STATE STREET RESEARCH INCOME TRUST
485BPOS, 2000-07-31
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           As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 31, 2000


                                 Securities Act of 1933 Registration No. 33-2697
                                Investment Company Act of 1940 File No. 811-4559
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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

                                    FORM N-1A

           REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933          |_|

                      Pre-Effective Amendment No. ____                      |_|


                       Post-Effective Amendment No. 21                      |X|
                                                   ----


                                     and/or

       REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940      |_|


                              Amendment No. 22                              |X|
                                           ----

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

                       STATE STREET RESEARCH INCOME TRUST
                      -------------------------------------
               (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

             One Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts    02111
             --------------------------------------------------------
             (Address of Principal Executive Offices)      (Zip Code)

       Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (617) 357-1200

                            Francis J. McNamara, III
              Executive Vice President, Secretary & General Counsel
                   State Street Research & Management Company
                              One Financial Center
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02111
             --------------------------------------------------------
                     (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

                                    Copy to:

                           Geoffrey R.T. Kenyon, P.C.
                           Goodwin, Procter & Hoar LLP
                   Exchange Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02109

          It is proposed that this filing will become effective under Rule 485:

     |_|  Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b).


     |X|  On August 1, 2000 pursuant to paragraph (b).


     |_|  60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1).

     | |  On ______________ pursuant to paragraph (a)(1).

     |_|  75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2).

     |_|  On ____________ pursuant to paragraph (a)(2).

          If appropriate, check the following box:

     |_|  This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
          previously filed post-effective amendment.

                              --------------------
<PAGE>

                          [LOGO] STATE STREET RESEARCH

                                High Income Fund

                               [GRAPHIC OF CLOCK]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This prospectus has information you should know before you invest. Please read
it carefully and keep it with your investment records.

As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not
approved or disapproved the securities or determined if this prospectus is
truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.


This prospectus will also be available in Chinese and Spanish in September by
calling the State Street Research Service Center at 1-888-638-3193.


                                                          An aggressive bond
                                                          fund focusing on
                                                          high-yield securities.


                                                          Prospectus
                                                          August 1, 2000

<PAGE>

                                    Contents                               1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


        2  The Fund
         --------------------

        2  Goal and Strategies
        3  Principal Risks
        6  Volatility and Performance
        8  Investor Expenses
       10  Investment Management

       11  Your Investment
         --------------------

       11  Opening an Account
       11  Choosing a Share Class
       12  Sales Charges
       15  Dealer Compensation
       16  Buying and Selling Shares
       20  Account Policies
       22  Distributions and Taxes
       23  Investor Services

       24  Other Information
         --------------------

       24  Other Securities and Risks
       26  Financial Highlights
       29  Board of Trustees

Back Cover For Additional Information
<PAGE>

     2                              The Fund
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[CHESS PIECE] Goal and Strategies

Fundamental Goal The fund seeks, primarily, high current income and,
secondarily, capital appreciation, from investments in fixed-income securities.

Principal Strategies Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 65%
of total assets in lower quality fixed-income securities -- primarily junk
bonds, but also preferred stocks. At the time of purchase, these securities are
rated within or below the BB or Ba major rating categories (Standard &
Poor's/Moody's), or are unrated but considered equivalent by the investment
manager. The fund may not invest more than 20% of total assets in securities in
the CCC/Caa or lower rating categories.

Lower quality securities tend to be issued by companies that are less secure
financially. In addition, in the event these companies have financial
difficulty, banks or other senior lenders will have priority in being repaid. As
a result, when selecting investments, the fund relies on fundamental research to
identify companies with adequate cash flows, attractive valuations and strong
management teams.

In managing its portfolio, the fund attempts to balance its portfolio risks with
high yield and the potential for capital appreciation. The fund may

[MAGNIFYING GLASS] Who May Want To Invest

State Street Research High Income Fund is designed for investors who seek one or
more of the following:

o     an aggressive bond fund for a long-term goal

o     a fund to complement a portfolio of equity or investment-grade debt
      securities

o     a fund with the potential to generate high current income and some capital
      appreciation

The fund is not appropriate for investors who:

o     want to avoid high volatility or possible losses

o     are using the fund as their sole source of investment income

o     are making short-term investments

o     are investing emergency reserve money
<PAGE>

                                                                           3
                                                                           -----


invest in debt securities of any maturity, although it generally invests in
those with medium- to long-term remaining maturities in order to obtain higher
yields. Debt securities with longer maturities, however, usually are more
sensitive to interest rate changes.

The fund may invest up to 35% of total assets in other investments, such as
higher quality fixed-income securities as well as dividend-paying common stocks
of established companies.

The fund may adjust the composition of its portfolio as market conditions and
economic outlooks change.

For more information about the fund's investments and practices, see page 24.

[STOP SIGN] Principal Risks

Because the fund invests primarily in junk bonds and other lower quality
fixed-income securities, its major risks are those of junk bond investing. These
include the tendency for prices to fall when the economy is sluggish or overall
corporate earnings are weak.

Lower quality fixed-income securities generally are considered to be speculative
investments and involve greater risks than higher quality securities. The prices
of most lower quality securities are vulnerable to economic recessions, when it
becomes difficult for issuers to generate sufficient cash flow to pay principal
and interest. Many also are affected by weak equity markets, when issuers find
it hard to improve their financial condition by replacing debt with equity and
when investors, such as the fund, find it hard to sell their lower quality
securities at fair prices. In addition, the value of a security will usually
fall substantially if an issuer defaults or goes bankrupt. Even anticipation of
defaults by certain issuers, or the perception of economic or financial
weakness, may cause the market for lower quality securities to fall.
<PAGE>

     4                        The Fund continued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Junk bonds, especially those that are newly issued, are traded primarily by
institutions. Because this limits the market for these securities, it may be
difficult for the fund to sell them at fair prices when it needs to raise cash
to meet redemptions.

The value of any bonds held by the fund is likely to decline when interest rates
rise; this risk is greater for bonds with longer maturities.

The fund's management approach, which may include short-term trading, could
cause the fund's portfolio turnover rate to be above-average for a bond fund.
High turnover will increase the fund's transaction costs and may increase your
tax liability.

The fund's shares will rise and fall in value and there is a risk that you could
lose money by investing in the fund. Also, the fund cannot be certain that it
will achieve its goal. Finally, fund shares are not bank deposits and are not
guaranteed, endorsed or insured by any financial institution, government entity
or the FDIC.

Information on other securities and risks appears on page 24.

A "snapshot" of the fund's investments may be found in the current annual or
semiannual report (see back cover).
<PAGE>

                                                                           5
                                                                           -----


[MAGNIFYING GLASS] Investing in Junk Bonds

Investing in junk bonds involves a trade-off between greater risk on the one
hand, and the potential for higher income and capital appreciation on the other.

The highest rated bonds are usually issued by the companies that are strongest
financially. Because the risk of default on investment-grade bonds tends to be
small, interest rates paid on these bonds are correspondingly lower. Moreover,
because the financial health of the issuer usually is so strong, there is little
possibility that the price of a highly rated bond will rise substantially
through any improvement in the issuer's creditworthiness. Instead, the main
factor influencing the prices of these bonds is changes in market interest
rates.

With many junk bonds, however, the financial health of the issuer is not
certain, and the risk of default on payments of principal and interest or other
negative events can be significant. To compensate investors for such risks,
issuers of junk bonds usually must pay higher interest rates.

In addition, because the financial health of the issuer normally is not certain,
the prices at which these bonds are traded before they mature may be more
affected by the financial health of the issuer and the economy generally and
less by movements in market interest rates. In this context, there is a higher
possibility of positive events affecting a bond's value than is the case for the
most highly rated bonds. For these reasons, in-depth research can be
particularly important in managing a portfolio of junk bonds.
<PAGE>


     6                     Volatility and Performance
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    [The following information was represented by a bar chart in the printed
                                   materials.]

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Years ended December 31
                                        --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year-by-Year Total Return (Class A)       1990     1991     1992     1993      1994     1995     1996      1997     1998     1999
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        <S>       <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>
                                        (16.55)   36.49    20.37    22.35     (1.85)   12.38    16.88     14.39    (0.38)    2.28
</TABLE>

Best quarter: first quarter 1991, up 15.96%
Worst quarter: third quarter 1990, down 10.81%
Return from 1/1/00 - 6/30/00 (not annualized): down 5.93%

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              As of December 31, 1999
                                                                                 ---------------------------------------------------
Average Annual Total Return                                                        1 Year             5 Years          10 Years
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  <S>                                              <C>                 <C>              <C>
                                  Class A (%)                                      (2.32)              7.89              9.18
                                  Class B(1) (%)(a)                                (3.11)              7.78              9.10
                                  Class B (%)                                      (2.93)              7.82              9.12
                                  Class C (%)                                       0.79               8.08              9.13
                                  Class S (%)                                       2.55               9.13              9.81
                                  First Boston High Yield Index (%)                (0.40)              6.69             10.64
                                  Lipper High Current Yield Funds Index (%)         4.78               9.46             10.34
</TABLE>

(a)   Performance for Class B(1) reflects Class B performance through December
      31, 1998. Class B(1) was introduced on January 1, 1999.

<PAGE>

                                                                           7
                                                                           -----


[MAGNIFYING GLASS] Understanding Volatility and Performance

The chart and table on the opposite page are designed to show two aspects of the
fund's track record:

o     Year-by-Year Total Return shows how volatile the fund has been: how much
      the difference has been, historically, between its best years and worst
      years. In general, funds with higher average annual total returns will
      also have higher volatility. The graph includes the effects of fund
      expenses, but not sales charges. If sales charges had been included,
      returns would have been less than shown.

o     Average Annual Total Return is a measure of the fund's performance over
      time. It is determined by taking the fund's performance over a given
      period and expressing it as an average annual rate.

Average annual total return includes the effects of fund expenses and maximum
sales charges for each class, and assumes that you sold your shares at the end
of the period.

Also included with the fund's average annual returns are two independent
measures of performance. The First Boston High Yield Index is an unmanaged index
which mirrors the public high-yield debt market representing a total of 250
different sectors within this market. The Lipper High Current Yield Funds Index
shows the performance of a category of mutual funds with similar goals. This
index, which is also unmanaged, shows you how well the fund has done compared to
competing funds.


While the fund does not seek to match the returns or volatility of any index,
these indices are good indicators of general stock market performance and can be
used as rough guides when gauging the return of this and other investments. When
making comparisons, keep in mind that none of the indices include the effects of
sales charges.


Also, even if your portfolio were identical to the First Boston High Yield
Index, your returns would always be lower, because the First Boston High Yield
Index does not include brokerage and administrative expenses.



Keep in mind that past performance is no guarantee of future results.
<PAGE>


     8                          Investor Expenses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Class descriptions begin on page 11
                                                                   -----------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Fees (% of offering price)                              Class A    Class B(1)     Class B      Class C      Class S
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           <S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
                           Maximum front-end sales charge (load)     4.50(a)      0.00         0.00         0.00         0.00

                           Maximum deferred sales charge (load)      0.00(a)      5.00         5.00         1.00         0.00

<CAPTION>
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (% of average net assets)            Class A    Class B(1)     Class B      Class C      Class S
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           <S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
                           Management fee                            0.58         0.58         0.58         0.58         0.58
                           Service/distribution (12b-1) fees         0.30(b)      1.00         1.00         1.00         0.00
                           Other expenses                            0.29         0.29         0.29         0.29         0.29
                                                                     ----         ----         ----         ----         ----
                           Total annual fund operating expenses*     1.17         1.87         1.87         1.87         0.87
                                                                     ====         ====         ====         ====         ====

                           *Because some of the fund's expenses
                             have been reduced through expense
                             offset arrangements, actual total
                             operating expenses for the prior
                             year would have been:                   1.16         1.86         1.86         1.86         0.86

<CAPTION>
 Example                   Year                                     Class A    Class B(1)      Class B       Class C      Class S
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           <S>                                      <C>       <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>
                           1                                         $564       $690/$190     $690/$190     $290/$190       $89
                           3                                         $805       $888/$588     $888/$588       $588         $278
                           5                                        $1,065    $1,211/$1,011  $1,211/$1,011   $1,011        $482
                           10                                       $1,806       $2,008        $2,008        $2,190       $1,073
</TABLE>

(a)   Except for investments of $1 million or more; see page 13.

(b)   Reflects fee schedule that became effective May 1, 2000 as if it had been
      in place during the fund's previous fiscal year. The Trustees may increase
      the current fees shown for Class A shares at any time provided that the
      fees do not exceed a maximum of 0.40%.

<PAGE>

                                                                           9
                                                                           -----


[MAGNIFYING GLASS] Understanding Investor Expenses

The information on the opposite page is designed to give you an idea of what you
should expect to pay in expenses as an investor in the fund:

o     Shareholder Fees are costs that are charged to you directly. These fees
      are not charged on reinvestments or exchanges.

o     Annual Fund Operating Expenses are deducted from the fund's assets every
      year, and are thus paid indirectly by fund investors.

o     The Example is designed to allow you to compare the costs of this fund
      with those of other funds. It assumes that you invested $10,000 over the
      years indicated, reinvested all distributions, earned a hypothetical 5%
      annual return and paid the maximum applicable sales charges. For Class
      B(1) and Class B shares, it also assumes the automatic conversion to Class
      A after eight years.

      Where two numbers are shown separated by a slash, the first one assumes
      you sold all your shares at the end of the period, while the second
      assumes you stayed in the fund. Where there is only one number, the costs
      would be the same either way.


      The figures in the example assume full annual expenses, and would be lower
      if they reflected the various expense reductions that may have been taken.


      Investors should keep in mind that the example is for comparison purposes
      only. The fund's actual performance and expenses may be higher or lower.
<PAGE>

     10                        The Fund continued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[THINKER] Investment Management


The fund's investment manager is State Street Research & Management Company, One
Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. The firm traces its heritage back
to 1924 and the founding of one of America's first mutual funds. Today the firm
has approximately $54 billion in assets under management (as of June 30, 2000),
including more than $19 billion in mutual funds.


The investment manager is responsible for the fund's investment and business
activities, and receives the management fee as compensation. The management fee
is 0.60% of the first $500 million of net assets, annually, 0.55% of the next
$500 million, and 0.50% of any amount over $1 billion.The investment manager is
a subsidiary of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.

Bartlett R. Geer has been responsible for the fund's day-to-day portfolio
management since April 1987. A senior vice president, he has worked as an
investment professional since joining the firm in 1981.
<PAGE>

                                 Your Investment                           11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[KEY] Opening an Account

If you are opening an account through a financial professional, he or she can
assist you with all phases of your investment.

If you are investing through a large retirement plan or other special program,
follow the instructions in your program materials.

To open an account without the help of a financial professional, please use the
instructions on these pages.

[CHECKLIST] Choosing a Share Class

The fund generally offers four share classes, each with its own sales charge and
expense structure: Class A, Class B(1), Class C and Class S. The fund also
offers Class B shares, but only to current Class B shareholders through
reinvestment of dividends and distributions or through exchanges from existing
Class B accounts of State Street Research funds.

If you are investing a substantial amount and plan to hold your shares for a
long period, Class A shares may make the most sense for you. If you are
investing a lesser amount, you may want to consider Class B(1) shares (if
investing for at least six years) or Class C shares (if investing for less than
six years). If you are investing through a special program, such as a large
employer-sponsored retirement plan or certain programs available through
brokers, you may be eligible to purchase Class S shares.

Because all future investments in your account will be made in the share class
you designate when opening the account, you should make your decision carefully.
Your financial professional can help you choose the share class that makes the
most sense for you.
<PAGE>


      12                    Your Investment continued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Class A -- Front Load

o     Initial sales charge of 4.5% or less

o     Lower sales charges for larger investments; see sales charge schedule at
      right

o     Lower annual expenses than Class B(1) or Class C shares because of lower
      service/ distribution (12b-1) fee of up to 0.40%

Class B(1) -- Back Load

o     No initial sales charge

o     Deferred sales charge of 5% or less on shares you sell within six years

o     Annual service/distribution (12b-1) fee of 1.00%

o     Automatic conversion to Class A shares after eight years, reducing future
      annual expenses

Class B -- Back Load

o     Available only to current shareholders. See page 13 for details

Class C -- Level Load

o     No initial sales charge

o     Deferred sales charge of 1%, paid if you sell shares within one year of
      purchase

o     Lower deferred sales charge than Class B(1) shares

o     Annual service/distribution (12b-1) fee of 1.00%

o     No conversion to Class A shares after eight years, so annual expenses do
      not decrease

Class S -- Special Programs

o     Available only through certain retirement accounts, advisory accounts of
      the invest ment manager and other special programs, including programs
      through financial professionals with recordkeeping and other services;
      these programs usually involve special conditions and separate fees
      (consult your financial profess ional or your program materials)

o     No sales charges of any kind

o     No service/distribution (12b-1) fees; annual expenses are lower than other
      share classes


Sales Charges

Class A -- Front Load

when you invest                this % is             which equals
this amount                    deducted              this % of
                               for sales             your net
                               charges               investment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Up to $100,000                  4.50                  4.71
$100,000 to $250,000            3.50                  3.63
$250,000 to $500,000            2.50                  2.56
$500,000 to $1 million          2.00                  2.04
$1 million or more                    see next below

With Class A shares, you pay a sales charge when you buy shares.


If you are investing $1 million or more (either as a lump sum or through any of
the methods described on the application), you can purchase Class A shares
without any sales charge. However, you may be charged a "contingent deferred
sales charge" (CDSC) of up to 1% if you sell any
<PAGE>

                                                                           13
                                                                           -----


shares within one year of purchasing them. See "Other CDSC Policies" on page 14.


Class A shares are also offered with low or no sales charges through various
wrap-fee programs and other sponsored arrangements (consult your financial
professional or your program materials).

Class B(1) -- Back Load

                              this % of net asset value
when you sell shares          at the time of purchase (or
in this year after you        of sale, if lower) is deduct-
bought them                   ed from your proceeds
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First year                               5.00
Second year                              4.00
Third year                               3.00
Fourth year                              3.00
Fifth year                               2.00
Sixth year                               1.00
Seventh or eighth year                   None

With Class B(1) shares, you pay no sales charge when you invest, but you are
charged a "contingent deferred sales charge" (CDSC) when you sell shares you
have held for six years or less, as described in the table above. See "Other
CDSC Policies" on page 14. Class B(1) shares automatically convert to Class A
shares after eight years; Class A shares have lower annual expenses.

Class B -- Back Load

Class B shares are available only to current shareholders through reinvestment
of dividends and distributions or through exchanges from existing Class B
accounts of the State Street Research funds. Other investments made by current
Class B shareholders will be in Class B(1) shares.

With Class B shares, you are charged a "contingent deferred sales charge" (CDSC)
when you sell shares you have held for five years or less. The CDSC is a
percentage of net asset value at the time of purchase (or of sale, if lower) and
is deducted from your proceeds. When you sell shares in the first year after you
bought them, the CDSC is 5.00%; second year, 4.00%; third year, 3.00%; fourth
year, 3.00%; fifth year, 2.00%; sixth year or later, none. See "Other CDSC
Policies" on page 14.

Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares after eight years.
<PAGE>

     14                    Your Investment continued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Class C -- Level Load

                              this % of net asset value
when you sell shares          at the time of purchase (or
in this year after you        of sale, if lower) is deduct-
bought them                   ed from your proceeds
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First year                              1.00
Second year or later                    None

With Class C shares, you pay no sales charge when you invest, but you are
charged a "contingent deferred sales charge" (CDSC) when you sell shares you
have held for one year or less, as described in the table above. See "Other CDSC
Policies" on this page.

Class C shares currently have the same annual expenses as Class B(1) shares.

Class S -- Special Programs

Class S shares have no sales charges.

Other CDSC Policies

The CDSC will be based on the net asset value of the shares at the time of
purchase (or sale, if lower). Any shares acquired through reinvestment are not
subject to the CDSC. There is no CDSC on exchanges into other State Street
Research funds, and the date of your initial investment will continue to be used
as the basis for CDSC calculations when you exchange. To ensure that you pay the
lowest CDSC, the fund will always use the shares with the lowest appli cable
CDSC to fill your sell requests.

The CDSC is waived on shares sold for mandatory retirement distributions or
because of disability or death. Consult your financial professional or the State
Street Research Service Center for more information.

[MAGNIFYING GLASS] Understanding Service/Distribution Fees

As noted in the descriptions on pages 12 through 14, all share classes except
Class S have an annual service/distribution fee, also called a 12b-1 fee.


Under its current 12b-1 plans, the fund may pay certain service and distribution
fees for these classes out of fund assets. Because 12b-1 fees are an ongoing
expense, they will increase the cost of your investment and, over time, could
potentially cost you more than if you had paid other types of sales charges. For
that reason, you should consider the effects of 12b-1 fees as well as sales
loads when choosing a share class.


Some of the 12b-1 fees are used to compensate those financial professionals who
sell fund shares and provide ongoing service to shareholders. The table on page
15 shows how these professionals' compensation is calculated.

The fund may continue to pay 12b-1 fees even if the fund is subsequently closed
to new investors.
<PAGE>

                                                                           15
                                                                           -----



[CHECK] Dealer Compensation

Financial professionals who sell shares of State Street Research funds and
perform services for fund investors may receive sales commissions, annual fees
and other compen- sation. These are paid by the fund's distributor, using money
from sales charges, service/distribution (12b-1) fees and its other resources.

Brokers and agents may charge a transaction fee on orders of fund shares placed
directly through them. The distributor may pay its affiliate MetLife Securities,
Inc. additional compensation of up to 0.25% of certain sales or assets.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Dealer Commissions (%)             Class A   Class B(1) Class B    Class C  Class S
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                               <C>           <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>
 Commission                        See below     4.00     4.00      1.00      0.00
    Investments up to $100,000       4.00         --       --        --        --
    $100,000 to $250,000             3.00         --       --        --        --
    $250,000 to $500,000             2.00         --       --        --        --
    $500,000 to $1 million           1.75         --       --        --        --
    First $1 to 3 million            1.00(a)      --       --        --        --
    Next $2 million                  0.75(a)      --       --        --        --
    Next $2 million                  0.50(a)      --       --        --        --
    Next $ 1 and above               0.25(a)      --       --        --        --
 Annual fee                          0.25        0.25     0.25      0.90      0.00
</TABLE>

Brokers for Portfolio Trades

When placing trades for the fund's portfolio, State Street Research chooses
brokers that provide the best execution (a term defined by service as well as
price), but may also consider the sale of shares of the State Street Research
funds by the broker.


(a)   If your broker declines this commission, the one-year CDSC on your
      investment is waived.
<PAGE>

      16                  Buying and Selling Shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[CASH REGISTER] Policies for Buying Shares

Once you have chosen a share class, the next step is to determine the amount you
want to invest.

Minimum Initial Investments:

o     $1,000 for accounts that use the Investamatic program(a)

o     $2,000 for Individual Retirement Accounts(a)

o     $2,500 for all other accounts

Minimum Additional Investments:

o     $50 for any account

Complete the enclosed application. You can avoid future inconvenience by signing
up now for any services; you might later use.

Timing of Requests All requests received in good order by State Street Research
before the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00
p.m. eastern time) will be executed the same day, at that day's closing share
price. Orders received thereafter will be executed the following day, at that
day's closing share price.

Wire Transactions Funds may be wired between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. eastern
time. To make a same-day wire investment, please notify State Street Research by
12:00 noon of your intention to wire funds, and make sure your wire arrives by
4:00 p.m. If the New York Stock Exchange closes before 4:00 p.m. eastern time,
you may be unable to make a same-day wire investment. Your bank may charge a fee
for wiring money.

(a)   Except $500 for Individual Retirement Accounts during special promotional
      periods.
<PAGE>

                         Instructions for Buying Shares                    17
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   To Open an Account                 To Add to an Account
<S>                                <C>                                <C>
[BRIEFCASE] Through a              Consult your financial             Consult your financial
            Professional           professional or your program       professional or your program
            or Program             materials.                         materials.

By Mail [MAILBOX]                  Make your check payable to         Fill out an investment slip
                                   "State Street Research Funds."     or indicate the fund name and
                                   Forward the check and your         account number on your check.
                                   application to State Street        Make your check payable to
                                   Research.                          "State Street Research Funds."
                                                                      Forward the check and slip to
                                                                      State Street Research.

[CAPITAL BUILDING] By Federal      Call to obtain an account          Call State Street Research to
                   Funds Wire      number and forward your            obtain a control number.
                                   application to State Street        Instruct your bank to wire
                                   Research. Wire funds using the     funds to:
                                   instructions at right.             o State Street Bank and Trust
                                                                        Company, Boston, MA
                                                                      o ABA: 011000028
                                                                      o BNF: fund name and share
                                                                        class you want to buy
                                                                      o AC: 99029761
                                                                      o OBI: your name and your
                                                                        account number
                                                                      o Control: the number given to
                                                                        you by State Street Research


By Electronic [PLUG]               Verify that your bank is a         Call State Street Research to
Funds Transfer                     member of the ACH (Automated       verify that the necessary bank
(ACH)                              Clearing House) system.            information is on file for
                                   Forward your application to        your account. If it is, you
                                   State Street Research. Please      may request a transfer by
                                   be sure to include the             telephone or Internet. If not,
                                   appropriate bank information.      please ask State Street
                                   Call State Street Research to      Research to provide you with
                                   request a purchase.                an EZ Trader application.

[CALENDAR] By Investamatic         Forward your application, with     Call State Street Research to
                                   all appropriate sections           verify that Investamatic is in
                                   completed, to State Street         place on your account, or to
                                   Research, along with a check       request a form to add it.
                                   for your initial investment        Investments are automatic once
                                   payable to "State Street           Investamatic is in place.
                                   Research Funds."

By Exchange [ARROWS GOING IN       Read the prospectus for the fund   Read the prospectus for the fund
             OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS]  into which you are exchanging.     into which you are exchanging.
                                   Call State Street Research or      Call State Street Research or
                                   visit our Web site.                visit our Web site.

State Street Research Service Center  PO Box 8408, Boston, MA 02266-8408   Internet www.StateStreetResearch.com
Call toll-free: 1-87-SSR-FUNDS (1-877-773-8637) (business days 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., eastern time)
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

      18                    Your Investment continued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[CASH REGISTER] Policies for Selling Shares

Circumstances that Require Written Requests Please submit instructions in
writing when any of the following apply:

o     you are selling more than $100,000 worth of shares

o     the name or address on the account has changed within the last 30 days

o     you want the proceeds to go to a name or address not on the account
      registration

o     you are transferring shares to an account with a different registration or
      share class

o     you are selling shares held in a corporate or fiduciary account; for these
      accounts, additional documents are required:

      corporate accounts: certified copy of a corporate resolution

      fiduciary accounts: copy of power of attorney or other governing document

To protect your account against fraud, all signatures on these documents must be
guaranteed. You may obtain a signature guarantee at most banks and securities
dealers. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.

Incomplete Sell Requests State Street Research will attempt to notify you
promptly if any information necessary to process your request is missing.

Timing of Requests All requests received in good order by State Street Research
before the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00
p.m. eastern time) will be executed the same day, at that day's closing share
price. Requests received thereafter will be executed the following day, at that
day's closing share price.

Wire Transactions Proceeds sent by federal funds wire must total at least
$5,000. A fee of $7.50 will be deducted from all proceeds sent by wire, and your
bank may charge an additional fee to receive wired funds.

Selling Recently Purchased Shares If you sell shares before the check or
electronic funds transfer (ACH) for those shares has been collected, you will
not receive the proceeds until your initial payment has cleared. This may take
up to 15 days after your purchase was recorded (in rare cases, longer). If you
open an account with shares purchased by wire, you cannot sell those shares
until your application has been processed.
<PAGE>

                         Instructions for Selling Shares                   19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[BRIEFCASE]  Through a            Consult your financial professional or your
             Professional         program materials.
             or Program

By Mail [MAILBOX]                 Send a letter of instruction, an endorsed
                                  stock power or share certificates (if you hold
                                  certificate shares) to State Street Research.
                                  Specify the fund, the account number and the
                                  dollar value or number of shares. Be sure to
                                  include all necessary signatures and any
                                  additional documents, as well as signature
                                  guarantees if required (see facing page).

[CAPITAL BUILDING] By Federal     Check with State Street Research to make sure
                   Funds Wire     that a wire redemption privilege, including a
                                  bank designation, is in place on your account.
                                  Once this is established, you may place your
                                  request to sell shares with State Street
                                  Research. Proceeds will be wired to your
                                  pre-designated bank account. (See "Wire
                                  Transactions" on facing page.)


By Electronic [PLUG]              Check with State Street Research to make sure
Funds Transfer                    that the EZ Trader feature, including a bank
(ACH)                             designation, is in place on your account. Once
                                  this is established, you may place your
                                  request to sell shares with State Street
                                  Research by telephone or Internet. Proceeds
                                  will be sent to your pre-designated bank
                                  account.

[COMPUTER] By Internet            Visit our Web site. Certain limitations may
                                  apply.


By Telephone [TELEPHONE]          As long as the transaction does not require a
                                  written request (see facing page), you or your
                                  financial professional can sell shares by
                                  calling State Street Research. A check will be
                                  mailed to your address of record on the
                                  following business day.

[ARROWS GOING IN  By Exchange     Read the prospectus for the fund into which
OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS]              you are exchanging. Call State Street Research
                                  or visit our Web site.

By Systematic [CALENDAR]          See plan information on page 23.
Withdrawal Plan

[CHECK] By Check                  The checkwriting privilege is available for
                                  Class A shares only. If you have requested
                                  this privilege on your application, you may
                                  write checks for amounts of $500 or more.


State Street Research Service Center PO Box 8408, Boston, MA 02266-8408
                                            Internet www.StateStreetResearch.com
Call toll-free: 1-87-SSR-FUNDS (1-877-773-8637) (business days 8:00 a.m. - 6:00
p.m., eastern time)

<PAGE>

      20                    Your Investment continued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[POLICIES] Account Policies


Telephone and Internet Requests When you open an account you automatically
receive telephone privileges, allowing you to place requests for your account by
telephone. Your financial professional can also use these privileges to request
exchanges on your account and, with your written permission, redemptions. For
your protection, all telephone calls are recorded.

You may also use our Web site for submitting certain requests over the Internet.

As long as State Street Research takes certain measures to authenticate requests
over the telephone or Internet for your account, you may be held responsible for
unauthorized requests. Unauthorized telephone requests are rare, but if you want
to protect yourself completely, you can decline the telephone privilege on your
application. Similarly, you may choose not to use the Internet for your account.
The fund may suspend or eliminate the telephone or Internet privileges at any
time.


Exchange Privileges There is no fee to exchange shares among State Street
Research funds. Your new fund shares will be the equivalent class of your
current shares. Any contingent deferred sales charges will continue to be
calculated from the date of your initial investment.

You must hold Class A shares of any fund for at least 30 days before you may
exchange them for Class A shares of a different fund with a higher applicable
sales charge.

Frequent exchanges can interfere with fund management and drive up costs for all
shareholders. Because of this, the fund currently limits each account, or group
of accounts under common ownership or control, to six exchanges per calendar
year. The fund may change or eliminate the exchange privilege at any time, may
limit or cancel any shareholder's exchange privilege and may refuse to accept
any exchange request, particularly those associated with "market timing"
strategies.

For Merrill Lynch customers, exchange privileges extend to Summit Cash Reserves
Fund, which is related to the fund for purposes of investment and investor
services.

Accounts with Low Balances If the value of your account falls below $1,500,
State Street Research may mail you a notice asking you to bring the account back
up to $1,500 or close it out. If you do not take action within 60 days, State
Street Research may either sell your shares and
<PAGE>

                                                                           21
                                                                           -----


mail the proceeds to you at the address of record or, depending on the
circumstances, may deduct an annual maintenance fee (currently $18).

The Fund's Business Hours The fund is open the same days as the New York Stock
Exchange (generally Monday through Friday). Fund representatives are available
from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. eastern time on these days.

Calculating Share Price The fund calculates its net asset value every business
day at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (but not
later than 4:00 p.m. eastern time). NAV is calculated by dividing the fund's net
assets by the number of its shares outstanding.

In calculating its NAV, the fund uses the last reported sale price or quotation
for portfolio securities. However, in cases where these are unavailable, or when
the investment manager believes that subsequent events have rendered them
unreliable, the fund may use fair-value estimates instead.

Because foreign securities markets are sometimes open on different days from
U.S. markets, there may be instances when the value of the fund's portfolio
changes on days when you cannot buy or sell fund shares.

Reinstating Recently Sold Shares

For 120 days after you sell shares, you have the right to "reinstate" your
investment by putting some or all of the proceeds into any currently available
State Street Research fund at net asset value. Any CDSC you paid on the amount
you are reinstating will be credited to your account. You may only use this
privilege once in any twelve-month period with respect to your shares of a given
fund.

Additional Policies Please note that the fund maintains additional policies and
reserves certain rights, including:


o     Requirements for initial or additional investments, reinvestments,
      periodic investment plans, retirement and employee benefit plans,
      sponsored arrangements and other similar programs may be changed from time
      to time without further notice or supplement to this prospectus


o     All orders to purchase shares are subject to acceptance by the fund

o     At any time, the fund may change or discontinue its sales charge waivers
      and any of its order acceptance practices, and may suspend the sale of its
      shares

o     The fund may delay sending you redemption proceeds for up to seven days,
      or longer if permitted by the SEC


o     The fund reserves the right to redeem in kind


o     To permit investors to obtain the current price, dealers are responsible
      for transmitting all orders to the State Street Research Service Center
      promptly
<PAGE>

      22                    Your Investment continued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[MAGNIFYING GLASS] Tax Considerations

Unless your investment is in a tax-deferred account, you may want to avoid:


o     investing a large amount in the fund close to the end of the fiscal year
      or a calendar year (if the fund makes a capital gains distribution, you
      will receive some of your investment back as a taxable distribution)


o     selling shares at a loss for tax purposes and investing in a substantially
      identical investment within 30 days before or after that sale (such a
      transaction is usually considered a "wash sale," and you will not be
      allowed to claim a tax loss in the current year)

["UNCLE SAM"] Distributions and Taxes

Income and Capital Gains Distributions The fund distributes its net income and
net capital gains to shareholders. Using projections of its future income, the
fund declares dividends daily and pays them monthly. Net capital gains, if any,
are distributed around the end of the fund's fiscal year, which is March 31. To
comply with tax regulations, the fund may be required to pay an additional
capital gains distribution in December.

You may have your distributions reinvested in the fund, invested in a different
State Street Research fund, deposited in a bank account or mailed out by check.
If you do not give State Street Research other instructions, your distributions
will automatically be reinvested in the fund.

Tax Effects of Distributions and Transactions In general, any dividends and
short-term capital gains distributions you receive from the fund are taxable as
ordinary income. Distribu-tions of long-term capital gains are generally taxable
as capital gains -- in most cases, at a different rate from that which applies
to ordinary income.

The tax you pay on a given capital gains distribution generally depends on how
long the fund has held the portfolio securities it sold. It does not depend on
how long you have owned your fund shares or whether you reinvest your
distributions.
<PAGE>

                                                                           23
                                                                           -----


Every year, the fund will send you information detailing the amount of ordinary
income and capital gains distributed to you for the previous year.

The sale of shares in your account may produce a gain or loss, and is a taxable
event. For tax purposes, an exchange is the same as a sale.

Your investment in the fund could have additional tax consequences. Please
consult your tax professional for assistance.

Backup Withholding By law, the fund must withhold 31% of your distributions and
proceeds if you have not provided complete, correct taxpayer information.

[HANDS] Investor Services

Investamatic Program Use Investamatic to set up regular automatic investments in
the fund from your bank account. You determine the frequency and amount of your
investments.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan

This plan is designed for retirees and other investors who want regular
withdrawals from a fund account. The plan is free and allows you to withdraw up
to 12% of your fund assets a year (minimum $50 per withdrawal) without incurring
any contingent deferred sales charges. Certain terms and minimums apply.


EZTrader This service allows you to purchase or sell fund shares over the
telephone or over the Internet through the ACH (Automated Clearing House)
system.


Dividend Allocation Plan This plan automatically invests your distributions from
the fund into another fund of your choice, without any fees or sales charges.

Automatic Bank Connection This plan lets you route any distributions or
Systematic Withdrawal Plan payments directly to your bank account.

Retirement Plans State Street Research also offers a full range of prototype
retirement plans for individuals, sole proprietors, partnerships, corporations
and employees.


Call 1-87-SSR-FUNDS (1-877-773-8637) for information on any of the services
described above.

<PAGE>

      24                        Other Information
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[POLICIES] Other Securities and Risks

Each of the fund's portfolio securities and investment practices offers certain
opportunities and carries various risks. Major investments and risk factors are
outlined in the fund description starting on page 2. Below are brief
descriptions of other securities and practices, along with their associated
risks.

Restricted and Illiquid Securities Any securities that are thinly traded or
whose resale is restricted can be difficult to sell at a desired time and price.
Some of these securities are new and complex, and trade only among institutions;
the markets for these securities are still developing, and may not function as
efficiently as established markets. Owning a large percentage of restricted and
illiquid securities could hamper the fund's ability to raise cash to meet
redemptions. Also, because there may not be an established market price for
these securities, the fund may have to estimate their value, which means that
their valuation -- and the valuation of the fund -- may have a subjective
element.

Securities Ratings When securities are rated by one or more independent rating
agencies, the fund uses these ratings to determine credit quality. In cases
where a security is rated in conflicting categories by different rating
agencies, the fund may choose to follow the higher rating. If a security is
unrated, the fund may assign it to a given category based on its own credit
research. If a rating agency downgrades a security, the fund will determine
whether to hold or sell the security, depending on all of the facts and
circumstances at that time.

Foreign Investments Foreign securities are generally more volatile than their
domestic counterparts, in part because of higher political and economical risks,
lack of reliable information and fluctuations in currency exchange rates. These
risks are usually higher in less developed countries. The fund may use foreign
currencies and related instruments to hedge its foreign investments.

Derivatives Derivatives, a category that includes options and futures, are
financial instruments whose value derives from one or more securities, indices
or currencies. The fund may use certain derivatives for hedging (attempting to
offset a potential loss in one position by establishing an interest in an
opposite position). The
<PAGE>

                                                                           25
                                                                           -----


fund may also use certain derivatives for speculation (investing for potential
income or capital gain).

While hedging can guard against potential risks, it adds to the fund's expenses
and can eliminate some opportunities for gains. There is also a risk that a
derivative intended as a hedge may not perform as expected.

The main risk with derivatives is that some types can amplify a gain or loss,
potentially earning or losing substantially more money than the actual cost of
the derivative.

With some derivatives, whether used for hedging or speculation, there is also
the risk that the counterparty may fail to honor its contract terms, causing a
loss for the fund.

Zero (or Step) Coupons A zero coupon security is a debt security that is
purchased and traded at discount to its face value because it pays no interest
for some or all of its life. Interest, however, is reported as income to the
fund and the fund is required to distribute to shareholders an amount equal to
the amount reported. Those distributions may force the fund to liquidate
portfolio securities at a disadvantageous time.

Securities Lending The fund may seek additional income by lending portfolio
securities to qualified institutions. By reinvesting any cash collateral it
receives in these transactions, the fund could realize additional gains or
losses. If the borrower fails to return the securities and the invested
collateral has declined in value, the fund could lose money.

When-issued Securities The fund may invest in securities prior to their date of
issue. These securities could fall in value by the time they are actually
issued, which may be any time from a few days to over a year.

Defensive Investing During unusual market conditions, the fund may place up to
100% of total assets in cash or high-quality, short-term debt securities. To the
extent that the fund does this, it is not pursuing its goal.

