VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TAX FREE MONEY FUND
485BPOS, 1997-10-27
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<PAGE>   1
 
   
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 27, 1997
    
 
                                                       REGISTRATION NOS. 33-6745
                                                                        811-4718
================================================================================
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D. C. 20549
                                   FORM N-1A
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            <S>                                                    <C>
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
               THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933                                [X]
               Post-Effective Amendment No.  15                          [X]
                                          and
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
               THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940                        [X]
               Amendment No.  16                                         [X]
</TABLE>
    
 
                          VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
                              TAX FREE MONEY FUND
 
        (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Declaration of Trust)
 
              One Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
   
              (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
    
 
                                 (630) 684-6000
   
               Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code
    
 
   
                             RONALD A. NYBERG, ESQ.
    
            Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
                       Van Kampen American Capital, Inc.
   
                               One Parkview Plaza
    
                        Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181
                    (Name and Address of Agent for Service)
                            ------------------------
 
   
                                   Copies To:
    
   
                             WAYNE W. WHALEN, ESQ.
    
   
                              THOMAS A. HALE, ESQ.
    
   
                Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois)
    
   
                             333 West Wacker Drive
    
   
                            Chicago, Illinois 60606
    
                                 (312) 407-0700
                            ------------------------
 
     Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable
following effectiveness of this Registration Statement.
 
   
     IT IS PROPOSED THAT THIS FILING WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE:
    
 
   
          [ ] IMMEDIATELY UPON FILING PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (B)
    
 
   
          [X] ON OCTOBER 28, 1997 PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (B)
    
 
   
          [ ] 60 DAYS AFTER FILING PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (A)(I)
    
 
   
          [ ] ON (DATE) PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (A)(I)
    
 
   
          [ ] 75 DAYS AFTER FILING PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (A)(II)
    
 
   
          [ ] ON (DATE) PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (A)(II) OF RULE 485.
    
 
   
     IF APPROPRIATE CHECK THE FOLLOWING BOX:
    
          [ ] THIS POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT DESIGNATES A NEW EFFECTIVE DATE FOR
              A PREVIOUSLY FILED POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT.
 
   
     TITLE OF SECURITIES BEING REGISTERED: SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST, PAR
VALUE $0.01 PER SHARE.
    
================================================================================
<PAGE>   2
 
                VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TAX FREE MONEY FUND
 
                             CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
                 (AS REQUIRED BY ITEM 501(B) OF REGULATION S-K)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         ITEM NUMBER OF                                     LOCATION OR CAPTION
                         FORM N-1A                                          -------------------
<S>                      <C>                             <C>
PART A
Item  1.                 Cover Page..................    Cover Page
Item  2.                 Synopsis....................    SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES; ANNUAL FUND OPERATING
                                                         EXPENSES AND EXAMPLE
Item  3.                 Condensed Financial
                           Information...............    FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Item  4.                 General Description of
                           Registrant................    THE FUND; INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES; INVESTMENT
                                                         PRACTICES; DESCRIPTION OF SHARES OF THE FUND
Item  5.                 Management of the   Fund....    ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES AND EXAMPLE; INVESTMENT
                                                         PRACTICES; INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES; SHAREHOLDER
                                                         SERVICES
Item  6.                 Capital Stock and Other
                           Securities................    PURCHASE OF SHARES; DISTRIBUTIONS FROM THE FUND;
                                                         REDEMPTION OF SHARES; THE DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS;
                                                         TAX STATUS; SHAREHOLDER SERVICES; DESCRIPTION OF SHARES OF
                                                         THE FUND; ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Item  7.                 Purchase of Securities
                           Being Offered.............    SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES; PURCHASE OF SHARES;
                                                         REDEMPTION OF SHARES; THE DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS;
                                                         NET ASSET VALUE
Item  8.                 Redemption or
                           Repurchase................    PURCHASE OF SHARES; REDEMPTION OF SHARES; NET ASSET VALUE
Item  9.                 Pending Legal
                           Proceedings...............    Not Applicable
PART B
Item 10.                 Cover Page..................    Cover Page
Item 11.                 Table of Contents...........    Table of Contents
Item 12.                 General Information   and
                         History.....................    The Fund and the Trust
Item 13.                 Investment Objectives   and
                         Policies....................    Investment Policies and Restrictions; Appendix
</TABLE>
 
                                      (i.)
<PAGE>   3
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         ITEM NUMBER OF                                     LOCATION OR CAPTION
                         FORM N-1A                                          -------------------
<S>                      <C>                             <C>
Item 14.                 Management of the   Fund....    Trustees and Officers
Item 15.                 Control Persons and
                           Principal Holders of
                           Securities................    Trustees and Officers
Item 16.                 Investment Advisory and
                           Other Services............    Contained in Prospectus under captions: PURCHASE OF
                                                         SHARES; INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES; THE DISTRIBUTION AND
                                                         SERVICE PLANS; Trustees and Officers; Legal Counsel;
                                                         Investment Advisory and Other Services; Custodian and
                                                         Independent Accountants; The Distributor
Item 17.                 Brokerage Allocation and
                         Other Practices.............    Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Allocations
Item 18.                 Capital Stock and   Other
                         Securities..................    Contained in the Prospectus under captions: THE FUND;
                                                         DESCRIPTION OF SHARES OF THE FUND; The Fund and the Trust
Item 19.                 Purchase, Redemption   and
                         Pricing of   Securities
                         Being   Offered.............    Contained in the Prospectus under captions: PURCHASE OF
                                                         SHARES; THE DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS; REDEMPTION OF
                                                         SHARES; NET ASSET VALUE
Item 20.                 Tax Status..................    Contained in Prospectus under caption: TAX STATUS
Item 21.                 Underwriters................    The Distributor
Item 22.                 Calculation of Performance
                         Data........................    Yield Information; Dividends
Item 23.                 Financial Statements........    Contained in the Prospectus under caption: FINANCIAL
                                                         HIGHLIGHTS; Independent Accountants' Report; Financial
                                                         Statements; Notes to Financial Statements; Trustees and
                                                         Officers
</TABLE>
    
 
PART C

       Information required to be included in Part C is set forth under the
appropriate Item, so numbered, in Part C of this Registration Statement.
 
                                      (ii.)
<PAGE>   4
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
                              TAX FREE MONEY FUND
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
    Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free Money Fund (the "Fund") is a
diversified, open-end management investment company, commonly known as a mutual
fund. The Fund's investment objective is to provide a high level of current
income exempt from federal income taxes consistent with the preservation of
capital and liquidity through investments in a broad range of municipal
securities that will mature within 12 months of the date of purchase. The Fund
is organized as a Delaware business trust. The Fund is managed by Van Kampen
American Capital Investment Advisory Corp. (the "Adviser").
    
 
    An investment in the Fund is neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S.
government. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to maintain a
stable net asset value of $1.00 per share.
 
    This Prospectus sets forth certain information about the Fund that a
prospective investor should know before investing in the Fund. Please read it
carefully and retain it for future reference. The address of the Fund is One
Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181, and its telephone number is
(800) 421-5666.
                               ------------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE REGULATORS NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION OR ANY STATE REGULATORS PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                               ------------------
    SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, GUARANTEED OR
ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK OR DEPOSITORY INSTITUTION; FURTHER, SUCH SHARES ARE NOT
FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL
RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY. SHARES OF THE FUND INVOLVE
INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
 
   
    A Statement of Additional Information, dated October 28, 1997, containing
additional information about the Fund is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety into this Prospectus. A copy of the Fund's Statement of Additional
Information may be obtained without charge by calling (800) 421-5666 or for
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at (800) 421-2833. The Statement of
Additional Information has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") and is available along with other related materials at the
SEC's internet web site (http://www.sec.gov).
    
 
                               ------------------
                        VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL  SM
 
                               ------------------
 
   
                   THIS PROSPECTUS IS DATED OCTOBER 28, 1997.
    
<PAGE>   5
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                PAGE
                                                                ----
<S>                                                             <C>
Shareholder Transaction Expenses............................      3
Annual Fund Operating Expenses and Example..................      3
Financial Highlights........................................      5
The Fund....................................................      6
Investment Objective and Policies...........................      6
Investment Practices........................................      8
Investment Advisory Services................................      9
Purchase of Shares..........................................     11
Shareholder Services........................................     13
Redemption of Shares........................................     16
Distribution and Service Plans..............................     19
Distributions from the Fund.................................     19
Net Asset Value.............................................     20
Tax Status..................................................     20
Description of Shares of the Fund...........................     23
Additional Information......................................     23
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
 INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
 PROSPECTUS, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF
 GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH OTHER INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED
 UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE FUND, THE ADVISER, OR THE DISTRIBUTOR.
 THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER BY THE FUND OR BY THE DISTRIBUTOR
 TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED
 HEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR THE FUND
 TO MAKE SUCH AN OFFER IN SUCH JURISDICTION.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   6
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Maximum sales charge imposed on purchases
  (as a percentage of the offering price)...................  None
Maximum sales charge imposed on reinvested dividends
  (as a percentage of the offering price)...................  None
Deferred sales charge (as a percentage of original purchase
  price
  or redemption proceeds)...................................  None
Redemption fees (as a percentage of amount redeemed)........  None
Exchange fees...............................................  None
</TABLE>
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES AND EXAMPLE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Management Fees(1) (as a percentage of average daily net
  assets
  after fee waiver).........................................  0.00%
12b-1 Fees(2) (as a percentage of average daily net
  assets)...................................................  0.25%
Other Expenses(1) (as a percentage of average daily net
  assets after expense reimbursement).......................  0.60%
Total Expenses(1) (as a percentage of average daily net
  assets
  after fee waiver and expense reimbursement)...............  0.85%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
(1) The expenses indicated above are based on the Fund's fiscal year ended June
    30, 1997. "Management Fees," "Other Expenses" and "Total Expenses" indicated
    above reflect a waiver of management fees and reimbursement of certain other
    expenses by the Adviser. Without such waiver or reimbursement, "Management
    Fees," "Other Expenses" and "Total Expenses" were 0.50%, 0.70% and 1.45%,
    respectively.
    
 
   
(2) Such fees include a service fee of up to 0.25% paid by the Fund to
    investors' broker-dealers as compensation for ongoing services rendered to
    
   
    investors. See "Distribution and Service Plans."
    
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   7
 
EXAMPLE:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              ONE    THREE   FIVE     TEN
                                              YEAR   YEARS   YEARS   YEARS
                                              ----   -----   -----   -----
<S>                                           <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>
You would pay the following expenses on a
$1,000 investment, assuming a 5.00% annual
return and an operating expense ratio of
0.85%. The Fund does not charge a fee
for redemptions.............................   $9     $27     $47    $105
</TABLE>
    
 
   
  The purpose of the foregoing tables is to assist an investor in understanding
the various costs and expenses that an investor in the Fund will bear directly
or indirectly. The "Example" reflects expenses based on the "Annual Fund
Operating Expenses" table as shown above carried out to future years and is
included to provide a means for the investor to compare expense levels of funds
with different fee structures over varying investment periods. To facilitate
such comparison, all funds are required by the SEC to utilize a 5.00% annual
return assumption. It is expected that as Fund assets increase, the fees waived
or expenses reimbursed by the Adviser will decrease. Accordingly, it is unlikely
that future expenses as projected will remain consistent with those determined
based on the table of the "Annual Fund Operating Expenses." THE INFORMATION
CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE TABLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST
OR FUTURE EXPENSES AND ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESSER THAN THOSE
SHOWN. For more complete description of such costs and expenses, see "Investment
Advisory Services" and "Distribution and Service Plans."
    
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   8
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (for one share outstanding throughout the periods
indicated)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
The following schedule presents financial highlights for one share of the Fund
outstanding throughout the periods indicated. The financial highlights have been
audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent accountants, whose report thereon
appears in the Statement of Additional Information. This information should be
read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes thereto
included in the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    1997    1996    1995    1994    1993    1992    1991    1990    1989    1988
                                                    -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----
<S>                                                 <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period..............  $1.00   $1.00   $1.00   $1.00   $1.00   $1.00   $1.00   $1.00   $1.00   $1.00
                                                    -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----
 Net Investment Income............................   .028    .029    .027    .017    .019    .035    .052    .057    0.53    .046
 Less Distributions from Net Investment Income....  (.028)  (.029)  (.027)  (.017)  (.019)  (.035)  (.052)  (.057)  (.053)  (.046)
                                                    -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----   -----
Net Asset Value, End of Period....................  $1.00   $1.00   $1.00   $1.00   $1.00   $1.00   $1.00   $1.00   $1.00   $1.00
                                                    =====   =====   =====   =====   =====   =====   =====   =====   =====   =====
Total Return*.....................................  2.82%   2.93%   2.73%   1.70%   1.93%   3.56%   5.29%   5.93%   5.50%   4.65%
Net Assets at End of Period (In millions).........  $33.1   $35.6   $33.2   $37.4   $43.1   $70.8   $81.5   $59.8   $43.6   $58.3
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets*..........   .85%    .85%    .89%    .81%    .72%    .57%    .56%    .55%    .78%    .51%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net
 Assets*..........................................  2.78%   2.89%   2.68%   1.69%   1.92%   3.56%   5.01%   5.69%   5.34%   4.63%
- ----------------
* If certain expenses had not been assumed by the Adviser, total return would have been lower and the ratios would have
been as follows:
 Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets..........  1.45%   1.53%   1.38%   1.29%    .97%   1.18%   1.20%   1.25%   1.17%   1.08%
 Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net
   Assets.........................................  2.17%   2.21%   2.20%   1.20%   1.67%   2.96%   4.37%   4.98%   4.96%   4.06%
</TABLE>
    
 
                  See Financial Statements and Notes Thereto.
                         ------------------------------
 
   
The "current yield" of the Fund for the seven days ended June 30, 1997 was 3.72%
and its "compounded effective yield" for that period was 3.79%. The method of
calculating these yields is described in the Statement of Additional
Information.
    
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   9
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FUND
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free Money Fund (the "Fund") is a mutual fund.
A mutual fund allows investors to pool their money with that of other investors
in order to obtain professional investment management. Mutual funds generally
make it possible for investors to obtain greater diversification of their
investments and to simplify their recordkeeping. The Fund is organized as a
Delaware business trust.
 
  Van Kampen American Capital Investment Advisory Corp. (the "Adviser") provides
investment advisory and administrative services to the Fund. The Adviser and its
affiliates also act as investment adviser to other mutual funds distributed by
Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor"). To obtain
prospectuses and other information on any of these other funds, please call the
telephone number on the cover page of this Prospectus.
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  The Fund's investment objective is to provide a high level of current income
exempt from federal income taxes consistent with the preservation of capital and
liquidity through investments in a diversified portfolio of municipal securities
that will mature within 12 months of the date of purchase. These securities may
not earn as high a level of current income as securities with longer maturities
or lower quality, which may also have less liquidity and greater price
fluctuation. There can be no assurance that the Fund will attain its investment
objective.
 
  The Fund will generally invest its assets in municipal securities, which are
obligations issued by or on behalf of States, territories and possessions of the
United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions,
agencies and instrumentalities, the interest on which, in the opinion of bond
counsel or other counsel to the issuer or the Fund is exempt from federal income
tax at the time of issuance. In normal circumstances, up to 100%, but not less
than 80%, of the Fund's net assets will be invested in such securities. All of
the Fund's investments are subject, however, to the limitation that they mature
within one year of the date of their purchase or are subject to repurchase
agreements maturing within one year. The Fund's investment objective and the
foregoing policies are fundamental and cannot be changed without shareholder
approval. If the tax-exempt status of the municipal securities in which the Fund
may invest changes at some future date, the Trustees of the Fund would consider
what changes if any should be made in the Fund and might recommend to the
shareholders changes in the Fund's fundamental objectives.
 
  The Fund will invest in municipal securities which at the time of purchase:
(a) are rated at least AA by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("Standard &
Poor's") or Aa by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"); (b) have a
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   10
 
Moody's short-term municipal securities rating of at least MIG-2 or VMIG-2, or a
municipal commercial paper rating of at least P-2 by Moody's or A-2 or SP-2 by
Standard & Poor's; (c) are guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government, its
agencies or instrumentalities as to the payment of principal and interest; (d)
are fully collateralized by an escrow of U.S. government securities or other
securities acceptable to the Adviser; or (e) which are unrated but considered by
the Adviser to be of comparable quality to securities having one of the above
ratings. Although the Fund may invest in U.S. government securities or
securities collateralized by an escrow of such securities, an investment in the
Fund is neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. government.
 
  Municipal Securities.  The Fund may invest in municipal securities which are
scheduled to mature in one year or less. This category includes, but is not
limited to, short-term tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, revenue
anticipation notes, grant anticipation notes, construction loan notes,
tax-exempt commercial paper, and variable rate demand obligations.
 
  Tax anticipation notes are typically sold to finance working capital needs of
municipalities in anticipation of receiving taxes on a future date. Bond
anticipation notes are sold on an interim basis in anticipation of a
municipality issuing a longer term bond in the future. Revenue anticipation
notes are issued in expectation of receipt of other types of revenue such as
those available under state aid programs. Grant anticipation notes are issued in
anticipation of receipt of an intergovernmental grant in the future.
Construction loan notes are issued to provide short-term construction financing
for multi-family housing projects. Frequently construction loan notes are
insured by the Federal Housing Administration with permanent financing by the
Government National Mortgage Association at the end of the project construction
period. Tax exempt commercial paper is an unsecured promissory obligation issued
or guaranteed by a municipal issuer. The Fund may purchase other municipal
securities which have a remaining life of one year or less.
 
   
  The Fund may invest in certain municipal securities which have rates of
interest that are adjusted periodically according to formulae intended to
minimize fluctuations in values of the instruments. These securities are
commonly known as variable rate demand notes. These variable rate demand
obligations are long-term securities which allow the purchaser, at its
discretion, to redeem the securities before their final maturity at par upon
notice (typically 7 to 30 days). Variable rate instruments with a demand feature
enable the Fund to purchase instruments with a stated maturity in excess of one
year. The Fund determines the maturity of variable rate instruments in
accordance with rules of the SEC which allow the Fund to consider certain of
such instruments as having maturities that are less than the maturity date on
the face of the instrument.
    
 
  Yields on municipal securities are dependent on a variety of factors,
including the general conditions of the money market and of the municipal bond
and municipal note markets, income tax rates, and the size, maturity and rating
of the particular offering. The ratings of Moody's and Standard & Poor's
represent their opinions as
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   11
 
to the quality of the municipal securities which they undertake to rate. It
should be emphasized, however, that ratings are general and are not absolute
standards of quality. Consequently, municipal securities with the same maturity,
coupon and rating may have different yields.
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT PRACTICES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  The Fund may purchase and sell portfolio securities on a "when issued" and
"delayed delivery" basis, although no more than 25% of the Fund's assets will be
invested in such manner. No income accrues to the Fund on securities in
connection with such transactions prior to the date the Fund actually takes
delivery of such securities. These transactions are subject to market
fluctuation, the value of the securities at delivery may be more or less than
their purchase price, and yields generally available on comparable securities
when delivery occurs may be higher than yields on the securities obtained
pursuant to such transactions. Because the Fund relies on the buyer or seller,
as the case may be, to consummate the transaction, failure by the other party to
complete the transaction may result in the Fund missing the opportunity of
obtaining a price or yield considered to be advantageous. When the Fund is the
buyer in such a transaction, however, it will maintain, in a segregated account
with its custodian, cash or portfolio securities having an aggregate value equal
to the amount of such purchase commitments until payment is made. The Fund will
make commitments to purchase securities on such basis only with the intention of
actually acquiring these securities, but the Fund may sell such securities prior
to the settlement date if such sale is considered to be advisable. No specific
limitation exists as to the percentage of the Fund's assets which may be used to
acquire securities on a "when issued" or "delayed delivery" basis. To the extent
the Fund engages in "when issued" and "delayed delivery" transactions, it will
do so for the purpose of acquiring securities for the Fund's portfolio
consistent with the Fund's investment objective and policies and not for the
purpose of investment leverage.
 
  The Fund may also purchase municipal securities which provide for the right to
resell them back to the issuer, a bank, or a broker dealer at an agreed upon
price or yield within a specified period of time prior to the maturity date of
these securities. These securities are known as "put" securities or securities
with stand-by commitments. The Fund may pay a higher price for such securities
than would otherwise be paid for the same security without a put. The primary
purpose of purchasing these securities is to permit the Fund to be as fully
invested as practicable in municipal securities while at the same time providing
the Fund with greater liquidity. It will be the Fund's policy to enter into
these transactions only with issuers, banks, or broker-dealers that are
determined by the Adviser to present minimal credit risks. If an issuer, bank,
or broker-dealer should default on its obligation to repurchase, the Fund might
be unable to recover all or a portion of any loss sustained from having to sell
the security elsewhere.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   12
 
  Although it is the Fund's intention to provide current income exempt from
federal income taxes, there may be circumstances when the Fund will invest
temporarily in taxable investments, such as repurchase agreements. The Fund may
enter into such agreements with banks and broker-dealers, under which the Fund
purchases securities and agrees to resell the securities at an agreed upon time
and at an agreed upon price. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the "1940 Act"), repurchase agreements may be considered collateralized
loans by the Fund, and the difference between the amount the Fund pays for the
securities and the amount it receives upon resale is accrued as interest and
reflected in the Fund's net income. When the Fund enters into repurchase
agreements, it relies on the seller to repurchase the securities. Failure to do
so may result in a loss for the Fund if the market value of the securities is
less than the repurchase price. At the time the Fund enters into a repurchase
agreement, the value of the underlying security including accrued interest will
be equal to or exceed the value of the repurchase agreement and, for repurchase
agreements that mature in more than one day, the seller will agree that the
value of the underlying security including accrued interest will continue to be
at least equal to the value of the repurchase agreement. In determining whether
to enter into a repurchase agreement with a bank or broker-dealer, the Fund will
take into account the creditworthiness of such party. In the event of default by
such party, the Fund may not have a right to the underlying security and there
may be possible delays and expenses in liquidating the security purchased,
resulting in a decline in its value and loss of interest. The Fund will use
repurchase agreements as a means of making short-term investments, and may
invest in repurchase agreements of duration of seven days or less without
limitation. The Fund's ability to invest in repurchase agreements that mature in
more than seven days is subject to an investment restriction that limits the
Fund's investment in "illiquid" securities, including such repurchase
agreements, to 10% of the Fund's net assets. The Fund's ability to invest in
taxable temporary investments is limited to 20% of the Fund's net assets.
 
  The Fund is subject to certain investment restrictions which constitute
fundamental policies. Fundamental policies cannot be changed without the
approval of the holders of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting
securities, as defined in the 1940 Act. See "Investment Policies and
Restrictions" in the Statement of Additional Information.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
  THE ADVISER.  Van Kampen American Capital Investment Advisory Corp. (the
"Adviser") is the investment adviser for the Fund. The Adviser is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Van Kampen American Capital, Inc. ("Van Kampen American Capital").
Van Kampen American Capital is a diversified asset management company with more
than two million retail investor accounts, extensive capabilities for managing
institutional portfolios, and more than $60 billion under management or
supervision. Van Kampen American Capital's more than 50 open-end and
    
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   13
 
   
37 closed-end funds and more than 2,500 unit investment trusts are
professionally distributed by leading financial advisers nationwide. Van Kampen
American Capital Distributors, Inc., the distributor of the Fund and sponsor of
the funds mentioned above, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Van Kampen American
Capital. Van Kampen American Capital is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of
Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co. The Adviser's principal office is
located at One Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181.
    
 
   
  Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co. and various of its directly or
indirectly owned subsidiaries, including Morgan Stanley Asset Management Inc.,
an investment adviser, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, a registered broker-
dealer and investment adviser, and Morgan Stanley International are engaged in a
wide range of financial services. Their principal businesses include securities
underwriting, distribution and trading; merger, acquisition, restructuring and
other corporate finance advisory activities; merchant banking; stock brokerage
and research services; credit services; asset management; trading of futures,
options, foreign exchange, commodities and swaps (involving foreign exchange,
commodities, indices and interest rates); real estate advice, financing and
investing; and global custody, securities clearance services and securities
lending.
    
 
   
  ADVISORY AGREEMENT. The business and affairs of the Fund are managed under the
direction of the Board of Trustees of the Fund. Subject to the Trustees'
authority, the Adviser and the officers of the Fund supervise and implement the
Fund's investment activities and are responsible for overall management of the
Fund's business affairs. The Fund pays the Adviser a fee (accrued daily and paid
monthly) computed based on an annual rate applied to the average daily net
assets of the Fund as follows:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS             % PER ANNUM
       ------------------------             -----------
<S>                                       <C>
First $500 million....................     0.500 of 1.00%
Next $500 million.....................     0.475 of 1.00%
Next $500 million.....................     0.425 of 1.00%
Over $1.5 billion.....................     0.375 of 1.00%
</TABLE>
 
   
  Under its investment advisory agreement, the Fund has agreed to assume and pay
the charges and expenses of the Fund's operations, including the compensation of
the Trustees of the Fund (other than those who are affiliated persons, as
defined in the 1940 Act, of the Adviser, the Distributor or Van Kampen American
Capital), the charges and expenses of independent accountants, legal counsel,
transfer agent (ACCESS Investor Services, Inc. ("ACCESS"), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Van Kampen American Capital) or dividend disbursing agent and the
custodian (including fees for safekeeping of securities), costs of calculating
net asset value, costs of acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities,
interest (if any) on obligations incurred by the Fund, costs of share
certificates, membership dues in the Investment Company Institute or any similar
organization, costs of reports and notices to shareholders, costs of registering
shares of the Fund under federal and
    
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   14
 
state securities laws, miscellaneous expenses and all taxes and fees to federal,
state or other governmental agencies. The Adviser reserves the right in its sole
discretion from time to time to charge all or a portion of its management fee or
to reimburse the Fund for all or a portion of its other expenses.
 
   
  PERSONAL INVESTING POLICIES. The Fund and the Adviser have adopted Codes of
Ethics designed to recognize the fiduciary relationship between the Fund and the
Adviser and its employees. The Codes permit trustees, directors, officers and
employees to buy and sell securities for their personal accounts subject to
certain restrictions. Persons with access to certain sensitive information are
subject to preclearance and other procedures designed to prevent conflicts of
interest.
    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PURCHASE OF SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Shares of the Fund are continuously offered through Van Kampen American
Capital Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor"), as principal underwriter, which
is located at One Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181. Shares are
also offered through members of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. ("NASD") acting as securities dealers ("dealers") and through NASD members
acting as brokers for investors ("brokers") or eligible non-NASD members acting
as agents for investors ("financial intermediaries"). The Fund reserves the
right to suspend or terminate the continuous offering at any time and without
prior notice.
 
  Shares of the Fund are available without a sales charge at the net asset value
per share, which will remain fixed at $1.00 per share except in extraordinary
circumstances. Share certificates will not be issued. The Fund has adopted a
distribution plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act and a service plan
which permit the Fund through the Distributor to compensate brokers, dealers and
financial intermediaries out of the assets of the Fund for their sales of the
shares of the Fund and for shareholder services, respectively.
 
  The minimum initial investment to open an account is $500, and the minimum
subsequent investment is $25, except as discussed under "Unit Trust Reinvestment
Programs" hereunder.
 
  Investments may be made as follows:
 
  1.  By Mail. For initial investments send a check payable to "Van Kampen
American Capital Tax Free Money Fund" along with a completed account application
to the transfer agent of the Fund: ACCESS Investor Services, Inc., P.O. Box
418256, Kansas City, MO 64141-9256 ("ACCESS"). Subsequent investments by mail
may be made directly to the Fund accompanied by either the detachable form which
is part of the Fund's account statement or by a letter indicating the dollar
amount of the investment, the account number, and registration. Investments made
by check will begin receiving dividends on the next business day after the Fund
receives good funds. For checks drawn on foreign banks, monies must be collected
before shares will be purchased.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   15
 
  2.  By Wire. The Fund will also accept investments by wire. An investor must
first telephone the Fund at (800) 421-5666 and provide the account registration,
address, tax identification number, and the amount being wired. Investors will
then be assigned an account number and should instruct their bank or broker to
wire federal funds to the custodian of the Fund: State Street Bank and Trust
Company, Custody, ABA-011000028, Re: Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free Money
Fund for further credit to Account Name ____________, Account Number ________.
Investors will be responsible for the charges, if any, that the bank, broker,
dealer or financial intermediary may make to handle the wire transfer. A
completed account application must then be forwarded to the Fund. Subsequent
investments by wire may be made by instructing a bank or broker to wire the
specified amount in accordance with the above instructions. Please call to
advise the Fund before wiring monies.
 
  Investments made by federal funds wire (up to $1 million, without approval by
the Fund) received prior to 12:00 p.m. Eastern time will be invested at the next
determined net asset value and begin receiving dividends on that day.
Investments made by federal funds wire received after 12:00 p.m. Eastern time
will be invested at the next determined net asset value and begin receiving
dividends on the next business day.
 
  3.  Through Financial Services Representatives. Brokers, dealers or financial
intermediaries may purchase, on behalf of investors, shares of the Fund using
either the By Mail or By Wire procedures outlined above. The Fund does not
charge for this transaction.
 
   
  4.  Unit Investment Trust Reinvestment Programs. The Fund will permit
unitholders of unit investment trusts to reinvest distributions from such trusts
in shares of the Fund and other mutual funds distributed by the Distributor with
no minimum or subsequent investment requirement. In order to qualify for this
privilege, the administrator of an investor's unit investment trust must have an
agreement with the Distributor pursuant to which the administrator will (1)
submit a single bulk order and make payment with a single remittance for all
investments in the Fund during each distribution period by all investors who
choose to invest in the Fund through the program and (2) provide ACCESS with
appropriate backup data for each participating investor in a computerized format
fully compatible with ACCESS' processing system. In addition, the Fund also
requires that all dividends and other distributions by the Fund be reinvested in
additional shares without any systematic withdrawal program. There will be no
minimum for reinvestments from unit investment trusts. The Fund will send
account activity statements to investors on a quarterly basis only, even if an
investor's investment period is more frequent. Persons desiring more information
with respect to this program, including the applicable terms and conditions
thereof, should contact their securities broker, dealer, financial intermediary
or the Distributor. The Fund reserves the right to modify or terminate this
program at any time.
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   16
 
  The Fund and the Distributor reserve the right to reject any order for the
purchase of shares. In addition, the offering of shares may be suspended and
resumed at any time thereafter. Shares will not be offered in certificate form.
 
   
  Account statements are prepared and mailed to you monthly, quarterly in the
case of a participant in a "Unit Investment Trust Reinvestment Program." Account
statements are not mailed to shareholders as a result of individual redemptions
by check.
    
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
  The Fund offers a number of shareholder services designed to facilitate
investment in its shares at little or no extra cost to the investor. The
following is a description of such services. Unless otherwise described below,
each of these services may be modified or terminated by the Fund at any time.
    
 
   
  As used herein, the term "Participating Funds" refers to certain open-end
investment companies advised by the Adviser or Van Kampen American Capital Asset
Management, Inc. and distributed by the Distributor as determined from time to
time by the Fund's Board of Trustees.
    
 
   
  INVESTMENT ACCOUNT. ACCESS Investor Services, Inc. ("ACCESS"), transfer agent
for the Fund and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Van Kampen American Capital,
performs bookkeeping, data processing and administration services relative to
the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Each shareholder has an investment
account under which the investor's shares of the Fund are held by ACCESS. Except
as described in this Prospectus, after each share transaction in an account, the
shareholder receives a statement showing the activity in the account. Each
shareholder who has an account in any of the Participating Funds will receive
statements at least quarterly from ACCESS showing any reinvestments of dividends
and capital gains distributions and any other activity in the account since the
preceding statement. Such shareholders also will receive separate confirmations
for each purchase or sale transaction other than reinvestment of dividends and
capital gains distributions and systematic purchases or redemptions. Additions
to an investment account may be made at any time by purchasing shares through
authorized brokers, dealers or financial intermediaries or by mailing a check
directly to ACCESS.
    
 
  AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN. An automatic investment plan is available under
which a shareholder can authorize ACCESS to charge a bank account on a regular
basis to invest pre-determined amounts in the Fund. Additional information is
available from the Distributor or authorized brokers, dealers or financial
intermediaries.
 
   
  DIVIDEND DIVERSIFICATION. A shareholder may, upon written request or by
completing the appropriate section of the application form accompanying this
Prospectus or by calling (800) 421-5666 (or (800) 421-2833 for the hearing
    
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   17
 
   
impaired), elect to have all dividends and other distributions paid on shares of
the Fund invested into shares sold subject to an initial sales charge of any
other Participating Fund or shares without a sales charge of the Van Kampen
American Capital Reserve Fund (the "Reserve Fund"), so long as the investor has
a pre-existing account for such class of shares of the other fund. Both accounts
must be of the same type, either non-retirement or retirement. If the accounts
are retirement accounts, they must both be for the same class and of the same
type of retirement plan (e.g. IRA, 403 (b)(7), 401(k) or Keogh) and for the
benefit of the same individual. If the qualified pre-existing account does not
exist, the shareholder must establish a new account subject to minimum
investment and other requirements of the fund into which distributions would be
invested. Distributions are invested into the selected fund at its net asset
value as of the payable date of the distribution.
    
 
   
  EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE. Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for shares sold
subject to an initial sales charge of any other Participating Fund or for shares
without a sales charge of the Reserve Fund subject to certain limitations herein
or in such other fund's prospectus. Shares of the Fund are exchanged for shares
of the Participating Fund or the Reserve Fund based on the net asset values of
each fund after requesting the exchange. Shares of the Fund may be exchanged for
shares of any Participating Fund or the Reserve Fund only if shares of such fund
are available for sale; however, during periods of suspensions of sales, shares
of a Participating Fund or the Reserve Fund may be available for sale only to
existing shareholders of such fund. Shareholders seeking an exchange with a
Participating Fund or the Reserve Fund should obtain and read the current
prospectus of such fund.
    
 
   
  Shares of the Fund which have not previously been charged a sales charge
(except for shares purchased via the reinvestment option) will have any
applicable sales charge differential imposed upon exchange into a Participating
Fund. Exchanges of shares of the Fund that previously have been charged a sales
charge lower than the sales charge applicable to the Participating Fund will
also have the sales charge differential imposed upon the exchange into such
fund.
    
 
  To be eligible for exchange, shares of the Fund must have been registered in
the shareholder's name for at least 30 days prior to an exchange. Shares of the
Fund registered in a shareholder's name for less than 30 days may only be
exchanged upon receipt of prior approval of the Adviser. Under normal
circumstances, it is the policy of the Adviser not to approve such requests.
 
   
  Exchanges of shares are sales and may result in a gain or loss for federal
income tax purposes.
    
 
   
  A shareholder wishing to make an exchange may do so by sending a written
request to ACCESS or by contacting the telephone transaction line at (800)
421-5684 (or (800) 421-2833 for the hearing impaired). A shareholder
automatically has telephone exchange privileges unless otherwise designated in
the application form accompanying this Prospectus. Van Kampen American Capital
and its subsidiaries, including ACCESS (collectively, "VKAC"), and the Fund
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   18
 
   
employ procedures considered by them to be reasonable to confirm that
instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. Such procedures include
requiring certain personal identification information prior to acting upon
telephone instructions, tape recording telephone communications, and providing
written confirmation of instructions communicated by telephone. If reasonable
procedures are employed, neither VKAC nor the Fund will be liable for following
telephone instructions which it reasonably believes to be genuine. VKAC and the
Fund may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions
if reasonable procedures are not followed. If the exchanging shareholder does
not have an account in the fund whose shares are being acquired, a new account
will be established with the same registration, dividend and capital gains
options (except dividend diversification options) and broker, dealer or
financial intermediary of record as the account from which shares are exchanged,
unless otherwise specified by the shareholder. In order to establish a
systematic withdrawal plan for the new account or reinvest dividends from the
new account into another Fund, an exchanging shareholder must file a specific
written request. The Fund reserves the right to reject any order to acquire its
shares through exchange. In addition, the Fund may modify, restrict or terminate
the exchange privilege at any time on 60 days' notice to its shareholders of any
termination or material amendment.
    
 
   
  A prospectus of any of these mutual funds may be obtained from any broker,
dealer or financial intermediary or the Distributor. An investor considering an
exchange to one of such funds should refer to the prospectus for additional
information regarding such fund prior to investing.
    
 
   
  SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PLAN. Any investor whose shares in a single account
total $10,000 or more at the offering price next computed after receipt of
instructions may establish a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual
withdrawal plan. Any investor whose shares in a single account total $5,000 or
more at the offering price next computed after receipt of instructions may
establish a quarterly, semi-annual or annual withdrawal plan. This plan provides
for the orderly use of the entire account, not only the income but also the
capital, if necessary. Each withdrawal constitutes a redemption of shares on
which taxable gain or loss will be recognized. The plan holder may arrange for
monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual checks in any amount not less than
$25.
    
 
  Under the plan, sufficient shares of the Fund are redeemed to provide the
amount of the periodic withdrawal payment. Dividends and capital gains
distributions on shares held under the plan are reinvested in additional shares
at the next determined net asset value. If periodic withdrawals continuously
exceed reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions, the shareholder's
original investment will be correspondingly reduced and ultimately exhausted.
The Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate the systematic withdrawal
program on thirty days' notice to its shareholders.
 
  CHECK WRITING PRIVILEGE. Holders of shares of the Fund may appoint ACCESS as
agent by completing the Authorization for Redemption by Check Form and the
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   19
 
appropriate section of the account application and returning the form and the
application to ACCESS. Once the form is properly completed, signed and returned
to the agent, a supply of checks drawn on State Street Bank and Trust Company
("State Street Bank") will be sent to such shareholder. These checks may be made
payable by the holder of shares to the order of any person in any amount of $100
or more.
 
  When a check is presented to State Street Bank for payment, full and
fractional shares required to cover the amount of the check are redeemed from
the shareholder's account by ACCESS at the next determined net asset value.
Check writing redemptions represent the sale of shares. Any gain or loss
realized on the sale of shares is a taxable event. See "Redemption of Shares."
 
  Checks will not be honored for redemption of shares held less than 15 calendar
days, unless such shares have been paid for by bank wire. If the amount of the
check is greater than the proceeds of all shares held in the shareholder's share
account, the check will be returned and the shareholder may be subject to
additional charges. Holders of shares may not liquidate the entire account by
means of a check. The check writing privilege may be terminated or suspended at
any time by the Fund or State Street Bank. Retirement plans and accounts that
are subject to backup withholding are not eligible for the privilege. A "stop
payment" system is not available on these checks.
 
   
  AUTOMATED CLEARING HOUSE ("ACH") DEPOSITS. Holders of shares can use ACH to
have redemption proceeds deposited electronically into their bank accounts.
Redemptions transferred to a bank account via the ACH plan are available to be
credited to the account on the second business day following normal payment. In
order to utilize this option, the shareholder's bank must be a member of ACH. In
addition, the shareholder must fill out the appropriate section of the account
application. The shareholder must also include a voided check or deposit slip
from the bank account into which redemptions are to be deposited together with
the completed application. Once ACCESS has received the application and the
voided check or deposit slip, such shareholder's designated bank account,
following any redemption, will be credited with the proceeds of such redemption.
Once enrolled in the ACH plan, a shareholder may terminate participation at any
time by writing ACCESS.
    
