareholders should
                     consult their tax advisers to determine whether any portion
                     of income dividends received from the Portfolio is
                     considered tax-exempt in their state.
 
                           The Portfolio intends to make sufficient
                     distributions prior to the end of each calendar year to
                     avoid liability for the federal excise tax applicable to
                     RICs.
 
                           Each sale, exchange or redemption of Portfolio shares
                     is a taxable transaction to the shareholder.
 
GENERAL INFORMATION
         _______________________________________________________________________
THE TRUST
                     The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust
                     under a Declaration of Trust dated March 6, 1985. The
                     Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to offer separate
                     series of shares and different classes of the Portfolio. In
                     addition to the Portfolio, the Trust consists of the Bond
                     Index Portfolio. All consideration received by the Trust
                     for shares of any class of any Portfolio, and all assets of
                     such Portfolio or class, belong to that Portfolio or class,
                     respectively, and would be subject to the liabilities
                     related thereto.
 
                           The Trust pays its expenses, including fees of its
                     service providers, audit and legal expenses, expenses of
                     preparing prospectuses, proxy solicitation materials and
                     reports to shareholders, costs of custodial services and
                     registering the shares under federal and state securities
                     laws, pricing, insurance expenses, litigation and other
                     extraordinary expenses, brokerage costs, interest charges,
                     taxes and organization expenses.
TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST
                     The management and affairs of the Trust are supervised by
                     the Trustees under the laws of the Commonwealth of
                     Massachusetts. The Trustees have approved contracts under
                     which, as described above, certain companies provide
                     essential management services to the Trust.
VOTING RIGHTS
                     Each share held entitles the shareholder of record to one
                     vote. Shareholders of each Portfolio or class will vote
                     separately on matters pertaining solely to that Portfolio
                     or class, such as any distribution plan. As a Massachusetts
                     business trust, the Trust is not required to hold annual
                     meetings of shareholders, but approval will be sought for
                     certain changes
 
                                                                              12
<PAGE>
                     in the operation of the Trust and for the election of
                     Trustees under certain circumstances. In addition, a
                     Trustee may be removed by the remaining Trustees or by
                     shareholders at a special meeting called upon written
                     request of shareholders owning at least 10% of the
                     outstanding shares of the Trust. In the event that such a
                     meeting is requested, the Trust will provide appropriate
                     assistance and information to the shareholders requesting
                     the meeting.
REPORTING
                     The Trust issues an unaudited report semi-annually and
                     audited financial statements annually. The Trust furnishes
                     proxy statements and other reports to shareholders of
                     record.
SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES
   
                     Shareholder inquiries should be directed to SEI Investments
                     Fund Management, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456.
    
DIVIDENDS
                     Substantially all of the net investment income (exclusive
                     of capital gains) of the Portfolio is periodically declared
                     and paid as a dividend. Dividends are paid currently on a
                     quarterly basis. Currently, net capital gains (the excess
                     of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital
                     loss) realized, if any, will be distributed at least
                     annually.
 
                           Shareholders automatically receive all income
                     dividends, and capital gain distributions in additional
                     shares at the net asset value next determined following the
                     record date, unless the shareholder has elected to take
                     such payment in cash. Shareholders may change their
                     election by providing written notice to SEI Management at
                     least 15 days prior to the distribution.
 
                           Dividends and capital gains of the Portfolio are paid
                     on a per-share basis. The value of each share will be
                     reduced by the amount of any such payment. If shares are
                     purchased shortly before the record date for a dividend or
                     capital gains distributions, a shareholder will pay the
                     full price for the share and receive some portion of the
                     price back as a taxable dividend or distribution.
 
                           The dividends on Class E shares of the Portfolio are
                     normally higher than those on the Class A shares because of
                     the different shareholder servicing expenses actually
                     charged to Class A shares.
COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT
ACCOUNTANTS
                     Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP serves as counsel to the Trust.
                     Arthur Andersen LLP serves as the independent public
                     accountants of the Trust.
CUSTODIAN AND WIRE AGENT
   
                     Comerica Bank, 411 W. Lafayette, Detroit, Michigan 48226
                     (the "Custodian"), acts as custodian of the Trust's assets.
                     The Custodian holds cash, securities and other assets of
                     the Trust as required by the Investment Company Act of 1940
                     (the "1940 Act"). First Union National Bank, Broad and
                     Chestnut Streets, P.O. Box 7618, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
                     19101, acts as wire agent of the Trust's assets.
    
 
                                                                              13
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF
PERMITTED
INVESTMENTS
AND RISK FACTORS
               _________________________________________________________________
 
                     The following is a description of certain of the permitted
                     investment practices for the Portfolio, and the associated
                     risk factors:
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY
RECEIPTS ("ADRS")
                     ADRs are securities, typically issued by a U.S. financial
                     institution (a "depositary"), that evidence ownership
                     interests in a security or a pool of securities issued by a
                     foreign issuer and deposited with the depositary. ADRs may
                     be available through "sponsored" or "unsponsored"
                     facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by
                     the issuer of the security underlying the receipt and a
                     depositary, whereas an unsponsored facility may be
                     established by a depositary without participation by the
                     issuer of the receipts underlying security.
EQUITY SECURITIES
                     Equity securities represent ownership interests in a
                     company or corporation, and include common stock, preferred
                     stock, and warrants and other rights to acquire such
                     instruments.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
   
                     Illiquid securities are securities which cannot be disposed
                     of within seven business days at approximately the price at
                     which they are being carried on the Portfolio's books.
                     Illiquid securities include demand instruments with demand
                     notice periods exceeding seven days, securities for which
                     there is no active secondary market, and repurchase
                     agreements with maturities over seven days in length.
    
MONEY MARKET
INSTRUMENTS
                     Money market instruments are high-quality,
                     dollar-denominated, short-term debt instruments. They
                     consist of: (i) bankers' acceptances, certificates of
                     deposits, notes and time deposits of highly-rated U.S.
                     banks and U.S. branches of foreign banks; (ii) U.S.
                     Treasury obligations and obligations issued by the agencies
                     and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government; (iii)
                     high-quality commercial paper issued by U.S. and foreign
                     corporations; (iv) debt obligations with a maturity of one
                     year or less issued by corporations that issue high-quality
                     commercial paper; and (v) repurchase agreements involving
                     any of the foregoing obligations entered into with
                     highly-rated banks and broker-dealers.
 
   
REITS
    
   
                     REITs are trusts that invest primarily in commercial real
                     estate or real estate-related loans. A real estate
                     investment trust ("REIT") is not taxed on income
                     distributed to its shareholders or unitholders if it
                     complies with regulatory requirements relating to its
                     organization, ownership, assets and income, and with a
                     regulatory requirement that it distribute to its
                     shareholders or unitholders at least 95% of its taxable
                     income of each taxable year. Generally, REITs can be
                     classified as Equity REITs. Mortgage REITs and Hybrid
                     REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets
                     directly in real property and derive their income primarily
                     for rents and capital gains from appreciation realized
                     through
    
 
                                                                              14
<PAGE>
   
                     property sales. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their
                     assets in real estate mortgages and derive their income
                     primarily from interest payments. Hybrid REITs combine the
                     characteristics of both Equity and Mortgage REITs. By
                     investing in REITs indirectly through the Portfolio,
                     shareholders will bear not only the proportionate share of
                     the expenses of the Portfolio, but also, indirectly,
                     similar expenses of underlying REITs.
    
 
   
                           A Portfolio may be subject to certain risks
                     associated with the direct investments of the REITs. REITs
                     may be affected by changes in the of their underlying
                     properties and by defaults by borrowers or tenants.
                     Mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of the credit
                     extended. Furthermore, REITs are dependent on specialized
                     management skills. Some REITs may have limited
                     diversification and may be subject to risks inherent in
                     financing a limited number of properties. REITs depend
                     generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make
                     distributions to shareholders or unitholders, and may be
                     subject to defaults by borrowers and to self-liquidations.
                     In addition, a REIT may be affected by its failure to
                     qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code
                     or its failure to maintain exemption from registration
                     under the 1940 Act.
    
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
                     Agreements by which the Portfolio obtains a security and
                     simultaneously commits to return the security to the seller
                     at an agreed upon price (including principal and interest)
                     on an agreed upon date within a number of days from the
                     date of purchase. Repurchase agreements are considered
                     loans under the 1940 Act.
STOCK INDEX FUTURES
                     A stock index futures contract is a bilateral agreement
                     pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make
                     delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar
                     amount times the difference between the stock index value
                     at the close of trading of the contract and the price at
                     which the futures contract is originally struck. No
                     physical delivery of the securities comprising the index is
                     made; generally contracts are closed out prior to the
                     expiration date of the contract.
 
   
                           In order to avoid leveraging and related risks, when
                     the Portfolio purchases futures contracts, it will
                     collateralize its position by depositing an amount of cash
                     or liquid securities equal to the market value of the
                     futures positions held, less margin deposits, in a
                     segregated account. Collateral equal to the current market
                     value of the futures position will be marked to market on a
                     daily basis.
    
 
                           There are risks associated with these activities,
                     including the following: (1) the success of a hedging
                     strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in
                     the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in
                     markets and movements in interest rates; (2) there may be
                     an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in
                     market value of the securities held by the Portfolio and
                     the prices of futures and options on futures; (3) there may
                     not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract or
                     option; (4) trading restrictions or limitations may be
                     imposed by an exchange; and (5) government regulations may
                     restrict trading in futures contracts and options on
                     futures.
 
                                                                              15
<PAGE>
U.S. GOVERNMENT
AGENCY OBLIGATIONS
                     Obligations issued or guaranteed by agencies of the U.S.
                     Government including, among others, the Federal Farm Credit
                     Bank, the Federal Housing Administration and the Small
                     Business Administration and obligations issued or
                     guaranteed by instrumentalities of the U.S. Government,
                     including, among others, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
                     Corporation, the Federal Land Banks and the U.S. Postal
                     Service. Some of these securities are supported by the full
                     faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury (E.G., Government
                     National Mortgage Association securities), and others are
                     supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the
                     Treasury (E.G., Federal Farm Credit Bank securities), while
                     still others are supported only by the credit of the
                     instrumentality (E.G., Fannie Mae securities).
U.S. TREASURY
OBLIGATIONS
                     U.S. Treasury obligations consist of bills, notes and bonds
                     issued by the U.S. Treasury, as well as separately traded
                     interest and principal component parts of such obligations
                     known as Separately Traded Registered Interest and
                     Principal Securities ("STRIPS") that are transferable
                     through the Federal book-entry system.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED
DELIVERY SECURITIES
                     When-issued or delayed delivery transactions involve the
                     purchase of an instrument with payment and delivery taking
                     place in the future. Delivery of and payment for these
                     securities may occur a month or more after the date of the
                     purchase commitment. The Portfolio will maintain a separate
                     account with liquid securities or cash in an amount at
                     least equal to these commitments. The interest rate
                     realized on these securities is fixed as of the purchase
                     date, and no interest accrues to the Portfolio before
                     settlement.
 
                     Additional information on other permitted investments can
                     be found in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                                                              16
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
               _________________________________________________________________
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
Annual Operating Expenses........................          2
Financial Highlights.............................          3
The Trust........................................          4
Investment Objectives and Policies...............          4
General Investment Policies......................          6
Investment Limitations...........................          6
The Manager......................................          7
The Adviser......................................          7
Distribution and Shareholder Servicing...........          8
Purchase and Redemption of Shares................          9
Performance......................................         10
Taxes............................................         11
General Information..............................         12
Description of Permitted Investments and Risk
 Factors.........................................         14
</TABLE>
    
 
                                                                              17
<PAGE>
                    [LOGO]
<PAGE>
                     (This page intentionally left blank.)
<PAGE>
   
SEI INDEX FUNDS
JULY 31, 1998
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
S&P 500 INDEX PORTFOLIO
BOND INDEX PORTFOLIO
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
This Prospectus concisely sets forth information about the above-referenced
Portfolios that an investor needs to know before investing. Please read this
Prospectus carefully, and keep it on file for future reference.
 
   
A Statement of Additional Information dated July 31, 1998, has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, and is available upon request and
without charge by writing the Distributor, SEI Investments Distribution Co.,
Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456, or by calling 1-800-342-5734. The Statement of
Additional Information is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
    
 
SEI Index Funds (the "Trust") is an open-end management investment company,
certain classes of which offer financial institutions a convenient means of
investing their own funds, or funds for which they act in a fiduciary, agency or
custodial capacity, in professionally managed diversified portfolios of
securities. This Prospectus offers Class A shares of the portfolios (each a
"Portfolio" and, together, the "Portfolios") listed above.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION PASSED
 UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
 CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
 THE TRUST'S SHARES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR
 ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK. THE TRUST'S SHARES ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE
 FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD OR ANY OTHER
 GOVERNMENT AGENCY. INVESTMENT IN THE SHARES INVOLVES RISK, INCLUDING POSSIBLE
 LOSS OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT INVESTED.
<PAGE>
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES (AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)        CLASS A
SHARES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   S&P 500
                                                                                                    INDEX     BOND INDEX
                                                                                                  ----------  ----------
<S>                                                                                               <C>         <C>
Management/Advisory Fees (AFTER FEE WAIVER) (1)                                                         .21%     .27%
12b-1 Fees                                                                                              None     None
Total Other Expenses                                                                                    .19%     .11%
  Shareholder Servicing Expenses (AFTER FEE WAIVERS, IF APPLICABLE)                               .15%        .00%(2)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Operating Expenses (AFTER FEE WAIVERS) (3)                                                        .40%     .38%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
 
(1) THE MANAGER HAS WAIVED, ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS, A PORTION OF ITS FEE, AND THE
    MANAGEMENT/ADVISORY FEES SHOWN REFLECT THIS VOLUNTARY WAIVER. THE MANAGER
    RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE ITS WAIVER AT ANY TIME IN ITS SOLE
    DISCRETION. ABSENT SUCH WAIVER, MANAGEMENT/ADVISORY FEES WOULD BE .25% FOR
    THE S&P 500 INDEX PORTFOLIO AND .42% FOR THE BOND INDEX PORTFOLIO.
 
   
(2) REFLECTS THE CURRENT LEVEL OF SHAREHOLDER SERVICING FEES. ABSENT WAIVERS,
    SHAREHOLDER SERVICING FEES WOULD BE .25%. PLEASE SEE "DISTRIBUTION AND
    SHAREHOLDER SERVICING."
    
 
   
(3) ABSENT THESE FEE WAIVERS, TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES WOULD BE .44% FOR THE S&P
    500 INDEX PORTFOLIO AND .78% FOR THE BOND INDEX PORTFOLIO. ADDITIONAL
    INFORMATION MAY BE FOUND UNDER "THE ADVISER" AND "THE MANAGER."
    
 
EXAMPLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    1 YR.       3 YRS.       5 YRS.       10 YRS.
                                                                                 -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                              <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
An investor in a Portfolio would pay the following expenses on a $1,000
 investment assuming (1) a 5% annual return and (2) redemption at the end of
 each time period:
  S&P 500 Index                                                                   $       4    $      13    $      22    $      51
  Bond Index                                                                      $       4    $      12    $      21    $      48
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
THE EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE
EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
 
THE PURPOSE OF THE EXPENSE TABLE AND EXAMPLE IS TO ASSIST THE INVESTOR IN
UNDERSTANDING THE VARIOUS COSTS AND EXPENSES THAT MAY BE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY
BORNE BY INVESTORS IN CLASS A SHARES OF THE PORTFOLIOS. THE S&P 500 INDEX
PORTFOLIO ALSO OFFERS CLASS E SHARES, WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO THE SAME EXPENSES,
EXCEPT THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT SHAREHOLDER SERVICING COSTS. A PERSON WHO
PURCHASES SHARES THROUGH A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION MAY BE CHARGED SEPARATE FEES BY
THAT INSTITUTION. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY BE FOUND UNDER "THE MANAGER," "THE
ADVISER" AND "DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING."
 
                                                                               2
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                  ______________________________________________________________
 
   
The following information has been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, the Trust's
independent accountants, as indicated in their report dated May 8, 1998, on the
Trust's financial statements as of March 31, 1998, which are incorporated by
reference into the Trust's Statement of Additional Information. The Trust's
financial statements and additional performance information are set forth in the
1998 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is available upon request and without
charge by calling 1-800-342-5734. This table should be read in conjunction with
the Trust's financial statements and notes thereto.
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          NET REALIZED
                                              AND
                 NET ASSET                 UNREALIZED    DIVIDENDS
                   VALUE         NET      GAIN (LOSS)    FROM NET    DISTRIBUTIONS  NET ASSET                     NET ASSETS
                 BEGINNING   INVESTMENT        ON       INVESTMENT   FROM CAPITAL  VALUE, END                       END OF
                 OF PERIOD     INCOME     INVESTMENTS     INCOME        GAINS       OF PERIOD    TOTAL RETURN    PERIOD (000)
<S>             <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>             <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR A CLASS A SHARE OUTSTANDING THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD
- -------------------------
S&P 500 INDEX PORTFOLIO+
- -------------------------
For the
periods ended
March 31,
1998            $     24.06   $    0.41    $    10.86    $   (0.41)   $    (0.21)  $     34.71        47.43%    $       451,077
1997                  20.87        0.48          3.47        (0.43)        (0.33)        24.06        19.22             108,770
1996(1)               20.82      --              0.05       --            --             20.87         0.24*              3,077
 
<CAPTION>
                                                             RATIO OF NET
                                EXPENSES TO   RATIO OF NET     INCOME TO
                  RATIO OF      AVERAGE NET    INVESTMENT     AVERAGE NET
                 EXPENSES TO      ASSETS        INCOME TO       ASSETS       PORTFOLIO       AVERAGE
                 AVERAGE NET    (EXCLUDING     AVERAGE NET    (EXCLUDING      TURNOVER     COMMISSION
                   ASSETS      FEE WAIVERS)      ASSETS      FEE WAIVERS)       RATE         RATE**
<S>             <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>
- --------------
 
FOR A CLASS A
- --------------
S&P 500 INDEX
- --------------
For the
periods ended
March 31,
1998                  0.40%          0.44%          1.37%          1.33%            4%    $       0.169
1997                  0.40           0.46           1.84           1.78             2            0.0197
1996(1)               0.46           0.58           0.97           0.85             3               n/a
</TABLE>
    
 
  + EFFECTIVE JULY 31, 1997, THE FORMER CLASS E SHARES WERE RENAMED CLASS A
    SHARES.
  * TOTAL RETURN HAS NOT BEEN ANNUALIZED.
 ** AVERAGE COMMISSION RATE PAID PER SHARE FOR SECURITY PURCHASES AND SALES
    DURING THE PERIOD. PRESENTATION OF THE RATE IS ONLY REQUIRED FOR THE FISCAL
    YEARS BEGINNING AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 1995.
 (1) S&P 500 INDEX CLASS A SHARES (FORMERLY CLASS E SHARES) WERE OFFERED
    BEGINNING FEBRUARY 28, 1996. ALL RATIOS FOR THAT PERIOD HAVE BEEN
    ANNUALIZED.
   
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>
- ---------------------
BOND INDEX PORTFOLIO
- ---------------------
For the
periods
ended
March 31,
1998       $   10.01   $    0.64    $    0.51    $   (0.64)   $  --       $   10.52      11.81%  $  43,282        0.38%        0.78%
1997           10.26        0.64        (0.21)       (0.68)      --           10.01       4.36      35,691        0.38         0.71
1996 (2)        9.90        0.64         0.36        (0.64)      --           10.26      10.31      51,185        0.38         0.48
1995           10.09        0.63        (0.20)       (0.62)      --            9.90       4.54      45,643        0.38         0.48
1994           10.43        0.56        (0.33)       (0.57)      --           10.09       2.10      56,161        0.38         0.47
1993            9.87        0.66         0.56        (0.66)      --           10.43      12.73      56,032        0.38         0.45
1992            9.73        0.73         0.15        (0.74)      --            9.87       9.48      38,449        0.38         0.51
1991            9.46        0.80         0.28        (0.81)      --            9.73      11.92      22,602        0.38         0.61
1990            9.19        0.81         0.27        (0.81)      --            9.46      12.04      12,106        0.38         0.72
1989 (1)        9.62        0.82        (0.43)       (0.82)      --            9.19       4.21      11,457        0.38         0.80
 
<CAPTION>
- ---------
<S>        <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>
BOND INDE
- ---------
For the
periods
ended
March 31,
1998             6.22%        5.82%         44%        n/a
1997             6.26         5.93          46         n/a
1996 (2)         6.20         6.10          59         n/a
1995             6.33         6.23          21         n/a
1994             5.35         5.26          55         n/a
1993             6.49         6.42         115         n/a
1992             7.45         7.32          99         n/a
1991             8.52         8.29          26         n/a
1990             8.43         8.09          56         n/a
1989 (1)         8.62         8.20          31         n/a
</TABLE>
    
 
   
 (1) COMMENCED OPERATIONS ON 5/19/86.
    