<PAGE>


     26                      Financial Highlights
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


These highlights are intended to help you understand the fund's performance over
the past five years. The information in these tables has been audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the fund's independent accountants. Their report and
the fund's financial statements are included in the fund's annual report, which
is available upon request. Total return figures assume reinvestment of all
distributions.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Class A
                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Years ended March 31
Per Share Data                                       1996(a)       1997(a)      1998(a)      1999(a)       2000(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
 Net asset value, beginning of year ($)               5.80          5.95         6.01         6.62          5.65
                                                     -----         -----        -----        -----         -----
    Net investment income ($)                         0.52          0.59         0.58         0.58          0.52
    Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    on investments, foreign currency and
    forward contracts ($)                             0.20         (0.01)        0.63        (0.80)        (0.60)
                                                     -----         -----        -----        -----         -----
 Total from investment operations ($)                 0.72          0.58         1.21        (0.22)        (0.08)
                                                     -----         -----        -----        -----         -----
    Dividends from net investment income ($)         (0.56)        (0.52)       (0.60)       (0.58)        (0.52)
    Distributions from capital gains ($)            (0.01)           --           --        (0.09)           --
    Distribution in excess of capital gains     ($)    --            --           --        (0.08)           --
                                                     -----         -----        -----        -----         -----
 Total distributions ($)                             (0.57)        (0.52)       (0.60)       (0.75)        (0.52)
                                                     -----         -----        -----        -----         -----
 Net asset value, end of year ($)                     5.95          6.01         6.62         5.65          5.05
                                                     =====         =====        =====        =====         =====
 Total return (%)(b)                                 12.85         10.30        20.98        (3.19)        (1.65)

Ratios/Supplemental Data
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net assets at end of year ($ thousands)           646,473       658,413      718,705      648,217       501,042
 Expense ratio (%)                                    1.17          1.10         1.10         1.06          1.12
 Expense ratio after expense reductions (%)           1.17          1.10         1.10         1.05          1.11
 Ratio of net investment income
 to average net assets (%)                            8.88          9.70         9.10         9.63          9.50
 Portfolio turnover rate (%)                         56.47         81.75        70.53        53.46         50.49

<CAPTION>
                                                                        Class B(1)
                                                    -----------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Years ended March 31
Per Share Data                                             1999(a)(e)                   2000(a)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                                         <C>                        <C>
 Net asset value, beginning of year ($)                       5.62                       5.62
                                                             -----                      -----
    Net investment income ($)                                 0.12                       0.47
    Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    on investments, foreign currency and
    forward contracts ($)                                     0.01                      (0.60)
                                                             -----                      -----
 Total from investment operations ($)                         0.13                      (0.13)
                                                             -----                      -----
    Dividends from net investment income ($)                 (0.13)                     (0.48)
    Distributions from net realized gains ($)                   --                         --
                                                             -----                      -----
    Distribution in excess of net realized gains ($)            --                         --
                                                             -----                      -----
 Total distributions ($)                                     (0.13)                     (0.48)
                                                             -----                      -----
 Net asset value, end of year ($)                             5.62                       5.01
                                                             =====                      =====
 Total return (%)(b)                                          2.25(c)                   (2.57)

Ratios/Supplemental Data
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net assets at end of year ($ thousands)                    12,732                     36,038
 Expense ratio (%)                                            1.74(d)                    1.87
 Expense ratio after expense reductions (%)                   1.73(d)                    1.86
 Ratio of net investment income
 to average net assets (%)                                    8.81(d)                    8.76
 Portfolio turnover rate (%)                                 53.46                      50.49
</TABLE>

<PAGE>


                                                                           27
                                                                           -----

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Class B
                                                           ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Years ended March 31
Per Share Data                                               1996(a)        1997(a)        1998(a)        1999(a)        2000(a)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                                      <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
 Net asset value, beginning of year ($)                      5.79           5.93           5.98           6.58           5.62
                                                            -----          -----          -----          -----          -----
    Net investment income ($)                                0.46           0.55           0.53           0.53           0.47
    Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    on investments, foreign currency and
    forward contracts ($)                                    0.21          (0.02)          0.62          (0.79)         (0.59)
                                                            -----          -----          -----          -----          -----
 Total from investment operations ($)                        0.67           0.53           1.15          (0.26)         (0.12)
                                                            -----          -----          -----          -----          -----
    Dividends from net investment income ($)                (0.52)         (0.48)         (0.55)         (0.53)         (0.48)
    Distributions from net realized gains ($)               (0.01)            --             --          (0.09)            --
    Distribution in excess of net realized gains ($)           --             --             --          (0.08)            --
                                                            -----          -----          -----          -----          -----
 Total distributions ($)                                    (0.53)         (0.48)         (0.55)         (0.70)         (0.48)
                                                            -----          -----          -----          -----          -----
 Net asset value, end of year ($)                            5.93           5.98           6.58           5.62           5.02
                                                            =====          =====          =====          =====          =====
 Total return (%)(b)                                        12.06           9.35          20.02          (3.77)         (2.38)

Ratios/Supplemental Data
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net assets at end of year ($ thousands)                  185,735        259,077        345,797        336,420        230,786
 Expense ratio (%)                                           1.92           1.85           1.85           1.81           1.87
 Expense ratio after expense reductions (%)                  1.92           1.85           1.85           1.80           1.86
 Ratio of net investment income
 to average net assets (%)                                   7.95           9.01           8.36           8.90           8.76
 Portfolio turnover rate (%)                                56.47          81.75          70.53          53.46          50.49

<CAPTION>
                                                                                             Class C
                                                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Years ended March 31
Per Share Data                                                   1996(a)        1997(a)       1998(a)       1999(a)        2000(a)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                                           <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>
 Net asset value, beginning of year ($)                          5.79           5.93          5.99          6.59           5.63
                                                                -----          -----         -----         -----          -----
    Net investment income ($)                                    0.46           0.54          0.53          0.53           0.48
    Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    on investments, foreign currency and
    forward contracts ($)                                        0.21          (0.00)         0.62         (0.79)         (0.61)
                                                                -----          -----         -----         -----          -----
 Total from investment operations ($)                            0.67           0.54          1.15         (0.26)         (0.13)
                                                                -----          -----         -----         -----          -----
    Dividends from net investment income ($)                    (0.52)         (0.48)        (0.55)        (0.53)         (0.48)
    Distributions from net realized gains ($)                   (0.01)            --            --         (0.09)            --
    Distribution in excess of net realized gains ($)               --             --            --         (0.08)            --
                                                                -----          -----         -----         -----          -----
 Total distributions ($)                                        (0.53)         (0.48)        (0.55)        (0.70)         (0.48)
                                                                -----          -----         -----         -----          -----
 Net asset value, end of year ($)                                5.93           5.99          6.59          5.63           5.02
                                                                =====          =====         =====         =====          =====
 Total return (%)(b)                                            12.05           9.52         19.99         (3.76)         (2.57)

Ratios/Supplemental Data
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net assets at end of year ($ thousands)                       15,262         28,488        34,586        40,342         26,154
 Expense ratio (%)                                               1.92           1.85          1.85          1.81           1.87
 Expense ratio after expense reductions (%)                      1.92           1.85          1.85          1.80           1.86
 Ratio of net investment income
 to average net assets (%)                                       7.91           9.09          8.35          8.91           8.77
 Portfolio turnover rate (%)                                    56.47          81.75         70.53         53.46          50.49
</TABLE>

(a)   Per share figures have been calculated using the average shares method.
(b)   Does not reflect any front-end or contingent deferred sales charges.
(c)   Not annualized.
(d)   Annualized.
(e)   January 1, 1999 (commencement of share class) to March 31, 1999.

<PAGE>


      28                 Financial Highlights continued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Class S
                                                         ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Years ended March 31
Per Share Data                                              1996(a)        1997(a)        1998(a)        1999(a)         2000(a)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>                                                       <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>             <C>
 Net asset value, beginning of year ($)                     5.78           5.92           5.98           6.58            5.61
                                                           -----          -----          -----          -----           -----
    Net investment income ($)                               0.53           0.61           0.59           0.58            0.53
    Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    on investments, foreign currency and
    forward contracts ($)                                   0.20          (0.01)          0.63          (0.79)          (0.60)
                                                           -----          -----          -----          -----           -----
 Total from investment operations ($)                       0.73           0.60           1.22          (0.21)          (0.07)
                                                           -----          -----          -----          -----           -----
    Dividends from net investment income ($)               (0.58)         (0.54)         (0.62)         (0.59)          (0.53)
    Distributions from capital gains ($)                   (0.01)            --             --          (0.09)             --
    Distribution in excess of capital gains ($)               --             --             --          (0.08)             --
                                                           -----          -----          -----          -----           -----
 Total distributions ($)                                   (0.59)         (0.54)         (0.62)         (0.76)          (0.53)
                                                           -----          -----          -----          -----           -----
 Net asset value, end of year ($)                           5.92           5.98           6.58           5.61            5.01
                                                           =====          =====          =====          =====           =====
 Total return (%)(b)                                       13.19          10.63          21.22          (2.97)          (1.41)

Ratios/Supplemental Data
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net assets at end of year ($ thousands)                   3,840          6,255          7,860         48,384          45,737
 Expense ratio (%)                                          0.92           0.85           0.85           0.81            0.87
 Expense ratio after expense reductions (%)                 0.92           0.85           0.85           0.80            0.86
 Ratio of net investment income
 to average net assets (%)                                  8.97          10.04           9.36          10.00            9.81
 Portfolio turnover rate (%)                               56.47          81.75          70.53          53.46           50.49
</TABLE>

(a)   Per share figures have been calculated using the average shares method.
(b)   Does not reflect any front-end or contingent deferred sales charges.

<PAGE>

                                Board of Trustees                          29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[COLUMNS] The Board of Trustees is responsible for the operation of the fund.
They establish the fund's major policies, review investments, and provide
guidance to the investment manager and others who provide services to the fund.
The Trustees have diverse backgrounds and substantial experience in business and
other areas.


Gerard P. Maus

Chief Financial Officer, Chief
Administrative Officer, Director and
Interim Chief Operating Officer,
State Street Research & Management
Company


Bruce R. Bond

Former Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer and President,
PictureTel Corporation

Steve A. Garban

Former Senior Vice President for Finance
and Operations and Treasurer,
The Pennsylvania State University

Dean O. Morton

Former Executive Vice President,
Chief Operating Officer and Director,
Hewlett-Packard Company

Susan M. Phillips

Dean, School of Business and Public Management, George Washington University,
former Member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and
Chairman and Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission


Toby Rosenblatt

President, Founders Investments Ltd.
President, The Glen Ellen Company


Michael S. Scott Morton

Jay W. Forrester Professor of
Management, Sloan School of
Management, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology
<PAGE>

                           For Additional Information
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you have questions about the fund or would like to request a free copy of the
current annual/semiannual report or SAI, contact State Street Research or your
financial professional.


[LOGO] STATE STREET RESEARCH
Service Center
P.O. Box 8408, Boston, MA 02266
Telephone: 1-87-SSR-FUNDS (1-877-773-8637)
Internet: www.StateStreetResearch.com

You can also obtain information about the fund, including the SAI and certain
other fund documents, on the SEC's EDGAR database on the Internet at
www.sec.gov, by electronic request at [email protected], in person at the SEC's
Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (telephone 1-202-942-8090) or by mail by
sending your request, along with a duplicating fee, to the SEC's Public
Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102.


prospectus
---------------------------
SEC File Number: 811-4559

You can find additional information on the fund's structure and its performance
in the following documents:


Annual/Semiannual Reports While the prospectus describes the fund's potential
investments, these reports detail the fund's actual investments as of the report
date. Reports include a discussion by fund management of recent economic and
market trends and fund performance. The annual report also includes the report
of the fund's independent accountants on the fund's financial statements.

Ticker Symbols
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Class A                                                                   SSHAX
 Class B(1)                                                                SSHPX
 Class B                                                                   SSHBX
 Class C                                                                   SSHDX
 Class S (proposed)                                                        SSHCX


Statement of Additional Information (SAI) A supplement to the prospectus, the
SAI contains further information about the fund and its investment limitations
and policies. A current SAI for this fund is on file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and is incorporated by reference (is legally part of this
prospectus).

                                                                    HI-2161-0700
                                                 Control Number: (exp0801)SSR-LD
<PAGE>


      Supplement No. 1 dated August 1, 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

to    Prospectus dated August 1, 2000

for   State Street Research Strategic Growth & Income Fund
      A series of State Street Research Income Trust

      Subject to shareholder approval as described below, the following policy
      changes are expected to be made:

      Investment Policy Changes

      The fundamental policy regarding diversification of investments would be
      amended to allow the fund to invest a greater percentage of fund assets in
      other mutual funds. The policy will be amended so that the provisions that
      limit the fund's investments in any one issuer to 5% of the fund's total
      assets and prevent the fund from investing in more than 10% of the voting
      securities of any one issuer will not apply to the purchase of shares of
      other investment companies or U.S. Government securities as defined under
      the Investment Company Act of 1940.

      Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class A Shares

      The fund's Rule 12b-1 plan of distribution would be amended to allow the
      fund to increase its Rule 12b-1 fees. These fees are used to pay for
      service, distribution and marketing expenses related to sales of Class A
      shares of the fund. The current 25 basis point fee would be increased to
      40 basis points (0.40% or .0040) of the net assets
<PAGE>

      attributable to Class A shares. If approved, only 5 basis points (0.05% or
      .0005) of the increase would be implemented initially and any further
      increase will be subject to Trustee approval.

      For Further Information

      The two above policy changes will be effective upon, and subject to,
      shareholder approval at a meeting scheduled for September 2000, or any
      continued session thereof. For more detailed information about the
      changes, obtain a copy of the related Proxy Statement by calling the State
      Street Research Service Center at 1-87-SSR-FUNDS (1-877-773-8637) after
      July 7, 2000.

                                                                   SGI-2163-0700
      [LOGO] STATE STREET RESEARCH               Control Number: (exp0701)SSR-LD

<PAGE>

                          [LOGO] STATE STREET RESEARCH

                         Strategic Growth & Income Fund

                               [GRAPHIC OF CLOCK]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                       An asset allocation fund
                                                       investing in a dynamic
                                                       mix of stocks, bonds and
                                                       other securities.


                                                       Prospectus
                                                       August 1, 2000


This prospectus has information you should know before you invest. Please read
it carefully and keep it with your investment records.

As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not
approved or disapproved the securities or determined if this prospectus is
truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.


This prospectus will also be available in Chinese and Spanish in September by
calling the State Street Research Service Center at 1-888-638-3193.

<PAGE>

                                    Contents                               1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


        2  The Fund
         --------------------

        2  Goal and Strategies
        3  Principal Risks
        6  Volatility and Performance
        8  Investor Expenses
       10  Investment Management

       11  Your Investment
         --------------------

       11  Opening an Account
       11  Choosing a Share Class
       12  Sales Charges
       15  Dealer Compensation
       16  Buying and Selling Shares
       20  Account Policies
       22  Distributions and Taxes
       23  Investor Services

       24  Other Information
         --------------------

       24  Other Securities and Risks
       26  Financial Highlights
       29  Board of Trustees

Back Cover For Additional Information
<PAGE>

    2                               The Fund
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[CHESS PIECE] Goal and Strategies

Fundamental Goal The fund seeks a high total return while attempting to limit
investment risk and preserve capital.

Principal Strategies In managing its portfolio, the fund uses an asset
allocation strategy, investing varying percentages of its portfolio in three
major categories: stocks, bonds and, to a lesser extent, money market
instruments. Drawing on its analysis of financial trends and market conditions,
the investment manager monitors and adjusts those allocations from time to time.
The fund has wide flexibility in the relative weightings given to each category;
however, it intends to remain diversified across categories.

The assets allocated to the stock and bond categories undergo a further
allocation process. The portfolio manager assigns varying percentages to
individual investment team members. Some team members are responsible for
particular types of stock investments, such as stocks of larger companies,
smaller companies, companies that appear to be trading below their true worth or
international companies.


Other members are responsible for various types of bond investments, such as
investment grade securities, junk bonds and international debt. The fund
reserves the right to invest up to 25% of total assets in junk bonds (at the
time of purchase, within Standard & Poor's BB or B major rating categories or
Moody's Ba or B major rating categories, or their unrated equivalents).


[MAGNIFYING GLASS] Who May Want To Invest

State Street Research Strategic Growth & Income Fund is designed for investors
who seek one or more of the following:

o     a foundation for a long-term portfolio

o     professional asset allocation within a single fund

o     a fund that is highly diversified

The fund is not appropriate for investors who:

o     want to avoid even moderate volatility or possible losses

o     are seeking either maximum growth or high income

o     are making short-term investments

o     are investing emergency reserve money
<PAGE>

                                                                           3
                                                                           -----


Based on its economic outlook, the fund may allocate a portion of its
investments to inflation-responsive securities: securities that tend to
appreciate when inflation rates increase. These may include stocks of energy and
natural resource companies, commodities and precious metals.

The fund generally does not invest substantially in money market instruments,
such as high-quality short-term U.S. securities. However, it will hold cash for
defensive purposes during unusual market conditions or to maintain liquidity.

For more information about the fund's investments and practices, see page 24.

[STOP SIGN] Principal Risks

Because the fund pursues an asset allocation strategy, its major risks include
the risk that the fund will not correctly anticipate the relative performance of
different asset categories over specific periods. In such cases, the fund may
underperform other types of asset allocation investments or other types of
investments in general.

To the extent that the fund invests in stocks, it takes on the risks of stock
investing, including sudden, unpredictable drops in value and the potential for
lackluster performance.

In addition, certain categories of stocks may involve particular types of risk.
Growth stocks generally are more sensitive to market movements, in part because
their prices tend to reflect future expectations. Smaller company stocks also
tend to be more sensitive to market movements, usually because they may be
thinly traded or the companies may be less able to withstand hard times. Larger,
more established companies may be unable to respond as quickly to competitive
challenges. Stocks that appear to be trading below their true worth may not
achieve their expected values because the factors causing them to be underpriced
do not change.

To the extent that the fund invests in bonds, it takes on the risks of bond
investing, including the tendency of prices to fall when interest rates rise.
This risk is greater for bonds with longer maturities. A less significant risk
is that a bond issuer
<PAGE>

    4                          The Fund continued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


could default on principal or interest payments, causing a loss for the fund.
Junk bonds have a higher risk of default than investment grade bonds, are more
affected by the financial health of the issuer and the economy generally, and
their market prices can be more volatile.


Foreign securities present risks beyond those of U.S. securities. They are
generally more volatile than their U.S. counterparts, in part because of higher
political and economic risks, lack of reliable information and fluctuations in
currency exchange rates. Moreover, changes in currency exchange rates have the
potential to reduce or eliminate certain gains achieved in securities markets or
create net losses. These risks are usually higher for investments in less
developed markets.

In addition, foreign securities may be more difficult to resell and the markets
for them less efficient than for comparable U.S. securities. Even where a
foreign security increases in price in its local currency, the appreciation may
be diluted by the negative effect of exchange rates when the security's value is
converted to U.S. dollars. Foreign withholding taxes also may apply and errors
and delays may occur in the settlement process for foreign securities.



Inflation-responsive investments may not fully compensate for the effects of
inflation. Stocks of energy and natural resource companies usually are affected
by variations in the markets for their commodities.

Because of the fund's management approach, which may include short-term trading,
the fund's portfolio turnover rate may be above-average at times for an asset
allocation fund. High turnover can increase the fund's brokerage costs and may
be increase your tax liability if there are capital gains.

The fund's shares will rise and fall in value and there is a risk that you could
lose money by investing in the fund. Also, the fund cannot be certain that it
will achieve its goal. Finally, fund shares are not bank deposits and are not
guaranteed, endorsed or insured by any financial institution, government entity
or the FDIC.

Information on other securities and risks appears on page 24.

A "snapshot" of the fund's investments may be found in the current annual or
semiannual report (see back cover).
<PAGE>

                                                                           5
                                                                           -----


[MAGNIFYING GLASS] What is Asset Allocation?

Asset allocation is a strategy used to apportion investments among categories of
assets, such as stocks, bonds and money market instruments. In many instances,
various categories will respond differently to economic conditions. To the
extent that they do, having a portfolio diversified across multiple categories
can help limit volatility by cushioning the impact of poor performance from any
one type of investment. Investing across several different asset categories can
also enhance long-term performance by capturing the opportunities available in
each area at different times.

Through an asset allocation fund, investors can benefit from the experience of a
professional manager who analyzes market and economic conditions to identify the
most promising asset classes. Some funds take a more structured approach to
asset allocation, varying only slightly from their "neutral" proportions of
stocks, bonds and money market instruments. Other funds take a "market timer"
approach, making dramatic shifts among asset classes in response to short-term
market conditions. This fund generally avoids both extremes. It is not bound by
any "neutral" allocation and it has no set limits on the percentage of its
assets that must be invested in any one category or sector, giving it the
ability to adapt to changing markets and invest wherever opportunities appear
greatest. On the other hand, the fund tends to avoid large, sudden shifts in the
composition of its portfolio, taking a more incremental approach to asset
allocation by focusing on longer term market conditions. In addition, this fund
has added another category, inflation-responsive investments.

By pursuing an asset allocation strategy through diligent research and active
management, the fund is designed to be the cornerstone of an investor's
long-term portfolio.
<PAGE>


    6                     Volatility and Performance
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


   [The following table was depicted as a bar chart in the printed material.]

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Years ended December 31
                                         -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year-by-Year Total Return (Class A)       1990     1991     1992     1993      1994     1995      1996     1997     1998     1999
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         <S>      <C>       <C>     <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>     <C>
                                         (3.24)   21.04     7.86    22.08     (5.85)   22.75     20.13    16.27     8.25    12.95

                               Best quarter: fourth quarter 1999, up 11.09%  Return from 1/1/00 - 6/30/00 (not annualized): up 3.31%
                               Worst quarter: third quarter 1998, down 9.12%
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              As of December 31, 1999
                                                                                  --------------------------------------------------
Average Annual Total Return                                                        1 Year             5 Years          10 Years
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  <S>                                               <C>                 <C>              <C>
                                  Class A (%)                                        6.46               14.59            11.11
                                  Class B(1) (%)(a)                                  7.16               14.88            11.23
                                  Class B (%)                                        7.07               14.86            11.22
                                  Class C (%)                                       11.14               15.08            11.23
                                  Class S (%)                                       13.23               16.21            11.95
                                  S&P 500 Index (%)                                 21.03               28.54            18.19
                                  Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index (%)          (0.82)               7.73             7.70
                                  Lipper Flexible Portfolio Funds Index (%)          9.82               16.37            12.23
</TABLE>

(a)   Performance for Class B(1) reflects Class B performance through December
      31,1998. Class B(1) was introduced on January 1,1999.

<PAGE>

                                                                           7
                                                                           -----


[MAGNIFYING GLASS] Understanding Volatility and Performance

The chart and table on the opposite page are designed to show two aspects of the
fund's track record:

o     Year-by-Year Total Return shows how volatile the fund has been: how much
      the difference has been, historically, between its best years and worst
      years. In general, funds with higher average annual total returns will
      also have higher volatility. The graph includes the effects of fund
      expenses, but not sales charges. If sales charges had been included,
      returns would have been less than shown.

o     Average Annual Total Return is a measure of the fund's performance over
      time. It is determined by taking the fund's performance over a given
      period and expressing it as an average annual rate.

Average annual total return includes the effects of fund expenses and maximum
sales charges for each class, and assumes that you sold your shares at the end
of the period.

Also included with the fund's average annual returns are three independent
measures of performance. Two are unmanaged indices: the S&P 500 (officially, the
"Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index") which includes 500 U.S.
stocks, and the Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index which includes fixed-rate
debt issues rated investment grade or higher. The Lipper Flexible Portfolio
Funds Index shows the performance of a category of mutual funds with similar
goals. The Lipper index shows you how well the fund has done compared to
competing funds.


While the fund does not seek to match the returns or the volatility of any
index, these indices are good indicators of general stock and bond market
performance, and can be used as rough guides when gauging the return of this and
other investments. When making comparisons, keep in mind that none of the
indices include the effects of sales charges. Also, even if your portfolio were
identical to the S&P 500 or the Lehman index, your returns would always be
lower, because these indices do not include brokerage and administrative
expenses.


Keep in mind that past performance is no guarantee of future results.


<PAGE>


    8                          Investor Expenses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               Class descriptions begin on page 11
                                                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholder Fees (% of offering price)                            Class A     Class B(1)     Class B       Class C      Class S
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        <S>                                         <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
                        Maximum front-end sales charge (load)       5.75          0.00         0.00         0.00         0.00
                        Maximum deferred sales charge (load)        0.00(a)       5.00         5.00         1.00         0.00

<CAPTION>
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (% of average net assets)          Class A     Class B(1)     Class B       Class C      Class S
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        <S>                                         <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
                        Management fee                              0.74          0.74         0.74         0.74         0.74
                        Service/distribution (12b-1) fees           0.25          1.00         1.00         1.00         0.00
                        Other expenses                              0.31          0.31         0.31         0.31         0.31
                        Total annual fund operating expenses*       1.30          2.05         2.05         2.05         1.05
                                                                    ----          ----         ----         ----         ----

                        *Because some of the fund's expenses have been
                         reduced through expense offset arrangements,
                         actual total operating expenses for the
                         prior year would have been:               1.29          2.04         2.04         2.04         1.04

<CAPTION>
Example                 Year                                      Class A     Class B(1)     Class B      Class C       Class S
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        <S>                                       <C>      <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
                         1                                         $700      $708/$208      $708/$208    $308/$208       $107
                         3                                         $963      $943/$643      $943/$643      $643          $334
                         5                                        $1,247   $1,303/$1,103  $1,303/$1,103   $1,103         $579
                        10                                        $2,053      $2,187         $2,187       $2,379        $1,283
</TABLE>

(a)   Except for investments of $1 million or more; see page 13.

<PAGE>

                                                                           9
                                                                           -----

[MAGNIFYING GLASS] Understanding Investor Expenses

The information on the opposite page is designed to give you an idea of what you
should expect to pay in expenses as an investor in the fund:

o     Shareholder Fees are costs that are charged to you directly. These fees
      are not charged on reinvestments or exchanges.

o     Annual Fund Operating Expenses are deducted from the fund's assets every
      year, and are thus paid indirectly by fund investors.

o     The Example is designed to allow you to compare the costs of this fund
      with those of other funds. It assumes that you invested $10,000 over the
      years indicated, reinvested all distributions, earned a hypothetical 5%
      annual return and paid the maximum applicable sales charges. For Class
      B(1) and Class B shares, it also assumes the automatic conversion to Class
      A after eight years.

Where two numbers are shown separated by a slash, the first one assumes you sold
all your shares at the end of the period, while the second assumes you stayed in
the fund. Where there is only one number, the costs would be the same either
way.


The figures in the example assume full annual expenses, and would be lower if
they reflected the various expense reductions that may have been taken.


Investors should keep in mind that the example is for comparison purposes only.
The fund's actual performance and expenses may be higher or lower.
<PAGE>

    10                         The Fund continued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[THINKER] Investment Management


The fund's investment manager is State Street Research & Management Company, One
Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111. The firm traces its heritage back
to 1924 and the founding of one of America's first mutual funds. Today the firm
has approximately $54 billion in assets under management (as of June 30, 2000),
including more than $19 billion in mutual funds.


The investment manager is responsible for the fund's investment and business
activities, and receives the management fee as compensation. The management fee
is 0.75% of the first $500 million of net assets, annually, 0.70% of the next
$500 million, and 0.65% of any amount over $1 billion. The investment manager is
a subsidiary of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.


In July 2000, John H. Kallis assumed responsibility for the fund's day-to-day
portfolio management. A senior vice president, he joined the firm in 1987 and
has worked as an investment professional since 1963. Mr. Kallis is supported by
an in-house team of investment specialists. Mr. Kallis assigns varying portions
of the fund's portfolio to individual team members. The team members are
responsible for differing types of bond and stock investments, such as
government securities, corporate bonds, growth stocks or value stocks.

<PAGE>

                                 Your Investment                           11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[KEY] Opening an Account

If you are opening an account through a financial professional, he or she can
assist you with all phases of your investment.

If you are investing through a large retirement plan or other special program,
follow the instructions in your program materials.

To open an account without the help of a financial professional, please use the
instructions on these pages.

[CHECKLIST] Choosing a Share Class

The fund generally offers four share classes, each with its own sales charge and
expense structure: Class A, Class B(1), Class C and Class S. The fund also
offers Class B shares, but only to current Class B shareholders through
reinvestment of dividends and distributions or through exchanges from existing
Class B accounts of State Street Research funds.

If you are investing a substantial amount and plan to hold your shares for a
long period, Class A shares may make the most sense for you. If you are
investing a lesser amount, you may want to consider Class B(1) shares (if
investing for at least six years) or Class C shares (if investing for less than
six years). If you are investing through a special program, such as a large
employer-sponsored retirement plan or certain programs available through
brokers, you may be eligible to purchase Class S shares.

Because all future investments in your account will be made in the share class
you designate when opening the account, you should make your decision carefully.
Your financial professional can help you choose the share class that makes the
most sense for you.
<PAGE>


    12                      Your Investment continued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Class A -- Front Load

o     Initial sales charge of 5.75% or less

o     Lower sales charges for larger investments; see sales charge schedule at
      right

o     Lower annual expenses than Class B(1) or Class C shares because of lower
      service/distribution (12b-1) fee of 0.25%

Class B(1) -- Back Load

o     No initial sales charge

o     Deferred sales charge of 5% or less on shares you sell within six years

o     Annual service/distribution (12b-1) fee of 1.00%

o     Automatic conversion to Class A shares after eight years, reducing future
      annual expenses

Class B -- Back Load

o     Available only to current Class B shareholders; see page 13 for details

Class C -- Level Load

o     No initial sales charge

o     Deferred sales charge of 1%, paid if you sell shares within one year of
      purchase

o     Lower deferred sales charge than Class B(1) shares

o     Annual service/distribution (12b-1) fee of 1.00%

o     No conversion to Class A shares after eight years, so annual expenses do
      not decrease

Class S -- Special Programs

o     Available only through certain retirement accounts, advisory accounts of
      the investment manager and other special programs, including programs
      through financial professionals with recordkeeping and other services;
      these programs usually involve special conditions and separate fees
      (consult your financial professional or your program materials)

o     No sales charges of any kind

o     No service/distribution (12b-1) fees; annual expenses are lower than other
      share classes


Sales Charges

Class A -- Front Load

 when you invest        this % is           which equals
 this amount            deducted            this % of
                        for sales           your net
                        charges             investment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Up to $50,000            5.75                6.10
 $50,000 - $100,000       4.50                4.71
 $100,000 - $250,000      3.50                3.63
 $250,000 - $500,000      2.50                2.56
 $500,000 - $1 million    2.00                2.04
 $1 million or more            see next column

With Class A shares, you pay a sales charge when you buy shares.


If you are investing $1 million or more (either as a lump sum or through any of
the methods described on the application), you can purchase Class A shares
without any sales charge. However, you may be charged a "contingent deferred
sales charge" (CDSC) of up to 1% if you sell any
<PAGE>
                                                                           13
                                                                           -----


shares within one year of purchasing them. See "Other CDSC Policies" on page 14.


Class A shares are also offered with low or no sales charges through various
wrap-fee programs and other sponsored arrangements (consult your financial
professional or your program materials).

Class B(1) -- Back Load

                           this % of net asset value
when you sell shares       at the time of purchase (or
in this year after you     of sale, if lower) is deduct-
bought them                ed from your proceeds
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First year                         5.00
Second year                        4.00
Third year                         3.00
Fourth year                        3.00
Fifth year                         2.00
Sixth year                         1.00
Seventh or eighth year             None

With Class B(1) shares, you pay no sales charge when you invest, but you are
charged a "contingent deferred sales charge" (CDSC) when you sell shares you
have held for six years or less, as described in the table above. See "Other
CDSC Policies" on page 14.

Class B(1) shares automatically convert to Class A shares after eight years;
Class A shares have lower annual expenses.

Class B -- Back Load

Class B shares are available only to current shareholders through reinvestment
of dividends and distributions or through exchanges from existing Class B
accounts of the State Street Research funds. Other investments made by current
Class B shareholders will be in Class B(1) shares.

With Class B shares, you are charged a "contingent deferred sales charge" (CDSC)
when you sell shares you have held for five years or less. The CDSC is a
percentage of net asset value at the time of purchase (or of sale, if lower) and
is deducted from your proceeds. When you sell shares in the first year after you
bought them, the CDSC is 5.00%; second year, 4.00%; third year, 3.00%; fourth
year, 3.00%; fifth year, 2.00%; sixth year or later, none. See "Other CDSC
Policies" on page 14.

Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares after eight years.

Class C -- Level Load

                           this % of net asset value
when you sell shares       at the time of purchase (or
in this year after you     of sale, if lower) is deduct-
bought them                ed from your proceeds
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First year                          1.00
Second year or later                None
<PAGE>


    14                      Your Investment continued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

With Class C shares, you pay no sales charge when you invest, but you are
charged a "contingent deferred sales charge" (CDSC) when you sell shares you
have held for one year or less, as described in the table above. See "Other CDSC
Policies" on this page.

Class C shares currently have the same annual expenses as Class B(1) shares, but
never convert to Class A shares.

Class S -- Special Programs

Class S shares have no sales charges.

Other CDSC Policies

The CDSC will be based on the net asset value of the shares at the time of
purchase (or sale, if lower). Any shares acquired through reinvestment are not
subject to the CDSC. There is no CDSC on exchanges into other State Street
Research funds, and the date of your initial investment will continue to be used
as the basis for CDSC calculations when you exchange. To ensure that you pay the
lowest CDSC, the fund will always use the shares with the lowest applicable CDSC
to fill your sell requests.

The CDSC is waived on shares sold for participants initiated distributions from
State Street Research prototype retirement plans. In other cases, the CDSC is
waived on shares sold for mandatory retirement distributions or for
distributions because of disability or death. Consult your financial
professional or the State Street Research Service Center for more information.

[MAGNIFYING GLASS] Understanding Service/Distribution Fees


As noted in the descriptions on pages 12 through 14, all share classes except
Class S have an annual service/distribution fee, also called a 12b-1 fee.

Under its current 12b-1 plans, the fund may pay certain service and distribution
fees for these classes out of fund assets. Because 12b-1 fees are an ongoing
expense, they will increase the cost of your investment and, over time, could
potentially cost you more than if you had paid other types of sales charges. For
that reason, you should consider the effects of 12b-1 fees as well as sales
loads when choosing a share class.

Some of the 12b-1 fees are used to compensate those financial professionals who
sell fund shares and provide ongoing service to shareholders. The table on page
15 shows how these professionals' compensation is calculated.


The fund may continue to pay 12b-1 fees even if the fund is subsequently closed
to new investors.
<PAGE>
                                                                           15
                                                                           -----


[CHECK] Dealer Compensation


Financial professionals who sell shares of State Street Research funds and
perform services for fund investors may receive sales commissions, annual fees
and other compensation. These are paid by the fund's distributor, using money
from sales charges, service/distribution (12b-1) fees and its other resources.

Brokers and agents may charge a transaction fee on orders of fund shares placed
directly through them. The distributor may pay its affiliate MetLife Securities,
Inc. additional compensation of up to 0.25% of certain sales or assets.

Dealer Commissions (%)           Class A   Class B(1) Class B   Class C  Class S
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Initial commission              See below    4.00     4.00      1.00      0.00
 Investments up to $50,000         5.00       --       --        --        --
 $50,000 to $100,000               4.00       --       --        --        --
 $100,000 to $250,000              3.00       --       --        --        --
 $250,000 to $500,000              2.00       --       --        --        --
 $500,000 to $1 million            1.75       --       --        --        --
 First $1-3 million                1.00(a)    --       --        --        --
 Next $2 million                   0.75(a)    --       --        --        --
 Next $2 million                   0.50(a)    --       --        --        --
 Next $1 and above                 0.25(a)    --       --        --        --
Annual fee                         0.25      0.25     0.25      1.00      0.00


Brokers for Portfolio Trades

When placing trades for the fund's portfolio, State Street Research chooses
brokers that provide the best execution (a term defined by service as well as
price), but may also consider the sale of shares of the State Street Research
funds by the broker.

(a)   If your broker declines this commission, the one-year CDSC on your
      investment is waived.
<PAGE>

    16                      Buying and Selling Shares
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[CASH REGISTER] Policies for Buying Shares

Once you have chosen a share class, the next step is to determine the amount you
want to invest.

Minimum Initial Investments:

o     $1,000 for accounts that use the Investamatic program(a)

o     $2,000 for Individual Retirement Accounts(a)

o     $2,500 for all other accounts

Minimum Additional Investments:

o     $50 for any account

Complete the enclosed application. You can avoid future inconvenience by signing
up now for any services you might later use.

Timing of Requests All requests received in good order by State Street Research
before the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00
p.m. eastern time) will be executed the same day, at that day's closing share
price. Orders received thereafter will be executed the following day, at that
day's closing share price.

Wire Transactions Funds may be wired between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. eastern
time. To make a same-day wire investment, please notify State Street Research by
12:00 noon of your intention to wire funds, and make sure your wire arrives by
4:00 p.m. If the New York Stock Exchange closes before 4:00 p.m. eastern time,
you may be unable to make a same-day wire investment. Your bank may charge a fee
for wiring money.

(a)   Except $500 for Individual Retirement Accounts during special promotional
      periods.
<PAGE>

                         Instructions for Buying Shares                    17
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   To Open an Account                 To Add to an Account
<S>                                <C>                                <C>
[BRIEFCASE] Through a              Consult your financial             Consult your financial
            Professional           professional or your program       professional or your program
            or Program             materials.                         materials.

By Mail [MAILBOX]                  Make your check payable to         Fill out an investment slip, or
                                   "State Street Research Funds."     indicate the fund name and account
                                   Forward the check and your         number on your check. Make your
                                   application to State Street        check payable to "State Street
                                   Research.                          Research Funds." Forward the check
                                                                      and slip to State Street Research.

[CAPITAL BUILDING] By Federal      Call to obtain an account          Call State Street Research to obtain
                   Funds Wire      number and forward your            a control number. Instruct your bank
                                   application to State Street        to wire funds to:
                                   Research. Wire funds using          o State Street Bank and Trust Company,
                                   the instructions at right.            Boston, MA
                                                                       o ABA: 011000028
                                                                       o BNF: fund name and share class you
                                                                         want to buy
                                                                       o AC: 99029761
                                                                       o OBI: your name and your account number
                                                                       o Control: the number given to you by
                                                                         State Street Research


By Electronic   [PLUG]             Verify that your bank is           Call State Street Research to verify
Funds Transfer                     a member of the ACH                that the necessary bank information is
(ACH)                              (Automated Clearing House)         on file for your account. If it is, you
                                   system. Forward your               may request a transfer by telephone or
                                   application to State Street        Internet. If not, please ask State Street
                                   Research. Please be sure to        Research to provide you with an EZ
                                   include the appropriate            Trader application.
                                   bank information. Call
                                   State Street Research to
                                   request a purchase.


[CALENDAR] By Investamatic         Forward your application,          Call State Street Research to verify
                                   with all appropriate sections      that Investamatic is in place on your
                                   completed, to State Street         account, or to request a form to add it.
                                   Research, along with a check       Investments are automatic once
                                   for your initial investment        Investamatic is in place.
                                   payable to "State Street
                                   Research Funds."


By Exchange [ARROWS GOING IN       Read the prospectus for            Read the prospectus for the fund into
             OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS]  the fund into which you            which you are exchanging. Call State
                                   are exchanging. Call State         Street Research or visit our Web site.
                                   Street Research or visit
                                   our Web site.