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REDEMPTION OF SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  Shareholders may redeem for cash some or all of their shares without charge by
the Fund at any time by sending a written request in proper form directly to
ACCESS, P. O. Box 418256, Kansas City, Missouri 64141-9256, by placing the
redemption request through an authorized dealer or by calling the Fund.
 
  WRITTEN REDEMPTION REQUESTS. In the case of redemption requests sent directly
to ACCESS, the redemption request should indicate the number of shares to be
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   20
 
   
redeemed, the account number and be signed exactly as the shares are registered.
Signatures must conform exactly to the account registration. If the proceeds of
the redemption would exceed $50,000, or if the proceeds are not to be paid to
the record owner at the record address, or if the record address has changed
within the previous 30 days, signature(s) must be guaranteed by one of the
following: a bank or trust company; a broker-dealer; a credit union; a national
securities exchange, registered securities association or clearing agency; a
savings and loan association; or a federal savings bank. In the event the
redemption is requested by a corporation, partnership, trust, fiduciary,
executor or administrator, and the name and title of the individual(s)
authorizing such redemption is not shown in the account registration, a copy of
the corporate resolution or other legal documentation appointing the authorized
signer and certified within the prior 120 days must accompany the redemption
request. The redemption price is the net asset value per share next determined
after the request is received by ACCESS in proper form. Payment for shares
redeemed will ordinarily be made by check mailed within three business days
after acceptance by ACCESS of the request and any other necessary documents in
proper order.
    
 
  DEALER REDEMPTION REQUESTS. Shareholders may sell shares through their
securities dealer, who will telephone the request to the Distributor. Orders
received from dealers must be at least $500 unless transmitted via the FUNDSERV
network. The redemption price for such shares is the net asset value next
calculated after an order is received by a dealer provided such order is
transmitted to the Distributor prior to the Distributor's close of business on
such day. It is the responsibility of dealers to transmit redemption requests
received by them to the Distributor so they will be received prior to such time.
Any change in the redemption price due to failure of the Distributor to receive
a sell order prior to such time must be settled between the shareholder and
dealer. Shareholders must submit a written redemption request in proper form (as
described above under "Written Redemption Requests") to the dealer within three
business days after calling the dealer with the sell order. Payment for shares
redeemed will ordinarily be made by check mailed within three business days to
the dealer.
 
   
  TELEPHONE REDEMPTION REQUESTS. The Fund permits redemption of shares by
telephone and for redemption proceeds to be sent to the address of record for
the account or to the bank account of record as described below. To establish
such privilege, a shareholder must complete the appropriate section of the
application accompanying this Prospectus or call the Fund at (800) 421-5666 (or
(800) 421-2833 for the hearing impaired) to request that a copy of the Telephone
Redemption Authorization form be sent to them for completion. To redeem shares,
contact the telephone transaction line at (800) 421-5684. VKAC and the Fund
employ procedures considered by them to be reasonable to confirm that
instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. Such procedures include
requiring certain personal identification information prior to acting upon
telephone instructions, tape recording telephone communications, and providing
written confirmation of instruc-
    
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   21
 
   
tions communicated by telephone. If reasonable procedures are employed, neither
VKAC nor the Fund will be liable for following instructions which it reasonably
believes to be genuine. VKAC and the Fund may be liable for any losses due to
unauthorized or fraudulent instructions if reasonable procedures are not
followed. Telephone redemptions may not be available if the shareholder cannot
reach ACCESS by telephone, whether because all telephone lines are busy or for
any other reason; in such case, a shareholder would have to use the Fund's other
redemption procedures previously described. Requests received by ACCESS prior to
12:00 p.m. Eastern time on a regular business day will be processed that day and
dividends for that day will not be earned. Requests received by ACCESS after
12:00 p.m. Eastern time on a regular business day will be treated as requests to
redeem as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern time so that the investor will receive that day's
dividend. These privileges are available for all accounts other than retirement
accounts. If an account has multiple owners, ACCESS may rely on the instructions
of any one owner.
    
 
  For redemptions authorized by telephone, amounts of $50,000 or less may be
redeemed daily if the proceeds are to be paid by check sent to the shareholders'
address of record and amounts of at least $1,000 and up to $1 million may be
redeemed daily if the proceeds are to be paid by wire sent to the shareholder's
bank account of record. The proceeds must be payable to the shareholder(s) of
record. Proceeds from redemptions to be paid by check will ordinarily be mailed
within three business days to the shareholder's address of record. Proceeds from
redemptions to be paid by wire will ordinarily be wired to the shareholder's
bank account of record. This privilege is not available if the address of record
has been changed within 30 days prior to a telephone redemption request. The
Fund reserves the right at any time to terminate, limit or otherwise modify this
telephone redemption privilege.
 
  REDEMPTION BY CHECK. Shareholders may effect redemptions by writing checks
drawn on their share account with the Fund. For more information, see
"Shareholder Services -- Check Writing Privilege."
 
   
  GENERAL REDEMPTION INFORMATION. Redemption payments may be postponed or the
right of redemption suspended as provided by the rules of the SEC. If the shares
to be redeemed have been recently purchased by check, ACCESS may delay mailing a
redemption check until it confirms that the purchase check has cleared, which
may take up to 15 days. The Fund may redeem any shareholder account with a net
asset value on the date of the notice of redemption less than the minimum
investment as specified by the Trustees. At least 60 days advance written notice
of any such involuntary redemption is required and the shareholder is given an
opportunity to purchase the required value of additional shares at the next
determined net asset value without sales charge. Any involuntary redemption may
only occur if the shareholder account is less than the minimum investment due to
shareholder redemptions.
    
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   22
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS
    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  The Fund has adopted a distribution plan (the "Distribution Plan") pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Fund has also adopted a service plan (the
"Service Plan"). The Distribution Plan and the Service Plan provide that the
Fund may spend a portion of the Fund's average daily net assets in connection
with the distribution of shares and in connection with the provision of ongoing
services to shareholders. The Distribution Plan and the Service Plan are being
implemented through an agreement with the Distributor and sub-agreements between
the Distributor and brokers, dealers or financial intermediaries (collectively,
"Selling Agreements") that may provide for their customers or clients certain
services or assistance.
 
  The Fund may spend an aggregate amount of up to 0.25% per year of its average
daily net assets pursuant to the Distribution Plan and the Service Plan. From
such amount, the Fund may spend up to the full 0.25% per year of its average
daily net assets pursuant to the Service Plan in connection with the ongoing
provision of services to holders of the Fund's shares by the Distributor and by
brokers, dealers or financial intermediaries and in connection with the
maintenance of Shareholder accounts. The Fund pays the Distributor the lesser of
the balance, if any, of the 0.25% not paid to such brokers, dealers or financial
intermediaries or the amount of the Distributor's actual distribution-related
expense.
 
  Accounts payable to the Distributor under the Distribution Plan in a given
year may not fully reimburse the Distributor for its actual distribution-related
expenses during such year. In such event, there is no carryover of such
reimbursement obligations to succeeding years.
 
  Various federal and state laws prohibit national banks and some
state-chartered commercial banks from underwriting or dealing in the Fund's
shares. In addition, state securities laws on this issue may differ from the
interpretations of federal law, and banks and financial institutions may be
required to register as dealers pursuant to state law. In the unlikely event
that a court were to find that these laws prevent such banks from providing such
services described above, the Fund would seek alternative providers and expects
that shareholders would not experience any disadvantage.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM THE FUND
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  The Fund's present policy, which may be changed at any time by the Board of
Trustees, is to declare and pay dividends from net investment income on a daily
basis. Investments will begin earning dividends on the day federal funds are
received by the Fund prior to 12:00 p.m. Eastern time. Any investments for which
federal funds are received after 12:00 p.m. Eastern time will begin receiving
dividends on the next business day. Dividends are automatically reinvested in
additional shares of the Fund and credited to the investors' accounts daily.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   23
 
  If investors request, they may redeem dividends paid on their shares on a
monthly basis. Investors may make such a request by checking the appropriate box
on the account application.
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  The net asset value per share for the Fund is determined by calculating the
total value of the Fund's assets, deducting its total liabilities, and dividing
the result by the number of its shares outstanding. The net asset value per
share will normally remain fixed at $1.00 per share except in extraordinary
circumstances. The net asset value of the Fund is computed twice daily as of
12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, except on
customary business holidays, or except on any day on which no purchase or
redemption orders are received, or there is not a sufficient degree of trading
in the Fund's portfolio securities such that the Fund's net asset value per
share might be materially affected. The Fund reserves the right to calculate the
net asset value more or less frequently than daily if deemed desirable.
 
  The Fund values its portfolio on the basis of amortized cost, which means that
securities are valued at their acquisition cost to reflect a constant
amortization rate to maturity of any premium or discount, rather than at current
market value. Calculations are made to compare the amortized cost valuation of
the portfolio with current market values. Money market valuations are obtained
by using market quotations provided by market makers, estimates of market
values, or values obtained from published yield data of money market
instruments. If a deviation of 1/2 of 1% or more were to occur between the net
asset value calculated by reference to market values and the Fund's $1.00 per
share net asset value, or if there were any other deviation which the Trustees
believe would result in a material dilution to investors or purchasers, the
Trustees would promptly consider what action, if any, should be initiated. Other
assets are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees of
the Fund. The method of calculating yield is described in the Statement of
Additional Information. There can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to
maintain a net asset value of $1.00 per share.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAX STATUS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
  The Fund has qualified and intends to continue to qualify to be treated as a
regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"). To qualify as a regulated investment company, the
Fund must comply with certain requirements of the Code relating to, among other
things, the sources of its income and the diversification of its assets. If the
Fund so qualifies and distributes at least 90% of its net investment income
(including tax-exempt interest and net short-term capital gain, but not net
capital gain, which is the excess of net long-term capital gain over net
short-term capital
    
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   24
 
loss) in each year, it will not be required to pay federal income taxes on any
income distributed to shareholders. The Fund intends to distribute at least the
minimum amount of net investment income to satisfy the 90% distribution
requirement. The Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on any net
capital gains distributed to its shareholders.
 
  In order to avoid a 4% excise tax the Fund will be required to distribute by
December 31 of each year, at least 98% of its ordinary income (not including
tax-exempt income) for such year and at least 98% of its capital gain net income
(the latter of which generally is computed on the basis of the one-year period
ending on October 31 of such year), plus any amounts that were not distributed
in previous taxable years. For purposes of the excise tax, any ordinary income
or capital gain net income retained by, and subject to federal income tax in the
hands of, the Fund will be treated as having been distributed.
 
   
  If the Fund qualifies as a regulated investment company and satisfies the 90%
distribution requirement, and if, at the close of each quarter of the Fund's
taxable year, at least 50% of the total value of the Fund's total assets
consists of obligations the interest on which is exempt from federal income tax
("tax-exempt obligations"), the Fund will be qualified to pay exempt-interest
dividends to its shareholders to the extent of its tax-exempt interest income
(less expenses properly applicable thereto). The Fund will designate
exempt-interest dividends in a written notice mailed to shareholders not later
than 60 days after the close of its taxable year. Exempt-interest dividends are
excludable from a shareholder's income for federal income tax purposes, but may
be taxable distributions for state, local and other tax purposes.
Exempt-interest dividends are included, however, in determining what portion, if
any, of a person's social security and railroad retirement benefits will be
includable in gross income subject to federal income tax. Interest expense with
respect to indebtedness incurred or continued by a shareholder to purchase or
carry shares of the Fund is not deductible to the extent that such interest
relates to exempt-interest dividends received from the Fund.
    
 
   
  Distributions of the Fund's investment company taxable income (which does not
include tax-exempt interest income) are taxable to shareholders as ordinary
income, whether received in shares or in cash. Shareholders who receive
distributions in the form of additional shares will have a basis for federal
income tax purposes in each such share equal to the value thereof on the
reinvestment date. Distributions in excess of the Fund's earnings and profits
will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of holder's shares and, after such
adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such
holder (assuming such shares are held as a capital asset). See the discussion
below for a summary of the tax rates applicable to capital gains. The Fund will
inform shareholders of the source and tax status of such distributions promptly
after the close of each taxable year. Distributions from the Fund will not be
eligible for the dividends received deduction for corporations.
    
 
  Exempt-interest dividends allocable to interest received by the Fund on
certain "private activity" obligations issued after August 7, 1986 will be
treated as interest
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   25
 
on such obligations and thus will give rise to an item of tax preference that
will increase a shareholder's alternative minimum taxable income. In addition,
for corporations, alternative minimum taxable income will be increased by a
percentage of the amount by which a measure of income that includes interest on
tax-exempt obligations exceeds the amount otherwise determined to be the
alternative minimum taxable income. Accordingly, investment in the Fund may
cause shareholders to be subject to (or result in an increased liability under)
the alternative minimum tax.
 
   
  Exempt-interest dividends will not be tax-exempt to the extent made to any
shareholder who is a "substantial user" of the facilities financed by tax-exempt
obligations held by the Fund, or to certain "related persons" of such
substantial users.
    
 
   
  Redemption or sale of shares of the Fund will be a taxable transaction for
federal income tax purposes. Redeeming shareholders will recognize gain or loss
in an amount equal to the difference between their basis in such redeemed or
sold shares of the Fund and the amount received. The gain or loss will be a
capital gain or loss if the shares are held as a capital asset. See the
discussion below for a summary of the tax rates applicable to capital gains. Any
loss recognized on a taxable disposition of shares held for six months or less
will be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends received with
respect to such shares.
    
 
   
  Under the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 (the "1997 Tax Act"), the maximum tax
rates applicable to net capital gains recognized by individuals and other
noncorporate taxpayers are (i) the same as ordinary income rates for capital
assets held for one year or less, (ii) 28% for capital assets held for more than
one year but not more than 18 months and (iii) 20% for capital assets held for
more than 18 months. Under the 1997 Tax Act, the Treasury is authorized to issue
regulations that address the application of the net capital gains rates to sales
and exchanges by regulated investment companies and to sales and exchanges of
interests in regulated investment companies, but no such regulations have been
issued as of the date hereof. It is expected that the new tax rates for capital
gains under the 1997 Tax Act described above will apply to distributions of
capital gains dividends by regulated investment companies such as the Fund as
well as to sales and exchanges of shares in regulated investment companies such
as the Fund. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors as to the
application of the new capital gains rates to their particular circumstances.
    
 
  Although dividends generally will be treated as distributed when paid,
dividends declared in October, November or December, payable to shareholders of
record on a specified date in such a month and paid in January of the following
year, will be treated as having been distributed by the Fund (and received by
the shareholders) on the December 31 of the year in which the dividend was
declared. In addition, certain other distributions made after the close of a
taxable year of the Fund may be "spilled back" and treated as paid by the Fund
during such taxable year. In such
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   26
 
case, shareholders will be treated as having received such dividends in the
taxable year in which the distribution is actually made.
 
  The Fund is required, in certain circumstances, to withhold 31% of dividends
and certain other payments, including redemptions, paid to shareholders who do
not furnish to the Fund their correct taxpayer identification number (in the
case of individuals, their social security number) or who are otherwise subject
to backup withholding.
 
   
  The federal income tax discussion set forth above is for general information
only. Prospective shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the
specific federal income tax consequences of purchasing, holding and disposing of
shares, as well as the effects of state, local and foreign tax laws and any
proposed tax law changes.
    
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION OF SHARES OF THE FUND
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
   
  The Fund was originally organized as a Massachusetts business trust on June
16, 1986 and was reorganized as a Delaware business trust as of July 31, 1995.
The Fund is registered under the 1940 Act as an open-end, diversified management
investment company. The Fund's Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to
issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares in an unlimited number
of classes or series. The authorized capitalization of the Fund consists of an
unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, par value $0.01 per share.
Each share represents an equal proportionate interest in the assets of the Fund.
    
 
  Shares of the Fund entitle their holders to one vote per share. The Fund does
not contemplate holding regular meetings of shareholders to elect Trustees or
otherwise. However, the holders of 10% or more of the outstanding shares may by
written request require a meeting to consider the removal of Trustees by a vote
of two-thirds of the shares then outstanding cast in person or by proxy at such
meeting. The Fund will assist such holders in communicating with other
shareholders of the Fund to the extent required by the 1940 Act. More detailed
information concerning the Fund is set forth in the Statement of Additional
Information.
 
   
  The Trust's Declaration of Trust provides that no Trustee, officer or
shareholder of the Fund shall be held to any personal liability, nor shall
resort be had to their private property for the satisfaction of any obligation
or liability of the Fund but the assets of the Fund only shall be liable.
    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  This prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information do not contain all
the information set forth in the Registration Statement filed by the Fund with
the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933. Copies of the Registration Statement
may
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   27
 
be obtained at a reasonable charge from the SEC or may be examined, without
charge, at the office of the SEC in Washington, D.C.
 
   
  The fiscal year end of the Fund is June 30. The Fund sends to its shareholders
at least semi-annually reports showing the Fund's portfolio and other
information. An annual report, containing financial statements audited by the
Fund's independent accountants, is sent to shareholders each year. After the end
of each year, shareholders will receive federal income tax information regarding
dividends and capital gains distributions.
    
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   28
 
EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS--
FOR INFORMATION ON YOUR
EXISTING ACCOUNT PLEASE CALL
THE FUND'S TOLL-FREE
   
NUMBER--(800) 341-2911.
    
 
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS--CALL
YOUR BROKER OR (800) 421-5666.
 
DEALERS--FOR DEALER
INFORMATION, SELLING
AGREEMENTS, WIRE ORDERS,
OR REDEMPTIONS CALL THE
DISTRIBUTOR'S TOLL-FREE
NUMBER--(800) 421-5666.
 
FOR SHAREHOLDER AND
DEALER INQUIRIES THROUGH
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
DEVICE FOR THE DEAF (TDD)
   
DIAL 1-800-421-2833.
    
 
FOR AUTOMATED TELEPHONE
   
SERVICES DIAL (800) 847-2424.
    
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
  TAX FREE MONEY FUND
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
 
Investment Adviser
 
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
  INVESTMENT ADVISORY CORP.
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
 
Distributor
 
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
  DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
One Parkview Plaza
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
 
Transfer Agent
 
ACCESS INVESTOR SERVICES, INC.
P.O. Box 418256
Kansas City, MO 64141-9256
Attn: Van Kampen American Capital
     Tax Free Money Fund
 
Custodian
 
STATE STREET BANK AND
  TRUST COMPANY
   
225 West Franklin Street, P.O. Box 1912
    
Boston, MA 02105
Attn: Van Kampen American Capital
     Tax Free Money Fund
 
Legal Counsel
 
SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE,
  MEAGHER & FLOM (ILLINOIS)
333 West Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
 
Independent Accountants
 
KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
Peat Marwick Plaza
303 East Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
<PAGE>   29
 
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                    TAX FREE
                                   MONEY FUND
 
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              P R O S P E C T U S
 
   
                                OCTOBER 28, 1997
    
 
        ------  A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE - A KNOWLEDGE OF WEALTH  ------
                          VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   30
 
                      STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
                VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TAX FREE MONEY FUND
 
  Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free Money Fund (the "Fund") seeks to provide
a high level of current income exempt from federal income taxes consistent with
the preservation of capital and liquidity through investment in a diversified
portfolio of municipal securities that will mature within 12 months of the date
of purchase. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment
objective.
 
   
  This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus but should be
read in conjunction with the current Prospectus for the Fund dated the date
hereof (the "Prospectus"). This Statement of Additional Information does not
include all the information that a prospective investor should consider before
purchasing shares of the Fund, and investors should obtain and read the
Prospectus prior to purchasing shares. A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained
without charge by writing or calling Van Kampen American Capital Distributors,
Inc. at One Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181 at the Fund at
(800) 421-5666 ((800) 421-2833 for the hearing impaired). This Statement of
Additional Information incorporates by reference the entire Prospectus.
    
 
  The Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information omit certain
information contained in the registration statement filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), Washington, D.C. This omitted information may
be obtained from the SEC upon payment of the fee prescribed or inspected at the
SEC's office at no charge.
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
The Fund and the Trust......................................  B-2
Investment Policies and Restrictions........................  B-2
Trustees and Officers.......................................  B-3
Legal Counsel...............................................  B-11
Transfer Agency.............................................  B-12
Investment Advisory and Other Services......................  B-12
Custodian and Independent Accountants.......................  B-13
Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage Allocation.............  B-13
Tax Status of the Fund......................................  B-13
The Distributor.............................................  B-14
Distribution and Service Plans..............................  B-14
Yield Information...........................................  B-14
Dividends...................................................  B-15
Appendix....................................................  B-16
Report of Independent Accountants...........................  B-18
Financial Statements........................................  B-19
Notes to Financial Statements...............................  B-25
</TABLE>
    
 
   
      THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS DATED OCTOBER 28, 1997.
    
<PAGE>   31
 
                             THE FUND AND THE TRUST
 
   
  Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free Money Fund (the "Fund") is an open-end
diversified management investment company organized as an unincorporated
business trust established under the laws of the State of Delaware by an
Agreement and Declaration of Trust ("Declaration of Trust") dated as of May 10,
1995. The Fund was originally organized in 1986 as a Massachusetts business
trust under the name Van Kampen Merritt Tax Free Income Fund. The Fund was
reorganized as a Delaware business trust and adopted its current name as of July
31, 1995. The Fund can issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial
interest, par value $0.01 per share.
    
 
  The Fund's Declaration of Trust provides that shareholders are not liable for
any liabilities of the Fund and requires inclusion of a clause to that effect in
every agreement entered into by the Fund and indemnifies shareholders against
any such liability. Shares of the Fund entitle their holders to one vote per
share. Except as described in the Prospectus, shares do not have cumulative
voting rights, preemptive rights or any conversion or exchange rights. The Fund
does not contemplate holding regular meetings of shareholders to elect Trustees
or otherwise. However, the holders of 10% or more of the outstanding shares may
by written request require a meeting to consider the removal of Trustees by a
vote of two-thirds of the shares then outstanding cast in person or by proxy at
such meeting. The Fund will assist such holders in communicating with other
shareholders of the Fund to the extent required by the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").
 
  The Trustees may amend the Declaration of Trust in any manner without
shareholder approval, except that the Trustees may not adopt any amendment
adversely affecting the rights of shareholders without approval by a majority of
the shares present at a meeting of shareholders (or such higher vote as may be
required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law) and except that the Trustees
cannot amend the Declaration of Trust to impose any liability on shareholders,
make any assessment on shares or impose liabilities on the Trustees without
approval from each affected shareholder or Trustee, as the case may be.
 
  Statements contained in this Statement of Additional Information as to the
contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily
complete, and, in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract
or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which
this Statement of Additional Information forms as part, each such statement
being qualified in all respects by such reference.
 
                      INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS
 
   
  The investment objective of the Fund is to provide a high level of current
income exempt from federal income taxes, consistent with the preservation of
capital and liquidity through investment in a diversified portfolio of municipal
securities that will mature within 12 months of the date of purchase. The Fund
generally will invest only in the municipal securities denominated in U.S.
dollars and all of the Fund's investments must either (i) mature or have been
called for redemption within one year of the date purchased or (ii) be subject
to repurchase agreements maturing within one year. There can be no assurance
that the Fund will achieve its objective. The foregoing is a fundamental policy
and cannot be changed without approval of the shareholders of the Fund.
    
 
  Fundamental investment restrictions limiting the investments of the Fund
provide that the Fund may not:
 
   
   1. Purchase any securities (other than obligations issued or guaranteed by
      the United States Government or by its agencies or instrumentalities) if,
      as a result, more than 5% of the Fund's total assets (taken at current
      value) would then be invested in securities of a single issuer or if, as a
      result, the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting
      securities of an issuer except that up to 25% of the Fund's total assets
      may be invested without regard to such limitations and except that the
      Fund may purchase securities of other investment companies without regard
      to such limitation to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended
      from time to time, (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC
      under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or
      other relief from the provisions of the 1940 Act.
    
 
   2. Borrow money, except from banks for temporary or emergency purposes or in
      reverse repurchase transactions as described in the Prospectus and then
      not in amounts in excess of 10% of its net assets at
 
                                       B-2
<PAGE>   32
 
      the time of borrowing. It can mortgage or pledge its assets only in
      connection with such borrowing and in amounts not in excess of 20% of the
      value of its net assets at the time of such borrowing. The Fund will not
      purchase any securities while it has any outstanding borrowings.
 
   3. Buy any securities "on margin" or sell any securities "short."
 
   
   4. Make investments for the purpose of exercising control or management
      except that the Fund may purchase securities of other investment companies
      to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time,
      (ii) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act,
      as amended from time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief from
      the provisions of the 1940 Act.
    
 
   
   5. Purchase any security which is restricted as to disposition under federal
      securities laws or by contract or which are not readily marketable, or
      enter into a repurchase agreement maturing in more than seven days with
      respect to any security if, as a result, more than 10% of the Fund's total
      assets would be invested in such securities except that the Fund may
      purchase securities of other investment companies to the extent permitted
      by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and
      regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from
      time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief from the provisions of
      the 1940 Act.
    
 
   
   6. Investment in securities issued by other investment companies except as
      part of a merger, reorganization or other acquisition and extent permitted
      by (i) the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, (ii) the rules and
      regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from
      time to time, or (iii) an exemption or other relief from the provisions of
      the 1940 Act.
    
 
   7. Invest in interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration or
      development programs.
 
   8. Make loans, except that the Fund can purchase and hold those publicly
      distributed debt securities which it is permitted to buy, and enter into
      repurchase agreements.
 
   9. Act as an underwriter of securities, except to the extent the Fund may be
      deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the sale of securities held
      in its portfolio.
 
  10. Purchase or sell real estate, commodities or commodity contracts.
 
  The Fund may not change any of these investment restrictions without the
approval of the lesser of (i) more than 50% of the Fund's outstanding shares or
(ii) 67% of the Fund's shares present at a meeting at which the holders of more
than 50% of such outstanding shares are present in person or by proxy. As long
as the percentage restrictions described above are satisfied at the time of the
investment or borrowing, the Fund will be considered to have abided by those
restrictions even if, at a later time, a change in values or net assets causes
an increase or decrease in percentage.
 
   
  From time to time, the Fund may adopt more stringent investment restrictions
in order to satisfy rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC or to be able
to offer its shares to residents in particular states. The Fund may amend or
revoke such investment restrictions if the SEC amends or revokes such rules and
regulations. In addition, in order to offer its shares to residents in
particular states, the Fund has committed that it will not purchase or sell
options and that it will not invest in warrants. The Fund may revoke any such
commitments at any time so long as it thereafter ceases to offer its shares in
the state or states involved or such commitment is no longer required by such
state or states.
    
 
   
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
    
 
   
  The tables below list the trustees and officers of the Trust (of which the
Fund is a separate series) and other executive officers of the Fund's investment
adviser and their principal occupations for the last five years and their
affiliations, if any, with VK/AC Holding, Inc. ("VKAC Holding"), Van Kampen
American Capital, Inc. ("Van Kampen American Capital" or "VKAC"), Van Kampen
American Capital Investment Advisory Corp. ("Advisory Corp."), Van Kampen
American Capital Asset Management, Inc. ("Asset Management"), Van Kampen
American Capital Distributors, Inc., the distributor of the Fund's shares (the
"Distributor") and ACCESS Investors Services Inc., the Fund's transfer agent
("ACCESS"). Advisory Corp. and Asset Management sometimes are referred to herein
collectively as the "Advisers". For purposes hereof, the term
    
 
                                       B-3
<PAGE>   33
 
   
"Fund Complex" includes each of the open-end investment companies advised by the
Advisers (excluding the Van Kampen American Capital Exchange Fund and the Common
Sense Trust).
    
 
   
                                    TRUSTEES
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS OR
          NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE                            EMPLOYMENT IN PAST 5 YEARS
          ---------------------                            --------------------------
<S>                                         <C>
J. Miles Branagan.........................  Private investor. Co-founder, and prior to August 1996,
1632 Morning Mountain Road                  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, MDT
Raleigh, NC 27614                           Corporation (now known as Getinge/Castle, Inc., a
Date of Birth: 07/14/32                     subsidiary of Getinge Industrier AB), a company which
                                            develops, manufactures, markets and services medical and
                                            scientific equipment. Trustee/Director of each of the
                                            funds in the Fund Complex.
Richard M. DeMartini*.....................  President and Chief Operating Officer, Individual Asset
Two World Trade Center                      Management Group, a division of Morgan Stanley, Dean
66th Floor                                  Witter, Discover & Co. Mr. DeMartini is a Director of
New York, NY 10048                          InterCapital Funds, Dean Witter Distributors, Inc. and
Date of Birth: 10/12/52                     Dean Witter Trust Company. Trustee of the TCW/DW Funds.
                                            Director of the National Healthcare Resources, Inc.
                                            Formerly Vice Chairman of the Board of the National
                                            Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and Chairman of
                                            the Board of the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
                                            Trustee/Director of each of the funds in the Fund
                                            Complex.
Linda Hutton Heagy........................  Co-Managing Partner of Heidrick & Stuggles, an executive
Sears Tower                                 search firm. Prior to 1997, Partner, Ray & Berndtson,
233 South Wacker Drive                      Inc., an executive recruiting and management consulting
Suite 7000                                  firm. Formerly, Executive Vice President of ABN AMRO,
Chicago, IL 60606                           N.A., a Dutch bank holding company. Prior to 1992,
Date of Birth: 06/03/48                     Executive Vice President of La Salle National Bank.
                                            Trustee on the University of Chicago Hospitals Board, The
                                            International House Board and the Women's Board of the
                                            University of Chicago. Trustee/Director of each of the
                                            funds in the Fund Complex.
R. Craig Kennedy..........................  President and Director, German Marshall Fund of the
11 DuPont Circle, N.W.                      United States. Formerly, advisor to the Dennis Trading
Washington, D.C. 20036                      Group Inc. Prior to 1992, President and Chief Executive
Date of Birth: 02/29/52                     Officer, Director and Member of the Investment Committee
                                            of the Joyce Foundation, a private foundation.
                                            Trustee/Director of each of the funds in the Fund
                                            Complex.
Jack E. Nelson............................  President, Nelson Investment Planning Services, Inc., a
423 Country Club Drive                      financial planning company and registered investment
Winter Park, FL 32789                       adviser. President, Nelson Ivest Brokerage Services Inc.,
Date of Birth: 02/13/36                     a member of the National Association of Securities
                                            Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") and Securities Investors
                                            Protection Corp. ("SIPC"). Trustee/Director of each of
                                            the funds in the Fund Complex.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       B-4
<PAGE>   34
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS OR
          NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE                            EMPLOYMENT IN PAST 5 YEARS
          ---------------------                            --------------------------
<S>                                         <C>
Don G. Powell*............................  Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and a
2800 Post Oak Blvd.                         Director of VKAC. Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a
Houston, TX 77056                           Director of the Advisers and the Distributor. Chairman
Date of Birth: 10/19/39                     and a Director of ACCESS. Director or officer of certain
                                            other subsidiaries of VKAC. Chairman of the Board of
                                            Governors and the Executive Committee of the Investment
                                            Company Institute. Prior to November, 1996, President,
                                            Chief Executive Officer and a Director of VKAC Holding.
                                            Trustee/Director of funds in the Fund Complex advised by
                                            Advisory Corp. and prior to July 1996, President, Chief
                                            Executive Officer and a Trustee of all funds in the Fund
                                            Complex.
Jerome L. Robinson........................  President, Robinson Technical Products Corporation, a
115 River Road                              manufacturer and processor of welding alloys, supplies
Edgewater, NJ 07020                         and equipment. Director, Pacesetter Software, a software
Date of Birth: 10/10/22                     programming company specializing in white collar
                                            productivity. Director, Panasia Bank. Trustee/Director of
                                            each of the funds in the Fund Complex.
Phillip B. Rooney.........................  Vice Chairman and Director of The ServiceMaster Company,
One ServiceMaster Way                       a business and consumer services. Director of Illinois
Downers Grove, IL 60515                     Tool Works, Inc., a manufacturing company; the Urban
Date of Birth: 07/08/44                     Shopping Centers Inc., a retail mall management company;
                                            and Stone Container Corp., a paper manufacturing company.
                                            Trustee, University of Notre Dame. Formerly, President
                                            and Chief Executive Officer, Waste Management Inc., an
                                            environmental services company, and prior to that
                                            President and Chief Operating Officer, Waste Management
                                            Inc. Trustee/Director of each of the funds in the Fund
                                            Complex.
Fernando Sisto............................  Professor Emeritus and, prior to 1995, Dean of the
155 Hickory Lane                            Graduate School, Stevens Institute of Technology.
Closter, NJ 07624                           Director, Dynalysis of Princeton, a firm engaged in
Date of Birth: 08/02/24                     engineering research. Trustee/Director of each of the
                                            funds in the Fund Complex.
 
Wayne W. Whalen*..........................  Partner in the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher
333 West Wacker Drive                       & Flom (Illinois), legal counsel to the funds in the Fund
Chicago, IL 60606                           Complex, open-end funds advised by Van Kampen American
Date of Birth: 08/22/39                     Capital Management, Inc. and closed-end funds advised by
                                            Advisory Corp. Trustee/Director of each of the funds in
                                            the Fund Complex, open-end funds advised by Van Kampen
                                            American Capital Management, Inc. and closed-end funds
                                            advised by Advisory Corp.
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
   
* Such trustee is an "interested person" (within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19)
  of the 1940 Act). Mr. Whalen is an interested person of the Fund by reason of
  his firm currently acting as legal counsel to the Fund and is an interested
  person of Asset Management with respect to certain funds advised by Asset
  Management by reason of his firm in the past acting as legal counsel to Asset
  Management. Messrs. DeMartini and Powell are interested persons of the Fund
  and the Advisers by reason of their positions with the Adviser and its
  affiliates.
    
 
                                       B-5
<PAGE>   35
 
   
                                    OFFICERS
    
 
   
  Messrs. McDonnell, Hegel, Nyberg, Wood, Sullivan, Dalmaso, Martin, Wetherell
and Hill are located at One Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181. The
Fund's other officers are located at 2800 Post Oak Blvd., Houston, TX 77056.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     POSITIONS AND                     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS
        NAME AND AGE               OFFICES WITH FUND                    DURING PAST 5 YEARS
        ------------               -----------------                   ---------------------
<S>                           <C>                           <C>
Dennis J. McDonnell.........  President                     President and a Director of VKAC.
  Date of Birth: 05/20/42                                   President, Chief Operating Officer and a
                                                            Director of the Advisers. Director or
                                                            officer of certain other subsidiaries of
                                                            VKAC. Prior to November 1996, Executive
                                                            Vice President and a Director of VKAC
                                                            Holding. President of each of the funds in
                                                            the Fund Complex. President, Chairman of
                                                            the Board and Trustee of other investment
                                                            companies advised by the Advisers or their
                                                            affiliates.
 
Peter W. Hegel..............  Vice President                Executive Vice President of the Advisers.
  Date of Birth: 06/25/56                                   Director of Asset Management. Officer of
                                                            certain other subsidiaries of VKAC. Vice
                                                            President of each of the funds in the Fund
                                                            Complex and certain other investment
                                                            companies advised by the Advisers or their
                                                            affiliates.
 
Curtis W. Morell............  Vice President and Chief      Senior Vice President of the Advisers, Vice
  Date of Birth: 08/04/46     Accounting Officer            President and Chief Accounting Officer of
                                                            each of the funds in the Fund Complex and
                                                            certain other investment companies advised
                                                            by the Advisers or their affiliates.
 
Ronald A. Nyberg............  Vice President and Secretary  Executive Vice President, General Counsel
  Date of Birth: 07/29/53                                   and Secretary of VKAC. Executive Vice
                                                            President, General Counsel, Assistant
                                                            Secretary and a Director of the Advisers
                                                            and the Distributor. Executive Vice
                                                            President, General Counsel and Assistant
                                                            Secretary of ACCESS. Director or officer of
                                                            certain other subsidiaries of VKAC.
                                                            Director of ICI Mutual Insurance Co., a
                                                            provider of insurance to members of the
                                                            Investment Company Institute. Prior to
                                                            November 1996, Executive Vice President,
                                                            General Counsel and Secretary of VKAC
                                                            Holding. Vice President and Secretary of
                                                            each of the funds in the Fund Complex and
                                                            certain other investment companies advised
                                                            by the Advisers or their affiliates.
 
Alan T. Sachtleben..........  Vice President                Executive Vice President of the Advisers.
  Date of Birth: 04/20/42                                   Director of Asset Management. Director or
                                                            officer of certain other subsidiaries of
                                                            VKAC. Vice President of each of the funds
                                                            in the Fund Complex and certain other
                                                            investment companies advised by the
                                                            Advisers or their affiliates.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       B-6
<PAGE>   36
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     POSITIONS AND                     PRINCIPAL OCCUPATIONS
        NAME AND AGE               OFFICES WITH FUND                    DURING PAST 5 YEARS
        ------------               -----------------                   ---------------------
<S>                           <C>                           <C>
Paul R. Wolkenberg..........  Vice President                Executive Vice President of VKAC, the
  Date of Birth: 11/10/44                                   Advisers and the Distributor. President,
                                                            Chief Executive Officer and a Director of
                                                            ACCESS. Director or officer of certain
                                                            other subsidiaries of VKAC. Vice President
                                                            of each of the funds in the Fund Complex
                                                            and certain other investment companies
                                                            advised by the Advisers or their
                                                            affiliates.
 
Edward C. Wood III..........  Vice President and Chief      Senior Vice President of the Advisers. Vice
  Date of Birth: 01/11/56     Financial Officer             President and Chief Financial Officer of
                                                            each of the funds in the Fund Complex and
                                                            certain other investment companies advised
                                                            by the Advisers or their affiliates.
 
John L. Sullivan............  Treasurer                     First Vice President of the Advisers.
  Date of Birth: 08/20/55                                   Treasurer of each of the funds in the Fund
                                                            Complex and certain other investment
                                                            companies advised by the Advisers or their
                                                            affiliates.
 
Tanya M. Loden..............  Controller                    Vice President of the Advisers. Controller
  Date of Birth: 11/19/59                                   of each of the funds in the Fund Complex
                                                            and other investment companies advised by
                                                            the Advisers or the affiliates.
 
Nicholas Dalmaso............  Assistant Secretary           Vice President and Assistant Secretary of
  Date of Birth: 03/01/65                                   VKAC. Vice President and Assistant
                                                            Secretary of the Advisers and the
                                                            Distributor. Officer of certain other
                                                            subsidiaries of VKAC. Assistant Secretary
                                                            of each of the funds in the Fund Complex
                                                            and other investment companies advised by
                                                            the Advisers or the affiliates.
 
Huey P. Falgout, Jr.........  Assistant Secretary           Assistant Vice President and Senior
  Date of Birth: 11/15/63                                   Attorney of VKAC. Assistant Vice President
                                                            and Assistant Secretary of the Advisers,
                                                            the Distributor and ACCESS. Officer of
                                                            certain other subsidiaries of VKAC.
                                                            Assistant Secretary of each of the funds in
                                                            the Fund Complex and other investment
                                                            companies advised by the Advisers or the
                                                            affiliates.
 
