VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL EQUITY TRUST/
497, 1997-01-03
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<PAGE>   1
 
                          VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
                                  UTILITY FUND
  SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 2, 1997, TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED OCTOBER 28, 1996,
                AS PREVIOUSLY SUPPLEMENTED ON NOVEMBER 1, 1996.
 
    References in the Prospectus that Class C shares automatically convert to
Class A shares are hereby deleted and the following sentence is added to the
section of the Prospectus captioned "ALTERNATIVE SALES ARRANGEMENTS -- PURCHASE
OF SHARES -- DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVES -- CONVERSION FEATURE."
 
    Class C shares purchased before January 1, 1997, and any dividend
reinvestment plan shares received thereon, automatically convert to Class A
shares ten years after the end of the calendar month in which such shares were
purchased. Such conversion will be on the basis of the relative net asset values
per share, without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge.
 
    The section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE OF SHARES" hereby is
supplemented by adding the following:
 
    The Distributor is sponsoring a sales incentive program for A.G. Edwards &
Sons, Inc. ("A.G. Edwards"). The Distributor will reallow its portion of the
Fund's sales concession to A.G. Edwards on sales of Class A Shares of the Fund
relating to the "rollover" of any savings into an Individual Retirement Account
("IRA"), the transfer of assets into an IRA and contributions to an IRA,
commencing on January 1, 1997 and terminating on April 15, 1997.
 
    Paragraph (5) of the section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE OF SHARES
- -- NAV PURCHASE OPTIONS" is hereby amended and restated with the following:
 
    (5) Trustees and other fiduciaries purchasing shares for retirement plans of
        organizations with retirement plan assets of $3 million or more and
        which invest in multiple fund families through national wirehouse
        alliance programs.
 
    Paragraphs (8) and (9) of the section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE
OF SHARES -- NAV PURCHASE OPTIONS" are hereby amended and restated with the
following:
 
    (8) Trusts created under pension, profit sharing or other employee benefit
        plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or custodial accounts
        held by a bank created pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Code and
        sponsored by non-profit organizations defined under Section 501(c)(3) of
        the Code and assets held by an employer or trustee in connection with an
        eligible deferred compensation plan under Section 457 of the Code. Such
        plans will qualify for purchases at net asset value provided, for plans
        initially establishing accounts with the Distributor in the
        Participating
<PAGE>   2
 
        Funds after February 1, 1997, that (1) the initial amount invested in
        the Participating Funds is at least $500,000 or (2) such shares are
        purchased by an employer sponsored plan with more than 100 eligible
        employees. Such plans that have been established with a Participating
        Fund or have received proposals from the Distributor prior to February
        1, 1997 based on net asset value purchase privileges previously in
        effect will be qualified to purchase shares of the Participating Funds
        at net asset value for accounts established on or before May 1, 1997.
        Section 403(b) and similar accounts for which Van Kampen American
        Capital Trust Company serves as custodian will not be eligible for net
        asset value purchases based on the aggregate investment made by the plan
        or the number of eligible employees, except under certain uniform
        criteria established by the Distributor from time to time. Prior to
        February 1, 1997, a commission will be paid to authorized dealers who
        initiate and are responsible for such purchases within a rolling
        twelve-month period as follows: 1.00% on sales to $5 million, plus 0.50%
        on the next $5 million, plus 0.25% on the excess over $10 million. For
        purchases on February 1, 1997 and thereafter, a commission will be paid
        as follows: 1.00% on sales to $2 million, plus 0.80% on the next $1
        million, plus 0.50% on the next $47 million, plus 0.25% on the excess
        over $50 million.
 
    Paragraph (10) of the section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE OF
SHARES -- NAV PURCHASE OPTIONS" is hereby renumbered as paragraph (9).
<PAGE>   3
 
                          VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
                                 BALANCED FUND
  SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 2, 1997, TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED OCTOBER 28, 1996,
                AS PREVIOUSLY SUPPLEMENTED ON NOVEMBER 1, 1996.
 
    References in the Prospectus that Class C shares automatically convert to
Class A shares are hereby deleted and the following sentence is added to the
section of the Prospectus captioned "ALTERNATIVE SALES ARRANGEMENTS -- PURCHASE
OF SHARES -- DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVES -- CONVERSION FEATURE."
 
