FIRST INVESTORS LIFE SERIES FUND
485BPOS, 1999-04-29
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     As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 1999
                                                       1933 Act File No. 2-98409
                                                      1940 Act File No. 811-4325

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM N-1A

             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933         [X]
                          Pre-Effective Amendment No. ___                    [ ]
                          Post-Effective Amendment No. 24                    [X]

                                     and/or

         REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
                                Amendment No. 24                             [X]
                        FIRST INVESTORS LIFE SERIES FUND
               (Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)

                                 95 Wall Street
                            New York, New York 10005
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
      (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code): (212) 858-8000

                               Ms. Concetta Durso
                          Secretary and Vice President
                           First Investors Series Fund
                                 95 Wall Street
                            New York, New York 10005
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

                                    Copy to:
                              Robert J. Zutz, Esq.
                           Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP
                          1800 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
                             Washington, D.C. 20036

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
      [ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
      [x] on April 30, 1999 pursuant to paragraph (b) 
      [ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) 
      [ ] on (date)  pursuant to paragraph  (a)(1)
      [ ] 75 days after  filing  pursuant to paragraph  (a)(2)
      [ ] on (date)  pursuant  to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.

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

                               
<PAGE>

                        FIRST INVESTORS LIFE SERIES FUND

                       CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT


This registration document is comprised of the following:

       Cover Sheet

       Contents of Registration Statement

       Prospectus for the First Investors Life Series Fund

       Statement of Additional  Information  for the First Investors Life Series
       Fund

       Part C of Form N-1A

       Signature Page

       Exhibits

<PAGE>

[FIRST INVESTORS LOGO]


LIFE SERIES FUND
        BLUE CHIP
        CASH MANAGEMENT
        DISCOVERY
        GOVERNMENT
        GROWTH
        HIGH YIELD
        INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES
        INVESTMENT GRADE
        TARGET MATURITY 2007
        TARGET MATURITY 2010
        UTILITIES INCOME


        The Securities  and Exchange  Commission has not approved or disapproved
these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

                  THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS APRIL 30, 1999


<PAGE>


                                    CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION

FUND DESCRIPTIONS

        Blue Chip Fund
        Cash Management Fund
        Discovery Fund
        Government Fund
        Growth Fund
        High Yield Fund
        International Securities Fund
        Investment Grade Fund
        Target Maturity 2007 Fund
        Target Maturity 2010 Fund
        Utilities Income Fund

FUND MANAGEMENT

BUYING AND SELLING SHARES

        How and when do the  Funds  price  their  shares?  
        How do I buy and sell shares?

ACCOUNT POLICIES

        What about dividends and capital gain distributions? 
        What about taxes?

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

        Blue Chip Fund
        Cash Management Fund
        Discovery Fund
        Government Fund
        Growth Fund
        High Yield Fund
        International Securities Fund
        Investment Grade Fund
        Target Maturity 2007 Fund
        Target Maturity 2010 Fund
        Utilities Income Fund




                                       2
<PAGE>

                                  INTRODUCTION

This prospectus  describes the First Investors Funds that are used solely as the
underlying  investment  options for variable annuity  contracts or variable life
insurance  policies  offered by First Investors Life Insurance  Company ("FIL").
This means  that you  cannot  purchase  shares of the Funds  directly,  but only
through  such a  contract  or policy as  offered by FIL.  Each  individual  Fund
description  in  this  prospectus  has an  "Overview"  which  provides  a  brief
explanation of the Fund's objectives,  its primary strategies and primary risks,
how it has  performed,  and its fees and expenses.  Each Fund  description  also
contains a "Fund in Detail" section with more  information on the strategies and
risks of the Fund.



                                       3
<PAGE>
                                 BLUE CHIP FUND

                                    OVERVIEW

OBJECTIVE:        The Fund seeks high total  investment  return  consistent with
                  the preservation of capital.

PRIMARY
INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES:       The Fund  primarily  invests  in the  common  stocks of large,
                  well-established  companies  that are included in the Standard
                  and Poor's 500 Composite  Stock Price Index ("S&P 500 Index").
                  These are defined by the Fund as "Blue Chip" stocks.  The Fund
                  selects  stocks that it believes will have earnings  growth in
                  excess of the average company in the S&P 500 Index.  While the
                  Fund  attempts  to  diversify  its  investments  so  that  its
                  weightings in different industries are similar to those of the
                  S&P 500 Index,  it is not an index fund and therefore will not
                  necessarily mirror the S&P 500 Index. The Fund generally stays
                  fully invested in stocks under all market conditions.

PRIMARY
RISKS:            While  Blue  Chip  stocks  are  regarded  as  among  the  most
                  conservative  stocks,  like all stocks they fluctuate in price
                  in response to  movements in the overall  securities  markets,
                  general economic conditions,  and changes in interest rates or
                  investor  sentiment.  Fluctuations  in the prices of Blue Chip
                  stocks at times can be substantial.  Accordingly, the value of
                  an  investment  in the Fund will go up and down,  which  means
                  that you could lose money.

                  AN  INVESTMENT  IN THE FUND IS NOT A BANK  DEPOSIT  AND IS NOT
                  INSURED  OR  GUARANTEED  BY  THE  FEDERAL  DEPOSIT   INSURANCE
                  CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

                      How has the Blue Chip Fund performed?

The bar chart and table  below  show you how the Fund's  performance  has varied
from year to year and in comparison with a broad-based  index.  This information
gives you some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.

The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's shares from year to
year over the life of the Fund. The bar chart does not reflect fees and expenses
that may be deducted by the variable annuity contract or variable life insurance
policy  through which you invest.  If they were  included,  the returns would be
less than those shown.

                                       4
<PAGE>

[BAR CHART OMITTED]

During the  periods  shown,  the  highest  quarterly  return was 20.03% (for the
quarter ended September 30, 1998),  and the lowest  quarterly return was -13.16%
(for the quarter ended September 30, 1990). THE FUND'S PAST PERFORMANCE DOES NOT
NECESSARILY INDICATE HOW THE FUND WILL PERFORM IN THE FUTURE.

The following table shows how the average annual total returns for the Blue Chip
Fund's  shares  compare to those of the S&P 500  Index.  The S&P 500 Index is an
unmanaged  index  generally  representative  of the  market  for the  stocks  of
large-sized  U.S.  companies.  The S&P 500 Index does not take into account fees
and expenses that an investor  would incur in holding the  securities in the S&P
500 Index. If it did so, the returns would be lower than those shown.

                                                        Inception
                            1 Year*       5 Years*      (3/8/90)

Blue Chip Fund               10.37%        17.54%         14.47%
S&P 500 Index                28.34          24.55         18.87
* The annual returns are based upon calendar years.

                               THE FUND IN DETAIL

     What are the Blue Chip Fund's objective,  principal investment  strategies,
and risks?

OBJECTIVE:     The Fund seeks high total investment  return  consistent with the
               preservation of capital.

                                       5
<PAGE>

PRINCIPAL  INVESTMENT  STRATEGIES:  The Fund  invests  at least 65% of its total
assets in common stocks of large,  well-established  companies that are included
in the S&P 500 Index.  These are defined by the Fund as "Blue Chip" stocks.  The
S&P 500 Index consists of both U.S. and foreign corporations.

The Fund uses  fundamental  research to select  stocks of companies  with strong
balance sheets,  relatively  consistent  records of  achievement,  and potential
earnings growth that is greater than that of the average company included in the
S&P 500 Index. The Fund attempts to stay broadly  diversified and sector neutral
relative to the S&P 500 Index,  but it may emphasize  certain  industry  sectors
based on economic and market  conditions.  The Fund intends to remain relatively
fully invested in stocks under all market conditions rather than attempt to time
the market by maintaining large cash or fixed income  securities  positions when
market  declines  are  anticipated.  The Fund usually will sell a stock when the
reason for holding it is no longer valid, it shows  deteriorating  fundamentals,
or it falls short of the Fund's  expectations.  Information on the Fund's recent
strategies  and holdings can be found in the most recent annual report (see back
cover).

PRINCIPAL RISKS: Any investment  carries with it some level of risk. In general,
the greater the potential  reward of an investment,  the greater the risk.  Here
are the principal risks of investing in the Blue Chip Fund:

MARKET RISK:  Because the Fund primarily invests in common stocks, it is subject
to market risk.  Stock prices in general may decline over short or even extended
periods not only  because of  company-specific  developments  but also due to an
economic downturn, a change in interest rates or a change in investor sentiment,
regardless  of the  success or failure of an  individual  company's  operations.
Stock  markets tend to run in cycles with  periods when prices  generally go up,
known as "bull"  markets,  and  periods  when stock  prices  generally  go down,
referred to as "bear" markets. While Blue Chip stocks have historically been the
least risky and most liquid  stocks,  like all stocks they  fluctuate  in value.
Fluctuations of Blue Chip stocks can be sudden and substantial. Accordingly, the
value of an  investment  in the Fund will go up and down,  which  means that you
could lose money.

OTHER RISKS: While the Fund generally attempts to remain sector neutral relative
to the S&P 500  Index,  it is not an index  fund.  The Fund may hold  securities
other than those in the S&P 500 Index, may hold fewer securities than the index,
and may have sector or industry  allocations  different from the index,  each of
which could cause the Fund to underperform the index.

YEAR 2000 RISKS:  The values of  securities  owned by the Fund may be negatively
affected  by Year 2000  problems.  Many  computer  systems  are not  designed to
process correctly date-related information after January 1, 2000. The issuers of
securities  held by the Fund  may  incur  substantial  costs  in  ensuring  that
computer  systems on which  they rely are Year 2000 ready and may face  business
and legal problems if these systems are not ready.  If computer  systems used by
exchanges,  broker-dealers,  and  other  market  participants  are not Year 2000
ready,  valuing and trading securities could be difficult.  These problems could
have a negative effect on the Fund's investments and returns.

ALTERNATIVE  STRATEGIES:  At times the Fund may judge that  market,  economic or
political conditions make pursuing the Fund's investment strategies inconsistent


                                       6
<PAGE>

with the best interests of its  shareholders.  The Fund then may temporarily use
alternative  strategies  that are mainly  designed to limit the Fund's losses by
investing up to 100% of its assets in short-term  money market  instruments.  If
the Fund does so, it may not achieve its investment objective.


                                       7
<PAGE>
                              CASH MANAGEMENT FUND

                                    OVERVIEW

OBJECTIVE:        The  Fund  seeks  to  earn  a  high  rate  of  current  income
                  consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of
                  liquidity.

PRIMARY
INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES:       The Fund invests in high-quality money market instruments that
                  the  Fund  determines   present  minimal  credit  risk.  These
                  instruments  include  prime  commercial  paper,  variable  and
                  floating  rate  corporate  notes,  and short term U.S.  agency
                  obligations.   The  Fund's   portfolio   is  managed  to  meet
                  regulatory  requirements  that  permit the Fund to  maintain a
                  stable  net asset  value  ("NAV")  of $1.00 per  share.  These
                  regulatory   requirements  include  stringent  credit  quality
                  standards on investments, limits on the maturity of individual
                  investments  and the dollar weighted  average  maturity of the
                  entire portfolio, and diversification requirements.

PRIMARY
RISKS:            While money  market funds are  designed to be  relatively  low
                  risk investments, they are not entirely free of risk. Like all
                  money  market  funds,  these are the risks of investing in the
                  Fund:

                  .   The Fund's NAV could  decline  (below  $1.00 per share) if
                      there  is a  default  by an  issuer  of one of the  Fund's
                      investments,  a  credit  downgrade  of one  of the  Fund's
                      investments, or an unexpected change in interest rates.

                  .   The Fund's  yield will change  daily based upon changes in
                      interest rates and other market conditions.

                  AN  INVESTMENT  IN THE FUND IS NOT A BANK  DEPOSIT  AND IS NOT
                  INSURED  OR  GUARANTEED  BY  THE  FEDERAL  DEPOSIT   INSURANCE
                  CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.  ALTHOUGH THE FUND
                  SEEKS TO  PRESERVE  THE  VALUE OF AN  INVESTMENT  AT $1.00 PER
                  SHARE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO LOSE MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE FUND.

                   How has the Cash Management Fund performed?

The bar chart and table  below  show you how the Fund's  performance  has varied
from year to year and in comparison with a broad-based  index.  This information
gives you some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.

The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's shares from year to
year over the last ten years.  The bar chart does not reflect  fees and expenses
that may be deducted by the variable annuity contract or variable life insurance
policy  through which you invest.  If they were  included,  the returns would be
less than those shown.


                                       8
<PAGE>

[BAR CHART OMITTED]

During  the  periods  shown,  the  highest  quarterly  return was 2.00% (for the
quarter ended June 30, 1990), and the lowest quarterly return was 0.65% (for the
quarter ended June 30, 1993. THE FUND'S PAST  PERFORMANCE  DOES NOT  NECESSARILY
INDICATE HOW THE FUND WILL PERFORM IN THE FUTURE.

The  following  table  shows  the  average  annual  total  returns  for the Cash
Management Fund's shares.


                             1 Year*        5 Years*      10 Years*

Cash  Management  Fund        5.02%           4.88%         5.08% 
* The annual  returns  are based upon calendar years.

                               THE FUND IN DETAIL

  What  are  the  Cash  Management   Fund's  objective,   principal   investment
strategies, and risks?

OBJECTIVE:     The Fund seeks to earn a high rate of current  income  consistent
               with the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity.

PRINCIPAL  INVESTMENT  STRATEGIES:  The Fund invests  primarily in  high-quality
money market  instruments  that are  determined by the Fund's Adviser to present
minimal credit risk. Some common types of money market  instruments are Treasury
bills and notes, which are securities issued by the U.S. government;  commercial


                                       9
<PAGE>

paper,  which are promissory notes issued by large companies or financial firms;
banker's  acceptances,  which  are  credit  instruments  guaranteed  by a  bank;
negotiable  certificates  of  deposit,  which  are  issued  by  banks  in  large
denominations;  and floating  rate notes.  The interest  rate of a floating rate
instrument is generally  based on a known  lending rate,  such as a bank's prime
rate, and is reset whenever the underlying rate is adjusted.

The Fund's portfolio is managed to meet regulatory  requirements that permit the
Fund to  maintain a stable NAV of $1.00 per share.  These  include  requirements
relating to the credit  quality,  maturity,  and  diversification  of the Fund's
investments.  For example, to be an eligible investment for the Fund, a security
must have a remaining  maturity of 397 calendar days or less.  The security must
be rated in one of the two highest  credit  ratings  categories  for  short-term
securities by at least two nationally  recognized rating services  organizations
(or by one, if only one rating service has rated the  security),  or if unrated,
be determined by the Fund's Adviser to be of quality  equivalent to those in the
two  highest  credit  ratings   categories.   The  Fund  must  also  maintain  a
dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity of 90 days or less.

In buying and selling  securities,  the Fund will consider  ratings  assigned by
ratings services as well as its own credit analysis.  The Fund considers,  among
other things, the issuer's earnings and cash flow generating  capabilities,  the
security's  yield and relative value, and the outlook for interest rates and the
economy. In the case of instruments with demand features or credit enhancements,
the Fund  considers  the  financial  strength of the party  providing the demand
feature or credit  enhancement,  including  any ratings  assigned to such party.
Information on the Fund's recent holdings can be found in the most recent annual
report (see back cover).

PRINCIPAL RISKS: Any investment  carries with it some level of risk. In general,
the greater the potential reward of an investment, the greater the risk. Here
are the principal risks of investing in the Cash Management Fund:

INTEREST RATE RISK: Like the values of other debt instruments, the market values
of money  market  instruments  are affected by changes in interest  rates.  When
interest rates rise, the market values of money market instruments decline; when
interest rates decline, the market values of money market instruments  increase.
The  price  volatility  of  money  market  instruments  also  depends  on  their
maturities and durations.  Generally, the shorter the maturity and duration of a
money market instrument, the lesser its sensitivity to interest rates.

Interest  rate risk also  includes  the risk that in a declining  interest  rate
environment the Fund will have to invest the proceeds of maturing investments in
lower-yielding  investments.  The  yields  received  by the  Fund on some of its
investments will also decline as interest rates decline.  For example,  the Fund
invests in floating  rate bonds and notes.  When  interest  rates  decline,  the
yields paid on these securities may decline.

CREDIT  RISK:  A money  market  instrument's  credit  quality  depends  upon the
issuer's ability to pay interest on the security and,  ultimately,  to repay the
principal.  The lower the rating by one of the independent  bond-rating agencies
(for  example,  Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc. or Standard & Poor's  Ratings
Group),  the greater the chance (in the rating agency's  opinion) the security's
issuer will  default,  or fail to meet its  repayment  obligations.  Direct U.S.
Treasury  obligations  (securities  backed  by the U.S.  government)  carry  the
highest credit ratings.  All things being equal,  money market  instruments with
greater credit risk offer higher yields.



                                       10
<PAGE>

YEAR 2000 RISKS:  The values of  securities  owned by the Fund may be negatively
affected  by Year 2000  problems.  Many  computer  systems  are not  designed to
process correctly date-related information after January 1, 2000. The issuers of
securities  held by the Fund  may  incur  substantial  costs  in  ensuring  that
computer  systems on which  they rely are Year 2000 ready and may face  business
and legal problems if these systems are not ready.  If computer  systems used by
exchanges,  broker-dealers,  and  other  market  participants  are not Year 2000
ready,  valuing and trading securities could be difficult.  These problems could
have a negative effect on the Fund's investments and returns.



                                       11
<PAGE>

                                 DISCOVERY FUND

                                    OVERVIEW

OBJECTIVE:     The Fund seeks  long-term  growth of capital,  without  regard to
               dividend or interest income.

PRIMARY
INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES:    The Fund  primarily  invests in common  stocks of companies  with
               small market capitalizations  ("small-cap stocks") which have the
               potential for substantial  long-term  growth.  The Fund looks for
               companies that are in the early stages of their development, have
               a new product or service,  are in a position to benefit from some
               change in the economy,  have new management,  or are experiencing
               some  other   "special   situation"   which  makes  their  stocks
               undervalued.  Because these  companies tend to be smaller,  their
               growth potential is often greater.

PRIMARY
RISKS:         While the potential  long-term  rewards of investing in small-cap
               stocks  are  substantial,   there  are  also  substantial  risks.
               Small-cap  stocks  carry more risk  because they are often in the
               early  stages  of  development,  dependent  on a small  number of
               products or services,  lack substantial financial resources,  and
               have less predictable earnings.  Small-cap stocks also tend to be
               less liquid,  and  experience  sharper  price  fluctuations  than
               stocks   of   companies   with   large   capitalizations.   These
               fluctuations  can be  substantial.  Accordingly,  the value of an
               investment in the Fund will go up and down,  which means that you
               could lose money.
               
               AN  INVESTMENT  IN THE  FUND  IS NOT A  BANK  DEPOSIT  AND IS NOT
               INSURED  OR   GUARANTEED   BY  THE  FEDERAL   DEPOSIT   INSURANCE
               CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

                      How has the Discovery Fund performed?

The bar chart and table  below  show you how the Fund's  performance  has varied
from year to year and in comparison with a broad-based  index.  This information
gives you some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.

The bar chart shows changes in the  performance  of the Discovery  Fund's shares
from year to year over the last ten years.  The bar chart does not reflect  fees
and expenses that may be deducted by the variable  annuity  contract or variable
life  insurance  policy  through which you invest.  If they were  included,  the
returns would be less than those shown.



                                       12
<PAGE>

[BAR CHART OMITTED]

During the  periods  shown,  the  highest  quarterly  return was 26.55% (for the
quarter ended December  31,1998),  and lowest  quarterly return was -22.34% (for
the quarter  ended  September  30,1998).  THE FUND'S PAST  PERFORMANCE  DOES NOT
NECESSARILY INDICATE HOW THE FUND WILL PERFORM IN THE FUTURE.

The  following  table shows how the average  annual total  returns for Discovery
Fund's shares compare to those of the Russell 2000 Index. The Russell 2000 Index
is an unmanaged index generally  representative of the U.S. market for small-cap
stocks. The Russell 2000 Index does not take into account fees and expenses that
an investor would incur in holding the securities in the Russell 2000 Index.  If
it did so, the returns would be lower than those shown.


                             1 Year*        5 Years*      10 Years*
Discovery Fund               (4.17)%         8.98%          14.44%
Russell 2000 Index           (2.24)         12.31            11.65
*The annual returns are based upon calendar years.

                               THE FUND IN DETAIL

What are the Discovery Fund's objective,  principal investment  strategies,  and
risks?

OBJECTIVE:  The Fund  seeks  long-term  growth  of  capital,  without  regard to
            dividend or interest income.

PRINCIPAL  INVESTMENT  STRATEGIES:  The Fund  invests  at least 65% of its total
assets in common stocks of companies  with small market  capitalizations,  which


                                       13
<PAGE>

have the potential for substantial  long-term growth. The Fund defines small-cap
stocks as those with  market  capitalizations  of less than 90% of the  weighted
market  capitalization  of the  Standard & Poor's 600  Smallcap  Index ("S&P 600
Index") (currently $1.8 billion).  The weighted market capitalization of the S&P
600 Index will change with market conditions.  The Fund looks for companies that
are in the early stages of their development, have a new product or service, are
in a position to benefit from some change in the economy,  have new  management,
or are  experiencing  some other  "special  situation"  which makes their stocks
undervalued.  Because these companies tend to be smaller, their growth potential
is often greater.

In selecting  stocks,  the Fund relies on  fundamental  research.  It considers,
among other things,  earnings growth potential,  revenue growth potential,  cash
flow and tangible book value. The Fund attempts to stay broadly  diversified but
it  may  emphasize  certain  industry  sectors  based  on  economic  and  market
conditions.  The Fund  usually  will  sell a stock  when it shows  deteriorating
fundamentals or falls short of the portfolio manager's expectations. Information
on the Fund's  recent  strategies  and  holdings can be found in the most recent
annual report (see back cover).

PRINCIPAL RISKS: Any investment  carries with it some level of risk. In general,
the greater the potential  reward of an investment,  the greater the risk.  Here
are the principal risks of investing in the Discovery Fund:

MARKET RISK.  Because this Fund invests in stocks,  an investment in the Fund is
subject to stock market risk.  Stock prices in general may decline over short or
even extended periods not only because of company-specific developments but also
due to an economic downturn, a change in interest rates, or a change in investor
sentiment,  regardless  of the  success or failure  of an  individual  company's
operations.  Stock  markets  tend to run in  cycles  with  periods  when  prices
generally go up, known as "bull" markets and periods when stock prices generally
go down,  referred  to as  "bear"  markets.  The  market  risk  associated  with
small-cap stocks is greater than that associated with larger-cap  stocks because
small-cap stocks tend to experience  sharper price  fluctuations than larger-cap
stocks, particularly during bear markets.

Small-cap  companies  are  generally  dependent on a small number of products or
services,  their  earnings  are less  predictable,  and their share  prices more
volatile.  These  companies  are also more  likely to have  limited  markets  or
financial resources, and may depend on a small, inexperienced management group.

LIQUIDITY:  Stocks of  small-cap  companies  often are not as broadly  traded as
those of larger-cap companies and are often subject to wider price fluctuations.
As a result,  at times it may be difficult for the Fund to sell these securities
at a reasonable price.

YEAR 2000 RISKS:  The values of  securities  owned by the Fund may be negatively
affected  by Year 2000  problems.  Many  computer  systems  are not  designed to
process correctly date-related information after January 1, 2000. The issuers of
securities  held by the Fund  may  incur  substantial  costs  in  ensuring  that
computer  systems on which  they rely are Year 2000 ready and may face  business
and legal problems if these systems are not ready.  If computer  systems used by
exchanges,  broker-dealers,  and  other  market  participants  are not Year 2000
ready,  valuing and trading securities could be difficult.  These problems could
have a negative effect on the Fund's investments and returns.

                                       14
<PAGE>

ALTERNATIVE  STRATEGIES:  At times the Fund may judge that  market,  economic or
political conditions make pursuing the Fund's investment strategies inconsistent
with the best interests of its  shareholders.  The Fund then temporarily may use
alternative  strategies  that are mainly  designed to limit the Fund's losses by
investing up to 100% of its assets in short-term  money market  instruments.  If
the Fund does so, it may not achieve its investment objective.


                                       15
<PAGE>

                                 GOVERNMENT FUND

                                    OVERVIEW

OBJECTIVE:     The Fund seeks to achieve a significant  level of current  income
               which is consistent with security and liquidity of principal.

PRIMARY
INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES:    The Fund primarily invests in obligations issued or guaranteed as
               to payment of principal and interest by the U.S. Government,  its
               agencies  or  instrumentalities.   The  majority  of  the  Fund's
               investments  consist  of  mortgage-backed  securities  issued  or
               guaranteed  by  the  Government  National  Mortgage  Association,
               Federal  National  Mortgage  Association,  and Federal  Home Loan
               Mortgage   Corporation.   Mortgage-backed   securities  represent
               interests   in   "pools"   of   mortgage   loans.   Because   the
               mortgage-backed  securities  purchased by the Fund are  generally
               guaranteed as to the timely  payment of principal and interest to
               investors in the pools,  the Fund's  primary  strategies  revolve
               around  managing   interest  rate  risk,   prepayment  risk,  and
               extension  risk.  The Fund  attempts  to  manage  these  risks by
               adjusting the duration of its  portfolio  and the average  coupon
               rate of its mortgage-backed securities holdings.

PRIMARY
RISKS:         While  mortgage-backed   securities  are  guaranteed  in  varying
               degrees as to payment of principal and interest,  this  guarantee
               does  not  apply  in any  way  to  the  market  prices  of  these
               securities  or  the  Fund's  share  price,  both  of  which  will
               fluctuate.  There are three main risks of  investing in the Fund:
               interest rate risk,  prepayment  risk, and extension  risk.  When
               interest rates rise, the  mortgage-backed  securities held by the
               Fund tend to decline in price, and when interest rates fall, they
               tend to  increase  in price.  This is  interest  rate risk.  When
               interest  rates fall,  homeowners  also tend to  refinance  their
               mortgages. When this occurs, the Fund loses the benefit of higher
               yielding  mortgages  and must  reinvest  in lower  interest  rate
               mortgages.  This is prepayment  risk.  Extension risk is the flip
               side of  prepayment  risk.  Rising  interest  rates can cause the
               Fund's average maturity to lengthen unexpectedly due to a drop in
               mortgage   prepayments.   This  will  increase  both  the  Fund's
               sensitivity to rising  interest rates and its potential for price
               declines.  The Fund may, at times,  engage in short-term trading,
               which  could   produce   higher   brokerage   costs  and  taxable
               distributions  and may  result in a lower  total  return  for the
               Fund. Accordingly, the value of an investment in the Fund as well
               as the  dividends  you receive  will go up and down,  which means
               that you could lose money.

               AN  INVESTMENT  IN THE  FUND  IS NOT A  BANK  DEPOSIT  AND IS NOT
               INSURED  OR   GUARANTEED   BY  THE  FEDERAL   DEPOSIT   INSURANCE
               CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.


                                       16
<PAGE>

                     How has the Government Fund performed?

The bar chart and table  below  show you how the Fund's  performance  has varied
from year to year and in comparison with a broad-based  index.  This information
gives you some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.

The bar chart shows changes in the  performance of the Government  Fund's shares
from year to year over the life of the Fund. The bar chart does not reflect fees
and expenses that may be deducted by the variable  annuity  contract or variable
life  insurance  policy  through which you invest.  If they were  included,  the
returns would be less than those shown.

[BAR CHART OMITTED]

During  the  periods  shown,  the  highest  quarterly  return was 6.05% (for the
quarter ended September  30,1992),  and the lowest  quarterly  return was -3.21%
(for the quarter  ended March  31,1994).  THE FUND'S PAST  PERFORMANCE  DOES NOT
NECESSARILY INDICATE HOW THE FUND WILL PERFORM IN THE FUTURE.

The following  table shows how the average  annual total returns for  Government
Fund's shares compare to those of the Salomon Brothers Mortgage Index ("Mortgage
Index") and the Salomon Brothers  Government  Index  ("Government  Index").  The
Mortgage  Index is a market  capitalization-weighted  index that consists of all
agency pass-throughs and Federal Housing  Administration  ("FHA") and Government
National  Mortgage  Association  project notes. The Government Index is a market
capitalization-weighted  index that consists of debt issued by the U.S. Treasury
and U.S.  Government  sponsored  agencies.  The indices do not take into account
fees and expenses that an investor  would incur in holding the securities in the
indices. If they did so, the returns would be lower than those shown.


                                       17
<PAGE>


                                                   Inception
                      1 Year*       5 Years*       (1/7/92)

Government Fund       (0.01)%        4.53%          5.54%
Mortgage Index         6.98          7.27           7.39**
Government Index       9.84          7.24           7.98**
*The annual returns are based upon calendar years.
**The average annual total return shown is for the period 12/31/91 to 12/31/98.

                               THE FUND IN DETAIL

What are the Government Fund's objective,  principal  investment  strategies,and
risks?

OBJECTIVE: The Fund seeks to achieve a significant level of current income which
is consistent with security and liquidity of principal.

PRINCIPAL  INVESTMENT  STRATEGIES:  The Fund  invests  at least 65% of its total
assets in  obligations  issued or  guaranteed  as to  payment of  principal  and
interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. The majority
of the Fund's investments consist of mortgage-backed securities. Mortgage-backed
securities represent interests in pools of mortgages. The principal and interest
from the underlying mortgages are passed through to investors in the pools. Some
pools are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as
Government  National Mortgage  Association  pass-through  mortgage  certificates
(called "Ginnie  Maes").  Some pools are supported by the right of the issuer to
borrow  from the U.S.  Treasury  under  certain  circumstances,  such as Federal
National  Mortgage  Association  bonds (called "Fannie  Maes").  Other pools are
supported  only by the credit of the entity  that issued  them,  such as Federal
Home Loan Mortgage  Corporation  obligations  (called "Freddie Macs").  The Fund
also invests in U.S. Treasury securities and securities issued by U.S. agencies,
such as the Tennessee Valley Authority.

The Fund's primary  investment  strategies revolve around managing interest rate
risk,  prepayment  risk,  and extension  risk.  Interest rate risk is managed by
adjusting  the  duration  of the  securities  owned by the Fund.  Duration  is a
measurement of a bond's sensitivity to changes in interest rates that takes into
consideration not only the maturity of the bond but also the time value of money
that  will be  received  from the bond over its  life.  The Fund will  generally
adjust duration by buying or selling U.S. Treasury  securities.  For example, if
the Fund  believes that  interest  rates are likely to rise,  it will  generally
attempt to reduce its  duration by  purchasing  U.S.  Treasury  securities  with
shorter  maturities or selling U.S. Treasury  securities with longer maturities.
Prepayment  risk and extension risk are managed by adjusting the  composition of
the Fund's  holdings.  For example,  if interest rates appear likely to decline,
the Fund may  attempt to reduce  prepayment  risk by buying new  mortgage-backed
securities  with lower coupons.  Conversely,  if interest rates appear likely to
increase,  the Fund may  reduce  extension  risk by  purchasing  mortgage-backed
securities with higher coupons.

The Fund uses a  "top-down"  approach in making  investment  decisions  based on
interest rate,  economic and market conditions.  In selecting  investments,  the
Fund considers coupon and yield, relative value and weighted average maturity of


                                       18
<PAGE>

the pool. The Fund will usually sell an investment when there are changes in the
interest rate  environment  that are adverse to the investment or if it fails to
meet the expectations of the portfolio manager. Information on the Fund's recent
strategies  and holdings can be found in the most recent annual report (see back
cover).

PRINCIPAL RISKS: Any investment  carries with it some level of risk. In general,
the greater the potential  reward of an investment,  the greater the risk.  Here
are the principal risks of investing in the Government Fund:

INTEREST  RATE  RISK:  All of the  securities  held by the Fund are  subject  to
interest  rate risk.  In general,  the market prices of bonds rise when interest
rates fall,  and fall when interest  rates rise.  Short-term  interest rates and
long-term interest rates do not necessarily move in the same direction or in the
same amounts. Bonds with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to interest
rate changes than those with shorter maturities.

PREPAYMENT  RISK:   Because  the  Fund  invests  primarily  in   mortgage-backed
securities,  it is subject to  prepayment  risk.  When interest  rates  decline,
homeowners tend to refinance  their  mortgages.  When this occurs,  investors in
pools suffer a higher rate of  prepayment.  As a result,  investors in pools not
only lose the benefit of the higher yielding underlying mortgages that are being
prepaid but they must reinvest the proceeds at lower interest rates.  This could
cause a decrease in the Fund's income and share price.

EXTENSION  RISK:  Extension  risk is the flip side of  prepayment  risk.  Rising
interest  rates can cause the Fund's average  maturity to lengthen  unexpectedly
due to a drop in  mortgage  prepayments.  This  will  increase  both the  Fund's
sensitivity to rising interest rates and its potential for price declines.

CREDIT  RISK:  This is the risk that an  issuer  of bonds  will be unable to pay
interest or principal  when due. There is some credit risk  associated  with the
Funds  investments;  however,  it  is  perceived  to be  minimal.  Most  of  the
securities owned by the Fund are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government, the ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, or the perceived moral
obligation of the U.S. Government.

FREQUENT TRADING:  The Fund may, at times, engage in short-term  trading,  which
could produce higher brokerage costs and taxable distributions and may result in
a lower total return for the Fund.

YEAR 2000 RISKS:  The values of  securities  owned by the Fund may be negatively
affected  by Year 2000  problems.  Many  computer  systems  are not  designed to
process correctly date-related information after January 1, 2000. The issuers of
securities  held by the Fund  may  incur  substantial  costs  in  ensuring  that
computer  systems on which  they rely are Year 2000 ready and may face  business
and legal problems if these systems are not ready.  If computer  systems used by
exchanges,  broker-dealers,  and  other  market  participants  are not Year 2000
ready,  valuing and trading securities could be difficult.  These problems could
have a negative effect on the Fund's investments and returns.





                                       19
<PAGE>


ALTERNATIVE  STRATEGIES:  At times the Fund may judge that  market,  economic or
political conditions make pursuing the Fund's investment strategies inconsistent
with the best interests of its  shareholders.  The Fund then may temporarily use
alternative strategies that are mainly designed to limit the Fund's losses.



                                       20
<PAGE>

                                   GROWTH FUND

                                    OVERVIEW

OBJECTIVE:        The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

PRIMARY
INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES:       Under  normal  circumstances,   the  Fund  will  remain  fully
                  invested in equity  securities,  with most of its  holdings in
                  U.S.  common  stocks.  The Fund  seeks to invest  in  seasoned
                  companies with proven track records and above-average earnings
                  growth.  The Fund invests  predominantly in larger  companies,
                  but will also  attempt to enhance its return by  investing  in
                  mid-sized  and smaller  companies  that the Fund's  investment
                  subadviser believes have attractive growth potential.

PRIMARY
RISKS:            Like all stocks,  growth stocks fluctuate in price in response
                  to  movements  in  the  overall  securities  markets,  general
                  economic    conditions,    changes    in    interest    rates,
                  company-specific   developments  and  other  factors.  Mid-cap
                  stocks tend to  experience  sharper  price  fluctuations  than
                  stocks of  large-cap  companies.  To the extent  that the Fund
                  decides to invest in  small-cap  companies,  the risk of price
                  fluctuations  is even greater.  Fluctuations  in the prices of
                  the  stocks  held by the  Fund at  times  can be  substantial.
                  Accordingly, the value of an investment in the Fund will go up
                  and down, which means that you could lose money.

                  AN  INVESTMENT  IN THE FUND IS NOT A BANK  DEPOSIT  AND IS NOT
                  INSURED  OR  GUARANTEED  BY  THE  FEDERAL  DEPOSIT   INSURANCE
                  CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

                       How has the Growth Fund performed?

The bar chart and table  below  show you how the Fund's  performance  has varied
from year to year and in comparison with a broad-based  index.  This information
gives you some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.

The bar chart shows changes in the  performance  of the Growth Fund's shares for
each of the last ten  calendar  years.  The bar chart does not reflect  fees and
expenses that may be deducted by the variable  annuity contract or variable life
insurance  policy through which you invest.  If they were included,  the returns
would be less than those shown.

                                       21
<PAGE>


[BAR CHART OMITTED]

During the  periods  shown,  the  highest  quarterly  return was 23.98% (for the
quarter ended December 31, 1998),  and the lowest  quarterly  return was -15.45%
(for the quarter ended September 30, 1990). THE FUND'S PAST PERFORMANCE DOES NOT
NECESSARILY INDICATE HOW THE FUND WILL PERFORM IN THE FUTURE.

The  following  table shows how the average  annual total returns for the Fund's
shares compare to those of the S&P 500 Index.  The S&P 500 Index is an unmanaged
index generally  representative of the market for the stocks of large-sized U.S.
companies.  The S&P 500 Index does not take into account fees and expenses  that
an investor  would incur in holding the  securities in the S&P 500 Index.  If it
did so, the returns would be lower than those shown.


                             1 Year*        5 Years*      10 Years*

Growth Fund                  18.44%        18.29%         15.88%
S&P 500 Index                28.34         24.55          18.95
*The annual returns are based upon calendar years.

                               THE FUND IN DETAIL

      What are the Growth Fund's objectives,  principal  investment  strategies,
and risks?

OBJECTIVE: The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

PRINCIPAL  INVESTMENT  STRATEGIES:  Under  normal  circumstances,  the Fund will
remain fully  invested in equity  securities,  with most of its holdings in U.S.


                                       22
<PAGE>

common stocks.  The Fund will also invest in foreign  companies whose stocks are
denominated in U.S. dollars and listed and traded on a U.S. securities exchange,
either  directly  or through  Depository  Receipts.  The Fund  favors  stocks of
seasoned  companies with proven records and above-average  earnings growth,  and
stocks of companies with  outstanding  growth  records and  potential.  The Fund
invests predominantly in larger companies,  but will also attempt to enhance its
return by investing  in  mid-sized  and smaller  companies  that the  investment
subadviser  believes have attractive growth  potential.  The Fund will typically
invest in most major sectors of the economy and therefore the Fund's investments
will be widely  diversified  by company and industry.  The Fund may invest up to
25% of its assets in  certain  industry  sectors  based on  economic  and market
conditions.

The  Fund  uses  fundamental  research  and  analysis  to  identify  prospective
investments.  The Fund looks to identify  industry  leaders and those  companies
which are leaders in industry  niches.  Research is focused on companies  with a
proven  record  of sales  and  earnings  growth,  profitability,  and cash  flow
generation.  Security  selection  is based  on any one or more of the  following
characteristics:  (1)  accelerating  earnings  growth  and  the  possibility  of
positive  earnings  surprises;  (2)  strong  possibility  of price  to  earnings
multiple  expansion  (or  increases in other similar  valuation  measures);  (3)
hidden or unappreciated value; or (4) improving company and/or industry outlook.

Every  company  in  the  portfolio  is  monitored  to  ensure  its   fundamental
attractiveness.  A stock may be sold if (1) its downside  risk equals or exceeds
its upside potential;  (2) it suffers from a decreasing trend of earnings growth
or suffers an earnings disappointment;  (3) it experiences excessive valuations;
or (4) there is a deteriorating company and/or industry outlook.

Information  on the Fund's  recent  strategies  and holdings can be found in the
most recent annual report (see back cover).

PRINCIPAL RISKS: Any investment  carries with it some level of risk. In general,
the greater the potential  reward of an investment,  the greater the risk.  Here
are the principal risks of investing in the Growth Fund:

MARKET RISK:  Because the Fund invests in stocks,  an  investment in the Fund is
subject to stock market risk.  Stock prices in general may decline over short or
even extended periods not only because of company-specific developments but also
due to an economic downturn, a change in interest rates, or a change in investor
sentiment,  regardless  of the  success or failure  of an  individual  company's
operations.  Stock  markets  tend to run in  cycles  with  periods  when  prices
generally go up, known as "bull" markets and periods when stock prices generally
go down, referred to as "bear" markets.

The market risk  associated  with  mid-cap  and  small-cap  stocks is  generally
greater than that associated with large-cap stocks because mid-cap and small-cap
stocks tend to experience  sharper price  fluctuations  than  large-cap  stocks,
particularly  during bear markets.  Their  earnings tend to be less  predictable
than those of larger, more established companies. The prices of these stocks can
also be influenced by the anticipation of future products and services which, if
delayed,  could cause the prices to drop. Fluctuation in prices of stocks can be
sudden and  substantial.  Accordingly,  the value of your investment in the Fund
will go up and down, which means that you could lose money.



                                       23
<PAGE>

LIQUIDITY RISK: The risk that certain  securities may be difficult or impossible
to sell at the same time and the price that the  seller  would  like.  Stocks of
small-cap  companies  often are not as  broadly  traded  as those of  larger-cap
companies and are often  subject to wider price  fluctuations.  As a result,  at
times it may be difficult for the Fund to sell these  securities at a reasonable
price.

YEAR 2000 RISKS:  The values of  securities  owned by the Fund may be negatively
affected  by Year 2000  problems.  Many  computer  systems  are not  designed to
process correctly date-related information after January 1, 2000. The issuers of
securities  held by the Fund  may  incur  substantial  costs  in  ensuring  that
computer  systems on which  they rely are Year 2000 ready and may face  business
and legal problems if these systems are not ready.  If computer  systems used by
exchanges,  broker-dealers,  and  other  market  participants  are not Year 2000
ready,  valuing and trading securities could be difficult.  These problems could
have a negative effect on the Fund's investments and returns.

ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES: At times the Fund's investment subadviser may judge that
market,  economic or political  conditions  make pursuing the Fund's  investment
strategies  inconsistent with the best interests of its  shareholders.  The Fund
then may  temporarily  use  alternative  strategies  that are mainly designed to
limit the Fund's  losses by  investing  up to 100% of its  assets in  short-term
money market instruments. If the Fund does so, it may not achieve its investment
objective.


                                       24
<PAGE>

                                 HIGH YIELD FUND

                                    OVERVIEW

OBJECTIVES:       The Fund primarily  seeks high current income and  secondarily
                  seeks capital appreciation.

PRIMARY
INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES:       The Fund  primarily  invests  in a  diversified  portfolio  of
                  high-yield,  below-investment  grade corporate bonds (commonly
                  known as "junk bonds").  These bonds provide a higher level of
                  income than investment  grade bonds because they have a higher
                  risk of  default.  The  Fund  seeks  to  reduce  the risk of a
                  default by selecting bonds through careful credit research and
                  analysis.  The Fund seeks to reduce the impact of a  potential
                  default by diversifying  its  investments  among bonds of many
                  different  companies  and  industries.  While the Fund invests
                  primarily in domestic companies, it also invests in securities
                  of issuers  domiciled in foreign  countries.  These securities
                  will  generally be  dollar-denominated  and traded in the U.S.
                  The Fund seeks to achieve capital appreciation by investing in
                  high-yield bonds with stable to improving credit conditions.

PRIMARY
RISKS:            There are four primary risks of investing in the Fund.  First,
                  the value of the Fund's  shares could decline as a result of a
                  deterioration of the financial condition of an issuer of bonds
                  owned by the Fund or as a result of a default  by the  issuer.
                  This is known as credit  risk.  High-yield  bonds carry higher
                  credit risks than investment grade bonds because the companies
                  that issue  them are not as strong  financially  as  companies
                  with investment grade credit ratings.  High-yield bonds issued
                  by foreign companies are subject to additional risks including
                  political instability,  government regulation, and differences
                  in financial  reporting  standards.  Second,  the value of the
                  Fund's  shares  could  decline if the entire  high-yield  bond
                  market  were to  decline,  even if  none  of the  Fund's  bond
                  holdings were at risk of a default.  The high-yield market can
                  experience  sharp  declines  at  times  as  the  result  of  a
                  deterioration  in the overall  economy,  declines in the stock
                  market,  a change of  investor  tolerance  for risk,  or other
                  factors.  Third,  high-yield bonds tend to be less liquid than
                  other bonds, which means that they are more difficult to sell.
                  Fourth,  while  high-yield  bonds are generally  less interest
                  rate  sensitive  than   higher-quality   bonds,  their  values
                  generally will decline when interest rates rise.  Fluctuations
                  in  the  prices  of  high-yield   bonds  can  be  substantial.
                  Accordingly, the value of an investment in the Fund will go up
                  and down, which means that you could lose money.