Scott E. Martin.............  Assistant Secretary           Senior Vice President, Deputy General
  Date of Birth: 08/20/56                                   Counsel and Assistant Secretary of VKAC.
                                                            Senior Vice President, Deputy General
                                                            Counsel and Secretary of the Advisers, the
                                                            Distributor and ACCESS. Officer of certain
                                                            other subsidiaries of VKAC. Prior to
                                                            November 1996, Senior Vice President,
                                                            Deputy General Counsel and Assistant
                                                            Secretary of VKAC Holding. Assistant
                                                            Secretary of each of the funds in the Fund
                                                            Complex and other investment companies
                                                            advised by the Advisers or the affiliates.
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       B-7
<PAGE>   37
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                            <C>                          <C>
Weston B. Wetherell..........  Assistant Secretary          Vice President, Associate General Counsel and
  Date of Birth: 06/15/56                                   Assistant Secretary of VKAC, the Advisers and the
                                                            Distributor. Officer of certain other subsidiaries of
                                                            VKAC. Assistant Secretary of each of the funds in the
                                                            Fund Complex and other investment companies advised by
                                                            the Advisers or the affiliates.
Steven M. Hill...............  Assistant Treasurer          Assistant Vice President of the Advisers. Assistant
  Date of Birth: 10/16/64                                   Treasurer of each of the funds in the Fund Complex and
                                                            other investment companies advised by the Advisers or
                                                            the affiliates.
</TABLE>
    
 
   
  Each trustee/director holds the same position with each of the funds in the
Fund Complex. As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, there
are 65 operating funds in the Fund Complex. For purposes of the following
compensation and benefits discussion, the Fund Complex is divided into the
following three groups: the funds advised by Asset Management (the "AC Funds"),
the funds advised by Advisory Corp. excluding funds organized as series of the
Morgan Stanley Fund, Inc. (the "VK Funds") and the funds advised by Advisory
Corp. organized as series of the Morgan Stanley Fund, Inc. (the "MS Funds").
Each trustee/director who is not an affiliated person of VKAC, the Advisers, the
Distributor, ACCESS or Morgan Stanley (each a "Non-Affiliated Trustee") is
compensated by an annual retainer and meeting fees for services to the funds in
the Fund Complex. Each fund in the Fund Complex provides a deferred compensation
plan to its Non-Affiliated Trustees that allows trustees/directors to defer
receipt of their compensation and earn a return on such deferred amounts.
Deferring compensation has the economic effect as if the Non-Affiliated Trustee
reinvested his or her compensation into the funds. As of the date hereof, each
AC Fund and VK Fund provides a retirement plan to its Non-Affiliated Trustees
that provides Non-Affiliated Trustees with compensation after retirement,
provided that certain eligibility requirements are met as more fully described
below. As of January 1, 1998, it is anticipated that each fund in the Fund
Complex, except the money market series of the MS Funds, will provide such a
retirement plan to its Non-Affiliated Trustees.
    
 
   
  The trustees recently reviewed and adopted a standardized compensation and
benefits program for each fund in the Fund Complex. Effective January 1, 1998,
the compensation of each Non-Affiliated Trustee includes an annual retainer in
an amount equal to $50,000 per calendar year, due in four quarterly installments
on the first business day of each quarter. Payment of the annual retainer is
allocated among the funds in the Fund Complex (except the money market series of
the MS Funds) on the basis of the relative net assets of each fund as of the
last business day of the preceding calendar quarter. Effective January 1, 1998,
the compensation of each Non-Affiliated Trustee includes a per meeting fee from
each fund in the Fund Complex (except the money market series of the MS Funds)
in the amount of $200 per quarterly or special meeting attended by the
Non-Affiliated Trustee, due on the date of the meeting, plus reasonable expenses
incurred by the Non-Affiliated Trustee in connection with his or her services as
a trustee, provided that no compensation will be paid in connection with certain
telephonic special meetings.
    
 
   
  For each AC Fund's last fiscal year and the period up to and including
December 31, 1997, the compensation of each Non-Affiliated Trustee from the AC
Funds includes an annual retainer in an amount equal to $35,000 per calendar
year, due in four quarterly installments on the first business day of each
calendar quarter. The AC Funds pay each Non-Affiliated Trustee a per meeting fee
in the amount of $2,000 per regular quarterly meeting attended by the
Non-Affiliated Trustee, due on the date of such meeting, plus reasonable
expenses incurred by the Non-Affiliated Trustee in connection with his or her
services as a trustee. Payment of the annual retainer and the regular meeting
fee is allocated among the AC Funds (i) 50% on the basis of the relative net
assets of each AC Fund to the aggregate net assets of all the AC Funds and (ii)
50% equally to
    
 
                                       B-8
<PAGE>   38
 
   
each AC Fund, in each case as of the last business day of the preceding calendar
quarter. Each AC Fund which is the subject of a special meeting of the trustees
generally pays each Non-Affiliated Trustee a per meeting fee in the amount of
$125 per special meeting attended by the Non-Affiliated Trustee, due on the date
of such meeting, plus reasonable expenses incurred by the Non-Affiliated Trustee
in connection with his or her services as a trustee, provided that no
compensation will be paid in connection with certain telephonic special
meetings.
    
 
   
  For each VK Fund's last fiscal year and the period up to and including
December 31, 1997, the compensation of each Non-Affiliated Trustee from each VK
Fund includes an annual retainer in an amount equal to $2,500 per calendar year,
due in four quarterly installments on the first business day of each calendar
quarter. Each Non-Affiliated Trustee receives a per meeting fee from each VK
Fund in the amount of $125 per regular quarterly meeting attended by the
Non-Affiliated Trustee, due on the date of such meeting, plus reasonable
expenses incurred by the Non-Affiliated Trustee in connection with his or her
services as a trustee. Each Non-Affiliated Trustee receives a per meeting fee
from each VK Fund in the amount of $125 per special meeting attended by the
Non-Affiliated Trustee, due on the date of such meeting, plus reasonable
expenses incurred by the Non-Affiliated Trustee in connection with his or her
services as a trustee, provided that no compensation will be paid in connection
with certain telephonic special meetings.
    
 
   
  For the period from July 2, 1997 up to and including December 31, 1997, the
compensation of each Non-Affiliated Trustee from the MS Funds is intended to be
based generally on the compensation amounts and methodology used by such funds
prior to their joining the current Fund Complex on July 2, 1997. Each
trustee/director was elected as a director of the MS Funds on July 2, 1997.
Prior to July 2, 1997, the MS Funds were part of another fund complex (the
"Prior Complex") and the former directors of the MS Funds were paid an aggregate
fee allocated among the funds in the Prior Complex that resulted in individual
directors receiving total compensation between approximately $8,000 to $10,000
from the MS Funds during such funds' last fiscal year.
    
 
   
  The trustees/directors were subject to a voluntary aggregate compensation cap
with respect to funds in the Fund Complex of $84,000 per Non-Affiliated Trustee
per year (excluding any retirement benefits) for the period July 22, 1995
through December 31, 1996, subject to the net assets and the number of funds in
the Fund Complex as of July 21, 1995 and certain other exceptions. For the
calendar year ended December 31, 1996, certain trustees/directors received
aggregate compensation from the funds in the Fund Complex over $84,000 due to
compensation received but not subject to the cap, including compensation from
new funds added to the Fund Complex after July 22, 1995 and certain special
meetings in 1996. In addition, each of Advisory Corp. or Asset Management, as
the case may be, agreed to reimburse each fund in the Fund Complex through
December 31, 1996 for any increase in the aggregate compensation over the
aggregate compensation paid by such fund in its 1994 fiscal year, provided that
if a fund did not exist for the entire 1994 fiscal year appropriate adjustments
will be made.
    
 
   
  Under the deferred compensation plan, each Non-Affiliated Trustee generally
can elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of the compensation earned by
such Non-Affiliated Trustee until retirement. Amounts deferred are retained by
the Fund and earn a rate of return determined by reference to the return on the
common shares of such Fund or other funds in the Fund Complex as selected by the
respective Non-Affiliated Trustee, with the same economic effect as if such
Non-Affiliated Trustee had invested in one or more funds in the Fund Complex. To
the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest in securities of those
funds selected by the Non-Affiliated Trustees in order to match the deferred
compensation obligation. The deferred compensation plan is not funded and
obligations thereunder represent general unsecured claims against the general
assets of the Fund.
    
 
   
  Under the retirement plan, a Non-Affiliated Trustee who is receiving
compensation from such Fund prior to such Non-Affiliated Trustee's retirement,
has at least 10 years of service (including years of service prior to adoption
of the retirement plan) and retires at or after attaining the age of 60, is
eligible to receive a retirement benefit equal to $2,500 per year for each of
the ten years following such retirement from such Fund. Non-Affiliated Trustees
retiring prior to the age of 60 or with fewer than 10 years but more than 5
years of service may receive reduced retirement benefits from such Fund. Each
trustee/director has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Fund
since he or she was first appointed or elected in the year set forth below. The
    
 
                                       B-9
<PAGE>   39
 
   
retirement plan contains a Fund Complex retirement benefit cap of $60,000 per
year. Asset Management had reimbursed each AC Fund for the expenses related to
the retirement plan through December 31, 1996.
    
 
   
  Additional information regarding compensation and benefits for trustees is set
forth below. As indicated in the notes accompanying the table, the amounts
relate to either the Fund's most recently completed fiscal year or the Fund
Complex' most recently completed calendar year ended December 31, 1996.
    
 
   
                               COMPENSATION TABLE
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                    TOTAL
                                                                                                                COMPENSATION
                         YEAR FIRST                                     PENSION OR        ESTIMATED MAXIMUM    BEFORE DEFERRAL
                        APPOINTED OR      AGGREGATE COMPENSATION    RETIREMENT BENEFITS    ANNUAL BENEFITS        FROM FUND
                       ELECTED TO THE    BEFORE DEFERRAL FROM THE   ACCRUED AS PART OF    FROM THE FUND UPON    COMPLEX PAID
       NAME(1)              BOARD                FUND(2)                EXPENSES(3)         RETIREMENT(4)       TO TRUSTEE(5)
       -------         --------------    ------------------------   -------------------   ------------------   ---------------
<S>                    <C>               <C>                        <C>                   <C>                  <C>
J. Miles Branagan*          1995                   $3,500                  $ 638                $2,500            $104,875
Linda Hutton Heagy*         1995                    3,500                     69                 2,500             104,875
Dr. Roger Hilsman           1995                    1,750                      0                     0             103,750
R. Craig Kennedy*           1993                    3,500                     53                 2,500             104,875
Donald C. Miller            1988                    1,750                  4,103                 2,500             104,875
Jack E. Nelson*             1988                    3,250                    409                 2,500              97,875
Jerome L. Robinson*         1988                        0                  2,903                 2,500             101,625
Phillip B. Rooney*          1997                      750                      0                 2,500                   0
Dr. Fernando Sisto*         1995                    3,500                  1,097                 1,750             104,875
Wayne W. Whalen*            1988                    3,500                    310                 2,500             104,875
William S. Woodside         1995                    1,750                      0                     0             104,875
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
   
*  Currently a member of the Board of Trustees. Mr. Phillip B. Rooney became a
   member of the Board of Trustees effective April 14, 1997 and thus does not
   have a full fiscal year of information to report.
    
 
   
(1) Persons not designated by an asterisk are not currently members of the Board
    of Trustees, but were members of the Board of Trustees during the Fund's
    most recently completed fiscal year. Messrs. Hilsman, Miller and Woodside
    retired from the Board of Trustees on December 31, 1996. Messrs. DeMartini,
    McDonnell and Powell, also trustees of the Fund during all or a portion of
    the Fund's last fiscal year, are not included in the compensation table
    because they are affiliated persons of the Advisers and are not eligible for
    compensation or retirement benefits from the Fund.
    
 
   
(2) The amounts shown in this column represent the Aggregate Compensation before
    Deferral with respect to the Fund's fiscal year ended June 30, 1997. The
    following trustees deferred compensation from the Fund during the fiscal
    year ended June 30, 1997: Mr. Branagan, $2,375; Ms. Heagy, $2,750; Mr.
    Kennedy, $750; Mr. Miller, $1,625; Mr. Nelson, $3,125; Dr. Sisto, $750; and
    Mr. Whalen, $3,125. Amounts deferred are retained by the Fund and earn a
    rate of return determined by reference to either the return on the common
    shares of the Fund or other funds in the Fund Complex as selected by the
    respective Non-Affiliated Trustee, with the same economic effect as if such
    Non-Affiliated Trustee had invested in one or more funds in the Fund
    Complex. To the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, each Fund may invest in
    securities of those funds selected by the Non-Affiliated Trustees in order
    to match the deferred compensation obligation. The cumulative deferred
    compensation (including interest) accrued with respect to each trustee,
    including former trustees, from the Fund as of June 30, 1997 is as follows:
    Mr. Branagan, $2,639; Mr. Gaughan, $3,159; Ms. Heagy, $4,692; Mr. Kennedy,
    $9,603; Mr. Miller, $9,322; Mr. Nelson, $12,524; Dr. Sisto, $815; and Mr.
    Whalen, $10,684. The deferred compensation plan is described above the
    Compensation Table.
    
 
   
(3) The amounts shown in this column represent the Retirement Benefits accrued
    by the Fund for each trustee during its fiscal year ended June 30, 1997. The
    retirement plan is described above the Compensation Table. Amounts accrued
    during the Fund's last fiscal year for former trustees totalled $2,026.
    
 
   
(4) For Messrs. Hilsman, Miller and Woodside, this is the actual annual benefits
    payable by the Fund in each year of the 10-year period since such trustee's
    retirement. For the remaining trustees, this is the estimated maximum annual
    benefits payable by the Fund in each year of the 10-year period commencing
    in the year
    
 
                                      B-10
<PAGE>   40
 
   
    of such trustee's retirement from the Fund assuming: the trustee has 10 or
    more years of service on the Board of Trustees (including years of service
    prior to the adoption of the retirement plan) and retires at or after
    attaining the age of 60. Trustees retiring prior to the age of 60 or with
    fewer than 10 years of service for the Fund may receive reduced retirement
    benefits from the Fund. The actual annual benefit may be less if the trustee
    is subject to the Fund Complex retirement benefit cap or if the trustee is
    not fully vested at the time of retirement.
    
 
   
(5) The amounts shown in this column represent the aggregate compensation paid
    by all 51 operating investment companies in the Fund Complex as of December
    31, 1996 before deferral by the trustees under the deferred compensation
    plan. Because the funds in the Fund Complex have different fiscal year ends,
    the amounts shown in this column are presented on a calendar year basis. As
    described in the narrative preceding the table, the Fund Complex has
    increased in size since December 31, 1996. It is likely the aggregate
    compensation from the Fund Complex for the calendar year ending December 31,
    1997 will be higher due to the increased size of the Fund Complex during
    1997. The trustees recently reviewed and adopted a standardized compensation
    and benefits program to become effective January 1, 1988 which program is
    described in more detail in the narrative preceding this table. Certain
    trustees deferred all or a portion of their aggregate compensation from the
    Fund Complex during the calendar year ended December 31, 1996. The deferred
    compensation earns a rate of return determined by reference to the return on
    the shares of the funds in the Fund Complex as selected by the respective
    Non-Affiliated Trustee, with the same economic effect as if such
    Non-Affiliated Trustee had invested in one or more funds in the Fund
    Complex. To the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, the Fund may invest in
    securities of those investment companies selected by the Non-Affiliated
    Trustees in order to match the deferred compensation obligation. The
    trustees' Fund Complex compensation cap covered the period July 22, 1995
    through December 31, 1996. For the calendar year ended December 31, 1996,
    certain trustees received compensation over $84,000 in the aggregate due to
    compensation received but not subject to the cap, including compensation
    from new funds added to the Fund Complex after July 22, 1995 and certain
    special meetings in 1996. The Advisers and their affiliates also serve as
    investment adviser for other investment companies; however, with the
    exception of Messrs. McDonnell, Powell and Whalen, the trustees were not
    trustees of such investment companies. Combining the Fund Complex with other
    investment companies advised by the Advisers and their affiliates, Mr.
    Whalen received Total Compensation of $243,375 during the calendar year
    ended December 31, 1996.
    
 
   
  Excluding Mr. Robinson as shown below, as of October 6, 1997, the trustees and
officers of the Fund as a group owned less than 1% of the shares of the Fund. As
of October 6, 1997, no trustee or officer of the Fund owns or would be able to
acquire 5% or more of the common stock of Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover
& Co. Mr. McDonnell owns, or has the opportunity to purchase, an equity interest
in Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter, Discover & Co., the parent company of Van Kampen
American Capital, and has entered into an employment contract (for a term until
February 17, 1998) with Van Kampen American Capital.
    
 
   
  As of October 6, 1997, no person was known by the Fund to own beneficially or
to hold of record as much as 5% of the outstanding Class A Shares, Class B
Shares or Class C Shares of the Fund, except as follows:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             AMOUNT OF
                                                            OWNERSHIP AT      PERCENTAGE
              NAME AND ADDRESS OF HOLDER                  OCTOBER 6, 1997     OWNERSHIP
              --------------------------                  ---------------     ----------
<S>                                                       <C>                 <C>
Jerome L. Robinson....................................       5,534,552          18.205%
  c/o Robinson Tech Products Corp.
  Re: Merchants Bank of New York
  P.O. Box 350-115 River Rd.
  Edgewater, NJ 07020-1007
</TABLE>
    
 
                                 LEGAL COUNSEL
 
  Counsel to the Fund is Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois).
 
                                      B-11
<PAGE>   41
 
   
                                TRANSFER AGENCY
    
 
   
  During the fiscal periods ended June 30, 1997 and 1996, ACCESS, shareholder
service agent and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund, received fees
aggregating $42,900, and $45,900, respectively, for these services. These
services are provided at cost plus a profit.
    
 
                     INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
 
   
  Van Kampen American Capital Investment Advisory Corp. (the "Adviser") is the
Fund's investment adviser. The Adviser's principal office is located at One
Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181.
    
 
   
  The Adviser is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Van Kampen American Capital, Inc.
which is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter,
Discover & Co.
    
 
  The investment advisory agreement provides that the Adviser will supply
investment research and portfolio management, including the selection of
securities for the Fund to purchase, hold or sell and the selection of brokers
through whom the Fund's portfolio transactions are executed. The Adviser also
administers the business affairs of the Fund, furnishes offices, necessary
facilities and equipment, provides administrative services, and permits its
officers and employees to serve without compensation as trustees and officers of
the Fund if duly elected to such positions.
 
  The Adviser's activities are subject to the review and supervision of the
Trustees, to whom the Adviser renders periodic reports of the Fund's investment
activities.
 
  The agreement remains in effect from year to year if specifically approved by
the Trustees or the Fund shareholders, as the case may be, and by the
disinterested Trustees in compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act. The
agreement may be terminated without penalty upon 60 days written notice by
either party and will automatically terminate in the event of assignment.
 
   
  The Adviser has undertaken to reimburse the Fund for annual expenses which
exceed the most stringent limit prescribed by any State in which the Fund's
shares are offered for sale. In addition to making any required reimbursements,
the Adviser may in its discretion, but is not obligated to, waive all or any
portion of its fee or assume all or any portion of the expenses of the Fund.
    
 
   
  For the years ended June 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Fund recognized advisory
expenses of $0, $0 and $6,443, respectively.
    
 
OTHER AGREEMENTS
 
   
  ACCOUNTING SERVICES AGREEMENT.  The Fund has entered into an accounting
services agreement pursuant to which the Adviser provides accounting services
supplementary to those provided by the Custodian. Such services are expected to
enable the Fund to more closely monitor and maintain its accounts and records.
The Fund shares together with the other funds advised by the Adviser or its
affiliates and distributed by the Distributor in the cost of providing such
services, with 25% of such costs shared proportionately based on the number of
outstanding classes of securities per fund and with the remaining 75% of such
cost based proportionally on their respective net assets per fund.
    
 
   
  For the years ended June 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Fund recognized expenses
of approximately $1,800, $0 and $1,800, respectively, representing the Adviser's
cost of providing accounting services.
    
 
   
  LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT.  The Fund and other funds advised by the Adviser and
distributed by the Distributor have entered into Legal Services Agreements
pursuant to which Van Kampen American Capital provides legal services, including
without limitation: accurate maintenance of the funds' minute books and records,
preparation and oversight of the funds' regulatory reports, and other
information provided to shareholders, as well as responding to day-to-day legal
issues on behalf of the funds. Payment by the Fund for such services is made on
a cost basis for the salary and salary related benefits, including but not
limited to bonuses, group insurances and other regular wages for the employment
of personnel, as well as overhead and the expenses related to the office space
and the equipment necessary to render the legal services. Other funds
distributed by the Distributor also receive legal services from Van Kampen
American Capital. Of the total
    
 
                                      B-12
<PAGE>   42
 
costs for legal services provided to funds distributed by the Distributor, one
half of such costs are allocated equally to each fund and the remaining one half
of such costs are allocated to specific funds based on monthly time records.
 
   
  For the years ended June 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Fund recognized expenses
of approximately $8,100, $8,200 and $9,000, respectively, representing Van
Kampen American Capital's cost of providing legal services.
    
 
                     CUSTODIAN AND INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
   
  State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 West Franklin Street, P.O. Box 1713,
Boston, MA 02105-1713, is the custodian of the Fund and has custody of all
securities and cash of the Fund. The custodian, among other things, attends to
the collection of principal and income, and payment for and collection of
proceeds of securities bought and sold by the Fund.
    
 
  The independent accountants for the Fund are KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, Chicago,
Illinois. The selection of independent accountants will be subject to
ratification by the shareholders of the Fund at any annual meeting of
shareholders.
 
                PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE ALLOCATION
 
  The Adviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities for the
Fund and broker-dealer selection. The primary consideration in effecting a
securities transaction will be execution at the most favorable securities price.
A substantial majority of the Fund's portfolio transactions may be transacted
with primary market makers acting as principal on a net basis, with no brokerage
commissions being paid by the Fund. Such principal transactions may, however,
result in a profit to the market makers. In certain instances the Adviser may
make purchases of underwritten issues at prices which include underwriting fees.
In selecting a broker-dealer to execute each particular transaction, the Adviser
will take the following into consideration: the best securities price available;
the reliability, integrity and financial condition of the broker-dealer; the
size of and difficulty in executing the order; and the value of the expected
contribution of the broker-dealer to the investment performance of the Fund on a
continuing basis. Accordingly, the price to the Fund in any transaction may be
less favorable than that available from another broker-dealer if the difference
is reasonably justified by other aspects of the portfolio execution services
offered. Subject to such policies as the Trustees of the Fund may determine, the
Adviser may cause the Fund to pay a broker-dealer that provides brokerage and
research services an amount of commission for effecting a portfolio investment
transaction in excess of the amount of commission another broker-dealer would
have charged for effecting that transaction, if the Adviser determines in good
faith that such amount of commission was reasonable in relation to the value of
the brokerage and research services provided by such broker-dealer, viewed in
terms of either that particular transaction or the Adviser's overall
responsibilities with respect to the Fund. The Adviser may also allocate the
orders placed by it on behalf of the Fund to such broker-dealers who provide
research or statistical material, or other services to the Fund or the Adviser.
Such allocation shall be in such amounts and proportions as the Adviser shall
determine, and the Adviser will report on said allocations regularly to the
Trustees, indicating the brokers to whom such allocations have been made and the
basis therefor.
 
  While the Adviser will be primarily responsible for the placement of the
Fund's business, the policies and practices in this regard must be consistent
with the foregoing and will at all times be subject to review by the Trustees of
the Fund.
 
   
                             TAX STATUS OF THE FUND
    
 
   
  The Fund has qualified and intends to continue to qualify to be treated as a
regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"). If the Fund complies with certain requirements of the code
relating to, among other things, the source of its income and the
diversification of its assets, the Fund will not be subject to federal income
tax on any income distributed to shareholders. The Fund will be subject to tax
if, among other things, it fails to distribute net capital gains, or if its
annual distributions, as a percentage of its income, are less than the
distributions required by tax laws.
    
 
                                      B-13
<PAGE>   43
 
                                THE DISTRIBUTOR
 
   
  The Distributor offers one of the industry's broadest lines of investments --
encompassing mutual funds, closed-end funds and unit investment trusts -- assets
which have been entrusted to Van Kampen American Capital in more than 2 million
investor accounts. Van Kampen American Capital has one of the largest research
teams (outside of the rating agencies) in the country.
    
 
   
                         DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS
    
 
  The Fund has adopted a distribution plan (the "Distribution Plan") pursuant to
Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Fund also has adopted a service plan (the
"Service Plan"). The Distribution Plan and the Service Plan sometimes are
referred to herein as the "Plans." The Plans provide that the Fund may spend a
portion of the Fund's average daily net assets in connection with the
distribution of shares and in connection with the provision of ongoing services
to shareholders. The Plans are being implemented through an agreement (the
"Distribution and Service Agreement") with the Distributor and sub-agreements
between the Distributor and members of the NASD who are acting as securities
dealers and NASD members or eligible non-members who are acting as brokers or
agents for investors (collectively, "Selling Agreements") that may provide for
their customers or clients certain services or assistance, which may include,
but not be limited to, processing purchase and redemption transactions,
establishing and maintaining shareholder accounts regarding the Fund, and such
other services as may be agreed to from time to time and as may be permitted by
applicable statute, rule or regulation. Brokers, dealers and financial
intermediaries that have entered into sub-agreements with the Distributor and
sell shares of the Fund are referred to herein as "financial intermediaries."
 
  The Distributor must submit quarterly reports to the Board of Trustees of the
Fund setting forth all amounts paid under the Distribution Plan and the purposes
for which such expenditures were made, together with such other information as
from time to time is reasonably requested by the Trustees. The Plans provide
that they will continue in full force and effect from year to year so long as
such continuance is specifically approved by a vote of the Trustees, and also by
a vote of the disinterested Trustees, cast in person at a meeting called for the
purpose of voting on the Plans. Each of the Plans may not be amended to increase
materially the amount to be spent for the services described therein without
approval by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting shares and all
material amendments to either of the Plans must be approved by the Trustees and
also by the disinterested Trustees. Each of the Plans may be terminated at any
time by a vote of a majority of the disinterested Trustees or by a vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting shares.
 
   
  For the years ended June 30, 1997, 1996 and 1995, the Fund has recognized
expenses under the Plans of $87,203, $88,120 and $81,152, respectively, of which
$87,019, $70,558 and $86,763, respectively, representing payments to financial
intermediaries under the Selling Agreements. For the years ended June 30, 1997,
1996 and 1995, the Fund has reimbursed the Distributor for $0, $0 and $0,
respectively, for advertising expenses, and $0, $0 and $0, respectively, for
compensation of the Distributor's sales personnel.
    
 
                               YIELD INFORMATION
 
  There are two methods by which the Fund's yield for a specified period of time
is calculated. Normally a seven day period will be used in determining yields in
published or mailed advertisements.
 
  The first method, which results in an amount referred to as the "current
yield," assumes an account containing exactly one share at the beginning of the
period. (The net asset value of this share will be $1.00 except under
extraordinary circumstances.) The net change in the value of the account during
the period is then determined by subtracting this beginning value from the value
of the account at the end of the period; however, capital changes and unrealized
appreciation or depreciation of the Fund's portfolio are excluded from this
calculation. This net change in the account value is then divided by the value
of the account at the beginning of the period (i.e., normally $1.00 as discussed
above) and the resulting figure (referred to as the "base period return") is
then annualized by multiplying it by 365 and dividing by the seven days of the
period; the result is the "current yield," usually expressed to the nearest
one-hundredth of one percent.
 
  The second method results in an amount referred to as the "compounded
effective yield." This represents an annualization of the current yield with
dividends reinvested daily. This compounded effective yield,
 
                                      B-14
<PAGE>   44
 
calculated again for a seven day period, would be computed by compounding the
unannualized base period return by adding one to the base period return, raising
the sum to a power equal to 365 divided by seven and subtracting one from the
result.
 
  In addition to using the yields in advertisements or information furnished to
present or prospective stockholders, the Fund also may quote rankings, yields or
returns as published by recognized statistical services or publishers, such as
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. or nationally recognized financial
publications.
 
  Yield information may be useful to investors in reviewing the performance of
the Fund. However, a number of factors should be taken into account before using
yield information as a basis for comparison with alternative investments. An
investment in the Fund is not insured and its yields are not guaranteed. They
normally will fluctuate on a daily basis. Accordingly they cannot be compared to
yields on those savings accounts or other investment alternatives which provide
a guaranteed fixed yield for a stated period of time and which may be insured by
a government agency. The yields for any given past period are not an indication
or representation by the Fund of future yields or rates of return on a Fund's
shares. Previously, the Adviser has waived a portion of its management fee and
the Adviser may in its discretion elect to discontinue waiving all or any
portion of its fee and assuming all or any portion of the expenses of the Fund.
In the event that the Adviser elects to discontinue waiving its fee and assuming
the expenses of the Fund, the Fund's yield will be less than it otherwise would
have been. In comparing the yields of one money market fund to another,
consideration should be given to each fund's investment policy, portfolio
quality, portfolio maturity, type of instruments held and operating expenses.
 
                                   DIVIDENDS
 
  On each day, including a Saturday, Sunday or other holiday, a dividend of all
of the Fund's net income since the last declaration is declared. The Fund's net
income for dividend purposes consists of all interest income accrued on the
Fund's portfolio, less the Fund's expenses.
 
  Under the procedures which the Fund's Board of Trustees have adopted relating
to amortized cost valuation, the calculation of the Fund's daily dividends will
change from that indicated above in certain circumstances. If on any date the
deviation between net asset value determined on an amortized cost basis and that
determined using market quotations is 0.5% or more, the amount of such deviation
will be added to or subtracted from the daily dividend to the extent necessary
to reduce such deviation to within 0.5%.
 
                                      B-15
<PAGE>   45
 
                                    APPENDIX
 
                           STANDARD & POOR'S RATINGS
TAX-EXEMPT NOTES
 
  A Standard & Poor's note rating reflects the liquidity concerns and market
access risks unique to notes. Notes maturing beyond 3 years will most likely
receive a long-term debt rating. Notes maturing in 3 years or less will likely
receive a note rating. The following criteria will be used in making that
assessment:
 
  -- Amortization schedule (the larger the final maturity relative to other
    maturities, the more likely it is to be treated as a note).
 
  -- Source of payment (the more the issue depends on the market for its
    refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note).
 
Note rating symbols are as follows:
 
  SP-1. Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. Issues determined to
possess very strong safety characteristics are given a plus (+) designation.
 
  SP-2. Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some
vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the
notes.
 
TAX-EXEMPT COMMERCIAL PAPER
 
  A Standard & Poor's commercial paper rating is a current assessment of the
likelihood of timely payment of debt considered short-term in the relevant
market. Ratings are graded into several categories, ranging from 'A-1' for the
highest quality obligations to 'D' for the lowest. These categories are as
follows:
 
  A-1. This highest category indicates that the degree of safety regarding
timely payment is strong. Those issues determined to possess extremely strong
safety characteristics are denoted with a plus sign (+) designation.
 
  A-2. Capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is
satisfactory. However, the relative degree of safety is not as high as for
issues designated 'A-1'.
 
TAX-EXEMPT VARIABLE RATE DEMAND OBLIGATIONS
 
  Standard & Poor's assigns "dual" ratings to all debt issues that have a put
option or demand feature as part of their structure.
 
  The first rating addresses the likelihood of repayment of principal and
interest as due, and the second rating addresses only the demand feature. The
long-term debt rating symbols are used for bonds to denote the long-term
maturity and the commercial paper rating symbols for the put option (for
example, 'AAA/A-1+'). With short-term demand debt, Standard & Poor's note rating
symbols are used with the commercial paper rating symbols (for example,
'SP-1+/A-1+').
 
                                      B-16
<PAGE>   46
 
                                MOODY'S RATINGS
 
TAX-EXEMPT SHORT TERM LOAN RATINGS
 
  Moody's ratings for state and municipal short-term obligations will be
designated Moody's Investment Grade or (MIG). Such ratings recognize the
differences between short-term credit risk and long-term risk. Factors affecting
the liquidity of the borrower and short-term cyclical elements are critical in
short-term ratings, while other factors of major importance in bond risk,
long-term secular trends for example, may be less important over the short run.
 
  A short-term rating may also be assigned on an issue having a demand
feature--variable rate demand obligation (VRDO). Such ratings will be designated
as VMIG or, if the demand feature is not rated, as NR.
 
  Moody's short-term ratings are designated Moody's Investment Grade as MIG 1 or
VMIG 1 through MIG 4 or VMIG 4. As the name implies, when Moody's assigns a MIG
or VMIG rating, all categories define an investment grade situation.
 
  The purpose of the MIG or VMIG ratings is to provide investors with a simple
system by which the relative investment qualities of short-term obligations may
be evaluated.
 
  Gradations of investment quality are indicated by rating symbols, with each
symbol representing a group in which the quality characteristics are broadly the
same.
 
                                  MIG 1/VMIG 1
 
  This designation denotes best quality. There is present strong protection by
established cash flows, superior liquidity support or demonstrated broad based
access to the market for refinancing.
 
                                  MIG 2/VMIG 2
 
  This designation denotes high quality. Margins of protection are ample
although not so large as in the preceding group.
 
  Issues or the features associated with MIG or VMIG ratings are identified by
date of issue, date of maturity or maturities or rating expiration date and
description to distinguish each rating from other ratings. Each rating
designation is unique with no implication as to any other similar issue of the
same obligor. MIG ratings terminate at the retirement of the obligation while
VMIG rating expiration will be a function of each issue's specific structural or
credit features.
 
TAX-EXEMPT COMMERCIAL PAPER
 
  Moody's Commercial Paper ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to
repay punctually promissory obligations not having an original maturity in
excess of nine months. Moody's employs the following designations, all judged to
be investment grade, to indicate the relative repayment capacity of rated
issuers:
 
          Issuers rated Prime-1 (or supporting institutions) have a superior
     ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. Prime-1
     repayment ability will often be evidenced by many of the following
     characteristics:
 
        - Leading market positions in well-established industries.
 
        - High rates of return on funds employed.
 
        - Conservative capitalization structure with moderate reliance on debt
          and ample asset protection.
 
        - Broad margins in earnings coverage of fixed financial charges and high
          internal cash generation.
 
        - Well-established access to a range of financial markets and assured
          sources of alternate liquidity.
 
          Issuers rated Prime-2 (or supporting institutions) have a strong
     ability for repayment of senior short-term debt obligations. This will
     normally be evidenced by many of the characteristics cited above but to a
     lesser degree. Earnings trends and coverage ratios, while sound, may be
     more subject to variation. Capitalization characteristics, while still
     appropriate, may be more affected by external conditions. Ample alternate
     liquidity is maintained.
 
                                      B-17
<PAGE>   47
 
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
The Board of Trustees and Shareholders of
Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free Money Fund:
 
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Van
Kampen American Capital Tax Free Money Fund (the "Fund"), including the
portfolio of investments, as of June 30, 1997, and the related statement of
operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for
each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for
each of the periods presented. These financial statements and financial
highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights
based on our audits.
 
    We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial
highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of June
30, 1997, by correspondence with the custodian. An audit also includes assessing
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as
well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that
our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred
to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Van
Kampen American Capital Tax Free Money Fund as of June 30, 1997, the results of
its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each
of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each
of the periods presented, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
                                                           KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Chicago, Illinois
July 31, 1997
 
                                     B-18
<PAGE>   48
  
                            PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS
 
                                 June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Discount
 Par                                                                 Yield on
Amount                                                   Maturity    Date of     Amortized
(000)                 Security Description                 Date      Purchase      Cost
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>                                             <C>       <C>        <C>
         MUNICIPAL BONDS
         DATES  44.4%
$1,400   Brazos River Auth TX Utils Elec Co Proj Ser
         1996 B (AMBAC Insd)...........................  07/01/97       5.550%  $ 1,400,000
 1,700   Chicago, IL O'Hare Intl Arpt Spl Fac Rev
         American Airls Ser 1983 D (LOC: Royal Bank of
         Canada).......................................  07/01/97       4.150     1,700,000
 1,200   Jackson Cnty, MS Port Fac Rev Chevron Inc Proj
         Rfdg..........................................  07/01/97       4.000     1,200,000
 1,500   New York City Muni Wtr Fin Auth Wtr Swr Sys
         Ser 1995 A (FGIC Insd)........................  07/01/97       5.500     1,500,000
   900   New York City Ser B (FGIC Insd)...............  07/01/97       5.500       900,000
 1,500   New York City Ser B (FGIC Insd)...............  07/01/97       5.500     1,500,000
 2,200   New York City Ser B (FGIC Insd)...............  07/01/97       5.500     2,200,000
 1,300   Pinal Cnty, AZ Indl Dev Auth Pollutn Ctl Rev
         Ser 1984 (LOC: Nat'l Westminster Bank)........  07/01/97       4.000     1,300,000
 1,500   Port of Portland, OR Pollutn Ctl Rev (LOC:
         Bank of Nova Scotia)..........................  07/01/97       4.100     1,500,000
 1,500   Sullivan Cnty, TN Indl Dev Board Pollutn Ctrl
         Rev (LOC: Union Bank of Switzerland)..........  07/01/97       4.100     1,500,000
                                                                                -----------
         Total Dates.......................................................      14,700,000
                                                                                -----------
         7 DAY FLOATERS  36.6%
   900   Calhoun Cnty, MI Econ Dev Corp Rev (LOC:
         Comerica Bank)................................  07/07/97       4.150       900,000
 1,400   City of Chillicothe, IA Pollutn Ctl Rev
         Midwest Pwr Sys Ser 1993 A Rfdg (Gtd: Midwest
         Power Systems, Inc.)..........................  07/07/97       4.200     1,400,000
 1,380   City of Sterling Heights, MI Econ Dev Corp Rev
         Rfdg (LOC: First Chicago/NBD Corp)............  07/07/97       4.150     1,380,000
 1,300   Dade Cnty, FL Fltg Capital Asset Acquisition
         Ser S (LOC: Sanwa Bank Ltd.)..................  07/07/97       4.450     1,300,000
 1,110   Fort Bend, TX Indl Dev Corp Indl Dev Rev W.W.
         Grainger Proj Rfdg (LOC: The Northern Trust
         Company)......................................  07/07/97       4.150     1,110,000
 1,500   Harris Cnty, TX Hlth Fac Dev Corp Hosp Rev Ser
         B (MBIA Insured)..............................  07/07/97       4.150     1,500,000
 1,000   Illinois Dev Fin Auth Rev Roosevelt Univ Ser
         1995 (LOC: Amer Nat'l Bank & Trust of
         Chicago)......................................  07/07/97       4.150     1,000,000
 1,100   Illinois Dev Fin Auth Rev Ser 1994 Lake Forest
         Academy (LOC: The Northern Trust Company).....  07/07/97       4.150     1,100,000
   300   Minnesota St Higher Edl Coordinating Brd Ser
         1994 A Rfdg (LOC: Norwest Bank)...............  07/07/97       4.150       300,000
 1,000   Pleasant Hill, CA Redev Agy Var Hsg Chateau
         III Proj Ser A (LOC: Heller Financial)........  07/07/97       4.100     1,000,000
   500   Utah St Brd Regents Student Ln Rev Ser 1993 A
         (Gtd: Student Ln Marketing Assn.).............  07/07/97       4.250       500,000
   600   Washington St Hsg Fin Comm Multi-Family Mtg
         Rev Rfdg (LOC: Harris Trust & Savings Bank)...  07/07/97       4.250       600,000
                                                                                -----------
         Total 7 Day Floaters..............................................      12,090,000
                                                                                -----------
</TABLE>
 
                                               See Notes to Financial Statements
 
                                     B-19

<PAGE>   49
 
                      PORTFOLIO OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Discount
 Par                                                                     Yield on
Amount                                                      Maturity     Date of     Amortized
(000)                 Security Description                    Date       Purchase      Cost
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>                                             <C>       <C>        <C>
         UPDATES (COMMERCIAL PAPER)  4.5%
$1,500   Wayne Cnty, MI Downriver Swr Disp Sys Ser 1994
         B (LOC: Comerica Bank)........................  07/15/97         3.500%  $ 1,500,000
                                                                                  -----------
         BONDS/NOTES  14.0%
 1,500   Chicago, IL Mandatory Tender Nts Ser 1997
         (LOC: Morgan Guaranty)........................  02/05/98         3.650     1,500,000
 1,010   City of Ashdown, AR Indl Dev Rev Ser 1981
         (Gtd: Allied Signal Corp.)....................  11/01/97         4.000     1,009,940
 1,000   Greater Texas Student Ln Corp Ser 1996 A Rfdg
         (Gtd: Student Ln Marketing Assn.).............  03/01/98         3.700     1,000,000
 1,110   Texas St Tax & Rev Antic Nts Ser 1996.........  08/29/97         4.750     1,111,553
                                                                                  -----------
         Total Bonds/Notes.................................................         4,621,493
                                                                                  -----------
TOTAL INVESTMENTS  99.5%(A)................................................        32,911,493
OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES  0.5%................................           152,933
                                                                                  -----------
NET ASSETS  100.0%.........................................................       $33,064,426
                                                                                  -----------

</TABLE>
 
(a) At June 30, 1997, cost of investments is identical for both book and federal
    income tax purposes.
 