State Street Research Service Center  PO Box 8408, Boston, MA 02266-8408        Internet www.StateStreetResearch.com
Call toll-free: 1-87-SSR-FUNDS (1-877-773-8637) (business days 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., eastern time)
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

    18                     Your Investment continued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[CASH REGISTER] Policies for Selling Shares

Circumstances that Require Written Requests Please submit instructions in
writing when any of the following apply:

o     you are selling more than $100,000 worth of shares

o     the name or address on the account has changed within the last 30 days

o     you want the proceeds to go to a name or address not on the account
      registration

o     you are transferring shares to an account with a different registration or
      share class

o     you are selling shares held in a corporate or fiduciary account; for these
      accounts, additional documents are required:

      corporate accounts: certified copy of a corporate resolution

      fiduciary accounts: copy of power of attorney or other governing document

To protect your account against fraud, all signatures on these documents must be
guaranteed. You may obtain a signature guarantee at most banks and securities
dealers. A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.

Incomplete Sell Requests State Street Research will attempt to notify you
promptly if any information necessary to process your request is missing.

Timing of Requests All requests received in good order by State Street Research
before the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (usually 4:00
p.m. eastern time) will be executed the same day, at that day's closing share
price. Requests received thereafter will be executed the following day, at that
day's closing share price.

Wire Transactions Proceeds sent by federal funds wire must total at least
$5,000. A fee of $7.50 will be deducted from all proceeds sent by wire, and your
bank may charge an additional fee to receive wired funds.

Selling Recently Purchased Shares If you sell shares before the check or
electronic funds transfer (ACH) for those shares has been collected, you will
not receive the proceeds until your initial payment has cleared. This may take
up to 15 days after your purchase was recorded (in rare cases, longer). If you
open an account with shares purchased by wire, you cannot sell those shares
until your application has been processed.
<PAGE>

                        Instructions for Selling Shares                   19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[BRIEFCASE]  Through a          Consult your financial professional or your
             Professional       program materials.
             or Program

By Mail [MAILBOX]               Send a letter of instruction, an endorsed stock
                                power or share certificates (if you hold
                                certificate shares) to State Street Research.
                                Specify the fund, the account number and the
                                dollar value or number of shares. Be sure to
                                include all necessary signatures and any
                                additional documents, as well as signature
                                guarantees if required (see facing page).

[CAPITAL BUILDING] By Federal   Check with State Street Research to make sure
                   Funds Wire   that a wire redemption privilege, including a
                                bank designation, is in place on your account.
                                Once this is established, you may place your
                                request to sell shares with State Street
                                Research. Proceeds will be wired to your pre-
                                designated bank account. (See "Wire
                                Transactions" on facing page.)


By Electronic [PLUG]            Check with State Street Research to make sure
Funds Transfer                  that the EZ Trader feature, including a bank
(ACH)                           designation, is in place on your account. Once
                                this is established, you may place your request
                                to sell shares with State Street Research by
                                telephone or Internet. Proceeds will be sent to
                                your pre-designated bank account.

[COMPUTER] By Internet          Visit our Web site. Certain limitations may
                                apply.


By Telephone [TELEPHONE]        As long as the transaction does not require
                                a written request (see facing page), you or
                                your financial professional can sell shares
                                by calling State Street Research. A check
                                will be mailed to your address of record on
                                the following business day.

[ARROWS GOING IN  By Exchange   Read the prospectus for the fund into which you
OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS]            are exchanging. Call State Street Research or
                                visit our Web site.

By Systematic [CALENDAR]        See plan information on page 23.
Withdrawal Plan


State Street Research Service Center  PO Box 8408, Boston, MA 02266-8408
                                            Internet www.StateStreetResearch.com
Call toll-free: 1-87-SSR-FUNDS (1-877-773-8637) (business days 8:00 a.m. - 6:00
p.m., eastern time)

<PAGE>

    20                     Your Investment continued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[POLICIES] Account Policies


Telephone and Internet Requests When you open an account you automatically
receive telephone privileges, allowing you to place requests for your account by
telephone. Your financial professional can also use these privileges to request
exchanges on your account and, with your written permission, redemptions. For
your pro-tection, all telephone calls are recorded.

You may also use our Web site for submitting certain requests over the Internet.

As long as State Street Research takes certain measures to authenticate requests
over the telephone or the Internet for your account, you may be held responsible
for unauthorized requests. Unauthorized telephone requests are rare, but if you
want to protect yourself completely, you can decline the telephone privilege on
your application. Similarly, you may choose not to use the Internet for your
account. The fund may suspend or eliminate the telephone or Internet privileges
at any time.


Exchange Privileges There is no fee to exchange shares among State Street
Research funds. Your new fund shares will be the equivalent class of your
current shares. Any contingent deferred sales charges will continue to be
calculated from the date of your initial investment.

You must hold Class A shares of any fund for at least 30 days before you may
exchange them at net asset value for Class A shares of a different fund with a
higher applicable sales charge.

Frequent exchanges can interfere with fund management and drive up costs for all
shareholders. Because of this, the fund currently limits each account, or group
of accounts under common ownership or control, to six exchanges per calendar
year. The fund may change or eliminate the exchange privilege at any time, may
limit or cancel any shareholder's exchange privilege and may refuse to accept
any exchange request, particularly those associated with "market timing"
strategies.

For Merrill Lynch customers, exchange privileges extend to Summit Cash Reserves
Fund, which is related to the fund for purposes of investment and investor
services.

Accounts with Low Balances If the value of your account falls below $1,500,
State Street Research may mail you a notice asking you to bring the account back
up to $1,500 or close it out. If you do not take action within 60 days, State
<PAGE>
                                                                           21
                                                                           -----


Street Research may either sell your shares and mail the proceeds to
you at the address of record or, depending on the circumstances, may deduct an
annual maintenance fee (currently $18).

The Fund's Business Hours The fund is open the same days as the New York Stock
Exchange (generally Monday through Friday). Fund representatives are available
from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. eastern time on these days.

Calculating Share Price The fund calculates its net asset value per share price
every business day at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock
Exchange (but not later than 4:00 p.m. eastern time). NAV is calculated by
dividing the fund's net assets by the number of its shares outstanding.

In calculating its NAV, the fund uses the last reported sale price or quotation
for portfolio securities. However, in cases where these are unavailable, or when
the investment manager believes that subsequent events have rendered them
unreliable, the fund may use fair-value estimates instead.

Because foreign securities markets are sometimes open on different days from
U.S. markets, there may be instances when the value of the fund's portfolio
changes on days when you cannot buy or sell fund shares.

Reinstating Recently Sold Shares For 120 days after you sell shares, you have
the right to "reinstate" your investment by putting some or all of the proceeds
into any currently available State Street Research fund at net asset value. Any
CDSC you paid on the amount you are reinstating will be credited to your
account. You may only use this privilege once in any twelve-month period with
respect to your shares of a given fund.

Additional Policies Please note that the fund maintains additional policies and
reserves certain rights, including:


o     Requirements for initial or additional investments, reinvestments,
      periodic investment plans, retirement and employee benefit plans,
      sponsored arrangements and other similar programs may be changed from time
      to time without further notice or supplement to this prospectus


o     All orders to purchase shares are subject to acceptance by the fund

o     At any time, the fund may change or discontinue its sales charge waivers
      and any of its order acceptance practices, and may suspend the sale of its
      shares

o     The fund may delay sending you redemption proceeds for up to seven days,
      or longer if permitted by the SEC


o     The fund reserves the right to redeem in kind


o     To permit investors to obtain the current price, dealers are responsible
      for transmitting all orders to the State Street Research Service promptly
<PAGE>

    22                      Your Investment continued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[MAGNIFYING GLASS] Tax Considerations

Unless your investment is in a tax-deferred account, you may want to avoid:


o     investing a large amount in the fund close to the end of the fiscal year
      or a calendar year (if the fund makes a capital gains distribution, you
      will receive some of your investment back as a taxable distribution)


o     selling shares at a loss for tax purposes and investing in a substantially
      identical investment within 30 days before or after that sale (such a
      transaction is usually considered a "wash sale," and you will not be
      allowed to claim a tax loss in the current year)

["UNCLE SAM"] Distributions and Taxes

Income and Capital Gains Distributions  The fund typically distributes any
net income to shareholders four times a year. Net capital gains, if any, are
typically distributed around the end of the fund's fiscal year, which is March
31. To comply with tax regulations, the fund may be required to pay an
additional capital gains distribution in December.

You may have your distributions reinvested in the fund, invested in a different
State Street Research fund, deposited in a bank account or mailed out by check.
If you do not give State Street Research other instructions, your distributions
will automatically be reinvested in the fund.

Tax Effects of Distributions and Transactions In general, any dividends and
short-term capital gains distributions you receive from the fund are taxable as
ordinary income. Distribu-tions of long-term capital gains are generally taxable
as capital gains -- in most cases, at a different rate from that which applies
to ordinary income.

The tax you pay on a given capital gains distribution generally depends on how
long the fund has held the portfolio securities it sold. It does not depend on
how long you have owned your fund shares or whether you reinvest your
distributions.
<PAGE>

                                                                           23
                                                                           -----


Every year, the fund will send you information detailing the amount of ordinary
income and capital gains distributed to you for the previous year.

The sale of shares in your account may produce a gain or loss, and is a taxable
event. For tax purposes, an exchange is the same as a sale.

Your investment in the fund could have additional tax consequences. Please
consult your tax professional for assistance.

Backup Withholding By law, the fund must withhold 31% of your distributions and
proceeds if you have not provided complete, correct taxpayer information.

[HANDS] Investor Services

Investamatic Program Use Investamatic to set up regular automatic investments in
the fund from your bank account. You determine the frequency and amount of your
investments.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan This plan is designed for retirees and other
investors who want regular withdrawals from a fund account. The plan is free and
allows you to withdraw up to 12% of your fund assets a year (minimum $50 per
withdrawal) without incurring any contingent deferred sales charges. Certain
terms and minimums apply.


EZTrader This service allows you to purchase or sell fund shares over the
telephone or over the Internet through the ACH (Automated Clearing House)
system.


Dividend Allocation Plan This plan automatically invests your distributions from
the fund into another fund of your choice, without any fees or sales charges.

Automatic Bank Connection This plan lets you route any distributions or
Systematic Withdrawal Plan payments directly to your bank account.

Retirement Plans State Street Research also offers a full range of prototype
retirement plans for individuals, sole proprietors, partnerships, corporations
and employees.


Call 1-87-SSR-FUNDS (1-877-773-8637) for information on any of the services
described above.

<PAGE>

    24                         Other Information
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[POLICIES] Other Securities and Risks

Each of the fund's portfolio securities and investment practices offers certain
opportunities and carries various risks. Major investments and risk factors are
outlined in the fund description starting on page 2. Below are brief
descriptions of other securities and practices, along with their associated
risks.

Restricted and Illiquid Securities Any securities that are thinly traded or
whose resale is restricted can be difficult to sell at a desired time and price.
Some of these securities are new and complex, and trade only among institutions;
the markets for these securities are still developing, and may not function as
efficiently as established markets. Owning a large percentage of restricted and
illiquid securities could hamper the fund's ability to raise cash to meet
redemptions. Also, because there may not be an established market price for
these securities, the fund may have to estimate their value, which means that
their valuation (and, to a much smaller extent, the valuation of the fund) may
have a subjective element.

Securities Ratings When securities are rated by one or more independent rating
agencies, the fund uses these ratings to determine credit quality. In cases
where a security is rated in conflicting categories by different rating
agencies, the fund may choose to follow the higher rating. If a rating agency
downgrades a security, the fund will determine whether to hold or sell the
security.



International Exposure Many U.S. companies in which the fund may invest generate
significant revenues and earnings from abroad. As a result, these companies and
the prices of their securities may be affected by weaknesses in global and
regional economies and the relative value of foreign currencies to the U.S.
dollar. These factors, taken as a
<PAGE>

                                                                           25
                                                                           -----


whole, could adversely affect the price of fund shares.


Derivatives Derivatives, a category that includes options and futures, are
financial instruments whose value derives from one or more securities, indices
or currencies. The fund may use certain derivatives for hedging (attempting to
offset a potential loss in one position by establishing an interest in an
opposite position). This includes the use of currency-based derivatives for
hedging its positions in foreign securities. The fund may also use certain
derivatives for speculation (investing for potential income or capital gain).


While hedging can guard against potential risks, it adds to the fund's expenses
and can eliminate some opportunities for gains. There is also a risk that a
derivative intended as a hedge may not perform as expected.

The main risk with derivatives is that some types can amplify a gain or loss,
potentially earning or losing substantially more money than the actual cost of
the derivative.

With some derivatives, whether used for hedging or speculation, there is also
the risk that the counterparty may fail to honor its contract terms, causing a
loss for the fund.


Securities Lending The fund may seek additional income or fees by lending
portfolio securities to qualified institutions. By reinvesting any cash
collateral it receives in these transactions, the fund could realize additional
gains or losses. If the borrower fails to return the securities and the invested
collateral has declined in value, the fund could lose money.


When-issued Securities The fund may invest in securities prior to their date of
issue. These securities could fall in value by the time they are actually
issued, which may be any time from a few days to over a year.


Defensive Investing During unusual market conditions, the fund may place up to
100% of total assets in cash or high-quality, short-term debt securities. To the
extent that the fund does this, it is not pursuing its goal.

Investments in Other Mutual Funds The fund may invest in securities of other
mutual funds, including exchange-traded funds. To the extent the fund invests in
another mutual fund, it assumes the risk associated with an investment in that
fund, such as a disruption in the markets in which the other mutual fund
invests.

Exchange-traded funds are purchased and sold like traditional publicy-traded
securities. Many exchange-traded funds are intended to track the performance of
a securities market index, such as the S&P 500. The price movement of any
exchange-traded fund that intends to track a particular market index may not
perfectly parallel the price action of the index. Because the markets for shares
of many exchange-traded funds are new and still developing, those shares may,
from time to time, be illiquid.

<PAGE>

    26                        Financial Highlights
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



These highlights are intended to help you understand the fund's performance over
the past five years. The information in these tables has been audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the fund's independent accountants. Their report and
the fund's financial statements are included in the fund's annual report, which
is available upon request. Total return figures assume reinvestment of all
distributions.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              Class A                                Class B(1)
                                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Years ended March 31                     Years ended March 31
Per Share Data                                        1996(a)       1997(a)    1998(a)    1999(a)    2000(a)    1999(a)(e)   2000(a)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>
 Net asset value, beginning of year ($)                 8.76         10.29      10.40      11.60      10.40      10.35        10.36
                                                     -------       -------    -------    -------    -------    -------      -------
   Net investment income ($)*                           0.23          0.21       0.22       0.25       0.24       0.04         0.17
   Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
   on investments, foreign currency,
   forward contracts and futures contracts($)           1.72          1.05       2.61      (0.35)      1.48       0.01         1.45
                                                     -------       -------    -------    -------    -------    -------      -------
 Total from investment operations ($)                   1.95          1.26       2.83      (0.10)      1.72       0.05         1.62
                                                     -------       -------    -------    -------    -------    -------      -------
   Dividends from net investment income ($)            (0.26)        (0.28)     (0.23)     (0.22)     (0.22)     (0.04)       (0.14)
   Distributions from capital gains ($)                (0.16)        (0.87)     (1.40)     (0.87)     (0.21)        --        (0.21)
   Distribution in excess of capital gains ($)            --            --         --         --         --      (0.01)          --
                                                     -------       -------    -------    -------    -------    -------      -------
 Total distributions ($)                               (0.42)        (1.15)     (1.63)     (1.10)     (0.43)     (0.04)       (0.35)
                                                     -------       -------    -------    -------    -------    -------      -------
 Net asset value, end of year ($)                      10.29         10.40      11.60      10.40      11.69      10.36        11.63
                                                     =======       =======    =======    =======    =======    =======      =======
 Total return (%)(b)                                   22.55         12.49      29.62      (0.66)     16.88       0.51(c)     15.93

Ratios/Supplemental Data
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net assets at end of year ($ thousands)             207,713       244,348    330,421    309,752    304,400     10,289       36,045
 Expense ratio (%)*                                     1.25          1.25       1.28       1.28       1.30       2.08(d)      2.05
 Expense ratio after expense reductions (%)*            1.25          1.25       1.28       1.27       1.29       2.08(d)      2.04
 Ratio of net investment income
 to average net assets (%)*                             2.34          2.02       1.96       2.32       2.23       1.89(d)      1.48
 Portfolio turnover rate (%)                          109.20        108.41     133.30     136.37     122.57     136.37       122.57

 *Reflects voluntary reduction of
  expenses per share of these amounts ($)               0.02          0.01       0.00         --         --         --           --
</TABLE>

<PAGE>


                                                                           27
                                                                           -----

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Class B
                                                       ------------------------------------------
                                                                  Years ended March 31
Per Share Data                                         1996(a) 1997(a)  1998(a)  1999(a)  2000(a)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year ($)                  8.74    10.25    10.37    11.55    10.36
   Net investment income ($)*                           0.15     0.13     0.13     0.17     0.16
   Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
   on investments, foreign currency,
   forward contracts and futures contracts ($)          1.71     1.06     2.59    (0.34)    1.47
                                                     -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 Total from investment operations ($)                   1.86     1.19     2.72    (0.17)    1.63
                                                     -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 Dividends from net investment income ($)              (0.19)   (0.20)   (0.14)   (0.14)   (0.13)
   Distributions from capital gains ($)                (0.16)   (0.87)   (1.40)   (0.87)   (0.21)
   Distribution in excess of capital gains ($)            --       --       --    (0.01)      --
                                                     -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Total distributions ($)                                (0.35)   (1.07)   (1.54)   (1.02)   (0.34)
                                                     -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
 Net asset value, end of year ($)                      10.25    10.37    11.55    10.36    11.65
                                                     =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
 Total return (%)(b)                                   21.48    11.76    28.53    (1.31)   15.98

Ratios/Supplemental Data
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net assets at end of year ($ thousands)             193,272    1,518  368,975  363,517  338,838
 Expense ratio (%)*                                     2.00     2.00     2.03     2.03     2.05
 Expense ratio after expense reductions (%)*            2.00     2.00     2.03     2.02     2.04
 Ratio of net investment income
 to average net assets (%)*                             1.59     1.27     1.21     1.57     1.48
 Portfolio turnover rate (%)                          109.20   108.41   133.30   136.37   122.57
 *Reflects voluntary reduction of
  expenses per share of these amounts ($)               0.02     0.01     0.00       --       --

<CAPTION>
                                                                        Class C
                                                     ---------------------------------------------
                                                                 Years ended March 31
Per Share Data                                        1996(a)  1997(a)  1998(a)  1999(a)    2000(a)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>        <C>
Net asset value, beginning of year ($)                  8.75    10.27    10.38    11.57      10.38
   Net investment income ($)*                           0.15     0.13     0.13     0.17       0.16
   Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
   on investments, foreign currency,
   forward contracts and futures contracts ($)          1.72     1.05     2.60    (0.34)      1.47
                                                     -------  -------  -------  -------    -------
 Total from investment operations ($)                   1.87     1.18     2.73    (0.17)      1.63
                                                     -------  -------  -------  -------    -------
 Dividends from net investment income ($)              (0.19)   (0.20)   (0.14)   (0.14)     (0.13)
   Distributions from net realized gains ($)           (0.16)   (0.87)   (1.40)   (0.87)     (0.21)
   Distribution in excess of net realized gains ($)       --       --       --    (0.01)        --
                                                     -------  -------  -------  -------    -------
Total distributions ($)                                (0.35)   (1.07)   (1.54)   (1.02)     (0.34)
                                                     -------  -------  -------  -------    -------
 Net asset value, end of year ($)                      10.27    10.38    11.57    10.38      11.67
                                                     =======  =======  =======  =======    =======
 Total return (%)(b)                                   21.54    11.64    28.59    (1.33)     15.93

Ratios/Supplemental Data
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net assets at end of year ($ thousands)              13,061   17,485   23,807   20,519     17,093
 Expense ratio (%)*                                     2.00     2.00     2.03     2.03       2.05
 Expense ratio after expense reductions (%)*            2.00     2.00     2.03     2.02       2.04
 Ratio of net investment income
 to average net assets (%)*                             1.60     1.26     1.21     1.56       1.47
 Portfolio turnover rate (%)                          109.20   108.41   133.30   136.37     122.57
 *Reflects voluntary reduction of
 expenses per share of these amounts ($)                0.02     0.01     0.00       --      --
</TABLE>

(a)   Per-share figures have been calculated using the average shares method.

(b)   Does not reflect any front-end or contingent deferred sales charge.

(c)   Not annualized.

(d)   Annualized.

(e)   January 1, 1999 (commencement of share class) to March 31, 1999.

<PAGE>


    28                   Financial Highlights continued
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Class S
                                                     --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          Years ended March 31
Per Share Data                                          1996(a)      1997(a)      1998(a)      1999(a)      2000(a)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
 Net asset value, beginning of year ($)                 8.77        10.29        10.40        11.60        10.40
                                                      ------       ------       ------       ------       ------
   Net investment income ($)*                           0.25         0.24         0.25         0.27         0.29
   Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
   on investments, foreign currency,
   forward contracts and futures contracts ($)          1.71         1.05         2.60        (0.34)        1.46
                                                      ------       ------       ------       ------       ------
 Total from investment operations ($)                   1.96         1.29         2.85        (0.07)        1.75
                                                      ------       ------       ------       ------       ------
   Dividends from net investment income ($)            (0.28)       (0.31)       (0.25)       (0.25)       (0.25)
   Distributions from net realized gains ($)           (0.16)       (0.87)       (1.40)       (0.87)       (0.21)
   Distribution in excess of net realized gains ($)       --           --           --        (0.01)          --
                                                      ------       ------       ------       ------       ------
 Total distributions ($)                               (0.44)       (1.18)       (1.65)       (1.13)       (0.46)
                                                      ------       ------       ------       ------       ------
 Net asset value, end of year ($)                      10.29        10.40        11.60        10.40        11.69
                                                      ======       ======       ======       ======       ======
 Total return (%)(b)                                   22.70        12.77        29.93        (0.41)       17.17

Ratios/Supplemental Data
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Net assets at end of year ($ thousands)              19,548       21,263       26,648       15,149       23,316
 Expense ratio (%)*                                     1.00         1.00         1.03         1.03         1.05
 Expense ratio after expense reductions (%)*            1.00         1.00         1.03         1.02         1.04
 Ratio of net investment income
 to average net assets (%)*                             2.59         2.26         2.21         2.53         2.62
 Portfolio turnover rate (%)                          109.20       108.41       133.30       136.37       122.57
 *Reflects voluntary reduction of
  expenses per share of these amounts ($)               0.02         0.01         0.00           --           --
</TABLE>

(a)   Per-share figures have been calculated using the average shares method.

(b)   Does not reflect any front-end or contingent deferred sales charge.

<PAGE>

                               Board of Trustees                           29
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[COLUMNS] The Board of Trustees is responsible for the operation of the fund.
They establish the fund's major policies, review investments, and provide
guidance to the investment manager and others who provide services to the fund.
The Trustees have diverse backgrounds and substantial experience in business and
other areas.


Gerard P. Maus

Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative
Officer, Director and
Interim Chief Operating Officer,
State Street Research & Management
Company


Bruce R. Bond

Former Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer
and President,
PictureTel Corporation

Steve A. Garban

Former Senior Vice President for Finance
and Operations and Treasurer,
The Pennsylvania State University

Dean O. Morton

Former Executive Vice President,
Chief Operating Officer and Director,
Hewlett-Packard Company

Susan M. Phillips

Dean, School of Business and Public
Management, George Washington
University, former Member of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System
and Chairman and Commissioner of the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission


Toby Rosenblatt

President, Founders Investments Ltd.
President, The Glen Ellen Company


Michael S. Scott Morton

Jay W. Forrester Professor of
Management, Sloan School of
Management, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology
<PAGE>

                           For Additional Information
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


If you have questions about the fund or would like to request a free copy of the
current annual/semiannual report or SAI, contact State Street Research or your
financial professional.

[LOGO] STATE STREET RESEARCH


Service Center
P.O. Box 8408, Boston, MA 02266
Telephone: 1-87-SSR-FUNDS (1-877-773-8637)
Internet: www.StateStreetResearch.com

You can also obtain information about the fund, including the SAI and certain
other fund documents, on the SEC's database on the Internet at www.sec.gov, by
electronic request at [email protected], in person at the SEC's Public
Reference Room in Washington, DC (telephone 1-202-942-8090) or by mail by
sending your request, along with a duplicating fee, to the SEC's Public
Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102.


prospectus
------------------------------
SEC File Number: 811-4559

You can find additional information on the fund's structure and its performance
in the following documents:


Annual/Semiannual Reports While the prospectus describes the fund's potential
investments, these reports detail the fund's actual investments as of the report
date. Reports include a discussion by fund management of recent economic and
market trends and fund performance. The annual report also includes the report
of the fund's independent accountants on the fund's financial statements.

Ticker Symbols
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A                                                                  SSAMX
Class B(1)                                                               SSMPX
Class B                                                                  SSRMX
Class C                                                                  SSMDX
Class S                                                                  SSMCX


Statement of Additional Information (SAI) A supplement to the prospectus, the
SAI contains further information about the fund and its investment limitations
and policies. A current SAI for this fund is on file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and is incorporated by reference (is legally part of this
prospectus).

                                                                   SGI-2163-0700
                                                 Control Number: (exp0701)SSR-LD
<PAGE>

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                       for

              STATE STREET RESEARCH STRATEGIC GROWTH & INCOME FUND
                     STATE STREET RESEARCH HIGH INCOME FUND

                       Series of State Street Research Income Trust


                                 August 1, 2000

      This Statement of Additional Information is divided into two sections.
Section One contains the information which is specific to each fund identified
above. Section Two contains information which generally is shared by certain
mutual funds of the State Street Research complex, including the funds specified
above.

      The Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. It should be
read in conjunction with the current Prospectuses of each fund dated August 1,
2000.

      Each Prospectus may be obtained without charge from State Street Research
Investment Services, Inc., One Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts
02111-2690 or by calling 1-87-SSR-FUNDS (1-877-773-8637).

      Financial statements for each fund specified above, as of and for the most
recently completed fiscal year, are included in its Annual Report to
Shareholders for that year. The financial statements include The Fund's
Accounting Policies, Portfolio Holdings, Statement of Assets and Liabilities,
Statement of Operations, Statement of Changes in Net Assets, Financial
Highlights and Report of Independent Accountants. The financial statements are
hereby incorporated by reference from the Annual Reports listed below.

      Management's Discussion of Fund Performance for each Fund's latest fiscal
year ended March 31, 2000 is also included in the Annual Reports.

      Shareholder reports are available without charge upon request. For more
information, call the State Street Research Service Center at 1-87-SSR-FUNDS
(1-877-773-8637).
                                   Annual Report for            EDGAR
Fund                               Fiscal Year Ended       Accession Number
----                               -----------------       ----------------

State Street Research Strategic    March 31, 2000          0000950156-00-000302
   Growth & Income Fund
State Street Research High         March 31, 2000          0000950156-00-000302
    Income Fund


Control Number:  (exp00800)SSR-LD                                 SSR-1456-0200
<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                         Page
                                                                         ----


SECTION I...............................................................I, 1-1

   1.    STATE STREET RESEARCH STRATEGIC GROWTH &
         INCOME FUND....................................................I, 1-1
         A.    The Fund.................................................I, 1-1
         B.    Investment Objective.....................................I, 1-1
         C.    Fundamental and Nonfundamental Investment Restrictions...I, 1-1
         D.    Restricted Securities....................................I, 1-4
         E.    Foreign Investments......................................I, 1-4
         F.    Industry Classifications.................................I, 1-4
         G.    Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities......I, 1-7
         H.    Trustee Compensation.....................................I, 1-9
         I.    Investment Advisory Fee..................................I, 1-10
         J.    Portfolio Turnover.......................................I, 1-11
         K.    Brokerage Commissions....................................I, 1-11
         L.    Sales Charges on Shares..................................I, 1-11
         M.    Rule 12b-1 Fees..........................................I, 1-12
         N.    Performance .............................................I, 1-14

   2.    STATE STREET RESEARCH HIGH INCOME FUND.........................I, 2-1
         A.    The Fund.................................................I, 2-1
         B.    Investment Objective.....................................I, 2-1
         C.    Fundamental and Nonfundamental Investment Restrictions...I, 2-1
         D.    Restricted Securities....................................I, 2-3
         E.    Foreign Investments......................................I, 2-4
         F.    Industry Classifications.................................I, 2-4
         G.    Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities......I, 2-6
         H.    Trustee Compensation.....................................I, 2-7
         I.    Investment Advisory Fee..................................I, 2-8
         J.    Portfolio Turnover.......................................I, 2-8
         K.    Brokerage Commissions....................................I, 2-9
         L.    Sales Charges on Shares..................................I, 2-9
         M.    Rule 12b-1 Fees..........................................I, 2-10
         N.    Performance..............................................I, 2-12



                                       (i)
<PAGE>


Definitions

      Each of the following terms used in this Statement of Additional
Information has the meaning set forth below.

"1940 Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

"Distributor" means State Street Research Investment Services, Inc., One
Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111-2690.

"Investment Manager" means State Street Research & Management Company, One
Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111-2690.

"MetLife" means Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.

"NYSE" means the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

"Vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities" means the vote, at
the annual or a special meeting of security holders duly called, (i) of 67% or
more of the voting securities present at the meeting if the holders of more than
50% of the outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy or
(ii) of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities, whichever is less.



                                      (ii)
<PAGE>

                                    SECTION I


1.    STATE STREET RESEARCH STRATEGIC GROWTH & INCOME FUND

      The information in this part 1 of Section I relates only to State Street
Research Strategic Growth & Income Fund (the "Fund"). For information on other
funds, see the Table of Contents.

A.    The Fund

      The Fund was organized in 1988 as a separate series of State Street
Research Income Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Trust"). The Trust
is an "open-end" management investment company as defined in the 1940 Act. A
"series" is a separate pool of assets of the Trust which is separately managed
and may have a different investment objective and different investment policies
from those of another series. The Trust is currently comprised of the following
series: State Street Research High Income Fund and State Street Research
Strategic Growth & Income Fund.

      The Fund is a diversified series of an "open-end" management investment
company as those terms are defined in the 1940 Act. Among other things, a
diversified fund must, with respect to 75% of its total assets, not invest more
than 5% of its total assets in any one issuer.

B.    Investment Objective

      The investment objective of the Fund is fundamental and may not be changed
by the Fund except by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund.

C.    Fundamental and Nonfundamental Restrictions

      The Fund has adopted certain investment restrictions, and those
restrictions are either fundamental or not fundamental. Fundamental restrictions
may not be changed by the Fund except by the affirmative vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. Restrictions that are not
fundamental may be changed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust.

Fundamental Investment Restrictions.

      It is the Fund's policy:


      (1)   not to purchase a security of any one issuer (other than securities
            issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the U.S.
            Government or its agencies or instrumentalities or mixed-ownership
            Government corporations) if such purchase would, with respect to 75%
            of the Fund's total assets, cause more than 5% of the Fund's total
            assets to be invested in the securities of such issuer or


                                     I, 1-1
<PAGE>

            cause more than 10% of the voting securities of such issuer to be
            held by the Fund;

      (2)   not to issue senior securities;

      (3)   not to underwrite or participate in the marketing of securities of
            other issuers, except (a) the Fund may, acting alone or in
            syndicates or groups, if determined by the Trust's Board of
            Trustees, purchase or otherwise acquire securities of other issuers
            for investment, either from the issuers or from persons in a control
            relationship with the issuers or from underwriters of such
            securities; and (b) to the extent that, in connection with the
            disposition of the Fund's securities, the Fund may be deemed to be
            an underwriter under certain federal securities laws;

      (4)   not to purchase or sell fee simple interests in real estate,
            although the Fund may purchase and sell other interests in real
            estate including securities which are secured by real estate, or
            securities of companies which own or invest or deal in real estate;

      (5)   not to invest in physical commodities or physical commodity
            contracts or options in excess of 10% of the Fund's total assets,
            except that investments in essentially financial items or
            arrangements such as, but not limited to, swap arrangements,
            hybrids, currencies, currency and other forward contracts, delayed
            delivery and when-issued contracts, futures contracts and options on
            futures contracts on securities, securities indices, interest rates
            and currencies, shall not be deemed investments in commodities or
            commodities contracts;

      (6)   not to make loans, except that the Fund may lend portfolio
            securities and purchase bonds, debentures, notes and similar
            obligations (including repurchase agreements with respect thereto);

      (7)   not to conduct arbitrage transactions (provided that investments in
            futures and options shall not be deemed arbitrage transactions);

      (8)   not to invest in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or
            development programs (provided that the Fund may invest in
            securities issued by companies which invest in or sponsor such
            programs and in securities indexed to the price of oil, gas or other
            minerals);

      (9)   not to make any investment which would cause more than 25% of the
            value of the Fund's total assets to be invested in securities of
            nongovernment-related issuers principally engaged in any one
            industry, as described in the Fund's Prospectus or Statement of
            Additional Information, as amended from time to time; and


                                     I, 1-2
<PAGE>

    (10)    not to borrow money except for borrowings from banks for
            extraordinary and emergency purposes, such as permitting redemption
            requests to be honored, and then not in an amount in excess of 25%
            of the value of its total assets, and except insofar as reverse
            repurchase agreements may be regarded as borrowing. As a matter of
            current operating, but not fundamental, policy, the Fund will not
            purchase additional portfolio securities at any time when it has
            outstanding money borrowings in excess of 5% of the Fund's total
            assets (taken at current value).

Nonfundamental Investment Restrictions.


      It is the Fund's policy:


      (1)   not to purchase any security or enter into a repurchase agreement if
            as a result more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in
            securities that are illiquid (including repurchase agreements not
            entitling the holder to payment of principal and interest within
            seven days);

      (2)   not to engage in transactions in options except in connection with
            options on securities, securities indices and commodities, and
            options on futures on securities, securities indices and
            commodities;

      (3)   not to purchase securities on margin or make short sales of
            securities or maintain a short position except for short sales
            "against the box";

      (4)   not to hypothecate, mortgage or pledge any of its assets except as
            may be necessary in connection with permitted borrowings (for the
            purpose of this restriction, futures and options, and related escrow
            or custodian receipts or letters, margin or safekeeping accounts, or
            similar arrangements used in the industry in connection with the
            trading of futures and options, are not deemed to involve a
            hypothecation, mortgage or pledge of assets);

      (5)   not to purchase a security issued by another investment company,
            except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act or except by
            purchases in the open market involving only customary brokers'
            commissions, or securities acquired as dividends or distributions or
            in connection with a merger, consolidation or similar transaction or
            other exchange; and


                                     I, 1-3
<PAGE>



D.    Restricted Securities

      It is the Fund's policy not to make an investment in restricted
securities, including restricted securities sold in accordance with Rule 144A
under the Securities Act of 1933 ("Rule 144A Securities") if, as a result, more
than 35% of the Fund's total assets are invested in restricted securities,
provided not more than 10% of the Fund's total assets are invested in restricted
securities other than Rule 144A Securities.



E.    Foreign Investments

      The Fund reserves the right to invest without limitation in securities of
non-U.S. issuers directly, or indirectly in the form of American Depositary
Receipts ("ADRs"), European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs") and Global Depositary
Receipts ("GDRs").


F.    Industry Classifications

      In determining how much of the portfolio is invested in a given industry,
the following industry classifications are currently used. Industry
classifications are subject to change from time to time. Securities issued or
guaranteed as to principal or interest by the U.S. Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities or mixed-ownership Government corporations or sponsored
enterprises (including repurchase agreements involving U.S. Government
securities to the extent excludable under relevant regulatory interpretations)
are excluded. Securities issued by foreign governments are also excluded.
Companies engaged in the business of financing may be classified according to
the industries of their parent or sponsor companies, or industries that
otherwise most affect such financing companies. Issuers of asset-backed pools
will be classified as separate industries based on the nature of the underlying
assets, such as mortgages and credit card receivables.



                                     I, 1-4
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<S>                           <C>                          <C>
Equity Securities             Real Estate Investment       Other Energy
Classifications:                Trusts                     Gas Pipelines
                              Rental & Leasing Services:   Miscellaneous Energy
Autos & Transportation          Commercial                 Offshore Drilling
Air Transport                 Securities Brokerage &       Oil and Gas Producers
Auto Parts                      Services                   Oil Well Equipment &
Automobiles                                                  Services
Miscellaneous                 Health Care
  Transportation              Drugs & Biotechnology        Producer Durables
Railroad Equipment            Health Care Facilities       Aerospace
Railroads                     Health Care Services         Electrical Equipment &
Recreational Vehicles &       Hospital Supply                Components
  Boats                       Service Miscellaneous        Electronics: Industrial
Tires & Rubber                                             Homebuilding
Truckers                      Integrated Oils              Industrial Products
                              Oil: Integrated Domestic     Machine Tools
Consumer Discretionary        Oil: Integrated              Machinery
Advertising Agencies          International                Miscellaneous Equipment
Casino/Gambling,                                           Miscellaneous Producer
  Hotel/Motel                 Materials & Processing         Durables
Commercial Services           Agriculture                  Office Furniture &
Communications, Media &       Building & Construction      Business Equipment
  Entertainment               Chemicals                    Pollution Control and
Consumer Electronics          Containers & Packaging         Environmental Services
Consumer Products             Diversified Manufacturing    Production Technology
Consumer Services             Engineering & Contracting      Equipment
Household Furnishings           Services                   Telecommunications
Leisure Time                  Fertilizers                    Equipment
Photography                   Forest Products
Printing & Publishing         Gold & Precious Metals       Technology
Restaurants                   Miscellaneous Materials &    Communications Technology
Retail                          Processing                 Computer Software
Shoes                         Non-Ferrous Metals           Computer Technology
Textile Apparel               Office Supplies              Electronics
  Manufacturers               Paper and Forest Products    Electronics: Semi-
Toys                          Real Estate & Construction     Conductors/Components
                              Steel                        Miscellaneous Technology
Consumer Staples              Textile Products
Beverages                                                  Utilities
Drug & Grocery Store Chains   Other                        Miscellaneous Utilities
Foods                         Trust Certificates -         Utilities: Cable TV &
Household Products              Government Related           Radio
Tobacco                       Lending                      Utilities: Electrical
                              Asset-backed--Mortgages      Utilities: Gas
Financial Services            Asset-backed--Credit Card      Distribution
Banks & Savings and Loans       Receivables                Utilities:
Financial Data Processing     Miscellaneous                  Telecommunications
  Services & Systems          Multi-Sector Companies       Utilities: Water
Insurance
Miscellaneous Financial
</TABLE>



                                     I, 1-5
<PAGE>


Fixed Income Securities
Classifications:

Collateralized Mortgage
  Obligations
Whole Loan
Commercial Loan
Project Loan

Corporate
Industrial
Utility
Financial
Yankee

Asset-Backed Securities
Auto
Auto Dealerships
Credit Cards
Equipment
Home Equity
Manufactured Housing
Recreational Vehicles
Rate Reduction
Other



                                     I, 1-6
<PAGE>


G.    Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities

Trustees and Officers

      The Trustees and principal officers of the Trust as a group owned less
than 1% of the Fund's outstanding Class A shares and owned no shares of the
Fund's outstanding Class B, Class B(1), Class C or Class S shares. All
information is as of June 30, 2000.

Other Persons

      The following persons or entities were the record and/or beneficial owners
of the following approximate percentages of the Fund's outstanding shares. All
information is as of June 30, 2000.