    Class C shares purchased before January 1, 1997, and any dividend
reinvestment plan shares received thereon, automatically convert to Class A
shares ten years after the end of the calendar month in which such shares were
purchased. Such conversion will be on the basis of the relative net asset values
per share, without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge.
 
    The section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE OF SHARES" hereby is
supplemented by adding the following:
 
    The Distributor is sponsoring a sales incentive program for A.G. Edwards &
Sons, Inc. ("A.G. Edwards"). The Distributor will reallow its portion of the
Fund's sales concession to A.G. Edwards on sales of Class A Shares of the Fund
relating to the "rollover" of any savings into an Individual Retirement Account
("IRA"), the transfer of assets into an IRA and contributions to an IRA,
commencing on January 1, 1997 and terminating on April 15, 1997.
 
    Paragraph (5) of the section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE OF SHARES
- -- NAV PURCHASE OPTIONS" is hereby amended and restated with the following:
 
    (5) Trustees and other fiduciaries purchasing shares for retirement plans of
        organizations with retirement plan assets of $3 million or more and
        which invest in multiple fund families through national wirehouse
        alliance programs.
 
    Paragraphs (8) and (9) of the section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE
OF SHARES -- NAV PURCHASE OPTIONS" are hereby amended and restated with the
following:
 
    (8) Trusts created under pension, profit sharing or other employee benefit
        plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or custodial accounts
        held by a bank created pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Code and
        sponsored by non-profit organizations defined under Section 501(c)(3) of
        the Code and assets held by an employer or trustee in connection with an
        eligible deferred compensation plan under Section 457 of the Code. Such
        plans will qualify for purchases at net asset value provided, for plans
        initially establishing accounts with the Distributor in the
        Participating
<PAGE>   4
 
        Funds after February 1, 1997, that (1) the initial amount invested in
        the Participating Funds is at least $500,000 or (2) such shares are
        purchased by an employer sponsored plan with more than 100 eligible
        employees. Such plans that have been established with a Participating
        Fund or have received proposals from the Distributor prior to February
        1, 1997 based on net asset value purchase privileges previously in
        effect will be qualified to purchase shares of the Participating Funds
        at net asset value for accounts established on or before May 1, 1997.
        Section 403(b) and similar accounts for which Van Kampen American
        Capital Trust Company serves as custodian will not be eligible for net
        asset value purchases based on the aggregate investment made by the plan
        or the number of eligible employees, except under certain uniform
        criteria established by the Distributor from time to time. Prior to
        February 1, 1997, a commission will be paid to authorized dealers who
        initiate and are responsible for such purchases within a rolling
        twelve-month period as follows: 1.00% on sales to $5 million, plus 0.50%
        on the next $5 million, plus 0.25% on the excess over $10 million. For
        purchases on February 1, 1997 and thereafter, a commission will be paid
        as follows: 1.00% on sales to $2 million, plus 0.80% on the next $1
        million, plus 0.50% on the next $47 million, plus 0.25% on the excess
        over $50 million.
 
    Paragraph (10) of the section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE OF
SHARES -- NAV PURCHASE OPTIONS" is hereby renumbered as paragraph (9).
<PAGE>   5
 
                          VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
                                   VALUE FUND
  SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 2, 1997, TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED OCTOBER 28, 1996,
                AS PREVIOUSLY SUPPLEMENTED ON NOVEMBER 1, 1996.
 
    References in the Prospectus that Class C shares automatically convert to
Class A shares are hereby deleted and the following sentence is added to the
section of the Prospectus captioned "ALTERNATIVE SALES ARRANGEMENTS -- PURCHASE
OF SHARES -- DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVES -- CONVERSION FEATURE."
 
    Class C shares purchased before January 1, 1997, and any dividend
reinvestment plan shares received thereon, automatically convert to Class A
shares ten years after the end of the calendar month in which such shares were
purchased. Such conversion will be on the basis of the relative net asset values
per share, without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge.
 
    The section of the Prospectus captioned "Purchase of Shares" hereby is
supplemented by adding the following:
 
    The Distributor is sponsoring a sales incentive program for A.G. Edwards &
Sons, Inc. ("A.G. Edwards"). The Distributor will reallow its portion of the
Fund's sales concession to A.G. Edwards on sales of Class A Shares of the Fund
relating to the "rollover" of any savings into an Individual Retirement Account
("IRA"), the transfer of assets into an IRA and contributions to an IRA,
commencing on January 1, 1997 and terminating on April 15, 1997.
 