                  AN  INVESTMENT  IN THE FUND IS NOT A BANK  DEPOSIT  AND IS NOT
                  INSURED  OR  GUARANTEED  BY  THE  FEDERAL  DEPOSIT   INSURANCE
                  CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

                                       25
<PAGE>

                     How has the High Yield Fund performed?

The bar chart and table  below  show you how the Fund's  performance  has varied
from year to year and in comparison with a broad-based  index.  This information
gives you some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.

The bar chart shows changes in the  performance  of the High Yield Fund's shares
for each of the last ten calendar years. The bar chart does not reflect fees and
expenses that may be deducted by the variable  annuity contract or variable life
insurance  policy through which you invest.  If they were included,  the returns
would be less than those shown.

[BAR CHART OMITTED]

During the  periods  shown,  the  highest  quarterly  return was 11.16% (for the
quarter ended March 31, 1991),  and the lowest  quarterly return was -8.11% (for
the quarter  ended  September 30, 1990).  THE FUND'S PAST  PERFORMANCE  DOES NOT
NECESSARILY INDICATE HOW THE FUND WILL PERFORM IN THE FUTURE.

The  following  table shows how the average  annual  total  returns for the High
Yield  Fund's  shares  compare to those of the Credit  Suisse  First Boston High
Yield Index  ("High Yield  Index").  The High Yield Index is designed to measure
the  performance  of the high yield bond  market.  The High Yield Index does not
take into account fees and expenses that an investor  would incur in holding the
securities  in the Index.  If it did so, the  returns  would be lower than those
shown.


                      1 Year*       5 Years*       10 Years*

High Yield Fund       (4.10)%       7.45%            8.90%
High Yield Index       0.58         8.16            10.74
*The annual returns are based upon calendar years.

                                       26
<PAGE>

                               THE FUND IN DETAIL

What are the High Yield Fund's objectives,  principal investment strategies, and
risks?

OBJECTIVES:  The Fund primarily seeks high current income and secondarily  seeks
             capital appreciation.

PRINCIPAL  INVESTMENT  STRATEGIES:  The Fund  invests  at least 65% of its total
assets  in  a  diversified  portfolio  of  high-yield,   below-investment  grade
corporate bonds commonly known as "junk bonds" (those rated below Baa by Moody's
Investors  Service,  Inc.  or below BBB by  Standard  & Poor's  Ratings  Group).
High-yield bonds generally  provide higher income than investment grade bonds to
compensate  investors  for their higher risk of default  (i.e.,  failure to make
required interest or principal payments).  High-yield bond issuers include small
or relatively new companies  lacking the history or capital to merit  investment
grade  status,  former  Blue Chip  companies  downgraded  because  of  financial
problems,  companies using debt rather than equity to fund capital investment or
spending  programs,  companies  electing to borrow heavily to finance or avoid a
takeover or buyout,  and firms with heavy debt loads.  The Fund's  portfolio may
include  zero  coupon  bonds  and pay in kind  bonds.  While  the  Fund  invests
primarily  in  domestic  companies,  it also  invests in  securities  of issuers
domiciled   in  foreign   countries.   These   securities   will   generally  be
dollar-denominated and traded in the U.S. The Fund seeks to reduce the risk of a
default by selecting  bonds through  careful credit  research and analysis.  The
Fund seeks to reduce  the impact of a  potential  default  by  diversifying  its
investments among bonds of many different companies and industries.

To achieve its secondary objective of capital appreciation, the Fund attempts to
invest in bonds  that  have  stable  to  improving  credit  quality  that  could
appreciate in value because of a credit rating  upgrade or an improvement in the
outlook for a particular company, industry or the economy as a whole.

Although  the Fund  will  consider  ratings  assigned  by  ratings  agencies  in
selecting  high-yield  bonds,  it relies  principally  on its own  research  and
investment  analysis.  The Fund  considers a variety of factors,  including  the
issuer's  managerial  strength,  anticipated cash flow, debt maturity schedules,
borrowing  requirements,  interest  or dividend  coverage,  asset  coverage  and
earnings   prospects.   The  Fund  will  usually  sell  a  bond  when  it  shows
deteriorating   fundamentals   or  falls  short  of  the   portfolio   manager's
expectations.  Information  on the Fund's recent  strategies and holdings can be
found in the most recent annual report (see back cover).

PRINCIPAL RISKS: Any investment  carries with it some level of risk. In general,
the greater the potential  reward of the investment,  the greater the risk. Here
are the principal risks of investing in the High Yield Fund:

CREDIT  RISK:  This is the risk that an  issuer  of bonds  will be unable to pay
interest or  principal  when due. The prices of bonds are affected by the credit
quality of the issuer.  High-yield bonds are subject to greater credit risk than
higher  quality  bonds  because  the  companies  that  issue  them  are  not  as
financially  strong as companies with investment  grade ratings.  Changes in the
financial condition of an issuer,  changes in general economic  conditions,  and
changes in specific economic  conditions that affect a particular type of issuer


                                       27
<PAGE>

can impact the credit quality of an issuer.  Such changes may weaken an issuer's
ability to make  payments of principal or interest,  or cause an issuer of bonds
to fail to make timely  payments of interest or  principal.  Lower quality bonds
generally  tend to be more sensitive to these changes than higher quality bonds.
While credit ratings may be available to assist in evaluating an issuer's credit
quality,  they may not  accurately  predict an  issuer's  ability to make timely
payments of principal and interest.

MARKET RISK: The entire junk bond market can  experience  sharp price swings due
to a variety of factors,  including changes in economic forecasts,  stock market
volatility, large sustained sales of junk bonds by major investors, high-profile
defaults,  or changes in the market's  psychology.  This degree of volatility in
the high-yield  market is usually  associated  more with stocks than bonds.  The
prices of high-yield bonds held by the Fund could therefore decline,  regardless
of the financial condition of the issuers of such bonds.  Markets tend to run in
cycles with periods when prices  generally go up, known as "bull"  markets,  and
periods when prices generally go down, referred to as "bear" markets.

LIQUIDITY:  High-yield  bonds tend to be less liquid than higher  quality bonds,
meaning that it may be difficult to sell high-yield bonds at a reasonable price,
particularly  if there is a  deterioration  in the  economy or in the  financial
prospects of their issuers.  As a result,  the prices of high-yield bonds may be
subject to wide price fluctuations due to liquidity concerns.

INTEREST  RATE  RISK:  The  market  value of a bond is  affected  by  changes in
interest  rates.  When interest rates rise, the market value of a bond declines;
when interest rates  decline,  the market value of a bond  increases.  The price
volatility of a bond also depends on its maturity and duration.  Generally,  the
longer the  maturity  and  duration of a bond,  the greater its  sensitivity  to
interest rates. To compensate  investors for this higher risk, bonds with longer
maturities and durations  generally  offer higher yields than bonds with shorter
maturities and durations.

FOREIGN  ISSUERS:   Foreign  investments  involve  additional  risks,  including
political instability, government regulation, differences in financial reporting
standards, and less stringent regulation of foreign securities markets.

YEAR 2000 RISKS:  The values of  securities  owned by the Fund may be negatively
affected  by Year 2000  problems.  Many  computer  systems  are not  designed to
process correctly date-related information after January 1, 2000. The issuers of
securities  held by the Fund  may  incur  substantial  costs  in  ensuring  that
computer  systems on which  they rely are Year 2000 ready and may face  business
and legal problems if these systems are not ready.  If computer  systems used by
exchanges,  broker-dealers,  and  other  market  participants  are not Year 2000
ready,  valuing and trading securities could be difficult.  These problems could
have a negative effect on the Fund's investments and returns.

ALTERNATIVE  STRATEGIES:  At times the Fund may judge that  market,  economic or
political conditions make pursuing the Fund's investment strategies inconsistent
with the best interests of its  shareholders.  The Fund then may temporarily use
alternative strategies that are mainly designed to limit the Fund's losses.


                                       28
<PAGE>

                          INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES FUND

                                    OVERVIEW

OBJECTIVES:      The  Fund  primarily   seeks   long-term   capital  growth  and
                 secondarily a reasonable level of current income.

PRIMARY
INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES:      The Fund invests in a  diversified  portfolio of common  stocks
                 (and other equity  securities)  of companies  which are located
                 throughout  the world,  including the United  States.  The Fund
                 primarily  invests  in large or  medium  capitalization  stocks
                 which  are  traded  in  larger  or  more  established   markets
                 throughout the world.  The Fund also invests  opportunistically
                 in  small   capitalization   stocks  and  stocks  of   smaller,
                 less-developed or emerging markets. The Fund generally does not
                 attempt to hedge its  foreign  securities  investments  against
                 currency rate fluctuations.  To a limited extent, the Fund uses
                 stock index futures  contracts and options thereon as temporary
                 substitutes  for  purchases  of  foreign  stocks  and to adjust
                 country weightings.

PRIMARY
RISKS:           All stocks  fluctuate  in price in response to movements in the
                 overall securities markets,  general economic  conditions,  and
                 changes in interest rates or investor  sentiment.  The risks of
                 investing  in a stock fund that  invests in foreign  stocks are
                 accentuated because investments in foreign stocks, particularly
                 emerging  markets,  can decline in value because of declines in
                 the values of local  currencies,  irrespective  of how well the
                 companies  that  issue such  stocks  are  doing;  there is less
                 supervision  and  regulation  of  foreign  securities  markets;
                 foreign  securities markets are generally less liquid than U.S.
                 markets;  there may be less financial  information available on
                 certain   foreign   companies;   and  there  may  be  political
                 instability  in some  countries  in which the Fund may  invest.
                 Fluctuations  in the prices of foreign stocks can be especially
                 sudden   and   substantial.    Stocks   with   smaller   market
                 capitalizations  tend to experience sharper price fluctuations.
                 Using stock index  futures  and  options  thereon as  temporary
                 substitutes for foreign stocks carries the same risks as direct
                 ownership of all of the stocks in the index.  Accordingly,  the
                 value of an investment  in the Fund will go up and down,  which
                 means that you could lose money.

                 AN  INVESTMENT  IN THE  FUND IS NOT A BANK  DEPOSIT  AND IS NOT
                 INSURED  OR  GUARANTEED  BY  THE  FEDERAL   DEPOSIT   INSURANCE
                 CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

              How has the International Securities Fund performed?

The bar chart and table  below  show you how the Fund's  performance  has varied
from year to year and in comparison with a broad-based  index.  This information
gives you some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.

                                       29
<PAGE>

The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the  International  Securities
Fund's  shares  from year to year over the life of the Fund.  The bar chart does
not reflect  fees and  expenses  that may be deducted  by the  variable  annuity
contract or variable life  insurance  policy  through which you invest.  If they
were included, the returns would be less than those shown.

[BAR CHART OMITTED]

During the  periods  shown,  the  highest  quarterly  return was 18.22% (for the
quarter ended December 31, 1998),  and the lowest  quarterly  return was -14.92%
(for the quarter ended September 30, 1998). THE FUND'S PAST PERFORMANCE DOES NOT
NECESSARILY INDICATE HOW THE FUND WILL PERFORM IN THE FUTURE.

The  following  table  shows  how  the  average  annual  total  returns  for the
International  Securities  Fund's shares  compare to those of the Morgan Stanley
All Country  World Free Index ("All  Country  Index").  The All Country Index is
designed  to measure  the  performance  of stock  markets in the United  States,
Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the developed and emerging markets of
Eastern  Europe,  Latin  America,  Asia and the Far East.  The index consists of
approximately  60% of the aggregate  market value of the covered stock exchanges
and is calculated to exclude  companies and share classes which cannot be freely
purchased by  foreigners.  The All Country Index does not take into account fees
and  expenses  that an investor  would incur in holding  the  securities  in the
index. If it did so, the returns would be lower than those shown.

                                                                 Inception
                                    1 Year*        5 Years*      (4/16/90)

International Securities
  Fund                                9.92%        10.12%        10.23%
All Country Index                   21.96            7.13        12.62**
*The annual returns are based upon calendar years.
**The average annual total return shown is for the period 4/30/90 to 12/31/98.

                                       30
<PAGE>

                               THE FUND IN DETAIL

What are the International  Securities Fund's objectives,  principal  investment
strategies, and risks?

OBJECTIVES:  The Fund primarily seeks long-term capital growth and secondarily a
reasonable level of current income.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES:  The Fund invests in a diversified portfolio of
common stocks of companies which are located throughout the world, including the
United  States  ("U.S.")  Under normal market  conditions,  the Fund attempts to
maintain broad country diversification. The Fund has a fundamental policy (which
may only be changed by shareholder vote) to invest no more than 35% of its total
assets in securities of U.S. companies,  obligations of the U.S. government, its
agencies and instrumentalities, and cash or cash equivalents denominated in U.S.
dollars. The foreign stocks that the Fund purchases are typically denominated in
foreign  currencies.  The Fund generally does not hedge against  fluctuations in
the value of foreign currencies.

The Fund invests  primarily in stocks of companies which are considered large to
medium in size (as measured by market capitalization).  The Fund may also invest
in smaller  companies when management  views them as attractive  alternatives to
the stocks of larger or more  established  companies.  The Fund will make direct
investments  in foreign  issuers by  purchasing  securities  traded in a foreign
market,  as  well  as  indirect  investments  through  purchases  of  Depositary
Receipts, such as American Depository Receipts and Global Depository Receipts.

The Fund invests  primarily in stocks which trade in larger or more  established
markets, but also may invest (to a lesser degree) in smaller,  less-developed or
emerging markets where management believes there is significant  opportunity for
growth of  capital.  The status of markets as  less-developed  or  emerging  may
change over time as a result of developments  in national or regional  economies
and capital markets.  Within emerging markets,  the Fund seeks to participate in
the more  established  markets  which  management  believes  provide  sufficient
liquidity.

The Fund  also uses  stock  index  futures  contracts  and  options  thereon  as
temporary  substitutes for purchases of foreign stocks. This practice can afford
a hedge against not  participating in an advance in a country at a time when the
Fund is not fully  invested in the country.  Stock index  futures  contracts and
options thereon are also used to maintain  desired country  exposures.  The Fund
will not  invest  more than 5% of its assets in stock  index  futures or options
thereon.

The  Fund  uses  fundamental  research  and  analysis  to  identify  prospective
investments.  Security  selection  is based on any one or more of the  following
characteristics: (1) accelerating earnings growth or the possibility of positive
earnings  surprises;  (2)  strong  possibility  of  price-to-earnings   multiple
expansion  (or  increases in other similar  valuation  measures);  (3) hidden or
unappreciated value; or (4) improving local market and/or industry outlook.


                                       31
<PAGE>

Once the best purchase  candidates  for the Fund are  identified,  the portfolio
construction  process  begins.  In this phase,  many factors are  considered  in
creating a total portfolio of securities for the Fund,  including:  (1) regional
and  country  weightings;   (2)  currency  exposure;  (3)  industry  and  sector
allocation;  and (4)  exposure  to a number of other  factors,  such as interest
rates or company size.

Every  company  in  the  portfolio  is  monitored  to  ensure  its   fundamental
attractiveness.  A stock may be sold if: (1) its downside risk equals or exceeds
its upside potential;  (2) it suffers from a decreasing trend of earnings growth
or suffers an earnings disappointment;  (3) it experiences excessive valuations;
or (4) there is a deteriorating local market and/or industry outlook.

Information  on the Fund's  recent  strategies  and holdings can be found in the
most recent annual report (see back cover).

PRINCIPAL RISKS: Any investment  carries with it some level of risk. In general,
the greater the potential  reward of an investment,  the greater the risk.  Here
are the principal risks of investing in the International Securities Fund:

MARKET RISK:  Because the Fund primarily invests in common stocks, it is subject
to market risk.  Stock prices in general may decline over short or even extended
periods not only  because of  company-specific  developments  but also due to an
economic  downturn,  a  change  in  interest  rates,  or a  change  in  investor
sentiment,  regardless  of the  success or failure  of an  individual  company's
operations.  Stock  markets  tend to run in cycles,  with  periods  when  prices
generally  go up,  known as  "bull"  markets,  and  periods  when  stock  prices
generally go down, referred to as "bear" markets.

While the Fund's  strategy of being globally  diversified may help to reduce the
volatility or variability of the Fund's returns  relative to another global fund
which  invests  in  fewer  stocks  or whose  investments  are  focused  in fewer
countries  or industry  sectors,  this  strategy may not prevent a loss if stock
markets worldwide were to decline at the same time. Fluctuations of stock prices
can be sudden and  substantial.  Accordingly,  the value of an investment in the
Fund will go up and down, which means that you could lose money.

FOREIGN  SECURITIES  RISK:  Investments in foreign markets involve special risks
and considerations. Some of these factors are also present when investing in the
United States but are heightened  issues when investing in non-U.S.  markets and
especially  emerging markets.  For example,  such risks and  considerations  may
include  political  and  economic  instability,  nationalization,   confiscatory
taxation,  differing accounting and financial reporting standards, the inability
to obtain reliable financial information regarding a company's balance sheet and
operations.  Risks  such  as  these  are  common  to  all  investments  but  are
exacerbated when investing in international markets. In addition,  international
investors  may  experience   higher   commission  rates  on  foreign   portfolio
transactions, potential adverse changes in tax and exchange control regulations,
and the potential for  restrictions on the flow of international  capital.  Many
foreign  countries impose  withholding  taxes on income from investments in such
countries, which a portfolio may not recover. Also, fluctuations in the exchange
rates between the US dollar and foreign currencies may have a negative impact on
investments  denominated  in  foreign  currencies,  for  example,  by eroding or
reversing  gains or  widening  losses  from those  investments.  These risks are
common to all mutual funds investing in  international  securities.  Using stock


                                       32
<PAGE>

index futures and options  thereon as temporary  substitutes  for foreign stocks
carries the same risks as direct ownership of all of the stocks in the index.

LIQUIDITY  RISK:  Liquidity  risk is the risk  that  certain  securities  may be
difficult or  impossible to sell at the time and the price that the seller would
like.  In such a situation,  the seller may have to lower the price,  sell other
securities instead, or forego an investment opportunity, any of which could have
a negative effect on fund management or performance.

SMALL-CAP  RISK:  The market risk  associated  with small-to  mid-cap  stocks is
greater than that  associated with larger-cap  stocks because  small-to  mid-cap
stocks tend to experience  sharper price  fluctuations  than larger-cap  stocks,
particularly  during bear  markets.  Small-to  mid-cap  companies  are generally
dependent on a smaller  number of products or services,  their earnings are less
predictable, and their share prices more volatile. These companies are also more
likely to have limited markets or financial resources,  or to depend on a small,
inexperienced management group.

YEAR 2000 RISKS:  The values of  securities  owned by the Fund may be negatively
affected  by Year 2000  problems.  Many  computer  systems  are not  designed to
process correctly date-related information after January 1, 2000. The issuers of
securities  held by the Fund  may  incur  substantial  costs  in  ensuring  that
computer  systems on which  they rely are Year 2000 ready and may face  business
and legal problems if these systems are not ready.  If computer  systems used by
exchanges,  broker-dealers,  and  other  market  participants  are not Year 2000
ready,  valuing and trading securities could be difficult.  These problems could
be particularly  acute in the case of the Fund's holdings in foreign  securities
since foreign  issuers and foreign markets may be more likely to experience Year
2000  problems.  These  problems  could  have a  negative  effect on the  Fund's
investments and returns.

ALTERNATIVE STRATEGIES: At times the Fund's investment subadviser may judge that
market,  economic or political  conditions  make pursuing the Fund's  investment
strategies  inconsistent with the best interests of its  shareholders.  The Fund
then may  temporarily  use  alternative  strategies  that are mainly designed to
limit the Fund's  losses by  investing  up to 100% of its  assets in  short-term
money market instruments. If the Fund does so, it may not achieve its investment
objective.

                                       33
<PAGE>

                              INVESTMENT GRADE FUND

                                    OVERVIEW

OBJECTIVE:        The  Fund  seeks  to  generate  a  maximum   level  of  income
                  consistent   with   investment   in   investment   grade  debt
                  securities.

PRIMARY
INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES:       The  Fund  primarily   invests  in  corporate  bonds  of  U.S.
                  companies  that are rated in one of the four  highest  ratings
                  categories by Moody's Investors Service,  Inc.  ("Moody's") or
                  Standard  & Poor's  Ratings  Group  ("S&P").  Such  bonds  are
                  generally called  "investment  grade bonds."  Investment grade
                  bonds  offer  higher  yields  than   Treasury   securities  of
                  comparable  maturities to compensate investors for the risk of
                  default.  The Fund selects bonds primarily on the basis of its
                  own  research  and  investment  analysis.  The Fund also takes
                  economic and interest rate outlooks  into  consideration  when
                  selecting investments.

PRIMARY
RISKS:            There are two main risks of investing in the Fund: credit risk
                  and interest rate risk. The Fund's share price will decline if
                  one or more of its bond holdings is  downgraded in rating,  or
                  one or more issuers  suffers a default,  or there is a concern
                  about credit  downgrades or defaults in general as a result of
                  a  deterioration  in the  economy as a whole.  Also the Fund's
                  share  price will  decline as interest  rates  rise.  Like all
                  bonds,  investment  grade  bonds  tend to rise in  price  when
                  interest  rates  decline,  and decline in price when  interest
                  rates rise.  Accordingly,  the value of an  investment  in the
                  Fund  will go up and down,  which  means  that you could  lose
                  money.

                  AN  INVESTMENT  IN THE FUND IS NOT A BANK  DEPOSIT  AND IS NOT
                  INSURED  OR  GUARANTEED  BY  THE  FEDERAL  DEPOSIT   INSURANCE
                  CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

                  How has the Investment Grade Fund performed?

The bar chart and table  below  show you how the Fund's  performance  has varied
from year to year and in comparison with a broad-based  index.  This information
gives you some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.

The bar chart shows changes in the  performance of the  Investment  Grade Fund's
shares  from  year to year over the life of the  Fund.  The bar  chart  does not
reflect fees and expenses that may be deducted by the variable  annuity contract
or  variable  life  insurance  policy  through  which you  invest.  If they were
included, the returns would be less than those shown.

                                       34
<PAGE>

[BAR CHART OMITTED]

During  the  periods  shown,  the  highest  quarterly  return was 6.50% (for the
quarter ended June 30, 1995),  and the lowest  quarterly  return was -3.57% (for
the  quarter  ended  March 31,  1994).  THE  FUND'S  PAST  PERFORMANCE  DOES NOT
NECESSARILY INDICATE HOW THE FUND WILL PERFORM IN THE FUTURE.

The  following  table  shows  how  the  average  annual  total  returns  for the
Investment Grade Fund's shares compare to those of the Lehman Brothers Corporate
Bond Index  ("Corporate  Bond  Index").  The Corporate  Bond Index  includes all
publicly issued, fixed rate, nonconvertible investment grade dollar-denominated,
corporate debt which have at least one year to maturity and an  outstanding  par
value of at least  $100  million.  The  Corporate  Bond Index does not take into
account fees and expenses that an investor would incur in holding the securities
in the Corporate Bond Index. If it did so, the returns would be lower than those
shown.

                                                                 Inception
                                    1 Year*        5 Years*      (1/7/92)

Investment Grade Fund               1.50%           5.78%         6.92%
Corporate Bond Index                8.57            7.74          8.51**
*The annual returns are based upon calendar years.
**The average annual total return shown is for the period 12/31/91 to 12/31/98.

                                       35
<PAGE>


                               THE FUND IN DETAIL

 What  are  the  Investment  Grade  Fund's   objective,   principal   investment
strategies, and risks?

OBJECTIVE:  The Fund seeks to generate a maximum level of income consistent with
investment in investment grade debt securities.

PRINCIPAL  INVESTMENT  STRATEGIES:  The Fund  invests  at least 65% of its total
assets  in  corporate  bonds of  companies  that are rated  investment  grade by
Moody's or S&P ("investment grade bonds").  These are bonds that are rated among
the four highest ratings  categories by Moody's or S&P.  Investment  grade bonds
generally offer higher yields than Treasury securities of comparable  maturities
to compensate investors for the risk of default.

Although the Fund may diversify among the four investment grade ratings,  it may
emphasize  bonds with  higher  ratings at times when the  economy  appears to be
weakening and bonds with lower ratings when the economy appears to be improving.
The Fund  adjusts the average  weighted  maturity of the bonds in its  portfolio
based on its interest  rate  outlook.  If it believes  that  interest  rates are
likely to fall,  it will  attempt to buy bonds with  longer  maturities  or sell
bonds with shorter  maturities.  By contrast,  if it believes interest rates are
likely to rise,  it will  attempt to buy bonds with shorter  maturities  or sell
bonds  with  longer   maturities.   The  Fund  also  attempts  to  stay  broadly
diversified,  but it may emphasize  certain  industries within a sector based on
the outlook for interest rates, economic forecasts,  and market conditions.  The
Fund may buy or sell Treasury  securities  instead of investment grade corporate
bonds to adjust the Fund's average weighted maturity.

Although  the Fund  will  consider  ratings  assigned  by  ratings  services  in
selecting investments,  it relies principally on its own research and investment
analysis. The Fund considers, among other things, the issuer's earnings and cash
flow  generating  capabilities,  asset  quality,  debt  levels,  and  management
strength.  The Fund will not  necessarily  sell an  investment  if its rating is
reduced.  The  Fund  usually  will  sell  a bond  when  it  shows  deteriorating
fundamentals or falls short of the portfolio manager's expectations. Information
on the Fund's  recent  strategies  and  holdings can be found in the most recent
annual report (see back cover).

PRINCIPAL RISKS: Any investment  carries with it some level of risk. In general,
the greater the potential  reward of an investment,  the greater the risk.  Here
are the principal risks of investing in the Investment Grade Fund:

CREDIT  RISK:  This is the risk that an  issuer  of bonds  will be unable to pay
interest or  principal  when due. The prices of bonds are affected by the credit
quality of the issuer.  Changes in the financial condition of an issuer, changes
in general economic conditions, and changes in specific economic conditions that
affect a particular  type of issuer can impact the credit  quality of an issuer.
Such  changes may weaken an issuer's  ability to make  payments of  principal or
interest,  or  cause an  issuer  of bonds  to fail to make  timely  payments  of
interest or principal.  Lower quality bonds  generally tend to be more sensitive
to these  changes  than  higher  quality  bonds,  but  BBB-rated  bonds may have
speculative  characteristics  as well.  While credit ratings may be available to
assist in evaluating an issuer's credit quality, they may not accurately predict
an issuer's ability to make timely payment of principal and interest.

                                       36
<PAGE>

INTEREST  RATE  RISK:  The  market  value of a bond is  affected  by  changes in
interest  rates.  When interest rates rise, the market value of a bond declines,
when interest rates  decline,  the market value of a bond  increases.  The price
volatility of a bond also depends on its maturity and duration.  Generally,  the
longer the  maturity  and  duration of a bond,  the greater its  sensitivity  to
interest rates. To compensate  investors for this higher risk, bonds with longer
maturities and durations  generally  offer higher yields than bonds with shorter
maturities and durations.

YEAR 2000 RISKS:  The values of  securities  owned by the Fund may be negatively
affected  by Year 2000  problems.  Many  computer  systems  are not  designed to
process correctly date-related information after January 1, 2000. The issuers of
securities  held by the Fund  may  incur  substantial  costs  in  ensuring  that
computer  systems on which  they rely are Year 2000 ready and may face  business
and legal problems if these systems are not ready.  If computer  systems used by
exchanges,  broker-dealers,  and  other  market  participants  are not Year 2000
ready,  valuing and trading securities could be difficult.  These problems could
have a negative effect on the Fund's investments and returns.

ALTERNATIVE  STRATEGIES:  At times the Fund may judge that  market,  economic or
political conditions make pursuing the Fund's investment strategies inconsistent
with the best interests of its  shareholders.  The Fund then may temporarily use
alternative strategies that are mainly designed to limit the Fund's losses.


                                       37
<PAGE>


                            TARGET MATURITY 2007 FUND

                                    OVERVIEW

OBJECTIVE:        The Fund seeks a predictable  compounded investment return for
                  investments  held until the Fund's  maturity,  consistent with
                  preservation of capital.

PRIMARY
INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES:       The Fund primarily  invests in non-callable  zero coupon bonds
                  issued or guaranteed by the U.S.  government,  its agencies or
                  instrumentalities,  that mature on or around the maturity date
                  of the Fund.  The Fund will mature and terminate at the end of
                  the year  2007.  The  Fund  generally  follows  a buy and hold
                  strategy,  but may sell an investment when the Fund identifies
                  an  opportunity to increase its yield or it needs cash to meet
                  redemptions.

PRIMARY
RISKS:            If an  investment  in the  Fund is sold  prior  to the  Fund's
                  maturity,  there is substantial interest rate risk. Like other
                  bonds,  zero coupon bonds are sensitive to changes in interest
                  rates.  When  interest  rates  rise,  they tend to  decline in
                  price,  and when interest rates fall, they tend to increase in
                  price. Zero coupon bonds are more interest rate sensitive than
                  other bonds because zero coupon bonds pay no interest to their
                  holders  until  their  maturities.  This means that the market
                  prices of zero coupon bonds will fluctuate far more than those
                  of bonds  that pay  interest  periodically.  Accordingly,  the
                  value of an investment in the Fund will go up and down,  which
                  means  that  you  could  lose  money  if  you  liquidate  your
                  investment in the Fund prior to the Fund's maturity.

                  AN  INVESTMENT  IN THE FUND IS NOT A BANK  DEPOSIT  AND IS NOT
                  INSURED  OR  GUARANTEED  BY  THE  FEDERAL  DEPOSIT   INSURANCE
                  CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.


                How has the Target Maturity 2007 Fund performed?

The bar chart and table  below  show you how the Fund's  performance  has varied
from year to year and in comparison with a broad-based  index.  This information
gives you some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.

The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's shares from year to
year over the life of the Fund. The bar chart does not reflect fees and expenses
that may be deducted by the variable annuity contract or variable life insurance
policy  through which you invest.  If they were  included,  the returns would be
less than those shown.

                                       38
<PAGE>

[BAR CHART OMITTED]

During  the  periods  shown,  the  highest  quarterly  return was 9.99% (for the
quarter ended September 30, 1998),  and the lowest  quarterly  return was -7.84%
(for the quarter ended March 31,  1996).  THE FUND'S PAST  PERFORMANCE  DOES NOT
NECESSARILY INDICATE HOW THE FUND WILL PERFORM IN THE FUTURE.

The  following  table shows how the average  annual total returns for the Target
Maturity 2007 Fund's shares compare to those of the Salomon Brothers  Government
Index  ("SB   Government   Index").   The  SB  Government   Index  is  a  market
capitalization-weighted  index that consists of debt issued by the U.S. Treasury
and U.S. Government  sponsored  agencies.  The SB Government Index does not take
into  account  fees and  expenses  that an  investor  would incur in holding the
securities in the SB Government  Index. If it did so, the returns would be lower
than those shown.

                                               Inception
                                1 Year*        (4/26/95)

Target  Maturity  2007 Fund      6.93%          10.70% 
SB  Government  Index            9.84            9.22** 
* The annual returns are based upon calendar years.
** The average annual total return shown is for the period 4/30/95 to 12/31/98.

                               THE FUND IN DETAIL

What  are the  Target  Maturity  2007  Fund's  objective,  principal  investment
strategies, and risks?

OBJECTIVE:     The Fund seeks a  predictable  compounded  investment  return for
               investments  held  until the  Fund's  maturity,  consistent  with
               preservation of capital.

                                       39
<PAGE>

PRINCIPAL  INVESTMENT  STRATEGIES:  The Fund  invests  at least 65% of its total
assets in zero coupon  securities.  The vast majority of the Fund's  investments
consists of  non-callable,  zero coupon bonds issued or  guaranteed  by the U.S.
government,  its  agencies  or  instrumentalities  that  mature on or around the
maturity date of the Fund (December 31, 2007).  Zero coupon  securities are debt
obligations  that do not entitle  holders to any  periodic  payments of interest
prior to maturity and  therefore  are issued and traded at discounts  from their
face values.  Zero coupon  securities  may be created by separating the interest
and  principal  components  of  securities  issued  or  guaranteed  by the  U.S.
government  or one of its  agencies or  instrumentalities,  or issued by private
corporate  issuers.  The  discounts  from  face  values  at  which  zero  coupon
securities are purchased  varies depending on the time remaining until maturity,
prevailing  interest  rates,  and the  liquidity  of the  security.  Because the
discounts  from  face  values  are  known at the time of  investment,  investors
intending to hold zero coupon  securities until maturity know the value of their
investment  return at the time of  investment,  assuming full payment is made by
the issuer upon maturity.

The Fund  seeks  zero  coupon  bonds  that will  mature  on or about the  Fund's
maturity  date.  As the Fund's zero coupon bonds  mature,  the proceeds  will be
invested in short-term U.S. government securities.  The Fund generally follows a
buy and hold  strategy  consistent  with  attempting  to  provide a  predictable
compounded  investment return for investors who hold their Fund shares until the
Fund's maturity.

Although the Fund generally  follows a buy and hold strategy,  the Fund may sell
an investment  when the Fund  identifies an opportunity to increase its yield or
it needs cash to meet  redemptions.  Information on the Fund's recent strategies
and holdings can be found in the most recent annual report (see back cover).

PRINCIPAL RISKS: Any investment  carries with it some level of risk. In general,
the greater the potential  reward of an investment,  the greater the risk.  Here
are the principal risks of investing in the Target Maturity 2007 Fund:

INTEREST  RATE  RISK:  The  market  value of a bond is  affected  by  changes in
interest  rates.  When interest rates rise, the market value of a bond declines;
when interest rates  decline,  the market value of a bond  increases.  The price
volatility of a bond also depends on its maturity and duration.  Generally,  the
longer the  maturity  and  duration of a bond,  the greater its  sensitivity  to
interest rates.

The market prices of zero coupon securities are generally more volatile than the
market prices of securities paying interest periodically and, accordingly,  will
fluctuate  far more in  response  to  changes  in  interest  rates than those of
non-zero coupon  securities  having similar  maturities and yields. As a result,
the net asset  value of shares of the Fund may  fluctuate  over a greater  range
than  shares  of other  funds  that  invest  in  securities  that  have  similar
maturities and yields but that make current distributions of interest.

YEAR 2000 RISKS:  The values of  securities  owned by the Fund may be negatively
affected  by Year 2000  problems.  Many  computer  systems  are not  designed to
process correctly date-related information after January 1, 2000. The issuers of
securities  held by the Fund  may  incur  substantial  costs  in  ensuring  that
computer  systems on which  they rely are Year 2000 ready and may face  business
and legal problems if these systems are not ready.  If computer  systems used by


                                       40
<PAGE>

exchanges,  broker-dealers,  and  other  market  participants  are not Year 2000
ready,  valuing and trading securities could be difficult.  These problems could
have a negative effect on the Fund's investments and returns.

ALTERNATIVE  STRATEGIES:  At times the Fund may judge that  market,  economic or
political conditions make pursuing the Fund's investment strategies inconsistent
with the best interests of its  shareholders.  The Fund then may temporarily use
alternative strategies that are mainly designed to limit the Fund's losses.


                                       41
<PAGE>
                            TARGET MATURITY 2010 FUND

                                    OVERVIEW

OBJECTIVE:        The Fund seeks a predictable  compounded investment return for
                  investors   who  hold  their  Fund  shares  until  the  Fund's
                  maturity, consistent with preservation of capital.

PRIMARY
INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES:       The Fund primarily  invests in non-callable  zero coupon bonds
                  that mature on or around the maturity date of the Fund and are
                  issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government,  its agencies and
                  instrumentalities.  The Fund will mature and  terminate at the
                  end of the year  2010.  The Fund  generally  follows a buy and
                  hold  strategy,  but may  sell an  investment  when  the  Fund
                  identifies  an  opportunity  to increase  its yield or to meet
                  redemptions.

PRIMARY
RISKS:            If an  investment  in the  Fund is sold  prior  to the  Fund's
                  maturity,  there is substantial interest rate risk. Like other
                  bonds,  zero coupon bonds are sensitive to changes in interest
                  rates.  When  interest  rates  rise,  they tend to  decline in
                  price,  and when interest rates fall, they tend to increase in
                  price. Zero coupon bonds are more interest rate sensitive than
                  other bonds because zero coupon bonds pay no interest to their
                  holders  until  their  maturities.  This means that the market
                  prices of zero coupon bonds will fluctuate far more than those
                  of bonds  that pay  interest  periodically.  Accordingly,  the
                  value of an investment in the Fund will go up and down,  which
                  means  that  you  could  lose  money  if  you  liquidate  your
                  investment in the Fund prior to the Fund's maturity.

                  AN  INVESTMENT  IN THE FUND IS NOT A BANK  DEPOSIT  AND IS NOT
                  INSURED  OR  GUARANTEED  BY  THE  FEDERAL  DEPOSIT   INSURANCE
                  CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

                How has the Target Maturity 2010 Fund performed?

The bar chart and table  below  show you how the Fund's  performance  has varied
from year to year and in comparison with a broad-based  index.  This information
gives you some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.

The bar chart shows changes in the performance of the Fund's shares from year to
year over the life of the Fund. The bar chart does not reflect fees and expenses
that may be deducted by the variable annuity contract or variable life insurance
policy  through which you invest.  If they were  included,  the returns would be
less than those shown.

                                       42
<PAGE>

[BAR CHART OMITTED]

During the  periods  shown,  the  highest  quarterly  return was 10.25% (for the
quarter ended September 30, 1998),  and the lowest  quarterly  return was -7.84%
(for the quarter ended March 31,  1996).  THE FUND'S PAST  PERFORMANCE  DOES NOT
NECESSARILY INDICATE HOW THE FUND WILL PERFORM IN THE FUTURE.

The  following  table shows how the average  annual total returns for the Target
Maturity 2010 Fund's shares compare to those of the Salomon Brothers  Government
Index  ("SB   Government   Index").   The  SB  Government   Index  is  a  market
capitalization-weighted  index that consists of debt issued by the U.S. Treasury
and U.S. Government  sponsored  agencies.  The SB Government Index does not take
into  account  fees and  expenses  that an  investor  would incur in holding the
securities in the SB Government  Index. If it did so, the returns would be lower
than those shown.

                                            Inception
                             1 Year*        (4/30/96)

Target  Maturity  2010 Fund   6.32%           12.68% 
SB  Government  Index         9.84             9.56** 
* The annual returns are based upon calendar years.
** The average annual total return shown is for the period 4/30/96 to 12/31/98.


                                       43
<PAGE>


                               THE FUND IN DETAIL

What  are the  Target  Maturity  2010  Fund's  objective,  principal  investment
strategies, and risks?

OBJECTIVE:     The Fund seeks a  predictable  compounded  investment  return for
               investors  who hold their Fund shares until the Fund's  maturity,
               consistent with preservation of capital.

PRINCIPAL  INVESTMENT  STRATEGIES:  The Fund  invests  at least 65% of its total
assets in zero coupon  securities.  The vast majority of the Fund's  investments
consists  of  non-callable,  zero  coupon  bonds  that  mature on or around  the
maturity date of the Fund and are direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury.  Zero
coupon  securities  are debt  obligations  that do not  entitle  holders  to any
periodic  payments of interest  prior to maturity and  therefore  are issued and
traded at  discounts  from their face  values.  Zero  coupon  securities  may be
created by separating the interest and principal components of securities issued
or   guaranteed   by  the   U.S.   government   or  one  of  its   agencies   or
instrumentalities,  or issued by private corporate  issuers.  The discounts from
face values at which zero coupon  securities are purchased  varies  depending on
the time remaining until maturity,  prevailing interest rates, and the liquidity
of the security. Because the discounts from face values are known at the time of
investment,  investors  intending to hold zero coupon  securities until maturity
know the value of their  investment  return at the time of investment,  assuming
full payment is made by the issuer upon maturity.

The Fund  seeks  zero  coupon  bonds  that will  mature  on or about the  Fund's
maturity  date.  As the Fund's zero coupon bonds  mature,  the proceeds  will be
invested in short term U.S. government securities.  The Fund generally follows a
buy and hold  strategy  consistent  with  attempting  to  provide a  predictable
compounded  investment return for investors who hold their Fund shares until the
Fund's maturity.

Although the Fund generally  follows a buy and hold strategy,  the Fund may sell
an investment  when the Fund  identifies an opportunity to increase its yield or
it needs cash to meet  redemptions.  Information on the Fund's recent strategies
and holdings can be found in the most recent annual report (see back cover).

PRINCIPAL RISKS: Any investment  carries with it some level of risk. In general,
the greater the potential  reward of an investment,  the greater the risk.  Here
are the principal risks of investing in the Target Maturity 2010 Fund:

INTEREST  RATE  RISK:  The  market  value of a bond is  affected  by  changes in
interest  rates.  When interest rates rise, the market value of a bond declines;
when interest rates  decline,  the market value of a bond  increases.  The price
volatility of a bond also depends on its maturity and duration.  Generally,  the
longer the  maturity  and  duration of a bond,  the greater its  sensitivity  to
interest rates.

The market prices of zero coupon securities are generally more volatile than the
market prices of securities paying interest periodically and, accordingly,  will
fluctuate  far more in  response  to  changes  in  interest  rates than those of
non-zero coupon  securities  having similar  maturities and yields. As a result,


                                       44
<PAGE>

the net asset  value of shares of the Fund may  fluctuate  over a greater  range
than  shares  of other  funds  that  invest  in  securities  that  have  similar
maturities and yields but that make current distributions of interest.

YEAR 2000 RISKS:  The values of  securities  owned by the Fund may be negatively
affected  by Year 2000  problems.  Many  computer  systems  are not  designed to
process correctly date-related information after January 1, 2000. The issuers of
securities  held by the Fund  may  incur  substantial  costs  in  ensuring  that
computer  systems on which  they rely are Year 2000 ready and may face  business
and legal problems if these systems are not ready.  If computer  systems used by
exchanges,  broker-dealers,  and  other  market  participants  are not Year 2000
ready,  valuing and trading securities could be difficult.  These problems could
have a negative effect on the Fund's investments and returns.

ALTERNATIVE  STRATEGIES:  At times the Fund may judge that  market,  economic or
political conditions make pursuing the Fund's investment strategies inconsistent
with the best interests of its  shareholders.  The Fund then may temporarily use
alternative strategies that are mainly designed to limit the Fund's losses.


                                       45
<PAGE>

                              UTILITIES INCOME FUND

                                    OVERVIEW

OBJECTIVES:       The Fund primarily  seeks high current income and  secondarily
                  long-term capital appreciation.

PRIMARY
INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES:       The Fund  concentrates  its  investments  in  stocks of public
                  utilities companies ("utilities stocks"). The Fund attempts to
                  diversify across all sectors of the utilities  industry (i.e.,
                  electric, gas, telecommunications and water), but from time to
                  time  it  will  emphasize  one or more  sectors  based  on the
                  outlook for the  various  sectors.  While the Fund  emphasizes
                  investments  in U.S.  companies,  it may  invest  in stocks of
                  foreign utilities companies.