                     Shareholder                               %
                     -----------                               -

Class C        Merrill Lynch                                 12.6

Class S        The Chase Manhattan Bank                      57.0

Class S        State Street Bank and Trust Company, Trustee  25.9
               Billy Graham Evangelist Association
               1994 Pension Plan

      The full name and address of each of the above persons or entities are as
follows:

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc.
(for the sole benefit of its customers)
4800 Deerlake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246

The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. (a)(b)
Trustee, Pension Plans in
  The MetLife Savings Plan Program Trust
4 New York Plaza
New York, NY 10004



                                     I, 1-7
<PAGE>


State Street Bank and Trust Company
Trustee for the Billy Graham Evangelist Association
  1994 Pension Plan
P.O. Box 351
Boston, MA 02101-0351

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

(a)   The Fund believes that each named record holder does not have beneficial
      ownership of such shares.

(b)   The Chase Manhattan Bank holds such shares as a trustee under certain
      employee benefit plans serviced by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.

      Ownership of 25% or more of a voting security is deemed "control" as
defined in the 1940 Act. So long as 25% of a class of shares is so owned, such
owners will be presumed to be in control of such class of shares for purposes of
voting on certain matters submitted to a vote of shareholders of that class.



                                     I, 1-8
<PAGE>

H.    Trustee Compensation


      The Trustees of State Street Research Income Trust were compensated as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Total          Total Compensation
                                            Compensation         From All State
                                              From All        Street Research Funds
                           Aggregate        State Street        and Metropolitan
                         Compensation      Research Funds       Series Fund, Inc.
Name of Trustee          From Fund(a)   Paid to Trustees (b)  Paid to Trustees (c)
---------------          ------------   --------------------  --------------------

<S>                      <C>              <C>                   <C>
Bruce R. Bond            $     3,704      $       55,495        $        55,495
Steven A. Garban         $     4,339      $       80,150        $       110,900
Gerard P. Maus           $         0      $            0        $             0
Dean O. Morton           $     4,479      $       81,150        $       108,900
Susan M. Phillips        $     4,004      $       57,150        $        57,150
Toby Rosenblatt          $     3,704      $       67,900        $        67,900
Michael S. Scott Morton  $     4,629      $       82,250        $       113,500
</TABLE>

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

(a)  For the Fund's fiscal year ended March 31, 2000. The Fund does not provide
     any pension or retirement benefits for the Trustees.

(b)  Includes compensation on behalf of all series of 11 investment companies
     for which the Investment Manager has served as sole investment adviser. The
     figure in this column is for the 12 months ended December 31, 1999.

(c)  Includes compensation on behalf of all series of 11 investment companies
     for which the Investment Manager has served as sole investment adviser and
     all series of Metropolitan Series Fund, Inc. The primary adviser to
     Metropolitan Series Fund, Inc. is Metropolitan Life Insurance Company,
     which has retained State Street Research & Management Company as
     sub-adviser to certain series of Metropolitan Series Fund, Inc. The figure
     in this column includes compensation relating to series of Metropolitan
     Series Fund, Inc. which are not advised by State Street Research &
     Management Company. The figure is for the 12 months ended December 31,
     1999.

      For more information on the Trustees and Officers of State Street Research
Income Trust, see Section II, C of this Statement of Additional Information.



                                     I, 1-9
<PAGE>


I.    Investment Advisory Fee

      The advisory fee payable monthly by the Fund to the Investment Manager is
computed as a percentage of the average of the value of the net assets of the
Fund as determined at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock
Exchange (the "NYSE") on each day the NYSE is open for trading, at the annual
rate of 0.75% on the first $500 million, 0.70% on the next $500 million and
0.65% on amounts over $1 billion, of the net assets of the Fund. The Distributor
and its affiliates have from time to time and in varying amounts voluntarily
assumed some portion of fees or expenses relating to the Fund.

            Fiscal Year                                    Fees Waived and/or
            Ended March 31          Advisory Fees Paid     Expenses Assumed
            --------------          ------------------     ----------------

            2000                      $  5,213,801           $         0
            1999                      $  5,412,219           $         0
            1998                      $  4,785,350           $   113,307

      For more information on investment advisory services, see Section II, D of
this Statement of Additional Information.

J.    Portfolio Turnover

      The Fund's portfolio turnover rate is determined by dividing the lesser of
securities purchases or sales for a year by the monthly average value of
securities held by the Fund (excluding, for purposes of this determination,
securities the maturities of which as of the time of their acquisition were one
year or less).

            Fiscal Year
            Ended March 31             Portfolio Turnover Rate
            --------------             -----------------------

               2000                           122.57%
               1999                           136.37%

      For more information on portfolio turnover, see Section II, H of this
Statement of Additional Information.



                                    I, 1-10
<PAGE>


K.    Brokerage Commissions

      Brokerage commissions paid by the Fund in secondary trading were as
follows:

            Fiscal Year                     Brokerage
            Ended March 31                  Commissions Paid
            --------------                  ----------------

               2000                           $ 1,136,311
               1999                           $ 1,134,027
               1998                           $ 1,252,657

      During and at the end of its most recent fiscal year, the Fund did not
hold in its portfolio securities of any entity that might be deemed to be a
regular broker-dealer of the Fund as defined under the 1940 Act.

      For more information on brokerage commissions, see Section II, H of this
Statement of Additional Information.

L.    Sales Charges on Shares

Front-end Sales Charges (Class A)

                                                         Retained by Distributor
            Fiscal Year                                  After Reallowance of
            Ended March 31      Total Sales Charges      Concessions to Dealers
            --------------      -------------------      ----------------------

            2000                $      894,196             $    70,650
            1999                $    1,348,733             $   167,865
            1998                $    1,621,289             $   203,896

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (Classes A, B(1), B and C)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      Fiscal Year Ended                 Fiscal Year Ended                 Fiscal Year Ended
                        March 31, 2000                    March 31, 1999                     March 31, 1998
                -----------------------------       ---------------------------       ---------------------------
                 Contingent       Commissions        Contingent     Commissions        Contingent     Commissions
                  Deferred          Paid to           Deferred        Paid to           Deferred        Paid to
                Sales Charges       Dealers         Sales Charges     Dealers         Sales Charges     Dealers
                -------------     -----------       -------------  ------------       -------------  ------------

<S>              <C>              <C>               <C>            <C>                <C>            <C>
Class A          $         0      $   823,546       $         0    $  1,180,868       $        0     $  1,417,393
Class B(1)*      $ 2,000,641      $ 1,646,044       $     4,579    $    359,661       $       --     $         --
Class B          $   652,716      $    51,257       $   656,057    $  2,345,050       $  483,752     $  2,853,020
Class C          $     2,147      $    45,218       $     3,304    $     38,669       $    1,611     $     47,177
</TABLE>

--------------
*Class B(1) was introduced January 1, 1999.



                                    I, 1-11
<PAGE>


      For more information about sales charges, see Section II, J of this
Statement of Additional Information.

M.    12b-1 Fees

      The Fund has adopted plans of distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under
the 1940 Act ("Distribution Plan(s)"). Under the Distribution Plans, the Fund
may engage, directly or indirectly, in financing any activities primarily
intended to result in the sale of shares of the fund. Under the Distribution
Plans, the Fund provides the Distributor with a service fee at an annual rate of
0.25% on the average daily net assets of Class A, Class B(1), Class B and Class
C shares. The Fund also provides a distribution fee at an annual rate of 0.75%
on the average daily net assets of Class B(1), Class B and Class C shares. The
service and distribution fees are used to cover personal services and/or the
maintenance of shareholder accounts provided by the Distributor, brokers,
dealers, financial professionals or others, and sales, promotional and marketing
activities relating to the respective classes.

      Under the Distribution Plan covering Class A, Class B and Class C shares,
the Fund's payments are intended to reimburse the Distributor for expenditures
incurred under the plan, and any unused payments are returnable to the Fund.

      Under the Distribution Plan covering Class B(1) shares, the Fund's
payments compensate the Distributor for services and expenditures incurred under
the plan, and one of the payments are returnable to the Fund.

      During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000, the Fund paid fees under the
Distribution Plans and the fees were used as set forth below. The Distributor
may have also used additional resources of its own for further expenses on
behalf of the Fund.



                                    I, 1-12
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Class A         Class B(1)          Class B        Class C
                                                     -------         ----------          -------        -------

<S>                                               <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>
Advertising                                       $     52,464    $       24,813   $            0  $      13,455

Printing and mailing of prospectuses to                  8,560             4,053                0          2,204
  other than current shareholders

Compensation to dealers                                417,408            79,927        2,588,076        105,821

Compensation to sales personnel                        147,268            68,510                0         35,738

Interest                                                     0                 0                0              0

Carrying or other financing charges                          0                 0                0              0

Other expenses: marketing; general                     129,627            62,828           90,001         29,420

Fees to offset carryforwards *                              --                 0          780,501              0
                                                  ------------    --------------   --------------  -------------

Total Fees                                        $    755,327    $      240,131   $    3,458,578  $     186,638
                                                  ============    ==============   ==============  =============

Unreimbursed expenses
   carried forward:

Amount                                            $         --    $      283,399   $    1,002,173  $     938,619

% of net assets at year end                                                 0.8%             0.3%           5.5%
</TABLE>

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

* Net fees result from the timing of expenditures and are used against expense
  carryforwards.

      For more information about Rule 12b-1 fees, see Section II, J of this
Statement of Additional Information.



                                    I, 1-13
<PAGE>


N.    Performance

      All calculations of performance data in this section reflect the voluntary
measures, if any, by the Investment Manager or its affiliates to reduce fees or
expense relating to the Fund.

Standard Total Return

      The average annual total return ("standard total return") of each class of
shares of the Fund was as follows:

                   Ten Years            Five Years             One Year
                     Ended                 Ended                 Ended
                March 31, 2000        March 31, 2000        March 31, 2000
                --------------        --------------        --------------

   Class A          11.71%                14.35%               10.15%
   Class B(1)       11.80%                14.61%               10.93%
   Class B          11.80%                14.61%               10.98%
   Class C          11.80%                14.82%               14.93%
   Class S          12.56%                15.97%               17.17%

Nonstandard Total Return

      The nonstandard total return of each class of shares of the Fund for the
six months ended March 31, 2000, without taking sales charges into account, was
as follows:

                     Class A        15.72%
                     Class B(1)     15.23%
                     Class B        15.26%
                     Class C        15.22%
                     Class S        15.86%

Yield

      The annualized yield of each class of shares of the Fund, based on the
month of March 2000, was as follows:

                     Class A         2.41%
                     Class B(1)      1.84%
                     Class B         1.84%
                     Class C         1.83%
                     Class S         2.82%



                                    I, 1-14
<PAGE>


Distribution Rates

      The distribution rate of each class of shares of the Fund, based on the
month of March 2000, was as follows:

                     Class A         1.61%
                     Class B(1)      0.93%
                     Class B         0.82%
                     Class C         0.79%
                     Class S         1.92%

      For more information about performance, see Section II, K of this
Statement of Additional Information.



                                    I, 1-15
<PAGE>


2.    STATE STREET RESEARCH HIGH INCOME FUND ("FUND")

      The information in this part 2 of Section I relates only to State Street
Research High Income Fund (the "Fund"). For information on other funds, see the
Table of Contents.

A.    The Fund

      The Fund was organized in 1985 as a separate series of State Street
Research Income Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the "Trust"). The Trust
is an "open-end" management investment company as defined in the 1940 Act. A
"series" is a separate pool of assets of the Trust which is separately managed
and may have a different investment objective and different investment policies
from those of another series. The Trust is currently comprised of the following
series: State Street Research High Income Fund and State Street Research
Strategic Growth & Income Fund.

      The Fund is a diversified series of an "open-end" management investment
company as those terms are defined in the 1940 Act. Among other things, a
diversified fund must, with respect to 75% of its total assets, not invest more
than 5% of its total assets in any one issuer.

B.    Investment Objective

      The investment objective of the Fund is fundamental and may not be changed
by the Fund except by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund.

C.    Fundamental and Nonfundamental Restrictions

      The Fund has adopted certain investment restrictions, and those
restrictions are either fundamental or not fundamental. Fundamental restrictions
may not be changed by the Fund except by the affirmative vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. Restrictions that are not
fundamental may be changed by a vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust.

Fundamental Investment Restrictions.

      It is the Fund's policy:


      (1)   not to purchase a security of any one issuer (other than securities
            issued or guaranteed as to principal or interest by the U.S.
            Government or its agencies or instrumentalities or mixed-ownership
            Government corporations) if such purchase would, with respect to 75%
            of the Fund's total assets, cause more than 5% of the Fund's total
            assets to be invested in the securities of such issuer or cause more
            than 10% of the voting securities of such issuer to be held by the
            Fund;

      (2)   not to issue senior securities;


                                     I, 2-1
<PAGE>

      (3)   not to underwrite or participate in the marketing of securities of
            other issuers, except (a) the Fund may, acting alone or in a
            syndicate or group, purchase or otherwise acquire securities of
            other issuers for investment, either from the issuers or from
            persons in a control relationship with the issuers or from
            underwriters of such securities; and (b) to the extent that, in
            connection with the disposition of the Fund's securities, the Fund
            may be a selling shareholder in an offering or deemed to be an
            underwriter under certain federal securities laws;

      (4)   not to purchase or sell real estate in fee simple;

      (5)   not to lend money; however, the Fund may lend portfolio securities
            and purchase bonds, debentures, notes, bills and any other
            debt-related instruments or interests (and enter into repurchase
            agreements with respect thereto);

      (6)   not to invest in physical commodities or physical commodity
            contracts or options in excess of 10% of the Fund's total assets,
            except that investments in essentially financial items or
            arrangements such as, but not limited to, swap arrangements,
            hybrids, currencies, currency and other forward contracts, delayed
            delivery and when-issued contracts, futures contracts and options on
            futures contracts on securities, securities indices, interest rates
            and currencies, shall not be deemed investments in commodities or
            commodities contracts;

      (7)   not to invest in oil, gas or other mineral exploration programs
            (provided that the Fund may invest in securities which are based,
            directly or indirectly, on the credit of companies which invest in
            or sponsor such programs);

      (8)   not to make any investment which would cause more than 25% of the
            value of the Fund's total assets to be invested in securities of
            nongovernment-related issuers principally engaged in any one
            industry, as described in the Fund's Prospectus or Statement of
            Additional Information, as amended from time to time; and

      (9)   not to borrow money (through reverse repurchase agreements or
            otherwise) except for extraordinary and emergency purposes, such as
            permitting redemption requests to be honored, and then not in an
            amount in excess of 10% of the value of its total assets, provided
            that reverse repurchase agreements shall not exceed 5% of its total
            assets, and provided further that additional investments will be
            suspended during any period when borrowing exceeds 5% of total
            assets. Reverse repurchase agreements occur when the Fund sells
            money market securities and agrees to repurchase such securities at
            an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment. The Fund would use
            the proceeds from the transaction to buy other money market
            securities, which are either maturing or under the terms of a resale
            agreement, on the same day as (or day prior to) the expiration of
            the reverse repurchase agreement, and would employ a reverse
            repurchase agreement when interest income from investing the


                                     I, 2-2
<PAGE>

            proceeds of the transaction is greater than the interest expense of
            the reverse repurchase transaction.


Nonfundamental Investment Restrictions.


      (1)   not to purchase securities on margin, make a short sale of any
            securities or purchase or deal in puts, calls, straddles or spreads
            with respect to any security, except in connection with the purchase
            or writing of options, including options on financial futures, and
            futures contracts to the extent set forth in the Trust's Prospectus
            and Statement of Additional Information;

      (2)   not to hypothecate, mortgage or pledge any of its assets except as
            may be necessary in connection with permitted borrowings and then
            not in excess of 15% of the Fund's net assets, taken at cost (for
            the purpose of this restriction financial futures, options on
            financial futures and forward currency exchange contracts are not
            deemed to involve a pledge of assets);

      (3)   not to purchase a security issued by another investment company,
            except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act or except by
            purchases in the open market involving only customary brokers'
            commissions, or securities acquired as dividends or distributions or
            in connection with a merger, consolidation or similar transaction or
            other exchange; and

      (4)   not to purchase any security or enter into a repurchase agreement if
            as a result more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in
            securities that are illiquid (including repurchase agreements not
            entitling the holder to payment of principal and interest within
            seven days).

Certain Investment Policies.

      The Investment Manager adheres to certain additional investment policies
in managing the Fund's assets. These policies may be changed at any time subject
to applicable law.

D.    Restricted Securities

      It is the Fund's policy not to make an investment in restricted
securities, including restricted securities sold in accordance with Rule 144A
under the Securities Act of 1933 ("Rule 144A Securities") if, as a result, more
than 50% of the Fund's total assets are invested in restricted securities,
provided not more than 10% of the Fund's total assets are invested in restricted
securities other than Rule 144A Securities.


                                     I, 2-3
<PAGE>


E.    Foreign Investments

      The Fund reserves the right to invest without limitation in securities of
non-U.S. issuers directly, or indirectly in the form of American Depositary
Receipts ("ADRs"), European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs") and Global Depositary
Receipts ("GDRs"). Under current policy, however, the Fund limits such
investments, including ADRs, EDRs and GDRs, to a maximum of 20% of its total
investments.

F.    Industry Classifications

      In determining how much of the portfolio is invested in a given industry,
the following industry classifications are currently used. Industry
classifications are subject to change from time to time. Securities issued or
guaranteed as to principal or interest by the U.S. Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities or mixed-ownership Government corporations or sponsored
enterprises (including repurchase agreements involving U.S. Government
securities to the extent excludable under relevant regulatory interpretations)
are excluded. Securities issued by foreign governments are also excluded.
Companies engaged in the business of financing may be classified according to
the industries of their parent or sponsor companies, or industries that
otherwise most affect such financing companies. Issuers of asset-backed pools
will be classified as separate industries based on the nature of the underlying
assets, such as mortgages and credit card receivables.



                                     I, 2-4
<PAGE>


Automotive                         Metals: Steel
Beverages & Bottling                Manufacturing
Cable: Developmental               Metals: Steel Related
Cable: US/Canada                   Manufacturing:
Casino: (Atlantic City,             Consumer: Durable
 Las Vegas, Emerging Mkt.)         Manufacturing:
Chemicals                           Consumer: Nondurable
Communications: Fixed              Paper & Packaging:
Communications: Mobile              Packaging
Drug Stores                        Paper & Packaging: Paper
Energy: Exploration &              Real Estate: Development
 Production                        Real Estate: Material
Energy: Energy/Services            Restaurants
Energy: Other                      Retailing
Energy: Refining                   Services
Financial: Service/Other           Supermarkets
Financial: Specialty               Technology
Food                               Transportation: Air
Gen. Industrial: Other             Transportation: Land
 Manufacturing                     Transportation: Other
Gen. Industrial: Textile           Transportation: Sea
Gen. Industrial:                   Utility
 Aerospace                         Utility: Independent Power
Gen. Industrial: Capital            Provider
 Goods
Healthcare: Acute Care
Healthcare: Equip./Labs/
 Pharmaceuticals
Healthcare: Long Term
 Care
Healthcare: Specialty Care
Hotels/Lodging
Leisure: Film Exhibition
Leisure: Other
Media: Broadcasting/
 Advertising
Media: Other
Media: Publishing &
 Printing
Metals: Other Manufacturing
Metals: Other Related



                                     I, 2-5
<PAGE>


G.    Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities

Trustees and Officers

      The Trustees and principal officers of the Trust as a group owned no
shares of the Fund's outstanding Class A, Class B, Class B(1), Class C or Class
S shares. All information is as of June 30, 2000.

Other Persons

      The following persons or entities were the record and/or beneficial owners
of the following approximate percentages of the Fund's outstanding shares. All
information is as of June 30, 2000.

                     Shareholder                       %
                     -----------                       -

Class B(1)     Merrill Lynch                         13.4

Class B        Merrill Lynch                         16.9

Class C        Merrill Lynch                         46.7

Class S        The Chase Manhattan Bank               7.6

               Minnesota Life                        83.2

      The full name and address of each of the above persons or entities are as
follows:

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc.
(for the sole benefit of its customers)
4800 Deerlake Drive East
Jacksonville, FL 32246

The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. (a)(b)
4 New York Plaza
New York, NY 10004

Minnesota Life Insurance Co.
400 Roberts Street North
St. Paul, MN 55101

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

(a)   The Fund believes that each named record holder does not have beneficial
      ownership of such shares.

(b)   The Chase Manhattan Bank holds such shares as a trustee under certain
      employee benefit plans serviced by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.



                                     I, 2-6
<PAGE>


      Ownership of 25% or more of a voting security is deemed "control" as
defined in the 1940 Act. So long as 25% of a class of shares is so owned, such
owners will be presumed to be in control of such class of shares for purposes of
voting on certain matters submitted to a vote of shareholders of that class.

H.    Trustee Compensation

      The Trustees of State Street Research Income Trust were compensated as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Total            Total Compensation
                                            Compensation              from All
                                              From All          State Street Research
                           Aggregate        State Street       Funds and Metropolitan
                         Compensation      Research Funds         Series Fund, Inc.
Name of Trustee          From Fund(a)   Paid to Trustees (b)    Paid to Trustees (c)
---------------          ------------   --------------------    --------------------

<S>                      <C>              <C>                     <C>
Bruce R. Bond            $     4,095      $       55,495          $        55,495
Steven A. Garban         $     4,766      $       80,150          $       110,900
Gerard P. Maus           $         0      $            0          $             0
Dean O. Morton           $     4,933      $       81,150          $       108,900
Susan M. Phillips        $     4,395      $       57,150          $        57,150
Toby Rosenblatt          $     4,095      $       67,900          $        67,900
Michael S. Scott Morton  $     5,208      $       82,250          $       113,500
</TABLE>

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

(a)  For the Fund's fiscal year ended March 31, 2000. The Fund does not provide
     any pension or retirement benefits for the Trustees.

(b)  Includes compensation on behalf of all series of 11 investment companies
     for which the Investment Manager has served as sole investment adviser. The
     figure in this column is for the 12 months ended December 31, 1999.

(c)  Includes compensation on behalf of all series of 11 investment companies
     for which the Investment Manager has served as sole investment adviser and
     all series of Metropolitan Series Fund, Inc. The primary adviser to
     Metropolitan Series Fund, Inc. is Metropolitan Life Insurance Company,
     which has retained State Street Research & Management Company as
     sub-adviser to certain series of Metropolitan Series Fund, Inc. The figure
     in this column includes compensation relating to series of Metropolitan
     Series Fund, Inc. which are not advised by State Street Research &
     Management Company. The figure is for the 12 months ended December 31,
     1999.



                                     I, 2-7
<PAGE>


      For more information on the Trustees and Officers of State Street Research
Income Trust, see Section II, C of this Statement of Additional Information.

I.    Investment Advisory Fee

      The advisory fee payable monthly by the Fund to the Investment Manager is
computed as a percentage of the average of the value of the net assets of the
Fund as determined at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock
Exchange (the "NYSE") on each day the NYSE is open for trading, at the annual
rate of 0.60% on the first $500 million, 0.55% on the next $500 million, and
0.50% on amounts over $1 billion of the net assets of the Fund.

            Fiscal Year
            Ended March 31                Advisory Fees Paid
            --------------                ------------------

               2000                       $    5,695,524
               1999                       $    6,463,062
               1998                       $    6,649,051

      For more information on investment advisory service, see Section II, D of
this Statement of Additional Information.

J.    Portfolio Turnover

      The Fund's portfolio turnover rate is determined by dividing the lesser of
securities purchases or sales for a year by the monthly average value of
securities held by the Fund (excluding, for purposes of this determination,
securities the maturities of which as of the time of their acquisition were one
year or less).

            Fiscal Year
            Ended March 31                Portfolio Turnover Rate
            --------------                -----------------------

               2000                               50.49%
               1999                               53.46%

      For more information on portfolio turnover, see Section II, H of this
Statement of Additional Information.



                                     I, 2-8
<PAGE>


K.    Brokerage Commissions

      Brokerage commissions paid by the Fund in secondary trading were as
follows:

            Fiscal Year                        Brokerage
            Ended March 31                     Commissions Paid
            --------------                     ----------------

               2000                             $    10,200
               1999                             $    91,759
               1998                             $    76,776

      During and at the end of its most recent fiscal year, the Fund did not
hold in its portfolio securities of any entity that might be deemed to be a
regular broker-dealer of the Fund as defined under the 1940 Act.

      For more information on brokerage commissions, see Section II, H of this
Statement of Additional Information.

L.    Sales Charges on Shares

Front-end Sales Charges (Class A)

                                                         Retained by Distributor
            Fiscal Year                                  After Reallowance of
            Ended March 31      Total Sales Charges      Concessions to Dealers
            --------------      -------------------      ----------------------

               2000               $  1,550,048             $   118,809
               1999               $  2,753,504             $   335,706
               1998               $  2,136,869             $   262,404

Contingent Deferred Sales Charges (Classes A, B(1), B and C)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      Fiscal Year Ended                 Fiscal Year Ended                 Fiscal Year Ended
                        March 31, 2000                    March 31, 1999                     March 31, 1998
                -----------------------------       ---------------------------       ---------------------------
                 Contingent       Commissions        Contingent     Commissions        Contingent     Commissions
                  Deferred          Paid to           Deferred        Paid to           Deferred        Paid to
                Sales Charges       Dealers         Sales Charges     Dealers         Sales Charges     Dealers
                -------------     -----------       -------------  ------------       -------------   -----------

<S>              <C>              <C>               <C>            <C>                 <C>            <C>
Class A          $         0      $ 1,431,239       $         0    $  2,417,798        $        0     $ 1,874,465
Class B(1)*      $    94,826      $ 1,646,044       $       428    $  3,227,125        $       --     $        --
Class B          $   770,148      $    35,969       $   692,839    $    425,480        $  604,906     $ 2,809,146
Class C          $     6,203      $    45,218       $     4,393    $    228,326        $    7,193     $    98,814
</TABLE>

--------------
*Class B(1) was introduced January 1, 1999.



                                     I, 2-9
<PAGE>


      For more information about sales charges, see Section II, J of this
Statement of Additional Information.

M.    Rule 12b-1 Fees

      The Fund has adopted plans of distribution pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under
the 1940 Act ("Distribution Plan(s)"). Under the Distribution Plans, the Fund
may engage, directly or indirectly, in financing any activities primarily
intended to result in the sale of shares of the fund. Under the Distribution
Plans, the Fund provides the Distributor with a service fee at an annual rate of
0.25% on the average daily net assets of Class A, Class B(1), Class B and Class
C shares. The Fund also provides a distribution fee at an annual rate of (i) up
to 0.15% on the average daily net assets of Class A shares, and (ii) 0.75% on
the average daily net assets of Class B(1), Class B and Class C shares. The
service and distribution fees are used to cover personal services and/or the
maintenance of shareholder accounts provided by the Distributor, brokers,
dealers, financial professionals or others, and sales, promotional and marketing
activities relating to the respective classes.

      Under the Distribution Plan covering Class A, Class B and Class C shares,
the Fund's payments are intended to reimburse the Distributor for expenditures
incurred under the plan, and any unused payments are returnable to the Fund.

      Under the Distribution Plan covering Class B(1) shares, the Fund's
payments compensate the Distributor for services and expenditures incurred under
the plan, and one of the payments are returnable to the Fund.

      During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000, the Fund paid fees under the
Distribution Plans and the fees were used as set forth below. The Distributor
may have also used additional resources of its own for further expenses on
behalf of the Fund.



                                    I, 2-10
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Class A         Class B(1)          Class B        Class C
                                                     -------         ----------          -------        -------

<S>                                               <C>             <C>              <C>             <C>
Advertising                                       $     91,954    $       26,452   $            0  $      22,829

Printing and mailing of prospectuses to                 14,997             4,322                0          3,736
  other than current shareholders

Compensation to dealers                                879,867           117,806        2,215,305        215,554

Compensation to sales personnel                        259,627            72,905                0         61,546

Interest                                                     0                 0                0              0

Carrying or other financing charges                          0                 0                0              0

Other expenses: marketing; general                     230,037            68,281           97,487         51,636

Fees to offset carryforwards *                              --                 0          594,554              0
                                                  ------------    --------------   --------------  -------------

Total Fees                                        $  1,476,482    $      289,766   $    2,907,346  $     355,301
                                                  ============    ==============   ==============  =============

Unreimbursed expenses
  carried forward:

Amount                                            $         --    $      286,018   $    2,044,531  $   1,232,161

% of net assets at year end                                 --              0.8%             0.9%           4.7%

</TABLE>

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

* Net fees result from the timing of expenditures and are used against expense
  carryforwards.

      For more information about Rule 12b-1 fees, see Section II, J of this
Statement of Additional Information.



                                    I, 2-11
<PAGE>


N.    Performance

      All calculations of performance data in this section reflect the voluntary
measures, if any, by the Investment Manager or its affiliates to reduce fees or
expenses relating to the Fund.

Standard Total Return

      The average annual total return ("standard total return") of each class of
shares of the Fund was as follows:


                   Ten Years            Five Years             One Year
                     Ended                 Ended                 Ended
                March 31, 2000        March 31, 2000        March 31, 2000
                --------------        --------------        --------------

   Class A           9.59%                 6.49%               -6.07%
   Class B(1)        9.48%                 6.37%               -7.02%
   Class B           9.50%                 6.41%               -6.85%
   Class C           9.49%                 6.66%               -3.46%
   Class S          10.23%                 7.74%               -1.41%

Nonstandard Total Return

      The nonstandard total return of each class of shares of the Fund for the
six months ended March 31, 2000, without taking sales charges into account, was
as follows:

                     Class A        -0.58%
                     Class B(1)     -0.95%
                     Class B        -0.95%
                     Class C        -1.15%
                     Class S        -0.46%

Yield

      The annualized yield of each class of shares of the Fund, based on the
month of March 2000, was as follows:

                     Class A         8.96%
                     Class B(1)      8.73%
                     Class B         8.67%
                     Class C         8.67%
                     Class S         9.74%



                                    I, 2-12
<PAGE>


Distribution Rates

      The distribution rate of each class of shares of the Fund, based on the
month of March 2000, was as follows:

                     Class A         9.30%
                     Class B(1)      9.04%
                     Class B         9.02%
                     Class C         9.02%
                     Class S        10.09%

      For more information about performance, see Section II, K of this
Statement of Additional Information.



                                    I, 2-13
<PAGE>



                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                   SECTION II

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
      A.   Additional Information Concerning Investment Restrictions,
           Certain Risks and Investment Techniques.........................II-1
      B.   Debt Instruments and Permitted Cash Investments.................II-13
      C.   The Trusts, the Trustees and Officers and Fund Shares...........II-23
      D.   Investment Advisory Services....................................II-32
      E.   Purchase and Redemption of Shares...............................II-33
      F.   Shareholder Accounts............................................II-41
      G.   Net Asset Value.................................................II-47
      H.   Portfolio Transactions..........................................II-48
      I.   Certain Tax Matters.............................................II-52
      J.   Distribution of Fund Shares.....................................II-56
      K.   Calculation of Performance Data.................................II-59
      L.   Custodian.......................................................II-62
      M.   Independent Accountants.........................................II-62
      N.   Financial Reports...............................................II-62

      This Section II contains general information applicable to the fund(s)
identified on the cover page of this Statement of Additional Information. (If
more than one Fund is identified, each is referred to as "the Fund.")

      A     Additional Information Concerning Investment Restrictions, Certain
            Risks and Investment Techniques

      The Fund follows certain fundamental and nonfundamental investment
restrictions. The fundamental and nonfundamental investment restrictions for the
Fund identified on the cover page of this Statement of Additional Information
are included in Section I of this Statement of Additional Information.

      In addition, the Fund may invest in the following instruments, use the
following investment techniques or be exposed to the following investment risks.
Please note that not all of the instruments, techniques and risks described in
this part apply uniformly to the Funds identified on the cover page of this
Statement of Additional Information. The extent to which a Fund may engage in
the following practices depends on its investment strategy. Some practices are
more applicable to equity investments and would be used more by Funds with
substantial equity portions. For example, American Depository Receipts ("ADRs")
generally involve the stocks of foreign issuers and are used more by Funds which
invest in foreign securities. Similarly, some practices are more applicable to
debt securities and would be used more in Funds with substantial debt positions,
for example, techniques to



                                      II-1
<PAGE>


manage the interest rate volatility of bonds. However, since the Fund generally
reserves the flexibility to invest to some degree in ways which are outside
their primary focus, it is possible for the Fund to engage in all the described
practices.

Derivatives

      The Fund may buy and sell certain types of derivatives, such as options,
futures contracts, options on futures contracts, and swaps under circumstances
in which such instruments are expected by the Investment Manager to aid in
achieving the Fund's investment objective. The Fund may also purchase
instruments with characteristics of both futures and securities (e.g., debt
instruments with interest and principal payments determined by reference to the
value of a commodity or a currency at a future time) and which, therefore,
possess the risks of both futures and securities investments.

      Derivatives, such as options, futures contracts, options on futures
contracts, and swaps enable the Fund to take both "short" positions (positions
which anticipate a decline in the market value of a particular asset or index)
and "long" positions (positions which anticipate an increase in the market value
of a particular asset or index). The Fund may also use strategies which involve
simultaneous short and long positions in response to specific market conditions,
such as where the Investment Manager anticipates unusually high or low market
volatility.

      The Investment Manager may enter into derivative positions for the Fund
for either hedging or non-hedging purposes. The term hedging is applied to
defensive strategies designed to protect the Fund from an expected decline in
the market value of an asset or group of assets that the Fund owns (in the case
of a short hedge) or to protect the Fund from an expected rise in the market
value of an asset or group of assets which it intends to acquire in the future
(in the case of a long or "anticipatory" hedge). Non-hedging strategies include
strategies designed to produce incremental income (such as the option writing
strategy described below) or "speculative" strategies which are undertaken to
profit from (i) an expected decline in the market value of an asset or group of
assets which the Fund does not own or (ii) expected increases in the market
value of an asset which it does not plan to acquire. Information about specific
types of instruments is provided below.

Futures Contracts.

      Futures contracts are publicly traded contracts to buy or sell an
underlying asset or group of assets, such as a currency or an index of
securities, at a future time at a specified price. A contract to buy establishes
a long position while a contract to sell establishes a short position.

      The purchase of a futures contract on an equity security or an index of
equity securities normally enables a buyer to participate in the market movement
of the underlying asset or index after paying a transaction charge and posting
margin in an amount equal to a small percentage of the value of the underlying
asset or index. The Fund will initially be required to



                                      II-2
<PAGE>


deposit with the Trust's custodian or the broker effecting the futures
transaction an amount of "initial margin" in cash or securities, as permitted
under applicable regulatory policies.

      Initial margin in futures transactions is different from margin in
securities transactions in that the former does not involve the borrowing of
funds by the customer to finance the transaction. Rather, the initial margin is
like a performance bond or good faith deposit on the contract. Subsequent
payments (called "maintenance margin") to and from the broker will be made on a
daily basis as the price of the underlying asset fluctuates. This process is
known as "marking to market." For example, when the Fund has taken a long
position in a futures contract and the value of the underlying asset has risen,
that position will have increased in value and the Fund will receive from the
broker a maintenance margin payment equal to the increase in value of the
underlying asset. Conversely, when the Fund has taken a long position in a
futures contract and the value of the underlying instrument has declined, the
position would be less valuable, and the Fund would be required to make a
maintenance margin payment to the broker.

      At any time prior to expiration of the futures contract, the Fund may
elect to close the position by taking an opposite position which will terminate
the Fund's position in the futures contract. A final determination of
maintenance margin is then made, additional cash is required to be paid by or
released to the Fund, and the Fund realizes a loss or a gain. While futures
contracts with respect to securities do provide for the delivery and acceptance
of such securities, such delivery and acceptance are seldom made.

      In transactions establishing a long position in a futures contract, assets
equal to the face value of the futures contract will be identified by the Fund
to the Trust's custodian for maintenance in a separate account to insure that
the use of such futures contracts is unleveraged. Similarly, assets having a
value equal to the aggregate face value of the futures contract will be
identified with respect to each short position. The Fund will utilize such
assets and methods of cover as appropriate under applicable exchange and
regulatory policies.

Options.

      The Fund may use options to implement its investment strategy. There are
two basic types of options: "puts" and "calls." Each type of option can
establish either a long or a short position, depending upon whether the Fund is
the purchaser or the writer of the option. A call option on a security, for
example, gives the purchaser of the option the right to buy, and the writer the
obligation to sell, the underlying asset at the exercise price during the option
period. Conversely, a put option on a security gives the purchaser the right to
sell, and the writer the obligation to buy, the underlying asset at the exercise
price during the option period.

      Purchased options have defined risk, that is, the premium paid for the
option, no matter how adversely the price of the underlying asset moves, while
affording an opportunity for gain corresponding to the increase or decrease in
the value of the optioned asset. In general, a



                                      II-3
<PAGE>


purchased put increases in value as the value of the underlying security falls
and a purchased call increases in value as the value of the underlying security
rises.

      The principal reason to write options is to generate extra income (the
premium paid by the buyer). Written options have varying degrees of risk. An
uncovered written call option theoretically carries unlimited risk, as the
market price of the underlying asset could rise far above the exercise price
before its expiration. This risk is tempered when the call option is covered,
that is, when the option writer owns the underlying asset. In this case, the
writer runs the risk of the lost opportunity to participate in the appreciation
in value of the asset rather than the risk of an out-of-pocket loss. A written
put option has defined risk, that is, the difference between the agreed upon
price that the Fund must pay to the buyer upon exercise of the put and the
value, which could be zero, of the asset at the time of exercise.

      The obligation of the writer of an option continues until the writer
effects a closing purchase transaction or until the option expires. To secure
its obligation to deliver the underlying asset in the case of a call option, or
to pay for the underlying asset in the case of a put option, a covered writer is
required to deposit in escrow the underlying security or other assets in
accordance with the rules of the applicable clearing corporation and exchanges.

      Among the options which the Fund may enter are options on securities
indices. In general, options on indices of securities are similar to options on
the securities themselves except that delivery requirements are different. For
example, a put option on an index of securities does not give the holder the
right to make actual delivery of a basket of securities but instead gives the
holder the right to receive an amount of cash upon exercise of the option if the
value of the underlying index has fallen below the exercise price. The amount of
cash received will be equal to the difference between the closing price of the
index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a
specified multiple. As with options on equity securities or futures contracts,
the Fund may offset its position in index options prior to expiration by
entering into a closing transaction on an exchange or it may let the option
expire unexercised.

      A securities index assigns relative values to the securities included in
the index and the index options are based on a broad market index. In connection
with the use of such options, the Fund may cover its position by identifying
assets having a value equal to the aggregate face value of the option position
taken.

Options on Futures Contracts.

      An option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return
for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long
position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at
a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option.



                                      II-4
<PAGE>


Limitations and Risks of Options and Futures Activity.

      The Fund may not establish a position in a commodity futures contract or
purchase or sell a commodity option contract for other than bona fide hedging
purposes if immediately thereafter the sum of the amount of initial margin
deposits and premiums required to establish such positions for such non-hedging
purposes would exceed 5% of the market value of the Fund's net assets. The Fund
applies a similar policy to options that are not commodities.

      As noted above, the Fund may engage in both hedging and nonhedging
strategies. Although effective hedging can generally capture the bulk of a
desired risk adjustment, no hedge is completely effective. The Fund's ability to
hedge effectively through transactions in futures and options depends on the
degree to which price movements in its holdings correlate with price movements
of the futures and options.

      Non-hedging strategies typically involve special risks. The profitability
of the Fund's non-hedging strategies will depend on the ability of the
Investment Manager to analyze both the applicable derivatives market and the
market for the underlying asset or group of assets. Derivatives markets are
often more volatile than corresponding securities markets and a relatively small
change in the price of the underlying asset or group of assets can have a
magnified effect upon the price of a related derivative instrument.

