AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 18, 1998
Registration File Nos. 33-480 and 811-4415
================================================================================
U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
Pre-Effective Amendment No. [ ]
--
Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 [X]
--
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
Amendment No. 34 [X]
--
(CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX OR BOXES.)
COLLEGE RETIREMENT EQUITIES FUND
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT)
(NOT APPLICABLE)
(NAME OF INSURANCE COMPANY)
730 Third Avenue
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017-3206
(ADDRESS OF INSURANCE COMPANY'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
INSURANCE COMPANY'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: 212-490-9000
NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE: COPY TO:
Peter C. Clapman, Esquire Paul J. Mason, Esquire
College Retirement Equities Fund Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan, L.L.P.
730 Third Avenue 1275 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
New York, New York 10017-3206 Washington, D.C. 20004-2404
Securities to be Registered: Interests in an open-end management investment
company for individual and group flexible payment deferred variable annuity
contracts.
APPROXIMATE DATE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OFFERING:
As soon as practicable after effectiveness of the Registration Statement
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX)
[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
[X] on May 1, 1998 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>
CROSS REFERENCE TO ITEMS REQUIRED BY PART A OF FORM N-3
N-3 ITEM PROSPECTUS HEADING
-------- ------------------
1. Cover Page ..................................... Cover Page
2. Definitions .................................... Definitions
3. Synopsis ....................................... Summary
4. Condensed Financial
Information .................................. Condensed Financial
Information
5. General Description of
Registrant and Insurance
Company ...................................... The College Retirement
Equities Fund
6. Management ..................................... Management and
Investment Advisory
Arrangements
7. Deductions and Expenses ........................ Expense Deductions
8. General Description of Variable Annuity
Contracts ................................. Summary; The Annuity
Certificates; General
Matters; Voting Rights
9. Annuity Period ................................. Summary; The Annuity
Period
10. Death Benefit .................................. Death Benefits
11. Purchases and Contract
Value ..................................... The Annuity
Certificates;
Valuation of Assets
12. Redemptions .................................... Summary; The Annuity
Certificates
13. Taxes .......................................... Federal Income Taxes
14. Legal Proceedings .............................. Legal Proceedings
15. Table of Contents for the
Statement of Additional
Information ............................... Inside Back Cover
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
DATED MAY 1, 1998
INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND TAX-DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITIES
ISSUED BY
COLLEGE RETIREMENT EQUITIES FUND
THIS PROSPECTUS TELLS YOU ABOUT THE COLLEGE RETIREMENT EQUITIES FUND (CREF) AND
ITS ACCOUNTS. READ IT CAREFULLY BEFORE INVESTING, AND KEEP IT FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.
CREF provides variable individual and group annuities for retirement and
tax-deferred savings plans at non-profit or publicly supported colleges,
universities, and other educational and research organizations. Our main purpose
is to accumulate, invest, and then disburse funds for your retirement, in the
form of lifetime income or other payment options. CREF has eight investment
portfolios, which we call "accounts": the Stock, Global Equities, Growth, Equity
Index, Bond Market, Inflation-Linked Bond, Social Choice, and Money Market
Accounts. For the investment objective of each, see pages .
As with all variable annuities, your CREF accumulation and retirement income can
increase or decrease, depending on how well the underlying investments do over
time. CREF doesn't guarantee the investment performance of the accounts, and you
bear the entire investment risk. AN INVESTMENT IN THE CREF MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT
IS NEITHER INSURED NOR GUARANTEED BY THE U.S., STATE, OR ANY OTHER UNIT OF
GOVERNMENT.
More information about CREF is on file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) in a "Statement of Additional Information" (SAI) dated May 1,
1998. You can get it by writing us at 730 Third Avenue, New York, New York
10017-3206 (attention: Central Services), or by calling 1 800 842-2733,
extension 5509. The SAI, as supplemented from time to time, is "incorporated by
reference" into the prospectus, which means it's legally part of this
prospectus. The SAI's table of contents is on the last page of this prospectus.
The SEC maintains a Website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains the SAI, material
incorporated by reference, and other information regarding CREF.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this prospectus is May 1, 1998.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
DEFINITIONS.....................................................................
SUMMARY.........................................................................
CONDENSED FINANCIAL
INFORMATION....................................................................
THE COLLEGE RETIREMENT
EQUITIES FUND..................................................................
History........................................................................
Operation......................................................................
ADDING, CLOSING, OR
SUBSTITUTING ACCOUNTS;
SUSPENDING PREMIUMS............................................................
INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND
RISK CONSIDERATIONS OF
THE ACCOUNTS...................................................................
The Stock Account..............................................................
The Global Equities Account....................................................
The Growth Account.............................................................
The Equity Index Account.......................................................
The Bond Market Account........................................................
The Inflation-Linked Bond Account..............................................
The Social Choice Account......................................................
The Money Market Account.......................................................
Other Investment Issues and
Risk Considerations...........................................................
PERFORMANCE
INFORMATION....................................................................
VALUATION OF ASSETS.............................................................
MANAGEMENT AND
INVESTMENT ADVISORY
ARRANGEMENTS...................................................................
THE ANNUITY
CERTIFICATES...................................................................
RA and GRA Certificates........................................................
SRA and GSRA Certificates......................................................
IRA Certificates...............................................................
Keogh Certificates.............................................................
Remitting Premiums.............................................................
Accumulation Units.............................................................
Transfers Between CREF
Accounts and Between
CREF and TIAA................................................................
Transfers to Other Companies
and Cash Withdrawals.........................................................
Transfers to CREF from
Other Plans..................................................................
General Considerations for All
Cash Withdrawals and
Transfers....................................................................
<PAGE>
PAGE
Repurchase of Retirement
Annuities (RAs)................................................................
Tax Issues.....................................................................
Texas ORP Restrictions.........................................................
Spousal Rights.................................................................
Portability of Benefits........................................................
Expense Deductions.............................................................
The Annuity Period.............................................................
Income Options.................................................................
Death Benefits.................................................................
Timing of Payments.............................................................
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES............................................................
VOTING RIGHTS...................................................................
GENERAL MATTERS.................................................................
DISTRIBUTION OF THE
CERTIFICATES...................................................................
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS...............................................................
APPENDIX........................................................................
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION....................................................................
<PAGE>
This prospectus outlines the terms under which the CREF accounts are available
for your retirement investments. It does not constitute an offering in any
jurisdiction where such an offering may not lawfully be made. No dealer,
salesman, or other person is authorized to give any information or to make any
representation in connection with this offering other than those contained in
this prospectus. If given or made, such information or representations must not
be relied upon.
<PAGE>
DEFINITIONS
Throughout the prospectus, "CREF," "we," and "our" refer to the College
Retirement Equities Fund. "You" and "your" mean anyone reading the prospectus,
regardless of whether the reader actually has a CREF annuity.
The terms and phrases below are defined so you'll know precisely how we're using
them. To understand some definitions, you may have to refer to other defined
terms.
ACCOUNT Any of CREF's investment funds. Each account is a separate portfolio
with its own investment objective.
ACCUMULATION The total value of your accumulation units.
ACCUMULATION FUND The assets in each account not dedicated to current retirement
benefits or other liabilities.
ACCUMULATION PERIOD The period that begins with your first premium and continues
until the entire accumulation has been converted to annuity income, transferred
from CREF, or paid to you or a beneficiary.
ACCUMULATION UNIT A share of participation in a CREF account for someone in the
accumulation period. Each account has its own accumulation unit value, used to
calculate the total value of your accumulation.
ANNUITY FUND The assets in each account that fund current retirement benefits.
Each account has two annuity funds - one that tracks the experience of
participants receiving benefits under the annual income change method and
another annuity fund for the monthly income change method. The investment
experience of the entire account will be used to calculate changes in income for
all annuity payments paid from that account.
ANNUITY PARTNER Anyone you name under a CREF survivor income option to receive
lifetime annuity income if you die. Your annuity partner can be your spouse,
child, or anyone else eligible under current CREF practices.
ANNUITY PAYMENTS Payments under any CREF income option or method of payment.
ANNUITY UNIT A measure used to calculate the amount of annuity payments due a
participant. Each account uses a separate and distinct annuity unit value for
each income change method.
BENEFICIARY Any person or institution named to receive benefits if you die
during the accumulation period or if you (and your annuity partner, if you have
one) die before any guaranteed
2
<PAGE>
period of your annuity ends. You don't have to name the same beneficiary for
each of these two situations.
BUSINESS DAY Any day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for trading. A
business day ends at 4 p.m. Eastern Time, or when trading closes on the NYSE, if
earlier.
CALENDAR DAY Any day of the year. Calendar days end at the same time as business
days.
CASH WITHDRAWAL Taking some or all of an accumulation as a single payment.
CERTIFICATE The document that sets forth the terms of your CREF annuity. There
are separate certificates for the accumulation period and the income-paying
period for each annuity.
COMMUTED VALUE The present value of annuity payments due under an income option
or method of payment not based on life contingencies. Present value is adjusted
for investment gains or losses since annuity unit value was last calculated.
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION A public or private institution in the United States that
is non-proprietary and non-profit, and the main purpose of which is to offer
instruction; conduct research; serve and support education or research; or
perform ancillary functions for such institutions.
EMPLOYER An eligible institution that maintains an employee retirement or
tax-deferred annuity plan.
INCOME CHANGE METHOD The method under which you choose to have your annuity
payments revalued. Under the annual income change method, your payments are
revalued once each year. Under the monthly income change method, your payments
are revalued every month.
INCOME OPTION Any of the ways you can receive CREF retirement income.
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE (IRC) The Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended.
METHOD OF PAYMENT Any type of CREF death benefit available to a beneficiary.
PARTICIPANT Any person who owns a CREF certificate. Under certain arrangements
an employer can be the participant.
3
<PAGE>
PLAN An employer's retirement, profit-sharing or tax-deferred annuity program.
PREMIUM The amount you and/or your employer send to CREF to purchase retirement
benefits.
SURVIVOR INCOME OPTION An option that continues lifetime annuity payments to
your annuity partner after you die.
VALUATION DAY Any day the NYSE is open for trading, as well as
the last calendar day of each month. Valuation days end as of
the close of all U.S. national exchanges where securities or
other investments of CREF are principally traded. Valuation days
that aren't business days will end at 4 p.m. Eastern Time.
VALUATION PERIOD The time from the end of one valuation day to the end of the
next.
4
<PAGE>
SUMMARY
Read this summary together with the detailed information you'll find in the rest
of the prospectus.
CREF issues certificates for the following variable annuities: a Retirement
Annuity (RA); a Group Retirement Annuity (GRA); a Supplemental Retirement
Annuity (SRA) and a Group Supplemental Retirement Annuity (GSRA). CREF also
offers an Individual Retirement Annuity (Classic IRA) and the Roth Individual
Retirement Annuity (Roth IRA) that both accept direct contributions and
rollovers. Subject to regulatory approval, CREF also has plans to offer a Keogh
Plan Annuity (Keogh). We refer to the Classic IRA and the Roth IRA collectively
as IRAs. RAs, SRAs, IRAs and Keoghs are issued to you directly. GRAs and GSRAs
are issued under the terms of a group contract.
CREF ACCOUNTS
The accounts are subject to the risks inherent in professional investment
management, including those resulting from general economic conditions. The
value of your accumulation in any account can fluctuate, and you bear the entire
risk. For the investment objective of each CREF account, see pages . CREF's past
investment experience shouldn't be taken as a prediction of future performance.
Subject to your employer's retirement plan, you can allocate RA, GRA, or GSRA
premiums to any of the accounts. Any allocations you make to an SRA, IRA or
Keogh won't be subject to your employer's plan.
5
<PAGE>
EXPENSE DEDUCTIONS
The following table summarizes the direct and indirect expense deductions for
each CREF account.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INFLATION-
GLOBAL EQUITY BOND LINKED SOCIAL MONEY
STOCK EQUITIES GROWTH INDEX MARKET BOND CHOICE MARKET
----- -------- ------ ------ ------ ---------- ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PARTICIPANT TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Deductions from Premiums
(as a percentage of Premiums) None None None None None None None None
CHARGES FOR TRANSFERS AND CASH
WITHDRAWALS (AS A PERCENTAGE OF
TRANSACTION AMOUNT)
Transfers Between CREF Accounts None None None None None None None None
Transfers to TIAA None None None None None None None None
Transfers to other companies None None None None None None None None
Cash Withdrawals None None None None None None None None
ANNUAL EXPENSE DEDUCTIONS FROM
NET ASSETS (AS A PERCENTAGE
OF AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
Mortality and Expense Risk Charges 0.005% 0.005% 0.005% 0.005% 0.005% 0.005% 0.005% 0.005%
Investment Advisory Expenses 0.080% 0.140% 0.110% 0.060% 0.060% 0.080% 0.060% 0.060%
Administrative Expenses 0.195% 0.195% 0.195% 0.195% 0.195% 0.195% 0.195% 0.195%
Distribution Expenses 0.030% 0.030% 0.030% 0.030% 0.030% 0.030% 0.030% 0.030%
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total Annual Expense Deductions 0.310% 0.370% 0.340% 0.290% 0.290% 0.310% 0.290% 0.290%
===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
6
<PAGE>
The next table gives an example of the expenses you'd incur on a hypothetical
investment of $1,000 over several periods. The table assumes a 5 percent annual
return on assets. See the SAI for the past performance of the CREF accounts.
ANNUAL EXPENSE DEDUCTIONS FROM NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INFLATION-
GLOBAL EQUITY BOND LINKED SOCIAL MONEY
STOCK EQUITIES GROWTH INDEX MARKET BOND CHOICE MARKET
----- -------- ------ ------ ------ ---------- ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 YEAR $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
3 YEARS $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $
5 YEARS $ $ $ $ $ $ $
10 YEARS $ $ $ $ $ $ $
</TABLE>
The purpose of these tables is to help you understand the various expenses you
would bear directly or indirectly as a participant in CREF. REMEMBER THAT THESE
DON'T REPRESENT ACTUAL PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES OR INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE. ACTUAL
EXPENSES MAY BE HIGHER OR LOWER. Some commissions paid by CREF to broker-dealers
who buy and sell securities for the CREF accounts have been used in the past to
reduce account expenses; however, this practice, which CREF no longer uses,
didn't affect the amount of brokerage commissions paid.
For more information, see "Expense Deductions," page .
RIGHT TO CANCEL CREF CERTIFICATES
You can cancel a CREF RA, SRA, GSRA, IRA or Keogh certificate up to thirty days
after you receive it, unless it's one under which annuity payments have begun.
If asked to cancel the certificate, CREF will do so as of its date of issue,
then send the entire current accumulation, including premiums, investment gains
or losses, and deductions (if any) back to the premium remitter (see page ).
RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERS AND CASH WITHDRAWALS
Cash withdrawals are available from RA and GRA certificates at any time your
employer's retirement plan permits. For more information, see page .
FEDERAL TAX LAW RESTRICTS YOUR RIGHT TO MAKE WITHDRAWALS FROM SALARY REDUCTION
CONTRIBUTIONS (AND EARNINGS, IF ANY) CREDITED TO YOUR CREF ACCUMULATION. IF YOUR
SALARY REDUCTION CONTRIBUTIONS ARE MADE TO A 403(B) ANNUITY, THESE WITHDRAWAL
RESTRICTIONS APPLY
7
<PAGE>
ONLY TO AMOUNTS (AND EARNINGS, IF ANY) CREDITED AFTER DECEMBER 31, 1988. IF THEY
ARE MADE UNDER A 401(K) PLAN, THESE WITHDRAWAL RESTRICTIONS APPLY TO ALL SUCH
SALARY REDUCTION AMOUNTS (AND EARNINGS, IF ANY). You may also have to pay a tax
penalty if you want to begin annuity income or take a cash withdrawal before age
59 1/2. Federal tax law may also require you to start receiving annuity income
by a particular date. For more, see "Income Options," page . Your employer's
retirement plan may also restrict your right to make transfers or take a cash
withdrawal.
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Below you'll find condensed, audited financial information for the CREF accounts
for each of the periods presented.
8
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Stock
Account
For the
Years Ended
December 31
=========================================================================================================
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Accumulation Unit Data:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income $2.317 $2.114 $1.885 $1.699 $1.606
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses* .387 .304 .271 .223 .210
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income--net 1.930 1.810 1.614 1.476 1.396
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and
unrealized gain (loss)
on total investments 26.864 15.953 19.984 (1.557) 7.139
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease)
in Accumulation
Unit Value: 28.794 17.763 21.598 (.081) 8.535
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation Unit Value:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning of period 109.223 91.460 69.862 69.943 61.408
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Period $138.017 $109.223 $91.460 $69.862 $69.943
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to Average
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Assets:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses 0.31% .31% 0.34% 0.32% 0.32%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income--net 1.55% 1.82% 2.00% 2.11% 2.14%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate 23.25% 19.57% 16.25% 18.77% 22.93%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thousands of Accumulation
Units outstanding at
end of period 597,531 620,498 632,803 637,435 642,528
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
=========================================================================================================
==========================================================================================================
1992 1991 1990 1989 1988
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Accumulation Unit Data:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income $1.523 $1.552 $1.549 $1.367 $1.195
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses* .181 .184 .148 .140 .113
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income--net 1.342 1.368 1.401 1.227 1.082
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and
unrealized gain (loss)
on total investments 2.294 11.994 (4.007) 9.051 4.380
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease)
in Accumulation
Unit Value: 3.636 13.362 (2.606) 10.278 5.462
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation Unit Value:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning of period 57.772 44.410 47.016 36.738 31.276
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Period $61.408 $57.772 $44.410 $47.016 $36.738
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to Average
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Assets:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses 0.31% 0.36% 0.33% 0.33% 0.33%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income--net 2.32% 2.65% 3.12% 2.87% 3.15%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate 16.29% 22.47% 20.94% 24.14% 24.68%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thousands of Accumulation
Units outstanding at
end of period 645,564 640,298 637,886 655,091 680,442
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==========================================================================================================
</TABLE>
* Includes all expenses charged as a deduction from investment income. As noted
above on page , some brokerage commissions paid by CREF have been used to
reduce expenses.
9
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Global
Equities
Account
May 1
For the (date of SEC
Years Ended registration)
December 31 to December 31
================================================================================================================================
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Accumulation Unit Data:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income $.848 $.751 $.727 $.687 $ .487 $.493
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses* .205 .167 .157 .134 .103 .109
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income-net .643 .584 .570 .553 .384 .384
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and 8.650
unrealized gain (loss)
on total investments 7.138 6.618 (.719) 9.021 .274
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease)
in Accumulation Unit
Value: 9.293 7.722 7.188 (.166) 9.405 .658
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation Unit Value:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning of period 50.680 42.958 35.770 35.936 26.531 25.873
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Period $59.973 $50.680 $42.958 $35.770 $35.936 $26.531
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to Average Net
Assets:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses 0.38% 0.37% 0.40% 0.41% 0.45% 0.37%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income-net 1.19% 1.28% 1.47% 1.71% 1.67% 1.31%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate 98.70% 88.84% 67.50% 51.63% 16.75% 11.71%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thousands of Accumulation
Units outstanding at end
of period 84,645 80,016 70,163 70,700 36,796 8,277
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
*Includes all expenses charged as a deduction from investment income. As noted
above on page , some brokerage commissions paid by CREF have been used to
reduce expenses.
10
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Growth Account
April 29
For the (date of SEC
Years Ended registration) to
December 31 December 31
=================================================================================================================
1997 1996 1995 1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Accumulation Unit Data:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Income $.527 $.484 $.417 $.356
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses* .155 .119 .114 .077
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Income-net .372 .365 .303 .279
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized 8.638 8.891 .886
gain (loss) on investments 12.219
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in 9.003 9.194 1.165
Accumulation Unit Value 12.591
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation Unit Value:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning of period 44.313 35.310 26.116 24.951
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of period $56.904 $44.313 $35.310 $26,116
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses 0.34% 0.35% 0.43% 0.30%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income-net 0.82% 1.07% 1.13% 1.09%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate 53.27% 38.51% 24.42% 11.51%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thousands of Accumulation 80,370 53,201 32,375 10,446
Units outstanding at end of
year
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
=================================================================================================================
Equity Index Account
April 29
For the (date of SEC
Years Ended registration) to
December 31 December 31
===========================================================================================================
1997 1996 1995 1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Accumulation Unit Data:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Income $.826 $.773 $.755 $ .504
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses* .141 .106 .100 .070
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Income-net .685 .667 .655 .434
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and unrealized 12.672 6.936 8.703 .401
gain (loss) on investments
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in 13.357 7.603 9.358 .835
Accumulation Unit Value
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation Unit Value:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning of period 42.834 35.231 25.873 25.038
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of period $56.191 $42.834 $35.231 $25.873
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses 0.30% 0.30% 0.34% 0.26%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income-net 1.47% 1.87% 2.22% 1.65%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate 3.50% 7.85% 8.31% 1.30%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thousands of Accumulation 35,368 20,725 10,911 2,716
Units outstanding at end of
year
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
===========================================================================================================
</TABLE>
* Includes all expenses charged as a deduction from investment income. As
noted above on page , some brokerage commissions paid by CREF have been
used to reduce expenses.
11
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Bond Market
Account
For the
Years Ended
December 31
========================================================================================================
1997 1996 1995 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Accumulation Unit Data:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income $3.081 $3.039 $2.863 $2.502
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses* .134 .126 .123 .108
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income-net 2.947 2.913 2.740 2.394
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and
unrealized gain (loss)
on total investments 1.266 (1.600) 3.722 (3.897)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease)
in Accumulation Unit
Value 4.213 1.313 6.462 (1.503)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation Unit Value:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning of period 44.002 42.689 36.227 37.730
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Period $48.215 $44.002 $42.689 $36.227
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses 0.29% .30% 0.31% 0.29%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income-net 6.44% 6.86% 6.93% 6.54%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate 398.77% 145.27% 185.11% 161.46%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thousands of Accumulation
Units outstanding at end
of period 31,654 22,611 19,522 14,939
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
========================================================================================================
March 1,
(date of
inception) to
December 31
===============================================================================================
1993 1992 1991 1990
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Accumulation Unit Data:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income $2.348 $ 2.287 $ 2.270 $ 1.844
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses* .103 .093 .096 .084
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income-net 2.245 2.194 2.174 1.760
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and
unrealized gain (loss)
on total investments 1.606 .056 2.247 .448
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease)
in Accumulation Unit
Value 3.851 2.250 4.421 2.208
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation Unit Value:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning of period 33.879 31.629 27.208 25.000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Period $37.730 $33.879 $31.629 $27.208
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses 0.28% 0.29% 0.34% 0.33%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income-net 6.18% 6.78% 7.61% 7.05%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate 139.55% 217.89% 124.62% 50.64%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thousands of Accumulation
Units outstanding at end
of period 14,698 13,583 10,658 4,395
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
===============================================================================================
</TABLE>
* Includes all expenses charged as a deduction from investment income. As noted
above on page , some brokerage commissions paid by CREF have been used to
reduce expenses.
12
<PAGE>
Inflation-Linked Bond Account
May 1 (date of SEC
registration) to
December 31
==================================================
1997
- --------------------------------------------------
Per Accumulation Unit Data:
- --------------------------------------------------
Investment income $1.031
- --------------------------------------------------
Expenses* .067
- --------------------------------------------------
Investment income-net .964
- --------------------------------------------------
Net realized and
unrealized gain (loss)
on total investments .154
- --------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease)
in Accumulation Unit
Value 1.118
- --------------------------------------------------
Accumulation Unit Value:
- --------------------------------------------------
Beginning of period 25.000
- --------------------------------------------------
End of Period $26.118
- --------------------------------------------------
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
- --------------------------------------------------
Expenses 0.25%
- --------------------------------------------------
Investment income-net 3.60%
- --------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate 63.56%
- --------------------------------------------------
Thousands of Accumulation
Units outstanding at end
of period 3.626
- --------------------------------------------------
==================================================
* Includes all expenses charged as a deduction from investment income. As noted
above on page , some brokerage commissions paid by CREF have been used to
reduce expenses.
13
<PAGE>
Social Choice
Account
For the
Years Ended
December 31
===============================================================================
1997 1996 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Accumulation Unit Data:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income $2.396 $2.068 $1.832
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses* .193 .158 .144
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income-net 2.203 1.910 1.688
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and 5.968
unrealized gain (loss)
on total investments 12.223 9.863
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) 7.878
in Accumulation Unit
Value: 14.426 11.551
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation Unit Value:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning of period 58.590 50.712 39.161
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Period $73.016 $58.590 $50.712
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to Average Net
Assets:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses 0.30% 0.30% 0.32%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income-net 3.37% 3.58% 3.75%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate 91.87% 40.93% 52.65%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thousands of Accumulation
Units outstanding at end
of period 30,554 25,841 22,196
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
===============================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
March 1
(date of
inception) to
December 31
===============================================================================================================
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Accumulation Unit Data:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income $ 1.621 $ 1.452 $ 1.363 $ 1.432 $ 1.224
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses* .125 .117 .105 .102 .097
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income-net 1.496 1.335 1.258 1.330 1.127
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and
unrealized gain (loss)
on total investments (2.015) 2.082 2.367 5.237 (.056)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease)
in Accumulation Unit
Value: (.519) 3.417 3.625 6.567 1.071
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation Unit Value:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning of period 39.680 36.263 32.638 26.071 25.000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Period $39.161 $39.680 $36.263 $32.638 $26.071
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to Average Net
Assets:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses 0.32% 0.31% 0.33% 0.36% 0.38%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income-net 3.80% 3.52% 3.88% 4.69% 4.39%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate 49.06% 39.85% 77.48% 46.41% 22.83%
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thousands of Accumulation
Units outstanding at end
of period 18,302 16,790 9,224 4,929 2,311
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
===============================================================================================================
*Includes all expenses charged as a deduction from investment income. As noted
above on page , some brokerage commissions paid by CREF have been used to
reduce expenses.
</TABLE>
14
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Money Market
Account
For the
Years Ended
December 31
==========================================================================================================================
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Accumulation Unit Data:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income $.953 $.880 $.910 $.631 $.464 $.539
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses* .046 .049 .048 .041 .039 .036
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income--net .907 .831 .862 .590 .425 .503
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and
unrealized gain (loss) on
total investments .001 (.003) .009 (.012) (.002) (.009)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in
Accumulation
Unit Value: .908 .828 .871 .578 .423 .494
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation Unit Value:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning of period 16.494 15.666 14.795 14.217 13.794 13.300
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Period $17.402 $16.494 $15.666 $14.795 $14.217 $13.794
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to Average
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Assets:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses 0.27% .30% 0.32% 0.28% 0.27% 0.26%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income--net 5.35% 5.16% 5.64% 4.03% 3.02% 3.70%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thousands of Accumulation
Units outstanding at end of
period 233,116 218,292 193,181 183,135 174,073 184,768
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
==========================================================================================================================
April 1
(date of
inception) to
December 31
===============================================================================================
1991 1990 1989 1988
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Per Accumulation Unit Data:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income $.808 $.994 $1.022 $ .595
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses* .039 .037 .032 .021
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income--net .769 .957 .990 .574
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net realized and
unrealized gain (loss) on
total investments .013 (.003) -- --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in
Accumulation
Unit Value: .782 .954 .990 .574
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accumulation Unit Value:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beginning of period 12.518 11.564 10.574 10.000
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End of Period $13.300 $12.518 $11.564 $10.574
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratios to Average
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Assets:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses 0.30% 0.30% 0.30% 0.23%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment income--net 5.95% 7.92% 8.90% 5.94%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio turnover rate n/a n/a n/a n/a
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thousands of Accumulation
Units outstanding at end of
period 207,368 230,184 163,314 85,355
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
===============================================================================================
* Includes all expenses charged as a deduction from investment income. As noted
above on page , some brokerage commissions paid by CREF have been used to
reduce expenses.
</TABLE>
15
<PAGE>
THE COLLEGE RETIREMENT EQUITIES FUND
HISTORY
CREF is a nonprofit membership corporation established in New York State on
March 18, 1952. Its headquarters are at 730 Third Avenue, New York, New York
10017; there are also regional offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas,
Denver, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.,
and a service center in Denver. CREF, the first company in the United States to
issue a variable annuity, is the companion organization of Teachers Insurance
and Annuity Association of America (TIAA). TIAA was founded in 1918 by the
Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. It offers traditional
annuities, which guarantee principal and a specified interest rate while
providing the opportunity for additional dividends. It also offers a variable
annuity funded by a separate account that invests in real estate (the Real
Estate Account). Together, CREF and TIAA form the principal retirement system
for the nation's education and research communities and the largest retirement
system in the world, based on assets under management. TIAA-CREF serves
approximately ___ million people at about institutions. As of December 31, 1997,
CREF's assets were approximately $ billion; the combined assets for CREF and
TIAA totalled approximately $ billion.
CREF is unlike most other companies that offer variable annuities. Usually
variable annuities are issued by insurance companies through segregated asset
accounts called "separate accounts." The insurance company performs
administration and other services for the separate account and, for a fee,
assumes certain mortality and expense risks. In contrast, CREF is legally
independent from TIAA. Even though virtually all employers use both CREF and
TIAA to fund their retirement plans, TIAA assumes no mortality and expense risks
for CREF. Investment advisory, distribution, and administrative services are
provided for CREF under agreements with two nonprofit subsidiaries of TIAA. A
separate account of TIAA also issues a variable annuity that accepts after-tax
dollars.
OPERATION
CREF is an "open-end" diversified management investment company which issues
variable annuity certificates to residents of all fifty states, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, and foreign countries. CREF is
registered with the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
(the 1940 Act), although registration doesn't entail SEC supervision of our
management and investment practices. CREF is also subject to the Not-For-Profit
Corporation Law of New York State and to
16
<PAGE>
regulation of the New York State Insurance Department and insurance departments
in several other jurisdictions (see SAI).
CREF is governed by its Board of Trustees and, to the limited extent explained
on page , by a Board of Overseers.
CREF currently has eight different investment accounts. All assets of the
accounts belong to CREF. Each account's income, investment gains, and investment
losses are credited to or charged against that account alone, not to any of the
other accounts.
ADDING, CLOSING, OR SUBSTITUTING ACCOUNTS; SUSPENDING PREMIUMS
Subject to applicable laws, CREF can add or close accounts; substitute one
account for another; combine accounts; discontinue an account as a vehicle for
paying annuity income; suspend the acceptance of premiums and/or transfers into
an account (e.g., we may stop accepting premiums and/or transfers into the
Inflation- Linked Bond Account when there aren't enough inflation-indexed bonds
available); or restrict whether and how CREF offers any account under an
employer's retirement plan. CREF can also make any changes required by the
Internal Revenue Code or the 1940 Act. CREF can make some changes at its
discretion, subject to SEC approval as required. Unless required under the 1940
Act or by the IRC, CREF won't close, substitute for, or stop accepting premiums
and/or transfers into the Stock and Money Market Accounts.
If an account is closed or discontinued for premiums or annuity income or we
stop accepting premiums into an account, we'll notify affected participants and
request that they transfer their accumulations or annuity income and/or
reallocate their premiums (as applicable). If you're notified of such a change
and don't respond with reallocation or transfer instructions within the
requested time period, we'll place any premiums, accumulations or annuity income
affected in the CREF Money Market Account.
INVESTMENT PRACTICES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS OF THE ACCOUNTS
Because our main goal is to provide retirement benefits, CREF's general
perspective is long-term, and the Accounts, as a whole, avoid both extreme
conservatism and high risk in investing.
