MAY 1, 1999
College Retirement Equities Fund
PROSPECTUS
|
|INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND
|TAX-DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITIES
|
|
|
[CREF LOGO]
<PAGE>
About CREF
Founded in 1952, CREF is a nonprofit membership corporation established in New
York State. Its home office is at 730 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017. There
are also regional offices across the United States including Atlanta, Boston,
Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and
Washington, D.C. as well as 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 and offers traditional fixed
annuities. It also offers variable annuities including 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 2.1
million people at about 8,800 institutions. As of December 31, 1998, CREF's net
assets were approximately $146 billion and the combined net assets for CREF and
TIAA totaled approximately $248 billion.
<PAGE>
COLLEGE RETIREMENT EQUITIES FUND (CREF)
INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND TAX-DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITIES
MAY 1, 1999
This prospectus describes the individual and group variable annuities CREF
offers. It contains information you should know before purchasing a CREF
variable annuity and selecting your investment options. Please read it carefully
before investing and keep it for future reference.
Investment in a CREF variable annuity certificate is subject to risk and you
could lose money. CREF does not guarantee the investment performance of its
accounts, and you bear the entire investment risk.
CREF provides variable annuities for retirement and tax-deferred savings plans
for employees of colleges, universities, and other educational and research
organizations. Our main purpose is to invest funds for your retirement and pay
you income based on your choice of eight investment accounts:
n The Stock Account n The Bond Market Account
n The Global Equities Account n The Inflation-Linked Bond Account
n The Growth Account n The Social Choice Account
n The Equity Index Account n The Money Market Account
You can purchase a CREF variable annuity certificate in connection with certain
types of retirement plans. CREF offers the following certificates:
n RA (Retirement Annuity)
n GRA (Group Retirement Annuity)
n SRA (Supplemental Retirement Annuity)
n GSRA (Group Supplemental Retirement Annuity)
n GA (Group Annuity)
n IRA (Individual Retirement Annuity)
n Keogh (Available pending regulatory approval)
More information about CREF is in our Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
dated May 1, 1999. It is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC). For a free copy, write to us at 730 Third Avenue, New York, NY
10017-3206, Attn: Central Services, or call 800-842-2733, Ext. 5509. The SAI's
table of contents is on the last page of this prospectus. The SEC's website
(http://www.sec.gov) contains this prospectus, SAI, material incorporated by
reference, and other information about CREF.
THE SEC HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE
ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
The CREF accounts are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other government agency.
<PAGE>
Table of Contents
2 Special Terms
3 About Expenses
6 Condensed Financial Information
19 Your Investment Options
29 Additional Investment Tools
and Risks
32 Past Performance
37 Investment Management
37 Allocations Among Affiliated
Accounts
37 Adding, Closing, or Substituting
Accounts
37 The Annuity Certificates
39 Starting Out
40 How to Transfer and Withdraw
Your Money
42 When You Are Ready to Receive
Your Annuity Income
46 Death Benefits
47 Timing of Payments
47 Taxes
49 Additional Information
51 Table of Contents for Statement of
Additional Information
This prospectus outlines the terms under which CREF accounts are offered. The
accounts are offered only in those jurisdictions where it is legal to do so. No
one is permitted to make any representation to you or give you any information
that is not in the prospectus. If anyone attempts to do so, you should not rely
on it.
1
<PAGE>
Special Terms
We have defined certain terms so that you'll have a clearer understanding of
this prospectus and your investment.
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 UNIT A share of participation in a CREF account for someone in the
accumulation period. Each account has its own accumulation unit value, which
changes daily.
ANNUITY UNIT A measure used to calculate the amount of annuity payments. Each
account has a separate annuity unit value.
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 the end of any guaranteed period.
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.
COMMUTED VALUE The present value of annuity payments due under an income option
or method of payment not based on life contingencies.
ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION A public or private United States institution that is
nonproprietary and nonprofit. The main purpose of an eligible institution must
be to offer instruction, conduct research, serve and support education or
research, or perform ancillary functions for such institutions.
INCOME CHANGE METHOD How 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 How you receive your CREF retirement income.
PARTICIPANT Any person who owns a CREF certificate. Sometimes an employer can be
a participant.
VALUATION DAY Any business day plus 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 end at 4 p.m. Eastern Time.
2
<PAGE>
About Expenses
CREF deducts expenses from the net assets of each account each valuation day for
investment management, administration, and distribution. Because nonprofit
subsidiaries of TIAA perform these services for CREF at cost, the deductions for
expenses are generally lower than for comparable annuity contracts offered by
other companies. Investment management expenses cover investment advice,
portfolio accounting, and custodial services. Administrative expenses include
administration and operations. CREF has also adopted a plan authorizing payment
of 12b-1, or distribution fees. These fees are for telling you about the
certificates, how you can invest, and helping employers install and manage
retirement plans. CREF also deducts a mortality and expense risk charge to
guarantee that CREF participants transferring funds to TIAA for the immediate
purchase of lifetime payout annuities will not be charged more than the rate
stipulated in the CREF certificate.
After the end of every quarter, CREF reconciles the expenses we deducted with
the expenses each account actually incurred. If there's a difference, we add it
or deduct it from the account in equal daily installments over the remaining
days in the quarter. Since our at-cost deductions are based on projections of
overall expenses and the assets of each CREF account, the size of any adjusting
payments will be directly affected by how different our projections are from an
account's actual assets or expenses. While our projections of an account's asset
size (and resulting expense fees) are based on our best estimates, the size of
an account's assets can be affected by a number of factors, including premium
growth, participant transfers into or out of an account, and market performance
affecting the value of an account's portfolio securities. Historically, the
adjusting payments have generally been small and have resulted in both upward
and downward adjustments to CREF's expense deductions for the following quarter.
We revise our expense rates from time to time to keep deductions as close as
possible to actual expenses. Expense rate changes are determined by the CREF
Board of Trustees. The annual distribution expense charge will not be more than
.25% of an account's average daily net assets.
3
<PAGE>
ANNUAL EXPENSE DEDUCTIONS
The following table shows the direct and indirect expense deductions for each of
the CREF accounts.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GLOBAL
STOCK EQUITIES GROWTH
==================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C>
PARTICIPANT TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Deductions from Premiums
(as a percentage of premiums) None None None
..................................................................................................
CHARGES FOR TRANSFERS AND CASH
WITHDRAWALS (AS A PERCENTAGE OF
TRANSACTION AMOUNT)
..................................................................................................
Transfers Between CREF Accounts None None None
..................................................................................................
Transfers to TIAA None None None
..................................................................................................
Transfers to Other Companies None None None
..................................................................................................
Cash Withdrawals None None None
..................................................................................................
ANNUAL EXPENSE DEDUCTIONS FROM
NET ASSETS (AS A PERCENTAGE OF
AVERAGE NET ASSETS)
..................................................................................................
Investment Advisory Expenses 0.080% 0.140% 0.110%
..................................................................................................
Administrative Expenses 0.195% 0.195% 0.195%
..................................................................................................
Distribution Expenses 0.030% 0.030% 0.030%
..................................................................................................
Mortality and Expense Risk Charges 0.005% 0.005% 0.005%
..................................................................................................
Total Annual Expense Deductions 0.310% 0.370% 0.340%
..................................................................................................
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INFLATION-
EQUITY BOND LINKED SOCIAL MONEY
INDEX MARKET BOND CHOICE MARKET
=======================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
None None None None None
.......................................................................................................
None None None None None
.......................................................................................................
None None None None None
.......................................................................................................
None None None None None
.......................................................................................................
None None None None None
.......................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................
0.060% 0.070% 0.080% 0.060% 0.060%
.......................................................................................................
0.195% 0.195% 0.195% 0.195% 0.195%
.......................................................................................................
0.030% 0.030% 0.030% 0.030% 0.030%
.......................................................................................................
0.005% 0.005% 0.005% 0.005% 0.005%
.......................................................................................................
0.290% 0.300% 0.310% 0.290% 0.290%
.......................................................................................................
</TABLE>
The following table shows you an example of the expenses you would incur on a
hypothetical investment of $1,000 in each CREF account over several periods. The
table assumes a 5% annual return on assets. Remember that these figures don't
represent actual expenses or investment performance, which may differ.
<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 $4 $3 $3 $3 $3 $3 $3
............................................................................................................................
3 Years $10 $12 $11 $9 $10 $10 $9 $9
............................................................................................................................
5 Years $17 $21 $19 $16 $17 $17 $16 $16
............................................................................................................................
10 Years $39 $47 $43 $37 $38 $39 $37 $37
............................................................................................................................
</TABLE>
5
<PAGE>
Condensed Financial Information
Below you'll find condensed, audited financial information for the CREF accounts
for each of the periods indicated.
STOCK ACCOUNT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995
============================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Accumulation Unit data
Investment Income $2.381 $2.317 $2.114 $1.885
Expenses* .521 .387 .304 .271
----- ----- ----- -----
Investment Income-Net 1.860 1.930 1.810 1.614
Net realized and unrealized gain(loss) on
total investments 29.795 26.864 15.953 19.984
------- ------- ------- ------
Net increase(decrease) in Accumulation Unit Value 31.655 28.794 17.763 21.598
Accumulation Unit Value:
Beginning of Year 138.017 109.223 91.460 69.862
------- ------- ------- ------
End of Year $169.672 $138.017 $109.223 $91.460
======== ======== ======== =======
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Expenses 0.34% 0.31% 0.31% 0.34%
Investment Income-Net 1.23% 1.55% 1.82% 2.00%
Portfolio Turnover Rate 34.63% 23.25% 19.57% 16.25%
Thousands of Accumulation Units outstanding
at end of period 565,999 597,531 620,498 632,803
============================================================================================
</TABLE>
*Includes all expenses charged as a deduction from investment income.
Some brokerage commissions paid by CREF have been used to reduce expenses.
6
<PAGE>
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989
- --------------------------------------------------------------------
$1.699 $1.606 $1.523 $1.552 $1.549 $1.367
.223 .210 .181 .184 .148 .140
----- ----- ----- ------ ------ ------
1.476 1.396 1.342 1.368 1.401 1.227
(1.557) 7.139 2.294 11.994 (4.007) 9.051
----- ----- ----- ------ ------ ------
(.081) 8.535 3.636 13.362 (2.606) 10.278
69.943 61.408 57.772 44.410 47.016 36.738
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
$69.862 $69.943 $61.408 $57.772 $44.410 $47.016
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
0.32% 0.32% 0.31% 0.36% 0.33% 0.33%
2.11% 2.14% 2.32% 2.65% 3.12% 2.87%
18.77% 22.93% 16.29% 22.47% 20.94% 24.14%
637,435 642,528 645,564 640,298 637,886 655,091
====================================================================
7
<PAGE>
GLOBAL EQUITIES ACCOUNT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995
=========================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER ACCUMULATION UNIT DATA
Investment Income $.902 $.848 $.751 $.727
Expenses* .268 .205 .167 .157
------ ------ ------ ------
Investment Income-Net .634 .643 .584 .570
Net realized and unrealized
gain(loss) on total investments 10.508 8.650 7.138 6.618
------ ------ ------ ------
Net increase(decrease) in
Accumulation Unit Value 11.142 9.293 7.722 7.188
Accumulation Unit Value:
Beginning of Period 59.973 50.680 42.958 35.770
------ ------ ------ ------
End of Period $71.115 $59.973 $50.680 $42.958
======= ======= ======= =======
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Expenses 0.41% 0.38% 0.37% 0.40%
Investment Income-Net 0.97% 1.19% 1.28% 1.47%
Portfolio Turnover Rate 103.31% 98.70% 88.84% 67.50%
Thousands of Accumulation Units outstanding at
end of period 81,825 84,645 80,016 70,163
========================================================================================
</TABLE>
*Includes all expenses charged as a deduction from investment income. Some
brokerage commissions paid by CREF have been used to reduce expenses.
8
<PAGE>
MAY 1
(DATE OF SEC
FOR THE YEARS ENDED REGISTRATION) TO
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992
================================================================
$.687 $.487 $.493
.134 .103 .109
------ ------ -------
.553 .384 .384
(.719) 9.021 .274
------ ------ ------
(.166) 9.405 .658
35.936 26.531 25.873
------- ------- ------
$35.770 $35.936 $26.531
======= ======= =======
0.41% 0.45% 0.37%
1.71% 1.67% 1.31%
51.63% 16.75% 11.71%
70,700 36,796 8,277
================================================================
9
<PAGE>
GROWTH ACCOUNT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APRIL 29
(DATE OF SEC
REGISTRATION) TO
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
=================================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER ACCUMULATION UNIT DATA
Investment Income $.482 $.527 $.484 $.417 $.356
Expenses* .244 .155 .119 .114 .077
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Investment Income-Net .238 .372 .365 .303 .279
Net realized and unrealized
gain on total investments 18.475 12.219 8.638 8.891 .886
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Net increase in
Accumulation Unit Value 18.713 12.591 9.003 9.194 1.165
Accumulation Unit Value:
Beginning of Period 56.904 44.313 35.310 26.116 24.951
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
End of Period $75.617 $56.904 $44.313 $35.310 $26.116
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Expenses 0.38% 0.34% 0.35% 0.43% 0.30%
Investment Income-Net 0.37% 0.82% 1.07% 1.13% 1.09%
Portfolio Turnover Rate 97.57% 53.27% 38.51% 24.42% 11.51%
Thousands of Accumulation Units
outstanding at end of period 98,862 80,370 53,201 32,375 10,446
=================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
*Includes all expenses charged as a deduction from investment income. Some
brokerage commissions paid by CREF have been used to reduce expenses.
10
<PAGE>
EQUITY INDEX ACCOUNT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
APRIL 29
(DATE OF SEC
REGISTRATION) TO
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
==============================================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER ACCUMULATION UNIT DATA
Investment Income $.953 $.826 $.773 $.755 $.504
Expenses* .190 .141 .106 .100 .070
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Investment Income-Net .763 .685 .667 .655 .434
Net realized and unrealized
gain on total investments 12.789 12.672 6.936 8.703 .401
------ ------ ----- ----- -----
Net increase in
Accumulation Unit Value 13.552 13.357 7.603 9.358 .835
Accumulation Unit Value:
Beginning of Period 56.191 42.834 35.231 25.873 25.038
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
End of Period $69.743 $56.191 $42.834 $35.231 $25.873
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Expenses 0.31% 0.30% 0.30% 0.34% 0.26%
Investment Income-Net 1.24% 1.47% 1.87% 2.22% 1.65%
Portfolio Turnover Rate 3.98% 3.50% 7.85% 8.31% 1.30%
Thousands of Accumulation Units
outstanding at end of period 47,997 35,368 20,725 10,911 2,716
==============================================================================================================
</TABLE>
* Includes all expenses charged as a deduction from investment income.