    Paragraph (5) of the section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE OF SHARES
- -- NAV PURCHASE OPTIONS" is hereby amended and restated with the following:
 
    (5) Trustees and other fiduciaries purchasing shares for retirement plans of
        organizations with retirement plan assets of $3 million or more and
        which invest in multiple fund families through national wirehouse
        alliance programs.
 
    Paragraphs (8) and (9) of the section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE
OF SHARES -- NAV PURCHASE OPTIONS" are hereby amended and restated with the
following:
 
    (8) Trusts created under pension, profit sharing or other employee benefit
        plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or custodial accounts
        held by a bank created pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Code and
        sponsored by non-profit organizations defined under Section 501(c)(3) of
        the Code and assets held by an employer or trustee in connection with an
        eligible deferred compensation plan under Section 457 of the Code. Such
        plans will qualify for purchases at net asset value provided, for plans
        initially establishing accounts with the Distributor in the
        Participating
<PAGE>   6
 
        Funds after February 1, 1997, that (1) the initial amount invested in
        the Participating Funds is at least $500,000 or (2) such shares are
        purchased by an employer sponsored plan with more than 100 eligible
        employees. Such plans that have been established with a Participating
        Fund or have received proposals from the Distributor prior to February
        1, 1997 based on net asset value purchase privileges previously in
        effect will be qualified to purchase shares of the Participating Funds
        at net asset value for accounts established on or before May 1, 1997.
        Section 403(b) and similar accounts for which Van Kampen American
        Capital Trust Company serves as custodian will not be eligible for net
        asset value purchases based on the aggregate investment made by the plan
        or the number of eligible employees, except under certain uniform
        criteria established by the Distributor from time to time. Prior to
        February 1, 1997, a commission will be paid to authorized dealers who
        initiate and are responsible for such purchases within a rolling
        twelve-month period as follows: 1.00% on sales to $5 million, plus 0.50%
        on the next $5 million, plus 0.25% on the excess over $10 million. For
        purchases on February 1, 1997 and thereafter, a commission will be paid
        as follows: 1.00% on sales to $2 million, plus 0.80% on the next $1
        million, plus 0.50% on the next $47 million, plus 0.25% on the excess
        over $50 million.
 
    Paragraph (10) of the section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE OF
SHARES -- NAV PURCHASE OPTIONS" is hereby renumbered as paragraph (9).
<PAGE>   7
 
                          VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
                         GREAT AMERICAN COMPANIES FUND
  SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 2, 1997, TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED OCTOBER 28, 1996,
                AS PREVIOUSLY SUPPLEMENTED ON NOVEMBER 1, 1996.
 
    References in the Prospectus that Class C shares automatically convert to
Class A shares are hereby deleted and the following sentence is added to the
section of the Prospectus captioned "ALTERNATIVE SALES ARRANGEMENTS -- PURCHASE
OF SHARES -- DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVES -- CONVERSION FEATURE."
 
    Class C shares purchased before January 1, 1997, and any dividend
reinvestment plan shares received thereon, automatically convert to Class A
shares ten years after the end of the calendar month in which such shares were
purchased. Such conversion will be on the basis of the relative net asset values
per share, without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge.
 
    The section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE OF SHARES" hereby is
supplemented by adding the following:
 
    The Distributor is sponsoring a sales incentive program for A.G. Edwards &
Sons, Inc. ("A.G. Edwards"). The Distributor will reallow its portion of the
Fund's sales concession to A.G. Edwards on sales of Class A Shares of the Fund
relating to the "rollover" of any savings into an Individual Retirement Account
("IRA"), the transfer of assets into an IRA and contributions to an IRA,
commencing on January 1, 1997 and terminating on April 15, 1997.
 
    Paragraph (5) of the section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE OF SHARES
- -- NAV PURCHASE OPTIONS" is hereby amended and restated with the following:
 
    (5) Trustees and other fiduciaries purchasing shares for retirement plans of
        organizations with retirement plan assets of $3 million or more and
        which invest in multiple fund families through national wirehouse
        alliance programs.
 