Each CREF account has its own investment objective and policies. The accounts
won't have the same investment results or market and financial risks. For more,
see the SAI at pages B- through B-
17
<PAGE>
The accounts are subject to the following types of risks:
* Market risk - price volatility due to changing conditions in the
financial markets and, particularly for bonds and other debt
securities, changes in overall interest rates.
* Financial risk - for stocks or other equity securities, the possibility
that current earnings will fall or that overall financial soundness
will decline, which means that the security can lose its value. For
bonds and other debt securities, the possibility the issuer won't be
able to pay principal and interest when due; and
* Current income volatility - how much and how quickly overall interest
rate changes affect current income from an investment.
No account's investment objective can be changed without approval by a majority
of its outstanding voting securities (see page ). CREF can change investment
policies (that is, the methods used to pursue the objectives) without such
approval. Of course, there is no guarantee that any CREF account will meet its
investment objective.
The managers of the CREF accounts may also manage the assets of TIAA Separate
Account VA-1, TIAA-CREF Mutual Funds or other clients, on behalf of another
affiliated investment advisor. Investment decisions for the CREF accounts and
any other client whose assets the managers of the CREF accounts may manage are
made independently. Sometimes, however, managers may decide either to buy or
sell for more than one CREF account or any other affiliated investment company
or client a particular security at the same time. If so, investment
opportunities are allocated equitably - a procedure that can have an adverse
effect on the size of the position each CREF account buys or sells, as well as
the price paid or received for it.
Expense deductions are at cost and we expect they'll be relatively low.
THE EQUITY ACCOUNTS
THE STOCK ACCOUNT
The Stock Account's investment objective is a favorable long-term rate of return
through capital appreciation and investment income by investing primarily in a
broadly diversified portfolio of common stocks.
18
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT MIX
DOMESTIC STOCKS. The Stock Account divides its portfolio into segments -- one of
which is designed to track U.S. equity markets as a whole. To diversify and
control volatility, the Stock Account invests this segment in the stocks that
make up the Russell 3000(R) index. The Russell 3000 is an index of the stocks of
the 3000 largest U.S. companies traded on the New York Stock Exchange, other
U.S. exchanges, and over-the-counter (i.e., stocks such as those listed on the
NASDAQ system). Each stock in the index is weighted by its relative market
value. The Stock Account doesn't invest in all 3000 stocks in the Russell 3000
index. Rather, we use a sampling approach to ensure that this segment of the
account closely matches the overall investment characteristics (for example,
yield and industry weight) of the index. This means that a company can remain in
this segment of the Stock Account even if it performs poorly, unless the company
is removed from the Russell 3000. This segment also uses proprietary
quantitative valuation and trading techniques to attempt to slightly outperform
the Russell 3000 index. For more on the Frank Russell Company, see "The Equity
Index Account--The Russell 3000 Index," page .
Another segment of the account contains stocks selected individually for their
investment potential.
FOREIGN SECURITIES. The account invests in foreign stocks and other equity
securities, fixed-income securities, and money-market instruments traded on
foreign exchanges, in other foreign securities markets, or privately placed. At
year's end 1997, this segment was % of the portfolio. The authorized level may
change. Foreign securities entail different types and levels of risk than a
strictly domestic portfolio. For more information, see page .
As of December 31, 1997, net assets of the Stock Account were over $ billion,
and the portfolio was invested as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TYPE OF SECURITIES AND PERCENTAGE OF
TOTAL MARKET VALUE OF THE STOCK ACCOUNT'S PORTFOLIO
---------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES
SECURITIES SELECTED FOR
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE THEIR INVESTMENT SHORT-TERM
U.S. EQUITY MARKET POTENTIAL FOREIGN SECURITIES (DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN)
--------------------- ---------------- ------------------ ----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
% % % %
</TABLE>
19
<PAGE>
Investment percentages can vary considerably among portfolio categories.
Because it's so large, the Stock Account entails both special opportunities and
special risks. The blocks of a given security that we're buying may be very
large compared to its trading volume, so we may find it difficult to quickly
establish the positions called for by our investment decisions. For the same
reason, we may find that attempting to sell large blocks of a particular
security can lower its price. As a result, we may not be able to adjust the
Stock Account portfolio as quickly as we might desire.
On the other hand, the size of the Stock Account lets us keep up relationships
with many brokers, taking advantage of competition among them to get good
transaction terms. We often pursue economies of scale, buying or selling large
amounts of securities in single transactions. As a result, the Stock Account can
benefit from reduced brokerage commissions and better purchase or sales prices
than smaller investors usually get.
THE GLOBAL EQUITIES ACCOUNT
The account's investment objective is favorable long-term rate of return through
capital appreciation and income from a broadly diversified portfolio that
consists primarily of foreign and domestic common stocks.
INVESTMENT MIX
The account will invest at least 65 percent of its assets in equity securities
of foreign and domestic companies.
The account will usually have at least 40 percent of its assets invested in
foreign securities and at least 25 percent in domestic securities, with the
balance of its assets being distributed between foreign and domestic as we deem
appropriate. However, this is not a fundamental investment policy, and these
percentages may vary from time to time depending on market conditions. The
account allocates investments to particular countries or regions based on our
evaluation of various factors, such as the relative attractiveness of particular
markets at specific times, and the size of a country's or region's equity
markets as compared to the value of the global equity markets as a whole.
Consistent with industry practice for global accounts, this account will be
invested in at least three different countries, one of which will be the U.S.
Normally, however, the account will be more broadly diversified.
20
<PAGE>
The account can invest in companies of any size, although investing in smaller
less established ones ordinarily involves more risk. The account's portfolio may
be divided into segments -- some designed to track foreign or domestic markets,
others containing stocks selected individually for their investment potential.
MANAGING CURRENCY RISK
Changing exchange rates can increase or decrease the value of securities
denominated in foreign currencies, and this may affect the account's
performance. For more details, see "Other Investments--Equity Accounts," page ,
"Currency Transaction," page , and the SAI.
SPECIAL RISKS OF FOREIGN INVESTMENTS
There are special risks associated with foreign investing such as the
possibility of political and social instability, changing exchange rates,
foreign government regulation, and market conditions that differ from those in
the U.S. See "Other Investment Issues and Risk Considerations--Foreign
Investments," page .
THE GROWTH ACCOUNT
The Growth Account's investment objective is favorable long-term return, mainly
through capital appreciation, primarily from a diversified portfolio of common
stocks that present the opportunity for exceptional growth.
INVESTMENT MIX
The Growth Account invests in companies of all sizes including those in new and
emerging areas of the economy and those with distinctive products or promising
market conditions. The account is intended for people who can tolerate greater
risk and fluctuation in the value of their funds in exchange for the potential
of higher returns over time.
Ordinarily, the account will keep at least 80 percent of its assets in common
stocks and other securities with equity characteristics. The account's portfolio
may be divided into segments -- some containing stocks selected individually for
their investment potential, and others designed to track the growth sector of
the market generally. We choose individual investments based on a company's
prospects under current or forecasted economic, financial, and market
conditions. We look for companies we believe have the potential for strong
earnings or sales growth, or that appear to be undervalued based on current
earnings, assets or growth prospects. The Growth Account can also invest in
large, well-known, established companies,
21
<PAGE>
particularly when we believe they have new or innovative products, services, or
processes that enhance future earnings prospects. We also look for companies in
new and emerging areas of the economy, and for smaller, less-seasoned companies
with above-average growth potential. The account can also invest in companies in
order to benefit from prospective acquisitions, reorganizations or corporate
restructurings or other special situations.
The Growth Account can buy foreign securities and other instruments if we
believe they have superior investment potential. Depending on investment
opportunities, the account may have as little as none of its assets in foreign
securities or as much as 40 percent. Foreign securities have risks that differ
from those of domestic securities. See "Other Investment Issues and Risk
Considerations - Foreign Investments " page and the SAI.
SPECIAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS
The Growth Account may have investment risks not present in other CREF accounts.
For example, the Growth Account may have a significant exposure to stocks of
smaller, lesser-known companies, which often depend on narrow product lines, may
have limited track records, may lack depth of management, and may have
thinly-traded securities. As a result, prices of small company stocks may
fluctuate more than larger company stocks. In addition, stocks of companies
involved in reorganizations and other special situations can often involve more
risk than ordinary securities. Accordingly, the Growth Account will probably be
more volatile than the overall stock market, and it could significantly
outperform or underperform the stock market during any period.
THE EQUITY INDEX ACCOUNT
The Equity Index Account's investment objective is a favorable long-term return
from a diversified portfolio selected to track the overall market for common
stocks publicly traded in the U.S., as represented by a broad stock market
index.
INVESTMENT MIX
The Equity Index Account attempts to track the U.S. stock market as a whole by
investing substantially all of its assets in stocks included in the Russell
3000(R) Index. The Account doesn't try to match the Russell 3000 precisely by
holding all 3,000 stocks. Rather, we use a sampling to try to emulate the
index's overall investment characteristics. The portfolio won't be managed in
the traditional sense of picking individual securities based on
22
<PAGE>
economic, financial, and market analysis. This means that a company can remain
in the Equity Index Account even if it performs poorly, unless the company is
removed from the Russell 3000.
We expect that when the overall U.S. stock market is rising, the account's unit
value will rise, while in periods of market decline, the account's unit value
will likewise decline. The account's performance won't match the performance of
the Index precisely but is likely to track the Russell 3000 Index closely. Since
the Index's returns aren't reduced by operating or investment expenses, the
account's ability to match the Index will be adversely affected by the costs of
buying and selling stocks and other expenses. However, we expect expenses to be
low compared to an actively managed stock account.
Using the Russell 3000 as the measure of the U.S. equity market isn't
fundamental to the account's objective or investment policies, and CREF's Board
of Trustees can substitute another index without participant approval. We'll
notify you before we change the account's target index.
The account can also hold other instruments whose return depends on stock market
prices. While these instruments would attempt to match the total return of the
Russell 3000, they might not in all cases. See "Other Investments--Equity
Accounts" below.
THE RUSSELL 3000 INDEX
The Russell 3000 is an index of the 3,000 largest publicly traded U.S.
corporations, as determined by the value of their outstanding stock. Russell
3000 companies represent about 98% of the total market capitalization of the
publicly-traded U.S. equity market. The market capitalization of individual
companies in the Russell 3000 ranged from $ million to $ billion with an average
of $ billion as of December 31, 1997.
Frank Russell Company includes stocks in the Index solely on their market
capitalization and weights them by relative market value. Frank Russell Company
can change stocks and their weightings in the Index. We'll adjust the Equity
Index Account's portfolio to reflect these changes as appropriate.
The Russell 3000 is a trademark and a service mark of the Frank Russell Company.
No CREF account is promoted, sponsored, endorsed or sold by or affiliated with
the Frank Russell Company. A stock's presence in the Russell 3000 doesn't mean
that Frank Russell Company believes that it's an attractive investment. The
Frank Russell Company isn't responsible for any literature about any CREF
account, and makes no representations or warranties about its content.
23
<PAGE>
OTHER INVESTMENTS - EQUITY ACCOUNTS
The equity accounts can, in addition to stocks, hold other types of securities
with equity characteristics, such as convertible bonds, preferred stock,
warrants and depository receipts. Pending more permanent investments or to use
cash balances effectively, the accounts can hold the same types of money market
instruments the Money Market Account invests in (see page ), as well as other
short-term instruments.
The equity accounts can also hold fixed income securities that they acquire
because of mergers, recapitalizations or otherwise. When market conditions
warrant, the accounts can also invest in debt securities which may include debt
securities whose prices or interest rates are linked to the return of a stock
market index. These investments will be similar to those authorized for the Bond
Market Account (see page ).
The equity accounts can buy and sell options ("puts" and "calls"), futures
contracts and options on futures to the extent permitted by the New York State
Insurance Department, the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. They
can also buy and sell stock index futures contracts. We intend to use options
and futures primarily as hedging techniques or for cash management, not for
speculation, but they involve special considerations and risks nonetheless.
We trade options or futures only as permitted by applicable regulatory
authorities. To manage currency risk, the equity accounts can enter into forward
currency contracts; buy or sell options and futures on foreign currencies, and
buy securities indexed to foreign currencies. For more, see "Other Investment
Issues and Risk Considerations -- Currency Transactions," page
.
The equity accounts can also invest in newly developed financial instruments,
such as equity swaps (including arrangements where the return is linked to a
stock market index) and equity-linked fixed-income securities, so long as these
are consistent with an account's investment objectives and restrictions. (See
the SAI.)
THE FIXED--INCOME ACCOUNTS
THE BOND MARKET ACCOUNT
The Bond Market Account's investment objective is a favorable long-term rate of
return, primarily through high current income consistent with preserving
capital. The account invests primarily in a broad range of investment-grade,
fixed-income securities, such as bonds, notes, and money-market instruments.
24
<PAGE>
Ordinarily fixed-income securities are interest-rate sensitive, except those
with floating or variable rates. That means their market value will tend to rise
when interest rates fall, and fall when interest rates rise. The market price of
securities with longer maturities tends to be more volatile.
INVESTMENT MIX
The account's assets are primarily (at least 85%) in bonds and other
fixed-income instruments. Investments can include:
* securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or
its agencies and instrumentalities;
* publicly traded investment-grade corporate securities (those
rated Baa3 or better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or
BBB-- or better by Standard & Poor's);
* mortgage-backed securities including obligations of the Government
National Mortgage Association (GNMA), Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation (FHLMC), Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), and
similar federal agencies or government-sponsored enterprises;
* other high-quality mortgage-related or asset-backed securities rated
Baa3 or better by Moody's or BBB-- or better by S&P, or if not rated,
determined to be of equivalent investment quality;
* other asset-backed securities unrelated to mortgages;
* bonds, notes, commercial paper, and other debt securities issued by
foreign governments, agencies, corporations, and banks up to 15% of the
account's assets (the authorized level may change); or
* lower rated securities which mean those rated Ba1 or lower by Moody's
and BB+ and lower by S & P, as well as unrated securities of similar
quality (we don't intend to invest more than 20 percent of the
account's assets in these securities and at year end 1997, these "high
yield or junk" securities were % of the account's portfolio).
See the appendix, page , and the SAI for an explanation of what the bond ratings
mean. The investments in mortgage-related securities may be subject to the risk
of early repayment of principal (see SAI).
In general, lower-rated bonds offer higher returns but also entail higher risks.
The issuer of lower-rated bonds may be less creditworthy or have a higher risk
of insolvency, especially during economic downturns. Small changes in the
issuer's
25
<PAGE>
creditworthiness can have more impact on the price of its lower-rated bonds than
comparable changes would for investment-grade bonds. In addition, lower-rated
bonds may be harder to trade, hence to value or dispose of, which could disrupt
the market for lower-rated bonds. Rising interest rates could lower the
securities' value, and the prices of lower-rated bonds can be more volatile than
those of higher-quality securities.
These risks can also apply to the lower levels of "investment grade" securities,
too -- for example, Moody's Baa and S&P's BBB. Moreover, securities originally
rated "investment grade" are sometimes downgraded later if a ratings service
believes the issuer's business outlook or creditworthiness has deteriorated. If
that happens to a security in the Bond Market Account portfolio, it may or may
not be sold, depending on our analysis of the issuer's prospects. We don't rely
exclusively on credit ratings when making investment decisions because they
alone may not be an accurate measure of the risk of lower-rated bonds. Instead,
we also do our own credit analysis, paying particular attention to interest rate
trends and other market events (see SAI).
THE INFLATION-LINKED BOND ACCOUNT
The Inflation-Linked Bond Account's investment objective is a long-term rate of
return that outpaces inflation, primarily through investment in
inflation-indexed bonds -- fixed-income securities whose returns are designed to
track a specified inflation index over the life of the bond.
Like conventional bonds, inflation-indexed bonds generally pay interest at fixed
intervals and return the principal at maturity. Unlike conventional bonds, an
inflation-indexed bond's principal or interest is adjusted periodically to
reflect changes in a specified inflation index. Inflation-indexed bonds are
designed to preserve purchasing power over the life of the bond while paying a
"real" rate of interest (i.e., a return over and above the inflation rate).
These bonds are generally issued at a fixed interest rate which is lower than
conventional bonds of comparable maturity and quality, but are expected to
retain their value against inflation over time.
INVESTMENT MIX
The account will invest primarily in inflation-indexed bonds issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. government, or its agencies and instrumentalities, and in
other inflation-indexed securities issued by corporations and foreign
governments, as well as money market instruments and other short-term
securities.
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U.S. TREASURY INFLATION-INDEXED SECURITIES (TIIS)
In January 1997, the United States Department of the Treasury issued for the
first time a new type of bond designed to provide returns linked to the
inflation rate--Treasury Inflation-Indexed Securities (TIIS).
The principal amount of a TIIS bond is periodically adjusted for inflation using
the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), and interest is paid
twice a year. The interest rate is fixed, but the amount of each interest
payment varies as the principal is adjusted for inflation. For an example of how
principal and interest is calculated, see the SAI.
The principal amount of a TIIS investment can go down in times of negative
inflation; however, the U.S. Treasury guarantees that the final principal
payment at maturity will not be less than the original principal amount of the
bond. Other inflation-indexed securities may not provide a similar guarantee.
The inflation-adjusted principal value of TIIS will be calculated using CPI-U
data that is approximately three months old.
The interest and principal components of the bonds may be "stripped" or sold
separately. The account can buy or sell either component.
OTHER INFLATION-INDEXED SECURITIES
The account can invest in inflation-indexed bonds issued or guaranteed by
foreign governments, or their agencies and instrumentalities, as well as other
foreign issuers. These investments may be denominated in U.S. dollars, foreign
currencies or other units of account, and are originally designed to track the
inflation rate in the issuing country. For more information on foreign
inflation-indexed bonds, see SAI. We don't expect the account's investments in
foreign inflation-indexed bonds to be more than 25% of the account's assets,
although the authorized level may change. Foreign investments can involve
special risks (see page ).
The account may also invest in inflation-indexed bonds issued or guaranteed by
agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. government and in corporate
(non-governmental) or other inflation-indexed securities of U.S.-domiciled
issuers. Because these types of investments are new, we can't predict when or if
they will be widely available for purchase, nor whether there will be an active
secondary market for these securities.
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SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Because the investments in the account, are "marked-to-market" daily and because
market values will fluctuate, the account could lose money on its investments.
Its total return would then not actually track inflation every year. Market
values of inflation-indexed securities can go up or down due to changes in the
market's inflation expectations or in real rates of interest (i.e., the
component of interest rates not attributable to anticipated inflation rates).
For example, supply and demand shifts in the marketplace could affect the value
of inflation-linked securities. If inflation were to rise faster than reflected
in conventional bond interest rates, real rates might decline. This would make
the market value of inflation-indexed bonds go up. In contrast, if nominal rates
increase faster than inflation, real interest rates might increase, leading to a
decrease in inflation-indexed bond values. We can't predict how volatile market
values of inflation-linked securities will be. However, we believe they'll be
less volatile over the long-term than conventional bonds and equities.
It has also been suggested that the CPI-U does not accurately reflect the true
rate of inflation, and that the index should therefore be changed or an entirely
new index devised. It's unclear whether the U.S. Treasury would adopt any
revised or new index for TIIS investments. If the market perceives that the
adjustment index used by TIIS does not accurately reflect inflation, the market
value of those bonds could be adversely affected.
Participants who choose to receive annuity income through this account should be
aware that their income might not keep pace with inflation precisely,
particularly if the average stated interest rate on the account's
inflation-indexed bonds is below about 4.5%. (See page of the SAI for the
formula we use to calculate annuity benefits.)
OTHER INVESTMENTS--THE FIXED--INCOME ACCOUNTS
The Bond Market and Inflation-Linked Bond Accounts can hold the same kind of
money market and other short-term instruments and debt securities as the Money
Market Account, as well as other kinds of short-term instruments. They can also
hold preferred stock and common stock obtained as a result of conversion of
bonds, exercise of warrants etc.
To manage currency risk, they can also buy and sell options, futures contracts
and options on futures (including options and futures on foreign currencies).
They can also enter into forward currency contracts and buy and sell securities
indexed to foreign currencies.
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The Inflation-Linked Bond Account can also hold the same kind of fixed-income
securities as the Bond Market Account. These securities will usually be
investment grade. However, the Account can invest up to 5% of its assets in
fixed-income instruments that are rated below investment grade, or in unrated
securities of similar quality.
THE SOCIAL CHOICE ACCOUNT
The Social Choice Account's investment objective is a favorable long-term rate
of return that reflects the investment performance of the financial markets
while giving special consideration to certain social criteria. The portfolio is
a diversified set of stocks and other equity securities; bonds and other
fixed-income securities; and money market instruments and other short-term debt
instruments. The account invests only in companies that are suitable from a
financial perspective and whose activities are consistent with the account's
social criteria.
CURRENT SOCIAL CRITERIA
The social criteria the account takes into consideration are non-fundamental
investment policies. They can change without the approval of the account's
participants.
At present, the account won't invest if the issuer:
(1) Engages in activities that result or are likely to result in
significant damage to the natural environment;
(2) Has a significant portion of its business in weapons
manufacturing;
(3) Produces and markets alcoholic beverages or tobacco
products;
(4) Produces nuclear energy; or
(5) Has operations in Northern Ireland and has not (a) adopted the MacBride
Principles (a fair employment code for U.S. firms operating in Northern
Ireland and concerned with preventing religious discrimination in
employment); or (b) operated consistently with such principles and in
compliance with the Fair Employment (Northern Ireland) Act of 1989.
For the second and third criteria, we assess the issuer to decide whether the
activity is a "significant" part of its business -- basing our decision on, for
example, how large an operation the activity involves or how much revenue it
brings in.
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The Finance and Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility Committees of the
Board of Trustees provide overall guidance in deciding whether investments meet
the social criteria. To do that, the committees can use information from
independent monitoring organizations such as the Investor Responsibility
Research Center, Inc. We'll do our best to make sure the account's investments
meet the criteria in effect, but we can't guarantee that every holding will
always do so. The Social Choice Account isn't restricted from investing in any
securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or
instrumentalities. Even if an investment is not excluded by current social
criteria, we can decide at any time that it nevertheless isn't suitable for the
account. If we decide to sell an investment because it would be excluded by the
criteria because it or the criteria have changed, we'll try to do it in an
orderly way that limits the account's risk.
INVESTMENT MIX
The Social Choice Account is a balanced fund, with assets divided between stocks
and other equity securities (currently about 60 percent of the portfolio) and
bonds and other fixed-income securities, including money-market instruments
(about 40 percent). When market conditions or transaction needs require, the
equity portion can go as high as 70 percent or as low as 50 percent, with
corresponding changes in the fixed-income portion. We can change the balancing
profile even further if we think it's appropriate. If so, the account's assets
could be even more heavily weighted toward either equity or fixed-income
securities.
The equities portion of the Social Choice Account will ordinarily consist of the
same kinds of securities and other investments as the CREF Stock Account (see
page ). Its goal will be to perform consistently with the U.S. stock markets as
represented by the Standard & Poor's 500 index. If market conditions and other
factors warrant, however, the account can invest up to 15 percent of its assets
in foreign securities. (The authorized level can change.)
The fixed-income portion of the Social Choice Account will invest in the same
kinds of securities authorized for the CREF Bond Market Account (see page ).
Money-market instruments and short-term debt securities will be of the same type
as those held by our Money Market Account's. The Social Choice Account can also
hold other kinds of short-term instruments. These help us assure liquidity, use
cash balances effectively, and take advantage of attractive investment
opportunities.
Subject to any necessary regulatory approval, the Social Choice Account can buy
and sell options, futures contracts, and options on futures.
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SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Because its social criteria preclude some investments, the Social Choice Account
may not be able to take the same advantage of specific opportunities or market
trends as portfolios that don't use such criteria. Only part of the account's
assets are in stocks and other equity securities, so overall returns may not
parallel the U.S. stock market as a whole. However, we expect that the account
will have less risk than a portfolio made up exclusively of common stocks.
THE MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT
The Money Market Account's investment objective is high current income
consistent with maintaining liquidity and preserving capital. Substantially all
assets will be in securities or other instruments maturing in 397 days or less,
though some U.S. government securities may have maturities of up to 762 days.
However, the dollar-weighted average maturity won't be more than 90 days. The
account will be subject to very little financial and market risk but may have
relatively high current income volatility -- that is, its yield will vary.
INVESTMENT MIX
The account will invest primarily in:
(1) Commercial paper (short-term "IOUs" issued by corporations
and others) or variable-rate, floating-rate, or
variable-amount securities of domestic or foreign companies;
(2) Obligations of commercial banks, savings banks, savings and loan
associations, and foreign banks whose latest annual financial
statements show more than $1 billion in assets. These obligations
include certificates of deposit, time deposits, bankers' acceptances,
and other short-term debt;
(3) Securities issued by or whose principal and interest are
guaranteed by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or
instrumentalities;
(4) Other debt obligations with a remaining maturity of 397 days
or less issued by domestic or foreign companies;
(5) Repurchase agreements involving securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. government or one of its agencies or
instrumentalities, or involving certificates of deposit,
commercial paper, or bankers' acceptances (see page and
SAI);
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(6) Participation interests in loans that banks have made to the
issuers of (1) and (4) above (these may be considered
illiquid);
(7) Asset-backed securities issued by special purpose
corporations or trusts;
(8) Obligations issued or guaranteed by foreign governments or
their political subdivisions, agencies, or
instrumentalities; and
(9) Obligations of international organizations (and related
government agencies) designated or supported by the U.S. or
foreign government agencies to promote economic development
or international banking.
The order of the preceding list doesn't indicate the priority of the investment
types or their weight in the Money Market Account, which will vary according to
market conditions.
The account will invest at least 95% of its assets in money market instruments
that, at the time of purchase, are "first tier" securities -- that is,
securities rated within the highest category by at least two nationally
recognized statistical rating organizations ("NRSROs") (or one NRSRO if it's the
only one that has rated the security). The account can purchase unrated
securities in this segment so long as we consider them to be of comparable
quality to other first tier securities. The account also can invest up to 5% of
its assets in "second tier" securities -- that is, securities rated within the
two highest categories by at least two NRSROs (or one, if it's the only one that
has rated the security). The account can also purchase unrated securities in
this segment so long as we consider them to be of comparable quality to other
second tier securities.
The account can invest up to 30 percent of its assets in foreign money-market
and debt instruments denominated in U.S. dollars, including obligations of
foreign banks, foreign governments, their agencies and instrumentalities,
domestic branches of foreign banks, and foreign branches and subsidiaries of
U.S. banks. (The authorized level can vary.) These foreign investments must meet
the eligibility standards described above. The risks of foreign investments may
differ from those of portfolios made up exclusively of U.S. holdings. For more
on such risks, see below.
The above list of investments is not exclusive and the account may make other
investments consistent with its investment objective and policies.
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To the extent that law allows, the account can invest in options and futures
contracts. For a more detailed description of types of money market instruments,
see the SAI.
The account can try to increase returns by buying and selling securities and
other investments to take advantage of short-term changes in the market.
OTHER INVESTMENT ISSUES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS
Unless noted otherwise, the following information applies to all CREF accounts.
FOREIGN INVESTMENTS
CREF has extensive experience managing foreign investments, including those not
registered or traded in the United States. An account's foreign portfolio may be
divided into segments -- some designed to track foreign markets as a whole,
others with stocks selected individually for their investment potential. We
invest in a wide range of foreign issues. We think the diversity of our foreign
holdings is desirable because it reduces the risks and increases the opportunity
for returns. On December 31, 1997, foreign investments (including securities
held as collateral for stock lending) represented the following percentages of
market value for each CREF account:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==================================================================================================================
Global Equity Bond Inflation- Social Money
Stock Equities Growth Index Market Linked Bond Choice Market
Account Account Account Account Account Account Account Account
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
% % % % % % % %
==================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
The percentages CHANGE DAILY as a result of new transactions, market value
fluctuations and change in foreign currency exchange rates. To meet an account's
investment objective, the Finance Committee can change the percentage of the
portfolio devoted to foreign investments, subject to the limits in CREF's
charter; see SAI.
Investing in foreign securities, especially those not issued by governments, can
involve risks not ordinarily part of domestic investing. These include:
* changes in foreign currency exchange rates;
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* possible imposition of market controls or currency exchange
controls;
* possible imposition of withholding taxes on dividends and
interest;
* possible seizure, expropriation, or nationalization of
assets;
* more limited foreign financial information or difficulty in
interpreting it because of foreign regulations and
accounting standards;
* lower liquidity and higher volatility in some foreign
markets;
* the impact of political, social, or diplomatic events;
* the difficulty of evaluating some foreign economic trends;
or
* the possibility that a foreign government could restrict an issuer from
paying principal and interest to investors outside the country and
difficulty in using foreign laws and courts to enforce financial or
legal obligations.
In addition, brokerage commissions and transaction costs are often higher for
foreign investments.
The accounts can invest in developing or "emerging" countries. The risks noted
above often increase in emerging countries. For example, emerging countries may
have more unstable governments than developed countries, and their economies may
be based on only a few industries. Because their securities markets may be very
small, share prices may be volatile. In addition, foreign investors are subject
to a variety of special restrictions in many emerging countries. For more on the
risks of foreign investing including the recent volatility in Asia, see the SAI.
Even considering the risks, foreign investing offers the chance to improve an
account's diversification and long-term performance. Foreign investments let
CREF take part in the growth of other countries' economies and financial
markets, which sometimes offer better prospects than in the U.S. Moreover,
periods of rising or falling values often come at different times in foreign
markets than in U.S. markets, and price trends can move in different directions.
When this happens, foreign investments can reduce an account's volatility,
compared to the U.S. market as a whole, and perhaps enhance long-term returns.
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CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
When investing in foreign securities, the CREF accounts can use currency
transactions to protect themselves against future exchange rate uncertainties
and to take advantage of exchange rate disparities between countries. If
foreign-currency assets are converted to dollars, changes in exchange rates and
exchange control regulations may increase or reduce their value.
Foreign currency transactions involve special risks. For example, they may limit
potential gains from increases in a currency's value. For more information, see
the SAI. We don't intend to speculate in foreign currency exchange transactions
or forward currency contracts.
OPTIONS, FUTURES, AND OTHER INVESTMENTS
The CREF accounts can buy and sell options and futures. For more
information, see "Other Investments - Equity Accounts," page
and the SAI.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
Each account can invest up to 10 percent of its assets in investments that may
not be readily marketable. It may be difficult to sell these investments for
their fair market value.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The CREF accounts can use repurchase agreements to manage cash balances. In a
repurchase agreement, we would buy an underlying debt instrument on condition
that the seller commits to buy it back at a fixed time and price. The period
from purchase to repurchase is usually no more than a week and never more than a
year. Repurchase agreements may involve special risks; for more details, see the
SAI.
FIRM COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS AND "WHEN-ISSUED" SECURITIES
The CREF accounts can enter "firm commitment" agreements to buy securities at a
fixed price or yield on a specified future date. That is, if we expect a decline
in future yields on a given issuer's bonds, we might believe it to be to our
advantage to commit to buy now with a later issue or delivery date. In addition,
an account can purchase securities on a "when issued" basis, with specific terms
set at the time of the transaction. See SAI.
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Each account can invest up to 10 percent of its assets in other investment
companies.
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SECURITIES LENDING
Subject to certain restrictions, all CREF accounts can seek additional income by
lending securities to brokers, dealers, and other financial institutions.
Brokers and dealers must be registered with the SEC and be members of the NASD;
any recipient must be unaffiliated with CREF. All loans will be fully
collateralized. If we lend a security, we can call in the loan at any time. See
SAI.