Some brokerage commissions paid by CREF have been used to reduce expenses.
11
<PAGE>
BOND MARKET ACCOUNT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995
==============================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER ACCUMULATION UNIT DATA
Investment Income $3.156 $3.081 $3.039 $2.863
Expenses* .158 .134 .126 .123
----- ------ ------ ------
Investment Income-Net 2.998 2.947 2.913 2.740
Net realized and unrealized gain(loss) on
total investments 1.150 1.266 (1.600) 3.722
------ ------ ------ ------
Net increase(decrease) in Accumulation Unit Value 4.418 4.213 1.313 6.462
------ ------ ------ ------
Accumulation Unit Value:
Beginning of Period 48.215 44.002 42.689 36.227
------ ------ ------ ------
End of Period $52.363 $48.215 $44.002 $42.689
======= ======= ======= =======
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Expenses 0.32% 0.29% 0.30% 0.31%
Investment Income-Net 5.98% 6.44% 6.86% 6.93%
Portfolio Turnover Rate 525.32% 398.77% 145.27% 185.11%
Thousands of Accumulation Units outstanding at
end of period 57,481 31,654 22,611 19,522
==============================================================================================
</TABLE>
*Includes all expenses charged as a deduction from investment income. Some
brokerage commissions paid by CREF have been used to reduce expenses.
12
<PAGE>
BOND MARKET ACCOUNT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARCH 1
(DATE OF SEC
REGISTRATION) TO
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
===============================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$2.502 $2.348 $2.287 $2.270 $1.844
.108 .103 .093 .096 .084
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
2.394 2.245 2.194 2.174 1.760
(3.897) 1.606 .056 2.247 .448
----- ----- ----- ----- -----
(1.503) 3.851 2.250 4.421 2.208
37.730 33.879 31.629 27.208 25.000
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
$36.227 $37.730 $33.879 $31.629 $27.208
======= ======= ======= ======= =======
0.29% 0.28% 0.29% 0.34% 0.33%
6.54% 6.18% 6.78% 7.61% 7.05%
161.46% 139.55% 217.89% 124.62% 50.64%
14,939 14,698 13,583 10,658 4,395
===============================================================================================
</TABLE>
13
<PAGE>
SOCIAL CHOICE ACCOUNT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 $1996 1995
==============================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER ACCUMULATION UNIT DATA
Investment Income $2.679 $2.396 $2.068 $1.832
Expenses* .249 .193 .158 .144
------ ------ ------ ------
Investment Income-Net 2.430 2.203 1.910 1.688
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on total investments 11.159 12.223 5.968 9.863
------ ------ ------ ------
Net increase (decrease) in Accumulation Unit Value 13.589 14.426 7.878 11.551
Accumulation Unit Value:
Beginning of Period 73.016 58.590 50.712 39.161
------ ------ ------ ------
End of Period $86.605 $73.016 $58.590 $50.712
======= ======= ======= =======
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Expenses 0.31% 0.30% 0.30% 0.32%
Investment Income-Net 3.07% 3.37% 3.58% 3.75%
Portfolio Turnover Rate 147.90% 91.87% 40.93% 52.65%
Thousands of Accumulation Units outstanding at
end of period 37,211 30,554 25,841 22,196
==============================================================================================
</TABLE>
*Includes all expenses charged as a deduction from investment income. Some
brokerage commissions paid by CREF have been used to reduce expenses.
14
<PAGE>
SOCIAL CHOICE ACCOUNT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARCH 1
(DATE OF SEC
REGISTRATION) TO
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
===============================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$1.621 $1.452 $1.363 $1.432 $1.224
.125 .117 .105 .102 .097
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
1.496 1.335 1.258 1.330 1.127
(2.015) 2.082 2.367 5.237 (.056)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
(.519) 3.417 3.625 6.567 1.071
39.680 36.263 32.638 26.071 25.000
======= ====== ======= ======= =======
$39.161 $39.680 $36.263 $32.638 $26.071
======= ====== ======= ======= =======
0.32% 0.31% 0.33% 0.36% 0.38%
3.80% 3.52% 3.88% 4.69% 4.39%
49.06% 39.85% 77.48% 46.41% 22.83%
18,302 16,790 9,224 4,929 2,311
===============================================================================
</TABLE>
15
<PAGE>
MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995
===========================================================================================
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
PER ACCUMULATION UNIT DATA
Investment Income $.998 $.953 $.880 $.910
Expenses* .054 .046 .049 .048
------- ------ ------- -------
Investment Income-Net .944 .907 .831 .862
Net realized and unrealized
gain (loss) on total investments .005 .001 (.003) .009
------- ------ ------- -------
Net increase in Accumulation Unit Value .949 .908 .828 .871
Accumulation Unit Value:
Beginning of Year 17.402 16.494 15.666 14.795
------- ------ ------- -------
End of Year $18.351 $17.402 $16.494 $15.666
======= ======= ======= =======
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Expenses 0.30% 0.27% 0.30% 0.32%
Investment Income-Net 5.27% 5.35% 5.16% 5.64%
Portfolio Turnover Rate n/a n/a n/a n/a
Thousands of Accumulation Units outstanding at
end of year 312,358 233,116 218,292 193,181
===========================================================================================
</TABLE>
* Includes all expenses charged as a deduction from investment income.
Some brokerage commissions paid by CREF have been used to reduce expenses.
16
<PAGE>
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989
===========================================================================
$.631 $.464 $.539 $.808 $.994 $1.022
.041 .039 .036 .039 .037 .032
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
.590 .425 .503 .769 .957 .990
(.012) (.002) (.009) .013 (.003) --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
.578 .423 .494 .782 .954 .990
14.217 13.794 13.300 12.518 11.564 10.574
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
$14.795 $14.217 $13.794 $13.300 $12.518 $11.564
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
0.28% 0.27% 0.26% 0.30% 0.30% 0.30%
4.03% 3.02% 3.70% 5.95% 7.92% 8.90%
n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a
183,135 174,073 184,768 207,368 230,184 163,314
===========================================================================
17
<PAGE>
INFLATION-LINKED BOND ACCOUNT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MAY 1
FOR THE YEAR (DATE OF SEC
ENDED REGISTRATION) TO
DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31,
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997
======================================================================================
<S> <C> <C>
PER ACCUMULATION UNIT DATA
Investment Income $1.256 $.632
Expenses* .086 .041
------ -----
Investment Income-Net 1.170 .591
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on
total investments (.260) .066
------ -----
Net increase in Accumulation Unit Value .910 .657
Accumulation Unit Value:
Beginning of Period 26.118 25.461
------ -----
End of Period $27.028 $26.118
======= =======
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Expenses 0.33% 0.22%
Investment Income-Net 4.50% 3.19%
Portfolio Turnover Rate 40.98% 45.36%
Thousands of Accumulation Units outstanding
at end of period 5,112 3,626
======================================================================================
</TABLE>
* Includes all expenses charged as a deduction from investment income.
Some brokerage commissions paid by CREF have been used to reduce expenses.
18
<PAGE>
YOUR INVESTMENT OPTIONS
CREF's goal is to provide retirement benefits to you. We have a long-term
investment perspective and the CREF accounts, as a whole, avoid high risk and
extreme conservatism. Each account has its own investment objective, policies,
and special risks. Investment objectives cannot be changed without approval of a
majority of account participants. CREF can change investment policies without
such approval. There is no guarantee that any CREF account will meet its
investment objective.
Investing in CREF accounts involves risks. Risks common to all accounts include:
MARKET RISK - a change in a stock or bond's price due to changing market
conditions including changes in interest rates.
FINANCIAL RISK - the possibility that a company's earnings will fall or that its
overall financial soundness will decline; the possibility that a bond issuer
won't be able to pay principal and interest when due.
INTEREST RATE RISK - how much and how quickly interest rate changes will affect
a bond's price.
CURRENT INCOME VOLATILITY - the possibility that current income may fall as a
result of overall interest rate changes.
Equity Accounts
EQUITY ACCOUNTS
STOCK ACCOUNT
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE: A favorable long-term rate of return through capital
appreciation and investment income by investing primarily in a broadly
diversified portfolio of common stocks.
INVESTMENT STRATEGY: The account is divided into three segments. Investment
percentages can vary considerably among them. One segment is designed to track
U.S. equity markets as a whole and invests in stocks in the Russell 3000(R)
Index. The account doesn't invest in all 3000 stocks in the Index. Rather, we
use a sampling approach to ensure that this segment 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 even if it performs
poorly, unless the company is removed from the Russell 3000. This segment also
uses special valuation and trading techniques to attempt to slightly outperform
the Russell 3000.
Another segment of the account contains stocks that are selected individually
for their investment potential.
The third segment invests in foreign stocks and other equity securities. This
segment also invests in fixed-income securities and money
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market instruments traded on foreign exchanges, in other foreign securities
markets, or privately placed. As of December 31, 1998, this segment consisted of
18.94% of the account. Foreign securities have different types and levels of
risk than a strictly domestic portfolio. See "Foreign Investments" on page 29
for risks related to foreign investing.
SPECIAL RISKS: The Stock Account is the world's largest equity fund. Because of
its size, it may be buying or selling blocks of stock that are large compared to
the stock's trading volume, making it difficult to reach the positions called
for by our investment decisions, and/or affecting the stock's price. As a
result, we may not be able to adjust the portfolio as quickly as we would like.
While one segment of the Stock Account tries to closely track the Russell 3000
Index and changes are made to reflect changes in the Index, there is no
guarantee that the Index's performance can be replicated.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS: The size of the Stock Account lets us maintain
relationships with many brokers and take advantage of competition among them to
obtain good transaction terms. We often seek economies of scale by buying or
selling large amounts of securities in a single transaction to benefit from
reduced brokerage commissions and better purchase or sales prices than smaller
investors usually receive.
RUSSELL 3000(R) INDEX
THE RUSSELL 3000(R) IS AN UNMANAGED INDEX OF STOCKS OF THE 3,000 LARGEST
PUBLICLY TRADED U.S. COMPANIES, BASED ON MARKET CAPITALIZATION. RUSSELL 3000
COMPANIES REPRESENT ABOUT 98% OF THE TOTAL MARKET CAPITALIZATION OF THE PUBLICLY
TRADED U.S. EQUITY MARKET. THE MARKET CAPITALIZATION OF THE INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES
IN THE INDEX RANGED FROM $2.0 MILLION TO $345.8 BILLION WITH AN AVERAGE OF $4.2
BILLION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998.
THE RUSSELL 3000 IS A TRADEMARK AND SERVICEMARK OF THE FRANK RUSSELL COMPANY. NO
CREF ACCOUNT IS PROMOTED, ENDORSED, SPONSORED OR SOLD BY OR AFFILIATED WITH THE
FRANK RUSSELL COMPANY.
GLOBAL EQUITIES ACCOUNT
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE: A 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 STRATEGY: The account will invest at least 65% of its assets in
equity securities of foreign and domestic companies. Typically, at least 40% of
the account is invested in foreign securities and at least 25% in domestic
securities. The remaining 35% is distributed between foreign and domestic
securities, as we deem appropriate. These percentages may vary according to
market conditions.
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Investments are allocated to particular countries or regions based on several
factors, including the attractiveness of particular markets and the size of a
country's or region's equity markets as compared to the value of global markets.
Normally, the account will be invested in at least three different countries,
one of which will be the U.S., although the account will usually be more
diversified.
The account can invest in companies of any size, including small companies.
Investing in smaller companies entails more risk. See "Special Risks" for the
Growth Account on page 22. The account may also be divided into segments. Some
segments may track foreign or domestic markets while others may contain stocks
selected individually for their investment potential.
Special Risks: There are special risks associated with foreign investing, such
as political or social instability of foreign markets, changing exchange rates,
foreign government regulation, and market conditions different from those in the
U.S., including lower liquidity and higher volatility. See "Foreign Investments"
on page 29 for additional risks related to foreign investing.
GROWTH ACCOUNT
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE: A favorable long-term rate of return, mainly through
capital appreciation, primarily from a diversified portfolio of common stocks
that present the opportunity for exceptional growth.
INVESTMENT STRATEGY: The account will invest at least 80% of its assets in
common stocks and other equity securities. The account may be divided into
segments. Some segments may track the growth sector of the markets generally
while others may contain stocks selected individually for their investment
potential. We choose individual stocks based on a company's growth prospects,
looking for companies that have the potential for strong earnings or sales
growth or appear to be undervalued based on current earnings or assets.
The account invests in companies of all sizes. It can invest in large
established companies, particularly if they have new or innovative products,
services or processes that enhance future earnings prospects. It can also invest
in smaller, less seasoned companies with growth potential as well as companies
in new and emerging areas of the economy. We may also look for companies that
may benefit from reorganizations, mergers or other special situations. We can
also buy foreign securities and other securities (up to 40% of assets). See
"Foreign Investments" on page 29 for risks related to foreign investing.
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SPECIAL RISKS: There are special risks associated with investing in small
companies. These companies generally have narrow product lines, limited track
records, and thinly traded securities. As a result, the prices of small company
stocks may fluctuate more than larger company stocks. In addition, stocks of
companies involved in reorganizations or special situations involve more risk.
Accordingly, the Growth Account will typically be more volatile than the overall
stock market, and could significantly outperform or underperform the market.
EQUITY INDEX ACCOUNT
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE: A favorable long-term rate of 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 STRATEGY: The account is designed to track the U.S. stock market as a
whole and invests in stocks in the Russell 3000 Index. The account does not
invest in all 3000 stocks in the Index. Rather, we use a sampling approach to
ensure that this segment closely matches the overall investment characteristics
(for example, yield and industry weight) of the Index. This means that a company
can remain in the portfolio even if it performs poorly, unless the company is
removed from the Index. The CREF Board of Trustees can change the index used by
this account at any time. Investors in the account will be notified if it does
so.
The account can also invest in securities and other instruments, such as
futures, whose return depends on stock market prices. We select these securities
to attempt to match the total return of the Russell 3000 but may not always do
so.