 (2) THE INVESTMENT ADVISER WAS CHANGED FROM WORLD ASSET MANAGEMENT TO MELLON
    BOND ASSOCIATES EFFECTIVE 10/2/95.
 
                                                                               3
<PAGE>
THE TRUST
      __________________________________________________________________________
 
SEI INDEX FUNDS (the "Trust") is an open-end management investment company that
offers units of beneficial interest ("shares") in two separate, diversified
investment portfolios. This prospectus offers Class A shares of the Trust's S&P
500 Index and Bond Index Portfolios (each a "Portfolio" and, together, the
"Portfolios"). Each Portfolio may have separate classes of shares. The S&P 500
Index Portfolio has Class A and Class E shares, which provide for variations in
shareholder servicing expenses. Class E shares of the S&P 500 Index Portfolio
are offered by a separate prospectus. Additional information pertaining to the
Trust may be obtained by writing SEI Investments Distribution Co., Oaks,
Pennsylvania 19456, or by calling 1-800-342-5734.
 
INVESTMENT
OBJECTIVES AND
POLICIES
     ___________________________________________________________________________
S&P 500 INDEX
PORTFOLIO
   
                     The S&P 500 Index Portfolio seeks to provide investment
                     results that correspond to the aggregate price and dividend
                     performance of the securities in the Standard & Poor's 500
                     Composite Stock Price Index (the "S&P 500 Index"), which is
                     comprised of 500 selected securities (most of which are
                     common stocks listed on the New York Stock Exchange).
    
 
                           The Portfolio's ability to duplicate the performance
                     of the S&P 500 Index will depend to some extent on the size
                     and timing of cashflows into and out of the Portfolio, as
                     well as on the level of the Portfolio's expenses.
 
                           Adjustments made to accommodate cash flows will track
                     the S&P 500 Index to the maximum extent possible, and may
                     result in brokerage expenses for the Portfolio. Over time,
                     the correlation between the performance of the Portfolio
                     and the S&P 500 Index is expected to be over 0.95. A
                     correlation of 1.00 would indicate perfect correlation,
                     which would be achieved when the net asset value of the
                     Portfolio, including the value of its dividend and capital
                     gains distributions, increased or decreased in exact
                     proportion to changes in the S&P 500 Index.
 
   
                           The Portfolio will normally be invested in all of the
                     stocks and other securities which comprise the S&P 500
                     Index, except when changes are made to the S&P 500 Index
                     itself. The Portfolio's policy is to be fully invested in
                     common stocks and other securities included in the Index,
                     and it is expected that cash reserves or other non-Index
                     securities would normally be less than 10% of net assets.
                     Accordingly, an investment in shares of the Portfolio
                     involves risks similar to those of investing in a portfolio
                     consisting of the common stocks and other securities of
                     some or all of the companies included in the S&P 500 Index.
    
 
   
                           The weightings of securities in the S&P 500 Index are
                     based on each security's relative total market value, I.E.,
                     market price per share times the number of shares
                     outstanding. Because of this weighting, approximately 50%
                     of the S&P 500 Index is currently composed of stocks of the
                     50 largest companies in the S&P 500 Index, and the S&P 500
                     Index currently represents over 65% of the market value of
                     all U.S. common stocks listed on the New York Stock
                     Exchange.
    
 
                                                                               4
<PAGE>
   
                           World Asset Management ("World"), the Portfolio's
                     investment adviser, makes no attempt to "manage" the
                     Portfolio in the traditional sense (I.E., by using
                     economic, financial or market analyses). The adverse
                     financial situation of a company usually will not result in
                     the elimination of a security from the Portfolio. However,
                     an investment may be removed from the Portfolio if, in the
                     judgment of World, the merit of the investment has been
                     substantially impaired by extraordinary events or adverse
                     financial conditions. Furthermore, administrative
                     adjustments may be made in the Portfolio from time to time
                     because of mergers, changes in the composition of the S&P
                     500 Index and similar reasons. In certain circumstances,
                     World may exercise discretion in determining whether to
                     exercise warrants or rights issued in respect to portfolio
                     securities or whether to tender portfolio securities
                     pursuant to a tender or exchange offer.
    
 
   
                           The equity securities in which the Portfolio invests
                     are common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible
                     into common stock and American Depository Receipts
                     ("ADRs"). The Portfolio may also purchase shares of real
                     estate investment trusts ("REITs").
    
 
                           The Portfolio may enter into stock index futures
                     contracts to maintain adequate liquidity to meet its
                     redemption demands while maximizing the level of the
                     Portfolio's assets which are tracking the performance of
                     the S&P 500 Index, provided that the value of these
                     contracts does not exceed 20% of the Portfolio's total
                     assets. The Portfolio may only purchase those stock index
                     futures contracts-- such as futures contracts on the S&P
                     500 Index--that are likely to closely duplicate the
                     performance of the S&P 500 Index. The Portfolio also can
                     sell such futures contracts in order to close out a
                     previously established position. The Portfolio will not
                     enter into any stock index futures contract for the purpose
                     of speculation, and will only enter into contracts traded
                     on national securities exchanges with standardized maturity
                     dates.
 
                           The Portfolio may invest cash reserves in securities
                     issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies or
                     instrumentalities, bankers' acceptances, commercial paper
                     rated at least A-1 by S&P and/or Prime-1 by Moody's
                     Investors Services, Inc. ("Moody's"), certificates of
                     deposit and repurchase agreements involving such
                     obligations. Such investments will not be used for
                     defensive purposes.
 
   
                           The Portfolio is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or
                     promoted by Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P"). S&P
                     makes no representation or warranty, implied or express, to
                     the purchasers of the Portfolio or any member of the public
                     regarding the advisability of investing in index funds or
                     the Portfolio or the ability of the Index to track general
                     stock market performance.
    
 
   
                           S&P DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE
                     COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. S&P
                     MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE
                     OBTAINED BY THE PORTFOLIO, OWNERS OF THE PORTFOLIO, OR ANY
                     DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
                     WARRANTIES, AND HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF
                     MERCHANTABILITY OR
    
 
                                                                               5
<PAGE>
   
                     FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE
                     INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. S&P'S ONLY RELATIONSHIP
                     TO THE PORTFOLIO IS THE LICENSING OF THE S&P MARKS AND THE
                     INDEX, WHICH IS DETERMINED, COMPOSED, AND CALCULATED BY S&P
                     WITHOUT REGARD TO THE LICENSEE OR THE PORTFOLIO.
    
BOND INDEX PORTFOLIO
                     The Bond Index Portfolio currently seeks to provide
                     investment results that correspond to the aggregate price
                     and interest performance of the Lehman Aggregate Bond Index
                     (the "Lehman Index"), which tracks the performance of debt
                     securities. The Lehman Index is made up of the
                     Government/Corporate Index, the Mortgage-Backed Securities
                     Index and the Asset-Backed Securities Index. The Lehman
                     Index includes fixed rate debt issues rated investment
                     grade or higher by one or more nationally recognized
                     statistical ratings organizations ("NRSROs"). All issues
                     have at least one year to maturity and an outstanding par
                     value of at least $100 million. Lehman Brothers, Inc. is
                     neither a sponsor of nor in any other way affiliated with
                     the Trust. Inclusion of a security in the Lehman Index in
                     no way implies an opinion of Lehman Brothers, Inc. as to
                     its attractiveness or appropriateness as an investment.
 
                           In seeking to generate results that correspond to the
                     performance of the Lehman Index, the Portfolio will invest
                     in the following obligations: (i) debt obligations issued
                     or guaranteed by the United States Government or its
                     agencies or instrumentalities; (ii) investment-grade debt
                     obligations issued by U.S. corporations; (iii) debt
                     obligations issued or guaranteed by foreign sovereign
                     governments, municipalities, governmental agencies or
                     international agencies; (iv) mortgage-backed securities,
                     including conventional 15- and 30-year fixed rate
                     mortgages, graduated payment mortgages, balloon mortgages
                     and adjustable rate mortgages; (v) asset-backed securities;
                     and (vi) any other issues that are included in the Lehman
                     Index.
 
                           Fixed income securities in which the Portfolio may
                     invest must be rated BBB or better by S&P or Baa or better
                     by Moody's at the time of purchase. Debt securities rated
                     BBB or Baa lack outstanding investment characteristics and
                     have speculative characteristics as well. In the event that
                     a security held by the Portfolio is downgraded below
                     investment grade, the adviser will promptly review the
                     situation and take appropriate action.
 
   
                           If an obligation which is included in the Lehman
                     Index on the first day of the month ceases to meet any of
                     the qualifications for inclusion in the Lehman Index during
                     that month, the obligation remains in the Lehman Index
                     through the end of that month and then is eliminated from
                     the Lehman Index. Mellon Bond Associates, LLP ("MBA"), the
                     Portfolio's investment adviser, will monitor portfolio
                     securities in order to determine whether any of these
                     obligations have ceased to qualify for inclusion in the
                     Lehman Index. If an obligation has ceased to qualify for
                     inclusion in the Lehman Index as a result of: (i) a lowered
                     investment rating, (ii) an aggregate outstanding principal
                     amount of less than $100 million, or (iii) a remaining
                     maturity that no longer exceeds one year (collectively,
                     "Ineligible Obligations"), the investment adviser may
                     either undertake to sell such Ineligible Obligations as
                     quickly as is financially prudent, which may be prior to or
                     later than the
    
 
                                                                               6
<PAGE>
                     time that obligation is removed from the Lehman Index, or
                     may determine to retain the security. To the extent that
                     the investment adviser determines to retain Ineligible
                     Obligations, such Ineligible Obligations, together with
                     cash and money market instruments, will not exceed 20% of
                     the Portfolio's net assets. Although the Portfolio retains
                     the right to invest up to 20% of its net assets in
                     Ineligible Obligations, cash and money market instruments,
                     these items are expected to constitute less than 10% of the
                     net assets of the Portfolio. Obligations held by the
                     Portfolio that became Ineligible Obligations as a result of
                     being rated below investment grade (which securities are
                     often referred to as "junk bonds") will not constitute more
                     than 5% of the Portfolio's net assets. In addition, cash
                     holdings will not exceed 5% of the Portfolio's net assets.
                     In addition, obligations that become eligible for inclusion
                     in the Lehman Index during a particular month generally
                     will not actually be included in the Lehman Index until the
                     next month. However, the Portfolio may elect to purchase
                     any such obligation and deem it to be included in the
                     Lehman Index once it becomes eligible.
 
                           The Portfolio generally will not hold all of the
                     individual issues which comprise the Lehman Index because
                     of the large number of securities involved. Instead, the
                     Portfolio will hold a representative sample of the
                     securities in the Index, selecting issues to represent
                     entire "classes" or types of securities in the Lehman
                     Index. Obligations included in the Lehman Index have been
                     categorized by MBA into sectors which have been organized
                     on the basis of type of issuer, and then further classified
                     by quality and remaining maturities. The percentage of the
                     Portfolio's assets to be invested in the aggregate
                     obligations included in a particular sector of the Lehman
                     Index will approximate, to the maximum extent feasible, the
                     percentage such sector represents in the Lehman Index. The
                     Portfolio's ability to duplicate the performance of the
                     Lehman Index will depend to some extent on the size and
                     timing of cash flows into and out of the Portfolio, as well
                     as on the level of the Portfolio's expenses, and the
                     capability of MBA to select a representative sample of the
                     securities included in the Lehman Index. To the extent that
                     the size of the Portfolio's assets limits the number of
                     issues that the Portfolio can purchase, there is more
                     potential for deviation from the Lehman Index's performance
                     than at larger asset levels.
 
                           The Portfolio may invest in restricted securities,
                     including Rule 144A securities, included in the Lehman
                     Index.
 
                           There can be no assurance that the Portfolios will
                     achieve their respective investment objectives.
 
GENERAL INVESTMENT
POLICIES
     ___________________________________________________________________________
 
   
                     Each Portfolio may lend a portion of its assets to
                     qualified institutions for the purpose of realizing
                     additional income, however neither Portfolio has any
                     present intention to lend its securities. Each Portfolio
                     may invest in illiquid securities; however, not more than
                     10% of
    
 
                                                                               7
<PAGE>
                     the total assets of each Portfolio will be invested in such
                     instruments. The Portfolios may enter into forward
                     commitments, or purchase securities on a when-issued or
                     delayed delivery basis.
 
                           For additional information regarding the Portfolios'
                     permitted investments see "Description of Permitted
                     Investments and Risk Factors" in this Prospectus and in the
                     Statement of Additional Information.
 
INVESTMENT
LIMITATIONS
        ________________________________________________________________________
 
                     The investment objective and certain of the investment
                     limitations are fundamental policies of the Portfolios.
                     Fundamental policies cannot be changed with respect to the
                     Trust or a Portfolio without the consent of the holders of
                     a majority of the Trust's or that Portfolio's outstanding
                     shares.
 
                     Each Portfolio may not:
 
                     1. Purchase securities of any issuer (except securities
                        issued or guaranteed by the United States Government,
                        its agencies or instrumentalities) if, as a result, more
                        than 5% of the Portfolio's total assets would be
                        invested in the securities of such issuer. This
                        restriction applies to 75% of each Portfolio's total
                        assets.
 
                     2. Purchase any securities which would cause more than 25%
                        of the Portfolio's total assets to be invested in the
                        securities of one or more issuers conducting their
                        principal business activities in the same industry,
                        provided that this limitation does not apply to
                        investments in obligations issued or guaranteed by the
                        United States Government or its agencies and
                        instrumentalities.
 
                     3. Borrow money, except for temporary or emergency purposes
                        and then only in an amount not exceeding 10% of the
                        value of the total assets of that Portfolio. This
                        borrowing provision is included solely to facilitate the
                        orderly sale of portfolio securities to accommodate
                        substantial redemption requests if they should occur,
                        and is not for investment purposes. All borrowings will
                        be repaid before making additional investments for that
                        Portfolio, and any interest paid on such borrowings will
                        reduce the Portfolio's income.
 
                     4. Make loans, except that each Portfolio (i) may enter
                        into repurchase agreements, provided that repurchase
                        agreements and time deposits maturing in more than seven
                        days, and other illiquid securities, including
                        securities which are not readily marketable or are
                        restricted, are not to exceed, in the aggregate, 10% of
                        the Portfolio's total assets, (ii) may engage in
                        securities lending as described in this Prospectus, and
                        (iii) may purchase or hold debt instruments in
                        accordance with its investment objectives and policies.
 
                     The foregoing percentage limitations (except the limitation
                     on borrowings) will apply at the time of the purchase of a
                     security. Additional fundamental investment limitations are
                     set forth in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                                                               8
<PAGE>
THE MANAGER
          ______________________________________________________________________
 
   
                     SEI Investments Fund Management ("SEI Management") provides
                     the Trust with overall management services, regulatory
                     reporting, all necessary office space, equipment, personnel
                     and facilities, and acts as dividend disbursing agent and
                     shareholder servicing agent. SEI Management also serves as
                     the transfer agent (the "Transfer Agent") of the Trust.
    
 
                           For its management services, SEI Management is
                     entitled to a fee, which is calculated daily and paid
                     monthly, at an annual rate of .22% of the average daily net
                     assets of the S&P 500 Index Portfolio and .35% of the
                     average daily net assets of the Bond Index Portfolio. SEI
                     Management may from time to time waive all or a portion of
                     its fee in order to limit the operating expenses of a
                     Portfolio. Any such waiver is voluntary and may be
                     terminated at any time in its sole discretion.
 
   
                           For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the S&P 500
                     Index and Bond Index Portfolios paid management fees, after
                     fee waivers, of .18% and .20%, respectively, of their
                     average daily net assets.
    
THE ADVISERS
          ______________________________________________________________________
WORLD ASSET
MANAGEMENT
                     World Asset Management ("World") serves as investment
                     adviser to the S&P 500 Index Portfolio.
 
   
                           World is a general partnership organized by Munder
                     Capital Management ("MCM"), a general partnership formed in
                     December, 1994, which engages in investment management and
                     advisory services. As of May 31, 1998, total assets under
                     management of World were $    billion and assets under
                     management of MCM were $    billion. The principal business
                     address for World is 255 Brown Street Centre, 2nd Floor,
                     Birmingham, Michigan 48009.
    
 
                           Under the terms of the Advisory Agreement, World
                     provides certain record keeping and management services in
                     connection with the S&P 500 Index Portfolio, including
                     monitoring the indexing systems and determining which
                     securities to purchase and sell in order to keep the S&P
                     500 Index Portfolio in balance with its index.
 
   
                           For its services, World is entitled to a fee, which
                     is calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of
                     .03% of the average daily net assets of the S&P 500 Index
                     Portfolio. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the
                     S&P 500 Index Portfolio paid World an advisory fee of .03%
                     of its average daily net assets.
    
 
   
MELLON BOND
ASSOCIATES, LLP
    
   
                     Mellon Bond Associates, LLP ("MBA") serves as the
                     investment adviser to the Bond Index Portfolio.
    
 
   
                           MBA is a Pennsylvania business trust. MBA's sole
                     beneficiary is MBC Investment Corporation, a wholly-owned
                     subsidiary of Mellon Bank Corporation. MBA was established
                     in October, 1986, as a spin-off of the Institutional Bond
                     Management division of Mellon Bank's Trust and Investment
                     Department. As of May 31, 1998, total assets under
    
 
                                                                               9
<PAGE>
   
                     management of MBA were $50.8 billion. The principal
                     business address for MBA is One Mellon Bank Center, Suite
                     4135, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258.
    
 
   
                           For its services, MBA is entitled to a fee, which is
                     calculated daily and paid monthly, at the annual rate of
                     .07% of the average daily net assets of the Bond Index
                     Portfolio. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the
                     Bond Index Portfolio paid MBA an advisory fee of .07% of
                     its average daily net assets.
    
 
DISTRIBUTION AND
SHAREHOLDER
SERVICING
      __________________________________________________________________________
 
                     SEI Investments Distribution Co. (the "Distributor"), a
                     wholly-owned subsidiary of SEI Investments Company ("SEI
                     Investments"), serves as each Portfolio's distributor
                     pursuant to a distribution agreement with the Trust. The
                     S&P 500 Index Portfolio has adopted a shareholder servicing
                     plan similar to the plan described below for its Class E
                     shares (the "Class E Plan").
 
   
                           The Portfolios have adopted a shareholder servicing
                     plan for Class A shares (the "Service Plan") under which
                     the Portfolio may pay the Distributor a fee at a negotiated
                     rate of up to .25% annually of average daily net assets
                     attributable to Class A shares of the Bond Index Portfolio
                     and up to .15% of average daily net assets attributable to
                     Class A shares of the S&P 500 Index Portfolio. Under the
                     Service Plan, the Distributor may perform, or may
                     compensate other service providers for performing, the
                     following shareholder and administrative services:
                     maintaining client accounts; arranging for bank wires;
                     responding to client inquiries concerning services provided
                     on investments; assisting clients in changing dividend
                     options, account designations and addresses;
                     sub-accounting; providing information on share positions to
                     clients; forwarding shareholder communications to clients;
                     processing purchase, exchange and redemption orders; and
                     processing dividend payments. Under the Service Plan, the
                     Distributor may retain as a profit any difference between
                     the fee it receives and the amount it pays to third
                     parties.
    
 
                           It is possible that an institution may offer
                     different classes of shares to its customers and thus
                     receive different compensation with respect to different
                     classes. These financial institutions may also charge
                     separate fees to their customers.
 
                           The Trust may also execute brokerage or other agency
                     transactions through the Distributor for which the
                     Distributor may receive usual and customary compensation.
 