      Derivatives markets also are often less liquid than the market for the
underlying asset or group of assets. Some positions in futures and options may
be closed out only on an exchange which provides a secondary market therefor.
There can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any
particular futures contract or option at any specific time. Thus, it may not be
possible to close such an option or futures position prior to maturity. The
inability to close options and futures positions also could have an adverse
impact on the Fund's ability to effectively carry out their derivative
strategies and might, in some cases, require a Fund to deposit cash to meet
applicable margin requirements. The Fund will enter into an option or futures
position only if it appears to be a liquid investment.

Short Sales Against the Box

      The Fund may effect short sales, but only if such transactions are short
sale transactions known as short sales "against the box." A short sale is a
transaction in which the Fund sells a security it does not own by borrowing it
from a broker, and consequently becomes obligated to replace that security. A
short sale against the box is a short sale where the Fund owns the security sold
short or has an immediate and unconditional right to acquire that security
without additional cash consideration upon conversion, exercise or exchange of
options with respect to securities held in its portfolio. The effect of selling
a security short against the box is to insulate that security against any future
gain or loss.



                                      II-5
<PAGE>


Swap Arrangements

      The Fund may enter into various forms of swap arrangements with
counterparties with respect to interest rates, currency rates or indices,
including purchase of caps, floors and collars as described below. In an
interest rate swap, the Fund could agree for a specified period to pay a bank or
investment banker the floating rate of interest on a so-called notional
principal amount (i.e., an assumed figure selected by the parties for this
purpose) in exchange for agreement by the bank or investment banker to pay the
Fund a fixed rate of interest on the notional principal amount. In a currency
swap, the Fund would agree with the other party to exchange cash flows based on
the relative differences in values of a notional amount of two (or more)
currencies; in an index swap, the Fund would agree to exchange cash flows on a
notional amount based on changes in the values of the selected indices. Purchase
of a cap entitles the purchaser to receive payments from the seller on a
notional amount to the extent that the selected index exceeds an agreed upon
interest rate or amount whereas purchase of a floor entitles the purchaser to
receive such payments to the extent the selected index falls below an
agreed-upon interest rate or amount. A collar combines a cap and a floor.

      The Fund may enter credit protection swap arrangements involving the sale
by the Fund of a put option on a debt security which is exercisable by the buyer
upon certain events, such as a default by the referenced creditor on the
underlying debt or a bankruptcy event of the creditor.

      Most swaps entered into by the Fund will be on a net basis; for example,
in an interest rate swap, amounts generated by application of the fixed rate and
the floating rate to the notional principal amount would first offset one
another, with the Fund either receiving or paying the difference between such
amounts. In order to be in a position to meet any obligations resulting from
swaps, the Fund will set up a segregated custodial account to hold appropriate
liquid assets, including cash; for swaps entered into on a net basis, assets
will be segregated having a daily net asset value equal to any excess of the
Fund's accrued obligations over the accrued obligations of the other party,
while for swaps on other than a net basis assets will be segregated having a
value equal to the total amount of the Fund's obligations.

      These arrangements will be made primarily for hedging purposes, to
preserve the return on an investment or on a portion of the Fund's portfolio.
However, the Fund may, as noted above, enter into such arrangements for income
purposes to the extent permitted by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission
(the "CFTC") for entities which are not commodity pool operators, such as the
Fund. In entering a swap arrangement, the Fund is dependent upon the
creditworthiness and good faith of the counterparty. The Fund attempts to reduce
the risks of nonperformance by the counterparty by dealing only with
established, reputable institutions. The swap market is still relatively new and
emerging; positions in swap arrangements may become illiquid to the extent that
nonstandard arrangements with one counterparty are not readily transferable to
another counterparty or if a market for the transfer of swap positions does not
develop. The use of interest rate swaps is a highly specialized activity which
involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with



                                      II-6
<PAGE>


ordinary portfolio securities transactions. If the Investment Manager is
incorrect in its forecasts of market values, interest rates and other applicable
factors, the investment performance of the Fund would diminish compared with
what it would have been if these investment techniques were not used. Moreover,
even if the Investment Manager is correct in its forecasts, there is a risk that
the swap position may correlate imperfectly with the price of the asset or
liability being hedged.

Repurchase Agreements

      The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements occur
when the Fund acquires a security and the seller, which may be either (i) a
primary dealer in U.S. Government securities or (ii) an FDIC-insured bank having
gross assets in excess of $500 million, simultaneously commits to repurchase it
at an agreed-upon price on an agreed-upon date within a specified number of days
(usually not more than seven) from the date of purchase. The repurchase price
reflects the purchase price plus an agreed-upon market rate of interest which is
unrelated to the coupon rate or maturity of the acquired security. The Fund will
only enter into repurchase agreements involving U.S. Government securities.
Repurchase agreements could involve certain risks in the event of default or
insolvency of the other party, including possible delays or restrictions upon
the Fund's ability to dispose of the underlying securities. Repurchase
agreements will be limited to 30% of the Fund's net assets, except that
repurchase agreements extending for more than seven days when combined with any
other illiquid securities held by the Fund will be limited to 15% of the Fund's
net assets. To the extent excludable under relevant regulatory interpretations,
repurchase agreements involving U.S. Government securities are not subject to
the limitations on the Fund's total assets which may be invested in one issuer
or industry.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

      The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. In a reverse
repurchase agreement the Fund transfers possession of a portfolio instrument to
another person, such as a financial institution, broker or dealer, in return for
a percentage of the instrument's market value in cash, and agrees that on a
stipulated date in the future the Fund will repurchase the portfolio instrument
by remitting the original consideration plus interest at an agreed-upon rate.
The ability to use reverse repurchase agreements may enable, but does not ensure
the ability of, the Fund to avoid selling portfolio instruments at a time when a
sale may be deemed to be disadvantageous.

      When effecting reverse repurchase agreements, assets of the Fund in a
dollar amount sufficient to make payment of the obligations to be purchased are
segregated on the Fund's records at the trade date and maintained until the
transaction is settled.



                                      II-7
<PAGE>


When-Issued Securities

      The Fund may purchase "when-issued" securities, which are traded on a
price or yield basis prior to actual issuance. Such purchases will be made only
to achieve the Fund's investment objective and not for leverage. The when-issued
trading period generally lasts from a few days to months, or over a year or
more; during this period dividends or interest on the securities are not
payable. A frequent form of when-issued trading occurs in the U.S. Treasury
market when dealers begin to trade a new issue of bonds or notes shortly after a
Treasury financing is announced, but prior to the actual sale of the securities.
Similarly, securities to be created by a merger of companies may also be traded
prior to the actual consummation of the merger. Such transactions may involve a
risk of loss if the value of the securities falls below the price committed to
prior to actual issuance. The custodian holding Fund assets will establish a
segregated account when the Fund purchases securities on a when-issued basis
consisting of cash or liquid securities equal to the amount of the when-issued
commitments. Securities transactions involving delayed deliveries or forward
commitments are frequently characterized as when-issued transactions and are
similarly treated by the Fund.

Restricted Securities

      The Fund may invest in restricted securities, including restricted
securities sold in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933
("Rule 144A Securities"). Securities may be resold pursuant to Rule 144A under
certain circumstances only to qualified institutional buyers as defined in the
rule, and the markets and trading practices for such securities are relatively
new and still developing; depending on the development of such markets, Rule
144A Securities may be deemed to be liquid as determined by or in accordance
with methods adopted by the Trustees for the Fund. Under such methods the
following factors are considered, among others: the frequency of trades and
quotes for the security, the number of dealers and potential purchasers in the
market, market making activity, and the nature of the security and marketplace
trades. Investments in Rule 144A Securities could have the effect of increasing
the level of the Fund's illiquidity to the extent that qualified institutional
buyers become, for a time, uninterested in purchasing such securities. Also, the
Fund may be adversely impacted by the subjective valuation of such securities in
the absence of a market for them. Restricted securities that are not resalable
under Rule 144A may be subject to risks of illiquidity and subjective valuations
to a greater degree than Rule 144A Securities.

Mortgage-Related Securities

      The Fund may invest in mortgage-related securities. Mortgage-related
securities represent interests in pools of commercial or residential mortgage
loans. Some mortgage-related securities provide the Fund with a flow-through of
interest and principal payments as such payments are received with respect to
the mortgages in the pool. Mortgage-related securities may be issued by private
entities such as investment banking firms, insurance companies, mortgage bankers
and home builders. Mortgage-related securities may



                                      II-8
<PAGE>


be issued by U.S. Government agencies, instrumentalities or mixed-ownership
corporations or sponsored enterprises, and the securities may or may not be
supported by the credit of such entities. An issuer may offer senior or
subordinated securities backed by the same pool of mortgages. The senior
securities have priority to the interest and/or principal payments on the
mortgages in the pool; the subordinate securities have a lower priority with
respect to such payments on the mortgages in the pool. The Fund does not
presently expect to invest in mortgage pool residuals.

      Mortgage-related securities also include stripped securities which have
been divided into separate interest and principal components. Holders of the
interest components of mortgage related securities will receive payments of the
interest only on the current face amount of the mortgages and holders of the
principal components will receive payments of the principal on the mortgages.
"Interest only" securities are known as IOs; "principal only" securities are
known as POs.

      In the case of mortgage-related securities, the possibility of prepayment
of the underlying mortgages which might be motivated, for instance, by declining
interest rates, could lessen the potential for total return in mortgage-related
securities. When prepayments of mortgages occur during periods of declining
interest rates, the Fund will have to reinvest the proceeds in instruments with
lower effective interest rates.

      In the case of stripped securities, in periods of low interest rates and
rapid mortgage prepayments, the value of IOs for mortgage-related securities can
decrease significantly. The market for IOs and POs is new and there is no
assurance it will operate efficiently or provide liquidity in the future.
Stripped securities are extremely volatile in certain interest rate
environments.

Asset-Backed Securities

      The Fund may invest in asset-backed, which are securities that represent
interests in pools of consumer loans such as credit card receivables, automobile
loans and leases, leases on equipment such as computers, and other financial
instruments. These securities provide a flow-through of interest and principal
payments as payments are received on the loans or leases and may be supported by
letters of credit or similar guarantees of payment by a financial institution.

Foreign Investments

      The Fund may invest in securities of non-U.S. issuers directly, or
indirectly in the form of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), European
Depositary Receipts ("EDRs") and Global Depositary Receipts ("GDRs").

      ADRs are receipts, typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company, which
evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation or
other entity. EDRs are



                                      II-9
<PAGE>


receipts issued in Europe which evidence a similar ownership arrangement. GDRs
are receipts issued in one country which also evidence a similar ownership
arrangement. Generally, ADRs in registered form are designed for use in U.S.
securities markets and EDRs are designed for use in European securities markets.
GDRs are designed for use when the issuer is raising capital in more than one
market simultaneously, such as the issuer's local market and the U.S., and have
been used to overcome local selling restrictions to foreign investors. In
addition, many GDRs are eligible for book-entry settlement through Cedel,
Euroclear and DTC. The underlying securities are not always denominated in the
same currency as the ADRs, EDRs or GDRs. Although investment in the form of
ADRs, EDRs or GDRs facilitates trading in foreign securities, it does not
mitigate all the risks associated with investing in foreign securities.

      ADRs are available through facilities which may be either "sponsored" or
"unsponsored." In a sponsored arrangement, the foreign issuer establishes the
facility, pays some or all of the depository's fees, and usually agrees to
provide shareholder communications. In an unsponsored arrangement, the foreign
issuer is not involved, and the ADR holders pay the fees of the depository.
Sponsored ADRs are generally more advantageous to the ADR holders and the issuer
than are unsponsored ADRs. More and higher fees are generally charged in an
unsponsored program compared to a sponsored facility. Only sponsored ADRs may be
listed on the New York or American Stock Exchanges. Unsponsored ADRs may prove
to be more risky due to (a) the additional costs involved to the Fund; (b) the
relative illiquidity of the issue in U.S. markets; and (c) the possibility of
higher trading costs in the over-the-counter market as opposed to exchange based
trading. The Fund will take these and other risk considerations into account
before making an investment in an unsponsored ADR.

      The risks associated with investments in foreign securities include those
resulting from fluctuations in currency exchange rates, revaluation of
currencies, future political and economic developments, including the risks of
nationalization or expropriation, the possible imposition of currency exchange
blockages, higher operating expenses, foreign withholding and other taxes which
may reduce investment return, reduced availability of public information
concerning issuers, the difficulties in obtaining and enforcing a judgment
against a foreign issuer and the fact that foreign issuers are not generally
subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards or to
other regulatory practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to
domestic issuers. Moreover, securities of many foreign issuers may be less
liquid and their prices more volatile than those of securities of comparable
domestic issuers.

      These risks are usually higher in less-developed countries. Such countries
include countries that have an emerging stock market on which trade a small
number of securities and/or countries with economies that are based on only a
few industries. The Fund may invest in the securities of issuers in countries
with less developed economies as deemed appropriate by the Investment Manager.
However, it is anticipated that a majority of the foreign



                                      II-10
<PAGE>


investments by the Fund will consist of securities of issuers in countries with
developed economies.

Currency Transactions

      The Fund may engage in currency exchange transactions in order to protect
against the effect of uncertain future exchange rates on securities denominated
in foreign currencies. The Fund will conduct its currency exchange transactions
either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the rate prevailing in the currency
exchange market, or by entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell
currencies. The Fund's dealings in forward currency exchange contracts will be
limited to hedging involving either specific transactions or aggregate portfolio
positions. 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 not commodities and are entered into
in the interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually
large commercial banks) and their customers. In entering a forward currency
contract, the Fund is dependent upon the creditworthiness and good faith of the
counterparty. The Fund attempts to reduce the risks of nonperformance by the
counterparty by dealing only with established, reputable institutions. Although
spot and forward contracts will be used primarily to protect the Fund from
adverse currency movements, they also involve the risk that anticipated currency
movements will not be accurately predicted, which may result in losses to the
Fund. This method of protecting the value of the Fund's portfolio securities
against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in
the underlying prices of the securities. It simply establishes a rate of
exchange that can be achieved at some future point in time. Although such
contracts tend to minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of
hedged currency, they tend to limit any potential gain that might result should
the value of such currency increase.

Indexed Securities

      The Fund may purchase securities the value of which is indexed to interest
rates, foreign currencies and various indices and financial indications. These
securities are generally short- to intermediate-term debt securities. The
interest rates or values at maturity fluctuate with the index to which they are
connected and may be more volatile than such index.

Securities Lending

      The Fund may receive a lending fee and may lend portfolio securities with
a value of up to 33 1/3% of its total assets. The Fund will receive cash or cash
equivalents (e.g., U.S. Government obligations) as collateral in an amount equal
to at least 100% of the current market value of any loaned securities plus
accrued interest. Collateral received by the Fund will generally be held in the
form tendered, although cash may be invested in unaffiliated mutual funds with
quality short-term portfolios, securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
Government or its agencies or instrumentalities or certain unaffiliated mutual
funds,



                                      II-11
<PAGE>


repurchase agreements or other similar investments. The investing of cash
collateral received from loaning portfolio securities involves leverage which
magnifies the potential for gain or loss on monies invested and, therefore,
results in an increase in the volatility of the Fund's outstanding securities.
Such loans may be terminated at any time.

      The Fund will retain rights to dividends, interest or other distributions,
on the loaned securities. Voting rights pass with the lending, although the Fund
may call loans to vote proxies if desired. Should the borrower of the securities
fail financially, there is a risk of delay in recovery of the securities or loss
of rights in the collateral. Loans are made only to borrowers which are deemed
by the Investment Manager or its agents to be of good financial standing.

Short-Term Trading

      The Fund may engage in short-term trading of securities and reserves full
freedom with respect to portfolio turnover. In periods where there are rapid
changes in economic conditions and security price levels or when reinvestment
strategy changes significantly, portfolio turnover may be higher than during
times of economic and market price stability or when investment strategy remains
relatively constant. The Fund's portfolio turnover rate may involve greater
transaction costs, relative to other funds in general, and may have tax and
other consequences.

Temporary and Defensive Investments

      The Fund may hold up to 100% of its assets in cash or high-quality debt
securities for temporary defensive purposes. The Fund will adopt a temporary
defensive position when, in the opinion of the Investment Manager, such a
position is more likely to provide protection against adverse market conditions
than adherence to the Fund's other investment policies. The types of
high-quality instruments in which the Fund may invest for such purposes include
money market securities, such as repurchase agreements, and securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities,
certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers' acceptances of certain
qualified financial institutions and corporate commercial paper, which at the
time of purchase are rated at least within the "A" major rating category by
Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") or the "Prime" major rating category by
Moody's Investor's Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), or, if not rated, issued by
companies having an outstanding long-term unsecured debt issued rated at least
within the "A" category by S&P or Moody's.

Other Investment Companies

      The Fund may invest in securities of other investment companies, including
affiliated investment companies, such as open- or closed-end management
investment companies, hub and spoke (master/feeder) funds, pooled accounts or
other similar, collective investment vehicles. As a shareholder of an investment
company, the Fund may indirectly bear service



                                      II-12
<PAGE>


and other fees in addition to the fees the Fund pays its service providers.
Similarly, other investment companies may invest in the Fund. Other investment
companies that invest in the Fund may hold significant portions of the Fund and
materially affect the sale and redemption of Fund shares and the Fund's
portfolio transactions.

      The Fund may invest in investment companies issuing shares which are
traded like traditional equity securities on a national stock exchange or the
NASDAQ National Market System. Many exchange-traded securities represent
ownership in a trust that has been established to accumulate and hold a
portfolio of securities that is intended to track the performance of a
securities market index. Certain indices tracked by exchange-traded funds are
highly concentrated in one or a few industries or individual securities, and
thus, may have higher price volatility than many broad-based stock indices. With
most new exchange-traded funds, there is a risk that the overall liquidity of
the secondary market for shares of those funds may fluctuate and the shares
become illiquid.

      B.    Debt Instruments and Permitted Cash Investments

      The Fund may invest in long-term and short-term debt securities. Certain
debt securities and money market instruments in which the Fund may invest are
described below.

Managing Volatility

      In administering the Fund's investments, the Investment Manager attempts
to manage the volatility of the Fund's portfolio of debt securities by managing
the duration and weighted average maturity of those securities.

      Duration is an indicator of the expected volatility of a bond portfolio's
net asset value in response to changes in interest rates. In calculating
duration, the fund measures the average time required to receive all cash flows
associated with those debt securities -- representing payments of principal and
interest -- by considering the timing, frequency and amount of payment expected
from each portfolio debt security. The higher the duration, the greater the
gains and losses when interest rates change. Duration generally is a more
accurate measure of potential volatility with a portfolio composed of
high-quality debt securities, such as U.S. government securities, municipal
securities and high-grade U.S. corporate bonds, than with lower-grade
securities.

      The Investment Manager may use several methods to manage the duration of
the Fund's portfolio of debt securities in order to increase or decrease its
exposure to changes in interest rates. First, the Investment Manager may adjust
duration by adjusting the mix of debt securities held by the Fund. For example,
if the Investment Manager intends to shorten duration, it may sell debt
instruments that individually have a long duration and purchase other debt
instruments that individually have a shorter duration. Among the factors that
will affect a debt security's duration are the length of time to maturity, the
timing of interest and principal payments, and whether the terms of the security
give the issuer of the security the right to call



                                     II-13
<PAGE>


the security prior to maturity. Second, the Investment Manager may adjust
duration using derivative transactions, especially with interest rate futures
and options contracts. For example, if the Investment Manager wants to lengthen
the duration of a Fund's portfolio of debt securities, it could purchase
interest rate futures contracts instead of buying longer-term bonds or selling
shorter-term bonds. Similarly, during periods of lower interest rate volatility,
the Investment Manager may use a technique to extend duration in the event rates
rise by writing an out-of-the-money put option and receiving premium income with
the expectation that the option could be exercised. In managing duration, the
use of such derivatives may be faster and more efficient than trading specific
portfolio securities.

      Weighted average maturity is another indicator of potential volatility
used by the Investment Manager with respect to the Fund's portfolio of debt
securities, although for certain types of debt securities, such as high quality
debt securities, it is not as accurate as duration in quantifying potential
volatility. Weighted average maturity is the average of all maturities of the
individual debt securities held by the Fund, weighted by the market value of
each security. Generally, the longer the weighted average maturity, the more
Fund price will vary in response to changes in interest rates.

U.S. Government and Related Securities

      U.S. Government securities are securities which are issued or guaranteed
as to principal or interest by the U.S. Government, a U.S. Government agency or
instrumentality, or certain mixed-ownership Government corporations as described
herein. The U.S. Government securities in which the Fund invests include, among
others:

      1. direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, i.e., U.S. Treasury bills,
      notes, certificates and bonds;

      2. obligations of U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities such as
      the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal Farm Credit Banks, the Federal
      National Mortgage Association, the Government National Mortgage
      Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation; and

      3. obligations of mixed-ownership Government corporations such as
      Resolution Funding Corporation.

      U.S. Government securities which the Fund may buy are backed in a variety
of ways by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities. Some of these
obligations, such as Government National Mortgage Association mortgage-backed
securities, are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Other
obligations, such as those of the Federal National Mortgage Association, are
backed by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain
obligations of agencies or instrumentalities, although the U.S. Government has
no legal obligation to do so. Obligations such as those of the Federal Home Loan
Bank, the Federal Farm Credit Bank, the Federal National Mortgage Association
and the Federal



                                     II-14
<PAGE>


Home Loan Mortgage Corporation are backed by the credit of the agency or
instrumentality issuing the obligations. Certain obligations of Resolution
Funding Corporation, a mixed-ownership Government corporation, are backed with
respect to interest payments by the U.S. Treasury, and with respect to principal
payments by U.S. Treasury obligations held in a segregated account with a
Federal Reserve Bank. Except for certain mortgage-related securities, the Fund
will only invest in obligations issued by mixed-ownership Government
corporations where such securities are guaranteed as to payment of principal or
interest by the U.S. Government or a U.S. Government agency or instrumentality,
and any unguaranteed principal or interest is otherwise supported by U.S.
Government obligations held in a segregated account.

      U.S. Government securities may be acquired by the Fund in the form of
separately traded principal and interest components of securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. The principal and interest components of
selected securities are traded independently under the Separate Trading of
Registered Interest and Principal of Securities ("STRIPS") program. Under the
STRIPS program, the principal and interest components are individually numbered
and separately issued by the U.S. Treasury at the request of depository
financial institutions, which then trade the component parts independently.
Obligations of Resolution Funding Corporation are similarly divided into
principal and interest components and maintained as such on the book entry
records of the Federal Reserve Banks.

      In addition, the Fund may invest in custodial receipts that evidence
ownership of future interest payments, principal payments or both on certain
U.S. Treasury notes or bonds in connection with programs sponsored by banks and
brokerage firms. Such notes and bonds are held in custody by a bank on behalf of
the owners of the receipts. These custodial receipts are known by various names,
including "Treasury Receipts" ("TRs"), "Treasury Investment Growth Receipts"
("TIGRs") and "Certificates of Accrual on Treasury Securities" ("CATS"), and may
not be deemed U.S. Government securities.

      The Fund may also invest from time to time in collective investment
vehicles, the assets of which consist principally of U.S. Government securities
or other assets substantially collateralized or supported by such securities,
such as Government trust certificates.

Foreign Government Debt

      The obligations of foreign governmental entities have various kinds of
government support and include obligations issued or guaranteed by foreign
governmental entities with taxing powers. These obligations may or may not be
supported by the full faith and credit of a foreign government. Each Fund may
invest in foreign government securities of issuers considered stable by the
Investment Manager, based on its analysis of factors such as general political
or economic conditions relating to the government and the likelihood of
expropriation, nationalization, freezes or confiscation of private property. The
Investment Manager does not believe that the credit risk inherent in the
obligations of stable foreign governments is significantly greater than that of
U.S. Government securities.



                                      II-15
<PAGE>


Supranational Debt

      Supranational debt may be denominated in U.S. dollars, a foreign currency
or a multi-national currency unit. Examples of supranational entities include
the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the
Inter-American Development Bank. The governmental members, or "stockholders,"
usually make initial capital contributions to the supranational entity and in
many cases are committed to make additional capital contributions if the
supranational entity is unable to repay its borrowings.

Foreign Currency Units

      The Fund may invest in securities denominated in a multi-national currency
unit. An illustration of a multi-national currency unit is the European Currency
Unit (the "ECU"), which is a "basket" consisting of specified amounts of the
currencies of the member states of the European Community, a Western European
economic cooperative organization that includes France, Germany, The Netherlands
and the United Kingdom. The specific amounts of currencies comprising the ECU
may be adjusted by the Council of Ministers of the European Community to reflect
changes in relative values of the underlying currencies. The Sub-Investment
Manager does not believe that such adjustments will adversely affect holders of
ECU-denominated obligations or the marketability of such securities. European
supranational entities, in particular, issue ECU-denominated obligations. The
Fund may invest in securities denominated in the currency of one nation although
issued by a governmental entity, corporation or financial institution of another
nation. For example, the Fund may invest in a British pound sterling-denominated
obligation issued by a United States corporation. Such investments involve
credit risks associated with the issuer and currency risks associated with the
currency in which the obligation is denominated.

Synthetic Non-U.S. Money Market Positions

      Money market securities denominated in foreign currencies are permissible
investments of the Fund. In addition to, or in lieu of direct investment in such
securities, the Fund may construct a synthetic non-U.S. money market position by
(i) purchasing a money market instrument denominated in U.S. dollars and (ii)
concurrently entering into a forward currency contract to deliver a
corresponding amount of U.S. dollars in exchange for a foreign currency on a
future date and a specified rate of exchange. Because of the availability of a
variety of highly liquid short-term U.S. dollar-denominated money market
instruments, a synthetic money market position utilizing such U.S.
dollar-denominated instruments may offer greater liquidity than direct
investment in a money market instrument denominated in a foreign currency.



                                      II-16
<PAGE>


Bank Money Investments

      Bank money investments include, but are not limited to, certificates of
deposit, bankers' acceptances and time deposits. Certificates of deposit are
generally short-term (i.e., less than one year), interest-bearing negotiable
certificates issued by commercial banks or savings and loan associations against
funds deposited in the issuing institution. A banker's acceptance is a time
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). A banker's acceptance may be obtained from a domestic or
foreign bank, including a U.S. branch or agency of a foreign bank. 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. Time deposits are nonnegotiable deposits for a fixed period of time at
a stated interest rate. The Fund will not invest in any such bank money
investment unless the investment is issued by a U.S. bank that is a member of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"), including any foreign branch
thereof, a U.S. branch or agency of a foreign bank, a foreign branch of a
foreign bank, or a savings bank or savings and loan association that is a member
of the FDIC and which at the date of investment has capital, surplus and
undivided profits (as of the date of its most recently published financial
statements) in excess of $50 million. The Fund will not invest in time deposits
maturing in more than seven days and will not invest more than 10% of its total
assets in time deposits maturing in two to seven days.

      U.S. branches and agencies of foreign banks are offices of foreign banks
and are not separately incorporated entities. They are chartered and regulated
either federally or under state law. U.S. federal branches or agencies of
foreign banks are chartered and regulated by the Comptroller of the Currency,
while state branches and agencies are chartered and regulated by authorities of
the respective states or the District of Columbia. U.S. branches of foreign
banks may accept deposits and thus are eligible for FDIC insurance; however, not
all such branches elect FDIC insurance. Unlike U.S. branches of foreign banks,
U.S. agencies of foreign banks may not accept deposits and thus are not eligible
for FDIC insurance. Both branches and agencies can maintain credit balances,
which are funds received by the office incidental to or arising out of the
exercise of their banking powers and can exercise other commercial functions,
such as lending activities.

Short-Term Corporate Debt Instruments

      Short-term corporate debt instruments include commercial paper to finance
short-term credit needs (i.e., short-term, unsecured promissory notes) issued
by, among others, (a) corporations and (b) domestic or foreign bank holding
companies or their subsidiaries or affiliates where the debt instrument is
guaranteed by the bank holding company or an affiliated bank or where the bank
holding company or the affiliated bank is unconditionally liable for the debt
instrument. Commercial paper is usually sold on a discounted basis and has a
maturity at the time of issuance not exceeding nine months.



                                      II-17
<PAGE>


Lower Rated Debt Securities

      The Fund may invest in debt securities within the BB major rating category
or lower by S&P or the Ba major rating category or lower by Moody's or debt
securities that are unrated but considered by the Investment Manager to be of
equivalent investment quality to comparable rated securities. Such securities
generally involve more credit risk than higher rated securities and are
considered by S&P and Moody's to be predominantly speculative with respect to
capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the
obligation. Further, such securities may be subject to greater market
fluctuations and risk of loss of income and principal than lower yielding,
higher rated debt securities. Risks of lower quality debt securities include (i)
limited liquidity and secondary market support, (ii) substantial market price
volatility resulting from changes in prevailing interest rates and/or investor
perception, (iii) subordination to the prior claims of banks and other senior
lenders, (iv) the operation of mandatory sinking fund or call/redemption
provisions during periods of declining interest rates when the fund may be
required to reinvest premature redemption proceeds in lower yielding portfolio
securities; (v) the possibility that earnings of the issuer may be insufficient
to meet its debt service; (vi) the issuer's low creditworthiness and potential
for insolvency during periods of rising interest rates and economic downturn;
and (viii) the realization of taxable income for shareholders without the
corresponding receipt of cash in connection with investments in "zero coupon" or
"pay-in-kind" securities. Growth in the market for this type of security has
paralleled a general expansion in certain sectors in the U.S. economy, and the
effects of adverse economic changes (including a recession) are unclear. For
further information concerning the ratings of debt securities, see "--Commercial
Paper Ratings" and "--Rating Categories of Debt Securities," below. In the event
the rating of a security is downgraded, the Investment Manager will determine
whether the security should be retained or sold depending on an assessment of
all facts and circumstances at that time.

Zero and Step Coupon Securities

      Zero and step coupon securities are debt securities that may pay no
interest for all or a portion of their life but are purchased at a discount to
face value at maturity. Their return consists of the amortization of the
discount between their purchase price and their maturity value, plus in the case
of a step coupon, any fixed rate interest income. Zero and step coupon
securities pay no interest to holders prior to maturity even though interest on
these securities is reported as income to the Fund. The Fund will be required to
distribute all or substantially all of such amounts annually to its
shareholders. These distributions may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio
assets in order to make such distributions at a time when the Fund may have
otherwise chosen not to sell such securities. The amount of the discount
fluctuates with the market value of such securities, which may be more volatile
than that of securities which pay interest at regular intervals.



                                     II-18
<PAGE>


Master Loan Participation Agreements

      The Fund may invest in loan participations. These investments represent
interests in floating or variable rate loans to foreign countries, corporations
and other entities. Loan participations will generally be acquired by the Fund
from a lender, usually a bank or other similar financial services entity. The
underlying loans may pay interest at rates which are periodically redetermined
on the basis of a base lending rate plus a premium. These base lending rates are
generally the Prime Rate offered by a major U.S. bank, the London InterBank
Offered Rate or other base rates used by commercial lenders.

      The Fund may invest in loans which are not secured by any collateral.
Uncollateralized loans pose a greater risk of nonpayment of interest or loss of
principal than do collateralized loans. Interest and principal payments on these
loan participations may be reduced, deferred, suspended or eliminated. While
loan participations generally trade at par value, the fund will also be able to
acquire loan participations that sell at a discount because of the borrower's
credit standing.

      The loan participations generally are not rated by nationally recognized
statistical rating organizations. Participation interests generally are not
listed on any national securities exchange and no regular market has developed
for such interests. The loans may be subject to restrictions on resale and any
secondary purchases and sales generally are conducted in private transactions.

      When acquiring a loan participation, the Fund will have a contractual
relationship only with the lender, not with the borrower. The Fund has the right
to receive payments of principal and interest only from the lender selling the
loan participation and only upon receipt by such lender of such payments from
the borrower. As a result, the Fund may assume the credit risk of both the
borrower and the lender selling the loan participation.

Certain Ratings Categories

Commercial Paper Ratings.

      Commercial paper investments at the time of purchase will be rated within
the "A" major rating category by S&P or within the "Prime" major rating category
by Moody's, or, if not rated, issued by companies having an outstanding
long-term unsecured debt issue rated at least within the "A" category by S&P or
by Moody's. The money market investments in corporate bonds and debentures
(which must have maturities at the date of settlement of one year or less) must
be rated at the time of purchase at least within the "A" category by S&P or
within the "Prime" category by Moody's.

      Commercial paper rated within the "A" category (highest quality) by S&P is
issued by entities which have liquidity ratios which are adequate to meet cash
requirements. Long-term



                                      II-19
<PAGE>


senior debt is rated within the "A" category or better, although in some cases
credits within the "BBB" category may be allowed. The issuer has access to at
least two additional channels of borrowing. Basic earnings and cash flow have an
upward trend with allowance made for unusual circumstances. Typically, the
issuer's industry is well established and the issuer has a strong position
within the industry. The reliability and quality of management are unquestioned.
The relative strength or weakness of the above factors determines whether the
issuer's commercial paper is rated A-1, A-2 or A-3. (Those A-1 issues determined
to possess overwhelming safety characteristics are denoted with a plus (+) sign:
A-1+.)

      The rating "Prime" is the highest commercial paper rating category
assigned by Moody's. Among the factors considered by Moody's in assigning
ratings are the following: evaluation of the management of the issuer; economic
evaluation of the issuer's industry or industries and an appraisal of
speculative-type risks which may be inherent in certain areas; evaluation of the
issuer's products in relation to competition and customer acceptance; liquidity;
amount and quality of long-term debt; trend of earnings over a period of 10
years; financial management of obligations which may be present or may arise as
a result of public interest questions and preparations to meet such obligations.
These factors are all considered in determining whether the commercial paper is
rated Prime-1, Prime-2 or Prime-3.

Rating Categories of Debt Securities.

      Set forth below is a description of S&P corporate bond and debenture
rating categories:

      AAA: An obligation rated within the AAA category has the highest rating
assigned by S&P. Capacity to meet the financial commitment on the obligation is
extremely strong.

      AA: An obligation rated within the AA category differs from the highest
rated obligation only in small degree. Capacity to meet the financial obligation
is very strong.

      A: An obligation rated within the A category is somewhat more susceptible
to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than
debt in higher rated categories. However, capacity to meet the financial
commitment on the obligation is still strong.

      BBB: An obligation rated within the BBB category exhibits adequate
protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing
circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to meet the
financial commitment on the obligation.

      Obligations rated within the BB, B, CCC, CC and C categories are regarded
as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree
of speculation and C the highest. While such obligations will likely have some
quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large
uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.



                                      II-20
<PAGE>


      BB: An obligation rated within the BB category is less vulnerable to
nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing
uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial or economic conditions
which could lead to inadequate capacity to meet the financial commitment on the
obligation. The BB rating category is also used for debt subordinated to senior
debt that is assigned an actual or implied BBB rating.

      B: An obligation rated within the B category is more vulnerable to
nonpayment than obligations rated within the BB category, but currently has the
capacity to meet the financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business,
financial or economic conditions will likely impair capacity or willingness to
meet the financial commitment on the obligation. 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: An obligation rated within the CCC category is vulnerable to
nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic
conditions to meet the financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of
adverse business, financial or economic conditions, it is not likely to have the
capacity to meet the financial commitment on the obligation.

      CC: An obligation rated within the CC category is currently highly
vulnerable to nonpayment.

      C: The C rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy
petition has been filed, but payments on this obligation are being continued.

      D: An obligation rated within the D category is in payment default. The D
rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date
due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes
that such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will
be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar
action if payments on an obligation 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.

      S&P may attach the "r" symbol to the ratings of instruments with
significant noncredit risks. It highlights risks to principal or volatility of
expected returns which are not addressed in the credit rating. Examples include:
obligations linked or indexed to equities, currencies, or commodities;
obligations exposed to severe prepayments risks-such as interest only (IO) and
principal only (PO) mortgage securities; and obligations with unusually risky
terms, such as inverse floaters.

      Set forth below is a description of Moody's corporate bond and debenture
rating categories:



                                      II-21
<PAGE>


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

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

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

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

      Ba: Bonds which are rated within the Ba category 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 other good and bad times over the future.
Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.

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

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

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



                                      II-22
<PAGE>


      C: Bonds which are rated within the C category 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.

      1, 2 or 3: The ratings from Aa through B may be modified by the addition
of a numeral indicating a bond's rank within its rating category.

Securities Ratings Policies.

      The Fund may invest in debt instruments which are split rated; for
example, rated investment grade by one rating agency, but lower than investment
grade by the other. Where an investment is split rated, the Fund may invest on
the basis of the higher rating. Where an investment is rated by only one rating
agency, the Fund may invest on the basis of the one rating or on the basis of a
higher rating derived from its own analysis. Also, the Fund may invest in debt
securities that are unrated but considered by the Investment Manager to be of
equivalent investment quality to comparable rated securities.

Ratings Downgrades.

      In the event the lowering of ratings of debt instruments held by the Fund
by applicable rating agencies results in a material decline in the overall
quality of the Fund's portfolio, the Trustees of the Trust will review the
situation and take such action as they deem in the best interests of the Fund's
shareholders, including, if necessary, changing the composition of the
portfolio.

      C.    The Trusts, the Trustees and Officers and Fund Shares

      The Trustees of a Trust have authority to issue an unlimited number of
shares of beneficial interest of separate series, $.001 par value per share. The
Trustees also have authority, without the necessity of a shareholder vote, to
create any number of new series or classes or to commence the public offering of
shares of any previously established series or classes. The Trustees have
authorized shares of each Fund to be issued in multiple classes.

      Each share of each class of shares represents an identical legal interest
in the same portfolio of investments of a Fund, has the same rights and is
identical in all respects, except that Class A, Class B(1), Class B and Class C
shares bear the expenses of the deferred sales arrangement and any expenses
(including the higher service and distribution fees) resulting from such sales
arrangement, and certain other incremental expenses related to a class. Each
class will have exclusive voting rights with respect to provisions of the Rule
12b-1 distribution plan pursuant to which the service and distribution fees, if
any, are paid. Although the legal rights of holders of each class of shares are
identical, it is likely that the different expenses borne by each class will
result in different net asset values and dividends. The different classes of
shares of the Fund also have different exchange privileges. Except for those
differences between classes of shares described above, in the Fund's Prospectus
and otherwise



                                      II-23
<PAGE>


this Statement of Additional Information, each share of the Fund has equal
dividend, redemption and liquidation rights with other shares of the Fund, and
when issued, is fully paid and nonassessable by the Fund.

      Shareholder rights granted under the Master Trust Agreement may be
modified, suspended or repealed, in whole or part by the Trustees, except as
provided by law or under the terms of the Master Trust Agreement. The Master
Trust Agreement may not be amended by the Trustees if the amendment would (a)
repeal the limitation on personal liability of any shareholder or Trustee, or
repeal the prohibition of assessment upon shareholders, without the express
consent of each shareholder or Trustee involved or (b) adversely modify any
shareholder right without the consent of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares entitled to vote. On any matter submitted to the
shareholders, the holder of a Fund share is entitled to one vote per share (with
proportionate voting for fractional shares) regardless of the relative net asset
value thereof.