SPECIAL RISKS: While the account attempts to closely track the Russell 3000
Index and changes are made to reflect changes in the Index, there is no
guarantee that the Index's performance can be replicated. Also, because the
Index's returns aren't reduced by operating and investment expenses, the
account's ability to match the Index will be adversely affected by the costs of
buying and selling stocks as well as other expenses. However, we expect expenses
to be low compared to actively managed accounts.
OTHER INVESTMENTS IN EQUITY
ACCOUNTS
In addition to stocks, the CREF equity accounts can 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 also hold the same types of
money market instruments the Money Market Account invests in, as well as other
short-term instruments.
The equity accounts can also hold fixed-income securities that they acquire
through mergers, recapitalizations or other situations. When market conditions
are favorable, the accounts can also invest in bonds or other debt instruments
similar to those investments
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made by the Bond Market Account. The equity accounts can also invest in debt
securities whose prices or interest rates are linked to the return of a stock
market index.
The equity accounts may buy and sell options, futures contracts and options on
futures. 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.
To help 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.
Although the equity accounts may use options, futures or currency contracts at
times to hedge certain risks, it is not the intent of the accounts to hedge all
equity or currency risks at any particular time.
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. These securities
and instruments pose special risks, such as lack of liquidity or credit risks of
the issuer or counterparty.
Bond Market and Inflation-Linked Bond Accounts
BOND MARKET ACCOUNT
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE: A favorable long-term rate of return, primarily through
high current income consistent with preserving capital.
Investment Strategy: The account invests primarily in a broad range of
investment grade, fixed-income securities, such as bonds, notes and money-market
instruments including:
n Securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies and
instrumentalities
n Investment-grade corporate securities or mortgage- or asset-backed securities
(rated Baa3 or better by Moody's Investors Services or BBB or better by
Standard & Poor's)
n Mortgage-backed securities issued by U.S. government agencies or government
sponsored enterprises such as the Government National Mortgage Association
(GNMA), the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) and the Federal Home
Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC)
n Other investment quality mortgage-related or asset-backed securities
n Bonds, notes, commercial paper, and other securities issued by foreign
governments, agencies, corporations, and banks (up to 15% of assets), or
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n Non-investment grade securities rated Ba1 or lower by Moody's and BB+ and
lower by S&P as well as unrated securities of a similar quality ("junk
bonds"). We don't intend to invest more than 20% of the account's assets in
these securities.
As of December 31, 1998, they constituted 2.02% of the account's portfolio.
See the SAI for an explanation of bond ratings.
SPECIAL RISKS: Generally, fixed-income securities are interest rate sensitive.
Their market values tend to rise when interest rates fall and fall when interest
rates rise. In addition, the market price of securities with longer maturities
tend to be more volatile.
Lower-rated bonds typically offer higher returns but have 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
creditworthiness can have a greater impact on the price of lower-rated bonds
than comparable changes would for higher-rated bonds. In addition, lower-rated
bonds may be harder to trade, making it more difficult to value or dispose of
them. The prices of lower-rated bonds can also be more volatile than those of
higher-quality securities.
These risks can also apply to the lower levels of "investment grade"
securities--for example, securities rated Baa by Moody's or BBB by S&P. Also,
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, we might sell these securities, 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. Rather, we do our own credit analysis,
paying particular attention to interest rate trends and other market events.
Investments in mortgage-related securities may be subject to prepayment or
extension risk. Prepayment risk is the risk that mortgages will be paid off
earlier than expected. Extension risk is the risk that mortgages will be paid
off later than expected.
INFLATION-LINKED BOND ACCOUNT
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE: 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.
INVESTMENT STRATEGY: The account invests primarily in U.S. Treasury
Inflation-Indexed Securities. It can also invest in other inflation-indexed
bonds issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies, by
corporations and other U.S. domiciled issuers as well as foreign governments. It
can also invest in money market instruments or other short-term securities.
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U.S. TREASURY INFLATION-INDEXED SECURITIES (TIIS): Beginning in January 1997,
the United States Treasury Department issued TIIS, a new type of bond designed
to provide returns linked to the inflation rate.
The principal amount of a TIIS bond is adjusted periodically for inflation using
the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). 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.
The interest and principal components of the bonds may be "stripped" or sold
separately. The account can buy or sell either component.
FOREIGN INFLATION-INDEXED SECURITIES: The account may invest in
inflation-indexed bonds issued or guaranteed by foreign governments and their
agencies, as well as other foreign issuers. These investments are usually
designed to track the inflation rate in the issuing country. We don't expect the
account's investments in foreign inflation-indexed bonds to be more than 25% of
assets, although this level may change.
INFLATION-INDEXED BONDS
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 THAT IS LOWER THAN
CONVENTIONAL BONDS OF COMPARABLE MATURITY AND QUALITY, BUT THEY ARE EXPECTED TO
RETAIN THEIR VALUE AGAINST INFLATION OVER TIME.
SPECIAL RISKS: 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. As a result, its total return may not actually track the
selected inflation index every year.
Market values of inflation-indexed bonds can be affected by changes in the
market's inflation expectations or changes in real rates of interest.
In addition, the CPI-U may not accurately reflect the true rate of inflation. If
the market perceives that the index used by TIIS does not accurately reflect
inflation, the market value of those bonds could be adversely affected.
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Participants who choose to receive annuity income through this account should be
aware that their income might not keep pace with inflation precisely, if the
average stated interest rate on the account's inflation-indexed bonds is below
about 4 percent.
OTHER INVESTMENTS IN BOND MARKET
AND INFLATION-LINKED BOND 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. The Bond
Market Account can also hold preferred stock and common stock through conversion
of bonds or exercise of warrants.
To help manage currency risk, the Bond Market and Inflation-Linked Bond Accounts
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.
The Bond Market Account can also buy and sell swaps and options on swaps. The
account will use these instruments as hedging techniques or for cash management
and not for speculation. These instruments do, however, involve special risks.
The account is not required to hedge investments.
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 Inflation-Linked Bond 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.
SOCIAL CHOICE ACCOUNT
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE: A favorable long-term rate of return that reflects the
investment performance of the financial markets while giving special
consideration to certain social criteria.
Investment Strategy: The account invests in a diversified set of stocks and
other equity securities, bonds and other fixed-income securities, as well as
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 nonfundamental investment policies. They can change without
the approval of the account's participants. The account won't invest in
companies and issuers that:
n engage in activities that result or are likely to result in significant damage
to the environment
n have a significant portion of their business in weapons manufacturing
n produce and market alcoholic beverages or tobacco products
n produce nuclear energy, or
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n have operations in Northern Ireland and have not adopted the MacBride
Principles (a fair employment code for U.S. firms operating in Northern
Ireland) or have not operated consistently with such principles and is in
compliance with the Fair Employment Act of 1989 (Northern Ireland).
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 a part of a company's operation the activity involves or how
much revenue it brings in.
The Social Choice Account is a balanced account, with assets divided between
stocks and other equity securities (currently about 60% ) and bonds and other
fixed-income securities, including money-market instruments (about 40%). When
market conditions or transaction needs require, the equity portion can go as
high as 70% or as low as 50%, with corresponding changes in the fixed-income
portion. We can change the percentages even further if we think it's
appropriate.
The equities portion of the account attempts to perform consistently with the
U.S. stock markets as represented by the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. The
account can also invest up to 15% of its assets in foreign securities.
The fixed-income portion of the account will invest in the same kinds of
securities as the Bond Market Account. Money-market instruments and short-term
debt securities invested in by the account will be of the same type as those
held by the Money Market Account. The account can also hold other kinds of
short-term instruments. These help us maintain liquidity, use cash balances
effectively, and take advantage of attractive investment opportunities.
The account may also buy and sell options, swaps, options on swaps, futures
contracts and options on futures. The account will use these instruments as
hedging techniques or for cash management and not for speculation. These
instruments do, however, involve special risks. The account is not required to
hedge its investments.
SUITABLE INVESTMENTS
THE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY COMMITTEE OF THE CREF BOARD
OF TRUSTEES PROVIDES GUIDANCE IN DECIDING WHETHER INVESTMENTS OF THE SOCIAL
CHOICE ACCOUNT MEET THE SOCIAL CRITERIA. IT USES INFORMATION FROM INDEPENDENT
ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE INVESTOR RESPONSIBILITY RESEARCH CENTER, INC. WE'LL DO
OUR BEST TO MAKE SURE THE ACCOUNT'S INVESTMENTS MEET THE SOCIAL CRITERIA BUT WE
CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT EVERY HOLDING WILL ALWAYS DO SO. EVEN IF AN INVESTMENT IS
NOT EXCLUDED BY SOCIAL CRITERIA, WE HAVE THE OPTION OF EXCLUDING IT IF WE DECIDE
IT IS NOT SUITABLE.
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SPECIAL RISKS: Because its social criteria exclude some investments, the account
may not be able to take advantage of opportunities or market trends as do the
accounts that don't use such criteria. Because only part of the account's assets
are in stocks and other equity securities, 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.
MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE: High current income consistent with maintaining liquidity
and preserving capital.
INVESTMENT STRATEGY: Substantially all the account's assets will be invested 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 of the account won't be more than 90 days.
The account will invest at least 95% of its assets in money market instruments
that, at the time of purchase, are "first tier" securities - securities rated
within the highest category by at least two nationally recognized statistical
rating organizations (NRSROs). Up to 5% of the account's assets may be invested
in "second tier" securities - securities rated within the two highest categories
by at least two NRSROs. The account can also buy unrated securities that are of
comparable quality to other first- and second-tier securities.
TYPES OF MONEY MARKET
ACCOUNT INVESTMENTS:
COMMERCIAL PAPER ISSUED BY DOMESTIC OR FOREIGN COMPANIES VARIABLE RATE, FLOATING
RATE OR VARIABLE AMOUNT SECURITIES OF DOMESTIC OR FOREIGN ENTITIES BANK DEBT
INCLUDING CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSITS, TIME DEPOSITS, BANKERS' ACCEPTANCES OR OTHER
SHORT-TERM DEBT U.S. GOVERNMENT OR AGENCY SECURITIES REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
PARTICIPATION INTEREST IN BANK LOANS (THESE MAY BE CONSIDERED ILLIQUID)
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES DEBT SECURITIES ISSUED BY FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC COMPANIES
WITH A REMAINING MATURITY OF 397 DAYS OR LESS FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OR AGENCY
SECURITIES, OR INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION SECURITIES (SUCH AS THE WORLD BANK)
THE ABOVE INVESTMENTS ARE IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER OF IMPORTANCE AND MAY OR MAY
NOT BE HELD BY THE MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME.
Subject to the standards described above, the account can also invest up to 30%
of its assets in foreign money-market and debt instruments denominated in U.S.
dollars, including obligations of foreign banks and foreign governments.
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SPECIAL RISKS: The account will have very little financial and market risk, but
may have relatively high interest rate risk as rates move up or down.
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT
TOOLS AND RISKS
At times, the CREF accounts may use certain investment tools to attempt to
enhance return or hedge risk. This section summarizes these tools and their
risks. For more information on the tools described and their risks, see the SAI.
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, and
others with stocks selected individually for their investment potential. We
invest in a wide range of foreign securities in an effort to reduce the risks
and increase the opportunity for returns. The percentages of foreign assets in
each account change daily as a result of new transactions, market value
fluctuations and changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Investing in foreign securities, especially those not issued by foreign
governments, involves special risks. These include:
n Changes in currency exchange rates
n Possible market controls or currency exchange controls
n Possible withholding of taxes on dividends and interest
n Possible seizure, expropriation, or nationalization of assets
n More limited foreign financial information or difficulty in interpretation due
to foreign regulations and accounting standards
n Lower liquidity and higher volatility in some foreign markets
n The impact of political, social, or diplomatic events
n The difficulty of evaluating some foreign economic trends
n The possibility that a foreign government could restrict an issuer from paying
principal and interest to investors outside the country, and
n Difficulty in using foreign legal systems to enforce financial or legal
obligations.
Also, brokerage commissions and transaction costs are often higher for foreign
investments.
The accounts can also invest in countries with emerging markets. The risks just
listed often increase in emerging markets. For example, these 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, prices may be volatile. In addition, foreign investors are subject to a
variety of special restrictions in many emerging countries.
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The accounts may use currency transactions to help protect against future
exchange rate uncertainties and to take advantage of differences in exchange
rates. Changes in exchange rates and exchange control regulations may increase
or reduce the value of a security. Currency transactions involve special risks
and may limit potential gains due to increases in a currency's value. We do not
intend to speculate in foreign currency exchange transactions or forward
currency contracts.
Even considering the risks, foreign investing offers the opportunity 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 may enhance long-term returns.
On January 1, 1999, the European Monetary Union (EMU) implemented a new currency
unit, called the Euro. The Euro became the official currency of the EMU and
replaced individual country currencies. The implementation of the Euro may
adversely affect financial markets worldwide and may result in changes in the
relative strength of other major currencies, including the U.S. dollar. It is
not possible to accurately predict what effect, if any, the Euro conversion will
have long term on financial markets in general.
OPTIONS, FUTURES, AND OTHER DERIVATIVES
The CREF accounts can buy and sell options, futures, and other derivatives. We
intend to use these securities for cash management purposes or as hedging
techniques, although we are not obligated to hedge any investments. Generally,
investing in these instruments involves additional risks and draws upon special
skills and experience that may be different from skills needed to choose other
types of securities for the accounts. Special risks of these instruments include
the possibility that the prices of certain derivatives may not correlate
perfectly with the prices of the securities, currencies, or interest rates being
hedged. In addition, a liquid secondary market for over-the-counter options may
not be available at a particular time.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
Each account can invest up to 10% of its assets in investments that may not be
readily marketable, making it difficult to sell the securities quickly at fair
market value.
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 date. We would do this if we expect a
decline in interest rates, believing it may be better to commit now with a later
issue or delivery date. We may
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also purchase securities on a "when issued" basis, with the exact terms set at
the time of the transaction.
SECURITIES LENDING
The CREF accounts can seek extra income by lending securities to brokers,
dealers, and other financial institutions, subject to certain restrictions. If
we lend a security, we can call in the loan at any time. Although all loans are
fully collateralized, if a borrower defaults, an account could lose money.