                           In addition, the Distributor may, from time to time
                     and at its own expense, provide promotional incentives, in
                     the form of cash or other compensation, to certain
                     financial institutions whose representatives have sold or
                     are expected to sell significant amounts of the Portfolios'
                     shares.
 
                                                                              10
<PAGE>
PURCHASE AND
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
    ____________________________________________________________________________
 
                     Financial institutions may acquire shares of the Portfolios
                     for their own account, or as a record owner on behalf of
                     fiduciary, agency or custody accounts, by placing orders
                     with the Transfer Agent (or its authorized agent).
                     Institutions that use certain SEI proprietary systems may
                     place orders electronically through those systems.
                     Financial institutions may impose an earlier cut-off time
                     for receipt of purchase orders directed through them to
                     allow for processing and transmittal of these orders to the
                     Transfer Agent for effectiveness on the same day. Financial
                     institutions which purchase shares for the accounts of
                     their customers may impose separate charges on these
                     customers for account services.
 
                           Shares of each Portfolio may be purchased or redeemed
                     on days on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for
                     business ("Business Days"). However, shares cannot be
                     purchased by Federal Reserve wire on Federal holidays
                     restricting wire transfers. The minimum initial investment
                     in the Class A shares of each Portfolio is $100,000;
                     however, the minimum investment may be waived at the
                     Distributor's discretion. All subsequent purchases must be
                     at least $1,000.
 
   
                           Shareholders who desire to purchase shares for cash
                     must place their orders with the Transfer Agent (or its
                     authorized agent) prior to the determination of net asset
                     value on any Business Day for the order to be accepted on
                     that Business Day. Purchase orders received by a fund after
                     the determination of net asset value will be effected at
                     the next Business Day's net asset value. Generally, payment
                     for fund shares must be transmitted or delivered in federal
                     funds to the wire agent on the next Business Day following
                     the day the order is placed. The Trust reserves the right
                     to reject a purchase order when the Distributor determines
                     that it is not in the best interest of the Trust or
                     shareholders to accept such purchase order.
    
 
   
                           Purchases will be made in full and fractional shares
                     of the Portfolios calculated to three decimal places. The
                     Trust will send shareholders a statement of shares owned
                     after each transaction. The purchase price of shares is the
                     net asset value next determined after a purchase order is
                     received and accepted by the Trust. The net asset value per
                     share of each Portfolio is determined by dividing the total
                     market value of the Portfolio's investment and other
                     assets, less any liabilities, by the total number of
                     outstanding shares of that Portfolio. Net asset value per
                     share is determined as of the regularly-scheduled close of
                     normal trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally,
                     4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on any Business Day.
    
 
   
                           If there is no readily ascertainable market value for
                     a security, SEI Management will make a good faith
                     determination as to the "fair value" of the security.
                     Securities having maturities of 60 days or less at the time
                     of purchase will be valued using the amortized cost method
                     (described in the Statement of Additional Information).
    
 
                                                                              11
<PAGE>
   
                           Shareholders who desire to redeem shares of the
                     Portfolios must place their redemption orders with the
                     Transfer Agent (or its authorized agent) prior to the
                     determination of net asset value on any Business Day.
                     Redemption orders received after the determination of net
                     asset value will be effected at the next Business Day's net
                     asset value. The redemption price is the net asset value
                     per share of the Portfolio next determined after receipt by
                     the Transfer Agent (or its authorized agent) of the
                     redemption order. Payment on redemption will be made as
                     promptly as possible and, in any event, within seven days
                     after the redemption order is received.
    
 
   
                           Purchase and redemption orders may be placed by
                     telephone. Neither the Trust nor the Transfer Agent will be
                     responsible for any loss, liability, cost or expense for
                     acting upon wire instructions or upon telephone
                     instructions that it reasonably believes to be genuine. The
                     Trust and the Transfer Agent will each employ reasonable
                     procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by
                     telephone are genuine, including requiring a form of
                     personal identification prior to acting upon instructions
                     received by telephone and recording telephone instructions.
    
 
                           If market conditions are extraordinarily active, or
                     other extraordinary circumstances exist, shareholders may
                     experience difficulties placing redemption orders by
                     telephone, and may wish to consider placing orders by other
                     means.
PERFORMANCE
          ______________________________________________________________________
 
                     From time to time, each Portfolio may advertise yield and
                     total return. These figures will be based on historical
                     earnings and are not intended to indicate future
                     performance. No representation can be made concerning
                     actual future yields or returns. The yield of a Portfolio
                     refers to the income generated by a hypothetical investment
                     in such Portfolio over a thirty day period. This income is
                     then "annualized," I.E., the income over thirty days is
                     assumed to be generated over one year, and is shown as a
                     percentage of the investment.
 
                           The total return of a Portfolio refers to the average
                     compounded rate of return on a hypothetical investment for
                     designated time periods, assuming that the entire
                     investment is redeemed at the end of each period and
                     assuming the reinvestment of all dividend and capital gain
                     distributions.
 
                           A Portfolio may periodically compare its performance
                     to the performance of: other mutual funds tracked by mutual
                     fund rating services (such as Lipper Analytical); financial
                     and business publications and periodicals; broad groups of
                     comparable mutual funds; unmanaged indices which may assume
                     investment of dividends but generally do not reflect
                     deductions for administrative and management costs; or to
                     other investment alternatives. A Portfolio may quote
                     Morningstar, Inc., a service that ranks mutual funds on the
                     basis of risk-adjusted performance. A Portfolio may use
                     long-term performance of these capital markets to
                     demonstrate general long-term risk versus reward scenarios
                     and could include the value of a hypothetical investment in
                     any of the capital markets. A Portfolio may also
 
                                                                              12
<PAGE>
                     quote financial and business publications and periodicals
                     as they relate to fund management, investment philosophy
                     and investment techniques.
 
                           A Portfolio may quote various measures of volatility
                     and benchmark correlation in advertising and may compare
                     these measures to those of other funds. Measures of
                     volatility attempt to compare historical share price
                     fluctuations or total returns to a benchmark while measures
                     of benchmark correlation indicate how valid a comparative
                     benchmark might be. Measures of volatility and correlation
                     are calculated using averages of historical data and cannot
                     be calculated precisely.
 
                           The performance of Class E shares of the S&P 500
                     Index Portfolio will normally be higher than that of the
                     Class A shares of the S&P 500 Index Portfolio because of
                     the different shareholder servicing expenses actually
                     charged to Class A shares.
TAXES
  ______________________________________________________________________________
 
                     The following summary of federal income tax consequences is
                     based on current tax laws and regulations, which may be
                     changed by legislative, judicial or administrative action.
                     No attempt has been made to present a detailed explanation
                     of the federal, state or local income tax treatment of the
                     Portfolios or their shareholders. In addition, state and
                     local tax consequences of an investment in a Portfolio may
                     differ from the federal income tax consequences described
                     below. Accordingly, shareholders are urged to consult their
                     tax advisers regarding specific questions as to federal,
                     state and local taxes. Additional information concerning
                     taxes is set forth in the Statement of Additional
                     Information.
TAX STATUS OF THE
PORTFOLIOS
                     Each Portfolio is treated as a separate entity for federal
                     income tax purposes and is not combined with the Trust's
                     other portfolios. The Portfolios intend to qualify for the
                     special tax treatment afforded regulated investment
                     companies ("RICs") under Subchapter M of the Internal
                     Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), so as to be
                     relieved of federal income tax on net investment company
                     taxable income and net capital gains (the excess of net
                     long-term capital gain over net short-term capital losses)
                     distributed to shareholders.
TAX STATUS OF
DISTRIBUTIONS
                     Each Portfolio will distribute substantially all of its net
                     investment income (including net short-term capital gains)
                     to shareholders. Dividends from a Portfolio's net
                     investment company taxable income are taxable to its
                     shareholders as ordinary income (whether received in cash
                     or in additional shares) to the extent of a Portfolio's
                     earnings and profits. Dividends paid by the S&P 500 Index
                     Portfolio to corporate shareholders will qualify for the
                     dividends-received deduction to the extent attributable to
                     dividends received by a Portfolio from domestic
                     corporations. Dividends paid by the Bond Index Portfolio
                     will not qualify for the dividends-received deduction.
 
                           Long-term capital gains realized by a Portfolio will
                     be distributed to shareholders at least annually and will
                     be taxable to shareholders of such Portfolio as long-term
                     capital gains regardless of how long the shareholder has
                     held shares and regardless of whether the distributions are
                     received in cash or in additional shares. Distributions
                     from net capital
 
                                                                              13
<PAGE>
                     gains do not qualify for the dividends received deduction.
                     Each Portfolio will provide annual reports to the
                     Portfolio's shareholders of the federal income tax status
                     of all distributions.
 
                           Dividends declared by a Portfolio in October,
                     November or December of any year and payable to
                     shareholders of record on a date in such a month will be
                     deemed to have been paid by the Portfolio and received by
                     the shareholders on December 31 of the year declared if
                     paid by the Portfolio at any time during the following
                     January.
 
                           Certain securities purchased by a Portfolio (such as
                     STRIPS, defined in "Description of Permitted Investments
                     and Risk Factors--U.S. Treasury Obligations") are sold with
                     original issue discount and thus do not make periodic cash
                     interest payments. Each Portfolio will be required to
                     include as part of its current income the imputed interest
                     on such obligations even though the Portfolio has not
                     received any interest payments on such obligations during
                     the period. Because each Portfolio will distribute
                     substantially all of its net investment income to its
                     shareholders, a Portfolio may have to sell portfolio
                     securities to distribute such imputed income, which may
                     occur at a time when the Adviser would not have chosen to
                     sell such securities and which may result in a taxable gain
                     or loss.
 
                           Investment income received directly by a Portfolio on
                     direct U.S. government obligations is exempt from income
                     tax at the state level and may be exempt, depending on the
                     state, when received by a shareholder as income dividends
                     provided certain state-specific conditions are satisfied.
                     Interest received on repurchase agreements collateralized
                     by U.S. government obligations normally is not exempt from
                     state tax. Each Portfolio will inform the Portfolio's
                     shareholders annually of the percentage of income and
                     distributions derived from direct U.S. obligations.
                     Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine
                     whether any portion of income dividends received from a
                     Portfolio is considered tax-exempt in their state.
 
                           Each Portfolio intends to make sufficient
                     distributions prior to the end of each calendar year to
                     avoid liability for the federal excise tax applicable to
                     RICs.
 
                           Investment income received by the Bond Index
                     Portfolio from sources within foreign countries may be
                     subject to foreign income taxes withheld at the source. The
                     Bond Index Portfolio will not be able to elect to treat its
                     shareholders as having paid their proportionate share of
                     such taxes for foreign tax credit purposes.
 
                           Each sale, exchange or redemption of Portfolio shares
                     is a taxable transaction to the shareholder.
 
GENERAL INFORMATION
         _______________________________________________________________________
THE TRUST
                     The Trust was organized as a Massachusetts business trust
                     under a Declaration of Trust dated March 6, 1985. The
                     Declaration of Trust permits the Trust to offer separate
                     series of shares and different classes of each Portfolio.
                     All consideration received by the Trust for
 
                                                                              14
<PAGE>
                     shares of any class of any Portfolio, and all assets of
                     such Portfolio or class, belong to that Portfolio or class,
                     respectively, and would be subject to the liabilities
                     related thereto.
 
                           The Trust pays its expenses, including fees of its
                     service providers, audit and legal expenses, expenses of
                     preparing prospectuses, proxy solicitation materials and
                     reports to shareholders, costs of custodial services and
                     registering the shares under federal and state securities
                     laws, pricing, insurance expenses, litigation and other
                     extraordinary expenses, brokerage costs, interest charges,
                     taxes and organization expenses.
TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST
                     The management and affairs of the Trust are supervised by
                     the Trustees under the laws of the Commonwealth of
                     Massachusetts. The Trustees have approved contracts under
                     which, as described above, certain companies provide
                     essential management services to the Trust.
VOTING RIGHTS
                     Each share held entitles the shareholder of record to one
                     vote. Shareholders of each Portfolio or class will vote
                     separately on matters pertaining solely to that Portfolio
                     or class, such as any distribution plan. As a Massachusetts
                     business trust, the Trust is not required to hold annual
                     meetings of shareholders, but approval will be sought for
                     certain changes in the operation of the Trust and for the
                     election of Trustees under certain circumstances. In
                     addition, a Trustee may be removed by the remaining
                     Trustees or by shareholders at a special meeting called
                     upon written request of shareholders owning at least 10% of
                     the outstanding shares of the Trust. In the event that such
                     a meeting is requested, the Trust will provide appropriate
                     assistance and information to the shareholders requesting
                     the meeting.
REPORTING
                     The Trust issues an unaudited report semi-annually and
                     audited financial statements annually. The Trust furnishes
                     proxy statements and other reports to shareholders of
                     record.
SHAREHOLDER INQUIRIES
   
                     Shareholder inquiries should be directed to SEI Investments
                     Fund Management, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456.
    
DIVIDENDS
                     Substantially all of the net investment income (not
                     including capital gains) of the S&P 500 Index Portfolio is
                     distributed in the form of quarterly dividends and that of
                     the Bond Index Portfolio is distributed in the form of
                     monthly dividends.
 
                           Shareholders automatically receive all income
                     dividends, and capital gain distributions in additional
                     shares at the net asset value next determined following the
                     record date, unless the shareholder has elected to take
                     such payment in cash. Shareholders may change their
                     election by providing written notice to SEI Management at
                     least 15 days prior to the distribution.
 
                           Dividends and capital gains of each Portfolio are
                     paid on a per-share basis. The value of each share will be
                     reduced by the amount of any such payment. If shares are
                     purchased shortly before the record date for a dividend or
                     capital gains distributions, a shareholder will pay the
                     full price for the share and receive some portion of the
                     price back as a taxable dividend or distribution.
 
                                                                              15
<PAGE>
                           The dividends on Class E shares of the S&P 500 Index
                     Portfolio are normally higher than those on the Class A
                     shares because of the different shareholder servicing
                     expenses actually charged to Class A shares.
COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT
ACCOUNTANTS
                     Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP serves as counsel to the Trust.
                     Arthur Andersen LLP serves as the independent public
                     accountants of the Trust.
CUSTODIAN AND WIRE AGENT
   
                     Comerica Bank, 411 W. Lafayette, Detroit, Michigan 48226
                     (the "Custodian"), acts as custodian of the Portfolios'
                     assets. The Custodian holds cash, securities and other
                     assets of the Trust as required by the Investment Company
                     Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"). First Union National Bank,
                     Broad and Chestnut Streets, P.O. Box 7618, Philadelphia,
                     Pennsylvania 19101, acts as wire agent of the Trust's
                     assets.
    
 
DESCRIPTION OF
PERMITTED
INVESTMENTS AND RISK
FACTORS   ______________________________________________________________________
 
                     The following is a description of certain of the permitted
                     investment practices for the Portfolios, and the associated
                     risk factors:
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY
RECEIPTS ("ADRS")
                     ADRs are securities, typically issued by a U.S. financial
                     institution (a "depositary"), that evidence ownership
                     interests in a security or a pool of securities issued by a
                     foreign issuer and deposited with the depositary. ADRs may
                     be available through "sponsored" or "unsponsored"
                     facilities. A sponsored facility is established jointly by
                     the issuer of the security underlying the receipt and a
                     depositary, whereas an unsponsored facility may be
                     established by a depositary without participation by the
                     issuer of the receipts underlying security.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
(NON-MORTGAGE)
                     Asset-backed securities consist of securities secured by
                     company receivables, truck and auto loans, leases and
                     credit card receivables. Such securities are generally
                     issued as pass-through certificates, which represent
                     undivided fractional ownership interests in the underlying
                     pools of assets. Such securities also may be debt
                     instruments, which are also known as collateralized
                     obligations and are generally issued as the debt of a
                     special purpose entity, such as a trust or corporation,
                     organized solely for purpose of owning such assets and
                     issuing such debt. A Fund may invest in other asset-backed
                     securities that may be created in the future if the Advisor
                     determines they are suitable.
EQUITY SECURITIES
                     Equity securities represent ownership interests in a
                     company or corporation, and include common stock, preferred
                     stock, and warrants and other rights to acquire such
                     instruments.
FIXED INCOME SECURITIES
                     Fixed income securities are debt obligations issued by
                     corporations, municipalities and other borrowers. While
                     securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher
                     yields, the
 
                                                                              16
<PAGE>
                     prices of longer maturity securities are also subject to
                     greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in
                     interest rates.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
   
                     Illiquid securities are securities that cannot be disposed
                     of within seven business days at approximately the price at
                     which they are being carried on the Portfolio's books.
                     Illiquid securities include demand instruments with demand
                     notice periods exceeding seven days, securities for which
                     there is no active secondary market, and repurchase
                     agreements with maturities over seven days in length.
    
JUNK BONDS
                     Bonds rated below investment grade are often referred to as
                     "junk bonds." Such securities involve greater risk of
                     default or price declines than investment grade securities
                     due to changes in the issuer's creditworthiness and the
                     outlook for economic growth. The market for these
                     securities may be less active, causing market price
                     volatility and limited liquidity in the secondary market.
                     This may limit a Portfolio's ability to sell such
                     securities at their market value. In addition, the market
                     for these securities may also be adversely affected by
                     legislative and regulatory developments. Credit quality in
                     the junk bond market can change suddenly and unexpectedly,
                     and even recently issued credit ratings may not fully
                     reflect the actual risks imposed by a particular security.
MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS
                     Money market instruments are high-quality,
                     dollar-denominated, short-term debt instruments. They
                     consist of: (i) bankers' acceptances, certificates of
                     deposits, notes and time deposits of highly-rated U.S.
                     banks and U.S. branches of foreign banks; (ii) U.S.
                     Treasury obligations and obligations issued by the agencies
                     and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government; (iii)
                     high-quality commercial paper issued by U.S. and foreign
                     corporations; (iv) debt obligations with a maturity of one
                     year or less issued by corporations that issue high-quality
                     commercial paper; and (v) repurchase agreements involving
                     any of the foregoing obligations entered into with
                     highly-rated banks and broker-dealers.
MORTGAGE-BACKED
SECURITIES
                     Mortgage-backed securities are instruments that entitle the
                     holder to a share of all interest and principal payments
                     from mortgages underlying the security. The mortgages
                     backing these securities include conventional fifteen- and
                     thirty-year fixed-rate mortgages, graduated payment
                     mortgages, adjustable rate mortgages and balloon mortgages.
                     During periods of declining interest rates, prepayment of
                     mortgages underlying mortgage-backed securities can be
                     expected to accelerate. Prepayment of mortgages which
                     underlie securities purchased at a premium often results in
                     capital losses, while prepayment of mortgages purchased at
                     a discount often results in capital gains. Because of these
                     unpredictable prepayment characteristics, it is often not
                     possible to predict accurately the average life or realized
                     yield of a particular issue.
 
                           GOVERNMENT PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES  These are
                     securities that are issued or guaranteed by a U.S.
                     Government agency representing an interest in a pool of
                     mortgage loans. The primary issuers or guarantors of these
                     mortgage-backed securities are GNMA, Fannie Mae and FHLMC.
                     GNMA, Fannie Mae and FHLMC guarantee timely distributions
                     of
 
                                                                              17
<PAGE>
                     interest to certificate holders. GNMA and Fannie Mae also
                     guarantee timely distributions of scheduled principal.
                     FHLMC generally guarantees only the ultimate collection of
                     principal of the underlying mortage loan. Fannie Mae and
                     FHLMC obligations are not backed by the full faith and
                     credit of the U.S. Government as GNMA certificates are, but
                     Fannie Mae and FHLMC securities are supported by the
                     instrumentalities' right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury.
                     Government and private guarantees do not extend to the
                     securities' value, which is likely to vary inversely with
                     fluctuations in interest rates.
 
                           PRIVATE PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES  These are
                     mortgage-backed securities issued by a non-governmental
                     entity, such as a trust or corporate entity. These
                     securities include collateralized mortgage obligations
                     ("CMOs") and real estate mortgage investment conduits
                     ("REMICs"). While they are generally structured with one or
                     more types of credit enhancement, private pass-through
                     securities typically lack a guarantee by an entity having
                     the credit status of a governmental agency or
                     instrumentality.
 