    Paragraphs (8) and (9) of the section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE
OF SHARES -- NAV PURCHASE OPTIONS" are hereby amended and restated with the
following:
 
    (8) Trusts created under pension, profit sharing or other employee benefit
        plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or custodial accounts
        held by a bank created pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Code and
        sponsored by non-profit organizations defined under Section 501(c)(3) of
        the Code and assets held by an employer or trustee in connection with an
        eligible deferred compensation plan under Section 457 of the Code. Such
        plans will qualify for purchases at net asset value provided, for plans
        initially establishing accounts with the Distributor in the
        Participating
<PAGE>   8
 
        Funds after February 1, 1997, that (1) the initial amount invested in
        the Participating Funds is at least $500,000 or (2) such shares are
        purchased by an employer sponsored plan with more than 100 eligible
        employees. Such plans that have been established with a Participating
        Fund or have received proposals from the Distributor prior to February
        1, 1997 based on net asset value purchase privileges previously in
        effect will be qualified to purchase shares of the Participating Funds
        at net asset value for accounts established on or before May 1, 1997.
        Section 403(b) and similar accounts for which Van Kampen American
        Capital Trust Company serves as custodian will not be eligible for net
        asset value purchases based on the aggregate investment made by the plan
        or the number of eligible employees, except under certain uniform
        criteria established by the Distributor from time to time. Prior to
        February 1, 1997, a commission will be paid to authorized dealers who
        initiate and are responsible for such purchases within a rolling
        twelve-month period as follows: 1.00% on sales to $5 million, plus 0.50%
        on the next $5 million, plus 0.25% on the excess over $10 million. For
        purchases on February 1, 1997 and thereafter, a commission will be paid
        as follows: 1.00% on sales to $2 million, plus 0.80% on the next $1
        million, plus 0.50% on the next $47 million, plus 0.25% on the excess
        over $50 million.
 
    Paragraph (10) of the section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE OF
SHARES -- NAV PURCHASE OPTIONS" is hereby renumbered as paragraph (9).
<PAGE>   9
 
                          VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
                                  GROWTH FUND
  SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 2, 1997, TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED OCTOBER 28, 1996,
                AS PREVIOUSLY SUPPLEMENTED ON NOVEMBER 1, 1996.
 
    References in the Prospectus that Class C shares automatically convert to
Class A shares are hereby deleted and the following sentence is added to the
section of the Prospectus captioned "ALTERNATIVE SALES ARRANGEMENTS -- PURCHASE
OF SHARES -- DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVES -- CONVERSION FEATURE."
 
    Class C shares purchased before January 1, 1997, and any dividend
reinvestment plan shares received thereon, automatically convert to Class A
shares ten years after the end of the calendar month in which such shares were
purchased. Such conversion will be on the basis of the relative net asset values
per share, without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge.
 
    The section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE OF SHARES" hereby is
supplemented by adding the following:
 
    The Distributor is sponsoring a sales incentive program for A.G. Edwards &
Sons, Inc. ("A.G. Edwards"). The Distributor will reallow its portion of the
Fund's sales concession to A.G. Edwards on sales of Class A Shares of the Fund
relating to the "rollover" of any savings into an Individual Retirement Account
("IRA"), the transfer of assets into an IRA and contributions to an IRA,
commencing on January 1, 1997 and terminating on April 15, 1997.
 
    Paragraph (5) of the section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE OF SHARES
- -- NAV PURCHASE OPTIONS" is hereby amended and restated with the following:
 
    (5) Trustees and other fiduciaries purchasing shares for retirement plans of
        organizations with retirement plan assets of $3 million or more and
        which invest in multiple fund families through national wirehouse
        alliance programs.
 
    Paragraphs (8) and (9) of the section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE
OF SHARES -- NAV PURCHASE OPTIONS" are hereby amended and restated with the
following:
 
    (8) Trusts created under pension, profit sharing or other employee benefit
        plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or custodial accounts
        held by a bank created pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Code and
        sponsored by non-profit organizations defined under Section 501(c)(3) of
        the Code and assets held by an employer or trustee in connection with an
        eligible deferred compensation plan under Section 457 of the Code. Such
        plans will qualify for purchases at net asset value provided, for plans
        initially establishing accounts with the Distributor in the
        Participating
<PAGE>   10
 