BORROWING
As a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes, the Stock,
Global Equities, Bond Market, Social Choice, and Money Market Accounts can
borrow money from banks (no more than 10 percent of the market value of the
account's assets at the time of borrowing). These accounts can borrow up to 5
percent of the value of their assets to buy securities. Each account can pledge,
mortgage, or otherwise encumber up to 10 percent of its assets (at the time of
borrowing) as collateral, but only for permitted purposes.
The Growth, the Equity Index, and the Inflation-Linked Bond Accounts can borrow
money from banks (no more than 33 1/3 percent of the market value of the
account's assets at the time of borrowing). These accounts also can borrow money
from other sources temporarily (no more than 5 percent of the total market value
of the account's assets at the time of borrowing). See SAI.
If an account borrows money, it could leverage its portfolio by keeping
securities it might otherwise have sold had it not borrowed. Risks of leverage
include a greater possibility that an account's net asset value will change due
to market fluctuations.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time CREF advertises the total return and average annual total
return for each of our accounts. For the Bond Market, Inflation-Linked Bond, and
Money Market Accounts, we also advertise yield. We can also advertise how
compounding, tax deferral and different expense charges can affect total return
over time. For more, see the SAI.
TOTAL RETURNS
"Total return" means the cumulative percentage increase or decrease in the value
of an investment over standard one-, five-, and ten-year periods (and
occasionally other periods as well). The AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL return means the
annually compounded
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rate that would result in the same cumulative total return
over the stated period.
MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT YIELDS
For the Money Market Account, "yield" or "current yield" means the income
generated by an investment over a seven-day period, after expenses. This is then
annualized -- that is, we assume the account will generate income at the same
rate for each week for 52 weeks, then show the total income as a percentage of
the original investment. We can also advertise "effective yield" for the
account. We calculate this similarly, but when annualizing we assume the income
is reinvested. Because of compounding, effective yield will be slightly higher
than current yield.
BOND MARKET AND INFLATION-LINKED BOND ACCOUNT YIELDS
For the Bond Market and Inflation-Linked Bond Accounts, "thirty-day yield" means
the income generated by an investment over a thirty-day period, after expenses.
We then assume that this yield is compounded monthly for six months, then
annualized.
All performance figures are based on past investment results. They aren't a
guarantee that an account will perform similarly in the future. Write or call us
for current performance or access our Website at www.tiaa-cref.org (see
"Contacting CREF," page ).
VALUATION OF ASSETS
We calculate the value of the assets in each CREF account as of the close of
every valuation day. Except as noted below, we use market quotations or
independent pricing services to value securities and other instruments. In the
Money Market Account, we value short-term money-market instruments with a
remaining maturity of sixty days or less based on amortized cost, if that isn't
materially different from the actual market value. If market quotations or
independent pricing services aren't readily available, we'll value the security
using "fair value", as decided in good faith under the direction of the Finance
Committee and in accord with the responsibilities of the CREF Board as a whole.
We may also use "fair value" in certain other circumstances. For more
information, see the SAI.
MANAGEMENT AND INVESTMENT ADVISORY ARRANGEMENTS
The CREF Board of Overseers is responsible for appointing certain committees,
approving amendments to CREF's charter, constitution, and bylaws. The seven
overseers also constitute the TIAA Board of Overseers, a New York membership
corporation that owns all stock of CREF's companion organization, TIAA.
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The principal responsibility for governing CREF rests with its Board of
Trustees. The trustees of each class are elected by participants for four-year
terms. The Board directs CREF's administration and investments, meeting
throughout the year to oversee CREF's activities, review contractual
arrangements with companies that provide services to CREF, and review each
account's performance.
TIAA-CREF Investment Management, LLC ("Investment Management") manages the
assets in each CREF account. A nonprofit subsidiary of TIAA, Investment
Management is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Its duties
include conducting research, recommending investments, and placing orders to buy
and sell securities. It also performs all portfolio accounting, custodial, and
related services for each account. All services are provided by Investment
Management at cost, and its personnel act consistently with the investment
objectives, policies, and restrictions of each account.
Personnel of Investment Management including those who have direct
responsibility and authority for making investment decisions for CREF are
restricted from trading for their own accounts. The restriction also applies to
members of their households. Their transactions must be reported and approved.
They must also send duplicate confirmation statements and other brokerage
account reports to a special compliance unit.
THE ANNUITY CERTIFICATES
CREF issues certificates for the following variable annuities: a Retirement
Annuity (RA); a Group Retirement Annuity (GRA); a Supplemental Retirement
Annuity (SRA) and a Group Supplemental Retirement Annuity (GSRA). CREF also
offers an Individual Retirement Annuity (Classic IRA) and a Roth Individual
Retirement Annuity (Roth IRA) that both accept direct contributions and
rollovers. Subject to regulatory approval, CREF also has plans to offer a Keogh
Plan Annuity (Keogh). (We refer to the Classic IRA and the Roth IRA collectively
as the IRAs.)
We issue RAs, SRAs and IRAs directly to you. In contrast, GRAs and GSRAs are
group contracts issued to employers. Neither you nor your beneficiaries can
assign your ownership of a CREF certificate to anyone else, except as a result
of a qualified domestic relations order as defined by the IRC. Currently CREF
makes no deductions from your premiums, but we reserve the right to do so in the
future. You can cancel any RA, SRA, GSRA or IRA certificate up to thirty days
after you receive it, unless we have begun making annuity payments from it to
you. To cancel a CREF certificate, mail or deliver it with a signed Notice of
Cancellation to our home office. CREF will cancel the certificate as of its date
of issue, then send the entire
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current accumulation back to the premium remitter. If you're considering
canceling a CREF certificate, consult your employer.
RA AND GRA CERTIFICATES
RA and GRA certificates are used mainly for employee retirement plans set up
under sections 401(a), 403(a), 403(b) and 401(k) of the IRC. Occasionally we
issue RA or GRA certificates to employers for deferred-compensation obligations
or in advance of the certificate's eventual transfer to an employee who meets
delayed-vesting requirements.
Depending on the terms of your plan, RA premiums can be paid by your employer,
you, or both. If you're paying some or all of the periodic premium, your
contributions can be in either pre-tax dollars, by salary REDUCTION; or
after-tax dollars, by PAYROLL DEDUCTION -- in either case, subject to your
employer's plan and the relevant tax laws. In salary reduction, your employer
periodically reduces your taxable compensation by a specified sum (up to a
maximum set by federal law), then sends an equal amount to CREF. You can also
transfer accumulations from another investment choice under your employer's
retirement plan to your RA certificate (see page ). For RAs only, you can make
single contributions directly to CREF.
GRA premiums can come from your employer or both you and your employer. Your GRA
premiums can be pre-tax (by salary reduction) or after-tax contributions by
payroll deduction. You can't pay GRA premiums directly to CREF; your employer
must send them for you. As with RAs, you can transfer accumulations from another
investment choice under your employer's retirement plan to your GRA certificate
(see page ). Some employer plans require that your GRA certificate be redeemed
when you terminate employment and your accumulation is below a specified amount.
Ask your employer for more information.
SRA AND GSRA CERTIFICATES
SRA and GSRA certificates are used for voluntary tax-deferred annuity (TDA)
plans set up under IRC sections 403(b) and 401(k). SRAs certificates are issued
directly to you, but GSRA certificates are issued through an agreement between
CREF and your employer. For both SRAs and GSRAs, you pay all premiums in pre-tax
dollars via salary reduction. You can't pay premiums directly, though you can
transfer amounts from another TDA plan (see below).
IRA CERTIFICATES
Classic IRA
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The Classic IRA is issued under IRC section 408(b). You or your spouse can
currently open a Classic IRA account with direct annual before-tax or after-tax
contributions of up to $2,000 each. You are currently not permitted to
contribute more than $2,000 a year combined to the Classic and the Roth IRA. You
can also open a Classic IRA account with (i) tax-deferred funds rolled over from
any retirement plan or (i) funds rolled over from another IRA regardless of
whether they are attributable to before or after-tax contributions, as long as
you meet certain eligibility criteria. To be able to make tax-deductible
contributions to the Classic IRA, you must meet certain income level
requirements. See "Federal Income Taxes," page .
Roth IRA
The Roth IRA is issued under IRC section 408A. The Roth IRA currently accepts
direct annual contributions of up to $2,000 and rollovers from other IRAs, as
long as you meet certain eligibility criteria. There are significant differences
between the Classic and the Roth IRA. Contributions to a Roth IRA are not
tax-deductible but can be withdrawn tax-free at anytime.Earnings grow
tax-deferred and can be withdrawn tax-free if you are at least 59 1/2 and you've
had the account for at least five years. Unlike the Classic IRA, you can
continue to make contributions to a Roth IRA after you reach age 70 1/2. To be
eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA, you must meet certain income level
requirements. See "Federal Income Taxes," page .
ELIGIBILITY FOR IRAs
You can open either a Classic or a Roth IRA account if you are a current or
retired employee or a trustee of an eligible institution, or if you own a TIAA
or CREF annuity contract or a TIAA individual insurance contract. You are also
eligible to open an IRA Account if you are the spouse of any of the preceding
individuals.
KEOGH CERTIFICATES
Subject to regulatory approval, CREF has plans to offer Keogh certificates under
IRC sections 401(a) and 403(a). If you own an unincorporated business, you can
use our certificates for your Keogh plan if you are currently employed by or
retired from an eligible institution. The IRC limits the amount you can
contribute each year, and contributions must be from qualified income (see
above). See "Federal Income Taxes," page .
REMITTING PREMIUMS
We'll issue you a CREF certificate as soon as we receive your completed
application or enrollment form, even if you don't initially allocate any
premiums to CREF. Premiums will be credited as of the business day we receive
them.
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If we receive premiums from your employer before your application or enrollment
form, we'll credit the premiums to the Money Market Account until we receive the
completed form. Then we'll transfer the appropriate amounts to any other
accounts you've specified, crediting the transfer as of the business day we
received the form. After that we'll follow your most recent allocation
instructions.
If the allocation instructions on your application or enrollment form are
incomplete, violate plan restrictions or don't total 100 percent, we'll credit
your premiums to the Money Market Account until we do receive complete
instructions. Any amounts that we credited to the Money Market Account before we
received correct instructions will be transferred to another account only on
request, and will be credited as of the business day we receive that request.
CREF doesn't restrict the amount or frequency of premiums to your RA, GRA, or
IRA certificates, although we reserve the right to impose restrictions. Your
employer's retirement plan may limit your premium amounts, while the IRC limits
the total annual premiums to plans qualified for favorable tax treatment (see
page ).
In most cases, CREF will accept premiums to a certificate during your
accumulation period. Once your first premium has been paid, your CREF
certificate can't lapse or be forfeited for nonpayment of premiums. CREF can
stop accepting premiums to GRA and GSRA certificates at any time.
If you are employed at or retired from an eligible institution you may buy a
certificate to begin receiving annuity income starting the first day of the
following month.
PAYMENT OF PREMIUMS DIRECTLY BY A PARTICIPANT
If you pay premiums directly to an RA, Classic IRA or Roth IRA certificate, the
premiums and any earnings based on them won't be subject to the provisions of
your institution's retirement plan. For such funds, the only restrictions on
allocating premiums, transferring accumulations, making cash withdrawals,
exercising repurchase rights, and choosing income options are those in the
certificate itself. You can give us different allocation instructions for each
direct premium. Direct RA [and Roth IRA] premiums must be paid in after-tax
dollars; they won't reduce your current taxable income (see "Federal Income
Taxes").
ALLOCATION OF PREMIUMS
You can allocate all or part of your premiums to any CREF account, unless your
employer's retirement plan precludes that. With RAs, GRAs, or GSRAs your
employer's plan can block using
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the Global Equities, Growth, Equity Index, Bond Market, Inflation- Linked Bond,
and/or Social Choice Accounts, but not the Stock and Money Market Accounts.
You can change your allocation for future premiums by writing to our home
office, using our Inter/ACT Internet service at www.tiaa-cref.org, or calling 1
800 842-2252; however, we can suspend or terminate your right to change your
allocation by phone or Internet. See "Telephone and Internet Transactions," page
.
ACCUMULATION UNITS
Your premiums purchase ACCUMULATION UNITS. We calculate how many accumulation
units to credit by dividing the amount allocated to each account by its
ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUE for the business day when we received your premium. To
determine how many accumulation units to subtract for TRANSFERS AND CASH
WITHDRAWALS we use the unit value for the business day when we receive your
completed transaction request and all required information and documents (unless
you ask for a later date).
For each account, the value of the accumulation units will depend mainly on
investment experience, though unit values also reflect expense deductions
against assets (see page ). We calculate the accumulation unit values at the end
of each valuation day.
For more information, see the SAI.
TRANSFERS BETWEEN CREF ACCOUNTS AND BETWEEN CREF AND TIAA
Subject to the conditions below, you can transfer some (generally at least
$1,000 per account at a time) or all of your accumulation from one CREF account
to another, or to TIAA's traditional annuity or the TIAA Real Estate Account.
Under RA, GSRA, and GRA certificates, your employer's retirement plan may
restrict transfers to any TIAA or CREF variable annuity accounts except the CREF
Stock Account and the CREF Money Market Account. You can transfer from the TIAA
traditional annuity and TIAA Real Estate Account to CREF certificates. Transfers
from TIAA RA and GRA traditional annuity contracts take place in roughly equal
installments over a 10-year period through a TIAA transfer payout annuity.
Transfers from TIAA SRA and GSRA traditional annuity contracts and all transfers
from the TIAA Real Estate Account can be made in one sum. Transfers from the
TIAA Real Estate Account are limited to once per calendar month.
If you don't already have a CREF certificate when you ask for a transfer from
TIAA to CREF, we execute your transfer on the day we receive your completed
application for a CREF certificate, not the day you requested the transfer. If
you want to transfer
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amounts attributable to more than one employer, we'll do so
on a pro-rata basis, although this may change in the future. (For more
information, contact CREF.)
UNDER SRA, IRA, AND KEOGH CERTIFICATES, you can transfer funds without employer
restrictions among the CREF accounts and to TIAA (traditional or Real Estate).
If your institution offers a GSRA plan, you can also transfer CREF (and TIAA)
funds between SRA and GSRA certificates.
Currently, you can authorize a transfer at any time during your accumulation
period, although we reserve the right to limit transfer frequency, or otherwise
modify the transfer privilege, in the future. You can also transfer on a limited
basis during the annuity period (see page ). Currently, we don't charge you for
transfers between accounts or to TIAA.
TRANSFERS TO OTHER COMPANIES AND CASH WITHDRAWALS
IF YOU HAVE AN RA, GRA OR GSRA CERTIFICATE, your right to move funds to any
company other than TIAA depends on your employer's retirement plan. Transfers
must be for at least $1,000 PER ACCOUNT OR ALL OF YOUR ACCUMULATION PERMITTED TO
BE TRANSFERRED, IF IT'S LESS THAN $1,000.
If some of your RA accumulation is attributable to a previous employer, that
employer's plan may restrict transfers of those funds to another company. For
more information, ask CREF or your employer.
YOUR EMPLOYER'S PLAN MIGHT ALLOW, YOU TO WITHDRAW SOME OR ALL OF YOUR RA AND/OR
GRA ACCUMULATION. You can withdraw some or all of your SRA, GSRA, IRA or Keogh
accumulation, or transfer to another company during the accumulation period,
subject to restrictions described in "Federal Income Taxes," page . Withdrawals
must also be for at least $1,000 PER ACCOUNT (OR YOUR ENTIRE ACCUMULATION, IF
LESS). You can withdraw the entire amount of your SRA or GSRA accumulation
attributable to salary reduction contributions (and earnings, if any) prior to
1989 without restrictions.
Currently, CREF does not charge you for transfers to other companies or for
withdrawals.
SPECIAL TRANSFER SERVICES
If your employer participates in our Special Transfer Services program, we can
make automatic monthly transfers from your RA or GRA certificate to another
company. The $1,000 minimum per account for transfers doesn't apply to these
automatic transfers.
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SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWALS AND TRANSFERS
If your employer's plan permits, you can ask us to withdraw or transfer
accumulations automatically. The transfer or withdrawal can be any fixed number
of accumulation units, dollar amount, or percentage of your accumulation that
you specify until you tell us to stop or until your accumulation is exhausted.
Currently the initial amount must be at least $100 per account.
TRANSFERS TO CREF FROM OTHER PLANS
Ordinarily you can transfer amounts from another 403(b) retirement plan to a
CREF certificate. Likewise, if your retirement plan is a 401(a) or 403(a) plan,
you can transfer to it from other 401(a) or 403(a) plans if your plan and the
other 401(a) or 403(a) plan permit. Amounts transferred to CREF may still be
subject to provisions of your original employer's retirement plan. Under current
federal tax law, you can also transfer funds from some 401(a), 403(a), and
403(b) plans to a CREF Classic IRA, or subject to applicable income eligibility
criteria, from an IRA containing funds originally contributed to such plans, to
either a CREF Classic IRA or a CREF Roth IRA.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR ALL CASH WITHDRAWALS AND TRANSFERS
Current federal tax law restricts the availability of withdrawals from your
accumulation under salary reduction agreements (including earnings, if any). If
your salary reduction contributions are made to a 403(b) annuity, these
withdrawal restrictions apply only to amounts (and earnings, if any) credited
after December 31, 1988. If they are made under a 401(k) plan, these withdrawal
restrictions apply to all such salary reduction amounts (and earnings, if any).
Withdrawals are generally available only if you reach age 59 1/2, leave your
job, become disabled, or die. Withdrawals of elective deferral amounts may also
be permitted if your employer's plan is a 401(k) plan and your employer
terminates the plan. If your employer's plan permits, you may also be able to
withdraw amounts if you encounter hardship, as defined by the IRS, but hardship
withdrawals can be from contributions only, generally not from investment
earnings. These restrictions don't apply to withdrawals from a Classic IRA,
although if you make a withdrawal before you reach age 59 1/2, you will be
subject to a ten percent penalty tax. Special distribution rules apply to the
Roth IRA. For more about tax consequences, see page .
Ordinarily, you can't withdraw any part of an accumulation from which you've
already begun receiving annuity income.
Transfers and withdrawals are effective at the end of the business day we
receive your request (and all required documentation). You can instead choose to
have transfers and withdrawals take effect at the close of any future business
day
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or the last calendar day of the current or any future month, even if it's
not a business day. You can request a transfer between CREF accounts or from
CREF to TIAA by telephone. If you do that at any time other than during a
business day, it will be effective at the close of the next business day.
Transfers to the TIAA traditional annuity begin participating on the next day.
To request a transfer, write to our home office, use our InterAct service, or
call us at 1 800 842-2252. We can suspend or terminate your right to make
transfers by telephone or over the Internet. For more about telephone and
Internet transfers, see page .
REPURCHASE OF RETIREMENT ANNUITIES (RAS)
If when you leave your employer you have a relatively small accumulation
(usually under $4,000 for both TIAA and CREF) from that employer's plan, the
plan may allow you to have CREF "repurchase" (i.e., cash out) some or all of
your Retirement Annuity.
The plan can impose other conditions on RA repurchase. If you're eligible for
repurchase, normally you decide whether to do so or to leave your accumulation
until you (or your beneficiary) are ready to begin annuity (or survivor)
benefits. If you leave it, you can pay additional premiums directly to CREF,
subject to limits based on federal tax considerations (see page ).
CREF reserves the right at any time to change the conditions governing your RA
repurchase rights or to curtail repurchase for future participants.
TAX ISSUES
Before you transfer, withdraw, or repurchase, make sure you understand the
possible federal and other income tax consequences. Here are some general rules:
Transfers between retirement plans governed by the same section of the IRC, or
between like IRAs funded at other companies, or from 401(a), 403(a), and 403(b)
plans to a CREF Classic IRA aren't normally considered taxable distributions.
Cash withdrawals are usually taxed at ordinary income rates. Withdrawals before
age 59 1/2 may subject you to early distribution taxes. Different rules may
apply to residents of Puerto Rico. For details, see "Federal Income Taxes."
TEXAS ORP RESTRICTIONS
If you're in the Texas Optional Retirement Program, section 36.105 of the Texas
Education Code says you (or your beneficiary) can redeem some or all of your
accumulation only if you retire,
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die, or leave your job in the state's public institutions of higher education.
You're also subject to other distribution restrictions outlined elsewhere in
this prospectus.
SPOUSAL RIGHTS
If you're married, the Retirement Equity Act of 1984 (REACT) and your employer's
plan may require you to show us advance written consent from your spouse before
making certain transactions on your behalf. They include: (1) a cash withdrawal
(except from most IRAs); (2) a payment of a retirement transition benefit (see
page ); (3) a transfer to a retirement plan not covered by the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA); (4) a direct rollover from one
plan to another or to an IRA (you don't receive a check); and (5) a repurchase.
If you're married at your annuity starting date, REACT may require that you
choose an income option that provides survivor annuity income to your spouse,
unless he or she waives that right in writing (see "The Annuity Period," page ).
There are limited exceptions to the waiver requirement. For more on spousal
rights, see "Death Benefits," page .
PORTABILITY OF BENEFITS
Once you're fully vested under your employer's RA or GRA plan, you can't lose
the benefits you've earned. Length-of-service and other rules vary considerably
from plan to plan, so ask your employer to find out your vesting status.
Benefits under SRAs, GSRAs, and IRAs are immediately vested and can't be
forfeited.
If you go back to a prior employer, you may be able to resume participation
under your original CREF certificate(s) if the plan allows it.
EXPENSE DEDUCTIONS
CREF deducts expenses from the net assets of each account for investment
management, administration, and distribution. These services are performed for
CREF at cost by two nonprofit subsidiaries of TIAA: TIAA-CREF Investment
Management, LLC, and TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services, Inc. Because
the deductions are at cost, they'll usually be lower than for comparable annuity
contracts offered by for-profit companies.
Deductions take place each valuation day.
Investment management charges are for investment advice, portfolio accounting,
custodial and similar services. Administrative charges are for administration
and operations, such as allocating premiums and paying annuity income. CREF has
adopted a Distribution Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act which
authorizes payment of 12b-1, or distribution, fees to Services. 12b-1 charges
are for distributing the certificates
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- --that is, telling you what they are and how you can invest in them, and helping
employers install and manage retirement plans. The charges for each account for
these three categories are on page .
Normally within thirty days after the end of every quarter, CREF reconciles how
much we deducted with the expenses each account actually incurred. If there's a
difference, we add it to or deduct it from the account in equal daily
installments over the remaining days in the quarter. We revise the deduction
rates from time to time to keep deductions as close as possible to actual
expenses. Whether to change the deduction rates will be decided by members of
the CREF board who are not "interested persons" within the meaning of the
Investment Company Act of 1940. However, the annual distribution expense charge
won't be more than .25 percent of an account's average daily net assets.
CREF also deducts a mortality and expense risk charge totalling .005% from the
net assets of each account to compensate TIAA for guaranteeing that CREF
participants transferring accumulations to TIAA for the immediate purchase of
lifetime payout annuities will not be charged more than the rate stipulated in
the CREF Certificate.
IMPACT OF MORTALITY EXPERIENCE ON ANNUITY PAYMENTS
How much you or your beneficiary receive in annuity payments from any account
depends partly on the mortality experience of the annuity fund from which the
payments are made. For example, if the people receiving income from an account's
annually revalued annuity fund, as a group, live longer than expected, the
amount payable to each will be less than if, as a group, they die sooner
than expected. So the "mortality risk" of each CREF account's
annuity funds falls on those who receive income from it. See
"The Annuity Period," below, and the SAI.
NO DEDUCTIONS FROM PREMIUMS
Currently there are no expense deductions from your premiums.
NO PREMIUM TAXES
Currently no taxes are assessed against your premiums.
BROKERAGE FEES AND RELATED TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Brokers' commissions, transfer taxes, and other portfolio fees are charged to
the account that incurs them (see SAI).
THE ANNUITY PERIOD
You can receive income from any account and from all or part (but not less than
$10,000) of your accumulation. You can pick a different income option for
different portions of your accumulation, but once you've started payments you
can't change your income option (unless you picked the minimum distribution
annuity) or annuity partner (if you named one) for that payment stream. If you
buy an annuity to begin income on the first day
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of the next month, you can take any of CREF's available income options (see
below).
Current federal tax law restricts the availability of annuity payments from any
part of your accumulation under salary reduction agreements (including earnings,
if any). If your employer's plan permits, you may also be able to withdraw money
if you encounter hardship, as defined by the IRS, but hardship withdrawals can
be from contributions only, generally not from investment earnings. These
transactions don't apply to withdrawals from an IRA. For more about this, see
"Federal Income Taxes," page .
Usually, income payments are monthly. You can choose quarterly, semi-annual, and
annual payments as well, but CREF has the right to not make payments at any
interval that would cause the initial payment to be less than $100 (or any
smaller amount if specified in the annuity certificate).
Initial payment amount are calculated on the last valuation day before the
annuity starting date. The calculation is based on the accumulation, the income
option chosen, an assumed effective annual interest rate of 4%, and, for life
annuities, the mortality assumptions for the annuitant(s). After the initial
payment, payment amounts change from time to time according to the income change
method you choose; once each year under the annual income change method and/or
once each month under the monthly income change method. Payment changes,
calculated on the payment valuation day for each income change method, reflect
net investment results and expenses for the account and mortality experience for
each income change method in that account. For the formulas used to calculate
the amount of CREF annuity payments, see the SAI. The total value of your
annuity payments may be more or less than your total premiums.
ANNUITY STARTING DATE
Generally, you pick an annuity starting date when you first apply for a CREF
certificate. You can change this date at any time prior to the day before that
date (see page ). The annuity starting date for your accumulation cannot be
later than the latest date allowed under the minimum distribution rules of the
IRC. In addition, you can't begin a one-life annuity after you reach age 90 nor
may you begin a two-life annuity after either you or your annuity partner reach
age 90.
Ordinarily, annuity payments begin on your annuity starting date, but the terms
of your employer's plan can restrict when you can begin retirement income. For
payments to begin, we must have received all documentation necessary for the
income option you've picked. (For more information, call CREF -- see page ). If
something's missing, we may defer your annuity starting
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date until we receive it. Your first annuity check may be delayed while we
process your choice of income options and calculate the amount of your initial
payment. Any premiums received within seventy days after payments begin will be
used to provide additional annuity income. Premiums received after seventy days
will remain in your accumulating annuity certificate until you give us further
instructions. Ordinarily, your first annuity payment will begin on any business
day between the first and twentieth of any month.
ALLOCATION AND TRANSFER FOR ANNUITY PAYMENTS
Before starting payments from your accumulation, you can transfer (at least
$1,000 per account or the entire accumulation, if less) between CREF accounts
(subject to the terms of your retirement plan), or to TIAA to purchase a
traditional annuity or interests in the TIAA Real Estate Account on either an
accumulating or income-paying basis. Under the RA, GSRA and GRA certificates,
you can transfer to investment vehicles offered by other companies approved for
your employer's retirement plan. Under SRA and IRA certificates, there are no
restrictions on transfers to other companies, but be sure to consider the
federal and other income tax consequences of the transaction.
TRANSFERS DURING THE ANNUITY PERIOD
At least once a year (on March 31) and, subject to regulatory approval, once
each calendar quarter, you can transfer income payable from one CREF account
into a comparable annuity from another CREF account, the TIAA traditional
annuity, or the TIAA Real Estate Account. (Comparable annuities are those which
are payable under the same income option, and have the same annuitant(s) and
remaining guaranteed period, if any.) We'll process your transfer on the
business day we receive your request unless you've requested that your transfer
be effective on another business day or last day of a calendar month.
If you transfer income under either income change method to another variable
account, your payments will not change until the date that payments are next
scheduled to change following the payment valuation date for the new income
change method. If you transfer to the TIAA traditional annuity your payments
will change beginning with the first payment due that has not already been
valued. You can switch between the monthly and annual income change method only
on March 31.
INCOME OPTIONS
Both the number of annuity units you own and the amount of your income payments
will depend on which income option(s) you pick. Your employer's retirement plan,
the IRC and ERISA may limit which income options you can use to receive income
from an RA
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or GRA. Normally you'll choose your income option(s) shortly before you want
payments to begin; but, you can make or change your choice(s) any time before
your annuity starting date. Once annuity payments start, you can't change the
income option (unless you chose the minimum distribution annuity -- see below)
for the accumulation or fraction of accumulation on which the payments are
based.
If you haven't picked an income option when the annuity starting date arrives
for your RA, GRA, SRA, or GSRA certificate, CREF may assume you want the
ONE-LIFE ANNUITY WITH A 10-YEAR GUARANTEED PERIOD if you're unmarried. If you're
married, we may assume for you a TWO-LIFE ANNUITY WITH HALF-BENEFIT TO ANNUITY
PARTNER AND A 10-YEAR GUARANTEED PERIOD, with your spouse as your annuity
partner. See below and page , "Spousal Rights."
If you haven't picked an income option when the annuity starting date arrives
for an IRA, we may assume you want the minimum distribution annuity.
All CREF income options are variable, and the amount of income you receive
depends partly on the number and value of your accumulation units being
converted. The current options are:
ONE-LIFE ANNUITY. Income for your lifetime. It's possible
to receive only one payment if you die less than a month
after payments start.
LIFE ANNUITY WITH 10, 15 OR 20 YEAR GUARANTEED PERIOD. Income for as
long as you live but no less than the guaranteed period.
ANNUITY FOR A FIXED PERIOD. Income for any period you choose from 5 to
30 years (2 to 30 for RAs, GRAs and SRAs).
TWO-LIFE ANNUITIES. Income for as long as you or the person you choose
to be your annuity partner lives. There are three types of two-life
annuities, all available with or without a guaranteed payout period --
full benefit to survivor; two-thirds benefit to survivor; half benefit
to annuity partner.
MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION ANNUITY (MDO). Available only if you must begin
annuity payments under the IRC minimum distribution requirements (see
page ). Some employer plans allow you to elect this option
earlier--contact us for more information. The option pays an amount
designed to fulfill the distribution requirements under federal tax
law. You must apply your entire accumulation under a certificate if you
want to use the minimum distribution option. It's possible you won't
receive income for life. Up to age 90, you can apply any remaining part
of an accumulation to any
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other CREF income option for which you're eligible. Using an MDO won't
affect your right to take a cash withdrawal of any CREF accumulation
not yet distributed.
Current federal law says that your guaranteed or fixed period can't exceed the
joint life expectancy of you and your beneficiary or you and your annuity
partner, if you have one.
Other CREF income options may become available in the future, subject to the
terms of your retirement plan and federal laws.
RETIREMENT TRANSITION BENEFIT. Under CREF's current practice, you may be able to
get up to 10 percent of the value of any part of an RA or GRA accumulation being
converted to annuity income. The benefit is paid in a single sum on the annuity
starting date. Of course, if your employer allows cash withdrawals, you can take
a larger amount (up to 100 percent) of your CREF accumulation as a cash payment
(see page ).
The retirement transition benefit will be subject to current federal income tax
requirements and possible early-distribution penalties. See page , "Federal
Income Taxes," as well as page , "Spousal Rights."
For more information about any annuity option, please call or write us.
DEATH BENEFITS
Death benefits under CREF annuity certificates are payable to the beneficiaries
you name. You can add, remove or change a beneficiary any time before you die.
Under a two-life annuity, your annuity partner can change the beneficiary after
you die, unless you've indicated otherwise. Your choice of beneficiary may, in
some cases, be subject to the consent of your spouse. Similarly, if you are
married at the time of your death, federal law may require a portion of the
death benefit be paid to your spouse even if you have named someone else as
beneficiary. If you die without having named any beneficiary any portion of your
death benefit not payable to your spouse will go to your estate.
If you die during the accumulation period, the death benefit is the amount of
your accumulation. If you and your annuity partner die during the annuity period
while payments are still due under a fixed-period annuity or for the remainder
of a guaranteed period, the death benefit is the value of the remaining
guaranteed payments. For more on how we calculate death benefit amounts, see the
SAI.