PRIMARY
RISKS:            While  utilities  stocks tend to be regarded as less  volatile
                  than other stocks,  like all stocks they fluctuate in value in
                  response  to  movements  in the  overall  securities  markets,
                  general economic conditions,  and changes in interest rates or
                  investor   sentiment.   Because  the  Fund   concentrates  its
                  investments  in  public  utilities  stocks,  the  value of its
                  shares will be particularly  affected by events that impact on
                  the utilities  industry,  such as changes in public  utilities
                  regulation, changes in weather, and changes in interest rates.
                  Stocks of foreign  utilities  companies carry additional risks
                  including  political  instability,  government  regulation and
                  differences in financial reporting standards. An investment in
                  the Fund could  decline in value even if the market as a whole
                  does well. Accordingly, the value of an investment in the Fund
                  will go up and down, which means that you could lose money.

                  AN  INVESTMENT  IN THE FUND IS NOT A BANK  DEPOSIT  AND IS NOT
                  INSURED  OR  GUARANTEED  BY  THE  FEDERAL  DEPOSIT   INSURANCE
                  CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

                  How has the Utilities Income Fund performed?

The bar chart and table  below  show you how the Fund's  performance  has varied
from year to year and in comparison with a broad-based  index.  This information
gives you some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.

The bar chart shows changes in the  performance  of the Utilities  Income Fund's
shares  from  year to year over the life of the  Fund.  The bar  chart  does not
reflect fees and expenses that may be deducted by the variable  annuity contract
or  variable  life  insurance  policy  through  which you  invest.  If they were
included, the returns would be less than those shown.

                                       46
<PAGE>

[BAR CHART OMITTED]

During the  periods  shown,  the  highest  quarterly  return was 11.73% (for the
quarter ended  December 31, 1997),  and the lowest  quarterly  return was -6.74%
(for the quarter ended March 31,  1994).  THE FUND'S PAST  PERFORMANCE  DOES NOT
NECESSARILY INDICATE HOW THE FUND WILL PERFORM IN THE FUTURE.

The following table shows how the average annual total returns for the Utilities
Income  Fund's  shares  compare to those of the Standard & Poor's 500  Composite
Stock Price Index ("S&P 500 Index") and the Standard and Poor's  Utilities Index
("S&P  Utilities  Index").  The S&P 500 Index is an  unmanaged  index  generally
representative of the market for the stocks of large-sized U.S.  companies.  The
S&P Utilities Index is a capitalization-weighted  index of 37 stocks designed to
measure  the  performance  of the  utilities  sector of the S&P 500  Index.  The
indices do not take into account fees and expenses that an investor  would incur
in holding the  securities in the indices.  If they did so, the returns would be
lower than those shown.

                                                          Inception
                             1 Year*        5 Years*      (11/15/93)

Utilities Income
  Fund                        4.66%         11.63%           11.20%
S&P 500 Index                28.34          24.55            20.45
S&P Utilities Index**        14.36          13.50            11.37
*The annual returns are based upon calendar years.
**This  Index  is used to show  how the  Fund's  performance  compares  with the
returns of an index of stocks in market sectors in which the Fund may invest.


                                       47
<PAGE>

                               THE FUND IN DETAIL

What  are  the  Utilities  Income  Fund's   objectives,   principal   investment
strategies, and risks?

OBJECTIVES:  The Fund  primarily  seeks  high  current  income  and  secondarily
long-term capital appreciation.

PRINCIPAL  INVESTMENT  STRATEGIES:  The Fund  invests  at least 65% of its total
assets in stocks  (including not only common stocks,  but also preferred  stocks
and securities  convertible into common or preferred stocks) of companies in the
utilities  industry.  These are  securities  of  companies  which are  primarily
engaged in owning or  operating  facilities  used to provide  electricity,  gas,
water or telecommunications  (including telephone,  telegraph and satellite, but
not  public  broadcasting  or  cable  television).  While  the  Fund  emphasizes
investments  in U.S.  companies,  it may invest in stocks of  foreign  utilities
companies.  The Fund's investments in foreign utilities  companies are generally
limited to stocks that are dollar-denominated and traded in the U.S.

While the Fund  attempts  to  diversify  across all  utilities  sectors,  it may
emphasize a particular  sector based on that sector's  yield,  price to earnings
ratio,  economic  trends,  and  the  regulatory  environment.  The  Fund  uses a
"top-down" approach to selecting  investments.  This means that it first decides
on how much of its assets to allocate to each sector of the utilities market and
then  identifies  potential  investments  for each  sector  through  fundamental
research and analysis.

In selecting  securities,  the Fund will consider a stock's dividend  potential,
its price to earnings ratio,  the company's  management,  the company's ratio of
international  to  domestic  earnings,  the  company's  future  strategies,  and
external factors such as demographics  and mergers and  acquisitions  prospects.
The  Fund  typically  sells a  security  when  its  issuer  shows  deteriorating
fundamentals,  it falls short of the manager's expectations or there is a change
in economic trends. Information on the Fund's recent strategies and holdings can
be found in the most recent annual report (see back cover).

PRINCIPAL RISKS: Any investment  carries with it some level of risk. In general,
the greater the potential  reward of the investment,  the greater the risk. Here
are the principal risks of investing in the Utilities Income Fund:

MARKET RISK:  Because this Fund invests in stocks, it is subject to stock market
risk.  Stock prices in general may decline over short or even  extended  periods
not only because of company-specific  developments,  but also due to an economic
downturn,  a change  in  interest  rates,  or a change  in  investor  sentiment,
regardless  of the  success or failure of an  individual  company's  operations.
Stock  markets tend to run in cycles with  periods when prices  generally go up,
known as "bull"  markets,  and  periods  when stock  prices  generally  go down,
referred to as "bear" markets.  While utilities stocks have long been thought of
as being less  volatile  than other  stocks,  like all stocks they  fluctuate in
value.  As the  utilities  industry has begun to  deregulate  and earnings  have
become less predictable,  utilities stocks have begun to have price fluctuations
which are more like other stocks.  Stocks of foreign  utilities  companies carry
additional  risks including  political  instability,  government  regulation and
differences in financial reporting standards.

                                       48
<PAGE>

INDUSTRY  CONCENTRATION  RISK:  Because the Fund concentrates its investments in
public utilities companies,  the value of its shares will be especially affected
by  events  that are  peculiar  to or have a  greater  impact  on the  utilities
industry.   Utilities   companies,   especially   electric  and  gas  and  other
energy-related  utilities companies,  have historically been subject to the risk
of increases in fuel and other  operating  costs,  changes in weather  patterns,
changes in interest rates, changes in applicable laws and regulations, and costs
and  operating   constraints   associated  with  compliance  with  environmental
regulations. Utilities stocks therefore may decline in value even if the overall
market is doing well.

SECTOR CONCENTRATION RISK: Because the Fund may concentrate its portfolio in one
sector of the utilities industry, its share value could decline if one sector of
the utilities industry does poorly even if the industry does well as a whole.

DEREGULATION/COMPETITION:   Regulatory   changes  in  the  United   States  have
increasingly  allowed  utilities  companies  to provide  services  and  products
outside their  traditional  geographical  areas and lines of business,  creating
competitors  and new  areas  of  competition.  As a  result,  certain  utilities
companies earn more than their  traditional,  regulated  rates of return,  while
others are forced to defend their core  business from  competition  and are less
profitable.  Some  utilities  companies  may not be able to recover the costs of
facilities built or acquired prior to the date of deregulation. This is known as
the "stranded assets" problem.

INTEREST RATE RISK:  Utilities  stocks tend to be more  interest rate  sensitive
than other stocks. As interest rates increase,  utilities stocks tend to decline
in value.

YEAR 2000 RISKS:  The values of  securities  owned by the Fund may be negatively
affected  by Year 2000  problems.  Many  computer  systems  are not  designed to
process correctly date-related information after January 1, 2000. The issuers of
securities  held by the Fund  may  incur  substantial  costs  in  ensuring  that
computer  systems on which  they rely are Year 2000 ready and may face  business
and legal problems if these systems are not ready.  If computer  systems used by
exchanges,  broker-dealers,  and  other  market  participants  are not Year 2000
ready,  valuing and trading securities could be difficult.  These problems could
have a negative effect on the Fund's investments and returns.

OTHER RISKS:  Changes in weather patterns or regional weather  circumstances may
affect the  ability of the  utilities  industry,  a sector of the  industry,  or
certain utilities companies to meet supply and demand.

ALTERNATIVE  STRATEGIES:  At times the Fund may judge that  market,  economic or
political conditions make pursuing the Fund's investment strategies inconsistent
with the best interests of its  shareholders.  The Fund then may temporarily use
alternative  strategies  that are mainly  designed to limit the Fund's losses by
investing up to 100% of its assets in short-term  money market  instruments.  If
the Fund does so, it may not achieve its investment objective.


                                       49
<PAGE>

                                 FUND MANAGEMENT

First Investors Management Company,  Inc. ("FIMCO") is the investment adviser to
each of the Funds in the Life Series Fund.  Its address is 95 Wall  Street,  New
York, NY 10005. It currently is investment  adviser to 51 mutual funds or series
of funds with  total net assets of  approximately  $5  billion.  Except as noted
below,  FIMCO  supervises  all aspects of each Fund's  operations and determines
each Fund's portfolio transactions. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998,
FIMCO received  advisory fees as follows:  0.75% of average daily net assets for
Blue Chip  Fund;  0.60% of average  daily net  assets,  net of waiver,  for Cash
Management  Fund; 0.75% of average daily net assets for Discovery Fund; 0.60% of
average daily net assets,  net of waiver,  for Government Fund; 0.75% of average
daily net  assets for Growth  Fund;  0.75% of average  daily net assets for High
Yield Fund; 0.75% of average daily net assets for International Securities Fund;
0.60% of average daily net assets,  net of waiver,  for  Investment  Grade Fund;
0.60% of average daily net assets, net of waiver, for Target Maturity 2007 Fund;
0.60% of average daily net assets, net of waiver, for Target Maturity 2010 Fund;
and 0.60% of average daily net assets, net of waiver, for Utilities Income Fund.
The gross  advisory fees (fees before any  applicable  waivers) are set forth in
the Separate Account prospectus which is attached to this prospectus.

Dennis T.  Fitzpatrick  serves as Portfolio  Manager of the Blue Chip Fund.  Mr.
Fitzpatrick  also serves as Portfolio  Manager to certain other First  Investors
Funds. Mr. Fitzpatrick has been a member of FIMCO's  investment  management team
since 1995. During 1995, Mr. Fitzpatrick was a Regional Surety Manager at United
States  Fidelity &  Guaranty  Co.  From 1988 to 1995,  he was  Northeast  Surety
Manager at American International Group.

Clark D. Wagner serves as Portfolio  Manager of Government Fund, Target Maturity
2007 Fund, and Target Maturity 2010 Fund, and Co-Portfolio Manager of Investment
Grade Fund.  Mr. Wagner also serves as Portfolio  Manager of certain other First
Investors  Funds.  Mr. Wagner has been Chief  Investment  Officer of FIMCO since
1992.

Patricia  D.  Poitra,  Director  of  Equities,  and  David A.  Hanover  serve as
Co-Portfolio  Managers of the Discovery  Fund.  Ms. Poitra and Mr.  Hanover also
serve as Portfolio  Managers of certain other First Investors  Funds. Ms. Poitra
joined FIMCO in 1985 as a Senior Equity  Analyst.  From 1997 to August 1998, Mr.
Hanover was a Portfolio  Manager  and Analyst at Heritage  Investors  Management
Corporation. From 1994 to 1996, Mr. Hanover was Co-Portfolio Manager and Analyst
at Psagot Mutual Funds and in 1993 he was an  International  Equity  Investments
Summer Associate at Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

George V. Ganter serves as Portfolio  Manager of the High Yield Fund. Mr. Ganter
also serves as Portfolio  Manager of certain other First  Investors  Funds.  Mr.
Ganter joined FIMCO in 1985 as a Senior Investment Analyst.

Nancy W. Jones serves as Co-Portfolio  Manager of the Investment Grade Fund. Ms.
Jones also serves as Portfolio  Manager of certain other First Investors  Funds.
Ms.  Jones  joined  FIMCO in 1983 as  Director  of  Research  in the High  Yield
Department.

Matthew S. Wright serves as Portfolio  Manager of the Utilities Income Fund. Mr.
Wright also serves as Portfolio  Manager of certain other First Investors Funds.
Mr. Wright joined FIMCO in February 1996 as an Equity Analyst.  From May 1995 to


                                       50
<PAGE>



January 1996,  Mr.  Wright was an Analyst at Fuji Bank.  From June 1994 to April
1995, he was Market Editor of BLOOMBERG MAGAZINE and from September 1991 to June
1994, he was Editor/Reporter for BLOOMBERG BUSINESS NEWS.

FIMCO and Life Series Fund have  retained  Wellington  Management  Company,  LLP
("WMC") as  investment  subadviser  to the  Growth  Fund  and the  International
Securities  Fund.  Subject to continuing  oversight and supervision by FIMCO and
the Board of Directors,  WMC has discretionary trading authority over all of the
assets of the Growth Fund and the International  Securities Fund. WMC is located
at  75  State  Street,  Boston,  MA  02109.  WMC  is a  professional  investment
counseling  firm which  provides  investment  services to investment  companies,
employee benefit plans, endowment funds,  foundations and other institutions and
individuals.  As of December 31, 1998, WMC held investment  management authority
with respect to $211 billion of assets. Of that amount,  WMC acted as investment
adviser or subadviser to  approximately  146  investment  companies or series of
such companies, with net assets of approximately $147 billion as of December 31,
1998.  The Growth Fund is managed by WMC's  Growth  Investment  Team, a group of
equity portfolio managers and senior investment professionals. The International
Securities Fund is managed by Trond Skramstad,  Senior Vice President of WMC and
Chairman of the firm's Global Equity Strategy Group. Mr. Skramstad joined WMC in
1993.

In addition to the investment  risks of the Year 2000 which are disclosed above,
the  ability of FIMCO,  WMC and their  affiliates  to price the  Funds'  shares,
process  purchase and  redemption  orders,  and render other  services  could be
adversely  affected if the computers or other systems on which they rely are not
properly programmed to operate after January 1, 2000. Additionally,  because the
services  provided by FIMCO, WMC and their affiliates  depend on the interaction
of their  computer  systems  with the computer  systems of brokers,  information
services and other parties, any failure on the part of such third party computer
systems  to deal with the Year 2000 may have a negative  effect on the  services
provided to the Funds.  FIMCO,  WMC and their  affiliates  are taking steps that
they  believe  are  reasonably  designed  to address  the Year 2000  problem for
computer  and  other  systems  used by them and are  obtaining  assurances  that
comparable steps are being taken by the Funds' other service providers. However,
there can be no  assurance  that  these  steps will be  sufficient  to avoid any
adverse  impact on the  Funds.  Nor can the  Funds  estimate  the  extent of any
impact.

                            BUYING AND SELLING SHARES

                  How and when do the Funds price their shares?

The share price  (which is called "net asset value" or "NAV" per share) for each
Fund is calculated once each day as of 4 p.m.,  Eastern Time ("ET"), on each day
the New York Stock Exchange  ("NYSE") is open for regular trading.  In the event
that the NYSE closes early, the share price will be determined as of the time of
the closing.

To calculate the NAV, each Fund's assets are valued and totaled, liabilities are
subtracted,  and the  balance,  called net  assets,  is divided by the number of
shares outstanding.

In valuing its assets, each Fund other than Cash Management Fund uses the market
value of securities for which market  quotations or last sale prices are readily
available.  If there are no readily available quotations or last sale prices for


                                       51
<PAGE>

an investment or the available  quotations are considered to be unreliable,  the
securities  will be valued  at their  fair  value as  determined  in good  faith
pursuant to procedures  adopted by the Board of Directors of the Funds. The Cash
Management  Fund values its assets  using the  amortized  cost  method  which is
intended  to permit the Fund to maintain a stable  $1.00 per share.  Because the
International Securities Fund invests in securities that are primarily listed on
foreign  exchanges  that trade on days when the Fund is not open, the NAV of the
Fund's shares may change on days on which you are not able to purchase or redeem
the Fund's shares.

                          How do I buy and sell shares?

Investments in each of the Funds may only be made through  purchases of variable
annuity  contracts or variable life insurance  policies offered by FIL. Purchase
payments for variable annuity  contracts,  less applicable  charges or expenses,
are paid into specified unit investment  trusts,  Separate Account C or Separate
Account D. Variable life insurance policy premiums,  less certain expenses,  are
paid into a unit investment  trust,  Separate  Account B. The Separate  Accounts
pool these proceeds to purchase  shares of a Fund designated by purchases of the
variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies.

For  information  about how to buy or sell the variable  annuity  contracts  and
variable life insurance  policies,  see the Separate Account prospectus which is
attached to this  prospectus.  It will  describe not only the process for buying
and selling contracts and policies but also the fees and charges involved.  This
prospectus is not valid unless a Separate Account prospectus is attached hereto.

                                ACCOUNT POLICIES

              What about dividends and capital gain distributions?

The  Separate  Accounts  which own the shares of the  Funds'  will  receive  all
dividends  and  distributions.  As described in the  attached  Separate  Account
prospectus,   all  dividends  and  distributions  are  then  reinvested  by  the
appropriate Separate Account in additional shares of the Fund.

Except for Cash  Management  Fund,  to the extent that they have net  investment
income,  each Fund will declare and pay, on an annual basis,  dividends from net
investment  income.  To the  extent  that  the  Cash  Management  Fund  has  net
investment  income,  the Fund will declare daily and pay monthly  dividends from
net  investment  income.  Each Fund will declare and distribute any net realized
capital gains,  on an annual basis,  usually after the end of each Fund's fiscal
year. Each Fund may make an additional  distribution in any year if necessary to
avoid a Federal excise tax on certain undistributed income and capital gain.

                                What about taxes?

You will not be  subject to taxes as the  result of  purchases  or sales of Fund
shares by the Separate  Account,  or Fund  dividends,  or  distributions  to the
Separate Accounts.  There are tax consequences  associated with investing in the
variable  annuity  contracts and variable  life  insurance  policies.  These are
discussed on the attached Separate Account prospectus.


                                       52
<PAGE>


                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The financial  highlights table is intended to help you understand the financial
performance of each Fund for the past five years.  Certain information  reflects
financial  results  for a single  Fund  share.  The total  returns in the tables
represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment
in each Fund (assuming  reinvestment  of all dividends and  distributions).  The
information has been audited by Tait, Weller & Baker,  whose report,  along with
the Funds'  financial  statements,  are included in the SAI,  which is available
upon request.


                                       53
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    PER SHARE DATA
                     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                
                               INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS             LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
                               ---------------------------------             -----------------------

                                                       NET
                     NET ASSET                 REALIZED AND          
                         VALUE         NET       UNREALIZED    TOTAL FROM            NET        NET
YEAR ENDED           BEGINNING  INVESTMENT   GAIN (LOSS) ON    INVESTMENT    INVESTMENTS   REALIZED             TOTAL
DECEMBER 31          OF PERIOD      INCOME      INVESTMENTS    OPERATIONS         INCOME      GAINS     DISTRIBUTIONS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BLUE CHIP
- ---------
<S>                    <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>               <C>          <C>           <C>

1994..............     $14.21        $.18          $(.39)       $(.39)            $.08         $.17          $.25
1995..............      13.75         .26           4.11         4.37              .19          .95          1.14
1996..............      16.98         .22           3.31         3.53              .25          .49           .74
1997..............      19.77         .19           4.88         5.07              .22          .91          1.13
1998..............      23.71         .17           4.05         4.22              .19         1.49          1.68

CASH MANAGEMENT
- ---------------
1994..............      $1.00       $.037          $ --         $.037            $.037        $--           $.037
1995..............       1.00        .054            --          .054             .054         --            .054
1996..............       1.00        .049            --          .049             .049         --            .049
1997..............       1.00        .050            --          .050             .050         --            .050
1998..............       1.00        .049            --          .049             .049         --            .049

DISCOVERY
- ---------
1994..............     $21.36        $.06          $(.62)      $(.56)             $ --         $.94          $.94
1995..............      19.86         .11           4.62        4.73               .06         1.26          1.32
1996..............      23.27         .13           2.66        2.79               .11          .89          1.00
1997..............      25.06         .08           3.93        4.01               .14         1.16          1.30
1998..............      27.77         .09            .79         .88               .08         1.83          1.91

(a)  Annualized.
  *  Commencement of operations.
 **  Based on average shares outstanding during the year.
  +  Some or all expenses have been waived or assumed by the investment adviser from commencement of operations
     through December 31, 1998.
 ++  The effect of fees and charges incurred at the separate account level are not reflected in these performance
     figures.

</TABLE>


                                                          54
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          RATIOS / SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                RATIO TO AVERAGE NET
                                          RATIO TO AVERAGE      ASSETS BEFORE EXPENSES
                                             NET ASSETS +          WAIVED OR ASSUMED
                                          ----------------      ----------------------

  NET ASSET                 NET ASSETS                                        
      VALUE       TOTAL         END OF                     NET                       NET     PORTFOLIO
     END OF   RETURN ++         PERIOD              INVESTMENT                INVESTMENT     TURNOVER
     PERIOD         (%)  (IN MILLIONS)  EXPENSES(%) INCOME (%)   EXPENSES(%)   INCOME (%)    RATE (%)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     <S>        <C>                <C>     <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>
     $13.75     (1.45)             $41     .88         1.49          N/A          N/A          82
      16.98     34.00               67     .86         1.91          N/A          N/A          26
      19.77     21.52              100     .84         1.39          N/A          N/A          45
      23.71     26.72              154     .81          .99          N/A          N/A          63
      26.25     18.66              205     .82          .79          N/A          N/A          91


      $1.00      3.77               $4     .60         3.69        1.04          3.25         N/A
       1.00      5.51                4     .60         5.36        1.10          4.87         N/A
       1.00      5.00                4     .60         4.89        1.11          4.38         N/A
       1.00      5.08                5     .70         4.97        1.06          4.61         N/A
       1.00      5.02                7     .70         4.89         .99          4.60         N/A


     $19.86     (2.53)             $30     .88          .36          N/A          N/A          53
      23.27     25.23               51     .87          .63          N/A          N/A          78
      25.06     12.48               71     .85          .63          N/A          N/A          98
      27.77     16.84              100     .82          .34          N/A          N/A          85
      26.74      3.05              114     .83          .36          N/A          N/A         121


</TABLE>

                                                      55
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    PER SHARE DATA
                     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                
                               INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS             LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
                               ---------------------------------             -----------------------

                                                       NET
                     NET ASSET                 REALIZED AND          
                         VALUE         NET       UNREALIZED    TOTAL FROM            NET        NET
YEAR ENDED           BEGINNING  INVESTMENT   GAIN (LOSS) ON    INVESTMENT    INVESTMENTS   REALIZED             TOTAL
DECEMBER 31          OF PERIOD      INCOME      INVESTMENTS    OPERATIONS         INCOME      GAINS     DISTRIBUTIONS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GOVERNMENT
<S>                     <C>         <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>         <C>           <C> 
1994.............       $10.42      $.79          $(1.21)        $(.42)         $.25        $.05          $.30
1995.............         9.70       .66             .78          1.44           .62          --           .62
1996.............        10.52       .68            (.33)          .35           .68          --           .68
1997.............        10.19       .72             .11           .83           .69          --           .69
1998.............        10.33       .66**           .08**         .74**         .66          --           .66

GROWTH
1994.............       $17.45      $.09           $(.60)        $(.51)          $--        $.21          $.21
1995.............        16.73       .18            3.94          4.12           .09         .29           .38
1996.............        20.47       .18            4.68          4.86           .18         .59           .77
1997.............        24.56       .15            6.57          6.72           .18        1.86          2.04
1998.............          .24       .10            7.69          7.79           .15        1.10          1.25

HIGH YIELD
1994.............       $11.16      $.87          $(1.14)        $(.27)         $.31         $--          $.31
1995.............        10.58      1.00             .95          1.95           .96          --           .96
1996.............        11.57      1.02             .35          1.37          1.01          --          1.01
1997.............        11.93       .98             .41          1.39          1.02          --          1.02
1998.............        12.30      1.00            (.62)          .38           .98          --           .98

(a)  Annualized.
  *  Commencement of operations.
 **  Based on average shares outstanding during the year.
  +  Some or all expenses have been waived or assumed by the investment adviser from commencement of
     operations through December 31, 1998.
 ++  The effect of fees and charges incurred at the separate account level are not reflected in these
     performance figures.

</TABLE>

                                                      56
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          RATIOS / SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                RATIO TO AVERAGE NET
                                          RATIO TO AVERAGE      ASSETS BEFORE EXPENSES
                                             NET ASSETS +          WAIVED OR ASSUMED
                                          ----------------      ----------------------

  NET ASSET                 NET ASSETS                                        
      VALUE       TOTAL         END OF                     NET                       NET     PORTFOLIO
     END OF   RETURN ++         PERIOD              INVESTMENT                INVESTMENT     TURNOVER
     PERIOD         (%)  (IN MILLIONS)  EXPENSES(%) INCOME (%)   EXPENSES(%)   INCOME (%)    RATE (%)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      <S>      <C>             <C>        <C>         <C>            <C>         <C>           <C>
      $9.70    (4.10)           $8        .35         6.74           .90         6.19          457
      10.52    15.63            10        .40         6.79           .93         6.26          198
      10.19     3.59             9        .60         6.75           .94         6.41          199
      10.33     8.61             9        .60         6.95           .92         6.63          134
      10.41     7.54            11        .70         6.59           .87         6.42          107


     $16.73    (2.87)          $33        .90          .60           N/A          N/A           40
      20.47    25.12            51        .88         1.11           N/A          N/A           64
      24.56    24.45            79        .85          .92           N/A          N/A           49
      29.24    29.28           128        .82          .64           N/A          N/A           27
      35.78    27.35           187        .82          .34           N/A          N/A           26


     $10.58    (1.56)          $32        .88         9.43           N/A          N/A           50
      11.57    19.82            42        .87         9.86           N/A          N/A           57
      11.93    12.56            49        .85         9.43           N/A          N/A           34
      12.30    12.47            60        .83         8.88           N/A          N/A           40
      11.70     3.15            65        .83         8.93           N/A          N/A           42

</TABLE>

                                                      57
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    PER SHARE DATA
                     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                
                               INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS             LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM
                               ---------------------------------             -----------------------

                                                       NET
                     NET ASSET                 REALIZED AND          
                         VALUE         NET       UNREALIZED    TOTAL FROM            NET        NET
YEAR ENDED           BEGINNING  INVESTMENT   GAIN (LOSS) ON    INVESTMENT    INVESTMENTS   REALIZED             TOTAL
DECEMBER 31          OF PERIOD      INCOME      INVESTMENTS    OPERATIONS         INCOME      GAINS     DISTRIBUTIONS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES
- ------------------------
<S>                     <C>          <C>         <C>             <C>            <C>           <C>           <C> 
1994................    $13.74       $.14        $(.32)          $(.18)         $.05          $ --          $.05
1995................     13.51        .19         2.25            2.44           .12           .25           .37
1996................     15.58        .18         2.12            2.30           .19           .50           .69
1997................     17.19        .18         1.26            1.44           .20          1.52          1.72
1998................     16.91        .12         2.87            2.99           .16           .86          1.02

INVESTMENT GRADE
- ----------------
1994................    $10.95       $.67       $(1.06)          $(.39)         $.16          $.09          $.25
1995................     10.31        .67         1.28            1.95           .53            --           .53
1996................     11.73        .72         (.42)            .30           .67            --           .67
1997................     11.36        .74          .31            1.05           .74            --           .74
1998................     11.67      .68**          .33**          1.01**         .71            --           .71

TARGET MATURITY 2007
- --------------------
4/26/95* to 12/31/95    $10.00      $ .26      $  2.00           $2.26          $--            $--           $--
1996................     12.26        .56         (.83)           (.27)          .23           .05           .28
1997................     11.71        .59          .90            1.49           .57            --           .57
1998................     12.63        .61         1.20            1.81           .61            --           .61

TARGET MATURITY 2010
- --------------------
4/30/96* to 12/31/96    $10.00      $ .26       $  .90           $1.16          $--            $--            --
1997................     11.16        .45         1.29            1.74           .20            --           .20
1998................     12.70        .51         1.25            1.76           .48           .01           .49

UTILITIES INCOME
- ----------------
1994................     $9.94       $.24        $(.96)          $(.72)         $.03           $--          $.03
1995................      9.19        .28         2.46            2.74           .19            --           .19
1996................     11.74        .32          .78            1.10           .27            --           .27
1997................     12.57        .37         2.64            3.01           .36           .27           .63
1998................     14.95        .32         1.46            1.78           .35           .55           .90


(a)  Annualized.
  *  Commencement of operations.
 **  Based on average shares outstanding during the year.
  +  Some or all expenses have been waived or assumed by the investment adviser from commencement of operations
     through December 31, 1998.
 ++  The effect of fees and charges incurred at the separate account level are not reflected in these performance
     figures.

</TABLE>

                                                        58
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          RATIOS / SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                RATIO TO AVERAGE NET
                                          RATIO TO AVERAGE      ASSETS BEFORE EXPENSES
                                             NET ASSETS +          WAIVED OR ASSUMED
                                          ----------------      ----------------------

  NET ASSET                 NET ASSETS                                        
      VALUE       TOTAL         END OF                     NET                       NET     PORTFOLIO
     END OF   RETURN ++         PERIOD              INVESTMENT                INVESTMENT     TURNOVER
     PERIOD         (%)  (IN MILLIONS)  EXPENSES(%) INCOME (%)   EXPENSES(%)   INCOME (%)    RATE (%)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      <S>      <C>             <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>
     $13.51     (1.29)        $31         1.03        1.22        N/A           N/A            36
      15.58     18.70          41         1.02        1.42        N/A           N/A            45
      17.19     15.23          58         1.12        1.25        N/A           N/A            67
      16.91      9.09          74         1.13        1.15        N/A           N/A            71
      18.88     18.18          92         1.15         .75        N/A           N/A           109


     $10.31     (3.53)        $12          .37        6.61        .92           6.06           15
      11.73     19.69          16          .51        6.80        .91           6.40           26
      11.36      2.84          16          .60        6.47        .88           6.19           19
      11.67      9.81          17          .60        6.54        .87           6.27           41
      11.97      9.15          22          .68        5.97        .84           5.81           60


     $12.26     22.60         $10          .04(a)     6.25(a)     .87(a)        5.42(a)        28
      11.71     (2.16)         15          .60        6.05        .82           5.83           13
      12.63     13.38          20          .60        5.91        .82           5.69            1
      13.83     14.97          26          .67        5.18        .83           5.02            1


     $11.16     11.60          $2          .60(a)     6.05(a)     .98(a)        5.67(a)         0
      12.70     15.86           5          .60        5.88        .87           5.61           13
      13.97     14.36           9          .67        4.90        .82           4.75            0


      $9.19     (7.24)         $5          .17        4.13        .95           3.35           31
      11.74     30.26          15          .41        4.23        .91           3.73           17
      12.57      9.57          24          .60        3.48        .86           3.22           45
      14.95     25.07          34          .67        3.12        .85           2.94           64
      15.83     12.58          50          .73        2.61        .85           2.49          105


</TABLE>
                                                      59


<PAGE>

 [FIRST INVESTORS LOGO]

LIFE SERIES FUND
        BLUE CHIP
        CASH MANAGEMENT
        DISCOVERY
        GOVERNMENT
        GROWTH
        HIGH YIELD
        INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES
        INVESTMENT GRADE
        TARGET MATURITY 2007
        TARGET MATURITY 2010
        UTILITIES INCOME


For investors who want more information about the Funds, the following documents
are available free upon request:

ANNUAL/SEMI-ANNUAL REPORTS: Additional information about each Fund's investments
is available in the Funds' annual and semi-annual  reports to  shareholders.  In
the Funds' annual  report,  you will find a discussion of the market  conditions
and investment  strategies that  significantly  affected each Fund's performance
during its last fiscal year.

STATEMENT  OF  ADDITIONAL  INFORMATION  (SAI):  The SAI provides  more  detailed
information  about  the  Funds  and  is  incorporated  by  reference  into  this
prospectus.

You can get free copies of reports and the SAI,  request other  information  and
discuss your questions about the Funds by contacting the Funds at:

Administrative Data Management Corp.
581 Main Street
Woodbridge, NJ 07095-1198
Telephone:  1-800-423-4026

You can  review  and copy  information  about the Funds  (including  the  Funds'
reports and SAI) at the Public  Reference  Room of the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") in Washington, D.C. You can also send your request for copies
and a duplicating fee to the Public  Reference Room of the SEC,  Washington,  DC
20549-6009.  You can obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference
Room by calling  1-800-SEC-0330.  Text-only  versions of Fund  documents  can be
viewed   online   or   downloaded   from   the   SEC's   Internet   website   at
http://www.sec.gov.

                           (Investment   Company   Act  File No. 811-4325 First
                                              First  Investors Life Series Fund)

<PAGE>

                         FIRST INVESTORS LIFE SERIES FUND

95 WALL STREET                                                    (800) 342-7963
NEW YORK, NEW YORK  10005

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                              DATED APRIL 30, 1999

    This is a Statement of Additional  Information  ("SAI") for First  Investors
Life  Series Fund  ("Life  Series  Fund") an  open-end,  diversified  management
investment company consisting of eleven separate investment  portfolios (each, a
"Fund," and  collectively,  the "Funds").  The objective(s) of each Fund are set
forth in the Life Series Fund's  Prospectus.  There can be no assurance that any
Fund will achieve its investment objective(s). Investments in the Funds are made
through  purchases  of  the  Level  Premium  Variable  Life  Insurance  Policies
("Policies") or the Individual Variable Annuity Contracts  ("Contracts") offered
by First  Investors Life Insurance  Company  ("First  Investors  Life").  Policy
premiums,  net of certain expenses, are paid into a unit investment trust, First
Investors  Life Insurance  Company  Separate  Account B ("Separate  Account B").
Purchase  payments for the  Contracts,  net of certain  expenses,  are paid into
either of two unit investment trusts, First Investors Life Variable Annuity Fund
C  ("Separate  Account C") and First  Investors  Life  Variable  Annuity  Fund D
("Separate  Account D").  Separate  Account B,  Separate  Account C and Separate
Account D (the "Separate  Accounts")  pool these proceeds to purchase  shares of
the Funds designated by purchasers of the Policies or Contracts. TARGET MATURITY
2007 FUND and TARGET  MATURITY 2010 FUND are only offered to  Contractowners  of
Separate Account C and Separate Account D.

    This SAI is not a  prospectus.  It  should be read in  connection  with Life
Series  Fund's  Prospectus  dated April 30, 1999,  which may be obtained free of
cost from the Funds at the address or telephone number noted above.

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                -----------------

                                                                Page
                                                                ----

Investment Strategies and Risks................................   2
Investment Policies............................................  11
Portfolio Turnover.............................................  23
Futures and Options Strategies.................................  24
Investment Restrictions........................................  33
Trustees and Officers..........................................  34
Management.....................................................  36
Determination of Net Asset Value...............................  39
Allocation of Portfolio Brokerage..............................  40
Taxes..........................................................  42
Performance Information........................................  45
General Information............................................  49
Appendix A.....................................................  51
Appendix B.....................................................  52
Appendix C.....................................................  53
Appendix D.....................................................  56
Financial Statements...........................................  62



<PAGE>


                         INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

BLUE CHIP FUND

    BLUE CHIP FUND seeks to provide  investors with high total investment return
consistent  with the  preservation  of  capital.  The Fund seeks to achieve  its
objective by  investing,  under normal  market  conditions,  at least 65% of its
total assets in equity securities of "Blue Chip" companies, including common and
preferred  stocks and  securities  convertible  into  common  stock,  that First
Investors  Management  Company,   Inc.  ("FIMCO"  or  "Adviser")  believes  have
potential  earnings growth that is greater than the average company  included in
the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index ("S&P 500"). The Fund also
may invest up to 35% of its total  assets in the equity  securities  of non-Blue
Chip companies that the Adviser believes have  significant  potential for growth
of capital or future income  consistent with the  preservation of capital.  When
market  conditions  warrant,  or when the Adviser  believes it is  necessary  to
achieve the Fund's objective,  the Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets
in fixed income  securities.  It is the Fund's policy to remain relatively fully
invested in equity securities under all market conditions rather than to attempt
to  time  the  market  by  maintaining  large  cash or  fixed-income  securities
positions when market  declines are  anticipated.  The Fund is  appropriate  for
investors who are comfortable with a fully invested stock portfolio.

    The Fund defines Blue Chip companies as those companies that are included in
the S&P 500. Blue Chip companies are considered to be of relatively high quality
and generally exhibit superior fundamental  characteristics,  which may include:
potential for consistent earnings growth, a history of profitability and payment
of dividends,  leadership position in their industries and markets,  proprietary
products or services, experienced management, high return on equity and a strong
balance sheet.  Blue Chip companies  usually  exhibit less  investment  risk and
share price  volatility than smaller,  less established  companies.  Examples of
Blue Chip companies are Microsoft Corp.,  General Electric Co., Pepsico Inc. and
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    The  fixed-income  securities  in which the Fund may  invest  include  money
market instruments (including prime commercial paper, certificates of deposit of
domestic branches of U.S. banks and bankers' acceptances), obligations issued or
guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government,  its agencies or
instrumentalities  ("U.S. Government  Obligations")  (including  mortgage-backed
securities)  and  corporate  debt  securities.  However,  no more than 5% of the
Fund's net assets may be invested in corporate debt  securities  rated below Baa
by Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc.  ("Moody's")  or BBB by  Standard & Poor's
Ratings  Group  ("S&P").  The Fund may borrow  money for  temporary or emergency
purposes  in amounts not  exceeding  5% of its total  assets.  The Fund may also
invest up to 10% of its total assets in American  Depository  Receipts ("ADRs"),
enter into  repurchase  agreements and make loans of portfolio  securities.  See
"Investment Policies" for additional information concerning these securities.

CASH MANAGEMENT FUND

    CASH MANAGEMENT FUND seeks to earn a high rate of current income  consistent
with  the  preservation  of  capital  and  maintenance  of  liquidity.  The Fund
generally  can invest  only in  securities  that  mature or are deemed to mature
within 397 days from the date of  purchase.  In addition,  the Fund  maintains a
dollar-weighted  average portfolio  maturity of 90 days or less. In managing the
Fund's investment  portfolio,  the Adviser may employ various professional money
management  techniques in order to respond to changing economic and money market
conditions and to shifts in fiscal and monetary policy. These techniques include
varying  the  composition  and  the  average-weighted  maturity  of  the  Fund's
portfolio based upon the Adviser's  assessment of the relative values of various
money market instruments and future interest rate patterns. The Adviser also may


                                       2
<PAGE>

seek to improve the Fund's yield by  purchasing  or selling  securities  to take
advantage of yield  disparities  among money market  instruments  that regularly
occur in the money market.

    The Fund invests primarily in (1) high quality marketable  securities issued
or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government,  its agencies
or  instrumentalities,  (2) bank certificates of deposit,  bankers' acceptances,
time  deposits and other  short-term  obligations  issued by banks and (3) prime
commercial paper and high quality, U.S. dollar-denominated  short-term corporate
bonds and notes.  The U.S.  Government  securities  in which the Fund may invest
include a variety of U.S.  Treasury  securities  that  differ in their  interest
rates,  maturities  and  dates of issue.  Securities  issued  or  guaranteed  by
agencies or  instrumentalities  of the U.S.  Government  may be supported by the
full  faith and  credit of the  United  States or by the right of the  issuer to
borrow from the U.S.  Treasury.  See the SAI for additional  information on U.S.
Government  securities.  The Fund may invest in domestic  bank  certificates  of
deposit  (insured up to $100,000) and bankers'  acceptances (not insured) issued
by  domestic  banks and  savings  institutions  which are insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") and that have total assets exceeding $500
million.  The Fund also may invest in  certificates  of deposit issued by London
branches of domestic or foreign banks ("Eurodollar CDs"). The Fund may invest in
time deposits and other  short-term  obligations,  including  uninsured,  direct
obligations  bearing  fixed,  floating or  variable  interest  rates,  issued by
domestic  banks,  foreign  branches of domestic banks,  foreign  subsidiaries of
domestic banks and domestic and foreign branches of foreign banks. The Fund also
may invest in repurchase  agreements  with banks that are members of the Federal
Reserve System or securities  dealers that are members of a national  securities
exchange  or are market  makers in U.S.  Government  securities,  and, in either
case,  only where the debt instrument  subject to the repurchase  agreement is a
U.S. Treasury or agency  obligation.  Repurchase  agreements  maturing in over 7
days are deemed illiquid securities,  and can constitute no more than 10% of the
Fund's net assets.

    The Fund also may purchase high quality, U.S. dollar denominated  short-term
bonds and notes,  including  variable  rate and master  demand  notes  issued by
domestic  and foreign  corporations  (including  banks).  The Fund may invest in
floating and variable  rate demand notes and bonds that permit the Fund,  as the
holder,  to demand  payment of principal at any time, or at specified  intervals
not exceeding  397 days,  in each case upon not more than 30 days'  notice.  The
Fund may borrow  money for  temporary  or  emergency  purposes  in  amounts  not
exceeding 5% of its total assets. When market conditions  warrant,  the Fund may
purchase short-term,  high quality fixed and variable rate instruments issued by
state and  municipal  governments  and by public  authorities.  See  "Investment
Policies" for additional information concerning these securities.

    The Fund may  purchase  only  obligations  that (1) the  Adviser  determines
present  minimal  credit  risks based on  procedures  adopted by the Life Series
Fund's Board of Trustees (the  "Board"),  and (2) are either (a) rated in one of
the top two  rating  categories  by any two  nationally  recognized  statistical
rating organizations  ("NRSROs") (or one, if only one rated the security) or (b)
unrated  securities  that the  Adviser  determines  are of  comparable  quality.
Securities qualify as being in the top rating category ("First Tier Securities")
if at least two NRSROs (or one,  if only one rated the  security)  have given it
the highest rating,  or unrated  securities  that the Adviser  determines are of
comparable  quality.  The Fund's  purchases of  commercial  paper are limited to
First Tier Securities.  The Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets
in  securities  rated  in the  second  highest  rating  category  ("Second  Tier
Securities").  Investments  in Second  Tier  Securities  of any one  issuer  are
limited to the greater of 1% of the Fund's total assets or $1 million.  The Fund
generally may invest no more than 5% of its total assets in the  securities of a
single issuer (other than securities issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies
or instrumentalities).

    In periods of  declining  interest  rates,  the Fund's yield will tend to be
somewhat higher than prevailing  market rates, and in periods of rising interest
rates the opposite will be true. Also, when interest rates are falling, net cash


                                       3
<PAGE>

inflows from the continuous sale of the Fund's shares likely will be invested in
portfolio  instruments  producing  lower  yields  than the balance of the Fund's
portfolio,  thereby  reducing the Fund's  yield.  In periods of rising  interest
rates, the opposite may be true.

DISCOVERY FUND

    DISCOVERY  FUND seeks  long-term  capital  appreciation,  without  regard to
dividend  or  interest  income.  The Fund  seeks to  achieve  its  objective  by
investing, under normal market conditions, in the common stock of companies with
small  to  medium  market  capitalization  that  the  Adviser  considers  to  be
undervalued or less well known in the current  marketplace and to have potential
for capital growth.

    The Fund seeks to invest in the common stock of  companies  that the Adviser
believes  are  undervalued  in the current  market in  relation  to  fundamental
economic values such as earnings, sales, cash flow and tangible book value; that
are early in their  corporate  development  (I.E.,  before  they  become  widely
recognized  and well known and while  their  reputations  and track  records are
still  emerging);  or that offer the possibility of greater  earnings because of
revitalized management,  new products or structural changes in the economy. Such
companies primarily are those with small to medium market capitalization,  which
the Fund considers to be market  capitalization of less than 90% of the weighted
market  capitalization  of the S&P 600 Smallcap Index  (currently $1.5 billion).
The  Adviser  believes  that,  over time,  these  securities  are more likely to
appreciate in price than  securities  whose market  prices have already  reached
their perceived  economic value. In addition,  the Fund intends to diversify its
holdings   among  as  many   companies  and  industries  as  the  Adviser  deems
appropriate.