        Funds after February 1, 1997, that (1) the initial amount invested in
        the Participating Funds is at least $500,000 or (2) such shares are
        purchased by an employer sponsored plan with more than 100 eligible
        employees. Such plans that have been established with a Participating
        Fund or have received proposals from the Distributor prior to February
        1, 1997 based on net asset value purchase privileges previously in
        effect will be qualified to purchase shares of the Participating Funds
        at net asset value for accounts established on or before May 1, 1997.
        Section 403(b) and similar accounts for which Van Kampen American
        Capital Trust Company serves as custodian will not be eligible for net
        asset value purchases based on the aggregate investment made by the plan
        or the number of eligible employees, except under certain uniform
        criteria established by the Distributor from time to time. Prior to
        February 1, 1997, a commission will be paid to authorized dealers who
        initiate and are responsible for such purchases within a rolling
        twelve-month period as follows: 1.00% on sales to $5 million, plus 0.50%
        on the next $5 million, plus 0.25% on the excess over $10 million. For
        purchases on February 1, 1997 and thereafter, a commission will be paid
        as follows: 1.00% on sales to $2 million, plus 0.80% on the next $1
        million, plus 0.50% on the next $47 million, plus 0.25% on the excess
        over $50 million.
 
    Paragraph (10) of the section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE OF
SHARES -- NAV PURCHASE OPTIONS" is hereby renumbered as paragraph (9).
<PAGE>   11
 
                          VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
                                PROSPECTOR FUND
  SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 2, 1997, TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED OCTOBER 28, 1996,
                AS PREVIOUSLY SUPPLEMENTED ON NOVEMBER 1, 1996.
 
    References in the Prospectus that Class C shares automatically convert to
Class A shares are hereby deleted and the following sentence is added to the
section of the Prospectus captioned "ALTERNATIVE SALES ARRANGEMENTS -- PURCHASE
OF SHARES -- DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVES -- CONVERSION FEATURE."
 
    Class C shares purchased before January 1, 1997, and any dividend
reinvestment plan shares received thereon, automatically convert to Class A
shares ten years after the end of the calendar month in which such shares were
purchased. Such conversion will be on the basis of the relative net asset values
per share, without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge.
 
    The section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE OF SHARES" hereby is
supplemented by adding the following:
 
    The Distributor is sponsoring a sales incentive program for A.G. Edwards &
Sons, Inc. ("A.G. Edwards"). The Distributor will reallow its portion of the
Fund's sales concession to A.G. Edwards on sales of Class A Shares of the Fund
relating to the "rollover" of any savings into an Individual Retirement Account
("IRA"), the transfer of assets into an IRA and contributions to an IRA,
commencing on January 1, 1997 and terminating on April 15, 1997.
 
    Paragraph (5) of the section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE OF SHARES
- -- NAV PURCHASE OPTIONS" is hereby amended and restated with the following:
 
    (5) Trustees and other fiduciaries purchasing shares for retirement plans of
        organizations with retirement plan assets of $3 million or more and
        which invest in multiple fund families through national wirehouse
        alliance programs.
 
    Paragraphs (8) and (9) of the section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE
OF SHARES -- NAV PURCHASE OPTIONS" are hereby amended and restated with the
following:
 
    (8) Trusts created under pension, profit sharing or other employee benefit
        plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or custodial accounts
        held by a bank created pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Code and
        sponsored by non-profit organizations defined under Section 501(c)(3) of
        the Code and assets held by an employer or trustee in connection with an
        eligible deferred compensation plan under Section 457 of the Code. Such
        plans will qualify for purchases at net asset value provided, for plans
        initially establishing accounts with the Distributor in the
        Participating
<PAGE>   12
 
        Funds after February 1, 1997, that (1) the initial amount invested in
        the Participating Funds is at least $500,000 or (2) such shares are
        purchased by an employer sponsored plan with more than 100 eligible
        employees. Such plans that have been established with a Participating
        Fund or have received proposals from the Distributor prior to February
        1, 1997 based on net asset value purchase privileges previously in
        effect will be qualified to purchase shares of the Participating Funds
        at net asset value for accounts established on or before May 1, 1997.
        Section 403(b) and similar accounts for which Van Kampen American
        Capital Trust Company serves as custodian will not be eligible for net
        asset value purchases based on the aggregate investment made by the plan
        or the number of eligible employees, except under certain uniform
        criteria established by the Distributor from time to time. Prior to
        February 1, 1997, a commission will be paid to authorized dealers who
        initiate and are responsible for such purchases within a rolling
        twelve-month period as follows: 1.00% on sales to $5 million, plus 0.50%
        on the next $5 million, plus 0.25% on the excess over $10 million. For
        purchases on February 1, 1997 and thereafter, a commission will be paid
        as follows: 1.00% on sales to $2 million, plus 0.80% on the next $1
        million, plus 0.50% on the next $47 million, plus 0.25% on the excess
        over $50 million.
 