                                               See Notes to Financial Statements
 
                                     B-20
<PAGE>   50
 
                      STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
 
                                 June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
ASSETS:
Investments, at Amortized Cost which Approximates Market....  $32,911,493
Cash........................................................      201,049
Receivables:
  Interest..................................................      193,619
  Fund Shares Sold..........................................          808
Other.......................................................        5,433
                                                              -----------
      Total Assets..........................................   33,312,402
                                                              -----------
LIABILITIES:
Payables:
  Fund Shares Repurchased...................................       57,032
  Distributor and Affiliates................................       35,568
Deferred Compensation and Retirement Plans..................       97,777
Accrued Expenses............................................       57,599
                                                              -----------
      Total Liabilities.....................................      247,976
                                                              -----------
NET ASSETS..................................................  $33,064,426
                                                              -----------
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:
Capital.....................................................  $33,085,766
Accumulated Undistributed Net Investment Income.............          127
Accumulated Net Realized Loss...............................      (21,467)
                                                              -----------
NET ASSETS (Equivalent to $1.00 per share for 33,085,766
  shares outstanding).......................................  $33,064,426
                                                              -----------
</TABLE>
 
                                               See Notes to Financial Statements
 
                                     B-21
<PAGE>   51
 
                            STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
                        For the Year Ended June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Interest....................................................  $1,277,361
                                                              ----------
EXPENSES:
Investment Advisory Fee.....................................     176,206
Distribution (12b-1) and Service Fees.......................      88,041
Shareholder Services........................................      66,034
Registration................................................      40,218
Shareholder Reports.........................................      32,200
Trustees Fees and Expenses..................................      29,551
Audit.......................................................      27,595
Legal.......................................................       8,097
Custody.....................................................       5,513
Other.......................................................      38,774
                                                              ----------
    Total Expenses..........................................     512,229
    Less Fees Waived and Expenses Reimbursed ($176,206 and
      $37,478, respectively)................................     213,684
                                                              ----------
    Net Expenses............................................     298,545
                                                              ----------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME.......................................  $  978,816
                                                              ----------
NET REALIZED GAIN...........................................  $    3,111
                                                              ----------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS..................  $  981,927
                                                              ----------
</TABLE>
 
                                               See Notes to Financial Statements
 
                                     B-22
<PAGE>   52
 
                       STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
 
                   For the Years Ended June 30, 1997 and 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Year Ended      Year Ended
                                                             June 30, 1997   June 30, 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                          <C>             <C>
FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES:
Operations:
Net Investment Income.......................................    $  978,816    $  1,019,399
Net Realized Gain...........................................         3,111             -0-
                                                              ------------    ------------
Change in Net Assets from Operations........................       981,927       1,019,399
Distributions from Net Investment Income....................      (978,689)     (1,019,399)
                                                              ------------    ------------
NET CHANGE IN NET ASSETS FROM INVESTMENT ACTIVITIES.........         3,238             -0-
                                                              ------------    ------------
FROM CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS:
Proceeds from Shares Sold...................................    94,162,306      67,200,916
Net Asset Value of Shares Issued Through Dividend
  Reinvestment..............................................       978,689       1,019,399
Cost of Shares Repurchased..................................   (97,712,684)    (65,762,478)
                                                              ------------    ------------
NET CHANGE IN NET ASSETS FROM CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS..........    (2,571,689)      2,457,837
                                                              ------------    ------------
TOTAL INCREASE/DECREASE IN NET ASSETS.......................    (2,568,451)      2,457,837
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of the Period.....................................    35,632,877      33,175,040
                                                              ------------    ------------
End of the Period (Including accumulated undistributed net
  investment income of $127 and $0, respectively)...........  $ 33,064,426    $ 35,632,877
                                                              ============    ============
</TABLE>
 
                                               See Notes to Financial Statements
 
                                     B-23
<PAGE>   53
 
                              FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
       The following schedule presents financial highlights for one share
           of the Fund outstanding throughout the periods indicated.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Year Ended June 30
                                              ----------------------------------------------
                                               1997       1996       1995     1994     1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>        <C>        <C>      <C>      <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period........   $1.00      $1.00      $1.00    $1.00    $1.00
                                               -----      -----      -----    -----    -----
Net Investment Income.......................    .028       .029       .027     .017     .019
Less Distributions from Net Investment
  Income....................................    .028       .029       .027     .017     .019
                                               -----      -----      -----    -----    -----
Net Asset Value, End of Period..............   $1.00      $1.00      $1.00    $1.00    $1.00
                                               =====      =====      =====    =====    =====
Total Return*...............................   2.82%      2.93%      2.73%    1.70%    1.93%
Net Assets at End of Period (In millions)...   $33.1      $35.6      $33.2    $37.4    $43.1
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets*....    .85%       .85%       .89%     .81%     .72%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average
  Net Assets*...............................   2.78%      2.89%      2.68%    1.69%    1.92%
* If certain expenses had not been assumed
  by VKAC, total return would have been
  lower and the ratios would have been as
  follows:
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets.....   1.45%      1.53%      1.38%    1.29%     .97%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average
  Net Assets................................   2.17%      2.21%      2.20%    1.20%    1.67%
</TABLE>
 
                                               See Notes to Financial Statements
 
                                     B-24
<PAGE>   54
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
                                 June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free Money Fund (the "Fund") is organized as a
Delaware business trust. The Fund is an open-end diversified management
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended. The Fund's investment objective is to provide a high level of current
income exempt from federal income taxes consistent with the preservation of
capital and liquidity through investment in a broad range of municipal
securities that will mature within 12 months of the date of purchase. The Fund
commenced investment operations on November 5, 1986.
 
    The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently
followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
A. SECURITY VALUATION--Investments are valued at amortized cost, which
approximates market. Under this valuation method, a portfolio instrument is
valued at cost and any discount or premium is amortized on a straight-line basis
to the maturity of the instrument.
 
B. SECURITY TRANSACTIONS--Security transactions are recorded on a trade date
basis. Realized gains and losses are determined on an identified cost basis.
Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis.
 
C. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES--It is the Fund's policy to comply with the requirements
of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to
distribute substantially all of its taxable income, if any, to its shareholders.
Therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required.
 
    The Fund intends to utilize provisions of the federal income tax laws which
allow it to carry a realized capital loss forward for eight years following the
year of the loss and offset such losses against any future realized capital
gains. At June 30, 1997, the Fund had an accumulated capital loss carryforward
of $21,467 which expires between June 30, 1998 and June 30, 2001. Of this
amount, $3,166 will expire on June 30, 1998.
 
                                     B-25
<PAGE>   55
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
D. DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME AND GAINS--The Fund declares dividends from net
investment income daily and automatically reinvests such dividends daily. Net
realized gains, if any, are distributed annually. Shareholders can elect to
receive the cash equivalent of their daily dividends at each month end.
 
    For the year ended June 30, 1997, 100% of the income distributions made by
the Fund were exempt from Federal income taxes. In January, 1998, the Fund will
provide tax information to shareholders for the 1997 calendar year.
 
2. INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Under the terms of the Fund's Investment Advisory Agreement, Van Kampen American
Capital Investment Advisory Corp. (the "Adviser") will provide investment advice
and facilities to the Fund for an annual fee payable monthly as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   AVERAGE NET ASSETS                     % PER ANNUM
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>
First $500 million......................................   .500 of 1%
Next $500 million.......................................   .475 of 1%
Next $500 million.......................................   .425 of 1%
Over $1.5 billion.......................................   .375 of 1%
</TABLE>
 
    For the year ended June 30, 1997, the Fund recognized expenses of
approximately $5,100, representing legal services provided by Skadden, Arps,
Slate, Meagher & Flom (Illinois), counsel to the Fund, of which a trustee of the
Fund is an affiliated person.
 
    For the year ended June 30, 1997, the Fund recognized expenses of
approximately $20,900 representing Van Kampen American Capital Distributors,
Inc's. or its affiliates' (collectively "VKAC") cost of providing accounting,
cash management and legal services to the Fund.
 
    ACCESS Investor Services, Inc. ("ACCESS"), an affiliate of the Adviser,
serves as the shareholder servicing agent for the Fund. For the year ended June
30, 1997, the Fund recognized expenses of approximately $42,900, representing
ACCESS' cost of providing transfer agency and shareholder services plus a
profit.
 
    Certain officers and trustees of the Fund are also officers and directors of
VKAC. The Fund does not compensate its officers or trustees who are officers of
VKAC.
 
    The Fund provides deferred compensation and retirement plans for its
trustees who are not officers of VKAC. Under the deferred compensation plan,
trustees may elect to defer all or a portion of their compensation to a later
date. Benefits under the retirement
 
                                     B-26
<PAGE>   56
 
                   NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
 
                                 June 30, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
plan are payable for a ten-year period and are based upon each trustee's years
of service to the Fund. The maximum annual benefit per trustee under the plan is
equal to $2,500.
 
3. CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
 
The Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial
interest with a par value of $.01 per share. At June 30, 1997 and 1996, capital
aggregated $33,085,766 and $35,657,455, respectively. Transactions in shares
were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Year Ended      Year Ended
                                               June 30, 1997   June 30, 1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>             <C>
Beginning Shares.............................     35,657,455      33,199,618
                                                 -----------     -----------
Shares Sold..................................     94,162,306      67,200,916
Shares Issued Through Dividend
  Reinvestment...............................        978,689       1,019,399
Shares Repurchased...........................    (97,712,684)    (65,762,478)
                                                 -----------     -----------
Net Change in Shares Outstanding.............     (2,571,689)      2,457,837
                                                 -----------     -----------
Ending Shares................................     33,085,766      35,657,455
                                                 ===========     ===========
</TABLE>
 
4. DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE PLANS
 
The Fund and its shareholders have adopted a distribution plan pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and a service plan (collectively
the "Plans"). The Plans govern payments for the distribution of the Fund's
shares, ongoing shareholder services and maintenance of shareholder accounts.
Annual fees under the Plans of up to .25% of the Fund's average net assets are
accrued daily. Included in these fees for the year ended June 30, 1997, are
payments to VKAC of approximately $31,700.
 
                                     B-27
<PAGE>   57
 
                           PART C: OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
     List all financial statements and exhibits as part of the Registration
Statement.
 
     (A) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
   
        Included in Part A of Registration Statement:
    
           Financial Highlights
 
   
        Included in Part B of Registration Statement:
    
           Independent Accountants' Report
           Financial Statements
           Notes to Financial Statements
 
     (B) EXHIBITS:
   
           (1)    Declaration of Trust(14)
    
 
   
           (2)    By-Laws(14)
    
 
   
           (5)    Investment Advisory Agreement+
    
 
   
           (6)(a) Distribution and Service Agreement+
    
               (b) Form of Dealer Agreement(12)
   
               (c) Form of Broker Fully Disclosed Selling Agreement(12)
    
   
               (d) Form of Bank Fully Disclosed Selling Agreement(12)
    
 
   
           (8)(a) Custodian Contract+
    
   
               (b) Transfer Agency and Service Agreement+
    
 
   
           (9)(a) Fund Accounting Agreement+
    
   
               (b) Amended and Restated Legal Services Agreement+
    
          (10)    Opinion and Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate Meagher & Flom(12)
 
          (11)    Opinion and Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP+
 
   
          (13)    Letter of Understanding relating to initial capital(14)
    
 
   
          (15)(a) Plan of Distribution Pursuant to Rule 12b-1(14)
    
   
               (b) Form of Shareholder Assistance Agreement(14)
    
   
               (c) Form of Administrative Services Agreement(14)
    
   
               (d) Service Plan(14)
    
 
          (16)    Computation of Performance Quotations+
 
          (17)(a) List of certain investment companies in response to Item
29(a)+
               (b) List of officers and directors of Van Kampen American Capital
                   Distributors, Inc. in response to Item 29(b)+
 
   
          (18)    Amended Multi-Class Plan+
    
   
          (24)    Power of Attorney+
    
 
          (27)    Financial Data Schedule+
- ---------------
   
(12) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to
     Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, file number 33-6745,
     filed August 3, 1995.
    
   
(14) Incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to
     Registrant's Registration Statement on Form N-1A, file number 33-6745,
     filed October 28, 1996.
    
   + Filed herewith.
 
ITEM 25. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.
 
   
     See the Statement of Additional Information.
    
 
ITEM 26. NUMBER OF HOLDERS OF SECURITIES.
 
   
       As of October 6, 1997:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    (1)                         (2)
                                             NUMBER OF
                                              RECORD
              TITLE OF CLASS                  HOLDERS
              --------------                 ---------
<S>                                          <C>
Shares of Beneficial Interest, $0.01 par
  value....................................    1,782
                                               -----
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       C-1
<PAGE>   58
 
ITEM 27. INDEMNIFICATION.
 
     Reference is made to Article 8, Section 8.4 of the Registrant's Agreement
and Declaration of Trust.
 
   
     Article 8, Section 8.4 of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides
that each officer and trustee of the Registrant shall be indemnified by the
Registrant against all liabilities incurred in connection with the defense or
disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal,
in which the officer or trustee may be or may have been involved by reason of
being or having been an officer or trustee, except that such indemnity shall not
protect any such person against a liability to the Registrant or any shareholder
thereof to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of (i) not
acting in good faith in the reasonable belief that such person's actions were
not in the best interest of the Trust, (ii) willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of
his or her office or (iii) for a criminal proceeding, not having a reasonable
cause to believe that such conduct was unlawful (collectively, "Disabling
Conduct"). Absent a court determination that an officer or trustee seeking
indemnification was not liable on the merits or guilty of Disabling Conduct in
the conduct of his or her office, the decision by the Registrant to indemnify
such person must be based upon the reasonable determination of independent
counsel or non-party independent trustees, after review of the facts, that such
officer or trustee is not guilty of Disabling Conduct in the conduct of his or
her office.
    
 
     The Registrant has purchased insurance on behalf of its officers and
trustees protecting such persons from liability arising from their activities as
officers or trustees of the Registrant. The insurance does not protect or
purport to protect such persons from liability to the Registrant or to its
shareholders to which such officers or trustee would otherwise be subject by
reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard
of the duties involved in the conduct of their office.
 
     Conditional advancing of indemnification monies may be made if the trustee
or officer undertakes to repay the advance unless it is ultimately determined
that he or she is entitled to the indemnification and only if the following
conditions are met: (1) the trustee or officer provides security for the
undertaking; (2) the Registrant is insured against losses arising from lawful
advances; or (3) a majority of a quorum of the Registrant's disinterested,
non-party trustees, or an independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall
determine, based upon a review of readily available facts, that a recipient of
the advance ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 (the "Act") may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling
persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions 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 such
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 the trustee, officer, or controlling
person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in
connection with the shares being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in such Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
ITEM 28. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER.
 
   
     See "Investment Advisory Services" in the Prospectus and "Trustees and
Officers" in the Statement of Additional Information for information regarding
the business of the Adviser. For information as to the business, profession,
vocation or employment of a substantial nature of each of the officers and
directors of Van Kampen American Capital Investment Advisory Corp., reference is
made to the Adviser's current Form ADV (File No. 801-18161) filed under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, incorporated herein by reference.
    
 
                                       C-2
<PAGE>   59
 
ITEM 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS.
 
     (a) The sole principal underwriter is Van Kampen American Capital
Distributors, Inc., which acts as principal underwriter for certain investment
companies and unit investment trusts set forth in Exhibit 17(a) incorporated by
reference herein.
 
     (b) Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc., which is an affiliated
person of an affiliated person of Registrant, is the sole principal underwriter
for Registrant. The name, principal business address and positions and offices
with Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc. of each of the directors and
officers thereof are set forth in Exhibit 17(b). Except as disclosed under the
heading "Trustees and Officers" in Part B of this Registration Statement, none
of such persons has any position or office with Registrant.
 
     (c) Not applicable.
 
ITEM 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS.
 
     All accounts, books and other documents required by Section 31(a) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules thereunder to be maintained (i) by
Registrant will be maintained at its offices located at One Parkview Plaza,
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181, ACCESS Investor Services, Inc., 7501 Tiffany
Springs Parkway, Kansas City, Missouri 64153, or at the State Street Bank and
Trust Company, 1776 Heritage Drive, North Quincy, Massachusetts; (ii) by the
Adviser, will be maintained at its offices, located at One Parkview Plaza,
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181; and (iii) by Van Kampen American Capital
Distributors, Inc., the principal underwriter, will be maintained at its offices
located at One Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181.
 
ITEM 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
 
     Not applicable.
 
ITEM 32. UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     (a) Not applicable.
 
     (b) Not applicable.
 
     (c) Registrant undertakes, if requested to do so by the holders of at least
         10% of the shareholders of a series of the Registrant, to call a
         meeting of such shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the
         question of removal of a trustee or trustees, and to assist in
         communications with other shareholders to the extent required by
         Section 16(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
 
                                       C-3
<PAGE>   60
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
    PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940, THE REGISTRANT, VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TAX
FREE MONEY FUND, CERTIFIES THAT IT MEETS ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS AMENDMENT TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO RULE
485(B) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS AMENDMENT TO
THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED,
THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF OAKBROOK TERRACE AND THE STATE OF
ILLINOIS ON THE 27TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 1997.
    
 
                                          VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
                                          TAX FREE MONEY FUND
 
                                          By:       /s/  RONALD A. NYBERG
 
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Ronald A. Nyberg, Vice President and
                                                          Secretary
 
   
    PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS AMENDMENT
TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED ON OCTOBER 27, 1997 BY THE
FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE CAPACITIES INDICATED:
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     SIGNATURES
                     ----------                        TITLE
<C>                                                    <S>
            Principal Executive Officer:
 
              /s/  DENNIS J. McDONNELL*                President
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Dennis J. McDonnell
 
            Principal Financial Officer:
 
              /s/  EDWARD C. WOOD, III*                Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Edward C. Wood, III
 
                      Trustees:
 
               /s/  J. MILES BRANAGAN*                 Trustee
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  J. Miles Branagan
 
             /s/  RICHARD M. DeMARTINI*                Trustee
- -----------------------------------------------------
                Richard M. DeMartini
 
              /s/  LINDA HUTTON HEAGY*                 Trustee
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Linda Hutton Heagy
 
               /s/  R. CRAIG KENNEDY*                  Trustee
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  R. Craig Kennedy
 
                /s/  JACK E. NELSON*                   Trustee
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   Jack E. Nelson
 
                 /s/  DON G. POWELL*                   Trustee
- -----------------------------------------------------
                    Don G. Powell
 
              /s/  JEROME L. ROBINSON*                 Trustee
- -----------------------------------------------------
                 Jerome L. Robinson
 
               /s/  PHILLIP B. ROONEY*                 Trustee
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Phillip B. Rooney
 
                /s/  FERNANDO SISTO*                   Trustee
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   Fernando Sisto
 
                /s/  WAYNE W. WHALEN*                  Trustee
- -----------------------------------------------------
                   Wayne W. Whalen
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
   
* Signed by Ronald A. Nyberg pursuant to a power of attorney.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<C>                                                    <S>
                /s/  RONALD A. NYBERG                                                  October 27, 1997
- -----------------------------------------------------
                  Ronald A. Nyberg
                  Attorney-in-Fact
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       C-4
<PAGE>   61
 
                            SCHEDULE OF EXHIBITS TO
 
   
               POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NUMBER 15 TO FORM N-1A AS
    
 
              SUBMITTED TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
   
                              ON OCTOBER 27, 1997
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
     EXHIBIT
      NUMBER
     -------                                   EXHIBIT
<S>  <C>      <C>    <C>
        (5)          Investment Advisory Agreement
        (6)          Distribution and Service Agreement
        (8)   (a)    Custodian Contract
              (b)    Transfer Agency and Service Agreement
        (9)   (a)    Fund Accounting Agreement
              (b)    Amended and Restated Legal Services Agreement
       (11)          Opinion and Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
       (16)          Computation of Performance Quotations
       (17)   (a)    List of certain investment companies in response to Item
                     29(a)
              (b)    List of officers and directors of Van Kampen American
                     Capital Distributors, Inc. in response to Item 29(b)
       (18)          Amended Multi-Class Plan
       (24)          Power of Attorney
       (27)          Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       C-5

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT(5)

                         INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT



THIS INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT, dated as of May 31, 1997 (the "Agreement"),
by and between VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TAX FREE MONEY FUND (the "Fund") and
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL INVESTMENT ADVISORY CORP. (the "ADVISER"), a
Delaware corporation.

        1.  (a) RETENTION OF ADVISER BY FUND.  Subject to the terms and
conditions set forth herein, the Fund hereby employs the Adviser to act as the
investment adviser for and to manage the investment and reinvestment of the
assets of the Fund in accordance with the Fund's investment objectives and
policies and limitations, and to administer its affairs to the extent requested
by, and subject to the review and supervision of, the Board of Trustees of the
Fund for the period and upon the terms herein set  forth.  The investment of
funds shall be subject to all applicable restrictions of applicable law and of
the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the Trust, and resolutions of the Board
of Trustees of the Fund as may from time to time be in force and delivered or
made available to the Adviser.

        (b) ADVISER'S ACCEPTANCE OF EMPLOYMENT.  The Adviser accepts such
employment and agrees during such period to render such services, to supply
investment research and portfolio management (including without limitation the
selection of securities for the Fund to purchase, hold or sell and the
selection of brokers through whom the Fund's portfolio transactions are
executed, in accordance with the policies adopted by the Fund and its Board of
Trustees), to administer the business affairs of the Fund, to furnish offices
and necessary facilities and equipment to the Fund, to provide administrative
services for the Fund, to render periodic reports to the Board of Trustees of
the Fund, and to permit any of its officers or employees to serve without
compensation as trustees or officers of the Fund if elected to such positions.

        (c) ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL.  For a period of one year commencing on the
effective date of this Agreement, the Adviser and the Fund agree that the
retention of (i) the chief executive officer, president, chief financial
officer and secretary of the Adviser and (ii) each director, officer and
employee of the Adviser or any of its Affiliates (as defined in the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act")) who serves as an officer of
the Fund (each person referred to in (i) or (ii) hereinafter being referred to
as an "Essential Person"), in his or her current capacities, is in the best
interest of the Fund and the Fund's shareholders.  In connection with the
Adviser's acceptance of employment hereunder, the Adviser hereby agrees and
covenants for itself and on behalf of its Affiliates that neither the Adviser
nor any of its Affiliates shall make any material or significant personnel
changes or replace or seek to replace any Essential Person or cause to be
replaced any Essential Person, in each case without first informing the Board
of Trustees of the Fund in a timely manner.  In Addition, neither the Adviser
nor any Affiliate of the Adviser shall change or seek to change or cause to be
changed, in any material respect, the duties and responsibilities of any
Essential Person, in each case without first informing the Board of Trustees of
the Fund in a timely manner.

        (d)  INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR.  The Adviser shall be deemed to be an
independent contractor under this Agreement and, unless otherwise expressly
provided or authorized, shall have no authority to act for or represent the
Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed as agent of the Fund.

        (e)  NON-EXCLUSIVE AGREEMENT.  The services of the Adviser to the Fund
under this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Adviser shall be
free to render similar services or other services to others so long as its
services hereunder are not impaired thereby.


<PAGE>   2



        2.  (a)  FEE.  For the services and facilities described in Section 1,
the Fund will accrue daily and pay to the Adviser at the end of each calendar
month an investment management fee computed based on a fee rate (expressed as a
percentage per annum) applied to the average daily net assets of the Fund as
follows:



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        FEE PERCENT
                                                        PER ANNUM OF
                AVERAGE DAILY                           AVERAGE DAILY
                NET ASSETS (MILLIONS)                   NET ASSETS
                --------------------                    -------------
                <S>                                     <C>
                First $500                              0.500 of 1.00%
                Next $500                               0.475 of 1.00%
                Next $500                               0.425 of 1.00%
                Over $1 billion                         0.375 of 1.00%
</TABLE>

        (b)  EXPENSE LIMITATION.  The adviser's compensation for any fiscal
year of the Fund shall be reduced by the amount, if any, by which the Fund's
expense for such fiscal year exceeds the most restrictive applicable expense
limitation in any jurisdiction in which the Fund's shares are qualified for
offer and sale, as such limitations set forth in the most recent notice thereof
furnished by the Adviser to the Fund.  For purposes of this paragraph there
shall be excluded from computation of the Fund's expenses any amount borne
directly or indirectly by the Fund which is permitted to be excluded from the
computation of such limitation by such statue or regulatory authority.  If for
any month expenses of the Fund properly included in such calculation exceed
1/12 of the amount permitted annually by the most restrictive applicable
expense limitation, the payment to the Adviser for that month shall be reduced,
and, if necessary, the Adviser shall make a refund payment to the Fund, so that
the total net expense for the month will not exceed 1/12 of such amount.  As of
the end of the Fund's fiscal year, however, the computations and payments shall
be readjusted so that the aggregate compensation payable to the Adviser for the
year is equal to the fee set forth in subsection (a) of this Section 2,
diminished to the extent necessary so that the expenses for the year do not
exceed those permitted by the applicable expense limitation.

        (c)  DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE.   The net asset value of the
Fund shall be calculated as of on each day the Exchange is open for trading or 
such other time or times as the trustees may determine in accordance with the
provisions of applicable law and the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of the
Trust, and resolutions of the Board of Trustees of the Fund as from time to
time in force.  For the purpose of the foregoing computations, on each such day
when net asset value is not calculated, the net asset value of a share of
beneficial interest of the Fund shall be deemed to be the net asset value of
such share as of the close of business of the last day on which such
calculation was made.

        (d)  PRORATION.  For the month and year in which this Agreement becomes
effective or terminates, there shall be an appropriate proration of the
Adviser's fee on the basis of the number of days that the Agreement is in
effect during such month and year, respectively.

        3.  EXPENSES.  In addition to the fee of the Adviser, the Fund shall
assume and pay any expenses for services rendered by a custodian for the
safekeeping of the Fund's securities or other property, for keeping its books of
account, for any other changes of the custodian and for calculating the net
asset value of the Fund as provided above.  The adviser shall not be required to
pay, and the Fund shall assume and pay, the charges and expenses of its
operations, including compensation of the trustees (other than those who are
interested persons of the Adviser and other than those who are interested
persons of the distributor of the Fund but not of the Adviser, if the
distributor has agreed to pay such compensation), charges and expenses of
independent accountants, of legal counsel and of any transfer or dividend
disbursing agent, costs of acquiring and disposing of portfolio securities, cost
of listing shares on the New York Stock Exchange or other exchange, interest (if
any) on obligations incurred by the Fund, costs of shares certificates,
membership dues in the Investment Company Institute or any similar organization,
costs of reports and notices to shareholders, cost of registering shares of the
Fund under the federal securities laws, miscellaneous expenses and all taxes and
fees  to federal, state or other 

<PAGE>   3

governmental agencies on account of the registration of securities
issued by the Fund, filing of corporate documents or otherwise.  The Fund shall
not pay or incur any obligation for any management or administrative expenses
for which the Fund intends to seek reimbursement from the Adviser without first
obtaining the written approval of the Adviser.  The Adviser shall arrange, if
desired by the Fund, for officers or employees of the Adviser to serve, without
compensation from the Fund, as trustees, officers or agents of the Fund if duly
elected or appointed to such positions and subject to their individual consent
and to any limitations imposed by the law.

        4.  INTERESTED PERSONS.  Subject to applicable statutes and
regulations, it is understood that trustees, officers, shareholders and agents
of the Fund are or may be interested in the Adviser as directors, officers,
shareholders, agents or otherwise and that the directors, officers,
shareholders and agents of the Adviser may be interested in the Fund as
trustees, officers, shareholders, agents or otherwise.

        5.  LIABILITY.  The Adviser shall not be liable for any error of
judgment or of law, or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the
matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the
performance of its obligations and duties, or by reason of its reckless
disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.

        6.  (a)  TERM.  This Agreement shall become effective on the date
hereof and shall remain in full force until May 31, 1999 unless sooner
terminated as hereinafter provided.  This Agreement shall continue in force
from year to year thereafter, but only for so long as such continuance is
specifically approved as least annually, in the manner required by the 1940
Act.

        (b)  TERMINATION.  This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the
event of its assignment.  This Agreement may be terminated at any time without
the payment of any penalty by the Fund or by the Adviser on sixty (60) days
written notice to the other party.  The Fund may effect termination by action
of the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of
stock of the Fund, accompanied by appropriate notice.  This Agreement may be
terminated at any time without the payment of any penalty and without advance
notice by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding
shares of the Fund in the event that it shall have been established by a court
of competent jurisdiction that the Adviser or any officer or director of the
Adviser has taken any action which results in a breach of the covenants of the
Adviser set forth herein.

        (c)  PAYMENT UPON TERMINATION.  Termination of this Agreement shall not
affect the right of the Adviser to receive payment on any unpaid balance of the
compensation described in Section 2 earned prior to such termination.

        7.  SEVERABILITY.  If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or
made invalid by a court decision, statue, rule or otherwise, the remainder
shall not thereby be affected.

        8.  NOTICES.  Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing,
addressed and delivered or mailed, postage prepaid, to the other party at such
address as such other party may designate for the receipt of such notice.

        9.  DISCLAIMER.  The Adviser acknowledges and agrees that, as provided
by Section 8.1 of the Declaration of Trust of the Trust, (i) this Agreement has
been executed by officers of the Trust in their capacity as officers, and not
individually, and (ii) the shareholders, trustees, officers, employees and
other agents of the Trust and the Fund shall not personally be bound by or
liable hereunder, nor shall resort be had to their private property for the
satisfaction of any obligation or claim hereunder and that any such resort may
only be had upon the assets and property of the Fund.

        10.  GOVERNING LAW.  All questions concerning the validity, meaning and
effect of this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws
(without giving effect to the conflict-of-law principles 
<PAGE>   4
thereof) of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and to
be performed in that state.

                                                         
        11.  NAME.  In connection with its employment hereunder, the Adviser
hereby agrees and covenants not to change its name without the prior consent of
the Board of Trustees of the Fund.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be executed by their officers designated below on the day and year first above
written.





        VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN                     VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN
        CAPITAL INVESTMENT ADVISORY             CAPITAL TAX FREE MONEY FUND
        CORP.





By: /s/ Dennis J. McDonnell                     By: /s/ Ronald A. Nyberg
   ---------------------------                     ---------------------------
    Name: Dennis J. McDonnell                   Name: Ronald A. Nyberg
    Title: President                            Title: Vice President & 
                                                       Secretary






<PAGE>   1
                                                                    EXHIBIT (6)

                     DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE AGREEMENT


        THIS DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE AGREEMENT dated as of May 31, 1997(the
"Agreement") by and between VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TAX FREE MONEY FUND, a
Delaware business trust (the "Fund"), and VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
DISTRIBUTORS,  INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Distributor").

        1.  Appointment of Distributor.  The Fund appoints the Distributor as a
principal underwriter and exclusive distributor of each class of its shares of
beneficial interest (the "Shares") offered for sale from time to time pursuant
to the then current prospectus of the Fund, subject to different combinations
of front-end sales charges, distribution fees, service fees and contingent
deferred sales charges.  Classes of shares, if any, subject to a front-end
sales charge and a distribution and/or service fee are referred to herein as
"FESC Classes" and the Shares of such classes are referred to herein as "FESC
Shares."  Classes of shares, if any, subject to a contingent-deferred sales
charge and a distribution and/or a service fee are referred to herein as "CDSC
Classes" and Shares of such classes are referred to herein as "CDSC Shares."
Classes of shares, if any, subject to a front-end sales charge, a
contingent-deferred sales charge and a distribution and/or service fee are
referred to herein as "Combination Classes" and Shares of such class are
referred to herein as "Combination Shares."  The Fund reserves the right to
refuse at any time or times to sell Shares hereunder for any reason deemed
adequate by the Board of Trustees of the Fund.

        The Distributor will use its best efforts to sell, through its
organization and through other dealers and agents, the Shares which the
Distributor has the right to purchase under Section 2 hereof, but the
Distributor does not undertake to sell any specific number of Shares.

        The Distributor agrees that it will not take any long or short
positions in the Shares, except for long positions in those Shares purchased by
the Distributor in accordance with any systematic sales plan described in the
then current Prospectus of the Fund and except as permitted by Section 2
hereof, and that so far as it can control the situation, it will prevent any of
its trustees, officers or shareholders from taking any long or short positions
in the Shares, except for legitimate investment purposes.

        2.  Sale of Shares to Distributor.  The Fund hereby grants to the
Distributor the exclusive right, except as herein otherwise provided, to
purchase Shares directly from the Fund upon the terms herein set forth.  Such
exclusive right hereby granted shall not apply to Shares issued or transferred
or sold at net asset value:  (a) in connection with the merger or consolidation
of the Fund with any other investment company or the acquisition by the Fund of
all or substantially all of the assets of or the outstanding Shares of any
investment company; (b) in connection with a pro rata distribution directly to
the holders of Fund Shares in the nature of a stock dividend or stock split or
in connection with any other recapitalization approved by the Board of
Trustees; (c) upon the exercise of purchase or subscription rights granted to
the holders of Shares on a pro rata basis; (d) in connection with the automatic
reinvestment of dividends and distributions from the Fund; or (e) in connection
with the issue and sale of Shares to trustees, officers and employees of the
Fund; to directors, officers and employees of the investment adviser of the
Fund or any principal underwriter (including the Distributor) of the Fund; to
retirees of the Distributor that purchased shares of any mutual fund
distributed by the Distributor prior to retirement; to directors, officers and
employees of Van Kampen American Capital, Inc. (formerly The Van Kampen Merritt
Companies, Inc.) (the parent of the Distributor), VK/AC Holding, Inc. (formerly
VKM Holdings, Inc.)(the parent of The Van Kampen Merritt Companies, Inc.) and
to the subsidiaries of VK/AC Holding, Inc.; and to any trust, pension,
profit-sharing or other benefit plan for any of the aforesaid persons as
permitted by Rule 22d-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940
Act").

        The Distributor shall have the right to buy from the Fund the Shares
needed, but not more than the Shares needed (except for reasonable allowances
for clerical errors, delays and errors of transmission 


                                      1
<PAGE>   2

and cancellation of orders) to fill unconditional orders for Shares received by
the Distributor from dealers, agents and investors during each period when
particular net asset values and public offering prices are in effect as
provided in Section 3 hereof; and the price which the Distributor shall pay for
the Shares so purchased shall be the respective net asset value used in
determining the public offering price on which such orders were based.  The
Distributor shall notify the Fund at the end of each such period, or as soon
thereafter on that business day as the orders received in such period have been
compiled, of the number of Shares of each class that the Distributor elects to
purchase hereunder.

        3.  Public Offering Price.  The public offering price per Share shall
be determined in accordance with the then current Prospectus of the Fund.  In
no event shall the public offering price exceed the net asset value per Share,
plus, with respect to the FESC Shares,  a front-end sales charge not in excess
of the applicable maximum sales charge permitted under the Rules of Fair
Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., as in effect
from time to time.  The net asset value per share for each class of Shares,
respectively, shall be determined in the manner provided in the Declaration of
Trust and By-Laws of the Trust as then amended, the Certificate of Designation
with respect to the Fund, as amended, and in accordance with the then current
Prospectus of the Fund consistent with the terms and conditions of the
exemptive order with respect to the Fund (Release No. IC-19600) issued by the
Securities and Exchange Commission on July 28, 1993, as it may be amended from
time to time or succeeded by other exemptive orders or rules promulgated by the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1940 Act.  The Fund will cause
immediate notice to be given to the Distributor of each change in net asset
value as soon as it is determined.  Discounts to dealers purchasing FESC Shares
from the Distributor for resale and to brokers and other eligible agents making
sales of FESC Shares to investors and compensation payable from the Distributor
to dealers, brokers and other eligible agents making sales of CDSC Shares and
Combination Shares shall be set forth in the selling agreements between the
Distributor and such dealers or agents, respectively, as from time to time
amended, and, if such discounts and compensation are described in the then
current Prospectus for the Fund, shall be as so set forth.

        4.  Compliance with NASD Rules, SEC Orders, etc.  In selling Fund
Shares, the Distributor will in all respects duly comply with all state and
federal laws relating to the sale of such securities and with all applicable
rules and regulations of all regulatory bodies, including without limitation
the Rules of Fair Practice of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc., and all applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the 1940 Act, and will indemnify and save the Fund harmless
from any damage or expense on account of any unlawful act by the Distributor or
its agents or employees.  The Distributor is not, however, to be responsible
for the acts of other dealers or agents, except to the extent that they shall
be acting for the Distributor or under its direction or authority.  None of the
Distributor, any dealer, any agent or any other person is authorized by the
Fund to give any information or to make any representations, other than those
contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectus heretofore or hereafter
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") (as any such Registration Statement and
Prospectus may have been or may be amended from time to time), covering the
Shares, and in any supplemental information to any such Prospectus approved by
the Fund in connection with the offer or sale of Shares.  None of the
Distributor, any dealer, any broker or any other person is authorized to act as
agent for the Fund in connection with the offering or sale of Shares to the
public or otherwise.  All such sales shall be made by the Distributor as
principal for its own account.

        In selling Shares to investors, the Distributor will adopt and comply
with certain standards, as set forth in Exhibit III attached hereto as to when
each respective class of Shares may appropriately be sold to particular
investors.  The Distributor will require every broker, dealer and other
eligible agent participating in the offering of the Shares to agree to adopt
and comply with such standards as a condition precedent to their participation
in the offering.

                                      2

<PAGE>   3
        5.  Expenses.

                (a)  The Fund will pay or cause to be paid:

                (i)     all expenses in connection with the registration of
                        Shares under the federal securities laws, and the Fund
                        will exercise its best  efforts to obtain said
                        registration and qualification;

                (ii)    all expenses in connection with the printing of any
                        notices of shareholders' meetings, proxy and proxy
                        statements and enclosures therewith, as well as any
                        other notice or communication sent to shareholders in   
                        connection with any meeting of the shareholders or
                        otherwise, any annual, semiannual or other reports or
                        communications sent to the shareholders, and the
                        expenses of sending prospectuses relating to the Shares
                        to existing shareholders;



                (iii)   all expenses of any federal or state original-issue tax
                        or transfer tax payable upon the issuance, transfer or
                        delivery of Shares from the Fund to the Distributor;
                        and

                (iv)    the cost of preparing and issuing any Share
                        certificates which may be issued to represent Shares.