    Companies that are early in their corporate  development may be dependent on
relatively few products or services,  may lack adequate capital reserves, may be
dependent  on one or two  management  individuals  and may have  less of a track
record or  historical  pattern of  performance.  In addition,  there may be less
information  available  as to the issuers and their  securities  may not be well
known to the general public and may not yet have wide  institutional  ownership.
Securities  of these  companies  may have more  potential  for  growth  but also
greater risk than that normally  associated  with larger,  older or better-known
companies.

    Investments   in  securities  of  companies  with  small  to  medium  market
capitalization  are  generally  considered  to  offer  greater  opportunity  for
appreciation  and to involve  greater risk of  depreciation  than  securities of
companies with larger market capitalization. These include the equity securities
of companies which represent new or changing  industries and those which, in the
opinion of the Adviser, represent special situations, the potential future value
of which has not been fully  recognized.  Growth  securities  of companies  with
small to medium market  capitalization  which represent a special situation bear
the risk that the special  situation  will not develop as favorably as expected,
or  the  situation  may  deteriorate.  For  example,  a  merger  with  favorable
implications may be blocked, an industrial development may not enjoy anticipated
market acceptance or a bankruptcy may not be as profitably  resolved as had been
expected.  Because the  securities of most companies with small to medium market
capitalization  are not as  broadly  traded as those of  companies  with  larger
market  capitalization,  these  securities  are often  subject to wider and more
abrupt  fluctuations  in market price.  In the past,  there have been  prolonged
periods when these securities have substantially  underperformed or outperformed
the  securities  of  larger  capitalization  companies.  In  addition,   smaller
capitalization  companies  generally  have fewer assets  available to cushion an
unforeseen   adverse   occurrence  and  thus  such  an  occurrence  may  have  a
disproportionately negative impact on these companies.

    The majority of the Fund's  investments are expected to be securities listed
on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") or other national securities  exchanges,
or securities that have an established over-the-counter ("OTC") market, although
the depth and  liquidity  of the OTC  market may vary from time to time and from
security to security.

                                       4
<PAGE>

    The Fund may invest up to 15% of its total assets in common stocks issued by
foreign  companies  which  are  traded  on  a  recognized  domestic  or  foreign
securities  exchange.  In addition to the fundamental  analysis of companies and
their industries which it performs for U.S.  issuers,  the Adviser evaluates the
economic  and  political  climate of the country in which the company is located
and the  principal  securities  markets in which  such  securities  are  traded.
Although the foreign stocks in which the Fund invests are primarily  denominated
in foreign  currencies,  the Fund also may invest in ADRs.  The Adviser does not
attempt to time actively either short-term market trends or short-term  currency
trends in any market. See "Foreign Securities" and "American Depository Receipts
and Global Depository Receipts."

    The Fund may borrow money for temporary or emergency purposes in amounts not
exceeding  5% of its  total  assets.  The Fund also may  enter  into  repurchase
agreements  and make loans of  portfolio  securities.  For  temporary  defensive
purposes, the Fund may invest all of its assets in U.S. Government  Obligations,
prime commercial paper,  certificates of deposit and bankers'  acceptances.  See
"Investment Policies" for more information regarding these securities.

GOVERNMENT FUND

    GOVERNMENT FUND seeks to achieve a significant level of current income which
is  consistent  with  security and  liquidity of principal by  investing,  under
normal  market  conditions,  at  least  65% of its  assets  in  U.S.  Government
Obligations (including mortgage-backed securities). The Fund has no fixed policy
with  respect to the  duration  of U.S.  Government  Obligations  it  purchases.
Securities  issued or  guaranteed  as to principal  and interest (but not market
value) by the U.S.  Government include a variety of Treasury  securities,  which
differ only in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance.  Although
the payment of interest and principal on a portfolio  security may be guaranteed
by the U.S.  Government or one of its agencies or  instrumentalities,  shares of
the Fund are not insured or guaranteed  by the U.S.  Government or any agency or
instrumentality.  The net  asset  value of  shares  of the Fund  generally  will
fluctuate in response to interest rate levels.  When interest rates rise, prices
of fixed income  securities  generally  decline;  when interest  rates  decline,
prices  of  fixed  income  securities  generally  rise.  See  "U.S.   Government
Obligations" and "Debt Securities."

    The Fund may  invest in  mortgage-backed  securities,  including  Government
National Mortgage Association ("GNMA")  certificates,  Federal National Mortgage
Association  ("FNMA")  certificates  and Federal Home Loan Mortgage  Corporation
("FHLMC")  certificates.  The Fund  also may  invest  in  securities  issued  or
guaranteed by other U.S.  Government agencies or  instrumentalities,  including:
the Federal Farm Credit System (which may not borrow from the U.S.  Treasury and
the securities of which are not guaranteed by the U.S. Government);  the Federal
Home Loan Bank (which may borrow from the U.S.  Treasury to meet its obligations
but the  securities  of which are not  guaranteed by the U.S.  Government);  the
Tennessee Valley Authority and the U.S. Postal Service (each of which may borrow
from  the  U.S.  Treasury  to  meet  it  obligations);   and  the  Farmers  Home
Administration and the Export-Import Bank (the securities of which are backed by
the full  faith  and  credit  of the  United  States).  The Fund may  invest  in
collateralized  mortgage  obligations  ("CMOs")  and  stripped   mortgage-backed
securities  issued  or  guaranteed  by  the  U.S.   Government,   its  agencies,
authorities or instrumentalities. See "Mortgage-Backed Securities."

    The Fund may  invest up to 35% of its assets in  securities  other than U.S.
Government Obligations and mortgage-backed securities.  These may include: prime
commercial  paper,  certificates of deposit of domestic  branches of U.S. banks,
bankers'  acceptances,  repurchase  agreements  (applicable  to U.S.  Government
Obligations),  insured  certificates  of deposit and  certificates  representing
accrual on U.S. Treasury  securities.  The Fund also may make loans of portfolio
securities and invest in zero coupon  securities.  The Fund may borrow money for
temporary or emergency  purposes in amounts not exceeding 5% of its total assets


                                       5
<PAGE>

and may invest up to 35% of its net assets in securities  issued on  when-issued
or delayed delivery basis. See "Investment Policies" for a further discussion of
these securities.

    For temporary defensive  purposes,  the Fund may invest all of its assets in
cash, cash equivalents and money market instruments, including bank certificates
of  deposit,  bankers'  acceptances  and  commercial  paper  issued by  domestic
corporations, short-term fixed income securities or U.S. Government Obligations.

GROWTH FUND

    The investment  objective of GROWTH FUND is long-term capital  appreciation.
Current  income  through the receipt of interest or dividends  from  investments
will merely be incidental to the Fund's  efforts in pursuing its goal. It is the
policy of the Fund to invest,  under  normal  market  conditions,  primarily  in
common stocks and it is  anticipated  that the Fund will usually be so invested.
It also may invest to a limited degree in  convertible  securities and preferred
stocks.  At  least  75% of the  value  of the  Fund's  total  assets  (excluding
securities  held for  defensive  purposes)  shall be invested in  securities  of
companies  in  industries  in  which  the  Adviser,  or  the  Fund's  investment
subadviser, Wellington Management Company, LLP ("Subadviser" or "WMC"), believes
opportunities  for capital growth exist. The Fund does not intend to concentrate
its  investments  in a particular  industry,  but it may invest up to 25% of the
value of its assets in a  particular  industry.  The Fund may invest up to 5% of
its  total  assets  in  common  stocks  issued  by  foreign  companies  that are
denominated  in U.S.  currency;  provided,  however,  that the  Fund may  invest
without limit in U.S. dollar denominated  foreign securities listed on the NYSE.
The Fund may  also  invest  in ADRs and  Global  Depository  Receipts  ("GDRs"),
purchase securities on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis and make loans of
portfolio  securities.  The Fund may borrow  money for  temporary  or  emergency
purposes in amounts not exceeding 5% of its total assets and may invest up to 5%
of its net assets in  securities  issued on a  when-issued  or delayed  delivery
basis. For temporary defensive  purposes,  the Fund may invest all of its assets
in U.S. Government Obligations,  investment grade bonds, prime commercial paper,
certificates  of  deposit,  bankers'  acceptances,   repurchase  agreements  and
participation interests.

HIGH YIELD FUND

    HIGH YIELD FUND primarily  seeks high current income and  secondarily  seeks
growth of capital. The Fund actively seeks to achieve its secondary objective to
the extent consistent with its primary objective.  The Fund seeks to achieve its
objectives by investing,  under normal  market  conditions,  at least 65% of its
total assets in high risk, high yield securities,  commonly referred to as "junk
bonds" ("High Yield  Securities").  High Yield Securities  include the following
instruments: fixed, variable or floating rate debt obligations (including bonds,
debentures  and notes) which are rated below Baa by Moody's or below BBB by S&P,
or, if unrated, are deemed to be of comparable quality by the Adviser; preferred
stocks and dividend-paying common stocks that have yields comparable to those of
high yielding debt securities; any of the foregoing securities of companies that
are financially  troubled, in default or undergoing bankruptcy or reorganization
("Deep Discount  Securities");  and any securities  convertible  into any of the
foregoing. See "High Yield Securities" and "Deep Discount Securities."

    The Fund may invest in debt  securities  issued by foreign  governments  and
companies  and  in  foreign  currencies  for  the  purpose  of  purchasing  such
securities. However, the Fund may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in
debt securities issued by foreign governments and companies that are denominated
in foreign  currencies.  The Fund may borrow  money for  temporary  or emergency
purposes  in  amounts  not  exceeding  5% of its  total  assets,  make  loans of
portfolio securities, enter into repurchase agreements and invest in zero coupon
and pay-in-kind securities.  The Fund may also invest up to 5% of its net assets
in securities issued on a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. See "Investment
Policies" for more information concerning these securities.

                                       6
<PAGE>

    The Fund may invest up to 35% of its total assets in  securities  other than
High Yield  Securities  including:  dividend-paying  common  stocks;  securities
convertible  into, or exchangeable  for, common stock;  debt  obligations of all
types  (including  bonds,  debentures and notes) rated A or better by Moody's or
S&P;  U.S.  Government  Obligations;  warrants;  and  money  market  instruments
consisting  of prime  commercial  paper,  certificates  of deposit  of  domestic
branches of U.S.  banks,  bankers'  acceptances and repurchase  agreements.  The
Adviser  continually  monitors  the  investments  in the  Fund's  portfolio  and
carefully  calculates on a case-by-case  basis whether to dispose of or retain a
debt obligation that has been downgraded.

    In any  period  of  market  weakness  or of  uncertain  market  or  economic
conditions,  the Fund may establish a temporary  defensive  position to preserve
capital by having all or part of its assets  invested in  investment  grade debt
securities or retained in cash or cash equivalents,  including bank certificates
of deposit,  bankers'  acceptances,  U.S. Government  Obligations and commercial
paper issued by domestic corporations.

    The medium- to lower-rated,  and certain of the unrated  securities in which
the Fund invests tend to offer higher yields than  higher-rated  securities with
the same maturities because the historical financial condition of the issuers of
such securities may not be as strong as that of other issuers.  Debt obligations
rated lower than Baa or BBB by Moody's or S&P, respectively, are speculative and
generally  involve more risk of loss of principal  and income than  higher-rated
securities.  Also,  their yields and market  value tend to  fluctuate  more than
higher quality securities. The greater risks and fluctuations in yield and value
occur because  investors  generally  perceive issuers of lower-rated and unrated
securities to be less creditworthy. These risks cannot be eliminated, but may be
reduced by diversifying  holdings to minimize the portfolio impact of any single
investment.  In addition,  fluctuations in market value does not affect the cash
income from the  securities,  but are  reflected  in the Fund's net asset value.
When  interest  rates rise,  the net asset value of the Fund tends to  decrease.
When interest rates decline, the net asset value of the Fund tends to increase.

    Variable  or  floating  rate debt  obligations  in which the Fund may invest
periodically   adjust  their  interest  rates  to  reflect   changing   economic
conditions.  Thus,  changing economic  conditions  specified by the terms of the
security  would serve to change the interest rate and the return  offered to the
investor.  This  reduces  the  effect  of  changing  market  conditions  on  the
security's underlying market value.

    A High Yield Security may itself be  convertible  into or  exchangeable  for
equity  securities,  or may carry with it the right to acquire equity securities
evidenced  by warrants  attached  to the  security or acquired as part of a unit
with the security. Although the Fund invests primarily in High Yield Securities,
securities  received  upon  conversion  or exercise of warrants  and  securities
remaining  upon the break-up of units or  detachment of warrants may be retained
to permit  orderly  disposition,  to  establish a long-term  holding  period for
Federal income tax purposes or to seek capital appreciation.

    Because of the  greater  number of  investment  considerations  involved  in
investing in High Yield  Securities,  the  achievement of the Fund's  investment
objectives  depends more on the Adviser's  research  abilities than would be the
case if the Fund were  investing  primarily  in  securities  in the higher rated
categories.  Because medium- to lower-rated securities generally involve greater
risks of loss of income and principal than  higher-rated  securities,  investors
should  consider  carefully the relative risks  associated  with  investments in
securities  that carry medium to lower  ratings or, if unrated,  deemed to be of
comparable  quality by the Adviser.  See "High Yield  Securities" and Appendix C
for a description of corporate bond ratings.

                                       7
<PAGE>


INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES FUND

    INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES Fund primarily seeks long-term  capital growth and
secondarily  seeks to earn a reasonable  level of current  income.  The Fund may
invest  in  all  types  of  securities   issued  by  companies  and   government
instrumentalities  of any nation approved by the Board, subject only to industry
concentration and issuer diversification restrictions described below and in the
SAI. This investment  flexibility  permits the Fund to react to rapidly changing
economic  conditions among countries which cause the relative  attractiveness of
investments within national markets to be subject to frequent reappraisal. It is
a fundamental  policy of the Fund that no more than 35% of its total assets will
be  invested  in  securities  issued  by  U.S.  companies  and  U.S.  Government
Obligations  or cash and  cash  equivalents  denominated  in U.S.  currency.  In
addition,  the Fund  presently  does not  intend to invest  more than 35% of its
total  assets in any one  particular  country.  Further,  except  for  temporary
defensive purposes, the Fund's assets will be invested in securities of at least
three different  countries outside the United States. See "Foreign  Securities".
For defensive purposes,  the Fund may temporarily invest in securities issued by
U.S. companies and the U.S.  Government and its agencies and  instrumentalities,
or cash  equivalents  denominated  in U.S.  currency,  without  limitation as to
amount.

    The Fund may purchase  securities traded on any foreign stock exchange.  The
Fund may also purchase  ADRs and GDRs.  See  "American  Depository  Receipts and
Global  Depository  Receipts."  The Fund also may  invest up to 25% of its total
assets in unlisted  securities of foreign issuers;  provided,  however,  that no
more  than 15% of the  value  of its net  assets  may be  invested  in  unlisted
securities  with a limited  trading market and other illiquid  investments.  The
investment  standards for the selection of unlisted  securities  are the same as
those used in the purchase of securities  traded on a stock  exchange.  The Fund
may also purchase stock index futures  contracts and options thereon to maintain
a desired percentage of the Fund invested in stocks in the event of a large cash
flow into the Fund, or to generate additional income from cash held by the Fund.
Stock  index  futures and  options  thereon  may also be used to adjust  country
exposure.  When the Fund  purchases  a stock index  futures  contract on foreign
stocks,  a corresponding  foreign  currency  forward or foreign currency futures
contract is executed to provide the same  currency  exposure  that would  result
from  directly  owning the  underlying  foreign  stocks.  Failure to obtain such
currency  exposure would  constitute a hedge back into U.S. dollars with respect
to such index futures positions. The value of the Fund's futures positions shall
not exceed 5% of the total assets in the Fund's portfolio.

    The Fund  may  invest  in  warrants,  which  may or may not be  listed  on a
recognized U. S. or foreign  exchange.  The Fund also may enter into  repurchase
agreements,  invest  up to 5% of  its  net  assets  in  securities  issued  on a
when-issued or delayed  delivery  basis and make loans of portfolio  securities.
The Fund also may borrow money for  temporary  or emergency  purposes in amounts
not  exceeding  5% of its total  assets.  In  addition,  the Fund can  engage in
hedging and options strategies.

INVESTMENT GRADE FUND

    INVESTMENT GRADE FUND seeks to generate a maximum level of income consistent
with investment in investment grade debt  securities.  The Fund seeks to achieve
its objective by investing,  under normal market conditions, at least 65% of its
total  assets  in debt  securities  of U.S.  issuers  that are rated in the four
highest rated  categories by Moody's or S&P, or in unrated  securities  that are
deemed  to  be  of  comparable   quality  by  the  Adviser   ("investment  grade
securities").  The  Fund  may  invest  up to 35% of its  total  assets  in  U.S.
Government Obligations (including  mortgage-backed  securities)  dividend-paying
common  and  preferred  stocks,  obligations  convertible  into  common  stocks,
repurchase  agreements,  debt securities  rated below investment grade and money
market instruments.  The Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in corporate


                                       8
<PAGE>

or  government  debt  securities  of  foreign  issuers  which  are  U.S.  dollar
denominated  and  traded in U.S.  markets.  The Fund may also  borrow  money for
temporary or emergency purposes in amounts not exceeding 5% of its total assets.
The Fund  may  invest  up to 5% of its net  assets  in  securities  issued  on a
when-issued or delayed  delivery basis,  make loans of portfolio  securities and
invest in zero coupon or pay-in-kind  securities.  See "Investment Policies" for
additional  information  concerning these  securities.  For temporary  defensive
purposes,  the Fund may invest all of its  assets in money  market  instruments,
short-term fixed income securities or U.S. Government Obligations.

    The published  reports of rating  services are  considered by the Adviser in
selecting rated  securities for the Fund's  portfolio.  The Adviser also relies,
among other things,  on its own credit  analysis,  which includes a study of the
existing debt's capital  structure,  the issuer's ability to service debt (or to
pay dividends,  if investing in common or preferred stock) and the current trend
of earnings  for the issuer.  Although up to 100% of the Fund's total assets can
be invested in debt securities  rated at least Baa by Moody's or at least BBB by
S&P,  or  unrated  debt  securities  deemed to be of  comparable  quality by the
Adviser,  no more than 5% of the  Fund's  net  assets  may be  invested  in debt
securities  rated lower than Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P (including  securities
that have been downgraded) or, if unrated, deemed to be of comparable quality by
the Adviser, or in any equity securities of any issuer if a majority of the debt
securities  of such  issuer  are rated  lower than Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P.
Securities rated BBB or Baa by S&P or Moody's,  respectively,  are considered to
be  speculative  with  respect to the  issuer's  ability to make  principal  and
interest  payments.  The Adviser  continually  monitors the  investments  in the
Fund's  portfolio and  carefully  evaluates on a  case-by-case  basis whether to
dispose of or retain a debt security which has been downgraded to a rating lower
than investment grade. See "Debt Securities" and Appendix C for a description of
corporate bond ratings.

TARGET MATURITY 2007 FUND
TARGET MATURITY 2010 FUND

    TARGET  MATURITY  2007  FUND  seeks  to  provide  a  predictable  compounded
investment  return for  investors  who hold their Fund  shares  until the Fund's
maturity, consistent with preservation of capital.

    TARGET  MATURITY  2010  FUND  seeks  to  provide  a  predictable  compounded
investment  return for  investors  who hold their Fund  shares  until the Fund's
maturity, consistent with the preservation of capital.

    Each Fund seeks its objective by investing,  under normal market conditions,
at least 65% of its total assets in zero coupon  securities that are issued,  or
created by third parties using securities issued, by the U.S. Government and its
agencies and instrumentalities. With respect to TARGET MATURITY 2007 FUND, these
investments  will mature no later than  December  31, 2007 and,  with respect to
TARGET MATURITY 2010 FUND, these  investments will mature no later than December
31, 2010 (such  dates being  herein  collectively  referred to as the  "Maturity
Date").  On its Maturity Date, a Fund's assets will be converted to cash and the
cash will be distributed or reinvested in another Fund at the investor's choice.

    Each Fund seeks to provide  investors  with a positive  total  return at the
Maturity Date which,  together with the  reinvestment of all dividends and other
distributions,  exceeds  their  original  investment  in a Fund by a  relatively
predictable  amount.  While the risk of fluctuation in the values of zero coupon
securities is greater when the period to maturity is longer,  that risk tends to
diminish as the Maturity Date approaches. Although an investor can redeem shares
at the current net asset value at any time,  any investor who redeems his or her
shares  prior to the Maturity  Date is likely to achieve a different  investment
result than the return that was predicted on the date the  investment  was made,
and may even suffer a significant loss.

    Zero coupon  securities are debt  obligations that do not entitle the holder
to any periodic  payment of interest  prior to maturity or a specified date when
the securities  begin paying current  interest.  They are issued and traded at a


                                       9
<PAGE>

discount from their face amount or par value.  This discount varies depending on
the time remaining until maturity,  prevailing interest rates,  liquidity of the
security and the perceived credit quality of the issuer.  When held to maturity,
the entire return of a zero coupon security,  which consists of the accretion of
the discount, comes from the difference between its issue price and its maturity
value.  This difference is known at the time of purchase,  so investors  holding
zero coupon securities until maturity know the amount of their investment return
at the time of their investment. The market values are subject to greater market
fluctuations  from changing  interest rates prior to maturity than the values of
debt  obligations of comparable  maturities  that bear interest  currently.  See
"Zero Coupon Securities-Risk Factors."

    A portion of the total  realized  return from  conventional  interest-paying
bonds comes from the  reinvestment  of periodic  interest.  Since the rate to be
earned on these reinvestments may be higher or lower than the rate quoted on the
interest-paying bonds at the time of the original purchase,  the total return of
interest-paying  bonds is uncertain  even for investors  holding the security to
its maturity.  This uncertainty is commonly referred to as reinvestment risk and
can have a significant  impact on total realized  investment  return.  With zero
coupon  securities,  however,  there are no cash  distributions to reinvest,  so
investors bear no reinvestment  risk if they hold the zero coupon  securities to
maturity.

    Each Fund primarily will purchase three types of zero coupon securities: (1)
U.S.  Treasury  STRIPS  (Separately  Traded  Registered  Interest and  Principal
Securities),  which are  created  when the  coupon  payments  and the  principal
payment  are  stripped  from an  outstanding  Treasury  security  by the Federal
Reserve Bank. Bonds issued by the Resolution Funding  Corporation  (REFCORP) can
also be stripped in this  fashion.  (2) STRIPS  which are created  when a dealer
deposits a Treasury  security or a Federal agency  security with a custodian for
safekeeping and then sells the coupon  payments and principal  payment that will
be generated by this security.  Bonds issued by the Financing Corporation (FICO)
can be stripped in this fashion.  (3) Zero coupon securities of a federal agency
and  instrumentality  either issued  directly by an agency in the form of a zero
coupon bond or created by stripping an outstanding security issued thereby.

    Each  Fund  may  invest  up to 35%  of its  total  assets  in the  following
instruments: interest- bearing obligations issued by the U.S. Government and its
agencies and instrumentalities (see "U.S. Government  Obligations"),  including,
for Target Maturity 2007 Fund, zero coupon securities maturing beyond 2007, and,
for Target  Maturity 2010 Fund,  zero coupon  securities  maturing  beyond 2010;
corporate  debt  securities,   including   corporate  zero  coupon   securities;
repurchase  agreements;   and  money  market  instruments  consisting  of  prime
commercial paper, certificates of deposit of domestic branches of U.S. banks and
bankers'  acceptances.  Each Fund may only invest in debt securities  rated A or
better by  Moody's  or S&P or in  unrated  securities  that are  deemed to be of
comparable quality by the Adviser. Debt obligations rated A or better by Moody's
or S&P comprise what are known as high-grade  bonds and are regarded as having a
strong  capacity to repay principal and make interest  payments.  See Appendix A
for a  description  of  corporate  bond  ratings.  Each Fund may also  invest in
restricted  and  illiquid  securities,  make loans of portfolio  securities  and
invest up to 5% of its net  assets in  securities  issued  on a  when-issued  or
delayed delivery basis. See "Investment Policies" for more information regarding
these types of investments.

UTILITIES INCOME FUND

    The primary  investment  objective of UTILITIES  INCOME FUND is to seek high
current income.  Long-term capital  appreciation is a secondary  objective.  The
Fund seeks its objectives by investing, under normal market conditions, at least
65% of its total  assets  in  equity  and debt  securities  issued by  companies
primarily engaged in the public utilities  industry.  Equity securities in which
the  Fund  may  invest  include  common  stocks,  preferred  stocks,  securities
convertible  into common  stocks or preferred  stocks,  and warrants to purchase
common or preferred stocks. Debt securities in which the Fund may invest will be
rated at the time of  investment  at least A by Moody's  or S&P or, if  unrated,
will be deemed to be of comparable  quality as  determined by the Adviser.  Debt


                                       10
<PAGE>

securities  rated A or higher by Moody's or S&P or, if unrated,  deemed to be of
comparable  quality by the Adviser,  are regarded as having a strong capacity to
pay principal and  interest.  The Fund's policy is to attempt to sell,  within a
reasonable  time  period,  a debt  security  in its  portfolio  which  has  been
downgraded  below A, provided that such  disposition is in the best interests of
the Fund and its  shareholders.  See Appendix A for a  description  of corporate
bond ratings. The portion of the Fund's assets invested in equity securities and
in debt  securities will vary from time to time due to changes in interest rates
and economic and other factors.

    The  utilities  companies  in  which  the  Fund  invests  include  companies
primarily  engaged in the ownership or operation of  facilities  used to provide
electricity,  gas, water or telecommunications  (including telephone,  telegraph
and  satellite,  but not  companies  engaged  in  public  broadcasting  or cable
television).  For these purposes,  "primarily  engaged" means that (1) more than
50% of the company's  assets are devoted to the ownership or operation of one or
more  facilities  as  described  above,  or (2) more  than 50% of the  company's
operating  revenues are derived from the business or  combination  of any of the
businesses  described  above. It should be noted that based on this  definition,
the Fund may invest in companies which are also involved to a significant degree
in non-public utilities activities.

    Utilities  stocks  generally  offer  dividend  yields that  exceed  those of
industrial  companies  and their prices tend to be less  volatile than stocks of
industrial  companies.  However,  utilities  stocks can still be affected by the
risks of the stock of industrial  companies.  Because the Fund  concentrates its
investments  in public  utilities  companies,  the value of its  shares  will be
especially  affected by factors  peculiar  to the  utilities  industry,  and may
fluctuate  more  widely  than the value of shares  of a fund that  invests  in a
broader range of industries. See "Utilities Industries."

    The  Fund  may  invest  up to 35%  of  its  total  assets  in the  following
instruments: debt securities (rated at least A by Moody's or S&P) and common and
preferred  stocks  of  non-utilities  companies;   U.S.  Government  Obligations
(including  mortgage-backed  securities);  cash;  and money  market  instruments
consisting of prime  commercial  paper,  bankers'  acceptances,  certificates of
deposit  and  repurchase  agreements.  The  Fund may  make  loans  of  portfolio
securities  and  invest  up to 5% of its net  assets in  securities  issued on a
when-issued  or  delayed  delivery  basis.  The Fund may invest up to 10% of its
total  assets in ADRs.  The Fund may borrow  money for  temporary  or  emergency
purposes in amounts not exceeding 5% of its net assets. The Fund also may invest
in zero coupon and pay-in-kind securities.  In addition, in any period of market
weakness or of uncertain market or economic conditions, the Fund may establish a
temporary  defensive  position to  preserve  capital by having all of its assets
invested  in  short-term  fixed  income  securities  or retained in cash or cash
equivalents.

                               INVESTMENT POLICIES

    AMERICAN DEPOSITORY RECEIPTS AND GLOBAL DEPOSITORY RECEIPTS. BLUE CHIP FUND,
INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES FUND, GROWTH FUND, UTILITIES INCOME FUND and DISCOVERY
FUND may invest in sponsored and unsponsored  ADRs. ADRs are receipts  typically
issued by a U.S. bank or trust company  evidencing  ownership of the  underlying
securities  of foreign  issuers,  and other  forms of  depository  receipts  for
securities  of  foreign  issuers.  Generally,  ADRs,  in  registered  form,  are
denominated  in U.S.  dollars and are  designed  for use in the U.S.  securities
markets.  Thus, these securities are not denominated in the same currency as the
securities  into which they may be  converted.  In addition,  the issuers of the
securities  underlying  unsponsored ADRs are not obligated to disclose  material
information in the United States and,  therefore,  there may be less information
available regarding such issuers and there may not be a correlation between such
information  and the market  value to the ADRs.  ADRs may be  purchased  through
"sponsored" or  "unsponsored"  facilities.  A sponsored  facility is established
jointly by the issuer of the  underlying  security and a  depository,  whereas a
depository may establish an unsponsored  facility  without  participation by the
issuer of the depository  security.  Holders of unsponsored  depository receipts


                                       11
<PAGE>

generally  bear  all the  costs  of such  facilities  and the  depository  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  voting  rights  to the  holders  of  such  receipts  of  the  deposited
securities.  ADRs are not  necessarily  denominated  in the same currency as the
underlying  securities  to  which  they  may be  connected.  Generally,  ADRs in
registered form are designed for use in the U.S.  securities  market and ADRs in
bearer form are designed for use outside the United States.

    INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND and GROWTH FUND may also invest in sponsored
and unsponsored  GDRs. GDRs are issued globally and evidence a similar ownership
arrangement.  Generally,  GDRs are designed  for trading in non-U.S.  securities
markets.   GDRs  are  considered  to  be  foreign  securities  by  INTERNATIONAL
SECURITIES FUND and GROWTH FUND.

    BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES. Each Fund may invest in bankers' acceptances. Bankers'
acceptances  are  short-term  credit  instruments  used  to  finance  commercial
transactions.  Generally,  an  acceptance  is a time draft drawn on a bank by an
exporter  or  importer  to obtain a stated  amount of funds to pay for  specific
merchandise.   The  draft  is  then  "accepted"  by  a  bank  that,  in  effect,
unconditionally  guarantees  to pay the  face  value  of the  instrument  on its
maturity date. The acceptance may then be held by the accepting bank as an asset
or it may be sold in the  secondary  market at the going rate of interest  for a
specific  maturity.  Although  maturities for  acceptances can be as long as 270
days, most acceptances have maturities of six months or less.

    CERTIFICATES  OF ACCRUAL ON U.S.  TREASURY  SECURITIES.  GOVERNMENT FUND may
purchase certificates, not issued by the U.S. Treasury, which evidence ownership
of future interest,  principal or interest and principal payments on obligations
issued by the U.S. Treasury. The actual U.S. Treasury securities will be held by
a  custodian  on  behalf  of the  certificate  holder.  These  certificates  are
purchased with original  issue discount and are subject to greater  fluctuations
in  market  value,   based  upon  changes  in  market   interest   rates,   than
income-producing securities.

    CERTIFICATES  OF  DEPOSIT.  Each  Fund may  invest in bank  certificates  of
deposit. The FDIC is an agency of the U.S. Government which insures the deposits
of certain banks and savings and loan  associations  up to $100,000 per deposit.
The  interest  on such  deposits  may not be insured if this limit is  exceeded.
Current  Federal  regulations  also permit such  institutions  to issue  insured
negotiable  CDs in amounts of $100,000 or more,  without  regard to the interest
rate ceilings on other  deposits.  To remain fully  insured,  these  investments
currently  must be limited to  $100,000  per  insured  bank or savings  and loan
association.

    COMMERCIAL  PAPER.  Commercial  paper  is  a  promissory  note  issued  by a
corporation to finance  short-term credit needs which may either be unsecured or
backed by a letter of credit. Commercial paper includes notes, drafts or similar
instruments  payable on demand or having a maturity at the time of issuance  not
exceeding nine months,  exclusive of days of grace or any renewal  thereof.  See
Appendix A for a description of commercial paper ratings.

    CONVERTIBLE  SECURITIES.  Each Fund, other than CASH MANAGEMENT FUND, TARGET
MATURITY  2007 FUND and TARGET  MATURITY  2010 FUND,  may invest in  convertible
securities.  A convertible security is a bond, debenture,  note, preferred stock
or other  security  that may be  converted  into or  exchanged  for a prescribed
amount of common  stock of the same or a different  issuer  within a  particular
period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible  security entitles
the holder to receive  interest  paid or  accrued on debt or  dividends  paid on
preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted
or exchanged.  Convertible securities have unique investment  characteristics in
that they generally (1) have higher yields than common stocks,  but lower yields
than comparable non-convertible  securities, (2) are less subject to fluctuation
in  value  than  the   underlying   stock   because   they  have  fixed   income
characteristics,  and (3) provide the potential for capital  appreciation if the
market price of the  underlying  common  stock  increases.  While no  securities
investment is without some risk, investments in convertible securities generally


                                       12
<PAGE>

entail less risk than the issuer's  common  stock,  although the extent to which
such risk is  reduced  depends  in large  measure  upon the  degree to which the
convertible  security  sells  above its value as a fixed  income  security.  The
Adviser or, for GROWTH FUND and  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND, the Subadviser
will  decide  to invest  based  upon a  fundamental  analysis  of the  long-term
attractiveness  of the issuer and the underlying common stock, the evaluation of
the relative  attractiveness of the current price of the underlying common stock
and the judgment of the value of the convertible security relative to the common
stock at current prices.

    DEBT SECURITIES. The market value of debt securities is influenced primarily
by changes in the level of interest  rates.  Generally,  as interest rates rise,
the market value of debt  securities  decreases.  Conversely,  as interest rates
fall, the market value of debt securities increases.  Factors which could result
in a rise  in  interest  rates,  and a  decrease  in the  market  value  of debt
securities,  include an increase in  inflation  or  inflation  expectations,  an
increase in the rate of U.S. economic growth, an expansion in the Federal budget
deficit or an increase in the price of commodities such as oil. In addition, the
market value of debt securities is influenced by perceptions of the credit risks
associated with such securities. Credit risk is the risk that adverse changes in
economic  conditions  can  affect  an  issuer's  ability  to pay  principal  and
interest. Sale of debt securities prior to maturity may result in a loss and the
inability to replace the sold  securities  with debt  securities  with a similar
yield.  Debt obligations rated lower than Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P, commonly
referred to as "junk bonds," are speculative and generally involve a higher risk
of loss of principal and income than  higher-rated  debt  securities.  See "High
Yield Securities" and Appendix C for a description of corporate bond ratings.

    DEEP DISCOUNT SECURITIES.  HIGH YIELD FUND may invest up to 15% of its total
assets in securities of companies that are financially  troubled,  in default or
undergoing  bankruptcy or reorganization.  Such securities are usually available
at a deep discount from the face value of the  instrument.  The Fund will invest
in Deep Discount  Securities when the Adviser  believes that there exist factors
that are likely to restore the company to a healthy  financial  condition.  Such
factors  include a  restructuring  of debt,  management  changes,  existence  of
adequate assets or other unusual  circumstances.  Debt instruments  purchased at
deep discounts may pay very high effective yields. In addition, if the financial
condition  of the issuer  improves,  the  underlying  value of the  security may
increase,  resulting  in  a  capital  gain.  If  the  company  defaults  on  its
obligations  or  remains  in  default,  or if  the  plan  of  reorganization  is
insufficient  for  debtholders,  the Deep  Discount  Securities  may stop paying
interest and lose value or become worthless. The Adviser will attempt to balance
the benefits of investing in Deep Discount  Securities with their risks. While a
diversified  portfolio may reduce the overall impact of a Deep Discount Security
that is in default or loses its value, the risk cannot be eliminated.  See "High
Yield  Securities,"  below.  High Yield  Securities are subject to certain risks
that may not be present with investments in higher grade debt securities.

    EURODOLLAR  CERTIFICATES  OF  DEPOSIT.  CASH  MANAGEMENT  FUND may invest in
Eurodollar  CDs,  which are issued by London  branches  of  domestic  or foreign
banks.  Such securities  involve risks that differ from  certificates of deposit
issued by domestic branches of U.S. banks.  These risks include future political
and economic developments, the possible imposition of United Kingdom withholding
taxes on interest income payable on the securities,  the possible  establishment
of  exchange  controls,  the  possible  seizure  or  nationalization  of foreign
deposits or the adoption of other foreign  governmental  restrictions that might
adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on such securities.

    FOREIGN  GOVERNMENT  OBLIGATIONS.  HIGH  YIELD  FUND may  invest in  foreign
government  obligations,  which  generally  consist of obligations  supported by
national,  state or provincial  governments or similar  political  subdivisions.
Investments in foreign  government debt  obligations  involve special risks. The
issuer of the debt may be unable or unwilling to pay interest or repay principal
when due in  accordance  with  the  terms  of such  debt,  and the Fund may have


                                       13
<PAGE>

limited  legal  resources  in  the  event  of  default.   Political  conditions,
especially  a  sovereign  entity's  willingness  to meet  the  terms of its debt
obligations, are of considerable significance.

    FOREIGN  SECURITIES.  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND,  HIGH  YIELD FUND AND
DISCOVERY FUND may sell a security  denominated in a foreign currency and retain
the proceeds in that foreign currency to use at a future date (to purchase other
securities  denominated  in  that  currency),  or such a Fund  may  buy  foreign
currency outright to purchase securities denominated in that foreign currency at
a future date.  GROWTH FUND may invest in securities issued by foreign companies
that are  denominated  in U.S.  currency.  The Funds  currently do not intend to
hedge  their  foreign   investments   against  the  risk  of  foreign   currency
fluctuations.   Changes  in  the  value  of  foreign  currencies  can  therefore
significantly  affect a Fund's  share  price.  Investing  in foreign  securities
involves more risk than investing in securities of U.S. companies. A Fund can be
affected by changes in exchange control regulations,  as well as by economic and
political  developments.  There may be less publicly available information about
foreign  companies than comparable  U.S.  companies;  foreign  companies are not
generally  subject to  uniform  accounting,  auditing  and  financial  reporting
standards that are comparable to those applied to U.S.  companies;  some foreign
trading markets have substantially less volume than U.S. markets, and securities
of some foreign  companies are less liquid and more volatile than  securities of
comparable  U.S.  companies;  there  may  be  less  government  supervision  and
regulation of foreign stock  exchanges,  brokers and listed companies than exist
in the United  States;  and there may be the  possibility  of  expropriation  or
confiscatory   taxation,   political  or  social   instability   or   diplomatic
developments which could affect assets of a Fund held in foreign countries.

    INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES FUND'S and DISCOVERY FUND'S investments in emerging
markets include  investments in countries whose economies or securities  markets
are not yet  highly  developed.  Special  considerations  associated  with these
emerging market investments (in addition to the considerations regarding foreign
investments   generally)   may  include,   among   others,   greater   political
uncertainties,  an economy's dependence on revenues from particular  commodities
or  on  international   aid  or  development   assistance,   currency   transfer
restrictions,  a limited  number of  potential  buyers for such  securities  and
delays and disruptions in securities settlement procedures.

    HIGH  YIELD  SECURITIES.  High  Yield  Securities  are  subject to certain
risks that may not be present with investments in higher grade securities.

      EFFECT OF INTEREST RATE AND ECONOMIC CHANGES.  High Yield Securities rated
lower than Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P,  commonly  referred to as "junk bonds,"
are  speculative  and  generally  involve a higher risk or loss of principal and
income than higher-rated securities. The prices of High Yield Securities tend to
be less sensitive to interest rate changes than  higher-rated  investments,  but
may be more  sensitive  to  adverse  economic  changes or  individual  corporate
developments.  Periods of economic  uncertainty and changes  generally result in
increased  volatility in the market  prices and yields of High Yield  Securities
and thus in a Fund's net asset  value.  A  significant  economic  downturn  or a
substantial period of rising interest rates could severely affect the market for
High Yield Securities. In these circumstances,  highly leveraged companies might
have greater  difficulty  in making  principal  and interest  payments,  meeting
projected business goals, and obtaining additional financing.  Thus, there could
be a higher incidence of default. This would affect the value of such securities
and thus a Fund's net asset value. Further, if the issuer of a security owned by
a Fund defaults, that Fund might incur additional expenses to seek recovery.

      Generally,  when  interest  rates  rise,  the  value  of fixed  rate  debt
obligations,  including High Yield Securities,  tends to decrease; when interest
rates fall, the value of fixed rate debt  obligations  tends to increase.  If an
issuer of a High  Yield  Security  containing  a  redemption  or call  provision
exercises  either  provision in a declining  interest rate market,  a Fund would
have to replace  the  security,  which could  result in a  decreased  return for
shareholders.  Conversely, if a Fund experiences unexpected net redemptions in a
rising  interest  rate market,  it might be forced to sell  certain  securities,
regardless of investment  merit.  This could result in decreasing  the assets to


                                       14
<PAGE>

which Fund expenses  could be allocated and in a reduced rate of return for that
Fund.   While  it  is  impossible  to  protect   entirely   against  this  risk,
diversification  of a Fund's  portfolio  and the Adviser's  careful  analysis of
prospective  portfolio  securities helps to minimize the impact of a decrease in
value of a particular security or group of securities in a Fund's portfolio.

      THE HIGH YIELD  SECURITIES  MARKET.  The market for below investment grade
bonds expanded rapidly in recent years and its growth paralleled a long economic
expansion.  In the past, the prices of many lower-rated debt securities declined
substantially,  reflecting an expectation  that many issuers of such  securities
might experience financial difficulties.  As a result, the yields on lower-rated
debt securities rose dramatically.  However,  such higher yields did not reflect
the value of the income streams that holders of such  securities  expected,  but
rather the risk that holders of such securities could lose a substantial portion
of their value as a result of the issuers'  financial  restructuring or default.
There can be no  assurance  that such  declines  in the below  investment  grade
market will not reoccur.  The market for below  investment grade bonds generally
is thinner and less active than that for higher quality bonds, which may limit a
Fund's  ability to sell such  securities at fair value in response to changes in
the  economy  or  the  financial   markets.   Adverse   publicity  and  investor
perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may also decrease the
values and  liquidity of lower rated  securities,  especially in a thinly traded
market.

      CREDIT  RATINGS.  The credit ratings issued by credit rating  services may
not fully reflect the true risks of an investment.  For example,  credit ratings
typically  evaluate the safety of principal  and interest  payments,  not market
value risk, of High Yield  Securities.  Also, credit rating agencies may fail to
change on a timely  basis a credit  rating to  reflect  changes in  economic  or
company  conditions that affect a security's  market value.  HIGH YIELD FUND may
invest in  securities  rated as low as D by S&P or C by Moody's  or, if unrated,
deemed to be of comparable  quality by the Adviser.  Debt obligations with these
ratings  either have  defaulted  or are in great  danger of  defaulting  and are
considered to be highly speculative. See "Deep Discount Securities." The Adviser
continually  monitors  the  investments  in a  Fund's  portfolio  and  carefully
evaluates  whether to dispose of or retain High Yield  Securities  whose  credit
ratings  have  changed.  See  Appendix C for a  description  of  corporate  bond
ratings.

      LIQUIDITY AND VALUATION.  Lower-rated  bonds are typically  traded among a
smaller number of broker-dealers than in a broad secondary market. Purchasers of
High Yield Securities tend to be institutions, rather than individuals, which is
a factor  that  further  limits the  secondary  market.  To the  extent  that no
established  retail secondary market exists,  many High Yield Securities may not
be as liquid as  higher-grade  bonds.  A less active and thinner market for High
Yield Securities than that available for higher quality securities may result in
more volatile  valuations of a Fund's  holdings and more difficulty in executing
trades at favorable prices during unsettled market conditions.