METHODS OF PAYMENT
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You can choose the method by which we'll pay death benefits. You can block your
beneficiaries from changing the method you've chosen or you can leave the choice
to them. We can block any choice of method that provides an initial payment of
less than $25.
METHODS OF PAYMENT OF DEATH BENEFITS IN ACCUMULATION PERIOD
Death benefits are available from all CREF accounts. With methods offering
periodic payments, benefit payments are usually monthly, but your beneficiary
can switch them to quarterly, semi-annual, or annual payments instead.
Currently, the available methods of payment for death benefits from funds in the
accumulation period are single-sum payment; one-life annuity with or without a
guaranteed period, fixed-period annuity, unit- deposit, or minimum distribution
annuity. Except for the unit- period method, these payment methods are
comparable to the annuity income options described on page , except that the
lifetime over which payments are made under a one-life annuity is your
beneficiary's lifetime.
UNIT DEPOSIT
Under this method of payment, we'll pay a lump-sum to your beneficiary at the
end of a 2 - 5-year period during which the accumulation units participate in
the experience of the relevant CREF accounts. For this method to be chosen, the
value of your death benefit must be at least $5,000, unless your CREF
certificate specifies a lower minimum. Special rules apply if your spouse is the
beneficiary.
MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION ANNUITY
This method is similar to the minimum distribution annuity income option. The
minimum distribution annuity method of payment is available only to
beneficiaries who must receive income under the IRC's minimum distribution
requirements.
If a beneficiary doesn't start receiving death benefits within a year of your
death, we have the option to start paying them using the fixed-period annuity
method of payment with a fixed period of five years.
METHODS OF PAYMENT OF DEATH BENEFITS IN ANNUITY PERIOD
If you and your annuity partner die during the annuity period, your beneficiary
can choose to become the recipient of the remaining guaranteed periodic payments
due under your certificate. Alternatively, your beneficiary can choose to
receive the commuted value of those payments in a single sum unless you have
indicated otherwise. The amount of the commuted
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value will be different than the total of the periodic payments that would
otherwise be paid. For more on how we calculate commuted value, see the SAI.
TIMING OF PAYMENTS
Ordinarily we'll make the following kinds of payments within seven calendar days
after we've received the information we need to process a request:
(1) Cash withdrawals
(2) Transfers to TIAA or to other companies
(3) RA repurchases
(4) Payments under a fixed-period annuity
(5) Death benefits
We can extend the seven-day period only if (1) the New York Stock Exchange is
closed (or trading restricted as determined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission) on a day that isn't a weekend or holiday; (2) an SEC-recognized
emergency makes it impractical for us to sell securities or determine the value
of assets in a CREF account; or (3) the SEC says by order that we can or must
postpone payments to protect you and other CREF participants.
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
As a result of recent legislation, as of January 1, 1998, CREF is no longer
exempt from federal income tax. CREF believes, however, that this change should
not cause CREF to incur any material federal income tax liability.
With limited exceptions, the CREF certificates are designed as annuity contracts
under section 72 of the Internal Revenue Code.
403(B) PLANS
CREF certificates are tailored for retirement plans set up under section 403(b)
of the IRC, under which total annual contributions to section 403(b) annuities
can't exceed the lesser of (a) $30,000; (b) 25 percent of your compensation; or
(c) your "maximum exclusion allowance". Your maximum exclusion allowance is
generally 20 percent of your compensation multiplied by your years of service
with your employer, less certain prior tax-deferred retirement plan
contributions. You usually can exclude salary reduction contributions of up to
$10,000 from your gross taxable income. There are exceptions to this -- contact
your tax advisor for more information.
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401(A), 403(A) AND 401(K) PLANS
CREF RA and GRA certificates are also available for 401(a) and 403(a) retirement
plans. CREF GRA and GSRA certificates are available for 401(k) plans. Employer
contributions to all current defined contribution plans of the employer meeting
the requirements of IRC section 401(a) and 403(a) can't exceed an annual
contribution limit of $30,000 or 25 percent of compensation, whichever is less.
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES
IRC sections 408 and 408A permit eligible individuals to make direct
contributions to Classic and Roth IRAs. The amount you can contribute to an IRA
is currently limited to $2,000 per year. The IRC doesn't limit the amount you
can rollover to the Classic or the Roth IRA.
IRC section 408 permits money from certain qualified retirement plans or IRAs to
be rolled over to the Classic IRA without losing its tax-deferred status. IRC
section 408A, however, only permits rollovers to a Roth IRA from another IRA.
Although funds rolled over to a Roth IRA from another IRA are subject to
taxation, they grow on a tax-deferred basis and are not subject to the ten
percent early distribution penalty. In addition, if the transaction is completed
in 1998, taxes are payable ratably over a four-year period.
You also must meet certain income level requirements to make contributions to
the Classic or the Roth IRA. For example, if you are married and file a joint
tax return with your spouse and make a combined income of less than $150,000 a
year, you can make annual contributions up to $2,000 to a Roth IRA account. If
you are single and make less than $95,000 a year, you are also eligible to make
contributions up to $2,000 to a Roth IRA account. In addition, contributions of
a lower amount can be made if you are married and your combined income is
between $150,000 and $160,000 a year, or if you are single and your income is
between $95,000 and $110,000 a year. Different income level rules apply if you
want to rollover funds from another IRA to a Roth IRA. You must also meet
different income level rules to be eligible to make tax-deductible contributions
to the Classic IRA.
You can revoke an IRA up to 7 days after you establish it. Contact your tax
advisor for more detailed information on IRAs.
TAXATION OF ANNUITY BENEFITS
Once you take a cash withdrawal or begin annuity payments, the amount you
receive is usually included in your gross income for the year and taxed at the
rate for ordinary income. You can exclude from your gross income any part of
your payment(s) that represents the return of premiums that were paid in
after-tax dollars, but not the part that comes from the tax-deferred earnings of
after-tax premiums.
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WITHHOLDING ON DISTRIBUTIONS
We must withhold federal tax at the rate of 20 percent from the taxable part of
most plan distributions paid directly to you. If, however, you tell us to roll
over the distribution directly to an IRA or similar employer plan (i.e., we send
a check directly to the other investment company and not to you), we will not
withhold any federal tax. The required 20 percent withholding doesn't apply to
payments from IRAs, lifetime annuity payments, substantially equal periodic
payments over your life expectancy or over ten or more years, or minimum
distribution payments ("noneligible payments").
For the taxable part of noneligible payments, we usually will withhold federal
taxes unless you tell us not to. Usually, you have the right to tell us not to
withhold federal taxes from your noneligible payments. However, if you tell us
not to withhold but we don't have your taxpayer identification number on file,
we still have to deduct taxes. Nonresident aliens who pay U.S. taxes are subject
to different withholding rules. Contact CREF for more information.
EARLY DISTRIBUTIONS
If you want to withdraw funds or begin income from any 401(a), 403(a) or, 403(b)
retirement plan or an IRA before you reach age 59 1/2, you may have to pay an
extra 10 percent "early distribution" tax on the taxable amount. However, you
won't have to pay an early distribution tax on any part of a withdrawal if:
(1) the distribution is because you are disabled;
(2) you separated from your job at or after age 55 and take your
withdrawal after that (not applicable for IRAs);
(3) you begin annuity income after you leave your job (termination isn't
required for IRAs), as long as your annuity income consists of a series
of regular substantially equal payments (at least annually) over your
lifetime or life expectancy or the joint lives or life expectancies of
you and your beneficiary;
(4) you have medical expenses in excess of 7 1/2 percent of your adjusted
gross income and the withdrawal is less than or equal to your expenses;
(5) you are required to make a payment to someone besides yourself under a
Qualified Domestic Relations Order (e.g., a divorce settlement) (not
applicable for IRAs);
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<PAGE>
(6) for IRAs only, you are unemployed (as defined in the IRC)
and you use the distribution to pay certain health insurance
premiums for yourself, your spouse or your dependents;
(7) for IRAs only (except for Roth IRAs), distributions that do not exceed
certain qualified higher education expenses of the individual, the
individual's spouse, or the child or grandchild of the individual or
individual's spouse; or
(8) for IRAs only, distributions to an individual (up to
$10,000) for qualified first time purchases of a principal
residence.
If you die before age 59 1/2, your beneficiary(ies) won't have to pay the early
distribution penalty.
Current federal tax law restricts the availability of cash withdrawals and
annuity payments from any part of your accumulation under salary reduction
agreements (including earnings, if any). If your salary reduction contributions
are made to a 403(b) annuity, these restrictions apply only to amounts (and
earnings, if any) credited after December 31, 1988. If they are made under a
401(k) plan, these withdrawal restrictions apply to all such salary reduction
amounts (and earnings, if any). These withdrawals and annuity payments are
available only if you reach age 59 1/2, leave your job, become disabled, or die.
If your employer's plan permits, you may also be able to take a cash withdrawal
if you encounter hardship, as defined by the IRS, but hardship withdrawals can
be from contributions only, not investment earnings. In addition, certain 401(k)
plans permit distributions of elective deferral amounts upon termination of the
plan provided the employer does not establish or maintain another defined
contribution plan. These restrictions don't apply to withdrawals from an IRA.
Any part of your accumulation that has been transferred from a custodial account
under section 403(b)(7) will be subject to additional restrictions.
"EXCESS" DISTRIBUTIONS
Under the recently enacted Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, there is no longer a 15
percent tax on excess retirement distributions.
DEATH BENEFITS
Ordinarily, death benefits are subject to federal estate tax (see below, "Tax
Advice").
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<PAGE>
MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS AND TAXES
In most cases, payments have to begin from 401(a), 403(a) and 403(b) plans by
April 1 of the calendar year after the calendar year when you reach age 70 1/2
or if later, retirement. Payments from an IRA (other than a Roth IRA) must begin
by April 1 of the calendar year after the calendar year you reach age 70 1/2.
Under the terms of certain retirement plans, the plan administrator may direct
us to make the minimum distributions required by law to you even if you do not
elect to receive them. In addition, if you don't begin distributions on time,
you'll be subject to a 50 percent excise tax on the amount you should have
received but didn't. (See page .)
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS
RA certificates are also available for deferred compensation plans. RAs issued
under these plans are owned by your employer and subject to the claims of its
general creditors. Special tax rules may apply to non-governmental deferred
compensation plans.
TAX ADVICE
What we tell you here about federal and other taxes isn't comprehensive and is
for general information only. It doesn't cover every situation. Taxation varies
depending on the circumstances, and state and local taxes may also be involved.
For complete information on your personal tax situation, check with a qualified
tax advisor.
VOTING RIGHTS
As a participant, you generally can vote (1) to elect CREF trustees; (2) to
ratify CREF's selection of an independent auditor; (3) on any change in
fundamental investment policies; and (4) on any other matter that requires a
vote by participants. For more information on how many votes you can cast and
how they are counted, see the SAI.
GENERAL MATTERS
CHOICES AND CHANGES
As long as your CREF certificate permits, you (or your annuity partner,
beneficiary, or any other payee) can choose or change any of the following: (1)
an annuity starting date; (2) an income option; (3) a transfer; (4) a switch of
income change method; (5) a method of payment for death benefits; (6) a date
when the commuted value of an annuity becomes payable; (7) an annuity
57
<PAGE>
partner, beneficiary, or other person named to receive payments; (8) a cash
withdrawal or other distribution; and (9) a repurchase.
You have to make your choices or changes via a written notice satisfactory to us
and received at our home office (see below). You can change the terms of a
transfer, cash withdrawal, repurchase, or other cash distribution only before
they're scheduled to take place. When we receive a notice of a change in
beneficiary or other person named to receive payments, we'll execute the change
as of the date it was signed, even if the signer dies in the meantime. We
execute all other changes as of the date received.
TELEPHONE AND INTERNET TRANSACTIONS
You can use our Automated Telephone Service (ATS) or Inter/ACT over the Internet
to check your account balances, transfer between accounts or to TIAA, and/or
allocate future premiums among TIAA and the CREF accounts. You will be asked to
enter your Personal Identification Number (PIN) and Social Security number for
both systems. Both will lead you through the transaction process and will use
reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions given are genuine. All
transactions made over the ATS and Inter/ACT are electronically recorded.
To use the ATS, you need a touch-tone phone. The toll-free number for the ATS is
1 800 842-2252. To use Inter/ACT, access the TIAA-CREF Internet home page at
www.tiaa-cref.org.
YEAR 2000 ISSUES
Many computer software systems in use today cannot recognize the year 2000 and
may revert to 1900 or some other date because of the way in which dates were
encoded and calculated. CREF could be adversely affected if its computer systems
or those of its external service providers do not properly process and calculate
date-related information and data on and after January 1, 2000. We have been
actively working on necessary changes to our computer systems to prepare for the
Year 2000 and have also obtained reasonable assurances from our service
providers that they are taking comparable steps with respect to their computer
systems. However, the steps we are taking do not guarantee complete success or
eliminate the possibility that interaction with outside computer systems may
have an adverse impact on CREF.
DISSOLVED INSTITUTIONS
If your present or past employer dissolves or ceases operations, special rules
will apply to your accumulation. For more information, contact us directly (see
below).
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CONTACTING CREF
We won't consider any notice, form, request, or payment to have been received by
CREF until it reaches our home office: College Retirement Equities Fund, 730
Third Avenue, New York, New York 10017. You can ask questions by calling
toll-free 1 800 842-2776 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. through 11 p.m. ET.
ELECTRONIC PROSPECTUSES
If you received this prospectus electronically and would like a paper copy,
please call 1 800 842-2733, extension 5509, and we will send it to you.
HOUSEHOLDING
To lower expenses and eliminate duplicate documents sent to your home, we may,
if the SEC allows, begin mailing only one copy of the CREF prospectus,
prospectus supplements, annual and semi-annual reports, or any other required
documents, to your household, even if more than one participant lives there. If
you would prefer to continue receiving your own copy of any of these documents,
you may call us toll-free at 1 800 842-2733, extension 5509, or write us.
SIGNATURE REQUIREMENTS
For some transactions, we may require your signature to be notarized or
guaranteed by a commercial bank.
OVERPAYMENT OF PREMIUMS
If your employer mistakenly sends more premiums on your behalf than you're
entitled to under your retirement plan or the IRC, we'll refund them to your
employer as long as we're requested to do so (in writing) before you start
receiving annuity income. Any time there's a question about premium refunds,
CREF will rely on information from your employer. If you've withdrawn or
transferred the amounts involved from your accumulation, we won't refund them.
ERRORS OR OMISSIONS
We reserve the right to correct any errors or omissions on any form, report or
statement that we send you.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE CERTIFICATES
CREF certificates are offered continuously by TIAA-CREF Individual &
Institutional Services, Inc. ("Services"), which is
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<PAGE>
registered with the SEC as a broker-dealer and is a member of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"). Services may be considered the
"principal underwriter" for the certificates. Teachers Personal Investors
Services, Inc. ("TPIS"), which is also registered with the SEC and a member of
the NASD, may also participate in the distribution of CREF certificates on a
limited basis. Services and TPIS are direct or indirect subsidiaries of TIAA.
Anyone distributing CREF certificates must be a registered representative of
Services or TPIS, whose main offices are both at 730 Third Avenue, New York, New
York 10017.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
CREF isn't a party to any legal actions we consider material.
60
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APPENDIX A
SUMMARY OF BOND RATINGS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATING SERVICES
MOODY'S INVESTORS STANDARD & POOR'S
SERVICE, INC. RATINGS GROUP
<S> <C> <C>
INVESTMENT GRADE
Highest quality Aaa AAA
High quality Aa AA
Upper medium A A
Medium, speculative Baa BBB
features
LOWER QUALITY
Moderately speculative Ba BB
Speculative B B
Very speculative Caa CCC
Very high risk Ca CC
Highest risk C C
No interest being paid - CI
In arrears or default - D
</TABLE>
For more detailed information on bond ratings, including gradations within each
category of quality, see the SAI.
61
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Page in the Statement of
Item Additional Information
---- ------------------------
Investment
Restrictions...........................................................B-
Description of Corporate
Bond Ratings...........................................................B-
Description of
Fixed-Income
Instruments............................................................B-
Investment Policies and
Risk Considerations....................................................B-
Options and Futures....................................................B-
Firm Commitment
Agreements and
Purchase of "When
Issued" Securities...................................................B-
Pass-Through Securities................................................B-
Lending of Securities..................................................B-
Repurchase Agreements..................................................B-
Currency Transactions..................................................B-
Swap Transactions......................................................B-
Segregated Accounts....................................................B-
Special Considerations
Affecting Foreign
Investments..........................................................B-
Other Investment
Techniques and
Opportunities........................................................B-
Portfolio Turnover.......................................................B-
Valuation of Assets......................................................B-
Management...............................................................B-
CREF Overseers,
Trustees and Officers..............................................B-
Compensation of CREF
Trustees...........................................................B-
Investment Advisory and
Related Services.....................................................B-
Custody of Portfolio.................................................B-
Auditors.............................................................B-
Brokerage Allocation.....................................................B-
Performance Information..................................................B-
Total Return Information
for the Accounts...................................................B-
Yield Information for
the Bond Market
and Inflation-Linked
Bond Accounts......................................................B-
Yield Information for the
Money Market
Account............................................................B-
62
<PAGE>
Page in the Statement of
Item Additional Information
---- ------------------------
Inflation-Adjusted Return and Yield
Information for the Inflation-Linked
Bond Account........................................................B-
Performance Comparisons...............................................B-
Illustrating Compounding,
Tax Deferral and
Expense Deductions.................................................B-
Accumulation Unit Values..................................................B-
Annuity Payments..........................................................B-
Death Benefits............................................................B-
Periodic Reports..........................................................B-
Voting Rights.............................................................B-
General Matters...........................................................B-
State Regulation..........................................................B-
Legal Matters.............................................................B-
Experts...................................................................B-
Considerations Concerning
CREF's New Accounts
and Options.............................................................B-
Additional Information....................................................B-
Financial Statements......................................................B-
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<PAGE>
PART B
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
<PAGE>
INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND TAX-DEFERRED
VARIABLE ANNUITIES
ISSUED BY
COLLEGE RETIREMENT EQUITIES FUND
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
May 1, 1998
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and should be read
in connection with the current prospectus dated May 1, 1998 (the "Prospectus")
with respect to the Variable Annuity Certificates, which is available without
charge upon written or oral request to: College Retirement Equities Fund, 730
Third Avenue, New York, New York 10017, Attention: Central Services; telephone 1
800 842-2733, extension 5509. Terms used in the Prospectus are incorporated in
this Statement.
THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT A PROSPECTUS AND
SHOULD BE READ ONLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROSPECTUS FOR THE
CERTIFICATES.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LOCATION OF
PAGE IN THE ADDITIONAL
STATEMENT OF INFORMATION IN
ADDITIONAL PROSPECTUS, IF
ITEM INFORMATION APPLICABLE
---- ------------ --------------
Investment
Restrictions.............
Description of Corporate
Bond Ratings.............
Description of
Fixed-Income
Instruments..............
Investment Policies and
Risk Considerations......
Options and Futures......
Firm Commitment
Agreements and
Purchase of "When
Issued" Securities.....
Pass-Through Securities..
Lending of Securities....
Repurchase Agreements
Currency Transactions....
Swap Transactions........
Segregated Accounts......
Special Considerations
Affecting Foreign
Investments............
Other Investment
Techniques and
Opportunities..........
Portfolio Turnover.........
Valuation of Assets........
Management.................
CREF Overseers,
Trustees and Officers..
Compensation of CREF
Trustees...............
Investment Advisory and
Related Services.........
Custody of Portfolio.....
Auditors.................
Brokerage Allocation.......
Performance Information....
Total Return Information
for the Accounts.......
Yield Information for
the Bond Market and
Inflation-Linked Bond
Accounts...............
B-2
<PAGE>
Yield Information for the
Money Market Account
Inflation-Adjusted Return
and Yield Information for
for the Inflation-Linked
Bond Account...........
Performance Comparisons..
Illustrating Compounding,
Tax Deferral and
Expense Deductions.....
Accumulation Unit Values ..
Annuity Payments...........
Death Benefits.............
Periodic Reports...........
Voting Rights..............
General Matters............
State Regulation...........
Legal Matters..............
Experts....................
Considerations Concerning
CREF's New Accounts
and Options..............
Additional Information.....
Financial Statements.......
B-3
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
Pursuant to CREF's Charter, none of the Accounts will invest in any common
stocks or shares of any corporation, joint stock association, or business trust
an amount in excess of such percentage, not to exceed 10% (except with the
approval of the New York State Insurance Department), of voting shares of such
institution which would cause any such institution to be controlled by, or
become a subsidiary of, CREF, as defined in the Insurance Law, although this
restriction will not apply to investment in an entity formed or acquired by CREF
for a lawful business purpose. This restriction cannot be changed without an
amendment to the Charter. (The Charter may be amended only by the action of
CREF's Overseers and only if the New York State Superintendent of Insurance
certifies the amendment as lawful and equitable.)
The following restrictions, not set forth in CREF's Charter, are fundamental
policies with respect to the Accounts and may not be changed without the
approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, as that term is
defined under the 1940 Act, in the affected Account:
1. None of the Accounts will issue senior securities (the
issuance and sales of options and futures not being
considered the issuance of senior securities);
2. Neither the Stock nor the Money Market Account will make short
sales, except when the Account has, by reason of ownership of other
securities, the right to obtain securities of equivalent kind and
amount that will be held so long as the Account is in a short position;
3. The Stock, Global Equities, Bond Market, Social Choice, and Money
Market Accounts, will not borrow money, except: (a) they may purchase
securities on margin, as described in restriction 12 below; and (b)
from banks as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency
purposes, and then only in amounts not in excess of 10% of the value of
the Account's total assets, taken at market value at the time of
borrowing.
The Growth, Equity Index, and Inflation-Linked Bond Accounts will not
borrow money, except: (a) they may purchase securities on margin, as
described in restriction 12 below; and (b) (i) from banks only in
amounts not in excess of 33 1/3% of the Account's total assets taken at
market value at the time of borrowing, or (ii) for temporary purposes
in an amount not exceeding 5% of the Account's total assets taken at
market value at the time of borrowing.
B-4
<PAGE>
Money may be temporarily obtained through bank borrowing, rather than
through the sale of portfolio securities, when such borrowing appears
more attractive for an Account; nevertheless, any bank borrowings by an
Account may, depending on market conditions, affect investment returns;
4. None of the Accounts will underwrite the securities of other
companies, except as it may be deemed to do so in a sale of restricted
portfolio securities;
5. None of the Accounts will, with respect to at least 75% of the value
of its total assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets in the
securities of any one issuer (including repurchase agreements with any
one primary dealer) other than securities issued or guaranteed by the
United States Government, or its agencies or instrumentalities;
6. None of the Accounts will, with respect to at least 75% of the value
of its total assets, purchase more than 10% of the outstanding voting
securities of an issuer, except that such restriction shall not apply
to securities issued or guaranteed by the United States Government, its
agencies or instrumentalities;
7. None of the Accounts will make an investment in an industry if after
giving effect to that investment the Account's holding in that industry
would exceed 25% of the Account's total assets--this restriction,
however, does not apply to investments in obligations issued or
guaranteed by the United States Government, its agencies or
instrumentalities, and, with respect to the Money Market Account, to
certificates of deposit, or securities issued or guaranteed by domestic
banks and branches of domestic banks and savings and loan associations
and savings banks; utilities will be divided according to their
services (so that, for example, gas distribution and transmission,
electric, and telephone each will be considered a separate industry);
8. Neither the Stock, the Global Equities, the Growth, the Equity
Index, nor the Money Market Accounts will purchase real estate or
mortgages directly, although the Bond Market, Inflation-Linked Bond and
Social Choice Accounts may purchase or hold real estate or mortgages
directly, subject to investment restriction 14 on page B- (relating to
illiquid investments); the Stock, Global Equities, Growth and Social
Choice Accounts may, however, buy shares of real estate investment
trusts listed on stock exchanges or reported on the NASDAQ system, and
the Accounts may buy pass-through mortgage securities and securities
collateralized by mortgages;
B-5
<PAGE>
9. None of the Accounts will purchase commodities or commodities
contracts, except to the extent futures are purchased as described
herein;
10. None of the Accounts will invest more than 5% of its total assets
in the securities of any one investment company; an Account may not own
more than 3% of an investment company's outstanding voting securities,
and total holdings of investment company securities may not exceed 10%
of the value of an Account's total assets (the SEC staff takes the
position that although certain issuers of collateralized mortgage
obligations may be investment companies, an Account's ability to
acquire collateralized mortgage obligations of such issuers would not
be subject to these restrictions);
11. None of the Accounts will make loans, except: (a) that the Stock
and Money Market Accounts may make loans of portfolio securities (not
exceeding 20% of the value of their total assets), and the Global
Equities, Growth, Equity Index, Bond Market, Inflation-Linked Bond, and
Social Choice Accounts may make loans of portfolio securities not
exceeding 33 1/3% of the value of their total assets, which are
collateralized by either cash, United States Government securities, or
other means permitted by applicable law, equal to at least 102% of the
market value of the loaned securities, or such lesser percentage as may
be permitted by the New York State Insurance Department (not to fall
below 100% of the market value of the loaned securities), as reviewed
daily; (b) loans through entry into repurchase agreements (the purchase
of publicly-traded debt obligations not being considered the making of
a loan); (c) to the extent authorized under the certificates, loans to
Participants in amounts not greater than the value of their
accumulations, to the extent permitted by law; (d) privately-placed
debt securities may be purchased; or (e) participation interests in
loans, and similar investments, may be purchased;
12. None of the Accounts will purchase any security on margin (except
that an Account may obtain such short-term credit as may be necessary
for the clearance of purchases and sales of portfolio securities);
13. Neither the Stock nor the Money Market Account will purchase or
sell options or futures except those listed on a domestic or foreign
securities, options or commodities exchange; however, the Global
Equities, Growth, Equity Index, Bond Market, Inflation-Linked Bond and
Social Choice Accounts may purchase or sell options or futures which
are not listed on an exchange; or
B-6
<PAGE>
14. None of the Accounts will invest more than 10% of its total assets
in repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days, and other
illiquid investments, except that the Global Equities, Growth, Equity
Index, Bond Market, Inflation-Linked Bond, or Social Choice Accounts
may invest to a greater extent in such investments if, and to the
extent, permitted by law.
If a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a later
increase or decrease in percentage beyond the specified limit resulting from a
change of values in portfolio securities will not be considered a violation.
DESCRIPTION OF CORPORATE BOND RATINGS
DESCRIPTION OF CORPORATE BOND RATINGS OF 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
edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
AA-Bonds 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 or fluctuation of protective elements
may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make
the long term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
A-Bonds which are rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are
to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to
principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which
suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
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.
B-7
<PAGE>
BA-Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their
future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest
and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded
during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position
characterizes bonds in this class.
B-Bonds which are rated B generally lack characteristics of desirable
investments. 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.
DESCRIPTION OF CORPORATE BOND RATINGS OF STANDARD & POOR'S
RATINGS GROUP:
AAA-Debt rated 'AAA' has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor's.
Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is very 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
B-8
<PAGE>
this category than in higher rated categories.
BB-B-CCC-CC-C-Debt rated 'BB', 'B', 'CCC', 'CC', and 'C' is regarded as having
predominantly speculative characteristics 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 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 used for debt
subordinated to senior debt that is assigned an actual or implied 'BB' or 'BB-'
rating.
CCC-Debt rated 'CCC' has 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 Standard & Poor's believes that
such payments will be made during such grace period. The 'D' rating also will
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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
rating categories.
Generally, investment-grade debt securities are those rated 'Baa3' or higher by
Moody's or 'BBB--' or higher by Standard & Poor's.
DESCRIPTION OF FIXED-INCOME INSTRUMENTS
U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS. Securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and
interest by the United States Government include a variety of Treasury
securities, which differ in their interest rates, maturities and times of
issuance. Treasury bills have a maturity of one year or less; Treasury notes
have maturities of one to ten years; and Treasury bonds can be issued with any
maturity period but generally have a maturity of greater than ten years.
Agencies of the United States Government which issue or guarantee obligations
include, among others, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Farmers Home
Administration, Federal Housing Administration, Government National Mortgage
Association, Maritime Administration, Small Business Administration and The
Tennessee Valley Authority. Obligations of instrumentalities of the United
States Government include securities issued or guaranteed by, among others,
banks of the Farm Credit System, the Federal National Mortgage Association,
Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Student Loan
Marketing Association, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Federal Land Banks,
Banks for Cooperatives, and the U.S. Postal Service. Some of these securities
are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury; others are
supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury, while still
others are supported only by the credit of the instrumentality.
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT. Certificates of deposit are generally short-term,
interest-bearing negotiable certificates issued by banks or savings and loan
associations and savings banks against funds deposited in the issuing
institution.
TIME DEPOSITS. Time deposits are deposits in a bank or other financial
institution for a specified period of time at a fixed interest rate for which a
negotiable certificate is not received. Certain time deposits may be considered
illiquid.
BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES. A bankers' acceptance is a draft drawn on a commercial
bank by a borrower usually in connection with an international commercial
transaction (to finance the import, export, transfer or storage of goods). The
borrower is liable
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for payment as well as the bank, which unconditionally guarantees to pay the
draft at its face amount on the maturity date. Most acceptances have maturities
of six months or less and are traded in secondary markets prior to maturity.
COMMERCIAL PAPER. Commercial paper refers to short-term, unsecured promissory
notes issued by corporations to finance short-term credit needs. Commercial
paper is usually sold on a discount basis and has a maturity at the time of
issuance not exceeding 270 days.
VARIABLE RATE, FLOATING RATE, OR VARIABLE AMOUNT SECURITIES. Variable rate,
floating rate, or variable amount securities are short-term unsecured promissory
notes issued by corporations to finance short-term credit needs. These are
interest-bearing notes on which the interest rate generally fluctuates on a
scheduled basis.
CORPORATE DEBT SECURITIES. Debt issued by a corporation that pays interest and
principal to the holders at specified times.
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES. Asset-backed securities are securities which represent
an undivided fractional interest in a trust whose assets generally consist of
mortgages, motor vehicle retail installment sales contracts, or other
consumer-based loans.
PARTICIPATION INTERESTS IN LOANS. A participation interest in a loan entitles
the purchaser to receive a portion of principal and interest payments due on a
commercial loan extended by a bank to a specified company. The purchaser of such
an interest has no recourse against the bank if payments of principal and
interest are not made by the borrower and generally relies on the bank to
administer and enforce the loan's terms.
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OBLIGATIONS. International organization obligations
include obligations of those organizations designated or supported by U.S. or
foreign government agencies to promote economic reconstruction and development
or international banking, and related government agencies. Examples include the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank), the
European Coal and Steel Community, the Asian Development Bank, and the
InterAmerican Development Bank.
INFLATION-INDEXED SECURITIES. Fixed-income instruments of varying structures and
maturities whose returns are designed to track a specified inflation index over
the life of the instrument, by periodically adjusting the principal and/or
interest paid on the instrument to reflect changes in the specified inflation
index.
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INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISK CONSIDERATIONS
OPTIONS AND FUTURES
The Accounts may engage in options and futures strategies to the extent
permitted by the New York State Insurance Department and subject to SEC and
Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") requirements. It is not the
intention of the Accounts to use options and futures strategies in a speculative
manner but rather to use them primarily as hedging techniques or for cash
management purposes.