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, not exceeding 10% of the account's market value at the
time of borrowing. These accounts can also borrow up to 5% of their assets'
value to buy securities. Each account can pledge or otherwise encumber up to 10%
of its assets at the time of borrowing as collateral.
The Growth, Equity Index, and Inflation-Linked Bond Accounts can also borrow
money from banks, not exceeding 331/3% of the account's market value at the time
of borrowing. These accounts can borrow from other sources temporarily, but no
more than 5% of their assets' value.
If an account borrows money, it could leverage its portfolio by keeping
securities that it might otherwise have sold had it not borrowed money. The
risks of leverage include a greater possibility that an account's net asset
value may change during market fluctuations.
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Each account can invest up to 10% of its assets in other investment companies,
including mutual funds. When an account invests in another investment company,
it bears a proportionate share of expenses charged by the investment company in
which it invests.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The CREF accounts can use repurchase agreements to help manage cash balances.
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PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
From time to time, CREF advertises total return and average annual total return
for each of its accounts. For the Bond Market, and Money Market Accounts, we
also advertise yield.
TOTAL RETURNS
"Total return" is the cumulative percentage increase or decrease in the value of
an investment over standard one-, five- and ten-year periods. "Average annual
total return" is the annually compounded rate that would result in the same
cumulative total return over the specified period.
MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT YIELDS
For the Money Market Account, we calculate a "yield" or "current yield." This
yield is the income generated by an investment over a seven-day period (after
expenses). We then annualize this yield by assuming the account will earn the
same rate each week for 52 weeks, then show the total income as a percentage of
the original investment. "Effective yield" may also be advertised. We calculate
this in a similar way, but we assume that the income is reinvested in the
account. The effective yield will be higher than the current yield due to
compounding.
BOND MARKET ACCOUNT YIELDS
For the Bond Market Account, we calculate a thirty-day yield. This yield is the
income generated by an investment over a thirty-day period (after expenses). We
then assume this yield is compounded monthly for six months, then annualized.
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Investment Management
A Board of Trustees governs CREF. The Board oversees CREF's administration and
investments, reviews service contracts, and evaluates each account's
performance. TIAA-CREF Investment Management, LLC, a nonprofit subsidiary of
TIAA, manages the assets in each CREF account and is registered under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. TIAA-CREF Investment Management
also conducts research, recommends investments, and places buy and sell orders
for the CREF accounts. It also performs portfolio accounting and related
services for each account. All services are at cost.
Employees of TIAA-CREF Investment Management and members of their households are
limited in trading for their own accounts. Certain transactions they make must
be reported and approved, and duplicates of all confirmation statements and
other account reports must be sent to a special compliance unit.
Allocations Among
Affiliated Accounts
The managers of the CREF accounts may manage the assets of certain affiliated
accounts. Investment decisions for the CREF accounts and any affiliated account
will be made independently. Sometimes, however, managers may decide either to
buy or sell a security at the same time for more than one CREF account or
affiliated account. If so, investment opportunities are allocated equitably.
This can have an adverse effect on the size of the position each CREF account
buys or sells, as well as the price received or paid for it.
Adding, Closing, or
Substituting Accounts
CREF can add or close accounts, substitute one account for another, combine
accounts, discontinue accounts, and suspend the acceptance of premiums and/or
transfers into an account. Depending on the terms of an employer's retirement
plan, CREF can also restrict whether and how we offer an account. If an account
is closed or we stop accepting premiums into that account, we'll notify
participants and request that they allocate premiums and/or transfer
accumulations to another account. If you're notified of such a change and don't
respond, we'll place any premiums, accumulations, or annuity income affected by
the change in the Money Market Account. Unless required by law, CREF will not
close, substitute for, or stop accepting premiums and transfers to the Stock and
Money Market Accounts.
The Annuity Certificates
CREF offers certificates for the following types of variable annuities:
RA (RETIREMENT ANNUITY) AND GRA
(GROUP RETIREMENT ANNUITY): RA and GRA certificates are used mainly for employee
retirement plans.
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Depending on the terms of your employer's plan, RA premiums can be paid by your
employer, you, or both. If you're paying some or all of the entire periodic
premium, your contributions can be in either pre-tax dollars by salary
reduction, or after-tax dollars by payroll deduction. You can also transfer
accumulations from another investment choice under your employer's plan to your
RA certificate. For RAs only, you can make contributions directly to CREF.
GRA premiums can come from your employer only or both you and your employer.
Your GRA premiums can be from pre-tax or after-tax contributions. 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 plan to your GRA certificate.
SRA (SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT ANNUITY) AND GSRA (GROUP SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT
ANNUITY): These are for voluntary tax-deferred annuity (TDA) plans. SRA
certificates are issued directly to you; GSRA certificates are issued through an
agreement between your employer and CREF. Your employer pays premiums in pre-tax
dollars through salary reduction. Although you can't pay premiums directly, you
can transfer amounts from other TDA plans.
GA (GROUP ANNUITY): GA certificates are used exclusively for employer retirement
plans and are issued directly to your employer or your plan's trustee. Your
employer pays premiums directly to CREF. Your employer or the plan's trustee
controls the allocation of contributions and transfers to and from these
certificates.
CLASSIC IRA: You and your spouse can each open a Classic IRA with an annual
contribution of up to $2,000 each or by rolling over funds from another IRA or
an eligible retirement plan, if you meet our eligibility requirements.
ROTH IRA: You or your spouse can each open a Roth IRA with an annual
contribution of up to $2,000 each or by rolling over funds from another IRA or a
Classic IRA issued by CREF, if you meet our eligibility requirements.
Both Roth and Classic IRAs are issued directly to you. Joint accounts are not
permissible.
KEOGH CERTIFICATES: Pending regulatory approval, CREF has plans to offer
certificates under keogh plans. If you own an unincorporated business, you'll be
able to use our Keogh certificates for your Keogh plan, if you meet our
eligibility requirements.
ELIGIBILITY FOR IRAS AND KEOGH
CERTIFICATES
YOU AND YOUR SPOUSE CAN OPEN A CLASSIC
OR ROTH IRA OR USE OUR KEOGH CERTIFICATES
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.
FOR THIS PURPOSE, AN INDIVIDUAL WHO RETIRED
AFTER ATTAINMENT OF AGE 55 AND COMPLETED
AT LEAST 5 YEARS OF SERVICE AT AN ELIGIBLE
INSTITUTION IS CONSIDERED TO BE RETIRED.
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Starting out
Generally, we'll issue you a CREF certificate when we receive your completed
application or enrollment form. If we receive premiums from your employer before
your application or enrollment form, we'll invest the money in the Money Market
Account until we receive your form. When the completed form arrives, we'll
transfer the appropriate amounts to the accounts you've specified, crediting
them as of the end of the business day we receive the form.
If your application or enrollment form is incomplete, allocations don't total
100%, or allocations violate employer plan restrictions, we'll invest your
premiums in the Money Market Account. After we receive a complete and correct
application, we'll follow your allocation instructions for future premiums.
However, in this situation, you must request that we transfer any premiums
invested in the Money Market Account to your account choices. Such transfers
will be made as of the end of the business day we receive your request.
CREF currently 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. In addition, the
Internal Revenue Code limits the total annual premiums to plans qualified for
favorable tax treatment.
If you pay premiums directly to an RA or IRA, the premiums and any earnings are
not subject to your employer's retirement plan. The only restrictions relating
to these premiums are in the certificate itself.
In most cases, CREF accepts 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.
CHOOSING AN ACCOUNT
After you receive your certificate, you can allocate your premiums to any CREF
account unless your employer's plan blocks an account. With RAs, GRAs, or GSRAs,
your employer cannot block the Stock or Money Market Accounts. Allocations you
make to an SRA or IRA are not subject to your employer's plan. You can change
your allocation for future premiums by:
n writing to our home office
n using our Inter/ACT Internet service at www.tiaa-cref.org, or
n calling our Automated Telephone Service (24 hours a day) at 800-842-2252.
DETERMINING THE VALUE OF YOUR ACCOUNT
- -- ACCUMULATION UNITS
To determine the amount of money in your account, we use a measure called an
accumulation unit. Each payment to your certificate, which is credited at the
end of the business day in which we receive it, buys a number of accumulation
units. The accumulation unit value for each account depends on the account's
investment performance and its expenses. We calculate accumulation unit val-
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ues at the end of each valuation day. The number of accumulation units you own
equals your accumulation in an account divided by the accumulation unit value
for that account. To determine accumulation unit values for transfers and cash
withdrawals, we use the unit values calculated at the end of the business day on
which we receive your completed request and required documents.
HOW WE VALUE ASSETS
WE USE MARKET
QUOTATIONS OR INDEPENDENT PRICING
SERVICES TO VALUE SECURITIES AND OTHER
INSTRUMENTS. IF THESE AREN'T AVAILABLE,
WE'LL VALUE THE SECURITIES USING "FAIR
VALUE," AS DETERMINED BY THE CREF
BOARD OF TRUSTEES. WE MAY ALSO USE
"FAIR VALUE" IN CERTAIN OTHER
CIRCUMSTANCES. IN THE MONEY MARKET
ACCOUNT, WE VALUE SHORT-TERM MONEY
MARKET INSTRUMENTS WITH A REMAINING
MATURITY OF 60 DAYS OR LESS BASED ON
THEIR AMORTIZED COST.
IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL
You may cancel any RA, SRA, GSRA, IRA or Keogh certificate up to 30 days after
you receive it unless we have begun making annuity payments from it. To cancel,
mail or deliver the certificate with a signed Notice of Cancellation (available
by contacting CREF) to our home office. We'll cancel the certificate and send
the entire current accumulation to whomever sent the premiums. You bear the
investment risk during this period.
HOW TO TRANSFER AND
WITHDRAW YOUR MONEY
Generally, CREF allows you to move your money to and from the CREF accounts in
the following manner:
n From the CREF accounts to the TIAA Real Estate Account or the TIAA traditional
annuity
n To the CREF accounts from the TIAA Real Estate Account or the TIAA traditional
annuity (subject to certain limitations)
n From the CREF accounts to other companies
n To the CREF accounts from other plans
n By withdrawing cash, or
n By setting up a program of systematic withdrawals and transfers.
These options may be limited by the terms of your employer's plan or by current
tax law. Transfers and cash withdrawals must be at least $1,000 or your entire
accumulation, if less. Transfers and cash withdrawals are currently free.
Transfers from the TIAA Real Estate Account to CREF are limited to once per
calendar quarter. CREF can place restrictions on transfers or charge fees for
transfers and withdrawals in the future.
Transfers and cash withdrawals are effective at the end of the business day we
receive your request and all required documentation. You can also choose to have
transfers and withdrawals take effect at the end of any future business day or
the last calendar day
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of the current or any future month, even if it's not a business day. If you
request a transfer at any time other than during a business day, it will be
effective at the close of the next business day.
TO REQUEST A TRANSFER OR WITHDRAWAL:
n write to CREF's home office
n call us at our Automated Telephone Service at 800-842-2252, or
n for transfers, use our Inter/ACT Internet service at www.tiaa-cref.org.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWALS AND
TRANSFERS
IF YOUR EMPLOYER'S PLAN ALLOWS, YOU CAN
SET UP A PROGRAM TO MAKE CASH
WITHDRAWALS OR TRANSFERS AUTOMATICALLY BY
SPECIFYING THAT WE WITHDRAW OR TRANSFER
FROM AN ACCOUNT ACCUMULATION ANY FIXED:
N NUMBER OF ACCUMULATION UNITS
N DOLLAR AMOUNT, OR
N PERCENTAGE OF ACCUMULATION
UNTIL YOU TELL US TO STOP OR UNTIL YOUR
ACCUMULATION IS EXHAUSTED. CURRENTLY,
THE PROGRAM MUST BE SET UP SO THAT AT
LEAST $100 IS AUTOMATICALLY
WITHDRAWN OR TRANSFERRED AT A TIME.
You may be required to complete and return certain forms to effect these
transactions. We can suspend or terminate your ability to transact by telephone
or over the Internet at any time, for any reason.
There may be tax law restrictions on certain transfers. Before you transfer or
withdraw cash, make sure you understand the possible federal and other income
tax consequences.
TRANSFERS TO AND FROM OTHER TIAA-CREF
ACCOUNTS
Subject to the conditions below, you can transfer some or all of your
accumulation from one CREF account to another, or to TIAA's traditional annuity
or the TIAA Real Estate Account. You can also transfer from the TIAA traditional
annuity and TIAA Real Estate Account to CREF certificates. Transfers from TIAA
RA and GRA traditional annuity contracts to CREF are required to take place in
roughly equal installments over a 10-year period through a TIAA transfer payout
annuity.
Under RA, GSRA, and GRA certificates, your employer's plan may restrict
transfers to any CREF account except the Stock and Money Market Accounts. Under
SRA and IRA certificates, you can transfer funds without employer restrictions
among the CREF accounts and to TIAA. If your institution offers a GSRA plan, you
can also transfer CREF funds between SRA and GSRA certificates.
TRANSFERS FROM OTHER PLANS
Usually, you can transfer money from another 403(b) retirement plan to your CREF
certificate. Similarly, you can transfer money to CREF from other 401(a) and
403(a) plans. Amounts transferred to CREF may be subject to your original
employer's plan. You can also transfer funds from 401(a), 403(a), and 403(b)
plans to a CREF Classic IRA, or subject
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to applicable income limits, from an IRA containing funds originally contributed
to such plans, to either a CREF Classic or Roth IRA.
Companies
TRANSFERS TO OTHER
If you have an RA, GRA, GSRA or Keogh certificate, your right to transfer your
money to a company other than CREF may depend on your employer's plan. 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.
You may also be able to transfer accumulations in SRA, GSRA, IRA or Keogh
certificates to another company subject to certain tax restrictions.
WITHDRAWALS
You can withdraw some or all of your RA or GRA accumulations subject to your
employer's plan and certain tax restrictions. You can also withdraw some or all
of your SRA, GSRA, IRA or Keogh accumulations subject to certain tax
restrictions. You can't withdraw money from a certificate if you are already
receiving lifetime annuity income from that certificate.
If you have a small account value (under $4,000) when you leave your employer or
retire, your employer's plan may allow you to have CREF cash out some or all of
your RA.