                (b) The Distributor will also permit its officers and employees
to serve without compensation as trustees and officers of the Fund if duly
elected to such positions.

                (c)  The Fund shall reimburse the Distributor for out-of-pocket
costs and expenses actually incurred by it in connection with distribution of
each class of Shares respectively in accordance with the terms of a plan (the
"12b-1 Plan") adopted by the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act as
such 12b-1 Plan may be in effect from time to time; provided, however, that no
payments shall be due or paid to the Distributor hereunder with respect to a
class of Shares unless and until this Agreement shall have been approved for
each such class by a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Fund and by a
majority of the "Disinterested Trustees" (as such term is defined in such 12b-1
Plan) by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on
this Agreement.  A copy of such 12b-1 Plan as in effect on the date of this
Agreement is attached as Exhibit I hereto.  The Fund reserves the right to
terminate such 12b-1 Plan with respect to a class of Shares at any time, as
specified in the Plan.  The persons authorized to direct the payment of funds
pursuant to this Agreement and the 12b-1 Plan shall provide to the Fund's Board
of Trustees, and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written
report with respect to each of the classes of Shares of the amounts so paid and
the purposes for which such expenditures were made for each such class of
Shares.

                (d)  The Fund shall compensate the Distributor for providing
services to, and the maintenance of, shareholder accounts in the Fund
(including prepaying service fees to eligible brokers, dealers and financial
intermediaries and expenses incurred in connection therewith) and the
Distributor may pay as agent for and on behalf of the Fund a service fee with
respect to each class of Shares to brokers, dealers and financial
intermediaries for the provision of shareholder services and the maintenance of
shareholder accounts in the Fund in the amount with respect to each class of
Shares set forth from time to time in the Fund's prospectus.  The Fund shall
compensate the Distributor for such expenses in accordance with the terms of a
service plan (the "Service Plan"), as such Service Plan may be in effect from
time to time; provided, however, that no service fee payments shall be due or
paid to the Distributor hereunder with respect to a class of Shares unless and
until this Agreement shall have been approved for each such class by a majority
of the Board of Trustees of the Fund and by a majority of the Disinterested
Trustees by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting
on this Agreement.  A copy of such Service Plan as in effect on the date of
this Agreement is attached as Exhibit II hereto.  The Fund reserves the right
to terminate such Service Plan with respect to a class of Shares at any time,
as specified in the Plan.  The persons authorized to direct the payment of
funds pursuant to this Agreement and the Service Plan shall provide to the
Fund's Board of Trustees, and the Trustees shall 

                                      3

<PAGE>   4

review, at least quarterly, a written report with respect to each of the
classes of Shares of the amounts paid as service fees for each such class of
Shares.

        6.  Redemption of Shares.  In connection with the Fund's redemption of
its Shares, the Fund hereby authorizes the Distributor to repurchase, upon the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, as the Fund's agent and for the
Fund's account, such Shares as may be offered for sale to the Fund from time to
time by holders of such Shares or their agents.

                (a)  Subject to and in conformity with all applicable federal
and state legislation, any applicable rules of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., and any applicable rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the 1940 Act, the Distributor may
accept offers of holders of Shares to resell such Shares to the Fund on such
terms and conditions and at such prices as described and provided for in the
then current Prospectus of the Fund.

                (b)  The Distributor agrees to notify the Fund at such times as
the Fund may specify of the number of each class of Shares, respectively,
repurchased for the Fund's account and the time or times of such repurchases,
and the Fund shall notify the Distributor of the prices and, in the case of a
class of CDSC Shares or Combination Shares, of the deferred sales charge as
described below, if any, applicable to repurchases of Shares of such class.

                (c)  The Fund shall have the right to suspend or revoke the
foregoing authorization at any time; unless otherwise stated, any such
suspension or revocation shall be effective forthwith upon receipt of notice
thereof by telegraph or by written instrument from any of the Fund's officers.
In the event that the Distributor's authorization is, by the terms of such
notice, suspended for more than twenty-four hours or until further notice, the
authorization given by this Section 6 shall not be revived except by vote of
the Board of Trustees of the Fund.

                (d)  The Distributor agrees that all repurchases of Shares made
by the Distributor shall be made only as agent for the Fund's account and
pursuant to the terms and conditions herein set forth.

                (e)  The Fund agrees to authorize and direct its Custodian to
pay, for the Fund's account, the repurchase price (together with any applicable
contingent deferred sales charge) of any Shares so repurchased for the Fund
against the authorized transfer of book shares from an open account and against
delivery of any other documentation required by the Board of Trustees of the
Fund or, in the case of certificated Shares, against delivery of the
certificates representing such Shares in proper form for transfer to the Fund.

                (f)  The Distributor shall receive no commissions or other
compensation in respect of any repurchases of FESC Shares for the Fund under
the foregoing authorization and appointment as agent.  With respect to any
repurchase of CDSC Shares or Combination Shares, the Distributor shall receive
the deferred sales charge, if any, applicable to the respective class of Shares
that have been held for less than a specified period of time with respect to
such class as set forth from time to time in the Fund's Prospectus.  The
Distributor shall receive no other commission or other compensation in respect
of any repurchases of CDSC Shares or Combination Shares for the Fund under the
foregoing authorization and appointment as agent.

                (g)  If any FESC Shares sold to the Distributor under the terms
of this Agreement are redeemed or repurchased by the Fund or by the Distributor
as agent or are tendered for redemption within seven business days after the
date of the Distributor's confirmation of the original purchase by the
Distributor, the Distributor shall forfeit the amount above the net asset value
received by it in respect of such Shares, provided that the portion, if any, of
such amount re-allowed by the Distributor to dealers or agents shall be
repayable to the Fund only to the extent recovered by the Distributor from the
dealer or agent concerned.  The Distributor shall include in agreements with
such dealers and agents a corresponding provision for the forfeiture by them of
their concession with respect to FESC Shares 

                                      4
<PAGE>   5

purchased by them or their principals and redeemed or repurchased by the
Fund or by the Distributor as agent within seven business days after the date
of the Distributor's confirmation of such initial purchases.

        7.  Indemnification.  The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
the Distributor and each of its trustees and officers and each person, if any,
who controls the Distributor within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
against any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (including the reasonable
cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damage,
or expense and reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith),
arising by reason of any person acquiring any Shares, based upon the ground
that the registration statement, Prospectus, shareholder reports or other
information filed or made public by the Fund (as from time to time amended)
included an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material
fact required to be stated or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading under the 1933 Act or any other statute or the common law.  However,
the Fund does not agree to indemnify the Distributor or hold it harmless to the
extent that the statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in
conformity with, information furnished to the Fund by or on behalf of the
Distributor.  In no case (i) is the indemnity of the Fund in favor of the
Distributor or any person indemnified to be deemed to protect the Distributor
or any person against any liability to the Fund or its securityholders to which
the Distributor or such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or
by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this
Agreement, or (ii) is the Fund to be liable under its indemnity agreement
contained in this Section with respect to any claim made against the
Distributor or any person indemnified unless the Distributor or any such person
shall have notified the Fund in writing of the claim within a reasonable time
after the summons or other first written notification giving information of the
nature of the claim shall have been served upon the Distributor or any such
person (or after the Distributor or the person shall have received notice of
service on any designated agent).  However, failure to notify the Fund of any
claim shall not relieve the Fund from any liability which it may have to the
Distributor or any person against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph.  The Fund shall
be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense, or, if it so
elects, to assume the defense, of any suit brought to enforce any claims, but
if the Fund elects to assume the defense, the defense shall be conducted by
counsel chosen by it and satisfactory to the Distributor or person or persons,
defendant or defendants in the suit.  In the event the Fund elects to assume
the defense of any suit and retain counsel, the Distributor, officers or
trustees or controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit,
shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them.
If the Fund does not elect to assume the defense of any suit, it will reimburse
the Distributor, officers or trustees or controlling person or persons,
defendant or defendants in the suit for the reasonable fees and expenses of any
counsel retained by them.  The Fund agrees to notify the Distributor promptly
of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its
officers or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of any of the
Shares.

        The Distributor also covenants and agrees that it will indemnify and
hold harmless the Fund and each of its trustees and officers and each person,
if any, who controls the Fund within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
against any loss, liability, damage, claim or expense (including the reasonable
cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, damage, claim
or expense and reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith)
arising by reason of any person acquiring any Shares, based upon the 1933 Act
or any other statute or common law, alleging any wrongful act of the
Distributor or any of its employees or alleging that the registration
statement, Prospectus, shareholder reports or other information filed or made
public by the Fund (as from time to time amended) included an untrue statement
of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, insofar as the
statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with,
information furnished to the Fund by or on behalf of the Distributor.  In no
case (i) is the indemnity of the Distributor in favor of the Fund or any person
indemnified to be deemed to protect the Fund or any such person against any
liability to which the Fund or such person would otherwise be subject by reason
of willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its
duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligation and duties
under this Amended Agreement, or (ii) is the Distributor to be liable under its


                                      5
<PAGE>   6


indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph with respect to any claim made
against the Fund or any person indemnified unless the Fund or person, as the
case may be, shall have notified the Distributor in writing of the claim within
a reasonable time after the summons or other first written notification giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the Fund or
person (or after the Fund or such person shall have received notice of service
on any designated agent).  However, failure to notify the Distributor of any
claim shall not relieve the Distributor from any liability which it may have to
the Fund or any person against whom the action is brought otherwise than on
account of its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph.  In the case of
any notice to the Distributor, it shall be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense, or, if it so elects, to assume the defense, of any
suit brought to enforce the claim, but if the Distributor elects to assume the
defense, the defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and
satisfactory to the Fund, to its officers and trustees and to any controlling
person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit.  In the event that the
Distributor elects to assume the defense of any suit and retain counsel, the
Fund or controlling persons, defendants in the suit, shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by them.  If the Distributor does
not elect to assume the defense of any suit, it will reimburse the Fund,
officers and trustees or controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants
in the suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by
them.  The Distributor agrees to notify the Fund promptly of the commencement
of any litigation or proceedings against it in connection with the issue and
sale of any of the Shares.

        8.  Continuation, Amendment or Termination of This Agreement.  This
Agreement shall become effective on the Effective Date and thereafter shall
continue in full force and effect year to year with respect to each class of
Shares so long as such continuance is approved at least annually (i) by the
Board of Trustees of the Fund or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of the respective class of Shares of the Fund, and (ii) by
vote of a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or
interested persons in any such party (the "Independent Trustee") cast in person
at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, provided,
however, that (a) this Agreement may at any time be terminated with respect to
either class of Shares of the Fund without the payment of any penalty either by
vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees, or by vote of a majority of
the outstanding voting securities of the respective class of Shares of the
Fund, on written notice to the Distributor; (b) this Agreement shall
immediately terminate in the event of its assignment; and (c) this Agreement
may be terminated by the Distributor on ninety (90) days' written notice to the
Fund.  Upon termination of this Agreement with respect to either class of
Shares of the Fund, the obligations of the parties hereunder shall cease and
terminate with respect to such class of Shares as of the date of such
termination, except for any obligation to respond for a breach of this
Agreement committed prior to such termination.

        This Agreement may be amended with respect to either class of Shares at
any time by mutual consent of the parties, provided that such consent on the
part of the Fund shall have been approved (i) by the Board of Trustees of the
Fund, or by a vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities of the
respective class of Shares of the Fund, and (ii) by vote of a majority of the
Independent Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of
voting on such amendment.

        For the purpose of this section, the terms "vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities", "interested persons" and "assignment" shall
have the meanings defined in the 1940 Act, as amended.

        9.  Limited Liability of Shareholder.  Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Agreement, you acknowledge and agree that, as
provided by Section 8.1 of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust,
this Agreement is executed by the Trustees of the Trust and/or Officers of the
Fund by them not individually but as such Trustees and/or Officers, and the
obligations of the Fund hereunder are not binding upon any of the Trustees,
Officers or Shareholders individually, but bind only the trust estate.

        10.  Notice.  Any notice under this Agreement shall be given in
writing, addressed and delivered, or mailed postpaid, to the other party at any
office of such party or at such other address as such party shall have
designated in writing.

                                      6


<PAGE>   7

        11.  GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, AND THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, THE
LAW OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS WITHOUT REFERENCE TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICT OF
LAWS.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed by their officers designated below on the day and year first above
written.



                                 VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TAX FREE MONEY FUND



                                 By:    /s/ Dennis J. McDonnell
                                    ------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Dennis J. McDonnell
                                    Title:  President


                                 VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL DISTRIBUTORS, INC.





                                 By:    /s/  Ronald A. Nyberg
                                    ------------------------------------
                                    Name:  Ronald A. Nyberg
                                    Title:  Executive Vice President



                                      7


<PAGE>   1
                                                                 EXHIBIT (8)(a)





                               CUSTODIAN CONTRACT
                                    Between
                    EACH OF THE PARTIES LISTED ON APPENDIX A
                                      and
                      STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
<PAGE>   2
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
<S>      <C>                                                                <C>
1.       Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held By                 
         It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
                                                                            
2.       Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property                   
         of the Fund Held by the Custodian in the United States . . . . . . 2
                                                                            
         2.1     Holding Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
         2.2     Delivery of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
         2.3     Registration of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
         2.4     Bank Accounts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
         2.5     Availability of Federal Funds  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
         2.6     Collection of Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
         2.7     Payment of Fund Moneys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
         2.8     Liability for Payment in Advance of                        
                 Receipt of Securities Purchased  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
         2.9     Appointment of Agents  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
         2.10    Deposit of Fund Assets in  Securities System . . . . . . . 8
         2.11    Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct                 
                 Paper System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
         2.12    Segregated Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
         2.13    Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes  . . . . . . . . . 10
         2.14    Proxies  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
         2.15    Communications Relating to Fund Securities . . . . . . . . 11
                                                                            
3.       Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of                
         the Fund Held Outside of the United States . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
                                                                            
         3.1     Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians  . . . . . . . . . . 11
         3.2     Assets to be Held  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
         3.3     Foreign Securities Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
         3.4     Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions . . . . . . . 12
         3.5     Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund  . . . . . . 12
         3.6     Reports by Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
         3.7     Transactions in Foreign Custody Account  . . . . . . . . . 13
         3.8     Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians  . . . . . . . . . . . 13
         3.9     Liability of Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
         3.10    Reimbursement for Advances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
         3.11    Monitoring Responsibilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
         3.12    Branches of U.S. Banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
</TABLE>                                                                    
<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>                                                                     
<S>      <C>                                                                <C>
         3.13    Tax Law  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
                                                                            
4.       Payments for Sales or Repurchase or Redemptions                    
         of Shares of the Fund  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
                                                                            
5.       Proper Instructions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
                                                                            
6.       Actions Permitted Without Express Authority  . . . . . . . . . . . 16
                                                                            
7.       Evidence of Authority  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
                                                                            
8.       Duties of Custodian With Respect to the Books                      
         of Account and Calculation of Net Asset Value                      
         and Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
                                                                            
9.       Records  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
                                                                            
10.      Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountants  . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
                                                                            
11.      Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants  . . . . . . . . 18
                                                                            
12.      Compensation of Custodian  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
                                                                            
13.      Responsibility of Custodian  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
                                                                            
14.      Effective Period, Termination and Amendment  . . . . . . . . . . . 19
                                                                            
15.      Successor Custodian  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
                                                                            
16.      Interpretive and Additional Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
                                                                            
17.      Additional Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
                                                                            
18.      Massachusetts Law to Apply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
                                                                            
19.      Prior Contracts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
                                                                            
20.      Shareholder Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
                                                                            
21.      Limitation of Liability  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   4
                               CUSTODIAN CONTRACT

         This Contract between each fund or series of a fund listed on
Appendix A which evidences its agreement to be bound hereby by executing a copy
of this Contract  (each such fund is individually hereafter  referred to  as
the "Fund"), and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust
company, having its principal place of business at 225 Franklin Street, Boston,
Massachusetts, 02110, hereinafter called the "Custodian",

                                  WITNESSETH:

                 WITNESSETH THAT, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.       Employment of Custodian and Property to be Held by It

         The Fund hereby employs the Custodian as the custodian of the assets
of the Fund, including securities which the Fund desires to be held in places
within the United States ("domestic securities") and securities it desires to
be held outside the United States ("foreign securities") pursuant to the
provisions of the Fund's governing documents.  The Fund  agrees to deliver to
the Custodian all securities and cash of the Fund, and all payments of income,
payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to
all securities owned by the Fund from time to time, and the cash consideration
received by it for such new or treasury shares of capital stock, beneficial
interest or partnership interest, as applicable, of the Fund, ("Shares") as
may be issued or sold from time to time.  The Custodian shall not be
responsible for any property of a Fund held or received by the Fund and not
delivered to the Custodian.

         Upon receipt of "Proper Instructions" (within the meaning of Article
5), the Custodian shall on behalf of the applicable Fund(s) from time to time
employ one or more sub-custodians, located in the United States but only in
accordance with an applicable vote by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, and
provided that the Custodian shall have no more or less responsibility or
liability to the Fund on account of any actions or omissions of any
sub-custodian so employed than any such sub-custodian has to the Custodian.  The
Custodian may employ as sub-custodian for the Fund's foreign securities the
foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories designated in
Schedule A hereto but only in accordance with the provisions of Article 3.





                                       1
<PAGE>   5
2.       Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held By
         the Custodian in the United States

2.1      Holding Securities.  The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate
         for the account of each Fund all non-cash property to be held by it in
         the United States including all domestic securities owned by such Fund
         other than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.10
         in a clearing agency which acts as a securities depository or in a
         book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury 
         (and certain federal agencies collectively referred to herein as
         "Securities System") and (b) commercial paper of an issuer for
         which State Street Bank and Trust Company acts as issuing and paying
         agent ("Direct Paper") which is deposited and/or maintained in the
         Direct Paper System of the Custodian (the "Direct Paper System")
         pursuant to Section 2.11.

2.2      Delivery of  Securities.  The Custodian shall release and deliver
         domestic securities owned by a Fund held by the Custodian or in a
         U.S. Securities System account of the Custodian or in the Custodian's
         Direct Paper book entry system account ("Direct Paper System Account")
         only upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund, which may be
         continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and
         only in the following cases:

         1)      Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Fund and
                 receipt of payment therefor;

         2)      Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase
                 agreement related to such securities entered into by the Fund;

         3)      In the case of a sale effected through a U.S. Securities 
                 System, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.10 
                 hereof;

         4)      To the depository agent in connection with tender or other
                 similar offers for securities of the Fund;

         5)      To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are
                 called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable;
                 provided that, in any such case, the cash or other
                 consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;

         6)      To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the
                 name of the Fund or into the name of any nominee or nominees
                 of the Custodian or into the name or nominee





                                       2
<PAGE>   6
                 name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 or into
                 the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed
                 pursuant to Article 1; or for exchange for a different number
                 of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same
                 aggregate face amount or number of units; provided that, in
                 any such case, the new securities are to be delivered to the
                 Custodian;

         7)      Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Fund,
                 to the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for
                 examination in accordance with "street delivery" custom;
                 provided that in any such case, the Custodian shall have no
                 responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the
                 delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment for
                 such securities except as may arise from the Custodian's own
                 negligence or willful misconduct;

         8)      For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger,
                 consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or
                 readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such
                 securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained
                 in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement;
                 provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash,
                 if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;

         9)      In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the
                 surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or
                 similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or
                 temporary securities for definitive securities; provided that,
                 in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to
                 be delivered to the Custodian;

         10)     For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made
                 by the Fund, but only against receipt of adequate collateral
                 as agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the
                 Fund, which may be in the form of cash or obligations issued
                 by the United States government, its agencies or
                 instrumentalities, except that in connection with any loans
                 for which collateral is to be credited to the Custodian's
                 account in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S.
                 Department of the Treasury, the Custodian will not be held
                 liable or responsible for the delivery of securities owned by
                 the Fund prior to the receipt of such collateral;

         11)     For delivery as security in connection with any borrowings by
                 the Fund requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund, but only
                 against receipt of amounts borrowed;





                                       3
<PAGE>   7
         12)     For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
                 agreement among the Fund, the Custodian and a broker-dealer
                 registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
                 "Exchange Act") and a member of The National Association of
                 Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), relating to compliance with
                 the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any
                 registered national securities exchange, or of any similar
                 organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other
                 arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund;

         13)     For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any
                 agreement among the Fund,  the Custodian, and a Futures
                 Commission Merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange
                 Act, relating to compliance with the rules of the Commodity
                 Futures Trading Commission and/or any Contract Market, or any
                 similar organization or organizations, regarding account
                 deposits in connection with transactions by the Fund;

         14)     Upon receipt of instructions from the transfer agent
                 ("Transfer Agent") for the Fund, for delivery to such Transfer
                 Agent or to the holders of shares in connection with
                 distributions in kind, as may be described from time to time
                 in the currently effective prospectus and statement of
                 additional information of the Fund ("Prospectus"), in
                 satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase
                 or redemption; 

         15)     For any other proper corporate purpose, but only upon receipt
                 of, in addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund, a
                 certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Trustees,
                 specifying the securities of the Fund to be delivered, setting
                 forth the purpose for which such delivery is to be made,
                 declaring such purpose to be a proper corporate purpose, and
                 naming the person or persons to whom delivery of such
                 securities shall be made; and

         16)     Upon termination of the Contract.

2.3      Registration of Securities.  Domestic securities held by the Custodian
         (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the
         Fund or in the name of any nominee of the Fund  or of any nominee of
         the Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Fund,
         unless the Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee
         to be used in common with other registered investment companies having
         the same investment adviser as the Fund, or in the name or nominee
         name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.9 or in the name or
         nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to





                                       4
<PAGE>   8
         Article 1.  All securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the
         Fund under the terms of this Contract shall be in "street name" or
         other good delivery form.  If, however, the Fund directs the Custodian
         to maintain securities in "street name", the Custodian shall utilize
         its best efforts only to timely collect income due the Fund on such
         securities and to notify the Fund on a best efforts basis only of
         relevant corporate actions including, without limitation, pendency of
         calls, maturities, tender or exchange offers.

2.4      Bank Accounts.  The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank
         account or accounts in the United States in the name of each Fund ,
         subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the
         terms of this Contract, and shall hold in such account or accounts,
         subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for
         the account of the Fund, other than cash maintained by the Fund in a
         bank account established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under
         the Investment Company Act of 1940.  Funds held by the Custodian for a
         Fund may be deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in the Banking
         Department of the Custodian or in such other banks or trust companies
         as it may in its discretion deem necessary or desirable; provided,
         however, that every such bank or trust company shall be qualified to
         act as a custodian under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and that
         each such bank or trust company and the funds to be deposited with each
         such bank or trust company shall on behalf of each applicable Fund be
         approved by vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Fund.
         Such funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as
         Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the Custodian only in that
         capacity.

2.5      Availability of Federal Funds.  Upon mutual agreement between the Fund
         and the Custodian, the Custodian shall, upon the receipt of Proper
         Instructions from the Fund, make federal funds available to such Fund
         as of specified times agreed upon from time to time by the Fund and
         the Custodian in the amount of checks received in payment for Shares
         of such Fund which are deposited into the Fund's account.

2.6      Collection of Income.  Subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the
         Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other
         payments with respect to registered domestic securities held hereunder
         to which each Fund shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to
         custom in the securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis
         all income and other payments with respect to bearer domestic
         securities if, on the date of payment by the issuer, such securities
         are held by the Custodian or its agent thereof and shall credit such
         income, as collected, to such Fund's custodian account.  Without
         limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach
         and present for payment all coupons and other income items requiring
         presentation as and when they become due and shall collect interest
         when





                                       5
<PAGE>   9
         due on securities held hereunder.  Income due each Fund on securities
         loaned pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the
         responsibility of the Fund.  The Custodian will have no duty or
         responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide the Fund
         with such information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund
         in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the income to
         which the Fund is properly entitled.

2.7      Payment of Fund Moneys.  Upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the
         Fund, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by
         the parties, the Custodian shall pay out moneys of a Fund in the
         following cases only:

         1)      Upon the purchase of domestic securities, options, futures
                 contracts or options on futures contracts for the account of
                 the Fund but only (a) against the delivery of such securities
                 or evidence of title to such options, futures contracts or
                 options on futures contracts to the Custodian (or any bank,
                 banking firm or trust company doing business in the United
                 States or abroad which is qualified under the Investment
                 Company Act of 1940, as amended, to act as a custodian and has
                 been designated by the Custodian as its agent for this purpose)
                 registered in the name of the Fund or in the name of a nominee
                 of the Custodian referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in proper
                 form for transfer; (b) in the case of a purchase effected
                 through a U.S. Securities System, in accordance with the
                 conditions set forth in Section 2.10 hereof; (c) in the case of
                 a purchase involving the Direct Paper System, in accordance
                 with the conditions set forth in Section 2.11; (d) in the case
                 of repurchase agreements entered into between the Fund  and the
                 Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which is a
                 member of NASD, (i) against delivery of the securities either
                 in certificate form or through an entry crediting the
                 Custodian's account at the Federal Reserve Bank with such
                 securities or (ii) against delivery of the receipt evidencing
                 purchase by the Fund of securities owned by the Custodian along
                 with written evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to
                 repurchase such securities from the Fund or (e) for transfer to
                 a time deposit account of the Fund in any bank, whether
                 domestic or foreign; such transfer may be effected prior to
                 receipt of a confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable
                 bank pursuant to Proper Instructions from the Fund as defined
                 in Article 5;

         2)      In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of
                 securities owned by the Fund as set forth in Section 2.2
                 hereof;





                                       6
<PAGE>   10
         3)      For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued by the Fund
                 as set forth in Article 4 hereof;

         4)      For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the
                 Fund, including but not limited to the following payments for
                 the account of the Fund:  interest, taxes, management,
                 accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and operating
                 expenses of the Fund whether or not such expenses are to be in
                 whole or part capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;

         5)      For the payment of any dividends on Shares of the Fund
                 declared pursuant to the governing documents of the Fund;

         6)      For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of
                 securities sold short;

         7)      For any other proper purpose, but only upon receipt of, in
                 addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund, a certified copy
                 of a resolution of the Board of Trustees, specifying the amount
                 of such payment, setting forth the purpose for which such
                 payment is to be made, declaring such purpose to be a proper
                 purpose, and naming the person or persons to whom such payment
                 is to be made; and

         8)      Upon termination of this Contract.

2.8      Liability for Payment in Advance of Receipt of Securities Purchased.
         Except as specifically stated otherwise in this Contract, in any and
         every case where payment for purchase of domestic securities for the
         account of a Fund is made by the Custodian in advance of receipt of
         the securities purchased in the absence of specific written
         instructions from the Fund  to so pay in advance, the Custodian shall
         be absolutely liable to the Fund for such securities to the same
         extent as if the securities had been received by the Custodian.

2.9      Appointment of Agents.  The Custodian may at any time or times in its
         discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) any other bank or
         trust company which is itself qualified under the Investment Company
         Act of 1940, as amended, to act as a custodian, as its agent to carry
         out such of the provisions of this Article 2 as the Custodian may from
         time to time direct; provided, however, that the appointment of any
         agent shall not relieve the Custodian of its responsibilities or
         liabilities hereunder.





                                       7
<PAGE>   11
2.10     Deposit of Fund Assets in U.S. Securities Systems.  The Custodian may
         deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Fund in a clearing agency
         registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section
         17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which acts as a securities
         depository, or in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S.
         Department of the Treasury and certain federal agencies, collectively
         referred to herein as "U.S. Securities System" in accordance with
         applicable Federal Reserve Board and Securities and Exchange Commission
         rules and regulations, if any, and subject to the following provisions:

         1)      The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in a U.S. 
                 Securities System provided that such securities are represented
                 in an account ("Account") of the Custodian in the U.S.
                 Securities System which shall not include any assets of the
                 Custodian other than assets held as a fiduciary, custodian or
                 otherwise for customers;

         2)      The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
                 Fund which are maintained in a U.S. Securities System shall
                 identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;

         3)      The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the
                 account of the Fund upon (i) receipt of advice from the
                 U.S. Securities System that such securities have been
                 transferred to the Account, and (ii) the making of an entry on
                 the records of the Custodian to reflect such payment and
                 transfer for the account of the Fund.  The Custodian shall
                 transfer securities sold for the account of the Fund upon (i)
                 receipt of advice from the U.S. Securities System that payment
                 for such securities has been transferred to the Account, and
                 (ii) the making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to
                 reflect such transfer and payment for the account of the Fund.
                 Copies of all advices from the U.S. Securities System of
                 transfers of securities for the account of the Fund shall
                 identify the Fund, be maintained for the Fund by the Custodian
                 and be provided to the Fund at its request.  Upon request, the
                 Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each transfer
                 to or from the account of the Fund in the form of a written
                 advice or notice and shall furnish to the Fund copies of daily
                 transaction sheets reflecting each day's transactions in the
                 U.S. Securities System for the account of the Fund.

         4)      The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report obtained
                 by the Custodian on the U.S. Securities System's accounting
                 system, internal accounting control and procedures for
                 safeguarding securities deposited in the U.S. Securities
                 System;





                                       8
<PAGE>   12
         5)      The Custodian shall have received from the Fund the initial or
                 annual certificate, as the case may be, required by Article 14
                 hereof;

         6)      Anything to the contrary in this Contract notwithstanding, the
                 Custodian shall be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to
                 the Fund resulting from use of the U.S. Securities System by
                 reason of any negligence, misfeasance or misconduct of the
                 Custodian or any of its agents or of any of its or their
                 employees or from failure of the Custodian or any such agent to
                 enforce effectively such rights as it may have against the U.S.
                 Securities System; at the election of the Fund, it shall be
                 entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with
                 respect to any claim against the U.S. Securities System or any
                 other person which the Custodian may have as a consequence of
                 any such loss or damage if and to the extent that the Fund has
                 not been made whole for any such loss or damage.

2.11     Fund Assets Held in the Custodian's Direct Paper System.  The
         Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Fund in
         the Direct Paper System of the Custodian subject to the following
         provisions:

         1)      No transaction relating to securities in the Direct Paper
                 System will be effected in the absence of Proper Instructions
                 from the Fund ;

         2)      The Custodian may keep securities of the Fund in the Direct
                 Paper System only if such securities are represented in an
                 account of the Custodian in the Direct Paper System which shall
                 not include any assets of the Custodian other than assets held
                 as a fiduciary, custodian or otherwise for customers;

         3)      The records of the Custodian with respect to securities of the
                 Fund which are maintained in the Direct Paper System shall
                 identify by book-entry those securities belonging to the Fund;

         4)      The Custodian shall pay for securities purchased for the
                 account of the Fund upon the making of an entry on the records
                 of the Custodian to reflect such payment and transfer of
                 securities to the account of the Fund.  The Custodian shall
                 transfer securities sold for the account of the Fund upon the
                 making of an entry on the records of the Custodian to reflect
                 such transfer and receipt of payment for the account of the
                 Fund;





                                       9
<PAGE>   13
         5)      The Custodian shall furnish the Fund confirmation of each
                 transfer to or from the account of the Fund, in the form of a
                 written advice or notice, of Direct Paper on the next business
                 day following such transfer and shall furnish to the Fund
                 copies of daily transaction sheets reflecting each day's
                 transaction in the U.S. Securities System for the account of 
                 the Fund;

         6)      The Custodian shall provide the Fund with any report on its
                 system of internal accounting control as the Fund may
                 reasonably request from time to time.

2.12     Segregated Account.  The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper
         Instructions from the Fund establish and maintain a segregated account
         or accounts for and on behalf of each such Fund, into which account or
         accounts may be transferred cash and/or securities, including
         securities maintained in an account by the Custodian pursuant to
         Section 2.10 hereof, (i) in accordance with the provisions of any
         agreement among the Fund , the Custodian and a broker-dealer
         registered under the Exchange Act and a member of the NASD (or any
         futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange
         Act), relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing
         Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange (or the
         Commodity Futures Trading Commission or any registered contract
         market), or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding
         escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the
         Fund, (ii) for purposes of segregating cash or government securities
         in connection with options purchased, sold or written by the Fund or
         commodity futures contracts or options thereon purchased or sold by
         the Fund, (iii) for the purposes of compliance by the Fund with the
         procedures required by Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or
         any subsequent release or releases of the Securities and Exchange
         Commission relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by
         registered investment companies and (iv) for other proper corporate
         purposes, but only, in the case of clause (iv), upon receipt of, in
         addition to Proper Instructions from the Fund , a certified copy of a
         resolution of the Board  of Trustees setting forth the purpose or 
         purposes of such segregated account and declaring such purposes
         to be proper corporate purposes.

2.13     Ownership Certificates for Tax Purposes.  The Custodian shall execute
         ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and
         state tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other
         payments with respect to domestic securities of each Fund held by it
         and in connection with transfers of securities.





                                       10
<PAGE>   14
2.14     Proxies.  The Custodian shall, with respect to the domestic securities
         held hereunder, cause to be promptly executed by the registered holder
         of such securities, if the securities are registered otherwise than in
         the name of the Fund or a nominee of the Fund, all proxies, without
         indication of the manner in which such proxies are to be voted, and
         shall promptly deliver to the Fund such proxies, all proxy soliciting
         materials and all notices relating to such securities.

2.15     Communications Relating to Fund Securities.  Subject to the provisions
         of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund  all
         written information (including, without limitation, pendency of calls
         and maturities of domestic securities and expirations of rights in
         connection therewith and notices of exercise of call and put options
         written by the Fund  and the maturity of futures contracts purchased
         or sold by the Fund) received by the Custodian from issuers of the
         securities being held for the Fund.  With respect to tender or
         exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund all
         written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the
         securities whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party (or
         his agents) making the tender or exchange offer.  If the Fund desires
         to take action with respect to any tender offer, exchange offer or any
         other similar transaction, the Fund shall notify the Custodian at
         least three business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is
         to take such action.

3.       Duties of the Custodian with Respect to Property of the Fund Held
         Outside of the United States

3.1      Appointment of Foreign Sub-Custodians.  The Fund hereby authorizes and
         instructs the Custodian to employ as sub-custodians for the Fund's
         securities and other assets maintained outside the United States the
         foreign banking institutions and foreign securities depositories
         designated on Schedule A hereto ("foreign sub-custodians").  Upon
         receipt of "Proper Instructions", as defined in Section 5 of this
         Contract, together with a certified resolution of the Fund's Board of
         Trustees, the Custodian and the Fund may agree to amend Schedule A
         hereto from time to time to designate additional foreign banking
         institutions and foreign securities depositories to act as
         sub-custodian.  Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Fund may
         instruct the Custodian to cease the employment of any one or more such
         sub-custodians for maintaining custody of the Fund's assets.

3.2      Assets to be Held.  The Custodian shall limit the securities and other
         assets maintained in the custody of the foreign sub-custodians to:
         (a) "foreign securities", as defined in





                                       11
<PAGE>   15
         paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 under the Investment Company Act of
         1940, and (b) cash and cash equivalents in such amounts as the
         Custodian or the Fund may determine to be reasonably necessary to
         effect the Fund's foreign securities transactions.  The Custodian
         shall identify on its books as belonging to the Fund, the foreign
         securities of the Fund held by each foreign sub-custodian.

3.3      Foreign Securities Systems.  Except as may otherwise be agreed upon in
         writing by the Custodian and the Fund, assets of the Funds shall be
         maintained in a clearing agency which acts as a securities depository
         or in a book-entry system for the central handling of securities
         located outside of the United States (each a "Foreign Securities
         System") only through arrangements implemented by the foreign banking
         institutions serving as sub-custodians pursuant to the terms hereof
         (Foreign Securities  Systems and U.S. Securities Systems are
         collectively referred to herein as the "Securities Systems").  Where
         possible, such arrangements shall include entry into agreements
         containing the provisions set forth in Section 3.5 hereof.

3.4      Holding Securities.  The Custodian may hold cash, securities and other
         non-cash property for all of its customers, including the Fund, with a
         foreign sub-custodian in a single account that is identified as
         belonging to the Custodian for the benefit of its customers, provided
         however, that (1) the records of the Custodian with respect to cash,
         securities and other non-cash property of the Fund which are
         maintained in such account shall identify by book-entry the cash,
         securities and other non-cash property belonging to the Fund and (ii)
         the Custodian shall require that cash, securities and other non-cash
         property so held by the foreign sub-custodian be held separately from
         any assets of the Custodian, the foreign sub-custodian or of others.

3.5      Agreements with Foreign Banking Institutions.  Each agreement with a
         foreign banking institution shall provide that:  (a) the assets of
         each Fund will not be subject to any right, charge, security interest,
         lien or claim of any kind in favor of the foreign banking institution
         or its creditors or agent, except a claim of payment for their safe
         custody or administration; (b) beneficial ownership for the assets of
         each Fund will be freely transferable without the payment of money or
         value other than for custody or administration; (c) adequate records
         will be maintained identifying the assets as belonging to each
         applicable Fund; (d) officers of or auditors employed by, or other 
         representatives of the Custodian, including to the extent permitted 
         under applicable law the independent public accountants for the Fund,
         will be given access to the books and records of the foreign banking 
         institution relating to its actions under its agreement with the 
         Custodian; and (e) assets of the Fund(s) held by the foreign 
         sub-custodian will be subject only to the instructions of the 
         Custodian or its agents.

3.6      Access of Independent Accountants of the Fund.  Upon request of the
         Fund, the Custodian will use its best efforts to arrange for the
         independent accountants of the Fund to be afforded access to the books
         and records of any foreign banking institution employed as a foreign
         sub-custodian insofar as such books and records relate to the
         performance of such foreign banking institution under its agreement
         with the Custodian.

3.7      Reports by Custodian.  The Custodian will supply to the Fund from time
         to time, as mutually agreed upon, statements in respect of the
         securities and other assets of the Fund(s) held by foreign
         sub-custodians, including but not limited to an identification of
         entities having possession of the Fund(s) securities and other assets
         and advices or notifications of any transfers of securities to or
         from each custodial account maintained by a foreign banking





                                       12
<PAGE>   16
         institution for the Custodian on behalf of each applicable Fund 
         indicating, as to securities acquired for a Fund, the identity of the
         entity having physical possession of such securities.

3.8      Transactions in Foreign Custody Account.  (a) Except as otherwise
         provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 3.8, the provision of
         Sections 2.2 and 2.7 of this Contract shall apply, mutatis mutandis to
         the foreign securities of the Fund held outside the United States by
         foreign sub-custodians.  (b) Notwithstanding any provision of this
         Contract to the contrary, settlement and payment for securities
         received for the account of each applicable Fund and delivery of 
         securities maintained for the account of each applicable Fund may be 
         effected in accordance with the customary established securities
         trading or securities processing practices and procedures in the
         jurisdiction or market in which the transaction occurs, including,
         without limitation, delivering securities to the purchaser thereof or
         to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer)
         against a receipt with the expectation of receiving later payment for
         such securities from such purchaser or dealer.  In addition, and
         whether or not such practice is a customary established trading
         practice in the relevany jurisdictions, the Custodian will, upon
         Proper Instructions from the Fund, deliver cash to securities brokers
         in foreign jurisdictions who will effect securities trades for the 
         Fund and cause the securities purchased to be delivered to the
         applicable foreign sub-custodian at some later date.  (c) Securities
         maintained in the custody of a foreign sub-custodian may be maintained
         in the name of such entity's nominee to the same extent as set forth
         in Section 2.3 of this Contract, and the Fund agrees to hold any such
         nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such
         securities.