OPTIONS. Option-related activities could include (1) the sale of covered call
option contracts, and the purchase of call option contracts for the purpose of a
closing purchase transaction; (2) the buying of covered put option contracts,
and the selling of put option contracts to close out a position acquired through
the purchase of such options; and (3) the selling of call option contracts or
the buying of put option contracts on groups of securities and on futures on
groups of securities and the buying of similar call option contracts or the
selling of put option contracts to close out a position acquired through a sale
of such options. This list of options-related activities is not intended to be
exclusive, and an Account may engage in other types of options transactions
consistent with its investment objective and policies and applicable law.
A call option is a short-term contract (generally having a duration of nine
months or less) which gives the purchaser of the option the right to purchase
the underlying security at a fixed exercise price at any time prior to the
expiration of the option regardless of the market price of the security during
the option period. As consideration for the call option, the purchaser pays the
seller a premium, which the seller retains whether or not the option is
exercised. As the seller of a call option, an Account has the obligation, upon
the exercise of the option by the purchaser, to sell the underlying security at
the exercise price at any time during the option period. The selling of a call
option benefits an Account if over the option period the underlying security
declines in value or does not appreciate above the aggregate of the exercise
price and the premium. However, the Account risks an "opportunity loss" of
profits if the underlying security appreciates above the aggregate value of the
exercise price and the premium.
An Account may close out a position acquired through selling a call option by
buying a call option on the same security with the same exercise price and
expiration date as the call option which it had previously sold on that
security. Depending on the premium for the call option purchased by the Account,
the Account will realize a profit or loss on the transaction. A put option
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is a similar short-term contract that gives the purchaser of the option the
right to sell the underlying security at a fixed exercise price at any time
prior to the expiration of the option regardless of the market price of the
security during the option period. As consideration for the put option an
Account, as purchaser, pays the seller a premium, which the seller retains
whether or not the option is exercised. The seller of a put option has the
obligation, upon the exercise of the option by an Account, to purchase the
underlying security at the exercise price at any time during the option period.
The buying of a covered put contract limits the downside exposure for the
investment in the underlying security to the combination of the exercise price
less the premium paid. The risk of purchasing a put is that the market price of
the underlying stock prevailing on the expiration date may be above the option's
exercise price. In that case the option would expire worthless and the entire
premium would be lost.
An Account may close out a position acquired through buying a put option by
selling a put option on the same security with the same exercise price and
expiration date as the put option which it had previously bought on the
security. Depending on the premium of the put option sold by the Account, the
Account would realize a profit or loss on the transaction.
In addition to options (both calls and puts) on individual securities, there are
also options on groups of securities, such as the Standard & Poor's 100 Index
traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange. There are also options on the
futures of groups of securities such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index
and the New York Stock Exchange Composite Index. The selling of such calls can
be used in anticipation of, or in, a general market or market sector decline
that may adversely affect the market value of an Account's portfolio of
securities. To the extent that an Account's portfolio of securities changes in
value in correlation with a given stock index, the sale of call options on the
futures of that index would substantially reduce the risk to the portfolio of a
market decline, and, by so doing, provides an alternative to the liquidation of
securities positions in the portfolio with resultant transaction costs. A risk
in all options, particularly the relatively new options on groups of securities
and on the futures on groups of securities, is a possible lack of liquidity.
This will be a major consideration before an Account deals in any option.
There is another risk in connection with selling a call option on a group of
securities or on the futures of groups of securities. This arises because of the
imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the call option on a
particular group of securities and the price of the underlying securities held
in the portfolio. Unlike a covered call on an individual security, where a large
movement on the upside for the call option will be
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offset by a similar move on the underlying stock, a move in the price of a call
option on a group of securities may not be offset by a similar move in the price
of securities held due to the difference in the composition of the particular
group and the portfolio itself.
FUTURES. To the extent permitted by applicable regulatory authorities, an
Account may purchase and sell futures contracts on securities or other
instruments, or on groups or indexes of securities or other instruments. The
purpose of hedging techniques using financial futures is to protect the
principal value of an Account against adverse changes in the market value of
securities or instruments in its portfolio, and to obtain better returns on
future investments than actually may be available at the future time. Since
these are hedging techniques, the gains or losses on the futures contract
normally will be offset by losses or gains respectively on the hedged
investment. Futures contracts also may be offset prior to the future date by
executing an opposite futures contract transaction.
A futures contract on an investment is a binding contractual commitment which,
if held to maturity, will result in an obligation to make or accept delivery,
during a particular future month, of the securities or instrument underlying the
contract. By purchasing a futures contract--assuming a "long" position--an
Account legally will obligate itself to accept the future delivery of the
underlying security or instrument and pay the agreed price. By selling a futures
contract assuming a "short" position it legally will obligate itself to make the
future delivery of the security or instrument against payment of the agreed
price.
Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held to maturity, but
are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions which may result in a
profit or a loss. While futures positions taken by an Account usually will be
liquidated in this manner, an Account may instead make or take delivery of the
underlying securities or instruments whenever it appears economically
advantageous to the Account to do so. A clearing corporation associated with the
exchange on which futures are traded assumes responsibility for closing-out
positions and guarantees that the sale and purchase obligations will be
performed with regard to all positions that remain open at the termination of
the contract.
A stock index futures contract, unlike a contract on a specific security, does
not provide for the physical delivery of securities, but merely provides for
profits and losses resulting from changes in the market value of the contract to
be credited or debited at the close of each trading day to the respective
accounts of the parties to the contract. On the contract's expiration date, a
final cash settlement occurs and the futures
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positions simply are closed out. Changes in the market value of a particular
stock index futures contract reflect changes in the specified index of equity
securities on which the future is based.
Stock index futures may be used to hedge the equity investments of the Stock,
Global Equities, Growth, Equity Index, or Social Choice Accounts with regard to
market (systematic) risk (involving the market's assessment of overall economic
prospects), as distinguished from stock-specific risk (involving the market's
evaluation of the merits of the issuer of a particular security). By
establishing an appropriate "short" position in stock index futures, the Stock,
Global Equities, Growth, Equity Index or Social Choice Account may seek to
protect the value of its securities portfolio against an overall decline in the
market for equity securities. Alternatively, in anticipation of a generally
rising market, these Accounts can seek to avoid losing the benefit of apparently
low current prices by establishing a "long" position in stock index futures and
later liquidating that position as particular equity securities are in fact
acquired. To the extent that these hedging strategies are successful, these
Accounts will be affected to a lesser degree by adverse overall market price
movements, unrelated to the merits of specific portfolio equity securities, than
would otherwise be the case.
Unlike the purchase or sale of a security, no price is paid or received by an
Account upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. Initially, the Account
will be required to deposit in a custodial account an amount of cash, United
States Treasury securities, or other permissible assets equal to approximately
5% of the contract amount. This amount is known as "initial margin." The nature
of initial margin in futures transactions is different from that of margin in
security transactions in that futures contract margin does not involve the
borrowing of funds by the customer to finance the transactions. Rather, the
initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on
the contract which is returned to the Account upon termination of the futures
contract assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Subsequent
payments to and from the broker, called variation margin, will be made on a
daily basis as the price of the underlying stock index fluctuates making the
long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a
process known as "marking to the market." For example, when the Stock Account
has purchased a stock index futures contract and the price of the underlying
stock index has risen, that position will have increased in value, and the
Account will receive from the broker a variation margin payment equal to that
increase in value. Conversely, where the Stock Account has purchased a stock
index futures contract and the price of the underlying stock index has declined,
the position would be less valuable and the Stock Account would be required to
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make a variation margin payment to the broker. At any time prior to expiration
of the futures contract, the Account may elect to close the position by taking
an opposite position which will operate to terminate the Account's position in
the futures contract. A final determination of variation margin is then made,
additional cash is required to be paid by or released to the Stock Account, and
the Account realizes a loss or a gain. All margin payments will be made to a
custodian in the broker's name.
The risks inherent in the purchase or sale of stock index futures are, in a
general sense, similar to the risks inherent in the purchase or sale of bond
index futures. A bond index assigns relative values to the bonds included in the
index. The index fluctuates with changes in the market values of those bonds
included, and the parties to the bond index futures contract agree to take or
make delivery of an amount of cash equal to a specified dollar amount times the
difference between the index value at the close of the last trading day of the
contract and the price at which the index future was originally written. No
physical delivery of the underlying bonds in the index is made.
There are several risks in connection with the use by an Account of a futures
contract as a hedging device. One risk arises because of the imperfect
correlation between movements in the prices of the futures contracts and
movements in the securities or instruments which are the subject of the hedge.
CREF will attempt to reduce this risk by engaging in futures transactions, to
the extent possible, where, in its judgment, there is a significant correlation
between changes in the prices of the futures contracts and the prices of an
Account's portfolio securities or instruments sought to be hedged.
Successful use of futures contracts by an Account for hedging purposes also is
subject to the user's ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of
the market. For example, it is possible that, where an Account has sold futures
to hedge its portfolio against declines in the market, the index on which the
futures are written may advance and the values of securities or instruments held
in the Account's portfolio may decline. If this occurred, the Account would lose
money on the futures and also experience a decline in value in its portfolio
investments. However, CREF believes that over time the value of the Account's
portfolio will tend to move in the same direction as the market indices which
are intended to correlate to the price movements of the portfolio securities or
instruments sought to be hedged. It also is possible that, for example, if the
Account has hedged against the possibility of the decline in the market
adversely affecting stocks held in its portfolio and stock prices increased
instead, the Account will lose part or all of the benefit of increased value of
those stocks that it has hedged because it will have offsetting losses in its
futures positions. In
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addition, in such situations, if the Account has insufficient cash, it may have
to sell securities or instruments to meet daily variation margin requirements.
Such sales may be, but will not necessarily be, at increased prices which
reflect the rising market. The Account may have to sell securities or
instruments at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.
In addition to the possibility that there may be an imperfect correlation, or no
correlation at all, between movements in the futures contracts and the portion
of the portfolio being hedged, the prices of futures contracts may not correlate
perfectly with movements in the underlying security or instrument due to certain
market distortions. First, all transactions in the futures market are subject to
margin deposit and maintenance requirements. Rather than meeting additional
margin deposit requirements, investors may close futures contracts through
offsetting transactions which could distort the normal relationship between the
index and futures markets. Second, the margin requirements in the futures market
are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market, and as a
result the futures market may attract more speculators than the securities
market does. Increased participation by speculators in the futures market also
may cause temporary price distortions. Due to the possibility of price
distortion in the futures market and also because of the imperfect correlation
between movements in the futures contracts and the portion of the portfolio
being hedged, even a correct forecast of general market trends by Investment
Management still may not result in a successful hedging transaction over a very
short time period.
The Accounts may also use futures contracts and options on futures contracts to
manage their cash flow more effectively. To the extent that an Account enters
into non-hedging positions, it will do so only in accordance with certain CFTC
exemptive provisions. Thus, pursuant to CFTC Rule 4.5, the aggregate initial
margin and premiums required to establish non-hedging positions in commodity
futures or commodity options contracts may not exceed five percent of the
liquidation value of each Account's portfolio, after taking into account
unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such contracts it has entered
into (provided that the in-the-money amount of an option that is in-the-money
when purchased may be excluded in computing such five percent).
Options and futures transactions may increase an Account's transaction costs and
portfolio turnover rate and will be initiated only when consistent with its
investment objectives.
FIRM COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS AND PURCHASE OF "WHEN ISSUED"
SECURITIES
The Accounts may enter into firm commitment agreements for the
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purchase of securities on a specified future date. Thus, the Accounts may
purchase, for example, new issues of fixed-income instruments on a "when issued"
basis, whereby the payment obligation, or yield to maturity, or coupon rate on
the instruments may not be fixed at the time of the transaction. In addition,
the Accounts may invest in asset-backed securities on a delayed delivery basis.
This reduces the Accounts' risk of early repayment of principal, but exposes the
Accounts to some additional risk that the transaction will not be consummated.
When the Accounts enter into firm commitment agreements, liability for the
purchase price and the rights and risks of ownership of the securities accrue to
the Accounts at the time they become obligated to purchase such securities,
although delivery and payment occur at a later date. Accordingly, if the market
price of the security should decline, the effect of the agreement would be to
obligate the Accounts to purchase the security at a price above the current
market price on the date of delivery and payment. During the time the Accounts
are obligated to purchase such securities they will be required to segregate
assets (see "Segregated Accounts," page ). An Account will not purchase
securities on a "when issued" basis if, as a result, more than 15% of the
Account's net assets would be so invested.
PASS-THROUGH SECURITIES
The Accounts may invest in mortgage pass-through securities such as GNMA
certificates or FNMA and FHLMC mortgage-backed obligations, or modified
pass-through securities such as collateralized mortgage obligations issued by
various financial institutions. In connection with these investments, early
repayment of principal arising from prepayments of principal on the underlying
mortgage loans due to the sale of the underlying property, the refinancing of
the loan, or foreclosure may expose the Account to a lower rate of return upon
reinvestment of the principal. Prepayment rates vary widely and may be affected
by changes in market interest rates. In periods of falling interest rates, the
rate of prepayment tends to increase, thereby shortening the actual average life
of the mortgage-related security. Conversely, when interest rates are rising,
the rate of prepayment tends to decrease, thereby lengthening the actual average
life of the mortgage-related security. Accordingly, it is not possible to
accurately predict the average life of a particular pool. Reinvestment of
prepayments may occur at higher or lower rates than the original yield on the
certificates. Therefore, the actual maturity and realized yield on pass-through
or modified pass-through mortgage-related securities will vary based upon the
prepayment experience of the underlying pool of mortgages. For purposes of
calculating the average life of the assets of the relevant Account, the maturity
of each of these securities will be the average life of such securities based on
the most recent or estimated annual prepayment rate.
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LENDING OF SECURITIES
Subject to investment restriction 11(a) on page B- (relating to loans of
portfolio securities), an Account may lend its securities to brokers and dealers
that are not affiliated with CREF, are registered with the Commission and are
members of the NASD, and also to certain other financial institutions. All loans
will be fully collateralized. In connection with the lending of its securities,
an Account will receive as collateral cash, securities issued or guaranteed by
the United States Government (i.e., Treasury securities), or other collateral
permitted by applicable law, which at all times while the loan is outstanding
will be maintained in amounts equal to at least 102% of the current market value
of the loaned securities, or such lesser percentage as may be permitted by the
New York State Insurance Department (not to fall below 100% of the market value
of the loaned securities), as reviewed daily. The Account lending its securities
will receive amounts equal to the interest or dividends paid on the securities
loaned and in addition will expect to receive a portion of the income generated
by the short-term investment of cash received as collateral or, alternatively,
where securities or a letter of credit are used as collateral, a lending fee
paid directly to the Account by the borrower of the securities. Such loans will
be terminable by the Account at any time and will not be made to affiliates of
CREF. CREF may terminate a loan of securities in order to regain record
ownership of, and to exercise beneficial rights related to, the loaned
securities, including but not necessarily limited to voting or subscription
rights, and may, in the exercise of its fiduciary duties, terminate a loan in
the event that a vote of holders of those securities is required on a material
matter. An Account may pay reasonable fees to persons unaffiliated with the
Account for services or for arranging such loans. Loans of securities will be
made only to firms deemed creditworthy. As with any extension of credit,
however, there are risks of delay in recovering the loaned securities, should
the borrower of securities default, become the subject of bankruptcy
proceedings, or otherwise be unable to fulfill its obligations or fail
financially.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Repurchase agreements have the characteristics of loans by an Account, and will
be fully collateralized (either with physical securities or evidence of book
entry transfer to the account of the custodian bank) at all times. During the
term of the repurchase agreement the Account retains the security subject to the
repurchase agreement as collateral securing the seller's repurchase obligation,
continually monitors the market value of the security subject to the agreement,
and requires the Account's seller to deposit with the Account additional
collateral equal to any amount by which the market value of the security subject
to
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the repurchase agreement falls below the resale amount provided under the
repurchase agreement. The Accounts will enter into repurchase agreements only
with member banks of the Federal Reserve System, and with primary dealers in
United States Government securities or their wholly-owned subsidiaries whose
creditworthiness has been reviewed and found satisfactory by CREF and who have,
therefore, been determined to present minimal credit risk.
Securities underlying repurchase agreements will be limited to certificates of
deposit, commercial paper, bankers' acceptances, or obligations issued or
guaranteed by the United States Government or its agencies or instrumentalities,
in which the Account may otherwise invest.
If a seller of a repurchase agreement defaults and does not repurchase the
security subject to the agreement, the Account would look to the collateral
security underlying the seller's repurchase agreement, including the securities
subject to the repurchase agreement, for satisfaction of the seller's obligation
to the Account; in such event the Account might incur disposition costs in
liquidating the collateral and might suffer a loss if the value of the
collateral declines. In addition, if bankruptcy proceedings are instituted
against a seller of a repurchase agreement, realization upon the collateral may
be delayed or limited.
CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
The value of the Accounts' assets as measured in United States dollars may be
affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign currency exchange rates
and exchange control regulations, and the Accounts may incur costs in connection
with conversions between various currencies. To minimize the impact of such
factors on net asset values, the Accounts may engage in foreign currency
transactions in connection with their investments in foreign securities. These
transactions may also let us "lock in" exchange rates when buying or selling
foreign securities. The Accounts will not speculate in foreign currency
exchange, and will enter into foreign currency transactions only to "hedge" the
currency risk associated with investing in foreign securities. Although such
transactions tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of
the hedged currency, they also may limit any potential gain which might result
should the value of such currency increase.
The Accounts will conduct their currency exchange transactions either on a spot
(i.e., cash) basis at the rate prevailing in the currency exchange market, or
through forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. A forward
currency contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency
at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the
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date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of
the contract. These contracts are entered into with large commercial banks or
other currency traders who are participants in the interbank market.
By entering into a forward contract for the purchase or sale of foreign currency
involved in an underlying security transaction, the Account is able to protect
itself against possible loss between trade and settlement dates for that
purchase or sale resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between
the U.S. dollar and such foreign currency. This practice is sometimes referred
to as "transaction hedging." In addition, when it appears that a particular
foreign currency may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. dollar, an
Account may enter into a forward contract to sell an amount of foreign currency
approximating the value of some or all of its portfolio securities denominated
in such foreign currency. This practice is sometimes referred to as "portfolio
hedging". Similarly, when it appears that the U.S. dollar may suffer a
substantial decline against a foreign currency, an Account may enter into a
forward contract to buy that foreign currency for a fixed dollar amount. The
Accounts may also hedge their foreign currency exchange rate risk by engaging in
currency financial futures, options and "cross-hedge" transactions. In
"cross-hedge" transactions, an Account holding securities denominated in one
foreign currency will enter into a forward currency contract to buy or sell a
different foreign currency (one that generally tracks the currency being hedged
with regard to price movements). Such cross-hedges are expected to help protect
an Account against an increase or decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar
against certain foreign currencies.
The Accounts may hold a portion of their respective assets in bank deposits
denominated in foreign currencies, so as to facilitate investment in foreign
securities as well as protect against currency fluctuations and the need to
convert such assets into U.S. dollars (thereby also reducing transaction costs).
To the extent these monies are converted back into U.S. dollars, the value of
the assets so maintained will be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in
foreign currency exchange rates and exchange control regulations.
The forecasting of short-term currency market movement is extremely difficult
and whether a short-term hedging strategy will be successful is highly
uncertain. Moreover, it is impossible to forecast with absolute precision the
market value of portfolio securities at the expiration of a foreign currency
forward contract. Accordingly, an Account may be required to buy or sell
additional currency on the spot market (and bear the expense of such
transaction) if its predictions regarding the movement of foreign currency or
securities markets prove inaccurate. In addition, the use of cross-hedging
transactions
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may involve special risks, and may leave an Account in a less advantageous
position than if such a hedge had not been established. Because foreign currency
forward contracts are privately negotiated transactions, there can be no
assurance that CREF will have flexibility to roll-over the foreign currency
forward contract upon its expiration if it desires to do so. Additionally, there
can be no assurance that the other party to the contract will perform its
obligations thereunder. There is no express limitation on the percentage of an
Account's assets that may be committed to foreign currency exchange contracts.
The Accounts will not enter into foreign currency forward contracts or maintain
a net exposure in such contracts where the Account would be obligated to deliver
an amount of foreign currency in excess of the value of the Account's portfolio
securities or other assets denominated in that currency or, in the case of a
cross-hedge transaction, denominated in a currency or currencies that the
Account's investment adviser believes will correlate closely to the currency's
price movements. The Accounts generally will not enter into forward contracts
with terms longer than one year.
SWAP TRANSACTIONS
The Accounts may, to the extent permitted by the New York State Insurance
Department and the SEC, enter into privately negotiated "swap" transactions with
other financial institutions in order to take advantage of investment
opportunities generally not available in public markets. In general, these
transactions involve "swapping" a return based on certain securities,
instruments, or financial indices with another party, such as a commercial bank,
in exchange for a return based on different securities, instruments, or
financial indices.
By entering into swap transactions, an Account may be able to protect the value
of a portion of its portfolio against declines in market value. An Account may
also enter into swap transactions to facilitate implementation of allocation
strategies between different market segments or countries or to take advantage
of market opportunities which may arise from time to time. An Account may be
able to enhance its overall performance if the return offered by the other party
to the swap transaction exceeds the return swapped by the Account. However,
there can be no assurance that the return an Account receives from the
counterparty to the swap transaction will exceed the return it swaps to that
party.
While an Account will only enter into swap transactions with counterparties it
considers creditworthy (and will monitor the creditworthiness of parties with
which it enters into swap transactions), a risk inherent in swap transactions is
that the other party to the transaction may default on its obligations under the
swap agreement. If the other party to the swap
B-22
<PAGE>
transaction defaults on its obligations, CREF would be limited to contractual
remedies under the swap agreement. There can be no assurance that CREF will
succeed when pursuing its contractual remedies. To minimize an Account's
exposure in the event of default, the Accounts will usually enter into swap
transactions on a net basis (i.e., the parties to the transaction will net the
payments payable to each other before such payments are made). When an Account
enters into swap transactions on a net basis, the net amount of the excess, if
any, of the Account's obligations over its entitlements with respect to each
such swap agreement will be accrued on a daily basis and an amount of liquid
assets having an aggregate market value at least equal to the accrued excess
will be segregated by the Account's custodian. To the extent an Account enters
into swap transactions other than on a net basis, the amount segregated will be
the full amount of the Account's obligations, if any, with respect to each such
swap agreement, accrued on a daily basis. (See "Segregated Accounts" below.)
Swap agreements are considered to be illiquid by the SEC staff and will be
subject to the limitations on illiquid investments described above (see page
B- ).
To the extent that there is an imperfect correlation between the return an
Account is obligated to swap and the securities or instruments representing such
return, the value of the swap transaction may be adversely affected. An Account
therefore will not enter into a swap transaction unless it owns or has the right
to acquire the securities or instruments representative of the return it is
obligated to swap with the counterparty to the swap transaction. It is not the
intention of the Accounts to engage in swap transactions in a speculative manner
but rather primarily to hedge or manage the risks associated with assets held
in, or to facilitate the implementation of portfolio strategies of purchasing
and selling assets for, an Account's portfolio.
SEGREGATED ACCOUNTS
In connection with when-issued securities, firm commitment agreements, forward
purchases of foreign currencies and certain other transactions in which CREF
incurs an obligation to make payments in the future, CREF may be required to
segregate assets with its custodian bank in amounts sufficient to settle the
transaction. To the extent required, such segregated assets will consist of
liquid assets such as cash, United States Government securities or other
appropriate high grade debt obligations as may be permitted by law.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING FOREIGN INVESTMENTS
As described more fully in the Prospectus, certain CREF Accounts may invest in
foreign securities including those in emerging
B-23
<PAGE>
markets. In addition to the general risk factors discussed in "Foreign
Investments" on page of the Prospectus, there are a number of country- or
region-specific risks and other considerations that may affect these
investments.
INVESTMENT IN EUROPE
The total European market (consisting of the European Union, the European Free
Trade Association and Eastern European countries) contains over 507 million
consumers, which makes it much larger than either the United States or Japanese
market. European businesses compete both nationally and internationally in a
wide range of industries, and recent political and economic changes throughout
Europe are likely to further expand the role of Europe in the global economy. As
a result, a great deal of interest and activity has been generated in the "new"
Europe that may result. However, many of the anticipated changes involve
synthesizing or changing a wide array of economic and political systems, and
there can be no guarantee that such changes will occur as anticipated or will
have results that investors would regard as favorable.
THE EUROPEAN UNION. The European Union ("EU") consists of Austria, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom (the "EU Nations"),
with a total population exceeding 374 million. The EU Nations have undertaken to
establish, among themselves, a single market that is largely free of internal
barriers and hindrances to the free movement of goods, persons, services and
capital. Although it is difficult to predict when this goal will be fully
realized, it is expected that such achievement will increase efficiency and the
ability of the EU Nations to compete globally by simplifying product
distribution networks, promoting economies of scale, and increasing labor
mobility, among other effects. In addition, efforts to achieve monetary union
have effected a dramatic decline in interest rates for some prospective members
which is expected to have important positive consequences for these economies
and their financial markets. Uncertainties with regard to the achievement of
these goals and their extensive ramifications represent important risk
considerations for investors in these countries.
EUROPEAN FREE TRADE ASSOCIATION. The European Free Trade Association ("EFTA")
consists of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. These entities have
also worked to expand trade through the lowering or abolition of tariffs between
member countries. A major goal of the EFTA countries has been a more structured
partnership with the EU and the formation of a European Economic Area, with the
aim of developing such a partnership to coincide with the establishment of the
EU's unified market.
B-24
<PAGE>
EASTERN EUROPE. A number of Eastern European nations and former republics of the
U.S.S.R. are currently implementing or considering reforms directed at political
and economic liberalization, including efforts to foster multi-party political
systems and to further liberalize their economies. However, these changes will
invariably take time and may result in a high degree of social, economic, or
political unpredictability uncertainty or instability over the short- or
long-term. Thus, although unique investment opportunities may be presented, they
may entail a high degree of risk.
INVESTMENT IN THE PACIFIC BASIN
The economies of the Pacific Basin vary widely in their stages of economic
development. Some (such as Japan, Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong) are
considered advanced by Western standards; others (such as Thailand, Indonesia,
and Malaysia) are considered "emerging" --shifting from natural resource and
agriculture based systems to more technologically advanced systems oriented
toward manufacturing and services. The major reform of China's economy and
polity continues to be an important stimulus to economic growth internally, and,
through trade, across the region. Intra- regional trade has become increasingly
important to a number of these economies. Japan, the second largest economy in
the world, is the dominant economy in the Pacific Basin, with one of the highest
per capita incomes in the world, maintaining extensive trade relationships
throughout the region,and globally.
Beginning in the latter half of 1997, currency crises in several countries in
the region have resulted in massive depreciations of the local currency against
the U.S. dollar reducing the value of investments in those countries when
translated into dollar terms. The consequences of such events often involve
significantly slower rates of economic growth and higher inflation rates than
previously expected, with associated adverse behavior in equity markets. Among
those countries, Thailand, Indonesia and South Korea have invited the
International Monetary Fund to provide advice and financial assistance in an
effort to stabilize and restructure these economies in order to rationalize
their financial structures and re-establish satisfactory rates of economic
growth. There can be no assurance that any such program will be successful. Nor
can there be any assurance that the difficulties experienced by any of these
countries will not affect in varying degrees other countries in the region, or
elsewhere in the world. Potential policy miscalculations could pose important
additional risks to equity investors in any of these economies.
INVESTMENT IN CANADA
Canada, a country rich in natural resources and a leading
B-25
<PAGE>
industrial country of the world, is by far the most important trading partner of
the United States. The U.S. and Canada have entered into the U.S. - Canada Free
Trade Agreement which, over a 10-year period from 1989, will remove trade
barriers affecting all important sectors of each country's economy. In addition,
the U.S., Canada, and Mexico have established the North American Free Trade
Agreement ("NAFTA"), which is expected to significantly benefit the economies of
all three countries. Uncertainty regarding the longer - run political structure
of Canada is an added risk to investors.
INVESTMENT IN LATIN AMERICA
Latin America (including Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean)
has a population of approximately 489 million and is rich in natural resources.
Important gains in the manufacturing sector have developed in several of the
major countries in the region. A number of countries in the region have taken
steps to reduce impediments to trade, most notably through the NAFTA agreement,
between the U.S., Canada and Mexico and the Mercosur agreement between
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uraguay, with Chile as an associate member.
Political uncertainty, relatively high inflation, restrictions on international
capital flows, and intermittent problems with capital flight, however, remain
important concerns for some countries in the region - exacerbating the risks in
these equity markets. As a result, Latin America equity markets have been
extremely volatile. Efforts to stimulate these economies through privatization,
and fiscal and monetary reform have been met with some success with gains in
output growth, and slowing rates of inflation. These efforts may result in
attractive investment opportunities. However, there can be no assurance that
these or other changes will bring about results investors would regard as
favorable.
OTHER REGIONS
There are developments in other regions and countries around the world which
could lead to additional investment opportunities. CREF will monitor these
developments and may invest when appropriate. The Stock Account already invests
in other regions.
OTHER INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES AND OPPORTUNITIES
CREF has been an industry leader in devising investment strategies for
retirement investing, including developing sophisticated research methods and
dividing a portfolio into segments, some designed to track the U.S. markets as a
whole and others that are actively managed and selected for their investment
potential.
The Accounts may take certain actions with respect to merger
B-26
<PAGE>
proposals, tender offers, conversion of equity-related securities and other
investment opportunities with the objective of enhancing the portfolio's overall
return, irrespective of how these actions may affect the weight of the
particular securities in an Account's portfolio.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The transactions engaged in by the Accounts are reflected in the Accounts'
portfolio turnover rates. The rate of portfolio turnover for each Account is
calculated by dividing the lesser of the amount of purchases or sales of
portfolio securities during the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value
of the Account's portfolio securities (excluding from the computation all
securities, including options, with maturities at the time of acquisition of one
year or less). A high rate of portfolio turnover generally involves
correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses, which must be borne
directly by the Account and ultimately by the Account's Participants. However,
because portfolio turnover is not a limiting factor in determining whether or
not to sell portfolio securities, a particular investment may be sold at any
time if investment judgment or account operations make a sale advisable.
The Stock Account has no fixed policy with respect to portfolio turnover. In
general, however, this Account historically has maintained a portfolio turnover
rate that is low in comparison to most equity mutual funds. However, to the
extent that investment experience, changing economic conditions, or the
availability of transferability and cash distributions so require, this Account
may, consistent with its stated investment objective and policies, experience a
higher portfolio turnover rate. The Stock Account's portfolio turnover rates for
1997 and 1996 were % and %, respectively.
The Global Equities Account has no fixed policy on portfolio turnover. The
portfolio turnover rates for that Account for 1997 and 1996 were % and %,
respectively.
The Growth Account has no fixed policy on portfolio turnover. The portfolio
turnover rates for that Account for 1997 and 1996 were % and %, respectively.
The Equity Index Account has no fixed policy on portfolio turnover. The
portfolio turnover rates for that Account for 1997 and 1996 were % and %,
respectively.
The Bond Market Account is expected to experience a higher portfolio turnover
rate when interest rates are volatile and CREF restructures the portfolio to
conserve capital or to secure higher returns. Turnover level could be relatively
low during
B-27
<PAGE>
periods when interest rates are stable. The portfolio turnover rates for the
Bond Market Account in 1997 and 1996 were % and %, respectively. These rates
result in part from using a technique called "mortgage rolls", which involves
the purchase and sale of delayed-delivery mortgage securities.
The Inflation-Linked Bond Account has no fixed policy on portfolio turnover. The
portfolio turnover rate for Account in 1997 was %.
The Social Choice Account has no fixed policy on portfolio turnover. The
portfolio turnover rates for that Account in 1997 and 1996 were % and %,
respectively.