Under current federal tax law, you can't withdraw money from salary reduction
agreements under your retirement plan that are held in your CREF certificates
unless you are age 591/2, leave your job, become disabled, or die. If the money
is in a 403(b) annuity, these restrictions apply to premiums and earnings
credited after December 31, 1988. The restrictions apply to all salary reduction
amounts under a 401(k) plan and funds transferred directly to CREF from a
403(b)(7) custodial account. If your employer's plan permits, you may also be
able to withdraw money for certain hardships as defined under the Internal
Revenue Code, but in that case you can withdraw only premiums, not earnings.
Special rules and restrictions apply to IRAs.
If you're married, you may be required by law or by your employer's plan to show
us advance written consent from your spouse before we make certain transactions
on your behalf.
When You Are Ready to
Receive Your Annuity
Income
THE ANNUITY PERIOD IN GENERAL
You can receive an income stream from all or part of an accumulation in any CREF
account. Generally you must be at least age 591/2 to begin receiving annuity
income other than from a lifetime annuity. Otherwise, you may have to pay a 10
percent penalty tax on the taxable amount. In addition, you cannot begin
receiving income later than permitted under the minimum distribution rules. Your
employer's plan may restrict when you can begin income payments. Also, you
cannot begin a life annuity after age 90 or a joint life annuity after either
you or your annuity partner reach age 90.
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Your income payments may be paid out from the CREF accounts through a variety of
income options. You can pick a different income option for different portions of
your accumulation, but once you've started receiving payments you usually can't
change your income option or annuity partner for that payment stream.
Usually income payments are monthly. You can choose quarterly, semiannual, and
annual payments as well. (CREF has the right to not make payments at any
interval that would cause the initial payment to be less than $100.) We'll send
your payments by mail to your home address or, on your request, by mail or
electronic funds transfer to your bank.
Your initial income payments are based on the value of your accumulation on the
last valuation day before the annuity starting date. We calculate initial income
based on:
n the amount of money you have accumulated in an account
n the income option or options you choose, and
n an assumed annual investment return of 4 percent, and for life annuities,
mortality assumptions for you and your annuity partner, if you have one.
Your payments change after the initial payment primarily based on net investment
results and expenses for an account and the mortality experience for the income
change method in that account.
There are two income change methods for annuity payments: annual and monthly.
Under the annual income change method, payments change each May 1, based on the
net investment results of an account during the prior year (April 1 through
March 31). Under the monthly income change method, payments change every month,
based on the net investment results during the previous month.
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 but you can change this date at any time prior to the day before
that annuity starting date. Ordinarily, annuity payments begin on your annuity
starting date, provided we have received all documentation necessary for the
income option you've picked. If something's missing, we'll defer your annuity
starting 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 70 days after payments begin may be used to provide
additional annuity income. Premiums received after 70 days will remain in your
accumulating annuity contract 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.
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ANNUITY INCOME OPTIONS
Both the number of annuity units you purchase and the amount of your income
payments will depend on which income option you pick. Your employer's plan, tax
law, and ERISA may limit which income options you can use to receive income from
an RA or GRA. Ordinarily you'll choose your income options shortly before you
want payments to begin but you can make or change your choice any time before
your annuity starting date.
All CREF income options provide variable payments, and the amount of income you
receive depends in part on the investment experience of your chosen accounts.
The current options are:
n ONE-LIFE ANNUITY: Pays income for as long as you live. It's possible for you
to receive only one payment if you die less than a month after payments start.
n LIFE ANNUITY WITH 10-, 15- OR 20-YEAR GUARANTEED PERIOD: Pays income for as
long as you live but no less than the guaranteed period.
n ANNUITY FOR A FIXED PERIOD: Pays income for any period you choose from 5 to 30
years (2 to 30 years for RAs, GRAs and SRAs).
n TWO-LIFE ANNUITIES: Pays income to you as long as you live, then continues at
either the same or a reduced level for the life of your annuity partner. There
are three types of two-life annuity options, all available with or without a
guaranteed period - full benefit to survivor, two-thirds benefit to survivor,
and a half-benefit to annuity partner.
n MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION OPTION ("MDO") ANNUITY: Generally available only if you
must begin annuity payments under the Internal Revenue Code minimum
distribution requirements. (Some employer plans allow you to elect this option
earlier contact CREF for more information.) The option pays an amount designed
to fulfill distribution requirements under federal tax law. You must apply
your entire accumulation under a certificate if you want to use the MDO
annuity; however, it's possible you won't receive income for life under an
MDO. Up to age 90, you can apply any remaining part of an accumulation applied
to the MDO annuity to any other income option for which you're eligible. Using
an MDO won't affect your right to take a cash withdrawal of any accumulation
not yet distributed.
For any of the income options described above, under current federal tax law,
your guaranteed period can't exceed the joint life expectancy of you and your
beneficiary or annuity partner. If you are married at your annuity start date,
you may be required by law to choose an income option that provides survivor
annuity income to your spouse, unless your spouse waives that right.
Other income options may become available in the future, subject to the terms of
your retirement plan and relevant federal and state laws. For more information
about any annuity option, please contact us.
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RECEIVING LUMP SUM PAYMENTS
(RETIREMENT TRANSITION BENEFIT): If your employer's plan allows, you may be able
to receive a single sum payment of up to 10% of the value of any part of an RA
or GRA accumulation being converted to annuity income on the annuity starting
date. Of course, if your employer's plan allows cash withdrawals, you can take a
larger amount (up to 100%) of your accumulation in any CREF account as a cash
payment. The retirement transition benefit will be subject to current federal
income tax requirements and possible early distribution penalties.
If you haven't picked an income option when the annuity starting date arrives
for your RA, GRA, SRA or GSRA certificate, CREF usually will assume you want the
one-life annuity with 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 with 10-year guaranteed period, with your spouse as your annuity
partner. If you haven't picked an income option when the annuity starting date
arrives for your IRA, we may assume you want the minimum distribution annuity.
TRANSFERS DURING THE ANNUITY PERIOD
Once each calendar quarter, you can transfer income payable from one CREF
account to a comparable annuity from another CREF account, the TIAA traditional
annuity, or the TIAA Real Estate Account.
Beginning in late 1999, annuitants receiving income from TIAA lifetime annuities
may transfer some or all of their income to comparable lifetime annuities funded
through the Stock, Global Equities, Equity Index or Social Choice Accounts. Such
transfers are limited to 20% of annuity income in any year. A program
transferring all income in five equal annual installments may also be chosen.
Once income has been transferred, subsequent transfers may be made only among
the Stock, Global Equities, Equity Index and Social Choice Accounts. Transfers
to other CREF accounts or back to TIAA will not be permitted. We'll process the
transfer on the business day we receive your request unless you've asked that
the transfer take effect on another business day or the last day of a calendar
month.
Transfers under the annual income payment method will affect your annuity
payments beginning on the May 1 following the March 31 that is on or after the
effective date of the transfer. Transfers under the monthly income payment
method and all transfers into TIAA's traditional annuity will affect your
annuity payments beginning with the first payment due after the monthly payment
valuation day that is on or after the transfer date. You can switch between the
annual and monthly income change methods, and the switch will go into effect on
the following March 31.
COMPARABLE ANNUITY
A COMPARABLE ANNUITY IS AN ANNUITY THAT
IS PAYABLE UNDER THE SAME INCOME OPTION
AND HAS THE SAME ANNUITANT(S) AND
REMAINING GUARANTEED PERIOD, IF ANY.
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Death Benefits
CHOOSING BENEFICIARIES
Death benefits under CREF annuity certificates are payable to the beneficiaries
you name. When you purchase your annuity certificate, you name one or more
beneficiaries to receive the death benefit if you die. You can change your
beneficiaries anytime before you die, and, unless you instruct otherwise, your
annuity partner can do the same after your death.
YOUR SPOUSE'S RIGHTS
Your choice of beneficiary for death benefits 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.
AMOUNT OF DEATH BENEFIT
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.
METHODS OF PAYMENT OF DEATH BENEFITS
Generally, you can choose the method by which we'll pay the death benefit. 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. If your beneficiary doesn't specifically
request to start receiving death benefits within a year of your death, we have
the option to start making payments to them over five years using the
fixed-period annuity method of payment.
PAYMENTS DURING ACCUMULATION PERIOD.
Currently, the available methods of payment for death benefits from funds in the
accumulation period are:
n Single-Sum Payment, in which the entire death benefit is paid to your
beneficiary at once
n One-Life Annuity with or without Guaranteed Period, in which the death benefit
is paid for the life of the beneficiary or through the guaranteed period
n Annuity for a Fixed Period of 2 to 30 years, in which the death benefit is
paid for a fixed period
n Accumulation-Unit Deposit Option, which pays a lump sum at the end of a fixed
period, ordinarily two to five years, during which period the accumulation
units deposited participate in the experience of the relevant CREF accounts
(gen-
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erally $5,000 minimum death benefit value), and
n THE MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION OPTION (ALSO CALLED THE TIAA-CREF SAVINGS AND
INVESTMENT PLAN), which is available to all beneficiaries and automatically
pays income according to the Internal Revenue Code's minimum distribution
requirements. It operates in much the same way as the minimum distribution
annuity income option. It's possible, under this method, that your beneficiary
won't receive income for life.
Death benefits are usually paid monthly (unless you chose a single-sum method of
payment), but your beneficiary can switch them to quarterly, semiannual, or
annual payments.
PAYMENTS DURING THE ANNUITY PERIOD. If you and your annuity partner die during
the annuity period, your beneficiary can choose to receive any 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 value
will be different from the total of the periodic payments that would otherwise
be paid.
Ordinarily, death benefits are subject to federal tax. For more detailed
information on death benefits, please contact CREF.
Timing of Payments
In general, we will make the following types of payments within seven calendar
days after we've received the information we need to process a request:
n cash withdrawals
n transfers to TIAA or to other companies
n payments under a fixed-period annuity, and
n death benefits.
The seven-day period may be extended in certain circumstances, such as an
SEC-recognized emergency.
Taxes
This section offers general information concerning federal taxes. It does not
cover every situation. Check with your tax adviser for more information.
During the accumulation period, premiums paid in before-tax dollars, employer
contributions and all earnings are not taxed until they're withdrawn. Annuity
payments, single-sum withdrawals, systematic withdrawals, and death benefits are
usually taxed as ordinary income. Premiums paid in after-tax dollars aren't
taxable when withdrawn, but earnings are taxable. Death benefits are usually
also subject to federal estate and state estate or inheritance taxation.
Generally, transfers between qualified retirement plans and between 403(b) plans
are not taxed. Transfers among the CREF accounts also aren't taxed.
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Generally, contributions you can make under an employer's plan are limited by
federal tax law. Employee voluntary salary reduction contributions to 403(b) and
401(k) plans are limited to $10,000 per year. Certain long-term employees may be
able to defer up to $13,000 per year in a 403(b) plan. Contributions to IRAs,
other than rollover contributions, cannot generally exceed $2,000 per year.
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 591/2,
you may have to pay an additional 10 percent early distribution tax on the
taxable amount. You won't have to pay this tax in certain circumstances.
MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS: In most cases, payments have to begin by
April 1 of the year after the year you reach age 701/2, or if later, retirement.
Under the terms of certain retirement plans, the plan administrator may direct
us to make the minimum distributions required by law even if you do not elect to
receive them. In addition, if you don't begin distributions on time, you may be
subject to a 50% excise tax on the amount you should have received but did not.
Roth IRAs are generally not subject to these rules.
WITHHOLDING ON DISTRIBUTIONS: If we send an "eligible rollover" distribution
directly to you, federal law requires us to withhold 20% from the taxable
portion. If we rollover such a distribution directly to an IRA or similar
employer qualified plan, we do not withhold any federal income tax. The 20%
withholding also does not apply to certain "non-eligible" rollover distributions
such as payments from IRAs, lifetime annuity payments, or minimum distribution
payments.
For the taxable portion of non-eligible rollover distributions, we will usually
withhold federal income taxes unless you tell us not to and you are eligible to
avoid withholding. Nonresident aliens who pay U.S. taxes are subject to
different withholding rules. Contact CREF for more information.
44
<PAGE>
Additional Information
CHOICES AND CHANGES: You have to make your choices or changes through a written
notice that is satisfactory to us and received at our home office. When we
receive a notice of a change in beneficiary or other person named to receive
payments, we'll make the change as of the date it was signed, even if the signer
has died in the meantime. We make 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 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. (You can establish a PIN by
calling us.) Both will lead you through the transaction process and we will use
reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions given are genuine. If we use
such procedures, we are not responsible for incorrect or fraudulent
transactions. All transactions made over the ATS and Inter/ACT are
electronically recorded.
We can suspend or terminate your ability to transact by Internet or telephone at
any time, for any reason.
YOUR VOTING RIGHTS: As a participant in CREF accounts, you can generally vote to
elect CREF trustees, to ratify the selection of an independent auditor, on any
change in investment objective and fundamental investment policies, and on any
other matter requiring a participant vote.
ELECTRONIC PROSPECTUSES: If you received this prospectus electronically and
would like a paper copy, please call us at 800-842-2733 and we will send it to
you.
YEAR 2000 ISSUES: Like all financial and business organizations, CREF and its
service providers depend on the smooth functioning of computer systems to
operate. CREF's operations, including securities pricing, trading, and the
servicing of participant accounts, could be affected if these computer systems
fail or incorrectly process or calculate date-related information on or after
January 1, 2000.
CREF is dedicated to providing uninterrupted, high-quality service before,
during, and after the Year 2000. To achieve this goal, CREF, along with TIAA and
TIAA-CREF Investment Management, LLC, have developed and have been actively
carrying out an extensive Year 2000 plan to remediate, test and certify all
internal computer systems, and to verify, to the extent possible, that external
service providers will be ready for the Year 2000. While we have taken steps we
believe reasonably address the Year 2000 problem, we can't guarantee complete
success or eliminate the possibility that interaction with outside computer
systems could affect CREF's operations. If the systems CREF relies upon do fail
or produce faulty data, there could be
45
<PAGE>
delays in properly processing transactions, or we may be unable temporarily to
engage in normal business activities. Also, CREF account performance could be
affected if a systems failure at a company or government entity, either in the
U.S. or abroad (where Year 2000 compliance may be less prevalent), affects the
price of securities CREF owns.
ASSIGNING YOUR CONTRACT: Generally, neither you nor your beneficiaries can
assign ownership of a CREF certificate to someone else.