                           COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS ("CMOS")  CMOs
                     are debt obligations or multiclass pass-through
                     certificates issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the
                     U.S. Government or by private originators or investors in
                     mortgage loans. Principal payments on the underlying
                     mortgage assets may cause CMOs to be retired substantially
                     earlier then their stated maturities or final distribution
                     dates, resulting in a loss of all or part of any premium
                     paid.
 
                           REMICS  A REMIC is a CMO that qualifies for special
                     tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code and invests
                     in certain mortgages principally secured by interests in
                     real property. Investors may purchase beneficial interests
                     in REMICs, which are known as "regular" interests, or
                     "residual" interests. Guaranteed REMIC pass-through
                     certificates ("REMIC Certificates") issued by Fannie Mae or
                     FHLMC represent beneficial ownership interests in a REMIC
                     trust consisting principally of mortgage loans or Fannie
                     Mae, FHLMC or GNMA-guaranteed mortgage pass-through
                     certificates.
 
                           STRIPPED MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES ("SMBS")  SMBs
                     are usually structured with two classes that receive
                     specified proportions of the monthly interest and principal
                     payments from a pool of mortgage securities. One class may
                     receive all of the interest payments and is thus termed an
                     interest-only class ("IO"), while the other class may
                     receive all of the principal payments and is thus termed
                     the principal-only class ("PO"). The value of IOs tends to
                     increase as rates rise and decrease as rates fall; the
                     opposite is true of POs. During times when interest rates
                     are experiencing fluctuations, such securities can be
                     difficult to price on a consistent basis. The market for
                     SMBs is not as fully developed as other markets; SMBs,
                     therefore, may be illiquid.
 
   
REITS
    
   
                     REITs are trusts that invest primarily in commercial real
                     estate or real estate-related loans. A real estate
                     investment trust ("REIT") is not taxed on income
                     distributed to its shareholders or unitholders if it
                     complies with regulatory requirements relating to its
                     organization, ownership, assets and income, and with a
                     regulatory requirement that it distribute to its
                     shareholders or unitholders at least 95% of its taxable
                     income for each
    
 
                                                                              18
<PAGE>
   
                     taxable year. Generally, REITs can be classified as Equity
                     REITs, Mortgage REITs and Hybrid REITs. Equity REITs invest
                     the majority of their assets directly in real property and
                     derive their income primarily from rents and capital gains
                     from appreciation realized through property sales. Mortgage
                     REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate
                     mortgages and derive their income from interest payments.
                     Hybrid REITs combine the characteristics of both Equity and
                     Mortgage REITs. By investing in REITs indirectly through
                     the Portfolio, shareholders will bear not only the
                     proportionate share of the expenses of the Portfolio, but
                     also, indirectly, similar expenses of underlying REITs.
    
 
   
                           A Portfolio may be subject to certain risks
                     associated with the direct investments of the REITs. REITs
                     may be affected by changes in the of their underlying
                     properties and by defaults by borrowers or tenants.
                     Mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of the credit
                     extended. Furthermore, REITs are dependent on specialized
                     management skills. Some REITs may have limited
                     diversification and may be subject to risks inherent on
                     financing a limited number of properties. REITs depend
                     generally on their ability to generate cash flow to make
                     distributions to shareholders or unitholders, and may be
                     subject to defaults by borrowers and to self-liquidations.
                     In addition, a REIT may be affected by its failure to
                     qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code
                     or its failure to maintain exemption from registration
                     under the 1940 Act.
    
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
                     Agreements by which a Portfolio obtains a security and
                     simultaneously commits to return the security to the seller
                     at an agreed upon price (including principal and interest)
                     on an agreed upon date within a number of days from the
                     date of purchase. Repurchase agreements are considered
                     loans under the 1940 Act.
STOCK INDEX FUTURES
                     A stock index futures contract is a bilateral agreement
                     pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make
                     delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar
                     amount times the difference between the stock index value
                     at the close of trading of the contract and the price at
                     which the futures contract is originally struck. No
                     physical delivery of the securities comprising the index is
                     made; generally contracts are closed out prior to the
                     expiration date of the contract.
 
   
                           In order to avoid leveraging and related risks, when
                     a Portfolio purchases futures contracts, it will
                     collateralize its position by depositing an amount of cash
                     or liquid securities equal to the market value of the
                     futures positions held, less margin deposits, in a
                     segregated account. Collateral equal to the current market
                     value of the futures position will be marked to market on a
                     daily basis.
    
 
                           There are risks associated with these activities,
                     including the following: (1) the success of a hedging
                     strategy may depend on an ability to predict movements in
                     the prices of individual securities, fluctuations in
                     markets and movements in interest rates; (2) there may be
                     an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in
                     market value of the securities held by the Portfolio and
                     the prices of futures and options on futures; (3) there may
                     not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract or
                     option; (4) trading
 
                                                                              19
<PAGE>
                     restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange;
                     and (5) government regulations may restrict trading in
                     futures contracts and options on futures.
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY
OBLIGATIONS
                     Obligations issued or guaranteed by agencies of the U.S.
                     Government including, among others, the Federal Farm Credit
                     Bank, the Federal Housing Administration and the Small
                     Business Administration and obligations issued or
                     guaranteed by instrumentalities of the U.S. Government,
                     including, among others, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
                     Corporation, the Federal Land Banks and the U.S. Postal
                     Service. Some of these securities are supported by the full
                     faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury (E.G., GNMA
                     securities), and others are supported by the right of the
                     issuer to borrow from the Treasury (E.G., Federal Farm
                     Credit Bank securities), while still others are supported
                     only by the credit of the instrumentality (E.G., Fannie Mae
                     securities).
U.S. TREASURY
OBLIGATIONS
                     U.S. Treasury obligations consist of bills, notes and bonds
                     issued by the U.S. Treasury, as well as separately traded
                     interest and principal component parts of such obligations,
                     known as Separately Traded Registered Interest and
                     Principal Securities ("STRIPS") that are transferable
                     through the Federal book-entry system.
VARIABLE AND FLOATING
RATE INSTRUMENTS
                     Certain obligations may carry variable or floating rates of
                     interest and may involve a conditional or unconditional
                     demand feature. Such instruments bear interest at rates
                     which are not fixed, but which vary with changes in
                     specified market rates or indices. The interest rates on
                     these securities may be reset daily, weekly, quarterly or
                     at some other interval, and may have a floor or ceiling on
                     interest rate changes.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED
DELIVERY SECURITIES
                     When-issued or delayed delivery transactions involve the
                     purchase of an instrument with payment and delivery taking
                     place in the future. Delivery of and payment for these
                     securities may occur a month or more after the date of the
                     purchase commitment. A Portfolio will maintain a separate
                     account with liquid securities or cash in an amount at
                     least equal to these commitments. The interest rate
                     realized on these securities is fixed as of the purchase
                     date, and no interest accrues to a Portfolio before
                     settlement.
 
                     Additional information on other permitted investments can
                     be found in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
                                                                              20
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
               _________________________________________________________________
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
Annual Operating Expenses........................          2
Financial Highlights.............................          3
The Trust........................................          4
Investment Objectives and Policies...............          4
General Investment Policies......................          7
Investment Limitations...........................          8
The Manager......................................          9
The Advisers.....................................          9
Distribution and Shareholder Servicing...........         10
Purchase and Redemption of Shares................         11
Performance......................................         12
Taxes............................................         13
General Information..............................         14
Description of Permitted Investments and Risk
 Factors.........................................         16
</TABLE>
    
 
                                                                              21
<PAGE>
                    [LOGO]
<PAGE>
                                SEI INDEX FUNDS
 
Manager:
 
   
  SEI Investments Fund Management
    
 
Distributor:
 
  SEI Investments Distribution Co.
 
Investment Advisers:
 
   
  World Asset Management
  Mellon Bond Associates, LLP
    
 
   
    This STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION is not a Prospectus. It is intended
to provide additional information regarding the activities and operations of the
Trust and should be read in conjunction with the Trust's Prospectuses dated July
31, 1998. Prospectuses may be obtained without charge by writing the Trust's
distributor, SEI Investments Distribution Co., Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456, or by
calling 1-800-342-5734. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used
herein but not defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth in
the Prospectus.
    
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>
The Trust.................................................................   S-2
Description of Certain Permitted Investments..............................   S-2
Investment Limitations....................................................   S-6
The Manager and Transfer Agent............................................   S-7
The Advisers..............................................................   S-8
Distribution and Shareholder Servicing....................................   S-9
Trustees and Officers of the Trust........................................   S-9
Performance...............................................................  S-12
Purchase and Redemption of Shares.........................................  S-13
Taxes.....................................................................  S-14
Portfolio Transactions....................................................  S-16
Description of Shares.....................................................  S-17
Limitation of Trustees' Liability.........................................  S-17
Shareholder Liability.....................................................  S-18
5% Shareholders...........................................................  S-18
Custodian.................................................................  S-18
Experts...................................................................  S-19
Legal Counsel.............................................................  S-19
Financial Statements......................................................  S-19
</TABLE>
    
 
   
July 31, 1998
    
<PAGE>
                                   THE TRUST
 
    SEI Index Funds (the "Trust") is a diversified, open-end management
investment company established as a Massachusetts business trust pursuant to a
Declaration of Trust dated March 6, 1985. The Declaration of Trust permits the
Trust to offer separate series of units of beneficial interest ("shares") and
separate classes of series. Except for differences between Class A and Class E
shares of the S&P 500 Index Portfolio pertaining to shareholder service plans,
each share of each portfolio represents an equal proportionate interest in that
portfolio with each other share of that portfolio. This Statement of Additional
Information relates to the Trust's S&P 500 Index Portfolio and the Bond Index
Portfolio (the "Portfolios").
 
    The S&P 500 Index Portfolio is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by
Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P"). S&P makes no representation or warranty,
express or implied, to the purchasers of the Portfolio or any member of the
public regarding the advisability of investing in index funds or the Portfolio
or the ability of the S&P 500 Composite Stock Price Index (the "S&P 500 Index")
to track general stock market performance. S&P's only relationship to the
licensee, the Trust, is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of
S&P and of the S&P 500 Index which is determined, composed and calculated by S&P
without regard to the licensee or the Portfolio. S&P has no obligation to take
the needs of the licensee or the owners of the Portfolio into consideration in
determining, composing or calculating the S&P 500 Index. S&P is not responsible
for and has not participated in the determination of, the timing of, prices at,
or quantities of the Portfolio to be issued or in the determination or
calculation of the equation by which the Portfolio is to be converted into cash.
S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration,
marketing or trading of the Portfolio.
 
    S&P DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE S&P 500
INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. S&P MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE PORTFOLIO, OWNERS OF THE PORTFOLIO, OR ANY
OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE S&P 500 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED
THEREIN IN CONNECTION WITH THE RIGHTS LICENSED HEREUNDER OR FOR ANY OTHER USE.
S&P MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES
OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO
THE S&P 500 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE
FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL S&P HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE,
INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF
THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
 
                  DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PERMITTED INVESTMENTS
 
    The following information supplements the information about permitted
investments set forth in the corresponding Prospectus for the relevant
Portfolio.
 
    AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS--Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts
generally bear all the costs of the unsponsored facility. The depositary of an
unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder
communications received from the issuer of the deposited security or to pass
through, to the holders of the receipts, voting rights with respect to the
deposited securities.
 
    BANK OBLIGATIONS--The Portfolios may invest in bank obligations of U.S.
commercial banks or savings and loan institutions, including certificates of
deposit, time deposits and bankers' acceptances. A time deposit is an account
containing a currency balance pledged to remain at a particular bank for a
specified period in return for payment of interest. A bankers' acceptance is a
bill of exchange guaranteed by a bank or trust company for payment within one to
six months. Bankers' acceptances are used to provide manufacturers and exporters
with capital to operate between the time of manufacture or export and payment by
the purchaser. A certificate of deposit is an interest-bearing instrument with a
specific
 
                                      S-2
<PAGE>
maturity issued by a bank or savings and loan institution in exchange for the
deposit of funds that normally can be traded in the secondary market prior to
maturity.
 
    EQUITY SECURITIES--Investments in equity securities are subject to market
risks that may cause their prices to fluctuate over time. The value of
convertible equity securities is also affected by prevailing interest rates, the
credit quality of the issuer and any call provisions. Fluctuations in the value
of equity securities will not necessarily affect cash income derived from these
securities, but will affect a Portfolio's net asset value.
 
    FIXED INCOME SECURITIES--The market value of the fixed income investments
will generally change in response to interest rate changes and other factors.
During periods of falling interest rates, the values of outstanding fixed income
securities generally rise. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates,
the values of such securities generally decline.
 
    Changes by recognized agencies in the rating of any fixed income security
and in the ability of an issuer to make payments of interest and principal also
affect the value of these investments. Changes in the value of these securities
will not necessarily affect cash income derived from these securities but will
affect a Portfolio's net asset value.
 
    MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES--The Bond Index Portfolio may purchase
securities representing interests in mortgage pools guaranteed by U.S.
Government agencies or instrumentalities, including Government National Mortgage
Association ("GNMA"), Fannie Mae and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
("FHLMC"), conventional mortgage-pass through obligations, and Federal Housing
Administration-insured mortgage pools.
 
    GNMA is a wholly-owned U.S. Government corporation which guarantees the
timely payment of principal and interest. The market value and interest yield of
these instruments can vary due to market interest rate fluctuations and early
prepayments of underlying mortgages. These securities represent ownership in a
pool of federally insured mortgage loans. GNMA certificates consist of
underlying mortgages with a maximum maturity of 30 years. However, due to
scheduled and unscheduled principal payments, GNMA certificates have a shorter
average maturity and, therefore, less principal volatility than a comparable
30-year bond. Since prepayment rates vary widely, it is not possible to predict
accurately the average maturity of a particular GNMA pool. The scheduled monthly
interest and principal payments relating to mortgages in the pool will be
"passed through" to investors. GNMA securities differ from conventional bonds in
that principal is paid back to the certificate holders over the life of the loan
rather than at maturity. As a result, the Portfolio will receive monthly
scheduled payments of principal and interest. In addition, the Portfolio may
receive unscheduled principal payments representing prepayments on the
underlying mortgages. Any prepayments will be reinvested at the then prevailing
interest rate.
 
    Mortgage-backed securities issued by Fannie Mae include Fannie Mae
Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also known as "Fannie Maes") that
are solely the obligations of Fannie Mae and are not backed by or entitled to
the full faith and credit of the United States. Fannie Mae is a government-
sponsored organization owned entirely by private stockholders. Fannie Maes are
guaranteed as to timely payment of the principal and interest by Fannie Mae.
Mortgage-backed securities issued by the FHLMC include FHLMC Mortgage
Participation Certificates (also known as "Freddie Macs" or "PC's"). The FHLMC
is a corporate instrumentality of the United States, created pursuant to an Act
of Congress, which is owned entirely by Federal Home Loan Banks. Freddie Macs
are not guaranteed by the United States or by any Federal Home Loan Banks and do
not constitute a debt or obligation of the United States or of any Federal Home
Loan Bank. Freddie Macs entitle the holder to timely payment of interest, which
is guaranteed by the FHLMC. The FHLMC guarantees either ultimate collection or
timely payment of all principal payments on the underlying mortgage loans. When
the FHLMC does not guarantee timely payment of principal, FHLMC may remit the
amount due on account of its guarantee of ultimate payment of principal at any
time after default on an underlying mortgage, but in no event later than one
year after it becomes payable.
 
                                      S-3
<PAGE>
    In a CMO, series of bonds or certificates are usually issued in multiple
classes. Principal and interest paid on the underlying mortgage assets may be
allocated among the several classes of a series of a CMO in a variety of ways.
Each class of a CMO, often referred to as a "tranche," is issued with a specific
fixed or floating coupon rate and has a stated maturity or final distribution
date.
 
    For FHLMC REMIC Certificates, FHLMC guarantees the timely payment of
interest and also guarantees the payment of principal as payments are required
to be made on the underlying mortgage participation certificates.
 
   
    REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS--Repurchase agreements are agreements under which
securities are acquired from a securities dealer or bank subject to resale on an
agreed upon date and at an agreed upon price which includes principal and
interest. A Portfolio bears a risk of loss in the event that the other party to
a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligations and the Portfolio is delayed
or prevented from exercising its rights to dispose of the collateral securities.
A portfolio may enter into repurchase agreements only with financial
institutions that its adviser deems to present minimal risk of bankruptcy during
the term of the agreement, based on guidelines that are periodically reviewed by
the Board of Trustees. These guidelines currently permit each Portfolio to enter
into repurchase agreements only with approved banks and primary securities
dealers, as recognized by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which have
minimum net capital of $100 million, or with a member bank of the Federal
Reserve System. Repurchase agreements are considered to be loans collateralized
by the underlying security. Repurchase agreements entered into by a Portfolio
will provide that the underlying security at all times shall have a value at
least equal to 102% of the price stated in the agreement. This underlying
security will be marked to market daily. Each adviser will monitor compliance
with this requirement. Under all repurchase agreements entered into by a
Portfolio, the Portfolio or its agent will have actual or constructive
possession of the securities held as collateral for the repurchase agreement.
However, if the seller defaults, a Portfolio could realize a loss on the sale of
the underlying security to the extent the proceeds of the sale are less than the
resale price. In addition, even though the Bankruptcy Code provides protection
for most repurchase agreements, if the seller should be involved in bankruptcy
or insolvency proceedings, a Portfolio may incur delay and costs in selling the
security and may suffer a loss if the Portfolio is treated as an unsecured
creditor.
    
 
   
    SECURITIES LENDING--In order to generate additional income, a Portfolio may
lend its securities pursuant to agreements requiring that the loans be
continuously secured by cash, securities of the U.S. Government or its agencies,
or any combination of cash and such securities, in an amount at least equal to
the market value of the loaned securities. Loans are made only to borrowers
deemed by the advisers to be in good standing and when, in the judgment of the
advisers, the consideration that can be earned currently from such loaned
securities justifies the attendant risk. Any loan may be terminated by either
party upon reasonable notice to the other party. The Portfolios may use the
Distributor as a broker in these transactions.
    
 
   
    STOCK INDEX FUTURES--The S&P 500 Index Portfolio may invest in stock index
futures. No price is paid upon entering into futures contracts. Instead, a
Portfolio is required to deposit an amount of cash or U.S. Treasury securities
known as "initial margin." Subsequent payments, call "variation margin," to and
from the broker, would be made on a daily basis as the value of the futures
position varies (a process known as "marking to market"). The nature of initial
and variation margin in futures transactions is different from that of margin in
security transactions in that futures contract margin does not involve the
borrowing of funds to finance the transactions. Rather, the margin is in the
nature of a performance bond or good-faith deposit on the contract that is
returned to the Portfolio upon termination of the contract, assuming all
contractual obligations have been satisfied. Positions in futures contracts may
be closed only on an exchange or board of trade providing a secondary market for
such futures contracts. The value of the contract usually will vary in direct
proportion to the total face value. Market value of a stock index futures
position is defined as the closing value of the Index multiplied by 500 times
the number of contracts held.
    
 
                                      S-4
<PAGE>
    The Portfolio's ability to effectively utilize futures contracts depends on
several factors. First, it is possible that there will not be a perfect price
correlation between the futures contracts and their underlying stock index. In
addition, the purchase of a futures contract involves the risk that the
Portfolio could lose more than the original margin deposit required to initiate
a futures transaction.
 
   
    In considering the proposed use of futures contracts, particular note should
be taken that futures contracts relate to the anticipated levels at some point
in the future not to the current level of the underlying instrument; thus, for
example, trading of stock index futures may not reflect the trading of the
securities which are used to formulate an index or even actual fluctuations in
the relevant index itself. There is, in addition, a risk that movements in the
price of futures contracts will not correlate with the movement in prices of the
stock index being tracked. There may be several reasons unrelated to the value
of the underlying securities which causes this situation to occur. First, all
participants in the futures market are subject to initial and variation margin
requirements. If, to avoid meeting additional margin deposit requirements or for
other reasons, investors choose to close a significant number of futures
contracts through offsetting transactions, distortions in the normal price
relationship between the securities markets and the futures markets may occur.
Second, because the deposit requirements in the futures market are less onerous
than margin requirements in the securities market, there may be increased
participation by speculators in the futures market which may also cause
temporary price distortions. The Portfolio will not engage in transactions in
futures contracts for speculative purposes.
    