No portfolio turnover rate is calculated for the Money Market Account due to the
short maturities of the instruments purchased.
Because a higher portfolio turnover rate will increase brokerage costs to the
Accounts, each Account will carefully weigh the added costs of short-term
investment against the gains anticipated from such transactions.
VALUATION OF ASSETS
The assets of each Account are valued as of the close of each valuation day.
THE STOCK ACCOUNT
Investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued at the
market value of such investments, which is determined as follows:
Equity securities listed or traded on the New York Stock Exchange or
the American Stock Exchange are valued based on their last sale price
on such exchange on the date of valuation, or at the mean of the
closing bid and asked prices if no sale is reported. Equity securities
which are listed or traded on any other exchange are valued in a
comparable manner on the principal exchange where traded.
Equity securities traded in the United States over-the-counter market
are valued based on the last sale price on the date of valuation for
NASDAQ National Market System securities, or at the mean of the closing
bid and asked prices if no sale is reported. Other U.S.
over-the-counter equity securities are valued at the mean of the
closing bid and asked prices.
Investments traded on a foreign exchange or in foreign markets are
valued at the closing values of such securities
B-28
<PAGE>
as of the date of valuation under the generally accepted valuation
method in the country where traded, converted to U.S. dollars at the
prevailing rates of exchange on the date of valuation. Since the
trading of investments on a foreign exchange or in foreign markets is
normally completed before the end of a valuation day, such valuation
does not take place contemporaneously with the determination of the
valuation of certain other investments held by these Accounts. If
events materially affecting the value of foreign investments (as
determined in our sole discretion) occur between the time when their
price is determined and the time the Account's net asset value is
calculated, such investments will be valued at fair value as determined
in good faith by the Finance Committee of the Board and in accordance
with the responsibilities of the Board as a whole.
Equity securities traded in the United States may also be valued at
fair value as determined in good faith by the Finance Committee of the
Board if events materially affecting the value of a domestic investment
(as determined in our sole discretion) occur between the time when its
price is determined and the time the Account's net asset value is
calculated.
To the extent the Stock Account owns debt instruments (including money market
instruments), they will be valued in accordance with the procedures set forth
for such instruments for the Bond Market Account (described below).
THE GLOBAL EQUITIES, GROWTH AND EQUITY INDEX ACCOUNTS
Equity securities for the Global Equities, Growth and Equity Index Accounts are
valued in accordance with the procedures followed by the Stock Account for those
securities. To the extent the Global Equities, Growth and Equity Index Accounts
own debt instruments (including money market instruments), they will be valued
in accordance with the procedures set forth for such instruments for the Bond
Market Account (described below).
THE BOND MARKET ACCOUNT
For the Bond Market Account, fixed-income securities (including money market
instruments) for which market quotations are readily available are valued based
on the most recent bid price or the equivalent quoted yield for such securities
(or those of comparable maturity, quality and type). Values for money market
instruments with maturities of one year or less will be obtained from either one
or more of the major market makers or from one or more of the financial
information services for the securities to be valued. For securities with
maturities longer than one year, these values will be derived utilizing an
independent pricing
B-29
<PAGE>
service when such prices are believed to reflect the fair value of these
securities. To the extent the Bond Market Account owns any equity or foreign
securities, they will be valued in accordance with the procedures followed by
the Stock Account for those securities, as described on page B- . We use an
independent pricing service to value securities with maturities longer than one
year, except when we believe prices don't accurately reflect the security's fair
value.
THE INFLATION-LINKED BOND ACCOUNT
For the Inflation-Linked Bond Account, debt instruments (including money market
instruments) are valued in accordance with the procedures set forth for the Bond
Market Account (described above). To the extent the Inflation-Linked Bond
Account owns any equity or foreign securities, they will be valued in accordance
with the procedures followed by the Stock Account for those securities, as
described on page B- . We use an independent pricing service to value securities
with maturities longer than one year, except when we believe prices don't
accurately reflect the security's fair value.
THE SOCIAL CHOICE ACCOUNT
For the Social Choice Account, equity securities are valued in accordance with
the procedures followed by the Stock Account for those securities. Those
procedures are described on page B- . Debt instruments (including money market
instruments) are valued in accordance with the procedures set forth for the Bond
Market Account (described above).
THE MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT
Except as set forth above, money market instruments for which market quotations
are readily available are valued based on the most recent bid price or the
equivalent quoted yield for such securities (or those of comparable maturity,
quality, and type) obtained from either one or more of the major market-makers
or from one or more of the financial information services for the securities to
be valued. Short-term money market instruments with a remaining maturity of 60
days or less are valued on an amortized cost basis; provided, however, that if
the valuation determined using the amortized cost method for such securities is
materially different from the actual market value, then such short-term money
market instruments will be valued at market value. Under the amortized cost
method of valuation, the security is initially valued at cost on the date of
purchase (or, in the case of securities purchased with more than 60 days
remaining to maturity, the market value on the 61st day prior to maturity), and
thereafter a constant proportionate amortization in value until maturity of the
discount or premium is assumed.
B-30
<PAGE>
INVESTMENTS FOR WHICH MARKET QUOTATIONS ARE NOT READILY AVAILABLE
Portfolio securities or other assets for which market quotations are not readily
available will be valued at fair value as determined in good faith under the
direction of the Finance Committee of the Board and in accordance with the
responsibilities of the Board as a whole. (see "Management," below).
OPTIONS
Portfolio investments underlying options are valued as described above. Stock
options written by the Stock, Global Equities, Growth, Equity Index, and Social
Choice Accounts are valued at the last quoted sale price, or at the closing bid
price if no sale is reported for the day of valuation as determined on the
principal exchange on which the option is traded. The value of the Stock, Global
Equities, Growth, Equity Index, and Social Choice Accounts' net assets will be
increased or decreased by the difference between the premiums received on
writing options and the costs of liquidating such positions measured by the
closing price of the options on the date of valuation.
For example, when an Account writes a call option, the amount of the premium is
included in the Account's assets and an equal amount is included in its
liabilities. The liability thereafter is adjusted to the current market value of
the call. Thus, if the current market value of the call exceeds the premium
received, the excess would be unrealized depreciation; conversely, if the
premium exceeds the current market value, such excess would be unrealized
appreciation. If a call expires or if the Account enters into a closing purchase
transaction it realizes a gain (or a loss if the cost of the transaction exceeds
the premium received when the call was written) without regard to any unrealized
appreciation or depreciation in the underlying securities, and the liability
related to such call is extinguished. If a call is exercised, the Account
realizes a gain or loss from the sale of the underlying securities and the
proceeds of the sale increased by the premium originally received.
A premium paid on the purchase of a put will be deducted from an Account's
assets and an equal amount will be included as an investment and subsequently
adjusted to the current market value of the put. For example, if the current
market value of the put exceeds the premium paid, the excess would be unrealized
appreciation; conversely, if the premium exceeds the current market value, such
excess would be unrealized depreciation. Stock and bond index futures, and
options thereon, which are traded on commodities exchanges, are valued at their
last sale prices as of the close of such commodities exchanges.
B-31
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT
CREF OVERSEERS, TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The names of the Overseers, Trustees and certain officers of CREF and
information about their positions with CREF and their principal occupations
during the past five years are shown below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
CREF BOARD OF OVERSEERS* AGE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST 5 YEARS
- ------------------------ --- -----------------------------------------
Lucius J. Barker 69 William Bennett Munro Professor of
Department of Political Science Political Science, Stanford University.
Stanford University Chairperson, Department of Political
Stanford, California 94305 Science, Stanford University, from 1993
to 1996.
William G. Bowen 64 President, The Andrew W. Mellon
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Foundation.
140 East 62nd Street
New York, New York 10021
Gertrude G. Michelson 72 Retired since 1992. Formerly, Senior
R.H. Macy & Co., Inc. Vice President, R.H. Macy & Co., Inc.,
151 West 34th Street Senior Advisor, R.H. Macy & Co., Inc.,
New York, New York 10001-2124 from 1992 to 1994.
Jack W. Peltason 74 President Emeritus, University of
18 Whistler Court California, since 1995. Formerly,
Irvine, California 92612-4069 President, University of California and
Chancellor, University of California,
Irvine.
Paul A. Volcker 70 Formerly, Chairman, Federal Reserve
610 Fifth Avenue Board. Frederick H. Schultz Professor
Suite 420 Emeritus of International Economic
New York, New York 10020 Policy, Princeton University,
since 1997.
Clifton R. Wharton, Jr. 71 Formerly, Chairman and Chief Executive
TIAA-CREF Officer of TIAA and CREF. Former U.S.
730 Third Avenue Deputy Secretary of State.
New York, New York 10017-3206
- -------------
*Also members of TIAA Board of Overseers.
</TABLE>
B-32
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
TRUSTEES OF CREF AGE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST 5 YEARS
- ---------------- --- -----------------------------------------
Robert H. Atwell (1) 67 President Emeritus, American Council on
601 Yardarm Lane Education and Senior Consultant to A.T.
Longboat Key, Florida 34228 Kearney, since 1996. Formerly, President,
American Council on Education.
Elizabeth E. Bailey 59 John C. Hower Professor of Public Policy
The Wharton School and Management, The Wharton School of the
University of Pennsylvania University of Pennsylvania.
Suite 3100
Steinberg-Dietrich Hall
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19104-6372
Gary P. Brinson (3) 54 Member, Group Executive Board, Swiss
Brinson Partners, Inc. Bank Corporation, since 1995. Chief
209 South LaSalle Street Investment Officer and Member, Group
Chicago, Illinois 60604-1295 Executive Committee, Swiss Bank
Corporation, since 1996.
President and Chief Investment Officer,
Brinson Partners, Inc.
Joyce A. Fecske (1) 51 Vice President Emerita, DePaul University
4800 South Karlov Avenue since 1994. Formerly, Vice President for
Chicago, Illinois 60632-4124 Human Resources, DePaul University.
Edes P. Gilbert 66 Head, The Spence School.
The Spence School
22 East 91st Street
New York, New York 10128
Stuart Tse Kong Ho (3) 62 Chairman and President, Capital Investment
Capital Investment of Hawaii, of Hawaii, Inc. Chairman, Gannett
Inc. Pacific Corporation.
Suite 1700
733 Bishop Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Nancy L. Jacob (2) 55 President and Managing Partner,
Windermere Investment Associates Windermere Investment Associates, since
Suite 925 January 1997. Formerly, Chairman and
121 S.W. Morrison Street Chief Executive Officer, CTC Consulting,
Portland, Oregon 97204 Inc. and Executive Vice President, U.S.
Trust of the Pacific Northwest.
- ------------
(1) Member of Executive Committee
(2) Member of Finance Committee
(3) Member of Executive and Finance Committees
</TABLE>
B-33
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
TRUSTEES OF CREF AGE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST 5 YEARS
- ---------------- --- -----------------------------------------
Marjorie Fine Knowles (2) 58 Professor of Law, Georgia State
College of Law University College of Law.
Georgia State University
University Plaza
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-3092
Jay O. Light (2) 56 Professor of Business Administration,
Harvard Business School Harvard University Graduate School of
Harvard University Business Administration.
Morgan Hall 489
Soldiers Field
Boston, Massachusetts 02163
Bevis Longstreth (2) 64 Of Counsel, Debevoise & Plimpton. Adjunct
Debevoise & Plimpton Professor, Columbia University School of
875 Third Avenue Law.
New York, New York 10022-6225
Robert M. Lovell, Jr. (2) 67 Founding Partner, First Quadrant L.P.
First Quadrant Corp. Formerly, Chairman and Chief Executive
100 Campus Drive Officer, First Quadrant Corp.
P.O. Box 939
Florham Park, New Jersey 07932-0939
Stephen A. Ross (3) 54 Sterling Professor of Economics and
Yale School of Finance, Yale School of Management, Yale
Management University. Co-Chairman, Roll & Ross
Yale University Asset Management Corp.
52 Hillhouse Avenue
New Haven, Connecticut 06520
Eugene C. Sit (2) 59 Chairman, Chief Executive and Chief
Sit Investment Associates, Inc. Investment Officer, Sit Investment
4600 Norwest Center Associates, Inc. and Chairman and
90 South Seventh Street Chief Executive Officer, Sit-Kim
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-4130 International Investment Associates, Inc.
Maceo K. Sloan (2) 48 Chairman, President, and Chief Executive
NCM Capital Management Group, Inc. Officer, Sloan Financial Group, Inc. and
Suite 400 NCM Capital Management Group, Inc.
103 West Main Street
Durham, North Carolina 27701-3638
- ------------
(1) Member of Executive Committee
(2) Member of Finance Committee
(3) Member of Executive and Finance Committees
</TABLE>
B-34
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
TRUSTEES OF CREF AGE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST 5 YEARS
- ---------------- --- -----------------------------------------
David K. Storrs (2) 53 President and Chief Executive Officer,
Alternative Investment Alternative Investment Group, L.L.C.,
Group, L.L.C. since August 1996. Adviser to the
65 South Gate Lane President, The Common Fund, from January
Southport, Connecticut 06490 1996 to October 1996. President and Chief
Executive Officer, The Common Fund, from
1993 to 1996. Formerly, Executive Vice
President, The Common Fund.
Robert W. Vishny (2) 39 Eric J. Gleacher Professor of Finance,
University of Chicago University of Chicago, Graduate School
Graduate School of Business of Business, since 1993. Founding
1101 East 58th Street Partner, LSV Asset Management.
Chicago, Illinois 60637
OVERSEER-OFFICER-TRUSTEE**
John H. Biggs (3) 61 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, CREF
and TIAA, since 1993. President, CREF and
TIAA, since 1997. President and Chief
Operating Officer, CREF and TIAA, 1989 -
1993. Trustee, TIAA-CREF Mutual Funds,
since 1997.
OFFICER-TRUSTEE**
Martin L. Leibowitz (3) 61 Vice Chairman and Chief Investment
Officer, CREF and TIAA, since 1995.
Trustee and President, TIAA-CREF
Investment Management, Inc. ("Investment
Management"), Director and President,
Teachers Advisors, Inc. ("Advisors") and
Executive Vice President, TIAA Separate
Account VA-1, since 1995. Trustee, TIAA-
CREF Mutual Funds, since 1997. Executive
Vice President, CREF and TIAA, from June
1995 to November 1995. Formerly, managing
director-director of research and a member
of the executive committee, Salomon
Brothers, Inc.
Messrs. Biggs, Leibowitz and Longstreth are deemed "interested persons" of
CREF within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
- ------------
** The address for all CREF Officers is 730 Third Avenue, New York, New York
10017-3206.
(1) Member of Executive Committee
(2) Member of Finance Committee
(3) Member of Executive and Finance Committees
</TABLE>
B-35
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
OTHER OFFICERS** AGE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST 5 YEARS
- ---------------- --- -----------------------------------------
Richard J. Adamski 56 Vice President and Treasurer, CREF and
TIAA, since 1991. Vice President and
Treasurer, Investment Management, TIAA-
CREF Individual & Institutional Services,
Inc. ("Services"), since 1992, Teachers
Personal Investors Services, Inc. ("TPIS")
and Advisors, since 1994, and TIAA-CREF
Mutual Funds since 1997
Richard L. Gibbs 51 Executive Vice President, CREF, TIAA,
Investment Management and Services, since
1993, Advisors since 1994 and TIAA-CREF
Mutual Funds since 1997. Vice President,
Investment Management and Services, from
1992 to 1993. Formerly, Vice President,
Finance, CREF and TIAA
Albert J. Wilson 65 Vice President and Chief Counsel,
Corporate Secretary, CREF and TIAA
- ------------
** The address for all CREF Officers is 730 Third Avenue, New York, New York
10017-3206
</TABLE>
COMPENSATION OF CREF TRUSTEES
In 1997, the basic annual stipend for trustees who are not officers of CREF
("non-officer Trustees") was $15,000; non-officer Trustees were also paid $1,000
for each board and committee meeting attended. In addition, non-officer trustees
who serve as chairpersons of committees receive an additional annual stipend of
$3,000. Trustees who are active officers of CREF or TIAA do not receive any
additional compensation for their services as trustees.
CREF has adopted a deferred compensation plan for non-officer Trustees. Under
that plan, a Trustee who has served at least five years will be paid a lump-sum
deferred compensation benefit after leaving the CREF Board. The amount of the
lump-sum benefit will be calculated by multiplying the amount of the stipend in
effect at the time of his or her termination from the Board by 50 percent, and
multiplying that amount by the individual's number of years of service as a CREF
Trustee, up to a maximum of twenty years. Trustees receive no other retirement
or pension benefits.
B-36
<PAGE>
The following table discloses the aggregate compensation received from CREF and
the amount of the lump-sum deferred compensation benefit accrued as part of
CREF's expenses for each non-officer Trustee for the year ended December 31,
1997. No non-officer Trustee receives compensation from any entity that could be
deemed part of a fund complex with CREF.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGGREGATE LUMP SUM DEFERRED
COMPENSATION FROM COMPENSATION BENEFIT ACCRUED TOTAL COMPENSATION
NAME CREF AS PART OF CREF EXPENSES (1) FROM FUND COMPLEX
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Robert H. Atwell $ 42,952 $16,088 $ 43,000
Elizabeth E. Bailey $ 46,952 $10,004 $ 47,000
Gary P. Brinson $ 23,975 $ 3,029 $ 24,000
Joyce A. Fecske $ 30,966 $ 2,844 $ 31,000
Edes P. Gilbert $ 33,962 $12,937 $ 34,000
Stuart Tse Kong Ho $ 28,966 $ 9,493 $ 29,000
Nancy L. Jacob $ 29,964 $ 9,748 $ 30,000
Marjorie Fine Knowles $ 35,961 $10,977 $ 36,000 (2)
Jay O. Light $ 28,964 $ 7,451 $ 29,000
Bevis Longstreth $ 29,970 $ 5,215 $ 30,000
Robert M. Lovell, Jr. $ 32,960 $22,842 $ 33,000 (2)
Stephen A. Ross $ 27,970 $ 8,248 $ 28,000 (2)
Eugene C. Sit $ 35,957 $ 6,919 $ 36,000
Maceo K. Sloan $ 40,951 $ 3,012 $ 41,000
Harry K. Spindler $126,959 $17,264 $127,000 (3) (4)
David K. Storrs $ 37,953 $ 3,194 $ 38,000
Robert W. Vishny $ 30,960 $ 762 $ 31,000
</TABLE>
(1) Assumes service through age 70.
(2) This compensation was not actually paid based on prior election of
trustee to defer receipt of payment in accordance with the provisions
of a CREF deferred compensation plan for non-officer trustees. This
plan was terminated as to future participation effective August 1986.
In addition, $696,242, $585,362 and $610,019 has been deferred for
prior years' service, including interest, through year-end 1996 for Ms.
Knowles, Mr. Lovell and Mr. Ross, respectively.
(3) Includes $90,000 deferred compensation benefit paid to Mr. Spindler in
accordance with plan provisions.
(4) Mr. Spindler discontinued his deferred compensation agreement as of
December 31, 1993. A total of $455,291 has been deferred for his prior
years' service. (This amount includes interest.)
B-37
<PAGE>
The following table shows the estimated lump-sum deferred compensation benefit
payable to each non-officer Trustee when he or she leaves the Board and the
years of service used in estimating that benefit.
ESTIMATED LUMP-SUM
DEFERRED YEARS OF
NAME COMPENSATION BENEFIT SERVICE(1)
Robert H. Atwell $105,000 14
Elizabeth E. Bailey $150,000 20
Gary P. Brinson $135,000 18
Joyce A. Fecske $150,000 20
Edes P. Gilbert $ 97,500 13
Stuart Tse Kong Ho $112,500 15
Nancy L. Jacob $150,000 20
Marjorie Fine Knowles $150,000 20
Jay O. Light $150,000 20
Bevis Longstreth $ 60,000 8
Robert M. Lovell, Jr. $150,000 20
Stephen A. Ross $150,000 20
Eugene C. Sit $127,500 17
Maceo K. Sloan $150,000 20
Harry K. Spindler $ 90,000 (2) 12
David K. Storrs $150,000 20
Robert W. Vishny $150,000 20
(1) Assumes Trustee leaves the Board at age 70.
(2) Deferred compensation benefit paid in accordance with plan provisions.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND RELATED SERVICES
Investment advisory services and related services for the Accounts are provided
on an at-cost basis by personnel of TIAA- CREF Investment Management LLC
("Investment Management"). Investment Management is a nonprofit subsidiary of
TIAA, CREF's companion organization, and is registered as an investment adviser
under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Investment Management manages the
investment and reinvestment of the assets of each Account, subject to the
direction and control of the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees and in
accordance with the responsibilities of the Board as a whole. The advisory
personnel of Investment Management perform all research, make recommendations,
and place orders for the purchase and sale of securities. Investment Management
also provides for all portfolio accounting, custodial and related services for
the assets of each Account.
As described in the Prospectus, a daily deduction from the net assets of each
Account is made at an annual rate of . % for the Stock Account, . % for the
Global Equities Account, . % for the Growth Account, . % for the Equity Index
Account, . % for the Bond Market Account, . % for the Inflation-Linked Bond
Account, . % for the Social Choice Account, and . % for the Money Market
Account, for expenses related to the management of the assets of the Accounts.
The total dollar amounts of expenses for the Stock Account attributable to these
services during 1997, 1996, and 1995 were $ , $ , and $ , respectively. During
1997, 1996 and 1995, the total dollar amounts of expenses for the Global
Equities Account were $ , $ and $ , respectively. During
B-38
<PAGE>
1997, 1996, and 1995, the total dollar amounts of expenses for the Growth
Account were $ , $ , and $ , respectively. During 1997, 1996 and 1995, the total
dollar amounts of expenses for the Equity Index Account were $ , $ , and $ ,
respectively. During 1997, 1996 and 1995, the total dollar amounts of expenses
for the Bond Market Account were $ , $ , and $ , respectively. During 1997 (May
1 to December 31), the total dollar amount of expenses for the Inflation-Linked
Bond Account was $ . During 1997, 1996 and 1995, the total dollar amounts of
expenses for the Social Choice Account were $ , $ and $ , respectively. The
total dollar amounts of expenses for the Money Market Account attributable to
these services during 1997, 1996, and 1995 were $ , $ and $ , respectively.
CUSTODY OF PORTFOLIO
The custodians for the assets of the Accounts are as follows:
STOCK, GLOBAL EQUITIES, GROWTH, AND EQUITY INDEX ACCOUNTS. Bankers Trust
Company, 16 Wall Street, New York, New York 10015, acts as the custodian for all
of these accounts' domestic assets. It also acts as custodian for certain
Japanese securities through subcustodial arrangements. The Chase Manhattan Bank,
4 Chase MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, New York 11245 is responsible for the
custody of all foreign securities and other foreign assets, other than those
held by Bankers Trust. These securities are held in foreign branches of The
Chase Manhattan Bank or in the sub- custody of either foreign banks or trust
companies that are members of The Chase Manhattan Bank's global custody network
or foreign depositories used by such members.
In addition, certain of CREF's assets are held by Canada Trust Company, 320 Bay
at Adelaide, Toronto, Ontario M5H 2P6, Canada, pursuant to an indenture
agreement with CREF.
BOND MARKET ACCOUNT. Bank of New York, One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286
acts as the custodian for all assets of the Bond Market Account.
INFLATION-LINKED BOND ACCOUNT. Bank of New York, One Wall Street, New York, New
York 10286 acts as the custodian for all assets of the Inflation-Linked Bond
Account.
SOCIAL CHOICE ACCOUNT. Bank of New York, One Wall Street, New York, New York
10286 acts as the custodian for the bonds and money market instruments held by
the Social Choice Account. Bankers Trust Company, 16 Wall Street, New York, New
York 10015, acts as the custodian for the equities held by the Social Choice
Account.
B-39
<PAGE>
MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT. Bank of New York, One Wall Street, New York, New York
10286 acts as the custodian for all assets of the Money Market Account.
AUDITORS
Ernst & Young LLP, New York, New York, serves as CREF's independent auditors
and, in that regard, provides general auditing services for CREF.
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION
Investment Management is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities
for the Accounts as well as for selecting brokers and, where applicable,
negotiating the amount of the commission rate paid. It is Investment
Management's intention to place brokerage orders with the objective of obtaining
the best price, execution and available data. When purchasing or selling
securities traded on the over-the-counter market, Investment Management
generally will execute the transaction with a broker engaged in making a market
for such securities. When Investment Management deems the purchase or sale of a
security to be in the best interests of more than one Account, it may,
consistent with its fiduciary obligations, aggregate the securities to be sold
or purchased. When Investment Management deems the purchase or sale of a
security to be in the best interests of an account, its personnel also may,
consistent with their fiduciary obligations, decide to buy or sell a security
for that account at the same time as for (i) an account of TIAA Separate Account
VA-1 that they may also be managing on behalf of Teachers Advisors, Inc., an
investment adviser also affiliated with TIAA, or (ii) any other investment
company whose assets Investment Management may be managing. In those events,
allocation of the securities purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred
in the transaction, will be made in an equitable manner.
Domestic brokerage commissions are negotiated, as there are no standard rates.
All brokerage firms provide the service of execution of the order made; some
brokerage firms also provide research and statistical data, and research reports
on particular companies and industries are customarily provided by brokerage
firms to large investors. In negotiating commissions, consideration is given by
Investment Management to the quality of execution provided and to the use and
value of the data. The valuation of such data may be judged with reference to a
particular order or, alternatively, may be judged in terms of its value to the
overall management of the Accounts. Currently, some foreign brokerage
commissions are fixed under the local law and practice. There is, however, an
ongoing trend to adopt a new system of negotiated commissions in many countries.
B-40
<PAGE>
Transactions in fixed-income instruments with dealers generally involve spreads
rather than commissions. That is, the dealer generally functions as a principal,
generating income from the spread between the dealer's purchase and sales
prices, rather than as a broker, charging a proportional or fixed fee.
Investment Management will place orders with brokers providing useful research
and statistical data services if reasonable commissions can be negotiated for
the total services furnished even though lower commissions may be available from
brokers not providing such services. Investment Management follows guidelines
established by CREF for the placing of orders with brokers providing such
services.
In 1997, the aggregate amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Stock, the
Global Equities, and the Growth Accounts to such brokers as a result of such
allocations was $28,485,458, $8,032,515 and $2,315,264, respectively. Research
or services obtained for one Account may be used by Investment Management in
managing the other Accounts. In such circumstances, the expenses incurred will
be allocated in an equitable manner consistent with Investment Management's
fiduciary obligations to the other Accounts.
Research or services obtained for TIAA Separate Account VA-1 or TIAA-CREF Mutual
Funds may be used by personnel of Teachers Advisors, Inc. who also manage the
CREF Accounts for Investment Management. In such circumstances, the expenses
incurred will be allocated in an equitable manner consistent with the fiduciary
obligations of personnel of Teachers Advisors, Inc.
The aggregate amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Stock Account during
1997, 1996, and 1995 was $40.5 million, $40.9 million and $38.0 million,
respectively. The aggregate amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Global
Equities Account in 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $10.5 million, $7.9 million and $5.2
million, respectively. The aggregate amount of brokerage commissions paid by the
Growth Account in 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $2.9 million, $1.4 million and
$770,000, respectively. The aggregate amount of brokerage commissions paid by
the Equity Index Account in 1997, 1996, and 1995 was $179,756, $172,127, and
$145,800, respectively. The aggregate amount of brokerage commissions paid by
the Social Choice Account in 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $25,648, $61,844 and
$50,000, respectively. No brokerage commissions were paid by the Money Market
Account, the Bond Market Account, or the Inflation-Linked Bond Account during
1997, 1996 or 1995.
B-41
<PAGE>
During 1997, the CREF Accounts acquired securities of certain of their regular
brokers or dealers or their parents, where the parent derives more than 15% of
its total income from securities related activities. These entities and the
securities held by the Accounts as of December 31, 1997, are set forth below:
STOCK ACCOUNT
A. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID
Jefferies & Co., Inc.
(Parent--Jefferies Group, Inc.) $ 57,312
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
(Parent--Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.) $214,435,666
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.
(Parent--Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover) $242,626,059
SBC Warburg Inc.
(Parent--Swiss Bank Corp.) $ 39,033,546
UBS Securities Inc.
(Parent--Union Bank of Switzerland) $ 64,797,835
B. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON ENTITIES ACTING AS
PRINCIPAL
B-42
<PAGE>
GLOBAL EQUITIES ACCOUNT
A. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID
ABN Amro Chicago Corp.
(Parent--ABN Amro Holdings NV) $ 3,860,335
CS First Boston Corp.
(Parent--Credit Suisse Group) $ 4,545,566
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
(Parent--Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.) $ 1,334,756
UBS Securities Inc.
(Parent--Union Bank of Switzerland) $ 7,991,313
B. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON ENTITIES ACTING AS
PRINCIPAL
B-43
<PAGE>
GROWTH ACCOUNT
A. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON COMMISSIONS PAID
Jefferies & Co., Inc.
(Parent--Jefferies Group, Inc.) $ 188,312
Lehman Brothers, Inc.
(Parent--Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.) $ 484,500
B. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON ENTITIES ACTING AS
PRINCIPAL
NONE
EQUITY INDEX ACCOUNT
A. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON COMMISSIONS PAID
Bear Stearns & Co., Inc.
(Parent--Bear Stearns & Co., Inc.) $ 1,581,797
Morgan (J.P.) Securities Inc.
(Parent--Morgan (J.P.) & Co., Inc.) $ 4,673,025
B. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON ENTITIES ACTING AS
PRINCIPAL
B-44
<PAGE>
BOND MARKET ACCOUNT
A. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID
NONE
B. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON ENTITIES ACTING AS
PRINCIPAL
NONE
INFLATION-LINKED BOND ACCOUNT
A.
B.
B-45
<PAGE>
SOCIAL CHOICE ACCOUNT
A. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID
NONE
B. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON ENTITIES ACTING AS
PRINCIPAL
MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT
A. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID
NONE
B. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON ENTITIES ACTING AS
PRINCIPAL
NONE
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
TOTAL RETURN INFORMATION FOR THE ACCOUNTS
Total return quotations for the Accounts may be advertised. Total return
quotations will reflect all aspects of an Account's return. Average annual total
returns are determined by finding the average annual compounded rates of return
over the 1, 5, and 10 year periods that reflect the growth (or decline) in value
of a hypothetical $1,000 investment made at the beginning of the 1, 5, or 10
year period through the end of that period, according to
B-46
<PAGE>
the following formula:
P(1+T)n = EV
where: P = hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
T = average annual total return
n = number of years in the period
EV = ending value of the hypothetical investment
at the end of the 1, 5, or 10 year period.
To derive the total return quotations from this formula, the percentage net
change in the value of the $1,000 investment from the beginning of the 1, 5, or
10 year period to the end of such period ("cumulative total return") is
determined. Cumulative total returns simply reflect the change in value of an
investment over a stated period. Since the accumulation unit value is a "total
return" unit value that reflects the investment experience of the Account and
all expense deductions made against the assets of the Account, the ending value,
or EV, of the $1,000 hypothetical investment is determined by applying the
percentage change in the accumulation unit value over the period to the
hypothetical initial payment of $1,000 less the current deductions from premiums
(0%). CREF then solves the equation for T to derive the average annual
compounded rate of return for the Accounts over the span of 1, 5, or 10 years,
and the resulting "total return" quotation is carried out to the nearest
hundredth of one percent.