      Under each Trust's Master Trust Agreement, no annual or regular meeting of
shareholders is required. Thus, there ordinarily will be no shareholder meetings
unless required by the 1940 Act. Except as otherwise provided under the 1940
Act, the Board of Trustees will be a self-perpetuating body until fewer than
two-thirds of the Trustees serving as such are Trustees who were elected by
shareholders of the Trust. In the event less than a majority of the Trustees
serving as such were elected by shareholders of the Trust, a meeting of
shareholders will be called to elect Trustees. Under the Master Trust Agreement,
any Trustee may be removed by vote of two-thirds of the outstanding Trust
shares; holders of 10% or more of the outstanding shares of the Trust can
require that the Trustees call a meeting of shareholders for purposes of voting
on the removal of one or more Trustees. In connection with such meetings called
by shareholders, shareholders will be assisted in shareholder communications to
the extent required by applicable law.

      Under Massachusetts law, the shareholders of a Trust could, under certain
circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations for the Trust.
However, each Master Trust Agreement disclaims shareholder liability for acts or
obligations of the Trust and provides for indemnification for all losses and
expenses of any shareholder of the Fund held personally liable for the
obligations of the Trust. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial
loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which
the Fund would be unable to meet its obligations. The Investment Manager
believes that, in view of the above, the risk of personal liability to
shareholders is remote.

      The Trustees and officers of each Trust are identified below, together
with biographical information.



                                     II-24
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Master    Money
   STATE STREET      Capital     Equity    Exchange   Financial    Growth    Income   Investment  Market     Securities   Tax-Exempt
    RESEARCH:         Trust      Trust       Trust      Trust       Trust     Trust     Trust     Trust        Trust         Trust
    --------          -----      -----       -----      -----       -----     -----     -----     -----        -----         -----

   TRUSTEES AND
    PRINCIPAL
     OFFICERS
     --------

<S>                <C>          <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>
Bruce R. Bond      Trustee      Trustee     Trustee    Trustee      Trustee   Trustee   Trustee   Trustee     Trustee     Trustee

John R. Borzilleri                                     Vice
                                                       President

Paul J. Clifford,                                                                                                         Vice
Jr.                                                                                                                       President

Catherine Dudley   Vice
                   President

Bruce A. Ebel                                          Vice
                                                       President

Steve A. Garban    Trustee      Trustee     Trustee    Trustee      Trustee   Trustee   Trustee   Trustee     Trustee     Trustee

Bartlett R. Geer                Vice                                          Vice                            Vice
                                President                                     President                       President

Lawrence J.        Vice
Haverty, Jr.       President

F. Gardner                      Vice
Jackson, Jr.                    President

John H. Kallis                                         Vice                   Vice                Vice        Vice        Vice
                                                       President              President           President   President   President

Dyann H. Kiessling                                                                                Vice
                                                                                                  President
</TABLE>



                                      II-25
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         Master    Money
   STATE STREET      Capital     Equity    Exchange  Financial    Growth    Income     Investment  Market   Securities   Tax-Exempt
    RESEARCH:         Trust      Trust       Trust     Trust       Trust     Trust       Trust     Trust      Trust         Trust
    --------          -----      -----       -----     -----       -----     -----       -----     -----      -----         -----

   TRUSTEES AND
    PRINCIPAL
     OFFICERS
     --------

<S>                <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Rudolph K. Kluiber Vice
                   President

Francis J.         Secretary   Secretary  Secretary  Secretary   Secretary   Secretary   Secretary  Secretary  Secretary  Secretary
McNamara, III

Gerard P. Maus     Trustee,    Trustee,   Trustee,   Trustee,    Trustee,    Trustee,    Trustee,   Trustee,   Trustee,   Trustee,
                   Chairman    Chairman   Chairman   Chairman    Chairman    Chairman    Chairman   Chairman   Chairman   Chairman
                   of the      of the     of the     of the      of the      of the      of the     of the     of the     of the
                   Board,      Board,     Board,     Board,      Board,      Board,      Board,     Board,     Board,     Board,
                   President,  President, President, President,  President,  President,  President, President, President, President,
                   Chief       Chief      Chief      Chief       Chief       Chief       Chief      Chief      Chief      Chief
                   Executive   Executive  Executive  Executive   Executive   Executive   Executive  Executive  Executive  Executive
                   Officer     Officer    Officer    Officer     Officer     Officer     Officer    Officer    Officer    Officer
                   and         and        and        and         and         and         and        and        and        and
                   Treasurer   Treasurer  Treasurer  Treasurer   Treasurer   Treasurer   Treasurer  Treasurer  Treasurer  Treasurer

Thomas P. Moore,               Vice                  Vice
Jr.                            President             President

Dean O. Morton     Trustee     Trustee    Trustee    Trustee     Trustee     Trustee     Trustee    Trustee    Trustee    Trustee

Brian P. O'Dell                Vice
                               President

Kim M. Peters                                                                                                  Vice
                                                                                                               President

Susan M. Phillips  Trustee     Trustee    Trustee    Trustee     Trustee     Trustee     Trustee    Trustee    Trustee    Trustee

E.K. Easton                                          Vice
Ragsdale, Jr.                                        President

Daniel J. Rice III             Vice
                               President

Toby Rosenblatt    Trustee     Trustee    Trustee    Trustee     Trustee     Trustee     Trustee    Trustee    Trustee    Trustee

Michael S. Scott   Trustee     Trustee    Trustee    Trustee     Trustee     Trustee     Trustee    Trustee    Trustee    Trustee
Morton
</TABLE>



                                      II-26
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Master    Money
   STATE STREET      Capital     Equity    Exchange   Financial    Growth    Income     Investment  Market   Securities   Tax-Exempt
    RESEARCH:         Trust      Trust       Trust      Trust       Trust     Trust       Trust     Trust      Trust         Trust
    --------          -----      -----       -----      -----       -----     -----       -----     -----      -----         -----

   TRUSTEES AND
    PRINCIPAL
     OFFICERS
     --------

<S>                <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Thomas A. Shively                                     Vice                    Vice                   Vice       Vice       Vice
                                                      President               President              President  President  President

Tucker Walsh       Vice
                   President

James M. Weiss     Vice        Vice       Vice        Vice        Vice        Vice        Vice                  Vice
                   President   President  President   President   President   President   President             President

Elizabeth M.                                                                                                    Vice
Westvold                                                                                                        President

John T. Wilson                 Vice                                                       Vice
                               President                                                  President

Kennard                                   Vice        Vice        Vice                                          Vice
Woodworth, Jr.                            President   President   President                                     President

Peter A. Zuger                 Vice
                               President
</TABLE>



                                      II-27
<PAGE>


      Additional information on the Trustees, Directors and principal officers
of the State Street Research Funds is provided below. The address for each
person is One Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111.

      Bruce R. Bond: He is 54. During the past five years, Mr. Bond has also
served as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of
PictureTel Corporation, Chief Executive Officer of ANS Communications (a
communications networking company) and as managing director of British
Telecommunications PLC.

      *John R. Borzilleri, MD: He is 41 and his principal occupation is Senior
Vice President of the Investment Manager. During the past five years he has also
served as a Vice President of the Investment Manager, as a Vice President of
Montgomery Securities and as an equity analyst at Dean Witter.

      *Paul J. Clifford, Jr.: He is 38 and his principal occupation is Senior
Vice President of the Investment Manager. During the past five years he has also
served as Vice President of the Investment Manager.

      *Catherine Dudley: She is 39 and her principal occupation is senior Vice
President of the Investment Manager. During the past five years she has also
served as a senior portfolio manager at Chancellor Capital Management and as a
portfolio manager at Phoenix Investment Council.

      *Bruce A. Ebel: He is 44 and his principal occupation is Senior Vice
President of the Investment Manager. During the past five years he has also
served as a Vice President and portfolio manager at Loomis, Sayles & Company,
L.P.

      +Steve A. Garban : He is 62 and he is retired and was formerly Senior Vice
President for Finance and Operations and Treasurer of The Pennsylvania State
University. Mr. Garban is also a Director of Metropolitan Series Fund, Inc. (an
investment company).

      *Bartlett R. Geer: He is 45 and his principal occupation is currently, and
during the past five years has been, Senior Vice President of the Investment
Manager.

      *Lawrence J. Haverty, Jr.: He is 56 and his principal occupation is
currently, and during the past five years has been, Senior Vice President of the
Investment Manager.

      *F. Gardner Jackson, Jr.: He is 57 and his principal occupation is
currently, and during the past five years has been Senior Vice President of the
Investment Manager.

      *John H. Kallis: He is 59 and his principal occupation is currently, and
during the past five years has been, Senior Vice President of the Investment
Manager.



                                      II-28
<PAGE>


      *Dyann H. Kiessling: She is 37 and her principal occupation is Vice
President of the Investment Manager. During the past five years she has also
served as a fixed income trader for the Investment Manager.

      *Rudolph K. Kluiber: He is 40 and his principal occupation currently is
Senior Vice President of the Investment Manager. During the past five years he
has also served as a Vice President of the Investment Manager.

      *Gerard P. Maus: He is 48 and his principal occupation is currently, and
during the past five years has been, Executive Vice President, Treasurer, Chief
Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer and Director of the Investment
Manager, and since May 2000 Interim Chief Operating Officer of the Investment
Manager. Mr. Maus's other principal business affiliations include Executive Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, Treasurer and
Director of State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.; Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer of SSRM Holdings, Inc.; and Director of SSR Realty Advisors,
Inc.

      *Francis J. McNamara, III: He is 44 and his principal occupation is
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Investment
Manager. During the past five years he has also served as Senior Vice President
of the Investment Manager. Mr. McNamara's other principal business affiliations
include Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Clerk of State Street
Research Investment Services, Inc.; and Secretary and General Counsel of SSRM
Holdings, Inc.

      *Thomas P. Moore, Jr.: He is 61 and his principal occupation is currently,
and during the past five years has been, Senior Vice President of the Investment
Manager.

      +Dean O. Morton : He is 67 and he is retired and was formerly Executive
Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Hewlett-Packard Company.
Mr. Morton is also a Director of Metropolitan Series Fund, Inc. (an investment
company).

      *Brian P. O'Dell: He is 34 and his principal occupation is currently
Assistant Portfolio Manager for the Investment Manager. During the past five
years he has also served as a portfolio manager and analyst at Freedom Capital
Management Corporation.

      *Kim M. Peters: He is 47 and his principal occupation is currently, and
during the past five years has been, Senior Vice President of the Investment
Manager.

      Susan M. Phillips : She is 55 and her principal occupation is currently
Dean of the School of Business and Public Management at George Washington
University and Professor of Finance. Previously, she was a member of the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Chairman and Commissioner of the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission.



                                      II-29
<PAGE>


      *E.K. Easton Ragsdale, Jr.: He is 48 and his principal occupation is
Senior Vice President of the Investment Manager. During the past five years he
has also served as Vice President of the Investment Manager.

      *Daniel J. Rice III: He is 48 and his principal occupation is currently,
and during the past five years has been, Senior Vice President of the Investment
Manager.

      Toby Rosenblatt: He is 62 and his principal occupations during the past
five years have been President of Founders Investments Ltd. and President of The
Glen Ellen Company, a private investment company.

      +Michael S. Scott Morton : He is 62 and his principal occupation during
the past five years has been Jay W. Forrester Professor of Management at Sloan
School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Scott Morton is
also a Director of Metropolitan Series Fund, Inc. (an investment company).

      *Thomas A. Shively: He is 46 and his principal occupation is currently,
and during the past five years has been, Executive Vice President of the
Investment Manager. Mr. Shively is also a Director of the Investment Manager.
Mr. Shively's other principal business affiliations include Director of State
Street Research Investment Services, Inc.

      *Tucker Walsh: He is 30 and his principal occupation is Vice President of
the Investment Manager. During the past five years he has also served as an
analyst for the Investment Manager and for Chilton Investment Partners and Cowen
Asset Management.

      *James M. Weiss: He is 53 and his principal occupation is Executive Vice
President and Director of the Investment Manager. During the past five years he
has also served as Senior Vice President of the Investment Manager and as
President and Chief Investment Officer of IDS Equity Advisors.

      *Elizabeth M. Westvold: She is 40 and her principal occupation is Senior
Vice President of the Investment Manager. During the past five years she has
also served as Vice President for the Investment Manager.

      *John T. Wilson: He is 36 and his principal occupation is Senior Vice
President of the Investment Manager. During the past five years he has also
served as a Vice President of the Investment Manager, as an analyst and
portfolio manager at Phoenix Home Life Mutual Insurance Company and as a Vice
President of Phoenix Investment Counsel Inc.

      *Kennard Woodworth, Jr.: He is 62 and his principal occupation is
currently, and during the past five years has been, Senior Vice President of the
Investment Manager.



                                      II-30
<PAGE>


      *Peter A. Zuger: He is 52. His principal occupation is Senior Vice
President of State Street Research & Management Company. During the past five
years he has also served as Vice President of American Century Investment
Management Company.

----------

*     These Trustees and/or Officers are deemed to be "interested persons" of
      the Trust under the 1940 Act because of their affiliations with the Fund's
      investment adviser.

+     Serves as a Director of Metropolitan Series Fund, Inc., which has an
      advisory relationship with the Investment Manager or its parent,
      Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.



                                      II-31
<PAGE>


        D.    Investment Advisory Services

      Under the provisions of each Trust's Master Trust Agreement and the laws
of Massachusetts, responsibility for the management and supervision of the Fund
rests with the Trustees.

      State Street Research & Management Company, the Investment Manager, a
Delaware corporation, with offices at One Financial Center, Boston,
Massachusetts 02111-2690, acts as investment adviser to the Fund. The Investment
Manager was founded by Paul Cabot, Richard Saltonstall and Richard Paine to
serve as investment adviser to one of the nation's first mutual funds, presently
known as State Street Research Investment Trust, which they had formed in 1924.
Their investment management philosophy emphasized comprehensive fundamental
research and analysis, including meetings with the management of companies under
consideration for investment. The Investment Manager's portfolio management
group has extensive investment industry experience managing equity and debt
securities.

      The Investment Manager is charged with the overall responsibility for
managing the investments and business affairs of each Fund, subject to the
authority of the Board of Trustees. Each Advisory Agreement provides that the
Investment Manager shall furnish the applicable Funds with an investment
program, office facilities and such investment advisory, research and
administrative services as may be required from time to time. The Investment
Manager compensates all executive and clerical personnel and Trustees of each
Trust if such persons are employees of the Investment Manager or its affiliates.
The Investment Manager is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of MetLife.

      Each Advisory Agreement provides that it shall continue in effect with
respect to a Fund for a period of two years after its initial effectiveness and
will continue from year to year thereafter as long as it is approved at least
annually both (i) by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) or by the Trustees of the Trust, and
(ii) in either event by a vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties
to the Advisory Agreement or "interested persons" of any party thereto, cast in
person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The
Advisory Agreement may be terminated on 60 days' written notice by either party
and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, as defined
under the 1940 Act and regulations thereunder. Such regulations provide that a
transaction which does not result in a change of actual control or management of
an adviser is not deemed an assignment.

      Information about rates at which fees are calculated under the Advisory
Agreement with respect to the Funds identified on the cover page of the
Statement of Additional Information, as well as the fees paid to the Investment
Manager in previous years, if applicable, is included in Section I of this
Statement of Additional Information.

      The Fund, the Investment Manager, and the Distributor have adopted a Code
of Ethics pursuant to the requirement of the 1940 Act. Under the Code of Ethics,
personnel are only



                                      II-32
<PAGE>


permitted to engage in personal securities transactions in accordance with
certain conditions relating to such person's position, the identity of the
security, the timing of the transaction, and similar factors. Transactions in
securities that may be held by the Fund are permitted, subject to compliance
with applicable provisions of the Code. Personal securities transactions must be
reported quarterly and broker confirmations of such transactions must be
provided for review.

      E.    Purchase and Redemption of Shares

      Shares of each Fund are distributed by State Street Research Investment
Services, Inc., the Distributor. Class A, Class B(1), Class B, Class C and Class
S shares of the Fund may be purchased at the next determined net asset value per
share plus, in the case of all classes except Class S shares, a sales charge
which, at the election of the investor, may be imposed (i) at the time of
purchase (the Class A shares) or (ii) on a deferred basis (the Class B(1), Class
B and Class C shares). Class B shares are available only to current Class B
shareholders through reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions
or through exchanges from existing Class B accounts of the State Street Research
Funds. General information on how to buy shares of the Fund, as well as sales
charges involved, are set forth under "Your Investment" in the Prospectus. The
following supplements that information.

      Public Offering Price. The public offering price for each class of shares
is based on their net asset value determined as of the close of regular trading
on the NYSE, but not later than 4 p.m. eastern time, on the day the purchase
order is received by State Street Research Service Center (the "Service
Center"), provided that the order is received prior to the close of regular
trading on the NYSE on that day; otherwise the net asset value used is that
determined as of the close of the NYSE on the next day it is open for
unrestricted trading. When a purchase order is placed through a broker-dealer,
that broker-dealer is responsible for transmitting the order promptly to the
Service Center in order to permit the investor to obtain the current price. Any
loss suffered by an investor which results from a broker-dealer's failure to
transmit an order promptly is a matter for settlement between the investor and
the broker-dealer. Under certain pre-established operational arrangements, the
price may be determined as of the time the order is received by the
broker-dealer or its designee.

      Alternative Purchase Program. Alternative classes of shares permit
investors to select a purchase program which they believe will be the most
advantageous for them, given the amount of their purchase, the length of time
they anticipate holding Fund shares, or the flexibility they desire in this
regard, and other relevant circumstances. Investors will be able to determine
whether in their particular circumstances it is more advantageous to incur an
initial sales charge and not be subject to certain ongoing charges or to have
their entire purchase price invested in the Fund with the investment being
subject thereafter to ongoing service fees and distribution fees.



                                      II-33
<PAGE>


      As described in greater detail below, financial professionals are paid
differing amounts of compensation depending on which class of shares they sell.



                                      II-34
<PAGE>


        The major differences among the various classes of shares are as
follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     Class A         Class B(1)        Class B         Class C        Class S
                     -------         ----------        -------         -------        -------

<S>                  <C>             <C>               <C>             <C>            <C>
Sales Charges Paid   Initial sales   Contingent        Contingent      Contingent     None
by Investor to       charge at       deferred sales    deferred        deferred
Distributor          time of         charge of 5% to   sales charge    sales charge
                     investment of   1% applies to     of 5% to 2%     of 1%
                     up to 5.75%*    any shares        applies to      applies to
                     depending on    redeemed within   any shares      any shares
                     amount of       first six years   redeemed        redeemed
                     investment      following their   within first    within one
                                     purchase; no      five years      year
                                     contingent        following       following
                                     deferred sales    their           their
                                     charge after      purchase; no    purchase
                                     six years         contingent
                                                       deferred
                                                       sales charge
                                                       after five
                                                       years

                     On investments
                     of $1 million
                     or more, no
                     initial sales
                     charge; but
                     contingent
                     deferred sales
                     charge of up
                     to 1% may
                     apply to any
                     shares
                     redeemed
                     within one
                     year following
                     their purchase

Initial Commission   Above           4%                4%              1%             None
Paid by              described
Distributor to       initial sales
Financial            charge less
Professional         0.25% to
                     0.75%
                     retained by
                     distributor

                     On
                     investments
                     of $1 million
                     or more,
                     0.25% to 1%
                     paid to
                     dealer by
                     Distributor

Rule 12b-1 Service
Fee

    Paid by Fund     0.25% each      0.25% each year   0.25% each      0.25% each     None
    to Distributor   year                              year            year

    Paid by          0.25% each      0.25% each year   0.25% each      0.25% each     None
    Distributor to   year            commencing        year            year
    Financial                        after one year    commencing      commencing
    Professional                     following         after one       after one
                                     purchase          year            year
                                                       following       following
                                                       purchase        purchase

Rule 12b-1
Distribution Fee

    Paid by Fund     Up to 0.15%     0.75% for first   0.75% for       0.75% each     None
    to Distributor   each year       eight years;      first eight     year
                                     Class B(1)        years; Class
                                     shares convert    B shares
                                     automatically     convert
                                     to Class A        automatically
                                     shares after      to Class A
                                     eight years       shares after
                                                       eight years

    Paid by          Up to 0.15%     None              None            0.75% each     None
    Distributor to   each year                                         year
    Financial                                                          commencing
    Professional                                                       after one
                                                                       year
                                                                       following
                                                                       purchase
</TABLE>

----------
* or up to 4.50% for State Street Research Government Income Fund, State Street
  Research High Income Fund, State Street Research Strategic Income Fund, State
  Street Research Tax-Exempt Fund and State Street Research New York Tax Free
  Fund.



                                      II-35
<PAGE>


      Class A Shares--Reduced Sales Charges. The reduced sales charges set forth
under "Your Investment--Choosing a Share Class" in the Prospectus apply to
purchases made at any one time by any "person," which includes: (i) an
individual, or an individual combining with his or her spouse and their children
and purchasing for his, her or their own account; (ii) a "company" as defined in
Section 2(a)(8) of the 1940 Act; (iii) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing
for a single trust estate or single fiduciary account (including a pension,
profit sharing or other employee benefit trust created pursuant to a plan
qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code); (iv) a tax-exempt
organization under Section 501(c)(3) or (13) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
(v) an employee benefit plan of a single employer or of affiliated employers.

      Investors may purchase Class A shares of the Fund at reduced sales charges
by executing a Letter of Intent to purchase no less than an aggregate of
$100,000 of the Fund or any combination of Class A shares of "Eligible Funds"
(which include the Fund and other funds as designated by the Distributor from
time to time) within a 13-month period. The sales charge applicable to each
purchase made pursuant to a Letter of Intent will be that which would apply if
the total dollar amount set forth in the Letter of Intent were being bought in a
single transaction. Purchases made within a 90-day period prior to the execution
of a Letter of Intent may be included therein; in such case the date of the
earliest of such purchases marks the commencement of the 13-month period.

      An investor may include toward completion of a Letter of Intent the value
(at the current public offering price) of all of his or her Class A shares of
the Fund and of any of the other Class A shares of Eligible Funds held of record
as of the date of his or her Letter of Intent, plus the value (at the current
offering price) as of such date of all of such shares held by any "person"
described herein as eligible to join with the investor in a single purchase.
Class B(1), Class B, Class C and Class S shares may also be included in the
combination under certain circumstances.

      A Letter of Intent does not bind the investor to purchase the specified
amount. Shares equivalent to 5% of the specified amount will, however, be taken
from the initial purchase (or, if necessary, subsequent purchases) and held in
escrow in the investor's account as collateral against the higher sales charge
which would apply if the total purchase is not completed within the allotted
time. The escrowed shares will be released when the Letter of Intent is
completed or, if it is not completed, when the balance of the higher sales
charge is, upon notice, remitted by the investor. All dividends and capital
gains distributions with respect to the escrowed shares will be credited to the
investor's account.

      Investors may purchase Class A shares of the Fund or a combination of
Eligible Funds at reduced sales charges pursuant to a Right of Accumulation. The
applicable sales charge under the right is determined on the amount arrived at
by combining the dollar amount of the purchase with the value (at the current
public offering price) of all Class A shares of the other Eligible Funds owned
as of the purchase date by the investor plus the value (at the current public
offering price) of all such shares owned as of such date by any "person"
described



                                      II-36
<PAGE>


herein as eligible to join with the investor in a single purchase. Class B(1),
Class B, Class C and Class S shares may also be included in the combination
under certain circumstances. Investors must submit to the Distributor sufficient
information to show that they qualify for this Right of Accumulation.

      Other Programs Related to Class A Shares. Class A shares of the Fund may
be sold, or issued in an exchange, at a reduced sales charge or without a sales
charge pursuant to certain sponsored arrangements for designated classes of
investors. These arrangements include programs sponsored by the Distributor or
others under which, for example, a company, employee benefit plan or other
organization makes recommendations to, or permits group solicitation of, its
employees, members or participants to purchase Fund shares. (These arrangements
are not available to any organization created primarily for the purpose of
obtaining shares of the Fund at a reduced sales charge or without a sales
charge.) Sponsored arrangements may be established for non-profit organizations,
holders of individual retirement accounts or participants in limited promotional
campaigns, such as a special offering to shareholders of funds in other
complexes that may be liquidating. Sales without a sales charge, or with a
reduced sales charge, may also be made through brokers, registered investment
advisers, financial planners, institutions, and others, under managed fee-based
programs (e.g., "wrap fee" or similar programs) which meet certain requirements
established by the Distributor. Information on such arrangements and further
conditions and limitations is available from the Distributor.

      The entire sales charge on Class A shares may be reallowed to financial
professionals who sell shares during certain special promotional periods which
may be instituted from time to time. The Fund reserves the right to have such
promotions without further supplement to the Prospectus or Statement of
Additional Information. The financial professionals who receive the entire sales
charge may be deemed to be underwriters of the Fund's shares under the
Securities Act of 1933 during such promotions.

      In addition, no sales charge is imposed in connection with the sale of
Class A shares of the Fund to the following entities and persons: (A) the
Investment Manager, Distributor or any affiliated entities, including any direct
or indirect parent companies and other subsidiaries of such parents
(collectively "Affiliated Companies"); (B) employees, officers, sales
representatives or current or retired directors or trustees of the Affiliated
Companies or any investment company managed by any of the Affiliated Companies,
any relatives of any such individuals whose relationship is directly verified by
such individuals to the Distributor, or any beneficial account for such
relatives or individuals; (C) employees, officers, sales representatives or
directors of dealers and other entities with a selling agreement with the
Distributor to sell shares of any aforementioned investment company, any spouse
or child of such person, or any beneficial account for any of them; and (D)
others who because of their business relationship with the Fund, the Distributor
or its affiliates, and because of their knowledge of the Fund, do not require
any significant sales effort or expense to educate them about the Fund. The
purchase must be made for investment and the shares purchased may not be resold
except through redemption. This purchase program is subject to such


                                     II-37
<PAGE>


administrative policies, regarding the qualification of purchasers, minimum
investments by various groups and any other matters, as may be adopted by the
Distributor from time to time.

      Conversion of Class B(1) and Class B Shares to Class A Shares. A
shareholder's Class B(1) and Class B shares of the Fund, including all shares
received as dividends or distributions with respect to such shares, will
automatically convert to Class A shares of the Fund at the end of eight years
following the issuance of such Class B shares; consequently, they will no longer
be subject to the higher expenses borne by Class B(1) and Class B shares. The
conversion rate will be determined on the basis of the relative per share net
asset values of the two classes and may result in a shareholder receiving either
a greater or fewer number of Class A shares than the Class B shares so
converted. As noted above, holding periods for Class B(1) shares received in
exchange for Class B(1) shares of other Eligible Funds and for Class B shares
received in exchange for Class B shares of other Eligible Funds, will be counted
toward the eight-year period.

      Contingent Deferred Sales Charges. The amount of any contingent deferred
sales charge paid on Class A shares (on sales of $1 million or more and which do
not involve an initial sales charge) or on Class B(1), Class B or Class C shares
of the Fund will be paid to the Distributor. The Distributor will pay dealers at
the time of sale a 4% commission for selling Class B(1) and Class B shares and a
1% commission for selling Class C shares. In certain cases, a dealer may elect
to waive the 4% commission on Class B(1) and Class B shares and receive in lieu
thereof an annual fee, usually 1%, with respect to such outstanding shares. The
proceeds of the contingent deferred sales charges and the distribution fees are
used to offset distribution expenses and thereby permit the sale of Class B(1),
Class B and Class C shares without an initial sales charge.

      In determining the applicability and rate of any contingent deferred sales
charge of Class B(1), Class B or Class C shares, it will be assumed that a
redemption of the shares is made first of those shares having the greatest
capital appreciation, next of shares representing reinvestment of dividends and
capital gains distributions and finally of remaining shares held by shareholder
for the longest period of time. Class B(1) shares that are redeemed within a
six-year period after purchase, Class B shares that are redeemed within a
five-year period after their purchase, and Class C shares that are redeemed
within a one-year period after their purchase, will not be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge to the extent that the value of such shares
represents (1) capital appreciation of Fund assets or (2) reinvestment of
dividends or capital gains distributions. The holding period for purposes of
applying a contingent deferred sales charge for a particular class of shares of
the Fund acquired through an exchange from another Eligible Fund will be
measured from the date that such shares were initially acquired in the other
Eligible Fund, and shares of the same class being redeemed will be considered to
represent, as applicable, capital appreciation or dividend and capital gains
distribution reinvestments in such other Eligible Fund. These determinations
will result in any contingent deferred sales charge being imposed at the lowest
possible rate. For federal



                                      II-38
<PAGE>


income tax purposes, the amount of the contingent deferred sales charge will
reduce the gain or increase the loss, as the case may be, on the amount realized
on redemption.

      Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waivers. With respect to Class A shares
(on sales of $1 million or more and which do not involve an initial sales
charge), and Class B(1), Class B and Class C shares of the Fund, the contingent
deferred sales charge does not apply to exchanges or to redemptions under a
systematic withdrawal plan which meets certain conditions. The contingent
deferred sales charge will be waived for participant initiated distributions
from State Street Research prototype employee retirement plans. In addition, the
contingent deferred sales charge will be waived for: (i) redemptions made within
one year of the death or total disability, as defined by the Social Security
Administration, of all shareholders of an account; (ii) redemptions made after
attainment of a specific age in an amount which represents the minimum
distribution required at such age under Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, for retirement accounts or plans (e.g., age 70
1/2 for Individual Retirement Accounts and Section 403(b) plans), calculated
solely on the basis of assets invested in the Fund or other Eligible Funds; and
(iii) a redemption resulting from a tax-free return of an excess contribution to
an Individual Retirement Account. (The foregoing waivers do not apply to a
tax-free rollover or transfer of assets out of the Fund). The Fund may waive the
contingent deferred sales charge on any class, or modify or terminate any
waivers, at any time. The Fund may limit the application of multiple waivers and
establish other conditions for employee benefit plans. Certain employee benefit
plans sponsored by a financial professional may be subject to other conditions
for waivers under which the plans may initially invest in Class B(1) or Class B
shares and then Class A shares of certain funds upon meeting specific criteria.
No contingent deferred sales charges apply to shares held by MetLife, the
Investment Manager or the Distributor.

      Class S Shares. Class S shares are currently available to certain employee
benefit plans such as qualified retirement plans which meet criteria relating to
number of participants, service arrangements, or similar factors; insurance
companies; investment companies; advisory accounts of the Investment Manager;
endowment funds of nonprofit organizations with substantial minimum assets
(currently a minimum of $10 million); and other similar institutional investors.
Class S shares may be acquired through programs or products sponsored by
MetLife, its affiliates, or both for which Class S shares have been designated.
In addition, Class S shares are available through programs under which, for
example, investors pay an asset-based fee and/or a transaction fee to
intermediaries. Class S share availability is determined by the Distributor and
intermediaries based on the overall direct and indirect costs of a particular
program, expected assets, account sizes and similar considerations. For
information on different conditions that may apply to certain Funds, see Section
I for the relevant Fund.

      In the discretion of the Distributor, Class S shares may be made available
to (a) current and former employees, officers and directors of the Investment
Manager and Distributor; (b) current and former directors or trustees of the
investment companies for



                                      II-39
<PAGE>


which the Investment Manager serves as the primary investment adviser; and (c)
relatives of any such individuals, provided that the relationship is directly
verified by such individuals to the Distributor, and any beneficial account for
such relatives or individuals. Class A shares acquired by such individuals and
relatives may, in the discretion of the Distributor, be converted into Class S
shares. This purchase program is subject to such administrative policies,
regarding the qualification of purchasers and any other matters, as may be
adopted by the Distributor from time to time.

      Reorganizations. In the event of mergers or reorganizations with other
public or private collective investment entities, including investment companies
as defined in the 1940 Act, the Fund may issue its shares at net asset value (or
more) to such entities or to their security holders.

      In-Kind Purchase Option. In the discretion of the Investment Manager,
shares of the Fund may be offered for purchase partly or entirely in exchange
for securities. This option is available only in very limited circumstances. The
Investment Manager will not approve the acceptance of any securities in exchange
for Fund shares unless it believes the securities are appropriate investments
for the Fund.

      Redemptions. The Fund reserves the right to pay redemptions in kind with
portfolio securities in lieu of cash. In accordance with its election pursuant
to Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund may limit the amount of redemption
proceeds paid in cash. Although it has no present intention to do so, the Fund
may, under unusual circumstances, limit redemptions in cash with respect to each
shareholder during any ninety-day period to the lesser of (i) $250,000 or (ii)
1% of the net asset value of the Fund at the beginning of such period. In
connection with any redemptions paid in kind with portfolio securities,
brokerage and other costs may be incurred by the redeeming shareholder in the
sale of the securities received.

      Systematic Withdrawal Plan. A shareholder who owns noncertificated Class A
or Class S shares with a value of $5,000 or more, or Class B(1), Class B or
Class C shares with a value of $10,000 or more, may elect, by participating in
the Fund's Systematic Withdrawal Plan, to have periodic checks issued for
specified amounts. These amounts may not be less than certain minimums,
depending on the class of shares held. The Plan provides that all income
dividends and capital gains distributions of the Fund shall be credited to
participating shareholders in additional shares of the Fund. Thus, the
withdrawal amounts paid can only be realized by redeeming shares of the Fund
under the Plan. To the extent such amounts paid exceed dividends and
distributions from the Fund, a shareholder's investment will decrease and may
eventually be exhausted.

      In the case of shares otherwise subject to contingent deferred sales
charges, no such charges will be imposed on withdrawals of up to 12% annually
(minimum $50 per withdrawal) of either (a) the value, at the time the Systematic
Withdrawal Plan is initiated, of the shares then in the account or (b) the
value, at the time of a withdrawal, of the same



                                      II-40
<PAGE>


number of shares as in the account when the Systematic Withdrawal Plan was
initiated, whichever is higher.

      Expenses of the Systematic Withdrawal Plan are borne by the Fund. A
participating shareholder may withdraw from the Systematic Withdrawal Plan, and
the Fund may terminate the Systematic Withdrawal Plan at any time on written
notice. Purchase of additional shares while a shareholder is receiving payments
under a Systematic Withdrawal Plan is ordinarily disadvantageous because of
duplicative sales charges. For this reason, a shareholder may not participate in
the Investamatic Program (see "Your Investment--Investor Services--Investamatic
Program" in the Fund's Prospectus) and the Systematic Withdrawal Plan at the
same time.

      Request to Dealer to Repurchase. For the convenience of shareholders, the
Fund has authorized the Distributor as its agent to accept orders from
broker-dealers by wire or telephone for the repurchase of shares by the
Distributor from the broker-dealer. The Fund may revoke or suspend this
authorization at any time. The repurchase price is the net asset value for the
applicable shares next determined following the time at which the shares are
offered for repurchase by the broker-dealer to the Distributor. The
broker-dealer is responsible for promptly transmitting a shareholder's order to
the Distributor. Under certain pre-established operational arrangements, the
price may be determined as of the time the order is received by the
broker-dealer or its designee.

      Signature Guarantees. Signature guarantees are required for, among other
things: (1) written requests for redemptions for more than $100,000; (2) written
requests for redemptions for any amount if the proceeds are transmitted to other
than the current address of record (unchanged in the past 30 days); (3) written
requests for redemptions for any amount submitted by corporations and certain
fiduciaries and other intermediaries; (4) requests to transfer the registration
of shares to another owner; and (5) if checkwriting is available for the
account, authorizations to establish the checkwriting privilege. Signatures must
be guaranteed by a bank, a member firm of a national stock exchange, or other
eligible guarantor institution. The Transfer Agent will not accept guarantees
(or notarizations) from notaries public. The above requirements may be waived in
certain instances.

      Dishonored Checks. If a purchaser's check is not honored for its full
amount, the purchaser could be subject to additional charges to cover collection
costs and any investment loss, and the purchase may be canceled.

      Processing Charges. Purchases and redemptions processed through securities
dealers may be subject to processing charges imposed by the securities dealer in
addition to sales charges that may be imposed by the Fund or the Distributor.



                                      II-41
<PAGE>


      F.    Shareholder Accounts

      General information on shareholder accounts is included in the Fund's
Prospectus under "Your Investment." The following supplements that information.

      Maintenance Fees and Involuntary Redemption. Because of the relatively
high cost of maintaining small shareholder accounts, the Fund reserves the right
to redeem at its option any shareholder account which remains below $1,500 for a
period of 60 days after notice is mailed to the applicable shareholder, or to
impose a maintenance fee on such account after 60 days' notice. Such
involuntarily redemptions will be subject to applicable sales charges, if any.
The Fund may increase such minimum account value above such amount in the future
after notice to affected shareholders. Involuntarily redeemed shares will be
priced at the net asset value on the date fixed for redemption by the Fund, and
the proceeds of the redemption will be mailed to the affected shareholder at the
address of record. Currently, the maintenance fee is $18 annually, which is paid
to the Transfer Agent. The fee does not apply to certain retirement accounts or
if the shareholder has more than an aggregate $50,000 invested in the Fund and
other Eligible Funds combined. Imposition of a maintenance fee on a small
account could, over time, exhaust the assets of such account.

      To cover the cost of additional compliance administration, a $20 fee will
be charged against any shareholder account that has been determined to be
subject to escheat under applicable state laws.

      The Fund may not suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of
payment of redemption proceeds for more than seven days, except that (a) it may
elect to suspend the redemption of shares or postpone the date of payment of
redemption proceeds: (1) during any period that the NYSE is closed (other than
customary weekend and holiday closings) or trading on the NYSE is restricted;
(2) during any period in which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal
of portfolio securities is not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably
practicable to fairly determine the Fund's net asset values; or (3) during such
other periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") may by order
permit for the protection of investors; and (b) the payment of redemption
proceeds may be postponed as otherwise provided under "Purchase and Redemption
of Shares" in this Statement of Additional Information.

      The Open Account System. Under the Open Account System full and fractional
shares of the Fund owned by shareholders are credited to their accounts by the
Transfer Agent, State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street,
Boston, Massachusetts 02110. Share certificates will not be issued. Shareholders
will receive periodic statements of transactions in their accounts.



                                      II-42
<PAGE>


      The   Fund's Open Account System provides the following options:

      1.    Additional purchases of shares of the Fund may be made through
            dealers, by wire or by mailing a check payable to "State Street
            Research Funds" under the terms set forth above under "Purchase and
            Redemption of Shares" in this Statement of Additional Information.

      2.    The following methods of receiving dividends from investment income
            and distributions from capital gains generally are available:

            (a)   All income dividends and capital gains distributions
                  reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.

            (b)   All income dividends and capital gains distributions in cash.

            (c)   All income dividends and capital gains distributions invested
                  in any one available Eligible Fund designated by the
                  shareholder as described below. See "--Dividend Allocation
                  Plan" herein.

      Dividend and distribution selections should be made on the Application
accompanying the initial investment. If no selection is indicated on the
Application, that account will be automatically coded for reinvestment of all
dividends and distributions in additional shares of the same class of the Fund.
Selections may be changed at any time by telephone or written notice to the
Service Center. Dividends and distributions are reinvested at net asset value
without a sales charge.

      Exchange Privileges. Shareholders of the Fund may exchange their shares
for available shares with corresponding characteristics of any of the other
Eligible Funds on the basis of the relative net asset values of the respective
shares to be exchanged, and subject to compliance with applicable securities
laws. Shareholders of any other Eligible Fund may similarly exchange their
shares for Fund shares with corresponding characteristics. Prior to making an
exchange, shareholders should obtain the Prospectus of the Eligible Fund into
which they are exchanging. Under the Direct Program, subject to certain
conditions, shareholders may make arrangements for regular exchanges from the
Fund into other Eligible Funds. To effect an exchange, Class A, Class B(1),
Class B and Class C shares may be redeemed without the payment of any contingent
deferred sales charge that might otherwise be due upon an ordinary redemption of
such shares. The State Street Research Money Market Fund issues Class E shares
which are sold without any sales charge. Exchanges of State Street Research
Money Market Fund Class E shares into Class A shares of the Fund or any other
Eligible Fund are subject to the initial sales charge or contingent deferred
sales charge applicable to an initial investment in such Class A shares, unless
a prior Class A sales charge has been paid directly or indirectly with respect
to the shares redeemed. Class A shares acquired through a new investment after
January 1, 1999, are subject to an incremental sales charge if exchanged within
30 days of acquisition for Class A shares of a Fund with a



                                      II-43
<PAGE>


higher applicable sales charge. For purposes of computing the contingent
deferred sales charge that may be payable upon disposition of any acquired Class
A, Class B(1), Class B and Class C shares, the holding period of the redeemed
shares is "tacked" to the holding period of any acquired shares. No exchange
transaction fee is currently imposed on any exchange.