 
   
    A Portfolio may enter into futures contracts and options on futures
contracts traded on an exchange regulated by the Commodities Futures Trading
Commission ("CFTC"), so long as, to the extent that such transactions are not
for "bona fide hedging purposes," the aggregate initial margin and premiums on
such positions (excluding the amount by which such options are in the money) do
not exceed 5% of the Portfolio's net assets. A Portfolio may buy and sell
futures contracts and related options to manage its exposure to changing
interest rates and securities prices. Some strategies reduce a Portfolio's
exposure to price fluctuations, while others tend to increase its market
exposure. Futures and options on futures can be volatile instruments and involve
certain risks that could negatively impact a Portfolio's return.
    
 
    U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES--The Portfolios may invest in U.S. Government
Securities, which include bills, notes and bonds issued by the United States
Treasury, obligations issued or guaranteed by agencies of the United States
Government including, among others, Export Import Bank of the United States,
Farmers Home Administration, Federal Farm Credit Bank, Federal Housing
Administration, Maritime Administration, Small Business Administration, and The
Tennessee Valley Authority and obligations issued or guaranteed by
instrumentalities of the United States Government including, among others,
Federal Home Loan Banks, FHLMC, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Federal Land
Banks, Fannie Mae and the United States Postal Service. Some of these securities
are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States Treasury (E.G.,
GNMA securities), others are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from
the Treasury (E.G., Federal Farm Credit Bank securities) and still others are
supported only by the credit of the instrumentality (E.G., Fannie Mae
securities). Guarantees of principal by agencies or instrumentalities of the
United States Government may be a guarantee of payment at the maturity of the
obligation so that, in the event of a default prior to maturity, there might not
be a market and thus no means of realizing on the obligation prior to maturity.
Guarantees as to the timely payment of principal and interest do not extend to
the value or yield of these securities nor to the value of the Portfolio's
shares.
 
    VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE INSTRUMENTS--There is a risk that the current
interest rate on such obligations may not accurately reflect existing market
interest rates. A demand instrument with a demand notice exceeding seven days
may be considered illiquid if there is no secondary market for such security.
 
    WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED DELIVERY SECURITIES--The Bond Index Portfolio may
purchase debt obligations on a when-issued basis, in which case delivery and
payment normally take place within 45 days after the date of the commitment to
purchase. The Portfolio will only make commitments to
 
                                      S-5
<PAGE>
purchase obligations on a when-issued basis with the intention of actually
acquiring the securities, but may sell them before the settlement date if it is
deemed advisable. The when-issued securities are subject to market fluctuation,
and no interest accrues to the purchaser during the period prior to settlement.
The payment obligation and the interest rate that will be received on the
securities are each fixed at the time the purchaser enters into the commitment.
Purchasing obligations on a when-issued basis is a form of leveraging, and can
involve a risk that the yields available in the market when the delivery takes
place may actually be higher than those obtained in the transaction itself, in
which case there could be an unrealized loss at the time of delivery.
 
   
    These securities are subject to market fluctuation due to changes in market
interest rates, and it is possible that the market value at the time of
settlement could be higher or lower than the purchase price if the general level
of interest rates has changed.
    
 
   
    The Portfolio will establish a segregated account and maintain liquid assets
in an amount at least equal in value to the Portfolio's commitments to purchase
when-issued securities. If the value of these assets declines, the Portfolio
will place additional liquid assets in the account on a daily basis so that the
value of the assets in the account is equal to the amount of such commitments.
    
 
                             INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
 
Neither Portfolio may:
 
 1. Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate assets except to secure temporary borrowings
    as described in the Prospectus in aggregate amounts not to exceed 10% of the
    net assets of the Portfolio taken at current value at the time of the
    incurrence of such loan and, as to the S&P 500 Index Portfolio, in
    connection with stock index futures trading as provided in the Prospectus
    and this Statement of Additional Information.
 
 2. Invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control.
 
 3. Purchase or sell real estate, real estate limited partnership interests,
    physical commodities or commodities contracts. However, subject to its
    permitted investments, a Portfolio may purchase (i) obligations issued by
    companies which invest in real estate, commodities or commodities contracts,
    and (ii) commodities contracts related to financial instruments, such as
    financial futures contracts.
 
 4. Make short sales of securities, maintain a short position or purchase
    securities on margin, except that the Trust may obtain short-term credits as
    necessary for the clearance of security transactions.
 
 5. Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers except as it may be
    deemed an underwriter in selling a portfolio security.
 
 6. Purchase securities of other investment companies except as permitted by the
    Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules and regulations thereunder and
    may only purchase securities of money market funds.
 
 7. Issue senior securities (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940)
    except in connection with permitted borrowings as described in the
    Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information or as permitted by
    rule, regulation or order of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
 
 8. Purchase or retain securities of an issuer if, to the knowledge of the
    Trust, an officer, trustee, partner or director of the Trust or any
    investment adviser of the Trust owns beneficially more than 1/2 of 1% of the
    shares or securities of such issuer and all such officers, trustees,
    partners and directors owning more than 1/2 of 1% of such shares or
    securities together own more than 5% of such shares or securities.
 
                                      S-6
<PAGE>
 9. Purchase securities of any company which has (with predecessors) a record of
    less than three years continuing operations if, as a result, more than 5% of
    the total assets (taken at current value) would be invested in such
    securities.
 
10. Purchase warrants, puts, calls, straddles, spreads or combinations thereof.
 
11. Invest in interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or development
    programs.
 
12. Purchase restricted securities (securities which must be registered under
    the Securities Act of 1933 before they may be offered or sold to the public)
    or other illiquid securities except as described in the Prospectus and this
    Statement of Additional Information.
 
    The foregoing percentages will apply at the time of the purchase of a
security and shall not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency
occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of a purchase of such
security. These investment limitations and the investment limitations in the
Prospectus are fundamental policies of the Trust and may not be changed without
shareholder approval.
 
                         THE MANAGER AND TRANSFER AGENT
 
   
    The Management Agreement provides that the Manager, SEI Investments Fund
Management ("SEI Management"), shall not be liable for any error of judgment or
mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Trust in connection with the
matters to which the Management Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from
willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of SEI Management
in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its duties and
obligations thereunder.
    
 
    The continuance of the Management Agreement must be specifically approved at
least annually (i) by the vote of a majority of the Trustees or by the vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio, and (ii) by the
vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to the
Management Agreement or an "interested person" (as that term is defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940) of any party thereto, cast in person at a
meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Management
Agreement is terminable at any time without penalty by the Trustees of the
Trust, by a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of a Portfolio or by
SEI Management on not less than 30 days' nor more than 60 days' written notice.
This Agreement shall not be assignable by either party without the written
consent of the other party.
 
   
    SEI Management, a Delaware business trust, has its principal business
offices at Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456. SEI Investments Management Corporation
("SIMC"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SEI Investments Company ("SEI
Investments"), is the owner of all beneficial interest in SEI Management. Alfred
P. West, Jr., Carmen V. Romeo, and Henry H. Greer constitute the Board of
Directors of SIMC, the Investment Adviser to the Funds. Mr. West serves as the
Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of SIMC and SEI
Investments, Mr. Greer serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of SIMC
and SEI Investments, and Chief Financial Officer of SEI, and Mr. Romeo serves as
Executive Vice President and Treasurer of SEI Investments. SEI Investments and
its subsidiaries and affiliates, including SEI Management, are leading providers
of funds evaluation services, trust accounting systems, and brokerage and
information services to financial institutions, institutional investors, and
money managers. SEI Management and its affiliates also serve as administrator or
sub-administrator to the following other mutual funds: The Achievement Funds
Trust, The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund, The Arbor Fund, ARK Funds, Armada Funds,
Bishop Street Funds, Boston 1784 Funds-Registered Trademark-, CoreFunds, Inc.,
CrestFunds, Inc., CUFUND, The Expedition Funds, FMB Funds, Inc., First American
Funds, Inc., First American Investment Funds, Inc., First American Strategy
Funds, Inc., HighMark Funds, The Nevis Funds, Marquis
Funds-Registered Trademark-, Monitor Funds, Morgan Grenfell Investment Trust,
Oak Associates Funds, The PBHG Funds, Inc., PBHG Insurance Series Fund, Inc.,
The Pillar Funds, Santa Barbara Group of Mutual Funds, SEI Asset Allocation
Trust, SEI Daily Income Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, SEI
    
 
                                      S-7
<PAGE>
   
Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Liquid
Asset Trust, SEI Tax Exempt Trust, STI Classic Funds, STI Classic Variable
Trust, TIP Funds, and TIP Institutional Funds.
    
 
    If operating expenses of either Portfolio exceed applicable limitations, SEI
Management will pay such excess. SEI Management will not be required to bear
expenses of the Portfolios to an extent which would result in the Portfolio's
inability to qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). The term "expenses" is
defined in such laws or regulations, and generally excludes brokerage
commissions, distribution expenses, taxes, interest and extraordinary expenses.
 
   
    For the fiscal years ended March 31, 1996, 1997, and 1998, the Portfolios
paid fees to SEI Management as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             MANAGEMENT FEES PAID    MANAGEMENT FEES
                                                    (000)              WAIVED (000)
                                            ----------------------  ------------------
PORTFOLIO                                    1996    1997    1998   1996  1997   1998
- ------------------------------------------  ------  ------  ------  ----  ----  ------
<S>                                         <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>   <C>   <C>
S&P 500 Index Portfolio...................  $  658  $1,271  $2,404  $524  $446  $  520
Bond Index Portfolio......................  $  111  $  114  $   78  $ 45  $ 46  $   59
</TABLE>
    
 
                                  THE ADVISERS
 
    Each Investment Advisory Agreement provides that the adviser shall not be
protected against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the
performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its obligations or
duties thereunder.
 
   
    The continuance of each Investment Advisory Agreement must be specifically
approved at least annually (i) by the vote of a majority of the outstanding
shares of the Portfolios or by the Trustees, and (ii) by the vote of a majority
of the Trustees who are not parties to such Investment Advisory Agreement or
"interested persons" of any party thereto, cast in person at a meeting called
for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Investment Advisory Agreement
will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, and is terminable
at any time without penalty by the Trustees of the Trust or, with respect to the
Portfolio, by a majority of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio, on not less
than 30 days' nor more than 60 days' written notice to the adviser, or by the
adviser on 90 days' written notice to the Trust.
    
 
   
    World Asset Management, the adviser to the S&P 500 Index Portfolio, is a
general partnership which engages in investment management and advisory
services.
    
 
    World is entitled to a fee for its investment advisory services, which is
calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of .03% of the average
daily net assets of each Portfolio. No monthly payment to World shall exceed the
payment actually made to SEI Management pursuant to the current Management
Agreement between SEI Management and the Trust.
 
   
    For the fiscal years ended March 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, World received
fees of $161,179, $234,127, and $398,677, respectively, from the S&P 500 Index
Portfolio. For the period from March 31, 1995 to October 2, 1995, World received
a fee of $6,597 from the Bond Index Portfolio.
    
 
   
    Mellon Bond Associates, LLP ("MBA") serves as the investment adviser to the
Bond Index Portfolio. MBA has been serving as the adviser to the Bond Index
Portfolio since October 2, 1995.
    
 
   
    For its services, MBA is entitled to a fee, which is calculated daily and
paid monthly, at the annual rate of .07% of the average daily net assets of the
Bond Index Portfolio. For the period from October 2, 1995 to March 31, 1996 and
for the fiscal years ended March 31, 1997 and 1998, MBA received fees of
$12,342, $32,040, and $27,435, respectively, from the Bond Index Portfolio.
    
 
                                      S-8
<PAGE>
                     DISTRIBUTION AND SHAREHOLDER SERVICING
 
    The Distribution Agreement is renewable annually and may be terminated by
the Distributor, a majority vote of the Disinterested Trustees or by a majority
vote of the outstanding securities of the Trust upon not more than 60 days'
written notice by either party. No compensation is paid to the Distributor under
the Distribution Agreement. The Distributor, SEI Investments Distribution Co.,
is a wholly-owned subsidiary of SEI Investments.
 
    The Portfolios have adopted shareholder servicing plans for the Class A and
Class E shares (the "Service Plans"). Under these Plans, the Distributor may
perform, or may compensate other service providers for performing, the following
shareholder and administrative services: maintaining client accounts; arranging
for bank wires; responding to client inquiries concerning services provided on
investments; assisting clients in changing dividend options, account
designations and addresses; sub-accounting; providing information on share
positions to clients; forwarding shareholder communications to clients;
processing purchase, exchange and redemption orders; and processing dividend
payments. Under the Service Plans, the Distributor may retain as a profit any
difference between the fee it receives and the amount it pays to third parties.
 
   
    Certain institutions may also charge separate fees for related services. It
is possible that an institution may offer different classes of shares to its
customers and thus receive compensation with respect to different classes.
Certain Class A and Class E shareholders offering shares to their customers may
be required to register as dealers pursuant to state laws.
    
 
   
    Compensation was paid to the Distributor under a former distribution plan
which was discontinued during May 1996.
    
 
   
    For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996, the Class A (formerly Class E) S&P
500 Index Portfolio, Class E (formerly Class A) S&P 500 Index Portfolio and the
Class A Bond Index Portfolio incurred distribution expenses of $70, $283,605 and
$22,472 under the Plan or .20%, .05% and .05% of net assets, respectively,
during such period. These expenditures included $12, $184,195 and $10,681,
respectively, for sales expenses; $6, $63,981 and $7,784, respectively, for
printing and mailing costs; and $2, $35,429 and $4,007, respectively, for costs
associated with registration fees. In addition, for the Class E S&P 500 Index
Portfolio, SEI Investments Distribution Co. paid $50 to third parties for
distribution-related services.
    
 
   
    For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, the Class A (formerly Class E) S&P
500 Index Portfolio, Class E (formerly Class A) S&P 500 Index Portfolio and the
Class A Bond Index Portfolio incurred distribution expenses of $9,455, $147,498
and $10,637 under the Plan or .0038%, .03% or .03% of net assets, respectively,
during such period. These expenditures included $6,596, $90,404 and $5,623,
respectively, for printing and mailing costs; $2,690, $43,114 and $4,014,
respectively, for costs associated with registration fees; and $169, $14,799 and
$1,021, respectively, paid to third parties by SEI Investments Distribution Co.
for distribution-related services.
    
 
   
                       TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST
    
 
   
    The Trustees and Executive Officers of the Trust, their respective dates of
birth, and their principal occupations for the last five years are set forth
below. Each may have held other positions with the named companies during that
period. Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each Trustee and each
Executive Officer is SEI Investments Company, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456. Certain
officers of the Trust also serve as officers of some or all of the following:
The Achievement Funds Trust, The Advisors' Inner-Circle Fund, The Arbor Fund,
ARK Funds, Bishop Street Funds, Boston 1784 Funds-Registered Trademark-,
CoreFunds, Inc., CrestFunds, Inc., CUFUND, The Expedition Funds, FMB Funds,
Inc., First American Funds, Inc., First American Investment Funds, Inc., First
American Strategy Funds, Inc., HighMark Funds, Marquis
Funds-Registered Trademark-, Monitor Funds, Morgan Grenfell Investment Trust,
Oak Associates Funds, The PBHG Funds, Inc., PBHG Insurance Series Fund, Inc.,
The Pillar Funds, Santa Barbara Group of Mutual Funds, Inc., SEI Asset
    
 
                                      S-9
<PAGE>
   
Allocation Trust, SEI Daily Income Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust,
SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI
Liquid Asset Trust, SEI Tax Exempt Trust, STI Classic Funds, STI Classic
Variable Trust, TIP Funds, and TIP Institutional Funds, each of which is an
open-end management investment company managed by SEI Fund Management or its
affiliates and, except for Santa Barbara Group of Mutual Funds, Inc.,
distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (the "Distributor").
    
 
   
    ROBERT A. NESHER (DOB 08/17/46)--Chairman of the Board of
Trustees*--Currently performs various services on behalf of SEI Investments for
which Mr. Nesher is compensated. Executive Vice President of SEI Investments,
1986-1994. Director and Executive Vice President of the Adviser, the Manager and
the Distributor, 1981-1994, Trustee of The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund, The
Arbor Fund, Boston 1784 Funds-Registered Trademark-, The Expedition Funds,
Marquis Funds-Registered Trademark-, Oak Associates Funds, Pillar Funds, SEI
Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Daily Income Trust, SEI Institutional Investments
Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust,
SEI Liquid Asset Trust and SEI Tax Exempt Trust.
    
 
   
    WILLIAM M. DORAN (DOB 05/26/40)--Trustee*--2000 One Logan Square,
Philadelphia, PA 19103. Partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (law firm), counsel
to the Trust, SEI Investments, the Adviser, the Manager and the Distributor,
Director and Secretary of SEI Investments and Secretary of the Adviser, the
Manager and the Distributor, Trustee of The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund, The
Arbor Fund, The Expedition Funds, Marquis Funds-Registered Trademark-, Oak
Associates Funds, SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Daily Income Trust, SEI
Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI
Institutional International Trust, SEI Liquid Asset Trust and SEI Tax Exempt
Trust.
    
 
   
    F. WENDELL GOOCH (DOB 12/03/32)--Trustee**--President, Orange County
Publishing Co., Inc.; Publisher, Paoli News and Paoli Republican; and Editor,
Paoli Republican, October 1981-January 1997. President, H&W Distribution, Inc.,
since July 1984. Executive Vice President, Trust Department, Harris Trust and
Savings Bank and Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Harris Trust Company
of Arizona before January 1981. Trustee of SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Daily
Income Trust, SEI Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Institutional Managed
Trust, SEI Institutional International Trust, SEI Liquid Asset Trust, SEI Tax
Exempt Trust, STI Classic Funds and STI Classic Variable Trust.
    
 
   
    FRANK E. MORRIS (DOB 12/30/23)--Trustee**--Peter Drucker Professor of
Management, Boston College, 1989-1990. President, Federal Reserve Bank of
Boston, 1968-1988, Trustee of The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund, The Arbor Fund,
The Expedition Funds, Marquis Funds-Registered Trademark-, Oak Associates Funds,
SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Daily Income Trust, SEI Institutional
Investments Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI Institutional
International Trust, SEI Liquid Asset Trust, and SEI Tax Exempt Trust.
    
 
   
    JAMES M. STOREY (DOB 04/12/31)--Trustee**--Partner, Dechert Price & Rhoads,
from September 1987-December 1993. Trustee of The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund,
The Arbor Fund, The Expedition Funds, Marquis Funds-Registered Trademark-, Oak
Associates Funds, SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Daily Income Trust, SEI
Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI
Institutional International Trust, SEI Liquid Asset Trust, and SEI Tax Exempt
Trust.
    
 
   
    GEORGE J. SULLIVAN, JR. (DOB 11/13/42)--Trustee**--Chief Executive Officer,
Newfound Consultants Inc. since April 1997. General Partner, Teton Partners,
L.P., June 1991-December 1996; Chief Financial Officer, Noble Partners, L.P.,
March 1991-December 1996; Treasurer and Clerk, Peak Asset Management, Inc.,
since 1991; Trustee, Navigator Securities Lending Trust, since 1995, Trustee of
SEI Asset Allocation Trust, SEI Daily Income Trust, SEI Liquid Asset Trust, SEI
Institutional Investments Trust, SEI Institutional Managed Trust, SEI
Institutional International Trust, and SEI Tax Exempt Trust.
    
 
   
    EDWARD D. LOUGHLIN (DOB 03/07/51)--President and Chief Executive
Officer--Executive Vice President and President--Asset Management Division of
SEI Investments, the Adviser and the Manager since 1997. Senior Vice President,
SEI Investments, 1986-1991; Vice President, SEI Investments, 1981-1986.
    
 
                                      S-10
<PAGE>
   
    TODD B. CIPPERMAN (DOB 02/14/66)--Vice President and Assistant
Secretary--Vice President and Assistant Secretary of SEI Investments, the
Adviser, the Manager and the Distributor since 1995. Associate, Dewey Ballantine
(law firm), 1994-1995. Associate, Winston & Strawn (law firm), 1991-1994.
    