3.9      Liability of Foreign Sub-Custodians.  Each agreement pursuant to which
         the Custodian employs a foreign banking institution as a foreign
         sub-custodian shall require the institution to exercise reasonable
         care in the performance of its duties and to indemnify, and hold
         harmless, the Custodian and each Fund from and against any loss,
         damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out of or in
         connection with the institution's performance of such obligations.  At
         the election of the Fund, it shall be entitled to be subrogated to the
         rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims against a foreign
         banking institution as a consequence of any such loss, damage, cost,
         expense, liability or claim if and to the extent that the Fund has not
         been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or
         claim.

3.10     Liability of Custodian.  The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or
         omissions of a foreign banking institution to the same extent as set
         forth with respect to sub-custodians generally in this Contract and,
         regardless of whether assets are maintained in the custody of a
         foreign banking institution, a foreign securities depository or a
         branch of a U.S. bank as contemplated by paragraph 3.13 hereof, the
         Custodian shall not be liable for any loss, damage, cost, expense,
         liability or claim resulting from nationalization, expropriation,
         currency restrictions, or acts of war or terrorism or any loss where
         the sub-custodian has otherwise exercised reasonable care.
         Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this





                                       13
<PAGE>   17
         paragraph 3.10, in delegating custody duties to State Street London
         Ltd., the Custodian shall not be relieved of any responsibility to the
         Fund for any loss due to such delegation, except such loss as may
         result from (a) political risk (including, but not limited to,
         exchange control restrictions, confiscation, expropriation,
         nationalization, insurrection, civil strife or armed hostilities) or
         (b) other losses (excluding a bankruptcy or insolvency of State Street
         London Ltd. not caused by political risk) due to Acts of God, nuclear
         incident or other losses under circumstances where the Custodian and
         State Street London Ltd. have exercised reasonable care.

3.11     Reimbursement for Advances.  If the Fund requires the Custodian to
         advance cash or securities for any purpose for the benefit of a Fund
         including the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or of contracts for
         foreign exchange, or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee
         shall incur or be assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments,
         claims or liabilities in connection with the performance of this
         Contract, except such as may arise from its or its nominee's own
         negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful misconduct, any
         property at any time held for the account of the applicable Fund shall
         be security therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian
         promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash
         and to dispose of such Fund's assets to the extent necessary to obtain
         reimbursement.

3.12     Monitoring Responsibilities.  The Custodian shall furnish annually to
         the Fund, during the month of June, information concerning the foreign
         sub-custodians employed by the Custodian.  Such information shall be
         similar in kind and scope to that furnished to the Fund in connection
         with the initial approval of this Contract.  In addition, the
         Custodian will promptly inform the Fund in the event that the
         Custodian learns of a material adverse change in the financial
         condition of a foreign sub-custodian or any material loss of the
         assets of the Fund or in the case of any foreign sub-custodian not the
         subject of an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange
         Commission is notified by such foreign sub-custodian that there
         appears to be a substantial likelihood that its shareholders' equity
         will decline below $200 million (U.S. dollars or the equivalent
         thereof) or that its shareholders' equity has declined below $200
         million (in each case computed in accordance with generally accepted
         U.S. accounting principles).

3.13     Branches of U.S. Banks.  (a) Except as otherwise set forth in this
         Contract, the provisions hereof shall not apply where the custody of
         the Fund's assets are maintained in a foreign branch of a banking
         institution which is a "bank" as defined by Section 2(a)(5) of the
         Investment Company Act of 1940 meeting the qualification set forth in
         Section 26(a) of





                                       14
<PAGE>   18
         said Act.  The appointment of any such branch as a sub-custodian shall
         be governed by paragraph 1 of this Contract.  (b) Cash held for each
         Fund in the United Kingdom shall be maintained in an interest bearing
         account established for the Fund with the Custodian's London branch,
         which account shall be subject to the direction of the Custodian,
         State Street London Ltd. or both.

3.14     Tax Law.  The Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for
         any obligations now or hereafter imposed on the Fund or the Custodian
         as custodian of the Fund by the tax law of the United States of
         America or any state or political subdivision thereof.  It shall be
         the responsibility of the Fund to notify the Custodian of the
         obligations imposed on the Fund or the Custodian as custodian of the
         Fund by the tax law of jurisdictions other than those mentioned in the
         above sentence, including responsibility for withholding and other
         taxes, assessments or other governmental charges, certifications and
         governmental reporting.  The sole responsibility of the Custodian with
         regard to such tax law shall be to use reasonable efforts to assist
         the Fund with respect to any claim for exemption or refund under the
         tax law of jurisdictions for which the Fund has provided such
         information.

4.       Payments for Sales or Repurchases or Redemptions of Shares of the Fund

         The Custodian shall receive from the distributor for the Shares or
from the Transfer Agent of the Fund and deposit into the account of the
appropriate Fund such payments as are received for Shares of that Fund issued
or sold from time to time by the Fund.  The Custodian will provide timely
notification to the Fund on behalf of each such Fund and the Transfer Agent of
any receipt by it of payments for Shares of such Fund.

         From such funds as may be available for the purpose but subject to the
limitations of the applicable Fund's governing documents and any applicable 
votes of the Board of Trustees of the Fund pursuant thereto, the Custodian
shall, upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds
available for payment to holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer
Agent a request for redemption or repurchase of their Shares.  In connection
with the redemption or repurchase of Shares of a Fund, the Custodian is
authorized upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire funds
to or through a commercial bank designated by the redeeming shareholders.  In
connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares of the Fund, the
Custodian shall honor checks drawn on the Custodian by a holder of Shares,
which checks have been furnished by the Fund to the holder of Shares, when
presented to the Custodian in accordance with such procedures and controls as
are mutually agreed upon from time to time between the Fund and the Custodian.
        




                                       15
<PAGE>   19
5.       Proper Instructions

         Proper Instructions as used throughout this Contract means a writing
signed or initialed by one or more person or persons as the Board of Trustees
shall have from time to time authorized.  Each such writing shall set forth the
specific transaction or type of transaction involved, including a specific
statement of the purpose for which such action is requested.  Oral instructions
will be considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian reasonably believes
them to have been given by a person authorized to give such instructions with
respect to the transaction involved.  The Fund shall cause all oral
instructions to be confirmed in writing.  Upon receipt of a certificate of the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary as to the authorization by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund accompanied by a detailed description of procedures 
approved by the Board of Trustees, Proper Instructions may include 
communications effected directly between electro-mechanical or electronic
devices provided that the Board of Trustees and the Custodian are satisfied
that such procedures afford  adequate safeguards for the Funds' assets.  For
purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall include instructions
received by the Custodian pursuant to any three-party agreement which requires
a segregated asset account in accordance with Section 2.12.
        
6.       Actions Permitted without Express Authority

         The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from
the Fund:

         1)      make payments to itself or others for minor expenses of
                 handling securities or other similar items relating to its
                 duties under this Contract, provided that all such payments
                 shall be accounted for to the Fund ;

         2)      surrender securities in temporary form for securities in
                 definitive form;

         3)      endorse for collection, in the name of the Fund, checks,
                 drafts and other negotiable instruments; and

         4)      in general, attend to all non-discretionary details in
                 connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase,
                 transfer and other dealings with the securities and property
                 of the Fund except as otherwise directed by the Board of
                 Trustees of the Fund.





                                       16
<PAGE>   20
7.       Evidence of Authority

         The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions,
notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper believed by
it to be genuine and to have been properly executed by or  on behalf of the
Fund.  The Custodian may receive and accept a certified copy of a vote of the
Board of Trustees of the Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of 
any person to act in accordance with such vote or (b) of any determination or
of any action by the Board of Trustees pursuant to the governing documents of
the Fund as described in such vote, and such vote may be considered as in full
force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of written notice to the
contrary.
        
8.       Duties of Custodian with Respect to the Books of Account and
         Calculation of Net Asset Value and Net Income

         The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to
the entity or entities appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Fund to keep 
the books of account of each Fund and/or compute the net asset value per share
of the outstanding shares of each Fund or, if the Custodian and the Fund
execute the applicable Price Source Authorization (the "Authorization"), the
Custodian shall  keep such books of account and/or compute such net asset value
per share pursuant to the terms of the Authorization and the attachments
thereto.  If so directed, the Custodian shall also calculate daily the net
income of the Fund as described in the Fund's currently effective Prospectus
and shall advise the Fund and the Transfer Agent daily of the total amounts of
such net income and, if instructed in writing by an officer of the Fund to do
so, shall advise the Transfer Agent periodically of the division of such net
income among its various components.  The calculations of the net asset value
per share and the daily income of each Fund shall be made at the time or times
described from time to time in the Fund's currently effective Prospectus
related to such Fund.
        
9.       Records

         The Custodian shall with respect to each Fund create and maintain all
records relating to its activities and obligations under this Contract in such
manner as will meet the obligations of the Fund under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, with particular attention to Section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1
and 31a-2 thereunder.  All such records shall be the property of the Fund and
shall at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open
for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of the Fund and
employees and agents of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Custodian
shall, at the Fund's request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities
owned by each Fund and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to





                                       17
<PAGE>   21
do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the
Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such tabulations.

10.      Opinion of Fund's Independent Accountant

         The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund  may from
time to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the
Fund's independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in
connection with the preparation of the Fund's Form N-1A, and Form N-SAR or
other annual reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission and with respect
to any other requirements of such Commission.

11.      Reports to Fund by Independent Public Accountants

         The Custodian shall provide the Fund, at such times as the Fund may
reasonably require, with reports by independent public accountants on the
accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding
securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including
securities deposited and/or maintained in a Securities System, relating to the
services provided by the Custodian under this Contract; such reports, shall be
of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably be required by
the Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would
be disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the
reports shall so state.

12.      Compensation of Custodian

         The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its
services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between
the Fund and the Custodian.

13.      Responsibility of Custodian

         So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable
care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or
genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or
delivered by it pursuant to this Contract and shall be held harmless in acting
upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably
believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties,
including any futures commission merchant acting pursuant to the terms of a
three-party futures or options agreement.  The Custodian shall be held to the
exercise of reasonable care in carrying out the provisions of this Contract,
but shall be kept indemnified by and shall be without liability to the Fund for
any action taken or omitted by it in





                                       18
<PAGE>   22
good faith without negligence.  It shall be entitled to rely on and may act
upon advice of counsel (who may be counsel for the Fund) on all matters, and
shall be without liability for any action reasonably taken or omitted pursuant
to such advice.

         Except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful
misconduct or the negligence or willful misconduct of a sub-custodian or agent,
the Custodian shall be without liability to the Fund for any loss, liability,
claim or expense resulting from or caused by:  (i) events or circumstances
beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian or any sub-custodian or
Securities System or any agent or nominee of any of the foregoing, including,
without limitation, nationalization or expropriation, imposition of currency
controls or restrictions, the interruption, suspension or restriction of trading
on or the closure of any securities market, power or other mechanical or
technological failures or interruptions, computer viruses or communications
disruptions, acts of war or terrorism, riots, revolutions, work stoppages,
natural disasters or other similar events or acts; (ii) errors by the Fund or
its investment adviser in their instructions to the Custodian provided such
instructions have been in accordance with this Contract; (iii) the insolvency of
or acts or omissions by a Securities System; (iv) any delay or failure of any
broker, agent or intermediary, central bank or other commercially prevalent
payment or clearing system to deliver to the Custodian's sub-custodian or agent
securities purchased or in the remittance or payment made in connection with
securities sold; (v) any delay or failure of any company, corporation, or other
body in charge of registering or transferring securities in the name of the
Custodian, the Fund, the Custodian's sub-custodians, nominees or agents or any
consequential losses arising out of such delay or failure to transfer such
securities including non-receipt of bonus, dividends and rights and other
accretions or benefits; (vi) delays or inability to perform its duties due to
any disorder in market infrastructure with respect to any particular security or
Securities System; and (vii) any provision of any present or future law or
regulation or order of the United States of America, or any state thereof, or
any other country, or political subdivision thereof or of any court of competent
jurisdiction.

         The Custodian shall be liable for the acts or omissions of a foreign
banking institution to the same extent as set forth with respect to 
sub-custodians generally in this Contract.

         If the Fund requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to
securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in
the opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned
to the Fund being liable for the payment of money or incurring liability of
some other form, the Fund, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take
such action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form
satisfactory to it.

         If the Fund requires the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or
agents, to advance cash or securities for any purpose (including but not
limited to securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed
settlement) or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be
assessed any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in
connection with the performance of this Contract, except such as may arise from
its or its nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to act or willful
misconduct, any property at any time held for the account of the applicable Fund
shall be security therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian
promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to utilize available cash and to
dispose of such Fund's assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement.

14.      Effective Period, Termination and Amendment

         This Contract shall become effective as of its execution, shall
continue in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may
be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be
terminated by either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed,
postage prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner
than thirty (30)





                                       19
<PAGE>   23
days after the date of such delivery or mailing; provided, however that the
Custodian shall not with respect to a Fund act under Section 2.10 hereof in the
absence of receipt of an initial certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary that the Board of the Fund has approved the initial use of a
particular Securities System by such Fund and the receipt of an annual
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board of the
Fund has reviewed any subsequent change regarding the use by such Fund of such
Securities System, as required in each case  by Rule 17f-4 under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended and that the Custodian shall not with respect to
a Fund act under Section 2.11 hereof in the absence of receipt of an initial
certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the Board has
approved the initial use of the Direct Paper System by such Fund and the receipt
of an annual certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary that the
Board of the Fund has reviewed the use by such Fund of the Direct Paper System;
provided further, however, that the Fund shall not amend or terminate this
Contract in contravention of any applicable federal or state regulations, or any
provision of the Fund's governing documents, and further provided, that the Fund
on behalf of one or more of the Funds may at any time by action of its Board (i)
substitute another bank or trust company for the Custodian by giving notice as
described above to the Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate this Contract in
the event of the appointment of a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by
the Comptroller of the Currency or upon the happening of a like event at the
direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent
jurisdiction.

         Upon termination of the Contract, the Fund  shall pay to the Custodian
such compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall
likewise reimburse the Custodian for its costs, expenses and disbursements.

15.      Successor Custodian

         If a successor custodian for a Fund shall be appointed by the Board
of Trustees of such Fund, the Custodian shall, upon termination, deliver to
such successor custodian at the office of the Custodian, duly endorsed and in
the form for transfer, all securities, Funds and other properties of each
applicable Fund then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account of
the successor custodian all of the securities of each Fund held in a Securities
System.

         If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian
shall, in like manner, upon receipt of a certified copy of a vote of the Board
of Trustees of the Fund, deliver at the office of the Custodian and transfer
such securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such vote.

         In the event that no written order designating a successor custodian
or certified copy of a vote of the Board of Trustees shall have been delivered 
to the Custodian on or before the date when such





                                       20
<PAGE>   24
termination shall become effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to
deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a "bank" as defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts, of its
own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as
shown by its last published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all
securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian on behalf of each
applicable Fund and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and
all other property held by it under this Contract on behalf of each applicable
Fund and to transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the
securities of each such Fund held in any Securities System.  Thereafter, such
bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian under this
Contract.

         In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the
possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to
failure of the Fund to procure the certified copy of the vote referred to or of
the Board of Trustees to appoint a successor custodian, the Custodian shall be
entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the
Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and
the provisions of this Contract relating to the duties and obligations of the
Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.

16.      Interpretive and Additional Provisions

         In connection with the operation of this Contract, the Custodian and
the Fund may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in
addition to the provisions of this Contract as may in their joint opinion be
consistent with the general tenor of this Contract.  Any such interpretive or
additional provisions shall be in a writing signed by both parties and shall be
annexed hereto, provided that no such interpretive or additional provisions
shall contravene any applicable federal or state regulations or any provision
of the governing documents of the Fund.  No interpretive or additional
provisions made as provided in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be an
amendment of this Contract.

17.      Additional Funds

         In the event that  Van Kampen American Capital Distributors , Inc.
establishes any funds in addition to the Funds listed on Appendix A with
respect to which it desires to have the Custodian render services as custodian
under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the Custodian in writing, and if the
Custodian agrees in writing to provide such services, such fund shall become a
Fund hereunder, subject to the delivery by the new Fund of resolutions
authorizing the appointment of the Custodian and such other supporting or
related documentation as the Custodian may request.  All references herein to
the "Fund" are to each of the Funds listed on Appendix A individually, as if





                                       21
<PAGE>   25
this Contract were between each such individual Fund and the Custodian.  With
respect to any Fund which issues shares in separate classes or series, each
class or series of such Fund shall be treated as a separate Fund hereunder.

18.      Massachusetts Law to Apply

         This Contract shall be construed and the provisions thereof
interpreted under and in accordance with laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.

19.      Prior Contracts

         This Contract supersedes and terminates, as of the date hereof, all
prior contracts between the Funds and the Custodian relating to the custody of
the Fund's assets.

20.      Reproduction of Documents

         This Contract and all schedules, exhibits, attachments and amendments
hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm,
micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process.  The parties
hereto all/each agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence
as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or
not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made
by a party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement,
facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be
admissible in evidence.

21.      Shareholder Communications

         Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14b-2 requires banks which
hold securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers
of securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of
securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has
expressly objected to disclosure of this information.  In order to comply with
the rule, the Custodian needs the Fund to indicate whether the Fund authorizes
the Custodian to provide the Fund's name, address, and share position to
requesting companies whose stock the Fund owns.  If the Fund tells the
Custodian "no", the Custodian will not provide this information to requesting
companies.  If the Fund tells the Custodian "yes" or does not check either
"yes" or "no" below, the Custodian is required by the rule to treat the Fund as
consenting to disclosure of this information for all securities owned by the
Fund or any funds or accounts established by the Fund.  For the Fund's
protection, the Rule prohibits the requesting company from using the Fund's name
and address for any purpose other than corporate communications.  Please
indicate below whether the Fund consent or object by checking one of the
alternatives below.

         YES [ ]        The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund's name,
                        address, and share positions of each Fund listed on
                        Exhibit A.

         NO  [X]        The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund's 
                        name, address, and share positions of each Fund listed 
                        on Exhibit A.





                                       22
<PAGE>   26
22.  Limitation of Liability.

         The execution of this Contract has been authorized by each Fund's
Board of Trustees.  This Contract is executed on behalf of each Fund or the
trustees of such Fund as trustees and not individually and the obligations of
the Fund under this Contract are not binding upon any of the Fund's trustees,
officers or shareholders individually but are binding only upon the assets and
property of the Fund.  



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to
be executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative and
its seal to be hereunder affixed as of the 1st day of August, 1997.

                                        
ATTEST                                  EACH OF THE FUNDS LISTED ON APPENDIX A



/s/ Nicholas Dalmaso                    By: /s/ Ronald A. Nyberg
- ------------------------                    -----------------------------------
                                            Ronald A. Nyberg, Vice President
                                            and Secretary

ATTEST                                  STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY



/s/ Francine Hayes                      By: [ILLEGIBLE]
- ------------------------                    -----------------------------------
                                            Executive Vice President





                                       23
<PAGE>   27
                                                                      APPENDIX A
                                   FUND NAMES

VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL COMSTOCK FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL CORPORATE BOND FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL EMERGING GROWTH FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL ENTERPRISE FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL EQUITY INCOME FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL GLOBAL MANAGED ASSETS FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL GOVERNMENT TARGET FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL GROWTH AND INCOME FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL HARBOR FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL HIGH INCOME CORPORATE BOND FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL LIFE INVESTMENT TRUST
                 Asset Allocation Portfolio
                 Domestic Income Portfolio
                 Emerging Growth Portfolio
                 Enterprise Portfolio                 
                 Global Equity Portfolio
                 Government Portfolio
                 Growth and Income Portfolio
                 Money Market Portfolio
                 Morgan Stanley Real Estate Securities Portfolio
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL PACE FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL RESERVE FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL SMALL CAPITALIZATION FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TAX-EXEMPT TRUST
                 Van Kampen American Capital High Yield Municipal Fund
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL U.S. GOVERNMENT TRUST FOR INCOME
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL UTILITIES INCOME FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL WORLD PORTFOLIO SERIES TRUST
                 Van Kampen American Capital Global Equity Fund
                 Van Kampen American Capital Global Government Securities Fund
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL U.S. GOVERNMENT TRUST
                 Van Kampen American Capital U.S. Government Fund
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TAX FREE TRUST
                 Van Kampen American Capital Insured Tax Free Income Fund
                 Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free High Income Fund
                 Van Kampen American Capital California Insured Tax Free Fund
                 Van Kampen American Capital Municipal Income Fund
                 Van Kampen American Capital Intermediate Term Municipal
                  Income Fund
                 Van Kampen American Capital Florida Insured Tax Free
                  Income Fund
                 Van Kampen American Capital New Jersey Tax Free Income Fund
                 Van Kampen American Capital New York Tax Free Income Fund
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TRUST
                 Van Kampen American Capital High Yield Fund
                 Van Kampen American Capital Short-Term Global Income Fund
                 Van Kampen American Capital Strategic Income Fund
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL EQUITY TRUST
                 Van Kampen American Capital Utility Fund
                 Van Kampen American Capital Value Fund
                 Van Kampen American Capital Great American Companies Fund
                 Van Kampen American Capital Growth Fund
                 Van Kampen American Capital Prospector Fund
                 Van Kampen American Capital Aggressive Growth Fund
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL PENNSYLVANIA TAX FREE INCOME FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TAX FREE MONEY FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL FOREIGN SECURITIES FUND


                                       24
<PAGE>   28
THE EXPLORER INSTITUTIONAL TRUST
    Explorer Institutional Active Core Fund
    Explorer Institutional Limited Duration Fund
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL NAVIGATOR FUNDS
            Emerging Markets Equity Portfolio
            Emerging Markets Fixed Income Portfolio
            U.S. QUALITY FUNDS
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL EXCHANGE FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL HIGH INCOME TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL HIGH INCOME TRUST II
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL INVESTMENT GRADE MUNICIPAL TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL PRIME RATE INCOME TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL MUNICIPAL TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL CALIFORNIA QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL FLORIDA QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL NEW YORK QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL OHIO QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL PENNSYLVANIA QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE MUNICIPALS
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE CALIFORNIA MUNICIPALS
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE FLORIDA MUNICIPALS
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALS
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW YORK MUNICIPALS
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TRUST FOR PENNSYLVANIA MUNICIPALS
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL MUNICIPAL OPPORTUNITY TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL ADVANTAGE MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL ADVANTAGE PENNSYLVANIA MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL VALUE MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL CALIFORNIA VALUE MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL MASSACHUSETTS VALUE MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL NEW JERSEY VALUE MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL NEW YORK VALUE MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL OHIO VALUE MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL PENNSYLVANIA VALUE MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL MUNICIPAL OPPORTUNITY TRUST II
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL FLORIDA MUNICIPAL OPPORTUNITY TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL ADVANTAGE MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST II
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL SELECT SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL BOND FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL INCOME TRUST


                                       25

<PAGE>   1
                                                                  EXHIBIT (8)(b)


                     TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT


     AGREEMENT made as of the 31st day of May, 1997 by and between each of the
VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL OPEN END FUNDS set forth on Schedule "A" hereto,
which are organized under the laws of the state and as the entities set forth
in Schedule "A" hereto (collectively, the "Funds"), and ACCESS INVESTOR
SERVICES, INC., a Delaware corporation ("ACCESS").

                                 R E C I T A L:
                                 -------------

     WHEREAS, each of the Funds desires to appoint ACCESS as its transfer
agent, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder service agent and ACCESS
desires to accept such appointments;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained,
the parties hereto agree as follows:

Article 1. Terms of Appointment; Duties of ACCESS.
           ---------------------------------------

     1.01 Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, each
of the Funds hereby employs and appoints ACCESS as its transfer agent, dividend
disbursing agent and shareholder service agent.

     1.02 ACCESS hereby accepts such employment and appointments and agrees
that on and after the effective date of this Agreement it will act as the
transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and shareholder service agent for
each of the Funds on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

     1.03 ACCESS agrees that its duties and obligations hereunder will be
performed in a competent, efficient and workmanlike manner with due diligence
in accordance with reasonable industry practice, and that the necessary
facilities, equipment and personnel for such performance will be provided.

     1.04 For a period of one year commencing on the effective date of this
Agreement, ACCESS and each of the Funds agree that the retention of (i) the
chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, chief operating
officer and secretary of ACCESS and (ii) each director, officer and employee of
ACCESS or any of its Affiliates (as defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act")) who serves as an officer of the Funds (each
person referred to in (i) or (ii) hereinafter being referred to as an
"Essential Person"), in his or her current capacities, is in the best interest 

<PAGE>   2

of the Funds and the Funds' shareholders. In connection with ACCESS's
acceptance of employment hereunder, ACCESS hereby agrees and covenants for
itself and on behalf of its Affiliates that neither ACCESS nor any of its
Affiliates shall make any material or significant personnel changes or replace
or seek to replace any Essential Person or cause to be replaced any Essential
Person, in each case without first informing the Board of Trustees of the Funds
in a timely manner.  In addition, neither ACCESS nor any Affiliate of ACCESS
shall  change or seek to change or cause to be changed, in any material
respect, the duties and responsibilities of any Essential Person, in each case
without first informing the Board of Trustees of the Funds in a timely
manner.

     1.05 In order to assure compliance with section 1.03 and to implement a
cooperative effort to improve and maintain the quality of transfer agency,
dividend disbursing and shareholder services received by each of the Funds and
their shareholders, ACCESS agrees to provide and maintain quantitative
performance objectives, including maximum target turn-around times and maximum
target error rates, for the various services provided hereunder.  ACCESS also
agrees to provide a reporting system designed to provide the Board of Trustees
of each of the Funds (the "Board") on a quarterly basis with quantitative data
comparing actual performance for the period with the performance objectives.
The foregoing procedures are designed to provide a basis for continuing
monitoring by the Board of the quality of services rendered hereunder.

Article 2. Fees and Expenses.
           ------------------

     2.01 For the services to be performed by ACCESS pursuant to this
Agreement, each of the Funds agrees to pay ACCESS the fees provided in the fee
schedules agreed upon from time to time by each of the Funds and ACCESS.

     2.02 In addition to the amounts paid under section 2.01 above, each of the
Funds agrees to reimburse ACCESS promptly for such Fund's reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses or advances paid on its behalf by ACCESS in connection
with its performance under this Agreement for postage, freight, envelopes,
checks, drafts, continuous forms, reports and statements, telephone, telegraph,
costs of outside mailing firms, necessary outside record storage costs, media
for storage of records (e.g., microfilm, microfiche and computer tapes) and
printing costs incurred due to special requirements of such Fund.  In addition,
any other special out-of-pocket expenses paid by ACCESS at the specific request
of any of the Funds will be promptly reimbursed by the requesting Fund.  
Postage for mailings of dividends, proxies, Fund reports and other mailings 

                                   Page 2

<PAGE>   3


to all shareholder accounts shall be advanced to ACCESS by the concerned Fund 
three business days prior to the mailing date of such materials.

Article 3.  Representations and Warranties of Access.
            -----------------------------------------

            ACCESS represents and warrants to each of the Funds that:


     3.01 It is a corporation duly organized and existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Delaware.

     3.02 It is duly qualified to carry on its business in each jurisdiction in
which the nature of its business requires it to be so qualified.

     3.03 It is empowered under applicable laws and regulations and by its
charter and bylaws to enter into and perform this Agreement.

     3.04 All requisite corporate proceedings have been taken to authorize it
to enter into and perform this Agreement.

     3.05 It has and will continue to have during the term of this Agreement
access to the necessary facilities, equipment and personnel to perform its
duties and obligations hereunder.

     3.06 It will maintain a system regarding "as of" transactions as follows:

           (a) Each "as of" transaction effected at a price other than that in
      effect on the day of processing for which an estimate has not been given
      to any of the affected Funds and which is necessitated by ACCESS' error,
      or delay for which ACCESS is responsible or which could have been avoided
      through the exercise of reasonable care, will be identified, and the net
      effect of such transactions determined, on a daily basis for each such
      Fund.
           (b) The cumulative net effect of the transactions included in
      paragraph (a) above will be determined each day throughout each month.
      If, on any day during the month, the cumulative net effect upon any Fund
      is negative and exceeds an amount equivalent to  1/2 of 1 cent per share
      of such Fund, ACCESS shall promptly make a payment to such Fund (in cash
      or through use of a credit as described in paragraph (c) below) in such
      amount as necessary to reduce the negative cumulative net effect to less
      than  1/2 of 1 cent per share of such Fund.  If on the last business day
      of the month the cumulative net effect (adjusted by the amount of any
      payments or credits used pursuant to the preceding sentence) upon any
      Fund is negative, such Fund shall be entitled to a reduction in the
      monthly transfer agency fee next payable by an equivalent amount, except
      as provided in paragraph (c) below.  If on the last 

                                   Page 3

<PAGE>   4

      business day of the month the cumulative net effect (similarly adjusted)
      upon any Fund is positive, ACCESS shall be entitled to recover certain
      past payments, credits used and reductions in fees, and to a credit
      against all future payments and fee reductions made under this paragraph  
      to such Fund, as  described in paragraph (c) below.

           (c) At the end of each month, any positive cumulative net effect
      upon any Fund shall be deemed to be a credit to ACCESS which shall first
      be applied to recover any payments, credits used and fee reductions made
      by ACCESS to such Fund under paragraph (b) above during the calendar year
      by increasing the amount of the monthly transfer agency fee next payable
      in an amount equal to prior payments, credits used and fee reductions
      made during such year, but not exceeding the sum of that month's credit
      and credits arising in prior months during such year to the extent such
      prior credits have not previously been utilized as contemplated by this
      paragraph (c).  Any portion of a credit to ACCESS not so used shall
      remain as a credit to be used as payment against the amount of any future
      negative cumulative net effects which would otherwise require a payment,
      use of a credit or fee reduction to such Fund pursuant to paragraph (b)
      above.

Article 4. Representations and Warranties of the Funds.
           --------------------------------------------

           Each of the Funds hereby represents and warrants on behalf of itself
only and not on behalf of any other Funds which are a party to this Agreement 
that:

     4.01 It is duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws
of the commonwealth or state set forth in Schedule "A" hereto.

     4.02 It is empowered under applicable laws and regulations and by its
Declaration of Trust and by-laws to enter into and perform this Agreement.

     4.03 All requisite proceedings have been taken by its Board to authorize
it to enter into and perform this Agreement.

     4.04 It is an open-end, management investment company registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

                                   Page 4
<PAGE>   5

     4.05 A registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, is currently effective and will remain effective, and appropriate
state securities laws filings have been made and will continue to be made, with
respect to all of its shares being offered for sale.

Article 5. Indemnification.
           ---------------
     5.01 ACCESS shall not be responsible for and each of the Funds shall
indemnify and hold ACCESS harmless from and against any and all losses,
damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, expenses and
liabilities (collectively, "Losses") arising out of or attributable to:

           (a) All actions of ACCESS required to be taken by ACCESS for the
      benefit of such Fund pursuant to this Agreement, provided that ACCESS has
      acted in good faith with due diligence and without negligence or willful
      misconduct.

           (b) The reasonable reliance by ACCESS on, or reasonable use by
      ACCESS of, information, records and documents which have been prepared or
      maintained by or on behalf of such Fund or have been furnished to ACCESS
      by or on behalf of such Fund.

           (c) The reasonable reliance by ACCESS on, or the carrying out by
      ACCESS of, any instructions or requests of such Fund.

           (d) The offer or sale of such Fund's shares in violation of any
      requirement under the federal securities laws or regulations or the
      securities laws or regulations of any state or in violation of any stop
      order or other determination or ruling by any federal agency or any state
      with respect to the offer or sale of such shares in such state unless
      such violation results from any failure by ACCESS to comply with written
      instructions of such Fund that no offers or sales of such Fund's shares
      be made in general or to the residents of a particular state.

           (e) Such Fund's refusal or failure to comply with the terms of this
      Agreement, or such Fund's lack of good faith, negligence or willful
      misconduct or the breach of any representation or warranty of such Fund
      hereunder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Fund shall be required to
      indemnify or hold ACCESS harmless from and against any Losses arising out
      of or attributable to any action or failure to take action, or any
      information, records or 

                                   Page 5
<PAGE>   6

      documents prepared or maintained, on behalf of
      the Fund by the Fund's investment adviser or distributor, or any person
      providing fund accounting or legal services to the Fund that is also an
      officer or employee of Van Kampen American Capital, Inc. or its
      subsidiaries unless such person or entity is otherwise entitled to
      indemnification from the Fund.

     5.02 ACCESS shall indemnify and hold harmless each of the Funds from and
against any and all Losses arising out of or attributable to ACCESS' refusal or
failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement, or ACCESS' lack of good
faith, or its negligence or willful misconduct, or the breach of any
representation or warranty of ACCESS hereunder.

     5.03 At any time ACCESS may apply to any authorized officer of any of the
Funds for instructions, and may consult with any of the Funds' legal counsel,
at the expense of such concerned Fund, with respect to any matter arising in
connection with the services to be performed by ACCESS under this Agreement,
and ACCESS shall not be liable and shall be indemnified by such concerned Fund
for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith in reasonable reliance upon
such instructions or upon the opinion of such counsel.  ACCESS shall be
protected and indemnified in acting upon any paper or document reasonably
believed by ACCESS to be genuine and to have been signed by the proper person
or persons and shall not be held to have notice of any change of authority of
any person, until receipt of written notice thereof from the concerned Fund.
ACCESS shall also be protected and indemnified in recognizing stock 
certificates which ACCESS reasonably believes to bear the proper manual or 
facsimile signatures of the officers of the concerned Fund, and the proper 
countersignature of any former transfer agent or registrar, or of a 
co-transfer agent or co-registrar.

     5.04 In the event that any party is unable to perform its obligations
under the terms of this Agreement because of acts of God, strikes, equipment or
transmission failure or damage, or other causes reasonably beyond its control,
such party shall not be liable to the other for any damages resulting from such
failure to perform or otherwise from such causes.

     5.05 In no event and under no circumstances shall any party to this
Agreement be liable to another party for consequential damages under any
provision of this Agreement or for any act or failure to act hereunder.

     5.06 In order that the indemnification provisions contained in this
Article 5 shall apply, upon the assertion of a claim for which one party may be
required to indemnify another, the party seeking indemnification shall promptly
notify the other party of such assertion, and shall keep the other party
advised with respect to all developments concerning such claim.  

                                   Page 6
<PAGE>   7

The party who may be required to indemnify shall have the option to participate
with the party seeking indemnification in the defense of such claim.  The party
seeking indemnification shall in no case confess any claim or make any
compromise in any case in which the other party may be required to indemnify it
except with the other party's prior written consent.

Article 6.  Covenants of Each of the Funds and ACCESS.
            ------------------------------------------
       6.01  Each of the Funds shall promptly furnish to ACCESS the following:

           (a) Certified copies of the resolution of its Board authorizing the
      appointment of ACCESS and the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
           (b) Certified copies of its Declaration of Trust or Articles of
      Incorporation and by-laws and all amendments thereto.

           6.02 ACCESS hereby agrees to maintain facilities and procedures
reasonably acceptable to each of the Funds for safekeeping of share
certificates, check forms and facsimile signature imprinting devices, if any;
and for the preparation or use, and for keeping account of, such        
certificates, forms and devices.

           6.03 ACCESS shall keep records relating to the services to be
performed hereunder in the form and manner as it may deem advisable; provided,
however, that all accounts, books and other records of each of the Funds
(hereinafter referred to as "Fund Records") prepared or maintained by ACCESS
hereunder shall be maintained and kept current in compliance with Section 31 of
the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules thereunder (such Section and
Rules being hereinafter referred to as the "1940 Act Requirements").  To the
extent required by the 1940 Act Requirements, ACCESS agrees that all Fund
Records prepared or maintained by ACCESS hereunder are the property of the
concerned Fund and shall be preserved and made available in accordance with the
1940 Act Requirements, and shall be surrendered promptly to the concerned Fund
on its request.  ACCESS agrees at such reasonable times as may be requested by
the Board and at least quarterly to provide (i) written confirmation to the
Board that all Fund Records are maintained and kept current in accordance with
the 1940 Act Requirements, and (ii) such other reports regarding its
performance hereunder as may be reasonably requested by the Board.

                                   Page 7
<PAGE>   8

           6.04 ACCESS and each of the Funds agree that all books, records,
information and data pertaining to the business of the other party which are
exchanged or received pursuant to the negotiation or the carrying out of this
Agreement shall remain confidential, and shall not be voluntarily       
disclosed to any other person, except as may be required by law.

           6.05 In case of any requests or demands for the inspection of any of
the Fund Records, ACCESS will endeavor to notify each of the concerned
Funds and to secure instructions from an authorized officer of each of the
concerned Funds as to such inspection.  ACCESS reserves the right, however, to
exhibit such Fund Records to any person whenever it is advised by its counsel
that it may be held liable for the failure to exhibit such Fund records to such
person. 

Article 7. Term and Termination Of Agreement.
           ----------------------------------
           7.01 The initial term of this Agreement shall expire May 31, 1999,
and thereafter this Agreement shall automatically be renewed for
successive one year periods to begin on June 1 of each year unless any party
provides notice to the other party at least 120 days in advance of that date
that this Agreement is not to be renewed.

           7.02 Notwithstanding the foregoing, any party may terminate this
Agreement for good and reasonable cause at any time by giving written
notice to the other party at least 60 days prior to the date on which such
termination is to be effective or such shorter period as may be required by
law.

           7.03 Any unpaid fees or reimbursable expenses payable to ACCESS at
the termination date of this Agreement shall be due on that termination date. 
ACCESS agrees to use its best efforts to cooperate with the Funds and the
successor transfer, dividend disbursement, or shareholder servicing agent
or agents in accomplishing an orderly transition.

Article 8. Miscellaneous.
           --------------
          8.01 Except as provided in section 8.03 below, neither this
Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be assigned by any party
without the written consent of ACCESS or the concerned Fund, as the case may
be; provided, however, that no consent shall be required for any merger of any
of the Funds with, or any sale of all or substantially all the assets of
any of the Funds to, another investment company.


           8.02 This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

                                   Page 8
<PAGE>   9

           8.03 ACCESS may, without further consent on the part of any of the
      Funds, subcontract with DST, Inc.,  a Missouri corporation, or any other
      qualified servicer, for the performance of data processing activities;
      provided, however, that ACCESS shall be as fully responsible to each of
      the Funds for the acts and omissions of DST, Inc. or other qualified
      servicer as it is for its own acts and omissions.

           8.04 Without the prior approval of the Boards of Trustees of the
      Funds, ACCESS shall not, directly or indirectly, provide services,
      including services such as transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent or
      shareholder service agent, to any investment companies.

           8.05 This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the
      parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes
      any prior agreement with respect thereto, whether oral or written, and
      this Agreement may not be modified except by written instrument executed
      by the affected parties.