      The  ability  of a Fund to value or sell  High  Yield  Securities  will be
adversely  affected  to the extent  that such  securities  are thinly  traded or
illiquid.  During such periods, there may be less reliable objective information
available and thus the responsibility of Life Series Fund's Board of Trustees to
value High Yield  Securities  becomes more  difficult,  with judgment  playing a
greater  role.  Further,  adverse  publicity  about the economy or a  particular
issuer may  adversely  affect the  public's  perception  of the value,  and thus
liquidity,  of a High Yield Security,  whether or not such perceptions are based
on a fundamental analysis.

    LOANS OF PORTFOLIO  SECURITIES.  Each Fund may loan  securities to qualified
broker dealers or other institutional  investors provided:  the borrower pledges
to a Fund and agrees to maintain at all times with that Fund collateral equal to
not less than 100% of the value of the securities  loaned (plus accrued interest
or dividend, if any); the loan is terminable at will by a Fund; a Fund pays only
reasonable  custodian  fees in connection  with the loan; and the Adviser or the
Subadviser monitors the  creditworthiness of the borrower throughout the life of
the loan. Such loans may be terminated by a Fund at any time and a Fund may vote
the proxies if a material event affecting the investment is to occur. The market


                                       15
<PAGE>

risk  applicable to any security  loaned  remains a risk of a Fund. The borrower
must add to the  collateral  whenever the market value of the  securities  rises
above the level of such  collateral.  A Fund could incur a loss if the  borrower
should fail  financially  at a time when the value of the loaned  securities  is
greater than the  collateral.  Each Fund may make loans,  together with illiquid
securities, not in excess of 10% of its total assets.

    MORTGAGE-BACKED  SECURITIES.  BLUE CHIP FUND,  GOVERNMENT  FUND,  HIGH YIELD
FUND,   INVESTMENT   GRADE  FUND  and  UTILITIES   INCOME  FUND  may  invest  in
mortgage-backed securities,  including those representing an undivided ownership
interest in a pool of mortgage loans.  Mortgage loans made by banks, savings and
loan  institutions  and  other  lenders  are often  assembled  into  pools,  the
interests in which are issued and guaranteed by an agency or  instrumentality of
the U.S.  Government,  though not  necessarily  by the U.S.  Government  itself.
Interests in such pools are referred to herein as "mortgage-backed  securities."
The market value of these securities will fluctuate as interest rates and market
conditions change. In addition, prepayment of principal by the mortgagees, which
often occurs with  mortgage-backed  securities when interest rates decline,  can
significantly change the realized yield of these securities.

        Each of the  certificates  described below is  characterized  by monthly
payments to the security  holder,  reflecting  the monthly  payments made by the
mortgagees  of the  underlying  mortgage  loans.  The  payments to the  security
holders (such as the Fund), like the payments on the underlying loans, represent
both  principal and interest.  Although the  underlying  mortgage  loans are for
specified  periods of time,  such as twenty to thirty years,  the borrowers can,
and  typically  do, repay them sooner.  Thus,  the security  holders  frequently
receive prepayments of principal,  in addition to the principal which is part of
the  regular  monthly  payments.  A borrower is more likely to prepay a mortgage
which bears a  relatively  high rate of  interest.  Thus,  in times of declining
interest  rates,  some higher yielding  mortgages might be repaid,  resulting in
larger  cash  payments  to a Fund,  and a Fund will be  forced  to accept  lower
interest rates when that cash is used to purchase additional securities.

        Interest rate fluctuations may significantly  alter the average maturity
of  mortgage-backed  securities,  due to the level of refinancing by homeowners.
When interest  rates rise,  prepayments  often drop,  which should  increase the
average  maturity of the  mortgage-backed  security.  Conversely,  when interest
rates fall,  prepayments  often rise, which should decrease the average maturity
of the mortgage-backed security.

        GNMA   CERTIFICATES.   GNMA  certificates   ("GNMA   Certificates")  are
mortgage-backed  securities,  which evidence an undivided  interest in a pool of
mortgage loans.  GNMA  Certificates  differ from bonds in that principal is paid
back monthly by the borrower over the term of the loan rather than returned in a
lump  sum at  maturity.  GNMA  Certificates  that  the  Fund  purchases  are the
"modified  pass-through" type. "Modified pass-through" GNMA Certificates entitle
the holder to receive a share of all interest and  principal  payments  paid and
owed on the mortgage pool net of fees paid to the "issuer" and GNMA,  regardless
of whether or not the mortgagor actually makes the payment.

        GNMA  GUARANTEE.  The National  Housing Act authorizes GNMA to guarantee
the timely  payment of principal and interest on securities  backed by a pool of
mortgages insured by the Federal Housing  Administration ("FHA") or the Farmers'
Home Administration ("FMHA"), or guaranteed by the Department of Veteran Affairs
("VA").  The GNMA  guarantee  is backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government.  GNMA also is empowered to borrow without  limitation  from the U.S.
Treasury if necessary to make any payments required under its guarantee.

        LIFE OF GNMA  CERTIFICATES.  The average life of a GNMA  Certificate  is
likely to be substantially less than the original maturity of the mortgage pools
underlying the  securities.  Prepayments of principal by mortgagors and mortgage
foreclosures  will usually result in the return of the greater part of principal
investment  long before maturity of the mortgages in the pool. The Fund normally


                                       16
<PAGE>

will not  distribute  principal  payments  (whether  regular or  prepaid) to its
shareholders. Rather, it will invest such payments in additional mortgage-backed
securities of the types  described  above.  Interest  received by the Fund will,
however,  be  distributed  to  shareholders.  Foreclosures  impose  no  risk  to
principal  investment because of the GNMA guarantee.  As prepayment rates of the
individual  mortgage pools vary widely, it is not possible to predict accurately
the average life of a particular issue of GNMA Certificates.

        YIELD CHARACTERISTICS OF GNMA CERTIFICATES.  The coupon rate of interest
on GNMA  Certificates is lower than the interest rate paid on the  VA-guaranteed
or FHA-insured  mortgages  underlying the Certificates by the amount of the fees
paid to GNMA and the  issuer.  The  coupon  rate by  itself,  however,  does not
indicate  the  yield  which  will  be  earned  on  GNMA   Certificates.   First,
Certificates may trade in the secondary market at a premium or discount. Second,
interest is earned monthly, rather than semi-annually as with traditional bonds;
monthly compounding raises the effective yield earned. Finally, the actual yield
of a GNMA Certificate is influenced by the prepayment experience of the mortgage
pool underlying it. For example, if the higher-yielding  mortgages from the pool
are prepaid, the yield on the remaining pool will be reduced.

        FHLMC  SECURITIES.  FHLMC  issues  two  types of  mortgage  pass-through
securities,  mortgage participation certificates ("PCs") and guaranteed mortgage
certificates ("GMCs"). PCs resemble GNMA Certificates in that each PC represents
a pro rata share of all interest  and  principal  payments  made and owed on the
underlying pool.

        FNMA   SECURITIES.   FNMA  issues   guaranteed   mortgage   pass-through
certificates ("FNMA Certificates"). FNMA Certificates resemble GNMA Certificates
in that each FNMA  Certificate  represents  a pro rata share of all interest and
principal  payments made and owed on the underlying pool. FNMA guarantees timely
payment of interest on FNMA Certificates and the full return of principal.

      GNMA  certificates  are backed as to the timely payment of principal and
interest  by the full faith and  credit of the U.S.  Government.  Payments  of
principal  and  interest  on FNMA  certificates  are  guaranteed  only by FNMA
itself,  not by the  full  faith  and  credit  of the U.S.  Government.  FHLMC
certificates  represent  mortgages for which FHLMC has  guaranteed  the timely
payment of principal and interest but, like a FNMA  certificate,  they are not
guaranteed  by the full  faith  and  credit  of the U.S.  Government.  Risk of
foreclosure  of the  underlying  mortgages  is  greater  with  FHLMC  and FNMA
securities  because,  unlike GNMA Certificates,  FHLMC and FNMA securities are
not guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

      COLLATERALIZED    MORTGAGE   OBLIGATIONS   AND   MULTICLASS   PASS-THROUGH
SECURITIES.  CMOs are  debt  obligations  collateralized  by  mortgage  loans or
mortgage  pass-through  securities.  Typically,  CMOs are collateralized by GNMA
certificates or other  government  mortgage-backed  securities  (such collateral
collectively   hereinafter   referred  to  as  "Mortgage  Assets").   Multiclass
pass-through  securities  are interests in trusts that are comprised of Mortgage
Assets.  Unless  the  context  indicates  otherwise,  references  herein to CMOs
include  multiclass  pass-through  securities.  Payments  of  principal  of, and
interest on, the Mortgage Assets, and any reinvestment  income thereon,  provide
the funds to pay debt service on the CMOs or to make scheduled  distributions on
the multiclass pass-through securities. CMOs in which Government Fund may invest
are issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities,  such
as FNMA and FHLMC. See the SAI for more information on CMOs.

      STRIPPED MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES. GOVERNMENT FUND, TARGET MATURITY 2007
FUND AND  TARGET  MATURITY  2010  FUND may  invest in  stripped  mortgage-backed
securities ("SMBS"),  which are derivative multiclass mortgage securities.  SMBS
are usually  structured with two classes that receive  different  proportions of
the interest  and  principal  distributions  from a pool of mortgage  assets.  A
common type of SMBS will have one class  receiving  most of the interest and the
remainder of the principal. In the most extreme case, one class will receive all


                                       17
<PAGE>

of the interest while the other class will receive all of the principal.  If the
underlying  Mortgage Assets experience  greater than anticipated  prepayments of
principal,  the Fund may fail to fully  recoup its initial  investment  in these
securities.  The market value of the class  consisting  primarily or entirely of
principal  payments  generally is  unusually  volatile in response to changes in
interest rates.

      RISKS  OF  MORTGAGE-BACKED  SECURITIES.   Investments  in  mortgage-backed
securities   entail   market,   prepayment   and  extension   risk.   Fixed-rate
mortgage-backed  securities are priced to reflect,  among other things,  current
and perceived interest rate conditions. As conditions change, market values will
fluctuate.  In addition,  the mortgages  underlying  mortgage-backed  securities
generally  may be prepaid  in whole or in part at the  option of the  individual
buyer.  Prepayment generally increases when interest rates decline.  Prepayments
of the underlying  mortgages can affect the yield to maturity on mortgage-backed
securities  and, if interest rates decline,  the prepayment may only be invested
at the  then  prevailing  lower  interest  rate.  As a  result,  mortgage-backed
securities  may have less potential for capital  appreciation  during periods of
declining interest rates as compared with other U.S. Government  securities with
comparable  stated  maturities.  Conversely,  rising  interest  rates  may cause
prepayment  rates to occur at a slower than expected rate.  This may effectively
lengthen the life of a security,  which is known as extension risk.  Longer term
securities  generally  fluctuate  more widely in response to changes in interest
rates than shorter term securities.  Changes in market conditions,  particularly
during periods of rapid or  unanticipated  changes in market interest rates, may
result in  volatility  and  reduced  liquidity  of the  market  value of certain
mortgage-backed securities.

    PARTICIPATION  INTERESTS.  Participation  interests  which  may be  held  by
GOVERNMENT  FUND are pro rata interests in securities held either by banks which
are members of the Federal Reserve System or securities  dealers who are members
of a national securities exchange or are market makers in government securities,
which are represented by an agreement in writing between the Fund and the entity
in whose name the security is issued,  rather than  possession by the Fund.  The
Fund  will  purchase  participation   interests  only  in  securities  otherwise
permitted  to be  purchased  by the Fund,  and only when they are  evidenced  by
deposit,  safekeeping receipts, or book-entry transfer,  indicating the creation
of a security interest in favor of the Fund in the underlying security. However,
the issuer of the  participation  interests  to the Fund will agree in  writing,
among other things:  to promptly  remit all payments of principal,  interest and
premium,  if any, to the Fund once  received by the issuer;  to  repurchase  the
participation  interest  upon seven days' notice;  and to otherwise  service the
investment  physically  held by the issuer,  a portion of which has been sold to
the Fund.

    PREFERRED  STOCK. A preferred stock is a blend of the  characteristics  of a
bond and common stock.  It can offer the higher yield of a bond and has priority
over common stock in equity ownership, but does not have the seniority of a bond
and,  unlike  common  stock,  its  participation  in the issuer's  growth may be
limited.  Preferred  stock has  preference  over common  stock in the receipt of
dividends  and in any  residual  assets after  payment to  creditors  should the
issuer be  dissolved.  Although the  dividend is set at a fixed annual rate,  in
some circumstances it can be changed or omitted by the issuer.

    REPURCHASE  AGREEMENTS.  A repurchase agreement  essentially is a short-term
collateralized  loan.  The lender (a Fund) agrees to purchase a security  from a
borrower  (typically  a  broker-dealer)  at  a  specified  price.  The  borrower
simultaneously  agrees to  repurchase  that same security at a higher price on a
future date (which  typically is the next business day). The difference  between
the purchase price and the repurchase price effectively  constitutes the payment
of interest. In a standard repurchase  agreement,  the securities which serve as
collateral  are  transferred  to a  Fund's  custodian  bank.  In  a  "tri-party"
repurchase agreement, these securities would be held by a different bank for the
benefit of the Fund as buyer and the  broker-dealer as seller. In a "quad-party"
repurchase  agreement,  the  Fund's  custodian  bank also is made a party to the
agreement.  Each Fund may enter into repurchase  agreements with banks which are
members of the Federal Reserve System or securities dealers who are members of a
national  securities  exchange or are market  makers in  government  securities.


                                       18
<PAGE>

GOVERNMENT  FUND may  enter  into  repurchase  agreements  only  where  the debt
instrument subject to the agreement is a U.S. Government  Obligation (as defined
in the Prospectus).  The period of these  repurchase  agreements will usually be
short,  from  overnight  to one  week,  and at no  time  will a Fund  invest  in
repurchase  agreements  with  more  than  one  year  in time  to  maturity.  The
securities  which  are  subject  to  repurchase  agreements,  however,  may have
maturity  dates in excess of one year from the effective  date of the repurchase
agreement. Each Fund will always receive, as collateral, securities whose market
value, including accrued interest,  which will at all times be at least equal to
100% of the dollar amount invested by the Fund in each  agreement,  and the Fund
will make payment for such securities only upon physical delivery or evidence of
book entry transfer to the account of the custodian.  If the seller defaults,  a
Fund might incur a loss if the value of the  collateral  securing the repurchase
agreement  declines,  and  might  incur  disposition  costs in  connection  with
liquidating the collateral.  In addition,  if bankruptcy or similar  proceedings
are commenced with respect to the seller of the security,  realization  upon the
collateral by a Fund may be delayed or limited.

    RESTRICTED  SECURITIES AND ILLIQUID  INVESTMENTS.  No Fund,  other than CASH
MANAGEMENT  FUND,  will  purchase or  otherwise  acquire any  security  if, as a
result,  more than 15% of its net  assets  (taken  at  current  value)  would be
invested in  securities  that are illiquid by virtue of the absence of a readily
available market or legal or contractual restrictions on resale. CASH MANAGEMENT
FUND may invest up to 10% of its net assets in illiquid securities.  This policy
includes foreign issuers' unlisted  securities with a limited trading market and
repurchase  agreements  maturing in more than seven  days.  This policy does not
include  restricted  securities  eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A under
the Securities  Act of 1933, as amended  ("1933 Act"),  which Life Series Fund's
Board  of  Trustees  or  the  Adviser  or  Subadviser   has   determined   under
Board-approved guidelines are liquid.

    Under  current  guidelines  of the  staff  of the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission  ("SEC"),  interest-only  and  principal-only  classes of  fixed-rate
mortgage-backed  securities in which  GOVERNMENT  FUND may invest are considered
illiquid.  However,  such securities issued by the U.S. Government or one of its
agencies or instrumentalities will not be considered illiquid if the Adviser has
determined  that they are liquid  pursuant  to  guidelines  established  by Life
Series Fund's Board of Trustees.  GOVERNMENT FUND, TARGET MATURITY 2007 FUND and
TARGET  MATURITY 2010 FUND may not be able to sell illiquid  securities when the
Adviser considers it desirable to do so or may have to sell such securities at a
price lower than could be obtained  if they were more  liquid.  Also the sale of
illiquid  securities  may  require  more time and may  result  in higher  dealer
discounts and other selling  expenses than does the sale of securities  that are
not  illiquid.  Illiquid  securities  may be more  difficult to value due to the
unavailability of reliable market quotations for such securities, and investment
in  illiquid  securities  may have an adverse  impact on these  Fund's net asset
value.

    Restricted  securities  which are  illiquid  may be sold  only in  privately
negotiated  transactions  or  in  public  offerings  with  respect  to  which  a
registration  statement is in effect under the 1933 Act. Such securities include
those that are subject to restrictions contained in the securities laws of other
countries.  Securities that are freely  marketable in the country where they are
principally  traded,  but would not be freely  marketable in the United  States,
will not be subject to this 15% limit.  Where  registration is required,  a Fund
may be  obligated  to pay  all  or  part  of  the  registration  expenses  and a
considerable  period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the
time  the  Fund  may  be  permitted  to  sell  a  security  under  an  effective
registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were
to develop,  a Fund might obtain a less  favorable  price than prevailed when it
decided to sell.

    In recent  years,  a large  institutional  market has  developed for certain
securities  that are not  registered  under  the  1933  Act,  including  private
placements,  repurchase  agreements,  commercial paper,  foreign  securities and
corporate bonds and notes.  These  instruments are often  restricted  securities
because the securities are either themselves exempt from registration or sold in
transactions not requiring registration.  Institutional investors generally will
not seek to sell these instruments to the general public, but instead will often
depend  on  an  efficient   institutional  market  in  which  such  unregistered
securities can be readily resold or on an issuer's ability to honor a demand for


                                       19
<PAGE>

repayment.  Therefore, the fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions
on resale to the general public or certain  institutions  is not  dispositive of
the liquidity of such investments.

    Rule  144A  under  the  1933  Act  establishes  a  "safe  harbor"  from  the
registration  requirements of the 1933 Act for resales of certain  securities to
qualified institutional buyers.  Institutional markets for restricted securities
that  might  develop  as a  result  of Rule  144A  could  provide  both  readily
ascertainable  values for restricted  securities and the ability to liquidate an
investment in order to satisfy share redemption  orders. An insufficient  number
of qualified  institutional  buyers interested in purchasing Rule  144A-eligible
securities held by a Fund, however,  could affect adversely the marketability of
such  portfolio  securities  and a Fund  might  be  unable  to  dispose  of such
securities promptly or at reasonable prices.

    OTC options and their  underlying  collateral are also  considered  illiquid
investments.  INSURED TAX EXEMPT FUND may not invest in options. While BLUE CHIP
FUND and HIGH YIELD FUND have no intention of investing in options in the coming
year,  if either of those Funds did so, the assets used as cover for OTC options
written by the Fund would not be considered illiquid unless the OTC options were
sold to qualified dealers who agreed that the Fund may repurchase any OTC option
it wrote at a  maximum  price to be  calculated  by a  formula  set forth in the
option agreement.  The cover for an OTC option written subject to this procedure
would be  considered  illiquid  only to the extent that the  maximum  repurchase
price under the formula exceeded the intrinsic value of the option.

    STRIPPED U.S.  TREASURY  SECURITIES.  GOVERNMENT FUND,  TARGET MATURITY 2007
FUND and TARGET  MATURITY  2010 FUND may  invest in  separated  or divided  U.S.
Treasury  securities.   These  instruments   represent  a  single  interest,  or
principal, payment on a U.S. Treasury bond which has been separated from all the
other interest  payments as well as the bond itself.  When a Fund purchases such
an  instrument,  it purchases the right to receive a single payment of a set sum
at a known  date in the  future.  The  interest  rate on such an  instrument  is
determined  by the price a Fund pays for the  instrument  when it purchases  the
instrument at a discount  under what the  instrument  entitles a Fund to receive
when the instrument matures. The amount of the discount a Fund will receive will
depend  upon the  length of time to  maturity  of the  separated  U.S.  Treasury
security and prevailing  market interest rates when the separated U.S.  Treasury
security is purchased.  Separated U.S.  Treasury  securities can be considered a
zero coupon investment because no payment is made to a Fund until maturity.  The
market values of these  securities are much more susceptible to change in market
interest rates than income-producing  securities. These securities are purchased
with original  issue discount and such discount is includable as gross income to
a Fund shareholder over the life of the security.

    TIME  DEPOSITS.  CASH  MANAGEMENT  FUND may  invest in time  deposits.  Time
deposits are non-negotiable  deposits  maintained in a banking institution for a
specified  period of time at a stated  interest  rate.  For the most part,  time
deposits that may be held by the Fund would not benefit from  insurance from the
Bank Insurance Fund or the Savings  Association  Insurance Fund  administered by
the FDIC.

    U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS. Securities issued or guaranteed as to principal
or interest by the U.S.  Government include (1) U.S. Treasury  obligations which
differ  only in their  interest  rates,  maturities  and  times of  issuance  as
follows:  U.S.  Treasury bills  (maturities of one year or less),  U.S. Treasury
notes  (maturities  of one to ten years),  and U.S.  Treasury  bonds  (generally
maturities of greater than ten years);  and (2) obligations issued or guaranteed
by U.S.  Government agencies and  instrumentalities  that are backed by the full
faith and credit of the United States,  such as securities issued by the Federal
Housing  Administration,  GNMA, the Department of Housing and Urban Development,
the  Export-Import  Bank, the General Services  Administration  and the Maritime
Administration and certain securities issued by the Farmers Home  Administration


                                       20
<PAGE>

and  the  Small  Business  Administration.  The  range  of  maturities  of  U.S.
Government Obligations is usually three months to thirty years.

    UTILITIES INDUSTRIES. Many utilities companies,  especially electric and gas
and other energy-related utilities companies,  have historically been subject to
the risk of increases  in fund and other  operating  costs,  changes in interest
rates on borrowing for capital improvement programs,  changes in applicable laws
and regulations,  and costs and operating constraints associated with compliance
with environmental regulations.

    In recent years,  regulatory  changes in the United States have increasingly
allowed  utilities  companies to provide  services and  products  outside  their
traditional  geographical  areas  and line of  business,  creating  new areas of
competition with the utilities  industries.  This trend towards deregulation and
the emergence of new entrants have caused  non-regulated  providers of utilities
services to become a significant part of the utilities  industries.  The Adviser
believes  that the  emergence of  competition  and  deregulation  will result in
certain  utilities  companies  being  able to earn more than  their  traditional
regulated  rates of  return,  while  others  may be forced to defend  their core
business from increased competition and may be less profitable.

    Certain utilities,  especially gas and telephone  utilities,  have in recent
years been affected by increased  competition,  which could adversely affect the
profitability of such utilities companies.  In addition,  expansion by companies
engaged in telephone  communication  services of their non-regulated  activities
into other  businesses  (such as cellular  telephone  services,  data processing
equipment retailing,  computer services and financial services) has provided the
opportunity  for  increases in earnings and  dividends at faster rates than have
been  allowed  in  traditional  regulated  businesses.   However,  technological
innovations  and other  structural  changes  also  could  adversely  affect  the
profitability of such companies. Although the Adviser seeks to take advantage of
favorable investment  opportunities that may arise from these structural changes
there can be no assurance that the Fund will benefit from any such changes.

    Foreign  utilities  companies  may  be  more  heavily  regulated  than  U.S.
utilities companies,  which may result in increased costs or otherwise adversely
affect the operations of such  companies.  The  securities of foreign  utilities
companies also have lower dividend  yields than U.S.  utilities  companies.  The
Fund's   investments  in  foreign  issuers  may  include   recently   privatized
enterprises,  in which the Fund's  participation  may be  limited  or  otherwise
affected  by  local  law.  There  can  be no  assurance  that  governments  with
privatization  programs will continue such programs or that  privatization  will
succeed in such countries.

    Because securities issued by utilities companies are particularly  sensitive
to movement in interest rates, the equity  securities of such companies are more
affected by movements in interest rates than are the equity  securities of other
companies.

    Each of these risks could  adversely  affect the ability and  inclination of
public  utilities  companies  to declare  or pay  dividends  and the  ability of
holders of common  stock,  such as UTILITIES  INCOME FUND,  to realize any value
from the assets of the company upon liquidation or bankruptcy.

    VARIABLE RATE AND FLOATING RATE NOTES.  CASH  MANAGEMENT  FUND may invest in
derivative variable rate and floating rate notes.  Issuers of such notes include
corporations,  banks, broker-dealers and finance companies.  Variable rate notes
include  master  demand  notes which are  obligations  permitting  the holder to
invest fluctuating amounts,  that may change daily without penalty,  pursuant to
direct arrangements between the Fund, as lender, and the borrower.  The interest
rates on these notes fluctuate from time to time. The issuer of such obligations
normally  has a  corresponding  right,  after a given  period,  to prepay in its
discretion the  outstanding  principal  amount of the  obligations  plus accrued
interest  upon a  specified  number  of  days'  notice  to the  holders  of such
obligations.

                                       21
<PAGE>

    The interest rate on a floating rate  obligation is based on a known lending
rate, such as a bank's prime rate, and is adjusted  automatically each time such
rate is adjusted.  The interest rate on a variable  rate  obligation is adjusted
automatically at specified intervals.  Frequently,  such obligations are secured
by letters of credit or other  credit  support  arrangements  provided by banks.
Because these obligations are direct lending arrangements between the lender and
borrower, it is not contemplated that such instruments generally will be traded,
and there is generally no established  secondary  market for these  obligations,
although they are redeemable at face value. Accordingly, where these obligations
are not secured by letters of credit or other credit support  arrangements,  the
right of the Fund to redeem is  dependent  on the ability of the borrower to pay
principal and interest on demand.  Such obligations  frequently are not rated by
credit rating  agencies.  The Fund will invest in  obligations  that are unrated
only if the Adviser determines that, at the time of investment,  the obligations
are of comparable quality to the other obligations in which the Fund may invest.
The  Adviser,  on behalf of the Fund,  will  consider  on an  ongoing  basis the
creditworthiness of the issuers of the floating and variable rate obligations in
the Fund's portfolio.

    VARIABLE  RATE  DEMAND  INSTRUMENTS.  CASH  MANAGEMENT  FUND may  invest  in
variable rate demand instruments  ("VRDIs").  VRDIs generally are revenue bonds,
issued  primarily by or on behalf of public  authorities,  and are not backed by
the taxing  power of the issuing  authority.  The  interest on VRDIs is adjusted
periodically,  and  the  holder  of a VRDI  can  demand  payment  of all  unpaid
principal plus accrued  interest from the issuer on not more than seven calendar
days' notice.  An unrated VRDI purchased by the Fund must be backed by a standby
letter of credit of a creditworthy financial institution or a similar obligation
of at least equal quality. The Fund periodically reevaluates the credit risks of
such unrated  instruments.  There is a recognized  after-market for VRDIs. VRDIs
may include  instruments  where adjustments to interest rates are limited either
by state law or the instruments  themselves.  As a result, these instruments may
experience  greater  changes  in value  than would  otherwise  be the case.  The
maturity  of VRDIs is deemed to be the  longer of the (a)  demand  period or (b)
time  remaining  until  the  next  adjustment  to  the  interest  rate  thereon,
regardless of the stated  maturity on the  instrument.  Benefits of investing in
VRDIs may include reduced risk of capital  depreciation and increased yield when
market  interest  rates rise.  However,  owners of such  instruments  forego the
opportunity for capital appreciation when market interest rates fall.

    WARRANTS.  HIGH YIELD  FUND,  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND and  UTILITIES
INCOME FUND may purchase warrants, which are instruments that permit the Fund to
acquire,  by  subscription,  the capital stock of a corporation  at a set price,
regardless of the market price for such stock.  Warrants may be either perpetual
or of limited  duration.  There is a greater  risk that  warrants  might drop in
value at a faster rate than the underlying  stock. HIGH YIELD FUND may invest up
to 35% of its total assets in warrants. International Securities Fund may invest
up to 15% of its total assets in warrants.  UTILITIES  INCOME FUND may invest up
to 65% of its total assets in warrants.

    WHEN-ISSUED  SECURITIES.   GROWTH  FUND,  HIGH  YIELD  FUND,   INTERNATIONAL
SECURITIES  FUND,  INVESTMENT  GRADE FUND,  TARGET  MATURITY  2007 FUND,  TARGET
MATURITY  2010 FUND and  UTILITIES  INCOME  FUND may each  invest up to 5%,  and
GOVERNMENT FUND may invest up to 25%, of its net assets in securities  issued on
a when-issued or delayed delivery basis. A Fund generally would not pay for such
securities or start earning  interest on them until they are issued or received.
However,  when a Fund purchases  debt  obligations  on a when-issued  basis,  it
assumes the risks of ownership,  including the risk of price fluctuation, at the
time of purchase, not at the time of receipt. Failure of the issuer to deliver a
security  purchased  by a Fund on a  when-issued  basis may  result in such Fund
incurring a loss or missing an opportunity  to make an  alternative  investment.
When a Fund enters into a commitment  to purchase  securities  on a  when-issued
basis,  it  establishes a separate  account on its books and records or with its
custodian  consisting of cash or liquid  high-grade debt securities equal to the


                                       22
<PAGE>

amount of the Fund's commitment, which are valued at their fair market value. If
on any day the market value of this segregated  account falls below the value of
a Fund's  commitment,  the Fund will be required to deposit  additional  cash or
qualified  securities  into the  account  until equal to the value of the Fund's
commitment.  When the securities to be purchased are issued, a Fund will pay for
the  securities  from  available  cash, the sale of securities in the segregated
account,  sales  of  other  securities  and,  if  necessary,  from  sale  of the
when-issued  securities  themselves  although this is not  ordinarily  expected.
Securities  purchased on a when-issued basis are subject to the risk that yields
available in the market,  when delivery takes place, may be higher than the rate
to be  received on the  securities  a Fund is  committed  to  purchase.  Sale of
securities in the segregated  account or sale of the when-issued  securities may
cause the realization of a capital gain or loss.

    ZERO COUPON AND  PAY-IN-KIND  SECURITIES.  Zero coupon  securities  are debt
obligations  that do not entitle the holder to any periodic  payment of interest
prior to maturity or a specified date when the  securities  begin paying current
interest. They are issued and traded at a discount from their face amount or par
value, which discount varies depending on the time remaining until cash payments
begin,  prevailing  interest rates,  liquidity of the security and the perceived
credit quality of the issuer. Pay-in-kind securities are those that pay interest
through the issuance of additional  securities.  Original issue discount  earned
each year on zero coupon securities and the "interest" on pay-in-kind securities
must be  accounted  for by the Fund that holds the  securities  for  purposes of
determining  the amount it must  distribute that year to continue to qualify for
tax treatment as a regulated investment company. Thus, a Fund may be required to
distribute as a dividend an amount that is greater than the total amount of cash
it actually  receives.  See  "Taxes."  These  distributions  must be made from a
Fund's cash assets or, if  necessary,  from the  proceeds of sales of  portfolio
securities.  A Fund  will not be able to  purchase  additional  income-producing
securities  with cash used to make such  distributions,  and its current  income
ultimately could be reduced as a result.

      ZERO  COUPON  SECURITIES-RISK  FACTORS.  Zero coupon  securities  are debt
securities and thus are subject to the same risk factors as all debt securities.
See "Debt Securities-Risk Factors." The market prices of zero coupon securities,
however,  generally are more  volatile  than the prices of  securities  that pay
interest  periodically  and in cash and are  likely to  respond  to  changes  in
interest rates to a greater degree than do other types of debt securities having
similar  maturities  and credit  quality.  As a result,  the net asset  value of
shares of the  TARGET  MATURITY  2007  FUND and  TARGET  MATURITY  2010 FUND may
fluctuate  over a greater  range than shares of the other Funds or mutual  funds
that invest in debt obligations  having similar maturities but that make current
distributions of interest.

      Zero  coupon  securities  can be  sold  prior  to  their  due  date in the
secondary market at their then prevailing market value,  which depends primarily
on the time remaining to maturity,  prevailing  levels of interest rates and the
perceived credit quality of the issuer.  The prevailing market value may be more
or less than the securities' value at the time of purchase.  While the objective
of both the TARGET MATURITY 2007 FUND and TARGET MATURITY 2010 FUND is to seek a
predictable  compounded  investment  return  for  investors  who hold their Fund
shares until that Fund's maturity,  a Fund cannot assure that it will be able to
achieve a certain  level of return due to the  possible  necessity  of having to
sell  certain  zero coupon  securities  to pay  expenses,  dividends  or to meet
redemptions  at  times  and  at  prices  that  might  be   disadvantageous   or,
alternatively,  the  need to  invest  assets  received  from  new  purchases  at
prevailing  interest rates,  which would expose a Fund to reinvestment  risk. In
addition,  no  assurance  can be given as to the  liquidity  of the  market  for
certain  of  these  securities.  Determination  as  to  the  liquidity  of  such
securities will be made in accordance with guidelines established by Life Series
Fund's Board of Trustees.  In accordance with such guidelines,  the Adviser will
monitor each Fund's  investments in such securities  with  particular  regard to
trading activity,  availability of reliable price information and other relevant
information.

                               PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

    Although  each  Fund  generally  will  not  invest  for  short-term  trading
purposes,  portfolio  securities may be sold from time to time without regard to
the length of time they have been held when,  in the  opinion of the  Adviser or


                                       23
<PAGE>

the Subadviser investment considerations warrant such action. Portfolio turnover
rate is calculated by dividing (1) the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio
securities  for the  fiscal  year by (2) the  monthly  average  of the  value of
portfolio  securities  owned during the fiscal year. A 100%  turnover rate would
occur  if all the  securities  in a Fund's  portfolio,  with  the  exception  of
securities  whose  maturities at the time of acquisition  were one year or less,
were sold and either  repurchased  or replaced  within one year.  A high rate of
portfolio  turnover (100% or more) generally leads to transaction  costs and may
result in a greater number of taxable transactions. See "Allocation of Portfolio
Brokerage."

    The rate of portfolio  turnover for the fiscal year ended  December 31, 1997
for  the  BLUE  CHIP  FUND,  DISCOVERY  FUND,  GROWTH  FUND,  HIGH  YIELD  FUND,
INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES FUND, INVESTMENT GRADE FUND, TARGET MATURITY 2007 FUND,
TARGET MATURITY 2010 FUND And UTILITIES INCOME FUND was 63%, 85%, 27%. 40%. 71%,
41%,  1%,  13% and 64%,  respectively.  The  GOVERNMENT  FUND was  substantially
restructured  during 1997 to improve its total return.  In particular,  the Fund
purchased seasoned, high coupon mortgage-backed bonds with very low prepayments;
and the Fund  purchased  U.S.  Treasury  and  Agency  securities  to extend  its
duration. In addition,  the Fund occasionally bought or sold Treasury and Agency
securities to make incremental changes in the Fund's duration.  This resulted in
a portfolio  turnover rate for the fiscal year ended  December 31, 1997 of 134%.
The rate of portfolio  turnover for the fiscal year ended  December 31, 1998 for
the BLUE CHIP FUND, DISCOVERY FUND, GROWTH FUND, HIGH YIELD FUND,  INTERNATIONAL
SECURITIES  FUND,  INVESTMENT  GRADE FUND,  TARGET  MATURITY  2007 FUND,  TARGET
MATURITY 2010 FUND,  UTILITIES  INCOME FUND AND  GOVERNMENT  FUND was 91%, 121%,
26%, 42%, 109%, 60%, 1%, 0%, 105% and 107%, respectively.

                         FUTURES AND OPTIONS STRATEGIES

    None of the Funds other than the  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND  currently
intends  to engage  in  futures  and  options  trading.  The  Subadviser  of the
INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND has been  authorized by the Board to engage to a
limited  degree in  futures  and  options  strategies.  Although  the  following
discussion  describes all of the  strategies  that the Fund could legally engage
in, the Fund's  Subadviser has only been authorized to buy futures  contracts on
foreign securities  exchanges to gain exposure to a foreign securities market in
advance of making purchases of equity  securities in that market, to put cash at
work  while  seeking  equity  securities  to  purchase,  and to  adjust  country
weightings  by  gaining  exposure  to a  country.  The  Subadviser  has not been
authorized  to take short  positions  in futures  contracts  to hedge  against a
decline in a foreign  securities  market.  The  Subadviser  will only  engage in
strategies that are also permitted by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission
("CFTC").

    The instruments  described  below are sometimes  referred to collectively as
"Hedging Instruments." Certain special  characteristics of, and risks associated
with,  using  Hedging  Instruments  are  discussed  below.  In  addition  to the
non-fundamental  investment guidelines (described below) adopted by the Board to
govern the Fund's investments in Hedging  Instruments,  use of these instruments
is subject to the  applicable  regulations  of the SEC, the several  options and
futures  exchanges  upon which options and futures  contracts are traded and the
CFTC. The discussion of these  strategies  does not imply that the Fund will use
them to hedge against risks or for any other purpose.

    INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES FUND may buy and sell put and call options on stock
indices,  domestic or foreign  securities and foreign currencies that are traded
on national  securities  exchanges or in the OTC market to enhance  income or to
hedge the Fund's portfolio. INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES FUND also may write put and
covered  call  options to  generate  additional  income  through  the receipt of
premiums,  purchase  put options in an effort to protect the value of a security
that it owns against a decline in market  value and purchase  call options in an
effort to protect against an increase in the price of securities (or currencies)
it intends to purchase.  INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES FUND also may purchase put and
call  options  to offset  previously  written  put and call  options of the same
series.  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND also may write put and call  options to


                                       24
<PAGE>

offset previously  purchased put and call options of the same series. Other than
to offset closing  transactions,  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES FUND will write only
covered call options, including options on futures contracts.

    INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES FUND may buy and sell financial  futures contracts
and options thereon that are traded on a commodities  exchange or board of trade
for hedging  purposes.  These futures  contracts  and related  options may be on
stock  indices,  financial  indices,  debt  securities  or  foreign  currencies.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES FUND also may enter into forward currency contracts.

    Participation  in the options or futures markets  involves  investment risks
and  transaction  costs to which  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND  would  not be
subject absent the use of these  strategies.  If the Subadviser's  prediction of
movements in the  direction  of the  securities  and  interest  rate markets are
inaccurate,  the adverse  consequences to the Fund may leave the Fund in a worse
position than if such strategies were not used. The Fund might not employ any of
the strategies  described below, and there can be no assurance that any strategy
will  succeed.  The use of  these  strategies  involve  certain  special  risks,
including  (1)  dependence  on the  Subadviser's  ability to  predict  correctly
movements  in the  direction  of  interest  rates  and  securities  prices,  (2)
imperfect  correlation  between  the price of  options,  futures  contracts  and
options thereon and movements in the prices of the securities being hedged,  (3)
the fact that skills needed to use these  strategies  are  different  from those
needed to select portfolio securities,  and (4) the possible absence of a liquid
secondary market for any particular instrument at any time.

    COVER  FOR  HEDGING  AND  OPTION  INCOME  STRATEGIES.  The Fund will not use
leverage in its hedging and option  income  strategies.  The Fund will not enter
into a hedging or option income  strategy that exposes the Fund to an obligation
to another party unless it owns either (1) an offsetting ("covered") position in
securities,  currencies or other options or futures contracts or (2) cash and/or
liquid  assets  with a value  sufficient  at all  times to cover  its  potential
obligations.  The Fund will comply with  guidelines  established by the SEC with
respect to coverage of hedging and option income strategies by mutual funds and,
if required,  will set aside cash and/or liquid  assets in a segregated  account
with its custodian in the  prescribed  amount.  Securities,  currencies or other
options or futures  positions used for cover and securities held in a segregated
account cannot be sold or closed out while the hedging or option income strategy
is outstanding unless they are replaced with similar assets. As a result,  there
is a  possibility  that  the  use of  cover  or  segregation  involving  a large
percentage of the Fund's assets could impede portfolio  management or the Fund's
ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.

    OPTIONS STRATEGIES.  INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES FUND may purchase call options
on securities that the Subadviser  intends to include in the Fund's portfolio in
order to fix the cost of a future  purchase.  Call options also may be used as a
means of  participating in an anticipated  price increase of a security.  In the
event of a decline in the price of the underlying security, use of this strategy
would  serve to limit the Fund's  potential  loss on the option  strategy to the
option premium paid; conversely,  if the market price of the underlying security
increases  above the exercise  price and the Fund either sells or exercises  the
option, any profit eventually realized will be reduced by the premium.  The Fund
may purchase put options in order to hedge against a decline in the market value
of securities held in its portfolio. The put option enables the Fund to sell the
underlying security at the predetermined  exercise price; thus the potential for
loss to the Fund below the exercise price is limited to the option premium paid.
If the market price of the underlying security is higher than the exercise price
of the put option, any profit the Fund realizes on the sale of the security will
be reduced by the premium  paid for the put option less any amount for which the
put option may be sold.

    INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND may write covered call options on securities
to increase  income in the form of premiums  received from the purchasers of the
options.  Because it can be expected that a call option will be exercised if the
market value of the  underlying  security  increases to a level greater than the
exercise price, the Fund will write covered call options on securities generally


                                       25
<PAGE>

when the  Subadviser  believes  that the  premium  received  by the  Fund,  plus
anticipated  appreciation  in the market price of the underlying  security up to
the exercise price of the option, will be greater than the total appreciation in
the  price  of the  security.  The  strategy  may be  used  to  provide  limited
protection  against a decrease in the market  price of the security in an amount
equal to the premium  received for writing the call option less any  transaction
costs.  Thus,  if the market price of the  underlying  security held by the Fund
declines,  the amount of such  decline  will be offset  wholly or in part by the
amount of the premium received by the Fund. If, however, there is an increase in
the market price of the  underlying  security and the option is  exercised,  the
Fund will be obligated to sell the security at less than its market  value.  The
Fund gives up the  ability to sell the  portfolio  securities  used to cover the
call option while the call option is  outstanding.  Such  securities may also be
considered  illiquid  in the  case  of OTC  options  written  by the  Fund,  and
therefore   subject  to  the  Fund's   limitation  on  investments  in  illiquid
securities.  See "Restricted  Securities and Illiquid Investments." In addition,
the Fund could lose the  ability to  participate  in an increase in the value of
such  securities  above the  exercise  price of the call option  because such an
increase  would  likely be offset by an  increase in the cost of closing out the
call option (or could be negated if the buyer chose to exercise  the call option
at an exercise price below the securities' current market value).

    INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND may  purchase put and call options and write
covered  call  options  on stock  indices  in much the same  manner  as the more
traditional  equity and debt options  discussed  above,  except that stock index
options may serve as a hedge  against  overall  fluctuations  in the  securities
markets (or a market sector) rather than  anticipated  increases or decreases in
the value of a particular security. A stock index assigns relative values to the
stock  included in the index and fluctuates  with changes in such values.  Stock
index options  operate in the same way as the more  traditional  equity options,
except that  settlements  of stock index options are effected with cash payments
and do not involve  delivery of  securities.  Thus,  upon  settlement of a stock
index  option,  the purchaser  will realize,  and the writer will pay, an amount
based on the difference  between the exercise price and the closing price of the
stock index. The  effectiveness of hedging  techniques using stock index options
will depend on the extent to which price  movements in the stock index  selected
correlate with price movements of the securities in which the Fund invests.

    INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES FUND may write put options. A put option gives the
purchaser  of the  option  the  right  to  sell,  and the  writer  (seller)  the
obligation  to buy, the  underlying  security at the  exercise  price during the
option period. So long as the obligation of the writer continues, the writer may
be assigned an exercise  notice by the  broker-dealer  through which such option
was sold, requiring it to make payment of the exercise price against delivery of
the  underlying  security.  The  operation  of put  options  in other  respects,
including their related risks and rewards, is substantially identical to that of
call options.  The Fund may write covered put options in circumstances  when the
Subadviser  believes  that the market price of the  securities  will not decline
below the exercise  price less the premiums  received.  If the put option is not
exercised,  the Fund will realize income in the amount of the premium  received.
This technique  could be used to enhance current return during periods of market
uncertainty.  The risk in such a  transaction  would be that the market price of
the underlying security would decline below the exercise price less the premiums
received, in which case the Fund would expect to suffer a loss.