 
   
    LYDIA A. GAVALIS (DOB 06/05/64)--Vice President and Assistant
Secretary--Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Administrator and the
Distributor since 1998. Assistant General Counsel and Director of Arbitration,
Philadelphia Stock Exchange, 1989-1998.
    
 
   
    KATHY HEILIG (DOB 12/21/58)--Vice President and Assistant
Secretary--Treasurer of SEI Investments Company since 1997; Assistant Controller
of SEI Investments Company since 1995; Vice President of SEI Investments Company
since 1991; Director of Taxes of SEI Investments Company 1987 to 1991. Tax
Manager, Arthur Anderson LLP prior to 1987.
    
 
   
    JOSEPH M. O'DONNELL (DOB 11/13/54)--Vice President and Assistant
Secretary--Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Adviser, the
Administrator and the Distributor since 1998. Vice President and General
Counsel, FPS Services, Inc., 1993-1997. Staff Counsel and Secretary, Provident
Mutual Family of Funds, 1990-1993.
    
 
   
    SANDRA K. ORLOW (DOB 10/18/53)--Vice President and Assistant
Secretary--Secretary of the Distributor since 1998; Vice President of the
Distributor since 1988. Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Adviser,
and the Manager since 1988. Assistant Secretary of the Distributor from 1988 to
1998.
    
 
   
    CYNTHIA M. PARRISH (DOB 10/23/59)--Vice President and Assistant
Secretary--Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the SEI Investments, the
Adviser, the Manager and the Distributor since August 1997. Branch Chief,
Division of Enforcement, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, January
1995-August 1997. Senior Counsel--Division of Enforcement, U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission, September 1992-January 1995. Staff Attorney--Division of
Enforcement, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, September 1990-September
1992.
    
 
   
    KEVIN P. ROBINS (DOB 04/15/61)--Vice President and Assistant
Secretary--Senior Vice President and General Counsel of SEI Investments, the
Adviser, the Manager and the Distributor since 1994. Assistant Secretary of SEI
Investments since 1992; Secretary of the Adviser and the Manager since 1994.
Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of the Adviser, the
Manager and the Distributor, 1992-1994. Associate, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
(law firm), 1988-1992.
    
 
   
    KATHRYN L. STANTON (DOB 11/19/58)--Vice President and Assistant
Secretary--General Counsel, Investment Systems and Services since 1997. Deputy
General Counsel of SEI Investments since 1996. Vice President and Assistant
Secretary of SEI Investments, the Adviser, the Manager and the Distributor since
1994; Associate, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (law firm), 1989-1994.
    
 
   
    LYNDA J. STRIEGEL (DOB 10/30/48)--Vice President and Assistant
Secretary--Vice President and Assistant Secretary of the Administrator and the
Distributor since 1998. Senior Asset Management Counsel, Barnett Banks, Inc.
(1997-1998). Partner, Groom and Nordberg, Chartered, 1996-1997. Associate
General Counsel, Riggs Bank, N.A., 1991-1995.
    
 
   
    RICHARD W. GRANT (DOB 10/25/45)--Secretary--2000 One Logan Square,
Philadelphia, PA 19103. Partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP (law firm), counsel
to the Trust, SEI Investments, the Adviser, the Manager and the Distributor.
    
 
   
    MARK. E. NAGLE (DOB 10/20/59)--Controller and Chief Financial Officer--Vice
President of Fund Accounting and Administration for SEI Fund Resources and Vice
President of the Manager since 1996. Vice President of the Distributor since
December 1997. Vice President, Fund Accounting, BISYS Fund
    
 
                                      S-11
<PAGE>
   
Services September 1995 to November 1996, Senior Vice President and Site
Manager, Fidelity Investments 1981 to September 1995.
    
 
- ------------------------
 
   
 *Messrs. Nesher and Doran are Trustees who may be deemed to be "interested
  persons" of the Trust as the term is defined in the 1940 Act.
    
 
   
**Messrs. Gooch, Storey, Morris and Sullivan serve as members of the Audit
  Committee of the Trust.
    
 
   
    The Trustees and officers of the Trust own less than 1% of the outstanding
shares of the Trust. The Trust pays the fees for unaffiliated Trustees.
Compensation of officers and affiliated Trustees of the Trust is paid by SEI
Management.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       AGGREGATE            PENSION OR
                                   COMPENSATION FROM    RETIREMENT BENEFITS   ESTIMATED ANNUAL TOTAL COMPENSATION FROM REGISTRANT
                                   REGISTRANT FOR FYE   ACCRUED AS PART OF     BENEFITS UPON   AND FUND COMPLEX PAID TO DIRECTORS
NAME OF PERSON AND POSITION             3/31/98            FUND EXPENSES         RETIREMENT              FOR FYE 3/31/98
- ---------------------------------  ------------------   -------------------   ---------------- -----------------------------------
<S>                                <C>                  <C>                   <C>              <C>
Robert A. Nesher, Trustee........       $     0                 $0                   $0        $0 for services on 8 boards
William M. Doran, Trustee........       $     0                 $0                   $0        $0 for services on 8 boards
F. Wendell Gooch, Trustee........       $ 4,870                 $0                   $0        $100,000 for services on 8 boards
Frank E. Morris, Trustee.........       $ 4,870                 $0                   $0        $100,000 for services on 8 boards
James M. Storey, Trustee.........       $ 4,870                 $0                   $0        $100,000 for services on 8 boards
George J. Sullivan, Trustee......       $ 4,870                 $0                   $0        $100,000 for services on 8 boards
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
 
   
    Mr. Edward W. Binshadler is a Trustee Emeritus of the Trust. Mr. Binshadler
serves as a consultant to the Audit Committee and receives as compensation,
$5,000 per Audit Committee meeting attended.
    
 
                                  PERFORMANCE
 
    From time to time, a Portfolio may advertise yield. These figures will be
based on historical earnings and are not intended to indicate future
performance. The yield of a Portfolio refers to the annualized income generated
by an investment in such Portfolio over a specified 30-day period. The yield is
calculated by assuming that the income generated by the investment during that
period is generated over a one year and is shown as a percentage of the
investment. In particular, yield will be calculated according to the following
formula:
 
                              6
        Yield = 2[(a-b/cd + 1) - 1], where a = dividends and interest earned
    during the period; b = expenses accrued for the period (net of
    reimbursement); c = the current daily number of shares outstanding during
    the period that were entitled to receive dividends; and d = the maximum
    offering price per share on the last day of the period.
 
   
    Actual yield will depend on such variables as asset quality, average asset
maturity, the type of instruments a Portfolio invests in, changes in interest
rates on money market instruments, changes in the expenses of the Portfolio and
other factors. For the 30-day period ending March 31, 1998, the yield for the
Class A S&P 500 Index Portfolio was 1.20%, the yield for the Class E S&P 500
Index Portfolio was 1.35% and the yield for the Class A Bond Index Portfolio was
5.87%.
    
 
    From time to time, each Portfolio may advertise total return. The total
return of a Portfolio refers to the average compounded rate of return to a
hypothetical investment for designated time periods (including, but not limited
to, the period from which the Portfolio commenced operations through the
specified date), assuming that the entire investment is redeemed at the end of
each period. In particular, total return will be calculated according to the
following formula:
 
                                      S-12
<PAGE>
                n
        P(1 + T) = ERV, where P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000; T =
    average annual total return; n = number of years; and ERV = ending
    redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the beginning of
    the designated time period as of the end of such period.
 
   
    Based on the foregoing, the average annual total return for the Portfolios
from inception through March 31, 1998, and for the one, five and ten year
periods ended March 31, 1998 were as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
                                                                        ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                  SINCE
PORTFOLIO                                  CLASS                         ONE YEAR     FIVE YEAR    TEN YEAR     INCEPTION
- -----------------------------------------  ---------------------------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------
<S>                                        <C>                          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
S&P 500 Index Portfolio                    A..........................      47.43%         N/A          N/A         31.17%
                                           E..........................      47.62%       22.09%       18.63%        17.80%
 
Bond Index Portfolio                       A..........................      11.81%        6.56%        8.28%         7.97%
</TABLE>
    
 
                       PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
 
   
    The purchase and redemption price of shares is the net asset value of each
share. A Portfolio's securities are valued by SEI Management pursuant to
valuations provided by an independent pricing service (generally the last quoted
sale price). Securities having maturities of 60 days or less at the time of
purchase will be valued using the amortized cost method. Pricing services may
use a matrix system to determine valuations of fixed income securities. This
system considers such factors as security prices, yields, maturities, call
features, ratings and developments relating to specific securities in arriving
at valuations. Pricing services may also provide market quotations. The
procedures of pricing service and their valuations are reviewed by the officers
of the Trust under the general supervision of the Trustees. Portfolio securities
listed on a securities exchange for which market quotations are available are
valued at the last quoted sale price on each Business Day (defined as days on
which the New York Stock Exchange is open for business ("Business Day")) or, if
there is no such reported sale, at the most recently quoted bid price. Unlisted
securities for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the
most recently quoted bid price.
    
 
   
    Shares of a Portfolio may be purchased in exchange for securities included
in that Portfolio subject to SEI Management's determination that the securities
are acceptable. Securities accepted in an exchange will be valued at the market
value. All accrued interest and subscription of other rights which are reflected
in the market price of accepted securities at the time of valuation become the
property of the Trust and must be delivered by the Shareholder to the Trust upon
receipt from the issuer.
    
 
    SEI Management will not accept securities for a Portfolio unless: (1) such
securities are appropriate in the Portfolio at the time of the exchange; (2)
such securities are acquired for investment and not for resale; (3) the
Shareholder represents and agrees that all securities offered to the Trust for
the Portfolio are not subject to any restrictions upon their sale by the
Portfolio under the Securities Act of 1933, or otherwise; (4) such securities
are traded on the American Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange or on
NASDAQ in an unrelated transaction with a quoted sales price on the same day the
exchange valuation is made or, if not listed on such exchanges or on NASDAQ,
have prices available from an independent pricing service approved by the
Trust's Board of Trustees; and (5) the securities may be acquired under the
investment restrictions applicable to the Portfolio.
 
    The Trust reserves the right to suspend the right of redemption and/or to
postpone the date of payment upon redemption for any period during which trading
on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted, or during the existence of an
emergency (as determined by the SEC by rule or regulation) as a result of which
disposal or evaluation of the portfolio securities is not reasonably
practicable, or for such other periods as the SEC may by order permit. The Trust
also reserves the right to suspend sales of shares
 
                                      S-13
<PAGE>
of the Portfolio for any period during which the New York Stock Exchange, the
Manager, the Administrator, the Distributor and/or the Custodians are not open
for business. The New York Stock Exchange will not open in observance of 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.
 
    It is currently the Trust's policy to pay for all redemptions in cash. The
Trust retains the right, however, to alter this policy to provide for
redemptions in whole or in part by a distribution in kind of securities held by
a Portfolio in lieu of cash. Shareholders may incur brokerage charges on the
sale of any such securities so received in payment of redemptions. However, a
shareholder will at all times be entitled to aggregate cash redemptions from the
Portfolio of the Trust during any 90-day period of up to the lesser of $250,000
or 1% of the Trust's net assets in cash. A gain or loss for federal income tax
purposes would be realized by a shareholder subject to taxation upon an in-kind
redemption depending upon the shareholder's basis in the shares of the Portfolio
redeemed.
 
                                     TAXES
 
    The following discussion of federal income tax consequences is based on the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and the regulations
issued thereunder as in effect on the date of this Statement of Additional
Information. Certain legislation proposed at the time of writing, as well as
administrative changes or court decisions, may significantly change the
conclusions expressed herein and may have a retroactive effect with respect to
the transactions contemplated herein.
 
QUALIFICATION AS A RIC
 
    Each Portfolio intends to qualify as a "regulated investment company"
("RIC") as defined under Subchapter M of the Code. By following such a policy,
each Portfolio expects to eliminate or reduce to a nominal amount the federal
income taxes to which such Portfolio may be subject. In order to qualify for
treatment as a RIC under the Code, a Portfolio must distribute annually to its
shareholders at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (generally,
net investment income, including net short-term capital gain) and 90% of its net
interest exempt income, if any (the excess of its tax-exempt interest income
over certain deductions attributable to that income), ("Distribution
Requirement") and must meet several additional requirements. Among these
requirements are the following: (i) at least 90% of a Portfolio's gross income
each taxable year must be derived from dividends, interest, payments with
respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stocks
or securities or certain other income (including gains from options, futures or
forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in stocks
or securities; (ii) less than 30% of a Portfolio's gross income each taxable
year may be derived from the sale or other disposition of any of the following
investments that were held for less than three months: (a) stock or securities
(as defined in Section 2(a)(30) of the Investment Company Act); (b) options,
futures, or forward contracts (other than options, futures, or forward contracts
on foreign currencies); and (c) foreign currencies (or options, futures, or
forward contracts on foreign currencies) but only if such currencies (or
options, futures, or forward contracts) are not directly related to the
Portfolio's principal business of investing in stock or securities; (iii) at the
close of each quarter of a Portfolio's taxable year, at least 50% of the value
of its total assets must be represented by cash and cash items, U.S. Government
securities, securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other
securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount that does not
exceed 5% of the value of the Portfolio's total assets and that does not
represent more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer; and
(iv) at the close of each quarter of a Portfolio's taxable year, not more than
25% of the value of its total assets may be invested in securities (other than
U.S. Government securities or the securities of other RICs) of any one issuer,
or of two or more issuers that are engaged in the same, similar or related
trades or businesses, if the Portfolio owns at least 20% of the voting power of
such issuers.
 
                                      S-14
<PAGE>
    Notwithstanding the Distribution Requirement described above, a Portfolio
will be subject to a nondeductible 4% federal excise tax to the extent it fails
to distribute to its shareholders by the end of any calendar year 98% of its
ordinary income for that year and 98% of its capital gain net income (the excess
of short and long-term capital gains over short and long-term capital losses)
for the one-year period ending on October 31 of that year (and any retained
amount from the prior calendar year).
 
    Although each Portfolio intends to distribute substantially all of its net
investment income and capital gains for any taxable (I.E., fiscal) year, a
Portfolio will be subject to Federal income taxation to the extent any such
income or gains are not distributed. If for any taxable year a Portfolio does
not qualify as a RIC, all of its taxable income will be subject to tax at
regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders.
In such case, distributions (including capital gains distributions) will be
taxable as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Portfolio's current and
accumulated earnings and profits.
 
TAX STATUS OF DISTRIBUTIONS
 
    Dividends from a Portfolio's net investment income will be taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income (whether received in cash or in additional
shares) to the extent of the Portfolio's earnings and profits. Dividends paid by
the S&P 500 Index Portfolio will be eligible for the dividends-received
deduction allowed to corporate shareholders to the extent they are derived from
dividends from domestic corporations, subject to certain limitations; however,
dividends received by a corporate shareholder which qualify for the
dividends-received deduction may be subject to the alternative minimum tax.
 
    Each Portfolio may either retain or distribute to shareholders its excess of
net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses ("net capital
gains"). If a Portfolio distributes its net capital gains to shareholders, such
gains will not qualify for the dividends received deduction, and they are
taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of
time the shareholder has held shares. Conversely, if a Portfolio elects to
retain its net capital gains, such Portfolio will be taxed thereon (except to
the extent of any available capital loss carryovers) at the applicable corporate
capital gains tax rate. In this event, it is expected that a Portfolio will
elect to have its shareholders treated as having received a distribution of such
gains, with the result that they will be required to report such gains on their
federal income tax returns as long-term capital gains, will receive a tax credit
for their allocable share of capital gains tax paid by the Portfolio on the
gains, and will increase the tax basis for their shares by an amount equal to
the deemed distribution less the tax credit.
 
    Generally, gains or losses on the sale or exchange of a share will be
long-term capital gains or losses if the share is held for more than one year.
However, if a shareholder realizes a loss on the sale, exchange or redemption of
a share held for six months or less and has previously received a capital gains
distribution with respect to the share (or there are undistributed net capital
gains of a Portfolio with respect to such share which have been included in
determining the shareholder's long-term capital gains), the shareholder must
treat the loss as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of the
prior capital gains distribution (or any undistributed net capital gains of the
Portfolio which have been included in determining such investor's long-term
capital gains). In addition, any loss realized on a sale or other disposition of
shares will be disallowed to the extent the shareholder repurchases (or enters
into a contract or option to repurchase) shares within a period of 61 days
(beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition of the
shares). Investors should particularly note that this loss disallowance rule
will apply to shares received through the reinvestment of dividends during the
61-day period.
 
    A Portfolio will be required in certain cases to withhold and remit to the
United States Treasury 31% of distributions payable to any individual or
non-corporate shareholder who (1) has provided either an incorrect tax
identification number or no number at all, (2) who is subject to backup
withholding by the Internal Revenue Service for failure to properly report
payments of interest or dividends, or (3) who has failed to certify to the
Portfolio that such shareholder is not subject to backup withholding.
 
                                      S-15
<PAGE>
    The S&P 500 Index Portfolio may invest in stock index futures. The use of
stock index futures contracts involves specialized and complex income tax rules
that will determine the character and timing of recognition of the income
received in connection therewith by the Portfolio and thereby affect the amount
and proportion of income that will be available for distribution as dividends or
capital gain distributions.
 
    Stock index futures contracts held by the Portfolio at the end of each
taxable year will be required to be "marked to market" for Federal income tax
purposes (that is, treated as having been sold at that time at market value).
Any unrealized gain or loss taxed pursuant to this rule will be added to
realized gains and losses recognized on other futures contracts sold by the
Portfolio during the year, and the resulting gain or loss will be deemed to
consist of 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or
loss. The Portfolio may elect to exclude certain hedging transactions from the
mark-to-market rule. Gain from hedging transactions is treated as ordinary
income.
 
    The Trust has obtained a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue
Service confirming that the income and assets attributable to transactions in
stock index futures contracts qualify under the above-described income and asset
tests applicable to RICs.
 
    For purposes of the Distribution Requirement (as well as for other purposes)
the Bond Index Portfolio will be required to treat any recognized market
discount on debt obligations which it holds as interest income. Generally,
market discount is the amount by which the stated redemption price of a bond
exceeds the amount paid by a purchaser of the bond (most common where the value
of a bond decreases after original issue as a result of a decline in the
creditworthiness of the issuer or an increase in prevailing interest rates).
Generally, market discount is recognized on the disposition, or receipt of any
principal payment, with respect to a bond bearing market discount, by treating a
portion of the proceeds as interest income. The application of these rules (and
the rules regarding original issue discount) to debt obligations held by the
Bond Index Portfolio could affect (i) the amount and timing of distributions to
shareholders and (ii) the ability of the Portfolio to satisfy the Distribution
Requirement.
 
STATE TAXES
 
    Neither Portfolio is liable for any income or franchise tax in Massachusetts
if it qualifies as a RIC for Federal income tax purposes. Distributions by the
Portfolios to shareholders and the ownership of shares may be subject to state
and local taxes. Since state and local tax consequences may differ from the
federal income tax consequences discussed above, shareholders are urged to
consult their tax advisers on state and local tax matters.
 
                             PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
    The Trust has no obligation to deal with any dealer or group of dealers in
the execution of transactions in portfolio securities. Subject to policies
established by the Trustees, each Adviser is responsible for placing orders to
execute portfolio transactions. In placing orders, it is the Trust's policy to
seek to obtain the best net results taking into account such factors as price
(including the applicable dealer spread), size, type and difficulty of the
transaction involved, the firm's general execution and operational facilities,
and the firm's risk in positioning the securities involved. While each Adviser
generally seeks reasonably competitive spreads or commissions, the Trust will
not necessarily be paying the lowest spread or commission available. The Trust's
policy of investing in securities with short maturities will result in high
portfolio turnover. The Trust will not purchase portfolio securities from any
affiliated person acting as principal except in conformity with the regulations
of the SEC.
 
    The Trust does not expect to use one particular dealer, but, subject to the
Trust's policy of seeking the best net results, dealers who provide supplemental
investment research to an Adviser may receive orders for transactions by the
Trust. Information so received will be in addition to and not in lieu of the
services required to be performed by an Adviser under its Advisory Agreement,
and the expenses of an Adviser will not necessarily be reduced as a result of
the receipt of such supplemental information.
 