    Paragraph (10) of the section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE OF
SHARES -- NAV PURCHASE OPTIONS" is hereby renumbered as paragraph (9).
<PAGE>   13
 
                          VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
                             AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND
  SUPPLEMENT DATED JANUARY 2, 1997, TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED OCTOBER 28, 1996,
                AS PREVIOUSLY SUPPLEMENTED ON NOVEMBER 1, 1996.
 
    References in the Prospectus that Class C shares automatically convert to
Class A shares are hereby deleted and the following sentence is added to the
section of the Prospectus captioned "ALTERNATIVE SALES ARRANGEMENTS -- PURCHASE
OF SHARES -- DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVES -- CONVERSION FEATURE."
 
    Class C shares purchased before January 1, 1997, and any dividend
reinvestment plan shares received thereon, automatically convert to Class A
shares ten years after the end of the calendar month in which such shares were
purchased. Such conversion will be on the basis of the relative net asset values
per share, without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge.
 
    The section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE OF SHARES" hereby is
supplemented by adding the following:
 
    The Distributor is sponsoring a sales incentive program for A.G. Edwards &
Sons, Inc. ("A.G. Edwards"). The Distributor will reallow its portion of the
Fund's sales concession to A.G. Edwards on sales of Class A Shares of the Fund
relating to the "rollover" of any savings into an Individual Retirement Account
("IRA"), the transfer of assets into an IRA and contributions to an IRA,
commencing on January 1, 1997 and terminating on April 15, 1997.
 
    Paragraph (5) of the section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE OF SHARES
- -- NAV PURCHASE OPTIONS" is hereby amended and restated with the following:
 
    (5) Trustees and other fiduciaries purchasing shares for retirement plans of
        organizations with retirement plan assets of $3 million or more and
        which invest in multiple fund families through national wirehouse
        alliance programs.
 
    Paragraphs (8) and (9) of the section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE
OF SHARES -- NAV PURCHASE OPTIONS" are hereby amended and restated with the
following:
 
    (8) Trusts created under pension, profit sharing or other employee benefit
        plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or custodial accounts
        held by a bank created pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Code and
        sponsored by non-profit organizations defined under Section 501(c)(3) of
        the Code and assets held by an employer or trustee in connection with an
        eligible deferred compensation plan under Section 457 of the Code. Such
        plans will qualify for purchases at net asset value provided, for plans
        initially establishing accounts with the Distributor in the
        Participating
<PAGE>   14
 
        Funds after February 1, 1997, that (1) the initial amount invested in
        the Participating Funds is at least $500,000 or (2) such shares are
        purchased by an employer sponsored plan with more than 100 eligible
        employees. Such plans that have been established with a Participating
        Fund or have received proposals from the Distributor prior to February
        1, 1997 based on net asset value purchase privileges previously in
        effect will be qualified to purchase shares of the Participating Funds
        at net asset value for accounts established on or before May 1, 1997.
        Section 403(b) and similar accounts for which Van Kampen American
        Capital Trust Company serves as custodian will not be eligible for net
        asset value purchases based on the aggregate investment made by the plan
        or the number of eligible employees, except under certain uniform
        criteria established by the Distributor from time to time. Prior to
        February 1, 1997, a commission will be paid to authorized dealers who
        initiate and are responsible for such purchases within a rolling
        twelve-month period as follows: 1.00% on sales to $5 million, plus 0.50%
        on the next $5 million, plus 0.25% on the excess over $10 million. For
        purchases on February 1, 1997 and thereafter, a commission will be paid
        as follows: 1.00% on sales to $2 million, plus 0.80% on the next $1
        million, plus 0.50% on the next $47 million, plus 0.25% on the excess
        over $50 million.
 
    Paragraph (10) of the section of the Prospectus captioned "PURCHASE OF
SHARES -- NAV PURCHASE OPTIONS" is hereby renumbered as paragraph (9).


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