    Currently,  many options on equity  securities and options on currencies are
exchange-traded,  whereas options on debt securities are primarily traded on the
OTC  market.  Although  many  options on  currencies  are  exchange-traded,  the
majority of such options are traded on the OTC market.  Exchange-traded  options
in the U.S. are issued by a clearing  organization  affiliated with the exchange
on which the option is listed which, in effect,  guarantees  completion of every
exchange-traded  option  transaction.  In  contrast,  OTC options are  contracts
between the Fund and the opposite party with no clearing organization guarantee.
Thus, when the Fund purchases an OTC option,  it relies on the dealer from which
it has  purchased  the OTC  option to make or take  delivery  of the  securities
underlying  the option.  Failure by the dealer to do so would result in the loss
of the premium paid by the Fund as well as the loss of the  expected  benefit of
the transaction.

                                       26
<PAGE>

    FOREIGN  CURRENCY OPTIONS AND RELATED RISKS.  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES Fund
may take  positions in options on foreign  currencies  in order to hedge against
the risk of foreign  exchange rate  fluctuations on foreign  securities the Fund
holds in its portfolio or intends to purchase.  For example,  if the Fund enters
into a contract to purchase  securities  denominated in a foreign  currency,  it
could  effectively  fix  the  maximum  U.S.  dollar  cost of the  securities  by
purchasing call options on that foreign  currency.  Similarly,  if the Fund held
securities  denominated in a foreign currency,  and anticipated a decline in the
value of that  currency  against the U.S.  dollar,  the Fund could hedge against
such a decline by purchasing a put option on the currency  involved.  The Fund's
ability to establish  and close out  positions in such options is subject to the
maintenance of a liquid secondary market. Although the Fund will not purchase or
write such options unless and until, in the Subadviser's opinion, the market for
them has developed sufficiently to ensure that the risks in connection with such
options  are not  greater  than the  risks  in  connection  with the  underlying
currency,  there can be no assurance that a liquid  secondary  market will exist
for a particular  option at any specific  time. In addition,  options on foreign
currencies are affected by all of those factors that influence  foreign exchange
rates and investments generally.

    The  value of a  foreign  currency  option  depends  upon  the  value of the
underlying  currency relative to the U.S. dollar. As a result,  the price of the
option  position may vary with changes in the value of either or both currencies
and may have no  relationship  to the investment  merits of a foreign  security.
Because foreign currency transactions  occurring in the interbank market involve
substantially  larger  amounts  than  those that may be  involved  in the use of
foreign currency options, investors may be disadvantaged by having to deal in an
odd lot market for the  underlying  foreign  currencies  at prices that are less
favorable than for round lots.

    There is no  systematic  reporting  of last  sale  information  for  foreign
currencies or any  regulatory  requirement  that  quotations  available  through
dealers or other market sources be firm or revised on a timely basis.  Quotation
information available is generally  representative of very large transactions in
the interbank market and thus may not reflect  relatively  smaller  transactions
where rates may be less favorable. The interbank market in foreign currencies is
a global,  around-the-clock  market. To the extent that the U.S. options markets
are  closed  while  the  markets  for the  underlying  currencies  remain  open,
significant  price and rate movements may take place in the  underlying  markets
that cannot be reflected in the options markets until they reopen.

    OPTIONS  GUIDELINES.  In view of the risks  involved in using  options,  the
Board may adopt the following  non-fundamental  investment  guidelines to govern
the Fund's use of options that may be modified by the Board without  shareholder
vote: (1) options will be purchased or written only when the Subadviser believes
that there exists a liquid  secondary  market in such options;  and (2) the Fund
may not purchase a put or call option if the value of the option's premium, when
aggregated  with the premiums on all other options held by the Fund,  exceeds 5%
of the Fund's total assets.  This policy does not limit risk to 5% of the Fund's
assets.

    SPECIAL   CHARACTERISTICS  AND  RISKS  OF  OPTIONS  TRADING.   INTERNATIONAL
SECURITIES  FUND may  effectively  terminate  its right or  obligation  under an
option by entering into a closing  transaction.  If the Fund wishes to terminate
its  obligation to sell  securities or currencies  under a put or call option it
has written, the Fund may purchase a put or call option of the same series (that
is,  an  option  identical  in its  terms to the put or call  option  previously
written); this is known as a closing purchase transaction.  Conversely, in order
to terminate  its right to purchase or sell  specified  securities or currencies
under a call or put option it has purchased, the Fund may write an option of the
same series,  as the option held;  this is known as a closing sale  transaction.
Closing  transactions  essentially  permit the Fund to realize  profits or limit
losses on its  options  positions  prior to the  exercise or  expiration  of the
option.  Whether a profit or loss is realized from a closing transaction depends
on the price  movement of the  underlying  index,  security or currency  and the
market value of the option.



                                       27
<PAGE>

    The value of an option  position  will  reflect,  among  other  things,  the
current market price of the underlying  security,  stock index or currency,  the
time remaining until  expiration,  the relationship of the exercise price to the
market price, the historical price volatility of the underlying security,  stock
index or currency and general market conditions. For this reason, the successful
use of options depends upon the  Subadviser's  ability to forecast the direction
of price  fluctuations in the underlying  securities or currency  markets or, in
the case of stock index options,  fluctuations in the market sector  represented
by the index selected.

    Options  normally  have  expiration  dates of up to nine  months.  Unless an
option  purchased by the Fund is exercised  or unless a closing  transaction  is
effected with respect to that position, a loss will be realized in the amount of
the premium paid and any transaction costs.

    A  position  in an  exchange-listed  option  may be  closed  out  only on an
exchange that provides a secondary market for identical options.  The ability to
establish and close out positions on the exchanges is subject to the maintenance
of a liquid  secondary  market.  Although  the Fund intends to purchase or write
only  those  exchange-traded  options  for which  there  appears  to be a liquid
secondary  market,  there is no assurance  that a liquid  secondary  market will
exist for any particular option at any particular time. Closing transactions may
be effected  with respect to options  traded in the OTC markets  (currently  the
primary  markets for options on debt  securities)  only by negotiating  directly
with the other party to the option  contract  or in a  secondary  market for the
option if such market exists. Although the Fund will enter into OTC options only
with  dealers  that agree to enter into,  and that are expected to be capable of
entering into,  closing  transactions  with the Fund, there is no assurance that
the Fund will be able to  liquidate  an OTC option at a  favorable  price at any
time prior to expiration.  In the event of insolvency of the opposite party, the
Fund may be  unable  to  liquidate  an OTC  option.  Accordingly,  it may not be
possible to effect closing  transactions  with respect to certain options,  with
the result  that the Fund  would  have to  exercise  those  options  that it has
purchased in order to realize any profit. With respect to options written by the
Fund, the inability to enter into a closing  transaction  may result in material
losses to the Fund.  For  example,  because  the Fund  must  maintain  a covered
position  with  respect to any call option it writes,  the Fund may not sell the
underlying  assets  used to cover an option  during the  period it is  obligated
under the  option.  This  requirement  may impair  the Fund's  ability to sell a
portfolio  security  or  make  an  investment  at a time  when  such  a sale  or
investment might be advantageous.

    Stock index options are settled  exclusively  in cash. If the Fund purchases
an option on a stock index,  the option is settled based on the closing value of
the index on the  exercise  date.  Thus,  a holder of a stock  index  option who
exercises it before the closing  index value for that day is available  runs the
risk  that the  level of the  underlying  index  may  subsequently  change.  For
example, in the case of a call option, if such a change causes the closing index
value  to fall  below  the  exercise  price  of the  option  on the  index,  the
exercising  holder will be required  to pay the  difference  between the closing
index value and the exercise price of the option.

    The  Fund's  activities  in the  options  markets  may  result  in a  higher
portfolio turnover rate and additional  brokerage costs;  however, the Fund also
may save on  commissions  by using  options  as a hedge  rather  than  buying or
selling  individual  securities  in  anticipation  or  as  a  result  of  market
movements.

    FUTURES  STRATEGIES.  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND may  engage in futures
strategies to attempt to reduce the overall  investment risk that would normally
be  expected to be  associated  with  ownership  of the  securities  in which it
invests.  The Fund may sell foreign currency futures  contracts to hedge against
possible  variations in the exchange rate of the foreign currency in relation to
the U.S.  dollar.  In  addition,  the Fund may  sell  foreign  currency  futures
contracts  when the  Subadviser  anticipates  a  general  weakening  of  foreign
currency  exchange  rates that could  adversely  affect the market  value of the
Fund's foreign securities holdings.  In this case, the sale of futures contracts


                                       28
<PAGE>

on the  underlying  currency  may reduce the risk to the Fund of a reduction  in
market value caused by foreign currency variations and, by so doing,  provide an
alternative to the liquidation of securities positions and resulting transaction
costs.  When the  Subadviser  anticipates  a significant  foreign  exchange rate
increase while  intending to invest in a security  denominated in that currency,
the Fund may purchase a foreign  currency futures contract to hedge against that
increase  pending  completion of the  anticipated  transaction.  Such a purchase
would serve as a temporary  measure to protect the Fund  against any rise in the
foreign  exchange  rate that may add  additional  costs to acquiring the foreign
security  position.  The Fund also may  purchase  call or put options on foreign
currency  futures  contracts to obtain a fixed foreign  exchange rate at limited
risk. The Fund may purchase a call option on a foreign currency futures contract
to hedge against a rise in the foreign  exchange rate while  intending to invest
in a security denominated in that currency. The Fund may purchase put options or
write call options on foreign  currency  futures  contracts  as a partial  hedge
against a decline  in the  foreign  exchange  rates or the value of its  foreign
portfolio securities.

    INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND may sell stock index  futures  contracts  in
anticipation  of a general market or market sector decline that could  adversely
affect the market value of the Fund's portfolio. To the extent that a portion of
the Fund's  portfolio  correlates with a given stock index,  the sale of futures
contracts on that index could reduce the risks  associated with a market decline
and thus provide an alternative to the liquidation of securities positions.  The
Fund may  purchase a stock index  futures  contract if a  significant  market or
market sector advance is anticipated. Such a purchase would serve as a temporary
substitute  for the  purchase of  individual  stocks,  which  stocks may then be
purchased in an orderly fashion. This strategy may minimize the effect of all or
part of an increase in the market price of  securities  that the Fund intends to
purchase.  A rise in the price of the  securities  should be partially or wholly
offset by gains in the futures position.

    INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND may  purchase  call  options on stock  index
futures to hedge  against a market  advance in equity  securities  that the Fund
plans to purchase at a future date.  The Fund may write  covered call options on
stock index futures as a partial hedge against a decline in the prices of stocks
held in the Fund's  portfolio.  The Fund also may  purchase put options on stock
index futures contracts.

    INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND may use interest rate futures  contracts and
options  thereon to hedge the debt portion of its portfolio  against  changes in
the general  level of interest  rates.  The Fund may  purchase an interest  rate
futures  contract  when it intends to purchase debt  securities  but has not yet
done so. This  strategy may minimize the effect of all or part of an increase in
the  market  price  of  those  securities  because  a rise in the  price  of the
securities  prior to their  purchase  may either be offset by an increase in the
value of the  futures  contract  purchased  by the  Fund or  avoided  by  taking
delivery of the debt securities under the futures contract.  Conversely,  a fall
in  the  market  price  of  the  underlying  debt  securities  may  result  in a
corresponding  decrease in the value of the futures position.  The Fund may sell
an  interest  rate  futures  contract in order to continue to receive the income
from a debt security,  while  endeavoring to avoid part or all of the decline in
the market value of that security  that would  accompany an increase in interest
rates.

    INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES FUND may purchase a call option on an interest rate
futures  contract to hedge against a market advance in debt  securities that the
Fund plans to acquire at a future  date.  The Fund also may write  covered  call
options on interest rate futures  contracts as a partial hedge against a decline
in the price of debt  securities  held in the Fund's  portfolio  or purchase put
options on interest  rate futures  contracts in order to hedge against a decline
in the value of debt securities held in the Fund's portfolio.

    SPECIAL  RISKS  RELATED TO FOREIGN  CURRENCY  FUTURES  CONTRACTS AND RELATED
OPTIONS. Buyers and sellers of foreign currency futures contracts are subject to
the same risks that apply to the use of futures  generally.  In addition,  there
are risks associated with foreign currency futures  contracts and their use as a
hedging device similar to those  associated  with options on foreign  currencies
described above. Further, settlement of a foreign currency futures contract must


                                       29
<PAGE>

occur within the country issuing the underlying  currency.  Thus,  INTERNATIONAL
SECURITIES FUND must accept or make delivery of the underlying  foreign currency
in accordance with any U.S. or foreign restrictions or regulations regarding the
maintenance  of  foreign  banking  arrangements  by  U.S.  residents  and may be
required to pay any fees,  taxes or charges  associated  with such delivery that
are assessed in the issuing country.

    Options on foreign currency futures contracts may involve certain additional
risks.  Trading of such options is relatively  new. The ability to establish and
close out  positions on such options is subject to the  maintenance  of a liquid
secondary  market. To reduce this risk,  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES FUND will not
purchase  or write  options on foreign  currency  futures  contracts  unless and
until, in the  Subadviser's  opinion,  the market for such options has developed
sufficiently that the risks in connection with such options are not greater than
the risks in connection with transactions in the underlying  futures  contracts.
Compared to the  purchase or sale of foreign  currency  futures  contracts,  the
purchase  of  call  or put  options  thereon  involves  less  potential  risk to
INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES FUND because the maximum amount at risk is the premium
paid  for  the  options  (plus  transaction  costs).   However,   there  may  be
circumstances  when the  purchase of a call or put option on a foreign  currency
futures  contract  would result in a loss,  such as when there is no movement in
the price of the underlying currency or futures contract.

    FUTURES  GUIDELINES.  To the  extent  that  the  Fund  enters  into  futures
contracts  or options  thereon  other than for bona fide  hedging  purposes  (as
defined by the CFTC),  the  aggregate  initial  margin and premiums  required to
establish these positions  (excluding the  in-the-money  amount for options that
are  in-the-money  at the time of  purchase)  will not  exceed 5% of the  Fund's
liquidation  value,  after taking into account  unrealized profits and losses on
any  contracts  into which the Fund has entered.  This does not limit the Fund's
assets at risk to 5%.  The value of all  futures  sold will not exceed the total
market value of the Fund's portfolio.

    SPECIAL  CHARACTERISTICS AND RISKS OF FUTURES TRADING. No price is paid upon
entering into futures contracts. Instead, upon entering into a futures contract,
INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND is required to deposit  with its  custodian in a
segregated  account  in the  name  of  the  futures  broker  through  which  the
transaction is effected an amount of cash, U.S.  Government  securities or other
liquid,  high-grade  debt  instruments  generally  equal to 3%-5% or less of the
contract value. This amount is known as "initial margin." When writing a call or
put option on a futures  contract,  margin also must be deposited in  accordance
with applicable  exchange rules.  Initial margin on futures  contracts is in the
nature of a performance bond or good-faith  deposit that is returned to the Fund
upon  termination  of  the  transaction,  assuming  all  obligations  have  been
satisfied. Under certain circumstances,  such as periods of high volatility, the
Fund may be required by an exchange to increase the level of its initial  margin
payment. Additionally, initial margin requirements may be increased generally in
the future by regulatory action. Subsequent payments, called "variation margin,"
to and from the  broker,  are made on a daily  basis as the value of the futures
position varies,  a process known as "marking to market."  Variation margin does
not involve borrowing to finance the futures transactions, but rather represents
a daily settlement of the Fund's obligation to or from a clearing  organization.
The Fund is also obligated to make initial and variation margin payments when it
writes options on futures contracts.

    Holders and writers of futures  positions and options thereon can enter into
offsetting closing  transactions,  similar to closing transactions on options on
securities,  by selling  or  purchasing,  respectively,  a futures  position  or
options  position with the same terms as the position or option held or written.
Positions  in futures  contracts  and  options  thereon may be closed only on an
exchange  or board of trade  providing a  secondary  market for such  futures or
options.

    Under certain circumstances, futures exchanges may establish daily limits on
the  amount  that the price of a futures  contract  or  related  option may vary
either up or down from the previous day's settlement price. Once the daily limit


                                       30
<PAGE>

has been reached in a particular  contract,  no trades may be made that day at a
price beyond that limit.  The daily limit governs only price movements  during a
particular  trading day and therefore  does not limit  potential  losses because
prices could move to the daily limit for several  consecutive  trading days with
little or no trading and  thereby  prevent  prompt  liquidation  of  unfavorable
positions.  In such  event,  it may not be  possible  for  the  Fund to  close a
position  and, in the event of adverse  price  movements  the Fund would have to
make daily cash  payments of variation  margin  (except in the case of purchased
options).  However,  in the  event  futures  contracts  have  been used to hedge
portfolio  securities,  such securities will not be sold until the contracts can
be  terminated.  In  such  circumstances,  an  increase  in  the  price  of  the
securities,  if any, may  partially or  completely  offset losses on the futures
contract.  However, there is no guarantee that the price of the securities will,
in fact, correlate with the price movements in the contracts and thus provide an
offset to losses on the contracts.

    Successful use by  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND of futures  contracts and
related options will depend upon the Subadviser's  ability to predict  movements
in the direction of the overall securities,  currency and interest rate markets,
which requires  different  skills and techniques than predicting  changes in the
prices of individual securities.  Moreover,  futures contracts relate not to the
current price level of the underlying  instrument but to the anticipated  levels
at some point in the future. There is, in addition,  the risk that the movements
in the price of the futures  contract or related  option will not correlate with
the  movements  in prices of the  securities  or  currencies  being  hedged.  In
addition, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell assets from its
portfolio to meet daily variation margin  requirements.  Any such sale of assets
may or may not be made at prices that reflect the rising  market.  Consequently,
the Fund may need to sell  assets at a time when such sales are  disadvantageous
to the Fund. If the price of the futures  contract or related  option moves more
than  the  price of the  underlying  securities  or  currencies,  the Fund  will
experience  either a loss or a gain on the futures  contract  or related  option
that  may or may not be  completely  offset  by  movements  in the  price of the
securities or currencies that are the subject of the hedge.

    In addition to the possibility  that there may be an imperfect  correlation,
or no  correlation  at all,  between  price  movements in the futures or related
option position and the securities or currencies being hedged,  movements in the
prices of futures contracts and related options may not correlate perfectly with
movements in the prices of the hedged securities or currencies  because of price
distortions in the futures market.  As a result,  a correct  forecast of general
market  trends may not result in successful  hedging  through the use of futures
contracts and related options over the short term.

    Positions in futures contracts and related options may be closed out only on
an exchange or board of trade that provides a secondary  market for such futures
contracts  or related  options.  Although  the Fund  intends to purchase or sell
futures contracts and related options only on exchanges or boards of trade where
there appears to be a liquid secondary market, there is no assurance that such a
market will exist for any particular  contract or option at any particular time.
In such event, it may not be possible to close a futures or option position and,
in the event of adverse price movements,  the Fund would continue to be required
to make variation margin payments.

    Like options on securities and currencies, options on futures contracts have
a limited  life.  The ability to establish and close out options on futures will
be subject to the development and maintenance of liquid secondary markets on the
relevant  exchanges or boards of trade.  There can be no  certainty  that liquid
secondary markets for all options on futures contracts will develop.

    Purchasers of options on futures contracts pay a premium in cash at the time
of  purchase.  This  amount and the  transaction  costs are all that is at risk.
Sellers of options on a futures contract,  however, must post initial margin and
are subject to additional margin calls that could be substantial in the event of
adverse price movements.  In addition,  although the maximum amount at risk when
the  Fund  purchases  an  option  is the  premium  paid for the  option  and the
transaction  costs, there may be circumstances when the purchase of an option on
a futures  contract would result in a loss to the Fund when the use of a futures
contract  would  not,  such as when  there is no  movement  in the  level of the


                                       31
<PAGE>

underlying  stock  index or the  value of the  securities  or  currencies  being
hedged.

    The Fund's  activities in the futures and related options markets may result
in a higher portfolio turnover rate and additional transaction costs in the form
of added brokerage  commissions;  however, the Fund also may save on commissions
by using  futures and related  options as a hedge  rather than buying or selling
individual  securities or currencies  in  anticipation  or as a result of market
movements.

    FORWARD CURRENCY  CONTRACTS.  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES FUND may use forward
currency  contracts  to  protect  against  uncertainty  in the  level of  future
exchange rates. The Fund will not speculate with forward  currency  contracts or
foreign currency exchange rates.

    INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES FUND may enter into forward currency contracts with
respect to  specific  transactions.  For  example,  when the Fund  enters into a
contract  for the  purchase  or  sale of a  security  denominated  in a  foreign
currency,  or when the Fund  anticipates  the  receipt in a foreign  currency of
dividend or interest  payments on a security that it holds,  the Fund may desire
to "lock-in" the U.S. dollar price of the security or the U.S. dollar equivalent
of such payment, as the case may be, by entering into a forward contract for the
purchase or sale, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars or foreign currency, of the
amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying transaction. The Fund will
thereby be able to protect  itself  against a possible  loss  resulting  from an
adverse change in the  relationship  between the currency  exchange rates during
the period  between the date on which the security is  purchased or sold,  or on
which the payment is declared,  and the date of which such  payments are made or
received.

    INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND also may use forward  currency  contracts in
connection  with portfolio  positions to lock in the U.S.  dollar value of those
positions,  to  increase  the Fund's  exposure  to foreign  currencies  that its
Subadviser  believes may rise in value  relative to the U.S.  dollar or to shift
the  Fund's  exposure  to  foreign  currency  fluctuations  from one  country to
another.  This investment  practice  generally is referred to as "cross-hedging"
when another foreign currency is used.

    The precise matching of the forward currency  contract amounts and the value
of the  securities  involved will not  generally be possible  because the future
value of such  securities in foreign  currencies will change as a consequence of
market movements in the value of those  securities  between the date the forward
contract  is  entered  into  and the  date it  matures.  Accordingly,  it may be
necessary  for the Fund to  purchase  additional  foreign  currency  on the spot
(i.e., cash) market and bear the expense of such purchase if the market value of
the  security is less than the amount of foreign  currency the Fund is obligated
to deliver and if a decision is made to sell the security  and make  delivery of
the foreign currency. Conversely, it may be necessary to sell on the spot market
some of the foreign currency received upon the sale of the portfolio security if
its market value exceeds the amount of foreign currency the Fund is obligated to
deliver.  The projection of short-term  currency  market  movements is extremely
difficult,  and the  successful  execution of a short-term  hedging  strategy is
highly uncertain.  Forward currency  contracts involve the risk that anticipated
currency movements will not be accurately predicted, causing the Fund to sustain
losses on these contracts and transactions  costs. Unless the Fund's obligations
under a  forward  contract  are  covered,  the Fund  will  enter  into a forward
contract only if the Fund  maintains  cash assets in a segregated  account in an
amount  not less than the value of the  Fund's  total  assets  committed  to the
consummation of the contract, as marked to market daily.

    At or before the maturity date of a forward contract requiring INTERNATIONAL
SECURITIES  FUND to sell a  currency,  the  Fund  may  either  sell a  portfolio
security  and use the sale  proceeds to make  delivery of the currency or retain
the security and offset its  contractual  obligation  to deliver the currency by
purchasing a second contract pursuant to which the Fund will obtain, on the same
maturity  date, the same amount of the currency that it is obligated to deliver.


                                       32
<PAGE>

Similarly,  the Fund may close out a forward contract requiring it to purchase a
specified  currency by entering into a second contract  entitling it to sell the
same amount of the same currency on the maturity date of the first contract. The
Fund would  realize a gain or loss as a result of  entering  into an  offsetting
forward currency  contract under either  circumstance to the extent the exchange
rate or rates between the currencies  involved moved between the execution dates
of the first  contract and the  offsetting  contract.  There can be no assurance
that new forward  contracts or offsets  always will be  available  for the Fund.
Forward  currency  contracts  also  involve a risk  that the other  party to the
contract may fail to deliver  currency or pay for currency when due, which could
result in  substantial  losses to the Fund.  The cost to the Fund of engaging in
forward currency contracts varies with factors such as the currencies  involved,
the length of the contract  period and the market  conditions  then  prevailing.
Because  forward  currency  contracts  are usually  entered  into on a principal
basis, no fees or commissions are involved.


                             INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS

    The  investment  restrictions  set forth below have been adopted by the Life
Series Fund and,  unless  identified  as  non-fundamental  policies,  may not be
changed  without the affirmative  vote of a majority of the  outstanding  voting
securities  of Life Series Fund.  As provided in the  Investment  Company Act of
1940, as amended ("1940 Act"), a "vote of a majority of the  outstanding  voting
securities  of the Fund"  means the  affirmative  vote of the lesser of (1) more
than 50% of the outstanding  shares of the Fund or (2) 67% or more of the shares
of the Fund present at a meeting, if more than 50% of the outstanding shares are
represented  at the  meeting  in person  or by proxy.  Except  with  respect  to
borrowing,  changes in values of a  particular  Fund's  assets  will not cause a
violation  of the  following  investment  restrictions  so  long  as  percentage
restrictions are observed by that Fund at the time it purchases any security.

    The investment restrictions provide that, among other things, the Funds will
not:

    (1) Borrow  money,  except as a temporary or emergency  measure in an amount
not to exceed 5% of the value of its total assets.

    (2)  Pledge  assets,  except  that a Fund may  pledge  its  assets to secure
borrowings  made in  accordance  with  paragraph  (1) above,  provided  the Fund
maintains asset coverage of at least 300% for pledged assets; provided, however,
this limitation will not prohibit escrow,  collateral or margin  arrangements in
connection  with the  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND's use of options,  futures
contracts or options on futures contracts.

    (3)  Make  loans,  except  by  purchase  of  debt  obligations  and  through
repurchase agreements. However, Life Series Fund's Board of Trustees may, on the
request of broker-dealers or other  unaffiliated  institutional  investors which
they deem qualified, authorize a Fund to loan securities to cover the borrower's
short position;  provided,  however, the borrower pledges to the Fund and agrees
to  maintain at all times with the Fund cash  collateral  equal to not less than
100% of the value of the  securities  loaned,  the loan is terminable at will by
the Fund,  the Fund receives  interest on the loan as well as any  distributions
upon the securities  loaned,  the Fund retains voting rights associated with the
securities,  the Fund pays only reasonable custodian fees in connection with the
loan,  and the  Adviser  or  Subadviser  monitors  the  creditworthiness  of the
borrower throughout the life of the loan; provided further, that such loans will
not be made if the value of all loans is greater  than an amount equal to 10% of
the Fund's total assets.

    (4) Purchase, with respect to only 75% of a Fund's assets, the securities of
any issuer (other than the U.S.  Government) if, as a result  thereof,  (a) more
than 5% of the Fund's total assets (taken at current value) would be invested in
the  securities of such issuer;  or (b) the Fund would hold more than 10% of any
class of securities  (including  any class of voting  securities) of such issuer
(for this purpose,  all debt  obligations of an issuer maturing in less than one
year are treated as a single class of securities).



                                       33
<PAGE>

    (5) Purchase securities on margin (but a Fund may obtain such credits as may
be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities);  provided,
however,  that  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND  may  make  margin  deposits  in
connection  with the use of options,  futures  contracts  and options on futures
contracts.

    (6) Make short sales of securities.

    (7)  Buy  or  sell  puts,  calls,  straddles  or  spreads,   except,  as  to
INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES FUND, with respect to options on securities, securities
indices and foreign currencies or on futures contracts.

    (8) Purchase the  securities  of other  investment  companies or  investment
trusts,  except as they may be  acquired as part of a merger,  consolidation  or
acquisition of assets.

    (9) Underwrite securities issued by other persons except to the extent that,
in  connection  with the  disposition  of its portfolio  investments,  it may be
deemed to be an underwriter under Federal securities laws.

    (10) Buy or sell real estate,  commodities,  or commodity  contracts (unless
acquired as a result of  ownership  of  securities)  or interests in oil, gas or
mineral explorations; provided, however, a Fund may invest in securities secured
by real estate or interests in real estate,  and  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES FUND
may  purchase  or sell  options on  securities,  securities  indices and foreign
currencies,  stock index  futures,  interest  rate futures and foreign  currency
futures, as well as options on such futures contracts.

    (11)  Purchase the  securities  of an issuer if such  purchase,  at the time
thereof,  would cause more than 5% of the value of a Fund's  total  assets to be
invested in securities of issuers which, including  predecessors,  have a record
of less than three years' continuous operation.

    (12)  Concentrate  investments  in  any  particular  industry,  except  that
Utilities Income Fund may concentrate its investments in securities of companies
in the public utilities industry.

    The following  investment  restriction is not fundamental and can be changed
without prior shareholder approval:

    1. A Fund will not purchase any security if, as a result, more than 15% (10%
for CASH  MANAGEMENT  FUND) of its net  assets  would be  invested  in  illiquid
securities,  including repurchase agreements not entitling the holder to payment
of principal and interest within seven days and any securities that are illiquid
by virtue of legal or  contractual  restrictions  on resale or the  absence of a
readily available market. The Trustees,  or the Funds' investment adviser acting
pursuant to authority  delegated by the Trustees,  may determine  that a readily
available market exists for securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,  or any other applicable rule, and
therefore that such securities are not subject to the foregoing limitation.


                              TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

    The  following  table lists the  Trustees and  executive  officers of Series
Fund, their age, business address and principal occupations during the past five
years.  Unless  otherwise  noted,  an individual's  business  address is 95 Wall
Street, New York, New York 10005.

JAMES J. COY (84),  Emeritus Trustee,  90 Buell Land, East Hampton,  NY 11937.
Retired;  formerly  Senior Vice  President,  James  Talcott,  Inc.  (financial
institution).

GLENN O.  HEAD*+  (73),  President  and  Trustee.  Chairman  of the  Board and
Director,  Administrative  Data Management  Corp.  ("ADM"),  FIMCO,  Executive


                                       34
<PAGE>

Investors  Management  Company,  Inc. ("EIMCO"),  First Investors  Corporation
("FIC"),   Executive   Investors   Corporation  ("EIC")  and  First  Investors
Consolidated Corporation ("FICC").

KATHRYN  S.  HEAD*+  (43),  Trustee,  581 Main  Street,  Woodbridge,  NJ  07095.
President and Director,  FICC, ADM and FIMCO;  Vice President and Director,  FIC
and EIC;  President  EIMCO;  Chairman,  President and Director,  First Financial
Savings Bank, S.L.A.

LARRY R. LAVOIE* (51), Trustee.  Assistant Secretary, ADM, EIC, EIMCO, FICC, and
FIMCO; Secretary and General Counsel, FIC.

REX R. REED** (76),  Trustee,  259 Governors  Drive,  Kiawah  Island,  SC 29455.
Retired; formerly Senior Vice President, American Telephone & Telegraph Company.

HERBERT  RUBINSTEIN**  (77),  Trustee,  695  Charolais  Circle,   Edwards,  CO
81632-1136.  Retired;  formerly President,  Belvac  International  Industries,
Ltd. and President, Central Dental Supply.

NANCY SCHAENEN** (67), Trustee, 56 Midwood Terrace,  Madison, NJ 07940. Trustee,
Drew University and DePauw University.

JAMES M.  SRYGLEY**  (66),  Trustee,  33  Hampton  Road,  Chatham,  NJ  07982.
Principal, Hampton Properties, Inc. (property investment company).

JOHN T. SULLIVAN* (66), Trustee and Chairman of the Board; Director, FIMCO, FIC,
FICC and ADM; Of Counsel, Hawkins, Delafield & Wood, Attorneys.

ROBERT F. WENTWORTH** (69), Trustee, RR1, Box 217, Upland Downs Road, Manchester
Center,  VT 05255.  Retired;  formerly  financial  and planning  executive  with
American Telephone & Telegraph Company.

JOSEPH I. BENEDEK (41),  Treasurer and Principal  Accounting Officer, 581 Main
Street,   Woodbridge,   NJ  07095.  Treasurer,  FIC,  FIMCO,  EIMCO  and  EIC;
Comptroller and Treasurer, FICC.

CONCETTA DURSO (63), Vice President and Secretary. Vice President,  FIMCO, EIMCO
and ADM; Assistant Vice President and Assistant Secretary, FIC and EIC.

- ---------------

*  These  Trustees may be deemed to be  "interested  persons," as defined in the
   1940 Act.
** These Trustees are members of the Board's Audit Committee.
+  Mr. Glenn O. Head and Ms. Kathryn S. Head are father and daughter.

The Trustees and officers, as a group, owned less than 1% of shares of any Fund.

    All of the officers and Trustees hold identical or similar positions with 14
other  registered  investment  companies in the First Investors Family of Funds.
Mr. Head is also an officer and/or Director of First Investors Asset  Management
Company,  Inc.,  First  Investors  Credit Funding  Corporation,  First Investors
Leverage  Corporation,  First Investors  Realty Company,  Inc.,  First Investors
Resources,   Inc.,  N.A.K.   Realty  Corporation,   Real  Property   Development
Corporation,  Route  33  Realty  Corporation,  First  Investors  Life  Insurance
Company,   First  Financial  Savings  Bank,   S.L.A.,   First  Investors  Credit
Corporation and School Financial Management  Services,  Inc. Ms. Head is also an
officer  and/or  Director  of First  Investors  Life  Insurance  Company,  First
Investors Credit Corporation,  School Financial Management Services, Inc., First
Investors Credit Funding Corporation,  N.A.K. Realty Corporation,  Real Property
Development  Corporation,  First  Investors  Leverage  Corporation  and Route 33
Realty Corporation.

                                       35
<PAGE>

    The following table lists  compensation  paid to the Trustees of Life Series
Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.

                                                  TOTAL
                                                  COMPENSATION
                                                  FROM FIRST
                            AGGREGATE             INVESTORS FAMILY
                            COMPENSATION          OF FUNDS PAID TO
 TRUSTEE                    FROM FUND             TRUSTEE*+
 -------                    ---------             ----------------

James J. Coy**                 $-0-                     $-0-
Roger L. Grayson***            $-0-                     $-0-
Glenn O. Head                  $-0-                     $-0-
Kathryn S. Head                $-0-                     $-0-
Larry R. Lavoie****            $-0-                     $-0-
Rex R. Reed                  $8,885                  $20,045
Herbert Rubinstein           $8,885                  $20,045
James M. Srygley             $8,885                  $20,045
John T. Sullivan               $-0-                     $-0-
Robert F. Wentworth          $8,885                  $20,045
Nancy Schaenen(1)            $8,120                  $18,350

- -------------------

*   Compensation to officers and interested Trustees of Life Series Fund is paid
    by the Adviser.
**  On March 27, 1997,  Mr. Coy  resigned as a Trustee of Life Series Fund.  Mr.
    Coy currently serves as an Emeritus Trustee. Mr. Coy is paid by the Adviser.
*** ON August 20, 1998, Mr. Grayson resigned as a Trustee of the Fund.
****On September  17, 1998,  Mr.  Lavoie was elected by the Board of Trustees to
    serve as a Trustee.
+   The First  Investors  Family of Funds  consists  of 15  separate  registered
    investment companies.
(1) The dollar  compensation  shown for Ms.  Schaenen is lower than that for the
    other  Trustees  because Ms.  Schaenen was absent from one Board Meeting and
    did not receive compensation for that Board Meeting.

                                   MANAGEMENT

    ADVISER.  Investment  advisory  services to the Funds are  provided by First
Investors Management Company,  Inc. pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement
("Advisory  Agreement") dated June 13, 1994. The Advisory Agreement was approved
by the Board of  Trustees  of Life  Series  Fund,  including  a majority  of the
Trustees who are not parties to the Advisory  Agreement or "interested  persons"
(as  defined in the 1940 Act) of any such  party  ("Independent  Trustees"),  in
person  at a  meeting  called  for  such  purpose  and  by  a  majority  of  the
shareholders  of each Fund. The Board of Trustees is responsible  for overseeing
the management of the Funds.

    Pursuant to the Advisory  Agreement,  FIMCO shall  supervise and manage each
Fund's investments,  determine each Fund's portfolio  transactions and supervise
all aspects of each Fund's  operations,  subject to review by the Trustees.  The
Advisory  Agreement  also provides that FIMCO shall provide Life Series Fund and
each Fund with certain executive,  administrative and clerical personnel, office
facilities  and  supplies,  conduct the business and details of the operation of
Life Series Fund and each Fund and assume certain expenses  thereof,  other than
obligations  or  liabilities  of  the  Funds.  The  Advisory  Agreement  may  be
terminated  at any time without  penalty by the Trustees or by a majority of the
outstanding  voting  securities of the  applicable  Fund,  or by FIMCO,  in each
instance  on not less than 60 days'  written  notice,  and  shall  automatically
terminate  in the event of its  assignment  (as  defined in the 1940  Act).  The
Advisory  Agreement also provides that it will continue in effect,  with respect
to a Fund,  for a period of over two years only if such  continuance is approved
annually  either by the  Trustees  or by a majority  of the  outstanding  voting
securities  of that Fund,  and, in either  case,  by a vote of a majority of the


                                       36
<PAGE>

Independent  Trustees  voting in person at a meeting  called for the  purpose of
voting on such approval.

    Under the Advisory Agreement, each Fund pays the Adviser an annual fee, paid
monthly, according to the following schedules:

                                                                     Annual
Average Daily Net Assets                                              Rate 
- ------------------------                                              ---- 

Up to $250 million..........................................          0.75%
In excess of $250 million up to $500 million................          0.72
In excess of $500 million up to $750 million................          0.69
Over $750 million...........................................          0.66

     The Adviser has an Investment  Committee composed of Dennis T. Fitzpatrick,
George V. Ganter,  Richard Guinnessey,  David Hanover, Glenn O. Head, Kathryn S.
Head, Nancy W. Jones, Michael O'Keefe,  Patricia D. Poitra, Clark D. Wagner, and
Matthew Wright. The Committee usually meets weekly to discuss the composition of
the  portfolio of each Fund and to review  additions to and  deletions  from the
portfolios.

     First Investors  Consolidated  Corporation  ("FICC") owns all of the voting
common stock of the Adviser and all of the outstanding  stock of First Investors
Corporation and the Funds' transfer agent.  Mr. Glenn O. Head controls FICC and,
therefore, controls the Adviser.

    Each Fund bears all expenses of its operations  other than those incurred by
the Adviser under the terms of its advisory  agreement.  Fund expenses  include,
but are not  limited  to:  the  advisory  fee;  shareholder  servicing  fees and
expenses;  custodian  fees and expenses;  legal and auditing  fees;  expenses of
communicating  to  existing  shareholders,  including  preparing,  printing  and
mailing prospectuses and shareholder reports to such shareholders; and proxy and
shareholder meeting expenses.

    For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996,  BLUE CHIP FUND's advisory fees
were  $611,681,  CASH  MANAGEMENT  FUND's  advisory fees were $23,439,  net of a
waiver of $5,860,  DISCOVERY  FUND's  advisory  fees were  $450,910,  GOVERNMENT
FUND's  advisory  fees were $54,997,  net of a waiver of $13,749,  GROWTH FUND's
advisory fees were  $475,966,  HIGH YIELD FUND's  advisory  fees were  $338,303,
INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND's advisory fees were $364,115,  INVESTMENT GRADE
FUND's advisory fees were $96,305,  net of a waiver of $24,076,  TARGET MATURITY
2007 FUND's  advisory  fees were  $73,502,  net of a waiver of  $18,376;  TARGET
MATURITY 2010 FUND's  advisory  fees were $5,014,  net of a waiver of $1,254 and
UTILITIES INCOME FUND's advisory fees were $119,506, net of a waiver of $29,876.

    For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997,  BLUE CHIP FUND's advisory fees
were  $965,995,  CASH  MANAGEMENT  FUND's  advisory fees were $27,384,  net of a
waiver of $6,846,  DISCOVERY  FUND's  advisory  fees were  $640,895,  GOVERNMENT
FUND's  advisory  fees were $54,162,  net of a waiver of $13,541,  GROWTH FUND's
advisory fees were  $777,312,  HIGH YIELD FUND's  advisory  fees were  $407,953,
INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND's advisory fees were $512,589,  INVESTMENT GRADE
FUND's advisory fees were $98,694,  net of a waiver of $24,674,  TARGET MATURITY
2007 FUND's  advisory  fees were  $101,588,  net of a waiver of $25,397;  TARGET
MATURITY 2010 FUND's  advisory fees were $21,425,  net of a waiver of $5,356 and
UTILITIES INCOME FUND's advisory fees were $162,992, net of a waiver of $40,748.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, the Adviser voluntarily  reimbursed
expenses for CASH  MANAGEMENT  FUND,  GOVERNMENT  FUND,  INVESTMENT  GRADE FUND,
TARGET MATURITY 2007 FUND,  TARGET MATURITY 2010 FUND and UTILITIES  INCOME FUND
in the  amounts of  $10,586,  $12,100,  $15,884,  $10,255,  $3,617  and  $7,919,
respectively.

                                       37
<PAGE>

    For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998,  BLUE CHIP FUND's advisory fees
were  $1,332,265,  CASH MANAGEMENT  FUND's advisory fees were $30,973,  net of a
waiver of $7,743,  DISCOVERY  FUND's  advisory  fees were  $775,442,  GOVERNMENT
FUND's  advisory  fees were $60,097,  net of a waiver of $15,024,  GROWTH FUND's
advisory fees were  $1,156,103,  HIGH YIELD FUND's  advisory fees were $476,199,
INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND's advisory fees were $630,772,  INVESTMENT GRADE
FUND's advisory fees were $115,165, net of a waiver of $28,791,  TARGET MATURITY
2007 FUND's  advisory  fees were  $138,611,  net of a waiver of $34,652;  TARGET
MATURITY 2010 FUND's advisory fees were $42,953,  net of a waiver of $10,738 and
UTILITIES INCOME FUND's advisory fees were $246,125, net of a waiver of $61,531.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, the Adviser voluntarily  reimbursed
expenses for CASH  MANAGEMENT  FUND,  GOVERNMENT  FUND,  INVESTMENT  GRADE FUND,
TARGET  MATURITY  2007 FUND,  and TARGET  MATURITY  2010 FUND in the  amounts of
$7,391, $2,425, $3,625, $5,370, and $1,042 respectively.

    SUBADVISER.  Wellington  Management  Company,  LLP has been  retained by the
Adviser and Life  Series  Fund as the  investment  subadviser  to  INTERNATIONAL
SECURITIES  FUND and GROWTH FUND under a  subadvisory  agreement  dated June 13,
1994 ("Subadvisory  Agreement").  The Subadvisory  Agreement was approved by the
Board of  Trustees  of Life Series  Fund,  including  a majority of  Independent
Trustees in person at a meeting called for such purpose and by a majority of the
shareholders of INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES FUND and GROWTH FUND.

    The Subadvisory Agreement provides that it will continue,  with respect to a
Fund,  for a period of more than two years  from the date of  execution  only so
long as such continuance is approved annually by either the Board of Trustees or
a majority  of the  outstanding  voting  securities  of that Fund and, in either
case, by a vote of a majority of the Independent  Trustees voting in person at a
meeting  called for the  purpose  of voting on such  approval.  The  Subadvisory
Agreement provides that it will terminate automatically, with respect to a Fund,
if assigned or upon the termination of the Advisory  Agreement,  and that it may
be terminated  without  penalty by the Board of Trustees or a vote of a majority
of the outstanding  voting  securities of that Fund, upon not more than 60 days'
written  notice,  or by the  Adviser  or  Subadviser  on not more  than 30 days'
written notice.  The Subadvisory  Agreement provides that WMC will not be liable
for any error of judgment  or for any loss  suffered by a Fund or the Adviser in
connection with the matters to which the Subadvisory Agreement relates, except a
loss  resulting  from a breach of fiduciary  duty with respect to the receipt of
compensation  or from  willful  misfeasance,  bad  faith,  gross  negligence  or
reckless disregard of duty.