                                      S-16
<PAGE>
    The money market securities in which the Portfolios invest are traded
primarily in the over-the-counter market generally do not involve either
brokerage commissions or transfer taxes. Bonds and debentures are usually traded
over-the-counter, but may be traded on an exchange. Where possible, each Adviser
will deal directly with the dealers who make a market in the securities involved
except in those
 
                                      S-17
<PAGE>
circumstances where better prices and execution are available elsewhere. Such
dealers usually are acting as principal for their own account. On occasion,
securities may be purchased directly from the issuer. The cost of executing
portfolio securities transactions of the Portfolio will primarily consist of
dealer spreads and underwriting commissions.
 
    Each Portfolio may execute brokerage or other agency transactions through
the Distributor, a registered broker-dealer, for a commission, in conformity
with the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and
the rules and regulations thereunder. Under these provisions, the Distributor is
permitted to receive and retain compensation for effecting portfolio
transactions for a Portfolio on an exchange if a written contract is in effect
between the Distributor and the Trust expressly permitting the Distributor to
receive and retain such compensation. These provisions further require that
commissions paid to the Distributor by the Trust for exchange transactions not
exceed "usual and customary" brokerage commissions. The rules define "usual and
customary" commissions to include amounts which are "reasonable and fair
compared to the commission, fee or other remuneration received or to be received
by other brokers in connection with comparable transactions involving similar
securities being purchased or sold on a securities exchange during a comparable
period of time." The Trustees, including those who are not "interested persons"
of the Trust, have adopted procedures for evaluating the reasonableness of
commissions paid to the Distributor and will review these procedures
periodically.
 
    Since the Trust does not market its shares through intermediary brokers or
dealers, it is not the Trust's practice to allocate brokerage or principal
business on the basis of sales of its shares which may be made through such
firms. However, each Adviser may place portfolio orders with qualified
broker-dealers who recommend the Trust to clients, and may, when a number of
brokers and dealers can provide best price and execution on a particular
transaction, consider such recommendations by a broker or dealer in selecting
among broker-dealers.
 
    It is expected that the Portfolio turnover rate will normally not exceed
100% for any Portfolio. A Portfolio turnover rate would exceed 100% if all of
its securities, exclusive of U.S. Government securities and other securities
whose maturities at the time of acquisition are one year or less, are replaced
in the period of one year. Turnover rates may vary from year to year and may be
affected by cash requirements for redemptions and by requirements which enable a
Portfolio to receive favorable tax treatment.
 
   
    The portfolio turnover rate for the S&P 500 Index Portfolio for the fiscal
years ending March 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 were 3%, 2%, and 4%, respectively.
The portfolio turnover rate for the Bond Index Portfolio for the fiscal years
ending March 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 were 59%, 46%, and 44%, respectively.
    
 
   
    For the fiscal years ended March 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, the S&P 500 Index
Portfolio paid $36,384, $99,663, and $89,956, respectively, for brokerage
commissions. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, the Bond
Index Portfolio paid no brokerage commissions.
    
 
                             DESCRIPTION OF SHARES
 
    The Declaration of Trust authorizes the issuance of an unlimited number of
shares of each Portfolio, each of which represents an equal proportionate
interest in such Portfolio. Each share upon liquidation entitles a shareholder
to a pro rata share in the net assets of the Portfolio. Shareholders have no
preemptive rights. The Declaration of Trust provides that the Trustees of the
Trust may create additional portfolios of shares or classes of portfolios. Share
certificates representing the shares will not be issued.
 
                       LIMITATION OF TRUSTEES' LIABILITY
 
    The Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee shall be liable only for
his own willful defaults and, if reasonable care has been exercised in the
selection of officers, agents, employees or administrators, shall not be liable
for any neglect or wrongdoing of any such person. The Declaration of Trust also
provides that the Trust will indemnify its Trustees and officers against
liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with actual or threatened
litigation in which they may be involved because of their offices with the Trust
unless
 
                                      S-17
<PAGE>
it is determined in the manner provided in the Declaration of Trust that they
have not acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that their actions were in
the best interests of the Trust. However, nothing in the Declaration of Trust
shall protect or indemnify a Trustee against any liability for his wilful
misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of his duties.
 
                             SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY
 
    The Trust is an entity of the type commonly known as a "Massachusetts
business trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a Trust could,
under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the
obligations of the Trust. Even if, however, the Trust were held to be a
partnership, the possibility of the shareholders' incurring financial loss for
that reason appears remote because the Trust's Declaration of Trust contains an
express disclaimer of shareholder liability for obligations of the Trust and
requires that notice of such disclaimer be given in each agreement, obligation
or instrument entered into or executed by or on behalf of the Trust or the
Trustees, and because, the Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out
of the Trust property for any shareholders held personally liable for the
obligations of the Trust.
 
                                5% SHAREHOLDERS
 
   
    As of July 1, 1998, the following persons were the only persons who were
record owners (or to the knowledge of the Trust, beneficial owners) of 5% or
more of the shares of the Portfolios. The Trust believes that most of the shares
referred to above were held by the above persons in accounts for their
fiduciary, agency, or custodial customers.
    
 
   
ADDRESS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
S&P 500 INDEX PORTFOLIO: SEI Trust Company, One Freedom Valley Drive,
Oaks, PA 19456, 27.20%; NATIONWIDE Life Insurance Company, c/o NACO - IPO
Portfolio Accounting, P.O. Box 182029, Columbus, OH 43218-2029, 5.20%;
Nation Wide Life Insurance Company, NATIONWIDE GPVA, c/o IPO Portfolio
Accounting, P.O. Box 182029, Columbus, OH 43218-2029, 6.40%.
 
BOND INDEX PORTFOLIO: New Haven Savings Bank, 195 Church Street, New
Haven, CT 06510-2009, 10.27%; The Fulton Company, c/o Fulton Bank Trust
Department, One Penn Square, Lancaster, PA 17602-2853, 23.40%; NABANK &
Company, Attn: Records Keeping, P.O. Box 2180, Tulsa, OK 74101-2180,
8.69%; SEI Trust Company, One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, PA 19456,
6.79%; Palsan Company, c/o Sumitomo Bank of California, 320 California
Street, Trust Department, San Francisco, CA 94104-1403, 5.35%.
 
    
 
                                   CUSTODIAN
 
    Comerica Bank, the custodian for the Portfolios, holds cash, securities and
other assets of the Trust as required by the Investment Company Act of 1940. The
principal business address of Comerica Bank is 411 W. Lafayette, Detroit,
Michigan 48226.
 
                                      S-18
<PAGE>
                                    EXPERTS
 
    The financial statements incorporated by reference into this Statement of
Additional Information have been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent
public accountants, as indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are
included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in
accounting and auditing in giving said reports.
 
   
                                 LEGAL COUNSEL
    
 
   
    Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP serves as legal counsel to the Trust.
    
 
                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
   
    The Trust's financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998,
including notes thereto and the report of Arthur Andersen LLP thereon, are
herein incorporated by reference to the Trust's 1998 Annual Report. A copy of
the 1998 Annual Report must accompany the delivery of this Statement of
Additional Information.
    
 
                                      S-19
<PAGE>
   
                                SEI INDEX FUNDS
                        POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 21
                           PART C:  OTHER INFORMATION
    
 
ITEM 24.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS:
 
(a) Financial Statements
 
    Part A: Financial Highlights
 
   
    Part B: The following audited Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended
    March 31, 1998 and Report of Independent Accountants dated May 8, 1998 are
    incorporated by reference to the Statement of Additional Information from
    Form N-30D filed on May 28, 1998 with Accession Number 0000935069-98-000083.
    
 
       Statement of Net Assets
       Statement of Operations
       Statements of Changes in Net Assets
       Financial Highlights
       Notes to Financial Statements
 
(b) Additional Exhibits
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>
(1)(a)     Declaration of Trust as originally filed as Exhibit (1) with Registrant's
             Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the
             Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on April 17, 1985 is
             incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 filed
             with the SEC on July 29, 1997.
 
(1)(b)     Written Instrument Amending the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated
             April 8, 1987 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective
             Amendment No. 20 filed with the SEC on July 29, 1997.
 
(1)(c)     Written Instrument Amending the Declaration of Trust dated December 23,
             1988 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.
             20 filed with the SEC on July 29, 1997.
 
(2)(a)     By-Laws as originally filed as Exhibit (2) with Registrant's Registration
             Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on April 17,
             1985 are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.
             20 filed with the SEC on July 29, 1997.
 
(2)(b)     Amended By-Laws are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective
             Amendment No. 20 filed with the SEC on July 29, 1997.
 
(3)        Not Applicable
 
(4)        Not Applicable
 
(5)(a)     Investment Administrator Agreement with Manufacturers National Bank of
             Detroit, dated July 25, 1986, as originally filed with Post-Effective
             Amendment No. 12 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A
             (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on July 11, 1990 is incorporated
             herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 filed with the SEC
             on July 29, 1997.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      C-1
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>
(5)(b)     Investment Administration Agreement with Woodbridge Capital Management,
             Inc. as originally filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to
             Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed
             with the SEC on July 29, 1993 is incorporated herein by reference to
             Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 filed with the SEC on May 31, 1996.
 
(5)(c)     Investment Advisory Agreement with World Asset Management is incorporated
             herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to Registrant's
             Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC
             on May 31, 1995.
 
(5)(d)     Investment Advisory Agreement with Mellon Bond Associates is incorporated
             herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to Registrant's
             Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC
             on May 31, 1996.
 
(5)(e)     Form of Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement by and between
             SEI Index Funds and World Asset Management, dated December 9, 1996, is
             incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 filed
             with the SEC on July 29, 1997.
 
(6)(a)     Distribution Agreement with SEI Financial Services Company as originally
             filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant's Registration
             Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on July 12,
             1985 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No.
             19 filed with the SEC on May 31, 1996.
 
(6)(b)     Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement with SEI Financial Services
             Company is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment
             No. 18 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No.
             2-97111) filed with the SEC on December 28, 1995.
 
(7)        Not Applicable
 
(8)(a)     Custodian Agreement with Manufacturers National Bank of Detroit as
             originally filed with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant's
             Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC
             on July 12, 1985 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective
             Amendment No. 20 filed with the SEC on July 29, 1997.
 
(8)(b)     Amendment to the Custodian Agreement, dated January 3, 1986, is filed
             herewith.
 
(9)(a)     Management Agreement by and between TrustFunds Equity Index Funds and SEI
             Financial Management Corporation is incorporated herein by reference to
             Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to Registrant's Registration Statement on
             Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on May 31, 1996.
 
(9)(b)     Management Agreement by and between TrustFunds Equity Index Funds and SEI
             Financial Management Corporation is incorporated herein by reference to
             Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to Registrant's Registration Statement on
             Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on May 31, 1996.
 
(9)(c)     Class A Shareholder Service Plan and Agreement is incorporated herein by
             reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to Registrant's Registration
             Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on May 31,
             1996.
 
(9)(d)     Class E Shareholder Service Plan and Agreement is incorporated herein by
             reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to Registrant's Registration
             Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on May 31,
             1996.
</TABLE>
    
 
   
                                      C-2
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<S>        <C>
(10)       Opinion and Consent of Counsel is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-
             Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
             N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on June 14, 1985.
 
(11)       Consent of Independent Public Accountants is filed herewith.
 
(12)       Not Applicable
 
(13)       Not Applicable
 
(14)       Not Applicable
 
(15)(a)    Distribution Plan with SEI Financial Services Company as originally filed
             with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Registration Statement
             on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on June 14, 1985 is
             incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to
             Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed
             with the SEC on May 31, 1996.
 
(15)(b)    Distribution Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective
             Amendment No. 18 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A
             (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on December 28, 1995.
 
(15)(c)    Amended and Restated Class E Distribution Plan is incorporated herein by
             reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to Registrant's Registration
             Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on May 31,
             1996.
 
(16)       Performance Quotation Computation is incorporated herein by reference to
             Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to Registrant's Registration Statement on
             Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on July 29, 1993.
 
(17)       Financial Data Schedules for the S&P 500 Index Portfolio Class A, S&P 500
             Index Portfolio Class E, and Bond Index Portfolio Class A are filed
             herewith.
 
(18)(a)    Rule 18f-3 Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective
             Amendment No. 18 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A
             (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on December 28, 1995.
 
(18)(b)    Amendment No. 1 to Rule 18f-3 Plan relating to Class A and E shares is
             incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to
             Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed
             with the SEC on May 31, 1996.
 
(24)       Powers of Attorney for Robert A. Nesher, William M. Doran, Mark E. Nagle,
             F. Wendell Gooch, George J. Sullivan, Jr., James M. Storey, Edward D.
             Loughlin and Frank E. Morris are filed herewith.
</TABLE>
    
 
ITEM 25.  PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT:
 
    See the Prospectuses and Statement of Additional Information filed herewith
regarding the Trust's control relationships. The Manager is a subsidiary of SEI
Corporation which also controls the distributor of the Registrant, SEI Financial
Services Company, and other corporations engaged in providing various financial
and record keeping services, primarily to bank trust departments, pension plan
sponsors, and investment managers.
 
                                      C-3
<PAGE>
ITEM 26.  NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES:
 
   
    As of July 1, 1998:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    NUMBER OF
TITLE OF CLASS                                                                   RECORD HOLDERS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------
<S>                                                                             <C>
Units of beneficial interest, without par value--
 
  S&P 500 Index Portfolio Class A.............................................            422
  S&P 500 Index Portfolio Class E.............................................             45
  Bond Index Portfolio........................................................             65
</TABLE>
    
 
ITEM 27.  INDEMNIFICATION:
 
    Article VIII of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust filed as Exhibit 1 to
the Registration Statement dated April 17, 1985 is incorporated by reference.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of
1933 may be permitted to trustees, directors, officers and controlling persons
of the Registrant by the Registrant pursuant to the Declaration of Trust or
otherwise, the Registrant is aware that in the opinion of the Securities and
Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and, therefore, is unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by trustees, directors, officers or
controlling persons of the Registrant in connection with the successful defense
of any act, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustees, directors,
officers or controlling persons in connection with the shares being registered,
the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction
the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as
expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issues.
 
ITEM 28.  BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER:
 
    The list required by this Item 28 of officers and directors of World Asset
Management, together with information as to any other business, profession,
vocation or employment of a substantital nature engaged in by such officers and
directors during the past two years, is incorporated by reference to Schedules A
and D of Form ADV, filed by World Asset Management pursuant to the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940 (SEC File No. 801-48470).
 
    The list required by this Item 28 of officers and directors of Mellon Bond
Associates, together with information as to any other business, profession,
vocation or employment of a substantital nature engaged in by such officers and
directors during the past two years, is incorporated by reference to Schedules A
and D of Form ADV, filed by Mellon Bond Associates pursuant to the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940 (SEC File No. 801-28576).
 
ITEM 29.  PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS:
 
   
(a) Furnish the name of each investment company (other than the Registrant) for
    which each principal underwriter currently distributing the securities of
    the Registrant also acts as a principal underwriter, distributor or
    investment adviser.
    
 
   
    Registrant's distributor, SEI Investments Distribution Co. (the
    "Distributor"), acts as distributor for:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
SEI Daily Income Trust              July 15, 1982
SEI Liquid Asset Trust              November 29, 1982
SEI Tax Exempt Trust                December 3, 1982
SEI Asset Allocation Trust          April 1, 1996
SEI Institutional Managed Trust     January 22, 1987
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      C-4
<PAGE>
   
ITEM 29.  PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS: (CONTINUED)
    
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>
SEI International Trust             August 30, 1988
The Advisors' Inner Circle Fund     November 14, 1991
The Pillar Funds                    February 28, 1992
CUFUND                              May 1, 1992
STI Classic Funds                   May 29, 1992
CoreFunds, Inc.                     October 30, 1992
First American Funds, Inc.          November 1, 1992
First American Investment Funds,    November 1, 1992
Inc.
The Arbor Fund                      January 28, 1993
Boston 1784                         June 1, 1993
Funds-Registered Trademark-
The PBHG Funds, Inc.                July 16, 1993
Marquis                             August 17, 1993
Funds-Registered Trademark-
Morgan Grenfell Investment Trust    January 3, 1994
The Achievement Funds Trust         December 27, 1994
Bishop Street Funds                 January 27, 1995
CrestFunds, Inc.                    March 1, 1995
STI Classic Variable Trust          August 18, 1995
ARK Funds                           November 1, 1995
Monitor Funds                       January 11, 1996
FMB Funds, Inc.                     March 1, 1996
TIP Funds                           April 28, 1996
SEI Institutional Investments       June 14, 1996
Trust
First American Strategy Funds,      October 1, 1996
Inc.
HighMark Funds                      February 15, 1997
Armada Funds                        March 8, 1997
PBHG Insurance Series Fund, Inc.    April 1, 1997
The Expedition Funds                June 9, 1997
TIP Institutional Funds             January 1, 1998
Oak Associates Funds                February 27, 1998
The Nevis Funds                     June 24, 1998
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    The Distributor provides numerous financial services to investment managers,
    pension plan sponsors, and bank trust departments. These services include
    portfolio evaluation, performance measurement and consulting services
    ("Funds Evaluation") and automated execution, clearing and settlement of
    securities transactions ("MarketLink").
    
 
   
(b) Furnish the Information required by the following table with respect to each
    director, officer or partner of each principal underwriter named in the
    answer to Item 21 of Part B. Unless otherwise noted, the business address of
    each director or officer is Oaks, PA 19456.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH
NAME                            POSITION AND OFFICE WITH UNDERWRITER                REGISTRANT
- -------------------------  ----------------------------------------------  ----------------------------
<S>                        <C>                                             <C>
Alfred P. West, Jr.        Director, Chairman of the Board of Directors                 --
 
Henry H. Greer             Director                                                     --
</TABLE>
    
 
                                      C-5
<PAGE>
   
ITEM 29.  PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS: (CONTINUED)
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH
NAME                            POSITION AND OFFICE WITH UNDERWRITER                REGISTRANT
- -------------------------  ----------------------------------------------  ----------------------------
<S>                        <C>                                             <C>
Carmen V. Romeo            Director                                                     --
 
Mark J. Held               President & Chief Operating Officer                          --
 
Gilbert L. Beebower        Executive Vice President                                     --
 
Richard B. Lieb            Executive Vice President                                     --
 
Dennis J. McGonigle        Executive Vice President                                     --
 
Robert M. Silvestri        Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
 
Leo J. Dolan, Jr.          Senior Vice President                                        --
 
Carl A. Guarino            Senior Vice President                                        --
 
Larry Hutchison            Senior Vice President                                        --
 
Jack May                   Senior Vice President                                        --
 
Hartland J. McKeown        Senior Vice President                                        --
 
Barbara J. Moore           Senior Vice President                                        --
 
Kevin P. Robins            Senior Vice President & General                 Vice President & Assistant
                             Counsel                                         Secretary
 
Patrick K. Walsh           Senior Vice President                                        --
 
Robert Aller               Vice President                                               --
 
Gordon W. Carpenter        Vice President                                               --
 
Todd Cipperman             Vice President & Assistant Secretary            Vice President & Assistant
                                                                             Secretary
 
S. Courtney E. Collier     Vice President & Assistant Secretary                         --
 
Robert Crudup              Vice President & Managing Director                           --
 
Barbara Doyne              Vice President                                               --
 
Jeff Drennen               Vice President                                               --
 
Vic Galef                  Vice President & Managing Director                           --
 
Lydia A. Gavalis           Vice President & Assistant Secretary                         --
 
Greg Gettinger             Vice President & Assistant Secretary                         --
 
Kathy Heilig               Vice President                                               --
 
Jeff Jacobs                Vice President                                               --
 
Samuel King                Vice President                                               --
 
Kim Kirk                   Vice President & Managing Director                           --
 
John Krzeminski            Vice President & Managing Director                           --
 
Carolyn McLaurin           Vice President & Managing Director                           --
 
W. Kelso Morrill           Vice President                                               --
 
Mark Nagle                 Vice President                                  Controller & Chief Financial
                                                                             Officer
 
Joanne Nelson              Vice President                                               --
</TABLE>
    
 
   
                                      C-6
    
<PAGE>
   
ITEM 29.  PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS: (CONTINUED)
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH
NAME                            POSITION AND OFFICE WITH UNDERWRITER                REGISTRANT
- -------------------------  ----------------------------------------------  ----------------------------
<S>                        <C>                                             <C>
Joseph M. O'Donnell        Vice President & Assistant Secretary            Vice President & Assistant
                                                                             Secretary
 
Sandra K. Orlow            Vice President & Secretary                      Vice President & Assistant
                                                                             Secretary
 
Cynthia M. Parrish         Vice President & Assistant Secretary            Vice President & Assistant
                                                                             Secretary
 
Kim Rainey                 Vice President                                               --
 
Rob Redican                Vice President                                               --
 
Maria Rinehart             Vice President                                               --
 
Mark Samuels               Vice President & Managing Director                           --
 
Steve Smith                Vice President                                               --
 
Daniel Spaventa            Vice President                                               --
 
Kathryn L. Stanton         Vice President & Assistant Secretary            Vice President & Assistant
                                                                             Secretary
 
Lynda J. Striegel          Vice President & Assistant Secretary                         --
 
Lori L. White              Vice President & Assistant Secretary                         --
 
Wayne M. Withrow           Vice President & Assistant Secretary                         --
</TABLE>
    
 
ITEM 30.  LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS:
 
    Books or other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, and the rules promulgated thereunder, are
maintained as follows:
 
    (a) With respect to Rules 31a-1(a); 31a-1(b)(1); (2)(a) and (b); (3); (6);
       (8); (12); and 31a-1(d), the required books and records are maintained at
       the offices of Registrant's Custodian for those portfolios:
 
               Comerica Bank
               411 W. Lafayette
               Detroit, MI 48226
 
    (b) With respect to Rules 31a-1(a); 31a-1(b)(1), (2)(C) and (D); (4); (5);
       (6); (8); (9); (10); (11); and 31a-1(f), the required books and records
       are maintained at the offices of Registrant's Manager:
 
   
               SEI Investments Fund Management
               Oaks, PA 19456
    
 
    (c) With respect to Rules 31a-1(b)(5), (6), (9) and (10) and 31a-1(f), the
       required books and records are maintained at the principal offices of the
       Registrant's Adviser for those portfolios:
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                    <C>
S&P 500 INDEX PORTFOLIO                BOND INDEX PORTFOLIO
World Asset Management                 Mellon Bond Associates, LLP
255 Brown Street Centre, 2nd Floor     One Mellon Bank, Suite 4135
Birmingham, MI 48009                   Pittsburgh, PA 15258
</TABLE>
    
 
ITEM 31.  MANAGEMENT SERVICES:
 
    None.
 