      Shares of the Fund may also be acquired or redeemed in exchange for shares
of the Summit Cash Reserves Fund ("Summit Cash Reserves") by customers of
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (subject to completion of
steps necessary to implement the program). The Fund and Summit Cash Reserves are
related mutual funds for purposes of investment and investor services. Upon the
acquisition of shares of Summit Cash Reserves by exchange for redeemed shares of
the Fund, (a) no sales charge is imposed by Summit Cash Reserves, (b) no
contingent deferred sales charge is imposed by the Fund on the Fund shares
redeemed, and (c) any applicable holding period of the Fund shares redeemed is
"tolled," that is, the holding period clock stops running pending further
transactions. Upon the acquisition of shares of the Fund by exchange for
redeemed shares of Summit Cash Reserves, (a) the acquisition of Class A shares
shall be subject to the initial sales charges or contingent deferred sales
charges applicable to an initial investment in such Class A shares, unless a
prior Class A sales charge has been paid indirectly, and (b) the acquisition of
Class B(1), Class B or Class C shares of the Fund shall restart any holding
period previously tolled, or shall be subject to the contingent deferred sales
charge applicable to an initial investment in such shares.

      The exchange privilege may be terminated or suspended or its terms changed
at any time, subject, if required under applicable regulations, to 60 days'
prior notice. New accounts established for investments upon exchange from an
existing account in another fund will have the same telephone privileges with
respect to the Fund (see "Your Investment--Account Policies--Telephone Requests"
in the Fund's Prospectus and "--Telephone Privileges," below) as the existing
account unless the Service Center is instructed otherwise. Related
administrative policies and procedures may also be adopted with regard to a
series of exchanges, street name accounts, sponsored arrangements and other
matters.

      The exchange privilege is not designed for use in connection with
short-term trading or market timing strategies. To protect the interests of
shareholders, the Fund reserves the right to temporarily or permanently
terminate the exchange privilege for any person who makes more than six
exchanges out of or into the Fund per calendar year. Accounts under common
ownership or control, including accounts with the same taxpayer identification
number, may be aggregated for purposes of the six exchange limit.
Notwithstanding the six exchange limit, the Fund reserves the right to refuse
exchanges by any person or group if, in the Investment Manager's judgment, the
Fund would be unable to invest effectively in accordance with its investment
objective and policies, or would otherwise potentially be adversely affected.
Exchanges may be restricted or refused if the Fund receives or anticipates
simultaneous orders affecting significant portions of the Fund's assets. In
particular, a pattern of exchanges that coincides with a "market timing"
strategy may be



                                      II-44
<PAGE>


disruptive to the Fund. The Fund may impose these restrictions at any time. The
exchange limit may be modified for accounts in certain institutional retirement
plans because of plan exchange limits, Department of Labor regulations or
administrative and other considerations. The exchange limit may also be modified
under certain exchange arrangements for selected brokers with substantial asset
allocation programs. Subject to the foregoing, if an exchange request in good
order is received by the Service Center and delivered by the Service Center to
the Transfer Agent by 12 noon Boston time on any business day, the exchange
usually will occur that day. For further information regarding the exchange
privilege, shareholders should contact the Service Center.

      Reinvestment Privilege. A shareholder of the Fund who has redeemed shares
or had shares repurchased at his or her request may reinvest all or any portion
of the proceeds (plus that amount necessary to acquire a fractional share to
round off his or her reinvestment to full shares) in shares, of the same class
as the shares redeemed, of the Fund or any other Eligible Fund at net asset
value and without subjecting the reinvestment to an initial sales charge,
provided such reinvestment is made within 120 calendar days after a redemption
or repurchase. Upon such reinvestment, the shareholder will be credited with any
contingent deferred sales charge previously charged with respect to the amount
reinvested. The redemption of shares is, for federal income tax purposes, a sale
on which the shareholder may realize a gain or loss. If a redemption at a loss
is followed by a reinvestment within 30 days, the transaction may be a "wash
sale" resulting in a denial of the loss for federal income tax purposes.

      Any reinvestment pursuant to the reinvestment privilege will be subject to
any applicable minimum account standards imposed by the fund into which the
reinvestment is made. Shares are sold to a reinvesting shareholder at the net
asset value thereof next determined following timely receipt by the Service
Center of such shareholder's written purchase request and delivery of the
request by the Service Center to the Transfer Agent. A shareholder may exercise
this reinvestment privilege only once per 12-month period with respect to his or
her shares of the Fund.

      Dividend Allocation Plan. The Dividend Allocation Plan allows shareholders
to elect to have all their dividends and any other distributions from the Fund
or any Eligible Fund automatically invested at net asset value in one other such
Eligible Fund designated by the shareholder, provided the account into which the
dividends and distributions are directed is initially funded with the requisite
minimum amount.



                                      II-45
<PAGE>


      Telephone and Internet Privileges. The following privileges are available:

      o     Telephone Exchange Privilege for Shareholder and Shareholder's
            Financial Professional
            o     Shareholders automatically receive this privilege unless
                  declined.
            o     This privilege allows a shareholder or a shareholder's
                  financial professional to request exchanges into other State
                  Street Research funds.

      o     Telephone Redemption Privilege for Shareholder
            o     Shareholders automatically receive this privilege unless
                  declined.
            o     This privilege allows a shareholder to phone requests to sell
                  shares, with the proceeds sent to the address of record.

      o     Telephone Redemption Privilege for Shareholder's Financial
            Professional
            o     Shareholders automatically receive this privilege unless
                  declined.
            o     This privilege allows a shareholder's financial professional
                  to phone requests to sell shares, with the proceeds sent to
                  the address of record on the account.

      o     Internet Privilege for Shareholder
            o     Shareholders may access the Fund's Web site to enter
                  transactions and for other purposes, subject to acceptance of
                  the important conditions set forth on the Web site.

      A shareholder with the above privileges is deemed to authorize the Fund's
agents to: (1) act upon the telephone instructions of any person purporting to
be any of the shareholders of an account or a shareholder's financial
professional; (2) act upon the Internet instructions of any person purporting to
be any of the shareholders of an account; and (3) honor any telephone or
Internet instructions for a change of address. All telephone calls will be
recorded. Neither the Fund, any other State Street Research Fund, the Investment
Manager, the Distributor, nor any of their agents will be liable for any loss,
expense or cost arising out of any request, including any fraudulent or
unauthorized requests. Shareholders assume the risk to the full extent of their
accounts that telephone or Internet requests may be unauthorized. Reasonable
procedures will be followed to confirm that instructions communicated by
telephone or Internet are genuine. The shareholder will not be liable for any
losses arising from unauthorized or fraudulent instructions if such procedures
are not followed.

      Alternative Means of Contacting a Fund. It is unlikely, during periods of
extraordinary market conditions, that a shareholder may have difficulty in
reaching the Service Center. In that event, however, the shareholder should
contact the Service Center at 1-800-562-0032, 1-617-357-7800 or otherwise at its
main office at One Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111-2690.



                                      II-46
<PAGE>


      G.    Net Asset Value

      The net asset value of the shares of each Fund is determined once daily as
of the close of regular trading on the NYSE, but not later than 4 P.M. eastern
time, Monday through Friday, on each day during which the NYSE is open for
unrestricted trading. The NYSE is currently closed on New Year's Day, Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence
Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

      The net asset value per share of each Fund is computed by dividing the sum
of the value of the securities held by the Fund plus any cash or other assets
minus all liabilities by the total number of outstanding shares of the Fund at
such time. Any expenses, except for extraordinary or nonrecurring expenses,
borne by the Fund, including the investment management fee payable to the
Investment Manager, are accrued daily.

      In determining the values of portfolio assets as provided below, the
Trustees utilize one or more pricing services in lieu of market quotations for
certain securities which are not readily available on a daily basis. Such
services utilize information with respect to market transactions, quotations
from dealers and various relationships among securities in determining value and
may provide prices determined as of times prior to the close of the NYSE.

      In general, securities are valued as follows. Securities which are listed
or traded on the New York or American Stock Exchange are valued at the price of
the last quoted sale on the respective exchange for that day. Securities which
are listed or traded on a national securities exchange or exchanges, but not on
the New York or American Stock Exchange, are valued at the price of the last
quoted sale on the exchange for that day prior to the close of the NYSE.
Securities not listed on any national securities exchange which are traded "over
the counter" and for which quotations are available on the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc.'s (the "NASD") NASDAQ System are valued at the
closing price supplied through such system for that day at the close of the
NYSE. Other securities are, in general, valued at the mean of the bid and asked
quotations last quoted prior to the close of the NYSE if there are market
quotations readily available, or in the absence of such market quotations, then
at the fair value thereof as determined by or under authority of the Trustees of
the Trust with the use of such pricing services as may be deemed appropriate or
methodologies authorized by the Trustees. The Trustees also reserve the right to
adopt other valuations based on fair value in pricing in unusual circumstances
where use of other methods as discussed in part above, could otherwise have a
material adverse effect on the Fund as a whole.

      The Trustees have authorized the use of the amortized cost method to value
short-term debt instruments issued with a maturity of one year or less and
having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less when the value obtained is fair
value, provided that during any period in



                                      II-47
<PAGE>


which more than 25% of the Fund's total assets is invested in short-term debt
securities the current market value of such securities will be used in
calculating net asset value per share in lieu of the amortized cost method.
Under the amortized cost method of valuation, the security is initially valued
at cost on the date of purchase (or in the case of short-term debt instruments
purchased with more than 60 days remaining to maturity, the market value on the
61st day prior to maturity), and thereafter a constant amortization to maturity
of any discount or premium is assumed regardless of the impact of fluctuating
interest rates on the market value of the security.

      H.    Portfolio Transactions

      The Fund's portfolio turnover rate is determined by dividing the lesser of
securities purchases or sales for a year by the monthly average value of
securities held by the Fund (excluding, for purposes of this determination,
securities the maturities of which as of the time of their acquisition were one
year or less).

Brokerage Allocation

      The Investment Manager's policy is to seek for its clients, including the
Fund, what in the Investment Manager's judgment will be the best overall
execution of purchase or sale orders and the most favorable net prices in
securities transactions consistent with its judgment as to the business
qualifications of the various broker or dealer firms with whom the Investment
Manager may do business, and the Investment Manager may not necessarily choose
the broker offering the lowest available commission rate. Decisions with respect
to the market where the transaction is to be completed, to the form of
transaction (whether principal or agency), and to the allocation of orders among
brokers or dealers are made in accordance with this policy. In selecting brokers
or dealers to effect portfolio transactions, consideration is given to their
proven integrity and financial responsibility, their demonstrated execution
experience and capabilities both generally and with respect to particular
markets or securities, the competitiveness of their commission rates in agency
transactions (and their net prices in principal transactions), their willingness
to commit capital, and their clearance and settlement capability. The Investment
Manager makes every effort to keep informed of commission rate structures and
prevalent bid/ask spread characteristics of the markets and securities in which
transactions for the Fund occur. Against this background, the Investment Manager
evaluates the reasonableness of a commission or a net price with respect to a
particular transaction by considering such factors as difficulty of execution or
security positioning by the executing firm. The Investment Manager may or may
not solicit competitive bids based on its judgment of the expected benefit or
harm to the execution process for that transaction.

      When it appears that a number of firms could satisfy the required
standards in respect of a particular transaction, consideration may also be
given by the Investment Manager to services other than execution services which
certain of such firms have provided in the past or may provide in the future.
Negotiated commission rates and prices, however, are based upon



                                      II-48
<PAGE>


the Investment Manager's judgment of the rate which reflects the execution
requirements of the transaction without regard to whether the broker provides
services in addition to execution. Among such other services are the supplying
of supplemental investment research; general economic, political and business
information; analytical and statistical data; relevant market information,
quotation equipment and services; reports and information about specific
companies, industries and securities; purchase and sale recommendations for
stocks and bonds; portfolio strategy services; historical statistical
information; market data services providing information on specific issues and
prices; financial publications; proxy voting data and analysis services;
technical analysis of various aspects of the securities markets, including
technical charts; computer hardware used for brokerage and research purposes;
computer software and databases (including those contained in certain trading
systems and used for portfolio analysis and modeling and also including software
providing investment personnel with efficient access to current and historical
data from a variety of internal and external sources) and portfolio evaluation
services and relative performance of accounts.

      In the case of the Fund and other registered investment companies advised
by the Investment Manager or its affiliates, the above services may include data
relating to performance, expenses and fees of those investment companies and
other investment companies. This information is used by the Trustees or
Directors of the investment companies to fulfill their responsibility to oversee
the quality of the Investment Manager's advisory contracts between the
investment companies and the Investment Manager. The Investment Manager
considers these investment company services only in connection with the
execution of transactions on behalf of its investment company clients and not
its other clients. Certain of the nonexecution services provided by
broker-dealers may in turn be obtained by the broker-dealers from third parties
who are paid for such services by the broker-dealers.

      The Investment Manager regularly reviews and evaluates the services
furnished by broker-dealers. The Investment Manager's investment management
personnel seek to evaluate the quality of the research and other services
provided by various broker-dealer firms, and the results of these efforts are
made available to the equity trading department, which uses this information as
consideration to the extent described above in the selection of brokers to
execute portfolio transactions.

      Some services furnished by broker-dealers may be used for research and
investment decision-making purposes, and also for marketing or administrative
purposes. Under these circumstances, the Investment Manager allocates the cost
of the services to determine the proportion which is allocable to research or
investment decision-making and the proportion allocable to other purposes. The
Investment Manager pays directly from its own funds for that portion allocable
to uses other than research or investment decision-making. Some research and
execution services may benefit the Investment Manager's clients as a whole,
while others may benefit a specific segment of clients. Not all such services
will necessarily be used exclusively in connection with the accounts which pay
the commissions to the broker-dealer providing the services.



                                      II-49
<PAGE>


      The Investment Manager has no fixed agreements or understandings with any
broker-dealer as to the amount of brokerage business which the firm may expect
to receive for services supplied to the Investment Manager or otherwise. There
may be, however, understandings with certain firms that in order for such firms
to be able to continuously supply certain services, they need to receive an
allocation of a specified amount of brokerage business. These understandings are
honored to the extent possible in accordance with the policies set forth above.

      It is not the Investment Manager's policy to intentionally pay a firm a
brokerage commission higher than that which another firm would charge for
handling the same transaction in recognition of services (other than execution
services) provided. However, the Investment Manager is aware that this is an
area where differences of opinion as to fact and circumstances may exist, and in
such circumstances, if any, the Investment Manager relies on the provisions of
Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

      In the case of the purchase of fixed income securities in underwriting
transactions, the Investment Manager follows any instructions received from its
clients as to the allocation of new issue discounts, selling commissions and
designations to brokers or dealers which provide the client with research,
performance evaluation, master trustee and other services. In the absence of
instructions from the client, the Investment Manager may make such allocations
to broker-dealers which have provided the Investment Manager with research and
brokerage services.

      In some instances, certain clients of the Investment Manager request it to
place all or part of the orders for their account with certain brokers or
dealers, which in some cases provide services to those clients. The Investment
Manager generally agrees to honor these requests to the extent practicable.
Clients may request that the Investment Manager only effect transactions with
the specified broker-dealers if the broker-dealers are competitive as to price
and execution. Where the request is not so conditioned, the Investment Manager
may be unable to negotiate commissions or obtain volume discounts or best
execution. In cases where the Investment Manager is requested to use a
particular broker-dealer, different commissions may be charged to clients making
the requests. A client who requests the use of a particular broker-dealer should
understand that it may lose the possible advantage which non-requesting clients
derive from aggregation of orders for several clients as a single transaction
for the purchase or sale of a particular security. Among other reasons why best
execution may not be achieved with directed brokerage is that, in an effort to
achieve orderly execution of transactions, execution of orders that have
designated particular brokers may, at the discretion of the trading desk, be
delayed until execution of other non-designated orders has been completed.

      When more than one client of the Investment Manager is seeking to buy or
sell the same security, the sale or purchase is carried out in a manner which is
considered fair and equitable to all accounts. In allocating investments among
various clients (including in what sequence orders for trades are placed), the
Investment Manager will use its best business



                                      II-50
<PAGE>


judgment and will take into account such factors as the investment objectives of
the clients, the amount of investment funds available to each, the size of the
order, the relative sizes of the accounts, the amount already committed for each
client to a specific investment and the relative risks of the investments, all
in order to provide on balance a fair and equitable result to each client over
time.

      In addition, when the Investment Manager is seeking to buy or sell the
same security on behalf of more than one client at approximately the same time,
the Investment Manager may follow the practice of grouping orders of various
clients for execution to get the benefit of lower prices or commission rates.
Although sharing large transactions may sometimes affect price or volume of
shares acquired or sold, the Investment Manager believes that grouping orders
generally provide an advantage in execution. Where an aggregate order is
executed in a series of transactions at various prices on a given day, each
participating account's proportionate share of such order will reflect the
average price paid or received with respect to the total order. The Investment
Manager may decide not to group orders, however, based on such factors as the
size of the account and the size of the trade. For example, the Investment
Manager may not aggregate trades where it believes that it is in the best
interest of clients not to do so, including situations where aggregation might
result in a large number of small transactions with consequent increased
custodial and other transactional costs which may disproportionately impact
smaller accounts. Such disaggregation, depending on the circumstances, may or
may not result in such accounts receiving more or less favorable overall
execution (including transactions costs) relative to other clients.

      The Investment Manager has developed certain internal policies governing
its short sale trading activities, including prior notification in certain
circumstances to portfolio managers of accounts holding long positions in the
same security. Generally, however, sales of long positions will take precedence
over short sales, regardless of the order in which the trade orders are
received.

      Subject to the policy of seeking best overall price and execution as
stated above, sales of shares of investment companies under the Investment
Manager's management may be considered by the Investment Manager in the
selection of broker or dealer firms to execute portfolio transactions for
investment companies under its management.



                                      II-51
<PAGE>


      I.    Certain Tax Matters

Federal Income Taxation of the Fund--In General

      The Fund intends to qualify and elects to be treated each taxable year as
a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), although it cannot give complete assurance
that it will qualify to do so. Accordingly, the Fund must, among other things,
(a) derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from dividends,
interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or
other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income
(including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward
contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock,
securities or currencies (the "90% test"); and (b) satisfy certain
diversification requirements on a quarterly basis.

      If in any year the Fund derives more than 10% of its gross income (as
defined in the Code, which disregards losses for that purpose) from investments
made directly in commodities, including precious metal investments, or
commodity-related options, futures or indices, the Fund in such year may fail to
qualify as a regulated investment company under the Code. The Investment Manager
intends to manage the Fund's portfolio so as to minimize the risk of such a
disqualification.

      If the Fund should fail to qualify as a regulated investment company in
any year, it would lose the beneficial tax treatment accorded regulated
investment companies under Subchapter M of the Code and all of its taxable
income would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction
for distributions to shareholders, and such distributions will be taxable to
shareholders as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund's current or
accumulated earnings and profits. Also, the shareholders, if they received a
distribution in excess of current or accumulated earnings and profits, would
receive a return of capital that would reduce the basis of their shares of the
Fund to the extent thereof. Any distribution in excess of a shareholder's basis
in the shareholder's shares would be taxable as gain realized from the sale of
such shares.

      The Fund will be liable for a nondeductible 4% excise tax on amounts not
distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution
requirement. To avoid the tax, during each calendar year the Fund must
distribute an amount equal to at least 98% of the sum of its ordinary income
(not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for the calendar year, and
its capital gain net income for the 12-month period ending on October 31, in
addition to any undistributed portion of the respective balances from the prior
year. For that purpose, any income or gain retained by the Fund that is subject
to corporate tax will be considered to have been distributed by year-end. The
Fund intends to make sufficient distributions to avoid this 4% excise tax.



                                      II-52
<PAGE>


Taxation of the Fund's Investments

      Original Issue Discount; Market Discount. For federal income tax purposes,
debt securities purchased by the Fund may be treated as having original issue
discount. Original issue discount represents interest for federal income tax
purposes and can generally be defined as the excess of the stated redemption
price at maturity of a debt obligation over the issue price. Original issue
discount is treated for federal income tax purposes as income earned by the
Fund, whether or not any income is actually received, and therefore is subject
to the distribution requirements of the Code. Generally, the amount of original
issue discount is determined on the basis of a constant yield to maturity which
takes into account the compounding of accrued interest. Under section 1286 of
the Code, an investment in a stripped bond or stripped coupon may result in
original issue discount.

      Debt securities may be purchased by the Fund at a discount that exceeds
the original issue discount plus previously accrued original issue discount
remaining on the securities, if any, at the time the Fund purchases the
securities. This additional discount represents market discount for federal
income tax purposes. In the case of any debt security issued after July 18,
1984, having a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issue
and having market discount, the gain realized on disposition will be treated as
interest to the extent it does not exceed the accrued market discount on the
security (unless the Fund elects to include such accrued market discount in
income in the tax year to which it is attributable). Generally, market discount
is accrued on a daily basis. The Fund may be required to capitalize, rather than
deduct currently, part or all of any direct interest expense incurred or
continued to purchase or carry any debt security having market discount, unless
the Fund makes the election to include market discount currently. Because the
Fund must include original issue discount in income, it will be more difficult
for the Fund to make the distributions required for the Fund to maintain its
status as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code or to
avoid the 4% excise tax described above.

      Options and Futures Transactions. Certain of the Fund's investments may be
subject to provisions of the Code that (i) require inclusion of unrealized gains
or losses in the Fund's income for purposes of the 90% test, and require
inclusion of unrealized gains in the Fund's income for the purposes of the
excise tax and the distribution requirements applicable to regulated investment
companies; (ii) defer recognition of realized losses; and (iii) characterize
both realized and unrealized gain or loss as short-term and long-term gain,
irrespective of the holding period of the investment. Such provisions generally
apply to, among other investments, options on debt securities, indices on
securities and futures contracts. The Fund will monitor its transactions and may
make certain tax elections available to it in order to mitigate the impact of
these rules and prevent disqualification of the Fund as a regulated investment
company.

      Gains or losses attributable to foreign currency contracts or fluctuations
in exchange rates that occur between the time the Fund accrues income or
expenses denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually
collects such income or pays such expenses



                                      II-53
<PAGE>


are treated as ordinary income or loss. The portion of any gain or loss on the
disposition of a debt security denominated in a foreign currency that is
attributable to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency during the
holding period of the debt security will likewise be treated as ordinary income
or loss. Such ordinary income or loss will increase or decrease the amount of
the Fund's net investment income.

      If the Fund invests in the stock of certain "passive foreign investment
companies" ("PFICs"), the income of such companies may become taxable to the
Fund prior to its distribution to the Fund or, alternatively, ordinary income
taxes and interest charges may be imposed on the Fund on "excess distributions"
received by the Fund or on gain from the disposition of such investments by the
Fund. Alternatively, if the stock of a PFIC is marketable, the Fund may elect to
mark the stock of the PFIC to market annually, and to recognize gain or loss of
the appreciation or depreciation in the stock. Any gain so recognized would be
treated as ordinary income, and a loss would be recognized and treated as an
ordinary deduction to the extent of any prior, unreversed amounts of gain
recognized with respect to that stock. The Fund does not intend to invest in
PFICs. Because of the broad scope of the PFIC rules, however, there can be no
assurance that the Fund can avoid doing so.

Federal Income Taxation of Shareholders

      Dividends paid by the Fund may be eligible for the 70% dividends-received
deduction for corporations. The percentage of the Fund's dividends eligible for
such tax treatment may be less than 100% to the extent that less than 100% of
the Fund's gross income may be from qualifying dividends of domestic
corporations. Any dividend declared in October, November or December and made
payable to shareholders of record in any such month is treated as received by
such shareholder on December 31, provided that the Fund pays the dividend during
January of the following calendar year.

      Distributions by the Fund can result in a reduction in the fair market
value of the Fund's shares. Should a distribution reduce the fair market value
below a shareholder's cost basis, such distribution nevertheless may be taxable
to the shareholder as ordinary income or capital gain, even though, from an
investment standpoint, it may constitute a partial return of capital. In
particular, investors should be careful to consider the tax implications of
buying shares just prior to a taxable distribution. The price of shares
purchased at that time includes the amount of any forthcoming distribution.
Those investors purchasing shares just prior to a taxable distribution will then
receive a return of investment upon distribution which will nevertheless be
taxable to them.

      The Fund may be subject to foreign taxes, including foreign income taxes.
If so, the Fund intends to meet the requirements of the Code for passing through
to its shareholders the tax benefit of foreign income taxes paid, although there
is no assurance that it will be able to do so. Under this provision, if more
than half of the value of the total assets of the Fund at the close of its
taxable year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the fund



                                      II-54
<PAGE>


will be eligible and intends to elect to pass through to its shareholders the
amount of foreign taxes it paid if such amounts are material. Pursuant to this
election, a United States shareholder will, in general, be required to (i)
include in gross income, in addition to taxable distributions actually received,
his or her pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid by the Fund, (ii) treat that
share of taxes as having been paid directly by him or her, and (iii) either
deduct such share of taxes or treat such share of taxes as a credit against
United State income tax liability. A tax-exempt shareholder will ordinarily not
benefit from this election.

      Generally, a credit for foreign taxes paid by the Fund may not exceed a
shareholder's United States income tax attributable to the shareholder's foreign
source income. This limitation applies separately to different categories of
income, one of which is a foreign-source passive income, which is likely to
include all of the foreign-source income of the Fund. As a result of these
limitations, some shareholders may not be able to utilize fully any foreign tax
credits generated by an investment in the Fund. In addition, holding period
requirements apply so that, generally, the shareholder will be unable to take a
tax credit for any foreign withholding tax on a dividend payment unless (a) the
Fund held the stock in the foreign corporation for more than 15 days during the
30-day period beginning on the date that the stock becomes ex-dividend with
respect to the dividend on which the withholding tax is paid and (b) the
shareholder held his or her shares in the Fund during the same period. In the
case of certain preference dividends on foreign stock, the 15-day and 30-day
periods are extended to 45 days and 90 days, respectively. Shareholders also
will be unable to claim a credit for foreign withholding taxes on dividends if
the Fund has entered into certain hedging transactions with respect to the stock
of the foreign corporation. Shareholders may take a deduction to the extent of
any tax credits disallowed under the holding period and hedging rules. The Fund
will provide its shareholders with information about the source of its income
and the foreign taxes it has paid for use in preparing the shareholder's United
States income tax returns, including information about withholding taxes for
which a tax credit could be denied to the Fund under the holding period and
hedging rules described above.

      The foregoing discussion of United States federal income tax law relates
solely to the application of that law to United States persons, that is, United
States citizens and residents and United States corporations, partnerships,
trusts and estates. Each shareholder who is not a United States person should
consider the United States and foreign tax consequences of ownership of shares
of the Fund, including the possibility that such a shareholder may be subject to
United States withholding tax at a rate of up to 30% (or at a lower rate under
applicable treaty) on distributions from the Fund.

      Shareholders should consult their tax advisers about the application of
the provisions of tax law described in this Statement of Additional Information
in light of their particular tax situations.



                                      II-55
<PAGE>


      J.    Distribution of Fund Shares

      The Trust has entered into a Distribution Agreement with State Street
Research Investment Services, Inc., as Distributor, whereby the Distributor acts
as agent to sell and distribute shares of the Fund. Shares of the Fund are sold
through broker-dealers who have entered into sales agreements with the
Distributor. The Fund has authorized certain broker-dealers to receive on its
behalf purchase and redemption orders, and such broker-dealers are authorized to
designate other intermediaries to receive orders on the Fund's behalf. The Fund
will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when such
broker-dealer, or, if applicable, the broker-dealer's designee, receives the
order. In such case, orders will be priced at the Fund's net asset value next
computed after the orders are received by an authorized broker-dealer or its
designee. The Distributor distributes shares of the Fund on a continuous basis
at an offering price which is based on the net asset value per share of the Fund
plus (subject to certain exceptions) a sales charge which, at the election of
the investor, may be imposed (i) at the time of purchase (the Class A shares) or
(ii) on a deferred basis (Class B(1), Class B and Class C shares). The
Distributor may reallow all or portions of such sales charges as concessions to
broker-dealers. The Distributor may also pay its affiliate MetLife Securities,
Inc. additional sales compensation of up to 0.25% of certain sales or assets.

      The differences in the price at which the Fund's Class A shares are
offered due to scheduled variations in sales charges, or Class S shares are
offered, as described in the Fund's Prospectus, result from cost savings
inherent in economies of scale, among other factors. Management believes that
the cost of sales efforts of the Distributor and broker-dealers tends to
decrease as the size of purchases increases, or does not involve any incremental
sales expenses as in the case of, for example, exchanges, reinvestments or
dividend investments at net asset value. Similarly, no significant sales effort
is necessary for sales of shares at net asset value to certain Directors,
Trustees, officers, employees, their relatives and other persons directly or
indirectly related to the Fund or associated entities. Where shares of the Fund
are offered at a reduced sales charge or without a sales charge pursuant to
sponsored arrangements, managed fee-based programs and so-called "mutual fund
supermarkets," among other special programs, the amount of the sales charge
reduction will similarly reflect the anticipated reduction in sales expenses
associated with such arrangements. The reductions in sales expenses, and
therefore the reduction in sales charges, will vary depending on factors such as
the size and other characteristics of the organization or program, and the
nature of its membership or the participants. The Fund reserves the right to
make variations in, or eliminate, sales charges at any time or to revise the
terms of or to suspend or discontinue sales pursuant to sponsored arrangements
or similar programs at any time.

      On any sale of Class A shares to a single investor in the amount of
$1,000,000 or more, the Distributor may pay the authorized securities dealer
making such sale a commission based on the aggregate of such sales. Such
commission may also be paid to authorized securities dealers upon sales of Class
A shares made pursuant to a Letter of Intent to purchase



                                      II-56
<PAGE>


shares having a net asset value of $1,000,000 or more. Shares sold with such
commissions payable are subject to a one-year contingent deferred sales charge
of up to 1.00% on any portion of such shares redeemed within one year following
their sale. After a particular purchase of Class A shares is made under the
Letter of Intent, the commission will be paid only in respect of that particular
purchase of shares. If the Letter of Intent is not completed, the commission
paid will be deducted from any discounts or commissions otherwise payable to
such dealer in respect of shares actually sold. If an investor is eligible to
purchase shares at net asset value on account of the Right of Accumulation, the
commission will be paid only in respect of the incremental purchase at net asset
value.

Plan(s) of Distribution Pursuant to Rule 12b-1

      The Fund may have one or more Distribution Plans under Rule 12b-1, as set
forth in Section I of this Statement of Additional Information for the Fund.
Under the Fund's Distribution Plans, the Fund may engage, directly or
indirectly, in financing any activities primarily intended to result in the sale
of shares, including, but not limited to, (1) the payment of commissions to
underwriters, securities dealers and others engaged in the sale of shares,
including payments to the Distributor to be used to pay commissions to
securities dealers (which securities dealers may be affiliates of the
Distributor), (2) expenditures incurred by the Distributor in connection with
the distribution and marketing of shares and the servicing of investor accounts,
and (3) expenses incurred by the Distributor in connection with the servicing of
shareholder accounts including payments to securities dealers and others for the
provision of personal service to investors and/or the maintenance or servicing
of shareholder accounts. In addition, the Distribution Plans authorize the
Distributor and the Investment Manager to make payments out of management fees,
general profits, revenues or other sources to underwriters, securities dealers
and others in connection with sales of shares, to the extent, if any, that such
payments may be deemed to be an indirect financing of any activity primarily
resulting in the sale of shares of the Fund within the scope of Rule 12b-1 under
the 1940 Act. Payments by the Fund under the Distribution Plan may be
discontinued at any time. The Distributor may also voluntarily waive receipt of
payments from the Fund from time to time.

      A rule of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD")
limits annual expenditures that the Fund may incur to 0.75% for distribution
expenses and 0.25% for service fees. The NASD Rule also limits the aggregate
amount that the Fund may pay for such distribution costs to 6.25% of gross share
sales of a class since the inception of any asset-based sales charge plus
interest at the prime rate plus 1% on unpaid amounts thereof (less any
contingent deferred sales charges). Such limitation does not apply to the
service fees.

      Some or all of the service fees are used to pay or reimburse dealers
(including dealers that are affiliates of the Distributor) or others for
personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. A portion of
any initial commission paid to dealers for the sale of shares of the Fund
represents payment for personal services and/or the maintenance or



                                      II-57
<PAGE>


servicing of shareholder accounts by such dealers. The distribution fees are
used primarily to offset initial and ongoing commissions paid to dealers for
selling such shares and for other sales and marketing expenditures. Dealers who
have sold Class A shares are eligible for ongoing payments commencing as of the
time of such sale. Dealers who have sold Class B(1), Class B and Class C shares
are eligible for ongoing payments after the first year during which such shares
have been held of record by such dealer as nominee for its clients (or by such
clients directly).

      The Distributor provides distribution services on behalf of other funds
having distribution plans and receives similar payments from, and incurs similar
expenses on behalf of, such other funds. When expenses of the Distributor cannot
be identified as relating to a specific fund, the Distributor allocates expenses
among the funds in a manner deemed fair and equitable to each fund.

      The payment of service and distribution fees may continue even if the Fund
ceases, temporarily or permanently, to sell one or more classes of shares to new
accounts. During the period the Fund is closed to new accounts, the distribution
fee will not be used for promotion expenses. The service and distribution fees
are used during a closed period to cover services provided to current
shareholders and to cover the compensation of financial professionals in
connection with the prior sale of Fund shares, among other non-promotional
distribution expenditures.

      The Distributor may pay certain dealers and other intermediaries
additional compensation for sales and administrative services. The Distributor
may provide cash and noncash incentives to intermediaries who, for example, sell
significant amounts of shares or develop particular distribution channels. The
Distributor may compensate dealers with clients who maintain their investments
in the Fund over a period of years. The incentives can include merchandise and
trips to, and attendance at, sales seminars at resorts. The Distributor may pay
for administrative services, such as technological and computer systems support
for the maintenance of pension plan participant records, for subaccounting and
for distribution through mutual fund supermarkets or similar arrangements.

      No interested Trustee of the Trust has any direct or indirect financial
interest in the operation of the Distribution Plans. The Distributor's interest
in the Distribution Plans is described above.



                                      II-58
<PAGE>


      K.    Calculation of Performance Data

      From time to time, in advertisements or in communications to shareholders
or prospective investors, the Fund may compare the performance of its Class A,
Class B(1), Class B, Class C or Class S shares to the performance of other
mutual funds with similar investment objectives, to certificates of deposit
and/or to other financial alternatives. The Fund may also compare its
performance to appropriate indices, such as Standard & Poor's 500 Index,
Consumer Price Index and Dow Jones Industrial Average and/or to appropriate
rankings and averages such as those compiled by Lipper Analytical Services,
Inc., Morningstar, Inc., Money Magazine, Business Week, Forbes Magazine, The
Wall Street Journal and Investor's Daily.

      The average annual total return ("standard total return") of the Class A,
Class B(1), Class B, Class C and Class S shares of each Fund will be calculated
as set forth below. Total return is computed separately for each class of shares
of the Fund.

Total Return

      Standard total return is computed separately for each class of shares by
determining the average annual compounded rates of return over the designated
periods that, if applied to the initial amount invested, would produce the
ending redeemable value in accordance with the following formula:

                      P(1+T)^n = ERV

Where:         P      =      a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000

               T      =      average annual total return

               n      =      number of years

               ERV    =      ending redeemable value at the end of the
                             designated period assuming a hypothetical
                             $1,000 payment made at the beginning of the
                             designated period

      The calculation is based on the further assumptions that the highest
applicable initial or contingent deferred sales charge is deducted, and that all
dividends and distributions by the Fund are reinvested at net asset value on the
reinvestment dates during the periods. All accrued expenses and recurring
charges are also taken into account as described later herein.



                                      II-59
<PAGE>


Yield

      Yield for each class of the Fund's shares is computed by dividing the net
investment income per share earned during a recent month or other specified
30-day period by the maximum offering price per share on the last day of the
period and annualizing the result in accordance with the following formula:

                        YIELD = 2[(a-b + 1)^6 -1]
                                   ---
                                   cd

Where       a=    dividends and interest earned during the period

            b=    expenses accrued for the period (net of voluntary expense
                  reductions by the Investment Manager)

            c=    the average daily number of shares outstanding during the
                  period that were entitled to receive dividends

            d=    the maximum offering price per share on the last day of the
                  period

      To calculate interest earned (for the purpose of "a" above) on debt
obligations, the Fund computes the yield to effective maturity of each
obligation held by the Fund based on the market value of the obligation
(including actual accrued interest) at the close of the last business day of the
preceding period, or, with respect to obligations purchased during the period,
the purchase price (plus actual accrued interest). The yield to effective
maturity is then divided by 360 and the quotient is multiplied by the market
value of the obligation (including actual accrued interest) to determine the
interest income on the obligation for each day of the period that the obligation
is in the portfolio. Dividend income is recognized daily based on published
rates.

      With respect to the treatment of discount and premium on mortgage or other
receivables-backed obligations which are expected to be subject to monthly
payments of principal and interest ("paydowns"), the Fund accounts for gain or
loss attributable to actual monthly paydowns as a realized capital gain or loss
during the period. The Fund has elected not to amortize discount or premium on
such securities.

      Undeclared earned income, computed in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles, may be subtracted from the maximum offering price.
Undeclared earned income is the net investment income which, at the end of the
base period, has not been declared as a dividend, but is reasonably expected to
be declared as a dividend shortly thereafter. The maximum offering price
includes the maximum applicable sales charge.

      All accrued expenses are taken into account as described later herein.



                                      II-60
<PAGE>


      Yield information is useful in reviewing the Fund's performance, but
because yields fluctuate, such information cannot necessarily be used to compare
an investment in the Fund's shares with bank deposits, savings accounts and
similar investment alternatives which often are insured and/or provide an agreed
or guaranteed fixed yield for a stated period of time. Shareholders should
remember that yield is a function of the kind and quality of the instruments in
the Fund's portfolio, portfolio maturity and operating expenses and market
conditions.

Accrued Expenses and Recurring Charges

      Accrued expenses include all recurring charges that are charged to all
shareholder accounts in proportion to the length of the base period. The
standard total return and yield results take sales charges, if applicable, into
account, although the results do not take into account recurring and
nonrecurring charges for optional services which only certain shareholders elect
and which involve nominal fees, such as the $7.50 fee for wire orders.

      Accrued expenses do not include the subsidization, if any, by affiliates
of fees or expenses during the subject period. Subsidization can include the
Investment Manager's waiver of a portion of its advisory fee, the Distributor's
waiver of a portion of its Rule 12b-1 fee, or the assumption of a portion of the
Fund's expenses by either of them or their affiliates. In the absence of such
subsidization, the performance of the Fund would have been lower.