    Under the  Subadvisory  Agreement,  the Adviser will pay to the Subadviser a
fee at an annual rate of 0.400% of the average  daily net assets of each Fund up
to and including  $50 million;  0.275% of the average daily net assets in excess
of $50 million up to and including $150 million, 0.225% of the average daily net
assets in excess of $150 million up to and including $500 million; and 0.200% of
the average daily net assets in excess of $500  million.  This fee is calculated
separately  for each Fund. The  Subadviser  voluntarily  has agreed to waive its
fees on the first $50  million  of the  daily  net  assets of GROWTH  FUND to an
annual rate of 0.325%.  The Adviser will retain the portion of those fees waived
by the Subadviser.

    For the  fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1996,  the  Subadviser  received
$192,042 for its  services  with respect to  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND and
$199,147 for its services with respect to GROWTH FUND. For the fiscal year ended
December 31,  1997,  the  Subadviser  received  $250,449  for its services  with
respect to the INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES FUND and $310,010 for its services with
respect  to GROWTH  FUND.  For the fiscal  year ended  December  31,  1998,  the
Subadviser  received $293,747 for its services with respect to the INTERNATIONAL
SECURITIES FUND and $449,133 for its services with respect to GROWTH FUND.


                                       38
<PAGE>

                        DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

    Except as provided herein, a security listed or traded on an exchange or the
Nasdaq  Stock  Market is valued at its last sale price on the exchange or market
where the security is principally  traded, and lacking any sales on a particular
day,  the  security  is valued at the mean  between  the  closing  bid and asked
prices.  Securities  traded in the OTC market  (including  securities  listed on
exchanges  whose  primary  market is  believed to be OTC) are valued at the mean
between the last bid and asked  prices  prior to the time when assets are valued
based upon quotes  furnished by market makers for such  securities.  However,  a
Fund may determine the value of debt securities  based upon prices  furnished by
an outside pricing service.  The pricing  services use quotations  obtained from
investment  dealers or brokers for the particular  securities  being  evaluated,
information  with respect to market  transactions  in comparable  securities and
consider security type, rating, market condition, yield data and other available
information in determining value.  Interactive Data Corporation provides pricing
services for corporate debt securities and foreign equity securities. Short-term
debt  securities  that mature in 60 days or less are valued at  amortized  cost.
Securities for which market  quotations are not readily  available are valued on
at fair value as  determined in good faith by or under the  supervision  of Life
Series  Fund's  officers  in a manner  specifically  authorized  by the Board of
Trustees.

    "When-issued  securities"  are  reflected  in the assets of a Fund as of the
date the securities are purchased. Such investments are valued thereafter at the
mean  between  the most recent bid and asked  prices  obtained  from  recognized
dealers in such securities or by the pricing  service.  For valuation  purposes,
quotations of foreign  securities in foreign  currencies are converted into U.S.
dollar equivalents using the foreign exchange equivalents in effect.

    The CASH MANAGEMENT FUND values its portfolio  securities in accordance with
the  amortized  cost method of valuation  under Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. To
use  amortized  cost to value its  portfolio  securities,  a Fund must adhere to
certain conditions under that Rule relating to the Fund's  investments,  some of
which are discussed in the  Prospectus.  Amortized cost is an  approximation  of
market value of an instrument,  whereby the difference  between its  acquisition
cost and value at  maturity  is  amortized  on a  straight-line  basis  over the
remaining life of the instrument. The effect of changes in the market value of a
security as a result of fluctuating interest rates is not taken into account and
thus the  amortized  cost  method  of  valuation  may  result  in the value of a
security being higher or lower than its actual market value. In the event that a
large  number of  redemptions  take  place at a time when  interest  rates  have
increased,  a Fund might have to sell portfolio securities prior to maturity and
at a price that might not be desirable.

    The Board of Trustees of Life Series Fund has established procedures for the
purpose of  maintaining  a constant  net asset  value of $1.00 per share,  which
include a review of the extent of any  deviation  of net asset  value per share,
based on available market  quotations,  from the $1.00 amortized cost per share.
Should  that  deviation  exceed 1/2 of 1%, the Board of Trustees  will  promptly
consider  whether any action should be initiated to eliminate or reduce material
dilution  or other  unfair  results to  shareholders.  Such  action may  include
selling  portfolio  securities  prior  to  maturity,   reducing  or  withholding
dividends  and  utilizing  a net asset  value per share as  determined  by using
available  market  quotations.  The Fund  maintains  a dollar  weighted  average
portfolio  maturity of 90 days or less and does not purchase any instrument with
a remaining  maturity  greater  than 13 months,  limits  portfolio  investments,
including repurchase agreements,  to those U.S.  dollar-denominated  instruments
that are of high quality and that the Trustees  determine present minimal credit
risks as advised  by the  Adviser,  and  complies  with  certain  reporting  and
recordkeeping procedures.  There is no assurance that a constant net asset value
per share will be  maintained.  In the event  amortized cost ceases to represent
fair value per share, the Board will take appropriate action.

        EMERGENCY  PRICING  PROCEDURES.  In the event  that the Funds  must halt
operations  during any day that they would  normally  be required to price under
Rule 22c-1 under the 1940 Act due to an emergency  ("Emergency Closed Day"), the
Funds will apply the following procedures:

                                       39
<PAGE>

        1. The Funds  will make  every  reasonable  effort to  segregate  orders
received  on the  Emergency  Closed  Day and give them the price that they would
have  received  but for the  closing.  The  Emergency  Closed  Day price will be
calculated  as soon as  practicable  after  operations  have resumed and will be
applied equally to sales, redemptions and repurchases that were in fact received
in the mail or otherwise on the Emergency Closed Day.

        2. For  purposes  of  paragraph  1, an order will be deemed to have been
received by the Funds on an Emergency  Closed Day, even if neither the Funds nor
the Transfer  Agent is able to perform the  mechanical  processing of pricing on
that day, under the following circumstances:

            (a) In the  case  of a mail  order  the  order  will  be  considered
received by a Fund when the postal  service has delivered it to FIC's offices in
Woodbridge,  New Jersey prior to the close of regular trading on the NYSE, or at
such other time as may be prescribed in its prospectus; and

            (b) In the case of a wire order,  including a Fund/SERV  order,  the
order will be  considered  received  when it is  received  in good form by a FIC
branch office or an authorized  dealer prior to the close of regular  trading on
the NYSE, or such other time as may be prescribed in its prospectus.

        3. If the Funds are unable to segregate orders received on the Emergency
Closed Day from those  received on the next day the Funds are open for business,
the Funds may give all orders the next price calculated after operations resume.

        4. Notwithstanding the foregoing,  on business days in which the NYSE is
not open for  regular  trading,  the  Funds  may  determine  not to price  their
portfolio  securities if such prices would lead to a distortion of the net asset
value for the Funds and their shareholders.


                        ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE

    The Adviser of  Subadviser,  as  applicable,  may purchase or sell portfolio
securities on behalf of the Fund in agency or principal transactions.  In agency
transactions,  the Fund  generally  pays  brokerage  commissions.  In  principal
transactions,  the Fund  generally does not pay  commissions,  however the price
paid for the security may include an undisclosed  dealer commission or "mark-up"
or  selling   concessions.   The  Adviser  or  Subadviser   normally   purchases
fixed-income  securities  on a net basis from primary  market  makers  acting as
principals for the  securities.  The Adviser or Subadviser may purchase  certain
money market  instruments  directly from an issuer without paying commissions or
discounts.  The Adviser or Subadviser may also purchase securities traded in the
OTC market.  As a general  practice,  OTC securities are usually  purchased from
market makers  without  paying  commissions,  although the price of the security
usually will include undisclosed compensation.  However, when it is advantageous
to the Fund the  Adviser or  Subadviser  may  utilize a broker to  purchase  OTC
securities and pay a commission.

    In purchasing  and selling  portfolio  securities on behalf of the Fund, the
Adviser or Subadviser will seek to obtain best execution.  The Fund may pay more
than the lowest  available  commission  in return  for  brokerage  and  research
services. Additionally, upon instruction by the Board, the Adviser or Subadviser
may use dealer  concessions  available in fixed-priced  underwritings to pay for
research and other services. Research and other services may include information
as to the  availability  of  securities  for  purchase or sale,  statistical  or
factual information or opinions  pertaining to securities,  reports and analysis
concerning  issuers  and  their   creditworthiness,   and  Lipper's   Directors'
Analytical Data concerning Fund  performance and fees. The Adviser or Subadviser
generally  uses the research and other  services to service all the funds in the
First  Investors  Family  of  Funds,  rather  than the  particular  Funds  whose
commissions  may pay for research or other  services.  In other words,  a Fund's
brokerage  may be used to pay for a research  service  that is used in  managing


                                       40
<PAGE>

another  Fund within the First  Investor  Fund Family.  The Lipper's  Directors'
Analytical  Data is used by the Adviser or  Subadviser  and the Fund's  Board to
analyze a fund's performance relative to other comparable funds.

    In   selecting   the   broker-dealers   to  execute  the  Fund's   portfolio
transactions,  the Adviser or Subadviser  may consider such factors as the price
of the  security,  the rate of the  commission,  the size and  difficulty of the
order, the trading  characteristics of the security involved,  the difficulty in
executing the order,  the research and other services  provided,  the expertise,
reputation and reliability of the  broker-dealer,  access to new offerings,  and
other  factors  bearing  upon the  quality  of the  execution.  The  Adviser  or
Subadviser  does not  place  portfolio  orders  with an  affiliated  broker,  or
allocate  brokerage  commission  business to any  broker-dealer for distributing
fund  shares.   Moreover,  no  broker-dealer  affiliated  with  the  Adviser  or
Subadviser  participates in commissions  generated by portfolio orders placed on
behalf of the Fund.

    The Adviser may combine  transaction  orders  placed on behalf of any of the
Funds,  any other fund in the First  Investors  Group of Funds,  and any fund of
Executive  Investors  Trust  and  First  Investors  Life,  for  the  purpose  of
negotiating  brokerage  commissions  or obtaining a more  favorable  transaction
price; and where appropriate,  securities  purchased or sold may be allocated in
accordance  with  written  procedures  approved  by the  Board of  Trustees.  In
addition,  some  securities  considered  for  investment  by a Fund  may also be
appropriate  for other Funds and/or  clients  served by the  Subadviser.  If the
purchase or sale of securities consistent with the investment policies of a Fund
and one or more of these other funds or clients  serviced by the  Subadviser are
considered at or about the same time,  transactions  in such  securities will be
allocated  among the several funds and clients in a manner  deemed  equitable by
the Subadviser.

    Brokerage  commissions  for the fiscal year ended  December  31, 1996 are as
follows: BLUE CHIP FUND paid $107,473 in brokerage commissions.  Of that amount,
$46,425 was paid in  brokerage  commissions  to brokers who  furnished  research
services on portfolio  transactions in the amount of $26,460,832.  INTERNATIONAL
SECURITIES FUND paid $192,286 in brokerage  commissions.  Of that amount, $4,302
was paid in brokerage  commissions to brokers who furnished research services on
portfolio transactions in the amount of $2,972,468.  DISCOVERY FUND paid $98,732
in  brokerage  commissions.  Of that  amount,  $50,064  was  paid  in  brokerage
commissions to brokers who furnished research services on portfolio transactions
in the amount of $19,630,693. GROWTH FUND paid $70,083 in brokerage commissions.
Of that  amount,  $10,277  was paid in  brokerage  commissions  to  brokers  who
furnished  research  services  on  portfolio   transactions  in  the  amount  of
$8,999,871. HIGH YIELD FUND paid $418 in brokerage commissions, all of which was
in brokerage commissions to brokers who furnished research services on portfolio
transactions  in the amount of $125,354.  UTILITIES  INCOME FUND paid $55,051 in
brokerage commissions. Of that amount, $13,900 was paid in brokerage commissions
to brokers who  furnished  research  services on portfolio  transactions  in the
amount of $5,966,660.  For the same period,  all other Funds of Life Series Fund
did not pay brokerage commissions.

    Brokerage  commissions  for the fiscal year ended  December  31, 1997 are as
follows: BLUE CHIP FUND paid $194,635 in brokerage commissions.  Of that amount,
$108,092 was paid in brokerage  commissions  to brokers who  furnished  research
services on portfolio  transactions in the amount of $87,860,801.  INTERNATIONAL
SECURITIES FUND paid $231,957 in brokerage commissions.  Of that amount, $10,203
was paid in brokerage  commissions to brokers who furnished research services on
portfolio  transactions  in the  amount  of  $10,445,470.  DISCOVERY  FUND  paid
$136,562 in brokerage commissions. Of that amount, $60,163 was paid in brokerage
commissions to brokers who furnished research services on portfolio transactions
in the amount of $23,951,040. GROWTH FUND paid $68,509 in brokerage commissions.
Of that  amount,  $11,029  was paid in  brokerage  commissions  to  brokers  who
furnished  research  services  on  portfolio   transactions  in  the  amount  of
$9,446,682.  HIGH YIELD FUND paid $158 in brokerage commissions. Of that amount,
$44 was paid in brokerage commissions to brokers who furnished research services
on portfolio  transactions in the amount of $10,929.  UTILITIES INCOME FUND paid


                                       41
<PAGE>

$68,591 in brokerage  commissions.  Of that amount, $8,562 was paid in brokerage
commissions to brokers who furnished research services on portfolio transactions
in the amount of $3,767,423. For the same period, all other Funds of Life Series
Fund did not pay brokerage commissions.

    Brokerage  commissions  for the fiscal year ended  December  31, 1998 are as
follows: BLUE CHIP FUND paid $379,563 in brokerage commissions.  Of that amount,
$22,481 was paid in  brokerage  commissions  to brokers who  furnished  research
services on portfolio  transactions in the amount of $20,830,218.  INTERNATIONAL
SECURITIES FUND paid $392,248 in brokerage  commissions.  Of that amount, $7,375
was paid in brokerage  commissions to brokers who furnished research services on
portfolio transactions in the amount of $7,052,426. DISCOVERY FUND paid $232,266
in  brokerage  commissions.  Of that  amount,  $13,667  was  paid  in  brokerage
commissions to brokers who furnished research services on portfolio transactions
in the amount of $5,380,076.  GROWTH FUND paid $89,395 in brokerage commissions.
Of that  amount,  $17,916  was paid in  brokerage  commissions  to  brokers  who
furnished  research  services  on  portfolio   transactions  in  the  amount  of
$14,375,011.  UTILITIES INCOME Fund paid $125,967 in brokerage  commissions.  Of
that amount,  $12,540 was paid in brokerage commissions to brokers who furnished
research services on portfolio transactions in the amount of $9,302,550. For the
same  period,  all  other  Funds  of Life  Series  Fund  did  not pay  brokerage
commissions.


                                      TAXES

    Shares of the Funds are offered only to the Separate  Accounts that fund the
Policies and Contracts.  See the applicable  Separate  Account  Prospectus for a
discussion of the special taxation of First Investors Life with respect to those
accounts and of the Policyowners and Contractholders.

    To continue to qualify for  treatment  as a  registered  investment  company
("RIC") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), a Fund
- - each Fund  being  treated as a separate  corporation  for these  purposes-must
distribute  to its  shareholders  for  each  taxable  year at  least  90% of its
investment  company  taxable  income  (consisting  generally  of net  investment
income,  net short-term  capital gain and, for  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND,
DISCOVERY  FUND and HIGH  YIELD FUND  (each a  "Foreign  Fund"),  net gains from
certain foreign currency  transactions)  ("Distribution  Requirement")  and must
meet several additional  requirements.  For each Fund these requirements include
the  following:  (1) the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross  income each
taxable year from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans
and gains from the sale or other  disposition  of  securities  or, for a Foreign
Fund, foreign  currencies,  or other income (including,  for gains from options,
futures or forward currency  contracts)  derived with respect to its business of
investing  in  securities  or, for a Foreign  Fund,  those  currencies  ("Income
Requirement");  (2) at the close of each quarter of the Fund'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 those other securities  limited, in respect of any one issuer,
to an amount that does not exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets and
that  does not  represent  more  than  10% of the  issuer's  outstanding  voting
securities; and (3) at the close of each quarter of the Fund'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.

    If any Fund failed to qualify for  treatment as a RIC for any taxable  year,
(1) it would  be taxed at  corporate  rates on the full  amount  of its  taxable
income for that year without being able to deduct the  distributions it makes to
its  shareholders,  (2) the  shareholders  would treat all those  distributions,
including  distributions  of net capital gain (I.E., the excess of net long-term
capital gain over net short-term  capital loss), as dividends (that is, ordinary
income)  to the  extent  of the  Fund's  earnings  and  profits,  and  (3)  most
importantly,  each Separate  Account  invested therein would fail to satisfy the
diversification requirements of section 817(h) of the Code (see below), with the
result that the  Contracts  and Policies  supported by those  accounts  would no


                                       42
<PAGE>

longer be eligible for tax deferral. In addition,  the Fund could be required to
recognize  unrealized  gains,  pay  substantial  taxes  and  interest  and  make
substantial distributions before requalifying for RIC treatment.

    Each Fund intends to comply with the diversification requirements imposed by
section 817(h) of the Code, and the regulations thereunder.  These requirements,
which are in addition to the diversification requirements imposed on the Fund by
the 1940 Act and  Subchapter  M of the Code  (described  above),  place  certain
limitations on the assets of each Separate Account -- and of each Fund,  because
section 817(h) and those regulations treat the assets of a Fund as assets of the
related  Separate  Account -- that may be  invested  in  securities  of a single
issuer.  Specifically,  the regulations provide that, except as permitted by the
"safe harbor" described below, as of the end of each calendar quarter (or within
30 days thereafter) no more than 55% of a Fund's total assets may be represented
by one investment, no more than 70% by any two investments,  no more than 80% by
any three  investments  and no more than 90% by any four  investments.  For this
purpose,  all securities of the same issuer are considered a single  investment,
and while  each U.S.  Government  agency and  instrumentality  is  considered  a
separate   issuer,   a  particular   foreign   government   and  its   agencies,
instrumentalities  and political  subdivisions  are  considered the same issuer.
Section  817(h)  provides,  as a safe  harbor,  that a separate  account will be
treated as being  adequately  diversified  if the  diversification  requirements
under  Subchapter  M are  satisfied  and no more  than  55% of the  value of the
account's total assets are cash and cash items, U.S.  Government  securities and
securities  of other  RICs.  Failure of a Fund to  satisfy  the  section  817(h)
requirements  would result in taxation of First  Investors Life and treatment of
the Contractholders and Policyowners other than as described in the Prospectuses
of the Separate Accounts.

    Dividends and interest  received by a Foreign Fund,  and gains realized by a
Foreign Fund,  may be subject to income,  withholding  or other taxes imposed by
foreign  countries  that  would  reduce  the yield  and/or  total  return on its
securities.  Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may
reduce or eliminate these foreign taxes,  however, and many foreign countries do
not  impose  taxes on  capital  gains  in  respect  of  investments  by  foreign
investors.

    Each of  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES FUND and DISCOVERY FUND may invest in the
stock of "passive foreign investment companies"  ("PFICs").  A PFIC is a foreign
corporation - other than a "controlled  foreign  corporation"  (i.e.,  a foreign
corporation in which,  on any day during its taxable year,  more than 50% of the
total voting  power of all voting stock  therein or the total value of all stock
therein  is  owned,   directly,   indirectly,   or   constructively,   by  "U.S.
shareholders,"   defined  as  U.S.  persons  that  individually  own,  directly,
indirectly,  or  constructively,  at least 10% of that voting power) as to which
such a Fund is a U.S.  shareholder  -- that,  in  general,  meets  either of the
following  tests:  (1) at least 75% of its gross  income  is  passive  or (2) an
average of at least 50% of its assets  produce,  or are held for the  production
of, passive income. Under certain circumstances, if either Fund holds stock of a
PFIC,  it will be  subject to  Federal  income  tax on a portion of any  "excess
distribution"  received on the stock or of any gain on  disposition of the stock
(collectively  "PFIC  income"),   plus  interest  thereon,   even  if  the  Fund
distributes  the PFIC  income as a taxable  dividend  to its  shareholders.  The
balance of the PFIC income will be  included  in the Fund's  investment  company
taxable  income  and,  accordingly,  will not be  taxable to it to the extent it
distributes that income to its shareholders.

    If  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND or DISCOVERY  FUND invests in a PFIC and
elects to treat the PFIC as a "qualified electing fund" ("QEF"), then in lieu of
the foregoing tax and interest obligation, the Fund would be required to include
in income each year its pro rata share of the QEF's annual ordinary earnings and
net capital gain -- which the Fund probably  would have to distribute to satisfy
the  Distribution  Requirement  -- even if  those  earnings  and  gain  were not
distributed to the Fund by the QEF. In most instances it will be very difficult,
if not  impossible,  to make  this  election  because  of  certain  requirements
thereof.



                                       43
<PAGE>

    Each of  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES  FUND and  DISCOVERY  FUND  may  elect to
"mark-to-market" its stock in any PFICs.  "Marking-to-market,"  in this context,
means including in ordinary income each taxable year the excess,  if any, of the
fair market value of the PFIC's stock over a Fund's adjusted basis in that stock
as of the end of that  year.  Pursuant  to the  election,  a Fund also  would be
allowed to deduct (as an ordinary, not capital, loss) the excess, if any, of its
adjusted  basis in PFIC  stock  over the fair  market  value  thereof  as of the
taxable year-end,  but only to the extent of any net  mark-to-market  gains with
respect to that stock  included by the Fund for prior  taxable  years.  A Fund's
adjusted basis in each PFIC's stock with respect to which it makes this election
would be adjusted to reflect the amounts of income included and deductions taken
under the  election  (and under  regulations  proposed  in 1992 that  provided a
similar election with respect to the stock of certain PFICs).

    HIGH YIELD FUND,  GOVERNMENT FUND,  INVESTMENT  GRADE FUND,  TARGET MATURITY
2007 FUND,  TARGET MATURITY 2010 FUND and UTILITIES INCOME FUND may acquire zero
coupon or other securities  issued with original issue discount.  As a holder of
those  securities,  each such Fund must include in its income the portion of the
original issue discount that accrues on the securities  during the taxable year,
even if the Fund  receives  no  corresponding  payment on them  during the year.
Similarly,  each such Fund  must  include  in its  gross  income  securities  it
receives as "interest"  on  pay-in-kind  securities.  Because each Fund annually
must  distribute  substantially  all of its investment  company  taxable income,
including any original issue discount and other non-cash income,  to satisfy the
Distribution  Requirement,  a Fund  may be  required  in a  particular  year  to
distribute as a dividend an amount that is greater than the total amount of cash
it actually receives. Those distributions will be made from a Fund's cash assets
or from the proceeds of sales of portfolio securities,  if necessary. A Fund may
realize  capital  gains or losses  from those  sales,  which  would  increase or
decrease its investment company taxable income and/or net capital gain.

    INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES FUND'S use of hedging strategies,  such as writing
(selling) and purchasing options and futures contracts and entering into forward
currency  contracts,  involves  complex rules that will determine for income tax
purposes the amount, character and timing of recognition of the gains and losses
the Fund will  realize in  connection  therewith.  Gains  from a Foreign  Fund's
disposition of foreign  currencies  (except gains that may be excluded by future
regulations),  and in the case of the  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES FUND gains from
options,  futures and forward currency  contracts it derives with respect to its
business of  investing  in  securities  or foreign  currencies,  will qualify as
permissible income under the Income Requirement.

    If a Fund has an "appreciated  financial position" - generally,  an interest
(including an interest through an option,  futures or forward currency  contract
or short sale) with respect to any stock,  debt instrument (other than "straight
debt") or  partnership  interest  the fair  market  value of which  exceeds  its
adjusted  basis  - and  enters  into  a  "constructive  sale"  of  the  same  or
substantially  similar  property,  the Fund will be  treated  as having  made an
actual sale thereof,  with the result that gain will be recognized at that time.
A constructive sale generally  consists of a short sale, an offsetting  notional
principal  contract or futures or forward  currency  contract  entered into by a
Fund or a related  person  with  respect  to the same or  substantially  similar
property.  In addition,  if the appreciated financial position is itself a short
sale or such a contract, acquisition of the underlying property or substantially
similar  property will be deemed a  constructive  sale.  The foregoing  will not
apply,  however, to any transaction during any taxable year that otherwise would
be treated as a constructive  sale by a Fund if the transaction is closed within
30 days after the end of that year and the Fund holds the appreciated  financial
position  unhedged for 60 days after that closing (I.E.,  at no time during that
60-day  period is the Fund's risk of loss  regarding  that  position  reduced by
reason of certain specified  transactions with respect to substantially  similar
or  related  property,  such as having an  option to sell,  being  contractually
obligated  to  sell,  making  a  short  sale,  or  granting  an  option  to  buy
substantially identical stock or securities).

                                       44
<PAGE>

                             PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

    A Fund  may  advertise  its top  holdings  from  time to  time.  A Fund  may
advertise its performance in various ways.

    Each  Fund's  "average  annual  total  return"  ("T") is an  average  annual
compounded  rate of return.  The  calculation  produces an average  annual total
return  for the  number of years  measured.  It is the rate of  return  based on
factors which include a hypothetical  initial  investment of $1,000 ("P") over a
number  of  years  ("n")  with  an  Ending  Redeemable  Value  ("ERV")  of  that
investment, according to the following formula:

             T=[(ERV/P)(1/n)]-1

    The "total  return" uses the same factors,  but does not average the rate of
return on an annual basis. Total return is determined as follows:


            (ERV-P)/P  = TOTAL RETURN

    Total return is calculated by finding the average annual change in the value
of an initial  $1,000  investment  over the period.  In  calculating  the ending
redeemable  value for Class A shares,  each Fund will deduct the  maximum  sales
charge of 6.25% (as a percentage of the offering  price) from the initial $1,000
payment and, for Class B shares,  the applicable CDSC imposed on a redemption of
Class B shares  held  for the  period  is  deducted.  All  dividends  and  other
distributions  are  assumed to have been  reinvested  at net asset  value on the
initial investment ("P").


    Return  information  may be  useful  to  investors  in  reviewing  a  Fund's
performance.  However, certain factors should be taken into account before using
this  information as a basis for comparison  with  alternative  investments.  No
adjustment is made for taxes  payable on  distributions.  Return will  fluctuate
over  time  and  return  for any  given  past  period  is not an  indication  or
representation  by a Fund of future rates of return on its shares. At times, the
Adviser  may reduce its  compensation  or assume  expenses of a Fund in order to
reduce the Fund's expenses.  Any such waiver or reimbursement would increase the
Fund's return during the period of the waiver or reimbursement.


                                       45
<PAGE>

    Average annual total return and total return computed at net asset value for
the periods ended December 31, 1998 are set forth in the following tables:

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN(1)
  
                        ONE YEAR    FIVE YEARS   TEN YEARS   LIFE OF FUND(2)
                        --------    ----------   ---------   ---------------

BLUE CHIP                18.66%       19.26%        N/A           15.41%
DISCOVERY                 3.05%       10.58%        N/A           15.27%
GOVERNMENT                7.54%        6.05%        N/A            6.64%
GROWTH                   27.35%       20.02%        N/A           16.72%
HIGH YIELD                3.15%        9.02%        N/A            9.69%
INTERNATIONAL            18.18%       11.72%        N/A           11.15%
INVESTMENT GRADE          9.15%        7.31%        N/A            8.03%
TARGET 2007              14.97%         N/A         N/A           12.90%
TARGET 2010              14.36%         N/A         N/A           15.77%
UTILITIES INCOME         12.58%       13.27%        N/A           12.78%

- -----------------------

(1) Certain   expenses  of  the  Funds  have  been  waived  or  reimbursed  from
    commencement of operations  through December 31, 1998.  Accordingly,  return
    figures  are higher  than they would  have been had such  expenses  not been
    waived or reimbursed.

(2) The inception dates for the Funds are as follows: BLUE CHIP - March 8, 1990;
    DISCOVERY  - November  9,  1987;  GOVERNMENT  - January  7,  1992;  GROWTH -
    November 9, 1987; HIGH YIELD - November 9, 1987;  INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES -
    April 16, 1990;  INVESTMENT GRADE - January 7, 1992; TARGET 2007 - April 26,
    1995; TARGET 2010 - April 30, 1996; and UTILITIES INCOME - November 15,1993.


TOTAL RETURN(1)
                        ONE YEAR    FIVE YEARS   TEN YEARS   LIFE OF FUND(2)
                        --------    ----------   ---------   ---------------

BLUE CHIP                18.66%       141.27%       N/A          254.09%
DISCOVERY                 3.05%        65.32%       N/A          314.22%
GOVERNMENT                7.54%        34.16%       N/A           56.71%
GROWTH                   27.35%       149.00%       N/A          369.43%
HIGH YIELD                3.15%        54.01%       N/A          152.11%
INTERNATIONAL            18.18%        74.06%       N/A          151.25%
INVESTMENT GRADE          9.15%        42.33%       N/A           71.59%
TARGET 2007              14.97%          N/A        N/A           56.37%
TARGET 2010              14.36%          N/A        N/A           47.87%
UTILITIES INCOME         12.58%        86.42%       N/A           85.30%

(1) Certain   expenses  of  the  Funds  have  been  waived  or  reimbursed  from
    commencement of operations  through December 31, 1998.  Accordingly,  return
    figures  are higher  than they would  have been had such  expenses  not been
    waived or reimbursed.

(2) The inception dates for the Funds are as follows: BLUE CHIP - March 8, 1990;
    DISCOVERY  - November  9,  1987;  GOVERNMENT  - January  7,  1992;  GROWTH -
    November 9, 1987; HIGH YIELD - November 9, 1987;  INTERNATIONAL SECURITIES -
    April 16, 1990;  INVESTMENT GRADE - January 7, 1992; TARGET 2007 - April 26,
    1995; TARGET 2010 - April 30, 1996; and UTILITIES INCOME - November 15,1993.

                                       46
<PAGE>

    Each Fund may include in advertisements  and sales literature,  information,
examples and  statistics to  illustrate  the effect of  compounding  income at a
fixed rate of return to  demonstrate  the growth of an investment  over a stated
period  of time  resulting  from the  payment  of  dividends  and  capital  gain
distributions in additional shares. These examples may also include hypothetical
returns comparing taxable versus  tax-deferred  growth which would pertain to an
IRA, section 403(b)(7) Custodial Account or other qualified  retirement program.
The  examples  used  will  be  for  illustrative   purposes  only  and  are  not
representations  by the Funds of past or future  yield or  return.  Examples  of
typical graphs and charts  depicting such historical  performances,  compounding
and hypothetical returns are included in Appendix D.

    From time to time,  in reports  and  promotional  literature,  the Funds may
compare their  performance to, or cite the historical  performance of, Overnight
Government  repurchase  agreements,   U.S.  Treasury  bills,  notes  and  bonds,
certificates of deposit,  and six-month money market  certificates or indices of
broad groups of unmanaged  securities  considered  to be  representative  of, or
similar to, a Fund's portfolio holdings, such as:

    Lipper  Analytical   Services,   Inc.   ("Lipper")  is  a  widely-recognized
    independent  service that  monitors and ranks the  performance  of regulated
    investment   companies.   The  Lipper  performance   analysis  includes  the
    reinvestment of capital gain distributions and income dividends but does not
    take sales  charges  into  consideration.  The method of  calculating  total
    return  data on indices  utilizes  actual  dividends  on  ex-dividend  dates
    accumulated for the quarter and reinvested at quarter end.

    Morningstar  Mutual Funds  ("Morningstar"),  a  semi-monthly  publication of
    Morningstar,   Inc.  Morningstar   proprietary  ratings  reflect  historical
    risk-adjusted  performance and are subject to change every month. Funds with
    at least three years of  performance  history are assigned  ratings from one
    star (lowest) to five stars  (highest).  Morningstar  ratings are calculated
    from the Fund's  three-,  five-,  and ten-year  average annual returns (when
    available)  and a risk factor that  reflects  fund  performance  relative to
    three-month  Treasury bill monthly returns.  Fund's returns are adjusted for
    fees and sales  loads.  Ten percent of the funds in an  investment  category
    receive five stars, 22.5% receive four stars, 35% receive three stars, 22.5%
    receive two stars, and the bottom 10% receive one star.

    Salomon Brothers Inc.,  "Market  Performance," a monthly  publication  which
    tracks  principal  return,  total  return and yield on the Salomon  Brothers
    Broad Investment-Grade Bond Index and the components of the Index.

    Telerate Systems,  Inc., a computer system to which the Adviser subscribes
    which  daily  tracks  the  rates  on  money  market  instruments,   public
    corporate debt  obligations  and public  obligations of the U.S.  Treasury
    and agencies of the U.S. Government.

    THE WALL  STREET  JOURNAL,  a daily  newspaper  publication  which lists the
    yields  and  current  market  values  on money  market  instruments,  public
    corporate debt  obligations,  public  obligations  of the U.S.  Treasury and
    agencies of the U.S. Government as well as common stocks,  preferred stocks,
    convertible  preferred  stocks,  options  and  commodities;  in  addition to
    indices prepared by the research departments of such financial organizations
    as Lehman  Bros.,  Merrill  Lynch,  Pierce,  Fenner and Smith,  Inc.,  First
    Boston, Salomon Brothers,  Morgan Stanley,  Goldman, Sachs & Co., Donaldson,
    Lufkin & Jenrette, Value Line, Datastream  International,  James Capel, S.G.
    Warburg Securities, County Natwest and UBS UK Limited, including information
    provided by the Federal  Reserve  Board,  Moody's,  and the Federal  Reserve
    Bank.

    Merrill  Lynch,  Pierce,  Fenner & Smith,  Inc.,  "Taxable Bond  Indices," a
    monthly corporate government index publication which lists principal, coupon


                                       47
<PAGE>

    and total return on over 100  different  taxable bond indices  which Merrill
    Lynch tracks. They also list the par weighted characteristics of each Index.

    Lehman Brothers, Inc., "The Bond Market Report," a monthly publication which
    tracks principal,  coupon and total return on the Lehman  Govt./Corp.  Index
    and Lehman  Aggregate  Bond Index,  as well as all the  components  of these
    Indices.

    Standard  &  Poor's  500  Composite  Stock  Price  Index  and the Dow  Jones
    Industrial  Average  of 30  stocks  are  unmanaged  lists of  common  stocks
    frequently  used as general  measures  of stock  market  performance.  Their
    performance   figures   reflect  changes  of  market  prices  and  quarterly
    reinvestment  of all  distributions  but are not adjusted for commissions or
    other costs.

    The Consumer Price Index,  prepared by the U.S. Bureau of Labor  Statistics,
    is a commonly used measure of inflation. The Index shows changes in the cost
    of selected  consumer goods and does not represent a return on an investment
    vehicle.

    Credit  Suisse  First  Boston  High Yield  Index is  designed to measure the
    performance of the high yield bond market.

    Lehman Brothers Aggregate Index is an unmanaged index which generally covers
    the U.S. investment grade fixed rate bond market,  including  government and
    corporate   securities,   agency  mortgage  pass-through   securities,   and
    asset-backed securities.

    Lehman  Brothers  Corporate Bond Index includes all publicly  issued,  fixed
    rate,  non-convertible  investment grade dollar-denominated,  corporate debt
    which have at least one year to maturity and an outstanding  par value of at
    least $100 million.

    The  NYSE   composite  of  component   indices--unmanaged   indices  of  all
    industrial,  utilities,  transportation,  and finance  stocks  listed on the
    NYSE.

    Moody's Stock Index, an unmanaged index of utility stock performance.

    Morgan  Stanley  All  Country  World Free Index is  designed  to measure the
    performance  of  stock  markets  in  the  United  States,   Europe,  Canada,
    Australia,  New Zealand and the  developed  and emerging  markets of Eastern
    Europe,  Latin  America,  Asia  and the Far  East.  The  index  consists  of
    approximately  60% of the  aggregate  market  value  of  the  covered  stock
    exchanges  and is  calculated  to exclude  companies and share classes which
    cannot be freely purchased by foreigners.

    Morgan  Stanley World Index is designed to measure the  performance of stock
    markets in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the
    Far East. The index consists of  approximately  60% of the aggregate  market
    value of the covered stock exchanges.

    Reuters, a wire service that frequently reports on global business.

    Russell 2000 Index, prepared by the Frank Russell Company,  consists of U.S.
    publicly traded stocks of domestic  companies that rank from 1000 to 3000 by
    market  capitalization.  The Russell  2000 tracks the return on these stocks


                                       48
<PAGE>

    based on price  appreciation or depreciation and does not include  dividends
    and income or changes in market  values  caused by other kinds of  corporate
    changes.

    Russell 2500 Index, prepared by the Frank Russell Company,  consists of U.S.
    publicly  traded stocks of domestic  companies that rank from 500 to 3000 by
    market  capitalization.  The Russell  2500 tracks the return on these stocks
    based on price  appreciation or depreciation and does not include  dividends
    and income or changes in market  values  caused by other kinds of  corporate
    changes.

    Salomon Brothers Government Index is a market  capitalization-weighted index
    that consists of debt issued by the U.S. Treasury and U.S.
    Government sponsored agencies.

    Salomon Brothers  Mortgage Index is a market  capitalization-weighted  index
    that consists of all agency pass-throughs and FHA and GNMA project notes.

    Standard & Poor's 400 Midcap Index is an  unmanaged  capitalization-weighted
    index that is  generally  representative  of the U.S.  market for medium cap
    stocks.

    Standard & Poor's Smallcap 600 Index is a capitalization-weighted index that
    measures  the  performance  of  selected  U.S.  stocks  with a small  market
    capitalization.

    Standard & Poor's  Utilities Index is an unmanaged  capitalization  weighted
    index  comprising  common stock in  approximately  40 electric,  natural gas
    distributors and pipelines,  and telephone companies.  The Index assumes the
    reinvestment of dividends.

    From  time to time,  in  reports  and  promotional  literature,  performance
rankings and ratings reported  periodically in national  financial  publications
such as MONEY, FORBES, BUSINESS WEEK, BARRON'S,  FINANCIAL TIMES and FORTUNE may
also be used. In addition,  quotations from articles and performance ratings and
ratings  appearing  in daily  newspaper  publications  such as THE  WALL  STREET
JOURNAL, THE NEW YORK TIMES and NEW YORK DAILY NEWS may be cited.

                               GENERAL INFORMATION

    ORGANIZATION.  Life Series Fund is a Massachusetts  business trust organized
on June 12,  1985.  The Board of Trustees of Life Series Fund has  authority  to
issue an unlimited  number of shares of beneficial  interest of separate series,
no par value,  of Life Series Fund.  The shares of  beneficial  interest of Life
Series Fund are presently divided into eleven separate and distinct series. Life
Series Fund does not hold annual shareholder  meetings. If requested to do so by
the holders of at least 10% of Life Series Fund's outstanding  shares, the Board
of  Trustees  will call a  special  meeting  of  shareholders  for any  purpose,
including the removal of Trustees.

    CUSTODIAN.  The Bank of New York,  48 Wall Street,  New York,  NY 10286,  is
custodian  of the  securities  and cash of each Fund,  except the  INTERNATIONAL
SECURITIES  FUND.  Brown Brothers  Harriman & Co., 40 Water Street,  Boston,  MA
02109, is custodian of the securities and cash of the  INTERNATIONAL  SECURITIES
FUND and employs foreign sub-custodians to provide custody of the Fund's foreign
assets.

    TRANSFER  AGENT.  Administrative  Data  Management  Corp.,  581 Main Street,
Woodbridge, NJ 07095-1198, an affiliate of FIMCO and FIC, acts as transfer agent
for each Fund and as redemption agent for regular redemptions.

    AUDITS AND  REPORTS.  The  accounts of the Fund are audited  twice a year by
Tait, Weller & Baker,  independent  certified public accountants,  8 Penn Center
Plaza,  Philadelphia,  PA, 19103.  Shareholders  receive  semi-annual and annual
reports  of the Fund,  including  audited  financial  statements,  and a list of
securities owned.

    LEGAL  COUNSEL.  Kirkpatrick  & Lockhart LLP,  1800  Massachusetts  Avenue
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036 serves as counsel to the Fund.

                                       49
<PAGE>


    SHAREHOLDER LIABILITY. Life Series Fund is organized as an entity known as a
"Massachusetts  business trust." Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a
trust  may,  under  certain  circumstances,  be held  personally  liable for the
obligations of Life Series Fund. The Declaration of Trust however,  contains, an
express  disclaimer of  shareholder  liability for acts or  obligations  of Life
Series  Fund  and  requires  that  notice  of such  disclaimer  be given in each
agreement, obligation or instrument entered into or executed by Life Series Fund
or the Trustees.  The Declaration of Trust provides for  indemnification  out of
the property of Life Series Fund of any shareholder  held personally  liable for
the obligations of Life Series Fund. The Declaration of Trust also provides that
Life  Series  Fund  shall,  upon  request,  assume the defense of any claim made
against  any  shareholder  for any act or  obligation  of Life  Series  Fund and
satisfy  any  judgment  thereon.  Thus,  the  risk  of a  shareholder  incurring
financial loss on account of shareholder  liability is limited to  circumstances
in which Life Series Fund itself  would be unable to meet its  obligations.  The
Adviser believes that, in view of the above,  the risk of personal  liability to
shareholders  is  immaterial  and extremely  remote.  The  Declaration  of Trust
further  provides that the Trustees will not be liable for errors of judgment or
mistakes of fact or law,  but  nothing in the  Declaration  of Trust  protects a
Trustee  against any liability to which he would  otherwise be subject by reason
of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the
duties  involved  in the  conduct of his  office.  Life  Series Fund may have an
obligation to indemnify Trustees and officers with respect to litigation.

    5%  SHAREHOLDERS.  As of March  31,  1999 the  following  owned of record or
beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Fund listed below:

FUND                          % OF SHARES    SHAREHOLDER
- ----                          -----------    -----------

CASH MANAGEMENT                   8.0        Valerie Pleva
                                             George Washington
                                             Rm. 1718
                                             23 Lexington Ave.
                                             New York, NY 10010


    TRADING BY PORTFOLIO MANAGERS AND OTHER ACCESS PERSONS.  Pursuant to Section
17(j) of the 1940 Act and Rule 17j-1  thereunder,  the Life  Series Fund and the
Adviser have adopted Codes of Ethics restricting  personal securities trading by
portfolio  managers and other access  persons of the Funds.  Among other things,
such  persons,  except  the  Trustees:  (a)  must  have  all  non-exempt  trades
pre-cleared;  (b) are  restricted  from  short-term  trading;  (c) must  provide
duplicate statements and transactions confirmations to a compliance officer; and
(d) are prohibited from purchasing securities of initial public offerings.


                                       50
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX A
                     DESCRIPTION OF COMMERCIAL PAPER RATINGS

STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS GROUP
- -------------------------------

    Standard & Poor's Rating Group ("S&P")  commercial paper rating is a current
assessment of the likelihood of timely payment of debt considered  short-term in
the relevant market.  Ratings are graded into several  categories,  ranging from
"A-1" for the highest quality obligations to "D" for the lowest.

    A-1 This  highest  category  indicates  that the degree of safety  regarding
timely payment is strong.  Those issues  determined to possess  extremely strong
safety characteristics are denoted with a plus (+) designation.