ERRORS OR OMISSIONS: We reserve the right to correct any errors or omissions on
any form, report, or statement that we send you.
TEXAS OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS: If you're in the Texas Optional
Retirement Program, you (or your beneficiary) can redeem some or all of your
accumulation only if you retire, die, or leave your job in the state's public
institutions of higher education.
HOUSEHOLDING: To lower expenses and eliminate duplicate documents sent to your
home, we may mail only one copy of the CREF prospectus and other required
documents to your household, even if more than one participant lives there. If
you would prefer to continue to receive your own copy of any document, write or
call us at 800-842-2733.
DISTRIBUTOR: The distributor of CREF certificates is TIAA-CREF Individual &
Institutional Services (Services). Services is registered with the SEC and is a
member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD). Teachers
Personal Investors Services (TPIS), also registered with the SEC and a member of
the NASD, may also distribute CREF certificates on a limited basis. Services and
TPIS are subsidiaries of TIAA. Anyone distributing CREF certificates must be a
registered representative of Services or TPIS. Their address is 730 Third
Avenue, New York, NY 10017. No commissions are paid for distribution of CREF
certificates.
46
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
B-3 CREF and its
Operations
B-3 Investment
Restrictions
B-5 Description of Corporate
Bond Ratings
B-7 Description of
Fixed-Income
Instruments
B-9 Investment Policies and
Risk Considerations
B-9 Options and Futures
B-13 Firm Commitment
Agreements and
Purchase of "When
Issued" Securities
B-13 Pass-Through Securities
B-14 Lending of Securities
B-14 Repurchase Agreements
B-15 Currency Transactions
B-16 Swap Transactions
B-17 Segregated Accounts
B-17 Special Considerations
Affecting Foreign
Investments
B-19 Other Investment
Techniques and
Opportunities
B-20 Portfolio Turnover
B-21 Valuation of Assets
B-24 Management
B-24 CREF Overseers,
Trustees and Officers
B-28 Compensation of CREF
Trustees
B-30 Investment Advisory and
Related Services
B-30 Custody of Portfolio
B-31 Auditors
B-31 Brokerage Allocation
B-35 Performance Information
B-35 Total Return Information
for the Accounts
B-35 Yield Information for
the Bond Market and
Inflation-Linked Bond
Accounts
B-36 Yield Information for the
Money Market Account
B-36 Inflation-Adjusted Return
and Yield Information for
for the Inflation-Linked
Bond Account
B-39 Performance Comparisons
B-40 Illustrating Compounding,
Tax Deferral and
Expense Deductions
B-40 Accumulation Unit Values .
B-41 Annuity Payments
B-44 Periodic Reports
B-45 Voting Rights
B-45 General Matters
B-47 State Regulation
B-47 Legal Matters
B-47 Experts
B-47 Considerations Concerning
CREF's New Accounts
and Options
B-56 Additional Information
B-56 Financial Statements
47
<PAGE>
How to Reach Us
OUR ADDRESS
- -----------
CREF
730 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017-3206
Send all notices, forms, requests, or payments to this address only.
INTERNET
WWW.TIAA-CREF.ORG
24 hours a day/seven days a week
Obtain general information about TIAA-CREF, view personal account information,
reallocate premiums and transfer funds among TIAA and CREF investments options.
AUTOMATED TELEPHONE SERVICE
- ---------------------------
800 842-2252
24 hours a day/seven days a week
Change your allocation, transfer accumulations, get your accumulation unit
values, get TIAA and CREF performance, and confirm last premium paid.
TELEPHONE COUNSELING CENTER
- ---------------------------
800 842-2776
8 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET Monday-Friday
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET; Saturday and Sunday
Speak to a consultant about retirement savings and planning, quarterly and
annuity benefits reports, receiving annuity payments, annuity income options and
tax reports.
IRA ENROLLMENT HOTLINE
- ----------------------
800 842-2888
Speak with a service representative about our IRA products.
We can suspend or terminate your ability to transact by Internet or telephone at
any time, for any reason.
<PAGE>
INDIVIDUAL, GROUP, AND TAX-DEFERRED
VARIABLE ANNUITIES
ISSUED BY
COLLEGE RETIREMENT EQUITIES FUND
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
MAY 1, 1999
The current prospectus dated May 1, 1999 (the "Prospectus") with respect to the
Variable Annuity Certificates 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 DATED MAY 1, 1999.
[CREF LOGO]
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LOCATION OF
PAGE IN THE ADDITIONAL
STATEMENT OF INFORMATION IN
ADDITIONAL PROSPECTUS, IF
ITEM INFORMATION APPLICABLE
---- ---------- -----------
CREF and its Operations.... B-3
Investment
Restrictions............ B-3 29-31
Description of Corporate
Bond Ratings............ B-5 23-24
Description of
Fixed-Income
Instruments............. B-7 23-26,
28-29
Investment Policies and
Risk Considerations..... B-9 19-31
Options and
Futures .............. B-9 22-23,
26-27, 30
Firm Commitment
Agreements and
Purchase of "When
Issued" Securities..... B-13 30
Pass-Through Securities.. B-13
Lending of Securities.... B-14 31
Repurchase Agreements ... B-14 31
Currency Transactions.... B-15
Swap Transactions........ B-16
Segregated Accounts...... B-17
Special Considerations
Affecting Foreign
Investments........... B-17 29-30
Other Investment
Techniques and
Opportunities......... B-19 29-31
Portfolio Turnover......... B-20 6-18
Valuation of Assets........ B-21 35-36
Management................. B-24 33
CREF Overseers,
Trustees and Officers... B-24
Compensation of CREF
Trustees................ B-28
Investment Advisory and
Related Services........ B-30 33
Custody of Portfolio..... B-30
Auditors................ B-31
Brokerage Allocation....... B-31 6-18
Performance Information.... B-35 32
Total Return Information
for the Accounts...... B-35 32
Yield Information for
the Bond Market
and Inflation-Linked
Bond Accounts......... B-35 32
Yield Information for the
Money Market Account..B-36 36
Inflation-Adjusted Return
and Yield Information
for the Inflation-Linked
Bond Account.......... B-36
Performance Comparisons..B-39
Illustrating Compounding,
Tax Deferral and
Expense Deductions.... B-40
Accumulation Unit Values .. B-40 36
Annuity Payments........... B-41 39-41
Periodic Reports........... B-44
Voting Rights.............. B-45
General Matters............ B-45
State Regulation........... B-47
Legal Matters.............. B-47
Experts.................... B-47
Considerations Concerning
CREF's New Accounts
and Options............. B-47
Additional Information..... B-56 45-46
Financial Statements....... B-56 6-18
B-2
<PAGE>
CREF AND ITS OPERATIONS
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. 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.
CREF is an "open-end" diversified management investment company that 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 regulation of the New York State
Insurance Department and insurance departments in several other jurisdictions.
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 that 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.
B-3
<PAGE>
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.
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 below (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;
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);
B-4
<PAGE>
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 that are not listed on an exchange;
or
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 that are rated Aaa are judged to be of the best quality. They carry
the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as "gilt
edge." Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable
margin and principal is secure. While the various protective elements are likely
to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the
fundamentally strong position of such issues.
AA--Bonds that are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality by all standards.
Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade
bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection
may not be as large as in Aaa securities or fluctuation of protective elements
may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present that make the
long-term risks appear somewhat larger than in Aaa securities.
B-5
<PAGE>
A--Bonds that 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 that
suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.
BAA--Bonds that are rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e.,
they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and
principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective
elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great
length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in
fact have speculative characteristics as well.
BA--Bonds that 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 that 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 that 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 that are rated Ca represent obligations that are speculative in a high
degree. Such issues are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.
C--Bonds that 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 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
B-6
<PAGE>
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 that 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 that
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 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 that issue or guarantee obligations
include, among others, the Export-
B-7
<PAGE>
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 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 that 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
B-8
<PAGE>
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.
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. None of the accounts is required to hedge any investments.
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) that 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 that 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 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
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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 that 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 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 that, 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.
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Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held to maturity, but
are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions that 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 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
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 that will operate to
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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 that 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 that 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 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 that 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 that 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
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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 5% 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 5%).
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 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 B-17).
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.
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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.
LENDING OF SECURITIES
Subject to investment restriction 11(a) on page B-5 (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
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.
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 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, primary dealers in United
States Government securities, or other domestic or foreign broker-dealers whose
creditworthiness has been reviewed and found satisfactory by CREF and who have,
therefore, been determined to present minimal credit risk.
B-14
<PAGE>
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 that 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 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.
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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 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 that 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 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
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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 on page B-5.
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 securities 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 markets. In addition to the
general risk factors discussed in the Prospectus, there are a number of country-
or region-specific risks and other considerations that may affect these
investments.
On December 31, 1998, foreign investments (including securities held as
collateral for stock lending) represented the following percentages of market
value for each CREF account:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INFLATION-
GLOBAL EQUITY BOND LINKED SOCIAL MONEY
STOCK EQUITIES GROWTH INDEX MARKET BOND CHOICE MARKET
ACCOUNT ACCOUNT ACCOUNT ACCOUNT ACCOUNT ACCOUNT ACCOUNT ACCOUNT
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
19.20% 46.92% 2.38% 0.29% 6.78% 0% 0.20% 16.03%
</TABLE>
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.
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INVESTMENT IN EUROPE
The total European market (consisting of the European Union, the European Free
Trade Association and Eastern European countries) contains over 450 million
consumers, a market larger than either the United States or Japan. European
business compete both intra-regionally and globally in a wide range of
industries, and recent political and economic changes throughout Europe are
likely further to expand the role of Europe in the global economy. As a result,
a great deal of interest and activity has been generated aimed at understanding
and benefiting from the "new" Europe that may result. The incipient aspects of
major developments in Europe as well as other considerations means that there
can be no guarantee that outcomes will be 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 370 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, macro- and micro-economic adjustments already in place are indicative
of significant increases in 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. The
establishment of the eleven country European Monetary Union, a subset of the
European Union countries, with its own central bank, the European Central Bank,
and its own currency, the Euro, and a single interest rate structure represents
a new economic entity, the Euro-area. While authority for monetary policy thus
shifts from national hands to an independent supranational body, sovereignty
elsewhere remains at the national level. Uncertainties with regard to balancing
of monetary policy against national fiscal and other political issues and their
extensive ramifications represent important risk considerations for investors in
these countries.
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" -- rapidly 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. Its extensive trade relationships
also contribute to expectations for regional and global economic growth.
Economic growth has historically been relatively strong in the region, but
recent economic turmoil among the emerging economies, and unmitigated
recessionary impulses in Japan in the recent past have raised important
questions with regard to prospective longer-term outcomes. Potential policy
miscalculations or other events could pose important risks to equity investors
in any of these economies.
B-18
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT IN CANADA
Canada, a country rich in natural resources and a leading 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 each of the countries
through the more rational allocation of resources and production over the
region. Uncertainty regarding the longer-run political structure of Canada is an
added risk to investors, along with weak commodity prices.
INVESTMENT IN LATIN AMERICA
Latin America (including Mexico and Central America) has a population of
approximately 455 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, among the U.S.,
Canada and Mexico and the Mercosur agreement among Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay
and Uruguay, with Chile as an associate member. Restrictions on international
capital flows, intermittent problems with capital flight, and some potential
difficulties in the repayment of external debt, however, remain important
concerns in the region -- exacerbating the risks in these equity markets. As a
result Latin American equity markets have been extremely volatile. Efforts to
restructure 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, recent events have shown that large shifts in sentiment
in markets elsewhere on the globe may very quickly reverberate among these
markets, adding greater risk to already volatile markets. There can be no
assurance that attempted reforms will ultimately be successful or will bring
about results investors would regard as favorable.
OTHER REGIONS
There are developments in other regions and countries around the world that
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 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.
B-19
<PAGE>
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
1998 and 1997 were 34.63% and 23.25%, respectively.
The Global Equities Account has no fixed policy on portfolio turnover. The
portfolio turnover rates for that Account for 1998 and 1997 were 103.31% and
98.70%, respectively.
The Growth Account has no fixed policy on portfolio turnover. The portfolio
turnover rates for that Account for 1998 and 1997 were 97.57% and 53.27%,
respectively. The increase in turnover rates was due in part to the portfolio
manager's current views of economic conditions and prospects of the account's
investments.
The Equity Index Account has no fixed policy on portfolio turnover. The
portfolio turnover rates for that Account for 1998 and 1997 were 3.98% and
3.50%, 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 periods when interest rates are stable. The portfolio turnover rates
for the Bond Market Account in 1998 and 1997 were 525.32% and 398.77%,
respectively. The increase in turnover rates resulted in part from using a
trading strategy using "mortgage rolls" through which we "roll over" an
investment in a mortgage-backed security before its settlement date in exchange
for a similar security with a later settlement date. The account also engaged in
duration-neutral relative value trading, a strategy in which we buy and sell
government bonds of identical credit quality but different maturity dates in an
attempt to take advantage of spread differentials along the yield curve. These
techniques are both designed to enhance the account's returns, but they do
increase the account's portfolio turnover rate.
The Inflation-Linked Bond Account has no fixed policy on portfolio turnover. The
portfolio turnover rates for the Account in 1998 and 1997 (from May 1 to
December 31) were 40.98% and 45.36%, respectively.
The Social Choice Account has no fixed policy on portfolio turnover. The
portfolio turnover rates for that Account in 1998 and 1997 were 147.90% and
91.87%, respectively. The increase in turnover rates was due in part to the
fixed-income portion of the account utilizing the same "mortgage roll" and
"duration-neutral relative value trading" as the Bond Market Account.
B-20
<PAGE>
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 that 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 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).
B-21
<PAGE>
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 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-21.
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. In such cases, securities 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," page B-24)
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-21. 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. In such cases, securities
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," page B-24)
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-21. 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
B-22
<PAGE>
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.
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," page B-24.)
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-23
<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>
CREF BOARD OF OVERSEERS* AGE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST 5 YEARS
- ----------------------- --- -----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Lucius J. Barker 70 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 65 President, The Andrew W. Mellon
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Foundation.
140 East 62nd Street
New York, New York 10021
Stanley O. Ikenberry 63 President, American Council on Education,
American Council on Education since 1996. Regent Professor and
One Dupont Circle President Emeritus, University of Illinois,
Washington, D.C. 20036 since 1995. Formerly, President,
University of Illinois.
Gertrude G. Michelson 73 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.