                                      C-7
<PAGE>
ITEM 32.  UNDERTAKINGS:
 
    Registrant undertakes to call a meeting of Shareholders for the purpose of
voting upon the question of removal of a Trustee(s) when requested in writing to
do so by the holders of at least 10% of Registrant's outstanding shares and in
connection with such meetings to comply with the provisions of Section 16(c) of
the Investment Company Act of 1940 relating to Shareholder communications.
 
    Registrant undertakes to furnish each person to whom a prospectus is
delivered with a copy of the Registrant's latest annual report to shareholders,
upon request and without charge.
 
    Registrant hereby undertakes that whenever shareholders meeting the
requirements of Section 16(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 inform the
Board of Directors of their desire to communicate with Shareholders of the Fund,
the Directors will inform such Shareholders as to the approximate number of
Shareholders of record and the approximate costs of mailing or afford said
Shareholders access to a list of Shareholders.
 
                                      C-8
<PAGE>
                                     NOTICE
 
    A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of SEI Index Funds is on
file with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and notice
is hereby given that this Registration Statement has been executed on behalf of
the Trust by an officer of the Trust as an officer and by its Trustees as
trustees and not individually and the obligations of or arising out of this
Registration Statement are not binding upon any of the Trustees, officers, or
Shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and property of
the Trust.
 
                                      C-9
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it
meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement
pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused
this Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 to Registration Statement No. 2-97111 to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city
of Oaks, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on the 27th day of July, 1998.
    
 
   
                                SEI INDEX FUNDS
 
                                By:            /s/ EDWARD D. LOUGHLIN
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                           Edward D. Loughlin, PRESIDENT
 
    
 
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in
the capacity and on the dates indicated.
 
   
              *
- ------------------------------  Trustee                        July 27, 1998
       William M. Doran
 
              *
- ------------------------------  Trustee                        July 27, 1998
       F. Wendell Gooch
 
              *
- ------------------------------  Trustee                        July 27, 1998
       Frank E. Morris
 
              *
- ------------------------------  Trustee                        July 27, 1998
       Robert A. Nesher
 
              *
- ------------------------------  Trustee                        July 27, 1998
       James M. Storey
 
              *
- ------------------------------  Trustee                        July 27, 1998
   George J. Sullivan, Jr.
 
    /s/ EDWARD D. LOUGHLIN
- ------------------------------  President & Chief              July 27, 1998
      Edward D. Loughlin          Executive Officer
 
      /s/ MARK E. NAGLE
- ------------------------------  Controller & Chief             July 27, 1998
        Mark E. Nagle             Financial Officer
 
    
 
   
*By:   /s/ EDWARD D. LOUGHLIN
      -------------------------
         Edward D. Loughlin
          ATTORNEY-IN-FACT
    
<PAGE>
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    EXHIBITS
- ----------------
<S>               <C>                                                                                      <C>
EX-99.B1(a)       Declaration of Trust as originally filed as Exhibit (1) with Registrant's Registration
                    Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the Securities and Exchange
                    Commission ("SEC") on April 17, 1985 is incorporated herein by reference to
                    Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 filed with the SEC on July 29, 1997.
EX-99.B1(b)       Written Instrument Amending the Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated April 8, 1987
                    is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 filed with the
                    SEC on July 29, 1997.
EX-99.B1(c)       Written Instrument Amending the Declaration of Trust dated December 23, 1988 is
                    incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 filed with the
                    SEC on July 29, 1997.
EX-99.B2(a)       By-Laws as originally filed as Exhibit (2) with Registrant's Registration Statement on
                    Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on April 17, 1985 are incorporated
                    herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 filed with the SEC on July 29,
                    1997.
EX-99.B2(b)       Amended By-Laws are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20
                    filed with the SEC on July 29, 1997.
EX-99.B3          Not Applicable
EX-99.B4          Not Applicable
EX-99.B5(a)       Investment Administrator Agreement with Manufacturers National Bank of Detroit, dated
                    July 25, 1986, as originally filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to
                    Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the
                    SEC on July 11, 1990 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment
                    No. 20 filed with the SEC on July 29, 1997.
EX-99.B5(b)       Investment Administration Agreement with Woodbridge Capital Management, Inc. as
                    originally filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to Registrant's Registration
                    Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on July 29, 1993 is
                    incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 filed with the
                    SEC on May 31, 1996.
EX-99.B5(c)       Investment Advisory Agreement with World Asset Management is incorporated herein by
                    reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to Registrant's Registration Statement
                    on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on May 31, 1995.
EX-99.B5(d)       Investment Advisory Agreement with Mellon Bond Associates is incorporated herein by
                    reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to Registrant's Registration Statement
                    on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on May 31, 1996.
EX-99.B5(e)       Form of Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement by and between SEI Index
                    Funds and World Asset Management, dated December 9, 1996, is incorporated herein by
                    reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 filed with the SEC on July 29, 1997.
EX-99.B6(a)       Distribution Agreement with SEI Financial Services Company as originally filed with
                    Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A
                    (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on July 12, 1985 is incorporated herein by
                    reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 filed with the SEC on May 31, 1996.
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    EXHIBITS
- ----------------
<S>               <C>                                                                                      <C>
EX-99.B6(b)       Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement with SEI Financial Services Company is
                    incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 to Registrant's
                    Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on December
                    28, 1995.
EX-99.B7          Not Applicable
EX-99.B8(a)       Custodian Agreement with Manufacturers National Bank of Detroit as originally filed
                    with Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
                    N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on July 12, 1985 is incorporated herein by
                    reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 filed with the SEC on July 29, 1997.
EX-99.B8(b)       Amendment to the Custodian Agreement, dated January 3, 1986, is incorporated herein by
                    reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 20 filed with the SEC on July 29, 1997.
EX-99.B9(a)       Management Agreement by and between TrustFunds Equity Index Funds and SEI Financial
                    Management Corporation is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective
                    Amendment No. 19 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No.
                    2-97111) filed with the SEC on May 31, 1996.
EX-99.B9(b)       Management Agreement by and between TrustFunds Equity Index Funds and SEI Financial
                    Management Corporation is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective
                    Amendment No. 19 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No.
                    2-97111) filed with the SEC on May 31, 1996.
EX-99.B9(c)       Class A Shareholder Service Plan and Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to
                    Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A
                    (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on May 31, 1996.
EX-99.B9(d)       Class E Shareholder Service Plan and Agreement is incorporated herein by reference to
                    Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A
                    (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on May 31, 1996.
EX-99.B10         Opinion and Consent of Counsel is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective
                    Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No.
                    2-97111) filed with the SEC on June 14, 1985.
EX-99.B11         Consent of Independent Public Accountants is filed herewith.
EX-99.B12         Not Applicable
EX-99.B13         Not Applicable
EX-99.B14         Not Applicable
EX-99.B15(a)      Distribution Plan with SEI Financial Services Company as originally filed with
                    Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A
                    (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on June 14, 1985 is incorporated herein by
                    reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to Registrant's Registration Statement
                    on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on May 31, 1996.
EX-99.B15(b)      Distribution Plan is incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 to
                    Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the
                    SEC on December 28, 1995.
EX-99.B15(c)      Amended and Restated Class E Distribution Plan is incorporated herein by reference to
                    Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A
                    (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on May 31, 1996.
EX-99.B16         Performance Quotation Computation is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective
                    Amendment No. 15 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No.
                    2-97111) filed with the SEC on July 29, 1993.
</TABLE>
    
<PAGE>
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    EXHIBITS
- ----------------
<S>               <C>                                                                                      <C>
EX-99.B18(a)      Rule 18f-3 Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 18
                    to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the
                    SEC on December 28, 1995.
EX-99.B18(b)      Amendment No. 1 to Rule 18f-3 Plan relating to Class A and E shares is incorporated
                    herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to Registrant's Registration
                    Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 2-97111) filed with the SEC on May 31, 1996.
EX-99.B24         Powers of Attorney for Robert A. Nesher, William M. Doran, Mark E. Nagle, F. Wendell
                    Gooch, George J. Sullivan, Jr., James M. Storey, Edward D. Loughlin and Frank E.
                    Morris are filed herewith.
EX-27.1A          Financial Data Schedules for the S&P 500 Index Portfolio Class A.
EX-27.1E          Financial Data Schedules for the S&P 500 Index Portfolio Class E.
EX-27.2A          Financial Data Schedules for the Bond Index Portfolio Class A.
</TABLE>
    

<PAGE>

                  CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by 
reference in this Registration Statement of our report dated May 8, 1998, on 
the March 31, 1998 financial statements of the SEI Index Funds, included in 
the previously filed Form N-30D dated May 28, 1998, and to all references to 
our firm included in Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 to the Registration 
Statement File No. 2-97111.


Philadelphia, PA
July 27, 1998


<PAGE>

                                SEI LIQUID ASSET TRUST
                                 SEI TAX EXEMPT TRUST
                                SEI DAILY INCOME TRUST
                                   SEI INDEX FUNDS
                           SEI INSTITUTIONAL MANAGED TRUST
                        SEI INSTITUTIONAL INTERNATIONAL TRUST
                              SEI ASSET ALLOCATION TRUST
                         SEI INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENTS TRUST


                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned trustee and/or
officer of the above referenced funds (the "Trusts"), each a business trust
organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, hereby
constitutes and appoints Edward D. Loughlin, Kevin P. Robins and Mark Nagle,
each of them singly, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to sign for him and in his name, place
and stead, and in the capacity indicated below, to sign any and all Registration
Statements and all amendments thereto relating to the offering of the Trust's
shares under the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and/or the
Securities Act of 1933, each such Act as amended, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, acting alone, full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and
about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand and seal as
of the date set forth below.


/s/ William M. Doran                         Date:  5/11/98
- ---------------------------------                  ----------------
William M. Doran, Trustee

<PAGE>

                                SEI LIQUID ASSET TRUST
                                 SEI TAX EXEMPT TRUST
                                SEI DAILY INCOME TRUST
                                   SEI INDEX FUNDS
                           SEI INSTITUTIONAL MANAGED TRUST
                        SEI INSTITUTIONAL INTERNATIONAL TRUST
                              SEI ASSET ALLOCATION TRUST
                         SEI INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENTS TRUST


                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned trustee and/or
officer of the above referenced funds (the "Trusts"), each a business trust
organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, hereby
constitutes and appoints Edward D. Loughlin, Kevin P. Robins and Mark Nagle,
each of them singly, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to sign for him and in his name, place
and stead, and in the capacity indicated below, to sign any and all Registration
Statements and all amendments thereto relating to the offering of the Trust's
shares under the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and/or the
Securities Act of 1933, each such Act as amended, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, acting alone, full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and
about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand and seal as
of the date set forth below.


/s/ Frank E. Morris                          Date:  7/9/98 
- ---------------------------------                  ----------------
Frank E. Morris, Trustee

<PAGE>

                                SEI LIQUID ASSET TRUST
                                 SEI TAX EXEMPT TRUST
                                SEI DAILY INCOME TRUST
                                   SEI INDEX FUNDS
                           SEI INSTITUTIONAL MANAGED TRUST
                        SEI INSTITUTIONAL INTERNATIONAL TRUST
                              SEI ASSET ALLOCATION TRUST
                         SEI INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENTS TRUST


                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned trustee and/or
officer of the above referenced funds (the "Trusts"), each a business trust
organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, hereby
constitutes and appoints Edward D. Loughlin, Kevin P. Robins and Mark Nagle,
each of them singly, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to sign for him and in his name, place
and stead, and in the capacity indicated below, to sign any and all Registration
Statements and all amendments thereto relating to the offering of the Trust's
shares under the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and/or the
Securities Act of 1933, each such Act as amended, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, acting alone, full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and
about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand and seal as
of the date set forth below.


/s/ F. Wendell Gooch                         Date:  5/12/98
- ---------------------------------                  ----------------
F. Wendell Gooch, Trustee

<PAGE>

   
    
                                SEI LIQUID ASSET TRUST
                                 SEI TAX EXEMPT TRUST
                                SEI DAILY INCOME TRUST
                                   SEI INDEX FUNDS
                           SEI INSTITUTIONAL MANAGED TRUST
                        SEI INSTITUTIONAL INTERNATIONAL TRUST
                              SEI ASSET ALLOCATION TRUST
                         SEI INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENTS TRUST


                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned trustee and/or
officer of the above referenced funds (the "Trusts"), each a business trust
organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, hereby
constitutes and appoints Edward D. Loughlin, Kevin P. Robins and Mark Nagle,
each of them singly, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to sign for him and in his name, place
and stead, and in the capacity indicated below, to sign any and all Registration
Statements and all amendments thereto relating to the offering of the Trust's
shares under the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and/or the
Securities Act of 1933, each such Act as amended, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, acting alone, full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and
about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand and seal as
of the date set forth below.


/s/ James M. Storey                          Date:  5/11/98
- ---------------------------------                  ----------------
James M. Storey, Trustee

<PAGE>

                                SEI LIQUID ASSET TRUST
                                 SEI TAX EXEMPT TRUST
                                SEI DAILY INCOME TRUST
                                   SEI INDEX FUNDS
                           SEI INSTITUTIONAL MANAGED TRUST
                        SEI INSTITUTIONAL INTERNATIONAL TRUST
                              SEI ASSET ALLOCATION TRUST
                         SEI INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENTS TRUST


                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned trustee and/or
officer of the above referenced funds (the "Trusts"), each a business trust
organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, hereby
constitutes and appoints Edward D. Loughlin, Kevin P. Robins and Mark Nagle,
each of them singly, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to sign for him and in his name, place
and stead, and in the capacity indicated below, to sign any and all Registration
Statements and all amendments thereto relating to the offering of the Trust's
shares under the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and/or the
Securities Act of 1933, each such Act as amended, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, acting alone, full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and
about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand and seal as
of the date set forth below.


/s/ Robert A. Nesher                         Date:  5/12/98
- ---------------------------------                  ----------------
Robert A. Nesher, Trustee

<PAGE>

                                SEI LIQUID ASSET TRUST
                                 SEI TAX EXEMPT TRUST
                                SEI DAILY INCOME TRUST
                                   SEI INDEX FUNDS
                           SEI INSTITUTIONAL MANAGED TRUST
                        SEI INSTITUTIONAL INTERNATIONAL TRUST
                              SEI ASSET ALLOCATION TRUST
                         SEI INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENTS TRUST


                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned trustee and/or
officer of the above referenced funds (the "Trusts"), each a business trust
organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, hereby
constitutes and appoints Kevin P. Robins and Mark Nagle, each of them singly,
his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, to sign for him and in his name, place and stead, and in the
capacity indicated below, to sign any and all Registration Statements and all
amendments thereto relating to the offering of the Trust's shares under the
provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and/or the Securities Act of
1933, each such Act as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto,
and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them,
acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to
all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand and seal as
of the date set forth below.


/s/ Edward D. Loughlin                       Date:  5/13/98
- ---------------------------------                  ----------------
Edward D. Loughlin, President and
Chief Executive Officer

<PAGE>

                                SEI LIQUID ASSET TRUST
                                 SEI TAX EXEMPT TRUST
                                SEI DAILY INCOME TRUST
                                   SEI INDEX FUNDS
                           SEI INSTITUTIONAL MANAGED TRUST
                        SEI INSTITUTIONAL INTERNATIONAL TRUST
                              SEI ASSET ALLOCATION TRUST
                         SEI INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENTS TRUST


                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned trustee and/or
officer of the above referenced funds (the "Trusts"), each a business trust
organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, hereby
constitutes and appoints Edward D. Loughlin, Kevin P. Robins and Mark Nagle,
each of them singly, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, to sign for him and in his name, place
and stead, and in the capacity indicated below, to sign any and all Registration
Statements and all amendments thereto relating to the offering of the Trust's
shares under the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and/or the
Securities Act of 1933, each such Act as amended, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, acting alone, full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and
about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand and seal as
of the date set forth below.


/s/ George J. Sullivan                       Date:  5/11/98
- ---------------------------------                  ----------------
George J. Sullivan, Trustee

<PAGE>

                                SEI LIQUID ASSET TRUST
                                 SEI TAX EXEMPT TRUST
                                SEI DAILY INCOME TRUST
                                   SEI INDEX FUNDS
                           SEI INSTITUTIONAL MANAGED TRUST
                        SEI INSTITUTIONAL INTERNATIONAL TRUST
                              SEI ASSET ALLOCATION TRUST
                         SEI INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENTS TRUST


                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY


     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned trustee and/or
officer of the above referenced funds (the "Trusts"), each a business trust
organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, hereby
constitutes and appoints Edward D. Loughlin and Kevin P. Robins, each of them
singly, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, to sign for him and in his name, place and
stead, and in the capacity indicated below, to sign any and all Registration
Statements and all amendments thereto relating to the offering of the Trust's
shares under the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and/or the
Securities Act of 1933, each such Act as amended, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, acting alone, full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and
about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do
in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and
agents or any of them, or their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his hand and seal as
of the date set forth below.


/s/ Mark E. Nagle                            Date:
- ---------------------------------                  ----------------
Mark E. Nagle, Controller and
Chief Financial Officer
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                        1,002,130
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                       1,753,229
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,753,229
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                        1,228
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                              1,228
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                       355,201
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                           12,994
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                            4,521
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                        5,065
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                         19,161
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                       751,323
<NET-ASSETS>                                 1,752,001
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                               21,406
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                2,458
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                 (3,701)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                         20,163
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                        25,776
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      461,338
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                          507,277
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                      (3,067)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                       (2,064)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                          9,710
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                    (1,408)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                171
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                         807,342
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                          4,335
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                        3,363
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                              399
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                  6,912
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                           252,338
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            24.06
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .41
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                          10.86
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                             (.41)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        (.21)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              34.71
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .40
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</TABLE>
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
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<S>                             <C>
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<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
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<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     (16,253)
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</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 6
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</TABLE>


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