YIELD INFORMATION FOR THE BOND MARKET AND INFLATION-LINKED BOND
ACCOUNTS
Yield quotations for the Bond Market and Inflation-Linked Bond Accounts may be
made available, including yield quotations based upon the thirty day (or one
month) period ended on the date of calculation, computed by dividing the net
investment income attributable to the accumulation fund for the Account by the
value of a hypothetical accumulation on the last day of the period, according to
the following formula:
YIELD = 2[( a-b +1) 6 -1]
---
cd
where: a = interest and dividends attributable to the accumulation
fund earned during the period
b = expense deductions incurred during the period
c = average daily number of accumulation units outstanding
during the period
d = accumulation unit value on the last day of the period
B-47
<PAGE>
Any yield quoted should not be considered a representation of the yield of the
Bond Market or Inflation-Linked Bond Account in the future.
YIELD INFORMATION FOR THE MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT
Yield quotations for the Money Market Account, including yield quotations based
upon the seven-day period ended on the date of calculation, may also be made
available. These yield quotations are based on a hypothetical pre-existing
account with a balance of one accumulation unit. In arriving at any such yield
quotations, the net change during the period in the value of that hypothetical
account is first determined. Such net change includes net investment income
attributable to portfolio securities but excludes realized gains and losses from
the sale of securities and unrealized appreciation and depreciation (which are
included in the calculation of accumulation and annuity unit values). For this
purpose, net investment income includes accrued interest on portfolio
securities, plus or minus amortized premiums or purchase discount (including
original issue discount), less all accrued expenses. Such net change is then
divided by the value of that hypothetical account at the beginning of the period
to obtain the base period return, and then the base period return is multiplied
by 365/7 to annualize the current yield figure which is carried to at least the
nearest hundredth of one percent.
The effective yield of the Money Market Account for the same seven-day period
may also be disclosed. The effective yield is obtained by adjusting the current
yield to give effect to the compounding nature of the Account's investments, and
is calculated by the use of the following formula:
Effective Yield = (Base Period Return + 1)365/7 -1
The Money Market Account's yield fluctuates, unlike many bank deposits or other
investments which pay a fixed yield for a stated period of time. The
annualization of one period's income is not necessarily indicative of future
actual yields. Actual yields will depend on such variables as portfolio quality,
average portfolio maturity, the type of instruments held in the portfolio,
changes in interest rates on money market instruments, portfolio expenses, and
other factors. In addition, the values
B-48
<PAGE>
of accumulation and annuity units will fluctuate.
INFLATION-ADJUSTED RETURN AND YIELD INFORMATION FOR THE
INFLATION-LINKED BOND ACCOUNT
In addition to making available the "nominal" return and yield information
described above for the Inflation-Linked Bond Account, we may also make
available inflation-adjusted or "real" return and yield information for the
Account. This inflation-adjusted or "real" return and yield information will
help Participants track the performance of the Account vis a vis inflation by
separating out the return or yield for the Account over and above the inflation
rate. For example, if you buy a bond paying a 7% nominal rate and inflation over
the next year is 5%, your "real" rate of return would be 2%. We would calculate
the "real" yield for the Account by using the 30-day yield formula that we use
for the Bond Market Account set forth on page B- and adapting it as follows:
a - b
YIELD real = 2[( REAL +1) 6 -1]
------
cd
where a (real) = the sum of the total nominal cash flows for all bonds,
discounted for inflation over a thirty day period in accordance with the
following formula:
a (real) = a - a (oU.S. CPI - U)
where U.S. CPI - U = percentage change in the U.S. inflation rate over a thirty
day period as measured by the change in the Consumer Price Index For Urban
Consumers during that period.
We would calculate "real" return information for the Account by using the
formula that we currently use to calculate total return for the CREF accounts
set forth on page . In order to calculate real return, however, we would need to
calculate the accumulation unit value in real terms by discounting the nominal
accumulation unit value (AUV) by the change in the U.S. inflation rate during
the applicable period. To do this, we would use the following formula:
B-49
<PAGE>
oAUV (real) = oAUV - oU.S. CPI - U
where U.S. CPI - U = percentage change in the U.S. inflation rate over a thirty
day period as measured by the change in the Consumer Price Index for Urban
Consumers during that period.
Set forth below is total return information for the Accounts, which reflects all
deductions made from the assets in the Accounts, applied to a hypothetical
investment of $1,000 in each of the Accounts:
STOCK ACCOUNT
-------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL
COMPOUND RATES CUMULATIVE RATES
PERIOD OF TOTAL RETURN OF TOTAL RETURN
- ------ --------------- ----------------
1 year
(January 1, 1997 to December 31, 1997) % %
5 years
(January 1, 1993 to December 31, 1997) % %
10 years
(January 1, 1988 to December 31, 1997) % %
GLOBAL EQUITIES ACCOUNT
-----------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL
COMPOUND RATES CUMULATIVE RATES
PERIOD OF TOTAL RETURN OF TOTAL RETURN
- ------ --------------- ----------------
1 year
(from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 1997) % %
5 years
(from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 1997) % %
B-50
<PAGE>
GROWTH ACCOUNT
--------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL
COMPOUND RATES CUMULATIVE RATES
PERIOD OF TOTAL RETURN OF TOTAL RETURN
- ------ --------------- ----------------
1 year
(from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 1997) % %
3 years and 8 months
(from April 29, 1994 date of SEC registration
to December 31, 1997) % %
EQUITY INDEX ACCOUNT
--------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL
COMPOUND RATES CUMULATIVE RATES
PERIOD OF TOTAL RETURN OF TOTAL RETURN
- ------ --------------- ---------------
1 year
(from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 1997) % %
3 years and 8 months % %
(from April 29, 1994 date of SEC registration
to December 31, 1997)
BOND MARKET ACCOUNT
-------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL
COMPOUND RATES CUMULATIVE RATES
PERIOD OF TOTAL RETURN OF TOTAL RETURN
- ------ --------------- ---------------
1 year
(from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 1997) % %
5 years
(from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 1997) % %
7 years and 10 months
(from March 1, 1990 commencement of operations
to December 31, 1997) % %
B-51
<PAGE>
INFLATION-LINKED BOND ACCOUNT
-----------------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL
COMPOUND RATES CUMULATIVE RATES
PERIOD OF TOTAL RETURN OF TOTAL RETURN
- ------ --------------- ----------------
8 months
(from May 1, 1997 date of SEC registration
to December 31, 1997) % %
SOCIAL CHOICE ACCOUNT
---------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL
COMPOUND RATES CUMULATIVE RATES
PERIOD OF TOTAL RETURN OF TOTAL RETURN
- ------ --------------- ----------------
1 year
(from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 1997) % %
5 years (from January 1, 1993
to December 31, 1997) % %
7 years and 10 months
(from March 1, 1990 commencement of operations
to December 31, 1997) % %
MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT
--------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL
COMPOUND RATES CUMULATIVE RATES
PERIOD OF TOTAL RETURN OF TOTAL RETURN
- ------ --------------- ----------------
1 year
(from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 1997) % %
5 years
(from January 1, 1993 to December 31, 1997) % %
9 years and 9 months
(from April 1, 1988 commencement of % %
operations to December 31, 1997
B-52
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS
Performance information for any of the Accounts may be compared, in
advertisements, sales literature, and reports to Participants and employers, to
the performance information reported by other investments and to various indices
and averages. Such comparisons may be made with, but are not limited to (1) the
S&P 500, (2) the Dow Jones Industrial Average ("DJIA"), (3) Lipper Analytical
Services, Inc., Mutual Fund Performance Analysis Reports and the Lipper General
Equity Funds Average, (4) Money Magazine Fund Watch, (5) Business Week's Mutual
Fund Scoreboard, (6) SEI Funds Evaluation Services Equity Fund Report, (7) CDA
Mutual Funds Performance Review and CDA Growth Mutual Fund Performance Index,
(8) Value Line Composite Average (geometric), (9) Wilshire 5000 Equity Index,
(10) Russell 1000, 2000, and 3000 indices, (11) IBC's Money Fund Report
Averages, (12) Salomon Brothers Broad Investment Grade Index, (13) Merrill Lynch
Corporate Government Master Index, (14) Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate
Bond Index, (15) Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index, (16) the Consumer Price
Index, published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (measurement of
inflation), (17) a Composite Index, comprised of the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock
Index (60%) and the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index (40%), which measures
the investment performance of a balanced portfolio of stocks and bonds, (18) the
Morgan Stanley Capital International World Index, (19) the Morgan Stanley EAFE
Index, (20) VARDS, (21) Salomon Brothers Inflation-Linked Securities Index, and
(22) Morningstar, Inc. We may also include the performance of these indices in
advertisements, and discuss their comments about us. The Accounts' expenses may
also be compared with those of other investments.
We may also advertise ratings that CREF receives from various rating services
and organizations, including but not limited to any organization listed above.
We may also advertise ratings received by TIAA. The performance of the Accounts
also may be compared to other indices or averages that measure performance of a
pertinent group of securities. Participants should keep in mind that the
composition of the investments in the reported averages will not be identical to
that of the Accounts and that certain formula calculations (i.e., yield) may
differ from index to index. In addition, there can be no assurance that the
Accounts will continue their performance as compared to such indices.
The Stock Account and the Equity Index Account are not promoted, sponsored,
endorsed or sold by, nor affiliated with Frank Russell Company. Frank Russell
Company is not responsible for and has not reviewed the Stock Account or Equity
Index Account literature
B-53
<PAGE>
or publications and makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as
to their accuracy, completeness, or otherwise. Frank Russell Company reserves
the right, at any time and without notice, to change or terminate the Russell
3000 index. Frank Russell Company has no obligation to take the needs of the
Stock Account or its Participants into consideration in determining the index.
Frank Russell Company's publication of the Russell 3000 index in no way suggests
or implies an opinion by Frank Russell Company as to the attractiveness or
appropriateness of investment in any or all of the securities upon which the
index is based. Frank Russell Company makes no representation, warranty, or
guarantee as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the index or any
data included in the index. Frank Russell Company makes no representation or
warranty regarding the use, or the results of use, of the index or any
securities comprising the index. FRANK RUSSELL MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE INDEX
OR ANY DATA OR SECURITIES INCLUDED THEREIN.
ILLUSTRATING COMPOUNDING, TAX DEFERRAL AND EXPENSE DEDUCTIONS
CREF may illustrate in advertisements, sales literature and reports to
Participants the effects of tax deferral and/or compounding of earnings on an
investment in CREF. We may do this using a hypothetical investment earning a
specified rate of return. To illustrate the effects of compounding, we would
show how the total return from an investment of the same dollar amount, earning
the same or different interest rate, vary depending on when the investment was
made. To illustrate the effects of tax deferral, we will show how the total
return from an investment of the same dollar amount, earning the same or
different interest rates, for individuals in the same tax bracket, would vary
between tax-deferred and taxable investments.
CREF may also illustrate in advertisements, sales literature and reports to
Participants the effect of an investment fund's expenses on total return over
time. We may do this using a hypothetical investment earning a specified rate of
return. We would show how the total return, net of expenses, from an investment
of the same dollar amount in funds with the same investment results but
different expense deductions varies increasingly over time.
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ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUES
For each CREF Account, accumulation unit values are calculated at the end of
each valuation day by multiplying the previous day's values by the unit change
factor for each Account. The unit change factor is calculated as A divided by B,
where A and B are defined as:
A. The value of the Account's net assets at the close of the
current valuation period, less premiums received during the
current period.
B. The value of the Account's net assets at the end of the
previous valuation period, plus the net effect of
transactions made by the start of the current period.
ANNUITY PAYMENTS
The amount of the annuity payments to be paid to a Participant or beneficiary
("annuitant") will depend upon the number and the value of the annuity units
payable. The number of annuity units is first determined on the annuity starting
date. The amount of the annuity payments will change according to the income
change method chosen. Separate annuity units will be maintained in each annuity
fund for payments being made under each of the two income change methods.
Under the annual income change method, the value of an annuity unit for payments
is redetermined on March 31 of each year -- the payment valuation date. Annuity
payments change beginning May 1. The change reflects the net investment
experience of the chosen Account(s) as well as the past and anticipated
mortality experience of those individuals receiving annuity payments from the
Accounts' annually revalued annuity fund. (The net investment and mortality
experience for the twelve months following the annual revaluation of an
Account's annuity unit value will be reflected in the following year's value.)
All Accounts provide annuity payments.
Under the monthly income change method, available subject to regulatory
approval, the value of an annuity unit for payments is redetermined on the 20th
of each month or on the preceding business day if the 20th is not a business
day. Annuity payments change on the following payment due date. This monthly
change reflects the net investment experience of the
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chosen Account(s). The value of the annuity unit is also redetermined at the end
of each calendar quarter to reflect the past and anticipated mortality
experience of those individuals receiving annuity payments from the Accounts'
monthly revalued annuity fund.
Annuitants can be said to bear the mortality risk under the certificate.
The formulas for calculating the number and value of annuity units payable are
set forth below.
CALCULATION OF THE NUMBER OF ANNUITY UNITS PAYABLE
When a Participant or a beneficiary converts the value of all or a portion of
his or her accumulation into an income option or method of payment, the number
of annuity units payable from an Account is determined by dividing the value of
the accumulation in the Account to be applied to provide the annuity payments by
the product of the annuity unit value and an annuity factor. The annuity factor
is the value as of the annuity starting date of an annuity in the amount of
$1.00 per month beginning on the first day such annuity units are payable and
continuing for as long as such annuity units are payable.
When the chosen income option or method of payment involves life contingencies,
the annuity factor will reflect the mortality assumptions for the person(s) on
whose life (lives) the annuity payments will be based. In these instances,
mortality will be assumed according to a unisex version of the current (1983)
mortality table for individual annuitants published by the Society of Actuaries,
at the person's then current age, set back two months for each complete year
that has elapsed since March 31, 1986 (to account for expected gains in
longevity in the future), and with interest assumed at the effective annual rate
of 4%. CREF reserves the right to change the mortality assumptions from time to
time to conform with changes in the mortality experience of CREF annuitants.
When the income option or method of payment does not involve life contingencies,
the annuity factor is calculated with interest assumed at the effective annual
rate of 4%.
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VALUE OF ANNUITY UNITS
The value of an annuity unit is defined in terms of a "basic annuity unit" which
is established each year, as of March 31, for each income change method in each
Account then providing annuity payments.
The value of the basic annuity unit is determined for each income change method
in each Account as A divided by B, where A and B are defined as follows:
A. The Account's annuity fund for the income change method as of
March 31, reduced by the dollar amount of benefits payable
under the income change method on April 1 under pay-out
certificates in the Account as of March 31.
B. The actuarial present value, expressed in units, of all
future payments due on or after the next following May
1 under the income change method under pay-out
certificates in the Account as of March 31. This
liability is calculated on the basis of interest at an
effective annual rate of 4% and a mortality table
designed to approximate the current mortality rates of
CREF annuitants.
For Participants beginning annuity income, the initial value of the annuity unit
is the interim annuity unit value as of the annuity starting date. A separate
interim annuity unit value is calculated daily for each annuity fund in each
Account as of each valuation day. The interim annuity unit value reflects the
actual investment and payment experience of the annuity fund to the current
date, relative to the 4% assumed investment return. The interim annuity unit
value also includes any changes expected to occur in the future because payments
are revalued once a year or once a month, assuming the annuity fund earns the 4%
assumed investment return in the future. At the end of each calendar quarter,
the interim annuity unit value is also adjusted for mortality experience during
the prior quarter.
For Participants under the annual income change method, the value of the annuity
unit will remain the same until the following May 1. For those who have already
begun receiving annuity income as of March 31, the value of the annuity unit for
payments due on and after the next succeeding May 1 is equal to the basic
annuity unit value determined as of such March 31. For Participants under the
monthly income change method, the value
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of the annuity unit is redetermined each month on the payment valuation date for
the payment due on the first of the following month.
When a Participant or beneficiary receiving annuity income transfers annuity
units under a particular income change method from one CREF Account to another,
the number of annuity units added to the CREF Account(s) to which units are
being transferred will be determined by multiplying the number of annuity units
to be transferred by the interim annuity unit value for that income change
method for the Account from which the annuity units are being transferred, and
dividing by the interim annuity unit value for that income change method for the
Account to which the annuity units are being transferred. Subject to regulatory
approval, transfers are available. For transfers on days other than March 31,
under the annual payment income change method, the amount of annuity payments
will not change following a transfer, until the basic annuity unit values are
redetermined on the following March 31. Under the monthly income change method
and for all transfers to the TIAA traditional annuity, your payments will change
with the payment due after the first payment valuation date following the
transfer date. Switches between the monthly and the annual income change methods
will be effective only on March 31.
The value of annuity units transferred from a CREF Account under the annual
income change method to TIAA is equal to A plus B, where A and B are defined as
follows:
A. The present value of the payments due after the first payment
valuation date following the transfer date continuing to the
following April 1, but not longer than such annuity units are
payable.
B. The present value of one interim annuity unit under the annual
income change method multiplied by the number of annuity
units, payable beginning on the following May 1 (or the May 1
of the following calendar year if the transfer is effective in
April) continuing for as long as such annuity units are
payable.
The value of annuity units transferred from a CREF Account under the monthly
income change method to TIAA will be equal to the number of annuity units
multiplied by the present value of one interim annuity unit under the monthly
income change method payable beginning with the payment due after the first
payment valuation date following the transfer date continuing for as long
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as such annuity units are payable.
The present values will be calculated assuming interest at an effective annual
rate of 4%, and the same mortality assumptions then in use for Participants or
beneficiaries converting an accumulation to an income option or method of
payment at the age(s) as of the transfer date of the person(s) on whose life
(lives) the annuity payments are based.
MODIFICATION
CREF reserves the right, subject to approval by the Board of Trustees, to modify
the manner in which the number and/or value of annuity units is calculated in
the future. Any such modification, however, must be approved by the New York
State Superintendent of Insurance.
INFORMATION ON CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF ANNUITY UNITS
Information with respect to the percentage changes in the value of a basic
annuity unit over stated periods for each Account providing annuity payments may
be provided. This information provides the average annual percentage changes and
cumulative percentage changes in the basic annuity unit value of an Account over
1, 5 and 10 year periods commencing on May 1. For Participants who have already
begun receiving annuity income as of the March 31 immediately preceding the
start of each period, this reflects the growth (or decline) in the value of the
basic annuity unit from May 1 as of the start of the stated period to May 1 as
of the end of the stated period. The average annual percentage change in the
basic annuity unit value is determined according to the following formula:
A(1+K)n =B
where: A = basic annuity unit value determined as of
March 31 for payments due during
the twelve month period commencing on
May 1 at the start of the period
K = average annual percentage change
n = number of years in the period
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B = basic annuity unit value determined as of
March 31 for payments due
during the twelve month period
commencing on May 1 at the end of the period.
The equation is then solved for K to derive the average annual percentage change
in the basic annuity unit value over the span of 1, 5 or 10 years. The
cumulative percentage change simply reflects the percentage change in the basic
annuity unit value, B divided by A minus 1, over such period.
Information on changes in the value of a basic annuity unit is set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AVERAGE ANNUAL CHANGES IN BASIC ANNUITY UNIT VALUE
--------------------------------------------------
====================================================================================================================================
STOCK GLOBAL GROWTH EQUITY BOND INFLATION- SOCIAL MONEY
EQUITIES INDEX MARKET LINKED BOND CHOICE MARKET
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended May 1, 1998 % % % % % % % %
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Years ended May 1, 1998 % % %
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 Years ended May 1, 1998 %
====================================================================================================================================
CUMULATIVE CHANGE IN BASIC ANNUITY UNIT VALUE
---------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
===================================================================================================================================
STOCK GLOBAL GROWTH EQUITY BOND INFLATION- SOCIAL MONEY
EQUITIES INDEX MARKET LINKED BOND CHOICE MARKET
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Ended May 1, 1998 % % % % % % % %
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Years ended May 1, 1998 % % %
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 Years ended May 1, 1998 %
===================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
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The average annual and cumulative changes in the basic annuity unit value of the
Global Equities Account since inception in 1992 were % and %, respectively. The
average annual and cumulative changes in the basic annuity unit value for the
Growth and Equity Index Accounts since inception in 1994 were % and %, and % and
%, respectively. The average annual and cumulative changes in the basic annuity
unit value of the Bond Market Account since it became a pay-out option on April
1, 1996 were % and %, respectively. [The average annual and cumulative changes
in the basic annuity unit value of the Inflation-Linked Bond Account since were
% and %, respectively.] The average annual and cumulative changes in the basic
annuity unit value of the Social Choice Account since inception in 1991 were %
and %, respectively. The average annual and cumulative changes in the basic
annuity unit value of the Money Market Account since inception in 1988 were %
and %, respectively.
It is assumed in calculating the annuity unit values that the assets in the
annuity funds will increase at a 4% rate of return. Therefore, the above figures
reflect the difference between CREF's net earnings rate and the assumed 4% rate.
The above figures also reflect all deductions made from the assets of the
relevant Account, as well as the annuity fund's mortality experience. CREF's
past experience should not be considered a prediction of future changes in
annuity unit values. The basic annuity unit value for each annuity fund in each
Account is determined as of March 31 of each year, and changes every year on May
1. For current annuity unit values, please contact CREF.
DEATH BENEFITS
We pay death benefits in the accumulation period using the following methods.
Under the unit deposit method of payment, we'll pay a lump-sum to your
beneficiary at the end of a 2 - 5- year period during which the accumulation
units participate in the experience of the relevant CREF accounts. For this
method to be chosen the value of your death benefit must be at least $5,000,
unless your CREF certificate specifies a lower minimum. Special rules apply if
your spouse is the beneficiary.
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The minimum distribution annuity method is similar to the minimum distribution
annuity income option. The minimum distribution annuity method of payment is
available only to beneficiaries who must receive income under the IRC's minimum
distribution requirements.
Normally, if a beneficiary doesn't start receiving death benefits within a year
of your death, we have the option to use the fixed-period annuity method of
payment with a fixed period of five years.
PERIODIC REPORTS
Prior to the time an entire accumulation has been applied to provide annuity
payments, a Participant will be sent a statement each quarter which sets forth
the following:
(1) Premiums paid during the quarter; (2) the number and dollar value of
accumulation units credited to the Participant during the quarter and in total
in each Account; (3) cash withdrawals from each Account during the quarter; (4)
any repurchase or transfer to a funding vehicle other than TIAA or CREF during
the quarter, if an amount remains in the Participant's accumulation after those
transactions; (5) any transfers between Accounts or between CREF and TIAA during
the quarter; and (6) the amount from each Account applied to begin annuity
payments during the quarter.
CREF also will transmit to Participants, at least semi-annually, reports showing
the financial condition of CREF, and a schedule of investments held in each
Account in which they have accumulations.
VOTING RIGHTS
How many votes a Participant can cast on matters that require a vote of
Participants will be determined separately for each CREF Account. On the record
date, you'll have one vote per dollar of your assets in each Account's
accumulation fund, and/or one vote per dollar of the assets underlying your
annuity in each Account's annuity fund.
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Issues that affect all the CREF Accounts in substantially the same way will be
voted on by all Participants, without regard to the individual CREF Accounts.
Issues that don't affect an Account won't be voted on by the Account. Issues
that affect all Accounts, but in which their interests aren't substantially the
same, will be voted on separately by each Account.
When we use the phrase "majority of outstanding voting securities" in the
Prospectus and in this Statement of Additional Information, we mean the lesser
of (a) 67 percent of the voting securities present, as long as the holders of at
least half the voting securities are present or represented by proxy; or (b) 50
percent of the outstanding voting securities. Depending on what's being decided,
the percentages may apply to CREF as a whole or to any Account(s). If a majority
of outstanding voting securities isn't required to decide a question, we'll
generally require a quorum of 10 percent of those securities, with a simple
majority required to decide the issue. If laws, regulations, or legal
interpretations make it unnecessary to submit any issue to a vote, or otherwise
restrict Participant voting rights, we reserve the right to act as permitted.
GENERAL MATTERS
NO ASSIGNMENT OF CERTIFICATES
No assignment, pledge, or transfer of a certificate, or of any of the rights or
benefits conferred thereunder, may be made and any such action will be void and
of no effect, except that spousal transfers on separation or divorce, and the
transfer of rights and benefits under an RA certificate to a Participant by an
employer under a delayed vesting arrangement, may be permitted.
PAYMENT TO AN ESTATE, GUARDIAN, TRUSTEE, ETC.
CREF reserves the right to pay in one sum the commuted value of any benefits due
an estate, corporation, partnership, trustee or other entity not a natural
person. CREF will not be responsible for the conduct of any executor, trustee,
guardian, or other third party to whom payment is made.
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CLAIMS OF CREDITORS
Pursuant to CREF's Charter, as enacted by the New York State Legislature, the
rights and benefits accruing to Participants or other persons under the
certificates generally are exempt from the claims of creditors, subject to any
contrary requirements of law.
BENEFITS BASED ON INCORRECT INFORMATION
If the amounts of benefits provided under a certificate were based on
information that is incorrect, benefits will be recalculated on the basis of the
correct data. If any overpayments or underpayments have been made by CREF,
appropriate adjustments will be made.
PROOF OF SURVIVAL
CREF reserves the right to require satisfactory proof that anyone named to
receive benefits under a certificate is living on the date payment is due. If
this proof is not received after a request in writing, CREF will have the right
to make reduced payments or to withhold payments entirely until such proof is
received. CREF maintains audit procedures designed to assure that annuity
benefits will be paid to living persons entitled to receive those benefits. If,
however, under a survivor annuity option (see page of the Prospectus) CREF has
overpaid benefits because of a death of which it was not notified, subsequent
payments will be reduced or withheld until the overpayment has been recovered.
CREF reserves the right to pursue any other remedies available to it.
STATE REGULATION
CREF is subject to regulation by the New York State Superintendent of Insurance
("Superintendent") as well as by the insurance regulatory authorities of certain
other states and jurisdictions.
CREF must file with the Superintendent both quarterly and annual statements on
forms promulgated by the New York State Insurance Department. CREF's books and
assets are subject to review and examination by the Superintendent and the
Superintendent's agents at all times, and a full examination into the affairs of
CREF is
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made at least every five years. In addition, a full examination of
CREF's operations is usually conducted periodically by some other states.
CREF is also subject to the requirements of the New York State Not-For-Profit
Corporation Law.
LEGAL MATTERS
All matters of applicable state law pertaining to the certificates, including
CREF's right to issue the certificates thereunder, have been passed upon by
Charles H. Stamm, Executive Vice President and General Counsel. Legal matters
relating to the federal securities laws have been passed upon by Sutherland,
Asbill & Brennan, L.L.P., Washington, D.C.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of CREF incorporated in this Statement of Additional
Information by reference have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent
auditors, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by
reference, and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such
firm, given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
CONSIDERATIONS CONCERNING CREF'S NEW ACCOUNTS
AND OPTIONS
CONSIDERATIONS FOR EMPLOYERS
Over the past several years CREF has added many new Accounts and options that
employers should consider adding to their plans. In doing so, employers should
keep in mind that the overwhelming majority of Participants and employers view
TIAA-CREF very favorably. Ninety-six percent of the Participants who responded
to a survey conducted in 1995 by an independent organization expressed overall
satisfaction with TIAA-CREF and said that they would recommend TIAA-CREF to a
colleague. Ninety-four percent of these Participants said that given the choice
between TIAA-CREF and other companies, they would choose TIAA-CREF again (63%
would definitely choose TIAA-CREF and 31% would probably do so.) Employer
satisfaction is evidenced by the fact that, based on the best available data, a
majority of the employers with TIAA-CREF
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retirement plans had not found it necessary to add other funding vehicles to
their plans as of January 1, 1997.
The new demands placed on administrators by CREF's new options make the support
and services received by administrators from the company funding their plans
essential. Along with the new options, CREF offers employers the pension
expertise and high level of services they have come to rely on, and to find new
ways to help plan administrators do their jobs in an increasingly complex
environment. Services currently provided by TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional
Services, Inc. include: (1) counseling on retirement plans and planning
including recommendations regarding allocation of assets (for administrators,
Participants and retirees) by professional counselors rather than by
commissioned salespeople; (2) services for Participants such as annual Annuity
Benefit Reports, quarterly transaction reports, newsletters and other
publications about retirement planning, pre-retirement seminars, individual
counseling, a Participant Information Center, and 24-hour toll-free numbers for
Participant transactions and inquiries; and (3) services for plan administrators
such as assistance in plan design and operation, branch offices throughout the
country, publications, staff meetings, videos, tax-deferred annuity software to
help administrators calculate the maximum amount of salary a Participant may
tax-defer, and non-discrimination software to help administrators evaluate their
plans.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS
Variety of Investment Accounts. The growing family of CREF Accounts is designed
to provide additional investment options for Participants who want to diversify
their accumulations. Most experts recommend diversification as a good strategy
for retirement investing, both because a diversified portfolio offers a degree
of safety from the volatility of specific markets, and because it allows the
investor to benefit from the potential for growth in several different types of
investments. Since the Bond Market, Inflation-Linked Bond, and Social Choice
Accounts invest at least some of their portfolios in fixed-income securities,
Participants should be aware that statistics compiled by Ibbotson Associates,
Inc. confirm that historically bonds have experienced less volatility than
common stocks and greater returns than money market instruments. However, these
relationships may differ, based on market conditions or other factors, over the
short-term or even over the long-term. Fluctuations in interest rates can have a
significant effect on the Bond Market and Inflation-Linked Bond Accounts'
performance. Furthermore, although past performance is no guarantee of future
results, stocks have outperformed bonds over the long-term. Many experts
recommend
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taking a long-term view with retirement investments.
The Stock Account may be appropriate for people who have a longer time until
retirement and think that stocks will perform well over time. The Stock Account
can also be a good choice for anyone who wants to complement other holdings in
guaranteed products. Many Participants choose only the Stock Account for their
equity investments. The Account is the largest singly managed stock account in
the world based on assets under management.
The Global Equities Account may be appropriate for Participants who are
interested in the opportunities offered by overseas markets and the potential
growth of foreign economies. We recommend that those who already have
substantial allocations to the Stock Account consider putting some of their
accumulations in the Global Equities Account to diversify and enhance growth
potential. Over the long-term, the international component of the Stock Account
has added additional diversification, helped reduce volatility and helped the
Account generate high long-term returns. (Past performance is no guarantee of
future results.)
Studies by Morgan Stanley Capital International show that during recent years,
many of the top performing equity markets were overseas. During the period from
1984 to 1995, the non-U.S. share of the world's total equity market
capitalization has risen significantly. Many people feel that a great deal of
the world's economic expansion over the next several decades will be
overseas-particularly as less developed nations come into their own. The Global
Equities Account will be especially attractive to those who agree, and who plan
to hold investments in the Account for long periods.
Foreign capital markets have grown rapidly in the past two decades, with Japan,
Germany and others increasing their share of the world's equity investments.
Emerging markets can also provide important investment opportunities. However,
many overseas markets have only recently begun to attract international
investment, so less is known about their long-term patterns than about domestic
markets.
Like the other Accounts, the Global Equities Account offers the advantages of
diversification. In particular, since domestic and foreign markets sometimes
move in different cycles, overseas investments can help offset declines in
American markets, and vice versa. In addition, because the Global Equities
Account's investments are spread throughout the world, the Account is less
dependent on the economic situation in any single country than
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the Stock Account is.
The Global Equities Account may interest investors who are willing to assume
more risk to seek faster growth, since generally the Account will have a larger
percentage of its portfolio actively managed than the Stock Account does. Some
may believe that the Global Equities Account can help them keep pace with or
exceed inflation. Although the Account may invest in bonds and money market
instruments, we expect that the percentage of debt securities generally will be
low.
The Global Equities Account is managed by the same people that manage the Stock
Account--TIAA-CREF Investment Management, LLC. They have acquired expertise in
international investment through careful research and cultivating local
contacts. The Account's investment staff are experts in analyzing economic
trends and evaluating corporate performance. They are fully conversant with the
policies and practices of many nations, including their investor demographics
and risk tolerance. There are extra costs to doing business overseas, which are
reflected in the Global Equities Account's expense charges.