Paul A. Volcker 71 Frederick H. Schultz Professor Emeritus
610 Fifth Avenue of International Economic Policy,
Suite 420 Princeton University, since 1997.
New York, New York 10020 Henry Kaufman Visiting Professor,
Stern School of Business, New York
University, since 1998. Formerly,
Chairman, Federal Reserve Board.
Clifton R. Wharton, Jr. 72 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
</TABLE>
- -----------
*Also members of TIAA Board of Overseers.
B-24
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TRUSTEES OF CREF AGE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST 5 YEARS
- ---------------- --- -----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Robert H. Atwell 68 President Emeritus, American Council on
447 Bird Key Drive Education and Senior Consultant to A.T.
Sarasota, Florida 34236 Kearney, Inc., since 1996. Formerly, President,
American Council on Education.
Elizabeth E. Bailey (1) 60 John C. Hower Professor of Public Policy
The Wharton School and Management, The Wharton School,
University of Pennsylvania University of Pennsylvania.
Suite 3100
Steinberg-Dietrich Hall
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19104-6372
Joyce A. Fecske (1) 52 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 67 Consultant, Independent Education
Independent Education Services Services, since 1998. Previously, Head,
49 East 78th Street, Suite 4A The Spence School.
New York, New York 10021
Stuart Tse Kong Ho (3) 63 Chairman and President, Capital Investment
Capital Investment of Hawaii, Inc. of Hawaii, Inc. Chairman, Gannett
Suite 1700 Pacific Corporation.
733 Bishop Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Nancy L. Jacob (2) 56 President and Managing Principal,
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.
</TABLE>
- -------------
(1) Member of Executive Committee
(2) Member of Finance Committee
(3) Member of Executive and Finance Committees
B-25
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TRUSTEES OF CREF AGE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST 5 YEARS
- ---------------- --- -----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Marjorie Fine Knowles (2) 59 Professor of Law, Georgia State
College of Law University College of Law.
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 4037
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-4037
Jay O. Light (2) 57 Professor of Business Administration and
Harvard Business School Senior Associate Dean for Planning and
Harvard University Development, Harvard University Graduate
Morgan Hall 489 School of Business Administration.
Soldiers Field
Boston, Massachusetts 02163
Bevis Longstreth (2) 65 Of Counsel, Debevoise & Plimpton, since
Debevoise & Plimpton 1998. Formerly, Partner, Debevoise &
875 Third Avenue Plimpton. Adjunct Professor of Law,
New York, New York 10022-6225 Columbia University.
Robert M. Lovell, Jr. (2) 68 Founding Partner, First Quadrant L.P.
First Quadrant Corp. Formerly, Chairman and Chief Executive
100 Campus Drive, Suite 230 Officer, First Quadrant Corp.
P.O. Box 939
Florham Park, New Jersey 07932-0939
Stephen A. Ross (2) 55 Franco Modigliani Professor of Finance
Sloan School of Management and Economics, Sloan School of
Massachusetts Institute Management, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology of Technology. Co-Chairman, Roll & Ross
77 Massachusetts Avenue Asset Management Corp.
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
Eugene C. Sit (3) 60 Chairman, Chief Executive, and Chief
Sit Investment Associates, Inc. Investment Officer, Sit Investment
4600 Norwest Center Associates, Inc., and Sit-Kim
90 South Seventh Street International Investment Associates, Inc.
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-4130
Maceo K. Sloan (2) 49 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
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Member of Executive Committee
(2) Member of Finance Committee
(3) Member of Executive and Finance Committees
B-26
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TRUSTEES OF CREF AGE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST 5 YEARS
- ---------------- --- -----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
David K. Storrs (2) 54 President and Chief Executive Officer,
Alternative Investment Alternative Investment Group, LLC,
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 (3) 40 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) 62 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 to
1993. Trustee, TIAA-CREF Mutual Funds,
since 1997.
OFFICER-TRUSTEE**
- ----------------
Martin L. Leibowitz (3) 62 Vice Chairman and Chief Investment Officer,
CREF and TIAA, since 1995. Trustee, President
and Chief Executive Officer, TIAA-CREF
Investment Management, LLC ("Investment
Management"), Director, President and Chief
Executive Officer, Teachers Advisors, Inc.
("Advisors") and Chief Investment Officer, TIAA
Separate Account VA-1, since 1995. Trustee and
Chief Investment Officer, 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.
</TABLE>
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
B-27
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OTHER OFFICERS** AGE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS DURING PAST 5 YEARS
- ---------------- --- -----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Richard J. Adamski 57 Vice President and Treasurer, CREF and
TIAA, since 1991. Vice President and Treasurer,
Investment Management, TIAACREF Individual
& Institutional Services, Inc. ("Services"), since
1992, Teachers Personal Investors Services, Inc.
("TPIS") and Advisors, since 1994, and TIAA-CREF
Mutual Funds since 1997, Vice President and
Treasurer, TIAA-CREF Life Insurance Company
("TIAA-CREF Life"), since 1998.
Richard L. Gibbs 52 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.
Director, Executive Vice President, and Chief
Financial Officer, TIAA-CREF Life, since 1998.
Formerly, Vice President, Finance, CREF
and TIAA.
E. Laverne Jones 50 Vice President and Corporate Secretary, CREF
and TIAA.
</TABLE>
- ---------------
** The address for all CREF Officers is 730 Third Avenue, New York, New York
10017-3206
COMPENSATION OF CREF TRUSTEES
In 1998, the basic annual stipend for trustees who are not officers of CREF
("non-officer trustees") was $25,000; non-officer trustees were also paid $1,500
for each board and committee meeting attended. In addition, non-officer trustees
who served as chairpersons of committees received 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 a long-term performance deferred compensation plan for non-employee
trustees. Under this unfunded plan, annual contributions equal to half the
amount of the basic annual trustee stipend are allocated to notional CREF and
TIAA accounts, in predetermined percentages. Benefits will normally be paid in a
lump sum after the trustee leaves the board. Pursuant to a separate deferred
compensation plan, non-employee trustees also have the option to defer payment
of their compensation and allocate it to notional TIAA and CREF accounts chosen
by the individual trustee. Benefits under that plan are also normally paid in a
lump sum after the trustee leaves the board.
B-28
<PAGE>
The following table discloses the aggregate compensation received from CREF and
the TIAA-CREF fund complex for each non-officer trustee for the year ended
December 31, 1998. The TIAA-CREF fund complex consists of four investment
companies: CREF, TIAA Separate Account VA-1, TIAA-CREF Life Funds, and TIAA-CREF
Mutual Funds.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AGGREGATE LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE TOTAL COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION FROM DEFERRED COMPENSATION CONTRIBUTION FROM TIAA-CREF
NAME CREF AS PART OF CREF EXPENSES FUND COMPLEX
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Robert H. Atwell $48,700 $12,423 $49,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elizabeth E. Bailey $51,713 $12,431 $52,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gary P. Brinson $38,260 $12,422 $38,500
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joyce A. Fecske $48,708 $12,425 $49,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Edes P. Gilbert $45,753 $12,433 $46,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stuart Tse Kong Ho $42,746 $12,426 $43,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nancy L. Jacob $39,773 $12,429 $40,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marjorie Fine Knowles(1) $48,722 $12,429 $49,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jay O. Light $39,749 $12,421 $40,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bevis Longstreth $42,744 $12,425 $43,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert M. Lovell, Jr.(1) $45,737 $12,428 $46,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stephen A. Ross(1) $41,245 $12,423 $41,500
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eugene C. Sit $48,706 $12,425 $49,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maceo K. Sloan $45,737 $12,428 $46,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David K. Storrs $47,230 $12,429 $47,500
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert W. Vishny $47,219 $12,426 $47,500
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1)This compensation, or a portion of it, was not actually paid based on prior
election of trustee to defer receipt of payment in accordance with the
provisions of deferred compensation plans for non-officer trustees. Excluding
this year's deferral, a total of $2,315,377 has been deferred for prior
years' service, including interest through year-end 1997 for all current
trustees who had elected to defer their compensation.
B-29
<PAGE>
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.
The total dollar amounts of expenses for the Stock Account attributable to
investment advisory services during 1998, 1997, and 1996 were $111,046,150,
$78,247,519, and $61,960,030, respectively. During 1998, 1997, and 1996, the
total dollar amounts of investment advisory expenses for the Global Equities
Account were $9,609,538, $7,653,693, and $5,168,905, respectively. During 1998,
1997, and 1996, the total dollar amounts of investment advisory expenses for the
Growth Account were $8,434,363, $4,314,919, and $2,134,334, respectively. During
1998, 1997, and 1996, the total dollar amounts of investment advisory expenses
for the Equity Index Account were $1,920,671, $1,120,769, and $495,305,
respectively. During 1998, 1997, and 1996, the total dollar amounts of
investment advisory expenses for the Bond Market Account were $1,726,863,
$795,515, and $656,539, respectively. During 1998 and 1997 (May 1 to December
31), the total dollar amounts of investment advisory expenses for the
Inflation-Linked Bond Account were $116,806 and $56,096, respectively. During
1998, 1997, and 1996, the total dollar amounts of investment advisory expenses
for the Social Choice Account were $2,086,282, $1,379,951, and $976,893,
respectively. During 1998, 1997, and 1996, the total dollar amounts of
investment advisory expenses for the Money Market Account were $3,080,258,
$1,883,711, and $2,597,014, 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, 130 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10006, 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 subcustody 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.
BOND MARKET ACCOUNT. The 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. The 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.
B-30
<PAGE>
SOCIAL CHOICE ACCOUNT. The 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, 130 Liberty Street, New York,
New York 10006, acts as the custodian for the equities held by the Social Choice
Account.
MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT. The 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, 787 Seventh Avenue, New York, New York 10019, 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 research and other 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) TIAA Separate
Account VA-1, TIAA-CREF Life Funds, or TIAA-CREF Mutual Funds, which 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.
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.
B-31
<PAGE>
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 1998, 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 $32,801,071, $8,628,280, and $3,185,444, 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, TIAA-CREF Life
Funds, 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
1998, 1997, and 1996 was $62.1 million, $40.5 million, and $40.9 million,
respectively. The aggregate amount of brokerage commissions paid by the Global
Equities Account in 1998, 1997 and 1996 was $12.5 million, $10.5 million, and
$7.9 million, respectively. The aggregate amount of brokerage commissions paid
by the Growth Account in 1998, 1997, and 1996 was $6.9 million, $2.9 million,
and $1.4 million, respectively. The aggregate amount of brokerage commissions
paid by the Equity Index Account in 1998, 1997, and 1996 was $244,823, $179,756,
and $172,127, respectively. The aggregate amount of brokerage commissions paid
by the Social Choice Account in 1998, 1997, and 1996 was $112,476, $25,648, and
$61,844, respectively. No brokerage commissions were paid by the Money Market
Account, the Bond Market Account, or the Inflation-Linked Bond Account during
1998, 1997, or 1996.