Nonstandardized Total Return

      Each Fund may provide the above described standard total return results
for Class A, Class B(1), Class B, Class C and Class S shares for periods which
end no earlier than the most recent calendar quarter end and which begin twelve
months before, five years before and ten years before (or the commencement of
the Fund's operations, whichever is earlier). In addition, the Fund may provide
nonstandardized total return results for differing periods, such as for the most
recent six months, and/or without taking sales charges into account. Such
nonstandardized total return is computed as otherwise described under "Total
Return" except the result may or may not be annualized, and as noted any
applicable sales charge, if any, may not be taken into account and therefore not
deducted from the hypothetical initial payment of $1,000.

Distribution Rates

      Each Fund may also quote its distribution rate for each class of shares.
The distribution rate is calculated by annualizing the latest per-share
distribution from ordinary income and dividing the result by the offering price
per share as of the end of the period to which the distribution relates. A
distribution can include gross investment income from debt obligations purchased
at a premium and in effect include a portion of the premium paid. A distribution
can also include nonrecurring, gross short-term capital gains without
recognition of any unrealized capital losses. Further, a distribution can
include income from the sale of



                                      II-61
<PAGE>


options by the Fund even though such option income is not considered investment
income under generally accepted accounting principles.

      Because a distribution can include such premiums, capital gains and option
income, the amount of the distribution may be susceptible to control by the
Investment Manager through transactions designed to increase the amount of such
items. Also, because the distribution rate is calculated in part by dividing the
latest distribution by the offering price, which is based on net asset value
plus any applicable sales charge, the distribution rate will increase as the net
asset value declines. A distribution rate can be greater than the yield rate
calculated as described above.

      L.    Custodian

      State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110, is the custodian for Fund assets. As custodian State Street
Bank and Trust Company is responsible for, among other things, safeguarding and
controlling the Fund's cash and securities, handling the receipt and delivery of
securities and collecting interest and dividends on each Fund's investments.
State Street Bank and Trust Company is not an affiliate of the Investment
Manager or its affiliates.

      M.    Independent Accountants

      PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 160 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts
02110, serves as the Trusts' independent accountants, providing professional
services including (1) audits of each Fund's annual financial statements, (2)
assistance and consultation in connection with SEC filings and (3) review of the
annual income tax returns filed on behalf of each Fund.

      N.    Financial Reports

      In addition to the reports provided to holders of record on a semiannual
basis, other supplementary financial reports may be made available from time to
time through electronic or other media. Shareholders with substantial holdings
in one or more State Street Research Funds may also receive reports and other
information which reflect or analyze their positions in a consolidated manner.
For more information, call State Street Research Service Center.



                                     II-62
<PAGE>

                       STATE STREET RESEARCH INCOME TRUST

                                     PART C
                                OTHER INFORMATION

Item 23:  Exhibits

       (1)(a)     First Amended and Restated Master Trust Agreement and
                  Amendment No. 1 to First Amended and Restated Master Trust
                  Agreement (16)

       (1)(b)     Amendment No. 2 to First Amended and Restated Master Trust
                  Agreement (17)

       (1)(c)     Amendment No. 3 to First Amended and Restated Master Trust
                  Agreement (17)

       (1)(d)     Amendment No. 4 to First Amended and Restated Master Trust
                  Agreement (20)

       (1)(e)     Amendment No. 5 to First Amended and Restated Master Trust
                  Agreement (21)

       (1)(f)     Amendment No. 6 to First Amended and Restated Master Trust
                  Agreement

       (2)(a)     By-Laws of the Registrant (1)***

       (2)(b)     Amendment No. 1 to By-Laws effective September 30, 1992
                  (11)***

       (3)        Not applicable

       (5)(a)     Advisory Agreement with MetLife - State Street Investment
                  Services, Inc. (2)*, ***

       (5)(c)     Letter Agreement with respect to the Advisory Agreement
                  relating to MetLife - State Street Managed Assets (9)**, ***

       (5)(e)     Transfer and Assumption of Responsibilities and Rights
                  relating to the Advisory Agreement between State Street
                  Financial Services, Inc. and State Street Research &
                  Management Company (11)*, ***

       (6)(a)     Distribution Agreement with MetLife - State Street Investment
                  Services, Inc. (2)*, ***

       (6)(b)     Form of Selected Dealer Agreement, as Supplemented (17)

       (6)(c)     Form of Bank and Bank-Affiliated Broker-Dealer Agreement (17)

       (6)(d)     Letter Agreement with respect to the Distribution Agreement
                  relating to MetLife - State Street Managed Assets (9)**, ***

       (7)        Not applicable

       (8)(a)     Custodian Contract with State Street Bank and Trust Company
                  (2)***

       (8)(b)     Letter Agreement with respect to the Custodian Contract
                  relating to MetLife - State Street Managed Assets (9)**, ***

       (8)(c)     Amendment to the Custodian Contract with State Street Bank and
                  Trust Company dated January 12, 1989 (7)***

       (8)(d)     Amendment to the Custodian Contract with State Street Bank and
                  Trust Company dated November 2, 1995 (18)

       (8)(e)     Data Access Services Addendum to Custodian Contract (21)

       (9)        Not applicable

       (10)(a)    Opinion and Consent of Goodwin, Procter & Hoar with respect to
                  MetLife - State Street High Income Fund (2)**, ***

       (10)(b)    Opinion and Consent of Goodwin, Procter & Hoar with respect to
                  MetLife - State Street Managed Assets (6)**, ***


                                       C-1
<PAGE>

       (11)       Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

       (12)       Not applicable

       (13)(a)    Purchase Agreement and Investment Letter (2)***

       (13)(b)    Purchase Agreement and Investment Letter (2)***

       (13)(c)    Purchase Agreement and Investment Letter -- MetLife - State
                  Street Managed Assets (9)**, ***

       (14)(a)    Deleted

       (14)(b)    Deleted

       (15)(a)    First Amended and Restated Plan of Distribution Pursuant to
                  Rule 12b-1 (12)***


       (15)(b)    Rule 12b-1 Plan for Class B(1) shares (21)

       (15)(c)    Amendment No. 1 to the First Amended and Restated Plan of
                  Distribution Pursuant to Rule 12b-1


       (16)(a)    Deleted

       (16)(b)    Deleted

       (16)(c)    Deleted

       (17)(a)    First Amended and Restated Multiple Class Expense Allocation
                  Plan (17)


       (17)(b)    Addendum to the First Amended and Restated Multiple Class
                  Allocation Plan (21)

       (17)(c)    State Research & Management Company Code of Ethics


       (18)(a)    Powers of Attorney


       (18)(b)    Power of Attorney for Susan M. Phillips (21)

       (18)(c)    Power of Attorney for Bruce R. Bond (21)

       (18)(d)    Power of Attorney for Gerard P. Maus

       (19)       Certificate of Board Resolution Respecting Powers of Attorney
                  for Gerard P. Maus


       (20)       Application Forms (18)

       (27)       Deleted

----------

*    MetLife - State Street Investment Services, Inc. changed its name to State
     Street Financial Services, Inc. effective as of June 18, 1992, and
     subsequently changed its name to State Street Research Investment Services,
     Inc. effective October 28, 1992. Documents in this listing of Exhibits
     which were effective prior to the most recent name change accordingly refer
     to MetLife - State Street Investment Services, Inc. or State Street
     Financial Services, Inc.

**   The Series of the Registrant have changed their names at various times.
     Documents in this listing of Exhibits which were effective prior to the
     most recent name change accordingly refer to a former name of the Series.

***  Restated in electronic format in Post-Effective Amendment No. 17, filed on
     July 3, 1997.

                                       C-2
<PAGE>

     Filed as part of the Registration Statement as noted below and incorporated
herein by reference:

 Footnote           Securities Act of 1933
 Reference          Registration/Amendment                   Date Filed
 ---------          ----------------------                   ----------
     1              Initial Registration                     January 15, 1986
     2              Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1            August 12, 1986
     3              Post-Effective Amendment No. 1           April 30, 1987
     4              Post-Effective Amendment No. 2           June 3, 1988
     5              Post-Effective Amendment No. 3           October 26, 1988
     6              Post-Effective Amendment No. 4           December 23, 1988
     7              Post-Effective Amendment No. 5           June 23, 1989
     8              Post-Effective Amendment No. 7           July 31, 1990
     9              Post-Effective Amendment No. 8           July 31, 1991
    10              Post-Effective Amendment No. 9           August 1, 1992
    11              Post-Effective Amendment No. 10          April 1, 1993
    12              Post-Effective Amendment No. 11          June 1, 1993
    13              Post-Effective Amendment No. 12          November 18, 1993
    14              Post-Effective Amendment No. 14          July 28, 1994
    15              Post-Effective Amendment No. 16          April 28, 1995
                    to the Registration Statement of
                    MetLife-State Street Equity Trust
                    (Securities Act of 1933 Registration
                    No. 33-4296, Investment Company
                    Act of 1940 File No. 811-4624)
    16              Post-Effective Amendment No. 15          July 31, 1995
    17              Post-Effective Amendment No. 16          May 31, 1996
    18              Post-Effective Amendment No. 17          July 3, 1997
    19              Post-Effective Amendment No. 18          July 28, 1997
    20              Post-Effective Amendment No. 19          June 2, 1998


    21              Post-Effective Amendment No. 20          July 14, 1999


Item 24:  Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant

     Inapplicable.


                                       C-3
<PAGE>


Item 25.  Indemnification

     Under Article VI of the Registrant's First Amended and Restated Master
Trust Agreement each of its Trustees and officers or persons serving in such
capacity with another entity at the request of the Registrant ("Covered Person")
shall be indemnified against all liabilities, including, but not limited to,
amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and
penalties, and expenses, including reasonable accountants' and counsel fees,
incurred by any Covered Person, in connection with the defense or disposition of
any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any
court or administrative or legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be
or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such person may
be or may have been threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of
being or having been such a Trustee or officer, director or trustee, except with
respect to any matter as to which it has been determined that such Covered
Person had acted with willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or
reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered
Person's office (such conduct referred to hereafter as "Disabling Conduct"). A
determination that the Covered Person is entitled to indemnification may be made
by (i) a final decision on the merits by a court or other body before which the
proceeding was brought that the person to be indemnified was not liable by
reason of Disabling Conduct, (ii) dismissal of a court action or an
administrative proceeding against a Covered Person for insufficiency of evidence
of Disabling Conduct, or (iii) a reasonable determination, based upon a review
of the facts, that the indemnitee was not liable by reason of Disabling Conduct
by (a) a vote of a majority of a quorum of Trustees who are neither "interested
persons" of the Registrant as defined in section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act nor
parties to the proceeding, or (b) an independent legal counsel in a written
opinion.

     Under the Distribution Agreement between the Registrant and State Street
Research Investment Services, Inc., the Registrant's distributor, the Registrant
has agreed to indemnify and hold harmless State Street Research Investment
Services, Inc. and each person who has been, is, or may hereafter be an officer,
director, employee or agent of State Street Research


                                       C-4
<PAGE>


Investment Services, Inc. against any loss, damage or expense reasonably
incurred by any of them in connection with any claim or in connection with any
action, suit or proceeding to which any of them may be a party, which arises out
of or is alleged to arise out of or is based upon a violation of any of its
covenants herein contained or any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material
fact, or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact necessary to
make the statements made not misleading, in a Registration Statement or
Prospectus of the Registrant, or any amendment or supplement thereto, unless
such statement or omission was made in reliance upon written information
furnished by State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.

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


                                       C-5
<PAGE>


Item 26.  Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser

Describe any other business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial
nature in which each investment adviser of the Registrant, and each director,
officer or partner of any such investment adviser, is or has been, at any time
during the past two fiscal years, engaged for his own account or in the capacity
of director, officer, employee, partner or trustee.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        Principal business
Name                      Connection                  Organization                                      address of organization
----                      ----------                  ------------                                      -----------------------
<S>                       <C>                         <C>                                               <C>
State Street Research &   Investment Adviser          Various investment advisory                       Boston, MA
  Management Company                                  clients

Abbott, Christopher C.    Senior Managing             Pioneer Investment Mgmt.                          Boston, MA
  Executive Vice          Director
  President               (until 10/99)

Bangs, Linda L.           None
  Vice President

Barghaan, Dennis C.       Senior Vice President       State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President   Senior Vice President       Metropolitan Life Insurance Company               New York, NY
                          (until 12/98)

Barnwell, Amy F.          Vice President              State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA
  Vice President

Beatty, T. Kevin          Vice President              Fleet Investment Advisors                         Boston, MA
  Vice President          (until 9/99)

Bigley, Gary M.           None
  Vice President

Bochman, Kathleen M.      None
  Vice President

Borzilleri, John          Vice President              State Street Research Financial Trust             Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President

Bray, Michael J.          None
  Senior Vice President

Brezinski, Karen          None
  Vice President

Brown, Susan H.           None
  Vice President

Bruno, Thomas
  Vice President

Buffum, Andrea L.         None
  Vice President

Burbank, John F.          None
  Senior Vice President

Calame, Mara D.           Vice President, Assistant   State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA
  Vice President,         Clerk and Counsel
  Assistant Secretary     Assistant Secretary         State Street Research Institutional Funds         Boston, MA
  and Assistant Counsel

Carley, Linda C.          Vice President              State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA
  Vice President          Assistant Secretary         State Street Research Institutional Funds         Boston, MA

Carstens, Linda C.        Vice President              State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA
  Vice President

Clifford, Jr., Paul J.    Vice President              State Street Research Tax-Exempt Trust            Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President
</TABLE>


                                       C-6
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                             Principal business
Name                            Connection                  Organization                                     address of organization
----                            ----------                  ------------                                     -----------------------
<S>                             <C>                         <C>                                              <C>
Coleman, Thomas J.              None
  Vice President

Cullen, Terrence J.             Vice President, Assistant   State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.  Boston, MA
  Vice President,               Clerk and Counsel
  Assistant Secretary
  and Assistant Counsel

D'Vari, Ronald                  None
  Senior Vice President

Depp, Maureen G.                None
  Vice President

DeVeuve, Donald                 None
  Vice President

Dudley, Catherine               Vice President              State Street Research Capital Trust              Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President         Vice President              State Street Research Institutional Funds        Boston, MA

Duggan, Peter J.                None
  Senior Vice President

Ebel, Bruce A.
  Senior Vice President         Vice President              Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P.                   Chicago, IL
                                (since 3/99)
                                Vice President              State Street Research Institutional Funds        Boston, MA
                                Vice President              State Street Research Financial Trust            Boston, MA

Even, Karen L.                  None
  Vice President

Fazo, Steven A.                 None
  Vice President

Federoff, Alex G.               None
  Senior Vice President
  (Vice President until 4/00)

Fee, Richard E.                 Vice President              State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.  Boston, MA
  Vice President

Feliciano, Rosalina             None
  Vice President

Feeney, Kimberley               Vice President              State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.  Boston, MA
  Vice President

Ficco, Bonnie A.                None
  Vice President

Fochtman, Jr., Leo              None
  Vice President

Forcione, Anthony F.            None

Frey, Kenneth                   Analyst                     The Boston Company                               Boston, MA
  Vice President                (until 10/99)

Frank, Christopher
  Vice President

Gallivan Jr., Edward T.         Vice President              State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.  Boston, MA
  Vice President

Gardner, Michael D.             None
  Senior Vice President

Geer, Bartlett R.               Vice President              State Street Research Equity Trust               Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President         Vice President              State Street Research Income Trust               Boston, MA
</TABLE>


                                       C-7
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            Principal business
Name                        Connection                    Organization                                      address of organization
----                        ----------                    ------------                                      -----------------------
<S>                         <C>                           <C>                                               <C>
Giroux, June M.             None
  Vice President

Goganian, David H.          Vice President                Scudder Kemper Investments                        Boston, MA
  Vice President            (until 6/99)
                            Vice President                State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA

Goodman, Stephanie B.       Vice President                State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA
  Vice President

Govoni, Electra             None
  Vice President

Grace, Evan S.              None
  Vice President

Granger, Allison            None
  Vice President

Hadelman, Peter J.          Vice President                Pioneer Investment Management                     Boston, MA
  Vice President            (until 5/00)

Haggerty, Bryan D.          None
  Vice President

Hamilton, Jr., William A.   Treasurer and Director        Ellis Memorial and Eldredge House                 Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President     Treasurer and Director        Nautical and Aviation Publishing Company, Inc.    Baltimore, MD
                            Treasurer and Director        North Conway Institute                            Boston, MA

Hasson, Ira P.              Vice President                State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA
  Vice President

Haverty, Jr., Lawrence J.   Vice President                State Street Research Capital Trust               Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President

Heineke, George R.          None
  Vice President

Hickman, Joanne             Senior Vice President         State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President

Holland, Thomas             Senior Vice President         Putnam Investments                                Boston, MA
  Vice President            (until 6/99)
                            Senior Vice President         State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA

Jackson, Jr., F. Gardner    Vice President                State Street Research Equity Trust                Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President     Trustee                       Certain trusts of related and
                                                          non-related individuals
                            Trustee and Chairman of the   Vincent Memorial Hospital                         Boston, MA
                            Board

Joseph, Robert I.           None
  Vice President

Kallis, John H.             Vice President                State Street Research Financial Trust             Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President     Vice President                State Street Research Income Trust                Boston, MA
                            Vice President                State Street Research Institutional Funds         Boston, MA
                            Vice President                State Street Research Money Market Trust          Boston, MA
                            Vice President                State Street Research Tax-Exempt Trust            Boston, MA
                            Vice President                State Street Research Securities Trust            Boston, MA
                            Trustee                       705 Realty Trust                                  Washington, D.C.

Kasper, M. Katherine        Vice President                State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA
  Vice President

Keelan, David E.
  Vice President

Keen, Miyeko C.             Vice President                State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA
  Vice President
</TABLE>


                                       C-8
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                             Principal business
Name                             Connection                             Organization                         address of organization
----                             ----------                             ------------                         -----------------------
<S>                              <C>                                    <C>                                  <C>
Kiessling, Dyann H.              Vice President                         State Street Research Money Market   Boston, MA
  Vice President                                                        Trust

Kluiber, Rudolph K.              Vice President                         State Street Research Capital Trust  Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President

Kuhn, Stephen P.                 Vice President                         State Street Research Investment     Boston, MA
  Vice President                                                        Services, Inc.

Langholm, Knut                   Director                               SSR Pegasus Funds                    Luxembourg
  Senior Vice President
  (Vice President
  until 4/99)

Leary, Eileen M.                 None
  Vice President

Ledbury, Richard D.              Vice President                         State Street Research Investment     Boston, MA
  Vice President                                                        Services, Inc.

Leese, Reginald
  Vice President

Lomasney, Mary T.                None
  Vice President

Lubas, Amy C.
  Vice President

Marinella, Mark A.               Portfolio Manager                      STW Fixed Income Management, Ltd.    Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President          (Until 8/98)
                                 Vice President                         State Street Research Institutional  Boston, MA
                                                                        Funds

Markel, Gregory S.               None
  Vice President

Marsh, Eleanor H.                Portfolio Manager                      Evergreen Investment Management      Boston, MA
  Vice President                 (Until 3/00)                           Company

Maus, Gerard P.                  Chairman, President, Chief Executive   State Street Research Equity Trust   Boston, MA
  Director, Executive              Officer, Trustee and Treasurer
  Vice President                 Chairman, President, Chief Executive   State Street Research Income Trust   Boston, MA
  Treasurer, Interim Chief         Officer, Trustee and Treasurer
  Operating Officer, Chief       Chairman, President, Chief Executive   State Street Research Tax-Exempt     Boston, MA
  Chief Financial Officer and      Officer, Trustee and Treasurer       Trust
  Chief Administrative Officer   Chairman, President, Chief Executive   State Street Research Capital Trust  Boston, MA
                                   Officer, Trustee and Treasurer
                                 Chairman, President, Chief Executive   State Street Research Exchange       Boston, MA
                                   Officer, Trustee and Treasurer       Trust
                                 Chairman, President, Chief Executive   State Street Research Growth Trust   Boston, MA
                                   Officer, Trustee and Treasurer
                                 Chairman, President, Chief Executive   State Street Research Master         Boston, MA
                                   Officer, Trustee and Treasurer       Investment Trust
                                 Chairman, President, Chief Executive   State Street Research Institutional  Boston, MA
                                   Officer, Trustee and Treasurer       Funds
                                 Chairman, President, Chief Executive   State Street Research Securities     Boston, MA
                                   Officer, Trustee and Treasurer       Trust
                                 Chairman, President, Chief Executive   State Street Research Money Market   Boston, MA
                                   Officer, Trustee and Treasurer       Trust
                                 Chairman, President, Chief Executive   State Street Research Financial      Boston, MA
                                   Officer, Trustee and Treasurer       Trust
                                 Director, President, Chief Financial   State Street Research Investment     Boston, MA
                                   Officer, Chief Administrative        Services, Inc.
                                   Officer and Treasurer
                                 Director                               Metric Holdings, Inc.                San Francisco, CA
                                 Director                               Certain wholly-owned subsidiaries
                                                                          of Metric Holdings, Inc.
                                 Treasurer and Chief                    SSRM Holdings, Inc.                  Boston, MA
                                 Financial Officer
                                 Director                               SSR Pegasus Funds                    Luxembourg
</TABLE>


                                       C-9
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                             Principal business
Name                        Connection                     Organization                                      address of organization
----                        ----------                     ------------                                      -----------------------
<S>                         <C>                            <C>                                               <C>
McGrath, Ann                None
  Vice President

McKown, Elizabeth G.        Vice President                 State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA
  Vice President

McNamara, III, Francis J.   Executive Vice President,      State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA
  Executive Vice            Clerk and General Counsel
  President, Secretary      Secretary and General Counsel  State Street Research Master Investment Trust     Boston, MA
  and General Counsel       Secretary and General Counsel  State Street Research Capital Trust               Boston, MA
                            Secretary and General Counsel  State Street Research Exchange Trust              Boston, MA
                            Secretary and General Counsel  State Street Research Growth Trust                Boston, MA
                            Secretary and General Counsel  State Street Research Securities Trust            Boston, MA
                            Secretary and General Counsel  State Street Research Equity Trust                Boston, MA
                            Secretary and General Counsel  State Street Research Financial Trust             Boston, MA
                            Secretary and General Counsel  State Street Research Income Trust                Boston, MA
                            Secretary and General Counsel  State Street Research Money Market Trust          Boston, MA
                            Secretary and General Counsel  State Street Research Tax-Exempt Trust            Boston, MA
                            Secretary and General Counsel  SSRM Holdings, Inc.                               Boston, MA
                            Secretary and General Counsel  State Street Research Institutional Funds         Boston, MA
                            Director                       SSR Pegasus Funds                                 Luxembourg

Moore, Jr., Thomas P.       Vice President                 State Street Research Financial Trust             Boston, MA
  Senior Vice               Vice President                 State Street Research Equity Trust                Boston, MA
  President                 Director                       Hibernia Savings Bank                             Quincy, MA
                            Governor on the Board          Association for Investment Management             Charlottesville, VA
                              of Governors                 and Research

Morey, Andrew F.            None
  Vice President

Mulligan, JoAnne C.         None
  Senior Vice President

Orr, Stephen C.             Member                         Technology Analysts of Boston                     Boston, MA
  Vice President            Member                         Electro-Science Analysts (of NYC)                 New York, NY

Paddon, Steven W.           Vice President                 State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA
  Vice President

Pannell, James C.           Vice President                 State Street Research Institutional Funds         Boston, MA
  Executive Vice President

Peters, Kim M.              Vice President                 State Street Research Securities Trust            Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President     Vice President                 State Street Research Institutional Funds         Boston, MA

Pierce, James D.            None
  Vice President

Poritzky, Dean E.           None
  Senior Vice President
  (Vice President
  until 4/00)

Ragsdale, E.K. Easton       Vice President                 State Street Research Financial Trust             Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President

Ransom, Clifford F.         None
  Vice President

Rawlins, Jeffrey A.         Vice President                 State Street Research Institutional Funds         Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President

Rice III, Daniel Joseph     Vice President                 State Street Research Equity Trust                Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President

Rolnick, Michael A.         None
  Vice President
</TABLE>


                                      C-10
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        Principal business
Name                      Connection                  Organization                                      address of organization
----                      ----------                  ------------                                      -----------------------
<S>                       <C>                         <C>                                               <C>
Romich, Douglas A.        Assistant Treasurer         State Street Research Equity Trust                Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President   Assistant Treasurer         State Street Research Financial Trust             Boston, MA
  and Assistant           Assistant Treasurer         State Street Research Income Trust                Boston, MA
  Treasurer               Assistant Treasurer         State Street Research Money Market Trust          Boston, MA
                          Assistant Treasurer         State Street Research Tax-Exempt Trust            Boston, MA
                          Assistant Treasurer         State Street Research Capital Trust               Boston, MA
                          Assistant Treasurer         State Street Research Exchange Trust              Boston, MA
                          Assistant Treasurer         State Street Research Growth Trust                Boston, MA
                          Assistant Treasurer         State Street Research Institutional Funds         Boston, MA
                          Assistant Treasurer         State Street Research Master Investment Trust     Boston, MA
                          Assistant Treasurer         State Street Research Securities Trust            Boston, MA
                          Vice President and          SSRM Holdings, Inc.                               Boston, MA
                          Assistant Treasurer
                          Senior Vice President and   State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA
                          Assistant Treasurer

Ryan, Michael J.          None
  Senior Vice President

Sanderson, Derek          None
  Senior Vice President

Schrage, Michael M.       None
  Senior Vice President
  (Vice President
  until 4/00)

Shean, William G.         None
  Senior Vice President
  (Vice President
  until 4/00)

Sheldon, Michael A.       None
  Vice President

Shively, Thomas A.        Vice President              State Street Research Financial Trust             Boston, MA
  Executive Vice          Vice President              State Street Research Income Trust                Boston, MA
  President               Vice President              State Street Research Money Market Trust          Boston, MA
  (Director until         Vice President              State Street Research Tax-Exempt Trust            Boston, MA
  (7/00)                  Vice President              State Street Research Institutional Funds         Boston, MA
                          Vice President              State Street Research Institutional Funds         Boston, MA
                          Vice President              State Street Research Securities Trust            Boston, MA

Shoemaker, Richard D.     None
  Senior Vice President

Silverstein, Jill         None
  Vice President

Simi, Susan               None
  Vice President

Rolnick, Michael A.       None
  Vice President

Simmons, Amy L.           Vice President              State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA
  Vice President          Assistant Secretary         State Street Research Capital Trust               Boston, MA
                          Assistant Secretary         State Street Research Exchange Trust              Boston, MA
                          Assistant Secretary         State Street Research Growth Trust                Boston, MA
                          Assistant Secretary         State Street Research Master Investment Trust     Boston, MA
                          Assistant Secretary         State Street Research Securities Trust            Boston, MA
                          Assistant Secretary         State Street Research Equity Trust                Boston, MA
                          Assistant Secretary         State Street Research Financial Trust             Boston, MA
                          Assistant Secretary         State Street Research Income Trust                Boston, MA
                          Assistant Secretary         State Street Research Money Market Trust          Boston, MA
                          Assistant Secretary         State Street Research Tax-Exempt Trust            Boston, MA

Stambaugh, Kenneth D.     None
  Vice President
</TABLE>


                                      C-11
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        Principal business
Name                        Connection                Organization                                      address of organization
----                        ----------                ------------                                      -----------------------
<S>                         <C>                       <C>                                               <C>
Stolberg, Thomas B.         None
  Vice President

Strelow, Daniel R.          None
  Senior Vice President

Swanson, Amy McDermott      Vice President            State Street Research Institutional Funds         Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President

Thorndike, Benjamin W.      Managing Director         Scudder Kemper Investments                        Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President     (until 7/00)

Tice, Robyn S.              None
  Vice President

Trebino, Anne M.            Vice President            SSRM Holdings, Inc.                               Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President

Tucher, Anne                Senior Analyst            J.P. Morgan & Co.                                 New York, NY
  Vice President            (until 6/00)

Wallace, Julie K.           None
  Vice President

Walsh III, Denis J.         None
  Vice President

Walsh, Tucker               Vice President            State Street Research Capital Trust               Boston, MA
  Vice President

Weiss, James M.             Vice President            State Street Research Exchange Trust              Boston, MA
  Director and Executive    Vice President            State Street Research Financial Trust             Boston, MA
  Vice President            Vice President            State Street Research Growth Trust                Boston, MA
                            Vice President            State Street Research Institutional Funds         Boston, MA
                            Vice President            State Street Research Securities Trust            Boston, MA
                            Vice President            State Street Research Capital Trust               Boston, MA
                            Vice President            State Street Research Equity Trust                Boston, MA
                            Vice President            State Street Research Income Trust                Boston, MA
                            Vice President            State Street Research Master Investment Trust     Boston, MA
                            Director                  State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA

Welch, Timothy M.           None
  Vice President

Westvold,                   Vice President            State Street Research Institutional Funds         Boston, MA
  Elizabeth McCombs         Vice President            State Street Research Securities Trust            Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President

Wilkins, Kevin              Executive Vice President  State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA
  Executive Vice President  (Senior Vice President
  (Senior Vice President    until 4/00)
  until 4/00)

Wilson, John T.             Vice President            State Street Research Master Investment Trust     Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President     Vice President            State Street Research Institutional Funds         Boston, MA

Winandy, Angela             Vice President            State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA
  Vice President
</TABLE>


                                      C-12
<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           Principal business
Name                       Connection                    Organization                                      address of organization
----                       ----------                    ------------                                      -----------------------
<S>                        <C>                           <C>                                               <C>
Wing, Darman A.            Senior Vice President,        State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA
  Senior Vice President,   Assistant Clerk & Assistant
  Assistant Secretary      General Counsel
  and Assistant            Assistant Secretary and       State Street Research Capital Trust               Boston, MA
  General Counsel          Assistant General Counsel
                           Assistant Secretary and       State Street Research Exchange Trust              Boston, MA
                           Assistant General Counsel
                           Assistant Secretary and       State Street Research Growth Trust                Boston, MA
                           Assistant General Counsel
                           Assistant Secretary and       State Street Research Master Investment Trust     Boston, MA
                           Assistant General Counsel
                           Assistant Secretary and       State Street Research Securities Trust            Boston, MA
                           Assistant General Counsel
                           Assistant Secretary and       State Street Research Equity Trust                Boston, MA
                           Assistant General Counsel
                           Assistant Secretary and       State Street Research Financial Trust             Boston, MA
                           Assistant General Counsel
                           Assistant Secretary and       State Street Research Income Trust                Boston, MA
                           Assistant General Counsel
                           Assistant Secretary and       State Street Research Money Market Trust          Boston, MA
                           Assistant General Counsel
                           Assistant Secretary and       State Street Research Tax-Exempt Trust            Boston, MA
                           Assistant General Counsel
                           Assistant Secretary and       SSRM Holdings, Inc.                               Boston, MA
                           Assistant General Counsel

Woodbury, Robert S.        None
  Vice President

Woodworth, Jr., Kennard    Vice President                State Street Research Exchange Trust              Boston, MA
  Senior Vice              Vice President                State Street Research Financial Trust             Boston, MA
  President                Vice President                State Street Research Growth Trust                Boston, MA
                           Vice President                State Street Research Institutional Funds         Boston, MA
                           Vice President                State Street Research Securities Trust            Boston, MA

Wu, Norman N.              Partner                       Atlantic-Acton Realty                             Framingham, MA
  Senior Vice President    Director                      Bond Analysts Society of Boston                   Boston, MA

Yalamanchili, Kishore K.   None
  Vice President

Yannone, John T.           Vice President                State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston,  MA
  Vice President           Vice President                John Hancock Company                              Boston,  MA
                           (until 1/00)

Yu, Mandy                  Vice President                State Street Research Investment Services, Inc.   Boston, MA
  Vice President

Zuger, Peter A.            Vice President                State Street Research Equity Trust                Boston, MA
  Senior Vice
  President
</TABLE>


                                      C-13
<PAGE>

Item 27.  Principal Underwriters


     (a) State Street Research Investment Services, Inc. serves as principal
underwriter for State Street Research Equity Trust, State Street Research
Financial Trust, State Street Research Income Trust, State Street Research Money
Market Trust, State Street Research Tax-Exempt Trust, State Street Research
Capital Trust, State Street Research Master Investment Trust, State Street
Research Growth Trust, State Street Research Securities Trust, and State Street
Research Institutional Funds.


     (b) Directors and Officers of State Street Research Investment Services,
Inc. are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        (1)                                        (2)                                   (3)
                                               Positions
Name and Principal                             and Offices                      Positions and Offices
 Business Address                           with Underwriter                         with Fund
------------------                          ----------------                    ---------------------
<S>                                         <C>                                 <C>

Gerard P. Maus                              President, Treasurer,               Chairman of the Board, President,
One Financial Center                        Chief Financial                     Chief Executive Officer,
Boston, MA 02111                            Officer, Chief Administrative       Treasurer and Trustee
                                            Officer and Director

James M. Weiss                              Director                            Vice President
One Financial Center
Boston, MA  02111


Francis J. McNamara, III                    Executive Vice                      Secretary
One Financial Center                        President, General Counsel
Boston, MA 02111                            and Clerk


Kevin Wilkins                               Executive Vice                      None
One Financial Center                        President
Boston, MA 02111

Dennis Barghaan                             Senior Vice President               None
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111


Peter Borghi                                Senior Vice President               None
One Financial Center
Boston, MA  02111
</TABLE>


                                      C-14
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        (1)                                        (2)                                   (3)
                                               Positions
Name and Principal                             and Offices                      Positions and Offices
 Business Address                           with Underwriter                          with Fund
------------------                          ----------------                    ---------------------
<S>                                         <C>                                 <C>
Paul V. Daly                                Senior Vice                         None
One Financial Center                        President
Boston, MA  02111



Joanne Hickman                              Senior Vice President               None
One Financial Center
Boston, MA  02111


Thomas Holland                              Senior Vice President               None
One Financial Center
Boston, MA  02111

Douglas A. Romich                           Senior                              None
One Financial Center                        Vice President and
Boston, MA 02111                            Assistant Treasurer


Darman A. Wing                              Senior Vice                         Assistant Secretary
One Financial Center                        President, Assistant General
Boston, MA 02111                            Counsel and Assistant Clerk

Amy F. Barnwell                             Vice President                      None
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111


Mara D. Calame                              Vice President,                     None
One Financial Center                        Assistant Clerk
Boston, MA 02111                            and Counsel

Linda C. Carley                             Vice President                      None
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111


Linda C. Carstens                           Vice President                      None
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111

Terrence J. Cullen                          Vice President                      None
One Financial Center                        and Counsel
Boston, MA 02111



Richard Fee                                 Vice President                      None
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111
</TABLE>


                                      C-15
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        (1)                                        (2)                                   (3)
                                               Positions
Name and Principal                             and Offices                      Positions and Offices
 Business Address                           with Underwriter                          with Fund
------------------                          ----------------                    ---------------------
<S>                                         <C>                                 <C>

Kimberley Feeney                            Vice President                      None
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111

Edward T. Gallivan, Jr.                     Vice President                      None
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111

David H. Goganian                           Vice President                      None
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111


Stephanie B. Goodman                        Vice President                      None
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111

Ira P. Hasson                               Vice President                      None
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111



M. Katherine Kasper                         Vice President                      None
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111


C. Miyeko Keen                              Vice President                      None
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111

Stephen P. Kuhn                             Vice President                      None
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111

Richard C. Ledbury                          Vice President                      None
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111


Elizabeth G. McKown                         Vice President                      None
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111


Steven W. Paddon                            Vice President                      None
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111


Amy L. Simmons                              Vice President                      Assistant Secretary
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111


Angela Winandy                              Vice President                      None
One Financial Center
Boston, MA 02111

</TABLE>


                                      C-16
<PAGE>

Item 28.  Location of Accounts and Records

     Gerard P. Maus
     State Street Research & Management Company
     One Financial Center
     Boston, MA  02111

Item 29.  Management Services


     Under a Shareholders' Administrative Services Agreement between Registrant
and the Distributor, the Distributor provides shareholders' admininistrative
services, such as responding to inquiries and instructions from investors
respecting the purchase and redemption of shares of series of the Registrant
and received the amounts set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   Year-end     Year-end         Year-end
Fund                               3-31-98      3-31-99          3-31-00
----                               --------     --------       -----------
<S>                                <C>          <C>               <C>
High Income                        $274,293     $483,345          $689,008
Strategic Growth & Income          $209,523     $373,841          $571,504
</TABLE>


Item 30.  Undertakings

     (a) Inapplicable.

     (b) Inapplicable.

     (c) Deleted.

     (d) The Registrant undertakes to hold a special meeting of shareholders for
the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of any trustee or trustees
when requested in writing to do so by the record holders of not less than 10 per
centum of the outstanding shares of the Registrant, and, in connection with such
meeting, to comply with the provisions of Section 16(c) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 relating to shareholder communications.


                                      C-17
<PAGE>

                                     Notice

     A copy of the First Amended and Restated Master Trust Agreement of the
Registrant is on file with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts and notice is hereby given that the obligations of the Registrant
hereunder, and the authorization, execution and delivery of this amendment to
the Registrant's Registration Statement, shall not be binding upon any of the
Trustees, shareholders, nominees, officers, agents or employees of the
Registrant as individuals or personally, but shall bind only the property of the
Funds of the Registrant, as provided in the Master Trust Agreement. Each Fund of
the Registrant shall be solely and exclusively responsible for all of its direct
or indirect debts, liabilities and obligations, and no other Fund shall be
responsible for the same.


                                      C-18
<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of
the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to
Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 has duly caused this
Post-Effective Amendment No. 21 to its Registration Statement on Form N-1A to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of
Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the 28th day of July, 2000.


                                              STATE STREET RESEARCH
                                                INCOME TRUST



                                              By            *
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Gerard P. Maus
                                                Chief Executive Officer
                                                and President


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed on the
above date by the following persons in the capacities indicated:

Signature                             Capacity


         *                            Trustee and Chief
-------------------------             Executive Officer
Gerard P. Maus                        (principal executive
                                      officer)


         *                            Treasurer
-------------------------             (principal financial
Gerard P. Maus                        and accounting officer)

         *                            Trustee
-------------------------
Bruce R. Bond

         *                            Trustee
-------------------------
Steve A. Garban




                                      C-19
<PAGE>


          *                           Trustee
-------------------------
Dean O. Morton

          *                           Trustee
-------------------------
Susan M. Phillips

          *                           Trustee
-------------------------
Toby Rosenblatt

           *                          Trustee
-------------------------
Michael S. Scott Morton


*By: /s/ Francis J. McNamara, III
    -----------------------------
         Francis J. McNamara, III
         Attorney-in-Fact under
         Powers of Attorney
         filed July 3, 1997,
         under Powers of Attorney
         filed July 14, 1999 and
         under Power of Attorney
         filed herein.



                                      C-20
<PAGE>

                                             1933 Act Registration No. 33-2697
                                             1940 Act File No. 811-4559


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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

                                    FORM N-1A

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                           UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT                   [ ]
                                     OF 1933


                        Pre-Effective Amendment No. __                [ ]


                        Post-Effective Amendment No. 21               [X]


                                     and/or

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                          UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY
                                  ACT OF 1940                         [ ]


                               Amendment No. 22                       [X]

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

                       STATE STREET RESEARCH INCOME TRUST
         (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Declaration of Trust)

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

                                    EXHIBITS

<PAGE>
                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


(1)(f)   Amendment No. 6 to First Amended and Restated Master Trust Agreement

(11)     Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

(15)(c)  Amendment No. 1 to the First Amended and Restated Plan of Distribution
         Pursuant to Rule 12b-1

(17)(c)  State Street Research & Management Company Code of Ethics

(18)(d)  Power of Attorney for Gerard P. Maus

(19)     Certificate of Resolution Respecting Power of Attorney for Gerard P.
         Maus




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