           8.06 The execution of this Agreement has been authorized by the
      Funds' Trustees. This Plan is executed on behalf of the Funds or the
      Trustees of the Funds as Trustees and not individually and the
      obligations of this Agreement are not binding upon any of the Trustees,
      officers or shareholders of the Funds individually but are binding only
      upon the assets and property of the Funds.  A Certificate of Trust in
      respect of each of the Funds is on file with the appropriate state
      agency.

           8.07 For each of those Funds which have one or more portfolios as
      set forth in Schedule "A" hereto, all obligations of those Funds under
      this Agreement shall apply only on a portfolio-by-portfolio basis and the
      assets of one portfolio shall not be liable for the obligations of any
      other.

           8.08 In the event of a change in the business or regulatory
      environment affecting all or any portion of this Agreement, the parties
      hereto agree to renegotiate such affected portions in good faith.

           8.09 All questions concerning the validity, meaning and effect of
      this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws (without
      giving effect to the conflict-of-law principles thereof) of the State of
      Delaware applicable to contracts made and to be performed in that state.

           8.10 (a) Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or 
           relating to this Agreement, or the breach, termination or validity
           thereof, shall be finally settled by arbitration in accordance with  
           the Expedited Procedures 

                                   Page 9

<PAGE>   10

           of the commercial arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration
           Association (the "AAA") then in effect (the "Rules").  The   
           arbitration shall be held in Chicago, Illinois.

           (b) There shall be one arbitrator who shall be selected jointly by
           the parties.  If the parties are unable to agree on an arbitrator
           within 15 days after a demand for arbitration is made by a party,
           the arbitrator shall be appointed by the AAA in accordance with the
           Rules.  The hearing  shall be held within 90 days of the appointment
           of the arbitrator.  Notwithstanding the Expedited Procedures 
           of the Rules, the arbitrator, at his discretion, may schedule
           additional days of hearings.

           (c) Either party may, without inconsistency with this Agreement,
           seek from a court any interim or provisional relief in aid of
           arbitration, pending the establishment of the arbitral tribunal. 
           The parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the
           federal and state courts located in the northern district of the
           state of Illinois for any such relief in aid of arbitration, or for
           any relief relating to arbitration, except for the enforcement of an
           arbitral award which may be enforced in any court having
           jurisdiction.

           (d) Any arbitration proceedings or award rendered hereunder and the
           validity, effect and interpretation of Section 8.10 shall be
           governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C. Sections 1 et
                                                                        --
           seq.)  The award shall be final and binding upon the parties. 
           ---
           Judgment upon any award may be entered in any court having
           jurisdiction.

           (e) This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the Parties
           shall remain in full force and effect pending the award in any
           arbitration proceeding hereunder.

                                   Page 10

<PAGE>   11


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed in their names and on their behalf and through their duly authorized
officers, as of the date first above written.


                                        EACH OF THE VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
                                        OPEN END FUNDS LISTED ON SCHEDULE
                                        "A" HERETO

    

                                        BY: /s/ Ronald A. Nyberg
                                           ----------------------------------
                                                   Vice President
     

   

ATTEST:

/s/ Nicholas Dalmaso
- ----------------------------------
     Assistant Secretary
    


                                        ACCESS INVESTOR SERVICES, INC.

    

                                        BY: /s/ Paul R. Wolkenberg
                                           ---------------------------------
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer
    

    

ATTEST:
/s/ Huey P. Falgout
- ---------------------------------
     Assistant Secretary
    


                                   Page 11
<PAGE>   12


                                  SCHEDULE "A"
                                  ------------
                   VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL OPEN-END FUNDS




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Organization Type
                          Fund Name                               State of        [Business Trust
                    (including Portfolios)                      Organization           "T"]
=====================================================================================================
<S>                                                                <C>                <C>              
Van Kampen American Capital Aggressive Growth Fund                   DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital California Insured Tax Free Fund         DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Comstock Fund                            DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Corporate Bond Fund                      DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Emerging Growth Fund                     DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Enterprise Fund                          DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Equity Income Fund                       DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Florida Insured Tax Free Income Fund     DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Foreign Securities Fund                  DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Global Managed Assets Fund               DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Government Securities Fund               DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Government Target Fund                   DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Great American Companies Fund            DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Growth Fund                              DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Growth and Income Fund                   DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Harbor Fund                              DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital High Income Corporate Bond Fund          DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital High Yield Fund                          DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Insured Tax Free Income Fund             DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Intermediate Term Municipal Income Fund  DE                 T
</TABLE>

                                   Page 12
<PAGE>   13






<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Organization Type
                          Fund Name                               State of        [Business Trust
                    (including Portfolios)                      Organization           "T"]
=====================================================================================================
<S>                                                                <C>                <C>
Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment Trust                    DE                 T
        Asset Allocation Portfolio
        Domestic Income Portfolio
        Emerging Growth Portfolio
        Enterprise Portfolio
        Global Equity Portfolio
        Government Portfolio
        Growth and Income Portfolio
        Money Market Portfolio
        Morgan Stanley Real Estate Securities Portfolio

Van Kampen American Capital Limited Maturity Government Fund         DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Municipal Income Fund                    DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital New Jersey Tax Free Income Fund          DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital New York Tax Free Income Fund            DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Pace Fund                                DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Pennsylvania Tax Free Income Fund        PA                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Prospector Fund                          DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Real Estate Securities Fund              DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Reserve Fund                             DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Short-Term Global Income Fund            DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Small Capitalization Fund                DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Strategic Income Fund                    DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Tax-Exempt Trust                         DE                 T
       Van Kampen American Capital High Yield Municipal Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free High Income Fund                DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free Money Fund                      DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital U.S. Government Fund                     DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital U.S. Government Trust for Income         DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Utility Fund                             DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Value Fund                               DE                 T
</TABLE>


                                    PAGE 13
<PAGE>   14




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Organization Type
                          Fund Name                               State of        [Business Trust
                    (including Portfolios)                      Organization           "T"]
=====================================================================================================
<S>                                                                <C>                <C>
Van Kampen American Capital World Portfolio Series Trust             DE                 T
Van Kampen American Capital Global Equity Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Global Government Securities
    Fund
</TABLE>




                                    PAGE 14

<PAGE>   1

                                                                Exhibit (9)(a)

                           FUND ACCOUNTING AGREEMENT



                THIS AGREEMENT, dated May 31, 1997, by and between the parties
set forth in Schedule A hereto (designated collectively hereafter as the
"Funds") and VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL INVESTMENT ADVISORY CORP., a Delaware
corporation ("Advisory Corp.").


                              W I T N E S S E T H:


                WHEREAS, each of the Funds is registered as a management
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"1940 Act"); and

                WHEREAS, Advisory Corp. has the capability of providing certain
accounting services to the Funds; and

                WHEREAS, each desires to utilize Advisory Corp. in the
provision of such accounting services; and

                WHEREAS, Advisory Corp. intends to maintain its staff in order
to accommodate the provision of all such services.

                NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants spelled out herein, it is agreed between the parties hereto as
follows:

1.      Appointment of Advisory Corp.  As agent, Advisory Corp. shall provide
        -----------------------------
each of the Funds the accounting services ("Accounting Services") as set
forth in Paragraph 2 of this Agreement. Advisory Corp. accepts such
appointment and agrees to furnish the Accounting Services in return for the
compensation provided in Paragraph 3 of this Agreement.

2.      Accounting Services to be Provided. Advisory Corp. will provide
        ----------------------------------
to each respective Fund accounting related services in connection with the
maintenance of the financial records of such Fund, including without
limitation: (i) maintenance of the general ledger and other financial books
and records; (ii) processing of portfolio transactions; (iii) coordination
of the valuation of portfolio securities; (iv) calculation of the Fund's
net asset value; (v) coordination of financial and regulatory reporting;
(vi) preparation of financial reports for each Fund's Board of Trustees;
(vii) coordination of tax and financial compliance issues; (viii) the
establishment and maintenance of accounting policies; (ix) recommendations
with respect to dividend policies; (x) preparation of each Fund's financial
reports and other accounting and tax related notice information to
shareholders; and (xi) the assimilation and interpretation of accounting
data for meaningful management review.  Advisory Corp. shall provide
accurate maintenance of each Fund's financial books and records as required
by the applicable securities statutes and regulations, and shall hire
persons (collectively the "Accounting Service Group") as needed to provide
such Accounting Services.

<PAGE>   2

3.      Expenses and Reimbursements.  Advisory Corp. shall be reimbursed by the
Funds for all costs and services incurred in connection with the provision
of the aforementioned Accounting Services ("Accounting Service Expenses"),
including but not limited to all salary and related benefits paid to the
personnel of the Accounting Service Group, overhead and expenses related to
office space and related equipment and out-of-pocket expenses.

        The Accounting Services Expenses will be paid by Advisory Corp.
and reimbursed by the Funds.  Advisory Corp. will tender to each Fund a monthly
invoice as of the last business day of each month which shall certify the total
support service expenses expended.  Except as provided herein, Advisory Corp.
will receive no other compensation in connection with Accounting Services
rendered in accordance with this Agreement.

4.      Payment for Accounting Service Expenses Among the Funds. As to one
quarter (25%) of the Accounting Service Expenses incurred under the
Agreement, the expense shall be allocated between all Funds based on the
number of classes of shares of beneficial interest that each respective
Fund has issued. As to the remaining three quarters (75%) of the Accounting
Service Expenses incurred under the Agreement, the expense shall be
allocated between all Funds based on their relative net assets.  For
purposes of determining the percentage of expenses to be allocated to any
Fund, the liquidation preference of any preferred shares issued by any such
Fund shall not be considered a liability of such Fund for the purposes of
calculating relative net assets of such Fund.

5.      Maintenance of Records. All records maintained by Advisory Corp. in
connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement will
remain the property of each respective Fund and will be preserved by
Advisory Corp. for the periods prescribed in Section 31 of the 1940 Act and
the rules thereunder or such other applicable rules that may be adopted
from time to time under the act.  In the event of termination of the
Agreement, such records will be promptly delivered to the respective Funds. 
Such records may be inspected by the respective Funds at reasonable times.

6.      Liability of Advisory Corp. Advisory Corp. shall not be liable to any
Fund for any action taken or thing done by it or its agents or contractors
on behalf of the fund in carrying out the terms and provisions of the
Agreement if done in good faith and without gross negligence or misconduct
on the part of Advisory Corp., its agents or contractors.

7.      Indemnification By Funds. Each Fund will indemnify and hold Advisory
Corp. harmless from all lost, cost, damage and expense, including reasonable
expenses for legal counsel, incurred by Advisory Corp. resulting from: (a) any
claim, demand, action or suit in connection with Advisory Corp.'s acceptance of
this Agreement; (b) any action or omission by Advisory Corp. in the performance
of its duties hereunder; (c) Advisory Corp.'s acting upon instructions believed
by it to have been executed by a duly authorized officer of the Fund; or (d)
Advisory Corp.'s acting upon information provided by the Fund in form and under
policies agreed to by Advisory Corp. and the Fund. Advisory Corp. shall not be
entitled to such indemnification in respect of actions or omissions
constituting gross negligence or willful misconduct of Advisory Corp. or its
agents or contractors.  Prior to confessing any claim against it which may be
subject to this indemnification, Advisory Corp. shall give the Fund reasonable
opportunity to defend against said claim in its own name or in the name of
Advisory Corp.

8.      Indemnification By Advisory Corp. Advisory Corp. will indemnify and
hold harmless each Fund from all loss, cost, damage and expense, including
reasonable expenses for legal counsel, incurred by the Fund resulting from any
claim, demand, action or suit arising out of Advisory Corp.'s failure to comply
with the terms of this Agreement or which arises out of the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of Advisory Corp. or its agents or contractors; provided
that such negligence or misconduct is not attributable to the Funds, their
agents or contractors.  Prior to confessing any claim against it which may be
subject to this indemnification, the Fund shall give Advisory Corp. reasonable
opportunity to defend against said claim in its own name or in the name of such
Fund.


                                      2
<PAGE>   3



9.      Further Assurances. Each party agrees to perform such further acts and
        -------------------
execute such further documents as are necessary to effectuate the purposes
hereof.

10.     Dual Interests. It is understood that some person or persons may be
        ---------------
directors, trustees, officers or shareholders of both the Funds and Advisory
Corp. (including Advisory Corp.'s affiliates), and that the existence of any
such dual interest shall not affect the validity hereof or of any transactions
hereunder except as otherwise provided by a specific provision of applicable
law.

11.     Execution, Amendment and Termination. The term of this Agreement shall
        -------------------------------------
begin as of the date first above written, and unless sooner terminated as
herein provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect through May, 1998, and
thereafter from year to year, if such continuation is specifically approved at
least annually by the Board of Trustees of each Fund, including a majority of
the independent Trustees of each Fund.  This Agreement may be modified or
amended from time to time by mutual agreement between the parties hereto and
may be terminated after May, 1998, by at least sixty (60) days' written notice
given by one party to the others.  Upon termination hereof, each Fund shall pay
to Advisory Corp. such compensation as may be due as of the date of such
termination and shall likewise reimburse Advisory Corp. for its costs, expenses
and disbursements payable under this Agreement to such date.  This Agreement
may be amended in the future to include as additional parties to the Agreement
other investment companies for with Advisory Corp., any subsidiary or affiliate
serves as investment advisor or distributor if such amendment is approved by
the President of each Fund.

12.     Assignment. Any interest of Advisory Corp. under this Agreement shall
        -----------
not be assigned or transferred, either voluntarily or involuntarily, by
operation of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the Funds. 
This Agreement shall automatically and immediately terminate in the event of
its assignment without the prior written consent of the Funds.

13.     Notice. Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed
        -------
and delivered or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the
other party at such address as such other party may designate for the receipt
of such notices.  Until further notice to the other parties, it is agreed that
for this purpose the address of each Fund is One Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook
Terrace, Illinois 60181, Attention: President and that of Advisory Corp. for
this purpose is One Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois 60181,
Attention: President.

14.     Personal Liability. As provided for in the Agreement and Declaration of
        ------------------
Trust of the various Funds, under which the Funds are organized as
unincorporated trusts, the shareholders, trustees, officers, employees and
other agents of the Fund shall not personally be found by or liable for the
matters set forth hereto, nor shall resort be had to their private property for
the satisfaction of any obligation or claim hereunder.

15.     Interpretative Provisions. In connection with the operation of this
        --------------------------
Agreement, Advisory Corp. and the Funds may agree from time to time on such
provisions interpretative of or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement
as may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this
Agreement.

16.     State Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance
        ----------
with and governed by the laws of the State of Illinois.

17.     Captions. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience 
        ---------
of reference only and in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof 
or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
        

                                      3
<PAGE>   4

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this amended and
restated Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.



ALL OF THE PARTIES SET FORTH IN SCHEDULE A



By: /s/ Ronald A. Nyberg 
   ---------------------------------------
         Ronald A. Nyberg, Vice President





VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL INVESTMENT ADVISORY CORP.



By: /s/ Dennis J. McDonnell
   ---------------------------------------
         Dennis J. McDonnell, President


                                      4
<PAGE>   5
                                   SCHEDULE A


I.  Funds advised by Van Kampen American Capital Investment
Advisory Corp. ("Investment Advisory Corp.") (Collectively, the "Former 
Van Kampen Funds"):   
    
CLOSED END FUNDS
- ----------------

Van Kampen American Capital Municipal Income Trust
Van Kampen American Capital California Municipal Trust
Van Kampen American Capital High Income Trust
Van Kampen American Capital High Income Trust II
Van Kampen American Capital Investment Grade Municipal Trust
Van Kampen American Capital Municipal Trust
Van Kampen American Capital California Quality Municipal Trust
Van Kampen American Capital Florida Quality Municipal Trust
Van Kampen American Capital New York Quality Municipal Trust
Van Kampen American Capital Ohio Quality Municipal Trust
Van Kampen American Capital Pennsylvania Quality Municipal Trust
Van Kampen American Capital Trust For Insured Municipals
Van Kampen American Capital Trust For Investment Grade Municipals
Van Kampen American Capital Trust For Investment Grade California Municipals
Van Kampen American Capital Trust For Investment Grade Florida Municipals
Van Kampen American Capital Trust For Investment Grade New Jersey Municipals
Van Kampen American Capital Trust For Investment Grade New York Municipals
Van Kampen American Capital Trust For Investment Grade Pennsylvania Municipals
Van Kampen American Capital Municipal Opportunity Trust
Van Kampen American Capital Advantage Municipal Income Trust
Van Kampen American Capital Advantage Pennsylvania Municipal Income Trust
Van Kampen American Capital Strategic Sector Municipal Trust
Van Kampen American Capital Value Municipal Income Trust
Van Kampen American Capital California Value Municipal Income Trust
Van Kampen American Capital Massachusetts Value Municipal Income Trust
Van Kampen American Capital New Jersey Value Municipal Income Trust
Van Kampen American Capital New York Value Municipal Income Trust
Van Kampen American Capital Ohio Value Municipal Income Trust
Van Kampen American Capital Pennsylvania Value Municipal Income Trust
Van Kampen American Capital Municipal Opportunity Trust II
Van Kampen American Capital Florida Municipal Opportunity Trust
Van Kampen American Capital Advantage Municipal Income Trust II
Van Kampen American Capital Select Sector Municipal Trust


INSTITUTIONAL FUNDS
- -------------------

II.  Funds Advised by Van Kampen American Capital Management, Inc. 
("Management, Inc.") (Collectively, the "Former Van Kampen Funds"):

The Explorer Institutional Trust
 on behalf of its series
Explorer Institutional Active Core Fund
Explorer Institutional Limited Duration Fund

                                      5
<PAGE>   6

OPEN END FUNDS
- --------------

III. Funds Advised by Van Kampen American Capital Asset Management, Inc.
("Asset Management, Inc.") (Collectively, the "Former American Capital Funds"):
     
Van Kampen American Capital Comstock Fund ("Comstock Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Corporate Bond Fund ("Corporate Bond Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Emerging Growth Fund ("Emerging Growth Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Enterprise Fund ("Enterprise Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Equity Income Fund ("Equity Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Global Managed Assets Fund ("Global Managed Assets
      Funds")
Van Kampen American Capital Government Securities Fund ("Government Securities
      Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Government Target Fund ("Government Target Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Growth and Income Fund ("Growth and Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Harbor Fund ("Harbor Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital High Income Corporate Bond Fund ("High Income 
      Corporate Bond Fund")

Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment Trust ("Life Investment Trust" or 
"LIT") on behalf of its Series
      Enterprise Portfolio ("LIT Enterprise Portfolio")
      Domestic Income Portfolio ("LIT Domestic Income Portfolio")
      Emerging Growth Portfolio  ("LIT Emerging Growth Portfolio")
      Government Portfolio ("LIT Government Portfolio")
      Asset Allocation Portfolio ("LIT Asset Allocation Portfolio")
      Money Market Portfolio ("LIT Money Market Portfolio")
      Real Estate Securities Portfolio ("LIT Real Estate Securities Portfolio")
      Growth and Income Portfolio ("LIT Growth and Income Portfolio")
      Global Equity Portfolio ("LIT Global Equity Portfolio")

Van Kampen American Capital Limited Maturity Government Fund ("Limited 
      Maturity Government Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Pace Fund ("Pace Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Real Estate Securities Fund ("Real Estate
      Securities Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Reserve Fund ("Reserve Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Small Capitalization Fund ("Small Capitalization 
      Fund")

Van Kampen American Capital Tax-Exempt Trust ("Tax-Exempt Trust") on behalf of
its Series
      Van Kampen American Capital High Yield Municipal Fund ("High Yield 
      Municipal Fund")

      Van Kampen American Capital U.S. Government Trust for Income ("U.S. 
      Government Trust for Income")

                                      6
<PAGE>   7

IV. Funds advised by Van Kampen American Capital Investment
Advisory Corp. ("Investment Advisory Corp.") (Collectively, the "Former 
Van Kampen Funds"):   
    

Van Kampen American Capital U.S. Government Trust ("U.S. Government Trust")
      on behalf of its series
Van Kampen American Capital U.S. Government Fund ("U.S. Government Fund")

Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free Trust ("Tax Free Trust") on behalf of its
      series
Van Kampen American Capital Insured Tax Free Income Fund ("Insured Tax Free 
      Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free High Income Fund ("Tax Free High Income 
      Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital California Insured Tax Free Fund ("California 
      Insured Tax Free Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Municipal Income Fund ("Municipal Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Intermediate Term Municipal Income Fund 
      (Intermediate Term Municipal Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Florida Insured Tax Free Income Fund ("Florida 
      Insured Tax Free Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital New Jersey Tax Free Income Fund ("New Jersey
      Tax Free Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital New York Tax Free Income Fund  ("New York
      Tax Free Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital California Tax  Free Income Fund ("California Tax
      Free Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Michigan Tax Free Income Fund ("Michigan Tax
      Free Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Missouri Tax Free Income Fund ("Missouri Tax
      Free Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Ohio Tax Free Income Fund ("Ohio Tax Free
      Income Fund")

Van Kampen American Capital Trust ("VKAC Trust")
Van Kampen American Capital High Yield Fund ("High Yield Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Short-Term Global Income Fund ("Short-Term
      Global Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Strategic Income Fund ("Strategic Income Fund")

Van Kampen American Capital Equity Trust ("Equity Trust")
      on behalf of its series
Van Kampen American Capital Utility Fund ("Utility Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Growth Fund ("Growth Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Value Fund ("Value Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Great American Companies Fund ("Great American 
      Companies Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Prospector Fund ("Prospector Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Aggressive Growth Fund ("Aggressive Growth Fund")

Van Kampen American Capital Foreign Securities Fund ("Foreign Securities Fund")

Van Kampen American Capital Pennsylvania Tax Free Income Fund ("Pennsylvania 
      Tax Free Income Fund")

Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free Money Fund ("Tax Free Money Fund")


                                      7


<PAGE>   1
                                                                EXHIBIT (9)(b)

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                            LEGAL SERVICES AGREEMENT

         THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of May 31, 1997, by and between the parties
as set forth in Schedule 1, attached hereto and incorporated by reference
(designated collectively hereafter as the "Funds"), and VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN
CAPITAL, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Van Kampen").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, each of the Funds is registered as a management investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act");
and

         WHEREAS, Van Kampen has the capability of providing certain legal
services to the Funds; and

         WHEREAS, each Fund desires to utilize Van Kampen in the provision of
such legal services; and

         WHEREAS, Van Kampen intends to increase its staff in order to
accommodate the provision of all such services.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants spelled out herein, it is agreed between the parties hereto as
follows:

1.       Appointment of Van Kampen. As agent, Van Kampen shall provide each of
the Funds the legal services (the "Legal Services") as set forth in Paragraph 2
of this Agreement.  Van Kampen accepts such appointments and agrees to furnish
the Legal Services in return for the compensation provided in Paragraph 3 of
this Agreement.

2.       Legal Services to be Provided. Van Kampen will provide to the Funds
the following legal services, including without limitation: accurate
maintenance of the Funds' Corporate Minute books and records, preparation and
oversight of each Fund's regulatory reports and other information provided to
shareholders as well as responding to day-to-day legal issues on behalf of the
Funds.  Van Kampen shall hire persons (collectively the "Legal Services Group")
as needed to provide such Legal Services and in such numbers as may be agreed
from time to time.

3.       Expenses and Reimbursement. The Legal Services expenses (the "Legal
Services Expenses") for which Van Kampen may be reimbursed are salary and
salary related benefits, including but not limited to bonuses, group insurance
and other regular





<PAGE>   2

wages paid to the personnel of the Legal Services Group, as well as overhead
and expenses related to office space and necessary equipment.  The Legal
Services Expenses will be paid by Van Kampen and reimbursed by the Funds. Van
Kampen will tender to each Fund a monthly invoice as of the last business day
of each month which shall certify the total Legal Service Expenses expended. 
Except as provided herein, Van Kampen will receive no other compensation in
connection with Legal Services rendered in accordance with this Agreement, and
Van Kampen will be responsible for all other expenses relating to the providing
of Legal Services.

4.       Payment for Legal Services Expense Among the Funds. One half (50%) of
the Legal Services Expenses incurred under the Agreement shall be attributable
equally to each respective Fund and all other funds to whom Van Kampen provides
Legal Services, including all other Funds for which Van Kampen serves as
investment adviser and distributor and the Govett Funds (the Non-Participating
Funds").  Van Kampen shall assume the costs of Legal Services for the
Non-Participating Funds for which reimbursement is not received.  The remaining
one half (50%) of the Legal Services Expenses shall be in allocated (a) in the
event services are attributable to specific funds (including the
Non-Participating Funds) based on such specific time allocations; and (b) in
the event services are attributable only to types of funds (i.e. closed-end and
open-end funds), the relative amount of time spent on each type of fund and
then further allocated between funds of that type on the basis of relative net
assets at the end of the period.

5.       Maintenance of Records. All records maintained by Van Kampen in
connection with the performance of its duties under this Agreement will remain
the property of each respective Fund and will be preserved by Van Kampen for
the periods prescribed in Section 31 of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder
or such other applicable rules that may be adopted from time to time under the
Act.  In the event of termination of the Agreement, such records will be
promptly delivered to the respective Funds. Such records may be inspected by
the respective Funds at reasonable times.

6.       Liability of Van Kampen. Van Kampen shall not be liable to any Fund
for any action taken or thing done by it or its agents or contractors on behalf
of the Fund in carrying out the terms and provisions of the Agreement if done
in good faith and without negligence or misconduct on the part of Van Kampen,
its agents or contractors.

7.       Indemnification By Funds. Each Fund will indemnify and hold Van Kampen
harmless from all loss, cost, damage and expense, including reasonable expenses
for legal counsel, incurred by Van Kampen resulting from (a) any claim, demand,
action or suit in connection with Van Kampen's acceptance of this Agreement;
(b) an action or omission by Van Kampen in the performance of its duties
hereunder; (c) Van Kampen's acting upon instructions believed by it to have
been executed by a duly authorized officer of the Fund; or (d) Van Kampen's
acting upon information provided by the Fund in form and under policies agreed
to by Van Kampen and the Fund.  Van Kampen shall not be entitled to such
indemnification in respect of action or





<PAGE>   3

omissions constituting negligence or willful misconduct of Van Kampen or its
agents or contractors.  Prior to admitting any claim against it which may be
subject to this indemnification, Van Kampen shall give the Fund reasonable
opportunity to defend against said claim on its own name or in the name of Van
Kampen.

8.       Indemnification By Van Kampen. Van Kampen will indemnify and hold
harmless each Fund from all loss, cost, damage and expense, including
reasonable expenses for legal counsel, incurred by the Fund resulting from any
claim, demand, action or suit arising out of Van Kampen's failure to comply
with the terms of this Agreement or which arises out of the negligence or
willful misconduct of Van Kampen or its agents or contractors; provided, that
such negligence or misconduct is not attributable to the Funds, their agents or
contractors.  Prior to admitting any claim against it which may be subject to
this indemnification, the Fund shall give Van Kampen reasonable opportunity to
defend against said claim in its own name or in the name of such Fund.

9.       Further Assurances. Each party agrees to perform such further acts and
execute such further documents as necessary to effectuate the purposes hereof.

10.      Dual Interests. It is understood that some person or persons may be
directors, trustees, officers, or shareholders of both the Funds and Van Kampen
(including Van Kampen's affiliates), and that the existence of any such dual
interest shall not affect the validity hereof or of any transactions hereunder
except as otherwise provided by a specific provision of applicable law.

11.      Execution, Amendment and Termination. The term of this Agreement shall
begin as of the date first above written, and unless sooner terminated as
herein provided, this Agreement shall remain in effect through May 31, 1997,
and thereafter from year to year if such continuation is specifically approved
at least annually by the Board of Trustees of each Fund, including a majority
of the independent Trustees of each Fund.  The Agreement may be modified or
amended from time to time by mutual agreement between the and shall likewise
reimburse Van Kampen for its costs, expenses and disbursements payable under
this Agreement to such date. This Agreement may be amended in the future to
include as additional parties to the Agreement other investment companies for
which Van Kampen, any subsidiary or affiliate serves as investment advisor or
distributor.

12.      Assignment. Any interest of Van Kampen under this Agreement shall not
be assigned or transferred, either voluntarily or involuntarily, by operation
of law or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the Fund. This
Agreement shall automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its
assignment without the prior written consent of the Fund.

13.      Notice. Any notice under this agreement shall be in writing, addressed
and delivered or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the
other party at such address as such other party may designate for the receipt
of such notices. Until





<PAGE>   4

further notice to the other parties, it is agreed that for this purpose the
address of each Fund is One Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois  60181,
Attention: President and the address of Van Kampen. for this purpose is One
Parkview Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois  60181, Attention: General Counsel.

14.      Personal Liability. As provided for in the Declaration of Trust of the
various Funds, under which the Funds are organized as unincorporated trusts
under the laws of the State of Delaware or Pennsylvania, as the case may be,
the shareholders, trustees, officers, employees and other agents of the Fund
shall not personally be bound by or liable for the matters set forth hereunder,
nor shall resort be had to their private property for the satisfaction of any
obligation or claim hereunder.

15.      Interpretative Provisions. In connection with the operation of this
agreement, Van Kampen and the Funds may agree from time to time on such
provisions interpretative of or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement
as may in their opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement.

16.      State Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in
accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Illinois.

17.       Captions. The captions in the Agreement are included for convenience
of reference only and in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction effect.





<PAGE>   5



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the day and year first above written.


ALL OF THE PARTIES SET FORTH IN SCHEDULE 1
ATTACHED HERETO



By: /s/ Ronald A. Nyberg
    -----------------------------------
         Ronald A. Nyberg
         Vice President & Secretary


VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL, INC.



By: /s/ Dennis J. McDonnell
    -----------------------------------
         Dennis J. McDonnell
         Executive Vice President





<PAGE>   6


                                   SCHEDULE 1

1.       VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL U.S. GOVERNMENT TRUST, on behalf of its
         series, Van Kampen American Capital U.S. Government Fund

2.       VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TAX FREE TRUST, on behalf of its series,
         Van Kampen American Capital Insured Tax Free Income Fund, Van Kampen
         American Capital Tax Free High Income Fund, Van Kampen American
         Capital California Insured Tax Free Fund, Van Kampen American Capital
         Municipal Income Fund, Van Kampen American Capital Intermediate Term
         Municipal Income Fund, Van Kampen American Capital New York Tax Free
         Income Fund, Van Kampen American Capital New Jersey Tax Free Income
         Fund, Van Kampen American Capital Florida Insured Tax Free Income
         Fund, Van Kampen American Capital California Tax Free Income Fund, Van
         Kampen American Capital Michigan Tax Free Income Fund, Van Kampen
         American Capital Missouri Tax Free Income Fund and Van Kampen American
         Capital Ohio Tax Free Income Fund

3.       VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TRUST, on behalf of its series, Van Kampen
         American Capital High Yield Fund, Van Kampen American Capital
         Short-Term Global Income Fund and Van Kampen American Capital
         Strategic Income Fund

4.       VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL EQUITY TRUST, on behalf of its series, Van
         Kampen American Capital Utility Fund, Van Kampen American Capital
         Value Fund, Van Kampen American Capital Growth Fund, Van Kampen
         American Capital Great American Companies Fund, Van Kampen American
         Capital Prospector Fund and Van Kampen American Capital Aggressive
         Growth Fund

5.       VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL PENNSYLVANIA TAX FREE INCOME FUND

6.       VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TAX FREE MONEY FUND

7.       VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL FOREIGN SECURITIES FUND

8.       VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST

9.       VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL TRUST

10.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL HIGH INCOME TRUST

11.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL HIGH INCOME TRUST II

12.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL PRIME RATE INCOME TRUST

13.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL INVESTMENT GRADE MUNICIPAL TRUST

14.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL MUNICIPAL TRUST

15.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL CALIFORNIA QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST

16.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL FLORIDA QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST

17.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL NEW YORK QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST

18.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL OHIO QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST

19.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL PENNSYLVANIA QUALITY MUNICIPAL TRUST





<PAGE>   7


20.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TRUST FOR INSURED MUNICIPALS

21.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE MUNICIPALS

22.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE CALIFORNIA
         MUNICIPALS
 
23.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE FLORIDA
         MUNICIPALS

24.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW JERSEY
         MUNICIPALS

25.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE NEW YORK
         MUNICIPALS

26.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TRUST FOR INVESTMENT GRADE PENNSYLVANIA
         MUNICIPALS

27.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL MUNICIPAL OPPORTUNITY TRUST

28.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL ADVANTAGE MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST

29.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL ADVANTAGE PENNSYLVANIA MUNICIPAL INCOME
         TRUST

30.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL STRATEGIC SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST

31.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL VALUE MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST

32.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL CALIFORNIA VALUE MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST

33.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL MASSACHUSETTS VALUE MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST

34.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL NEW JERSEY VALUE MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST

35.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL NEW YORK VALUE MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST

36.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL OHIO VALUE MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST

37.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL PENNSYLVANIA VALUE MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST

38.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL MUNICIPAL OPPORTUNITY TRUST II

39.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL FLORIDA MUNICIPAL OPPORTUNITY TRUST

40.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL ADVANTAGE MUNICIPAL INCOME TRUST II

41.      VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL SELECT SECTOR MUNICIPAL TRUST

42.      THE EXPLORER INSTITUTIONAL TRUST, on behalf of its sub-trusts,
         Explorer Institutional Active Core Fund and Explorer Institutional
         Limited Duration Fund






<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 11




                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



The Board of Trustees and Shareholders
   Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free Money Fund:

We consent to the use of our report included in the Statement of Additional
Information which is incorporated by reference into the Prospectus and to the
reference to our Firm under the headings "Financial Highlights" in the
Prospectus and "Custodian and Independent Accountants" in the Statement of
Additional Information. 

KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Chicago, Illinois 
October 20, 1997

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 16

                             TAX FREE MONEY FUND
                    COMPUTATION OF PERFORMANCE QUOTATIONS
                          PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 1997


(a)  Calculation of Current Yield:
         Formula                             (EV-BV) + BV * 365 / 7 = CY

         Ending Value                                   1.000713105 = EV
         Beginning Value                                       1.00 = BV
                                                      
         Current Yield                                        3.72% = CY


(b)  Calculation of Compound Effective Yield:              365/7 
         Formula                                   (UBR + 1)    - 1 = CEY

         Unannualized Base Return                       0.000713105 = UBR
                                                      
         Compound Effective Yield                             3.79% = CEY



<PAGE>   1
                                                               EXHIBIT (17)(a)

                        INVESTMENT COMPANIES FOR WHICH
                VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
                  ACTS AS PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER OR DEPOSITOR
                              SEPTEMBER 15, 1997



Van Kampen American Capital U.S. Government Trust
Van Kampen American Capital U.S. Government Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free Trust
Van Kampen American Capital Insured Tax Free Income Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free High Income Fund
Van Kampen American Capital California Insured Tax Free Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Municipal Income Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Intermediate Term Municipal Income Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Florida Insured Tax Free Income Fund
Van Kampen American Capital New Jersey Tax Free Income Fund
Van Kampen American Capital New York Tax Free Income Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Trust
Van Kampen American Capital High Yield Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Short-Term Global Income Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Strategic Income Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Equity Trust
Van Kampen American Capital Utility Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Value Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Great American Companies Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Growth Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Prospector Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Aggressive Growth Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Foreign Securities Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Pennsylvania Tax Free Income Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free Money Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Prime Rate Income Trust
Van Kampen American Capital Comstock Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Corporate Bond Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Emerging Growth Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Enterprise Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Equity Income Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Limited Maturity Government Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Global Managed Assets Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Government Securities Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Government Target Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Growth and Income Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Harbor Fund
Van Kampen American Capital High Income Corporate Bond Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment Trust
     Van Kampen American Capital Asset Allocation Portfolio
     Van Kampen American Capital Domestic Income Portfolio
     Van Kampen American Capital Emerging Growth Portfolio       
     Van Kampen American Capital Enterprise Portfolio
     Van Kampen American Capital Global Equity Portfolio      
     Van Kampen American Capital Government Portfolio       
     Van Kampen American Capital Growth and Income Portfolio
     Van Kampen American Capital Money Market Portfolio         
     Van Kampen American Capital Strategic Stock Portfolio
     Morgan Stanley Real Estate Securities Portfolio        


<PAGE>   2

Van Kampen American Capital Pace Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Real Estate Securities Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Reserve Fund
Van Kampen American Capital Tax -Exempt Trust
     Van Kampen American Capital High Yield Municipal Fund
Van Kampen American Capital U.S. Government Trust for Income
Van Kampen American Capital World Portfolio Series Trust
     Van Kampen American Capital Global Equity Fund
     Van Kampen American Capital Global Government Securities Fund
Morgan Stanley Aggressive Equity Fund
Morgan Stanley American Value Fund
Morgan Stanley Asian Growth Fund
Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Fund
Morgan Stanley Global Equity Allocation Fund
Morgan Stanley Global Fixed Income Fund
Morgan Stanley Government Obligations Money Market Fund
Morgan Stanley High Yield Fund
Morgan Stanley International Magnum Fund
Morgan Stanley Latin American Fund
Morgan Stanley Money Market Fund
Morgan Stanley Stable Value Fund (SVFRX)
Morgan Stanley Stable Value Fund II (SVFIX)
Morgan Stanley U.S. Real Estate Fund
Morgan Stanley Value Fund
Morgan Stanley Worldwide High Income Fund

<PAGE>   3




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                                      <C>
Emerging Markets Municipal Income Trust................................................................. Series 1
Insured Municipals Income Trust......................................................................... Series 1 through 378 
Insured Municipals Income Trust (Discount).............................................................. Series 5 through 13 
Insured Municipals Income Trust (Short Intermediate Term)............................................... Series 1 through 104 
Insured Municipals Income Trust (Intermediate Term)..................................................... Series 5 through 88 
Insured Municipals Income Trust (Limited Term).......................................................... Series 9 through 85 
Insured Municipals Income Trust (Premium Bond Series)................................................... Series 1 through 3
Insured Municipals Income Trust (Intermediate Laddered Maturity)........................................ Series 1 and 2
Insured Tax Free Bond Trust............................................................................. Series 1 through 6 
Insured Tax Free Bond Trust (Limited Term).............................................................. Series 1
Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust..................................................................... Series 1 through 93 
Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust-Intermediate........................................................ Series 1
Investors' Corporate Income Trust....................................................................... Series 1 through 12 
Investors' Governmental Securities Income Trust......................................................... Series 1 through 7 
Van Kampen Merritt International Bond Income Trust...................................................... Series 1 through 21 
Alabama Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust............................................................. Series 1
Alabama Insured Municipals Income Trust................................................................. Series 1 through 9
Arizona Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust............................................................. Series 1 through 16 
Arizona Insured Municipals Income Trust................................................................. Series 1 through 17
Arkansas Insured Municipals Income Trust................................................................ Series 1 through 2
Arkansas Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust............................................................ Series 1
California Insured Municipals Income Trust.............................................................. Series 1 through 158 
California Insured Municipals Income Trust (Premium Bond Series)........................................ Series 1
California Insured Municipals Income Trust (1st Intermediate Series).................................... Series 1 through 3
California Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust.......................................................... Series 1 through 21
California Insured Municipals Income Trust (Intermediate Laddered)...................................... Series 1 through 22
Colorado Insured Municipals Income Trust................................................................ Series 1 through 81
Colorado Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust............................................................ Series 1 through 18
Connecticut Insured Municipals Income Trust ............................................................ Series 1 through 31 
Connecticut Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust......................................................... Series 1
Delaware Investor's Quality Tax-Exempt Trust............................................................ Series 1 and 2
Florida Insured Municipal Income Trust - Intermediate................................................... Series 1 and 2
Florida Insured Municipals Income Trust................................................................. Series 1 through 107 
Florida Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust............................................................. Series 1 and 2
Florida Insured Municipals Income Trust (Intermediate Laddered)......................................... Series 1 through 13
Georgia Insured Municipals Income Trust................................................................. Series 1 through 80  
Georgia Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust............................................................. Series 1 through 16
Hawaii Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust.............................................................. Series 1
Indiana Insured Municipals Income Trust................................................................. Series 1
Investors' Quality Municipals Trust (AMT)............................................................... Series 1 through 9 
Kansas Investors'Quality Tax-Exempt Trust .............................................................. Series 1 through 11 
Kentucky Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust............................................................ Series 1 through 58
Louisiana Insured Municipals Income Trust............................................................... Series 1 through 17
Maine Investor's Quality Tax-Exempt Trust............................................................... Series 1
Maryland Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust............................................................ Series 1 through 79  
Massachusetts Insured Municipals Income Trust........................................................... Series 1 through 34 
Massachusetts Insured Municipals Income Trust (Premium Bond Series)..................................... Series 1
Michigan Financial Institutions Trust................................................................... Series 1
Michigan Insured Municipals Income Trust................................................................ Series 1 through 140 
Michigan Insured Municipals Income Trust (Premium Bond Series).......................................... Series 1
Michigan Insured Municipals Income Trust (1st Intermediate Series)...................................... Series 1 through 3
Michigan Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust............................................................ Series 1 through 30
Michigan Select Trust................................................................................... Series 1
Minnesota Insured Municipals Income Trust............................................................... Series 1 through 59
Minnesota Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust........................................................... Series 1 through 21
Mississippi Insured Municipals Income Trust............................................................. Series 1
Missouri Insured Municipals Income Trust................................................................ Series 1 through 98
Missouri Insured Municipals Income Trust (Premium Bond Series).......................................... Series 1
Missouri Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust............................................................ Series 1 through 15
Missouri Insured Municipals Income Trust
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                                      <C>
 (Intermediate Laddered Maturity)....................................................................... Series 1
Nebraska Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust............................................................ Series 1 through 9
New Mexico Insured Municipals Income Trust.............................................................. Series 1 through 18
New Jersey Insured Municipals Income Trust.............................................................. Series 1 through 114 
New Jersey Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust.......................................................... Series 1 through 22
New Jersey Insured Municipals Income Trust
 (Intermediate Laddered Maturity)....................................................................... Series 1 and 4
New York Insured Municipals Income Trust-Intermediate................................................... Series 1 through 6
New York Insured Municipals Income Trust (Limited Term)................................................. Series 1
New York Insured Municipals Income Trust................................................................ Series 1 through 136 
New York Insured Tax-Free Bond Trust.................................................................... Series 1
New York Insured Municipals Income Trust
 (Intermediate Laddered Maturity)....................................................................... Series 1 through 17
New York Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust............................................................ Series 1
North Carolina Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust...................................................... Series 1 through 88 
Ohio Insured Municipals Income Trust.................................................................... Series 1 through 104 
Ohio Insured Municipals Income Trust (Premium Bond Series).............................................. Series 1 and 2
Ohio Insured Municipals Income Trust (Intermediate Term)................................................ Series 1
Ohio Insured Municipals Income Trust
 (Intermediate Laddered Maturity)....................................................................... Series 3 through 6
Ohio Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust................................................................ Series 1 through 16
Oklahoma Insured Municipal Income Trust................................................................. Series 1 through 17
Oregon Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust.............................................................. Series 1 through 53
Pennsylvania Insured Municipals Income Trust - Intermediate............................................. Series 1 through 6
Pennsylvania Insured Municipals Income Trust............................................................ Series 1 through 223 
Pennsylvania Insured Municipals Income Trust (Premium Bond Series)...................................... Series 1
Pennsylvania Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust........................................................ Series 1 through 14 
South Carolina Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust...................................................... Series 1 through 84
Stepstone Growth Equity and Treasury Securities Trust................................................... Series 1
Tennessee Insured Municipals Income Trust............................................................... Series 1-3 and 5-37 
Texas Insured Municipals Income Trust................................................................... Series 1 through 40
Texas Insured Municipal Income Trust (Intermediate Ladder).............................................. Series 1
Virginia Investors' Quality Tax-Exempt Trust............................................................ Series 1 through 73
Van Kampen American Capital Equity Opportunity Trust.................................................... Series 1 through 41
Van Kampen American Capital Utility Income Trust........................................................ Series 1 through 8 
Van Kampen American Capital Insured Income Trust........................................................ Series 1 through 61
Van Kampen American Capital Insured Income Trust (Intermediate Term).................................... Series 1 through 60
Van Kampen Merritt Select Equity Trust.................................................................. Series 1
Van Kampen Merritt Select Equity and Treasury Trust..................................................... Series 1
Washington Insured Municipals Income Trust.............................................................. Series 1
West Virginia Insured Municipals Income Trust........................................................... Series 1 through 7
Principal Financial Institutions Trust.................................................................. Series 1
Internet Trust.......................................................................................... Series 1 through 3
Michigan Real Estate Income and Growth Trust............................................................ Series 1
Strategic Ten Trust, United States...................................................................... Series 1 through 10
Strategic Ten Trust, United Kingdom..................................................................... Series 1 through 10 
Strategic Ten Trust, Hong Kong ......................................................................... Series 1 through 10
Strategic Five Trust, United States..................................................................... Series 1 through 4
Global Fifteen Trust.................................................................................... Series 1 through 2
Global Thirty Trust..................................................................................... Series 1 through 3
Great International Firms Trust......................................................................... Series 1
Undervalued Growth Opportunities Trust.................................................................. Series 1
Emerging Growth and Treasury............................................................................ Series 1
Global Blue Chip Trust.................................................................................. Series 1
Renaissance Trust....................................................................................... Series 1
Blue Chip Opportunity and Treasury Trust................................................................ Series 1 through 4
Wheat First Strategic Opportunity Unit Trust............................................................ Series 1
Baby Boomer Opportunity Trust........................................................................... Series 1

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1
                                                               EXHIBIT (17)(b)
                                    Officers
                 Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

NAME                                         OFFICE                                       LOCATION
- ----                                         ------                                       --------
<S>                                  <C>                                               <C>
Don G. Powell                        Chairman                                          Houston, TX

Philip N. Duff                       Chief Executive Officer                           Oakbrook Terrace, IL

William R. Molinari                  President & Chief Operating                       Oakbrook Terrace, IL
                                     Officer

Ronald A. Nyberg                     Executive Vice President, General                 Oakbrook Terrace, IL
                                     Counsel & Assistant Secretary

William R. Rybak                     Executive Vice President & Chief                  Oakbrook Terrace, IL
                                     Financial Officer
Paul R. Wolkenberg                   Executive Vice President                          Houston, TX

Robert A. Broman                     Sr. Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Gary R. DeMoss                       Sr. Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Keith K. Furlong                     Sr. Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Douglas B. Gehrman                   Sr. Vice President                                Houston, TX
Richard D. Humphrey                  Sr. Vice President                                Houston, TX
Scott E. Martin                      Sr. Vice President, Deputy General                Oakbrook Terrace, IL
                                     Counsel & Secretary
Mark T. McGannon                     Sr. Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Charles G. Millington                Sr. Vice President & Treasurer                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Michael L. Stallard                  Sr. Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Robert S. West                       Sr. Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL
John H. Zimmermann, III              Sr. Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Dominic C. Martellaro                1st Vice President                                Danville, CA
Mark R. McClure                      1st Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL
James J. Ryan                        1st Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL
George J. Vogel                      1st Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Patrick J. Woelfel                   1st Vice President                                Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Laurence J. Althoff                  Vice President & Controller                       Oakbrook Terrace, IL
James K. Ambrosio                    Vice President                                    Massapequa, NY
Brian P. Arcara                      Vice President                                    Buffalo, NY
Sheldon Barker                       Vice President                                    Moon, PA
Patricia A. Bettlach                 Vice President                                    Chesterfield, MO
Carol S. Biegel                      Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Christopher M. Bisaillon             Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL
James J. Boyne                       Vice President, Associate General                 Oakbrook Terrace, IL
                                     Counsel & Assistant Secretary
Michael P. Boos                      Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Robert C. Brooks                     Vice President                                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Brooksley Burke                      Vice President                                    Marina Del Ray, CA
William F Burke, Jr.                 Vice President                                    Mendham, NJ
Loren Burket                         Vice President                                    Plymouth, MN
Christine Cleary Byrum               Vice President                                    Tampa, FL
Glenn M. Cackovic                    Vice President                                    Laguna Niguel, CA
Joseph N. Caggiano                   Vice President                                    New York, NY
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   2


<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>                                          <C>
Daniel R. Chambers                      Vice President                               Austin, TX
Richard J. Charlino                     Vice President                               Houston, TX
Deanna Margaret Chiaro                  Vice President                               Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Scott A. Chriske                        Vice President                               Plano, TX
German Clavijo                          Vice President                               Atlanta, GA
Eleanor M. Cloud                        Vice President                               Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Dominick Cogliandro                     Vice President & Asst. Treasurer             New York, NY
Michael Colston                         Vice President                               Louisville, KY
Suzanne Cummings                        Vice President                               Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Nicholas Dalmaso                        Vice President & Asst. Secretary             Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Ken DiFrancesca                         Vice President                               Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Daniel R. DeJong                        Vice President                               Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Tracey M. DeLusant                      Vice President                               New York, NY
Mark B. Doremus                         Vice President                               Houston, TX
Michael E. Eccleston                    Vice President                               Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Jonathan Eckard                         Vice President                               Tampa, FL
Charles Edward Fisher                   Vice President                               Naperville, IL
William J. Fow                          Vice President                               Redding, CT
Nicholas J. Foxhoven                    Vice President                               Englewood, CO
Charles Friday                          Vice President                               Gibsonia, PA
Erich P. Gerth                          Vice President                               Piedmont, CA
Richard G. Golod                        Vice President                               Annapolis, MD
Timothy D. Griffith                     Vice President                               Kirkland, WA
Kyle D. Haas                            Vice President                               Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Daniel Hamilton                         Vice President                               Austin, TX
John A. Hanhauser                       Vice President                               Philadelphia, PA
John G. Hansen                          Vice President                               Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Eric J. Hargens                         Vice President                               Orlando, FL
Calvin B. Hays                          Vice President                               Richmond, VA
Joseph Hays                             Vice President                               Cherry Hill, NJ
Gregory Heffington                      Vice President                               Ft. Collins, CO
Susan J. Hill                           Vice President                               Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Thomas R. Hindelang                     Vice President                               Gilbert, AZ        
David S. Hogaboom                       Vice President                               Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Bryn M. Hoggard                         Vice President                               Houston, TX
Robert S. Hunt                          Vice President                               Phoenix, MD
Lowell Jackson                          Vice President                               Norcross, GA
Kevin G. Jajuga                         Vice President                               Baltimore, MD
Jeffrey S. Kinney                       Vice President                               Overland Park, KS
Dana R. Klein                           Vice President                               Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Ann Marie Klingenhagen                  Vice President                               Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Frederick Kohly                         Vice President                               Miami, FL
David R. Kowalski                       Vice President & Director                    Oakbrook Terrace, IL
                                        of Compliance
Richard D. Kozlowski                    Vice President                               Atlanta, GA
Patricia D. Lathrop                     Vice President                               Tampa, FL
Brian Laux                              Vice President                               Staten Island, NY
S. William Lehew III                    Vice President                               Charlotte, NC
Tony E. Leal                            Vice President                               Daphne, AL
Eric Levinson                           Vice President                               San Francisco, CA
Jonathan Linstra                        Vice President                               Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Walter Lynn                             Vice President                               Flower Mound, TX
Richard M. Lundgren                     Vice President                               Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Kevin S. Marsh                          Vice President                               Bellevue, WA
Carl Mayfield                           Vice President                               Lakewood, CO
Brooks D. McCartney                     Vice President                               Puyallup, WA
Anne Therese McGrath                    Vice President                               Los Gatos, CA
John Mills                              Vice President                               Kenner, LA
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   3


<TABLE>
<S>                             <C>                                         <C>  
Ted Morrow                      Vice President                              Dallas, TX
Robert Muller, Jr.              Vice President                              Cypress, TX
Peter Nicholas                  Vice President                              Beverly, MA
Michael D. Ossmen               Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Todd W. Page                    Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Christopher Petrungaro          Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Anthony Piazza                  Vice President                              Old Bridge, NJ
Ronald E. Pratt                 Vice President                              Marietta, GA
Craig S. Prichard               Vice President                              Fairlawn, OH
Daniel D. Reams                 Vice President                              Royal Oak, MI
Walter E. Rein                  Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Michael W. Rohr                 Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Suzette N. Rothberg             Vice President                              Plymouth, MN
Jeffrey Rourke                  Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Thomas Rowley                   Vice President                              St. Louis, MO
Heather R. Sabo                 Vice President                              Richmond, VA
Stephanie Scarlata              Vice President                              Bedford Corners, NY
Andrew J. Scherer               Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Ronald J. Schuster              Vice President                              Tampa, FL
Jeffrey C. Shirk                Vice President                              Swampscott, MA
Traci T. Sorensen               Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Kimberly M. Spangler            Vice President                              Fairfax, VA
Darren D. Stabler               Vice President                              Phoenix, AZ
Christopher J. Staniforth       Vice President                              Leawood, KS
Gary R. Steele                  Vice President                              Philadelphia, PA
Richard Stefanec                Vice President                              Los Angeles, CA
James D. Stevens                Vice President                              North Andover, MA
James M. Stilwell               Vice President                              San Diego, CA
William C. Strafford            Vice President                              Granger, IN
David A. Tabone                 Vice President                              Scottsdale, AZ
James C. Taylor                 Vice President                              Naperville, IL
John F. Tierney                 Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Curtis L. Ulvestad              Vice President                              Red Wing, MN
Todd Volkman                    Vice President                              Austin, TX
Daniel B. Waldron               Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Christopher Walsh               Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Jeff Warland                    Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Robert A. Watson                Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Weston B. Wetherell             Vice President, Assoc. General              Oakbrook Terrace, IL
                                Counsel & Asst. Secretary
Harold Whitworth, III           Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Kirk Wiggins                    Vice President                              Arlington, TX
David M. Wynn                   Vice President                              Phoenix, AZ
James R. Yount                  Vice President                              Mercer Island, WA
Patrick M. Zacchea              Vice President                              Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Billie J. Bronaugh              Asst. Vice President                        Houston, TX
Huey P. Falgout, Jr.            Asst. Vice President & Asst. Secretary      Houston, TX 
Walter C. Gray                  Asst. Vice President                        Houston, TX
Laurie L. Jones                 Asst. Vice President                        Houston, TX
Michael B. Kollins              Asst. Vice President                        Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Ivan R. Lowe                    Asst. Vice President                        Houston, TX
Linda S. MacAyaal               Asst. Vice President                        Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Stuart R. Moehlman              Asst. Vice President                        Houston, TX
Steven R. Norvid                Asst. Vice President                        Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Gregory S. Parker               Asst. Vice President                        Houston, TX
David B. Partain                Asst. Vice President                        Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Christine K. Putong             Asst. Vice President & Asst. Secretary      Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Michael Quinn                   Asst. Vice President                        Oakbrook Terrace, IL
David P. Robbins                Asst. Vice President                        Oakbrook Terrace, IL
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   4


<TABLE>
<S>                                             <C>                                     <C>
Thomas J. Sauerborn                             Asst. Vice President                     New York, NY
Bruce Saxon                                     Asst. Vice President                     Oakbrook Terrace, IL
David H. Villarreal                             Asst. Vice President                     Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Natalie Wilson                                  Asst. Vice President                     New York, NY
Barbara A. Withers                              Asst. Vice President                     Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Gina M. Costello                                Asst. Secretary                          Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Cathy Napoli                                    Asst. Secretary                          Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Elizabeth M. Brown                              Officer                                  Houston, TX
John Browning                                   Officer                                  Oakbrook Terrace. IL
Leticia George                                  Officer                                  Houston, TX
Sarah Kessler                                   Officer                                  Oakbrook Terrace, IL
William D. McLaughlin                           Officer                                  Houston, TX
Becky Newman                                    Officer                                  Houston, TX
Rosemary Pretty                                 Officer                                  Houston, TX
Colette Saucedo                                 Officer                                  Houston, TX
Frederick Shepherd                              Officer                                  Houston, TX
Larry Vickrey                                   Officer                                  Houston, TX
John Yovanovic                                  Officer                                  Houston, TX
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   5




                                   DIRECTORS

                 VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL DISTRIBUTORS, INC.




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                 OFFICE                    LOCATION
- -------------------  ------------------------  ---------------------------------
<S>                  <C>                       <C>
Don G. Powell        Chairman & CEO            2800 Post Oak
                                               Blvd.Houston, TX 77056

William R. Molinari  President & COO           One Parkview Plaza
                                               Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

Ronald A. Nyberg     Executive Vice President  One Parkview Plaza
                     & General Counsel         Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181

William R. Rybak     Executive Vice President  One Parkview Plaza
                     & CFO                     Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
</TABLE>





<PAGE>   1

                                                                  EXHIBIT (18)


                                   AMENDED

                                MULTI-CLASS PLAN

                                      FOR

                  VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL FAMILY OF FUNDS


         This Plan is adopted pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Act to provide
for the issuance and distribution of multiple classes of shares by each of the
Funds in accordance with the terms, procedures and conditions set forth below.
A majority of the Trustees of the Funds, including a majority of the Trustees
who are not interested persons of the Funds within the meaning of the Act,
found this Multi-Class Plan, including the expense allocations, to be in the
best interest of each Fund and each Class of Shares of each Fund. The Fund 
adopted this Plan on January 26, 1996 and amended the Plan as of January 1,
1997.

     A.  Definitions.  As used herein, the terms set forth below shall have the
         meanings ascribed to them below.

         1.   The Act - Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

         2.   CDSC - contingent deferred sales charge.

         3.   CDSC Period - the period of years following acquisition during
              which Shares are assessed a CDSC upon redemption.

         4.   Class - a class of Shares of a Fund.

         5.   Class A Shares - shall have the meaning ascribed in Section B. 1.

         6.   Class B Shares - shall have the meaning ascribed in Section B. 1.

         7.   Class C Shares - shall have the meaning ascribed in Section B. 1.

         8.   Distribution Expenses - expenses incurred in activities which are
              primarily intended to result in the distribution and sale of
              Shares as defined in a Plan of Distribution and/or board
              resolutions.

         9.   Distribution Fee - a fee paid by a Fund to the Distributor in
              reimbursement of Distribution Expenses.

         10.  Distributor - Van Kampen American Capital Distributors, Inc.

         11.  Fund - an investment company listed on Exhibit A hereto and each
              series thereof.

         12.  Money Market Fund - Van Kampen American Capital Reserve Fund or
              Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free Money Fund.
<PAGE>   2


         13.  Plan of Distribution - Any plan adopted under Rule 12b-1 under the
              Act with respect to payment of a Distribution Fee.

         14.  Service Fee - a fee paid to financial intermediaries for the
              ongoing provision of personal services to Fund shareholders and/or
              the maintenance of shareholder accounts.

         15.  Share - a share of beneficial interest in a Fund.

         16.  Trustees - the trustees of a Fund.

     B.  Classes.  Each Fund may offer three Classes as follows:

          1.  Class A Shares.  Class A Shares shall be offered at net asset
              value plus a front-end sales charge as approved from time to
              time by the Trustees and set forth in the Funds' prospectus, 
              which may be reduced or eliminated for Money Market Funds,
              larger purchases, under a combined purchase privilege, under a
              right of accumulation, under a letter of intent or for certain
              categories of purchasers as permitted by Rule 22(d) of the Act
              and as set forth in the Fund's prospectus.  Class A Shares that
              are not subject to a front-end sales charge as a result of the
              foregoing, may be subject to a CDSC for the CDSC Period set forth
              in Section D.1.  The offering price of Shares subject to a
              front-end sales charge shall be computed in accordance with Rule
              22c-1 and Section 22(d) of the Act and the rules and regulations
              thereunder. Class A Shares shall be subject to ongoing Service
              Fees approved from time to time by the Trustees and set forth in
              the Funds' prospectus.  Although shares of Van Kampen American
              Capital Tax Free Money Market Fund are not designated as "Class A"
              they are substantially similar to Class A Shares as defined herein
              and shall be treated as Class A shares for the purposes of this
              Plan.
            
          2.   Class B Shares.  Class B Shares shall be (1) offered at net asset
               value, (2) subject to a CDSC for the CDSC Period set forth in
               Section D. 1, (3) subject to ongoing Service Fees and
               Distribution Fees  approved from time to time by the Trustees and
               set forth in the Funds' prospectus and (4) converted to Class A
               Shares three to ten years after the calendar month in which the
               shareholder's order to purchase was accepted, which number of
               years shall be as approved from time to time by the Trustees and
               set forth in the respective Fund's prospectus.

          3.   Class C Shares.  Class C Shares shall be  (1) offered at net
               asset value, (2) subject to a CDSC for the CDSC Period set forth
               in Section D. 1. , (3) subject to ongoing Service Fees and
               Distribution Fees approved from time to time by the Trustees and
               set forth in the Funds' prospectus and (4) prior to January 1,
               1997, converted to Class A Shares eight to fifteen years after 
               the calendar month in which the shareholder's order to purchase
               was accepted, which number of years shall be as approved from 
               time to time by the Trustees and set forth in the respective 
               Fund's prospectus.





<PAGE>   3


      C. Rights and Privileges of Classes.  Each Class of each Fund will
         represent an interest in the same portfolio of investments of that
         Fund and will have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other
         rights, preferences, powers, restrictions, limitations,
         qualifications, designations and terms and conditions except as
         described otherwise herein.


      D. CDSC.  A CDSC may be imposed upon redemption of Class A Shares, Class
         B Shares and Class C Shares that do not incur a front end sales charge
         subject to the following conditions:

          1. CDSC Period.  The CDSC Period for Class A Shares and Class C Shares
             shall be one year.  The CDSC Period for Class B Shares shall be at
             least three but not more than ten years as recommended by the
             Distributor and approved by the Trustees.

          2. CDSC Rate.  The CDSC rate shall be recommended by the Distributor
             and approved by the Trustees.  If a CDSC is imposed for a period
             greater than one year the CDSC rate must decline during the CDSC
             Period such that (a) the CDSC rate is less in the last year of the
             CDSC Period than in the first and (b) in each succeeding year the
             CDSC rate shall be less than or equal to the CDSC rate in the
             preceding year.

          3. Disclosure and Changes.  The CDSC rates and CDSC Period shall be
             disclosed in a Fund's prospectus and may be decreased at the
             discretion of the Distributor but may not be increased unless
             approved as set forth in Section L.

          4. Method of Calculation.  The CDSC shall be assessed on an amount
             equal to the lesser of the then current market value or the cost of
             the Shares being redeemed.  No sales charge shall be imposed on
             increases in the net asset value of the Shares being redeemed above
             the initial purchase price.  No CDSC shall be assessed on Shares
             derived from reinvestment of dividends or capital gains
             distributions.  The order in which Class B Shares and Class C
             Shares are to be redeemed when not all of such Shares would be
             subject to a CDSC shall be as determined by the Distributor in
             accordance with the provisions of Rule 6c-10 under the Act.

          5. Waiver.  The Distributor may in its discretion waive a CDSC
             otherwise due upon the redemption of Shares under circumstances
             previously approved by the Trustees and disclosed in the Fund's
             prospectus or statement of additional information and as allowed
             under Rule 6c-10 under the Act.

          6. Calculation of offering price. The offering price of Shares subject
             to a CDSC shall be computed in accordance with Rule 22c-1 and
             Section 22(d) of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

          7. Retention by Distributor.  The CDSC paid with respect to Shares of
             a Fund may be retained by the Distributor to reimburse the
             Distributor for commissions paid by it in





<PAGE>   4


            connection with the sale of Shares subject to a CDSC and
            Distribution Expenses to the extent of such commissions and
            Distribution Expenses eligible for reimbursement and approved by
            the Trustees.

     E.  Service and Distribution Fees.  Class A Shares shall be subject to a
         Service Fee and Class B and Class C Shares shall be subject to a
         Service Fee and a Distribution Fee.  The Service Fee applicable to any
         class shall not exceed 0.25% per annum of the average daily net assets
         of the Class and the Distribution Fee shall not exceed 0.75% per annum
         of the average daily net assets of the Class.  All other terms and
         conditions with respect to Service Fees and Distribution Fees shall be
         governed by the plans adopted by the Fund with respect to such fees
         and Rule 12b-1 of the Act.

     F.  Conversion.  Shares purchased through the reinvestment of dividends
         and distributions paid on Shares subject to conversion shall be
         treated as if held in a separate sub-account.  Each time any Shares
         in a Shareholder's  account (other than Shares held in the sub-
         account) convert to Class A Shares, a proportionate number of Shares
         held in the sub-account shall also convert to Class A Shares.  All
         conversions shall be effected on the basis of the relative net asset
         values of the two Classes without the imposition of any sales load or
         other charge.  So long as any Class of Shares converts into Class A
         Shares, the Distributor shall waive or reimburse each Fund, or take
         such other actions with the approval of the Trustees as may be
         reasonably necessary, to ensure the expenses, including payments
         authorized under a Plan of Distribution, applicable to the Class A
         Shares are not higher than the expenses, including payments authorized
         under the Plan of Distribution, applicable to the class of shares
         converting into Class A Shares.

     G.  Allocation of Expenses, Income and Gains Among Classes.

          1.  Expenses applicable to a particular class.  Each Class of each
              Fund shall pay any Service Fee, Distribution Fee and CDSC
              applicable to that Class.  Other expenses applicable to a
              particular Class such as incremental transfer agency fees, but not
              including advisory or custodial fees or other expenses related to
              the management of the Fund's assets,  shall be allocated between
              Classes in different amounts if they are actually incurred in
              different amounts by the Classes or the Classes receive services
              of a different kind or to a different degree than other Classes.
         
          2.  Distribution Expenses.  Distribution Expenses actually
              attributable to the sale of all Classes shall be allocated to each
              Class based upon the ratio which sales of each Class bears to the
              sales of all Shares of the Fund.  For this purpose, Shares issued
              upon reinvestment of dividends or distributions, upon conversion
              from Class B Shares or Class C Shares to Class A Shares or upon
              stock splits will not be considered sales.

          3.  Income, capital gains and losses, and other expenses applicable to
              all Classes. Income, realized and unrealized capital gains and
              losses, and expenses such as advisory fees applicable to all
              Classes shall be allocated to each Class on the basis of the net
              asset value of that Class in relation to the net asset value of
              the Fund.





<PAGE>   5


          4.  Determination of nature of expenses.  The Trustees shall determine
              in their sole discretion whether any expense other than those
              listed herein is properly treated as attributed to a particular
              Class or all Classes.

     H.  Exchange Privilege.  Exchanges of Shares shall be permitted between
         Funds as follows.

          1.   General.  Shares of one Fund may be exchanged for Shares of the
               same Class of another Fund at net asset value and without sales
               charge, provided that

               a. The Distributor may specify that certain Funds may not be
                  exchanged within a designated period, which shall not exceed
                  90 days, after acquisition without prior Distributor approval.

               b. Class A Shares of a Money Market Fund that were not acquired
                  in exchange for Class B or Class C Shares of a Fund may be
                  exchanged for Class A Shares of another Fund only upon payment
                  of the excess, if any, of the sales charge rate applicable to
                  the Shares being acquired over the sales charge rate
                  previously paid.

               c. Shares of a Money Market Fund acquired through an exchange of
                  Class B Shares or Class C Shares may be exchanged only for the
                  same Class of another Fund as the Class they were acquired in
                  exchange for or any Class into which those shares were
                  converted.

          2.   Target Fund.  Shares of Van Kampen American Capital Government
               Target Fund may be exchanged for Class A Shares of a Fund.

          3.   CDSC Computation.  The acquired Shares will remain subject to the
               CDSC rate schedule and CDSC Period for the original Fund upon the
               redemption of the Shares from the Van Kampen American Capital
               complex of funds. For purposes of computing the CDSC payable on a
               disposition of the new Shares, the holding period for the
               original Shares shall be added to the holding period of the new
               Shares.

     I.  Voting Rights of Classes.

          1.   Shareholders of each Class shall have exclusive voting rights on
               any matter submitted to them that relates solely to the Plan of
               Distribution related to that Class, provided that

               d.  If any amendment is proposed to the plan under which Service
                   Fees are paid with respect to Class A Shares of a Fund that
                   would increase materially the amount to be borne by Class A
                   Shares under that plan, then no Class B Shares or Class C
                   Shares shall convert into Class A Shares of that Fund until
                   the holders of Class B Shares and Class C Shares of that Fund
                   have also approved the proposed amendment.





<PAGE>   6


             e.  If the holders of either the Class B Shares and/or Class C
                 Shares referred to in subparagraph a. do not approve the
                 proposed amendment, the Trustees of the Fund and the
                 Distributor shall take such action as is necessary to ensure
                 that the Class voting against the amendment shall convert into
                 another Class identical in all material respects to Class A
                 Shares of the Fund as constituted prior to the amendment.

          2. Shareholders shall have separate voting rights on any matter
             submitted to shareholders in which the interest of one Class
             differs from the interests of any other Class.

     J.  Dividends.  Dividends paid by a Fund with respect to each Class, to
         the extent any dividends are paid, will be calculated in the same
         manner at the same time on the same day and will be in substantially
         the same amount, except any Distribution Fees,Service Fees or
         incremental expenses relating to a particular Class will be borne
         exclusively by that Class.


     K.  Reports to Trustees.  The Distributor shall provide to the Trustees of
         each Fund quarterly and annual statements concerning distribution and
         Shareholder servicing expenditures complying with paragraph (b)(3)(ii)
         of Rule 12b-1 of the Act, as it may be amended from time to time.  The
         Distributors  also shall provide the Trustees such information as the
         Trustees may from time to time deem to be reasonably necessary to
         evaluate this Plan.

     L.  Amendment.  Any material amendment to this Plan shall be approved by
         the affirmative vote of a majority of the Trustees of a Fund,
         including the affirmative vote of the trustees of the Fund
         who are not interested persons of the Fund, except that any amendment
         that increases the CDSC rate schedule or CDSC Period must also be
         approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Shares of the
         affected Class.   The Distributor shall provide the Trustees such
         information as may be reasonably necessary to evaluate any amendment
         to this Plan.





<PAGE>   7



                                                                       EXHIBIT A




                   VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL COMSTOCK FUND
                VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL CORPORATE BOND FUND
                VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL EMERGING GROWTH FUND
                  VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL ENTERPRISE FUND
                 VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL EQUITY INCOME FUND
                    VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL EQUITY TRUST
             VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL GLOBAL MANAGED ASSETS FUND
             VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND
               VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL GROWTH AND INCOME FUND
                    VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL HARBOR FUND
          VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL HIGH INCOME CORPORATE BOND FUND
          VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL LIMITED MATURITY GOVERNMENT FUND
         VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL PENNSYLVANIA TAX FREE INCOME FUND
                     VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL PACE FUND
            VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL REAL ESTATE SECURITIES FUND
                    VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL RESERVE FUND
                  VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TAX-EXEMPT TRUST
          VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL U.S. GOVERNMENT TRUST FOR INCOME
            VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL WORLD PORTFOLIO SERIES TRUST
               VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL U.S. GOVERNMENT TRUST
                   VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TAX FREE TRUST
                       VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL TRUST






<PAGE>   1

                                                                  EXHIBIT (24) 

                              POWER OF ATTORNEY

     The undersigned, being officers and trustees of each of the Van Kampen
American Capital Open End Trusts (with the exception of Don G. Powell), as
indicated on Schedule 1 attached hereto and incorporated by reference, each a
Delaware business trust, except for the Van Kampen American Capital
Pennsylvania Tax Free Income Fund, being a Pennsylvania business trust
(individually, a "Trust"), do hereby, in the capacities shown below,
individually appoint Dennis J. McDonnell and Ronald A. Nyberg, each of
Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, and each of them, as the agents and
attorneys-in-fact with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for each
of the undersigned, to execute and deliver, for and on behalf of the
undersigned, any and all amendments to the Registration Statement filed by
each Trust with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the
provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of
1940.

     This Power of Attorney may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but which taken together shall constitute
one instrument.

Dated: July 24, 1997



        Signature                           Title
        ---------                           -----  

/s/ J. Miles Branagan                      Trustee
- ---------------------------
J. Miles Branagan
                       
/s/ Richard M. DeMartini                   Trustee
- ---------------------------
Richard M. DeMartini

/s/ Linda Hutton Heagy                     Trustee
- ---------------------------                       
Linda Hutton Heagy

/s/ R. Craig Kennedy                       Trustee
- ---------------------------
R. Craig Kennedy

/s/ Jack E. Nelson                         Trustee
- ---------------------------
Jack E. Nelson

/s/ Don G. Powell                          Trustee (For Former Van
- ---------------------------                Kampen Funds only)
Don G. Powell                    

/s/ Jerome L. Robinson                     Trustee
- ---------------------------
Jerome L. Robinson

/s/ Phillip B. Rooney                      Trustee
- ---------------------------
Phillip B. Rooney

/s/ Fernando Sisto, Sc.D.                  Trustee
- ---------------------------
Fernando Sisto, Sc.D.

/s/ Wayne W. Whalen                        Trustee and Chairman
- ---------------------------
Wayne W. Whalen

/s/ Edward C. Wood III                     Vice President and
- ---------------------------                Chief Financial Officer
Edward C. Wood III               

/s/ Dennis J. McDonnell                    President
- ---------------------------
Dennis J. McDonnell
<PAGE>   2


                                   SCHEDULE 1

I. FUNDS ADVISED BY VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL INVESTMENT ADVISORY CORP.
("INVESTMENT ADVISORY CORP.") (COLLECTIVELY, THE "FORMER VAN KAMPEN FUNDS"):

Van Kampen American Capital U.S. Government Trust ("U.S. Government Trust")
  on behalf of its series
Van Kampen American Capital U.S. Government Fund ("U.S. Government Fund")

Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free Trust ("Tax Free Trust")
  on behalf of its series
Van Kampen American Capital Insured Tax Free Income Fund ("Insured Tax Free
  Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free High Income Fund ("Tax Free High Income
  Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital California Insured Tax Free Fund ("California
  Insured Tax Free Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Municipal Income Fund ("Municipal Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Intermediate Term Municipal Income Fund
  ("Intermediate Term Municipal Income Fund") (f/k/a Limited Term Municipal 
  Income Fund)
Van Kampen American Capital Florida Insured Tax Free Income Fund ("Florida
  Insured Tax Free Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital New Jersey Tax Free Income Fund ("New Jersey Tax
  Free Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital New York Tax Free Income Fund ("New York Tax Free
  Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital California Tax Free Income Fund ("California Tax
  Free Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Michigan Tax Free Income Fund ("Michigan Tax Free
  Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Missouri Tax Free Income Fund ("Missouri Tax Free
  Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Ohio Tax Free Income Fund ("Ohio Tax Free Income
  Fund")

Van Kampen American Capital Trust ("VKAC Trust")
  on behalf of its series
Van Kampen American Capital High Yield Fund ("VKAC High Yield Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Short-Term Global Income Fund ("Short-Term Global
  Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Strategic Income Fund ("Strategic Income Fund")

Van Kampen American Capital Equity Trust ("Equity Trust")
  on behalf of its series
Van Kampen American Capital Utility Fund ("Utility Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Value Fund ("Value Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Great American Companies Fund ("Great American
  Companies Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Growth Fund ("Growth Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Prospector Fund ("Prospector Fund")

Van Kampen American Capital Pennsylvania Tax Free Income Fund
  ("Pennsylvania Tax Free Income Fund")

Van Kampen American Capital Tax Free Money Fund ("Tax Free Money Fund")

<PAGE>   3

II.  FUNDS ADVISED BY VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC. 
("ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.") (COLLECTIVELY, THE "FORMER AMERICAN CAPITAL FUNDS"):

Van Kampen American Capital Comstock Fund ("Comstock Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Corporate Bond Fund ("Corporate Bond Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Emerging Growth Fund ("Emerging Growth Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Enterprise Fund ("Enterprise Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Equity Income Fund ("Equity Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Limited Maturity Government Fund ("Limited
  Maturity Government Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Global Managed Assets Fund ("Global Managed Assets
  Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Government Securities Fund ("Government Securities
  Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Government Target Fund ("Government Target Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Growth and Income Fund ("Growth and Income Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Harbor Fund ("Harbor Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital High Income Corporate Bond Fund ("High Income
  Corporate Bond Fund")

Van Kampen American Capital Life Investment Trust ("Life Investment Trust" or
  "LIT") on behalf of its Series
    Enterprise Portfolio ("LIT Enterprise Portfolio")
    Domestic Income Portfolio ("LIT Domestic Income Portfolio")
    Emerging Growth Portfolio ("LIT Emerging Growth Portfolio")
    Global Equity Portfolio ("LIT Global Equity Portfolio")
    Government Portfolio ("LIT Government Portfolio")
    Asset Allocation Portfolio ("LIT Asset Allocation Portfolio")
    Money Market Portfolio ("LIT Money Market Portfolio")
    Morgan Stanley Real Estate Securities Portfolio ("LIT Morgan Stanley Real
      Estate Securities Portfolio")
    Growth and Income Portfolio ("LIT Growth and Income Portfolio")
    Strategic Stock Portfolio ("LIT Strategic Stock Portfolio")

Van Kampen American Capital Pace Fund ("Pace Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Real Estate Securities Fund ("Real Estate 
  Securities Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Reserve Fund ("Reserve Fund")
Van Kampen American Capital Small Capitalization Fund ("Small Capitalization 
  Fund")

Van Kampen American Capital Tax-Exempt Trust ("Tax-Exempt Trust")
  on behalf of its Series
    Van Kampen American Capital High Yield Municipal Fund ("High Yield 
      Municipal Fund")

Van Kampen American Capital U.S. Government Trust for Income ("U.S.
  Government Trust for Income")

Van Kampen American Capital World Portfolio Series Trust ("World Portfolio
  Series Trust") on behalf of its Series
    Van Kampen American Capital Global Equity Fund ("Global Equity Fund")
    Van Kampen American Capital Global Government Securities Fund ("Global
      Government Securities Fund")




<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 6
<SERIES>
   <NUMBER> 011
   <NAME> TAX FREE MONEY MARKET CLASS A
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                         32911493<F1>
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                        32911493<F1>
<RECEIVABLES>                                   194427<F1>
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                     369<F1>
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                            206113<F1>
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                33312402<F1>
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                             0<F1>
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0<F1>
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       247976<F1>
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                             247976<F1>
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0<F1>
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                      33085766
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                         33085766
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                         35657455
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                          127<F1>
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        (21467)<F1>
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0<F1>
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                             0<F1>
<NET-ASSETS>                                  33064426
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                                    0<F1>
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              1277361<F1>
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0<F1>
<EXPENSES-NET>                                (298545)<F1>
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                         978816<F1>
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                          3111<F1>
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                            0<F1>
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                           981927<F1>
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0<F1>
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                     (978689)
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                             0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                       94162306
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                 (97712684)
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                             978689
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       (2568451)
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                              0<F1>
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                      (24578)<F1>
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0<F1>
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0<F1>
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                                0<F1>
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0<F1>
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 512229<F1>
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                          35211739
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            1.000
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                  0.028
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                          0.000
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                           (0.028)
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                        0.000
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                             0.000
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              1.000
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   0.85
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0<F1>
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0<F1>
<FN>
<F1>This item relates to the Fund on a composite basis and not on a class basis.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>


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