During 1998 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, 1998 are set forth below:
STOCK ACCOUNT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> C>
A. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID
Bankers Trust Co. (Parent--Bankers Trust Corp.) $ 81,141,531.63
Credit Suisse First Boston (Parent--Credit Suisse Group) $ 109,016,507.95
Jefferies & Co., Inc. (Parent--Jefferies Group, Inc.) $ 6,456,212.50
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith (Parent--Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.) $ 110,444,016.00
Morgan Stanley, & Co., Inc. (Parent--Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, & Co.) $ 275,470,983.00
Warburg Dillion Read LLC (Parent--Union Bank of Switzerland) $ 267,648,475.44
B. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON ENTITIES ACTING AS PRINCIPAL
Bank America Securities (Parent--BankAmerica Corp.) $1,044,086,077.14
</TABLE>
B-32
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Chase Securities, Inc. (Parent--Chase Manhattan Corp.) $ 528,307,046.44
Citicorp Securities, Inc. (Parent--Citigroup, Inc.) $ 893,209,036.50
Credit Suisse First Boston (Parent--Credit Suisse Group) $ 109,016,507.95
Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc. (Parent--Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, & Co.) $ 275,470,983.00
Lehman Brothers Inc. (Parent--Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.) $ 58,045,249.69
Morgan (J.P.) Securities Corp. (Parent--Morgan (J.P.) & Co., Inc.) $ 133,978,536.69
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. (Parent--Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, & Co.) $ 275,470,983.00
GLOBAL EQUITIES ACCOUNT
A. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID
ABN Amro Chicago Corp. (Parent--ABN Amro Holdings NV) $ 3,512,715.30
Bankers Trust Co. (Parent--Bankers Trust Corp.) $ 2,084,675.00
CS First Boston Corp. (Parent--Credit Suisse Group) $ 4,867,124.25
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith (Parent--Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.) $ 501,559.50
Warburg Dillion Read LLC (Parent--Union Bank of Switzerland) $ 55,971,918.37
B. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON ENTITIES ACTING AS PRINCIPAL
Bank America Securities (Parent--BankAmerica Corp.) $ 36,347,967.50
Citicorp Securities, Inc. (Parent--Citigroup, Inc.) $ 40,445,955.00
Credit Suisse First Boston (Parent--Credit Suisse Group) $ 4,867,124.25
Morgan (J.P.) Securities Corp. (Parent--Morgan (J.P.) & Co., Inc.) $ 750,566.50
Nations Banc Capital Markets, Inc. (Parent--BankAmerica Corp.) $ 36,347,967.50
GROWTH ACCOUNT
A. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID
Jefferies & Co., Inc. (Parent--Jefferies Group, Inc.) $ 853,550.00
B. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON ENTITIES ACTING AS PRINCIPAL
NONE
EQUITY INDEX ACCOUNT
A. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID
Jefferies & Co., Inc. (Parent--Jefferies Group, Inc.) $ 238,200.00
</TABLE>
B-33
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
B. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON ENTITIES ACTING AS PRINCIPAL
Chase Securities, Inc. (Parent--Chase Manhattan Corp.) $ 17,426,586.38
Lehman Commercial Paper Inc. (Parent--Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.) $ 1,503,412.50
Morgan (J.P.) Securities Corp. (Parent--Morgan (J.P.) & Co., Inc.) $ 5,585,647.81
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. (Parent--Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, & Co.) $ 12,412,646.00
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. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS PAID
NONE
B. REGULAR BROKER OR DEALER BASED ON ENTITIES ACTING AS PRINCIPAL
NONE
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
Bank America Securities (Parent--BankAmerica Corp.) $ 32,734,936.00
Chase Securities, Inc. (Parent--Chase Manhattan Corp.) $ 17,116,085.25
Salomon Brothers, Inc. (Parent--Citigroup, Inc.) $ 31,479,624.00
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
</TABLE>
B-34
<PAGE>
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 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 priod
c = average daily number of accumulation units
outstanding during the period
d = accumulation unit value on the last day of the period
B-35
<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 preexisting
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 and income
other than investment income (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 that 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 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 and adapting it as follows:
a-b
(REAL)
YIELD real = 2[(------ +1) 6 -1]
cd
B-36
<PAGE>
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 (sU.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 B-36. 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:
sAUV (real) = sAUV - sU.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:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STOCK ACCOUNT
-------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL
COMPOUND RATES CUMULATIVE RATES
PERIOD OF TOTAL RETURN OF TOTAL RETURN
- ------ --------------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
1 year
(January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998) 22.94% 22.94%
5 years
(January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1998) 19.39% 142.59%
10 years
(January 1, 1989 to December 31, 1998) 16.53% 361.85%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GLOBAL EQUITIES ACCOUNT
----------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL
COMPOUND RATES CUMULATIVE RATES
PERIOD OF TOTAL RETURN OF TOTAL RETURN
- ------ --------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
1 year
(from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1997) 18.58% 18.58%
5 years
(from January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1998) 14.63% 97.89%
6 years and 8 months
(from May 1, 1992 date of SEC registration to
December 31, 1998) 16.38% 174.87%
</TABLE>
B-37
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GROWTH ACCOUNT
--------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL
COMPOUND RATES CUMULATIVE RATES
PERIOD OF TOTAL RETURN OF TOTAL RETURN
- ------ --------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
1 year
(from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998) 32.89% 32.89%
4 years and 8 months
(from April 29, 1994 date of SEC registration
to December 31, 1998) 26.78% 203.06%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EQUITY INDEX ACCOUNT
--------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL
COMPOUND RATES CUMULATIVE RATES
PERIOD OF TOTAL RETURN OF TOTAL RETURN
- ------ --------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
1 year
(from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998) 24.12% 24.12%
4 years and 8 months
(from April 29, 1994 date of SEC registration to December 31, 1998) 24.52% 178.55%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BOND MARKET ACCOUNT
--------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL
COMPOUND RATES CUMULATIVE RATES
PERIOD OF TOTAL RETURN OF TOTAL RETURN
- ------ --------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
1 year
(from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998) 8.60% 8.60%
5 years
(from January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1998) 6.77% 38.78%
8 years and 10 months
(from March 1, 1990 commencement of operations to December 31, 1998) 8.73% 109.45%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INFLATION-LINKED BOND ACCOUNT
-------------------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL
COMPOUND RATES CUMULATIVE RATES
PERIOD OF TOTAL RETURN OF TOTAL RETURN
- ------ --------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
1 year
(from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998) 3.48% 3.48%
1 year and 8 months
(from May 1, 1997 date of SEC registration to December 31, 1998) 3.65% 6.15%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SOCIAL CHOICE ACCOUNT
---------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL
COMPOUND RATES CUMULATIVE RATES
PERIOD OF TOTAL RETURN OF TOTAL RETURN
- ------ --------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
1 year
(from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998) 18.61% 18.61%
5 years
(from January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1998) 16.89% 118.26%
8 years and 10 months
(from March 1, 1990 commencement of operations to December 31, 1998) 15.10% 246.42%
</TABLE>
B-38
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT
---------------------
AVERAGE ANNUAL
COMPOUND RATES CUMULATIVE RATES
PERIOD OF TOTAL RETURN OF TOTAL RETURN
- ------ --------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
1 year
(from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998) 5.45% 5.45%
5 years
(from January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1998) 5.24% 29.07%
10 years
(from January 1, 1988 commencement of operations to December 31, 1998) 5.67% 73.54%
</TABLE>
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, composed 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 sponsors' 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 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
B-39
<PAGE>
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.
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.
B-40
<PAGE>
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, 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 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. 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.
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, in accordance,
with his or her TIAA traditional payout annuity contract, a participant (or
beneficiary) transfers the value of annuity payments under that contract to an
income option or method of payment payable from CREF, the number of annuity
units payable from the account to which the transfer is made is determined in
the same manner.
When the chosen income option or method of payment involves life contingencies,
the annuity factor will reflect interest assumed at the effective annual rate of
4% and mortality assumptions for the person(s) on whose life (lives)
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the annuity payments will be based. In these instances, mortality will be based
on the then current CREF settlement mortality schedules. 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%.
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 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. 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
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transfers to or from 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 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 12-month period commencing on
May 1 at the start of the period
K = average annual percentage change
n = number of years in the period
B = basic annuity unit value determined as of March 31 for
payments due during the 12-month period commencing on
May 1 at the end of the period.
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<PAGE>
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
-----------------------------------------------
GLOBAL EQUITY BOND INFLATION- SOCIAL MONEY
STOCK EQUITIES GROWTH INDEX MARKET LINKED BOND CHOICE MARKET
------ -------- -------- ------ ------------------- ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year Ended May 1, 1999 6.88% 1.53% 16.33% 8.48% 1.72% 7.02% 7.29% 0.85%
5 Years ended May 1, 1999 16.44% 11.42% 13.50% 0.79%
10 Years ended May 1, 1999 11.78% 1.01%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CUMULATIVE CHANGE IN BASIC ANNUITY UNIT VALUE
-------------------------------------------
GLOBAL EQUITY BOND INFLATION- SOCIAL MONEY
STOCK EQUITIES GROWTH INDEX MARKET LINKED BOND CHOICE MARKET
--------- -------- -------- ------ ------------------- ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year Ended May 1, 1999 6.88% 1.53% 16.33% 8.48% 1.72% 7.02% 7.29% 0.85%
5 Years ended May 1, 1999 114.05% 71.75% 88.35% 4.03%
10 Years ended May 1, 1999 204.41% 10.58%
</TABLE>
The average annual and cumulative changes in the basic annuity unit value of the
Global Equities Account since inception in 1992 were 11.52% and 112.63%,
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
21.67% and 162.32%, and 19.12% and 136.37%, 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 2.94% and 9.08%,
respectively. The average annual and cumulative changes in the basic annuity
unit value of the Inflation-Linked Bond Account since May 1, 1997 were 2.34% and
4.54%, respectively. The average annual and cumulative changes in the basic
annuity unit value of the Social Choice Account since inception in 1991 were
10.35% and 119.81%, 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.
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 that sets forth
the following:
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(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 semiannually, 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. 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% 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% 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% 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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<PAGE>
DISSOLVED INSTITUTIONS
If your present or past employer dissolves or ceases operation, special rules
will apply to your accumulation. For more information, contact us directly (see
below).
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.
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.
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 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.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
CREF is not a party to any legal actions we consider material.
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<PAGE>
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 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 LLP, Washington, D.C.
EXPERTS
The financial statements for the year ended December 31, 1998 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, TIAA-CREF has introduced a number of new investment
accounts and other options that employers should consider adding to their plans.
Our account menu is designed to give participants a full range of appropriate
choices for creating retirement portfolios that fit their personal goals and
risk orientations. A recent survey indicates a high level of participant
satisfaction with our array of products and services. According to DALBAR's 1997
Defined Contribution Excellence Rating, TIAA-CREF was the number one retirement
plan in the U.S. for participant satisfaction. DALBAR is a financial services
company that measures consumer satisfaction nationwide, based on factors such as
investment choice and flexibility, investment performance, and access to
information.
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<PAGE>
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, preretirement 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 nondiscrimination 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 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
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<PAGE>
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 and there has been extreme recent volatility in certain Asian 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 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 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.
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. 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 decline.
The Equity Index Account invests substantially all of its assets in stocks
included in the Russell 3000 Index. 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.
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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 account will not be managed in the traditional sense of picking individual
securities based on economic, financial and market analysis.
The Social Choice Account is a diversified balanced account that invests only in
companies that are suitable from a financial perspective and whose activities
are consistent with the account's social criteria.
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. The account can also invest in securities issued by other
countries or their agencies and instrumentalities as approved by the Committee
on Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility. 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.
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 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
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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).
However, the inflation-adjusted principal value of TIIS will be calculated using
CPI-U data that is about three months old.
Inflation-indexed bonds have been available in the United Kingdom (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 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% semiannually), 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 semiannual 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 semiannual 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.
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.
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 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.
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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 expect that they will be in a lower
tax bracket during retirement. Tax-deductible IRA contributions may be limited
or may not be available to an individual who is an active participant in an
employer-sponsored retirement plan, unless his or her modified adjusted gross
income falls below certain levels. An individual who is not an active
participant may still not be eligible to make a deductible contribution if his
or her spouse is an active participant. Anyone can make after-tax contributions
of up to $2,000 per year to all their IRAs (e.g., Classic and Roth) regardless
of income or retirement plan participation.
The Classic IRA enables you to roll over 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.
ROTH IRAS
Roth IRAs were introduced in 1998. Subject to income limitations, you can roll
over, or convert, funds from a Classic IRA directly to a Roth IRA. Subject to
income limits, you can also roll over funds from an eligible tax-deferred
retirement plan, but the funds must first be rolled over to a Classic IRA, and
subsequently rolled over again, or converted, to a Roth IRA. To roll money into
a Roth IRA, you must first pay taxes on earnings and on tax-deductible
contributions. Such a move may be beneficial to individuals seeking Federal
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 annual contributions to a Classic IRA or a Roth IRA for
1999 is April 17, 2000.
You are only eligible to roll over 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 individuals filing jointly and to single
taxpayers, and the limit is not indexed to cost-of-living adjustments. Other
restrictions may apply as well.
In its advertisements, CREF may compare the Classic and Roth IRAs and discuss
which individuals can best benefit from each product. It may also discuss the
advantages and disadvantages of converting to Roth IRAs from a traditional IRA.
CREF may also 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 and discuss the
specific terms of an institution's plan.
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 that arises whenever
Participants engage in market timing. Market timing is an investment technique
whereby amounts are transferred from one category of investment to
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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.
ECONOMIC CONDITIONS. We may also discuss in advertisements and sales literature
general economic and/or market conditions that may impact investments in
variable annuities.
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.
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 and contracts are designed as
annuity contracts under section 72 of the Internal Revenue Code.
403(B) PLANS
CREF certificates may be used as funding vehicles 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% of your
compensation; or (c) your "maximum exclusion allowance." Your maximum exclusion
allowance is generally 20% 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 and certain employees may exclude up to
$13,000. Contact your tax adviser for more information.
401(A), 403(A), AND 401(K) PLANS
CREF RA and GRA certificates and contracts are also used as funding vehicles 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% 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, respectively. The amount you can
contribute to an IRA (other than an Education IRA) is currently limited to
$2,000 per year. If you contribute to both a Classic IRA and a Roth IRA in the
same year, your aggregate limit is $2,000 for the year. The IRC doesn't limit
the amount you can roll over to the Classic or the Roth IRA.
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IRC section 408 permits funds from certain qualified retirement plans or IRAs to
be rolled over to the Classic IRA without losing their tax-deferred status. IRC
section 408A, however, only permits rollovers to a Roth IRA from another IRA.
This means that in order to move funds held in a retirement plan to a Roth IRA,
they must first be rolled over to a Classic IRA, and then to a Roth IRA.
Although funds rolled over to a Roth IRA from another IRA are subject to
taxation, they may grow on a tax-deferred basis. CREF IRAs can accept only cash
transfers. All noncash assets must therefore be liquidated prior to being
transferred to us.
You also must meet certain income level requirements to make contributions to
the Roth IRA or, if you or your spouse is an active participant in an employer
sponsored retirement plan, tax-deductible contributions to the Classic IRA. If
you are married and file a joint tax return with your spouse and make a combined
adjusted gross income of $150,000 or less a year, you can make annual
contributions of up to $2,000 to a Roth IRA. If you are single and make an
adjusted gross income of $95,000 or less a year, you are also eligible to make
contributions of up to $2,000 to a Roth IRA. You can contribute a lower amount
if you are married and file jointly and your combined adjusted gross income is
between $150,000 and $160,000 a year, or if you are single and your adjusted
gross income is between $95,000 and $110,000 a year. If you are married filing
separately, you cannot make a Roth IRA contribution if your adjusted gross
income exceeds $10,000 per year, and the maximum contribution is reduced if your
adjusted gross income is between $0 and $10,000. You can convert an existing IRA
to a Roth IRA if your adjusted gross income is $100,000 or less.
For 1999, if you are married and file a joint tax return with your spouse and
make a combined adjusted gross income of $51,000 or less a year, or you are
single and make an adjusted gross income of $31,000 or less a year, you can make
tax-deductible contributions of up to $2,000 a year to a Classic IRA for 1999.
You can contribute a lesser amount if your adjusted gross income is between
$51,000 and $61,000 if you are married and file jointly or if your adjusted
gross income is between $31,000 and $41,000 if you are single. For the Year 2000
and later, the limits on a taxpayer's adjusted gross income for purposes of
making a deductible contribution to a Classic IRA are different from those
currently in effect. Different income-based eligibility rules apply if you are
not an active participant in an employer-sponsored retirement plan but you have
a spouse who is an active participant in an employer-sponsored retirement plan.
You can revoke an IRA up to 7 days after you establish it. Contact your tax
adviser for more tax 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.
WITHHOLDING ON DISTRIBUTIONS
We must withhold federal tax at the rate of 20% 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%
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withholding doesn't apply to payments from IRAs, lifetime annuity payments,
substantially equal periodic payments over your life expectancy or over 10 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% "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 to IRAs);
(3) you begin annuity income consisting 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 (not applicable to IRAs);
(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, 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). These restrictions apply with respect
to 403(b)(1) annuities only to amounts (and earnings, if any) credited after
December 31, 1988. They apply to all amounts under salary reduction agreements
to 403(b)(7) and 401(k) plans. These withdrawals and annuity payments are
available only if you reach age 591/2, 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 Treasury Regulations, but hardship
withdrawals can be from contributions only, generally 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 these
restrictions.
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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% excise tax on the amount you should have received but didn't.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS
RA certificates are also available for deferred compensation plans. Special tax
rules may apply to nongovernmental 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 adviser.
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 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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