The Growth Account might be appropriate for people who believe that there are
significant value or growth opportunities in the stock market over the long-term
if one is willing to take some additional risk. People who have a longer time
until retirement, or want to balance a portfolio of more conservative
investments, should consider this Account.
The Equity Index Account might be attractive to Participants who believe that
the U.S. stock market overall will perform as well as or better over time than
active selection of stocks or a combination of U.S. and foreign stocks (like the
Stock or Global Equities Account) with less variability and risk.
The Bond Market Account may be appropriate for Participants who want to
diversify their retirement savings beyond stock and money market instruments,
and for those who think that bonds and other fixed-income securities are a good
investment for the accumulation of retirement savings. It is expected that the
Bond Market Account's total return will be relatively stable when interest rates
are stable and will experience variability when interest rates rise or fall.
The Inflation-Linked Bond Account may be appropriate for Participants who want
their retirement investments to keep pace with inflation and are less concerned
with earning a high real
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rate of return over and above the rate of inflation. Anyone who wants to invest
conservatively and preserve his or her capital, perhaps because he or she is
close to retirement age or in the pay-out phase of retirement investing, should
consider this Account. During the accumulation phase, the Account can serve as a
useful tool for diversifying assets, since the performance of the Account's
underlying investments most likely will not directly correlate with movements in
stocks and will not highly correlate with movements in conventional bonds.
Inflation-linked bonds may also be an appropriate complement to a portfolio
consisting of both stocks and conventional bonds in certain economic conditions
such as when movements in stocks and conventional bonds are correlated. Since
individual inflation- linked bonds pay a predictable interest rate over the
Consumer Price Index, moreover, they may also track inflation more directly year
by year than investments in real estate.
The Account may also serve as an effective annuity pay-out vehicle, by helping
annuitants preserve the spending power of their income under a variety of
economic conditions. Ideally, this Account should be viewed as another
relatively stable component in a diversified retirement portfolio that includes
both stock and other investments that can help combat the effects of inflation
and provide growth in assets. It should be noted, however, that the price of
inflation-indexed bonds are influenced by competition from other investment
opportunities available at any given time and that inflation-linked bonds would
have underperformed stocks by a wide margin over the last twenty years.
The threat of inflation is of particular concern to retirees who may have
limited sources of income, leaving them particularly vulnerable if the cost of
living rises sharply. For example, a person retiring at the end of 1978 would
have experienced an almost 40% decline in the dollar's purchasing power over the
next three years (based on changes in the Consumer Price Index). Although we
haven't experienced periods of high inflation recently, we could again. And even
low to moderate inflation over long periods will affect the value of one's
accumulation or pay-out amounts.
U.S. Treasury Inflation-Indexed Securities (TIIS) were modeled after
inflation-indexed securities issued by the Canadian Government in 1991. TIIS are
generally more immediately responsive to inflation than most foreign
inflation-linked bonds since typically the indexation lag period is longer
(e.g., eight months) for foreign bonds than it is for TIIS (e.g., three months).
Inflation-indexed bonds have been available in the United Kingdom
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(Indexed Gilts) since 1981 and in Canada (Real-Return Bonds) since 1991. They
are also available in other countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil,
Israel, Mexico, and Sweden. These bonds, which are varied in structure, are
designed to track the inflation rate in the issuing country. Since that
inflation rate may be higher or lower than the U.S. rate and may affect the
value of the country's foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar, we will
invest in these foreign issues only when we believe they provide the potential
for additional returns without diluting the account's overall inflation
protection feature.
The principal amount of a TIIS bond is periodically adjusted for inflation using
the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) and interest is paid
twice a year. To use a simplified example, if an investor purchased a $1,000
TIIS bond with a fixed annual interest of 3% (payable 1.5% semi-annually), and
inflation over the first six months of the bond were 1%, the bond's principal at
mid-year would be adjusted to $1,010 and the first semi-annual interest payment
would be $15.15 ($1,010 x 1.5%). If inflation during the second half of the year
reached 3%, the principal at the end of the year would be $1,030 and the second
semi-annual interest payment would be $15.45 ($1,030 x 1.5%). The method we use
to determine the inflation-adjusted principal is somewhat more complex than the
example illustrates.
Participants who want to invest in an Account with socially conscious investment
criteria could consider the Social Choice Account. This Account could also be
suitable for people who want an Account that is balanced among stocks, bonds and
money market investments, and which might be less volatile than a bond or stock
account alone.
The Money Market Account may be appropriate for Participants who want to keep up
with inflation but are not looking for a high real rate of return (i.e., returns
greater than inflation). The Money Market Account may also help diversify stock
and bond portfolios. Anyone who is averse to market risk, perhaps because he or
she is close to retirement age, should consider this Account.
Classic IRAs
Since 1976, IRAs have helped millions of people save for retirement on a
tax-deferred basis. They are best for people who are eligible to make
tax-deductible contributions, and those who feel they will be in a lower tax
bracket during retirement. Tax- deductible IRA contributions are limited to
those who do not
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participate in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, unless their incomes fall
below certain levels. However, a spouse may be eligible even if a participant is
not. Anyone can make after-tax contributions of up to $2,000 per year regardless
of income or retirement plan participation.
The Classic IRA enables you to rollover funds from almost any kind of retirement
plan and consolidate your long term savings with TIAA-CREF, without having to
pay taxes on the move. Once you've consolidated your funds with TIAA-CREF, we
can help you set up a coordinated program for your retirement resources.
You can also withdraw funds from a Classic IRA tax and penalty free in certain
instances such as for certain expenses relating to the purchase of a first home
or to pay certain higher education expenses such as college tuition.
Roth IRAs
Introduced in 1998, Roth IRAs allow eligible taxpayers to make nondeductible
after-tax contributions of up to $2,000 per year. After contributions have been
in Roth IRAs for 5 years, investment earnings can be withdrawn tax-free at age
59 1/2 or older (and in other circumstances if the Roth IRA has been opened for
five or more years). By contrast, taxes are due on investment earnings when you
withdraw money from a Classic IRA, and earnings must be taken out first. Another
advantage of Roth IRAs is that there are no minimum distribution requirements
upon attaining age 70 1/2 and you can continue to make contributions after that
age.
To roll money over from a Classic IRA or other tax-deferred retirement savings
vehicle to a Roth IRA, you must first pay taxes on earnings and on
tax-deductible contributions. Such a move may be beneficial to investors seeking
tax-free investment earnings and/or freedom from minimum distribution
requirements, but the decision hinges on your tax situation, investment
orientation and other factors. We can provide information to help you decide
whether this is the best course of action, and in general, to help you select
the investment and savings products best suited to your goals.
The deadline for making contributions to a Roth IRA for 1998 is December 31,
1998; with Classic IRAs, you have until April 15, 1999 to make 1998
contributions. You can also rollover money to the CREF Classic IRA and decide
whether you want to contribute to a Roth IRA at a later date.
You are only eligible to rollover amounts from a Classic IRA to a Roth IRA if,
for the year of the rollover, your adjusted gross income is $100,000 or less.
The same limit applies to married and single taxpayers, and the limit is not
indexed to cost-of-living adjustments. Other restrictions may apply as well.
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Roth IRAs offer tax-free early withdrawals for the purchase of a first home if
funds have been invested for at least five years.
In its advertisements CREF may use charts to illustrate possible allocations of
investments among the CREF Accounts for Participants in different financial
situations. We may also use certain testimonials and list participating
institutions.
EMPLOYER PLANS. Participants should take into account the particular terms of
the retirement plan at their employing institution. Our advertisements and other
sales materials may provide information about these plans.
INDEPENDENT SURVEYS. Customer service may be an important consideration for
Participants. In its advertisements CREF may report the results of surveys
conducted by independent agencies regarding customer service.
MARKET TIMING. Participants should be aware of the risk which arises whenever
Participants engage in market timing. Market timing is an investment technique
whereby amounts are transferred from one category of investment to another based
upon a perception of how each of those categories of investments will perform
relative to the others at a particular time. Participants who engage in market
timing either between CREF Accounts or between an Account and another company
run the risk that they may transfer out of a type of investment with a rising
market value or transfer into a type of investment with a falling market value.
CREF does not endorse the practice of market timing in general or any particular
provider of such services.
TAXES AND ECONOMIC TRENDS. Participants should consider the effects of changes
in federal income tax rates on their investment decisions. Investments with
tax-deferred earnings, or that accept pre-tax contributions, might be more
attractive when tax rates rise. Overall economic trends can also affect an
investment decision; for example, when interest rates are low, Participants may
prefer investments in equities that offer greater growth potential.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A Registration Statement has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, under the 1933 Act, with respect to the certificates discussed in
the Prospectus and in this Statement of Additional Information. Not all of the
information set forth in the Registration Statement, amendments and exhibits
thereto has
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been included in the Prospectus or this Statement of Additional Information.
Statements contained herein concerning the contents of the certificates and
other legal instruments are intended to be summaries. For a complete statement
of the terms of these documents, reference should be made to the instruments
filed with the Commission.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The audited financial statements for all of the CREF accounts are incorporated
by reference from the Annual Report to Participants. CREF will furnish you,
without charge, another copy of the report on request. Write to College
Retirement Equities Fund, 730 Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017, Attention:
Central Services, or call 1 800 842-2733, extension 5509.
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PART C - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(a) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following Financial Statements for the Stock Account of
the College Retirement Equities Fund ("CREF") are incorporated into Part B of
this Registration Statement by reference from pages 2 through 49 of the Annual
Report to Participants in the Stock Account dated December 31, 1997, as filed
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 30b2-1 under the Investment Company Act of
1940 on February , 1998 (Accession No. ):
Page
Report of Management Reponsibility.......................................
Report of Independent Auditors...........................................
Audited Financial Statements:
Statement of Assets and Liabilities.............................
Statement of Operations.........................................
Statement of Changes in Net Assets..............................
Notes to Financial Statements...................................
Statement of Investments........................................
The following Financial Statements for the Money Market, Bond
Market, Inflation-Linked Bond, Social Choice, Global Equities, Growth, and
Equity Index Accounts of CREF are incorporated into Part B of this Registration
Statement by reference from pages 2 through 64 of the Annual Report to
Participants in the Money Market, Bond Market, Inflation-Linked Bond, Social
Choice, Global Equities, Growth, and Equity Index Accounts dated December 31,
1997, as filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 30b2-1 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 on February , 1998 (Accession No. ):
Page
Report of Management Responsibility.......................................
Report of Independent Auditors............................................
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Audited Financial Statements:
Statements of Assets and Liabilities..............................
Statements of Operations..........................................
Statements of Changes in Net Assets...............................
Notes to Financial Statements.....................................
Statements of Investments--
Money Market Account.....................................
Bond Market Account......................................
Inflation-Linked Bond Account............................
Social Choice Account....................................
Global Equities Account..................................
Growth Account...........................................
Equity Index Account.....................................
(b) EXHIBITS
(1) Not Applicable
(2) (a) Charter of CREF (as amended) 7
(b) Constitution of CREF (as amended) *
(c) Bylaws of CREF (as amended) 8
(3) (a) Custodial Services Agreement with
The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. 2
(b) Custodian Services Agreement with
Bankers Trust Company (as amended) 7
(c) Indenture Agreement Between CREF and
Canada Permanent Trust Company 2
(d) Custodial Services Agreement
Between CREF and Morgan Guaranty Trust
Company (as assigned to Bank of New
York) 2
(e) Custodial Services Agreement
Between CREF and Morgan Guaranty Trust
Company (as assigned to Bank of New
York) (Bond Market Account) 1
(f) Custodial Services Agreement
Between CREF and Morgan Guaranty Trust
Company (as assigned to Bank of New
York) (Social Choice Account) 7
(g) Custodial Services Agreement Between
CREF and Bank of New York (Inflation-
Linked Bond Account) 8
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(4) Not applicable
(5) Principal Underwriting and Administrative
Services Agreement Between CREF and TIAA-CREF
Individual & Institutional Services, Inc. (as
amended) *
(6) (a) Retirement Unit-Annuity Certificate 1
(b) Supplemental Retirement Unit-Annuity
Certificate 1
(c) (i) Group Supplemental Retirement Unit-
Annuity Contract 6
(ii) Group Supplemental Retirement Unit-
Annuity Certificate 6
(d) (i) Group Retirement Annuity Contract
(including Specimen of Group
Retirement Unit-Annuity Certificate
and Agreement with Trustee) 4
(ii) Form of Election Agreement between
CREF and Employer (for Group
Retirement Annuity Contract) 4
(iii) Group Retirement Unit-Annuity
Contract (for use in Oregon) 6
(iv) Group Retirement Unit-Annuity
Certificate (for use in Oregon) 6
(e) Rollover Individual Retirement Unit-
Annuity Certificate 5
(f) The Following Certificates
representing
CREF Income Options:
(i) Life Unit-Annuity 1
(ii) Life Unit-Annuity with Minimum
Guaranteed Period 1
(iii) Last Survivor Life Unit-Annuity 1
(iv) Joint and Survivor Life Unit-
Annuity 1
(v) Last Survivor Life Unit-Annuity
with Minimum Guaranteed Period 1
(vi) Joint and Survivor Life Unit-
Annuity with Minimum Guaranteed
Period 1
(vii) Unit-Annuity Certain 1
(viii) Minimum Distribution Option 5
(g) Accumulation-Unit Deposit Certificate
(payable as a death benefit only) 1
(h) (i) Endorsement to in-force
Supplemental Retirement Unit-
Annuity Certificates (reflecting
addition of Global Equities Account
and IRC Withdrawal Restrictions) 3
(ii) Endorsement to in-force
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Supplemental Retirement Unit- Annuity
Certificates (reflecting addition of
Minimum Distribution Annuity) 6
(iii) Endorsement to new issues of the
Supplemental Retirement Unit- Annuity
Certificate (reflecting addition of
Money Market, Bond Market, Social
Choice, and Global Equities Accounts,
Deletion of a CREF Account or
Unit-Annuity, transfers to CREF or
TIAA, addition of Minimum
Distribution Annuity, addition of
Spouse's Rights to Benefits, and IRC
Withdrawal Restrictions) 6
(i) Endorsement to in-force Retirement
Unit-Annuity Certificates (reflecting
addition of Global Equities Account
and IRC Withdrawal Restrictions) 3
(ii) Endorsement to in-force
Retirement Unit-Annuity Certificates
(reflecting addition of Minimum
Distribution Annuity and availability
of Unit-Annuity for a Fixed Period) 6
(iii) Endorsement to new issues of
the Retirement Unit-Annuity
Certificate (reflecting addition of
Money Market, Bond Market, Social
Choice and Global Equities Accounts,
deletion of CREF Account or Unit-
Annuity, availability of transfers to
Approved Funding Vehicles, Cash
Withdrawals, availability of Unit-
Annuity for a Fixed Period, Right to
Split Certificate, addition of
Minimum Distribution Annuity,
addition of Spouse's Rights to
Benefits, and IRC Withdrawal
Restrictions) 6 (j)
(i) Endorsement to in-force Group
Supplemental Retirement Unit- Annuity
Certificates (reflecting addition of
the Global Equities Account) 3
(ii) Endorsement to in-force and some new
issues of the Group Supplemental
Retirement Unit-
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Annuity Certificate (reflecting
addition of Minimum Distribution
Annuity) 6
(iii) Endorsement to new
issues of the Group Supplemental
Retirement Unit- Annuity Certificate
(reflecting addition of the Global
Equities Account, and deletion of a
CREF Account or Unit-Annuity and
addition of the Minimum Distribution
Annuity) 6
(iv) Endorsement to Group
Supplemental Retirement Unit-Annuity
certificates for 401(k) retirement
plans (reflecting annuity starting
date, availability of lump-sum
benefits and IRC Withdrawal
Restrictions) 6
(k) (i) Endorsement
to in-force Group Retirement
Unit-Annuity Certificates Issued on
or After 3/1/91 (reflecting addition
of the Global Equities Account) 3
(ii) Endorsement to in-force Group
Retirement Unit-Annuity Certificates
Issued Before 3/1/91 (reflecting
addition of the Global Equities
Account and IRC Withdrawal
Restrictions) 6
(iii) Endorsement to
in-force Group Retirement
Unit-Annuity Certificate (reflecting
addition of Minimum Distribution
Annuity and availability of Annuity
for a Fixed Period) 6
(iv) Endorsement to in-force Group
Retirement Unit-Annuity Certificate
(reflecting addition of Minimum
Distribution Annuity, availability of
Annuity for a Fixed Period and IRC
Withdrawal Restrictions) 6
(l) Endorsement to new issues of
Retirement Unit-Annuity Certificates and
Supplemental Retirement Unit-Annuity
Certificates (reflecting restatement of
accumulation unit value on 12/21/86 and
inclusion of net dividend income in value of
accumulation unit beginning 1/1/87) 6
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(m) Endorsement to new and in-force issues of
CREF Retirement Unit-Annuity Certificates,
Supplemental Retirement Unit-Annuity
Certificates, Group Retirement Unit-Annuity
Certificates, Group Supplemental Retirement
Unit- Annuity Certificate0s, Rollover IRA
Certificates, Minimum Distribution Annuity
Certificates and Accumulation- Unit Deposit
Certificates (reflecting addition of the
Growth Account and the Equity Index Account)
7
(n) Endorsement to Group Retirement Unit- Annuity
Certificates (reflecting addition of Social
Choice Account payout option) 4
(o) Endorsement to CREF Certificates (reflecting
yearly transfer to Minimum Distribution
Annuity Certificate) 5
(p) Endorsement to CREF Certificates (reflecting
allocation and transfer options, CREF's right
to split certificate, and CREF's right to
delete Bond Market or Social Choice Account
or to stop providing Unit-Annuities
thereunder) 5
(q) (i) Endorsement to in-force Minimum
Distribution Annuity Certificates
(non-cashable) (reflecting addition of
the Global Equities Account) 3
(ii) Endorsement to new issues of the Minimum
Distribution Annuity Certificate
(non-cashable) (reflecting addition of
the Global Equities Account, definition
of Annuity Unit, and deletion of a CREF
account or Unit-Annuity) 3
(r) (i) Endorsement to in-force Minimum
Distribution Annuity Certificates
(cashable) (reflecting addition of the
Global Equities Account) 3
(ii) Endorsement of new issues of Minimum
Distribution Annuity Certificates
(cashable)(reflecting addition of the
Global Equities Account, definition of
Annuity Unit, and deletion of a CREF
Account or Unit-Annuity) 3
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<PAGE>
(s) Endorsement to new issues of Unit-
Annuity Certificates (reflecting addition
of the Global Equities Account and
deletion of a Unity-Annuity) 3
(t) (i) Endorsement to Retirement Unit-
Annuity Certificate (reflecting addition
of the Inflation-Linked Bond Account and
Right to a Tax- Free Rollover) 8
(ii) Endorsement to Supplemental
Retirement Unit-Annuity Certificate
(reflecting addition of the
Inflation-Linked Bond Account and Right
to a Tax-Free Rollover) 8
(iii) Endorsement to Rollover Individual
Retirement Unit-Annuity Certificate
(reflecting addition of the
Inflation-Linked Bond Account and Right
to a Tax-Free Rollover) 8
(iv) Endorsement to Group Retirement
Unit-Annuity Certificate (reflecting
addition of the Inflation-Linked Bond
Account and Right to a Tax-Free Rollover)
8
(v) Endorsement to Group Supplemental
Retirement Unit-Annuity Certificate
(reflecting addition of the
Inflation-Linked Bond Account and Right
to a Tax-Free Rollover) 8
(vi) Endorsement to Minimum Distribution
Annuity Certificate (reflecting addition
of the Inflation-Linked Bond Account) 8
(vii) Endorsement to CREF Unit-Annuity
Certificates (reflecting addition of the
Inflation-Linked Bond Account) 8
(viii) Endorsement to CREF Accumulation-
Unit Deposit Certificate (reflecting
addition of the Inflation-Linked Bond
Account) 8
(ix) Endorsement to Group Supplemental
Retirement Annuity Certificate (for
participants in the Alternative Plan to
Social Security) 8
(7) (a) (i) Application for Retirement
Unit- Annuity Contracts 3
(ii) Application for Retirement Unit-
Annuity Contracts (for retirement plans
not covered by ERISA) 3
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(b) (i) Application for Supplemental
Retirement Annuity Contracts 3
(ii) Application for Supplemental
Retirement Annuity Contracts (for
retirement plans not covered by
ERISA) 3
(c) (i) Application for Institutionally
Owned Retirement Annuity
Contracts 1
(ii) Applications for Institutionally
Owned Retirement Annuity Contracts
with Delayed Vesting 6
(iii) Application for Institutionally
Owned Retirement Annuity Contracts
with Delayed Vesting (for
retirement plans not covered by
ERISA) 6
(iv) Application for Group Retirement
Unit-Annuity Contract in Oregon 6
(d) (i) Enrollment Form for Group
Retirement Annuity Certificates 3
(ii) Enrollment Form for Group
Retirement Annuity Certificates
(for retirement plans not covered
by ERISA) 3
(e) Application for Rollover Individual
Retirement Annuity Contracts 3
(f) Application for Retirement Annuity
Contracts Under a Registered Pension
Plan (RPP) 3
(ii) Application for Retirement Annuity
Contracts under a Registered
Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) in
Canada 3
(g) Applications for Annuity Benefits 1
(h) (i) Enrollment Form for Group
Supplemental Retirement Annuity
Certificates 3
(ii) Enrollment Form for Group
Supplemental Retirement Annuity
Certificates (for retirement plans
not covered by ERISA) 3
(i) (i) Enrollment Form for Institutionally
Owned Group Retirement Annuity
Certificates with Delayed Vesting 3
(ii) Enrollment Form for Institutionally
Owned Group Retirement Annuity
Certificates with Delayed Vesting
(for retirement plans not covered
by ERISA)3
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(j) (i) Enrollment Form for Two Sets of
Group Retirement Annuity
Certificates -- One Set Providing
for Delayed Vesting 3
(ii) Enrollment Form for Two Sets of
Group Retirement Annuity
Certificates -- One Set
Providing for Delayed
Vesting (for retirement
plans not covered by ERISA) 3
(k) (i) Enrollment Form for Two Sets of
Group Retirement Annuity
Certificates 3
(ii) Enrollment Form for Two Sets of
Group Retirement Annuity
Certificates (for retirement plans
not covered by ERISA) 3
(8) Not Applicable
(9) None
(10) (a) CREF Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-
Officer Trustees 1
(b) TIAA-CREF Non-Employee Trustee and
Member Deferred Compensation Plan 2
(11) Investment Management Services Agreement
Between CREF and TIAA-CREF Investment
Management, LLC. (as amended) *
(12) (a) Consent of Charles H. Stamm, Esquire *
(b) Consent of Sutherland, Asbill &
Brennan, L.L.P. *
(13) (a) Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP *
(b) Consent of Ernst & Young LLP *
(14) None
(15) (a) Contribution Agreement between CREF and
TIAA (for Money Market Account) 1
(b) Seed Money Agreement between CREF and
TIAA (for Global Equities Account) 2
(c) Seed Money Agreement between CREF and
TIAA (for Equity Index and Growth
Accounts) 6
(d) Seed Money Agreement between CREF and
TIAA (for Inflation-Linked Bond
Account) 8
(16) Schedules for Computation of Performance
Quotations *
(17) Financial Data Schedules *
- -----------------------
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<PAGE>
* To be filed by subsequent post-effective amendment.
1 Previously filed in Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 To Form
N-3 dated August 23, 1991 (File No. 33-480) and incorporated
herein by reference.
2 Previously filed in Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to Form
N-3 dated April 23, 1992 (File No. 33-480) and incorporated
herein by reference.
3 Previously filed in Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 to Form
N-3 dated March 19, 1993 (File No. 33-480) and incorporated
herein by reference.
4 Previously filed in Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Form
N-3 dated August 23, 1991 (File No. 33-20480) and
incorporated herein by reference.
5 Previously filed in Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Form
N-3 dated January 31, 1992 (File No. 33-480) and
incorporated herein by reference.
6 Previously filed in Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to Form
N-3 dated April 18, 1994 (File No. 33-480) and incorporated
herein by reference.
7 Previously filed in Post-Effective Amendment No. 22 to Form
N-3 dated March 10, 1995 (File No. 33-480) and incorporated
herein by reference.
8 Previously filed in Post-Effective Amendment No. 26 to Form
N-3 dated February 11, 1997 (File No. 33-480) and
incorporated herein by reference.
9 Previously filed in Post-Effective Amendment No. 27 to Form
N-3 dated April 22, 1997 (File No. 33-480) and incorporated
herein by reference.
Item 29. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE INSURANCE COMPANY
Not Applicable.
Item 30. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH THE
INSURANCE COMPANY OR REGISTRANT
Not Applicable.
Item 31. NUMBER OF CONTRACTOWNERS
As noted above, CREF is a membership corporation, consisting
of seven members (known as CREF's Board of Overseers).
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As of December 31, 1997, there were approximately individuals and institutions
holding CREF certificates, including approximately individuals receiving annuity
benefits.
Item 32. INDEMNIFICATION
Overseers, trustees, officers and employees of CREF may be
indemnified against liabilities and expenses incurred in such capacity pursuant
to Article Five of CREF's bylaws (see Exhibit (2)(b)). Article Five provides
that, to the extent permitted by laws, CREF will indemnify any person made or
threatened to be made a party to any action, suit or proceeding by reason of the
fact that such person is or was an overseer, trustee, officer or employee of
CREF or, while an overseer, trustee, officer or employee of CREF, served any
other organization in any capacity at CREF's request. Article Five also
provides, however, that no person shall be indemnified for any liabilities or
expenses arising by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence,
or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of office. In
addition, it provides that no person shall be indemnified unless such person
acted in good faith and in the reasonable belief that such action was in the
best interests of CREF and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding,
such person had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful. Article
Five provides reasonable and fair means for determining whether any person is
entitled to indemnification. If certain conditions are met, CREF may pay
liabilities or expenses in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit
or proceeding. No indemnification payment may be made unless a notice concerning
the payment has been filed with the New York State Superintendent of Insurance.
CREF has in effect an insurance policy that will indemnify its overseers,
trustees, officers and employees for liabilities arising from certain forms of
conduct.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to overseers, trustees, and officers of
CREF, pursuant to the foregoing provision or otherwise, CREF has been advised
that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in that Act and is
therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment of expenses incurred or paid by an
overseer, trustee, or officer in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by an overseer, trustee, or officer in connection with
the securities being registered, CREF 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
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expressed in that Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
Item 33. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER
Investment advisory services for CREF's investment accounts
are provided by TIAA-CREF Investment Management, LLC ("Investment Management").
In this connection, Investment Management is registered as an investment adviser
under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
The business and other connections of Investment Management's
officers are listed in Schedules A and D of Form ADV as currently on file with
the Commission (File No. 801-38029), the text of which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
Item 34. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
(a) Not Applicable.
(b) TIAA-CREF Individual & Institutional Services,
Inc. ("Services") may be considered the principal underwriter for
the CREF Accounts. The officers of Services and their positions
and offices with Services and the Registrant are listed in
Schedule A of Form BD as currently on file with the Commission
(File No. 8-44454), text of which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
Item 35. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
All accounts, books and other documents required to be
maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder
will be maintained at CREF's home office, 730 Third Avenue, New York, New York
10017, and at other CREF offices located at 750 Third Avenue and 485 Lexington
Avenue, both in New York, New York 10017. In addition, certain duplicated
records are maintained at Pierce Leahy Archives, 64 Leone Lane, Chester, New
York 10918.
Item 36. MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Not Applicable.
Item 37. UNDERTAKING
(a) CREF undertakes that it will file a post-effective amendment to
this Registration Statement as frequently as is necessary to ensure that the
audited financial statements in the Registration Statement are never more than
16 months old for so long as payments under the variable annuity contracts may
be accepted.
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(b) CREF undertakes that it will include either (1) as part of any
application to purchase a contract offered by the Prospectus, a space that an
applicant can check to request a Statement of Additional Information, or (2) a
postcard or similar written communication affixed to or included in the
Prospectus that the applicant can remove to send for a Statement of Additional
Information.
(c) CREF undertakes to deliver any Statement of Additional
Information and any financial statements required to be made available under
Form N-3 promptly upon written or oral request.
REPRESENTATION UNDER RULE 6C-7
The undersigned registrant hereby represents that Rule 6c-7 under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 is being relied on and that the provisions of
paragraphs (a)-(d) of Rule 6c-7 are being complied with.
REPRESENTATION CONCERNING
NO-ACTION LETTER ISSUED TO ACLI
CREF represents that the No-Action Letter issued by the Staff of the
Division of Investment Management on November 28, 1988 to the American Council
of Life Insurance is being relied upon, and that the requirements for entities
relying on that no- action position, itemized (1) through (4) in that Letter
have been complied with.
REPRESENTATION REGARDING REASONABLENESS OF FEES
CREF represents that the fees and charges deducted under the
Certificates, in the aggregate, are reasonable in relation to the services
rendered, the expenses expected to be incurred, and the risks assumed by CREF.
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SIGNATURES
----------
As required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, College Retirement Equities Fund has caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf, in the City of New York and
State of New York on the 17th
day of February, 1998.
COLLEGE RETIREMENT EQUITIES FUND
By:/S/ PETER C. CLAPMAN
-----------------------
Peter C. Clapman
Senior Vice President and
Chief Counsel, Investments
As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
dates indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
- --------- ----- ----
/S/ JOHN H. BIGGS Chairman of the Board, 2/17/98
- ----------------------- President, and Chief Executive
John H. Biggs Officer (Principal Executive and Financial
Officer)
/S/ MARTIN L. LEIBOWITZ Vice Chairman, Chief Investment 2/17/98
- ----------------------- Officer, and Trustee (Principal
Martin L. Leibowitz Investment Officer)
/S/ RICHARD L. GIBBS Executive Vice President 2/17/98
- ----------------------- (Principal
Richard L. Gibbs Accounting Officer)
C-14
<PAGE>
SIGNATURE OF TRUSTEE DATE SIGNATURE OF TRUSTEE DATE
- -------------------- ---- -------------------- -----
/S/ ROBERT H. ATWELL /S/ BEVIS LONGSTRETH
- --------------------------- ----------------------------
Robert H. Atwell 2/17/98 Bevis Longstreth 2/17/98
/S/ ELIZABETH E. BAILEY /S/ ROBERT M. LOVELL, JR.
- --------------------------- ----------------------------
Elizabeth E. Bailey 2/17/98 Robert M. Lovell, Jr. 2/17/98
/S/ GARY P. BRINSON /S/ STEPHEN A. ROSS
- --------------------------- ----------------------------
Gary P. Brinson 2/17/98 Stephen A. Ross 2/17/98
/S/ JOYCE A. FECSKE /S/ EUGENE C. SIT
- --------------------------- ----------------------------
Joyce A. Fecske 2/17/98 Eugene C. Sit 2/17/98
/S/ EDES P. GILBERT /S/ MACEO K. SLOAN
- --------------------------- ----------------------------
Edes P. Gilbert 2/17/98 Maceo K. Sloan 2/17/98
/S/ STUART TSE KONG HO
- --------------------------- ----------------------------
Stuart Tse Kong Ho 2/17/98 Harry K. Spindler
/S/ DAVID K. STORRS
- --------------------------- ----------------------------
Nancy L. Jacob David K. Storrs 2/17/98
- --------------------------- ----------------------------
Marjorie Fine Knowles Robert W. Vishny
- ---------------------------
Jay O. Light
C-15
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT PAGE
NUMBER DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT NO.
- ------ ---------------------- ----
C-16