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
- -------------------------------

    Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc.  ("Moody's")  short-term debt ratings are
opinions of the ability of issuers to repay  punctually  senior debt obligations
which have an original maturity not exceeding one year. Obligations relying upon
support mechanisms such as letters-of-credit and bonds of indemnity are excluded
unless explicitly rated.

    PRIME-1  Issuers (or  supporting  institutions)  rated  Prime-1 (P-1) have a
superior  ability for  repayment  of senior  short-term  debt  obligations.  P-1
repayment   ability  will  often  be   evidenced   by  many  of  the   following
characteristics:

    -   Leading market positions in well-established industries.
    -   High rates of return on funds employed.
    -   Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt and
ample asset protection.
    -   Broad margins in earnings  coverage of fixed financial  charges and high
internal cash generation.
    -   Well-established  access to a range of  financial  markets  and  assured
sources of alternate liquidity.


                                       51
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX B
                      DESCRIPTION OF MUNICIPAL NOTE RATINGS

STANDARD & POOR'S
- -----------------

    S&P's note rating  reflects the  liquidity  concerns and market access risks
unique to notes. Notes due in 3 years or less will likely receive a note rating.
Notes maturing  beyond 3 years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating.
The following criteria will be used in making that assessment.

    -  Amortization  schedule (the larger the final  maturity  relative to other
maturities the more likely it will be treated as a note).

    -  Source of Payment (the more  dependent the issue is on the market for its
refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note).

    Note rating symbols are as follows:

    SP-1 Very strong or strong  capacity to pay principal  and  interest.  Those
issues determined to possess overwhelming safety characteristics will be given a
plus (+) designation.

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
- -------------------------------

    Moody's ratings for state and municipal notes and other short-term loans are
designated Moody's Investment Grade (MIG). This distinction is in recognition of
the difference between short-term credit risk and long-term risk.

    MIG-1.  Loans bearing this  designation  are of the best  quality,  enjoying
strong  protection from  established  cash flows of funds for their servicing or
from established and broad-based access to the market for refinancing, or both.


                                       52
<PAGE>


                                   APPENDIX C
                      DESCRIPTION OF CORPORATE BOND RATINGS

STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS GROUP
- -------------------------------

    The  ratings  are based on current  information  furnished  by the issuer or
obtained by S&P from other sources it considers  reliable.  S&P does not perform
any audit in connection with any rating and may, on occasion,  rely on unaudited
financial information.  The ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a
result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information,  or based on other
circumstances.

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

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

    2. Nature of and provisions of the obligation;

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

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

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

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

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

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

    BB Debt rated "BB" has less  near-term  vulnerability  to default than other
speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to
adverse  business,  financial,  or  economic  conditions  which  could  lead  to
inadequate  capacity to meet timely  interest and principal  payments.  The "BB"
rating  category  is also  used for debt  subordinated  to  senior  debt that is
assigned an actual or implied "BBB-" rating.

    B Debt rated "B" has a greater  vulnerability  to default but  currently has
the  capacity  to meet  interest  payments  and  principal  repayments.  Adverse
business,  financial,  or economic  conditions  will likely  impair  capacity or
willingness to pay interest and repay principal. The "B" rating category is also


                                       53
<PAGE>

used for debt  subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied
"BB" or "BB-" rating.

    CCC Debt rated "CCC" has a currently  identifiable  vulnerability to default
and is dependent upon favorable business,  financial, and economic conditions to
meet timely  payment of interest  and  repayment of  principal.  In the event of
adverse business, financial or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the
capacity to pay interest and repay principal.  The "CCC" rating category is also
used for debt  subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied
"B" or "B-" rating.

    CC The rating "CC" typically is applied to debt  subordinated to senior debt
that is assigned an actual or implied "CCC" rating.

    C The rating "C"  typically is applied to debt  subordinated  to senior debt
which is assigned an actual or implied "CCC-" debt rating. The "C" rating may be
used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy  petition has been filed,  but debt
service payments are continued.

    CI The rating  "CI" is  reserved  for income  bonds on which no  interest is
being paid.

    D Debt rated "D" is in payment default. The "D" rating category is used when
interest payments or principal payments are not made on the date due even if the
applicable grace period has not expired,  unless S&P believes that such payments
will be made during such grace period. The "D" rating also will be used upon the
filing of a bankruptcy petition if debt service payments are jeopardized.

    PLUS (+) OR MINUS (-): The ratings from "AA" to "CCC" may be modified by the
addition  of a plus or minus  sign to show  relative  standing  within the major
categories.

MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC.
- -------------------------------

    Aaa Bonds which are rated "Aaa" are judged to be of the best  quality.  They
carry the smallest  degree of investment  risk and are generally  referred to as
"gilt edged." Interest payments are protected by a large or exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change,  such changes as can be  visualized  are most  unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.

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

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

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

    Ba Bonds which are rated "Ba" are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as  well-assured.  Often the  protection of interest


                                       54
<PAGE>

and principal  payments may be very moderate,  and thereby not well  safeguarded
during  both  good  and bad  times  over the  future.  Uncertainty  of  position
characterizes bonds in this class.

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

    Caa Bonds which are rated "Caa" are of poor standing.  Such issues may be in
default or there may be present  elements of danger with respect to principal or
interest.

    Ca Bonds which are rated "Ca" represent obligations which are speculative in
a  high  degree.  Such  issues  are  often  in  default  or  have  other  marked
shortcomings.

    C Bonds which are rated "C" are the lowest rated class of bonds,  and issues
so rated can be regarded as having  extremely  poor  prospects of ever attaining
any real investment standing.

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


                                       55
<PAGE>


                                   APPENDIX D


    [The following tables are represented as graphs in the printed document.]

The following graphs and chart illustrate hypothetical returns:

                                INCREASE RETURNS

This graph shows over a period of time even a small increase in returns can make
a significant difference.  This assumes a hypothetical investment of $10,000.

       Years        10%             8%             6%             4%
       -----      -------         ------         ------         ------
          5        16,453         14,898         13,489         12,210
         10        27,070         22,196         18,194         14,908
         15        44,539         33,069         24,541         18,203
         20        73,281         49,268         33,102         22,226
         25       120,569         73,402         44,650         27,138


                               INCREASE INVESTMENT

This graph shows the more you invest on a regular basis over time,  the more you
can accumulate. this assumes  monthly installment with  a constant  hypothetical
return rate of 8%.

       Years        $100          $250           $500          $1,000
       -----       ------        -------        -------        -------
          5         7,348         18,369         36,738         73,476
         10        18,295         43,736         91,473        182,946
         15        34,604         86,509        173,019        346,038
         20        58,902        147,255        294,510        589,020
         25        95,103        237,757        475,513        951,026




                                       56
<PAGE>


    [The following table is represented as a graph in the printed document.]

This  chart  illustrates  the  time  value  of money  based  upon the  following
assumptions:

If you  invested  $2,000 each year for 20 years,  starting at 25,  assuming a 9%
investment return,  you would accumulate  $573,443 by the time you reach age 65.
However,  had you invested the same $2,000 each year for 20 years, at that rate,
but waited until age 35, you would  accumulate  only  $242,228 - a difference of
$331,215.

               25 years old ..............   573,443
               35 years old ..............   242,228
               45 years old ..............   103,320

     For each of the above  graphs and chart it should be noted that  systematic
investment  plans do not assume a profit or protect  against  loss in  declining
markets. Investors should consider their financial ability to continue purchases
through periods of both high and low price levels.  Figures are hypothetical and
for  illustrative  purposes only and do not  represent any actual  investment or
performance. The value of a shareholder's investment and return may vary.





                                       57
<PAGE>


    [The following table is represented as a chart in the printed document.]

The following  chart  illustrates  the  historical  performance of the Dow Jones
Industrial Average from 1928 through 1996.

                   1928 ..................    300.00
                   1929 ..................    248.48
                   1930 ..................    164.58
                   1931 ..................     77.90
                   1932 ..................     59.93
                   1933 ..................     99.90
                   1934 ..................    104.04
                   1935 ..................    144.13
                   1936 ..................    179.90
                   1937 ..................    120.85
                   1938 ..................    154.76
                   1939 ..................    150.24
                   1940 ..................    131.13
                   1941 ..................    110.96
                   1942 ..................    119.40
                   1943 ..................    136.20
                   1944 ..................    152.32
                   1945 ..................    192.91
                   1946 ..................    177.20
                   1947 ..................    181.16
                   1948 ..................    177.30
                   1949 ..................    200.10
                   1950 ..................    235.40
                   1951 ..................    269.22
                   1952 ..................    291.89
                   1953 ..................    280.89
                   1954 ..................    404.38
                   1955 ..................    488.39
                   1956 ..................    499.46
                   1957 ..................    435.68
                   1958 ..................    583.64
                   1959 ..................    679.35
                   1960 ..................    615.88
                   1961 ..................    731.13
                   1962 ..................    652.10
                   1963 ..................    762.94
                   1964 ..................    874.12
                   1965 ..................    969.25
                   1966 ..................    785.68
                   1967 ..................    905.10
                   1968 ..................    943.75
                   1969 ..................    800.35
                   1970 ..................    838.91
                   1971 ..................    890.19
                   1972 ..................  1,020.01
                   1973 ..................    850.85
                   1974 ..................    616.24
                   1975 ..................    858.71
                   1976 ..................  1,004.65
                   1977 ..................    831.17
                   1978 ..................    805.01
                   1979 ..................    838.74
                   1980 ..................    963.98
                   1981 ..................    875.00
                   1982 ..................  1,046.55
                   1983 ..................  1,258.64
                   1984 ..................  1,211.56
                   1985 ..................  1,546.67
                   1986 ..................  1,895.95
                   1987 ..................  1,938.80
                   1988 ..................  2,168.60
                   1989 ..................  2,753.20
                   1990 ..................  2,633.66
                   1991 ..................  3,168.83
                   1992 ..................  3,301.11
                   1993 ..................  3,754.09
                   1994 ..................  3,834.44
                   1995 ..................  5,000.00
                   1996 ..................  6,000.00

     The  performance of the Dow Jones  Industrial  Average is not indicative of
the performance of any particular investment. It does not take into account fees
and expenses  associated with purchasing mutual fund shares.  Individuals cannot
invest  directly  in any  index.  Please  note  that past  performance  does not
guarantee future results.


                                       58
<PAGE>


    [The following table is represented as a chart in the printed document.]

The following chart shows that inflation is constantly eroding the value of your
money.

                       THE EFFECTS OF INFLATION OVER TIME

                   1966 .......................  96.61836
                   1967 .......................  93.80423
                   1968 .......................  89.59334
                   1969 .......................  84.36285
                   1970 .......................  79.88906
                   1971 .......................  77.33694
                   1972 .......................  74.79395
                   1973 .......................  68.80768
                   1974 .......................  61.27131
                   1975 .......................  57.31647
                   1976 .......................  54.63915
                   1977 .......................  51.20820
                   1978 .......................  46.98000
                   1979 .......................  41.46514
                   1980 .......................  36.85790
                   1981 .......................  33.84564
                   1982 .......................  32.60659
                   1983 .......................  31.41290
                   1984 .......................  30.23378
                   1985 .......................  29.12696
                   1986 .......................  28.81005
                   1987 .......................  27.59583
                   1988 .......................  26.43279
                   1989 .......................  25.27035
                   1990 .......................  23.81748
                   1991 .......................  23.10134
                   1992 .......................  22.45028
                   1993 .......................  21.86006
                   1994 .......................  21.28536
                   1995 .......................  20.76620
                   1996 .......................  20.16135


                   1996 .......................  100.00
                   1997 .......................  103.00
                   1998 .......................  106.00
                   1999 .......................  109.00
                   2000 .......................  113.00
                   2001 .......................  116.00
                   2002 .......................  119.00
                   2003 .......................  123.00
                   2004 .......................  127.00
                   2005 .......................  130.00
                   2006 .......................  134.00
                   2007 .......................  138.00
                   2008 .......................  143.00
                   2009 .......................  147.00
                   2010 .......................  151.00
                   2011 .......................  156.00
                   2012 .......................  160.00
                   2013 .......................  165.00
                   2014 .......................  170.00
                   2015 .......................  175.00
                   2016 .......................  181.00
                   2017 .......................  186.00
                   2018 .......................  192.00
                   2019 .......................  197.00
                   2020 .......................  203.00
                   2021 .......................  209.00
                   2022 .......................  216.00
                   2023 .......................  222.00
                   2024 .......................  229.00
                   2025 .......................  236.00
                   2026 .......................  243.00

Inflation erodes your buying power.  $100 in 1966, could purchase five times the
goods and service as in 1996 ($100 vs. $20).* Projecting  inflation at 3%, goods
and services costing $100 today will cost $243 in the year 2026.

* Source: Consumer Price Index, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.




                                       59
<PAGE>



    [The following tables are represented as graphs in the printed document.]

This chart illustrates that  historically,  the longer you hold onto stocks, the
greater chance that you will have a positive return.

                               1926 through 1996*

                               Total           Number of       Percentage of
                             Number of         Positive           Positive
   Rolling Period             Periods           Periods           Periods
   --------------             -------           -------           -------
     1-Year                      71                51                72%
     5-Year                      67                60                90%
     10-Year                     62                60                97%
     15-Year                     57                57               100%
     20-Year                     52                52               100%


The following  chart shows the compounded  annual return of large company stocks
compared  to U.S.  Treasury  Bills and  inflation  over the most  recent 15 year
period. **

                    Compound Annual Return from 1982 -- 1996*

                    Inflation .....................   3.55
                    U.S. Treasury Bills ...........   6.50
                    Large Company Stocks ..........  16.79


The following chart  illustrates  for the period shown that long-term  corporate
bonds have outpaced U.S. Treasury Bills and inflation.

                    Compound Annual Return from 1982 -- 1996*

                    Inflation .....................   3.55
                    U.S. Treasury Bills ...........   6.50
                    Long-Term Corp. bonds .........  13.66


*    Source: Used with permission. (c)1997 Ibbotson Associates, Inc. All rights
     reserved.  [Certain  provisions of this work were derived from  copyrighted
     works of Roger G. Ibbotson and Rex Sinquefield.]

**   Please note that U.S.  Treasury  bills are  guaranteed  as to principal and
     interest  payments  (although the funds that invest in them are not), while
     stocks will  fluctuate in share price.  Although  past  performance  cannot
     guarantee future results,  returns of U.S. Treasury bills historically have
     not outpaced inflation by as great a margin as stocks.



                                       60
<PAGE>


The accompanying  table  illustrates  that if you are in the 36% tax bracket,  a
tax-free  yield of 3% is actually  equivalent  to a taxable  investment  earning
4.69%.

                          Your Taxable Equivalent Yield

                                        Your Federal Tax Bracket
                           ---------------------------------------------

                           28.0%        31.0%       36.0%       39.6%
  your tax-free yield
          3.00%             4.17%        4.35%       4.69%       4.97%
          3.50%             4.86%        5.07%       5.47%       5.79%
          4.00%             5.56%        5.80%       6.25%       6.62%
          4.50%             6.25%        6.52%       7.03%       7.45%
          5.00%             6.94%        7.25%       7.81%       8.25%
          5.50%             7.64%        7.97%       8.59%       9.11%


This information is general in nature and should not be construed as tax advice.
Please  consult a tax or financial  adviser as to how this  information  affects
your particular circumstances.










                                       61
<PAGE>


    [The following table is represented as a graph in the printed document.]


The  following  graph  illustrates  how income has affected the gains from stock
investments since 1965.


          S&P 500 Dividends Reinvested            S&P 500 Principal Only

12/31/64                        10,000                            10,000
12/31/65                        11,269                            10,906
12/31/66                        10,115                             9,478
12/31/67                        12,550                            11,383
12/31/68                        13,948                            12,255
12/31/69                        12,795                            10,863
12/31/70                        13,299                            10,873
12/31/71                        15,200                            12,046
12/31/72                        18,088                            13,929
12/31/73                        15,431                            11,510
12/31/74                        11,346                             8,090
12/31/75                        15,570                            10,642
12/31/76                        19,296                            12,680
12/31/77                        17,915                            11,221
12/31/78                        19,092                            11,340
12/31/79                        22,645                            12,736
12/31/80                        30,004                            16,019
12/31/81                        28,528                            14,460
12/31/82                        34,674                            16,595
12/31/83                        42,496                            19,461
12/31/84                        45,161                            19,733
12/31/85                        59,489                            24,930
12/31/86                        70,594                            28,575
12/31/87                        74,301                            29,154
12/31/88                        86,641                            32,769
12/31/89                       114,093                            41,699
12/31/90                       110,549                            38,964
12/31/91                       144,230                            49,214
12/31/92                       155,218                            51,411
12/31/93                       170,863                            55,039
12/31/94                       173,120                            54,191
12/31/95                       238,175                            72,676
12/31/96                       292,863                            87,403
11/30/97                       383,977                           112,732


Source:  First  Investors  Management  Company,  Inc.  Standard  &  Poor's  is a
registered  trademark.  The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index  comprising 500 common
stocks spread  across a variety of  industries.  The total  returns  represented
above  compare the impact of  reinvestment  of dividends  and  illustrates  past
performance of the index.  The performance of any index is not indicative of the
performance  of a  particular  investment  and does not take  into  account  the
effects of inflation or the fees and expenses  associated with purchasing mutual
fund shares. Individuals cannot invest directly in any index. Mutual fund shares
will fluctuate in value,  therefore,  the value of your original  investment and
your return may vary.  Moreover,  past  performance  is no  guarantee  of future
results.





<PAGE>

                              Financial Statements
                             as of December 31, 1998


    Registrant  incorporates by reference the financial statements and report of
independent  auditors  contained in the Annual  Report to  shareholders  for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1998 electronically filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on March 8, 1999 (Accession Number:
0001047469-99-008850).





                                       62

<PAGE>


                            PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
                            -------------------------

Item 23.     Exhibits
             --------

     (a)     Declaration of Trust(2)

     (b)     By-laws(2)

     (c)     Shareholders' rights are contained in (a) Articles III, VIII, X, XI
             and XII of  Registrant's  Declaration of Trust dated June 12, 1985,
             previously  filed as  Exhibit  99.B1 to  Registrant's  Registration
             Statement  and  (b)  Articles  III and V of  Registrant's  By-laws,
             previously  filed as  Exhibit  99.B2 to  Registrant's  Registration
             Statement.

     (d)(i)  Investment   Advisory   Agreement  between   Registrant  and  First
             Investors  Management Company,  Inc.,  including form of Schedule A
             relating to Zero Coupon 2007 Series(1)

     (d)(ii) Subadvisory Agreement relating to International Securities Fund and
             Growth Fund(1)

     (e)     Underwriting Agreement - none

     (f)     Bonus, profit sharing or pension plans - none

     (g)(i)  Custodian Agreement between Registrant and Irving Trust Company(3)

       (ii)  Custodian  Agreement between Registrant and Brown Brothers Harriman
             & Co. relating to International Securities Fund(3)

      (iii)  Supplement to Custodian  Agreement between  Registrant and The Bank
             of New York(3)

     (h)(i)  Administration   Agreement  between  Registrant,   First  Investors
             Management   Company,   Inc.,   First  Investors   Corporation  and
             Administrative Data Management Corp.(3)

     (i)     Opinion and Consent of Counsel - filed herewith

     (j)(i)  Consent of Independent Accountants - filed herewith

       (ii)  Powers of Attorney(2)

     (k)     Financial statements omitted from prospectus -none

     (l)     Initial capital agreements(4)

     (m)     Distribution Plan - none

     (n)     Financial Data Schedules - filed herewith

     (o)     18f-3 Plan - none

- ---------------
(1)  Incorporated  by  reference  from   Post-Effective   Amendment  No.  15  to
     Registrant's  Registration  Statement  (File No. 2-98409) filed on February
     15, 1995.

(2)  Incorporated  by  reference  from   Post-Effective   Amendment  No.  17  to
     Registrant's  Registration Statement (File No. 2-98409) filed on October 2,
     1995.

<PAGE>

(3)  Incorporated  by  reference  from   Post-Effective   Amendment  No.  18  to
     Registrant's  Registration  Statement  (File No. 2-98409) filed on February
     14, 1996.

(4)  Incorporated  by  reference  from   Post-Effective   Amendment  No.  20  to
     Registrant's Registration Statement (File No. 2-98409) filed on October 21,
     1996.


Item 24.   Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant
           -------------------------------------------------------------

           There are no persons  controlled by or under common  control with the
Registrant.


Item 25.   Indemnification
           ---------------

         Article XI, Section 2 of Registrant's  Declaration of Trust provides as
follows:

         "Section 2.

   (a)   Subject to the  exceptions  and  limitations  contained  in Section (b)
below:

   (i)   every  person who is, or has been, a Trustee or officer of the Trust (a
"Covered  Person")  shall be  indemnified  by the  Trust to the  fullest  extent
permitted by law against liability and against expenses  reasonably  incurred or
paid by him in connection with any claim,  action,  suit or proceeding  which he
becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been a
Trustee or officer and against amounts paid or incurred by him in the settlement
thereof;

   (ii)  the words "claim," "action," "suit," or "proceeding" shall apply to all
claims,  actions,  suits or  proceedings  (civil,  criminal or other,  including
appeals),  actual or threatened,  and the words "liability" and "expenses" shall
include, without limitation,  attorneys' fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in
settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.

   (b)   No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:

   (i)   Who shall have been  adjudicated  by a court or body  before  which the
proceeding  was  brought  (A) to be liable to the Trust or its  Shareholders  by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of the duties  involved in the conduct of his office or (B) not to have acted in
good faith in the reasonable  belief that his action was in the best interest of
the Trust; or

   (ii)  in the event of a  settlement,  unless  there has been a  determination
that such Trustee or officer did not engage in willful  misfeasance,  bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless  disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of
his office,

         (A)     by the court or other body approving the settlement; or

         (B)     by at  least a  majority  or  those  Trustees  who are  neither
                 interested  persons of the Trust nor are  parties to the matter
                 based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a
                 full trial-type inquiry); or

         (C)     by written  opinion of  independent  legal counsel based upon a
                 review  of  readily  available  facts  (as  opposed  to a  full
                 trial-type inquiry);  provided,  however,  that any Shareholder

<PAGE>

                 may,  by  appropriate  legal  proceedings,  challenge  any such
                 determination by the Trustees, or by independent counsel.

   (c)   The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by
policies maintained by the Trust, shall be severable,  shall not be exclusive of
or affect any other  rights to which any Covered  Person may now or hereafter be
entitled,  shall  continue  as to a person who has ceased to be such  Trustee or
officer  and  shall  inure  to  the   benefit  of  the  heirs,   executors   and
administrators  of such a person.  Nothing  contained  herein  shall  affect any
rights to  indemnification  to which Trust  personnel,  other than  Trustees and
officers,  and other persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise  under the
law.

   (d)   Expenses in  connection  with the  preparation  and  presentation  of a
defense to any claim,  action,  suit or proceeding of the character described in
paragraph (a) of this Section 2 may be paid by the Trust from time to time prior
to final  disposition  thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of
such Covered Person that such amount will be paid over by him to the Trust if it
is ultimately  determined that he is not entitled to indemnification  under this
Section 2;  provided,  however,  that either (a) such Covered  Person shall have
provided  appropriate  security for such  undertaking,  (b) the Trust is insured
against losses arising out of any such advance payments or (c) either a majority
of the Trustees who are neither  interested persons of the Trust nor are parties
to the matter,  or independent  legal counsel in a written  opinion,  shall have
determined, based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full
trial-type inquiry),  that there is a reason to believe that such Covered Person
will be found entitled to indemnification under this Section 2."

         The general  effect of this  Indemnification  will be to indemnify  the
officers and Trustees of the Registrant from costs and expenses arising from any
action,  suit or proceeding to which they may be made a party by reason of their
being or having been a Trustee or officer of the  Registrant,  except where such
action is determined to have arisen out of the willful  misfeasance,  bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless  disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of
the Trustee's or officer's office.

  The Registrant's Investment Advisory Agreement provides as follows:

The  Manager  shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or
for any loss  suffered  by the  Company  or any  Series in  connection  with the
matters to which this Agreement  relate except a loss resulting from the willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its
duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this
Agreement. Any person, even though also an officer, partner,  employee, or agent
of the Manager, who may be or become an officer, Board member, employee or agent
of the Company shall be deemed, when rendering services to the Company or acting
in any  business of the  Company,  to be  rendering  such  services to or acting
solely for the Company and not as an officer, partner, employee, or agent or one
under the control or direction of the Manager even though paid by it.


Item 26.   (a)  Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
                ----------------------------------------------------

            First  Investors   Management   Company,   Inc.  offers   investment
management services and is a registered investment adviser.  Affiliations of the
officers  and  directors  of the  Investment  Adviser  are set  forth in Part B,
Statement of Additional Information, under "Directors or Trustees and Officers."

            (b) Business and Other Connections of Subadviser
                --------------------------------------------

            Wellington  Management Company, LLP ("Wellington  Management") is an
investment  adviser  registered  under the  Investment  Advisers Act of 1940, as
amended (the "Advisers  Act"). The list required by this Item 26 of officers and

<PAGE>

partners of  Wellington  Management,  together  with any  information  as to any
business  profession,  vocation or employment of a substantial nature engaged in
by such officers and partners during the past two years, is incorporated  herein
by  reference to  Schedules A and D of Form ADV filed by  Wellington  Management
pursuant to the Advisers Act (SEC File No. 801-159089).


Item 27.   Not applicable.


Item 28.   Location of Accounts and Records
           --------------------------------

           Physical  possession  of  the  books,  accounts  and  records  of the
Registrant  are  held  by  First  Investors  Management  Company,  Inc.  and its
affiliated  companies,  First  Investors  Corporation  and  Administrative  Data
Management Corp., at their corporate headquarters,  95 Wall Street, New York, NY
10005 and administrative offices, 581 Main Street,  Woodbridge, NJ 07095, except
for those  maintained by the  Registrant's  Custodian,  The Bank of New York, 48
Wall Street, New York, NY 10286.


Item 29.   Management Services
           -------------------

           Not Applicable.


Item 30.   Undertakings
           ------------

           The Registrant undertakes to carry out all indemnification provisions
of its Declaration of Trust,  Advisory  Agreement and Underwriting  Agreement in
accordance with Investment Company Act Release No. 11330 (September 4, 1980) and
successor releases.

           Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees,  officers and  controlling  persons of
the Registrant  pursuant to the provisions  under Item 27 herein,  or otherwise,
the  Registrant  has been  advised  that in the  opinion of the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission such  indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and is,  therefore,  unenforceable.  In the  event  that a claim  for
indemnification  against  such  liabilities  (other  than  the  payment  by  the
Registrant  of expenses  incurred or paid by a trustee,  officer or  controlling
person of the  Registrant  in the  successful  defense  of any  action,  suit or
proceeding)  is  asserted  by such  trustee,  officer or  controlling  person in
connection with the securities being registered,  the Registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit  to a  court  of  appropriate  jurisdiction  the  question  whether  such
indemnification  by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

           The  Registrant  hereby  undertakes  to  furnish a copy of its latest
annual report to shareholders,  upon request and without charge,  to each person
to whom a prospectus is delivered.


<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  represents
that  this  Post-Effective  Amendment  No.  24 meets  all the  requirements  for
effectiveness  pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, and has
duly caused this Post-Effective  Amendment No. 24 to its Registration  Statement
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
City of New York, State of New York, on the 20th day of April, 1999.

                                     FIRST INVESTORS LIFE SERIES FUND


                                     By:  /s/ Glenn O. Head
                                          -----------------
                                           Glenn O. Head
                                           President and Trustee


      Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this  Post-Effective  Amendment No. 24 to this  Registration  Statement has been
signed  below  by the  following  persons  in the  capacities  and on the  dates
indicated.


/s/ Glenn O. Head              Principal Executive            April 20, 1999
- ---------------------          Officer and Trustee
Glenn O. Head                  


/s/ Joseph I. Benedek          Principal Financial            April 20, 1999
- ---------------------          and Accounting Officer
Joseph I. Benedek              


     Kathryn S. Head*          Trustee                        April 20, 1999
- ---------------------
Kathryn S. Head


/s/ Larry R. Lavoie            Trustee                        April 20, 1999
- ----------------------
Larry R. Lavoie


    Herbert Rubinstein*        Trustee                        April 20, 1999
- ----------------------
Herbert Rubinstein


      Nancy Schaenen*          Trustee                        April 20, 1999
- -----------------------
Nancy Schaenen


     James M. Srygley*         Trustee                        April 20, 1999
- -----------------------
James M. Srygley


     John T. Sullivan*         Trustee                        April 20, 1999
- -----------------------
John T. Sullivan

<PAGE>


       Rex R. Reed*            Trustee                        April 20, 1999
- -----------------------
Rex R. Reed


   Robert F. Wentworth*        Trustee                        April 20, 1999
- -----------------------
Robert F. Wentworth


*By: /s/ Larry R. Lavoie
     -------------------
      Larry R. Lavoie
      Attorney-in-fact

<PAGE>

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number                 Description
- ------                 -----------

23(a)                  Declaration of Trust(2)

23(b)                  By-laws(2)

23(c)                  Shareholders'  rights are  contained in (a) Articles III,
                       VIII, X, XI and XII of Registrant's  Declaration of Trust
                       dated June 12, 1985, previously filed as Exhibit 99.B1 to
                       Registrant's  Registration Statement and (b) Articles III
                       and  V  of  Registrant's  By-laws,  previously  filed  as
                       Exhibit 99.B2 to Registrant's Registration Statement.    
                       
23(d)(i)               Investment  Advisory  Agreement  between  Registrant  and
                       First Investors Management Company,  Inc., including form
                       of Schedule A relating to Zero Coupon 2007 Series(1)

23(d)(ii)              Subadvisory    Agreement    relating   to   International
                       Securities Fund and Growth Fund(1)

23(e)                  Underwriting Agreement - none

23(f)                  Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts--None

23(g)(i)               Custodian  Agreement between  Registrant and Irving Trust
                       Company(3)

23(g)(ii)              Custodian Agreement between Registrant and Brown Brothers
                       Harriman  &  Co.  relating  to  International  Securities
                       Fund(3)

23(g)(iii)             Supplement to Custodian  Agreement between Registrant and
                       The Bank of New York(3)

23(h)(i)               Administration   Agreement  between   Registrant,   First
                       Investors  Management  Company,   Inc.,  First  Investors
                       Corporation and Administrative Data Management Corp.(1)

23(i)                  Opinion and Consent of Counsel - filed herewith

23(j)(i)               Consent of independent accountants - filed herewith

23(j)(ii)              Powers of Attorney(2)

23(k)                  Omitted Financial Statements -- None

23(l)                  Initial Capital Agreements(4)

<PAGE>

23(m)                  Distribution Plan - none

23(n)                  Financial Data Schedules- filed herewith

23(o)                  Rule 18f-3 Plan - none

- ------------

(1)  Incorporated  by  reference  from   Post-Effective   Amendment  No.  15  to
     Registrant's  Registration  Statement  (File No. 2-98409) filed on February
     15, 1995.

(2)  Incorporated  by  reference  from   Post-Effective   Amendment  No.  17  to
     Registrant's  Registration Statement (File No. 2-98409) filed on October 2,
     1995.

(3)  Incorporated  by  reference  from   Post-Effective   Amendment  No.  18  to
     Registrant's  Registration  Statement  (File No. 2-98409) filed on February
     14, 1996.

(4)  Incorporated  by  reference  from   Post-Effective   Amendment  No.  20  to
     Registrant's Registration Statement (File No. 2-98409) filed on October 21,
     1996.


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>           6
<CIK>               0000770906
<NAME>              FIRST INVESTORS LIFE SERIES FUND
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER>         01
   <NAME>           HIGH YIELD FUND
<MULTIPLIER>        1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                            64911
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                           63773
<RECEIVABLES>                                     1231
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                     426
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   65430
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                           84
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                 84
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                         60727
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                             5585
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                             4845
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                         5670
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                             87
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                        (1138)
<NET-ASSETS>                                     65346
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                   90
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                 6005
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     100
<EXPENSES-NET>                                   (523)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                           5672
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                           612
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                       (4441)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                             1843
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                       (4824)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            646
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                        321
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                414
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                            5727
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                           4822
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                       (524)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                            (476)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                  (528)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                             63493
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            12.30
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   1.00
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                         (.620)
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (.980)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.70
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .83
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>           6
<CIK>               0000770906
<NAME>              FIRST INVESTORS LIFE SERIES FUND
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER>         02
   <NAME>           DISCOVERY FUND
<MULTIPLIER>        1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                            87120
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                          112672
<RECEIVABLES>                                     3307
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                     647
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  116626
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                          2677
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                          121
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                               2798
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                         93973
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                             4257
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                             3584
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                          372
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                            217
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                         19266
<NET-ASSETS>                                    113828
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                  514
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                  698
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     (1)
<EXPENSES-NET>                                   (835)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            376
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                           220
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                         2687
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                             3283
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                        (282)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                        (6711)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            566
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                        150
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                257
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                           14298
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                            280
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                         6708
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                            (775)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                  (857)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            103392
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            27.77
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   .090
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           .790
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (.080)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                      (1.830)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              26.74
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .83
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>           6
<CIK>               0000770906
<NAME>              FIRST INVESTORS LIFE SERIES FUND
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER>         03
   <NAME>           BLUE CHIP SERIES
<MULTIPLIER>        1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                           137316
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                          204191
<RECEIVABLES>                                     2064
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                       0
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  206255
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                           743
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                          260
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                               1003
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                        133649
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                             7820
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                             6501
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                         1399
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                           3329
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                         66875
<NET-ASSETS>                                    205252
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                 2039
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                  787
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  (1427)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                           1399
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                          3330
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                        25977
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                            30706
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                       (1264)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                        (9930)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                           1058
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                        216
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                477
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                           51126
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                           1264
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                         9929
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           (1332)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 (1450)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            177635
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            23.71
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   .170
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                          4.050
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (.190)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                      (1.490)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              26.25
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .82
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>           6
<CIK>               0000770906
<NAME>              FIRST INVESTORS LIFE SERIES FUND
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER>         04
   <NAME>           GROWTH FUND
<MULTIPLIER>        1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                           122728
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                          187215
<RECEIVABLES>                                      204
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                     199
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  187618
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                           563
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                          151
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                714
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                        113214
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                             5224
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                             4363
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                          515
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                           8688
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                         64486
<NET-ASSETS>                                    186904
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                 1474
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                  300
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  (1256)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            518
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                          8689
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                        28692
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                            37899
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                        (654)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                        (4932)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            794
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                        116
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                182
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                           59319
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                            651
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                         4932
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           (1156)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 (1260)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                            154147
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            29.24
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                  1.410
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                          6.380
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (.146)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                      (1.101)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              35.78
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .82
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>           6
<CIK>               0000770906
<NAME>              FIRST INVESTORS LIFE SERIES FUND
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER>         05
   <NAME>           CASH MANAGEMENT FUND
<MULTIPLIER>        1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                             6854
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                            6854
<RECEIVABLES>                                       40
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                      49
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    6943
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                           27
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                 27
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                          6890
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                             6890
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                             4760
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                            0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                             0
<NET-ASSETS>                                      6890
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                  288
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                    (36)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            252
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                             0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                            0
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                              252
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                        (252)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                           4402
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                       2525
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                252
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                            2130
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                             (39)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                   (52)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                              5162
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                             1.00
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   .049
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                              0
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (.049)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                               1.00
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .70
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>           6
<CIK>               0000770906
<NAME>              FIRST INVESTORS LIFE SERIES FUND
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER>         06
   <NAME>           INTERNATIONAL FUND
<MULTIPLIER>        1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                            69789
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                           92087
<RECEIVABLES>                                      265
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                      11
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   92363
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                          183
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                183
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                         70290
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                             4882
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                             4402
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                          624
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                            109
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                         21157
<NET-ASSETS>                                     92180
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                 1282
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                  312
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                   (966)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            628
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                           111
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                        12765
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                            13504
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                        (706)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                        (3773)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            513
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                        290
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                256
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                           17715
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                            702
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                         3771
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                            (631)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                  (966)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                             84103
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            16.91
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   .120
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                          2.870
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (.160)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (.860)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              18.88
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   1.15
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>           6
<CIK>               0000770906
<NAME>              FIRST INVESTORS LIFE SERIES FUND
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER>         07
   <NAME>           GOVERNMENT FUND
<MULTIPLIER>        1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                            10622
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                           10727
<RECEIVABLES>                                       77
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                     196
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   11000
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                            9
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                  9
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                         10748
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                             1056
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                              883
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                          604
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                         (465)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                           105
<NET-ASSETS>                                     10991
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                  670
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                    (66)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            604
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                           157
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                         (40)
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                              721
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                        (592)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            251
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                        139
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                 61
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                            1871
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                            591
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                       (622)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                             (75)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                   (87)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                             10016
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            10.33
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   .560
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           .180
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (.660)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              10.41
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .70
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>           6
<CIK>               0000770906
<NAME>              FIRST INVESTORS LIFE SERIES FUND
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER>         08
   <NAME>           INVESTMENT GRADE FUND
<MULTIPLIER>        1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                            20194
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                           21037
<RECEIVABLES>                                      354
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                     138
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   21529
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                           20
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                 20
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                         19397
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                             1797
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                             1476
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                         1146
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                            122
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                           843
<NET-ASSETS>                                     21509
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                 1275
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                   (128)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                           1147
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                           126
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                          390
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                             1663
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                       (1073)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            397
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                        172
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                 97
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                            4284
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                           1073
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                         (4)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                            (144)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                  (163)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                             19194
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            11.67
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   .620
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           .390
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (.710)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              11.97
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .68
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>      6
<CIK>          0000770906
<NAME>         FIRST INVESTORS LIFE SERIES FUND
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER>    09
   <NAME>      UTILITIES INCOME
<MULTIPLIER>   1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                            40414
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                           50191
<RECEIVABLES>                                      176
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                     384
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   50751
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                           266
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                           53
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                319
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                         37919
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                             3185
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                             2272
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                         1076
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                           1606
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                          9777
<NET-ASSETS>                                     50432
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                 1201
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                  158
<OTHER-INCOME>                                     (1)
<EXPENSES-NET>                                   (287)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                           1071
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                          1606
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                         2557
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                             5234
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                        (842)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                        (1306)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            842
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                         80
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                151
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                           16451
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                            847
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                         1306
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                            (308)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                  (360)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                             41021
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            14.95
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   .320
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                          1.460
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (.350)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (.550)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              15.83
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .73
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>           6
<CIK>               0000770906
<NAME>              FIRST INVESTORS LIFE SERIES FUND
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER>         10
   <NAME>           TARGET MATURITY 2007 FUND
<MULTIPLIER>        1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                            23020
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                           26385
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                     109
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   26494
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                           22
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                 22
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                         22021
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                             1914
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                             1607
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                         1197
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                         (110)
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                          3365
<NET-ASSETS>                                     26473
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                 1348
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                   (151)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                           1197
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                             6
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                         2019
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                             3222
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                        (997)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            392
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                        167
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                 82
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                            6173
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                            997
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            0
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                       (116)
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                            (173)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                  (194)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                             23102
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            12.63
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   .610
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                          1.200
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (.610)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                            0
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              13.83
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .67
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>           6
<CIK>               0000770906
<NAME>              FIRST INVESTORS LIFE SERIES FUND
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER>         11
   <NAME>           TARGET MATURITY 2010 FUND
<MULTIPLIER>        1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                              JAN-1-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                             7895
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                            9013
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                      39
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                    9052
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                           21
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                                 21
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                          7562
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                              646
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                              410
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                          351
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                              0
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                          1112
<NET-ASSETS>                                      9030
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0
<INTEREST-INCOME>                                  398
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                    (47)
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            351
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                             0
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                          605
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                              956
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                        (209)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                           (4)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                            240
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                         21
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                                 17
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                            3816
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                            209
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                            4
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                             (54)
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                   (60)
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                              7159
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            12.70
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                   .510
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                          1.250
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                            (.480)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                       (.010)
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              13.97
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                    .67
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        

</TABLE>

                             Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP
                         1800 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
                                    2nd Floor
                           Washington, D.C. 20036-1800


                                 April 29, 1999



First Investors Life Series Fund
95 Wall Street
New York, New York  10005

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        You have  requested  our  opinion,  as counsel to First  Investors  Life
Series Fund (the  "Trust"),  as to certain  matters  regarding  the  issuance of
Shares of the Trust. As used in this letter, the term "Shares" means the Class A
shares of  beneficial  interest  of the Blue Chip Fund,  Cash  Management  Fund,
Discovery Fund,  Government  Fund,  Growth Fund, High Yield Fund,  International
Securities  Fund,  Target  Maturity  2007 Fund,  Target  Maturity  2010 Fund and
Utilities Income Fund, all series of the Trust.

        As such counsel, we have examined certified or other copies, believed by
us to be  genuine,  of the  Trust's  Declaration  of Trust and  by-laws and such
resolutions  and minutes of meetings of the Trust's Board of Trustees as we have
deemed relevant to our opinion,  as set forth herein.  Our opinion is limited to
the laws and facts in existence on the date hereof, and it is further limited to
the  laws  (other  than  the  conflict  of law  rules)  in the  Commonwealth  of
Massachusetts that in our experience are normally  applicable to the issuance of
shares by  unincorporated  voluntary  associations  and to the Securities Act of
1933 ("1933  Act"),  the  Investment  Company  Act of 1940 ("1940  Act") and the
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") thereunder.

        Based on present laws and facts, we are of the opinion that the issuance
of the  Shares  has been duly  authorized  by the  Trust and that,  when sold in
accordance with the terms contemplated by the Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to
the Trust's  Registration  Statement on Form N-1A ("PEA"),  including receipt by
the Trust of full  payment for the Shares and  compliance  with the 1933 Act and
the 1940  Act,  the  Shares  will  have  been  validly  issued,  fully  paid and
non-assessable.

        We note, however, that the Trust is an entity of the type commonly known
as a  "Massachusetts  business  trust." Under  Massachusetts  law,  shareholders
could,  under  certain   circumstances,   be  held  personally  liable  for  the
obligations  of the Trust.  The  Declaration  of Trust  states  that all persons
extending  credit to,  contracting with or having any claim against the Trust or
the Trustees  shall look only to the assets of the Trust for payment  under such
credit,  contract or claim; and neither the  Shareholders nor the Trustees,  nor
any of their agents, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable
therefor.  It also requires that every note, bond, contract or other undertaking
issued by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees  relating to the Trust shall
include a recitation  limiting the obligation  represented  thereby to the Trust
and  its  assets.   The   Declaration  of  Trust  further   provides:   (1)  for
indemnification  from the  assets of the Trust for all loss and  expense  of any
shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust by virtue of


<PAGE>

First Investors Life Series Fund
April 29, 1999
Page 2


ownership of shares of the Trust; and (2) for the Trust to assume the defense of
any claim against the shareholder for any act or obligation of the Trust.  Thus,
the risk of a shareholder  incurring  financial  loss on account of  shareholder
liability  is limited  to  circumstances  in which the Trust or series  would be
unable to meet its obligations.

        We hereby consent to this opinion  accompanying the PEA when it is filed
with the SEC and to the reference to our firm in the PEA.

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            KIRKPATRICK & LOCKHART LLP



                                            By /s/ Robert J. Zutz
                                               ---------------------
                                                   Robert J. Zutz


                Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants


First Investors Life Series Fund
95 Wall Street
New York, New York  10005

      We  consent  to  the  use  in  Post-Effective  Amendment  No.  24  to  the
Registration  Statement  on Form N-1A (File No.  2-98409)  of our  report  dated
January 29, 1999 relating to the December 31, 1998 financial statements of First
Investors Life Series Fund, which are included in said Registration Statement.



                                          /s/ TAIT, WELLER & BAKER

                                          TAIT, WELLER & BAKER


Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
April 14, 1999





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